#Chakotay: What are you and Tuvok to each other?

[bumblingbabooshka]

Ok. Get closer why don’t you.

[catgirljaneway]

(last images sourced from this wonderful post)

Voy + Textposts 11- Special Chakotay being a hater edition!

(Voy + Textposts 11) + (Voy + Textposts 13)

[trekkie-polls]

I limited options to regular cast members, before nutrek. From there I tried to think who got the least character development / fewest story lines from each series. But it’s all subjective, you could want to see more of any character!!

For bonus points tell us what you wanted to know about that character or what stories you wanted about them. I always thought it was unfair that we only saw Geordi’s parents on a zoom call, and Beverly’s grandmother as a corpse. Every other tng character got at least one episode featuring their parents.

Also, we never even learned if Chakotay is mononymous, or if he’s not, if Chakotay is his first or last name. (*Side eyes prodigy season 2 👀* I got high hopes for you kid.)

[insanewaykathy]

I've heard that the writers chose to make Chakotay so desperate in Coda because it was a safe area to show his feelings for Kathryn, and that makes a lot of sense. Coda just boggles my mind, but here goes. What was real and what was Kathryn's imagination?

Real:

He's trying to revive her.

Then he uses a hypospray on her and she wakes up.

And this is also real, she really wakes up, first because there is no cut from one scene to another, he stops the resuscitation and then takes the hypospray, and she is not watching, she was unconscious at that time.

So this actually happened:

Chakotay tells her that he's going to get blankets and that they need to contact Voayger. See how this scene is rich in detail and emotion:

And then we have this shot of him running, but there's no one watching. If it were a hallucination, she would see him running, but the image is captured from above.

Hallucination:

When he comes back and talks about the burns in the case, she is already sitting down, this part is probably just in her head, because that is where she enters the cave and the time loops start afterwards.

And then we have them returning to Voyager and I believe that at that moment the alien started having trouble convincing her that everything was real, because the Doctor starts talking some nonsense, like for example, the fact that she contracted phagia, she ends up refuting everything, and the alien starts to get desperate and without options.

So the alien resorts to something more realistic. Back to the accident. And we have this scene:

Then we have a flash, clearly showing the change of scene.

And this scene is real:

The alien wants to make her believe that she is dead and is a spirit, so he shows her the real scene.

At this point, actual communication with Voyager occurs:

And there's a very important clue in this scene that gives it away as real. Tuvok says that the transports have crashed, and at the end of the episode, we see Tuvok and the Doctor on the planet trying to revive her, but they don't take her to Voyager because the previous statement was true. So that part can't be a hallucination.

Hallucination:

Honestly, this alien is not very smart. He shows her that the transports are down, the scene cuts and she is already on Voyager. Total inconsistency.

And then Chakotay just walks out of sickbay and he was super calm at her wake, whereas moments before he was desperate and crying.

And then we flash again, which cuts to a real scene:

And further ahead, another flash, showing another real scene:

One last flash and she finally wakes up, after literally sending the alien to hell:

And then she and Chakotay walk out hugging each other like this:

And then, you know, he gives her a flower and they go on a date on the holodeck:

THIS IS PLATONIC AS HELL!

[quarkfancam]

genuinely fucked that there are so many fun character combinations on star trek shows that never get expanded on. esp voyager like you all are stuck with each other for SEVEN YEARS you have to build some kind of relationship with basically everyone. no??? what would harry and tuvok's relationship look like. what would a seven & tom episode look like. what would the emh and chakotay talk about. Please i have to know

[lostyesterday]

I think most people agree that, of all the TNG major characters, Worf was the best possible one to bring into DS9. He fits the best into the DS9 cast, and it’s pretty hard to imagine fitting any other TNG character in at all as well. This made me think about the fact that, since all the 90’s Trek shows are set at approximately the same time, you could theoretically take almost any major character from any show and put them into another show. So I asked myself the question, which character from each 90’s Trek show would fit the best into each other show?

The best TNG character to be on Voyager: Easily Deanna Troi. I don’t think having a counselor onboard would genuinely fix the Voyager crew’s problems, but it would add an interesting layer, and we would get to see lots of disastrous counseling sessions. I also think Deanna could have particularly interesting interactions with B’Elanna and Seven, and I’d love to see her develop an unlikely friendship with Tuvok. The one major issue I can see is that there would be a bit of redundancy with Kes in terms of her empathic abilities, but at the same time, I think they could have an interesting dynamic.

