Later that evening before he left Kathryn's, Chakotay contacted Etonl, asking if they could come to see him. Although Etonl was surprised at the request, he was hearty in his enthusiasm. They agreed on a time the next afternoon.

Chakotay and Kathryn caught many stares as they walked hand in hand to Etonl city home. It was nearby, but on the opposite side of the university campus from Kathryn's. The day was unseasonably warm so the pair enjoyed the outing. As they drew closer to their destination, they let go of one another's hand without thinking about it.

They arrived at the front gate of a large elegant home. Before either of them could really enjoy in the view, Etonl threw open the large, iron entry. "How are you this fine day, my fellow Isarians?" His voice boomed out as he motioned for them to come.

Kathryn and Chakotay followed Etonl as he hurried the walk to his front door. As it was already open, he walked in and waited inside for them both to catch up. "My wife is not home today," he told them as he led them to a small parlor and bade them to be seated. A small table was filled with assorte pastries and dried fruit. "I arranged to have something to eat. Would you like some coffee, Lady Janeway?" He began to pour her a cup almost before she nodded. Turning to Chakotay, he asked, "And you, my friend?"

After they all had received their full cups and plates, Etonl asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement and curiosity, "What brings the honor of your presence to my home?"

Chakotay looked over at Kathryn and saw her smile of encouragement. He reached over and took her hand in his as he opened his mouth to explain. However, before Chakotay could say a word, Etonl began to laugh, a loud, hearty, belly laugh. As he continued to guffaw, he put his cup on the table as he had begun to spill his drink.

Chakotay looked around him, waiting for his patron to finish. Kathryn grinned and put her other hand over her mouth as she tried not to join Etonl in his mirth. Etonl would seem to have control when he would look at their joined hands and begin to chuckle all over again. Finally he took a deep breath and picked up his cup, downing the contents in one big gulp.

"I don't think I have enjoyed news so much in ages." Reaching into his pocket, he brought out a handkerchief and blew his nose. "Please forgive my manners. My wife tells me that I must have been out of school when the basic formalities were taught. You see, I keep thinking of your very clever solution to Yatar and Refayia's dilemma, and here you are with another." He started to chortle again, only not as hard as before.

Clearing his throat, Etonl said, "I see that you have finally recognized what your crew saw for years. Oh, don't be so surprised. Citizen Neelix and I have had some long chats, late into the night at his restaurant."

Chakotay and Kathryn laughed at the thought of the native and naturalized Isarians gossiping together over tea.

Chakotay finally spoke, "Etonl, Kathryn and I want to be married as soon as possible after the dedication of the memorial. But we don't want to cause a conflict with your son's wedding."

Etonl beamed at them like a merry Santa, about to grant their favorite wish. "I know I speak for my good friend, First Noble Yxala and for the Council when I say that you and Lady Kathryn will have the best wedding that Isaria has to offer as quickly as I can make the arrangements. I'm thinking that one month after the memorial ceremonies will be just about right." He put up his hand to stop any protest. "The wedding between my son and Refayia requires many formalities be fulfilled before it takes place, what with her family's positions. However, you don't have to concern yourself with those."

The older man went over to a cabinet and brought a bottle of wine. "Let us drink Captera wine to your future." After he poured them each a glass, he raised his, "May you both have the happiness that eluded you for so long, and may formalities or, " he paused and winked, "protocols never hide it from you again."

The day of the dedication dawned brightly. The air was cold but not uncomfortably so. Chakotay arrived at the complex as the sun rose. There was nothing that actually required his attention, but he had wanted to see the memorial one more time before the ceremonies. Closing the gates behind him, Chakotay pushed the button that moved aside the curtain that shielded the memorial from view.

As the first beams of sunlight hit the gleaming bronze, he stood transfixed. He swallowed against the lump that formed in his throat. This work represented far more that a tribute to a fallen ship and lost comrades. His life would never be the same because of that Intrepid-class ship and more importantly, its captain and crew. His tour of the memorial took over an hour, and as he arrived back at the front gate, he saw a lone figure in a green, formal Isarian robe.

"Kathryn!" he exclaimed, "I'm glad you got here so early."

