Disclaimer: As you all already know...I don't own Star Trek: Voyager

A/N: So here we are. The very last chapter of this story. Thank you to everyone for reading and for all the wonderful reviews! I hope you enjoy this final chapter.

Kathryn felt better than she had in a while. Perhaps it was the four days of rest, or the fact she and Chakotay were back to themselves more or less, or maybe it was the fact she was finally sleeping without being awoken in the middle of the night by various nightmares. Whatever it was, she didn't plan on over thinking it. Such days should be enjoyed because they simply didn't happen as often anymore as they used to.

It was with a genuine smile on her face that she stepped off the turbolift onto the bridge. The moment her boot touched the carpeted deck Tuvok gave his usual, "Captain on the bridge", as he had a habit of doing when she'd been taken off duty for one injury or another.

With a well-practiced flow the bridge crew snapped to attention. With a half-smile she took a moment to look around at their welcoming faces. It was an inspiring sight and their trusting expressions sent a wave of warmth through her that was more potent than the fermented tree sap of the Wakazi. With those expressions staring back at her the next few thousand light-years didn't seem so far away.

"As you were," she ordered, moving down to the center of the bridge where Chakotay was already waiting with his usual dimpled smile and soft brown eyes. As their eyes met she realized just how long it'd been since they were anywhere close to being at east around each other and just how much she'd missed his smile greeting her in the mornings.

'Three years ago I didn't even know your name. Today I can't image a day without you.'

Her own words from the past echoed in her mind as Chakotay's eyes twinkled with a profound caring that she admittedly overlooked occasionally. Things between them might not be completely resolved, there might still be hurt feelings and tension simmering under the surface still, but it was a start in the right direction. A start that she felt might just set a new course for whatever lay ahead.

"Mr. Tuvok," she began, finally tearing her eyes away from her First Officer and slipping into her chair. "Status report?"

"The ship is functioning at peak capacity, Captain. We should be leaving the expanse within the next two weeks."

"Our path is currently clear as well, Captain," Seven added from the console behind the command chairs.

Kathryn gave a nod in acknowledgment. "Good work everyone. Tom..." Tom turned in his chair, his face and neck now completely free from burns, and a crooked smile on his face. "You know what to do."

The helms officer flashed her a grin with a glint in his eyes. "Yes, ma'am. Sometimes I just like to hear you say it though."

Kathryn gave him an amused look and tapped a finger on her armrest before deciding to humor him. "Set a course, Mr. Paris. Take us home."

Tom's grin widened. "Aye, Captain."

She watched as he turned back around to do as instructed and cast a look at her side to Chakotay. They shared an amused look before she turned her attention back to the viewscreen to watch the stars. The Mawr Anga was almost behind them, another obstacle out of the way, and with that victory the future didn't seem so dire.

Elsewhere, on a planet 15.3 light-years away and 300 miles under the surface, a silver eyed Wakazi reached up and felt for the necklace that was no longer there. And while he watched a screen that showed an alien ship's progress he sent up a few words of encouragement to the stars which guided the Jay'way home.