The best DS9 character to be on TNG: Obviously Worf and O’Brien are discounted from consideration here. I’ll admit this is a hard one – the DS9 crew just would not fit very well on TNG. It also feels like cheating to choose Bashir because he had good chemistry with Data and Geordi in the crossover episode, so instead I’m going to pick Odo. I’m not sure how exactly the plot could be worked to make Odo’s presence on Enterprise make sense, but I think he would get along really well with Picard, and I think he and Data could have had interesting discussions. I also think Odo would slot interestingly into TNG’s typical moral dilemma episodes.

The best DS9 character to be on Voyager: Either Jadzia or Kira could be interesting. I think Jadzia would fit really naturally into the crew and could have filled the generally vacant main science officer spot. There would be interesting things to explore in her dynamics with basically every single main crew member, particularly Janeway and B’Elanna. Kira could be interesting in terms of how she related to the Maquis/Starfleet relationship, and I’d love to see her dynamic with Chakotay and B’Elanna. In general, I think both Jadzia and Kira would have some really interesting feelings about being stranded so far from the Alpha Quadrant.

The best Voyager character to be on TNG: Harry feels like he’d theoretically slot in the most naturally, but I think his role and personality would end up being too similar to Geordi. So, oddly enough, I think Tom might actually work the best in TNG. His backstory is based on that of a minor TNG character, and I think it would be interesting to see Tom work through (or not) his issues with Starfleet and his father in an environment that was not at all as far removed as Voyager was. He could have an interesting dynamic with Picard and Deanna, and maybe even Data and Geordi.

The best Voyager character to be on DS9: Chakotay would be interesting, since I might have liked an alternate Maquis storyline on DS9 that actually had one of them as a major character. What would happen if Sisko was actually forced to work with a Maquis leader for some reason, and what if they actually ended up finding common ground and respecting each other? I’m thinking more along the lines of Sisko’s dynamic with Cal Hudson in the Maquis two-parter rather than his dynamic with Eddington. Again, I think Chakotay and Kira could have a really interesting dynamic as well.

[viharistenno]

A few weeks ago I recieved the question of what crossover would I want with Warehouse 13 and my mind went to places and then it exploded. Here I present to you, The Concept:

Star Trek Voyager meets Warehouse 13! Temporal Prime Directive is broken once again and somehow Voyager lands on Earth. Their tech gives up a MAJOR PING and so everyone gets involved. Leena clocks them (haha) as time travelers, B'elanna and Claudia vibe with each other so easily that Steve even gets a bit jealous, Myka and Helena Both have a crush on Janeway and our beloved captain is quite intrigued with Helena.

While B'elanna, Claudia, Helena and Seven work on how to get Voyager back to the future, Pete gets reeeaaally weird with both Kathryn and Seven, so at one point Tuvok does a Mind Meld and realises Janeway is a descendant of one Pete Lattimer! Drama ensues because he almost gets killed by whatever and Kathryn fades out for a moment! Pete won't know this but someone (probably Steve and/or Leena) will, although Voyager team didn't want anyone to know about it.

Artie slips on the ship undetected and is later found by the team, playing chess with the Doctor who also knows and enjoys some of his compositions so they play some music too and Harry joins them on that while Pete and Tom have a movie night. Steve discusses philosophy with Tuvok, Chakotay, Janeway and Leena and later Mrs F joins the discussion (or has she been there the whole time?) to negotiate the terms of how much knowledge can be retained on both sides. Tuvok really likes Steve and trusts him about the future of Janeway.

Meanwhile the engineer team figures out the time travel stuff and Helena has a moral dilemma. Myka helps but she doesn't trust herself so she asks that to make sure she doesn't do anything reckless, they wipe the schematics from her mind. They don't go through with it though, and Kathryn says they might need her if anything happens to Pete. She tells Helena she trusts her.

Voyager team packs up to leave but Myka shares a coffee with Kathryn. Later it is revealed that Myka is the only one besides Helena who knows every detail about that unfortunate night in Paris. It's risky but Voyager is able to make the trip back and forth so they snatch Christina, leave a replicated body behind and drop her off in the present before they leave for the future.

The End.

[stitching-in-time]

Voyager rewatch s7 ep10: Shattered

I love this one!! After the past few eps, this one is like water after a drought. It has all of the things I love: character driven dialogue, a time travel plot, actual continuity from previous episodes, literary references- heck, even Seska showing up is kind of refreshing again after all this time. And it's actually fun! I had so much fun watching this!

