Chapter Three. Silver Linings and Shooting Stars.
Chakotay collected Kathryn from her cabin, wanting to give his present in private and have her to himself for a few minutes before the party. He'd replicated a medalion with the Yin Yang symbol on it, surrounded by a lotus flower. It opened to reveal a compass that worked in the Delta Quadrant and pointed the dircetion of home... the Alpha Quadrant and Earth.
It was a perfect way of showing what she ment to him without having to say a word. He'd already told her how, on New Earth, and he knew deep down she felt the same. Their relationship could take a different turn, if only they'd get home and Kathryn would feel comfortable being a woman again, instead of upholding her idealism of being an exemplary Starfleet officer.
"It's beautiful Chakotay, thank you, it means a great deal to me in more ways than one." She put her hand over his heart, while clutching the medalion to her own, looked into his adoring eyes, and placed a kiss on his cheek.
'I am so spoilt, that's two exquisite presents I've had in one day from some very important people in my life. I'm lost for words."
"Well thats a first." Chakotay said teasingly with a grin.
Kathryn smiled warmly and laughed
"And now Cinderalla, are you ready to go to the Ball?" Holding out his arm.
"Ready as I will ever be." Kathryn responded tenderly and took his arm, glad of his affection, devotion and support.
Neelix as morale officer and chef, in cohorts with Naomi, the Captains assistent, had worked tirelessly in their diligent research. They discreatly looked into her background files, questioned Chakotay and Tuvok about her likes and dislikes and others closest to her.
Neelix wanted this birthday to be better and different from all the ones before. It would be a way for him to express his friendship, respect, loyalty and gratitude for the many important roles he had been entrusted with on Voyager. Allowing him to become the upstanding, reliable, trustworthy Talaxian that he was today, instead of the cheating stealing contraband smuggler they had found grubbing around in space debris.
Naomi had contacted Gretchen in the monthly communications from Voyager to Earth, getting special birthday message from family and friends organised.
Kathryn and Chakotay arrived at the Holodeck with two minutes to spare. Kathryn adjusted her dress and smoothed her hair. Chakotay looked at her proudly and smiled.
"You look beautiful Kathryn."
"And you make a handsome Prince charming. Returning his smile.
The door of the holodeck swooshed open to reveal total darkness and silence from within.
"Have we come to the right place? Maybe they changed the venue to the mess hall? Kathryn asked.
"No we are right where we should be, come." Chakotay tentitivly took her hand and led the way.
The doors closed behind them as one by one lights started to come on revealing familier faces and her home in Bloomington Indiana. A chorus of Happy Birthday begun by Seven and the Doctor accompanying on the piano with the rest of the crew joining in.
Kathryn was overwhelmed, so much emotion for one day to keep under wraps. She looked upon the images of her mother with open arms and her sister waving and sticking her tongue out at her like she used to do as a child. The rest of the crew smiling and holding out presents. She was torn between laughter and tears.
The dining table was set buffet style filled with many tasteful dishes her mother used to make, including her favourite caramel brownies. Neelix had added several things of his own, like Leola root tart and Pistacio cake with pera cream that he knew the Captain loved.
She tried hard to keep her captains composure, but the tears still escaped her resolve, her heart felt fit to burst. So much love and attention in one day, that she felt she did not deserve.
Chakotay handed her his handkerchief.
"I see you came prepared." Kathryn said, taking it with relief.
"Always. It's in the job description of the first officer, to take care of the captains needs and wishes."
Neelix came to her side, he wanted to be the first to give his present and congratulate her, he also had a message and small package to hand over from Alyxa. Music started to play outside in the garden as the porch lights came on. Chakotay took Kathryn's hand and requested the first dance fom his favourite captain. The evening went exceedingly well, Kathryn cried over the messages from her mother and sister, laughed and dined with the crew and danced the night away with her first officer.
By midnight, Kathryn was feeling the effects of a long and emotional day, she wanted nothing more than to relax quietly in her cabin, snuggled into her comfortable reading chair with a cup of coffee in hand to reflect on the days events. Chakotay could see she was struggling to stay focused and again chiverously offered his arm.
"Time to leave the Ball Cinderella, before you turn into a captain again."
Kathryn laughed and said she was ready to go with her knight in shining armour anywhere he led her.
"Thats another story." Chakotay replied gently leading her towards the doors.
Kathryn thanked everyone, said her goodbyes and wished them all a good evening
"This birthday girl needs some shut eye if she is going to be a fully functional captain in the morning."
"Good night Kathryn, sleep well." Chakotay said once they had arrived at her quarters.
"Thank you for everything Chakotay. I could not get by without you."
Kathryn entered her cabain without putting on the lights, it felt good to be in the dark and silent room. She looked at the passing stars and wondered where the Spectral Array was now. She sat in her comfortable chair to relax and unwind, before slipping into bed, then remembered the message and box that Neelix had handed her from Alyx. Kathryn opened the note within, written in small neat handwriting.
Hey KT
I'm on recon so can't be at your party. I hope you have a great time. Knowing all those involved in making it so, i'm sure you will have a Happy Birthday!. Your third present is in the box. No borg this time, promise.
Kathryn opened the box to find a cube within, that pulsated and glowed almost as brightly as the Endovian's Array when she touched it.
Each side was embosed with the depiction of the Constelations, the Solar System, Milky Way and Earth with a detailed three D version of Voyager appearing to be flying through the Delta Quadrant as she removed the gift from its box.
Kathryn turned the cube to see the final depiction of a shooting star and the words Make a Wish. Happy Birthday!
A tear trickled down Kathryn's cheek as thoughts of home washed over her and how homesick and alone she felt at this moment. She stared at the moving star with glazed eyes, looking but not seeing, her heart and thoughts thousands of light years away from her physical and emotional position, making her wish.
She was brought back from her reveire by vibrations pulsating through her palm. The cube was opening.
