Disclaimer: Sadly we do not own any of the Voyager characters, ships, plots or universe. They belong to Paramount.

Summary: After a year of being home, Voyager's scattered crew gathers together for one last battle~ but it's not the jolly reunion one might expect… Janeway, Chakotay, Tuvok, Tom, B'Elanna, Harry, Seven, Celes…and some new characters. Enjoy!

Past Re-Visited

By Erin and Rebecca

Chapter 9:

Bad Idea

"No."

            "We could use you on this mission. Tuvok contacted us and said he was coming."

"I'm not needed."

            "Yes you are,"  Ayala insisted. "I've known you for almost ten years. This is something we can do. We don't know if they're going to attack Earth, we can stop them if they are. Anyways, Chakotay, this is B'Elanna and Tom we're talking about."

            Chakotay sighed. It was total coincidence that he was at this station. He was supposed to meet Ayala and O'Donnell and just reminisce on old times in the Maquis and Voyager, but instead Ayala was telling him about a new mission with the Voyager crew.

            "There's no need for me to be aboard that ship. And if you don't mind my saying so, this mission is suicide. The only reason we survived last time was because of…the Borg."

            "What happened to you?" he asked almost in a sympathetic way. Chakotay looked up, "I watched you a lot on Voyager. You loved it. You couldn't wait to get to work. You admired the Captain more than anyone I know. She needs you too."

            "I said no Ayala…and I mean it."

            Ayala shrugged and nodded to O'Donnell, who picked up their gear and headed for the docking bay. "If you change your mind," taking one look back, "We'll be in bay two at 1300."

            Chakotay gave a slight nod and went back to his drink. He would be in bay three at that time, getting ready to head home. He couldn't go back to Voyager. There was just no way…

            "Tuvok to Captain Janeway."

            "Go ahead Commander."

            "The additional crew is aboard, Captain. But I have a request."

            "What's that?"

            "Please report to Transporter room one."

            Janeway glanced at Harry, raising her eyebrows, "Why?"

            "There is someone here who wishes to see you."

            Janeway nodded at Harry to take temporary command of the bridge and headed to the transporter room. She hoped this wasn't Tuvok's uncharacteristic attempt of making this Voyager reunion even more sentimental than it already was. She had already had over two-dozen officers volunteering for away missions and there weren't even any away missions needed yet. If the crew was aboard, Tuvok should have just assigned them to the posts that-

            It was then that she walked into the room and her eyes came upon a man she hadn't seen in 11 months.

            "Permission to come aboard, Captain," Chakotay asked with a small smile.

            Janeway moved forward to embrace her friend. "Permission granted," she said, pulling back to shake his hand, "Commander."

            Harry walked slowly down the corridors of Athena. It was strange being back with the Voyager crew, but on a different ship. Somehow, it didn't feel right. But he knew he was imagining things. It wasn't the ship that was bothering him. It was Tom and B'Elanna. He just hoped they weren't too late.

            It took a while for him to actually find the mess hall. For a ship that was supposed to be a sister ship to Voyager, it sure didn't seem like much. They wouldn't arrive at the coordinates for another couple hours. The Captain had all but ordered the crew to try and relax until then. He walked into the hall and ordered a coffee. He paused when he turned back around. He was amazed at how familiar this scene was. It was all the same groups. The same cliques and friendships were rapidly reforming. He was about to find a seat when a particular Bajoran caught his eye. Way back in the corner was Tal, Celes- sitting by herself.

            "Mind if I join you Celes?"

            Celes nearly jumped out of her seat.

            "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

            "Oh no, no. I'm sorry Lieutenant. I-I was just thinking."

            "Oh, I could come back if you want."

            "No no, that's not what I meant. I- er, you can…yes, please have a seat Lieutenant."

            Harry chuckled as he carefully pulled up a chair, almost afraid that any sudden movements would give this poor girl a heart attack.

            "You seem awfully jumpy today."

            "Oh, it's nothing Lieutenant. I'm just…nervous."

            "It's Harry, Celes. You don't have to keep calling me Lieutenant."

            Celes looked down, "Oh. Ok…Harry."

            "Something wrong? Why are you sitting here by yourself?"

            Celes sighed. Did he have to ask her that question? "Nothing, I'm-I'm okay."

            Harry wasn't convinced, but he decided not to push it. "Ok," he said, taking a sip of his coffee.

            "It's just that it's a little…different here."

            "Well, yeah. It's a different ship for one."

            "That's not what I mean."

