Hey guys! Thanks for reading. I reference my other work, A New Life, in this chapter. It's Janeway/Chakotay so if you like ST VOY go on over and check that one out! If you like it, I'd love you hear from you :)
It always surprises me how sterile and cold Starfleet Headquarters is. I never could tell how they could have chosen such a beautiful, kindly, and airy city like San Francisco and stuck right in the middle of it a building so devoid of light and warmth.
This morning we told our senior staff that we were resigning. Most of them had the same reaction as Deanna. Will was furious when he first heard the words, but then, like Deanna, he was happy for us. Data merely gave us his congratulations and wished us well. He's still such a neophyte in terms of his emotions. He wants us to be happy in as much as he can grasp the concept.
Worf – what can I say about Worf? He was Worf! He grumbled a bit but then offered his congratulations as well. I think that Worf understands in his own way. On our first years out, we met a woman named K'Ehleyr. She was an emissary who we later found out had been romantically involved with Worf. However, she wasn't just involved with him, they had almost gotten married and she bore him Alexander.
She was a magnificent woman not only physically, but mentally as well. For a Klingon, she was incredibly graceful. I'm a tall woman myself, but K'Ehleyr towered over me and whenever she walked into a room she demanded a presence. She had a very quick wit about her that made me smile. When she died, Worf was crushed. I don't think I've ever seen such a big man so moved. He was well and truly broken over her. I think that knowing what he knows now; if Worf had the chance to be with her he would give all of this up as well.
The click of our heels on the cold marble floors of Head quarters brings me back to the present. Both of us had already sent in our resignations over the computer, but it's customary to come to headquarters for a formal meeting.
Our presence has been requested by Admirals Hayes, Nechayev, and Paris. Hayes and Paris are both cordial. Owen Paris' son Tom is part of the Voyager crew. I had heard rumours that there had been some bad blood between father and son prior to Voyager's being stranded in the Delta Quadrant. I think that right now Owen has a lot of regrets, but somehow those regrets have softened him. But recently he's seemed grateful and appreciative because he's seen, as in the case of his son, when precious things are lost you may never see them again.
Hayes has always been benign. I've met him a few times at various Admirals balls. He's always quite cordial with everyone. I remember one time he tried to engage my in a conversation about my work. He obviously had no idea what I did because he went off on a discussion about quasar mechanics. I didn't have the heart to tell him I wasn't an astrophysicist so I just went along. A few moments into our conversation, the man must have thought I was quite literally dull because I was at that point making things up and it was obvious that I had no idea what I was talking about. I remember though, that Jean Luc rescued me and instead of using my name he called me "Doctor". Hayes just cocked his head, nodded and walked away. I think he was a little embarrassed and truthfully so was I.
As we get closer and closer to Nechayev's presence (and she definitely has one), I find myself feeling like a schoolgirl who's on her way to the principle's office. The feeling before having to deal with Alynna Nechayev can only be likened to the feeling of walking into a lion's den. The woman is absolutely something else! She was top of her class in everything at the academy and she's never let anyone forget it. She was the youngest woman ever appointed to the admiralty and she uses her feminine wiles and powers of manipulation to get her way. No one ever says anything against because they're too afraid. And to tell you the truth, so am I.
We approach the door and instinctively I grab Jean Luc's hand. Before we go in, he turns, gives my hand a light squeeze and kisses my cheek. My, my, my, this is a new side of Jean Luc Picard! Not only is he resigning after almost 30 years of being in Starfleet, but also he just kissed me in public!
As soon as the hydraulic doors swoosh open, the Brass is on their feet. I don't think I've ever seen more contrary dispositions in my life! Nechayev's neat coiffure is tousled and aberrant strands are sticking out every which way. Her makeup is less than pristine and dark circles are evident in the absence of concealer.
Hayes looks like he just went a few rounds with a Terkalian beast. Owen, though, looks serene. He's just glad that his son is OK. I think that of all of the admirals, he's going to offer the least resistance to our resignations.
Alynna is the first to cry, "How dare you? Both of you! You should be ashamed!"
"She's right! This is outrageous! Jean Luc, Beverly – you're two of the 'Fleet's finest officers! Beverly, we were even willing to give you command of a science vessel in a few years time and now this! It's an outrage!" Hayes face just keeps getting redder and redder.
"Alynna, John – please calm down," Owen begins, "sit down and let's hear Jean Luc and Beverly's reason for their resignation."
"Thank you, Admiral," Jean Luc nods at Owen.
The five of us sit down at this monstrously imposing table. I wonder why they chose this room….
Nechayev pipes up again, "So tell us, Jean Luc. Are you unhappy with Starfleet? Was it not enough that we gave you command of the flagship vessel? Are you not satisfied with the best crew that we had to offer? Do you want more pay? More shore leave? What could possibly be missing in your career?"
Jean Luc shifts uncomfortably in his seat. In truth, we were expecting this but the reality of it is off-putting, "No, Admiral. I – Beverly and I- we are very happy with our positions, but we, uh, we want to get married and start a fami-"
"And you can't do that now?"
I'm getting frustrated with this woman so I decide to speak up, "forgive me, Admiral, but Jean Luc and I don't want to raise a family within the confines of Starfleet and –"
"Well then you should have thought of that in the first place!" Hayes interjects. If that man's face was any redder I would have mistaken it for a ripe, prize-winning tomato.
