XII.

Kathryn smiled as the wind blew her hair back from her face. Behind her, Chakotay's expert hand steered the wheel of the boat as she relaxed, taking in the scenery and enjoying the ride. After their confessions of love two nights before, Chakotay had moved out to Lake George for the remainder of their leave.

Kathryn laughed as she thought back on the past forty eight hours. They had quite possibly been the best two days of her life. That first night, she had led Chakotay into the house, and he had undressed her before they reached the bedroom. They made love, fell asleep, and then awoke in the middle of the night and made love again. When the morning sun had finally shone through the blinds, she'd awoken to his naked body pressed against hers, and their desires, long ignored, had needed to be sated once more. She'd since lost track of the number of kisses and caresses they'd shared in only two days' time. They were insatiable, as if their long repressed desires, once allowed free reign, could not be contained again.

When they weren't making love, they swam in the lake, went for long walks through the woods, or sat on the deck sipping wine and talking. It seemed they would never run out of things to say to each other. After seven years together in the Delta Quadrant, they had more to discuss now than ever before. As the Lake George scenery whizzed past, Kathryn Janeway felt only gratitude and joy.

Behind Kathryn, Chakotay's hands caressed the steering wheel of the Janeway family boat. He grinned, watching Kathryn, her head thrown back, the wind blowing her hair behind her. She sat, reclined, on the bow of the boat, one leg extended in front of her, the other curled beneath her. When she turned to look at him, the expression on her face was one of pure ecstasy, and Chakotay delighted in it.

He had thought he had known, before, every expression possible on Kathryn Janeway's face, but he had learned over the past two days that her face could express more variations of joy, passion, and ecstasy than he had ever imagined possible before. He was thoroughly enjoying learning all of these variations and figuring out how to recreate each of them. The image before him now, of her total relaxation and abandonment, was another new one to add to the list. She turned again and smiled at him. He thought his life had never been more complete. Who knew, he thought, that at my age one could still be in love like this?

He slowed the boat as they approached the Janeway family home, and he piloted the vehicle into the boathouse with only a little coaching from Kathryn. After making sure the boat was secure, he jumped down and extended his arms to help her down, too. She hopped down from the boat and into his arms, and he pulled her in for a long kiss.

"Good work, Commander," she teased. "Your piloting skills have obviously improved."

Chakotay rolled his eyes. "No more cracks about my piloting skills if you still want me to make that dinner we talked about."

She placed her fingers over her mouth. "My lips are sealed."

They laughed all the way up the hill to the house, holding hands and stopping every few steps to kiss like teenagers. As they stood just outside the screened porch, on the threshold of the house, Kathryn stopped, pulling him in for a long, deep kiss. "You're wonderful," she said.

"You're wonderful," he replied, pulling her body against his and kissing her again, even more deeply, his tongue plundering her mouth.

When she broke away, gasping for air, she was laughing. "And you're insatiable!"

His hand caressed her buttocks and pulled her against him. She could feel his hardness, and he could feel the heat of her through their clothes. "So are you," he growled. He reached around behind her to open the door and pushed her inside, his mouth still on hers. He maneuvered her through the screen porch and through the living room, until the backs of her knees landed against the couch and she collapsed onto the cushions. Chakotay lowered himself on top of her, and his hand had just begun to undo the buttons of her sundress when they heard the beeping of the communications console.

Kathryn's hand covered his and stilled it. "We should check that," she said reluctantly.

"I'm sure whoever it is can wait…"

She kissed his lips but kept her hand over his. "We should check it."

With a sigh, Chakotay placed his feet back on the floor and stood, offering her a hand to help her stand up. She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him one more time before leading him into the office. She wondered if it was a message from Braxton. If so, she should probably look at it alone. She checked the console. It was a communication from Admiral Paris, asking her to contact him immediately.

"It sounds urgent," she said to Chakotay as she placed the call.

A moment later, the Starfleet emblem was replaced on the screen by Owen Paris' worried face. "Kathryn," he said. "I'm so relieved that you called."

"Chakotay is here, too."

"That's all right. This is something the commander needs to know as well."

"What happened, Admiral? What's wrong?"

"Commander Teral has escaped from prison."