            "Well then, what do you mean?"

            Celes sighed. She really didn't want to get into this. On the other hand, Harry was the one person who had talked to her all day. She had to tell someone.

            "If you'd rather not talk about it-"

            "No, that's ok. It's…actually nice to have someone to talk to. I…never really had a lot of friends on Voyager. The few close…crewmates I conversed with, chose not to come and my best friend…well, he's uh, no longer with us."

            "You mean Billy Telfor." Harry said solemnly.

            "How did you know?"

            "I wasn't blind for seven years Celes. I got to know the crew pretty well, even if I wasn't openly close with all of them. You and Billy were always together. I'm…sorry about what happened to him."

            "Guess you heard that too huh? The accident on Tallus 4?"

            Harry nodded and looked down at his coffee.

            "Seems like once he was cured of his hypochondria, he wasn't afraid of anything," she said, then added quietly, "Even pilot training."

            Harry sighed. "Guess the past year hasn't been as exciting for you as getting home to Earth should've been."

            Celes shook her head, her eyes beginning to water. Dammit, she thought. She didn't want to cry. But thinking about Billy often inspired that reaction. Still, it was nice to finally relieve some of the grief. She'd been holding it in so long, she'd forgotten how helpful it could be to just talk.

            "I'm sorry Celes. If there's anything I can do."

            But she just shook away her sadness and smiled. "You already have Lieutenant. Thanks."

            "Harry."

            "…Harry."

            "Any time."

            Harry left the mess hall not too long after his talk with Celes. He had actually wanted to stay and talk, but Janeway had called him back to the bridge. On the way though, she stayed in his mind. Talking to Tal made him realize that life back in the Alpha Quadrant wasn't what anyone had anticipated. It wasn't as if he'd rather be stuck out in the Delta Quadrant. But he couldn't help but admit that their adapted life on Voyager was far more sheltered and satisfying than any of them had realized. It again made him think of Tom and B'Elanna. If they hadn't made it back, the two of them would be perfectly safe, assuredly alive and due to shoot a game of pool with Harry in the holodeck. Then again, something catastrophic might have destroyed them all and none of them would have gotten home. It was a constant and conflicting battle that was being fought in his head. It's a battle that Tal Celes had obviously been seriously wounded from. As he entered the bridge, he wondered how many more casualties there would be.

            So far so good, Chakotay said to himself. He'd been on the Athena a little over six hours now, and there was still no sign of her. The Captain had been very clear when she told the crew to try and relax for the time it took to reach Tom's coordinates. In true Janeway fashion, she was again attempting to manufacture and cause as many good feelings and heal as many old wounds as possible by letting her crew get reacquainted…in other words, she was sticking her nose in other people's business. He was here to help save Tom and B'Elanna and to assist his old Captain in any way he could. He wasn't here to make peace with-

            "Chakotay."

            Chakotay froze in mid-stride. Oh God, no. Knowing all too well who's voice had called him, he turned around slowly, hoping that some foolish spiritual animal would pick him up and carry him off. "Hello Annika."

            Annika took a deep breath, trying to prevent her pulse from exploding. Even after an entire year, her heart was still racing. Things had not ended well between them of course and the sight of him now sent her heart rate straight up. Tuvok would call the reaction, illogical. His absence from her life for so long and her success in spite of it should have warranted a more civil feeling toward him. However, she had a feeling that Captain Janeway would rather call it…human.

            "I was unaware Captain Janeway located you."

            "I was unaware myself. I was visiting Ayala and O'Donnell on the station when they received the message. I guess you could say they convinced me the trip was worth my while."

            Annika nodded, "I'm sure the Captain is pleased that you've joined us."

            "Are you?" Damn, he thought, immediately after. Shouldn't have said that. Way to go Commander.

            "Why would your presence here please me?"

            "Never mind. Forget I said anything."

            "Answer the question."

            "Just thought you might be happy…to see an old friend."

            "As far as I'm concerned, a man who says he'll remain…close…and then decides to live on a different planet and refuses to make contact for over a year…is not a friend."

            Chakotay remained silent.

            "Then again, my research may be flawed. Perhaps I should consult the Doctor further on the subject."

            "Seven-…sorry, Annika. Can we at least try to…begin again?"

            But Annika wouldn't answer. The struggle between her emotions was getting too difficult. "I'm sorry Commander, I must return to Astrometrics."

            With that she walked away, fighting the urge to look back. As she did so, Chakotay watched her go. Damn, he thought again, I knew this was a bad idea.

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