GfStage III

Chapter i

By: AW

Pairing: J/C, P/T

Rating: M

Genre: Drama/Romance

Length: 3563 words

Setting: Endgame rewritten

Date: June 2009

It had been nearly three months since they had been returned to the Alpha Quadrant. The Voyager crew was happy to finally be able to have her life back.

After his break-up with Seven, Chakotay had wasted no time in staking his claim to their Captain. Within a week of their returning, the former 'Command Couple' was married.

The Voyager crew had been both shocked and elated with this revelation, and many had thought it was long overdue: Kathryn and Chakotay among them.

They had discovered over the last three months, the life they had waited seven years to realize.

And realize, and to a certain extent resurrect they had.

Since 'New Earth', the fire had been smouldering, but it had been re-kindled along with their new life in the Alpha Quadrant.

They had begun trying for children right away (neither was a 'Spring Chicken') if they wanted children… now was the time to start.

The sexual tension of the past Seven years had grown into a loving relationship; a relationship that would no doubt continue for years to come.

Kathryn was wakened from her reverie as she realized she'd reached Admiral Paris' office. She drew in a deep breath and buzzed for entry.

"Come."

Kathryn walked into Admiral Paris' office, "I apologize for my absence upon our reaching the Alpha Quadrant Sir. I had just had minor surgery and my doctor banned me from the bridge."

He looked her up and down. "I read the reports, 'Admiral'; I understand." He paused staring at the woman who had, for years been his protégée. "And quite the invasive procedure it was too, and gutsy. Removal of a 12 week old embryo – not only is abortion
illegal under 'Federation Law', but dangerous past eight weeks – and all based on the future version of your Commander."

"Yes, Sir."

He looked her over, she looked nervous; she probably expected a dressing down from her former mentor. "They decided you will not be punished after bringing back the technology and dealing a crippling blow to the Borg; not to mention saving us from ourselves.
The Federation Council figure penance served… and a promotion to boot, 'Admiral'."

"Yes, Sir."

He stopped, collecting his words and attempting to figure out how he was going to approach the next subject. "Well now that your three month leave is up will you be applying for a Fleet Admiral position?" With all the experience the Delta Quadrant provided
you with, you should be a no brainer pick for the job."

She paused and pursed her lips, "No. I think I've had quite enough space travel for a while." She looked him up and down, begging him to understand. Her hand subconsciously approached her abdomen, subbing the barely visible swell. Her face lit up with
a smile as she looked him in the eyes. "Besides, I think the twins would like to be born planet side."

He stared at her, hoping to see the signs that he had perhaps missed. Kathryn blushed under his scrutiny. "It's still too early Owen. Although I don't know what I'll do when my uniform no longer fits."

"Well congratulations again, Kathryn."

She smiled, and all Owen could think was how much younger she looked when she smiled.

Kathryn looked at her mentor, "If you could keep this to yourself for a while, I haven't had a chance to tell their dad yet." She pleaded rubbing hypnotic circles on her tummy, "I just found out about them myself this morning."

He gave her a proud nod, "So, found 'Mr. Right' did you Kathryn?"

"Actually Owen, I found him seven years ago."

Owen stared at the rock and matching gold band on her finger. "Chakotay?"

She simply nodded, "Because of protocol…"

He interrupted her thought, "I know, while on Voyager you couldn't." He stopped, "Although you were 70,000 light years away; you couldn't have known if you'd even get home in your lifetime."

Janeway shook her head, "No sir, but I tried, and hoped and prayed and here we are."

"Yes, here you are."

She allowed a smile to grace her feature yet again. She glowed with happiness, impending motherhood definitely agreed with her. "Well I'd better be going; Chakotay is going to be home at my mother's house soon and I'd like to be there when he gets home."

"Oh, do give Gretchen my best."

She nodded, "I will Sir."

He chuckled at her faux pas, "You know Kathryn, we're the same rank now; you can call me Owen."

"Yes Sir… I mean Owen."

He smiled in acceptance, ignoring her mistake. "By the way Kathryn, When's the little Maquis due?"

Kathryn glared at him, standing up tall and trying to look menacing. "He's not a Maquis anymore. He teaches at the anthropological institute in San Fernando."

Owen cringed at what he knew was referred to as the 'Janeway death glare'. "I'm sorry Kathryn; I didn't mean anything by it."

Kathryn nodded, "Apology accepted, and I'm ten weeks along, so June 14 is my due date. Hopefully I last to term."

Owen stared at her reproachfully. "Come on Kathryn, don't talk like that. Why wouldn't you?"

