A/N: Standard disclaimer, I do not own Star Trek Voyager and am making no money from this fan fiction.

Welcome to returning and new readers! This is the third in my series. This is a slow burn hurt/comfort mentor series featuring Captain Janeway and her 24-year-old daughter. Themes for the series as a whole include grief, mental illness, and mothers & daughters. I would also consider it a character study of Janeway, through discussing what she's like as a Captain, and a mother. Though Janeway was written unevenly in the show, this is focused on the Janeway appearing in Seasons 4 & 5, harder, sadder, and even mentally ill, pressed on all sides, but still standing.

It's been awhile since I posted the second part so here is a recap.

Part 1: A surprise visitor to Voyager turns out to be Captain Janeway and Chakotay's adult daughter from over 30 years in the future who has returned to save Voyager from its mistakes. Captain Janeway and her daughter Gretchen "Kincaid" are suspicious and distant towards each other as they encounter the Equinox crew, one of which, Marla Gilmore, killed Janeway in Gretchen's timeline. In the current timeline, Gretchen makes friends with Tom and Harry, and the three of them, plus B'Elanna, stop a mutiny by the Equinox crew.

ST Voyager Episodes Used: Equinox 1 & 2

Part 2: Gretchen is suspected of murdering Equinox crew member Marla Gilmore in revenge, but Voyager can't return to alien space to check. Captain Janeway confronts Gretchen and imprisons her in the Brig. When grief and isolation forces Gretchen into a serious depression, Janeway is convinced to grant her plea to be added to an Away Team mission to steal a Borg transwarp coil. Gretchen hatches a risky secret plot to steal a second coil, but the Borg Queen is one step ahead. In the end Gretchen's plan is successful, but it results in the erasure of the only hologram of her best friend from her timeline, Thomas Paris. Gretchen is overcome with guilt and is punished and monitored by being confined to a restrictive schedule. Finally speaking honestly, Gretchen and Captain Janeway agree to drop their professional distrust of each other, but remain personally distant.

ST Voyager Episodes Used: Bliss, Dark Frontier 1 & 2

This story takes place about 6 months after Part 2. On Janeway's orders, Gretchen is still known only to a handful of people as the Captain's daughter. The general ship believes she is on a secret mission from Starfleet. Gretchen is an ensign working in Astrometrics under Seven of Nine as her main job on board this timeline's Voyager. In her timeline she was Captain of a Voyager on its last legs. Other than the above, Voyager and Captain Janeway are approximately the same as they are in the show's Season 5.

The cover is artwork I specially commissioned on Etsy by artist RainyDayDrawings.

The Captain and The Captain

"We're almost ready, Captain," said B'Elanna from her seat at the Briefing Table, "Final analysis says we'll get between 24,000 and 26,000 light years out of the second transwarp coil. That's 24-26 years off our journey."

"Whoo!" said Tom, pumping his fist as he and Harry clapped.

"Seven," said Captain Janeway, "Have you gone over the final path to your satisfaction?"

"I have," said Seven, nodding her head, "It seems satisfactory."

"Gretchen?" asked the Captain.

"You're absolutely sure," said Gretchen, staring across the table nervously at B'Elanna, "That we won't get more than 26,000 light years?"

"What do you think I am, an idiot?" said B'Elanna, staring back aggressively.

Gretchen blinked at her, wide-eyed, and pulled back.

"We've had over 6 months to work on this," continued the Klingon hybrid heatedly, "We're getting everything we can out of this coil, unlike the last one. The jump isn't going to take us into 'bad space'" she added, making loose air quotes with her hand, "And we altered sensors to check for that. There's no logical reason to put it off, Captain," she said, turning to look at Janeway.

The human ensign stared forward distantly and unhappy, hands clasped in front of her on the table.

"Gretchen?" prodded the Captain kindly, "What do you think?"

"I agree," said Gretchen firmly, expression and pose not changing, "I have no objection."

"Alright," said Captain Janeway, looking at her, "We'll make the jump then. Tomorrow at 0900. All senior staff will be at their posts, ready for anything," she said firmly, and then smiled, voice lightening, "If all goes well, tomorrow we will be at the edge of the Delta Quadrant. Congratulations, everyone! This was great work!"

