Disclaimer : I'm just 'boldly going where Paramount has never been before.'
(hehe I finally found one I like!)
Author's Note: I'm baaaaack muahahaha... only I hope you guys think that's
a good thing. 73 reviews wohoo Thanks you guys.... You guys rock!!!!
Messages from Home Pt. 2
Day two of communication with Starfleet
"Grandma, this is a waste of time, I truly believe we could be doing something more constructive," said Shannon as she measured the amount of flour she was supposed to mix into the bowl.
"Nonsense Shannon, is that flour sieved?"
"Sieved, it doesn't say anything about having to be sieved."
"Idiot child, all flour must be sieved."
"No other grandmother calls her granddaughter idiot. It's not nice."
"It is if I mean it in the loving, grandmotherly way that I do."
"Very funny," laughed Shannon, pretending to throw a handful of flour at the screen.
"How long until they find out what you're doing?" asked Gretchen Janeway.
"Oh, we have until the whole data-stream reaches Earth, but we should be done by then."
"Your mother is going to be really angry when she finds out."
"No when, but if she find out," winked Shannon. "Besides she should be encouraging our relationship...."
"I should?"
"Mom!" Shannon cocked her head side ways, knowing it was no use to try and cover the screen behind. What she had done was completely stupid and wrong, but seeing her grandmother yesterday had made her feel slightly Earth-sick. But not home-sick, home was here now.
"Shannon Janeway!" said Kathryn, her eyes a blazing blue, "I expected more of you," she continued in her soft 'I'm disappointed in you' tone Shannon often heard.
"Now, come Kathryn darling."
"Stay out of this mother!" Kathryn's voice rose a few notches.
Shannon gulped deciding it was better not to say anything to defend herself. What could she say? She was sorry? Was she really sorry? No, she wasn't.
"I have enough problems trying to keep the crew at bay, without my own daughter painting the town red. If I can't control my own thirteen year old, how am I supposed to keep a hundred and forty six crewmen in order?"
Shannon, suddenly enraptured with the carpet remained silent 'Painting the town read' now that was something you only read in books.
"Kathryn, calm down. It was my idea."
"Oh really mother, don't try to bail her out of this. This is one time I'm not letting her get off the hook. I believe Ms. Janeway," She paused not letting on that she felt as if she was talking to herself- it was almost true. "That cleaning the transporters with a toothbrush is too much an easy task for you."
"With a toothbrush?" asked Gretchen, "Kathryn the child is thirteen, she misses her grandmother. You are not going to switch me off."
Shannon burst out laughing, "Switch you off, oh, that's a good one." At Kathryn's sober look, she turned back to the carpet.
"Do you have any idea what the crew will think. I don't play favourites."
"But mum, I'm...," said Shannon, deciding it was time she defended herself.
"That's Captain Janeway to you, young lady."
"Kathryn, every thirteen year old breaks the rules sometimes. You did too at that age."
Kathryn ignored the latter part of the comment, "She's supposed to be perfect, but I don't see why she's not," regretting saying it the moment the words left her mouth.
"We're wasting precious time," said Shannon, "I'll leave you two to it."
"No Shannon, stay. Your mother will put aside her feelings until we're done. Okay?" she asked Kathryn.
Kathryn didn't answer, nor did she make a move to end the communication.
The rest of the communication remained stressed, with Shannon still reeling from the earlier comment and Kathryn still seething, only Gretchen remained natural, allowing the slight banter between her next two generations, but stopping them before it got too far. She was used to it, Kathryn treated Shannon the same way she treated Phoebe. Had she really gone as far to convince not only the world, but herself as well?
"Bye Grandma," the only relation Shannon had who she called by the true title. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be... baby girl. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Mum," Kathryn acknowledged, "This was... good."
"I'm glad you thought so. Take care, my love to that big man of yours."
"I'm sure he sends his too, mum. Say hi to Phoebe and the kids for me. Bye, love you."
"You too, honey. Will do."
Kathryn hit a couple of buttons on the console, before turning to face a shocked Shannon, "Aunt Phoebe has kids?"
Kathryn ignored the comment, but not because she was angry, because she didn't know how to answer her. "Shannon, what am I going to do with you? Do I send you to bed without food, do I take away your Holodeck time? Sentence you to time in the brig? Do I do that as your mother, or your Captain, because you are part of this crew? But what parent throws her daughter into the Brig? Does and part of me want to do that?" she started in her soft voice, only sending shivers down Shannon's spine and making her feel guilty. But Shannon wouldn't give in, the comment on not being prefect, still rang through her mind.
"If another parent had been in my situation on Earth. You would probably be sent to your room, but we've established that that doesn't work with you. You have all the luxuries in the world in that room, the computer... everything! From now on, you are grounded."
"Grounded? How can you ground me?"
"You will go to your lessons and you will come back here. No meeting Tom, B'Elanna, or that Renee girl, no Holodeck, no Mess Hall, none of the ship's formal. You will not even be allowed in this living room, unless it's to eat. Am I making myself clear?"
"Perfectly."