She drew in a deep, uncertain breath. "Well, Doc said because of my age, the previous injuries I've incurred and poor eating habits for seven years… my risk of miscarriage and premature birth increases."

He looked sadly at Kathryn, "Well I'm hoping for the best Kathryn, for you and all your family."

Kathryn made it home with just minutes to spare before Chakotay got home. It was a good thing she had forced her mother to install a replicator the following week.

"Coffee, Black." Kathryn picked up the coffee and went to take a drink before she put it down in horror and ran to the bathroom. Never did I think that coffee would make me sick; but I suppose stranger things have happened.

Kathryn drifted to the master bedroom and momentarily lay down on the bed. Her hand went to the small swell of her abdomen, "You two have got to let mommy get things done. This morning sickness thing isn't working when I have to be at work for 0700."
Oh god, I'm going to be sick again. Kathryn ran to the washroom and lost what little she had left in her stomach.

Kathryn went into the room and slipped on her bathrobe. She went downstairs to the replicator and programmed in a vegetable dish for the night along with a non-alcoholic bottle of champagne. Chakotay will definitely think something's up if he sees this
requisition.

She heard the door open and Chakotay strode in, picking her up and twirling her around. "I have some great news sweetheart."

Kathryn looked and felt green; she smiled and rand to the downstairs bathroom. Some ten minutes later – when she finally came back to the kitchen – she walked to the replicator and requested a cup of ginger tea.

"Tea? Kathryn? Oh my goodness, please tell me the doctor hasn't finally convinced you to cut down. If he did the rest of us are going to be dealing with one hell of a caffeine deprived admiral."

Kathryn turned and looked up at him ignoring his sarcastic comment. "So, what's your great news?"

"I got the professorship at the University here in San Francisco. No more long commutes, no more -"

Chakotay stopped mid sentence as he looked around the house. Candles, a replicated meal waiting, two large presents with pink and blue bows. "What's up Kathryn?"

Kathryn blushed a rosy pink at Chakotay's questioning gaze. "I went to see the doctor today; you know how I haven't been feeling well lately and the unexplained weight gain – that you were sure was just because my eating habits have been improving and
becoming more regular – and..."

"Oh my god Kathryn...please tell me you're okay; we just got it right..."

She silenced him with a kiss, when she pulled back she had a huge grin on her face. "Oh, its nothing bad...well I don't think so and I hope you don't think so either..."

Chakotay stared at her. "If there's nothing wrong then how come you've been sick every day for the past -"

Her grin grew larger, "Only in the mornings."

She paused seeing if Chakotay would figure it out. "It's just a symptom a larger condition."

"Only in the mornings? You mean..."

She nodded, "They'll be here in June."

"They? Twins?"

"Uh-huh. Two healthy babies, ten weeks along." She took his hand and put it underneath her robe letting him feel the beginnings of the 'baby bump'.

"Wow; Oh my god Kathryn: at our age, and so soon. I was hoping this would happen but I didn't think if it did happen, it would happen right away. Gods I love you Kathryn." He pulled her into a hug full of promise and love."

She lifted her mouth up to his and as they kissed, she encouraged his hands to roam her changing shape.

She pulled away momentarily, "Congratulations, daddy."

He lifted Kathryn into his arms. "Oh my god, we're going to have a baby!"

She smiled and lifted her hands up to trace the lines of his tattoo. "Two its twins remember?"

"Even better," he stated resolutely. "I love you so much Kathryn."

"And I love you my 'Angry Warrior'." She pulled his hand along her once flat abdomen again. "And they love you too 'daddy'."

He rubbed his hands over the now apparent bump. "I can't believe I can feel them already."

She stared at him, "You'd better believe it, as I recall you were there on our honeymoon too."

"Well you were rather tiny before Kathryn."

"What do you mean 'I was tiny'?" She stared at him giving him her best death glare. "And I'm not now?"

He laughed, "You my dear are starting to show. I should think you'll fill out rather nicely when you're in full bloom."

Kathryn rolled her eyes. "I would really rather not announce it to the world just yet, at least not until it's too obvious to deny."

"What about our friends, family...?"

"You mean the Voyager crew?"

"Well mostly, and your mom, your sister, my cousin..."

She quieted him with a kiss. "Well Owen Paris knows, only because he was looking to give me a fleet position, and until -" her hands went to the bump, "- these two get here I'd rather play it safe."

He hugged her close and kissed the top of her head, letting his hands roam the changing configuration of her body. "So what position did they finally decide on for you?"