Captain Janeway dismissed the meeting and Gretchen was the first to leave, hightailing it out the door as soon as the word was given.

Most of the rest of the crew left swiftly, with B'Elanna lingering with Tom, folding her arms across her chest, "And you say she's related to Janeway? She's been nothing but a scared mouse this entire time. You don't know what it's been like to have to work with…..that for six months. I could've done this a month faster if she didn't have me checking every little thing ten times."

"She doesn't want to repeat Voyager's old mistakes, it's natural," said Tom easily, "It's almost over anyway. Cut her a little slack."

"And why should I do that?"

"Because it's the decent thing to do when someone's frightened..." said Tom, staring at her, "And if you need another reason, you do remember it was her that got Voyager a second transwarp coil?"

B'Elanna rolled her eyes and groaned.

"Gretchen," said Captain Janeway, almost running to catch up with the younger woman, and grabbing her arm casually as they walked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," said Gretchen, who seemed to have composed herself on her way to her post.

"Do you have any concerns about this?"

"Not logical ones," said Gretchen firmly, "I was Captain long enough to know there's a difference between my feelings and my knowledge. And B'Elanna's right."

Janeway looked at her in concern as they walked, "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, said Gretchen, shaking her head, "I hate to admit it but, what you saw wasn't really a reaction to the plan…..B'Elanna and I don't really get along," she ended looking off guiltily.

Janeway's lip quirked, "Join the club," she said easily, "It'd be half of Voyager. B'Elanna's the best engineer on this ship, maybe the best engineer in the quadrant. I admit her temper's not very Starfleet….But she's a good person."

"The important thing to remember," said Janeway, keeping one hand on Gretchen's arm and leaning in, "Is never to take anything she says personally. …..Let it roll off your back, it's not pleasant, but it's just steam…..now that she's not breaking noses anymore…..She's grown a lot, and I'm beyond proud of her. But there's no reason to beat yourself up because you've struggled with her temper."

"We're almost done working together anyway," said Gretchen evenly, as they entered a turbolift, "We'll make that jump. And I'll get to go back to the peace of Astrometrics."

"Is B'Elanna why you refused to take a post in Engineering when you first came here?"

"Well….yes," said Gretchen, nodding, and eyeing Janeway, "I trust that doesn't mean you're reassigning me?"

"No," said Janeway strongly, "I'm not that much of a dictator. You've worked together as I asked, and now you can both go back to your respective corners."

"Don't forget," said Janeway smiling, looking back as she exited the turbolift, "I know it's a bit overdue, but as soon as we make the jump, I promise, we'll get your evaluation done. B'Elanna's not the only one I'm proud of."

The next evening Gretchen entered the Mess Hall directly after her shift in Astrometrics, and was shocked to find Harry and Tom standing there, in the middle of the party preparations she was scheduled to help Neelix with.

"There she is," said Tom loudly, and the two men clapped as Gretchen entered. Neelix joined the ovation from behind a table he was setting up.

"Thanks to you and B'Elanna, and the rest of us I guess," said Tom, "Voyager is now 25 years closer to home!"

"I know we should wait for the party," said Neelix, coming out behind his table with a tray of mugs, "But I'm just so excited. Can you believe it? I could just…I could just fall over…"

"Don't do that Neelix," said Harry, smiling from ear to ear, "You'll spill that punch all over yourself,"

"Can't do that," said Neelix, "This is for a toast, here take one,"

He handed Harry a mug full of bubbling yellow goo, "Best recipe in the whole Delta Quadrant," said Neelix, "A Talaxian specialty….with a few alterations of course, but you haven't lived until you've tried it. Here Tom, and you Gretchen, and me of course," he said taking the last mug and setting down the tray, "To Gretchen!" said Neelix, raising his mug high.

"To B'Elanna!" said Tom, raising his.

"To Voyager's Crew!" said Harry, joining them.

"We ought to thank my crew," said Gretchen, "Especially my…Security Officer…we wouldn't have gotten that second transwarp coil without his engineering skills."

"Alright," said Tom, "To Gretchen's Security Officer! To everybody who helped us get 25 years closer to home, here and elsewhere!" Gretchen raised her glass and they all clinked them and took a sip.

