And Her Hair All Done Up In Curls

Chapter 4
Name Sake

Rating G: so far

Summery: Kathryn is being plagued by a series of nightmares. What could they be about?

Disclaimer: All is owned by paramount, unless never mentioned on the show. I have just decided that I could take the voyager crew (Kathryn and Chakotay) where paramount would never have. I am not making any money, just doing it 'cuse I wanna.

In the briefing room Kathryn took her seat, she had called the meeting to decide exactly what she should do with the young infant that had been dropped at her doorstep so to speak. Kathryn began by filling in the few members of her crew that did not know the whole story behind the child. After that she proceeded to discuss the letter that had been addressed to her, she managed to keep herself form braking down, she inquired as to what the crew thought. Everyone unanimously voted for her to take the infant; Kathryn was nearly convinced that she had a conspiracy on her hands. The explanations were all nearly the same. The crew felt that their captain was more then capable of taking care of the child as well as voyager. Kathryn had promised the doctor that she would make the decision after she talked with the crew. After a long debate in her head she finally gave in. for a brief moment after she had made the final decision she wondered if history had repeated its self. Toward the end of the meeting the captain said, "Ok now that we know who will take care of our new crew member," Kathryn smiled slightly, "we now have to name her, we very well can't just keep calling her THE BABY now can we," the crew all laughed, through out the meeting the captain's mood had been lifted up. What had started out as a rotten day slowly became brighter, as Kathryn was reassured by her crew. "So does anyone have any suggestions on a good name?"

Several names were thrown out onto the table before Chakotay, who had been quiet through the course of the meeting said, "How about we name her, Sidra-Makana?"

"Chakotay," Kathryn questioned not caring if the crew herd her say his name.

"It means Star Born Gift," Chakotay stated. The whole crew smiled at the meaning of this name.

"It's beautiful," Kathryn said. She took a look around the table at all the faces of her crew. Their faces all saying the same thing, that the name was perfect. Kathryn then whispered softly "Sidra-Makana it is." All the faces in the room with the exception of Tuvok, of course, erupted into huge smiles. The doctor then requested that she and the rest of the crew stay where they were, he left the briefing room leaving everyone wondering what he was up to. While the doctor was gone the crew meandered and talked about the baby. When the door sounded the room went quite, all eyes were on the doctor. He held the baby in his arms and slowly walked toward the captain. He the spoke softly "Captain, I wish to be the first to congratulate you," Kathryn was speechless, "Congratulations Captain you are the proud mother of a beautiful healthy baby girl." He handed her the infant, as the rest of the crew broke into a cheer. Kathryn momentarily forgot about the past, and all that had bothered her prior to that moment. She was happy, no not just happy overwhelmed with joy and delight. The senior staff took their turns coming up to see the child. Tom made a wise crack about her looking like the captain. The whole room including Kathryn erupted into laughter. Chakotay was pleased, what had been bothering Kathryn had somehow melted away, and for that he was pleased.

After the short celebration the doctor took the newly name Sidra back to sickbay. He wanted to keep her in there until her weight increased some. Kathryn understood, she was well under weight for a child of her age in any species. After the doctor left Kathryn dismissed the crew back to their stations. Instead of heading back into her ready room she took her seat next to Chakotay. She ordered the ship to set a course back to the Alpha Quadrant and away form the planet that had given her a very precious gift.

After her shift Kathryn swung by sickbay to check on her new charge. The doctor was pleased that she had come by. Sidra was crying loudly. Kathryn went over to her and scooped her up into her arms. She quieted down almost immediately. The doctor smiled, "I guess it just takes a mothers touch." The doctor teased. He had been trying to quiet Sidra for the last half hour, he was a little jealous that Kathryn had managed to quiet her down so quickly. "I had been trying everything to calm her down, she just wouldn't"

"You weren't doing it right doctor," Kathryn teased, "babies like to be held just right, isn't that right Sidra." Kathryn said looking at her new baby, running her finger down the length of her ridge. Giggling as Sidra crinkled her tiny nose.

"Well some times Mom is the only one that can calm a baby," the doctor stated, trying to preserve some of his pride. Kathryn looked up and smiled taking the doctors commit for what it was worth. After a few more minuets of hold Sidra Kathryn went to lay her back into her incubator. No sooner did she set her down the tears came back. Kathryn looked at the doctor shrugged then scooped her back up in her arms, once again her crying stopped. Kathryn was now trying to figure out how she was going to eat, she had promised B'Elanna, Tom, and Chakotay that she would meet them in the mess hall for dinner, but the only thing that kept her new baby from crying was she.

"Doctor?" Kathryn asked, "Would it be ok if I took her to the mess hall? I promised B'Elanna, Tom and Chakotay that I would have dinner with them, but if I set her down she'll cry," Kathryn had an exasperated look on her face.

"You certainly may captain," He reassured her "I just want her back in here for the night ok,"

"Sure doctor, and thank you." Kathryn said, at least the doctor would get an hour or so of quiet. She was about to leave when the doctor stopped her.

"Here you might want this just incase," he handed her a small bag that contained a few dippers and bottles, as well as a blanket and burp cloth. Kathryn had to laugh the doctor had planned on her coming and taking Sidra the entire time.

