DISCLAIMER: This belongs to Paramount and TPTB. The characters aren't mine but the story is!

DISCLAIMER: This belongs to Paramount and TPTB. The characters aren't mine but the story is!
Having just read Jeri Taylor's "Mosaic," and seen the 100th episode, "Timeless," I think that I should write something serious, for once. So, herein begins my first attempt at Voyager fanfic that is neither stupid or sad. An interesting endeavor, if you ask me.
This is PG-13, or R , if you're easily insulted or overly sensitive.
This will be blatantly J/C. If you don't like that, or P/T, or even K/7, run away, run FAR away.
Dedication? To Megs, for letting me indulge this addiction I have.
Set sometime in the future. Seventh season? Sounds good to me!
Oh, there are spoilers for the fourth season episode "Scientific Method," but somehow I don't think that anyone reading this will CARE all that much. Enjoy.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Kathryn Janeway felt a thrill go through her as Tom Paris leaned down to kiss B'Elanna Torres. She was performing the second of many marriages to come in their long journey, and it still amazed her. As a cheer went up from the whole crew, Janeway was content.

The newly-promoted Lieutenant (JG) Harry Kim danced close to Seven of Nine, the beautiful ex-Borg who was slowly understanding humanity. "I fail to understand the purpose of this ritual. Marriage serves no purpose, other than to make official what we all already knew. Lieutenants Torres and Paris have been engaged in a romantic relationship for nearly three years." Seven looked imploringly at Harry, who was still intimidated by her blatant questions - he had just learned to deal with them better.
"That is exactly the purpose of marriage, Seven," he said. "They want to make their relationship official. Marriage is a ceremony that dates back to the earliest forms of man."
"Do you wish to get married, Harry?" demanded Seven.
Harry felt his face get extremely flushed, and he was certain that everyone could see his discomfort. "In the past I had considered it, with Libby, but now. . .? If I find the right girl," he amended.
"Would you marry ME, Harry?" asked Seven.

Tom and B'Elanna had cut the cake, and proceeded to get into a food fight, getting Neelix's green icing all over themselves. The crowd had started to thin, but the majority of the crew was still present.
The doctor looked at the two newlyweds with his usual enigmatic expression. "I just hope that they can control themselves over their honeymoon. I would hate to interrupt with a dermal regenerator during one of their ‘fights.'" Neelix looked at the doctor with mild surprise, but dismissed it. B'Elanna Torres still had complete control over the doctor's schematic. If the hologram didn't want to be wearing fishnet stockings and craving leola root for the rest of their trip, he would stay safely out of the engineer's way. Neelix dismissed the doctor's comment as nothing more than idle speculation.

Lieutenant Commander Tuvok watched the proceedings with his usual Vulcan expression. His gaze drifted to where Tom and B'Elanna stood, all wrapped up in each other, their clothes vaguely green. He felt that it was only logical that the two marry, and had said so. Lieutenant Paris had said "Thanks, Tuvok," with an air of indifference, but was obviously pleased.
Tuvok saw Harry Kim stare at Seven of Nine for a minute, mutter something that looked like, "Let me get back to you on that one, okay?" before running out of the mess hall at full speed. Seven straightened and walked over to the Captain and the Commander, who were, typically, sharing a plate.
The Captain and the Commander. Now there were two examples of the enigma that was the human species. They had approached him with news that the nature of their relationship had changed, and a warning that if it leaked, he would be spending his time cleaning the hull. He had acknowledged the threat, and told them the truth. "In any other situation, I would advise against a Captain of a starship forming a romantic relationship with her first officer. But, as this is not just any ship, and you are not just any Captain, I wish you the best of luck. May you live long and prosper." That had been over a month ago.
Tuvok turned his eyes away from his commanding officers. Neelix, the morale officer, ambassador, and newly appointed security officer stood talking with the doctor. The merits of leola root were bound to come up, and had Tuvok been capable of happiness, he would have been glad that he wasn't there to be part of the conversation. The Talaxian was, in many respects, quite irritating.

"And then he told me that I was a complete sap! ME!"
"Kathryn, that was over thirty-five years ago . . . . Can I help you, Seven?"
"I must speak with the Captain." Chakotay heard her Borg assuredness falter, and he felt obliged to let the girl talk to Kathryn.
"Okay. See you *later,* Captain." And he was off to talk to his old friend and the new bride, B'Elanna Torres.
"Sit down, Seven. What can I do for you?"
"Captain," she said. "This is of a more personal nature, and concerns relationships."
Kathryn Janeway tried desperately to get back into "Captain" mode, which was hard, considering that she was out of uniform, wearing a pretty dress and jewelry, and that she had just promised to meet Chakotay in his quarters after the party. She was apprehensive, and felt like basking in the glow of her new-found relationship, NOT consoling Seven on hers.
"What kind of relationships, Seven?"
"Relationships of a more romantic nature. Like that of Lieutenants Paris and Torres, or Lieutenant Carey and Ensign Wildman, or between you and Commander Chakotay."
Kathryn's breath caught in her throat. Had Tuvok told? Were they being too obvious? Was Seven overly perceptive? Or was the rumor mill just going strong?
"Captain, did I say something wrong?"
"No, Seven. Just be mindful that you don't always believe what you hear."
"Yes, Captain."
"What kind of problem are you having with romantic relationships?" asked Janeway cautiously.
"As you know, Captain, Lieutenant Kim and I began a romantic relationship two years ago."
"Yes, Seven, I know." Harry's smile that day had lit up the bridge, and he had gotten a fair amount of teasing from Tom and Chakotay. Kathryn had just smiled indulgently.
"Well, this evening, I asked Harry if he ever planned on getting married, and he was very flustered. Then I asked him if he would marry me, and he stuttered out a non-answer and fled. Captain, I do not understand his reaction! Is that he finds me undesirable? Or wishes to break off our association with each other?" The poor girl was seriously distressed over the matter, noticed the captain. Was she serious about wanting to marry Harry?
"Seven, here's what I think. I think that you caught him off guard. He wasn't expecting it. Give him some time. I am QUITE certain that Harry enjoys your company and spending time with you."
"And copulation?" Seven's expression showed that the inquiry was purely for acquisition of information. It was all Kathryn could do to keep a straight face.
"Seven, I am certain that Harry is happy with all aspects of your relationship."
"Thank you, Captain." The beautiful woman excused herself from her Captain's presence, going off in search of Tuvok, her other mentor. The Captain held her head in her hands, then rose to find Chakotay.
"Commander," she said, interrupting his friendly banter with their half-Klingon Chief Engineer.
"Yes, Captain?" he asked, ignoring Tom's crude jokes immediately.
"Could I have a word with you? It seems we have a problem on our hands." Chakotay excused himself from Tom and B'Elanna, and followed the Captain back to their seats. "What is it?"
She told him about Harry and Seven, his face showing a myriad of emotions at each sentence.
"I think we should pay Lieutenant Kim a friendly visit."
"I agree."
They said their goodbyes, but not before B'Elanna had enveloped both of her commanding officers in big hugs. "Thank you, Captain. I know I may not always show it, but I appreciate everything you've done for us. All of us."
"Don't stay up TOO late, Little-Steps," Chakotay yelled to B'Elanna.
"Same goes to you, too, Old Man!" was her response. Kathryn almost missed a step, but caught Chakotay's dimpled grin.
"She knows?"
"Not really."
"Hmmm."

