There's No Place That Far

Disclaimer: Star Trek: Voyager and all things contained therein are the property of Paramount Pictures. No infringement intended. See Chapter One for details.

Chapter Three

B'Elanna Torres had seen many wondrous things along this journey. Subspace inversions, quantum singularities, and binary pulsars. She'd even seen three stars go supernova in less than three days thanks to the Continuum Civil War. But the sight before her now was, without a doubt, the single most stunning stellar phenomenon she had ever witnessed.

They had been traveling through the wormhole for over seven hours now, and B'Elanna found herself as enchanted by the image on the view screen as she had been in the first instant. The inside of the wormhole was a twinkling and twisting kaleidoscope of intense lights and colors more radiant that she had ever seen. Blues, pinks, and purples of such luminescence, it was dazzling. "Incredible." She muttered.

"How are the shields holding up, Lieutenant?" Chakotay pried his eyes away from the screen to look at his friend. He was glad she was there on the bridge with the rest of the senior staff. Hopefully things would stay quiet during their exit, and she could remain. She belonged with them for this long awaited moment.

She punched away at her console. "The modifications we made are working. The shields have taken a beating, but they're holding."

Janeway grinned as she watched the pride swell on Chakotay's face. He told her seven years ago that B'Elanna was the best damn engineer she could find, and he was right. She was probably the closest thing Chakotay had ever had to a sister, and his affection for her was clear. "Good work, B'Elanna." He said.

"Mr. Kim, how long until we reach the end of this light show?" Janeway asked, tearing her eyes from the spectacular sight long enough to look at the young ensign.

"We'll reach the terminus of the wormhole in approximately 12 minutes, Captain." The excitement radiated from Harry's handsome face. His dark eyes were all aglow with the anticipation of seeing his parents again. Harry was the Kim's only child, and Janeway knew they would be proud of the officer and the man he had become.

"I never thought I'd say this." Paris quipped. "But I can't wait to see my dad." His blue eyes twinkled with the joy that comes with self-forgiveness. Tom had changed his entire life during his time on Voyager. He left the Alpha Quadrant a cocky, immature kid with a chip on his shoulder the size of the Horse head Nebula. But he was returning a trust-worthy and compassionate man with much to offer the world.

Janeway smiled warmly at him, gratification etched in her expression. "I'm certain your father will feel the same way, Tom. Any parent would be proud to have a son like you." She flashed her pilot a lop-sided smirk. "Now keep your eyes on the road, hmmm? It'd be a shame for you to crash my ship 3 minutes before we emerge in the Alpha Quadrant."

He beamed a smile at his captain before turning around. "Yes, Ma'am."

Tuvok watched Neelix as he paced the upper level of the bridge, the Talaxian's usual ebullience was magnified by the palpable excitement in the air, and he simply could not sit still. So he had stalked the bridge, his yellow tuft of hair forever moving in the tactical officer's peripheral vision. Finally, Tuvok could stand it no more. So much for Vulcan control.

"Mister Neelix! Would you please be still. Your constant pacing is distracting, as well as a safety hazard. You should remain seated until we re-enter normal space."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Vulcan. I'm just so terribly excited." He enthused. "We're traveling through this wormhole and I'm seeing colors I never imagined existed! Why, it is a handsome sight, isn't it my stoic friend?"

Chakotay chuckled aloud at the look of barely controlled annoyance on the Vulcan's face. "You've got to admit, he has a point, Tuvok. It is beautiful."

Tuvok raised a Spockian eyebrow. "The fact that it is aesthetically pleasing does not negate the fact that Mr. Neelix should be seated."

"Oh, I couldn't possibly sit there idly like this is just any other day." He turned his yellow eyes to his Vulcan … friend, a jovial smile on his face. "You seem to have forgotten, I'm about to see Earth for the first time!"

"Our emergence from this interspatial flexure is likely to be turbulent." Said Seven with her usual aloof detachment. "You will be unable to view Earth if your cranium collides with a console and you are rendered unconscious."

"Oh, my…" Neelix stammered, his whiskered face growing slightly pale at the thought. "Well, that is a most valid argument, Seven. Thank you for point it out." He took his seat to Janeway's right, his hands wringing nervously in his lap as he tried to sit still.

