This story started out to be a smaller one but it has gotten out of control. I am sorry if it is too long. Maybe you can read it in parts.
"Captain, I'm picking up a planet about 5 light years away. Sensors do indicate many industrial areas, using uranium for energy, populations in the millions. An automated message is being sent out on a modulating frequency. It is addressed to anyone within receiving distance."
"Let's hear it Harry."
"Welcome to Buteran space. We welcome visitors from many different home worlds. Please acknowledge your desire to communicate with us by directing your communication to coordinates 567X499. Failure to do so but advancing closer to our cities will be considered an act of war and weapons will be fired upon you."
"Harry, open a channel. Tom, slow to impulse."
"Channel open Captain."
"My name is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Star ship Voyager. We come in peace. We request only to cross your space on our journey to our own home world called Earth."
"This is Director Kam of the Buteran Military. We have never heard of your planet Earth. From which special coordinates do you originate?"
"Our planet EARTH is not of this quadrant. We have been traveling for 50 light years to return to Earth. We have crossed this quadrant for 7 years and have learned a great deal of many different worlds. We are willing to share our knowledge with you if you would be interested."
"We are very interested Miss Kathryn. May we send an emissary to greet you?"
"You are welcome to come to our vessel and open a dialog with us."
"Well Commander, would you please call a senior staff meeting to make plans for First Contact with Butera?"
"Aye Captain"
Over the last several months Captain Janeway has been allowing senior staff members to take charge of First Contacts and subsequent away missions if these worlds hold possibilities of exploration, trade, and creating positive image of the only Federation ship in the quadrant.
As the staff meeting began the sense of excitement could be felt, as well as anxiety, trepidation, and urgency. Would these people be friendly, paranoid, violent, and maybe even strange? What would they look like? How will we benefit from this encounter?
"Tom, it is your turn to handle First Contact. Their ambassador will be arriving shortly so I expect you to meet him in Transporter room 1 and escort him here. Is there anything else you would add at this point?"
"OK, Tuvok, could you have a security team ready and posted outside Transporter room 1 and this room? I'd like Mike Ayala to escort our guests with me. You should be at the meeting, as well as Neelix, and B'lanna. How's that?" directing his question to the captain.
"Good, but may the Commander and I attend this meeting as well?"
"Oh, yes, I'm sorry Captain, I just figured you'd be there."
"I think the doctor should also be there, he may have questions we wouldn't think of from a medical stand point."
"Good idea Captain."
She smiled to herself. She wanted more members of this crew to take on more leadership roles since there will be no replacements coming along and they still had a long journey ahead of them.
The director and an aid were brought to the conference room and First Contact was officially made with the planet called Butera. Tom explained the concept of a federation with many planets and the reason they were in the Delta Quadrant to begin with. The ambassador seemed to understand and offered to show them his world and the people in it. He would also like to set up meetings with the medical department, engineering and of course, the president. He was very interested in other species and their potential threat to Butera. It was agreed that Tom, the doctor, and Tuvok would go down to the planet and the Captain and Commander would stay on Voyager and meet with President Salish and his advisors. They were new to space exploration and President Salish wanted to show his willingness to travel in 'outer space'.
The meetings were handled in 2 days. Tom and B'lanna toured the manufacturing plants and gave these people suggestions in handling waste products and utilization of resourses more efficiently. The doctor meet with their chief medical officer to exchange data bases of pathogens, bacteria, and genetics. Tuvok discussed which species they encountered and the weapons used against Voyager.
Back on the ship Captain Janeway discussed their journey and the challenges they have faced, both as a crew and as a community within itself. President Salish realized Voyager was a microscopic version of his world.
"How do you figure that Mr. President?" We are a group of people traveling a great distance to return to home and family, you have your home and family with you. You are living your lives in your home world."
"Captain, my people are going about their daily lives existing from day to day working themselves into extinction. Our forefathers settled these continents and had nothing. Our populace is what it is today because people wanted material things so badly they have given up enjoying what they have before them. Our population growth is on a decline in a fast way. More of us die than are born! You are living the same way.
