Chapter Ten
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As B'Elanna groaned again and braced herself against the solid trunk of the tree, Tom looked anxiously over at Kathryn. "How far would you say we are from the house?"
She glanced in that direction. "From the lake, roughly two kilometres."
Tom moved to stand closer, one hand lightly resting on the small of her back as he ran the other through his hair, B'Elanna lifted her head, an almost contrite look crossing her face.
"I'm sorry Kathryn, it never came on like this with Miral. If I'd known….." she paused to bite her lip as another contraction hit.
Kathryn walked to stand beside her friend and squeezed her shoulder. "Its okay Lana, it's going to be fine."
Now was not the time to remind them that she had suggested a leisurely picnic in the garden. She should have listened to her gut and pulled rank on them both, chiding herself, she decided that it was time to take charge.
"Tom you need to run back to the boat and collect your rucksack. Underneath the middle seat, you'll also find a small green canvas bag, there's a beacon and a blanket inside that we'll need."
He looked at her questioningly. "There's not much in my bag to help deliver a baby, aren't we better trying to carry her?"
She shook her head resolutely. "I know you're the medic here Tom, but unless I'm mistaken, she's in well established labour."
As if to confirm her assessment of the situation, B'Elanna sank to her knees and groaned again. Kathryn gave Tom a gentle shove. "The beacon is what we need, we can use it to triangulate your position for emergency transport, now go."
He sprinted off and Kathryn crouched down on the hard ground next to B'Elanna, taking her hand. "I promise you that this will be okay Lana, you have my word. Tom will stay with you and I'll head back to the house, Mike and Dyami are there and I'll contact Joe at Starfleet Medical. Just try to breathe deeply and lets hope this baby isn't as impatient as her mother."
B'Elanna smiled and briefly rested her head against Kathryn's shoulder. Once Tom returned, she got to her feet quickly.
"B'Elanna will fill you in on the plan. Is the baby okay?"
Looking at his tricorder, he nodded, the relief evident on his face. "Good. Set the beacon up before you do anything else and then help her onto the blanket. Expect transport in approximately fifteen minutes."
"Kathryn, are you sure you want to go?"
She smiled and placed her hand on his arm. "It's far better you stay and I know every metre of this land, don't worry Tom, this Starfleet Admiral doesn't get lost twice."
He nodded and grinned a little as he watched her jog down towards the water.
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Kathryn launched the craft easily and rowed steadily across the small lake, climbing out into the shallow waters, she waded the final few paces to the shore and moored the boat tightly before starting to move. It wasn't a huge distance to cross and she hoped that her years of Starfleet fitness training wouldn't fail her now. She kept calm and resisted the urge to run flat out, instead choosing a smart jog to avoid tripping, the terrain was uneven and took more out of her than the treadmill did. Grateful that she knew the woodland well, she followed a path that Chakotay and she had walked often, knowing that it was the most direct route back to the house.
She ran alongside a bank of tall trees and passed a small clearing where they had liked to camp out. A dark ash patch was still visible, scorched into the bare earth and she smiled as she remembered sitting opposite him that night, watching the shadows dance across his tattoo. They had reminisced about the time that he had used her hair as kindling to start a fire on a planet in the Delta Quadrant and he had joked that at least he had made a better job of it this time. She had laughed and asked him if he preferred her hair long as it was then, and he had answered that he liked it either way, it was the colour that had first attracted him. Deep auburn, reflecting her fiery determination to achieve anything that she set her mind to. Long hair or short, you're beautiful Kathryn, he had said. She could almost hear his voice.
Soon she could see the boarders of the garden and hear the sounds of the boys playing football. Mike's eldest son was the first to see her and ran to his dad. She must look a sight, lungs and legs protesting, her face no doubt beetroot red and half of the gorse bush that she had failed to see, still lodged in her hair. He sent his son running back towards the house and sprinted to meet her.
She stopped. Leaning forward, she placed her hands just above her knees, trying to breathe deeply and slowly. Reaching her, he bent almost double, bringing himself level with her.
"What happened?"
After a few seconds, she found her voice. "B'Elanna went into labour…...on the other side of the lake….. We need to contact Joe, they have Emergency Beacon."
Understanding immediately, he nodded and without waiting for her, ran back towards the house, slowing only to yell something to Dyami who was jogging in the opposite direction. She straightened up and placed her hands on her hips to expand her chest further as she continued to regulate her breathing, there was still more work to do in the gym she thought grimly. Dyami stopped beside her.
"I take it you're just the messenger?"
She nodded, brushing some strands of damp hair from her face. She filled him in and after a minute or so, they walked back to the house. Mike was on a Comm call to Joe at Starfleet Medical, while at the same time assembling an emergency pack. He gave her a nod as they entered.
