Love Conquers All

By: Jennica Williams

DISCLAIMER: I am not using Star Trek for profit. Paramount owns the characters, the ships, the uniforms, the biogel packs, even Neelix's food, I'm just here playing around with the ideas running through my head. No copyright infringement is intended.

Part One: Shore leave
Part Two: The Funeral
Part Three: Going On
Part Four: The Awakening
Part Five: His New Life
Part Six: The Visitor's Revelation
Part Seven: Her Failure, Her Future
Epilogue
Epilogue 2: These Bonds Cannot Be Broken By: Sonja Yes, a second epilogue. A net-pal asked me to write another epilogue, so I challenged her to write it. This is the result, an awesome end that everyone who reads the "Love Conquers All" series will want read.

Captain Janeway leaned back in her chair and silently counted. Five...four...three...two...*bleep*. "Right on time." She thought to herself with a grin. Out loud she said, "Come in commander."

Chakotay stepped inside smiling sheepishly. "Am I that predictable?"

"Not to everyone, but I knew you wouldn't let me resist shore leave that easily."

"Very true captain, and the reason I'm here, as you no doubt know." He took a seat across from her. "So, you'll go?"

"I never said that. I have work that needs to be done."

"Kathryn, that's the weakest I've heard in a long time." He reclined back in the chair, stretching his long legs in front of him. "Of course, you may want the crew thinking all you do is work, so I'm sure you'll put up a fight-"

"I never said I wanted the crew to think that."

"-But I know you'll come down with me," he continued ignoring what she was saying. "How about in two hours?"

"I have work to do commander." Janeway tried her best to keep the smile from playing on her lips, but it was getting hard. This was becoming a ritual between them-she resisted shoreleave, he forced her to go, and they both had the most fun when they went together.

"Great." He jumped up. "I'll meet you in the transporter room in two hours." Chakotay was out the door before she could reply. Janeway couldn't help but laugh at him.

Two hours later, both were beamed down to the planet's surface.

"It's beautiful." Janeway breathed looking around her. Tall trees stood proudly; their branches were laden with vines and white blossoms pulling them down to the water's edge. A waterfall spilled over the rocks which glistened silvery in the afternoon sun.

Chakotay didn't say anything, but just watched as she took in the site. Reaching for her hand, he led her down to the water's edge to where he'd set up a picnic.

She tried to take in the whole scene at once. The beautiful scenery, the picnic laid out so carefully, and the handsome man before her. She ended up grinning at him like a fool, but when he grinned back at her she was once again right at ease.

"Let's eat." He said softly not wanting to disturb the stillness. They sat down on the red and white checked blanket and ate the lunch that had come from Chakotay's replicator, not Neelix's mess hall.

As soon as the last morsel of the chocolate chip cookies had been eaten, Janeway peeled her shoes and socks off and proceeded down to the water with Chakotay close on her heels. She squealed as he lifted her up in his arms and tucked one arm under her knees with the other around her back as he strode deeper into the waters. He didn't get in far enough to get his uniform wet, but just far enough that when he pretended to lose his grip on her back she panicked. Realizing he was teasing her she laughed. He continued swinging her down until the ends of her hair would just barely skim across the surface of the water.

Her arms came up around his neck, just in case he was to drop her, but this proved to be a mistake on her part. Or was it? The next time he lifted her up, her arms involuntarily pulled her face closer to his. Both froze, eyes searching the others'. Slowly, his head dropped so he could plant a kiss on her mouth. It was the gentlest of gentle kisses, and he was prepared to pull back and let it be, but her hand was on the back of his neck preventing him doing so. He eagerly returned the kiss she was giving. When they finally did pull apart, both stared wide eyed at the other, the only sound was the roar of the waterfall.

He broke the silence that had come upon them. "I love you Kathryn." He whispered huskily nuzzling his face into her cheek as he turned back to the shore. She didn't have the chance to respond, for at that instant, Chakotay stepped on some unleveled ground on the sandy bottom of the lake and they both suddenly found themselves floundering in the water.

"Chakotay!" she shrieked, her voice full of laughter, the serious mood was broken.

"Hey! It's not my fault!" he protested laughing with her. "You're too beautiful, what male could be expected to pay attention to anything else in those circumstance?!?"

The mood may have returned, but Janeway spotted something resembling a terran butterfly flitting around her shoulders. She let it land on her hand, mesmerized at the dark green with flecks of gold on it.

"Isn't it beautiful?" she held it out to Chakotay. "Ouch!" Her hand flicked sending the butterfly on his way. She peered at her hand where a small scarlet drop of blood was forming.

"It bit you??" Chakotay leaned forward grasping her hand.

"It's nothing. I'll be fine." She tried to pull her hand away, but he wouldn't let her.

"I want to take a look at it after you dry it off. Come on." He started to pull her toward the blanket.

Kathryn suddenly felt weak all over. "Not now, I'm so tired....Chak.....tay..." Everything went black around her.

Chakotay jumped forward and caught her just before she would have hit the sand. "Emergency beam out. Two directly to sickbay!" he shouted slapping at the insignia on his uniform.

"Lay her on the biobed." The doctor instructed grasping an instrument from the tray beside the bed. "What happened?"

"A butterfly bit her."
The doctor twisted around. "A butterfly?" he questioned with a raise of his eyebrows.

Chakotay sighed. "Yes, a butterfly."

The doctor worked silently for a few minutes. Running tricorders over her. Making adjustments. Injecting her with something from a hypospray.

"Is she going to be ok?" Chakotay asked nervously from her side.

