The Alpha Female
The Alpha Female
by Mary, emptyf@eudoramail.com
Janeway's Ready Room
"Damn, damn, damn! Every time someone fools with the time-space continuum, Chakotay is with another woman. Damn it, damn it, damn it!" Janeway was pacing angrily in her ready room. After the shock of bursting through to the Alpha quadrant had settled in on her, she began to be overwhelmed by some of the facts, in particular the fact of Chakotay and Seven. She never saw that one coming.
She had turned the bridge over to Chakotay. She needed to be alone. She knew she needed to speak with Tuvok and make arrangement to get him to Vulcan. She knew, too, that she needed to go see the baby. Find out how Mother and baby were doing, and what the baby's name was. Even in her own mind she couldn't keep calling the little girl, baby. She also needed to write a report for Admiral Paris. What the hell was she going to say?
She needed to construct it in her own mind, but first she needed to sort out her emotions regarding Chakotay and Seven.
"I could always order the two of them to different galaxies," she thought as a wicked grin crossed her face.
"Amazing," she spoke aloud to no one listening, "first he and Harry save us, and he has another woman. Now, I save us, and it is to send him into the arms of another woman. My own protege, no less!!!! I need a drink. No wonder I hate temporal anomalies. God, I have a headache."
Janeway crossed the room to the upper level and gazed out the view port to stars that were long missed but very familiar.
"How I have longed for this moment," she whispered.
"Marry Seven, what an infantile idea. As a matter of fact, compared to him, she is an infant. What the hell is he thinking???"
"I should call him in and ask him," she raised her hand to press her comm badge, then thought better of it.
"What do I say without sounding like a jealous, shrill older woman?" she began to pace. "Older is right, considerably, and if blond was what he wanted, and it always seemed to be so, than certainly Seven is the quintessential Delta Blond!" Janeway sat with a thump on the couch; legs spread in a catcher's position, elbows on knees, and put her head in her two hands.
"Aggghhh, gods," she moaned.
"Chakotay to Janeway."
Speak of the devil, she thought.
"Janeway here," she answered with a catch in her voice.
"Are you all right, Captain?"
"Yes, Chakotay, I am. What can I do for you?"
"Admiral Paris is hailing us with instructions, Captain."
"Thank you, put it through to me here."
"Will do, Captain. You're sure you are all right?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
"Admiral," Janeway said, after she had keyed into her desktop, "how are you?"
"I am fine, Kathryn. It is so good to see you again."
"Thank you, Admiral. Trust me it is good to be seen in the Milky Way again."
Paris smiled warmly at her.
"Tell me Owen, what are my orders?" Janeway asked, getting right to the heart of things.
"Kathryn, let me assure you right away that things are going to be fine. Naturally, there will be weeks of debriefings, but off the record, I want you to know that Star Fleet is not looking to hang anyone here. As a matter of fact Star Fleet is looking to make heroes out of each of you."
"Even the Maquis, Admiral?"
"Even the Maquis, Captain."
He paused for a moment and Janeway picked up on his thought.
"I am on my way to see her now, Owen. Tom, is in sickbay, would you like me to patch you through to him?"
"No, no thank you, Kathryn. Duty first," he said with a laugh, knowing she knew what he meant. Indeed, she did.
"So, Owen, what did you mean when you said that all would go well?"
"Just that, Kathryn. Everyone is thrilled here. The press is having a field day. They have already dubbed you and Chakotay Earth's first couple of the Delta Quadrant." At the word couple, Janeway looked up and glared at Paris.
"Oh, don't give me that Captain's look, Kathryn, I taught it to you. No one is saying anything went on between the two of you. They have just made you into the two fearless leaders who successfully and courageously brought their intrepid crew home."
"Owen," Janeway started then stopped.
"Kathryn," Owen asked, a little concerned, "they haven't hit on a nerve, have they? Everyone would understand. After all, you were 70,000 light years from earth. Who knew you would get your crew home in 1/10th the amount of time it should have taken?"
"No, Owen, there is nothing between Chakotay and me. He seems to like blonds, and I suspect something is beginning between him and Seven."
