A/N: Apologies for the long delay in posting this, unfortunately work and college have eating into my writing time but this is the final chapter (minus a small epilogue) of this story.
I hope you've enjoyed and please leave a review. I must give a special mention though to WitchRavenFox who puts up with my madness daily and always listens to my crazy plot ideas in our all too short lunch breaks. Thanks Twin!
A Shared History and a Fond Farewell'Heathcliffe, its me, your Kathy, I've come home.' – Wuthering Heights, Kate Bush.
Kathryn soon lost track of time as she sat in the silent corridor outside the holo-deck, the Doctor clearly keeping Voyager's crew entertained enough that no one noticed her absence. She had dreamt of her homecoming for so long but instead of the solace she had recalled when she thought of the soft sounds of Voyager's engines they now seemed to sound out in protest at her return. Chakotay's behaviour had been nothing like how she had imagined and almost completely out of character and she found herself worrying how much else had changed in her absence. She reached down to her side, running her hand over the hilt of the sword that hung there and knew that she had changed from the experiences she had had since she left them.
She looked up as she heard the door to the holo-deck open and swiftly got to her feet as she saw her friend.
"I imagined you're a little overwhelmed with this aren't you?" she said, rubbing her eyes in the hope of hiding her tears but knowing she had failed as she saw deep concerning in the blue eyes before her.
"Why do you weep, my Lady?" said Lancelot, hurrying to her, swiftly taking her hand in his.
The gesture was common place with him and a part of his culture but for once it grated at Kathryn's nerves that he touched her so freely and she took her hand away, rubbing it absently on the denim of her shorts, "Tears of joy Lancelot," she lied, "I'm just happy to be back home."
"Your subjects are very attentive but you do not seem truly happy to be home," he said, tucking a finger under her chin and tilting her head in the artificial light of the corridor, "Your eyes once danced as you spoke of them but they swim with tears now."
Kathryn choked as she tried to bite back a sob, "Its just not as I expected," she said, "I guess the fantasy often outweighs the reality but I always thought…"
"Please don't cry," said Lancelot, "If what you have found here pains you so then return to the Doctor's magical box with me and we shall fly to another place, away from here."
"Its almost tempting," said Kathryn with a sigh, "But I have to stay here and fix the damage that I've done."
"And what about the people who love you?" said Lancelot, "You are a sister to the Doctor and to me you are…Kathryn."
Kathryn froze as the once friendly expression of the man before her deepened as his face descended towards hers. His lips brushed hers softly and for a fleeting moment she realised that she could consider herself a lucky woman in his attentions but she knew it was not what she wanted. She pulled away, holding her hand up between them to stop him trying to kiss her again.
"Lancelot, no!" she said, "I can't, its not right. You and I are friends, not anything more."
"You cannot mean that," said Lancelot, "We share so much."
"No we don't," said Kathryn, "We're worlds apart and nothing will ever change that."
"We can change that," said Lancelot taking hold of her arms, "Leave this place with me Kathryn."
Kathryn bristled, trying to shove his hands away, "You forget your place when you're speaking to me," she said, "Your King instructed all of you…"
"My King is not here and it is my job to protect you," said Lancelot ,"You do not belong here."
"Take your hands off me," said Kathryn, "This isn't like you, you're overwhelmed and you don't know what you're saying so if you step back now we can talk about this rationally. Step back Lancelot."
"And allow you to run after that barbarian captain?"
"He is not a barbarian," said Kathryn as she swiftly swept his hands away from her, striking as he reached for her once more.
She acted on instinct, falling back on her Starfleet combat training and swiftly knocking him to the ground. Where she once would have reached for a phaser as he tried to get up she now grasped the hilt of the sword at her side, the shine of the blade blinking briefly above the scabbard before she saw the terror in his eyes. She quickly returned it to hiding, her hands flying to her mouth in shock at her own actions.
"Lancelot I'm sorry," she said, "I never would have used it."
Lancelot got to his feet, his eyes moving warily between hers and the sword at her side, trying to hide his fear, "I believe I should take my leave of you, my Lady," he said with a small bow, "I…"
Kathryn watched helplessly as his words failed him and he returned swiftly to the holo-deck, jumping slightly at the automatic swish of the door. She went to follow him but then turned her feet towards the direction Chakotay had gone, torn between a dear friend and the man she had come home for. Unable to settle on a path she stood in place, her hands clenched at her sides before she tore at the belt around her waist, tossing the sword onto the floor with a stifled cry.
"This wasn't how it was meant to be," she said, turning her back quickly as she heard the door open once more and longing for a little peace.
She heard a familiar laugh and found herself glad at least that it wasn't a member of her crew about to find her.
"I think our stowaway may have got on the wrong side of B'Elanna," said the Doctor, "He looks as though someone has given him a slap. You might be needed to pick up the pieces Kathy."
"I suppose its only right when I did the breaking," said Kathryn, turning to him, knowing he would see her upset even if she tried to hide it, "Remind me again why we came back?"
"Hey, hey, hey what's all this?" said the Doctor hurrying to her and enveloping her in his arms, "Kathryn what's happened?"
"Everything," she said in frustration against his shoulder before she sighed, "I nearly pulled my sword on Lancelot, I was so ready to use it."
The Doctor pulled back from her, checking the sword at her side, "You took it out?"
Kathryn shook her head, "I went for it but it didn't leave the sheath," she said, "The fact that I even went for it is enough, he was terrified of me Doctor."
"I can imagine," said the Doctor, "His superstitions are enough that I'm surprised he only ran as far as the holo-deck."
Kathryn stepped back from him with a frown, "A real comfort you are," she said, "Anymore salt you want to rub in the wound? How about you turn round a tell me you don't want me on the TARDIS because that would just make my day considering I don't appear to be very welcome on Voyager."
The Doctor cocked a questioning eyebrow, looking towards the holo-deck door and back to her, "Have we been at the same party?" he said, "Because I'd say there was a fairly enthusiastic response to your return."
"From the crew maybe," she said, "But you might want to have a word with the ship's captain about whether I have a place here still."
"Is that the Starfleet way of saying that you and Chakotay have had a tiff?"
"I've done something to upset him though I've got no idea what," she said leaning back against the wall, "I saw him leave the holo-deck so I thought I'd come out to speak to him, its been such a whirlwind since we arrived that I wanted a few moments just with him and he just… ugh I can't even explain it. Its as though I offended him by coming home."
The Doctor leant against the bulkhead opposite, folding his arms across his chest, "Chakotay is a spiritual man but much as his faith blurs the line between the living and the dead he is also rational," he said, "And rational people know that, regardless of an afterlife, the dead don't come back. We've had the luxury of knowing we were alive and that the timeline was preserved enough that Voyager must have got through, he didn't have that. The last thing he saw was your shuttle crashing into the Cube and then we failed to rendezvous when we were meant to. He's been mourning you for two months, he's forced himself to accept your death and try to move on. You've thrown him a loop, the dead woman he loved is alive and I doubt he's quite sure how he should be reacting."