Kathryn would apologize later, she decided. She was pretty sure no one had invented a technic where you could yell and say, "I'm sorry." At the same time.
Shannon stalked to her room and Kathryn went to find Chakotay. It took so much, leading a community of over a hundred people; she wondered how presidents did it in the olden days, before the Federation and Starfleet's almighty Board of Admirals.
"Kathryn," Chakotay walked in before she could even step out of her quarters. "We need to talk."
"I know," she sighed as she rested her fore head against his chest, "Oh Chakotay," she moved her hands up and around his neck; "I don't know what to do."
Chakotay pulled her away, all thoughts of his 'plan' out of his head, "What's happened? Are you alright?" Panic etched over his voice, suddenly, she seems so vulnerable.
"I'm fine," she ran a hand through her hair. "It's Shannon," and she told him briefly about what had happened.
"I don't blame her, I would have done it myself if I wasn't the first officer... and if I'd thought of it," he chuckled.
"But Chakotay, it's not fair. What will the crew think? If a thirteen year old, my own daughter, disobeys rules, they won't want to listen to me."
"You can do things to them; you can't do to your own daughter."
"Oh Chakotay, why can't I throw her in the brig?" she asked. "Why does this have to be so difficult?"
He embraced her and was shocked to find her body trembling under his arms. He looked up to see Shannon standing in the doorway, resting against the frame of the wall. She looked lost and forlorn, a look Chakotay had never seen before on a Janeway woman. And in that moment, he learnt that mother and daughter were a part of each other. Kathryn's weakness were her feelings, and she had such strong ones for her only child, the feelings she shared with him, were equally powerful, but different. He envied Shannon and for a moment he thought of letting the deception Kathryn had created carry on, but the words of his animal guide, or perhaps it was only because Chakotay was a good man, made him decide that this was his 'golden opportunity'.
"Kathryn, when you and I get married, I want us to have kids."
Kathryn stared at him, but he didn't look back. He could already sense her shocked expression inside him, that was 'their' bond, but Shannon was a different matter. She just stared blankly form her small dark corner. The only proof that she had heard were her raised eyebrows.
Chakotay took it to the next step. "Kathryn, what's wrong?"
"Chakotay." Uh-oh, he sensed anger, frustration that he had brought up this subject when she was having trouble with Shannon.
"We already have Shannon. I'm having enough trouble handling a thirteen year old; I doubt I'll be able to handle a squealing infant as well."
"But Shannon isn't really my child, or yours, is she?"
"But Chakotay, you know that....." her voice trailed off, she turned to face Chakotay and then to Shannon's door, but Shannon wasn't there anymore. They heard the hiss of the door shut behind them and turned around.
"That was very clever Chakotay!" Kathryn yelled. "I told you I would tell her in my own time!"
"Your own time was too late, she's suffering now. You saw her with Phoebe!"
"I hate you Chakotay!" Kathryn yelled, her face bright red before she too ran out the door.
Chakotay slumped into her couch. It stung. He had only wanted to do what was best for Shannon, but he had lost Kathryn in the progress. Damn, these Janeway woman! He thought. They were so emotionally unbalanced. The Kathryn on the bridge was a completely different woman from the Kathryn in the house, where she shed the command mask, but lately, she'd been trying to be both of them at the same time.
He got up and left the room. His animal guide has said... in so many words that this would be a good idea. Wait 'till he told her what he thought of her.
"Janeway to Shannon Janeway."
"Shannon Janeway is in her quarters."
"No, she's not!" Kathryn told the computer as she hurried down the empty hallway.
"Please rephrase question."
"Computer run a scan for Shannon Janeway's DNA structure on board the USS Voyager."
"There are two DNA structures for Shannon Janeway."
The Doctor didn't erase the new one, she sighed, "Computer use the sequence entered latest in the logs."
"Shannon Janeway found in crew quarters 105-2."
"B'Elanna, I should have known," Kathryn spun on her heel and headed in the opposite direction.
"B'Elanna, is Shannon with you?" she asked, when the doors opened.
"No, I thought she was with you. We were supposed to be doing her Engineering, but she said that she was spending the day with you. What's wrong? Can't you find her?"
"B'Elanna, there's something you should know....."
"She's definitely not here," said B'Elanna when she came out of her bedroom, "She must have faked the scan, somehow. Don't worry Captain, she can't come into any harm on the ship, there's no where else she can go. Why don't you just sit back until she calms down and then you can tell her?"
"Your right B'Elanna, I don't know why I got so worried." The two women stared at each other, "Thank you." Said Kathryn softly.
"For what Captain, I didn't do anything."
"Oh you did 'Lanna, you did.... A whole lot."
B'Elanna smiled as Tom walked in through the door, "Hi B'Elanna," he turned to the other woman, "Captain!" he gasped, as struggled to put on the jacket he held over his shoulder.
"Relax Tom, this is a friendly visit."
"Does that mean I get to call you Kathryn then?" he asked.
