The safe house was a cozy, two bedroom cottage surrounded by woodlands. "Do you have any idea where we are?" Chakotay asked.

"No," Kathryn replied. "Somewhere on Earth."

"Well, it looks comfortable, and the scenery is nice."

"Right now I prefer the bed to the scenery," she said with a yawn.

"Yeah, me, too. We've both been up for almost 24 hours now. Go get ready for bed and I'll bring you some tea."

"I would love that. Thank you, Chakotay."

He stroked her back and said, "Try to relax, Kathryn. There are six heavily armed security officers outside, and this house is locked down tighter than a max brig. I'm here, and I'm not letting anything happen to you."

She laid her head on his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. "This is such a mess," she groaned. "I can't believe someone is trying to kill me, and I can't imagine why. Why would somebody want me dead?"

He stroked her hair and rested his cheek on her head. "I don't know, sweetheart. But I promise we'll get to the bottom of this. It's my job to protect you."

"You're not my first officer anymore. You don't have to stay with me."

"Yes, I do. Not because I'm your first officer, but because I love you."

"Oh, Chakotay. I love you, too. I'm glad you're here."

She smiled up at him, and he could see the dark circles and lines of worry around her eyes. He longed to make the whole situation go away, but all he could do was try to comfort her and trust others to keep her safe. He kissed her forehead and smoothed her hair off her face.

"Do you want me stay in the bedroom while you get ready for bed?" She smirked at him, and he chuckled. "I didn't mean it to sound that way. I meant that I would stay near if you don't want to be alone considering what happened at your house."

She kissed his cheek and said, "Thank you, but I'll be okay."

She went to the bedroom and opened her bag, and Chakotay went to the kitchen to make the tea. The cupboards were full of any kind of food they could want, and a replicator stood in one corner. He ordered two chamomile teas and carried them to the bedside table. The bathroom door was closed, and he spoke up to let her know he was in the room. He pulled his shorts and tee from his bag and sipped his tea while he waited for her.

She came out a couple of minutes later in a loose T-shirt and sweat pants. She stood by the bed and said, "Not my usual choice of sleepwear, but I just couldn't bring myself to get a nightgown out of that drawer."

He smiled at her. "I don't blame you. When this is over, we'll go shopping and buy all new gowns for you. I'll even build you a new drawer if you don't want to keep the other one."

She grinned. "I'll have to think about that. The idea does have its merit." She sat on the edge of the bed and drank her tea.

He gathered up his clothes and went into the bathroom to get changed. He brushed his teeth, washed his face, and stood staring at himself in the mirror. He had been fighting down his anger since the incident in Tommaso's and could feel it rising again. Kathryn was in danger, and his instinct was to become the battle commander and methodically eliminate the enemy. Everything he had dreamed of for a life with Kathryn was now in his reach, and someone was trying to rip her away from him. "Don't you dare let her down," he whispered to himself. "You will not lose her now after everything you've been through."

He took several deep, even breaths to try to calm himself, changed his clothes, and went back to her. If she died, so would he. There was no question in his mind about it, and surprisingly the thought gave him peace. He would keep her alive or they would die together. It was that simple.

She was lying on her back under the covers, and he crawled in beside her. He slid his arm under her neck, pulled her to his side, and she rolled over and put her head on his shoulder. She draped her arm over his chest and her leg over his. He kissed her forehead and said softly, "Sleep, sweetheart. I'll be right here."

"I love you, Chakotay."

She was already drifting off, and he hugged her tighter to him and closed his eyes as he whispered, "I love you, too."

Four hours later, Chakotay slowly opened his eyes and then snapped awake when he realized Kathryn was not beside him. He looked to the bathroom, but the door was open and the light was off. "Kathryn?" he called out as he threw the covers back and sat up.

"In the kitchen," she answered. "I'm getting coffee."

His heart slowly stopped racing at the sound of her voice, and he joined her in the kitchen. She was leaning against the counter with a mug in her hands. She smiled when she saw him and set her cup down. He gathered her in his arms and kissed her neck. "You scared me. I woke up and you were gone."

"I'm sorry. Did you sleep okay?"

"Better than I have in years, despite the situation."

"I did, too. I must admit, I like sleeping in your arms."

He combed his fingers through her hair and cradled the back of her head. He pressed his lips to hers in a long, tender kiss, her scent and softness washing over him with a delicious tingle. When he finally leaned his head back to look at her, he could see the love and desire in her blue gaze.

"I love you, Kathryn. I wish I could show you how much, but a safe house surrounded by armed men is hardly the place I imagined."

"I know, Chakotay. When this situation is over, maybe we can take a vacation. A secluded tropical beach is sounding pretty good right now."

He smiled softly and said, "A tropical island it is, then. Will you wear a bikini?"

She laughed. "I think I'm past the age for a bikini."

"Nonsense. I can't imagine anything more alluring."

"Alluring?"

"Oh, yes, alluring. Sexy, intoxicating, erotic."

"Perhaps you would prefer I just go nude," she said with a chuckle.

He groaned. "I was trying to keep that particular image out of my head. For now."

