CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
ECLIPSE
Autumn in Indiana was chilly. Wrapped in a warm woolen white cardigan, Kathryn walked onto the porch of her childhood home and looked out at the land around her in the bronze morning sun. Everything looked just the same as she remembered. It was as though time had left this part of the world untouched. The swing she had always sat on as a young girl was still hanging to the left of the porch, and to her right were the two rocking chairs her mother and father had sit in on warm summer nights. Kathryn walked over to the swing and sat down. Petal, who had followed her mistress out of the house, jumped up next to her and curled into a warm ball.
"Like stepping into a memory."
Kathryn turned around and saw her father in the doorway. He was dressed in loose black trousers and like her was wrapped in a thick woolen white cardigan.
"I would often sit out here at dawn when you and Phoebe were children. It was so quiet and peaceful."
"I used to sit out here at night," Kathryn said. "The stars would shine so brightly, like diamonds. Sometimes they seemed so close that I could almost touch them."
Her father walked over to her and sat on a thin bench that run the length of the wall. "I've missed being here so much. In many ways it's hard to believe that I really am here."
"Like a dream," Kathryn said quietly. "Like we've fallen through time or awoken into another reality. It's hard to believe that this time yesterday we were hundreds of light years away with no knowledge of what the day would bring." She paused. "For so long I wanted to get the crew home, but I never thought how difficult it would be to say goodbye. We became so much more than a crew. Now everyone is going their separate ways. Tuvok's on his way to Vulcan, Celes to Bajor, Seven's staying with her aunt, the Doctor with Reg Barclay and Harry with his parents." She paused. "And then there's Chakotay..."
Edward looked at his daughter sadly. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I'm sorry that finding me meant losing your husband."
"I haven't lost him," she answered. "Everyone keeps saying that but it isn't true. We've just been separated for a while." Tears welled in her eyes. "And I'm not sorry we found you, Daddy. How could I be? I'm just sorry that Chakotay didn't come home with us. But he will. One day he'll come home."
Her father made no reply to that. Chakotay was so far away and so alone. He didn't think there was much chance of him ever coming home. But if belief gave Kathryn hope, then it couldn't do much harm to let her believe...
"It must be stranger for you," Kathryn went on. "We were only out there seven years. You were on that ship for almost twenty."
"But my heart was always here," he replied. "Every night in my dreams I would be back here. You and Phoebe would be playing with Ceres and your mother and I would be watching from this porch."
Kathryn turned to look at the land again. "I returned here so many times in my dreams too. Sometimes I would be a child again, other times I'd be here with Justin or Mark. Sometimes I'd dream of bringing Chakotay here and Silvie and Stevie."
Her father smiled. "I would never have imagined you and Hobbes as a couple. He was so..." he searched for the word, "bland."
Kathryn couldn't help smile. "That was part of the appeal." She then fell serious. "He was "safe". He was predictable, stable, and as a civilian he'd never be sent on dangerous missions. After what happened to you and Justin, I needed that." She paused. "I'm glad he's met someone else and I hope that he's happy, I really do. I hope Justin meets someone else too. He so deserves too. It's not going to be easy for him to adjust to life back on Earth or to go back to Starfleet. So much has changed technologically and politically in twenty years."
"Yes. But I'm sure he'll manage. He's very resilient."
"He left early from the celebrations last night and I don't think mentioned where he was going. He might have, but everything was so overwhelming. I didn't take in half of what people were telling me."
"He's gone to stay with his mother-in-law in Austria," her father clarified. "He wants Heidi to get to know her maternal grandmother.
"I see. Did he mention whether he's planning to return to Starfleet?"
"Yes. He said he's going to try for a position on the ground." He paused. "What are your plans for today, Goldenbird?"
"Starfleet Command wishes to debrief me this morning, but I'm told it shouldn't take too long. After that I want to find out what's happening with the frozen babies. A message has been sent to their nearest of kin informing them of the situation and, while it's early days, I want to see if there have been any responses. I especially want to know whether Martina Radcliffe will want her baby boy. Lieutenants Sonia and Paul Marshall have been looking after him, and want to give him a home if she isn't interested. They are unable to have a child of their own." She paused. "They were the first couple I married on Voyager. The first couple I ever married."
