The Captain stared at the closed turbolift doors for a moment before
springing into action. "How long ago did they take him?" She asked
crossing the bridge toward her group of bewildered officers.
"Not long Captain, fifteen maybe twenty minutes ago," Tom responded.
"Belanna can you get a fix on his position on Earth, the Doctor must be wearing his mobile emitter. Try and pinpoint him using that as your guide."
"Aye Captain," Belanna said hurrying to sensor controls. She scanned the surface, but came up empty handed. "I'm sorry Captain, but I can't locate him."
The Captain barely acknowledged her. "Hail Starfleet Command, Chakotay."
"They're not responding to our hails Captain," Chakotay answered after a pause.
"What the hell is going on?"
Tom, who had taken his place at Conn, turned and realized they were missing someone. "Where's Seven," he called to no one in particular. At once, they all realized she was no longer on the bridge.
Seven's mind housed only one objective. She was going to find her husband and no one was going to stop her. Everything she had come to consider important lied in that man. She had left the bridge quietly; no one had seen her go. The transporter room, like most of the ship, was empty. She knew the location of the last transport had to be in the logs and she planned on transporting directly there. Quickly she set the transporter controls and stepped onto the pad. With a shimmer she was gone.
"Transport in progress Captain," Chakotay called out.
"Stop the transport," The Captain yelled to Belanna.
"It's too late Captain, she already down there."
"Beam her back."
"I'm sorry Captain I can't get a lock on her. She's masking her signal somehow."
"Damn. What is she thinking?"
Seven didn't waste time. She moved through Starfleet Headquarters at a brisk pace, tricorder in hand. She had been detected as soon as she had transported, but Seven wasn't thinking about that. Her tricorder was set to scan for photonic energy and she followed it deeper into the building. A security officer stopped her before she had gotten far. He gazed uncertainly at her knowing she didn't belong. "Please step away from the door," he said.
Seven glanced down at her tricorder. There was definite photonic activity behind this door. She was sure it was the Doctor; she could almost feel his presence. The young ensign was still busy sizing her up. "Do you have permission to be in this part of the building?" he asked. Seven remained silent. "You'll have to come with me Miss." He approached her and gently took hold of her arm. Without thinking she fought against this, her hand flew up and knocked the ensign to the floor. Kneeling beside him she ran her tricorder over him. He was unconscious, but he would be fine. She turned her attention back to the access panel.
Suddenly there was a loud commotion, she felt a searing pain at her side and heard her name being shouted, before she fell to the floor unconscious.
Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay had beamed to Starfleet Headquarters. They were approaching Seven when Captain Janeway caught sight of the security guard coming toward her. She called out to her as he pulled his phaser from his side and fired. Janeway and Chakotay rushed toward her. The security officer hovered over Seven, unsure what to do with her.
"She's not seriously hurt, but we have to get her to the medical bay," Commander Chakotay said.
The nervous ensign glanced back and forth between his two superior officers, before going to his fallen comrade, who was slowly rousing himself. "She attacked me," he said groggily.
Janeway sighed. "I guess we better get them both to the medical bay."
The nurse hovered over Seven with a medical tricorder shaking her head in uncertainty. Across the room stood Kathryn and Chakotay. Both Admiral Paris and Nechayev joined them in minutes. "What happened?" Admiral Nechayev demanded.
Doctor Jeetaw crossed the room when the two Admirals arrived. "Ensign Jackson will be fine. He just got the wind knocked out of him, however the young woman is suffering from a phaser wound to her side. Normally this would not be a desperate situation, but we've found something strange. The woman appears to have Borg nanoprobes in her system. Every time we try and treat her the nanoprobes react. They're making it impossible to treat her."
Captain Janeway stepped forward, "Seven was Borg. She has a unique physiology. Our Doctor will know how to treat her."
Admiral Nechayev looked distrustfully at the Captain, but Admiral Paris immediately called for him to be brought to the medical bay.
"Admiral Nechayev to Security. Please send two officers to the medical bay immediately."
Janeway's head shot around. "I can assure you neither of them is a threat."
"That would appear to be an inaccurate statement Captain. She attacked a Starfleet Officer," Admiral Nechayev responded in her irritatingly calm voice. It irked the Captain. She wondered if the Admiral had any Vulcan blood, she never expressed emotion.
"That is only because you took her husband," Janeway responded.
"We merely transferred a computer program from one of our ships to one of our facilities."
"She doesn't see it that way. And neither do I." Captain Janeway was seething.
