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Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2004 18:56:17 -0400
Subject: [ASC] NEW:VOY "In Pursuit of Justice" 13/13 J [PG-13]
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Forwarded by the ASC-VSO 
Posted: 3 Jun 2004 13:38:53 -0700  
In: alt.startrek.creative 
From: roq@iname.com (Rocky) 
 

Title: In Pursuit Of Justice
Author: Rocky
Contact: roq@iname.com
Web page: http://www.angelfire.com/yt/rockyroad
Series: VOY
Part: 13/13
Codes: J
Rating: PG-13
Date first posted: 6/3/04
Archive: ASC yes, all others please ask

Summary & Disclaimer: see part 1

One year later:

There was a hint of crispness in the air, befitting early autumn,
though most of the trees in the park had not begun changing color yet.

Janeway took a deep breath. "It's a beautiful day," she said.

"Yes, it is," her companion said. "Fall has always been one of my
favorite seasons."

"Really? I thought spring was."

"Fall, spring, summer, winter," said Chakotay, laughing. 

"Oh, you!" She punched his arm playfully. "I know what you mean,
though."

Through the trees, glimpses of the surrounding city streets could be
seen. This particular district of San Francisco hadn't been as badly
hit during the war as other areas, but had still sustained sufficient
damage. Now, a few years later, most of the affected buildings and
structures had been restored; only a close examination—by someone with
more than a passing familiarity with the way things had been—would
reveal differences.

Time really did heal all wounds, Janeway thought. And not just those
visible to the naked eye. She glanced at the tall man striding by her
side, his dark hair—a bit longer and grayer than it had been on
Voyager—blowing in the breeze.

"You started saying something about what you plan to do next?"
Chakotay prompted her.

"Now that I'm a free woman once again?" Janeway said. "Phoebe invited
me to visit, and this seems like the perfect time to do it. I'm
looking forward to meeting her family." She paused. "I also want to
see Noah Lessing, apologize to him personally. It's something I should
have done long ago."

Chakotay nodded, but didn't comment further on that last point. "And
then?"

Janeway stopped by a bench. "Do you mind if we just sit for a while?"
She waited for his quick acquiescence and then answered his question.
"It may be a long shot, but I've applied for reinstatement to
Starfleet."

"I can't say I'm surprised," Chakotay said. "Still, I thought maybe
you'd look beyond the service?"

"And do what?" she asked. "I recall your pointing out, quite
accurately, Starfleet's been my whole life. What else could I do?"

"Scientific research, for one."

"I've been out of the loop too long," Janeway objected. "Even the
advances in technology we brought back on Voyager—by now there's been
ample time for further developments. It would be very difficult to try
and catch up."

"There are any number of corporations and institutions that would be
happy to hire you, regardless."

"For the sake of my name on their letterhead?" She added, a bit
wistfully, "Not that I'd have any chance of that now, not as an
ex-con."

"As a captain who stood up in what she believed in," Chakotay
corrected her. "As an officer who wasn't afraid to admit wrongdoing
and accept responsibility. You'd have a lot to offer."

"Which is another reason I want to go back to Starfleet," Janeway said
gently. "Because I might be able to still make a difference."

Chakotay was silent for a moment. "Are they willing to take you?"

"I've heard unofficially that they're considering it. One of the
reasons I pushed for an honorable discharge the first time around."

"Always looking ahead," he said with a smile.

"Though I admit sometimes my foresight has been sadly lacking."

Chakotay nodded. "So what else have they told you, unofficially, of
course? What happens if they do take you back?"

"Most likely I'll be assigned to a slot in HQ."

Chakotay looked at her in surprise. "I can't see you behind a desk,
Kathryn. I thought you'd be itching to go back in space again."

"You're right," Janeway said. "However, I've been given to understand
that it will be a long time, if ever, before I'm given another field
command."

"I'm sorry."

"But there's a lot to be said for being on a planet," she said gamely,
and closed her eyes and leaned back to feel the warmth of the sun on
her face. "I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can."

"I can certainly understand that," he said. "And not just any planet,
but specifically Earth."

She opened her eyes to see him gazing at her intently. "Voyager *was*
away for a long time, and then all the time I was in prison reinforced
the feeling of absence even more. Being back here now--I want a sense
of roots, Chakotay, of belonging somewhere, after being without it for
so long."

Chakotay didn't say anything, just squeezed her hand comfortingly.

"And what about you?" she asked. "You've been very cagey when it comes
to discussing your own plans."

"That's because so many things are still up in the air," Chakotay
said. "Even after all this time. I've been teaching some courses at
the Academy, but I don't really know if this is what I want to do with
the rest of my life."

"What do you want? I mean, *really* want?"

"Honestly? I've had some vague ideas of building a quiet cabin
somewhere."

"On the edge of a desert, or maybe a forest?" she said with another
smile, a genuine one this time. "Yes, I can see that. Any specifics as
to which continent, or even which planet, you'll settle on?"

"Not really," he said quietly. "I haven't gotten past the preliminary,
abstract thoughts."

"Well, you can't stray too far from civilization—it'd be kind of hard
for both of you to continue with your careers if you did." Janeway
watched the antics of some children romping with a dog a short
distance away from where they were sitting. "What does Seven think of
all this?"

"I'm not sure. I haven't discussed it with her."

It was Janeway's turn to look at him in surprise. "You haven't?"

"She's happy here, in San Francisco," he said finally. "Though it took
a long time for her to get settled. Not just the anti-Borg sentiment
she's encountered, but because she's still adapting to a changing
world and trying to find her place in it. I don't think Seven was
quite prepared for what was waiting for us when Voyager returned.
Hell, *I* wasn't, and I was born and grew up in this quadrant, had
spent extended periods of time on Earth before." His eyes met hers.
"We're still feeling our way, both of us trying to figure out what we
want, but with Seven it's more complicated."

"I understand." Janeway watched him for a moment. "It's going to take
time for everyone."

"It seems as though everyone from Voyager has scattered," Chakotay
said after a pause. "Most of us clung together in the first year after
our return, but now…hardly anyone is still on Earth."

"Just Tom and B'Elanna," Janeway said. "I spoke to the Doctor this
morning, he's going to be setting up a new program in the medical
applications of nanoprobe technology at the Cochrane University on
Alphacent. He expects to be gone at least a year, maybe longer."

"It sounds like a good opportunity for him," Chakotay said. "But I
know Seven is going to miss him terribly. He's helped her a lot, more
than I have, I sometimes think."

His face was carefully expressionless, but Janeway saw a flash of pain
in his eyes.

"Chakotay," she said quietly. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I
want you to know I'm here."

"Thank you," he said and gave her hand another squeeze. "I mean it."

"You were certainly there for me, whether I appreciated it at the time
or not." She smiled ruefully. "Whether I admitted I needed it or not."

Chakotay smiled as well. "You still need me, Kathryn. And I need you
as my friend as well. It just took us a while to see it."

"We drifted apart over the years," Janeway agreed. "Not just after
Voyager's return, but for a long time before. That's something else
I've learned from the court-martial—not just acknowledging the
consequences of my past actions, but the importance of taking a step
back sometimes and reconsidering what my priorities are."

"I'm glad to hear it," he said, and stood, extending his hand to her.
"What do you say we go get something to eat?"

She rose and tucked her arm through his. "You know, Chakotay, this
looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

FINIS

--
Forwarded to ASCL by:
Stephen Ratliff
ASC Stories Only Forwarding

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