Author note: I can't change what I started umpteenth years ago. I was pissed Neelix left and I chose to include him in this story. So don't remind me how he left. If I'm going to include him, I might as well just do it.
...
"Done and done!," Tom exclaimed to no one in particular as he stretched in the hallway. He had been to five meetings that stretched over the whole day and was more than happy to be done. Even better, it was only 1700. Plenty of time to study the station's holodeck programs before his allotted time in two hours. Well not his time. The recently reinstated O'Brien had made a comment about some archived sensor readings from the Delta Flyer being 'too good to be real'. Tom had quickly countered with a bet that Voyager's main computer could back up the data. He only had to put the television and toaster on the line, but he knew his toys were safe. O'Brien willingly gave up the holodeck time and gave Tom a PADD of Keiko's favorite date night spots. "I may not know Klingons," the engineer confessed, "but I know something about the engineer's mind and new mothers. Besides, we are just now readjusting to life back on the station, we could still use some unpacking!". John had agreed to watch Miral, being his last night on the station before returning to Earth.
As he opened the door, B'Elanna was sitting on the couch in the main living area, smiling ear to ear as she poured over four different reports. "Tom! Tom!," she exclaimed, motioning him to sit next to her, Starfleet is having a hearing for Voyager's Sr officers tomorrow."
"Okay…" Tom began. "Do we know what it is about?"
"Not officially," B'Elanna led on, her eyes twinkling in anticipation. "Let's just say a little bird told me it was good news." She gestured down at the PADDS on the table. "We will be evaluating service records and positions for the crew. Maquis and everyone!"
"That is good news," Tom agreed. "How about we discuss it over dinner on the holodeck." He didn't need to look up to know B'Elanna would agree with his suggestion.
Harry sat the empty stein down at the bar. "I will most certainly have another," he responded to Quark before the Ferengi could even ask. Harry had also been informed the good news by a certain Admiral, but was sworn to secrecy until the morning. He also had his own secret. After seven years in the Delta quadrant with almost nothing in the romance department, he had quickly become close with a member of Deep Space Nine's crew. He was still trying to figure out if it was real, or simply desperation rearing its ugly head. Libby had given up on him before Voyager contacted home and was now married with two children. The past wasn't waiting on him, so why wait for much for the future? His pulse quickened as she sat next to him at the bar. It was the first time they had decided to meet in public.
"Hello Harry!" Ezri greeted with a sheepish grin. "Do you-uh-want to sit here or go somewhere else?" she queried, obviously looking longingly at an empty and secluded corner. Harry did not need to be asked twice and stood up from his stool.
"What about the drink?" Quark questioned.
"You have waittresses, let one of them work," Harry retorted.
"Every minutes they aren't at a Dabo table is money wasted!" Quark lamented out loud. "I wish he was still naive," he added under his breath.
Over at the table, the couple situated themselves in the booth. "Soooo, how was your day?" Ezri asked quietly. She was just as nervous as Harry, if not moreso. She had been on the space station for several years at this point and had overcome a lot of her social anxieties, but that didn't mean the Trill wasn't still nervous around this newcomer. The group of officers on DS9 had not changed significantly since Sisko's death. Kira maintained her position of major and now ran the station, which was now used more as a diplomatic entity by the entire federation more than anything. They had been through several Starfleet appointed first officers, but none had lasted more than a year or so against Kira Nerys. The latest attempt was a spunky recent graduate from the academy. She had graduated the top of her class and although the first few months were rough, it was appearing that First Officer K'Lem, a half Vulcan who embraced her human side, was finally breaking through to the entire staff. Few changes in staffing meant Ezri had not had a real relationship since her first year on the station. Although she and Julian had loved one another, their relationship had fizzled less than a year after it had started. Since then, she had been on a few blind dates but nothing serious. Even more concerning was how quickly she found herself falling for Harry. He was eager like Julian was, but something about making it 70,000 lightyears form the Delta Quadrant gave him an edge she found impossible to resist. In her head, she was already tossing the words 'love' and 'future' around. Could Harry be thinking the same? Shaking herself from her own thoughts, she realized Harry had been answering her question the whole time her mind drifted.
"—and although I probably shouldn't mention it," Harry continued, unaware his audience was just now joining in, "but Admiral Paris said Voyager's Senior staff would all be evaluated by their superiors and given the commissions we missed. They have also given us an optional six months to settle our affairs at home before we go back to Starfleet."
"That's fantastic, Harry! What do you think you will do? You could always apply aboard Deep Space Nine." She bit her tongue the second the words left her mouth. It seemed too eager of an offer to someone she had just met a week ago.
