Chapter 14 – Fall on Me
"Sooner or later it all comes apart
The walls are all shattered, I'm back at the start
And I'm willing to follow this
Wherever it goes
The heart has its reasons that nobody knows
And I wanna believe in a world we can't see
Millions of particles passing through me
And I know there's a meaning
I feel it, I swear
I can't see the future, but I know that it's there."
- Fortunato Zampaglione, Chad Vaccarino, Ian Axel, and Matteo Bocelli
=/\=
The morning sun was at it's fullest by the time Kathryn opened her eyes and turned toward him. The sun's rays were casting down upon him through the bedroom's window, in refreshened beams enlightening his skin. She reached for him, and pulled a thin sheet over her shoulder.
Chakotay opened his eyes feeling her movement, and immediately reached out, welcoming her beside him. She scooted across the bed to place her head on his chest.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Good morning, darling."
She smiled against his warm skin. "Morning." Her fingertips danced across him, swirling in circles on his chest, calming as they moved. She reached his shoulder, eyes opening wide, and she jolted upward, lifting on her elbow. "I bit you?"
His eyes closed sleepily as he remembered, a smile coming to his lips. "You must have been hungry."
She leaned forward, pressed a kiss against the mark. "I'm sorry."
He opened one eye, looking at her. "I'm not."
She lowered her head again, and curled under his chin releasing a sigh. "Thank you for last night," she offered, draping her arm over his body. "I've never felt that close to anyone, didn't think it was possible."
He brought his hand to gently draw lines down her arm with his fingertips. "You seemed to enjoy yourself."
She released another sigh, happier this time, and squeezed herself tightly to his body. "I was in good hands."
She closed her eyes enjoying the comfort of his skin, the ease of his embrace, as the suns rays began to heat their bodies.
"You never said," he began, lowering his head to her hair to breathe her in. "When is Mollie coming home?"
She was quiet for a moment, and then finally she inhaled sharply, and he pulled back to look at her. Caught in the safety of his embrace, tears started to quickly well in her eyes, and he immediately brought his hands to her face, soothing.
She shook her head slightly. "No. I'm fine." She sniffed. "Mark thinks Mollie should stay with him." She reached up to wipe away her tears. "And I'd have to agree.
"That doesn't seem fair."
"I don't know. She must be bonded to him. It will break her heart."
"Still," he offered, running his hand through her hair, pushing a few strands back from her face. "She is your dog."
"Don't you think she'd want to grow up in that busy household. With two boys to run around with?"
"If that's what you believe."
"It is."
He kissed her forehead, gently guided her head back to rest on his chest. "That's too bad, I was looking forward to picking dog hair off my clothes."
She offered a slight laugh against his chest, and squeezed him again, taking refuge to hide her face against him. His hand had returned to her arm, his fingertips returning their comfort. "You're all I need, Chakotay."
"I like you saying that."
She looked up at him, accepted his gentle kiss on her lips. "I am so thankful for the moment you came into my life. I'll say it again." She moved her hand to his chest. "I wouldn't change a day."
"Even the-"
She laughed. "Everything." She returned to rest beneath his chin. "I'd do it all again just to end up here with you."
She watched him close his eyes, watched the lines on his face disappear, as dimples faded. He opened one eye, sensing her gaze.
Finally, he offered, "Hungry?"
"Famished," she returned, and pulled from his embrace to rest on her back, draping her arm over her head.
A wry smile came to his lips ,and he moved to hover above her. He pressed himself against her and the heat instantly started to rise up from her toes. "Wonder why?" he growled.
=/\=
The Johnson residence bustled with life as Chakotay and Kathryn entered through the front door which immediately opened as they approached it. Mark rushed to greet them, towel over his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Kathryn said, stopping in the entryway. "The door just-"
"That's okay," he interjected, clearly flustered. He rubbed his hands in the towel. "We must have forgot to set the lock."
He was quick to move behind them, pressing buttons on a nearby keypad interface. "Come in. Carla is feeding Kiernan. She'll be right down." He moved quickly to the kitchen and Kathryn followed. Chakotay trailed behind slowly, looking around the house as he went, a short square bottle of wine in his hand.
