At the morning staff meeting, Kathryn was tired. She spent most of the night contemplating her friends' advice. Taking a deep drink from her mug, she eyed her first officer. He was prompt, alert, and as professional as usual. Bet he slept like a baby. Lucid dreaming, huh?

"….Captain," Harry Kim repeated.

"Of course, Ensign. Recalibrate the sensors as soon as B'Elanna is finished with the warp core diagnostics." "Thank you, Captain."

"All right then. Anything else?" She surveyed the room."Very well. You're dismissed." Captain Janeway stood by her seat with coffee in one hand and the other on her hip. She waited until everyone was leaving and added, "Oh, Tuvok and Paris, a moment please."

Both men stopped as the rest filed out. Chakotay cast a curious glance at Janeway but continued to the bridge.

Janeway stated in her blunt captain's manner, "Tuvok, come to my ready room after you complete your security reports."

"Aye, Captain." Tuvok nodded and left the room.

"Ensign Paris. I assume you are available now."

"Yes, ma'am"

She gestured to the door and they headed to the ready room. When they arrived, Captain Janeway sat at her desk.

"Have a seat, Tom."

After he complied, she began, "I have asked you here for a personal request."

"Name it."

"Michael O'Sullivan. I regret I have locked myself out of his subroutines."

Tom Paris gave her a boyish grin and asked, "Is there something I can adjust for you?"

Kathryn winced at the offer but maintained her professional demeanor. "As a matter of fact, there is. Re-align him to his original design, wipe all memory sub-routines regarding 'Katie O'Clare' and then lock his matrix so that he cannot be adjusted again." Tom was surprised. "Captain, are you sure?"

"On second thought, no. Delete him. That is, if you don't mind. Maybe he can go on a trip and you could replace him with a brother perhaps."

"You are serious?"

"Yes."

"Okay, Captain. A replacement it is. Fair Haven doesn't have a 'Pattie,' after all. Michael's older brother with a wee bit more color and a thicker Irish brogue."

"Thank you, Tom. And one more thing: modify the other characters memories to eliminate some details about Katie O'Clare. And please make the modifications to Fair Haven as soon as your duties permit."

"Yes, ma'am."

"You're dismissed."

Kathryn remained busy at her desk until the door chimed. "Come."

Tuvok entered and Kathryn rose from her desk. Getting a second coffee from the replicator she invited Tuvok to the elevated sitting area.

Seated across from him, she broached the subject. "Tuvok, I'm curious. Chakotay?"

"I assume you are asking me to explain the logic of my suggestion."

"Yes. Please."

"To our knowledge,he is you're only human peer in the Delta Quadrant. When the array pulled us here you were both captains of your own ships. Each of you has distinguished yourselves in your own pursuits. He is a male, of the appropriate age to be your mate."

"Yes but humans need…"

"Sex appeal? In the case of yourself and Commander Chakotay that's self evident."

Janeway coughed, causing Tuvok to lean back momentarily as if expecting a second spray of fluid.

"Self evident, Tuvok?" Janeway was incredulous.

"The attraction between yourself and Chakotay has been apparent since the Maquis came on board. You're exemplary self-control has also been evident."

"I see."

"However, it's not the attraction that ultimately makes your pairing the logical choice. It's complementary, but it's your mutual restraint that causes me to suggest him."

"Oh?"

"Despite your apparent attraction and friendship, both of you have repeatedly displayed your willingness to sacrifice yourselves and each other for the sake of Voyager. While you do not always agree in practice, your objectives are identical. In considering the option of a mate for you, there is no other more compelling than Commander Chakotay."

"Yes, but only briefly. It would be least disruptive to the command structure for you to be involved with one of the higher ranking officers. Given your close working relationship and friendship with the commander, further development of that relationship would be the most logical." "And you think further development of this relationship would be wise?" Kathryn was skeptical.

"I do not believe it is unwise. Captain, I am not saying this decision is essential. I am saying that if you need companionship and intimacy then Chakotay is the logical and wise choice. It is up to you to decide."

Kathryn was irritated by how impossible the suggestion seemed to her. "Tuvok, even if I agreed. How would I go about changing the nature of my relationship with Chakotay now?"

He raised an eyebrow. "The logical course would be to do the opposite of what has previously stopped your relationship from progressing."

"You make it sound so simple."

"Indeed."

Kathryn was both appreciative and annoyed. "Very well. That is all, Lieutenant. Thank you."

Tuvok left and Kathryn stared out the window and quietly finished her coffee. She wondered how she ever got to such a state that she needed romantic advice from a Vulcan.

A little while after Tuvok left the ready room, Chakotay checked in on Kathryn.

"Come," Kathryn replied to the ready room chime.

"Captain." Chakotay spoke seriously, "Permission to speak freely." To her silence he added, "Are you okay?"

Kathryn swiveled in her chair, from viewing the stars, to face him. "Just reconsidering some choices I've made. You are right. I really don't know what I want." "Given any further thought to going on a vision quest?"

"Yes, Commander, I have. May I borrow your akoonah, tonight? "I'll bring it by after our shift."

Kathryn stared off into space. She heard the sound of the doors close behind Chakotay. Glancing at her empty coffee mug, she thought, as though speaking to a personal friend, 'No more of you today. I have some experiments I need to do tonight.'