"A Separate Peace"
by Andra Marie Mueller

PART THIRTEEN : 'Face The Music'

SUMMARY : Admiral Morgan informs Kathryn's parents of her capture

See Part one for author's notes and disclaimer

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DEEP SPACE NINE

Inside his office overlooking Ops, Captain Benjamin Sisko was reviewing the latest maintenance reports from Chief O’Brien when his first officer, Colonel Kira Nerys, walked into the room. "Sorry to disturb you, Captain," she began, "but Julian’s latest report just arrived, and I thought you’d want to see it."

Kira handed him the computer PADD she was holding, and Sisko quickly scanned it before glancing at his second-in-command. "It would seem our friends in the Maquis are raising the stakes in their little power game with Starfleet Command," he remarked. "Julian says that they’ve taken a Starfleet captain prisoner and are holding her in their compound."

"I was under the impression that the Maquis didn’t take prisoners."

"So was I. Obviously they’ve changed their tactics."

"Who have they captured?"

Sisko glanced back at the PADD, then suddenly broke into a grin and let out a chuckle. "Well, I’ll be damned."

"Captain?"

"Their ‘prisoner’ is Kathryn Janeway."

"Janeway…isn’t she Voyager’s CO?"

Sisko nodded. "She also happens to be the former fiancée of an erstwhile Starfleet officer named Chakotay."

Kira frowned. "I’m not following you."

"Chakotay is the Maquis captain in charge of the group Julian infiltrated," Sisko clarified.

Kira’s eyes widened in surprise. "Really…you don’t think she’s planning to defect to the Maquis, do you?"

"I doubt it. Her own position notwithstanding, her father is former Fleet Admiral Edward Janeway, and he’s been an outspoken antagonist of the Maquis from day one. But her history with Chakotay certainly gives the situation an interesting twist."

Just then Sisko’s combadge beeped, and O’Brien’s voice filtered out. "O’Brien to Captain Sisko."

"Go ahead, Chief."

"Sir, the maintenance work on the Cornellian shuttle is complete," O’Brien informed him. "They’re requesting permission to disembark."

"Has Odo cleared them for departure?"

"Yes, sir. He completed his final security check nearly twenty minutes ago."

"Then bid them safe journey and send them on their way," Sisko instructed. "Have Mister Worf track them until they leave Federation space."

"Acknowledged, Captain. O’Brien out."

Sisko returned his attention to Kira. "Any new news regarding the Dominion?" he asked.

"Not yet. The last report we got from Starfleet Intelligence indicated that the Cardassians were still negotiating with the Romulans to join their alliance with the Dominion."

Sisko sighed. "There’s no love lost between the Federation and Romulus, but hopefully they have enough sense not to get involved with the Dominion," he said. "Tell Julian to keep his eyes and ears open, and to let me know if and/or when the Maquis plan another strike against a Starfleet ship. In the meantime, I want the station’s sensors to run continuous long-range scans for any vessels other than Federation ships, and keep an eye on the wormhole."

"You got it."

Kira turned to go, then changed her mind and turned back around to face Sisko. "Just out of curiosity, sir, why are you letting the shuttle go?" she asked. "You know it’s a Maquis vessel; if Starfleet Command finds out, you could be charged with conspiracy."

Sisko smiled. "Last time I checked, Colonel, this was a Bajoran station, and Bajor has no quarrel with the Maquis. Besides, I’m fairly certain that Starfleet Command has more important things to worry about than our assisting an occasional stray shuttle or two that docks here."

Kira returned the smile. "I’m certain they do, sir," she allowed and exited the room.

 

CORNELLIA COLONY

Three days later, Chakotay had recovered well enough for Bashir to release him from the infirmary, and he was sent home with strict instructions to do nothing but rest for another two days. Having established a makeshift truce with Kathryn the morning after his accident, Chakotay had dispensed with her guard.

The evening of his homecoming, Chakotay was on his porch, staring out into the woods as he inhaled the fresh air. Janeway had joined him outside, unwilling to let him out of her sight for fear he would overexert himself.

"It’s not right, Chakotay," Janeway protested. "I shouldn’t be sleeping in your bed while you’re still recovering."

Chakotay afforded her a sideways glance. "I’m sure I could manage the stairs if you’re willing to share the bed," he offered innocently.

Janeway shook her head. "I should have seen that coming," she mumbled.

"I appreciate your concern, Kathryn, but I’m not going to have a relapse merely because I’m sleeping on the couch instead of my bed."

Janeway flashed him a sheepish smile. "I’m sorry. I’m being a worrywart, aren’t I?"

"Yes, but it’s okay. It’s been a while since I’ve had anyone to fuss over me."

"Speaking of fussing, I’m curious as to why Julian Bashir is part of your inner circle," Janeway replied. "Last time I checked, doctors weren’t exactly on the top of the list for spy recruitment."

