Chaos of the Heart

Rated: PG13

Author: Joanie M.

Email: chakotayslove@msn.com

Dedication: To Helen, for all your encouragement, and a thank you to Ann Rose for Kelis. A name I could not remember.

Summery: Confusion reins, in the wake of the home coming.

Author’s Comments: A fluffy Borg story, Can you believe it? What… I needed that after my “Blue Alert entry.”

This story has not been beta read.

“What do you mean ‘you’re no longer interested’? I thought we went through this already Seven. I don’t care what the admiral told you. Things have changed now, what she said no longer holds truth.”

“This has nothing to do with what admiral Janeway said, although her words would now seem to be prophesied. I am hurting you, but I have no wish to. I simply do not have feelings for you any more.”

“Do you want to explain how you can keep turning your feelings on and off like a god damned light switch.” Chakotay was angry, damn angry. But not really angry at Seven, he was angry with himself for dating her in the first place and driving a wedge between him and Kathryn. “One minute you’re all over me, telling me you want me to teach you about relationships and sex, and the next minute bam, you’re as cold as ice and act as if you don’t care. I don’t understand you Seven.”

“No, I’m afraid you don’t and I’m sure you never will. I don’t mean to be cruel commander.” Chakotay gave her a look of aggravation, they were back to that now too, “But I was never really attracted to you.”

“Then would you mind telling me why you asked me out in the first place. Why the romantic picnic, and the kissing. What was that all about?”

“You’re not going to like it.” Seven said as she looked him in the eye.

“I already don’t like any of this, so try me.” He said rudely, crossing his arms.

“It was the Queen’s influence.” She took a step back, slightly afraid of the look in his eyes. “She used me, to get to you.”

“Really,” he said getting up to pace, “Why would the queen possibly want you to date me?”

“To get to Captain Janeway.” Seven said defiantly. “You do remember when we were in Unimatrix Zero don’t you?” she asked the man pacing a hole in the carpet in front of her.

“Of course I do why? What has that got to do with any thing?” He asked with irritation. It seemed to him that every time he got involved with a blond it always ended with him getting screwed. And not the kind of screwed he had been hoping for.

“During our time there the captain was linked to the Borg queen.” She said as if that explained it all.

“Yes and…” he said impatiently.

“And the Queen could hear her thoughts.”

“Yes I know that Seven,” spirits some times it was like pulling teeth to get information out of her. “But was has that got to do with us.”

Seven raised her eyebrow at him as if she were talking to a complete idiot. She really didn’t see what that Captain saw in this man, he was far too slow on the uptake, unlike the Doctor who could multi task as quickly as she could, she sighed wishing she were with him right now. “The queen read her thoughts commander; she knows how the captain really feels about you. The feelings she has kept hidden from you all these years, and she wanted to use that against her.” He just looked at her blankly, and she sighed, silently thankful that her relationship with this dense man was over. “Captain Janeway is in love with you. She has been for many years; the queen knew this and wanted to make her suffer for past humiliations the captain has caused her. She also knew that you are a weak willed individual, where blonds are concerned. She thought that I would be the best revenge, the ultimate irony, the captain taught me to be and individual again, she has been a mentor to me, and has treated my as if I were her daughter. The queen thought that would be the ultimate act of cruelty, for the captains own daughter to seduce the man she loved.  So she placed a program in my memory banks that I could not detect. It became active a few months after out encounter with unimatrix zero. I was to seduce you, and then wed you. Captain Janeway would be forced to watch the love of her life slip through her fingers into my arms. Then she would be faced with the cruelest act of all, she would have to perform our wedding ceremony. The queen thought this all quite amusing, a wonderful way to seek revenge.” She looked up at him to see him staring off into space.

Chakotay stood there gaping like an idiot; everything Seven had said after ‘Captain Janeway is in love with you,’ Was a blur. “Was it true? Was it possible that Kathryn had managed to hide her feelings from him all these tears? That all those sexy playful looks were not just teasing, but had really shown her true feelings?”

“Commander… Chakotay…” she still couldn’t see how she ever could have gone for him, programming or not. He couldn’t even seem to focus on the conversation at hand. “My link to you was severed when the queen died. I have no feelings for you. I have to be going now. I have to go and try to explain all this to the doctor; I only hope he will forgive me. I have treated him very poorly do to her influence, I hope that he still has feeling for me, as I have come to care for him very much. I am sorry about all of this commander, I never meant to hurt you or Captain Janeway. I wish you the best of luck and I hope that she will forgive you this indiscretion too. Goodbye.” She turned away and walked from his life.

