A/N: I still own nothing, still make no money (even at my real job), and I'm still am over dramatic and sappy. Thanks to all who have left reviews and encouraged me to continue this story. I certainly hope everyone is enjoying it and that I haven't bored anyone to death. There are definitely new developments to come. Please let me know what you think about the way the story is progressing.

XXXXX

"Doctor, report!" Chakotay's voice was strained and desperate.

"They just got here, Commander! I haven't even had an opportunity to scan either one of them yet." The Doctor answered without pausing to look at Chakotay. The Doctor scanned Kathryn first. Issuing an audible, "Hmmp?" he moved to scan Kes. He looked at his tricorder with a slightly puzzled expression.

"What is it Doctor?" Chakotay inquired.

"It looks like they have some injuries consistent with a fall of some distance, bruising, scrapes; Kathryn has a concussion, but it's not serious, and a fractured shoulder, but nothing that can't be easily repaired. Kes has a hair line fracture in her pelvis, but again it's an easy fix. That's not what concerns me."

"Then what is it Doctor, is it their brain activity? Is Kathryn in the same state as Kes?" Chakotay cursed himself for allowing Kathryn into the biogenic field. He was sure that now both Kathryn and Kes would suffer the same fate.

"Well, Kes' brain activity has returned… in excess… It seems both she and the Captain are showing signs of telepathic activity. They're readings are identical."

"What does that mean?"

"It has some similarities to a mind meld, but only some, I don't know how to break this connection. "

"Are you telling me that they are keeping themselves in this state? I don't understand. Are they ok? Can they come out of this if they choose too?"

"I don't know Commander. It is entirely possible that Kes or the Captain can break the connection but I can't know for sure."

"What about the baby, Doctor? Is she affected by this telepathic activity as well?" Chakotay was feeling sick to his stomach, he didn't know what he would do if his daughter was affected as well.

Running the tricorder over the Captain's abdomen again, to ensure he had an accurate response he announced, "No. The child looks to have what is considered normal activity and appears unharmed."

"Well of course she's fine why wouldn't she be?"

The two startled men snapped their attention toward Kes, who was now sitting up on her biobed. "I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that they brought us here in a sort of unconsciousness, Kes." Answered the Captain.

"Kathryn! Oh thank the spirits you're ok. Don't you ever do that to me again!" Chakotay lost his composure as he lunged himself toward Kathryn wrapping his arms around her tightly.

"Chakotay, I'm fine. I just have a bit of a headache and my shoulder hurts."

"I'll fix that, Captain. You have a concussion and a fractured shoulder blade." The Doctor began working on her shoulder.

"We weren't really unconscious; we were experiencing an alternate consciousness." Kes stated.

Kathryn then addressed Kes. "Yes, Kes, but they weren't aware of that. To them we were unconscious and possibly in danger."

Kes wondered about her connection with the Captain and so responded to her in the way she might speak to another Ocampan. I suppose you want the Doctor to study the connection that was created between us. She spoke to Kathryn telepathically testing the depths of their new found connection.

"Yes. I think that's a good idea, Kes." She answered naturally.

"What was? Kathryn are you ok?" Chakotay's expression was filled with renewed concern.

"Kes, didn't say anything, Captain." The Doctor added with concern.

They can't hear me Captain. You try speaking to me this way. It shouldn't be difficult I can sometimes sense strong thoughts or emotions of others who aren't telepathic.- Kes encouraged the Captain.

Maybe I should respond to them first so they don't think I'm crazy.- Answered the Captain telepathically.

"A good idea Captain." Kes said aloud.

"Kes was speaking to me telepathically. I responded to her, that is all." Kathryn address Chakotay and the doctor.

"Your scans did show telepathic activity." Mumbled the doctor. "I'd like to keep you both here for observation, Captain."

Kathryn sighed. "Very well doctor."

She suddenly remembered all the planning and work B'Elanna had been doing for her lately and addressing Chakotay she asked. "Chakotay, the bridal shower?

Chakotay responded, "That should have taken place three days ago, Kathryn. You went to the surface the night before the shower was to take place. That was four days ago."

The doors to sickbay slid open and Harry came running in. "Kes, Kes, are you ok?"

"I'm fine Harry." She answered him with a grin. "You really worried about me."

"Of course I was, Kes!" He was afraid that she might think otherwise. He hugged her grateful that she was alright.

