February of 2363

The next two years are spent monitoring movements. By the end, I can safely say that the Cardassians are the same in this timeline as my other future. After months of patience, we found their weapons cache just within our border.

The Cardassians had built a state of the art facility within our space close enough to the Badlands to disrupt scans. To know that they had been planning for war long before the Treaty was signed makes me sick.

Over the course of the last two years, I have only spent a couple weeks every few months with my family. As it stands, I haven't seen Chakotay in four months.

"This is McKinley station. You are clear to land, Voyager."

"Nice and easy lieutenant."

After my crew has all disembarked, I beam down to Starfleet Headquarters to talk to Admirals Thomas and Paris.

"Go right in. The Admirals are waiting for you." Thomas's aide directs.

"Good afternoon, sirs."

"Captain Janeway. We both just finished going over your final report. Through all the information you have given us over the last few years, I was hoping the Cardassians would be different. To know how much they had done right under our noses makes me angry."

"In my timeline, the peace talks begin in two years. I assume this weapons facility is why they wanted to renegotiate territorial lines."

"I think I agree with that assessment. That much weapons power, and they wouldn't even have to head to Cardassian territory to retrieve it."

"They are a military race, and their morals are limited. I'm not shocked by their deception. I'm just glad that we caught them this time. No matter what I have told the Federation, without proof of Cardassian misdeeds, I feel like the council would've gone ahead with a treaty anyway."

"I think you are right, Katie. The Federation's founding principal is peace." Admiral Paris agrees with a nod of his head.

"I know you are ready to see your family, Janeway. You are dismissed. Be back at headquarters bright and early Monday to start debriefs."

"Aye, Admiral. It was good seeing you both."

I walk into the kitchen of my family's Indiana home and see a sight I have sorely missed over the last two years.

"Well isn't this quaint."

Sitting around the small table are my parents, my sister and my husband. In front of them are mugs of tea and coffee. A big platter of brownie sits in the middle of the table.

Chakotay stands up and kisses me like he is trying to make up for the last four months.

"Chakotay, don't suffocate my daughter the day she gets back."

"Sorry, momma."

Chakotay leads me to the table and pulls out the seat beside him.

"It's good to be home." I say as I grab a caramel brownie.

"You're home for six weeks?"

"Debriefing for six weeks before I head back out on Voyager. But we are staying a lot closer to Earth for the next few years. Mostly making milk runs and carrying dignitaries. Our first trip is to the Dorvan system. I have asked if I could bring a couple important guests. If you are interested…"

"Of course, Katie. I haven't seen Kolopak and Yatzil since they came over a year ago for Christmas. Put in leave Edward."

"Yes, ma'am. I guess I'm coming, too. I would like to see them again. And to see Trebus."

"I'm a part of the invited?" Phoebe asks, looking slightly unsure. At my nod, she continues. "I'll bring my sketch pad. I have a feeling this place is beautiful."

Chakotay and I both nod dazedly. Trebus is beautiful, almost more than words can describe.

….

That's why when we land almost seven weeks later I love seeing the look on Phoebe's face. My momma and daddy seem to be finding it just as hard to catch their breaths at the sights surrounding them.

"Come momma. Come dad. My parents' home is along this path." We trudge towards their home and see the door open just as we approach.

"Come family. I understand you probably require respite. There is tea in the kitchen. And some snacks as well."

"Tonight, there is a celebration, so we will take the afternoon easy."

"Anam?" I ask.

"Anam, daughter." Yatzil responds.

The rest of the day is spent catching up before Kolopak tells us all to prepare for the celebration. It is a warm spring night on Trebus, so I decide to wear a mid-sleeve red dress. Yatzil, my sister and mother adopt similar styles in light orange, emerald green, and lilac respectively.

Kolopak and Chakotay are dressed alike in dark pants and cream colored tops. My father's pants are khaki, and his short sleeve shirt is white.

We all walk together to Anam in silence. I am ready to see how my parents and my sister react.

When we reach the peak of the hill, we stop.

Everyone is mesmerized like I was the first night I saw Anam reflecting the moonlight.

"This might be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." Phoebe whispers. I understand the urge to be quiet. The peace is heavy, and there is a feeling that loud speech will be disrupting.

"This is Anam." Kolopak pronounces.

"Come so we may begin the festival." Yatzil encourages.

Much like the first time, the tribal leader begins with an unseen knowledge that we have arrived.

"Anam is a sacred place to our people. A portal to worlds beyond our comprehension. It is a place of blessing and understanding. Tonight we honor the family of Chakotay. The union was blessed many moons ago, perhaps before our ancestors were even aware of Anam. Perhaps before this plane began. The last few years have been spent in preparation. Today, we are celebrating this place of the spirits who have led Kathryn. She has given Anam's people hope and breath. She has heard the prayer carried on the winds and has answered its call. Anam."

"Anam."

This is the first time my family has met the majority of the tribe, and it is also the first time many of the tribe have seen Chakotay since he took his forefathers' mark.

Many greetings are shared throughout the evening. We are regaled with tales of the spirits' workings.

I hear one near the end of the evening of the Coyote, and I think of Tom Paris.

"The coyote is cunning. He is the master prankster. Many people are weary of him and try to lead him astray, but those people do not understand the true heart of the coyote. For the coyote is the most giving of spirits. Coyote brought fire to our people when all other spirits were too afraid. When the fire was lost, his cleverness alone brought fire back to life."

I make a note in my head to visit Tom at the academy when Voyager gets back to Earth.

"The sun is rising at Anam. Gaze at the majesty, and then depart to your homes so the spirits may rest."