Janeway was sat on the floor, junior sat in between her legs playing with a small wooden object that Chakotay had found for him. Chakotay himself was sat just in front of them, facing Kathryn.
"He really is adorable, don't you think?" she said, beaming down at the smiling infant.
Chakotay watched over the two of them with pride, just watching them for a minute before he spoke. "You will make a great mother someday, Kathryn."
The statement caught her off guard and she looked up at him. "Well thank you, Chakotay," she smiled, her eyes lighting up and causing Chakotay to smile back. "I've always imagined myself having children one day."
"Well, you're a natural with this one."
"Well that's because this one is so well behaved," she said grinning and reaching round the baby with her arms hugging him to her. Junior cooed and dribbled happily.
Chakotay laughed as he watched the two of them together. He stood by what he said, one day this woman would make an incredible mother.
"You know I was thinking," Chakotay said gaining back Kathryn's attention. "We may have to start up a schooling system soon. Ensign Wildman's child is still only a baby but there are other couples on this ship, and with ultimately the rest of our lives ahead of us…"
"I've been thinking along the same lines." She said absentmindedly letting the child in her arms play happily with her fingers, grabbing them with his tiny hands. "It's not fair to let these children grow up in a place where education isn't available for them."
"Who do you think would be best to put in charge with this?"
"Well Tuvok is the obvious choice, having had teaching experience with the academy, but I need him on the bridge with me. Running a schooling system is going to be hard work and take up a lot of time."
"Well we've got plenty of time yet," Chakotay smiled, "We'll find the right person."
Kathryn smiled back, "I hope so, I would hate so badly to fail any children this ship produces."
"You won't," he replied with complete confidence, "and when you have your own children…"
Kathryn interrupted him with a small laugh, "Oh that won't happen anymore. I'm the Captain of a starship lost in unknown space. I can't start a relationship with someone let alone have a child with someone. Besides, who would it be?"
"I have always imagined myself as a father." Chakotay said looking straight at her, and Kathryn's expression softened. Her eyes connected with his and she opened her mouth to say something but before she had a chance to answer a voice came into the room.
"Captain, the Galetians are hailing us."
Janeway immediately stood up and lifted junior up with her. Chakotay following her out onto the bridge.
"Put them on the view screen." She said moving into the center.
"Ah, Captain. I've been told you have men on our planet conducting an investigation of some sort."
"Then you've heard correctly."
"Captain, I assure you this is unnecessary and is being seen as quite rude."
"It is of no intention of mine to appear rude Ambassador, I am simply trying to prove the innocence of my crewman."
The Ambassador gave her a disbelieving look, "And I assure you that is not needed! My people have already inducted their own investigation and have found insurmountable evidence that you crewman is in fact guilty. This is an obvious lack of trust in my peoples abilities."
"I am not saying anything of the sort," Janeway said shifting junior in her arms. "We do not mean any disregard to you or any of your species by the presence of my own men, it is only a routine investigation."
The Ambassador shut his mouth but the look on his face was not happy. Through gritted teeth he spoke again. "I would invite you down here to speak with you about this in person, but I see you are…indisposed of at the moment…" he said glancing at the infant in her arms.
Janeway's eyes flared and she walked briskly over to Commander Chakotay handing him, junior delicately. Walking back to the screen she stopped. "If my presence on the surface is what it takes for you to change your mind on the guilt of my officer, then that is what will happen. I can promise you that child or not, I am unot/u 'indisposed of'."
"If you can bring me evidence that proves otherwise then of course, I will change my mind, but as it stands, your officer is set to pay for his crimes by the end of the day."
Janeway opened her mouth to say something but the image of the planet they were orbiting had returned to the screen. She turned her head to the ensign stood where Harry normally.
"I'm sorry, Captain, he ended the transmission."
Janeway held her temper and exchanged a look with Chakotay. NCIS where going to have to be quick.
