Sorry it took so long to update! This is kind of a filler chapter, just a little something I felt the need to write. The next chapter won't be long in coming, I promise!

The bridge had been quiet for several hours. Tuvok and Tom were having a quiet conversation as they sat in the command chairs, and B'Elanna was studying something at the engineering console. Harry, the chief of security now for several years, was at his console, doing a few routine scans. Lt. Commander Baytart (the pilot) and Lt. Commander Rollins (the ops officer) were at the helm, discussing the flight plan for the trip home with the occasional comment from B'Elanna concerning the transwarp drive. Jenny and Megan Delaney were at the astrometrics console, inputting new data from the last time Voyager was in this system, and having a quiet debate over it. Samantha Wildman and the Doctor, who had left his young patient temporarily in the capable hands of his medical staff, were at one of the life science consoles, entering in everything they had collectively learned about the pathogen-carrying insects which had stranded their command team here in the first place. Neelix entered the bridge and sat on the bench seat to speak with Tuvok and Tom. Harry couldn't hear what they were saying, but he suspected it was yet another conversation about Captain Janeway.

Captain Janeway, he mused. Somehow, even though she was no longer the captain of this vessel – or any other – she was always going to be the Captain. But she hadn't looked like the captain when he saw her earlier. She had looked like a distraught mother, and she had looked frail and hysterical and…human. Like a woman. He had never thought of the captain as a woman before, although he was well aware she was one, of course. But today, he had seen the feminine side of her. Her hair was down, disheveled, and the sickbay gown she wore did nothing to hide her figure. He knew that technically, her body had just recently given birth, and he could tell by the lush curves that he had never noticed before on the captain who commanded his first mission.

He shook his head ruefully to shake himself out of this line of thought. It had been so long since he'd seen his wife that every woman was looking good to him now, not that he'd ever, ever act on that. He was a one woman man. But still, he couldn't wait to see Libby again. And the boys. And, in a few months, his little girl.

Harry sometimes couldn't believe how far he had come from that green, idealistic ensign he had been all those years ago. Now he was a husband, and a father, and a high ranking officer on what was still one of the most advanced ships in the fleet. Sometimes he remembered that scene between him and Tuvok, when they had only just left the Captain and Commander, and they had detected a Vidiian convoy. He had been insubordinate, insistent, and disrespectful to Tuvok. He never regretted it, because he firmly believed that they needed to take any chance and any risk to get Janeway and Chakotay back, but still, he couldn't quite believe how forcefully he had acted. He had gone behind the acting captain's back, and questioned his orders. He knew that if any lower ranking officer were to do that to him today, he would give him the dressing down he deserved. And Harry knew he himself had deserved it seven years ago. But still, nothing was too much as far as that young man had been concerned for the woman who took him onto her staff and gave a green ensign, fresh out of the Academy, a chance. And now, he was just glad they had been able to bring them home. They deserved better than to live out their days away from their families and friends, and their children deserved a full life where they could be anything they could possibly want to be.

He thought of Captain Janeway and Chakotay, and their children. He couldn't imagine raising the boys alone if anything happened to Libby; more than likely he'd be so distraught, he'd leave them with his parents for a few weeks. He knew Chakotay hadn't had a choice, but he still admired him for what a great job he'd done with the kids. The whole ship was talking about the twins. Anyone who had met them so far was charmed by them, especially that miniature Captain Janeway.

But when little Kathryn got hurt today, and he had seen the captain for the first time in seven years, he had seen a side of her he had rarely, if ever, seen while under her command: her vulnerability. That was what had changed the most about her, what made him think of her more as a person and less as the captain. Those tears, and that look of fear and horror in her eyes. It was utterly human.

The day had started normal enough, he supposed. Well, as normal as it could be for a crew waiting for their former captain, who had just been released from a 5 year nap, to snap out of it and greet them once again. But then, as she had told him long ago, they were Starfleet officers, and weird was part of the job. And was it ever, Harry thought. But it had been quiet all morning when Tom suddenly suggested checking on the captain's mother and children. Technically, Gretchen Janeway, as the widow of a high ranking admiral, was a diplomatic guest, and it was appropriate for the command staff to extend the highest courtesy to her and make sure she was happy at all times. However, since they retrieved the captain and everything had happened with that, they had been remiss in their duty towards her mother. Also, Harry suspected Tuvok was avoiding her like the plague. She was very little like her daughter, and much more like another Starfleet mother Harry had once met, Deanna Troi's mother, Lwuxana. Tuvok hadn't much cared for her, either.

So when Tom suggested he and Harry go check up on her, Tuvok immediately agreed. Tom joked when they were in the turbolfift that Tuvok was just glad to be saved the trouble of it himself, as Gretchen Janeway had taken to patting him on the head and telling him what a precious man he was. It made Tuvok rather uncomfortable.

"Besides," Tom added, as the doors opened and they stepped out onto the deck. "I'll take any excuse to see those kids. They're a real riot, especially that little Kathryn."