"Well," Owen remarked with a male grin, "she certainly is blond."
Janeway gave him a look then said, "Really, Owen, et Tu?"
"Kathryn, I may be old but I am not dead. She is beautiful."
"Yes, Owen, I know that she is beautiful. She is very smart too, has anyone noticed?"
"Of course, we have. As a matter of fact it will be part of her commendation that it was her abilities that helped Voyager adapt to Borg technology."
Janeway just laughed.
"Kathryn, it is part of your commendation that you be made an Admiral."
"Admiral Janeway," Janeway mused, then looked up at Paris, "Are you supposed to be telling me these things, Owen?"
"Officially, I haven't said a thing, Kathryn, but unofficially, I have been given permission to set your mind at ease."
Janeway nodded, letting him know that she understood.
"Now, officially," he started, and his tone changed as did her posture; his voice became deeper, her stand became straighter.
"You are to proceed to Deep Space Nine, where all of you will be debriefed for however long it takes. We suspect at least a couple of weeks. Remember, we have had all your transmissions on a regular basis and so we know all you have done for the last seven years. We await your report and that will be the main object of concern for the debriefing.
Members of your crew may call their families when they get to DS9, but they may not have outside visitors and they may not leave until told to do so. Is that understood, Captain?"
"Absolutely, Admiral."
"Good. Have your report to me within 10 hours. Have all the senior officers, except Lt. Torres, have their reports to me as well, at that time. You may discuss with Commander Chakotay what we have discussed, but no one else."
"Owen, on a personal note. It turns out that Tuvok has a debilitating disease and only a mind meld with another Vulcan can cure it. Is there anyway we can make an exception, and have another Vulcan here to assist him?"
"Will two weeks make that much of a difference, Kathryn?"
"I don't know, Owen. I will have Tuvok and the Doctor include that information in their reports."
"Very well, Kathryn. Oh, and by the way, tell B'Elanna that her report is to be a picture of my granddaughter, whatever her name is."
"Will do, Owen. I will make that a priority."
"Paris out."
Janeway stared at the darkened view screen for a few moments lost in thought. Finally, she pushed on her comm. badge and called her First Officer in to see her.
Within a few moments, the doorbell chimed, and Chakoty entered. Janeway had once again taken up a position under the view screen looking out. She seemed lost in thought and so Chakotay kept still, waiting for her to speak. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she turned and spoke.
"It seems Star Fleet is going to make heroes of us all, Chakotay. Of course, they don't have 'Admiral' Janeway's report yet, so who knows really."
"They can't punish you for something your future self did."
"Oh, God," Janeway moaned with a laugh, "let's don't even go there."
"I know it gives you a headache."
"It doesn't you?" Janeway asked, perplexed. "I get sick just thinking about the words, never mind the deeds."
Janeway then sat on the couch and with her hand motioned for him to join her. He did so, a respectable distance from her. She noted that with a mental grimace.
"Chakotay, seriously. Owen says that the press is having a field day, they have made us into romantic characters who saved the day for our intrepid crew." Janeway stood and laughed, "wait till I tell them the Angry Warrior legend, it will sell millions. Or the fights we had over Captain Decker. I smell a series, Chakotay, fasten your seat belt." Janeway's light mood had eased Chakotay's concerns about her. He laughed along with her. Each noting times where they had saved each other or their crew during the last seven years. Then Chakotay mentioned the accident on Sackajewa, and they both stopped laughing. Janeway looked at him and quietly mentioned the fights about the Borg.
"You were opposed to all my actions with the Borg at first weren't you, Chakotay?" Although she hadn't mentioned Seven by name, they both knew they were talking about her.
"Yes, I was, Kathryn."
"Wanted me to shoot her out an airlock, no?" She looked up at him >from under her eyes.
"Something like that," he responded quietly.
"Your feelings have changed somewhat, haven't they?"
"Somewhat," he replied just as softly.
"Mind telling me about it?" she asked, not really wanting to know, but ready to plunge in since the subject was up.
