Disclaimer: I don't own their universe; I'm just tweaking it from afar. Please don't sue. P

Of note:
1) I only watched the first two or three seasons of the show when they originally aired, plus a handful of rerun episodes from later seasons I've caught during the last few months. So, I am grateful to some web authors who had in the past taken their time to write out the episode transcripts - that made the writing task much easier on me ;)
2) There is a generous amount of retconning in here. Seska was not with Chakotay, because she was creepy and I didn't like her. :) The Borg has taken over a large swath of the DQ. And other, smaller differences, some relating to the timing of some episodes.
3) If you don't like J/C (or P/T, for that matter), flee while you still can!
4) Thoughts are in italics, dialogue is in normal double quotes.
5) I will be slightly rewriting past chapters as the story progresses, as I find errors, or things I can add, etc.
6) I am writing this both to entertain (myself and any readers) and to improve my writing. Any suggestions to make this story or any of its chapters or sections better - written better, better in character, and generally more enjoyable are most welcome, so please review! Good or bad, I'd very much like to hear it. (I have thick skin and want to improve myself, so no worries.) Thank you in advance!

Like I said, this is going to start at the beginning. Something I have wanted to do for a long time now was to fill in the gaps, at least in my mind, of what transpired during the "non-action" events of the end of "Caretaker". The recovery and combining-the-crew thing was totally glossed over and just sort of shoved upon the viewers without any discussion about it whatsoever, and I always thought that was kinda... lame, really. So here is my written-out take on the beginning, keeping in mind it quickly AUs off into my own universe of how I envisioned the series unfolding, but with significant emphasis on J & C, of course. Please enjoy.

CHAPTER 1: year 1, day 2

/\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\

He had sacrificed his ship for hers. It wasn't something she had ever imagined a Maquis captain would do. A Starfleet captain for another Strafleet captain? Surely, if the situation called for it. She wanted to feel more at ease about their situation if she could believe him trustworthy. She reflected on her scant knowledge of him - he was exemplary Starfleet before the skirmish had broken out. If he was Starfleet material before, he may be able to become Starfleet material again.

Tuvok entered her ready room as she requested moments before. "Tuvok.", she greeted her friend and confidant as warmly as a woman having found herself and her crew roughly 70,000 light years from Federation space could. "It's so good to see you again."

"Likewise, Captain. Even so, I wish we were meeting under better circumstances."

"Of course." Her head dropped before she rounded her desk to stand nearer to him. It was 'late', and as much as she would have enjoyed spending some personal time with him, the day was long and time for decisions was short, so she knew he would understand when got right to the point: "What would you say to me making Chakotay my first officer?"

He gave her idea a moment's thought. "I would say it is not an unreasonable consideration. Lieutenant Commander Cavit is deceased," Her face tightened with that admission of reality. "and you cannot, as I see it, complete your mission in a timely manner. Chakotay's vessel has been destroyed, and he and his crew are essentially stranded with us. We could use the extra personnel to function as normally as possible, if that indeed would be possible, and I believe you have also come to the conclusion that to succeed in doing so would require loyalty from them, loyalty that would be most likely given with him in a high position of authority."

She had crossed her arms while she took in his statements, and he had hit her nail on the head. "Based on your experience with him, do you think he can be trusted in the position?"

He raised an eyebrow. "I have not known him to be anything but an honorable man, his word being good. In my presence he has shown himself to be a Maquis on principle only, not a hardened terrorist. I do not believe he would engage in sabotage of you or your ship," he paused to add, "at least while we are at such a great distance from Federation space. This does not preclude a suggestion to create a holodeck mutiny training program in case any other Maquis should find the concept appealing."

She nodded in acceptance of this information and of the suggestion. Tuvok new best. She noticed her nerves had subsided somewhat. Maybe this could work after all.

Tuvok continued, "He has the knowledge and the skills necessary to be the executive officer of a Starfleet vessel, as he was commander of the U.S.S. Merrimac for three years before he transferred to instruct Starfleet's advanced tactical training course for two years before he resigned in order to join the Maquis cause." He tilted his head very slightly. "It would seem to be the most logical course of action to combine our crews and to make him Commander."

She agreed entirely and was glad to hear her trusted friend was in agreement. "Thank you, Tuvok. I appreciate your advice, as always."

"Of course, Captain. You are welcome any time."

She half-smiled. "We'll have to do some catching up soon," she motioned to the viewport with one hand, "but it looks like we'll have plenty of time for that. Right now I need to speak to Chakotay. Would you have Lieutenant Kov ask him in here?"

He curtly nodded and excused himself. It wasn't long before her door chime sounded. She took a deep breath and stood up from where she had found herself sitting for a moment on the edge of her desk. "Come in."

"Captain.", Chakotay acknowledged as he respectfully walked in a few steps to where the door closed behind him and his escort. He was still wearing the clothing he left his ship in the day before, she noticed, but then, it wasn't as if he had anything left to change into. The little she had, at least a change of clothing was part of it.

