MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE
BY: Anne T.M.
e-mail: atry804@aol.com
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my words which come from my heart which is more than I can say for TPTB.
Background information: The story is set a few weeks after Scorpion II. Once the Captain was back to health, Neelix decided to throw a party to boost the morale of the crew. After their close encounter with the Borg he felt they all needed it. Meanwhile, the growing closeness between Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay is both a source of joy and pain for her. Though it happened long ago, she continues to be plagued by guilt, as the accusations flung at her by Mark during Persistence of Vision become more of a reality each day.
Day One: The Big Surprise
The party was winding down. Usually she would have left a long time ago but she knew the mood of the crew. In the past year, amongst their usual alien encounters, the crew had seen her die and be assimilated by the Borg. They needed her to be here tonight to laugh with them. It used to be difficult for her to mingle with her crew. No matter what ship she was on, she always knew everyone's name, but this was the first time she knew the people along with their names. She had grown comfortable with them and in doing so broke every rule she had ever learned regarding a captain's place among her crew. For some reason that made her smile.
A voice whispered in her ear. "Isn't it way past your bedtime?"
Her smile widened. "Don't worry Commander. I will not turn into a pumpkin at midnight."
He walked in front of her and sat on the bar stool to her left. As he did, he leaned in closer so only she would hear his reply. "And I am not Prince Charming."
The Captain's eyes twinkled as a devilish grin appeared on her face. "Says who?"
He returned her flirty smile with one of his own.
"Well, you two look happy."
Chakotay raised a glass to Neelix. "We are Neelix. This was a magnificent idea."
The Captain placed her hand warmly on Neelix's shoulder. "Yes, it was. The crew seems to be having a wonderful time."
"That is because their Captain is doing the same." Captain Janeway blushed. "You know how they feel about you."
She took a deep breath. Even though she had made an effort to become closer to this crew, it was still difficult to discuss her feelings publicly. Chakotay placed his hand around the back of her chair, and as he did, it brushed her shoulder. She cast a sideways glance in his direction. It never ceased to amaze her that he knew her needs so well. A simple touch by him and her strength was renewed. "I know Neelix, and I feel the same about them."
Neelix took her hand inbetween both of his and gently patted it. "Then maybe next time we can just run away!" He laughed as he finished his sentence.
She knew he didn't mean it. It was his way of asking her to be more careful. "Maybe next time I might just do that!" She laughed right along with him.
"Oh look! The limbo contest is starting." The theme for the evening had been a beach party. "Care to join in, Captain?"
The Captain raised her hand in protest. "No! Neelix I think I have had enough for one evening. I believe I will call it a night." She stood up from her stool and straightened out her outfit. "Thank you, Neelix."
He smiled warmly at her as he held both of her hands in his. "You're welcome, Captain." He let go of her hands and extended his hand to Chakotay who was still sitting. The Commander stood up and took the Talaxian's hand and shook it firmly. "Goodnight Commander."
Chakotay was trying to figure out a graceful way to exit with the Captain without her protesting. Neelix had just solved his problem. "Good night Neelix." As they walked to the door Chakotay leaned over. "I would have paid a week's worth of rations to watch you in the limbo contest." The last thing the crew saw as the Command Team exited was their Captain slapping their Commander on the arm. It made them all smile.
As they walked to the turbo lift Chakotay remained a few steps behind. He knew he shouldn't, but he couldn't help himself. The view was spectacular. Kathryn was wearing a flowing piece of fabric that was wrapped tightly around her lower body and was tied at the waist. It was tight enough to accentuate all the right places. Along with it she wore what looked like the sleeveless tops they wore under their Starfleet issued turtlenecks, but this one was white, pure white. Add that to her hair that was loosely laying on her shoulder and he was mesmerized.
"Commander, don't think for a second that I don't know what you are doing! It's bad enough that you do it on the bridge when I am standing by Tom."
"But you look so good in red!"
"My uniform pants are black." They entered the turbo lift and she immediately placed her back against the wall.
Chakotay did not let that deter him. He stood next to her and did the same. He could feel the heat of her bare skin as her arm touched his. "I was imagining what was underneath."
She looked at him with her eyes open wide in feigned shock. "You are incorrigible!"
He swayed his body a little to the right making their bodily contact more complete. "Tell me, what Starfleet Regulation prohibits the first officer from looking at the Captain?"
They had reached their destination and she exited quickly in an attempt to avoid his question. Together they walked to her door. When they got there she realized that she did not want the evening to end. "Would you like to come in for coffee?"
"Make it tea and you've got a deal." He extended his arm in a chivalrous gesture. Kathryn slipped her arm through his and unlocked her door. They were both laughing as they entered. She ordered the lights to 75%. As the room went from dark to light she saw a figure standing by her couch. Before either one of them had time to react, he spoke.
"Kath?"
"Mark?"
In two steps they had covered the distance between them and were wrapped in each others' arms.
