Tom straightened his straight uniform and smoothed his perfect hair. Strong arms wrapped around his waist. “Relax,” Chakotay murmured in his ear, they’ll love you.”

“But they’re your family, they’re important to you. I want to make a good impression.”

“They’ll love you.” Chakotay repeated, “If only because I love you.” Tom turned to snuggle in Chakotay’s embrace, “Thanks, I guess I still just need to hear you say that.”

Chakotay smiled as he stroked Tom’s golden hair. “Are your sisters coming to meet us?”

“Nah, too public, we’re going to meet them in a nice, private get together in the family home for lunch. I can’t wait till you meet them, I know you’ll get along.”

Tactfully he restrained from mentioning his father. Both knew that they couldn’t avoid the topic forever. It was the cause of most of their arguments. Chakotay didn’t appreciate Tom’s unswerving loyalty to his father, considering all the older man had done to him. And Tom wouldn’t hear criticism of his father. Chakotay sighed, now was not the time to rehash this old argument. To be honest he was a little nervous at seeing his family again after so many years. Not that he would ever let Tom know that. He had his pride after so many years. Not that he would ever let Tom know that. He had his pride after all.

“Why don’t we join Harry and B’Elanna for a game of pool while we wait.”

Sometimes Chakotay wondered how much he was fooling Tom.

Holding Tom close to him Chakotay waited for the Captain. When she came up he reluctantly released his love to stand to her right. Tom moved to her left. Tuvok and his security team flanked them. Fluid, sure, as if they’d been practicing for months.

Chakotay desperately wanted to get this tiresome formality out of the way so he and the rest of the crew could see their families. Thankfully the admiral sent to greet them seemed to understand. She suggested that the crew be considered on shore leave so they could reunite with their families but still have the familiarity of voyager and shore leave protocols. Starfleet wanted to assimilate the lost crewmembers back in with the least amount of hassle. The senior staff of Voyager would meet with starfleet brass for a welcome back banquet to discuss the positions of the members of Voyager in Starfleet. All the field ranks would have to be affirmed, the Maquis and Tom would have to be pardoned. But first Chakotay had a husband to introduce to his family and two sister-in-laws to meet. If he was lucky his father-in-law would be called away for some reason. He slipped his arm around Tom and began scanning the crowd for his family. Heedless of the startled expression of the Admiral, who had lingered beyond her official capacity to talk to Captain Janeway. He saw his brothers, Bey, as usual towered over the heads of the rest of the crowd.

Captain Janeway hid a smile. By now everyone aboard Voyager had grown accustomed to the blatant, casual displays of affection of affection evinced by the First Officer and Chief Pilot whenever they were off duty. She occasionally forgot people might not know they were a couple.
Chapter 2