Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures

Hearts Astray

Chapter 20

TWO DAYS LATER

In a white corridor of silver doors on Starbase FX-10, Commander Kathryn Janeway walked with her fiancé, Mark Johnson, to their guestroom. They had just arrived at the Starbase for a conference and, as it was to last the whole weekend, were staying until Monday. Kathryn was casually dressed in a white jacket over a flowing yellow skirt, and her long hair was loose over her shoulders. Mark was more formally dressed, wearing a white shirt under a brown suit, but looked very relaxed as he walked by Kathryn's side.

"I really appreciate you coming with me to this conference," Kathryn said as they reached the door to their room. "I know The dynamics of leadership and authority on interstellar spacecraft is hardly a subject of interest to you."

"No," he replied, "but it is to you. That's good enough for me."

Kathryn turned to him. "Oh Mark, you really are a sweetie, aren't you?"

"Anything for you," he smiled. "But of course, my motives are not entirely unselfish. In fact, one could say they are entirely selfish." He gathered her in his arms and kissed her neck inbetween words. "This is the last chance we'll have to be together for three months. I need my fill of you to last until then. Not that I can ever get enough of you. You drive me wild, Kath."

Footsteps echoed down the corridor and Kathryn playfully slapped him away. "Well, you'll have to tame yourself as we're in public."

Mark laughed. "Then how about we go inside and christen our room?"

Kathryn beamed a smile, opened the door, and pulled him inside with a kiss.

As the Maquis ship, The Liberty, soared through Federation space, the ship's leader, Chakotay, lay in a black bed with Seska. The in-disguise Cardassian was leaning over him and talking as she stroked his broad chest.

"Our action here," she said, "is always explosive. You're the best lover I've ever had and you set my world on fire. But as this crew's leader, I'm wondering where the fireworks are."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Well, I've been a member of this crew for months now and what have we accomplished? Nothing. We've had a few fights with Cardassian warships and that's all. A few fights isn't going to win this war. We need to do something that makes both the Cardies and the Feds take note."

"Like what?" Chakotay asked, not liking the way this was going.

"Like blowing up a Starfleet starbase."

Chakotay looked at her in horror. "Are you out of your mind?"

"No, I'm totally serious. There's a plot, by a few Maquis leaders, to blow up a starbase around here. Let's join them. Let's send the Feds a message that goes up with a bang."

Chakotay drew away from her. "I can't believe I'm hearing this. That's there's such a plot, oh yes, I know some of our extremists would blow up the entire Federation if they could, but I can't believe you actually think we should be a part of it!"

"Why not? Because it's going to happen, Chakotay, and soon. What would you rather? Be a part of it or let all the other leaders take the glory?"

"Glory? You call blowing up a Starfleet starbase glorious? What's the matter with you?"

"What's the matter with you, Chakotay? Every time there's a chance to do something real for our cause, you don't want to know. All you want to do is fight Cardie warships. They're not the only ones we're fighting. We're fighting the Feds too. Or have you forgotten that? Have you forgotten it was them who sold out your people? I hate the Feds more than I hate the Cardies! This is your chance for revenge. Your family, and my relatives, would still be alive if the Feds hadn't abandoned them. If you don't want revenge, what kind of a warrior are you? Why did you bother joining the Maquis?"

"You know why," he answered. "And you know how much I abhor terrorism! That's not what the Maquis is about. It's not what I'm about. We're freedom fighters, fighting for the liberty of our homeworlds from Cardassian rule, not terrorists!"

Seska scoffed. "You're a one legged Maquis, Chakotay, a one armed warrior. You've cut off the others to save the Feds! It's pathetic and a total betrayal of our cause! We need to get involved in this, we need to be amongst those who attack the starbase and make it go up in shreds!"

"Absolutely no," Chakotay cried, getting out of bed and putting on his robe. "Do you hear? Do you understand? No! We'll never, never ever, be involved in acts of violence against Federation or Cardassian civilians!"