B'Elanna stared at him, a shocked look across her face. "I'm sorry Captain, I didn't think before I spoke." "It's alright Tom, Kathryn will be fine... when we're off duty. You too B'Elanna." "Okay.... Kathryn." Kathryn Janeway laughed, "The only person who has called me that in a long time is my mother and of course, Chakotay." At the thought of her fiancé... or was it ex-fiancé her face fell. "I thought you were supposed to be in sick bay," Said B'Elanna, scooting over to make space for her husband on the couch. "I was. But the Doctor told me not to come in, said he was trying out a new anti-bacterial agent and that it might be harmful to humans." "The Doctor is supposed to tell me if he does research like that. We could have an attack at any time, with casualties," Kathryn got up, "I'm going there." "Oh, come on Captain, I'm sure it's nothing." "Oh, I think it's more than nothing Tom. I think it's Shannon." "Shannon?"
Shannon studied the DNA structure on the screen and pulled up another one... that of her mother's. Usually you could only manipulate the DNA of a baby, it wasn't safe to attempt it on anyone older than six months, but there was only a 40% chance that something might happen. She wondered if she should bring the Doctor back online, or if she could control the procedure by herself. She checked the files, there was an encrypted log for her DNA sequence as well, but she decided not to check that one out. She was sure everything would be the same. The only question she had was if she should be her mother's daughter, or Chakotay's as well. Then again, her mother hadn't seemed very happy with Chakotay a few minutes ago, so she decided she's go with the former. Maybe if they got back together again, Chakotay would like her more if she was half-his-daughter. She lay down on the bio bed and closed her eyes, "Computer..."
"Shannon and I were talking about DNA manipulating in animals, for breeding purposes," she told B'Elanna and Tom as they hurried to sickbay. "Oh, I hate to think what would have happened." She turned into sickbay's corridor and was surprised to find Chakotay coming down the other end. Before she could think, she let him put her arm around her and explain that his animal guide had hinted something like this might happen. She pulled away, "This is your fault," she yelled before calling the door to open. "Authorization Janeway pi alpha has already been implemented to shut the door and cannot be reopened without consent from the Captain." Kathryn shot B'Elanna a confused look. "She's smart," said Tom, "She imitated your voice, Captain. She does that pretty well you know." "Shannon!" Kathryn rapped on the door, "Shannon honey, listen to me." There was no response, but Kathryn heard a beep of a computer when she put her ear to the door. "Janeway to Transporter room one, beam me into sickbay." There was a buzz from the computer, but nothing happened, "Captain, there seems to be some sort of dampening field around sickbay." "B'Elanna, can you take it down." "I'm trying Captain, but it's encrypted with your codes." Kathryn stepped over to the panel and tapped in a number of commands, still nothing happened. "Shannon, open the door," Kathryn yelled, "Shannon," she attempted to yell again, but it came out as a sob, she turned to Chakotay who was sitting on the floor, his eyes closed. "What are you doing?" she asked, feeling B'Elanna's arm on her shoulder. She closed her eyes; if her daughter went through the DNA transfer it could be dangerous. The chemical she had taken in whilst in the lab ten years ago had imbedded its sequence into her body, making one set of her genes stronger than the other. In this case, it had been Kathryn's, that's why Shannon looked and acting so much like Kathryn, but she was sure her daughter hadn't taken into consideration Justin's genes as well, she would convert herself into a clone of her mother, like they did with the animals. Anyhow, even if she attempted a slight bit of change in her genes, it would probably react with 'Chemical X' as Kathryn called the chemical which Justin had destroyed and Shannon would die. Sure the odds were better if you were a normal human, but Shannon as far from normal. "I'm attempting to talk to Shannon." "How?" But Chakotay was already in a trance. Kathryn paced, "I can't sit here and do nothing." She tapped at the console again. "We could open the doors manually," she said suddenly. B'Elanna stared at the Captain, shocked that she hadn't thought of that either. Tom had already reached for the device and was struggling to push the door open. Kathryn took a step in, only to find that there was a force field around the door. "Shannon," she called again, seeing her daughter lying on the bio bed. Either Shannon didn't hear her, or she was already undergoing the procedure. She turned to Chakotay... or just possibly, Chakotay had gotten through to her. Suddenly the teenager sat up right and walked over to the console next to the door and switched the forcefield off, before crumpling to the ground. Kathryn was next to her in an instant, "What's happening?" she asked as Tom lifted the girl on a bio bed and B'Elanna brought the EMH back online. Chakotay got up and walked over to Kathryn, "It's a form of mind control my grandfather taught me. It's supposed to be handed down from one tribe leader to another. I supposed him though I would be next in line. Unfortunately, we can only attempt it once in our lives. I've tried it before, when we were stranded on that planet when Seska took over Voyager, but I wasn't ready then. It wasn't the right time." He looked at Shannon, "I guess now was." "Oh Chakotay," said Kathryn, hugging him, "Thank you so much." The Doctor cleared his throat, "She just fainted, she's awake now." Kathryn pulled away from Chakotay as the Doctor, B'Elanna and Tom marched into the adjoining office. Chakotay was last to follow. "Listen Shannon," said Kathryn staring at her daughter, her eyes tearing up again, "There are things you should