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PROVIDENCE

CHAPTER 4

Two Weeks Later

The Captain's quarters were quiet when Chakotay entered and, as he expected, he found Kathryn in bed. Her face was pale, as white as the sheets around her, and she was propped up by pillows.

"Hi," Chakotay said. "How are you doing?"

Earlier that day she, and several others, had been injured in an explosion while exploring a derelict site on an abandoned planet. A bomb had gone off, bringing down half a building, and it was a miracle that no one had been killed.

"I'm fine," Kathryn replied. "And am glad that everyone else is...or at least, soon will be."

Megan Delaney and Kevin Martin were still in a critical condition, but The Doctor expected them to make a full recovery.

Chakotay stepped closer and sat, uninvited, on a stool beside the bed. "And the baby?"

There was a long silence. Then Kathryn answered. "I'm no longer pregnant. The Doctor had to remove the baby to save it and I've decided against reimplantation. I think it's for the best. I think it's better to wait until we're home."

"As much as I hate to say it," Chakotay said sadly, "getting home isn't a certainty. What if...?"

Kathryn interrupted. "I don't live my life by "what ifs" and I'm not about to start now. We will get home. And soon. Then I'll marry Mark and we'll raise our child together."

Chakotay said nothing, just lowered his eyes. He'd come to see that Kathryn was a true idealist, ever optimistic and hopeful. He could only hope she stayed that way, that the trials and loneliness of their circumstance didn't jade her.

"Besides," Kathryn continued, "with Sarah Brunwell not being pregnant after all, my child would be all alone. Reimplantation will carry the same risks in a year's time, or ten years time, as now. Better to wait."

"I can't deny the logic," Chakotay said, raising his eyes, "but we're not Vulcans. Sometimes it's better to think with our hearts."

"In our situation, with both. And both are telling me the same thing. Wait."

"So long as you're sure...though I guess you can change your mind any time."

"Yes, but I won't. The decision's been made for me and I have to at least be grateful for that. I don't think I'd have had the courage to freeze the baby, not considering the risks."

"I understand. But I wish I'd never suggested we explore that site. I failed in my first duty...to keep you safe."

"Oh, Chakotay, what happened was hardly your fault. If it's any one's, it's mine. I'm the one who wanted to go underground. You advised caution."

At that, Chakotay's eyes twinkled. "Does that mean you'll listen to me from now on?"

Kathryn curled her lips in amusement. "Let it not be said I make promises I can't keep."

Chakotay laughed, as did she. Then, all of a sudden, her quarters' door chime played.

"Who is it?" Kathryn cried, not wanting to be bothered unnecessarily.

"Mr Neelix," the Talaxian replied. "I'm here on Doctor's orders."

"In that case, you'd better come in."

Neelix came in and, seconds later, was in her bedroom. He was carrying a silver tray of dishes and was wearing the flashiest outfit that Kathryn had seen on him yet. It was a hideous two piece of red and blue zig zag and it totally befuddled the eyes.

"Good evening, Captain," he said, "you too, Commander. I do hope you are feeling better. The Doctor says your right leg was almost blown off!"

"Not quite," Kathryn replied, "but the injury was severe."

"Poor you. And poor Megan and Kevin. What a thing to happen! But I'm sure my Indiana Special will cheer you up. I made it especially for you!"

"That's very considerate of you," Kathryn said as he placed the tray before her, "far more considerate than your outfit."

"My outfit?" he exclaimed. "What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing, if you want to give us all eyestrain."

"Eyestrain? I'll have you know this is the one of the finest Talaxian fabrics!"

"Maybe so, Neelix, but our tastes are...more conservative."

"Tell that to Ensign Peters. She wears dots and stripes like not even I would dare! Even Tom Paris mistook her for something called a drape the other day!"

"If I see her, I will indeed tell her. As to Mr Paris...no doubt he was joking."

"Then he has a strange sense of humor...not that that surprises me. But if my outfit offends you, Captain, of course I won't wear it again. I dress to please others as much as myself."

"Thank you, Neelix. Your consideration is much appreciated. You are proving an exemplary member of this crew. But there really was no need to bring me food. I'm not hungry."

"Of course you are, Captain. Kes says you haven't eaten a thing all day! And that won't do. In fact, The Doctor says if you don't get something inside you pronto he'll have to confine you to sickbay. And you don't want that. Alex Riggs is there, after doing himself an injury on the holodeck, and he snores something awful!"

