Counterplay
Summary: Counterplay: in chess, an active maneuvering by the player in an inferior or defensive position. An episode "re-write" for Endgame (s7e25), in which the visitor from the future is not Admiral Janeway… Adventure, J/C romance
Author's notes: This story is my first foray into the J/C fandom after watching the series for the first time. I see it as a "fix-it" for Endgame (s07e25), or the way I wish that episode had gone, if only TPTB had changed some key elements, like who got to travel back in time and, of course, whom Chakotay ends up with. I tried to stick to canon as much as possible, however, so I borrowed – and sometimes lightly tweaked – some of the original episode dialogues (no infringement intended!), which some of you will no doubt recognize… Part II is where I diverge from the show as it takes us through Voyager's actual return to Earth. It's probably not that original, but I hope you'll enjoy it nonetheless.
Note as of Sept 2017: I just recently rewatched the series for the second time and I realized that the younger Borg children actually leave Voyager in "Imperfection". For some reason I must have missed this episode when I first watched the series (and wrote this), so they appear in this story. Since this is a "what-if" scenario, I'll leave it as is, and maybe in the future I'll fix it to make it closer to canon. Apologies for this and any other mistakes!
Pairing/warnings: While this is J/C all the way – there is some necessary (very light) Chakotay/Seven in the early chapters, but bear with me! I could barely stand to watch their scenes on the show, so I've had absolutely no inclination to writethem. There's also a little bit of B'Elanna/Tom thrown in there. Also, I feel that I should add a 'character death' warning, but rest assured that it only applies to the characters from the alternate timeline, so please, don't let that stop you!
Rating: Teen
Disclaimer: the characters and the Part I storyline are the property of CBS, this is for entertainment only! No infringement intended.
PART I
Prologue
April 16th 2404 (Stardate 78769.5)
It wasn't the first time she had set foot on this planet, yet she could never quite prepare herself for the hot and dry wind that rushed in and engulfed her vessel's atmosphere when she opened the latch. The air, though breathable, left a strange warmth inside her lungs as she inhaled. The harsh, rocky environment of this section of this planet was unforgiving for even the most resilient lifeforms, so she made sure her water canteen was secure at her waist before she stepped fully out into the planet's brutal sun rays. Her body was not used to this heat, but she knew she would quickly adapt as she resolutely took the path down the rocky outcrop that would take her to the slightly more hospitable area of the valley below.
By the time she reached her destination, beads of sweat trickled down her temple and moistened her upper lip. She stopped to take in her surroundings and take a sip of water. Her destination, which B'Elanna Torres had sarcastically labeled 'the Hide-out,' was a small rectangular structure, made of sun-baked clay. It lay in the shades of a protruding rocky outcrop near one of the few sources of fresh water of the area. This privileged access to water meant that a few bushes and even green grasses sporadically surrounded the area, and the occupant was even able to grow a small garden.
She methodically looked around, processing various details in one single sweep of the area: a small fire with a kettle hanging over it was left unattended a short distance from the house; new painted designs on the exterior surface of the house – in a mix of yellows, reds and purples; seven Starfleet containers – the provisions that Tom and Nick Paris had said they had brought on their last visit – neatly stacked by the house.
Over the years, she had obtained sufficient knowledge of human philosophy and psychology to understand all too well why, of all the planets available in the Alpha Quadrant, he had chosen this one.
It had been years, yet he was still trying to punish himself.
A long time ago, she would not have been able to identify the feelings that this realization evoked in her, but now that knowledge saddened her. No, it angered her. Because he was trying to punish himself for something that was not his doing. His guilt was misplaced and therefore inconsequential.
She walked closer to the fire, looking around as she did so, searching him. She heard the sound of his feet against the gravelly ground before she saw him, and moments later he appeared from behind the house. The container filled with water he was carrying from the well stooped his shoulder as he hauled it towards the fire. His pace faltered briefly when he spotted her, but then he carried on to his destination.
"Chakotay," Annika greeted with a nod.
He dropped the container by the fire and straightened to look at her. He looked even frailer than the last time she had seen him, and the whiteness of his hair created a sharp contrast with the darkness of his eyes. They, however, were like she remembered: penetrating, yet warm. Once those eyes had reflected his peace, but now they only reflected his torments.
