A/N: Sorry this took longer than I thought to write, but I had to watch 2 scenes in "Caretaker" about 10 times each to get the dialogue correct. I know where I want to go with the next chapter, but that might also require me to watch scenes over and over. I'll go as fast as I can, but I'm coaching basketball and our season is now in full swing.
A/N 2: I forgot to mention in my previous chapter about my referance to Captain Oveur. That's a character from Airplane!, one of my favorite movies of all time. If you haven't seen it, I strongly recomend it.
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"What the hell is this," B'Elanna asked as she pulled out her tri-corder and started scanning the area.
"Why don't y'all make yourselves comfortable! We got plenty of food," said a grandmotherly type lady on a huge white porch. "Lemonade?"
"No, thank you," Chakotay said, causing the lady to move on to someone else. Ten minutes ago they had been in the Bad Lands out maneuvering the Cardassian warship when they had been pulled across the galaxy. Chakotay had been in the middle of checking the damage to major systems when they had been transported here, wherever that happened to be.
"Look, I don't want any lemonade, I just want some answers," Chakotay heard B'Elanna yell. He walked over to intervene before she lost her temper and attacked the woman. Chakotay was just as desperate as B'Elanna for answers, however, attacking their hosts didn't seem to be the best idea.
"So, nobody wants anything to eat or enjoy some music," asked the banjo player. He stood up, and no longer looked like a frail old man. On top of that, everyone had turned their attention to Chakotay and his crew. Suddenly, the farm faded and all that remained was a huge room filled with bio-beds with giant needles hanging above them. Chakotay turned around to see their "hosts" standing behind them armed with pitch forks. "If that's the case, we'll just jump a head of schedule a little bit," said the banjo player.
"We don't mean any harm," Chakotay said, "we just want to figure out what's going on and go back where we came from."
"If that's the case just git on that bed there, everyone of you. I don't want to see anyone git hurt, so just climb on those beds there."
All the members of his ship turned their attention to Chakotay. Derrick didn't mention this, Chakotay thought. The old man was serious, and he didn't have any other choice. Chakotay walked over to the first bio bed and laid down.
"Chakotay, what the hell are you doing? There are more of us, we can take them," Seska hissed.
"They transported us from our ship," Chakotay replied calmly, propping himself up on his elbows, "and they are probably the ones who pulled us out to this part of space. Even if we could disarm them, do you really think we could figure out how to these controls? We don't have much choice, now get on the bio bed," he said, looking around at everyone.
He saw the rest of his crew reluctantly get on available beds. The last thought he had as he watched the needle approach him was, 'Did I make the right decision?'
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Kathryn shook her head as she walked towards the entrance of the New Zealand Penal Colony.
"Not what you were expecting, Captain?"
"What are you doing here," Kathryn asked as Jenna seemed to materialize from nowhere at her side.
"I needed to talk to you, and I was informed I'd find you here."
"So you thought you'd just stalk me out here?"
"Trace, the word is trace," Jenna said as they entered the compound's transporter room. "Anyway, Tom Paris, not the kind of guy you'd expect after meeting Admiral Paris, is he?"
"No, he's certainly not."
"Don't underestimate him. He may act like a rebel, but it's just an act, along with his sarcasm. He only does it because he feels he could never please his father and so he'll do anything to get his attention and respect, even through negative means. Deep down he's just looking for a chance to prove himself."
Kathryn stopped, looked at Jenna and asked, "Where did that come from?"
"I had a mission once where our paths crossed. This was right after he got thrown out of Starfleet and just before he joined the Maquis."
"Look, this is all fascinating, but I still have a lot to do today, so if you could please get to the point…"
"This is where our paths diverge, albeit temporarily."
"Excuse me," Kathryn asked, confuse.
"Once Voyager leaves DS9 I can no longer help you, so as of this moment, you are officially on your own."
Kathryn turned her back to Jenna and looked around the room as her mind started racing. After a minute, Kathryn turned and asked, "Is that ship coming to transport the rafritzia already?"
"No," Jenna answered. "We've still got about a decade before that happens. No, there one final test for you and Chakotay. If you both pass, you can easily stop the rafritzia."
"What if we fail our tests?"
"Failure is not an option."
"Why is this test necessary?"
"Because this is the major difference," Jenna answered. "The events that will unfold as a result of the mission you're being sent on are the difference between this universe and the universes where the rafritzia weren't a problem."
Kathryn stared out the window for another minute before facing Jenna and saying, "I'll do my best."
Jenna gave a half smile and said, "I have no doubt that you will be successful. You're too stubborn to fail. I just have one last piece of advice before I go."
"What's that?"
