Even the Captain
Pairing: J/C mainly but P/T mentioned
Rating: K+
Summary: Even the captain has to deal with overbearing parents, and in Gretchen Janeway's eyes being an Admiral doesn't matter.
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It had been a few months since Voyagers return to the Alpha Quadrant in that time the crew had gone through debriefings, press confrences, promotions, parties, and new beginnings. Chakotay and Kathryn had 4 children, Melonie 'Melon', Anson, Erla and Kolopak. The four Janeway children had adjusted well to their new surrounding and all the treats they received from their 'new' family.
Tonight, was the first time Kathryn and Chakotay had hosted dinner. Tom and B'Elanna were always planning such events but now it was the command team's turn. The doctor, with his new name, Joe, would be attending along with The Paris family and Gretchen Janeway.
"I'm so glad Miral has settled, I spoke briefly to Lieutenant Wildman and she said Naomi loves her new life on DS9, granted she misses Neelix and the rest of the crew but she hasn't been too restless." Chakotay explained while bouncing his youngest son on his knee. Tom smiled explaining that his father was quite changed and loved having Miral around.
"I love Grandpa Owen!" Miral squeeled announcing her presence to everyone.
=/\=
"Okay, Erla is all happy now, out of the four of the children she is the most unsettled. Can't handle too much non-replicator food. Over the last 5 months she has had nearly 3 weeks' worth of sick days I am sorry she was sick on you B'Elanna." Kathryn apologised as the two women entered the living room
"Oh don't worry about it. I always carry spares these days. Kids are just so messy, Tom and I thinking of giving Miral a sibling" the two mothers, who had gotten a lot closer since arriving on earth.
"Oh I think that's a lovely idea. Good luck to you, I know the twins get on with her so if you need a baby sitter just call" Kathryn winked at her blushing ex-chief engineer. She sat welcoming a hug from Kolopak
"Mom, is gramma here, yet?" Anson asked walking over to his mother.
"No sweetie not yet" The doorbell rang "Speak of the devil. Sit down and wait for Gramma." She smiled at her son as she went to answer the door. "Melon, Gramma's here" she shouted up to her daughter who had been talking to Naomi, her best friend, over the comm.
"Katie, honey, I'm so sorry I'm late. I was talking to your uncle, he wanted to know all about his great nieces and nephews which took forever to explain to him. You know how inquisitive he is, anyway I remembered I left Apple pie in the oven so I had to take it out and let it cool and while that was going on Mabel, you remember Mabel the woman with all the cats, she popped by and started gossiping about the Skyrian's, my new neighbours, while I made some toffee sauce. Now, stop standing there looking like a half starved chicken and help me with these." Gretchen after her award winning welcome speech shoved various dishes and boxes at Kathryn and swept through to the kitchen her eldest daughter on her heel. "Now I have casserole, soup, bread, cheesy mash and brownies and some creamy pasta…" Gretchen rambled as she started organising the food containers.
"Alright. Where are my beautiful grandkids? Did ever thank you for marrying such a gorgeous guy, Honey" as if on cue Melon came running into the room and jumped into her arms, almost knocking the older woman over.
"Melonie be careful! You are nearly 10 for goodness sake." Melon smiled continuing to hug her gramma.
The group made their way to the living room where the other Janeway children received hugs and kisses from their gramma.
"Where is little Erla?" she asked looking a little disappointed.
"She was sick again. B'Elanna on the receiving end." Chakotay explained before making his excuses' about the food and left before Gretchen could sink her claws into him.
"Honey, don't leave me in there. You know what Mom is like. It doesn't matter what my Starfleet status is, my family will always be the bigger achievement. I agree with her 100%, I just wish she'd remember I'm…I'm an Admiral" Kathryn leaned against the counter
"Well, my love, Mothers, particularly yours, love children and having grandchildren to spoil. Kathryn you will always be your mom's little girl. I'm sure my mom would be the same Now quit whining and try this." He took the wooden spoon to her mouth as she tasted the contents and nodded.
"Aren't you going to try" Kathryn raised an eyebrow, Chakotay leaned in and kissed her, what was meant to be an innocent peck turned into a more passionate endeavour.
"Perfect" he whispered against her lips, they weren't paying any attention when Gretchen came in with Kolopak on her hip and Melon by her side.
"EEEEWWWW" the children chorused, the two adults sprang apart, Kolopak turned away hiding his face and Melon ran through her cries being heard.
"Uncle Tom, gramma and us caught Mom and Dad kissing" The laughter of the other adults ringing in the couples ears.
