[posted: 5/18/97]

HOME WORLD
By: Amy Michelle Bitter, (c) 1997

Star Trek and it's characters are owned by Paramount, Inc. Everything else
is owned by me!

This story is dedicated to one of my best friends in the whole world, Patty
Weber. :)
 
 

=/\= Chapter One =/\=

Voyager came to an orbit around the massive blue and green sphere.
"Harry, what can you tell me about this planet?" Captain Janeway asked
the Chief of Operations.
"It's M-class." Harry Kim replied, "According to these sensor readings,
it's very much like Earth, but five times smaller. The atmosphere is made
up of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and almost two-thirds of the surface is
covered by water."
"Any life signs?" Captain Janeway asked.
"Yes," Harry responded, "I'm picking up about 700 life signs."
"Captain," Lieutenant Tuvok cut in, "We're being hailed from the planet."
"On screen." Captain Janeway ordered as she turned herself to face the
view screen.
"I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation starship, Voyager." The
Captain introduced herself.
A woman appeared on the view screen. "I'm Patty Weber, president of the
planet, Aloca." The woman was in her early thirties with shoulder length
blondish hair and emerald green eyes.
"You're human." Captain Janeway said in shock.
"Yes," Patty said, "I'm human. We all are, the whole planet."
"I'm sure we both have a lot of questions to ask each other." Captain
Janeway said, "Why don't you beam aboard my ship?"

*************************************************

Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay entered transporter room one.
"Energize, Ensign." Captain Janeway told the officer on duty. Two bodies
began to materialize on the transporter pad. The two figures completely
materialized, and one of them was Patty, the other a man. He was tall with
dark hair and eyes.
"Hello, Captain." Patty greeted her stepping off of the transporter pad.
"This is my husband and vice-president of Aloca, Jayden Weber."
"This is my first officer, Commander Chakotay." Captain Janeway said.
"Now that we've been properly introduced," The Captain said, "We should
go to the briefing room to discuss the matter at hand."

**************************************************

"That's a remarkable story, Mrs. President." Captain Janeway said.
"I know it sounds pretty unbelievable," Patty acknowledged, "but, then
again, so does your story."
Captain Janeway nodded in agreement.
"So," Commander Chakotay said, "you're saying that your people are
descendants of a group of travelers from the Alpha Quadrant who settled
Aloca."
"Exactly." Jayden said, "Maybe we should start from the beginning."
"That would help." Captain Janeway said.
"About a century ago, our ancestors acquired transwarp technology." Patty
started, "They knew that if Star Fleet found out about their discovery, it
would be used in war against its enemies. They wanted it to be used for
exploration purposes only. So, with a crew of about 200, they set off on
an exploration journey and ended up here in the Delta Quadrant where they
eventually settled."
"What happened to your ship?" Chakotay asked.
"A race called the Kazon, who I'm sure you've encountered yourself, wanted
our technology." Jayden explained.
"Yes," Captain Janeway said, "we've had the same problem with them."
"Instead of letting the Kazon steal our technology, we destroyed our ship."
Patty said.
"And the transwarp technology?" Janeway asked.
"It was destroyed with the ship." Jayden said, "Our scientists have the
technology, but we've never needed it. After so many years of not using
it, we just decided to stay on Aloca."
"Mrs. Weber," Captain Janeway started.
"Please, call me Patty."
"Patty," Janeway started again, "as we've told you, we are lost here.
Your transwarp technology maybe our only chance to get home in our
lifetime. Maybe if our scientists work together, we could equip Voyager to
travel at transwarp. We would be willing to take on passengers if anyone
on Aloca wished to return to the Alpha Quadrant."
"Captain, this is our home, I don't think anyone would want to leave."
Patty said, "As for us giving you are technology, that will have to be
seriously considered. If you return to the Alpha Quadrant with it, it will
only be a matter of time before Star Fleet is using it as a weapon and
other ships are coming here to ruin the lives we have built."
"The Star Fleet that exists now, and the Star Fleet that existed 100 years
ago are very different." The Captain explained. "Star Fleet is more
established now, we've made more friends than enemies."
"I still need to consider it more. After all, they way your crews became
stranded here, it was because you were enemies." Patty said, "We must get
back now. Your crew is more than welcome to visit Alcoa. I hope I will
see you there later."

*****************************************************

"Did you hear?" Tom asked B'Elanna when they ran into each other in the
turbolift.
"Hear what?" B'Elanna asked.
"The Captain has given everyone shore leave to visit Aloca. I hear
they've got some really great caves. Harry and I are beaming down right after
his shift is over. You want to come?" Tom said.
"I don't know." B'Elanna said, remembering what happened the last time she
and Tom were in a cave together, "I have a lot work to do in Engineering."
"Oh, come on, B'Elanna." Tom urged, "You need to stop burying yourself
in your work and have some fun."
"Since when are you so worried about my working habits?" She asked.
"Since every time I've asked you out and you told me you had work to do."
"Fine." B'Elanna gave in, "I'll go."
"You'll have fun, I promise." Tom assured her, stepping out of the
turbolift when the doors had opened.

****************************************************

Tom gathered his climbing equipment and headed towards the transporter
room. *This is going to be great.* he thought, *A chance to go climbing
besides on the holodeck.* He'd used every rock climbing program in the
holodeck's data banks. He'd climbed some so often that he almost had them
memorized. Tom was working on designing a new program, but there was
nothing like a real rock climb. Plus, it would be a great chance to spend
time with B'Elanna.
Tom entered the transporter room and found B'Elanna already there with all
of her equipment.
"Hi." he greeted her, "Ready to beam down?"
"Shouldn't we wait for Harry?" B'Elanna asked.
"He can't come right now." Tom reported, "The Captain's got him working
on something. He said he'd join us later."
"Oh." B'Elanna said. Alone with Tom? She didn't know if she was ready
for that. If she refused to go, then Tom would surely know something was
up. She didn't want him to catch on to her feelings for him.
"Let's go." she said, "Energize." The two shimmered off of the ship and
down to the planet's surface.

*****************************************************

"I've finished that sensor sweep of the area. I found nothing unusual."
Harry Kim informed the captain.
"Thanks, Harry." Janeway said, "You're dismissed. You should beam down to
the surface, I was just on my way there myself."
"I think I will, Captain." Harry said, leaving the Bridge.
"Tuvok, take care of everything while I'm gone." Janeway ordered.

