Sometimes Goodbye is A Second Chance

By Remi

Disclaimer: Star Trek: Voyager™© and related properties are Registered Trademarks of CBS Studios. No copyright infringement intended.

San Francisco, California five months after Voyager returned.

"Hey Chakotay, wait up!" Tom shouted from across the Academy grounds. Tom jogged across the immaculate lawn stopping next to where Chakotay was waiting for him. "You're just the man I wanted to talk too."

"Let me guess you can't have the poker game at your place, right?"

Tom tried not to look embarrassed. "As a matter of fact that's why I wanted to talk to you."

Chakotay gave Tom a stern look, "So what did you do this time?"

Tom shook his head. "No it's not like that Chakotay. B'Elanna and I got our dates mixed up that's all, and I was hoping we could move the poker game to your place that way B'Elanna won't have to change her plans."

Chakotay shook his head and smiled. "Not a problem Tom. I understand. How is Miral by the way?"

"She's fine, she started teething and it's making her very cranky."

Chakotay chuckled, "That can't be fun."

"It has its moments," A warm look came over Tom's face. "Miral is the second best thing that happened in my life."

"I couldn't agree more Tom." Chakotay patted him on the back. "Come on, I was just heading home from boxing practice why don't you come with me and we can have a beer while you help me contact everyone about the change in location and set things up for the game?"

"So I take it Seven won't mind about the sudden change in plans for tonight?"

Chakotay shifted his gym bag to his other hand as the two of them started walking. "Tom she goes by Annika now remember, and no she won't be home she's working late tonight."

"So things are going well for her at Jupiter Station?"

"Yes, the research program has been keeping her very busy lately."

It didn't take them long to reach Chakotay's apartment. He keyed in his entry code, opened the door, and placed his bag on the floor by the door. "Make yourself at home while I get some beers." Tom walked over and sat on the couch. A moment later Chakotay was back with a bottle of beer in each hand and handed one to Tom. "I need to take a quick shower and then we can get a hold of the guys."

"I'll order the pizza while you're gone." Tom leaned back on the couch and took a drink of this beer. He suddenly heard a female scream from the bedroom and almost spit his beer out in shock. He quickly stood up and started walking towards the hallway when Chakotay came walking into the room, Tom saw that his face was beat red with anger. "Chakotay?" Before Chakotay could answer Seven came running into the room with only a sheet wrapped around her. She came to an abrupt stop when she saw Tom. Tom noticed that her hair was tousled and her cheeks were flushed. Tom closed his eyes and groaned. 'Oh this is not good', he thought. Tom looked at Chakotay. "I'll show myself out."

Chakotay didn't speak he just nodded his head at Tom.

* * * * * *

B'Elanna's face broke into a wide smile when Tom entered the kitchen; it faded slightly when she saw Chakotay walk in behind him. "Hi." She greeted to them. Tom walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek. She noticed the look on Chakotay's face and that he didn't speak which had her worried. "What's wrong?"

Tom took a hold of her arms, "Chakotay will be staying with us for a few days."

B'Elanna had a bad feeling about this. "What happened?"

Tom's eyes flicked towards Chakotay and then back to B'Elanna's, he went to open his mouth but Chakotay spoke out instead.

"I found Annika in bed with Axum."

B'Elanna's eyes went wide. "What!" She walked over to Chakotay and gave him a big hug. "I am sorry she hurt you like that. Do you want me to break her legs?"

Chakotay gave a small chuckle, "No, but thank you for the offer."

Just then Miral started crying from the other room.

"I'll get her." Tom stated and left the room.

Tom entered the nursery and picked Miral up and soothed her until she stopped crying. He took her over the changing table and started changing her nappy when B'Elanna came into the room.

"I knew it, I just knew she was going to hurt him."

"B'Elanna calm down getting upset isn't going to help anything."

B'Elanna let out a harrumph. "Seven has always been so arrogant. I tried to point that out to him, but would he listen? No-"

"B'ELANNA!" Tom said in a harsh whisper, "That's enough."