"Captain, how are you? Are you and the baby okay?" Harry asked with genuine concern. This would have bothered Kes before but her recent experiences had convinced her that the relationship between the Captain and Harry more closely resembled a mother son relationship than a romantic one. She had also seen the depth of the Captain's love for Chakotay.

"Yes Harry, we're fine." The Captain answered running her hand over her middle.

"Alright, visiting time is over. The Captain hasn't had any real sleep in four days and she needs to rest I'm going to have to ask you all to leave now." The Doctor broke in. Harry promised to be back to check on them and left sickbay to return to his post.

"I'm not leaving her, Doctor." Chakotay said firmly.

It was Kathryn who answered him. "You have a ship to run. You're in charge while I'm in here. I need to know you can take over in my absence, regardless of our relationship. I need my First Officer to do his job, Chakotay." Kathryn reasoned with him.

"Fine but I'll be back for you in a little while. Your safety and wellbeing is my job as well, Kathryn, and we both know how difficult it is for you to sleep. I don't believe you'll get a moments rest here in sickbay, and you haven't slept in four days. I'll be back to take you to our quarters in a couple of hours." Chakotay informed her.

"The Doctor is still studying the telepathic bond that Kes and I share. I'm sure he'll want to study any other effects of the biogenic field and maybe try to understand what happened to us; why it didn't kill us." Kathryn felt, as impossible as it may seem, that this had been a spiritual experience but she knew, as a scientist, that it would still need to be studied and scrutinized.

"Your health and safety and our child's health and safety will come before senseless data and useless studies. I'll be back in a couple of hours he should be done by then, but even if he's not, you will go get some sleep, for your wellbeing and for our daughter's as well." Chakotay wasn't angry, just determined.

Kathryn hesitated. She wanted to respond as the Captain and tell him he was out of line. Her decisions could be discussed and questioned in private, but her orders were always to be followed. She couldn't, however, ignore that he was now in the position of soon to be husband and father. There would be a fine line to walk for both of them in situations like this from now on. "Let's just take it one step at a time. We'll see what he's got in a couple of hours." She sighed, "You of all people know how much I dislike being in sickbay. I won't stay any longer than necessary."

XXXXX

When Chakotay returned a few hours later the Doctor was explaining his findings to Kes and the Captain. The Captain listened quietly. He went on about neutrinos protecting the Captain and Kes from the biogenic field, and iridium ions functioning as a cortical stimulator for Kes. He noticed the disbelief in the Captain's face and asked if she disagreed. Her response was that his explanation was very scientific, but offered nothing more. Chakotay walked over to Kathryn.

"Are you ready to go?" He offered her his hand.

"Almost," Kathryn answered, "the Doctor has an explanation as to how Kes and I survived and why Kes woke up but I still have a couple of questions for him."

The Doctor, who was standing only a few feet away, replied "go ahead, Captain."

"You have the readings Chakotay took of the biogenic field, right Doctor?" queried the Captain.

"Yes, of course." Came the Doctor's response.

"If I'm not mistaken there were high levels of thoron radiation in the biogenic field. What does that mean for my baby?" As Kathryn asked Chakotay suddenly looked troubled. She knew there was thoron radiation in the biogenic field before she walked into it, and now her question implied that she knew the thoron radiation could have consequences for the baby!

"Yes, Captain I've treated you for the effects of the radiation. You and the baby should be fine but you should avoid any further exposure until after the baby's birth. You would probably be fine but a developing fetus could have serious complications. The higher the quantities of radiation, and the more often the exposure, the less effective the treatment is." Explained the Doctor.

Kathryn knew she was about to be scolded and she wasn't looking forward to it. "It's not the first time I was exposed."

"What?" Came Chakotay's voice in disbelief.

"Settle down Commander," Spoke the Doctor. "Most times small quantities are harmless; the exposure would only matter if it was in very high doses or if it occurred during the pregnancy."

"When Tuvok and I were locked in a mind meld, Doctor." Kathryn offered in answer.

Doing the math based on the gestational age of her fetus the Doctor's face fell suddenly. "I didn't know you were pregnant then! You didn't tell me after the meld was broken, either. Captain, were you aware of your pregnancy at the time?!"

"Yes," She answered slowly then quickly added, "But Lieutenant Paris treated me for the effects of the radiation."

"That may very well be, but knowledge of that event would have changed my course of action. I need to administer a second dose of the medication." The Doctor walked away to retrieve the medication.