"I never thought he'd reject me," said Kathryn, "I guess it'll teach me to forget girlish impulses when it comes to men."
"This isn't a holo-novel Kathy, there wasn't much of a chance of you and Chakotay declaring your undying love across the Bridge while cherubs played the wedding march," said the Doctor, "Chakotay needs time and so do you, you might have known you were coming back but you've still changed so much in the year we've had away. Go back to the holo-deck, see your friends and tell a few more of your stories, let me go and speak to Chakotay."
"I don't think he'd appreciate…"
"Don't you trust me Kathryn Janeway?"
Kathryn smiled at the blatant attempt at reverse psychology, "You know I trust you Doctor but you're not exactly Chakotay's favourite person," she said, before she sighed, "There's no way I'm going to stop you talking to him is there?"
The Doctor grinned, "You know me too well," he said, reaching out and running a finger across her cheek in a gesture more akin to a father to his child, "Go back to your friends, I'll send for you when I have news."
"Just don't make things worse," said Kathryn before she held her hands up in mockery of him, "And don't give me the 'who me?' line. Keep me posted."
The Doctor saluted her, "Aye Captain."
Kathryn managed a weak smile as she pushed back to fully standing, "Get along with you Time Lord," she said taking hold of the hilt of her sword, "I need to go and rebuild some bridges with our knight."
She hugged him quickly before she headed back towards the holo-deck, hoping that her friend would succeed where she had failed.
xxxx
Chakotay sat in the dark of the mess hall, gently moving the four small pips between his fingers as he stared out towards the nebula they had originally stopped to study. He had sat in limbo for what felt like an eternity, half wanting to head back to Kathryn and the other half still irrationally angry at the time she had spent away from them. He closed the pips into his fist, returning them to his pocket before he ran his hands over his eyes, resting his chin on his hand as he returned his gaze to the swirling space dust outside. He heard the swish of the door behind him but paid it no mind, hoping whichever crewmember had entered would either ignore him or swiftly turn tail.
"You know they worried, Starfleet I mean, when a crew first saw a nebula up close," said the Doctor, "They were so enthralled by its beauty that they didn't move, some of them for a whole hour."
"Don't worry, once you've seen as many nebulas as we have these passed few years you soon get used to them so I doubt I'll go mad looking at this one," said Chakotay.
"Brooding away in the dark?" said the Doctor crossing the room to the view port, "Not exactly normal behaviour for you, especially not when there's a party going on."
"I found myself surplus to requirements," said Chakotay, turning to look at him, "And find I've had quite enough of Time Lord intervention."
"Well that's just too bad," said the Doctor, sitting down opposite him and propping a converse clad foot on the table between them, "Because I'm not done with intervening, especially when I've just had one of my best friends nearly in tears because of the way you spoke to her."
"The last time I checked Kathryn Janeway didn't send other people to fight her battles for her," said Chakotay.
"If this was a Starfleet affair she'd be in here all guns blazing but my girl isn't so confident when it comes to issues behind the scenes."
"So she's your girl now?" said Chakotay, "And just how long after you died did that occur?"
The Doctor folded his arms, "Now you're just being petulant," he said before he sighed, "Look Chakotay, we've thrown you a loop today and I'm sorry but if anyone is to blame for this, its me."
"Don't worry yourself Doctor, I'm quite aware of that."
"Then why are you treating Kathy as though she was something you'd scrape out of the plasma manifolds?" said the Doctor holding up a hand before he could respond, "And keep the witty retort, your level of comedy is rivalled by your Vulcan crewmates. The woman you love is alive and well and you're behaving like a teenager who's been given a curfew. Now I can appreciate that you've mourned for her, that you've had to force yourself to accept her death and that must have been so hard for you but she doesn't need to be blamed for living. She has begged every day that we've been away for me to bring her back to you."
"Was that in between fighting dragons?" said Chakotay, "From where I was standing it seems like she has thoroughly enjoyed herself without us."
"And I suppose it was a crime for her to ever smile over the course of a year," said the Doctor, catching Chakotay's questioning glance, "Oh yes, its been a year for us. A mere two months for you but a whole year for her, a whole year of waiting and hoping that the next morning would take her home. Yes we've had adventures while we've been striving to get here and I was not about to leave her to mourn alone in her room, not that woman, not with that mind and that heart. She shouldn't be blamed for finding some joy in what we've done.
"She's back on the holo-deck now, she's telling the crew her stories and each one is going to have them in awe, each one will make them laugh and she'll smile even through the bits that are harder to tell. She's a phenomenal actress and you know that better than anyone. She's the one who assured the crew you could make it through, she's the one who made seventy thousand light years sound like a task you could so easily achieve. She's protecting her crew even now, hiding the real pain that she's feeling but I know she's feeling it and do you know how? Because I'm the one who's had to listen to her cry herself to sleep every night on the TARDIS, I'm the one who's had to watch the light grow dimmer and dimmer in those amazing eyes. I brought her home when I could, the date was all I had the capability to achieve so don't you dare blame her for that."
Chakotay remained silent, staring once more out to the view port as the Doctor's words began to hit home. The Time Lord however didn't leave him to his thoughts, instead filling the vacuum with further truths.
"We didn't just spend our time at Arthur's court in England though we stayed there for a long time. Long enough for Kathryn to become a hero, the only female knight of Arthur's Round Table. We began to take small time jumps, staying on Earth but edging closer and closer to the twenty-fourth century. Each time we made a jump we had to leave the TARDIS to recover so we had to survive whatever the place we landed in had to throw at us. I thought Kathryn would be able to handle herself so I never worried if I lost track of her while I was having to chase after Lancelot," said the Doctor taking his foot from the table and leaning on it, his expression finally entirely serious, "One time we landed in a village in America, circa sixteen hundred but we never found out the exact date, a pleasant time for the most part until you take into account that we were in a village not far from Salem. Kathryn had a tri-corder with her, one of the only things that survived the shuttle crash because it had been tucked in her belt. She was using it in a place she thought no one could see but someone saw and she was accused of witchcraft. By the time I found her she had a rope around her neck and was seconds from hanging."
"What?" said Chakotay, turning to him in alarm, "They wanted to hang her?"
The Doctor nodded solemnly, "They'd already whipped her and she had a brand on her shoulder," he said, "Lancelot and I couldn't get to her and all the time this priest was praying for her soul. She looked so frightened, even more so when the arrows started flying."
"Arrows? I don't understand."
"Indians," said the Doctor, "They attacked the village and cut Kathryn down, carried her off. It took me three days to track her down but when I found her she'd been tended to with her wounds dressed and on the mend. They were your people Chakotay, some of your ancestors bearing the same mark that you wear. Their witch doctor had sent them to save her, the woman who was a favoured of the Sky Spirits and would be important to their tribe. Apply your own doctrine to that as you wish but even I wouldn't call that just a coincidence. We stayed for a long time with them, Kathryn seemed happier there than anywhere else until one night she came and told me it was time to move on. It took me days to find out what had upset her."
