Some people didn't like the way this story ended in the last chapter and I
didn't like it much myself. So, when I got my new laptop and was
rearranging my files I decided to write an epilogue. I have also decided
to write a sequel but there is more about that at the end.
This is a bit longer than the other chapters so bare with it.
Disclaimer: Unfortunately Voyager and everything associated with the star trek universe do not belong to me.
Epilogue
"You look awful," he commented lightly when she pulled back from the hug.
"Thanks," she laughed, "you don't look too hot yourself."
He stepped back, smiling.
"I'm gone for a month and the whole place goes down the drain."
"It's been one hell of a month," she laughed, "welcome back."
"It's great to be back, Captain," Harry grinned.
"You must all be wanting to get back to your quarters and your friends," Kathryn addressed them, trying to remain professional, even through the tears. "So, just as soon as you've been checked over in sickbay, you all have a week off. After that though, I want you all back and ready to work."
"Aye Captain," they all replied.
Kathryn turned back to the view screen and the smiling alien. The smiling alien and the dancing black dots.
*Not you again*
She gripped the back off the Conn. Chair to steady herself. She swayed again.
"Damn," she swore quietly.
"Captain?" the Ensign on conn. questioned.
The world went black.
The Ensign caught her clumsily as she fell.
"Captain?" He asked again.
"Kathryn!" Chakotay shouted, rushing to her side.
The rest of the bridge crew were gathering.
"Chakotay to sickbay," he said, hitting the struggling Ensigns com. Badge.
"Commander?" The doctors puzzled voice responded.
"Yes."
"You're dead."
"No I'm not," Chakotay answered.
"But..is there a glitch in my programme? I must call Lieutenant Tor."
"Doctor," Chakotay interrupted, "the Captain's fainted.
"Again!?" The doctor exclaimed.
"What do you mean `again`?" Chakotay asked.
"I told her not to leave sickbay," the doctor continued, "of course, nobody listens to me. I'm just a hologram. What do I know?"
"Doctor!!!" Chakotay shouted, laying Kathryn on the floor.
"Oh yes," the doctor said, "Lieutenant Paris was already on his way to recapture our Captain. He should be there any moment."
The turbolift doors' opened and Tom stepped out, looking ready for a fight.
"That was quick," Harry commented, smiling.
"Harry!" Tom shouted, "Cassie!? Chakotay!?"
He stood frozen, gawping at the figures on the bridge
"Tom!" Chakotay shouted, checking Kathryn's pulse.
The alien on the view screen looked worried.
"Is your Captain ill?" He asked, "why is she unconscious?"
"She's fine," Chakotay answered with less patience than he should have for the man who had saved his life, "thank you for all you have done. Can we discuss anything more later?"
"Of course."
"Thank you. End transmission," Chakotay finished and looked back to Tom, "what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Tom answered, "just low blood sugar."
He winked at Chakotay who just frowned.
"This is more than just low blood sugar, Tom," Chakotay said.
Tom lowered his voice so only Chakotay could hear.
"While you were all." he hesitated, "gone, she wasn't exactly looking after herself. And for someone in her condition, well the stress hasn't helped much."
He began to pick her up.
"What are you doing?" Chakotay asked.
"She needs to go back to sickbay," Tom explained, "the transporters were knocked out in the last raid. B'lanna hasn't finished fixing them yet."
"How is B'lanna?"
"Um," Tom thought of how to phrase it, "not good. She took your.deaths hard. Not as hard as the Captain but then. They both blamed themselves."
"I'll take her," Chakotay told him, picking Kathryn up.
*********************************************************************
Kathryn opened her eyes groggily and looked up into Chakotay's worried face.
"Hey," he said, "I hear you haven't been taking care of yourself properly."
"Chakotay," she said, sitting up slowly, "don't lecture me; you don't know what it's been like."
"I won't lecture you but I will have the doctor ban you from drinking anymore coffee."
"What!" She exclaimed, suddenly wide awake.
"Don't worry Commander, I already have," the doctor told her, approaching after completing Harry and Cassie's physicals.
"Um.congratulations Captain," Cassie grinned.
"Yeah," Harry agreed, "congratulations."
She looked accusingly tat Chakotay.
"I told them," he admitted sheepishly, "sorry."
"We think you should make the announcement tonight," Tom joined the `private` conversation.
