"Call Me Kathryn"
Chapter 6
"Welcome Home"
"Kathryn, you've got a message coming in from Admiral Paris." Gretchen Janeway called up the stairs to her daughter. When no response was received, she headed up to fetch her. "Kathryn, didn't you hear me calling you? Admiral Paris is waiting on the com-link, apparently, it's important."
"What did you say Mom, I didn't hear you?" Kathryn, walked out of the bathroom wearing a bathrobe, her hair wrapped in a towel and her favorite fluffy, pink, warn out slippers. Gretchen Janeway started to laugh at her ever-amazing daughter. "What's so funny?" Kathryn couldn't help the smile that broke out on her ivory face.
"You are, I can't believe you still have those slippers after all these years." Kathryn looked down at her feet pretending not to know what her crazy mother was talking about. "I can't imagine the Captain of Voyager walking around her ship with such silly pink fluff-balls on her feet." Mom was still laughing.
"What's wrong with my slippers? They've been with me for longer than most everything and everyone else."
"That's my point dear, they've been with all of us for much too long."
"Well I like them and I'm not about to get rid of them just because they are a bit old and tattered. Some things just get better with age." She pranced around her mother with the fluff on her feet. Gretchen sat down on the bed trying to control her laughter. "Besides Mom, I didn't walk around Voyager with my slippers on, well maybe in my quarters, but no one ever knew I had them."
"Thank God for that, they may have just left you in the Delta Quadrant if they had known."
"Very funny Mom." Kathryn leaned down and kissed her mom on the forehead. "So, is this why you invited me to stay with you this weekend, to entertain you, and what were you hollering about?" Gretchen Janeway jumped to her feet.
"Admiral Paris! He's waiting for you on the com-link, he said it was important." Kathryn's face darkened.
"It's always important with the Admirals in Starfleet." Kathryn walked back into the bathroom pulling the towel off her head and brushing out her damp hair. "Mom, could you tell him I'll be there in a minute."
"Of course Sweetheart, but you shouldn't always expect bad news. I'm sure they just want to welcome their newest Admiral to the ranks."
"Maybe that would be bad news to me Mom." Kathryn closed the bathroom door as her mother went to deliver her daughter's message.
~~~~~~
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting Admiral." Kathryn had taken a seat in front of the viewscreen in her father's old study. Admiral Paris smiled despite himself at the sight of his favorite protégé. Her hair was still damp and slightly tangled. She had on a yellow tea-shirt, a pair of very warn knit shorts, and no makeup at all. Not the picture of a Starship Captain, but still beautiful.
"It's quite all right. This isn't the first time I've been kept waiting to deliver a message. How have you been doing Kathryn?" Admiral Paris had one of those looks that said it was going to be bad news.
"I'm just fine Owen, now can we just get to the point of this little chat." Kathryn Janeway had no intention of pussyfooting around waiting for the bomb to drop. "Just give me the bad mews, I can take it."
"You were never one for small talk were you." He leaned in closer to the screen. "You are to report to Starfleet command tomorrow at 14.00 hours." When he didn't elaborate any further, Kathryn tilted her head and smiled slightly.
"For my formal decommission, or Voyager's?" The cynical little smile was still firmly in place.
"Captain Janeway, you know I can't tell you why. I'm just the elected one to deliver the message."
"It's not Captain, please Owen call me Kathryn."
"Fine Kathryn, just because you've been called to headquarters doesn't mean it's bad news. There's been a lot of people pulling for you and your ship. Give some of us old stuffed shirts a chance."
"I'm sorry Owen, I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just been one hell of a few months, and at this point it's hard to know how to react to Starfleet. Coming home was anything but what I had expected, it's been hard on my entire crew, me included." She looked away from his piercing eyes.
"I understand that Kathryn, and I'm sorry about the way you and your crew have been treated. I don't have as much clout as I would have liked, I'm just the messenger." He paused until she met his eyes again. "You will be there, right?"
"I'll be there, it's not like I have a choice anyway." Admiral Paris smiled, but inside he was bursting to tell her the reason for her summons to Starfleet. He couldn't of course, but the look on her face made him feel slightly guilty about it.
