There Are Things Which Transcends Duty
Disclaimer - I don't own the rights, Paramount / CBS does. I just like to play with the characters.
Plot - Will Tom's disobeying direct orders, to save the Monean water world, be the end of his relationship with Kathryn?
Sequel to "You are No Longer Alone" and is set immediately after the fifth season episode "Thirty Days".
Chapter 1
It had been just over two years since Kathryn Janeway and Tom Paris became lovers, two years since the crew had accepted their relationship, two years in which they found happiness together. And in those two years, they had faced many hurdles in their duties, including an appearance by Q, who wanted to have a child with Kathryn; which amused neither of them. They dealt with the Borg, liberated Seven of Nine from the collective. They fought with Species 8472 and the Hirogens. They made contact with Earth for the first time since their arrival in the Delta Quadrant; to Kathryn receiving a dear Jane letter from Mark. This last had brought a strange sense of relief to both of them, for Kathryn had never really forgiven herself for letting go of the past and finding love once more.
Then there were the personal aspects to the relationship and as with any other couple, they had their difficulties, although they had more ups than downs, while they, and the crew, adjusted to each other. And, within seven months, Tom had moved into Kathryn's quarters, stating that he was there most nights anyway, so it was just a natural progression in their relationship. He often quipped that the only reason he became involved with the captain, was to get bigger quarters. They had managed to keep their private life separate from their work, at least for the most part, and when they couldn't, they relied on counsel from either Lieutenant Tuvok or Commander Chakotay.
However, nothing had prepared them for the ultimate test of their love; a test that was so painful, it may well end their relationship.
Kathryn sat at her desk, in the ready room, reading the ship's status report, and for the first time in a long time they had enough food supplies, to supplement the replicator and the fresh produce growing in the hydroponics bay, for the next ten to twelve weeks. And as to their energy needs, they had enough to last months but that wouldn't stop them from seeking out any new forms of energy or dilithium or to trade for spare parts, whenever the opportunity arose. Normally this report would bring great satisfaction to Kathryn; it meant that her ship was fully functional, or at least as fully functional as they could be, in their circumstances, but she could find no joy in the report.
The door chimed.
"Come." she called out.
The doors opened and Chakotay stepped inside, "Captain." he greeted her.
"Commander," she replied, "I just finished reading your ship's status report. Its good news to be fully supplied up." she added, as she sat back in her chair.
He smiled, "Yes, it is good news, especially considering that our current route takes us away from the more populated systems in this sector and we may not have the chance to stock up on supplies."
She nodded and gave him a small smile, "And given our recent history with the species of this area, I rather move on, with a minimum level of contact."
"I can't disagree with that," he paused for a moment, unsure if he should even mention it but he felt he must, "Ensign Paris is due to be released from the brig today."
"So I understand from Lieutenant Tuvok." she replied calmly enough, even though the pain in her heart, was hurting her like nothing else before.
Chakotay shifted uneasily on his feet, "Captain about Paris -"
"Commander," she warned him, "You're getting close to overstepping the mark."
He tried a different tack, "Permission to speak freely."
"Denied." came her curt reply.
He held back a sigh at her stubbornness, "Aye, captain," he said, "But if you need a friend to talk to -"
"Are you looking for time in the brig, yourself, commander." she said angrily.
"No, captain," he replied.
She glared at her first officer, who was on the verge of insubordination before she closed her eyes and leant back in her chair, "Why?"
"Why what?" he asked, as he noticed how tired she was looking. He knew that the last thirty days had not been easy for her or Paris for that matter.
Kathryn sighed, "Why did he do it, Chakotay?"
He took a moment to answer, "Because he believed it was the right thing to do."
She narrowed her eyes at him, "You sound like you agree with him."
"It's more like that I understand him," he replied, "Captain, all you ever wanted was to join Starfleet. You've never had to fight for something other than that. To you, Starfleet is everything but there many things that are more important, much more important."
She rose from her chair and paced around the room, "I understand why you left Starfleet, your father had been killed and your world was fighting the Cardassians but Tom..." she paused as she waved her hands in the air, unable to voice her anger, her pain.
"There are many people who felt the same as you about me and others like me, who left Starfleet to fight," he said quietly, "We were called traitors, that we betrayed the mighty Federation. But we felt that the Federation betrayed us with their so-called treaty, which handed over our worlds to the Cardassians even though they knew what kind of people they were. They didn't care about us; they just cared about their precious treaty, and then left us alone without any kind of support to defend ourselves. And when we did defend ourselves, we were branded outlaws, criminals just for defending our homes."
She shook her head, "The Cardassians lost worlds too."
Chakotay sighed, "That's the excuse they always gave us, each and every time we asked for help -"
"Be that as it may, Chakotay," she interrupted, as she stood with her hands on her hips, "Tom had no connection with this world or the people."
"No, he didn't but that doesn't mean he couldn't care about it," he replied, "The situation is different but the same idiotic politics were being played, at the expense of the future of their world. It was that he was fighting against, not you."
She snorted, "How can you be sure about that."
"And how can you say that after what the two of you have together." he retorted, his impatience wearing thin.
