As Tom and B'Elanna made their way home through the quiet streets with their baby carriage, baby snug against the fog with a fuzzy blanket made by her grandmother, they thought of excuses.

"We'll ask if they can babysit. And then if we happen to get both of them we can insist they both come, since neither have experience with Klingon babies," B'Elanna suggested.

"I like it," Tom agreed. "What if we see both of them? Do we say something? Hmm, I think not."

"Just pretend it's totally normal and what we expected, to find our commanding officers spent the night together after a celebration with parsecs of champagne and ball gowns," B'Elanna reiterated and the two fell into laughter together.

--

Their plan had worked, to some extent. They'd commed Chakotay the next morning and found him not at home. They then commed Janeway, and found her at her desk, dressed, with coffee mug in hand, without any sign of Chakotay. They had however weedled out a commitment to get them to babysit later on that week.

Chakotay and Kathryn had arrived together for their babysitting duties. That may have been just coincidence, since they knew Kathryn had been working in her new office on campus earlier that day. Tom offered Chakotay a tour of their place, which he accepted, while Kathryn and B'Elanna discusses the gossip of the new adaptations StarFleet was thinking of making to the entire fleet based on Voyager's designs.

Coming back into the main living area, Chakotay said, "it's a nice place, B'Elanna, though I can see why you're anxious to find your own. It is a little...replicated." The couple was off sans baby to look at a couple of condos that might offer then some outdoor space. "Nice bathtub in the back bathroom though," he said giving Kathryn a look with raised eyebrows.

"Ooooh, you know how I love a good bathtub," she replied, matching his grin.

"I remember," he said quietly back.

"Okay...!" interjected B'elanna. "That's enough from you," she said with a snarl, scowling at Chakotay. "That bathtub is made for ONE person, understand?" She gave them each a pointed look. "Let's go, Tom," She said as she grabbed her husband by the elbow and pulled him towards the door.

As he went, he turned to Chakotay and said "Make sure the baby monitor is on the one-way setting...you don't want to wake Miral up." B'Elanna growled at him as the door closed behind them.

Chakotay and Kathryn chuckled to themselves as they watched them go. Kathryn considered their situation and then said "Now what? You know, I don't actually know that much about taking care of babies. It's not really my forte. Do you?"

Chakotay tilted his head. "I can't remember the last time I was in charge of an infant, but we'll figure it out." They turned and watched the baby monitor with a sleeping Miral on it. He shrugged at her. "I guess we just wait." He settled in on the couch and rested his feet up on the table and grinned at her.

--

The debriefings started two days later. Each crewmember had been giving a time to appear. Most of the junior crew were just there for formality. They had little relevant information to impart that wasn't in the logs and the time was used for thanks and consideration and public sharing of commendations given during the voyage.

It was a little different for the commissioned officers and especially the Senior Staff. There were multiple dates in front of different audiences. Keeping the schedule straight was a challenge even for someone as practiced at logistics as Kathryn Janeway. I'm more promising news, Tuvok's treatment had been completed and he and his family were expected to arrive on Earth within the week. The first hint of discord occurred during some of the debriefings involving some of the more senior Maquis officers. Mike Ayala and B'Elanna as former Maquis with high ranks were frequently on the receiving end of harsh critiques of their character, actions, and motivations. Chakotay's hadn't even started but he could see how it was going to go. He spent his spare time reviewing old logs and talking strategy with Kathryn and occasionally Tuvok via sub space.

Tom Paris had been pardoned, his sentence commuted for time served, and his field commission accepted, but still had a bumpy ride the first few sessions. He had expected nothing less.

In a way, as difficult as they were, the crew was glad to start the process of rehashing everything. It was the first step in putting it behind them and they were glad to begin.

Chakotay's hearings were shaping up to be the most contentious of all. His personal motivations for every action leading up to his Captaining the ValJean into the Badlands and then every decision, every action, he made while on Voyager were put under a microscope. His relationship with Voyager was detangled hair by hair and while Chakotay wasn't a shy person, he did object to his life being the subject of such renewed interest. Luckily, the logs had no information that wasn't strictly professional in them. The Admiralty had no idea what their personal relationships was like, other than professional cordial and good natured.

The strain of constant pressure and scrutiny started to take its toll on him, and his relationship with Kathryn. They often met in the evening, to unwind and discuss the events. Kathryn herself had relatively few dates, mostly just administrative and general questions. She knew the bulk of it would come after everyone else was mostly finished.

The sense among the Voyager crew was that, though their legal statuses and futures had been secured by Captain Janeway prior to their disembarking from the ship, StarFleet wasn't about to let them off easy. They may not be legally charged, but they would be tried in the court of public, or at least military, opinion. Those who realized, appreciated yet again the strategic genius their Captain was in demanding things be resolved before they even technically arrived on Earth.

