Disclaimer: Star Trek: Voyager and all things Starfleet belong to Paramount. No infringement intended.

Summary: Another take on the future following Endgame.

Safe Harbor

by Mizvoy

Chapter 10: Obstacles

Although she’d never been a superstitious person, Kathryn Janeway had premonitions of trouble when she awakened alone for the first time since Chakotay’s arrival two weeks earlier. She’d intended to see him off when he left before dawn for a meeting in Paris, but she’d slept through her alarm and Chakotay had apparently decided not to awaken her. Instead he’d left a red rose and a note on her nightstand wishing her luck with her meeting with her boss, Admiral Dallas Travers, and promising to be home before she returned from work. She felt a pang of regret as she read his words of encouragement and wished she could’ve seen him in person for a good morning snuggle.

She knew she had nothing to fear from Travers regarding her work. If anything, she should be proud of the progress she’d made in just a few months. The entire team was fully staffed and productive, and B’Elanna had made great progress with the engines in her short time on Utopia Planetia. Kathryn always believed that a good offense was the best defense, so she’d spent the last two days preparing to answer any question Travers could come up with. In fact, she’d even sent a detailed report to him the day before, with copies provided to every other admiral on the Research and Development staff. She was ready, and she knew it.

What concerned her, and what she’d avoided telling Chakotay, was that Travers wanted to meet with her one-on-one for what he called a “heart-to- heart” talk, subject unknown. Kathryn had a strong suspicion that the topic was going to be about Tom and B’Elanna. He’d refused to let them join the team until Kathryn had gone over his head and gotten a public recommendation from Starfleet’s top engineer, an action any admiral would resent. But, because Kathryn was convinced that she needed Tom and B’Elanna to be successful, she was willing to make him angry for the short term. She was sure he’d come around once he realized how much they contributed to the program. She’d promised herself that she’d stick to the chain of command from here on in, and she’d tell him so.

Although years had passed since her return from the Delta Quadrant, she still had friends in high places who considered her a hero, and she was sure she could count on them to support her. Not only that, she was a seasoned admiral who’d been raised in a Starfleet family and schooled in its politics. She was more than able to take care of herself. If Travers thought he could force her to remove those two from her team, he was in for a fight.

She finished dressing and picked up the flower, admiring its perfection and delicate aroma. The rose was a sweet gesture, and she decided to put it on her desk as a reminder of Chakotay’s continued love and support. Knowing that he’d be there for her at the end of the day would make whatever Travers threw at her at the meeting much less stressful. Plus, there was the chance that Chakotay’s meeting in Paris might result in a teaching position at Berkley, something they both wanted. Maybe he’d have good news waiting for her.

It might be a good day, after all.

“Well, if it isn’t Commander Chakotay, Starfleet’s finest first officer.”

Chakotay recognized the voice before he looked up into the familiar face. “Richard Laramie. Imagine meeting you here.”

“I was wondering when our paths would cross. Where better than Sandrine’s?” He took a long sip of his drink—a double scotch. “Where’s Kathryn? I’ve wanted to say ‘I told you so.’”

“She’s at work at Starfleet Headquarters.”

“Too bad. Mind if I join you?”

Chakotay wanted to say he minded. He couldn’t imagine a more bizarre situation than sharing a table at Sandrine’s with Kathryn’s former lover. The rivalry continued between them and Richard’s bitter attitude was obvious. However, he was a big enough man to put up with it. “Have a seat.”

Richard gave him a furtive look. “Rumor has it that you’re living with her in San Francisco.”

“I’m staying at her apartment, yes.”

“And in her bed, I imagine.”

Chakotay scowled. “Listen, Richard, . . .”

He stopped him with a gesture. “Forget I said that, Chakotay. A gentleman never tells, right? Especially not the former boyfriend who always lived down the hall. Always on the long leash.”

“You’re drunk.”

“Not drunk enough, but I’m working on it.”

“This is a bad idea,” Chakotay mumbled, pushing his drink away and starting to rise.

“No, wait. I promise to be civil. I’ve been looking for the chance to warn you. And her. I did love her, you know, and I want the best for her.”

“Warn us about what?” Chakotay sat back down.