"Report?"
It was a hard habit to break and as she couldn't think of a better word indulged herself. He raised his eyebrows in amusement as she perched on a stool by the breakfast bar. "Joe doesn't want to risk transport this late in the labour. He's sending over an obstetrician and we'll transport out to them, depending on the situation, we can transport back or use the quad bike. Can you and Dyami follow us over as a precaution?"
She nodded as he handed her a Comm badge. A blue shimmer across the room proceeded the arrival of the Doctor, carrying an equally large pack. Mike found the signal from the beacon easily on the sensor grid and they transported, Kathryn breathed a sigh of relief and sipped from a glass of water as Dyami waited patiently for instructions.
"Right, lets head out to the shed and load up with some supplies, just in case. We'll need some torches."
"I'll get us some fleeces too, its getting colder."
They were ready in five minutes and Dyami drove the bike across the rough terrain.
"You still remember something from your farming days then?" She queried and he laughed, "I can't believe you still have one of these. Just hold on tight, I wouldn't want you to fall off."
She wrapped her arms around his waist as they headed around the outskirts of the woodland, back towards the lake.
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B'Elanna yelled, loudly. The sound bouncing off the trees and echoing furiously. Tom looked on anxiously.
"You're not pushing are you? I said pant."
She glowered at him. "That's easy for you to say Tom..."
Beads of sweat were now steadily running down her face and the contractions were mere minutes apart. She squeezed his hand so tightly that he was sure that she was about to fracture one of his fingers, but knew better than to say anything.
"Just a few more minutes and the Doc will be here." He refused to doubt Kathryn, and at the moment, as if to justify his faith in her he saw the shimmer of the transporter beam.
"Thank God" he breathed, hopefully out of B'Elanna's earshot, he was no midwife and he didn't fancy his first attempt at delivering a baby to be theirs. Dr Pulowski made a rapid assessment. "This baby wants to come now, Tom pass me the sterile delivery kit and gown. How many weeks are you B'Elanna?"
"She's thirty-eight."
"Good, the baby looks to be in great shape. Mike, I'll need the infant port-a-cot, suction and oxygen right away. B'Elanna, on the next contraction I want you to push."
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"Did you hear that?"
As they climbed off the bike, Kathryn put her hand on Dyami's arm and they stood perfectly still. "She turned to face him smiling from ear to ear, her eyes shining.
"There. It's the sound of a baby crying."
Together they headed across the clearing, towards the noise and found Tom holding B'Elanna who was holding a tiny crying bundle in her arms. Kathryn knelt beside them and gently hugged them both.
"Congratulations. Lana she's beautiful."
She looked adoringly at the mop of dark hair and stroked a tiny pink finger. Looking from her to them and back again, she grasped Tom's shoulder and beamed at him.
The hand on her own shoulder was that of the Doctor interrupting them gently. "Can I steal her for just a second? I just want to run a scan before we transport."
B'Elanna passed the bundle over and lent her head back against Tom's chest. Kathryn took her hands. "It looks like you did well."
She smiled wearily. "Thanks to you, if Tom had had his way I'd probably have given birth on the lake."
He coloured slightly at this and Kathryn shook her head, standing and brushing bits of bracken from her trousers as the Doctor returned.
"She's perfect, we're all good to go. I'd like to transport as soon as possible."
"To Starfleet Medical?"
"I don't see any need, if it's convenient, they can stay at the house. I'd like to stay with them for a while to make sure she nurses and to monitor B'Elanna?"
Kathryn nodded. "There's plenty of space and you're welcome to stay as long as you need."
They transported the Doctor, B'Elanna and the baby first, and while Mike and Dyami packed up the medical equipment, Tom walked over to where Kathryn was standing looking out at the water and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you."
She smiled. "It was nothing."
He laughed. "You kept your head while I lost mine and I appreciate it. We owe you."
Shaking her head, she slung an arm around his shoulder. "Nonsense, B'Elanna did all the hard work. I would have run any distance, although I am grateful it wasn't much further, I think I've pulled a hamstring." He grinned, looking down at an old fashioned time piece that he liked to wear on his wrist.
"You know, according to this you made pretty good time for….."
She raised her eyebrows. "For an ageing Admiral?"
His grin was infectious. "I doubt you would find many Admirals, ageing or not that could still run almost three kilometres in that time."
She laughed as Dyami walked over and joined them. "I'll take that as a complement, although I'm glad you didn't see me arrive at the house. Mike's account might leave you less than impressed."
Tom looked at her, "I don't believe you Kathryn, so I'm going to ask the independent witness."
