Kathryn took a bite of her macaroni and cheese. "Hmm, yep," she said, "this macaroni and cheese and I are going to become good friends."
Phoebe nodded appreciatively after taking a bite of hers.
"Phoebe, just how much did you and mom know about what going on?"
"Honestly, not much," Phoebe answered, "Owen called and told us Chakotay was leaving immediately for a high risk rescue mission. He didn't tell us anything beyond that, other than Chakotay wanted us to keep eagle eyes on you."
"Well, that doesn't surprise me. I was just wondering if Chakotay had told you anything. He didn't tell me much of anything."
"I'm sure he was just trying to protect you."
"Yeah, it doesn't make it right, though."
"No, but he does love you. It was obvious during those video calls."
Kathryn raised a brow, "You saw him one or twice in those calls."
"Yeah, and the whole time he looked at you like you were the only woman in the world. And you, sister dear, couldn't keep your hands off him. And you smiled. A lot."
Later that evening after having had that bath and nap, Kathryn went to Tom and B'Elanna's.
She cooed over Miral, "Hello, sweet girl."
"She's sweet now, but you should hear her when she's hungry."
Kathryn grinned, "Maybe she misses Tom."
"Probably, we usually take turns feeding her."
B'Elanna gestured toward a swing, Kathryn put Miral in it and gently started to swing it.
"How are you doing?" B'Elanna asked.
"I'm mad. He should've told me everything."
"Yeah, I suppose it's good to get this out of the way now, though."
"How so?"
"It's the first real big problem you've been thrown in your marriage. Once you two talk it out and make amends, which I know you will, everything else is going to seem trivial in comparison. Tom and I had our share of disagreements after we got married, but looking back, they were petty little things. It wasn't until I found out I was pregnant that we had a real problem. Obviously, the circumstances are quite different, but I get where he's coming from. You get so blindsided by fear and love that you don't think straight."
Kathryn pondered over the statement.
It was nearly a month and a half later now. What was hoped to be a quick rescue mission was turning into a dragged out game of Catch Me if You Can.
The plan had been to get caught, and narrowly beam off the shuttle onto the Cube. They would have have to evade drones long enough for the shuttle to begin being assimilated. They had infected the shuttle with a virus that had been adapted from the one Icheb had carried. It would quickly take out drones and make its way to the queen. It would act swiftly enough that there would still be a shuttle to go back to.
But, upon arriving at the Cube, they were simply ignored. Tuvok surmised this was due to the fact that Admiral Janeway was not with them and they did not pose a significant threat. Unfortunately, the Borg now knew that someone was taking the matter seriously.
They were going to have to force their way onto the Cube, but the fact was the shuttle just didn't have the fire power to get through the shields.
Tom rubbed at his eyes, "We're going to have to go back to the Andraaxi."
"What purpose would that serve?" Tuvok asked, "They have already informed us that they are unwilling to get involved with anything concerning the Borg."
"What else are we going to do, Tuvok? We've already been out here seven weeks and we have nothing!"
"They're the closest ally, we're just going to have to convince them to help us," Chakotay said.
"How do you plan to do that?" Tuvok asked.
"I have no idea."
"Maybe we won't have to," Tom said suddenly.
"What is it?"
"We're receiving an encrypted message from them. They're on their way."