In the Arms of Family
Story by Janet and Christina
Written by Janet, Christina, Cybermum, Diane, Julie,Mary, Penny, and Rocky
Compiled by Janet

"Captain's log, Stardate 55919.4. It's impossible to describe the mood of my intrepid crew. In the past thirty hours, I think we've felt every possible emotion. Fear, relief, joy...trepidation. We're home, and still Starfleet has not said anything-except to send Commander Craig to control the news. This is somewhat unsettling, since the very first thing he said was 'don't talk to anyone-especially the press.'

"B'Elanna has already started repairs. Commander, soon to be Captain Riker has offered any assistance we need."

::Captain,:: Chakotay's voice said. ::There's an incoming message, from Admiral Hayes.::

"Patch it through to my Ready Room." About time, she thought. "Admiral Hayes, it's about time I heard from Starfleet," she said with a growl.

::Captain Janeway, welcome home,:: he said.

Janeway shook her head. "Admiral, I'd like some answers! First and foremost, when are we expected on Earth?"

::I understand, *Captain.* You will be receiving your orders shortly.::

She maintained a cool exterior, but she wanted to glare down the admiral and get those answers they'd been after for a year now. "And then?"

::Again congratulations. Hayes out.::

Janeway leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes stifling her need to scream. "Log, continue entry..."

::Captain,:: Chakotay's voice interrupted her again. ::Commander Craig is here. He wishes to speak with you.::

She opened her eyes and grimaced. "Very well, send him in. Computer, close log."

Commander Craig entered. He waited quietly for her to acknowledge his presence.

"Commander?"

"I have been in contact with Admiral Necheyev. This incident with the Romulans is being dealt with. The Romulan government is extremely embarrassed by the actions of a few rogue officers."

"Of course," Janeway said in a neutral tone. She still wondered just how innocent the Romulan government was.

"We would like to avoid embarrassing them further..."

"I understand. And let me guess, some in our own government would like an excuse to break the treaty?"

Craig face crinkled in disgust. "Absolutely not. The Federations stands behind the treaty. Admiral Necheyev is insistent upon this. Please inform your crew that they are not to mention this *incident* to anyone."

This was something she hadn't missed in the DQ. "So, we're to pretend it didn't happen?"

"Exactly-at least for the moment. Any damage can be explained by problems with the slipstream."

"Of course." She worked to maintain a neutral expression. "And the prisoners will be returned to the Romulans?"

"Already done. Starfleet intelligence has taken the ship to a secure location."

"Any idea on how they arranged all this?"

"Starfleet intelligence is working on that. They suspect others were involved."

"Who?"

"I am not at liberty to say."

In other words, she thought, they haven't told you. Commander Craig smiled knowingly. "Please remind your crew about what they can and can't talk about while on Deep Space Nine."

She buried her head in her hands after he left, stifling the urge to scream. Or, better, toss him into space.

"You all right?" Chakotay asked. She looked up, wondering when he'd entered.

"He's an officious..."

"Kathryn!" Chakotay shook his head as he started massaging her shoulders. "What did he say?"

"The Romulan *incident* didn't happen."

"It didn't? How are they managing that one? Our crew and the Enterprise's crew know."

"I have no clue. Starfleet is going to come up with some statement-that will avoid embarrassing the Romulan government."

"You really think they pulled this off without the backing of the Romulan government?"

"We'll probably never know."

"Welcome home," he whispered. "What did Hayes say?"

"We're to stay here, waiting for further orders."

His hands stilled. "I see."

She rolled her eyes. "Chakotay, it won't be that bad," she said with a lack of belief.

He kissed the top of her head. "If you say so. What will happen, will happen."

She nodded, reluctantly. She still wanted answers.

"Well, you ready?" he asked after a long silence. "I did promise you dinner."

They entered the bridge together. The image of the symmetrical station was wonderful-despite all her doubts. But the feeling of victory was fast being lost in a pile of paperwork and redtape.

