Disclaimer: Starfleet belongs to Paramount. No infringement intended.

Summary: In which our favorite command team find out that being a team is what they do best.

Terra Nova

by Mizvoy

Chapter 2: Developments

Annika Hansen was headed toward visiting officer’s quarters at Starfleet Headquarters when she spied a familiar figure walking toward her. She smiled and quickened her pace. “Harry Kim! What are you doing here?”

“I came to see my favorite cadet,” he said, giving her a quick hug. “But, Icheb is on some sort of training exercise, and I was afraid I wouldn’t find you before you headed back to Jupiter station. Looks like I found you just in time.”

“Just in time for what?”

“I’m supposed to meet Tuvok for dinner in an hour and thought you and Axum could join us for a little Voyager reunion.” He paused, sensing her reticence. “Unless you have other plans, of course.”

“No, I’m finished for the day and was on my way to meet Axum. The problem is that we have a prior commitment. We’re supposed to meet Samantha and Naomi Wildman for dinner. Perhaps we could all dine together?”

“That’s a great idea! Call them. I haven’t seen Naomi in months. Maybe we could contact the captain and have her join us, too.”

Annika shook her head. “I spoke to her earlier today, and she had a reception to attend this evening.”

“Too bad.” Harry sighed. “I haven’t seen her in months, either.”

“She’s still commutes to Indiana every night. I don’t think she’s been off-planet but once since we got back.”

“Now that surprises me. I can’t imagine Captain Janeway doing anything but commanding a starship.”

“Nor can I. Although she seems quite busy, she also seems a little troubled. I try to see her when we’re on Earth, but she never really seems very happy.”

“No wonder if she’s still stuck in the Analysis Division.” Harry fell into step beside the former Borg as they walked toward her dormitory. “Maybe I should drop by the captain’s office tomorrow and say hello.”

“I’m sure she’d be delighted to see you.”

“Then I’ll do it,” he decided. “Now, let me tell you about this restaurant Tuvok recommended.”

Chakotay and Gretchen Janeway walked slowly back toward her room in the visitor’s quarters. “What an energetic little girl,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “And what a nice couple. I don’t think I’d seen Tom Paris since he was in high school.”

“I don’t know what I’d do without them,” Chakotay admitted. “I was really lost when Voyager returned, and they helped me stay busy and involved. Tom found out about Triax Colony and paved the way for my job here, for all our jobs. It’s been a comfort to have so many of Voyager’s crew nearby. We were out there so long together that we became family.”

Gretchen was quiet for awhile. He had glided over the other big event following the destruction of the Borg hum-the arrival of another Borg sphere captained by Annika Hansen’s long-time lover, Axum. She was sure that the breakup of his budding relationship with the former drone had added to his unhappiness and was glad that he’d had so many close friends with him in the months that followed. “Maybe that’s it.”

Chakotay leaned down, unsure he’d heard her properly. “Maybe what’s it?”

She smiled sheepishly and shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

He took her elbow and guided her toward a park bench. “Oh, no, you don’t,” he said, his voice firm. Kathryn had tried this type of subterfuge with him, but he’d learned to force her to share her thoughts. They sat down side-by-side on the bench and he turned to face her. “No disrespect intended, Gretchen, but I don’t really think you looked me up just because you missed meeting some of Kathryn’s crew.”

She blushed. “You don’t?”

“No. And I also know that Phoebe and her family don’t live on Triax Colony or ‘nearby,’ either. Am I right?”

She looked away, embarrassed at being caught in a lie. “They live on Omicron VII, which isn’t all that far away.”

“But not that close, either.” His face softened as he regarded the older woman, marveling at how much she reminded him of her daughter- stubborn and shrewd, and yet, in some indescribable way, also gentle and vulnerable. He found himself wanting to protect Gretchen, a feeling he’d felt instantly toward her daughter. His voice was soft. “Why are you here? Is something wrong with Kathryn?”

“I wish I could say. She seems normal enough. She’s busy with her work, and she’s careful to attend the right receptions and parties. She’s had some co-workers come to our home for dinner, including some of Voyager’s crew. But, when she thinks I’m not looking, I see sadness in her face, loneliness so deep it breaks my heart.” She studied the stars overhead. “I think she’s grieving, Chakotay.”

