Title: Waiting for Grotto
Author: Diana Forester ( dianaforester@hotmail.com )
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: These Characters are not mine
Spoilers: Endgame
Category: J/C, plus the rest of the crew and lots of cameos.
Summery: So they got back....now what? A look at what happened after that fateful trip through the transwarp conduit.
Authors Notes: First time out here, so any feedback/constructive criticism is appreciated (Especially constructive criticism!). Thanks to my Betas, Teresa, Voyjo and Crystal. Any mistakes you find are mine.
Chapter 1 (In Which Voyager Returns to the Alpha Quadrant to Find that All Is Not Well)
"It's all in my report."
"Welcome back."
Voyager escorted back to Earth by a fleet of Starships. An honourable return. The intrepid lost sheep returns from places unknown after seven years. The prodigal son. Or daughter. That's how the Admiral had described Voyager's homecoming. Tom Paris (or Chakotay, in this case) gracefully piloting the ship around the Golden Gate Bridge, through the fire works, to come to rest on the parade grounds of Starfleet academy. What a wonderful image.
Unfortunately, for the moment that's all it was: an image, a maybe. Voyager had been hailed by Starfleet HQ about 3 seconds and 10,000 km after the comm. line had closed with Admiral Paris. Some anonymous commander had told them that they were to hold position, and await additional instructions, to be couriered to them. By hand. Who did that these days?
"Commander, in my ready room please." She wanted another opinion on what the hold up was, and some options.
With his own small sigh at their current predicament, Chakotay took a final look at the blue-green orb on the view screen and followed his captain. So close, yet so far…. As he entered the ready room, he took his seat on the near side of Janeway's desk while she went to the replicator. She offered him his tea and took a sip of her coffee before finally sitting down and looking him in the eye. Chakotay could feel the frustration coming off her body like waves. While he too was annoyed with the casual way they were being treated, he know he was here to be her rock, her calm in the storm. Taking a deep breath, he prayed to his spirit guide for the strength to help bring serenity to his angry captain.
"Chakotay, what the hell are they doing? Don't they realize we just got back from the Delta quadrant? What could possibly be the problem?"
Chakotay decided to try to inject some humour into the situation. "Perhaps they can't find the fireworks."
Janeway glared at him before smiling slightly. Once again her friend had helped put their situation into perspective. "Thanks Chakotay, I needed that."
A rare admission that she needed help. Chakotay decided to take advantage of the situation, and do her another favour. "Why don't you head down to sickbay to check on the newest member of your brood?"
"Brood? Are you trying to suggest I'm a mother hen?" she replied in mock seriousness, moving toward the door.
Chakotay watched her move past him, choosing to remain silent, until she paused just before the exit. "Coming?"
"Shouldn't one of us be here to meet the messenger?"
"I think Tuvok can handle it. If HQ is treating us casually, I have no problem returning the favour. Plus Tuvok is the logical choice to shoot this messenger of theirs."
Smiling again, Chakotay followed the captain onto to bridge and into the turbolift bound for sickbay. She didn't break stride as she gave command of the ship to her security chief, and asked him to route all further communication to sickbay.
*
Janeway and Chakotay walked into sickbay with to find the lights dimmed, and the new Paris family asleep on one of the bio-beds. Tom was spooned behind B'Elanna, and the new child, as yet un-named from what she knew, was asleep in the crook of B'Elanna's arm. One of them was snoring softly, but she couldn't tell whom.
Feeling Chakotay's presence behind her, Janeway whispered softly to him, "They're beautiful, aren't they?"
Chakotay could tell her eyes were misting up. His were too. He could feel the oneness of the small group in front of him, and desperately wanted to feel that kind of connection now. Tentatively he reached out his hand and laid it on her shoulder. "Yes, yes they are." Was his soft reply, his voice slow and thick like velvet.
Just as slowly she reached her own hand up and laid it on top of his. They stayed there, standing just inside the door, hands resting on her shoulder until Harry walked in. The command team hesitated a moment more before turning to see who the intruder was. Harry, in perhaps the best demonstration of his maturity to date, simply took a few steps to the side and gazed on the new family, allowing the captain and commander a measure of privacy. When she saw who had entered the room, Janeway gestured toward the door, and the three exited so as not to disturb their sleeping friends.