"Have you made any changes?"
"Yes we have. Our married workers get to spend time on what we call respite days. We have built renewal units where the couples can escape the stress of their daily routine. Our scientists have input in planning these resorts so our citizens gain the most benefit."
"I congratulate you Mr. President on your foresight."
"Thank you Captain Janeway."
First Contact was a success for both parties and all involved attended a small reception on board Voyager. Mr. Salish insisted that Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay visit their world before departing to continue their long journey home.
"Captain, it has been almost a year since you have gotten off this ship, the doctor chimed in. You need a respite as the Buterans discovered."
"And you Commander might as well join her as one of us has to accompany her according to Starfleet regulations: "No crew member may visit a foreign planet unaccompanied while official negotiations are in progress."
"Thank you Tuvok, I do know the regulations. But aren't our dealings with the Buterans over?"
"No, Neelix is returning to the surface to gather more food supplies in the morning."
"Fine, I'll talk the Captain into a visit."
And so it was decided. Neelix and Tom went to the food warehouse while Captain Janeway and Chakotay were the guests of President and Mrs. Salish. They were shown the Public gardens and had a tour of a typical industrial plant, this one manufacturing textiles used in the making of clothes. Voyager was supplied with many of the basic items such as underwear, towels, sheets, socks, and shorts which would save replicator rations for other things. These people were so thankful of the help they received they couldn't do enough for their new friends. They looked at the command team as heroes.
When they returned to the office of Mr. Salish it was decided that the command team would be treated to a night of relaxation and Neelix would be in the kitchen helping and learning some Buteran dishes. Tom returned to the ship to have the night off, his duty for this mission done.
"Your leaders seem very nice" the cook remarked to Neelix. They are as couples here are, too much work and not enough play. They need the same help with enjoyment as the young couples of Butera."
"Well, you are correct, they do work way to hard. But Captain Janeway is determined to get these people back home at any cost to herself. Personally, I think she should relax too, then maybe she'd see that Commander Chakotay is in love with her."
"Does your Captain love him back?"
"Oh I think she does, she doesn't want to admit it to herself."
"You'll have the same problem we do here if you're not careful.'
"What problem is that?" Neelix inquired.
"Not enough babies being born. Do you know we have to help them?"
"How do you help them? Aren't you the cook?"
"I am also a scientist. We have developed foods that will help a couple when they are in love to enjoy their life together. They come here to this respite spa. They have earned it by working so hard. Unfortunately the chemicals they work with deplete their natural hormonal drive if you know what I mean. They no longer have any desires at home. Here, they enjoy a feast and then each other. Our food is enhanced with aphrodisiacs and dream stimulating agents so the couple is caught up in living out secretly held desires. It only works if the object of their affection is available to them."
"Wow, you've really thought of everything. Did you ever consider just putting less demand on the workers so they can work less?"
"That would be counter-productive."
Well, I wish the concept of that could be applied to the Captain but she'd never go for it. She'll just give up that dream for one of getting her ship back home. Which is where I better get to. Thanks for these fine supplies. I wish you well with your research."
Neelix then transported back to Voyager while the command team was shown to a suite upstairs.
"This is our last room Captain, I hope you find it relaxing. It has a private pool as you can see, big enough for just two people. Your meals will be brought up on an elegant dining cart, they have been selected by the cook himself."
"I'm sure it will be fine."
"There will be a musical concert with light show tonight and activities will cease early to facilitate a comfortable rest. A shuttle has been arranged for your return trip to Voyager. I will bid you good evening now and enjoy your stay at our resort."
"Thank you Kam." Where will Commander Chakotay be staying?"
"I was under the impression that he would occupy the second bedroom in this suite Captain, it's where the children would stay if needed. We are full to capacity, this was the last room available."
"That will be fine, if it's alright with you?"
"Kathryn, of course it's fine."
As they each took a room Chakotay noticed a lock on the outside of his door. Calling this to her attention he joked and said she could lock him in if he's a bad boy.
Then thinking to herself," I'd like to see this boy be bad", she realized she'd have to banish those thoughts away, again!