A young boy, about two years, dressed in nothing but a diaper and a snorkel mask, oversized for his head, waddled by in what seemed to be his father's shoes. He pulled the mask over his eyes, nose and mouth and an instant fog filled it. He looked up at the new guests to their house and giggled.
"Say, 'Hi', Kevin," Mark instructed, which only resulted in the little boy giggling once more and clomping off into the living room.
"It's a nice look," Kathryn remarked to Chakotay, and Mark smiled.
"We are lucky to keep a diaper on him these days." He smiled leading the way into the kitchen. "Once he discovered how to remove it, all bets were off."
Kathryn looked to Chakotay who smiled.
"I'm sorry," Mark said as they all met in the kitchen. "Where are my manners?" He turned quickly, wiping his hands in the towel on his shoulder again, and he reached forward to shake Chakotay's hand.
Kathryn cleared her throat. "Mark, Chakotay. Chakotay, Mark," she introduced quickly.
Both men smiled to one another warmly, and they held the greeting for a good moment, while they looked each other in the eye, a quiet agreement shared between them. The side of Chakotay's mouth turned upward, and he nodded.
"It's nice to meet you, Chakotay," Mark said turning back to his pots on the stove. "Kath has told me a bit about you."
"All good things, I hope?"
"Of course." Kathryn winked. She moved around the kitchen's countertop to stand with Mark at the stove. "Dinner smells delicious."
Mark pulled a fresh spoon from a drawer and dipped it into the sauce gently bubbling on the stove. He offered it to Kathryn to taste. "I understand you're vegetarian, Chakotay."
"I am."
Kathryn placed the spoon in her mouth and nodded approvingly. "It is delicious."
"Pasta alla Norma," Mark said proudly, turning, grabbing a fresh towel from a drawer. "Sautéed eggplant tossed with tomato sauce and topped with ricotta salata over fresh Bucatini." He raised his eyebrows. "I can confirm, none of it is replicated."
Kathryn placed her spoon in the sink. "Do you still grow all your own vegetables?" she asked.
"I do."
"It sounds divine." Chakotay approached them, reached out to offer Mark the square bottle he had been holding in his hand. "This should pair well with it."
"It's Ktarian wine," she said. "Also not from a replicator."
"Wonderful." Mark smiled. "I'll let this breathe."
Suddenly, a loud pounding came from the large, glass double door that lead to the fenced-in backyard, and Kathryn turned to see a flurry of fur and eight paws make contact with the glass.
"Their subtle knock," Mark remarked sarcastically approaching the door. "Hope you are ready for the insanity that is these dogs, Chakotay."
"I welcome it."
As soon as there was enough of an entry, the dogs burst in from the outside bringing with them a flurry of warmed fur and hot kisses. Mollie sniffed Kathryn's pants, tail wagging and she rubbed her head against her in a happy greeting. She sat obediently by her side, and Kathryn reached down to pet her head. Mollie twirled under her palm, and barked a few times, loud and approvingly.
"Mollie, enough," Mark commanded,
"Oh that's okay, Mark," Kathryn calmed. She continued to rub her hands into the dog's ears, and moved her hands over the dog's fur, warmed from the sun.
Chakotay approached slowly, gave her a smile as she looked up at him. "The infamous Mollie, I presume."
"The one and the same."
Mollie eased happily over to Chakotay who kneeled on the floor, lifting his palm so the dog could smell him. Mollie's tail immediately began to wag and she curled to sit at his feet, tongue out, looking up at him in a playful greet.
Heavy footsteps came from the hallway and quickened as they reached the kitchen. There was another flash of scuba gear and his father's shoes, as Kevin ran through to the adjoining living room again, a blanket and vintage rotary telephone toy in tow.
"You guys must be busy," Kathryn added as she watched Kevin disappear into the chaos of the living room, toys having been scattered in all areas she could see.
"Very."
"You're here!" The three turned to see Carla who had just entered the room, Kiernan's tiny frame pressed to her chest with one hand. Her mouth agape, she pushed her long dark brown hair behind her shoulder and moved quickly toward them.
Mark left his work at the stove. "Kath, Chakotay, my wife, Carla."