Harry Kim lay on his bed, clarinet in hand, but not playing it. He stared off into space. The door chimed. "Enter," he said absently.
He was not expecting his Captain and Commander in full uniform at 2356 hours. Especially not to discuss his love life.
"Uh, Captain Janeway, Commander Chakotay! Um, can I get you something to drink?" yelped the young man, backing into a table.
"At ease, Lieutenant, before you sprain something." Harry's adrenaline level dropped a notch at the familiar words.
"Please have a seat."
"Harry, I just had an interesting chat with Seven of Nine."
"Oh, no!" He covered his face with his hands.
"No, no, no. She told me that she was serious about her offer, but that she was afraid that you wanted to discontinue your relationship."
"NO!" He screwed up his face. "I mean, no, that's not what I want! She just caught me completely off-guard, I wasn't expecting it, the question, I mean, I mean, I don't know what I mean!"
"Harry," said Chakotay, exerting his usual calm. "Do you want to marry Seven?"
"Yes."
"Then I recommend that you tell her as much, Lieutenant."
"Yes, Ma'am!"
"It's not crunch time, yet, Lieutenant, but I will let you know. Why don't you go talk to her?"
"Yes, Captain." He stood and rushed out of the room without being dismissed, leaving Kathryn and Chakotay to stare at each other and laugh.

The next morning, it was official. There had been no announcement, but when Harry came onto the bridge looking tousled but grinning ear-to-ear as he had when he was just an Ensign fresh out of the Academy, Kathryn knew the news was good. When, at the staff meeting, Seven of Nine cracked a smiled, she was certain.
She closed the meeting by winking in Chakotay's general direction, and saying "Congratulations, Lieutenant Kim, Seven. Meeting is concluded, could I see you in my ready room, Commander?" She rose and exited, with Chakotay in her wake, leaving stunned faces in the briefing room.

Once inside the ready room, Chakotay gathered Kathryn up in a tender hug. "What a long way we've come."
"Indeed," she said, kissing him softly. They stood in companionable silence, not breaking the contact between them for several minutes.
"I wonder what would happen to them all if we were to get to Earth tomorrow."
"That would be interesting,"

"Captain to the bridge!" Chakotay's voice came over her combadge with a seldom-heard urgency.
"Coming!" Her one-word sentence was cut off as she bolted through the doors to her ready room. "REPORT!"
"Captain! We appear to have found a wormhole!" said Lieutenant Kim from Ops.
"All stop. Yellow Alert. On screen!" She stared along with the rest of the bridge crew at swirling blues, purples, and whites that formed a wormhole. "Bridge to Engineering."
"Torres here."
"Lieutenant," Janeway said, not even stopping to think that B'Elanna should have been off-duty on her honeymoon. She was not surprised to see Tom Paris come barreling through the doors to the bridge and almost lifting Ayala out of his chair. "Lieutenant, I need you to prepare a probe with extra Borg shielding."
"Captain?"
"Just do it, Lieutenant. You have two hours."
"Aye, Captain. Torres out."
"Harry, continue to scan the area for approaching ships. Tom, maintain all stop until further notice. Alert me if anything changes. I'll be in my ready room. Chakotay, you have the bridge."