He looked at Dyami who held up his hands in protest. "Oh no, there's no way I'm getting in the middle of this."
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Later that evening, Kathryn perched on the edge of the bed beside B'Elanna. "How are you feeling?"
"Mmm, a little sore, but not too bad considering that I just gave birth in a woodland." Kathryn smiled. "That baby must take after her father, she likes to make an entrance.'"
B'Elanna chuckled a little and then winced, Kathryn looked apologetic as a snuffling noise from the crib made them both look over.
"Is she hungry?"
"I don't think so, she just ate, she's just tired and grouchy like her mother."
"Well, why don't you let me take her? I'll walk her around for a bit and see if I can settle her."
"If you're sure?"
"I'd love to, try and get some rest Lana."
B'Elanna's eyes were already closing as Kathryn walked over to the little red faced bundle in the crib. "Well hello," she said softly as she retrieved her. "You and I are going on a little walk, I'll show you around my house."
She walked quietly out of the bedroom, pulling the door closed behind her. After a leisurely stroll and with the baby now peacefully sleeping over her shoulder, she arrived back at the kitchen, where Tom and Mike were stirring something that smelt highly appetising. Mike held up the spoon. "Perfect timing as always Ma"am."
"That's a very large pot." she observed.
"Well, including Tom and B'Elanna, me and my boys, you and Dyami, it looks like they'll be eight of us for dinner."
Dyami put his head around the door. "Did I hear someone mention dinner?"
"Another one with perfect timing!" Tom quipped and they all laughed. Dyami looked slightly confused and Kathryn shook her head lightly. "Tom come and take your gorgeous daughter so I can see if I have eight plates to hand."
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After dinner, Tom took the baby back to B'Elanna while the rest of them retired to the lounge for tea and coffee. Mike took his boys upstairs to their temporary room and she sat with Dyami in a relaxed silence for a while.
"Thanks for dinner, but it's getting late, I should be on my way."
"Do you want to stay?" The question was out of her mouth before she had thought it through.
"Thank you but no, I've got some work to tackle in the morning."
He looked a little awkward and she wondered if her question had upset him in some way. "Dyami, did I say something wrong?"
He tried for a smile, obviously meaning to reassure her. "Not at all, I just think it's better if I head home that's all."
They stood. "I understand, I'll walk you out. Perhaps we can catch up next week?"
At the front door, he turned back to her. "Kathryn, I'm sorry, that sounded a little abrupt and I didn't intended it to. Thank you for your hospitality, I'm just conscious of not giving the impression that I have another agenda."
She tilted her head, frowning a little at his phrase. "Another agenda?"
He looked down at his feet and back to her. "With you, other than friendship."
She met his gaze. "You haven't given me that impression."
He relaxed slightly. "Good, but it's not you I'm concerned about. You're a public figure and I don't want our friendship to be misconstrued and cause you difficulty."
She placed her hand on the door frame and leant on it lightly. "I appreciate the thought, but you're among friends here Dyami. My friends. And they won't misconstrue anything."
He stepped forward and took her hand. "I'm glad, I'll see you soon."
She stood and watched him walk towards the transport station until his figure disappeared into the darkness.
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Deciding to turn in for the night, Kathryn headed upstairs passing Tom and B'Elanna's room en-route to her own. Their door was ajar so she tapped lightly, Tom appeared.
"I'm heading to bed, I just thought I'd see if you needed anything."
He smiled, "I'm off play a quick hand of poker with Mike, but you're welcome to come in and ask B'Elanna." Shaking her head slightly in disbelief, she followed him inside and watched as he kissed B'Elanna, then the baby and then disappeared. Kathryn looked over to B'Elanna questioningly.
B'Elanna rolled her eyes. "Honestly, I'd rather he go, he's completely awake and slightly hyperactive, he was like this after Miral was born and it drove me crazy."
Kathryn smiled. "I was just popping in to see if you needed anything."
"No, I think we're good thanks."
"Did you have enough to eat?"
"Yes, but I don't suppose you could spare a glass of water?"
Kathryn chuckled. "Of course." She walked over towards the replicator. "I know you weren't planning on giving birth today, but until you're ready to go home, please make yourself at home here. Re-arrange the furniture, re-programme the replicator, just be sure to relax and recuperate. My home is your home."
B'Elanna smiled as she accepted the glass.
"Did Tom manage to reach his dad?"
"Yes, he spoke to him. Miral is having such fun camping that they are going to stay another night before coming here. I'm sorry Kathryn, I just presumed it was okay for them to come here?"
"Of course it is. It would be lovely to see her and catch up with Owen too, there's plenty of room."
"Did Dyami go home?"
