"Chakotay, help me," Kathryn spoke from where she rested on the lounger in their bedroom. Chakotay stifled a grin as he turned to look at her. She was honing in on month seven of her pregnancy, and the babies were definitely healthy and growing. She didn't often sit in the lounger, for the very reason that she called out for Chakotay now. She wasn't able to get up out of it on her own.
Chakotay entered the bedroom, lifting up her feet so that he could sit down, resting her legs in his lap. He began massaging the ball of her left foot gently as he grinned at her, "I don't know, I like having you at my mercy." He gave a provocative wiggle of his eyebrows, causing her to laugh. She gave out a sigh as she rested her hands on the large swell of her belly.
"I can't believe I have to keep them in there for another two months," she furrowed her brow as she looked at the roundness of her pregnancy, "There's barely enough room in there as it is. What if I get to the point where I can't even get out of my chair on the bridge without help?"
Chakotay switched his attention to her other foot, "No one on the bridge will fault you for that." He leaned forward to press a kiss to her knuckles, "And that's exactly why we are having the meeting with Tuvok and the Doctor this morning. We want to plan out the command structure going forward, since you will be taking shorter duty shifts when at all possible, and when the baby comes, we will both take time off. Tuvok has already agreed to a shared command of Voyager."
Kathryn's eyes went wide at that, "You've already been plotting a mutiny against me before the babies are even here?" Her tone was stern but forgiving, and Chakotay's grin grew wider.
"Just making sure that the mother of my child will be well taken care of before, during and after the birth of my daughter." His face turned serious, "Kathryn, I've never met anyone who can do the things that you do, but I love you, and I want to make sure that you are healthy, and as relaxed as possible so that you can take care of those two little ones.
"Remember, Tom and B'Elanna are counting on you to not overdo anything. They are expecting a healthy baby at the end of this too," he grinned, easily dodging the hand that swatted at him.
"I know that, Chakotay, and I want to do what's best," she sighed, a frown forming at the corners of her mouth, "I've just never been in this kind of situation before; of not being able to do what needs to be done for my ship and crew."
"Right now, as it gets closer to crunch time, your main job is to take care of the two most important crew members on this ship. Let the rest of us worry about Voyager."
"I know, you're right, and I will. But I can't guarantee I'll enjoy it all the time."
Chakotay chuckled again, his dimples framing his lips as they opened, "No one says you have to." He slid out from under Kathryn's legs and helped her to her feet, pecking her lips as she stood up, "Now, come on, let's go meet Tuvok and the Doctor."
As they walked the corridor towards Chakotay's office, Chakotay marveled to himself at just how short Kathryn was without her boots on. They had become nearly impossible for her to put on in the last week, so she grudgingly switched to maternity flats. She had argued vehemently against them, but when the pain of wearing the boots for an entire shift became so intense that she nearly sobbed when she took them off one night, she had agreed. Chakotay never said another word about it, and never would. Be that as it may, he silently enjoyed this fierce and mighty woman, nearly three inches shorter than normal, but still the revered Captain Janeway. It made him love her that much more.
They arrived last, and Chakotay wasn't surprised. Kathryn also wasn't walking as quickly these days. Tom had mentioned the word waddle to Chakotay and had promptly received a punch in the arm from his wife. Kathryn, thank goodness, had not been privy to the conversation, or Tom may have spent a few nights in the brig. They had decided on Chakotay's office for this meeting because it was closest to Kathryn's quarters. Tuvok stood beside the desk and the Doctor sat relaxed on the sofa, but stood up when the command team entered. Kathryn hadn't really thought to include the Doctor in this meeting, but it was Tuvok's suggestion that perhaps the EMH be consulted for Kathryn's end of pregnancy and maternity leave plans. Though she was still two months away from her estimated due date, both babies were growing rapidly, and the Doctor had confirmed at her last weekly appointment that she could go into labor in as little as four to six weeks. Chakotay had heard her the evening of that appointment, speaking to her stomach, ordering both babies to remain where they were for eight more weeks.
"Good morning Captain, Commander," the Doctor spoke with a jovial smile. "How are we feeling this morning?"
Kathryn grinned, but dropped down on the sofa herself, "Large, Doctor, I'm feeling large." Everyone except Tuvok chuckled at that...even Kathryn.
