Kathryn walked into her office and placed two cups of coffee on her desk. After a restless night, she needed the extra caffeine. She noticed several messages on her computer and began playing them. After a few standard routine work hails, Chakotay's face appeared on her screen. He looked like he had had just as rough a night.

'Hey, it's me. I wanted to say I'm sorry. Tom and I spoke this morning and he told me that you have a pretty good track record on betting on sure things like him. You also treated me and my crew fairly even though you and I both know we could have had real problems during our first weeks in the Delta Quadrant. I guess what I'm trying to say is you trust quickly. I don't. At least not easily. I once told you that this angry warrior had found peace when he met you. I did. That hasn't changed. It's just that our peace was shaken up pretty good and I guess I have as much fallout in dealing with that as you do. I promise I'll get there, Kathryn. But now, at the risk of blowing up everything I just said, please be careful. You've been through a lot and I'm not there to…well, I know, despite what I said, you can take care of yourself. Still, when I get home, I want to hold you in my arms for the rest of my life rather than one of Tom's holodeck women. And, by the way, I told Tom no party until I knew you were ready. I love you, Kathryn. Always.'

His face vanished and Kathryn blinked at the familiar Starfleet emblem. A noise startled her out of her thoughts and she looked up. "Seven! How long have you been there?"

"I called but no one answered even though it was clear you were here."

"Sorry." Kathryn smoothed her hair back into her rigid updo and made a discreet swipe at her eyes. "I didn't get much sleep last night. I didn't hear you."

"Apparently." Seven nodded at the screen. "Important news?"

"Um, just one of the Captains from an outgoing mission. What can I help you with?"

Seven kept her eyes on the screen and said, "Voyager left today, didn't she?"

"Yes, Seven she did. What can I help you with?"

Seven eyes found hers and she smiled. "I was hoping you would have lunch with me."

Kathryn's mouth dropped. "Lunch?"

"Yes. I have found a new place I would like to try and I think you would be perfect for it."

"Really? What kind of food do they serve?"

"The good kind. I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

Kathryn smiled and took one of her cups over to the replicator to refill it. "Why, thank you, Seven. I'm sure I will. Where is it? I haven't heard of any new places opening around here."

Seven leaned across the computer panel before straightening up again. "It's not around here."

Kathryn turned back to her and walked to her desk. "Oh? Well how far is it? I'm afraid I don't have a lot of time for lunch today. I'll be confined to this office for the next week with everything I've been assigned to do. Actually, I think this may be my last public foray for a while until I can catch up. I'm afraid lunch will have to be quick."

"Don't worry. I'll make sure you don't miss a thing. Besides, I'm sure Captain Chakotay would appreciate someone looking after you the way he did. I'll be back to get you at 1300 hours." Seven walked towards the door.

"I'll be ready."

Seven heard the doors swish shut behind her and smiled. Her plans were in motion and, by this evening, everything would be in place. Kathryn has a long six weeks ahead of her, if she lived that long.