The doctor looked up with that 'caring' manner of his. "I am doing the best I can commander. It has attacked her systems in some way, but I can't determine how. And until I can, I can't treat her."

The commander's mouth went dry as tears sprung to his eyes. "She's going to die, isn't she?" he whispered, his eyes begging the doctor to tell him otherwise.

The doctor hesitated. Being the bearer of unpleasant news was not an easy task, even for a hologram. "Unless I can determine the cause in the next few moments, she will die."

Chakotay took in a deep breath, then the tears spilled over. The meaning of his life lay on the biobed dying, and he was powerless to do anything about it. Gently, he lifted her up and climbed up on the bed so he could hold her. There was no way he was going to allow her to die alone.

The doctor moved off to allow them some time alone. There was nothing more he could do.

Chakotay cuddled her full against his chest as his tears dropped on her hair. "You can't die on me now Kathryn." He whispered. "Please, don't leave me. I won't be able to stand it....I need you."

He almost gasped as her eyes opened a little bit. "Kathryn.."

"I...love...you......Chakotay......" she whispered holding his eyes.

"I love you too. But don't talk like this. You're not going to die."

"Yes..I am....but I..wanted you....to know.... I do ...love you........"

Janeway's head fell into his chest as the machine beside the bed began to whine a steady tone.

"Noooo!!!" Chakotay screamed in agony. He was over taken by sobs which filled his whole being. It felt as though a part of him was being ripped away-his heart to be more exact.

The doctor tried to pull him away, but he resisted.

"Do something doctor! Help her! You're supposed to be able to fix people, use that technology of yours and help her!" He shouted through his tears.

"It's over, commander. I have entered it in the logs that she died at 1625." The doctor said. "You'll have to command the ship now."

Chakotay stared at the doctor numbly through his tears. "I can't." He stated.

"I'm going to give you a sedative," the doctor programed a hypospray and applied it to Chakotay's neck. He then helped the groggy now-captain over to a biobed for a much needed nap.

No one, not even the technologically advanced medical machines noticed the slight surges of energy in Janeway's brain. No one that is, except Kathryn Janeway.

Part Two: The Funeral

Chakotay sat in the captain's ready room staring straight ahead. His ready room, he had to remind himself. Tuvok had been promoted to commander, and he was now captain. Kathryn had only been dead for a day, but it felt like years already to Chakotay. He felt another sob rise in his chest. In the past day he'd cried more often than he had since Voyager had been sent to the Delta Quadrant. Well fine, he figured, allowing the tears to fall. Kathryn had been strong for he crew, but he wasn't Kathryn. He couldn't pretend that her death had not greatly affected him.

"Tuvok to Captain Chakotay."

"Chakotay here."

"We will begin beaming down to the surface in sixteen minutes. I thought you may want to go down first."

Chakotay raised his head from the desk. "I-...yes. I will go down first. Thank you, Tuvok."

He closed the comm link and then went to stand at the window. Tuvok would preside over the funeral, there was no way Chakotay was going to make it through it without crying, much less if he had to present it.

Seventeen minutes later, Chakotay stood beside the casket containing the body of Captain Janeway. Tears erupted from his eyes and tumbled down his face. He placed a warm hand on her cool cheek. Then falling to his knees, he began to whisper to her. "Kathryn...why did you leave me? I'm not going to be able to go on like this. I can't be captain, I've long since forgotten how. You need to come back and let me remain your first officer."

His grief and anguish were too great for one man to bear alone, but bear alone he must. He would not turn to another crew member on this occasion. He could not.

These were his final last moments with her. Never again would he see her perfect face so full of emotions. Never again would he hold her in his embrace or enjoy her kisses, which she had just begun to give him. It truly felt as though someone had placed their hand around his heart and was trying to pull it out of his body. He only had a few seconds left before the crew joined him. Standing up, Chakotay climbed down a path and went over to one of the trees the captain and him had spent shoreleave under. The white blossoms were still just as white and soft as they had been the day before in the sunlight with her laughter ringing about them. He picked the most perfect one and went back to place it in her hands. Then, he bent down over her body to place a kiss on her cheek. A tear fell on her brow.

The soft whine of the transporter didn't startle him. He was mourning too deeply to really take notice. B'Elanna came forward and put an arm around him for support. He didn't notice.

"We're all going to miss her, Chakotay." She told him softly.

Tuvok started the ceremony soon afterwards. Chakotay didn't hear much of it. But he would never forget the feel of the soft warm breeze on his arms and face, the sound of the waterfall down the path where Kathryn and he had cavorted only the day before, or the fragrance of the lavender and jasmine-like blossoms that seemed to hang in the air. His eyes were glued to the face of his captain, as were the eyes of most of the crew. But his were for a different reason. She had been their captain, but she was so much more than that to him. His commanding officer, yes. But more importantly, his best friend, confidante, and if they had been allowed to progress the relationship that had begun yesterday, he had no doubt she would have become his wife.

"Come on Chakotay." B'Elanna pulled on his arm gently. "We need to return to the ship."

The dazed new captain looked at his long time friend. Then he turned and looked back at his love. She lay silent inside her casket, still holding the white blossom. She would be buried, as was the custom for humans. Tuvok already had a few crew members digging the grave. Chakotay didn't want to stay and see it, he couldn't bear the thought Kathryn's face hidden from the sun.

B'Elanna led him to the beam up site, and once on board she physically took him to his quarters.

Back on the surface, the one in the box was vaguely aware of clods of warm earth covering the casket. The tears fallen from her love's eyes were still wet on her brow.

