A/N Thank you for all your comments and reviews. Much appreciated. Here's the next chapter and the wine is beginning to flow...
In Vino Veritas
Chapter 2
It was some time before she set eyes on him again. By this point she had rocked Miral off to sleep and the baby was laying peacefully in her arms when she spotted Chakotay and his date at the bar. He caught her eye and smiled at her and before she could think about it he was walking towards her.
"Seems you have the knack, Kathryn," he said gesturing towards Miral.
She smiled back at him as he reached out and stroke Miral's hand, "Either that or I just bore her to sleep." He chuckled back at her, his attention riveted on the baby in her arms, hers on watching him until a shadow behind him moved and she looked up to see one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen come up behind her former first officer and link her arm in his. Kathryn watched as he pulled his head up in surprise, obviously not expecting the contact but not entirely against it either.
"Leona, may I introduce Admiral Kathryn Janeway, Kathryn this is Dr Leona Contra."
"A pleasure, Doctor." Kathryn drawled, her diplomatic skills and Captain's Mask coming to her rescue. At least she wasn't blonde.
"The pleasure is all mine, Admiral. Chakotay has told me so much about you."
Kathryn laughed openly, and Chakotay smiled.
"Oh no! Please don't believe a word he says. I'm not as bad as I'm sure he makes out."
"On the contrary Admiral, I promise it was all positive. Apart from your insistence about going on away missions."
Kathryn grinned and Chakotay smiled, tugging his earlobe as he did so, but before Kathryn could make any further remarks she saw Chakotay's attention divert.
"Tom!" Chakotay said obviously pleased to see one of the hosts and introduced him to Leona. Kathryn stifled a smirk as she watched Tom charm Leona but was curiously slightly cold towards Chakotay.
"Great party, Tom." Chakotay said.
"Thanks, it was Kathryn's doing. We would have been a wreck without her, but that's Kathryn for you, always there when you need her." Tom smiled back at Chakotay as he threw a casual arm around Kathryn's shoulders. Chakotay's smiled faded slightly as he was no doubt surprised at the casual use of her name and had probably caught the undercurrent in Tom's tone. Kathryn could feel a headache coming on.
"Actually, it was my mother that saved the day. As per usual. If only she had joined Starfleet, the universe would be a much better place," Kathryn joked trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"Don't underestimate yourself Kathryn. You've saved me and B'Elanna from bedlam the past few weeks. Our daughter is part Klingon," Tom explained to Leona, "Makes teething an interesting experience."
"Then you are lucky to have such good friends," poor Leona commented, not understanding or noticing the charged atmosphere.
"We really are. I fear Kathryn has been at our house more than her own lately."
Now he was just exaggerating. Slightly.
"You should have let us know you were coming Chakotay, we could have picked you up from the transport station." Tom said and Chakotay looked in confusion between Tom and Kathryn. Kathryn just shrugged. This was Tom's pissing contest, not hers.
"I told B'Elanna that I would be back for the ceremony…" Chakotay trailed off.
"When you left yes. But as none of us had heard from you for weeks we just presumed you had made other plans."
Chakotay looked distraught, "I'm sorry Tom, truly. I didn't think…"
Tom, being Tom, and finding it hard to hold a grudge gave him a playful punch on the shoulder.
"Don't worry. Just remember, your life is mine." Chakotay looked in relief as Tom moved away to greet some more of his guests and turned back to Kathryn.
"I really didn't mean to upset them…" Chakotay said.
"They are your family Chakotay, and family gets worried when someone they used to see every day doesn't call as much as they could." Kathryn said to him gently.
"I hope you are not upset with him too, Admiral." Leona said with a smile, obviously not noticing how awkward the conversation with Tom had made her partner.
"Oh Chakotay's got 7 years worth of credits to use up before I could ever be upset with him. And besides," Kathryn drawled, looking at Chakotay, "He doesn't have to answer to me anymore." Chakotay frowned and went to answer when he was interrupted.
"Well hello, dreamy."
Kathryn groaned, unsure that this first meeting with Chakotay's girlfriend could get any worse. Now Phoebe had to turn up. Her long running flirtations with Chakotay were a standing joke with the crew, but Kathryn was slightly amused to see the blush under Chakotay's tan.