"What? How?" Janeway asked.

"Starfleet Security is working on that now. It appears to have been an inside job. Someone within Starfleet helped her escape."

"A traitor?" Chakotay asked.

"One of Garrett's operatives," Janeway replied, feeling a chill go down her spine. "I always suspected he had operatives or colleagues in San Francisco."

Admiral Paris nodded. "There's more. Around the same time as Commander Teral's escape, the shuttle carrying Garrett to New Zealand crashed over the Pacific Ocean. The pilot and the three security guards were found dead. Garrett's body hasn't been found."

Janeway felt the chill spread to the rest of her body. "You think he's escaped?"

"From what we can tell from the shuttle logs, it's highly unlikely anyone could have survived the crash. But until we find his body, we have to consider the possibility that Garrett is at large."

"His people helped Teral escape from prison, and then she rescued him from the shuttle," Chakotay suggested.

"Do you know what caused the shuttle crash?" Janeway asked.

"I have Tom, B'Elanna, Seven, and Harry looking into it right now," Paris replied. "They're looking for evidence of a cloaked Romulan vessel, among other things."

"How could a cloaked Romulan ship get past the planetary shield?" Chakotay asked.

"We don't know yet. We don't even know if that's what caused the crash," Paris replied.

"What about a search for Admiral Garrett?" Chakotay asked. His hand found Kathryn's shoulder, and she could sense his fear. They both knew that if Garrett was indeed still alive, that she would be his first target.

"Already underway," said Paris.

"Perhaps Dr. Zupanich knows something about his whereabouts," Janeway said.

"We've already sent someone to speak to him," Paris replied.

At that moment, the admiral was interrupted by an ensign who entered the office and rounded the admiral's desk to whisper something in his ear. Paris' face went white as a sheet as the ensign spoke. After the ensign had finished, Paris dismissed her and focused his attention once more on the screen in front of him.

"What is it?" Janeway asked.

"Dr. Zupanich was found dead in his cell."

"Dead? How?"

"An autopsy will need to be performed to determine the cause of death. The doctor was alive and well when he was brought his breakfast this morning."

Janeway exchanged a glance with Chakotay, knowing that his thoughts mirrored hers. "We should place additional security around the cells of all Garrett's personnel," she said.

"Already underway," Paris replied. "I'd feel better if you'd both come and stay at Starfleet Headquarters until this matter can be resolved. Temporary quarters can be arranged for you."

Janeway shook her head. "Thank you, Admiral, but I've spent enough time in temporary quarters. Besides, after what happened to Dr. Zupanich, I don't think we'd be any safer at Starfleet Headquarters than we are here."

Chakotay leaned forward towards the comm. "What can we do, Admiral?" he asked.

Paris shook his head. "Nothing, at the moment. We have Starfleet Security crews already mobilizing. It's too dangerous for you to be involved." Paris was distracted by someone else entering his office. "I have to go, Kathryn," he said. "I'll update you when I have the chance. Paris out."

Chakotay's hand tightened on Kathryn's shoulder as the screen filled with the Starfleet emblem. She reached up to cover his hand with her own as she turned to look into his eyes, a worried expression on her face.

"This is interesting," said Harry as he looked at the data from Admiral Garrett's shuttle crash.

"What?" B'Elanna asked. She, Tom, Harry, and Seven were in a secure lab at Starfleet Headquarters, poring over the data for clues as to what had happened to Admiral Garrett.

"Tetryon particles."

"Just like the cloaked space station," Tom supplied.

B'Elanna keyed in several codes on her work station and grimaced. "Just as we suspected," she said. Tom peered over her shoulder. "Cloaking technology. The same technology that Garrett used on his station."

"Now we have proof that Garrett's escape was engineered by someone affiliated with him. No one else had access to that technology," said Harry.

"Unfortunately, that brings us no closer to knowing where Garrett is now," said Tom.

"I'm going to see if the tetryon particles left any residual traces that we can track," said B'Elanna.

"I have discovered some other disturbing information about Admiral Garrett," Seven said, looking over her shoulder at her three companions.

"What did you find?" Tom asked, moving from B'Elanna's station to Seven's.