Once out in the hallway, she replaced her command mask, and spoke to Kim. "What is it Harry?"
"Vice-Admiral Hoya just arrived by runabout in shuttle bay 2 with our new orders. Ensign Freeman's escorting him to your ready room."
Janeway smiled and gestured toward the turbolift. "Then let's not keep him waiting."
*
The Captain entered her ready room to find Vice-Admiral Hoya walking unhurriedly through the room, running his hand slowly over her chair in disbelief. She'd left Chakotay on the bridge, expecting that this conversation might be best held in private.
"Admiral." Janeway interrupted his revere.
"Captain Janeway." Hoya seemed quite satisfied at seeing her. "Let me be the first to shake your hand and welcome you home."
Janeway took the offered hand, before replying "Thank you sir. It's nice to be back in the Alpha Quadrant. My crew and I are quite anxious to make planet fall. Can I ask what the problem is?"
"Why do you assume there's a problem?"
Taking a breath before speaking, she tried to phrase her response as diplomatically as possible. She wasn't particularly successful. "With all due respect, sir, Starfleet wasn't in the habit of having orders hand delivered by senior officers before we left, and I doubt they've changed that policy."
Smiling slightly, he replied: "The war with the Dominion changed a lot of things in Starfleet, but you're right, we still don't hand deliver orders."
Janeway bit her tongue and settled for raising her eyebrows in question.
"I'm here to take command of a small fleet of vessels. The Pearson, the Churchill, the Secord, and the Indomitable will escort Voyager to Starbase 4. Your crew will be debriefed and your ship repaired before returning to Earth. There is one other matter I cannot stress enough: From this point on, you must keep absolute comm silence. Your escort has been kept deliberately small, so as to avoid any…. searching eyes."
"I see. I'm familiar with the Pearson and the Churchill, but I've never heard of the Secord or the Indomitable. The Indomitable sounds more like a Romulan warship than any Federation Vessel I've ever heard of. I'd like to know a bit more about the ships I'm to be in a fleet with."
"Of course Captain. As you know the Pearson is an Excelsior class starship, and the Churchill's a Sovereign class ship. The Indomitable is a defiant class heavy cruiser."
"You built more than one of those things?" Janeway couldn't believe it. That ship was created for one reason: conflict. The scientist in her abhorred such an idea.
"I'm afraid so Captain. As I said, the Dominion war changed a lot of things. In any case, the Secord is a prototype. It was designed during the Dominion war, but has only just finished its shakedown cruise. Its purpose is to detect enemy communication and ship movements without being spotted."
"Then it has a cloak."
"Yes, but it is also the quietest, most efficient ship we've ever conceived. During trials against the Potempkin and the Hood, it remained uncloaked and undetected in open space for over 29 hours."
"Admiral, you've assembled quite a fleet here. Is this really necessary just to get to Starbase 4?"
"I'm afraid so Captain. The war may be over, but not all of our allies can be trusted anymore. Unfortunately, the Federation and the Klingon Empire took the brunt of the attack. The Romulans fared much better, and the Breen are emerging as a new power in this part of the galaxy. Even the Ferengi are looking strong and well armed compared to the state of the Fleet. Our enemies are circling like vultures, waiting to fight over the scraps. If they get a hold of the new technology you've brought back, the Federation will be unable to stave them off. In all honesty Captain, your return couldn't have been timed better. We could really use an edge right now, and it looks like you can provide it."
"I see. What are our orders then, Admiral?"
"The Secord has already departed. It will maintain a lead of one parsec. The Indomitable will lead our group, Voyager will fall in behind. The Pearson and Churchill will take flank positions. We will travel at warp 5, so as not to attract undue attention. At that speed it will take us approximately 78 hours to reach Starbase. We will depart as soon as I receive conformation from my aid onboard the Pearson."
Resigned, at least for the moment, Janeway deferred to Hoya. "Very well. Shall we return to the bridge to await communication?"