"Hello Phoebe," Chakotay replied, making the introductions again to Leona, who had a slightly cooler air in response to Phoebe's open flirtation.
"We've missed you Chakotay. I've had to make do with Mike Ayala while you've been gone."
"I'm sure Mike is devastated by that," Chakotay laughed and shared a glance with Kathryn who shook her head in part amusement, part exasperation. Phoebe being Phoebe was bad enough. Drunk Phoebe was a whole other level. When Mike turned up to be introduced she hoped he would steer her away.
"I hope you don't mind me taking a Janeway away from you Chakotay?" Mike smirked at his old friend.
"Oh you can definitely take that one away. Just leave Gretchen for me will you, she makes excellent Brownies."
"That leaves me with Kathryn as well then. Lucky me. The Admiral, the Artist and the Maquis. It's like some hot erotic holo-novel."
Everyone laughed, including Kathryn, knowing Mike as she did now, she knew his comments were harmless but she was surprised to see Chakotay looking at his old friend as if he had grown two heads, as if the idea disgusted him.
Kathryn busied herself with looking down at the sleeping baby, wondering if she could get the ground to just swallow her whole. It was one thing, knowing that Chakotay had moved on, but his horrified reaction to Mike's joke stung just a little. It was like he didn't even see her as an attractive woman anymore. But then, compared to the dark haired, exotic beauty currently on his arm, she wasn't sure she could blame him if he didn't.
God the thought made her miserable. She made her excuses, claiming that Miral needed to be put down for a nap and walked back in to the house. She settled Miral in to her cot and sat watching her new Goddaughter for a while instead of activating the holo nanny.
It wasn't as if she had spent the last few years pining for Chakotay. She had been too busy for that. But the connection she had with him was unlike anything she had experienced in her life. There had been chemistry there, she was sure of it. Before the Delta Quadrant had stripped away every essence of Kathryn until all that was left was the Captain.
She understood that she had pushed him away. Had known that whatever he once felt for her was now buried under a settled friendship, loyalty and command relationship. She knew all of this. So why him turning up with a new girlfriend on his arm hurt so damn much she couldn't say. But it did.
"Thought I might find you here." Kathryn looked up to see B'Elanna in the doorway with a bottle of champagne in her hand and two glasses. Clever girl.
"I'd like to say that I thought Miral would do better in her cot than being swayed in someone's arms for a few hours. But we both know better than that. I'm afraid I used your daughter as a decoy out of a rather tricky situation. Can you forgive me?" Kathryn smiled at her friend.
"I was surprised you lasted as long as you did." B'Elanna said as she filled up the glasses and handed one to Kathryn.
"Your husband had made him feel awkward enough, I didn't want to add to it."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"I'm not sure what to say."
"He's a p'taQ."
Kathryn shook her head at her friend, "No he isn't."
B'Elanna sat down heavily beside her on the couch and they both took a long sip of their drinks.
"I just don't understand. There was that whole thing with Seven - don't even get me started. And then he just disappears for *months* and returns as if nothing has happened with a new woman on his arm."
"He's always been able to bloom where he is planted." Kathryn replied.
"What do you mean?"
Kathryn smiled, "He's never been one to sacrifice the present for a future that may not happen. He knows to make the best of whatever situation he is in. And I meant what I said earlier, he isn't built for loneliness. It's surprising that he was single for as long as he was."
"But once we were home, we all thought…" B'Elanna trailed off and Kathryn realised that despite how close they had all become, some things might still be a little awkward to discuss.
Kathryn decided to save her, albeit knowing that the champagne she had consumed during the day was probably loosening her tongue more than normal.
"Maybe — a lifetime ago….He hasn't thought of me in a romantic way in many, many years. It was impossible while we were on the ship and whatever we had, just…" Kathryn stopped and swallowed as a ball of emotion rose up in her throat.
"It just went away. Seven was perhaps one of the few options for him. She didn't know him, he didn't know her. All of the other crew he had known for seven years. She was a beautiful possibility for him, and in another lifetime it probably would have worked out."
