I'm really sorry that this took me so long to post I had some computer problems that kind of hindered me.
Two tense hours had already passed since Voyager had left the planet. Commander Fielding had spent most of that time in the Captain's ready room conferring with Starfleet Headquarters.

Now she had called a meeting of the senior staff. As they slowly, almost begrudgingly, entered the room, she began to note carefully or not so carefully concealed expressions of disbelief and fury. When Seven, the last to enter, was seated Fielding began the meeting.

"Commander Tuvok, what is our tactical status?"

"We sustained some damage to the weapons systems, however they are being repaired as we speak. Shields are holding at 93 percent."

"Thank you. Lieutenant Kim, Damage report."

Harry looked a bit startled for a moment, then answered automatically. "Hull breaches on Decks nine and eleven. One serious injury and several other crewmen have minor injuries."

"Very well. I have been in contact with the admiralty. We have been ordered back to Earth."

"What about the Captain?" B'Elanna exploded, no longer able to keep it in. "She's still on that planet!"

Fielding frowned. "Lieutenant Torres, your outburst is unacceptable if understandable. However, I have been assured that Starfleet will pursue a diplomatic solution."

"A diplomatic solution?" demanded Tom. "How long will that take, Commander?"

"I don't know, Mr. Paris, but that's none of our concern. We were ordered -- "

She was interrupted when Harry spoke up. "She wouldn't have left us behind, Commander. Orders or no Captain Janeway would have found a way not to leave us behind."

"Lieutenant," she snapped, "you are out of line and this is not a debate. You all have your orders and I expect you to follow them. Now...unless there any helpful comments, you are all dismissed."

* * *

Harry Kim stood numbly at his post processing data and acknowledging orders like a skillful automaton, as he watched the matte gray of Starbase 102 drift into sight on the view screen. He stiffly called out facts for the Commander's attention and hardly noticed when a furious B'Elanna arrived on the bridge. However his attention was captured when he heard Fielding announce to B'Elanna that Starfleet Corps of Engineer techs would be coming aboard for the repairs.

Incredulous, B'Elanna just stared at her for a moment. "Fine. Who will I be coordinating this operation with?"

"Nobody, Lieutenant. This will be a strictly S.C.E assignment."

"Are you questioning my competence?"

"No, Lieutenant, I'm not. However, your recent actions have been hostile and unpredictable. I suggest you take a day of leave and spend some time on the Starbase."

Furious, B'Elanna turned on her heel and stormed off the bridge.

* * *

The air of business-like efficiency that the Starbase seemed to give off combined with her daughter's influence began to calm B'Elanna. Once she was thinking rationally again she supposed she could understand the commander's point, but it also showed how little Fielding knew or trusted her; it was very frustrating working with a person like that after having worked with Captain Janeway and Chakotay for the last seven years.

That also presented the other problem -- the old crew didn't trust Fielding and it was beginning to cause trouble between the old crew and its new additions. She scowled suddenly as her daughter seemed to catch her mood and started bawling at the top of her lungs. B'Elanna shifted Miral in her arms, turning the child to face her, checking to see if a new tooth was trying to break free, when she noticed a very familiar looking person sitting in a restaurant across the corridor and froze in shock and disbelief.

* * *

Sickbay, like most of the other sections of Voyager, had been given additional personnel before she was redeployed. So now when he would have most welcomed a task of any kind the Doctor found himself with nothing to do. Just as he was about to go regale some of the orderlies with tales of his many miraculous discoveries and perhaps see if any of them shared his fondness for opera, he saw Seven of Nine walk calmly into Sickbay. Normally it would be the nurse's duty to gather information for him before he proceeded but today the Doctor decided to handle it himself.

"Hello, Seven. What can I do for you today?"

"I do not require medical attention. However, I have not seen you since we came aboard Voyager," she explained, and "I have come to miss your presence since we came aboard. You have also often assisted me in understanding my humanity and since Captain Janeway was left behind I have had many conflicting emotions."

"Well of course, Seven. That is a very natural response. Your relationship with the Captain is very complex and there are still many unresolved issues between the two of you."

The doctor continued speaking to her trying to explain the emotions she was feeling as well as attempting to comfort her. Something the Doctor had been doing a lot of, mused Seven, no longer listening to him. She thought back over the past weeks, especially since her break up with Chakotay. Thinking of him was now no longer painful only slightly wistful. She had no ill feelings either towards Chakotay or the Captain due mostly to the doctor's influence.