Chakotay's throat tightened. Although he had received several recorded messages from his sister over the datastream, Starfleet had not been able to connect Dorvan to the FTL communication link. This was the first time in more than eight years that he and his sister had seen each other in real time. Now she looked eagerly across the monitor, her long dark hair tied back loosely with a red silk scarf. The carefree baby sister he remembered had been transformed to a woman of substance. The hardscrabble years of fighting the Cardassians showed in small lines around her mouth and a touch of sadness in her eyes. As he gazed at her, he suddenly was incapable of speech. The most he could do was reach out an touch the screen.

Maya seemed just as moved. Her eyes glittered suspiciously even as her smile deepened. ::Chakotay,:: she said, her voice thick. ::*Cacun*.::

He finally recovered his voice. "Look at you," he said. "You're so beautiful."

She laughed, and wiped her eyes. ::You're a liar, but I love you. I'm fat and I waddle.:: She smoothed her hand over her very pregnant belly. ::And your nephew has a tendency to kick when I least expect it. Esteban says he's sure to be a forward on the soccer team.:: She paused. ::I wish I could be there to greet you.::

"So do I, but you have to take care of that baby. If the doctors tell you to stay in bed, then you need to stay in bed. I just wish I could fit a trip to Dorvan in before we head for Earth. But I'll be there in time for the naming."

Her smile faded. ::I hope so. Oh, I wish I could change your mind. If you don't want to accept the Bajorans offer of sanctuary, then at least come home. The Tribal Council here hasn't established an extradition agreement with the Federation yet. You'd be safe here.::

"I can't do that. I owe it to this crew and to Kathryn to see this all the way to the end. We've been through too much together for me to abandon them now."

::And what do you owe to me?:: she asked, with a flash of temper. ::I'm your sister, the only one you have left. What do you owe to yourself, Chakotay?::

He understood her anger. Sometimes he still felt it himself. "I owe myself respect. If I can't keep my promises, what am I? And I promised my crew and my captain I would go home with them." Forcing a smile, he changed the subject. "Has Cholo arrived yet?"

Cholo-the pet name of Koltec, the oldest son of their cousin Tervan, was on his way to Dorvan, experiencing not only his first trip off planet but also his first visit to Dorvan. Chakotay knew from Tervan's letters how much the young teen had been looking forward to it and from Maya's letters how excited she was to have him. She allowed the diversion, at least briefly. ::He's due tomorrow. That's another reason you should come here. He can't wait to meet you.::

"Maya, I can't. Leave it at that."

Her eyes began to glitter again. ::I'm afraid for you. I keep having nightmares that they arrest you and drag you off to some dark room and I can't find you.::

"It's not going to come to that."

She shook her head. ::They've tried all the former Maquis who made the mistake of returning to a Federation world.::

"Yes, but many of them received probation. I think it's likely we would, if they bothered to arrest us." He smiled encouragingly. "We put together a pretty good record on Voyager, you know. They might just decide it's time to put all that behind and move forward."

::I don't trust them.:: She frowned, and he caught his breath. At that moment, she looked exactly like their mother when she knew that an argument with their father would be useless but she disagreed with him anyway. ::So. Will I ever get to meet this Kathryn of yours?::

He relaxed. The argument was over. "Yes. She's going to come with me. I honestly expect we'll be there for the naming. And I want to meet this Esteban of yours. *And* I want to see the progress you have made in rebuilding Dorvan."

Her entire face lit up. ::It's taking longer than we like, but in all honesty, it's coming along faster than we hoped. The pueblo and plains settlements are almost completely rebuilt. Reforestation is going to take years, but we're already seeing some sprouts in the northwestern forests and in the subtropics. We expect to be ready to import animal stock in five years. Our village may not be the same in our lifetime, but our children and grandchildren will see it.::

"That's wonderful. You've found your life's calling, haven't you? You glow when you talk about it."

