We are preparing for the final landing. Kathryn has ordered a supercilious yet truculent Seven back onto the bridge as well as Sam and Naomi and Icheb. There is a certain flounce as she answers orders that borders on insubordination. I remember it has always been like this but, for a while, I forgot. I can't meet the challenge in Seven's eyes, and she is at her most iciliy civil. A nod and 'commander' I smile ruefully as I aknowledge 'seven '
However, flanked by Sam and Naomi, with Icheb directed by the captain to be close I can see that Kathryn is still trying to comfort her. Naomi's chatter should bring about a thaw. I have a grin for Naomi and a whisper that I am glad she gets to see the captain land voyager home. ' I am the captain's assistant' she grins back. She the chatters to Seven about all the things they might see on earth and I can hear her responding in clipped tones currently.
Damn but I am struggling to contain my unfair anger. Kathryn and I did make a tangled mess, but Seven needn't have been quite so harsh a judge, and that judgement should have been delivered to me, the mess, the lack of honesty with myself as well as Seven and Kathryn, these things are mine to own. The doctor's silent treatment as I redid my boosters was much easier.
With all three shifts present on the bridge it is a tight fit! Who, though, would want to miss this moment. As always the captain is on form, making connection with all the crew present, running through what could be considered a prime list of favoured mannerisms. Her hands alternately take flight like independent birds whilst emphasising a point, or poise ready at her hips. This captain is ready, they proclaim. She alternates striding with almost skipping from one station to another. Her low voices creates intimacy, She does the casual touch to arm, shoulder as she gazes in their eyes, creating a space within space where she connects only with you. Then she is off talking to the room in imperious command tones. I could watch her forever. I have watched her forever. I have watched all the variants of her smile and been drawn in to the intimacy of her eyes.
When I drag my eyes from her, I see Naomi mimicking many of the gestures. The adored captains assistant is well practiced. my eyes gravitate back to her, and this time her eyes are fastened on me, I cannot help but smile and walk towards her. She grins and fussed straightening my perfectly positioned rank bar. An overt demonstration of ownership. I just smile. I have waited seven years to be so publicly owned.
Tom is joking that he will fly under the golden gate bridge. Kathryn says he can make it as showy as he damn pleases, but don't crash! I wait for the inevitable jokes at a my expense, and am not disappointed. With so many people on the bridge there is a wide knowledge of my shuttle crashes. She has Harry warn Paris to give us some space for aerobatic prowess.
B'e is making a last minute fuss with to the engineering station I make a quip about how we could make a bid for a maquis mutiny and just fly her somewhere more peaceful. B'e eyes me from under a frown and snorts. It is tempting. Despite all the promises, and the fact we both have a new family to join, we both also have unresolved issues with starfleet and our place here in the alpha quadrant. ' always my sisrer, B'e, and always there for you.' I can't help a grin ' they have no idea what is about to hit them! It is starfleet that will have to adapt' we share a smile and I give Miral a kiss on her downy head, just visible over the sling. Another grin, this time for an imaginary dark haired baby peering from command red.
It drives me to look at my Captain, standing so proud and confident already moving past Seven's extraordinarily thoughtless words. My fault. Well, let's put the smile back on her face and the sauce in her step. After all, the recording will only begin when Admiral Paris comes back to us to give the order. I stand up next to her and take her hand left hand to left hand, palm to Palm smiling as she bites her lower lip but still brings her hand to my heart. ' Chakotay' warningly. ' I just wanted to thank you once more for bringing me safely home.' the cheers start again and she is blushing. 'May I?' she looks quizzically at me . ' Well, I think Harry stole my thunder before, and I would like to set the record straight' the crew cheer more so I lean in and whisper ' I had a wish for the moment,one that I should have played when we arrived in the alpha quadrant. Trust me?' she breaks away 'Commander' and I gently tilt her chin with my free hand and press a chaste kiss to her lips ' I love you, Kathryn Janeway' and then as I feel her relax, laugh at the freedom of it all. ' I have always loved you, Chakotay.' And we break apart to formal positions.
To schedule, Harry takes the comm from the Admiral. 'On screen' I ask, and we all receive Voyagers final order. time to take her down.
'prepare for code blue lieutenant B'Elanna Paris torres' to be honest, I hadn't known that they had merged surnames. Clearly something for the alpha quadrant.
'warp core offline and nacelles vented, captain'
'Commander Chakotay, all power to atmospheric thrusters and confirm code blue throughout the ship'
'Power transferred Captain, ships crew at stations, ready'
'Lieutenant commander Tuvok, landing struts online, internal dampers at maximum' 'complete, Captain'
'lieutenant Tom Torres Paris, take us down' hearing that, I think they may need to rethink the surname! I try not to smirk, this is being recorded so we all have our command mask on and ramrod straight stance.
'yes ma'am' And we all know how hard she must have worked to not bite back or eye roll. It is crunch time!
She betrays a slight smile as Tom swoops and circles starfleet, flashing the running lights before a perfect landing on the presidio. 'excellent landing lieutenant. Message to all hands, proceed to the shuttle bay for disembarquement. We have arrived.'
There is a muted cheer from the bridge, cognisant of the billions of watching eyes. The beta and gamma teams file or first and then the alpha teams with Icheb and Naomi. Kathryn is still at her seat, gazing at the view screen.
'Are you With me? Captain' I ask, with all her inflexion, holding out my hand
she smiles 'always, commander!'
And after the search light beam of her joy has warmed me, it is directed at Icheb, waiting at the turbolift. She takes my hand as she stands and the as we approach the lift, offers her other hand to Icheb. 'Welcome home, son' as he responds to her grin I realise that to all practical purposes he is my son too. I clasp his shoulder and Kathryn draws us all into a hug. 'Our family!' Icheb and I eye each other as we descend, Kathryn linking us together. I see his studied neutral face and think of Seven, that I haven't tried to make a connection with this young man, I am ashamed. ' in all the craziness, let us find time for each other, Icheb. Your mother links us now, but I would like us to make our own connection.' He nods seriously. Kathryn kisses us both on the cheek and says how happy she is to be able to take 'her boys' home, and that we should 'be prepared' but just laughs when I ask what for. So a wry smirk at each other becomes our first bonding moment, and I am sure we are both thinking we will need a male ally in this matriarchal clan of Janeways.
as we stride into the shuttle nay, it is the reverse of the 37's planet. All our crew are here, all cheering. Harry has even rigged up the holo projectors for more confetti. Spirits but we have cheered ourselves hoarse these past 24 hours. And Kathryn adores confetti, it makes her skip and dance like a child. The crew are t just happy to be home, they are happy to cheer and applaud this captain we would all have died for, who instead saved us.
on opening the shuttle bay doors, the cheers inside are a logarithmic scale away from the roar that comes in. We are all silent, shocked. Tom quips that at least they are not hirogen, even if we feel like prey. It was just the thing for Kathryn to regroup. Smiling and waving she leads us out. I murmur 'welcome to the rest of our lives' and then we stand proud, breathing the earths atmosphere and knowing those we also love are out there waiting.
We are home