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Hearts Astray

Chapter 29

A WEEK LATER

"When will we be able to tell everyone about the babies, Aunt Katie?" Amy asked as she brushed Fluffy on the balcony. "I so can't wait to tell everyone."

"As soon as Chakotay gets back," Kathryn answered, knitting a pink bootie on the couch. "Hopefully that won't be long now."

While Amy had not been told about Chakotay's message, she had been led to believe he would be home soon. B'Elanna was concerned about his continued silence, so was Tom, but Kathryn knew Chakotay would be playing it extra safe in Federation space because of The Atoners. Mission Mousetrap had been a complete success, so The Atoners were no longer a threat, but Chakotay would have no way of knowing that. He would be keeping to himself, cloaked, and would not let his guard down until he was close to Earth. Even then, if he was in a Cardassian ship, he would not uncloak. He would announce his arrival to Admiral Paris, park in a bay at Starfleet HQ, and then beam to this apartment in Florida.

"I was so sad that Fluffy wasn't having kittens," Amy went on, "because I wanted one real bad, but I'm so happy now that he isn't because I'm glad the lifesigns were your babies. Why didn't you think of that, Aunt Katie? Why didn't you think that you were having babies and not Fluffy?"

"Because the thought I was pregnant didn't cross my mind."

"I so can't wait for them to be born. I've never seen quad-ripples. There are twins in my class, Eva and Emmy, but no quad-ripples. Will they really all look the same?"

"The boys will. But they won't look exactly the same. There'll be small differences that will help us tell them apart. Most people won't be able to but we will."

"I know that, Aunt Katie. I can always tell Eva is not Emmy because her face is different. Not big different, or even small different, but different. Emmy's nose is longer and fatter and her eyes are closer together."

Amy accidentally tangled the brush in Fluffy's tail and the cat wailed.

"Becareful with Fluffy, honey," Kathryn said.

"I am being careful, Aunt Katie. I'm being real careful. The brush did it, not me. It got stuck in his fur."

The cat wailed again and Kathryn put down her needles. "You're making the tangle worse, honey. Bring him over here."

Amy did as she was told and Kathryn set about untangling the brush.

"Do you think Fluffy's glad he has big fur?" Amy asked.

"Right now," Kathryn said, "I'm sure he wishes he didn't."

"I'm glad he does. I think it's beautiful. I think his eyes are beautiful too. They're the greenest eyes I've ever seen. What color eyes will the babies have?"

"Brown."

"What color hair?"

"The boys will have black and their sister red."

"Red like mine?"

Kathryn smiled. "We'll have to wait and see."

"When they're born, will they be born with a tattoo like Chakotay was?"

"No, honey," Kathryn laughed. "Chakotay wasn't born with the tattoo. It was drawn on his face, kind of like how people draw patterns on their face with face paint."

"Will Chakotay draw the tattoo on the babies?"

"No. He'll let them decide if they want it when they're older."

The brush was out of Fluffy's fur now and he jumped off the couch and went to hide under a table.

"Why is he hiding, Aunt Katie? Is he scared of the brush now?"

"I think he just wants to be left alone for a while. So, you sit by me and tell me what you think of my bootie."

"I think it's lovely. You and Grandma are great knitters. Grandma makes me sweaters all the time. Will you knit booties for all the babies?"

"Yes. Lots of other things too. I want to make them hats, cardigans, sweaters, mittens, and a blanket each."

Amy frowned. "How can you make a blanket, Aunt Katie? The needles are too small."

"I'm going to knit squares and then sew them together." As she was going to be spending a lot of time sitting down over the next few months, she wanted a project.

"Have you made any of the squares yet?"

"Quite a few. I haven't knitted in a long time so I've been practising on the squares."

"Can I see them?"

But before Kathryn could answer, the door chime played.

"Who's there, Aunt Katie?" Amy asked.

"I don't know. Let's find out."

Kathryn got up, made her way into the lounge, and peeped into her security monitor. As she did, she saw that her visitor was Seven. By looking at her now, it was impossible to tell that only four years ago she was a drone. Gone were all her facial implants and her long silky blonde hair was loose over her shoulders.

"Who is it, Aunt Katie?" Amy cried. "Who is it?"

"It's Seven." Kathryn answered.

"Seven of Nine?"

"That's right."

"Yay!" Amy cheered. "Now I can meet her!"