::I hadn't thought of it that way before, but yes. I just wish...:: she let the sentence trail off, but he knew what she meant. She wished there had been some other way to find her vocation.

He glanced at the chronometer. "I'm almost about out of time. They're asking us to keep this short because the demand is so high. I'll call again before we reach Earth."

::Please,:: she said. ::And keep me informed, all right? I don't want to rely on the news services to find out what happens to you. Give my best to Kathryn, and watch yourself. I worry about you.::

"You stole my lines. Take care of yourself, Maya-*'in yabitmech*. And have fun with Cholo."

He reached to touch the screen again as it faded.

When Tuvok stepped out of his cabin, Neelix came bounding up to him with such alacrity the security chief suspected him of lying in wait. "Yes, Mr. Neelix, what can I do for you?" He did not wait for an answer, but continued down the corridor.

"Did you speak to her yet?" Neelix asked, hurrying to match his steps with Tuvok's.

Without breaking his stride, Tuvok said, "If you are referring to my wife, yes, I have just finished my call."

Neelix beamed. "That's wonderful! How did it go?"

"This was no different than any of the previous times we have communicated, " Tuvok pointed out. "I exchanged several messages with T'Pel via the datastream. And with the advent of the FTL communication once we reached the Alpha Quadrant, I have spoken with her 'live' a few times as well."

Neelix waved his words away. "That's not the same thing. Now we're *really* close by-wasn't it different knowing you'll be with her soon?"

Tuvok considered the hopeful expression of the man standing before him. "Perhaps it was."

They reached the turbolift and both of them entered. "Deck four," Tuvok said. It was a short ride; almost immediately, the doors opened once more. Tuvok exited, and then raised an eyebrow as Neelix followed him. He had assumed Neelix was heading to the Mess Hall on deck two. Deck four housed the torpedo launchers as well as the shuttle and docking bays. "I am going to the station," he said bluntly. "What is your destination?"

"Why, I'm going there, too!" Neelix said cheerfully. "We can walk together." He waited for Tuvok to key in the code on the wall panel. "I simply must go back to that Klingon restaurant and ask him what he puts into his rokeg blood pie. It didn't taste at all like I expected it to-certainly not like the version I whipped up for B'Elanna that time for her 'Day of Honor' celebration. And the gagh-how does he manage to keep them wriggling even after marinating? I can't quite..."

Tuvok allowed the sound of Neelix's voice to fade to a soothing hum in the background as they passed through the airlock connecting them to Deep Space Nine and then began the relatively long walk down from the docking pylons toward the habitat ring. Not surprisingly, his thoughts went back to his conversation with T'Pel.

It had been extremely...gratifying, to speak with her, to see her image on the screen. Despite his answer to Neelix, in the privacy of his own mind he admitted that he *did* feel a difference concerning the marital bond. The vast distances separating them during the Delta Quadrant years had caused a discernible weakness in the mental link he shared with his wife, a weakness that had troubled him greatly. Now that they were both within the same quadrant, the bond had strengthened. He could 'feel' her in his mind once more, a comfortable presence instead of a faint shadow. A complete and permanent loss of the bond was something he did not even wish to contemplate. There had been two separate occasions in the past when he was sure the link had been severed: the time a transporter accident caused him and Neelix to be combined in the entity known as Tuvix, and his assimilation by the Borg. Though his individuality had been submerged, he had still been conscious of a vast emptiness-the absence of the bond. But once restored to himself it was very reassuring to be able to sense it once more.

Neelix's voice broke into his reverie. He looked up to see the Talaxian's smile. "I'm sorry, Mr. Neelix, would you mind repeating that?"

"Daydreaming about your wife?" Neelix said with a wink. Tuvok opened his mouth, but Neelix went on, "So, when do you get to see her in person?"

"I expect that will be when Voyager arrives at Earth."

Neelix was shocked. "Do you mean to say that T'Pel isn't coming to the station?"

