Chaos 2
Author: Christina and Sara
from an original idea by Christina, Sara, Jackee, and Suz

"Slow to impulse," Chakotay said two minutes later. "Open a channel. "Voyager to away team," Chakotay said as he stood.

"This is the Chaos," Harry stared at the screen as Janeway's image appeared. "Is everything ready?"

"Aye, Captain," Chakotay replied. "Our guest is in transporter room one."

"Very good. Permission to bring the Chaos aboard."

Harry shook his head, hoping everything would be explained-like just what were they doing.

"I demand you release me at once!" Elib exclaimed. "I am a duly appointed official of the Plor government." Janeway shrugged as Ayala pushed him back down into his chair.

"For the moment, Governor. Only for the moment. Several representatives of the Plor Congress will be joining us. Seems they've learned some rather disturbing pieces of information."

"LIES!"

"If you insist. And, it seems your bookkeeping is-" She thought for a second, before finishing the sentence. "-imaginative."

"I have powerful friends..." Elib said. "I have rights."

"Friends like the Mining Consortium? Apparently the Consortium is working overtime to distance themselves from you. Not that they'll get very far." Janeway shook her head.

Kathryn rubbed the bridge of her nose as they droned on. She was definitely getting a headache; time to do something about it. She looked at the representatives before her. Both the Plor and the Tevian were ready to talk; she could feel it. The only question was how to get around all the petty differences and hurt feelings

She cast a glance at Chakotay who sat, as always, at her side. Perhaps that was the answer, she told herself.

"I think," she said addressing the peace negotiators, "that what we need is a new perspective. No one knows better than I that appearances can be deceiving. What is one man's fight for freedom is another man's terrorism, but the truth usually lies somewhere in between."

She answered Chakotay's smile; at least he understood where she was headed. "I ask you to consider this; peace can only be achieved if you are willing to work together. Put aside your anger. After examining the facts, I think the painful truth is that you have been warring over a fiction created by governor Elib. You can reach a settlement, but only if you are willing to abandon your anger and work together for a solution."

Vo'arn smiled warmly at the Captain. "It would seem, Captain, that you have already learned our lesson."

Kathryn smiled in return. "About seven years ago." She glanced at Chakotay. "It wasn't as hard as I would have imagined."

Three hours later Chakotay stood next to Kathryn as they watched Chaos power up and begin its launch sequence. "You handled that very well," he complimented her as the ship lifted off the deck plates.

Janeway shrugged. "Perhaps. At least we managed to bring Governor Elib to justice. I think the Tevians and Plor will be able to work out their differences."

"I agree, they were more victims of the Governor and the Consortium than anything. Suggesting a model based on Wilson's 14 Points was a nice touch. They could have settled the one of the worst conflicts of the Twentieth Century, maybe this time they'll be given a chance to work." Chakotay nodded in the direction of the departing shuttle. "Giving Vo'arn the Chaos was another nice touch."

Kathryn grinned sheepishly, "We stole it, I couldn't very well keep it. And Wilson's Points were actually Tom's idea; his interest in history is useful, but as Captain, I get part of the credit."

Chakotay chuckled, but didn't feel the need to comment.

As the Chaos exited the bay Janeway shook off her brooding and squared her shoulders. "Commander, I think it's time we set course for home."

Epilogue

Chakotay leaned against the wall and watched her for several seconds as she scraped at a spot on the corridor carpet. Finally, he asked, "Just what are you doing?"

"You didn't clean the carpets."

"I could have told you that. We were a little busy."

"Putting holes in my ship, yet again."

He shook his hand as he held out his hand to help her up. She pushed herself up, apparently ignoring his offered hand. He wasn't surprised. Over the years, he recognized this pattern as how she'd distanced herself from him, whenever things heated up.

"I thought a new window would be nice." He smiled at her. She rolled her eyes.

"Any word from the Plor Congress, Commander?"

"Just that ex-Governor Elib has been formally charged with various crimes. Governor Mavt sent his best wishes and thanks."

"They have a lot of work ahead of them." She scowled as she rubbed her fingers together to remove the dirt. "I hope they succeed." She smiled, then turned to walk away.

"Commander Chakotay's personal log: Stardate 54297.5. It's been three days since the away team has returned-and Kathryn has still not mentioned the kiss...incident. I expected a lecture on protocol. Is she, once again, choosing to ignore *us*, or...

There was a long pause, before Chakotay sighed as he stared at battered playing card on his desk. The Queen of Hearts. "Computer, delete log." He hit his combadge, "Chakotay to Janeway."

"Commander," her voice said, "What can I do for you?" He smiled at one possible answer, but kept his voice neutral

"I thought we could go over the reports tonight at dinner."

"An excellent suggestion. My quarters at nineteen hundred hours?"

"Have you been tinkering with your replicator?" There was a long silence. "I see. We'll have dinner in my quarters at nineteen hundred hours."