Note: This is an AU in which Captain Janeway captures the Maquis but remains in the Alpha quadrant. If at times the characters don’t act as you expect them to, please remember these are AU characters and will not be exactly the same as the ones you are familiar with.
Rated NC17
Captain Janeway sat in her ready room, staring into her empty coffee cup, her mission was successful, she had apprehended the Maquis and now all she had to do was return them to DS9. By all rights she should be happy, proud of the performance of both her young crew and her brand new Starship and she was. Voyager was fresh out of the ‘shipyards’ the prototype of the new intrepid class ships. She was smaller and sleeker, than previous designs. With state of the art technology, designed for maneuverability, she was tough and fast. At 1130 feet long, weighting 700,000 metric tons, she has 15 decks and can carry a crew of 150. With normal cruising speed of warp 6 and the ability to achieve and maintain a maximum of warp 9.975 for up to 12 hours, she was the Fleet's fastest, most advanced ship to date. Her interlinked main computers were the first to incorporate organic computer circuitry. These bio-neural gel packs give her the ability not only to function with the precise calculations of normal computer systems but also the ability to present logical 'best guess' scenarios. Voyager was the pride of the fleet and it was hers.
Her crew, outside of her first officer and a few scattered crewmen, were very young, most just out of the academy and hand picked by her to serve on this ship, they had proved themselves in the badlands and she was proud of each and every one of them. In spite of all this, Kathryn was uncomfortable, something wasn’t right, she wasn’t sure what yet, but she had learned to trust her gut. Whatever it was would show its self soon enough, all she had to do was be ready.
The Captain had ordered the Maquis held on deck four; section 412 alpha had been sealed off for that purpose, the brig was too small to house the forty or so prisoners and their Captain. Their Captain—she wondered for a moment, if her uneasiness somehow stemmed from him—he was a disturbing presence. She would know soon enough. She was waiting for him to be brought to her now.
Voyager proceeded directly to the coordinates given Fleet, by the Cardassian vessel last in contact with the Maquis ship. Captain Janeway had been assigned to apprehend them and since her chief tactical officer had infiltrated the Maquis and was now aboard that, ship she moved carefully. They were a clever group, this particular band of renegades, a real thorn in the side of Cardassians and Federation alike and their leader, a Native American, was Starfleet trained. According to his service record, prior to joining the Maquis, he had been a model officer rising quickly to the rank of Commander. He had resigned his commission and joined the Maquis shortly after the Federation gave Dorvan V over to the Cardassians, as part of the new peace treaty; a treaty she had never really felt good about. Kathryn thought she understood his motivation, even though she disagreed with his methods. Now she had to see if she could out wit him and bring in this ‘most wanted’ of the maquis leaders and his small band of ‘freedom fighters’.
She had tracked them for days, the trail led into the area know as the badlands; an area of extremely dangerous space, notorious for its severe plasma storms. Many ships that entered this tumultuous region never returned, which made it a prime hiding place for the Maquis. Captain Chakotay had taken his ship into the area many times to avoid capture. The larger bulkier Cardassian warships could not maneuver well enough to follow. Chakotay had not anticipated Voyager however, she was sleek, tough and maneuverable, she was designed for missions like this and had no trouble following the Maquis trail through the storms. Janeway found him, but unable to out gun her, he tried to run. In the chase that ensued, the Maquis ship was severely damaged. Voyager’s scans showed life support failing, weapons off line, lost of navigation and thrusters and an imminent warp core overload---they were in serious trouble.
“Hail them, Mr. Kim.”
“Aye, Captain.” The young ensign was eager to please this Captain, who had so readily given him every opportunity to prove himself. He knew she had hand picked him for this position on her new ship and he was determined to make her proud.
“They are responding, Captain.”
“On screen, Mr. Kim.”
The view screen lit up showing the essentially destroyed bridge of the Maquis ship, Captain Chakotay stood in the mist of the destruction. She had seen his pictures, with his golden complexion, stormy dark eyes and unique facial tattoo he was, as the saying goes, ‘tall, dark and handsome’, but in person, or at least virtually in person, he was devastating. She had not been prepared for her reaction to him and had to take a quick moment to regain control of her thoughts.
“Captain
Chakotay, I’m Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship
Voyager.”
She had to force the words out, she gripped her chair and cursed his damned
calm appearance---even in the middle of his dying ship.
“Captain Janeway, what can I do for you?”
“Captain?” She almost laughed “I believe you are the one in need of assistance.” *Going down with your ship is admirable—if stupid--for the captain, but did he plan on taking his entire crew?*
“I believe you may be correct.” He chuckled and when he flashed a dimpled smile her way, she was glad to be sitting down. “Are you offering us assistance, Captain?”
“We are prepared to beam you and your entire crew to Voyager immediately.”
“As your prisoners?”
“As my very much alive prisoners, yes”
“Captain?” A tentative Harry Kim interrupted her.
“Yes, Mr. Kim?” Her eyes remained on the view screen, locked to the intense brown orbs, as she spoke.
“Captain, my readings indicate their warp core will breach in 2 minutes.”
“Thank you, Mr. Kim. Well, Captain, you heard the man.” She leaned forward in her chair. “Do you drop you shields so we can beam you out—or should I back off now?” She leaned back and smiled. “Because as romantic as it sounds, I prefer not to blow up together.” She watched him closely—no sighs of panic and he was actually making a decision—he considered not taking her offer. She was impressed.
“Alright Captain, we will accept you hospitality—thank you.”
“Certainly. Mr. Kim, begin beaming the Maquis crew to deck four section alpha 412.”
“Aye, Captain”
“Our new home?”
“Yes Captain, I trust you will be comfortable there.” She returned his smile as he was caught in the blue glow of the transporter beam, shimmering out of view.
“We have them all, Captain.” Harry reported.
“Acknowledged. Lieutenant Stadi, take us out of here as quickly as you can.”
“Aye, Captain.” The young woman at the helm reversed their course and snaked a path away from the Maquis ship as quickly as possible.
“Reinforce the shields.” She gripped the side of her chair, waiting for the impending explosion. The one fortunate thing about the plasma storms surrounding them was that they would absorb most of the shock wave created by the warp core explosion, the shields took the rest. Voyager escaped undamaged. “Mr. Cavit you have the bridge; have Mr. Tuvok report to me as soon as he arrives, I will be in my ready room.”
“Come.” Her thoughts were interrupted and she was returned to the present, by the chime. She watched as the two guards escorted the Maquis Captain into the ready room. “Dismissed, lieutenants.” She nodded at the hesitant guards. “Captain, have a seat, please.” She waited until the guards left them and the Maquis Captain was seated comfortably. “Is you crew comfortable with their accommodations?”
“Quite.” He eyed her suspiciously.
“Good.” She rose and came around the desk. “I’m having coffee; can I get you something?”
“I prefer tea.” She moved gracefully toward the replicator. She was a small woman, he was tempted to say delicate—yet her presence on her bridge was formidable and when she turned those clear blue eyes in his direction—his own reaction frightened him. She placed the cups on the desk and returned to her seat.
“You’re uncomfortable with this, Captain?”
“I must say this is not the treatment I expected—as your prisoner.”
“We are both civilized people, Captain. There is no reason we shouldn’t act that way.” She sipped her coffee. “We merely happen to be on different sides of this particular law; it doesn’t make either of our causes unjust.”
“You surprise me, Captain.”
“Really, why?”
“Starfleet captains are supposed to be ridged and controlled by regulations and protocol—not civilized and intelligent and certainly never allowed to voice a personal opinion.
“Oh really? Sorry to disappoint you.” She laughed.
“Surprised – definitely not disappointed.” He smiled at her again. “And having been taken prisoner by your current allies, the Cardassians, I expected our reception to be –somewhat less hospitable.”
“We are not the Cardassians.” It came out a little sharper than she had intended.
“No and there are too many of us for your brig….” He noticed how sharp her reaction to the Cardassians was, he would file it away; it could be useful later. “But I expected to be herded into a cargo bay not assigned luxury quarters.”
“Hardly luxury, the same quarters as any of my crew. Voyager is a new ship our accommodations are somewhat enhanced, but you will find that your replicators have a limited capacity.”
“You mean we can’t replicate weapons?” He smiled giving her another look at those devastating dimples.
“I strive to be civilized, Captain--- not stupid.” She couldn’t help but smile back.
“Captain Janeway to the bridge.” Cavit’s voice rang in.
“What is it, Cavit?” She slapped her comm badge, obviously annoyed at his interruption.
“Captain, we are being hailed by a Cardassian warship.”
“On my way.”