"Tonight?" She asked.
"In your absence the crew decided to throw another `welcome back from the dead` party," Chakotay explained, "we invited the Lateck crew along as well."
"Really," she said in a displeased tone, "sounds fun."
She slipped off the bed.
"I'm afraid that you won't be going Captain," the doctor said, running a medical tricorder over her, "hmm."
"Oh come on doc," Tom pleaded, "nearly the entire crew is going."
"However, the Captain won't be," the doctor replied adamantly.
"But this is `the` party doc," Tom argued.
"Excuse me," Kathryn interrupted, "I'm right here and I think can manage one party. There's nothing wrong with me."
"Excuse me, Captain, but who is the doctor here," he frowned, "you are not well."
"I'm fine," she told him, "this was all just a bit of a shock."
"Ok Captain, if you insist on jeopardising your own health and the health of you child for the sake of one party then I will prepare a hypospray. Wait here." He stalked away, muttering to himself.
"Kathryn," Chakotay said, "you're going to have to start relaxing and eating right. And I'm serious about the coffee."
"No lecture Chakotay, you promised."
The doctor had returned and was pressing a hypospray into her neck.
"Just a few vitamins," he said, cheerlessly and held out a PADD which she took automatically and checked, "I have prepared a diet plan for you."
She frowned.
"No arguments Captain, you will follow this plan to the letter. And I expect you back for a check-up tomorrow at 09:00," he continued, "you will be in bed by midnight and you will stay there until 08:00."
"Ys dad," she said walking away.
"Party starts at 19:00 in the mess hall," Tom shouted.
"Ok Lieutenant," she smiled.
"Fine, fine," the doctor sighed, "you can all go."
*********************************************************************
Kathryn walked into the busy mess hall, slightly late, due to the. Among the familiar cheerful faces of the voyager crew she could make out the Lateck, the aliens who had brought her crew home. Everyone was laughing and joking with their newly returned friends. They all seemed to be taking the sudden change in their stride. Their friends were dead and then they weren't, just another day in the delta quadrant.
She located Chakotay who had caught her eye and was gesturing her over. She began to make her way over He was standing with Harry, Ensign Davis and the rest of the senior staff, plus a large proportion of the crew. She smiled and greeted people as they said "Captain."
"Captain, you look radiant," Tom told her, charming, and sneaky, as always.
"Thank you, Lieutenant," she replied politely.
She was wearing the same dress that she had worn to her anniversary celebration, but somehow she didn't think he was complementing her clothes. It was more likely that he was trying to slip little pregnancy hints into the conversation.
"Would you like to dance, Captain?" Tom asked.
"Of course Tom," she smiled and followed him towards the make-shift dance floor. The music started and they danced.
"Captain."
"Yes?"
"You really should make the announcement tonight," he told her.
"Excuse me," she said.
"After all," he continued, still dancing slowly, "you are the captain. Your crew deserves to know."
"That's right Lieutenant," she said, "I am the Captain. How would `you` like to be an Ensign?"
"Ouch," he laughed, "but, you know I'm right. Everyone will find out anyway."
"I can't just announce that I'm pregnant," she whispered.
"Why not?" He asked.
"Tom," she whispered, " I need to get my head around all of this before I begin making announcements. If the crew wants to gossip then let them. I want to keep it a `secret` for a while longer.
"Captain, I understand what you're saying but a lot of the crew knows already, it's not much of a secret."
"Please Tom."
"Whatever you say," He grinned, "you are the Captain. But I will be expecting an announcement."
"I seem to be taking orders from everyone to day," she laughed.
He laughed with her.
*********************************************************************
The night continued and Kathryn managed to get away from all the noise and the aliens. She'd thanked them all a hundred times. Every member of the crew seemed to be doing the same. The alien vessel was parked in the docking bay and its entire crew was at the party. Voyagers own crew members had swapped over so everyone could attend.
She slouched against a wall and closed her eyes.
"I believe congratulations are in order, Captain."
She opened her eyes to see Seven standing in front of her.
"Sorry?" Kathryn asked.
"I found you unconscious in the lift early this morning," she explained, "When I took you to the doctor I learned of your good news."
"Oh, thank you Seven," Kathryn smiled wearily, "but we're keeping it quiet for the moment."
"Commander Chakotay is the father?" She asked.