"Make sure you spend time with your family. It's going to be awhile until you see them again."
Kathryn watched Jenna as she handed her destination information to the officer working in the control room and stepped onto the transporter pad. "So I'll never see you again," Kathryn asked.
Jenna gave Kathryn her trademark smirk and said just before she dematerialized, "You're not that lucky."
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"I can't believe Kathryn let you throw her a goodbye party," Mark said as he helped bring plates into the kitchen.
"I know," Gretchen said taking the plates from Mark and adding them to the pile in the sink. "However, I was able to guilt trip her into it."
"How'd you manage that?"
"I told her that her father never let me."
"Wow," Mark said, shaking his head and smiling.
"No one knows how to manipulate guilt like Gretchen Janeway," Kathryn said, walking into the room.
"It's a maternal thing; you'll figure it out someday." Gretchen looked up, and when she saw Kathryn, she said, "Kathryn Janeway, what are you doing in that uniform?"
"I just received a transmission from Admiral Cutler that they need me on Voyager right away." At Gretchen's look, she said, "This is outside of my control, I'm sorry."
"Duty calls," Phoebe asked, walking into the room, holding a camera.
"Unfortunately," Kathryn sighed.
"Well, can I at least get a picture before you go?"
"I guess I've got time for that. Where do you want it?"
"How about outside with Mom, Mark, and Molly?"
"I'm busy doing dishes. Besides you don't want me in the picture," Gretchen said.
"Are you sure you don't want to be in it," Kathryn asked.
"Go on," Gretchen said, again tackling the dishes.
After Phoebe took the picture, she walked away to upload the Photo onto Kathryn's laptop. Molly took this opportunity to roll on her back and get her belly rubbed by Kathryn. "Something's wrong with Molly," Kathryn said. "I wish I had the time to take her to the vet." At the word vet, Molly's ears perked up, and she started whining. "It's ok girl, I don't have time to take you. Looks like you may be off the hook for now."
"I can take her," Mark said.
"Really," Kathryn said looking at him.
"It's not a problem," he said. "I've already heard the 'Love me, love my dog' speech once, I don't need to hear it again."
"You've got this one well trained," Phoebe said walking up.
Before Kathryn could respond her comm. badge went off. "Ens. Thomas to Captain Janeway."
"Go ahead."
"Your transport shuttle to Voyager is ready and will be waiting for you in the Chicago Port."
"Thank you. I'll be right there, Janeway out."
"Guess this is goodbye, sis," Phoebe asked.
"For now," Kathryn said with a forced smile.
"Yeah," Phoebe said hugging her. "Good luck, catch that Maquis leader, and just generally kick ass for me, ok?"
"I'll do my best," she replied smiling.
Phoebe released her and said, "Ok, I'll leave you two alone."
After Phoebe left, Kathryn said, "So you'll take Molly to the vet."
"Yeah," he said. "I'll take her tomorrow."
"Good. There's some swelling on her stomach. Do you think it's something serious?"
"She's probably just pregnant," he said, moving next to her.
"I'm still worried, it could be anything."
He pulled her into a hug, and said, "Look, I know you're not any good at goodbyes, so I'll make this quick for you. I love you and I'm going to miss you, but I pity this Chakotay character, because once you set your mind to capturing him, he doesn't stand a chance."
Kathryn smiled into his chest and hugged him tight before looking at him and saying, "See you in a couple of weeks."
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One week later
Kathryn was in the middle of going through the mountain of padds full of last minute details and reports all needing to be authorized when her comm. badge went off.
"Captain Janeway, you have an incoming transmission from a Mark Johnson."
"Route it to my ready room."
Almost instantly she heard Mark's voice. "Katie?"
"I'll be right there," she said. She was still behind her desk while her laptop was on the table by her couch.
She had grabbed her coffee and a few padds when Mark said, "The doctor called."
Kathryn started moving even quicker to her couch. "And…?"
"And I was right," he said with a triumphant smile. He didn't win debates with Kathryn very often.
"She's pregnant," she breathed excitedly.
"The puppies are due in 7 weeks."
"Oh Mark, you've got to take her home with you."
"With me," he asked incredulously. "I just had the rugs cleaned…"
"She's with child! I leave her in a kennel while I'm…"
"Is this another 'love me, love my dog' demand?"
"Yes."
"How could I ever refuse you?"
"Thanks honey," she said smiling.
"So when are you leaving?"
"As soon as I approve these system status reports," she said, most of her attention shifting back to the padds.
"Alright," he said with only a hint of disappointment. He had accepted a long time ago that Starfleet was what defined her. "Then I won't bother you any more."
"Hey," Kathryn said, putting the padd down and kneeling in front of the monitor, "you never bother me. Except the way I love to be bothered. Understand?"