His attempt at silence lasted only a moment. "Captain, I have a wonderful idea!"

Of course he does. She thought.

"This is the perfect time to sing a traditional Talaxian merrymaking song." He tugged thoughtfully at his yellow whiskers. "I know the perfect one. It starts out…"

"Mr. Neelix…" Janeway said, trying to sound more patient than she felt. "Perhaps we should save the singing until we've emerged from this anomaly in one piece." She reached over and patted him on the arm affectionately. "Take a deep breath and try to relax, hmm?"

"Or if that doesn't work, I could always sedate him." The Doctor intoned smugly. He gazed snidely at Neelix from his seat at Chakotay's left.

Janeway shot the hologram her most terrifying Shut Up or Die glare, despite the fact that she wanted to laugh aloud. Sometimes her people were so predictable.

Harry's voice brought them back to the moment. "Normal space in 5, 4, 3…"

Their exit from the wormhole was indeed a bumpy one, as Seven had promised. Tom Paris clutched the edge of his consol, working the controls and maneuvering Voyager as only he could. Somehow, he managed to keep the ship on an even keel even as his teeth rattled in his skull.

Once they cleared the terminus, they found themselves a few hundred thousand kilometers from the edge of the Terran system. A few minutes at impulse speed and Pluto would be within visual range. The bridge was silent and all eyes focused on the view screen, each crewmember enraptured as they took in the sights of Alpha Quadrant constellations they thought they might never see again.

Janeway had, at some point, risen to her feet and moved with insentience toward the huge screen. Her voice betrayed only a fraction of her emotion as she finally spoke. "Estimated time to Earth, Commander Tuvok?"

"29 hours at full impulse, Captain." He answered so quickly that Janeway knew he'd anticipated her request and had done the calculations before the words even left her mouth.

Tom's hands hovered over his console, ready to carry out the order he knew his captain was about to issue. Janeway noticed and chuckled to herself. Seems my crew aren't the only ones who've become predictable. She smiled radiantly and nodded at her pilot. "Do it, Mr. Paris."

He returned her smile. "Aye, Captain. Setting course for Earth. Full impulse."

Kathryn turned her attention to Harry. "Mr. Kim, send a subspace message to Starfleet Command. Inform them of our ETA and that we've arrived from the wormhole safely." She met eyes with each member of her crew briefly, her friends, and hoped desperately that she'd done the right thing. "Tell them Voyager is coming home.

"Yes, Ma'am." He answered enthusiastically, that familiar boyish smile on his dark face. Kathryn was certain she would remember that smile for the rest of her life,

As much as she would've like to remain on the bridge with her crew, watching as each familiar planet appeared on the viewer, she knew she couldn't. In just over 24 hours, they would be at Starfleet Command, where every action, every decision, every log entry would be reviewed and possibly questioned. She had a lot of work to do, and a lot of coffee to drink. So, with a sigh of resignation, Captain Janeway turned to bridge over to Chakotay and headed to her ready room. How do you wrap up a seven-year journey in one day?

Chakotay watched her retreating form, knowing that she was going into her sanctuary to prepare her defense to Starfleet … just in case. He prayed silently to his spirit guide that she wouldn't need it, that none of them would need it.

Kathryn Janeway leaned back in her chair and gazed at the image of Jupiter on her small console. They'd come into visual range of the gas giant about 15 minutes ago, and she'd been staring at it ever since. Jupiter Station pirouetted gracefully in its lazy orbit around the Jovian planet. They could've docked there, of course, just as they could've docked at DS9. Utopia Planitia at Mars Colony was also an option, according to Admiral Paris. But he had understood when Janeway told him that she preferred to proceed straight to Earth. The crew needed the time to prepare. She needed the time to say goodbye, and to hopefully ease her fear and doubts.

She leaned forward, inhaling deeply of the steam rising from her coffee mug. How many cups had she had today? She'd lost count. Her beloved java wasn't providing its usual succor.

Suddenly, a hand reached around from behind and snatched the cup from her lips. She didn't even need to turn around to know who it was. Truth be told, she'd expected it sooner or later.

"I was starting to wonder if you'd forgotten about us, Q." She swiveled her chair to face him and folded her arms across her chest. "After all, we've had several hours of omnipotence-free serenity, you know. I thought perhaps you'd found another group of mortals to ingratiate yourself on."