Inside her ready room, Kathryn Janeway sat behind her familiar desk, in a familiar chair, cupping a familiar coffee cup in her hands, though the cup was empty. Were their lives about to change irrevocably? Was she playing god, holding onto one last wish that she could return the crew to their families? Was this all a game? Hell, did the wormhole even lead to the Alpha Quadrant? So many questions, so little time. In a less than two hours, they would know if they were going home.
So many people had forged relationships onboard Voyager. They had loved and lost, and learned to love again.
She had beat the Borg, the Kazon, the Hirogen, the Vidiians. The list of the accomplishments she had managed with her ship were endless. But what she was worried about at this point was not her ship, or herself. It was her crew. Or, more specifically, the ex-Maquis.
Chakotay. She loved him. The realization had come long ago, on a little planet without an official name, where a wooden bathtub probably still sat with a monkey inside. What would she do if they weren't pardoned? Kathryn rubbed her temples, wishing she had more replicator rations for another cup of coffee. She had beat the Borg with coffee, she was going to get them home with coffee.
"Defining parameters again, Kathryn?" came a soothing voice on the other end of the arm which held a steaming mug of her wonder drink.
"No. Just thinking."
"I know what you mean. They are all in a frenzy. Harry can't believe that he might get to introduce Seven to his parents."
Kathryn formulated that image in her mind and almost laughed. She could just imagine innocent little Harry Kim introducing his bride-to-be to his parents. "Mom, Dad, this is Seven of Nine."
"Pleasure to meet you." The Kim family would hold out their hands, and Seven would ask, "Harry, what is the purpose of this gesture?"
Kathryn smiled and looked at Chakotay. "That's an interesting image."
"I know what you mean."
"Chakotay, I have a feeling that the crew is going to get their wish. But before we go, there is one thing I really would like to say."
The First Officer nodded, encouraging her to go on.
"Seven years ago, I didn't know your name. Now I can't imagine a day without you. Thank you for everything. You have no idea how hard it is for me to say this, but I'm sorry. I'm sorry for getting us all stuck in this damned quadrant, but I wouldn't change a thing that I did. You have stood by me, regardless of what my decision was. I'm sorry for letting your feelings take a backseat, when all you did was look after me." She took a deep breath. "Chakotay, I will never, ever leave you. I . . . I love you." She expelled a great rush of air and stared down at her lap.
He stared at her before finding his voice. "You have no idea how long I've waited for you to say that, Kathryn. You have nothing to apologize for. I stood by you, and I will continue to do so for as long as I live. And as you say, it is possible that the crew will get their wish, I also have something to say. It has been a pleasure to serve with you, Kathryn Janeway. The Captain's a great lady, too, but, I've loved serving with the person behind the mask. And I love the person behind the mask. And I will ALWAYS be here to make your burdens lighter."
Somewhere during their heart-bearing speeches, the Commanding Officers of the Federation Starship Voyager had joined hands across the desk that separate them.
Kathryn sat up and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Well, Commander. I'd say that it's about time to see about that probe." They exited the ready room hand in hand, a gesture that did not go unnoticed by the bridge crew.
"Alright people. Bridge to Torres."
"Torres here."
"Is that probe finished, Lieutenant?"
"It is, Captain."
"Thank you, Lieutenant."
"Okay, people. Tuvok, on my mark. Three, two, one, MARK." The probe was launched through the wormhole.

Three hours later, a shipwide announcement went over the comm. "This is your Captain. I would like to say just one thing. It has been a pleasure, my friends. I could not have asked for a better group of officers to serve with. We're going home!"
The shipwide cheer echoed down hallways, into astrometrics, through stellar cartography, through engineering, finally cascading onto the bridge. B'Elanna Torres took her station on the bridge, a seldom occupied seat, yet one that she deserved. Janeway heard rather than saw Neelix and Seven of Nine take places behind the command level. Janeway sat down and took Chakotay's hand in her own, looking at him with adoration and shining with love.
"Lieutenant Paris, take us through. Engage."

Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the U.S.S. Enterprise-E sat in Ten-Forward with Dr. Beverly Crusher, his fiancee. His Earl Grey tea was comfortably in his hand, and the two sat chatting amiably. "Riker to Picard."
"What is it, Number One?"
"Sir, I think you'd like to see this. An old friend of mine is here, and demanding to speak with you."
"On my way." He made the appropriate apologies to Beverly and headed for the bridge. The last person that he was expecting to be smiling down at him from the viewscreen was Captain Kathryn Janeway.
"Captain Picard," she said.
"Captain Janeway," he said after gathering his senses. "Allow me, on the behalf of my crew and the Federation, to welcome you home!"

Kathryn Janeway stared at her old mentor, Owen Paris. They had arrived in Earth space to waving flags of the Federation, but had yet to make it to drydock to de-embark. But the sight of the "Blue Planet" had brought a collective gasp from everyone who saw it. Now, Kathryn was anything but happy.
"They aren't getting a pardon? Admiral Paris, if I may be so forward, but why the hell not?"
"Captain Janeway, if it were up to me, the Maquis would all be given a hero's welcome. But, the laws stand. There will be a hearing, against Captain Chakotay and his group of Maquis."
"It's *Commander* Chakotay, and he is my first officer, and they are MY crew. They are the ones who are responsible for me sitting here right now. Had it not been for the Maquis, I would NOT be sitting here, talking to you."
"Kathryn, I understand that. But"--
She cut him off. "Would you like to hear about the Maquis, sir?" Seeing his affirming nod, Janeway continued. "My chief engineer is named B'Elanna Torres. She was an opinionated, hard-headed, stubborn, little idiot when she came on board my ship. She defied my orders, called me names to my face, and was hateful of anything Starfleet. She has saved this ship and the people on it more times than I care to count and has accepted her heritage, an achievement if I may say so myself. She is one of the few people that I have the honor to call my friend. She is also your daughter-in-law, as of yesterday. I had the honor of marrying Lieutenant Torres to Lieutenant Paris, another fine individual, on Stardate 5****.6"
Owen Paris gaped. Janeway continued, "So, sir, I accept any charges against the Maquis. But I tell you, if you remember my defiance from when I was an Ensign, you have not seen anything yet. I am going to fight like hell for those people. Janeway OUT!"
She strode onto the bridge and saw Chakotay's questioning glance. She realized that the lack of sleep and the adrenaline had made her appearance less than stellar. "The charges against the Maquis have not been dropped," said Janeway glumly.
"But, but, but," started Torres. Chakotay silenced her with a look.
"But, I told Admiral Paris, in not so many words, to stuff it. He knows that his son is married to a fine lady who is a former member of the Maquis and that I will fight like hell to keep you all with me. Any questions?"
"No, MA'AM!" said Paris, with a huge grin.
"Alright, then. Lieutenant, what do you say that we head for home?"

