The Reality Part 4
I am sorry but this chapter kept coming and the more I thought, the more I wrote! Hope it is not too inconvenient to read it at such a long length. I have been criticized for doing it before but it happened again. (I did appreciate that advice; I just got carried away again. Sorry)
Taking a break from the bridge, Kathryn was having a cup of soup and a sandwich Neelix sent up to her office with Naomi.
"Thank you Naomi, you didn't have to bring this up. I was going to come down in a little while when I was finished with this report. But since you saved me the trip why don't you sit down and have some with me?"
"Oh, um, that's OK Captain, I don't want to bother you."
"Naomi, you're no bother. We haven't spoken in a while. How have you been?"
"I'm OK I guess. How are you feeling?"
"I'm OK I guess too. Why do I get the impression that things are not so 'OK' with you? Do you want to talk about something?"
"Captain, can I ask you a personal question?"
"I guess so, depending on what you're asking."
"Well, I was wondering, did you ever argue with your mother?"
"Well there were times we disagreed on things. Sometimes I would get too carried away and she wouldn't listen then. But I found that if I presented my side in a reasonable manner she would listen and see my side of it. I didn't always get what I wanted but she would help me see her side of it."
"My mom won't listen to me though."
"I'm sure she will if it is something you feel strongly about."
"She's determined to keep me a baby. She won't let me grow up."
"In what way Naomi?"
"She won't let me stay up late at night, she makes me wear my hair like a little girl, and she won't let me replicate a bathing suit for Tom's party next week."
"Don't you have a bathing suit already?"
"But I found one in the data base that is pretty but Mom says it's for someone older. Maybe if you talk to her she'll let me. She listens to you, we all have to."
"I'm not overruling your mother. It's not my business to interfere with your upbringing. But I am interested in seeing this suit. Can you bring it up on my screen?"
Turning her computer terminal around to face Naomi the Captain waited while she made some entries and when she found what she was looking for she turned the terminal back. Kathryn had all she could do not to react. The bathing suit was a string bikini, which was shown on a very voluptuous model.
"Naomi, I am sorry but I agree with your mother."
"Of course you do! Every body here treats me like a baby!
"Naomi, can I ask YOU a personal question?" She could see the girl getting frustrated and putting a wall up.
"I guess so."
"How do you see yourself?"
"What do you mean?"
"Look at this model. Does your body look like hers?"
"Well no, not yet. But I am growing up. I have, you know, my cycle. My body is changing and I want people to stop treating me like I don't know the facts of life. I think I should be allowed to pick my own clothes and wear my hair the way I want."
"It is very hard for all of us to see you as a young lady, you're right. We have all watched you grow up and we don't want to let go of that little girl. It must be even harder for your mom. When you were young you were so dependant on her for everything that admitting you're grown up means letting go of that. She's not needed in that way. Do you see my point?"
"So she might think I think I don't need her?"
"Something like that."
"Of course I need her. She's my mom! Oh, I guess I can wear that old thing again. What do you think of the suit?"
"I think you'll look beautiful in it, when you're older! You may be growing up, but you said it yourself you don't look like that yet. Give it a few more years OK?"
Laughing at herself she replied "Well I hope when I'm older I get the boobs she has anyway. I see the way some of the guys around here look at Seven's boobs. She would look great in this bathing suit wouldn't she?"
Laughing with the girl the Captain replied, "Naomi, Seven would look good in any bathing suit!"
Both Naomi and the Captain were giggling when Neelix's voice came through. "Neelix to Naomi, come in."
"Naomi here", she answered.
"Your mom was here looking to have lunch before your next class. Don't be bothering the Captain."
"It's alright Neelix, we were enjoying a little girl talk, Janeway out."
"Sounds like you need to have a talk with your mother. Let me know how it goes OK?"
"Sure Captain."
"And Naomi, I really like that pink bathing suit you wore last month on shore leave."
"Thanks. I think I'll try a new hair style, just something different."
"I look forward to it Naomi."
Throughout the rest of the afternoon Kathryn spent another few hours with her feet up on the couch as per orders going over monthly reports and checking on ship logs. She was another day closer to delivery and experiencing false contractions on a daily basis.
Talking out loud to herself she sighed, "I hope I'll know when it's the real deal. These Braxton Hicks contractions, as the doctor calls them, are painful. I hope I meet you two soon!" Rubbing her belly she sighed again.