“Grieving over Voyager?”

The older woman nodded. “When I was packing to leave on this trip, she came in to my room to keep me company. I asked her to come with me. I told her we could stop here and visit the Maquis, but she just shook her head and left the room without a word. She refused to discuss it. She refused to talk about you and the others. Later that night I’m sure I heard her crying in her room.” She sighed. “I can’t be certain what she’s upset about, Chakotay, but I think she feels guilty for your ‘exile,’ as she calls it. She misses her former crew. She grieves over losing you. All of you.”

Chakotay took a deep breath, and then he stood up and walked away for a moment of deeper thought. How would he feel if he had lost the entire crew? So many times, he’d thanked the spirits for keeping the Maquis together on Triax, for allowing such a large part of Voyager’s community, his family, to continue to support him. How would he feel if he were in Kathryn’s position? Kathryn had lost that family. The Maquis and many of the former Starfleet crew were light years away, and those members of the crew still in Starfleet had been scattered throughout the Federation. Annika was engrossed in her work at Jupiter Station and with Axum, Tuvok was busy on Vulcan, and Harry was a newly promoted Lieutenant Commander on the Yamamoto, a Galaxy class starship. No wonder she was grieving. She felt as if she’d lost everything, even her beloved ship.

“Perhaps it’s time for me to visit Earth,” he said softly.

Gretchen immediately joined him, touching his arm with her hand. “Would you, Chakotay? Of all her crew, I know she misses you the most.”

He turned to her. “Really? What makes you say that?”

“She has a picture of you in the drawer of her bedside table.” Gretchen blushed and looked away. “I noticed it one day when I was looking for one of her misplaced pips. In the picture, you’re standing in front of a small portable Starfleet shelter. You’re in civilian clothing and holding some strange looking plants. I’ve caught her looking at it quite often as I peek in to tell her goodnight.”

New Earth. The Talaxian tomatoes. “I will return with you, if you can wait for me to tie up some loose ends here,” he promised. “Maybe I can talk her into coming back with me for a visit with the rest of the crew.”

Gretchen blushed. “I hope you won’t find this presumptuous, but I already made arrangements for you to accompany me.”

Chakotay laughed. “Now I know where Kathryn gets her positive attitude!”

He walked her to the visitor’s quarters, promising to be packed and ready to accompany her when she left a few days later. Then he made his way to his small cabin and immediately went to his bedroom, where he sat down on his bed and slipped open the drawer of his nightstand. There he found the picture he’d often regarded as he tried to relax for sleep- Kathryn on New Earth, posing by the bathtub he’d made for her, the smile on her face genuine and touching, a smile intended just for him.

“Captain?” Harry Kim poked his head into the dimly lit office of his former commander, trying to see if she was there. “Captain Janeway?”

“Is that you, Harry?” She ordered the lights to a normal level, and then rose from her desk, a big smile on her face. “What a nice surprise!”

“I’m here for some advanced training,” he said, giving her a polite hug. “Annika said I should come say hello.”

She was beaming at him. “I’m so glad.” She looked around, as if trying to make up her mind about something. “I was just going through some relaxation exercises Tuvok taught me, but I would much rather talk to you. How about lunch?”

“I’d like that.”

As they made their way to the cafeteria, Kathryn asked him dozens of questions about his work and what he’d been doing. “I’m sorry I missed the dinner last night,” she said, her face clouded. “I’m sure it was more fun than Admiral O’Neill’s reception.”

“No strippers jumping from a cake?”

She laughed. “Nothing like that, I’m afraid. Not even a pool table.” They filled their trays and found a table in a secluded section of the large, busy dining facility.

They ate a few minutes in silence, when Harry said, “You know, I still smell my food before I eat it. I may never really recover from Neelix’s cooking.”

The captain laughed out loud, nearly choking on her coffee. “I do, too, Harry! I keep thinking I’m going to come across some strange Delta Quadrant spice when I least expect it. And once in awhile, I even miss leola root.”

He laughed with her, watching her as she ate. She was so different from the woman he’d known on Voyager-friendly, out-going, even vivacious. She’d spoken to a dozen people warmly as they’d walked, and she had given everyone a friendly smile. He noticed her looking at him, and she leaned toward him. “Is something wrong? Do I have food stuck in my teeth?”

