DISCLAIMER: Star Trek: Voyager belongs to Paramount/CBS. This story and any errors are mine.
A/N: This story was inspired by a wonderful fiddle made by Malezita and used with her permission as the cover image here. I could write a story about every fan art she has made, but one look at Janeway on a Harley Davidson was all it took for half of this tale to begin swirling through my head. Thank you to Mizvoy for inspiring the dog's name, to my lovely and talented beta, KJaneway115, and to DocBevCulver for the advance read.
***V*V***
Chakotay stood in the sunlight and pulled on his coat. The day would be hot, but before 7 a.m. the cold of desert night still lingered. An excited little red-head bounced up and down and wove through his legs.
"Jetta, girl, easy! You're going to knock me down. All right! Where's your ball?"
The gangly young dog raced to the corner of the fence, then faced him with the toy between her teeth. He smiled and strolled toward her with his hand out. "Bring it here."
She dropped the blue ball and ran to him, clearly proud of herself for obeying. He laughed and scratched behind her ear. "You got 'here' right. That's the important part."
He stooped to pick up the ball, and found himself in a slobbery tussling match. Conceding defeat, he pulled a tissue from his pocket and wiped off his hand. Jetta ran three circuits around the wooden boundary fence before sniffing her way back to the ball, at last dropping it beside his foot.
"Now are you ready to play fair?" he chuckled. He picked up the toy, this time without competition, and tossed it across the yard, praising her when she brought it back. Over and over he threw the ball, the repetitive motions of wearing down the dog's excess energy allowing his thoughts to wander.
Six days had passed since he had left San Francisco for good, and almost four months since Voyager's return to the Alpha Quadrant. He wondered if Kathryn was getting any rest. The debriefings and hearing by the Review Board had been brutally exhausting for her.
The lower ranks of the crew, including Chakotay, had been interviewed and released during the first month. Kathryn's debriefing resembled a trial and had lasted an additional two-and-a-half months. As the captain, she had been called to answer for every decision made during their seven years in the Delta Quadrant. Chakotay had attended each session, refusing to let her face the Board alone even though he could only communicate with her if a legal advisor was present. The hearing had been adjourned a week ago. Whether Kathryn would face official disciplinary action remained to be seen.
A whine interrupted his thoughts, and he realized he was staring off across the desert with the ball in his hand. Jetta anxiously awaited the next throw, her rear end dancing from the force of her wagging tail. He grinned at the sight, once again glad he had brought the dog home.
On the morning following the final Review Board session, Chakotay had stopped in the Arizona town seven miles from his new home to pick up a few supplies. A man outside the market was asking people to adopt a seven-month-old puppy. One look at the rust red, scruffy fur and soulful brown eyes, and Chakotay had sworn the dog was grinning at him. His ranch-style home featured a large fenced yard and miles of desert sands perfectly suited for an energetic pup. Plus, he could use the company. With half a mile between his house and the next nearest home, he didn't have to worry about the dog disturbing his neighbors.
So far, Jetta kept him from dwelling too long on memories of Voyager and his worries over what the Board might decide about Kathryn. Chakotay squatted down, and the dog bounded into his arms, knocking him on his back. Laughing under the paws on his chest and cold nose against his neck, he half-heartedly tried to push her off. Jetta's head snapped up and turned toward the desert behind the house. Her ears pricked forward and back as if pinpointing a sound.
"What is it, girl?" Chakotay asked, unable to hear whatever had caught the dog's attention.
She ran to the fence, peered between the rails, and tilted her head, zeroing in across the sand. Chakotay pushed himself up off the ground and brushed off his jeans and coat. In the distance, he spotted a column of dust, barely visible in the early morning light, rising from the ground. He washed his hands under the outside faucet, and combed his wet fingers through his hair as he approached the back gate. The dust cloud was getting closer and headed toward his house. Commanding Jetta to stay, he exited the gate, latched it behind him, and waited for the visitor.
As the vehicle drew nearer, Chakotay could make out the sleek lines of a motorcycle. The rider was clearly skilled, bent low over the bike and balancing perfectly at high speed in the sliding sands. Sunlight glinted off a smoke black helmet and outlined red jacket sleeves and black pants. A few yards from him, the rider leaned the motorcycle to one side, sliding the back tire level with the front and skidding to a stop inches beside him.
"Good morning," Chakotay greeted with admiration.
"Yes, it is." The helmet muffled the visitor's voice.
Chakotay noted that the leather pants and jacket showed the curves of a woman's body. He stopped a wider smile, admonishing himself. She won't appreciate your ogling, old man. "Are you just out riding, or is there something I can help you with?"
"Both. It's a beautiful morning for a ride in the desert, and I'm looking for Commander Chakotay."
"I'm Chakotay. Do I know you?"