Chakotay waited for the Doctor to continue but realised further information would not be forthcoming, "I suppose you're telling these in instalments now then?"
"No but I'm wondering if you can work out what had upset her?"
"Judging by your story I hadn't seen her a while so I doubt it," said Chakotay, "And I'm really not in the mood for your games."
"You'd given up on her Chakotay," said the Doctor, "You gave up hope that she was alive and it broke her heart."
"And of course she could have known that however many centuries you were in the past," said Chakotay getting to his feet, "I'm done with this."
"She saw your spirit guide," said the Doctor halting his exit from the mess hall, "They taught her to communicate with her own and but she began to talk of another, she said she knew she was yours but one night the other guide turned its back on her and walked away. She was so happy with the tribe but she couldn't bear the pain of being with people who reminded her so much of you, so we left. She's been so quiet since, the joy went out of her eyes. She's dying Chakotay, bit by bit, only you can bring her back."
"Some would call that emotional blackmail Doctor," said Chakotay.
"And some would call it the truth," said the Doctor not turning in his seat to look at him, "The last time jump took a lot out of the TARDIS, I won't be able to leave for a few days, whether Kathryn Janeway boards the ship then is down to you but I wouldn't wait that long if you want to keep her."
Chakotay said nothing, turning on his heel and heading back out into the corridor. He moved slowly through the walkways of the ship, the familiarity of bulkheads failing to offer him any comfort as he pondered on the Doctor's words. He paused finally as a torrent of conflicting emotions hit him, alone in the corridors leaving him in disbelief that he was not in one of his often too vivid dreams. He wanted to return to the holo-deck, reassure himself of Kathryn's presence even from a distance but he realised the emotions that had rushed him had manifested themselves on his cheeks and knew he had to get control of himself before he saw anyone.
He turned himself towards his new quarters, knowing that he needed to communicate with his spirit guide to have any hope of putting his thoughts in order. He got to his door and went to tap in his entry code only to find it opening without the command. The lights were out within, rendering the furniture in an eerie glow from the nebula that hung off the view port. He stepped warily within, scanning the room in the search of any intruder.
"Apologies for the intrusion Captain," came a familiar voice from the corner of the sofa, "But being friends with the Doctor requires the ability to pick any lock."
"Kathryn?" said Chakotay, stepping into the room and letting the door shut behind him.
"So it would seem," she said, echoing her own words from the Bridge as she got to her feet, "I needed to clear my head after we spoke so I thought where better than my quarters. Imagine my surprise when I discovered I had a tenant."
Chakotay dropped his gaze to his boots, "It won't take me long to get my things together."
Kathryn hurried to his side, placing her hand on his arm to still him, "That wasn't an invitation to leave Chakotay," she said, lowering her hand but looking up at him, "Please, we need to talk. I owe you an apology."
Chakotay met her gaze, realising just how much truth had been in the Doctor's words about the light in her eyes, "Its me who owes you the apology," he said, "I should never have reacted that way to you coming home. You don't deserve that, not after what you've been through."
Kathryn's cheeks coloured, "You've been talking to the Doctor," she said turning back to the view port and sitting down.
"He filled me in on a few details," he said remaining standing, "You never said that it had been a year for you."
Kathryn reached out for him, taking his hand in hers, "I would have come home sooner if I could, please know that. I never wanted you to believe I was dead," she said, "It didn't even cross my mind when we were on the Bridge that you'd already done your grieving and moved…"
"I never moved on Kathryn. I'd forced myself to accept your death and I was mourning you but I was far from being able to move on," he said crouching down before her and taking her face in his hands, "All I've wanted since the battle was for you to come back but having it made reality…its hard to believe you're not some hallucination. I'm so happy you're home but I'm still so angry with you for risking your life like that."
Kathryn pressed her cheek closer to his hand, "You have every right to be angry," she said, "But you knew I had to do it."
"And I should have followed my first instinct and tied you down the second you told me your plan."
"A little barbaric don't you think?" said Kathryn beneath a weak laugh.
Chakotay smiled, "At least you would have been safe and you wouldn't have come back with two men who hang on your every word in tow."
Kathryn clicked her tongue, taking his hands from her face and folding them in her own in her lap, "I think you're jealous."
"Maybe a little," said Chakotay looking down at the contrast between their skin tones, "The Doctor called you his girl earlier."
"I'm more of a daughter to him than anything else and he's been a dear friend and mentor to me," said Kathryn before she sighed, "Lancelot on the other hand has been like an over active toddler since we found out he'd stowed away on the TARDIS. I do care about him, he's a good man but I'm in love with you so he never stood a chance."
Chakotay returned his gaze swiftly to hers, his grip tightening on her hands, "You're in love with me?"
Kathryn smiled at the look on his face, "Did you ever doubt it?"
"You were always reluctant to say," said Chakotay freeing a hand to run the back of his knuckles over her cheek.
"I was a fool," said Kathryn, "I've been in love with you for so long I can't even remember when it started. I could say New Earth or the day I met you, that time you brought me a rose just for cheating death."
Chakotay smiled, "By tomorrow morning I'll fill these rooms with roses if you want me to seeing as you've cheated death all over again."
Kathryn choked back a sob as a tear broke from her eye and tumbled onto his fingers, "I wish I told you before I left," she said, "If I'd known how things would be when I came home I would have told you a hundred times. I know I've hurt you and I understand if things have changed too much for you here. The Doctor has told me there'll always be a place for me on the TARDIS."
"I don't understand," said Chakotay.
"I don't want to make things difficult for you so if its easier if I leave…"
"You're not leaving," said Chakotay, "You belong here, this is your home, with the people who love you. With me. I'm never letting you go again Kathryn."
Kathryn smiled, "Does that mean you feel the same about me even though I cruelly abandoned you for two months?"
Chakotay's expression was serious as he took her hand and pressed it over his heart, "Kathryn I love you and if you love me I want us to make a go of this. I've learned the hard way what its like not to have you in my life and I don't ever want to go through that again."
Kathryn stroked his hair, "This will be hard, we'll have to make sure the ship comes first."
"It will do, I promise," said Chakotay.
"And we'll probably have to move shifts around now and then to accommodate."
"We've done that before when we've needed to."
Kathryn smiled, tracing the lines of his tattoo with a fingertip, "And much as I doubt we'll ever need a babysitter, I still need to research if there are any Starfleet protocols governing whether a captain's husband can take on her duties when she's on maternity leave. If you intend to let me have command back that is."
"Of course I do, I…Husband?"
"I realised when I was away that there was a vacancy," said Kathryn, feathering her lips over the path her fingers had just taken, "I decided I didn't want to end up like the Doctor, sleeping alone every night. Chakotay I could cling to protocol, argue it would complicate things but at the end of the day the only person I was ever trying to convince was me. I want you and I want us to have a family, not wait on the what ifs of us getting home."
Chakotay turned her gaze back to his, searching her eyes, "Please promise me you're not toying with me."