Part Three: Going On

Chakotay gazed into the yellow liquid that filled half his glass and wished once again that it was real alcohol. If he had been able to drown his sorrows in a bottle of the real stuff, he would feel better-at least until the hangover woke him later. Instead, he settled for his dimly lit quarters, a seat beside the stars, and a half full glass of synthahol. Swirling the remaining contents of the cup, Chakotay watched bubbles rise and create a white layer on the top. If only his spirits could rise with the bubbles.

"Tuvok to Captain Chakotay."

Darn. He was going to have to do something about that title. It was killing him. "What?" he asked flatly.

"We are ready to leave orbit on your mark."

Chakotay involuntarily turned back to his window. The planet reflected back in his eyes. Leave the planet? Just leave Kathryn like that?? This planet held the most precious thing in the universe and the memories of their last and final shoreleave together. He couldn't leave her! But he must, she would want the crew to get back to earth somehow, and unfortunately, that would mean leaving her behind. He had known this moment would come. He'd even prepared for it by going down to the surface the night before.

The twin moons had cast their soft white glow on the planet's grass and trees. The smell of the lavender-jasmine like flowers was still heavy in the stillness. There. Under that tree. A fresh mound of dirt rose out of the ground. The crew who had buried her had covered the mound with rocks and pebbles.

Chakotay had knelt by the pebbles with another cluster of the white flowers. He laid them atop the pebbles and let his tears fall. Moving aside a few of the larger stones, he buried his hands in the warm, damp earth that was between him and his captain. Grasping handfuls of dirt, the new captain had sobbed for his old captain.

"Captain?"

Tuvok's voice startled Chakotay out of his day dream. "Go ahead, Tuvok." He answered placidly.

"Aye, sir." Tuvok closed the comm link.

Chakotay stood and moved around his quarters. The tears that had welled up in his eyes while he dwelled on that last visit to Kathryn threatened to spill. He needed something to do. Anything. Determinedly he strode to the bridge, not even noticing the people he passed on the way.

The new captain moved quickly across the bridge and into his ready room without a word to the crew. Tom and Harry exchanged concerned looks, but didn't voice their concerns.

Chakotay dropped his head on his desk. Tears were once again threatening him, but he kept them at bay. He couldn't afford to break down less than ten meters from the bridge. The door bleeped, startling Chakotay and making him jump.

"Come." He said a little peeved at being interrupted.

Tuvok entered solemnly. "Captain, the reports from yesterday." He said holding them out to Chakotay.

Chakotay silently took them. When Tuvok didn't move he looked at him questioningly. "Is there anything else?" he asked with a frown.

"Yes, captain." He paused, which was unusual for a Vulcan. "Do you want me to arrange a crew to clean out the captain's quarters."

"No!" Chakotay took a deep breath, surprised at the amount of emotions running through him at the thought of someone else in her quarters, even someone who had been close to her like Tuvok. "I'll do it myself. No one is to enter her quarters."

"Yes captain."

That was it. The stress of the past few days had built too far. Chakotay leapt out of his chair and lifted Tuvok to push him against a wall.

The surprised Vulcan couldn't fight back, he was already pinned.

"What are you trying to accomplish captain?" He gasped out.

"Do not call me captain one more time." Chakotay said through clenched teeth. "That only reminds me of how I got this position."

"What should I call you? Chakotay?" He asked half amused, but of course Tuvok showed no emotion.

"Sir will be fine. I don't ever want to be called captain again."

"Yes sir."

Chakotay slacked on his hold of his XO and deposited him neatly outside the door to the ready room, to the startled dismay of the bridge officers.

Chakotay entered his over ride sequence into the computer outside Kathryn's quarters. He had to do this, he knew. No matter how much it hurt. The door swished open. Immediately, the scent of her perfume assailed his senses. It was impossible to keep from crying. He stepped inside so the crew wouldn't see him sobbing in the corridor. Everything was just as she had left it before their shoreleave together. A half filled cup of coffee sat on her computer console. The PADDs she had needed to read were beside her couch. In her room, a picture of them was turned toward her bed, as though she had looked at it recently. One of her uniforms was lying across a chair. Tossed casually on the bed was one of her satin night gowns.

Chakotay fell on her bed and allowed himself to weep into the soft folds of the nightgown that still smelled of jasmine from her hair after a bath. When would he ever be able to let her go?....never, he thought to himself as he drifted off to a troubled sleep.

Part Four: The Awakening

She didn't know how long it had been since she'd felt the sun on her face. Hours?... days?... possibly even years. She was vaguely aware of the surroundings: the smooth surface she was laid on, the stillness about her, and the scent of lavender-jasmine that reminded her of something familiar. Yet, what was it she was supposed to associate with that fragrance? It refused to come to her memory.

Chakotay. She remembered his tear on her brow. He had given her the flower that smelled of lavender-jasmine, but why?

Her memories came back in a rush of emotions. The last shore leave. She had been bitten, she remembered. The doctor had been unable to save her. She had felt Chakotay's agony and distress when his sobs had filled sick bay. The funeral. Chakotay had come early and placed the flower in her hands while weeping beside her. She had longed to comfort him, to make him understand that she was still there, but she hadn't been able to. Then the burial. It had been awful. Chakotay had left- she knew he couldn't bear to watch, as she wouldn't have been able to watch his burial. Tuvok was there. He'd been the one to give the order to lower her casket. His was the last voice to reach her ears. The warm sunlight had been replaced by cold dirt over her head. She shivered involuntarily. It was still cool down there.