**************************************************
 

Captain Janeway entered Sickbay.
"Hello Doctor." she greeted the EMH.
"Hello Captain." The Doctor said, "I did a full bio scan on the
inhabitants of the planet. There is no doubt, they are definitely human."
"Good work, Doctor." Janeway said, "I was just on my way down there now.
If you aren't too busy, you should beam down."
"I planned on it." The Doctor said displaying a smile. He had so few
chances to leave Sickbay, much less the ship, he was going to take full
advantage of it.

***************************************************

Captain Janeway beamed down to Aloca. At the mere sight of it, she was
breathless. It resembled Earth so much it made her heart ache with
nostalgia. She hadn't been homesick in so long. She was even beginning to
think of the ship as home. But, after seeing this, she realized that Earth
would always be her true home.
"Captain, I was hoping that I would see you here." Patty said bringing
her out of her reminiscing. "Welcome to Shangra, the capital city of Aloca.
Actually, it's our only city."
"It's amazing how much your planet resembles Earth." Captain Janeway said.
"You're not the first person to tell me that." Patty said, "Several
members of your crew have also commented on the resemblance. Would you
like a tour?"
"I'd love one." Janeway said.
The two began walking through the streets of Shangra.
"About 500 people live in the city." Patty said, "The rest live in small
villages on the
outskirts of Shangra."
They continued walking until they reached a huge house. Bigger than any of
the other buildings they had seen.
"This is our capital building." Patty said, "It's where my husband and I
live and work. Aloca is so small, it is easy to govern."
"Tell me more about your government." Janeway said.
"Well, we have a republic-type government. It took about 20 years for our
ancestors to establish a firm government after they settled. We have all
of there logs, they are pretty interesting. All of the government are
elected in open elections by the people. Presidents are elected for a ten
year term. This is my fifth year as president."
"You have established a great place here. I can see why you would be
reluctant to leave." Janeway said.
"Mommy!" A little boy yelled, running out of the capital building and into
Patty's arms.
"Captain, this is my son, Gavin." Patty said. The boy was about three
years old and had the same emerald green eyes as Patty.
"Gavin, this is Captain Janeway." Patty told him.
"Hello, Captain." Gavin said, "Can I see your ship?"
"Gavin." Patty corrected him.
"I think we could arrange that." Captain Janeway smiled at the boy.
"As you can see, Captain," Patty began, "our whole lives are here. We
all have families and homes. Now you know why we don't want to leave, or
want others to disturb our peace."

********************************************

"Come on, B'Elanna." Tom yelled over his shoulder. He was at least two
meters ahead of the Chief Engineer.
"I'm climbing as fast as I can!" B'Elanna yelled, her Klingon temper
flaring.
Tom climbed the remainder of the way up the steep cliff until he came to a
ledge. He sat on the ledge and waited for B'Elanna to catch up. He saw
her hand reach to grab a hold of the ledge and moved to grab it. Tom
helped B'Elanna over the edge.
"Are you OK?" Tom asked.
"I'm fine." B'Elanna panted trying to catch her breath. He could see that
she was exhausted.
"Maybe we should sit here for a while." Tom suggested.
"Good idea." B'Elanna agreed.

****************************************

"Chakotay." The first officer heard a voice from behind him call. He
turned around to see Captain Janeway.
"This place is beautiful." The Captain said when she reached where he was
standing.
"It certainly is." Chakotay agreed. He had occupied his time on the planet
with a hike. At the moment, he was picking berries.
"Here, try this." he said as he fed a berry to the Captain.
"It's delicious." she said.
"Kathryn," he started, "Do you ever think about just finding a planet
like this and starting all over again?"
She looked at him and pondered her response. The thought had definitely
had crossed her mind, especially since she'd seen Aloca.
"I made a promise to this crew. That I would get them back home, back to
their families in the Alpha Quadrant, and that's what I'm going to do."

*****************************************

"This is a great cave." B'Elanna said.
Tom nodded in agreement.
*What are you saying?* B'Elanna asked herself, of all the possible things
she could have said to him.
B'Elanna stood up and walked to the edge of the ledge where they were
standing.
"Be careful." Tom warned.
B'Elanna took a look down the cliff. It had to be at least 25 meters to
the bottom. She turned to back away from the edge, but slipped on a rock
and tripped.
"B'Elanna!" Tom yelled. She had managed to grab the edge with one hand.
He grabbed it and helped her up once more.
"Are you all right?" He asked.
"Yeah." she tried to stand, "Ouch, damn it!"
"What's wrong?" he asked with concern.
"I think I broke my ankle." she said, starting to blush.
"No problem," Tom said, "Just hand me the med kit out of your pack."
"I thought you had the med. kit." she said.
"I don't have it." Tom said.
"Great! What are we going to do now?" B'Elanna asked.

***************************************

"Hello, Ensign." The EMH said to Harry Kim as he entered the turbolift.
"Hey, Doc, where are you off to?" Harry asked.
"I'm on my way to transporter room one, to beam down to Aloca." The
Doctor said.
"Me too." Harry said. The turbolift doors opened and the two headed
towards the transporter room.

******************************************

"Do what?" B'Elanna asked.
"I'm going to have to get you off of this cliff somehow." Tom said.
"If you think that I'm going to let you carry me down, you're crazy, Tom
Paris!" She yelled, "Why do I even go in caves with you? You think I
would have learned my lesson the first two times."
"You didn't seem to have too many objections to me touching you the first
time we were in a cave together," Tom recalled, "or the second for that
matter. In fact, I think I helped you both times. Face it Torres, you owe
me." He smirked.

*****************************************

The Doctor and Harry had safely transported down to the surface of Aloca.
Harry, too, was amazed at the resemblance it bore to Earth. Harry began to
walk away.
"Where are you going?" The Doctor asked.
"There should be some caves about 5 miles east of here. I was supposed to
meet Tom and B'Elanna there when I finished my shift."
"Caves?" The Doctor said. "I've never been in a cave before. Mind if I
come along?"
"Sure, Doc." Harry said. The two began to hike towards the caves. They
reached the caves just in time to see Tom carrying B'Elanna out of them.
Harry rushed over to them.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked worriedly.
"I think I broke my ankle." B'Elanna blushed again.
"Does my job never end?" The Doctor asked, "I will take a look at it."
He examined B'Elanna's ankle and reported, "It's broken. I need to get her
to Sickbay to repair it."
"Why didn't you have a med kit?" Harry asked.
"Don't ask." Tom and B'Elanna replied at the same time.
The Doctor pressed his commbadge, "Doctor to Voyager, two to beam directly
to Sickbay." The Doctor and the Chief Engineer dematerialized.