Many of the Voyager crew sat in the public viewing for the hearings, out of curiosity as it what was discussed and also as moral support for those that had been more contentious. Verbal responses were not uncommon when things got particularly heated. Chakotay in particular had a wide variety of support from the crew and they were unafraid to let the Counsel hear it. Chakotay had his doubts as to whether this was helpful. He was a little proud that his crew went to such lengths to show their support, especially from the committed StarFleet officers like Harry Kim. The ongoing process of judgement and constant questioning was fatiguing to the core. More than once he had slumped down on his sofa and fallen asleep before either he or Kathryn could replicate anything.

"I'm just not sure I want to do it anymore," he said one evening after a particularly brutal session. Kathryn winced. She knew how hard this was for such a private person. It was once thing to have his personal life smeared in front of the entire ship, but StarFleet brass and the general public was a whole other level. Having to rehash his family's history with the crazy gene was like reopening a wound of oppression and violence against indiginous people in general and his father specifically.

"It's got to be wrapping up soon." She tried to placate him without having anything of substance to offer.

"I don't mean the hearings," he replied. "I mean yes, that too, but I meant StarFleet. I don't think I want to do this anymore."

"You would resign over this?" she asked, surprised. She knew that rejecting StarFleet was different than rejecting her, but, as always it was hard to separate the two. His eyes were downcast as he sat on her couch. He rested his knees on his elbows and hung his head. He looked utterly defeated and in that moment her anger flashed. She didn't want him to go back to StarFleet either, not if they did this to him.

"How can I continue to serve? to lead? after this? They'll never give me a ship. I was content to be your first officer in the Delta Quadrant but I won't do it for someone else. I don't want to take a step backwards." He shook his head. She came around the table and sat next to him, food forgotten. She rested her hand on his knee and sat with him. She could offer no respite, no reassurances. Her own battles were yet to be fought, both in a hearing room and in her own heart and mind. She could at offer him the gift of herself, of knowing he wasn't alone. She wasn't confident it would be enough.

This time had been challenging for them. Most of the crew was scattered, finding new careers and challenges. Those that were left had time on their hands, but no goals to work towards. They were in limbo waiting for the hearings to finish. B'Elanna and Tom had finished and were in discussions for new jobs, Tuvok had sailed through his debriefings. The practiced logic of a Vulcan was no match for hotheaded Admirals. By now only Chakotay and the Captain were left.

Kathryn herself had struggled with the return and the sudden loss of a goal, no matter how unattainable. The prospect of debriefings that were interminable was daunting and yet she couldn't address it with any of her usually strategies. She just had to wait. And waiting was not suited to her temperament. She set her hand on his knee.

"Let go for a walk. We've both been inside all day," she suggested, food forgotten. Neither of them were hungry.

"I don't think so, Kathryn. Not today." He gently picked up her hand and moved it off his knee. I think I just need to be alone for a bit, figure things out."

"Are you sure being alone is the best thing right now?" she questioned him. "Wallowing doesn't suit you, Chakotay," she said. The words were harsh but the tone was gentle. He stood and faced her slowly, then reached out and fiddled with a piece of her hair that had gotten caught under the collar of her jacket. "You can't fix this for me. Not this time," he said huskily, so low she could barely hear it. "Plus you have your first session to get ready for." Kathryn's first true debriefing was in the morning. "You'll want to get ready," he said, as he made his way to the door. He gave her a small smile and said "I'll see you in the morning" as he stepped out of the door on his way out. He saw her standing in the doorway, hair loose around her face, eyes wide and face open to possibility, but her jaw set in an angle of fortitude he knew well. He wished he had a holo-image of her. He'd have to settle for etching it into his mind. He looked extra long at her, until her expression changed to one of concern at his delay. He gave her a small smile and she closed the door gently behind him.

Kathryn sighed and pinched the bridge of her own. For once in her life she didn't want to face things alone, but she was being forced to anyway. It was going to be a long night.

Settling in with a small plate of food that she barely touched, she tried to review the logs she thought would be relevant. Instead, her thoughts kept retuning to the image of Chakotay, the angry warrior undaunted by the Delta Quadrant but defeated by bureaucrats behind a desk.

Several hours later she was interrupted by a chime at the door. She stood to answer it, taking her coffee mug with her. The food hadn't interested her and she couldn't sleep so she figured she might as well get some work done. The doors slid open to reveal Chakotay, a haunted look on his face. He stepped to her in two strides, silently, like a jaguar stalking his prey. The doors slid closed behind him as he pulled her to him roughly. She held the coffee cup out to her side to avoid spilling it on them and fumbled to set it down as Chakotay's hands slid up her sides into her hair. His lips met hers bruisingly, taking what he needed. "I hate this," he murmured between kisses, not letting the burn between them extinguish.

"Me too," she replied in a low hoarse voice. Her hands writhed around his trunk, taking in the breadth of warm smooth skin. He pushed her further into the room, trying to get his hands under her clothes as they went. She tried to assist in anyway she could. They stumbled into the bedroom taking what they needed from each other. Finally releasing the tie from her dress it fell away giving him access to her soft skin and softer curves. His mouth trailed down her neck as her head fell back in supplication. His hands roamed her body as he murmured into her neck "but this I love." She pulled his face towards her, her hands cradling his face and kissed him hard, pushing him towards the bed. He fell backwards into it, pulling her lighter weight on top of him.