"Please wait outside, Lieutenant.", she requested of Kov, and he nodded and left the room. "Mister Chakotay. I'm glad we've finally had a chance to talk in private."

"I am as well." He stood tall and formal. Did he look like a rebel, or did he look entirely grounded? She wasn't sure, but either way, she was pleased with the decisions he had made in the Delta Quadrant so far.

"I want to first thank you very much for your sacrifice. That was a gamble. You didn't have to do it - you could have simply left."

"It was the only action that made sense." He paused, then added, "But I didn't do it with the intention of taking over your ship afterward, if you were wondering."

She shook her head. "I only entertained that thought briefly. In the short time I have known you, you have come across as a dependable professional who has shown concern for both crews. I would like to think I am correct in that assessment." She gave him a pointed look and continued, "So I have a proposal for you and your crew I hope you will accept. As you surely know, I have no intention of harming you, and frankly, it would be ridiculous, not to mention inhumane, to hold any of you in the brig for the next seventy years. The journey home may not be fast or easy, but I believe going down that road would prove beneficial if we work together." He nodded, and she paused to regard him again before diving in. "I ask if you would agree to a truce: That you would accept the rank of commander and the position of first officer on my ship, and that you integrate your crew with mine, as one Starfleet crew."

He looked down at the floor for a moment before eyeing her evenly once again. "I was actually hoping that would be your suggestion. Otherwise, I would have to offer myself for your brig in exchange for allowing my crew to find an alternate way home."

Another relief, assuming he was telling the truth. "As you said about sacrificing your ship, I would say it's the only action that makes sense."

He nodded again. "I'll have a talk with my crew and let them know of their new assignment."

Grateful for such an extraordinarily easy settlement, she stepped forward with her hand held out. "Let me officially welcome you to the U.S.S. Voyager, Commander Chakotay."

His warm, larger hand took ahold of hers to seal the deal. "Thank you, Captain."

"How is your leg?"

"Functioning, thanks to your charming holographic program."

"Charming?" She didn't understand how a computer program would be charming.

"Then you haven't met him yet."

"No, but that is on my very long list of things to do today."

"Speaking of," he recalled, "it might interest you to know that down on the planet, Mister Paris determined that if he got me out of there, my life would 'belong to him', as he put it." Her eyebrows raised, entertained. "So it looks like I will be regularly available to keep watch over him."

"That sounds like a good and fair solution to any hassling he might receive, Commander." Addressing him by title, it reminded her he would also need to look the part. "You are welcome to replicate yourself a uniform and change." She walked back around to her desk to sit and added, "And before you get to the mess hall to speak to them," she avoided saying 'your crew', "your first official duty can be to send your 'charge' in here so I may inform him of his new position."

One corner of his lips threatened to turn upward as he acknowledged her and left her ready room.

She leaned back for a moment. Have I made the right decision? She could only hope so. Her gut feeling told her this whole ludicrous situation might just work out, but she didn't have long to overthink it, as a moment later, Paris dinged her chime.

"Come in."

"You asked to see me, Captain?"

She addressed him from her seat. "Mister Paris, you have a problem." That short sentence made him nervous until she explained: "I've invited Chakotay and the other Maquis to become part of this crew. It seemed the only reasonable thing to do under the circumstances."

He somehow managed to find the news both amusing and disturbing. "Will you provide a bodyguard for me, Captain?"

"It seems you already have one."

"I do?"

"Mister Chakotay said something about his life belonging to you? He'll be taking responsibility for your safety."

Now he was only amused. "I think I'm going to enjoy this."

"Don't be so sure.", she tilted her head. "He'll also be my first officer. Everyone aboard this ship will report to him, including the lieutenant assigned to conn."

And now he was surprised. "Me?"

"I've entered into the ship's log on this date that I'm granting a field commission of lieutenant to Thomas Eugene Paris. Congratulations."

"Er, for the first time in my life I don't know what to say."

"You've earned this, Tom. I'm only sorry your father won't know."

"Oh, he'll know. When we get back."

Her door chime interrupted the tail end of their conversation. "Come.", she called. Paris quickly thanked her and left her to her ship's two alien passengers.

"Ah, Captain!", Neelix exclaimed.

His enthusiasm was contagious. "We supplied your ship with water, Neelix. It's ready to go."

"Well, you see, that's what we wanted to discuss. We'd like to go with you."

"I'm sorry; this isn't a passenger ship."

"Of course not.", Kes supplied. "We won't be passengers."

Neelix added, "We'd be valuable colleagues."

"Colleagues?"

Neelix launched into a spiel. "Whatever you need is what I have to offer. You need a guide? I'm your guide. You need supplies? I know where to procure them. I have friends among races you don't even know exist. You need a cook? Oh, you haven't lived until you've tasted my angla'bosque. It will be my job to anticipate your needs before you know you have them. And I anticipate your first need will be me."