Captain Kathryn Janeway led her crew off the ship and into spacedock. There were Federation banners flying, anthems playing. Chakotay was at her side. She spoke loud, for all to hear. "Commander Chakotay, it has been an honor to serve with you by my side. I will see you at the hearings." Kathryn lifted her arm in a rigid salute to the man she loved, a gesture that was copied by everyone standing behind her. Little Naomi Wildman stared, but raised her hand to her spiked forehead.
"Thank you, Captain Janeway. It has been my pleasure." And he nodded at her.
"Maquis, step forward."
Chakotay placed a hand on his captain's shoulder, then walked away without a word. The crew of Voyager broke rank to allow the former Maquis to follow their former leader. Torres stopped at Tom's side, her look conveying more than words ever could. Then she, too followed Chakotay into the waiting arms of the Federation's security team.
"Captain Janeway!"
"Captain Janeway, what does it feel like to be the Captain who has brought their people home from the Delta Quadrant?"
"Captain, tell me, what was it like?"
The press had to be there. She ignored them, the few original ‘Fleeters left following her example.
An admiral approached her. She recognized him as Owen Paris, the man she admired more than anyone in the galaxy, the man she had told to ‘stuff it.' She saluted him, too.
"At ease, Captain." Kathryn was flanked by the two most senior officers left, Tuvok and Tom. "You are dismissed to see whomever you wish, but you are expected to be in San Francisco tomorrow morning at 0800 to commence the briefing."
"Yes, SIR!" came the resounding reply. The crew disbanded. Kathryn scanned for her family, and didn't see them immediately.
Harry Kim led Seven of Nine by the hand to where his parents stood. "Seven, these are my parents. Mom, Dad," he held his breath, "this is Seven of Nine. My fiancee."
They held out their arms, welcoming the former Borg into their home.
Tom Paris faced his father. He still stood at attention more stiffly than he ever had for Janeway, who he respected even more.
"Thomas."
"Dad."
"Welcome home."
"It doesn't seem like a welcome reception, with the Maquis incarcerated."
"I heard about your marriage. Congratulations."
"Thank you, sir."
"Thomas."
"Yes, sir."
"I am sorry."
"Thank you, sir."
It wasn't much, but it was a start.
Kathryn finally sought out her mother and sister.

At home in Indiana, surrounded by family, coffee, and caramel brownies, Kathryn knew she should have felt wonderful. But there was something missing, as if a big part of her had been ripped away. The hole was in the center of her heart, and the key to it was held by a man inside a detention center in San Francisco. Chakotay.
"Kathryn, what's wrong?" asked her mother. Gretchen Janeway looked down at her oldest daughter and recognized pain. It was well-schooled pain, almost covered by an impenetrable mask, but Kathryn was different now, her mother knew. It wasn't just the physical appearance, the hair, the stature. Something was different.
"Nothing's wrong."
"Kathryn."
"I said that nothing is wrong."
"You would say that if you had just had your legs ripped off by a Trachan beast." Kathryn's ears perked at the familiar words. Her mother didn't know it, but she had just cut deeper into her daughter. Kathryn let out a cry and fled from the room, her mother following as quickly as possible.
She found the victorious captain curled up in a tree, crying her eyes out like a heartbroken teenager.
"Kathryn, what did I say?"
"The hearing starts tomorrow."
"Yes, I know, dear."
"What if they're not pardoned," she wailed. "What will I do then?"
"Kathryn, I know they're all special to you, but you'll learn to live without them."
"I can't!!!!"
Realization came slowly to Gretchen Janeway, but when it did set in, she stared in amazement at her daughter.
"Who?" she asked quietly.
There was no answer.
"Commander Chakotay, former Captain of the Maquis, sound right?"
Kathryn's only response was to cry harder. Her mother tried awkwardly to console her, and Kathryn finally fell into a fitful sleep.

