The Cube was eerily quiet but he knew it was just the calm before the storm. It had been quiet each time between the screaming but they had soon come again, leaving it long enough to let them believe they'd been forgotten about. Harry had gone first and then Tom, taken by the Borg to be processed. He knew he should be mourning them but instead all he felt was guilty, guilty that he had left Voyager with only half of its command crew. He hoped they wouldn't come looking for them, that they'd flee when they realised the Borg were nearby rather than try and mount a rescue attempt.
So much for keeping the ship safe but he always knew, since he had been forced into command, it was Voyager that needed to get back to the Alpha quadrant; it didn't matter who was lost along the way. He heard the beat of metal plated feet on the grating outside his cell, one of the emotionless drones sent to take him to what might as well be his death. Part of him wanted to fight but he knew there was little point, the Borg more than capable of over-powering him however hard he fought.
The door slid open but he didn't look up, not wanting to see the emotionless eyes of the drone they had sent for him. He was hoisted to his feet, the strength of the drone greater even than a Vulcan with its augmented limbs, and he felt himself being pulled from this way to that and examined like livestock at a cattle market. A cold steel hand took hold of his chin, forcing his head up and beneath the metal and technology he was forced to look into two familiar dark blue eyes…
Chakotay woke with a start, swiftly banishing the horrible image that had taken him in his sleep. His scrubbed his hands over his eyes, feeling the familiar cold sweat he had grown used to waking with. It wasn't the first time his mind had created the horrific vision of Kathryn assimilated into the ranks of the Borg, the nightmare having presented itself to him within a fortnight of the battle that had taken her life. He lay back against the pillows and stared up at the ceiling, the aspect of the room familiar to him after two months spent in Kathryn's former quarters. He threw an arm over his eyes, trying to force himself back to sleep but knowing that it would be elusive, however he rationalised the image it always managed to disturb him. He refused to think on the odds of Kathryn having been assimilated, preferring despite the pain to think of her as dead than suffering the fate she had feared above all others.
He looked over at the chronometer and groaned, knowing when he finally drifted back off it would be moments before the alarm sounded to wake him for his shift and decided he was better placed to get up. He climbed out of bed and made his way on instinct to the bathroom, only calling for low lighting when he stood before the mirror. He took a cursory glance at his appearance, the dark circles common place beneath his eyes from his disturbed nights. He had seen the doctor about his dreams but the hypos containing the drug that would help him through them lay lined up and unused on the table beside Kathryn's bed, part of him wanting to keep the nightmares when he had accepted her death in every other part of his life.
He tossed his nightclothes into the recycler and tugged a clean uniform from the storage unit in the corner that contained his clothes, Kathryn's wardrobe and dresser left undisturbed since she had left them. He was gradually integrating his things into what had become his quarters but whilst publicly Kathryn was now only mentioned as a memory he wanted to retain her more fully in private. He sat down on the dresser chair to pull on his boots but paused as the framed holo-image of her that sat before him caught his attention. The picture had been taken in Sandrine's at a birthday party for one of the ensigns in engineering. Despite the festivities they had both been in uniform but their jackets had soon been discarded as they hade relaxed amongst their colleagues. It had been prior to their exile on New Earth but their friendship had already shown its strength and neither of them had been particularly interested in the rest of the rooms occupants, content to be sat at the bar in conversation while the party had continued around them.
Tom had been the one to disturb them, the holo-imager in his hand seeming to make him beyond all rank as he all but commanded them to pose for a picture. Chakotay had expected Kathryn to demurely wave her helmsman away but instead she had smiled brightly and shocked both men by wrapping her arm strongly around her First Officer's waist, posing for the picture. It had been the next morning when Tom had brought a copy to Chakotay's office and he had kept it hidden away at the back of his hand written diary since. He had been surprised when he had found the picture on Kathryn's dresser after her death, expecting to see photos of her family or Mark in the most personal area of her quarters, the sight once more confirmation to him of the feelings they had shared.
He reached out and picked up the picture, unable to keep the small smile from his face at the happy expression on both of theirs, remembering a happier time in their lives on Voyager. The gesture had become commonplace in his morning routine, as comforting to him as any meditation he could undertake.
"These dreams have got to stop Kathryn," he said to the picture, "Think you can have a word with my muse, if anyone can get it to straighten out its you?"
There was no answer forthcoming but he still took comfort in speaking to her, often ending the day with news of the ship as they had done during their shared dinners in her quarters. He set the picture back on the dresser and picked up his collar pin, still the one Kathryn had issued him at the beginning of their voyage. His pips, her pips, that he should have been wearing as an indication of the rank he was now addressed by, he still kept in his pocket.
"I hope Tom has slept on his hair brained scheme for that new holo-program," he said, "I can just see it getting out of hand but I know if I forbid it he'll only go ahead and it'll be all the harder to police. I can see why you turned to coffee, they run me ragged. Speaking of coffee, I have to remember to speak to B'Elanna about your replicator, I'm starting to realise that it wasn't just a case of it not liking you. Guess it's the mess hall for me this morning. At least it'll be quiet at this time off day."
He pinned his comm.-badge to the front of his jacket and double-checked the alignment of his pin before he got to his feet.
"Here's hoping today's quiet," he said, "But if it isn't I guess I'll have more to tell you tonight. I'll talk to you later."
He headed to the door, pausing between the bedroom and the living quarters and looking back. He smiled as the shadows of the room and the rumpled covers of the bed gave the illusion of someone still lying asleep. He allowed himself to imagine the faintest hint of auburn hair spread out on the pillow, the steady rise and fall of slumbering breaths beneath the covers.
