Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures.

CHAPTER FIVE

ALWAYS & FOREVER
Part One

Chakotay looked again at the Valentine's card Kathryn had given him while she was busy preparing the final course of their Valentine's meal, dessert. It was a cute card with a little white bunny holding a red heart with the words "I love you" written on it.

Kathryn came over to the table carrying a crystal glass bowl with a brown trifle in it. She put the bowl down and then took her seat again.

"True Hearts Truffle Trifle, "she smiled. "I found it in a recipe database and thought it was appropriate for the occasion."

She dished some of the trifle into a glass bowl for Chakotay and then dished some for herself.

"Looks delicious," he said as he prepared to take a mouthful.

Kathryn smiled and watched as Chakotay tasted it. He smiled, but then his eyes watered and he quickly reached for his wine, gulping it down. Kathryn bit her lip. "Something wrong with it?"

"Perhaps you should judge."

Kathryn took a small mouthful and was soon reaching for her own wine. "Dammit," she said, when at last she could speak... "I must have put the curry powder I was using for the meal in it instead of brown sugar ... Seven was talking to me, you see, going on and on about some damned theory Icheb had come up with about sub space distortions..."

Chakotay laughed and she did too. Then she stood up. "I'll replicate us something. What would you like?"

"Actually I'm quite full. But let me guess, you'll have coffee ice cream?"

"You read my mind." She walked over to him and slipped her arms around him from behind. "Sure I can't get you anything?"

He turned to her slightly. "Just a kiss."

Kathryn turned to him and kissed his lips softly, deepening the kiss as he did.

"I think I'll skip the ice cream," she whispered, and put her mouth to his again. Chakotay got to his feet and gently pulled Kathryn into his arms. She slipped her arms around his neck and they kissed deeply.

"Tuvok to Captain Janeway."

Slightly breathless, Kathryn regretfully drew away from Chakotay.

"Janeway here."

"You are required in sickbay."

Kathryn took a deep breath, composing herself. "I'll be right there. Janeway out."

She looked back at Chakotay, put her fingers to his lips, and smiled sadly. "Hold that kiss."


Kathryn was a long time in sickbay and, after clearing away the dinner table, Chakotay left the dining area to wait on her couch. As walked across the room, he passed her shelf of photographs and noticed there were less pictures on display than he remembered. He walked over to the shelf and, after a quick glance, realized that the two pictures of Justin had been removed.

Suddenly the doors opened and Kathryn came in. Chakotay turned to her.

"Everything alright?"

"I hope so," she said, walking over to him. "Crewman Tabor was found unconscious in the Jeffries Tube. Either he has been attacked or has been in a fight. The latter seems more likely and, when I've got to the bottom of it all, someone is going to be spending some time in the Brig. I won't tolerate violence on this ship."

She saw that he was standing by her photographs.

"Looking at my pictures?"

Chakotay nodded.

"I think I've shown you most of them before."

"Yes," he replied. Then he put his hand on her shoulder. "Why have you removed the pictures of Justin?"

Kathryn flinched and when she spoke, her voice was quiet. "How do you know about those?"

"I saw them ... when I was waiting for you the day Seven's cortical node was failing. I guessed they were him."

"I see," Kathryn said, turning away from him.

"Why have you taken them down?"

Kathryn fidgeted with her fingers. "Because it wouldn't be fair to you to keep them on display."

Chakotay caressed her arm softly. "I don't mind, Kathryn. Justin was an important part of your life."

Kathryn looked up at him and smiled softly. "Thank you for the gesture, but I've put them in an album I have, and I'd like them to stay there."

"If that's what you want," Chakotay replied. "But only if it's what you want."

Kathryn smiled again. "It is."

She then drew close to Chakotay and leant into his strong body. His arms enfolded her and they held each other a while. Then Kathryn leant her cheek against his. "Still holding that kiss?"

Chakotay smiled softly. "I certainly am."

He kissed her lips gently and she kissed him in return. When at last they drew away, he leant his forehead briefly against hers.

"I know you wanted this Valentine's Day to be special," he whispered, "and I want it to be special too."

He drew away from her and dug into his pocket. He pulled out a little gold velvet box. He handed it to her and she took it. She opened it slowly, her heart beating wildly, as she already suspected what lay inside. She was right. Encased in black velvet was a beautiful diamond ring. With true chivalry, Chakotay went down on one knee and took her hand in his.

