Arriving Home

part I

By: AW

Rating: K+
Pairing: J/C, P/T, whole crew
Summary: Admiral Paris’ view on the Voyager return
Disclaimer: The story is mine, but the characters belong to Paramount.
Length: 1016 words
Date: March 2008

Admiral Paris watched the footage of the Voyager flying across the screen. Taken by a camera that was held by a news hound. Weird how even in this day and age, the media still holds a spark for many.

He left and went out to the Precidio, the Voyager had just landed and he gave Janeway and the crew another four minutes before they disembarked. He waited; he waited to see the first glimpse of his son in over seven years.

The landing struts extended and the hatch opened. Out came the group: the senior staff, the first of many who would disembark from the Voyager.

Janeway was the first, hand in hand with her first officer. Now there was a sight that - although not entirely unexpected after reading their logs - was still shocking in its own way; Kathryn smiled at the crowd and in front of all, her first officer leaned down and kissed her.

The speech was perhaps the most breathtaking thing that he had ever seen or heard. She praised everyone, told of their bravery, their accomplishments, their loyalty and their love. How they had, after seven years together developed into a family.

She one last time introduced the entire senior staff to all. Tom and his wife B’Elanna holding their minutes old daughter breezed down the stairs. Harry Kim - the once green ensign - came marching in behind them. Next was the doctor, the EMH that had far surpassed his programming.

Then came the Borg, although not officially part of the senior staff, she had been an integral part of getting the crew home, and was now almost as senior as the rest of the group.

Finally, Janeway spoke of Tuvok and how upon reaching the Alpha Quadrant, he had been whisked away to Vulcan to be treated by his family for an illness not contracted, but rather developed as a genetic fault. Once again she spoke highly of the man she had known for more than a decade.

Then she brought Chakotay down, and they kissed once more, his hand instinctively reaching down to caress her tummy. And as the Admiral looked more closely, he saw the distinctive beginnings of a swell that told of a child on the way.

The Voyager crew had truly made a home out there, and though it went against every Starfleet policy and protocol, he could not blame Kathryn for taking the chance that life had thrown at her.

If she had found love in her first officer, when there was nothing else and no one else to turn to, and it had ended her command level loneliness, he would accept it.

If nothing else, this woman had brought his son and granddaughter home to him, and he couldn’t help but think that he would be eternally grateful.

He watched as Kathryn approached him. “Sir, it’s good to be home.”

He smiled at his once protégée: “Well, thank you for bringing my son and his family home to me. The wife will be so pleased to see this. Tom finally got his act together.”

Kathryn went to answer, and the Admiral stopped her, “And it’s all thanks to you.”

“Now Owen, I think it’s more thanks to him than to me.”

He just smiled at Kathryn, “And it seems that good news is on the way for you as well?” He questioned hoping that his instincts were right.

Kathryn gave him a grin, “We were hoping to get through the briefings before we made it public though.”

Owen simply nodded his head, “Understandable.”

She looked strangely at the man that had been a part of her life for longer than she could remember. “How did you know?”

He patted her on the shoulder, “You’re glowing my dear. And your future husband can’t seem to keep his hands off of you.”

Kathryn glared at her financé. “Chakotay, you know you’re going to give us away if you’re not careful.”

He laughed, “Like you kissing me on the grounds of Starfleet Headquarters wasn’t a sure enough give away.”

She grinned at him and took his hand, “I don’t want anyone to doubt my commitment to you.”

He grinned at her again, showing off his dimples. “And our baby I hope.”

She pulled him into a hug full of promise. “And our baby.” She drew back and looked him in the eye. “Now all we have to do is hope that the debriefings don’t last too long and it doesn’t become too obvious before they’re over.”

“Yes my little Captain.”

“Hey no one calls me little; that’s why I wear the heels.”

He nodded and brought a hand up to touch her cheek. “Of course my dear, besides the persona outdoes any physical shortcomings you might have.”

“You keep telling yourself that Chakotay.”

“I always have.”

Admiral Paris cleared his throat reminding the command couple that they weren’t alone. “Sorry sir.” She spun around and looked at Admiral Paris, “What are the chances that there won’t be any problems integrating my crew into the Federation?”

Paris tilted his head, “I don’t foresee any problems Kathryn, there might be an issue or two with the Equinox Crew, but as a whole I think the outcome will be good; and hopefully we can get it all over and done with before the pregnancy becomes an issue” He turned to Chakotay, “And I hope you plan on marrying her.”

He nodded, “Of course Sir, we were just waiting until it was possible.”

The Admiral nodded his approval, “As soon as this is all over, we’ll have a wedding for the two of you, and hopefully the backlash won’t be too bad.”

The couple nodded at each other, and hand in hand walked towards their temporary quarters.

Life would be okay.

END Part I
TBC in Part II