20/20 Hindsight
Some f/f, but PG chapter overall.
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"Put that table over there! Quickly!" Neelix ordered as he waved his hands. "No, no! To the right!" He sighed as he ran after the hapless Ensigns who were drafted along with the rest of the crew to launch a fabulous fête for the unsuspecting command couple.
Tom was right. Q had indeed placed the Voyager in orbit above a beautiful blue-green marble, which lolled about a twin star. Eight moons could be observed from the planet by naked eye. Two loomed so large they seemed close enough to touch. Tuvok continued to allow shore leave and the crew was recovering but of course, they had something new to take their minds off recent events.
On that glorious M-Class planet in a clearing in a forest next to a sprawling azure lake, a place was set with daring dashes of colorful decorations, a seating area, and fuchsia-clothed tables. Sprawling buffets bulged with 20th Century food replicated based on Tom's now infamous holo-hobby.
The Voyager's crew bustled around in a ballet of organized chaos. They were "dotting the Tee's and crossing the I's" as Neelix barked orders at a fever pitch. Punch bowls spilled, costumes ripped and nerves frittered but "It will be all worth it in the end to see the look on their faces!" Neelix exclaimed with glee; it had become his mantra.
For Neelix, it was not enough to launch a mere jamboree. No! It simply had to be a 20th Century theme party. All the food, clothing, and décor was based on history or at least the surviving knowledge of the time.
A wedding! Neelix could not have been more ecstatic. The event was a chance—or excuse— to celebrate the marriage of Janeway and Chakotay and boost morale and heal all wounds, cook and fuss, emcee and arrange, toast and eat, supervise and decorate and everything else, all in one big package! Best of all, the entire crew was in cahoots over the last week. The grand deception served to divert attention from naval contemplation and depression. Yes, Neelix and everyone knew that the pair had a 'wedding' of sorts on the Holodeck but this was official and gaudy and included everyone on the ship.
"Boy, won't they be surprised!" Neelix kept saying with glee to no one in particular.
Captain Janeway and re-instated Commander Chakotay thought they were going to the verdant planet for one single day of leave. They expected quiet and the pleasure of each other's company. The next day they would get back to the business of getting the ship on its way toward home. Work, work and more work.
"Canapés, on the big table! Yes, yes! Along with the, ah, what does Tom call them, 'cocktail weenies' and 'mini-quichettes'.
"Mr. Ayala, the 'Big' flower arrangement goes on the west table… Ah, no, you're holding the 'Giant' flower arrangement.
"I hope those triffidae hold up for the reception.
"Move along, people. They'll be here any minute!"
B'Elanna had rigged a set of makeshift holo-projectors among the seats so that "Admiral Janeway," "Kolopak" and other family members could attend, after a fashion. Their holograms were simplistic and unable to move very much or interact, but the thought of the parents at the event was nice.
Suddenly the hairs on Neelix' neck stood on end. This was it! Harry had just discreetly signaled the ground crew. The warning went out.
"There're coming!" Neelix screeched. "Everyone, get into your places! Hurry! HURRY!"
Janeway and Chakotay materialized among the trees, only a few yards away from the tables.
Their lips touched in what they thought was a private kiss. For a blessed moment, they saw only each other as newlyweds do and were not immediately aware of the throng around them. Neelix greeted them with a wide grin, the picture of uncontrollable, bubbly enthusiasm.
The inevitable "SURPRISE!" roared to from the crew as the crowd moved toward the stunned pair.
"Neelix! What…?" Janeway started. Their jaws hung open. Janeway tried to look happy and Chakotay managed a pained grin. Hugs and kisses exchanged, Janeway caught her breathe.
Neither one had the heart to stop the proceedings. The crew had put their love and hard work into the lavish affair. Despite themselves, Janeway and Chakotay allowed themselves to be carted off to their respective tents to be costumed in the appropriate attire. They looked helplessly toward each other as they walked.
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"No, no, no and no!" Chakotay said when he saw what he was to wear.
"Come on, Commander!" Tom urged. "It will look great when it's on!"
Harry had beamed down from the ship. "You only get married once, Commander," he grinned at the sullen groom.
Chakotay shook his head but donned the costume with tolerance.
"Tom, this really wasn't necessary." Chakotay attempted as his self-appointed Best Man fiddled with his bow tie ignoring Chakotay's objections.
"Tom, I'm serious! We did not want all this fuss. Kathryn and I just wanted to spend some time alone."
"Too late!" Tom said, admiring his work.
Tom was wearing a groovy orange and brown striped Nehru jacket. A smattering of love beads looped around his neck and clashed with his chartreuse and hot pink flower-power bell-bottomed pants.
"Did you think you two could run off like that? Elope on us?" Tom asked.
"Elope! We didn't elope!"
"That's what I'd call it and we won't have it!" Tom stated, ignoring yet another one of Chakotay's objections as he brushed some silver confetti from the groom's gruesome powder blue tuxedo. Tom arranged the matching cravat and fluffed massive ruffles on Chakotay's shirt. "There Commander! You're ready for your bride."
"Are you sure this is how they dressed for weddings in the Twentieth Century?"
"Yes. I said so." Tom told him glibly. "Think of it this way, Chakotay: The first wedding was for you. This one is for the crew. We need it after what we've all been through."
Chakotay sighed and surrendered in to the inevitable, as Harry pinned a large lavender blossom was to his lapel.
"Besides, what are you going to do? Put the whole crew on report?" Harry smirked, enjoying Chakotay's discomfort.
Chakotay just shook his head in amazement. They really were a family, all of them.