"I'll see you then Kathryn, and have a nice day." He cut the com-link before she could say another word.
I'm sure I will Owen, thanks a hell of a lot. With a sigh, she plopped down into the big overstuffed chair that was her father's favorite. It always made her feel a bit closer to him, like a big hug from her dad, and right now she needed just that. Snuggling deep into the hug, she closed her eyes as her thoughts turned to Chakotay. She hadn't seen him for over a week because he'd been back in Arizona finishing up the anthropology class he'd been overseeing. A smile crossed her face as she thought about their dinner on Voyager. He had been so sweet and that had touched her deeply. At least she'd had the chance to say goodbye to her ship before they pulled her apart one tritainium plating after another. There might be a chance that Starfleet wouldn't do that, but she didn't hold out much hope for either her ship or herself. She continued to smile. It's strange, all that doesn't really matter anymore. I've never been happier in my life than I am now. I may be a lost Captain without a ship, but I have Chakotay. Maybe I should call him and let him know about the meeting. As quickly, as the thought entered her mind, she dismissed it. What good would it do to worry him, and besides she would go to Arizona as soon as Starfleet dumped her, he'd know soon enough.
"Kathryn, breakfast is ready." Gretchen Janeway poked her head into the study and smiled at the sight of her daughter snuggled into her father's chair. Kathryn smiled back at her mom.
"Thanks Mom, I'm starving." Kathryn walked over to her and put her arms around her neck giving her a big hug.
"Honey, is something wrong, what did Owen want?" They walked arm in arm toward the kitchen.
"Everything's fine, he just wanted to tell me about a meeting tomorrow at Starfleet headquarters, my presence is… required."
"I don't like the sound of that Kathryn." Gretchen's expression matched her statement but inside she was smiling like the cat that caught the canary.
"Don't worry Mom. No matter what happens it's really ok. I have a lot to be thankful for and I have a life ahead of me with the man I love. How could I possibly be unhappy about that?" Gretchen let her smile return.
"Kathryn, you and Chakotay are a match made in heaven, well maybe made in the Delta Quadrant, but a perfect match just the same. I absolutely adore him and I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks Mom. It was a bumpy road to that perfect match, but I wouldn't trade a second of it. We've been through so much together and have been each other's support for so long that I couldn't imagine how I would have gone on without him. I love him so much and nothing will ever come between us again, nothing." Gretchen Janeway stopped and looked her daughter in the eye.
"Welcome home Kathryn."
"Mom, what are you talking about? I've been home for over three months now."
"No Kathryn, you've been back from the Delta Quadrant for over three months, but you haven't truly been home until now. Remember, home is where the heart is, and your heart is with Chakotay." Kathryn started laughing.
"Mom, you're a hopeless romantic." They were both laughing as they entered the kitchen.
"Just a little something I learned from your father my dear."
~~~~~~
"Come on Seven, this request is for all of Voyager's crew and that includes you."
"I don't think that I'll be missed Doctor and I'm not very good at the socializing stuff. You just go back to earth with Commander Tuvok, I'll be fine here without you."
"I told you two weeks ago that I won't leave here without you and I meant that. You can't hide on Vulcan forever and I think now is as good a time as any to go back home and work things out with your friends, and they are your friends Seven."
"The Doctor is correct Seven, you do have friends from Voyager and you'll have to accept that sooner or later." Tuvok had walked into the room bringing tea with him for all of them.
"Have I overstayed my welcome here Commander Tuvok?" Seven didn't look too happy about that thought.
"Not at all Seven, you're welcome here as long as you like. However, you do need to understand that you have a life back on earth, a life you just need to accept." The Doctor just sat back in his seat with a dumb grin on his face. As hard as he had tried to convince Seven, it seemed that Tuvok could do it with just a few words. Seeing Seven's smile was a good indication she was at least considering the trip back home. She sat back and sipped at her tea.
"You two are conspiring against me."