So they visited with Gretchen and the kids in her quarters. She greeted them warmly, asking them to sit down and have a drink or a snack. The little girl came bouncing out of the bedroom and onto Tom's lap while her brother came out a bit more quieter, and crawled onto Harry's. He felt his heart tug for these kids. The little boy, especially, reminded him so much of his oldest son.

"Where's Chakotay?" Tom asked.

"Oh, he's gone to sickbay." Gretchen glanced at the children and gave Kathryn a look as the little girl made a face. "Get that look off your face right now, Kathryn Janeway."

Little Kathryn crossed her arms and leaned back against Tom, pouting. "It's not fair."

"What's not fair?" Harry asked.

"Daddy's the only one who gets to see Mommy and it's not fair. I wanna see her! And so does Edward."

"They haven't seen her yet?" Tom asked, puzzled.

"Kids, why don't you go turn on that lovely Flotter adventure Daddy had on for your before."

Kathryn rolled her eyes and slid off Tom's lap. "Come on, Edward. They wanna speak grown up talk."

Gretchen waited until the two were in the bedroom before sighing and sitting down with Tom and Harry. "They haven't met her yet. She's having a hard time adjusting to all this. I mean, I'm not really surprised. She's only been awake for a few hours, and last time she checked she was giving birth, you know? So it's hard. But I am a little worried about her ambivalence as far as the children are concerned. I thought she'd want to see them first thing."

"Well, excuse me for saying so, but Captain Janeway has always had avoidance issues." Tom said. "And guilt. I've never seen a woman with such a guilt complex. But I wouldn't worry. You won't be able to keep those two imps away from her for long, and when she sees them, her heart will melt and that will be that. She just needs something to snap her out of it."
And Tom's words had proved strangely prophetic. Only twenty minutes later, the little girl had been injured and was sent to sickbay, where Captain Janeway did indeed snap out of it and ended up hysterical in Chakotay's arms. Harry had left them then, and went back to Mrs. Janeway's quarters where she was trying to calm a very upset little Edward, and where Tom was trying to calm down a very upset Mrs. Janeway.

Tom and Harry returned to the bridge once the Doctor contacted Gretchen to tell her little Kathryn would be fine. On the way there, Harry told him what he had seen. Tom let out a low whistle and shook his head.

"See? Wasn't I right? She just needed something to snap her out of it." He said smugly.

Harry just rolled his eyes.

Still, it was a relief to see her alive, no matter what the situation. Those first moments on the bridge, when Chakotay had announced through the com that the captain was dead, had been terrible. He closed his eyes now as he remembered it, frowning at the painful feelings it brought back.

"We're in communications range, Captain Tuvok." Lt. Commander Rollins said when they were still more than a day from the planet.

Many of the bridge officers looked up from their tasks. Tom's face tightened. They were all worried about what they might find…or might not find.

"Mr. Rollins, open a subspace channel."

"Channel open, sir."

Tuvok paused before speaking. "Voyager to Captain Janeway. Voyager to

Captain Janeway or Commander Chakotay. Come in Captain, Commander. Do you

read?" He glanced at Rollins. "Is there a response?"

Rollins' face fell. "Not yet, Captain."

"Keep sending it."

"Message is repeating, sir."

Tuvok nodded and turned to the helm. "Mr. Baytart, increase our speed to-"

"Sir, we're getting a response!" Rollins burst out.

Tuvok's eyebrow raised, the only sign of emotion on his face. The rest of the

bridge crew murmured in excitement. "Play it."

"This is Commander Chakotay," the voice came, staticky through the com. "I can read you."

Sighs of relief were heard. "Commander, it is good to hear your voice. It has been a long time." Tuvok said.

"It has. How is Voyager?"

"You will be pleased to hear, Commander, that Voyager returned to the Alpha Quadrant seven years ago."

"You were only here for a few months after you left us?" They could hear the surprise in Chakotay's voice.

"Yes. It is a long story, but suffice it to say, we were able to find a wormhole and we returned home. I do feel the need to inform you, however, that I disobeyed Captain Janeway's orders. We did attempt to seek a cure from the Viddians. It was an unsuccessful venture, unfortunately."

"That's…all right, Tuvok. I congratulate you on your return. But what are you doing back here?"

Tom and Harry looked at each other in surprise. He almost sounded regretful that they were here.

"Starfleet was able to design a crude version of the Borg's transwarp conduit. It took quite a while, but it was finally tested and approved. During that time, the virus you and Captain Janeway were exposed to was studied in great detail at Starfleet Medical. Several months ago, a cure was discovered, and our mission to bring you home was approved by Command." Tuvok paused, and glanced at his first officer. "Am I correct in assuming that you and the Captain want to return with us?"

"Tuvok…I'm sorry to have to tell you…Captain Janeway has been dead for five years."

The silence on the bridge was deafening. B'Elanna, who was at the bridge engineering console, gasped and put a hand to her mouth. Everyone else just stared in stunned silence. Then Tuvok cleared his throat.