***********************************

Captain Janeway sat in her ready room.
"Tuvok to Janeway."
"Janeway here." she said, pressing her commbadge.
"Captain, we are being hailed by President Weber, she wishes to speak to
you." Tuvok said.
"Put it through to my ready room." Janeway ordered. Patty appeared on a
small view screen in the Captain's ready room.
"Captain," she said, her emerald eyes shining, "I've come to a decision.
I think we need to talk. I'd like to beam back up to Voyager."
"Certainly," Janeway said, "and bring your son, I'll arrange for him to
tour Voyager."
"Thank you, Captain." Patty said.
 
 

=/\= Chapter Two =/\=

The Captain and Neelix met Patty and Gavin in transporter room one.
"Hello, Captain." Gavin said.
"Hello." she said, bending down to his level, "Gavin, this is Neelix."
She nodded in Neelix's direction, "He's going to give you a tour of my ship."
"Yay!" Gavin exclaimed.
"Right this way." Neelix said as the two of them walked out of the
transporter room.
"Is he your only child?" Captain Janeway asked Patty.
"For now," Patty repiled, "I'm six months pregnant."
"Congratulations!" Captain Janeway said. She was shocked, for being six
months pregnant, Patty wasn't showing at all.

**********************************************

Tom walked into Sickbay.
"Feeling better?" he asked B'Elanna, who was sitting on a biobed.
"Yes." she replied, "Just hungry."
"Well, you're in luck." Tom said, "I was just on my way back down to Aloca
for dinner. I saw some great restaurants in Shangra the last time I was
down there. Care to join me?"
"Sure." she answered.

**************************************

Captain Janeway and Patty walked into the captain's ready room.
"Please, have a seat." Janeway offered. Patty sat down in a chair across
from the desk the Captain sat down at.
"Can I get you anything?" she asked.
"No," Patty said, "I'm fine."
"What decision have you come to?" Janeway asked.
"Captain," Patty started, "I've given this a lot of thought. What you are
asking for would change my whole planet once you return home. There would
be fleets of Federation ships exploring the Delta Quadrant in a matter of
years. That would inevitably lead to war with the Kazon and other races
who wanted transwarp technology."
"Patty, someday, Star Fleet is going to acquire transwarp without your
help. There will be explorations and wars then, too."
"I know." Patty said, "I've considered all of that. That's why I decided
that our scientists will work with yours to help equip Voyager with
transwarp, on one condition."
"Anything." Captain Janeway said, "What is it?"
"You must destroy the technology as soon as you return to the Alpha
Quadrant, and never tell anyone where you got it."
"Understood." Captain Janeway said, "You don't know how much this will
mean to my crew. I can't thank you enough." She reached out her hand and
Patty shook it.
"Janeway to Chakotay." The Captain said pressing her commbadge.
"Chakotay here." He replied from down on Aloca.
"Chakotay, I think you better beam back up here. I've got some very
important news to tell you."

************************************

Tom and B'Elanna sat in a restaurant on Aloca.
"I haven't had real food since we left home." Tom said, swallowing a
mouthful of food.
"Me neither." B'Elanna replied, sitting back in her chair.
"Are you done eating?" he asked, putting his fork down.
"Yeah."
"Why don't we go for a walk? It's a beautiful evening." Tom suggested.
"OK." her heart raced. More time alone with Tom. They walked out of the
restaurant together. They walked until they had come to a grassy hill with a
huge tree on it.
"Ever climb a tree?" he asked her.
"No." she replied.
"You don't know what you're missing." Tom said, "Come on, let's climb it.
This is a great tree."
"No way." B'Elanna said, "I've had enough climbing for one day."
"OK." he said, sitting down under the mighty tree. She had a seat next to
him.
"Tom," she said, putting her hand on his knee, "I...uh, want to thank you
for helping me today."
"No problem." he said, placing his hand on top of hers, "I care about
you, B'Elanna. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you."
"Captain Janeway to senior staff," Both of their commbadges went off at
the same time. "please beam back up to Voyager, you're needed in the
briefing room."
*You have the worst sense of timing, Captain.* Tom thought.
 
 

=/\= Chapter Three =/\=

The senior staff had assembled in the briefing room all wondering what
it was the Captain wanted to tell them.
Captain Janeway entered the room with Patty and Chakotay.
"I have some good news," she said smiling. "President Weber has decided
to allow her scientists to help us equip Voyager with transwarp."
The room fell silent.
"Does this mean we are going home?" Harry asked.
"You bet it does," The Captain replied.
Everyone in the room began to smile and hug each other and Patty.
"We won't be home for a while," Captain Janeway interrupted their
celebration. "It will take a few weeks to make the alterations to the warp
core. B'Elanna, I'm putting you in charge of that." The Captain nodded in
her direction. "And even at transwarp, it will be almost a year before we
get home. But, this does call for a celebration. I'm going to inform the
rest of the crew."

*************************************

Almost the entire crew had come to the holodeck for the celebration.
Neelix had decided to throw a party as soon as he heard the news. Tom
stood alone in a quiet corner of the holodeck.
"Hey, Tom," Harry said. "Aren't you excited?"
"I don't know, Harry," Tom responded. "I don't have anything to go back
to. Not like you. You have a girlfriend, a loving family and a whole Star
Fleet career to look forward to back home."
*A girlfriend,* Harry thought. Libby had probably gotten over him by now.
It had been almost three years, and it would be another year before they
got home.
"Tom," Harry said, "everyone's lives will be different once we get back to
the Alpha Quadrant. Everyone back there thinks we're dead."
"This looks like a nice quiet corner," B'Elanna said walking over to join
Harry and Tom. "I had to get away from all of the partying."
"Me too," Tom responded. "I think I'm going to go back to my quarters.
You guys want to come?"
"Sure," B'Elanna said. "I could use a break from this celebration."
"You coming, Harry?" Tom asked. Harry could see by the look on Tom's face
that he wasn't exactly welcomed.
"No," Harry said. "I think I'll stay here."
Tom and B'Elanna walked out of the holodeck. *They do have something to go
back to,* Harry thought about his two best friends. *They have each other.*

********************************************

"I'm happy for Harry," B'Elanna said. "He has so much to look forward to
back home."
"Yeah," Tom agreed. "Not like us, as far as Star Fleet in concerned, we're
both outlaws."
"Getting trapped in the Delta Quadrant was kind of a blessing in disguise
for both of us," B'Elanna said. "We were both give second chances."
"And we met each other," Tom said placing his hand on top of hers from
where he was sitting on the couch in his quarters net to her.
"B'Elanna," he continued, "do you ever think about us being more than just
friends?"
"What?" She asked as their eyes met.
"What I'm trying to say," Tom said moving closer to her, "is that I have
feelings for you, B'Elanna. How do you feel about me?"
"I.." B'Elanna said, "I need to think about it, Tom." She lied, she did
care about him, more than she wanted to admit to herself. It was the idea
of a relationship that scared her. Everyone knew that Tom was a womanizer.
But, he seemed like he had changed in the past three years. He really did
care about her, he'd proven that several times.
"What is there to think about?" Tom asked. He leaned over to kiss her,
but she pushed him away.
"I better go, Tom," she said as she stood to walk out of the room.
*What have I done?* Tom thought. At least before he had B'Elanna's
friendship, but now he had probably ruined that.