The Doctor had graciously accepted her into his quarters and helped her through her initial depression after the breakup. They had developed an even closer friendship after spending much time together; after all they now had all the cultural delights of the Alpha Quadrant at their fingertips, and as Voyager crewmembers, access to many of the more exclusive events.

No, Seven suddenly realized, what she was feeling for the Doctor, these strange, exhilarating feelings were most definitely past friendship. She had known for quite some time that, the Doctor, had at one time had romantic feelings for her; however, he had not once acted on the recently. When she heard the Doctor calling her name she suddenly tuned back into what he was saying.

"Seven were you listening? I believe that."

However much to his surprise Seven interrupted him mid sentence. "Doctor," she began as she started pacing around the room, "I believe that we are very good friends, are we not?"

"Yes, of course." The Doctor agreed even though he was obviously confused by the sudden change of topic.

"And as good friends we should be honest with each other. So let me ask you Doctor, do you still have romantic feelings for me?"

The Doctor appeared at first to be quite shocked by her question but when he answered her it was quiet, simple and lacking his usual bravado but full of emotion. "Yes, Seven, I do."

He paused, waiting for her rejoinder, and when none came he finally gave into his curiosity. "Seven may I ask why you asked that question now?"

"Because I realized that I have romantic feelings for you as well." She paused for a moment, finally stopping her pacing, and faced him. "Doctor, I would like to begin a romantic relationship with you."

The Doctor stood for a moment stunned and numbly nodded his agreement.

* * *

It was impossible, even more impossible than the fact that she had been thrown off of her own ship during a major repair operation. No -- it simply could not be him, no matter how much it appeared to be him in profile.

When she neared the table she called out to him, her tone a mix of hope and disbelief. "Chakotay?"

"B'Elanna!" came the startled reply as he turned rising out of his chair quickly and looking equally shocked. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same. I thought you were still on Earth."

"No I, uh, accepted a position aboard the Excelsior. Things didn't work out and I'm headed back to Earth. What about you? I assume you're here with Voyager."

"Yes," B'Elanna replied tersely, "but with Fielding in charge I'm starting to wish I wasn't."

"Fielding?"

"Commander Alyssa Fielding, your replacement. Although she really couldn't replace you, a fact that I think the Captain was starting to appreciate, before the incident that is."

"What incident, B'Elanna?" He demanded anxiously worry creeping quickly into him. "Why isn't Kathryn in charge?"

"You don't know," she breathed. "But I thought.never mind. We received a distress call from a planet near the Neutral Zone and went to investigate. She insisted on leading the away team, I'm not sure that she trusted Fielding to lead it. Tuvok, Seven and the security detail came under attack; Tom and the Captain went to help them. They discovered that the attackers were Romulans about the time Voyager came under fire. The away team was beamed up, but something went wrong and the Captain wasn't beamed up. Another warbird appeared and Fielding ordered us away from the planet."

When Chakotay spoke again he spoke softly but in a tone that alluded to his fury. "Fielding just left her? How could she have." He paused for a moment. "Is anyone being sent back on a rescue mission?"

"Starfleet ordered us back to Earth for a debriefing on the situation and Fielding refused us so much as a shuttle to go after her."

"I'm going after her B'Elanna. I have to, after all this is my fault."

"What are you talking about Chakotay? You weren't even on board."

"That's the point -- if I had been there I would have led that mission instead of Kathryn and she would be safe now," He became quiet then and muttered almost to himself: "All because of some stupid fight." Then he seemed to come back to the present. "I'm going to need your help B'Elanna, if you're willing to get a small shuttle or transport. I have to go after her."

"I'll help you any way I can," stated B'Elanna without hesitation, "but I think we should get, Tom, Harry, Seven and maybe even Tuvok and the Doctor down here before we do anything. I think between us we could come up with something a little better than that. Besides we all owe the Captain more than we could ever repay."

"All right," Chakotay sighed, resigned. "I don't like involving all of you in this. I don't think this will be a Starfleet approved mission, but," he raised a hand before B'Elanna could object, "I'm glad for the help, I'll stand a better chance with all of your help."

Half an hour later the entire senior staff of Voyager had gathered at the restaurant with B'Elanna and Chakotay. B'Elanna had arranged for Miral to go back aboard the ship and she was currently playing under the watchful eye of Samantha Wildman. When everyone had finally quieted down after seeing Chakotay and receiving the explanation for his presence that had been demanded, B'Elanna finally stated the reason for the meeting.