"Goodbye Kathryn," he said finally leaving the room.
As soon as he reached the corridor he paused, forcing himself to leave any grief he felt behind him as he assumed the aura of command he needed on the Bridge. The route to the mess hall was thankfully quiet, the gamma shift still hard at work whilst the rest of the crew slept but the ship had been quieter in the passed two months than ever before, the corridors often empty even at the traditionally busier times of the day.
The mess hall was dark when he arrived, quickly ordering a coffee and settling himself near the view port, sitting back in the chair to enjoy the peace before the hoards descended.
"Couldn't sleep either, Captain?"
It was all Chakotay could do not to spill the piping hot liquid in his hand as a voice rang out to him in the darkness.
"Spirits!" he said setting the cup down on the table before him, "Perhaps a little warning next time. You scared the life out of me Donna."
Donna stepped into the dim light from the window a smile on her face as she sat down opposite him, "Sorry, I thought you would have seen me."
"Lurking in dark corners?" said Chakotay, before he frowned at the sight of her already in her yellow-shouldered uniform, "I didn't think you'd been worked into the shift rotations yet. Tuvok said he was going to keep you on the alpha shift until you were up to speed on all the Academy training he wanted to put you through."
Donna smiled, "I'm still on the alpha shift, I don't think Commander Tuvok is going to trust me on anything else for a long time yet," she said, "I just couldn't sleep so I thought I'd come here."
"Same," said Chakotay, "I woke about an hour ago now and I couldn't get back to sleep."
"Me too," said Donna, "My quarters were too quiet. I think here must be closer to the engines or something, it always seems more…homely in here."
Chakotay smiled, "I know what you mean," he said, "This place quickly became the heart of the ship when we arrived in the Delta quadrant."
"I've noticed how people always come here, especially after the bad days," said Donna, neither of them needing to mention the difficult trials Voyager had recently faced, "We've been a bit busy recently haven't we?"
Chakotay smiled, "In Voyager terms these passed two months have been relatively quiet," he said.
"I've still not had much of a chance to see you though," said Donna, "It's been a good couple of weeks since we spoke properly."
"My door is always open Donna, to any member of the crew."
Donna sat back in her chair, "You've been so busy, I didn't want to get in the way," she said, "Besides Tuvok's had me running around with this new personnel job he made for me and B'Elanna has been teaching me loads in engineering. I actually know how a warp-core works now."
Chakotay laughed, "I'm sure she's very pleased that you're not calling it a wark-core anymore," he said his smiled widening as she blushed but taking pity on her, "You're doing really well Donna. I only ever hear good things about you. These passed two months, you've really impressed a lot of people."
"Don't have much of a choice do I?" she said with a sad smile, "Its fit in with you lot or bust. Not many other humans knocking around the Delta quadrant so I hear."
Chakotay reached across and covered her hand with his, "If we find the chance Donna I will do everything in my power to get you back to your own time," he said.
"I know," said Donna, turning her face away but not quickly enough to hide the glisten of the tears in her eyes in the low light.
"Donna what's wrong?" said Chakotay, leaving his chair and taking one beside her.
"It's nothing. I'm sorry."
"It's not nothing, Donna Noble doesn't cry for no reason. Even I know that."
Donna managed a weak laugh, "Tough as old boots me," she said, wiping a stray tear from her eye, "Just talking about home, it still makes me think about the Doctor. I can't believe it's been two months since he died. I thought I heard the TARDIS when I was sleeping last night and I woke up, thinking he'd be there. Stupid I know. I should be over it by now, shouldn't I?"
"The last time I looked there wasn't a time scale to grief," he said, "I'm not surprised you're still grieving for him, I know I'm still grieving for Kathryn."
Donna shook her head, "I'm not talking about grieving. I'm talking about the fact that I go to bed every night still hoping that he's going to come back. You've all accepted that Captain Janeway died and you've all moved on, I still can't do that. I wish I knew how to let him go."
"Well when you find the answer will you share it with me," said Chakotay meeting her gaze as she looked up to him in question, "I'm nowhere near over Kathryn's death and I feel the same way you do. I wish every morning and every night that I'll hear her voice."
"But you're so happy and you're always smiling. The other day at that party on the holo-deck, you were the one leading the dancing."
"Then I'm clearly a very good actor," said Chakotay, "Donna, its my job and its my duty to keep this crew's moral up because if they feel low this place won't function and we'll never get home. Just because I let people see a smile, doesn't mean I feel it. We have had some happy times since Kathryn and the Doctor died but each time I find myself wishing they were here to see it. I miss Kathryn far too much to even begin to consider myself recovering from her loss."
"You should have talked to me," said Donna taking hold of his hand, "I wish you had. I thought I was the only one still feeling this way."
"I'm sorry," said Chakotay, "I haven't really been able to talk to anyone. B'Elanna tries with me, she knows me too well and can see passed the act, but I guess I just assumed I had to keep a poker face in front of everyone else. No matter how upset Kathryn was she never let the crew see, I was just trying to do the same."
"Would you consider talking to me from now on?" said Donna, "I know you're the boss and all…"
"I'm also your friend Donna," said Chakotay, "Much as I want to maintain the chain of command, I'm not going to stop talking to you because I get called Captain and you get called Crewman."
"Well then, we've got an hour or so before our shift starts and I'm only with B'Elanna today because Tuvok is going out in the shuttle," said Donna, "Want some replicated breakfast and a chat?"
