Author's Notes: There will be spoilers to the episode Investigations so you have been warned. The beginning will be a little jumpy because I was watching the episode while writing this which is how I got the idea.

Author's Notes: I am sorry, but the story is almost complete. I have one more chapter after this. It's just a slow process though.

Chapter Eight

Before her shift on the bridge, Kathryn sat on Tom's bed or it was his. He was leaving. Although it was for a mission, she felt nothing but a broken heart because they were going to be apart.

"Kat, baby, you know I don't like seeing you sad." Tom said.

"I know babe. It's just all hitting me at once." Kathryn said.

Tom placed a shirt in his bag. "What is?"

Kathryn sighed. "A month ago when Tuvok brought this idea to my attention, I was stunned at the idea of involving you. Now after everything you went through for the sake of the mission shows me that you've grown up so much."

"I am sad, because you have to leave. We promised one another when we were going to do this again that we wouldn't be apart. What if something happens and you get hurt? Or you end up not coming back to me? I don't know if I could lead this crew without you, babe."

"Hey." Tom moved so he was crouched down in front of Kathryn. He took her hands in his. "You are doing one hell of a job leading this crew. And that was before you and I decided to rekindle the love we have, Kathryn. I can promise you that I am going to try my hardest to come back to you."

Kathryn smiled. She grabbed Tom's face so they could kiss.

When she got to her ready room, Kathryn was surprised to see Neelix waiting for her outside.

"Mister Neelix, what can I do for you?" Kathryn asked. She took into account how nervous the Talaxian was.

"Captain, I have something I need to discuss with you in your ready room." Neelix said with his voice low.

Kathryn was a little confused, but she had him follow her inside her ready room. Neelix took a seat in one of the chairs in front of the desk while Kathryn leaned on the desk with her arms folded.

"Captain, I heard from someone that a member of the crew wants to leave the ship."

Kathryn kept her mood calm. She was screaming on the inside though. She was trying to keep things on the down low till she made an announcement to the crew. However, she didn't take in a count of Neelix having friends all through the quadrant. He was bound to find out sooner or later.

Kathryn called Tuvok into her ready room. She asked him if the ship's security would be breached if she told Neelix what was going on. After she got the allclear, Kathryn explained everything to Neelix as calmly as possible. That was one of the best things about being a trained Starfleet Officer, she could easily put on a show although her emotions were all over the place.

"It's Tom Paris. He wants to leave."

After her shift, she retired to her quarters. She went through her bed routine. Replicated some dinner, took a sonic shower, then settled down with a good book. Well, that was her routine once. Tonight she was having someone over. Chakotay.

She knew Tom would be upset that Chakotay was coming over for dinner. Before she rekindled her relationship with Tom, she normally had dinners three nights a week with him. Those dinners were almost nonexistent now. So tonight, she wanted to continue the dinners once again. She hoped it would take the place of the void in her heart where Tom used to be.

When Chakotay entered her quarters, Kathryn noticed he didn't seem sad about Tom leaving like she did. He seemed almost hopeful. He's probably thinking that he can get into my pants, Kathryn thought.

"Harry's still upset that you aren't going after Mister Paris. He wanted me to try to convince you." Chakotay said, smiling.

Kathryn smiled back. When she heard the news this morning that Tom was captured by the Kazan, her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. She knew eventually this day would come. It was planned from the very beginning. She and Tuvok hoped that he would be captured.

As a Captain, she lost many crewmembers under her command. It was part of her job. It still hasn't been easy though. And this mission has her on edge, because even though she is the Captain and Tom is her crewmember. She doesn't want him harmed. She was in love with him.

Kathryn sighed. She turned to look out the window. "I know he does. Part of me wants to go rescue him, but he told me that he doesn't want anything to do with us."

"You must love him." Chakotay blurted.

Kathryn turned around. "Commander?"

Chakotay sighed. "I know I shouldn't feel like this, but this bugs the hell out of me."

Kathryn folded her arms across her chest. "What does?"

"You and Tom. You said you grew up together, but I get the feeling that something deeper happened. And that thing is happening now or did happen?"

"Wait. You think Tom and I are in a relationship?"

"It's not like you've kept it subtle, Kathryn. I've seen the way you look at him while we are on the bridge. Sometimes you two would go into the ready room and come out smiling at one another."

Kathryn needed to say something. If Chakotay picked this up, how many others did?

Kathryn took a few steps to Chakotay. She pointed a finger at him as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Let me get one thing clear, Commander. Tom Paris and I are not a couple. We were once, but my career is way too important to me to begin a relationship with a member of my crew. Do you understand?"

Chakotay nodded his head. "Yes Captain."

Kathryn stood in her ready room with Tuvok watching today's newest episode of Good Morning Voyager. She tried her best not to break down. Instead she turned to Tuvok and said, "Get him up here."

Kathryn had both hands on her desk staring down Neelix. She didn't suspect Neelix was the one contacting the Kazan, but she couldn't be too careful. Everyone was a suspect in her eyes. Some would even think she was probably doing it.

Neelix was a little nervous. However, he learned to stand his ground.

"It was uh…..I believe it was called signal correlation traces. Mr. Hogan was me and he detected them."

"When I looked for signal correlation traces. There were none. That means someone placed them in the system after my initial investigation." Tuvok countered.

"What initial investigation?" Chakotay asked, turning to Kathryn. "Captain, what's going on?"

Sighing, Kathryn fully stood. It was time to come clean about everything.

She began explaining about how there has been a spy onboard Voyager. It wasn't Tom Paris though. Both Kathryn and Tuvok ruled that out long time ago. She also explained how Tom was part of the plan.

Although, after they came up with a new plan in using Neelix to help catch the spy, Kathryn pulled Chakotay to the side to keep him from leaving the ready room. Tuvok turned to look at her. He had some idea at what she was about to do.

Nodding her head, Kathryn said, "I will be out momentarily. I have something to tell the Commander."

Tuvok nodded his head before leaving.

Chakotay turned to Kathryn. He stood a little close to her but she didn't mind.

"There's something else I haven't been forthcoming about." Kathryn said.

"Captain?" Chakotay said.

Kathryn stood out of view of the camera while Tom talked to Neelix about his adventure. She smiled and teared up a little when Tom began apologizing. She wasn't expecting him to hold out his hand to her though.

"And as a final thing, I would like for you all to meet someone. Well she's someone you already know." Tom smiled.

Kathryn held his hand as she sat next to him on the sofa. He placed a kiss to her cheek, making her smile.

"I'd like for you all to meet my girlfriend, Kathryn Janeway." Tom said.