Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures

THE REAL YOU

CHAPTER 6

In the downstairs lounge of Chakotay's lodge, Kathryn and Justine unraveled a 50th birthday banner they had made for Chakotay.

"When will he get up?" Justine asked. "I so can't wait!"

"Any moment now, darling," Kathryn said.

Just as she spoke, the sound of a door opening drifted into the lounge and Kathryn picked up one side of the banner. "That's him now. Quickly, grab the banner."

Justine grabbed the banner and they held it up between them. Then Chakotay walked into the lounge and they waved the banner as they greeted him.

"Happy birthday Chakotay!"

Chakotay stopped, stunned, but then laughed.

"What a surprise!"

"And we have more surprises for you," Justine said. "We've made a special birthday breakfast for you, and we've put a pile of presents in the lounge upstairs for you. We've also made you a birthday cake, a beautiful chocolate one that is in the lounge too, and it has a silver candle on it. We couldn't put more than one on it because you're really old and there wouldn't be enough room. But you'll so love it, Chakotay!"

"I'm sure I will," he smiled. "Thank you. I totally wasn't expecting any of this."

"Well," Kathryn replied, "that's what surprises are. Unexpected." She kissed his cheek and hugged him. "Happy birthday."

"You'll have to eat your breakfast before opening your presents," Justine said as they drew apart, "because we've got you lots and you'll need lots of energy to open them. That is if you're hungry. I hope you are. I'm starving. Me and Mommy haven't had breakfast yet because we want to eat with you."

"Then we'd better fill up," he smiled. "Lead the way!"

Justine proudly led the way and Kathryn followed them upstairs. When they got to the kitchen, Justine flung the door open and pulled Chakotay inside.

"Here it is, Chakotay. Your birthday breakfast! We've made eggs and waffles and all your favorite things!"

"So I can see," he smiled, looking at the spread of scrambled eggs, fried tomatoes, veggie sausages, waffles, mushrooms, toast, and an array of fruits. There was also a jug of orange juice and hot coffee served in Kathryn's precious coffee-cup set. "This is amazing. Thank you."

"We've spent ages making it all," Justine told him. "Ages! Of course, we replicated it all because Mommy's a no good cook and I'm too small to reach the stove. Do you know I'm the smallest person in my class, Chakotay? But Mrs Monroe, my teacher, says that what I lack in size I make up for in brains. She says it's better to be short and smart than tall and stupid, but I'd rather be a little more tall and a little less smart."

"Well, I think you're perfect just as you are," Chakotay smiled. "And definitely the prettiest girl in your class."

"You haven't seen the others."

"I've seen you," he said. "That's enough."

Justine laughed and then climbed onto a chair so she could get stuck into breakfast. As she did, Chakotay turned to Kathryn.

"When you were in the lounge," he said, "you didn't go onto the balcony, did you?"

"Why?" Kathryn asked curiously. "What's on the balcony that I shouldn't see?"

"Nothing."

"There must be something or you wouldn't be asking."

"It's a surprise," he smiled.

"For me? On your birthday?"

"Maybe, or maybe for another day."

"Oh tell me what it is, Chakotay. Put me out of my misery."

But Chakotay wasn't telling. "To quote a certain lady," he smiled, "good things come to those who wait." He then pointed to a chair. "Now, you take a seat and I'll be right back."

"Right back from where? From hiding your surprise on the balcony?"

"That's for me to know and for me to know."

With that, he kissed her cheek and left the room.

"I know what his surprise is," Justine said cheekily from the table.

"You do?" Kathryn asked, sitting opposite her daughter. "He's told you?"

"Maybe," Justine laughed.

"He has, hasn't he? Tell me what it is."

"I can't," she said, "because then it wouldn't be a surprise, Mommy."

Kathryn affectionate tapped Justine's freckled nose. "Conspiracy," she smiled. "That's what this is!"

When breakfast was over, Kathryn, Chakotay and Justine made their way to the lounge.

"I suppose it would be safe now for me to venture onto the balcony?" Kathryn asked, still probing about her surprise as they entered the room.

"All yours," Chakotay smiled.

Justine pointed to a huge pile of presents on the dining table. "And these are all yours, Chakotay."