"Sounds like a wonderful idea," he said, "And considering I have an in of sorts with your CO, perhaps we could arrange for your to spend the shift on the Bridge."
Donna smiled, "Well if the Captain approves, I'd be happy to," she said getting to her feet and heading to the replicator, "Now how about a proper British breakfast, bacon, sausages, the works?"
"The vegetarian versions of the above if they're going and you're on."
Donna pulled a face, "Ugh you're one of those," she said, "Funny space man types."
Chakotay laughed, "That could be considered insubordination, Crewman," he said, "I suggest you feed your Captain before he gets cranky."
Donna offered him a playful salute before turning back to the replicator, "Aye Captain."
xxxx
"…I was so worried I was going to blow up the entire core," said Donna as they stepped out of the turbo-lift and onto the Bridge, "I mean, how am I meant to know what the business end of a plasma injector looks like."
Chakotay laughed, "Remind me to ask Tuvok to keep you off the maintenance crew rota for a little while," he said descending towards the lower level, "Report Mister Paris."
"We're coming up on that class four nebula sir, about ten light years ahead, and we're moving at full impulse," said Tom from the helm, "Scans show we're coming up on the coordinates Neelix suggested."
"Let me know when we reach the coordinates," said Chakotay, taking his seat, and waving Donna into the chair to his left, "Bridge to away team."
"Go ahead Captain," came Tuvok's voice across the comm.
"We're approaching the nebula, are you prepared?"
"Aye sir," said Tuvok, "Ensign Wildman is completing our pre-flight checks and Mister Neelix assures me we have the storage vessels necessary for collecting the gas samples."
"Very well, I'll notify you when we're in position. Chakotay out."
"Promoted already Donna?" said Tom, over his shoulder.
"Well you twenty-fourth century lot clearly can't cut it," said Donna with a cheeky grin, "I'll be in the Captain's chair before too long."
"If it gets me the day off you're more than welcome to my chair," said Chakotay as the helm beeped, signalling that they'd reached their coordinates, "Mister Paris, all stop. Bridge to away team, prepare for depressurisation."
"Acknowledged sir," said Tuvok, "We are ready."
"Lieutenant Ayala, begin depressurisation and open the space doors," said Chakotay, "Mister Kim, let's see how far we can stretch the long range scanners, keep an eye out for some suitable M Class planets. I'd rather restock when we're in good shape then wait until we're on rations again."
"Aye sir," said Harry.
"Captain Chakotay, the shuttle has left Voyager," said Ayala, as the turbo lift opened behind him, "And it appears we have a visitor."
Chakotay turned in his seat, to see a now common feature of the alpha shift trundle in through the door, "Hello K-9," he said, "B'Elanna's got you on deliveries early this morning."
"Affirmative Master," said K-9 with a wag of his tail before Ayala left the Tactical station to lift him down the three steps to the lower level of the Bridge, "Thank you Lieutenant."
"I'll have to see if B'Elanna can put in some ramps for you," said Chakotay as the little droid wheeled over to him, "How are you this morning?"
"I am functioning at optimum efficiency Master," he said, as Chakotay reached down to take the reports from the basket on his back.
"How I wish I could give that answer when anyone asks how I am?" said Chakotay, "Harry, looks like B'Elanna has detected a problem with one of the sensors. Will you take a look, perhaps you can give Donna an overview of Ops while you're there."
"Yes sir," said Harry as Chakotay passed the report to the woman beside him and nodded her up towards the station.
They remained stationary in space as the away team conducted their survey on the nebula, the Bridge was quiet save for the usual hum of work but the silence was occasionally punctuated by a soft question from Donna as she worked at the Operations station with Harry. Chakotay remained in the Captain's chair even after K-9's reports had ended and he had little else to do that wouldn't leave him with an aching neck in trying to peer at the console to his left. He knew he could find plenty of work to do in the ready room but he still couldn't bring himself to use it often, being sat on the Bridge giving him the chance to allow himself to believe Kathryn was sequestered away in there as she often had been.
Donna's voice finally pulled him from his reverie, the question amusing until he reminded himself of her twenty-first century heritage.
"I still don't get these star date things," she said, "Why don't you just use normal dates?"
"Because Terran dates don't always match up to other Federation planets…"
"Terran?" said Donna, cutting Harry off, "What's Terran?"
"Terran is Earthling to you B movie types," said Tom.
"Ooh nanoo nanoo," said Donna, "So what am I, like Terran-ese or something?"
"You're human…just," said Tom, laughing as Donna stuck her tongue out and rasped in his direction.
"Is that really any way for Starfleet officers to behave?" said Chakotay though he couldn't keep the amusement from his voice, "Harry, I think you should continue your lesson on star dates for Donna."
"Aye Captain," said Harry, "As I was saying, Terran dates don't always match with the dates of other members of the Federation so it was decided to have a date system that everyone could use, hence the star dates."
"Makes sense I guess," said Donna, "Plus it sounds fancy, which you lot seem to like anyway."
Chakotay laughed, "You're one of this lot now, Crewman Noble," he said.
Donna smiled, "And proudly so Captain," she said, before she frowned, "So if we were on Earth and using a proper calendar, what date would it be?"
"December fifteenth," said Tom from the helm.
Donna's smile widened, "Then it's nearly Christmas," she said before a frown took her face once more, "You do still celebrate Christmas don't you?"
"Not everyone, we have all sorts of faiths and traditions onboard," said Chakotay, "But everyone seems to appreciate the spirit of the holiday even if they don't believe in its origins."
