Even though he had initiated it, this conversation was getting a little too serious for Chakotay’s plans. Of course, he appreciated Tom’s admission. The introspective Tom Paris was a recent revelation to him, and he realized now how much more there was beneath the slick surface of the man he once thought he knew. But Chakotay wanted this night to be light and fun, and he was going to get his friend back in the proper mood. “Well, I know you convinced her to marry you, Paris, but you’ve been keeping that beautiful, talented woman to yourself for too long. I think it’s my turn.” He downed the last of his wine and walked to the other end of the table.
He caught the tail end of a conversation about chest hair, and decided to pretend that he hadn’t. “Care to dance?” he said as he interrupted the women, all of whom seemed surprised that he was talking to B’Elanna.
“Me?” she said looking up at him.
“You. Make your husband jealous and dance with me, Torres.”
B’Elanna looked down the table at Tom to make sure he was listening. “It’s Paris, actually, since I’m off duty.” Tom smiled at her public acknowledgement of the name she had recently taken. “But I’ll dance with you Chakotay. As long as you stay on your own feet this time.” She put her hand in his and let him lead her onto the dance floor. This left Kathryn alone with Seven as they watched their friends walk away.
Tom wasn’t about to let Chakotay’s challenge go unanswered. “Kathryn, are we going to let them get away with that?” he asked, extending his hand.
She was dizzy enough without dancing, too, but she was glad he had asked. “You’re on,” she agreed. “But no twirling, Tom. My head is spinning from all that wine.”
He just laughed. “I’ll be gentle,” he teased. Wow, Kathryn thought. He was flirting with her, even if she knew it was innocent. As Tom took her hand and walked to the dance floor, she enjoyed a long-missed feeling of being just another woman out with her friends. Tomorrow she’d be their captain again, but—for tonight—she was just Kathryn.
Unlike Chakotay, whose two left feet were somewhat exaggerated, Tom’s reputation as a good dancer was well deserved. B’Elanna watched her husband lead their captain around the floor, as she dodged her best friend’s missteps. “Chakotay, didn’t they make you learn to dance at the Academy? Isn’t it required training for all future starship captains?”
He laughed. “Sure. Wilderness survival, advanced diplomacy, and the Fox Trot. But I was sick that day. I almost didn’t graduate because of it.”
Luckily the music changed to something with a slower tempo, and they were able to avoid the need for fancier footwork. B’Elanna spent a long moment considering the old friend holding her in his arms. “Something’s different with you, Chakotay. You’ve changed.”
He didn’t know how to respond. “Thanks. I think. In what way have I changed?”
She smiled at him as she answered. “You’re happy. And even with everything they’ve thrown at us the last week, you don’t seem the least bit angry. It’s like you’re...”
“Free?” he asked. “That’s how I feel. Free to face the choices I’ve made. Free to admit that I’m in love with a woman who’s been off limits for seven years. I’m finally totally free, B’Elanna. What do I have to be angry about?”
She just shook her head, still not realizing the price her friend was about to pay for that freedom. “You’ve earned a little happiness, don’t you think?” she asked. “I just hope Starfleet realizes that and drops these stupid charges.”
Chakotay just smiled back at her. He changed the subject intentionally. “You know, you’ve changed a lot yourself these days.” He let his eyes find Kathryn and her dance partner as he continued. “B’Elanna, who ever would have thought that you and Tom Paris...” They both laughed before his voice turned serious. “It took me forever to admit it, but you’ve been good for each other. I’m glad to see you so happy and at peace with yourself. You’re not my angry little Klingon anymore.”
She stopped smiling and slapped his arm. “You know I always hated it when you called me that,” she almost snarled at him. But she couldn’t help but smile, too.
“You know, B’Elanna, Tom’s a very lucky man.” She blushed from the sincerity in her friend’s voice. Unfortunately, the mood was broken when he once again miscalculated the rhythm of the song and stepped hard onto her left foot.
“Ouch! And he’s a good dancer, too,” she teased, pulling away from Chakotay’s grasp and dragging him across the room by the hand.
“Tom Paris,” she said as she reached her husband.
“B’Elanna Paris,” he answered her with the same tone.
“Dance with your wife,” she said, pulling him right out of Kathryn’s arms. “Yes, ma’am,” he said, turning to give his friends a shrug before he was pulled across the room.
Chakotay just smiled and looked at Kathryn. “I guess you’re stuck with me,” he said as he stared into her eyes.
“Lucky me,” she said, as she moved into his arms.
“How long,” she whispered as he held her close. He didn’t know what she was talking about. “How long will you serve?” she asked bluntly. He should have known she’d figure out his little plan.
“Just enough time for you to get that ship fixed and ready to head back out. You’ll be so busy, you won’t even notice I’m gone.” His confirmation caused her stomach to knot up, but she was determined not to let it ruin their night.
