"Out Of The Ashes"
by Andra Marie Mueller

AUTHOR’S NOTE: This story is a sequel to “Year of Hell” and picks up just before the end of part 2. In this story, the destruction of the Krenim timeship did not restore the timeline.

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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In the center of what remained of Voyager's Bridge, Kathryn Janeway stood in solemn silence, trying not to be overwhelmed by the emotions swirling within her. The destruction of the Krenim weapon-ship had eliminated the threat to the timeline, and with the senior staff posted on the Mowasi and Nahydrin vessels, the captain was alone amidst the devastation that had once been her starship. With the exception of the blinded Tuvok, the senior officers had miraculously escaped any lasting injuries, but Janeway was all too aware of the price many of her crew had paid.

So many casualties...so many lost friends, she mused bitterly. All of them victims of a war which never should have happened.

Releasing a sigh, Janeway slowly scanned the Bridge, making mental notes as to which repairs would need to be attended to first. Yet as she surveyed the damage, she was at last overcome with the reality of everyone and everything she had lost over the past year, and with a choked sob, sank to her knees as tears began to stream down her face. A moment later she felt a pair of strong arms gently but firmly wrap themselves around her, and an achingly familiar voice whispered in her ear.

"Let it out, Kathryn," Chakotay said softly. "You’ll drown if you try to keep your tears inside."

Grateful beyond words for his presence, Janeway turned into Chakotay’s embrace, and pressed her face to his chest as she continued to cry. After several minutes, the captain at last got her emotions under control, and she wiped her face dry before meeting Chakotay’s gaze. "I was afraid I was never going to see you again," she whispered.

Chakotay flashed her a warm smile. "No such luck," he countered lightly. "I wasn’t about to spend the next couple of centuries locked in a small room with Paris."

Janeway managed to return the smile. "I missed you," she said simply.

"I missed you, too," Chakotay echoed, then helped her to her feet before lifting his hand to trace the scar on her right cheek. "I see you’ve picked up a few badges of honor while I’ve been gone. What happened?"

"Nothing we need to talk about right now," Janeway demurred. "I’d rather just enjoy having you back."

Chakotay’s smile widened in response, then he gestured at the pocket watch dangling on her hip. "I see the scars aren’t the only souvenir you’ve picked up. Where did you find it?"

"Your quarters," Janeway told him, the small smile playing on her lips contradicting the annoyance in her tone. "Shortly before our final attack on the Krenim ship, Neelix and I were doing a deck by deck damage survey when we passed the remnants of your quarters. The tricorder was picking up odd readings from inside, so I shifted through the debris to find their source. Imagine my surprise when I found the watch."

Chakotay flashed her a sheepish smile. "Well, I’m glad to see it survived our little adventure."

"It shouldn’t have," Janeway returned. "I distinctly remember ordering you to recycle it to preserve our resources."

"It wasn’t exactly an order, Kathryn," Chakotay defended. "You merely made the suggestion after you refused to accept it."

"Why did you keep it?"

"I hoped that once our fight with the Krenim was resolved, an opportunity would arise for me to give it to you again," Chakotay explained. "Why did you keep it?"

Janeway glanced at the watch. "As our fight with the Krenim grew worse, I convinced myself that I would never see you again, and the watch became the last part of you I had to hold on to."

The captain’s voice cracked, and she paused a moment to compose herself, then lifted her eyes to again meet Chakotay’s. "As difficult as it would have been to lose you, it would have been worse knowing you had died before I could tell you that I love you."

Janeway’s confession was obviously the last thing Chakotay expected to hear, and the captain smiled at his shocked expression. "Don’t look so surprised, Chakotay," she chided. "With everything we’ve been through, you should know by now how important you are to me."

"To be perfectly honest, I’ve never been sure. Every time we took a step forward, we seemed to take another ten backwards."

"I suppose that’s my fault," Janeway mused. "In my heart, I’ve known there was something developing between us after you created the legend for me on New Earth. Yet once we returned to the ship, I allowed myself to bury it underneath Starfleet protocol and my unresolved feelings for Mark."

"So why tell me now?" Chakotay pressed. "From where I stand, nothing’s changed to earn me a confession from you about how you feel."

"After spending five months facing the reality of living the rest of my life without you, the issues I had with my feelings for you don’t seem to matter anymore. Our private little war with the Krenim made me realize just how much I’ve taken for granted, and since by some miracle I’ve been given a chance to rectify that, I intend to do just that," Janeway finished, relieved to have at last admitted her feelings.

"Sounds good to me," Chakotay replied with a smile, then shifted his attention to their surroundings. "Starfleet Command would be having seizures if they could see what we’ve done to Voyager."

"I almost wish they could," Janeway responded. "The odds of successfully salvaging it would increase substantially if we had access to Starfleet technology. As it stands now there’s barely enough of the ship left to recycle into a shuttlecraft. We should probably just retrieve what we can from the computer core and destroy it."

Chakotay reached over and gently tilted Janeway’s chin to force her to meet his gaze. "I know how much Voyager means to you, Kathryn. Are you really ready to give up on it?"

"Under the circumstances I don’t know that I have a choice," Janeway answered. "Assuming for the moment we can persuade our new allies to help us repair the ship, it’s going to be at least a year before we can even attempt to resume our course home. This war has already cost us so much, Chakotay; I can’t ask the crew to sacrifice another year of their lives on the off chance we can save Voyager."

"Maybe you should let them make that decision for themselves."

Janeway shot him a surprised look. "What are you suggesting?"

"After we retrieve the crew, we can present them with all of our options and let them decide what they want to do. Once they’ve told us where they stand, we can make the final decision accordingly."

Janeway considered the idea for a moment before responding. "All right; we’ll regroup with the senior staff on the Mowasi cruiser, then make the arrangements to locate the rest of the crew. We’ll deal with Voyager’s fate once we’ve found them."

"Whatever happens, Kathryn, remember that we’re going to face it together," Chakotay said quietly.

Janeway smiled again. "Sounds good to me."

•••••

Shortly thereafter, Chakotay stood in the transporter room of the Mowasi ship, awaiting the return of Harry and B’Elanna, who were being transported aboard from the Nahydrin warship. The hum of the transporter signaled their arrival, and once they fully materialized, B’Elanna stepped off the transporter platform and encased Chakotay in a fierce hug. The two friends held onto one another in silence for a moment, then B’Elanna pulled away and gave Chakotay a half-hearted punch in the arm.

"If you ever scare me like that again, I’m going to have your head on a platter!" she declared.

Chakotay smiled. "And to think I actually missed that temper of yours," he said dryly.

Just then Harry came over to stand beside B’Elanna, and he flashed the XO a smile as he extended his hand. "It’s good to see you again, Commander."

"No hug, Harry? I’m crushed."

Tom chose that moment to make his appearance, and Harry and Chakotay quickly made themselves scarce as the lieutenant walked over to B’Elanna. Pulling her into his arms, Tom simply held her for several moments before speaking. "I love you," he said simply.

"I love you, too."

The two exchanged a brief kiss, then B’Elanna shot Tom a concerned look. "Are you okay?" she queried. "That Annorax creep didn’t do anything strange to you, did he?"

"Only if you call treating us like honored guests strange," Tom answered. "He may have been a few cards shy of a full deck, but he was certainly hospitable."

B’Elanna flashed him a warm smile. "I’m just glad you and Chakotay are back where you belong," she replied. "Where is everyone else?"

"In the briefing room with Captain Janeway," Tom told her. "She’s making arrangements for Seven and Tuvok to accompany the Nahydrin on the search for the rest of the crew."

"What about Voyager?"

"The captain hasn’t made a final determination yet whether to retrieve what we can from the computer core and destroy it, or attempt to salvage the whole ship."

"I don’t know that the ship can be salvaged," B’Elanna said, "but I’d sure like to give it a shot."

"Spoken like a true engineer," Tom replied. "Come on; we’d better catch up with the others."

•••••

THREE WEEKS LATER

Janeway had gathered her newly reunited crew on the Mowasi cruiser, and was now presenting them with their options regarding Voyager.

"I’ve spoken with the Mowasi high command, and their leader, Raj Wolven, has generously agreed to give us whatever assistance and supplies we require to salvage Voyager. Their technology is quite compatible with ours, which would make the repairs that much easier. In spite of this, it will take close to a year to restore enough of the ship to resume our journey home, and even then there’s no guarantee that it will be able to withstand the stress of warp speed travel. We do, however, have another option. Commander Chakotay..."