The evening meal was delicious and as predicted, relaxing.
"Chakotay, these little dessert cakes are scrumptious!" Then she did something so unlike herself, she fed one to him.
"Wow, they are. What about that one, how does that one taste?"
"You tell me", she fed him another one!
"Oh, that's good. Here try this one", he put one in her mouth.
"MMMMM, better than the last."
The music started so they went out to the balcony. An hour-long display of lights synchronized to music. They sat on a glider under a blanket and were content to just be with each other. When the show was over Kathryn suggested a nightcap.
"This was sent up by the cook." She said as she poured from the pitcher. It beats coffee!"
"It must be good!" He said. They both had seconds, and more dessert. Yawning she decided she'd turn in for the night.
After an hour passed her dreams were filled with passion. The pool in their room was calling to her. In her dream she relaxed among the fragrant bubbles. He was in beside her, holding her, caressing her.
His dream held a vision of Kathryn in the pool in their room, with bubbles around her, and her arms around his neck. They were like one, mingling in the aromatic bath, saying nothing, but feeling ecstasy.
They retreated into their own sanctuary, each with a dream of the other. In the morning each woke refreshed, content that they enjoyed something out of their grasp but available to themselves in their imagination.
As they packed to return to Voyager Kathryn was missing her hair clip. Picking up her pillow, rummaging through the sheets, she thought to herself "how strange?"
"Kathryn are you ready? Our escort is here."
"I'm looking for my hair clip."
"It's here, by the pool. Did you take a late night dip?"
"No, it must have fallen out on my way to the bathroom."
Taking the clip she tried unsuccessfully to remember if it was in her hair upon rising? She remembered getting up with her hair in her face.
"How did it end up out there?"
"Were the accommodations satisfactory? I must report to the director if we can improve on anything. The food, the entertainment, the sleeping comfort?"
Smiling to herself as she remembered her dream, "No, the accommodations were fine. How about you Chakotay, were you comfortable?"
"Couldn't have been better, unless my dreams come true."
"Funny, I had a very nice dream too."
"You tell me yours and I'll tell you mine." He said with those arresting dimples.
"Um, I think I'd like to keep this one a secret. I'd really like to have it again" she thought to herself."
The return flight was uneventful. As they neared Voyager they were transported aboard and stowed their gear in their quarters and entered the bridge.
"Captain on the bridge", Harry seemed to proclaim.
All present were standing.
"As you were" she said and took her usual seat.
"Are we ready for departure Commander?"
Supplies are being stowed in the cargo bay. Neelix requested an additional 30 minutes to inventory. Extra items were beamed aboard with us. He'll let us know."
"Prepare to leave Buteran orbit in 30 minutes Mr. Paris."
"Aye sir." He responded.
After reading the inventory sent up with the dietary gifts Neelix discovered some bath crystals sent up for the captain, and dessert cakes by the boxful sent up with a card from the cook/scientist. The card read," when you begin to see the need to 'replenish your crew, enjoy."
"I wonder what he means by that?"
It was eight weeks later when Neelix was deciding how to celebrate B'lanna's birthday. Tom mentioned that he was planning a meal and wanted Neelix's help. Captain Janeway entered the mess hall later that night to find Neelix in the kitchen rummaging through the freezer.
"Is this establishment still open for business?"
Pulling his head out of the cold, "For you, anytime Captain. How are you felling? Commander Chakotay said at dinner you were under the weather."
"I'm alright now but I wasn't earlier. I don't know what hit me. After my shift I felt lousy but I'm hungry now. Have anything? What's that you have there."
"Something I was given back on Butera. The cook sent them with the food supplies we requested. He said it was a Buterian aphrodisiac and dream stimulant. I don't take stock in that sort of thing but they look delicious. Tom wants something for B'lanna's birthday. If it is a 'love potion' it won't hurt them right?" He laughed but she started thinking.
"Those desserts looked like the ones I enjoyed with Chakotay."
Then she started thinking of her dreams. And as she finished a quick bite of leftover vegetable lasagna her nausea reminded her of her sister. Whenever her sister had supper, she would get nauseated right after, during her first trimester when she was pregnant with her nephew.