"It's so nice to finally meet you both," Carla said taking the baby from her arms and giving it to her husband. She immediately reached out to shake Chakotay's hand and Kathryn offered the same, but was instead pulled into her arms. Carla squeezed her and Kathryn patted the woman softly on the back.
Kathryn smiled at her as she pulled from the hug. "You have a beautiful home and a such beautiful family." She held her by the arms. "We want to thank you for the invitation to dinner."
Carla's blue eyes shone brightly, happiness in her face. "Oh it's no bother. Would you like to hold him?" She took the bundle from Mark's arms, a nervous excitement coming to her face. "I just burped him."
"Carla, I was just going to offer them something to drink."
"It's okay, Mark," Kathryn reassured him. "I can do both." She happily reached out for the small bundle Carla offered and tucked him into her crook of her arm.
She looked down at the infant, immediately seeing resemblances of his father as the little boy's face contorted and he smiled, obviously satisfied with his feed. She was not sure what had changed within her, but her heart leapt with joy at the sight of him, at the warmth he offered in her arms.
Just weeks ago, she might have thought this meeting would fill her with sadness, and regret and a desperation for something she could not have, that the past, and the present, and the future were all gripped with a longing she could never be cured from.
She looked up at Mark, who was smiling down at them, at Chakotay who offered the same friendly smile. She swallowed the small lump forming in the back of her throat.
"He's adorable, Mark," she whispered, afraid to wake the child, who had just closed his eyes, finding comfort in her arms.
"Thanks, you wouldn't think so from the noise he can make in the middle of the night. Kevin was such a quiet baby. Never uttered a peep. Slept through the night at only 5 weeks. How things have changed with number two." Mark pulled out a spoon for Carla to taste the sauce. "I think we were fooled into believing Kiernan would be the same. If we had only known..."
Carla with spoon in her mouth, reached forward to smack her husband on the arm.
=/\=
It was true; it was difficult for her to dislike Carla.
As the evening moved on, it was becoming more and more apparent that Mark and Carla were perfectly suited for one another, and a happiness filled Kathryn with relief, something she had not expected.
She had prepared for there to be an awkwardness to the dinner, but as the hours passed, it felt more like old friends reconnecting. Their young boys offered humor to the evening's events. Kathryn could easily see them all becoming close friends.
She reached to take Chakotay's hand under the table and offered a gentle squeeze.
They had both found the future that was meant for them, and maybe she could have it all; just as Phoebe had told her. Kathryn lowered her head and smiled to herself.
Kevin uttered a shriek from his high chair and they all turned to see him quickly turn his bowl upside down, placing it and its contents on the top of his head.
"Oh, Kevin," Carla said, moving to help him remove the bowl from his head. "These days it seems he gets more on him than in him." She picked small bits of food out of his hair.
Two small hands reached forward, grabbing fists full of pasta. Kevin dove into a fit of giggles as he placed the pasta on his head, and they coursed through him, shaking his small body.
"But enough of our crazy family," Carla said, joining in Kevin's laughter. "What's in the near future for you two? Any wedding bells? Any plans to start a family?"
Kathryn coughed slightly on her bite of pasta, and she turned to Chakotay who offered a slight smile. She wiped her napkin across her mouth.
"Honey," Mark began. "We don't need to be prying, do we? Let their feet touch down on solid soil, would you?"
Carla's face turned red. "Oh!" she gasped. "I didn't mean-" she stammered, frozen in her task. "I'm sorry. From what I understood - I was simply -"
Kathryn put up her hand. "It's quite all right," she began. She looked down at her lap. At Mollie's face that had come to nuzzle into her leg. She watched as the dog placed her head on her lap. "Well, we haven't really discussed-"
"Voyager is our family," Chakotay added suddenly. He smiled, dimples coming to his cheeks. "The crew, our people. That is our family."
Kathryn looked up with relief in her eyes. "Yes," she added. "Anything that comes after that, well, I'm afraid even I can't say for certain. But like Chakotay says, Voyager is our family. She and her crew is all I'll ever need. All I've been searching for."
Carla swallowed. "It must have been a special crew for you to talk about them like that."
Chakotay reached out for her, took her hand gently under the table.