*********************=/\=************************
Having lunch with Naomi was becoming a regular event. She enjoyed the girl's company and it gave her a diversion from waiting. Chakotay had discussed this with both Sam and Neelix so it served many purposes. His wife was eating a well-balanced meal, she had a break from working and she was putting her feet up on the couch. Sam even felt that she was talking with Naomi on a better level.
"Naomi, come in" she called out to the chime at the usual hour of 1200. As the girl came into the office with the tray, Kathryn couldn't help but take notice of the new hairstyle Naomi was showing off.
"Well, what do you think?" Turning around Kathryn was delighted to see a neat 'french braid' had replaced her usual two side braids. The length was shorter but still between her shoulders.
"I like it Naomi. Did you do it yourself?"
"No, my mom had to help. But I think with practice I'll be able to do it myself. I saw it in the computer when I was doing research on the second millennium. When I showed my mother she didn't even put up a fuss. She agreed that I could change my hair whatever way I liked. I couldn't believe it. We actually agreed on something!"
"I told you if you approached things the right way and with the right attitude that your mother would be more receptive."
"Thanks Captain."
"Chakotay to Captain. Sensors are picking up a spatial mass 1 light year ahead. Unknown make up. It's putting out some ionic readings but no storm is being detected."
"What do you think it is?"
"Best guess is it's an anomoly of some kind. I'd like to change course to avoid it and it's space."
"Agreed. Keep me posted. Janeway out."
"Commander", Harry called out, "The mass is matching our speed. It seems to be following us."
"Any idea what's attracting it Harry?"
"No idea sir."
"Bridge to Engineering. We are being pursued by an unknown entity. Can you determine what the composition of it is and why it is pursuing us?"
"We picked it up on sensors when we changed course. I think it is attracted to the emissions from the warp core. Permission to eject anti matter to mask the warp signature."
"Affirmative. Keep us posted."
After the anti matter expulsion the mass began moving closer at an accelerated rate. Harry reported what was being picked up on sensors and Tuvok reported that weapons and the deflector just went off line. Engineering began scrambling to repair the downed systems and keep up with the secondary systems. The mass was now gaining on Voyager. As Chakotay was made aware of the increasing failures throughout the ship he ordered "To all hands: Yellow Alert! All crew to duty stations."
Hearing the alarm Kathryn called out from her ready room, "Janeway to the bridge, what's going on Commander?"
"We're not sure Captain. An entity or spacial anomaly is approaching at an accelerated rate. We are jumping to warp in hopes of outrunning it. Tom, warp six."
As Voyager jumped to warp the anomaly jumped to. It hit Voyager and shut down everything. Soon auxiliary lights came on. Not wanting to leave Naomi Kathryn called out to the bridge but received no answer. Trying her comm. badge yielded the same result. Approaching the door produced no response.
"What's happening Captain?
"I don't know Naomi but stay calm. We'll figure a way to"….grabbing her abdomen she doubled over and sucked in her breath.
"Oh my, that was a big one."
Noami just stared at the Captain. When she finally saw that Kathryn was relaxing her stance she asked, "a big what?"
"When you get close to the end of a pregnancy sometimes you have false contractions. It means that the babies are getting closer to being born. It just seems they have been really intense today. They started this morning but stopped. Just now they started again but harder."
"How do you know when it is really time? My mom said you might have them earlier cause there are two of them in there. She told me what it's like to have a baby. I had to be transported out of her because my ridges were sticking her uterus. Are you having your babies transported? It sounds easier than the other way she told me about."
"There can be problems with any delivery no matter the method. But the doctor knows best. I trust him to do the right thing."
Pacing back and forth she tried to concentrate on finding a solution to their current situation and maintain the relaxing breathing exercises the doctor spoke about at the last few visits.
Meanwhile the bridge was attempting to repair systems that went off line as the anomaly made contact. In Astrometrics, Seven was scanning but the readouts were jumbled and full of static. In engineering the warp core shut down. Secondary systems failed to initialize. Bio-neural gelpacks failed to transmit power through them. It was as if the ship just stopped working. The only system that seemed to be running was the blowers moving oxygen through the vents; they had battery back up. The engines just shut down causing an eerie silence. There was no way to call for help, no way to enter or leave wherever you were.
Chakotay looked around the bridge calling out to anyone.