"I want to know what is going on between the two of you."
"As my Captain?" he asked.
"No, as your friend." She replied.
"Well then, as my friend, I will tell you that it is nothing serious. At this point it is just a casual thing."
Janeway looked at him, pointedly; "You are having just a casual thing with a woman half your age who has no experience with men?" Her tone was one he didn't like, but understood.
"Kathryn, I understand your concern for your protégé but please do understand that I would never do anything to hurt her."
"My protégé, Commander?"
"Well, she is a lot like you Kathryn, don't you think?"
"No, I don't, but it is interesting that you do."
"What are you saying, Kathryn?'
"Nothing, Commander, nothing." She turned and looked away.
"Kathryn," he said, putting his hand on her arm, "How long did you think I would wait?"
"So, Chakotay," she asked, with ice in her voice, "is Seven the available alternative?"
"What are you saying, Kathryn?"
"You know what I am saying, Chakotay and I think you should think about it. Because if what I think is true, then you had better analyze the whole situation before it turns to disaster. Let me say one more thing," she stopped talking, and turned to face him, "if you find that your motives in dating Seven are not, well let's say, what they should be, and I am not suggesting that you would do anything intentional to hurt her, but, if they are not, come to me and we can discuss the whole thing," again she stopped, "from the very beginning. As friends."
"I am not going to comment now, Captain," she noted his use of her rank, "but I promise to give a great deal of thought to it. Am I dismissed?"
"Yes, but one final thing. Star Fleet's position is to remain between you and me, Commander. As far as the crew is concerned, nothing has been said. Also, I need reports on the trip home from all the senior officers within 10 hours." She smiled, "B'Elanna's report is to be a picture of the baby." They both laughed at that and they were both glad to have ended the conference on a happy note.
Sickbay
"Miral, her name is Miral Captain, and isn't she a beauty?" Tom Paris noted looking down at his daughter sleeping in his Captain's arms.
"Yes, Tom, she is. The image of her mother," Janeway replied with a twinkle in her eye. Janeway handed the baby to Tom and leaned over to B'Elanna giving her a gentle squeeze,
"Good work, LT, your best yet."
"Thank you, Captain, I agree."
Janeway left sickbay smiling and humming a lullaby.
Admiral's Chambers Three Weeks Later
The crew of Voyager had been released from Deep Space Nine two weeks after coming home. All were given commendations and their ranks were upheld; Star Fleet honored all field commissions, promotions, and citations. All members of her crew were give three months leave and were free to go home to their families, all but Janeway. She was called to give a report to a panel of her "peers": nine Admirals who would decide her fate.
This panel was sitting at the front of a room, an informal courtroom. Janeway was sitting alone at a small table facing the nine Admirals.
"Captain Janeway, according to this report, you took Admiral Janeway's advice and went back into the nebula. Together you decided to allow Admiral Janeway to go into the hive and infect the Borg. Is this correct?"
"Yes, Admiral, it is."
"So you broke the Prime Directive twice. Admiral Janeway assisted you in breaking the temporal prime directive by bringing you new technology and you assisted by allowing her to proceed. You also allowed her to use the Delta Flyer on her mission and you used new technology to enhance Voyager's defenses. What do you have to say, Captain?"
"Only this, Admiral. You know what Voyager went through for seven years, you have read the reports surely." The Admirals looked at her and nodded their heads.
"You have read them extensively, like a fly over flypaper, I am sure."
She stopped and looked at each one of them, then continued, "The only thing I have to ask, is what would you have done, if you were me?"
"That is not the issue, Captain,"
"Oh, but Admiral, I think it should be," Janeway interrupted, "not one of you knows what it was like to be so far from home, all alone with a crew depending on you to get them back. We had had other chances before, Q would have sent us home in an instant, but I wouldn't agree. This time though, enough was enough. I had the opportunity to get my crew home, and put a crushing blow to the Borg as well. I was not going to say no, this time."
"And yet at first you did, it was only when you heard the personal reports on your crew that you decided to say yes. Could it be possible that your romantic involvement with your first officer, a breaking of protocol, may I add, made you change your mind?"
