Alison had picked the most accessible dress in her wardrobe. She went out so rarely now that she felt slightly over dressed. It felt a little strange, yet comfortable, being out of uniform. The restaurant was up market and elegant and she convinced herself that she had made the best choice of outfit. The long black dress was flattering. It clung to her slim figure and contrasted with her pale skin and long strawberry blonde hair.

She couldn't deny it. She wanted Kathryn to want her. Not out of spite or malice or desperation. Simply to be desired. Kathryn's miraculous return from the Delta Quadrant and surprise appearance at her office had set off a volcanic eruption of feelings and desires within Alison. She longed to see the look of desire in Kathryn's eyes, to hear her low sensual voice tell her that she wanted her, to feel the touch of her skin upon her own. Kathryn said she had missed her, and had thought about her. Oh! Could she hope? Could she dare to dream that Kathryn still felt something for her? What would Mark say? She didn't care. She was older and wiser now and didn't give a hoot anymore what Mark may have thought. Kathryn wanted to see her on her own accord. And Alison was ecstatic. Her usually steady brain was scrambled with nervousness and excitement.

Alison took a shuttle to the restaurant in Downtown San Francisco. La Viola was as elegant as she remembered. The view of the brightly lit buildings of Downtown, visible through huge windows at the front of the restaurant, was spectacular. She looked around the restaurant, admiring the sleek and simple furnishings and decor. The clientele was a mix of Starfleet brass, politicians and a smattering of 'ordinary' beings, mostly humans amongst them. Soft music played. The alcohol was expensive and the food exquisite. A waiter approached Alison and she was shown to a table in a quiet section near the window.

The hubbub that had arisen when Admiral Janeway had walked into the restaurant had died down and Kathryn sat alone. She too was out of uniform and was dressed in a blood red pantsuit with a Chinese collar, and red high heels. Her hair was loose and her lips a deep shade of red. Alison stood still momentarily admiring Kathryn. She had aged a little and her shorter hair had changed her appearance slightly. She still looked beautiful in Alison's eyes. No, stunning.

How can I resist her? Alison thought as she walked towards Kathryn. The butterflies in her stomach rose to a crescendo. It reminded her of the sensation she felt the first time they had come together as lovers. When Alison had told Kathryn that she was in love with her and Kathryn had responded with the same sentiment. Alison moved closer to the table. She caught Kathryn's attention and a smile spread across Kathryn's lips and her eyes brightened.

"You look amazing." Alison said, quietly gushing. She couldn't hide it.

"You always did know how to flatter me." Kathryn said with a wry smile.

"Because you always look wonderful." Alison said, managing to voice perfectly in order the jumble of words passing through her mind.

Alison sat opposite Kathryn.

"So do you." Kathryn said, her eyes lingering on Alison's for a moment longer.

Alison felt a tingle deep inside her. Kathryn still had that effect on her even after ten years and thousands of light years between them. She was struck by the thought that this had seemed an impossible meeting, for so many reasons. She had been on Vulcan when she learned of the devastating news that USS Voyager, and all its crew, had been lost. Shattered did not fully describe how Alison felt believing that she had lost the love of her life. She had sort guidance from her Vulcan meditation mentor, pushed through the grief and buried herself in her work. It put her aspirations into perspective. What did she have but herself and her career?

Alison returned to Earth in 2375 to the news that Voyager was not in fact lost, but was stranded in the Delta Quadrant, over fifty thousand light years away. Kathryn was alive! Mixed emotions, glimpses of hope and brutal reality. Kathryn may have been alive, but it was highly unlikely that Alison would ever see her again. It was three years later that Voyager made it home to Earth. The day the starship triumphantly returned to San Francisco, and Alison's first glimpse of Kathryn, were etched in her memory. And a spark in her heart was reignited.

Alison took a deep breath to steady herself and suggested ordering some wine. Kathryn signalled to a waiter who approached their table and took their order. The waiter left and they were alone.

"I was so surprised to see you at my office the other day." Alison said.

"I wanted to surprise you." There was a slight drop in Kathryn's voice. "And I wanted to see you."

Their eyes met. She felt Kathryn's looking deep into her soul. She felt intensely drawn to Kathryn. Alison took a sip of wine, and another.

"I wanted to see you too."

Of course she did! She had found some closure to their past romance and she wanted to see Kathryn again. This brilliant, intelligent, gorgeous woman who had triumphed against the most impossible odds and gotten her ship and crew back in almost one piece. The emotion rose in Alison's throat. She felt as though she was on the precipice of telling Kathryn she still loved her. Was she ready to reveal her feelings so soon?

"You must have so many stories to tell from the Delta Quadrant. Tell me some..." Alison said deflecting the conversation.

"I don't want to bore you. I'm sure you have heard it all through Starfleet. Some of it is still classified."

Kathryn was reluctant to talk about it. She had detailed their encounters with the Borg, the Kazon, the Vidiians and others with Starfleet Command for days on end after their return. She had been grilled for her bending of the prime directive and their dealings with the crew of the USS Equinox. Comm messages from news agencies, celebrities, colleagues and her family had been constant. She had visited her family in Indiana for five days then blacked out time in her diary for the one person had yet to see. Alison.

"You won't bore me. But perhaps you could tell me more about working with Starfleet Command."

"It's a desk job really..." She was being honest. It wasn't ideal. She would miss being in charge of her own starship and crew. But it was the next step.

"I miss the adventure too. I'd give anything to be on an away mission making first contact with a new lifeform."

"I have to be honest, I read your personnel file before calling in on you the other day. I wanted to know what you had done since I saw you last." Alison wasn't surprised. If Kathryn wanted to know something, she would find out. "I'm impressed."

The intonation in Kathryn's voice filled Alison with pride.

"It might not be the same as an away mission," said Kathryn, "but Starfleet, well I, would like you to look over our data on the lifeforms we encountered in the Delta Quadrant. We have teraquads of data on over one hundred new alien species that needs analysis and cataloging. I can be your liaison."

Alison's eyes brightened at the prospect. And the chance to work again with Kathryn.

"I would love to."

Kathryn smiled.

"Fantastic. Now I want to know more about your time on Vulcan."

They ordered their meals, more wine and Alison spoke of her time on Vulcan and at the Vulcan Science Academy. Her experiences on Vulcan had changed her. She was more dedicated to her work, more measured with her emotions and more confident in herself. She told Kathryn nothing of her heartache nor struggles. Kathryn spoke of the pressures of command as they browsed the dessert menu. Then they came to the subject they both wanted answers to but were reluctant to bring up, matters of the heart.