"Captain, we both want very much to be a part of your journey.", Kes agreed.

What could she say to that? After all, Janeway knew she could use extra help and all the guidance she could get. "Alright. I will have the commander assign you quarters, and you will be expected to start your new positions immediately. I'll supply you shortly with our preliminary flight course and a list of things we'll need, and you will report back to me at 1600 hours."

Kes smiled brightly, and Neelix took the words out of her mouth. "Oh, thank you very much, Captain! I promise we won't disappoint!"

She returned their smiles, and they left her to contemplate what she would be telling the crew.

/\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\

Followed by Lieutenant Kov, who he assumed would be advised of the change in plans soon, he walked off the bridge into the turbolift and spent the one-deck ride to the mess hall disappointed in himself. This was what I'm supposed to be accomplished at., he thought. And yet in this case, he was too comfortable around her; he found it was too natural and easy to want to get along with her. He had even caght himself starting to grin at her when she mentioned he should send in Paris. Maybe she is better at this than I am. She, an indoctrinated Starfleet bootlicker who would... He was getting himself fired up and felt like shaking his head to clear it, but he didn't want to suggest any thoughts to his escort. He needed to put his personal problem on the backburner for the time being and just concentrate on keeping his old crew's support.

The 'lift arrived, and they stepped out and walked into the mess hall. The Maquis had been gathered there since their transport over, but suspicions and tensions were extremely high by the time Chakotay arrived. Upon entrance, Kov stood to the side. All conversation died when they saw Chakotay, and they gave him their undivided attention. "As you know, we no longer have a ship, and we are seventy thousand light-years away from home." His eyes scanned each of his crewmens' as he addressed them. "Seeing as how there is nothing reasonable to fight over in this situation, and that we both have the same desire - to get back home, Captain Janeway and I have discussed things and determined the best solution to our shared problem would be to combine our crews into one Starfleet crew." There were many surprised, no, startled looks in the crowd, even huffs and a hushed gasp or two. Kov tried somewhat unsuccessfully to keep his eyebrows in their normal position.

He continued, "She has granted me commandership and allowed me to instate all of you in real positions. Now, I understand this is going to be difficult to take in, but it will work out for the best, and it will also undeniably be our best shot at getting back." He paused in regard. "But if you decide you don't want to be a part of the arrangement, please see me in private, and we will figure out where we can get you another route home. But either decision you make, I want to know I deeply appreciate each and every one of you and your service to the Maquis and to myself. I hope we can remain together and work together for the common good here on this ship."

There were other questions to be answered, but that is where he left it for the time being. "I'll be on the bridge for a little while, and I'll get quarters assigned to you everyone as soon as possible while I'm there." He regarded them all again before heading back to the bridge, again followed by Kov. He hoped like hell there wouldn't be an insurrection at this point. That would only complicate things all the more. Until a few hours ago, he had never questioned whether or not he was a good judge of character. He would have been certain that, save, for Paris, he had never taken in a spy or outright mercenary to serve under him, and that each member of his crew was true to their apparent cause. He had never been the type to take being lied to very well, and he knew he would have to try not to make his realizations of Tuvok and Paris twist his worldview too badly.

/\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\

Captain Janeway strode purposefully onto the bridge and stood next to her new first officer, who was now dressed in red-and-black Starfleet command attire with three full pips on his collar. "Mister Kim, put me on shipwide speaker." She waited a beat for him to do so.

"Attention all hands. We're alone in an uncharted part of the galaxy. We've already made some friends here and some enemies. We have no idea of the dangers we're going to face, but one thing is clear: Both crews are going to have to work together if we're to survive."

She looked over in acknowledgement to the barely-familiar man standing next to her. "That's why Commander Chakotay and I have agreed that this should be one crew - a Starfleet crew. And as the only Starfleet vessel 'assigned' to the Delta Quadrant, we'll continue to follow our directive to seek out new worlds and explore space. But our primary goal is clear. Even at maximum speeds, it would take over seventy years to reach Federation space, but I'm not willing to settle for that. There's another entity like the Caretaker out there who has the ability to get us there a lot faster. We'll be looking for her, and we'll also be looking for wormholes, spatial rifts, or new technologies to help us. Somewhere along this journey, we'll find a way back."

She looked down at her lieutenant at the conn. "Mister Paris, set a course... for home."

"Aye, Captain.", Paris answered eagerly, tapping in the coordinates and engaging Voyager's engines.

"Janeway out.", she nodded to Ensign Kim to close the channel. Her acknowledgemental soliloquy signified the conclusion of the very beginning chapter of an eventful journey toward the Alpha Quadrant for one hundred thirty-nine of its misplaced denizens as well as two Delta Quadrant natives who would come to know ideas and cultures far beyond their local experiences.