"Civilians? How can you call them civilians? Most onboard these stations are Starfleet officers! And, from what I hear, the intended starbase is hardly an important place. Security is low and it's unprotected. It's a sitting target, Chakotay, so let's strike it."

"No, Seska!" he yelled. "Never! And if that's the kind of fight you want then you're following the wrong leader! I will never be involved in terrorism. Never, ever!"

Knowing she was not going to win this one, Seska gave a sigh of defeat. "Ok, Chakotay. If you feel that strongly about it, I won't say anymore."

"You will," he said. "You'll find out when this attack is planned for, on which starbase exactly, and you'll tell me. Then I'll send an anonymous tip to Starfleet to warn them."

"What?" she exclaimed. "You'll betray your own cause to save Feds?"

"I'll never betray my own cause," he replied. "Those leaders who are planning this are betraying our cause. We're not fighting the Cardassians to be like them. We're fighting to free our people from terror. We fight those who fight us. Our quarrel with the Cardassians has nothing to do with any Starfleet officer on any starbase and it would be an atrocity for them to die for it. I won't be a part to this and I'll do everything I can to stop it. In fact, I've got a good mind to inform Starfleet right now that an attack is planned."

"There's no need for that," Seska said, getting out of bed and wrapping up in a robe too, "and it would do little good. If we're going to blow the whistle on this attack, we may as well do it at full volume. A little squeak will either be ignored or unheeded. I'll get the information you suggested, and when we have the time and date of this attack, then we can tell Starfleet. They'll have something solid to go on then and can make proper defenses."

Chakotay took a calming breath. "Ok," he said. "I'll trust you to get the information we need. But if you let me down, then..."

"Then what? You'll kick me off this ship? Don't you love me?"

"Of course I do," he said, closing the gap between them. "I just...Sometimes I don't think I know you."

Seska slipped her arms around his waist. "Sometimes I don't think I know myself. When it comes to you, reason goes right out the window. I'm just not as grounded as you, don't have your moral compass. But I'm trying, Chakotay. I'm trying to be a better person. One of the reasons I love you is because you're everything I want to be. But you're right. Blowing up a Starfleet starbase isn't the way to go. I don't know what I was thinking. But I'm glad I mentioned it because now we can stop it. I just want you to be a great leader, the greatest. If I over step the mark sometimes, it's only because I care. I want you to respect me, to trust me, to adore me the way I adore you."

"I do," he said. "I'm crazy about you. But you've got to understand that such acts of violence go against everything I believe."

"I understand. And I'll never suggest anything like it again. I promise." She smiled. "Are we friends again?"

Chakotay nodded.

"Then come back to bed and let's make up."

"Not now," he said sadly, "I'm tired. We'd best say goodnight."

Seska was visibly disappointed, but made light of the rejection. "I suppose one round with me is enough to exhaust a man. But don't worry, I'm yours whenever you need me." She kissed his mouth, holding the kiss long. "Goodnight, Chakotay. Sleep tight."

Chakotay gave a wan smile. "You too."

Seska kissed him again and then disappeared through a door that connected her quarters to his.

At 7:00 hours in room 101 on Starbase FX-10, a morning alarm woke Kathryn from a sound sleep. Groggily, she sat up in a large bed of white satin sheets and fiddled with a knob next to it that adjusted the room's lighting. Mark, who was also awoken by the bleeps, groaned as dim light filled the room.

"Oh, don't say it's seven already," he whined.

"Right on the dot," Kathryn answered. "But, if you want, you go right back to sleep, honey. I can attend the first lecture by myself."

"No," he said, sitting up. "If I don't attend the first, the chances are I'll be totally lost by the second."

"I can give you a synopsis. And really, darling, there's no need for you to come to every lecture. The idea is for us to spend some time together, not for you to die of boredom. In fact, there's no need for you to come to any lectures. You can please yourself, see the sites, and then meet me for lunch. There are no lectures between twelve and two. Then we can meet back here at five. Haven't you got some work you need to be catching up on, anyway?"