The hearing stretched for a week, then two. Kathryn was certain that they knew every detail about the trip through the Delta Quadrant, but there was always something else to tell.
After fifteen days, Kathryn put in a request to see Chakotay and B'Elanna in private.
She was led into a dark room, comfortable to be sure, but not exactly the most stellar of accommodations. The lights came on, and Chakotay and B'Elanna walked in. It was all she could do not to shriek at the sight of them.
Chakotay's eyes bore signs of sleeplessness, his hair was rumpled, and the insignia had been removed from his Starfleet uniform. B'Elanna looked just as bad, if not worse. She fiddled with the ring on her finger, and her face was scratched as if she'd been fighting.
Kathryn waited for the Starfleet security types to leave the room. She'd used her influence to get a guarantee that they would not be watched or recorded. She hoped that Owen kept his word.
"You look awful, Kathryn," was the first thing Chakotay said. It was one of the few times that he'd used her name in front of the crew, but there was nothing to lose.
"Thanks. You're a sight for sore eyes, I must say."
There was an awkward silence between the three friends.
B'Elanna spoke first, noticing the tension between her commanding officers. "How's Tom?"
"He's coping," said Kathryn. "Everybody is doing alright, but everyone has friends and significant others inside this complex. It took me this entire time to get this space to talk to you two."
"Are you sure?" Torres was almost frantic.
"B'Elanna, I'm sure. He's spending most of his time with Harry and Seven, or with his sisters. He and his father are beginning to talk, but neither is being very forthcoming."
"Oh." B'Elanna was uncharacteristically quiet, something that usually preceded an outburst. They sat in companionable silence for a minute before that outburst came. "DAMMIT, CAPTAIN! IT'S NOT FAIR! THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS MISSION THAN I DO, AND I WAS THERE! WHY ARE THEY DOING THIS TO US?" Her voice was filled with anguish.
"It is their right," put in Chakotay. "We were criminals."
"Yes? Well, they're all petaQs for keeping us locked up!"
"I couldn't agree more, B'Elanna," said Kathryn."
"Captain, why are you here?" asked Torres.
"A Captain paying her officers and friends a visit isn't a good enough excuse?" responded Janeway. "Because I'm as sick of this as you are, Torres. I had so much planned for our arrival, now it's all been dashed. I DO think that you will get out of here with clean records, but I can't be certain. I'll be on the stand tomorrow."
"Oh, no," said Chakotay, resisting the urge to take her hand.
"And they will question my integrity, my status, my relationships with the crew. I will not let you down, understood?" She looked at her lover and her friend with hard eyes.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Yes, Captain."
"Now, can we be more friendly? How is everyone?"
"I'm mostly worried about you, Kathryn," said Chakotay and B'Elanna felt out of place.
"I'm fine!"
"You would say that," he started.
"If I had just had my legs ripped off by a Trachan beast, I know." They shared a grin as Torres attempted to slink into the shadows.
"How are you, Kathryn?"
"Truthfully? Dammit, Chakotay, I'm worried sick! I'm worried about everyone! It will break their hearts if the Maquis aren't exonerated!" She was near tears, and didn't care.
Chakotay took her into his arms and murmured into her hair so B'Elanna couldn't hear, "Is that code for, ‘I'm worried about you, and it will break my heart if you aren't' let go?'"
She nodded against his chest, and he smiled. "That won't do, will it, Kathryn?"
"No," she whispered. From the back, Torres watched this peculiar scene and felt like a voyeur. Suddenly remembering their audience, Chakotay and Janeway broke apart to face a grinning Torres.
"Well, don't let me stop you! This is for not killing Tom and me when we were taken over by those aliens! Keep it up! I'll win loads of replicator rations!" Replicator rations wouldn't matter on Earth, but it was an overlooked point.
"I almost had Tuvok flog the crew after that incident."
Chakotay made a face at B'Elanna, imagining that idea. "Starfleet would just LOVE that."
"My time's up in a minute. But I'll have you know, Chakotay, that my mother is worried. She's afraid that she'll have to hire Phoebe to pour more ice water over my head." She had told him that story, how she had lain in bed for ages after Justin died.
Chakotay's face softened. "I'm not going anywhere, Kathryn, I promise."
"Goodbye, my angry warrior. Thanks, Torres. We're going to win this!" And then she was gone.
Torres turned to her old friend, incredulous. "WHAT WAS THAT?" she demanded. Chakotay looked much too smug to live. "TALK OR THAT SMILE WILL NEVER SEE ANOTHER DAY!"
He just grinned at her.
"WHEN?"
"You wish you knew, don't you, Little-Steps!"
"Cha-ko-tay!" she whined at him, drawing out his name. "Tell me! I'm your oldest friend!"
"Yes, but if my oldest friend knows, then my oldest friend's husband knows, then the whole crew knows!"
"Does anyone else know?"
"Tuvok."
"WHAT?!"
His grin got wider. "You heard me, Torres!"
"Tell me or the whole crew'll hear before tomorrow!" She would have continued her threat, but the doors slid open to reveal armed, uniformed security officers.
"Come," one commanded.
They had no choice but to acquiesce.

Kathryn Janeway faced the board of admirals in full dress uniform, her hair done, her makeup spotless. She set her jaw in a firm line and sat in the box.
"Captain Kathryn Janeway."
"Yes, sir."
"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
"Yes." She scanned the audience, and found the faces of every person off of Voyager. The doctor was there, his mobile emitter firmly in place. Tom was there with Harry and Seven; Neelix was there, nagging Tuvok to the Vulcan's extreme dismay. Sam Wildman was next to the Talaxian, her arm around her daughter. Lieutenant Carey was there with his wife. Gretchen Janeway was there with Phoebe. In the Maquis section sat Chakotay and B'Elanna, along with the rest of their gang. Chakotay caught her gaze and winked, earning him an elbow in the ribs from Torres.
"To begin, then."
There were questions from Admiral Necheyev concerning the people and the relationships within the crew, from Admiral Ross concerning the alien species, and from Admiral Paris concerning the battles.
It went on for three hours before they came to anything that she would have trouble with.
"Captain Janeway, am I to understand that your policy on relationships was one that allowed any form of a relationship of a romantic nature?"
"Sir, on a seventy year voyage, one has to understand that people will eventually pair off. As long as a relationship didn't interfere with work or disrupt others, nothing was forbidden."
"Did you have any problems with this rule?"
"Only under the influence of mind-altering aliens, sir. There was a period during which we were boarded by a group of invisible aliens who used us as test subjects. My dopamine levels were increased and they banged nails into my skull. It is my belief that they increased Lieutenants Paris and Torres' hormone levels, causing the only period during which I had to reprimand any members of my crew for inappropriate displays." Torres and Paris looked incensed at this admission, and Chakotay was trying not to laugh.
"Your belief?"
"That is what is on the official report, sir."
"I see. To continue with this thread of relationships,"Necheyev began.
"Sir, one question. What does this have to do with the Maquis?"
Alanna Necheyev glared down her nose at the captain. "It is my belief that any and all details about your journey could be helpful in the final decision."
Janeway almost made a face. "Yes, sir."
"To continue, then. Have you maintained a complete command distance from your crew?"
"I have begun to get to know the lower-ranked crewmembers better, but my friendships have been contained to the senior staff, the doctor, Neelix, and Seven of Nine."
"I see. You have not had any romantic relationships over the course of seven years?"
"As a salamander, I had quite a few offspring, but as a human?" Necheyev nodded her answer. Yes.
"Aye , sir." She took a deep breath, fully aware of all of the cameras trained on her. B'Elanna was grinning, and beside her Chakotay had his eyes closed as if he was in pain. She knew she had to tell the truth. She wouldn't deny him that.
"The answer is yes. And no." Chakotay expelled a great breath.
The admiral's eyes bored into hers. "Explain, Captain."
"Very recently, Commander Chakotay and I have begun a . . . a romantic relationship. To answer Lieutenant Paris' unspoken question, no, I have not slept with him." There only sound to break the silence was the whir of recording devices.
Tom Paris leapt off his chair, gave a war-whoop and shouted, "ABOUT DAMN TIME, CAPTAIN!!!" He started clapping, and the rest of the crew joined in. The hardest Maquis and the ensigns who were still children were on their feet and applauding their commanding officers, both of whom had faces redder than Talaxian tomatoes.
But both were smiling.
Alanna Necheyev banged her old-style gavel on the table, with no effect. She looked, for the first time in Kathryn's long acquaintance with her, at a loss for words. Finally, Janeway felt that she had to step in, or things would get out of hand.
She stood with her hands on her hips and glared at the masses. They were silent immediately. "Thank you, Mister Paris, but you should and WILL be put on report for disorderly conduct. The support is appreciated, but there is a time and place for everything. This is NOT why we're here, so I expect you to act appropriately. Am I understood?"
There was a chorus of "Yes, Captain," before she turned back to Necheyev.
"Sorry, sir."
The admiral gaped at the control Janeway had over her crew. "That is all."
"Thank you, sir."
"No further questions, Captain. This hearing is concluded until 0800 tomorrow. Dismissed."
Kathryn slumped back in her chair, shaking her head. Her posture indicated that she did not want to speak to anyone, but Tom came bounding up. "CAPTAIN! You're not going to put me on report. Are you?"
"I'll consider it, Lieutenant."
"Captain! This is great! Tell me ONE thing."
"No."
"But, Captain!"
"That is MY personal business. As the rest of my life is on display, I would rather not divulge any more than I have to, Lieutenant."
Tom Paris recognized a deeply embarrassed and coffee-deprived Captain. "Yes, Captain," he said.

