A/N I: I do not own Star Trek or any of its characters or concepts.
A/N II: This was originally one scene in an overall narrative to be added to Voyager's premiere episode, "Caretaker". That story kind of fell apart, but I still like this scene and feel like it is strong enough to stand on its own and still be enjoyed. It's possible I will add other scenes in the future.
A/N III: Caretaker, according to Memory Alpha, takes place at stardate 48315.6-48317. This corresponds to DS9 season 3, between the season premiere The Search (48214.5) and Meridian (48423.2), which includes "Second Skin."
Janeway had a commanding presence which initially caused Chakotay to reflexively stand at attention. He quickly corrected himself and hoped her piercing blue eyes hadn't noticed. The Maquis captain needed all the leverage he had.
"Chakotay-" she paused, "May I call you Chakotay?"
Chakotay thought about a smart assed retort, asking if he could call her Kathryn, but instead nodded slightly. What else would she call him? Captain?
"Your rank was that of full commander when you resigned your commission. It is my intent to restore you to that rank. Of course, as a wanted terrorist, I can only give it to you provisionally for the duration of this mission."
Chakotay doubted whoever came up with that regulation had 70 year "provisions" in mind.
Wait, what?
"Restore my rank?" he said out loud. What good would that do in the brig?
Janeway sighed. "As you may have observed, Voyager is currently without an executive officer."
What's her point? Chakotay thought.
"You are the... logical choice for the position."
That pointy eared green blooded ptak! Whose side was he on? Tuvok betrayed the crew to this- this- STARFLEET captain- then turned around and recommended him as first officer?
Chakotay took a deep breath to calm his anger and thoughts.
"I'm not sure I understand." He actively avoided addressing her as Captain. He refused to acknowledge her authority.
It had been a long day for Janeway, and just before this meeting Lt. Carey had submitted a report detailing the energy crisis they were facing. Janeway very much regretted holding off on her coffee during her earlier meeting with Tuvok. It might be 70 years before she could have another cup- and right now she wasn' t sure she could last 70 seconds. She had been pacing a slight bit but now stopped and rested her hands and leaned against her desk.
"I am offering you the position of executive officer on this ship, and your crew would be integrated into mine. Do you accept, Chakotay?"
Chakotay still wasn't willing to make it easy for her. "What are my other options?"
Janeway stared him down for a full 2 minutes. Chakotay dug back into his 'fleet training and remained steady until she softened slightly and began to pace a little again. "Did you stop at Deep Space 9 before heading into the badlands?"
Although he wasn't sure where she was going with this question, Chakotay leveled with her and also relaxed, crossing one leg over the other in his chair. "I'm sure your security officer told you that's where we picked him up."
"His report was quite extensive. I haven't had the chance to read it all over yet."
That earned Janeway a slight smirk from Chakotay. Apparently Tuvok had the same Vulcan tendencies, even when acting as an undercover Maquis.
"I'm sure you are aware of the- unique- position of the station. Not only near the first ever discovered stable wormhole-" Wouldn't that be nice, they both thought at the same time- "but near Bajor as well. The station boasts both Starfleet and Bajoran personnel." Janeway paused, "I met with Commander Sisko before embarking on Voyager."
"Starfleet's newest captain! Welcome aboard Deep Space Nine, Captain Janeway," Sisko reached for Kathryn's hand as she walked into his office.
"I'm surprised the situation isn't reversed, Commander," Janeway shook Sisko's hand and took a seat. "I hear your crew has recommended you for a promotion several times."
"They're a loyal crew! I'm sure the message got 'lost in subspace.' It's a long way from DS9 to Starfleet Command," Sisko winked.
"I must say, Commander, I'm fascinated to see how your station operates. I hope to have a longer layover at the completion of my mission."
"I think you'd enjoy the station immensely, Captain." The door bell rang. Sisko glanced briefly at Janeway for her permission. She nodded, so Sisko said, "Come in."
Major Kira stepped in and sighed heavily. "Major Kira Nerys, reporting for duty, sir." Then she saw Janeway and all 4 of her pips. "Excuse me, sir," addressing Janeway and standing to attention.
"At ease, Major," Janeway said and lifted a hand, "Commander Sisko was just telling me about the diversity here on DS9. It's a beautiful station."