"I'm open to suggestions. I'm as stumped as anyone as to how to proceed. I think priority is trying to get away by any means possible."
Tom and Harry agreed by shaking their heads and Tom voiced the question as to how.
Tuvok, with his Vulcan composure and logic stated simply, "It may be advantageous to us to do nothing. By exerting no energy and waiting until it passes just may be the only thing we can do. We have heard no noise to indicate anything has happened to cause Voyager any destruction."
"I see no other option so I guess we'll take Mr. Tuvok's advise and wait it out. In the mean time, Mr. Ayala, see if you can find out anything through the Jeffries tubes. Go deck by deck. Harry, head to Engineering to see if you can assist B'Elanna with repairs if they are needed. Tom, you stay here to man the Con if systems power up as suddenly as they went down. We need to check the ship the old fashioned way."
Walking over to the ready room doors it seemed they were shut tight and there was no way in or out. Calling out to the occupants he inquired as to their well-being. Knowing they probably couldn't hear he felt he had to try. Now he looked worriedly to Tuvok.
"There is no reason to think any injuries were sustained to Naomi or the Captain."
"I know, I just feel the need to talk with them to hear for myself that all is well."
"Maybe we should call the doctor?" Naomi questioned.
"Honey, with communications down there is no way to contact him if we needed him. And I don't know if he can come up. If there are any crew injuries he's needed in sickbay. I just have to go to the bathroom for a moment. See if you can get the bag under my desk."
Once in the bathroom she checked the moisture she felt. Talking out loud to herself she said, "Great, and my 'plug' just came out. These are real contractions. What am I going to do now?"
Cleaning herself off and wrapping a towel around herself she headed for the couch. Easing her frame down she looked to Naomi and saw her eyes widening with surprise.
"Naomi, there are signs that I am in labor. That means the babies are really coming. I'm going to need you to, OH!, Here comes another one."
Holding out her hand Naomi grabbed it. As the contraction passed they looked at each other. Naomi appeared frightened so Kathryn spoke as calmly as possible even though inside she was scared too.
"Naomi, I need you to help put the sheet down. There are other things in here the doctor packed for just such an emergency. Let's get everything out OK?"
As Naomi opened the bag and then placed the sheet down Kathryn eased herself down but remained sitting and dangled her legs down the steps. They then placed the items close to Kathryn; a portable suction apparatus to clear the babies' airway, oxygen, a laser scalpel and clamps to deal with the cord, blankets to wrap them in, and a few of absorbent pads for afterwards.
With each contraction Kathryn breathed and panted and Naomi watched with increasing anxiety that help was not rushing through the door.
"Maybe I should crawl through the Jeffries tube down to sickbay? Or I can crawl down a deck and back up to the bridge to get Commander Chakotay?"
"Oh sweetheart, if I knew it was safe for you to do that I would have sent you when all this started. But I don't know what you'll meet and I think I'll need help before you get back."
With that the pressure increased to a point of no return.
"Naomi, the babies are coming now!"
Raising her knees up she screamed for the child to put the gloves on. "Look down there honey, quickly. Do you see something coming? Oh my stars it's happening!"
"Captain, something's coming!" She was now positioned at the bottom of the 2 steps that lead to where Kathryn was straining.
"Put your hand on the head (inhale) and allow it to come slowly. Just let it come as it eases out into your hands."
As the contraction continued Kathryn bore down as the baby slid right into Naomi's hands. "Oh no, it's messy and slippery." As Kathryn took another breath she began to relax. Here she is Captain! It's a girl! But she's got a long thing attached to her belly!"
"Quickly, give her to me Naomi."
Grabbing the child, Kathryn put the suction tube down into her throat and withdrew it. Clearing the airway the infant let out a little squeak, then a short cry. Kathryn put the clamps on the umbilical cord, used the laser scalpel to cut the cord, and then handed the baby back to Naomi who wrapped her in a blanket.
"Here, let this oxygen blow into her face OK? She needs it because she's so tiny." It was barely 5 minutes when Kathryn felt the contractions begin again.
"The other one is coming soon. Think we can do it again Naomi?"
I'm not sure what just happened but OK." She placed the infant down next to Kathryn and followed directions again.
Another contraction was building up. Kathryn was bearing down but when asked Naomi saw no 'crowning'.
"Where's the other one Captain?"