At 0800 hours the next day, the combined crew of Voyager sat and waited for the group of admirals to make their appearance. There were random whispers about them having come to a decision, or that they were deciding whether to push THE issue. Kathryn ignored it all. She sat apart from her family, with Tuvok, Harry, and Seven. Tom was grinning at her from across the aisle.
"Captain, you exhibited great bravery yesterday." From Tuvok, it was a compliment.
"It was the only logical thing to do, my friend."
"That," he said, "is true."
"Captain, I fail to understand why they wished to know the nature of your affiliation with Commander Chakotay."
"They are unusually nosy, Seven. Those are not questions one should ask under normal circumstances."
"So, those questions were unexpected and unwanted?"
"Yes, Seven."
"Captain?" queried Harry.
"Yes?" These were her friends, she knew. They deserved to be answered.
"Congratulations." Harry had been a bit of a project of hers, to know that he still had enough innocence to be making comments like that, despite the fact that she could have just earned herself a severe reprimand, was refreshing.
"Thanks, Harry."
The three admirals walked into the room, and every person jumped to attention. "At ease." They stood at parade rest.
"We have reached our decision." A murmur ran through the room, but was silenced by glares from the higher-ranking officers. "Before that decision is announced, we would like to thank everyone for their patience and candor. Many of those questions were difficult to answer, and some were quite embarrassing. Apologies to all."
There was a short silence as Owen Paris decided whether or not to read his prepared statement. He opted to go for complete openness. "I have known your captain for a very long time, and I have always considered her a good judge of character. As some of you know, I was the person to recommend her for command. So, with the advice of my colleagues, I continue to stand by Captain Janeway. The Maquis will receive full pardons and rank will be reinstated affective immediately."
It was obvious that Owen had intended to keep talking, but the cheers and exclamations drowned out anything he had to say.
Tom Paris vaulted the bar that separated the audience from where the ex-Maquis sat. He pushed through hoards of people until he found B'Elanna. Picking his wife up, Tom swung B'Elanna in a full circle, his mouth claiming hers. That reunion brought a smile even from the long-jealous Delaney sisters and Freddie Bristow.
Owen Paris slowly approached his son and daughter-in-law. Tom saw him and lowered B'Elanna back to the floor; they faced him as a united front. "Dad."
"Sir."
"Dear, please call me Owen."
"Yes, sir!"
"How many horror stories have you told, Tom?"
"Not nearly as many as Captain Janeway, sir."
The trio found themselves looking around for the victorious captain.

Kathryn had always thought that this moment would be the best of her life, surpassing her promotion to captain, her victories over the Kazon and the Hirogen. She found herself feeling surprisingly empty as she sat motionless in her seat. Feeling a soft hand on hers, Kathryn looked up into the eyes of her former first officer.
"We did it," she choked out.
"That we did." He stroked her hair, then lifted her head so she would look at him. "What is it?"
"What now? We're here, what's next?"
"I have a few ideas," said Chakotay with an evil grin.
"Oh, you!" She swatted his shoulder, but leaned her head against him rather than continuing the thought. "What do WE do next? They're going to decommission Voyager, I know. The victorious ship can't just be sent off again. Where does that leave my crew?" Her eyes teared up, and Chakotay wiped them away with his thumb.
"Why don't we find out?"
"Okay." They stood together.
"Admiral Paris," she said, interrupting his conversation with Tom and B'Elanna, much to the young couple's relief.
"What can I do for you, Captain?"
"We were wondering when orders would be posted; I can't stand to not know what will become of everyone here."
"Orders? Orders are up! If you had let me finish my speech, you would have known that orders are to be found on this PADD." He handed her a PADD that required a code for one to access his or her orders. "There are several circulating right now."
"Thank you, sir."
"Kathryn?"
"Yes, sir?" she asked, just before keying in her codes.
"It isn't sir anymore." She gaped at him, before keying open the file that held her orders.

Kathryn M. Janeway
Admiral
Strategic Defense
Starfleet Headquarters
San Francisco, Earth

"Sir?"
"Congratulations to the newest Admiral in the ‘Fleet!"
"Thank you, sir." Kathryn could do nothing but hand the PADD to Chakotay, who keyed it open.

