Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

PURSUIT

A silver moon shone over silhouetted mountains, gleaming like a pearl against navy velvet. Beneath it, in warm light that emanated from two log cabin windows, Chakotay was busy putting the final touches to a picnic table he was preparing. The wooden table was covered in a white cloth edged with lace, and upon it were two silver candles, a slim crystal vase containing a single red rose, a bottle of synthesol champagne, two crystal wine glasses, and two places were carefully set. He himself was dressed in fawn trousers and a short sleeved black shirt that gave him both a formal and yet informal appearance.

Just as he finished putting out the napkins, Kathryn emerged from the cabin. Chakotay looked up and gazed at his wife as she stood before him. She looked beautiful, dressed in a gown of sparkling black velvet, but all his attention was on her hair. It was jet black and cut very short, shorter even than his.

"Your hair," he exclaimed.

"You know me," she smiled. "I can't abide the same style for long." She turned her head to the side slightly. "Like it?"

Chakotay couldn't help smile. "Well it's... different."

Kathryn sighed with a smile. "You don't like it."

"I do," he answered. "I just... It's the color..."

"Too dark?"

"No, I just like your natural color."

Kathryn laughed softly. "You've never seen my natural color, Chakotay."

He frowned. "I haven't?"

Kathryn shook her head. "Orange as carrots. I've always ... toned it down a little." She walked over to the table and smiled as she gazed at it.

"This looks wonderful, Chakotay..."

"All especially for you, Madam," he said, pulling out a chair. "Please, sit."

Kathryn sat down and Chakotay opened the bottle of champagne and poured her a glass full and then one for himself.

"Dinner will soon be served."

Kathryn looked up at him. "What are we having?"

He smiled. "You'll have to wait and see."

Kathryn gazed at the mountains before her and sighed contentedly. "It's so beautiful here, Chakotay. When we return to earth, we'll have to live in the mountains. Somewhere like Vermont."

"The holodeck has temperature controls," he smiled. "Vermont does not."

"Good point," Kathryn replied. "But it would still be so nice, Chakotay, living in such a natural environment. Good for the children too."

He nodded and couldn't help feel a twinge of sadness at the talk of home. He knew Kathryn felt it too as she looked away from him. They were still over 40,000 light years from home and even at maximum speed it could take them at least another 40 years.

Chakotay sat opposite his wife and pulled out a little box from a deep trouser pocket. He handed it to her.

"Happy Anniversary."

Kathryn took the gift with a thank you and then opened the box. Inside was a beautiful old fashioned paper weight. Inside the clear glass was a paper Lili set with a sparkling emerald, entwined with a paper Calendula set with an opal.

"Our birth stones and flowers entwined," she whispered. "How lovely."

Chakotay smiled. Kathryn then reached into a subtle pocket in her gown and pulled out a small red velvet bag. She handed it to Chakotay. "Happy Anniversary to you."

Chakotay opened the bag and pulled out a gold ring. It was beautifully engraved all over with an intricate leaf design and in the center, encased in clear glass, was a white paper heart against a black backdrop.

"It's beautiful," he smiled. "Thank you."

He was about to put the ring on the third finger of his right hand when Kathryn stopped him.

"Allow me," she said.

Chakotay gave her the ring and she carefully slipped it onto his finger. As she did so, the clear glass covering the heart changed to black, hiding it from public view. Then she looked up at him and caught her breath at the way he was looking at her. There was so much love in his eyes.

"This past year," he said, taking her hand in his. "It's been the most incredible of my life."

Kathryn smiled and squeezed his hand. "Mine too."

"I'm so in love with you," he said, gazing into her eyes.

Kathryn gazed at him in return, her eyes sparkling. "Even though I'm almost as big as a whale already?"

"You've never looked more beautiful," he answered. "Even with that hairstyle."

Kathryn laughed. "You really don't like it, do you?"

"Like I said, it's just not your color." He paused. "But I'm sure I'd love your natural color."

Kathryn squeezed his hand. "Then I'll just have to pay another visit to the holo-salon so you can see it." She smiled. "But I'm warning you. Tangerines."

Chakotay laughed softly. "I've always found them quite delicious."


Morning sun streamed into the cabin bedroom through slits in the curtains. Kathryn lay against soft pillows and stroked Chakotay's hair as he lay next to her, his head beside her bump, resting on a pillow. He was talking to Silvie and Stevie, telling them one of many ancient stories that had passed down his tribe over generations. Kathryn listened attentively to the tale of a boy who could transform himself into an eagle and a girl who could change into a swan.

Suddenly, Tuvok's voice disturbed their solitude.

"Tuvok to Captain Janeway."

Kathryn answered. "Janeway here."

"You are required on the bridge."

Kathryn looked regretfully at Chakotay who was now looking down at her. "What's the problem?"

"We are being hailed by the Lari."

The Lari were Roxa and Vixi's people.

Kathryn didn't hesitate with her response. "I'll be right there. Janeway out."

As the connection terminated, she addressed Chakotay. "You'd better come too. We could be in for a fight."


The bridge was quiet when Kathryn and Chakotay arrived there, and Tom was sitting idly at his seat. He beamed a boyish smile when he caught a glance of Kathryn's hair.

