Cruel and Unusual Punishment

By mizvoy

Part 3: Surprises

March 2378 (three months after Voyager’s return)

Lieutenant Commander Tuvok strode quickly down the halls of Starfleet Command toward the offices of his former captain, Kathryn Janeway. He’d returned just the day before from an extended stay on Vulcan and had just arrived on duty when Janeway requested his presence at a “happy celebration” scheduled to occur in her office right after lunch that afternoon.

For a moment, Tuvok wondered whether her promotion to admiral had come through and that the happy event was a preliminary frocking. However, a quick review of Starfleet’s recent personnel actions told him that her promotion had not, as yet, been confirmed. Resigning himself to ignorance, he put the matter out of his conscious thought in favor of more pressing duties, quickly unpacking and storing his belongings and having a quiet meal at his desk.

He was relieved to back on duty. The fal-tor-voh treatment for the neurological imbalance he had developed in the last year of Voyager’s exile had been tedious and time-consuming, and the debriefings had continued in his absence. On his return, he discovered that most of Voyager’s crew had dispersed to other assignments or had left Starfleet altogether. Those few who remained had family nearby, had been reassigned to duties in the San Francisco area, or had not yet completed their debriefings.

His own initial debriefings had been very short and focused on security issues, which meant that he had spent very little time with his captain before his psychological condition demanded treatment. During his absence, he had often wondered how Janeway had managed during those first weeks of emotional upheaval. She had a bad habit of ignoring her own needs and focusing on others, and Tuvok knew that the time would come when that habit would come back to haunt her. He told himself that he would arrange a personal meeting with her, perhaps lunch the following day, in order to assess her mental and emotional state.

Now, as he approached her offices at the appointed hour, he was once again curious about the vague nature of the summons. He arrived at the receptionist’s desk in her office suite and spied a table inside her office which held a small punch bowl filled with a pink fluid, a fairly elaborate multi-layered cake, and a profusion of flowers on a white linen cloth. There were even a few silver balloons hovering over the corners of the table.

He sighed and presented himself to Janeway’s aide.

“Oh, you’re here.” The officer sitting at one of two desks in the outside office looked up and smiled. “I’m Lieutenant Commander Conroy, Captain Janeway’s chief of staff. We’ve been expecting you.” Conroy gestured toward the office door. “Please have a seat inside. We’ll get started as soon as she and Commander Chakotay return from their meeting with Admiral Truss.”

Tuvok nodded and stepped into the office, surprised to find Seven of Nine waiting there, as well. She was dressed in a lovely pale pink dress and stood at the large window that took up an entire wall. He was glad that she had chosen to cover her skin-tight body suit with more demure clothing.

“Hello, Seven,” he said. “I’m glad to see you.”

Seven turned to face him, giving him the slightest nod. “It’s good to see you looking so well.”

“I assume that you’re here for the celebration?”

“I have a central role in it,” she answered, her tone only slightly more expressive than Tuvok’s had been.

“I see.” He clasped his hands behind his back and was about to ask her if she was entrusted with pinning the captain’s new rank on her collar when they were interrupted by Commander Conroy.

“According to Admiral Truss’ aide, the meeting has ended and the captain and commander are on their way. She wanted me to make sure that Seven was ready.”

“I am adequately prepared,” the former drone answered.

“It’s a big day,” Conroy commented, giving Tuvok a wink.

“Indeed,” Tuvok answered, still mystified. He turned to Seven, “Would you like to sit down?”

“I prefer to stand, but, please, sit if you would like.”

“I believe I will. Although my psychological condition has been resolved, I find that my stamina is not yet up to par. Standing for long periods of time is quite tiring, in fact.”

“Then, by all means, have a seat.”

Tuvok found a chair and studied the former drone more closely, noticing that she had flowers in her hair and a decorative chain around her neck, unusually formal accessories compared to her usual clothing. He glanced around the empty room before saying, “There are few attendees at this celebration.”

“We decided to keep it small and private so that it could take place as quickly as possible. The captain has planned a more public celebration next month at her home in Indiana.”

“I see. Even so, something this momentous happens only once. Family should be here, as well.”

Seven frowned. “Family is irrelevant.”

Since he had no control over the proceedings, Tuvok dropped the subject, turning instead to recent events. “I’ve seen little of you since the reception three months ago. I trust that you’ve adjusted well to living on Earth?”

Seven turned away to look out the window, and Tuvok realized that he was imposing upon her with his small talk. “As well as could be expected, I suppose. And you? Your treatments were completely successful?”

“Quite successful, thank you. My cousin, Azmal, has been diligent in his efforts to help me, knowing that I need to attend to Voyager’s debriefings. After such an extended absence, I feel quite out of touch with the crew.”

“Even so, I’m sure you and your family enjoyed having the chance to be together.”