*********************************************************

One week later....

B'Elanna entered transporter room one.
"Energize," she told the officer on duty. She beamed down to Aloca where
she was greeted by Patty.
"Lieutenant Torres," Patty said, "I'd like you to meet our head
scientist in charge of the transwarp technology. This is Delia King."
Delia was older than Patty. She was probably in her forties, B'Elanna
estimated.
"I'm very anxious to get a look at your warp core," Delia said.
"We could beam back up now," B'Elanna said.

***********************************

"Remarkable," Delia said staring at the warp core. "We'll need to run
some tests on the warp core. You've been traveling for a long time."
Delia and B'Elanna began to scan the warp core.
"Your warp core and engines are in great shape, considering you've been
lost in space for so long," Delia reported.
"Thanks," B'Elanna said. She wasn't quite sure if that was a compliment
or not.
"We'll need to run a few more tests," Delia said.
B'Elanna walked to her station and began working on running the test that
Delia had specified. Tom walked into Engineering and over to B'Elanna.
"I think we need to talk," he said seriously.
"Tom, I'm really busy right now," B'Elanna said.
"B'Elanna, you've been busy for the past week," Tom said. The two of
them hadn't talked since the night of the party. "When can we talk?"
"I don't know," B'Elanna said, not looking up from her console.
"Will you meet me for dinner?" Tom asked.
"Uh...yeah," B'Elanna agreed. "Is 1700 hours OK?"
"I'll be there," Tom smiled and turned to walk away.
"Is that your boyfriend?" Delia asked B'Elanna.
*How long was she standing there?* B'Elanna wondered.
"No," B'Elanna answered. "He's just a friend."
"Well, I think you two would make a cute couple." Delia smiled.

**********************************************

B'Elanna and Delia stood in the Captain's ready room.
"Any progress?" The Captain asked them.
"We should have all these tests done in a few days. Then we'll be able to
start converting the warp engines. That shouldn't take more than a few
weeks. We're ahead of schedule. B'Elanna's been a big help to me," Delia
reported.
"Good work," Janeway said. "Keep me posted."

**********************************************

B'Elanna walked into the Mess Hall and looked around the room for Tom.
She saw him sitting at his usual table in the corner and walked over to
join him.
"Hi," she said sitting down.
"You came," Tom said.
"Does that surprise you?" She asked.
"Well, yeah," Tom said. "Considering you've been avoiding me for the past
week."
"I haven't been avoiding you," B'Elanna said.
"Really? Then what do you call it?" Tom asked.
"Look, Tom, if you're going to pick a fight, then I'm leaving," B'Elanna
said beginning to get angry. She got up and stormed out of the Mess Hall,
Tom following after her.
"Would you wait a minute?" Tom called to B'Elanna chasing down the
corridor after her.
"Why?" She asked turning around.
"We need to talk."
"About what?" She asked. "There's nothing to talk about."
"Yes there is, B'Elanna," Tom answered. "I have feelings for you and I know
you feel the same way."
"I am not having this conversation with you," she half yelled, trying to
keep her voice down. "We're in the middle of the corridor."
She turned to walk away pushing her way through the crowded halls. The
corridors were always crowded at dinner time. Tom walked briskly trying to
keep up with her.
"I love you B'Elanna!" He yelled through the crowded hall causing people
to stop and stare.
B'Elanna stopped dead in her tracks. "Wha..what?" She asked.
"I said I love you," Tom repeated.
People in the corridors began to whisper to each other. B'Elanna looked
around and then continued walking.
"You're not going to walk away from me this time!" Tom yelled grabbing
B'Elanna by the arm and turning her around. "You're not going anywhere
until we talk about this."
"Tom, people are staring," she whispered to him.
"I don't care!" Tom yelled. "Let them stare. I don't care who knows that I
love you, B'Elanna!"
B'Elanna took a deep breath and then looked Tom in the eyes. "I love you,
too," she said surprisingly calm.
"Then why don't you shut up and kiss already!" A voice yelled. They
turned to see Harry standing in a crowd of people smiling at them.
"I don't think we should argue with him," Tom said and leaned over to
kiss B'Elanna.
 
 

=/\= Chapter Four =/\=

The senior staff was gathered in the briefing room.
"Status report, B'Elanna," Captain Janeway ordered as she walked in the
door with Patty. Patty's stomach was beginning to reveal her pregnancy.
"Delia and I are almost done converting the warp engines. We should be on
our way home by the end of the week," B'Elanna reported.
"Good work," Janeway said. "Another matter that I want to discuss with
everyone is what's going to happen when we get home. I plan on
recommending anyone to Star Fleet who wishes to join." She paused and
looked around the room at her crew. "I'm not asking for an answer now.
You have a whole year to think about it, but, please consider it.
Dismissed."
Everyone stood up to leave. Patty began to walk towards the door, but
paused and grabbed her stomach.
"Patty, are you OK?" Captain Janeway asked.
"I...I don't know," Patty said. "I've been having pains all morning."
She grabbed her stomach once more.
"The Doctor should take a look at you," Janeway said. She pressed her
commbadge. "Janeway to transporter room one, beam President Weber to
Sickbay."

*********************************************

Jayden and the Captain walked into Sickbay.
"What's going on Doctor?" The Captain inquired.
"It appears that Mrs. Weber has gone into labor," The Doctor said.
Jayden rushed to Patty's side where she lay on the biobed, and asked the
Doctor, "How can this be? She's not due for another five weeks."
"I've tried everything," The Doctor said. "This baby is coming now
whether we're ready or not."
"Will my baby be OK?" Patty asked the Doctor.
"Yes. Your baby is small, but strong, everything's going to be just fine."

*******************************************

Captain Janeway sat in her ready room, thinking about the past three
years. In almost a year, they would be home. She wondered which members
of her crew would stick with Star Fleet.
"Kes to Captain Janeway."
"Janeway here," The Captain said pressing her commbadge.
"Captain, Patty had her baby," Kes announced. "It's a girl."