Chakotay
Captain
Instructor: Defense
Starfleet Academy
San Francisco, Earth

Chakotay wasn't surprised with his assignment, just his promotion. "This was a quick decision, sir, considering that I was just released twenty minutes ago," he said, showing Kathryn the PADD. She smiled at him.
"Not a particularly fast decision, Captain Chakotay. This hearing wasn't a formality, but nothing unexpected, no, let me rephrase that, not too much that was unexpected came up. The only reason that you didn't get our decision yesterday was that little speech by . . . . Never mind," he amended at Janeway's glare. "You are the only one who is surprised, Captain."
"Thank you, sir," Chakotay said, saluting Admiral Paris.
"Acknowledged, Captain. Congratulations to both of you." He paused a minute and a smile came to the older man's face. "On everything." Then he was gone.
The duo turned to each other. "They kept us together."
"I suppose they did, ‘Captain,'" quipped Kathryn. "I really should tell my family about this promotion. Go talk to Tom and B'Elanna, and Harry and Seven, hell, talk to everybody! I want to be able to keep tabs on my crew!!" She walked off to talk to her mother and sister.

Chakotay found B'Elanna Torres arguing with Joe Carey. Probably over nothing, just for the sake of things. But he stepped in as was his duty. "No broken noses today, Torres."
"But Commander!" whined B'Elanna sarcastically.
"Commander? Are you talking to Tuvok?" he demanded, looking around obviously.
"YOU GOT A PROMOTION!!!!!! THAT'S GREAT!!!!" screeched B'Elanna, her argument with Lieutenant Carey forgotten.
"Yes, I did. What about you?"
"What about Janeway?"
"Admiral, Strategic Defense, San Francisco. What's your assignment, Torres?"
"Lieutenant Commander, Chief Engineer of the Starship Challenger. Tom's the chief pilot of that same ship. Family ship," recited Torres. She thought about everything that had been said. "Wait. If Janeway's in San Francisco, they must have put you out in the Neutral Zone!"
Chakotay grinned at her. "Nope. I'm now an instructor of defense techniques at Starfleet Academy. In San Francisco." He looked down at his old friend, his eyes twinkling.
Torres' eyes widened. "THEY KEPT YOU TOGETHER!!!!!" she shouted triumphantly, throwing her arms tightly around his neck. Her shout was loud enough for every head in the room to turn, even Kathryn, who was talking to her mother and sister.

"Kathryn, what is she talking about?"
"I got a promotion to Admiral. Strategic Defense, San Francisco. Everyone is assuming that Chakotay will be assigned out in the middle of nowhere. But, for some unknown reason, I get out of this with a clean record. He's teaching at the Academy in San Francisco." Her eyes were shining with joy and unshed tears.
"I, for one, envy you," said Kathryn's younger sister, Phoebe. She continued, "Think of it this way. You go and get lost in the Delta Quadrant, perfectly alive, stuck with the best crew in the galaxy, and happen to have captured the handsomest man alive."
"I agree with your reasoning so far, but how am I lucky? I got shot at, abandoned, conned, everything under the sun. Q wanted to mate with me!"
"Q?"
"Don't ask," said Kathryn. Be happy you don't know the man. Stupid Continuum! But how am I lucky, Phoebes? You stay here, get married, have kids, make a life for yourself, have everything you want!" Kathryn truly didn't understand. Her sister was here, saying that the last years had been better for Kathryn than Phoebe.
"You got everything you wanted, too. Adventure, amazement. You got love thrown in there, too. You knew we were alive. For four years we thought you were dead. But we were wrong, and learning that was the best day of my life."
"Phoebe, you're not making any sense, but thank you. I guess that both of you want to meet Chakotay."
"You know, when they sent you out to capture him, they weren't speaking so literally, Kath." Kathryn groaned, wondering how many times she would hear that line before the day was up. Hopefully not too many.
She walked over to Chakotay, who was talking to the Doctor. She caught the end of the conversation, ". . . and make sure that she stays away from coffee!" warned the doctor. Before Chakotay could answer, Kathryn interrupted.
"How's my crew?"
"All been reassigned. Tom and B'Elanna are on the Challenger, Harry and Seven are on the research vessel Q-7894. Tuvok is retiring. Neelix is opening a restaurant. The Doctor is on the Challenger, also. Couldn't bear to part with his favorite nurse and cause for gripes."
"That's wonderful. Everyone knows that we're still together, B'Elanna yelled loud enough!"
"Well, it's good news. She deserves to be included in the celebration." He lifted her chin and kissed her softly. There were some cheers and catcalls, but, for the most part, people were too caught up in their own affairs to worry about others'.
When they broke the kiss, Kathryn said, "My family wants to meet you."
"Lead the way." She took his hand and they walked side by side to Gretchen and Phoebe.
"Mom, Phoebe, this is my former first officer, now Captain Chakotay. Chakotay, my mother, and my sister, Phoebe."
"Pleasure to meet you both," Chakotay said, holding out his hand, which was shook cautiously by Gretchen and heartily by Phoebe.
"We've heard a lot about you, Captain."
"Chakotay, please."
"Then Chakotay it is," said Phoebe excitedly. Kathryn watched the exchange warily.
The dialogue between Chakotay and the Janeways continued, without too many embarrassing questions, and only once that Kathryn jumped in to save her first officer from her over-zealous sister.
When Kathryn stepped in saying that she had to go speak to her crew, Chakotay followed with relief. "That's over."
"They're not that bad."
"No, they're not. Do we really have to talk to everybody NOW?"
"Where did you get that idea? I was trying to save you from my sister's questions. She wants to know EVERY detail. At least she hasn't asked you yet if you like dogs. That was awful."
Chakotay had heard that story, too. "If we're not talking to the crew, where are we going?" he asked honestly.
"I thought we could do one of two things. We could go find quarters suited for an Admiral and a Captain, set them up, and go to work tomorrow, or we can do that all tomorrow, and just get our quarters today, do . . . nothing - until tomorrow. Your choice." He knew what she was implying. She grinned up at his astonished face.
"You're serious?"
"Do I look serious, Chakotay?"
"Yes."
"Well, then, I'm serious. Shall we?" She grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the door, the smiles on their faces betraying any last piece of protocol.

