Part 21
G rated chapter. A lot of "pointless" Romance and Humor.
Thanks to you all for reading and esp. for the reviewing. Wow, I DID turn Q into the Fairy Godmother. What a hoot! I didn't know I was such a sappy romantic!
The whole thing has been a real treat to write. I'm so glad to know at last how the story ends…
At Last…
Suddenly, the entire event transformed into the picture of simple elegance. The garish decorations became paper white blooms that spilled over the tables like delicate waterfalls. A gigantic ice-sculpture of the Voyager melted and formed a delightful fountain. Outlandish period costumes became lovely attire. Replicated corn-dogs, funnel cakes, deep fried pickles, and cocktail weenies became exotic delicacies from every part of the galaxy. Tacky became tasteful and retro morphed to timeless style.
Janeway's overgrown gown was gone, leaving her wrapped in a lovely flowing dress that flattered her slender figure and accentuated her deep blue eyes. Chakotay now wore a sharp black tux with a touch of Starfleet line. They sighed, visibly relieved as Q offered his arm to Kathryn, and escorted her to the altar.
The Talaxian looked deflated but was soon assuaged when the Delaney sisters flanked him and escorted him to a seat. Other crew had gotten close due to recent events. Kathryn and Chakotay were not the only new alliance.
"Thank you!" she whispered to Q making sure that Neelix did not hear her.
"Don't mention it," he said. "If I had allowed that spectacle to go on, who knows what would have become of the Space/Time continuum?
"You'll have to look after Chakotay, you know," he warned her.
"In what way?"
"I think he's been trading recipes with Kirk and Riker!"
Kathryn ignored Q's latest jibe as she stepped next to Chakotay. He looked just perfect to her.
Tuvok's attire morphed from southern Hell'n'Damnation preacher to Vulcan robes. He waited patiently as Janeway finally looked away from Chakotay and toward him.
Chakotay's previous strained grimace had given way to a wide dimpled grin and suddenly Kathryn realized exactly what she was doing there. Nothing, not even her own strong will, could keep her from this man. Immovable Object and Irresistible Force it was!
"My friends," Tuvok began, "Today we gather to honor the union of Kathryn and Chakotay. Their joining until now long unfulfilled reminds us of our ability to deny ourselves that which we need most. Together we have been thrust into the Delta Quadrant, cut off from our families, loved ones, and lives that we hold dear. We began this voyage as individuals, diverse, separate. Now we move toward cohesion, of mind, body, spirit. Our recent…experience…has created unity where there were once only walls. We shall take from this a new understanding of one another…"
Chakotay could not stop smiling. Tom smirked and rolled his eyes but then glanced at B'Elanna and gave her a wink. She responded with a threatening glare that said, 'behave yourself, Tom Paris!' but soon softened up. She was now wearing a simple silk chemise with bare shoulders. Tom's smirk gave way to his own loving look. He looked forward to an evening and with her—alone. For all the crazy sexual liaisons of the last few weeks Tom realized there was something wonderful about being with someone he loved so completely.
Kathryn and Chakotay exchanged vows and finally kissed much to the delight of the crew who burst into a standing ovation at the sight.
Kathryn felt a great burden lifted from her shoulders. She had been fighting her love for Chakotay for too many years. She no longer carried constant inner turmoil. They were free to love each other.
"…and so, we shall share their joy and sorrows. May we find our home and barring that, may we realize that we have already found a home in one another."
Tuvok had the good sense to keep the ceremony relatively short and the crew eagerly retreated to the tables to begin the feast.
Before they left, Tom could not resist. "My friends, I present Captain and Mrs. Janeway to you!" which earned him an ample supply of groans and glares from the newlyweds.
Seven was weeping quietly in the onto The Doctor's shoulder throughout the ceremony. The EMH was more than happy to offer solace.
"I always cry at weddings," she offered as explanation, burying her nose in a lacy handkerchief.
The Doctor made gestures that indicated that Seven had been drinking and he would look after her.
"Next week," Tom said patting Chakotay on the back as they walked toward the tables, "bachelor party on the Holodeck with a bevy of green Orion slave girls!"
"Don't even think it, Tom!" Chakotay said with an air of panic. "I know where all the air locks are!"
B'Elanna grabbed Tom by his arm. "I'd even help him take you to one!" she warned. "I think we've had enough for awhile."
"That's gratitude for you!" Tom moaned and then added, "That's OK. You're already accustomed to taking orders. It's all indentured servitude from here on in, my friend."
Chakotay just ignored his Best Man's requisite wise cracks with his usual calm demeanor.
"Come on, 'Mrs. Torres'," B'Elanna jibed as her husband suddenly held her and kissed her deeply. When they withdrew, B'Elanna was elated and 'mmm'ed' with satisfaction.
"Works every time!" he told Chakotay, who shook his head and walked off with his new wife.
"Is that so?" B'Elanna punched his shoulder playfully.
"Ow!" Tom feigned pain. "What was that for?"
"General principle!" she told him. "Now, leave them alone and let's eat."
"Yes, ma'am," he smiled as she pulled him toward the buffet.
Q had left Neelix's entertainment choice in place. However, instead of only a sound system, a real person stood in its stead.