**********************************************

Captain Janeway walked into Sickbay and over to where Patty lay on the
biobed holding her newly born daughter.
"Congratulations, Patty," The Captain smiled, looking down at the sleeping
baby. "She's beautiful."
"Thank you," Patty smiled.
"Where's Jayden?" The Captain wondered.
"He went back to Aloca to get Gavin. We thought he might want to meet his
little sister," Patty said.
Gavin entered the room holding Jayden's hand.
"Gavin," Patty said, "I want you to meet your little sister, Kathryn
Elizabeth."
Captain Janeway looked at Patty in surprise.
"She's so little," Gavin said.
"Only four ponds," Jayden told him.
"Would you like to hold your namesake?" Patty asked Captain Janeway.
"I'd love to," Janeway said taking the baby from Patty's arms. Little
Kathryn looked up at the Captain and opened her eyes. She had the same
emerald green eyes as Patty.

************************************************

Tom and B'Elanna sat in the Mess Hall at their usual table in the corner.
"Have you given any thought to joining Star Fleet?" Tom asked her.
"I don't know. I'd like to give it another try, what about you?" B'Elanna
asked.
"I'm not exactly sure if I would be welcomed by Star Fleet. I don't
really care as long as we're together." He smiled at her.
"I've been thinking," she said. "What's going to happen with us, when we
get back home?"
"Well, I know exactly what I want to happen," Tom said. "Will you marry
me?"

**************************************************

*Ding dong* Tuvok's doorbell sounded.
"Enter," He ordered. The doors opened and Neelix stood there.
"Can I help you with something?" Tuvok asked him.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Vulcan," Neelix said, "but, I wanted to
talk to you about something." He entered the room.
"What is it?" Tuvok asked.
"Well," Neelix began, trying to decide on the best choice of words, "we'll
be getting closer to the Alpha Quadrant soon, and that means that the
replicators will be back in use again. So, I was wondering, where does
that leave me? Voyager will no longer need a cook."
"I do not know why you came to me about this," Tuvok said.
"I was just getting to that, Lieutenant," Neelix said. "I'd like to be a
security officer."
"I will need to discuss that with the Captain," Tuvok replied.
"Do you think you could put in a good word for me?" Neelix asked.
"I will speak to her," Tuvok said.
"Thank you, Mr. Vulcan," Neelix said grabbing Tuvok's hand and shaking it.

*************************************************

"Good luck, Kathryn," Patty smiled. The transwarp engines were on line
and Voyager was ready to begin its journey home.
"Thank you, Patty," Janeway said. "Thanks for all of your hospitality and
for making it possible for me to get my crew home."
"You're welcome," Patty said. "Just remember our agreement. Destroy the
transwarp when you get home, and never tell anyone where you got it."
"I remember," The Captain said. "I won't let anyone disturb your planet."
"Have a safe trip home," Patty said.
"Good bye, and thanks again." Captain Janeway said. "Oh, and give Little
Kathryn a kiss from me."

***************************************

"Captain, may we speak with you?" Tom asked.
"Sure," Janeway replied as she entered her ready room followed by Tom and
B'Elanna.
"What's this about?" She asked them.
"Captain," Tom started, "B'Elanna and I would both like to join Star
Fleet again when we get back home."
"That's great." The Captain smiled. "I was hoping you would. I will
recommend you both as soon we get home."
"That's not all," B'Elanna said. "We'd like to get married."
"As soon as possible," Tom added.

*************************************************

Captain Janeway sat in the Mess Hall. Over half of the crew had told her
they wished to remain in Star Fleet, most of them were Maquis, and Kes had
told her that she wished to attend Star Fleet Medical. But, she hadn't
heard anything from Chakotay.
"Mind if I join you?" A voice asked. She looked up to see Chakotay
standing there.
"Sure," she said. "I'd like to talk to you anyway."
"About what?" He asked, sitting down.
"Have you given any thought to joining Star Fleet again?"
"Yes," Chakotay answered. "I'd like to, if they'll take me. Now, I'd
like to talk to you about something."
"What?" Janeway wondered.
"I heard you agreed to perform Tom and B'Elanna's wedding ceremony."
Chakotay said.
"Yes," The Captain said.
"Are you sure that's wise?" Chakotay asked. "Do you think they're really
ready for marriage?"
"Chakotay, I know you're very protective of B'Elanna," Janeway said,
"but Tom really does care about her. They're in love. I wouldn't have
agreed to it otherwise."
"I trust your judgment," Chakotay said, "but I can't help but feel
uneasy about this."
 
 

=/\= Chapter Five =/\=

Voyager was in orbit above a space station. This was one of their
several stops on their trip back to the Alpha Quadrant.
"Mr. Paris, resume our current course," Captain Janeway ordered.
"Do you wish to go to transwarp?" Tom asked.
"A little anxious to try it out?" Janeway asked.
"I guess you could say that." Tom smiled.
"Warp six will be fine for now," Janeway said.

**************************************

"B'Elanna, may I speak with you?" Chakotay asked her. She was hard at
work at her console in Main Engineering, but stopped and agreed to talk
with him.
"It's about you and Tom," Chakotay said. "Are you sure you're ready for
marriage?"
"What's this all about, Chakotay?" B'Elanna asked. "You're not really
worried about whether or not I'm ready for marriage, are you?"
"OK, Torres," Chakotay said. "You've known me too long. Are you sure you
can really trust Tom?"
B'Elanna looked at Chakotay. He could tell that he had offended her by
asking if she could trust her fiancee, but, he was worried about her, and
Tom's motives.
"I love him, Chakotay," she said, "and, I know he loves me. I would
trust Tom with my life."
Chakotay could see how happy B'Elanna was. It was the happiest he had ever
seen her.
"Then," Chakotay said, "you have my blessing."
"Thank you, Chakotay," B'Elanna smiled.
Just then, a great force shook Voyager.

*************************************

"What the hell was that?" Captain Janeway asked.
"We're being fired on," Harry Kim reported.
"By who?" Janeway asked.
"The Kazon," Harry said.
"Why didn't we pick them up on sensors?" Janeway asked.
"I don't know, Captain. Looks like they've got some kind of cloaking
device."
Another force shook Voyager.
"Captain," Tuvok said, "they've disabled our shields."