Chakotay stood when she did and The Captain motioned him to exit before her. Immediately the two guards were at his side.
“Wait here.” She instructed them and left him standing with them outside the door and continued to her command chair. “On screen.”
“Captain.”
“Yes, I’m Captain Janeway. What can I do for you?”
“Captain, I have come to take the Maquis terrorists off you hands.”
“I appreciate the offer, however my orders are to return the Maquis to DS9 and I have every intention of carrying out those orders.”
“And my orders are to bring them in. So if you will lower your shields.”
“Let me make this clear.” She paused giving the Cardassian an intense glare and a pleasant smile. “The Maquis are aboard my ship and that is where they will remain until I turn them over to Federation authorities at DS9. Now, if you have no further business---this conversation is finished.”
“This conversation may be over, Captain, but we are far from finished.” The screen went blank.
“Captain, they have gone to warp.”
“I don’t like the looks of that. Stadi, set a course for DS9 warp seven.” She turned to her first officer. “You have the bridge, keep an eye out for them. I have a feeling they will be back.”
The Captain retired once again to her ready room, taking the Maquis with her. The fact that this displeased her first officer, was not lost on anyone; the fact that she didn’t care was also clear. It was less than an hour later when he paged her again. The Cardassians had returned with reinforcements. Four warships now stood in their path. They were being hailed.
“On screen.” She sat back in her command chair, legs crossed, looking relaxed. “Captain, I didn’t expect to see you so soon. What can I do for you?”
“Janeway, surrender the Maquis. Now!”
“I have already explained this to you….”
“We are prepared to take them by force, if necessary. Drop you shields!”
“Captain, they are powering weapons.” The normally reassuring Vulcan voice reported.
“Red Alert.” She shifted her attention back to the screen. “We do not wish to engage in battle—especially with our allies-- but we are prepared to defend ourselves. Stand down you weapons and move aside.”
“You
are no match for four warships; we will have them in the end. Just
surrender
the terrorists and save the lives of your crew.”
“We will not be bullied—stand down….” The first volley nearly knocked her from her chair. “Return fire, Mr. Tuvok. Stadi evasive maneuvers.”
“Direct hit, their shields are holding.”
“Stadi, evasive pattern beta 74 gamma. Tuvok, ready photon torpedoes…”
“Captain they are gonna ram us.” Harry Kim was shouting to be heard about the blasts and explosions on the bridge.
“Reinforce those shields! Stadi lay in pattern alpha 7475 and execute on my mark.” She stood and grasped the rail. “On screen, Mr. Kim”
The big warship was on a collision course with the much smaller starship. Chakotay watched the Captain, her outward calm betrayed only by the death grip she held on the railing.
“Mr. Tuvok, target their engines and fire when I give the order.” She watched the ship loom large on the screen, coming closer by the second. “Tuvok fire; Stadi now!”
The torpedoes reached the ship and Voyager dropped sharply beneath it, at almost exactly the same moment. With Voyager out of the way, the big ship collided with another war ship and both exploded sending all three remaining ship into a spin. Voyager rolled and pitched, the bridge crew was tossed from their exploding stations, the Captain was thrown over the railing landing next to Stadi at the helm.
When he picked himself up, Chakotay quickly surveyed the damage through the smoke filled bridge. One of his guards lay dead, the other he didn’t see at all. The Vulcan was still at his station, the Captain lay on the floor next to the body of her helmsman. He picked up the phaser next to him and worked his way to the helm.
Janeway shook her head to clear it and dragged herself up off the floor, there was a trickle of blood running into her eye. The bridge was a disaster, she stood up directly in front of the Maquis Captain, who was holding a phaser. For a long moment their eyes connected and they silently appraised one another.
“Captain, I can help.” He put the phaser in his belt and lowered Stadi’s body to the floor.
“Can you fly this thing?” She assessed her other losses. Kim was at ops and Tuvok at tactical, other than that it was herself and the Maquis.
“I can fly anything.” He moved toward the console.
“Then get us out of here, Mr. Chakotay.” She picked her way back to the command level, stepping over the body of her first officer on the way.
Getting out of there wasn’t as easy or as fast as they hoped, but for the time being the Cardassians had their own problems, so Voyager was able to limp away without interference. The damage was severe and the casualties high, among the many casualties, were her first officer- Lieutenant Commander Cavit, her helmsman- Lieutenant Stadi, the ship’s doctor- Dr. Fitzgerald and her chief engineer. Once they were a safe distance away, the Captain went to personally assess the damages.
“Ensign Sommers take the helm, hold us on a steady course. Mr. Tuvok the bridge is yours, I will be touring the ship to assess the damage and then in engineering, Mr. Kim keep an eye on the long rang scans, I don’t want them sneaking up on us. Chakotay you’re with me.”
A chorus of “Ayes” followed her to the nearest hatch. Her tour would be long and slow, starting with the five deck climb to sick bay and then another six decks to main engineering. Hopefully after that she could get the lifts running again. Right now she wasn’t too optimistic. They reached the landing at deck five, she stopped to catch her breath before exiting the hatch.
“Captain.” There was uncertainty in his voice, something she hadn’t heard before.
“Yes, Chakotay.” She watched him struggle with himself –just a little.
“I know this isn’t the best time—but it’s bound to get worse around here before it gets better.” She just nodded and waited for him to continue. “I just wanted to say thank you.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand; you are still a prisoner, in my custody…”
“Exactly, you could have saved your crew and your ship simply by handing us over to the Cardassians,--you knew you were out gunned-- but you didn’t.” He looked even more uncomfortable than before. “I just want you to know I appreciate it –and if my crew knew –well they would too.”
“I want you to understand, Chakotay. I will never turn you or any of your crew over to those---- the Cardassians, but I will turn you over to the proper authorities once we reach DS9”
“I do understand that, Captain and I still appreciate what you did.” She nodded and smiled then turned to crawl to the hatch. “Captain.” She stopped and looked back. “Can I ask you something?”
“What?”
“It’s personal—isn’t it? The reason you would never turn us over to them.”
“Yes.” She turned back toward the hatch. “Now, we need to take care of the crew and ship before they get back.”
“Yes, Ma’am”
The crowd around sick bay made it difficult to even get in, there was a line at the door of minor injuries, the bio beds were covered with the more serious and those less serious or partially treated lined the floor. Several people were climbing over each other to assist in any manner they could. She spotted Ensign Wildman and made her way to her.
“Ensign.”
“Oh, Captain, sorry I didn’t see…” The harried young woman turned with a start. “Captain, your hurt.” She reached for the gash on the Captain’s head.
“Don’t
worry about me Ensign, you have your hands full here. What can we
do
to help you?”
“Captain, we are doing every thing we can, I have Carter and Gennins helping –Oh and that Tom Paris is doing a great job, but we need the EMH.” She put her hand to her head. “There are things here we just can’t handle. I couldn’t get him activated. If you could take a look?”
“Allright, Ensign, I’ll see what I can do.”
“Captain, in the Maquis we all do what we can, a little of everything. Let me take care of your head, then I could help out, here.” Chakotay looked around.
“I’m fine but Ensign Wildman could use your help.” She turned back to the Ensign. “This is Captain Chakotay. He’s going to help; put him where ever you need him.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” She looked a bit uncertain but she soon had him working right along with the others.
It took two hours but the Captain was finally able to activate the EMH and apprise him of their current situation. He immediately took over the running of sickbay, she collected Chakotay and headed for engineering.
"Chakotay, thanks for helping in there.” They were headed for the jeffries tube again.
“That’s what we do---the Maquis..” He laughed “I know, you think we’re just terrorists, but…”
“I don’t think you are terrorists, Chakotay. I wouldn’t be crawling the bowels of my ship with you, if I did. I think I can understand –but again we are on different sides.”
“At least you try—that’s more than most.” He looked away.
“So, would they help too? We took heavy losses here, not to mention the damage to the ship. Your crew, would they work with us---even knowing that we will turn them in, when we get out of this?”
“They will do what I tell them to do—some won’t like it –but they will.”
“That’s fair. So you got an engineer? I’m pretty good, but I can’t do this all alone and my crew is young and inexperienced.”
“Oh, yea, I have the most amazing engineer. She never finished the academy but she is pure genius with an engine.”
“Torres?”
“You really did your homework.”
“Part of the job. Starfleet has extensive files on most of you. I had to know what I was up against.”
“Tell me, did you find something in those files that told you, you could trust us?”
“No, you did that. So will she help?”
“She’s only one deck up. Why don’t we find out.”
“After you.”
