"You Are Cordially Invited..."

by Andra Marie Mueller

Disclaimer: Paramount is the legal owner of the characters of 'Star Trek: Voyager'. I just borrow them for my own nefarious purposes and to give them real lives."

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Sequestered in the living room of her mother’s house in Indiana, Kathryn was reviewing a group of personnel reports that had just been transported from Voyager when she discovered an envelope amongst her PADDs. Her name was scrawled across the front in unfamiliar handwriting, and she gently broke the seal to pull out the card inside. It was an old-fashioned paper invitation, golden letters embossed upon parchment style paper, and the simply worded announcement printed in calligraphy:

You Are Cordially Invited to Join Family and Friends
For a Celebration of Love, Laughter and Life
As Two Hearts and Souls Become One
Saturday, the 24th day of October 2378
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
12:00 P.M.

The invitation was unsigned and bore no names, but there was no doubt in Kathryn’s mind who initiated it.

"This is from Chakotay," she said aloud.

It dawned on her just as quickly that despite the unusual wording it was obviously a wedding invitation, and she felt her heart skip a beat. She’d heard the rumors over the last few weeks, hushed whispers in corridors and behind closed doors that intimated Chakotay and Seven were pursuing a personal relationship. In the beginning she hadn’t given them much credence, but when an older version of herself appeared from an alternate future and told her of their marriage, she was forced to accept the truth.

It had been almost a month since Voyager’s homecoming, and between the various press conferences and official debriefings with Starfleet, as well as catching up on seven years with loved ones, Kathryn had seen very little of her former crew, and nothing of Chakotay. By chance or choice, their paths had not crossed since they parted ways at Starfleet Headquarters a few hours after their return. Kathryn had used the time to finally face her feelings for him and conjure up various scenarios in which to tell him she was ready to pursue a relationship undefined by her parameters and Starfleet protocol. Yet the discovery of his burgeoning romance with Seven had surprised and unsettled her, and with the arrival of the invitation it appeared she was being forced to fold without even getting a chance to play her hand. But not even her acceptance of her loss of Chakotay to Seven could overcome her trepidation over their impending marriage.

They must have sent the invitation to satisfy protocol, she mused silently, because they can’t honestly believe I would be able to stand and watch while the man I love marries another woman.

Her train of thought was derailed when the door chime rang, and still clutching the invitation, she wandered through her living room and foyer to open the door. The object of her musings stood on the front porch, casually dressed in khaki pants and an ice blue shirt that enhanced his darkly handsome features.

"Chakotay..."

"Hello, Kathryn. May I come in?"

The captain wordlessly stepped aside to allow him entry and Chakotay made his way inside. He strolled into the living room, a silent Kathryn shadowing him, and he gave his surroundings a cursory glance before shifting his gaze to Kathryn.

"So this is where you’ve been hiding for the last month," he said. "Nice house."

"It’s my mother’s house actually, but thank you. And I haven’t been ‘hiding’; I’ve been decompressing."

He smiled. "I stand corrected."

"How did you find me?" Kathryn asked.

"I made a few inquiries at Starfleet HQ, and Admiral Paris mentioned you were spending a few days with your family."

She nodded. "My mother’s been trying to squeeze seven years worth of life events into a four day personal leave. It’s sweet, but also kind of frustrating."

"Let her fuss and fret over you," Chakotay admonished. "She’s your mother; she has the right."

Kathryn smiled. "I stand corrected. So what are you doing here? You certainly didn’t come all the way here just to offer your opinion on my relationship with my mother."

"No, I didn’t," he agreed, and gestured at the invitation she held in her hand. "I’m here because of that."

Her smile faded marginally. "Ah, yes; the invitation. I had a feeling it was your doing. You always did favor doing things the old fashioned way."

"Then you approve?"

"It’s a beautiful invitation," Kathryn demurred.

"I’m glad you like it. I thought it was a bit more intimate than an official announcement over the Federation newswire."

"I apologize for not responding, but I only discovered it this evening."

"Better late than never."

"I admit it took me by surprise," Kathryn continued, "but I suppose it was inevitable. Congratulations, Chakotay; I wish you both a lifetime of happiness."

A ripple of confusion passed across Chakotay’s face. "That’s certainly not the reaction I expected," he remarked.

She shrugged. "I don’t know why not. Did you think I’d be jealous? Or angry? Sorry, Commander, but pity parties aren’t my style."

"Kathryn..."

The captain lifted a hand to silence him. "Chakotay, please, just let it go. I meant it when I said I wished you happiness, but don’t rub salt in the wound by analyzing my decision, and please don’t expect me to attend the wedding. I’m capable of many things, but watching you marry Seven and pretending it isn’t eating me alive is not one of them."

"Seven?" he echoed incredulously. "Where in the world did you get the idea that I’m marrying Seven?"

Kathryn lifted the invitation and waved it in front of him. "Isn’t that what this is all about?" she demanded.

Understanding came to him then, and Chakotay suddenly burst out laughing. His hilarity caught Kathryn off guard and she gave him a cautious glance. "Care to share the joke?"

Stifling his laughter, Chakotay met her inquiring gaze. "I’ll answer your question after you answer mine," he said. "Whatever made you think that Seven is whom I intend to marry on Saturday?"

"I’ve heard the rumors about you two for the last six weeks," Kathryn replied. "I know that the two of you have been pursuing a personal relationship, and when I realized that this was a wedding invitation, I assumed that it was for the two of you."

He flashed her an indulgent smile. "I’m not marrying Seven, Kathryn," he told her. "Yes, we went out on a few dates, and I admit I was attracted to her. She’s an intelligent, beautiful woman. But we have nothing in common beyond Voyager, and once we realized that we decided to leave it at friends. And in any event, from what she tells me, she and the Doctor are now involved."

Kathryn’s refined features creased into a frown. "I don’t understand," she said. "If you’re not marrying Seven on Saturday, then who are you marrying?"

His smile widened, and he took two steps to close the distance between them before lifting his hands to cup her face. "Assuming you’ll have me, I’m marrying you," he declared, and lowered his head to give her a gentle kiss.

EPILOGUE

On Sunday, October 25, the following announcement appeared in the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle and was transmitted over the Federation newswire:

"It was a clear, sunny day when the crew of the U.S.S. Voyager reunited yesterday in Golden Gate Park to witness the marriage of their commanding officers, Kathryn Janeway and Chakotay. The bride was lovely in a peach colored satin and lace gown, while the groom opted for the white and gold of Starfleet formal wear. Admiral Owen Paris officiated the ceremony, after which the couple’s friends and family celebrated with a lavish buffet spread out over a half dozen picnic tables throughout the park. Sources close to the newlyweds say they intend to enjoy a week long honeymoon at an undisclosed location before resuming their positions on Voyager."

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The End.