"You're looking rather singed, Captain. Chakotay set you alight with flames of passion?"

Kathryn fixed on him her death glare, but there was an unmistakable twinkle in her eyes. "This is no time for clever comments on my hair, Mr Paris." She turned to Tuvok. "Mr Tuvok, acknowledge incoming hail and display."

Within seconds, the image of a woman appeared on screen. If it wasn't for her bright yellow eyes and green hair, she could easily have been mistaken for a human.

"I must inform you, " she said coldly, "that you are in violation of our law. Unless you comply, our allies, the Voril, will destroy your ship."

Kathryn stepped closer to the screen, her face just as hard as the face looking back at her.

"It would first be polite to state the violation."

"You carry two Karik's on board. Our sensors detected their biosignatures. You must return them to us immediately."

Kathryn scoffed. "So you can leave them on a planet to die? I don't think so."

"What we do with them is none of your concern."

"It's every bit my concern. They are members of my crew now."

"They are unnatural. The product of experimentation. We cannot allow them to survive. All Karik must be exterminated so their blood does not contaminate ours. The two on board your ship are the last remaining. They must be destroyed."

"If they are the only two surviving," Kathryn answered, "then you have nothing to worry about. They are traveling with us and our home is many light years away. There will be no contamination."

The woman's hard eyes only seemed more determined. "We have our orders. All Karik must be destroyed. And they will be destroyed. We give you six hours to reach a decision. Return the Karik, or the Voril will destroy your ship."

"I will not be threatened," Kathryn answered. "And don't you have a law that says you cannot kill? Destroy this ship and you kill over a hundred people."

"Our law does not apply to acts of aggression, territorial violation, or the acts of allies."

"Very convenient."

"You have six hours. Surrender the Karik or be destroyed."

Kathryn was about to speak when the connection terminated.

She turned to Tuvok. "Transmission analysis."

The Vulcan was a moment in answering as he interpreted data. "Transmission originated from a ship 1.3 light years away."

"Status of Voril vessels?"

"There are a number of vessels pursuing us. The closest is 3.7 light years away."

Kathryn took a deep breath. "Then we have over 24 hours advantage on them. Their threat is hollow. They'll never catch up with us."

"I don't know, Captain," Harry said. "Remember their vessels are superior to ours, both in design and weaponry, and they seem to have powerful transporter technology on board. They may be capable of transporting their vessels great distances."

"Harry's right," Chakotay said. "I'd say the Lari have given us six hours because that's how long it will take the Voril to either reach us or to be within distance enough to transport and fire."

Kathryn turned to him. "What chance do you think we would have against them in battle?"

"Given their superiority and their numbers, I'd say none at all."

A heavy silence fell over the bridge at those words. It was Tuvok who broke it.

"I would remind you of the Prime Directive, Captain," he said calmly. "By harboring these individuals against the will of their people, we are in direct breach of it."

"To hell with the Prime Directive," Kathryn answered. "I'm not giving them Roxa and Vixi. No way."

"It appears we have no other choice," Tuvok continued. "If we do not, the overwhelming likelihood is we will be destroyed."

"There's always a choice," Kathryn answered. "And I'm sure as hell not taking the one that will condemn an innocent woman and her child to a most horrendous death. We'll find a way out of this."

She hit her commbadge. "Janeway to all senior staff, report to the briefing room immediately. Janeway to Torres. I want you there too."


All senior staff sat in silence around the table as Kathryn told them what had happened.

"Right now we are the beaten dog," she concluded, "but I'm determined to change that. I won't throw Roxa and Vixi to the wolves. We have over five hours to think of something."

There was a moment of silence as everyone absorbed their captain's words, and then Seven spoke. "There are several nebulas in this region. We could attempt to conceal ourselves in one of them."

"Only a temporary solution," Tom answered. "We'd have to leave the nebula eventually and when we did, they'd find us."

"What we need," B'Elanna said, "is a cloaking shield. If they can't detect us, they can't destroy us."

"But we've tried to create a cloak in the past," Harry said, "we just don't have the power to maintain one for longer than an hour."

Kathryn got to her feet. "But an hour, or even two if we can prolong duration, may be just enough for us to lose them, or rather them lose us. It's worth a try." She turned to Arlei. "Arlei, you work with B'Elanna to see if you can improve holding time. Seven, you too."

"Yes, Captain," they answered.

She then turned to her First Officer. "Chakotay, shut down all unnecessary systems. We're going to need every last bit of power."

She then dismissed everyone, and they quickly made their way out of the room. Only Tuvok remained, standing a rigid figure before his seat.

Kathryn went over to him. "What is it, Tuvok?"

"A cloaking shield of an hour, or two, is unlikely to suffice," he said, matter of factly.

"Why do you say that?"

"Once the shield collapses, we will be detectable again. The Lari will not give up their quest for the last remaining Karik so easily. They and the Voril will post ships all over this region of space to detect us. Sooner or later we will be detected. I much fear it will be sooner."

Kathryn swallowed. She knew that Tuvok was right. Even if they could get a shield to hold for two or three hours, it would only offer temporary relief from pursuit. But she wouldn't give up on this. It would at least be a couple of hours extra to think of a better plan.

"It will suffice for the present," she said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to study this area of space and see what aid it offers."