She straddled him as he reached out for her soul and for a short time, everything else was forgotten.

Later, sated and lying in the dark, Kathryn sought out his hand. Twining her fingers through his, she felt that after facing the Delta Quadrant together, they could get through the aftermath. As long as they had each other to lean on. She said as much to him and was comforted by a squeeze of the hand, but nothing more. Chakotay himself was conflicted. He loved this woman, had loved her for years, but wasn't sure he knew how to love her here in the Alpha Quadrant. In the Delta Quadrant he had been her rock, and her light, helping her shoulder the burden of command. What now that they didn't have the forced communality of the ship? He didn't know, he only knew he couldn't let go.

They were startled from their thoughts and half-sleep by the beeping of the comm at her desk. "Ignore it," Chakotay murmured. "They'll call back," he said as his hands roamed her backside under the cool sheets. Shaking her head, she slipped away and threw on a dress that was lying on her chair and through over it a wrap style sweater that made it presentable.

"It's almost midnight. It's probably something important," she said.

"Do you think it's the Kazon? Or the Hirogen? Or the Borg? It can wait, I promise," he said back, knowing he had already lost the battle.

She rolled her eyes at him as she went to answer the Comm in the other room. She was surprised to find Harry Kim on the other line.

"Harry!" she said. "What can I do for you? Is anything wrong?"

"No maam, Captain I mean. Everything is fine. Except...we'll...I know it's late, but I was hoping you were still awake and I'm sure it's nothing but..." he stammered, struggling to make his point.

"For goodness sake Harry, it's past midnight. What do you need?" she replied, charmed but also frustrated with him.

"Have you heard from Chakotay? I've been trying to reach him all night but he's not at home. He asked me to send him a summary of some logs. I'm sure it's fine, but it's not like him and..." the Ensign was rambling again.

"He hasn't commed me this evening, but I spoke with him earlier today. I'm sure he's just out enjoying whatever Earth has to offer these days. I'm sure he'll get back to you tomorrow," she replied with a gentle smile.

"But these logs?" he pressed.

"Harry, the logs are years old. There are no Vidiians or Kazon or Hirogen waiting for us. It can wait til tomorrow, I'm sure," she said.

"He asked for them tonight and..." he persisted.

"Ensign Kim, I am sure that Commander Chakotay appreciates your conscientiousness and-" she was interrupted by a gigantic crash coming from the other room, followed by a string of obscenities, no doubt uttered by the person responsible for the crash. She startled slightly and her eyes darted to the doorframe. When no further noises came from the other room, she said "Good Night, Ensign," she said in finality. "I'm sure he'll reach you in the morning," and ended the call.

She hurried into the other room to find the lights still off, her chair on its side on the floor and Chakotay nursing a bruised shin, his leg tangled in the bars of the chair. "You need to call Harry in the morning, before he sets Security on you," she said with a smile. He scowled up at her from floor as he rubbed his leg.

Across town, Harry sat baffled for a moment. He couldn't place exactly why at first, but when he figured it out he sent a hasty message to Tom Paris that said "Are you still awake? Comm me when you are. Something interesting just happened."

Tom was in fact, still awake, or rather, was awake again, thanks to his infant daughter. He quickly commed Harry to ask what happened.

Harry jumped into explanation. "So then I just commed the Captain real quick to see if she'd heard from him and..."

"Wait wait. Harry, you commed the Captain this late just to check on if she'd heard from-" Tom interrupted.

"No, listen. Let me finish. So were chatting and she's telling me the same thing but she'd been awake and then there this crash from the other room. And someone is swearing loudly," he paused.

Tom jumped in. "So she's not alone, Harry. We've been hoping th Captain would socialize more for years. Good for her for having someone in her bedroom at 1am. Speaking of which, why don't YOU have someone with you right now?" Tom asked him teasingly. He was rewarded by a bright pink blush from Harry.

"Well...actually..." he stammered.

"Hi Tom!," a disembodied voice called from behind Harry.

Tom and B'Elanna grinned at each other. "Hiiiii Libby," they called back in unison.

"So, you have company, the Captain has company. It's late, Harry. What's the problem?" Tom asked.

"The person in the other room, he was swearing in Klingon," Harry finished.

Tom tried very hard not to break an neutral expression. It wasn't helping that B'Elanna was across from him holding her hand over her mouth in silent mirth. "Harry Harry Harry. Kathryn Janeway has been in StarFleet for more than half her life. I'm sure she has many friends who know a few swear words in Klingon."

Harry narrowed his eyes at his friend. "Maybe. But I know for a fact that there are only two people on this entire planet who would utter the phrase 'God-forsaken Vidiian bastard of a chair' in Klingon. One of them is sitting next to you, and apparently the other is in Captain Janeway's bedroom at 1am." He leaned back as if to say 'check mate.'