Kathryn opened the door and Seven greeted her with a smile.

"Hello, Admiral."

"Hello to you," Kathryn smiled back. "But what are you doing here? You're supposed to be in space!"

"The region we intended to explore turned out to be less interesting than anticipated so we returned ahead of schedule. We will thus embark on a new expedition as soon as it can be arranged."

"I'm sorry your trip was cut short. But I'm glad you're here, come in."

As Seven stepped into the apartment, Amy ambushed her. "I'm so happy to meet you, Seven! I'm Amy Jackson, Aunt Katie's niece."

Seven smiled at the child. "How do you do, Amy?"

"Very well, thank you. I was sick last week, I hurt my leg playing in the garden, but I'm all better now."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"You don't look much like you do on tv," Amy declared. "Why is that?"

"Because I have had my facial implants removed and concealed. I look fully human now."

"What was it like being a borg? Was it horrible?"

"No. When a person is assimilated they forget who they were."

"Did it hurt when they assimilated you?"

"I can't remember. I was very young when it happened. Younger than you."

"Did you go to school in the borg?"

"No," Seven smiled. "When I was assimilated I learnt everything that I needed to know."

"That must be one good thing about being a borg then, no school, because I hate having homework. But I'd rather go to school than be a borg. I hope I'm never assimilated."

"With Kathryn Janeway as your aunt," Seven replied, "that is highly unlikely."

Kathryn put her hand on Amy's shoulder. "We forgot to give Fluffy the treats we replicated for him. Will you give them to him?"

Amy turned to her aunt. "Now, Aunt Katie?"

"Now. It's only fair. We promised him treats if he let you brush him."

"I suppose we did. But I really want to talk to Seven. I have so much to tell her!"

"You can talk to Seven afterwards."

Amy sighed. "Ok, Aunt Katie. I'll go give Fluffy the treats."

As Amy returned to the balcony, which was surrounded by an invisible child safety shield, Kathryn invited Seven to sit.

"Please, take a seat," she said, pointing at the couch.

Seven duly sat and Kathryn sat beside her.

"You must be thinking I'm a poor hostess in not offering you a drink," Kathryn went on, "but I'd like to talk to you before Amy gets back."

"Is it about Chakotay?"

"Yes. He's ok. I received a message from him a few weeks ago and he told me he's on his way home. Someone who owed him a favor helped him to escape from the Cardassians."

"That is wonderful news," Seven said sincerely. "I have been most concerned for his safety."

"I've only told a few people about the message, no one in Starfleet Command, so this has to stay between us."

"You have my word, Admiral."

"Please, call me Kathryn. We're not exactly in a command structure anymore and Admiral is so stuffy between friends."

Seven smiled. "Then Kathryn it is. And I suppose now is as good a time as any for me to ask you to call me Annika."

At this, tears filled Kathryn's eyes. "Annika? You're using your human name now?"

"Yes. I'm not the same woman I was on Voyager. Since the removal of my failsafe device I have fully recovered my humanity. My borg designation is no longer the name I want to go by. I want to be Annika again. I want Annika to live again."

"So do I. And she does. At last she does."

"Thanks to you. While the removal of my failsafe device has done much for me, it hasn't done as much as you. Without the opportunity you gave me to recover my individuality, and without your guidance, compassion and care while recovering it, I wouldn't be the woman I am today. I'm indebted to you, above all others, and I want you to know that I appreciate everything you've done for me."

"There is no debt. It was a privilege to aid you in your journey. And it was not a one way ride. You helped us in our journey too. I'm very proud of everything you've achieved and I'm very proud of the woman you've become."

"Thank you."

Kathryn smiled and then got to her feet. "Now, drinks. What would you like?"

"An apple juice, please."

"Just what I fancy myself." She walked over to the replicator, manually replicated the drinks, and then returned to the seating area. Seven had her eyes on her bump but looked away when Kathryn caught her staring. "It's ok," Kathryn smiled. "You can look. And yes, I am pregnant."

"Congratulations," Seven said.

"If you're wondering who the father is, it's Chakotay. We've been a couple since our return and, well, after he left for Trebus I found out I was pregnant." This wasn't the whole truth, but it was as much of the truth as she wanted to share. Never would she tell anyone about the out of time experience on New Earth. That precious time was, and always would be, her's and Chakotay's secret. "If you're wondering why I'm so big for four months, then it's because I'm having quads."