“I’m afraid there was little time for family, unfortunately. I look forward to a proper reunion with them once my duties here are complete.” He gave her a close look, remembering the rumors of her disastrous reunion with her Swedish relatives and her need for intense counseling as she adjusted to her new “collective.” He decided to confront her with the situation, knowing that she would have an emotional distance to what had happened. “Have you managed to resolve your differences with your relatives here on Earth?”

“We have made a mutual decision not to pursue a close family bond. My experiences are too troubling to them, it seems, and I prefer to associate with individuals who are not unsettled by the fact that I was once a drone.”

“Weren’t they aware of your Borg history before they met you.”

“Yes, but the reality of my appearance and what they call my ‘distant’ mannerisms disturbed them. They find me very different from any other human they have met.”

“Hardly a surprise given your past.”

She turned and gave him a level look. “As I said, the decision was mutual, Commander. I’m not at all distressed by our decision to go our separate ways.”

“Nonetheless, they are your family, and, as such, cannot be replaced.”

“I disagree.” She turned away from him again, her back stiff in defiance. “I find that I have little in common with Federation citizens. I am much happier with my Voyager family. Chakotay and Captain Janeway understand and support me better than those individuals ever could.”

Tuvok sighed. “It is, after all, your decision to make.”

“Indeed it is.” She paused and tilted her head slightly to listen. “I believe I detect the sound of Chakotay’s voice.”

Tuvok turned to the door just as Captain Janeway burst into the room, followed closely by the commander.

“Sorry we’re late! But the meeting went on forever.” She approached Tuvok with eyes gleaming and gave him a quick hug. “Oh, Tuvok, you’re a sight for sore eyes.”

“I’m gratified to see you as well.”

“Welcome back,” Chakotay said as he went to Seven’s side and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I hope you were able to keep Seven from getting nervous.”

Seven seemed embarrassed by the comment. “I’m not nervous.”

“Well, I am,” Chakotay laughed, giving Tuvok a wink. “I was so anxious to get back here and get this done that I can hardly remember a word anyone said in the meeting.”

“Then let’s do it,” Janeway agreed. She summoned Conroy into the room and began to arrange the participants in a line in front of her desk. “Commander Conroy, if you would stand by Chakotay. And Tuvok, if you would please stand beside Seven of Nine.” She gave Tuvok a wink, “I’m afraid Seven won the toss.”

“She won a toss?” Tuvok repeated as he made his way to Seven’s side. “What does one toss?”

“A coin. It’s my good fortune to have you stand beside me today,” Seven explained.

Tuvok simply raised an eyebrow, his confusion deepening.

Janeway lined the four participants in front of her desk and then faced them, making Tuvok wonder which of them would read the promotion order. He glanced around to look for a case that would hold the admiral’s pips, only to find everyone’s hands empty. In the back of the office, the table that held the small punch bowl and cake stood deserted, waiting for the formalities to end.

Janeway chuckled. “No peeking, Tuvok. You’ll have to wait just like the rest of us for cake and punch.”

“May I ask what is expected of me?” he asked.

“Why, you’re a witness, of course,” she smiled, picking up a PADD from her desk. She paused and cleared her throat. “As a Starfleet captain, I occasionally have the happy responsibility to join two people in marriage . . . .”

Despite his many years of Vulcan training, Tuvok reacted emotionally to the first words of the marriage ceremony. Later, he blamed it on the fact that he was still recovering from his illness and was unable to control the emotional response at such a surprise-Commander Chakotay and Seven of Nine were going to be married. And Kathryn Janeway was going to officiate at the ceremony. For a brief moment, his balance wavered.

“Tuvok, are you all right?” Janeway asked, pausing in mid-sentence when she saw him falter. “You don’t look like you’re feeling well.”

Tuvok swallowed. He’d heard the rumors about the budding relationship between the commander and Seven, of course, but he had been convinced that Voyager’s precipitous return to the Alpha Quadrant would bring the new relationship to a sudden end. It had seemed quite fragile when he’d departed for Vulcan, and he’d forgotten about it in the interim.

“I apologize for my dizziness,” he stated, feeling a little woozy. “I think I might have stood up too quickly.”

Janeway went into action, finding a chair and scooting it behind him. “Sit here, my friend. I didn’t think about your condition when I asked you to stand up during the ceremony.”

“I agree, Commander,” Seven said, looking worried. “There’s no requirement for you to be standing.” She paused, suddenly unsure of herself and looking to Janeway for confirmation. “Is there?”

“None whatsoever,” the captain confirmed, giving the bride a reassuring smile and then studying her Vulcan friend more closely. “The doctor told me that the treatments have been successful and that you’re well on your way to normal.”

“I’m fine, I assure you. This was just a momentary slip.” He took his seat and then nodded at the assembly. “Please resume the ceremony.”

Janeway returned to her desk and started over, gradually focusing all of her attention on the bride and groom who stood in front of the desk with huge smiles on their faces. From where he sat, Tuvok was free to study the faces of the participants, and he wondered how much the rest of Voyager’s senior staff would have paid to be here. He was certain that Tom Paris would have parted with his favorite pool cue, if not his treasured television, to be in this room at this very moment. In fact, Tuvok looked forward to breaking this news to Tom Paris and the others at the first opportunity. He looked up as the captain came to the end of the rite.