Chakotay never even turned around. “Kathryn loves me.” He said with amazement. “Why didn’t I see that?” Seven would have told him it was because he was a dullard, if she had still been there to hear him. But he went on happily musing about his future with Kathryn. He would go see her and tell her that Seven was no longer a part of his life and then she would fall into his arms and tell him that she loved him. “Yes,” he thought “that is a brilliant plan.” Maybe he would even bring her some flowers, she loved roses. With an added pep to his step he set out on his plans. First stop flowers, and then he would collect the woman who loved him, as much as he did her. His relationship with Seven was all but forgotten.

Chakotay walked through the early morning streets of San Francisco with a jaunty spring to his pace and a tune cheerfully whistled from his lips. He was going to be with the woman he loved. The woman he had secretly loved for years. He wondered if anyone else knew how he felt about her. Never in his wildest imagination had he thought that she would return his feelings of love.  He stopped by the flower market and picked up a dozen pale yellow roses, Kathryn seemed to love the color; the symbolism of the flowers never even entered his mind. He continued on his way for another tree blocks until he reached the jewelers, he stopped in to buy a ring. Then he continued on towards the temporary housing that Starfleet assigned her. It was a spacious house from what he could tell. He walked up the front flower lined path to the doorway. He rang the bell and waited for the woman of his dreams to answer, so there life could begin together.

Kathryn, wearing a soft pale blue satin nightdress answered the door. She open the door to the last person she expected to see.  

“Chakotay what are you doing here?” She said with complete surprise. Her eyes darted about for signs of Seven’s presence. Finding him alone she asked if he would like to come in.

He stood their looking stupidly at her. She was saying something to him, but the only thing that registered on his mind was the little blue nighty. It didn’t cover very much, and only seemed to emphasize what it did cover. The cool morning air had caused her nipples to harden, the little peaks straining against the material. He wet his lips and tried to speak, it came out a squawk. He had to stop looking at her breast if he wanted to articulate his words properly. He looked down, away from her pert breasts, which proved not to be a particularly good idea either. For below her short nightgown, her bare, shapely legs where exposed. Spirits the dreams he’d had about her legs wrapped around him could have landed him in the brig.

Not that Kathryn minded his open appraisal of her body, but she was curious as to what he was doing here, and why he held a bouquet of Peace roses. “Did you come here for a reason Chakotay, or just to ogle your former Captain?” She asked with a wry smile and an inquisitively raised eyebrow.

He still couldn’t take his eyes off of her body. If he had had a clue that her body was this hot, there would never have been any blonds at all. She hadn’t worn nighties like that on new earth. He had only had a slight peak at the delights her body held and that was through a thick towel.

Kathryn cleared her throat, as her cheeks stained a pretty shade of pink. His mouth might not be talking but his eyes sure were. He was devouring her body with his hungry eyes. The sound of her clearing her throat seemed to have the desired effect. He finally came out of his stupor, well almost. He pushed the roses at her.

“These are for you.” He managed to say.

“Thank you. There very lovely, what are they for?”

“There for you,” he said again stupidly, he really couldn’t think with all that gorgeous pale flesh staring at him. Kathryn laughed; she had never seen him this flustered before.

“Yes I know… you said that already, but why are you giving me Peace roses.”

He finally could get the words out. “They’re sort of a bribe, so that you will say yes to our wedding.” There he had asked her, boy was he relieved.

“Katie who is that at the door,” came a very masculine voice from the other room. The handsome man with the voice appeared behind her. It was obvious that he had just woken up; he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and pulled his robe shut over his boxers.

“It’s Chakotay my former first officer.” She said to the man behind her.

“It’s a little early even for Starfleet business isn’t it. I’ll go put the coffee on ok Honey?”

“That would be fine,” she said talking to the handsome man at her side. It gave her a minute to recover from her shock. Chakotay and Seven were getting married, she could feel her heart constrict with pain, but kept the pleasant façade carefully in place.

Chakotay’s head was reeling; he had come here expecting Kathryn to fall into his arms. Well that wasn’t going to happen now. She had obviously found some one to ease her broken heart, judging by the clothes they both wore. He had to make an escape. He had to get away so she wouldn’t see the despair in his eyes. He stuffed the beautiful diamond engagement ring further down into his pocket. “I don’t want to take up any more of your time,” he mumbled, “I’ll be in touch.” He said as he stumbled from the porch, his heart in pieces.

Kathryn didn’t try to stop his departure; all she wanted was some privacy so she could cry her eyes out. The man she loved more then life it self was engaged to be married to someone she looked upon as a daughter.