Harry coughed uncontrollably for a moment as the sour goo bubbled in his mouth.

"I think I just toasted the Borg Queen," said Tom, grimacing as he swallowed, and then falling into his own coughing fit.

"She did help us get 25 years closer to home," he continued when he recovered, "By conveniently having great technology we could steal….And trying to nab Seven….Boy it's satisfying how that backfired. Maybe I don't regret toasting her."

Neelix wandered back to his table, muttering happily to himself about his party plans.

Tom looked back at Gretchen, "We should've toasted the end of your 'imprisonment' too."

"We still could," said Harry.

Tom eyed him coldly, and then tried to glance at Neelix to see if he had heard, but the Talaxian was absorbed in arranging asymmetrical party hats.

"It's not really over," said Gretchen, "But I guess I should be moving to a less restrictive level. Assuming things go well, my supervisors, which is most of the senior staff, are supposed to be sending in their evaluations as soon as they can now that the jump is over."

"I'm sorry neither of us have been asked to write one, but they're sure to convince the Captain anyway," said Tom, "The Doctor and Neelix both plan on giving you positive reports. Seven is too. Chakotay goes without saying. And Tuvok only had a paragraph of improvements you could make, which for Tuvok, is a glowing recommendation. Now B'Elanna's evaluation was a little mixed, but that doesn't really count. You're sure to be moving to a lighter sentence. Some more free time."

"You seriously looked into all of that?" said Gretchen in shock.

"Of course," said Tom, winking, "I look after my friends. Besides, espionage is a privilege, not a chore."

"Secret Agent Tom," said Harry sardonically, "The lowest level spy in Starfleet."

"To thank me," said Tom, ignoring Harry, "You've gotta come down to the holodeck with us again. What has it been, like twice since this started? You have to come play Captain Proton with us!"

"Yeah, there's nothing in the universe better than 1930s Earth science fiction," said Harry, rolling his eyes, "And we could've done that before, but you had to teach her to play pool."

"I stand by that decision," said Tom easily, "It was worth a try. But now you have to ditch working so hard and come be my secretary."

Gretchen smiled, "I can't wait, I promise if Janeway increases my free time, I'll be there in full costume."

"Woo Hoo!" said Tom, pumping his fist, "Captain Proton to the rescue!"

"We'd better actually get to work helping Neelix decorate for the party," said Harry, "We don't want to get Gretchen in trouble right before her evaluation."

I'm glad that party ended sooner than the last one. thought Janeway as she strolled Voyager's empty corridors that night, heading back to the upper decks.

I think the crew is actually too excited for a party. They want to get to work, and get home.

…..I'm actually not tired, maybe I'll go back to my Ready Room, rather than go to my quarters. Janeway smiled to herself…..She left the party hours ago, I hope she's still up…We've both been so busy…..I hardly ever get to see her except in passing, even with her sleeping in my Ready Room.

Janeway nodded to Tuvok who had the Bridge, as she passed through. She passed her Command Chair, and had a sudden memory of when Gretchen broke her foot running from her.

I gave the entire transwarp team the next 24 hours off at the party, she hasn't had that much unmonitored time in months. I hope having free time hasn't…..triggered her depression, thought Kathryn, suddenly fearful of what she might find in her Ready Room.

Janeway strolled quickly to her office door and entered. The lights were on, and Gretchen was seated on the floor…staring intently at a collection of small neon colored blocks.

"Captain," said Gretchen, standing up formally as she entered, "Is something wrong?"

"At ease," said Kathryn, suddenly regretting wearing her uniform to Neelix's party.

"Nothing's wrong," Kathryn said as casually as she could, "I just wasn't ready to go to bed yet….Is that a game?"

"You said I was free to do whatever I liked for the next day," said Gretchen evenly, "Even though I'm still technically under restrictions."

"I did," said Kathryn easily, "And I meant it, I was just curious."

"It's Nee'r'Met," said Gretchen, "It's a numbers game."

"Can I see?" said Kathryn, coming closer.

"These blocks," said Gretchen, sitting back down, "Each have numbers on them, you put them together based on about four criteria. If you put them together correctly, you earn points. Then the numbers change and you put them together again."