"I've never been more serious about anything in my life," said Kathryn, "I'm not suggesting we rush into this and I want us to keep this between us for the time being but I know we can make this work."
"We will, I promise you."
Kathryn leaned into him, her lips finally meeting his in a soft kiss that swiftly grew in passion, their individual times apart manifesting in their shared embrace. Kathryn slipped from the sofa, pushing him softly back onto the carpeted floor before settling herself over him. She clung to the front of his jacket as he gently rolled them over, pillowing her head on his arm as his other hand trailed down her side against the thin material of her top.
"Did I mention I love the new wardrobe?" he said, trailing his lips onto her neck.
Kathryn sighed softly under his attentions, "You should see what else I have," she said, "A couple of the places we went to had some wonderful places for shopping and I always had you in mind."
"Would you be offended if I was more interested in what was underneath it?"
Kathryn was about to answer when the familiar sound of the comm.-badge chirruped between them.
"Torres to Chakotay."
Kathryn groaned, "Ignore it, please."
"Captain do you copy?"
Chakotay lifted himself up on one arm, "Would you be angry if I told you B'Elanna knows about us?"
"The crew know?"
Chakotay shook his head, "Just B'Elanna," he said, "She was a helping hand after the battle and I ended up confiding in her."
"Captain are you there?"
"Let me get rid of her and she can keep everyone else off our backs," said Chakotay, smiling as she nodded before he tapped his comm.-badge, "I'm here B'Elanna, is there a problem?"
"Just that the Captain of the ship appears to be missing and I have both the Doctor and that Lancelot fellow causing havoc," said B'Elanna, "Wherever you're hiding you need to get back to the holo-deck."
Chakotay frowned, covering his badge, "I should probably go."
Kathryn wrapped one of her legs around his hip, tipping up towards him and raising an eyebrow at his reaction, "And why would you want to do that?"
Chakotay struggled to keep his hand over his badge as she deftly flipped them once more, pinning him to the carpet, "I thought we weren't going to rush this."
"Maybe not the marriage and babies part," said Kathryn, moving his hand from his badge, "I'm not letting you leave this room until morning. B'Elanna, speak to Tuvok and have him see to your guests. Captain Chakotay is otherwise engaged."
B'Elanna was clearly trying to keep the amusement from her voice as she answered, "Yes Ma'am," she said, "I guess we'll see you in the morning."
"I trust you'll appreciate the necessity for discretion Lieutenant," said Kathryn.
"My lips are sealed," said B'Elanna, "Torres out."
"Problem solved," said Kathryn as the link broke.
Chakotay pressed his lips firmly to hers, "You're something else, you really are," he said, "You do realise she knows what we're up to now."
"And she knows you're a big boy, you can take care of yourself," said Kathryn, "Computer engage privacy locks."
"Voice print not recognised, please identify."
Chakotay stroked a hand down her back as she stiffened in his arms, realising the reality of her own death, "I'll make sure that's sorted first thing in the morning. It won't take long to reset the command codes."
Kathryn moved from his embrace, getting to her feet, "There's no rush to reset them," she said, taking his hand and pulling him to his feet, "I think I'll need some time to readjust."
Chakotay pushed her long hair back over her shoulder, "Whatever you want," he said, "Just know that this ship is yours the second you ask for it."
"Thank you," said Kathryn, wrapping her arms around his neck, "But right now I don't want to talk about the ship, I want Captain Janeway a long way from this room tonight."
"Does that mean I get to find out if you're a Kitty in the bedroom?" said Chakotay as she kissed him before taking his hand once more and leading him towards the darkened bedroom.
Kathryn smiled back over her shoulder at him, "If you want to make me purr, Commander," she said before she shrieked as he swept her quickly off her feet.
"I'll more than make you purr," he said, carrying her inside.
xxxx
Chakotay woke with a start, sitting up in bed and shaking his head as he tried to rid his mind of the image of the Borg cube. He swiftly reached beside him, desperate to convince himself that the woman he had seen in the guise of a drone was still sleeping beside him but the bed proved empty, the sheets already cold. He flopped back against the pillows, throwing an arm over his eyes as he realised he had let himself believe one of his own vivid dreams.
"Dammit," he said, thumping the pillow beside him in frustration.
"I'll have to get used to you beating the pillows every morning when you wake," came a voice from the doorway.
Chakotay sat up in bed, straining his eyes in the darkness and making out a slim silhouette in the frame, "Kathryn?"
"You were expecting someone else?" she said.
"No I…" he started before he rubbed a hand over his eyes, "Just come back here please."
Kathryn was by his side in a second, perched on his side of the bed rather than climbing into her own as she took his hand, "What's the matter?" she said before she found herself tugged down into his firm embrace, "Chakotay?"
"You don't know how many times I've woken up thinking you were beside me and found the bed empty," he said, "Its going to take me a while to realise you're really back."
Kathryn settled herself more comfortably in his arms, "Oh sweetheart," she said, "I didn't even think, I'm sorry. Life on the TARDIS certainly screws up the circadian rhythm and I didn't want to wake you when I couldn't sleep."
"Wake me up next time," said Chakotay carding her fingers through her hair as she rolled to the side of him to better see his face, "How long have you been up?"
"Hour or so," she said, noticing his quizzical expression at the slacks and top that she wore, "I went down to the TARDIS to get my things together, I've just been sorting through everything next door."
"Souvenirs from your adventures?" said Chakotay, tucking his finger beneath her collar to pull free the coloured beads, "These look familiar, from the time my people saved you?"
Kathryn shook her head, "No not from then, though I do have some things I took with me," she said, "These are from someone in your tribe but from a different time. Put some clothes on, I want to show you something next door."
Chakotay let her go, watching as she got to her feet and headed to the door, "Can't you bring it in here?"
Kathryn smiled, "You, naked and in bed, would prove far too distracting," she said, "Put some clothes on and come next door, make sure you bring your medicine bundle as well."
"My medicine bundle?"
"Answers are next door Chakotay," she said, "Don't be long."
Chakotay climbed quickly out of bed as she disappeared once more, pulling on a robe before grabbing his medicine bundle from on top of the dresser. He looked back briefly as he left the room, smiling as he saw their clothes scattered together on the bedroom floor before he stepped into the dimly lit living room. The lights were low but enough to see by, illuminating the half unpacked bag on the chair and bouncing off the hilt of the sword that sat propped beside it.
Kathryn followed his gaze and went towards the blade, picking it up, "Does this make you nervous?"
"More curious," he said, "I'm more used to you with a phaser in your hand. Why do you have that?"
"King Arthur gave it to me as a parting gift, in honour of my services," said Kathryn, "When we were at his court I wanted to prove myself to him, let him see that a woman could be as powerful as a man. In the end he made me a knight of his realm, hence the Lady Kathryn."
"The Doctor said you had become a hero but I have to admit I was dubious," said Chakotay, "I've heard of King Arthur but I always believed it was just an ancient legend."
"So did I," said Kathryn, "But it was real, very real at times. This sword is proof in its way."