Chakotay. She needed to get back to him. He had to know that she was still here- that she still loved him.

Fighting her way back to full conscience, Janeway managed to open her eyes. At least, she thought her eyes were open. The blackness around her was too dark to see though.

Kathryn's hands became aware that they were holding something. She lifted the blossom to her cheek and was appalled to find that it was no longer soft and fragrant, but was instead dry as dust. She dropped the last token of Chakotay's love.

Stretching her hands above her face, she felt the satin cover of her casket. Filled with fear of being trapped, Janeway began clawing at the fabric. She managed to rip part of the satin off before Q took pity on her.

Suddenly, Captain Janeway was sitting on a mound of stones. Beside her, Q was munching on an apple.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

"Saving you." He answered smoothly. "Do you really think you would have escaped that wooden tomb below you?"

She looked down and was startled to find that the mound of stones she was sitting on was a grave- her grave. She quickly stood. "Why didn't you just allow me to return to dust?"

"You interest me, mon capiton." Q tossed the apple aside. "How would you like to spend the rest of eternity with me? We could see the stars, together. Visit planets you've never thought of."

"No thank you." Janeway turned away and began to walk.

"You could observe up close stellar phenomenon that your peers from the academy never dreamed of." Q continued following her. "Think of the possibilities, Kathryn."

"I don't need to think." She snapped stepping over a log, purpose driven. "The answer is no."

"Well then," he stopped as she continued walking. "What do you plan to do now? Walk around the planet for eternity?"

She stopped and faced him. "No." There was a hard edge to her voice as though she was reprimanding an ensign instead of debating with someone who could fling her across the galaxy with the snap of his fingers. "I plan to find a way to contact Voyager." Without another word, she turned her back on Q and proceeded.

Q quirked an eyebrow. "Voyager has long since left orbit, mon capiton." He stated. "The blossom that was in your hand is quite dry. You have been dead for awhile, do you really think you're still a human?"

"If I'm not human, then what am I?" she challenged over her shoulder taking another step forward.

'A typical stubborn, hot headed, Starfleet captain,' he thought, but didn't voice the comment. "That's my secret now." He said with a smile. "Until you lose your temper, that is."

Janeway stopped dead in her tracks. Not because of Q's words, for she was barely listening. But what scene greeted her as she stepped out of the forest. A clear blue pond with a waterfall rose over her head. Trees laden with the white blossoms swayed lazily in a gentle breeze. The perfumed scent of lavender-jasmine was heavy in the air.

Tears sprung to her eyes as she stepped into the sand. She dropped to her knees in the middle of the beach and allowed the salty tears to flow over her cheeks.

Q watched, half disgusted at how emotional humans could be, and half pitying the captain without a crew. He could change everything for her....

"Mon capiton," he laid a hand on her shoulder, which she tried unsuccessfully to shake off. "I could take you to Voyager, although I'm not sure you'll want to go back."

She turned to him through her tears. "Take me back Q...please, take me home to Voyager."

He snapped his fingers with dread.

Instantly, they were aboard Voyager and her tears were gone. The mess hall was empty, but Janeway could hear two voices, Tom and B'Elanna's, as they fixed a midnight snack in the kitchen.

"It'll be just a few days now." Tom told B'Elanna. "The plans for Chakotay's wedding are almost done."

Kathryn's face drained of blood.

Part Five: His New Life

"I heard Chakotay say the wedding was day after tomorrow." B'Elanna refuted Tom's earlier comment.

"Well, yeah, but that's the same as a few days." Tom replied.

Kathryn listened to the conversation from outside the kitchen. When they started to walk toward her hiding place, she ducked behind a corner like a paranoid ensign. Having the captain caught eavesdropping would not be good for the crew.

She felt as though a knife had stabbed through her heart. Chakotay was getting married. Married! What was he thinking?? Didn't he remember the time they'd spent together just a few days ago?? Tears began to form, but she pushed them back inside her. She would not break down here. She was captain again, even if she was without her XO.

Q noticed her stance and took hold of her arm. "Mon capiton, it has been a month already." He told her.

"A month??" a bewildered Janeway stared at him. "How could a month have already passed?"

"You were in a box, did you keep track of time?"

She pulled her arm from his grasp and left the mess hall in a huff. Main engineering was a chaotic din of noises. No one seemed to notice as the captain strode in, which was odd. She had been gone for a month, why didn't they say anything to her? Even more confusing, why did they seem to look through her instead of at her?

Kathryn moved to look at a few of the consoles. Everything was in working condition, but B'Elanna was apparently taking the time to do some much needed repairs. 'Good for her.' Janeway smiled.

The captain watched as the main doors opened, hoping it would be Chakotay. It was Tom. He walked in and went straight to B'Elanna, who was conveniently behind a wall, almost out of Janeway's vision. Almost, unfortunately not all the way. She watched as Tom bent over her chief engineer to deliver a kiss.

A knot had formed in her stomach at the sight. Would she ever get Chakotay back and receive his kisses again? Did anyone know how hard it was to watch the two in the corner? They shouldn't be allowed to do that on duty. What kind of a ship was Chakotay running anyway??

She turned away from the couple, longing to see the acting captain.

"Where is Chakotay?" she asked Q softly for fear of the crew hearing her voice and the emotion attached to it.

"You don't want to see him right now." Q told her.

"Yes I do. Show me him."

Q snapped his fingers for the second time in dread. Foolish humans couldn't understand when it was better for them to not see something.