"You'll go to any length for a joke, won't you?" Chakotay asked Tom. "I think you've picked it up from Q."
Tom just smiled, grabbed a white prop shotgun, and led the grumbling groom to his fate.
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In another dressing tent, Captain Janeway pulled her wedding dress over her head. She felt the weight of the lacey, heavily beaded ecru gown. A few sunbeams scattered into the tent making its sequins glitter. "What I do for this crew," she thought with a wry smile.
B'Elanna was tussling with a massive veil, an object she had only encountered once in a few old research photos.
Seven of Nine was draped in a hunter green floor-length Maid of Honor gown with exaggerated puffy sleeves and a gigantic bow on her backside. She held Janeway's lavish bouquet and stared at as if she were studying an insect.
"Really, B'Elanna, please…I…Ow!" Janeway groaned. "We just wanted a quiet reception when we got back to the ship."
"Keep still, Captain!" B'Elanna warned, as she also fought with her own taffeta gown that eerily shifted from mauve to purple to yellow. "I can make warp engines sing and dance, but I'm a menace with hair pins!"
"I'm guessing this was all Tom's idea!"
"None other than my spouse!" B'Elanna griped. "It's not like he didn't have help, but he instigated. Then Neelix took it to its next illogical conclusion and here we are."
"You're going to be a widow after this," she told her Chief Engineer.
"If you're threatening Tom's life, get in line!" B'Elanna told her. "I'm going full Klingon on his... How's that?" B'Elanna said as she finally managed to pin the veil in place on a slight angle.
Janeway felt like a cake decoration. "I never imagined my wedding…weddings would be like either one of these," she said in amazement. "I thought there would be dress uniforms involved at least."
Seven proffered the immense bouquet to the Captain, who was not certain exactly how to hold it.
"I'll be back," B'Elanna told Janeway. "I've got to go flog your pilot."
"Good start!" Janeway approved. "Torture before death! But, he might like it," Janeway said, thinking of recent events.
"Matron of Honor," B'Elanna muttered as she stormed out and left Janeway and Seven alone.
"How are you, Seven?" Janeway asked with concern, putting her hand gently to the girl's arm.
"I am fine, Captain," Seven stated by rote. "How are you?"
Janeway tilted her head as if to say, "No, really, how are you?"
"I am…coping, with the loss of someone whom I thought I shared a deep sexual and emotional connection."
Janeway looked at her protégée and friend with motherly concern. "Oh, Seven, how can I make you understand? Chakotay and I have…we have overwhelming feelings for one another. It's…"
"Inevitable, I am certain." Seven finished. "Your feelings combined with the recent…events further brought you together and you agreed to marriage at last."
"Yes, that's exactly right." Janeway concurred.
"A Twentieth Century song employed a metaphor based on physics," Seven stated in an unemotional tone that would shame a Vulcan. " The lyrics compared some human relationships to the meeting of the 'immovable object' and the 'irresistible force'."
"Well, yes! Well said and quite apt." Janeway was pleasantly surprised at the reference. "Seven, relationships are complex and there will be other disappointments along the way. Everyone experiences heart break."
"Yes, I am aware, Captain, but somehow…" Suddenly a hint of tears welled in Seven's crystal-lake eyes.
"We can fall in love with someone who will never be able to return our feelings." She thought regretfully of how long she had kept Chakotay at arm's length. "It is painful but it's normal part of our humanity."
"Yes, Captain, I know that human hearts are subject to 'break' as you say," Seven replied. "I am experiencing a great deal of 'heart break' at this time."
Janeway shook her head with compassion and moved supportively toward Seven. "Just stay strong. I'm here for you if you need to talk."
"Thank you. You have always been my savior."
"You'll see. Chakotay is just one 'crush' along the way. You will find the right person."
"I thought I had found the 'right person'," Seven cried.
"Someday you will understand."
"No, Cap…Kathryn. You do not understand." Seven suddenly threw her arms around Janeway and gave her a deep kiss on her lips. "I will always love you!" she cried as she ran from the tent, her dress fabric swished as she moved.
Kathryn stood stunned as she watched the wide hunter-green bow on Seven's dress disappear at last through the flap, as if it were a bunny's tail.
"And I was lecturing her about the fickle quality of the human heart!" she said to no one "I need coffee!"
Organ music had begun to play.
"Are you decent, Captain?" chirped Neelix as she tentatively peeked into the tent. "We can't get started without you."
Janeway grabbed the lacy train of the bulging gown and pulled up part of the skirt just so she could move. She nearly tripped getting into place. Then she saw Chakotay and the rest of the wedding party. Her hand flew over her mouth as she stifled her laughter, the tableaux was so ridiculous.
She could not turn back. All eyes were on her, all their hopes and good wishes shown in their eyes.
"You look wonderful, Captain!" Neelix extended an arm to her. "May I?"
She took his arm, pulled her chest up and began to walk down the aisle. "I can at least get this over with," she thought.
An old friend materialized in front of her.
"Oh, no" Janeway moaned. "Q, not now!"
"What..ARE…you…wearing?" Q demanded aghast as he gaped at the bride.
Janeway shrugged and felt sheepish. "Bad to worse!" she thought.
"Have you all gotten to the part about 'if any one objects' because 'I Object! I REALLY object!'" Q stated emphatically. "You are not going through with this in that…that…costume! Yicch!"
Q looked down the aisle and saw Chakotay and company. His eyes widened with horror. "Ahhh! What is your big oaf wearing? He looks like a character from a demented insurance advertisement! I won't have it!
"Mortals! No taste!" He shook with disgust then snapped his fingers three times.
TBC…..