Seven's eyes widened. "Quadruplets?"

"Yes. Unbelievable, isn't it? But I assure you it's true."

"Are they identical?"

"Not all of them, no. Three are identical, but one isn't. The Doctor says they happened naturally, that the egg split after ovulation, both halves were fertilized, and then one half split again into three. But between you and me, no way. I know it does happen sometimes, but as the odds are 1 in 700,000, I don't believe it. I was in a state of temporal adjustment when I conceived and that has to be responsible. But I'm not complaining. I'm delighted. I always wanted children and now I have them."

"Then I'm very happy for you. And I know you're going to be a wonderful mother, just like you were a wonderful mentor. Your babies are very lucky."

"Thank you. I know it won't be easy, having four babies all at once, but I'm more than up for the challenge and I know Chakotay will be too. And we won't be doing it alone. We'll get a nanny and my mother will help as much as she can."

"Will you raise them here in Florida?"

"No. I'd like to raise them in Bloomington. My mother still lives there, in the house I grew up in, and my sister lives nearby with her family. In fact, I'm going to view a house in Bloomington tomorrow afternoon. It's a bit run down, but is structurally sound and should be quite easy to restore. I haven't told my mother or sister, as I don't want to get their hopes up, but I'm confident it's the house for us. If you have nothing planned, you can come with me, if you like. I once promised you a tour of my hometown and I always keep my promises."

"You did," Seven replied. "And I'd love to come."

Kathryn smiled. "Then it's settled, you're coming."

The following morning, Seven arrived at Kathryn's apartment just after 9:00 hours and they transported together to Bloomington. Kathryn showed Seven around her hometown, pointing out all her old haunts, and then they went to view the house. It was called Manor House and it stood alone in an overgrown garden that was secluded from the world by tall trees. It was an old house, dating back at least 200 years, and was very gothic looking with four turrets and arched windows. Shabby paint work and broken glass panes gave the house an abandoned, almost spooky feel, but inside the vibe was warm and welcoming. A huge hallway with a grand staircase led to all the rooms in the house and there was also a lift. Downstairs there were two reception rooms, a kitchen, a dining room and a study, and upstairs there were four bedrooms, all ensuite and with their own spiral tower.

"It's strange," Kathryn said as they walked up the wooden staircase, "but I feel like I've been here before. I've had that feeling a lot lately. People and places that I've never seen before seem strangely familiar."

"Sounds like deja vu," Seven replied. "It is a common phenomenon caused by a processing glitch in the brain."

"Well, that's one theory. Another is that we're reliving, in some way, an event we've lived through in an out of time experience. And that's what it feels like. It feels like I'm reliving something. Not always, not continuously, but for a brief few moments now and then." She walked towards a rear bedroom. "I feel it now, feel drawn to this room."

Seven followed her inside and Kathryn slowed to a stop as she looked around. The empty room had flaking gray paint on all walls and in the turret was a faded blue windowseat. As Kathryn walked towards the window, a terrible feeling of dread overcame her, a horror she couldn't explain.

"What's wrong?" Seven asked.

"I don't know," Kathryn answered. "But I feel like...like something terrible happened here."

"Perhaps it did. Perhaps this house is haunted and you're tuning into its troubled past. Such paranormal phenomenon has been reported for centuries."

"I don't believe in hauntings," Kathryn said as the feeling of dread passed. "My imagination is working overtime. This house has a happy history, as far as I'm aware, and is abandoned only because of its age." She turned away from the window. "I can't explain my feelings, but maybe it's something to do with the anomaly. That night of the second strike I lived who knows how many lifetimes in my dreams. And that's how it feels, like I've been here before in a dream. Perhaps the only ghosts are those in my memory."

"Perhaps," Seven said.

"I like this house. I like this room. It has a sunny aspect and is just perfect for a nursery." She wandered over to a gray wall and brushed her fingers against the crumbling paint. "I can see a muriel here, something bright and childish, something like teddies having a picnic." She turned away from the wall. "I can see cots and toys and baby things everywhere." She went back to the window, sat down, and looked out at the overgrown garden. "And in my mind I can see the garden as it could be. I can see a luscious green lawn, flowers of every color, a stone path that leads to a bird feeder, and a beautifully decked patio area. The pond I can see as an enclosed kiddies sand pit and next to it I can see a swing and slide and other toys."