"Yes."
"Congratulations," Seven repeated.
They stood for a moment in silence. Kathryn sighed and leaned into the wall.
"You look unwell Captain," Seven commented, "should I find the doctor?"
"No, no, I'm fine," Kathryn smiled, "just a little tired."
"Perhaps you should consider leaving early and getting some rest," Seven suggested.
"I was thinking the same thing," Kathryn said, leaning forward conspiratorially, "just don't tell the doctor I said that."
"I will not Captain," Seven smiled, "his ego is large enough already."
Kathryn laughed.
"Have you seen Commander Chakotay around here?"
"I believe he has excused himself already," Seven answered.
"Ok," Kathryn said, standing up straight, "goodnight Seven."
"Goodnight Captain."
She walked towards the exit, smiling and saying her goodnights. The doors slid open and her smile widened at the sight of Chakotay waiting patiently in the corridor.
"Finally," he smiled, "I've been waiting for twenty minutes."
She laughed.
"You could have asked me to leave," she suggested.
"I thought this might be more subtle."
"Maybe too subtle," she commented.
She slipped her arm through his and they started to walk.
"It's been a strange day," Kathryn reasoned.
"It's amazing how quickly everything seems to get back to normal," Chakotay agreed.
"That's what I was thinking."
"I guess it's a good thing that they seem to be taking it all in their stride," Chakotay smiled, "what time is it?"
"What?" She asked confused by the sudden topic change, "23:49. Why?"
"Well," he grinned, his arm slipping around her waist. He leaned into her, "the doctor did say you had to be in bed by midnight."
"Oh yeah," she remembered, stopping.
He pulled her closer.
"I like your dress."
"I missed you," she confessed, "I'm so glad you're back."
"I missed you too."
He leaned forwards, brushing his lips against hers.
"23:51," she said against his lips.
He grinned and picked her up. She didn't try to stop him. What was the harm anyway? The halls were empty.
*********************************************************************
What do you think? Is it better than the last ending? Be kind and review.
I'm writing a sequel to this at the moment as well but I need your help.
Should the baby be a girl or a boy?
How old should the child be? Newborn or a little older, perhaps a toddler?
Ok, thank you for reading remember to review.
REVIEW. REVIEW. REVIEW.
This is a bit longer than the other chapters so bare with it.
Disclaimer: Unfortunately Voyager and everything associated with the star trek universe do not belong to me.
Epilogue
"You look awful," he commented lightly when she pulled back from the hug.
"Thanks," she laughed, "you don't look too hot yourself."
He stepped back, smiling.
"I'm gone for a month and the whole place goes down the drain."
"It's been one hell of a month," she laughed, "welcome back."
"It's great to be back, Captain," Harry grinned.
"You must all be wanting to get back to your quarters and your friends," Kathryn addressed them, trying to remain professional, even through the tears. "So, just as soon as you've been checked over in sickbay, you all have a week off. After that though, I want you all back and ready to work."
"Aye Captain," they all replied.
Kathryn turned back to the view screen and the smiling alien. The smiling alien and the dancing black dots.
*Not you again*
She gripped the back off the Conn. Chair to steady herself. She swayed again.
"Damn," she swore quietly.
"Captain?" the Ensign on conn. questioned.
The world went black.
The Ensign caught her clumsily as she fell.
"Captain?" He asked again.
"Kathryn!" Chakotay shouted, rushing to her side.
The rest of the bridge crew were gathering.
"Chakotay to sickbay," he said, hitting the struggling Ensigns com. Badge.
"Commander?" The doctors puzzled voice responded.
"Yes."
"You're dead."
"No I'm not," Chakotay answered.
"But..is there a glitch in my programme? I must call Lieutenant Tor."
"Doctor," Chakotay interrupted, "the Captain's fainted.
"Again!?" The doctor exclaimed.
"What do you mean `again`?" Chakotay asked.
"I told her not to leave sickbay," the doctor continued, "of course, nobody listens to me. I'm just a hologram. What do I know?"
"Doctor!!!" Chakotay shouted, laying Kathryn on the floor.
"Oh yes," the doctor said, "Lieutenant Paris was already on his way to recapture our Captain. He should be there any moment."
The turbolift doors' opened and Tom stepped out, looking ready for a fight.
"That was quick," Harry commented, smiling.