Mark pulled away and took his lover's face in his hands. "Kath, is it really you?" As she shook her head yes he began to kiss the tears that were streaming down her face.
On the far side of the room a forgotten figure hit his comm badge. "Security, intruder alert in the Captain's quarters!"
The sound of his voice broke through the haze that had enveloped Kathryn's mind. She moved out of Mark's embrace and stepped back. She looked back and forth from man to man. She was frozen in her place. Before she could speak, a security detail headed by Tuvok burst through her door with phasers drawn.
"Step away from the Captain." Tuvok approached the intruder cautiously.
"Kath, this is ridiculous." He moved toward her and Tuvok repeated his command.
"Step away from the Captain or I will be forced to shoot."
He turned to the other men in bewilderment. "I would never hurt her!"
Captain Janeway interceded. "Lt. Tuvok, this is Mark, my fiancé." The Captain attempted to go to Mark's side but was stopped by Mr. Ayala.
"So it would appear, but may I remind you Captain, things are not always as they appear."
"Tuvok, just look at him. You've met him. You know it is him."
Everyone in the room was on personal red alert. Ayala and Chakotay looked ready to pounce on the intruder, while Tuvok questioned the Captain.
"Captain, when was the last time you saw your fiancé?" Tuvok dispassionately asked his Captain while he kept the phaser pointed directly at the man.
Captain Janeway threw her hands up in the air and began to pace in front of the view port in her living area. "You know the answer to that question. It was three and one half years ago."
"And where was that?"
"In our home."
Mark was getting angry. He did not understand this any more than they did but he knew Kath was getting upset. "Who is he to badger you? You are the Captain!"
Chakotay flinched as he longed to grab the intruder by the throat. Tuvok stopped him with a single look.
"Where?"
"On earth! Tuvok, this is insane. Why are you questioning me?" By now she had stopped pacing and turned to face him with her hands on her hips. She was fed up! She was the Captain and this man was her fiancé.
"What quadrant is earth in, Captain?"
"In the Alpha Quadrant." She was now walking point blank toward the phaser.
"And where are we Captain?"
His final question sobered her. Her anger toward him evaporated. "In the Delta Quadrant."
Commander Chakotay remained rigid at the door. He was having a difficult time separating his duty as a first officer from his jealousy as a man. "Captain, I suggest that we bring this man to sick bay and have the Doctor examine him. Maybe that will provide us with some answers."
Her heart and head were pounding. "You are right Commander. We will go to sick bay."
Tuvok intervened once again. "I will take him to sick bay. The Doctor will contact you with his findings."
"Kath, what's going on?" Mark called to her as Tuvok ushered him from the room. They headed to sick bay leaving Ayala to guard her door.
Inside, Kathryn Janeway fell to her couch in stunned silence. What the hell had just happened. She was having a perfectly wonderful time with Chakotay and then Mark appeared. In that single instant, the joy she felt at seeing him overcame her. She did not stop to question it. But now her mind was in turmoil. What had she done? What must Chakotay think, the way I threw myself into Mark's arms like Chakotay meant nothing? And what must Mark think seeing his fiancé on the arm of another man laughing as they entered her dark quarters? Oh god what was she going to do?
Chakotay was still standing by the door. "Captain I…"
She jumped up. She had forgotten he was there. She backed away to a far part of the room. As only she could, she held her right hand up to stop all activity around her. "Not now Commander."
He walked toward her wanting desperately to plead his case. "Kathryn, he can't…"
"Not now Commander!"
He stopped dead in his tracks. He spun on his heels and left. He rushed down the corridor trying to erase the image of another man kissing his Kathryn. Dammit she wasn't his. He had no right. Like hell he didn't! He continued his unconscious journey until he arrived at sickbay. He entered and stood just inside the door. Tuvok did not acknowledge him but Chakotay knew even the Vulcan would understand his need to be here. As the doctor examined the intruder Chakotay continued to give the man a cold hard stare.
Kathryn was lying back on her chair trying to make some sense of the last few minutes. She tried to sort things out using a scientific approach. Okay I'll start with Mark. He appeared in my quarters out of nowhere. His home is 60 thousand light years away. So that is impossible. Yet he looked like Mark, he felt like Mark and he kissed like Mark. She raised her hand to her lips. It was not possible, but it felt so real. Then she thought about Chakotay and she immediately felt guilty. Guilty that she had kissed Mark in front of him. Guilty that she had done it at all. She stood up and started for the door. This was stupid. Mark was her fiancé and Chakotay had no hold on her. She stopped when she thought about his eyes. Like hell he didn't. The hurt in his eyes as she looked between the two men spoke volumes. But what about Mark? He arrived to find her cavorting with another man? She turned back into her quarters and sat back down. She closed her eyes and laid her head back on the cushion. I know. It is all a dream. Soon I will wake up and it will all be over.
"Afraid not Kathy!"
Her head shot up at the sound of another voice. "Q! I should have figured."
"Am I that transparent mon capitan?"
She smiled. She actually felt better. Now at least there was a rational explanation. "What's your game this time Q?"
