Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures

Note: This is not my usual type of J/C story but I hope you enjoy it :)

WINTER LOVE

CHAPTER ONE

2397

It had been nineteen years since Voyager's return. Nineteen years and five months. As she sat on the balcony of her house in San Francisco, watching the sun rise over the city, Kathryn Janeway thought back to that momentous event and relived it again in her mind. She did so often, always with a smile, for it was the greatest moment of her life. Of all their lives. For it was the moment they beat the odds. The moment they made it home.

Home.

There truly was no place like it. Sometimes, in her darkest times on Voyager, she had doubted the wisdom of continuing their journey. The road home was long and hard, dangerous and hostile. Perhaps, she had thought, it would be better to make a new home in the Delta Quadrant. But always, from deep within, the voice of courage had dissuaded her. The Alpha Quadrant was their home. Earth, Vulcan, and all the other planets that were dear to them.

And they had made it.

Nineteen years ago.

Years that had, for the most part, been kind to them.

No regrets.

Only happy memories.

Suddenly, unexpectedly, the door chime played. Wondering who it could be so early, Kathryn put down her coffee, got to her feet, and hurried through her house to the front door's security monitor. A quick glance told her that her visitor was Admiral Lisa Krayne, a colleague and a friend.

"Lisa," she said, opening the door. "What brings you here so early?"

"Early?" Lisa laughed. "It's midday in Halifax!"

"So it is," Kathryn smiled. "But don't you be getting smart me with me, Vice Admiral Krayne, because if I'm forgetting time-zones, clearly so are you...unless you make a habit of dropping in on friends at dawn."

"I don't," Lisa laughed again, "you got me. Must be our age, eh?"

"Speak for yourself! But don't stand there like a stranger, come in!"

Admiral Krayne did as she was told and the two women made their way to the balcony. When there, Kathryn replicated her friend a coffee, and then they sat down.

"So, why are you here?" Kathryn asked, picking up her own cooling coffee. "Is everything ok?"

"With me, yes," she answered. "But for you...I'm afraid I have bad news about Chakotay."

At this, Kathryn's face paled. Even though they hadn't seen each other for over two years, and had lived completely separate lives since Voyager's return, he still occupied a very special place in her heart. He always had and always would.

"What..what kind of news?" she asked quietly. "He's not..." Tears filled her eyes. "Please don't say so."

"He isn't," Lisa said kindly. "He's alive. But he's lucky to be so. His ship was badly damaged in a conflict with the Romulans...I don't know the particulars...and he was seriously injured. In fact, his condition is still critical."

"Critical how?"

"I don't know. We've just received word."

"From where? His crew?" Chakotay was, just as he had been for the last seventeen years, captaining a ship in deep space.

"From Starbase FX-1. He, and all surviving members of his crew, were taken there by the USS Zephira...the ship that rescued them."

"I..I see."

"We'll know more in due course."

Kathryn almost scoffed. "In due course? Which means what? When someone can be bothered to tell us?"

"You know that's..."

"Exactly how it is! And it's not good enough! I want answers now!"

"But..."

"Which means I'll have to go there."

Lisa put down her coffee. "But it's a week long trip. By the time..."

"Not by transport relay," Kathryn interrupted. "I can be there by tonight."

"Transport relay is risky."

Kathryn raised an eyebrow. "Risky? Says the woman who relayed all the way from Cardassia just to watch a basketball game? The woman who told me a ten minute break every hour takes off the headache?"

Lisa laughed. "That was a long time ago."

"And last month's relay from Trezoria is ancient history?"

"You got me...again. But do you really need to go, Kath? You're one of the highest ranking officers in Starfleet. You can get any information you want in an instant."

"You think so? I have update requests three months outstanding! No, the only way I can be sure of being properly informed is to be there. Rank is far more effective in person."

"Then I'll wish you good luck...providing you wish me the same with Iron Dyon. With you gone, I'll have to meet with him alone."

"Oh, he's a big softie really. All bark and no bite."

"No bite? I still have the scars!"

Kathryn got to her feet and gently poked her friend's shoulder. "Then you've got to grow a thicker skin. Now, finish your coffee...take your time. I've got to pack a few things and let a few people know I'm leaving."

