STAR TREK: VOYAGER HUNTERS TRILOGY

Part Three: "Endings And Beginnings

The Doctor quickly laid Kathryn back on the bio bed. She opened her eyes and stared blankly at him for a moment.

"Pregnant, damn what a mess, Doctor keep that to yourself", her voice was more crackly than usual.

"Eventually Captain it will be obvious. I'm assuming its Commander Chakotay's. He will if not informed notice within a short period of time"

"I know that I just need time to think. Review my options"

"Are you considering a termination?"

"Yes and no I've never considered becoming a parent Doctor I'm forty two years old it's complicated"

"I can lie for you Captain. I wont I will tell the Commander to speak to you directly"

With that the Doctor left. Kathryn slumped back onto her bio bed. She knew this was one hell of a mess. Chakotay would have lots of questions. Either she told him the truth or mind his own business. Either way she was stuck between rock and a hard place. She could of course outright lie to him. But this was something Kathryn rarely did she preferred to deal with the truth.

Chakotay and Tuvok entered before she could really ponder her choices.

"Captain, what does the Doctor say something you ate?"

"Mr Tuvok, I'd like a word with Commander Chakotay", Tuvok raised an eyebrow nodded and left, leaving Kathryn to face her first officer.

"Well I might as well give I to you straight up", she paused for breath feeling somewhat weak. "I'm pregnant, or should I say we're pregnant

At that moment Kathryn finally looked at Chakotay expecting shock, horror confusion. She was even prepared for anger. After all at forty two she knew about contraception. She just assumed she was passed the age where she could get pregnant. Given that she hadn't had a period in over a year it was a natural assumption. What greeted her was not all what she'd expected. Chakotay was smiling. Before she could take any action to prevent it he had taken her into his arms and kissed her firmly.

Chakotay stared at Kathryn as she delivered her bombshell. He was so the happiest man alive at that moment. He loved her, off that he was sure. He knew he would never consider parenthood with any other woman. It was the happiest moment in his life. 'A father', he mentally scolded himself for his thoughts as right at that moment all he wanted to do was make love to Kathryn. Instead he took her into his arms gently and kissed her.

Kathryn pushed Chakotay from her.

"You're happy about this"

"You betcha Kathryn, I love you. I have since day one"

"What are we going to do?"

"Be happy together. I know you have your doubts about us. After the hell you've gone through. I can understand it. I'm not lying when I say I love you Kathryn. I'm a man who knows his own mind"

"I've not said you don't. pregnant, hell Chakotay I've never even considered being a parent not seriously, not ever and now what I'm actually considering having a baby with my first officer no less. It's a mess Chakotay"

Chakotay realised then that Kathryn was considering not having the baby.

"Kathryn take a few days think things over. Nothing has to be decided here and now. We can talk more. For now get some rest. I'll call back to see you later.

As the door hissed behind him he hoped, prayed even, that Kathryn would keep his unborn child.

No sooner had Chakotay left, with him went her self control. Tears flowed unhindered. She didn't know what to do. She wiped her tear stained cheeks with the back of her hand Chakotay was right she would have to think on it. A rash decision would be one she would later regret. She swung her legs over the side of the bio bed went over to the replicator and ordered some clothes followed by a very large coffee. As the aroma reached her nostrils the all too familiar nausea started to return. She de-materialized the coffee ordering instead water.

She dressed drank her water and left sickbay. Only when she entered her quarters did she behind to try to relax. Clearing her min in order to think rationally would be hard. Her hormones were running riot and she wasn't sure rational thought was therefore within her capabilities.

Kathryn lay on her bed succumbing to a sudden bout of exhaustion. When she awoke the computer informed her it was over an hour. The doctor hadn't come knocking to lecture her on leaving sickbay without consulting him first.

Instead the Doctor had contacted Chakotay who asked him to monitor the Captains vital signs using the ships onboard sensors. But not to disturb her.

The Doctor had obeyed Chakotay's order. Commander Chakotay paced the bridge he was like a caged animal. He was scared and anxious he knew Janeway would make her decision, decide his child's fate quickly.

He marched purposefully to Kathryn's quarters. He was more nervous than he had been the night they made love.

Kathryn knew she would have to decide and soon. Yes she was pregnant the question was what would, what could she do? Could she face working with Chakotay if she terminated their child? Yet could she face the crew's reaction to the news of her pregnancy? Or Starfleet's if there return was sooner than expected given that they were over fifty years from home. Maybe Starfleet would understand. The predicament they were in. No she would be stripped of her rank and her child possibly taken from her. Chakotay would be imprisoned. This would be an even bigger mess than she knew how to deal with. At that moment it hit her. She did love him 'damn it, this realization only served to make her situation more difficult.

Chakotay rang her chime once. Kathryn knew it was him.

"Come In", she stood hands behind her back and prepared as best she could for what was to come. She had made her decision. As difficult as it had been, it had to be done quickly. It was the right and best choice for all involved.

Chakotay walked through her doorway briefly remembering the last time she had invited him into her quarters.

"Kathryn" he smiled briefly

Kathryn knew what was going through his mind would she? Wouldn't she? She could read Chakotay fairly well after several years together working side by side.

"Chakotay" she didn't return his smile instead she turned walked to her view port. She stared into space. Try as she did, she could find no peace there instead she was gripped by an unspeakable sense of fear. Tears flowed down her cheeks she tried to wipe them away before Chakotay realized she was crying. She felt strong arms around her waist his breath on her neck.

"I can't Chakotay. I can't"

"What be a mother to our child"

"No kill our baby. I didn't see it or maybe didn't want to see it, or admit it to myself. I love you too".

The words were barely out of her mouth. She was facing Chakotay. She could see unshed tears in his dark eyes and something else much more primitive but Kathryn Janeway didn't mind. She knew that this was her Chakotay father of her baby and the first man she now knew she had ever really loved. Again she placed her hands on his muscled shoulders and around his neck this time he bent and kissed her.

"I love you Kathryn Janeway"

"Good Commander coz it's entirely mutual", she returned his kiss with an urgency that shook both of them.

The End