Pheobe entered the room, tying her own robe around her waist. “Was that the doorbell I heard Katie?” She asked her sister. Kathryn just stood there looking as pale as a ghost. “What is it Katie?’ She asked worriedly. “What’s wrong?” Kathryn’s body started to tremble, and a tear slid down her cheek.

“Their getting married and he wants me to perform the ceremony, Oh God Pheobe how am I supposed to do that?” She asked but didn’t wait for an answer, she ran off to her bedroom. Pheobe could here her sobbing through the door.

She heard movement in the kitchen and went to seek out some answers. Seeing the handsome man she sought working on breakfast, she went up behind him and wrapped her arms around him lovingly.

“Do you know why Katie is so upset? Who was at the door?”

He turned around and smiled at his wife before he kissed her on the lips. “Good morning love, it was her first officer Chakotay, why? What’s happened? She seemed ok to me a few minutes ago.” He asked with concern.

“Oh damn him, no wonder she’s so upset. He just asked her to perform his wedding ceremony. You know how she feels about him. This is probably killing her. I’ve only seen her this upset once before. It wasn’t enough that he broke her heart and left her for the borg girl. But now he wants her to perform the ceremony as well. Doesn’t that man have any shame at all? I thought he was supposed to be her friend. Why would he inflict such pain on her? Katie’s heart has been broken so many times before, I’m afraid that this time it won’t mend. I should go to her.”

“No Pheobe give her some time to grieve privately, we’ll both be here for her when she needs us.” He said putting a hot cup of coffee before his wife. Two plates of eggs and toast followed. He sat down across from her and squeezed her hand gently in his. “We’ll help her through this Pheobe I promise, don’t worry.” She smiled gently at her husband; he was such a caring man. She just wished that Kathryn could find the kind of happiness that she had.

Chakotay walked through the streets in shock. It had never even occurred to him that Kathryn might be seeing someone else. When Seven told him that she was not really interested in him, he hadn’t been hurt but rather relieved. Then to find out Kathryn had been in love with him, well he wasn’t thinking straight, he just wanted to be with her. So he acted on instinct. He went out and bought flowers and a ring, assuming she wanted what he did. When the hell had she even had a chance to meet this guy, much less fall into bed with him already? “She managed to keep me at arms length for years. Now where home a week and she’s already living with someone. He swiped at the tear that escaped his eye. “It’s your own damned fault man, if you hadn’t become involved with Seven, who knows what would have happened when we got home.” He knew this was his fault and that knowledge only made him feel worse.

Kathryn lay across her bed, her petite body wracked with sobs. Her pillow now soaked from her salty tears. The admiral said that they wed in three years time, yet they had only been home a week and now he was getting married. Why had he come here? Couldn’t they have just eloped and moved some place far away. Did he have to come here with a bunch of Peace roses, as if the offered roses would some how mend the broken fences between them? She only cried harder. Her heart was truly shattered; she would never be the same again.

Weeks passed by with Kathryn existing but not really living. All the years spent trying to get home no longer mattered to her. There was no reason to be home any more, there wasn’t much reason for anything any more. She moved from day to day on autopilot, doing what was required of her, but there was no joy left in her heart. She hadn’t heard from Chakotay again, and was dreading when he would contact her to ask her to perform the ceremony. She knew that she couldn’t do it, she would break down and cry if she had to watch them take there marriage vows. She needed to get the hell away from here before he could ask her again she decide. Kathryn put in for immediate leave. The request wasgranted, the brass at Starfleet had become worried. The dark circles under her eyes were more and more noticeable every day. She obviously needed a rest, and since she hadn’t requested time off when they first arrived home, it was granted to her no questions asked. Three months, she had three months to get her self together, before she was do back at work. Three months to elude Chakotay and Seven, she hoped to God that they would have married and been out of the picture by the time she returned. She could always blame the brass for her absence, forced vacation time. Kathryn went home that afternoon and packed her bags; she called Pheobe to let her know where she would be and told her, “No she didn’t need company right now, but thank you anyway.”

Pheobe didn’t like the sound of that at all. She was still so worried about Kathryn’s state of mind; she had been through so much these last Seven years both emotionally and physically that she was afraid Kathryn was reaching her breaking point. She made Kathryn promise to check in with her several times a week, and had insisted that she and Robert visit, right after her art show. Kathryn agreed… reluctantly. 

“Gees B’Elanna, what is with him anyway? He says he wants to come for a visit, but all he ever does is sit out there and mope. He barely talks, except to Miral. I thought taking him to the gym to work out his frustrations might help, but he’s so angry that no one wants to spar with him any more.”