"When the captain initially looked into Admiral Garrett's background, she discovered that records of his activities during the Dominion War were missing from his Starfleet record. I have been attempting to piece together more information about Garrett's past, in hopes that it would provide some clue as to where he might hide or who he might seek out. While I have been unable to find any further record of his assignments during the war, I did discover several encrypted transmissions dating between Stardate 50892 and Stardate 52086.3. The communications themselves are not recoverable, but I have been able to trace the source. The transmission logs show several communications between Admiral Garrett and a man named Luther Sloan."

B'Elanna shook her head. "The name doesn't sound familiar to me."

"I wouldn't expect it to," replied Seven. "In most official Starfleet records, there is no Luther Sloan. However, he is mentioned multiple times in the logs of the space station Deep Space Nine, where he attempted several times to recruit a doctor named Julian Bashir."

"Recruit for what?" Harry asked.

"Have you heard of a covert Starfleet agency called Section 31?" Seven asked.

"Section 31 is a myth," Harry said. "Isn't it?"

Seven shook her head. "The Borg assimilated several Section 31 operatives. I can assure you, it is very real."

"Where is this Sloan now?" asked Tom, his fingers already reaching for the nearest console.

"Sloan is dead," Seven replied. "He was killed three years ago."

"So we're still no closer to finding Garrett," B'Elanna said, frustrated.

"No," Seven agreed, "but it would appear that Garrett, like Sloan, is a member of Section 31. If this is the case, it would explain how he got access to a Starfleet space station, advanced cloaking technology and Starfleet personnel. It would also explain how he was able to break Commander Teral out of prison without a trace of evidence left behind. Section 31 is dangerous and powerful."

Tom and B'Elanna exchanged a long glance. "We should warn the captain," he said, "and then get back to work."

Janeway and Chakotay materialized on the transporter pad at Starfleet Headquarters. It had been a week since Tom and B'Elanna had called them with the news that the cloaking technology from the station had been used to facilitate Garrett's escape, and Seven's discovery that Garrett was most likely an agent of Section 31. In spite of their efforts to the contrary, they had been excluded from the search for Garrett. Starfleet Command claimed it was too dangerous for Janeway to be involved as she was likely Garrett's next target. Her protests to the contrary had fallen on deaf ears. Until today. She and Chakotay had been summoned to an urgent meeting with Admiral Paris.

The ensign manning the transporter room greeted them. "Captain, Commander. Admiral Paris is waiting for you in Conference Room 1."

"Thank you, Ensign," she said. Chakotay offered his hand to help her down from the transporter pad, and she took it. She felt his grip slacken after she had stepped down, but she did not release his hand as they exited the transporter room.

Chakotay looked at her, obviously surprised by her public display of affection. "From now on," she said softly, "we're in this together, Chakotay."

He nodded, saying nothing, and tightened his fingers around hers. He didn't release his grip until the conference room doors swished open before them.
Admiral Paris was already present, along with Admiral Henry of Starfleet Security, Admiral Ross, and Tom, B'Elanna, Harry, and Seven.

"Captain, Commander," Admiral Paris greeted them. Janeway saw his eyes flick to their hands, which had been entwined only moments before, but he did not remark on the subject. "Please, sit down."

Janeway and Chakotay sat down at the round conference table. The air in the room was tense, and she felt Chakotay's hand cover her knee under the table.

"I've asked you all here today to inform you of Starfleet's decision regarding the investigation into Admiral Garrett's death," said Paris.

"Death?" Janeway asked. "Has a body been discovered?"

"No," said Admiral Ross, "but after reviewing the data from the crash, we have determined that the chances anyone survived are negligible."

"What about the tetryon particles?" B'Elanna asked. "It's very possible that there was another ship in the region using the same cloaking technology that Admiral Garrett used to disguise his space station."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Lieutenant," said Ross, "but you and your team have been unable to substantiate those claims after a week of constant work. You've found no solid evidence of a ship, nor have you been able to suggest where one might have gone."

"If your data was more complete and you'd allow us to go to the crash site and investigate," B'Elanna began.

Admiral Paris cut her off with a hand. "Lieutenant, please."

"Starfleet Security has already performed a thorough investigation of the crash site," said Admiral Henry. "I can assure you there's nothing further you could deduce from going there yourself."