*********************************************

B'Elanna moved quickly from console to console trying to find a way to get
the shields back up to maximum. Chakotay began to walk out of Engineering
to return to the Bridge. He reached the door, and when it opened,
MajCullah and two other Kazon stood there, phasers in hand.
"Chakotay to Security," he said, pressing his commbadge. "Intruder alert
in Main Engineering."
"Hello, Chakotay," MajCullah said.
"What do you want Cullah?" Chakotay asked.
"Your transwarp technology, of course," Cullah answered.
"You can't have it," Chakotay said.
"Really?" Cullah asked. He walked over to B'Elanna, grabbed her by the
arm, and held a phaser to her.
"Looks like we've got your Chief Engineer," The Maj said.
"You keep your hands off of her!" Chakotay yelled. He ran and pushed
Cullah. Cullah took his phaser and fired one shot at Chakotay knocking him
to the ground.
"Chakotay!" B'Elanna screamed, trying to break free from MajCullah to go
help him, but, Cullah had a firm hold on her. MajCullah, B'Elanna and the
other Kazon transported off of Voyager.
Tuvok entered Main Engineering.
"What's going on here?" He asked.
"Cullah," Lieutenant Carey reported, "he took B'Elanna and shot Chakotay."
Chakotay laid on the floor, motionless, with a crowd gathered around him.
Tuvok pressed his commbadge, "Medical emergency in Main Engineering."

*************************************************

"The Kazon are retreating," Harry announced.
"We've got to go after them," Tom shouted. "they've got B'Elanna!"
"We're not going anywhere without shields," Captain Janeway said.
"But, Cap-" Tom started.
"We'll get her back, Tom," The Captain reassured him.
 
 

=/\= Chapter Six =/\=

"How is he?" Captain Janeway asked the Doctor as she entered Sickbay.
"I'm sorry, Captain," the Doctor said grimly. "There was nothing I could
do for him."
Captain Janeway looked down at Chakotay's lifeless body. He had taught
her so much, and now he was gone.
"Captain," Kes said softly, "are you Okay?"
"I'll be fine," Captain Janeway lied, as she forced back tears. People
had died under her command before, but this time it was different. Chakotay
was her friend. Why didn't she ever tell him how much she cared about him?
It was too late now, he was gone.

********************************************

"Captain's log, stardate 50935.2. It is my sad duty to report that
Commander Chakotay was killed this afternoon by the Kazon who also
kidnapped B'Elanna. In light of these events, I am promoting Lieutenant
Tuvok to first officer, and, it also appears that Neelix will be promoted
as well."

************************************************

Harry walked from console to console stopping at each to press a few
buttons. *B'Elanna made it look so easy,* he thought. He'd been trying
unsuccessfully to get the shields back on line.
"That should be it," Harry said.
"Kim to Janeway," Harry said. "Captain, the shields are back up to maximum."
"Good work, Harry," The Captain said as she pressed her commbadge.

*************************************************

Captain Janeway walked onto the Bridge.
"Mr. Paris, set a course," she commanded. "Follow the Kazon."
"Tuvok, may I speak with you in my ready room?" Janeway asked.
She walked into her ready room followed by Tuvok.
"Tuvok," she began, "I'm sure you've heard about Chakotay."
He nodded.
"I'm promoting you," she said, "to first officer, but I think we need
more security after our last incident with the Kazon. Since Neelix has
showed interest in becoming a security officer, I would like you to start
training him."
"Yes, Captain," he said, and left her ready room.

***************************************************

"I'll ask you once more, where did you get the transwarp technology from?"
MajCullah asked B'Elanna. For the past twenty minutes, he had paced back
and forth in front of her, interrogating her.
B'Elanna sat there in the chair, her hands manacled behind her, and said
nothing. She had refused to speak. Her silence was beginning to annoy
Cullah. She wondered how much longer it would be before he got violent.
MajCullah stopped his pacing and turned to B'Elanna. He pulled his arm
back and gave B'Elanna a smack across the face.
"Answer me!" He ordered. Still, B'Elanna was silent. The Maj walked to
the doors and returned with two other Kazon.
"Take her to a holding cell," he instructed them. "Give her nothing to
eat or drink. Maybe that will get her to talk."
The two Kazon grabbed B'Elanna and dragged her from the room.
"Maj," another Kazon said, entering the room, "a ship is approaching,
it's Voyager."

***********************************

"Raise shields," Captain Janeway ordered, "and hail them."
"All hailing frequencies are open," Tuvok said.
"This is Captain Janeway," she said, "return my crew member now!"
"We're being hailed," Tuvok said.
"On screen," Janeway ordered.
MajCullah appeared on the view screen. "Hello, Captain."
"Cullah, return Lieutenant Torres, now!" She ordered.
"Who?" Cullah asked. "Oh, your Chief Engineer. I'm afraid she's dead."

**********************************************

B'Elanna sat in a dark holding cell. All she could think about was what
was going on back on Voyager. Tom was probably worried sick. She wondered
about Chakotay. She prayed he would be okay, but, she didn't have time to
worry about all of that right now. She had to find a way out of there.
B'Elanna looked around the cell. Cullah would be back soon, she had to
find a way out before than. She noticed a panel on the way and walked over
to it.

**********************************************

"He's lying," Harry said. "He's got to be." The senior staff was gathered
for a meeting in the briefing room.
"I know he is, Harry," Captain Janeway said. "He wouldn't kill B'Elanna
without getting all the information he could out of her, and I know
B'Elanna wouldn't give him any."
"Cullah did not say that he killed B'Elanna," Tuvok pointed out. "He said
that she was dead."
"Captain," Tom said, "Give me a shuttle. I'll get within transporter
range and I'll beam aboard and find her."
"I'm sorry, Tom," Janeway said, "but, you know I can't let you do that.
I won't put any more lives in danger."
"I'm volunteering," Tom said. "Please, Captain, let me do this for her."
"I want more options than that," Janeway said. "Dismissed."

*****************************************************

B'Elanna sat in the dark, tinkering with the control panel she had found
on the wall.
"Come on, open," she said aloud.
After pressing a few more buttons the doors opened. B'Elanna ventured from
the holding cell. She walked down the hall turning around often just to
make sure no one was behind her. She heard steps approaching. B'Elanna
quickly slipped into the shadows of the corridor. A Kazon walked by.
B'Elanna jumped out behind him and hit him on the neck, knocking him
unconscious. She quickly grabbed his phaser and continued walking.
 
 

=/\= Chapter Seven =/\=

Tom Paris paced his quarters. He had to get B'Elanna back. She was the
only person that meant anything to him. He couldn't go on living without
her. He stopped pacing, something had to be done. He left his quarters and
headed towards the shuttlebay.

**********************************************

"Captain, a shuttle is leaving the shuttle bay," Tuvok reported.
"Lieutenant Paris is on board."
"Open a channel," The Captain said.
"Lieutenant Paris, just what do you think you are doing?" Janeway asked.
"Get back here now, that is an order."
Tom appeared on the view screen.
"Captain, I have to do this," Tom said. "I have to help B'Elanna."
"Tuvok, use the tractor beam. Get him back here," Janeway ordered.
"He's gone to warp, Captain," Tuvok explained. "I can't get a lock on him."
"Helm, lay in a pursuit course," Janeway said.

