Part 10

"Kathryn, Selene, that little girl in there…she is your daughter."

"Kathryn," Seven said after a few seconds of silence went by. Janeway swayed back on her heels, pinning her with a confounded look. "She's yours," she tried again, her head dipping slightly as she tried to maintain eye contact with the smaller woman.

Another moment passed before the redhead blinked and shook her head. "What-why?" She swallowed. "Why would you say something like that?"

"Because it's the truth, and to be honest, it is something I should have told you long before now." Her voice softened, her tone full of regret. "I am truly sorry about that. She's your daughter."

Her head spinning, Janeway blinked, then her eyes hardened and narrowed angrily. "That's impossible. It's absurd. Why would you lie to me about that?" she hissed. "Tell me the truth, Seven. I believe you owe me that much."

Seven knew that this was going to be difficult, so she inhaled a calm breath and reached for the nearest PADD. She retrieved Selene's data, then looked back at the other woman. "Kathryn, I know this is a lot to take in, and I wish I knew what to say to make this easier for you…. help you make sense of it all," she told her. "All I can do is show you her genetic coding." She handed the PADD to her former captain. "It's all right here. Half of her DNA code is mine, the other, as you can see, is yours."

Janeway hesitated for a moment before finally relenting, jerking the device out of Seven's hands to look for herself. "What do you think I am….an idiot? You are very intelligent, not to mention efficient and resourceful. You could manipulate this in your sleep," she bit, with iciness in her tone. She had no earthly idea why Seven would do this…why she would even say something so outrageous. It was impossible. There was absolutely no scientific way this could be true. Unless….

She continued to scan the information in front of her, which appeared to confirm what Seven was claiming. She instantly felt sick to her stomach, and her chest ached to the point she thought she might be having a heart attack. This is wrong. It has to be. It's a trick; she manipulated the whole thing. Her mind was racing as she continued to think about it. But why would she do that?

"This isn't even evidence," she breathed raggedly. Her head was now spinning, and she dropped the PADD to the floor as she placed a steady hand on the side wall to balance herself.

All Seven could do was stand there and watch Janeway spin out of control as she tried to process this. She knew it wouldn't be easy to convince Kathryn, hell, she recalled her own disbelief when the Doctor had informed her. Still, she had no idea Kathryn would take it this bad. Her heart longed to reach out and comfort her, yet the logical part of her cortical node kept her still. As tough as she was, the cruel words and accusations filtering out of the other woman's mouth were painful to hear. She was hurt and shocked that after all they had been through, Kathryn would actually think she would lie to her about this.

She took a deep breath and tried again. "Kathryn, you need to listen to me…. really listen." She paused and waited for Janeway to look back over at her. "I understand that this is a lot to take in, I do. But no matter what has happened, no matter what you think of me, I swear to you that I would not lie to you," she told her. "I didn't plan this. You see, I thought I was sick, and when the Doctor told me I was carrying a child, well, I was just as shocked as you were. I was convinced he had to be mistaken."

"Oh, please. You couldn't have been that shocked. Surely you had to think it was Chakotay's baby," Janeway threw at her.

Seven recoiled at both the words and the venom in which they were delivered. She then cringed and looked over her shoulder to make sure Selene was still in her room and out of earshot. Turning back to Kathryn, she leveled her with a firm glare. "You need to lower your voice," she commanded. "Can you please remain calm?"

Kathryn felt a pang of remorse deep in her chest at the thought of that beautiful child in the other room and her heart lurched at what that little girl might think of her. The last thing she wanted to do was upset Seven's daughter. She put a hand up to her forehead as the thought occurred to her that if what she was being told was indeed the truth, that very well could be HER daughter as well. Her nostrils flared as she drew in a sharp breath. "Given what you've just told me, this is my calm," she voiced, but her tone was lower and softer.

Seven narrowed in on the other woman. "I understand, but you need to understand something as well. Of course, I didn't think the baby was his, in fact, the thought never entered my mind. You see, Captain, I am quite aware of how one gets pregnant, and I never, I repeat, NEVER had physical relations with Chakotay," she exhaled. "Of course, I would think the Doctor was wrong."

Kathryn felt a mixture of relief and then hurt at hearing that. "Then who else did you sleep with, then, because I'm quite certain that two women could not conceive a child."

Seven did not respond, she just cocked an eyebrow at her. Kathryn was incorrect, in this day and age, it was indeed quite possible, although usually it happened in a lab and the embryo is implanted into one of the mothers.