"I love you, Kathryn Janeway. I love you with all that I am. Will you marry me?"

Kathryn gazed deep into his eyes, happy tears welling in her own. "Yes," she laughed. "Yes, yes!"

She held out her hand to him and, with trembling fingers, Chakotay removed the ring from the box and gently placed it on her finger. He then kissed her hand and scooped her in his arms as he got to his feet.


"Married?"

Kathryn nodded and B'Elanna got up from her chair in the Briefing room and hugged her captain.

"That's wonderful news, Captain. Wonderful."

"Good news for you too, Tuvok, old man," Tom laughed. "You'll get the Commander's
quarters."

"A great benefit, I am sure," Tuvok said, unenthusiastically and with a hint of sarcasm.

Harry smiled. "Does that mean I can have Tuvok's?"

The Doctor stood up. "Wait a moment. What about me? Don't I have the right to quarters of my own?"

Tom laughed. "You don't need quarters, Doctor."

"Yes I do," he protested. "I want somewhere to relax, just like everyone else. And if I was a humanoid and not a hologram, I would have quarters matching my status on this ship."

"Very well, Doctor," Kathryn said, before this turned into a debate on holographic rights. "You can have Tuvok's quarters."

The Doctor beamed a smile. "Thank you, Captain."

"Now," Kathryn said. "Getting back to the matter in hand. Tuvok, Chakotay and I
would like you to perform the ceremony."

The Vulcan gave a slight nod. "It would be an honor, Captain."

Neelix approached Kathryn. "When were you thinking of, Captain?"

"We thought early next month."

"And you will be having a public wedding? I mean, in front of the entire crew? No one has had a public wedding yet. It would be the perfect morale booster."

Kathryn smiled. "I want everyone to be there. And I want it to be as informal as possible...meaning no Starfleet uniforms...except you, of course, Tuvok. I want it to be as close to an Earth wedding as we can have."

"Not a problem," Neelix grinned. "Leave all preparations to me, Captain. I'll make this the greatest wedding the Delta Quadrant has ever seen."


Kathryn sat behind her desk in her ready room and rubbed her tired eyes. The door chime sounded and she sat up. "Come in."

It was Neelix.

"Excuse the interruption, Captain," he said, hurrying over to her desk, "but I must discuss with you the design of your wedding cake."

Kathryn put down her cup of coffee. "Now, Neelix? The wedding isn't for another month."

"I know that, Captain. But the recipe book says the wedding cake needs to be made in advance or it will fall to pieces when it's on display."

"Alright," she smiled, "we'll talk wedding cake."

"I must know what kind of cake you and the Commander want...I need to know what shape tin to use, you see ... whether you want a round cake or a square cake or an oblong cake..."

"A heart," Kathryn smiled. "A heart shaped cake."

"Then heart it is, Captain. And how many layers do you want ... three, four, five?"

"I think three will be sufficient."

"And icing, Captain? The main icing will have to be white of course, but what other color would you like?"

"Silver ... silver and gold."

"Just what I was hoping you would say." He rubbed his hands together exclaiming loudly. "I can't wait for the wedding, Captain. Everyone is so excited too and Naomi is absolutely thrilled that you're having her as a bridesmaid. She was so disappointed when she heard Tom and B'Elanna had married in secret."

The door chime sounded again.

"Come in."

It was Chakotay. Kathryn looked up at him. "Neelix and I were just discussing our wedding cake. How does heart shaped, gold and silver icing, sound to you?"

"It sounds wonderful."

Neelix stood up. "Well, now that's decided, I'd better return to the cake."

"As you were, Neelix."

He left the room and Kathryn laughed. "As much as I love my Talaxian, I know he's going to drive me barmy with wedding arrangements. Before long he'll be checking to see if we want roast potatoes at the reception, or boiled potatoes, raspberry trifle or strawberry trifle, even what shape we want the napkins! Now I know why B'Elanna and Tom chose a private ceremony!"

Chakotay smiled. "But they could get away with it. The crew wouldn't let you get away so easily."