Chakotay found Kathryn studying the surrounding area of space intensely on the screen before her in Astrometrics.

"There are a couple of m-class planets within four hours traveling," she said as she saw him enter, "but no nebulas so close."

Chakotay stood beside her and gazed up at the screen. "Any planets containing dilithium within the next light year? It would be a good idea to stock up on energy reserves if we're going to use a cloaking shield."

"Not for at least six light years." She localized an area of space on the screen. "But this region contains a cluster of wormholes and is only eight hours away."

Chakotay studied the region. "I'm surprised Seven or Icheb never mentioned them."

"They come across wormholes all the time. I told them only to inform us if they find any that will lead us closer to home. All these appear to terminate deeper into the Delta Quadrant than we are at present. Several are indecipherable but also unsteady. It would be too dangerous to enter them." She worked the console. "The closest terminating point is 15,000 light years, which would deposit us approximately 55,000 light years from earth." She worked the console again. "It would take us just over nine hours to reach it." She paused. "I know it will set us back more years, but I don't see any other avenue of escape, do you?"

"No," Chakotay answered. "This is our best bet yet. But the Lari expect our answer in four hours time. That means we would need a cloak for over five at least."

"Or just for intervals over that five hours so we can play cat and mouse. These wormholes appear to be one way streets. They won't follow us in. But if we're careful, we should be able to maintain enough power to bring the shield online just as we reach the wormholes. That way they won't even know which one we've taken."

Suddenly, the doors opened and Roxa came in. Her cheeks were wet with tears and her usually bright pink eyes were dull.

"You must send us back," she said, trying to hold back the tears. "You can't endanger your own lives for our sake."

Kathryn went over to her and lay her hand on the woman's shoulder.

"I'll hear none of that. There's no way we're sending you back. You're part of our family now."

"But they'll keep their word. They'll destroy you all..."

"To destroy us, they first have to find us. We didn't get this far in the Delta Quadrant by not knowing how to get one over an enemy or two from time to time. We've even had a few run ins with the Borg. Your people and the Voril don't scare us."

"But you're no match for them..."

"Technologically. But there are other ways. And you're forgetting the second golden rule of survival. If you can't beat an opponent, you flee..."

"But flee where, Captain? They dominate this space."

"We have a few avenues in mind."

A tear ran down the woman's cheek. "I'm so thankful for everything you've done for us, Captain. You've shown us such kindness and hospitality, but I can't have you endanger your lives this way. My people won't allow the Voril to kill you if unnecessary, so if you return us to them, they will let you go on your way. But if you don't, the Voril will destroy you. There would be no sense in all of you dying, when only Vixi and I have to."

"Now, you listen good," Kathryn said firmly. "No one is going to die and no one is going to send you back to those monsters. Understand?"

Roxa nodded and then smiled softly.


A headache was the last thing Kathryn needed. Sitting at her desk in her ready room, she raised her hands to her temples and rubbed there softly. Perhaps it would help if she ate something. She and Chakotay had rushed from their holodeck paradise with barely more than a slice of toast and orange juice inside them. She needed to eat something, if only for the babies sake. Slowly, she got up and went over to the replicator.

"Bowl of hot chicken soup."

It wasn't a lot, but it was something, about all that she could stomach at that moment. She had never been able to eat during a crisis.

A bowl of hot chicken soup materialized with a spoon and Kathryn picked it up and carried it over to her desk.

No sooner than she'd started to eat the soup, the door chime sounded. Kathryn put her spoon down and looked up at the door. "Come in."

It was Tuvok. He walked over to her desk and placed a padd before her.

Kathryn picked it up. "What's this?"

"A reminder of the Prime Directive and the responsibilities of a captain."

Kathryn handed him back the padd. "I'm well aware of my responsibilities."

"Normally I would agree. But, in this instance, I believe you are overlooking them. It is the responsibility of a captain to put the needs of the many above the needs of the few. Destroying the array, while in violation of the Prime Directive, was to sacrifice the few for the many. Therefore, it was logical. To harbor two individuals to the destruction of a hundred and more, aswell as the destruction of the two individuals originally harbored, is not."

Kathryn stood up. "So, what are you saying? That I hand Roxa and Vixi over?"

"It would be the most logical answer."

"And what of the humane and compassionate answer? I'm not sacrificing them to make things a little easier for us!"

"The chance of us surviving if we do not return them to their people is minimal. Starfleet regulation states that a Captain should be prepared to sacrifice the few for the many."

"Not this captain! It's one for all and all for one. I'm not in the habit of discarding the weak for the strong."

"But you will discard the strong for the weak. It is most illogical and inconsistent."

Kathryn put her hand to her brow. "Objection noted. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

"Captain, I must..."

"No more, Tuvok. You've stated your case and I'll note it in the log. Now, dismissed."

Tuvok gave a reluctant nod and then left the room.


There were only two and a half hours left before the Lari expected an answer and still there was no word from B'Elanna, Arlei, or Seven about the cloaking shield. Kathryn sat on the bridge, Chakotay beside her, and twiddled her thumbs impatiently.

Chakotay interpreted the action precisely. "Would you like me to go down to engineering and find out what's happening?"