They were in the mess hall again. It was later in the day, Janeway thought, for there were crew members milling around as though it was time for lunch. In a corner of the room, sitting at a table by himself was Chakotay. Kathryn's heart lifted at the sight of him. She began to make her way to his table, but stopped just as the doors opened. Turning, she saw a beautiful alien saunter in. Her hair was raven black, and braided in a single braid. She had a gold band around the top of her head which didn't quite cover the heart-shaped mark on her temple. Her skin was a rosy-gold color with the slight hint of ridges in her hairline. She really was quite beautiful, Janeway had to admit, until the instant that the alien leaned over and kissed Chakotay full on the lips.

Janeway felt as though she had never known the full meaning of jealousy until that moment. She felt her face grow hot and blood rushing through her veins as the alien pulled back and grinned at Chakotay. She couldn't see Chakotay's reaction, and wasn't sure she wanted to.

It took all of her will power to not charge over to the table and throw the woman off Voyager or to snap her neck. She watched as the woman sat across from her XO and rubbed her neck painfully. Then she opted for turning her back on the couple, instead of watching the display before her.

"Who is she Q?" she asked dejectedly.

"She's his fiancée." Q told the woman beside him. "Her name is Prialya. Chakotay met her while negotiating with the planet we are orbiting."

"Show me no more." Janeway said. "Take me away from here,....away from Voyager," she hesitated only a moment. "Away forever."

Q was only too happy to comply. With cheerful snap of his fingers, they were on the planet beside the waterfall again.

Kathryn didn't bother with keeping up her walls any longer. She dropped back into the sand and wept openly. She had just lost all that mattered to her life. What was worth going on for now? The scent of lavender-jasmine filled her nose. She tried to hide from it, but it was all around her. She would have to get away from the planet somehow, or else be harshly reminded of Chakotay every single minute of every single day, until eternity came.
Q observed the woman who's feelings had just been tormented. She had taken everythi

ng quite well, but he knew there was one more thing he must do for her.

"Come Kathryn." He said pulling the sobbing figure to her feet. "There is one more place we must go."

"No..." Kathryn begged. "Please, no more..."

"You need to see that first officer of yours while he is alone." Q told her. "He's not in love with Prailya"

Janeway's head snapped up. "He's not?" she asked wiping tears away.

Q didn't answer her, but instead snapped his fingers.

They were standing in Chakotay's quarters. The furniture had not been moved, nor had the picture of them on his desk. Chakotay sat leaning over his computer console. He was working on something, probably engineering reports, Janeway nearly laughed through her tearful eyes at the thought as she remembered how much he hated them.

Kathryn began to move forward and then stopped short as Chakotay noticed a movement in the corner and leapt out of his chair, phaser in hand aimed at them.

"You!" he shouted angrily. "What are you doing here?!"

Part Six: The Visitor's Revelation

"Why are you here?!" Chakotay roared again as he advanced forward at Q. Then, realizing what he looked like, he replaced the phaser on his desk. It would be of no use to him. But, alas, he could do nothing about his clothes.

"Nice pjs, commander." Q smirked.

Suddenly, Chakotay felt a chill pass through him, and just as quickly, it was gone. "What was that?" he demanded of Q as he glanced behind himself.

"Mon capiton," Q was not looking directly at Chakotay, but instead at something behind him. "Don't be so foolish."

"I am not your captain." Chakotay stated quickly, his anger of having Q uninvited in his quarters still close to the surface. What right did this omnipotent being have to barge in his quarters??

"I did not call you foolish." Q rolled his eyes. "I called Kathryn foolish. She still has so much to learn about being part of the Cont-"

"Kathryn is dead." The statement came from low in Chakotay's throat, almost as a growl. "If she were alive, do you think I'd be-....forget it. What does it matter to you?" he turned away. "Get off my ship."

"See! I knew he wasn't good enough for you, Kathy!" Q burst out. "Come now, I think we have a date with a star in the gamma quadrant. It's about to go supernova, and I know you'll enjoy witnessing that."

"You will come with me." Q said after a brief pause, he was beginning to grow impatient with the one who still thought so much like a human. "You told me to take you away from here forever, and I intend to do just that."

Chakotay watched Q half amused as he carried on a one sided conversation. "If Kathryn is really here, why can't I see her? After all, I can see you."

"Because she hasn't matured to a full Q." He answered. "She still has the feeble mind of a low lifeform, a human, like yourself."

Q was suddenly flung backwards and into a wall. He slumped down to the floor. "Temper, temper, Kathryn. You must learn to control those emotions." Then under his breath he added, "Why couldn't' someone else have the parenting job?"

Chakotay watched the scene play out. "Get out Q. I have more important things to do besides play games with you."

"He's yours Kathryn. Do with him what you please. I'll be on the planet, if you can figure out how to throw me, then you can get back on your own." In a bright flash, Q was gone.

Chakotay glanced around his quarters nervously. Then he gave a sigh of relief. Q was a pest, true, but for once, Chakotay wished his words were not a fallacy. Collapsing in his bed, Chakotay pulled the blankets around his shoulders and tried to drift off to sleep. But sleep wouldn't come. Q's words tumbled around in his mind for the next hour. What if Kathryn had really been turned into a Q? Did she still love him? Or was she as up pity as Q and Q2? She would never be as snobbish as they were, he decided quickly. Finally, he fell asleep, only to be tormented by precious memories.

There was anger in him. Anger at Starfleet. Anger at Voyager. Anger at this woman before him, his captor.