"All of them?" he asked.

"Every single one," she said happily.

"Then Christmas has come early," he smiled.

Justine laughed and wandered over to the table.

"This something that was on the balcony," Kathryn said, "is it big or small?"

Chakotay turned to her in amusement. "You don't give up, do you?"

"Never."

"Then let's just say it's big and small."

"Big and small? How can that be?"

"You'll see."

Justine called to Chakotay from the table. "Come on, Chakotay! Come and open your presents! I can't wait for you to open them!"

"Then I'd better not keep you waiting," he smiled.

He walked over to the table and Justine handed him a parcel wrapped in red paper.

"This one's from me," she said. "All the red gifts are. The gold gifts are from Mommy. I wrapped mine, which is why they don't look so nice, and Mommy wrapped hers. It's very hard to wrap presents, Chakotay, when you're only eight."

"I'm sure it is," he laughed. "But you've done a grand job. Thank you. Both of you. All this really is a wonderful surprise."

Kathryn smiled. "There's more to come."

"There is?"

"Yes. So I hope you have no plans for this afternoon."

"None. But what's happening?"

Kathryn's eyes sparkled. "That's for me to know and for me to know."

"I suppose I deserved that," he laughed.

"Presents, Chakotay!" Justine cried. "Presents!"

Chakotay at last began to open his presents and Justine watched with great joy as he did. Amongst the many gifts were chocolates; candy; aftershave; novelty socks; a bottle of green bubble bath that Justine had insisted upon; two shirts; tennis shorts; craft tools; and the gift Kathryn had got for him on their vacation, an antique wristwatch.

"I'm told the face is at least two hundred years old," Kathryn said as he took the gold strapped, black faced, watch out of its box. "I found it in the antique fair we visited in Vienna. It was in pretty bad shape, and was strapless, but I got a strap made and had the face restored. At first I thought about giving it to you as it was, so you could fashion it to your liking, but then I thought it would be a better present restored. But if it's not to your taste then we can have it changed."

"It's perfect," Chakotay said. "Just perfect. But how did you know I've always wanted one?"

"I saw the way you were admiring the antique collection at Dunrobin Castle. So, when I saw this scraggy remnant of history in the fair, I had to get it for you." She smiled. "Appreciation doesn't have to be as vocal as mine was over the coffee-cup set."

Chakotay laughed. "Thank you. Antique watches are very hard to come by and this...it's very special."

"I had it engraved on the back. Take a peek."

Chakotay turned the watch over and saw an italic inscription. It read To Chakotay, love Kathryn.

"It's amazing," Chakotay said, tenderly running a finger over the words. "I'll treasure this gift always."

Justine climbed onto his lap. "Want me to put it on you, Chakotay?"

"Yes," he smiled. "I'd like that very much."

When all the presents had been opened, and the cake had been presented, it was time for Justine to leave. Kathryn took her to the transporter station, beamed her safely to her destination, and then returned to Chakotay's lodge. When she got there, Chakotay was waiting for her in the downstairs lounge.

"I got my little sprog off ok," Kathryn smiled as she entered the room. "Now there's just us."

Chakotay got to his feet and took her in his arms. "Does that mean I can have a birthday kiss?"

"Yes," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. "It does."

Chakotay smiled and Kathryn kissed him softly. Then she looked at him with a gleam in her eye. "My surprise. Are you giving it to me now?"

"No," he replied. "Are you giving me mine?"

"More like taking you to it."

"An outing?"

"Of sorts. So, get yourself to your bedroom and into the outfit on your bed."

Chakotay smiled, dimples showing. "Yes, Ma'am."

Thirty minutes later, Chakotay was in the outfit and back in the lounge. The outfit was a Starfleet uniform, old style, and on his forehead was a black tattoo. Kathryn was in the same uniform, her rank captain, and her hair was a smart bob, courtesy of a wig.

"I don't need to be psychic to know where we're going," Chakotay said. "But battling aliens in Tom's holo-novel isn't exactly what I thought you had in mind."

Kathryn smiled. "What makes you think we'll be battling aliens?"

"The general nature of Tom's adventures."

"Well, not this time. He's rewritten the ending, after persistent ear bashing from B'Elanna, and I've booked us some holo-time so we can act it out."