Chakotay clearly agreed. “I know this isn’t Admiral Stewart’s overly ostentatious home, and we’re not surrounded by Starfleet brass, but I think you could still make good on your promise.” Kathryn realized this was probably as much of a welcome home party as they were likely to share anytime soon. With great determination and a lot of fanfare, she reached up and gave Chakotay a long, passionate kiss in full view of their totally oblivious friends and a few dozen French tourists.
“I can’t believe I’m going to let you do this,” she said softly as their lips parted.
He took her back into his arms. “We’ve got to face this, Kathryn, if we’re ever going to get to the other side.”
She knew he was right. Yet, as she held him for the first time on this strangely familiar dance floor, she allowed herself to dream that his night might last forever. Or at least for the next few months.
~*~*~*~*~
Chakotay never told them it had all been prearranged, and only Kathryn and Tom Paris had guessed what he had done. The Maquis captain had negotiated the details of his punishment the night before he was to give his closing statement, when it became clear to him that the Federation would be seeking some atonement for all the crimes committed by the Liberty’s crew. While he was partly motivated by a desire to protect his friends, Chakotay also felt a personal need to own the things he and his crew had done. To take responsibility for his actions in a way that preserved both his honor and his dignity. By approaching the advocate general, he had been in a better position to bargain for terms both he and his friends could live with.
When the ruling was handed down, B’Elanna and the others could only sit in stunned silence as they realized exactly what he had done. Chakotay pled guilty to multiple charges, and was sentenced to seven years for his role as a Maquis captain, though the court allowed him to count his years on Voyager (technically in Federation custody) as time served. He would be incarcerated for five months in the Federation Penal Colony in Auckland, and stripped of his provisional rank—though he was allowed to keep his honorable discharge and his Federation citizenship. In fact, the council publicly acknowledged his heroism during Voyager’s long trip home, and commended him for his courage in facing up to his past. They were clear in their ruling that, once his sentence was served, Chakotay would be welcomed back into Federation society—if not necessarily into Starfleet. It was a compromise he could live with.
The rest of the Liberty’s Starfleet crew, including B’Elanna, were pardoned for all crimes committed as Maquis. They were allowed to keep their provisional
ranks—if they chose—but only until they could complete Starfleet certification for full commissions. Those that chose to leave the service had commendations placed in their official jackets, and were given honorable discharges. Their long nightmare was finally over.
After the sentences were read, Chakotay was taken into custody, though it amounted to little more than confinement to quarters. The Federation knew he was a hero to many of its citizens who had opposed the alliance with Cardassia, and even more who had learned of his life aboard Voyager. Still, he was due to be transferred to Auckland the next day, and his friends were granted permission to visit with him for thirty minutes before his final processing.
Kathryn had been sitting with Tom at the sentencing hearing. His suspicions confirmed, Paris had taken her hand as the sentence was read. They met up with B’Elanna as soon as the hearing ended, and walked the short distance to the security barracks. Neelix, Seven and the Doctor met them when they got the news.
Chakotay was already in his standard issue prison jumpsuit when they were escorted in to see him. His mood was amazingly upbeat. “It isn’t quite as fashionable as the old black and red, but it’s actually a lot more comfortable than those new uniforms,” he joked.
B’Elanna didn’t appreciate his attempt at humor. “I can’t believe we’re letting you do this,” she spat, unknowingly mimicking Kathryn’s words from the night before.
Chakotay took her hands in his before he answered. “I don’t mind paying for my crimes, B’Elanna. Hell, I was willing to die for this cause; serving a few months in a Federation prison seems like a small price to pay. And then it will all be behind us. Besides, I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand.”
He turned to face her husband, “Tom, any words of advice from your personal experience?”
The pilot smiled, knowing their relationship had now come full-circle. “Yeah,” he said, “if a beautiful redhead shows up and offers you a job, take it.” The men laughed. “Seriously, Chakotay, you’ll be fine. In true Federation fashion, it’s all very civilized. The food stinks,” Tom glanced over his shoulder at Neelix, “but they don’t serve leola root so it might even seem like an improvement.”
Chakotay turned and extended his hand to Paris, who gladly shook it. “Take care of them,” he said under his breath, knowing that neither Kathryn nor B’Elanna would appreciate the thought.
“You know I will,” Tom said sincerely.
He moved to Kathryn and took her hands in his. Her eyes were full of tears, and he could tell she was fighting to keep them from escaping down her cheeks. “Looks like I don’t need to resign my commission,” he said softly. She could only nod as he continued. “Do you ever start to feel that the powers that be are conspiring against this relationship?” he joked.
She couldn’t help but smile. “They forget how determined I can be when I set my mind on a goal. I’ll be waiting for you,” she whispered, out of habit. She’d forgotten: they didn’t have to hide anymore.
