Authors Note: for those of you who reviewed thank you!!!! And thanks to my friend Martine who gave me some feedback before I even posted it! Thanks Martine! J Anyway- there is more to the story than what I gave you… like maybe five- six years earlier, as seen here…

Ten Years Earlier…

"Congratulations!" Kathryn nearly yelled at her view screen. "I can't believe you're going to be a mother!"

"I can't either Kathryn; it's all so sudden…"

"O Phoebe, I'm delighted for you, is it a boy or girl? Do you know? What are you going to name it? "

"Calm down Kat, you seem more excited about this baby than I am."

"Aren't you delighted Phoebe?"

"Well of course, I just wish Eric was here…"

"I'm sorry Phoebe… but just think how wonderful things will be with a child. You won't be so lonely anymore."
"True…" All of a sudden her comm. badge beeped.

"Phoebe, I hate to do this, but I have to get back to the bridge, good luck, and tell me all about everything!"
"Everything?"
"Everything." Kathryn looked into her sisters tear- filled eyes.

"Before you go Kathryn- it's a girl." Smiling Phoebe ended the transmission.

A huge grin spread across her face as she walked onto the bridge. She was going to be an aunt. She couldn't believe it. As she sat in her chair she started to giggle. Harry Kim was the first to look in her direction, then Tom Paris and finally Chakotay. "Captain?" her first officer spoke as she tried to suppress her laughter. "Are you alright?"

"Quite alright Commander." He looked at her quizzically as she grabbed his arm. "I'm going to be an aunt!" she burst out it laughter, having revealed her new discovery.

"Congratulations Kathryn…" he smiled at her as she quelled her laughter and looked up at Tuvok.

"Well then Lieutenant, let's get back to business. Report please." Still grinning, she listened to Tuvok's tactical analysis.

He watched as she stretched out on her couch, tossing a padd onto the floor.

"I think, Chakotay, that it's time we called it an evening. We've been working on these systems analyses all evening…"

"Yes, and you've already had six cups of coffee…"
"That's the only reason I'm awake." He laughed as she faked a snore and nearly fell off the couch. "O, Kathryn, I never got the chance to ask you about your sister, how is she doing?"
"She misses Eric, but I think the baby will do her good. You know, take her mind off his death."

"It must be so hard for her."
"Yes." Kathryn sighed, thinking about her sister, all alone, left to raise her niece, who in all likelihood would never know her. "I wish I could be there, for her and my niece."
"Your spirit is with her Kathryn."
"My spirit?" She sat up and looked over at Chakotay, who had moved closer to her, and now sat on the table in front of her. Taking her hand, he smiled and kissed it. "Your wonderful spirit, your energy, your love, everything. You'll be with them, just as you are on Voyager now."

"Chakotay-" she murmured as he pulled her into an embrace.

"Congratulations Auntie Kathy." Reaching behind her she swung at him with a couch pillow.

"That sounds so old. Don't say that."

"Fine, next time I'll just call you grandma…"

"I hate you…"
"Sure." He grinned as he ruffled her hair in an almost childlike gesture.

"Get out…" she laughed, overjoyed at the new found level of comfort she now shared with her first officer.

"You wouldn't kick your fiancé out of the room would you?"

"No, you just get to sleep on the couch, you big oaf."

"All by myself?"

"Yep." Laughing she ran into her bed chambers. He got up and followed, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

She watched as he slept peacefully as she dressed for her morning shift. Things were so wonderful now, she was engaged, her sister was having a baby, and they were traveling in a mostly peaceful part of Delta Quadrant. She remembered Chakotay's words to her a few months ago, when she had found out that Phoebe's husband, and Mark had both died on a small planet where they were working.

The tears were falling down her face as she looked up at him. "I can't believe he's gone Chakotay."

"It's alright" he had whispered as he rubbed her back. "Be strong Kathryn…"

"I can't anymore Chakotay…" Her released her from his embrace and held her at arms length away from him. His voice dropped to an intense whisper.

"Kathryn, we have put this off long enough, I can't stand it anymore." She looked at him, confused at his outburst.

"Chakotay, I don't know what to say."
"Just tell me the truth."
"The truth?"

"Yes Kathryn, the truth…" Shaking she pulled him closer to her as she realized just what he was asking her to say. With all her courage she managed to tell him.

"I love you." She whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "I have for the last ten years, and I always will." He pulled her toward him and held her close and her tears dampened his shirt. Releasing her from his embrace he held her hands against his chest. "And I love you."

And now, she basked in his love, his embrace, and she knew she could never be happier.