"Quite a privilege, isn't it, to unite two people in matrimony?"
"Yes," Kathryn answered. "A great honor." She paused. "This afternoon I want to visit Roxa and Ella Martin to see what's happening with them and how they are settling in. Then I want to start house hunting. Aunt Martha tells me there's an old manor house vacant near Lake Griffy that's available for immediate occupation, so I want to find out about that and arrange a viewing.
A joy filled her father's eyes. "You've decided to stay in Bloomington?"
"Yes. I would like to raise Silvie and Stevie here. It's such a beautiful part of the world and it will be good for them to be close to family."
Her father smiled. "Your mother will be absolutely delighted. She's so family orientated and has always loved children. For so long we thought we weren't going to have any, but then you came along and Phoebe. She always hoped there would be another little Janeway, but it wasn't meant to be. I know that being a part of the twins lives will mean a lot to her."
Kathryn nodded. "I missed Mom a lot when I was in the Delta Quadrant, but never more than when Silvie and Stevie arrived. I knew how much she would adore them and I wanted so much for her to share in all that was happening."
"Just wait until we tell her about the two Janeway juniors in storage... "
Kathryn smiled. "Yes. We might need smelling salts..."
Her father then became serious. "But it won't be easy raising four children by yourself."
"I won't be by myself. I'll have you and Mom and Phoebe. And Chakotay might be home by then. We planned on waiting a few years before awakening them."
Her father looked out to the land, gazing at the simple beauty and pondering the course of life. "It's strange how life turns out," he said thoughtfully. "I always thought it would be Phoebe with the brood of children. To be honest, I never thought you would have any."
"After we were stranded in the Delta Quadrant, neither did I," Kathryn replied. "I'd always wanted a child, but at the same time, I'd always wanted to explore space. I knew that having the first would severely limit the second, so when Mark wasn't keen on having a child, it didn't worry me too much. I could further my career, do what I wanted to do, and then have a child later in life if he changed his mind. It seemed I had years left. Then we got stranded and having a child was no longer a real option." She smiled lightly. "Until events took care of themselves, that is, and Silvie and Stevie came into being." She got to her feet. "And speaking of the terrible two, they'll be needing a feed soon. I'd better go and prepare their bottles... real, not replicated."
As she got up, Petal did too and jumped from the swing.
Her father questioned. "Have you had breakfast?"
"Not yet."
"Then how about I make us some pancakes? Real, not replicated?"
Kathryn smiled. "That would be good."
With that, she disappeared back into the house and Petal followed.
As expected, the debriefing was over within an hour. Most of what Starfleet Command wished to know about Voyager's journey in the Delta Quadrant they already did from logs and files previously transmitted home. Most of the decisions Kathryn had made, and the actions she'd taken, Starfleet Command were happy with. There were only a few incidents she was asked to explain or elaborate upon, such as events surrounding The Equinox and Unimatrix Zero. Kathryn explained her actions to the best of her ability and the Admirals seemed to appreciate that the uniqueness of their situation made bending the rules on occasion necessary. Given the opposition to her marriage by so many the year before, she had expected a question or two on the subject, but there were none. The only mention of her personal life was made by Admiral Carter, and that was in the form of an apology for his former misjudgment. He also commended her for the courage she had displayed in getting the crew home despite personal sacrifice.
As everyone departed the room, Admiral Michael Egerton came up to her.
"Admiral Carter speaks for us all. I think we all equally admire the way you were able to separate personal and professional feelings to get your crew home. It's not something every Starfleet Captain could have done. You have my uttermost respect and regard."
"Thank you," Kathryn replied.
"And however long a leave you feel you need, we gladly extend to you. I'm sure there are a lot of things you need to sort out."
"Yes," Kathryn answered. "But I don't want to stay off work too long. I'm looking forward to the challenges of being an Admiral and would like to return to work as soon as I can."