Kira opened her mouth as if to comment, then thought better of it. "Thank you, Captain," was all she said.
A pause.
Sisko cleared his throat and eyed the Bajoran.
"Right." Kira stood at attention again, "Dr. Bashir has cleared me for active duty, sir. Requesting permission to resume my post."
"Permission granted!" Sisko stood with gusto and walked around his desk to face Kira. He stuck out his hand and said, "It's good to have my first officer back."
"Good to be back, sir." Kira broke the handshake, nodded at Janeway, then turned back to Ops.
Sisko shook his head slightly at the closed door. Still looking out to Ops, he spoke, "She had a pretty rough experience. She was kidnapped and had her appearance altered to look Cardassian."
Janeway's eyebrows rose. She didn't know Kira's specific history, but for any Bajoran... "How long ago was that?"
"Last week," Sisko smiled and returned to his chair.
"And your doctor cleared her for duty?!" Janeway said incredulously.
Sisko chuckled, "The major could take the doctor any day of the week, recent traumatic experience or not. Plus, Dr. Bashir will keep an eye on her, on duty or not." Sisko leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingertips together. "You will learn, Captain, to make the quirks and personalities and differences amongst your crew to work for you, not against you. You're right, Kira has no business being on duty right now. Should I push back, Kira would be so agitated and furious she would get less rest than were she on duty. What does that accomplish?"
Sisko stood and pulled down his shirt. Janeway recognized the "Picard maneuver"- oh, yes, Sisko would be captain soon. He continued, "I'm not much for straight and lace Starfleet, either, to be honest. I almost resigned this post as soon as I got it. Probably why they haven't promoted me. But also probably why the Bajoran personnel could swallow my leadership. This old station is the last outpost before Cardassia, and now before the whole of the gamma quadrant and whatever lies beyond. This is the old west, Captain. The rules are different here, and we do what we must to get along. You said yourself, it's a beautiful station. It is beautiful because of its diversity and the cooperation of the people who live and work here. Starfleet, Bajorian, civilian."
Sisko escorted Captain Janeway back to the loading dock where Voyager floated peacefully. She and Sisko had covered the limited intel and maps he and his crew had gathered of the badlands.
One thing still nagged Janeway, though, and since Sisko was so easygoing, she just outright asked him. "How can you stand the pressure, Commander, if every Bajoran on board thinks of you as the Emissary?"
Sisko laughed. "I might be the Emissary, but I am not infalliable. Kira was probably the first one to figure that out. I am thankful for that- I didn't request a Bajoran first officer so she would blindly follow my every command."
Janeway stopped walking, incredulous. "You REQUESTED a Bajoran attache as your first officer?!"
"Yes. It made sense to me. It still does."
Janeway started walking again. Sisko filled in the rest of the story, "Kira and I will never be Kirk and Spock, or Riker and Picard, or even Archer and T'Pol! I wouldn't call us friends. I'm still not even sure she fully trusts me. But we're getting there. The two of us, learning to trust each other, to lean on each other- it demonstrates to the rest of the station it is difficult to be different, to accept the differences, and to play them to your advantage.
Would it have been easier for me to appoint Dax my first officer? Of course. One might even argue she's better qualified. She has 300 years more experience than Kira. We've already been friends for years. I have complete trust in her and I know we could work together well. But Kira brings something to the table Dax could never- the support of the Bajoran population. Their insight into how this station operated before I got here, and onto what is going on planetside.
Diversity, Captain, is what has allowed us to survive here," Sisko paused in front of the window showing the wormhole. "Everyone's opinion counts. Even Quark has good ideas, once in a while," Janeway followed Sisko's gaze to the lower level of the promenade, where a Ferengi was talking to two of her officers.
"Chakotay, I don't expect us to be best friends. I don't expect us to be Kirk and Spock," Janeway leaned back in her chair, "But I think we could make a decent Sisko and Kira. If a bitter Starfleet officer who, a few short years ago, was ready to resign, and a former freedom fighter who still has a lot of fight- well, if they can make it work, why not a rookie Captain and a Maquis?"
"Stranger things have happened," Chakotay mused.
Janeway could see he was thinking, honestly considering her proposal for the first time.