"I'm going to be teaching at the academy. Seems Owen believes I'd be an asset teaching young minds about the Borg."

He smiled, "Well I can't think of anyone more qualified."

Kathryn let out a giggle. "Neither could Owen. He gave me direct orders to get a teaching schedule ready."

"Oh, Kathryn: That's wonderful. If Naomi is any indication, you'll be a wonderful teacher." He paused, "And I suppose you need to get some teaching in before they make their appearance."

She stared at him, hands on her tummy as she stated wryly, "Yes, I suppose so."

"I do have one request though."

She looked at him questioningly, "We tell Tom and B'Elanna when they arrive for dinner tonight."

"Tonight? When did this happen?"

He looked at her sheepishly, "I ran into B'Elanna earlier today and I invited the three of them for supper; I hope you don't mind." He paused, "I told them I had some news to tell them." He approached his wife and lay a hand on her stomach. "But that
was before you have me your news." Chakotay laughed at the irony of his life. "I guess we have two things to tell them now." He paused looking at the bottle of ale in his hands, "And I did bring home some Ktarian ale, but now that I know you can't
drink it: I feel bad."

She pulled him down for a kiss, placing his hands on the baby bump. "Oh, don't worry honey. It can't be any worse than the Doc deciding to stop my caffeine intake."

"You are going to be a bear aren't you?"

She grinned, "Possibly a little."

The doorbell rang and Kathryn looked to Chakotay. "Can you get that? Let Tom and B'Elanna get comfortable while I find something that fits and is 'comfortable enough'." She paused hand going to her belly. "These two are already making my uniform a tight
fit, so my other cloths possibly won't be much better, but I'm sure I'll find something."

He approached her and gently rubbed her tummy. "Sure thing, and I'll replicate some more food for these guys after I let them in and while you get changed." He stopped and turned to the door, "Unless of course you want them to see the great Kathryn Janeway
in her bath robe."

"Yeah, I don't think so. How about you go and let them in and I'll see you all in a couple of minutes."

Kathryn disappeared up the stairs and Chakotay couldn't help but think how lucky he had been.

Chakotay opened the door and let the Paris family into the house. Tom popped in with his usual grace plopping down on the couch. B'Elanna walked in carrying their bundle of joy, and all Chakotay could think was that this would be Kathryn and himself in
a year. "So where's the Admiral?"

"Oh, she's coming. She just got home not that long ago and she had a couple of things to take care of." He pointed to the bottle of ale, "Drink?"

Tom raised his hand, "I'll take one." B'Elanna piped up, "I'll have one too." B'Elanna stared at the bottle. "You guys must be doing well, this stuff is expensive."

Chakotay looked at her, "Well, Samantha Wildman's husband sent us a case for bringing home his wife and daughter safe and sound."

B'Elanna smiled, "Well grampa Paris was happy you guys brought his granddaughter home 'safe and sound', as you put it as well."

"Yeah I'm sure everyone that came home was happy to arrive safe and sound. I certainly was; and I got the grand prize: Voyager's Captain."

They all turned to the sound of footsteps on the stairs. "What is this? You got the grand prize you say?" Kathryn laughed, "Well I landed Voyager's First Officer, so I didn't do too badly myself."

B'Elanna rolled her eyes and then looked to the Command Couple, "God, you guys are despicably cute."

Kathryn stared disbelieving at the Paris', "Oh, like you guys have a right to talk; I remember you guys and your secret trysts in the Jeffries tube, top level of engineering..."

Tom chimed in, "Oh, and don't forget the Captain's ready room."

B'Elanna turned red, "Tom...I thought that was our little secret."

Janeway stared at Chakotay, "Now I know where that stain on the ready room couch came from." She glared at Tom, "And what it is."

This time it was Tom's turn to change colour and look guilty.

Kathryn turned to the Paris couple, :Oh, here...let me hold Mirale: She is so adorable."

Kathryn picked up the baby and began tickling her feet, blowing raspberries on her tummy, and smiling and awful lot.

Tom looked Chakotay up and down. "You're better watch out old man; she looks entirely too comfortable doing that." He stopped looking at his wife and smiling. "Do I see a man with a tattoo, formerly Commander of the U.S.S. Voyager pushing a baby carriage
in the next couple of years?"

Chakotay grinned, "How about seven months?"

B'Elanna jumped up, "Oh my god, congratulations!"

Kathryn passed the baby to Chakotay and opened her arms for B'Elanna's congratulatory embrace. B'Elanna grabbed her arms and stared at the newly pregnant Kathryn Janeway.

