A small smirk etched across the Commander's face before in a weak voice she responded, "Uh, no, it's Kate."
B'Elanna couldn't help but notice the glaring similarities between Commander Kate Janeway and her former commanding officer, the now Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway. She knew without a shadow of a doubt that this was most definitely Admiral Janeway's biological daughter as the resemblance was uncanny. But the speculation about who her father was escalated to a new level, although based on Chakotay's reaction and response, B'Elanna's theory had piqued in interest.
Kate tried to sit up, but the Doctor instructed her to remain still as he needed to treat her injuries.
"Where am I?" she strained to ask indicating some likely internal injuries and trouble breathing.
Chakotay, who was still watching her attentively responded, "You're onboard the USS Voyager. We intercepted your distress call and came to aid in your rescue."
A flash went through her eyes. Was it fear? Was it recognition? What was that flash? B'Elanna thought to herself. Something had registered with this young woman, who B'Elanna immediately knew was tougher than most any other females she had ever met.
Kate's eyes settled on Chakotay, where she studied him with such intensity that it was almost unnerving for those in the room.
"Voyager?" she questioned before adding, "So, you must be Captain Chakotay?"
Before he could respond, the Doctor barked orders that Commander Janeway needed to be immediately transported to treat her injuries. The transporter performed an immediate site-to-site transport, which left Chakotay and B'Elanna behind in the cargo bay. Their past and friendship was strong, as she had served onboard his renegade Maquis team prior to joining then Captain Janeway's Voyager crew. He knew B'Elanna was filled with questions.
"Don't," he responded before she had even opened her mouth to say one word. But, it didn't stop her as she pressed on.
"Chakotay, did you even know she had a daughter?"
B'Elanna watched him intently and based on his reaction, she knew the answer was no. He turned to look her square in the eye, and the expression she saw within his eyes was almost like a storm – she saw hurt, anger, sadness, confusion, joy. It was all there.
"No, B'Elanna. I had no clue."
"But you two were so close, Chakotay. You talk to her and see her more than we do. How did she conceal her pregnancy and keep this all from us, especially from you?"
Chakotay knew the emotions that B'Elanna felt were likely how most of the crew was going to react. Kathryn Janeway, for seven years, had served not only as the Captain of this Voyager crew when they were trapped in the Delta Quadrant, but she ultimately had become a mother figure to all of them. She had conducted Tom and B'Elanna's wedding and was even the Godmother to their daughter, Miral. He knew B'Elanna would take this just as personal as he did, if not even more.
Chakotay put his hands on B'Elanna's shoulders. "B'Elanna, a lot has happened since Voyager came home all those years ago. While I do talk to the Vice Admiral and see her from time-to-time, it's not the type of discussions she and I used to share here on Voyager. We're still friends, but the personal conversations have all but stopped. I hurt her, B'Elanna, right before we came back to Earth, and I don't think she can forgive me for that. After our return, she was whisked away to Starfleet Command where she was debriefed for hours, days and weeks even. Then she disappeared. I never speculated anything. I assumed she had returned to visit her family and distance herself from the crew and me in particular. The next thing I knew, she had obtained a promotion to Vice Admiral and had recommended me, which was a shock, to captain Voyager. After that, it's rare that she and I have time to see or talk to each other. We do message each other often, but she's never shared any of this with me. I just…" and he paused trying to collect his thoughts before finishing, "this is all utterly baffling to me."
B'Elanna knew that she was the only person on Voyager that Chakotay would open up to and confide in, and while the cargo bay may not have been the most ideal location, it nonetheless was getting him to communicate. She wasn't exactly sure what he had meant by him hurting her, but she speculated it had something to do with his temporary fling, or whatever it was, with Seven of Nine. All the former crew on Voyager knew of the looks of longing that were often shared between Kathryn and Chakotay. Many times, B'Elanna, Tom and Harry, along with Neelix' help, plotted ways to force them together. But Kathryn always put Starfleet protocol ahead of her own personal desires and wishes. And while neither of them ever publicly confessed their love for each other to themselves or anyone else on the crew, it was beyond evident how much love, care and support existed between the two of them.
"Chakotay," B'Elanna began while placing a hand on his arm. "I don't know what happened between you and the Admiral prior to our return. But we all know that you both cared deeply for each other but were too stubborn to admit it. Knowing she has a child, I'm sure that hurts and stings on some level, but obviously, it doesn't mean she moved on, Chakotay. She gave birth to the child and gave her up for adoption, which doesn't make much sense unless the Admiral was trying to protect someone or something because she always seemed like she wanted to have children. Anyways, maybe Commander Janeway can shed some light on it for you. You've always had a good heart, Chakotay. Just listen to it and let the Spirits lead you. And down the road, maybe the Admiral will come to her senses, too."
Chakotay gave B'Elanna a quick hug and thanked her for always being his friend. Just before leaving the cargo bay, he glanced back one more time at the escape pod that Commander Janeway had been in for God only knows how long. His eyes landed on something sparkly and he walked back towards the escape pod to investigate.
"Chakotay, what is it?" B'Elanna questioned upon seeing the quizzical look on his face. She watched as he carefully bent down and picked up a necklace and held it in his hand. "Well, that's apparently not Starfleet standard issue," she tried to joke. But the utter serious look on his face almost scared her. B'Elanna made her way to where he was kneeling and she stood beside him. "Are you okay, Chakotay?"