Jean Luc and I look at each other, completely taken aback by their reaction. He grabs my hand under the table and gives it a quick, reassuring squeeze. "I'm sorry, Admirals, but this is a deeply personal decision and one that Beverly and I have thought through thoroughly. We won't be bullied by any of you into changing our minds. We want a family – children! - and we want to explore life outside of Starfleet. This is all we've known since we were 17 years old! We've given your our service and we've been upstanding officers. There is no reason for this treatment!"
"You're right," Owen Paris looked up from his lap, "Alynna, Jack – Jean Luc and Beverly are right. They've given their service and they are free to choose what they want to do with their lives. They are free to retire and start a family. Jean Luc, Beverly, I am very happy for you. Family is a gift." In this moment, I gain a huge amount of respect for Owen Paris. My heart goes out to him and his wife for all that they have lost.
"Owen," I begin softly, "have you heard from Tom?"
He looks up and smiles, "yes! Do you know what? He's married with a baby on the way!"
"Oh, Owen!" I exclaim, "that's wonderful. Congratulations."
Jean Luc smiles as well, "congratulations, Owen! That's wonderful news."
"Thank you, Beverly, Jean Luc." He looks back to his colleagues, "let them go. They just want to live their lives in peace."
I can tell Hayes and Nechayev are defeated. What are they going to do at this stage?
Nechayev clears her throat and smoothes her spindly hands over her disgruntled coiffure, "Very well. Beverly, Jean Luc – your resignation has been accepted and all pay will be granted. You'll be resigning with your ranks of Captain and Commander intact." She clears her throat, "I wish you every," she looks like she's going to vomit, "happiness".
Hayes just nods his head, face still red as a strawberry. Owen, though, comes over and shakes our hands. He's a wonderful man and I'm grateful for his presence here with us. Without him, this meeting would have been a lot worse. He signals us towards the door. Once we're out in the foyer, Nechayev and Hayes limply shake our hands and return to their work.
Owen, though, stays behind, "Beverly, Jean Luc. I truly am happy for you. This is wonderful news and I hope you'll keep in touch. I've always had the greatest respect for the both of you and I wish you ever single happiness in your new life together."
"Thank you again, Owen." Jean Luc bows his head and leans into the older man, "what's the latest on Voyager?"
His face lights up, "well nothing's changed much. We were able to set up a call and I was able to see Tom and his new wife, B'Elanna. They look very happy."
"B'Elanna, that sounds like a Klingon name?" I'm surprised. It's not unheard of, but it's rare that humans and true Klingons intermarry.
"B'Elanna is half Klingon. She's their chief engineer – she even used to be Maquis!"
"Well it seems as though the Maquis have integrated well with the Starfleet crew!" Jean Luc is impressed.
"Yes. And no doubt you've heard about Kathryn and her first officer?"
I smile, "yes, what wonderful news - and a baby on the way!"
Owen looks absolutely tickled, "Yes. It is wonderful. I knew Chakotay when he was here at the academy and he is a good man. He might have lost his way for a while, but he and Kathryn are extremely happy together. In fact," he pulls a small padd out of his pocket, "in the last data stream we were able to exchange files of information – it was mostly duty logs, ships records, updates on the new technological additions to the ship, profiles on the new species that they've encountered… but what we also received were photographs! Apparently, their EMH is quite the photographer!" Owen excitedly activates the padd. Jean Luc and I gather in closer.
"This," he points out, "is Tom and B'Elanna's wedding photograph." What a lovely couple. B'Elanna is short and petite with only slight Klingon ridges on her forehead. They both look so happy. Tom is tall. He towers over his wife. He's got that All-American jock look to him. They make a lovely couple.
"They look beautiful, Owen." Jean Luc says softly.
Owen's eyes look like they are starting to tear, "Yes, and," he swipes the screen and brings up another photo, "here's Kathryn and Chakotay's." My, oh my, Chakotay's Starfleet personnel file didn't do him any justice whatsoever! The man is quite tall and imposing. He's a big man – very muscular, but his face is kind and soft. In the photo he's looking at Kathryn with the same look that Jean Luc gives me. His hands are around Kathryn's waist. She's so tiny that his hands almost engulf her fully. She looks happy – blissful. Her dress suits her perfectly and I can't help but tear up. They couple is flanked by Tom, B'Elanna, and a tall Vulcan named assumedly Tuvok, a trusted advisor of Kathryn's who went undercover in the Maquis for a while.
"Well," Owen deactivates the padd, "I should be going. But I mean it, keep me informed and stay in touch."
"Certainly," Jean Luc responds as he holds out his hand, " and please keep us informed on the Voyager situation. Give Tom, B'Elanna, Kathryn, and Chakotay our best when you speak with them in the next data stream."
They shake hands and we say our final goodbyes. In an instant, we're free. I look over at my fiancé and grab his hand, "we're free," I whisper to him. And then, like two giddy teenagers we scurry out of Starfleet, receiving questioning glances from passing Commanders and Admirals.
The warm San Francisco air warms us, reminding us that it's summer. Jean Luc turns to me, "so?" That's his new favourite question lately.
"So." I throw it back at him. What is he getting at?
"So, Beverly, let's get married."