They both recognized that the heated look passing between them could quickly burn out of control. "Coffee?" she asked.

He kissed her cheek, stepped back from her and cleared his throat. "Yes, thank you."

He sat down at the table while she ordered his coffee and carried their cups over to him. "I spoke with Dawson when I woke up," she said. "There was nothing new to report yet, and the next communication with Headquarters is scheduled for 1200 hours. We can go outside as far as the picnic table behind the cabin. It's not much, but it's better than being stuck inside the cabin for days."

He nodded his head. "A picnic lunch might be nice. I also saw several shelves of books in the other bedroom. We can catch up on the literature from the last eight years."

"Oh, that's good. I suppose we are a bit behind the times for current affairs and culture. A few times I have heard my staff reference a popular subject, and I had no idea what they were talking about. They always look a bit sad when I remind them I was lost in the Delta Quadrant during whatever incident they're discussing."

"At least some things have changed on Earth during the time we were gone. Trebus is still very much an isolated planet. They have a long way to go to catch up, and believe me, they're in no hurry to do it."

"Is that why you left, Chakotay?"

"One of several reasons."

"What were the others?"

He looked down at his coffee cup for a moment and then back up at her. "I told my sister it was because the time had come for me to decide what I wanted to do now and get back into a career. The main reason was you, Kathryn. I couldn't be apart from you any longer. I had to know if there could possibly be a chance for us. And, if not, then I would at least be close to my best friend."

She reached her hand across the table, and he closed his around it. "I missed you terribly, Chakotay. I lay awake at night wondering what you were doing, if you were happy, if you had found someone else. I thought about going to Trebus but couldn't justify the time away when I was so newly promoted. I was afraid that if I contacted you, and you didn't have any feelings for me, it would truly be over for us, and I couldn't face that. At least in not knowing for sure, I could pretend you might still want me."

"I never stopped wanting us to be together, love. I never stopped thinking of you, and no, there was no one else on Trebus." He smoothed his thumb over the back of her hand, and they sat quietly drinking their coffee.

A little while later, Kathryn and Chakotay were lounging on the couch reading. He was sitting at one end, and she was lying back against a pillow on the opposite end with her legs in his lap. Her combadge beeped and Dawson's voice said, "Lieutenant Dawson to Admiral Janeway."

"Admiral Janeway here."

"We received a communication from Commander Harkin. They have new information. Requesting permission to enter the house."

Kathryn swung her legs to the floor and sat up. "Of course, Lieutenant. Janeway out."

In seconds, Dawson came through the door. "Admiral, Commander," he greeted them.

Kathryn waved toward the chair and said, "Please, have a seat."

"Thank you, ma'am. I don't have a lot to tell you, but it's better than nothing. By backtracking the movements of the man in custody over the last several months, Security has determined that he has ties to a fringe group currently operating out of France. They call themselves the Terran Guard and have been a loosely organized group for the last two years. Although security forces in France have been aware of them for most of that time, until now the group appeared to be a harmless gathering of malcontents that occasionally put out ridiculous protests. They've protested everything from allowing any new members into the Federation to the decision by a family to close a private, ancient olive grove. Their last known objection was directed at non-organic sentience."

"What does any of this have to do with me?" Kathryn asked. "And, their attempts against me were more organized than you imply."

"Unfortunately I don't have an answer to your first question yet. As for their sudden change in tactics, it appears that a new leader took over the group about six months ago and has instated a clearer purpose and structure. Commander Harkin is in Paris right now interrogating a couple who left the Terran Guard several weeks ago. We are hoping that this couple will be able to fill us in on the group's plans or help us find the leader."

Chakotay spoke up. "You said the organization was protesting non-organic sentience. The only link Kathryn would possibly have would be the Doctor, Voyager's EMH."

"Yes, that's what we think, too, although we are not ruling out anything else," Dawson replied. "Lieutenant Barron spoke to the Doctor this morning, and tighter security measures have been put in place around Starfleet Medical and the Doctor's lab as a precaution. Reginald Barclay is constantly monitoring his program and the holo-imagers to make sure no attempts are made against the technology. So far, no threats have been directed against your EMH. Until we can learn more about the Terran Guard's new structure and purpose, we have no idea why you are their target, Admiral."

Kathryn sat back against the sofa cushion and appeared to be deep in thought. "What is it?" Chakotay asked her.

"I'm thinking back over all of our experiences in the Delta Quadrant. Besides our own EMH, I can remember the holograms that captured the Doctor and B'Elanna, the androids that captured B'Elanna, and the photonic beings we interacted with on the holodeck. Dreadnaught was not really sentient, but I can see how people not familiar with the technology might see it that way."

Chakotay said, "If any of those encounters has a bearing on this case, that would mean that someone involved has access to Voyagers' logs."

"We won't discount anything at this point," Dawson assured them. "Not until Commander Harkin is able get more information in France." Dawson stood up. "I should be getting back to my post. The next communication is scheduled for 1800 hours. Is there anything you need?"

Kathryn and Chakotay got up. "No, thank you, Lieutenant. We were thinking about having a picnic lunch outside," Kathryn told him.