"The Captain…" began Tom before he corrected himself, "Captain Janeway used to let us have a tree in the mess hall, so long as she got to put the star on the top."
Chakotay smiled at the memory, "I remember having to hoist her up so she could reach it," he said, "Tuvok decided afterwards to suggest the use of a chair."
"I remember her handing out the presents on Christmas morning," said Harry, "She made sure everyone had at least one present."
"Are you going to put a tree up soon then?" said Donna, biting her lip as silence answered her, "Was it something I said?"
Harry sighed, "It won't feel much like Christmas without her."
"And it would feel weird celebrating so soon after she…"
"She would have wanted us to carry on as we always did Tom," said Chakotay, "But to be honest with you I hadn't thought about it until we started talking this morning."
"You should do something to mark it," said Donna, "Like the Captain said, she would have wanted us to carry on and it might cheer people up a bit. You could do with bringing a bit of colour to the place."
"Well, Crewman, how would you like your first project?" said Chakotay, "I could put you in charge of arrangements, leave you to liase with Mister Neelix about the mess hall and Commander Tuvok to ensure everyone who wants to participate may. What do you say?"
Donna smiled brightly, "I'd love to," she said nearly knocking Harry sideways as she bounced on her toes, "When should I start?"
"No time like the present," said Chakotay before he sighed, "I guess I'd better start replicating presents for everyone."
"Thank you Chakotay," said Donna, flying down the stairs from the Ops station and launching herself at him. She hugged him tightly, pressing a kiss to his cheek, "You won't regret this, I promise."
The Bridge crew froze in shock at her action, such enthusiastic behaviour a world away from the teachings of the Academy. They waited for Chakotay's reaction as the red headed woman stepped back, their new Captain always having proved far more tolerant of non-protocol behaviour during his tenure as Voyager's First Officer but they had all noticed the change in him since he had taken over command. His laughter therefore came as a shock to all of them, more so for the fact that they had rarely seen a smile from him in two months let alone any indication of mirth.
"I have no idea what Starfleet would have to say to that," he said recovering before he shot a look at the remaining all male members of the Bridge crew, "Don't anyone get any ideas of mimicking though. Donna, that was hardly protocol."
Donna smiled, "Tuvok hasn't got onto the part about not hugging my Captain," she said.
"Remind me to have a word with him when he gets back to the ship," he said, "Now go on, you've got work to do."
Donna snapped playfully to attention, offering him a cheeky salute, "Aye Captain," she said before she headed back up the stairs to the turbo-lift.
She had barely reached the tactical station when the ship shook, various alarms sounding as the Bridge crew all flew into action.
"Harry, report," said Chakotay, the nebula before them glowing malevolently and clearly the source of the energy wave that had hit them.
"Scans are inconclusive Commander," said Harry, his concentration on his tasks causing him to forget the new title of the man before him, "The energy wave came from the nebula but I can't verify a cause."
"Chakotay to away team, do you read me?"
"We are here Captain," said Tuvok, "We detected the energy wave that hit Voyager on our scanners but we were not in the direct path of it. Should we return to the ship?"
"Mike, can the shuttle dock safely?"
"Aye sir," said Ayala from his station at Tactical, "Voyager sustained minimal damage from the energy wave."
"Bridge to away team, you are clear to return to Voyager," said Chakotay, "Mike, raise the shields once they've docked. Tom, back as off by at least five hundred kilometres, I don't trust the look of that nebula."
"Aye sir," said Tom, manoeuvring the ship away from the still glowing nebula.
"There seems to be a ship decloaking in the nebula sir," said Harry, "I can't get a lock on anything though, our sensors are malfunctioning."
"Red alert," said Chakotay getting to his feet, "Bridge to all hands, we have an unidentified ship decloaking off our port bow, return to your duty stations and await further orders. Shields to maximum and bring the weapons array online."
"Already done sir," said Ayala, "The shuttle is docked and Commander Tuvok is returning to the Bridge."
"Any luck identifying the ship Harry?"
"Negative sir," said Harry, "The readings keep changing and it almost seems…"
"Almost seems what, Ensign?" said Chakotay.
"Sir, its as if the ship is trying to decloak inside Voyager."
"Mike throw all we have into the shields, I don't want anything getting through."
The all looked round as Donna yelped, chucking something away from her which clattered to the floor near Chakotay's feet. The item glowed gold against the grey carpet and he stopped short of picking it up as he felt the heat radiating off it.
"What is that?" he said, recognising the old-fashioned shape, "Is that a key?"
"It's the TARDIS key," said Donna quietly, "The Doctor gave one to me and I was keeping it for luck. It's never got hot like that before."
The continuing alarm of the red alert drowned out the tiny voice to Chakotay's left and he only noticed K-9 as the android dog drove firmly into his ankle.
"What the…"
"M…Master Chakotay," he said, the small antennae on his head swivelling, "The heat of the key may indicate the proximity of a Time Lord vessel."
"But the Doctor said there were no other Time Lords…" Chakotay began before he trailed off, looking down at the key beside him before reaching into his pocket and curling his hand around Kathryn's pips that rested there, "Mike, lower the shields."
"Sir?"
"Just do as I say, lower the shields."
"But sir without the shields we'll be completely vulnerable to…"
"That's an order Lieutenant," said Chakotay, meeting Donna's eyes rather than his security officer's as he looked up at the tactical station.
"Oh Chakotay, you can't be serious," she said, hurrying down to his side.
"There aren't any other time ships in existence," he said as the computer warned that the ship was unprotected.