know which I haven't told you that I should never have lied about." Shannon sat up and allowed her mother to gather her in her arms. "Shannon, your mother is not Aunt Phoebe. I am." And so, she was shocked when Shannon hugged her back, so tight that she could hardly breathe, but she didn't say anything. "Justin is your father. I'm sure you want to know why I lied.. I didn't want to, but Owen thought I had a promising future in Starfleet and he didn't want me to ruin it and truth be told I didn't want to either. You couldn't do high training activities if you're pregnant, but I did them anyway. I concealed the pregnancy; it was quite easy to do. You must understand, I wanted you to have a future and I was young and wanted to be a Captain too. I didn't want you to have a nothing mother and I wasn't sure if Justin and I were going to stick together, but things where going well between us then. We were going to say I'd adopted you and then Justin and I would get married and we'd all know the truth. Then we found out Phoebe was expecting and she said she didn't want to look after the child. At that point we didn't think to link them together after all there'd be two children. You were born before Phoebe's child... but only a couple of days before. Your cousin was stillborn and Justin and I thought it would look better if it seemed as if I'd adopted her child, so we didn't tell her and switched babies. My mother found out. She knew that Phoebe's child wouldn't make it. Call it intuition or whatever you may. Phoebe was all for me looking after her child and I lived happily with you. Of course, you drank the chemical, but that really didn't change anything, other than make you look and act more like I did. People thought that was because you were Phoebe's daughter and you looked like your grandmother, who I look a lot like, so that didn't really matter. I wanted to tell you, but you were young before Justin died and even when we got lost here and everyday I thought I'd die with you not knowing the truth about who you really are, because I was sure everyone on Earth would tell you, you were Phoebe's daughter." "They did, even Grandma." "She had to play along, Shannon." "But why didn't you tell me when I came on board. The Doctor should have realised when he did the DNA scan. I should have realised when I check the files." "There's a chip embedded in your DNA structure to emit a false reading. And Shannon, I didn't tell you because I was scared. I don't know, things are so complicated. I know you were struggling with thinking you were Phoebe's child. And your Aunt knows the truth now too. I expect she's very angry... anyway Chakotay found out because the Doctor did too and he used that little plan of his to get me to tell you to stop you from suffering." She turned to her daughter, who was crying. "If I wasn't so happy, that I really am Shannon... Kathryn Janeway and Justin's daughter, I'd be really angry with you," a laughed escaped with the sobs. "Oh Shannon, you must forgive me. I love you," Kathryn gulped, never in her life had she expressed so many emotions in one day, "I love you... so much." "I love you too... Mum." But it felt like she was calling her mother... mother for the first time. Deep in the bottom of Kathryn's heart a small bubble tense bubble burst. It was one of the burdens off Kathryn's shoulders. She felt a proud feeling inside of her, "I'm so glad I had you." Shannon looked at Chakotay who had entered the room and B'Elanna who was crying silently. She broke away from her mother and walked up to Chakotay, "Thank you," she said as he lifted her into a hug. He kissed her cheek, "My pleasure, Ms. Janeway." Since Shannon was in a hugging mood, she hugged B'Elanna and Tom too. Her family, she thought as Kathryn walked over to them.
"I'm Sorry," Kathryn apologized to Phoebe as she carefully stroked Shannon's hair, who stood before her. Chakotay had given up his time to talk to someone from his family because he said, he didn't really have anyone back home he wanted to talk to. "It's alright Kathryn; believe it or not, it's a great relief off my shoulders. I haven't been all that nice to Shannon either." Shannon nodded and the older woman laughed, "I'll forgive you, if Shannon forgives me." Shannon nodded, she really didn't care, she was very happy. "Alright Kathryn, your forgiven for all the turmoil you put me through." Kathryn sighed happily as Gretchen came into view. "We can all be one happy family now the cat's out of the bag." Gretchen put her arm around Phoebe and Kathryn did the same to her daughter. The three generations simply stood and stared at each other as the communication terminated. Kathryn turned on her heel and marched out, where Chakotay stood smiling, "I'm glad we're all together again," she told him, meaning of course that she was glad they weren't fighting anymore. "And I'm glad I'm not grounded." "Ahhhh, but you shouldn't be." "But mum, I went thought I near death experience. It's only fair. Hey Chakotay, back me up will you." Chakotay just smiled, "I think you deserve it, but I'll sneak you chocolates and ice-creams during your sentence." He winked at her. "I'll take coffee please," said Kathryn, "I need a nice long mug after today's adventures." She laughed as Shannon and Chakotay wrinkled up their noses. "I always imagined your daughter would be a coffee addict, what with 'Chemical X' and all." "Give her a few years on that one, okay."
Author's Note: Sooo, what did you think. I have a feeling some of you might say Kathryn's a little out of character, but I just wanted to show that Shannon changed her and that since we don't get to see Kathryn's feelings very often, she could be a different person inside. Also... hehe, I got the DNA idea from that episode ( I don't remember the name) where B'Elanna tried to get rid of her child's forehead ridges, so that idea isn't really mine anyway.. and oh man, I hope the technobabble was convincing. Please keep the reviews coming... KayB.. OUT!
