Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, the ship or anything at all.

Chapter 21 – Cave In

Elizabeth had spent the last few hours lounging around the quarters she shared with Tom. She had been debating the inevitable confrontation she was going to have with the captain. Although, she had almost accepted the idea, she couldn't bring herself to think of her as her mom. She sighed, and flung herself down on her bed, her face in the pillow. She decided to steer clear of the captain for a few days, if that was possible.

The door chime rang; Elizabeth groaned knowing who it was going to be. She decided to ignore it; she didn't have the energy for a fight right now. She knew that when the confrontation came she would need every ounce of strength she could muster. Apparently the person at the door wasn't of the same opinion, the insistent ringing carried on until Elizabeth flung a small ornament at the door. It smashed against it, with a loud crash. Elizabeth sighed with relief, thinking she had got rid of the annoying intruder. Unfortunately it appeared she wasn't that lucky. The doors swished open to reveal the captain. Elizabeth knew who it was, she didn't move but kept very still hoping the captain wouldn't notice her lying on her bed.

"Sweetheart", came the captain's voice, softer than her usual tone.

Elizabeth sighed, and turned around to face her. She didn't say anything but took in the captains appearance; she looked tired, her eyes had the glazed look of someone who hadn't slept in a while, and she was very pale, but still smiling. She stared at Elizabeth for a few minutes, as though waiting for a response, a response that would never come.

The captain came to sit beside her, but as soon as she sat down Elizabeth shuffled to the other end of the bed. The captain stared after her slightly bemused, and confused by Elizabeth's actions.

"What's wrong?" she asked, extending her hand towards her.

Elizabeth didn't take it, but she looked up and glared at the captain, "I think you know what's wrong," she whispered.

The captain looked confused for a minute, then realisation seemed to pass across her features.

"Elizabeth," she said quietly. The captains eyes softened as tears began to fill them.

"Just tell me why", Elizabeth said, not meaning for it to sound as cold as it did.

"Because I love you", she paused, "I wanted you to be safe, I still do. Only now circumstances have changed", she said gently.

"Safe?" Elizabeth questioned.

"Your father…" she faltered, a sob tearing from her.

Elizabeth turned around, and went to the captain putting her arms around her; she rocked her back and forth like a child, reassuring her that it was okay, and she still loved her no matter what. Deep down Elizabeth was desperate to know about her past, to have her questions answered, but she knew that the captain needed her right now. She didn't quite understand how seeing the captain like this could have changed her mood from angry to sympathetic in a second. She began to wonder if her incessant ramblings of comfort where what she really felt. The truth was she didn't really know how she felt, and she wouldn't be able to assess her feelings until she knew everything.

After a couple of minutes she felt the captain take a deep breath and pull away. Elizabeth opened her eyes to look at her, finally realising the truth in the doctors words. Maybe she should have stayed in sickbay, this whole thing was tiring her out, and she was beginning to feel light headed again.

"Sweetheart, lets go and sit down," the captain said, obviously aware of Elizabeth's exhaustion.

Elizabeth nodded, and followed her to the sofa. She didn't feel like arguing anymore, when the captain slipped her arms around her she found no resistance. Elizabeth sighed, letting a tear slip down her cheek – after all these years she was finally able to physically touch the woman she knew as her mother. It was the captains turn now to comfort her daughter. She held her tightly, whilst rubbing her back in small circles.

"I love you," she whispered, in Elizabeth's ear.

"I know," Elizabeth said quietly. She couldn't yet bring herself to call her mom - it was too soon. Nor could she tell her she loved her, because she wasn't sure quite how she felt.

Elizabeth pulled back slightly so she could look up at the captain, "Why did you give me away?" she asked.

The captain sighed, and pressed her chin against Elizabeth's forehead. Elizabeth struggled to breathe the captain was holding her so tightly, but she managed to find a relatively comfortable position.

"Honey, when I was 30 I had just been promoted to Lieutenant Commander. I was on the USS Carolina; we were scheduled to dock at Terakus Prime for supplies. Well, when we got to the surface we were all allowed several hours off duty on the planet." She paused to look at Elizabeth, who appeared to be following what she was saying intently, before continuing "I went for a walk, and….", she faltered, tears coming to her eyes again. Elizabeth looked up at her, gently squeezing her in a tight hug.

"And…" she prompted.

The captain squeezed Elizabeth tighter in her arms, "I was attacked, knocked unconscious and raped," her voice fell on the last word. Elizabeth gasped, as the realisation of what the captain had just said dawned on her. She pulled away; standing up Elizabeth walked to the window and leaned her head against it. The tears that had been threatening now spilled easily down her cheeks.

-Fin-

Please Review. I want to hear your comments. I know this is a weird place to leave it, but you'll see why in the next chapter. There aren't many chapters left, I promise. J