Kathryn stood up and went to sit on her couch, gesturing for Chakotay to sit also. "No. And I wouldn't want it any other way. I haven't seen them all so excited in years and it's good that little Naomi can take part and learn more about the rituals of her human heritage."

"Yes," Chakotay replied. Then he fell serious. "But I don't think everyone on this ship is happy about us being together."

"What do you mean?"

"There have been two more attacks. Crewmen Yosa and Garl."

"Tabor, Yosa, and Garl..." Kathryn said thoughtfully, "Maquis."

"Yes. And I don't think the assailant is going to stop at them."

"But why resort to this if they oppose us being together?"

"I don't know. Perhaps its an attempt to stir trouble, to make us believe Starfleet and Maquis can never truly be one."

"Can they tell us who attacked them?"

"No. They are unconscious. Tabor has come round, but doesn't know who attacked him."

"Then we're just going to have to wait for Yosa and Garl to come round and see if they can tell us. I don't know what else we can do."

"Agreed," he said. He hesitated with the next words. "And speaking of Starfleet and Maquis. What are you going to tell Starfleet Command ... about us?"

They had just received their monthly letters from home and Starfleet Command would be waiting for an update on the ship and crew from Kathryn.

Kathryn smiled. "The truth. That we love each other and are getting married."

Chakotay smiled. "I swear there is a rebellious streak to you, Kathryn Janeway."

"You bet," she replied. "You don't get to command by being a mouse."

Suddenly Harry's voice sounded over the comm.

"Kim to Captain Janeway."

"Go ahead, Harry."

"We're finding Maquis crew members unconscious all over the ship, Captain. They've all been attacked."

Kathryn shared a concerned glance with Chakotay. "Any idea yet who is responsible for this?"

"No, Captain, but some of them are regaining consciousness in sickbay and may be able to tell us something."

"Acknowledged. Janeway out."

Kathryn turned again to Chakotay, but before she could speak, the door chime sounded again. "Come in."

Tuvok came in. Kathryn stood up. "Have you managed to learn anything, Tuvok?"

He didn't answer. He simply walked over to her. There was a vacant look in his eyes and he suddenly took out his phaser and aimed it at Kathryn. Chakotay moved quickly and knocked Kathryn to the floor as the phaser was fired.

For a long moment Kathryn was dazed. She heard Tuvok's voice in the distance, heard it grow louder, and then through a hazy mist saw him looking down at her. Then he was gone. She felt a weight on her chest and saw that Chakotay was lying lifeless beside her, his arm across her body. Anxiously she sat up and searched for his pulse. She found it, soft and steady. The phaser had not been set to kill.

She hit her commbadge. "Janeway to security. Find and arrest Lieutenant Commander Tuvok. Janeway out." She stroked Chakotay's hair as she gave further orders. "Janeway to Transporter Room Two. Beam Commander Chakotay and I to sickbay."

Moments later they both dematerialized and rematerialized in sickbay.

The Doctor hurried over to them. "Has the Commander been attacked too?"

"I'm not sure what's happened," Kathryn said, drawing away from Chakotay so the Doctor could examine him. "Tuvok fired his phaser at me and the next thing I remember is waking up and finding Chakotay unconscious."

"Tuvok?"

"Yes... I can't even begin to imagine why or what's going on..."


It was almost two hours before Chakotay came around. Kathryn was sitting beside him, her hand on his. He remembered vaguely what had happened and squeezed her hand. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she reassured him. "And so will you be."

Chakotay sat up slowly. "Would I be right in thinking that Tuvok is our assailant?"

Kathryn nodded, a pain filling her eyes. "I've put him in the Brig for now. But I don't think he's responsible for his actions."

"His illness?" Chakotay regretted the words as soon as he had spoken them. He wasn't supposed to know Tuvok was ill. He doubted even the Doctor knew at this point in time.

Kathryn frowned. "Illness?"

"I mean, is he ill? He's getting on in years and could be suffering from some kind of degenerative neurological disease."

"No," Kathryn replied. "I think he's been subjected to some kind of mind control. As you know, for security reasons, Tuvok analyses all crew mail that arrives in the datastream from Earth, and somehow he was subjected to the mind-control of a Bajoran while analyzing his own."

"Bajoran...?"

"Yes ...Tyro, Tyrax.."

