"Four requests already and we only set out the memo this morning!" I look at him from across my desk, "and 6 marriage certificate and ceremony requests. Did you have any idea that so many of the crewmembers were involved?"

"Well, I knew about Sam and Joe. They've been teetering on the border of a romance for a year now. But, I think it all changed once we set up the data stream with Starfleet."

"Yes," I muse, "aren't Sam and Joe both married?"

"Well, not anymore. Since we've been gone so long apparently both Sam's husband and Joe's wife thought they were dead. They've both gotten remarried and have new families."

"Ouch. How did Sam and Joe take the news?"

"Well, I don't know, but I think it helped that they had each other."

I smile, "what does Naomi think? I know she talks to you quite often."

"She's happy. Joe's been a constant in her life. She knows him. She's comfortable with him and he's very attentive to her – playing kadiskot, tutoring, taking her on Flotter adventures. She-" he smirked, "she thinks they make a 'cute couple'".

"No doubt. Oh, I'm happy for them!"

"What about Mortimer Herron and Angie Murt'hah?"

"Wait," I cough in shock as I feel my coffee go down the wrong tube, "What?! I don't think I saw that request!"

I grab the padd out of his hands. "Mortimer Herron! I can't believe that he's pairing off. I always thought he'd just stay at his post in the bowels of this ship, being contrary, making sardonic remarks, and trying in vain to disprove established math theorems until he became senile! And to Angie, no less! She either must be a saint or there is a whole other side to Mr. Herron that we know nothing about!" I can't wipe the amused smirk off my face – same goes for the coffee stain that has taken up residence on my jacket.

"Alright" I look up at the clock, 21:00, "Sickbay then dinner?" He's as tired as I am and we both want to repeal our boosters sooner rather than later.

The silence feels heavy in the turbolift as he takes my hand and turns me toward him, "computer halt lift".

Please, Chakotay no more doubts, let's just movie forward. His hand caresses my cheek, "Kathryn," he grins, "I'm not having doubts - none at all, in fact. I just want to know when and where you want to get married."

How does he do that? How does he know me so well? Am I that obvious?

"Soon. Now. Anywhere. I don't want to wait. Not for you. Not for us to begin our life together as husband and wife," I say with conviction. If there is anything in my life that I'm sure of, it's this man. I've never been so excited to be married before. After all, the act of committing to a marriage is relatively simple. And, truthfully, it won't really change our relationship. But, I want it. Even though the act itself is simple, I want what it implies. The Bible, an ancient Earth text, describes marriage as an act where a man cleaves to his wife and the two become one flesh. I can't think of a more fitting image.

"Kathyrn-"

"Engineering to Turbolift 2," B'Elanna's low alto intoned.

"Yes, B'Elanna?"

"Is there a problem with the lift? The computer shows it's been halted for five minutes. Do you need me to send a repair team?"

"No, thank you. I halted the lift. Sorry for the inconvenience."

"Not a problem. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't an issue. Torres out."

Sickbay 21:15

"Ah, Captain, Commander! How may I help the two of you?"

"Good evening, Doctor. We're here about the boosters. Both of us want the suppressant."

"Yes. You and every other couple on this ship!" For some reason the Doctor seemed almost exasperated.

I'm confused, "every other couple? Doctor, I've only received 6 requests for booster suppressants."

"I don't know what it is, Captain, but couples are coming out of the woodwork around here! Nearly all 15 of them have come to me this week to either have the booster suppressed or discuss options about booster suppression. Captain, are you sure that Voyager is prepared to handle a baby boom?"

I hadn't thought about the baby boom. Voyager is Intrepid Class. She's not a science vessel meaning that she has enough room on board to welcome a hefty crew compliment. Voyager was sent out with an original manifest of 140 crewmembers. We gained 30 Maquis when we sacrificed the Liberty. But we've also lost crewmembers as well – my former first officer, the chief medical officer, a nurse, and some others. Now we're at a steady 162. Voyager was designed to accommodate 200 if necessary, but even that leaves us little wriggle room. We'll manage. We'll make due. It's what we're good at.

"I see why you're worried, Doctor. But we're stuck out here and I can't tell these men and women that they can't have families. I can't take that away from them. I robbed them of it once when I stranded this ship here in the Delta Quadrant and I won't do it again." I look back at Chakotay as I continue, but more softly this time, "Doctor, we," I take his hand and entwine my fingers with his, "we want a family more than anything. It's what we've both always wanted. I can't allow myself to have this while denying it to the rest of my crew. So, yes, we'll make the best of it." I pull him to my side, "Please, Doctor give us the suppressant."

The Doctor looks defeated. He looks down and then a small grin tugs at his exaggerated smile lines, "in that case, Captain, Commander, best of luck". He pushes the hypospray into my neck and then Chakotays.

"Now I have to warn you. Now that I've suppressed the boosters, you'll start experiencing some side effects. Captain, you'll begin to menstruate again and you'll undoubtedly experience all the joys associated with that gift from Mother Nature. And Commander, you may experience a heightened level of aggression and a more vigorous libido."

I don't mean to. It's all very adolescent of me, but I can't help it, and I let out a small crack of laughter – this will be interesting. It's not like Chakotay needs help in the libido department. The manis positively unquenchable, not that I'm complaining. He squeezes my hand and pulls me towards the door, "Goodnight, Doctor".