"Admiral," Janeway said with disgust, "the reports show that Chakotay was involved with Seven, not me."
"Be that as it may, Captain, there is something between you and your First Officer, even if the reports don't show it. Is there not?"
"There is not," Janeway replied emphatically.
"Not even a friendship?"
"There is a great friendship, Admiral, but that is not what you stated."
"Is there not a possibility of a romance, Captain?"
"We are not talking possibilities here, Admiral, we are talking actualities, and in actuality I was not romantically involved with my first officer, nor am I now."
"Do you wish that your were?"
"Admiral, really, isn't that even a little beneath you?" Janeway asked with clear contempt.
Admiral Paris then spoke, "I think it is time for a break. Captain Janeway this hearing is in recess. We will resume tomorrow morning at 1000 hours." Paris wore a look that could kill. Janeway wasn't sure if he wanted to kill her or the Admiral interrogating her.
Janeway stood as the Admirals made their way out of the room and into their chambers. After they were all gone, Janeway slumped and put her head on the table.
"Not a pretty picture, Star Fleet on the prowl, is it?" A voice from behind her asked. Janeway turned and there was Chakotay.
"How long have you been here, and who let you in?"
"I just walked in after the esteemed nine left. I have been watching >from the wings, a Star Fleet Officer is allowed."
"Oh," she stated, not knowing what else to say.
"Everyone sends you their best. No one can believe this is going on. Not after all the Maquis were pardoned and allowed to keep their rank. The papers are beginning to question why the great Captain Janeway has not made an appearance. Star Fleet's excuse is that there is a tremendous amount of paperwork for a captain after seven years away."
Janeway looked at him and snorted in a most undignified and uncaptainlike way. Chakotay smiled.
"Come on," he said, "I'll buy you a cup of coffee in the mess hall, since you are not allowed to play out of doors yet."
"Aren't you afraid to be seen with your Captain? Won't your position be compromised?"
"My best friend needs me and I intend to be by her side for as long as she does."
"Won't Seven mind?" Janeway asked cautiously.
"No, she will not. She too, is concerned about you, and sends her best, but she has decided to go to Vulcan to study with Tuvok. She says emotional minds of humans make her crazy and all these humans on earth are really doing a job with her cortical implants." At that Janeway laughed, Chakotay continued, "She said that perhaps she could find some peace on Vulcan where clear thoughts prevailed."
"Well," Janeway laughed, "that's logical."
Chakotay groaned.
"What about you, Chakotay, how do you feel about that, what does it do to your relationship with her?" Janeway asked.
As she was saying this they were approaching the doors of the mess hall, which swished open as they neared. Chakotay stood to the side to allow Janeway to enter first. Upon entering she realized that the room was filled with mostly Voyager people, who stood and cheered with her entry. Janeway gave Chakotay a sly glance. He had the good grace to blush.
"I figured you could use to see some friendly faces, Captain. That's what best friends are for."
"Yes," she agreed, "that's what best friends are for." She took his arm as he led her into the room.
Before they got close enough for anyone else to hear he said,
"Have dinner with me Captain and I will explain the whole story. Yes?"
"Yes," she answered, as her loyal crew surrounded her.
That night, main dining quarters at Star Fleet
"Not bad," Chakotay said as they entered the room. "You complain about the accommodations?"
"Funny, Commander, you would too, if you weren't allowed to leave."
While they were walking, two Admirals from the panel of nine crossed in front of them to go to their own table. They gave Janeway a smile hello. Luckily, just as they crossed, Tom, B'Elanna, Harry, and four other crewmembers joined them. Tom directed them all to a large table in the middle of the room. He sat Janeway at one end and Chakotay at the other so they could see each other, but not close enough for any adverse body language to speak volumes. Paris had seen the two of them sitting next to each other for seven years and he knew that they weren't even aware of the familiarity they exuded when they were in each other's presence. He knew this was what Star Fleet had picked up on and he intended to address the issue, just not right away.
"We didn't want you to be conspicuous," Tom explained, "and my father informed me that those two would be eating here tonight."