Messages from Home Pt. 2
Day two of communication with Starfleet
"Grandma, this is a waste of time, I truly believe we could be doing something more constructive," said Shannon as she measured the amount of flour she was supposed to mix into the bowl.
"Nonsense Shannon, is that flour sieved?"
"Sieved, it doesn't say anything about having to be sieved."
"Idiot child, all flour must be sieved."
"No other grandmother calls her granddaughter idiot. It's not nice."
"It is if I mean it in the loving, grandmotherly way that I do."
"Very funny," laughed Shannon, pretending to throw a handful of flour at the screen.
"How long until they find out what you're doing?" asked Gretchen Janeway.
"Oh, we have until the whole data-stream reaches Earth, but we should be done by then."
"Your mother is going to be really angry when she finds out."
"No when, but if she find out," winked Shannon. "Besides she should be encouraging our relationship...."
"I should?"
"Mom!" Shannon cocked her head side ways, knowing it was no use to try and cover the screen behind. What she had done was completely stupid and wrong, but seeing her grandmother yesterday had made her feel slightly Earth-sick. But not home-sick, home was here now.
"Shannon Janeway!" said Kathryn, her eyes a blazing blue, "I expected more of you," she continued in her soft 'I'm disappointed in you' tone Shannon often heard.
"Now, come Kathryn darling."
"Stay out of this mother!" Kathryn's voice rose a few notches.
Shannon gulped deciding it was better not to say anything to defend herself. What could she say? She was sorry? Was she really sorry? No, she wasn't.
"I have enough problems trying to keep the crew at bay, without my own daughter painting the town red. If I can't control my own thirteen year old, how am I supposed to keep a hundred and forty six crewmen in order?"
Shannon, suddenly enraptured with the carpet remained silent 'Painting the town read' now that was something you only read in books.
"Kathryn, calm down. It was my idea."
"Oh really mother, don't try to bail her out of this. This is one time I'm not letting her get off the hook. I believe Ms. Janeway," She paused not letting on that she felt as if she was talking to herself- it was almost true. "That cleaning the transporters with a toothbrush is too much an easy task for you."
"With a toothbrush?" asked Gretchen, "Kathryn the child is thirteen, she misses her grandmother. You are not going to switch me off."
Shannon burst out laughing, "Switch you off, oh, that's a good one." At Kathryn's sober look, she turned back to the carpet.
"Do you have any idea what the crew will think. I don't play favourites."
"But mum, I'm...," said Shannon, deciding it was time she defended herself.
"That's Captain Janeway to you, young lady."
"Kathryn, every thirteen year old breaks the rules sometimes. You did too at that age."
Kathryn ignored the latter part of the comment, "She's supposed to be perfect, but I don't see why she's not," regretting saying it the moment the words left her mouth.
"We're wasting precious time," said Shannon, "I'll leave you two to it."
"No Shannon, stay. Your mother will put aside her feelings until we're done. Okay?" she asked Kathryn.
Kathryn didn't answer, nor did she make a move to end the communication.
The rest of the communication remained stressed, with Shannon still reeling from the earlier comment and Kathryn still seething, only Gretchen remained natural, allowing the slight banter between her next two generations, but stopping them before it got too far. She was used to it, Kathryn treated Shannon the same way she treated Phoebe. Had she really gone as far to convince not only the world, but herself as well?
"Bye Grandma," the only relation Shannon had who she called by the true title. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be... baby girl. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Mum," Kathryn acknowledged, "This was... good."
"I'm glad you thought so. Take care, my love to that big man of yours."
"I'm sure he sends his too, mum. Say hi to Phoebe and the kids for me. Bye, love you."
"You too, honey. Will do."
Kathryn hit a couple of buttons on the console, before turning to face a shocked Shannon, "Aunt Phoebe has kids?"
Kathryn ignored the comment, but not because she was angry, because she didn't know how to answer her. "Shannon, what am I going to do with you? Do I send you to bed without food, do I take away your Holodeck time? Sentence you to time in the brig? Do I do that as your mother, or your Captain, because you are part of this crew? But what parent throws her daughter into the Brig? Does and part of me want to do that?" she started in her soft voice, only sending shivers down Shannon's spine and making her feel guilty. But Shannon wouldn't give in, the comment on not being prefect, still rang through her mind.
"If another parent had been in my situation on Earth. You would probably be sent to your room, but we've established that that doesn't work with you. You have all the luxuries in the world in that room, the computer... everything! From now on, you are grounded."
"Grounded? How can you ground me?"
"You will go to your lessons and you will come back here. No meeting Tom, B'Elanna, or that Renee girl, no Holodeck, no Mess Hall, none of the ship's formal. You will not even be allowed in this living room, unless it's to eat. Am I making myself clear?"
"Perfectly."
Kathryn would apologize later, she decided. She was pretty sure no one had invented a technic where you could yell and say, "I'm sorry." At the same time.
