Title: The Compromise
Author: Megan Faye
Rated: PG
Disclaimer: The usual...Paramount is the God of Trek and owns it all.



The porcelain cup was cool against her lips. That's what she loved about real China. The liquid could be steaming, but it was still cold where the liquid wasn't touching. The steam from her coffee rose into the air as it spread the warm scent to anyone with in a few meters. There was something about her time in the Holodeck for coffee that really made the day worth it.

"New Orleans today, Kathryn?" Chakotay asked as he sat at her table. She's have coffee with Chakotay everyday in a different place on Earth. He, of course, had tea. "Is this the 20th or the 21st century?"

"Both, really. This was a program my sister and I wrote the last time I was on Earth. We'd visited New Orleans, and there were a lot of historical 'video tapes' from the late 1990s and early 2000 that we watched. I thought you'd like it."

"Yes, its wonderful. A little chilly," he said as he took a bite of a binnette, a small square pastry covered in powdered sugar. "Mmm! I think I could get used to this, Kathryn." Chakotay placed the binnette back onto the plate. "But this isn't why I came here. We've reached an M-Class planet. Its not anything we've ever seen in this Quadrant."

"Oh? Why is that?"

"The people down there, they're all human."




"Its the first human life we've seen in 5 years, Captain. We've got to beam down."

"They don't have the technology we do; no warp, extremely limited space travel, and all humanoid life signs are human. No aliens. The prime directive-"

"Captain, screw the prime directive! This is as close to home as we've been in 6 years, and IF we continue the journey, it'll be another 70 before we come this close to home again!" Harry said, standing nose to nose with Captain Janeway.

"Calm down, Ensign," Chakotay said as he placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, forcing him back into his seat. "Captain, he's got a point. We could send the Doctor down, and he can get a decent look at what they look like, and how they dress. You and I could beam down and speak with who ever is in charge. We could use the shore leave. Neelix and B'Elanna will have to stay on board, obviously."

"How many people are there?"

"Roughly half a million," B'Elanna answered looking at the data PADD.

"Bridge to Captain Janeway," came over the comm.

"Janeway here. What do you need?"

"We're being hailed from the planet." Janeway raised an eye brow and headed out onto the bridge.

"On screen," she said as she sat in her chair. A young man's face appeared on the screen. "I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway of the USS Voyager of the United Federation of planets. We are on a peaceful mission."

"I haven't heard the name Kathryn since I was a boy. I'm Robby Pierce. Are you from Earth on a rescue mission?" Kathryn raised an eyebrow.

"We are from Earth, but we're as lost out here as you. How long-"

"My great grandfather was born here. Its been a long time since we settled here on New Earth." Kathryn and Chakotay exchanged a small grin. "Would you and your people like to come down for a visit? You all look like you could use a little bit of a break."

"That would be wonderful, but I've got a question," she said, hesitating a little. "Have you ever met with an alien species?"

"Oh yes, quite a few actually. Bring your whole crew down. Hell, if you can find a place, land the ship. We await with open arms." The transmission cut out.

"Chakotay, why don't you and I beam down first, get a lay of the land, see if its safe first. Something was a little off. He seemed a little too......."

"I know what you mean. I don't suppose I can persuade you to stay and let me take a proper away team."

"No, you can't. Let's go. Harry, you have the bridge. Tuvok, Chakotay, Tom, you're with me.




Kathryn sipped her coffee and grinned at Chakotay. The capitol city of the planet, New San Francisco, was more like home than she could have imagined. No Star Fleet shuttles flying overhead, or uniforms walking around, but the basic city seemed enough like home. Even the ocean at the edge of the city seemed natural. Voyager had landed on the other side of the hills that surrounded the city. It was a good place for a shore leave, and time for a ship refitting. With people pairing off left and right, crew quarters needed more room, and everyone in general needed the time off.

"Well," Chakotay said, breaking the silence. "Home sweet alien planet in an unexplored region of space."

"Yes," she answered

"Kathryn, a few of the crew have come to me asking to stay." He sipped his tea. "More than a few want to extend our stay here from a month to a year."

"We've been here for 4 hours. They'll come to their senses."

"What if I told you I wanted to stay?" Kathryn's head shot up, looking him hard in the eye. "I want to stay."

"I'd ask you not to leave Voyager, but ultimately, its your discussion. Why would you want to give up on our mission? Why would you want to give up getting home? Why would you give up on me, Commander?"

"You know what will happen the minute I beam down into Starfleet HQ. I'll be arrested and spend my life in prison, IF they don't execute me. This planet is a duplicate of Earth. These people came here the same way we did, and I, for one, like it here." He was quiet for a moment. "What did you mean by giving up on you?"

"I need you, Commander."

"No, you don't. You will do wonderfully with Tuvok as your first officer."

"I need you, Chakotay." Chakotay looked up at her.





"TOM! Put me DOWN!" Naomi squealed.

