Unnecessary Justice

Kathryn was downstairs early one morning sipping a cup of coffee when the phone began chiming.

"Who's calling at this ungodly hour?" she wondered as she walked over and turned on the view screen.

"Captain, sorry to bother you so early in the morning but it's an emergency!" Tom Paris looked a little haggard, one of his eyes blackened. He was breathing heavily and looked frightened.

"Tom! What's the matter? What happened? Is B'Lana okay? Amotz?"

"They took her Captain! Starfleet took her and put her in the brig! I tried to fight them off but they took her! They're going to put her on trial for being a Maquis!"

"What! That's impossible! You're father authorized this?"

"Of course he did! I expect our marriage is the reason he's doing this! Captain, you've gotta do something! Amotz needs her...I need her!"

"Tom, calm down! Everything's going to be just fine. Chakotay and I will go down to Starfleet immediately."

"No! Not Chakotay! My father's going after all the Maquis...him included. Tell him to get out while he still can!"

Stunned into silence for several seconds Kathryn finally said, "When do you think you're father's going to come here?"

"I don't know Captain. I just know he wants to pick up all of the Maquis today."

"Thank you Tom. Don't worry. I'm going to Starfleet to figure this all out. Nothing is going to happen to B'Lana. Janeway out."

Shutting down the screen, Kathryn ran to wake Chakotay.

"Chakotay," she said shaking him awake, "Admiral Paris is rounding up all the maquis. They've already taken B'Lana. You have to go, now!"

Stirring in bed he sat up, looking confused. "Kathryn, love, calm down and let me know what's going on."

"Admiral Paris is rounding up all the maquis...Tom just called, they got B'Lana...you need to go!"

Shocked into silence for several minutes, Chakotay finally answered, "Are you absolutely sure?"

"Yes! Tom told me himself. He said they're going to come for you some time today…"

"I'm not going Kathryn," he said, grabbing his hand and looking at her.

"Chakotay," she said, tears coming to her eyes, "you have to go! I can't loose you."

"Kathryn...I'm their leader. You of all people should understand the loyalty of a captain to his crew. It would be cowardly to run."

A sinking feeling in her stomach let her know that he was right. He needed to stay with his crew, no matter what. Seeing her tears flowing freely now, Chakotay drew her to him and held her close.

"You won't loose me Kathryn. I'll always come back to you," he whispered as he stroked her hair.

Suddenly the doorbell chimed and Chakotay kissed her deeply. Then he got up, looked at her one last time, and went to answer the door.

Kathryn heard voices, then the door opening and closing again. When Chakotay didn't come back after several seconds, Kathryn sank down on her knees and wept.

…

Several hours later Kathryn stormed into Starfleet, eyes blazing and phasers firing.

"What the hell do you think you're doing," she said as she entered the admirals office.

"Ah Captain," Admiral Paris said, looking up from his work, "I was wondering when I'd see you."

"You didn't answer my question admiral," she said, slamming her hands down on his desk and looking him in the eye, "Why are you arresting my crew?"

"I'm simply handing down the justice that should have been delt 7 years ago."

"And does 7 years of exemplary StarFleet service mean nothing!"

"That is for the court to decide Captain."

"The court that you're in charge of, Admiral!"

"Captain, we both know why you're here. You just want to free your husband…"

"And the rest of my crew...you're daughter in law for one! Do you have no heart? Your son and grandson are miserable. They need B'Lana."

"And you and your daughter need Chakotay…" he said with a knowing smile.

Knowing she wouldn't get anywhere with him, she stood up straight and glared, "I'll see you in court Admiral." Then she stormed out the way she came.

…

Early the next morning Kathryn walked into jail. All the prisoners were still sleeping, so no one noticed her enter.

"You have ten minutes," the guard said, pressing some buttons and lowering the force field around Chakotay's cell.

"Thank you," she said, walking into the cell. Once the guard had restarted the force field and left the room she knelt down by Chakotay's bed and began tracing his tattoo.

Stirring he woke up and smiled at her.

"Kathryn…" he said, sitting up and kissing her.

"Hello," she said.

"How are you?"