"It would not make sense for her to do so," Tuvok said. "Our ship will be leaving shortly and it would be inconvenient for T'Pel to travel first to Deep Space Nine instead of going straight from Vulcan to Earth."

"But what if there are delays?" Neelix said indignantly.

"If there are, I assure you I will have no difficulty waiting a little longer for our reunion." Tuvok nodded a greeting to a passing Starfleet officer and then remarked, "It almost appears as though you are more eager to see my wife than I am." He paused. "If I did not know better, I might suspect you have an ulterior motive."

Neelix chuckled. "Nothing illicit on my part, I promise! I just want to see my favorite Vulcan happy."

Tuvok was touched at Neelix's concern. He also realized, somewhat belatedly, that having left everyone and everything he cared about behind when he decided to join Voyager years ago, Neelix was looking to him to vicariously experience a reunion with loved ones. He felt a stab of sympathy. For all his cheerful bluster, Tuvok suspected that Neelix was sometimes intolerably lonely.

They emerged into a broader corridor and all at once more people were in evidence all about them. Starfleet officers, Bajoran militia and civilians-the station was teeming with life. Everyone seemed to know who they were-he caught the word "Voyager" bandied about in several conversations. A few individuals smiled in their direction, but did not attempt to engage them in conversation. Tuvok was not entirely comfortable with his newfound 'celebrity' status, but as long as his privacy was respected, he had no grounds for complaints.

"I can't tell you how exciting it is to be here finally and getting the chance to meet some of the people and see the actual institutions I've heard so much about," Neelix said, looking all around with delight and waving his arms enthusiastically.

"What are your plans for the future?" Tuvok asked, remembering that the last he'd heard, Neelix had spoken about possibly opening a restaurant.

Neelix dragged his attention away from a display of unfamiliar spices in a shop window. "It'll probably take some time for me to get settled, so I don't want to jump into anything," he said. "But I think I'll offer my services to Starfleet's diplomatic corps. I have all those years of experience on Voyager, after all, and who better to guide your ambassadors in dealing with the natives of the Delta Quadrant?"

"Indeed," Tuvok said. "And Sarexa-what will she be doing? Does she wish to enter the diplomatic corps as well? Or will she be pursuing something in engineering, perhaps?"

Neelix looked at him in surprise. "Why, um, I don't exactly know. She hasn't said anything, but I just assumed..." his words dwindled away. Clearly, it hadn't entered his mind that Sarexa would not be with him, sharing in whatever experiences he would have.

"Neelix, have you discussed any of this with her?" Tuvok asked.

"I've told her the various ideas I've had."

"And did she say anything in response?"

Neelix frowned. "She did suggest I wait and gauge the restaurant business carefully before making any substantial investment...but other than that, no."

"Has she said what she wants?" Tuvok pressed. At Neelix's quick shake of the head, Tuvok halted and looked at him for a long moment. "Neelix, I do not wish to pry, but would you please define for me the nature of your relationship?"

"The nature of my relationship?" Neelix said, flustered. "You mean, with Sarexa?"

Tuvok bit back a sigh. "She is the subject of this conversation, and if I am not mistaken, the only female you have expressed an interest in since Kes."

Neelix's face changed, and for a moment Tuvok wondered if it had been the reference to Kes that was responsible. Neelix had loved the Ocampan with all his heart , but for reasons Tuvok was not privy to, the two of them had grown apart, even before Kes underwent her mysterious transformation and left Voyager. He waited.

"I care about Sarexa very much-who wouldn't, she's a wonderful woman," Neelix said at last. "Of course, I'll look out for her, make sure that she's all right. I can't imagine not being with her, I would certainly never just go off and leave her! She's one of my closest friends, like a sister to me." He shrugged helplessly. "Well, maybe 'sister' is not exactly what I mean..."

Tuvok studied him carefully, hearing more than the words Neelix was actually saying. He caught Neelix's gaze in his own. "Perhaps you should give some more thought to the future," he said gently. "At the very least, talk to Sarexa and hear what her plans entail."

