Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
SIX DAYS LATER
In a sunny room, decorated with cards and flowers, Kathryn sat reading in a chair while she waited for Chakotay to wake up. It was only a matter of hours now as Tuvok had already regained consciousness.
When at last Chakotay stirred, Kathryn put down her book and went over to him.
"Welcome back," she said, taking his hand as his eyes found hers.
Chakotay smiled at the all too familiar experience. "Deja vu."
"Yes," Kathryn laughed, remembering his car accident in New Sweden, "this is becoming too much of a habit."
Chakotay looked briefly towards the window. "Are we on New Earth?"
"No," she told him. "The real Earth."
The words surprised him. "We are?"
Kathryn nodded. "Q came through for us."
"About time," he teased. "But I don't remember getting here. The last thing I remember is you saying we were all going back to New Earth. Have I been in a coma?"
"No, you've been asleep."
Chakotay sat up, speaking as he did. "I feel better," he said, "like my old self. Am I being treated?"
"Just monitored. Q's healed you."
"He has?"
Kathryn nodded and her eyes moistened. "You're going to be just fine."
Chakotay smiled, visibly relieved, and took her hand in his. "I've never been afraid to die," he said, "but for the first time in my life I care more for living than I don't care about dying."
Kathryn squeezed his hand. "Same here."
"And I never thought I'd have reason to be grateful to Q. Looks like I owe him."
"Actually," Kathryn smiled, "he's holding me payable. And, believe me, he's going to call in the debt. But right now, none of that matters. We're home, Chakotay. At long last, we're home."
Chakotay extended his arm to her and Kathryn embraced him.
When eventually they drew away, Chakotay spoke. "How are the others?"
"My father's just fine," Kathryn replied, "and is in Bloomington with my mother and sister. As our case is still classified, the public story is that I've been searching for him after receiving a tip that he wasn't killed during our shuttle crash but abducted by enemies of the Federation. Everyone is assuming Cardassians, and that will neither be confirmed or denied."
"Good cover."
"Tuvok woke up three hours ago and his family are with him." She paused and hesitated with the next words. "But we're not all home, Chakotay. The Willis's, Joe and Kiera are back on New Earth. Q came just after we'd transported them back. He says the reason he didn't show up earlier was because he planned for them all to return. He says it's for the best, and we can only trust his judgment."
"I'll miss them," Chakotay said sincerely, "especially Celes and Dieter. They became good friends."
"I will too."
"What about Tyrian and Darian? What's the public story with them?"
"None as yet," Kathryn said cautiously. "Q's sent them to the future. Apparently we'll find them on Horanix Prime in a year's time while exploring ancient ruins."
Sadness filled Chakotay's eyes and he was silent for a moment. "Do you think we will...find them? I know they haven't been part of our lives long, but I've grown to love them."
"So have I," Kathryn confessed. "And I'm sure we will...I hope we will." She paused. "There's something else you should know. Because our case is classified, the public story will be that while Seven, Celes and Dieter have died, you and Tuvok have woken up from months in a coma. Because we're supposed to have been apart for the past year, our marriage can never be recognized."
"I see," Chakotay said quietly.
Kathryn squeezed his hand. "But that doesn't mean we can't get married again."
Chakotay reached out and put his hand to her cheek. "I couldn't mean my vows any more a second time. As far as I'm concerned, we are married."
Kathryn made no reply. While a second wedding could never be more special than the first, she wanted to be married in law. She wanted the world to know she was his wife, wanted the world to know he was her husband, and she wanted them to wear with pride their symbolic rings.
"But if you want to marry again," Chakotay continued, "I'm happy too."
"No," Kathryn said, not wanting to take him down a road he seemed reluctant to travel. "You're right. We don't need another wedding. We are married...if not in law, then in our hearts."
Their hands linked again and Chakotay questioned. "What's happened to the CBRs?"
Kathryn had to smile at that. "You'll have to wait and see."
A WEEK LATER
Beneath a blue sky, Robo ran happily around the grounds of Kathryn's gothic mansion while his mistress watched from a balcony. Chakotay watched with her and they laughed as he chased away a roaming cat.
"Good guard dog," Chakotay said. "Must be the Tuvok in him."
"Must be," Kathryn smiled.
"I wonder what part of him is me? Clearly not the ears."
"Got to be the legs and shoulders. They're strong and sturdy, just like yours. And I think there's something of you in his right eye. His tail is Dieter, though. Same shade of hair exactly."
Chakotay laughed softly.
"So," Kathryn asked. "What do you think of the house?"
"Very...colorful," Chakotay teased.
In Kathryn's absence, her sister, Phoebe, had taken over renovations and had been overly generous with bold paint.
"As I warned you," Kathryn laughed. "But now I'm back, I'm going to completely re-decorate. I want to capture the spirit of the house in the decor and furnishings...want to bring history alive." She paused. "That is if you like the house. I only had myself to consider when I got it. But now we're together, I want a house we can both feel is a home."
"I love the house," Chakotay replied. "It's got character and soul, and I like that." He smiled. "And I can see how much you love this house. That alone would be enough to make me love it. Your home is my home."
Kathryn smiled in return and raised her lips to his in a tender kiss. Chakotay kissed her in return and then they gazed into each others eyes until Kathryn sadly averted hers.