“You may kiss the bride,” she told Chakotay, tears in her eyes.

Chakotay stepped forward and gently kissed Seven of Nine on the cheek, pulling away after a chaste moment and smiling at Janeway as if she were part of the marriage instead of just the person officiating it.

Seven also turned to their former commander. “Thanks so much for taking the initiative on this, Captain. I’m not sure I could have convinced Chakotay to marry me without your help.”

Stunned, Tuvok couldn’t believe his ears. Was it possible that Janeway had helped facilitate this ill-fated pairing? Had she lost her mind? The last odds Tom Paris had put on the Chakotay and Seven staying together had been dismal at best and considered a joke among the crew. He’d heard that Harry had predicted that they would stay together the same time Vulcan entered an ice age.

“Why fight something that is meant to be?” the captain remarked, tears still shimmering in her eyes.

Again, Tuvok was astounded. He had seen her fight against “what was meant to be” between herself and Commander Chakotay for seven long years.

“I’ll go start the coffee,” Conroy said, stepping toward the decorated table. “It should be ready once you take a few pictures.”

“Oh, yes! Thanks for the reminder.” Janeway pulled open a drawer of her desk and brought out a camera. “Would you mind, Tuvok?”

“It would be my pleasure,” he answered, standing up and taking the camera from her hand. “If the bride and groom would just stand in front of the cake.”

He took a half a dozen pictures of them in front of table and then another dozen or so with the view of the sky behind them in the huge windows. He joined them when Janeway proposed a toast to their long and happy life together and nibbled at the sweet cake as they told him about their honeymoon plans.

After the bride and groom left, he and Janeway remained behind in her office and had their first chance to talk in many months.

“My aide will clean up what’s left,” she told him, retrieving a cup of coffee from the replicator. “Why don’t we sit down and talk?” They found comfortable seats on the sofa that looked out into the gardens. “I’m so glad to have you healthy again and back on Earth, Tuvok. Most of the crew has dispersed, leaving just a handful of us here. I was feeling a little lonely.”

“I’m gratified to be back, as well, although I seem to have missed a great deal in the interim.” He cleared his throat and said, with more than a little trepidation, “I admit to being astonished that this wedding has taken place so soon. I had no idea that these two were dating, much less that they were so serious about each other.”

“It was a recent development, starting just before we found the Borg hub, but it has continued and deepened in the months since we got back. You’ve missed their courtship because they kept it quiet on Voyager and because you’ve been on Vulcan since we returned.”

“Even so, the courtship was exceedingly brief. At least, that is how it seems to me.”

“Perhaps it does.” She grew thoughtful. “I suppose that they moved ahead because the admiral informed me that they would marry.” She drained the last of the coffee and then turned the mug in her hands. He could hear the resignation in her voice. “Since it was meant to be, why put it off any longer?”

“I beg to differ.”

She looked up at him in surprise.

“Captain, nothing which happened in the admiral’s timeline is inevitable.” He stared at her in sympathy, suspecting that, once again, she was putting aside her own dreams and wishes for the good of members of her crew. “The admiral changed everyone’s future with her actions. Just because the commander and Seven were married in her timeline doesn’t mean that it’s meant to be in this one.”

“Oh, how I wanted to believe that.” She looked sad, and Tuvok was suddenly sorry that he’d been busy elsewhere in the three months since their ship’s return. He should have stayed in touch with her as she faced the strain of the debriefings and the loss of her crew. He might have dissuaded her from her usual habit of forging ahead without regard for her own needs and feelings.

He continued. “I must say that I’m concerned about their haste. I would think that their counselors warned them against making any serious decisions during the first six months of our return. I know mine did.”

Janeway shrugged, obviously troubled by his words, yet fighting her own emotions. Placing the mug on the table, she simply brought the subject to a quick conclusion, in typical Janeway fashion.

“What’s done is done,” she pronounced, giving him a no-nonsense glare. “Tell me about your treatments and about your family. I’ve been anxious to talk to you, my friend.”

Tuvok paused, wanting to insist that the wedding had happened too quickly, on impulse and at her insistence, wanting to warn her that she might live to regret her actions, unless, as he suspected, she regretted them already.

But he could tell that she would tolerate no further comment on the situation, and so he sat back in his seat, templed his fingers, and began a quick review of his time on his home planet.

“My cousin, Azmal, was determined to be the best person to help me,” he began. “Our first treatments were quite intense and took place on a daily basis.”

Janeway nodded and relaxed, the smile on her face failing to reach her eyes. “I met Azmal once, remember?”

“Indeed, I remember that day quite well.” As he told her about his fal-tor-voh, he couldn’t help but feel that the ceremony he’d just attended had been a serious error, something that he would have helped delay if he had been present.

He hoped he was wrong, but suspected that he wasn’t.