"That is to be expected, and not going to get any better for a while yet," the EMH answered.
"Thank you, Doctor," she spoke sarcastically, though not sternly, "But we are here to discuss, going forward, the command of Voyager during the end of my pregnancy and after the babies are born. What are your thoughts, Doctor?" Chakotay appreciated that Kathryn, though grudgingly, was taking this seriously.
"Well, based on how you've handled the pregnancy so far, Captain, barring any unforeseen medical circumstances, I think you should be fine to retain command for the duration of your pregnancy. As we've spoken before, you are at twenty eight weeks. The babies could be born as early as thirty two weeks. I'm afraid mother nature will dictate that eventuality. If you are unable to continue full duty shifts, I will prescribe shortened shifts, or days off in between." Kathryn nodded. Chakotay knew she would fight tooth and nail to stay in that command chair as long as possible, but was proud of her for at least being willing to give it up if and when the occasion called for it.
"I am prepared to take extra duty shifts and pick up any extra work needed as the time draws nearer," Chakotay spoke, and the Doctor nodded, "I assume that as it gets closer, we may have to take things day by day, or even hour by hour, depending on how much the Captain can tolerate."
"And when it is time for the birth of the babies, I want the Captain off duty for at least two weeks." Kathryn's eyes flashed to the Doctor's face, her mouth dropping open to protest, "On this I will not budge. Chances are, that when it is time for you to deliver the babies, it will be a difficult labor. Klingon deliveries are nothing to be sneezed at, and as of now it seems that the Paris baby will be delivered first. Surgical intervention may be necessary for the safe delivery of one or both babies, and you will need time to heal from that, both physically and emotionally."
"Doctor I appreciate your concern, but I will be fine to resume duties after their birth," she glanced at Chakotay for affirmation. He watched her eyes darken slightly when she found none.
"Kathryn, you're going to be a new mother. We all know you will handle the labor and delivery as best you can. Probably better than we all expect. But after all of that, we're going to have a baby girl that is brand new to the world, and I for one want to spend some time to get to know her." His tone softened and he saw Kathryn's lips turn up ever so gently. "I want us both to have time to get to know her. Tuvok will take command of Voyager while you and I settle into things with the baby." At the mention of his name, Tuvok took a step forward.
"Captain, I have taken command of Voyager on several occasions. This will be no different. You will still be consulted on all matters of importance, but I can speak from experience that bringing a new life into the world does not come without its own set of difficulties. It was very advantageous for my wife and I to have time away from work to settle into the routines and such of parenthood. I think you and the commander will both benefit from that time."
Kathryn could tell that she was fighting a losing battle, but the idea of two weeks away from command was a hard pill to swallow. Chakotay could still sense her apprehension. "Kathryn, no one is saying that you aren't allowed on the bridge for two weeks, or that you will be kept out of the loop. I'm sure our daughter will make the rounds of this ship before she is a week old. But you will need time to heal, physically and mentally from everything, and I want to spend some time with you, with her." Kathryn gave a sad smile and sighed.
"I know, you're right," her eyes moved across the faces, "You're all right. I will agree to the two weeks of maternity leave on the condition that I am allowed to attend all senior staff meetings during that time." Chakotay chuckled.
"We'll hold them in our quarters if we have to, but I think that's a more than fair compromise. How about it, Doctor?" The EMH nodded.
"I have no objections."
Kathryn, though still not at all thrilled with the idea of two weeks away from command, knew that everyone had her health, and the health of the babies in their best interest, so she could fault no one for that. She was just about to speak again when Harry's voice came across the comm line.
"Astrometrics to Captain Janeway."
"Go ahead, Harry."
"I think you all should report to astrometrics right away. Operation 'Watson' is a go." Kathryn's eyes met Chakotay's, and a thrill went through her that even the babies felt as they swam excitedly.
"On our way." She pushed herself up off the sofa, "Chakotay, Tuvok, you're with me." She turned and patted the EMH on the arm, "Thank you, Doctor. I know I don't say it enough, but I appreciate everything you've done for me during this pregnancy. I may not seem grateful, but I am."
"I appreciate that, Captain." He smiled before showing himself out of the office.