"How do you mean?"
Kathryn took hold of the sheath and the hilt and pulled them apart, revealing the glittering blade beneath. She balanced the blade over her arm, offering it up to him, "Read the blade."
Chakotay looked down onto the metal, seeing the ornate inscription running down from the hilt, "You're not being serious?"
"It was never found, the sword," said Kathryn, "The legend of Arthur unable to ever be proved because they could never find the sword. I took the sword from the timeline. Arthur gave me the one thing that could have archaeologically proven his reign. It's Excalibur, Chakotay, and she's mine. This sword is the reason Lancelot followed me, he swore to protect the bearer of the blade."
"So does this make you the Queen of all England?" said Chakotay with a smile before he looked on in alarm as she turned the blade and let it bite firmly into the pale skin of her arm, drawing a thin line of blood, "Kathryn!"
"The legend of the blade," said Kathryn returning the sword to its sheath, "Each time its drawn it has to taste blood or it'll turn on its bearer. I'm not about to tempt fate. It does not however make me a queen."
"Let's get you to sick bay," he said taking her arm and bending it up to her chest to stem the bleeding.
Kathryn set Excalibur back against the chair, "Its not deep," she said, stepping back from him and reaching into her bag, "Besides, I'm prepared. TARDIS issue dermal regenerator."
Chakotay watched as she ran the device over her arm, all evidence of the cut disappearing, "I'm not sure I like the thought of you hurting yourself like that," he said.
Kathryn shut off the device and tossed it back into her bag, "Usually it's the other guy that ends up bleeding," she said, "I think it'll be a while now until I use it again anyway."
"Is that what you wanted to show me?" said Chakotay.
Kathryn shook her head, "No, what I wanted to show you we can't see in this room," she said taking his hand and leading him to the coffee table, sitting cross legged behind it, "Take a seat."
Chakotay smiled, "So much as we can't see this explanation of yours in this room we're not leaving it either?"
"Got it in one," she said reaching behind her and retrieving a rolled, woven blanket, spreading it out before them, "You once said I had to put my own medicine bundle together."
"Its quite a collection," said Chakotay rolling out his own before noticing the device amongst the talismans in Kathryn's collection, "You have an Akoona?"
"And you're wondering how on earth I came by it," said Kathryn with a wry smile, "If I told you it would ruin the story. I learnt a lot in my time with your people, they showed me how to make contact with my guide again, how to walk a vision quest and they showed me how to share a memory with someone."
"You certainly learned a lot," said Chakotay watching as she set the talismans before her with precision.
Kathryn held them up as she laid them out between them, "A piece of the Sacajawea that the Doctor pulled out of my arm after the shuttle crash, a coin from Arthur's realm, a piece of the rope that they tried to hang me with and an arrow head from the bow of the warrior who saved me," she said before she stroked the final item in her bundle, "A lock of hair from someone very special when he was very young and a necklace made by a lady called Sahkyo."
Chakotay looked on in question as he watched her unfasten the beaded necklace from around her neck, "Sahkyo was my mother's name," he said.
"I know," said Kathryn holding out a hand to him, "Take my hand and place your other on your Akoona."
"Kathryn?"
"Trust me," said Kathryn, taking hold of his hand, "Close your eyes and find your spirit guide."
"Not lost that bossy side," said Chakotay before doing as she asked, closing his eyes and letting the Akoona work itself over his physiology as Kathryn led the traditional prayer.
The mist of the interim between the worlds cleared and he found himself face to face with the familiar figure of his spirit guide, he reached out and stroked her soft fur, realising it was the first time he had seen her since she had brought him what he believed was evidence of Kathryn's death.
"I've neglected you, I'm sorry," he said.
"Reunions later," echoed a voice that wasn't a common feature of his vision quests.
"Kathryn?" he said, "Where are you?"
"You can't see me yet," said Kathryn, "But look around, there should be something out of place."
Chakotay looked around him but saw nothing but the usual peaceful surround that accompanied his guide, "I don't see anything."
"Hold on," said Kathryn before she fell silent for several moments, "Now."
Again Chakotay saw nothing but followed his guide nonetheless as she began to run towards something in the far distance only stopping as she stooped to press her nose to something on the ground. He looked down to see a small, green lizard that he recognised as the small creature that had once seemed to die in his hands. He bent down, tentatively stroking a finger down the smooth scaly back.
"I know you," he said, "Should I follow her?"
"Him," said Kathryn, "And now you've found him the answer should be clear."
Chakotay looked back up from Kathryn's guide only to see a large metallic door that was greatly out of place in his vision. He laid a hand on it, feeling a heat emanate from it.
"Step on through," said Kathryn, "I'm waiting."
He pushed the door, watching it open up to reveal a transporter station beyond. He smiled as he saw Kathryn before him, dressed in a long sandy coloured dress that stood out in stark contrast to the sleek lines of the station. He took her outstretched hand and stepped over the threshold, looking back over his shoulder in concern as neither of their guides followed them.
"They can't come," said Kathryn, "But they'll guard the door for us so we can step out when we need to. From now on, we're on our own."
Chakotay let her lead him into the bustling station, glad for the feel of her hand in his acting as an anchor as he realised that the figures of those in the station could pass through him as though they were ghosts.
"We're only observers," said Kathryn, "If they could see us it would be like influencing the memory. Do you recognise this place?"
Chakotay looked around him, the station similar to every other he had seen throughout Federation space if a little worn and ragged, reminding him of the outlying planets that received less attention.
"Federation transporter station, looks like any other," he said.
Kathryn smiled knowingly, "Perhaps we should step outside," she said, leading him out of the station into the heat of the planet's afternoon, her smile widening as she watched the face of the man beside her.
"But it can't be…"
"Oh it can," she said, "Welcome home."
Chakotay looked down at her, "You came here?"
Kathryn nodded pointed to an area shadowed by a rocky overhang, "Looks as though I'm just arriving," she said as the familiar sound of the TARDIS echoed around them.
Chakotay watched as the ship finally materialised and its three occupants stepped out, Kathryn preceding both the Doctor and Lancelot as she stepped out onto the planet's surface dressed as he saw her next to him but with her sword hung at her side. She span on the spot with her arms outstretched, saying something to her companions that was lost to the sounds of the station.
"I don't understand Kathryn," he said to the woman beside him, "If this is your memory how did we see the TARDIS materialise?"
"Because it's not me creating that part of the memory, you are."
"How?"
"Because you saw the TARDIS arrive," she said, "You were probably too young to remember but look to the left of the ship, back in the shadows."
Chakotay peered into the darkness beyond, seeing a small boy lurking in the shadows and taking only a moment to realise who he was, "Is that me?"
"You used to go down to the transporter station, to watch the ships," said Kathryn, "Or so you told me."
"Told you?"
"Watch," said Kathryn.