"The Nahydrin have offered to give us one of their ships as a belated thank-you for helping them defeat the Krenim. Their warship is slightly larger than Voyager, with a comparable warp drive and replicator technology. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have adequate living space for everyone to have their own quarters, so we'd all be acquiring roommates, but it would allow us to resume our trip home in a few days instead of a year."

"If we decide to take the Nahydrin ship, what happens to Voyager?" Harry prompted.

"Each of you will be allowed to salvage whatever personal items you can," Janeway said, "then once B’Elanna and Seven have downloaded what remains of the computer core into the Nahydrin vessel’s system, Voyager will be destroyed."

"Just another casualty of war," B’Elanna muttered.

"I don’t like it any more than you do, B’Elanna," Janeway offered, "but we can’t risk any of the species in this quadrant getting hold of Starfleet technology."

The idea clearly didn’t sit well with B’Elanna, but knowing the captain was right, she remained silent and Janeway returned her attention to the rest of the crew. "I’ve given you all a great deal to think about, and I wish I could allow you the luxury of more than twenty-four hours to make your decision. But Voyager continues to deteriorate as we speak, and if we wait too long there won’t be anything left of it to save. Report your decisions to the senior staff by 1300 hours tomorrow, and they’ll pass them on to me so I can render a final verdict on Voyager’s fate. Dismissed."

Talking amongst themselves, the crew filtered out of the room, and Chakotay waited until they were gone before addressing Janeway. "That went well, all things considered."

"They’re good people," Janeway allowed. "I just wish I didn’t have to consistently be the bearer of bad tidings."

"Hopefully this is the last time you will have to," Chakotay replied. "Once they’ve made the decision about how we’re going to get home, they’ll have something positive to focus on."

"Speaking of which," Janeway began, gracing him with an affectionate smile, "you and I need to determine how we want to handle the development of our personal relationship."

"Are you worried about what the crew will think?"

"No, but for the time being I’d like to keep it between us." Janeway placed her hand on his arm. "I think we deserve a chance to nurture what we have privately for a while before we open it up to public dissemination."

"We don’t owe explanations to anyone, Kathryn."

"I know that," Janeway assured him, emphasizing her point with a slight squeeze of his arm. "But what you and I have is still new, Chakotay. I want us to be able to enjoy it for ourselves first before we have to share it with the crew."

"In that case, we should make the most of each opportunity that arises."

Without giving Janeway a chance to react, Chakotay pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

•••••

That evening, Seven, Harry, B’Elanna and Tom were huddled at a table in the far corner of the Mowasi Mess Hall, debating amongst themselves whether or not Voyager should be salvaged.

"Even if we do repair enough of it to head for home again, the captain said there’s no guarantee that it will be able to withstand the stress of warp travel," Harry said. "Do we really want to spend the next year putting Voyager back together again only to find out it can’t get us home?"

"Are you saying we should just give up and destroy it?" B’Elanna prompted angrily.

"I’m saying we need to be realistic," Harry countered. "Given the condition Voyager’s in, and the fact that we’re over sixty thousand light years from access to Starfleet technology, the ship may not even be salvageable."

"Maybe not," Tom allowed grudgingly, "but after everything we’ve been through on that ship, I’m not going to give up on it without a fight."

"Neither am I," B’Elanna added. "Voyager has been our home for five years; probably the only real home some of us have ever had. I’m not going to abandon it for some ship I know nothing about."

"You didn’t know anything about Voyager when you first came aboard, either," Harry reminded her testily.

"This discussion is irrelevant," Seven interjected. "The captain is being gracious enough to allow you to debate amongst yourselves, but the decision is ultimately hers."

"I don’t hear you offering anything useful, Seven," B’Elanna retorted.

"Are you asking for my opinion, Lieutenant?" Seven questioned coolly.

"Why not?"

"The reality of the situation dictates that Captain Janeway put aside her emotional attachment to Voyager and base her decision on what is best for this crew. The Nahydrin vessel is in prime condition and sustained minimal damage during our fight with the Krenim. Voyager, however, barely escaped total destruction, and may not be suitable for prolonged habitation even after the repairs are completed. If the captain’s goal is truly to get home to the Alpha Quadrant, then she must do so in the vessel best suited for the task."

"As much as I hate to admit it, she does have a point," Tom remarked ruefully. "We’re all letting our emotions get in the way of what we know to be the right decision."

"The right decision being to relocate to the Nahydrin ship," Harry surmised.

"Yes."

B’Elanna sighed. "It’s times like this I wish I were a Vulcan," she grumbled to herself.

"Well, since we’ve all reluctantly agreed on what to do about Voyager, I think we should start getting feedback from the rest of the crew," Tom said. "The sooner we reach a decision and present it to Captain Janeway, the sooner we can get started on resuming our trip home."

•••••

Inside the remains of Voyager’s Mess Hall, Janeway and Chakotay were enjoying a rare opportunity to spend time with just each other. The search for their crew and subsequent revelation of the options regarding the trip home had afforded the two little time for privacy, yet they had managed to slip away onto Voyager for a short respite. The couple sat side by side facing the windows, with the captain resting her head against Chakotay’s chest as he draped his arm across her shoulders.

"Someone is eventually going to notice we’re missing, Kathryn," Chakotay pointed out.

"And when they do we’ll simply tell them that we were checking on the condition of the computer core," Janeway returned. "It’s the truth."

"Part of it," Chakotay allowed. "Although given the decision the crew is facing, they may not notice our absence at all."

"I thought we agreed we weren’t going to talk about that," Janeway reminded him. "The whole point of this evening was to focus on ourselves instead of everyone and everything else."

"It was," Chakotay conceded. "Consider the subject temporarily closed."

Janeway flashed him a small smile. "You’re awfully agreeable these days. What happened to the stubborn Maquis I appointed my first officer?"

"He fell in love with a beautiful starship captain and found peace," came Chakotay’s response.

Janeway’s smile widened. "Who would have thought that a Starfleet officer turned terrorist would turn out to be the most amazing man I’ve ever known," she remarked. "I love you."

"I love you."

Chakotay leaned over to give her a light kiss just as Tom walked into the room, and the lieutenant stopped dead in his tracks as he instantly realized what he had interrupted.

"Oops..." he muttered to himself.

Hearing both his footsteps and his voice, Janeway and Chakotay turned to face him, then exchanged a resigned look before getting to their feet.

"So much for privacy," Chakotay said dryly.

"Captain-Commander-I am so sorry," Tom said quickly. "I had no idea-well, maybe some idea-"

Janeway silenced him with a wave of her hand. "It’s all right, Tom," she assured him. "It would be appreciated, however, if you would keep what you just saw to yourself. We’re not quite ready for it to become public knowledge."

"You have my word, Captain," Tom promised.

"Thank you."

"What are you doing here, anyway?" Chakotay asked. "Shouldn’t you be with B’Elanna making up for lost time?"

"I just left her with Harry and Seven on the Mowasi ship," Tom replied. "We took a survey of sorts among the rest of the crew, and we've reached a decision about Voyager."

"Which is?" Janeway prompted.

"As much as we hate to sacrifice Voyager, we’ve all agreed that it would be in our best interests to relocate to the Nahydrin ship," Tom told her, regret evident in his tone and expression. "We just don’t want to risk being stranded a year from now if we can’t repair our ship sufficiently to get us home."

Janeway released a resigned sigh, making no effort to mask her disappointment. "I understand. I had pretty much reached the same conclusion myself, but I wanted to at least give the rest of you a chance to make your own choices. Thank you for bringing me the news personally, Tom."

"You’re welcome. I’ll see you two in the morning."

"Good night, Tom."

"Good night, Captain, Chakotay."

Tom exited the room, and once he was gone, Chakotay glanced at Janeway. "How long do you think it will take for Tom to tell half the crew what he saw?"

"I’m not so sure he will," Janeway answered. "After his less-than-successful attempts to keep his relationship with B’Elanna under wraps, I have a feeling he’s learned the value of discretion."

"I hope so."

"I must say I’m surprised the crew reached a decision so quickly," Janeway remarked. "I would have thought they’d need as much time as possible to decide what they want."

"They want to get home," Chakotay stated. "It doesn’t take a whole lot of time to figure out that our best chance of doing so is to take the Nahydrin ship."

"True, but with everything we’ve lost over the past year, it doesn’t seem fair that we also have to sacrifice Voyager."

Chakotay slid his arms around her in a silent gesture of comfort. "We’ve paid a heavy price to be where we are now," he allowed, "but it makes what we’ve gained that much more precious."