They climbed to deck four and entered the section of the ship blocked off to house the Maquis. Janeway stayed a little behind and let him speak to Torres first. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it wasn’t hard to see Torres was unhappy with what he was suggesting. The Captain made her way through the silent staring Maquis.
“Chak, have you lost your mind? She’s Federation; she will turn us in the second she gets back.”
“Yes, she will-- that’s her job and she will do it; if we live that long.”
“So, why should we help her?”
“Because she is in this mess because of us. She could have turned us over to the Cardassians –her ship would be intact, her crew alive and uninjured –but she wouldn’t do it. Don’t forget we’re right here with her, if they get her ---they get us too.”
“I don’t like it.”
“I know, but you’ll do it.”
“I know.”
“Ms Torres.” She slowly approached them. “I’m Captain Janeway. I’m sorry our circumstances aren’t better, but your Captain says you are the best and right now we need the best---“
“If I do this …” B’Elanna spun to face her, defiantly. “I want you to know I’m doing it for him—not you.”
“Fair enough. I want you to know something too.” She looked around at the silent ears surrounding her. “I want all of you to know. When we get back to federation space I intend to turn you over to the authorities. –But, if you are willing to help and work side by side with my crew—I promise I will do every thing in my power help you.”
“Thank you, Captain.” Chakotay was the only one who spoke to her.
“I’ll be outside, you discuss this with you crew.” She made her way past the Maquis to the exit, leaving him to handle his own people.
While she waited, she checked in with Tuvok and the EMH in sickbay, nothing had changed. It didn’t take Chakotay long, maybe fifteen minutes later he stood next to the guards; B’Elanna Torres stood next to him.
“Captain, I thought we would start with B’Elanna in engineering and assess our needs from there.”
“The others?” She hadn’t missed the fact that he considered himself very much a part of this operation. It could be beneficial.
“Ready, when we know where we need them.”
“Let’s do it.” She led them toward the jeffries tube.
“NO lifts?” B’Elanna rolled her eyes.
“No B’Ella –it’s only seven decks—at least it’s down.”
“Oh, no, we will definitely have to fix that!” She laughed “Let’s go, old man, we have lots work to do.”
B’Elanna surveyed engineering, ran a few diagnostics, asked many questions and then began issuing orders to everyone within earshot. The engineering crew was hesitant at first, but with the Captain’s nod they pitched in, following B’Elanna’s orders. B’Elanna wanted several of her crewmates to assist and so they were ordered to engineering. Janeway and Torres worked side by side for hours, until the lifts were at least partially operational, the replicators and transporters were on line, all weapons were functional and they were capable of warp four.
“I believe it’s time for a break; we won’t get much more done without one.” Janeway watched as B’Elanna eyed her. “Let’s see what the shift rotation looks like and then get something to eat.”
“OK.”
B’Elanna wasn’t sure what this meant. Was she finished? Would she be
locked
up again?
“Chakotay.” The Captain called across engineering.
“Yes, Captain?” He was standing next to a dark haired Bajoran woman.
“Would you come here and bring that padd with you?” She motioned to the schedule lying on the console. “Thanks.” She took the padd and studied it, noticing the woman had accompanied him. “B’Elanna, Joe Carey is in charge of this next shift, if you give him a few instructions, he will hold down the fort while we’re gone. That’s him coming in now. Joe.” She motioned him over. “Joe, this is B’Elanna Torres—she has done wonders down here today.” Joe silently eyed the Maquis. “She’ll give you a quick run down on what to expect, then we’re gonna leave for a while. You can page if you need us.”
“Yes,
Ma’am.” Joe was very unsure, but would never question the Captain; he
followed
B’Elanna to the console.
“Chakotay, B’Elanna and I are going up to my dinning room for something to eat, your welcome to come.” She saw the woman glare at him. “The rest of your crew can use the food replicators in the mess hall on deck two.”
“Thank you.” He glanced at the woman, “I think I will.” When the woman touched his arm, he continued. “Oh Captain Janeway, this is Seska another valued member of my crew.”
“Seska.” Janeway smiled at her noting the frosty stare she got in return.
“Captain.”
“Seska, why don’t you let the others know and get your self something to eat.” Chakotay received his own glare.
“Yes, Sir!” She whirled around and all but stomped away.
“I’m sorry, should I have invited her? We still can.” She tried not to smirk at him, but she couldn’t stop it.
“No, I would much rather she that stay with the others.” He chuckled to cover his obvious embarrassment.
“Oh
those feeling aren’t mutual?” She wished she could take it back the
second
she let it slip. “I’m sorry, it’s none of my business.” She
was
blushing
now.
“It’s OK. We had something once, or at least we tried to, but it didn’t work out. It’s long over, but…”
“She
doesn’t want to let go?” She shook her head and raised her hand.
“I
did
it again, I’m sorry. Don’t answer that.”
“I’m
ready, Captain.” B’Elanna returned, saving both of them further
embarrassment.
They
were able to get through dinner and a few more hours work before retiring
for the night. They had repaired most of the damage and the two crews
had worked well together. The Captain was quite satisfied that Voyager
would be able to return safely to Federation space with in the next few
days and was sleeping soundly when klaxons woke her. The red alert
was blaring as she pulled on a uniform and contacted the bridge.
The Cardassians were back.
The battle raged on, she was out numbered, out gunned and with only warp four she couldn’t our run them; their only hope was to out wit them. To survive they would need every available man, trick and maneuver. She ordered everyone to battle stations, the Maquis included. Tom Paris, before his disgrace, was Starfleet's top pilot; she gave him the helm, B’Elanna manned engineering and Chakotay sat at her left. They would make it through this together or die trying. They were holding there own for a while and then it went bad. The Cardassians were blasting them right through their shields, they had hull breaches on three decks and even Tom’s fancy foot work wasn’t gonna keep them alive much longer.
“Engineering to the bridge.” A desperate Joe Carey paged.
“What is it, Joe?”
“They are fighting.” He sounded out of breath. “Rolling on the damn floor punching each other.”
“Fighting—what-- who? Joe were busy here.”
“The Maquis, Captain—Torres and that Bajoran one.”
The Captain looked to her left. Chakotay looked as stunned as she was.
“Shoot them.” He yelled. “Joe, stun them both and get on with it.”
“Chak.” B’Elanna yelled out of breath. “Here, Carey –hold her—Chak, she gave them our shield frequencies. I’m remodulating them. Captain, I want to send out a deflector pulse to reinforce them.”
“Go ahead, B’Elanna.” She gave a quick glance at Chakotay, for reassurance, he nodded. “Security to engineering; report to B’Elanna Torres.”
After that things turned around. They were badly damaged but were able to out maneuver and disable both warships long enough to escape. Chakotay suggested they head back to the badlands for repairs and B’Elanna assured them the shields would hold, so Tom set a course and they returned to the relative safety of the plasma storms. Once there, they surveyed the damage and retired the briefing room to plan a course of action.
“Captain, we can patch her up, but we are never gonna get her past the Cardassians with out major repairs.”
“How long, B’Elanna?”
“Weeks.” She shook her head. “I’m serious Captain, at least two weeks and if we had a space dock we might do a better job.”
“You know this area, Chakotay. Are there any?”
“No, not much survives in here.”
“Captain.”
“Yes, Tuvok.”
“Perhaps we could land her.”
“Land?” B’Elanna looked at them surprised. “This thing can land?”
“Yes, Voyager is capable of landing. Why, do you know some place?”
“Yea—Chak the old base—We could land and fix this right and then we might just give thosde bastards a run for their money.” She looked up. “Sorry, Captain, it’s just…”
“It’s OK, B’Elanna. Where is this place? Is it safe?”
“Not far –it’s an old out post—hasn’t been used in years. It’s worthless,but the planet is solid---M class too.”
“OK, let’s do it.”
“Ahh, Captain?”
“Yes, Mr. Paris?”
“You ever land this thing?----I—er--- never landed a starship before.”
“No, Mr. Paris---none of us have.” She walked over and placed her hand on his shoulder. “But she can land and I have great faith in you ---now let’s do it.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The planet was just as they said it would be, M class and just about nothing more. Tom was able to land with very little trouble; the man was good at what he did, they all were and the Captain was glad to have them. It had taken them over three weeks, so far and they were still about a week away from being able to return to space. The crew had blended well, they had been working together for over a month now and sometimes it was hard to remember the Maquis were still her prisoners. Everyday it was harder to face the reality of returning to federation space.
“Penny for your thoughts.” Chakotay laughed at her puzzled expression. “Penny it’s an old form of currency—it just means I was wondering what you were thinking about so seriously.” He watched his dinner companion try to find the right words.
“Going home.” She gave him a sad smile. “I don’t feel like you are criminals and yet I have to turn you over.”