“Is he really that bad Tom?” She asked with concern. She knew Chakotay was in a very dark mood lately, but she didn’t want to pry. She knew he wasn’t seeing Seven any more, thank Kah’les. But she hadn’t realized how much he had cared for her. She didn’t realize that the breakup would have caused him so much pain.

“Its worse… their all afraid of being killed,” he said with exasperation. “I’m telling you B’Elanna something has got to be done. He’s miserable.”

“Maybe we should try contacting the Captain, she’s his best friend, and maybe she can get him to talk. What do think?” She asked her husband as she prepared lunch.

“I don’t know B’E I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” He said reluctantly.

“Why not, he’s always been able to talk to her in the past?”

“Yes, but I think something has changed between them. Haven’t you noticed that when ever her name comes up he changes the conversation? Something’s going on there; I’m just not sure what it is…yet.”

“You know… now that you mention it your right. He does seem to avoid talking about her. Which in it self is kind of strange, what could possibly be going on?” She asked as she placed the egg salad sandwiches on the table.

“I don’t know, but I find it kind of strange that Janeway took off on a three month vacation right now. Don’t you?”

“What are you insinuating Tom.”

“I’m not sure, but there is only one way to find out.” Tom had his suspicions, he wouldn’t admit this to B’Elanna she would only think him crazy. But he knew in his heart that the captain was in love with Chakotay. He knew it, because he used to be in love with the captain. He used to watch every little nuance between the two and he had silently seethed with anger, and resentment towards the big guy. Of course his feelings towards his captain eventually waned, when he found B’Elanna, but he never lost interest in the captain. She was an enigma to him, so he had continued his observations.  “I’m going to contact the captain and see if she’ll talk to us. I won’t mention the reason until we are there, that way she won’t put us off. What do you think?”

“I think we have no choice,” she said looking out the window to the man who rocked Miral in her cradle. “He’s so unhappy, and that doesn’t seem to be changing. I’ll keep him busy after lunch while you make the call o.k.?” She called the dark haired man to lunch. He picked up the cradle and headed for the house.

“So did you talk to her, is she willing to help us?”

“No B’E, I didn’t talk to her. She wasn’t home. But I did talk to her sister. She’s and her husband are staying at the captain’s house until after her art show this week. Then they are going to visit her at their cabin at Lake George. So start packing, we’ve been invited for the weekend. Pheobe thought that seeing us and the baby would help to cheer her up. It seems that our captain hasn’t been in the best of moods lately either. Sounds familiar doesn’t it.”

“Yes I wonder if they’ve had some sort of a fight. That would certainly explain his mood. He always sulked after an argument with her.”

“I think it’s a lot more than that.” He said cryptically.

“What do you mean?”

“Look I know your going to think I’m crazy, but I think she feels about him the same way that he does about her.”

“You are a delusional romantic, but that’s why I love you.”

“Delusional hunh. How about you put your money, where your mouth is?”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means if I’m right then we take my parents up on their offer to baby sit Miral for a weekend so we can have some private time together.”

“And when you find out how wrong you are, what do I get?” She asked with her arms crossed over her chest.

“Then I’ll get up with Miral every night for the next five years.” He said smugly.

“You’re that sure of your self Tom?”

“Yes I am B’E, you forget I sat right in front of those two for seven years. I know them better then anyone, I was privy to many a private conversation.”

“Well I still think your wrong, I have never noticed anything more then friendship on her part, so your on. Why are you smiling like that?”

“Oh I’m just thinking about all the ways we can pleasure each other when I win the bet.”

“You mean if you win the bet.”

“No I mean… when I win the bet. Do you honestly think I would lay odds like that if I wasn’t absolutely certain of a win?”

He had a point there; it wasn’t like Tom to gamble like that unless it was a sure thing. Oh well either way she still came out a winner. A weekend alone with out parental duty, sounded pretty damned good.

“Oh… and one other thing.”

“Yes.”

“My parents are going to get and early start on baby sitting Miral.”

“What are you talking about?”

“We are going out tomorrow night, I’ve got us three tickets to her art show. I thought the big guy could use the distraction.” He said with a blue eyed wink.

“Good idea, I hear that she is rather talented. I wouldn’t mind seeing her work for myself. Do you think he will come too?”

“Let’s not give him a choice, we won’t tell him where we are going. We’ll just bring him along.”

“Are you sure you want me to come with you, because I don’t mind staying here and taking care of Miral. It’s no trouble at all,” Chakotay said. He really wasn’t in the mood for a ‘night out on the town,’ as Tom had put it.  B’Elanna looked towards Tom for help.

