AN: Seeing as I just hit the 20th chapter, I'd like to reiterate the fact that I do not own Star Trek: Voyager or any of it's characters, except for Phoebe Janeway's kids (Katie and Edward) or Chakotay's niece, Taya. I would also like to say that I thank all of you for your reviews so far, especially Tayababy for her constant feedback.
Finally, I still need a planet name, if anyone has any ideas.
The senior staff just stared, mouths agape, as they lowered their phasers. Janeway was the first to come to her senses. The Admiral motioned for the 'intruder' to join her in her ready room.
"Janeway to Neelix," she said, tapping her commbadge once she was in her ready room.
"Yes, Admiral?" Neelix enquired.
"Neelix, I would appreciate it if you would join me in my ready room, immediately."
"Aye aye, Admiral, I'm on my way," he stated. The Talaxian was true to his word and was standing outside the Admiral's door within minutes.
"Come in, Neelix," Janeway answered, causing the doors to swish open. This resulted in Neelix stepping in to se a blond woman facing the window.
"Admiral?" he questioned, eyeing the woman curiously, there was something familiar about her. The blond woman chose this moment to turn around and flash Neelix a bright smile. "Kes!" he greeted, half in question, half in excitement.
"Hi, Neelix," Kes said as she walked towards the Talaxian, only to wrap him in a hug.
"Kes?" he questioned, pulling away from her so that he could examine her, from her wavy blond locks to her bright blue eyes. "I've missed you, Kes," he stated, once satisfied, before squishing her in a hug.
"Neelix, you're squishing me," Kes answered with a laugh and smile.
All Neelix could do was grin, stupidly, before Janeway turned to the two. "You're free to go if you choose. Perhaps you can update Kes on our current status, Neelix," she gave. The pair immediately nodded and left the ready room, arm in arm.
A few minutes later Kathryn stepped onto the bridge. "Well? What's everyone looking at? It's only Kes," she noted with a grin. "It's not like we haven't seen her before."
The bridge crew offered a collective chuckle as they returned to their stations. Kathryn waited for her crew to settle before she made her way to her chair, giving Chakotay a smile as she sat.
Chakotay smiled back and clasped Janeway's hand in his over the console. "It's always nice to see a friendly face around here," he noted, grinning.
Kathryn nodded in response. "Yes, it is, especially when it's Kes'," she gave before returning her attention to the silence of the bridge, save for the occasional beeping of a console. All in all, though, Kes' return was the only surprise for the Alpha Shift that day, leaving the rest of it uneventful, and thereby causing it to pass slowly. So slow, in fact, that a rush of relief filled the bridge once Kathryn dismissed the crew, who promptly dispersed to go their separate ways before they where scheduled to meet up on the planet.
The command pair went straight to the Mess Hall, hoping to find Neelix occupying his domain. Which he was, with Kes at his side, discussing the last few years apart.
"Kes, Neelix, how are you doing?" Kathryn enquired.
"We're good Capta… Admiral, I mean. Congratulations," Kes responded, motioning for the pair to join them.
"Kes, please, call me Kathryn," she noted as both she and the Captain took a seat at the table.
"Thank you, Kathryn," Kes answered, before she paused, taking a breath. "Kathryn, I was wondering if I could return to Voyager?" Kes asked, sipping quietly at her Leola root tea. "The crew, I mean, I know you're colonizing the planet."
"Kes," Kathryn began, looking at the woman. "We'd love to have you back. I know the Doctor will be glad to see you," the Admiral responded.
"Thank you, again, Kathryn, and I'll be glad to help the Doctor again. I've missed working with him. I've heard that Tom's been his assistant, but I suspect that he's going to be busy with his daughter for a bit now," she offered, smiling.
Chakotay and Kathryn both managed to chuckle at this, amused. "Welcome back, Kes," Chakotay stated. "I'm sure you'll let the crew know you're home, particularly the Doctor."
"I'll be sure to visit the Doctor before anyone else. I doubt he'd appreciate being the last to know," she gave, finishing her tea. "Actually," Kes stood, "I should go do that now," the young woman patted Neelix's arm before exiting the Mess Hall, on her way to Sickbay.
"I'd almost like to be a bug on the wall in that room," Chakotay, noted with a little shake of his head.
"I don't, we'll know what happened, eventually," Janeway chipped in before giving a smile to the happier than usual chef. "Come on, Chakotay, let's leave Neelix to his bliss," she said, standing and patting Neelix on his shoulder before both she and Chakotay exited the room, heading towards Chakotay's quarters for the previously promised dinner.
TBC Of course.