Smiling, Hoya replied. "Of course Captain. Oh, but Captain, there's one more thing. I understand that your pilot and chief Engineer are…occupied for the moment with personal matters. I took the liberty of bringing aboard a few extra officers. Lieutenant DeSoto is one of the best pilots in the fleet. Dr. Leah Brahms from Utopia Planitia designed your engines, and she'll be your new chief of engineering."
"Admiral, I appreciate your efforts, but this ship has quite a few good pilots, including my first officer. As for a new chief of engineering, my staff are quite capable of handling things for 78 hours."
Smiling again, Hoya replied, "I know Captain, but those orders didn't originate with me. Starfleet command wants to be sure that you arrive in one piece, and they think this is necessary."
While Janeway wanted nothing more than to break a few of the Admiral's teeth, she recognized the value of a well-timed defeat. "Ok Admiral, you win. I'll inform engineering to expect Dr. Brahms. Is lieutenant DeSoto ready to get us underway?"
"Of course. They're waiting in the observation lounge."
"Janeway to Ensign Freeman. Please bring our guests to the bridge."
Silently, they returned to the bridge.
*
They entered the bridge to find a young male lieutenant, presumably DeSoto, arguing with Commander Chakotay over the Conn position. It seemed DeSoto, displaying the cockiness typical of pilots everywhere, had simply walked over and tried to relieve the ensign manning the Conn. The Commander understandably didn't want to allow just anyone to take control of the vessel, and had stopped DeSoto. The lieutenant figured his orders had come from an Admiral, and therefore superseded those of this Maquis.
"Gentlemen, please. Lieutenant DeSoto I presume." She wasn't asking; it was pretty clear who he was.
"Yes Sir." The entire bridge crew turned to stare at him. DeSoto visibly blanched at their response. Unsure what he'd done wrong, but knowing he'd just committed terrible offence his mind raced as he tried to figure out how to fix the situation. Unfortunately his reply did nothing to help. "uhhh…."
Admiral Hoya was amazed. He'd worked with DeSoto for years, and never once seen the man loose his cool, let alone become speechless. Yet in less than ten seconds this missing Captain and her bridge crew had done just that. He'd have to remember that, and remember not to underestimate them.
After watching DeSoto's reaction for a few seconds, Janeway decided to give the poor man a break. "I dislike 'sir'. Please address me as Captain. And take the conn."
DeSoto was visibly relieved as he replied. "Yes Captain, thank you Captain."
That settled, Janeway walked up to the bridge's upper deck, toward the other stranger. "Dr. Brahms."
"Yes Captain."
Janeway extended her hand. "Welcome on board Voyager."
Brahms took the offered hand. "Thank you Captain. Congratulations on your return."
"Thank you. Commander, would you show Dr. Brahms to engineering?"
Chakotay was already moving toward the turbolift as he responded. "Of course Captain."
No sooner had they departed, Kim announced: "Captain, the Pearson is hailing us"
Admiral Hoya responded immediately "On screen."
Kim hesitated, but complied when he saw the Captain's small nod. A young woman appeared on the screen. She was wearing a standard black and grey uniform, with a gold Operations shirt and lieutenant commander's pips. She was not, however, on the Pearson's bridge, but instead calling from what seemed to be personal quarters.
"Commander Gomez, report." Admiral Hoya was once again taking control of the situation.
"I've contacted the Indomitable and the Churchill." Gomez also seemed to be in control of the situation on the Pearson. "They both report ready. The Secord reported all systems ready before departing and initiating grey alert. All stations report ready for departure, Admiral."
"Excellent. Signal the other ships to form up."
"Yes Sir." The woman replied before the screen resumed its exterior view. They could see a small, powerfully built ship moving into position ahead of them.
"DeSoto, maintain position relative to the rest of the group."
"Aye Sir." DeSoto's hands moved over the controls, bringing Voyager in line with the Indomitable. Slowly the stars started to move. They picked up speed and passed Saturn, Jupiter and then through the outer asteroid belt before entering warp. Chakotay emerged from the aft turbolift just in time to see the last small rocks glance off the shields.
"Captain, if you don't mind, I'd like to retire for the time being." Having gotten his way, Hoya was quite happy to bow out, and leaving Janeway and her crew to carry out his orders.
"Of course. Commander?" Janeway shot Chakotay an apologetic look. She disliked reducing him to this sort of pageboy role
Chakotay smiled at her as he responded, "of course Captain."