The Admiral would have responded but was interrupted by the entrance of the Doctor. He barely acknowledged the Captain or Commander in his rush toward his wife. He touched her face tenderly then reached for a medical tricorder. "Nurse, twenty cc's of Hydro-Cortalone."
The nurse began to hand him the hypospray, but Doctor Jeetaw stopped her. "This is an EMH program. Mark One if I'm not mistaken. They were put out of commission years ago. He's no more qualified to treat her than a first year cadet."
The Doctor looked at him in annoyance. "I beg to argue with you sir. I am more than qualified to treat my wife. I have been doing so for over three years."
"Wife?"
"Allow him to treat Seven, Doctor," Admiral Paris spoke up. "We'll explain everything in time." Paris turned toward his colleagues. "I suggest we allow the Doctor to treat Seven, while the rest of us speak privately."
Janeway and Chakotay followed him out of the medical bay with Nechayev not far behind them.
As soon as they had settled into one of the conference rooms, Captain Janeway began. "I'm taking the Doctor back to Voyager as soon as Seven is well."
"Kathryn," Admiral Paris began. "I understand you've grown emotionally attached to this hologram. Who wouldn't after all your years of isolation, but you have to remember he is just a hologram."
"All of you keep saying that. We know he's a hologram, but he is also a sentient being."
"The Federation does not recognize the rights of holograms as sentient beings," Admiral Nechayev responded.
Captain Janeway had been waiting for this and was well prepared with an answer. "Then we formally request a hearing to determine the rights of the Doctor."
"This is ridiculous," Admiral Nechayev started, but was cut off by Admiral Paris. "We cannot deny them the right to a hearing. We'll give you a hearing, but Kathryn, I hope you know what you're doing."
In the medical bay Seven was slowly regaining consciousness. The Doctor stood over her holding onto one of her hands. "Doctor?" she murmured softly.
"Yes, Seven. It's me." He helped to pull her into a sitting position. "I'm afraid your rescue mission didn't go well."
"Apparently not. I was damaged."
"Yes, but you're fine now. In the future you should leave the rescue missions to those a little more experienced," he said smiling.
"I couldn't leave you here. I didn't know what they would do with you," she paused. "I am uncertain what will happen, I don't like not knowing."
"Everything will be fine Seven, the two of us have been through our share of turmoil. We'll be fine," he said.
"You can't be sure," she said.
"No, but I have faith that our love will survive any obstacle," he said leaning in for a kiss. The soft feel of his lips was overwhelming to her. The tenderness he placed in each and every kiss was amazing. This was the only man she had ever kissed, the only man she wanted to kiss. His hands reached behind her and slowly he caressed her back with the flats of his palms. His strong hands left a trail of warmth over her body and she pulled in closer to that warmth. A tremendous sense of love filled her and warmed her entire body.
"Ahem." Janeway and Chakotay stood at the entrance of the medical bay alone. "Sorry to interrupt, but its time to return to Voyager."
"I will not leave the Doctor here," Seven began adamantly.
"Of course not Seven, the Doctor will be coming with us. We have a lot to discuss," said Janeway.
On Voyager the Captain and Commander relayed the arrangements they had managed to work out with Starfleet. There would be a hearing to determine whether the Doctor was in fact sentient. The outcome of that hearing would determine whether or not their marriage was legal. It would also determine what Starfleet had the right to do with the Doctor's program. Seven and the Doctor agreed to the arrangements and to allowing the Captain to represent them. They could think of no one better.
Seven was thoroughly exhausted by the end of the evening, she hadn't regenerated in almost two days and she was feeling it.
"Darling you look tired," the Doctor said.
"I am," Seven admitted.
"How long has it been since you last regenerated?" He asked. She hesitated. "I can always check your regeneration unit," he continued.
"45.7 hours."
"Seven," the Doctor sighed shaking his head. "You have to learn to take better care of yourself. You could make yourself sick."
"It is a good thing I'm married to a Doctor then," she smiled.
He smiled back, "let me walk you to the Cargo Bay."
"I would rather stay in our quarters tonight."
"I know, but you need to regenerate. Don't worry I promise I'll be here in the morning. They arrived at the Cargo Bay and entered silently. The Doctor smiled to himself recalling all the memories he associated with this place. "This reminds me of the beginning of our relationship," Seven said as if she could read his thoughts.
"I know."
"That was a special time for me," she continued.
"For me as well, an unforgettable time." They stayed silent for a moment allowing the memories to wash over them. The Doctor broke the silence. "Yes, well, you should regenerate now."