"I supposed I could skip the lectures and do some work instead," he said, "but as I'm up now, I may aswell come. If the lectures bore me out of my head, I'll skip them tomorrow. I doubt there's much to see here, anyway."

"Oh," Kathryn smiled, "never underestimate an ancient starbase. They're full of secrets." She got out of bed, put on a blue satin robe, and then made her way over to a small replicator in a corner of the room. "Want a coffee?"

"That depends," Mark said, putting an arm behind his head.

"On what?" Kathryn asked, manually replicating a coffee.

"On whether or not we need the caffeine. I can think of a better way to wake ourselves up."

Kathryn picked up her freshly replicated coffee and turned to him. "Oh Mark, you know I don't have time. I've got to take a bath and..."

"Take a shower instead," he suggested. "The lecture isn't until nine. We've got plenty of time."

"I don't know, Mark. I..."

"Come on. Live dangerously. Besides," he teased, "am I not totally irresistible?"

Kathryn smiled, put down her coffee, and walked over to him. "Totally."

"Then get yourself under here," he said, raising up the covers.

Kathryn did as he said and kissed his lips softly as she leant over him. "You've really missed me this last month, haven't you?"

"Like crazy," he admitted.

"Which makes me wonder how you're going to get through the next twelve weeks."

"Oh, I'll be totally miserable," he said, caressing her face, "and counting the seconds until you're in my arms again, but I guess it will be good grounding. You're going to be away a lot longer when you're a captain."

"If I'm a captain," she corrected. "My promotion is only rumor at the moment."

"Oh, you'll be a captain," he said confidently. "I've never known a more commanding woman, Commander."

Kathryn walked her fingers up his chest. "Is that so? Well, I've never known a more demanding man."

Mark smiled. "Then I guess we're well matched."

"Absolutely. But if I do get the promotion, I promise I'll only ever captain short missions. Nothing longer than a few weeks. And that will only be for a couple of years. Once we're married, I'd like us to start a family."

An amused glint shone in Mark's eyes. "Let me get this straight, you want babies aswell as dogs?"

"Yes. Don't you want babies?"

"No. They're red and scrawny and cry all the time."

Kathryn poked his stomach. "Speak for yourself. I was a cutie goodie with dimples."

"Dimples, really?"

"And ours will be too. With your good looks and my charm, how can they not be?"

Mark laughed. "Shouldn't that be your good looks and my charm?"

"That's what I said," she teased. "But they will be, Mark. They'll be adorable."

"If we have them."

"When we have them."

Mark curled his lip in amusement. "I see we have a quarrel here."

"Yes," Kathryn smiled. "Which I will win." She then lowered her lips to his and kissed him. "But, in the meantime, let's practise baby making."

At this, Mark rolled on top of her. "No argument there."

Kathryn laughed and then they began to make love.

On The Liberty's small bridge, a long haired B'Elanna Torres approached Chakotay as he entered. The Half-Klingon was wearing a dark green body suit that hugged her thin figure and Chakotay was wearing a black outfit that was heavily armed.

"Our dilithium levels are low," B'Elanna said urgently. "We need to replenish."

Seska, who appeared from behind a console, spoke before Chakotay had a chance. "Low is not critical. We've enough to get us to Darla Prime."

"Just about," B'Elanna retaliated. "But if we delay the trip much longer, we won't. And what will we do then?"

"Seska's right," Chakotay said calmly. "We're ok for the moment. We'll head for Darla Prime when I say so."

"But..." B'Elanna protested.

"But nothing. Return to your station."

B'Elanna's hands went to her hips. "Not until you tell me what's going on. I know there's something. It's not like you to take risks."

Chakotay stepped closer and towered over her. "Less of the attitude. I don't tolerate it on my ship, understand? If there's something I want you to know, I'll tell you. Get it?"

B'Elanna stepped back in submission. "Yes, Sir."

"Good. Now, get back to work."

B'Elanna made no protest this time and left. As she did, Chakotay turned to Seska. "Seska, my office."