Knowing he was referring to their relationship, Janeway flashed him a loving smile. "That it does, Commander; that it does."

•••••

The following morning, Janeway gathered the senior staff in the Mowasi briefing room to announce Voyager’s fate.

"The purpose of this meeting is to officially inform all of you that the rest of the crew has voted to sacrifice Voyager and relocate to the Nahydrin ship," she said, both regret and resignation evident in her tone. "I know it was a painful decision for all of us, but the important thing is to focus on the task ahead. Our first priority is to transfer the data from Voyager’s computer core into the computer core on the Nahydrin ship, and complete the integration of the two systems so we can start to familiarize ourselves with Nahydrin technology."

"B’Elanna, you had a chance to examine their equipment while you were on their ship," Chakotay pointed out. "Anything unusual about their technology?"

"They seem to have limited storage capacity," B’Elanna answered, "but most warships have more firepower than data storage. Their basic system is pretty similar to ours, though, so integrating the two shouldn’t be too difficult."

"What about creating space for additional living quarters?" Janeway asked.

"They don’t have a lot of spare room, Captain," Harry said. "Most of their storage space is for weapons."

"If we were to reduce the quantity of weapons, would that increase our capacity for creating crew quarters?" Tuvok questioned.

"They’d be a little tight, but it would work," Harry allowed.

"Well then, since time is of the essence we’d better get started," Janeway declared. "B’Elanna, I need you and Harry to transport over to Voyager and begin downloading our computer system into the Nahydrin ship’s. Seven will coordinate with you from there. Neelix, I want you to start organizing small groups of people to salvage their personal belongings from Voyager. Tom, you and the Doctor are in charge of transferring our medical equipment to the Nahydrin ship. Tuvok, Chakotay and I will begin reassigning crewmembers to fill the vacancies left by the officers we lost during our fight with the Krenim. We’ve got a long road ahead of us, everyone, but at least we’ll be going down it together."

•••••

Five days later, the transfer of computer data had been completed, and all of the crew had salvaged what remained of their personal belongings. With Tuvok and Chakotay overseeing the final transport of officers to the Nahydrin ship, Janeway had indulged herself in a final, solitary stroll around what remained of Voyager, hoping it would somehow soothe the ache in her heart caused by the impending destruction of her ship. Completing her walk on the Bridge, the captain cast a pained glance at her surroundings.

I’ve spent five of the most fulfilling years of my life on this ship, she thought sadly. How can I just let that go?

"Captain."

Janeway turned towards the voice and found Tuvok standing a few feet away. Although still blind, he was familiar enough with the ship to have found his way to the Bridge unassisted. "Yes, Tuvok?"

"The last of the crew has transported to the Nahydrin vessel," Tuvok told her. "Commander Chakotay has instructed Lieutenant Paris to move the ship to a safe distance, and is awaiting our return."

"Then I guess this is the moment of truth," Janeway replied ruefully. "One word from me and Voyager is nothing but a memory."

"The decision to destroy Voyager was understandably difficult, Captain, but it was the correct one," Tuvok assured her. "By putting aside your own emotional conflict and allowing the crew to make the choice for themselves, you have once again demonstrated your capacity for placing their needs above your own, and renewed their faith in you."

Janeway managed to give her friend a small smile. "If I didn’t know better, Tuvok, I’d think that was a compliment."

"While I do not experience the emotional motivation of most compliments, I am not entirely immune to their value," Tuvok returned. "I believe the phrase Humans prefer is, `Giving credit where credit is due.'"

"I appreciate the thought, Commander, but maybe you should save it for another day. There’s a part of me that wants very badly to be selfish, and use my rank to rescind the crew’s decision in order to save Voyager."

"If you were anyone else, perhaps you would," Tuvok allowed. "But the person I have come to know as my captain and my friend is too strong a leader to allow her personal feelings to interfere with her professional judgment."

"No, but the water does get a little murky now and then," Janeway admitted.

"Understandable; you are, after all, only Human."

Janeway shook her head just as Chakotay’s voice filtered out of her combadge. "Chakotay to Janeway. Are you ready for transport, Captain?"

Janeway released a resigned sigh. "As ready as I’ll ever be, Commander. Energize."

Janeway and Tuvok felt the familiar tingle of the transporter, then a moment later materialized on the Bridge of the Nahydrin vessel, a battered Voyager on the viewscreen. As Tuvok made his way over to Tactical, Janeway walked over to stand beside Chakotay in the center of the Bridge. "Mister Tuvok, arm phasers and target the pre-established focal points on Voyager," she instructed.

"Phasers armed and ready, Captain."

Janeway shot a quick glance at Chakotay, who flashed her a reassuring smile. She returned it before shifting her attention back to the viewscreen.

"Fire at will, Commander."

Tuvok ran his hand along his computer panel, and the phaser beams streamed through space to find their targets. Already on the brink of complete disintegration, the hull dissolved immediately under the phaser barrage, and the weakened containment field around the warp core offered no resistance. In a silent display of energy and light, the U.S.S. Voyager exploded into nothingness.

•••••

Later that evening, Chakotay was en route to his quarters when he crossed paths with Tom and B’Elanna.

"Tom, B’Elanna," he greeted. "Where are you off to?"

"Actually, we were looking for you," B’Elanna said. "We’d like to talk with you in private."

"Sounds serious," Chakotay teased. "Lieutenant Waters moved into his own quarters this morning, so we can talk in mine."

The trio headed down the hall, then Chakotay escorted them inside his quarters. Once they were behind closed doors, he turned to face his guests. "What can I do for you?"

Tom and B’Elanna exchanged a nervous glance, then B’Elanna took the initiative and spoke first. "Tom and I are getting married and I’d like you to give me away."

Chakotay smiled. "I’d be honored, B’Elanna," he replied, and gave her a warm hug before extending his hand to Tom. “Congratulations to you both.”

"Thanks, Chakotay."

“Have you chosen a date yet?”

“No, but when we do you’ll be one of the first to know.”

"Good. Now if there’s nothing else, I’d like to get some sleep."

"We’re out of here," Tom said. "See you in the morning."

"Good night, Chakotay," B’Elanna added. "Give my regards to the captain."

Chakotay shot Tom a knowing look. "You told her."

"I already knew," B’Elanna corrected. "Bye."

The couple exited Chakotay’s cabin, and the XO wandered into his bathroom to prepare for bed. Exchanging his uniform for pajamas, Chakotay brushed his teeth before strolling into his bedroom.

"Computer, lights off."

Crawling into bed, Chakotay had no sooner gotten comfortable than the door chime signaled the arrival of another visitor. Stifling an annoyed sigh, Chakotay threw off his bedcovers and walked back into the main room.

"Computer, lights on, two-thirds illumination," he instructed, then opened the door to discover Janeway standing in the hallway. "Kathryn..."

Taking in his attire, the captain flashed him an apologetic smile. "I’m sorry. Did I wake you?"

"No; I had just gotten into bed. Come on in."

Chakotay stepped aside to allow the captain entry, and she wandered into his cabin. Noting the personal touches he had already implemented in the room, Janeway flashed him a small smile. "I see you’ve settled in nicely."

Chakotay shrugged. "Considering some of the hovels I stayed in while with the Maquis, this place is pretty much paradise," he said dryly. "I’m surprised you’re here, though. After the day you’ve had I’d think you’d be anxious to get some sleep."

"The day I’ve had is exactly why I can’t sleep," Janeway returned. "I spent over an hour tossing and turning before I finally gave up, and decided to come here."

"To talk?" Chakotay prompted gently.

"Not necessarily; I just didn’t want to be alone. Every time I close my eyes, I see the faces of the crewmembers we lost to the Krenim, or I remember the vision of Voyager being destroyed..."

The captain stopped in mid-sentence, and let out a sigh as she wiped away a stray tear trickling down her cheek.

"I’m sorry. I promised myself I wasn’t going to do this."

Chakotay flashed her a warm smile, and lifted his hand to lightly caress her cheek. "Let go of your ghosts, Kathryn," he instructed softly. "As much as it hurts, you’ve made the right decision."

"Tuvok said something very similar to me earlier today."

"Great minds think alike," Chakotay deadpanned. "As long as you’re here, though, I have a bit of news that should improve your mood. Tom and B’Elanna were just here a little while ago, and along with letting me know that B’Elanna knows about us, they told me that they’re getting married."

"Really…that is good news," Janeway replied. "Have they set a date yet?"

"No, but I’m sure it will be soon. I think we’ve all learned the value of living in the now."

"Sage advice, Commander."