"No Seven, we're your friends and we care about you." The Doctor gave her his biggest smile hoping it would be enough, along with a bit more pushing. "Seven, Admiral Paris requested that all of us be there and I think we owe it to Kathryn, I mean the Captain to be there for her." Seven looked down at something seemingly more important on her lap. The Doctor wanted to comfort her, but just didn't quite know how.
"I owe Captain Janeway everything, I just don't know how to apologize for hurting her." Seven spoke the words without even looking up at them.
"Seven, the only one you've been hurting here is yourself. All you need to do is show up at this surprise for the Captain, that's all the apology she will want. You've got to talk to her and work this out or you'll never be able to get past it and start your own life." It sounded so logical, but it didn't feel that way to Seven. She met Tuvok's dark eyes feeling for the first time what it might be like to have had a father giving her advice.
Maybe Tuvok is right… maybe they're both right. Squaring her shoulder and forcing eye contact with them, she had made up her mind.
"I'll go with you." That was all the Doctor needed. He jumped up and threw his arms around her squeezing the air out of her. "Doctor, I can't breathe, let go." Seven squeaked out the words.
"Sorry, I just got a bit excited." The Doctor let go of her and stepped back.
"A bit excited? I am happy you are not ecstatic about it or I would have been pulverized." She smiled at the Doctor.
"Well if you two will excuse me, it's getting late and we'll be leaving early in the morning." Tuvok put his tea down and got up to leave. "Good night."
"Good night Commander, and thank you for everything." Seven had come to admire Tuvok even more since she had been on Vulcan. He'd done a lot to make her feel like part of his family and her feelings of gratitude were genuine when it came to her Vulcan friend. Tuvok just nodded his head as he made his way up the stairs. Seven turned to the Doctor.
"I better get some sleep too. It's been hard not regenerating anymore, it seems I require more sleep than most."
"It will get better in time Seven, you're just adjusting to your human needs and that includes sleep." Seven kissed the Doctor on the cheek and walked to her guest room for one last night on Vulcan. The Doctor just stood in the spacious sitting room with a smile on his face and a good feeling building in his holo-heart.
~~~~~~
"Tom, where's Chakotay, he's late?" B'Elanna was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Tom just sat bouncing Miral on his lap and laughing at his wife.
"He's not late B'Elanna, you're just too excited, we've got plenty of time." She poked her head back into the room.
"We'd have more time if you'd quit playing with our daughter and help me."
"I am helping you, I'm keeping my sweet baby girl happy while my sweet big girl is running around entertaining us both." B'Elanna walked over to her husband and kissed his head then took Miral from him hugging her tightly and kissing her head as well.
"Sweetheart, don't listen to daddy, he's an idiot." B'Elanna whispered in her daughter's ear.
"I heard that." Tom stood up wrapping his arms around both of his girls. "I'm not and idiot, just in love with the two most beautiful women in the world." Before B'Elanna could respond the doorbell rang, she tossed Miral back to her father.
"Shit! Now I'm really late. Keep Chakotay entertained while I finish getting ready." B'Elanna ran back into the bedroom while Tom and Miral answered the door with smiles on their faces.
"Come on in." Tom held the door open for Chakotay. "Have a seat B'Elanna isn't quite ready and we have plenty of time anyway." Chakotay reached over and took Miral from her father as he passed by.
"Hello little pumpkin." He rocked her in his arms and kissed her baby-soft cheek. "You are as beautiful as your mother." He held her close to whisper in her tinny ear. "Thank the spirits you don't look like your dad."
"Not funny Commander." Tom walked past. "Don't listen to uncle Chakotay Sweetheart, he doesn't know anything." Chakotay sat down still laughing and Tom walked over to the replicator. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"NO! I've seen first and second hand what your drinks can do to a person. You may want to watch your back tonight." Chakotay along with Tom started laughing again.
"She can't possibly still be mad at me." Tom turned around at the sound of his wife laughing along with them.
"Tom, she's Irish. An Irish temper can only be matched by mine and I'd want to kill you if you tried to poison me with liquid hell." B'Elanna walked over to the couch and kissed both Chakotay and Miral on the cheek. "Maybe I will help her, just for fun."
"Not funny B'Elanna, I didn't even do anything, she's the one who accepted the challenge, I was just there for a bit of… support." B'Elanna was still laughing and Chakotay was whispering something in Miral's ear.