He smiled. "And I look forward to working with you."
With that he left the room, leaving Kathryn alone with her old mentor, Admiral Paris.
"How do you really feel about being an Admiral?" He asked, bridging the gap between them. "A desk job doesn't appeal to everyone."
"I'm very glad of the promotion," Kathryn said honestly. "In different circumstances I might not have been, but a captain's role is to captain a ship. With two small children, that's not something I really want to do. I feel very honored to be promoted to the Admiralty and I can transport home to be with my children every day."
"You probably know more about our galaxy than anyone at Starfleet Command. Not to mention about the Borg. You're going to be highly sought after." He looked at her, his eyes moist. "I knew there was something special about you the first time we met. You had a rare passion for your work and an incredible intelligence. I'm very proud that you chose me to be your mentor."
"Thank you," Kathryn said, touched at his words.
He put his hand on her shoulder. "And thank you for taking care of my son. He's a changed man. That's all down to you."
"All I did was give him an opportunity. Everything he's achieved, he's done by himself."
"No," Admiral Paris answered. "You gave him more than that. You gave him trust and you gave him faith in himself. You succeeded where I failed. I never trusted him, I only criticized him. And I never gave him faith in himself, I only gave him doubt." He paused. "I only hope that I can make it up to him in the years we have left."
"I'm sure any past difference are long forgotten," Kathryn said. "That's the wonderful thing about family. And I'm sure you'll both dote on little Miral with equal measure."
"I'm sure we will."
Kathryn lowered her eyes. "Yesterday was, well, a difficult day for me. I know I didn't pay as much attention to the reunions as I should have. Did B'Elanna hear from her mother?"
"No, but she received news about her. Apparently she went on some Klingon spiritual quest after Voyager was lost in the hope of her daughter returning safely. By all accounts it's a brutal challenge and she never returned from it. Had B'Elanna returned home a little sooner, she could have been given her mothers possessions before they were ritually burnt, but it's now too late."
"I'm sorry," Kathryn said. "She was hoping so much to make things up with her mother. If it's alright with you, I'll pay her a visit this evening."
"There would be no point. She and Tom have already left with Miral for Boreth. B'Elanna wants to learn more about her mother's fate. She's not convinced she's dead."
"If she isn't, B'Elanna will find her. I have no doubt about that."
"What about you? Have you been able to get in contact with everyone you want too?"
"To be honest, I haven't tried. Most people have come to me. But I haven't heard from Chakotay's sister, his cousin, or my friend Abigail Tanner."
"I can't speak for Chakotay's family, but I know that Abigail Tanner is commanding a ship in deep space. She's out of communication range temporarily and we don't expect her and the crew home for at least another three months."
"I see," Kathryn replied. "I'm glad she finally made it to captain. She really wanted to command her own ship one day." She paused. "From what I hear, a lot of people have returned to their home planets in the demilitarized zone. If Chakotay's sister has returned there with her family, and his cousin, then it's going to be very difficult to track them down. No modern technology is allowed in his tribe."
"When we lost contact with you a few months ago, a lot of relatives sent us letters to pass onto you if communication became possible again. If Chakotay's sister and cousin have returned to their home planet, they may have told him about it in a letter. Let's go to my office and I'll see what I can find."
Admiral Paris's office was very different to how Kathryn remembered. The furniture was arranged differently and the whole room was much more bright and inviting. Admiral Paris gestured for her to take a seat before his desk, and then sat down himself. He switched on his computer monitor and logged in.
"Over three hundred personal letters altogether," he said, having accessed the information he wanted. "No doubt we would have got round to sending them out eventually, even though most are probably irrelevant now. But I suppose some might contain important information so it's best that I arrange for them to be sent today." He looked through more data. "There are five for you. Two are from your mother and sister, and one from a Martha Janeway."
"My aunt," Kathryn clarified.
"There's one for Chakotay, but I don't know whether the name is male or female. It's from a Sekaya."
"That's his sister." She paused. "How old is it?"