"That's fine. I do have to remind you to stay within the perimeter of the grounds. Two guards will be in sight at all times. I know that can be disconcerting, but my team is the best. We are called in for the most sensitive and tightest security cases. All of my men have the highest clearance and have worked detail for years before being assigned to me."

"I appreciate your professionalism. I know you have a job to do. As much as I love being in the thick of the action, I understand there are protocols to follow. I went for so long with no one but myself and my own team to carry us through every situation. Voyager was my territory, though. Earth is yours, as least until I've had my feet on the ground a while longer."

Dawson nodded curtly to them and returned to his security post.

Chakotay and Kathryn went to the kitchen to put together a lunch. She made a fresh green salad while he sliced an apple and a pear and made a vinaigrette dressing. She got another coffee for herself and water for him, and they carried the food out to the table. They returned inside to get plates and silverware.

Kathryn was almost back at the picnic table when an explosion rocked the ground and stung her ears. She watched a tree splinter apart directly in front of her on the other side of the perimeter. "Kathryn!" Chakotay yelled. She dropped low to the ground as weapons fire split the air around her. Chakotay reached her two steps ahead of the security officer, and he swept her up in his arms and ran for the house.

"Into the pantry!" the guard ordered from behind him. Chakotay leapt into the house and into the kitchen pantry, the door slamming shut and a panel sliding into place as the officer cleared it and slapped a red button. Chakotay felt the drop and realized they were in a turbolift.

He carefully set Kathryn on her feet and grasped her shoulders. "Are you okay?"

Kathryn nodded her head but pointed to her ear. "Hearing stunned," she said too loudly. Chakotay held her chin and turned her head to both sides, relieved not to find any blood that would indicate a ruptured eardrum.

The turbolift stopped and the door panel slid open to reveal another level of the house. There were two bedrooms and small bathrooms, a replicator, a sofa and two chairs, and a round table. An area to the right contained a large control panel, and the guard went straight to it and punched in a code.

The man turned to Kathryn and Chakotay and said, "The safest room in the safe house."

Kathryn looked at Chakotay and shook her head. "Her ears," Chakotay said to the officer. "The explosion messed up her hearing."

The guard reached under the control panel and retrieved a large medical kit. He took out a tricorder and scanned both sides of Kathryn's head. He moved in front of her so she could read his lips and said, "Your eardrums are paralyzed, and there's some swelling of the ear canals. I can heal them. I'm trained as a field medic."

"Do it," she said.

He pointed to a chair for her to sit down while he took out a regenerator and a hypospray. Chakotay knelt beside her and clung to her hand while the security officer healed her. When the officer was finished, he asked, "Can you hear?"

"Yes," she said with relief. "Thank you."

He held up the hypospray. "You probably have a headache, right?"

"I do. It's not bad."

"I would prefer that you take the analgesic. It will help your head and make sure the swelling in your ears is completely healed. We may have to move fast, and I need you at the top of your game."

She tilted her head and let him give her the medication. "What's going on out there?" she demanded.

"We detected humanoid life signs in the woods a split second before the explosion. They must have transported in just outside of the perimeter. I'm Lieutenant Gold, by the way."

"How many of them are there?" Chakotay asked.

"Sensors picked up 14. Dawson called for backup, which means there should be a compliment of thirty security personnel out there now, with more on standby. We're 200 meters below solid bedrock and surrounded by duritanium alloy. When I activated the panel down here, the turbolift was locked on this level, and an alert was sent to Dawson, Commander Harkin, and Admiral Hayes. They know we're safe and will send a secure signal when the threat has been eliminated. Whatever the reason is for these attacks, these people mean business, Admiral. I don't know how they found us."

Kathryn thanked him and watched Chakotay stand up and survey the room. She could count on one hand the times she had seen the expression he now had on his face, and she knew he was seething. She rose from her chair and put her hand on his shoulder. He whirled back around to her, and she felt the tremor in his muscle. "I'm okay, love," she said softly. Lt. Gold quietly retreated to one of the bedrooms to give them a little privacy.

"They hurt you," Chakotay growled.

"Only a minor injury, and it was indirect. You know I've been through a lot worse."

"That was different."

"How? One species or another was trying to kill me for years in the Delta Quadrant."

"We're supposed to be safe here! You fought so hard to get us home, and it's the same damn thing! No, it's worse, because we can't do anything. At least out there, with our crew, we could do something about the bully of the week."

"Chakotay, we trusted our crew and their training on Voyager. Now, we have to trust Starfleet. They have far greater resources than we ever did."

"These people have attacked you with a phaser, a deadly snake, and a bomb!"

"The Borg, Hirogen, Kazon, Deck 12, angel of death… Need I go on?"

Gradually, his face began to soften as he stared at her. "Damn, woman. You really bring out the worst in any species, don't you?"

She smiled. "I guess I do. Maybe there's a cosmic 'Kick Me' sign on my back."

His muscles slowly unclenched, and his black glare disappeared into the dark chocolate gaze that made her weak in the knees. He laughed and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her. He held her for several moments and felt his peace returning, his anger no match for the love that washed over him with Kathryn in his arms.