Disclaimer: See chapter one

Messages & Revelations

Their return journey to Earth and home was rather low key and uneventful, for which Torres was grateful for such small mercies. She reconnected with her daughter glad to feed her as nature intended and exchanged tales and shenanigans with her mother-in-law about Miral's antics whilst her mother was away. Grandmother had left by the time Tom returned home only to find his wife in a very dangerous mood – quiet and yet explosive.

"I've just spoken with Seven," she told him, getting in first saving him the trouble of broaching what looked to be a very sensitive subject, holding herself whilst standing at the main windows looking out over their reasonable sized garden at the back of the house.

"And?" he enquired carefully.

"She and Chakotay were dating in those last few months of Voyager's journey." Tom Paris said nothing; he knew there had been rumours flying around especially after the Doctor's startling confession, if not before when the two of them had been trapped on that planet with the Ventu; but nothing to suggest they were romantically interested in each other, but then again the cooling in the command team's relationship had been noted and commented on, on more than one occasion, he recalled silently.

"Anything else?" he prompted softly, when nothing more seemed to be forthcoming, quietly moving to stand in her personal space.

"She said that Neelix encouraged her, giving her tips and suggestions as to what constituted as a suitable date – to use Seven's phrasing," she clarified.

"I see," gently closing the gap between them.

"You don't sound surprised," she noted a little miffed and yet she relaxed into his embrace.

"When you're sitting just a few feet in front of that pair, you can pick up the vibes between them – or not." It was that softly spoken fact that really summed things up for them both.

"It's no wonder his tone sounded so angry and hurt; beside the fact that he didn't use her name or rank," she informed him having turned to face him and wrap her arms around his waist. They stood silently entwined together until their growing daughter's lusty yells drew them apart and to her side.

=/\=

Getting to see the said 'Golden Girl' of Starfleet was proving fraught with every obstruction imaginable and yet her Father-in-law couldn't explain why, as Janeway had told him the 'Family' had an open door invite as far as she was concerned. Thus her anger fuelling her momentum she stormed into the new Admiral's office, her calm husband and Janeway's flustered Aide, following in her wake.

"It's alright, Elliot," she assured the human male, thus he backed out of the plush office back to his domain calmly closing the doors on the silent still and tense atmosphere within. Three other persons currently occupied this same office space waiting for the storm waters to break.

"To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?!" Janeway asked mildly.

For a moment no-one moved; then Torres strode forward from her spot and slapped the older woman across her face. Startled she could only mutely stare surprised at her former Chief Engineer, holding her hand to her stinging cheek.

"That's for hurting him," she said only loud enough for Janeway to hear. Torres' glared angrily at her former CO, but before she could speak again another voice sounded in the tense room.

"Assaulting a senior officer is a court martial offence!"

"Unfortunately for you Admiral," turning her angry eyes on him. "I'm not in Starfleet," she ground out at him, causing him to physically take a step away from this small bombshell. "I have a couple of messages for you," pausing to stand before Janeway. "If you really want to talk, all you have to do is ask," pausing a moment and then leaned in closer to the still stunned woman before her. "First take the price off my head," Torres' tone was very much as Kathryn Janeway would expect Chakotay to utter those words, which caused her to shiver with the menace behind them. Before she could respond another voice spoke:

"So you did meet with him?"

"Meet who?" she asked coldly, turning angry narrowing eyes on the new speaker.

"Your friend," he said uncertainly, feeling unnerved in the face of this woman's open hostility. Janeway just listened quietly.

"Which friend would that be?" her tone low and menacing.

"The one that's missing – Chakotay."

"Oh that friend!" her face relaxing a moment. "I'm glad you remembered that he has a name," she ground out. All this while Paris stood near the door and watched the proceedings, especially these three Admirals'. His father had been both surprised and alarmed that a bounty had been issued on Chakotay – "Such things aren't done in Starfleet and the Federation anymore," he'd commented incensed. "Well someone has and in Kathryn Janeway's name too!" Torres had informed him.

"So you know where he – Chakotay is then?" the tone of voice hopeful even eager, brought Tom's mind back to the here and now.

"No I don't Admiral," she growled, causing Tom to smile as the man appeared to back off from his wife. "He made very sure of that; but then he always has been very protective of those he cares about. Beside even if I did know of his whereabouts – which I don't – I wouldn't inform anyone remotely connected with Starfleet," she said and turned back to her former CO. "Including you Admiral," pausing to glare at the other female, who was still holding her slapped cheek. "He also informed me that he was attacked twice because someone believed he'd sullied Starfleet's Golden Girl and we both know that isn't true," her tone pointed. Janeway could only swallow nervously her eyes widening as this was new information to her. Paris noted that the three Admiral's exchanged knowing looks among themselves.

They know who and why! he thought, keeping his own expression neutral.

Torres turned away from the desk and stormed towards the door. "One other thing, Admiral," looking over her shoulder as she yanked open the door. "Don't expect any assistance from the Family."

Tom Paris said nothing as his wife stomped out; he just looked questioningly at Janeway and then her fellow Admirals, before quietly following his wife out.

"Appointment indeed!" they heard her snap at Elliot. "Keep it," she growled. The door clicked quietly shut.

=/\=

Janeway wasn't quite sure what to make of Torres' final comment about an appointment, as far as she was concerned all members of the 'Family' could drop in anytime. Her three fellow Admirals were talking among themselves but she paid them little heed, still trying to comprehend the messages and revelations that had been expressed here in her new office.

"I have to speak with Elliot," she said still looking semi-dazed at the closed door. "I shall not be long, Admirals," pausing as she moved around her desktop as if searching for something. "We'll then go over those proposals you mentioned," she informed them and quickly walked to the outer office where Elliot resided.

She put a finger to her lips when she reached his desk and opened the internal com-link between his desk and hers inside her office.

"That's a turnabout of events."

"Indeed. Any news from the tails or a response to the bounty rewards?"

"None. Did you expect any?"

"Perhaps!"

"You know she'll start to ask questions."

"She wouldn't be who she is, if she didn't! But we'll see." Janeway and Elliot glanced at each other at that point. "Is your informant well briefed?" the human male looked pale.

"Naturally. Do you take me for a fool?"

"No, no, my friend," the tone pacifying.

"We'd better keep a close eye on our Golden Girl!"

Janeway had heard enough, anger fuelling her indignation, cutting the link quietly. "It's doubtful you'll be immune from their anger and threats, Elliot," she whispered in his ear. "Stay here a moment; but I want you to follow with any reports you have to hand, understand?" her voice low. Elliot nodded silently and waited whilst she returned to her office leaving the door ajar so he could hear.

"I'm very sorry gentlemen, but something unexpected has come up and is going to require my full attention. Perhaps we can re-convene for another time?" he heard her say mildly.

"Certainly," noted one voice, by his tone it was obvious that he was unhappy about it, but knew they couldn't push things, so they made for the door. Elliot quickly fully disabled his internal com-link system, before the three Admiral's filed past his desk, one shooting him a pointed glare.

"I'll call you," Janeway shot after them. "Elliot!" her tone commanding.

"Ma'am!" he responded, picking up the scattered PADD's off his desk hurriedly and disappearing into her inner office.

=/\=