Shannon stalked to her room and Kathryn went to find Chakotay. It took so much, leading a community of over a hundred people; she wondered how presidents did it in the olden days, before the Federation and Starfleet's almighty Board of Admirals.
"Kathryn," Chakotay walked in before she could even step out of her quarters. "We need to talk."
"I know," she sighed as she rested her fore head against his chest, "Oh Chakotay," she moved her hands up and around his neck; "I don't know what to do."
Chakotay pulled her away, all thoughts of his 'plan' out of his head, "What's happened? Are you alright?" Panic etched over his voice, suddenly, she seems so vulnerable.
"I'm fine," she ran a hand through her hair. "It's Shannon," and she told him briefly about what had happened.
"I don't blame her, I would have done it myself if I wasn't the first officer... and if I'd thought of it," he chuckled.
"But Chakotay, it's not fair. What will the crew think? If a thirteen year old, my own daughter, disobeys rules, they won't want to listen to me."
"You can do things to them; you can't do to your own daughter."
"Oh Chakotay, why can't I throw her in the brig?" she asked. "Why does this have to be so difficult?"
He embraced her and was shocked to find her body trembling under his arms. He looked up to see Shannon standing in the doorway, resting against the frame of the wall. She looked lost and forlorn, a look Chakotay had never seen before on a Janeway woman. And in that moment, he learnt that mother and daughter were a part of each other. Kathryn's weakness were her feelings, and she had such strong ones for her only child, the feelings she shared with him, were equally powerful, but different. He envied Shannon and for a moment he thought of letting the deception Kathryn had created carry on, but the words of his animal guide, or perhaps it was only because Chakotay was a good man, made him decide that this was his 'golden opportunity'.
"Kathryn, when you and I get married, I want us to have kids."
Kathryn stared at him, but he didn't look back. He could already sense her shocked expression inside him, that was 'their' bond, but Shannon was a different matter. She just stared blankly form her small dark corner. The only proof that she had heard were her raised eyebrows.
Chakotay took it to the next step. "Kathryn, what's wrong?"
"Chakotay." Uh-oh, he sensed anger, frustration that he had brought up this subject when she was having trouble with Shannon.
"We already have Shannon. I'm having enough trouble handling a thirteen year old; I doubt I'll be able to handle a squealing infant as well."
"But Shannon isn't really my child, or yours, is she?"
"But Chakotay, you know that....." her voice trailed off, she turned to face Chakotay and then to Shannon's door, but Shannon wasn't there anymore. They heard the hiss of the door shut behind them and turned around.
"That was very clever Chakotay!" Kathryn yelled. "I told you I would tell her in my own time!"
"Your own time was too late, she's suffering now. You saw her with Phoebe!"
"I hate you Chakotay!" Kathryn yelled, her face bright red before she too ran out the door.
Chakotay slumped into her couch. It stung. He had only wanted to do what was best for Shannon, but he had lost Kathryn in the progress. Damn, these Janeway woman! He thought. They were so emotionally unbalanced. The Kathryn on the bridge was a completely different woman from the Kathryn in the house, where she shed the command mask, but lately, she'd been trying to be both of them at the same time.
He got up and left the room. His animal guide has said... in so many words that this would be a good idea. Wait 'till he told her what he thought of her.
"Janeway to Shannon Janeway."
"Shannon Janeway is in her quarters."
"No, she's not!" Kathryn told the computer as she hurried down the empty hallway.
"Please rephrase question."
"Computer run a scan for Shannon Janeway's DNA structure on board the USS Voyager."
"There are two DNA structures for Shannon Janeway."
The Doctor didn't erase the new one, she sighed, "Computer use the sequence entered latest in the logs."
"Shannon Janeway found in crew quarters 105-2."
"B'Elanna, I should have known," Kathryn spun on her heel and headed in the opposite direction.
"B'Elanna, is Shannon with you?" she asked, when the doors opened.
"No, I thought she was with you. We were supposed to be doing her Engineering, but she said that she was spending the day with you. What's wrong? Can't you find her?"
"B'Elanna, there's something you should know....."
"She's definitely not here," said B'Elanna when she came out of her bedroom, "She must have faked the scan, somehow. Don't worry Captain, she can't come into any harm on the ship, there's no where else she can go. Why don't you just sit back until she calms down and then you can tell her?"
"Your right B'Elanna, I don't know why I got so worried." The two women stared at each other, "Thank you." Said Kathryn softly.
"For what Captain, I didn't do anything."
"Oh you did 'Lanna, you did.... A whole lot."
B'Elanna smiled as Tom walked in through the door, "Hi B'Elanna," he turned to the other woman, "Captain!" he gasped, as struggled to put on the jacket he held over his shoulder.
"Relax Tom, this is a friendly visit."
"Does that mean I get to call you Kathryn then?" he asked.