It's also a feast for the J/C shippers, it's literally an entire episode of Janeway and Chakotay flirting. Yes, there is a plot- Voyager runs into an anomaly that splits the ship into different time frames, and only Chakotay is able to pass through them to bring them back into synch- but the flirty banter is front and center the entire time.

Naturally, when Chakotay gets sent back to Voyager's past, he enlists the help of Captain Janeway, who doesn't know him yet, but is nonetheless strangely drawn to this mysterious Maquis captain who claims he knows her. (How is this not a romance novel plot?? This is so a romance novel plot!) They're forced to work together to save the ship, and Chakotay has to fill her in on what's happened to the ship in each of the timeframes without breaking the temporal Prime Directive by giving away too much. Janeway is understandably horrified by all the crazy stuff Voyager goes through in the Delta Quadrant, and wants to change history to avoid it, but Chakotay convinces her how great Voyager's journey through the Delta Quadrant actually is, because the crew becomes like a family. Janeway doesn't seem entirely convinced, but she's clearly got it bad for mysterious future Chakotay, despite still being very engaged to Mark at that point.

I'd like to say she's convinced that history shouldn't be changed because of all the good Voyager does in the future, but really, I think it's because she's just hoping she and Chakotay will get to bang in the future, lmao. I mean, she literally asks him if they did! That's what she's interested in?? Not even if like, the ship got home okay?? Just how far their relationship went?? Captain!! Ma'am!!! You are illegal levels of horny for your first officer!! But to be fair, he's encouraging her- they do nothing but flirt, and make eyes at each other, and share little smiles the whole time, and it's like ohmygod, how can they not be canon?? J/C shippers, you are gods strongest warriors, because I didn't even really get invested in them until Prodigy, but y'all have been sailing this ship for almost thirty years- how do you survive?? I'm not even that into them, and yet I'm sitting here like, "Dammit, just let them kiss!!!" This episode is insane!!

But anyway, apart from the shippyness, there's a lot of other good stuff here- it's like a nostalgic trip back through past Voyager eps.

We get an alternate timeline Tuvok death scene, with Janeway at his side. Even though I know it'll be retconned by the end of the ep, I still get a little misty over it. Their friendship is everything!! There's also a nice moment where Chakotay asks past Maquis B'Elanna to trust him when he shows up with Janeway, which she does. It's a nice little nod to the strength of their friendship, which had pretty much been entirely forgotten by the writers by this point in the show.

We also get a bit of Dr. Chaotica silliness when they have to go through the holodeck to get to an access panel (though why there's an access panel in the holodeck, idk! Just gonna go with it cause the vibes are fun!)

There's some cute stuff with Naomi and Icheb playing a board game in the beginning of the ep, which gets a nice callback later when we meet grown up versions of them in one of the future time frames.

Then they have to defeat Seska again in one of the timelines- I think she might be the dead character who makes the most appearances after their death, lol. She's a considerably better villain on her own than being second fiddle to an idiot like Cullah, so her appearance here works well. We get a delightful scene of all the crewmembers from various timeframes teaming up to retake engineering from her, plus an inspiring speech from Janeway.

And though Chakotay declares in this ep that he and Janeway always stay just friends, the ep still ends with them having yet another one of their romantic dinners in her quarters, complete with him bringing a bottle of alcohol, so it seems like maybe they won't be 'just friends' forever. While I would've preferred if they'd have actually talked more directly about their feelings, or discussed how they arrived at their weird situationship arrangement, there's no way anyone could deny they have romantic feelings going on after this one. (Even though the writers sure tried to sweep that under the rug later. But I'm trying to block out the insane writing choices that happen later in the season for the sake of my peace and sanity. I'll cross that godforsaken bridge when I come to it, and just focus on the good stuff while I'm here.) It ends with the two of them being all cute and flirty, and I don't think anyone could fail to like this ep. Everything about it is just *chef's kiss*

Tl;dr: A smart and fun time travel story, which takes time to explore Janeway and Chakotay's characters and relationship in between saving the ship from a cool time anomaly. The kind of episode that has me happily twirling my hair and kicking my feet the entire time I watch it. Good stuff!

[the-heartstring-chronicles]

As someone who has shipped P/C since 1994 and JC since 2006. I just want to say:

Continuing justice for Jean Luc and Kathryn!

( No, no! Not as a ship, you can stop screaming in horror now, I have not abandoned my soulmate pairs)

But as characters:

They both get a very bad wrap for being addicted or married to duty. And in some ways they are, it’s true!

But as confirmed by Picard season 3, Jean Luc says he would have wanted a shot at being a husband to Beverly, from his own lips! And he says that he would have wanted to be a father. She may not have known either of those things, but it doesn’t make them any less fact.

