Long Way Home

Chapter 2

Author's Note: Sorry for the delay. Lots more angst. Thanks for all the review and for finding the story for me. Please keep reviewing. It keeps me motivated to keep writing.

Beverly sat despairingly in front of the ashen woman. For the first time in her medical career, she honestly didn't know what to do. Kathryn lay helplessly on the soft bed. She seemed so relieved at the little comfort the bed could provide her. She had gazed softly at Beverly as if unbelieving that anyone could be so kind. After a few minutes, when she realized she might not immediately be unceremoniously thrown from the bed, she closed her poor, swollen eyes. Beverly knew she was not asleep, of course, but she was as comfortable as she had been in God knows how long. Perhaps her poor body would allow her to doze for a few minutes. Beverly resolved to remain quiet just in case. They had tucked the blanket around the poor woman and her swollen broken hand was trying to hold on to the cloth, as if to keep anyone from pulling it away from her. Beverly sadly noted that her hand was not able to properly grasp the bedcover. She went into the bathroom and soaked a cloth in warm water before laying it on her little hands. She watched the heat radiate into her hands and just as she had suspected, the worn woman had dozed off. At the small relief, she saw Kathryn's features relax just a little bit more. She would remember to change the cloths every few minutes until she replicated something that retained its heat better. What the scan showed was heartbreaking. Every bone and organ in her body was broken and torn or damaged. There were raw whip marks all over her. The only thing keeping her alive were the drugs in her system. Who knew how long they would last or what would happen when they failed? She was too fragile to treat and at any rate, there could be no treatment until the drugs left her body, no pain killers, no nothing.

Deanna had left the room crying after reading Kathryn's projected emotions which let them know that pain and injuries had wiped her memories clear away. The whole of her life she remembered was at the hands of the Cardassians and the bastard guard. She didn't know what she had done to deserve such treatment. She didn't understand kindness because she had never before today received any. At best she was aware that she was treated particularly poorly. She thought there was something innately wrong with her when she thought about it. Most of the time she thought this was her existence and nothing more. Deanna cried when she relayed that the poor woman longed for death, that until today, she thought the bastard guard who only raped or beat her several times a day instead of continuously was kind to her. That she thought the thin mattress and blanket he had given her were the nicest things she had ever had. Beverly had never longed so desperately to help someone, and had never before been so helpless to do nothing.

Perhaps there was something. She seemed to enjoy the heat on her broken, arthritic hands, the broken bones and swollen knuckles now reached for the heat when Beverly removed the cloth and replaced it with a small heating pad. Beverly noticed that already her hands seemed to have opened a bit. Her skin was paper like and thin, pulled tight over her bones. She looked as though she hadn't eaten in so long. Beverly noticed that her jaw was broken. No wonder, what little she was given, she probably hadn't been able to eat. Beverly had been able to determine that most of what she was given was hard bread and a little water if she was lucky. She would have to manuver the sustance to her mouth with her broken hands and arms and then try to open her mouth enough to drink or eat. Most of the water poured over her and she ended up sucking on the bread as best she could.

She was sitting there gently stroking Kathryn's hair when she saw that her eyes were open. She was looking at Beverly and Beverly realized that no one had ever just touched her with kindness before. She smiled at the terrified woman and offered her a smile, stroking her brow a few more minutes before rising and pulling some fresh fruit out of small storage unit. She saw Kathryn watching her and smiled at her while she pulled out a blender that silently made the berries, banana and milk and sugar in to a smoothie. Pouring it in to a class, she picked up a dropper and sat next to Kathryn. Using the dropper, she gave Kathryn's lips a little nudge and let the extra smooth smoothie pour into her mouth. She watched with sadness as the woman slowly moved her mouth to swollow the concoction and the look on her face when she tasted the sweetness. Several minutes later, she guided the full dropper to Kathryn's mouth again and this time she hesitantly opened her lips, as though she couldn't believe she might get a second sip. Beverly realized that this was all she could do for Kathryn and determined to sit there as long as necessary. Two hours later, Kathryn had consumed half the smoothie and was now asleep. Beverly's scan's revealed that this was the most sleep Kathryn had received in recent years and the first time she remembered her shrunken belly being full. The dairy was good for the ulcers that covered the lining of her stomach.

By the time Deanna arrived the next day, Kathryn had latched on to Beverly. Deanna was faring a little better at dealing with Kathryn's situation. Deanna pulled Beverly aside and the two of them observed Kathryn for a few moments quietly. Deanna murmured, "We have a problem. Star Fleet knows she has been removed. The guard, a Robert Moore, has reported to the Admiral's. They are furious. I don't know what they will do."

