"Hendricks."

"Yes."

"Nsomeka."

"Yes."

"Cartwright."

"No."

"Morrow."

"No."

"T'Lara."

"Yes."

"Whatley."

"Yes."

"Leyton."

"No."

The list continued and Kathryn stopped counting, hearing three 'Nos' was enough for her. She would never make it.

Most of the fleet Admirals were voting no because of the borg modifications that had been made to Voyager. Kathryn had refused to let Starfleet use anything except the very basic modifications and made Seven lockout or decode the rest, it wasn't right to bring these to the past from the future, she had done enough damage to the time-space continuum already.

Her justification was not accepted by all the admirals though, they thought she was making the Federation pass up an incredible opportunity, what with the latest border disputes and all.

Kathryn snapped back to the present when she heard the bang of a gavel. She prepared to hear the worst. She put the Captain's mask in place and straightened to her full height.

"The vote as it stands is 14 in favor - 8 objections."

Kathryn felt her lungs clench in anticipation, her hands were sweating and every muscle in her body was taught.

A vote 'No' from one of the High Admirals would throw her into a near tie, then it would be down to the other High Admiral and the Academy president. This was going to be close.

"High Admirals."

"Yes."

"Yes."

"And my vote is yes. Kathryn Elizabeth Janeway. I hereby promote you to the rank of Vice Admiral, and I am sure you will work your way up through our ranks as well and efficiently as you have done in the past."

Kathryn felt a huge rush of air exit her lungs, and she was beaming. She did it. She was an Admiral, like her father before her.

Voyager's crew and their families were on their feet clapping, whistling and hooting their approval.

Kathryn's smile was brighter than any of the crew had ever seen it, she deserved this, and they were so happy to be there to witness it.

Even the Admirals around her were smiling at hearing the crew's enthusiasm, it was contagious, even the Admirals that had voted against her were having trouble keeping their Admiral's masks on.

The Academy President raised his hand still smiling. The room quieted after a bit, the crew not wanting to stop their celebratory show of support for their Captain.

"Before I dismiss you all from the ceremony, we have one more order of business."

The crew whispered to each other in hushed tones, and the blood drained from Kathryn's face, smile gone and replaced by a look of panic. What now?

"Commander Chakotay."

Her eyes went wide at the name and she looked around for him. He came from behind the High Admirals and walked nonchalantly but professionally to Kathryn's side.

"Go ahead Commander."

"Thank you admiral." He said with a slight bow of his head. Kathryn's heart was racing and she was fairly certain she was blushing, not many of the crew knew that he was… well… with her.

'Relax' she told herself. 'As first officer, he should make a statement when his Captain is promoted.'

He faced away from the podium and looked out over the crowd, sort of circling to look at everyone.

"You all were a steadfast crew, you supported your command team and were always reliable. You also know that without this woman, we would not be here today. Many of you noticed how she changed over the 7 years we spent out there, she grew more steadfast in her decisions, an even fiercer negotiator, she made sure no crew member was ever left behind and tried to make sure everyone on the ship feel like they were part of the family. The Voyager family, and that is Captain Janeway helped create. A family that leans on one another for support, that helps us recover when we fail, grieves together, one that celebrates and laughs together. We have spent the better part of the last seven years this way, with the Captain always as the head of the house. And now that we are home, we are beginning to see our family members take other positions, move to other planets, and we miss each other. Today is a day where we should once again feel like a family. I am sure Captain Janeway agrees that you deserve that."

The crew stood and cheered, all being able to relate to what he was saying, and each remembering a time that Janeway had been there for them, been there to guide them, to encourage them, exactly the way a mother would.

Kathryn was smiling as her eyes were brimming with tears, they were a family, but she had never fully realized how crucial that had been to their survival.

Chakotay raised his hand to calm the crowd and spoke again.

"Since we are friends, since we are family, I thought it important for you to be present on this special day; for this day is special for more than one reason. Our Captain is an Admiral, we get to see and celebrate with one another, and there is one more thing."

Waiting for him to continue and looking around at her crew, she was startled when Chakotay grabbed her hand.

She looked up at him panicked, trying to withdraw her hand so the crew wouldn't notice but he held on tight.

He turned her to face him so that he could grab her other hand. Hands shaking, Kathryn tried to conceal her internal freak-out.

She looked at the crew behind Chakotay to find them all smiling, in fact, no one seems surprised or disgusted or angry, everyone was just happy. As she scanned the crowd her eyes passed over her mother who gave her a wink. Kathryn immediately snapped her attention back to Chakotay.

"Kathryn Janeway.." he said in a much quieter voice, that still sounded loud to the audience since he was miked.

"I have you to thank for the man I have become, you have turned me from an angry warrior into a man I am proud to be. I have been by your side and I have gotten to watch you grow into the Admiral you are now. I watched you force down your feelings for the sake of the crew and the mission, not letting anything distract you. But luckily, I got to know the woman you are, the Kathryn behind the Captain. From the moment I laid eyes on you I knew that there could be no one else for me, and my resolve grew stronger as I learned how funny you are, how kind, witty, and caring. I would trust you with my life, and I trust you with my heart."

He let go of her hands and reached into his pocket.

"Kathryn Janeway,"

He knelt on one knee, and Kathryn gasped, her hand flying to the spot over her heart.

He held the box in his hands and opened it to reveal a gorgeous ring with a large gem the color of fire surrounded by small diamonds sat.

"Will you marry me?"