“Ah. Now I have your undivided attention. People credited me with ‘saving her career.’ Remember that? I didn’t.”

“She says you did.”

“She’s being kind. Except for a couple of poor, hasty decisions in the heat of the moment, Kathryn Janeway was a model Starfleet captain in an impossible situation, always within the parameters of acceptable behavior. And you helped her every step of the way, Chakotay. She owes you big time.”

“We owe her more,” he replied quietly.

“Maybe.” Richard took another drink and narrowed his eyes. “What saved her career was her behavior once Voyager returned. She was under complete control and exhibited none of the eccentric behavior often evident in rogue captains who’ve spent years on their own. She was Starfleet through and through.”

“That’s the truth.”

“Until now.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Now, she’s breaking the mold, showing an unstable element.”

“You mean because of Tom and B’Elanna?”

“And you.”

Chakotay blinked, suddenly understanding. “And me.”

“You’ve been lounging around in the boondocks too long. You’ve forgotten about the back-stabbing, rumor mongering crew of paranoids in the admiralty. They’re predators looking to attack the sickly, the weak, the different.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The Maquis. Kathryn’s done as well as she has because she’s had little or nothing to do with the Maquis members of Voyager’s crew. She let you disappear into deep space while she stayed busy in a completely different quadrant. She associated with Starfleet types.”

“Like you.”

“Yes, like me.”

Chakotay nodded. She had stayed away, but he suspected it had more to do with his relationship with Seven than with a desire to preserve her career. “We always stayed in touch.”

“Well, sure. A subspace comm once in awhile. Two personal visits in eight years. A captain has ongoing responsibilities to a former crew, Chakotay, purely advisory in nature. No problem.”

“But now, things have changed.”

“Now she’s put Tom and B’Elanna on the Slipstream project. Two convicts. That’s different, irregular, suspicious.”

Chakotay fought back a terse reply. “They’re the best people for the jobs.”

“Undoubtedly, or Kathryn wouldn’t have risked her career arguing for them.”

“Risked her career?”

“She went over her boss’s head for their approval. Never a good idea. In fact, it may already be too late. Her boss is Dallas Travers, right? Chief of R & D?”

“Yeah. Admiral Travers.”

“Not a risk-taker. He was at the Battle for the Omicron Belt during the Dominion War. In fact, his was the only ship that survived.”

“I don’t remember the details.”

Richard smiled. “That’s right. You were elsewhere during the war.” He signaled the waiter for another drink. “The sensor readings on his ship were garbled for some reason, so the timeframes are questionable, but rumor has it that he left the battle a little early. At least, that’s what his ops officer told me once. He was drunk at the time, but I believe him.”

“He left before the battle was over?” Such cowardice was unheard of among Starfleet officers.

“No one could prove it. But, basically, he hid behind a moon while the other two ships fought to the death.”

“Does Kathryn know this?”

Richard chuckled. “He’s her boss. I’m sure she’s done her homework about him.”

“It’s hard to believe that a Starfleet captain would just leave like that!”

“Especially after serving with a captain like Kathryn, I’d imagine. She’s pure courage.”

“That she is.”

“Once she’d enlisted the help of the chief engineer, Travers had no choice but to approve Tom and B’Elanna’s appointment. The Paris name carries weight, too, you know. But, he no doubt resents Kathryn for embarrassing him and making him stick his neck out. I’ve heard they gave B’Elanna a ‘provisional’ clearance.”

“Vouched by?”

“Kathryn Janeway, of course.”

Chakotay’s eyes widened. “So if there’s any question, any irregularity whatever.”

“Kathryn will pay dearly. Probably with her career.”

“Damn.”

“And then there’s you.”

“A Maquis terrorist.”

“And a traitor in the eyes of the conservative element. Have you two been discreet?”

“About what?”

“Do you appear together in public?”

“I went to a family picnic the Saturday after I arrived. I’ve visited her mom in Indiana a couple of times. We’ve spent a few days at Lake George.”

“Did you?” He took a long draw from his second drink. “You know, she never took me there.”

“We visited it on Voyager’s holodeck once in awhile.”

“I suspected as much. Special memories. Well, you’ll have to cut back. Keep things more private. You haven’t listed her apartment as your home address, have you?”