"I knew you would be here." She extended her hand as he approached. He enfolded her tiny hand in his and led her on a tour.

A while later as Chakotay pushed the button to close the curtain, the two heard noises coming from the other side of the gate. They hurried to the gate and found the Parises trying to open it for Harry and his family, Tuvok, and the rest of the crew who had anxiously gathered a full three hours before the formal ceremony was scheduled to begin.

Tom closed the gate as the last one went through it. The former Voyager helmsman walked quickly to where Kathryn and Chakotay stood talking to with B'Elanna, Tuvok, and Harry.

"May I have your attention please?" The crowd quieted down immediately. "Most of you know why we came so early." He turned to Janeway and Chakotay. "We wanted to have a private observance before the formal one. All of the combined crews of the starships Voyager, Liberty, and Equinox want to let both of you how proud we are to have served with you on Voyager. You have accomplished more with this motley crew than anyone back in the Alpha Quadrant would've ever imagined. There's not a single one of us that hasn't been changed for the better because of you and being a part of the Voyager family."

The group broke into a cheer, "Voyager! Voyager!"

Kathryn turned to look at everyone who stood before her. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears. Chakotay stepped closer to her, assuming the position he had so many times on Voyager. He stood just behind her and slightly to her left with his right hand on the small of her back. "Thank you," she swallowed and then cleared her throat. "You all mean so much more to me than a mere crew under my command. You are my friends and family. I know I couldn't have made it this far without of all of you. We will miss those we have lost along the way and those we left back in the Alpha Quadrant, but I know that our new life here will be a successful, happy one, largely because of you." She reached behind her back and grasped Chakotay's hand, pulling him to her side. "Chakotay and I are glad that you came early this morning. We have something to share with you all." She glanced at Chakotay and he smiled his encouragement. "Chakotay and I are getting married next month."

A long moment of silence was broken when Tom Paris said, "It's about bloody time!" A great shout of laughter gave way to more cheers and applause.

As the noise of the ovation began to wane, Tuvok stepped forward and motioned to Neelix before he spoke, "It seems logical to me that we should toast to new beginnings." Kathryn could swear her old friend was smiling - it was a barely perceptible twinkle in his eyes.

Neelix, and some volunteers, began to pass through the crowd, distributing glasses of wine.. When everyone had a full one, Tuvok raised his. "To the end of one journey and the beginning of another."

After the toast, everyone crowded around Kathryn and Chakotay, congratulating them. There were many hugs, some laughter, and a few tears as many of their former crewmates told the couple how they had hoped for years that they would get together. Finally B'Elanna spoke, "Well old man, when do we get to see this thing you've been working on."

"Yeah, Chakotay," Tom piped in. "I think we should get a sneak preview."

"I think we have enough time for the quick tour." Chakotay grinned as he continued, "We wouldn't want our Isarian friends to feel slighted." He led the way slowly through the memorial. Several people commented as they walked past places in the memorial. Sam Wildman was moved to tears and Naomi grinned from ear to ear when they saw a depiction of Naomi's first day on Voyager.

Former Ensign Ashmore respectfully assured Chakotay that this memorial indeed displayed Voyager at its best and its worst - a complete picture of the ship he had grown to love - and as aside to Chakotay, that he was glad that it would not have the affect on people's emotions that the memorial at Tarakis did.

Neelix was unusually quiet as he approached Chakotay near the end of the tour. He drew near and spoke in a half whisper, "Thank you for including my sweeting, Kes."

"She is still part of our family, Neelix." Chakotay put his hand on Neelix's shoulder.

Neelix smiled. "And you included Leola root!" He slapped Chakotay on the back before moving on.

In the days after the ceremony honoring Voyager, Kathryn and Chakotay began their wedding preparations in earnest. The two of them were sitting in front of the fireplace in Kathryn's house, discussing how many to have in the bridal party and who would be included.

Chakotay got up to refresh their coffee when the dispatcher chimed. He picked up the pot and walked back into the room as Kathryn answered it.

He heard her surprise when she said, "Greetings, Seven, how are you this fine day?"

Chakotay smiled at the Isarian salutation and how easily it came to her lips. However his smile left as he heard what she said next.