They both looked on as Lancelot, startled by a passing transport, fled back towards the TARDIS and then away from them as he found the door locked. The younger Kathryn laughed at the sight, happily waving the Doctor off after their friend as she took to exploring their surrounds. She quickly and cautiously crossed a path that seemed the main route for the speeders, their pace enough to inspire concern even in the bravest. She had barely crossed when she paused to tie the laces of her shoe, looking back over her shoulder as a particularly loud speeder shot passed. The only indication that anything was wrong was when she froze before shooting out into the path of another fast moving speeder. It was only as she fell heavily the other side of the roadway that Chakotay realised she held the small boy from the shadows in her arms, his younger self plucked from the path of the speeder that would have killed him.
"I remember," he said, "The woman, she scolded me for not looking where I was going as soon as she was sure I was alright."
"A boy, even when only five years old, should know not to run out in front of fast moving vehicles," said Kathryn, as she watched her younger self tend to the crying boy, checking him for injuries before she stood him before her, clearly putting right the error that had nearly cost him his young life. She nudged the man beside her, "Should we get a little closer maybe?"
"They won't see us?" said Chakotay.
"This is a vision quest Chakotay, just us sharing a memory," she said, leading them across the road until they were stood before the pair they had watched from afar, "And do you recall ever seeing two other characters in this scene?"
"…you realise you could have been killed," said the younger Kathryn, her face frantic as she spoke to the small boy before her, "Where are your parents?"
"They're not here," he said, "I'm on my own."
"You're just a boy," said Kathryn.
"I'm not a boy," he said indignantly, "I'm five and a half years old."
"Practically a man then," said Kathryn with a warm smile, "So what I do call you young man?"
The boy dropped his gaze to his shoes, "I'm not supposed to talk to strangers."
"Well that's a very good policy but if I tell you that my name is Kathryn and then you tell me yours, we won't be strangers anymore."
"My name's Chakotay," said the small boy before he realised the shock on the face of the woman before him, "What's wrong?"
Kathryn smiled, trying to cover her shock, "Nothing," she said, pushing back the long black hair from the boy's forehead and seeing the confirmation of his identity in his eyes, "But that's probably the most beautiful name I've ever heard. Now then, I think the best thing is for you to let me walk you back home, see you don't get run down by any passing traffic."
"Can we go in your ship?" he said pointing to the TARDIS.
"Its broken right now," said Kathryn, "And if you could walk yourself down here I'm sure you can show me the way back home."
Chakotay watched his younger self take Kathryn's hand a lead her back towards the familiar path that led to his home, "I remember now," he said, "You walked me all the way back home."
"You wouldn't believe how shocked I was to find you but I think the Doctor knew that I'd stumble across you, he didn't seem all that shocked to find me with your family," she said, "Your parents were so relieved to have you back though, running away like you did."
"Wasn't the first time," said Chakotay, "I guess I always wanted more than life at home gave me."
"And there was me never wanting to leave," said Kathryn, "I can show you."
Chakotay shook his head, "No I remember it well enough," he said turning to her, "I could never remember your name but I remember the beautiful woman who told me stories every night of the stars. I remember missing her when she left, missing her smile, her smell."
"I didn't want to leave, the life you all led and the hospitality of your family, but when the Doctor said that the TARDIS was ready to leave I knew that I had you to come home to," she said, leading him away from the roadside and back towards the door where their guides still stood.
"Well I'm glad you did," said Chakotay stepping through and holding a hand out to her, "I don't think I've told you yet just how glad I am to have you home."
Kathryn took his hand, letting him pull her close to him once she'd stepped through, "You showed me though," she said with a laugh before she looked down to the elegant silver wolf who nudged at her leg, "I think she's a little jealous."
"Or trying to tell you something," said Chakotay tracing a finger over the back of the small lizard that clutched at the fur on the back of her neck, "Think they can take care of each other?"
"They have done for this long," said Kathryn, "Back to the real world?"
"Will you still be there?" said Chakotay closing his eyes to the world around him.
"Open your eyes and see," said Kathryn, her voice accompanied by the low background noise of Voyager.
Chakotay opened his eyes, removing his hand from the Akoona and looking across the table to find her once more sat opposite him, dressed in slacks and a shirt rather than her dusty desert clothes. He reached for her hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of her knuckles, "You really are an amazing woman Kathryn Janeway," he said, "Are there any other little bombshells you want to drop?"
She smiled, getting to her feet and tugging on his hand to raise him to his, leading him back towards the bedroom, "Well there is one thing," she said looking back over her shoulder, "I never intended to be in a physical relationship with anyone out here so certain medical updates might not be as up to date as they need to be."
"You mean there's every chance…" said Chakotay looking pointedly down at her abdomen before he met her gaze once more, "That's your version of taking it slowly?"
"Captain's prerogative to change her mind," she said tugging him into the bedroom, "Fancy tempting fate again tonight?"
"Is that an order Captain?"
Kathryn smiled, grabbing hold of the front of his robe, "Take me to bed Commander."
xxxx
Christmas on Voyager came and went though the crew still maintained that they had received their present the day the TARDIS had reappeared on the Bridge. Kathryn remained only a civilian onboard though day by day her presence became more and more apparent in key meetings and the end of the day saw her joining the senior staff for their final briefing. The Doctor continued to be a fountain of knowledge, his time spent in engineering when he wasn't chasing Lancelot around the ship. The job of keeping their newest guest entertained however was soon delegated to Donna, both Chakotay and the Doctor agreeing that she would be happiest acting as babysitter to the handsome young knight.
Kathryn and Chakotay still maintained the secrecy of their relationship, not even speaking of it to those who did know but no confirmation was necessary, the Doctor and B'Elanna able to see the happiness in them both. Whisperings were already within the ship but quiet enough not to be heard by the couple, those of the crew who had noticed that they often would go to one of their quarters carrying PADDs as though on business and not come out again, keeping the information to themselves.
The morning after Christmas day dawned to the usual sound of the computer announcing there was an hour before the alpha shift began. Chakotay rolled onto his side at the sound, reaching out for the now familiar body beside him but finding the space empty. Ten nights had chased away the once feared illusion but he still sat up in concern, seeing the thin strip of light under the bathroom door.
"Kathryn?" he called.
"Just a minute," came the response.
"No need to rush," said Chakotay, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she said, "Just not languishing in bed like you are."
"Its five in the morning, you don't need to be up."
The door slid open, the low light only offering her silhouette until she called for the lights in the bedroom to offer minimal illumination, "I do if I intend to be on duty this morning," she said, "If the captaincy's still going that is?"
Chakotay smiled at the sight of her in her uniform, "You've always been the captain of this ship Kathryn," he said, "I never thought I'd say this but I've never been happier to see someone in a Starfleet uniform."
"It feels a little surreal," said Kathryn perching on the end of the bed, "But its time. The Doctor wants to leave today, the TARDIS is ready to move on again and its time for me to get back to reality."
Chakotay took hold of her hand, "If you're ready I'll reset the command codes as soon as I get to the Bridge."
Kathryn smiled but a nervousness still lingered in her eyes, "Back in the big chair."