B'Elanna stared at him, a shocked look across her face. "I'm sorry Captain, I didn't think before I spoke." "It's alright Tom, Kathryn will be fine... when we're off duty. You too B'Elanna." "Okay.... Kathryn." Kathryn Janeway laughed, "The only person who has called me that in a long time is my mother and of course, Chakotay." At the thought of her fiancé... or was it ex-fiancé her face fell. "I thought you were supposed to be in sick bay," Said B'Elanna, scooting over to make space for her husband on the couch. "I was. But the Doctor told me not to come in, said he was trying out a new anti-bacterial agent and that it might be harmful to humans." "The Doctor is supposed to tell me if he does research like that. We could have an attack at any time, with casualties," Kathryn got up, "I'm going there." "Oh, come on Captain, I'm sure it's nothing." "Oh, I think it's more than nothing Tom. I think it's Shannon." "Shannon?"
Shannon studied the DNA structure on the screen and pulled up another one... that of her mother's. Usually you could only manipulate the DNA of a baby, it wasn't safe to attempt it on anyone older than six months, but there was only a 40% chance that something might happen. She wondered if she should bring the Doctor back online, or if she could control the procedure by herself. She checked the files, there was an encrypted log for her DNA sequence as well, but she decided not to check that one out. She was sure everything would be the same. The only question she had was if she should be her mother's daughter, or Chakotay's as well. Then again, her mother hadn't seemed very happy with Chakotay a few minutes ago, so she decided she's go with the former. Maybe if they got back together again, Chakotay would like her more if she was half-his-daughter. She lay down on the bio bed and closed her eyes, "Computer..."
"Shannon and I were talking about DNA manipulating in animals, for breeding purposes," she told B'Elanna and Tom as they hurried to sickbay. "Oh, I hate to think what would have happened." She turned into sickbay's corridor and was surprised to find Chakotay coming down the other end. Before she could think, she let him put her arm around her and explain that his animal guide had hinted something like this might happen. She pulled away, "This is your fault," she yelled before calling the door to open. "Authorization Janeway pi alpha has already been implemented to shut the door and cannot be reopened without consent from the Captain." Kathryn shot B'Elanna a confused look. "She's smart," said Tom, "She imitated your voice, Captain. She does that pretty well you know." "Shannon!" Kathryn rapped on the door, "Shannon honey, listen to me." There was no response, but Kathryn heard a beep of a computer when she put her ear to the door. "Janeway to Transporter room one, beam me into sickbay." There was a buzz from the computer, but nothing happened, "Captain, there seems to be some sort of dampening field around sickbay." "B'Elanna, can you take it down." "I'm trying Captain, but it's encrypted with your codes." Kathryn stepped over to the panel and tapped in a number of commands, still nothing happened. "Shannon, open the door," Kathryn yelled, "Shannon," she attempted to yell again, but it came out as a sob, she turned to Chakotay who was sitting on the floor, his eyes closed. "What are you doing?" she asked, feeling B'Elanna's arm on her shoulder. She closed her eyes; if her daughter went through the DNA transfer it could be dangerous. The chemical she had taken in whilst in the lab ten years ago had imbedded its sequence into her body, making one set of her genes stronger than the other. In this case, it had been Kathryn's, that's why Shannon looked and acting so much like Kathryn, but she was sure her daughter hadn't taken into consideration Justin's genes as well, she would convert herself into a clone of her mother, like they did with the animals. Anyhow, even if she attempted a slight bit of change in her genes, it would probably react with 'Chemical X' as Kathryn called the chemical which Justin had destroyed and Shannon would die. Sure the odds were better if you were a normal human, but Shannon as far from normal. "I'm attempting to talk to Shannon." "How?" But Chakotay was already in a trance. Kathryn paced, "I can't sit here and do nothing." She tapped at the console again. "We could open the doors manually," she said suddenly. B'Elanna stared at the Captain, shocked that she hadn't thought of that either. Tom had already reached for the device and was struggling to push the door open. Kathryn took a step in, only to find that there was a force field around the door. "Shannon," she called again, seeing her daughter lying on the bio bed. Either Shannon didn't hear her, or she was already undergoing the procedure. She turned to Chakotay... or just possibly, Chakotay had gotten through to her. Suddenly the teenager sat up right and walked over to the console next to the door and switched the forcefield off, before crumpling to the ground. Kathryn was next to her in an instant, "What's happening?" she asked as Tom lifted the girl on a bio bed and B'Elanna brought the EMH back online. Chakotay got up and walked over to Kathryn, "It's a form of mind control my grandfather taught me. It's supposed to be handed down from one tribe leader to another. I supposed him though I would be next in line. Unfortunately, we can only attempt it once in our lives. I've tried it before, when we were stranded on that planet when Seska took over Voyager, but I wasn't ready then. It wasn't the right time." He looked at Shannon, "I guess now was." "Oh Chakotay," said Kathryn, hugging him, "Thank you so much." The Doctor cleared his throat, "She just fainted, she's awake now." Kathryn pulled away from Chakotay as the Doctor, B'Elanna and Tom marched into the adjoining office. Chakotay was last to follow. "Listen Shannon," said Kathryn staring at her daughter, her eyes tearing up again, "There are things you should