As if on cue, Janeway's head snapped up and fire laced her eyes. "Did you do something…. did you steal my…."

Enraged, Seven immediately threw a hand up and closed the distance between them, coming face to face with the smaller woman. "Don't you dare! My integrity is central to my humanity," she spat. "If you truly think that I would do something like that, then you should just go. Go on and live your life and forget about us," she spewed.

"Then how did this happen?" Kathryn glared back. "Because none of what you are suggesting is possible!"

Seven was furious but managed to maintain her composure. "If you would let me talk without going crazy, then I will explain it to you." She now took a step back, her eyes blazing with hurt and anger. "Otherwise, you can just go." She now had an arrogant smirk on her face as she tilted her head and leveled Kathryn with an icy glare. "In fact, how about we just call this a good old-fashioned mistake and pretend like it never happened. We can just forget it and never speak of it again. As I recall, you're really good at that," she challenged.

Kathryn felt like she had just been slapped in the face. In fact, never had any words hit her so hard. The air left her lungs and she winced as her head rocked back. "Seven," she tried in a low tone. She paused for a moment, allowing herself to gather her wits before splaying her hands out in front of her as a peace offering. "I know," she began, but then stopped, not having a clue what to say in this moment.

Realizing that Kathryn had no response, Seven shook her head. "Just go," she voiced.

Janeway did not move, she just stood there, staring at the blonde. "If she is mine, then I have rights," she finally said.

All composure left Seven's features as she narrowed in on the older woman. "If she is yours? IF?" She shook her head in exasperation and waved a finger at Janeway. "If you don't want her, then go, because I will not have my daughter be rejected by anyone…. including you!"

"Mommy!" Selene's voice called out from the other room. "I'm hungry!"

"Give me just a minute," Seven answered, then turned back to Kathryn. "It doesn't matter, you wouldn't believe me anyway." She nodded towards the door. "You need to go now," she demanded. "I need to be with my daughter." Without another word, she turned and left Kathryn just standing there in the empty room.

Kathryn looked towards Selene's door, then her gaze moved to the holographic images of Selene and Seven, and a few of just Selene alone. She saw it now…. clear as ever. Dizzily she spun around and actually did what she was told and left Seven's quarters. She walked a few feet before she doubled over and started to cry. "That little girl is mine," she sobbed. She knew deep in her heart that everything Seven had told her was true, just as she knew that Seven would never lie to her. Besides, she knew firsthand that stranger things have happened, so why was it so hard to believe that she had fathered…. she quickly corrected herself….mothered a child with Seven. After all, they did make love over and over on that strange planet.

"Oh my god, I have a daughter," she whispered to herself, amazement and awe in her voice. "A daughter," she repeated, then squeezed at the bridge of her nose and took a breath. "Now what do I do?"

…

"Mommy, where did Captain Kathryn go?"

Seven sadly sighed. "She had to go."

"But she didn't say goodbye." Selene looked up at her mother. "Why were you guys fighting? Was it because of me? Did I do something?" she asked with a forlorn pout on her face. It was an expression that always tugged at Seven's heart.

Seven closed her eyes and grimaced. She wasn't one to lie to her daughter, but how would she explain this? "You didn't do anything," she reassured her. "She was upset with me because I never told her about you."

"Well, why didn't you tell her?" she inquired, curious blue eyes looking expectantly for an answer.

"Oh, lots of reasons, but mostly I was too scared to," she admitted sorrowfully.

That seemed to confuse Selene, and her brow furrowed, and it reminded Seven of someone else's features. "But Mommy, you are never scared."

Seven ran her fingers over her daughter's soft hair. "Well, I was," she told her truthfully.

"Are you scared now?"

Seven tried to keep her face even as she gazed at the best thing that had ever happened to her. "Yes," and she really was. She was so worried about what Kathryn would do now. "Let's move on, shall we? Let's decide what to make for dinner."

"Noodles." The girl jumped up with excitement. Her eyes widened. "Oh, can we have cookies too?"

"Noodles it is," Seven said and was grateful that Selene could let it go so easily. She wished she could do the same. "And I suppose we can have cookies too." She knew they would be having this conversation again; she just didn't know how long that would be.

….

Kathryn meandered to the nearest lounge. She knew she should just transport back to her own ship, make up some excuse to break orbit and move on. Yet deep in her heart she knew that would be running and damn it she was a Starfleet captain. She had never run away from anything and was not about to start now…. especially from her own daughter.