He was also openly affectionate to her, sometimes in public during TNG. Riker knew about them, he says as much to Jack. No one on the crew bats an eye about Jack in fact.

JL and Bev were about as subtle as an air horn set on low volume. Trying to be circumspect, but actually being a billboard for lifetime love. Heck even Shaw knew and we had never met him before. People don’t know that much about a relationship if one person in it is solely married to duty.

And Kathryn! Miss Ma’am let Chakotay build her a bathtub while still trying to get off the planet. She cried at his speech, even though it was so mushy, it could have been day old oatmeal. Why? Because she knew he meant it. ( and I as a mushy viewer, appreciated him being that honest about his feelings too)

She let him give her a rose in Coda and she struggled mightily with his disappointment in her several times in later seasons. Her counterpart in Shattered was also very openly interested in how far they went in seven seasons. (Shoot your future shot lady! Go you!) and no one thinks S7 Kathryn was totally cool with C/7 right? Her face said otherwise. Admiral Janeway, was also heartbroken in about six ways, only two of which were Seven dying and Tuvok getting sick.

She also seemingly, from what I’ve read, made it part of her goal to find him in Prodigy too. Like Jean-Luc with Beverly, when Chalotay is lost, she will seek.

So while yes, duty sometimes sidetracks each of them. they are loving people who adore their other halves as well. They are complex.

And that’s part of why I love each pair, for the devotion that both of the partners in each relationship feel and how they navigate it together.

True love must flow from each heart to make a sustainable ship

And so I hope that as much as we discuss the duty bound Admirals and those who love them, that we also keep discussing and writing about their softer sides and the ways they show that love in return.

[stargatesimp]

Can I just talk about how much I love Star Trek friendships?

Shipping is fun and all, ship whoever you like! (Starship? I don’t know if that’s a term used in this fandom but if not it should be)

But I don’t think platonic friendships and platonic love are talked about enough. God I love adorable friendships in shows. Give me two best friends who would die for each other. Found family is where it’s AT.

Like,

VOYAGER: So. many. Good ones.

Janeway and Tuvok. Tom and Harry. Chakotay and B’lanna. The Doctor and Kes. The list goes on!

I just love them all dearly. Voyager has such a great found family dynamic. I grew up watching this show with my family every day after school and it holds such a special place in my heart. I could spend a million hours talking about it.

Not to mention DS9.

Sisko and Dax, Miles and Julian, Kira and Dax, Jake and Nog, Odo and Quark (best frenemies. Sheriff and outlaw)

DS9 is my absolute favorite of all Star Treks. The writing and development is insane. If you told me what these characters would go through after watching season one, I don’t think I’d believe you. Another one I could talk hours about but this post is long enough just listing the dang names.

Those two are the majority of what I rewatch, but man, the others have amazing ones too.

Enterprise was just Archer being a father to literally everyone on the ship. And him and Trip being another of my favorite friendship duos.

TNG is a classic, a lot of people’s favorites. I always loved Geordi and Data. Guinan and literally everyone. I think I need to go back and rewatch it soon to fully appreciate everyone in the crew.

And as controversial as it may be, I never really got into the original series. But obviously some great friendships there too.

But man, I love Star Trek. The feeling of hope it gives you, the despair, the moral quandary, the wonder and magic. The wonderful mix of witty and fun humor balanced with severe stakes and serious narratives. A balance I feel a lot of modern sci-fi lacks. And I just love the characters that go through it all together. The journey they take.

Tell me some of your favorite Star Trek friendship moments! Let’s talk about em.

[simplybybea]

Whats entertaining about Season 5 episode 'In The Flesh' is it's such a J/C secure relationship coded episode even though it ends with Chakotay being kissed by another woman.

Like, when Tuvok first arrives and sees Chakotay talking to Archer about their date he gives off such older brother disapproving vibes (and Chakotay's response is like dw I'm planning to stand her up).

When he says he has a relationship with Archer and he should capitalise on that, Janeway has absolutely no jealousy or concerns she's just like excellent the boys will take you.

Their entire affectionate shippy discussion of the last time they were at starfleet HQ and his completely affectionate 'the orders that bought us together'. My heart. But then it goes to her saying one thing and him instantly just stopping and staring at her for a second and just 'Kathryn you're testing me! You think I'm one of them' and just how well they know each other that she made one (tactical) mistake in their conversations and he's instantly aware. They know each other so well.