Mollie panted at her side and Kathryn looked up slowly. "It was."
Dinner had finished, the boys put to bed, and the stars were beginning to be visible in the night's sky, as Kathryn and Chakotay stood on the front step just outside the Johnson Residence.
"It was a lovely dinner," Kathryn said. "Thank you both for having us."
"It's really our pleasure," Carla said, leaving the doorstep, giving each of them hugs. She held Kathryn by the arms. "It really is so nice to finally meet you."
"Same." Kathryn smiled.
Mollie and Céilí leapt from inside the door and encircled Kathryn's legs, nearly knocking her into a rose bush. Carla attempted to grab their collars, but they squirmed, leaping over the bush onto the front lawn.
Mark called the dogs but they did not budge and instead sat happily, tongues out, tails wagging.
"Honestly, I don't know what's gotten into them, Kath," he said. "They haven't left your side all night."
"Let me help," Chakotay offered and he moved down the pathway to the dogs. Mollie and Céilí happily followed Chakotay back to the house where Mark could hold their collars.
"Good night," Kathryn said to them and moved to the shuttle they arrived in.
They approached the small vessel and the door lifted from the side so they could enter. They ducked, moving within to take their seats.
As Chakotay engaged the thrusters, there was a shout behind them, and they turned to see both dogs jump into the craft. Noses to the carpeted floor, they searched happily over the interior.
Mark approached the vessel. "Mollie! Céilí! Out! Let's go."
Both dogs sat and barked.
Kathryn shrugged.
Mark opened his mouth to say something, but his shoulders slumped and he nodded to Kathryn. No words were shared between them, but she nodded in return.
She reached forward and engaged the door, closing it safely for all four passengers.
Chakotay raised the shuttle and entered the coordinates for his unit. He reached back to pet both dogs on the head, and placed an arm around Kathryn's head rest.
"You said you were looking forward to picking dog hair off your clothes?"
"I was."
"How does double sound?"
He left the head rest and reached down to Kathryn's pant leg. His hand found her pocket and dove within it.
She lifted her hands and watched his face contort as he searched it. Finally, his eyebrows lifted and he pulled out two small pieces of what seemed to be dried meat.
Kathryn's face fell into shock. "You didn't! Chakotay!" she scolded him.
He moved his hand to the back, to two hungry mouths that took the meat from him excitedly. He wiped his hands on his pant leg and looked at her slowly. "What?" He replaced his arm around her head rest. "She is your dog."
=/\=
He entered the key code on the door and it unlocked, pushing open easily. The dogs did not wait for their invitation, and they pushed by Chakotay and Kathryn's legs bursting into the house with exuberance.
It had taken them several weeks to commit to a new house, but after searching through their options, they had finally found a place to call home.
Chakotay turned to Kathryn, reaching down for her legs, and he lifted her easily into his arms.
"What are you doing?" she asked, a girlish giggle escaped her and her cheeks reddened. Seven years together and he was still seeing new sides of her daily.
"Carrying you across the threshold," he returned matter-of-factly.
She laughed.
"That's a thing still, right?"
"I believe so."
Chakotay paused in the doorway, smiled at her, his eyes on her lips. She knew, and leaned toward him, safe in his arms. Their lips met, as he lowered her, and he wrapped an arm tightly around as they celebrated the moment.
Slowly, they parted from their kiss and her eyes fluttered open to see him looking down at her. They shared another smile.
"Welcome home, sweetheart," Chakotay whispered as he kissed her brow.
She turned, looked out from his arms at their new house. Arms unwrapped and hands were held, and together they moved slowly over their new threshold. Where new memories awaited them. A new beginning ready to burst at the seams.
A place for early mornings with rushed kisses over coffee before they embarked on their own for the day. A place for lazy weekend afternoons curled on the couch together, reading, wrapped in each other's arms. A place for those late nights talking in bed. A place for kisses and hot showers.
Home.
The air was stale in the house, and their footsteps echoed against the vacant walls as they moved from carpet, to hardwood, to tile. They moved through the house, past the staircase which lead to the bedrooms upstairs. Through the living room, to the kitchen, where white countertops and white cupboards encircled it. The house was adorned with large windows and large bay doors.