"I…don't know what I will do," Harry answered cautiously. "I will probably take the time off, or at least part of it. I owe that to my parents. Honestly, it is still a little overwhelming to be back here. I have always wanted to teach at the academy". The ensign noticed the look on Ezri's face. "Not that I don't want to be here," he added on quickly. The two stared at one another for a few moments before Harry spat out, "I really really like you, Ezri. Enough that it scares me. I just don't know if I am jumping into things or if I truly feel this way deep inside.
Ezri stared down at the table and nodded. "I really like you too Harry. I feel like we are so alike. You have wisdom beyond your years, yet eagerly jump into next day. It reminds me of my own relationship with Dax. I feel more comfortable around you than I have with anyone…ever."
Harry slid closer to her and wrapped an arm over her shoulder. "The let's plan on seeing where this goes, no matter where I end up". He didn't give Ezri a chance to respond before he leaned in and kissed her.
"Alright, team," Janeway began, shushing the chatter around the table. It was the first time her Senior staff had been in the same room for almost two weeks and she almost hated breaking up their excited conversations. She looked around the room and a warm smile spread over her face. This team had made it home. They had lost a few crew members through the years, but they defied all odds to get home in seven years. She began to clear her throat but was cut off by another voice entering the room.
"Captain Kathryn Janeway," Admiral Paris declared entering the room. "I heard tale you were speaking of promotions and commissions of your crew."
"Why yes sir, I was." Janeway affirmed, not aware the disruption was coming.
"According to Starfleet protocol, Captains may only offer field commissions. I do not intend to let you continue," he took long commanding steps across the conference room, "as a Captain." The room broke into applause and only Chakotay could hear Admiral Paris congratulate the new Admiral as he pinned the gold from around her pips. As the eruption subsided, Admiral Paris' voice because audible once again, "we will worry about getting you in the right uniform momentarily." He sat on a bench lining the edge of the room, joining Reginald Barclay.
"Thank you so much, Admiral," Janeway began, barely phased by her own sudden promotion. "I want to start by saying how proud I am of you and your teams. We did the impossible and the unthinkable. We made it home. This was not without loss. We honor their memories and thank them for their service to Voyager and her crew. Today is a celebration, however. A celebration of you, the officers who were responsible for our return. I want to personally honor and recognize each one of you. Then we will go over our fellow crewmen and determine their recognition. Today will be emotional. We will cheer for our successes and mourn deeply at losses. Let's work together, just as we have for the last seven years." She turned around from the table behind her and grabbed a tray with eight small boxes. "Gingerly picking one up, she turned to the man at her side. "Chakotay!" she exclaimed, her eyes bright. "It is my honor to take your provisional rank from you and offer you a full commission and rank of captain, with all the privileges and honors is entails". The room clapped heartily and stood for the their former First Officer. They continued to cheer as Tuvok became a first officer, Tom a Lieutenant Commander, and B'Elanna outranking her husband as a Commander. Seven of Nine and Neelix were awarded a provisional commission of Jr. Lieutenant dependent upon completion of the Starfleet exit exam. The group cheered a hollered for each of their friends. Finally two boxes remained in front of Janeway. "These two are very special promotions," she began slowly, putting her hand upon her hip and pointing with one finger at the other admiral in the room. "The reason I have kept you in the dark for the last week and a half was so I could convince his type to allow what I am about to do". She picked up one box and thoughtfully rubbed her thumbs over the top. "Doctor, you have been as much of our crew as any of the rest of us for our whole journey. You have become more human than I could have ever imagined. For that, and for your exemplary service, I am more than pleased to offer you a full Starfleet commission of Commander, with all the rights to any human in that position".
For once, the EMH was speechless. The group around him stood and cheered louder than they had previously. Tom reached an arm around and hugged his friend and Harry slapped him on the back. "I-I-don't know what to say!" the Doctor stammered.
"Had to happen sometime," Tom retorted. The group continued to cheer and slowly returned to their seats.
One little box remained. "I purposely set this aside for last," Janeway said with a grin. "To our crew member who endured more than nearly anyone else on the crew, the last seven years as Ensign has not been easy. Harry, you have continuously modeled every strength in character Starfleet could have ever asked. For that," she purposely paused, her eyes twinkling, "I am honored to promote you to Commander". Harry was expecting a promotion, but never would have anticipated going from Ensign to Commander. As the Admiral added the additional pips to his collar, Harry couldn't help but let a huge grin come over his face, but not before mouthing the words, 'I outrank you', to his best friend across the table.