Sunrise on Earth, such a beautiful sight that he had been dreaming of for
seven long years. However, the setting he found himself in was wrong. Where
was his home, his Kathryn? He longed and ached to tell her how much he
loved her.
After one final check of her uniform, making sure the pips were on correctly and spaced out in the required manner, she glanced down at her breast to check her comm. badge was on the right way up. She had made that mistake before when dressing in a hurry on Voyager. Chakotay's laughter echoed in her memory as she thought of one of those times. Her mind was made up in that instant. She had to see him. Today. The debrief was at 0800 hours, just twenty minutes time. Captain Janeway rehearsed her closing notes in her head one last time. They had to be perfect.
"To conclude, Captain, is there anything you feel you should add?" A grand, pompous voice asked. "Yes, Sir. I would like to request something. My crew has worked loyally for Starfleet, for me, for seven long years. They have upheld Starfleet morals. You will find rebellion no linger in the hearts of the ex-maquis officers. That rebellion has been burnt out of them during our extended mission. By nature most of them are peaceful people who will, if you give them that chance, prove themselves and serve the fleet loyally. The man responsible for their 'Retraining' shall we call it, was my first officer, Chakotay. If I only have one wish fulfilled at the end of everything, please, make it this. I need him freed, I need him on my crew" She hung her head as she said this. She loved him. She didn't need him as a colleague; she needed him as her friend, as a lover. "Captain", a voice interrupted her thoughts. " I think that whatever happens in this trial we will not be placing on duty with the acting Commander again. I feel you have personal issues to resolve with him, and therefore lives other than your own might be put at risk if you worked together on another mission. On a purely personal note, Kathryn, talk to him. Tell him how you feel." The admirals rose from their seats and exited. However, Admiral Chapman asked her to remain in the room, "We have some things to discuss, and then I will return."
Minutes later Chapman returned and joined Kathryn on the soft chairs by the large windows of the otherwise formal room. "Please, Captain, sit down. How are you doing Kathryn?" his voice was full of concern, and his eyes showed sympathy without patronising her. "I am alright. A little lonely and bored perhaps, but otherwise, okay. I miss my crew very much, they are my best friends." The admiral sat up a bit, as if to begin what he was going to say. "Normally, Kathryn, you would never be so attached to the people you work with. This was a mission in extraordinary circumstances, and we realise that. Taking this consideration into account, we feel that for your well being you should be able to visit Commander Chakotay. You will be granted one visit a week provide a not guilty verdict is announced tomorrow, up until the 'quarantine' period is over, and then the rest is up to you. You may visit him today if you wish, perhaps lend him your support. He has missed you a great deal too." With that he walked out of the room leaving Kathryn dumbfounded. She was so grateful and yet so scared, what would she say to Chakotay?
After one final check of her uniform, making sure the pips were on correctly and spaced out in the required manner, she glanced down at her breast to check her comm. badge was on the right way up. She had made that mistake before when dressing in a hurry on Voyager. Chakotay's laughter echoed in her memory as she thought of one of those times. Her mind was made up in that instant. She had to see him. Today. The debrief was at 0800 hours, just twenty minutes time. Captain Janeway rehearsed her closing notes in her head one last time. They had to be perfect.
"To conclude, Captain, is there anything you feel you should add?" A grand, pompous voice asked. "Yes, Sir. I would like to request something. My crew has worked loyally for Starfleet, for me, for seven long years. They have upheld Starfleet morals. You will find rebellion no linger in the hearts of the ex-maquis officers. That rebellion has been burnt out of them during our extended mission. By nature most of them are peaceful people who will, if you give them that chance, prove themselves and serve the fleet loyally. The man responsible for their 'Retraining' shall we call it, was my first officer, Chakotay. If I only have one wish fulfilled at the end of everything, please, make it this. I need him freed, I need him on my crew" She hung her head as she said this. She loved him. She didn't need him as a colleague; she needed him as her friend, as a lover. "Captain", a voice interrupted her thoughts. " I think that whatever happens in this trial we will not be placing on duty with the acting Commander again. I feel you have personal issues to resolve with him, and therefore lives other than your own might be put at risk if you worked together on another mission. On a purely personal note, Kathryn, talk to him. Tell him how you feel." The admirals rose from their seats and exited. However, Admiral Chapman asked her to remain in the room, "We have some things to discuss, and then I will return."
Minutes later Chapman returned and joined Kathryn on the soft chairs by the large windows of the otherwise formal room. "Please, Captain, sit down. How are you doing Kathryn?" his voice was full of concern, and his eyes showed sympathy without patronising her. "I am alright. A little lonely and bored perhaps, but otherwise, okay. I miss my crew very much, they are my best friends." The admiral sat up a bit, as if to begin what he was going to say. "Normally, Kathryn, you would never be so attached to the people you work with. This was a mission in extraordinary circumstances, and we realise that. Taking this consideration into account, we feel that for your well being you should be able to visit Commander Chakotay. You will be granted one visit a week provide a not guilty verdict is announced tomorrow, up until the 'quarantine' period is over, and then the rest is up to you. You may visit him today if you wish, perhaps lend him your support. He has missed you a great deal too." With that he walked out of the room leaving Kathryn dumbfounded. She was so grateful and yet so scared, what would she say to Chakotay?