"The better question is how are you?"

"Don't change the subject Kathryn," he said, cupping her face is his hand, "I've been worried about you. How are you doing? And Nasya?"

"Nasya's fine. She misses you though. Asked me just last night where daddy was," Kathryn said, tearing up.

"And you…"

"I can't bear not being with you," she said, breaking down. He pulled her towards him and stroked her hair.

"I can't bear it either Kathryn," he whispered, "but it's only for a short time. The trial's next week and after that we'll be free."

"How do you know that?" she whispered.

"Because I trust you implicitly, I know you'll come up with something."

"I love you Chakotay," she said, kissing him passionately just as the guard came back in.

"Time's up," he said.

"I'll be back tomorrow," she said, kissing him one more time before getting up and leaving. As she reached the door she looked back at him one final time before exiting the room

…

"What are we going to do Captain!" Later that day Kathryn and Tom got together for lunch to decide what to do.

"Tom...breathe. We'll think of something."

"How can I! My wife is in jail! How can you be so calm...your husband is in the same position!"

"I am well aware of that fact Tom...It kills me inside…but I know loosing my head won't do anything to help him." Looking at his Captain, he could see the same worry, the same pain in her eyes that he felt.

"I'm sorry Captain it's just…"

"You're worried about B'Lana. I understand Tom...I worry about them too."

"What are we going to do to help?"

"We need a defense of some kind...something the courts can't overlook."

"You'd think that serving with us in the Delta Quadrant would be enough," Tom muttered.

"And normally it would be. However, the Admiral is upset with us for getting married...he's trying to get back at us any way he can."

"Well then, what can we say?"

"That they never tried to take over the ship, that they upheld StarFleet protocol to the letter, that they served alongside us and saved our lives on countless occasions."

"How Chakotay and B'Lana were in senior officers…"

"Exactly! We get Tuvok to come in and speak...he was among them for several months and they'll trust a Vulcan who speaks only with his brain…"

"We can get the whole crew into the courtroom to help testify! If my father condemns them he'll be branded as a cruel idiot!"

For the first time since Chakotay was arrested, Kathryn felt some hope swell inside her.

"Let's get going Tom. We have much to do but very little time."

…

"We've got the entire crew here Chakotay," Kathryn said to him a few days later on her daily morning visits to the jail, "we're going to get you home."

"I knew you would Kathryn. I never doubted you in the least," he said, kissing her.

"How's Nasya?" he asked her, as he did every morning.

"She's with mom. I've been so busy with everything I couldn't pay her the attention the needed. I go there every night though and she asks where you are. Last night she even cried, demanding that you tuck her into bed."

Chuckling, Chakotay drew her close began giving her the shoulder massage she loved so much. "Kathryn, I'm so sorry. I promise this'll all be over soon."

"This isn't your fault Chakotay. You're sticking with your crew, and I love you all the more for it. I just can't wait for you to come back to me."

…

Several days later the proceedings began. Of course Captain Kathryn Janeway was the first witness called.

"Captain, were there any signs of hostility or treason from the Maquis on your ship?"

"In the beginning there was a little tension as we were adjusting to life in the Delta Quadrant, but no serious problems. They were an exemplary crew. Starfleet itself couldn't have produced a better."

"Captain, is it true that you promoted two Maquis to senior officers on Voyager?"

"Yes. Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant B'Lana Torres were excellent officers and I don't regret my decision."

"And is it also true that you married said Commander Chakotay, against Starfleet regulations," said the Admiral with a malicious gleam in his eye and a smirk.

Not taking her eyes off Chakotay she responded, "Yes, I did marry Chakotay. I love him more than anything. " Then, turning to the admiral and giving him a saucy smile, "Forgive me admiral, but we were thinking we'd be out there for seventy years. You couldn't expect us to live like nuns for all that time could you?"

The audience laughed and Chakotay smiled at his wife as she looked over and winked at him.

Frowning the Admiral let Kathryn leave the stand and she went and sat next to her husband and he put his arm around her shoulder.

…

"Commander Tuvok, is it correct that you spent some time amongst this group of Maquis before they were joined with the crew of Voyager?"