"Teero," Chakotay corrected with contempt. "He was a Maquis ... an extremist ... an expert on mind-control. When we rejected his methods, he vowed he would be revenged on us all ... He must be using Tuvok as a means of exacting that..."

"Yes. But we can't determine how, exactly. I listened to his Bajoran chant, as did Seven and Tom, and it had no effect on any of us."

"Tuvok was a member of my crew for a while. He may have come into contact with Teero then."

Kathryn nodded. "Possibly." She paused. "I'll go and speak to Tuvok again ... see if he can remember anymore."

Chakotay squeezed her hand. "Not on your own, Kathryn. Teero is a violent man and Vulcans are capable of great violence. We don't know what he may have controlled Tuvok to do."

Kathryn squeezed his hand in return. "I'll take security officers with me. I'll be alright."

She squeezed his hand again, touched his face, and then left.


For the best part of an hour, Kathryn interrogated a distraught and confused Tuvok. She tried to piece together the information he was giving her between his bouts of madness. So far she had determined that he had been captured by Teero and exposed to some kind of mind control experiment against his will. Even as they spoke, Teero was controlling him, and Kathryn felt helpless as she watched him struggle to stay in control of his own mind. All she could do was urge him to fight ... to focus on her voice ... to fight ... fight ... fight...

Suddenly the ship went to red alert. Kathryn hit her commbadge. "Janeway to the bridge. Report."

Only silence greeted her.

Kathryn left the Brig and tried to make her way to the bridge. She stopped in the corridor when she saw Chakotay and B'Elanna walking towards her, both armed and dressed in their old Maquis clothes.

"Chakotay ... what's going on?"

He gripped her arm tightly. "Get back in the Brig, Kathryn."

"Chakotay..."

B'Elanna pointed her phaser at Kathryn. "You heard him."

Kathryn swallowed and turned again to Chakotay. She looked into his eyes, but only vacancy looked back at her. A terrifying realization dawned on her...Tuvok's attacks on the Maquis were to put them under Teero's control...

Chakotay pulled her in the direction of the Brig and Kathryn had no choice but to go with him.

"The rebellion is over," she cried, knowing her words were not likely to have any effect, but deeming it worth a try. "It finished three years ago. There are no more Maquis..."

"The rebellion is not over on this ship," he replied, no trace of the Chakotay she knew and loved in his voice. "And this time we're the victors."

"But we're thirty thousand light years from the Alpha Quadrant, Chakotay... There's nothing you can hope to achieve..."

He pushed her into the Brig. "Quite the contrary, Kathryn, there's plenty."

He turned to Tuvok. "Follow me."

"Yes, Captain."

Kathryn watched, terrified, as Tuvok stepped outside the Brig. Chakotay turned to the small group of Maquis men who had followed them into the Brig. Take Janeway's security officers to the Cargo bay with the rest of the Starfleet crew. We'll keep her solitary. That way she'll be no threat."

"Yes, Sir."

The men gripped her security officers and, in moments, Kathryn was left all alone.


It seemed an eternity before someone came to her. It was Crewman Garl, accompanied by Sorvak, one of the youngest of Chakotay's crew. Sorvak temporarily deactivated the Brig forcefield while Garl stepped inside. Kathryn stood up. "What's happening?"

"We've found an m-class planet for you and your crew to live on."

"What do you mean?"

"We're going to leave you there and continue this journey to the Alpha Quadrant without you."

"Like hell you will!"

Garl stepped forward and slapped Kathryn hard across the face. A sharp edge of his ring cut her lip, causing it to bleed, and she fell against the wall at the force of the blow.

"This ship is under our control now."

Pain throbbing through her face, Kathryn turned again to Garl.

"There's no need to take us to a planet ... let us stay and we will..."

Suddenly Garl got her against the wall, his hand pressing so tight against her throat that she could hardly breathe. "Listen, lady. You can either co-operate with us or you can make things very difficult for yourself and your crew. Understand? This is our ship now. Ours!"

The pressure against her throat was intolerable now and Kathryn could feel herself lose consciousness. She tried to fight for every breath, but the air was thin ... thinning...

Then suddenly Garl was yanked away from her and she fell to the floor. She heard Chakotay's voice screaming at him. "What the hell do you think you're doing? You'll treat the women on this ship with respect! Understand? We don't fight the Cardassians to be like them, God dammit! You harm any woman on this ship and I'll put you out an airlock. Now, get out of my sight!"