"Ok, Kath," Lisa said. "And, for what it's worth, I'm sorry about Chakotay. I know you...I know he's special to you."

Kathryn blinked back tears. "He is. Even though we...If anything's...I have to be there."

"I understand. Just be careful. Relaying isn't as kind on us as it is on the young. Make sure you take those breaks."

"I will," Kathryn replied. "I promise."

Starbase FX-1 was almost deserted when Kathryn finally arrived there. The relay had gone well, better than she could have hoped for, and the breaks, one lasting an hour while she chatted with Harry Kim on the brand new ship he was captaining, had really helped reduce the grogginess. In fact, after a dose of stabilizing meds by the nurse who examined her on arrival, she was almost feeling like herself.

Almost.

Concern for Chakotay prevented her.

"I wish I could tell you how he is," the sweet blonde nurse told her after she asked, "but I've only just arrived myself and know nothing. Neither can I disturb Dr Lane as she's in surgery. But I'll look up his records and find out what I can for you."

Kathryn thanked her, and then waited for what felt like an eternity for information.

"I'm really sorry for the delay," the young girl apologized as she left a console, "but I'm new here and still finding my way around the system. From what I can tell...and I might be wrong...Captain Chakotay isn't in a critical condition at all. At least, not anymore. He was three weeks ago, with serious injuries sustained in battle, but has made a full recovery. I don't even know if he's onboard anymore. I'm sorry."

For a moment Kathryn said nothing, she just absorbed the girl's words, then finally she spoke. "Don't be sorry. If Chakotay's out of danger, and recovered, that's the best news I could hope for."

The girl flushed red now. "Oh, of course, Admiral...of course...I didn't mean...I'm sorry...of course it's good he's ok...I just...I'm sorry."

Kathryn had to smile. "It's quite alright, Nurse. I know..."

But she never got to finish her sentence as sickbay doors opened and Admiral Rex Hoffman came in.

"Admiral Janeway," he smiled as he saw her. "Welcome to Starbase FX-1"

"Thank you," Kathryn replied. "I'm glad I made it safely and in good time."

"So am I. I'd hate to be famous for losing one of Starfleet's most honored mid transport."

Kathryn laughed. "Oh, believe me, a few people would thank you!"

Admiral Hoffman laughed at that and then the two officers shook hands.

"And don't worry," Kathryn said, "I'm not here in an official capacity. I'm here to see Captain Chakotay. Is he still onboard?"

"I'm afraid not. The USS Starblazer stopped here for repairs this afternoon and Chakotay, along with a few others, left with it. That's why it's quiet here."

"I see," Kathryn said, trying to conceal her disappointment. Although she was glad of his recovery, she was sorry to have missed him. She longed to see him with all her heart.

"But I can send him a message," Admiral Hoffman declared. "If he knows you're here, he may return. The Starblazer can spare a shuttle."

"I'm sure it can," Kathryn replied. "And well he might. As I can't risk a back relay for at least three days there's nothing to lose!"

Admiral Hoffman smiled. "Then I'll send the message right away."

After Admiral Hoffman had sent the message, he showed Kathryn to the guest lounge where they sat and had coffee. It was a nice lounge, spacious with pleasant decor, and from the long window was a dramatic view of space. For about twenty minutes the two former colleagues discussed times old and new, and then Admiral Hoffman received a reply from Chakotay.

"What does he say?" Kathryn asked. "Is he coming?"

"I don't know," the Admiral replied, looking up from his padd, "the message is addressed to you."

With that, he handed the padd to Kathryn and she quickly read the message. As she did, she smiled.

"I take it, then, he's coming," Admiral Hoffman said.

"Not exactly," Kathryn answered. "He will if I want him to, but he suggests we meet on Kelvoris... an m-class planet just a few light years from here that has spectacular mountain ranges and a hotel on the highest. He can be there in less than an hour by transport and me in no time at all."

"Sounds like a great idea. I don't know why I didn't think of it myself! But I don't think you should transport. I know it's only a short distance, but as you're still recovering from the relay, I recommend flying. I dare say we have more spare shuttles than The Starblazer!"

Kathryn smiled. "I dare say you do. And I agree. Flying would be better."

END OF CHAPTER ONE