Voyager's crew entered the Starfleet Headquarters conference room, filing past their captain and commander in the corridor. Debriefing would begin that morning and all hands were on deck, including an infant Miral cradled in the arms of her mother, who rolled her eyes more than once at the doting, holographic EMH sticking close to her side. Kathryn and Chakotay greeted each crew member with a warm smile and an inquiry of how their week had gone. The command team was glad to learn that those who didn't have family near enough to visit yet had been taken in by friends from the ship, so they'd all enjoyed a week of soft beds, homecooked meals, and time to begin acclimating again to life planet-side.

After the last crew member had passed, Chakotay turned to Kathryn. He kept his stance professional, but his eyes reflected his love. "Are you ready, Captain?"

She glanced around at the rows of men and women who had served so closely together over the years. "They seem relaxed."

"I'm sure they are. I think the time off was good for everyone."

"This is it, then."

"This is what?"

She looked up at him with a rueful smile. "This is when I try to explain the last seven years to people who have no hope of understanding."

He chuckled. "I guess it is. Are you expecting difficulties?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure. I tell myself that we pulled off a miracle, and that the fact we are here now proves we made the right decisions." Her gaze drifted to the wall behind him. "And then, I ask myself what I missed. Was there something that I didn't do but should have? Is there a member of the crew I didn't help enough? Will I be reprimanded for taking too many risks, or not taking enough?"

Chakotay lowered his head in thought, and then looked her in the eye. "If there was something you missed, then I missed it, too. If a crewman fell through the cracks, then it was my fault because it was my responsibility." His voice softened. "The risks you took were because the lives of everyone sitting in that room depended on you, and every one of us trusted you to make the hard decisions. I couldn't share that responsibility with you, nor could Tuvok or anyone else. But you're right; the fact that we are here is a miracle, and you are responsible for that."

"I couldn't have done it without you, Chakotay."

"I wouldn't have wanted to do it without you." He fought the urge to pull her into his arms and took a deep breath instead. "Starfleet will understand, because we will make them understand." He nodded toward their crew. "All of us will make them see that no other captain could have pulled off what you have."

Kathryn reached out and briefly squeezed his hand. "It wasn't easy, was it?"

"No, it wasn't, but we made it."

Three admirals entered the conference room from a small side chamber and stepped up on a raised dais.

Chakotay stretched his arm toward the door. "It's time, Captain."

She squared her shoulders, turned on her heel to the doorway, and then waved him to her side. "Together, Commander."

Chakotay joined her and matched his step to hers. "Always."