Six hours later, Kathryn began to stir.

Momentarily disoriented, she remembered what had happened including why she was still in sickbay, but appreciative of the low lighting.

She moaned softly as she tried to sit up. She was incredibly sore and using her core to sit up was painful. In time she would heal from the pregnancy. But it would take work since her abdomen was still slightly swollen. Had she gained weight from her accelerated pregnancy or was she still enflamed from the trauma.

She glanced around looking for her child. The hologram had him in a crib a few meters away, but the child wasn t an infant anymore, he looked more like a toddler. It was slightly disconcerting since it meant that her son was maturing as quickly outside her womb as he did within. Her child would age faster than her and she might miss important stages of development. Somehow the aging process needed to be slowed down.

Doctor? She rasped.

The hologram instantly rushed to her side.

How are you feeling, Captain?

Fine sore actually. How long?

Six hours. You are recovering nicely. She smiled.

Any way to slow Henry s aging?

Not at present, but I have been researching it since you fell asleep and will continue until I can give you answers. In the meantime, please try to get comfortable while I get you the nutritional supplement that help get you back on your feet. She nodded.

Kathryn slowly fluffed the pillows assembled on the biobed. She had to take it easy as the soreness was more than uncomfortable.

She could not take her eyes off of her child. She knew that her heart now belonged to him and she never had loved anyone that much in her life. But, at the same time, her scientific mind was fascinated at the child s alien features becoming more prominent every time she looked at him. She endeavored to memorize those features should the aliens return. And her hunch told her they would be back.

The hologram handed her a tall beverage which she absentmindedly took a sip. It had a thick, vaguely vanilla taste that she could barely tolerate. But she was goal oriented and knew he would only release her if she drank the awful concoction.

Thanks. She forced herself to be polite.

Let me know if you need anything, Captain. He said as he went back to his office.

Kathryn let her mind wonder a bit as she drank the supplement. She imagined her son at different ages and wondered what life choices he would make, what his strengths would be, what he would grow up to do. Would he follow in her footsteps and join Starfleet or do something different?

She still was in awe in the fact that fate decided to give her a son. She previously accepted the notion she would never have children when Voyager was thrown into the Delta Quadrant, that her family was her crew. And if by chance she did get her crew home, she would be too old to start a family with anyone. Her career was always first, but deep in her heart, she wanted a child of her own. And now she had one thanks to some unknown alien. But fortunately the child had her distinctly Irish features that were so prized in her family for generations. Her child was definitely a Janeway regardless of his cute alien features along his nose.

Suddenly a jolt in the inertial dampeners betrayed her musings causing her to push herself up. A second jolt sent her captain s instinct into full alert. She then realized she wasn t wearing her commbadge so she couldn t find out what was going on.

One thing was certain, someone was firing on her ship.

And, her place was on the bridge.

Not in sickbay. So, she pushed herself to her feet and found her way to the surgical station to check sensors and grab her commbadge, stopping momentarily to kiss her son.

Her legs were a bit wobbly and her center of gravity was way different than the last time she was on her feet, but she persevered. She needed to get to the bridge.

The Doctor rushed to try to get her back to bed and another jolt almost helped him stop her.

Sorry, Doctor, but if we re under attack, my place is on the bridge. She said as she programmed the surgical terminal. Keep Henry safe. She added as the transporter dematerialized her.

She materialized in her quarters so she could quickly clean up before taking command.

Forcing her legs to work, she quickly took a sonic shower and proceeded to get dressed. She had to replicate a larger sized uniform to accommodate her new shape. With her uniform on, she pulled her hair back since there was no time to style it and powdered her face. Finally, her pips, commbadge and boots and she was on her way to the bridge.

Another jolt told her the attack was still underway.

Her captain s instinct overrode her physical discomfort although she found standing very difficult. She leaned against the turbolift.

As the turbolift doors opened, she forced herself to stand in her command stance and chose to listen as Chakotay was negotiating with an alien on the viewscreen. Something about the alien was familiar, his features. These aliens were responsible for her pregnancy. And she knew her hunch was right.
A reference to her rank snapped her out of her thoughts and she was in the moment.

Captain, these are the Tumay. Chakotay started. Commander Cona says we have their property, but he would not be specific.

Kathryn lowered herself in her command chair before her legs gave out.

Commander Cona, you have a lot of explaining to do.

Captain Janeway is it? I see no need to explain anything to you. Just lower your shields and we will take back what is ours.

I m sorry, I don t respond well to threats. She paused. And I m afraid we don t have anything here that s yours. Leave or I will retaliate.

Kathryn? Chakotay whispered. She looked at him with a determined expression.

Captain, we won t leave until you give us the children. Cona hissed. Now!

Chakotay finally understood. And right now the captain was acting as a mother protecting her young and he knew that this may not end well. She would not hand over her child.