"No," Kathryn said, looking at him briefly. "You're needed here." She hit her commbadge. "Janeway to Torres. Report."

B'Elanna's voice responded. "I was just about to contact you, Captain. We've done everything that we can. The maximum we can get the cloak to hold is seven hours."

"Seven hours will more than suffice," Kathryn answered. "We only need a window of six."

"But we would need to shut down at least 35 of the ship's systems."

"Acknowledged. How long until you can get the cloak ready for use?"

"Arlei says within the next thirty minutes."

"Inform me as soon as it's usable. Good work, Janeway out."

The connection terminated. Kathryn turned to Chakotay. "The cloak should be ready for use within the next half an hour. It should hold for a good seven hours. If we activate it in about 90 minutes time, the Lari and the Voril will lose us before they can request an answer from us, and we'll be protected by the cloak until we reach the wormhole." She smiled. "Looks like even the beaten dog has her day."


Stars flew by on the viewscreen and the motion was beginning to turn Kathryn's stomach.

"Mr Kim," she said, "take visual offline."

Almost instantly, a blank screen replaced open space and Kathryn lay back against her chair. Chakotay noticed the way she was rubbing her stomach and leant over.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just a little nauseous."

"Would you like a glass of water?"

Kathryn smiled warmly. "That would be nice."

Chakotay got up to fetch her one. As he left the bridge, Kathryn addressed Tuvok.

"Time until the Lari expect their answer?"

"68 minutes, 21 seconds."

Not long now then until Seven was instructed to activate the cloak. Kathryn closed her eyes and tried to fight the nausea consuming her. This was one of the most crucial moments in their journey so far. One mistake, and everyone on board could die. She had to be focussed.

"But the Voril are close," Harry added.

"How close?"

"Within transporter and firing range."

Kathryn swallowed. "Raise shields to maximum."

Chakotay returned with a glass of water and Kathryn took it gratefully. The water was soothing and moistened her dry throat. But then, anxious words from Harry almost made her heave the water up.

"I'm detecting an unauthorized transmission from the ship."

Instantly, Kathryn put down her drink and got to her feet.

"Identify destination and perpetrator..."

Harry worked the console. "It's to the Voril..." He then turned directly to his left in complete astonishment. "Tuvok."

Blood drained out of Kathryn's face and she turned to the Vulcan. "What the hell are you doing?"

Tuvok made no reply, only continued to work his console.

"He's initiating transport," Seven cried. "Roxa and Vixi..."

"Block it," Kathryn said, and then turned to two officers who were close to Tuvok's station. "Mills, Carter, seize Commander Tuvok and convey him to the brig."

The two men did as they were told and Kathryn watched in confusion and disbelief as her trusted advisor and friend was carted away like a villain.

"I couldn't block transport," Seven continued. "But I have a lock on them. Contesting for their biomatter with the Voril..."

"Don't let them go," Kathryn cried. "Whatever you do, don't let them go."

"Contestation could kill them," Harry said.

"If the Voril get them, it will be certain death. I'll take my chances on life."

Chakotay, who was now working a console, raised another alarm. "They're firing weapons."

As he spoke, the ship shook as it was struck and Kathryn had to grab the rail before her to keep on her feet.

"Return the favor. Aim for their transporter hub. All we need is a split second disruption to their transporters and we can retrieve Roxa and Vixi."

Chakotay fired and the action worked.

"We have them," Seven cried, "transporter room one."

Kathryn breathed in relief and put her hand to her brow. "Evidently the Voril caught up with us sooner than they expected."

"They're firing again," Chakotay said, the ship shaking almost in unison with his words. "They must have taken our retrieval of Roxa and Vixi as our answer and now are going to try and bully us into surrendering them."

Kathryn turned to Seven. "Seven, activate the cloak. Tom, warp 7, figure 8. That should put them off our scent."

"Yes, Ma'am," Tom said, always glad of a chance for some challenging evasive maneuvers. Kathryn then hit her commbadge. "Janeway to transporter room one. Report on Roxa and Vixi."

Ayala's voice answered. "We've transported them to sickbay. They're both unconscious."

"Acknowledged," Kathryn said, her concern evident in her voice. "Janeway out."

"The Voril have come to a standstill," Harry cried. "They've lost us."

Kathryn turned to her chief pilot. "Then head for the wormholes. Maximum warp."

She felt terribly nauseous now and had to sit down again. She buried her head in her hands and Chakotay could tell that she wanted to cry. But she didn't cry. She reached for her glass of water and took a sip before hitting her commbadge. "Janeway to sickbay. Report on Roxa and Vixi."

The Doctor's voice answered.

"They suffered injury at the cellular level during transportation, but once I've regenerated those cells, they'll be alright."

"Thank you, Doctor. Janeway out."

This news seemed to relax her a little and she turned in Chakotay's direction as she got to her feet. "Chakotay, you have the bridge. I'm going to see Tuvok."

Chakotay got to his feet as she did. "Let me do that..."

"No," she insisted. "I want to speak to him myself."