B'Elanna looked at her aghast, "Are you trying to tell me that in some 'other life' Chakotay and Seven are having sex because that's just…icky."
Kathryn laughed despite herself, "I have never heard you use the word icky."
"I've never had that mental image before."
B'Elanna refilled their glasses and settled back against the couch. "If Chakotay is able to bloom where he is planted why did he leave?" B'Elanna asked reasonably.
Kathryn took a second to respond, "I think coming back, everyone settling down in to their new lives in the Alpha Quadrant, left him unsettled. Chakotay also likes to be needed. Seven had dumped him…"
"Smart girl."
"Everyone was getting on with their lives. And once the debriefings were finished I think Chakotay just needed some time to find out what he is again before he gets swallowed up in another Starfleet career. And if he met some nice, beautiful…"
"Young."
Kathryn snorted, "Yes, young woman on his journey. Then who can blame him?"
B'Elanna nodded thoughtfully, "You really *get* him don't you?"
"Yes. He gets me too. At least he used to. I'm not so sure about now. I'm not entirely sure he even sees me anymore. I think he sees the Admiral, or the Captain at least."
"Then he should have stayed. Because we see you Kathryn. My word, I don't know what we would've done without you these past few months. Or Mike. You helped him so much with finding his boys. Harry. Tuvok. The Doctor. Seven. Jor. Gerron. Josa. Naomi. And all the rest. You knew what Chakotay didn't. That whatever it looked like from the outside, we've all had adjusting to do since we got back. He was needed."
"Don't be too hard on him 'Lanna. We're all finding our way."
B'Elanna pouted, "He deserves it."
Kathryn smirked at her, "You just need to take out your exhaustion on someone. Poor Tom is too much of an easy target."
B'Elanna snorted into her glass, "That's true. It's no fun when we are both too exhausted to argue. We haven't even had sex in days!"
Kathryn rolled her eyes, "I'm not going to feel sorry for you - look who you are talking to."
"Fair point."
They settled in to an easy silence, watching Miral as she dreamt.
"Perhaps we need to find a nice young man for you, Kathryn."
"Young? Perhaps not too young. My own age would do nicely."
"Tall, dark, handsome?"
"Absolutely."
"Starfleet?"
"God no. Maybe a musician. An artist."
"Maybe Phoebe can help us."
"Oh God, don't involve my sister. I'll end up in some terrible holo-dating programme."
"Well at least you've had experience with that…"
Kathryn gave her a mock punch and giggled in a very un-admiral-like way.
"Ssh! You'll wake the baby!"
"Shall we replicated another bottle of champagne?
"That is the best idea you've ever had."
=/\=
"So this is where you two disappeared to!" Tom said as he came in to Miral's room. Kathryn and B'Elanna had put away most of the second bottle of champagne and Kathryn felt the most relaxed since she had first laid eyes on Chakotay and his girlfriend.
"Ssh!" Kathryn and B'Elanna whispered in unison.
"As much as I would like to leave you both to the bottle, sorry *bottles* of champagne you've probably got going on here, we have guests downstairs and an Admiral who is supposed to be giving a speech."
"Oh, God - that's even more reason to stay up here if your father is going to start droning on about being a grandfather again."
Tom smirked at Kathryn, "He's not the only Admiral in attendance Kathryn and you did promise. It is after all, Miral's day."
"You are a cruel man Thomas Paris."
Kathryn let herself be led, or dragged depending on the perspective, back down to the marquee. The crowd had thinned somewhat from earlier in the day. In spite of herself, Kathryn searched the room for Chakotay. Not finding him she made her way over to her mother, Ayala and Harry.
She sauntered towards them with as much dignity as she could muster when she was more than two bottles of champagne in, but before she could reach them her route was blocked by her former first officer.
"You might want to think about a hypospray Admiral," Chakotay said, his face looking to Kathryn as if full of censure.
"Excuse me?!"
"Plenty of brass still left in the room, you don't want to embarrass yourself. Let me get the Doctor."
Kathryn tore her arm from where he had clasped it and caught B'Elanna and Tom's anxious look as they took in what must have been a slightly murderous look on her face. Chakotay took a step back, confusion written over his face.