“Yes we’re sure. My parents want to get to know their granddaughter, so they are going to take care of her for the evening. Besides Chakotay you need to get out and circulate, see some other people besides us. And let me tell you, it wasn’t easy getting this invite. I had to wheel and deal, so come on, what do you say,” we could all use a night out. He said with a wink at B’Elanna. On the outside Tom might have appeared calm, but on the inside he was waiting for the fireworks to start. He had forgotten to mention to Pheobe, who the third ticket was for.

The grandparents arrived and took over immediately, and shooed the three friends on their way.

“So where are we going this evening?” Chakotay asked at last, though he wasn’t really interested.

B’Elanna and tom exchanged glances.

“We’re going to see an exhibit.”  She said not offering any more information.

  “Oh,” was all he said.

They arrived in front in front of the gallery. People were milling about, coming to and fro.

“It looks like there’s a good turn out. Tom said.

“Who’s the featured artist?” Chakotay asked, only half caring.

Tom felt a little panicky but this time it was B’Elanna who came to the rescue.

“It’s P. Le Grande and her work is supposed to be phenomenal.” She said, pointing to one of many of the images of the artist around the lobby. Before he took notice, the inner doors were opened and everyone was invited in.

“I didn’t know that you had an interest in art B’Elanna.” Chakotay said a little surprised.

“Well I’m trying to expand my horizons. I have a child to teach now.”

“Of course,” he said. But he really didn’t see what a baby that young would get out of an art exhibit. But if B’Elanna thought that this was a cultural experience that was important to her daughter, then that was good enough for him. Besides he really didn’t want to sit back at the house with Admiral Paris all night. He knew the conversation would keep coming back to Kathryn. Hell if he was honest with him self, he would admit that everything kept coming back to Kathryn.

He couldn’t get her out of his mind, no matter what he tried. And he had tried just about everything. Vision quests, meditation, sprit guide, and a rather large bottle of brandy, nothing helped. Everything reminded him of Kathryn, from the smell of coffee in the morning to the classical music they played for Miral at bed time. There was no escaping her. 

He heard a sexy throaty laugh from across the room and spun around, convinced Kathryn was here. Chakotay sighed with disappointment when he realized the laughter came from some pretty, curly haired woman.

“That’s strange,” he thought, “I could have sworn that it was Kathryn.” He followed behind the other’s finding himself actually interested in the artwork. The paintings where beautiful and gave him a feeling of tranquility. As if he could step into the painting and be right there… in that open field of flowers or…. He stopped in front of a picture of a large white farm house. A sprawling garden of summer flowers graced the front walkway inviting you in. A pasture of green surrounded the house a lone tree standing sentinel in the background. It drew him near, he wanted to get lost in the tranquility of that garden, and it seemed to call to him, as if he belonged there. It was the first time he had felt calm in weeks. Before he realized what he was doing, he had purchased the painting.

“So… you’ve purchased ‘The Homestead’. I must say, that one was the most difficult of all, to put up for sale. My sister implored me not to… sentimental reasons you know. It will be a pity if it’s not appreciated properly.”

Kathryn was here. She had just spoken to him. Chakotay whirled around, only it wasn’t Kathryn, it was that same curly haired woman he heard earlier. He was convinced he was finally losing his mind.

Seeing the utter confusion on his friends face, Tom took pity on him. He stepped forward.

“Hello Mrs. Le Grande, this is quite a turn out,” he said indicating the large number of people milling about.

She smiled a kind smile at Tom. “It helps to have friends in high places. It generates a little more publicity.” she said with smirk

“Hey don’t sell your self short. I’m no art critic, but your work really is quite beautiful.” Tom said sincerely.

“Tom’s right Mrs. Le Grande, your work really is quite captivating. Take the picture of the old rocking chair on the porch of that house.” she said pointing out a lovely painting. “It makes me want to sit out there and rock Miral in my arms forever. Some times, being in Starfleet you forget that there really should be quiet moments of reflection. That comes through beautifully in your art. Your work really is quite lovely. Ma’m,” B’Elanna said, surprised by her own emotional response to the paintings.

“Thank you both. But please, let’s not stand on ceremony around here, your practically family. Please, call me Pheobe.

“We’d be honored to, as long as you call us B’Elanna, and Tom.” He said pointing to himself and then B’Elanna.

Pheobe turned to B’Elanna extended her hand and winked at her, “It’s nice to meet you Tom.” B’Elanna laughed and Tom blushed at his mistake.