"I will see you in the morning." Seven brushed his lips slightly with her own. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight darling."
Kathryn and Chakotay sat quietly in her quarters both too exhausted to even speak. They had both changed into their civilian clothes and were sipping wine.
"So much for a happy homecoming," Kathryn said bitterly. "Considering everything, I'd rather still be stranded in the Delta Quadrant."
"You don't mean that, Kathryn," Chakotay said.
"Don't I. I feel like such a fool. For six years I've been singing the praises of the Federation to this crew. I forced Starfleet ideals down the throats of the Maquis and Seven. I was convinced that the Starfleet way was the only way," Kathryn finished.
"You were right," Chakotay responded softly.
"How can you say that? Look at everything that's happening because of Starfleet.
"The reason we're home now is because of your insistence we follow Starfleet guidelines. Do you know how incredibly unlikely it was that we would make it home at all? Not only did we make it, Kathryn, but we did it in only six years." Kathryn remained silent. She didn't know what to think anymore. Chakotay changed the subject, "Have you been home yet?"
"No," Kathryn said sadly. "With all that's happened I haven't had the chance to make it there. I'm hoping to transport down tomorrow for at least a couple of hours."
"You should go for the full day. The hearing doesn't begin for a week, and you really should spend some time with your family."
"You're right, I think I will." Kathryn paused, she had wanted to speak with him privately since they had entered the alpha quadrant, but hadn't had the chance. The timing never seemed right. She was about to speak when Chakotay stood suddenly. "I guess I'll get back to my quarters."
"Ok," Kathryn said disappointed. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Kathryn."
"Goodnight, Chakotay."
The next morning Kathryn was in her ready room accessing some information on Commander Data's sentience hearings, hoping to find something useful. She was scanning the documents when something interesting crossed her eyes. "Janeway to Chakotay," she said tapping her combadge.
"Chaoktay here. Aren't you supposed to be in Indiana, Kathryn?"
"I know, I'll leave soon, but I need to speak with you, I was hoping you had a second." There was a long pause. "Chakotay?"
"Yeah, Kathryn. I'm in my quarters."
"I'll be right there."
Chakotay was grabbing clothes from his dresser and stuffing them into a bag when Kathryn arrived. There were already three bags lying on the floor and his quarters had a suspiciously barren look. He was dressed in his civilian clothes, his Starfleet uniform strewn across the bed. Kathryn was mildly surprised to see him packing. "Are you visiting someone on Earth for a few days," she asked quietly.
"I haven't decided yet," he responded curtly.
"Oh," she paused, "I thought you would keep command while I was in Indiana."
Chakotay looked up with an incredulous look, "you haven't heard then?"
"Heard what? Chakotay what's going on?"
"I'm no longer in Starfleet, Kathryn."
Kathryn looked at him silently for a minute. A wave of disappointment flooded over her. "Why?"
"It's for the best, Kathryn. Please don't make more out of this than it is."
She advanced toward him quickly forcing him to face her. "Don't give me that. "You have been my first officer for six years. The very least I deserve is for you to tell me you're resigning personally."
"Is that what you think?" He paused before continuing, "I didn't resign." Chakotay walked over to the nightstand and picked up a data padd. "This was waiting for me when I left your quarters last night." Kathryn took the padd from his hand and briefly skimmed it. "No. I'll stop this, I won't let them run you out of Starfleet. You've proven your loyalty over and over."
"No, Kathryn. Leave it alone. Being discharged from Starfleet is not the worst that could have happened, we both know that." Kathryn sank into a chair stunned into silence. It was all too much, they were asking too much of her. It wasn't enough that she had done the impossible by bringing Voyager back from the dead, now they were stripping her of her crew one by one, her family and friends, Chakotay. Chakotay knelt in front of her and continued softly. "Don't worry about me. It's enough that they settled for my discharge alone, the rest of the Maquis still have their commissions. Besides I could never serve under anyone but you and it's highly unlikely that that would have happened." Kathryn looked up smiling sadly and nodded. She knew he was right, but it hurt nonetheless. For the second time in two days she felt brave enough to venture the question that had been on her mind for weeks, "Chakotay, I."
"Kathryn," he interrupted, "it can wait. I'll be fine. Go home, see your mother and sister, they've waited long enough. You've waited long enough."
"But."
"No, buts. Go or I'll drag you there myself." Kathryn smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder before rising and going to the door. "You will be here when I get back won't you?"
