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

Chapter 30 – Triumph

Elizabeth clung to the Captain, fear coursing through every vein in her body. What would happen now? The Captain held her tightly rubbing her back, in an attempt to allay her fears and stop her sobs.

"Shhhhh, it's going to be okay," she whispered into her hair, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Elizabeth drew back the sudden outburst of emotion draining her and making her feel positively sick. She grabbed a small bowl the doctor had placed on the bedside table. The Captain seemed to understand what was going on and took the bowl from Elizabeth's shaking hand, and pulled masses of tangled hair from Elizabeth's tear stained and sweat soaked face. Elizabeth proceeded to vomit into the bowl, whilst the Captain rubbed her back and whispered soothing words. Elizabeth collapsed back against the Captain, pain clouding her features.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"It doesn't matter, as long as you're feeling better," the Captain said, gently wiping Elizabeth's mouth with a tissue.

Elizabeth smiled weakly and nodded. Before she could say anything the doors in the main room swished open and Tom strode through, straight into the bedroom area. He grinned when he saw that Elizabeth was still there albeit looking very pale and only semi – conscious.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, looking at the bowl in Elizabeth's lap and then Elizabeth herself.

"I'm okay now," she said, attempting to reassure him.

The Captain smiled at her daughter's bravery and resistance, it reminded her of her own unwillingness to give in. She nodded at Tom as though in agreement with Elizabeth whilst tenderly stroking her hair hoping to provide some comfort and love.

"Captain, if you want to go I'll look after her," Tom said.

"I'm…." she started but was cut off by the doctor appearing in the doorway.

"Perhaps we should move her to sickbay. I think it might aid in her recovery," he said noticing the reluctance in Elizabeth's eyes, but also taking into account her semi – conscious appearance and the liquid in the bowl on her lap.

"I don't want to," she said imitating a small child.

The Captain looked at the frightened child clinging to her, she wrapped her own arms tightly round her and tilted her head so that their eyes met.

"I'll come with you, so will Tom, we wont leave you, not for a second" she said, glancing at Tom and then back at her daughter who nodded trustingly.

The Captain nodded at the doctor, who had his hand on his commbadge, and a transporter beam encapsulated the three of them. They materialised in sickbay and laid Elizabeth on a biobed. The doctor began scanning her and injected her with a hypospray, whilst the Captain looked on offering reassurance and a hug when it was all over.

The doctor told them he would be able to release her in a couple of days all being well. As he went to his office with Tom - who needed updating on his new sickbay schedule - the Captain sat down next to Elizabeth on the biobed. She held one of Elizabeth's hands whilst the other strayed to brush a strand of hair from her face. Elizabeth watched, she could see how much the Captain loved her, it was in everything she did, and now she could honestly say she knew she loved her too.

Four Days Later

Elizabeth entered the holodeck, a smile plastered on her face as she took her place in the back row of the movies.  Tom turned round when he saw her enter and sit down.

"You're early, the show doesn't start for another hour," he said.

"I know" Elizabeth replied.

"Where's the Captain?" he asked, curious; the two of them had been inseparable ever since Elizabeth left sickbay that morning. When Elizabeth had been in sickbay the Captain had kept her promise to Elizabeth and had not left, not that she would have anyway he didn't doubt. He had witnessed the strength of the Captains feelings for Elizabeth more than ever in the past couple of days since his father and Deanna Troi had left.

"She's in her quarters," Elizabeth said quietly.

"She is coming tonight isn't she?" he asked. 

"Of course. I asked if I could come and see you and she said yes. She said she had surprise to sort out for me," Elizabeth said, a baffled expression crossing her face.

"Well, tonight could be full of surprises. You wanna help set the movie up?" he asked, grinning it would be just like old times.

"Sure" she said, half walking half running down the stairs to the front of the movie area.

The two of them talked about old times and the future as they worked, laughing and joking, even breaking out in song at one point. After a couple of hours Elizabeth was beginning to feel very tired, Tom noticed and told her to go and get some rest in their quarters before the movie began. Elizabeth agreed somewhat reluctantly.

Elizabeth entered their quarters and flopped onto the sofa and let her thoughts drift onto the surprise that was in store for her. She smiled to herself, closed her eyes and proceeded to fall asleep. Half an hour later Elizabeth awoke to find the Captain sat watching her sleep.

"Good evening" she said with a smile.

"What time is it?" Elizabeth gasped, suddenly sitting up only to make herself slightly dizzy.

"It's alright, you've got plenty of time. I came early because I want to give you something," she said, gently reaching for Elizabeth's hand.

Elizabeth looked at her curiously; as she produced a small velvet box from a pocket in the beige trousers she was wearing.

"What is it?" she asked, taking the box from the Captains outstretched hand.

"It was my mothers, she gave it to me and now I'm giving it to you," the Captain said, watching Elizabeth open the box.

Elizabeth opened the box to find a small trinket inside, "It's beautiful, thank you," Elizabeth whispered through misty eyes.

The Captain pulled her into a tight embrace, "I'm glad you like it" she whispered into Elizabeth's ear. Elizabeth merely hugged her back tightly, placing a gentle kiss of gratitude on her cheek. Elizabeth knew what giving this trinket to her symbolised for the Captain; it was a way of telling her she was her daughter, a part of her and her life.

Half an hour later

Elizabeth and the Captain arrived in the holodeck to find that most of the crew were already there and seated. They slid into the seats Chakotay and the other senior officers had reserved for them.

"Captain, it's nice to see you again," Neelix said, as she passed him to get to her seat.

"Thank you, Neelix," she said, obviously appreciating the gesture.

The movie began and lasted for just over two hours. After it finished the crewmembers trickled out, many of them saying a few words to their Captain and her daughter - who never left her side for the duration of the evening.

The senior officers were the last ones to leave, all seemingly preferring to stay in the holodeck. Tom was observing the Captain and Elizabeth from a small distance away, they were definitely getting closer, and he could see how protective the Captain was of her, perhaps that was only natural considering what she had been through to get to where she was now. Elizabeth seemed genuinely happy, he had wondered at first if she would be happy here, after all she had given up so much to stay.

"Sweetheart, why don't you stay in my quarters tonight" the Captain said, holding Elizabeth's arm for some unknown reason.

"I'm okay, I promise. I feel much better now," Elizabeth protested.

"Perhaps you should listen to the Captain. I may have released you from sickbay but you're still very weak" the doctor cut in.

Elizabeth glanced at Tom, hoping he would help her out of this one.

"She'll be fine. I'm a trained medic aren't I?" he said, reassuringly.

Tom knew that the Captain just wanted to have her daughter with her, but he also understood that Elizabeth wasn't ready, not yet. He glanced at the two of them, the Captain looked slightly unhappy about the decision, he knew she would be but he also knew that in time she would get her wish.

Fin

Please review.  I don't know whether to finish it here or carry it on for a little while longer. I have heaps of ideas (will Elizabeth move in with the Captain, what happens when they get home, etc.) but I want to know what you think.