"Why now, Seven? It's late. Couldn't you wait until tomorrow?" She paused to listen to the answer. Then she spoke, "Very well, Chakotay and I will be here. What? Five minutes? How will you get here that fast? Okay, we'll be here." She turned to Chakotay and said, "Seven has something to talk to us about. And she said she will be here in less than five minutes." She reached for her coffee cup and took a thoughtful sip. "I wonder where she is."

The answer came in the sparkly form of two transporter columns as Seven and vaguely familiar man appeared.

Kathryn was so startled that she almost dropped her cup. She stared for a second at the pair standing in front of them before recognition dawned on her. "Axum?"

Chakotay knew the name but hadn't seen him before. Axum had obviously tried to remove Borg systems from his body, but unlike Seven, he hadn't had a skillful and inventive doctor's help. His exposed skin did not have the grayish cast of a Borg's any longer, but he retained many more cybernetic parts and most of his body armor.

Janeway and Chakotay instinctively closed the distance between them. Although she knew that

Axum was an ally, his Borg appearance was unsettling.

"Captain Janeway," Axum extended his hand to her. "I am pleased to see you again."

After living in Isarian society for nearly two years, she hesitated before she shook his hand. The simple touch of a hand had become a unique gesture, so full of simple promise. "This is a big surprise." She showed them places to that couch and when everyone had seated, Kathryn spoke again, "Seven had told me that your cube was in a remote sector of the Beta Quadrant."

Axum smiled at Seven before he answered Kathryn, "That is correct, Captain. However, those of us from Unimatrix Zero were able to take over the control of our cube. We freed the drones one by one. And with modifications made using our nanoprobes, we have been able to keep the collective and the queen from finding out about our liberty. We are able to move through the quadrants unhampered."

"How did you find us?" Chakotay asked incredulously.

"First, we located the Klingon leader, General Korok and his liberated cube in the Delta Quadrant. We shared our discoveries, and he gave me the last known coordinates he had for Voyager. We followed the most logical trajectory toward the Alpha Quadrant. It was your amplified distress beacon that facilitated the locating of your shuttle."

Chakotay glanced at Kathryn as she listened to the former Borg. Her face had taken on a different look, the one he had seen so often back on Voyager. Captain Janeway was back. She leaned forward and asked, "Why did you try to find us?"

"I had promised Annik..Seven that I would." Again Axum's gaze fell on Seven with fondness. Chakotay could see that this man, this former Borg was in love with Seven of Nine. A smile of adoration covered Seven's normally impassive face in response.

"My crew and I have a proposal for you and your crew." He paused to gauge whether he had Janeway and Chakotay's full attention. "You and the crew of Voyager saved us from the collective. We have our individuality back which is something that we thought impossible even in Unimatrix Zero. We would like to help you achieve a goal that you think impossible. We want to take you back to the Alpha Quadrant."

Chakotay felt as if a crushing weight had landed on his heart. Kathryn would accept Axum's offer. She would go back to Starfleet and their relationship would take second place to her duty. He was sure that she would give each former crew member a choice. And some would choose to stay. But he would lose either way. If he stayed behind, he would be alone for the rest of his life, and if he left he was sure he would lose her to Starfleet again. He tried to remember that he had previously connected hope with going home to the Alpha Quadrant. However, now it seemed that the spirits were intent upon ripping his happiness away.

Kathryn saw Chakotay's face turn pale and couldn't understand why. She had thought that he'd be happy that they had a chance to return home. They would return to the Alpha Quadrant as husband and wife. There was no way that she would do anything else. Starfleet be hanged! They would find a place in the Alpha Quadrant just as they had on Isaria. She smiled at him, trying to show him that they would work things out.

"Axum, we will meet with the senior staff and the other crew." Her voice was buoyant. "I'm sure some will choose to stay here. And we will need to find out how long this trip will be and what we will need to bring."

Seven had been quiet during the whole conversation. She could sense that Chakotay was having some kind of difficulty. His blood pressure was elevated and his breathing shallow and rapid. It was obvious that he was distressed about something. She had the same reactions when she had to say goodbye to Axum in Unimatrix Zero. Her heart was soaring with the knowledge that he had returned for her. She intended to be with Axum no matter what their future held, whether on a cube trying to liberate other drones or settling in the Alpha Quadrant pursuing their own lives. She hoped that whatever the problem Chakotay was having would be settled soon as well.