Chakotay had materialized on the transporter pad in his Maquis uniform. Captain Janeway was advancing towards them, victory in her eyes. She had her prize-the Maquis captain, Starfleet would reward them when they returned. Chakotay didn't notice her as a woman until days later.

The scene changed. His anger was replaced with anxiety. He was on a planet, carrying his dying captain from the shuttle after the lightning had hit. He laid her down on the earth as she battled the alien raging within her body.

"Breathe, Kathryn! Breathe!" he begged, trying to pump blood back to her heart.

He continued begging her not to leave him. It was cold and damp around him, but he didn't notice. His only concern was for the dying woman in front of him.

He was in sick bay. Kathryn lay on the biobed with the doctor at her head.

"No vital signs, no brain activity." Kes said.

"Make a note in the log." The doctor stated somberly. "Death occured at 0320 hours."

Blinking, the scene changed from one planet to another. This one, though dark, was instantly recognized by Chakotay. He was on New Earth.

Kathryn was just emerging from the trees, her hair still damp from her bath. She blushed a little under his scrutinizing gaze. He loved seeing her blush, and loved it even more that he was the cause of her red face.

"Chakotay..." she said admonishing him with a soft smile.
"Yes?"

She hesitated, a teasing look in her eyes. "Are you going to tell me more of the angry warrior legend?"

"Maybe." It was his turn to blush.

Once again, the scene changed quickly. He was in the water where they had shared their last shoreleave. Her face was barely inches from his. Every time he was close to her, he was suddenly moved to another scene. This time, he would win. Slowly, his head dropped and he brushed a light kiss across her lips. She did nothing to pull away; instead she pulled him closer, and so he deepened the kiss. When they finally pulled back, they stared at one another wide eyed. Then, he was gone.

Chakotay awoke drenched in sweat, his heart beating a rapid tempo that seemed like it was somewhere around 145 against his rib cage. Why couldn't that last one have been reality instead of a dream?!? "Computer, what time is it?" he asked breathlessly.

"0500 hours."

He tried to lay back down, but then sat straight up again. "Kathryn," he whispered. "I don't know if you're here or not." He paused and looked around his darkened room hoping to see her. "But please, if you can heart me, stop this wedding. Do anything to get me out of it." He pleaded. "Even death would be more welcome than the alter with Prailya."

Kathryn's heart lifted at his words. He didn't want to be married to Prialya! Then she stood quickly. There were less than six hours until the dreaded event, was it too late?

Part Seven: Her Failure, Her Future

Chakotay awoke an hour later with a knot in his stomach. If Kathryn wasn't really a Q and didn't stop this wedding, would he actually be able to go through with it? Dread filled his whole being as he climbed out of bed. He didn't know why he'd agreed to marry Prailya. He'd met her while Kathryn's death was still weighing heavily on his mind. She'd been a sweet friend who had managed to pull him out of his depression.

When Prailya had first brought up the idea or marriage, he'd blindly agreed. It was only days later that he had realized the monstrosity of what he'd agreed to.

Chakotay exited his quarters and was surprised to find engineering crews swarming the corridors of Voyager. "Chakotay to Engineering." He said tapping his comm badge. "B'Elanna, what's going on?"

"I don't know." B'Elanna's voice was obviously tired. "At about 0500 minor systems began shutting down. I've got crew on it, but the systems are going down as fast as we're getting them up. Though no major systems have been affected."

"Ok, keep me posted. Chakotay out." He couldn't help but smile. There was hope!

Kathryn had seen his grin. She'd been on the way to her quarters when Chakotay had stepped into the hall. Now, she ducked into her quarters. Nothing had been changed. Apparently, Chakotay hadn't been able to clean them out and use them as his own. Everything had been left just as it was right before she had gone on that last shoreleave. Well, almost everything. Thankfully, Chakotay had returned the half full cup of coffee to the replicator.

Janeway sniffed the air. Curious. There was a spicy cologne scent in it. She smiled knowing Chakotay had spent a lot of time in here.

At her computer console Janeway quickly keyed in some commands. When asked for authorization, she gave it. Thankfully, although the computer knew she was dead, it accepted her commands and safety over rides.

Straightening from her bent over position, she sighed. This was her last chance. If it didn't work....well, she didn't want to think of the consequences. Hopefully, B'Elanna wouldn't be able to figure out what was wrong in time. As Captain Janeway moved to the bridge, the final command was sent through Voyager. The star ship plunged in darkness, all power except life support had failed.

B'Elanna stared in horror as darkness enveloped her. How could that many systems fail at once?!?! Even her consoles weren't lit! She grabbed a tricorder from where she had left it on a near console. Tricorders ran on their own stored power, so maybe she could learn something through them. Making some adjustments, she felt the blood drain from her face. A chief of engineering's nightmare was displayed before her. Everything, no exceptions other than life support, was down. No lights, no weapons, no turbolifts, no holodecks, no replicators, no doctor.....hmm..that last one wasn't so bad, she had to admit. But they needed the rest.

With out thinking, she tapped her comm badge. "Torres to Chak-" No comm system either. Ok, first things first....calm down. She tried to regulate her breathing, but it was getting hard. The ship's power had just crashed, and she had to find a way to fix it within a few hours so her captain could get married.

The computer would be the first thing, she decided. If they could get some life back to that, then maybe everything would fall into place for the rest. Probably not, but it would be a start.