She narrowed her eyes, "What do you mean by that, commander." she said coldly.
He sighed, "You know how I reacted when you told me about you and Paris."
She nodded, "How could I forget..."
The temperature in the ready room just dropped by ten degrees, "You can't be serious!" Chakotay said in disbelief, "You and...and...Paris are...are in a relationship? You're lovers?"
Kathryn knew she had to tread carefully, to avoid hurting his feelings even further than she had to, "Yes, Tom and I are in a relationship." she confirmed.
His mind couldn't, wouldn't accept it, "How long?" he asked hoarsely.
"A couple of weeks." she replied, waiting for the outburst that must surely come. And come, it did.
"I accepted what happened on New Earth...that you and I," he paused as the anger, the jealousy built up inside him, "But why, of all the people on Voyager, why Paris? He's no good, he's immature, disrespectful, a troublemaker..."
For a moment, Kathryn let him rant against her decision to become involved with Tom Paris, she knew that he needed to let go of his anger, his pain but it would be the only time she would permit her first officer to do so. She took a step around her desk, "I know he rubs you up the wrong way, Chakotay and vice versa but I have made my decision. I hope that in time, you can come to respect it."
He snorted and shook his head, "I doubt that. You're making a mistake, captain, a big mistake and I just hope you come to realise that." he retorted angrily before he turned and stormed out of the ready room.
"...I was angry at you," Chakotay continued, "For falling for his childish charms. I was angry at him for taken advantage of you. I knew what kind of person he was but as I watched the two of you together, over these last two years or so, I realised how wrong I was. No one can deny the love you have for each other. You've both changed in ways you probably don't realise. Paris has been more settled than I have ever known him, more responsible, more like a grown man, than some spoilt brat. He would rather cut off his arm than to deliberately hurt you. And you, I have never seen you so content, so at ease with your life."
She felt a lump in her throat, of his thoughts about her relationship with Tom, which matched her own feelings about it, "I do feel all that," she confirmed softly, "I haven't felt this contented for a very long time but he did hurt me. I can't just ignore it."
He crossed over to her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, "No one is asking you to ignore it, Kathryn," he replied, "You need to deal with it and to do that, you need to talk with Tom. Try and see it from his side, he risked everything, including your relationship, to help these people."
She let out a long breath and nodded, "Thank you."
Chakotay smiled, "That's what friends are for." he replied before he turned and left her alone. That's one down, one to go, he mused to himself, as the door closed behind him.
Tom sighed, as he entered mess hall, after coming from his old quarters where he had showered, shaved before donning a fresh uniform. He should have realised that he wouldn't be welcome in their quarters after what he had done. He knew he had caused her pain by disobeying her direct orders but he had felt so strongly about the Monean water planet that he felt he had no choice. He knew, he just knew that the authorities would ignore the report outlining the reason for the loss of field containment and would not act upon their recommendations. He couldn't bear the thought that in the near future, the amazing planet of water would no longer exist. He had to make the Moneans see sense before it was too late.
"Well, look who we have here." Harry teased as he came up behind Tom and slapped his shoulder, "Perhaps I should call security and make sure you're not an escaped prisoner."
Tom shook his head and grinned, "Thanks Harry, you're a real friend."
"Any time," Harry replied, "So, I imagine you're hungry." he said, as they made their way to where Neelix was dishing out meals.
"I'm not just hungry, I'm dying of starvation," Tom replied, as he rubbed his hands together, "So Neelix, I would like everything you have."
Neelix chuckled, "It's good to see you, Tom. We've missed you around here."
"Well, I've missed everyone too." Tom replied, "Fill the plate up, Neelix, with a bit of everything." he added with a grin.
"Sure thing." the Talaxian replied, as he grabbed a plate and began dishing out the food, "Here you go, Tom, enjoy your meal." he said as he handed over a plate load of food.
"Thanks Neelix." Tom replied, as he turned around, made his way to an empty table by the far wall, and sat down.
Moments later Harry sat opposite him, with his own plate of food, "So, Ensign Paris, how does it feel to back amongst the living once more." he said, in a light teasing manner.
"Well, Ensign Kim," Tom replied with a small smile, "It feels good."
Harry nodded, "I bet it does." he replied before they began eating their lunch.
"Mmm, this is delicious." Tom said, as he closed his eyes to savour the food.
Harry chuckled and shook his head, "I didn't think that brig rations were all that bad."
"Believe me, Harry, you wouldn't want to try it," Tom replied as he put his fork down and leant forward, "Harry, about what you said about my father -"
"I was out of line -" Harry interrupted.
"No, you weren't," Tom replied, "You were right about me and about my dad. I just want you to know that I did finish the letter to him and if we ever get into regular communications range of Earth, I've ordered the computer to send it to him."
"I'm glad." Harry said sincerely.
Tom nodded, "Actually, so am I." he replied before he turned his attention back to his meal, "So, how's our first officer and chief engineer going?"
Harry smiled to himself, knowing that his friend wanted to catch up on all the gossip, including the blossoming romance between Chakotay and B'Elanna, "Oh you know, I think they're finally realising just how much they love each other."
