Disclaimer: CBS/Paramount own Voyager and the characters introduced on the show.

Author's note: Sorry for the delay in posting. This is an extremely fluffy chapter, hope you enjoy it!

The Mess Hall on Voyager was prepared for the farewell dinner. Captain Chakotay had decided the Mess Hall was a more appropriate setting for the occasion than was the Captain's Private Dining Room. In the Mess Hall, it would be easier for other members of the crew to come by during the evening and say their goodbyes to their friends. Most of the attendees were already in the room, they were waiting for Harry Kim to finish his duty shift before joining them. They were seated around a large table which was covered with a table cloth and set with elegant china and crystal. Chakotay pulled out all the stops. It was to be a formal dinner with many courses, and different wines selected for each course, all planned by his wife, Seven of Nine. Chakotay, Seven of Nine, the EMH, Icheb, Naomi, Neelix, and Brax were all chatting amiably while they waited for Harry to arrive. They were reminiscing about their days on Voyager while it was still in the Delta Quadrant. The events which had made this group of very different individuals into a close knit family. Even though Brax, Neelix' stepson, had only spent an afternoon on Voyager while it was in the Delta Quadrant, he felt included in the Voyager family. Neelix had told him so much about each of them, Brax felt he knew them all quite well.

When Icheb arrived, he had been carrying a small box which, after he was seated, he placed next to his place setting. The EMH's natural curiosity took over, "Icheb, what's in the box?"

Icheb smiled his most devious smile, at least he thought it was devious. However, due to his inherent good nature, the final effect was more goofy than devious. "It's a surprise."

Chakotay was glad his CMO had asked about the box, he was curious, but didn't want to appear too nosy, "For whom?"

Icheb just shook his head, "That would ruin the surprise, you will all simply have to wait."

Luckily everyone's attention was diverted away from the box when Harry Kim entered the Mess Hall and immediately took his place at the table, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Chakotay asked his first officer, "Is there anything you need to report?"

"No, sir, all is well."

Chakotay smiled, "Glad to hear it."

There was a brief interruption while one of the crewmen who would be serving them this evening poured Harry a glass of water and a glass of wine. The other crewman was setting salads down in front of each person.

Seven had spent hours planning this meal, she took into account everyone's individual tastes and came up with courses which would be delicious for all of them. Since Seven had developed an interest in culinary sciences years ago, she was always glad to utilize her skills in this area of expertise. It was nice for her to excel at something which was not a residual effect of her time as a Borg drone. Since the Borg didn't eat, she knew her interest in the culinary sciences was her own.

For a few moments, the conversation stopped, they were all eating. Neelix was the first to break the silence, "Seven, this is a delicious salad. The dressing has a familiar taste to it, but I can't place it. What is it?"

"Terra Nut, it's mixed with balsamic vinegar."

Neelix smiled, "I would never have considered combining those two ingredients, but I can't argue with the result. You are really quite gifted."

Seven smiled at Neelix in return, "Thank you, Neelix. Coming from you, that is high praise indeed."

Since they were on Voyager and not constrained by Captain Dax' regulations, Icheb was openly holding Naomi's hand. Prior to transporting over to Voyager, she had confided in him her sadness at their imminent parting from her Godfather. Although they maintained contact via Pathfinder, this was most likely the last time she would ever see Neelix in person. It was also going to be some time before they were in company with the rest of their Voyager family.

When Admiral Janeway and Tom Paris left, there had been a great deal of hugging involved. Even though it would normally be wildly insubordinate for an Ensign to hug an Admiral, this was a special circumstance, they weren't just an Admiral and an Ensign, they were family.

After their salad plates had been cleared, but before their appetizer dish was served, Harry turned to Icheb, "What's in the box, Icheb?"

Naomi giggled, but Icheb answered Voyager's First Officer, "A surprise."

Chakotay looked at Harry, "We've already tried to get him to tell us, but he is standing mute on the subject. He's not even telling for whom the surprise is intended."

Before speculation about the contents of the small box could continue, their appetizers were delivered. The smell emanating from the plates was pungent, but not overwhelming. Braised leeks, it always made Seven smile when she served this particular dish. She was remembering her 'research' on the holodeck when she served the holodeck version of Chakotay the same dish. The first time she prepared the dish for the real Chakotay, she was pleased to find he enjoyed the dish immensely.

The rest of the meal passed amid sparse conversation, they were busy eating the sumptuous meal. When the dessert dishes were cleared, the group was once again free to devote all their attention to conversation. Icheb asked Captain Chakotay, "Where is Voyager off to tomorrow?"

"Sector 001, Voyager is due for some routine maintenance at Utopia Planetia. It's nice to be able to keep her in proper running order. However, I sometimes get nostalgic for the times we had to search for materials to keep her going in the Delta Quadrant."

Seven smiled at her husband, "He's not kidding. He really does miss it. Every time we get maintenance work done, he always makes some comment about how easy it is to just arrive at the space docks and have all the materials at hand for any repair or maintenance work Voyager requires."

The EMH who had been sitting at the table, but not eating chimed in, "Finding parts and materials in the Delta Quadrant was our second most important aim, second only to returning to the Alpha Quadrant, of course. As such, it occupied a great deal of our time and energy."

Chakotay changed the subject, "Kathryn was relieved when a group of Korok's followers offered to pursue the Brunali fleet. She had been considering dispatching Voyager, but for obvious reasons, was reluctant to order Voyager to follow them when they returned to the Delta Quadrant."

Seven asked, "Neelix, are you prepared to return home using the Borg transwarp corridor?"

"We are, we've double checked our calculations for using the corridor with Lindbergh's science officer, and she believes our return trip shouldn't be any more difficult than our trip here."

"Good, I hope you return home safe and sound. Will you convey our best wishes to Dexa and the children?"

Icheb added, "And ours as well, Neelix. Tell Dexa we appreciate her letting you make this trip considering all the risks involved."

Neelix was beaming with pride, he would miss these people and their kind and generous natures, but he was looking forward to seeing his wife again.

Harry broke the contented silence, "So, Icheb, what's in the box?"

Icheb picked up the small box and passed it across the table, giving it to Captain Chakotay, "It really isn't that spectacular."

By this time, Chakotay had opened the box, revealing an ordinary isolinear data chip. "Thanks, but what…"

"That chip contains the replicator patterns for the dishes I formulated based on Neelix dishes."

Neelix added, "When Icheb told me he intended to make this for you, I added some of the recipes he hadn't yet programmed."

Naomi joined the explanation, "Most importantly, Jimbalian fudge cake with l'maki nut frosting."

Chakotay was smiling from ear to ear, "Thanks Icheb, we will definitely make good use of it. Did you make one for Kathryn and Tom?"

"We did, Admiral Janeway seemed pleased, as did Mr. Paris."

"I know the crew will be pleased, Ayala was telling me he was thinking of jumping ship to the Lindbergh so he would be able to get Chadre Kab whenever he wanted."

Icheb was glad Chakotay appreciated his gift, "Now he doesn't have to desert ship."

Seven asked, trying to avert any further silliness, "Where is the Lindbergh off to next?"

Naomi listened to Icheb's answer, as a lowly Ensign, she would be one of the last to know about Lindbergh's upcoming mission. "The Lindbergh's next mission should be rather uneventful compared to our recent one, we are being dispatched to transport Captain Dax' husband to his next posting."

Naomi was stunned, "Wait a minute, what, Captain Dax is married to a fellow Starfleet officer?"