The dogs ran past them in a fury of red long hair. They barked happily as Chakotay opened the door in the kitchen which lead to the backyard.
They stepped out onto the deck, watched as the dogs rolled happily in the long grass, as the sunshine gleamed off their healthy coats.
She looked up at Chakotay watched the boyish smile spread across his face. It was the happiest she had ever seen him and she wished his face would never change. That she could never extinguish the joy he was feeling right now. That nothing would alter the growing happiness in her chest that seemed to engulf her daily.
"What?" he said suddenly, feeling her eyes on him.
"You," she said, as she watched him move toward her. Her arms reached up to encircle his neck. "Just you, and this, and them," she motioned toward the dogs. "I'm so happy, Chakotay. This is everything and more." She placed a hand against his cheek. "I love you."
He reached his arms around her, leaned down to bury his face in the crook of her neck and she heard him sigh softly against her.
She was happy here with him. Happy to have his arms wrapped around her. Happy for the sway in his hips and the slight dance in his feet. She let him lead, let him twirl her around. She felt feminine. She felt free.
Her cheeks hurt from smiling. So easily he had lifted the weight off her chest; her fear of the unknown. For there was something in him that offered her hope, and a bright look on the future they would share together.
And maybe it wasn't about exploring distant stars, and seeing new worlds, and meeting new life. Maybe it was about exploring this new side of her, this new side she was seeing in him. And seeing what they could accomplish together under those same stars that used to guide them on their journey.
And she looked forward to it; embraced it easily, pulled this unknown into her arms never wanting to let it go.
And she would welcome it without fear.
Finally, he pulled from her, placed fingertips against her earlobe, sending comforting warmth down her body.
"Well," he said softly, tone seductive. He grinned. "Should we check out the bedroom?"
He took her by the hand, fingers entwining, and they moved from the deck. He left the door open for the dogs to happily explore their new dwelling.
The top of the stairs opened to a hallway joining three bedrooms and a bathroom, where a large skylight beamed light down into the house. The air was hot and stagnant in the upstairs; the house's system controls having been shut off while no one was living in the house.
They moved together to the end of the hall where the master bedroom with ensuite awaited. Kathryn moved to one of the two large windows and opened it, looking down at the street below
Chakotay padded softly behind her. "Wait," he said quietly, and he took her by the shoulders. He looked around the room as they moved, and he guided her until he placed her close to a nearby wall. He found her hands, pressed his body against her and she felt the heat rising from his body, felt a light sweat on his skin as her hand moved up his arm.
"Yes," he said pleased with himself. "Right here."
"What's right here?"
He leaned into her, kissed her passionately. When he was satisfied, he broke from her slightly, pressed his nose lightly to her cheek. "Right where the bed should go."
He draped her in a comforting kiss, one hand to the nape of her neck, the other to the small of her back, and slowly he guided her to the floor. They rested comfortably on the room's plush carpet. He held her in his arms, as if afraid to let her go.
She smiled through the kiss. Her hands moved across his back as she gently lowered her head to rest on the floor.
He looked at her, dimples coming to his cheeks. "I love seeing you this happy," he remarked. "And I love that I had something to do with it."
Kathryn reached up to trace the lines of his tattoo across his brow, and his eyes closed, drawn in by her gentle touch. He pressed his face further into her hand until her palm curved his face.
"I love you," she said.
In a flash of red flurry, the dogs burst into the room and covered their owners' faces with kisses, both unsure why they were lying on the floor. Paws pressed into the side of Kathryn's chest. A tail hit Chakotay in the back of the head.
Mollie fell to the floor and pushed her head under Kathryn's arm until she squeezed herself to lay directly in the crook of her arm. Kathryn offered Chakotay a shrug.
Chakotay reached to pet Mollie on the head. She returned a lick to his hand, and he chuckled. "Looks like we'll have to remember to lock the door." He bent down and kissed Kathryn's cheek. "Keep the kids out."
Mollie offered a disgruntled bark.
"I do believe she protests."
"All right," he sighed. "But no dogs in the bed."
Chakotay lifted himself, leaving Kathryn on the floor with Mollie snuggling into her side. The Irish Setter wiggled upward until she could lick Kathryn on the nose.
