Disclaimer: I absolutely do not own Star Trek Voyager or anything else related to it! I just play with the characters...
This is my first Voyager story. I'm not too sure how it turned out, so let me know what you think. It's just a simple oneshot that popped into my head the other day and refused to leave until it was written. Hope you like it!
Captain Kathryn Janeway was a mixture many roles. She could be a cold hearted Starfleet officer, a threatening adversary, even a comforting shelter during an emotional storm if the moment called for it. Basically, she was a lot of things, but she wasn't weak and certainly not easily scared. But this….this was different.
How the hell did this even happen?
Oh, right….the memory alone brought a small, almost mischievous smile to her face. Looking back down at the small screen she read over the results for what seemed like the hundredth time. Yep, there was no doubt about it. She was pregnant.
"…And so I'll be providing you with a new nutritional regiment which you're to begin immediately." The Doctor's voice finally broke through the haze of shock making her turn her head upwards to meet his eyes. She honestly hadn't even realized he'd been talking before. Not that he needed to know that.
"Yes, of course. Thank you, Doctor." She answered simply in the best 'captain's voice' she could manage under the circumstances.
Pregnant? In the Delta Quadrant? And she was supposed to be the captain! Tuvok would never let her live this down, that was for sure. He still gave her that knowing, eyes boring into your head, look over things that happened years before when they hadn't even been in this damn quadrant!
For some reason she couldn't bring herself to be angry, disappointed, or even really scared when it came right down to it. No, now that the initial shock was beginning to fade all she felt was contentment and pride, and maybe even a tinge of hope mixed in there. She'd get through this, just like she always managed to live through hard times and come out the other end as a stronger person.
And this time she wouldn't be alone to face the unknown. She knew, somehow, that this would all work out. Over the years, the Voyager crew had become so much more then just crewmates who shared the same living space and same basic goals. They were a family…her family. And she knew her crew, her family, would stick by her till the end. Even if they had to deal with a hormone enhanced captain for a few months.
Especially her senior officers. She almost grinned at the thought of what their first reaction would be to this news. If she was shocked then how could she expect anything less from them!
Oh no….crap.
Hovering. It was bound to happen. Between Chakotay, Tuvok, Neelix, the Doctor, and the rest of the crew she was going to be completely mental by the time this child was born. She would have to cut it off in the pass before it had a chance to get too unbearable. Pregnant did not equal fragile after all. And certainly not helpless when it came to Captain Kathryn Janeway!
Judging by the way the Doctor was standing unusually close and the beaming, proud look on his face she knew the over-protectiveness was already kicking in. And if the data PADD in his hand that was filled with her new nutrition plans was any indication, the next nine months were going to be hell.
She could see it now. The Doctor fallowing her around, force feeding her, trying to get her to rest in the middle of her bridge shift…
"Congratulation, Captain!" He exclaimed obviously thrilled about the whole situation.
"Thank you, Doctor." She replied, her own smile growing from a mixture of her own excitement and his. "I think it'd be best to keep this development to yourself for awhile though, if you don't mind." She stated in the tone that said she wasn't actually asking.
"Ah, of course. You'll want to inform the child's father first before rumors have chance to do it for you." He stated, still smiling, as she hopped down from the exam table.
"It is a small ship, Doctor." She answered, smoothing out her uniform as she did. "And I'd like to tell the senior staff myself as well. Which I should probably do soon considering the way I left the bridge this morning. Who knows what ridicules idea Tom and Harry will come up with if given time to think."
"Indeed." The Doctor said with a scuff and rolling his eyes.
"Well, if you'll excuse me, Doctor, I have news to distribute." She moved away, hoping to reach the door before….
"Don't forget your regiment!" Came the Doctors voice from behind her. So close, but she just didn't make it to the door in time.
"Oh course, thank you." She said as he handed her the PADD with a look that seemed to say 'you wont be able to evade me this time'.
The look faded in the next instant though, only to be replaced with a softer, almost compassionate one. "Really, Captain, congratulations. I'm sure this will be quite the adventure. I'm also sure I speak for the whole crew when I say we'll 'have your back' as the saying goes. We'll get through this just like we always do."
"I have no doubt you will, Doctor." She replied in her own soft, grateful tone. "This isn't the first pregnancy on this ship you realize." She said a bit more loudly, in her normal tone of voice.
"Perhaps not, but" He began, giving her his full attention as if to get the point across. "This is the Captain's pregnancy. It'll be a bit more…complex. Also, you're the center of this crew. You're pregnancy is our pregnancy. This child will belong to the whole crew. As such it will most likely be protected and cared for by every one of us as if it were our own."
Even with all her self control she couldn't stop the small smile that graced her face or the softening of her features at his words. It was times like this she felt truly gifted with such an amazing crew.
"Now, off you go." He suddenly said, as if he realized just how emotional he just became and wasn't exactly comfortable with it. "I'm not sure how long I'll be able to hold off Mr. Paris when he comes down for his shift. He has a tendency to be sneaky when he wants to be."
With one last pointed glance down at the PADD he turned and walked to his office, leaving her standing there. With a slight chuckle and a shake of her head she turned and escaped the sickbay.
It was turning out to be a busy day. First nearly getting sick on the bridge and then finding out she was pregnant. Now she was out to break the news to the father and then a staff meeting to explain recent 'developments' to the extended aunts and uncles.
Hmmm, I wonder if B'Elanna would be willing to be a godmother? Or maybe Seven. It might make her feel more involved and more connected with the rest of the crew.
She would have to think about it. As well as names. And living quarters. And defense plans in case something should go wrong. And…she was going to be doing a lot of thinking over the next few months.
But of course she wouldn't be making these decisions alone, she realized. The baby's father would no doubt have a few suggestions. Though a twenty-four hour escort would not be an option! And her senior staff would have a few thoughts most likely.
Walking down the hall and into the turbolift she realized just how connected she suddenly felt with her crew…her family. The Doctor was right, this wasn't just her baby, it was the ship's baby. He or she was going to have lot of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
As the turbo lift stopped and Tom Paris got on as she stepped out she admitted that there'd be a few who would be especially close relatives.
"Captain." Tom greeted with a nod and smile just before the turbo lift doors closed.
She smiled to herself as she turned and made her way to her office. She couldn't wait to see his and the other senior officers' reactions to the big news. It should prove to be a memorable occasion. But first she had to tell the father. Which should no doubt be interesting as well.
Sitting down behind her desk she made sure her captain's mask was in place, no smile in sight or any other give away, and got ready to call the expectant father.
"Commander Chakotay, to my ready room."
So, what did you think? Review please!