"Thanks, Tom," Janeway said, "but there really is nothing going on."
Tom looked at Janeway and said, "Captain, you and I are both Star Fleet brats and we both know that Star Fleet doesn't need the truth if they want something, and they want something from you. What and why, I don't know. But for some reason they want to put the heat on you."
"Maybe it is not you, Kathryn, but me they want, and you are the way to get to me." Chakotay stated.
"What, Chakotay, that doesn't make any sense. Why didn't they go after you when they had the chance?"
"Really, Captain, go after a resistance fighter whose whole family was wiped out fighting our present enemy? What would the papers have done with that? One of their own though, they can go after with impunity."
"It does make sense, Captain," Harry started. "Star Fleet knows that you would do anything for your crew. Maybe they are holding back their ace."
"I don't know how they could attack a relationship that didn't exist and hope to gain anything."
"Maybe they want you focusing on the personal side so that when they come at you about military aspects you will inadvertently break. And I do agree with Chakotay, I think it is he they want." Harry concluded.
"Well, I don't know how, but I promise to keep my eyes and ears open. Now can we please talk about something else?"
"So, Tom, B'Elanna how is the baby? I hope you have pictures for me."
"Of course we do, Captain, here are a few for your enjoyment," B'Elanna laughed as she brought out a whole photo album of pictures.
The night continued in a casual manner, with Janeway asking them all to call her Kathryn. They were home now, and she was technically no longer their Captain. They all agreed to try. Finally, and innocently enough, Chakotay was asked about Seven.
"Seven has decided to study on Vulcan," Chakotay explained. "She said that human emotions and human clutter make her crazy and she can't concentrate. Even when she went out for a walk she was very uncomfortable, first with the stares and then with the commotion. She felt she would be better off on Vulcan." Chakotay looked out toward a distant place, and then continued, "I agreed that it was for the best."
Tom started to laugh, then couldn't help himself, and said; "Sorry, Chakotay, but I never could see the two of you together. You are so spiritual and she was so logical."
No one said anything for a few moments, till Janeway saved the moment.
"Well, Tom, sometimes people fill gaps. They are attracted to something in a person that they don't possess."
"I know Captain, but I still think it makes things more difficult."
"Yeah," Harry said laughing, "like you and B'Elanna have so much in common."
Everyone laughed at that, and again Janeway provided the wisdom of the moment, "Actually, Harry, and I agree that on the surface Tom and B'Elanna seem quite different, but underneath they both have a great passion for life and their craft. That is a bond beyond measure."
Both Tom and B'Elanna looked at Janeway with tears in their eyes. Then Tom, ever the one to break a tense moment, asked,
"What about you, Captain, ever meet an opposite that thrilled you to the very core of your being? Someone whom you were more alike down deep than on the surface?"
Janeway had the good grace to laugh, and then answered, "As a matter of fact, I did once. Stupidly I let him get away, many, many times, and always into the arms of a blond." Everyone was quiet, even Tom, wondering what Chakotay would say, finally he answered,
"Blonds were the diversion from the real thing, auburn. The real one, was always too busy getting her crew home, to pursue a personal life,"
Janeway looked at Chakotay down the length of the table with a look that spoke volumes, "Well, they're home now."
No one said a word. This time it was Chakotay, who broke the seriousness of the moment,
"When these hearings are over and if they set you free, and you aren't a jailbird, maybe I'll look you up."
"I will hold you to that, Commander."
Janeway looked at the faces of her beloved crew, and then said, "Thank you, thank you all. I can't tell you what you have done for my spirits. I think tomorrow I could face a den of lions."
The next morning 1000 hours
Admiral Harris, who hadn't spoken before, and Janeway knew nothing about, started the questioning.
"Captain, you have testified that you have not had a romantic involvement with your first officer, correct?"
"Testified, Admiral, I thought this was just a hearing."
"It is Captain."
"But you are using the word testified, if I am testifying, I would like counsel."
"Captain, again, my apologies, this is a hearing, I should have said stated. This is a hearing of your peers and we are simply trying to gather some information."