"Thank you," she beamed at him. With that she was gone.

In the mess hall B'Elanna, Tom and Chakotay waited for Kathryn. They had turned the lights off and every one in the room hid them selves behind tables and chairs. They had planned with the doctor, via data padds, to have Kathryn bring the baby with her. Neelix and Harry cooked up a special meal as Chakotay, the ringleader, collected the crewmembers that were all ready in the mess hall. They explained their plan to them, and now all they had to do was wait.

As Kathryn walked down the corridor, holding Sidra she hummed softly, Sidra was very tiny and was nearly swallowed by her blanket. Her Ice blue eyes gazed into Kathryn's, Chakotay was right she had fallen head over heels for this child, the child she had never imaged her ever having. She stopped and waited for the lift, Sidra made slight gargling sounds. Kathryn wiped Sidra's mouth as the lift's doors opened. She took her precious bundle into the lift and ordered it to take her to the mess hall. As the doors closed she felt the lift commence it's journey. The ride seemed very short; Kathryn was still lost in the euphoria that had taken over her in the staff meeting that morning. Kathryn strolled the small distance from the lift to the mess hall when she walked past the doors she stopped the room was pitch black. "Neelix" she called out.

No sooner did she call Neelix's name did the lights flash on, and a chorus ring "SURPRISE" the entire room shouted, startling the baby. Sidra started to cry but Kathryn soothed her quickly.

"Congratulation's Captain, Neelix said exuberantly, coming up to hug her and greet the baby. Kathryn looked around the room, a large banner stretched across the room, it read, Congratulations Captain, and Welcome aboard Sidra-Makana Janeway!

Kathryn's mouth dropped, so this is why they were so present that I join them for dinner, she thought, She smiled with the sudden knowledge as to why the doctor had been so open to her taking Sidra.

Chakotay walked up to Kathryn, "So what do you think?"

"You did this," she whispered lost in his eyes.

He nodded "yes" his voice was soft and warm.

She looked around the room; every one was watching her, waiting for something. Kathryn came to the realization as to what they were waiting for, and before she could back out it happened, Chakotay's lips descended onto hers, she stiffened and tried to move away, but her body willed her to stay. The room erupted into a chorus of wolf whistles, hoots, howls, and cheers. Kathryn relaxed into his kiss, opening her mouth to his explorations, when the kiss finally ended she felt like all her energy had been drained, her head was spinning, and she was week in the knees, she actually saw stars.

He stepped back slightly, to look at her, her eyes remained closed for a instant before opening and staring him straight in the eye, her face was unreadable, and for a moment no one in the room was sure how she would react. The room was quite, so quiet that the hum of the warp engines seemed to resonate through everyone, Kathryn slowly stepped forward, eyes gazing deeply into Chakotay's, she crossed the very small distance between her and Chakotay, she raised her had up slowly, and wrapped it around his neck, pulling his head to hers. She pressed her lips to his, in a searing kiss. The room once again erupted. The crew was thankful that she did not push Chakotay away. When they broke a second time they were lost in each other's eyes, oblivious to the entire room. They stood there unmoving.

Sidra had had enough; a loud howl emanated from her, breaking the trance Kathryn had found her-self in. The room laughed and Kathryn tried to sooth the child. She sat down, and pulled out a bottle, Neelix brought out the on trays, and the celebration continued, the moment now passed.

Kathryn brought Sidra back to sickbay, after the party. When Kathryn put her down, she put up little fuss. Kathryn knew she was probably worn out by the celebration; she and her had unknowingly attended, Kathryn kissed her good night, turned to the doctor and thanked him for taking care of her, then left. She leisurely strolled down the corridor, and into her quarters, she pulled her uniform off, pulled her nightgown over her and fell into bed, that night only pleasant dreams came.

When Kathryn awoke, she nearly hoped out of bed, she was giddy, positively, giddy. She was unsure as to why, if it was the fact that she was a mother, or that Chakotay had forced her to admit her feelings, she wasn't sure. Kathryn danced into the bathroom, hoped into the shower, and then into her uniform. She then ordered breakfast, something that she hadn't done for, gosh, who knows. She finished her meal and headed to sickbay, to check on her baby. She enthusiastically greeted crewmembers she passed in the hall.

Upon arriving in sickbay, she heard the doctors singing voice, as well and rather noisy cries. Kathryn laughed, and took her screaming child from the doctor. Tucking her closer to her body, Kathryn joined the doctor in his song, "you'll never know dear how much I love you Please don't take my sunshine away." Sidra soon quieted down. Kathryn couldn't help herself she was in such a good mood that she had to stick one to the doctor. "See doctor, I told you, you weren't doing it right."

At her remark the doctor scowled a little, but didn't take it personally, he knew she was only joking, and was glad to see her in such a good mood.

Kathryn went to the replicator and got a bottle of the supplement the doctor had programmed, she then sat herself down on a bio bed and fed her. After her feeding, Sidra fell asleep, and Kathryn headed off to the bridge. She was late again, and Tom committed, Kathryn let it slide, this time. Chakotay could tell that it was going to be a fabulous day.