Disclaimer: Star Trek and its world, characters and ideas all belong to Paramount. The story belongs to me. Enjoy it!
Thanks to Cat C for her friendship and editing abilities.
Chapter 6
After lunch, each of the crew went their own ways to call their families, and the senior officers were no different.
Captain Janeway called her mother. Hi Mom! She said with a big smile as her mother's face came into view.
Kathryn, it is so good to see you! she said. Her face was older than it was seven years before, but it hadn't lost any of its cheer.
I am happy to see you too, Mom. I'm calling to let you know that I will be coming to visit for a few weeks. We are getting some leave now that Starfleet Medical is almost done with us. Do we have room for one more to stay with us? she asked, knowing her mother had never turned down a guest.
Kathryn, you know that guests are always welcome. Who is it? she asked curiously.
Just a friend, Mom. It'll be great being home. I have been dreaming of this for seven years!
Me too, darling, me too! was her mother's answer. She looked at her daughter's face to see if the was more than that but, as usual, Kathryn's face gave nothing away.
Kathryn and her mother talked a few hours longer about family; friends and what had become of most of them in the past seven years. Those who married (Mark, her former Fiancée, came up in this subject) babies that had been born, and deaths in the family. Kathryn felt a warm sense of being grounded by this conversation. It was important to know what she missed. She kept her mother busy thinking of other names of family and friends to ask her about. And, true to her mother's reputation, she did know information on almost everyone Kathryn asked about.
When she felt caught up, and started to yawn, she apologized to her mother and told her that she would call her back in the morning. She walked into her bedroom, changed into some comfortable clothes, an off-white cowl-necked sweater and some khaki slacks, and turned on some soothing music. She realized that she had missed dinner when her stomach began to growl. Suddenly, there was a chime at the door. she called out reflexively.
Chakotay was standing at her door with a dinner tray in his hands. I thought you'd be hungry. Did you have a nice conversation with your mother? he asked. He walked over to the table, put down her dinner tray and sat down next to her on the couch.
Thank you for thinking of me, Chakotay. I was getting a little hungry. She said, smiling at him, still not believing how good of a first officer she ended up with. Yes, I did. We had a great talk. It was very nice. What about you? Were you able to get in touch with your sister? She asked.
No, she's on an archeological dig. I did speak to one of her co-workers, though. He said. He said that she won't be available to talk until mid-morning tomorrow, and that he would have her call then. He answered, looking a bit sad.
Kathryn looked at him, saw the disappointment in his eyes, and put her hand on his knee. I'm sure she'll call as soon as she gets your message. She said.
He looked at her and the compassion in her eyes. Thanks, Kathryn. You always know what to say. He leaned towards her and gave her a friendly hug.
Well, what's for dinner Kathryn said, feeling a little uncomfortable when the hug was a little longer than she expected. She knew it was too long, because she was beginning to hope he would never let go. She stood up from the couch and padded to the table in her bare feet.
When she got to the table, she noticed that there were 2 plates. I brought my dinner as well, Chakotay said as he walked over to her table and pushed her seat in for her. He walked to the replicator and brought 2 wineglasses over to the table with him, then sat down. When I finally tracked down my sister, and left her the message, I found it was rather late. I knew you would probably talk to your mother until late and confirmed with the cook that you had not eaten. So, I took a chance and brought you some dinner. He added, with a charming smile. He took a sip of his wine, and motioned for her to try it as well. I thought the hair pasta looked appealing. he said, then thought and I love your hair!
Thank you very much, Chakotay she said. She took a sip of the wine, and her face lit up. This is delicious, Chakotay! Where did you get this?
He laughed, It's actually a family recipe, and I just found it in the database. My people love their ceremonial wine! Generations ago, my family made the wine for certain ceremonies, and we have always had that wine to drink at family occasions. It had been in my database on the Liberty, but I lost it when the ship was destroyed. It's a great comfort to be able to taste it again. He sighed. The look on his face was pure contentment.