She groaned as she leaned her head in her hand, knowing full well she did indeed run once. Back in the Delta Quadrant she ran as fast as she could from Seven and her feelings toward her. If she would just have been honest with Seven and herself, she wouldn't be in this predicament right now.

A small smile graced her lips as she thought about the what ifs. Where would they be now? Well, one thing she knew for sure, she would definitely be a part of that little girl's life, there was not a doubt in her mind about that. What about Seven…. would be they be raising her together? Like a real family?

Kathryn sighed heavily into her drink, her mind racing with everything she had just learned. She and Seven had made a baby together. Selene was a result of the time they spent on that planet together. My god, the passion. No wonder we have a kid. That sex was so good, we altered the laws of science. She blew out a heated breath as she recalled how they had made love, and as the memories flashed through her, no matter how angry she was at Seven, her body shivered at the intimate parts reawakened in her.

She knew she needed to stop after the second drink, but she also knew she needed to see Seven, and most of all Selene. Selene was her daughter, too. What right did Seven have to keep that from her and push her away? No right whatsoever!

Janeway slammed her glass down on the bar and was leaving to go tell Seven as much, when she ran into the one person she had had really wanted to avoid on this ship, but right now, she didn't know why.

"Beverly," she greeted a little sluggishly.

"I heard you were here," the doctor said lightly.

"I was just on my way out."

Beverly examined her skeptically. "Oh, and where you off to?"

"To see my daughter," Janeway seethed, and started to walk away.

Beverly rolled her eyes and maneuvered around so she could block the petite yet wiry captain. "I think perhaps we should get a table and grab a bite to eat. Maybe some coffee." She could see that Captain Janeway was not convinced. "Come on, Picard is busy. In fact, I think he is in a conference, and I know for a fact that Seven is with him. Besides, I would hate to eat alone."

Janeway relented with a groan and found her way to a table in the far corner. She didn't even protest when the doctor ordered for her.

"So, I'm glad you are here to lend us a hand."

"I haven't done anything," Kathryn hiccupped. Her eyes narrowed, then she suddenly jumped to her feet. "Wait a second, I should be in that conference, too. I'm a god damned captain," she fired somewhat listlessly, her head suddenly spinning.

Beverly saw how unsteady she was and reached up to tug her back down. "How many have you had, dear?"

Kathryn pressed her hand against her pounding temple. "Two," she slurred.

"Only two?" Beverly questioned.

Come to think of it, Kathryn was not entirely sure how much she had drank. She slouched back in the chair. "Shit," she cursed haphazardly.

Beverly chuckled lightly. "Are you okay? I am a good listener, you know."

Janeway paused as she looked at the other woman. "I wouldn't even know where to start," she finally managed.

"How about you start with why are here?" she offered.

"I'm here to help the Enterprise," Kathryn lied.

"Uh huh," Beverly shook her head. "Now, what is the real reason? Because I'm pretty sure that you left a mission that Starfleet thinks you are completing right now as we speak. It's not like you to leave your post, Captain," she smiled.

Abashed, Janeway swiveled her head and averted her gaze. "Long story," she barely got out.

Beverly crossed her arms and tilted her head. "Hmm, let me guess," she began. "You are here because you wanted to see our First Officer, and I'm guessing you just heard some unsettling news, and right now you're not sure if you are staying or going. How's that?" she smirked.

Janeway's head snapped back around and her nostrils flared as she gritted her teeth. "You knew?" she fired, as she stood back up. "Tell me, did everyone know? Am I the only god damned fool here?" She was pissed, and she harshly shoved the chair back and pushed herself around the table and through a few patrons.

It happened so fast that Beverly couldn't react, so she did the only thing she could think of.

"Crusher to Picard," she announced, with the flick of her badge.

"Picard here."

"We have a situation here."

"Go on."

"Janeway is a little inebriated, and a little irate. She just stormed out of here and I believe she is on a mission to find a certain someone," she informed.

"Thanks for letting me know. Picard out."

Seven was with him and heard the exchange. "I will go find her," she told him.

He nodded. "Do me a favor and go easy on her. She just had some life altering news. Try to put yourself in her shoes," he advised.

Seven nodded as well and turned to leave. "Oh, and Seven? Make it quick. We are due on the surface at 0900 hours."

"Yes Sir," she acknowledged, and internally grimaced as she made her way to intercept Captain Janeway, knowing and yet not knowing what to expect. She searched through all her available databases and came up short as to what she was going to do once she finally did find her.