"Support or the instigator?" B'Elanna winked at her husband.
"Well maybe both, but I didn't force her to drink it." Tom walked over and took his daughter from Chakotay. "Just what have you been telling Miral anyway? She's not going to believe a word you say about me cause she loves her daddy too much." Tom started to dance around the room with his daughter making her giggle with delight.
"She may love you Tom, but she's well aware now of the possible danger if she drinks anything you fix, bottles included." Chakotay and B'Elanna were having too much fun at Tom's expense. He just huffed and continued to dance with his baby girl.
"So Chakotay, do you think she knows anything?"
"I don't think so, she didn't say anything to me about her exchange with your father in-law. I think she is just hoping they don't kick her out of Starfleet all together. She's going to be more than surprised when she sees us all there."
"Tom, did your dad say anything to you?" Tom came over and sat Miral in B'Elanna's arms.
"Nope, only that I'd better keep my mouth shut, which I wouldn't have dared open anyway. I'm not the Captain's most favorite person right now." Even Tom was laughing at his own remark this time.
"We'll just make sure it's only champagne tonight, I think she'll forgive you then." Chakotay stood up and headed for the door. "We'd better get going before Kathryn gets there first. Are you three ready?"
"We're ready, let me just grab a bag for the baby." B'Elanna went into the other room. "Hey, is everyone going to be there?"
"I don't know. I know that Harry, Sam, Naomi and a lot of others will, but I don't know who." Chakotay answered as B'Elanna came back into the room with a large bag over one shoulder and the baby over the other.
"So you haven't heard from Seven?" Chakotay's smile had faded all together.
"No, I don't know if she'll be there. I haven't seen her for weeks. I pretty much made a mess out of that one." He walked to the door and took the bag from B'Elanna.
"I'll say, you big jerk." B'Elanna slugged him on the arm. "What the hell were you thinking anyway… no wait, I don't even want to know. I'm just glad you got off your butt so you could find your brain before it was too late. You and Kathryn have always belonged together, it just took you long enough to figure it out."
"Why didn't you just tell me that seven years ago?" Chakotay was smiling again as he rubbed his arm where B'Elanna had punched him. She just smiled right back.
"You didn't ask." All three were laughing as they headed out the door.
~~~~~~
"I'm here to see Admiral Paris." Kathryn walked up to the receptionist at the desk. A stern looking woman who didn't seem the least bit interested in who she was or who she was there to see greeted her. Looking up over the rim of her glasses, the woman finally spoke.
"He's in a meeting Captain, just have a seat and I'll inform you when you're needed." She went right back to what she had been doing before, not giving Kathryn a second glance.
"Please, call me Kathryn." The woman looked up again, this time with a hint of compassion in her humorless expression.
"Kathryn, have a seat." She went right back to work.
Not the most conversational person I've ever met. She took a seat over by the window looking out on the grounds of Starfleet headquarters. The day had turned out to be quite warm and the air was filled with the fragrant flowers in the gardens. It was one of the things she was going to miss when they gave her the boot in just a few minutes. The different kinds of flowers and trees were as vast as the many different species that came through Starfleet headquarters each day. She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear the summons from the sourpuss receptionist until the woman stood right in front of her, with her hands on her hips and her droopy-jowls hanging even lower.
"CAPTAIN! You can go in now." Kathryn Janeway tried her best not to laugh but it was useless, she just couldn't help it.
So much for Kathryn, she thought as she slinked by the woman and into the Admiral's office, still laughing, until she saw the looks on their faces.
"Have a seat Captain." Admiral Paris was the one to offer. The look on his face was even more sourpuss looking than his not so friendly receptionist.
Definitely so much for Kathryn, she took the offered seat without blinking an eye.
"How are you doing today Captain?" Admiral Hayes asked. Not one of Janeway's favorite stuffed shirts.
"I'm fine Sir. Can we just get on with it?" Their smug, know it all expressions were starting to get to her.