"It's coming, she's just a little behind the other one."
Kathryn kept looking at her new daughter. Hearing her make little sounds was comforting. She wanted to pick her up but knew another one was getting ready to push through. "If only Chakotay were here to see this. He's going to be so surprised."
"Here it comes again" as she began to bear down.
"I see it Captain! The head is coming!"
"Get ready to catch her Naomi. We have to clear her airway like the first one."
But each contraction left the Captain drained, and exhausted. It seemed to take forever.
"Come on, push it out Captain, you can do it!" Naomi could see how tired her captain was getting. Panting in a moment of relief she pulled in a huge breath and held it. She bore down with all her might and felt the passage of the other one.
"We have to clamp the cord Naomi. Here, put this clip on it right near where her belly button should be and another a bit further away. Good. Now cut the cord with the laser scalpel, can you do that Naomi?"
Naomi did as she was told and Kathryn held out her hands. As she took the infant and drained the fluid out of her lungs Naomi had picked up the blanket and wrapped it around the baby while Kathryn was finishing with the suction. Hearing the same cry as the first, Kathryn looked at Naomi and handed it off like a passing of a bundle. She was exhausted. Oh Naomi, I can't believe it. I couldn't have done this with out you."
Another contraction was building. As Naomi watched her begin to bear down again she exclaimed, "I thought you were having two babies, not three!"
"It's the afterbirth. The placenta that fed them while they were inside me, ugh, it's got to come out too."
The afterbirth was delivered and Kathryn lay back against the sofa behind her. Stretching out her hands, Naomi placed one of the babies into them and held the other, all the while keeping oxygen flowing into their face.
"Do they have names yet Captain?"
"We are still deciding and I want Commander Chakotay to decide which one gets which name. I wish he were here." Kathryn was starting to get teary-eyed. Naomi had never seen Captain Janeway with tears in her eyes. It was making her get all mushy as well.
"Naomi, you were such a help, I really mean it, thank you."
"I'm glad I could help with something so important."
"You really are growing up, but I didn't mean to put you in such a position Honey."
"It really hurt a lot eh Captain? I mean, I don't think I'll ever be able to do that. It was kind of gross you know?"
Laughing, Kathryn just smiled to the girl and agreed, "yes, it's kind of gross, but babies have been being born for thousands of years haven't they?"
"I'm just saying I don't think I could do it, that's all. But they're so small Captain."
"I hope help comes soon, Naomi. They are small and need to get to sickbay."
**********************=/\=*************************
"Commander, sensors are coming back on. The anomaly is passing us. Reports from throughout the ship are coming in. No injury, no damage."
"What was it? Anyone have any conclusions?"
As he was saying this he was walking towards the ready room. As the doors opened he walked in as he was asking if all was well with the stranded crew inside but his mind was comprehending a few moments behind what his eyes were seeing.
"Chakotay, what happened? We tried calling but got no response and then things got a bit frantic in here."
"Chakotay to sickbay! Doctor, please come up to the ready room NOW!" He knelt down beside his wife and stared at his new daughters.
"Sickbay here. What seems to be the problem? Is the Captain in labor?
"Not anymore!"
The familiar blue tingle appeared then the Doctor was rushing towards the Captain.
"Check the babies first doctor, I'm fine for now."
As he scanned the two newborns he reported they were indeed fine for now but needed to get into the incubators that were set up in sickbay. "Their oxygen levels could be better and they're temperature will begin to fluctuate so let's get them down to sickbay as soon as we can. Are turbolifts functioning Commander?"
"All systems are back up. Kathryn, how did you do this?"
"Medical team B to the Captain's ready room."
"Naomi did a lot of the work for me. She really stepped in as Captain's assistant!"
Tom was the first responder to enter the room. Samantha and Haley pushing an antigravity stretcher followed him closely. The doctor gave instructions and Kathryn was placed on the stretcher. The women carried the babies, and Tom and Chakotay pushed their mother.
As the medical team brought their patients through the bridge to the turbolifts, the bridge crew erupted in applause. Chakotay was beaming, the Captain smiling but looking very tired and drained. Arriving in sickbay the doctor immediately put the girls into the incubators and made sure they were stable then he focused on their mother. Pulling the privacy screen around the bed he gave her a thorough examination while the proud father watched Samantha and Haley wash and diaper his daughters. He marveled at their size.