"Game? Game!," he shouted indignantly. "This is no game. This is a favor for you, born out of the goodness of my heart." He had crossed the room and sat down next to her. Now she found his head on her shoulder. She jumped up and dislodged him from his resting place.
"If it's not a game what is it? I come home to find a man who resembles my fiancé in my quarters."
He remained reclined on her couch as she stared at him. "Save the death glare for someone else. It has no effect on me. I only find you more alluring when you're mad!" His elbow was propped up with his head leaning on his hand and a love sick smile on his lips.
Kathryn sat down in a huff in the chair opposite him.
Q rolled onto his back. "Oh and he does not look like your fiancé. He is your fiancé."
She jumped up. "What do you mean he is my fiancé?"
"Kathy really! Being surrounded by these other dullards has hurt you immeasurably. I meant what I said. He is your fiancé."
"How Q?"
He sprung up to a sitting position. His hands clasped in barely contained excitement. "Simple really. I just snapped my fingers and he was here."
"Q!" She spoke in that voice that only she has. The one that can make even Q do what she wanted.
"Okay, okay. I did this for you my sweet." He knelt in front of her and took her hand into his. "You have been so lonely. I thought you would enjoy some male companionship. After all, who could stand spending all their free time with Chuckles?"
"I have been lonely for a long time. Why now?" She snatched her hand away from his. "And Q I want the truth!"
"Fine. Since your encounter with the Bothan you have been terribly burdened. Despite the fact that it has been over a year, the things he said to you still haunt your mind."
"How would you know what he said?"
He gave her an exasperated look. "Kathy, I am Q. I know everything. The point is, you have been beating yourself up because the image he projected of Mark accused you of being unfaithful."
"I was never unfaithful!"
Now he sat back thoughtfully. "Ah, that may be a matter of opinion."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"There's cheating, and then there is cheating." He placed his hand over his heart when he said the last phrase. "My dear Kathy, you have been feeling like a terrible person because you are afraid that you have been unfaithful to Mark in your heart."
She wanted to protest but she couldn't. Instead she sat back down and let her head fall into her hands.
Q returned to the couch. "Don't you see Kathy, I brought him here so you could sort it all out. Is it really Mark you still want or is it that big oaf?"
She rubbed her temples. "How long?"
"Five days, counting today."
"Who knows he is gone?"
"Everyone. He went to a symposium on some something or other."
She raised her head and looked at Q. "Will he remember?"
"No."
"Fine."
"Aren't you going to thank me?"
As she walked out her door she mumbled one last sentence. "Thank you, I was thinking of killing you."
"I heard that Kathy."
The Captain strode into sickbay. She immediately went to the Doctor. He was standing next to Mark who was sitting on a biobed. "All my tests show…"
The Captain finished his sentence "That he is indeed my fiancé."
"I was going to say human male but if you want to call him your fiancé far be it from me to stop you."
"Captain…"
"Tuvok, it appears we will have a visitor for the next five days."
Tuvok was not convinced. "And how would you know that Captain?"
"Q."
At the sound of his name the entire room with the exception of Chakotay relaxed.
"So, as I said we will have a guest with us for the next five days."
"What are you talking about Kath, a visitor for five days? And who what is this Q" Mark pushed her for some answers.
Tuvok eyed her cautiously. "Should I arrange for quarters for our guest?"
Chakotay must have made a noise because the Captain finally looked in his direction and noticed his presence. Her nervousness returned. "Yes Tuvok, please do."
Chakotay was not willing to let it end there. He needed some reassurance, however small it might be. "Captain, at the moment there are no extra quarters on Voyager."
She looked him directly in the eye as she spoke. "Maybe Mr. Paris would be willing to room with Harry for awhile so our guest could use his quarters."
Mark didn't understand exactly what was happening but he injected his thoughts just the same. "Kath, I thought I would just stay with you." The room went dead silent. Chakotay's body tensed even more than he thought humanly possible.
Kathryn remained next to Mark and placed her hand on his arm. She spoke to him softly. "Mark, I know it is quite a shock being here like this. I promise I will explain everything tomorrow. Right now it is the middle of the night and most of us need to be on the bridge at 0700 hours. Go with Tuvok, get some sleep and I will see you tomorrow."
Mark relented and turned to face her. "Okay Kath. This has been one hell of a day." He took her face in his hands and kissed her goodnight before she had the chance to react.
He had no way of knowing that his innocent gesture was an extreme breach of protocol. Nor could he begin to fathom the turmoil it created in the hearts and minds of the people present.
Kathryn turned her back and began to leave sickbay. It was too much. "Tuvok, please speak to Mr. Paris and get our guest settled. I will be in my quarters should there be an emergency." With that she was gone. Tuvok did as he was told and the Doctor went back to his research. Only Chakotay remained where he stood, tense and silent. His breathing labored in an attempt to calm his rapid heart. The anger was running like a river through his blood. The hurt was an anchor that held his heart.