"As you wish." Admiral Hayes was seemingly going to be the spokes person for this little charade of Starfleet power. "After reviewing all of the records from Voyager and all of the situations you dealt with, we have decided not to advance you to Admiral. Kathryn Janeway didn't know whether to laugh or cry at that news. She really didn't want to be an Admiral, well not yet anyway. "Do you have anything to say?"
"No, you've obviously made your decision, nothing more to say." She tilted her head sideways and smiled at them all. She wasn't about to let any of them see that this bothered her, just a bit. She started to stand up to leave. "If that's all gentlemen, I've got other planes for tonight."
"No that's not all Captain. Sit your butt back down until I dismiss you." Admiral Hayes was still keeping up the tough guy act, but Owen Paris was about to crack. Kathryn Janeway sat back down in her seat. "Now, even if you don't want to know why you're not going to be advanced to Admiral, I'm still going to tell you."
This ought to be good. That thought was kept silent. She sat back and folded her arms.
"Your method of doing things is somewhat unorthodox. You're pigheaded, belligerent, contentious, and down right impossible to deal with at times. These are not the qualities that Starfleet needs in its Admirals. We have to be a unified group. We can't be questioned at every turn. You do not have the discipline to take orders from us or to sit behind a desk all day."
No shit. She almost let that statement slip when she noticed Owen Paris's droll expression. The poor guy was turning beat-red from holding back the laughter. Just what's so damn funny here?
"Captain Janeway, are you even listening to me?" Admiral Hayes bellowed out.
"Yes Sir, I've heard every word. You think I'm unorthodox, pigheaded, belligerent, contentious, and impossible. Did I miss anything?" Kathryn Janeway was staring him right in the eye, not about to be intimidated by the likes of him.
"Just one thing. You are also the best damn Captain in the Federation and that's right where we need you. When we get your ship refitted and up to the highest standards, would you continue as the Captain of Voyager?" Kathryn's jaw drooped to the floor, Admiral Paris busted out laughing and Admiral Hayes just sat back with a silly smile on his face. They had achieved their goal, surprising Kathryn Janeway.
"I… I don't know what to say." Kathryn could hardly get the words out.
"How about, yes?" Owen spoke up. "We really need you Kathryn. While you've been out playing in the Delta Quadrant, the Federation has suffered many loses. We need the best of the best to help us get back what we've lost and you are the best Kathryn." He smiled sincerely at her.
"Just for the record, the Delta Quadrant is no play ground." She stood up and walked around standing right in front of the group of Starfleet brass. "Yes, I would be honored to captain Voyager." Her smile reached from ear to ear as Admiral Paris jumped up and grabbed her into a crushing bear hug. The entire room exploded into thank you and congratulations. Even old sourpuss receptionist came in and hugged the new, and continued Captain Janeway.
"I hate to break this up, but Captain Janeway has a shuttle to catch." Admiral Hayes spoke above the loud commotion.
"I do? Where am I going?" Kathryn looked over at Owen Paris for the answer.
"Sorry Kathryn, that's classified. You will know when you get there. Come on, I'll walk you to the shuttle-bay." A few more handshakes later, and Captain Kathryn Janeway was headed toward her next surprise, the best one yet.
~~~~~~
"Voyager! Owen, what is going on?" For the second time in the past two weeks, Kathryn had been surprised at the sight of her ship, and it was her ship once again. Admiral Paris just continued on with the docking sequence without answering her question. She thought about insisting that he spill the beans, but changed her mind when she saw the determined smile molded on his face. He wouldn't say a word she realized because it was the same look she had seen on Tom's face many times before. Like father like son, she thought as she just smiled in return. The shuttle glided smoothly into the shuttle-bay.
"Well Captain, you're home, at least for a few hours that is. This old girl still has some work to be done before she's space worthy again." Kathryn was beaming inside and out as she exited the shuttle setting her feet down on the deck plating of her ship. Everything was just as it had been last time she had been here with Chakotay, and she almost commented on that until she remembered that no one was supposed to know.
"So, are you going to tell me why we're here?"
"No, but I'll show you." Admiral Paris took her arm and led her out of the shuttle-bay. Kathryn willingly followed his lead without a single word, she would find out soon enough.