Chakotay paused before nodding, and she smiled and left.
"Not long Captain, fifteen maybe twenty minutes ago," Tom responded.
"Belanna can you get a fix on his position on Earth, the Doctor must be wearing his mobile emitter. Try and pinpoint him using that as your guide."
"Aye Captain," Belanna said hurrying to sensor controls. She scanned the surface, but came up empty handed. "I'm sorry Captain, but I can't locate him."
The Captain barely acknowledged her. "Hail Starfleet Command, Chakotay."
"They're not responding to our hails Captain," Chakotay answered after a pause.
"What the hell is going on?"
Tom, who had taken his place at Conn, turned and realized they were missing someone. "Where's Seven," he called to no one in particular. At once, they all realized she was no longer on the bridge.
Seven's mind housed only one objective. She was going to find her husband and no one was going to stop her. Everything she had come to consider important lied in that man. She had left the bridge quietly; no one had seen her go. The transporter room, like most of the ship, was empty. She knew the location of the last transport had to be in the logs and she planned on transporting directly there. Quickly she set the transporter controls and stepped onto the pad. With a shimmer she was gone.
"Transport in progress Captain," Chakotay called out.
"Stop the transport," The Captain yelled to Belanna.
"It's too late Captain, she already down there."
"Beam her back."
"I'm sorry Captain I can't get a lock on her. She's masking her signal somehow."
"Damn. What is she thinking?"
Seven didn't waste time. She moved through Starfleet Headquarters at a brisk pace, tricorder in hand. She had been detected as soon as she had transported, but Seven wasn't thinking about that. Her tricorder was set to scan for photonic energy and she followed it deeper into the building. A security officer stopped her before she had gotten far. He gazed uncertainly at her knowing she didn't belong. "Please step away from the door," he said.
Seven glanced down at her tricorder. There was definite photonic activity behind this door. She was sure it was the Doctor; she could almost feel his presence. The young ensign was still busy sizing her up. "Do you have permission to be in this part of the building?" he asked. Seven remained silent. "You'll have to come with me Miss." He approached her and gently took hold of her arm. Without thinking she fought against this, her hand flew up and knocked the ensign to the floor. Kneeling beside him she ran her tricorder over him. He was unconscious, but he would be fine. She turned her attention back to the access panel.
Suddenly there was a loud commotion, she felt a searing pain at her side and heard her name being shouted, before she fell to the floor unconscious.
Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay had beamed to Starfleet Headquarters. They were approaching Seven when Captain Janeway caught sight of the security guard coming toward her. She called out to her as he pulled his phaser from his side and fired. Janeway and Chakotay rushed toward her. The security officer hovered over Seven, unsure what to do with her.
"She's not seriously hurt, but we have to get her to the medical bay," Commander Chakotay said.
The nervous ensign glanced back and forth between his two superior officers, before going to his fallen comrade, who was slowly rousing himself. "She attacked me," he said groggily.
Janeway sighed. "I guess we better get them both to the medical bay."
The nurse hovered over Seven with a medical tricorder shaking her head in uncertainty. Across the room stood Kathryn and Chakotay. Both Admiral Paris and Nechayev joined them in minutes. "What happened?" Admiral Nechayev demanded.
Doctor Jeetaw crossed the room when the two Admirals arrived. "Ensign Jackson will be fine. He just got the wind knocked out of him, however the young woman is suffering from a phaser wound to her side. Normally this would not be a desperate situation, but we've found something strange. The woman appears to have Borg nanoprobes in her system. Every time we try and treat her the nanoprobes react. They're making it impossible to treat her."
Captain Janeway stepped forward, "Seven was Borg. She has a unique physiology. Our Doctor will know how to treat her."
Admiral Nechayev looked distrustfully at the Captain, but Admiral Paris immediately called for him to be brought to the medical bay.
"Admiral Nechayev to Security. Please send two officers to the medical bay immediately."
Janeway's head shot around. "I can assure you neither of them is a threat."
"That would appear to be an inaccurate statement Captain. She attacked a Starfleet Officer," Admiral Nechayev responded in her irritatingly calm voice. It irked the Captain. She wondered if the Admiral had any Vulcan blood, she never expressed emotion.
"That is only because you took her husband," Janeway responded.
"We merely transferred a computer program from one of our ships to one of our facilities."
"She doesn't see it that way. And neither do I." Captain Janeway was seething.