"Don't worry, Molls," she offered. Her voice lowered to a whisper as she scratched her dog's ears. "When it comes to your dad's rules, I will always get the last word."
=/\=
Chakotay entered their bedroom, dressed in his new formal, white uniform, Commander pips in place. He moved around packing boxes, anxious to be free of their contents.
"What?" he questioned, reading her surprise. "I had to try it on."
"Didn't you say it fits a bit tight?" The corner of her mouth pulled upward.
He ran his hands over his chest, a finger pulled at his collar. "A bit." He winked. "But as I've said - you're worth it."
"Well, you look handsome in white," she countered as she reached for her jacket on its hanger.
"Allow me," he said.
Standing behind her, he helped her into it, slowly pulling the jacket over her shoulders, lightly trailing his thumb over her chest as he zippered the jacket closed. He ran his hands down her body, down her sides, to rest on her hips, straightening, smoothing as he moved.
They looked at her reflection in the long mirror in front of her, at the image of Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway.
Parallel gold stripes ran down her chest, and the jacket fit nicely to sit on her hips. Her hands moved down her arms to rest at the two red stripes on her cuff. Her thumb brushed against the place where they would put her new rank. She lifted a hand to where they would sit at her neck.
She sighed.
"It suits you." A hand was beginning to push under the jacket at her hip, and he lifted his other hand to pull her hair back from her neck, immediately diving forward with his lips.
"Chakotay..." she breathed as his lips grazed her neck, as he gently pressed his tongue to his spot.
She pressed herself backward against him, lifted a hand to his cheek accepting his gift.
"I'm sorry," he confessed. He left her neck and pressed his cheek to hers, looking at their reflections. "Just every time I see you in one of these, I have the sudden urge to get you out of it."
She spun, wrapping her arms around his neck. She held her lips inches from his, her eyes gently playing across his face. "That comes later."
"When there are new pips to adorn this uniform."
A sly smirk lifted her cheek, an eyebrow to accompany it. "Let's not make a mess of them like we did on Voyager, okay?"
"I make no promises."
She kissed him, brushed thumbs against his cheeks.
He was soft and tender, and his lips were irresistible. She craved to be taking in by them constantly, the urge to let him consume her never-ending. Just as they had always shared unspoken words between them, their lips shared all their desires, their love, their passion, meaning words to describe the moment were never needed. She was cold without their touch, without his tongue searching her, playfully dancing with her own.
She had never needed someone's touch before. Never felt she needed someone to complete her. Always thought those who believed in happily ever after were delusional. But he made something course in her veins. Something new. Something she welcomed. Something she ached for. Something that made her believe in an ever after.
Her hands moved to rest palms against his chest, but he didn't release her, arms still tightly holding her body to him. A sadness grew within her suddenly, and he moved, clearly feeling it in her lips.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I just want this to be over." She pressed her cheek to his chest, wrapped arms around him, felt the tightness of the suit jacket pull across her back. "I'm ready to move on."
"Me too," he confessed. "But first we need to celebrate. We need to celebrate you."
She sighed again. "They told me I'm getting the Medal of Valor."
He pulled back looking to search her face but she did not move from his chest. "That's wonderful, sweetheart."
"But I don't deserve it."
"Why would you say that?"
"Because it wasn't just me. It was everyone. It was the whole crew." She pulled her head from his chest, looked up at him sadly, face free from lines. "It was you."
He smiled, lips pressed together. His brow pushed upward. "Then accept it for them. Accept it for all those whom we have lost. Accept it for Neelix and Kes. For Miral, born on that ship. For Naomi, your Captain's assistant. Accept it for everyone who looks up to you. Accept it for all the little girls who will see themselves in this uniform one day. Accept for the Maquis you saved. And..." He closed his eyes.
"And?"
"Accept it for me." He placed one hand to her cheek. "For the angry warrior you helped find peace."
=/\=
The sun had nearly set as they made their way to the front doors of Starfleet Command. As they approached, Chakotay clasped his hands behind his back and slowed his pace, keeping just behind his Captain. Kathryn looked over her shoulder and offered a smile, accepting the comfort of him behind her, of always having her back.