The corridors of the ship were quiet and deserted, almost an eerie feeling. There was no one working anywhere, not a single person in sight. Quietly they made their way to the mess hall, which was a rather strange place to stop. "Ok Owen, I'll bite. Is this a test to see if I'm still cut out to be captain? I've heard of some pretty weird stuff going on with Starfleet command." She still had the big grin on her face.
"Oh really? I just thought I'd grab something to eat. Didn't know that was weird." His laughter was his way of alerting the surprises of their presence. The door swished open and Kathryn Janeway almost dropped to her knees at the sight that met her. Admiral Paris held her up by her arms so she didn't collapse. Her crew, her friends, her family, all in their dress uniforms, standing at attention. Chakotay was standing right at the front of the crowd with the biggest dimple enhanced smile she had ever seen.
"Welcome home Captain." The three words rang in her ears from everyone in the room. Through the sheet of tears in her eyes, she saw Chakotay walk toward her. She was instantly wrapped in his arms as the cheering and applause erupted with volcanic force.
"I can't believe it." That was all Captain Janeway could manage to say before the tears started again. She was bombarded with hugs and congratulations from as many as could get close enough to do so.
Tom Paris, with daughter in arms was the next to hug his Captain. He stopped advancing at the look in her eyes. For his own protection, he held Miral out in front of him… for good luck. It worked; Captain Janeway took the peace offering from him and held her closely, kissing her downy-soft hair. "Hello little one, I'm so happy to see you." She cooed into the baby's ear. "Thank you for bringing your daddy so I can give him what he deserves." Kathryn smiled wickedly over the top of Miral's head.
"Oh come on Kathryn, you can't still be mad at me." Tom's pouting expression almost broke her resolve to keep teasing him, almost.
"It's Captain to you Mr. Paris." Before poor Tom could respond, B'Elanna slid her way in and hugged both Kathryn and Miral.
"I'm so happy for you Captain, I'm happy for all of us." B'Elanna was ecstatic with the prospect of remaining chief engineer of Voyager.
"Thank you B'Elanna, and please call me Kathryn, you and Miral that is." She locked her scolding eyes on Tom.
"That's not fair, I said I was sorry and besides it wasn't my fault." Kathryn was about to bust out laughing but she had one more jibe to throw his way.
"Well Mr. Paris, you don't expect me to blame myself do you? It's your job as a Starfleet officer to protect the Captain from any harm, and that includes poisoning from Liquid Cocaine." B'Elanna, along with everyone else around them couldn't take it any more they started laughing until even Janeway had to break. She handed Miral back to B'Elanna and wrapped her arms around Tom, whispering in his ear. "Thank you, it was the best thing that has ever happened to me." She stepped back and looked in his surprised face. "But you still have to call me Captain." She winked and moved on to the next well-wisher.
Kathryn Janeway had circulated around the room talking with as many of her old crew as she could. The conversations ranged from what they had all been through in the past to what they would all go through in the future. The one constant agreement was that they all wanted to serve aboard Voyager, with Captain Janeway once again. The champagne, food and laughter continued on for everyone, except for one special person standing at the back of the room. Kathryn had seen her through the crowd several times, but until now couldn't get away to go talk to her. Seven was one of the only ones not in a Starfleet uniform, which included Janeway herself.
Finally, she made her way over to Seven and held out her hand. "Thank you for coming Seven, it wouldn't be the same without you." Seven hesitantly took her hand and swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat.
"Captain Janeway, I'm sorry." The tears sprung forth from her periwinkle-blue eyes. Janeway let go of Seven's hand and wrapped her arms around her neck as a few tears escaped her own eyes.
"No Seven, I'm the one who's sorry. I should have talked to you, I should have told you how I felt about Chakotay." Janeway stepped back wiping at her eyes.
"Captain, it's not your fault, it's all my doing. I was so mixed up about my emotions that I didn't even stop to think about what I was doing to you, or to Commander Chakotay. I never wanted to hurt either one of you. I didn't even know what I wanted."
"Seven, it's really ok, everything has worked out and I do know you never meant to hurt me. I want us to be friends again, good friends." A slight smile broke out on Seven's face.