All kinds of feelings consumed Kathryn as she approached the brig. Tuvok was seated inside, his head lowered, hands together. The overwhelming feeling was anger, but there was also a feeling of betrayal and a wounding hurt. As she approached the brig, Tuvok looked up and promptly got to his feet. The officer on duty momentarily deactivated the forcefield imprisoning him so Kathryn could step inside. She looked up at her old friend and advisor coolly and found his eyes looking straight into hers.

"I don't have to ask why you did this," she began. "In your logical Vulcan mind, surrendering Roxa and Vixi was a necessary evil. The needs of the many against the needs of the few." She paused. "But I do want to know how. I want to know how you could take an action that would not only undermine my decision but deliberately sabotage our plans."

Tuvok answered calmly. "I did not believe anyone else was capable of making the necessary decision. Emotion was clouding the reason of every senior officer. I had to take matters into my own hands to protect the interests of the crew. It was the logical course of action."

Kathryn stepped closer, her anger fermenting and she clenched her fists to try and contain it.

"On my ship, Tuvok, you will obey my commands, to hell with what your logic dictates! I told you once before when you tried to take matters into your "own hands" that logic is not infallible. And sometimes, those things that are important in life are not logical. Quite the contrary, they are illogical. Such a thing as love. Such a thing as kindness. You suppress those feelings because you believe they lead to incompetent, immoral, and irrational behavior. But today has only proved to me why we need emotion. Why we need to depend on more than mathematical probabilities and philosophical reasoning to make a decision. We need compassion, we need kindness, and we need love. And we need the belief that love can move mountains. Because it can. Logic surrenders, but love will fight to the death." She paused. "We were able to retrieve Roxa and Vixi and we are proceeding to the wormhole. And we will succeed, Tuvok."

Tuvok raised his head just a fraction, the only indication that his captain's words had perturbed him. "I will take due punishment."

"Good," Kathryn answered, "because you will receive due punishment. 60 days in the brig."

Tuvok did not protest. "As you wish, Captain."

"Just be thankful," she said, as she made to leave, "that it's not demotion."


"Report," Kathryn said as she returned to the bridge.

Harry responded. "All is going as planned. We are just over five hours away from the wormhole and the Voril are not pursuing."

Chakotay left his seat and approached them. "Everything is under control here," he said. "I think you should take a break."

Kathryn nodded. Terrible nausea was still plaguing her and she could do with a moment's rest. And, at present, there wasn't a lot she could do on the bridge except stare at a blank viewscreen or a multitude of stars flying by at warp speed. She put her hand on Chakotay's arm. "Summon me when we're approaching the wormhole. Before if you need me."

"We will," he smiled.


Petal was spending the weekend with Naomi so Kathryn's quarters were deserted when she arrived there. She replicated herself another glass of water, and then went to lie down on the couch for five minutes. She closed her eyes, only intending to rest, but before she knew it had drifted to sleep.

"Chakotay to Janeway."

Kathryn stirred awake as she heard her husband's and First Officer's voice over the comm.

"Chakotay to Janeway."

Kathryn's senses were at full alert now and she sat up. "Janeway here."

"You'd better come to the bridge."

"On my way," Kathryn said, already getting up off the couch.


Chakotay was waiting for her when she entered the bridge.

"Voril vessels are gathering at the wormholes. They've either figured that's we're heading, or they're randomly searching for us."

Kathryn turned to Harry. "Time until we reach the wormhole?"

"Approximately 53 minutes."

She then addressed Seven. "Status of cloak?"

"Holding steady, but it consumes more power than we anticipated. It will only hold for approximately another 74 minutes."

"Time enough," Kathryn answered. "We only need to make it to that wormhole."


The wormholes sparkled in the distance, specks of blue light that grew bigger and brighter as Voyager approached them. Kathryn stared at them from her seat, wishing that will power alone could get them there faster.

Suddenly, clouds of blue smoke covered the viewscreen and the ship shook. Kathryn turned to Harry. "Report?"

"Some kind of radioactive cloud."

"I'm also picking up millions of asteroids," Tom cried. "I'm going to have to reduce speed."

"Reduced speed means lost minutes," Kathryn answered, getting to her feet. "We can't afford to lose any time."

"And neither can we afford to crash the ship, Captain. I have to reduce speed. Warp 3."

Kathryn turned to Chakotay. "How long will it take us to the wormhole at warp 3?"

"At least another hour," he said.

"Seven," she called. "How long until the cloak collapses?"

"Approximately 21 minutes."

Kathryn paced the floor, wringing her hands as she tried to come up with a solution. 40 minutes was too long to travel through this space without a cloak. It was ample time for the Voril to find them. There was only one possible alternative.

"Chakotay, time to closest wormhole?"

He worked the console. "Approximately 14 minutes."

"Time to next?"

"Approximately 37."

"Destination of closest?"

"I can't get a reading."

Kathryn sat down on her chair and analyzed the information herself. "It's one of those indecipherable ones I was telling you about. But it seems to be stable at the moment. It would be a bumpy ride, but Voyager is strong enough to withstand its force."

She got to her feet again.

"Tom, alter course. Take us to the closest wormhole." She hit her commbadge. "Janeway to all. In approximately ten minutes time we'll be entering a wormhole. We are expecting a turbulent ride so brace yourselves accordingly. I repeat. This is Captain Janeway to all. In approximately ten minutes time we'll be entering a wormhole. We are expecting a turbulent ride so brace yourselves accordingly."