"I hope so. We lived together for seven years."
He watched a shock of auburn hair spill from the helmet as her gloved hands pulled it off. He didn't stop the grin this time. "Kathryn? What are you doing here?"
She swung her leg over the seat and laid the helmet down, then gave him the brightest smile he had seen on her in years. "We're free!"
"What?"
"Free, Chakotay. The Board upheld everything we did. No charges will be brought against me or any of our crew."
He stared, stunned, into her twinkling blue eyes. "It's over?" he asked in barely a whisper.
"It's over."
The joy of final release from Voyager's long journey surged through him. He rushed forward and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off the ground. Their laughter rang out, soon joined by Jetta's excited barking. Chakotay hugged Kathryn tightly and felt her return the gesture. Finally, he eased his hold, and she slid down his body to the ground. They grinned at each other, still holding on for several moments before he let go and stepped back.
He called out, "Jetta, quiet, girl." The pup stopped barking, but still whimpered from behind the fence.
"You didn't tell me you had a girl living with you," Kathryn said with a smirk.
"I picked her up in town. Charmed her into coming home with me."
"Is she blonde?"
Chakotay chuckled and pointed to where Jetta's head was peeking over the wooden rail.
"Oh!" Kathryn laughed with him when she saw the red fur, and a blush tinted her cheeks.
"It's so good to see you and talk to you without legal supervision.
"I started to comm you, but decided I wanted to deliver this news in person."
"And the bike? I didn't know you could ride."
"It's been a long time. I transported to Phoenix with plans to rent a hover car. When I saw the vintage Harley Davidson, though, I couldn't resist."
"And the outfit?" he asked, appraising her leather clothes and boots.
Her eyes danced. "It was too cold to ride in a dress. The dealer replicated the clothes for me."
"I like it."
"In some ways, I feel like I've been released from a seven-year sentence. It's a beautiful Earth morning, and I'm free."
"You did it, Kathryn. You got us home, and you deserve every ounce of joy you can find."
She grabbed his hand. "We did it, Chakotay. The whole crew made it possible. We did it together."
He held onto her fingers and felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her. Settling instead for kissing the back of her hand, he said, "Come and meet Jetta before she tears down the gate. Then you can see the house, and we'll celebrate with breakfast. That is, if you can stay."
Squeezing his hand tighter, she walked toward the gate to the yard. "For the first time in a very long time, I don't have to be anywhere but where I want to be."
Chakotay led her into his backyard where they were immediately set upon by Jetta. She bounded back and forth between the two until Kathryn knelt down and held out her hands. As was her habit, Jetta leapt into Kathryn's arms and knocked her backward, licking her face and squeaking little high pitched noises. Kathryn laughed and rolled on the ground with her.
Standing back and watching, Chakotay chuckled. He couldn't remember ever seeing his captain so carefree, nor so beautiful. When Kathryn tried to stand and Jetta knocked her over again, he decided it was time to intervene. "Jetta, down girl!"
The dog sat, right on Kathryn's chest, and looked up at him expecting praise. He snickered, grabbed her collar, and pulled her off before holding out his hand. Kathryn gripped it with both hands, but was laughing so hard she could barely hold on. Eventually, he managed to get her to her feet and helped brush the dirt off of her.
"Sorry about that," Chakotay laughed. "She's still learning."
"She's wonderful," Kathryn remarked as she patted Jetta's head. "I miss having a dog."
"She has been good company. I certainly don't get bored with her around." Chakotay gestured toward the back door to the house. "Now, how about that breakfast?"
While Chakotay fed Jetta, Kathryn poured herself a cup of coffee and glanced around the large kitchen. She admired the heavy butcher block table, and wooden chairs upholstered in bright geometric designs, then followed the lines of a cream colored stucco wall to the dark orange tile floor. Classic southwestern American elements were juxtaposed with the shiny silver, modern conveniences of the stove, double oven, stasis chiller, and replicator. She smiled softly. The room was so much like the man himself - modern and ancient elements blended seamlessly into a warm and comforting presence.
Chakotay set down Jetta's bowl of food and turned to Kathryn. Pulling off his coat, he said, "I'll give you a tour if you would like."
"I'd love that." Kathryn unzipped her jacket, and he barely stifled another gawk as she revealed a black, scooped neck tank top. She handed him her coat, then unzipped the sides of her leather pants and slid them down and over her boots, the fitted jeans she wore underneath stretching tightly across her hips as she bent over.
He stood transfixed, holding her riding clothes in his arms. "I'll leave the boots on," she said with a smirk as she straightened up and reached for her coffee.
Chakotay's cheek dimpled when he realized he had been caught. "Right," he said, and turned to lay everything in a chair. When she approached his side, he gently laid his hand on the small of her back and guided her through his home.