Chakotay and Kathryn slipped out of the reception and went for a walk. They casually discussed ships operations while Chakotay followed Kathryn's lead through the corridors.

When they reached the airponics bay, Kathryn asked the computer, "Computer, is there anyone in the airponics bay?"

"There are no crewmembers in the airponics bay."

They entered in silence. Kathryn paused as the door closed behind her. "Computer, notify me if anyone approaches to enter the airponics bay."

"Affirmative."

Chakotay tried his best to suppress his smile. He didn't know what she was up to but he liked where this was going.

Kathryn glanced at her first officer and saw the smile. She smiled back and took his hand. "Come on."

They walked into the depths of the foliage and found a place to sit near the back wall of the bay.

"I wanted to talk to you alone."

"I can see that." He sat down beside her and put a supportive arm around her back.

"When I met you I thought you were my enemy."

He gave her a friendly squeeze and said, "I never wanted to be your enemy. I'm glad we met here in the Delta Quadrant."

She looked up into his face and replied, "I was ready to use whatever force was necessary to bring you into custody."

He listened intently. He knew, if pushed, he would have done just about anything to resist arrest. "The main thing is you've captured me now."

Her eyelashes fluttered and her cheeks blushed at his sensual tone. "What happened to the data base?"

Chakotay cleared his throat and spoke firmly, "Kathryn, as long as our destination is the Alpha Quadrant it is best that you know as little about that as possible."

She searched his eyes, "But why? You gave it to the Federation? Surely, the information you provided must have revealed breaches in the Cardassian Federation treaty that too many Starfleet officers are already painfully aware of. Such documentation of that fact could even change the Federation's stance on the Maquis."

Chakotay looked at the floor and said, "Yes, I had hoped so."

Silence fell between the two of them. Both knew that instead of that happening, Voyager was sent out to capture Chakotay. All of Kathryn's Federation loyalties fought against the conclusion in her mind.

Chakotay sighed. "I joined Starfleet in love with Federation ideals. I never expected to be called an enemy of the Federation. When I left Starfleet and joined the Maquis it was like I stepped out of a beautiful mansion, and turned around to look at the house that I grew up in, to discover sections of the roof were ready to fall in. I still love those ideals, Kathryn, and believe in everything the Federation was built on. But that shoddy roof is people in high places who are willing to sacrifice innocent blood for the sake their own peace and comfort. They are even willing to turn a blind eye to the torture and murder of those who serve the Federation, for what they think will be valuable trade ties. But the Cardassians are not sincere and in the end the whole Federation is going to suffer."

"But what did it reveal, Chakotay? They must know, they must see…"

"Telling you what I know could put you in trouble with those people and I don't want to do that."

Standing quickly to face him, she put her hands on her hips. "What do I care? We are a long way from home. Besides I want to stand on the solid principles not under that shoddy roof!"

Chakotay appreciated her fiery temper. "Yes, ma'am."

She asked more softly, "Do you trust me?"

"It's not about trust, Kathryn." He stroked her shoulders gently with both hands and took a deep breath. "When I told you how I felt about you on New Earth I thought we were stuck there. I never would have shared what I did if I knew we were still headed home. I don't ever want to be a point of pain for you. Making me your first officer is already more controversial than you knew."

Out of pure frustration, Kathryn stepped forward clasped her hands around the back of Chakotay's neck and kissed him passionately.

Every reasonable argument fell from his mind as Chakotay wrapped her up in his arms and kissed her with years of longing. A tear slowly slid down his cheek. Clearly shaken, he broke the kiss but held her close and stroked her hair.

"Kathryn. I love you and trust you." He chuckled lightly. "I think I trust you more than I trust myself." He hesitated and cleared his throat. "But, I have seen a lot of people I love suffer. Serving you gives me peace but if ever I were the source of pain for you … I think I'd die."

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Kathryn took his hand. "Then don't hold back. Please, not anymore."

Chakotay looked deeply into her eyes and kissed her passionately, again.When he moved his head he accidently bumped a plant hanging from the back wall. The plant released its tiny blossoms all over the couple. Oblivious to the shower of petals, he held her close to him for a long time.

"And let me share your burdens, too," she said quietly.

He nuzzled into her neck and asked, "Can you give me a little time on that, Captain? I've carried them alone a long time."

Kathryn shrugged, "At this rate you might have seventy-five years before it's an issue."

Chakotay held her by the waist and leaned his forehead against hers, "I can think of a few things to do with the time, how about you?"

Kathryn kissed him again.

The computer notified her that Kes and Neelix were approaching the airponics bay. The command team hastily pulled apart and tried to look professional. They saw the flowers and tried to dust off each other's uniforms. Chakotay plucked some from Kathryn's hair and attempted tuck in a stray lock, but the hair needed Kathryn's skillful touch. Both laughed as they straightened their uniforms, but they couldn't clean up the emotions splayed across their faces, or the flowers all over the place. Kathryn tried to fix her captain's demeanor, with Chakotay watching. He tried not to laugh, and the more he tried not to, the harder it was. Kathryn gave up and burst into giggles herself.

Kes and Neelix, curious about the sound in the back of the bay, found the command team laughing uncontrollably. Their eyes showed they'd both obviously shed a few tears.

Kes sensed the depth of the moment. Both pleased and respectful of their space she said, "Excuse us," and pulled Neelix away. To his protests she firmly replied, "We don't need an explanation."

Chakotay offered Kathryn his arm and said, "We should go. The funeral service must be over by now."