"I’m a veritable fountain of wisdom."

"Not to mention modesty."

"That, too."

Janeway shook her head. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Is that a rhetorical question, or would you like an alphabetized list of suggestions?" Chakotay asked innocently.

Janeway smiled in response, then closed the distance between them and slid her arms around his neck while pressing her body to his. "Why don’t you show me instead?"

Chakotay returned the smile, but although he slid his arms around her, he made no move to kiss her. "As appealing as the idea is, I don’t think we should start anything we’re not prepared to finish."

"I want to stay with you tonight, Chakotay."

Chakotay held her gaze for a moment before responding. "Are you sure?" he asked evenly. "I love you, Kathryn, and I want to make love to you. But with everything you’ve been through today this may not be the right time."

Janeway’s smile widened. "With all due respect, Commander, you talk too much."

Pressing herself even closer to him, the captain silenced any further protest from Chakotay by covering his mouth with hers.

•••••

The following morning, Janeway awoke early, momentarily disoriented by her unfamiliar surroundings. Yet her confusion quickly vanished as the warmth of the body pressed to hers and the arm draped possessively around her waist registered. With a contented smile, she turned to face Chakotay. The slow, steady rhythm of his breathing told her he was still asleep, his handsome features relaxed in slumber. Even while sleeping, Chakotay exuded a sense of strength and dignity she felt drawn to, and she smiled contentedly as she basked in the quiet joy of simply being with him. As if sensing her train of thought, Chakotay chose that moment to awaken, stirring slightly and releasing a small sigh before opening his eyes to find Janeway watching him. Flashing her an affectionate smile, he addressed her in a voice still husky with the last vestiges of sleep. "Good morning."

"Good morning, yourself."

"How long have you been awake?"

"Only a few minutes," Janeway answered. "I was watching you sleep."

Chakotay’s smile widened. "Must be a slow morning," he said dryly. "How are you feeling?"

"Complete," came Janeway’s poignant response. "Last night went beyond anything I’ve ever experienced."

"Me, too," Chakotay said softly.

He leaned over to give her a light kiss, which he deepened upon feeling her instant response. Their tongues met and danced as he slid the hand resting on her hip to cover her breast, and he felt the tip harden as she gasped into his mouth. Breaking off their kiss, he slowly slid a trail of kisses down her throat and chest before replacing the hand on her breast with his mouth. Weaving her hands through Chakotay's hair, Kathryn arched against him as he began to suckle, and the brush of his erection against her center sent an answering pulse through her groin.

"Chakotay..." she rasped breathlessly.

A loud beep interrupted their foreplay, and the disembodied voice of the computer filtered into the room. "The time is 0500 hours."

"Son of a..." Chakotay grumbled against her chest, and with a resigned sigh he placed a final kiss on her breast before shifting his gaze to meet hers. "So much for breakfast."

"Very funny. I'd better get back to my quarters to shower and change."

"In the interest of conserving time and resources, maybe we should shower together," Chakotay suggested innocently.

Janeway smiled. "That’s the best offer I’ve had all morning."

•••••

CAPTAIN’S LOG: STARDATE 51547.3:

It has been six weeks since our decision to sacrifice Voyager and relocate to the Nahydrin warship, which we have christened the Phoenix. The recent completion of the additional crew quarters has eased the tension among those officers who were still sharing space, and Ensign Kim has enlisted Seven of Nine and B’Elanna Torres to help him construct a small holodeck in one of the cargo bays. Should they prove successful, Harry has promised to make his next project a Ready Room.

On a lighter note, I am pleased to report that I have performed my first marriage ceremony, that of Lieutenants Tom Paris and B’Elanna Torres. The celebration of their union has allowed the crew to at last put the loss of Voyager behind them.

•••••

Sequestered at a table in the far corner of the Mess Hall, Tuvok, Janeway and Chakotay were conducting a mini-staff meeting over breakfast.

"Ensign Wolf seems to be hitting it off with the Doctor pretty well," Chakotay remarked. "Maybe we should consider giving her more time in Sickbay and freeing Tom up to start training Waters and Reese for helm relief."

"Lieutenant Waters has displayed a natural aptitude for piloting," Tuvok concurred. "Additional training under Mister Paris could prove useful."

"Works for me," Janeway agreed. "How are things in Engineering?"

"B’Elanna is knee-deep in creating the holodeck with Harry and Seven, so I’ve assigned Lieutenant Carey to keep an eye on things until it’s done," Chakotay said. "He’s managed to implement the new safety protocols, so it might be a good idea to give them a trial run."

Janeway nodded in silent consent, then shifted her attention to Tuvok. "How goes the security training, Mister Tuvok?"

"Very well. Lieutenant Majors and Lieutenant Commander Kevek have proven to be excellent additions to the Alpha Squad."

"Well, all in all it sounds like everyone is adjusting to our new home quite nicely," Janeway declared.

The trio’s conversation was interrupted by the beep of Tuvok’s combadge, and the Doctor’s voice filtered out.

"Sickbay to Commander Tuvok."

"Tuvok here."

"It’s time, Commander. I’ll expect you in Sickbay in ten minutes."

"Acknowledged, Doctor. Tuvok out."

"What was that all about?" Janeway inquired.

"The Doctor is going to restore my sight," Tuvok announced calmly. "With a fully functional Sickbay at his disposal, he is now able to perform the surgery necessary to repair the damage done to my eyes by the explosion of the Krenim missile."

Janeway and Chakotay exchanged a surprised look, then the captain asked, "Why didn’t you tell anyone?"

"I did not feel it was necessary to make it public knowledge," the Vulcan answered.

"Spoken like a true Vulcan," Chakotay commented.

"I will take that as a compliment, Commander." Tuvok got to his feet. "If you both will excuse me, the Doctor is expecting me."

"Good luck, Tuvok," Janeway offered.

"Thank you, Captain."

Tuvok made his way out of the Mess Hall just as Janeway's combadge beeped. "Kim to Captain Janeway."

"Yes, Harry?"

"Captain, would you please come down to Cargo Bay Three? There's something here I think you'll want to see."

"I'll be right there."

•••••

A few moments later Janeway strolled into the cargo bay, then stopped in her tracks at the sight before her. The conversion of the bay to a holodeck had obviously been successful, and the program in progress was a recreation of Voyager's Bridge. The captain slowly strolled across the room, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over her as she ran a hand along the computers before settling herself into the center chair.

"You three have outdone yourselves," she complimented. "This is amazing."

B'Elanna and Harry exchanged a pleased smile before the former replied, "Harry and Seven did most of the work. I was just an unofficial overseer."

"On the contrary, Lieutenant," Seven countered. "It was your suggestion regarding the rerouting of the energy matrix which allowed us to summon the necessary power to implement the holotechnology."

"It's still got a few bugs," Harry admitted, "and for the moment we've only managed to create one program, but we all agreed it should be Voyager."

"A very appropriate choice, Mister Kim," Janeway allowed. "Well, I'll be certain to pass the news along to the rest of the crew that we once again have a holodeck."

"We should have the kinks worked out in the next couple of weeks, and then we can start adding additional programs," Harry told her.

"Tom will be the first one in line with his stats on the Sandrine's Program," B'Elanna remarked, then permitted herself a smug smile. "Of course, he will have to make a few modifications if he expects me to let him use it."

Janeway smiled. "I'll let you tell him that," she said, and got to her feet. "Thank you all for your hard work."

The captain started for the door, but had barely gotten halfway when B'Elanna intercepted her. "Captain, could I talk with you for a minute?"

"Of course."

The two women stepped into the hallway, then B'Elanna shot a quick glance in each direction to ensure they were alone before speaking.

"I’ve been meaning to tell you how happy I am that you and Chakotay are together. I know Starfleet regulations don't exactly promote inter-crew relationships."

Janeway smiled. "Starfleet regulations don't exactly promote recruiting ex-Maquis and former Borg to serve on their starships, either," she pointed out wryly, "but I appreciate the sentiment."

Giving the younger woman's arm an affectionate squeeze, Janeway headed down the corridor.

•••••

ONE YEAR LATER

Inside her newly constructed Ready Room, Janeway was making final notations in her log when the door chimed. "Come in."

Tuvok walked into the room. "Good morning, Captain." He handed her a PADD. "These are the latest crew evaluations you requested."

"Thank you, Tuvok, but why didn't you give them to Chakotay?"

"Commander Chakotay is in the Mess Hall conspiring with Mister Neelix and Lieutenant Paris regarding this evening's festivities," Tuvok told her, referring to the party planned to celebrate the crew's one-year anniversary on the Phoenix. "I thought it best not to disturb them."