"Wow, that was random." Thinking of Phoebe always got her homesick, then she would grow quiet and think how the whole crew probably felt the same way.
Putting her fork down and the plate in the recycler she bid good night to Neelix and headed to her quarters. Passing Chakotay as she approached her door he inquired how she was feeling.
"You don't look so well Kathryn."
"I don't feel well Chakotay. I'm turning in, I'm…
Running in to the bathroom he could hear her getting sick. Following her in to her quarters he was concerned. Have you called the doc?"
"Not yet but maybe he'll make a house call." She came out of the bathroom wiping her mouth and holding her stomach.
"You get ready for bed, I'll call him."
"Thanks" with that she went back into her bathroom and Chakotay went into her living area and called the doctor. He materialized in the same room and received a report from Chakotay.
"The Captain is experiencing some nausea" (and then both men heard her vomiting within the bathroom).
"You don't have to finish Commander", the doctor replied. "I'll take it from here."
He closed the door and confronted the captain as she emerged in her pajamas.
"Captain, I hear you're under the weather."
I guess, since you're in my quarters, that you HEARD correctly."
"Why don't you lie down and I'll scan you. What have you eaten today and was it fresh or replicated?"
"Coffee, replicated chicken bouillon, and I guess that's it. The nausea began around 1600 hours and hasn't let up."
"Has this been occurring before today?"
"To be honest with you I'm fine in the day but around the same time I get a bit unsettled. I was enjoying the mess hall, eating real food. But since this started I went back to replicated because I wasn't sure if it was the spices our Talaxian friend likes to use in his food preparation."
"Captain, when was your last cycle?"
"Am I going through the changes already?"
"No Captain, just answer the question."
"Well, around Naomi's birthday, that was what 4, 6….?"
"No Captain, that was 8 weeks ago. You skipped last month and the month before?"
"I guess so."
"And that doesn't concern you?"
"No Doctor, not at all, I skip many times, the stress of this ship and its crew and all has left me with a very irregular cycle. I don't worry about it any way, so what if it's late? It's not like I can get pregnant."
"Yes, you should always worry about your body and yes, you can get pregnant."
"You don't understand Doctor, I can't get pregnant because I have not had, well, you know what I mean."
"I beg to differ Captain. You can get pregnant because you do have someone, at least you did. Approximately 8 weeks ago. And yes Captain, you are pregnant."
"I can't be, I haven't…..(now she was just starring, thinking)
"Captain, please come down when you are feeling better. I'll give you something for the nausea now but come in at 0800 for a complete examination. I need to check your blood to make sure you are not anemic and do a preliminary obstetrical evaluation. At that time I'll be able to scan the embryo and give you a DNA profile. I'm sure you know who the father is but I'd like to document it for the chart. Captain? Are you listening?"
"Yes, 0800 for a check up. See you then. And please doctor, no mention of this to the Commander."
"As you wish Captain."
As he exited he saw the concern on Chakotay's face.
"Don't worry Commander. She's fine now."
"Chakotay, are you there?"
"Yes, Kathryn. Can I get you anything?"
"Yes, the doctor gave me something and I'm hungry now.
She came out as she was tying the sash to her robe. How about a cup of tea?"
"Are you sure you're alright? You're still a little pale."
"I'm just tired too. I have been for awhile."
"You don't take care of yourself. You probably haven't slept well since we had our little night on Butera."
With that she remembered. She remembered her dream. And Chakotay remarked that he had a great dream.
"Chakotay, what did you dream about on Butera? Remember? You said you slept well and had a great dream but didn't tell me about it. Would you tell me now?"
At his blushing she knew he remembered even though he denied the same.
"Oh, I don't know, just a dream."
"Please tell me, I promise to tell you mine."
"Kathryn, why do you need to know what I dreamt about? It's kind of personal."
"I'm sure it is but I need to know Chakotay, I really need to know."
"Fine, I dreamt of you Kathryn. I can't help what I dream about."
"What about me?"
