AN: When I use the word 'slow' remember... seven years is a long time. (randomly, the little line thingy isn't working for me to seperate things right now, so the JC's will have to do.)

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The next day Kathryn had been verbally cornered by the Doctor before she'd even made it to the bridge.

"Admiral, I was on the surface this morning," the EMH noted. "I saw that you gave me a home," he couldn't help but smile.

"Of course we did, Doctor, you're a valued member of this crew, you've earned your own home," she stated.

"I'm touched, Admiral, I truly am. Thank you."

"Don't, Doctor, we should have set up quarters for you seven years ago. We just thought it was about time, and could only guess who your neighbours should be, since you never told us who you wanted," Kathryn said with a grin before letting the Doc go so she could get to the bridge.

Once on the bridge she received the reports, starting with Harry and finishing with Chakotay. The Admiral nodded her head she listened to each officer. "Good, glad to hear we're still running at our usual efficiency," she responded before turning her attention back to Harry. "Lieutenant Kim, how are the preparations for that party going?" she enquired

"They're completed, Admiral. The program is ready whenever you say," the former ensign stated. "I had help, of course, when Tom was able to pull himself from Miral."

"I don't doubt that in the least, Harry, and I'm sure the two of you did a wonderful job," the woman responded, looking about the bridge quietly. Her gaze floated to each station within her sight, remembering the officer who once manned each position that would never see the surface of their new home. She counted the number of times Tom's station has needed repair, which B'Elanna had done nearly ever time. She remembered New Earth, her life there with Chakotay. Her thoughts continued along similar lines, recalling the past, until she felt Chakotay's hand on hers.

"Voyager to Janeway, you in there, Admiral?" she heard him has in a whisper as she turned her head to face him.

"I'm just not sure I'm ready to leave, Chakotay," she stated, gently squeezing his hand. "Harry," the Admiral raised her voice so that the ops officer could hear her. "Tomorrow at 2000 hours, expect to have the program up and running. You're in charge of making sure we all know the dress code," was given, receiving a nod from Harry.

"Tom, how're Miral and B'Elanna doing?" she questioned of the pilot.

"They're good, Admiral. Miral's got her mom's lungs," Tom gave with a laugh, which caused the rest of the crew to laugh.

"That was never in question, Tom," Janeway gave, "just so long as your neighbours don't mind her vocals."

"Nah, Harry'll be there to help, or get in the way, and Chakotay'll probably spend most of his time at your place," the pilot responded, not daring to look at either of the two sitting in the center of the bridge. Tom knew he was receiving the 'evil eye' from at least one of them.

"Paris…" came the warning voice of Chakotay.

"Shutting up, Sir."

"You know, Paris, you say those words an awful lot, lately."

"I have every intention of stopping, once the Admiral says we can stop using ranks," the pilot responded.

The command team just smirked at Tom's back before Kathryn made her way to her ready room. Once inside she replicated some coffee before sitting down to take a look at the constantly growing pile of padds. The pile was full of the usual reports that she'd looked at for the last seven years. Accompanying those pads were the one's that informed her as to the status of the planet side preparations. Upon first glance at the pile she simply offered a sigh. The Admiral knew that one day, soon, she wouldn't see these reports anymore, both a sad and joyous thought. She shrugged this thought off, however, and dived into the mountain, of sorts.

And hour and one half later her door chimed, only to let Chakotay in on her command. "Captain?" she enquired.

"Thought I'd offer you a hand, Admiral," he responded, standing semi at attention.

"And?"

"And… if I didn't leave Tom would be floating around in space," Chakotay filled in.

Janeway laughed. "At ease, Chakotay, make yourself comfortable," she gave, immediately regretting her words when she saw the mischievous twinkle in Chakotay's dark eyes.

"You shouldn't say things like that, Kathryn, not unless you mean it," he stated, stepping around the desk.

Kathryn spun her chair around so that she was facing Chakotay, as he now stood behind her desk. "Chakotay?" she questioned, looking up at her first officer.

Chakotay smiled as he placed his hands on the desk behind her, one hand on either side of the Admiral. He was ready for a butt-kicking, earned by his forwardness. "I'm prepared for you to throw me in the brig, Kathryn, I probably deserve it," he stated as he prepared to take a few steps back, possibly right out the door.

"Chakotay, we said…"

"…That I'd wait for you? I'm still waiting, Kath. Waiting for you to ask me to hold you, to keep you warm when it's cold," he whispered into her ear, his breath tickling her cheek.

Her eyes closed momentarily before they fluttered open again. "I do want you to hold me, Chakotay. I want you to keep me warm at night, but I need you to give me time," she stated in a husky tone.

He nodded, reaching up to tuck her hair behind her ear. "Take your time, Katie," he gave before leaning forward. He paused mere inches from her, to give Kathryn a chance to stop him, but she didn't. He finished leaning forward and placed a tender kiss on her lips before straightening up. "Now, how about I help you with those reports?" he asked the slightly stunned woman.

She managed a nod before opened her mouth to speak. "Sounds like a plan to me," she answered, trying not to blush or sound too flustered.

With that the two of them finished up the pile of reports. It was a slightly awkward arrangement, though nothing they couldn't work through.

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AN: And, finally, a planet name has been decided on, you should see it in a few chapters as I try to hurry up and get this done :D