"Harry!" Tom shouted, "Cassie!? Chakotay!?"
He stood frozen, gawping at the figures on the bridge
"Tom!" Chakotay shouted, checking Kathryn's pulse.
The alien on the view screen looked worried.
"Is your Captain ill?" He asked, "why is she unconscious?"
"She's fine," Chakotay answered with less patience than he should have for the man who had saved his life, "thank you for all you have done. Can we discuss anything more later?"
"Of course."
"Thank you. End transmission," Chakotay finished and looked back to Tom, "what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Tom answered, "just low blood sugar."
He winked at Chakotay who just frowned.
"This is more than just low blood sugar, Tom," Chakotay said.
Tom lowered his voice so only Chakotay could hear.
"While you were all." he hesitated, "gone, she wasn't exactly looking after herself. And for someone in her condition, well the stress hasn't helped much."
He began to pick her up.
"What are you doing?" Chakotay asked.
"She needs to go back to sickbay," Tom explained, "the transporters were knocked out in the last raid. B'lanna hasn't finished fixing them yet."
"How is B'lanna?"
"Um," Tom thought of how to phrase it, "not good. She took your.deaths hard. Not as hard as the Captain but then. They both blamed themselves."
"I'll take her," Chakotay told him, picking Kathryn up.
*********************************************************************
Kathryn opened her eyes groggily and looked up into Chakotay's worried face.
"Hey," he said, "I hear you haven't been taking care of yourself properly."
"Chakotay," she said, sitting up slowly, "don't lecture me; you don't know what it's been like."
"I won't lecture you but I will have the doctor ban you from drinking anymore coffee."
"What!" She exclaimed, suddenly wide awake.
"Don't worry Commander, I already have," the doctor told her, approaching after completing Harry and Cassie's physicals.
"Um.congratulations Captain," Cassie grinned.
"Yeah," Harry agreed, "congratulations."
She looked accusingly tat Chakotay.
"I told them," he admitted sheepishly, "sorry."
"We think you should make the announcement tonight," Tom joined the `private` conversation.
"Tonight?" She asked.
"In your absence the crew decided to throw another `welcome back from the dead` party," Chakotay explained, "we invited the Lateck crew along as well."
"Really," she said in a displeased tone, "sounds fun."
She slipped off the bed.
"I'm afraid that you won't be going Captain," the doctor said, running a medical tricorder over her, "hmm."
"Oh come on doc," Tom pleaded, "nearly the entire crew is going."
"However, the Captain won't be," the doctor replied adamantly.
"But this is `the` party doc," Tom argued.
"Excuse me," Kathryn interrupted, "I'm right here and I think can manage one party. There's nothing wrong with me."
"Excuse me, Captain, but who is the doctor here," he frowned, "you are not well."
"I'm fine," she told him, "this was all just a bit of a shock."
"Ok Captain, if you insist on jeopardising your own health and the health of you child for the sake of one party then I will prepare a hypospray. Wait here." He stalked away, muttering to himself.
"Kathryn," Chakotay said, "you're going to have to start relaxing and eating right. And I'm serious about the coffee."
"No lecture Chakotay, you promised."
The doctor had returned and was pressing a hypospray into her neck.
"Just a few vitamins," he said, cheerlessly and held out a PADD which she took automatically and checked, "I have prepared a diet plan for you."
She frowned.
"No arguments Captain, you will follow this plan to the letter. And I expect you back for a check-up tomorrow at 09:00," he continued, "you will be in bed by midnight and you will stay there until 08:00."
"Ys dad," she said walking away.
"Party starts at 19:00 in the mess hall," Tom shouted.
"Ok Lieutenant," she smiled.
"Fine, fine," the doctor sighed, "you can all go."
*********************************************************************
Kathryn walked into the busy mess hall, slightly late, due to the. Among the familiar cheerful faces of the voyager crew she could make out the Lateck, the aliens who had brought her crew home. Everyone was laughing and joking with their newly returned friends. They all seemed to be taking the sudden change in their stride. Their friends were dead and then they weren't, just another day in the delta quadrant.
She located Chakotay who had caught her eye and was gesturing her over. She began to make her way over He was standing with Harry, Ensign Davis and the rest of the senior staff, plus a large proportion of the crew. She smiled and greeted people as they said "Captain."
