In Confidence

Stage II

Chapter ix

B'Elanna was working on the modifications to the warp core when the beginnings of her labour pains had begun, about and hour ago; but they were still manageable and quite far apart. She figured there was no reason to worry Tom or the Doctor just yet.

As she was thinking these thoughts, she felt another pain flow through her body. She looked at the chronometer, eight minutes, they were getting closer together.

B'Elanna had a lot of work to do, and the doctor said there was really nothing to be concerned about until the contractions went to five minute intervals. Hopefully, she would be able to get these modifications done before her labour pains became crippling.

B'Elanna took a deep breath and went back to work, making sure that both Seven and Vorik were apprised of the modifications that had to be made beforehand.

Tom checked his readings, and saw that B'Elanna was working awfully fast on the warp core modifications – not that she didn't always work fast – but there seemed to be an urgency to her work schedule.

"Paris to Torres, is everything alright down there?"

He heard her huff on the other end of the line. "Everything is fine Tom, thank you for checking."

Tom looked across the bridge to Harry, who threw his shoulders up as if saying: 'I don't know.'

"How long until the modifications to the warp core are complete Lieutenant?" He heard B'Elanna suck in her breath, "Are you okay B'Elanna?"

She sighed, "I'm fine Tom, probably about an hour and a half at our current rate."

Tom listened carefully trying to get an idea of what was happening in Engineering. "Thank you… you're sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine Tom, now if you're done badgering me, I have to get back to work. I'll see you later." And she cut the line. Something was definitely going on – well besides the fact that they would soon be home, and were on the cusp on parenthood – something felt odd.

In sickbay, Chakotay awoke to movement in his arms. He looked down to see Kathryn stretching like a cat in the sun. "Kathryn dear, you talk in your sleep."

Kathryn turned a cute shade of pink. "Please tell me I wasn't actually saying what I was thinking?"

Chakotay looked at her and smiled that full-dimpled grin she had fallen in love with. "I was, wasn't I?"

He just nodded before pulling her closer, "Kathryn I heard everything… and Seven and I are no longer together."

"But Seven said…"

"Before you say anything else, it was her decision, and if I can have you, I'm happy about it."

Kathryn smiled, "Chakotay, why would you rather have an old woman like me when you could have an attractive young girl like Seven?"

He chuckled, "That's easy Kathryn: I don't love Seven, but I do love you." He said it with such conviction, such assuredness, that Kathryn wanted to believe him. She opened her mouth to object thinking he couldn't possibly be serious."

Chakotay placed a finger to her lips, stopping the protests before she could make them. "I'll marry you; I'll give you all the children you want. We'll have a beautiful life together. Once this crisis is over, I'll take care of you and I'll love you for the rest of our lives."

Kathryn stared at him in disbelief, "You can't possibly mean that."

He smiled and nodded, "All those years ago on 'New Earth', even though it was said in the guise of an 'ancient legend'… I meant it: I love you Kathryn Janeway."

He tilted her chin up and slowly descended to give her a kiss, giving in to what they'd each been wanting for a long time.

The kiss deepened and Chakotay's hands slowly reached under her gown, feeling for the supple mounds that lay hidden underneath the sickbay dressing. He fondled her breasts, her breath speeding up and the kiss becoming even more involved.

They drew apart at the sound of the holographic doctor clearing his throat unceremoniously. "Not in my sickbay."

They smiled at each other, a secretive smile between new lovers. Chakotay got up and turned towards Kathryn's bed where she sat up looking around. "I'll see you later," she smiled and nodded.

Kathryn turned to the doctor: "When will I be free to leave Doctor?"

"Well," he paused contemplating, "You stayed in sickbay last night, and there don't seem to be an complications from the procedure, I don't see why you can't be released to your quarters now." He stopped, knowing she had to be told, or she'd be back on the bridge. She got up to leave and the doctor stopped her with a hand on the arm, "But you are off duty for the next two days at least."

Kathryn smiled at the doctor. "Thank you."

"You're welcome Captain, and remember: you just had a major operation. If you have increased bleeding, the cramping becomes more severe or any other unusual symptoms manifest themselves… please report to sickbay immediately."

Kathryn nodded and breezed out of sickbay. The doctor rubbed his chin in thought; things were changing aboard the Voyager. Maybe this stranger from the future was going to make things better for all of them.

END CHAPTER ix