“I thought so.” He reached across and took her hand. “Kathryn, we knew it would happen –from the beginning. No one is going to blame you.”
“I’m not worried about blame. I’m worried about you.” She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m sorry.” She pulled her hand away and left the table, crossing to stare out the viewport at the blackness.
“Kathryn.” He came and stood behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “You have a job to do and I know you will help any way you can.”
“I knew it would be hard, but I never expected this.”
“What?” He turned her to face him. “What didn’t you expect?”
“I never expected to feel this way.” She dropped her head down, but he lifted her chin so she looked at him again. “I never meant to love you.”
“Kathryn.”
He pulled her close to him, kissing her head, stroking her back, trying
to stop the tears soaking through his shirt. “I know, I didn’t mean
to either, but I love you and I can’t change that.”
They were in her private dinning room and so absorbed in each other they didn’t hear the door hiss open. B’Elanna had been working on upgrading the shielding and wanted the Captain’s input and approval before going any further. She and Harry had tracked them down to the dining room, but she never expected this….”
“Ohhh—er sorry.” She tried to push Harry out the door.
“B’Elanna—Harry.” Kathryn gasped.
“Hey, sorry, Captain.” Harry blushed and tried again to exit.
“Wait.” Kathryn stopped them just before the door opened again. “This isn’t what it looks like.” She glanced up at Chakotay. “Oh, god ---yes it is.” She dropped her head to his chest.
“Hey, none of our business…” B’Elanna started for the door again.
“In here you two.” Chakotay ordered. “Come on let’s sit down.” He put his arm around Kathryn and led her back to the table. “Sit, both of you.”
“Chak—look I..”
“Wait, we’re all a little shocked right now. B’E your timing is great”
“Hey, what else is new.” She smiled. “So is this what it looks like or not?”
“Yes—no, well, honestly we don’t know what it is just yet.” Chakotay watched her for a reaction. “What ever it is doesn’t change anything. We are all still the same people, in the same positions and..”
“What he is trying to say is…” She took a breath, looking first at Harry then B’Elanna. “The fact that I love him, does not change the fact that I have to turn him over when we reach DS9.” She took his hand and tried to gage his reaction.
“She’s right.” He kissed her hand. “And so we aren’t sure where this is going and maybe it would be better if it weren’t public knowledge ---just now.”
“Hey, our lips are sealed.” B’Elanna turned and swatted Harry. “Right, Starfleet?”
“Huh? Yea, hey I don’t know anything.” Harry stammered.
“We know that, Starfleet—what we need here is for you to keep your mouth shut.”
“Very funny, Maquis. Captain, it’s no one’s business. I won’t say anything.”
“Thank you.”
“Yea we’re gonna get going now-- OK?” B’Elanna looked to Chakotay.
“Sure—no—B’Elanna what did you come in here for?”
“Oh this.” She handed the Captain the padd. “Shield enhancements.”
The Captain read over the padd, offered a few suggestions of her own and approved the basic idea with a thumb print. Harry and B’Elanna left them anxious to work on their new project.
“Those two are good together.” She smiled and took his hand. “They work well together –think there could be more?”
“I don’t know –B’Ella is a tough one—but..” He chuckled. “She’s more relaxed with him than I have ever seen her.”
“Another problem..” She shook her head sadly.
“It will all work out.” He stood up. “Why don’t we have coffee somewhere more private.”
“OK..” She laughed. “I don’t suppose you mean the ready room and your place would cause a bit of talk so I guess that leaves my quarters.”
“Why, Captain, what are you suggesting?”
“Coffee—Mr. Chakotay – just Coffee.”
“Damn.”
A week passed and then another, the ship was repaired and deemed space worthy, the shield enhancements looked good. Tomorrow they would lift off and once again try to make their way through the now hostile Cardassian space. They were as ready as they were ever going to be, all systems were functioning at peak and with any luck they could warp through before the Cardassians even noticed them. The two captains dined in her quarters and out lined plans for defending themselves against the Cardassians, should that become necessary.
“They are still supposed to be Federation allies, Chakotay. I just can’t take it upon myself to attack them.”
“So we just have to sit around and wait for them to try to blow us out of the sky?” He was angry at her stubbornness.
“Yes basically,---yes that’s exactly what we have to do---but we don’t have to be unprepared for it.”
“Damn it! I know you have protocols to follow, but they tried to kill us two times already.” He slammed his hand on the coffee table. “Do you want to wait until they board this ship ‘till they capture us---kill us or worse!”
“I have to follow proper…” She was trying to maintain her composure, as she watched him pace the room.
“Procedure?! Kathryn, do you know what they do to people? Have you ever seen them torture someone, just for the fun of it? Have you heard the screams of the tortured, the beaten, the raped? Have…?” When he turned, she had left her place on the couch and now stood by the viewport, her back to him, he could see her shoulders shake. “Kathryn?” He turned her toward him, noting the tears welled up in her eyes, he hugged her close.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have gone on like that—come and sit down.” He led her to the couch, holding her close. She never let the tears fall, just held on tightly. “Kathryn, do you want to tell me?”
“It was a long time ago, Chakotay.” She sat up and sipped her cold coffee. “Funny, but I remember every detail like it was yesterday.”
“I’m sorry.” He waited as she replicated more coffee and returned to sit by him.
“I was very young, my first real mission, on the Icarus-- with Admiral Paris.” She sipped the coffee. We were taken prisoner—Owen and I….” Her voice trailed off, she took several deep breaths. “You asked weeks ago if it was personal—my keeping you from the Cardassians—I know those things –all of them--first hand –Chakotay, and I will never …” She took both his hands in hers. “–never willingly hand anyone over to them.”
“I’m sorry Kathryn, it was stupid of me to assume…”
“No,
you couldn’t know—I’m alright, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger right?”
She smiled a weak smile, unshed tears still glistening in her eyes, he
pulled her close.
The next morning they lifted off cleanly, in spite of the fact than none of them had ever lifted off in a starship before. A few jokes of that nature served to lighten the tension on the bridge, as Voyager ascended the atmosphere and reentered the tumultuous plasma storms. Once they cleared the badlands they set a direct course for Federation space at a cruising speed of warp six and hoped. They were eight hours into their journey and the Captain was just turning over the bridge when they picked up the signal.
“Captain, I am picking up a distress call .” Harry reported. “It’s federation.”
“Can you put it up?”
“It’s audio only and it’s not very clear ----but it is federation—no doubt.”
“All right, Harry can you get a fix on it?” She moved back to her command chair.
“Yes, sending coordinates to the helm.”
“Let’s see what’s out there, Tom.”
“Aye, Captain.” He set a course and checked his readings. “We should know in 16 minutes.”
“Yellow alert.-----Captain Chakotay to the bridge.”
“Captain, I cleared some of the interference.”
“OK, Harry, let’s hear what you have.”
The crackling sound filled the bridge, a voice—male she thought, was heard in short clips—nothing they could understand, at first. Chakotay joined them on the bridge and sat silently by her side. “Fed---attack ---cal---ss ent—fed --- cal----pso” through the static they only got parts of the words, Harry played it again.
“That’s the best I can do, Captain”
“That’s fine Harry, we will be there soon.” She turned to Chakotay. “We have a distress signal—a federation vessel under attack—that was the audio—calpso—.” Her eyes grew wider. “Chakotay—.” She lowered her voice. “The Calypso—could that be it calypso? Harry play it one more time.” She listened and watched Chakotay as it played again. He nodded. “Calypso—that’s the Captain’s yacht from the Enterprise.” She turned back and raised her voice again. “Tom, how long?”
“Another 10 minutes Captain.”
“Make
it five. Harry, put it on screen as soon as you have a visual.” She
turned
back to Chakotay “That shuttle doesn’t have a pray against Cardassian
warships”
“We are gonna need some fancy foot work if there is more than one warship.”
“Is B’Elanna in engineering?” He shook his head. “Janeway to Torres”
“Torres, Captain”
“B’Elanna we are going in to rescue a federation vessel under attack—don’t know what we will encounter—we need you in engineering.”
“On my way—Torres out”
The view screen lit up revealing a nightmare. The small federation shuttle was surrounded by four Cardassian warships; they were toying with it. She knew they could destroy it effortlessly at any moment.
“Harry, life signs?”
“Two, human.”
“Can you get a lock?”
“Not close enough.”
“Bridge to engineering”
“Torres here.”
“B’Elanna can we extend out shields around a shuttle; will they hold up?”
“If we are close enough, I can use the defector to reinforce them. Yea they’ll hold for about five or six minutes.”