*******************************************

B'Elanna wandered through the corridors of the Kazon ship. Phaser in hand,
she walked through the corridors looking for a way to contact Voyager.
B'Elanna entered a room and walked over to a control panel. A figure began
to materialize in the corner of the room. B'Elanna raised her phaser and
pointed it at the figure.
"It's only me," Tom said. "Put down the phaser."
"Tom," she said lowering the phaser and ran over to hug him.
"Come on, let's get out of here," he said.
MajCullah entered the room followed by two other Kazon. One of the Kazon
ran over and grabbed the phaser from B'Elanna's hand. Tom grabbed his
phaser and raised it. MajCullah fired his phaser at Tom knocking him to
the ground.
"Tom!" B'Elanna yelled moving to where Tom lay on the ground.
"I'm okay," he whispered to her.
"You're not going anywhere," MajCullah said.
Tom pressed his commbadge. "Paris to shuttlecraft, two to beam up."
Nothing happened.
"It's useless to try," Cullah told them. "Your shuttle has been
destroyed. Take them to a holding cell."

****************************************************

Voyager came into transporter range of the Kazon ship.
"I've got a lock on them," Tuvok said.
"Beam them out of there, and get us as far away as possible," Captain
Janeway ordered.

****************************************************

The Kazon moved to grab Tom and B'Elanna. The two of them began to
dematerialize and then found themselves on Voyager's transporter pad.
"Tom's been hurt," B'Elanna informed the Captain, who had come to meet
them in the transporter room.
"Beam him directly to Sickbay," Captain Janeway ordered. Tom
dematerialized once again.
"Are you all right B'Elanna?" The Captain asked noticing the bruise on
B'Elanna's face that MajCullah had given her.
"I'm fine," B'Elanna told her.
"You should go to Sickbay anyway and let the Doctor take a look at you."
B'Elanna turned to walk out of the transporter room, but turned back around.
"Captain, before I was taken, Cullah shot Chakotay. How is he?" B'Elanna
asked.
"B'Elanna, we need to talk," The Captain said as her eyes filled with tears.
 
 

=/\= Chapter Eight =/\=

B'Elanna sat in her quarters, her head buried in her hands. The tears
streaming down her face. *Why did this happen?,* she wondered. *Why
Chakotay?* There was so much left to his life still. He wouldn't be able
to see her marry Tom, he wouldn't even get to see Voyager make it back home.

**********************************************************

"Janeway to Paris."
"Paris here," Tom said pressing his commbadge.
"Please report to my ready room," Janeway said.
"Yes ma'am," Tom answered.
"Can I go, Doc?" Tom asked the EMH.
"Yes, you can go. Fortunately, it was only a minor phaser burn," The EMH
said.
Tom walked slowly out of Sickbay. He knew what the Captain wanted to talk
about, and he wasn't very anxious to hear what she had to say.

*******************************************************

"Do you have any idea how disappointed in you I am?" The Captain asked
Tom in a firm tone of voice.
"Captain, I'm sor-" Was all that Tom managed to get out before she
interrupted.
"I'm not interested in your apologies, Lieutenant. You put the lives of
the entire crew in jeopardy. You could have been killed. I thought you
had seriously changed. I was ready to recommend you to Star Fleet as soon
as we got home. Now, I question whether or not you're ready for that
responsibility."
Tom stared at the Captain. Everything she was saying was true. All the
doubts he had in himself had just been confirmed. *Seems like you've
screwed things up again, Tom,* he told himself.
"Dismissed." Janeway said.
"Tom stood up and walked towards the door, but stopped and turned around.
"Permission to speak freely," Tom requested.
"Granted," The Captain said.
"I know I've let the entire crew down," Tom started. "I take complete
responsibility for that. I'm sorry I let you down."
He turned around once more to leave, but the Captain stopped him.
"Tom," She said.
He turned around. "Yes, Captain?"
"One good thing about mistakes, Mr. Paris, is that you always get a second
chance."
 
 

=/\= Chapter Nine =/\=

"Chakotay.." B'Elanna began, "Chakotay was the father I never had."
The entire crew had gathered in the Mess Hall for Chakotay's memorial
service. B'Elanna agreed to speak about him since she had known him the
longest, and because Tom had encouraged her to. She wouldn't have made it
through the past couple of days if it weren't for Tom. He was always there
for her to cry on his shoulder or just to talk to.
"He taught me so much about life," B'Elanna continued as the tears began
to fill her eyes. "I'm sorry that I never got to tell him just how much he
influenced me."
Captain Janeway sat listening to B'Elanna, tears streaming down her face.
She also regretted not telling Chakotay what he meant to her.
 
 

=/\= Chapter Ten =/\=

"I would be honored." Harry smiled at Tom. Harry wondered when Tom would
finally ask him to be the best man at his wedding. Almost two months had
passed since Chakotay's death, and B'Elanna and Tom were ready to plan
their wedding.
"So, when is the blessed event?" Harry inquired.
"Two weeks," Tom said.
"Have you designed a holodeck program yet, for the ceremony?" Harry asked.
"No, not yet," Tom said. "I've been pretty busy."
"Just leave everything to me," Harry smiled as he walked out of the Mess Hall.

*******************************************************

"Me?" Kes asked.
"Yes, you," B'Elanna said. "Would you like to be my maid of honor?"
"Sure, I'd love to, B'Elanna." Kes smiled.
"Thanks, Kes," B'Elanna said and walked out of Sickbay at the same time
Harry was entering it.
"Kes," Harry said, "I need your help."
"Sure, Harry," Kes said. "What's wrong?"
"Well," Harry began, "I told Tom that I would design a holodeck program
for his and B'Elanna wedding. The problem is, I don't know what to do. I've
never designed a wedding program before."
"Don't worry," Kes smiled, "I'll help you. I've never designed a wedding
program before, either. If we work together, maybe we can figure it out."
 