When he gets declared 100% human and then is off for his date and she teasingly calls back to be home by midnight. She's not motivated by jealousy or anything she's 100% secure in them.

Honourable mention for the entire Chakotay, Tom and Harry sequence in the delta flyer and then Harry worrying his dad hasn't checked in yet. Adorable.

Chakotay all but climbing the door jam while Archer tries to kiss him and then either giving in or touch starved or whatever and kissing her back.

'No, Captain Janeway isn't coming to fight you, she' coming for ME'. The confidence. The certainty. If Kathryn is coming she's coming for me.

The side glances between them during the class reunion with the representatives.

I really hope when they transport back and go to her quarters for dinner Kathryn does the whole lean forward and hand on her chin and gleefully asks what it's like to kiss Species 8472 while he blushes furiously.

They're just so secure in their standing with each other. I saw a discussion about Shattered on here the other day and I think they've had a full on conversation about their relationship by this point. They're too happy as they are. It's I know them and I love them and that's enough for us.

Ofc, I am probably watching with incredibly J/C tinted glasses but I support the argument that man is Demisexual af.

[bumblingbabooshka]

People honestly portray Tuvok as far too "rolling his eyes, reluctantly going along with Janeway's silly little shenanigans" - he's literally so serious about being right there with her on every decision she makes. Janeway's like "I'm going to stay behind if the ship blows up" and Tuvok's like "I'm staying with you." Janeway's like "I'm going to deliver every member of the Equinox crew into the jaws of death via an alien revenge massacre" and Tuvok protests a grand total of one time before being fully on the bridge assisting her. He was the only one with her when she made the decision to honor the caretaker's wishes and save the Ocampa, dooming them all. He was willing to get court marshalled in order to fulfill a wish she couldn't grant by her own hand: Get them home [no matter what happens to me] <- wherein 'me' is Tuvok. This was the same wish that spurred him forward when he had to leave her on that planet and everyone left thought him cold for trying to fulfill it without her when in his mind it was akin to a dying wish, the last thing she'd ever express to him: Get them home [no matter what happens to me.] <- wherein 'me' is Janeway. He told Seven that the golden rule to follow is that the captain is "ALWAYS RIGHT" <- (His ACTUAL words) and when Seven asks if the captain should be followed even if someone KNOWS she's wrong he says "Perhaps." This man is perhaps the most ride or die dude in the universe about Janeway. Despite her labeling him her 'moral compass' he is by NO means impartial or unbiased. He'd defend her to his last breath. He canonically makes detailed psychological observations about her and has for years. He accounts for her luck when calculating the success of certain plans. It's implied in 'Twisted' that Janeway typically listens to Tuvok's suggestions and follows them nearly without fail - to the point that he's surprised and obviously irritated when Chakotay doesn't. Despite this they've been inside one another's quarters so infrequently that Tuvok can remember each instance. They call each other "Captain" and "Mr. Tuvok" even though they've known each other for twenty years. There's something wrong with them.

[catgirljaneway]

Tuvok and Kathryn and the time Kathryn destroyed the timeline get Tuvok back.

/I Swear Somewhere This Works - Trista Mateer/

[clementine-kesh]

okay now I'm intrigued.

What do you think each member of voyager would do if they were thrown into a fuck or die situation?

i think it’s highly dependent on the person/people they’re with but in general:

janeway: very conflicted pretty much no matter who she’s with but especially if she’s with chakotay. also really into the idea of dying a dramatic death so that adds to the conflict. she would choose fuck eventually but not after some agonizing over it.

chakotay: similar conflict to janeway except with less death fetishizing. he’s fairly pragmatic though so as long as his partner was someone he trusted and who expressed their full consent he’d choose fuck pretty quickly

tuvok: would reluctantly choose fuck but think about his wife the whole time. unless his prospective partner is tom in which case he’d simply close his eyes and pass away

b’elanna: i mean we kind of already know this

harry: the exact same as janeway, lots of conflict and a little too into the “dying” part of fuck or die. would choose fuck but would be so angsty about it

tom: more similar to chakotay, would choose fuck quicker with some people (harry) than others

seven: very pragmatic so she chooses fuck immediately without thinking through the emotional ramifications, there are emotional ramifications

[janeway-or-the-highway]

My entry for the @25daysofvoyager ! A little part 1 of a J/C fanfic. Fluff. Action/Adventure. Angst. Aliens mistaking JC as married again. Enjoy!

“Chakotay, please!”

Kathryn dodged another blow and stumbled backward.