“OK, hope that is all we need –get ready with the deflector.” She turned to tactical. Tuvok ready photon torpedoes –Harry be ready to lock on to the people in that shuttle, beam them directly to sickbay.” She hit her badge. “Janeway to sickbay”
“Sickbay”
“Doctor, we are attempting a rescue; be prepared for casualties.”
“Yes, Captain. I am always ready.”
“Janeway
out.” This hologram could use some lessons in protocol and a personality.
“Tom we are gonna drop out of warp just above them; I’ll extend the
shield from here.” She moved to take over the bridge engineering
station. “And signal B’Elanna to release the deflector pulse.
As soon as we have them we will pull up and jump to warp.” She received
ayes from all stations. “Alright Tom, on your mark, when you are
ready to drop out of warp.”
They held the comm link open and on Tom’s mark they executed the plan; it took just 1 minute and 12 seconds. Voyager jumped to warp and left the warships behind; they never fired a shot. Half an hour later, with no sign of the Cardassians, the Captain went to sick bay to check on her newest ‘guests’. She knew the identity of the man they had rescued, the woman’s had yet to be determined. They were both seriously injured, the woman more so. When she entered sickbay the doctor was still working on the female, she went directly to the other bio bed. He was still and quiet, but he looked good, she was relieved.
“Captain, I can wake him now if you would like.” The EMH stood behind her.
“How is he?”
“He will recover, I have repaired all of the damage.”
“And the woman? How is she? Do we know who she is?”
“Commander Jenna D’Sora, security officer aboard the Enterprise D. She required more attention but she too will recover.”
“Good. You can wake him now.” She watched the EMH administer the hypospray and his eyes fluttered open, closed, then opened and tried to focus. “Welcome to Voyager, Captain.”
“Kate?” He looked as if he thought he might be dreaming, he shook his head and tried to sit up, which made him groan.
“Shhh, stay where you are.” She put her hands on his shoulders and gently held him down. “Don’t be such a captain—rest a minute.” He laughed with her. Yes, captains were notoriously bad patients.
“Jenn...” He tried to look around.
“Commander D’Sora is here; she will be fine. The Calyspo, well—I’m afraid we left her behind.”
“So this is where you were hiding; no word, we thought you were lost.”
“Communications black out and then our friends and allies—the Cardassians.” She smiled and adjusted the blanket. “But we can talk about that later. What are you doing out here all alone? Where is the Enterprise? We haven’t been able to detect her.”
“She is not due to rendezvous for two days yet. Had no idea there was trouble with the Cardassians until they fired.”
“Humm, that may be my fault.” She smiled at his expression.
“Kate, what have you done now?!” He laughed. “Girl, what am I going to do with you?”
“Only doing my job.” She shrugged her shoulders innocently and they both laughed.
“In that uniquely Janeway fashion. I am sure.”
“If you Captains will allow me to do MY job. I’ll take a few scans, and you could continue this discussion elsewhere.” The EMH abruptly interrupted their conversation.
Kathryn stepped back raising her eyebrows and rolling her eyes to allow the EMH through.
“I’ll
just go see that the VIP quarters are ready for you.” She backed
away smiling, leaving Captain Picard at the mercy of her EMH.
When she returned Jean-Luc was sitting up on the bio bed, waiting. The doctor released him and she walked him to his new quarters.
“I’ll explain what I can, once you are settled in the VIP suite.” They were strolling toward the lift in no particular hurry.
“Are you sure you will be safe alone with me, in my quarters.” He teased.
“Jean-Luc—perhaps you should be the one to worry.” She smiled and took his arm. “Every woman is fleet has a crush on you.” They laughed, turning into the next corridor and almost walked directly into Chakotay. “Oh, sorry.” His quick sidestep save them from a collision.
“Captain.” He smiled at her then looked toward her companion.
“Chakotay.” She blushed. “Jean-Luc, let me introduce Captain Chakotay—of the Maquis, Chakotay, Captain Picard.”
“Nice to meet you Captain Picard, I of course know your reputation.” Chakotay held out his hand.
“Yes and I yours, Captain.” Jean-Luc took the offered hand.
“I won’t hold you up, I must see B’Elanna in engineering.” Chakotay smiled in her direction and she blushed again. “I’m sure we’ll talk later.” He left them and continued on to the lift.
“Shall we?” She avoided the look he gave her and continued on to the VIP suite, in silence. Once inside she replicated his tea and her coffee and joined him on the couch. “OK --so now I should explain?”
“I’m a guest on your ship, grateful to be here; you have no need to explain to me.” He sipped his tea.
“But I would like to explain.” She put her cup down and faced him. “And perhaps ask for you help. You are one of the most respected Officers Fleet has –your support would be invaluable.”
“All right, I’m listening.”
Kathryn explained her mission, the pursuit and capture of the Maquis and her confrontations with the Cardassians. She gave him all the pertinent, professional details, casualties, damages, the invaluable help provided by the Maquis crew, right down to and including his rescue, then sat back and waited.
“I see, quite interesting and all very civilized of you and I can understand the necessity of incorporating the Maquis, with your heavy losses.” He replicated them more tea and coffee. “And I assume they have proven your trust?”
“Yes. They could have taken my ship in the first attack. The Cardassians had badly damaged Voyager, I lost a third of my crew, including four senior officers. My bridge was in shambles and when I picked my self up off the floor, I was facing the Maquis Captain--my prisoner --with a phaser in his hand.” She sipped her coffee. “He put it in his belt and offered me a hand up and his assistance. He took the place of my late helmsman and successful escaped the Cardassians.”
“And now? When you return to federation space, what then?”
“Once we are safely docked at DS9, I will turn the Maquis over to the proper authorities.”
“And they are aware of this?”
“Yes, have been from the onset. They understand my position.”
“That is quite a remarkable story and you feel certain they will not try to mutiny along the way; save themselves as it were.”
“Yes, it would not be beneficial to become prisoners of the Cardassians, as we know all too well and they could not run Voyager without my crew---there are too few of them and she is too technically advanced for many. The Federation is, by far, the lesser of the evils.”
“And you have their Captain’s word on this. I presume, you find that sufficient.”
“Yes, that too.”
“Kate, if I may be blunt?”
“Yes?”
“Your feeling for this Maquis Captain, they didn’t influence your decision to incorporate them into you crew and possibly put your career on the line, if not your life?”
“No.” She raised her head and locked her eyes with his. “That came later.”
“I presume also, that you intend to speak on their behalf.” She nodded. “And now you would like me to do the same.”
“Honestly, yes I would, but I know I can’t influence you in that regard—so see for yourself. I ask only that you keep an open mind and hopefully in the end you too will come to see them as freedom fighters not terrorists."
“It is a dangerous road you are walking my friend.” He took her hand. “But I will give careful thought to what you ask—if in the end I see them as you do, I will stand beside you in their behalf.”
“Thank you, Jean-Luc—that’s all I ask.” She smiled. “Well, one other thing, how did you know?”
“About the your feelings?” He laughed. “That was the easiest part. Kate, in all the years I have known you—even as a young cadet---I have never seen you blush before.”
“Damn this fair skin.”
“Kate, it is lovely skin.” He placed his hand on her cheek. “And he is a lucky man.”
“Thank you. Now tell me why you are traveling around alone with this child.”
“Ahh, Jenna is not a child.” He laughed.
“She certainly appears to be young, and don’t change the subject.” She wagged a finger at him. “What were you doing so far from your ship and everything else for that matter?”
“For your information, Jenna is older than you are, but you are correct, it was not an official away mission. Just a little vacation of sorts.”
“Some vacation that turned out to be.” She sipped her coffee and watched him over the rim. “The EMH will let us know when she wakes.”
“Yes, so he assured me. Quite blunt isn’t he?”
“Yes. They didn’t give him much of a personality and virtually no bed side manor, but he is a damn good doctor.” She set her cup down. “So when Commander D’Sora is released, do I assign her quarters?” She raised an eyebrow and smiled at him.
“Trying to make me blush now, Kate?” He laughed. “That won’t be necessary this suite has sufficient room.”
“Lucky
lady.”
It wasn’t long before the EMH paged her saying the Commander could be released. Together they returned to sick bay and after polite introductions, Captain Picard and Commander D’Sora retired to the VIP Suite and Captain Janeway went in search of the other Captain. She found him in the mess hall having dinner with a group that she was happy to discover consisted of members of both crews. She wasn’t going to disturb him, but he saw her as she was leaving and followed.
“Captain.” He called to her just before the lift door closed. “Wait.” He slipped in and she let the door close.
“Hi.”
“Why didn’t you come in?”