 

=/\= Chapter Eleven =/\=

"The program you designed was great, Harry," Tom said. "Where did you
come up with the idea?"
"Thanks," Harry said, "but, it wasn't all my work. Kes helped a lot."
The wedding ceremony was perfect. Tom and B'Elanna were married on a
beautiful tropical island, just as the sun was setting in the background.
Everyone agreed that it was a wonderful ceremony, and now everyone was
enjoying the reception.
Tom held his new wife close to him as they danced, thinking about all that
they had been through to get to this moment. In only a few short months
they would be home.
B'Elanna looked radiant. This was truly the happiest day of her life.
Even though she was very happy, a part of her wished that Chakotay was
there to see her get married.
Nobody had been the same since Chakotay's death. Especially the Captain.
She very rarely smiled anymore, but tonight, she was all smiles as she
watched the newlyweds dance. The wedding was just what everyone had needed
to boost morale. At least that's what Neelix said. He wasn't the Chief
Morale Officer or cook anymore, but he still loved to see people happy.
He'd become a big annoyance to Tuvok during his training exercises because
of his constant need to make Tuvok crack a smile. His efforts had proved
unsuccessful thus far.
 
 

=/\= Chapter Twelve =/\=

Captain Janeway had called another meeting of the senior staff. When they
had completely assembled, Captain Janeway said, "The reason I called this
meeting is because in about a month we will be in communications range of
Star Fleet Command. Which also means that they will be able to pick up our
transwarp signature. In order to keep my promise to the Alocans, the
transwarp will have to de destroyed within the next week."
"Can't we just beam it out into space and destroy it with phasers?"
B'Elanna asked.
"I have considered that," Tuvok answered. "The debris would still have a
transwarp signature be picked up on sensors."
"So," the Captain said, "we're in a bit of a predicament. I need
options, and I need them fast."

****************************************

Captain Janeway sat in her ready room, considering ways to get rid of the
transwarp technology without being detected. Whatever it took, she was
going to keep her promise to Patty.
*Destroy Voyager?* She thought. *No, Kathryn, you can't do that,* she
argued with herself.
"Bonjour, Madame Captain," a voice said.
Captain Janeway swiveled in her chair to come face to face with Q.
"Q!" She said. "What do you want?"
"I've only come to help," Q said.
"I don't have time for your games," Janeway said. She pressed her
commbadge. "Janeway to security. Intruder alert in my ready room."
"But, Madame Captain, I only want to help," Q insisted. "You said
yourself, you're in a predicament."
"What do you mean?" Janeway asked.
"I can help you get rid of that pesky transwarp technology," Q said.
Neelix entered the room, wearing his first official Star Fleet security
officer's uniform. It was his first day on the job, and what a way to
start it off. "What's wrong, Captain?" He asked.
"Everything's under control here, Neelix," The Captain said. She was
intrigued by Q's offer.
"Are you sure, Captain?" Neelix asked.
"Yes, thank you, Neelix," Janeway said.
"Let me know if you need me," Neelix said leaving the Captain's ready room.
"Promoting your cook, I see," Q commented.
"Enough small talk, Q. What do you want?"
"What do you mean, what do I want? Can't I do something for nothing?" Q
asked.
"You expect me to believe that you just want to do us a favor?"
"I can be a nice guy," Q said. Q snapped his fingers and with a flash of
light he was gone, but not before he uttered the words, "Good bye, Madame
Captain, you owe me one."
"Torres to Janeway," The Captain's commbadge sounded.
"Captain, you're not going to believe this," the Chief Engineer said, "but
our transwarp just disappeared."
"Oh, I believe it," Janeway said. "I just had a visit from Q."
 
 

=/\= Chapter Thirteen =/\=

"Captain, we are in communications range of Star Fleet," Tuvok reported.
"Contact Star Fleet Command," Janeway said. "We have some explaining to do."
"What exactly are you going to tell them about how we got home?" Harry
asked.
"The truth, Mr. Kim," Janeway said. "That Q helped us."

*************************************************

"Q?" The admiral on the view screen asked.
"Yes," Captain Janeway said. "He just appeared and decided to help us."
"I will contact the families of your crew," The Admiral said.
"Admiral, we also have several Maquis crew members," Janeway said, "and,
we've taken on some passengers."

******************************************************

"I got a rather interesting communication from my father today," Tom told
B'Elanna as he entered their quarters.
"Well hello to you, too." B'Elanna said.
"I'm sorry, Honey. Hello." Tom said and then kissed her.
"Now, what is this all about?" B'Elanna asked.
"I got a subspace message from my father," Tom started. "It appears that
he wants to start over."
"Start over?" B'Elanna asked. "With your relationship?"
"Yeah," Tom said. "Seems like not having me around made the Admiral miss
me."
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know," Tom said.
"I think you should give him another chance. You don't know how lucky you
are to have grown up with a father."
"Well, one's thing for sure," Tom said. "I can't wait for him to meet my
new wife."

***************************************************

"Hi, Harry," Kes said as she sat down next to him in the Mess Hall.
"What? Oh, hi," Harry said being pulled from his thoughts.
"Am I bothering you?" Kes asked. "If so, I can leave."
"Oh, no. It's not you," Harry said. "I just received some subspace
communications."
"How's everything back home since you've been gone?" Kes asked.
"My parents are great. They're glad I'm okay."
"What about Libby?" Kes asked.
"She's married... to Danny Byrd."
"Danny Byrd?" Kes asked.
"My best friend from the academy," Harry said. "They've been married for
a year and a half now."
"I'm sorry, Harry," Kes said placing her hand on his.
"Don't be," Harry said. "I can understand. They thought I was dead.
Besides, I've gotten over Libby. I still care about her, just not in the
same way."

****************************************************

"Captain, we should arrive at Deep Space Nine within the hour," Tuvok
announced entering her ready room.
"So, how's everything with your family?" Janeway asked Tuvok.
"While I was away, my eldest son was married and now has a child. So, it
appears that I am a grandfather," Tuvok said.
"You must be very happy," Janeway said.
"I don't believe so, Captain," Tuvok corrected her, his Vulcan face
emotionless.
"How is your family?" Tuvok inquired.
"My mother has passed away," Janeway began, "but, my sister is fine. I
contacted Mark, and he's with someone else now."
 
 

=/\= Chapter Fourteen =/\=

"We're being hailed from Deep Space Nine," Harry Kim said.
"On screen," Janeway ordered.
"Welcome home," Captain Sisko greeted them. "I hear you have quite an
interesting story for us, Captain."
"That's an understatement." Janeway smiled.

************************************************

The crew took their final look at the U.S.S. Voyager. A journey that they
had started so long ago and as two separate crews, was now coming to an
end. They made new friends and began new lives. No matter how glad they
were to be home, one thing was for sure, their lives will have been forever
changed by their experiences over the past three years.

=/\= The End =/\=
 

DISCLAIMER: Star Trek and it's Characters are owned by Paramount, Inc. I
own the rest.

DEDICATION: This story was dedicated to one of my best friends in the
world, Patty Weber.

SPECIAL THANKS: Thank you very much to Roxann Kate Farrell for the
wonderful idea for Tom and B'Elanna's wedding program.