"Captain, you look radiant," Tom told her, charming, and sneaky, as always.
"Thank you, Lieutenant," she replied politely.
She was wearing the same dress that she had worn to her anniversary celebration, but somehow she didn't think he was complementing her clothes. It was more likely that he was trying to slip little pregnancy hints into the conversation.
"Would you like to dance, Captain?" Tom asked.
"Of course Tom," she smiled and followed him towards the make-shift dance floor. The music started and they danced.
"Captain."
"Yes?"
"You really should make the announcement tonight," he told her.
"Excuse me," she said.
"After all," he continued, still dancing slowly, "you are the captain. Your crew deserves to know."
"That's right Lieutenant," she said, "I am the Captain. How would `you` like to be an Ensign?"
"Ouch," he laughed, "but, you know I'm right. Everyone will find out anyway."
"I can't just announce that I'm pregnant," she whispered.
"Why not?" He asked.
"Tom," she whispered, " I need to get my head around all of this before I begin making announcements. If the crew wants to gossip then let them. I want to keep it a `secret` for a while longer.
"Captain, I understand what you're saying but a lot of the crew knows already, it's not much of a secret."
"Please Tom."
"Whatever you say," He grinned, "you are the Captain. But I will be expecting an announcement."
"I seem to be taking orders from everyone to day," she laughed.
He laughed with her.
*********************************************************************
The night continued and Kathryn managed to get away from all the noise and the aliens. She'd thanked them all a hundred times. Every member of the crew seemed to be doing the same. The alien vessel was parked in the docking bay and its entire crew was at the party. Voyagers own crew members had swapped over so everyone could attend.
She slouched against a wall and closed her eyes.
"I believe congratulations are in order, Captain."
She opened her eyes to see Seven standing in front of her.
"Sorry?" Kathryn asked.
"I found you unconscious in the lift early this morning," she explained, "When I took you to the doctor I learned of your good news."
"Oh, thank you Seven," Kathryn smiled wearily, "but we're keeping it quiet for the moment."
"Commander Chakotay is the father?" She asked.
"Yes."
"Congratulations," Seven repeated.
They stood for a moment in silence. Kathryn sighed and leaned into the wall.
"You look unwell Captain," Seven commented, "should I find the doctor?"
"No, no, I'm fine," Kathryn smiled, "just a little tired."
"Perhaps you should consider leaving early and getting some rest," Seven suggested.
"I was thinking the same thing," Kathryn said, leaning forward conspiratorially, "just don't tell the doctor I said that."
"I will not Captain," Seven smiled, "his ego is large enough already."
Kathryn laughed.
"Have you seen Commander Chakotay around here?"
"I believe he has excused himself already," Seven answered.
"Ok," Kathryn said, standing up straight, "goodnight Seven."
"Goodnight Captain."
She walked towards the exit, smiling and saying her goodnights. The doors slid open and her smile widened at the sight of Chakotay waiting patiently in the corridor.
"Finally," he smiled, "I've been waiting for twenty minutes."
She laughed.
"You could have asked me to leave," she suggested.
"I thought this might be more subtle."
"Maybe too subtle," she commented.
She slipped her arm through his and they started to walk.
"It's been a strange day," Kathryn reasoned.
"It's amazing how quickly everything seems to get back to normal," Chakotay agreed.
"That's what I was thinking."
"I guess it's a good thing that they seem to be taking it all in their stride," Chakotay smiled, "what time is it?"
"What?" She asked confused by the sudden topic change, "23:49. Why?"
"Well," he grinned, his arm slipping around her waist. He leaned into her, "the doctor did say you had to be in bed by midnight."
"Oh yeah," she remembered, stopping.
He pulled her closer.
"I like your dress."
"I missed you," she confessed, "I'm so glad you're back."
"I missed you too."
He leaned forwards, brushing his lips against hers.
"23:51," she said against his lips.
He grinned and picked her up. She didn't try to stop him. What was the harm anyway? The halls were empty.
*********************************************************************
What do you think? Is it better than the last ending? Be kind and review.
I'm writing a sequel to this at the moment as well but I need your help.
Should the baby be a girl or a boy?
How old should the child be? Newborn or a little older, perhaps a toddler?
Ok, thank you for reading remember to review.
REVIEW. REVIEW. REVIEW.