Tom snorted, "It's about time. I mean it's been what almost two years since that incident in the cave where she bit him." he replied, as he took a mouthful of his food.
Harry shrugged, "Perhaps they wanted to be sure of how they feel."
Tom sighed, "I can understand that," he replied, as he lowered his knife and fork to the table, "How is she?" he asked quietly.
Harry shook his head, "She doesn't show it but she's hurting by what happened," he replied, "It was hard on her, Tom, to actually fire on you of all people. I never thought she would actually do it." he added softly.
Tom lowered his gaze down to the table, "I gave her no choice."
"But still -"
"Ensign Paris," a familiar voice interrupted them, "Sorry to interrupt your lunch, but I would like to have a word with you."
Tom looked up, "Sure, commander." he replied, as he stood up and followed the first officer out of the mess hall, with many pairs of eyes watching him.
They walked down the corridor in silence before Chakotay turned into a small, unoccupied room, "Do you remember the time when the captain informed me about your relationship and what I would do to you, if you hurt her in anyway?"
Tom stared at the other man, "Does this mean you're going to beat the hell out of me, now?" he replied, as the memory of that encounter came to the forefront of his mind.
He had just finished a shift in sickbay when he stepped into the turbolift and came face to face with a furious first officer, "Commander." he greeted him pleasantly.
But Chakotay was in no mood for such pleasantries, especially when the younger man seemed to be smirking at him, "I don't know how you managed to pull the wool over the captain's eyes," he fumed as he stepped closer to the younger man, "But it doesn't work with me." he fumed with barely contained fury. It had only been an hour since he had found out about the relationship and his anger had not settled.
Tom's eyes widened slightly as he realised that Kathryn had indeed informed Chakotay about their relationship, as she said she would, "So, Kathryn told you, then."
Chakotay narrowed his eyes, "Computer halt turbolift," he ordered, before he invaded Tom's personal space, "That's Captain Janeway to you, lieutenant." he growled.
Tom smiled easily, "Of course, commander," he replied, "But in private I can call her what I like. The captain has already given me her permission to do so." he added refusing to back down from under the intense glare of anger and distrust.
Chakotay lost control of his anger, his jealousy, his hatred and pushed Tom hard against the wall of the turbolift, "I don't know what hold you have over her," he breathed hotly into the younger man's face, "But if you ever cause her pain or if you hurt her in any way, you will have me to deal with. And it will be in the Marquis way, not Starfleet. That is a promise." he added. And if Tom didn't get the point, he shoved him against the wall once more...
Tom continued, "Don't bother Chakotay, I've been beating myself up about it, for the last thirty days. Look, I know I hurt her but it was just...something I had to do," he paused and shook his head, "I can't explain it but you understand though, don't you? You left Starfleet for the Maquis."
Chakotay nodded, "I do understand, Tom, but you have try to understand her point of view," he replied, "All she's every known is Starfleet, she has lived, breathed Starfleet regulations all her life. And to her, going against that life is almost like chopping off your own leg," he paused and shook his head, "I'm sure you know more than me, how stubborn she can be, in regards to regulations."
Tom gave a soft chuckle, "You could say that." he replied. He ran his fingers through his hair, "I think I understand what you mean."
"Good," Chakotay said, "Just remember that she's the captain, she's the one responsible, not only for herself but for all us. If you had done this back in the Alpha Quadrant, she would have been held responsible for your actions and she would suffer the consequences of them."
Tom frowned, "You're saying that my actions might have caused her to lose command, to lose Voyager?"
"Well, that would be the extreme actions the Admiralty would take but she would definitely be reprimanded over it," he paused to allow the younger man to think it through, "It's sounds harsh but that comes from being in command of a ship or a space station. The higher rank, the higher responsibility."
Tom sighed, "Kathryn makes it look so easy."
Chakotay smiled, "Yes, she does, and that's what makes her a good captain," he replied, "Just talk with her, Tom." he advised, as he moved towards the door.
"If she lets me." Tom replied.
"She will, just give her time." Chakotay said, as he left the room. Well, that's my job done, he mused to himself, as he walked back towards the mess hall, the rest was up to them. He had something more important to do; a lunch date with B'Elanna.
Their relationship was new, they only became lovers three weeks ago, after dancing around each other for the last twenty months. Neither of them had wanted to destroy their friendship but neither could they deny their growing closeness, their attraction for the other. So, three weeks ago, they decided to take a chance, a chance to become more than just friends and to their surprise and delight, they discovered how natural it was between them, and they wondered why they hadn't done it sooner.
Chakotay entered the mess hall whistling off key.
"You're in a good mood, commander." a familiar voice came from a nearby table.
He grinned as he moved over to her, "Well, lieutenant, I've just had a little talk with Paris." he replied.
B'Elanna chuckled, "You know, you're turning into a big softy," she teased him, "First it was a talk with the captain and now with Tom."
He leant forward, "I'm not a softy all of the time." he whispered with a gleam in his eyes, before he turned and crossed over to where Neelix was cooking.
She felt a hot shiver surge through her body, at his bedroom voice, as she called it, "You better run, Chakotay, while you still have the chance." she said quietly, with a grin on her face.