"Just over eight months." He picked up a padd, switched it on, and then worked the keyboard of his computer. "I'm downloading it to this padd. It shouldn't take..." He smiled. "All done."
He handed the padd to Kathryn and she took it. But instead of reading it, she just stared at the small screen that contained Chakotay's name.
"You don't have to read it now," Admiral Paris said. "Take it away with you."
"I'm just wondering if I should read it," she said quietly. "It's addressed to Chakotay. It doesn't seem right."
"It might be the only link you have to his sister's whereabouts. I'd say that justifies reading it."
Kathryn nodded. She opened the letter and began to read. As she did so, tears welled in her eyes.
Admiral Paris questioned. "Is everything alright?"
"It's Chakotay's mother," Kathryn said quietly. "Enola. She's still alive. He thought she was killed in the massacre of his tribe." She paused. "In her last communication with Chakotay, Sekaya said she was planning on returning to their native planet for a visit. Like Chakotay, she had left the tribe to pursue a different kind of life. In this letter, she says that when she arrived there, she found out that more people had survived the slaughter than was thought. Their mother was amongst them. She found her living in a hut on the site of their former village. Sekaya says that she and her family are returning to Trebus to help rebuild their village and community, and that their cousin is joining them. As this was written some months ago, she must be on Trebus by now." She paused again. "I'll have to go there. I'll have to explain to them what has happened and introduce them to Silvie and Stevie." She didn't even know if they knew about Silvie and Stevie. While Sekaya lived in a commune that allowed comminucation technology and modern conveniences, they were still relatively isolated from the rest of the Federation. Chakotay had wanted to tell her in person about the babies when it was his turn to speak to family back home, but they had lost contact with the Federation before his turn arrived.
"Is it safe to go there?"
"Yes. The Cardassians no longer occupy the planet."
Cardassians. That triggered another memory..
"And talking of Cardassians," she said, "I remember about my pregnancy. The Doctor restored my memories when I began to have flashbacks when I was pregnant with Silvie and Stevie."
"I wondered," he answered. "Suppressed memories do often begin returning in the form of flashbacks." He paused. "How do you feel about it? A lot of people feel that involuntary suppression of memories is a violation."
"I understand why you all felt it was necessary, but at the same time I feel it was wrong to deprive me of all memory of my son."
"For what it's worth," he said. "I wasn't in favor of it. Your family knew you on a personal level, but I knew you on both a personal and a professional level. And, knowing you as well as I did, I didn't feel you would do something to end your own life while you were on a mission to save others. But, as so very few people knew of your pregnancy, because of the circumstances surrounding it and the privacy you wanted, suppressing your memories of events was a realistic option and your family were adamant that it was the right thing to do. I ultimately felt I had to respect their wishes as they were your family, not I."
"And you were right. I didn't try to take my own life. I got lost on the planet and fell."
"That was my thought." He paused. "But your family did truly believe they were acting in your best interest. It wasn't an easy decision for them."
"I'm sure it wasn't. But I'm glad to have those memories back." She paused. "Again, subject hopping, have we had any responses from the biological parents or next of kin of the babies retrieved from the Moralyn Home world?"
"Yes. I believe we've had several."
"Any thing from Martina Radcliffe?"
"I believe she's expected this morning. I've referred her case and all others to Admiral Sarah Parker. I think she's more suited to the delicacy of the situation than I am." He smiled. "I'm fully aware of my reputation. I wouldn't want to frighten unsuspecting civilians."
Kathryn smiled and was about to speak when an automated voice spoke first. "Incoming transmission."
At that Kathryn got to her feet. "I'll leave you to it, Sir." She gestured to the padd in her hands. "And thank you."
"There's no need to leave," he said. "If my guess is right, this is a transmission you'll be very interested in."
He turned his attention to the screen. "Acknowledge transmission."
As communication was established, he smiled. "Good day, Ambassador. I have someone very special to speak with you today."
He turned the monitor around to face Kathryn and she gasped when she recognized the face before her.
"Neelix..."
