Being So Close

Pt 18

A week-7days -168hours

It had been one week.

One week since the tornado had hit.

One week since everything had changed.

One week.

Greg sat in the hospital waiting room. He stared at the fish swimming around the tank. He cracked a smile when one of the larger fish chased a smaller fish out of the sunken ship. He was so entranced in his own thoughts that he didn't hear his name being called.

"Excuse me sir, your Greg correct?"

Greg shook his head and looked at the nurse in front of him. "I'm sorry, yes I am Greg."

"This memo just came for your cousin Chakotay."

"Thank you nurse I will see that he gets it." The nurse smiled and walked back to her station. Greg stared at the letter for a moment before he got up and headed toward Kathryn's room.

When Greg entered Kathryn's room he noticed that Chakotay was asleep in the armchair next to the window. He shook him quietly until he awoke.

"Chakotay, this letter just came for you." Chakotay stood up and the two men left Kathryn alone and asleep in her room. The two walked the halls together, until Chakotay finally stopped and opened up the letter.

Dear Chakotay and Greg,

I regret to have to write this letter to you both. I wish that it had not come to this but regretfully I have no choice.

As a captain I have to make decisions all of the time. As a former Captain Chakotay I am sure you have made the same kind of choices.

The Bloomington Police department continues to find bodies in the ruble. Unfortunately no one has been found alive for three days. I have had many people scouting for any signs of Pheobe Janeway; sadly there has been no trace of her.

At this point in time I must conclude that she is dead, and the search for her body had been terminated.

You both have my deepest sympathy,

Captain Mark Thomas

Bloomington Police Department

Greg already knew what the letter said. He knew that the search for Pheobe Janeway was being called off. So when Chakotay lifted his head from the letter to look at his cousin, he knew that he didn't need to say anything.

The two of the walked the corridors quietly. Chakotay returned to Kathryn's room, and Greg decided to go for a walk alone.

Kathryn awoke an hour later. Her head hurt and she didn't know where she was. She slowly got up and began to get her bearings. Chakotay was by her side in a second.

"Carefully Kathryn."

"Chakotay, I am so glad that you are here. The last thing that I remember is the tornado siren going off and I was trying to get to the basement."

Chakotay froze. "You remember the tornado Kathryn?"

"Chakotay of course I remember the tornado."

He sat on her bed next to her and took her hand. "What else do you remember Kathryn, please tell me it's important."

Kathryn thought for a moment. "I remember being mad at you at my sisters birthday party. And I remember her telling that awful story about me and that closet." Kathryn gave Chakotay a crooked smile, "and I remember you asking me to marry you."

Chakotay couldn't help but give her a hug. Tears were streaming down his face and Kathryn couldn't understand what was wrong with him. "Chakotay what is wrong, why are you crying?" "Kathryn you had a concussion and you were completely delusional, you didn't remember anything, or anyone."

"I'm sorry Chakotay that must have been incredibly hard on you."

He smiled at her and gave her another hug. "Please don't do that ever again, I have already lost you too many times in my life."

There was a knock on the door, and the doctor walked in. Chakotay told him everything and he immediately checked Kathryn.

"Chakotay it seems that Kathryn has almost fully recovered."

Kathryn smiled. "So when do it get to go home doctor?"

The doctor smiled. "As long as you take it easy you should be able to leave tomorrow."

"Great, thank you doctor."

Chakotay noticed the doctor was motioning him toward the door. He followed the doctor out into the hallway and closed the door behind him.

"Chakotay, you are going to have to tell Kathryn the truth know. It seems that her condition is much better than before."

"Do you think that she will suffer a relapse?"

"At this point, no. She seems fine. But you need to tell her as soon as possible."

"Thank you for all of your help doctor." Chakotay re-entered Kathryn's room.

"Kathryn I need to tell you something very important."

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2 days later

When Kathryn arrived with Chakotay and Greg at the transport station in Indiana she could hardly believe her eyes. The town that she grew up in had been completely demolished. She took Chakotay's hand as they began to walk to where she used to live.

When Kathryn got their she couldn't believe her eyes. The house was completely gone, except for the basement. She turned to Chakotay and took his hand. "Chakotay I would really like to rebuild our own house here. Would you mind terribly if we did that?"

"Of course not Kathryn, as long as you help me build it, it's been years since I have built anything."

Kathryn laughed. "Of course I will help you build it. But right now we should get ready for the funeral."

Chakotay took her hand. "Aye Captain." Kathryn gave him a little push for that.

The funeral was a somber and quiet affair. Owen Paris had given the eulogy for both Gretchen Janeway and Pheobe Janeway. Some of the voyager crew had come also, along with the entire Bloomington police department.

As the ceremony was ending Kathryn Janeway came up to the stage to give her eulogy for both her sister and her mother. As she was adjusting the microphone everyone applauded her. She smiled and then began her eulogy speech.

My name is Kathryn Janeway.

Some of you in the audience may know me as Captain Janeway. I hate to be called Maim, unless its crunch time and I hate to be called sir.

Some of the voyager crew smiled as she continued.

We are here today to grieve the lost of my mother Gretchen Janeway, and my sister Pheobe Janeway. Both of which I loved and respected in their own way.

My mother taught me to reach for anything that I ever wanted in life. That struggling sometimes comes when reaching a dream. She loved and cared for me while I was ill, and reprimanded me when I didn't do my best. She was a wonderful caring mother and I will miss her.

My sister Pheobe Janeway was a thorn in my side as a child. As we both aged the thorn got bigger and harder to deal with. Those of you with brothers and sisters know what I mean.

But my sister was a captivating strong willed woman. She fought anyone who stood in the way of what she wanted. She never tolerated anyone's disrespect for her or for her friends. If you crossed her she would always let you know.

Pheobe never married, but she was always taking care of mom and me. I will miss her.

Kathryn took a deep breath and sighed. She took her glass of wine and lifted it up.

To Gretchen and Pheobe Janeway. They will always be a part of those who knew them. We miss you and we love you.

Chakotay took the stage with Kathryn, and then gave her a kiss.

TBC