As she finished, Chakotay got to his feet and bridged the gap between them.

"The turbulence will most likely be severe. I don't think you should stay on the bridge. I think bed would be the safest place for you and the babies."

"The same thought occurred to me." She put her hand on his arm. "I'll return once we're safely through the wormhole." She then turned to the crew. "Chakotay will be in command as we make our way through the wormhole. Take your orders from him."

With that, she left the bridge.


The motion was sickening. Kathryn held onto the sheets around her tightly as the ship shook from side to side, up and down. Her already nauseous stomach wanted to heave but she fought against it, held tighter to the sheets that were firmly tucked under the mattress for extra security. She had also erected a cushioned forcefield around the bed to prevent her being thrown across the room in the event of extreme turbulence.

More bumps, more tossing, and Kathryn could hardly breathe now as nausea overwhelmed her.

Then all was still.

Kathryn let go of the sheets and looked around.

Everything was still. Perfectly still.

Then she heard Chakotay's voice.

"Chakotay to all. We are now safely through the wormhole. Information on our location will follow as soon as we have determined it. All those injured during the passage report to sickbay."

Kathryn could contain her nausea no more and, after deactivating the forcefield, blindly climbed out of the bed and made her way to the bathroom. Once there, she collapsed before the lavatory and heaved.

When she was done, she lay back against the wall and took a deep breath. She was about to contact Chakotay, when another wave of nausea consumed her and all she could do was heave.

"Kathryn..."

The voice was near... behind her... And then she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. Chakotay.

"I'm alright," she said, drawing away from the lavatory after another bout of heaving. "The motion was just too much for my stomach."

Chakotay caressed her arm softly. "I'll get you a cup of warm water."

"Make it coffee flavored," she teased.

"Then you should go to sickbay. Just to make sure everything is alright."

"Yes, Sir," she smiled. Then she fell serious. "What's our position?"

"We don't know. Many of our systems were damaged as we went through the wormhole. It will be at least an hour before we can determine our location."

"And the crew?"

"Only minor injuries reported."

Kathryn smiled, tears in her eyes. "Then we did it."

Chakotay nodded and put his hand to Kathryn's cheek. "You're amazing, Kathryn" he whispered. "What you did today..." He paused. "No other captain I have ever known would have done it. Not to save the lives of only two."

"I won't accept limitations," she said softly. "I never have. It's the Janeway streak in me. I believe everything and anything is possible with determination." She lowered her eyes. "Some would say that's a weakness."

Chakotay took her hand in his and squeezed her hand. "Then they don't know Kathryn Janeway."

Kathryn looked up at him and gazed into his eyes. Chakotay leant forward and kissed her forehead.

"Don't ever change, Kathryn. Don't ever change."


The Doctor was busy attending to injured crew when Kathryn arrived at sickbay, but hastily made his way over to her when he saw her and began scanning her.

"I was just about to summon you," he said. "Such a rollercoaster of a ride was most unfitting for a woman in your condition."

"I'm alright," Kathryn said. "It just aggravated my nausea." She looked over his shoulder to the crew waiting his attention. "But I really shouldn't be skipping the queue, Doctor..."

"Older expectant mother of twins, and Captain of this ship, I would say so."

"Less of the older, thank you very much," she teased.

Her eyes met the Doctor's and she smiled warmly. The Doctor smiled too and the ice that had existed between them over the past month melted away.

The Doctor continued to examine her and then stepped away. "Your blood pressure's a little high, but other than that, all is well."

"Given the day we've had, Doctor, I'm surprised it hasn't soared light years." She put her hand on his arm. "Now, finish attending to the crew."

"Yes, Captain," he answered.

As he returned to his patients, Kathryn made her way over to Roxa and Vixi who were sitting up together in an extended biobed, watching the activities going on around them. Vixi looked in wonder at Kathryn's short black hair for a long moment, and then at her bump, while Kathryn addressed her mother.

"How are you feeling?"

"We're fine, Captain," she smiled. Then tears welled in her eyes. "Thank you. Thank you for everything."

"As I told you," Kathryn said kindly, "you're part of our family now. You belong with us."

As she spoke, she felt a hand on her bump and looked down to find Vixi touching it.

"I'm sorry," Roxa smiled. "Vixi's just fascinated by your pregnancy. She's never seen a pregnant woman before."

Kathryn smiled warmly at the little girl before her. "Quite incredible, isn't it, to think there's two babies inside me?"

Vixi nodded and Kathryn put her hand to the child's cheek. "When sickbay's less busy, and I've finished duty, I'll come back with pictures of the babies and a stethoscope so you can hear their heartbeats. Would you like that?"

Vixi nodded again and smiled happily.


"How long until we can get any idea of our location?"

Harry looked up from his console into the face of his First Officer.

"It should be any moment now, Sir," he answered.

"My suspicion is the Beta Quadrant," Arlei said, having left Engineering briefly to see what was happening on the bridge.

Chakotay turned to her. "Why do you say that?"

"Because it was a long passage. If we were still in the Delta Quadrant, I think it would have been much shorter. Of course, we could be somewhere in the furthest outskirts of the quadrant."

Chakotay could only hope and pray with his whole heart that that was not the case.