"Oh, don't be insulting, Kathy. It doesn't suit you." He stroked her hair patronizingly as he slid past her and took a seat on the corner of her desk. He still held the cup of coffee in his hand. He brought it to his nose and sniffed, a disdainful expression spreading across is face. "Ugh! That smells absolutely dreadful! What do you see in it anyway? You know, Chuckles is right about one thing. You drink entirely too much of this stuff. It's bad for your mortal health, you realize."

She ignored his nagging and decided to get straight to the point. "I'm really rather busy, Q. I'm afraid I don't have time to play." She plucked a PADD from the stack on her desk and began tapping the small buttons. "So I'd appreciate it if you just cut to the chase. Say whatever it is you came here to say, and let me get back to my work."

"Yes, your precious reports. You humans record every ridiculous detail of your brief existence, as if someone were actually going to care enough to read it." He snatched the PADD from her hand and pretended to be reviewing it. "I hope you have them all in order. Starfleet can be so staunchy and self-important about these things." He ignored her glare, as he always did, and with a snap of his fingers, moved them both to the sofa.

Janeway rolled her eyes and leaned away from him slightly, a tired expression on her face. "What is it you want this time?" she asked wearily.

"I'll excuse your lack of hospitality because I know you're little excursion through the wormhole must've been taxing on your infinitesimal human mind." His voice took on an uncharacteristic serious intonation. "I'm here to ask you one more time to listen to reason. There's still time. You could turn your little ship around before the wormhole collapses and return to the Delta Quadrant."

She stared intently at him "And why would I want to do that?"

He put a hand on her knee. "Because it's where you should be. Why can't you understand that you don't belong here?"

What the hell did he mean by that? "Don't belong here? What are you talking about, Q? This is where we came from, where we originated. It's the nature of almost every species to return to their homeland. And it's been this crew's shared goal for nearly a decade. Now you're telling me I should abandon it just as I'm about to cross the finish line. How would I ever justify that to my crew?"

"Yes, yes, yes." He sputtered quickly. "Your precious crew. You're so fiercely dedicated and loyal to them, though I can't imagine for a second why. But I dare say, half-wits that they are, you'd be doing them a favor if you reversed course. Oh, they won't like it, of course. But if they knew what lies ahead, I assure you, Kathy - they would thank you."

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You keep eluding to the fact that we're in for a massive disappointment when we reach Earth, or that something terrible is going to happen. Yet, you won't say what." She stood and stared down at him, her hands on her hips. "Enough of the cryptic insinuations and enigmatic remarks, Q. For once, can't you just come right out and say whatever it is you're trying to tell me? What could possibly await us that is atrocious enough to justify damning this crew to a life in the Delta Quadrant?"

"You know I can't answer that, Kathy. The Federation isn't the only society with moral directives." He ignored her disbelieving snort at the mention of Q morality.

Janeway found the mere thought of Q respecting any directive, moral or otherwise, every bit as absurd as the thought of voluntarily returning to the Delta Quadrant. "You're saying you have a Prime Directive to adhere to?"

A look of utter annoyance crossed his face. "Honestly, Kathy, you can be so trying at times. Must you think of everything in Starfleet terms?" He shook his head at her. "We Q aren't uncivilized super beings. The Continuum has laws just like everyone else. And, as you saw for yourself during our war, the punishments for violating those laws can be terribly severe."

Janeway shuttered at the memory of her near execution at the hands of the Continuum. Perhaps Q was serious after all. But, unfortunately, it was irrelevant. She'd need a damn good reason to even consider turning her ship around. And so far, all he was offering were foreboding insinuations veiled in his customary insults. And that just wasn't good enough.

"Sorry, Q…" she said as she moved toward the door. "But I'm not biting. I'm willing to bet that nothing terrible is waiting for us, and that all this is just your latest game to amuse yourself. I'm finished performing for you. I have a crew to attend to."

He almost couldn't believe what he was seeing. Was she about to walk out on him? Walking out on a Q? A near God who had taken time out of his galaxy cruising to assist her inconsequential group of circus monkeys? How dare she? He rose to his feet and stepped in front of her. "Know this, Kathryn. If you step out that door, I'm not going to follow you."

"I'm counting on it."