"Brass? You mean Owen? Who has known me since I was born?"
"Kathryn, I was just..."
Kathryn held up her hand and glared at him. She mentally gave herself a high five as Chakotay's spine instantly straightened. Even two bottles of champagne in, she still had it.
"I know you may only see me as some 'Admiral' with a great big stick up her backside but the people in this room are my friends and my family. I can assure you, they - unlike you obviously - could not care less whether I am falling down drunk or not. They only care whether I am having a good time. Don't suck the fun out of the room, Commander."
Chakotay looked as if she had slapped him and she could see Leona look over to them in concern as the room started to pick up on the tension between the two former command officers. Tom, being the hero he was, bravely stepped up to them and gestured to the stage.
"All yours Kathryn."
"Tom..."
"Relax Chakotay, no one's on duty and the Admiral here promised us a speech."
Kathryn gave Chakotay one more venomous look and turned to climb up to the stage.
"Friends!", Kathryn began and the room turned to look at her, taking some surreptitious glances at Chakotay as she did so, who looked crushed and confused. Good, Kathryn thought. It was about time.
"The guest of honour is fast asleep in her crib and it is left to me to thank you all for coming to celebrate the wonder that is Miral Kathryn Paris." The crowd cheered raucously and Kathryn grinned back at them, while watching Leona approach Chakotay with concern out of the corner of her eye and Chakotay shrugging in response, obviously unsure of what crime he had committed.
"But before I start the thank yous I must warn you that B'Elanna has poured multiple glasses of champagne down my neck and I may not be *entirely* sober." The crowd roared in approval and she watched as Chakotay looked in confusion between her and Admiral Paris who was whistling and cheering.
"My loyal former first officer here is worried that I might offend the 'brass' with my drunkenness. Owen - are you ashamed of me?"
"I'm ashamed that you aren't drunker!" Owen shouted back to the enjoyment of the crowd.
"There's still time," Kathryn drawled and the crowd only roared louder.
"Are you as drunk at that time in Sandrines?" shouted Harry.
"Which time?"
"The first time!"
"No. Definitely not." Kathryn said truefully, "Unlike that time we haven't started the drinking games yet."
"What about that time in Dublin?" Tom asked
"Do you see the yard of ale?" Kathryn responded and the crowd all fell about with laughter.
"Fleeters bar?" Ayala yelled and the crown whooped in response.
Kathryn laughed, "Maybe. But no where near as drunk as Tom was that night. No dancing on the tables...yet!'
The crowd grew louder and clapped as they whistled at Tom who heroically held up his glass in acknowledgement of the legend he had created that night. Kathryn beamed at her friends and family and turned again to Chakotay, who looked finally like realisation was dawning on him.
"You see, Chakotay. While I appreciate your concern I can assure you that this wonderful group of people have seen me much, much more worse for wear than this. So you can stand down the red alert. We're only getting started this evening! To Miral and the Parises and the bottles of tequila that are behind the bar!"
After her speech duties were over, Kathryn climbed back down on to the dance floor hugging well wishers on her way and made her way over to a somewhat sheepish Chakotay.
"I feel like I may have missed out on some changes since I have been away."
Kathryn looked at him with some sympathy despite still being annoyed with the way he had treated her.
"I like to think of it more like evolution."
"Well you've certainly evolved!" Chakotay said with a laugh, spiking Kathryn's annoyance again.
"Have I? Was I really that cold and closed off before?"
"I didn't mean..."
"Because you should know me better than anyone Chakotay and you have been looking at me with confusion and censure all night. Was I really that much of a cold fish?"
"Kathryn..."
"Oh save it. You know while you've been gone, we've got on with our lives, and we have been enjoying ourselves and leaning on each other and helping each other through this period of adjustment. You missed it. You don't get to judge me."
"I wasn't..."
Kathryn felt the tears well up in her eyes and she mentally damned the champagne and the loose control over her emotions and words
"Kathryn?" Chakotay looked at her in horror and she shook her head at him and walked away. Not seeing the crestfallen look in his eyes as she did so.
=/\=