Endgame for Kathryn

Five years? It may as well have been a lifetime. Five years, he had waited for this moment. Chakotay looked at the viewscreen to the distant sight of Earth and remembered a promise he had made to himself long ago. Discreetly, he paged for a replacement at the helm and soon after Ayala arrived and relieved him.

Chakotay surveyed the happy scene around the bridge. People were congratulating each other, shaking hands and offering best wishes to their friends and crewmates. Even Tuvok was conversing amiably with an excited Harry.

Janeway just sat in her chair.

He glanced over at Seven for a brief moment. She was already absorbed in the complexities of docking the ship but her eyes lifted and caught his gaze for a second before she turned back to her console. Chakotay knew their relationship was over, whatever it had been.

"Captain?" he spoke so only she could hear. Janeway shook herself looking up at him and away from her console. Her pale face, a picture of detached resolve.

"Yes, Mister Chakotay?"

Chakotay kept his voice even. "We need to talk… in the ready room. One leader to another."

Janeway glanced around. "Tuvok, you have the bridge." Standing up, she walked quickly across the room. Chakotay followed behind her.

As the doors slid quietly closed, she turned to him, her hands behind her stiff back.. "So, you're the Maquis leader again, I presume? Should I be afraid?" She gave a half-hearted smile and went to the replicator. Handing Chakotay a mug of tea, she carried her coffee to the window seat.

"Starfleet never made an official decision," Chakotay reminded her as he took a seat beside her. "Do you know what will happen to us?"

"I doubt you'll be put in the brig. You were with me when I told Starfleet Command how important you have all become to this ship. Your talent, determination and loyalty were much appreciated."

"You'll always have me, Captain, even after we land. I'll make sure."

"Oh, I'll be all right. Seven will need you more, especially adjusting to Earth and millions of people. It's easy to get lost in all the commotion."

Chakotay chuckled. "I don't know what you heard but Seven doesn't need me or even want me. That was made clear to me... but you; you need me."

"You're right. I'll always need excellent Starfleet officers on my ship." She gave him a crooked smile before lifting her mug.

"But, Kathryn…" Chakotay spoke softly as he placed his mug on the table. "I'm not Starfleet anymore, I'm a Maquis leader."

Sipping her coffee, Kathryn looked at him. There was a whisper of grief in her voice. "You're right." She placed her coffee down beside his.

"And you're not my Captain anymore." Chakotay hesitated for a moment then reached out with his hand. He brushed back a lock of her auburn hair and smiled.

Her eyes met his, puzzled at first but then she smiled back and touched his face. "You're right."

Chakotay brought his hand to her waist and pulled her tight to him. Kathryn leaned her face up and kissed him. Behind them in the window, Earth came into view.

THE END