Let's Put It Back Where it Belongs

Part 22

by: AW

Rated: M

Pairing: J/C, P/T

Summary: Re-write of everything after Equinox

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or episodes, but the story however twisted is mine.

Date: May 2020

Length: 475 words

Kathryn slowly walked to the habitat ring and approached her quarters.

She entered the code and walked into the living room where Chakotay sat in wait for her. "What did the doctor say?"

She smiled at her husband. "He said everything is fine for now."

Chakotay walked up to Kathryn and embraced her in a hug.

He laid a hand on her belly and the baby gave him a good hard kick.

He stared at Kathryn. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "We are going to have to talk about everything that has gone on with you and me and 'us'."

He reached up and moved the hair out of her face. "We'll get through this Kathryn. That Cardassian will never hurt you again."

"You can't promise me that." She paused and stared at Chakotay. "Where is Dupart?"

He stared at his wife. "Odo Is taking care of him on DS9 right now."

Kathryn sighed. "Our life is never going to be easy. We finally get back home, we finally get our life together, and this happens."

Chakotay stared at Kathryn, "I want you to be honest with me. I already know the answer, but I want to hear it from you: This baby wasn't a surprise was it?"

Kathryn stared at him knowing she had to come clean with him if she wanted their life together to continue. "I love you, I think I have always loved you even when I knew it was wrong."

He pulled her into his embrace as he whispered, "Love is never wrong."

Kathryn was staring at him as she was hyperventilating. "I fell in love with you on 'New Earth'; I wanted to let you in I wanted it to be possible. I wanted to be Chakotay's wife, Chakotay's soulmate, the mother of Chakotay's children but on Voyager I had to be the captain and nothing more. If I had've let myself be something more I would have lost the Captain: I couldn't be both."

Chakotay kissed Kathryn's forehead, "You're no longer the be all and end all of Starfleet."

She stared at him. "But I am Starfleet through and through."

He walked up to her and put a hand on her belly. "This is our life now, Kathryn."

Kathryn stared at him. "I can't let this change who I am. You have to understand that. If you don't you don't know me as well as I thought you did."

Chakotay opened his mouth to respond.

She stopped him with the words, "Maybe love just isn't enough."

END PART 22

TBC IN PART 23