"How nice of you to grace us with your presence once again." The Doctor closed his medical tricorder. "I take it the return trip to the Continuum did not live up to expectations?"

Chakotay rubbed Kathryn's back as she sat on the bio bed and said, "Not exactly. The Q have given me a 24 hour stay of execution. What's your diagnosis?"

"Well, you are in remarkably better shape than you were when I last examined you. It's ironic that the Q have restored your physical state only to want to do away with it in the next 23 hours and 45 minutes. A bit like the proverbial last meal. A waste of cells, if you ask me but, of course, no one did." Chakotay gave him a look and the Doctor finished. "There is no detectable cellular decay but that doesn't mean there won't be at a later date. I'm not sure this is good news but she'll be healthy for her final few hours and will be beyond if we can prevent any future intentional harm to her."

"We will," Chakotay said. "Belanna and Harry already have the sensors and weapons array tied back in so we can detect any Q activity. And the security personnel have been prepped and briefed. The entire fleet is on alert. We'll be ready for them."

"They won't bother with the other ships," Kathryn said. "They'll come to Voyager. For me."

"Good," Chakotay said. "Then I can personally settle this once and for all."

Kathryn turned to him. "I don't want anyone hurt on my account, least of all you."

"Kathryn," Chakotay said.

She placed a finger over his lips and shook her head. "I don't want to talk about this anymore. If I have 23 hours of life left, I want to spend it with you. Doing what I should have done a long time ago."

Kathryn moved towards him and Chakotay leaned down, cupping her face with his hands and drawing her to him. His lips captured hers as they shared a long, passionate kiss. Kathryn's arms went around his shoulders as she wound her hands through his short hair while his hands slid down her back holding and pressing her to him. He had always dreamed of the day he would hold her in his arms and express his love for her and the actual moment did not disappoint. They pulled apart and found the Doctor's face next to theirs.

"Would you please take this out of my sick bay? If I have patients that need actual medical attention, you will be very awkward to work around. "Straightening up, he said, "Besides, I've just cleaned."

Kathryn and Chakotay shared a smile and a quiet laugh. Her lips found his again for another quick kiss before Chakotay pulled back from her long enough to call for a site to site transport to his quarters. They reached his room still in each other's arms. Kathryn noticed the transporter had put them in his bedroom.

"A little presumptuous, are we?" she said.

"Am I?" Chakotay's hands slid down to her hips as he bent to kiss her once more.

"Chakotay,"' Kathryn whispered. "I'm sorry."

Chakotay's kisses brushed over her nose, her cheeks, and down to her neck as she dipped her head back to give him better access. "You're forgiven," he choked out.

Hands and mouths explored each other's bodies as they found the bed. All the protocols, rules, and regulations that had held them back for so long were quickly discarded as the passion that had built between them for years was finally expressed and released several times throughout the night.

The next morning Kathryn stirred next to Chakotay's sleeping form. She cuddled next to his warm body and watched him sleep as she remembered their past several hours. He was just as she thought he would be as a lover, powerful yet tender, one who took delight in sharing control with her and giving pleasure over and over again.

Kathryn glanced around the room that had once been her lonely refuge during their voyage home. How appropriate that their first time would be here on Voyager, in this room. They had shared their night time activity in the Captain's quarters just as they had on the bridge all those years. Working in tandem in an easy rhythm that complimented both of them with trust and openness guiding the way. For the first time since her death, Kathryn felt safe and loved. Laying her head on his chest, she murmured, "I really could die right now and be the happiest girl in the world."

"Over my dead body," Chakotay said, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. His arm came around her as he stroked her back and shoulder. "The Q won't touch you."

"Computer," Kathryn called. "What time is it?"

"The time is 0616 hours."

"You have about twelve hours left with me."

Chakotay put his other arm around her and hugged her close. "I will have the rest of my life with you."

"You mean the rest of mine."

"No, I mean the rest of mine."

Kathryn rose up and looked at him. "Don't say that."

Chakotay ran a hand down her arm. "Why not? I want you here with me, forever."

Kathryn bit her lip. "Forever could be only twelve hours."

Chakotay smoothed the wrinkles that marred Kathryn's forehead. "Forever will be more than twelve hours. I plan on living way past this evening."

"So did I, about a year ago," Kathryn said. "The Borg had other plans for me."

Chakotay's hand stopped caressing her face. Dropping his fingers to her cheek, he said, "It's not like you to be so pessimistic."

"It's not pessimism, Chakotay. It's realism. I've already done this and I know how it turns out. I know what you're going to do."

"Really?" Chakotay said. "And what exactly is my plan?"

Kathryn took his hand away from her face and placed it on her hip. Taking a finger, she traced his tattoo as she said, "You are going to do the same thing I did." She stopped and held his gaze. "You're going to sacrifice yourself for me and I won't let you do it."

Chakotay rose up to meet Kathryn face to face. He thought a moment and then said, "I admit I did think about it. But, if I die, I don't think they'll be a Q there waiting for me. No one waiting to take me to you. I can't handle an eternity without you. There is no one to defend you from the Q like I will. So I can promise you that it will be my highest priority not to lose my life tonight. Not that I wouldn't die for you under normal circumstances."

Kathryn smiled and released the breath she had been holding in. "I know you would. I'm actually relieved to hear you say that. Besides, with you gone, I'd welcome death, again." Her face grew serious again. "You've never lied to me, Chakotay. Promise me you're not lying now."

Chakotay leaned forward and kissed her long and hard. He pulled her back down to the bed as they once again dismissed the looming Q threat and focused only on loving each other.