Unworthy - Kirsten Beyer [130]
“You said you could never abandon your people,” she continued cautiously. “I hope that’s still the case because they need you on this mission. What’s more, I need you, Captain.”
Eden searched his eyes for an affirmative response as the silence between them stretched out over too many tense seconds.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Chakotay paused for a moment before entering the mess hall. He knew well what awaited him on the other side of the doors and, as always, found it difficult to imagine enjoying any celebration convened specifically in his honor. Memories of previous parties held in this room drifted through his mind’s eye, particularly those that had taken place when Kathryn had commanded Voyager . At the time, those celebrations had felt a little like whistling in the dark. Everyone had grown accustomed to the cloud hanging over them—their return to the Alpha quadrant was probably going to take a lot longer than any of them hoped. And as each new danger was met and conquered, as comrades were lost and new faces added, it was easy to imagine that they were making the most of the hand they had all been dealt. Neelix had been an amazing host, almost assaulting his guests with food and drinks meant to banish for a few hours the often more grim reality that awaited them when they returned to duty. But once Voyager had made it home and so many of her crew had scattered, it had somehow become impossible to recapture the camaraderie that had sustained them during those seven years together.
Standing just outside the range of the door’s sensors, Chakotay decided that the time had come, once and for all, to put the past behind them. There was important work to be done. Though he had willingly accepted his need to leave Starfleet to do what he thought he must, part of him was grateful that he had not been forced to wander too deeply into the wilderness alone. There would most certainly be new trials to face in the coming weeks and months, but he would face them with his friends—his family— by his side.
The uniform he had abandoned felt a little more restrictive than he remembered. The pips gleaming on his collar seemed a little heavier than they once had. But his heart was full and his step was light as he entered the mess to find dozens of happy faces turning toward him and a raucous cheer raised along with many glasses lifted in his direction.
Tom and B’Elanna were the first to hurry toward him, their smiles beaming. He immediately extended his arms to take Miral from B’Elanna. As the child began to tug at his shiny pips Tom said, “It’s good to have you back, Captain.”
“Is it possible I’m holding my future captain’s assistant in my arms?” Chakotay asked as he grinned at B’Elanna.
“She’s yours if you want her,” B’Elanna replied, “but I’m telling you now, she’s more trouble than she’s worth.”
“P’tak!” Miral cried out gleefully.
“Miral!” B’Elanna shushed her in wide-eyed horror.
“Just like her mother,” Chakotay teased. As Miral began to squirm and Tom relieved Chakotay of his burden whispering softly to his daughter about words we don’t use around company, Chakotay said, “I understand you’ve decided to go back to work, Commander Torres.”
B’Elanna blushed slightly as she nodded.
“I guess I’m not the only one onboard who’s not really ready for retirement,” she replied as Lieutenant Conlon approached their group.
She immediately extended her hand and said, “Congratulations, Captain Chakotay. I look forward to serving with you.”
“As do I, Lieutenant,” Chakotay replied, shaking her hand lightly. “B’Elanna has been singing your praises for weeks, as has Captain Eden.”
“Thank you, sir,” Conlon replied.
“He’s lying about one thing,” B’Elanna quickly interjected.
Conlon’s face fell into curious lines as she turned