"I'll get to the point. Chakotay's going after the captain, and I'm going with him. I want to give anyone who wants to the chance to come with us."

Not surprisingly Tuvok was the only one who objected. "Commander, this is not a logical course of action. We should work with Starfleet to get Captain Janeway back, not against them."

"They're insisting on a diplomatic solution, Tuvok. The Romulans will simply claim that the Romulans there were not apart of the government and Starfleet will be unable to help her." Chakotay paused for a moment then stated simply: "She would and has done the same for all of us, Tuvok."

Tuvok paused and seemed to consider what had been said. "Commander, I still believe what you are doing is not logical and is over emotional...however, I do believe that you have a chance and my presence will improve your odds. So I will assist you."

Chakotay smiled tightly at him and nodded. The others relaxed ever so slightly. "Thank you, Tuvok. Now...does anyone have any actual suggestions as to how we pull this off?"

Tom spoke up quickly. "We'll need Voyager whatever we do. It shouldn't be too hard -- just beam aboard, Chakotay takes command and we --"

"No, Tom," cut in Chakotay. "As simple as that sounds we can't do that. We would have half of Starfleet chasing us which would hurt our chances of getting her back even more."

"What do you suggest then?" demanded Tom.

To everyone's surprise Tuvok was the one to offer up a solution. If Commander Fielding were unable to command Voyager, I would be forced to take command. In which case, I would of course allow Commander Chakotay to come aboard as a passenger."

The full implications of Tuvok's calm statement sunk in around a very quiet table as everyone realized the true brilliance of the Vulcan's suggestion. Tom was the first to regain his voice from the shock of such an Maquis- worthy statement comment coming from Tuvok.

"You know, Chakotay, it would be a real shame if Commander Fielding came down with the Tarcessian Flu. I hear it's been going around lately, an especially virulent strain at that."

"Yeah what a shame that would be," muttered B'Elanna in a very unconvincing manner.

"Well Doc, do we have your help?" questioned Harry, thinking of the Doctor's sometimes pesky morals.

"For the Captain? Certainly, Lieutenant."

"Thank you, Doctor," cut in Chakotay. "Harry -- you, Seven, Tom, and the Doctor head back to Voyager and get started. Be sure and act normal -- we don't need Fielding getting suspicious. B'Elanna and Tuvok, if you aren't needed aboard Voyager you can stay here and help me plan. We'll begin as soon as Fielding is ill enough to be beamed over to the starbase Sickbay."

* * *

Kathryn Janeway sighed wearily and tried futilely to wipe a few of the many layers of mud off her face. She had been successfully evading the Romulans for the past four days, but now she was growing tired and slowly running out of options. She had left the ruins quickly after she had regained consciousness and moved into the forest, barely avoiding one of the groups of Romulans.

After that near encounter she had avoided the Romulans for two days but then her luck had run out when a patrol had accidentally seen her. She had barely gotten away from them and since then had been tracked and harried mercilessly. It had been several days since she had rested and exhaustion was starting to set in. The teams that had been relentlessly pursuing her had finally made a mistake. They had left a hole in their defensive screen that would allow her to pass between them and hopefully into a less dangerous area of the planet. Only one obstacle stood in her way -- the planet itself.

She had already slipped past the groups of Romulans without too much trouble, now as she rested a moment and examined the scans of the terrain up ahead she cursed quietly. Obviously she had not gone as unnoticed as she had thought because two teams were moving quickly towards her. Swiftly she gathered up her phaser from where it had been resting on the rock next to her and began running through the forest that was suddenly becoming less dense and rockier as the minutes went by. She slowed as she reached the next obstacle even thought she could hear the distinctive sound of disruptor fire coming closer and closer. She turned catching a glimpse of her attackers as she slid over the edge and began climbing down the massive sheer cliff. No, she thought with a grim smile as she gingerly lowered herself down the cliff face, she was not, as Chakotay would have said had he been there, suicidal, she was just determined. For at the bottom of the cliff, there were caves. Caves that contained elements that would render the Romulan sensors virtually useless.

"Of course," the captain muttered out loud as she climbed, "B'Elanna was right -- if Chakotay was here this wouldn't have happened. He wouldn't have left."