Janeway watched the two men head for the turbolift before sitting back into her chair. There was only about 25 minutes left in her duty shift, and she found herself waiting for it to end. She was agitated, and needed to get up and walk around, maybe pace a rut in a carpet. Looking at the view screen just made things worse. Seeing the Indomitable leading the way for Voyager troubled her. It reminded her they'd made it home, but were being denied their final goal by Starfleet's bureaucracy. More personally, Captain Kathryn Janeway had spent the last seven years of her life commanding the only federation ship in the Delta quadrant. Though she'd felt the weight of responsibility, there was also an enormous sense of freedom. She'd made decisions on her own, without anyone to answer to. Perhaps most troubling to her, however, was the undeniable fact the Indomitable would not have existed in the Federation she'd left. Sitting there, staring at its warp engines, she could no longer pretend that nothing had changed. The Dominion war had evidently taken a huge toll on the Federation, and changed its nature, right down to the way it built its ships. What smaller, more insidious differences might exist?
The tone indicating the end of Alpha shift sounded, disturbing her thoughts. Mentally collecting herself, she stood, leaving the Big Chair to Tuvok. "Commander, the bridge is yours."
"Aye Captain."
Janeway watched him settle into the Captain's chair, before heading to the turbolift.
*
As soon as Janeway exited the turbolift, she made a beeline for Commander Chakotay's quarters. She took a moment to calm herself before pressing the chime. A few seconds later his voice come over the comm line. "Enter."
Walking through the open door, Janeway found Chakotay sitting in a chair, PADD in hand, untouched tea at his side still steaming. She figured he hadn't arrived much before she had.
"What can I do for you Captain?"
"I need to call in that rain check you gave me. Hors d'oeuvres tonight."
"Uh, okay. What's the occasion?" Chakotay was getting nervous. There was nothing going on between himself and the Captain, she'd made that crystal clear years ago, but he felt guilty for not telling her about Seven. Not that he could figure out how to tell her. So Kathryn, I'm involved with that borg drone you took under your wing…Somehow he didn't think that would go over well.
"It's a sort of a staff meeting…without our new senior staff. There were a few things raised in my meeting with Admiral Hoya that concern me."
"I see. Your quarters, 18:00 hours okay?"
"Perfect. Oh, and tell Seven of Nine too, okay?" His reaction was subtle, but she caught it easily. He froze for half a second. She could see his indecision about how to react, and decided to spare him the discomfort.
"Relax Chakotay, I know. The Admiral told me." There was no question in anyone's mind who the Admiral was.
Sighing deeply, Chakotay tried to figure out how to best approach the subject. He took a long hard look at the Captain, and remembered that above all else, she was his best friend.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
She walked over and put her hand on his arm. The last thing she wanted right now was distance between them. "It's alright Chakotay. I understand you had your reasons. I respect that. What's important right now, is that we not let this come between us, and concern ourselves with Admiral Hoya."
Looking down briefly, he replied, "Of course Captain. I'll make sure we're there."
"Thanks Chakotay. See you tonight." Janeway turned and left Chakotay's quarters, heading for sickbay.
*
Janeway arrived in sickbay to find the lights back on, and all three members of the Paris family wide awake. The doctor was hovering, handing Tom PADDs, giving B'Elanna last minute advice, and smiling at the baby.
"Captain!" Tom was clearly relived to see her.
"Congratulations both of you." Janeway walked toward the chaos in front of her. "How is she doing?"
B'Elanna beamed at Janeway. "She's wonderful."
"And how are you?"
"Tired," B'Elanna conceded. "And looking forward to getting back to my own quarters." This last remark was punctuated by a glare at the Doctor.
Sighing, the Doctor finally conceded. "Alright, you can go. Call me anytime if there's a problem."
"Of course Doc. Thanks for everything." This last comment came from Tom Paris, as he tried to hurry his family out the door before the Doctor could find any other reason to delay them.
"One moment before you leave please, Mister Paris." Janeway realized this might be the only time she could see all three of them at once. "I'm holding an informal staff meeting tonight at 18:00 in my quarters. I understand if the two of you are unable to make it, but I hope you won't mind if I have Harry deliver the results to you. Unfortunately some issues have been raised that will affect this entire crew, and will certainly delay our arrival to Earth."
