Christmas, 2403

By LauraJo

Twenty-five years.  It was hard to believe they had been back home for twenty-five years now.  Hard to believe, but the proof was right in front of them.  The function room in the middle of Starfleet Headquarters was decked out in an array of blue and silver ribbons and balloons, and a large banner was strung up across one wall proudly congratulating them all on their successful journey.  It occurred to Kathryn that it was the type of thing that should have been up when they first got home, but she pushed that thought to the back of her mind.

Considering the time of year, the room's decorations looked quite tasteful.  It was Christmas Eve.  The streets outside were covered in every coloured light imaginable, and every window of every home in the neighbourhood seemed to be displaying some kind of festive decor.  Surprising really, considering the diverse backgrounds of the people who lived there, given the close proximity to the very place they were now in.  Starfleet after all encompassed individuals from all over the quadrant, and beyond.

Of course, it hadn't been anywhere near Christmas when they had actually made their explosive return to the Alpha Quadrant.  It had been Chakotay's idea to hold the reunion at this time of year, as far more of the human crewmembers were likely to be home due to the holidays, and those that came from elsewhere most likely didn't celebrate the season anyway.  Of course, not all of those normally resident on Earth celebrated either, but most had made the trip home if they could.

One person had even turned up unexpectedly.  Naomi Wildman had led everyone to believe that she was on a mission and couldn't make it back, but had then surprised everyone - her mother included - by turning up just as the festivities were really getting underway.  Many hadn't seen the young woman for several years, and her entrance had certainly caused quite a stir.

Kathryn's eyes took another sweep of the room as she fiddled with the charm on the bracelet Chakotay had given her on one of their last Christmases in the Delta Quadrant.  Her thoughts were then interrupted by the Doctor arriving by her side with a beautiful brunette on his arm.

"Admiral," he started, "I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine.  This is Doctor Terri Rydell, we work together at Starfleet Medical."

"Pleased to meet you.  And please, this is a social event, I've told you before to call me Kathryn."

"I'm sorry, it's a little hard to get used to," the Doctor apologised.

"Even after all this time?  You managed the transition from captain to admiral without a problem."  For once, the Doctor had no answer.  "You know," Kathryn continued, "Admiral Janeway - the other one - told me you'd turn up to one of these events with a blonde."

"Well, I guess things have worked out differently this time around."

Kathryn's gaze drifted automatically to where Chakotay stood, introducing Duncan and Leah to Naomi.  "Yes, they have."

"How's Leah doing at the Academy?"

"Wonderfully.  Though I think she sometimes wishes she wasn't the third Janeway to go through, especially since I still lecture there occasionally.  Anyone who knows her knows she got there, and stays there, under her own merit, but there are always going to be those who imply otherwise.  She's strong enough to cope with it, I guess we just both wish she didn't have to."

"Not only the third Janeway, but the daughter of a very famous woman," the Doctor added.

Kathryn had nothing to say to that other than, "Yes."

"Well, we should make the rounds, I have a few more people I want to introduce Terri to.  We'll see you again later I assume."

"Yes, later."

As the Doctor left Kathryn's side, his place was immediately take by Chakotay, who had left Leah alone to ask her questions of Naomi and now handed his wife a glass of champagne.  Duncan had wandered off to talk to Miral.

"You having a good time?" Kathryn asked.

"Yeah, it's always nice to see everyone again.  We haven't had this many people together for a long time."

"No," Kathryn agreed, "probably not since just after we got back.  I miss it sometimes, I miss them."

"Me too.  But I'm glad we're not still on Voyager."

"I'm glad we're not there now, but I'm thankful that we were.  Though I'm not sure I thought I'd ever be saying that when we first got stuck out there."

"When we first met."

Kathryn smiled, and looked down at her drink.  "Actually, Chakotay, that's something I've been wondering when to tell you.  That's not when we first met."

"What do you mean?"

"We met before Voyager, though you obviously didn't recognise me.  Not that I'm surprised, that was after all the whole idea."

"Now you have me intrigued.  Would you care to explain that a little?"

"Think back to your last Christmas before Voyager," Kathryn instructed.

"Well I didn't really celebrate Christmas, but some of my crew did.  We ended up split between several bars, the one I was in was particularly... undesirable.  Not exactly my choice, but-"  Chakotay stopped suddenly, and Kathryn could literally see the moment he realised.  "That was you."

She just smiled.

"I can't believe... wow.  What were you doing in... no wait, meeting Tuvok, right?"

"Yes.  The one and only time I went to retrieve the intelligence myself, and believe me, I wish I hadn't."

"I don't blame you.  You got a rough time that night."

"It could have been worse.  Actually, thank you.  I never got to say it then, though I was a little surprised when you came to my rescue."

"Really?"

"Don't forget, I didn't know you then," Kathryn reminded him.  "All I knew was that you were an ex-'fleet officer who had run off to join the Maquis, and then of course I had the intelligence on what your cell had been up to."

"And now?"

"Now I know you much better than that.  And I'm thankful everyday that I do."

Chakotay leant down and brushed a light kiss across her lips.  "Me too, Kathryn.  Me too."

They stood together in silence for a few minutes, just taking in the scene around them.  After a while though,  Chakotay spoke again.

"Kathryn, I have to ask..."  He hesitated, unsure as to whether he really wanted to go on.

"Go on.  You can ask me anything, you know that."

"Did you keep the outfit?"

FIN

Author/Editor's Note: I'd like to thank everyone who wrote for the calendar this year, and also Kayla for agreeing on short notice to beta the editor's part!  It was great to see so many people 'returning' to the fandom for this little project.  Thanks again to you all.

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