Chakotay smiled, eyes twinkling. "So much for my hope we were going swimming in the Gulf of Mexico."

Kathryn laughed. "We will, I promise. But not today."

"So," Chakotay said as they walked onto Voyager's holographic bridge. "What's the background story? All the same but no C/7?"

"Mostly the same with some J/C," she smiled. "Ready to play?"

"Let's play."

They sat in their respective chairs and Kathryn addressed the computer. "Computer, begin."

At those words, Voyager's bridge filled with people, noise and smoke, and lights flashed. On the viewscreen blue lights swirled, the dazzling blue lights of the transwarp aperture, and at the helm Tom Paris piloted them through it.

"Shields at 10%" Harry cried from his post. "9% and falling."

Kathryn glanced at her monitor and saw that Voyager was almost through the transwarp aperture.

"We're almost there," she said. "Keep going, Tom."

"Shields at 5%," Harry declared. "3%"

Suddenly, Voyager shook violently as it was fired upon by a pursuing Borg cube,

"Shields at 1%" Harry cried. "Structural integrity failing."

Kathryn got to her feet. "Take us out of the aperture, Tom. Now!"

"It might kill us!" he yelled.

"Another hit from the borg definitely will. Do it!"

Tom obeyed and steered the great starship into the pulsating blue walls of the transwarp tunnel. Voyager shook with extreme turbulence and both Kathryn and Chakotay were thrown to the floor. Then the shaking stopped and all was calm.

"Report," Kathryn said, getting to her feet.

"We're in open space," Harry replied. "No cubes pursuing."

"Our position?"

"The Alpha Quadrant...About 100 light years from Earth."

Suddenly, a baby's cry filled the bridge and the Doctor spoke. "Doctor to Lieutenant Paris. Someone wants to say hello."

Kathryn turned to Tom and smiled. "Get down there, Tom."

As Tom left, Tuvok spoke. "We have sustained heavy damage to all primary systems and the warp-drive is offline. Repairs must be made before we can resume our journey."

"Repairs can wait," Kathryn declared. "We're back in the Alpha Quadrant, only weeks from home. I say we celebrate!"

"I say we do too," Harry smiled, tears in his eyes. "I say we throw the biggest party the Alpha Quadrant has ever seen!"

"Then get throwing it," Kathryn said. "Seven, assist him." She then hit her commbadge. "This is the Captain to all. Our trip didn't quite go as planned, but I'm delighted to inform you that we have safely made it to the Alpha Quadrant. We are still a few weeks from Earth, but after 75,000 light years, that's as good as home to me. To celebrate, we're having a party in the mess hall as soon as Ensign Kim and Seven of Nine can get it started, and you're all invited. Welcome home all!"

Everything on the bridge froze and then all the people disappeared.

Chakotay got out of his chair and turned to Kathryn. "Is that the end?"

"No," she smiled, "just of the scene."

On the viewscreen, a message read: "Captain, go to Ready Room. First Officer, follow in 60 seconds."

"That's us," Kathryn said. "Let's follow the cue!"

With that, she walked into the ready room, leaving Chakotay on the bridge. Inside the ready room, Kathryn replicated a cup of holographic coffee, and sat at the captain's desk. Almost as soon as she did, the door chime played.

"Come in!"

The doors opened and Chakotay came in.

"The party's in full swing," he said, having been given a synopsis of the scene by the viewscreen, "all we're missing is our captain."

"I'm on my way," she smiled. "I'm just finishing up my report for Starfleet Command so Tuvok can send it. The sooner he does, the sooner our loved ones will know we're on our way home."

"That's hardly news," he teased. "We've been on our way home for seven years."

Kathryn laughed, pressed some buttons on her computer, and got to her feet. "All done."

"When we do get home," Chakotay said. "I hope you'll keep your promise."

"My promise?"

"To come swimming with me in the Gulf of Mexico."

Kathryn smiled. "I always keep my promises."

Chakotay then slowly closed the gap between them. "There's somewhere else I'd like us to go together," he said seriously. "I'd like us to visit my homeworld. The last time I was there, it was nothing but a planet of burning ruins. All the people, all the tribes, all the life, nothing but smoking ashes. For so long, even now, when I close my eyes that's all I see. I'd like to go there, with someone special, and share my memories of how things used to be so that I can remember." He looked deep into Kathryn's eyes. "There's no one I'd rather take than you."