"Captain," B'Elanna began, "I appreciate your concern, but if this is going to affect our future, we'd like to be there."
"Given the circumstances, are you sure that's wise?" Janeway appreciated her officer's devotion to duty, but this was getting a little extreme.
"Captain, as the Doctor will tell you, Klingons have a remarkable constitution. I'll be fine, provided, she can join us." B'Elanna looked down at her daughter to emphasis her point.
"I'm sorry to say she's right, Captain. Assuming you don't have any feats of strength planned for tonight, she should be fine," the Doctor grudgingly admitted.
"Alright then, but only if you're sure you're up to it. As for…I'm sorry, what's her name?" Janeway chided herself for not asking sooner.
"Sorry Captain, but I promised Harry I'd tell him first. Something about a betting pool…but tonight sounds like the perfect opportunity."
"Fair enough Tom. Please pass the message along to Harry."
"No problem."
"I'll see you tonight then." Janeway watched them leave before turning toward the Doctor. "Doctor, I'd also like you to come tonight."
"Of course Captain." The Doctor was pleased that she was including him in what was clearly an important matter.
"Excellent. One more thing: I'd like you to keep Tuvok appraised of the situation. Normally I'd do it myself, but I don't want to appear to be spending an undue amount of time with him."
"I understand Captain." He really didn't have a clue what was going on, but he wasn't about to let her know that. Besides, this seemed sort of cloak and dagger, and he figured it would give him an opportunity to show off his flexibility.
"See you at 18:00 hours, Doctor."
*
The chime to Janeway's quarters sounded at exactly 18:00 hours.
"Come in," she called over her shoulder. She had just replicated the last of the hors d'oeuvres, a tiger shrimp platter, when the Doctor entered.
"Good evening Captain, I hope I'm not early." He knew exactly what time he'd arrived at, but in an attempt to improve his social skills, he'd decided to utilize a common human catch phrase.
Forcing herself not to look at the chronometer, Janeway responded, "No, you're right on time. Please, come in and relax."
"Thank you Captain."
The chime sounded again, this time admitting Seven of Nine and Commander Chakotay.
"Good evening Captain." Chakotay nodded toward Janeway as they entered.
"Come on in, make yourselves at home." She gestured toward the replicated food in her sitting area. The sight of Chakotay and Seven together unsettled her together. Somewhere in the back of her mind she'd always harboured a secret hope that she and Chakotay would explore their own relationship. Seeing the two of them together brought home the impossibility of that dream ever being fulfilled. Consciously pushing those thoughts aside, she heard the chime sound a final time, admitting Tom, B'Elanna, Harry, and the as-yet-unnamed child.
The guests already present began to gravitate toward the baby, resting in her mother's arms. Janeway hadn't been able to utter a greeting before Seven, blunt as always, cut right to the heart of the matter.
"What have you named this child?"
The room fell silent in anticipation.
Tom took a deep breath and looked at his wife before responding. "Okay, well, since everyone's here…Her name in Miral Kathryn Paris."
The room let out a collective breath before applauding. Janeway, beaming, was trying to keep her eyes from welling over.
Harry's voice rose above the noise. "That makes Commander Chakotay the winner of the 'what'll they name the kid' pool, by betting that both B'Elanna's mother's name and the Captain's would be included. Congratulations Commander, you've just won a months worth of replicator rations."
The last comment sparked a wave of laugher through out the group. What would have once been a highly coveted prize had become irrelevant with one trip through a Borg transwarp conduit. The proverbial ice having been broken, the gathered crewmembers began to relax, mingle, and enjoy the food their Captain had replicated for them.
Seven of Nine was the first to hold the new child, looking awkward and somewhat lost until the Doctor provided some gentle instruction. B'Elanna stood beside them, looking on like an understandably nervous mother. Harry and Tom were sampling some of the food, while observing the interaction between the Klingon Engineer, the former Borg drone, and the holographic doctor. They made an interesting scene.
That left Janeway and Chakotay as the odd people out. Janeway saw him standing off to one side drink in hand, observing. She approached him quietly. "Congratulations."