Chakotay stood there open mouthed. No wonder he kept hearing Kathryn’s all night. The featured artist was non other then her sister. The two women shared the same sort of quirky sense of humor, and they both had a way of putting people at ease. Physically, they were not very much alike, except for the smile, and the voice. “Kathryn’s sister,” no wonder the painting seems so damned familiar. It was Kathryn’s child hood home. He had seen a picture of it once, long ago.  Kathryn had promised to take him there one day. A bitter sadness rolled over him, that was one place he would never be visiting now. Pheobe caught the look of sadness that crossed over the darker man’s face, and wondered what had caused it. B’Elanna made the introductions.

“This is Chakotay our former first officer and a very good friend of our captain. Chakotay this is Pheobe Le Grande, artist extraordinaire and sister to our beloved captain.”

Chakotay smiled pleasantly at the woman, happy to know that he hadn’t lost his mind after all.

“It’s nice to meet you, you and Kathryn sound very much alike, and I kept thinking she was here, when I heard your voice.”

Pheobe was unprepared for the devastating dimples.

“Damn,” she thought, “no wonder Katie’s so broken up, he’s gorgeous.

“Kathryn has told me so much about you.” He said with a smile.

“It’s Pheobe and I’ve heard quite a bit about you, as well.” She said somewhat coldly. Tom and B’Elanna both exchanged looks that said ‘shit… trouble.’

 Pheobe looked around her, what she was looking for was anyone’s guess. Chakotay tugged his ear and gave a little shrug to his companions. They had no clue what she was looking for either. She spotted Robert across the room and gestured towards him, with an almost imperceptible nod. He got the message and excused himself from the conversation at hand. He headed towards the little group.

“Are you here alone Mr. Chakotay or is your wife here as well? I’ve heard so much about her, I would like to meet her too.”

Chakotay was confused, he had no idea of who she was talking about, “the only person I’ve ever contemplated marrying is your sister but she was involved with…” Before he could finish the thought, the same man he was just thinking about came up behind Pheobe and wrapped his arms around her waist possessively, he kissed her on the neck.

“This is my husband Robert…” she was interrupted before she could finish the introduction.

“Husband,” Chakotay shouted shocked.

“Yes… you do know what one is I’m sure, since you recently found a wife of your own.” She said slightly annoyed at the attention he was drawing.

“Wife?” He said stupidly.

“Yes you know, man and wife, an exchange of rings. I thought you would be familiar with the whole process since you recently married ah… what was the young girl’s name again,” she asked her husband, pretending she couldn’t remember.

“Seven, I think that’s what Kathryn said. Seven… strange name.” Robert supplied.

“Now wait just a minute here,” Chakotay said to the slightly hostile couple. He pointed to Robert and said “He is your husband?”

Pheobe thinking him a dimwit said, “That’s what the marriage license says. It makes it easier on our children that way.”

“Children?” He said.

This was getting stranger by the moment. Was Kathryn having an affair with her brother in law?

“Yes there staying with mom for the month, while I conduct business here in San Francisco, we’ve been staying at Katie’s house.”

Chakotay turned to Robert. “Then you’re not involved with Kathryn?”

Robert looked at his wife and then laughed. “Are you crazy, one Janeway woman is hard enough to handle, do you honestly think I could take on two.”

“But I saw you two in your pajamas, you called her honey.” He said in confusion.

“Well I had just gotten up, and unlike Kathryn, Pheobe is a late riser. She came down stairs a few minutes after you left. As for the honey part, well I call all the Janeway woman honey, even mom.”

“Well I’ll be damned,” Chakotay said with a huge grin on his face.

“Why should any of this matter to you Chakotay, you have a wife of your own now?” Pheobe said, still angry at this man for all the pain he caused her sister.

“Wife? You keep mentioning a wife, but I’m not married. The only person I ever wanted to marry was Kathryn. In fact I did ask her to marry me, but then Robert appeared at the door and I thought they were involved, so I made a hasty retreat.”

“Wait a minute here.” Pheobe said holding up her hand. “Kathryn said that you wanted her to marry you and Seven.”

“Seven… I never wanted to marry Seven, where would she get a crazy idea like that?” Chakotay asked in confusion.

Pheobe placed her hands on her hips and glared at Chakotay, the pose was so familiar she found three faces smiling back at her at her.

“From you,” she said. Then noticing the smiles she said, “What?

Chakotay turned to Robert and said, “Your right… no man could handle two Janeway’s.” Then he looked back at Pheobe and said, “What do you mean from me, why would I tell her something crazy like that? I love Kathryn, hell I’ve loved her for years.”