Mark gave an amused smile and said, "I'll remember that."
"See you in a few weeks. Oh, Mark, stop by my house and pick up the doggie bed. She'll be more comfortable."
"I already did. An hour ago," he said smiling.
Kathryn was just about to say goodbye, when the comm. officer interrupted her, "Captain, you have an incoming transmission from a Jack Daniels."
"Route him to my ready room, I'll be with him in a minute."
"Duty calls," Mark asked.
"I'm sorry," Kathryn said with a sigh.
"Don't be," Mark said. "I'll see you in a couple of weeks."
He ended the transmission and Kathryn brought up Derrick and asked, "So when did you become the raging alcoholic?"
"What," Derrick asked, confused.
"'Jack Daniels'?"
"It's a long story," Derrick said with a sigh.
"Yeah, Jenna already told me."
"Figures."
"Anyway, I'm busy Derrick. What do you want?"
"A couple things. First, I'm sending you information on things you should avoid on your journey."
"What?"
"We just finished up a temporal war, but several key generals escaped and are trying to keep the conflict alive. If you come across any of the readings I'm sending to you, avoid them or you're going to get caught in the cross fire."
"How many of these could I run into on my way to the Bad Lands?"
"Probably none, but you're smart enough to figure out by now that it's not just going to end there."
Kathryn sighed and slipped into deep thought of everything Derrick had said.
"They're going to be fine," Derrick said, breaking her thoughts.
"What?"
"You're family, Mark, your dog, they'll all be fine. It'll hit Gretchen and Phoebe hard, but they'll move on. Molly will have her puppies, and Mark will raise them, with his wife."
"His what?"
"Voyager will be assumed lost, but he'll hold out for a while. But given time, he'll reluctantly move on, and find happiness. He'll never forget about you and will always love you, but he'll find peace."
Kathryn sighed and said, "That's why it didn't bother Chakotay that I was going to get engaged."
"Are you kidding," Derrick said, eyebrows raised. "He's been a basket case for years."
"He was scared I didn't love him anymore," Kathryn asked.
"No, he was scared you still loved him, but you'd rather spend your life with Mark and he ruins it for you."
Kathryn was thrown by that and didn't know how to respond when she heard her door chime go off.
"We'll talk again," Derrick said, ending the transmission.
Kathryn stood up, and started towards her desk when she gave the door the open command.
She was behind her desk when the door opened to let two men walked in. One was a very young looking ensign and the other was Tom Paris. Just looking at them you could see they were polar opposites. "Gentlemen," she said, "welcome aboard Voyager."
"Thank you sir," said the young one. Almost immediately he looked like a deer in the headlights while Tom Paris looked like he was trying to hold smother an amused grin.
Kathryn's mind shot back to a memory she'd almost forgotten, the day that Adm. Jones had walked in on Kathryn and Derrick after they found the people they were going to substitute Kathryn and Chakotay with. Derrick had the same look that Ens. Kim had now. Recalling what Adm. Jones said to Derrick, Kathryn moved from around the desk, and said when she was facing him, "Mr. Kim, at ease before you sprain something." This time Tom was unable to hold back a smile. "Ensign, despite Starfleet protocol, I don't like being addressed as sir."
"I'm sorry, ma'am," he said looking like he was mentally kicking himself.
"Ma'am is acceptable in a crunch, but I prefer 'captain.'" She smiled at both men and said, "We're getting ready to leave, let me show you to the bridge."
"Did you have any problems getting here, Mr. Paris," she asked as soon as they stepped out of her ready room.
"None at all, Captain," he answered strongly emphasizing the last word. Kathryn remembered what Jenna had told her about Tom just wanting to prove himself, but had a hard time believing it. He just seemed too busy make a joke of everything. "My first officer, Lt. Cmdr. Cavit," she said introducing the three men, "Ens. Kim, Mr. Paris." She noticed how he readily shook Ens. Kim's hand, but almost completely ignored Tom's hand. She did slightly pity him, and started to understand some of Jenna's words. The sarcasm was an act used to push people away. 'No wonder Jenna saw so much in him. She's just like him,' she thought to herself.
She quickly brought herself back to the present, and indicated that Ens. Kim should follow her. "Ens. Kim, this'll be your station," she said when they reached his console.
"Yes ma'am," he said excitedly.
"It's not crunch time yet, Mr. Kim. I'll let you know when," Kathryn responded as she walked to the front of the bridge and nodded to her second in command. She walked to her seat as she heard the orders for the launching sequence being given. Despite the knowledge that something major would go wrong on this mission, she couldn't help the excitement that was building as she gave the command, "Engage."