Tears Unshed
This is the third in what definitely is developing into a long series. I'd just like to tahnk everyone who has sent me such great reviews, pushing me to keep going, especially Garnet. Enjoy and please review!
A shimmer of blue and Chakotay was no longer in Buenos Aries. A shimmer and blue, and Annika and he stood on the transporter pad in the heart of Starfleet Command. A familiar face waited for them at the door.
"Chakotay," Tom P{arid grinned coming over to them. "It's good to see you."
"No kidding, Paris. I never thought there'd be the day I'd be glad to see your face." Chakotay laughed as the two men slapped eachother on the back.
"Chakotay, be civil," Annika admonizhed gently. Tom was amazed at how much she had changed in the two months since she and Chakotay had holed up in South America. Her skin was now golden from the sun, and her hair wasnow much lighter. But it wasn't how she looked, or the fact that she was wearing casual slacks and a tunic that amazed him. It was the light in her eyes, the warmth of her smile and her affectionate kiss on his cheek which made Tom's jaw hang.
"Seven- wow, you look incredible!" he remarked.
She smiled at him, her eyes twinkling. "Thank you, Tom. But I prefer Annika now. Should we go?"
"Oh- of course." Tom led them out of the transporter room, noticing how comfortably Annika's hand seemed to fit in Chakotay's. And he understood why the Captain (or should he say Admiral) had been in such a mood last night, after she had spoken to Chakotay.
The threesome walked down the winding corrdors, Sevenignoring the looks she was favored with, and Chakotay frowning slightly. When she gave him a sardonic look, his jealousy seemed to evaporate under her blue eyes, and Tom hid a grin.
Tom didn't know how they did it, but Starfleet had managed to amass the entire crew of Voyager after they had dispersed around the galaxy. So today, while it was one most dreaded, it was like a reunion for the crew that had grown so close. When they entered the room, Chakotay and Annika were instantly greeted enthusiastically. Hugs and kisses for both, but everyone was amazed as Tom at Annika's transformation for cool Borg to loving woman.
Tom made his way over to his wife, who stood by the windows sipping a glass of wine, watching the couple.
"Is that Seven?" B'Elanna asked, unbelieving.
"That's Annika." Tom corrected, taking a sip from her glass. "Where's Miral?"
"Sue has her, and she's making the rounds. Our daughter is charmer." B'Elanna laughed, tracking the fromer engineer carrying her daughter with her eyes. She watched Chakotay greet the baby with a big smile, and take Miral from Susan Nicoletti. "I've never seen Chakotay look happier or more, relaxed."
"I think, they're a good influences. They bring out the light for eachother." Tom mused.
Annika had made their way over to them, and greeted B'Elanna with a hug. "It's good to see you."
"Same here. Sev- Annika, I'm just amazed at how much you've changed." B'Elanna confessed.
The former drone regarded her thoughtfully. " You know what? I am too."
Chakotay was bouncing Miral on his knee when Kathryn Janeway came towards him, two glasses in hand. On this rare occasion, she wasn't in unifrom, but was wearing a long green dress.
"Chakotay."
He looked up from the baby, and smiled slightly. "Kathryn, it's good to see you." He handed the baby to Sue and stood up, somewhat awkwardly.
Kathryn leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, but he didn't return it. They stood for a moment before she met his eyes. "I think we need to talk." He agreed and they walked away from the group, out onto a balcony overlooking San Francisco.
"I got you a glass of wine," Kathryn offered, passing him a glass, but he shook his head.
"I'm not one for alcohol these days." He looked over the skyline. "I'm sorry about last night." he said finally.
"What are you sorry for? I was the one who contacted you." Kathryn asked lightly, trying to cover up the hurt beneath them.
"I'm sorry Seven answered it, you shouldn't have had to seen that."
"What, you're apologizing for having your… your…"
"My partner?" He suggested helpfully.
"You're apologzing that she answered it?…" Kathryn's voice difted off and then solidified. "You should apologize. I didn't need it thrown in my face."
"I didn't want to have it thrown in your face. But what did you expect, Kathryn? That I would be alone? Pining for you?" Chakotay's voice was harsh as she looked at her.
Kathryn didn't meet his eyes. "I don't know. I wanted you to be."
"Kathryn, you're one of my best friends but…." He leaned over. "I wasn't going to wait forever."
The words, spoken so close to her ear, struck her like a physical blow "I knew that, somewhere in me I knew that. But I never expected you to find someone, never expected you to fall in love right in front of me. Especially not with Seven," she whispered.
"Annika." He corrected quietly. " She prefers Annika."
Kathryn turned aroudn to see her, standing with Tom, B'Elanna and Harry. She saw her laugh, and almost cried. " She's different now. You're different now."
"We fit, Kathryn, we bring out the parts in eachother that we didn't even know existed. I love her, Kathryn." Chakotay told her quietly, simply.
"You're happy." She wished he wasn't.
"Yes, we are."
Kathryn leaned over and kissed him on the cheek again, this time he returned the embrace. "Then I'm happy for you." She put on a brave face, knowing she would cry tonight.