Chapter 2: Janeway and Chakotay
Admiral Kathryn Janeway sat on a hilltop, glaring out at the lake that rolled in just in front of her. The setting sun made the sky turn golden yellow mixed deeply with reddish-orange as it cast a long reflection on the sparkling water.
Kathryn came here a lot when she needed time to think or clear her mind. It was a special place to her and it often reminded her of Voyager. When their long journey through the Delta quadrant had recently begun, Chakotay had introduced her to her spirit guide. This is the place she came to.
Chakotay was often on Kathryn's mind. All through their journey aboard the mighty Voyager, she had been aware of Chakotay's feelings towards her. And although she never expressed them, she had feelings for him. He wasn't just a First Officer or trusted friend to her. He was much more then that. He still was.
Kathryn knew that if she hadn't been the Captain, their relationship would have grown. It would have flourished into something great. But as the Captain it wouldn't have been wise. After landing on Earth, Janeway confessed to her true feelings for Chakotay. He was flattered, but did no more then smile at her. His heart now went to Seven of Nine.
Seven and Chakotay were a couple for almost three years. Marriage entered Chakotay's mind many time, but every time he brought the topic up, Seven would change the subject. Then one day...she left.
Kathryn remembered how heart broken Chakotay was after Seven announced that she was leaving Earth and probably wouldn't return. Kathryn hated seeing him in that way. Worn out, exhausted, depressed. He even quit Starfleet shortly after he was promoted to Captain.
Kathryn took personal leave off Starfleet so that she could be with Chakotay. She cared for him…loved him. She stayed by his side until he showed signs of being his true self again. Even if it meant quitting Starfleet herself, she would do everything in her power to make him happy again.
Kathryn sighed and pulled her sweater, which hung loosely around her neck, tightly over her shoulders. The evenings got colder this time of year.
It's been over fifteen years now that Seven left. Chakotay still thinks of her, but not in the mourning way did for nearly two years. He was grateful for the help Kathryn gave him during his depression. He admired her for her dedication and loyalty. Kathryn remained by his side no matter how many times he cursed or threatened her to leave.
"I thought I'd find you here. Mind if I join you?" Kathryn smiled, breathing in the cool, sweet breeze that rushed towards her. Without turning around, she shook her head and patted the ground beside her. She could recognize Chakotay's voice anywhere. Kathryn watched him take a seat with the corner of her eye, but quickly returned her attention back to the colourful horizon.
"Do you miss space, Chakotay?" Kathryn nestled her head on his shoulder, feeling comforted by his presence.
"I can't say I miss it, but I do think about it a lot." Kathryn felt him smile. She could spend eternity sitting here by his side. She couldn't explain it, but every time she was near him it was like time stopped completely and it was just them. Together, breathing the same air. Sharing the same thoughts. Together, they sat and watched the sun disappear beneath the horizon and the sparkling stars flicker into existence. Chakotay telling the stories his father used to tell him and Kathryn listening intensely, hoping the moment wouldn't end. The short time that they had to spend with each other with precious to the both of them. With Janeway constantly taken up by Starfleet and Chakotay with his own work, time was limited. Kathryn wasn't sure how long they had spent lying together under the stars or what time it was when she saw him off and headed home herself. Her mind wasn't on such things. She dreamt of him that night. Dreamt that they were aboard a mighty ship, much like a miniature Voyager. Just the two of them. Alone in the dark depths of space...together.
---
"Admiral Janeway! It's so nice to see you again."
Kathryn laughed with astonishment and surprise as she saw a familiar face appear on the screen in front of her. She couldn't believe how grown up the girl was now. The little girl that once ran along happily through Voyager's corridors was now a beautiful young woman.
"I should say them say to you, Naomi! You look great."
"Thank you!"
Naomi had her blond hair pulled back in an exquisite design of loops and braids. Her blue eyes holding more expression then they ever had.
"It's been awhile, Naomi."
Naomi smiled sadly.
"Too long, Admiral."
Kathryn smiled back, lifting Naomi's spirit and her own as well.
"Please, call me Kathryn."
Janeway hadn't spoken with Naomi in almost seventeen years. She was happy to hear that Naomi did eventually join Starfleet Command and had recently be promoted to junior science officer...just like her mother.
"Have you stayed in touch with anyone else from the Voyager crew?" Kathryn was curious. Naomi was pretty upset when the Voyager crew had their final farewell party. She couldn't imagine leaving the people she grew up around behind. The thought of never seeing any of them again tore her heart almost as much as loosing her mother had. Naomi made everyone promise to stay in touch, but over the years, those contacts eventually faded.
"Just Neelix and Annika." Naomi sighed.
"Seven?" Kathryn was surprised to hear that the former Borg's name. Seven was never sociable aboard Voyager and not much of an improvement on Earth. Kathryn was surprised to hear that she stayed in touch with anyone at all.
"Oh, Annika has changed, Kathryn! You should see her now."
"I'd love too!"
Unfortunately, Kathryn had to cut their conversation short. She hated to do so, since there was so much that they need to catch up on, but work was calling.
Kathryn, without hesitation, accepted Naomi's invitation and agreed to pass the news onto Chakotay. She wouldn't miss a chance to reunite with her former crew if her life depended on it. She knew Chakotay would feel the same way.
---
"In the beginning, there was the dark purple light at the dawn of being." Chakotay began an ancient Native creation story. The children around him listening deeply. Their thoughts entranced, trying to picture a time before hover cars and starships. A time before transporters, replicators, and holodecks. A time when the people of Earth lived by the Earth. Took food and medicine and ways to travel from nature. No skyscrapers. No technology. Just Earth.
Chakotay went on and explained how the Spider Woman took the clay from the Earth in red, yellow, white, and black and created people. And even farther into the tale to outline the events that occurred after her people began forgetting the gift of creative wisdom that she had given them.
"Three times she sent a great flood to destroy those who had forgotten the gift of her thread. Those that remembered floated to safety in the womb of Mother Earth." Chakotay let the air fall still and silent in order for the stories lesson to seep in. The children were motionless. Speechless. Still pulled into the great Native tale. Still envisioning the whole chain of events.
"I always loved that one!"
Chakotay looked up and gave a nod with a little smirk. "Alright! That will be all for today." He stood up and walked over to Kathryn. "What's up?"
"You'll never guess who I was just in contact with." The two of them, slowly walking side-by-side through the park, again were appreciative for the time that they got to spend together. The sun was high, but still a cool breeze blew through the city.
"Q and his wonderful son, comes to mind." Chakotay joked.
Kathryn gave him a playful punch on the shoulder.
"The Kazon? The Female Caretaker? Species 8472? I could go on" Chakotay continued with a broad smile.
"Naomi!"
"Wildman?"
"Yes!"
Kathryn's smile never wavered as she went on to explain the whole conversation with the first Voyager child.
"It's hard to believe, isn't it! That it has been almost twenty years since our return to Earth." Then Kathryn's smile faded as it always did when she thought of her ship and crew and all the adventure they had shared in the Delta Quadrant. "She's invited the whole crew, Chakotay! Everyone!"
Kathryn looked deep into Chakotay's eyes, searching for what he was feeling. "Seven will be there!"
"I know!"
"But you'll still go?"
"I wouldn't miss it!"
And with a smile pasted back on both of their faces, the two of the them head off to the celebrations...together.
To Be Continued...
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