Voyager's once resident Talaxian beamed a happy smile when he saw her. "Captain," he said joyfully. "You made it home! Oh this is wonderful, so wonderful!" He turned away and called out to those with him. "The Captain is home. Voyager is home..."
Applause was heard behind him and Neelix turned again to face her. "We've been so worried, Captain. We didn't know what had happened to you."
"We lost contact with you and the Federation," Kathryn explained. "We came to Borg space and had to drastically change course."
"How did you get home? Did you find a wormhole or did someone help you?"
"We found a ship in an asteroid zone that was transwarp capable but had no functioning warp-core. We used Voyager's warp core to power the ship and returned home in it."
"So you didn't return in Voyager?"
"No. We had to leave her behind." She paused, the words painful to say. "Chakotay stayed with her to destroy the ship if our mission was successful. He's making his way home alone."
The joy in Neelix's eyes faded. "I'm so sorry, Captain. I know you wouldn't have left him behind unless there was no other way."
Tears welled in Kathryn's eyes. "It was either him or me. Because his future in the Federation was so uncertain, we decided it had to be him... for Silvie and Stevie's sake."
There was a moment of heavy silence. Then Neelix spoke. "I have wondered so much about your babies. I knew that if you were all still alive, and I hoped so much that you were, they would have to be born now."
"Yes," Kathryn answered, glad of the change of subject. "They were born a little earlier than expected, but they're doing just fine. Stevie was born deaf, but the Doctor's put a device in his ears that helps him to hear."
Neelix smiled softly. "I'm so glad, Captain. The Doctor always knows what to do." He paused. "How are Naomi and Seven? Naomi must be so happy to finally be with her father."
"I'm sure she is. As to Seven, she's gone to stay with her aunt. Harry's staying with his parents and Tuvok's on his way home to Vulcan. We only got back yesterday so there's a lot of adjustment for everyone."
The connection began to break.
"Looks like our time is up, Captain," Neelix said. "Speak to you..."
The screen sizzled and then went blank.
Kathryn looked up at Admiral Paris. "It didn't occur to me that you'd be able to communicate with Neelix the same way you were able to communicate with Voyager. I never thought we'd see or hear from him again. This is just wonderful..."
"The thought didn't occur to us until very recently either. Well, I say us, it was actually Reginald Barclay's idea. It took us a while to perfect, but we were finally able to make contact last month." He paused. "Neelix and his people asked to become a Federation colony in the Delta Quadrant and that was actualized. Once a week, Neelix will make a report to us. All necessary communication and data will be transferred as need arises during the eleven minutes contact time we have with the Delta Quadrant every day."
A lump gathered in Kathryn's throat. "Then it looks like the post of Ambassador I gave him is more appropriate than we thought."
Admiral Paris smiled. "It certainly is."
A young female ensign with short blonde hair was standing outside Admiral Parker's office when Kathryn arrived there. She was slouching and studying her finger nails but stood at full attention when she saw someone approach. Her eyes widened in awe when she recognized the auburn haired woman before her and couldn't help stare.
"Something wrong with my appearance, Ensign?" Kathryn teased as she reached the door.
"No, Sir," the young girl said. "Sorry, Sir."
"I don't like to be called Sir," Kathryn kindly corrected, "Admiral will suffice." She was about to say Captain, but remembered just in time.
"Yes, Admiral."
"What's your name?"
"Ensign Janine Walters."
"Are you waiting to see Admiral Parker?"
"No, Admiral. I'm waiting to escort a civilian couple who are presently with her to the transporter zone."
"I see. Was one of the civilians called Martina Radcliffe?"
"I think that was her name."
"Thank you." Kathryn turned to the door and was about to ring the door chime when the girl spoke again.
"You're Captain Janeway, aren't you? I mean, were..."
Kathryn turned back to her. "Yes," she answered. "I'm Kathryn Janeway."
"I think you're amazing," the girl said sincerely, "we all do. The way you kept your crew alive in the Delta Quadrant and got them home is just incredible."
"Thank you," Kathryn replied.
The girl reached into the pocket of her uniform jacket and pulled out a small paper pad and a pen. "Please may I have your autograph?"