At first there was little change, the only sound being that of the red alert and the struggling sensors but then a familiar sound began to slowly overtake all the other notes of the ship. The whole Bridge crew stood in anticipation of either further orders or a battle with a hostile ship that was still struggling to appear within the ship. Chakotay felt fingers digging into his arm and looked down to see Donna clinging to him, her head moving swiftly left and right as she tried to pinpoint the source of the sound.
"Come on, please come on," she said quietly, "Please, please."
She quieted with a squeak as Chakotay tugged her back from the hazy shape that was beginning to appear between them and the ready room. The haze soon began to take shape, stocky square lines that were more than familiar to the people stood on the Bridge. The lines were feint, a ghost of a ship that they could still see through, threatening to materialise and then fading again.
"What's wrong with it?" said Tom, leaving the helm to better see the machine.
"It doesn't take this long to appear usually," said Donna, "There's something wrong with it."
"Harry, Mike is there anything we can do to help it? Divert power from all non-essential systems if you have to," said Chakotay, "Throw everything we have into pulling it through."
"Our systems aren't compatible sir," said Harry, "We have no way of establishing an interface with the ship."
"Then find a way!" said Chakotay as the shape before them continued to phase in and out of view.
The sound around them continued to ring out in juxtaposition to the alarms of the red alert but slowly its strength grew, the ancient rasping sounds of the rare engine overpowering Voyager's own tones. Colour began to cover the ghostly ship, the grain of the wooden doors and the glow of the light from the windows bringing it life.
"It's getting through," said Donna, "My God it's getting through."
"Mike stand down red alert," said Chakotay quietly as the TARDIS finally stood fully formed before him, the light atop it flashing for several moments before it finally stood before them, conspicuous against the sleek lines of Voyager's Bridge.
Where before there had been noise there was no sound on the Bridge, half the crew avoiding even taking a breath as they waited for any signs of life from the TARDIS. The lock clicked, the door barely opening a fraction before the Doctor slipped out, dressed in blue rather than brown but wearing the same manic smile as he regarded them. Donna took a breath as though she was about to call his name but he quickly put a finger to his lips, his smile not wavering as he opened the door slightly further to allow an all too familiar voice filter out to them.
"Did you miss the class at Time Lord School when they told you how to land this ship?" said Kathryn from within, "How about having some regard for your poor passengers, I nearly fell in the damn pool! I've got bruises where I never knew I could bruise thanks to you. Bashing around taking us goodness knows where. This better prove more productive than your last little stop off, I can still smell that bog in the corridors."
"Oh I think you'll like this place," said the Doctor over his shoulder, "More your era."
"You mean there's no dinosaurs?" came the sarcastic response, "How wonderful! And just what number is this on your 'one stop until we go back to Voyager' tour?"
"The last one, I promise," said the Doctor, "And I promise you, you're going to love it. Stay there."
"Why can't I just come out?"
"Who's Captain?" said the Doctor.
"I've yet to see your pips," came Kathryn's mutter from inside.
"And you've yet to buy me a drink," said the Doctor, "Stay there, I'm coming back in."
"I can't see why I just can't…"
The Doctor slipped back inside, the door closing behind him and cutting off the sound. The Bridge crew remained silent, watching the door as if the TARDIS was an illusion fit to disappear if they dared utter a word. Within moments the door opened again, fully this time, allowing the Doctor step through as he led Kathryn out by her hand. She looked a world away from the woman that had left them, her Starfleet uniform replaced by a pair of denim shorts, a thin-strapped top and a pair of dusty cowboy boots. Her hair hung loose and long around her shoulders, pushed back only by the tie that covered her eyes, keeping her blind to the room around her. The look would have been similar to images they had all seen of people in the twenty-first century had it not been for the sword that hung from a belt around her waist, the guilded hilt visible above the plain scabbard. She seemed used to it however, not even flinching as it bumped against her thigh as she allowed the Doctor to manoeuvre her into the open.
"So what's the big surprise?" she said.
"It's a secret," said the Doctor, standing her plainly before them before he moved to her back, reiterating his request for silence from the people before him by holding his finger once more against his lips.
"It's always a secret with you," said Kathryn, "Half the time I don't think you even know where we're going."
"Do you want to drive?"
"I've done far better than you the times you've let me," said Kathryn, "I may have been two years out of date but at least no one got bruised."
"Until you got arrested," said the Doctor.
Despite the blindfold over her eyes Kathryn lifted her head defiantly, "Semantics," she said, "So come on then, where are we and is this really the last stop before I get to go home?"
The Doctor smiled widely, "This is the absolute last stop I promise," he said, "I just need one more thing to make sure the TARDIS can get there without a hitch."
"And what's that?" said Kathryn, "You've tacked everything other than a warp core onto that ship and the time we've just left isn't much less developed technologically than my time."
"Its not technology I'm after," said the Doctor, placing his hands on her shoulders, "You see this place we're in now, it's a little bit special. Some might even call it magical and it's that magic that we need to harness to get you back home to Voyager."
"Magic?" said Kathryn, turning her head as though attempting to glare at him despite her blindfold, "You want me to believe that the TARDIS, you're oh so wonderful Time Lord Time Ship, requires magic to land me in the twenty-fourth century?"
"You once said Voyager stays in the air on a wing and a prayer," said the Doctor, "The TARDIS needs to know where you truly want to be and this place is where you can ask for it but you have to believe in it Kathryn."
She looked set to argue but then her face fell, clearly not wanting to risk her return trip, "What exactly do I need to believe?"