"Captain," B'Elanna pleaded, turning to Janeway, "surely you can't allow them to…"

"This is not Captain Janeway's decision, Lieutenant," said Ross sternly. "This is a decision made by Starfleet Command."

"Just what is the decision, Admiral?" asked Chakotay.

"Admiral Vince Garrett has been declared dead," said Ross. "The search for him has been officially called off."

"After only a week?" Janeway asked. "Doesn't that seem a bit premature?"

"The Dominion War has left Starfleet somewhat compromised, Captain," Ross admitted, "both in terms of ships and personnel. We hardly have spare captains or spare vessels to go galavanting off on a wild goose chase."

"I would be happy to volunteer for the task, Admiral," she replied.

"I'm afraid it's a moot point, Kathryn," said Paris. "Starfleet Command has made its decision."

"What about Seven's findings that Admiral Garrett is most likely a Section 31 operative?" Chakotay asked.

The three admirals glanced at each other. "Starfleet command claims the organization is a myth," said Admiral Paris, "a conspiracy theory."

"Then how do they explain Commander Teral's escape, or the crash that supposedly killed Garrett?"

"We believe that it's some kind of Romulan plot," said Admiral Henry, "executed by Commander Teral and other Romulan associates of hers. There's been a great deal of intelligence chatter coming from Romulus in recent weeks. Starfleet Intelligence isn't sure what to make of it yet, but something is brewing there."

"What about the space station?" asked Janeway. "It was a Starfleet station. Admiral Garrett was clearly in command. It was staffed with Starfleet officers. You have evidence of what Garrett was doing there! Surely there must be logs and records of what was done and who was in charge."

The three admirals exchanged another glance.

"What?" Janeway asked, her eyes moving from Henry to Ross to Paris.

"There was a malfunction at the space station. The primary reactor overloaded," said Ross. "The entire station was destroyed."

"I suppose you're going to suggest that this was a Romulan plot, too?" B'Elanna said sarcastically. From the seat next to her, Tom gave her a warning look.

"There's nothing to suggest that it was anything other than a random malfunction," said Ross. "I allowed Seven of Nine to look at the data. She can confirm what I am saying."

All eyes turned to Seven. "I did examine the data from the explosion, Captain," she said to Janeway. "I did not see any immediate evidence of foul play."

Janeway was able to read through the lines of Seven's statement. No immediate evidence meant that she had not been permitted to examine the data thoroughly.

"Because of your involvement in Garrett's capture and trial, we wanted to inform you of Starfleet's decision in person," said Admiral Ross. "If there are no further questions, this meeting is dismissed." Ross looked around the table, and, seeing no one else volunteer to speak, he and Admiral Henry stood to leave. Everyone else around the table stood when the admirals did. Admiral Paris lingered behind as the other two admirals left the conference room.

"Dad, surely you can't believe what they're saying!" Tom exploded as soon as they were alone.

"Believe me, son, I have my doubts," said Admiral Paris, "but Starfleet has made its decision. I protested. I tried to get them to continue the investigation. I already pointed out everything that all of you said today, but Starfleet Command doesn't want to hear it."

"Do you think it's because someone from Section 31 has engineered this whole plot?" Chakotay asked. "And now they're covering their tracks?"

"It's very possible," Paris admitted. "But unfortunately, Section 31 is accountable to no one. They operate under the radar. Even if they are behind this, it's highly unlikely we'd ever be able to trace that back to its origins. It's also possible that Admiral Garrett is the head of this operation, and that he's disappeared and destroyed all the evidence."

"So he can continue his project somewhere else," Janeway finished.

"Also possible," said Paris.

"Or, it could be that Garrett has disappeared so that he can come back and take revenge on Kathryn," Chakotay said, his hand coming up to rest on the small of Kathryn's back.

"Yes," Admiral Paris agreed, noting Chakotay's protective gesture. "You'll all have to be very careful. Kathryn is the most obvious target, but Garrett could be out to destroy each and every one of you."

"What kind of protection or help can Starfleet offer?" Harry asked. He waited for a moment of silence before answering his own question. "Nothing." He shared a glance with Tom and shook his head. "Sometimes I think we were safer in the Delta Quadrant."