I don t think so. You may have impregnated us, but the children are not yours. And I won t ask my crew to hand them over to you. She spat. Not to some bullies who fire on my ship.

We are desperate for them, Captain. We need not fire on you if you cooperate. Give them to us!

No. She paused for a moment switching tactics. But I agree, violence is not the answer. Maybe we can come to an understanding.

What do you have in mind?

A discussion in person for starters. Tuvok, make it happen.

As soon as the channel closed, Kathryn exhaled. She was hurting. She knew she wasn t ready to be on her feet, but she had to do this.

Kathryn? The Doctor didn t release you? Chakotay asked. She shook her head. Are you sure about this meeting?

No, but I need to know why they impregnated us.

Let me do it, Kathryn. You re in no shape to negotiate with Commander Cona. Go back to sickbay, let the Doctor help you.

When this is over, Commander. When I m sure that the Tumay won t take Henry and the others. I don t think I can survive if I lose him. She paused. Help me to the briefing room. He took her hand helping her to her feet and slowly helped her walk.

Noticing the odd glances at her current difficulties, she tried to wave it off.

I m fine, everyone. As you were. Kathryn stated in the best authoritative voice she could.

As they entered the briefing room, Chakotay didn t let go.

They are all worried about you, Kathryn. Having a baby is no small feat and they know you are hardly in a condition to be negotiating for Voyager.

She sat in her customary chair.

Do you question my ability to speak for this ship?

No. I believe you can do your job even if a razor beast tore off your legs. But I don t wish to lose you because your body can t handle the strain.

Point taken, Chakotay. She smiled. Sit next to me. Keep an eye on me, make sure I get through this meeting. After that, I ll confine myself to sickbay.

Will do. Chakotay said as he took the chair on her right.

Just then Tuvok entered with two security officers.

Commander Cona. The Vulcan announced.

The visitor walked into the briefing room. The Tumay commander wasn t any bigger than a standard human and with the exception of a ridge on the small of his nose, he was rather unremarkable looking. His uniform reminded Kathryn of the uniforms worn by the Devore.

Tuvok took his place to her left and the security officers stayed near the door.

Cona stood at the other end of the table.

All right, Commander, explain? Why did you impregnate us?

We have no choice, Captain. We scan passing ships for compatible females, and impregnate three of them. We then come back for the offspring. It s the only way.

The only way?

Several generations ago, our people were stricken with a condition that sterilized our females. To continue our race, we rely on the females of other races to bear our offspring.

Certainly there s another way. She paused. Our species does not tolerate this sort of behavior nor do we hand over our children to those who essentially raped us just because. We take the process of having children very seriously, we bond and love our children deeply.

Rape? What did you mean by that?

Not giving your victims a choice on whether they want to have a baby especially in a fraction of the time our species normally has them. She paused. You force a baby on us, give us a chance to bond with him then expect us to hand him over? We can t do that. Now, if you approached us openly, we would have done whatever is possible to help your people. Our doctor is very proficient and may have cured whatever has been sterilizing your people. We still might. But it depends on you.

How so?

By telling us how to slow down the aging process in the children.

Ah, you were one of the females. I see it in your eyes. He paused hoping for a reaction.

She wouldn t give it.

We might be persuaded to tell you what you want to know.

You will tell us. She hissed briefly wanting to rise out of her chair, but aborting due to pain.

Captain? Tuvok spoke up. You can t

Tuvok! Chakotay cut him off.

Well? There was a slight edge to her voice.

I need to discuss it with the others. Cona straightened in such a way that Kathryn knew he was done. A series of nods from Kathryn to Tuvok to the security officers conveyed the order to return the visitor to his ship.

As soon as Cona left, Kathryn let herself succumb to the pain. Her body throbbed all over and she could no longer suppress her reaction. She lowered her head into her hands.

We need to get you back to sickbay. Chakotay said softly causing her to straighten up in her chair. She hated being vulnerable, but she knew she shouldn t be up so she wasn t going to fight this.

All right, I ll go. She relented to Chakotay before turning to Tuvok. Keep me updated on the Tumay.

Aye, Captain. Tuvok paused before leaving the briefing room to continue his duties.

Chakotay helped Kathryn slowly rise from her chair. Neither understood why standing caused so much pain for her and she figured something was wrong. Yes, she should not have been on her feet this soon, but it should not have hurt her as much as it did.

They needed to get to sickbay now to see what was wrong and to check on her son.

As soon as they made past the briefing room wall terminal, Kathryn s legs crumpled and she collapsed. She blacked out when her head hit the deckplate.

Kathryn! Chakotay reacted as she fell.

Chakotay to sickbay. Chakotay paused. Medical emergency. Beam the captain to sickbay immediately.

The blue shimmer of the transporter dematerialized her in a matter of seconds and Chakotay sprinted out the back entrance of the briefing room into the corridor behind the bridge.