"Any progress?"

The voice was Kathryn's. She had just arrived on the bridge.

"We're just about to find out our location," Chakotay answered.

"Any moment now," Harry continued. "We're..." He paused as data was displayed before him. "Something's coming up..."

All those on the bridge left their positions now and made their way over to Harry's station. Not a sound was heard, not even the sound of breathing as everyone's breath was suspended.

"I don't believe it," Harry said when their location was finally displayed.

Kathryn swallowed. "What, Mr Kim?"

He looked up and looked around at the anxious faces before him. "We're in Vidian space."

Everyone stared at him, a sea of shocked faces. Then Harry began to laugh. "I'm only kidding. We're in the Alpha Quadrant."

He expected his Captain to laugh and reprimand him for ill-humor, but she just stared at him, tears in her eyes, and it was a long moment before she spoke.

"The Alpha Quadrant?"

"Yes, Ma'am," he said, her unexpected reaction quieting him.

"What's... what's our exact location?"

It was Arlei who answered. "Approximately 18,000 light years west of earth."

Kathryn lowered her eyes, disappointment momentarily consuming her. They were still a long way from home. And for a moment, just a moment...

But disappointment was far from the sentiment on the bridge. She could hear happy chatter and laughter all around her.

"How lucky are we?" she heard Tom say. "Of all the places in the galaxy we could have ended up..."

And he was right. They could so easily have ended up in the furthest regions of the Delta Quadrant or the Beta Quadrant, could even have been destroyed by the Voril, but instead here they were back in the Alpha Quadrant and closer than ever to home.

She looked up at the happy faces all around her. "Alright. Everyone go and celebrate this news. Seven, Arlei, Tom, you stay."

Chakotay and Harry stayed with them and, as all other officers left the bridge, Kathryn addressed Seven.

"What's our energy level?"

"On reserve, Captain, but we've enough to keep us going for another five days."

"How far is the closest planet containing dilithium?"

"Approximately 5 light years."

Kathryn smiled. "Then we're well covered. Mr Paris, I want a party on the holodeck tonight. You're in charge."

"Yes, Ma'am," he smiled.

She dismissed him and walked over to Seven's station. The former drone was analyzing the area of space around them and Kathryn looked at the chart.

"There appear to be many solar systems," she said, observing.

"Ten to be precise," Seven answered. "All within a distance of a 200 light years."

Arlei's voice commented. "Region of the ten suns."

Kathryn turned to her, not understanding. "I'm sorry?"

"It's where my people are said to have originated," Arlei explained. "My people have long been space travelers, but our empire was almost completely destroyed by a war with a now extinct species called the Juva over three thousand years ago. All communication was lost between colonies and it took centuries for us to become space travelers again. All that remained of our past glory was fragments of documents and legend. The region of the ten suns was the heart of our empire and many myths and legends are focussed on it" She paused. "My people must have traveled to the Delta Quadrant all those years ago by the same wormhole that we traveled through."

"The wormhole we traveled through was one way only," Seven answered, rather bluntly. "But there is a wormhole 35.8 light years away that appears to terminate 10,000 light years from Quarren. They could have used that."

"If so," Arlei continued, "ancient ancestors of mine may still inhabit this region."

"It's quite possible," Kathryn replied.

"I don't think so, Captain," Harry said, joining the conversation. "I mean there's no sign of any inhabited planets on sensors."

Kathryn tried to hide her smile. It was evident that Harry didn't want there to be any of Arlei's ancestors in this region. No doubt he was worried that if there was, she might be tempted to join them and try and rebuild links with her people in the Delta Quadrant. The wormholes offered the perfect opportunity. But somehow Kathryn doubted that she would. If they did find her ancestors, passing on her knowledge of the wormholes and the Delta Quadrant would suffice.

"Not yet," Kathryn said kindly. "But we've only conducted superficial scans. We'll learn more about this region when all sensors are operational and as we travel through it."


The party in holodeck one was in full swing, but Kathryn had left early. She was still feeling rather nauseous, and was completely exhausted. Chakotay was staying on a little longer as it was only right that one of them should be present. As she left the party, she realized that holodeck two would probably be deserted. She did a quick check and found that it was. It would be the perfect time to run her holo-salon program. She made her way to holodeck two and activated the program. It was her own special creation and she loved going there. It was nice to be pampered, and over the years, going to the salon had been one of her favorite ways of relaxing. Her hairdresser, Claudette, was a sweet, motherly, woman, and although she was only a hologram, Kathryn had developed a bond with her. She had always been able to talk to the woman about things she hadn't been able to talk to others about, and Claudette always gave good advice. She was a good hairstylist too, and it only took her half an hour to change Kathryn's short black hair into ginger locks that flowed over her shoulders.

Back in her quarters, Kathryn took a quick shower, and then, dressed only in her bathrobe, replicated some warm toast topped with honey and sat in a chair in the living room to eat them. As she did so, she looked around the room and began to think of further modifications to make in the future. Apart from one or two of Petal's toys scattered here and there, the quarters still looked like a couple's home, not a children's home. The wall to her right was vacant and it occurred to her that it would be the perfect place to put up an entertainment screen. As she looked around, her eyes fell on her shelf of photographs. Kathryn finished her last slce of toast, and then went over to the shelf. She picked up the picture of Oliver, now framed in clear glass, and gazed at it for a moment. She was so glad her memories had been restored, so glad her son's existence was part of hers again. Tenderly, she reached out and touched his tiny face and then lay a strand of her hair on the glass next to his. Their hair was the exact same shade.

