He stared at the picture, eyes blurring the image that lay before him. Their smiling faces glowed in the sunlight that filled the picture. Her hair, her eyes, her smile, it was all so familiar. He knew the woman who stood beside him in the picture. He looked happy too, holding a champagne glass, leaning toward her as she leaned back onto him. Her crossed arms suggested defiance, her smile joy, her eyes radiated love, and she was utterly perfect.

He could vividly remember that day the photograph had been taken. The morning began normally; they had shared breakfast and exchanged the ship's gossip. He could recall her laugh as he recounted a tale concerning Tom, Neelix and a chocolate craving, pregnant B'Elanna. He could almost remember that they had been scheduled to welcome some new people into the Federation. The entire morning, as he waited for the ship to arrive at its destination, had been spent with her. She had helped him with his speech- teasing him when he stumbled over words, encouraging him when he finished. She sat in his chair radiating peace and serenity, and he couldn't take his eyes off her. That afternoon was when the photo had been snapped, by a reporter from the Amon home world. He hadn't even realized they had been standing so close, but as he gazed at the photograph he thought how natural it was, how perfect they seemed to fit together.

Only now, she was dead and he was married to a beautiful red haired woman. His wife reminded him of her, everything reminded him of her.

The Christmas lights swirled around him as he reached for the frame and gingerly ran his finger along the side of her face, remembering her : her laugh, the sound of her voice the touch of her hand, all too clear in his mind. He reminisced about the times they had shared, the stories she told, the tears she shed, the love he had always felt for her.

His wife arrived with his tea, and beyond the frame he could see his children cavorting around the tree, wrapping paper flying through the air like confetti.

"Thank you Anna." he whispered to his wife, as his eyes never moved from the picture.

"Still looking at that old picture Chakotay?"

"Yes." He paused, placing the photo back on the table next to him. "I miss her."

"You say that every Christmas darling, I know you miss her."

"Do I?" He couldn't get used to fact that he was married and had children. He had always wanted a family, but as his eyes wandered back toward the photo on the table, he couldn't help but wonder if she was better than any family could be.

A young girl tugged on his hand. What a beautiful child she had become, so gracious and kind, so much like a lady. Her red curls bounced up and down as she smiled up at him. "Uncle Chakotay?" she called, climbing into his lap.

"Yes darling?"

"What were you doing?" She was always so curious and spirited, she reminded him so much of Kathryn. He watched his children following her lead and came over to him, all sitting by his feet. Anna placed her hands on his shoulders as she stood behind him, as his niece's eyes gazed up at him.

"I was remembering someone Evelyn…"

"Who?"

"An old friend."

"Is it the lady in the picture?" Anna's hands came off his shoulders and reached for Evelyn as Chakotay felt his eyes fill with years of unshed tears.

"Come along children…" Anna called as all but Evelyn followed her to the kitchen.

"Who was she?"
"Come along Evey…"

"It's alright Anna, she should know…" Chakotay called to his wife. "She was my best friend, and the most wonderful woman I have ever known. Strong willed and tenacious, yet kind and loving. After your mother died, she took you in as her own; she raised you for as long as she could, before she…" He took a deep breath as Evelyn's eyes shown with tears. "She got really sick Evey, and I haven't seen her in a long time…" He tried to numb the pain he felt, but as a tear fell down Evelyn's cheek, his heart ache returned.

"Didn't she love me?" her little voice filled with tears.

"Very much, but she couldn't stay here…" She stared at the picture, running her fingers along the woman's cheek.

"I don't remember her much… just lavender, I remember lavender. She smelled like lavenders and roses." Picking up the picture, he shifted Evelyn in his lap and began his story.

"Her name was Kathryn, and she was the captain of a starship called Voyager…"