A caterwauling issued from the small stage near the dance deck. A scruffy fat man with a cheap guitar shouted nonsensical childish lyrics into a cheesy P.A. mike. His red tee shirt bore stains and tears from long wear.
The crew winced at every painful twang.
"Well, what do you think of the greatest singer/songwriter of all time?" Harry asked, in awe of the man.
"You are joking, aren't you Harry?" Chakotay asked, holding a hand to his ear.
"No, I'm serious! In the late 20th and early 21st Century, this Daniel Johnston was considered a genius!"
"What was wrong with people from that time, Harry?" B'Elanna shouted. "I've heard Klingon opera that was more melodic!"
"What do you mean? It's amazing!" Harry shouted back. "He was way ahead of his time!"
"Amazing yes! But…Q? Janeway called. "I can't believe I'm doing this! Q!"
Mr. Johnston disappeared and Etta James stood singing with a jazz combo and broke into her classic rendition of "At Last."(1)
"At last…" she sang with all the joy of finding someone special.
"Well, I believe it's time for your first dance together as a married couple!" Neelix chirped as he rubbed his hands together.
"Our what?" Chakotay blanched. "I don't…"
"It's an old Earth wedding tradition, husband," Kathryn told him as she took him toward the floor. "I'll make it an order if I have to," she added playfully.
Kathryn drew the big man to her and they melted together on the floor. After Chakotay settled down with the whole idea of dancing, he heard the lyrics and knew why Q had picked the song.
"At Last…My love has come alongMy lonely days are overAnd life is like a song"
Soon other couples, even some trios, and other combinations followed suit. Everyone looked happy and relieved. The embarrassment had faded and turned to acceptance and hope. 'At Last' they had found one another.
The Doo Wop Cops replaced Miss James. Their velvet-toned bass sang "Heart and Soul." (2)
"But now I see, what one embrace can doLook at me, you've got me loving you madlyThat little kiss you stoleHeld all my heart and soul"
"The Five Boroughs" rendered "Until the Real Thing Comes Along" (3) with heart.
"I would work for you, slave for you, I'd be a beggar or a knave for you;If that ain't love, it'll have to do, Until the real thing comes along,"
Chakotay mused on those lyrics and thought about how he was willing to 'slave' for Kathryn, even if she could not or would not return his love. He would still be living in the middle like that, but he was elated that he did not have to. He realized he owed a debt of gratitude to those crazy aliens.
Each time the celebrated couple kissed, the crew clapped and cheered.
"Well, Captain Kathryn, what do you think of our wedding…weddings?" Chakotay smiled.
"Unexpected! Both of them," she said, raising a flute of golden Andarlian wine. "But, wonderful!" She kissed him again, despite the crew.
"Sometimes the unexpected is exactly what we need," Q interjected as he materialized between the couple.
"Then, Q, sometimes it isn't," Janeway leveled at him.
"I expect so. But, then if you two hadn't been hurled into the Delta Quadrant together, so unexpectedly…" Q said, looking off dreamily into a moon. "You know, I'm not allowed to…interfere."
"Really?" Chakotay and Kathryn asked in disbelief.
"Depends on how you define 'interfere' doesn't it?" Chakotay said.
"It means, I can't send you home, however…I can get you a little closer."
"What?" they both asked as he disappeared.
"What does that mean, Q?" Chakotay asked the air.
"I'm certain we'll find out. But for now…" Kathryn said. She noticed as the night went on, they were no longer the focus of all eyes. She wanted to sneak back to the ship with her new husband. She lifted and eyebrow. "For now, how about we blow this gin joint?"
"I like the way you think, Kathryn," he responded as he gently brushed her hair back off her face. "Let's go, while we can."
They left to the tones of "Just the Way You Look Tonight" (4 and Kathryn thought about her appearance recently and shuttered slightly.
"Cold?" Chakotay asked as he held her near and kissed her again without an audience for the first time since they beamed down.
"This is a nice song. I'm glad the 20th Century wasn't entirely a 'vast wasteland'."
They beamed back to the ship without any fuss, and went to bed then promptly fell asleep from exhaustion. They would find out what Q had in mind for them…tomorrow, after they 'set sail' toward home.
- - - - - -- -
They knew that now they could really begin their lives. Together they would command the ship and the whole crew would be stronger from the union, not broken apart as Kathryn had once feared.
Kathryn Janeway knew she had finally discovered what a strong woman was. She did not deny herself love. She could command, make decisions and she could be a leader and a lover the way strong women had for centuries.
fin…
- - - - - - -
I claim no copyright to the following. I simply want to pay homage to these great songs and great artists:
1. At Last, as sung by Etta James
2. Heart and Soul, (words by Frank Loesser, music by Hoagy Carmichael), Incredible version by DC's Doo Wop Cops. If you've only heard this song done by kids on a piano, run don't walk to Amazon and pick up a more soulful version!
3. "Until the Real Thing Comes Along"(Cahn, Chaplin, Freeman, Holiner, Nichols) recording in 1936." The Five Boroughs" are a singing group that does an incredible version of it.
4. "Just the Way You Look Tonight"Music by Jerome Kern and lyrics Dorothy Fields " The Five Boroughs" also do this song. It was sung by Fred Astaire in the movie "Swing Time", 1936, ironically to a woman in a robe who was covered in a facial and curlers.