“Chakotay! This isn’t you!” She shouted at him, still struggling to put any distance between them on her sprained ankle, before it finally gave out.

He strode toward her, but paused when he saw a large branch on the ground. He reached down and grabbed it, then seemed to test it in his hands.

“And how do you know this ‘isn’t me’?” Chakotay said, his voice deep, and dangerous.

“I know you!”

“No. You don’t,” he said, closing the distance between them and swinging the branch down on her.

THREE DAYS EARLIER

Captain’s Log:

“It is our second day in orbit around the planet Caldar. The Caldari are a very pleasant people and trade negotiations have gone well so far. The Caldari have graciously opened their planet to the crew for shore leave. Tuvok didn’t find anything to suggest bad intent and didn’t have any objections, which I guess is as close to a compliment as you can get from a Vulcan. It is nice to be reminded that the Delta Quadrant has just as many friendly species as dangerous ones. Everyone is in desperate need of some R&R. Myself included, as Chakotay is always reminding me. Being stuck in negotiations, Chakotay and I have only seen the government centers of Caldar, but I look forward to getting to explore this rich planet more. Chakotay mentioned hearing that the twin sunset over the cliffs of Rohem was worth exploring, and I am hoping to take him up on that. Tom and Harry keep coming back with stories to keep us entertained in the meantime. A personal highlight was Tom’s retelling of Harry’s failed attempt to ride, what Tom described as a horse-sized mix between a pig and a hippo. The Doctor says that Harry needs to be off-duty for 24 hours. I had to elbow Chakotay to keep him from bursting out laughing at the Doctor’s report; Harry’s already embarrassed enough as it is. However, that doesn’t mean that we won’t be enjoying those holo-photos later.

On the business side of things, Caldar continues to impress. The planet might as well be one giant ball of dilithium. You should have seen how fast B’Elanna made it to the bridge when the planet showed up on sensors. Their entire economy is built on the sale and trade of this material that we so often find ourselves scrounging for. At first, I worried about what they were going to ask for in exchange, but what the Caldari are most interested in are the various cultures of the Alpha Quadrant. Their people collect different cultures and integrate them into their own society. I recognize some bits and pieces of cultures from throughout the Delta Quadrant, while some things are completely new. However, the custom that is of the utmost importance is their one unique tradition. The Caldari take partnership very seriously. Their society includes partnerships of all kinds; males with males, females with females, and male with female, etc. Regardless of the type of partnership, once a pair has chosen each other, they become part of one another. This “sacred partnership” is at the heart of their civilization and they champion it above all else. However, from what I understand, they do not believe in the concept of soulmates, rather that they are all on a path that will one day lead them to their missing piece. It is a society built on the idea of the peaceful pursuit of love. It is quite beautiful.

Anyway, I am hoping to exchange our cultural database we will get enough dilithium to keep B’Elanna happy for quite some time.

Despite everything that this planet has given us, I find myself still apprehensive. The Delta Quadrant is rarely this kind and I…”

The chime to the ready room interrupted Kathryn’s log.

“Computer, end log” she said while pushing the console to the side,

“Come in.”

Chakotay walked in.

“Good morning, Commander,” a soft smile spread across her face.

“Good morning, Captain. I have the crew rotations for the next month.”

“Thank you. Have I missed any more of Tom’s stories since I’ve been off the bridge?”

“No, but you did miss Neelix’s rousing report promising ‘new and improved’ recipes for leola root” Chakotay chuckled as Kathryn’s face turned into a grimace.

“Hopefully they are better than his last ‘masterpieces.’ I’m still low on replicator rations from last time.”

“Me too. Mostly from you convincing me to get you more coffee,” Chakotay said with a knowing look.

Kathryn smirked, “Captain’s prerogative. Plus, you have to admit that his latest attempt at ‘better than coffee’ coffee was unbearable.”

Chakotay chuckled. “Well, if Caldari food is anything like their hospitality, I think that we will be alright.”

“Yes,” Kathryn stood and made her way over to the viewport. She clasped her hands behind her back, “The Caldari have been extremely welcoming to us.”

“But you’re worried,” Chakotay joined her at the viewport, “worried that they are too good to be true”

Kathryn gave him a sideways smile,

“Have you been reading my log?”

“No, I just know how you think”

“I feel like we are waiting for the other shoe to drop. We’ve been in trade negotiations for over a day and all they’ve asked for is Picasso and Kadis-Kot! My gut is telling me there is something more,” she sighed.

Chakotay put his hand on her shoulder, “We have one of our last trade meetings today. Whatever comes our way we have always been able to make it through. Today will be no different.”