Chakotay was in his ready room when darkness flooded the ship. His computer terminal had bleeped once, and then went black. Quickly, he stood and went straight to the door. It didn't open. He pressed the button beside it. No affect. Manually he forced it open and stepped onto the inky dark bridge. It was so dark, he couldn't even make out the faces of his crew. Apparently the emergency lights had failed too.

"What happened?" he asked quickly.

"Uncertain." Kim replied somewhere over to Chakotay's left. "Everything was fine, then we were in the dark."

"Literally!" Tom laughed from another direction.

"Paris..." Chakotay reprimanded in a warning voice. No one could see his obsidian glare, but all knew it was there.

"Sorry sir." Tom said quickly.

"Chakotay to en-" his comm badge didn't work either. "So all systems are shut down?" Chakotay asked bewildered.

"It appears that way, sir." Tuvok replied. "I do believe that life support is fully functioning though."

"What makes you say that"

"I can hear the recycling system still taking in air."

"Ok. So, for the most part we are without any power. Tom, I want you and Harry to go down to engineering and see what B'Elanna has deduced. It appears that unless something happens, we're all about to get a crash course in how to repair a star ship. Tuvok, you have the bridge. I'll be going to engineering also after I stop by the mess hall and sickbay to make sure everyone there understands what has happened."

Chakotay walked in the direction of the turbolift and stumbled down some steps. He felt arms reach out and catch him. "Thanks." He muttered wondering who had been in the captain's chair. He almost walked into the turbolift's door before he remembered that it wasn't working. He opened a hatch and grabbed an electric torch from that back of the door before climbing inside the jeffries tube. Tom and Harry followed him.

Kathryn still stood in the middle of the bridge in awe. She'd just touched Chakotay and he'd felt her! It was a good thing too, or else he would have sprawled out on the floor! A shiver ran up and down her back as she relived the moment. Why had she let go?, she wondered. Because he pulled away. She reminded herself. After all, to him this was an emergency. He didn't know that a few commands from the computer in her quarters would end the blackout on Voyager.

B'Elanna was half under a console with a tricorder and an electric torch when she heard the hatch behind her open. "Who's there?" she asked absentmindedly as she fumbled with some circuits. When there was no response, she began to turn around. She never made it, Tom tackled her before she got the chance to.

"Tom!" she exclaimed, then realizing how loud she'd said it, she ducked down a little.

"Yeah?" he asked, barely a breath away from her.

"Nevermind..." she allowed herself to be lost in his kiss. His arms tightened around her just as she pulled back. "We need to figure out how to get power back up..." Her voice trailed off.

Tom took in a deep breath but pulled himself away from her. "Yes, chief." He grinned.

She laid a hand against his cheeky smile. "Get up and see if you can get this console to work." She ordered returning the smile.

Chakotay crawled back in the hatch. Sick bay had been extremely confused when the doctor had vanished, but the nurse on duty hadn't had any problems covering for him. Mess hall had been fine too. The large window had allowed light from the stars to flood in, it was probably the lightest part of the ship, Chakotay mused. Inside the jeffries tube on his way to engineering was probably the darkest, at least it felt like it.

Pushing open the hatch to engineering, Chakotay stumbled inside just catching the edge of a console before he almost fell. Wait! His eyes fastened on the console. He could see it. It was lit up.

"B'Elanna?" he called. He could barely make out her figure hidden by Tom's across the room. They were leaning over another console. He swiftly made his way over to them. "Report."
"It looks like I'll have it in just a few minutes." B'Elanna answered proudly. "You could go get into your dress uniform, we'll be ready to beam down within the hour."

Chakotay's heart sank. "You're sure you'll have it repaired?" he asked weakly.

B'Elanna's head came up. "Yes, Chakotay." She smiled at him. "I won't let it get in the way of your wedding."

Chakotay turned away, tears in his heart. He slowly walked back to the hatch and was about to crawl in when Tom's arm on his shoulder stopped him.

"Are you ok?" Tom asked softly not wanting the crew members to hear.

"I-...I'll be fine." Chakotay replied thankful for the still dark engineering. He didn't want anyone to see the tears welling up in his eyes.

Janeway stood at the edge of the crowd that was gathering for the ceremony. She had failed. She hadn't been able to stop the wedding. Chakotay would go on and marry this woman while Kathryn was forced to roam the stars with Q. A tear slipped down her cheek.

Chakotay was walking to the alter now, eyes darted from crew member to crew member. Tom, who was already at the front clapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey Chakotay, look alive." He turned serious for a moment. "The crew has been worried about you since the captain died. We're all happy you've found someone."

Chakotay thought for a minute if he should voice his concern, "Tom, on the bridge this morning, who was in the captain's chair?"

Tom looked puzzled for a minute. "No one." He answered. "Tuvok and Harry were at their posts, as I was." When Chakotay's face revealed no emotion he asked, "Why?"

"Q visited me last night, Tom." He took a deep breath. "Kathryn may not be dead. She may have been on Voyager today."

"You think it was her on the bridge?" Tom stared at Chakotay wide eyed. "Then why are you getting married??"

"Am I supposed to believe Q after all he's done?"

"In this case, I would."

It was too late. The music began playing. Prailya was coming down the aisle. She was dressed in the traditional white of humans, but her dress resembled a kimono and a veil was draped over the whole costume.

Chakotay's eyes rested on her for a minute, but then they began shifting as he scanned the crowds. Q,...Kathryn,....he was looking for anyone to get him out of this.

Prailya made it to the front and looked at Chakotay curiously. He ignored her look as they turned to the priest.

Kathryn had watched Chakotay scan the garden. His mind was not on the wedding, she knew. As he turned, she felt a sob rise in her throat.