“Then why did you ask her to marry you two?” Pheobe asked, completely confused by the conversation now. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Pheobe. I stopped to pick up a bunch of roses and an engagement ring on my way to her house, I was so excited I practically floated there. I handed her the flowers, and I’ll admit I was rather tongue tied, Kathryn was half naked,” he said with a smile, remembering. “Then I said, ‘They’re sort of a bribe, so that you will say yes to our wedding.’ ” Understanding dawned on Chakotay at last, he left voyager with Seven. What was Kathryn supposed to have thought? She couldn’t have possibly have known it was over between them. “Shit… shit shit shit.” He said holding his head in his hands. “I just assumed Kathryn knew what was going through my head. I was so nervous; I never even said I was talking about us.”

“You mean you were there to marry Katie?” Pheobe said in shock.

“Yes,” he said looking utterly miserable.

“Oh my god I don’t believe this?” She said “Do you have any idea what Katie has been through? She cried for hours after you left. It’s gotten so bad that she had to take a leave of absence, the brass were even starting to worry about her.”

“Where is she I have to go to her?” He said frantically.

“Whoa calm down there cowboy,” Robert said calmly, “We’ll all go see her first thing in the morning. She’s already expecting most of us. I think she should be happily surprised by her unexpected guest.”

Chakotay didn’t sleep a wink, the night crawled by slowly as his anticipation grew and grew. He couldn’t wait for the morning to come he wanted to be with her right now, time was wasting. Soon the sun was up and movement could be heard in the rest of the house. He jumped out of bed and was washed and dressed with in a few minutes. He went down stairs and ran into Tom on the way.

“Some ones up early,” Tom said rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Eager to get an early start are we?” he said with a knowing smile.

“If you had to wait seven years for B’Elanna wouldn’t you be too?”

“Touché. Don’t worry, B’Elanna knows how eager you are too. She packed all of Miral’s stuff last night. So we’ll be off after breakfast, we just have to pick up Pheobe and Robert on the way. If you want to get things rolling a little faster you can help me start breakfast.”  After a hearty breakfast they headed to Kathryn’s house to pick up the other two. “Is every body all ready?” Tom asked and Chakotay cast him a murderous look. Tom just laughed it off. “Take it easy big guy, you’ve waited this long, you can wait a few more hours.” Chakotay didn’t answer; he just sat there twisting the ring in his hand.

They finally arrived at the cabin, the hovercar landed in a clearing nearby. “We’ll have to hike it from here, it’s not far though. We can come back later to get the rest of the stuff.” Pheobe said. “I’m sure some of us are eager to get to the cabin.” She said pointedly looking at Chakotay. He smiled gratefully at her. Pheobe led the pack of travelers towards the cabin, stopping only once along the way to point out the dock and the sail boat.

Chakotay recognized both immediately, he had sailed the holo version of that very boat, on a holo image of this lake. He hoped to repeat the experience with the real thing, this time with Kathryn in his arms. He quickened his pace.

“Maybe we ought to let him go ahead of us. He can surprise her, and then we’ll all show up.” Robert said.

“If those two get together before we’re there, do you honestly think they’ll let us in the cabin? I don’t know about you, but I for one have to pee, and I’m to damned old to be doing that in the bushes.” Pheobe said.

Robert laughed and took her hand in his. “Can you blame him though? If I had to wait all those years to love you I would have gone insane.” Pheobe smiled and caressed her husbands face.

“No I don’t blame him; I can’t wait to see Katie’s face when she sees him here.” She said.

“It’s going to be a bit of a shock Pheobe, remember Katie doesn’t know he’s not with Seven any more.” Robert reminded her.

“Your right, I hadn’t even thought of that.” She turned towards Chakotay, “maybe you should wait here till we tell her that you’re with us. I don’t want to kill her, that would make for a lousy weekend.” She said with a quirky smile. Chakotay heart did a little summersault at that smile; it was so like Kathryn’s. He nodded in agreement, he didn’t want to cause Kathryn any more stress then he already had. It was damned hard to know that she was so close, and that he would now have to wait a bit longer to see her, but Pheobe was right.   

Chakotay sat on the tree stump and waited for the happy reunion to pass. He could see her through the brush from where he sat, it was so hard to control him self from running to her and taking her in his arms. He could hear the ridiculous baby noised Kathryn was making at Miral, as she took her from her mother’s arms, and he smiled.

The little party entered the cabin, and Kathryn showed them to their rooms. This was no one room shack in the woods; it was a large well tended house with several bedrooms.