He smiled. “No. I was just noticing how different you seem.”

“Different?”

“Well, frankly, you remind me of the Kathryn Janeway we rescued from Quarra, when your memories had been altered. You seem much more open and funny, more relaxed and at ease with yourself.”

Her eyes softened as she put down her fork and covered his hand with her own. “You know, Harry, the woman on Quarra was much closer to the real me than I could ever be on Voyager. It isn’t easy to be the captain of a ship twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, for seven long years. I’m surprised I didn’t lose my mind.” She sighed. “And you’re right. I wasn’t really myself after awhile.”

“That’s why you’re my hero,” he said seriously. “Nobody else could have done what you did out there. You sacrificed so much. You put the crew and ship ahead of yourself every time. It was your dedication and tenacity that got us home.”

She patted his hand and then resumed eating. “I didn’t do it alone, Harry. The crew was always there for me, helping me in so many ways. And then there was the admiral and her advanced technology.” She sighed, and her thoughts strayed to Chakotay, in particular. “I miss them, Harry. I miss you and all the others.”

“I miss them, too,” he admitted, noticing the sadness in her eyes. An idea occurred to him. “Why don’t you go see them? I’m sure you have plenty of leave available, and Triax is a beautiful setting. Lots of beaches and even some decent skiing.”

She looked away. “You’ve been there?”

“Sure. I had to see Miral. Her second birthday was coming up and I was in the area. It isn’t really that far.”

“I don’t relish space travel, Harry.” She looked up at him with a sheepish grin. “It’s hard to be a mere passenger on a ship after being in command all those years.”

He laughed. “I can imagine.”

They ate silently for awhile before she finally spoke. “How is everyone?”

Harry talked about Tom and B’Elanna, Miral, Ayala and half a dozen others before he finally fell silent. “They seem to enjoy being together,” he concluded. “It was fun to be with them again, even if they did make a sport of teasing me.”

“I think you liked being teased, Harry.” She seemed about to ask a question when she just shook her head. “They’re lucky to be together.”

“What were you going to ask?” he insisted. “Go ahead.”

She blushed. “Well, you didn’t mention how Chakotay’s doing. Is he over Annika? Does he like his work?”

Chakotay. Of course, he should’ve known she’d want news about her best friend. “Oh, he’s great! He coordinates planetary security, what there is of it, and works with B’Elanna on maintaining the few ships they have. But, his favorite pastime is working in the woodshop. You should see some of his creations! He’s built playgrounds for the schools and furniture for every single Voyager family.”

He gave her a furtive look and then plunged on. “Tom and I talked about his breakup with Annika. When Axum’s cube arrived, Chakotay knew she would leave him. I’m not sure they were getting along all that well anyway. Since then, he’s had a couple of women chasing him, but he’s kept things pretty platonic, I guess.”

She laughed. “I bet those women were blond.”

“I wouldn’t know,” he laughed, too. “Tom never said.”

Janeway finished her salad and pushed the tray away in favor of her oversized mug of coffee. “I’m glad he’s doing well, Harry, glad that everyone is. I have very maternal feelings about the Voyager crew, you know,” she said, winking, “especially the younger ones.”

“I appreciate that maternal interest, Captain.”

“Be sure to keep me posted on your life,” she said, finishing her coffee. “I have a meeting in less than fifteen minutes. Promise me you’ll always stop by when you’re in town?”

“I promise, Captain.”

She leaned toward him in a conspirational manner. “And when we’re alone, Harry, you can call me Kathryn.”

He rolled his eyes. “Give me some time for that, Captain.”

She left him finishing his apple pie and walked back to her office to freshen up before her meeting. But, the afternoon was a total loss. Her mind kept returning to the image of Miral and her birthday cake that Tom had sent her, imagining herself there to watch the child opening her presents, smearing her face with icing.

It was good to be home, to see her mother and sister, to work again at Starfleet and be part of a team. But, there were times when she felt left out, like a stranger, when she longed for the other family she’d forged over her seven years on Voyager.

She missed Chakotay most of all.

To be continued