Chakotay then walked into his office, which was a small room just right of the bridge, and Seska followed. When the doors shut them in, he spoke.

"Any news?"

"Yes," she said. "It's over."

"Over?" Chakotay asked in alarm. "You don't mean..."

"No," she replied. "Relax. The whole thing's been called off. Which is lucky for the Feds as it was planned for last night."

"Last night?"

"Yes. What can I say? The grapevine isn't always up to date."

"What happened? Why was it called off?"

"The ringleader got cold feet. Apparently, security at the starbase has been upped to max and a fleet of ships are guarding it. That kind of puts paid to a surprise attack."

"Why has security been increased? Have they had a tip off?"

"Probably. Fed spies are amongst us. You know that."

"Yes," he said. "But if they save lives, I'm glad." He paused. "What about the other starbases? Are there any plans to attack them?"

"No. The whole idea's dead. Security has probably been increased on every starbase."

Chakotay closed the gap between them. "This is the truth, isn't it, Seska? The attack really has been called off?"

"Of course. Don't you trust me?"

"On a personal level, absolutely. But I know how angry you are at the Federation, know how much you want revenge. I think you could mislead me on this if you felt it was in a good cause...our cause."

"Then you're thinking wrong. I'd never mislead you about anything. How can you think that? Have I ever been less than honest with you? I know I've done a lot of crazy things, and you've had to rein me in, but have I ever deceived you or lied to you?"

"No," he answered.

"Then don't doubt me now. I'm telling the truth, Chakotay. The attack has been called off."

Chakotay considered a moment, as though he wasn't quite convinced, then he relaxed. "I believe you."

Seska wrapped her arms around his neck. "Completely and utterly?"

"Completely and utterly."

Seska smiled and pinched his cheek. "Then ditch the frown and give me a smile."

At this, Chakotay couldn't help but smile.

"That's better," Seska said. "Now, shall we put B'Elanna out of her misery and set a course for Darla Prime?"

Chakotay slipped his arms around her waist. "Yes, let's. But first, give me a kiss."

Seska laughed. "Gladly, Sir."

Then she put her mouth to his and they kissed deeply.

When the weekend conference at Starbase FX-10 was over, it was time for Kathryn and Mark to leave. They packed up their belongings, had their suitcases beamed to their respective shuttles, and then got dressed. Mark put on the same suit he had arrived in, while Kathryn put on her uniform.

"Maybe next time I see you," Mark said as they made their way to the door, "there'll be more pips on your collar."

"Maybe," Kathryn smiled.

"I'm really going to miss you, Kath."

There was such a sincere sadness in those words that they hurt Kathryn's heart. Tenderly, she put her hand on his arm. "I'm going to miss you too."

"When you're away, it feels like...like a part of me is missing." He lowered his eyes. "But I'm feeling sorry for myself, I know that. And I know you hate that."

"It's not self pity to miss someone you love," she said kindly. "I feel the same. If you weren't going to miss me, then...then what would be the point of us?"

Mark looked up now and smiled sadly. "I love you, Kath. I know I don't say it enough, but I do."

Kathryn took his hands in hers. "I love you too."

"And I want some claim on you. I want to feel that when you're gone, you're truly mine. I know we're engaged, but that's not the same as being married. When you get back, I want us to set a date."

"Then we will."

Mark smiled and then they hugged.

When they drew away, Kathryn put her hand to his cheek. "I know this weekend hasn't exactly been your vacation of choice, but you have had a good time, haven't you?"

"In this room," he teased, "a fantastic time. The rest of this place is as lively as a graveyard."

Kathryn laughed. "I guess, then, you won't be coming here with me to the next conference in spring?"

"Oh, I'll be here," he smiled. "The room service is amazing."

Kathryn laughed again and then opened the door. As it slid open, she gestured to it.

"After you, Sir."

Mark stepped into the corridor outside and Kathryn followed him. Then, arm in arm, they walked away and the room's silver door closed behind them.

END OF CHAPTER 20