Kathryn raised her eyebrow curiously. She had been asked many unusual things in her career, but never for her autograph!
The girl swallowed. "If it's not too much trouble..."
"No trouble at all," Kathryn said.
The girl smiled and handed Kathryn the pen and paper. As Kathryn signed her name, the girl spoke again. "Could I also have one for my sister?"
"Of course," Kathryn said, flipping the page over and signing her name again.
"And, if you could, for my cousin Rodney."
Kathryn looked up at the girl, slightly amused. "How many more?"
"Just one for my friend Lydia."
Kathryn signed two more pages and then handed them back to the delighted girl.
"Thank you so much, Admiral," she smiled.
The doors to the office suddenly opened and a tall, thin, black woman who had to be Martina Radcliffe emerged from inside. She was holding her baby in her arms and her eyes were moist from tears. A black man followed her, evidently her husband, and appeared equally as emotional.
"You must be Martina Radcliffe," Kathryn said warmly. "I'm Kathryn Janeway."
The woman smiled joyfully. "Captain Janeway, I am glad to see you. Thank you so much for bringing my baby home to me. My husband and I have been trying for a baby for many years but without success. We are so happy to have this baby, my son. It is a dream come true. Thank you so much."
"It's really Lieutenant Tighe and Lieutenant Hillman you should thank," Kathryn said modestly. "They're the ones who rescued him."
"I thank all of you," the woman said. "They might have rescued him but you brought him home. My husband thanks you all too."
The man held his hand out to Kathryn and spoke as she reciprocated. "It truly is an honor to meet you, Captain."
"Likewise," Kathryn said. "And I wish you all much happiness."
When the new parents had left with Ensign Walters, Admiral Parker showed Kathryn into her office.
"I've been asked many strange things in my career," Kathryn said as the doors shut, "but never for my autograph!"
Admiral Parker laughed. "Did young Miss Walters ask you?"
"Yes," Kathryn replied. "And conveniently had a pen and paper to hand."
"I'm not surprised. She's a big admirer of yours." She smiled. "You'll have to get used to it. You're quite a celebrity now." She went over to the replicator. "Coffee? tea?"
"No, thank you."
Admiral Parker replicated herself a cup of coffee and picked it up as soon as it had materialized.
"Responses have been coming in faster that we anticipated they would," she said, going over to a comfortable looking gray couch in a sunny corner of the room. "Most have been positive with the next of kin wanting to raise the child, but there have been several negative responses too which means an adoptive family will need to be found. Paul and Sonia Marshall have already expressed a desire to adopt a baby, but everything will need to be done through official channels." She gestured for Kathryn to sit, which she did. "The Doctor tells me you're aware that two of the fetuses are yours and that you want to raise them."
"Yes," Kathryn answered, "but I'd like to wait a while."
"Then you'll need to arrange with your doctor for the fetuses to be kept in secure clinical storage. Under Federation law, they are considered human beings and must be strictly accounted for. It's most likely you will need to specify the maximum time you wish them to be held in storage, and certify your understanding that if you do not exercise their right to life within that time, they are to go to adoptive families."
"I understand," Kathryn answered. "I'll make all the necessary arrangements as soon as possible."
As Kathryn made her way through a small park between Starfleet Headquarters and the lodgings that had been offered to her homeless crew members, she saw Celes and Ella sitting together on a bench in the sunshine.
"Captain," Celes said, getting to her feet. "I mean Admiral. I was just about to come and look for you. I heard you were here today."
"Well," Kathryn said warmly. "Looks like you've found me."
"I'm leaving for Bajor tomorrow to see my family, but I wanted to talk to you about the possibility of remaining Silvie and Stevie's nanny when I get back."
"I would be delighted for you to continue as their nanny, but what about the teaching career you expressed interest in?"
"That was when I thought we wouldn't get home for a long time. I love being Silvie and Stevie's nanny and would like to continue to be so until they go to school."
Kathryn smiled. "Then considered yourself their nanny."
Celes hugged Kathryn affectionately. "Thank you, Captain. I mean Admiral."