"Okay!" He dropped her with a big splash into the ocean. "Hey, you asked for that one, Naomi." She threw him a dirty look and splashed him. "HEY! That's cold!"

"You asked for that one, Tom!" B'Elanna yelled from the beach. She, Seven, and Samantha were tanning while Tom and Naomi played in the water.

"Lt., I have observed that Naomi trusts Tom, even though he has thrown her into water that appears to be too cold for the child. Why does she still cling to him?"

"Seven, Naomi is a kid. They're just....playing. It is kinda cute though, eh Sam?"

"Yeah. He's going to be a great father one day." B'Elanna smiled.

"I hope so."

"I don't remember much about my childhood. I do remember my grandfather 'teaching' me how to swim. I spent the rest of my childhood, and even now, somewhat......utterly terrified of going into the ocean." Seven turned over to tan her back.

"Seven? Afraid of the water? Nah. It CAN'T be!"

"Lt. Torres, do you find it amusing that I am afraid of drowning? When you were 2 years old, were you tossed from a boat in order to 'learn the hard way' to learn to swim?"

"Yes."

"To which question?" Sam asked.

"Both. That's how Klingons learn anything. The hard way. Seven, Samantha and I will teach you how to swim; the easy way." Seven sat up quickly.

"I've got work to do in astormetrics."

"Oh, no you don't. Captain Janeway gave all senior officers the day off. Seven, we will not let you drown. I promise. Look, Naomi is out there, so is Tom, and Icheb. You'll be all right. You've got my Klingon Word of Honor."

"You are half human. I'm not going in."

"Come on, Seven!" The walked Seven to the water. A small wave crashed at her feet.

"That actually feels......nice." She walked in a little further to where her ankles were covered. A larger wave crashed, knocking her over. After she scrambled out of the water to the towels, she huddled in her towel, shaking. "I am leaving now. This was not a good idea." Seven stalked back to the shuttle and changed.




"Captain Janeway?" a young boy asked.

"Yes?"

"I'm Joel Nelson. I was wondering if I could see your space ship. I never saw a real one before. Just a few models of the Pioneer that landed here."

"Joel! Leave the nice Captain alone," a young woman called. "I'm sorry about my son, Captain. We're just not used to Human visitors."

"Its perfectly all right. Would you like a tour? You and Joel are both welcome. I'm returning there now. How old are you Joel?"

"I'll be 7 next week."

"We've got a little girl on board who could give you a wonderful tour. She's only 4, but her Daddy is K'Tarrian, so she looks and acts quite a bit older." Kathryn smiled as she showed her new friends the way to the transport. "You've lived here your whole life, I take it."

"No, I came here when I was 13. My father was in Starfleet, and our ship got lost. After about a year, we were attacked, and my Dad and I were working on a shuttle a few systems over. We came across this planet, and stayed."

"Really?"

"Yes, my father was the second in command of the USS Morpheus. Commander Lyle Winters."

"What were you doing out on a shuttle mission, anyway?"

"I was studying a new class of nebulas. I used to be quite the scientist. Its was 20 years ago, though. I've forgotten most of it." As they walked through town towards the beam out site, the two women window shopped. "Soon the shop owners'll be putting out Christmas decorations."

"You celebrate Christmas?"

"Oh, yes. Every year. Its a bit different from Earth Christmas, but we celebrate our own way. Each person gives and receives one or two gifts from a stranger. Its like a secret Santa thing. I give Joel something every year, of course. I can't help it. I am his mother."

"You never told me your name."

"Leslie. Leslie Nelson."

"Kathryn Janeway." The took shook hands and giggled. "It been a while since I had a friend that wasn't under my command. Its a lot nicer." Kathryn pointed to a shuttle. "That's the beam out point. Commander Tuvok will beam us over."




"Kathryn," Chakotay called, peeping into her ready room. "May I come in?"

"Of course. We're taking off in less than an hour, Chakotay. You had better make it quick if your staying here." She turned away for a moment. "I wish you would stay," she murmured.

"I can't stay here anymore Kathryn! I can't sit next to you every waking hour knowing you'll never love me."

"Who said I didn't love you? I want you to stay, Chakotay, because I love you."

"Then why not give me a chance at a relationship? Forget protocol, Kathryn. I'll make a deal with you. Give me a month. One month of a full relationship. Not a secret one, a real loving relationship. I want to be able to hold your hand in the corridors, kiss you in the mess hall, bring you coffee in the morning."

"Chakotay, I....one month?" Kathryn smiled at him as he leaned over the desk and kissed her.

"One month."




"Chanoa."

"Kayla."

"I hate Kayla."

"I detest Chanoa!" Kathryn said as her husband leaned down and kissed her. "That won't work and you know it."

"We've still got 3 months to decide."

"Are you two still arguing about the name?" The Doctor asked as he came in for her check up. "Why not combine the two. Kanoa? Chayla?"

"Chayla?" Kathryn asked Chakotay. He smiled.

"I like it. Its a good compromise. Now, how is she doing, Doctor?"


The End