She knew that he had a great tie to his family, and missed them terribly. He had not been on the planet, when it had been destroyed by the Cardassians years ago, and she knew he still felt guilty for having been off world at the time. She sipped the wine and enjoyed its flavor. This goes really well with the pasta. She remarked.
His half smile told her that he was reliving memories and only half hearing her. She smiled and continued with her meal. She sipped the wine slowly, in the silence of the room. She welcomed the memories of the family members that she and her mother had been talking about recently, and ultimately ended up thinking about Mark. She daydreamed in the completely silent room. She was wondering how life would have been different if she and Mark had been married, or if Voyager had never been lost.
When Chakotay finally cleared his throat, it scared Kathryn and she jumped and spilled wine all over her sweater. Oh no, this is my favorite sweater! she said as she bounced up and got her napkin, dipped it in her water, and tried to wash it out.
Chakotay grabbed his napkin and started to blot her sweater before the wine stain could set in. He started scrubbing and had his face close to the fabric to see what he was doing.
As they were standing mere inches from each other, wiping her sweater clean, Kathryn's comm. screen lit up and Phoebe was on the screen.
She cleared her throat, Well, Kathryn, welcome home! she said with a big grin, seeing Kathryn and a tall, dark and handsome man standing over her with his hand on her sweater in a most compromising place.
Kathryn looked up, startled. Phoebe! How are you? It's nice to talk to you, again, today. Don't mind us, I just spilled a little wine on my sweater. If you'll hold on just a second, I'm going to go get this off to soak it. She said, smiling at Phoebe, and walking to her bedroom, closing her door.
Phoebe watched as Chakotay kept his eyes on Kathryn until she was out of the room, So, are you the friend' that Kathy is bringing home with her? she asked mischievously. She studied the man in her screen, wondering if her sister was in love with him, but had the good manners not to ask. She didn't say that her friend' was a man. That might alter our sleeping arrangements. She said, grinning.
Chakotay looked at Phoebe and smiled at her, As a matter of fact, I am her friend. He said, stressing the part. He ignored the sleeping arrangements comment. I'm Commander Chakotay, her First Officer. I have never seen Indiana, and Kathryn has been promising me a tour for at least five years now. He said, with a big grin, dimples and twinkling eyes in full force. I am just taking her up on her offer.
Kathryn walked back into the living room, now dressed in a beige tank top with a tan and brown plaid unbuttoned blouse over it. Hi Phoebe. I'm sorry about that, how are you doing? she asked. She was worried about what the two were talking about during her absence, but decided to ignore it unless it came up in conversation.
Oh, I'm doing well. I was just helping Mom get the house set up, and we were wondering what kind of guest you were bringing, but your friend' here was helpful enough to tell me. She said now stressing the friend' with a big grin aimed at Kathryn. I do have to get going, I have some shopping to do. What kind of food do you want while you're here? Anything special?
Kathryn shook her head. Anything home-cooked! she said with a broad grin. After seven years living off replicator rations and Telaxian-cooked meals, I could sure use some home cooked meals. I've been dreaming of them the whole time I've been home.
Chicken and dumplings it is then! Phoebe said with a smile. I know that was one of your favorite dishes when we were little. We used to fight over the dumplings. She added, grinning and wiggling her eyebrows. I promise to let you have more dumplings than me this time. Ok, I really have to go now, that was the main reason I called. We're getting things ready. I know you didn't give Mom a date and time, but everything will be ready when you get here! And, I won't forget the fresh coffee! she winked. Gotta go, bye Kathy
Thank you Kathryn laughed. You know me all too well! Bye, Pheebes
Chakotay shook his head in amusement, So, your craving for coffee goes well beyond our trip, eh? I guess that is one thing I've learned so far about you, and we are not even at your mother's house yet! he chuckled. I can't wait to learn more.
*Sorry these last 2 chapters took so long, had computer problems Please review! : )