There was little chance for that. Admiral Necheyev burst into the room. She glared at the two women before smirking at the pitiful state of the woman lying on the bed. " Dr. Crusher, you are not authorized to utilize Star Fleet supplies and personnel to treat non-starfleeters. You will discharge this patient within twenty-four hours. Furthermore, neither you nor Counselor Crusher is permitted to shelter this woman."

The Admiral turned and left. The two women looked at Kathryn's frail form. Something had to be done. What could they do with her?

A merely miles away, Admiral Owen Paris entered his home. He greeted his wife and prepared for the arrival of his son, daughter –in-law and grandchildren. Granted he had a few scruples about Kathryn Janeway, but at the end of the day, his life remained undisturbed, he had a good relationship with his son and daughter-in-law , who seemed similarily unconcered about Janeway's disappearance. After all these years, her crew seemed to have forgotten about her. Swept up in the excitement of being heroes, of being home, it was easy to forget the woman who had nearly killed herself for them to enjoy this moment.

In Indiana, an older Gretchen Janeway watched her daughter lounge on the sofa. The mother of three children, and a married woman, Phoebe was convinced that she was now head of this home and not her lost older sister. Phoebe grinned as Gretchen joined her, focused solely on Phoebe's role as a mother and wife. Gretchen assisted Phoebe a great deal in raising her children. Already she and her husband, a Crewman James Cromwell had moved in. They were to inherit this home soon anyway. It was a large estate home that suited them quite nicely. James also demanded a cash influx from Gretchen which Phoebe thought was only his right as head of the family.

In Arizona, a man sat on his porch, gazing up at the stars. His wife, who thought such things to be irrelevant, was working at a computer consul.

Just twelve hours later, all parties were gathered in a sitting room in Star Fleet Medical. Phobe sighed impatiently. She knew her husband was in Star Fleet, but that was no reason for them to annoy her. Gretchen at her side looked on at clear distaste in being at Star Fleet Headquarters again. Chakotay and Seven sat on the couch silently. Tom and B'Elana looked to Owen who thinking.

A moment later Beverly and Deanna entered the room guiding in an anti grav. Kathryn's small form lay on the moving mattress. She was petrified of course. The past day had been the closest thing to heaven she could imagine and now she was losing it. Oh she wished she could be good enough to keep the soft bed and warm blanket. She didn't understand what had happened or why she was being moved again. Oh she thought she was being good, perhaps she had been too greedy. She shouldn't have wanted the heat pads on her hands so much, she shouldn't have had so much of the smoothie. Oh and the bath was sheer paradise.

Deanna had run her hand lightly over Kathryn's paper thin skin and decided the woman needed some pampering. A bath had been run and Kathryn had been supported while she lounged in it letting the heat penetrate her bones. Afterwards, Deanna had rubbed scented lotion onto her body. Finally, Deanna pulled out two dresses that she had purchased, undergarments, a night suit, a small duffle and a comb, and a few essentially toiletries. The dresses were wrap around so she would not have to lift her arms over her body. Afterwards, she put on some stockings and soft, flat black shoes on her feet. Her hair was dressed and the small bag was packed. Beverly added another set of undergarments, another dress, a towel and a shawl. They lay the bag next to her on the anti-grav.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. I thank you for coming here today. We have called you in for your assistance." She moved aside to reveal the pathetic form that could not be concealed by a new dress. Sighs of shock filled the air. No one expected her to be alive and were living their lives without thinking of her. To have her brought back in this was an unexpected complication. Beverly continued, " We found Captain Janeway in this condition in the ward at Star Fleet medical. We believe her condition is a result of her treatment at the Cardassaian prison where she has been held these last five years. We have been ordered not to further her care any longer. We are here to ask that one of you take her home with you ."

She did not receive the enthusiasm she was looking for. Seven immediately interjected. "No. Absolutely not." The man at her side refused to answer and watched the proceedings. Phoebe started, " mother do we have to?" Gretchen stared at her child, she and Kathryn had never had a good relationship. It was easier to work with Phoebe and the comfortable relationship they had. Besides she wasn't sure she didn't blame Kathryn for joining Star Fleet and doing this to herself in the first place. Owen moved foot to foot and Tom and B'Elanna immediately cited their own children. Beverly looked at Gretchen long and hard. "Please, she doesn't ask for anything. She just needs a bed and a blanket."

Gretchen sighed and ignoring her younger daughter nodded to Beverly. Beverly smiled tentatively. She couldn't understand their great hesitance. Couldn't they see this woman had sacrificed herself for them. " We will bring her to your house, and I will provide medical care." The old woman nodded hesitantly. The others looked at each other relieved. Deanna and Beverly looked at one another and frowned. Somehow they would have to make this work.

Author's Note: I realize everyone looks really awful in this. Especially Chakotay. I promise it will resolve itself. Please review. I desperately need motivation to continue.