Dismally she wondered as she climbed if she would ever see him again, if he would want to see her again considering the way she had treated him. Suddenly she was startled out of her thoughts as she felt the cliff shake under her. She looked up to see the Romulans firing at her. Apparently they were very bad shots because she had not been hit...yet. However, their actions were having some unexpected consequences. Pieces of rock had begun shattering off of the cliff face around her and some were even flying down from above her, creating some very dangerous natural missiles. Quickly scanning the cliff face near her the Captain saw an overhang which could shelter her from the falling rock. Just a she reached the ledge's scant protection she heard the loud noise of disruptor fire closer than any yet. She numbly realized a fraction of a second later that her handholds had been practically vaporized and before she could grab another handhold she was falling helplessly through the air.

* * *

"We're nearing the planet, Commander," stated Harry.

"Very well. Tom, drop us to impulse. B'Elanna, are those modifications on line yet?"

"Almost. I'm adding the finishing touches now, but they'll be ready when you need them."

"All right. Harry, have you got a transporter lock on the Captain?"

"No, sir. I have her life signs...they're very faint though. I can't seem to got a lock on her."

Seven at her usual bridge position behind the Captain's chair peered anxiously over the readings. "You will not be able to gain a lock Lieutenant. There are several elements in the caves below the captain that can block sensors as well as our transporters."

Chakotay paced the bridge for a moment, as tense as a coiled spring but just as he was about to speak Tuvok calmly gave the tactical update. "Two warbirds have decloaked in front of us in a lower orbit."

"Tuvok, you have the bridge. Keep those warbirds distracted. Tom, you're with me. We'll take the Delta Flyer."

Just as they were about to enter the turbolift Seven called out to him. "Commander -- may I accompany you? I believe I can be of assistance."

He hesitated for only a moment then quickly and silently nodded.

"Shields up, Lieutenant Kim," ordered Tuvok as the turbolift doors closed behind the threesome.

"Yes, sir."

"Sir," reported Lieutenant Ayala, "their weapons systems are online and they are preparing to fire."

"Open a hailing frequency, Lieutenant."

"Open, sir."

"Romulan Vessel, this is the Federation Starship Voyager. Please stand down; we are here with no hostile intentions."

The Romulans' only response was to open fire on Voyager. The ship shuddered as the first few blasts hit, but Tuvok remained calm, even as the Warbirdss began to surround them in a seemingly impenetrable and inescapable pattern.

"Is the Flyer away?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well. Enable the borg shields and disable their weapons and propulsion systems."

* * *

Aboard the Delta Flyer the uncomfortable silence was only broken by Tom's occasional report. As they prepared to land, the Romulans only occasionally harassed them and the small weapons that were fired at them were only meant for ground combat and did no real damage to the Flyer. As soon as they landed and exited the Flyer, the trio began scanning for life signs.

"This way, Chakotay," called Tom gesturing towards the base of the looming cliff about ten or fifteen meters away. Hastily they scrambled towards it, Chakotay calling out Kathryn's name loudly, not caring about attracting the nearby Romulans.

The only sound on the suddenly deafening silent air was a low pained groan. Seven, who was nearest to the noise, scrambled over the rocks and then called quickly: "Over here." She knelt next to the Captain, then called over her shoulder at the others. "Lieutenant Paris, she needs medical attention immediately." She turned back to Kathryn. "Captain, you will be all right in just a moment. Assistance has arrived."

Chakotay and Tom rushed to her side, Tom opening his med kit and rapidly beginning to scan and stabilize her. Chakotay came over to her other side and grasped her hand in a gesture of comfort. "It's okay Kathryn, Voyager is here and we're getting you out of here."

"Chakotay?" she whispered weekly in an almost disbelieving tone. Then she sank back into a state of unconsciousness.

"Tom, can we move her?"

"We really don't have a choice, Chakotay. We need to get her to Sickbay quickly."

"All right. Seven, grab the gear. Tom, cover us. I'll carry her."

Quickly scooping her up into his arms, they started back to the Flyer. It seemed to take an eternity but when they finally reached it they had no trouble getting off the planet. Chakotay, however, stayed in the back of the shuttle with the Captain as they returned to Voyager. Halfway to the ship, Tuvok's voice came over the Comm system.

Voyager to Commander Chakotay. We have disabled the Romulan vessels.

"Good Tuvok, lower the shields and beam the captain directly Sickbay."