Janeway shot her friend a knowing look. "Didn't want to risk being recruited to help?"

"I am certain they are perfectly capable of implementing their plans without my assistance," Tuvok responded.

"I'm sure they are," Janeway allowed. "I'll see you on the Bridge."

Tuvok exited the Ready Room, and the captain returned her attention to her computer. After a few minutes, however, curiosity got the best of her and she decided to check in on the others. Strolling through the ship, Janeway wandered into the Mess Hall, where she found Chakotay standing by the door, casually sipping tea while watching Neelix argue with Tom at the other end of the room. Hearing the doors open, Chakotay glanced over expectantly, and flashed the captain a warm smile. "Good morning."

"Good morning, yourself. I missed you when I woke up."

"Likewise, but discretion being the better part of valor, I thought it best if I went back to my own quarters early enough to avoid suspicion."

Janeway sighed. "Sneaking around the ship like first year cadets is getting a little ridiculous," she grumbled. "We've been together for a year now; maybe it's time we revealed our relationship to the rest of the crew.”

"Would you prefer a shipwide memo, or just an announcement during the next staff meeting?" Chakotay inquired casually.

Janeway gave him a quelling glance. "Very funny. Actually I thought we could present it to the senior staff on an individual basis, then let them trickle the information through their respective staffs to the rest of the crew."

"Oh, that will work," Chakotay said sarcastically. "I can see it now: B’Elanna will be handing out duty schedules in Engineering and she'll conveniently let it slip that the captain and XO are sleeping together."

Their conversation was interrupted by Tom, who had abandoned his argument with Neelix and crossed over to join them.

"Morning, Captain."

"Hello, Tom. What were you and Neelix arguing about?"

"I was trying to convince him that we should have the party in the holodeck," Tom explained. "I thought it might give the party a little extra flair if it took place at Sandrine's. Neelix says Sandrine's doesn't have the right ambiance for a crew party."

Forcing herself not to smile, Janeway glanced at Chakotay, who merely shrugged, and she glanced back at Tom. "Why don't you two compromise? We'll have the party itself in the Mess Hall, then anyone who wants to can head to the holodeck afterwards for a late night billiards game at Sandrine's."

Tom considered the idea for a moment before breaking into a wide grin. "That's an excellent idea, Captain. Thank you."

Tom headed over to rejoin Neelix, and once he was out of earshot, Janeway addressed Chakotay. "You realize, of course, that you could have made the same suggestion."

"Considering they would have some up with it on their own in another few minutes, I chose to stay out of it and enjoy my tea."

Janeway opened her mouth to respond, then suddenly felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, and she abruptly sat down. Chakotay was at her side instantly, concern etched in his handsome features. "Kathryn?"

She waved a dismissing hand. "I'm fine. I just got a little dizzy for a minute."

"Maybe it's a sign that you should start putting some real food in your system instead of scraping by on inordinate amounts of caffeine."

"Now you sound like the Doctor."

"Even a hologram is right once in a while."

Janeway sighed. "Fine. If it will make you feel better, meet me back here at 1300 and you can watch me eat a real meal for lunch."

"It's a date. I'll even treat."

Janeway flashed him a smug smile. "Of course you will," she declared, and stood up. "See you on the Bridge."

Chakotay shook his head in amusement as Janeway exited the Mess Hall. Reaching the turbolift, she was just about to trigger the door when another dizzy spell hit her, accompanied by a wave of nausea. Bracing herself against the wall, the captain waited for the sensation to pass before talking aloud to herself.

"Maybe I do need to start eating more real food," she mused, and stepped into the lift.

At precisely 1300 hours, Janeway strode into the Mess Hall, not surprised to find Chakotay already there. He stood by the counter, listening with feigned interest as Neelix described his latest culinary creation. Even from a distance she could tell her lover was attempting to hide the disdain Neelix's cooking tales always produced, and smiling to herself she walked over to join them.

"Good afternoon, Gentlemen. I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Not at all, Captain," Neelix assured her. "I was just sharing with Commander Chakotay my latest recipe: Boolean Leek soup."

Janeway glanced questioningly at Chakotay, who discreetly shook his head, and she returned her attention to Neelix. "I'm sure it will go over very well with the crew," she said. "Now if you'll excuse us, I need to steal the commander away from you. Ship's business."

"Certainly, Captain."

Bidding the senior officers farewell, the Talaxian disappeared into his kitchen. Once he was out of earshot, Chakotay sent Janeway a grateful smile. "Thank you for coming to my rescue. I wasn't sure how much longer I could have listened to him talking about that soup."

"What exactly is Boolean Leek soup?"

"Trust me, Kathryn, you don't want to know."

She chuckled at his serious tone as they made their way through the crowded room to a small table near the window. He pulled out a chair for Janeway and she settled herself at the table.

"So what are you in the mood for today, Captain? A garden salad with all the trimmings? Or something more substantial?"

The mere mention of food caused Janeway’s stomach to churn, but she forced a smile. "A salad will be fine, Chakotay. And a glass of ice water please."

"No coffee? Maybe there's hope for you yet."

She glared at him in mock annoyance, and he responded with a knowing smile before heading for the replicator. He returned a few minutes later with her salad and the requested glass of water, along with a glass for himself and a steaming bowl of mushroom soup. They spent the first part of the meal discussing the latest personnel evaluations Chakotay had provided her with, followed by a brief discussion of the ship's status before they settled into a companionable silence. Yet despite her good intentions, Janeway simply could not bring herself to finish her meal, eating barely half the salad before pushing the plate away from her, earning her a curious glance from Chakotay.

"Is that all you're going to eat?"

"I'm really not very hungry."

"Is everything all right?"

The genuine concern was obvious in his tone and expression, and Janeway reluctantly revealed the real reason for her lack of an appetite. "I had another dizzy spell on my way out of your cabin this morning," she confessed quietly. "And I also got nauseous for a couple of minutes."

"You might have picked up some kind of bug on Alterea last week," Chakotay suggested. "Maybe you should pay a visit to the Doctor."

"I'm really not up to another lecture on my eating habits."

"Kathryn, I know he's annoying but he is the CMO. Let him run a few tests, if not for your sake, then for mine."

His eyes met hers, an unspoken request evident in their dark depths, and Janeway released a resigned sigh. "All right. I'll stop by Sickbay after my shift is over."

"Thank you."

"One of these days I am going to say no to you."

"Just as long as it's on the Bridge and not in the bedroom."

Janeway rolled her eyes.

As promised, Janeway relinquished the Bridge to the evening shift and made her way to Sickbay. The Doctor was tending to B'Elanna when she entered, and the two glanced in her direction at the sound of the opening doors.

"Good evening, Captain," the Doctor greeted. "This is a surprise."

"Doctor," she returned simply, then glanced at B'Elanna. "Hello, B'Elanna. How are you feeling?"

"Tyan's a little restless today but otherwise we're both fine, thank you."

Janeway smiled. "No doubt he's going to be as much of a handful as his father."

"Just what the world needs," the Doctor interjected dryly. "Another Tom Paris."

B'Elanna shot him an annoyed look. "Are we done here?" she asked curtly.

"You're free to go, Lieutenant, but I'll expect you back here in two weeks for another checkup."

"I'll be counting the minutes," B'Elanna returned sarcastically. "Good night, Captain."

"Good night, B'Elanna."

Casting a final glare at the Doctor, the half-Klingon strode out of Sickbay. Janeway watched her go before addressing the Doctor. "I realize that your relationship with Mister Paris is strained at best, Doctor, but please try to keep in mind that he is B'Elanna's husband and the father of her child. In the future, it might be prudent to keep your personal feelings about him to yourself while in B'Elanna's presence."

"I'll keep that in mind. I assume you have a reason for being here other than to lecture me on my social skills?"

"Yes. I've been feeling out of sorts for the past couple of days, so I thought it might be a good idea to get a checkup."

"Can you describe your symptoms?"

"Dizzy spells, nausea, lack of appetite."

The Doctor sent her a knowing look. "Let me guess: these symptoms seem to manifest themselves in the early to midmorning hours, and last for most of the day."

"Yes."

He sighed. "Well, I can run a few tests just to be certain, but it seems obvious to me that you're pregnant."

Janeway blanched. "Pregnant?" she echoed incredulously. "As in with child?"

"That's usually what pregnant means, yes."

"How?"

"You'd know that better than I would, Captain."