"In where you really want to be and who you truly want to see?"
"You know that already Doctor," she said softly, "I want to be back on Voyager."
The Doctor's voice lowered, all joking removed from his tones, "Then name it," he said, "Reach deep into your heart Kathryn and tell me the three things you want to see more than anything in this universe."
"My ship," she said immediately, "Voyager, I want to see Voyager and I want to see my crew. That's number two. I'd give anything to see my crew, to see all of them safe."
"And the third Kathryn?" said the Doctor, "What's the third thing you want to see more than anything in the whole universe?"
A small smiled took her lips and her voice came out far softer than before, "Chakotay. I want to see Chakotay."
"Then here comes the magic part," he said, "You need to click your heels together three times and say there's no place like home."
"There's no place like home?"
"With the heels, it won't work unless you click your heels," said the Doctor in her ear, "Believe Kathryn, Make some magic and you can go home, back to Voyager, to your crew. Back to Chakotay. They're all waiting for you. They're closer than you think."
Kathryn smiled and rose up on her toes, clicking her heels together three times, "There's no place like home," she said softly, "Take me home please. Please take me home."
The Doctor reached up and unfastened the blindfold over her eyes, letting it flutter to the ground, "You are home Kathryn," he said, "No magic needed."
Kathryn looked around the Bridge, her expression wavering between elation and tears as she took in the sight before her, "I'm home," she said quietly, "I'm home. Voyager."
She stifled a sob with her hand as she looked at those of her crew stood before her, "Hello," she said, tears rolling down here cheeks despite her smile, "Don't I get a hello?"
"You're alive," said Chakotay breaking the silence.
"So it would seem," she said reaching out for his hand as though expecting him to be an illusion, a small gasp escaping her lips as he took hold of her fingers.
"Kathryn you're alive," he said tugging on her hand until she stood toe to toe with him, "Oh my God you're alive."
Kathryn laughed as his hand came to her face, his eyes searching her face as though trying to work out any trickery, "I've missed you too."
She wrapped her arms around him as he pulled her into a hug, neither of them caring for the crew still around them or Donna's cries as she shot passed them and into the Doctor's waiting arms. She heard him saying her name over and over like a mantra, his voice muffled against her shoulder.
"I'm home," she said stroking his hair, "I'm home."
Chakotay pulled back from her only slightly, his eyes red rimmed and threatening tears but he smiled all the same, "You do realise I'm never letting you leave this ship again don't you?"
Kathryn laughed, "I might request some negotiation on that one," she said, "Oh Chakotay…"
She let her eyes wander to his lips, hoping the invitation was clear despite their crew around them but before either of them could act Kathryn found herself roughly pulled away, the force sending her tumbling back over her own feet. She recovered herself in time to see a now familiar figure holding a blade to her friend's throat, the rest of the crew standing with their phasers pointed at the extra figure that had come from the TARDIS.
"Lancelot, no!" she cried hurrying to standing and grabbing hold of the strangely clad man, "Don't shoot, its alright."
"My Lady step back, this barbarian showed you dishonour by laying his hands upon you," he said, "It is for your knights to punish him."
"Lancelot, there's no dishonour," said Kathryn pulling him away from Chakotay despite her smaller stature, deftly manoeuvring his hand that held his sword to the side where it could do no harm, "This man is my friend. He's Chakotay, you remember I told you about Chakotay."
The man threw a sheet of long blond hair back over his shoulder as he looked from Kathryn to Chakotay and back again, "That painted barbarian is your knight?" he said incredulously, "He does not look like a mighty warrior."
"My people measure our…knights in different terms," said Kathryn gently, "This is Voyager and my crew, this is my ship that I told you about."
"It does not look sea worthy and she does not seem to even move through the water."
Kathryn rubbed her eyes, "This is going to give me a headache," she said, "I explained to you about how Voyager…sails. You need to remember this isn't the same as Court. Our beliefs are different here, affection between friends is common and there no dishonour intended by it. The people on Voyager are like my family, my brothers and sisters. Do you understand?"
"So this man who lays his hands upon you, is brethren to you?" said Lancelot.
"In a way," said Kathryn, "We don't share any blood but the crew are bound to each other all the same. Imagine the bond you share with the other knights at Court, you would die to protect one another and your King if came to a battle."
"I stand for Camelot and her people my Lady," he said proudly.
"And the crew of Voyager stand for their ship and each other," said Kathryn, "There is no difference, except our women are equals and may be forthcoming as our men."
Lancelot bowed his head, "I understand my Lady, this Voyager Kingdom of yours has truly an eloquent queen."
Kathryn laughed, "I'm not quite a queen Lancelot," she said, "Now let me introduce you properly. Lancelot, this is Chakotay, my friend and if he followed my final orders, the Captain of Voyager."
Lancelot bowed dramatically, sweeping his long brown cape behind him as he bent his eyes to the carpet, "An honour to meet a fellow knight in service to the Lady Kathryn."
Kathryn smiled at the expression on her friend's face, "That means hello," she said, taking hold of the knight's arm and tugging him upright, "There's no need to bow Lancelot, remember how I taught you to shake hands."
Lancelot smiled, "Like a proper gentleman," he said extending his hand to Chakotay, "An honour sir."
"Nice to meet you," said Chakotay before Kathryn began introducing their newest arrival to the rest of the crew, accepting their warm welcomes of hello which some developed into hugs with those of the Bridge crew she was closer to.
