"Revelations, Part Two", By Pam

Dedicated to Laura and MJ

Chakotay was having second thoughts about accepting the invitation. 

What exactly did B'Elanna want to tell him? He'd never thought of her romantically, and the thought that she might regard him as anything other than a friend surprised him. Torres was damned attractive, of that there was no doubt. But she was more like a kid sister to him than anything else. 

And, he had to admit, he'd thrown that in the Captain's face to get a reaction.

But she had been her usual, gracious self, refusing to take the bait. What had he expected? Some kind of indication that he hadn't imagined those four months on New Earth, maybe. And there was always the possibility that he had misinterpreted B'Elanna's invitation, although he liked to think he knew her well.

And then there was Kathryn. *Gods, I love that woman! Why can't she just accept our situation?* Chakotay ran his fingers through his closely-cropped hair and sighed. He wasn't exactly overjoyed to be back on Voyager. There was nothing left for him in the Alpha Quadrant. 

He had once told Kathryn one of his father's sayings, "Home is where you are". He recalled what his father had really said, "Home is where the heart is". He hadn't dared utter those words then, but he wouldn't hesitate now.

There were many times when he had trouble discussing his feelings, so he drew from his Indian heritage to express himself. He grinned to himself as he remembered the Angry Warrior story he'd used on New Earth to tell Kathryn he loved her. He also remembered the beautiful smile she'd given him in return. She was far more adept at reading him than anyone he'd ever known. Even in the beginning of their command relationship, they had communicated countless times with facial expressions. He rarely had to resort to his tried and true tactic of "My people have a story..." anymore with her.

He remembered the tense discussion they'd had before beaming back aboard Voyager. He'd been so angry he had deleted all his personal logs and blueprints from the computer. He wanted no reminders of their time together if this was the way it had to be once more. But how could he do that? He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't hear his comm-badge chirp the first time.

"Torres to Chakotay."

"Yes B'Elanna?"

"I have to cancel our plans. Tuvok's put me in charge of overseeing the return of all the material from the planet."

"Why don't we meet for breakfast in the Messhall tomorrow at 0600?" Chakotay offered.

"Sure. I'll see you around. Torres out."

***

Over her fourth cup of coffee four weeks later, Janeway gazed out at the passing stars. It was then that realization hit her like a photon torpedo. She realized how far Chakotay would truly go to make her happy. Above everything, he was her friend. 

Even if she was never ready to cross the barrier. Even if she never thought of him as anything more than the bestest friend she'd ever had, he would always be there. He would always be at her side, fulfilling the prophesies of New Earth, making her burdens lighter. 

It was then that she realized how much she depended and needed him there. Although she'd lived most of her life alone, she really was a social creature. She needed comfort, she needed love, and she needed things she'd lived most of her life without... She needed Chakotay. 

She contemplated her options. She realized it wasn't just the "commander" she relied on, it was Chakotay too. His sweet and hopeful nature, his Indian legends, his soft and comforting touches; all these things completed the package she was dependent on.

For the first time in her life, Kathryn realized that she needed someone. Even the Eagle must rest. Chakotay had said this to her on many occasions, and suddenly it came upon her in full force exactly what it meant. He was referring to her, to the ship, his life, hers...He was referring to life as a whole, and at that moment Kathryn Janeway realized that things would be alright. She knew she would be able to face tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that. The ancient proverb "Better to have loved and lost than never loved at all" became true to her, and Kathryn was about to become the epiphany of that proverb. She knew what she had to do, and for the first time in her life Kathryn acted on instinct. Not on science, not analytical actions, not regulations...but heart. On this day a knew woman was born. The lizard tanned itself and saw the sun for the first time in a long while.

***

The next morning, Kathryn Janeway headed for the Bridge feeling renewed. She took up her command and sat in the chair next to Chakotay's. 

"Anything new to report, Mr. Tuvok?"

Tuvok stared at her. Even he could see the change which had come over her. She positively glowed, and put to shame the shadow of a woman who had occupied Kathryn Janeway's position for the past four years. 

"Nothing new to report Captain. It was a quiet night," said Tuvok.

She nodded at him, a smile curling at the corner of her lips. "You're dismissed Tuvok. Commander Chakotay, could you meet me in my Ready room for a minute?"

"Aye Captain."

"Mr. Paris, you have the Bridge."

"Yes, ma'am."

Tom watched the commanding officers walk into the Ready room, then turned to look at Harry. He gave one of his trademark Paris whistles before turning back to his console.

***

Chakotay followed her into the Ready room.

"Am I talking to the Captain or Kathryn?" He was cheeky, wasn't he?

"Well Commander, which one would you rather be speaking to?" Two could play at that game.

*She's humoring me* he thought. *That's a good sign.* "Well Captain, I'm not sure, but I think I prefer you better out of uniform."

Kathryn blushed a lovely shade of red. He was pleased with this, it meant she was nervous.

"Seriously Kathryn, I have something to say too. What is it you wanna talk about?"

"You first," she said, curious.

"Well," he began, "remember what you said before we beamed back aboard Voyager, about how you didn't know how the crew might react?" She nodded. "Well, they've been plotting on how to get us together." Her eyes widened and he went on.

"When Harry and Tom set off those security override alarms in Transporter Room three a week ago, they were..." He looked sheepish now. "They were trying to beam us into a Jeffries Tube together."

Kathryn's jaw dropped. She remembered being woken in the middle of the night by Tuvok, who'd informed her of the situation. She also remembered being in her pink satin nightgown, the one Chakotay was fond of--the thought came from no-where. 

She realized that Chakotay too would've been sleeping. Materializing together, scarcely clad in a Jeffries Tube, would have been an extremely awkward situation. 

Chakotay went on. "Later, when I asked them what they were doing, they weren't exactly forthcoming about it. Once I found out, I didn't think you'd wanna know." He chuckled, and tried to lighten the mood. "They might have succeeded if B'Elanna had've been helping them."

No sooner had the words come out of his mouth, he realized what he'd said. He mentally kicked himself, expecting her to retreat behind her Captain's mask and lecture him on Starfleet protocols. He slowly met her eyes, and was surprised to find her standing there, a small smile dancing on her lips. She stared down at her feet to compose herself. 

"Chakotay...I've been thinking about a lot of things since this whole ordeal began, and I need to move on. I won't watch everyone else move on while I stay at a stand-still. I need to be happy Chakotay. I need to realize that we might not live to see the Alpha Quadrant again. Everyone I cared about has moved on. My fiancé, my family, my lifelines, my ties to the Alpha Quadrant, my hopes died...But in you I've found a new sense of hope and love and life." She approached him and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

"Will you still have me, Chakotay?" she whispered.

He couldn't believe he was hearing this. The realization of all his hopes, his dreams and truths, were within arm's reach.

"Kathryn, I'd wait until my dying day for you."

She reached up to wipe the tears from his tanned cheeks. Tears of joy and happiness.

Life would go on, and their happiness would be eternal.

Until death and after...

THE END