Kathryn woke up in a tangle of sheets, her head on Chakotay's chest. She propped herself up and kissed him awake. "Good morning."
"Good morning yourself. If that's the wake-up I get, we should do this more often." He hugged her to him, kissing her all over.
"No objections there." She looked around the room, which was a mess. "Ahh, ummm . . . Chakotay, you're going to have to stop. We both have to be at HQ in two hours. And we need to clean up."
He pushed her away from him playfully. "Fine!" He got out of the bed and headed for the shower. Kathryn watched him, wondering what had let her be so lucky. She surveyed their new quarters. They were spacious, with a king-size bed and a walk-in closet. There was a fully equipped kitchen and a replicator, and there were two sitting rooms. They were all covered in clothes and objects that had been carelessly shoved aside. As Chakotay came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, Kathryn pulled herself out of bed, and sauntered into the shower.
When she returned, dressed in a robe, she found the place mostly clean and breakfast at the table. "You're mighty useful to have around. Can I keep you?" she asked, placing herself in Chakotay's lap.
"Aye, Admiral," he said before kissing her again They spent breakfast feeding each other syrupy pieces of food between passionate kisses.
But the time disappeared quickly, and Kathryn found herself rushing the replicator to get her new uniform to fit her. When it finally worked, she quickly donned the tunic and slacks before hurriedly looking for her new rank insignia. Chakotay watched all of this, loved seeing her glowing like she was, even when she was angry.
When she was finished, he admired the new uniform. "Very fitting, Admiral."
"I don't like it. It looks too much like the dress uniform, and the belt is annoying."
"Tell you what?" said Chakotay. "I'll help you take it off tonight."
"There's nothing I would like better." They walked to the transporter room arm-in-arm.

A month later, the former crew of the U.S.S. Voyager gathered for one last time in the holodeck on Kathryn's faithful ship.
They were all in their new uniforms, there were several promotions to be acknowledged, Tom and B'Elanna were both now Lieutenant Commanders, Harry was a full Lieutenant, and Seven was an Ensign. Tuvok wore a Vulcan robe, having retired after years of service. It was disconcerting to see the Captain's faithful sidekick out of uniform. Chakotay's pips brought several congratulations, but the uniform that Kathryn hated brought even more. She finally had to tell the crew to stop saluting her, or they would never be able to finish what they started.
"We're here to celebrate one of the many good things that came out of our voyage on this ship. She will be decommissioned, and you will be pleased to know that there will never be another ship with bio-neural gel packs." There were somber laughs at that, as Kathryn continued. "But those are part of the memories of this place. We're here to make one more memory. Harry, you ready?"
"Aye, Ma'am"
She let it pass this time, the poor man was nervous. He stood at the front of the room, with his best man, Tom Paris, at his side. Escorted by the Doctor, Seven of Nine walked down the aisle, in the skin-tight suit that she had yet to give up for a more conventional uniform. The only difference was her hair - she wore the long, blonde waves down around her shoulders, and there was a flower over her ear.
"Do you, Lieutenant Harry Kim take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, to death do you part?"
"I do." He said it without having his voice crack, but he looked faint.
"Do you, Seven of Nine," she left off the rank, "take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, to death do you part?"
"Yes, Admiral."
"Then, I pronounce you man and wife. Harry, kiss your bride. That's an order!" A cheer went up as they kissed, and there were smiles on every face.
After the ceremony, the former crew of the U.S.S. Voyager trickled out to go to the party off the ship. Chakotay held Kathryn back in the holodeck.
"There's one more thing I want to do here, before we say goodbye to let everybody go off on their own adventures."
"What is that?"
"Come with me." He led her to a turbolift and ordered it to the bridge. Kathryn had expected the bridge to be dark, but the lights were on and the panels were illuminated - and manned.
Each member of the senior staff sat at his or her old post. Tuvok at tactical, Harry at ops, Tom at the helm, B'Elanna at engineering. Seven, Neelix, and the doctor came to stand behind the command level.
Kathryn turned to Chakotay with questions in her eyes. She was certain that this wasn't authorized, what was he doing?
The faces of her friends were happy, they obviously knew what was happening. "I demand to know what is going on here!" She stood on the command level in front of her chair, hands on her hips.
Tom Paris couldn't keep a secret if he wanted to. He covered his mouth with his hands, almost stifling a laugh. Torres and Chakotay glared at him.
Chakotay felt that it was now or never. "There really was no other place I could do this, Kathryn," he said, his voice full of emotion. "You were talking about making memories, this is the place that has the most memories for ME, to be certain, so this REALLY is the only place I could do this."
"Do what, Chakotay?" asked Kathryn, completely unsure of what he was up to.
"This." He dropped one knee and said, "Will you marry me, Kathryn Janeway?"
She stared at him, mind reeling. She didn't have to think about it, she just looked at him and answered, "Yes."
Chakotay was on his feet in a millisecond, kissing her in front of all of their closest friends.
Tom Paris opened a ship-wide com, saying "Guess what everybody? This is Lieutenant Commander Paris, and I have the honor of announcing the engagement of our two most favorite people, Admiral Janeway and Captain Chakotay!"
Yet another cheer echoed down empty corridors, into abandoned rooms, and onto a bridge full of love.
Chakotay and Kathryn joined hands in front of their old seats, looking at their friends' sappy smiles. Torres was crying. "Thank you for a wonderful seven years, and wonderful memories," said their former captain. And then the couple was gone, off to make new memories.
B'Elanna began to shut down systems for the last time. Harry and Tom caressed their stations, the only tender care that the helm and the ops panel had received in a long time. But it was Tuvok who spoke, looking at the door. His voice was not devoid of emotion, but his Vulcan control was trying valiantly to suppress anything he was feeling.
"May they live long and prosper." It was a sentiment shared by all.

END!!!!!

Like it? Hate it? (I hope not, this took a lot of time!) Email me at LLROK@aol.com!