Spirit Walk_ Old Wounds (Book 1) - Christie Golden [6]
He was a little embarrassed at the effusiveness of the greeting. Holding up his hands, he said, “Thank you, everyone. I’m so pleased you could attend. This is a very special moment for me, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate it than with all of you. Please,” he said, gesturing to the holographic waiters serving champagne and appetizers, “as you were.”
Laughter rippled throughout the crowd as Chakotay greeted his friends one by one. Janeway was there, of course, beaming with pride. They embraced affectionately, and Chakotay kissed her cheek.
Commander Tuvok stood by her side. Like everyone else, he had applauded politely, but he looked as though he regarded such an effusive display of approbation beneath him. Chakotay smothered a grin as he shook the Vulcan’s hand.
“It’s not going to be the same without you as head of security, Tuvok,” Chakotay said.
Tuvok inclined his head graciously at the compliment. “Thank you, Captain. However, I trust Lieutenant Kim will serve you admirably.”
“I trust so, too,” said Lieutenant Harry Kim. He was present at this gathering because he would be the one taking Chakotay to the ship later. Everyone else under Chakotay’s command was already aboard Voyager.
“Com—” Harry blushed. “Excuse me, Captain—you remember Libby Webber?”
“It would be hard to forget someone like you, Miss Webber,” said Chakotay, turning to greet the lovely young musician who was famous throughout the quadrant. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“Thank you, Captain. I’m honored to be here today,” Libby smiled.
Not for the first time, Chakotay thought Harry Kim a lucky man. His family was alive and well, he was progressing steadily in a career he loved, and he was dating a woman who was as intelligent and talented as she was attractive. Clearly, they doted on one another.
“Sorry to be taking Harry away from you again,” Chakotay said.
“As long as it’s not another seven years, I’ll be fine,” she replied, giving him a broad, sweet smile.
Chakotay lifted his eyes from Libby’s to gaze right into a pair of intelligent blue ones. A slow smile spread across his face as he took the woman’s hand.
“Hello, Seven,” he said softly.
She smiled in return, that deep, radiant smile that reached her eyes and made everyone who saw it realize with certainty that she was human now, no longer Borg. They had seen one another a few times as friends since she had ended their relationship at their welcome-home banquet, and things had been easier than he had expected. Seven’s new job in the Federation think tank had been enough of a challenge to stimulate her powerful intellect, and her aunt Irene had exerted a warmly humanizing influence. The result was that Seven of Nine seemed happier than Chakotay had ever seen her on Voyager.
He recalled the fears that she had expressed, fears that, if truth be told, he had shared to some degree. She had worried that she would not fit in on Earth. And those fears had appeared to be borne out initially. Now, those unpleasant events were but a memory, and Seven of Nine had blossomed under the blue skies of Earth.
“Congratulations, Captain Chakotay,” she said, squeezing his hand. “Your promotion is well deserved. Your crew is to be envied.”
“Thanks,” he said. “Where’s that attractive aunt of yours?”
“Right here,” came Irene Hansen’s warm voice. He turned and found himself caught up in a tight embrace, complete with a big kiss on the cheek. “You were so sweet to include me in the invitation!”
“Of course I included you,” he said. He winked and added, “I’ve had too many delicious meals at your house not to hedge my bets for more.”
A heavy sigh made him turn around. The Doctor was regarding one of the holographic waiters with a sad look on his face. Chakotay felt a pang of sympathy. The Doctor had unwittingly gotten himself embroiled in controversy when he arrived on Earth. While he had been cleared to Starfleet’s satisfaction, Chakotay