"Since when do you make social calls?" Was his greeting.
"This isn't a social call."
He smiled humorlessly. "Didn't think so."
Annika was used to his cynicism by now, and while it usually left her unaffected, today it only fueled her irritation. When she had first known him, he had been a strong man, not only in the physical sense, but emotionally and spiritually. A man of moral character, with a quiet strength that compelled trust. A man she had looked up to even before they had started their ill-fated romance.
But the man she was looking at now was a mere shadow of the man she had known over twenty years ago, and it was not because of the marks of time on his body.
"You weren't at the festivities," she commented, stepping closer, as he sat down by the fire.
"The memorial, you mean," he corrected bitterly. "No. I can't say I see the point of celebrating that particular anniversary."
Annika had heard this kind of bitterness before and she could hardly swallow back her annoyance. His tendency for self-pity was truly pathetic. "While Voyager's return home was not as happy-ended as most of you had hoped, you should take some pride in the fact that it happened, at least. I'm certain she would be proud of your achievement."
He stiffened, but merely added some herbs into the boiling pot and stirred.
Aware that she had touched a sensitive nerve by bring her up, Annika waited for some time in silence and simply watched as he tasted whatever culinary concoction he was preparing.
"So what have you been up to?" He finally asked. "No offense, but you look like hell," he commented as he glanced up at her.
"No offense taken. My appearance is in fact related to my presence here. As you're aware, B'Elanna and I have spent the last several weeks undercover, working with Klingon operatives. It hasn't been…a walk in the park, to use a common Earth analogy."
That brought a small smile to his lips. Annika had to admit, it was good to see. Even though her romantic feelings for him had long been put behind her and forgotten, she still considered Chakotay to be one of her closest friends, and she wished him well.
"How is B'Elanna?" He asked with genuine concern.
"Unchanged. You know she never truly recovered from what happened to her daughter. However, this quest has given her a new sense of purpose, and Tom Paris agrees that it has been beneficial for her well-being," Annika replied as she sat down on the ground across the fire from Chakotay. "In fact, I came here to tell you that we've obtained what we were looking for."
That caught Chakotay's full attention as his gaze sharply focused on hers.
"The reason I attended the…festivities myself," Annika went on, "was so we could appeal to Captain Kim to assist us."
"And?"
"He was reluctant at first, but B'Elanna can be persuasive when she so chooses." That prompted another small smile. "She, Tom and Captain Kim are modifying a shuttle as we speak."
Chakotay let out a lengthy sigh. It seemed to convey as much wistfulness as it did relief. "So this is truly happening then. You're going back in time to present our plan to Captain Janeway?"
"Yes." She paused. "If she lets me."
That prompted another smile, a little wider this time, one that revealed a dimpled cheek. For the first time in years she recognized the man she had known, and she could not help but smile a little herself.
"Yeah, she could be pretty stubborn," he agreed on a quiet chuckle. "But she'll listen to you. I have something that might help. Hold on." He stood with some difficulty, slightly bent over from apparent back pain, and disappeared into his house before returning with a pad. The Doctor would be able to resolve such pains, but, it was like Annika had concluded before: Chakotay somehow imagined himself to deserve such suffering.
"If she doesn't listen to you, you should appeal to the timeline's version of myself, even if it means telling him what's about to happen. And if all fails, give him this," he added as he handed her the PADD.
"What is it?"
"Excerpts from my personal log. It starts with the day she…" he swallowed visibly. "… the day I took the Captaincy."
"I'll make good use of this," Annika assured as she stood to her feet and took it to place it in her bag.
"I miss her," he admitted as he stood facing her, hands on hips, his gaze cast down.
"As do I."
"I wish I could go with you."
"However illogical that sentiment is, I understand. But we all agreed that to send me was the most sensible option."
"Erick's still okay with that?"
Annika dropped her gaze, wary of showing the twinge of pain that his question caused. "He understands. He's hopeful that we will find each other again."
Chakotay nodded, then forced a teasing smile onto his face. "I know she won't want to hear it, but tell Kathryn 'hi' from me."
Annika gave a small smile intended to be reassuring as she put her hand over his and squeezed his fingers. "I will do all I can to ensure that you never have to say goodbye in the first place."
oooOooo