| She's The Captain By Voyagetostars It was finally over. The hearings and trials complete with the findings that the crew of Voyager had acted above and beyond the call of duty. The former Maquis members had received full pardons. Chakotay’s trial had been the last one and now that it was over decorum was being thrown to the four winds.
The area outside the courtroom was chaotic as the Voyager crew rejoiced in the final verdict. Kathryn had briefly touched his shoulder with a quiet, “We’ve won,” before she was swept away into the maelstrom.
The remaining Maquis members were pounding him on his back as B’Elanna grabbed him in a fierce hug. Tom Paris, his lieutenant commander’s pips shining brightly, offered him his hand. “Congratulations sir.”
For once there was none of his trademark smirk, just the heartfelt comment. “Thanks Tom.”
“I’ve got to run - I have a briefing in ten minutes - see you tonight Be.” He hurried off.
“Don’t say it,” warned B’Elanna, “or you won’t be invited to the wedding.
“It’s about time.” He embraced her in a bear hug.
“Now when are you going to do the same?”
“I don’t know. . .”
“Save it for someone who believes it. When are you going to ask her to marry you?”
“She’s made her feelings quite plain B’Elanna.”
“Look Chakotay, I know she wouldn’t have a relationship in the Delta Quadrant, though I disagreed with her reasons.”
“Obviously.”
She glared at him. “Don’t try to change the subject. You’re back here now, do something.”
“But she’s the captain.” Memories of the times he had wanted to be so much more came flooding in.
“She’s also a woman. Court her the way you would have liked to on Voyager. She’s no longer in your direct chain of command. Believe me, she’ll respond.”
“You seem awfully sure about this.”
“I’m a woman too.”
A week later after lunch Captain Janeway entered her office and stopped short at the sight of a vase holding a dozen red roses on her desk.
“Ensign White,” she said over her shoulder to her young aide seated at a desk in the outer office.
“Yes ma’am,” she responded jumping to her feet, PADD in hand.
She frowned, she hadn’t made the connection that this wasn’t crunch time. Or maybe it was. “Do you know anything about this?”
“No sir, er ma’am, er captain,” the young ensign squeaked, taking in the sight. “They’re beautiful,” she whispered.
“That they are. Carry on.”
The door slid shut on the ensign who returned to her seat with some relief. Graduated only a week before Voyager’s dramatic return home, she had a serious case of nerves around senior officers. To be assigned to a living legend, rumored on the short list for the Admiralty, was almost more than she could handle. ‘Stop it,’ she scolded herself. ‘She’s human. She graduated the academy just like me. I can do this.’
In the office Kathryn was examining the flowers. There was no card but the vase was made of pottery, and painted to show a great journey in the style of the Native Americans of the Southwest. +Chakotay, why this, why now?+ she asked silently.
The intercom chimed. “Yes?”
“Admiral Paris is on his way captain.”
“Send him in as soon as he arrives.”
“Aye captain.”
She spared another short gaze at the flowers then pulled up the data she was to be reviewing with Admiral Paris. She remembered her surprise when he told her he wanted to hold the meeting in her office not his as would normally be expected.
The door opened and Janeway came around her desk to greet her mentor.
“Kathryn, you’re looking well. Things settling down?”
“Yes sir. Would you like something to drink?”
“Coffee, black,” he requested. He moved over to her desk. “Nice flowers.”
“Thank you,” she answered passing a mug to the senior.
“This wouldn’t be from a former crew member on your last ship?” he asked mindful of some of the comments he had heard between his son and daughter-in-law to be.
“There wasn’t any card.”
“I see. Well I’ll not interfere, but relationships between officers are perfectly acceptable as long as they are not in the same chain of command.” He looked at her directly and added, “And I know that you’re not directly supervising anyone from your last command.” He moved over to the briefing table. “Shall we begin?”
That evening Kathryn returned to her temporary quarters. She looked at the stack of boxes which she still hadn’t unpacked from Voyager. The red light on her comm station was flashing, indicating she had a message waiting.
Chakotay’s face lit up the screen. “Kathryn, I hope you’re not over working. I’d like to take you out to dinner next week. Please call me.” He flashed his gorgeous dimples and closed the connection.