"I mean it, Captain. If you walk out on me, I won't stop it. I'll stand by and watch it all unfold, but I won't lift an omnipotent finger to help you. You'll have to beg me, first."

Janeway shot him a pointed glance before stepping through the doors. "We never asked for your help, Q. Not once." And then the doors swished shut behind her.

"No…" he muttered. "But you're going to need it."

In a snap he was wearing the uniform of a Starfleet Judiciary Admiral, a gavel bearing the image of the USS Voyager across the top resting in his hand. "Very well, Kathy. Let the games begin."

"Earth Station McKinley to Voyager. You are cleared for docking."

The cheers and whoops of joy erupting throughout the ship made it almost impossible for Janeway to maintain her own emotions. The bridge was crowded. Every person who could think of an excuse for being there was present. She could've cleared out the extra personnel easily. But she found that being surrounded by them was especially comforting now. And she couldn't blame any of them for wanting to be present at this moment. They had done it. They were home!

Kathryn looked out at the image of Earth spinning slowly beneath the orbiting shipyard, and without even realizing it, she reached a hand out to Chakotay. He took her small hand in his larger one, squeezing it affectionately. An awed smile curled on his lips as he turned to face her. "You did it, Kathryn. You brought your crew home."

"No, we did it, Chakotay. I couldn't have done it without you." She gazed adoringly at the faces of her bridge crew. "All of you."

Janeway stood and moved to the center of the command level, her shoulders squared and her head held high. "All hands, this is the captain. As you all know, we are now in orbit around Earth. We're home." Emotion crackled through her voice, and she was sure she heard a soft sobbing behind her. She didn't turn to see who it was affording them the respect of privacy. They deserved this moment, each and every one of them.

"In a few moments we'll be disembarking. You'll soon be reunited with your friends and families. The next few weeks are likely to be a little crazy and we may not see much of each other. So let me take this moment to tell you that it has been an honor to serve with each of you. You have all shown a courage and bravery I could never have expected." She swiped at a tear that had escaped down her cheek. "I want you all to know that captaining this vessel and this crew on this incredible journey has changed my life. It was the steadfastness and dedication of each and every one of you that made our survival and our return to the Alpha Quadrant possible. I couldn't have had a better crew had I hand-picked each of you myself. And I am forever changed for the better by knowing you. When you leave this ship today, you do so with my respect and admiration. And also with my thanks. Janeway out."

Chakotay stood beside her, his hand on her shoulder. "I believe that it's customary in these situations for the captain to exit first." He held his arm out to her, as he had done countless times before. "May I have the honor?"

"I would have it no other way." She choked, wrapping her arm in his. She looked to her senior officers. Tom, B'Elanna, Harry and Tuvok. The Doctor, Neelix and Seven of Nine. They all stood at attention, expressions of unabashed devotion and respect for the captain that led them home on their faces. "I hope you'll all be right behind me."

"We always have been." Tom said affectionately, taking his wife's hand and falling into step behind his commanding officers. The group walked together down the corridor, and off of the ship they'd called home for nearly a decade.

The first thing Janeway noticed when she stepped into the docking bay was the absence of the mob of media and family members she had always imagined would be present. She supposed it was her distraction by that fact that kept her from noticing the large Starfleet security teams that moved toward them as they descending the short stairway. That is to say, she was too busy wondering where the camera flashes and tearful on-lookers where to notice that the Maquis were being apprehended one by one as they exited the ship. She didn't notice until Chakotay was ripped from her arm by a gangly, beady-eyed ensign that looked almost young enough to be Naomi Wildman's playmate, and taken into custody.

"What is going on here?" she demanded. She met eyes with Chakotay, seeing a calm resignation in his face. Did he expect this to happen? If so, why had he agreed to come back? He gave her a sad smile.

"It's probably just a formality, Kathryn." He tried to reassure her. "It'll be okay once they review the logs and see that we were loyal to Starfleet."

She was about ready to believe him, until she saw a kicking and screaming B'Elanna Torres being torn from the hand of her husband by two security officers. "Let me go, or I'll rip your arms out of the socket."

"Hey, buddy! Take it easy!" Tom shouted as the officers manhandled his wife. "She's pregnant damn it." He locked eyes with her. "Don't fight them, B'Elanna. You have to stay calm for the baby's sake. We'll get to the bottom of this. I swear it."