She stifled the urge to deactivate his program. "Maybe you should run those tests," she mumbled.

Chakotay was in his office updating the duty rosters when the door chime sounded. "Come in."

The doors swooshed open and Janeway walked into the room. Glancing at the various PADDs scattered across his desk, she allowed herself a small smile. "Hard at work, I see."

"Trying to score points with the captain."

"I'll make certain to put in a good word for you."

"Did you see the Doctor?"

"Unfortunately."

Chakotay shot her a curious glance. "Bad news?"

"Bad attitude."

"Ah. His or yours?"

Janeway sent him a quelling look. "Careful, Commander, or you'll be scrubbing floors for the rest of the trip home."

"Yes, Ma'am. So what did Dr. Personality have to say?"

She paused, wanting to tell him about the baby without simply blurting it out, but unwilling to lie to him. Finally she decided on a half-truth. "He said it's a temporary condition, which time, rest and proper nutrition will take care of."

"Good. Are you feeling up to a little social event?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"Tom's throwing a party at Sandrine's and has invited everyone who's not on-duty."

"A party? What's the occasion?"

Chakotay shrugged. "I don't know that there is a legitimate one. I think he just wanted an excuse to get a little rowdy."

Janeway smiled. "Dealing with B'Elanna these past few months has taken a toll on him," she allowed. "It will probably do him some good to cut loose for a while."

"I must admit he's handled it better than I thought he would. Marriage and impending fatherhood obviously agree with him."

"You never thought Tom and B'Elanna's relationship would go the distance."

"In all honesty, no. I didn't think Tom had it in him to maintain a committed, mature relationship, especially with someone as volatile as a half-Klingon ex-Maquis. I'm glad he proved me wrong."

"Funny thing about those ex-Maquis," Janeway remarked. "They come across as tough as nails terrorists, but underneath they seem to have surprisingly gentle hearts."

Chakotay responded by gracing her with an affectionate smile, which she returned before continuing.

"As long as we're on the subject, what do you get when you cross an ex-Maquis rebel with a Starfleet Captain?"

"A freedom fighter who looks good in uniform?"

"No, but I'll give you a hint: there are only two possible answers."

"And those would be?"

Janeway's smile widened. "A boy or a girl."

Acknowledgment and astonishment quickly registered in Chakotay's features. "You're pregnant?" he prompted in a near whisper.

Janeway nodded. "According to the Doctor, our new addition will arrive in time for Christmas."

Dark blue met dark brown. They held one another's gaze in silence, uncertainty etched in Janeway's refined features as she awaited Chakotay's response. After several minutes, Chakotay at last walked around the desk and wordlessly pulled her into his arms, embracing her in a fierce hug before pulling back to give her a gentle kiss. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Are you okay with this? With the baby?"

"I'm still a little shell-shocked, but yes."

Chakotay smiled, and lifted his hand to lightly caress her cheek. "You are going to be an extraordinary mother," he said.

"And you are going to be an exceptional father," Janeway returned.

His smile widened, dimples deepened, and he settled his other hand ever so gently on her stomach. "We're having a baby," he whispered reverently.

She placed her hand over his, intertwining their fingers. "Yes, we are."

Inside her Ready Room, Janeway was reviewing the latest maintenance reports from Engineering when the door chime sounded. "Come in."

The doors swooshed open and a very pregnant B'Elanna Torres-Paris walked into the room. "You wanted to see me, Captain?"

"Yes. I've been going over the latest maintenance reports you gave me and I wanted to commend you on the excellent work you've been doing. I don't think the Phoenix’s warp engines have been running this smoothly since we came on board."

"Thank you, Captain, but I can't take all the credit. Seven and Carey have been doing most of the work for the past few weeks. Somehow it's not as easy getting around Engineering these days."

Janeway smiled. "I imagine most things aren't as easy when you're eight and a half months pregnant," she allowed. "How are you feeling?"

"Quite frankly, like I swallowed a Klingon targ whole," B'Elanna said wryly. "Thankfully, I only have a couple more weeks of this."

"You and Tom have both handled the situation admirably," Janeway said. "I'm very proud of both of you."

"Thank you, Captain." A beat. "As long as we're on the subject, may I ask you a personal question?"

"Certainly."

"Are you pregnant?"

Here we go, Janeway thought idly. To B'Elanna she said, "Yes, actually, I am. How did you know?"

"I recognize the signs,” B’Elanna replied. "Congratulations, Captain. I’m thrilled for both of you.”

"Thank you. I would appreciate it, however, if you could keep this information to yourself for a little while. Chakotay and I haven't quite decided yet how to break the news to the rest of the crew."

"My lips are sealed, Captain, but to be honest I am thrilled that for the first time in six years I found out about a major event before Tom did."

"So am I. If Tom had found out about it first, the entire ship would already know."

B'Elanna chuckled. "This is going to wreak havoc on his betting pool."

"Let's hope so."

That evening, Janeway and Chakotay had shared a private dinner in her quarters, engaging in casual conversation about ship's business. Afterwards they had retreated to her couch, with Janeway lying across Chakotay's lap with her eyes closed while his hand lightly stroked the barely discernible rise of her stomach. They sat that way in companionable silence for close to half an hour before the captain spoke.

"I let B'Elanna in on our little secret today," she revealed. "I told her about the baby."

"Really," Chakotay said. "Does this mean you’re ready to make a formal announcement to the crew?"

Janeway shook her head. "Not yet. I want us to be able to enjoy it privately for a little while longer."

"A couple more months and your condition will speak for itself," he said dryly. "As it is, I don't know how you managed to get through ten weeks of morning sickness and gain close to twenty pounds without anyone discovering you're pregnant."

Janeway smiled and half-opened her eyes to glance up at him. "That’s precisely why I implemented the new uniforms with the overlying jacket,” she confessed. “Not to mention that I have a very helpful First Officer who discreetly arranged the duty rosters so I wasn't on Alpha shift for over two months."

"Sounds like you're lucky to have him."

"I am."

"As long as you're in such an agreeable mood, I have a question I'd like to ask you."

"I'm listening."

"Will you marry me?"

Janeway froze, obviously not expecting his proposal. "Chakotay... I don't know what to say."

"Yes would be my first choice."

Janeway sighed and sat up to face him. "It's not that simple..." she began.

"Do you love me?" Chakotay asked.

"Of course I do."

"Then nothing else matters. I love you, Kathryn, and I want you to be my wife. I want to tell the world that you are the light of my soul and let them know how honored I am to have you carrying my child. So I ask you again, will you marry me?"

Brown met blue, anxious, hopeful. And shimmering with such a depth of love it caused her heart to skip a beat.

"Yes, Chakotay, I'll marry you."

Relief and delight flashed across his face as he leaned over to give her a grateful kiss. It was a deep, lingering kiss that did not so much end as fade gently away. Pressing his forehead to hers, he lifted a hand to lightly caress her cheek. "Have I mentioned lately that I adore you?"

"I assure you the feeling is entirely mutual."

Two days later, the senior staff was gathered in the conference room, concluding their weekly briefing.

"...So the new shield adjustments should be ready for testing by the end of the week," B'Elanna finished.

"Excellent work, Lieutenant," Janeway commended. "Well, that seems to complete our review of ship's business. Before you leave, however, there is a personal matter I wish to share with all of you." Janeway hesitated, stealing a quick glance at Chakotay, and he flashed her a reassuring smile as he reached over to take her hand in his. She smiled back, then returned her attention to the crew. “As some of you may have already surmised, the relationship between Chakotay and myself has developed into one of a more personal nature. Two nights ago he asked me to marry him and I accepted."

“Yes!" B'Elanna exclaimed.

"It's about time," Tom added.

The exuberant outburst earned the couple an admonishing look from Tuvok. "Lieutenants; need I remind you that we are still in the midst of an official briefing? While I am certain the captain and Commander Chakotay appreciate your enthusiastic response to their news, such displays are inappropriate in this venue."

"Lighten up, Tuvok," Tom chided. "They're getting married!"

"Actually, our engagement is only half the story," Chakotay interjected. "We will also be getting a new addition to the crew in about four and a half months."

The crew exchanged confused glances at the cryptic announcement, but a moment later Seven deciphered it first and addressed Janeway. "You are pregnant?" she asked.

"Yes. The baby is due right around Christmas."

"A baby for Christmas," Harry mused. "What an amazing gift."

Janeway and Chakotay exchanged a smile.

