"Kadiskot!" Naomi squeals as she pulls the pieces off the board. Naomi is Voyager's resident Kadiskot champion. I don't even think either Tuvok or Seven have beaten her yet -quite a feat.

I smile as her long red hair brushes against my arm. In some way, Naomi is a glimpse into my own past. She's carefree and happy. She's smart, inquisitive, and always caring and sensitive. 150 adults on this ship adore her; she's the baby and always the center of attention.

I sit back; it's been a long day. The bridge was uneventful, but even boredom can be tiring. I'm usually not this tired, but even with seven cups of coffee, I am dragging.

Naomi turns in her seat. She's only 6, but because of her Katarian DNA she's maturing at a rapid rate. Most days, I want to make it stop. I want her to stay little Naomi Wildman forever. But I can't wait to see the woman that she's going to become – that she's already becoming.

"I'm really glad you're better, Captain. We were all really worried about you".

"Thank you, Naomi. I was worried too."

"I don't think anyone was more worried about you than Commander Chakotay, though. He took care of you didn't he?"

"Yes, Naomi, he did."

"Captain, I know I'm not supposed to say anything but I feel that I should – you know, as Captain's Assistant and all. Permission to speak freely?"

I laugh and I hear the laughter grace my voice as a try to assume a formal tone, "go ahead, crewman".

"Well, everyone talks about it so I guess it's not really a secret. Everyone says that the Commander's in love with you and that you love him. Is that true?"

From the mouth of babes, "Yes, Naomi, that's true".

She beams. So do I.

He's sitting on the couch going over padds when I walk in.

"How was kadiskot? Did you win?"

"That'll be the day! No. But, our little secret is out."

"Was it ever a secret?" I hit him on the arm.

"Isn't this the part where you're supposed to act surprised?"

He holds up his hand in jest only to silence me, "Chakotay to Paris"

I'm amused: what's he up to?

"Paris here. What can I do for you, Commander?"

"Tom, I'd like to know – who won the betting pool?"

"Uh, sir?"

"Oh don't play coy, Tom. You know which betting pool," Chakotay laughed.

"Give me a minute. Ok well in order to pick the lucky winner I have to know the date and location".

"Just how detailed is this betting pool, Tom" I join in, laughter and amusement filling my voice.

"Well, let's see we have pools for date, time, and location."

"Location?!"

Nervously, "yeah well you know – declaration of love, first kiss…"

"April 14, 2375. And that's all you're getting! Janeway out." I tap his chest cutting off the conversation.

My giggles can't be contained, "can you believe that crew of ours? They bet on a location?! I have a feeling that Tom wasn't even telling the whole truth."

Chakotay laughs with me, full dimples on display, "hmm, Kathryn, I seem to forget the location? Do you remember?"

"You, mister, know full well the where and the when and the how!"

He leans closer to me on the couch. His movements are slow and purposeful, "You're right," he whispers as he pins me beneath him, "but remind me again". And I do as his mouth captures mine.