5 Months Later

Kathryn sat heavily on one end of her sofa while Chakotay sat at the other. Kicking off her shoes she swung her legs up and rested her feet on his lap, lying her head on the armrest. He hands instantly sat massaging her feet, working away the tension of the past few days. "So did at any point did you actually consider Q's offer?" He asked.

A few days ago their 'friend' Q had appeared on Voyager, proposing to Kathryn the idea of having his child to try and end the Q civil war. Chakotay had been very jealous, had told her as much, but she had turned Q's offer down.

Kathryn huffed, but then confessed. "I thought about it, a lot. But it wouldn't have been right."

She sensed Chakotays next question was said with caution. "Do you want children?"

She thought back to conversations she'd had with Mark about children. Back then she had wanted her career in Starfleet, that she thought children couldn't possibly fit into her life. "I guess I wouldn't mind having a child. But that's not going to happen now, I wouldn't be able to command Voyager and rise a child. What about you? Have you thought about children?"

"Many times, but my life took a different direction. And I would have to find the right woman."

Kathryn laughed, "I'm sure you'd have no problem with that. Could you imagine if we had kids?"

"My dark eyes, against your fiery hair and pale skin. They'd be the most beautiful children this Quadrant had seen."

Kathryn suddenly felt uncomfortable, the same feeling she back on New a Earth when he had massaged her shoulders. What had meant to be a joke had clearly been something he thought about. Swinging her legs off the sofa and sitting she strained a smile. "Well, I should properly be getting some sleep. I didn't exactly get much when Q was visiting."

Chakotay nodded, acknowledging her dismissal, and her fleeing from him once more. "Of course, sleep well Kathryn."

Kathryn watched as he stood and headed for the door. "You too, Chakotay." Her heart breaking for the children with dark eyes and flame red hair, that would never be.

=/\=

9 months before Voyager leaves

Kathryn sat in silence, her mind running over responses, Marks proposal had taken her by surprise, almost like when he had asked her to marry him. They were sat in their house, though it had been Marks before Kathryn moved in, and she still had her apartment in the city incase of work commitments. "A baby?" Her tone was more shocked then what she wanted it to be.

Mark, sitting opposite nodded. "Yeah, it's what couples do. Get married, have a baby. Why is that such a surprise to you?"

Kathryn rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache starting. "A baby." She repeated, then groaned slightly. "Mark, we're not even married yet. The wedding is in 6 months, don't you think maybe we should wait until after then? I don't want to be planning a wedding and a baby! And what about my carer?"

"What about it?" Mark shrugged.

Kathryn felt her anger rising, her cheeks feeling hot, he'd never been supportive of her carer, even before they were together. Without realising what she was doing, Kathryn was up on her feet. "It's my life! I've worked hard to get where I am now, and I'm not going to let you, or anyone else, stand in my way in getting further!" She heading to the door, grabbing her jacket from the hook. Molly, her Irish Settler, looking up to her from her basket, stood, thinking it was time for a walk. Kathryn got the dog lead and without another word, slammed the door behind them, hearing the sound of glass smashing against it.

=/\=

Present Day

After the doors had closed, Kathryn sat staring at them, she hadn't intended to make the situation awkward, but since getting back from New Earth, that's all she did. Shedding her clothes, she made her way to her bedroom and pull out his top from her drawer, holding it tight to her chest before pulling it on.