"Back where you belong," said Chakotay, slipping out of the bed and pressing a kiss to her temple as he passed her, "Give me fifteen minutes and we can head out for breakfast."
"It'll be just my luck that Neelix has developed a recipe for leola root pancakes while I've been away," said Kathryn.
"If he had done I'd have jumped in the TARDIS with you as soon as it appeared and told the Doctor to head for a second after the Big Bang," said Chakotay at the door to the bathroom, "Pips are on the dresser Captain."
Kathryn watched the door slide shut behind him before she headed to the dresser, finding the pips neatly laid out by the mirror. She picked each up in turn, fastening them to her collar before pinning her comm.-badge to her chest. She reached out, running her fingers over the beaded necklace Chakotay's mother had given her, knowing that protocol forbid her from wearing it while she was on duty. She smiled all the same, knowing that she had gained and learned so much that she could never regret the restrictions of her duty, Starfleet still occupying her heart as it always had done.
"You'll get this crew home," she said to her own reflection, "You know that now."
She reached for the nearby brushes and powders and had soon restored the well-practiced façade she had always painted on when in command. She swept her long hair into a tail at the back of her neck fastening it with one of the small metallic clasps she had collected over her months in the Delta quadrant. She almost jumped as two strong hands closed on her shoulders but smiled as another figure appeared in the mirror before her, bending to press a kiss to her cheek.
"I leave the room for ten minutes and you're even more beautiful when I get back," said Chakotay smiling as she laughed.
"You've already managed to get into my bed Commander so what else are you after?" she said.
"Nothing, just to see you smiling, you looked a little pensive when I walked in," he said.
Kathryn sighed, "I've not been a captain for a year and the crew haven't had me as their captain for over two months. I don't think I even felt this nervous on my first day of command but I'm ready for this," she said turning in her chair to face him, "Are you ready to go?"
"I don't have the need to paint myself every day like you do," said Chakotay helping her to her feet and laughing as she raised an eyebrow and ran a fingertip over his tattoo, "That's a little more permanent but you've made your point."
Kathryn kept hold of his hand as she headed to the main door, pausing briefly to kiss him before she stepped back fully, the two of them having become well practiced at leaving their relationship behind closed doors. Voyager was the same beyond as it was every morning, the hallways bustling as they got closer and closer to the mess hall but every crew member they passed soon snapped to attention as they saw their Captain in her uniform once more.
By the time they reached the Bridge word had clearly spread faster than they could walk as Kathryn stepped from the turbo-lift to find the whole of the alpha shift stood to attention waiting for her, three extra figures adding to the throng. She smiled to see Donna putting even the best drilled Starfleet officer to shame and felt warmed when Lancelot came to her and offered her his most regal bow, their friendship mended as best it could be since the night of their arrival. The Doctor played at nonchalance but placed a kiss on her cheek as the shift settled back to their duties, whispering his pride before raucously informing her crew that their holiday was officially over.
Chakotay had soon restored her command codes, having to enter the data more than once to convince the computer that the captain who had been listed as dead for nearly three months was now back in command. Once her voice prints and command codes held weight once more she knew that her first task would be bittersweet in nature, sending her executive officer to command the Bridge as she took the Doctor, Donna and Lancelot around the ship to allow them to say their goodbyes. Each farewell grew more and more emotional, demonstrating not only how valued Donna had been amongst the crew but how much both the Doctor and Lancelot had endeared themselves to them all.
Their return to the Bridge proved the most emotional of all, Kathryn struggling to hold back her own tears as she watched Tom, Harry and B'Elanna all but beg their friends to stay longer, embracing them without any regard to protocol when the Doctor insisted on the necessity of their leaving. Even Tuvok bid them all a fond farewell, his Vulcan blessings following them to the turbo-lift as Kathryn and Chakotay escorted them to the shuttle bay where the TARDIS had been recovering from its last jump.
Any hope of retaining a professional decorum fled as soon as the door to the shuttle bay opened. Chakotay and Donna stepping aside to say their own fond goodbyes as Kathryn wept quietly in the Doctor's arms. Lancelot maintained a respectful distance from them, his demeanour suffering from the separation but brightening as Kathryn recovered herself as best she could and turned her attentions to him, hugging him tightly and affirming the friendship that couldn't be diminished even with the centuries that would soon separate them.
Chakotay wrapped an arm around Kathryn's shoulder as they headed towards the TARDIS, the door opening as if to welcome her family home once more.
"It feels as though we've been here before," said Kathryn, wiping her tears on the back of her hand, "Where will you go now?"
"Oh here and there," said the Doctor, "Wherever the wind takes us after we've made our first stop though."
"First stop?" said Donna, a flight plan clearly news to her.
"I'm afraid that is my request," said Lancelot, "This new world of metal and noise is not for me. I shan't ever be a knight of the Federation I think."
"Oh Lancelot," said Kathryn, "You would have made a wonderful member of any Starfleet crew but I wouldn't want to see Camelot suffer without you. Give my best to all of my friends when you return and tell Arthur…wait."
"What is it Captain?" said Chakotay as she tapped her comm.-badge.
"Shuttle bay to Ensign Kim," said Kathryn.
"Go ahead Captain."
"Harry can you lock onto my sword, it's in my quarters? If you can I need you to transport it to the shuttle bay."
"Yes ma'am," said Harry, "I have a lock, transporting to you now."
Excalibur shimmered into existence a few paces from where they stood and Kathryn picked it up with a reverence, carrying it back over to them.
"When you go home Lancelot, tell Arthur that you served the sword as you promised," she said taking his hand and raising it to the sword's hilt, "And tell him I decided it would serve its purpose better in your hands rather than mine."
"My lady?" he said as she left the sword in his grip.
"I was born to have a phaser in my hand, not a sword," said Kathryn, "I know you'll use it well."
"I will not disappoint you Lady Kathryn," he said, "You are lucky Commander Chakotay, to have such a Captain."
"Oh we know," said Chakotay proudly, "But thank you for making sure we got her back in one piece."
"A charge I leave to you now," said Lancelot fastening Excalibur at his side, and offering them both a bow, "I will leave you to say your goodbyes."
"Goodbye my dear friend," said Kathryn as he turned into the TARDIS, his footsteps echoing away.
"We could stand here forever and we won't say goodbye," said Donna, "I'm going to miss both of you."
"Our door is always open to the both of you," said Kathryn.
"Well if you ever need a good crewman in engineering give me a shout," said Donna, "I was the best temp in Chiswick."
"Not a crewman," said Chakotay, sharing an indulgent smile with his Captain before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small box, "Just before I handed command back to Kathryn this morning I made one final entry into the ship's log. A commendation for Ensign Donna Noble."
Donna squealed at the sight of the pitch before she quickly recovered herself but then her smile widen, "Oh screw protocol," she said before she threw her arms around him, "I'm going to miss you Chakotay."
"I don't know, Lancelot gets a sword, Donna gets a pip, what am I getting?" said the Doctor.
"A Janeway slap," said Donna, "You've not earned anything Space Man."