Aye sir." A few seconds later she shimmered out of view.

* * *

Four hours later Chakotay had yet to get to Sickbay. He had spent the last few hours organizing the retreat from the planet as well as overseeing the minor repairs that Voyager needed. In a way he had been avoiding going to face Kathryn. He knew that she had been badly injured but the Doctor had been fully confident that she would be fine. And now, finally exhausted and all options for avoiding her any longer looking flimsier by the minute he slowly walked into a turbolift and headed towards Sickbay.

The Doctor walked cheerfully over to talk to him as soon as he entered. "You're just in time, Commander. The sedatives I administered are just about to wear off. She should be coming around in a few minutes."

"How is she?"

"She suffered severe internal bleeding and injuries and broke several bones. I was able to stop the internal bleeding and set and knit the bones back together. However she will be very weak for the next few days and will need to be limited to bed rest for the first day."

"Well, Doctor, I wish you luck with that. Can I see her now?"

"Certainly Commander, but don't stay to long. I don't want her overexerted."

Chakotay walked slowly towards the biobed where she lay. He paused for a moment beside her just soaking in her presence, tracing over the familiar beautiful features with his eyes that he had not truly seen for over a month. He had been too busy and concerned when they were on the planet to really look at her. But now he saw that even though her face was relaxed in sleep he could see the toll the stress of the last few months had taken on her. He saw her eyes flutter open and quickly reached out to take her hand in his.

"Chakotay," she gasped weakly, "What happened? Did Voyager come back for me?"

"It looks like you fell off of a cliff on Kestrik IV. You were severely injured when we found you so we brought you here for the Doctor to patch you up. You gave us a pretty good scare there for a while." He neatly dodged her last question not wanting to upset her by telling her that her crew had disobeyed orders to come back and get her.

She nodded, accepting his explanation and not questioning his dodge. Then she cocked her head at him as another thought hit her. "What are you doing here, Chakotay? You were stationed aboard the Excelsior."

"I requested a transfer off of the Excelsior. I met B'Elanna at Starbase 102 along with the rest of the crew. It was a strictly Maquis style operation." He smiled at her then with a lopsided grin. "After Fielding left, we commandeered Voyager and came back for you."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized what he and her crew had done for her, what they had risked to get her back.

"Thank you," she said simply, "but you shouldn't have. What will Starfleet do to you?"

"You don't understand Kathryn, we had to. You mean too much to this crew, to me for us to just leave you there."

And, once again he was wearing his heart on his sleeve. However, he was prepared for her usual strained dismissal when he saw something different in her eyes.

Her response, more abrupt than her usual calm and controlled reply, changed the subject slightly. "Chakotay...can you forgive me for what I did? For what I said? I, I didn't mean it. I was scared. For years I had been running from it and suddenly all my excuses were gone and I was afraid. Afraid to try because I was afraid it might not work and I couldn't stand the thought of losing you."

He paused for a moment stunned. Unable to continue looking at him and fearing rejection she developed a sudden interest in a spot on the wall behind him.

"Kathryn, I don't know what to say. I regret what I said...I don't blame you for stranding us in the Delta Quadrant. If you hadn't, we wouldn't be here. Half of us would be in prison and Miral wouldn't even have been born. We wouldn't have become friends. I'm sorry for lashing out at you like I did and," he held up a hand to forestall her speaking, "as for losing me Kathryn, you never really did."

At her startled expression he amended his last statement. "Oh, I thought I was over you, but I wasn't really with Seven and she knew it. Before I did actually. So, Kathryn...what will you do?"

She stared at him for a moment stunned by his revelation and his obvious love for her. :Chakotay, I love you and I want to make this work. It will be difficult...but if we can travel 70,000 light-years in seven years then we can do anything, together."

As her statement registered on his brain a slow smile spread across his face and he could no longer resist. He slowly drew her to him in a tender yet passionate kiss.

The Doctor's discreet pointed yet totally unnecessary cough startled them back to reality all to soon, however.

"Commander...as happy as I am for you, the Captain is still in need of rest."

"Of course, Doctor," he turned back to Kathryn, "I'll be back as soon as my shift ends."

"Do you have to go? I've hardly seen you in the past few months."

"Yes, as much as I want to stay. You need to rest and I need to make sure Tom doesn't wreck your ship."

"Well when you put it that way, hurry back."

"Always, Kathryn."