They moved across the large entry way, walking by desks where a few officer's sat. A few of them looked up at her and smiled, their back straightening. One woman, a young cadet, lifted her hand and offered a slight wave which Kathryn returned.
Chakotay leaned forward. "Someone still seems to be popular."
"Maybe that wave was for you," she remarked.
"Maybe."
She stopped suddenly and he halted behind her. She looked over her should at him. "Should I be jealous?"
He chuckled.
"Katie!" came a voice just in front of them, and they looked up to see Admiral Patterson turning a corner hurrying toward them.
He reached out for her as he neared, and she accepted his hug. "Hello, Theo," she greeted.
"Oh, my darling Katie, there isn't a uniform that looks bad on you, is there?" he remarked taking her by the hands, leaning back to get a better look at her.
"You flatter me, Admiral."
"I'd bet your Commander here would have to agree with me." He raised an eyebrow at Kathryn.
She ignored him and motioned with her hand toward Chakotay. "Commander Chakotay, allow me to introduce, Admiral Theoderich Patterson."
Chakotay shook his hand. "It's a pleasure, Admiral. As I understand it, it was you that assigned Captain Janeway to Voyager. That it was you that gave the orders for my capture."
Patterson's head tilted as he released Chakotay's hand. "Ah, well, I was merely the messenger." He swallowed a lump and straightened his shoulders. "As I understand it from Katie's reports, you are quite the officer. Seems I have to thank you for getting her home safely."
Kathryn lowered her eyes, lips pressed tightly together.
"I do hope you'll be sticking around, Commander. Voyager will be needing a new Captain. I can't think of a better candidate for the job, at the moment." He placed a hand on Kathryn's arm. "Present company excluded, of course.
"Unfortunately, I don't intend to wear this uniform for much longer, Admiral."
Patterson sighed. "I do hope you will reconsider, Commander." He moved his hand to Kathryn's back. "The soon-to-be Admiral here is going to require your help out there. She is going to need someone to depend on. Like I did."
Chakotay lowered his head, unable to reach her eyes.
Admiral Patterson turned back to Kathryn and lifted a silver box, placing it in her opened palm. Kathryn opened the box slowly and Chakotay edged forward to stand in front of her.
"Following your extensive list of commendations, Commander Chakotay here is the last remaining member of your crew to be decorated." Patterson cleared his throat. "Captain, we thought you'd want to do the honors."
Kathryn reached within the box, gently pulling the medal from its case. The medal held weight and she looked up smiling at Chakotay who straightened his back, shoulders square. He looked off into the distance.
"Commander Chakotay," she started. "For your exemplary service to my command, for your self-sacrifice, and devotion to Starfleet, it is my distinguished pleasure to award you with the Medal of Honor."
He looked down as she affixed it to this formal jacket, and he followed her hands as she offered to shake his hand. He gripped her hand tightly.
"Congratulations, Commander."
His mouth pulled to the side as he met her eyes, the slight shadow of a dimple forming. "Thank you, Captain."
Patterson watched them, watched as their hands lingered slightly, and when the pair finally turned toward him, he raised his arm, directing them to follow him. "All right, Captain. Just one last order of business. Your crew awaits."
Patterson lead the way through the building, down corridors to the back of large room, where a door opened for them, bringing them outside to a flower garden with a view of the Bay. Boats quietly moved over the water, and the lights of the city were beginning to show in the twilight.
They turned a corner in the garden, and the immense gathering of her crew opened for them. Everyone stood as they saw her, and she smiled as the warmth spread through her.
There were a few stairs leading up to a small stage where Admiral Owen Paris awaited them. Patterson ascended, and Janeway and Chakotay followed closely behind.
Kathryn raised her eyes to the crew who stood silently at attention. All dressed in their formal dress uniforms, it was a sea of while and gold and black, with happy faces looking up at her.
Her sights fell over the crowd until she reached her mother and Phoebe who sat to the side with other members of the crew's family.
She looked on B'Elanna with infant Miral in her arms. To Tom and Harry. All of them decorated with medals of honor, and she silently wished she could have been the one to have placed them there, to have personally thanked them for their service.