Smiling into his drink he replied, "Almost makes me wish we'd stayed in the Delta Quadrant."
Seeing Janeway's head snap around in surprise, he amended, "I'm kidding. It's nice to be back. I only wish we were on Earth, instead of this strange purgatory."
"Come on now Chakotay, the Delta Quadrant wasn't always Hell."
"No, those times without the Kazon, the Vidiians, the Borg, the Hirogen, or low energy reserves were an absolute dream."
Laughing softly, they both understood in that moment the magnitude of what had taken place in their lives. They had defeated countless enemies, together. They had forged two vastly different groups of people into one coherent crew, together. They had brought Voyager back to the Alpha Quadrant intact, together. These accomplishments could never be taken from them, would never be forgotten.
Bringing herself back to the present, the Captain cleared her throat. "I'm afraid this evening isn't just a social function. There's a very serious matter that was brought to my attention by Admiral Hoya. It seems the reason for our detour to Starbase 4 is not simply to debrief before returning to Earth. It appears Starfleet intends to make use of the technology provided to us by Admiral Janeway. Aside from violation of the temporal prime directive, this also presents some other problems.
"It's clear from our escort that we are to avoid both Federation and enemy eyes. There is much care being taken to ensure as few people as possible know about our return, supposedly to keep this new technology secret. Unfortunately this poses problems when it comes to the fate of the crew. It could take Starfleet years to reverse engineer and apply the shielding and torpedoes, and they can't very well have an entire crew wandering around who know what they're up to."
The pieces started to fall into place for the gathered crewmembers. B'Elanna was the first to voice the implications of their new orders. "So we won't be returning to Earth anytime soon. They'll keep us confined somewhere until they figure out what to do with this new technology we brought back."
"If we ever see Earth," Chakotay quipped. "If they release us, we blow the whistle that we've been back in the Alpha quadrant. They've got the perfect excuse right now; we're lost in the Delta Quadrant. Maybe we suffer a warp core breach; maybe we crash land on a planet. Regardless, they never hear from us again, and neither does anyone else."
"So what do we do about it?" Harry Kim was obviously agitated. After finally getting back to the Alpha Quadrant, the thought that he'd never see Earth again was unbearable.
"We destroy the technology." Seven put everyone's thoughts into words.
"Exactly." Janeway was glad they'd come to the same conclusion she had. "We reach Starbase 4 in about 70 hours, but I doubt we have that long. The presence of Hoya's aide on the Pearson suggests to me there may be an occupying force waiting to come aboard. I want this done within 24 hours."
There were nods all around; everyone knew what was at stake.
"Alright then. As of this moment, I will no longer be involved in this operation, nor will Chakotay." Chakotay's head snapped around at this remark. He'd thought he'd be the logical choice to head this up after his years in the Maquis. Janeway held up a hand to forestall his protest. "We are both too obvious. Hoya will suspect we might try and start a mutiny. The Doctor will co-ordinate."
Even the Doctor seemed surprised and concerned by her choice.
"Doctor, you will not be commanding this operation. You will act as a go-between to communicate information between teams. Seven, I want you to work with Harry to find a way to remove the new technology from Voyager quickly, including all the computer records of it's existence. B'Elanna, if you're up to it," B'Elanna nodded her agreement, "you'll work with Tuvok to ensure we can destroy all the new components, without damaging Voyager, or the other ships.
"Chakotay and I should know nothing about you plans from this point on. We will do our best to assist you, but we need to stay in the dark, so our imprisonment won't disrupt your plans. Any questions?"
There was a small pause, before heads shook around the room.
"Excellent." Janeway passed out a small stack of PADDs. "Here are your official orders. Good luck."
Watching her crew file out, Janeway couldn't help but marvel at how far they'd come. She had every confidence they would finish this one final task for her with the skill that had kept them alive, across the galaxy from everyone they'd known. She almost pitied Hoya for trying to slow them in their quest to reach Earth. She vowed once again to make sure her crew reached home, and she made a more personal promise that she'd land this ship right on HQ's front lawn. It would be harder than Hell to 'disappear' Voyager once the entire Federation saw it over the news nets.