"That is correct."

"And were their intensions hostile to the Federation."

"Not at all. They simply were working to protect their land from the Cardassian threat."

"And while they were on the ship, were there any signs of rebellion or uprising?"

"As the captain stated, there was some tension in the beginning. However, they were an exemplary crew."

"And did you develop any relationships with any of your Maquis crew members?"

"As much as a Vulcan can develop relationships. I wouldn't let my relationships get in the way of logic."

"Of course not, we weren't insinuating anything of the kind."

"Forgive me admiral, but I think you were."

Blushing, the admiral called Tuvok down from the stand. Kathryn got up and gave him a hug. "Thank you Tuvok. We owe you so much!" she whispered to him. Again surprised by the Captain's show of emotion he paused for several seconds before hugging her back. "Your welcome captain...it's the least I could do."

…

"Lieutenant Paris, you are a convicted member of the Maquis are you not? Sentanced to jail and released to Captain Janeway's care."

"You should know the answer to that one dad...you signed the conviction notice."

"Just answer the question Lieutenant!"

"Fine, I was a member of the Maquis before joining the Captain's crew. However, since then I have upheld StarFleet regulations and plan to reinstate. I have a family to support now."

"Speaking of said family, you are married to the Maquis member Lieutenant B'Lana Paris nee Torres, correct?"

"That's right, dad."

"Tom!" the admiral said through gritted teeth, "you will address me as sir."

"OK dad, whatever you say."

"TOM!"

"Yes sir."

"Thank you. Now, you married B'Lana Torres against Starfleet regulations, am I correct?"

"If I remember correctly, dad, it's not against regulations. There is no rule against marriage. It's just frowned upon. Besides, as the captain so eloquently said before, you didn't expect us to live like nuns did you?"

Everyone laughed as the admiral dismissed Tom from the stand. He winked at Kathryn then took his seat besides B'Lana, pulling her to him."

…

"Commander Chakotay, first officer aboard Voyager and leader of the Maquis. Is that correct?"

"Yes sir."

"Husband to Captain Kathryn Janeway."

"Blissfully married these last five and a half years," he said, winking at her as she smiled.

"Against Starfleet regulations?"

"As Tom said, it's not against regulations. More protocol...it's frowned upon but not forbidden...and certainly not grounds for locking someone up and holding a full court-martial for them."

"You aren't here for your marriage. You're here for your Maquis activities."

"Well then I suggest you get on with it, I'd like to go home to my wife and daughter for dinner."

"Yes..well...to your Maquis activities...you joined the Maquis after the death of your father, correct?"

"Yes. I wanted to carry on his work. Make sure he didn't die in vain."

"What was this work exactly? To bring down the federation?"

"No! To protect our home-world from the Cardassians. We are a peaceful people in full support of the federation."

"Very well...you can step down commander."

Stepping down and sitting next to Kathryn she turned to him and with an arched smile whispered, "Blissfully Married?"

"It's true," he said, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze, "pure bliss."

…

"It is the decision of this court that...grudgingly...we let the Maquis member's of the Voyager crew off with a full pardon due to their outstanding conduct and their aid in getting the Voyager crew home," Admiral Paris declared after ten minutes of deliberation, it which it looked like he was arguing with everyone else on the council to try and condemn them.

Chakotay drew Kathryn to him and kissed her deeply and passionately to the cheers of the crew, "I love you! I knew you could do it." They kissed again, not breaking apart for several minutes. Next to them Tom and B'Lana were doing the exact same thing.

…

"Dada!" Nasya said, running up to Kathryn and Chakotay as fast as her little legs could carry her as they entered the room.

Bending down he swept her into his arms and spun her around, "Hello my little miracle! How I've missed you!"

"Dada home?" she said, looking at her with a puzzled expression.

"I'm sorry I had to leave Nasya. But yes, Dada's home and I promise I'll never have to leave you again."

Smiling, he drew Kathryn to him with one hand while holding Nasya in the other. Looking Kathryn deeply in the eyes he said, "I promise both of you...I'll never leave you alone ever again." Then leaning in he kissed Kathryn deeply.