"That is…regrettable. She was a very fine woman. A fine friend. May I ask how she died?"

There was a pause. "She died giving birth."

The collective gasp was almost as loud as the silence it replaced. The officers all stared at each other in shock. Many of them had jokingly made bets on whether or not the captain and commander would have succumbed to the spark between them that had been obvious almost from the beginning. The common consensus was that they had. But nobody had seriously suggested that they might have had children. And absolutely no one would have imagined that the captain had died giving birth.

Tuvok held up his hand for silence. "I extend my deepest regrets, Commander. How long ago did this happen?"

"Five years ago. She had twins, a boy and a girl."

"Well, Commander, I am quite frankly at a loss for words right now. Captain Janeway's death is a shock to us all."

"I understand. I'm still…it."

"I'm sorry, Commander, I didn't get that."

"I said…shock…vok?"

Tuvok looked at Rollins, who was frantically trying to clear up the link. "We're passing a plasma drift. It's interfering with communications."

"Commander, we'll be in orbit in thirty-six hours. Do you confirm that?"

"Thirty-six hours. Got it…vok…forward to see…"

"We will see you then. Tuvok out."

The channel was cut, and the bridge was plunged into a deep silence. No one spoke. They all stared down, their faces heavy with grief. Finally, B'Elanna, her hormones unable to take it anymore, let loose a harsh sob and crossed the room to her husband. Tom stood up and held her in his arms as she cried. His own cheeks were covered with his tears. He turned to Tuvok.

"You'll have to make an announcement." He said roughly.

Tuvok, who had been staring at the view screen where the stars were coming at them at warp speed, looked at his first officer. His expression was emotionless, but after seven years at Tuvok's side, Tom could tell that the man had suffered a heavy blow with news of his friend's death.

"Her mother will have to be informed before the crew." He said stiffly. He stood. "I want to make it clear to you all that the information of the captain's death is not to leave this room until I make the ship wide announcement. We must respect Mrs. Janeway's presence onboard, and it would be disregarding that respect if she heard of her daughter's death in casual conversation. I'll be in my ready room, where I will compose my words to Mrs. Janeway, and until I come out, none of you are to leave the bridge." Then, becoming aware of the looks on his officer's faces, his countenance softened. "I know this is…hard on many of you. Most likely all of you. I am not immune to it myself. Captain Janeway was a valued friend, and a valued officer. Her loss is felt…most keenly. I have no illusions that I will enter the ready room and you will all follow business as usual. But as I said, news of her death is not to leave the bridge until her mother has been informed."And with that, Tuvok strode to his ready room and disappeared inside.

The silence lasted for a few more moments, punctuated only by B'Elanna's soft cries.

"I can't believe it." Harry finally said, his face a mask of shock.

Tom just shook his head. "After everything she went through in her life, to be cut down by giving birth…what a horrible thing to happen." He sighed. "She said to me once that she'd always wanted children."

"Poor Chakotay," B'Elanna finally spoke up. "Alone with two babies, having lost her like that. I can't imagine how he did it."

"She was a good captain." Rollins spoke up.

"A good woman." Samantha Wildman tearfully said. "She kept going even when a lot of us wanted to give up. And they both sacrificed everything so that we could get home."

The ship wide announcement had come shortly after Tuvok spoke to Gretchen Janeway. Tom had accompanied him, and Gretchen had taken the news fairly well, considering it was her daughter. "I half expected her to be dead, Tuvok," she said sadly. "I didn't even entertain the thought that it would be from giving birth, but if it had to be from anything, I'm glad it was that. It means she was able to be a mother, if only for a few minutes. And she did want that. She never talked about it much, but I know she wanted it."

Everyone's spirits dropped after that. The trip back to the Delta Quadrant, which had taken several weeks with transwarp, had been jovial, everyone cheerful with the knowledge that they would soon be seeing their former commanding officers. Not a day went by that the mess hall wasn't filled with people reminiscing about the captain and commander, and speculating what their life was like. Now though, in the day and a half before reaching the planet, a pall had been cast on their voyage. They would be retrieving Chakotay, and gaining two new passengers in the forms of his young children, but they had lost someone very special. The prospect of Captain Janeway being gone forever was a hard one to bear.

And then, inexplicably, she was alive. Their brief mourning was cut short, and they were able to truly celebrate the success of the mission.

But, Harry thought to himself, although they only mourned a day or two, Chakotay had mourned her for five years.

His heart really went out to the guy.

Even more so when they found out that Captain Janeway wasn't bouncing back all that well form her ordeal. Not that anyone could blame her. They were all just glad to hear that she was doing well, and they were glad her adorable little girl was going to be okay.

So now, several hours later, the senior staff was aware of Captain Janeway's return to sanity, and they were eagerly awaiting an update on the situation. Even Tuvok, who would claim no emotional attachment to the events, looked up in anticipation every time someone entered the bridge.

And finally, their curiosity was satisfied. The lift doors opened, and Kathryn Janeway and Commander Chakotay stepped off.

TBC...soon, I promise!