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The starter had gone down well with everyone, Gretchen seemed to be fussing over everyone including Kathryn herself. As they began their main course the conversation now drifted towards the relationships aboard Voyager.
"So Tom, how long were you in hot pursuit of your darling wife." Gretchen smiled as she ate her food.
"Well, she was a little fireball when she first boarded but I knew my chances were good." He smiled winking at B'Elanna.
"Yeah, we were dying when I admitted I loved him. The oxygen was wearing out in Environmental suits. Tom was almost out of breath." B'Elanna said quite lovingly, Gretchen looked at the utter love between the young couple, it reminded her of Edward and herself when they were newlyweds. Despite his job at Starfleet he was a loving man that adored his daughters.
"What about you Chakotay. How long did my daughter have you begging?" Gretchen innocently slipped in.
"Mom!" Kathryn turned bright red, "Right you three bed time. On you go and Melon don't wake your sister, please." The two boys obediently left the room their older sister, however, stayed seated
"I'm nearly 10 and I want to hear gramma embarrass you. It'll be so funny" Melonie whined
"Ha, funny. Melonie Taya Janeway get upstairs, get ready for bed and don't wake your sister unless you want your birthday to be cancelled" the young girl paled and dashed out the room causing the adults to laugh a little.
"Well, Mrs Janeway. I was quite lucky, she was always forthright on our relationship, having been engaged to Mark. I thought I had no chance with her."
"The Captain always had an interest in you Commander. It was just when she would admit it to you and to herself. She often talked to me, about her responsibility to her crew." The doctor piped up, "I acted as an unofficial counsellor."
"So Joe, how was she at taking care of herself." Gretchen turned to the hologram.
"When she was pregnant very good otherwise she wouldn't set foot in Sickbay, unless being dragged there by someone. She would tell anyone she was 'fine' even if her legs had been torn off" Joe and the other Voyager crew members laughed, their Captain had always been resilient, said captain sank slightly knowing the lecture that was on the tip of her mother's tongue.
"Katie, please explain to me why you didn't take of yourself out there. No wonder all Joe's holo images show you as tiny stick thing. You had time get pregnant and have children but no time to set foot in Sickbay once in a while. You promised to keep healthy on deep space missions." Gretchen scolded her eldest much to the shock of her crew.
"Mom, I had a ship to run. 9 out of 10 times I was fine."
"Yet you were able to conceive and deliver four children. That was looking after the ship." Gretchen's eyebrow raised and the famous Janeway glare initiated. Tom smirked at Gretchen's bluntness but jumped to his captain's defence.
"Mrs Janeway I assure you the Captain took her job totally serious, once outside their quarters Kathryn became the Captain and Chakotay the Commander it was all very professional" Tom explained hoping to save Kathryn.
"Exactly, Mrs Janeway, Kathryn always put the ship before herself, she always wanted to go down with the ship." Chakotay announced proudly.
"Alright, I'm sorry sweetie. I always hated the thought of you being away and the risks. Owen Paris is to blame for that. Dragging you onto Al-Bantani as Chief Science officer. You could have died many times, no family to carry your spirit on. Starfleet is often cruel in that way" Gretchen complained and Tom raised an eyebrow at the negativity of his father's name.
"Mom, Daddy would have been proud and I loved my job under Owen, he was a wonderful Captain. He was Daddy's best friend, you were close with Kironè how can you possibly be so negative." She reminded and Gretchen nodded knowing her eldest was right.
"Well I can see this one is getting tired. C'mon Tom let's get home. Thank you for the lovely dinner and company Kathryn Chakotay" B'Elanna smiled gathering Miral's things. Joe and Gretchen followed out with Gretchen fussing over the cold weather.
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"See everyone has an overbearing mother. EVEN the captain" Tom sneered as he and B'Elanna walked into their home.
"I suppose. I guess nobody stands up to their parent without knowing the consequences." His wife answered smiled carrying Miral to the nursery.
"I can understand having been on the Captain's bad side. If she was bad I can't imagine what her mother is like." The two laughed collapsing onto their bed totally exhausted.
"I'll never be like that in 20 odd years." B'Elanna mumbled
"Wanna bet" Tom chuckled, getting a pillow in the face.
"Shut up flyboy or you can stay in the spare room tonight" Tom chuckled again and held his wife close.
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Author's Note: Hope you liked it. I have a lot more drabbles containing these characters. Some sad, some funny. Please review so I know you'd like to read more of this little collection.
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