"My peers, Admiral, none of you are my peer." The Admirals looked at her with shock at her words. She continued, nonetheless, "Not one of you has traveled to the Delta quadrant so how could you possible consider yourselves my peers? The least you could have done was had Admiral Picard here. What nerve. Further I say to you, that this, if it is a hearing, is a sham. Again, none of you knows what you would do in my situation. I never, never broke the Prime Directive at the expense of another species. Even in my final attempt to get home I was not dealing with pre-warp civilizations. I was dealing with the Borg. I faced the Borg three times in their back yard, and may I say, defeated them. Which one of you can say the same? None of you, and so until you get 'peers' of mine here to ask me questions, I refuse to answer any more of yours."
"Captain Janeway, you may have been top dog in the Delta Quadrant but you are in the Alpha quadrant now. Do you realize you can be held in contempt?"
"Good, then I would be in a court and be allowed counsel."
Paris then spoke, "She is right, what are we doing here? What do we hope to achieve? We had first thought, correctly so, that perhaps the Maquis had some complicity and that Commander Chakotay was a potential problem, but if that is so, then let us deal with it as it arises. To my way of thinking, Captain Janeway is right. What she did was done against a species with technology more powerful than ours, and at the same time she dealt them a crippling blow. I will have nothing more to do with this hearing."
One by one the Admirals agreed with Paris, until Harris was left by himself. Paris spoke again to Janeway, "Captain Janeway it is the finding of this committee that you showed only the best interest for your crew and your command and acted in accordance with the protocols and procedures Star Fleet commanded, in some cases, above and beyond the call of duty. You are ordered to take a leave of three months." Paris smiled and then added, "Go get some rest, Katie."
Janeway looked at Paris and thanked him then turned to see many of the friends who were with her the night before. Each of them embraced her and said that they would only stay with Star Fleet if she captained the ship.
She turned to Chakotay, "Will you be my first officer?"
"Anywhere, anytime, any galaxy." Everyone laughed.
Janeway then said, "Listen all of you, I must go home and see my mother and sister. Why don't we meet back here in a week and decide what we want to do?" All agreed that they would. While they were talking Janeway brushed Chakotay's hand as if to say she wanted to talk to him alone. He understood.
Finally, the friends broke up and went separate ways as they walked out of the chambers and into the daylight. Janeway stretched her neck, closed her eyes and pointed her face up to the sun.
"Ahh, sunlight," Janeway sighed.
Chakotay looked at her lovingly and said, "Kathryn, why don't you go home, see your mother and when you get back, we can work things out."
"Why don't you come with me, Chakotay?" she asked, opening her eyes to gaze into his.
"No, I don't think so. You need to catch up with your family. Tell you what though, I will call you tomorrow and we will work out a day that is good for me to visit. How's that?"
"Works for me if you're sure, Chakotay."
"Well, if I find that I am not sure, maybe I will surprise you."
That night, Indiana
Janeway was sitting on the back stoop with her sister, holding her sister's infant daughter in her arms.
"Katie, huh? I like it."
"Gee, Captain, I hope so. She seems stubborn, too."
"She gets that from you, Phoebe, not me." Janeway laughed. As they were talking, the front door bell chimed. "I'll get it," Gretchen called >from the kitchen. A few moments later, Gretchen appeared on the back deck,
"Kathryn, its for you," Kathryn and Phoebe turned to see who it was. Phoebe gasped, "He is even more delicious in real life than in the holoprograms." Chakotay laughed, and Janeway swatted her sister as she stood.
"Chakotay," Janeway said, smiling, "miss me already?"
He laughed and took her in his arms, and to the delight of all but the baby, he kissed her. Gretchen reached in and took the fussing child. She turned to Phoebe, who was staring at her sister kissing her first officer. Gretchen nudged Phoebe and pulled her into the kitchen. With the baby out of the way, their kiss had deepened.
Janeway broke the kiss and said, "I love you."
"Good," Chakotay said, "now marry me."
"Aye, aye, Sir," she responded and returned to the kiss.