"You would still consider me a friend after what I did?"
"Of course I do. Seven, you are my friend, and in some ways, you're like a daughter to me. I don't ever want to lose that. Besides, you didn't do anything but try to form a relationship the only way you knew how, with the only person you thought at the time could help you."
"Commander Chakotay is a kind man and I did think I could love him, but I don't." Kathryn started laughing making Seven feel even more uncomfortable.
"Well I do love him Seven, and I'm damn glad you don't because he is mine."
"He was always yours Captain." This time the smile on Seven's face was genuine.
"I know that now Seven, and please, call me Kathryn. We're friends, and tonight that's all I want, to have my dear friends with me." This time it was Seven who initiated the hug.
"Thank you Kathryn." Seven whispered just as Chakotay walked up to them.
"Hey, I thought I heard someone say that they loved me. Which one of you would that be?"
"That would be Kathryn." Seven answered for them.
"Then I'm in luck, because it's Kathryn whom I love." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply then he let go and wrapped his arms around Seven, giving her a friendly hug. "And you Seven, are one of my dearest friends. I'm a lucky man indeed."
"Yes you are, and don't you forget it." Janeway stepped between them putting an arm around each of them as they headed toward the front of the room. A few minutes later Chakotay was clinging his champagne glass trying to get all of their attention.
"Could I get everyone's attention please. I'd like to say a few words in honor of our courageous and very beautiful Captain." He was holding onto her hand so she couldn't escape the praise that was forthcoming. The room suddenly became quiet, except for a loud squeal from little Miral, which caused a few chuckles and a big smile on Kathryn's face. "Now that Miral and I have your attention, I'll continue. I know I can speak for all of us when I say that we couldn't be happier to have Voyager back and to serve under the best Captain in the galaxy. We are standing here today only because of the sacrifices that Kathryn has made for us. We owe her our lives more times than I care to count. It will be an honor to continue to serve with her on Voyager… well if they will let me back into Starfleet that is." He was rewarded with an uproar of laughter.
"I'm sure that can be arranged Commander." Admiral Paris called out from the crowd.
"Thank you Admiral, and thank you Kathryn, for giving all of us a future. You haven't changed our future, you have only given us one." Kathryn reached up and wiped at the tears streaming down her face as Chakotay wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "I have one more thing to say and I want all of you to know this."
"We already know Chakotay." Tom yelled out from the middle of the crowd.
"Mr. Paris, put a sock in it. I want to hear this." Kathryn smiled up at Chakotay.
"Sorry Kathryn… I mean Captain." Tom Paris received another round of laughter as he continued in his rightful place as the biggest tease on Voyager.
"Kathryn Janeway, I love you and always will." He sealed the statement with a very passionate kiss right in front of all them. The cheers and whistles were louder than a raging thunder storm.
"I love you too Chakotay." She whispered loudly in his ear as their kiss ended.
"Speech! Captain speech!" Someone yelled loudly through the commotion. Janeway had a big smile on her face.
"Harry, are you still bucking for that promotion?" Kathryn had put her hands on her hips in the all too familiar, 'I'm the Captain' look.
"Um… yes Ma'am, I mean Captain." The room was still in the throws of laughter.
"Then I would suggest Mr. Kim that you call me Kathryn, at least for tonight."
"Aye Kathryn." Harry was beaming.
"Spoken like a true smart-ass." Tom whispered to his good buddy.
"I've learned from the best, now hush so we can hear." They turned their attention back to the guest of honor.
"Thank you all for coming and for giving me the best surprise of my life. I don't usually like surprises, but this one was perfect. You have all made my life better for knowing you and for sharing your kindness with me. The last seven years have been the best of my life and I look forward to many more of them. We are all friends and family, and Voyager is a part of our home. Welcome home to all of you." The applause and cheers were even louder than before. They were all cheering for their Captain and friend. "Wait! I have one final request." She had to yell to get their attention. "Please, call me Kathryn."
"To Kathryn!" Everyone said in unison as the champagne glasses were raised in a salute to Captain Kathryn Janeway.
