The Farther Shore - Christie Golden [91]
She did look dreadful. She was covered in mud and what looked like dried, crusted blood. She was wild-eyed and very thin, and she looked like she was about to cry.
“She’s dead.”
“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry.” He cuddled Miral, who had gone quiet at the sound of her mother’s voice.
B’Elanna swallowed. “It’s all right. I want ... Tom, there’s so much I want to tell you, and my little baby, I’ve missed you both so much. ...” She fought back sobs. Collecting herself, she continued. “I’ve talked to Commander Logt and the Guardians, and they’ve agreed to let us live here and study.”
It took a few seconds for his sleepy brain to register the information. “On Boreth? Why would you possibly want to do that?”
“I know it seems sudden to you, but after what I’ve been through ... I know this is the right thing. Would you be willing to do this?”
He didn’t know. In his entire life, he’d never anticipated living on the holiest planet in the Klingon Empire. She saw the expression on his face and said, “Just come here for a while. Let me tell you about the Challenge. Let me tell you about ... about everything. Please.”
He loved this woman with his whole heart and soul. He could deny her nothing, and was simply very grateful that she was still alive. Something profound must have happened, to turn her from hating her Klingon heritage to wanting to live in the temples and study it.
[273] Very well. If she wanted to live on Boreth, they’d live on Boreth.
“We’ll be on the first transport out. I love you.”
The weeks passed pleasantly enough. Janeway took up a position at Starfleet Command, juggling her duties there on her “project” with teaching a joint class with Tuvok at the Academy.
When Chakotay contacted her after spending several weeks with his family to let her know he was returning to San Francisco, Janeway promptly invited him to dinner. “It’ll be just like old times,” she said. He agreed happily.
Smiling in anticipation of a wonderful evening, she replicated lamb for herself, an aromatic wild mushroom risotto for Chakotay, and had opened a bottle of fine old merlot. When he arrived and she handed him a glass, he accepted it appreciatively.
“It smells wonderful in here,” he said. Indicating the wine, he asked, “What’s the occasion?”
“A quiet lull,” she said, and meant it. “It felt so awkward being home at first, and then of course we had the Borg and the holograms to keep us busy. Now, things are settling down. I’ve found a rhythm again.”
“Miss your chicks?”
She stared at him. “I beg your pardon?”
He smiled. “On Voyager, you often struck me like a mother hen protecting her chicks. They’ve grown up and, to use an old cliché, flown the coop.”
She finished setting the table and he lit the candles. “Of course I miss my chicks,” she said. “But they seem to be doing just fine. Icheb’s back at the Academy.”
“That’s wonderful news. How did that all turn out?”
[274] “According to Tuvok, one of the four cadets involved in the assault had been expelled, two youths had been suspended, and one young woman had received a reprimand.” As she went into the kitchen, she called over her shoulder, “And apparently Icheb’s dating the girl.”
“Icheb is a forgiving person,” said Chakotay, “but forgiveness of that nature is remarkable. Good for both of them. It speaks well of their characters. I hear Harry’s back together with Libby.”
“A delightful young woman, and so talented. Sounds like our boy may be ready to settle down,” said Janeway, bringing in the food-laden platters. “Speaking of settling down, Tom and B’Elanna and their adorable Kuvah’-Magh are studying Klingon culture on Boreth now.”
“Really? Something big must have happened on the Challenge of Spirit,” said Chakotay. “Did I tell you I heard from the Doctor yesterday? He sent me a preview copy of Photons, Claim Justice.”
“How is it?”
“I haven’t dared look at it yet. Apparently Seven has been critiquing it quite severely.”
“I’m surprised he’d show it to her,” Janeway said.
“Maybe she’s just down the hall and it’s convenient. Speaking