Janeway stepped in front of the highest ranking officer she could find. "I demand to know what's going on here. I want to see Admiral Paris. Now!"

A figure approached from the side, his large dark shadow filling her peripheral vision. "I'll handle this, Commander." He said to the security officer. Finally she would get some answers.

Janeway pulled her shoulders back and prepared herself to demand the release of the former Maquis. She turned to face the owner of the shadow, and gasped in horror at what she saw.

"Captain Janeway, I presume. I am Gul Navette and this is Admiral Sutherland. It is an honor to meet you."

A Cardassian … a Cardassian!!! … stood before her, hand extended in greeting. Not only was he giving orders to Starfleet officers, but worst of all he was in the company of two Admirals. No, upon closer inspection she amended that thought. It was one Starfleet Admiral, and Q in an Admiral's uniform.

She grabbed him by the lapels, gripping the fabric tightly. "This is your doing, isn't it Q?"

"I beg you pardon." Gul Navette said to her, a confused and slightly startled expression on his scaley face.

"Uh… you might want to calm down, Kathy." Q said condescendingly. "They can't see me. And I don't think giving them the impression that you're insane will help your situation." He pried her hands from his uniform. "Besides, I already told you, I am just here to watch. Anything that happens now is purely the due to the actions of your fellow humanoids. I am just a spectator at this little freak show."

A sense of panic washed over her. If Q didn't create this, then that meant it was real. How could that be possible? How could a Cardassian be rubbing shoulders with Starfleet Command? A sinking feeling descended in her stomach as she realized that she had delivered Chakotay and the others straight into their hands. She had failed them in a way she'd never thought possible. There must be a way out.

She locked eyes on the Admiral and tried to pull herself together. Q was right. The last thing she needed was for the powers that be to question her sanity. Tuvok had made his way to her and now stood at her side. She drew strength from him, and when she spoke, her voice was strong and unwavering. "Admiral Sutherland, I demand to know why members of my crew are being taken into custody."

"They're being detained to await trial for their crimes." He said, his voice carrying a haughty nasal intonation.

"To what crimes are you referring?" Tuvok asked.

"Why, crimes against the Cardassian Order, of course." Said Navette. His tone was as nonchalante as if he were merely discussing the weather. "They're members of the Maquis, Captain Janeway. Surely you didn't expect them to just go free."

Hatred flashed in her eyes as she glared at Navette. "What I expected was for them to be treated fairly. They haven't been Maquis since the day they joined my crew. They've served Starfleet for seven years faithfully. These actions against them are atrocious!"

Admiral Sutherland took Janeway by the arm and attempted to lead her out of the docking bay. "Admiral Paris awaits your arrival at headquarters, Captain. I suggest you come along quietly if you don't want to find yourself going to jail along side your friends."

Janeway jerked her arm from his grasp and opened her mouth to reply, but Tuvok's steady grip on her shoulder silenced her.

"Captain, I believe that your resistance will only serve to further complicate the situation. I understand your discomfort, however, you will be of no use to the former Maquis if you are incarcerated. It is in our best interests to proceed. Perhaps we will get some answers from Admiral Paris."

Yes, that was it. Owen Paris was one of Kathryn's strongest supporters since she entered the academy. He would get to the bottom of all this. "Yes, you're right Tuvok. Let's get to Starfleet Command and find out what in the hell is happening here."

Janeway glanced one last time at her crew, most of whom didn't resist as they were carted off to jail. They went along peacefully, probably believing that their captain would come to their rescue and have them out in time to be home for dinner with their families. She hoped like hell that their faith in her was justified. "This certainly isn't the homecoming I was expecting." She muttered as she followed the Admiral out of the docking bay.

Q fell into step beside her. "Well, Kathy, I hate to say I told you so. But…"

"Shut up, Q!" she snapped.

"I'm sorry, Captain Janeway. Did you say something?" Gul Navette asked.

"Of course not." She smirked at Q. "I just had a mosquito buzzing in my ear. You know how pesky those little things can be."

Q fixed his gaze on Tuvok. "Is she always this cranky when Chuckles in away?"

Tuvok raised and eyebrow. "Yes."

Chapter Four.

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