Their eyes met and Chakotay couldn’t help but get caught in those pools of blue. Their relationship, after so much hardship, was finally starting to settle down again. Their weekly dinners were the highlight of his week and recently Kathryn was starting to let him in a little more. Not beyond anything that couldn’t be brushed off as close friendship, but still.

Chakotay knew that he had fallen for Kathryn a long time ago, from the moment they locked eyes on the bridge, but it was the shared moments like these where he recognized the depth of his feelings for her. He would wait for her. The angry warrior would stay by her side, for as long as it took.

Spirits, I’m lost.

“Thank you, Chakotay,” she said softly.

“Of course, Kathryn.”

“Tuvok to Captain Janeway.”

He dropped his hand from her shoulder.

Tuvok and his timing.

“Go ahead.”

“Captain, the Caldari ambassadors have arrived to begin negotiations. They are waiting for you and the Commander in the briefing room.”

“Thank you, Tuvok. We are on our way”

Chakotay moved towards the door, but Kathryn continued to stand looking out the viewport. Chakotay’s voice interrupted her worried thoughts,

“Are you coming, Captain?”

“Yes, I am right behind you”

Chakotay flashed her a smile and exited. Kathryn shook her head and followed after him.

Oh, I am so lost.

“Captain, I am glad that Voyager found its way to our corner of the galaxy. I think both of our people will benefit from these negotiations.” The Caldari ambassador, Turin, sat at the end of the briefing room table. The color of his skin reminded Kathryn of lilacs. The soft texture of his light purple skin was accompanied by small streaks of green that accentuated his humanoid cheekbones and jaw. His cheekbones stuck out on his face but seemed like they wrapped around his head towards the back of his skull, giving his face a sleek appearance.

“Thank you, Ambassador. I agree. I hope you find Alpha Quadrant culture as interesting as we do”

“Yes, there is much to explore. You have an extensive database on so many species! It will keep our scholars busy until the next Dual Eclipse!” The green streaks of his skin gave a soft glow with his excitement.

“I hope so, and if I may, I would recommend Dante. He is a philosopher from Earth’s history, and a personal favorite of mine.”

“Thank you for the recommendation. Now, Captain, I have a few formalities before we begin. Requirements from the High Council. You understand?” Turin said.

“Of course”

Turin reached into the satchel that sat on the floor next to him and brought out a beautifully bound book filled with greenish pages. When Turin opened the book, Kathryn realized that the pages’ green hue was similar in color to the streaks on the Caldari’s faces. She wondered if this was due to choice, or something in the planet’s biology that affected both of them. She suppressed the urge to ask as he began to speak.

“Captain, as you are aware, our society values partnership over everything else. You assured us that your culture assumes a similar view to the importance of partnership, which is what allowed us to begin this fruitful relationship between our two peoples in the first place. However, we are concerned, and frankly somewhat… off put, that you have yet to introduce us to your partner.”

Kathryn paused and tried to absorb what Turin was saying, “I’m sorry, Ambassador. I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

Turin’s mouth twitched, “We do not interact, or much less conduct trade, with peoples whose leader is unpartnered. It is an unspeakable offense. Furthermore, if we were to be led into an arrangement under false circumstances regarding one’s partnership status, we would consider that an act of aggression against our planet.”

Kathryn’s typically quick-witted diplomatic mind felt like it stalled out. A partner? She was the Captain! A relationship out here could never be a partnership. Not when every available person was someone under her command. “Ambassador, you have to understand, as Captain, I don’t -“

“You don’t what?” The threat was clear. Turin’s jovial attitude was long gone and his streaks shifted to a deeper green as his mood shifted.

“I-“ Kathryn started, but Chakotay’s hand coming to rest on hers stopped her. She resisted the urge to yank her hand out from under his as she locked eyes with him. As it often was with him, she needed no words to understand what he was saying:

Trust me.

And she did.

“Ambassador Turin,” Chakotay started, “I am the Captain’s life partner.” He moved his hand on hers to interlock their fingers. Kathryn let him, since all of her energy was being spent actively trying not to have the panic she was feeling on the inside show on her face. “You have to understand,” Chakotay continued, “the Captain is not used to sharing the status of our relationship since our job’s put us in a tricky position, considering that it could be taken advantage of by our enemies. If our feelings and commitment to one another were to become common knowledge, any number of species could use that to their advantage. And, sir, as you said, our culture values our partnerships, and you’re right. If anything were to happen to Kathryn, I would stop at nothing to get her back, including putting others at risk.”