Slowly he stood up. The chain of the necklace hanging over the back of his large hand. B'Elanna couldn't help but notice the delicate charm that lay in the palm of his hand. It was that of a star, but it was a star that, although clear looking, it almost seemed to change colors depending upon the angle of the light. "Wow, that's beautiful," B'Elanna all but gasped.
He couldn't help but smile showing off those perfect dimples that caused all females to swoon over him. "I know," he replied.
In that instance, B'Elanna realized he knew the necklace or had seen it somewhere before. "Chakotay?" she began but he cut her off.
"I gave this to her," he said barely audible.
"But, you've never met the Commander," B'Elanna protested.
His eyes looked up and met hers while his thumb caressed the star. "No, I didn't give this to the Commander. I gave this to Kathryn."
It was B'Elanna who couldn't help but gasp and raise a quizzical eyebrow, as well. "When? Are you sure? I mean couldn't it be a reproduction?"
He smirked knowing full-well that she'd be telling Tom, Harry and very likely Neelix all these stories much later on, but knowing she wouldn't let him off the hook, he answered her truthfully.
"No, it's one of a kind and I gave it to Kathryn in 2378 just weeks before we escaped the Delta Quadrant. I gave her this necklace as a birthday present."
B'Elanna looked at him with a funny expression on her face knowing that he had left other details out, but she wouldn't press him for more. Chakotay somewhat sighed with relief because he didn't want to tell her about the note he'd written in Kathryn's birthday card nor the reason behind why he gave her a star necklace. Thankfully, they both let the topic drop.
"Well, Chakotay, it looks like you may need to make a trip down to sickbay to deliver her possessions back to her. Oh, to be a fly on the wall for this one," she jokingly added which resulted in a glare from the fearless Indian warrior as they strode out of the cargo bay doors.
After a brief stop by his personal quarters where Chakotay took a moment to collect his thoughts and attempt to ease his swirling mind, he eventually left and headed towards sickbay to check in on Commander Janeway. Upon his arrival, he noticed that she was laying on one of the bio beds in an eerily similar manner to how he had seen Kathryn lay in times past.
"Ah, Captain Chakotay, so nice of you to drop by," the Doctor stated. "I assume you'd like a status report on the Commander's injuries?"
Chakotay simply nodded.
"Well, she had a few broken ribs, which will have to heal on their own, and she had quite a number of lacerations throughout her body. The blood loss, along with the bump and cut on her head, is what caused her to lose consciousness, but overall, she is going to be just fine. I'll likely release her in a few hours."
"Thank you, Doctor," Chakotay added while making his way over towards the bio bed where Kate Janeway lay staring in his direction.
"I'm glad to hear that you are going to be just fine." He couldn't help but stare at her, as he had similarly just stared at a photograph of himself and Kathryn that he had in his quarters. She looked so much like her mother, it was uncanny, but he searched her face for any additional recognition of any other mannerism that may not be characteristic to that of her mothers.
"I owe my thanks to you, Captain, and to your crew for coming to my rescue as there is no telling how long it would have taken me to travel to Deep Space K-7 and whether I would have even survived."
He couldn't help but be mesmerized by her. Looking at her, it made him think of Kathryn. Their voices did not even come close to matching. She was much taller than Kathryn but so much else was exactly reminiscent of her. Bringing his thoughts back to reality, he stated, "Well, we never want to leave any crewmember behind. Speaking of which, why did the Excalibur leave you all but abandoned?"
At the mere mention of the word Excalibur, he couldn't help but notice how her body language almost tensed.
"Captain," she began, "that is a long story and quite a sore subject, but I will openly share that with you, although right now, I just want to rest. Could we discuss maybe later, over dinner?"
He smirked. Bold, just like her mother, he couldn't help but think to himself. She noticed the smirk and immediately read his thoughts. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so bold and forward. I didn't mean it quite the way it sounded."
He laughed and when he did, she recognized his full smile and dimples. She was immediately smitten herself.
"Dinner will be fine. I'll work with the crew and get your quarters set up for you. But, please join me for dinner in my quarters at say 1900?"
"Sounds like a plan to me," she added and was fixing to add more when they were interrupted.
"Bridge to Captain Chakotay," Lt. Commander Paris proclaimed.
"Chakotay here," came the reply.
"Umm, Captain, I'm not sure how to let you know this but we just received a notification from Starfleet Command. They are aware of our rescue mission and have ordered us to Deep Space K-7 where Vice Admiral Janeway will be awaiting the arrival of Commander Janeway."
"Acknowledged. Lay in the course, Mr. Paris. Chakotay out."
Chakotay heard the moan coming from Commander Janeway and thought she was in pain until she said words he thought he'd never hear.
"Oh shit, it's about to hit the fan now."
Quizzically he raised his eyebrows at the Commander's response to hearing that the Vice Admiral, her mother, would be awaiting their arrival.
"I'm sorry, Captain. Forgive my language. Can we proceed at the slowest impulse speed possible?" she added with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
He couldn't help but chuckle. "I'll see what I can do about that, but it seems now our dinner conversation may have to include some additional items."
She rolled her eyes in a way that made him think of Kathryn all the more. He turned to leave sickbay before he realized he had something of hers. He turned back and held out his hand.
"I think this must be yours," he added while dropping the necklace in to her hand and carefully observing her reaction.
A faint smile crept across her face and she nodded her head in appreciation but spoke no words.
Judging by his reaction, Commander Kate Janeway had a sneaking suspicion that she had just gained a vital piece to her puzzle of life.