Disclaimer: I do NOT own Trek.
Bina W.
Coming Home
ch 47
Naomi was the first person to wake up. The big day was finally here. She was ecstatic. The grown ups had watched news reports the night before. She had been told that there was a 10 chance of rain, but she had gone to bed without worry. Today was another day, and she woke to blinding rays of sunlight in her eyes. Just as she was rubbing her eyes, she thought she heard some voices in the next room. One sounded somewhat familiar, but it was too muffled for her to determine who was speaking. She got up, closed the curtains, and went back to bed.
Meanwhile in the other room...
Phoebe Janeway was sitting in the office of Admiral Paris, talking to someone on the comm. Line. A few moments later, she had a visual on the video screen. It was Chakotay.
"I'm so tired off it all. More then seven years of nothing, absolutely nothing, she doesn't appreciate me at all."
Phoebe looked at him via the screen and smiled as she looked into his eyes. "I'm so sorry Chak. I don't know what to say."
He fought back the tears. "I think it is time to let go."
She gave him a wistful smile. "You could have anyone you wanted. You're the other half of the famous command team."
He rolled his eyes and tried in vain not to smile. Not only did he smile, it reached his eyes.
"You two should have been likeā¦."
A noticeable pause went by. "Like what Phoebe?"
She looked uncomfortable. "Like Tarzan and Jane."
He choked on his herbal tea. "You read way too many romance novels. Kathryn is very level headed. It makes sense that you're the one who's the romantic."
She gave him a look of mock indignation. "Gee thanks so much! You sure know how to make a gal feel special!"
He laughed a deep belly laugh. When he was done, he looked her over. She found the courage to stare him down. He lost the contest and was the first to look away and then back at her.
"What?"
She was quiet for a few moments. "It's nothing."
He smiled at her. "Come on, you cannot leave me hanging with that smile.
She raised one eyebrow. "Oh yes I can."
He smirked at her. "What makes you think so?"
"Because I'm a Janeway." She gave him a reasonable copy of her sister's famous death glare.
He laughed so hard he had to hold his side for a moment. "Wow. I haven't felt like this for a while. I didn't know I could feel like this around another woman." He looked everywhere but her. She averted her gaze at him. Finally they looked at each other. There was an uncomfortable silence for several moments while they both stared at each other.
"She doesn't deserve you."
"At one time I would have argues with you or anyone else who would have said that, but not anymore."
He watched as she leaned forward. Almost as quickly, she leaned back. "What is it?" He watched as tears ran down her face.
"If you were my man, I would not have let you go."
That was the last thing Phoebe got out as a little girl walked into the room and hid behind the overstuffed black chair near the entrance to the door.
He ran his hands through his hair. "Please don't cry."
Phoebe only cried harder. She put her fingertips on the screen. At the same time the former Maquis smiled and pointed to his forehead with one finger. He repeated that action twice more, but did it right under the first space on his forehead and then the second space.
Phoebe's eyes got wide and she nodded.
He leaned forward in the seat just processing the scene. 'What do you want from me Phoebe?"
A good three minutes of silence went by. "I know its wrong but I want a chance."
Chakotay felt his heart stop just for a moment. "You're her sister. I can't do this."
"She'll never commit to you! She has your baby but where is she Chakotay? She's not in your house or even your bed. She won't appreciate you."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Would tell me why I would want to date another Janeway? Why would I be so stupid?" He laughed and it was a harsh sound.
The girl in the corner of the room flinched and started to cry silently.
"Because she has Starfleet, and that is her first love, not mine. She is back here, but you and her are not together."
Chakotay held his breath. HE KNEW Phoebe was telling the truth.
"If you break your word, I won't be your friend."
Phoebe nodded. "I do not care what people think of me. I do not pretend to be invincible like her. I wouldn't waste a chance with a treasure like you."
He could see that her tears were genuine. "We should keep this a secret at least for a while. I'll contact you when you get back to your place. I do not want someone walking in on us.
The little girl in the room fled and went back to bed.