Chakotay headed towards the Doctor and Donna, both of them happily watching the scene unfolding before them. The Doctor smiled as he noticed him, holding out a hand to shake his.
"Thank you for looking after Donna for me," he said, "She's been telling me how Crewman Noble has been learning all the tricks of the Starfleet trade."
"She's been a welcome addition to the crew," said Chakotay almost absently as he continued to watch Kathryn speaking to the members of her crew on the Bridge, "Who is that man Doctor?"
"Lancelot, a knight of King Arthur," said Doctor, "And a bit of a stowaway."
"Arthur? Isn't he a myth," said Donna.
"Oh it's a long story," said the Doctor, "And one better told in the comfort of the resort if you could spare the crew, Captain?…Chakotay?"
"The crew can be spared of course," he said, more concerned with the way Lancelot took Kathryn's hand with reverence each time they headed to another member of the crew.
"I'm sorry we were so long," said the Doctor, "We came as soon as we could."
"Better late than never is what I say," said Donna wrapping her arms around the Doctor's skinny middle and squeezing him tightly, "I knew you were alive out there somewhere."
The Doctor kissed the top of her head soundly, "It was touch and go but we made it," said the Doctor turning as the doors to the turbo-lift opened to admit Neelix and Tuvok.
"Mister Vulcan look, it's the TARDIS," enthused the Talaxian, hurrying down the stairs, "Captain Janeway?"
"Right here," said Kathryn breaking from her group of friends and heading towards him before she swiftly turned back and held up a hand to stop Lancelot who already had his hand upon the hilt of his sword, "No witch craft or monsters Lancelot, Neelix is a friend, as is Tuvok, even if they look different to us."
"I see," said the knight before his expression turned quizzical, "Such features…are they Scots?"
Kathryn barely suppressed a laugh, "They're from a lot further away than Scotland," she said, "Tuvok is from Vulcan and Neelix is from Talax."
"So that is why you require the ship," said Lancelot, "To reach barbarian lands travel by sea is essential."
Kathryn sighed and rubbed her forehead, "Oh I'm getting a headache," she said in exasperation, "Doctor!"
The Doctor bounded over, throwing an arm around Lancelot's shoulders with a smile, "Lance, my boy, we've got a lot to talk about," he said, "And there's nowhere better to talk than the resort, I've already cleared it with Chakotay."
Kathryn smiled, "Well if Voyager's Captain is happy with me stealing the crew away for a while, then we have a story to tell," she said.
"But you are Captain," said Neelix.
"Not yet," said Kathryn softly, "There's a lot that needs to be talked about first and I want to see all of the crew before any command decisions are made, if that's alright?"
"They'll all be dying to see you," said Chakotay, unable to get any closer to her as Neelix took it upon himself to take hold of her hand and lead her to the turbo-lift, chattering away as he went.
The others followed, the ship safely enough away from the nebula to be left with only a skeleton crew on the Bridge, some of the younger crewman happy to be given such responsibility. News soon spread like wildfire through the ship and almost the entire crew flocked to see their former captain's return. The party atmosphere continued into the holo-deck as Tom opened up the resort program for them, all of them as intrigued to hear Kathryn's tales as they were in the TARDIS' stowaway passenger.
Chakotay looked on as Kathryn regaled them all with tales of her time with the Doctor, months spent in England at the court of King Arthur as they allowed the TARDIS to heal. The Doctor would chime in on occasion, the two of them often laughing over some shared joke they refused to explain to the others. Lancelot sat dutifully at Kathryn's side, his attention riveted on her and brightening every time she brought him into the conversation. Chakotay knew he should be happy that she had returned but he still couldn't believe the sight before him to be real, his dreams often vivid enough to make him believe she was back on the ship with them. His dreams however had not had her accompanied by a handsome blond man who hung on her every word or so affectionate with the Doctor, the two of them never more than a few metres apart and swiftly gravitating back towards one another.
Kathryn herself seemed a world away from the captain they had once known, her laughter and stories freely coming to be shared with all her crew rather than with those she held as close friends. She was affectionate with them all, sweeping Gerron into a hug the moment she saw him and thanking him for his help in the battle, surprising some but most were happy just to have her back with them, the younger members of the crew who she had taken under her wing keeping close to her. Her tales grew wilder and more detailed, her crew on edge as she spoke of witchcraft and warfare, stories her scientific mind would have once dismissed as fairy tales.
"…honestly, this thing was huge. We fought it, Galahad was injured, so there was just the Doctor and I and all we had was Galahad's sword," said Kathryn, her eyes alight as she relived the tale, "Of course Time Lord here thought he could reason with the thing but the only reason it knew was that it was hungry and we were lunch so I picked up the sword, I never realised how much they weighed, and I started waving it around in the hope that I would hit something. Well I must have done and by the sound of it I think it was something fundamental, the beast shrieked and then ran away. I never did get to find out what it was."
"It was a dragon Lady Kathryn, that much you can be sure of," said Lancelot, "You were wise to fight it, those foul beasts have no heart beating within their breast, they know nothing of the reason of man."
"Well whatever it was it didn't bother the village after that," said Kathryn, "Which I'm only too glad about."
"It sounds as though you have had quite the adventure while you've been away," said Tuvok, "I doubt we have many stories to compare."
"I want to hear them all, all the same," said Kathryn, reaching across to cover his hand with hers, "I have missed you all so terribly despite the wonderful company."
"I thank you for remembering I'm in the room," said the Doctor, "I gave you time and space and a roof over your head and all you wanted to do was go home."
