Star Trek Voyager Characters are the property of Paramount Pictures

BEFORE THE DAWN
(PG:13)

Chapter Thirteen

A WEEK LATER

Chakotay appeared to be asleep when Kathryn entered Saturna's large sickbay. He had regained consciousness two days ago, but, because of the severity of his head-injury, he had been unable to see when he woke up. Ensign Kara Varlina had recovered sufficiently to leave sickbay, but Toraka was still under medical supervision.

Kathryn made her way over to Chakotay, sat down in a chair beside his bed, and reached for his hand. As she took it in hers, she felt his fingers move and he stirred beneath her.

"Kathryn?"

"That's right," she answered.

"I thought it was...your perfume."

Kathryn gave a wan smile. "There's no fooling you." She paused. "I thought you were asleep."

"No, just dosing."

His eyes stared ahead and the sight tore at Kathryn's heart. His eyes had always been so bright, so soulful.

"Any news? Any developments?"

"No," Chakotay replied. "The doctors say they are going to refer me to a hospital in Sydney. There's a specialist there, Dr Lotton, who is one of the best in the Federation. As we're so close to home, there's nothing more they can do." He paused. "How far are we, exactly?"

"About two hours. A fleet is going to come and meet us. We're quite the Federation heroes, Starfleet and Maquis alike." She smiled. "You're going to be exonerated, Chakotay. You and the other Maquis. I've just spoken to Admiral Paris and he said they're going to announce your exoneration during a welcome home party this evening.

Chakotay smiled. "That's wonderful...just wonderful."

"It certainly is."

"As much as I've always wanted to get the crew home, it's always been on my mind what would happen to us Maquis."

"According to Admiral Paris, you're all going to be invited to rejoin Starfleet."

"Really? I wasn't expecting that. Exonerating us was always a possibility, but I didn't think they'd want us back. I'd still like to pursue a career in archaeology, if I'm able now, but I'm sure a lot will choose to go back." He smiled. "I bet there's going to be some celebrating tonight. Just make sure you go easy on the champagne."

Kathryn tensed. "I...I'm not going."

Chakotay frowned. "Why not?"

"It wouldn't be right, not without you there. And with everything that's happened..." She could say no more as a lump in her throat choked her words.

"Kathryn?"

"I'm sorry," she said tearfully. "I'm so sorry. None of this was supposed to happen."

Chakotay squeezed her hand. "You did a tremendous job, Kathryn. All these years you've done a tremendous job. I'm so proud of you."

"But you almost died, Chakotay...that wasn't meant to happen."

"I would gladly have given my life to get the crew home," he said sincerely. "And so would you."

"Yes, my own life. Not your life."A tear ran down her cheek. "So many thoughts are going through my head. Did I do the right thing in using the Admiral to get the crew home? Should I have done anything differently? Should I have allowed more time between us entering the aperture and blowing up the warp-core? This future it...it was meant to be better."

"And it is better," Chakotay replied. "We have Billy and we're home. And I'll be okay. I just know that I will..."

Kathryn looked at him sadly. There was every chance that his condition was permanent, but he didn't seem to acknowledge that possibility. He was so sure that he was going to be okay. For so many years on Voyager he had been strong for her, had been her rock, her harbor, her shelter, now she had to be strong for him.

"You're right," she said. "What's done is done. What matters now is where we go from here."

"I want you to go to the party," Chakotay insisted. "The crew needs you there. It would be no party without you. And I want you to have a good time." He smiled. "Eat a chocolate eclair for me."

Kathryn had to smile at that. "If you insist."

"I do. Promise me you'll go."

Kathryn squeezed his hand. "I promise."

A tall woman with short blonde hair passed the bed on her way to attend to a Saturna patient, and Kathryn called out to her.

"Doctor..."

The woman turned to her. "Yes, Captain?"

"Chakotay tells me he's going to be referred to a hospital in Sydney."

"That's right. The specialist there, Dr Lotton, is one of the best in the field."

"How long is he likely to have to stay in hospital?"

"It's difficult to say. Two weeks, perhaps, three. It depends on a lot of things, including whether the Commander will have anyone to care for him if he is discharged."

Kathryn nodded. "Thank you, Doctor."

The woman continued on her way to her patient, and Kathryn turned back to Chakotay.

"I'll find us a nice home," she said kindly, "and have it all ready for when you're discharged."

Sadness consumed Chakotay. "I don't want to be a burden," he said quietly. "You'll have enough to do with Billy and..."

Kathryn put her fingers to his lips. "No more of that. You're living with me." She withdrew her fingers. "We have a hypothesis, remember?"

Tears welled in Chakotay's blind eyes. "I wasn't sure if...if you still remembered..."

"I've never forgotten." She tenderly put her hand to his cheek. "I want us to be a family. You, me, and Billy." She paused. "That is if...if you still want us to be."

Chakotay nodded. "More than anything. I love you so much, Kathryn."

Kathryn took his hand in hers again and squeezed it. "I love you too."

END OF CHAPTER 13