know which I haven't told you that I should never have lied about." Shannon sat up and allowed her mother to gather her in her arms. "Shannon, your mother is not Aunt Phoebe. I am." And so, she was shocked when Shannon hugged her back, so tight that she could hardly breathe, but she didn't say anything. "Justin is your father. I'm sure you want to know why I lied.. I didn't want to, but Owen thought I had a promising future in Starfleet and he didn't want me to ruin it and truth be told I didn't want to either. You couldn't do high training activities if you're pregnant, but I did them anyway. I concealed the pregnancy; it was quite easy to do. You must understand, I wanted you to have a future and I was young and wanted to be a Captain too. I didn't want you to have a nothing mother and I wasn't sure if Justin and I were going to stick together, but things where going well between us then. We were going to say I'd adopted you and then Justin and I would get married and we'd all know the truth. Then we found out Phoebe was expecting and she said she didn't want to look after the child. At that point we didn't think to link them together after all there'd be two children. You were born before Phoebe's child... but only a couple of days before. Your cousin was stillborn and Justin and I thought it would look better if it seemed as if I'd adopted her child, so we didn't tell her and switched babies. My mother found out. She knew that Phoebe's child wouldn't make it. Call it intuition or whatever you may. Phoebe was all for me looking after her child and I lived happily with you. Of course, you drank the chemical, but that really didn't change anything, other than make you look and act more like I did. People thought that was because you were Phoebe's daughter and you looked like your grandmother, who I look a lot like, so that didn't really matter. I wanted to tell you, but you were young before Justin died and even when we got lost here and everyday I thought I'd die with you not knowing the truth about who you really are, because I was sure everyone on Earth would tell you, you were Phoebe's daughter." "They did, even Grandma." "She had to play along, Shannon." "But why didn't you tell me when I came on board. The Doctor should have realised when he did the DNA scan. I should have realised when I check the files." "There's a chip embedded in your DNA structure to emit a false reading. And Shannon, I didn't tell you because I was scared. I don't know, things are so complicated. I know you were struggling with thinking you were Phoebe's child. And your Aunt knows the truth now too. I expect she's very angry... anyway Chakotay found out because the Doctor did too and he used that little plan of his to get me to tell you to stop you from suffering." She turned to her daughter, who was crying. "If I wasn't so happy, that I really am Shannon... Kathryn Janeway and Justin's daughter, I'd be really angry with you," a laughed escaped with the sobs. "Oh Shannon, you must forgive me. I love you," Kathryn gulped, never in her life had she expressed so many emotions in one day, "I love you... so much." "I love you too... Mum." But it felt like she was calling her mother... mother for the first time. Deep in the bottom of Kathryn's heart a small bubble tense bubble burst. It was one of the burdens off Kathryn's shoulders. She felt a proud feeling inside of her, "I'm so glad I had you." Shannon looked at Chakotay who had entered the room and B'Elanna who was crying silently. She broke away from her mother and walked up to Chakotay, "Thank you," she said as he lifted her into a hug. He kissed her cheek, "My pleasure, Ms. Janeway." Since Shannon was in a hugging mood, she hugged B'Elanna and Tom too. Her family, she thought as Kathryn walked over to them.
"I'm Sorry," Kathryn apologized to Phoebe as she carefully stroked Shannon's hair, who stood before her. Chakotay had given up his time to talk to someone from his family because he said, he didn't really have anyone back home he wanted to talk to. "It's alright Kathryn; believe it or not, it's a great relief off my shoulders. I haven't been all that nice to Shannon either." Shannon nodded and the older woman laughed, "I'll forgive you, if Shannon forgives me." Shannon nodded, she really didn't care, she was very happy. "Alright Kathryn, your forgiven for all the turmoil you put me through." Kathryn sighed happily as Gretchen came into view. "We can all be one happy family now the cat's out of the bag." Gretchen put her arm around Phoebe and Kathryn did the same to her daughter. The three generations simply stood and stared at each other as the communication terminated. Kathryn turned on her heel and marched out, where Chakotay stood smiling, "I'm glad we're all together again," she told him, meaning of course that she was glad they weren't fighting anymore. "And I'm glad I'm not grounded." "Ahhhh, but you shouldn't be." "But mum, I went thought I near death experience. It's only fair. Hey Chakotay, back me up will you." Chakotay just smiled, "I think you deserve it, but I'll sneak you chocolates and ice-creams during your sentence." He winked at her. "I'll take coffee please," said Kathryn, "I need a nice long mug after today's adventures." She laughed as Shannon and Chakotay wrinkled up their noses. "I always imagined your daughter would be a coffee addict, what with 'Chemical X' and all." "Give her a few years on that one, okay."
Author's Note: Sooo, what did you think. I have a feeling some of you might say Kathryn's a little out of character, but I just wanted to show that Shannon changed her and that since we don't get to see Kathryn's feelings very often, she could be a different person inside. Also... hehe, I got the DNA idea from that episode ( I don't remember the name) where B'Elanna tried to get rid of her child's forehead ridges, so that idea isn't really mine anyway.. and oh man, I hope the technobabble was convincing. Please keep the reviews coming... KayB.. OUT!