"Your cooking made me miss my replicators," said Kathryn before she pressed an affectionate kiss to his cheek, "But thank you for the time and the space and the roof, all were very useful."
"Did you face anymore monsters when you were on Earth Captain?" said Kes, "I can imagine it was terrifying."
"Well there was one incidence…"
"Why don't you sit a little closer, you look like you want to?"
B'Elanna's voice roused Chakotay from the scene before him, realising that he had been leaning against the wall of the resort and staring at Kathryn as she told her stories to her gathered audience.
"I think the listeners would throw things if I interrupted the story right now," he said, "Besides, this is Kathryn's moment, not mine."
"I'm sure she'd want you with her, she keeps looking over," said B'Elanna, "I thought you'd be knocking that soldier fellow they brought with them out of the way by now."
"He seems quite reliant on Kathryn and I think it works both ways," he said as Lancelot gracefully poured another drink for the woman beside him, Kathryn accepting it happily before speaking solely to him for a few moments as the Doctor continued their story.
B'Elanna clicked her tongue against her teeth, "Not jealous are you?"
Chakotay shot her a steely look, "Of course not, Kathryn can be friends with whoever she wants."
"Except for blond Adonis type soldiers and a man with a mind she's always admired," said B'Elanna, "You're transparent Chakotay and you're jealous."
"I've got no right to be," he said, "Kathryn's been away for a long time, things have changed for her, she may yet move on with the Doctor once she's sure Voyager is safe."
"Captain Janeway leave Voyager by choice?" said B'Elanna.
"I need to check on the Bridge," said Chakotay, "If she asks…"
"She'll be upset," said B'Elanna but it was only to his back as he headed to the door.
Chakotay heard the door to the holo-deck close behind him and paused in the hallway, not sure what was making the anger flow through his blood but knowing that remaining in the resort with them would only make it worse. His head felt as though it was spinning, trying to comes to terms with the fact that that morning he had been still in mourning and now the woman he had mourned for sat larger than life just beyond the door, spinning tales of her adventures that seemed more than a galaxy away from them.
He heard the door open again and immediately tensed, his tone set to broker no argument, "Go back to the party B'Elanna."
"Oh she has, I think Lancelot is chasing her to the pool as we speak. I guess he wants a look at those barbarian ridges of hers."
Chakotay turned at the sound of the familiar voice, seeing Kathryn stood by the closed door, one hand on her hip that bore the ornate sword. She smiled at him but then frowned as she saw his expression.
"Is there something wrong with the ship?" she said.
He shook his head, "No, there's nothing wrong. I wanted to check on the Bridge though. I've never let Kyoto command the Bridge before and I wanted to know…"
"I finally get two minutes alone with you and you want to run away to the Bridge," said Kathryn walking over to him and laying a hand on his chest, just below his comm.-badge, "I thought you of all people would have missed me."
Chakotay pulled away as she moved her hand up to cup his cheek, the anger that had been simmering in his veins finally boiling over, "And I thought you would have missed me," he said, "But it seems you were to busy for that."
"What?" said Kathryn, "Of course I missed you. I missed you every day."
"Was that in between the dinners at court and battling the horrors of England or was I merely an afterthought when you were finally left on your own?"
"Chakotay why are you acting like this?" she said desperately, her expression saddening as he stepped even further back from her.
"Why?" he said vehemently, "Why? Because while you've been out there clearly having the time of your life I've had to pick up the pieces you left behind. I've had to command a Starfleet vessel to damn Starfleet protocols that I don't believe in. I've had to take care of a woman outside of her own time who was dumped on us by a Time Lord and doesn't even have a clue to work a replicator and I've had to try and be a counsellor and captain to a crew who have been so deeply in mourning they haven't wanted to carry on trying to get home. Two months Kathryn, two months we've had to mourn you before you waltz back in here as though nothing has happened."
"I'm sorry we took so long but we had to give the TARDIS time to recover, she was badly damaged in the explosion and it got worse when we fell out of the time vortex," said Kathryn, "We came back as soon as we could, but we had to stop on the way for parts and to let the TARDIS rest, the twenty-fourth century was too big a jump in one go."
"Then why not appear back on the ship when you were meant to," said Chakotay, "When we still had hope that you were alive? I held your funeral Kathryn, I pronounced you dead, I took your command and all that time you were…"
Kathryn's eyes hardened, "Do you think I wanted to be away for so long? That I even wanted to go in the first place? I begged the Doctor to bring me back the second I woke up in his sick bay. I wanted nothing more than to come home to you but this is not the reception I thought I'd receive, not from you."
"Well what do you expect when you turn up as though you've been on vacation?" he said, "Did you just assume we'd go back to normal or do even intend on staying? Can you bear to be separated from the Doctor and are we expected to take on your knight as well?"
"That's not fair," said Kathryn, "They're my friends. I won't deny that I've enjoyed my time with them and I want to share the stories I have with all of you but that doesn't mean that I've not missed you and wanted to be…"
"It doesn't seem like you've had time to miss us Kathryn," said Chakotay turning his back to her, "Now if you don't mind, I have a ship to attend to and your audience is waiting on the next instalment."
"Do not walk away from me Commander!" said Kathryn, echoing her words from months before.
Chakotay paused a moment in the corridor but said nothing, continuing on without looking back at her despite her calls for him to stop. Kathryn continued to call after him long until he was out of sight; confusion forcing tears to her eyes as her thoughts of their reunion seemed to fall in tatters before her. She leaned back against the wall, sliding down it and sitting on her heels as she cried quietly into her hands.