"Do you, Captain Chakotay of the Federation starship Voyager, take Prailya of Rwasian to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"

"Noooooo!" Kathryn moaned in agony as tears gushed from her eyes. The scene before her froze.

"Don't you want him to be happy?" Q was beside her.

"He won't be happy with her! He told me to stop the wedding and I failed!" Kathryn sobbed openly.

Q laid a hand on the distraught woman's arm. "What do you really want Kathryn?" he asked. "If you could have one thing, what would it be?"

"Chakotay." She stated trying to stop the sobs, and failing.

"If you could, would you marry him?"

Janeway brought her head up sharply. "Yes. Yes, I would."

"You couldn't be a part of the Continium. You'd have to be human."

"Make me human again, Q! Please!" she begged.

The scene was unfrozen, and Q was gone.

Chakotay was hesitating, for what reason, he did not know. There was total silence, they were waiting for his answer, when Janeway realized B'Elanna was looking at her in shock.

"Captain!" B'Elanna gasped loudly.

Chakotay whipped his head around.

The instant Janeway realized Q had made her human again, she began running down the aisle to her love.

"Kathryn!" He met her halfway and caught her in a fierce bear hug, tears streaming down both their faces.

"Chakotay..." she whispered clinging to him.

"Don't leave me." He begged softly. "Don't ever leave me again."

"I won't. I promise." She didn't hesitate on her next words. "I love you, Chakotay."

"I love you too." He answered. Pulling back he gazed down into her azure eyes that were pooled with salty tears. "Captain Kathryn Janeway, will you marry me?"

She took in a sharp breath. "Yes." New tears welled up in her eyes. "Yes, I will."

He met her lips in what would be the first of many kisses as the crew around them erupted in cheers and applause.

FINIS.
Epilogue

Prailya could feel the eyes of over two hunderd guests boring into her, but she didn't pay any attention to them. Her eyes were glued to the couple making a scene in the middle of the wedding aisle. The captain and her commander. Prailya hadn't heard the words whispered between them, no one had, but she had no doubt that there would be a wedding today, and it wasn't going to be hers.

Numbly, she allowed her sister to lead her away to a room in her small house where the wedding was set at. Prailya was standing beside a window overlooking the small pond with birds flocked around it when she realized what this really meant.

Chakotay had left her. He'd left her standing at the alter ready to share her life with him. And for what? For that captain he fancied himself in love with! Tears began to form in Prailya's eyes, seconds later they were creating salty paths down her cheeks and dripping off her chin as she silently mourned for her loss.

Drawing in a ragged breath Prailya felt anger boiling inside of her. She grabbed the first object she could find, a porcelain vase that was supposed to be a wedding gift, and hurled it at the window.

Chakotay and Kathryn were startled back to reality when they heard the shattering of glass. Both instinctively looked around for the source. Finding none, they were forced to realize exactly where they were and who was surrounding them.

Kathryn turned a crimson shade of red as reality hit her. She had just kissed Chakotay in front of the whole crew! She'd never intended to kiss him anywhere but when they were in private, like one of their quarters or that special shore leave when they were positive they were alone. She had in no way expected to kiss him in front any crew member, but that was exactly what had happened...and not one or two, but all one hunderd and forty seven!

Chakotay couldn't believe what he'd done. Talk about emotions running away with him! He'd just left a wonderful woman standing at the alter and run after Kathryn. Well, he didn't regret his decision, and judging from the way she was looking at him, Kathryn didn't either. But what he did regret was how Prailya had found out he wasn't in love with her.

"I've got to find Prailya..." Chakotay whispered hoarsly to Kathryn.

She nodded unsure of what to say. "Do you want me to go back to the ship?" she finally asked. She may be the captain in a few hours, but right now he was the captain, not to mention that is was his fiancée who had just been humilated.

He hesitated and then looked up at the front of the alter. "No, stay right here. We've got some unfinished business to take care of...if you're sure."

She smiled softly and nodded. "I'm sure."

Chakotay dropped a kiss on her forhead and then quickly left the crew surrounding Kathryn.

Prailya was kneeling beside fragments of glass when Chakotay finally found her. He'd had to pysically push past her protesting sister, but he had to make her understand.

"Prailya....?"

She didn't turn to him, she couldn't face him after this. "Go away."

He took a hesitant step forward and put his hand on her shoulder.

She ripped away from him and spun to stand. "How could you do this?" she seethed.

"I'm sorry..." was all he could say. What more was there to say?

"Yes, you should be!" She hurled back. "I had given you my love and was ready to share my life with you, and what do you do?!..you leave me standing up there alone! Imagine what everyone is thinking of me now!"

Chakotay took it calmly. His calmness was only serving to make Prailya more livid.

"Get out, Chakotay. Go away and don't ever come back!" she placed her hands on his chest and gave him a mighty shove causing him to stumble backwards. He nearly tripped over a chair but caught his balance at the last minute.

'Shame,' Prailya thought to herself as she turned her back on him, 'It'd serve him right to fall and hurt himself.'

"Prailya,....I can't change what happened." Chakotay began. "I don't regret choosing Kathryn, I never will. You entered my life when I was still mourning for her and I think we both know that I was never romanticly in love with you. I'm sorry. That's all I can say to you. I wish you didn't have to find out like this, but what's happened is done."

Prailya heard him close the door softly as he walked out of the room and out of her life forever. She never saw him again.

Ok,that's it for my first miniseries. What did you think of it? Should I try another?