As always, Janeway awoke in Chakotay’s embrace, curled against him spoon fashion with his arms wrapped around her and one hand resting protectively on her rounded stomach. The tickle of his breath on her neck told her he was still asleep, so she lay still, basking in the feel of him. His steady breathing was the only sound in the room - the innocuous noise and his familiar warmth a source of reassurance that she would never again be alone.

Amazing that something as simple as waking up beside him can fill me with such joy.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden flutter in her stomach and for the briefest of moments she feared her morning sickness might have returned. Yet when the fluttering sensation repeated itself, she realized what it was.

Oh my…the baby is moving.

Smiling to herself, she spoke aloud in a tone meant to awaken her husband-to-be. "Chakotay..."

He stirred slightly but did not awaken, so she raised her voice and purposely switched her tone to her 'Captain's voice'. "Wake up, Chakotay. That's an order."

The instruction was met with a resigned sigh and a moment later he responded without opening his eyes. "Hmmm... What’s wrong?" he asked sleepily.

"The baby's moving."

That woke him up. Opening his eyes, he glanced questioningly at Janeway. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "Looks like our little one has finally decided to make his or her presence known."

"Or their presence," Chakotay amended casually.

Janeway sent him an even look. "Excuse me?"

"Dorvanians frequently have multiple births, Sweetheart," Chakotay said. "There is a possibility you're carrying twins."

"Now you tell me," Janeway mumbled. "We’re getting married tomorrow, Chakotay, so if you have any other little tidbits of pertinent information, I'd like to know about them now."

He chuckled. "And spoil all of the fun you'll have uncovering them over the next seventy something years? I don't think so."

The following afternoon, the crew had gathered in the holodeck to witness the marriage of their senior officers. By mutual agreement, the wedding would be a blend of Starfleet and Dorvanian customs, with Tuvok presiding over the ceremony and Janeway and Chakotay exchanging both traditional and personal vows. Both had opted for old-fashioned formal wear in lieu of Starfleet dress uniforms, with Chakotay in a tuxedo and Janeway in an as yet unseen wedding gown. The XO had recruited B'Elanna to serve as 'Best woman', while Janeway had recruited Harry Kim to serve as her 'Man of Honor' and Tom was giving away the bride. Running a finger underneath the collar of his dress shirt, Chakotay stood at the end of the aisle, anxiously awaiting Janeway's arrival as he casually scanned the room. The sight of his former Maquis crew intermingled with the Starfleet crew brought a small smile to his face, as he recalled the arduous journey that had brought them to this point.

Necessity makes strange bedfellows, he mused. Never would have thought we'd last the first six months, let alone the past six years.

His thoughts were interrupted when the doors opened to admit Naomi Wildman, who was serving as both the flower girl and ring bearer. Although clearly nervous, she nonetheless completed her walk down the aisle without a hitch, earning her a quick wink from Chakotay before she settled into position next to B'Elanna. An Ensign standing by the door entered a quick command into the computer and the wedding march began to play as Tom and Janeway appeared in the doorway and all eyes turned toward the bride.

Kathryn my love, you are exquisite, Chakotay thought with pride.

She wore a sleeveless light peach gown of lace and satin, with the modest cut of the collar a demure contrast to the low cut back. Her bouquet was comprised of white roses, a small spray of matching miniature flowers threaded into her hair. At just under five months along, her pregnancy was now apparent in the swell of her normally flat stomach, but it only added to the aura of grace and joy she exuded. Sensing Chakotay's scrutiny, Janeway shifted her gaze to his. He flashed her a smile of silent approval and affection, which she returned, keeping her eyes locked to his as she slowly walked down the aisle. The symbolism of the gesture was not lost on Chakotay - it was clearly a signal to the others present that she was proud to be coming to him. Reaching him at last, she afforded Tom a brief smile of gratitude before she and Chakotay turned their attention to Tuvok.

"Dear friends, we are gathered here today to witness the joining in marriage of Captain Kathryn Janeway and Commander Chakotay... "

In typical Vulcan fashion, Tuvok delivered the opening speech and traditional vows with no more emotion than he would afford to changing clothes, then turned his attention to the couple in front of him.

"Having exchanged the traditional vows of matrimony, the captain and the commander now have a few personal words they wish to share with one another. Captain... "

Flashing her friend a faint smile, Janeway turned to face Chakotay, her smile changing to one of complete adoration as she began to speak. "Six years ago, I watched you materialize on my Bridge, a phaser rifle in your hands and fire in your eyes. It occurred to me then that you just might be the most dangerous man I'd ever met. What I didn't realize was that from an emotional standpoint, that's exactly what you were. From the moment you set foot on this ship you challenged me, personally and professionally, to look beyond the restrictions of protocol and go with what my heart told me to do. Every time I lost faith, each time I faltered - you were right there to help me up again. You are the best thing to have ever touched my life, Chakotay of Dorvan, and I vow to you in front of our friends and whatever deities may be listening that I will spend the rest of my life trying to bring you as much joy as you've given me. I love you."

By the time Janeway finished her vow both she and Chakotay were crying, and he lifted a hand to gently wipe away her tears and his own before responding. "Six years ago, I transported aboard this ship wondering if I had just made the biggest mistake of my life by trusting you. The uniform you wore and all that came with it represented everything I had learned to hate. But the first time I looked into your eyes, I knew that my life would never be the same. You have brought me a sense of joy and peace I never thought possible, and I thank the Spirits every day for bringing you to me. You are the love of my life and the light of my soul, Kathryn Janeway, and as long as there is breath in body you will never want for anything. I will love you to forever and beyond."

Chakotay finished his vow and exchanged a loving smile with Janeway, neither of them noticing that there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Except, of course, for Tuvok. They continued to stare into each other's eyes as Tuvok finished the service.

"Inasmuch as Kathryn and Chakotay have exchanged both vows and rings to symbolize their union, and have declared their intentions in front of these witnesses, it is my honor to pronounce them husband and wife. You may kiss the bride, Commander."

"With pleasure."

Pulling Janeway to him, Chakotay lowered his head to give her a passionate kiss. The action was met with cheers of approval and loud applause just as the music started up again, and the newlyweds headed out of the holodeck as the crew peppered them with rice.

Some time later, the majority of the crew had relocated to the Mess Hall, which Neelix had converted into a plethora of streamers and lavish decorations for the reception. Janeway and Chakotay were sequestered at a table in the far corner of the room, sharing a piece of their wedding cake while watching the crew enjoy the festivities.

"Neelix really outdid himself," Janeway remarked. "The room looks wonderful."

"The cake's not half bad, either," Chakotay said. "Are you sure he made it?"

She sent him a look of mock reproach. "Be nice, Chakotay," she chided. "Neelix went to a lot of trouble to prepare our reception, including making a traditional wedding cake instead of a more...creative...alternative."

"That's because I told him he'd be scrubbing the hull with a toothbrush for the rest of the trip home if he didn't make a proper cake."

Janeway shook her head. "Why do I bother?"

"Because you love me."

She smiled. "Yes, I do."

They exchanged a gentle kiss just as the Doctor joined them, flashing the couple a warm smile as he sat down across from them. "Captain, Commander; congratulations. It was a lovely ceremony."

"Thank you, Doctor," Janeway said. "We're glad you could be a part of it."

"Want some cake?" Chakotay offered.

"No, thank you, but I do have some news I’m sure you’ll be interested in."

“News?” Kathryn echoed.

“I’m sure you’re both aware that there has been a great deal of speculation about whether the captain is carrying twins.”

“Of course.”

"So what are we having?” Chakotay queried. “One of a kind or a matched set?"

"Both."

"Both?" Kathryn echoed questioningly. "I don't... understand... "

Her voice trailed off as understanding suddenly dawned on her and she exchanged an incredulous look with Chakotay. "Oh, no."

Chakotay chuckled. "Oh, yes."

The Doctor smiled. "In approximately four months the two of you will be the proud parents of triplets," he announced. "Twin girls and a boy. Congratulations again."

"I think I need to sit down," Janeway mumbled.

"You are sitting, Sweetheart," Chakotay pointed out.

Kathryn glanced at the Doctor. “I assume you knew I was having triplets when you originally confirmed my pregnancy,” she said. “Any particular reason you neglected to share that information with me?”

“Given your anxiety over your condition, I wanted to allow you time to adjust to the idea before I told you that you’re carrying triplets. Besides, I thought the revelation would make a unique wedding gift.”

The captain shook her head. “I should have deactivated his program when I had the chance,” she mumbled to herself.

In the interest of preserving their irascible hologram’s existence, Chakotay rose to his feet. Extending a hand to help Janeway to hers, he excused them from the Doctor and led her onto the dance floor. As they began to move in time with the music, Janeway suddenly began to chuckle, earning her a curious glance from her husband.