"Chakotay, would you please see to it that a meeting of the senior staff is set up?"

He replied in a formal voice, "Yes, Captain."

Kathryn was shocked at his response. Why did Chakotay call her that?

"Do you have any other questions, Captain?" Seven asked. She had never begun to call Kathryn anything but Captain or an occasional Lady Janeway in all their time on Isaria.

"Not for the moment," was her quiet answer.

Axum and Seven stood as if they were of one mind. "We will wait in the shuttle for information about the meeting." Seven spoke for them both. Axum nodded his agreement and took her hand as they transported out of Kathryn's house.

Kathryn turned to Chakotay. "What was that about? Captain?"

Chakotay sighed, "I'm sorry, Kathryn. That was uncalled for." He reached for her hand. "I just saw that look on your face. You were Captain Janeway again, not Lady Janeway. You slipped back into the role very quickly." Before she could answer, he continued, "I don't want to return to the Starfleet and Alpha Quadrant."

After a few moments of stunned silence, she stood up and walked over to the mantle where her small collection of Starfleet things sat including her commbadge and pips. She fingered them before walking to the painting that Chakotay had given her the day after the Voyager dedication. The painting depicted two eagles in flight with wings nearly touching. He had taken liberty with the colors of the feathers so that one was golden red and the other dark brown. As she looked at the painting, her eyes filled with tears. Turning to look at Chakotay, Kathryn observed him sitting straight and stiff, his eyes troubled. She walked back to the sofa and sat down again. Her hand reached out to touch his face and she spoke gently, "Chakotay, I still have a responsibility to take the crew home. I never thought that we'd get a chance to do it."

Chakotay sighed and covered her hand with his. "I know how you feel about your responsibility and the crew. There many who'll be very happy to take this opportunity to go back."

"But not you? I thought that you would want to be with me no matter what." She closed her eyes, tears stinging behind her lids.

"Kathryn, look at me." His voice was soft as he continued, "I'll never stop loving you, but I don't think I could take second place to Starfleet anymore. If we go back, we will be at the mercy of 'Fleet's whim. And especially now that you have brought the crew back against all odds, there will be no end to what will be expected of the famous Captain Kathryn Janeway. And even if Starfleet allows the former Maquis to go free, how would it look for you to be involved with the very one you came to bring in?"

Kathryn looked deeply into his eyes, as the full import of what he said dawned on her. She tried to assure him, "Things will be different. For one, we'll be married. I love you and I don't want things to be like that either. I don't care what Starfleet or anyone else thinks about our relationship."

Some of the weight lifted from his heart as he listened to her, but he still didn't think she understood how it would be. He pulled her into his arms and said, "I have also a hard time thinking about leaving our life here. Isaria is a wonderful place to work, live, and love. We're both allowed to be ourselves here in a way that we never would be on Earth or anywhere in the Alpha Quadrant. Kathryn, think of your work here. I don't think that I've seen you so content before. Won't you miss it at all?"

Cuddling close to his chest, she pondered what he said. She pushed back a bit and gave him a quick kiss, before she said, "I am content here because you are here with me. But I must say that I'm not sure that I want to go back to Earth or Starfleet either. I love it on Isaria. We have so many friends, old and new. I will miss them all. It would be very hard to leave it all behind." She took a deep breath and continued, "But I do know that there are those who will want to go back. I know that Harry, although very happy here, would want to take his family to see his mother and father. And I would like to see my mom and sister again."

"Chakotay, I can promise you this. I will never allow any person or organization to put you in second place. And I'm willing to come back here if we decide it is the best thing for us. But I can't and won't make that decision alone. No matter what, I want you with me."

Chakotay's heart began to soar like the eagles in the painting. "Okay, Kathryn, I will go with you after our wedding." He lifted her chin. His kiss was full of joy and promise.

She broke the kiss after a few moments and said, "No, my love, we leave after the honeymoon."

The end and the beginning