"What are the criteria?" said Kathryn, staring at the blocks even closer.

"I'm playing prime numbers, multiples of 2, multiples of another number the computer picks, and Fibonacci sequence. That's pretty standard. You can change it however you like though."

"When does it end?"

"You play for high score, either against yourself or someone else. It ends by time limit, or hitting a high score, or number of mistakes."

"Would you play against me?" asked Kathryn.

Gretchen blinked at her, "Alright," she said, "I actually think you'd like it. You like numbers….Just remember the blocks turn red if you get a calculation wrong, and then you can't use those blocks for a bit. Not that I think you'll get any wrong."

"Final score 1,153 to 151, Gretchen Kincaid wins," said the computer's bored voice.

"You can't be that bad at this," said Gretchen, leaning back and gazing owlishly at Kathryn on the other side of the table, "You're losing on purpose."

"I assure you," said Kathryn, lip-quirking, and voice self-deprecating, "I am not. To be completely fair to myself though, it is my first time."

"I hardly ever beat anyone on my crew at this. I mean I've been playing since I was a preschooler but I can't be beating you fairly."

To Kathryn's great surprise Gretchen came over to her side of the table and leaned close over Kathryn's shoulder, staring at the blocks as Kathryn continued playing slowly.

I don't think she's ever voluntarily touched me before.

"There," said Gretchen, pointing, "You want to roll the block, not flip it. It's subtle, but that movement is costing you time. The blocks should never come off the table, not even a little bit."

The next round was 1,000-343, all Gretchen.

"See, I told you," said Kathryn smiling, "I may have given you this toy a decade from now, but I don't have any experience with it yet. You're much better at it."

"You didn't give it to me," said Gretchen, playing with the settings on the small toy screen, "B'Elanna did," she said, looking up, "Her children loved it."

"Children? As in plural?" said Kathryn in surprise, "How many did she have?"

"Four," said Gretchen, "Three daughters, and as you know, a son. Miral, Mary, L'Naal, and Thomas."

"It's hard to imagine B'Elanna with four children," said Kathryn, leaning back with one hand behind her, and the other in her lap.

"She's a lot different here," said Gretchen evenly, "She was much more maternal in my time,….or at least, she was to me…..I was over there all the time…..an honorary member of the family," said Gretchen sadly, looking away for a moment, and then setting up the blocks again, "She was the last person to tell me goodbye you know, before the change."

"The change?" said Kathryn, trying to catch Gretchen's eye.

"The change in command, when Voyager's first generation died,"

"All of us died? At once?"

"Well not you….that was Marla, as you know," said Gretchen, still staring at the board as she arranged pieces, "And technically, there were two survivors. I've warned you about the part of space we need to avoid. What did you think happened there?"

"I don't know," said Kathryn, "But not….not all of Voyager's original crew dying at once. How could that happen?"

Gretchen's head started to hurt suddenly and she heard voices speaking in her brain. Her eyes were open, but she was seeing the past.

"It won't be that bad, Beehive," said B'Elanna's voice, leaning over her medical bed and holding both of her hands. "You'll have Thomas and the girls to help you."

"And the rest of our wayward children, though some of them might be more problems than they are assets," said the older woman, teasing, glancing at the closed pods around them, casual voice not matching her teary eyes.

"I want you to remember," she said, meeting Gretchen's eyes, and speaking fiercely, "Whatever happens, I will always be here. Even if I'm dead, nothing can keep me away from Voyager, or from my children,"

"Chlch," cried Gretchen, springing up from the medical bed and hugging B'Elanna.

They held each other for a long time, "Be good," whispered B'Elanna in her ear, pulling away quickly. She held Gretchen's gaze as the 17-year-old lay down on the bed again, watching B'Elanna as she turned and strolled out, the Sickbay doors closing behind her.

Gretchen winced as more pain shot through her temples and she slowly put the neon blocks in her hand back on the table, "I need to see the Doctor," she said, quickly getting up.

Kathryn turned and looked at her in surprise.

"I'm not putting you off," said Gretchen hurriedly, as she lingered in the doorway, "I have a headache. I really need to see him."

"Alright," said Kathryn, nodding, "I'm not surprised. It's been a very long eventful day. You should take a painkiller and go to sleep."