A majority of the work was done on the planet six weeks after the party. Only minor details remained, inclusive of the crew moving to the planet, which, after extensive voting, was to be called 'Terra Delta'. These last several weeks had also seen the command team get even closer, to the point that their relationship was unofficially public knowledge. The use of ranks was nearly gone, at this point, having been fading out since Kathryn's announcement as to where they'd be settling.
Kathryn and Chakotay had a rare day off from work, along with the rest of Alpha Shift. A majority of the shift had elected to get the last of what they could into their respective homes. Chakotay had already done what he could and had elected to drop by Kathryn's quarters. Once he'd been let in he looked around the perfectly pristine room.
"Don't look at me like that, Chak," Kathryn stated as she caught the look on his face.
"Katie, we're moving, even you have to pack your stuff," he stated as he cast another look around. "Besides, isn't home where the heart, and family, is?" he questioned, receiving a nod from the Admiral.
"And this crew is your family, right Katie?"
"Of course they are," Janeway responded. "And it's where my heart is too," she said, looking him in the eye before she cast her gaze about the room. "I guess I just don't know where to start," she shrugged her shoulders ever so slightly with this.
Chakotay walked towards her and pulled her into a hug, settling a kiss on her forehead. "C'mon Kath, I'll help," he offered, waiting just long enough for her approval before getting started. When he was sure that Kathryn wasn't looking, which didn't take too long, he set something on the replicator, where she was sure to find it. Without skipping a beat he got back to work, far away from the replicator.
"Tea?" was questioned, just a few minutes later, to which Chakotay nodded his head.
"Thanks," he gave in advance, pretending not to be nervous as he watched Kathryn approach the replicator.
Upon seeing the out of place item Kathryn eyed it, very suspiciously, before picking up the wood box. "Chakotay?" she held the item for him to see.
"Kathryn…" he walked towards her and took the box. "Whenever you're ready, Katie, I'll give this to you," he opened the box, revealing a simple, yet elegant ring. Inset on top of the band was a stone that Chakotay had obtained from one of the friendly alien species they'd run into in the last several years. "But not until you're ready," he repeated.
Kathryn simply stared at him for a moment before she opened her mouth to speak. "Stop waiting, Chakotay."
He gave her a confused look, but only for a few seconds, before a smile spread across his face in understanding. "Katie… Kathryn," he began. "Seven, nearly eight, years ago we where thrown together, I think I fell in love with you the first time I set my eyes on you," he took a breath. "Will you marry me, Kathryn Janeway?" he questioned, having sunk to one knee at the start of his little speech.
The woman settled on her knees in front of Chakotay and nodded. "Yes," was her simple answer as he slipped the ring around her finger. He then pulled her close, holding his fiancée tight to him.
They sat like that for a few more minutes before they went back to packing Kathryn's quarters. After what she wouldn't need was packed they had the crates, and themselves, transported to the planets so they could get it all moved into Kathryn's home, though not unpacking. The couple had decided that, once married, she'd move into his place.
It didn't take them too long to move the crates, Kathryn wasn't much of a packrat. The two where back on Voyager in just over an hour so that they could prepare for dinner that evening with Tom and B'Elanna, upon the engineer's insistence.
Once at the Paris-Torres quarters Kathryn and B'Elanna where ushered out of the little kitchenette. The boys were insistent on making dinner, especially as Kathryn couldn't cook.
"B'Elanna," Janeway started, taking care to hide her left hand.
"Yes, Kathryn?"
"We've been friends for over seven years now, and I was wondering if I could ask you to do me a favour?"
The engineer eyed Kathryn with curiosity. "Of course you an, Kathryn."
Janeway took a deep breath. "I was wondering if you'd agree to be my maid-of-honour," she questioned quickly, slurring the last few words together.
It took B'Elanna a few seconds to comprehend the quick question before a grin made itself known. "You and Chakotay finally pulled your heads out of the floorboards?" she crowed, laughing. "I'd be honoured to, Kathryn. I haven't seen Chakotay happier than these last few months that he's been able to openly spend with you," the Klingon answered, giving Kathryn a quick hug.
Kathryn smiled as she returned the hug. Her hand was then promptly grabbed so that B'Elanna could get a look at the ring.
"It's beautiful. Definitely something Chakotay would come up with," the engineer noted, carefully examining the item in question. At this point the two where interrupted by Tom and Chakotay walking into the room.
"Dinner's ready," Chakotay said, causing the two women to stand and make their way to the mini-dining suite contained within Tom and B'Elanna's quarters.
They ate dinner and shared stories of the last few years, ranging from their trip into the Badlands, to funny stories they had of each other. Kathryn made no more attempts at hiding her ring, though Tom didn't notice. Neither the newly engaged couple or B'Elanna elected to point it out to him either, at least not yet.
The two coupled talked late into the night before they decided it was high time to call it a night. They said their good nights to each other and the command couple walked out into the hall, where Chakotay escorted Kathryn to her quarters.
"Night, Katie," he said, her left hand held firmly in his right, his thumb rubbing across her newest piece of jewellery.
"Night, Chakotay," she responded. "Se you tomorrow," was the last thing he heard before her door closed.
Chakotay simply shrugged and walked, with a goofy grin, to his own quarters. The entire time he was resisting the urge to shout in joy, instead he just kept grinning until the door to his quarters slid closed. Once sure of his privacy he let out a loud 'YES!'.
Shortly have his outburst his commbadge beeped, accompanied by a 'Janeway to Chakotay'.
"Chakotay here, Kathryn," he responded.
"Just out of curiosity, how are you going to explain the nose that just came out of your quarters to those who ask?" she questioned.
Chakotay laughed. "That, my dear Admiral," all depends on when you want to tell the crew," he responded.
"Soon, Chakotay, soon," Kathryn answered "Now get some sleep, Captain."
"Aye, Ma'am. See you bright and early. Chakotay out," he tapped his commbadge, cutting off the communication. With that he laughed and prepared for bed. Once done he climbed under the covers and drifted off to sleep with a wide grin, dimples included, on his face, much like the woman on the other side of the bulkhead.