"Sounds like you've made up your mind," Seven said, "about this house."

"I think I have. I feel at home here, like I belong here. And I'm sure Chakotay will too. He likes houses that have history and character and this has plenty of both. There's a lot of work to do, granted, but a team of professionals should have it restored in no time. Then we can decorate it to our taste and truly make it a home."

"The only question remaining, then, is do you like it enough to secure it?"

"I do," Kathryn answered. "And I will. As soon as we're out of here. If I was the only interested party, then I'd wait for Chakotay to get back before making a final decision, but as another couple have shown interest, I have to snap it up. I'm sure Chakotay will agree that it's too good a house to miss. If not, if he doesn't like it, then we can put it back on the market."

Suddenly, she leant foward with a groan and put her hand to her bump.

"What's wrong?" Seven asked in concern.

"I felt something," Kathryn said. "Like a kick."

"I guess the babies are giving the house their approval."

"Yes," Kathryn smiled, tears of joy in her eyes. "I guess they are."

Two hours later, Manor House was officially Kathryn's. After parting from Seven, who had a meeting to attend in San Francisco, Kathryn returned to the house alone. For a long time she walked through the empty rooms, envisaging what they could look like, and ended up in the attic. It was a huge attic, spanning the whole of the house, and its maze of high sloping walls made it perfect for extra living space. At the moment there was only one skylight, a long one that let in the winter sun, but with some work and remodeling, Kathryn could see it as three rooms. One master ensuite bedroom for her and Chakotay when the children were old enough to want their own room, one smaller ensuite bedroom for guests, and one smaller room still as an observatory.

Then, unexpectedly, Kathryn heard a familiar voice.

"Well, Kathy," it said. "You got your crew home!"

Kathryn wheeled to face the voice. "Q!"

"The one and only! Well, not quite the one and only, but still the one and only!" He poked her bump. "But you're far from having the one and only!"

Kathryn smiled. "No keeping secrets from you."

"From me? Impossible. But oh what fun awaits you! A belly like a balloon, kickboxing against your ribs, burp, burp, burp, and ooh, aaah, ouch! And then, when Miss Ruby and the boys are born, it's peepies, poopies, and wah! wah! wah! wah! No sleep then for you and tattoo man!"

At these last words, Kathryn stepped forward. "So he makes it? He makes it home?"

Q did a strange dance. "Doodlle-di-dum-da! Hug a hint, Kathy, chew a clue!"

Suddenly, a voice called to her from behind, her own voice, and Kathryn turned around to see a blue orb in mid-air. As she did, a startling thought occurred to her, and she span back to Q.

"You," she said. "The anomaly was you."

"Me?" he exclaimed. "Do you really think I'd conjure up a cosmic santa claus? Please, you give me too much credit!"

"If not you, then can you tell me about it? We owe it everything and yet know nothing about it."

"Of course I can tell you about it. A fountain of information am I!

"Then what was it?"

"Ever heard the saying 'wish upon a star'? Well, now you know where it comes from! The anomaly is what some spacefaring races call "The Wisher". They are very rare, only ten in the entire universe, but they are benevolent beings who enjoy making dreams come true. They can manipulate time and space and are highly intelligent. As they move through space they seek out wishes to fulfill and when they find worthy ones they do their best to fulfill them. What wish could be more worthy of fulfilling than a good crew's wish to get home? And, for reasons I can't even begin to imagine, this Wisher took an especial liking to you. It tried to fulfill all your wishes. How do you think you ended up with four buns in the oven?"

"It deliberately created them?"

"Not exactly. But fess up, Kathy, you wished for children with Chuckles. A black haired boy and a redhaired girl. Wham bam! The Wisher gets to work! Only things didn't quite go to plan, they never do with The Wishers, so instead of a he and a she, wham bam!, Jamesie is tripled and Ruby is gone! Poor little Wisher, what will it do now? How will it get Ruby back from a Voyager that shouldn't exist? But fear not, little Wisher, Captain Janeway's on the case! Wham bam! A portal is created and all is well!"

"I knew it," Kathryn smiled. "I knew they didn't happen naturally. But I'm glad things went wrong. I wouldn't be without any of them now. I just wish I could thank the Wisher!"

"Then thank it," Q said. "I'll make sure it gets the message!"

