Kathryn was taking a mug of streaming Coffee out of the replicator as she questioned "well B'Elanna how did you like Trebus?" In such an airy tone which told B'Elanna that she was hiding something, or at least poorly trying to.
Standing there watching Kathryn steadily carry the drink from the replicator to her window where she stood propping herself up B'Elanna realised Kathryn was growing in strength each and every day, "Beautiful" she offered in reply to Kathryn's question before she noticed Kathryn staring nervously at her. as she watched her friend with concern B'Elanna couldn't help thinking this plan to practically ambush Kathryn was a bad one. Standing there she was beginning to wonder if she should have listened to Tom after all and simply told Kathryn that Chakotay was there.
"Yes indeed" Kathryn was smiling warmly in response to B'Elanna. For the time being she seemed unaware that the half Klingon was worried and concerned and not acting herself however doing a poor job at hiding her own angst. "how's Sekey and Cocohum?" Kathryn asked taking a sip of her coffee and watching B'Elanna from the rim of her mug. B'Elanna knew that look, she knew Kathryn was on to her in some way but not letting on. B'Elanna began to feel like a cadet under the critical stare of an admiral though somehow Kathryn managed to keep the surface smile and joyful tones. When she and Chakotay had discussed this plan with Tom he had pointed out Kathryn would be on to them straight away and that she wouldn't take too kindly to Chakotay appearing unannounced in her den but they hadn't listened to him, now she wished they had.
"They are well, I stayed with them" B'Elanna offered in a somewhat feeble response to Kathryn's question about Chakotay's sister and brother in law.
Kathryn smiled slightly and nodded saying in her deep husky voice "Sekey is a lovely woman, soon to be mother I think" Kathryn stopped for a second to consider her words. Children was not something she herself had considered but with Tom and B'Elanna having two children now, even Harry Kim was about to be a father. Naomi was getting older by the day and was a big sister now. Her own sister was having another child and yet she was all alone and it was never going to be that she would be a mother.
B'Elanna nodded happily thinking about how great it would be for Sekey and said softly "Yes any day now"
"Really?" Exclaimed Kathryn surprised that had come around so fast "How wonderful" she smiled softly but then found her crooked smile faltered as she thought of Chakotay and how his dream to have Children and to be a father had always been his longing and desire "I bet Chakotay can't wait to have a baby around, he would make a fine Uncle" Kathryn smiled truthfully "he would make a fine father too." She sighed looking distantly into the the far window.
B'Elanna waited for Kathryn to respond or to say anything else. When she didn't she was confused and asked "Kathryn?"
Somehow the saying of her name snapped her out of the distant thoughts she was feeling and so shook her head saying softly "Nothing." B'Elanna knew that Kathryn was trying to hide something and felt even more concerned when she saw the tears in Kathryn's eyes as she turned and asked seriously "How is he?" They both knew that she had wanted to know how he was since B'Elannas return.
B'Elanna watched her friend with tears in her eyes and knew this had to be handled delicately "He's well" the half Klingon nodded slowly before adding "he told me" she needed to get it out in the open and off her chest.
It was Kathryn who now raised and eyebrow and tilted her head to one side as she asked stiffly "Told you what?" She wasn't sure what B'Elanna was referring to. Kathryn didn't even try to hide her confusion.
B'Elanna sighed before saying softly "What happened" But Kathryn just met her with wide eyes showing confusion "between you" B'Elanna nodded indicating to her friend what she was referring too.
Kathryn growled slightly lowered her head and wiped away the tears saying "Nothing happened between us B'Elanna" the turning away and slamming her palm on the wall in frustration she lowered her head, closed her eyes and almost hissed "nothing can ever happen thats the point"
B'Elanna decided this was getting nowhere, Kathryn wasn't being receptive to conversation so B'Elanna went in directly "He told me he hit you" even Kathryn couldn't miss the slight hint of anger lacing her friends voice.
Kathryn spun round so fast, discarding her coffee mug on the table next to her as she did so, her eyes were full of rage as she exclaimed "He did what?!" But then almost as if she didn't want to know the answer she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead shaking her head.
B'Elanna was really confused and didn't hide it as she asked "Kathryn?"
Kathryn just snapped back angrily "How dare he?" When she saw how taken aback B'Elanna was she asked in a slightly more softer tone "Why would he?" B'Elanna could now she that actually Kathryn was upset that he had told her and not angry.
B'Elanna still looked confused "Kathryn?" She asked again as she moved towards her friend who was now pacing. She didn't want her friend to be upset and couldn't quite work out what was upsetting her, was she still really upset that Chakotay had hit her? Is that what she hadn't said anything? Kathryn never was one to admit her fears or pains easily.
"Why would he tell you?" Kathryn asked and B'Elanna couldn't miss her trying to not be annoyed yet she was.
Thinking Kathryn was still annoyed with Chakotay for hitting her B'Elanna somehow found herself defending her friend "He regrets it" it was Kathryn's turn to stare at her friend raising an eyebrow "hitting you I mean" B'Elanna clarified but when her friend still looked at her with the blank look and raised eyebrow B'Elanna said again "he feels guilty" but still Kathryn didn't respond B'Elanna sighed and asked "Kathryn what's wrong?" With a hint of worry in her voice.
"I don't believe him sometimes" growled Kathryn shaking her head. She couldn't believe he would have told her, she had purposely not told his friend, she knew Sekey hadn't either.
B'Elanna didn't know what exactly the issue was "Why didn't you tell me?" The half Klingon asked slightly infuriated that Kathryn had let her go all the way to Trebus without the full information. B'Elanna was getting fed up of being caught in the middle with a woman who wouldn't talk to anyone. She couldn't help but continue to think this plan was not a great plan.
"And have you hate your dear friend?" Sighed Kathryn as she moved towards B'Elanna, her back to the door, B'Elanna groaned slightly as she said it as the doors silently opened their plan about to take shape, realising this was about to become a disaster The half Klingon watched helplessly as her friend began pacing and berating the poor man who she thought was back home on Trebus "that stupid, irritating, ridiculous, loyal, honourable, honest fool" B'Elanna did try to signal for the man stood at the door way to make is retreat but it was too late just as she was doing so Kathryn turned towards the door and stopped in her tracks before exclaiming "Chakotay!" Staring deep into his eyes and breathing hard. Both Chakotay and B'Elanna could see the anger building in her face.