Kathryn rubbed her eyes and debated calling him. It wasn’t like she had never called him late at night or rather early morning. Still things were different now. ‘Face it Kathryn, you’re a coward. You’re afraid of what he might say.’ On the other hand one didn’t normally say good bye with a dozen red roses. With that thought firmly in place she signaled his comm unit and got the answering chime.
“Chakotay, I’d enjoy having dinner with you next week. Please call me and we can set a day and time.” As she reached to break the connection a sleepy face filled the screen.
“Kathryn,” he exclaimed stifling a yawn. “I didn’t hear the signal.”
“I didn’t mean to wake you Chakotay.”
“No I was just resting. But let’s not wait until next week to have dinner. I’ve got some free time for the next t couple of days. Why don't you have dinner with me tomorrow night?”
“Well I’ve got only one meeting tomorrow afternoon, I should be done by four.”
“Then I’ll pick you up at six?”
“Fine.”
“Great, I’ll see you then.”
The next morning Kathryn arrived at her office the same time as her aide. “Good morning Captain Janeway.”
“Good morning Ensign White. I’d like you to get copies made of these notes for my afternoon meeting,” she passed over a PADD. “Also I’d like these log entries to be available for review as well. We’ll be needing three more chairs too."
“Aye captain.”
She entered her office and immediately saw a large package on her desk, her flowers now situated on the left corner. Mindful of some of the threats issued on Voyager’s return she directed a tricorder at the container only to switch it off with a laugh. While the Doctor might have disagreed there was absolutely nothing harmful in this package. She carefully opened it as Ensign White entered. “I don’t suppose you know anything about this one either?”
“No ma’am, should I call security?”
“No ensign, they’d just want to dispose of some very, very precious items.” She lifted out a medium bag and set it carefully aside. Next was a simple silver colored carafe followed by two oversized thermal coffee mugs. Lastly came a carved wooded tray, which had a design she recognized from a certain headboard on a distant planet. As before there was no card. “Ensign, do you know how to make coffee from beans?”
”No ma’am, but I can find out.”
“No need, I’ll get what’s necessary. That’s all.”
That evening she dressed, wondering where Chakotay was going to take her. She decided on a simple blue dress with a lacy white shawl. For jewelry she added gold hoop earrings and a matching choker. Chakotay arrived wearing equally simple clothing, dark brown slacks and a cream colored shirt.
He gave her a single red rose and brushed his lips across her cheek. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you and you look very handsome.” She gave him an equally gentle kiss.
“I hope you’re hungry,” he said breaking contact, determined to court her the way he had always wanted to do. He was hopeful since she had not simply rejected his gifts and invitation.
“I’m starving,” she answered.
They walked to a nearby transporter station. Kathryn couldn’t hear where he told the operator to send them but noted the operator’s grin.
They materialized outside a busy restaurant. “Where are we?” she asked as they entered the building.
“We’re in New York City and this is Nona’s Place, I found it when I attended the Academy. This is where I first tasted vegetable lasagna.”
The hostess led them to a reserved table. “The aromas are divine.”
“So is the food. May I order for you?” She nodded. Presently a parade of foods appeared at the table.
“So this is the famous Captain Janeway,” said an Italian woman following the waitress who was bringing their entrees .
“Nona,” answered Chakotay rising to take the older woman’s hands in his. “May I present Kathryn Janeway. Kathryn, this is Nona.”
“I am pleased to meet the woman that Chakotay has spoken so highly of.”
“You have wonderful food and a perfect atmosphere.”
“And not one nosy reporter in the house. Please enjoy your time here and return again whenever you want real food.” She moved off.
“Is it true?”
“No reporters? Yes. And no fodder for gossip columnists either. Don’t ask me how she does it but any information about any diner coming from this restaurant means the source is persona non grata, permanently.” He watched her relax at these words. Was she ashamed of being seen with him? He didn’t think so.
“I had an interesting conversation with Admiral Paris after he saw some flowers which came without a card. It seems he thinks there might be something between me and a member of my crew.”
“Oh and is there?” he worked to keep his tone light.
“I don’t know.” She raised her eyes to him. “I think I’d like to find out if there could be.”
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