The Paths We Choose Series

Part I: The Choices We Make

Rating: M
Pairing: J/C
Summary: A sudden loss leaves the couple unsure about the future.
Disclaimer: Paramount/Viacom own the series and the characters that are related to Star Trek: Voyager, but the story is mine.
Length: 754 words
Date: April 1999

Time had flown. It was exactly five years ago today that the Voyager had left Space Dock. Five years ago today she had left Mark and Bear. She had to let go. In all likelihood, Tuvok would be the only member of the crew to see the Alpha Quadrant again, and she realized it was becoming less and less important to her, and the crew that they reach home. She looked around at her crew. Many had paired off. In the last three months, she had performed four wedding ceremonies, and she realized they would not be the last. They deserved to be happy...and so did she. As a Captain, personal relationships had never been at the top of her list of priorities, but people changed, and so did priorities. She supposed to a certain extent, her mind had been contemplating possibilities since New Earth, only now it seemed to be a realistic possibility.

Many of the crew had approached her recently. They needed to let her know that they would be happy to live their lives out on an M-Class planet here in the Delta Quadrant if that was her decision. Or if she felt the need to continue towards the Alpha Quadrant, well that was all right too. She just didn't know. For now, they were continuing towards the Alpha Quadrant. For some reason there never seemed a "right" time to settle down, and she wasn't quite ready to give up just yet. Maybe in a couple of years. Only time would tell. She was startled out of her reverie by the door chime.

"Come"

"Captain"

"Chakotay. I'm glad you came, but this isn't a formal meeting. At ease"

"Kathryn, what's wrong? You've seemed out of sorts all week."

"Just thinking. About you, me, us the crew...home."

"Why all of a sudden?"

"That's just it Chakotay, It's not all of a sudden. It just took me this long to realize that, I have to be happy too. We might spend the rest of our lives on this ship, and let's face it; most of us don't have anyone left waiting for us in the Alpha Quadrant. I'm not willing to bet my life on the fact that we may get back someday. I've also come to a realization, Chakotay."

Chakotay's heart skipped a beat. Was she finally going to give him what he had been waiting nearly five years for? Was she finally going to be honest with him and with herself?

"What Kathryn? What have you realized?"

"I've known for a while that I was falling in love with you; but recently I decided that I wanted to act of my feelings. I want you to be a part of my life here. And if we ever return to the Alpha Quadrant, I want you to be part of my life there too."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. After his experience with her on New Earth. Her need to 'define parameters'. Was this really his Kathryn?

"Kathryn, I love you too."

Chakotay stood to leave. Overstaying his welcome would probably be a mistake. The relationship, although new to them felt old, as if it had always been that way. And it felt right. Chakotay felt as if he were finally re-united with the other half of his soul. He approached the door to leave, but something made him hesitate. He turned to Kathryn's pleading eyes.

"Chakotay? Please stay. Don't leave me alone tonight. I could never stand to lose you again."

"Again?"

"Even though you were never really mine...well first Seska, then Riley...Just promise me if we start something, you'll stick by your decision. I don't want this if you're not completely and absolutely positive that it's what you want."

"Kathryn, I could never do anything to hurt you, and you've been mine since the day we met."

Later the couple would look back on this decision and wonder what had taken them so long. Although there would be many bumps in the road, many forks in the path and many choices to be made, they always ended up together, and neither was ever alone again. Thus began a journey, one that many would remember for years to come, and one that Kathryn and Chakotay never forgot, or regret.