I sat there stunned at the stories that I had just heard. Now, things were making some sense. More than they had.

"Now, Kathryn, I have a short story for you. Mine takes place only two months ago.  But first, a question for you.  When did you first realize that Seven and I were dating?  No you don't need to answer that.  As your friend I should have told you straight away, but didn't."

You sit there looking at your hands, as if they are more interesting in what I'm about to tell you.  "Chakotay, I was so occupied in the prospect of getting home, it took the Admiral to really make me see.  I knew that you were spending more time together.  I also knew that Seven found you to be the most eligible prospect to help her discover that portion of her humanity.  I hope that you both are happy and she is adjusting well to being on Earth"

"Kathryn, Seven and I decided that our relationship wasn't working and parted amicably almost two months ago.   I spoke with her a few days ago and I would say that she sounded happy.  In fact she was inquiring with Tuvok concerning a trip to Vulcan.  I think that the serenity and logic of Vulcan would help her ease into being among the masses again.  She wished to speak with you, however she felt uncomfortable with making the first move.  She's afraid that you are unhappy with her."

"Oh, I must call her soon then.  I never meant to give that impression; but after our last conversation in my Ready Room, I can see where she may have got that impression.  I cannot say with all honesty that the relationship between the two of you did not affect me, but I tried to be as impartial as I could.  I guess I wasn't that good."  Kathryn began to rub the bridge of her nose, as she tended to do when stress was getting a little too much to bear. 

I suggested that we go out to the park near my apartment, to get a breath of fresh air.  All of these confessions were making the air in my living room thick with emotions.

We strolled to the park, arm in arm, in a comfortable silence.  The view from the clearing was amazing; the stars were having a show for us.  Kathryn gave out a small sigh and I patted the hand that rested in the crook of my arm.

"You miss being out there don't you?" I softly inquired.

"That is not an easy question to answer Chakotay.  Yes, I miss being on Voyager with our family, but I do not miss being out of touch with Earth and my family here.  I learned my lessons and had my hands slapped by Admiralty for it.  I miss exploring and miss meeting new species, but I also long to be a homebody.  Walking in a door after a long day with someone, even a dog, waiting for me would be nice too.  I love being amongst the stars, but only if I have what I need.  And right now what I need is my family.  All of them."

"The stars must miss you too, Kathryn, because you never looked lovelier in the starlight than you do right now."  I lifted her hand from my arm and placed a kiss on the back.

She sighed. 

"The earth atmosphere must be going to you head Chakotay" she playfully replied.  "Let's go back and have another glass of wine.  I believe you have a short story for me.

We returned to my apartment and I refilled both of our glasses.  I hoped that telling her about the letter from the Admiral would not upset her too much, but she needed to realize that I knew. 

At the end of my tale, Kathryn is silently crying, trying to turn from me in her grief.  I gently take her shoulder and turn her so that she is crying onto my shoulder.  I rock her gently trying to sooth her.

"She shouldn't have," she sobbed.  "I should have told you long ago, but I couldn't."  She continued to cry until the sobbing lessened to silent tears.

"Kathryn, I am so glad that she did. It gave me hope.  For seven years I had hoped that there might be time for us.  I knew your reasons for not forming a relationship.  It was true to who you were, although there were many times the reasons made me angry and sad.  Sad for all that we were loosing.  All the time we were loosing.  I too had envisioned our family.  Had hoped for it and discussed it with my animal guide.   Then letter came.  Two days after the breakup with Seven and although the end of that relationship saddened me, the letter gave my hope that we still might be able to find each other again.  It gave me renewed hope for us." I gathered her in my arms and let Kathryn cry.

I now realize that things for us will out, we have time. We are home, together, and all the secrets have been revealed. By ending these stories, we are starting our beginning, together.

Kathryn started her teaching job at the Academy and was relishing in the prospect of molding a new generation of cadets.  I began, under the tutelage of Admiral Picard, cataloging and describing the new species and civilizations we had encountered.  Both Kathryn and Picard convinced me that I should also write a book on the Sky People we encountered in the Delta Quadrant and their relationship to my ancestors.

Several months after we renewed our relationship, we took a house on the beach.  We were happy spending the days telling our respective audiences of our travels and our nights reveling in our love.

I then began to notice her becoming distant, not so much physically but emotionally.  I asked the Doctor to look in on her at the Academy, to see if there might be something physically wrong with her too.  She claimed that stress from mid-term examinations were getting the better of her and that she had been missing the stars lately.

I tried not to push, letting her work things out for herself.  But a week or so after the Doctor's glowing health report, I really began to worry and decided that I would start to pry when I returned home from work.

****