They arrived in astrometrics a few minutes later. Harry was at the center console working diligently on something of great importance. He turned briefly when he heard the doors open, "The deflector is in position."
Kathryn came to stand beside him, watching the computer screen. Chakotay and Tuvok stood behind her. "Anything yet?"
Harry nodded, glancing at Kathryn again, "I'm picking up a triaxilating signal in the tachyon beam." Kathryn felt her heart beating beneath her ribs. The babies were also aware that this was an exciting moment. She placed a hand on her stomach to try to calm them both.
"On screen." They all watched with bated breath for only a moment before two familiar faces appeared before them, and though the video and audio were garbled, Kathryn couldn't help the smile that lifted her lips.
"Voyager, this is Lieutenant Barclay at Starfleet Command, do you read?" Reg spoke and Admiral Paris smiled beside him. Kathryn drew in a deep breath through her nose, not realizing until that moment how much it would mean to hear that voice, static laden though it was.
"Harry, can you clear it up?" Kathryn glanced down at the console before her eyes flashed back up to the screen. After several more keystrokes, the image became clear and the static silenced.
"Captain Janeway," Admiral Paris spoke, "It's wonderful to finally speak to you in person." Kathryn couldn't help smiling at her mentor. His face had aged, but he still looked the same. She chuckled gently...they had all aged in the last seven years.
"The pleasure is ours, Admiral. It's wonderful to see you." She felt emotions burning her eyes, but did her best to keep it at bay, "How's the weather in San Francisco?" Admiral Paris chuckled.
"Cold and rainy as usual," the glimmer that she was used to seeing in his eyes was there, and she couldn't help but laugh.
"Sounds wonderful." She sighed gently, "Lieutenant Barclay, I have to congratulate you on this effort. The first ever transgalactic com-link. You've earned a place in the history books to be sure." The man on screen smiled shyly, fidgeting where he stood.
"Well, we have Mr. Kim to thank as well. It was his idea to bounce a tachyon beam off the quantum singularity. He deserves just as much, if not more credit." Kathryn could see Harry stand up a bit taller at that and she couldn't help but give his arm a squeeze.
"I wish we had more time for small talk," Admiral Paris spoke, "but the singularity is only in alignment for about eleven minutes a day. Now I'll leave it to you to decide how you want to allocate the time, but I'd like to go over a few…" he trailed off, and Kathryn noticed that his eyes had drifted down to where her hand rested on her very pregnant stomach before lifting back to her face. In her excitement for this communication to work, she hadn't even thought about what the reaction might be to her condition. "I uh, it seems that congratulations are in order," he grinned at Kathryn and though she felt nervous flutters go through her entire body, she grinned and nodded.
"We have a lot to talk about, that's for sure Admiral." Barclay leaned over to whisper to Paris.
"Oh, of course." Paris spoke and Barclay grinned at everyone aboard Voyager, "Lieutenant Barclay has a little gift for you and your crew."
At that, the image of the two men moved to the bottom of the screen, and in their place was an image that had emotions welling up in Kathryn's eyes once again.
Before them on the screen was Earth, with North America's beauty showing behind gentle cloud cover. Kathryn sucked in a slow, deep breath through pursed lips, and felt Chakotay's hand at her lower back as he came to stand behind her.
"This is a live shot from McKinley Station. As you can see," Barclay spoke, "not too much cloud cover today."
Kathryn's chin quivered as she tried desperately to school her features, "Quite a view," she whispered out, leaning back into Chakotay's touch, gleaning comfort from his strength behind her. "Thanks, Reg." The lieutenant nodded, his own smile lifting his lips.
Kathryn cleared her throat, taking another deep breath, "How much time left, Harry?"
"Only about thirty seconds. It took us a few minutes to get the deflector powered to the right frequency for the tachyon beam to deflect against the singularity properly. We will have the full eleven minutes tomorrow." Kathryn nodded.
"Admiral, I'd like to use the time with you tomorrow, to discuss," she glanced down at her stomach, "our current situation as it stands, and also the plan going forward so that the crew may call their families." Paris nodded.
"Looking forward to it. You all take care of yourselves, and we will talk to you tomorrow."
Kathryn pressed her lips together, "Can't wait." She watched Owen's smiling face for just another moment before the screen filled with static and the two men vanished.