Chakotay took her face in his hands. “I’ll be out before Voyager leaves spacedock, you know.” He turned back to face the group, “Just have B’Elanna and Seven pace themselves on those repairs.” Even Seven smiled sadly.
Tom took the opportunity to give his friends some privacy. “Captain, we’ll wait for you outside.” He put his hand on his former commander’s shoulder as he walked out. B’Elanna and Neelix took a moment to hug Chakotay before making their exits. The Doctor and Seven shook his hand.
When they were finally alone, Janeway asked him, “Are you allowed visitors?” He smiled. “I don’t know. But I think it would be easier on us both if you didn’t.” She looked upset at the thought. “It’s only five months,” he said gently. “And I don’t think I could stand watching you leave me more than once.”
She understood, and agreed. “See you then,” she said softly. Then she kissed him one last time before she watched the guards lead him away.
~*~*~*~*~
Kathryn had received the official word that Voyager was to be refit and put back into service. Also, following a thorough debriefing with Starfleet Command, Seven of Nine would be granted Federation citizenship, and was absolved of any responsibility for crimes committed as a Borg. Just like Jean Luc Picard, she was viewed as a victim of the collective, not a criminal, and the Enterprise's captain had spent considerable time helping prepare her for her deposition.
Janeway was pleased—if not surprised—when her pupil showed up at her apartment door later that evening. “Seven, it’s good to see you. I take it you’ve heard about the ruling on your status?”
Seven nodded. “Yes. That’s why I’ve come to talk with you.” Janeway invited her in, but didn’t bother to offer her a seat. She knew Seven preferred to stand. She did notice that Seven shifted her weight from foot to foot, uncharacteristically, as she spoke. “I am considering taking the Starfleet Academy equivalency examination. I would like to be considered for a permanent posting on Voyager. If you agree.”
Kathryn smiled. “I’d be thrilled to have you stay. Have you discussed this with the Doctor?” The captain was sure she saw her friend blush.
“Yes. He is planning a three-month lecture series at Starfleet Academy to discuss ‘Medical Breakthroughs of the Delta Quadrant.’ He mentioned that he plans to return to duty on Voyager when the tour is complete.”
“Well, then,” the captain said, “I’d be thrilled to sponsor you through the academy. I’ll even help you study, if you’d like.”
Seven looked relieved. “Thank you, Captain, but Lieutenant Torres—B’Elanna—has agreed to be my study partner. I have offered to coach her through advanced stellar cartography in return for lessons on the subtleties of shuttle piloting.” Seven decided not to mention B’Elanna’s tutoring on advanced dating rituals, since that had been a side agreement unrelated to their academy work.
For her part, Janeway could only laugh. “Don’t you both already know a lot about those two topics?” she asked.
Seven agreed. “Yes, but we thought it would be more...enjoyable to have a partner to review the materials with.” Surely the world would stop spinning any moment, Kathryn thought, if these two rivals were becoming friends.
They visited for a few more moments, before Seven excused herself. She had a ‘date’ with the Doctor—this time in the real Venice—and she didn’t want to be late. “Captain,” she said as she started to go, “as a member of Voyager’s crew, would I be assigned my own quarters?”
Janeway smiled. “You could have had your own quarters at any time, Seven. You only had to ask.”
Her friend nodded. “Then I’d like to make such a request now.”
“Consider it done,” Janeway said, smiling, as she watched Seven leave. She made a note to herself: adapt one crew cabin with a Borg regeneration alcove. She instantly added an addendum to her note: better go ahead and equip it with holoemitters, too, she thought.
~*~*~*~*~
With the Maquis and Seven off her plate, and Neelix’s official appointment as a roving Federation Ambassador, Kathryn was finally starting to relax. The only thing left to resolve was the issue of Tom Paris. Unlike his Maquis friends, Tom had been on assignment for the Federation when Voyager was lost, and Kathryn had given him a field commission instead of a provisional rank. Unbeknownst to Tom, she had been fighting as passionately behind the scenes for him as she had so publicly for the Maquis. Tom had more than earned his new rank, she knew. But she also knew the outlaw legend her young helmsman had been saddled with right after they disappeared. Janeway decided their treatment of Tom Paris would be a final test of the integrity and honor she had always believed were part and parcel of Federation and Starfleet life.
But, when the ruling came, even she was surprised. And she knew she needed to see Tom and B’Elanna right away.
The young family had been staying with Owen in the Paris home just south of the bay area. The admiral answered the door when she arrived. “They’re waiting for you,” her mentor said as he
walked her through the main foyer and through the large kitchen at the back of the house. Before he opened the door to the porch, he stopped and faced her. “From the look on your face, I’m guessing the news isn’t good,” he said softly.
Kathryn hadn’t even realized she’d looked so intense. She put her hand on her friend’s arm. “I think I owe it to Tom to tell him first,” she answered, “I’m sorry.”
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