"Right everyone, we're on a schedule here! The reception is being held in the hotel down the street so can you all start making your way there please." The mother of the bride's voice echoed around the temple almost as soon as the priest had completed the ceremony.

"Mother, please!" exclaimed Naira in embarrassment, ripping her eyes away from Icheb to frown at her mother but the crowd of chattering guests were already following the instructions and crowding around the ornate wooden doors of the exit. Seven, caught in the crush as she attempted to reach an overwhelmed Michael, plonked down in the centre of the aisle, and Aylen, who was enthusiastically throwing the spare petals from her flower girl's basket into the air, giggling as they settled on the clothes and heads of the oblivious adult guests.

Finally Seven reached them, after almost tripping over a fallen candle stand, pulled Michael up onto his feet and firmly took the basket off Aylen, saying when the little girl's face fell, "That's enough now Aylen, you want to have some flowers left don't you?"

Aylen pondered this logic for a moment before nodding vigorously. "Okay Mama, I hungwy now."

Chakotay, finally having managed to push his way through to his family with Max in his arms, smiled at his daughter. "Everyone is sweetheart, that's the problem, but we'll get there soon I promise."

Icheb, having escaped the incessant questions flung at him from a group of Naira's distant cousins, shot Chakotay an apologetic look. "I'm sorry; we seem to have lost all organisational skills…"

"Don't worry about it, it'll clear soon. You did well with the service, ancient Bajoran chants and all." Chakotay complimented him.

Icheb smiled sheepishly, "I practised a great deal, and Naira seemed pleased."

Seven laughed with soft knowing, "I doubt she was listening anymore than you were."

Icheb blushed as his new wife approached but she laughed also, "It is a bit of a blur, all that planning and I doubt I'll remember much more than the kiss at the end by morning."

"That was the best part…" Icheb began to tease in a droll tone but Naira smilingly cut him off.

"That's the place empty, within five minutes, a new record I think! We'd better go; we don't want my family taking liberties with the seating plan and Commander Kim…" She corrected herself, remembering that almost all of Icheb's former crewmates had requested she address them as friends rather than as superior Starfleet officers, while off duty at least. "…Harry said that when food not cooked by Neelix is involved, your crew could incite a riot."

Later that night, crowded around wide, round tables overflowing with food the atmosphere in the reception hall was jolly, the live band just about to set up, when Icheb stood up from his central position, licking his lips nervously and keeping Naira's supportive hand in his, he called for attention, "I believe it is customary on Earth for speeches to be made…" His voice was too quiet to be heard beyond the head table, where the senior officers of Voyager, with their partners and children, and the immediate members of Naira's family, all sat.

When no one lifted their eyes from their plates the Admiral stepped in, using her most commanding voice, which she hadn't forgotten, "Excuse me everyone, the groom would like to make a speech!"

Excited chatter bubbled through the room, along with the sound of scraping chairs as people turned to observe the young former Borg. Feeling a cold sweat break out as the pressure of all the expectant eyes hit him, Icheb had to clear his throat repeatedly and take a large swig of water before he could begin. "My…my start in life wasn't particularly auspicious, I was genetically engineered to kill Borg and that's what I did, I had no access to emotions or ambitions…then Voyager saved me. I never thought when I first stepped aboard and Seven told me my real name that within five years I would be an complete individual, let alone a Starfleet officer and…a married man." He paused, smiling down at Naira before continuing, "The U.S.S Voyager itself gave me a home, its crew gave me a family but you…" He stopped, realising he was only addressing Naira, "…Naira gave me love, and gave it truly and easily, as is your nature. I never dreamed then, or now, that I'd have that but I find tonight that I don't have to dream anymore, you're here and I have to thank you for that." He stopped, this time for good, but before he could sit down Naira was at his side, kissing him deeply before guiding him back down to sit with her.

The "aww…" that reverberated around the room was practically audible and as Chakotay turned to share an affectionate glance with his wife, he found she was already looking at him with tears glinting in her eyes. He gave her hand an understanding squeeze before noticing a pad resting loosely in her lap. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Your turn now honey." She nodded stiltedly and tried to rise but he held her back for a moment. "Try and relax, you're not in a briefing remember."

She flung him a watery smile. "I almost wish I was." She replied before standing to her full height and everyone's eyes moved to her, even more interested in what she would say, if that were possible. Seven stood in silence for a moment, written speech grasped tightly in her hands as her eyes found the happy encouraging eyes of the newlyweds and her husband and she suddenly knew what she needed to say, letting the pad drop onto the table. Taking a deep breath she began, "When Icheb and Naira first asked me to do this speech, I said no…"

"Mama, I help you talk!" Michael exclaimed loudly, making the room collapse into unintended laughter for several minutes.

Seven smiled, along with everyone else, at the toddler. "I'm fine now baby, I can talk by myself, its okay." She waited for him to nod before continuing, "As I was saying, when the request was first made I said no, but I'm now glad they convinced me. When Icheb, Mezzoti, Azan and Rebi first came aboard I was afraid for them, afraid they wouldn't adapt but they all exceeded my expectations, grew into their individuality… although that was sometimes an irritant for me because they did not always obey me, but soon I preferred that way. If Icheb had not followed his intuition I would be dead so when he told me of Naira I trusted his emotional judgement above that of all others and he was completely correct in his choice. I am proud of you for so many things Icheb, this is another one and I know there will be many, many, more." She stopped, unable to go on.

Chakotay rescued her, raising his glass. "To Icheb and Naira!"

"Icheb and Naira!" The whole room joyfully echoed.

A/n: I hope this is okay; I know it's short but the speeches were hard to write and I'm pretty tired tonight. Please review!