She turned to Chakotay, "I thought she looked healthy and had possibly put on a bit of weight. I honestly thought it was because you'd been cooking for her."

Kathryn turned to Tom and B'Elanna and flattened her dress showing the beginnings of a baby belly. "Geez Kathryn, you two sure didn't waste and time."

Kathryn gave a lopsided grin. "Well they weren't planned, and I thought I was too old to be worrying about this," She put her hands on her belly, "But, ah hell, we're happy just the same."

"Them? How many are in there?"

"Two: It's twins."

"Well congratulations again." Tom looked at Chakotay, "You two...you never seem to do anything half-way, do you?"

Kathryn grinned, a saucy grin, "Nope that would be entirely too easy."

The rest of the night went off without a hitch. Chakotay informed the Paris' his new position, and how glad he was going to be, to be closer to Kathryn: especially now."

Kathryn smiled, rubbing hypnotic circles on her tummy. "If you two could keep it to yourselves for a bit...we're not ready for the world to know just yet."

B'Elanna grinned. "So the Voyager 'Command Couple' will soon be a quartet, huh?"

"We're hoping B'Elanna, if all goes well; that's what will happen."

Tom chimed in, "And I'm sure everything will be just fine."

Kathryn gave a tentative half-smile in response, "I hope so Tom."

And so the weeks turned into months: two to be exact. Kathryn refused to change over to a maternity uniform yet; Chakotay thought it was becoming necessary. "Come on Kathryn, you're 15 weeks pregnant with twins. You have to get past your vanity and start
wearing a maternity uniform."

Kathryn glared at him and looked down at him and looked down at her expanding form. "I'm not vain, it just doesn't look right to have an admiral in a maternity smock."

He shook his head, "Well you should have thought about that four months ago."

Kathryn chuckled, "I guess I should have." She took his mouth with hers pressing the babies into his stomach. "But I wouldn't change it for anything."

He smiled, "Glad to hear it. I'll meet you downstairs."

She made sure Chakotay had left the bedroom, and she opened her robe to look at her body. He's right, I have to start wearing maternity cloths. She rubbed her hands over the bump and felt a flutter movement. She caught her breath in her throat. She continued
rubbing her hands down her stomach, hoping to feel it again.

Ten minutes later there it was. Oh my goodness. One...or possibly both of the twins moved. Kathryn walked over to the replicator and put in the command for a size four maternity uniform: Admiral's stripes.

She put the uniform on and smoothed the fabric down her front and felt and elbow, possibly a foot or a hand impact her roaming hands. She looked in the full-length mirror. Well there's no denying they're in there anymore.

Kathryn left the bedroom and descended the stairs to the kitchen area where Chakotay was waiting for her.

He heard her enter the kitchen and looked at her standing in her newly replicated maternity uniform. "There, now doesn't that feel better Kathryn?"

She sighed, "It feels odd. Look at how much room there is." She pulled out her smock to prove her point.

He pulled her to him and covered their children with this hands. "You'll soon fill out that space Kathryn; and now I can be proud to show off my blossoming wife."

Kathryn glared at her husband, "Blossoming? You make me sound like a child reaching puberty."

"You are hardly a child, and judging by your current state," he placed his hands over his children, "I'd say you reached puberty long ago."

Chakotay gasped as he felt movement beneath his hands. Chakotay had a dazed and confused look on his face.

She smiled at him, "I think that's just one of your children saying hello."

"You've felt this before?"

She pulled him down and kissed him for all she was worth. "Just before I came downstairs, I was actually coming to tell you."

He grabbed her and pulled her close. "I love you so much Kathryn, thank you."

She looked at him confused. "For what?"

He grinned and she saw the dimples appear. "For giving them to me." He lifted her shirt and kissed her belly when she felt a foot connect with his cheek.

"Soon we'll have a couple of kids to call our own. You won't be sorry I promise you Kathryn."

She laughed. "Oh, I'm sure some days I will be, but I do have to get going. I have a class that starts in an hour."

Chakotay looked at the clock. "Actually so do I; we'd better get going."

He gave her one more kiss and turned to leave. Kathryn cleared her throat, getting his attention and smiled. "We'll see you later...daddy."

She left their house and went to teach her class. Never in a million years would Kathryn Janeway have thought she'd end up here: A happily married woman, teaching at Starfleet Academy on Earth, awaiting her children's birth.

But times change and people change too, and so Kathryn had.

And she could not longer remember a day when life had been better.

END CHAPTER I