Kathryn looked around, not sure what to do. "I just speak?" she asked.

"Yes. Just say what you want to say."

"I want to say thank you," Kathryn began. "Thank you for getting us home; thank you for not giving up on us when we couldn't understand what you were trying to say; thank you for saving my life and the lives of everyone on that starbase by sending us to the past; thank you for trying to make all my dreams come true; and thank you for my babies."

"It heard you," Q said. "And says 'You're welcome'".

Kathryn smiled, eyes moist. "What a remarkable being. So kind, and compassionate, and humble. You should take a leaf out of its book."

"Me? I'd throw the book away! Only kidding, Kathy. I'm not such a mischief maker that I don't help people from time to time." He clicked his fingers. "See? I've helped you!"

Gone was the shabby, empty, attic . Instead, Kathryn was standing in a beautiful sunny room! It had cream walls, two long roof windows, an elegant oak floor, and a gold sliding door.

"Oh, Q," Kathryn exclaimed. "It's fabulous."

"You'll find the rest of the house is the same. Now all you have to do is furnish! How generous am I?"

"If you do the garden too," Kathryn smiled, "I just might be inclined to call you kind."

Q clicked his fingers. "Garden done!"

He clicked his fingers again and Kathryn found herself standing in a gorgeous garden that was everything she had imagined from the lawn to the kiddies sandpit.

"Definitely kind," she smiled. "Thank you, Q."

"All in the click of a Q! Now, I must dash. Junior's in a pickle! Toodle di toodle!"

He vanished with a click, leaving Kathryn alone in the garden. She looked around in delight and then up at the house. To her amazement, it was completely renovated! The walls and turrets were a gleaming white, the doors and windows were a sparkling gold, and the roof was red tiles. It didn't look like the same house! But yet, at the same time, it looked exactly as she'd imagined it.

Then, suddenly, Q reappeared. "I almost forgot!"

He clicked his fingers and instantly Kathryn found herself alone in the main reception room. It was breathtakingly elegant with sky blue walls, a glittering chandelier, gold cushioned window seats beneath lavish bay windows, a magnificent marble fireplace that had a fake fire burning in a gold hearth, and a luxurious gold carpet. As Kathryn looked around the room in awe, she saw a grand white table in the corner. It was adorned with all kinds of foods and around it, in neat intervals, were ten white chairs with gold cushions. Q had clearly made this feast so she could celebrate her acquisition with her family! And indeed, Kathryn wasted no time in fetching them. She beamed to her mother's house, called over Phoebe and Amy, and then beamed them all to Manor House. They materialized in the garden and all looked around in amazement.

"Oh, what a house!" Amy cried. "It's like a fairy castle! Who's is it?"

"Mine," Kathryn smiled.

Gretchen span towards her daughter. "Yours?"

"As of this afternoon."

Phoebe spoke now. "It's incredible. I'm jealous!"

"Where are we?" Gretchen asked. "Florida?"

"Given that it's freezing out here," Kathryn smiled, "I don't think so. We haven't gone very far. We're still in Bloomington."

Joy filled Gretchen's eyes. "Bloomington? This house is in Bloomington?"

"Yes. About five minutes walk from you and ten from Phoebe."

Gretchen hugged her daughter. "Oh Kathryn, I'm so happy!"

"So am I," Amy cried. "But I didn't know there were houses like this in Bloomington, Mommy."

"Neither did I," Phoebe answered. "Are you sure it's Bloomington, Indiana, Kath?"

"Of course I'm sure," Kathryn laughed. "And you're right. Until now there wasn't a house like this in Bloomington. There was only a dilapidated one called Manor House."

Phoebe's eyes widened in surprise. "That old dump that has been abandoned forever?"

"Hardly a dump, Phoebe. But yes, that one."

"Amazing! But how did you get it to look so good so fast? I came by it the other day and it was a sight for sore eyes!"

Kathryn smiled. "Let's just say I had a little help from an old friend called Q."

"Q?" Amy exclaimed. "He was here?"

"Yes. And he's prepared a buffet for us inside. Shall we go in?"

"Oh yes, let's," Gretchen declared. "I can't wait to see inside! If the outside is this wonderful the inside must be heavenly!"

Kathryn smiled. "Then follow me and I'll give you all a tour."

Amy clapped excitedly and then they all made their way down a stone path to the house.

END OF CHAPTER 29