Jenny shoved Megan into the booth. "I don't care if it's two in the morning where he is."

"But Robbie doesn't like to be woken up early."

"And we may not get a chance later on." Jenny sat down at the comm console and entered in the information. "I hope he's home."

A rather sleepy red-headed male appeared on the image screen. ::Just what do you think you're doing...?:: His eyes opened wide. ::My god, where are you? Do you know what time it is?::

"We're at Deep Space Nine, and yes we do know the time," Jenny said laughing.

"Don't tell me phuds don't have to get up at two in the morning?" Megan asked. She giggled. "And it's good to see you, too."

::I...I hadn't heard you had returned. Have you told mom and dad?::

"They're on vacation. We were hoping you could let them know." Jenny waved.

Robbie yawned. ::When are you coming to Earth?::

"We..." Jenny looked at Megan. "Robbie, we don't know. It's a mess, almost like Starfleet isn't sure what's going on. We're not supposed to tell anyone anything, the press is all over..."

::I know how to contact our parents, I just would like to tell them when. They'll want to rush home and tell the entire family.::

"Soon, is my guess. Repairs are complete..."

::Repairs? Meg, what happened?:: Robbie was frowning.

"Yet another thing we're not supposed to talk about." Megan shrugged. "Our homecoming was far more interesting than we expected."

"That's an understatement," Jenny agreed. "But our three week mission is now complete. And have we got stories to tell." She smiled. "Wait until you see our Astrometrics facilities...Even you will be impressed."

::I've heard about it. I can't wait...:: His grin grew.

"Robbie, our time is running out. Expect us when you see us. Take care."

::You, too.:: The two sisters reached out to touch the screen. ::Bye.::

Nunk lifted his tankard of Ferengi ale and nodded at the proprietor. "This ale is excellent. You are extremely well supplied."

"Thank you," Quark answered. "Is this your first visit to Deep Space Nine? I don't remember seeing you here before."

"My brother and I are to covering the arrival of Voyager for the Fereginar Daily Business News. Our editor is especially interested in business opportunities in the Delta Quadrant-and the various alien technologies they discovered."

"Ahhh. So there is profit in Voyager?"

Nunk hesitated a second. "I'm sure there is, but whether Starfleet will share with anyone is the question."

"Starfleet doesn't believe in profit."

Nunk nodded in agreement. "They work against the Ferengi businessman."

"You should have seen the pile of paperwork I was required to fill out just to run this modest operation when Starfleet was in control. At least with the Bajorans, it's less. And the taxes I have to pay," Quark said. "They cut into my profit."

Nunk agreed with the proprietor then raised his hand when he saw his brother arrive. Blont smiled. "Brother, there you are. Have you forgotten Voyager is here?"

"How could I forget? They took longer than we expected."

Blont hand moved in a silent warning. Nunk realized that Quark was still standing, waiting. He pulled a latinum chip from his pocket and tossed it. Quark caught it easily. "Have a good stay on Deep Space Nine," Quark said as he left.

"You overpaid him."

"I did not," Nunk retorted as he slid the second tankard toward his brother. "Drink to our success. Millions..."

"Not if you keep wasting our funds." Blont picked up the drink and gulped it down in three swallows. " Now come, we need to get started." He took the half full tankard from Nunk and placed it on the table. "You drink too much anyway."

Blont shoved Nunk toward the human female officer. "Ask her some questions," he whispered.

"She's not from Voyager, she's wearing the gray uniform..."

"So, I'm sure Voyager will be wearing them now, too."

Nunk didn't even bother to continue arguing. "I'm Nunk from the Fereginar Business Daily. Welcome back to the alpha quadrant."

She laughed. "I'm stationed on the Enterprise." Nunk smiled. Not that he would say anything, but he was right, Blont was wrong.

"Ah, so you were there when Voyager arrived?"