“I didn’t want to bother you, looked like a happy group, having the Captain around usually puts a damper on things.”
“Not for me. I was just wasting time till you finished flirting with the famous bald guy, anyway.” She punched his arm and rolled her eyes. “You were.”
“Not.” The lift opened on deck three and she walked out. “Coming or are you going to stand in the lift all night?”
“Yes, I’m coming.” He followed her down the corridor and into her quarters. “So does he think you have lost your mind?”
“Not that he mentioned.” She turned back toward him, wrapping her arms around him as soon as the door swished closed. “Actually, I think if anyone could –Jean-Luc understands.”
“You have your prisoners running free on your ship –basically started a war to protect them-- and he understands this?”
“Yes, I think he does.” She tilted her head to see his face. “He really is a very good man, not as harsh as his reputation.”
“You know him well?”
“Jealous?” She stepped back, removing her jacket and tossing it on the chair.
“Maybe, you did look awfully cozy”
“We have know each other a long time. When I first met him, I was in the academy and he was already a Captain.”
“A little old for you wasn’t he?” He was only teasing her, but he had to admit he was a bit curious.
“It wasn’t like that, I met him through my father. He has always been….” She caught the smirk and the raised eyebrow. “Well---I suppose I did have a crush on him---I think every woman in fleet has at some point----in fact here was a time, after the academy, that I though I wanted more---- he was smart enough to know better-----but that’s not the point.”
“Oh, so what was the point?”
“He is a big reason I am here today. Jean-Luc saw me through some rough times. Let’s have some coffee.” She replicated their coffee and sat with him on the couch, realizing he really knew very little about her. “When I lost daddy and Justin---Justin was a ranger, a pilot, not the sort you would expect, but---anyway we were engaged—I told you I had been engaged.” He nodded. “ --- and—well -- I lost both of them in a shuttle accident. It was a prototype—a new class with warp thrusters—daddy designed it and he and Justin were taking it for a test flight, I went with them. We ran into trouble around Tau Ceti—solar wind shear—the ship broke apart -- we crashed –I was thrown from the shuttle and I couldn’t…” She took a deep breath and continued. “I was the only survivor and I blamed myself, spent months in bed –depressed, Phoebe, my sister, finally kicked me out and made me rejoin the living again. Owen Paris was there to help too, but without daddy and Justin ---I just didn’t have direction any more—Jean-Luc gave me that.”
“Well, than I am very grateful to him.” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “There is a lot we don’t know about each other –yet, but I’m planning on having a lifetime to find out.”
“I hope so and I hope Jean-Luc with help out.”
“Did you ask him too?” He was very surprised.
“I asked him to look into it –to see you and your crew for what you are instead of what Fleet says you are. He will be fair and that’s all we need.”
“From him.” He moved her back to see her face. “From you there is something else I need.” He bent and brushed her lips. “I love you.” There was a heat reflected in the smoke dark eyes that bore into hers, she could feel to her soul, it robbed her of her breath.
Her hand reached behind his head, fingers stretching into his hair, bringing his lips back to hers. Soft sighs escaping, moist lips slowly parted, tongues sweeping, exploring, she eased back on the couch bringing him down with her. Savoring the taste of him, the feel of his weight pressing against her, her kisses were tentative, gently at first, growing needy and demanding. She ran her hands over his shoulders dragging his vest down, allowing her to feel the straining muscles beneath his shirt, the rise and fall of his chest as he moaned into her mouth. Hands stroking, touching, he shifted to supported himself on one arm, breathy sighs, turned to soft moans, as he brought his free hand between them cupping her breast, he felt her nipple go taut even through the too many layers of starfleet.
“I need to touch you.” She breathed into his mouth, her fingers pulling loose the buttons of his shirt, anxious to part it and allow her hands to roam the golden texture of his skin, caress the smooth hairless surface of his chest.
Chakotay nibbled across her jaw one hand tugging lose her shirts and sliding up her stomach causing her body to shudder. A sharp gasp to escape her lips, when his finger tips lightly traced the soft lace covering her breasts. She pushed at his shoulder to move him back, allowing her to sit up and tug off the cloth barrier. Arms raised, she pulled the shirts over her head, arching her back with a deep moan as his fingers released the front clasp of her bra exposing her milky white breast to his waiting mouth.
“Ohh, Chakotay.” Kathryn was panting, fingers tangled in his hair-holding him in place. “ we shouldn’t….” A big hand reached between her thighs massaging her through her pants. “Ahhh, goddd.” She fell back against the couch, surrendering to him, all reason lost to the growing sensation between her legs.
“I need you.” Chakotay's mouth covered hers, his hands teasing tightly knotted nipples, as he moved to cover her pressing their lower bodies closer, his throbbing erection stabbing her stomach.
“Not here.” She struggled beneath him, shuddering as he pulled away, trailing his mouth across her chest, as he sat up. Kathryn pulled herself up taking his face in her hands, placing light kisses across is mouth, tracing his lips with her tongue. “I love you.” Kathryn stood, holding her hand out and he took it following her into the other room. She turned to him tugging his shirt off his arms and he pulled her to him crushing her breasts to his bare chest, his hand caressing her back reaching to cup her cheeks as he planted soft kisses in her hair.
“Kathryn, don’t do this if you’re not ready.” She could feel his arousal pressed against her belly, their hearts pounding in unison. “I want you, Kathryn—but not unless you really want this.”
“I do, Chakotay –my god I do.” Her voice was thick with desire and he shuddered as her warm breath crossed his chest. “But---I’m afraid. Going back is going to be so hard. I’m afraid this will only make it harder.” Wrapped in his arms, she was free to admit her fear; her decision was made easy.
“Or maybe it’s all we will ever have. I don’t know if it makes it harder or maybe it gives us something to hold on to.” He ran his hands up her back resting them on her shoulders and gently moving her away. “I love you.” He smiled and kissed her gently on her lips.
“I love you, Chakotay.” She kissed him. “Maybe we won’t even be alive tomorrow…” She reached for the fasteners on his pants.
“Are you sure?” He caught her hands, watching her eyes.
“Yes.” Kathryn breathed against his mouth, stretching up to capture his bottom lip, drawing it in gently sucking. Chakotay released her hands, his own drawn up to cup her breasts, rolling the hard dimpled surface between his fingers. His moans changed to a deep growl as she caressed his prominent bulge. Slipping out of his grasp, Kathryn lowered his clothes, letting him step free of them, as she ran her palms over the taut muscles of his thighs. Her fingers traced the length of him drawing him nearer; her tongue licked the weeping slit, tasting the salty fluid, as she breathed in the musky sweet scent of him. Fingers twisted in her hair, his back arched as she sucked the moisture then took him deep into her mouth.
“Godd Kath….” He groaned. “That is sooo nice—but I can’t –I need to slow down.” His voice slurred and deep, as his hips rocked thrusting gently against her. “Ahhhh, pleease Kath..” She released him, running her hands over his hips, trailing moist open kisses up his stomach as she stood.
Chakotay's hands trailed down her sides hooking her waistband and slowly lowering it over her hips. He sat her on the edge of the bed, kneeling down to remove her boots and discard her remaining clothing. His eyes were locked with hers, his hands rested on her knees, he slowly parted her legs sliding his hands up her inner thighs. As chakotay watched, she licked her lips, her chest heaved in anticipation, as his hands reached the junction slipping through the wet folds, her eyes closed and she sucked in her breath, collapsing back on the pillows.
Chakotay pressed her thighs wider, fingers spreading wet lips, exposing her to him completely. Lightly he lapped the abundant wetness, running his tongue along soft moist inner lips until she writhed beneath his mouth, begging. The husky sounds torn from deep inside her spured him on, his fingers entered exploring, massaging and she cried out bucking against him.
“Pleeeasse.” She gasped, her fingers gripping his head, her hips bucking up thrusting against his fingers. “Ahh ohhagoddd.” She tossed her head, writhing, whimpering incoherently. He felt her stiffen and her hips jerked, just before her body convulsed around him and his name ripped from her throat in a hoarse cry. “Chaaaakoootaaay”
He
moved up beside her. Kathyn's eyes were closed, her chest heaving
with each gasping breath, she was sweaty disheveled and beautiful.
He spread soft kisses across her face, stoking her body as it calmed.