"I'm sorry, son," Admiral Paris said to Harry. "I've done everything I could. Honestly, I have."

"We understand that, Dad," Tom said, trying to be sympathetic to his father's position.

"It is possible," said Seven, "that Admiral Garrett is indeed dead." She paused. "Possible, but unlikely. I recommend we all take extreme precautions."

"I agree," said B'Elanna. "I could add some additional security measures to all of our quarters."

"What about Kathryn's house at Lake George?" Chakotay asked.

"We can do the same thing there," said B'Elanna.

Everyone looked at Janeway. She nodded. "Let's do it."

It was a perfect late summer evening at Lake George. The sun was starting to dip low in the sky, but it was still warm enough to swim in the lake or lounge on the dock. The water was calm and still, and birdsong stretched across the water as it rippled gently. Kathryn and Chakotay sat at the picnic table by the water with their former senior staff.

"More wine, Harry?" Kathryn offered.

"Thank you, Captain."

Kim extended his glass, and she poured from the chilled bottle of rose. "You know," she said, loud enough for everyone to hear, "we're not in a command structure anymore. We'll all be reassigned soon. Perhaps when we're off duty, it's time you all started calling me Kathryn."

Beside her, Chakotay smiled, resting his hand on her knee. Harry's eyes widened, and Tom grinned. The Doctor stood from his perch under a large tree and raised his glass. "I think that's an excellent idea, Kathryn," he said.

"Let's drink to it," suggested Tom.

"You'll drink to anything," B'Elanna teased him.

"In all seriousness," said Janeway, "I would like to propose a toast. To all of you. To family." As everyone clinked glasses, Janeway remembered just a few months earlier, when she'd been making the same toast but for very different reasons. Seven and Chakotay had disappeared, and she had feared them dead. Now they were both here at her side. Chakotay, seeming to know her thoughts, tightened his grip on her thigh. A moment of silence followed as everyone sipped their wine, each lost in their own thoughts of the past few months.

B'Elanna broke the silence. "Do you really think it's possible that Admiral Garrett is dead?"

"It's been three weeks since Starfleet called off the search and there's been no sign of him," said Tuvok.

"But he could just be laying low," said Harry.

"Maybe he just couldn't fathom the idea of going head to head with Captain Janeway again," Tom said, and everyone laughed.

For one month, there had been no sign of Garrett. It appeared that he was indeed gone for good, and Janeway and Chakotay had decided to invite Voyager's former senior staff for a party at Lake George to celebrate. They had spent the evening swimming and picnicking down by the lake, laughing, talking, and enjoying each other's company. Even Tuvok appeared to be having a good time.

As Tom rallied Harry, B'Elanna and Seven for another game of lake hoverball, Kathryn snuggled into Chakotay's arms. She pressed her ear to his chest, listening to the beat of his heart as she watched their "family" enjoying the lake. Tuvok approached them. "May I offer my congratulations, Kathryn," he said.

"Thank you, Tuvok. But you had an equal part in bringing down Garrett."

"I was referring to your newly formed bond with the commander."

She blushed. "Oh. Well, thank you, my old friend." She looked up at Chakotay. "We're very happy."

"I am gratified to see you so well," Tuvok said. "Congratulations to both of you."

"Thank you, Tuvok," said Chakotay, tightening his arms around Kathryn. "We're so glad you could join us for the party tonight."

The Doctor approached the couple. "Tuvok may not have the most eloquent way of saying it, but it is nice to see both of you so happy. What are your plans, moving forward?"

Kathryn pulled away so that she could fully face the Doctor, with one arm still around Chakotay. "We have another few weeks of leave left. We're still waiting for reassignment to find out what's next."

"And on a more personal level," Chakotay added, "I think we'll be looking for a house."

"That's wonderful!" the Doctor exclaimed. "You know if you should need any advice about conception or child-rearing, I have a great deal of experience with…"
He trailed off upon seeing Janeway's glare.

"It's just a house, Doctor. For the two of us."

"Of course, I understand," the Doctor replied hastily. "I just thought…" He stopped, realizing that sometimes silence was the best option, and quickly changed the subject. "Did I tell you I've been temporarily reassigned to Starfleet Medical?"