A visibly angry Chakotay hissed at her, "Kathryn, you didn't tell the Doctor about your condition before the meld, or even after, knowing you had put our child in danger! What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that I hadn't told the baby's father yet! I didn't want it to be the latest mess hall gossip before I had a chance to talk to you." She hissed back.

"You could have told me about her as soon as you found out, and she wouldn't be in danger now!" Chakotay snapped.

"We aren't really going to have this argument now, are we? I think we should discuss this in private." Kathryn was exasperated. She then added, more to herself than to Chakotay "I'm too tired for this."

He opened his mouth to reply but the Doctor walked up just then with the second dose of medication.

"One more question, Doctor. This "bond" I share with Kes; how long will it last and what does it mean as far as chemical and physiological changes to my brain? Could it have some effect on the baby?" Kathryn was going to be as thorough as possible this time.

"Physiologically there are no changes. Chemically there are indications that you've received telepathic signals. Captain, I don't know that you have any kind of lasting "bond" with Kes. Your brain waves are no longer identical; it looks as though your thoughts are your own." Explicated the Doctor.

"Thank you, Doctor." Kathryn said. Then with her thoughts she said –What do you think, Kes?

Kes responded –I haven't tried with others but you're the first nonOcampan to be able to have a mental conversation with me. I'll try with others as well and report back to you, Captain.

Thank you, Kes. - Responded the Captain. Then turning to Chakotay she said out loud "Let's go, Chakotay."

XXXXX

Chakotay paced the room, Starfleet issue boots wearing away at Starfleet carpeting, as Kathryn readied herself for some much needed sleep. He wanted to have that long delayed discussion with her, but he also wanted her to rest. He was at odds with himself. He'd been waiting for this conversation for weeks; ever since the "meeting of the secret keepers", but now she needed rest as much as he needed answers. No. She needed the rest more then he needed answers and he knew it, but if he didn't press the issue how long would he have to wait?

Kathryn exited the bathroom in her nightgown, and with her hair down. Seeing her he couldn't help but just want to hug her; relieved that she was safe and well… and home with him. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. "Thank the spirits you're here with me. I was so worried, Kathryn."

Stunned, believing he was angry at her, she simply replied, "It's good to be back, Chakotay." That's when she felt the wetness of his tears on the side of her own face. "Chakotay, are you ok?"

"What am I going to do with you, Kathryn? You put yourself and our child in danger constantly while I drive myself crazy trying to protect you two."

"I'm the Captain, you knew this, and you knew me before any of this happened between us. If you can't handle it, Chakotay then we can't do this." She spoke softly but he knew she meant every word.

"Why didn't you tell me? The moment you found out, why wasn't I the first to know?" He needed answers.

"Do you remember when you walked into my quarters and I was on the couch with Tom hovering over me?" Kathryn asked carefully.

"Yes, he was hugging you, holding you while you lay on your couch. I remember thinking you would have never held me that way while onboard. Then he looked at me then back at you and your eyes met and there was some unspoken exchange between you two. It hurt me to see you so close to another man." He was baring his soul to her.

"Yes, well… he had just told me I was pregnant seconds before and I almost collapsed. We had just retaken the ship from Cullah, and I was exhausted, and pregnant. He carried me to my couch and offered to go get you for me. He always insisted that you should be involved from the first moment. When I started to cry he hugged me. That's when you walked in; I shook my head at Tom so that he wouldn't tell you; hoping I could tell you myself, in private. Then you accused me of leaving you in charge of the bridge so that I could have an illicit romp with my "helmboy" and I just couldn't figure out how the hell I was going to tell you after that. Other people found out accidentally and… I'm sorry I let it get that far Chakotay. Looking back I suppose I should have told you when you came to my quarters that day. I am sorry."

"I am too, Kathryn. I behaved in a manner that made you feel like you couldn't tell me. I was an angry, jealous man and I'm sorry." He pulled her close again and placed his chin atop her head. He held her that way for a few seconds before she spoke again.

"Chakotay, I haven't slept in four days…"

"Oh! Yes… let's get you to bed. I had Tuvok take you out of the duty roster for the next three days, then we've got a few days off for the wedding, so barring any emergencies, you don't have another duty shift for at least a week."

"So what happened with my bachelorette party?!"

"No bride, no party, Kathryn. No one used the holodeck that night. Everyone was too worried about our Captain."