The Admiral would have responded but was interrupted by the entrance of the Doctor. He barely acknowledged the Captain or Commander in his rush toward his wife. He touched her face tenderly then reached for a medical tricorder. "Nurse, twenty cc's of Hydro-Cortalone."
The nurse began to hand him the hypospray, but Doctor Jeetaw stopped her. "This is an EMH program. Mark One if I'm not mistaken. They were put out of commission years ago. He's no more qualified to treat her than a first year cadet."
The Doctor looked at him in annoyance. "I beg to argue with you sir. I am more than qualified to treat my wife. I have been doing so for over three years."
"Wife?"
"Allow him to treat Seven, Doctor," Admiral Paris spoke up. "We'll explain everything in time." Paris turned toward his colleagues. "I suggest we allow the Doctor to treat Seven, while the rest of us speak privately."
Janeway and Chakotay followed him out of the medical bay with Nechayev not far behind them.
As soon as they had settled into one of the conference rooms, Captain Janeway began. "I'm taking the Doctor back to Voyager as soon as Seven is well."
"Kathryn," Admiral Paris began. "I understand you've grown emotionally attached to this hologram. Who wouldn't after all your years of isolation, but you have to remember he is just a hologram."
"All of you keep saying that. We know he's a hologram, but he is also a sentient being."
"The Federation does not recognize the rights of holograms as sentient beings," Admiral Nechayev responded.
Captain Janeway had been waiting for this and was well prepared with an answer. "Then we formally request a hearing to determine the rights of the Doctor."
"This is ridiculous," Admiral Nechayev started, but was cut off by Admiral Paris. "We cannot deny them the right to a hearing. We'll give you a hearing, but Kathryn, I hope you know what you're doing."
In the medical bay Seven was slowly regaining consciousness. The Doctor stood over her holding onto one of her hands. "Doctor?" she murmured softly.
"Yes, Seven. It's me." He helped to pull her into a sitting position. "I'm afraid your rescue mission didn't go well."
"Apparently not. I was damaged."
"Yes, but you're fine now. In the future you should leave the rescue missions to those a little more experienced," he said smiling.
"I couldn't leave you here. I didn't know what they would do with you," she paused. "I am uncertain what will happen, I don't like not knowing."
"Everything will be fine Seven, the two of us have been through our share of turmoil. We'll be fine," he said.
"You can't be sure," she said.
"No, but I have faith that our love will survive any obstacle," he said leaning in for a kiss. The soft feel of his lips was overwhelming to her. The tenderness he placed in each and every kiss was amazing. This was the only man she had ever kissed, the only man she wanted to kiss. His hands reached behind her and slowly he caressed her back with the flats of his palms. His strong hands left a trail of warmth over her body and she pulled in closer to that warmth. A tremendous sense of love filled her and warmed her entire body.
"Ahem." Janeway and Chakotay stood at the entrance of the medical bay alone. "Sorry to interrupt, but its time to return to Voyager."
"I will not leave the Doctor here," Seven began adamantly.
"Of course not Seven, the Doctor will be coming with us. We have a lot to discuss," said Janeway.
On Voyager the Captain and Commander relayed the arrangements they had managed to work out with Starfleet. There would be a hearing to determine whether the Doctor was in fact sentient. The outcome of that hearing would determine whether or not their marriage was legal. It would also determine what Starfleet had the right to do with the Doctor's program. Seven and the Doctor agreed to the arrangements and to allowing the Captain to represent them. They could think of no one better.
Seven was thoroughly exhausted by the end of the evening, she hadn't regenerated in almost two days and she was feeling it.
"Darling you look tired," the Doctor said.
"I am," Seven admitted.
"How long has it been since you last regenerated?" He asked. She hesitated. "I can always check your regeneration unit," he continued.
"45.7 hours."
"Seven," the Doctor sighed shaking his head. "You have to learn to take better care of yourself. You could make yourself sick."
"It is a good thing I'm married to a Doctor then," she smiled.
He smiled back, "let me walk you to the Cargo Bay."
"I would rather stay in our quarters tonight."
"I know, but you need to regenerate. Don't worry I promise I'll be here in the morning. They arrived at the Cargo Bay and entered silently. The Doctor smiled to himself recalling all the memories he associated with this place. "This reminds me of the beginning of our relationship," Seven said as if she could read his thoughts.
"I know."
"That was a special time for me," she continued.
"For me as well, an unforgettable time." They stayed silent for a moment allowing the memories to wash over them. The Doctor broke the silence. "Yes, well, you should regenerate now."