"I'll dedicate the foreword of my book to you," said Kathryn hugging him once more, "And you'll always have my love Doctor and my thanks for everything you've given me."
"Just get your crew home Kathryn," said the Doctor, "And I will see you again. Take care of my girl Chakotay."
Chakotay shook his hand, "I always have," he said, "Goodbye."
The Doctor ushered Donna into the TARDIS, calls of farewell following them until the door closed. Kathryn took hold of Chakotay's hand as the TARDIS began its dematerialisation sequence, the light atop it the final thing to fade from view as the sound of the ancient engines dissipated from the room. She took a breath and drew herself up to her full height before she turned to the man beside her.
"We need to get back to the Bridge," she said.
"There's no rush," said Chakotay, "They'll understand if you want to take your time."
"No, back to work," she said, "I won't get anywhere sitting and dwelling on things. I may need a firm shoulder to cry on later though."
Chakotay hugged her tightly, "Always," he said before stepping back to place their protocol governed command relationship back at the forefront, "The Bridge it is Captain."
Kathryn managed a weak smile, glad for his firm hand at the base of her spine as they headed towards the turbo-lift. Although they travelled in silence Kathryn took comfort in his presence beside her, knowing that he understood the conflict she felt between her elation at being home and her pain at being forced to say goodbye to the man who had been both her friend and her mentor. As they grew close to the Bridge Chakotay bent and softly kissed her cheek, his hand flexing against her back, the support and friendship that had always existed between them all the more augmented by their relationship.
As the turbo-lift door opened they headed on instinct to their customary seats but Kathryn paused as she saw something other than the stars on the view screen.
"Doctor?" she said, a smile lighting her face, "I know you said we'd see you again but that was quick."
"Wish it was as quick for us," said Donna jostling him out of the way, "We've been to Camelot and back and he's been mithering the whole way."
"Even having experienced it, time travel still amazes me," said Kathryn, "We barely said goodbye to you five minutes ago."
"Well I thought you'd miss me," said the Doctor with his usual manic grin, "And I decided it would only be fair if I got you back on track."
"Back on track?" said Kathryn stepping down to the lower level of the Bridge.
"Well," said the Doctor drawing out the word as he ran a hand over his chin, "What with the course corrections, Borg battles, black holes, and so on and so forth Voyager's probably added about five months onto her original journey so I thought we'd better correct that. Remember that simulation we ran Kathy?"
"You mean it?" she said.
"I can't take you far, just back onto your original course," said the Doctor, "But if you bring your shielding up to full, Voyager would be strong enough to travel through the vortex."
Kathryn smiled, "Mister Tuvok shields to maximum," she said heading towards the helm, "Mister Paris, I'm afraid this is one trip you won't be piloting."
Tom got to his feet, happily waving her into his chair, "She's all yours Captain," he said.
"Yes she is isn't she," said Kathryn running her hands over the console, "I'm ready when you are Doctor."
"The TARDIS will pull you into the vortex and after that you'll have to ride the waves to the end," he said, "We'll see you the other side."
The screen altered to show the TARDIS spinning just off the end of their nose.
"All hands this is the Captain," said Kathryn, realising the last time she had addressed them from the Bridge had been moments before she'd flown out to face the Borg, "Report to your duty stations, this might be a bumpy ride. Lieutenant Torres?"
"Yes Captain," came B'Elanna's voice across the comm..
"Take the warp drive off line, we'll only need impulse engines."
"Yes ma'am."
"I'm about to take us into the vortex Kathryn, are you ready?" said the Doctor over the still open channel.
"I'm ready," said Kathryn watching the TARDIS begin to move through space, Voyager's controls operating alone as the Doctor slaved them into his own ship's systems.
The vista before them changed, space giving way to the swirling vortex that buffeted the ship as though they had flown straight into an ion storm. Kathryn soon found the controls of her ship back in her own hands and swiftly wrested control of it. The ebb and flow of the blue and red currents before her were almost impossible to navigate safely but she kept the TARDIS in sight off her bow, following the smaller ship's course as best she could. She heard an alarm sound around her, the computer and Tuvok warning her that their shields were failing. Chakotay was soon taking command behind her, instructing B'Elanna to throw all the power she could into their shields.
Kathryn's heart sank as Tuvok gave the warning that the hull was beginning to buckle, wondering if she had returned to her crew only to place them in greater peril before but as she made one final course correction the vortex twisted back into normal space, Voyager shooting free on its momentum alone.
She sat back in the pilot's chair, letting her head fall back as she let out a relieved sigh, hearing Tuvok assure Chakotay there was no serious damage inflicted on the ship. She smiled as she heard Tom's voice beside her, the young pilot clearly filled with jealousy at missing his chance to fly through a new medium.
"That," he said in awe, "Was one hell of a ride."
"That was the time vortex," said Kathryn, "The Federation will work it out one day."
"I hope I'm still flying when they do," said Tom, taking his seat once more as Kathryn returned to her own.
"Mister Kim hail them," she said as the TARDIS span by their nose once more, waiting to hear the beep off the open channel before she spoke, "You call that a bumpy ride Doctor?"
"I knew Voyager would make it through," came the response as the Doctor and Donna appeared once more on the screen, "I might have cheated a little though and made the run a little longer. You might want Harry to check your sensors."
"Mister Kim?" said Kathryn looking over her shoulder.
"We're in the Delta quadrant," he said, "But we're back on our original course and we're…"
"We're what Mister Kim?"
"Captain we're five thousand light years closer to home."
"What?"
"If I'll always have your love, dearest Kathy," said the Doctor, "Its only right that I give you something in return."
"Oh Doctor," said Kathryn, getting to her feet, "I don't know what to say."
"Just get your family home," he said, "Oh and one more thing, remember that joy is one thing but its all the better when its shared with the people you care about."
"I'm not sure I know what you mean Doctor," said Kathryn.
"What he means Captain," said Donna, "Is give that gorgeous man of yours a snog, everyone knows you're on the creep together anyway."
"Donna!" said Chakotay following Kathryn to standing, ready to deny any truth in their relationship but the woman beside him raised her hand to silence him.
"Well Commander," she said, turning to him and taking hold of the front of his jacket, "Who am I not to follow Doctor's orders?"
Before Chakotay could answer her she pulled him to her, kissing him soundly in front of her astonished Bridge crew. She smiled as she released him, hearing the whoops of delight from the two people on the view screen and Tom informing Harry that it was time for him to pay up.
"I guess our secret's out," she said.
"And its about time," said Donna.
"Be happy you two," said the Doctor as they turned back to face him, "Or should that be, live long and prosper?"
"You too," said Kathryn, "Say hello to the future and the past and every other bit in between for me."
"We will," said the Doctor before his image faded out, leaving them to watch the TARDIS dematerialise from view before them.
Kathryn took her seat once more, reaching across to squeeze Chakotay's hand as he did the same.
"Mister Paris, set a course for the Alpha quadrant, warp four," she said, sharing a smile with her young pilot before he turned to his controls, "Engage."
xxxx