"Blissful Thoughts"
By Coral

Disclaimer:  Paramount + Trek --> Ownership + Disaster...

Dedicated to all those who frequent #JetCJr - "We Will Revive!"

This was written in answer to Loz's Bliss Challenge - to write KJ's version of events from "Bliss"... J/C tendancies...

Story Index ~ Email Coral  

"Welcome home, Voyager."
She swung round from the image on the viewscreen as she felt a hand on her shoulder, a laughing smile on her face.  Cheers were breaking out on the bridge - they were home, they were home, home, home!  Nothing could get her down now, nothing at all, as she came face to face with Chakotay, who had a similar expression of euphoria on his face.  Before they even realised what they were doing, they were hugging each other tightly.  Janeway felt tears of joy - and yes, if she had to admit it, tearrs of sadness too - start to roll down her cheeks as Chakotay held her close.  But mostly she felt pride in her ship and her crew.
They'd made it home.
The hug was broken off and she reached to shake Tom's proffered hand, but it wasn't enough.  She swept him into a hug too, telling him how proud she was of him.  Young Harry Kim was grinning like a Chesire Cat and staring at the viewscreen in frank disbelief; Sam Wildman and Joe Carey were sharing a warm embrace, and even Tuvok seemed mildly moved.
The initial shock started to wear off, but, even so, it was a few minutes before Janeway could return the attention of her wandering mind to the viewscreen and focus on the Admiral's words.  The world around her seemed almost unreal as she stood at attention, Chakotay in his usual place a half step behind her, supporting her as he always had done, and as she secretly hoped he always would.  She brushed her hand absently against his, and he took it.
"..all invited to a welcome home celebration tonight, at StarFleet HeadQuarters, right here in San Francisco.  You families are being contacted as we speak.  There will be debriefings, but that can wait until you've had a chance to settle back in."  Admiral Paris looked around the bridge with the beaming face of a proud father.  "We're proud of all you've accomplished, Voyager.  Well done.  StarFleet out."
Janeway turned her back to the viewscreen as the transmission ended, making eye contact with each and every crewmember, her gaze coming to rest on Chakotay last.
"Commander... inform the crew: We've come home."
He nodded with a smile, and held her gaze with warmth.  "Thank you, Captain... you brought us home safely."
"Three cheers for the Captain!" Paris shouted loudly.  "Hip, hip-"
Janeway flushed with embaressment as the bridge crew let forth with screms and shouts that she felt sure could have travelled the vacuum of space.
She'd done it.
She'd kept her promise.
She'd brought her crew home.