Her eyes opened and she smiled. Chakotay bent to kiss her and she
pulled him closer, reaching to grasp him, sliding her fingers up and down
his full length. He moved over her, kissing her fully as he slowly
eased himself inside her, stopping, allowing her to stretch before moving
deeper. When he was fully buried, he stilled then slowly began to
move in deep measured strokes, establishing a rhythm, slowly building as
she matched him, once again climbing to her own heights. Her one
hand raked over him, trim nails digging into his flesh, the other between
them massaging her own center, quickening their pace until she was writhing,
meeting each slamming thrust with one of her own, convulsing, gripping
dragging him over the edge their cries muffled in each others mouths. Collapsing
over her, forcing her deep into the mattress, he gasped
trying
to regain his breath, while she struggle with her own and his crushing
weight. Finally she squirmed beneath him and he rolled them to their
sides. She snuggled close to his chest, he wrapped himself around
her. They were drifting off to sleep.
“Kathryn,” He whispered into her hair, hands lightly caressing her back. “I should go.”
“No—don’t.” She held him tighter, her warm breath against his chest. “Stay, please.”
“If I don’t show up on deck four, it won’t take much to figure out where I spent the night.” He shifted, raising up on one elbow. “Dangerous enough if our crews find out; if Picard finds out, he could cause big trouble for you.”
“He knows.”
“Picard? How could he know?”
“He doesn’t know this. Well, I’m sure he just assumes, but he knows how I feel.”
“How?
“I told you we have known each other a long time; he asked and I told him.”
“And you don’t think it’s a problem?”
“Chakotay.” She sat up. “I don’t know—I don’t know how fleet will react—I imagine it won’t be good, but I can’t deny it---I won’t. Jean-Luc will tell the truth, if he’s asked, but he’s not going to purposely cause trouble. He understands all too well, that we don’t get to choose who we fall in love with.”
“I’m afraid I’ve asked too much of you, Kathryn.”
“You haven’t asked for anything at all.” She brushed soft kisses against his lips. “Stay with me, please.” She drew him back to the mattress snuggling close.
“I love you, Kathryn.” He settled down wrapping her in his arms, hoping she wouldn’t pay too high a price, as they drifted off to sleep.
The following day they picked up the Enterprise on long range sensors, they were still out of hailing range, but it was a comfort knowing there was another federation ship out here. They hadn’t had any contact with the Cardassians since they snatched Captain Picard and Commander D’Sora from them, but they were sure they wouldn’t be far behind. They knew she had the Maquis and she knew they wanted them and if they were willing to risk war with the Federation to get them, they weren’t going to be deterred by two lone starships. There was a heightened sense of awareness aboard that stopped just short of an alert, everyone was a little on edge, but until they were with in hailing range of the Enterprise or picked up Cardassian ships, all they could do was wait.
“Lights ¾.” She ordered as she and Chakotay entered her private dining room, stopping short at the sight before her. “Captain.” She smiled at the startled look he gave her and the blush that covered the Commander’s cheeks. “I apologize for barging in; I‘m not accustom to knocking before entering my dining room.”
“It is I who should apologize, it is your dining room after all.” He recovered his normal composure “We’ll go so you may have your meal in peace.”
“No join us, please.” She barely contained her laughter, as she indicated that they should all sit
“You are enjoying this a little to much, Kate.” He observed her laughter as he ushered Jenna toward the table.
“It is not often I have the upper hand with you, I must take advantage of it.”
“When, Captain Janeway ---has any one retained an advantage over you? Why from what I hear, from your crew, the Cardassians had you out numbered four warships to one little starship and you slipped away----precious cargo in tact.”
“Been checking up on me, have you?” She raised her eyebrows.
“Not hard to do, they are quite proud of you and this little runabout of yours. Fleeters and Maquis alike.”
“Oh, I see.”
“You see what, exactly?”
“You are checking on my sanity; trying to find out if I can see past these stars in my eyes?”
“I have never know you to be crazy—stubborn, determined, obstinate yes –but then I have never seen you quite like this before either.” His eyes flickered toward Chakotay and back.
“Nor I you.” She nodded toward Jenna.
“Touché.” They both dissolved into laughter, then he seemed to suddenly remember the others in the room. “I’m sorry, Jenna –You have met Captain Janeeway; this is Captain Chakotay.” As they smiled and exchanged greetings, he went on to explain. “Not often I get to spar with Kate these days; she is always off on some terribly important mission, I miss it.”
“So do I Jean-Luc—but you, I believe, are the one with the important missions.”
“Ahh and modest too. You see Jenna, this little runabout of hers is only the newest and the most technically advanced starship in the fleet; they don’t give those out to everyone.”
“I’ve noticed and I am familiar with the Captain’s reputation Jean-Luc.” Jenna finally spoke up. “If I hadn’t been well informed at fleet, I certainly could not have missed your constant bragging about her.”
“Oh—well perhaps we should have lunch.” Kathryn offered.
“Stay, I’ll get it.” Chakotay stood up and looked toward Jenna. “Care to help me? Maybe these two will get this out of their systems by the time we’re finished.” He flashed Jenna the dimpled smile and she joined him.
“Love to.” She walked toward the replicators with Chakotay “Perhaps the mutual admiration society will be in recess when we get back.”
“Ouch—she doesn’t mince words.”
“Like someone else I know.” They all laughed at the groans coming from the direction of the replicators.
They enjoyed a pleasant conversation with their lunch, each sizing up the others, all of them aware of the scrutiny.
“So Jenna, what do you think of my little ‘runabout’?”
“The ship is wonderful, a technological dream, but..” She looked around at each of them. “She has too many captains on board!”
Their laughter was cut short by the sound of the klaxons as the ship went to yellow alert. She had left Harry in charge, and was a little worried now, Tuvok was on gamma shift and Harry was the most senior officer on the Bridge.
“Janeway to the bridge.” She slapped her comm badge.
“Bridge Captain, we have picked up two Cardassian vessels on sensors.”
“On my way.” She hurried toward the lift.
“How long before we are with hailing range of the Enterprise.” Jean-Luc was right behind her.
“Another two hours at least. Deck one.” All four stepped into the lift, for the short one deck ride, before the doors opened on the bridge. “Report.” She made her way to the command chair.
“Captain, two Cardassian warships on intercept course.” Harry looked at all three Captains.
“Time, Mr. Kim.” Janeway redirected his attention.
“Seventeen minutes.”
“D’Sora, take the science station—see what we have out there—see if you can find us someplace to hide. Harry don’t take your eyes off them.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Picard take tactical; Chakotay the helm. We better be ready, they may not be happy to see us.”
No one questioned her, they just took over the assigned stations and prepared for the worst. The Cardassians were between their position and the Enterprise, which was still too far away to be of any help to them. Since these could not be the same warships, she could hold out a little hope that they would be more friendly, but she doubted it
“Sorry, Captain—nothing out there, but empty space.” Jenna continued to scan, punching at the console.
“They must have spotted us, Captain—they’re approaching faster.”
“All right—stand down yellow alert, let’s look as calm and peaceful as we can.” She took a deep breath and shifted in her chair. “Just another Sunday drive.”
“Captain, they are hailing us.”
“On screen, Harry.”
“Captain?”
“Yes, I’m Captain Janeway and you are?” She smiled at the Cardassian captain on her screen.
“I’m Gul Macet. I believe you have something that belongs to me.” He nodded and smiled at her.
“Really?” She looked around the bridge. “I don’t believe so.” She smiled back
“Captain, really are a few terrorists worth the lives of your crew?”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about. I have no terrorists aboard my ship.”
“You try my patience. The Maquis are aboard you ship and I want them.”
“Gul Macet, there are no terrorists aboard Voyager.”
“I have scanned you; I know the Maquis are aboard.”
“Forgive me Gul Macet, I was unaware of such fine technology. My scans are only able to indicate species—a human, a Vulcan, a Cardassian. Please share with us the technology that allows you to scan for political ideology.” She continued to smile as she watched his temper rise.
“Woman—enough! Surrender the terrorists or die.”
“Gul, such harsh words, we are allies. Is there not a treaty of peace between our two governments?”
“Do not toy with me woman! You will surrender them now or --your ship later.”
“I would like to oblige you Gul, but as I said before, there are no terrorists aboard my ship.”
“When I board you, I will not be gentle.” He raised his hand and the screen went dark.
“Red alert.” She yelled and the klaxons sounded. “Shields! Target their weapons and return their first fire.” She gripped her chair. “Chakotay let’s see some of that fancy Maquis flying.”
The bridge rocked with the first volley, Picard returned their fire and Chakotay rolled Voyager away from their next shots. They took several hits but with her quick maneuverability and a few tricks they avoided most of them. Jean-Luc was able to inflict a fare amount of damage, taking out the weapons on the first ship and disabling the propulsion on the second.
“Captain, I am picking up two more warships on long range sensors.”
“Allright, gentlemen, you’ve had enough fun. Chakotay get us out of here.” In spite of the tense situation, she smiled as she watched her new “bridge crew” pull together.
