Sorry for the delay on getting this chapter out. Life has thrown me some curve balls lately and I haven't had much time. I finally got this chapter done and am working on another. As always, feedback is welcome...would like to hear your input. Thanks!
The week went by with no contact between Chakotay and Kathryn. Per the Doctor's orders, Chakotay used the time to rest and spent almost every evening on the Holodeck. He tried to sort through the events that had transpired since coming out of the coma. Kathryn had pushed him away and a part him seemed to understand that. One evening, Chakotay was heading back from Sickbay, having been cleared by the Doctor to return duty. He paused in front of Kathryn's quarters...in a few weeks she would be giving birth to the baby, 'their' baby. He sighed and felt the sadness weighing on his heart. Chakotay stood in the hallway for a few more minutes before heading to his quarters.
Another week went by. Chakotay wanted to speak with Kathryn, but wasn't quite sure yet how to approach her. He never considered her to be a fragile person, but right now it appeared that she was. The crew was unaware of the fallout between the command team; just attributing the Commander's uneasiness to the approaching birth of the baby. The Doctor kept Chakotay informed on how Kathryn was doing and explained to him that the baby could come at any time. Chakotay wasn't sure if he should be happy or sad about it. By the end of the week, he decided to stop by and see her, whether she liked it or not. Standing outside Kathryn's quarters, he buzzed for entry several times, but received no response. He punched in the override code and entered her quarters. Everything was dark and it took him several minutes to adjust his eyes. He couldn't find Kathryn in the main room so he walked quietly into her bedroom. There he found her sound asleep. He studied her for a moment...she looks so peaceful. Not wanting to disturb her, but not wanting to leave, he walked out into the main room, grabbed a blanket and stretched out on her couch.
Kathryn woke several hours later. Climbing out of bed, she grabbed her robe on the nearby chair and walked into the main room. She stopped when she noticed something lying on the couch. Walking up to the still form, she finally realized it was Chakotay.
She placed her hand on his shoulder and shook him slightly, "Chakotay." He didn't move so she shook him a little harder and spoke louder, "Chakotay, wake up!"
Slowly he opened his eyes, a bit annoyed that his sleep was disturbed. He looked at her, a bit disoriented as to where he was, "Kathryn, why are you..." He slowly sat up and remembered he was in Kathryn's quarters.
"Chakotay, why are you in my quarters?" He could here the evident displeasure in her voice. "I came by to talk to you and when you didn't answer your door, I decided to check to make sure you were alright. I found you asleep and well...I guess you could say I took it upon myself and stayed. I'm sorry if I've upset you, but I've missed you Kathryn."
Kathryn placed her hands on the back of the couch and slowly started to sit down. Out of instinct, Chakotay put his hands on her back and helped her. She instantly tensed at his touch, but then relaxed. She looked at his face...the face of the man she loved...the face of the man that was the father of her child...and she let a small smile appear on her face.
She quickly took her eyes away from his and quietly spoke, "I've missed you too."
Chakotay took her hand into his, "how have you been?"
Placing her free hand on her abdomen, she rubbed it in a circular motion. "Aside from being very uncomfortable the last few weeks, I'm okay I guess. The Doctor makes sure I eat when I'm supposed to and has Kes stop by every couple of days to give me my check-ups."
Both sat in silence for several minutes. Kathryn looked over at Chakotay, "why did you come here tonight Chakotay?"
"I just wanted to make sure you were alright...that's all." Kathryn wasn't convinced. "I know you Chakotay, you wouldn't have stayed here in my quarters if there wasn't something more. So spill."
His earlier idea of talking to her didn't seem to sit well with him now, but he knew Kathryn wouldn't let it go. He ran his hand through his hair and then looked directly at Kathryn. He still was holding on to her hand and squeezed it a bit tighter now. "I wanted to discuss 'us'..." Kathryn quickly pried her hand from Chakotay's.
"I think we have been through this before. I told you I can't do this again."
"Kathryn," he tried to take her hand into his again. "I remember all to well what you said, but I love you and you love me...we can make this work."
She felt the tears begin to cloud her vision as she moved her hands up to wipe them away furiously. "No! Please don't continue to ask me this...please!"
Chakotay looked at her and wasn't sure what to say. He hated seeing her like this. He got up from the couch and began to head for the door. "I'm sorry for disturbing you. I guess this was a bad idea after all."
"Chakotay...wait!" He stopped, but didn't turn around. She hesitated before speaking, "you will be there won't you? For the birth?"
Anger grew in Chakotay, but he calmly answered her, "of course I will Kathryn." With that, he walked out of her quarters. Kathryn leaned back against the couch and wiped the tears away. She looked down at the blanket and wrapped it around her. It made her feel as if Chakotay was still with her.
Two days later, the moment the crew of Voyager had been waiting for had finally arrived. Kathryn was in Sickbay, her water having broke several hours before, and now starting to have mild contractions. She had requested that Chakotay be contacted only when it looked like it was closer to the baby being born. Hours went by before it finally looked as though it was time. The contractions were becoming increasingly stronger. The Doctor contacted Chakotay and requested his presence in Sickbay. When he arrived, Chakotay found the Doctor getting things ready for the delivery. A part of him was disappointed that he wasn't there for Kathryn earlier, but he pushed it aside, thankful to be here now.
Chakotay walked up to Kathryn and noticed how tired she was. "Hi! How are you holding up?"
Before she could respond another contraction hit and she instinctively grabbed Chakotay's hand. When it passed, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. "I'm so tired Chakotay. I don't think I can do this."
He brought his hand up and brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes. "You can do this. I know you can. It will be over soon." Another contraction came, stronger than the first. She tightened her grip on Chakotay's hand.
"Alright Captain, you're fully dilated. When the next contraction comes, I need you to push."
Before Kathryn could catch her breath, another contraction hit. She began to push as the Doctor instructed. As it subsided, she leaned back, barely hearing the Doctor, "that's good Captain." She was hit with several more contractions and then she heard the Doctor tell her the head was out. She looked at Chakotay who leaned down to kiss her on the forehead, "your almost there."
"Captain, I'm going to need another big push from you, alright?" Kathryn nodded as Chakotay helped her sit up. She took a deep breath and started pushing hard. "Your almost there, one more push." She gave another push and felt the baby leave her body. Exhausted she slumped into Chakotay's arms and he slowly eased her back onto the bed.
"Congratulations Captain and Commander! You have a healthy baby girl!"