Disclaimer: Don't own it. Wish I did.
AN: Takes place after Voyager has returned to the Alpha Quadrant. Assumes C/7 happened.
Unfinished
Her face was stoic, the captain's mask firmly and immovably in place. She still had a sneaking suspicion that she wasn't fooling everybody...that hint of pity in Tom's eyes, that hint of anger in B'Elanna's. They were giving themselves away, even as she gave herself away by her too calm, too professional, too okay with this demeanor.
Her eyes tripped over faces, bouncing quickly over the emotion of the two aforementioned officers, not daring to look at the placid knowing that she would see on Tuvok's face. There were new faces too...Owen Paris was in the crowd, Reg Barclay, Harry Kim's parents. People who just could not wait for the future mixed in with people tying up a last loose end of the past. There were several sharp-eyed people in the back tapping excitedly on PADDs...reporters, she'd wager her back salary. Even more reason for her to remain totally collected. She swallowed once, opened her mouth, willing her chin not to quiver, and began,
"Ladies and gentlemen, fellow crewmates, family members, friends, and honored guests," she intoned, not sparing a glance for the vultures in the back. "We are gathered here for a joyous occasion, on a day, momentous in and of itself, a day that we have finally returned to Earth." She paused, savoring the nuance of the word, or forestalling the inevitable? There was widespread applause, and a few cheers and whistles. "As one of my final tasks as your commanding officer, I am pleased and honored," she managed to grind out the two verbs without choking on them, "to marry two of my most trusted officers...and my dearest friends."
She allowed herself to look at him then, and knew instantly that it was a mistake. Her eyes filmed over with a sheen of tears, and her voice cracked saying his name. There was a sudden movement to one side, nearly out of her vision, and she knew that Tom had made an involuntary movement toward her, which he had immediately checked. If she had had any doubt whether or not they knew, it was certainly laid to rest now. She blessed him wordlessly for his support.
She continued to speak, her voice sounding very far away, mechanically reciting the words of the ceremony. She was unable to recall anything that happened, except for the moment where she instructed them to face each other. He smiled at his bride then, a soft tenderness coming into his dark eyes, barely revealing his dimples. His bride looked at him, with her blue eyes shining, a wisp of a smile on her face, actually an amazing amount of emotion for her.
She nearly stumbled to a halt then, the stab of pain she felt so intense, it was very nearly physical. She felt that she had narrowly restrained herself from doubling over in front of the entire assembly. Her throat closed tightly, clogged with tears, and she forced the words out as she continued to speak. Please let me finish, please let me finish, allow me my dignity at least, she pleaded inwardly. He had glanced up at her then, his dark eyes flashing concern briefly, and then had turned back to his bride. He reached up with a big hand, and brushed a strand of blond hair behind her ear.
"By the power vested in me by Starfleet Command and the United Federation of Planets..." I think I can, I think I can...she chanted the words of the ridiculous children's book that Neelix had replicated for then-unborn Miral before he left Voyager. "...now pronounce you husband and wife. Chakotay," Kathryn pasted on a smile, "you may now kiss the bride." Her first officer took Seven's face in his hands, searched for something briefly, which to Kathryn, it appeared that he found, and kissed her gently. Applause and cheers spiraled up to the ceiling of the holodeck, as the couple turned around to face the audience, hands clasped tightly.
"Allow me to present to you Chakotay and Annika!" Captain Janeway managed to say with some gaity. The crowd stood as one, and immediately surged to congratulate the newlyweds. Someone called for the arch, and changed the location to the reception hall, and crewmen began to bring in various platters and dishes. Janeway sagged in fatigue, as soon as attention was diverted from her. Tom and B'Elanna were already approaching her purposefully.
"Captain, I know this is hell, but people are expecting to see you mingle," her pilot said.
"We are right here for you," his wife added gently. It was incredibly presumptuous of both of them, but Janeway saw no sense in denying it. She smiled slightly, although it did not reach her eyes.
"Thank you both." They stayed at her side for the remainder of the reception.