"You didn't," Janeway replied. "Congratulations, Doctor. That's great news."

"Thank you," the EMH replied.

"I guess we'll all be getting our reassignments soon," Chakotay said.

A peal of raucous laughter made them all look over at the water, where it appeared that Harry and Seven had beaten Tom and B'Elanna. The four clambered out of the water and grabbed their towels. The sun was starting to set, and the evening was cooling down. Kathryn excused herself from their conversation with the Doctor and started to clean up the picnic things.

She was standing inside at the sink, washing dishes, when she felt a warm presence by her side. "I guess you didn't have to give up hope, after all," B'Elanna said, wrapping her arm around Janeway's shoulders. She had changed out of her bathing suit and into comfortable clothes.

Kathryn smiled, thinking back to the conversation she and B'Elanna had shared on the Enterprise. "No one has been more surprised than I am, B'Elanna."

"Except maybe Chakotay," Torres replied with an even wider grin.

Kathryn laughed. "Yes, maybe." She put down the dish she was washing and took B'Elanna's hands in hers. "Thank you, for everything you said to me that day. Thank you for being there for me."

"That's what family is for," B'Elanna said, pulling Kathryn into a hug. "I'm really happy for you, Kathryn, both you and Chakotay."

"Thank you, B'Elanna."

From the doorway to the kitchen, they heard a loud male voice clear his throat. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Chakotay answered.

"Not at all," said Janeway.

"Just girl talk," B'Elanna teased her old friend.

"Far be it from me to intrude on girl talk," Chakotay said. "I just wanted to let you know that Seven and Harry are getting ready to leave."

B'Elanna looked at the chronometer. "We should go, too. Miral is with Samantha and Naomi Wildman. I don't want to impose on too much of their time."

"All right," said Kathryn. "Thanks so much for coming. We'll see you again soon."

Hugs and well wishes went all around, and soon, everyone was gone. Kathryn took Chakotay's hand and silently led him down to the dock. The sun was just beginning to dip into the lake, casting its golden glow on a strip of fluffy clouds that stretched across the horizon. The sky was turning a deep orange, and the bottom of the cloud line seemed to be on fire.

Chakotay wrapped his arms around Kathryn from behind. "Beautiful, isn't it?" she murmured.

"Not as beautiful as you."

She laughed. "You do know how to charm a girl, Chakotay."

He grew quiet, and his arms tightened around her as the sky around the sun became an even deeper orange-red and the sun slowly disappeared from view.
She turned her face to look up at him and saw his pensive expression. "What?"

"What if Starfleet assigns me to be your first officer again?"

"What if…?" She paused, realizing what he was asking, and tightened her hands over his strong arms that encircled her waist. "It's different now, Chakotay. We're in the Alpha Quadrant."

He nibbled on her ear. "You'd be willing to serve together in a command structure and be together?"

She looked out at the lake, where the strips of clouds were now lined with lavender and pink. "People do it. Look at Commander Riker and Counselor Troi."

"People do do it," he said softly, "but would you do it?"

She sighed. "I've always thought that a captain has to maintain a certain distance from her crew."

Chakotay's arms fell from around her waist and he stepped away from her. "I see."

She turned around quickly. "But maybe it's time that I changed." She reached for his hands, grasping them and pulling him towards her. "Whatever our reassignments, Chakotay, I want to make this work. I told you, we're together now." She let go of his hands and reached up to take his face between her palms. She raised herself up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. "I love you."

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply, pressing his tongue into her mouth as if to claim her as his. He pressed the length of his body against hers, and slid one hand down her back to her buttocks, pulling her closer. She moaned softly as she felt him harden against her stomach. He broke the kiss and looked deep into her eyes. "I love you, Kathryn Janeway, and I am never, ever letting you go." She squealed as he picked her up, cradling her in his arms and carrying her into the house. They left a trail of clothes between the door and the bedroom, and after they had sated their passion, they finally fell into a deep sleep.

Neither of them noticed a small, seemingly inconsequential blip on B'Elanna's enhanced security system. There was no time for either of them to see or hear it before it disappeared, and everything appeared to be normal.