As they drew away, Kathryn turned her attention to Ella. "What about you, Ella? What are your plans now we're home?"
"I've accepted a research position here in San Francisco that will begin next month."
"And Ella and I are going to share an apartment," Celes added happily
"That's wonderful," Kathryn replied, "on both counts."
"Celes will be away for a few weeks," Ella said, "but I'm happy to look after Silvie and Stevie until I start at my new post."
"Thank you," Kathryn answered, "but I'm taking Silvie and Stevie to Chakotay's homeworld to meet his family, which means I'll be away for a while myself." She looked up at Celes. "If you're not back by the time I return, I'm sure my mother or Roxa can look after the twins."
At the mention of Chakotay's name, sorrow filled Celes's eyes. "I'm so sorry about the Commander," she said sadly. "It was so brave of him to stay behind so everyone could get home, but you must be missing him so much."
Tears welled in Kathryn's eyes and she lowered them. To say she missed him was an understatement. She felt only half alive without him, dysfunctional. Never had she realized just how much she loved him, just how much she needed him. It was a love that had given her strength over the years, but oh made her so vulnerable too.
"He'll come back to us," she said quietly. "I have every faith that he will."
"So do I," Celes answered sincerely.
Kathryn nodded. "Well, I... I'd better get on. Lots to do. I'll speak to you both again soon."
"Yes, Admiral," Celes said sadly, and watched as her former captain continued her solitary walk through the park.
Kathryn stood outside the apartment allocated to Roxa and Vixi and rang the door chime. At first there was no response, but when she rang for a second time, Roxa answered. Her face was tear stained and she stood in the doorway a humble figure.
"Captain," she said, "I mean Admiral. Come in."
Kathryn stepped inside the spacious apartment. "I just called to see how you are," she said. "But from the look of you, not too good."
"Everything is so unfamiliar," she replied. "Life on this planet is so different."
Kathryn put her hand on the woman's shoulder. "It will all become familiar in time, trust me."
"I don't know. While there seems to be a lot of different species, there's still a lot of attention on us. Last night at the celebrations, people were constantly staring at us and talking about us."
"That's because they haven't seen anyone like you and Vixi before. But their interest is friendly interest. Here in the Federation we celebrate all differences. You have nothing to worry about, nothing to fear."
"I am afraid," Roxa replied. "On Voyager I knew my place and I knew my environment. Here I feel lost." Tears flooded her eyes. "I don't know what to do, where to go..."
Kathryn caressed the trembling woman's arm. "How would you like to come and live with me?"
Roxa looked up at her, a brightness filling her pretty pink eyes. "With you?"
"At least until you're more familiar with our culture."
"I would like to very much," she replied, "But Vixi and I couldn't impose..."
"It wouldn't be an imposition. Besides, I'm going to need a housekeeper. I can think of no one more perfect for the job than you. Vixi will be company for Silvie and Stevie, and we will be company for each other. Vixi can go to the same school as my niece, Katy, and I know my mother will adore her."
Roxa smiled through tears. "Then I gladly accept. Thank you."
Kathryn smiled. "Thank you." She paused. "It won't be for a few days, though. I need to find a house first and then make it habitable. I'm going to view one tomorrow. You and Vixi can come along. Afterwards I'll give you a tour of Bloomington. I'm sure you'll like my hometown."
"I'm sure we will."
"I also intend to take Silvie and Stevie to Chakotay's homeworld to meet his family. If you like, you and Vixi can come too. It will be a good way for you to see more of the Federation. It would take eight years to travel the perimeter of Federation space, it's over 8,000 light years, but thankfully most planets are a whole lot closer. It shouldn't take more than a week or so to reach Trebus."
"We'd love to come," Roxa said happily. "Thank you, Admiral."
"Please," Kathryn said kindly, "call me Kathryn. We're not in a command structure anymore."
"Then thank you, Kathryn."
"And in the meantime," Kathryn continued, "you and Vixi can come and stay with my parents and I. I know they'll love to have you."
END OF CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