"Well, not exactly," she said with a bit of hesitation. "We met up with them about 30 hours after they returned. If you would excuse me?" She walked away, leaving Nunk shaking his head.

"Well?" Blont asked.

"She's from the Enterprise. But did you see her long luscious fingers?"

"Nunk, keep your mind on the job. And the Romulans?"

"She didn't mention the Romulans-surely Voyager recognized the Romulan ships?"

"Don't be stupid, of course they did." Blont frowned. "Try talking to that Vulcan. And pay attention, the Voyager crew are still wearing the older style uniforms." Blont said, shoving his brother toward the male ensign.

"I'm Nunk From the Fereginar Business Journal," he said.

"Ensign Vorik. I am under orders to not talk to the press, if you would excuse me."

"Wait! We understand you had dealings with the Ferengi in the Delta..." Nunk stopped speaking as Ensign Vorik moved out of range.

"That was smooth, brother," Blont said with a snarl. "Let me try." Nunk watched and listened as Blont approached a human male with blond hair.

"My name is Blont, I'm from the Fereginar Business News."

"Lieutenant Tom Paris," the man answered. "I didn't know the Ferengi had reporters."

"Yes we do, sir," Blont replied. "May I ask you some questions."

"Sure, but don't expect any answers." Tom laughed as he spoke.

"What was your job on Voyager?"

"I am...was the chief pilot."

Nunk wondered if this Tom Paris had been the one piloting the Delta Flyer. His brother didn't delve into that. "You must have a lot of stories to tell. Would you go back?"

"In a flash," Tom responded, "Assuming there was a way we could return safely and quickly."

"So, there is profit in the Delta Quadrant?"

"Profit, shmofit. Starfleet is looking for new worlds to explore...Excuse me, but I see my wife."

"But..." Blont turned to look at Nunk. "See, it wasn't that difficult."

"You gathered no new information."

"Yes, I did. You just didn't pay attention. You did notice that while there are numerous station security personnel in the area-not one bothered to ask for our credentials? And no one recognized us-considering your bumbling a year ago put us in the intergalactic most wanted database." Nunk didn't bother to say anything, and Blont just continued on. "You should have also noticed that the Voyager crew seems to be under orders to not talk much." Blont grinned, showing his pointed teeth. "We'll just have to try other tactics."

"Can't we just go home?" Nunk ducked when Blont swatted at him.

"No. When all else fails, try beer-a disgusting drink the hew-mans seem very fond of."

Nunk just nodded, wishing once again he dared to stand up to his brother. He ignored what Blont was saying and watched the passing people. A tall young man, with what looked like the remains of Borg hardware walked by. He was accompanied by two females. Nunk hit his brother hard. "Look," he hissed.

"Ahhh. The Borg male. Come, brother, let us go meet him." They trotted after the trio.

"Hello," Nunk said after Blont shoved him forward. "I'm Nunk from the Fereginar Business Weekly."

"Ferengi?" The younger female asked. "Didn't Uncle Neelix play a Ferengi once?"

"Yes, he did Naomi," the older female said. "But remember we aren't supposed to talk to the reporters."

"Yes, mom." Naomi reached over and grabbed the Borg-man's hand. "Come on, I want to see this place." Nunk glanced up. The Borg-man was much taller than he was.

"Mrs. Wildman, is this okay with you?" the man asked.

"Fine. I'll catch up with you later. Icheb, be careful. This place is noted for its criminal element."

Nunk turned to face his brother after Wildman party had walked away. "He's too big."

"But he would be an excellent source of Borg nanoprobes. There must be more of them in him because he is so tall."

"We should check out the female. She should be easier to catch. And maybe not so tall." Nunk knew he was whining, but didn't really care. Maybe he was secretly hoping Blont would send him home.

"We'll check her out...but I think he is going to be the better candidate." Blont started to walk very fast down the main corridor.

"Wait, Blont!" Nunk growled, then took off running.