"I have heard from former Captain Janeway," Seven spoke in her clipped tone as she prepared their evening meal, from scratch.

That Seven had spoken with Kathryn was not in issue. She often comm'ed her former First Officer's home on this out of the way colony world. That first debriefing session post Voyager's landing at the Preciado, on the Academy grounds, Chakotay remembered why he'd quit Starfleet the first time. Learning of Doran's fate sealed his decision. He's written his resignation letter in record time and left with Seven in tow before getting official conformation.

Blame and censure needed to be apportioned for losing the only Intrepid class ship on her maiden mission. It was a standard game played by the Federation, only there had been an undertone of desperation post the Dominion War. While the data stream allowed the Voyagers to catch up on current events and family news, the amount of information able to be transmitted was not infinite. In short, the crew had come home woefully under prepared for the changes in the Alpha quadrant. So, Chakotay convinced Seven to come with him, as far away from Earth as possible.

"Former?" Chakotay questioned, seated at the dining table in the small attached alcove.

"Starfleet believes the Captain is no longer efficient, that she can no longer preform her duties due to her experiences in the Delta quadrant," Seven responded, allowing her eyebrow implant to rise. The slight expression of distaste on the young woman's face displayed how far her emerging humanity had evolved. "None of our former crew have been offered their commissions. Lt. Torres and Ensign Kim have the opportunity to reapply for psychological analysis after their forced six-month repatriation."

"You have got to be joking," the man replied, incensed. Jumping from his chair, Chakotay began to pace. Muttering under his breath, Seven's enhanced hearing captured her lover's words. "Starfleet is Kathryn's life. For seven years, getting home, keeping Voyager in one piece, maintaining procedure and protocol when everything else around us was going badly, it was all she lived for."

"Perhaps," very deliberately placing the spatula on the counter, Seven stated, "that is the issue."

Pivoting to face the blond, Chakotay gave her a curious look. Often Seven would cut to the chase with her lack of social etiquette. Her logic could be as infuriating as Tuvok's at times. "How?"

"Former Captain Janeway," Seven started.

"Kathryn," Chakotay interrupted. "If she's not a Captain any longer, let's get in the habit of calling her Kathryn."

"Then you believe this change to be permanent?" Asked the former Borg.

"One thing I learnt a long time ago, Seven," Chakotay sighed, shaking his head and falling into the seat he'd vacated a few moments earlier, "once Starfleet's made up its mind, very little will change it. No, if Kathryn's been found to be inefficient, then that's the way she'll stay."

"It is logical," Seven announced. "Voyager, with it's Borg inspired armour, slipstream drive and other enhancement made to survive in the Delta quadrant will sustain a team of Engineers for many years as the technology is improved and incorporated into the current fleet. I believe that is the real reason Lt. Torres and Ensign Kim have been given the opportunity to reapply for their positions."

"You think they want to pick B'Elanna and Harry's brain's?" Chakotay saw the logic. When his partner offered a nonverbal answer, the man whistled. "Tom's not going to be happy with that. He didn't take much longer than you and I to get as far away from Starfleet as possible. I think it took him three point two seconds after arriving out of that transwarp conduit to decide."

"Lt. Paris," Seven started, only to be interrupted by her lover once again. "Mr Paris," she corrected, "has other obligations that he believes are more important. This conversation is irrelevant at this time as Tom has not been allowed to resign from Starfleet. He is on one-year parental leave."

No matter how Chakotay tried, Seven ignored him as she took up her spatula once again. Before long the small survival cottage smelt wonderful and his mouth watered. They had bartered with their neighbours on this small M class moon for fresh produce while they established their own vegetable garden. Like Voyager, replicators were used infrequently, allowing the solar power system to be utilised in more pressing areas. The people of Gentling III worked together to establish a settlement. So far there were less than one thousand pioneers, many scared from the Dominion War and seeking a quiet, peaceful life. Chakotay, with his Starfleet background, ability to manage people and time in the Maquis, had become a pivotal member of the society. He'd been elected to the governing council within a week and couldn't be happier with their new life.

Setting the meal on the table a half hour later, Seven slid into her seat. "I believe Starfleet to be correct in their decision. Kathryn would not reassimilate in the politics of the Alpha quadrant."

"Why do you say that?" Chakotay, intrigued by the sudden return to their previous topic, was drawn back in.

"As Captain of Voyager, Kathryn could be tyrannical, a dictator. She answered to no one. While following the procedures of Starfleet, she often bent or broke the Prime Directive in the name of survival," Seven's blue eyes locked onto Chakotay's. "What would the consequence be for such a violation in the Alpha quadrant?"

Chewing the food in his mouth, Chakotay though this idea over before answering. "I pity the Captain on any other vessel, if they had to work together. You're right, Seven. Kathryn's used to throwing her weight around in the name of survival. I can't see her in a teaching position, it would be far to insipid. The only other choice would be promotion to the Admiralty. Even then, it would lack the action of command."

"I do not believe," Seven responded, "Kathryn's style of command, while efficient in the Delta quadrant is compatible with the current political climate which is distrustful and defensive. The Borg may still pose a threat, if they can recover from the transwarp hub destruction and her knowledge would be valuable, however the Federation is in possession of Voyager's logs. Kathryn's ability to apportion self-blame, to suffer guilt on behalf of others, would not make her a promotion prospect. Indeed," she concluded, "I believe it to be a failing of her character, one Starfleet has now recognised and used to end her current commission."

Head down so Seven couldn't see his smile, Chakotay muttered, "don't I know it." Sighing, he added, "you might just be right, Seven. Life in the Alpha quadrant has not turned out the way any of us expected."

"Are you unhappy with our current living arrangement?" She demanded.

"No," Chakotay's smile broadened as he reached out a hand and laid it on his lovers' forearm. "Far from it. I believe we are the only Voyagers without reservations for our future. I'm very happy, Seven."

"As am I," she smiled.