Part III

Kathryn walked out the back door of the house, and she spotted her mother tending to the flower garden and walked over to her. "Can I help?"

Gretchen looked up from where she was pulling weeds. "Since when do you volunteer to pull weeds, you hate gardening."

Kathryn shrugged her shoulders and then kneeled down next to her mother. "People can change you know."

"Uh huh," her mother replied skeptically.

They pulled weeds in compatible silence for a few moments until Kathryn stopped and looked out over the flower garden. "You know I want to have my own garden when I find a place."

Gretchen stopped pulling weeds and looked at her daughter. "Are Trent and I starting to get on your nerves?"

"What!" Kathryn shook her head, "No, of course not. In fact you both have been more then accommodating to me. If anything I'm sure I'm the one getting on your nerves."

"Oh pish-posh," Gretchen scolded. "Trent and I both enjoy having you around."

Kathryn raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Mmm, that may be, but I really do need to start thinking about finding my own place."

Gretchen reached over and took a hold of Kathryn's chin. "Katie please don't move out. I just got you back and I'm not quiet ready to give you up just yet, okay?"

Kathryn gave her mother a watery smile. "Okay mom," then she hugged her.

"GRAMMY, AUNT KATIE!"

Both women looked up to see Elle running at them at full speed. When Elle reached Gretchen she wrapped her tiny arms around her neck and hugged her grandmother and then leaped into Kathryn's lap. "I want to play in the dirt too."

Kathryn laughed, "We aren't playing in the dirt sweetheart. Your Grammy and I are pulling weeds."

"I can pull weeds."

"Not wearing that pretty dress," Gretchen commented. "Why don't you come into the kitchen and help me make some lemonade." Gretchen stood up and held out her hand to Elle.

"I want to stay with Aunt Katie and pull weeds," she whined.

Phoebe approached and looked at her daughter. "Elle go with your grandmother, Aunt Katie is going inside to get cleaned up."

Elle stuck her bottom lip out and pouted as she took Gretchen's hand and followed her grandmother into the kitchen.

Kathryn looked at Phoebe as soon as Elle was out of sight. "And just why do I need to clean up?"

Phoebe gave Kathryn a huge smile. "Because dear sister as much as you are trying to ignore the fact that today is your birthday, your present is in California and it can't come to you."

Kathryn inwardly groaned. "Phoebe what have you done?"

"Kathryn I haven't done anything."

"Then why are we going to California?"

Phoebe rolled her eyes, "Okay fine I can see you aren't going to let me surprise you with this so I'll just tell you. I'm taking you on a wine tasting tour in Sonoma Valley."

Kathryn stood up and hugged her sister. "Phoebe that's wonderful, we always talked about doing that. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Oh! And before I forget, you need to pack an over night bag because we are staying at Chateau Sonoma where the tour ends."

* * * * * *

Phoebe and Kathryn were at the fourth vineyard on their tour enjoying the sample of late harvest Chardonnay when Phoebe turned to Kathryn. "So I understand that Chakotay is back on Earth."

Kathryn almost choked on her wine, "That was a delicate as a shuttle crash, Phoebe."

Phoebe waved her hand dismissively. "Oh whatever, you did know he's back here right?"

Kathryn sighed, "Yes B'Elanna told me. He took a post teaching at the Academy."

"And…"

"And what?"

Phoebe rolled her eyes and sighed. "Look Katie I know you have deep feelings for him so stop trying to act like you don't. It's insulting to both of us." Phoebe closed her eyes for a second and then looked at her sister. "Look Katie I know something has been eating away at you and I haven't pushed you to talk."

"But," Kathryn prompted.

Phoebe silently laughed, "But I know from experience that you can't hide from life."

"You're right." Kathryn closed her eyes. After a few moments she opened her eyes and looked at Phoebe. "Can you keep a secret?"

"If I have too," Phoebe answered.

"I'm serious Phoebe, what I am about to tell you can not go beyond the two of us, can you do that?" Kathryn asked pointedly.

Phoebe knew that whatever Kathryn was about to tell her had to be kept in the strictest of confidence. "Yes," she answered.

Kathryn took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Chakotay and I are married." Kathryn watched as the shock registered on Phoebe's face and then be replaced by confusion, but Kathryn continued before Phoebe could speak. "It was one year and four months ago, the night before my assimilation."

Phoebe put her hand on top of Kathryn's. "What happened?" Phoebe asked softly.

"Life in the Delta Quadrant happened." Kathryn went on to explain how the first month of her married life was magical even through she wasn't the perfect patient while she recovered from her assimilation. She went on to tell Phoebe how a month later Terro's brain washing mutiny put a small strain on their relationship. "Things were looking up for us when Chakotay burned out the defector dish on my birthday," Kathryn paused and then sighed, "but then there was Quarren."

"Quarren? Wasn't that the plant that kidnapped most of the crew and brainwashed you into being slave labor for them?" Phoebe asked.

"Yes it was. It was also what destroyed my marriage to Chakotay."

Phoebe covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh Katie what happened?"

"I fell in love with another man and had an affair."

"That's why you stopped talking about him in your letters to me." Kathryn nodded her head. "But after you got your memories back the two of you talked, right?"