She then felt Chakotay's kind hand on her arm. "Everything's alright now." Kathryn turned slowly to him. Her breathing was easier now, but her head was throbbing and her mouth stinging. She sat up slowly and leant back against the wall.

"Don't abandon us on that planet, Chakotay, please."

Chakotay studied her face. Already her cheek was swelling and her lip was bleeding heavily. "Don't talk," he said kindly. "Let's get you fixed up first."

He hit his commbadge. "Chakotay to Transporter Room Two, beam Captain Janeway and I to sick bay."

Moments later they dematerialized.


Sickbay was deserted, except for the Doctor, when they rematerialized. He hurried over to them.

"Will someone kindly tell me what is going on? One moment I'm treating attack victims and the next everyone is fighting each other."

Chakotay helped Kathryn to her feet. "We'll tell you all you need to know when you need to know it. Right now, you need to treat Captain Janeway."

The Doctor sighed, but turned to his patient. "Captain," he cried when he saw her injuries. "You look like you've been doing ten rounds with a Klingon."

"No," she said, wiping the dripping blood from her lip. "Just one with a Maquis."

The Doctor scanned her with his tricorder. "Nothing broken." He glanced at Chakotay. "You waste your time here, Commander. I suggest you try and calm the chaos on this ship."

"It's all taken care of. Every Starfleet officer and crewman is confined to the cargo bay and my people run this ship now."

The Doctor glanced at Kathryn in confusion. "I don't understand."

"We're taking all Starfleet members of this crew to a nearby planet where they can set up home, and are continuing our journey alone. But we'll need you, of course, and the two Borgs will come in useful."

"But..."

"You're letting your patient suffer, Doctor ... attend to her."

The Doctor turned back to Kathryn and picked up a dermal regenerator. Chakotay watched as he healed the wounds to her face and then the bruises to her neck.

"Torres to Chakotay."

Chakotay hit his commbadge. "Chakotay here."

"We're in transporter range of the planet."

"Acknowledged. Begin transporting the crew to the specified co-ordinates."

"Yes, Sir."

Kathryn pushed aside the Doctor's hand and stood up. "You can't do this, Chakotay. You don't know what you're doing. You're under some kind of mind-control ... Listen to me and..."

Chakotay gently seized her arms. "You listen to me, Captain. This ship cannot accommodate both our crews. We'll give you and your people everything you need to survive on this planet."

"But there's no need to send us anywhere. We're thousands of light years from the Alpha Quadrant. The Maquis/Starfleet issue doesn't exist out here. We're one crew, one family. Remember, Chakotay. Try! One crew ... one family ... We need each other..."

Chakotay let go of Kathryn and turned to the Doctor. "I think she may have hit her head, Doctor. She took a heavy fall to the floor."

"If only that were the case," Kathryn continued. "You're the one who is delusional, Chakotay ... A mind meld with Tuvok has convinced you we're your enemies. It's the work of Teero."

Suddenly the sickbay doors opened and Tuvok marched in, armed with a phaser.

"Transportation of Starfleet crewmembers has commenced. I suggest we transport the Captain immediately."

Chakotay turned to Kathryn and studied her in concern. He wasn't sure she was in any condition to be left on a planet. He turned now to the Doctor. "Is the Captain well enough to leave sick bay?"

Kathryn's eyes told the Doctor to say that she wasn't. "No, Commander," he said firmly. "She appears to be suffering from some kind of amnesia."

Tuvok stepped forward and addressed Chakotay. "You are needed on the bridge, Captain."

Chakotay nodded. "Very well. You stay here with Captain Janeway until I send two men to guard her."

"Yes, Sir."

With that, Chakotay left the room. As soon as he was gone, Tuvok lowered his weapon and walked over to Kathryn.

"I have control of my faculties again," he said. "To restore the Maquis to their former selves, I must have another mind meld with each of them. I will seek out an opportunity to seize Commander Chakotay and perform a mind meld with him. Once he is restored to his former self, he will be able to command a mind meld with the others. But until then, you will be safest on the planet. Teero is a violent man and through me has influenced our former Maquis crew members to behave violently. The severity of that violence will depend on their personal disposition and inclination to violence, but by staying on this ship, you put your life in danger."