"Sorry, I let my temper get the best of me for a moment."

Tom picked Miral up off the changing table and walked over and kissed B'Elanna on the forehead. "It's understandable. Chakotay is family, and you're very protective of your family."

B'Elanna took Miral from Tom. "You're damn right." Her manner turned serious. "Tom you have to get Chakotay out of the house before she gets here."

Tom ran his hand through his hair. "I know, I know. I need a minute to think of something."

B'Elanna shifted Miral to her other shoulder. "You don't have a minute, Kathryn's due any second now. Tell him you have to check out a shuttle or something."

"I have a better idea." Tom replied.

Chakotay was sitting on the couch after contacting everyone to cancel poker night when Tom and B'Elanna came into the room. "Tom grab your coat." Chakotay told him.

"Where are we going?" Tom inquired.

"I don't want to ruin B'Elanna's plans for tonight so you and I are going out to have a few beers and play some pool." Chakotay answered.

Tom walked over and picked up his coat. "Good idea, Chakotay."

Chakotay walked over and kissed Miral on the top of the head and then squeezed B'Elanna's shoulder. "Enjoy your dinner."

"Chakotay-" B'Elanna started to protest.

Chakotay stopped her. "No B'Elanna, there's no sense in your plans being interrupted on my account."

B'Elanna felt horrible. She wanted Chakotay to stay but she knew that if he did he'd run into Kathryn and she didn't want to cause Kathryn the pain of seeing him just when she had moved past her feelings for Chakotay. "Just make sure you don't wake Miral when you come home, or else your staying up with her until she goes back to sleep."

Tom kissed his wife and child and then walked to the door opened it and skidded to a halt. "Kathryn!"

Kathryn sifted the wine into her other hand. As she reached up to knock on the door when it swung open startling her. "Hi Tom."

Tom stood frozen the doorway caught in the proverbial rock and a hard place and he didn't know what to do.

"Are you doing to stand there all night Tom, or are you going to invite me in?" Kathryn retorted.

Tom suddenly jumped into motion. "Come on in." He opened the door and motioned her in.

As Kathryn walked past Tom she came to a sudden stop as she turned her head and saw Chakotay standing in the hallway. "Hello Chakotay."

Chakotay nodded his head, "Kathryn," he quietly replied. She noticed right away that he was a bit uncomfortable, but before she could say anything more Tom came up behind her.

"Sorry to rush out so quickly Kathryn, but Chakotay and I were just leaving."

"I understand Tom," she held up a hand in front of her, "far be it for me to keep you two from your weekly poker game."

Tom chuckled, "B'Elanna's in the kitchen. You two have a nice dinner and don't spoil Miral too much."

Kathryn put her hand on her chest and feigned innocence. "Me, spoil my goddaughter? I have no idea what you are talking about Tom."

Tom laughed and kissed Kathryn on the cheek, grabbed Chakotay by the arm and left quickly out the door. Kathryn stood looking at the closed door for a few seconds wondering what the hell just happened. She knew things between her and Chakotay had been slightly strained since their return to Earth, but he had acted almost embarrassed to see her just now. She turned and headed for the kitchen making a mental note to ask B'Elanna about it.

When Kathryn entered the kitchen she found B'Elanna finishing the prep work on dinner. "Hi." She said sitting the bottle of wine on the counter.

"Kathryn! When did you get here?"

"Tom let me in when he as Chakotay were leaving."

"That explains why I didn't hear the door." She walked over and hugged Kathryn. "You look well. A month in Italy certainly agrees with you."

"Isle of Capri is absolutely gorgeous B'Elanna. It's so picturesque and the water is the most clear vibrant blue I've ever seen, and the weather was beautiful the entire time."

B'Elanna smiled at her. "Well the sunshine and sea air has to be wonderful because your skin is glowing."

Kathryn laughed. "That would be courtesy of the Spa were I spent the last week of my stay."

"You didn't say anything about that when you called me."