She looked on Seven and Icheb in their Starfleet uniforms. To the Doctor who sat with them. To Naomi, the Captain's assistant, in her tailored junior uniform. To her mother and father sitting with her; a family reunited.
She closed her eyes, pushing down the emotions, and her breath escaped her with jaggedness.
She heard footsteps on the stage, and opened her eyes as Patterson approached her. He held a silver box.
"Captain Kathryn Janeway," he started. "In recognition of your remarkable leadership, and meritorious conduct against the enemy, and in particular for personal acts of bravery displayed during your mission aboard the USS Voyager, and for getting this crew home. Starfleet Command is proud to present you with the Christopher Pike Medal of Valor." He reached forward and pinned it to her jacket, and an immediate applause erupted in front of her.
He reached for her hand and shook it, leaned in so she could hear him. "Well done, Katie."
"Thank you, Sir."
He shook her hand and smiled, and moved to the side to make way for Admiral Paris who approached, another silver box in hand. She inhaled sharply, raising her shoulder square to him. She placed her hands by her side.
"As representative of Starfleet Command, it is my extreme honor to promote you to the rank of Vice Admiral, with all the privileges and responsibilities therein." Admiral Paris began affixing her admiral ranks to her collar, and reached down to affix them to her sleeves.
He shook her hand. "Congratulations, Kathryn."
She smiled, placed her hand over his while they shook. "Thank you,... Owen." He returned her smile.
From behind her she could see a figure move and she saw Chakotay step forward and she turned toward him, tears in his eyes, he opened his mouth and boomed, "HIP, HIP!"
"HOORAY!" the crowd countered.
She turned toward them and they continued their chants, all standing, fists pumping into the night's sky.
She raised her hands in front of her in surrender. "At ease," she offered, and the crowd immediately quieted, all taking their seats. She folded her hands in front of her, fingertips gently touching the new pips that adorned her cuffs.
She cleared her throat.
"I hope you know how honored I am to see you here. How much happiness I am feeling to have you all gathered in one place again. This place, on the grounds of Starfleet Command." She swallowed, licked her lips. "Seven years ago, I made a very difficult decision that left us stranded in an unknown place, with unknown dangers, and not one of you doubted my command. You placed a trust in me, that I can never truly repay. You have been the most dedicated, most loving crew, and wherever I go in the future, none will compare to you."
A few tears escaped her, but she let them fall.
"I want you to know that our mission aboard Voyager was a complete success. And I want to thank each and every one of you, and for those who could not return home with us, for your time, and dedication, and love." She smiled at the crew in front of her, her head falling to the side. "Our journey was one of resistance. Of sacrifice. Of love. Of family. Of trust. And wherever your next posting takes you, I want you to remember - This is who we are. This is the USS Voyager." She raised a fist. "To the journey!"
The crowd stood in unison that the ground beneath her shook as 151 souls stood for her. "To the journey!" they countered.
They continued to chant as the tears came to her eyes, falling proudly down her cheeks without refrain. Fists shot into the air with each resounding chant. The force of which pushed through her, made her heart feel like it was going to explode.
Behind her, she heard Chakotay chant as well and she turned to him to see his look of intensity as he joined with the crew.
In this moment, Admiral Paris approached her, and taking her by the shoulders, he turned her toward the skyline, pointing up into the distance. She followed his hand toward the slight dusting of deep blue clouds in front of them.
Slowly, a darkened form peaked through the clouds. As it drew near, its shape started to come into focus. Her lips parted and her mouth opened.
Chakotay watched her, and he too, turned to the horizon.
Through the cloud broke the silhouette of the USS Voyager, quietly moving toward them; its deflector dish aglow above the city of San Francisco. She quietly hummed over the city's twinkling lights, serenaded by the eruption of cheers below.
Fireworks lit up the twilight sky in reds and blues and yellows.
The crowd behind her joined in the city's chorus and the cheers resounded in Kathryn's ears as her tears fell down her cheeks.
Chakotay edged beside her as Admiral Paris took his leave. He wrapped an arm around her. "You okay?" he asked.
Kathryn nodded, a peaceful bliss lighting her face. "She's home."
=/\=
fin.
Next... After Credits Scene. "To Build a Home..."