“I’ve told people they can reach me there.”

“Change that.”

“I think you’re paranoid.” He also wondered how much of this was driven by jealousy.

“I’m realistic. I’m giving you free legal advice, Chakotay, for Kathryn’s good.” He leaned forward, and Chakotay could smell the liquor on his breath. “It’s not just the Maquis, either. It’s also the other Admiral Janeway, the one who broke the Temporal Prime Directive all to hell for her Voyager ‘family.’”

Chakotay scowled. “I met that woman. She wasn’t at all like Kathryn.”

“So you say. They don’t know that. All they see is a couple of very unconventional, even dangerous decisions that bring her judgment into question. She’s including a criminal element, an unknown threat, into her life.”

“And Travers will feel even more exposed by that.”

“Yes. He’ll be looking for a moon to hide behind, leaving Kathryn to fend for herself.”

Chakotay sat back to think about what he’d heard. It made sense, even though he felt it was horribly unfair. “Maybe you’re saying this because you’re jealous. You don’t want us to be together.”

Richard laughed out loud. “Oh, I admit that, Chakotay. Kathryn’s a remarkable, passionate woman, a thoroughbred, real class. But she was never really mine, you know. She’s better than any admiral you’d care to name, a real leader, an idealist. Just the type the pack feeds on.”

“What can I do to help her?”

“You tell me.”

Chakotay rubbed his face in frustration. “I should put some distance between us.”

“I didn’t tell you that.”

“You didn’t have to. I should take a job elsewhere, the farther away the better. See her infrequently.”

“Discreetly, of course. By accident.”

“Discreetly.”

They sat in silence for awhile. Richard became steadily drunker, while Chakotay became more and more depressed.

“How is she, really?” Richard asked at last. “Has she fully recovered from her injuries?”

“She’s fine, healthy. She loves her job. She seems happy.”

Richard studied the ice in his glass. “She used to tell me that happiness is overrated. She might be right.” He drained his drink and offered Chakotay his hand. “Well, I’d better go. You must be quite a man to earn the love and respect of a woman like her. I know you’ll do the right thing.”

“I will.” They shook hands.

“If she needs my help, or if you do, call me.”

“Thanks, Richard.”

“Tell her I said hello.”

Chakotay watched the judge weave his way back to the bar and wondered about the conversation. Kathryn had been evasive about her meeting with Travers. Could this be what they were discussing?

His stomach felt as if it had been filled with lead. He had thought briefly about what his past would do to her career, but he’d been too caught up in the sheer joy and excitement of their relationship to think clearly about it. Of course, the more conservative elements in Starfleet and the Federation would wonder about her reliability if she was involved with a man who had a criminal record. While he’d always know the term “terrorist” applied to the Maquis, he’d never really accepted that he could also be considered a traitor. He’d never considered overthrowing the government; he blamed his family’s murder on poor leadership, not on a poor system.

He also knew how much the slipstream project meant to Kathryn. She’d called it the perfect blend of command and science, and she’d worked toward it ever since Voyager had returned, for nearly eight years. He wasn’t about to deprive her of it.

He knew what he had to do. He just had to have the courage to do it.

Kathryn Janeway was still so furious at the end of the day that she decided to walk the twelve blocks home from her office. When she arrived, she found Chakotay asleep on the sofa and sat down on the coffee table to study his face, her heart swelling with love and devotion. As much as she needed to talk to him, she knew he needed the nap to recover from his early morning departure, and she needed time to think and to regain her composure. Her meeting with Travers had left her so angry that she was still fuming four hours later. A long, relaxing bath and a change into comfortable clothing would help, so she covered him with a blanket and headed for the bathroom.

The warm water was soothing, and she soon found herself near tears as the irony of the situation sunk in. She had been so happy the last two weeks, so incredibly happy. She had a job that was challenging, interesting, and important, and she had the man she loved waiting for her every night. After all she’d been through—a Cardassian prison, the deaths of her father and fiancé right before her eyes, an exile 70,000 light years from home, the loss of a second fiancé—she was almost ready to believe that her luck had changed, that she could really have professional success and personal happiness. Until today.