Turin visibly calmed down, but seemed wary. “But why keep this information from us. We have shown nothing but hospitality to you!”

“We apologize and don’t mean to offend, but it is just something that we’ve gotten used to protecting.”

Turin seemed to accept this and clapped his hands together. “Oh, great happiness! We are glad to keep you as friends. Now, we must discuss the Three Trials.”

“The Three Trials?” Kathryn found her voice again, but still struggled to stay focused with her hand intertwined with Chakotay’s.

“The Three Trials are three tasks meant to prove your love and commitment to one another.”

Kathryn shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

“This serves a dual purpose: one, to confirm your partnership, and, two, to determine if you are tjaasaktic. Will you comply?”

The universal translator faked to pick up the last word, but all Kathryn could think of was their desperate need for the Caldari’s friendship and trade. “When do we start?”

Should I do a part 2?

[redwolf41-blog]

Ok, so this got a little out of hand so I'm putting it under a Read More. I just love this show so much and can talk about it so much and have no other outlet for it than Tumblr. So... Here you go XD I'm keeping the first paragraph above the line break to help y'all get a peek of what I'm blabbering on about under the break. I might add more to this, who knows.

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I grew up watching Star Trek Voyager. I was between the ages of 3-9 while the show was airing, so most of the episodes I remember were either reruns or episodes in the last couple seasons. It was a show my father and I watched together all the time. I'm rewatching it again now, at 32 years old. I've rewatched it before, many years ago, but watching it now, and thinking about how it shaped me as a child has lent me a very interesting perspective of the show.

Captain Janeway was always my favorite character. She was someone I looked up to, and quite possibly my very first queer awakening. I watched the show mostly for her, so it was to her I looked and her actions I paid the most attention to. What little girl wouldnt adore her? She's strong, confident, self assured. She commands her own starship with grace and kindness and compassion, but also with a fierce determination that is almost unrivaled. For a little girl with no mother in her life, no other female role model? It was no wonder I turned to someone like Captain Janeway.

Watching these episodes, and watching her protect her crew so fiercely, watch her having to make all the hard decisions in an effort to do anything to get her crew home without sacrificing her own morals or principles, her trying to make as many friends with other races as she can along the way, affected my growth in ways I'll probably never understand, but will always be thankful for.

And its not just her actions that I feel this show did so well, but the relationships between the characters. On one side, you have Janeway and Tuvok, (a topic I posted about earlier), two old friends who stand by each other through anything and everything, an unfailing and fierce loyalty to each other that is a delight to behold. On another you have Janeway and Chatokay. Two people who used to be enemy captains who eventually see in each other something profoundly different. Their loyalty to each other is new, and takes time to grow at first, but, in my opinion, is no less fierce than it is between her and Tuvok. In her, Chakotay sees a future and perhaps salvation for himself. Its a beautiful relationship that never steps past the threshold of "what could have been." It feels like decades are left unsaid between them, and as a member of the audience I used to think that was tragic. I was so upset that they didnt get together when I was a child, but now? Its a relationship more media needs, in my opinion. They respect each other very much, and want the other to be happy, but they never quite take that extra step. Its a wonderful depiction of friendship between two people of the opposite sex. I dont remember if something like that was common in the 90s, but I feel like modern media has completely ignored this kind of relationship. They're too busy pairing off all the lead male and female characters. Seeing a relationship like Janeway and Chakotay is so important for people to see.

And then there's the crew. I finished watching Revelations just a bit ago. This episode, out of all the episodes Voyager ever aired, was the one episode I never forgot about growing up. The crew love Captain Janeway so immensely, they were willing to face down what could have almost been certain death (or worse) in order to get her back on the ship. Janeway's ship, previously running like a well oiled machine, was breaking apart at the seams without her. Their love, and their loyalty for their captain, and their willingness to do anything for her just like she's willing to do anything for them, is such a heartwarming relationship.

Watching this show so young, during such formative years, its no wonder I turned out so much different than my conservative father. I can only speculate on why he watched the show, but very little of it would be flattering. I doubt he saw the same things I did, or internalized them in any way similarly to me. I feel like Voyager had a powerful and profound message of friendship, loyalty, strength of character, determination, and the importance of kindness and never giving up. I'm so very glad this was one of the shows I got to grow up with, and I wish more shows were like it.

If you made it this far, thank you and I'm sorry. I get rambly when I love something, so I'm both sorry for rambling, and thankful for anyone who made it this far. Feel free to share your own thoughts if you'd like. I'd love to hear them