"Care to share the joke?"

"I was just picturing the look on the crew's faces when we tell them the news," she explained. "I imagine it's going to play hell with Tom's betting pool."

Chakotay smiled. "He still hasn't gotten over the fact that B'Elanna realized you were pregnant before he did."

"With all the betting pools he runs on this ship, he should be happy I haven't taken away any of his pips," Janeway responded.

As if to speak of the devil, the Paris' chose that moment to join them, the foursome exchanging smiles of greeting before B'Elanna addressed Chakotay.

"Nice speech you made during the wedding, Old Man," she teased. "Have you always been a sap, or is it just the uniform that's making you soft?"

"I'd watch what you say in front of my wife, Lieutenant," Chakotay cautioned lightly. "Aside from the fact that she outranks you, she wears the same uniform you're slurring."

"Yeah, but she looks better in it than you do," Tom returned.

"In case it's escaped your notice, Lieutenant, I outrank you, too," Chakotay retorted.

B'Elanna glanced at Janeway. "Remind me again why we married these clowns," she said dryly.

"Love is blind?" Janeway suggested.

"Nice comeback, Captain," Paris commended.

"Thank you, Tom."

"So, what were you and the doc chatting about a minute ago?" Tom inquired casually.

Janeway and Chakotay exchanged a knowing look. Aside from the betting pool they knew Tom had running on the baby's gender, the crew had been openly anxious to discover if it would be a single or double birth.

"You might as well tell them," Chakotay said. "They're going to find out eventually."

"Find out what?" B'Elanna pressed.

Janeway released a resigned sigh. "According to the Doctor, Chakotay and I are having triplets," she revealed. "Twin girls and a boy."

Tom and B'Elanna exchanged a surprised look before the latter spoke again. "Well, you two certainly don't do things half way, do you?"

"I think it's great," Tom declared.

"Of course you do," Janeway allowed. "You don't have to give birth to them."

Tom ignored the jibe as he turned to face the crowd. "Hey, everyone, listen up," he shouted above the noise. "The captain and Chakotay are having triplets!"

The announcement was met with another round of cheers and applause just as B'Elanna suddenly doubled over. "Uh oh... " she muttered.

Tom immediately went to her side. "Is it Tyan?"

B'Elanna nodded. "I think he wants to join the party."

"Hey, Doc, we need you over here!" Tom shouted.

The Doctor quickly made his way through the crowd to B'Elanna. "I assume your son has decided to make his appearance," he said.

"Either that or Neelix slipped leola root into the wedding cake," B'Elanna quipped.

"Let's get you to Sickbay."

Late that evening, Janeway and Chakotay were sequestered on the holodeck, where they were scheduled to spend the next several days on their honeymoon - the extra holodeck privileges a gift from the crew. After they had gotten a status report on the newest addition to the Paris family, they had bid their friends farewell and made their way to the holodeck. The decision of where to spend their honeymoon had been obvious - New Earth - and Harry had put the finishing touches on the program the day before the wedding. Inside the replication of their home on New Earth, the couple lay side by side in bed, enjoying their solitude as they unwound from the day's events and the aftermath of their lovemaking.

"Quite a day," Janeway remarked. "The wedding, the news about the babies, B'Elanna going into labor."

"Just another dull day on the U.S.S. Phoenix," Chakotay quipped.

"Life here is many things, my love, but dull is not one of them."

"I stand corrected."

Janeway glanced down at herself. "I still can't believe we're having triplets."

"I don't know where they all fit," Chakotay responded, and lowered his hand to place it on her swollen stomach, gently rubbing back and forth. "You've barely gained enough weight for one baby, let alone three."

She chuckled. "Just remember you said that a couple of months from now when I'm waddling around the ship looking like I've swallowed an entire watermelon patch."

He smiled. "You'll still be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

"You are a silver tongued devil, Commander."

They fell into a companionable silence once again, Janeway closing her eyes and enjoying the feel of Chakotay's hand on her stomach. After a few minutes, his light caress began to idly wander to other parts of her anatomy, prompting her to open one midnight blue eye to glance at him. "Chakotay..."

"Yes, Sweetheart?"

"What are you doing?"

"I am doing a hands-on inspection of the vessel supporting my children," he replied. "I want to determine for myself that it is in proper working condition."

"Vessel?" she echoed incredulously. "Proper working condition?"

"Uh-huh."

"Now wait just a...minute...oh God... "

Janeway's protest was aborted in mid-sentence as his "investigation" became decidedly more intense, and a few moments later she lost all rational thought as he covered her mouth with his.

FOUR MONTHS LATER

It was Christmas on the Phoenix. The members of the crew who participated in the annual celebration had gathered in the Mess Hall to partake in the traditional festivities and exchange gifts. Under normal circumstances Janeway would have been present to unofficially oversee the evening, but at exactly 1400 that afternoon she had gone into labor and been ensconced in Sickbay ever since. Chakotay had made a brief appearance at the start of the party, assuring the crew that the captain was doing fine and announcing the arrival of their son - Kolochak Edward Janeway. He had vanished as quickly as he had come, anxious to return to Janeway, leaving the others to talk amongst themselves about the new addition.

"For his sake I hope the little guy looks like his mother," Tom quipped. "The last thing we need is a miniature version of Chakotay running around."

"Which is precisely why we're all grateful that Tyan looks like B'Elanna," Harry returned.

"Big talk from a man who took five years to ask his future wife out on a date."

"That's because it took him that long to definitively determine how to tell the difference between Jenny and me," Megan Delaney added lightly.

As their crew enjoyed the Christmas party, Janeway and Chakotay were basking in the joy of their children. After Kolochak had made his appearance, his sisters had wasted no time in coming out to join him, much to Janeway's relief. After a brief exam to ensure mother and babies were all fine, the Doctor had discreetly vanished into the other room to give the family some time alone. While Janeway nursed Kolochak, Chakotay balanced the twins in either arm as they drank from the bottles of formula provided by the Doctor.

"I think Raven has your eyes," Chakotay said.

"She certainly has your hair," Janeway responded.

"So I suppose if she had had your hair you would have named her Red?"

"Very funny. As long as we're on the subject of names, however, you still haven't told me which one you've decided on for our other daughter."

"Well, since you were gracious enough to name our son and eldest daughter based on my traditions, I think it's only fair that I return the favor. In honor of the date of her birth, her name is going to be Noelle."

Janeway smiled. "Noelle... it's a beautiful name."

The couple's conversation was interrupted by the beep of Chakotay's combadge. "Paris to Commander Chakotay."

"Go ahead, Tom."

"So what's the verdict, Dad? Have Megan and Jenny's competition for the most beautiful twin sisters aboard made their appearance yet?"

"Raven and Noelle are both present and accounted for," Chakotay told him.

Through the comlink the crewmembers in the Mess Hall could be heard releasing delighted shouts and Chakotay exchanged an amused smile with Janeway.

`"That's great news, Chakotay," Tom said. "Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"Give those kids a kiss from their Uncle Tom and wish the captain a Merry Christmas from all of us."

"Merry Christmas to you as well, Mister Paris," Janeway replied.

A small chirp indicated that Tom had severed the transmission and the captain allowed herself a knowing smile as she glanced at her husband. "Care to venture a guess as to how many of those cheering voices will be slightly late to work tomorrow and nursing hangovers?"

"Gambling is Tom's forte, not mine. But if you are genuinely concerned, I can take a quick trip up there and make sure everyone knows to keep a handle on the drinking."

"No. It's Christmas; let them have a little fun."

Noticing that his daughters had suddenly grown quiet, Chakotay glanced down to discover they had fallen asleep. Careful not to wake them, he crossed over to the oversized cradle next to Janeway's biobed and gently placed them inside, then confiscated Kolochak and set him between his sisters. Once they were secured, he slid onto the biobed next to Janeway and she leaned over to rest her head on his shoulder as they gazed down at their sleeping children.

"They're so beautiful," Janeway remarked.

"As is their mother," Chakotay replied.

"I never thought it would come to this," Janeway said softly. "I spent so long denying how I felt and hiding behind protocol I was certain that in your heart, you had moved on."

"My heart has belonged to you from the moment I laid eyes on you. Nothing can change that."

Janeway shifted her gaze to meet his and flashed him a loving smile. "Merry Christmas, Chakotay."

"Merry Christmas, Kathryn."

Husband and wife exchanged a warm kiss.

*******************************

THE END