Kathryn hesitated before replying. "Yes."
B'Elanna raised her eyebrows, but her friend didn't say anything further, instead walking over to the crib. "Have you thought of a name yet?"
B'Elanna shook her head, "No, we can't agree on one."
She shifted in the bed and winced. Kathryn noticed, "Did the Dr leave you anything for the pain?" B'Elanna vaguely indicating the dresser.
Kathryn studied the hypospray, double checking the dose against a PADD the Doctor had left, it brought back memories of the brief period that she had cared for Chakotay at home, in this very room. He had been such a model patient, much better than she would have been. She had been forced to agree, recalling all the times that she had avoided the Doctor until either he or Tuvok had escorted her to sickbay. Joe had been amazing, transporting over daily and eventually persuading her that Chakotay would be better off in hospital. That last week was a blur and she wondered if he had known that it would too much for her, alone in their house. He had arranged a private suite for them at St Marks and had never asked her to leave Chakotay's side. She knew that Chakotay had had care beyond the best and it comforted her.
The end, when it had come had been dignified and peaceful. She had laid on the bed with him that day, it was sunny and she had opened the windows to allow in a gentle breeze. They had listened to the birdsong together and watched the light bouncing around the pale walls. It had been beautiful, lifting both their spirits in the midst of the sadness. Their palms touching, her pale fingers had carefully entwined with his bronzed ones. Looking into his eyes, she had told him all the things that she had never told him while they were serving together: just how much she had needed him and that he had held her together when she didn't believe that she could go on for another day. That she had loved him for longer than she had admitted to herself or to him, and that he knew her better than anyone. He had listened to her voice before he smiled and whispered to her. "I always knew that Kathryn." Then his eyes had simply closed one last time.
Remembering that day now was bittersweet. They had shared so much she realised. More in those seven years than some people had in a lifetime. From what could have been termed a troubled start at best, had grown respect, then a working partnership, a friendship and then eventually a love story. They had created their history on that journey home and she had come to believe passionately that it had made them stronger and their love deeper. Despite her intense sadness, she realised that she wouldn't have traded a second of that time. Sekaya had been correct, Voyager had added so much love to her life. Sighing, she turned back to face B'Elanna.
"It's been a few months since I did this, do you want me to call Tom?
B'Elanna shook her head. After administering the painkiller, Kathryn turned to go, but something stopped her and instead she pulled up a chair. B'Elanna looked paler than before.
"Are you sure you're feeling okay?"
She nodded sleepily. "Just tired, I'll be fine."
She sat down firmly. "I'll stay, you'll need someone to pass you the baby and I can catch up on my reading."
B'Elanna smiled. "Thanks, but you don't have to do that."
Kathryn re-arranged herself to get comfy. "I know, but I want to Lana."
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When Tom returned he found B'Elanna sleeping and Kathryn changing his daughter's nappy. She looked at him pointedly, "pass me that vest will you?"
He smiled as he rummaged around in a bag. "Here, I'll finish. Go get some sleep. You never know how you'll feel in the morning after all that running."
She swatted him lightly on the shoulder. "I was a little worried about B'Elanna earlier, she was very pale, is Dr Pulowski coming back tomorrow?"
He nodded. "First thing. I'll keep an eye on her I promise."
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Tired, no doubt from all the unexpected exercise, she slept well and awoke the following morning refreshed, if decidedly stiff. She sat on the edge of the bed for a minute and stretched her legs before massaging the offending hamstring. After a quick shower and change, she was brushing her hair when she heard a tap at the door. It opened to reveal Tom; one look at his face told her that something was wrong.
She was out of the door alongside him and striding towards their room before he had the chance to answer. "Is Lana okay?"
"Yes and no. She passed out and I've just had to call the Doctor back, I think it's just a simple anaemia, but the baby won't settle and….."
She placed her hand on his arm to covey her support, no words needed. Together they entered the room to the sound of the baby screaming. Stealing a look at a very pale B'Elanna, she was relieved to see Doctor Pulowski already at her bedside. She picked up the red faced, angry bundle from the crib, little legs kicking furiously. Tom and the Doctor were talking and deciding to give them some space, she took the baby into the hallway, patting her back and trying to ignore that fact that she was sucking furiously on the collar of her shirt. She paced up and down, the motion soothing the infant as long as she didn't stand still. After a while, Tom found her.
"She's going to be fine, the Dr has corrected the anaemia, some more rest and she'll make a total recovery. Kathryn smiled, "That's good, this little one is hungry though."
He chuckled as he took his youngest daughter into his arms and heading towards the stairs, she called over her shoulder. "I'll go and replicate you both some breakfast, you look like you could do with it."