"Thanks for the warning. I'll eat what I can."

"Make sure you do. But I promise you, Captain, it won't be an effort. Just wait until you taste my feathered pheasant pie! You'll think you're right back home in Bloomington! Oh, it's delicious, even if I say so myself! And then there's my duck drizzle potatoes, roasted and spiced to absolute perfection, not to mention my diced and fried root vegetable mix! You'll be in tastebud heaven, Captain, and the pleasure doesn't end there! Because I've also made you dessert! The all American favorite Mississippi mud pie...with a touch of Neelix magic!"

"What can I say," Kathryn said, trying hard not to laugh, "you've clearly excelled yourself."

"I certainly have. And I can't wait for you to get stuck in. So, let me..."

But before he could remove the lids on the dishes, Chakotay got to his feet and ushered the Talaxian aside.

"A good chef never watches in wait of praise," he said.

"Oh, I wasn't," Neelix replied. "But really? Never? Where then is the satisfaction?"

"In the stomachs of his diners."

"But..."

Kathryn interjected. "I'll let you know what I think, Neelix. And I'm sure you won't be disappointed."

The Talaxian opened his mouth to protest, but then sighed instead. "Oh, very well, Captain. But I have to say your eating customs are as trying as your fashion! But do let me know what you think. I've been slaving over your meal for hours!"

"I will, Neelix. I promise."

"Then I'll be back later. Good evening, Captain...Commander."

They both said good evening and then Neelix left. As he did, Kathryn and Chakotay both broke into laughter.

"Oh my," Kathryn said. "Am I truly awake or hallucinating? I feel like I'm in a circus, Mr Neelix being the clown! First that outfit, then a feathered pheasant pie with duck drizzle potatoes! Just where does he think Indiana is? I've never heard of them in all my life!"

"Me either," Chakotay laughed, "but I'm curious." He gestured to the biggest lid. "May I?"

"Be my guest."

Chakotay lifted the lid and there, beneath it, was a huge pastry pie surrounded by sizzling mixed vegetables and drizzling roast potatoes. The pie was round, and fat, and lavishly decorated with pastry feathers.

"Well," Kathryn smiled, "at least they're not real...the feathers, that is. I had visions of a stuffed bird!"

"Me too."

"But the potatoes...oh, they look more slimy than slugs! And the vegetables...they look dangerous!" She picked up a knife and cut open the pie, releasing a stream of smoke. "And the pie looks like it's on fire! There's no way I'm eating it. Any of it!"

"That's too bad," Chakotay laughed, "Neelix will be disappointed."

"He'll never know. Besides, I have more hope for the mud pie."

With that, she raised the lid on the second dish, but all that came into view was a heap of brown mush.

"Oh hell," she cried, "looks like he's taken the mud literally and made me a cowpat!"

Chakotay laughed until his eyes watered, laughing harder than he had in a long time.

"This is definitely for the recycler too," Kathryn went on. "I know they say the ugliest is tastiest, but I'll confess to being a shallow eater!"

Chakotay couldn't help but tease. "Even though half of what you make burns?"

Kathryn almost scowled. "There's a big difference between being burnt, Mr Chakotay, and being pure gross!"

"Well," Chakotay smiled, "to save Neelix's feelings, how about we do a deal? I'll eat his offering, telling him it was too rich for you in your condition, if you'll agree to eat a meal of your choice."

Kathryn raised an eyebrow. "You'd eat all this just to spare Neelix's feelings? Then there truly is a softie beneath the macho Maquis!"

"I won't deny it. But I think one let down a day is enough for the Talaxian. I think he was dressed to impress. Besides, I haven't had anything since lunch and I have to say the food smells kind of good. I'm partial to a bit of spice."

"So am I, but his last attempt at spicing things up gave me third degree burns!"

Chakotay laughed. "Then I'll have a medkit on stand by."

"You'll need one. But aren't you forgetting something?"

"What?"

"You're a vegetarian."

"Well," Chakotay smiled, "considering we have neither pheasants or ducks on board, I think it's safe to assume they're replicated."

"Good point," Kathryn laughed.

"So, do we have a deal?"

Kathryn nodded with a smile. "We have a deal."

END OF CHAPTER 4