For my birthday, Chakotay takes me to Lake George for two weeks, until I have to go back to Voyager.
"I'm going to miss you, Kathryn."
"I'll miss you, too, Chakotay."
"It's three months. Subspace is horrible at best near the Badlands."
"But then we are staying close to home for eight months. You should be able to see me every weekend."
"Three months will be a lot of time to make up for."
"I think I can set aside some time in my busy Captain's schedule."
"I was hoping you would say that. It might have to be a lot of time."
"Captain's prerogative to take as much time as needed."
"I'll remember that when you get back."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"You really need to beam up, Kathryn. The rest of your senior staff is set to beam up in 15 minutes."
"I know. It's just so hard to leave you. I feel like so much of our marriage has been spent apart."
"It has been. But when we are older, and our parents are telling stories to our children, we will look at your dad and my parents and see that they are alive. We will see a smile on momma's face and no signs of the grief lines you saw after she lost your dad. We have to sacrifice now."
For a moment I am struck by his words. Was it not Chakotay who told me he wouldn't sacrifice today for a tomorrow that may never exist? But he is right. This future that he is talking about is one worth sacrifice.
"I look forward to that day, Chakotay."
Chakotay and I haven't spent much time discussing children, only that we would like to have them. Ever since New Earth, I have had fantasies about Chakotay being a father to my children.
"Me too."
"I have to beam up now?"
"Unless you just wanna say 'to hell with Voyager.'"
"Probably not the best idea."
"Probably not."
"Okay. This is me calling for a beam out."
Neither of us move for a few seconds. I tilt my head up and look into Chakotay's eyes. He takes two steps and draws me into a kiss.
"I really will miss you, Kathryn."
"I know."
I rub my face into his chest inhaling deeply, take a step back, and call for beam out.
…
"Welcome aboard Mr. Paris."
"I'm glad to be here, Captain."
"Have a seat."
As soon as Tom Paris beamed aboard, I told him to drop his bags off in his quarters before reporting to my ready room.
Now he stands before me with an excited youthfulness.
"I want you to look over something." I say as I hand him a padd.
"Duty shifts?"
"Yes."
"I'm –"
"You're what, Mr. Paris?"
"I'm on Alpha shift. You put me on Alpha shift."
"I did. I trust that you are as good as they say you are."
"Better."
"I'm glad you're so confident."
"You know my dad, Captain. If you show any aptitude, he will push you for the rest of your life."
"Indeed. A great quality for an advisor. Not always the most fun for a father."
"You sound like you're speaking from experience."
"My father is Admiral Janeway, and my mother is Dr. Janeway, the leading Terran Mathematician of our day. My sister opened her first studio when she was 16."
"And you're the youngest Captain in Starfleet history."
"Through hard work and a lot of luck."
"I'm glad you asked me to come aboard, Captain."
"Tom, I do want you to understand one thing. I will watch you like a hawk. Everything you do. You are to meet every expectation I hold for the rest of my crew. I have faith you can do that, but if at any point you do not, I will take you off duty shifts for the rest of our sojourn. Is that clear?"
"Yes, ma'am. Believe me when I tell you that there is nothing I would like more than to meet your expectations than to maybe bypass them."
"I have faith you can do just that. How about we meet in the mess hall tomorrow for dinner, and you can show me your shuttle specs?"
"It's a date."
"Dismissed Cadet."
…..
For three months, Tom and I meet for dinner after Alpha shift to work on the specs. The final project definitely speaks of Tom's love of the 20th century. There are modern day controls as well as a joystick.
"I think it's good, Tom."
"I think she could fly."
"When we get back to Earth, you can show them to my father."
"She needs something first."
"What Tom? I can't think of anything else."
"The most important thing, Captain. A name."
I know it's foolish of me, but in my mind, this project started for me in the Delta quadrant.
"How about the Delta Flyer?"
"I like it. Maybe one day, she might fly there. She's definitely sturdy enough."
"That she is Tom. We dock tomorrow. Have you had your post-mission physical?"
"I just came from there. Actually, the doctor might have mentioned to me that only one crewmember hasn't made an appearance to Sickbay."
"Dr. Toran can keep his pips on. I'm headed there right now."
"Good luck, Captain. Toran is in a grouchy mood."
"Probably just because you were with him, Tom."
"If you weren't married and my Captain, I would think you were flirting with me."
Instead of replying, I just give a coy smile and leave the mess hall.
…..
I enter Sickbay to see Dr. Toran with his arms crossed and his foot tapping in an irritated rhythm.
"It's nice to finally see you Captain. I don't know how someone can completely avoid Sickbay for three whole months, but clearly you have."
"I just came for my physical."
"Biobed 1."
The doctor prepares his medical tricorder while I take a seat on the biobed.
In silence, he takes his readings from top to bottom.
"Have you experienced anything out of the usual Captain?"
I can't tell if this is a serious question of one Toran asks everyone.
"Nothing that I can think of."
"No tiredness, nausea, anything like that."
"Again, not that I can think of."
"I must tell you I'm surprised that you haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary. According to these readings, you are three months pregnant."
Before I can say anything, Toran checks his results with a different tricorder.
"It's not a malfunction, Captain. You are definitely three months pregnant with a healthy fetus."
"Thank you, Doctor. Other than that, how does everything check out?"
"You are perfectly healthy Captain. Though, now that we know, I will make out a nutrition guide for the next six months."
I just nod and get up to leave.
"And one more thing, Captain. No coffee."
Again, I nod before exiting Sickbay.