“Yes, Ma’am.” He flew straight at the first ship, then pulled up over it, jumping to warp just as Jean-Luc fired one last round of torpedoes.
“They are not pursuing, Captain.” Harry reported with some relief.
“Thank you Ensign. Stand down red alert.” She stood and smiled shaking her head. “Ensign, you have the bridge, Captains, Commander—my ready room.” She crossed to the door. “Harry let me know as soon as we are within hailing range of the Enterprise.”
“Aye, Captain”
They settled on the couch, the ladies with their coffee and the men with their tea. It was a strange group, not one that anyone would have expected to be friendly. The legendary Starfleet Captain, mature and sophisticated and hardened by years of service, a quiet and normally shy security officer, a late comer to fleet compared to the others, she had given up a promising civilian career for a life among the stars. One outlaw Captain, trained by starfleet and educated by Cardassian cruelty and a starfleet legacy, a former science officer turned Captain, who had earned many times over her designation as one of Starfleet’s best and brightest. All three captains feared and respected in their own right and all three held a healthy respect for the others.
“Well
Jenna, what do you think of having too many captains now?” Kathryn
laughed
“Interesting—no one would have imagined that little scene.”
“Our little boys were a bit out of control, but they were enjoying it so, I didn’t have the heart to stop them.”
“Kate, I believe we were merely following orders; it was your call after all.”
“Yea, like I could have stopped you cowboys once you got started.” They were all laughing.
“You
did give the orders, Kathryn.” Chakotay chuckled. “Right after
you
deliberately
provoked that poor man.”
“I did not! I merely asked an ally to share his technology.” She tried to look innocent. “Besides I couldn’t have had a better bridge crew backing me up.”
“I have to admit we do make quite an impressive team. However, I wonder what the Admiralty would have to say about us.”
“Yes I wonder too Jean-Luc, but do you really care?” She challenged him.
“You know me too well, Kate. However, I am curious as to whether we are alone in this. Are we one starship at war with our allies or has news of this conflict reached the Federation?”
“We should know soon enough, we are almost within transmission range. Unless of course our friends come back for another round.”
“They were never known to be bright--- brute force is all they understand.” A bitter tone entered Chakotay’s voice.
“Kim to Janeway”
“Yes, Harry?”
“We are being hailed by the Enterprise.”
“Patch it through.”
“Aye,
Captain.”
She left them, taking her seat behind her desk and flipped on her monitor.
“Commander Riker, how nice to see you.” The smiling face and devastating blue eyes brought back memories of her academy days.
“Captain.” He studied her for a minute, then snapped back to business. “I realize you have been under a communications black out, Starfleet Command has authorized me to contact you about a growing problem with the Cardassians.”
“Yes Will, I have had a few run-ins with them. What is Command’s position?”
“Thought that was your style.” He chuckled. “We have received word of an exchange of fire with a lone starship. One who takes on half the Cardassian fleet, dances around them, disables them and leaves them behind in the dust, shaking their heads.” He laughed then grew more serious. “But Kathryn, they won’t be giving up anytime soon. The Federation is on the verge of declaring war on the Cardassians and apparently they have already made that decision on the other side.”
“I see and are we to stand and fight?”
“Yes your orders will be forth coming in the next few hours. Command is concerned about the status of your original mission, you may begin to transmit your logs to HQ at 1900 hours.”
“Our mission has been a strange success, but we took heavy losses in the first Cardassian attack.” She glanced over to the couch, nodding at Jean-Luc. “I believe we have managed to acquire something that belongs to you, however.”
“Commander.” Jean-Luc joined her at her console.
“Captain, It is a relief to see you; I was reluctant to broadcast your whereabouts.”
“Yes,
our friend here snatched us away from the Cardassians – in her usual
spectacular
fashion.”
“I assume than Commander D’Sora is aboard also?”
“Yes Will, Jenna is fine—thanks to Kate and her amazing EMH.”
“EMH? Doesn’t Voyager have a Doctor?”
“Ahhh, an interesting story—this crew Kathryn has assembled, but it will have to wait for later.
“Aye Sir, we will be with in transporter range in an hour.”
“Good,
as much as I enjoy Kate’s hospitality, it will be good to be home. Picard
out.” He walked back to the others. “Well Kate, I believe we
should prepare our presentation to HQ. A united front is always advisable.”
They presented their united front to Fleet, finely crafted, carefully worded their reports were concise, clear, logical and very convincing. The Cardassians had inadvertently done them an invaluable service declaring war on the federation. HQ needed Voyager where she was and they need her fully staffed and ready to fight. Recent vicious attacks on border colonies heavily swayed public opinion in favor of the former Maquis and Starfleet needed all the public support it could muster. Reports of the Maquis joining forces with fleet to combat a common enemy, of a single starship with a combined crew taking a stand against the looming forces of evil, rallied the public behind the impending war. Voyager was ordered to remain on the front lines, with provisional commissions awarded ranking Maquis. It was more than a year before she was ordered back to DS9.
When the time came, they returned a united crew, but still with some uncertainty as to the official deposition of the original charges. Tom Paris, former observer, former criminal and Maquis, former disgraced starfleet pilot, effortlessly docked Voyager at DS9 and with a thud they were home. They were a fully integrated crew, after more than a year, an outsider would never tell the difference. Her first officer, her chief engineer and many other important members of her crew were originally her prisoners and although they had fought for the federation, side by side, with regular starfleet personnel, their official future was still in question.
“Captain, we are being hailed.”
“On screen, Mr. Kim”
“Captain
Janeway, welcome back.” The smiling face of Benjamin Sisko was a
welcome
sight.
“Captain Sisko, it is good to be home.”
“We have official business to take care of; I have transmissions from HQ which I will send to you, but I wanted to be the first to welcome you and your remarkable crew home.”
“Thank you, Captain.” She was watching him carefully, he no doubt already knew what her transmission contained.
“I have transmitted your orders and crew status for your review before the subspace conference scheduled in my office at 1600 hours.” He smiled broadly. “While we deal with these formalities, I invite your entire crew to —freely—enjoy all the services available on the station and I hope I can persuade you to be my guest for dinner after the conference. I am most anxious to hear tales of your adventures.”
“Thank you, Ben I would be happy to.” She was beginning to relax, his good mood contagious.
“Good, I will see you at 1600. Oh, Captain, please feel free to bring along your First Officer.” He was almost laughing, but he managed to maintain his composure. “Captain Picard tells me he is most interesting. Sisko out.” He signed off before she could answer.
“Captain incoming private transmission.”
“Send it to my ready room.” She stood. “Commander” She nodded and he followed her into the ready room.
They weren’t sure exactly what to expect, but Ben’s good mood told them a lot about their impending reception. The transmission contained orders for Voyager to remain at DS9 for three weeks, for R&R and crew replacements, after which they would return to the front lines. All the former Maquis were offered full pardons in return for another tour of duty aboard Voyager, a tour to last two years or the duration of the War; which ever was longer. Field commissions, would be considered and discussed at the conference as would any necessary crew rotation or replacement. Her only remaining, prisoner had been removed by a supply ship, some months earlier and her fate would also be a topic of discussion. The first half of the conference would include only the Captain and a board of Admirals, but she was asked to have her first officer stand by for the latter part of the session; an encouraging sign.
“Well, they are still calling me your First Officer—that’s a good sign.” He moved around her desk to take the chair opposite her.
“Yes and Ben was quite happy, looks as if Jean-Luc has been putting in a good word too—never hurts. Of course the exemplary service of the entire crew speaks for itself.”
“We can discuss the options with the crew after the conference, I don’t see any problems.” He gave her dimpled smile. “Except yet another Captain, who seems to know you --- too well.”
“Ben?” She laughed. “He and Will and I were at the academy together.”
“Perhaps, Kathryn, you should just come out with it and tell me of this wicked life you led at the academy and get it all over with all at once.”
“Perhaps-- there are things about me you are better off not knowing.” She walked around the desk toward the replicator, but he grabbed her as she passed. “Commander—assaulting your commanding officer would not look good at this point.” She landed on his lap.
“Ahh, but it would feel good.” He kissed her. “Hummm--- so serve under you for two more years or go to prison?” He shook his head. “Don’t know –tough one.”
“I
would love to give you a refresher course in my command style, but we
have
a conference to prepare for.” She kissed him before jumping up.
“Yes Ma’am.” He followed her to the replicator and wrapped his arms around her pulling her back against him. “Just as long as you understand that when we get through with this, I have a little mutiny of my own planned.”
“I
look forward to it.”
The End.