"How much do they weigh?"
"This one is 2 kilograms", said Haley.
"And this one is 1.8 kilograms" said Samantha. "What are their names Commander?"
"Well, I need to talk to Kathryn first. I don't know if she's settled on their names yet. We've had quite a few suggestions and we liked most of them."
With that the doctor came around and requested that Haley see to helping the Captain get freshened up. "I'm keeping her here for the night. She wants to be near the babies. You may stay too Commander. As long as the beds are free you might as well put them to use. I'm guessing when they start to cry you'll both need some help getting oriented to parenting."
Within a few hours, Kathryn was getting some much-needed sleep and Chakotay was putting his hand inside incubator one and stroking his daughter's little head. Then he'd switch to incubator two and do the same. He stayed like that for much of the evening, amazed at the joy he felt at his family, and the love he felt for his wife.
The next morning the Captain was released from sickbay but the babies had to stay behind in their incubators until their weight increased and they didn't need oxygen. She put her hand inside each environment and called to them lovingly, promising to return as soon as she could.
Back in their quarters the new parents showered, dressed and ate something. They discussed names and when it was decided what the names would be; they discussed when the names would be revealed. It was a tradition with Chakotay' people that a child's name was given with family and friends present to welcome the newest member and he asked that the ceremony be held when the girls were well enough.
It was weeks before the girls were ready to leave sickbay. During that time Chakotay assumed command while Kathryn convalesced. She nursed her babies every three hours, ate regularly thanks to the watchful eye of Haley who helped every step of the way. The girls were cuddled, sung to, bathed, and monitored and the result was wonderful. The proud parents were both joyous and exhausted at this new role.
Their naming ceremony was scheduled at last and Neelix prepared the Mess Hall for a banquet. The girls each had on a white dress and were wrapped in a white blanket that Naomi and Samantha had crocheted.
Before they left their quarters, Chakotay, who had been taking holopictures with his camera, pulled a gift box out of his pocket and presented his wife with it.
"What is this?"
"Just something I traded for on the planet we visited last week."
As Kathryn was opening it Chakotay explained, "It seems the Kentari people had great mineral and gem deposits but they preferred to discard them for our organic waste. They'll use it for fertilizing barren land so we gave them our full storage tanks instead of treating and recycling it. They in turn gave us what they considered useless; diamonds, galocite, and jade. I had a jeweler make this for you."
Kathryn held up a beautiful necklace with a matching set of earrings and a ring; with the birthstones of the babies. Two matching diamonds encased in white and yellow gold.
"Chakotay, this is beautiful." He helped her with the clasp and embraced her. "Hey, don't cry! You'll make your make up smear!"
"I have never been happier Chakotay. Let's take the girls to meet the crew officially before I turn into mush."
As the ceremony began Chakotay spoke first, "As we celebrate the birth of our children, we are filled with joy and want to share our happiness with you. We have chosen Tom and B'Elanna, and Samantha and Naomi, as guardians of our children if something should happen to us. We wish for our daughter Gretchen Elizabeth a long and happy life. May she grow wise in love and respect for life. And we wish for our daughter Annatay Naomi a long and happy life. May she grow wise in love and respect for life."
Both girls being held by their respective 'godparents' cooed and smiled as if they knew what was happening. Kathryn then spoke to the crew who had now become family.
"We are so happy to have found the love and support within the walls of Voyager. We thank you all for the care and concern you have shown us both before and since the girls' birth. Naomi, we all thought of you as a child since you were born at the beginning of our journey. We are now 14 years into this adventure and you have become someone we can count on when needed. You are a beautiful and responsible young lady, thank you for helping me in a very frightening moment.
Samantha, I hope I am as wonderful a mother as you have been. You have shown me I can be a member of a starship and a parent as well.
Tom and B'Elanna, you show us love is possible amidst chaos and calm space, and friendship is an anchor we all need in life. Our daughters will look up to you and learn from you. Thank you all."
As the party came to a close when then guests of honor needed to go to bed, Chakotay and Kathryn carried them back to their quarters. Once they were changed and fed, sleep came to the babies in no time, and to their parents soon after. Kathryn, as she laid her head on her pillow and snuggled closer to her husband, realized that her life was just where it should be. As the saying goes, "There's no place like home." And even though they were still 20,000 light years from Earth, she was at home here as anyplace on Earth.