Travers had been satisfied with the status report and pleased with B’Elanna’s skill as an innovative engineer. His concern had been much more personal and painful.

“I want to discuss Chakotay,” he’d said, his eyes glittering with malice. “I can’t have my project director involved with a known terrorist and traitor.”

She’d wanted to vault over his desk and grab him by the throat, but, in fact, she’d been so shocked by his words and the tone of his voice that she’d stared at him in silence.

He’d gone on, “You are living together, aren’t you?”

Were they? Chakotay was staying with her while he was actively looking for a job someplace nearby, “within transporter range,” as he put it, but did he mean to live with her and transport to work, or live where he worked and transport to see her? They hadn’t discussed it.

“Kathryn?” he prodded.

“He’s staying with me for now,” she answered, finding her voice. “Whether we’re living together or not is our business.”

“It’s my business, too,” he’d insisted. “Living with a man like Chakotay shows poor judgment and raises the question of proper security.”

A man like Chakotay? She bit back a bitter response. Travers was a known coward and hardly worthy to speak Chakotay’s name. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about, Admiral.”

“He’ll have access to sensitive material in your home.”

“I think not. I know better than to bring classified documents home with me.”

“He’ll know your whereabouts and be able to trace the project’s development.”

She struggled to keep her anger under control. “For what purpose? Are you saying he’s involved with me because of my job?”

“Terrorists and traitors are capable of anything.”

She’d had enough and stood up. “As are some admirals, apparently. Chakotay is not a traitor.”

“He is in my book. He took an oath when he joined Starfleet that he . . . .”

“Oh, please, Dallas. You know the Cardassians murdered nearly his entire family and destroyed his home planet. What would you have done?”

Travers put up his hands. “Kathryn, I’m not going to debate his motivation or his politics with you. This is about you, not Chakotay.”

She tried to make the connection. “I don’t understand. Aren’t you challenging me about my relationship with him?”

“I’m concerned about your judgment.”

“My judgment.” She sat down, confused. “In my private life.”

“Just tell me he’ll be moving out soon, that’s all I want to hear. Tell me you’ll be more discreet.”

“More discreet about what?”

“About Chakotay. Keep things private. Don’t take him to any more family picnics or Starfleet functions.”

Her anger threatened to overwhelm her again. “Now, just a minute. Are saying you’re concerned about what people will think if I’m involved with Chakotay? Do you really expect me to live my life to please somebody else?”

“What I’m saying is that the man’s reputation is a threat to your continuing in your position. Unless you want to change jobs, limit your contact with him to a more casual friendship.”

“’Unless I want to change jobs’?” She was trembling with fury, her voice deadly calm. “Has someone talked to you about this, Dallas?”

“I’m aware of the opinions in the admiralty.”

“So no one has expressed any concern about this to you. You’re just aware, in some way, of their possible disapproval.”

“I know I disapprove of it, Kathryn, and I’m your boss.”

She realized that this was his way of getting even with her for going over his head for B’Elanna, and she wasn’t about to take it lying down. “I don’t respond well to threats, Admiral.”

He ignored her comment. “Take some time off. Seamus can handle your work for a week or so. Talk to Chakotay about this. Surely he doesn’t want to damage your career.”

“You’re relieving me?”

“No, of course not! The team is humming along beautifully and can survive a week without you. Think this through, and I’ll see you a week from Monday with your decision.”

“My decision?”

“The position or Chakotay.”

The rest of the meeting was a blur, but she was fairly sure she’d left before she completely lost control. She knew she’d stood toe to toe with him and told him in no uncertain terms that Chakotay was no terrorist and no traitor and twice the man he was. Then, she’d spent the next hour storming around the grounds of Starfleet Academy thinking things through before she’d returned to her office and spent the rest of the day briefing Seamus on exactly what she expected from him during her absence.

She closed her eyes, surprised that the heat of her fury hadn’t brought the bath water to a boil. She tried to imagine telling Chakotay about Travers’ ultimatum, tried to anticipate his reaction. While she’d responded with indignant fury, he would be resigned, accepting, and full of guilt that his past actions were harming her career today. He’d never denied anything he’d done and always realized that his future was limited because of his Maquis connections. He’d spoken to her often, or tried to, of the damage it could do to her, as well, but she’d always brushed him off, unwilling to worry about something that might never happen.