 “The Janeway summer home,” Kathryn explained for Tom, and B’Elanna’s benefit. “When we were young all our cousins would come to stay with us for the summer. One summer our cousin Brian caught and collected hundreds of tiny frogs. Well some how they managed to escape in the house. Frogs turned up in the oddest places all summer long.” She said with a laugh, grateful for the company. Spending this much time alone with nothing to think about but him, had just about driven her crazy. “We had some great times in this old place, haven’t we Pheobe.”

“Yes this old place has held quite a few surprises. Katie… speaking of surprises,” she said with a smile at the others, “I have one for you, although I left it out side, I didn’t want it to startle you.” Kathryn was immediately interested.

“What is this surprise, and why would I be startled by it.” Then she brightened considerably. “Is it a dog, did you bring me a puppy, Pheobe. Oh I love dogs.” She said hopefully.

“No Katie that is definitely not a dog,” she said with a wink to B’Elanna. B’Elanna smiled back knowingly, taking up where Pheobe left off.

“No I wouldn’t call it a dog, well… not exactly,” she added with mischief. “Although it has certainly acted like one recently,” she said. 

Robert took up the gauntlet. “ But it is completely loyal to you,” he added. Now it was Tom’s turn.
            “And its soulful brown eyes will melt your heart, I’m sure.” He said with a smile.

Kathryn’s heart was racing, she had a damned good idea of what was waiting for her, she just didn’t know why. But judging by the happy looks on all of their faces, she knew that this was going to be a surprise that she would thoroughly enjoy.

“He’s here?” She asked. There was no clarification necessary; they all knew who she meant.

“In the flesh.” Tom said.

“But Seven?”

“Is happily involved with the doctor, has been for weeks.” He added.

“I don’t understand, Chakotay said…” her words were interrupted by the man in question. He couldn’t wait any longer.

“I said that the flowers were a bribe, so that you will say yes to our wedding, and I meant it Kathryn. Our wedding, as in you and me. I was never in love with Seven, in fact the god damned Borg queen engineered the whole thing, with a little help from my stupidity of course.”

“You mean, you…”

“Love you, yes very much Kathryn, do you love me?” He asked holding his breath.

“Yes Chakotay, I do,” she said from lowered lashes as a tear slid down her face. “I love you so much it hurts. God I’ve loved you for such a long time now.” She said quietly.

Chakotay exhaled, and then knelt down in front of her. He pulled the diamond ring from his pocket, and took her hand in his, “Then would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I love you Kathryn more then mere words can say.” Kathryn sobbed and fell to her knees. She wrapped her arms around him, he held her tight as she cried out her loneliness and sorrow. Finally the tears subsided some what. He smiled at her, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “So Kathryn is that a yes?”

“Yes, yes, yes,” she cried this time with joy, as she threw herself back into his willing arms. Hers were not the only tears in the room. In fact the only one in the room who didn’t have tears in their eyes was Miral, who sat there happily cooing, oblivious to the emotions surrounding her.

Hours later they all sat on the big porch sipping champagne under the moonlight. “So tell me again, how the Queen managed to get you to succumb to a blond.” She asked playfully. He pulled her down onto his lap.

“But I’ve already told you that story, Kathryn.” He said nuzzling her neck.

“Yeah Katie, I don’t want to here it again,” Pheobe said with a shudder. She had heard all the horrible details of Kathryn’s and B’Elanna’s assimilation for the first time earlier.  “God… there is nothing more frightening then the Borg.”

Kathryn got up off of Chakotay’s lap and smiled sweetly at him, as she backed away. “Except a blond Borg you mean Pheobe. Chakotay seemed to have developed quite a… penchant for them in the delta Quadrrant.” He lunged for her and she squealed with laughter as he caught her.

“Not any more, it seems that a beautiful redhead cured me of that affliction. I think it’s time I proved it to her, so if you’ll excuse us.” He said carrying off the woman he loved, much to the delight of the other’s.

“Way to go old man.” Tom encouraged.

“You know Tom you weren’t the only one who had those two pegged. Kelis the poet wrote them as a couple in ‘Shining Voyager Far From Home.’ He had the two of them kissing; I thought he was crazy at the time.”

“Kelis the poet?” Pheobe asked intrigued.

“Shining Voyager far From Home?” Robert added.

“It’s a long story.” B’Elanna said. Just then they heard a loud male moan, followed by a decidedly feminine giggle. Pheobe poured more wine all around.

“It sounds like it’s going to be a long night.” She said with a grin and a tilt of her head toward the noise. She sat back down and tucked her legs underneath her. “Do tell,” she said.

It was the first of many stories shared that weekend amongst the newly formed family.

The End

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