It feels good to put my uniform back on. The boots, though - they take a little getting used to again. I hate wearing these boots, but in some ways they give me a necessary advantage – many find height to be an intimidating quality. I never could understand the way my family's genetics worked. My father was over 6 feet. My mother is 5'9. Phoebe is 5'10. I'm 5'3. Barely. Fine. I'm 5'2.5 and if I fluff my hair up enough I'll make it to 5'3. I think Chakotay likes my height. He finds it sweet that my head barely reaches his chin. He towers above me and he's able to feel be protective. My bear. My Angry Warrior.

Just another day on the bridge. I still feel little residual stiffness in my hands and legs, but it's not noticeable if I don't dwell on it. I promised myself, Chakotay, and the Doctor that I wouldn't overdo it on my first day back. I usually renege on promises made to myself, but I can't with Chakotay. It's been almost two weeks since I was back in my command chair and I am chomping at the bit.

The familiar hiss of the turbolift ushers me onto the bridge and I see the faces of my crew. My wonderful, superb crew. Such a rag tag group, we are: Starfleet, Maquis, Borg, Talaxian!

"Captain on the Bridge" Tuvok hails.

I'm touched as everyone stands, "Good to have you back, Captain" Harry Kim beams.

"You look great, Captain" Tom Paris smiles before he turns back to his console.

Sam Wildman, beautiful Sam, gets up from her station and walks over to me. She touches my shoulders and draws me tentatively into a hug, throwing protocol to the side. None of my crew – other than Chakotay – has ever hugged me, "we were all so worried about you, Captain," she draws back. "Naomi badgered Neelix about you every day."

I grin back at her, letting her know it's ok to hug me. We're a family, after all, "tell her I'll stop by later this week for a game of Kadiskot".

She beams, "I'll tell her, Captain. She'll be so pleased."

This tender moment, though, is not lost on the forces of the Delta Quadrant. That's how it works, you see: just when you are starting to get comfortable, it pulls the rug out.

Suddenly, the bridge shakes violently.

"Report!"

"Captain, two cloaked ships are materializing off the port bow."

"Shields up. Hail them!"

"They are responding to our hail," Tuvok's is voice always calm.

"On Screen."

Two blue-skinned, hefty aliens with ridges on their forehead and arms appeared looking rather angry.

"Who are you? Why are you here in our space?"

"My name is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. We're sorry about our intrusion. We mean you no harm. We had no idea that this was a protected area of space. We are on a peaceful mission to get home back to the Alpha Quadrant."

The features of the aliens smoothed once they realized they were not being threatened, "the Alpha Quadrant?" the two intoned.

"Yes it's our home. We've been stranded in this quadrant for 5 years now."

"My, my, my," the larger of the two blue beings mused, "you certainly are far from home!"

I just smiled. These aliens didn't appear hostile, but something in their tone is a little off; I decided to go along.

"Yes, we've charted a course back to the Alpha Quadrant and according to our route, the fastest way to get there is through your territory of space. Would you be willing to grant us safe passage?"

"I'm sorry, Captain, but like I said this area of space is protected. I sympathise with your situation, but we can't allow you to pass through our space".

"And why not? As you can see, we mean you no harm."

"Yes, Captain, but the other species that live in this sector of space are extremely xenophobic. Much like you have experienced already, they – like us – will not hesitate to fire on your vessel. And, most ships are larger and more advanced than ours – your vessel will not survive. I would advise you to chart another course."

"Very well. But, in that case, we are going to need some extra supplies. Do you trade in dilithium crystals?"

"Yes, Captain. This sector is abundant is dilithium. However, for dilithium we require Copper. Copper is hard to find and near impossible to mine."

"Very well. Would a representative of your crew be willing to come aboard and negotiate the trade?"

"Yes, Captain."

"Thank you, Captain. Tell your representative to standby." The screen goes back to black and stars.

I hang my head. Why is nothing ever simple in the Delta Quadrant? I tap my combadge, "Janeway to Seven of Nine"

"Seven of Nine. How may I help you Captain?" the even Borg tone replies.

"Seven we won't be able to travel through this area of space. Chart a course for an alternate route."

"Very well, Captain."

"Janeway to Neelix"

"Neelix here, Captain."

"Mr. Neelix, we're having a representative come on board to negotiate a trade of dilithium for copper. Meet him in Transporter Room 2 and barter a fair trade. We need 400 grammes of dilithium at least, but see if they'll give us more. I'm informed that dilithium is abundant in this sector so hopefully they won't cling so tightly to it. Let them know that 300 grams of copper are all we can manage. Let me know if you have any issues. Janeway out."

I let out a long breath. I look around the bridge. Poor Harry Kim always looks so dejected when things don't go as planned. His sad baby face always gets to me. He misses his family. Every time we run into obstacles like this it adds more to time to our journey. More time that he'll miss away from his parents, his home. I can't do any more on the bridge and I promised the Doctor and Chakotay I'd take it easy. Truth be told, I'm tired.

"Commander, you have the Bridge. I'll be in my Ready Room."

Today's situation on the bridge was not unique by any means. Dealing with non-compliant aliens is not unique. Adding more years to our journey is not unique. But for some reason today was unique. Today was the first day that I faced one of my greatest fears. Today I sat on the bridge with Chakotay. I know the feel of his body inside of mine. I have felt his breath on my face, his tongue sliding past mine, and then gentle caress of his hand on my breast. I've heard him whisper words of love and lust into my ear and I've heard him scream my name is the throes of passion just like I have screamed his. And yet, today I sat with him as a colleague. What was it that I was so afraid of for all these years with him? Now I can't remember. Oh, that's right: I was worried that I wouldn't be able to command a starship if he and I were lovers. I was worried that I would lose my focus. Yes, it's only been one day and truthfully, this wasn't the most hostile alien species that we've encountered. I did not have to send him anywhere dangerous: he was still right by my side, giving me the gentle support he always has. But all of that is irrelevant. The truth is that today on the bridge I felt more at ease. Something over the past two weeks has shifted. I woke up 12 days ago completely paralysed. I had to relearn how to live my life. My heart and my focus, like my nerves, have had to find new pathways to function and thrive. I sit back in my chair; this new revelation opens before me and renews me.

I am stirred from my reverie by the chime of the door.

"Come"

I smile. "Captain," he's all work and no play, "Neelix was successful and obtaining 500 grams of dilithium. Apparently, it is abundant."

"Leave it to Neelix to go above and beyond the call of duty!"

He smiles back and continues. "And I stopped by Astrometrics," I take the padd he's offering and active it. "According to Seven's alternate route, we'll be able to keep our estimated ETA give or take eight weeks depending on whether we're at high or low warp."

"Looks good. Tell Tom to plot a course".

He drops his shoulders, and in doing so he drops the aura of formality as I let out a yawn. He grins at me, "Dinner? And don't say you're not hungry!"

"Actually, I'm starved."