She’d spent part of her afternoon trying to determine whether Travers was speaking for a group of concerned admirals or only from his own point of view. Most of Starfleet higher ranks knew of her exile at the snow camp, but they also knew that it was a terrible accident that had stranded her there. They would hardly assume that she and Chakotay, after their long association on Voyager, would begin a love affair during their time together. And, if they had indulged in a brief fling, no one would necessarily expect it to continue afterwards. From what she’d been able to discover, only Travers was aware of the fact that she and Chakotay were living together, and only he was concerned about the implications of the relationship.

Not that others might become concerned. The Maquis had made many enemies in Starfleet, had embarrassed more than one captain in battle, and had even killed a few good officers in the course of their efforts to undermine the Cardassian treaty. While many years had passed since the Maquis had been eliminated, and although the Maquis had been proven right in their flouting of Federation policy, animosity remained alive and well. Especially against the Maquis who were former Starfleet officers, like Chakotay.

She sighed and activated the warming mechanism in the tub. Chakotay would probably not want to fight the system. He’d suggest that he take a job elsewhere, perhaps even off planet, to put distance between them and lessen the appearance of their connection to each other. He’d argue against her taking a different job because he believed she was destined to develop the slipstream drive. He’d see two options and pick the one that demanded the most from him, the least from her.

But Kathryn Janeway didn’t approach problems the way most people did. How many times had he and Tuvok come to her with a mournful set of solutions to a problem, certain that none of them would make her happy? She’d listen patiently as they argued for one or another choice, and then she’d lean forward in her desk and ask them to look in a completely different direction, one they’d overlooked. She smiled to herself as she remembered the astonished looks in their eyes, the hope that sprouted in their faces.

There was always a better option if you just changed a few parameters.

She found Chakotay drinking tea on the balcony and watching the sunset. “Feel better?” he asked, pouring her a cup of tea. He knew that an early evening bath usually meant that she’d had a particularly long, stressful day.

“Much better,” she replied, taking the cup and settling next to him on the glider. “How was your meeting with Jack?”

“Great. He’s offering me a job at the museum in Paris.”

She nodded, picking up on a strange tone in his voice. There was more. “What about the teaching position at Berkley?”

He paused, leaning forward to place his cup on the table—and to distance himself from her, she suspected. “I think the Paris job is a better fit.”

“Really.” She put her cup down, as well, linked her arm through his, and pulled him back next to her. He was being evasive, but she knew better than to make a direct attack. “So did he also offer you the visiting professorship at Berkley?”

“Yes, he did.” He stared into the distance, avoiding her eyes.

“And how, exactly, is Paris a ‘better fit’?” She had her suspicions, of course, but she wanted to hear what he’d say, how he’d phrase it, especially since he’d talked consistently about getting teaching position in the Bay area.

“I think it would be better for both of our careers.”

She frowned. Had he somehow heard about her meeting with Travers? She hadn’t told him anything, yet he’d obviously changed his mind about Berkley for some reason. She shifted slightly so that her knee and lower leg were against his thigh, her hand on his shoulder. She studied his profile, but saw no flicker there. “’Both our careers’? Tell me how your being in Paris will help my career.”

He glanced at her briefly, a blush building in his cheeks. “You know how.”

“Tell me.” Her voice was commanding, and he took a deep breath.

“Because my past is always going to be a serious stumbling block for you, that’s why. Because if I’m here with you, they might decide you need a different job.”

There it was. Her eyes widened in surprise as she wondered what he knew. “Chakotay, we’ve discussed this, and I’ve told you that your past is not going to damage my career.”

“Richard thinks it will,” he blurted out, turning to her. “I won’t let that happen, Kathryn. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Richard Laramie?”

“I saw him at Sandrine’s after my meeting with Jack. I was hoping to run into some of our Starfleet crew, and there was Richard. He wanted to warn us, to warn you, about Travers. He thinks Travers is out to get you and will use our relationship to do it.”

