Disclaimer: I don't own the ship, characters or anything at all.
Chapter 29 – End of the road
Admiral Paris stood outside Captain Janeways quarters, he had intended on Deanna Troi being with him however the doctor seemed intent on developing his counselling skills further. He didn't doubt that she would walk his path soon enough, although he doubted she would say what he was forcing himself to.
The Captain sat on her bed watching her daughter sleep, knowing this may be the last chance she had to do this. She heard the door chime ring and although she hadn't been expecting anyone, she knew who it was and with what purpose they came. She stood up and entered the sitting room, calling softly "Come in."
Admiral Paris entered, his expression serious and hardened, this was obviously not going to be one of the easiest things he had done in his career. He nodded at the Captain, who smiled unaware of what he had come for apparently.
"She's asleep," she whispered.
The Admiral sighed quietly, "May I?" he asked, indicating towards the bedroom. Janeway nodded, a sad smile gracing her face as she watched the Admiral enter the room. She wondered just what he was going to say to Elizabeth. She knew how much Elizabeth meant to him, but she also knew that he was a kind, caring and above all just man, all thought Tom would not agree. Elizabeth would make her own decision, although Kathryn knew from experience that whatever the Admiral said would sway her.
The Admiral sat down on the bed beside Elizabeth who opened her eyes at the movement.
"Dad" she smiled, obviously pleased to see him.
He smiled sadly, stroking her cheek with his hand; he loved her, she was his protégé, his daughter nobody could change that, it had been him that had helped her through all the important moments in her life only for it to end up here.
Elizabeth's questioning eyes compelled him to speak, "You know how much you mean to me, how much I love you," he began.
Elizabeth nodded understanding how hard this must be for him, "You want me to stay don't you?" she asked.
"I can't make you stay but I can make you understand why. I don't want you to feel you have to, but I know you'll make the right decision. She needs you Liz, far more than I do. She has no-one out here, no-one to talk to on a completely personal level, no-one to reassure her, love her, you could do all these things for her. You mean the world to her" he said.
"I know" was all Elizabeth could think to stay.
"Just think about it, that's all I ask" the Admiral said, hugging her.
"What about Deanna, what about you? I couldn't be without you two, I couldn't. A letter a month wouldn't be enough, would it? Things wouldn't be the same we'd grow apart. I couldn't bear for that to happen" Elizabeth said on the verge of tears, she had to say it she couldn't let it build up inside her, all this emotion.
"We'll be okay, and when Voyager gets back – and they will – nothing will have changed, nothing, I promise" he said gently, rubbing her back in an attempt to soothe her.
Elizabeth nodded through the tears; she hadn't been forced into making such a difficult decision before. Why did she have to choose, it wasn't fair, but then life never was.
"Decision time, " came Q's irascible voice from the doorway of the room.
"Q, you're not supposed to be here for another couple of hours!" the Captain exclaimed walking over to him.
"She's made her mind up, Kathy," he said before entering the room.
Elizabeth received him icily, glaring with an intensity that rivalled her mother's death glare.
"Now, now, no need to look so hostile" Q said mockingly to Elizabeth, who merely raised an eyebrow.
"Q, she's not well, she needs us all now" she heard the Captain plead.
"She'll always need you all, but she can't have you all. She must make her choice and you must live with it, no-one can make it for her" he said, turning his smirking face back to Elizabeth.
"What about Deanna, you can't leave her out," Elizabeth protested.
"I have no intention of leaving her out," Q said, snapping his fingers for Troi to appear.
Elizabeth reached out for her as soon as she appeared, whilst the Captain looked on almost sure what Elizabeth would choose. Watching Elizabeth with Deanna hurt her more than anything, she knew how close they had become over the years she had been forced to distance herself. She wanted the chance to become that close to her little girl, to spend the amount of time with her that Deanna had obviously spent with her over the years.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Q's impatient voice, "Well, what'll it be?"
Elizabeth seemed to cling to Deanna, desperate not to have to make this decision. She looked around her, at her father, Janeway, and Deanna, all seemed desperate to hear her decision and yet fearful of what it might be.
Elizabeth stretched out her hand towards her mother, who took it gratefully and knelt down next to the bed. Janeway could see how much this was hurting her, how frightened she was, how much she needed the people she loved around her. She too was afraid, was it fair, was it right to hope that she would stay with the mother that had left her. Most of all, if she did stay, would she be able to be the best mother Elizabeth could ask for?
Elizabeth thought about what her father had been saying, glancing around the room trying to find something to fix her gaze on, something to distract her. Nothing.
"I think, I think I want to stay," she said almost inaudibly, tears sliding down her cheeks for what she may have condemned herself to, or what she might have given away.
Looking to her side, Elizabeth saw the indescribable look of love and elation on her mothers face, in her eyes. She clung to Deanna even tighter, closing her eyes and sobbing hysterically. Deanna seemed to understand Elizabeth's decision, and whispered words of comfort into her ear whilst rubbing her back soothingly.
"Well time to go, you better say your goodbyes," Q whispered.
"I love you both so much," Elizabeth said in between sobs as she hugged both the Admiral and Deanna tightly.
"I'll always be here for you, always" Deanna said, one or two tears snaking their way down her cheeks.
"You'll always be my daughter, I know you'll be okay here," her father said, kissing her head gently.
With that Q disappeared with his guests, leaving Elizabeth to fall back onto the bed sobbing hysterically. The Captain who had stood back in order to let Admiral Paris and Deanna say goodbye, went to sit on the bed beside Elizabeth.
"Thank you" was all she said, as she pulled her daughter into a tight embrace.
Fin
Well, what do you think? Should this be the end or should I do the last chapter as planned? Please review.