Kathryn smiled, "It was a last minute decision. I figured it might be a while before I have the chance to pamper myself once I start teaching at Star Fleet Command School in New York."

B'Elanna's eyes went wide, "Your turning down the promotion and position at Headquarters?"

"I turned down the position at Starfleet Command, but the position at Command School still comes with the promotion."

"That's wonderful, congratulations."

After dinner B'Elanna and Kathryn were enjoying their coffee in the living room while watching Miral play on a blanket at their feet. Kathryn watched as Miral chewed on the block she was holding. "My goodness Lanna I can't get over how much Miral has grown in a month."

B'Elanna sighed, "I know I can't believe it myself."

Just then the block Miral was chewing on flew out of her hands and she started to cry. Kathryn being the closest to her reached down and picked Miral up placing her on her lap, wrapping her arms around Miral in a hug to sooth the whimpering infant. Miral reached out and grabbed Kathryn's fingers and promptly chomped down on her knuckle. With out missing a beat Kathryn started rubbing her knuckle across Miral's swollen gums making the infant dribble in glee. B'Elanna watched as Kathryn expertly handled the teething girl. B'Elanna was always amazed at how natural Kathryn looked with a child in her arms. "Do you plan on having children?" B'Elanna was so caught up in watching Kathryn she didn't realize she had asked that out loud until she heard Kathryn speak.

Kathryn was caught off guard by the sudden question. "What?"

B'Elanna's eyes went wide with embarrassment. "I'm sorry I shouldn't-"

"No, no it's alright Lanna. To answer your question, yes I have always wanted children but I'm afraid that at this point in my life having children is out of the question."

B'Elanna raised her eyebrow. "You are not too old to have children Kathryn."

Not wanting to discuss the age of her reproductive system Kathryn changed tactics. "I don't even have a man in my life, B'Elanna."

"What about Marcello?" B'Elanna inquired.

Kathryn rolled her eyes. "That was over before it started Lanna." She had met Marcello the first week she was in Capri.

"From what you told me when we spoke you were really enjoying spending time with him."

"I was, but it turned out that we were both headed in different directions in our lives."

B'Elanna leaned back and took a drink of her coffee. "Too bad, he certainly was easy on the eyes."

Kathryn laughed. "I knew I shouldn't have sent you that picture of us on the boat."

"Are you kidding? Do you know how much I enjoyed seeing that man in his bathing suit?"

"Lanna!"

"Hey I'm married, not dead." She said in a fit of laughter.

* * * * * *

Later that week on Friday B'Elanna called Kathryn and asked her to baby sit Miral when their sitter canceled at the last minute on them. When Kathryn arrived at their apartment Tom was holding a screaming Miral and looking frazzled.

"Kathryn we tried to call you but you'd already left. As you can see Miral is having a bad bought of teething so we've decided to cancel our dinner plans and stay home with her."

Kathryn gave Tom a stern look. "You'll do no such thing. Now give me Miral and go finish getting ready."

"Kathryn-" he started to protest.

"Tom I've stood toe to toe with the Vidiian's, Hirogen, and the Borg. I think I can handle a teething baby for a few hours." She quipped.

Tom knew when he was beat and handed a screaming Miral over to Kathryn. She cradled Miral to her chest and headed for the kitchen. Once in the kitchen she went over to the cooling unit and took out a bag of frozen peas and hand them to Miral, who instantly started gumming them. A few moments later B'Elanna came into the kitchen and saw Kathryn standing at the window near the table with her back to her.

"How did you get Miral to stop crying?" When Kathryn turned around B'Elanna noticed the girl frantically gumming the bag of frozen peas. B'Elanna stared at the pair in amazement. "Now why didn't I think of that?"

Kathryn kissed the top of Miral's head. "Because you're a slightly stressed mother of a teething infant who needs a night out away from her baby."

B'Elanna smiled at Kathryn. "Your right, and thanks again for babysitting at the last minute like this."

"Don't mention it Lanna, you know I love spending time with my goddaughter." Kathryn smiled.

