The Life We Left Behind: Part 1

Captain's Log.

We're almost home. In less then a year we will be within hailing distance of the Federation. I only hope there is something to come home to. We've occasionally gotten word from home and the last thing we heard was a war with a group called the Dominon. I hope we won.

The last few years on Voyager have been something. Its been Hell. I can't wait to get home and introduce Seven to my mother and sister. I think they will love her as much as I do.

The one thing that worries me is the kind of reception we will get. Will it be a good one? Will Chakotay and the former Maquis be arrested or will they get the welcome they deserve? And Seven and the other Borg? What will become of them? What will become of all of us when we reach home?

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"Captain, its a party, have fun."

Janeway smiled at Chakotay. The decision she had made all those years ago to make him her first officer had been the correct one. They hadn't always agreed, especially in the early days, but in the end he had turned into one of her finest officers as well as one of her best friends.

"It looks like everyone else is having a good time." Janeway smiled.

"Yes they are." Chakotay smiled, "We're almost home Captain. We've done it."

"I'm just worried I guess."

"About what? The Maquis?"

"And....."

"And Seven." Chakotay paused, "What will life be like for her when we get back to the Alpha Quadrant?"

"She is Borg."

"She WAS Borg." Chakotay smiled, "Now she is your wife."

Janeway smiled at the memory of the wedding. They had even had a honeymoon. The planet they had gone to was wonderful. The rest of the crew had left them alone for two whole days.

"Yeah you're right." Janeway smiled and scanned the room for Seven, "Besides it is a party and I don't want to offend Neelix."

Chakotay chuckled, "I think he's past caring."

"What do you mean?"

"Well....He's been dancing with Ensign Wildman all night."

"They have been getting close."

"Yes they have." Chakotay smiled, "He's been like a father to Naomi."

Janeway frowned.

"What is it?"

"He isn't her father." Janeway paused, "What's going to happen to him, when we get home and Samantha goes back to her husband?"

Chakotay wasn't sure what to say.

"There's an old Earth saying, You can't go home again. I just wonder if it will be true for us."

Again Chakotay didn't know what to say. He was happy when Seven came over to them and whisked Janeway away. However what she said had made sense. He just hoped she was wrong. He hoped he could go home because home was where he really wanted to be.

The Life We Left Behind: Part 2

It took three days for Captain Kathryn Janeway to realize she had made it home. Yeah her eyes saw stars she recognized and her heart felt the happiness of reaching home but the little voices in her head kept telling her it was just a dream. She wasn't really home. On the third day however the voices stopped and for the first time Kathryn relaxed. She was home.

The crew of the USS Voyager would remain on Deep Space Nine for another week. It was a necessary precaution. Everyone understood that. There was just no telling what diseases they had picked up in the Delta Quadrant. There was also the matter of the Maquis and Borg crew members. That was still up for debate. Kathryn however made it perfectly known that she had no intention of letting anything happen to her crew.

"Captain its good to see you again."

Kathryn looked up from her cup of coffee that she was drinking in the Ferengi bar. Standing in front of her was the station's doctor, Julian Bashir.

"What can I do for you Doctor?" Kathryn smiled.

"Oh nothing." Bashir smiled, "Just stopped in to say hello. I heard you were here."

"Yes." Kathryn smiled, "By the way how is our doctor holding up?"

Bashir smiled, "An amazing hologram and an even better doctor."

"We'd have been lost without him."

"Yes I can see that. By the way I wrote this up for you." Bashir handed Kathryn a PADD.

"What is it?"

"It's my testimony that the Doctor is a sentient being. " When Kathryn smiled Bashir continued, "Hey us doctors have to stick together."

---------------------------------------------------

Tom Paris paced. He had never been more nervous in his entire life. B'Elanna stood next to him and tried to calm him down. It wasn't working. Tom just continued to pace.

B'Elanna was about to tell Tom to stop pacing when the doors from the Cargo bay opened. Tom stopped pacing and made sure that his clothing was in perfect order. After a few moments Tom looked up and saw Owen Paris standing in front of him.

No one spoke. The two men just stared at each other. Then suddenly Admiral Owen Paris did something he had never done in his entire life. He grabbed Tom and hugged him with all his might. If B'Elanna hadn't seen it with her own eyes she wouldn't have believed it, but she thought she had seen a tear in the Admiral's eyes.

After the hug was over the two men looked at each other again and then Owen spoke, "I should have done that a long time ago Tom." Owen paused, "I also should have done this a long time ago also." Owen paused again, "I am proud of you, son."

B'Elanna watched Tom and saw that he was trying hard not to cry. All his life he had wanted to hear those words come out of his father's mouth.

Tom smiled and signaled to B'Elanna, "Dad I would like you to meet my wife, B'Elanna."

To Be Continued..