"Julian was genetically enhanced as a child and has a memory that’s both photogenic and phonogenic," Chakotay explained. "Everything he sees and hears is automatically stored into his memory, and he can recall it at will. Given that people tend to tell their doctors things they wouldn’t divulge to anyone else due to doctor/patient privilege, Starfleet Command thought he would make a valuable asset as an intelligence operative. Not to mention that he’s one hell of a doctor."

"What happened to you after I left Dorvan?" Janeway asked suddenly.

"Testing the waters of truth again, Captain?" Chakotay prompted lightly.

"I’d like to know," came Janeway’s response.

Chakotay met her gaze for a moment before he returned his attention to their surroundings, and in an even voice, answered Janeway’s question. "After we separated, I made arrangements for Tara and Gray Feather to be taken to Trebus to live with our mother’s family, and they took Ebony with them. Once they were safe, I joined a small band of Maquis that had formed from the survivors of the Cardassian massacre on Alamea, and we began to give back to the Cardys some of what they had been dishing out. Over time the group got larger, and although the faces changed occasionally, we all had the same common goal: destroy the Cardassians and make the Federation pay for sacrificing us to them."

"I never realized how much anger you had buried inside of you."

"Neither did I until the day I lost my parents. Anyway, I eventually made my way to a command position, and five years ago I brought my people here to establish a home base."

"Have you ever returned to Dorvan V?"

"I have no reason to. There’s nothing left for me there."

"Except memories," Janeway replied softly.

Chakotay shifted his gaze to hers, and graced her with a faint smile. "Except memories," he echoed. "Some better than others, I might add."

The meaning behind Chakotay’s comment earned him a blush from Janeway as she returned his smile. "We did have some good times," she allowed, "although I doubt either of us can ever set foot on Denal again. The Minister probably still has a price on our heads."

"It was an innocent mistake," Chakotay protested. "How was I supposed to know that synthehol would have such a …unique effect on Denalan physiology?"

"Unique effect?" Janeway echoed incredulously. "Chakotay, we single handedly managed to get the entire ruling family completely drunk, after which they proceeded to give us a demonstration of their equally unique mating rituals."

"I didn’t hear you offering any protest when we were back on the ship trying it for ourselves," Chakotay reminded her.

Janeway’s blush deepened. "Youth excuses a great deal."

"I suppose it does."

"Where did your tattoo come from?"

"I had it done when I joined the Maquis. It’s the symbol of my father’s tribe and was my way of honoring his memory."

The duo’s conversation was interrupted by a sudden flash of lightning, followed a moment later by a loud clap of thunder.

"That sounds ominous," Janeway mumbled.

"I suppose now is as good a time as any to tell you that the storm season is about to start," Chakotay revealed. "For the next few weeks, we’ll get rain almost every day, ranging from a light sprinkle to thunderstorms and possibly a hurricane or two."

"Oh, that’s just great," Janeway grumbled. "It’s bad enough you kidnap me and bring me to a planet in the middle of nowhere. But you had to pick a planet that has hurricanes and thunderstorms."

"Kathryn, I know how you feel about storms, but I assure you my house is perfectly secure. The windows are made of transparent aluminum, and the wood is reinforced with titanium."

Janeway continued as if he hadn’t spoken. "A nice desert planet would have been fine," she muttered. "Lots of sun and sand, and not a hurricane in sight."

Chakotay sighed. "Kathryn, if you don’t stop rambling, I’m going to be forced to kiss you to shut you up."

Janeway shot him a warning look. "Try it and Julian’s going to have to put you back together all over again."

"Has anyone ever told you that you are very lovely when you’re annoyed?"

"Compliments in the interest of self-preservation," Janeway mused. "Interesting tactic, Captain."

"Whatever works."

Just then another clap of thunder signaled the start of the storm, and it began to pour.

"I believe that’s our cue to go inside," Janeway said.

"You go ahead," Chakotay replied. "I’m going to stay outside for a little while and watch the rain."

"Suit yourself."

"I have a meeting in the morning with Paris and Brev, but after that my day is clear," Chakotay said. "Could I persuade you to join me for an afternoon stroll along the beach?"

Janeway gave him an even look. "A short stroll," she conceded. "Julian will have my head on a platter if I let you overexert yourself."

"His bark is worse than his bite," Chakotay returned. "Sleep well, Kathryn. I’ll see you in the morning."

"Good-night, Chakotay."

"I don’t suppose I could get a kiss with that?" Chakotay prompted dryly.

Janeway met his gaze, then to Chakotay’s surprise she closed the distance between them and stood on tiptoe to grant him a light kiss. Their eyes met and held for a moment until she broke the silence: "Sweet dreams, Chakotay."

Janeway disappeared inside the house, and Chakotay waited until she was gone before speaking aloud: "Chakotay, my boy, you are in serious trouble."

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Part 14