Star Trek Voyager

Home Coming

Authors note: This is one way I think things should have happened after they got home (for those of you who don't know there is a two book set of what happens after they arrived back in the Alpha Quadrant). This is a J/C (Janeway and Chakotay) fic. This is my first Voyager fic so go easy, enjoy.

After the communication with Admiral Paris was terminated and Tom had gone to see his new daughter, a course was laid in for Earth, now only hours away.

                "Mr. Kim" Janeway brook the silence that had descended on the bridge "Open a channel to all hands" she ordered smiling.

                "Channel open" he answered, trying to keep his voice steady, he was still shocked that they were finally home.

                "All hands this is the Captain" she paused and smiled; softening her tone "We're home."

                All around the ship there was silence for a few moments as the Captains words sank in, then everyone erupted into cheers except for a few (Tuvok, Seven, ect.).

                After spending some time with his wife B'Elanna and his new daughter Miral, he asked the Captain if they could have a homecoming party. She granted him permission and added that he could recruit any of the crew for help, within reason of course. So by 1900 hours everything was ready and it had been agreed that the crew would switch off so that everyone could attend.

                "Penny for your thoughts" Chakotay inquired, sitting down across the table from her. They were sitting in the corner slightly removed from the rest of the party. He'd seen her remove herself from everyone else and was worried.

                She jumped slightly at his voice; she'd been so caught up in her own thoughts she hadn't heard him approach. She looked up at him then turned towards the crew in the mess hall "I'm going to miss all of them" she sighed sadly

                He looked in the same direction and saw a group of people around Tom and B'Elanna, congratulating them and admiring their new baby girl. "I think we're all going to miss each other but the crew has become a family and no one can take that away, we'll find a way to keep in touch." He looked back at her concerned; he knew that wasn't all that was bothering her but didn't want to push, so he just waited silently as she went back to staring into her coffee.

                She new he'd wait for her to tell him whatever it was that was bothering her; he'd never pushed her when it came to something personal. "I heard you and Seven brook it off" she tried to keep her voice casual but tightened her hands around her cup.

                Seven and him had discussed their relationship shortly after arriving in the Alpha Quadrant and had come to the conclusion that they needed to go their separate ways. "We both decided it wouldn't work out." He considered her for a second then added; "It wouldn't have been fair to her to continue the relationship anyway, since my heart still belongs to someone else." He covered her hands with his own.

                Did she dare hope? She finally looked up into his eyes again and saw his love and concern for her. Tears started to gather in her eyes and threatened to fall but she fought them back, she couldn't let the crew see her cry, not on such a happy day. She wanted so much to tell him how she really loved him but she couldn't, not here with everyone around. She turned her hands in his and squeezed them gently then glanced at the doors. He nodded once letting her know he understood then she got up and left.

He knew she wanted to talk to him in private but he couldn't figure out what it was that could be bothering her this much. He sighed and got up to follow her, he'd find out soon enough.

                A few minutes later he arrived at her quarters and when he entered he found her standing in the middle of the room. She was staring out her view port with her arms wrapped around her waist. He walked up beside her but waited for her to say whatever was on her mind.

                After a few more minutes of silence she finally spoke "I can't do it anymore, I can't just ignore, suppress, or deny it by hiding behind protocol!" she exclaimed in frustration.

He frowned confused but waited for her to continue.

"When I found out you and Seven were dating I…" she swallowed and took a shuddering breath trying to get rid of the lump that developed in her throat, while fighting back more tears. Why was it so hard for her to just tell him?

                It hurt him to see her like this but he wasn't sure he understood what she was trying to tell him and he didn't dare guess. Hesitantly, afraid she'd pull away and shut him out; he pulled her into his embrace. To his surprise she buried her face into his shoulder and started to cry silently, wrapping her arms around his neck. This was a side of her he'd never seen; she'd never let herself appear this vulnerable in front of someone before, which made him even more worried. All he could do at the moment though was stand there holding her, whispering soothing words into her ear and rubbing her back, while she shook in his arms crying.

                After awhile her sobs slowed then stopped and he was able to move them to the couch and sit down, but she wouldn't let go of him, so he gently stroked her hair with one hand while he held her with the other.

"Kathryn," he finally whispered, tilting her head up so that he could look her in the eyes "tell me what's wrong" his concern was evident in his voice.

                "I don't want to lose you," she replied, relishing the feel of finally being this close to him and just letting go.

                He frowned confused "Why do you think you'd lose me?"

                She turned away from his searching eyes "Because I almost did… to Seven" she whispered.

                Chakotay's eyes widened as realization finally hit him and he smiled, then he gently turned her face to him and lowered his lips to hers. She responded immediately, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss.

                When they parted, a bit out of breath, they were both smiling, and then Kathryn turned serious and looked away again. "I know I hurt you every time I pushed you away, but I couldn't take the risk that my feelings for you would influence my command decisions or vise versa." She paused and took a deep breath to fortify her resolve then looked back at him. "I don't have to worry anymore because Voyager is finally home with a whole fleet as an escort and I don't want to keep pushing you away, so if… if you're still willing… I'd like to give us a try." She watched him, not daring to hope, waiting for him to make the next move.

                For a few moments he didn't move, considering her words and the pros and cons but soon realized he could never deny his love for her. Smiling he let his actions speak for him and pulled her onto his lap, kissing her passionately with all his love. When they finally parted for air they were both grinning like Cheshire cats.

Just then Chakotay stood up, cradling her in his arms and headed for the bedroom. Other then an exclamation of surprise she didn't protest, then smiling mischievously she started running her nails up and down his back. She chuckled as she felt his arms tighten around her and his pace quicken. Once they reached the bedroom he gently laid her on the bed leaning over her and kissing her again.

To be continued