"I will see you in the morning." Seven brushed his lips slightly with her own. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight darling."
Kathryn and Chakotay sat quietly in her quarters both too exhausted to even speak. They had both changed into their civilian clothes and were sipping wine.
"So much for a happy homecoming," Kathryn said bitterly. "Considering everything, I'd rather still be stranded in the Delta Quadrant."
"You don't mean that, Kathryn," Chakotay said.
"Don't I. I feel like such a fool. For six years I've been singing the praises of the Federation to this crew. I forced Starfleet ideals down the throats of the Maquis and Seven. I was convinced that the Starfleet way was the only way," Kathryn finished.
"You were right," Chakotay responded softly.
"How can you say that? Look at everything that's happening because of Starfleet.
"The reason we're home now is because of your insistence we follow Starfleet guidelines. Do you know how incredibly unlikely it was that we would make it home at all? Not only did we make it, Kathryn, but we did it in only six years." Kathryn remained silent. She didn't know what to think anymore. Chakotay changed the subject, "Have you been home yet?"
"No," Kathryn said sadly. "With all that's happened I haven't had the chance to make it there. I'm hoping to transport down tomorrow for at least a couple of hours."
"You should go for the full day. The hearing doesn't begin for a week, and you really should spend some time with your family."
"You're right, I think I will." Kathryn paused, she had wanted to speak with him privately since they had entered the alpha quadrant, but hadn't had the chance. The timing never seemed right. She was about to speak when Chakotay stood suddenly. "I guess I'll get back to my quarters."
"Ok," Kathryn said disappointed. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Kathryn."
"Goodnight, Chakotay."
The next morning Kathryn was in her ready room accessing some information on Commander Data's sentience hearings, hoping to find something useful. She was scanning the documents when something interesting crossed her eyes. "Janeway to Chakotay," she said tapping her combadge.
"Chaoktay here. Aren't you supposed to be in Indiana, Kathryn?"
"I know, I'll leave soon, but I need to speak with you, I was hoping you had a second." There was a long pause. "Chakotay?"
"Yeah, Kathryn. I'm in my quarters."
"I'll be right there."
Chakotay was grabbing clothes from his dresser and stuffing them into a bag when Kathryn arrived. There were already three bags lying on the floor and his quarters had a suspiciously barren look. He was dressed in his civilian clothes, his Starfleet uniform strewn across the bed. Kathryn was mildly surprised to see him packing. "Are you visiting someone on Earth for a few days," she asked quietly.
"I haven't decided yet," he responded curtly.
"Oh," she paused, "I thought you would keep command while I was in Indiana."
Chakotay looked up with an incredulous look, "you haven't heard then?"
"Heard what? Chakotay what's going on?"
"I'm no longer in Starfleet, Kathryn."
Kathryn looked at him silently for a minute. A wave of disappointment flooded over her. "Why?"
"It's for the best, Kathryn. Please don't make more out of this than it is."
She advanced toward him quickly forcing him to face her. "Don't give me that. "You have been my first officer for six years. The very least I deserve is for you to tell me you're resigning personally."
"Is that what you think?" He paused before continuing, "I didn't resign." Chakotay walked over to the nightstand and picked up a data padd. "This was waiting for me when I left your quarters last night." Kathryn took the padd from his hand and briefly skimmed it. "No. I'll stop this, I won't let them run you out of Starfleet. You've proven your loyalty over and over."
"No, Kathryn. Leave it alone. Being discharged from Starfleet is not the worst that could have happened, we both know that." Kathryn sank into a chair stunned into silence. It was all too much, they were asking too much of her. It wasn't enough that she had done the impossible by bringing Voyager back from the dead, now they were stripping her of her crew one by one, her family and friends, Chakotay. Chakotay knelt in front of her and continued softly. "Don't worry about me. It's enough that they settled for my discharge alone, the rest of the Maquis still have their commissions. Besides I could never serve under anyone but you and it's highly unlikely that that would have happened." Kathryn looked up smiling sadly and nodded. She knew he was right, but it hurt nonetheless. For the second time in two days she felt brave enough to venture the question that had been on her mind for weeks, "Chakotay, I."
"Kathryn," he interrupted, "it can wait. I'll be fine. Go home, see your mother and sister, they've waited long enough. You've waited long enough."
"But."
"No, buts. Go or I'll drag you there myself." Kathryn smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder before rising and going to the door. "You will be here when I get back won't you?"
Chakotay paused before nodding, and she smiled and left.