"You're really making me tell you? I don't know what relevance the content of my dream is. I dreamt of you."
"Did we do anything?"
"Kathryn, please. I can't control my subconscious thoughts. I….um….I dreamt we made love. We had wonderful and beautiful expression of love. I'm sorry if that upsets you."
"No Chakotay, it doesn't bother me. Because I dreamt the same thing."
"You did?"
"Yes. And I agree, it was beautiful. And it happened because we love each other. But there is something else."
"Yes; I'm listening."
"It was real Chakotay."
"What do you mean, real?"
"It really happened."
"I know, we were in the pool and expressed our love physically in our dreams, just not openly, because of your protocols. Don't worry, I've told no one. I won't tell anyone."
"Chakotay, you're not really listening to me. When I say it was real, I mean real! We did make love that night, in that place, in that pool."
"Kathryn, I think I'd remember if we really had sex."
"Well, we did. We really did. The proof is in the pudding. I'm pregnant! 8 weeks along."
"How could it be that we both thought we dreamt we made love, but we actually did something about it without our minds aware? Did we both sleep walk, or, sleep…. What would that be?"
"Chakotay, It had to be the food! Neelix has some he kept frozen that had been sent from the planet. We have to have it analyzed by the doctor."
Placing the tea in front of him and replicating some broth for herself she was very quiet.
"Kathryn, I'm not upset at this news. I hope you're OK with it."
"It's a lot to take in. But Chakotay, I'm, no we, are going to have a baby. How is this going to affect the crew?"
"They will be thrilled. I am thrilled Kathryn, you haven't told me how you feel."
"To be honest, I don't know. A baby. I gave up on that desire a long time ago. I never thought I would have children, though I wanted them. This ship seems to take everything I have. How am I going to give this baby enough love and attention it deserves?"
"Remember something. I told you once and I'll tell you again. You are not alone. I will always be by your side. I love you Kathryn."
Looking into his eyes she could feel his love and he hers.
"I guess there's no going back now. I love you too Chakotay. I thought I'd given up any chance of that too."
Holding her close he stroked her hair.
"How about we take this slowly. You rest tomorrow. You like to think things through. Just remember, the cat will be out of the bag soon enough. But I am proud to be the father of your child and be even prouder to have a relationship with its mother. There is no need for secrecy."
Hugging each other they bid good night and left each other to their own thoughts.
"OK Captain" the doctor said, "you are anemic so I'll give you something to increase the iron in your blood. You will need to follow some dietary restrictions starting with coffee; no more than 1 cup in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. Go easy on the spices and no eating off this ship. No alien food of any kind."
"Don't worry Doctor, it was alien food that got me in this predicament in the first place."
"Captain, people do not get pregnant eating strange food."
"Analyze these items. Neelix says they were touted as an aphrodisiac and dream stimulant. We think there may be amnesic properties as well. This is what the Commander and I consumed before our intimate encounter."
"I'll bring these to the science lab after your exam." You think there is something in this little treat that caused you to have the encounter which resulted in the pregnancy?"
"Yes, we both dreamed we were in a pool making love, and here we are! I think we really did make love but didn't remember it."
"As they say, 'stranger things have happened". I'll let you know what I find out. Now, let's have a look at this baby OK?"
Captain Janeway tried to relax as the doctor scanned her. He kept going over the area on her right side. "Is everything alright Doctor?"
"Well, I am seeing what I am looking for. I don't know how you're going to take this Captain, but I am seeing 2 embryos. They are both in one sac so they are identical twins. Would you like to know the sex?"
"Twins! Oh crap! I am having a hard time picturing myself with one baby and you're telling me I have two? What are they?"
"You have two healthy baby girls Captain."
"Girls, WOW!
Documenting all obstetrical data he dismissed her. "I'd like to see you on a regular basis Captain, an official check up next month. And I'd like to see you gain weight and get plenty of sleep. Delegate duties, you have other lives to think about!"
Leaving sickbay with a dietary suggestion list and daily vitamin supplements she was walking on air. She had to see Chakotay.
To Be Continued….