The doors to her quarters suddenly opened and Chakotay came in. Kathryn put down the picture and turned to him.

"You wanted natural," she smiled.

Chakotay gazed at her carrot hair and smiled. "Very fetching. I like the length too."

Kathryn bridged the distance between them and took his hands in hers. "Of course, it's not completely natural. I had some help from 'exact color gray shader'."

Chakotay laughed softly. "I get some help from that too."

Kathryn ruffled his hair. "But you don't need it. I always liked your salt and pepper style. It made you look ... distinguished."

Chakotay smiled, dimples showing. "Then I'll have to arrange a trip to my own hair parlor and see what they can do." He then fell serious. "How are you feeling? It's been one hell of a day."

"Exhausted," she answered. "But otherwise I'm alright." Tears welled in her eyes. "It's all been like a dream, Chakotay. It's so hard to believe that we're in the Alpha Quadrant."

"I know," he said quietly. "A reward from the gods, perhaps, for what you did for Roxa and Vixi." He averted his eyes. "Although I know you don't believe in that."

"To tell the truth," Kathryn said quietly, "I don't know what I believe anymore. If you'd asked me seven years ago, then I'd have said no, I don't believe in any spiritual beings or caretakers of our souls existing beyond our universe. But now, after all the things we've been through, especially what happened with Kes, I don't know." She paused. "And knowing you, being married to you, and seeing the depth of your faith, it's changed me. I've always respected the beliefs of others, but I couldn't help feel that those who believed in a god or spiritual existence, or those who followed a certain religion, were unthinking, unquestioning. Even gullible. But you're none of those things and your faith is so real, so genuine. I can't help think now that perhaps I was the gullible one, the unthinking one, to believe that what we see is the limit of our existence, that what we are is the limit of our physical parameters."

"In many ways we are what we're brought up to be," Chakotay answered. "I was raised by spiritual people to be a spiritual man. You were raised by scientific people to be scientific. Science begins with nothing and creates answers from its own questions. Faith begins with something and creates questions from its answers."

"But science and spiritualism are clearly not incompatible. You're evidence of that." She paused. "But it does beg the question of what we're going to teach our children."

"Yes," he answered quietly, never having considered it before.

"Because I don't want them to feel they have to choose between our cultures. That would be like asking them to choose between us." She paused. "I think they should be raised in your faith."

"You do?"

She nodded. "Your faith is strong. It's an important part of your life. And it certainly hasn't done you any harm. Quite the contrary. You have generations of traditions and beliefs to pass to them. I don't even know what my beliefs are. It's only right, Chakotay."

"But you have to be sure, Kathryn. It's a big decision."

Kathryn smiled, a teasing glint in her eye. "I'm good at those."

"You certainly are," he smiled

"And what happened today with Tuvok ... it just reminds us more than ever how important it is that we allow emotion to help shape a decision, that we allow our minds to be more than computers determining what is logical and probable."

Chakotay moved his hand to her shoulder. "What Tuvok did, it surprised the hell out of me. I would never have expected it. But he's a good man. He wouldn't have done it unless he truly believed it was the only solution."

"I know," Kathryn replied. "But to go behind my back...to so deliberately try and send Roxa and Vixi to their deaths..." She closed her eyes and put her hand to her brow. "I don't know if I can forgive him..."

Chakotay caressed her arm softly. "You can, Kathryn. Because he did it for you as much as he did it for the crew."

Kathryn looked up at him. "For me?"

Chakotay nodded. "Because despite his Vulcan heart, he loves you. And he loves little Naomi too. He did it for you, he did it for her, and he did it for our babies." He paused. "He was acting just as much from love as from logic."

Kathryn played with the ring she had given Chakotay for their anniversary on his finger.

"You know," she said, "I've just thought. Our last night in the Delta Quadrant was the night of our first wedding anniversary."

"So it was," he whispered.

She looked up at him again. "For so many years I resented the Delta Quadrant, resented being there. But now... now its so far away... I think I'll miss it. Sounds crazy, doesn't it?"

"Not at all. A part of me will miss it too. It was our home for so long." He paused. "And the place where I found the true meaning of peace, of contentment, and of love."

"But not the only place you will find them," Kathryn replied.

Chakotay brushed his fingers against her cheek. "No," he whispered.

Kathryn took his hand and moved it to her chest, holding it over her heart.

"My true love hath my heart and I have his," she said softly. "By just exchange one for another given. I hold his dear, and mine he cannot miss. There never was a better bargain driven. His heart in me keeps him and me in one. My heart in him his thoughts and senses guides. He loves my heart, for once it was his own. I cherish his, because in me it bides. My true love hath my heart and I have his."

Chakotay gazed into his wife's eyes. "My heart will always be yours, Kathryn. And my home will always be where you are."

Kathryn smiled and squeezed his hand tight. "And mine with you."

END OF CHAPTER NINETEEN