Just then Tom walked took one look at his daughter gumming a bag of peas and shook his head. "I should have known that your unconventional thinking wasn't just limited to commanding starships Captain."

"And you know that Flattery will get you nowhere with me, Tom."

Tom walked over and kissed his daughter's head and then pointed his finger at Kathryn. "Okay young lady you know the rules, the beer in the fridge is off limits and no boy's in the house while we are gone."

B'Elanna grabbed Tom by the arm. "Come on Tom let's go before I let her kick your butt." She started to pull Tom out of the room, "Thanks again Kathryn, we won't be home too late."

Kathryn walked them to the door. "Lanna we'll be just fine so take your time and enjoy yourselves and don't worry about rushing home, okay?"

B'Elanna looked at Miral who was still happily gumming the bag of peas in Kathryn's arms. "Alright, we'll be home when we get home."

A few hours later after getting Miral to sleep for the night Kathryn was sitting on the sofa reading a book when she heard the front door open. At the sound of approaching foot steps she closed her book and looked up expecting to see Tom and B'Elanna, but was shocked to see Chakotay walk into the room. "Chakotay!" she said with a stunned look on her face.

"Hello Kathryn. You look surprised to see me?"

"I am. What are you doing here?"

Chakotay reached up and tugged on his earlobe. "I'm staying here."

Kathryn's eyebrows shot up to her hairline. "Oh, I didn't know."

"I'm surprised B'Elanna didn't tell you." Chakotay sat down next to her on the sofa and leaned his head against the back of the sofa closing his eyes.

Kathryn studied him for a moment. She could see how tired he looked. "Why are you staying here Chakotay?"

Chakotay opened his eyes and sat up. "Annika and I aren't seeing each other any more."

Kathryn wasn't sure if she was happy or sad about this, but no matter what her feeling for Chakotay were or weren't at the moment they were still friends. After all he was there for her when she got the 'Dear John' letter from Mark, so if anything she owed it to him to be supportive now. Besides she couldn't abandon him if she wanted to, his friendship meant too much to her. "What happened?"

"Annika decided to continue her relationship with Axum."

"Axum? I thought he was in a remote sector of the Beta quadrant?"

"Not any more. He's here on Earth and living with Annika."

"So I take it she broke off your relationship?"

Chakotay tugged on his earlobe again. "Actually, I did."

Kathryn gave him a quizzical look. "Let me get this straight, Annika decided to resume her relationship with Axum, but you broke it off with her. I think I'm missing something here."

"I came home and caught them in bed together. Tom was with me so he invited me to stay with him and B'Elanna until I find a place."

Kathryn placed her hand on this shoulder, "Oh Chakotay I'm so sorry." Kathryn tried to wrap her mind around everything Chakotay had just told her. She knew Seven had deep feelings for Axum, but what she couldn't believe was how badly Seven had handled the situation and hurting Chakotay in the process. When she got the chance she was going to give Seven a piece of her mind. Not wanting to let her temper get the better of her Kathryn stood up. "I'm going to check on Miral, I'll be right back."

"I'm going to make some tea, would you like some?" Chakotay asked.

Kathryn nodded her head at him before she left the room.

A few minutes later Kathryn entered the kitchen as Chakotay was pouring tea into two mugs. "Chakotay where do you sleep?"

Chakotay handed Kathryn her tea. "On the sofa, why?"

"It's a small apartment the three of you must be tripping over each other."

"I know. I tried to go to a hotel, but B'Elanna won't here of it."

Kathryn took a sip of her tea. "You are welcome to stay with me." Chakotay started to shake his head, but Kathryn held up her hand. "It's just mom and me in that big house, and she'll love having another person to cook for."

"I don't know, Kathryn." He stated unsure.

"Please just think about it, okay?" She added.

He smiled at her. "I will."

Just then Tom came into the kitchen. "Kathryn I'm disappointed. I thought we agreed no boys?"

"There weren't any boys here until you came in, Tom." She fired back causing everyone to start laughing.