"What's wrong?" Chakotay asked kindly.
"Nothing," she answered. "I just...I should be perfectly happy, but I'm not. I know we decided not to have another wedding, that we'll always be married in our hearts, but I'd like one. I'd like to be able to call myself your wife again."
"I've been feeling the same way," Chakotay admitted.
"You have?"
He nodded and reached into his jacket. "In fact, I was going to give you this over dinner."
From a deep inner pocket, he pulled out a small white velvet box. Kathryn took it eagerly and carefully opened the lid. Inside, nestled in red velvet, was the diamond engagement ring Chakotay had given her on New Earth.
"Oh Chakotay..." she said, reverently touching the sparkling diamond.
"Kathryn Martha Janeway," he said, "will you marry me...again?"
"Yes," Kathryn said, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Yes, yes, yes!"
Chakotay wrapped his arms around her in return and they held each other joyfully.
THREE MONTHS LATER
Beneath a beautiful arch of roses in Voyager's elegantly decorated mess hall, Kathryn and Chakotay repeated their wedding vows before family and friends. Many members of Voyager's crew were present and Naomi Wildman was the proud bridesmaid in a gown of blue satin. When at last the registrar pronounced the former captain and first officer husband and wife, the crowd broke into tumultuous applause, and the happy couple sealed their second union with a kiss.
"Congratulations," Kathryn's father said when they drew apart. "Again."
Kathryn laughed and embraced him. "Thank you, Daddy." She then embraced her mother, sister and Chakotay's sister, Sekaya, who had traveled all the way from Trebus.
"The bouquet," B'Elanna urged. "Let's see who'll be next..."
Kathryn gladly obliged and threw her pretty bouquet to the crowd.
The Doctor caught it, to great amusement.
"Looks like the Doc's hiding something from us," Tom teased.
"Perhaps," Chakotay smiled.
"And congratulations," Tom continued. "Both of you. I'd say about time, but B'Elanna might kill me."
"It's too bad you're leaving next month for Horanix Prime," B'Elanna said, ignoring her husband's remark. "Tom and I are going skiing in Switzerland in the New Year and it would have been awesome to have you join us."
"Maybe next New Year," Kathryn smiled. Even if they were not leaving soon, she'd seen enough snow and ice for one year.
"If you're able to ski," Tom jested. "You never know, the stork might come calling."
At those words, Kathryn glanced at Chakotay and they couldn't help but giggle.
"What is it?" Tom asked. "What have I said?" Then an answer occurred to him. "That's it...you're pregnant already."
B'Elanna whacked Tom on the arm. "Keep your voice down!"
Fortunately, amongst the chatter of the crowd, Tom's words went unnoticed.
"Well," he continued, "Are you?"
Kathryn smiled. "Let's just say there may be a special delivery in a few months time."
"I knew it," Tom cried. "Congratulations."
"And from me," B'Elanna added. "And don't worry, your secret is our secret."
Tom turned to Chakotay. "Better watch out, Chakotay. You know what they say...past forty-two, more chance of two."
Before Kathryn had a chance to respond, Tuvok and his wife approached. "Congratulations on your union, Admiral, Commander."
"Thank you," Kathryn smiled. "I'm so glad you're here."
Suddenly, the sound of silver on glass cut through the air and Reg Barclay spoke.
"Ladies and gentlemen. May I...have your attention...please. Ladies and Gentlemen..."
The crowd duly fell silent and Reg addressed them.
"We now have a...very special surprise...for the...bride and groom." He then waved his hand at Harry and the now Lieutenant began to play his clarinet. Seconds later, a screen illuminated on a wall and Neelix appeared with Dexa, Brax and Rinny in his arms.
"Congratulations," Neelix beamed. "We are so excited for you both. We wish we could be there in person to celebrate with you all, but don't worry, we'll be having our own celebration right here. And in case you're wondering, we're not really here. I mean, this message is pre-recorded. And though we're thousands of light years away, we've sent you a little something special from the Delta Quadrant. Many, many, congratulations to two of our favorite people. Sending you all our love and best wishes..." Dexa and Brax joined in now, "Neelix, Dexa, Brax and Rinny."
With that, the screen faded.
"And here it is," Reg said, "Neelix's gift."
Harry began to play his clarinet again and the Delaney sisters entered the mess hall pushing a magnificent five tier silver wedding cake upon a gleaming golden trolley.
"Took some...engineering," Reg announced, "but, in tiers, it arrived safe and sound. Ladies and gentlemen...the wedding cake!"
The crowd clapped and cheered and Kathryn turned to her mother. "Now I know why you wanted to take charge of the cake."
Her mother winked. "And I told you it'd be special."
"Very special," Kathryn smiled.
Tom addressed the crowd now. "Who wants to see the bride and groom cut the cake?"
Everyone cheered and Tom turned to the happy couple. "You're in demand."
Arm in arm, Kathryn and Chakotay went over to the cake and Meg Delaney handed them a long knife.
The Doctor, who was in charge of taking photos, got himself into position.
"On the count of three," the Doctor cried. "One...two...three..."
Hand over hand, Kathryn and Chakotay plunged the shiny knife into the sparkling cake and the crowd cheered.
END OF CHAPTER THIRTY SIX