She nodded and stood up, walking to the balcony to think. Richard had an uncanny ability to predict problems in the admiralty. There were times when he’d been so accurate that she’d wondered if he’d bugged the executive bathrooms. She bet he’d enjoyed goading Chakotay about being Maquis. “Did it occur to you that he might be a little jealous because we’re together?”

“He admitted he was.” Chakotay joined her at the balcony. “He thought you should know what to expect.”

She turned and leaned back against the railing, crossing her arms. “The warning was a little late.”

His eyes locked with hers. “Your meeting with Travers today.”

“He thinks I’m showing poor judgment because I’m involved with you.”

He visibly wilted. “That’s why the Paris job is perfect for both of us.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You know how I dislike it when you take decisions out of my hands without even discussing them with me.”

He swallowed. On Voyager, she’d reprimanded him because he’d failed to consult with her before taking a shuttle to reclaim the replicator Seska had stolen. He still felt bad about that. “He said it’s me or the job, right? What’s to discuss?”

“Our other options, of course.” She smiled at him, her eyes twinkling.

“He gave you other options?”

“Well, no. But they’re out there.”

He chuckled, hope brightening his eyes. “I should’ve known. I’m listening.”

“Travers underestimates me. He’s forgetting that I, too, have thirty years of experience under my belt, plus the added notoriety of Voyager. My dad was an admiral, as were my paternal and maternal grandfathers. I’ve been the personal guest of the president at the official residence and I’ve met everybody who is somebody on the council. At least twice. Since I was a tiny tot, I’ve learned how to use the system, and I won’t hesitate to pull every string and call in every favor if I have to.”

“Travers’ ultimatum is based on the false assumption that Kathryn Janeway can be bullied.”

She chuckled. “That’s not the only false assumption, Chakotay. He’s underestimated you, as well.”

“I’m afraid my circle of friends is much more limited than yours.”

“Not your friends. You. Once they meet you, my friends will be your friends.”

He shook his head. “How can you be so sure?”

“You’re incredibly intelligent and wise, plus you have good looks and charm and a refreshing sense of humor. Once you flash those devastating dimples at people, they’re willing to eat out of your hand.” She moved closer to him, slipping her arms around his waist.

“And when, exactly, will I have the chance to exert this subtle influence on the powers that be?”

She smiled as she snuggled into his chest. “Don’t you remember our weekend plans?”

“We’re going to your mom’s for a barbecue.”

“Not just any barbecue. The famous Janeway Founder’s Day barbecue, with all of our family and all of our friends in attendance. There’ll be four generations of admirals there, Chakotay, not to mention a few ambassadors.”

“Everybody who is somebody?”

“Enough to make a good start on repairing your reputation.”

He pulled back from her enough to look into her eyes. “So you intend to have me and the job, too.”

“It’s the only option I’ll consider.”

His eyes were dark with affection. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”

She blinked back tears. “I think I do. There’s only one thing I need to make clear to you.”

He braced himself. “What’s that?”

“You seemed so sure that I’d choose to keep the slipstream job over being with you.”

“I thought that my being in Paris would let you have both.”

“I’d only see you on the weekends, though.”

He smiled. “It was better than nothing.”

Somewhere out of lost future, she sensed the presence of her former self, the admiral who had given her life for her crew. “I didn’t come back to give you one last chance for happiness,” she’d told Kathryn that night in the mess hall, but she must have known it might happen, that Kathryn’s changed future might include Chakotay. “If you have a chance for happiness,” she’d said finally, mysteriously, “grab it with both hands.”

Kathryn pulled him close, both arms tight around his waist. “When I woke up alone this morning, I missed you terribly. The rose was sweet, but I wanted you. The last two weeks have been perfect because you’ve been here waiting for me when the day was over. I want to see you every day, every night, every morning. Nothing less will do.” She looked up at him as tears spilled down her cheeks. “There are dozens of good jobs out there, but only one you. I want you to know that I’d choose you, Chakotay. I love you and I want us to be together always.”

He was stunned, unable to breathe. Long ago, he’d accepted the fact that Starfleet came first with her, that duty took precedence over personal happiness. To know that he came first in her life was almost more than he could comprehend. “You love me that much?”

“Believe it,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply until the world faded into oblivion.

Their dreams had come true.