A tear ran down Kathryn's cheek. "It would be my privilege, Chakotay."

They gazed deep into each other's eyes and lost themselves in each other until Naomi Wildman spoke over the comm. "Captain's assistant to the Captain. Please hurry up to the party. We're all waiting for you!"

"I'm on my way," Kathryn said.

The connection then terminated and Chakotay held out his arm to her. "Shall we?"

Kathryn took his arm with a smile. "Let's go, Sir."

Together, they walked out of her ready room and straight into the mess hall. A crowd of people were gathered and balloons were everywhere. As soon as Kathryn and Chakotay entered the hall, streamers rained down upon them and the crowd cried:

"Happy Birthday Chakotay!"

Chakotay was taken aback for a moment and then he laughed.

"You sneaky woman, Kathryn Janeway. Getting me here on false pretenses!"

Kathryn laughed. "Well, how else was I going to get you to a party?"

B'Elanna approached now, dressed in a gorgeous red gown, and she hugged Chakotay. "Happy birthday, big guy."

Tom then punched his shoulder. "We got you, old man! Happy Birthday!"

Justine appeared out of the crowd. "Even I'm here, Chakotay. Happy birthday...again!"

Chakotay laughed. "Thank you, all of you. But what am I going to do with you all?"

"Enjoy the party with us," B'Elanna smiled. "So, big guy, get stuck in!"

That night, when the party was long over, Kathryn stood on the balcony of Chakotay's lodge and gazed out at the lake. It twinkled silver beneath a sky full of stars and in its glassy surface a pearly crescent moon reflected.

"It's so beautiful here," Kathryn said as Chakotay joined her. "So beautiful and peaceful. When I'm here, I never want to leave."

Chakotay put his hand on her shoulder. "When you're here," he said. "I never want you to leave."

Kathryn turned to him and looked deep into his eyes. "A few weeks ago, I didn't even know your name. But today, I can't imagine a day without you. And I don't want to imagine it. I don't ever want us to be apart." Tears filled her eyes. "Chakotay, will you..."

But before she could say the words, Chakotay silenced her with a finger to her lips.

"I never gave you my surprise," he said. "Let me give it to you now."

He kissed her forehead and then disappeared into the lounge. Moment later, he reappeared with a big blue box tied up with silver ribbon.

"I was going to give this to you at the weekend," he said, putting the gift down on a table, "but the time is right now."

Kathryn went over to the table and eagerly opened the box, hoping to find a smaller one inside. But to her disappointment, she found something else. For inside, sitting in white tissue, was a beautifully hand crafted wooden Rolo.

"It's a cookie jar," Chakotay said. "I made it to go with your coffee-cup set."

Kathryn's disappointment was visible but she tried to disguise it with a smile. "It's wonderful," she said. ""Just what my coffee-set needs. Thank you."

"That's why I wanted to know if you'd come out here. He, or rather his nose, was out here drying."

"That would explain it," Kathryn said sadly.

"Justine found him in my craft room the other day, when she was looking in places she shouldn't, so I had to let her in on the secret."

"That's Justine. Always looking where she shouldn't." Unable to keep up a front anymore, Kathryn closed the box and picked it up. "Well, I'd better go take a shower. See you in a bit."

She began to walk away, but Chakotay called after her.

"Kathryn," he said, "look inside the jar."

Kathryn turned back to him, profound longing in her eyes, and put the box back down. She then reopened it and Chakotay moved to her side.

"The head comes off," he said. "Lift it by the ears."

Kathryn did as he said and happy tears filled her eyes when she saw a white velvet box inside.

"Oh Chakotay," she whispered.

Carefully, she pulled the box out and slowly opened it. Inside, nestled in white silk, was a sparkling diamond ring.

"I love you, Kathryn Janeway," Chakotay said, going down on one knee. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes," she laughed. "Yes, yes!"

Chakotay took the ring out of the box, gently placed it on her finger, and then they joyfully held each other tight.

END OF CHAPTER 6