Kathryn put her hand on Tuvok's shoulder. "Then I'll transport to the planet and join the rest of the crew. No doubt they are frightened and will need encouragement." She paused. "Chakotay wishes to keep Seven and Icheb on board. Make a point of visiting them and tell them to play along."

"Yes, Captain."

Kathryn took Tuvok's hand and squeezed it. "You must succeed, Tuvok. All our lives are in your hands."

Tuvok looked deep into her eyes and she felt a slight pressure on her hand. "I will not fail you, Captain."

Kathryn touched his face. "I believe you."

The Doctor stepped forward. "Let me finish treating you, Captain, before you transport to the planet."

Kathryn turned to him and he quickly healed the bruises on her neck. "All done."

Tuvok hit his commbadge. "Tuvok to Chakotay."

"Chakotay here."

"The Captain's injuries were not as severe as the Doctor feared. He says she is perfectly fit to leave the ship and she herself is eager to join her people on the planet."

"Very well. Stand by for transport. Chakotay out."

Kathryn smiled warmly at Tuvok and then turned to the Doctor. "You play along as well, Doctor. We don't want them altering your program in anyway."

The Doctor smiled kindly. "Understood, Captain."

Kathryn then dematerialized.


The faces of her crew were the first images to greet her as she rematerialized. They looked frightened, lost, but seemed to relax a little when they saw their captain materialize. Kathryn quickly made a mental note of their new environment before addressing the crew. There were trees, grass, a river nearby, and a number of unassembled Starfleet shelters were scattered here and there. It was a fertile location and would serve them well for as long as they had to be there, although she was hoping it wouldn't be long.

"Alright," she said, turning again to her crew. "Sit down, make yourselves comfortable."

The crew sat down on the grass, but kept their eyes on their captain.

"I know you all must be confused and frightened by what is happening, but I want you all to know that everything is under control. The former Maquis members of our crew are under the influence of mind-control and are unaware of their behavior. Lieutenant Commander Tuvok will be able to restore them all to their former selves by means of a mind meld. We will soon have our ship back and can resume our journey to the Alpha Quadrant." She tried to smile as reassuringly as she could. "Now, I suggest we all have something to eat while we wait."

Neelix approached her from the right. "I was about to suggest the very same, Captain. I suggest we build some fires and cook some potatoes. It'll be cold and dark soon, the fires will give heat and light."

Kathryn put her hand on Neelix's shoulder. "Good idea, Neelix."


The potatoes cooked slowly on the fire and Kathryn gazed vacantly into the flames dancing around them. She wondered what was happening on Voyager. Everything depended on Tuvok being able to establish another mind meld with Chakotay. If, for any reason, he was unable to do this, or was killed while attempting it, she and the crew could face having to spend the rest of their lives on this planet. It was always possible that Chakotay and the others would remember in time, but then it could be too late. Neelix lifted a potato from the fire with a fork and placed it on a plate for his captain. He sliced it open, put inside a knob of butter, and then handed the plate to her with a knife and a fork.

"Let it cool for a moment, Captain. It's very hot."

Kathryn put the plate on her lap. "Thank you, Neelix."

She began to cut the potato into smaller pieces and rubbed them into the melting butter. Suddenly, she heard Samantha Wildman calling her desperately. She turned in the direction of the voice and saw Samantha approach her. She was very distressed.

"I can't find Naomi anywhere, Captain. One moment she was with me, the next she was gone."

Kathryn stood up and put her hand on Samantha's shoulder. "Stay calm, Samantha, she can't be far."

"She was upset, Captain, afraid she wouldn't see Seven or Icheb or Voyager again. I think she may have ran off somewhere."

Kathryn caressed Samantha's arm. "We'll find her." She then turned to Tom, Harry, and Neelix who were nearby.

"Gather together a couple of groups and look for Naomi. Spread out so that all areas are covered and take torches as it'll be dark soon."

"We don't know anything about this planet," Samantha said anxiously, "anything could have happened to her."

"She's probably just hiding somewhere. As soon as it starts to get dark, she'll be back." She smiled as reassuringly as she could. "I'm sure of it."

END OF PART ONE