Kathryn closed her eyes and started telling Phoebe what happened.

They had left orbit of Quarren three days ago and Chakotay had been helping to slowly fill in the gaps of Kathryn's memory. They had just returned to Kathryn's quarters after taking her on a tour of the ship. They were sitting on the couch when Chakotay noticed that Kathryn was picking at a seam of her uniform. "Does it still make you uncomfortable?" he asked.

Kathryn's head shot up. "Huh?"

"Your uniform," he motioned to it. "You were picking at it just know like it was uncomfortable."

Kathryn blush, "Sorry," she folded her hands in her lap. "one moment it feels like a favor pair of socks, warm and comforting, but there are some moments it feels…"

"Like the weight of the world." Chakotay finished for her.

Kathryn gave him her crooked half smile. "Exactly."

"Why don't you go change into something else while I replicate us some dinner?" He offered.

Kathryn's smile got wider. "Since I remembered this morning the last time I cooked us dinner I'll take you up on that."

Kathryn heard Chakotay chuckled as she left the room, when she got to her closet she turned and could see Chakotay standing at the replicator. She turned back and opened her closet and started rummaging through her clothes when her eye caught the burgundy fabric. She reached in and pulled out the dress holding it out for better examination when a picture flashed before her eyes of her wearing the dress in a beautiful forest. As more pictures flashed in Kathryn's mind she leaned against the doorframe and gasped loudly as she continued to remember the last time she wore the dress.

"Kathryn!"

Kathryn looked up to see Chakotay standing in the bedroom doorway looking concerned.

"We're married?" she asked as she tried to breath through all the emotions that were flooding through her.

"Seven months ago." Chakotay whispered with tears in his eyes.

"Oh my god," she faintly whispered then suddenly her eyes went wide with a look of horror. "My god…I…" she gasped for air, "with Jaffen…Oh my god…what have I done!"

Kathryn opened her eyes and looked at Phoebe. "After I realized that I had been unfaithful to Chakotay I ran into the bathroom and threw up. By the time I came out Chakotay was gone."

"So you just avoided him?" Phoebe wondered.

"Yes. Phoebe I'd cheated on him, broke the man's heart and hated myself for it, of course I avoided him. I didn't want to hurt him any more then I already had."

Phoebe sighed as she watched her sister fight back tears. "I don't believe you." She replied a bit discussed.

Phoebe's reply shocked Kathryn. "Excuse me?"

"I can't believe you let yourself get so wrapped up in self pity that you never even attempted to apologize to the man you supposedly love."

Kathryn stared at Phoebe in shock. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Supposedly love?! Phoebe I've never loved any one the way that I love Chakotay."

Phoebe studied her sister for a few moments. "If you profess to love him so much then why did you break his heart by turning your back on him like that?"

That statement hit home with Kathryn, her sister was once again making her stand up and open her eyes to what she was doing. Kathryn took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Phoebe I know that you are trying to help, and I'm sure I hurt Chakotay by walking away, but it was the right thing to do. Chakotay will move on and be happier for it."

Phoebe gave Kathryn a small smile. "You honestly believe that, don't you?" Kathryn nodded her head.

Phoebe stood up, "Okay," she grabbed her sister by the arm. "I brought you here to celebrate your birthday not drown your sorrows, so our final destination is Chateau Sonoma for the best wine in the valley and a special dinner with your name on it."

Kathryn gave Phoebe a suspicious look, "Why do I suddenly feel like I'm being led to my last supper before meeting a firing squad?"

Phoebe laughed. "Oh Katie stop being so mellow dramatic."

* * * * * *

Kathryn finished unpacking her bag when Phoebe knocked on her door. "Come in Phoebe."

Phoebe came breezing into the room and plopped down on the bed. "So what do you think of Chateau Sonoma? Posh uh?"

Kathryn smiled at her sister. "It's absolutely beautiful, thank you Phoebe."

"Save your gratitude until after we've had dinner where you will be treated to the culinary delicacies of world renowned Chef Andrés."

"Well after some of the questionable dishes Neelix served I'm not sure if my palate will know how to react to likes of a renowned Chef." Kathryn quipped.

"Well meet me in the dinning room in forty-five minutes Katie and you'll find out."

"Perfect, that will give me time to soak in that marvelously over-sized bathtub."

"In that case make it an hour birthday girl."

* * * * * *

Kathryn walked into the quaint dinning room and over to the fireplace where Phoebe was sitting. As she sat down she gave Phoebe a funny look. "I thought you said the chef was world renowned? This place is completely empty."

Phoebe took a sip of her wine. "Chaz held a reception here after one of my shows. Trust me, the food is fabulous."

A few minutes later a waiter came to their table. "I am so sorry for the delay we are a bit short staffed here in the dinning room due to the party in the garden." Just then a roll of laughter drifted in from the French doors near the other side of the room.

Kathryn looked up at the waiter and smiled. "We understand."

The waiter smiled back at Kathryn, "Can I get you something to drink Miss."

Kathryn chuckled inwardly. It had been a while since anyone had referred to her as 'Miss'. "I'll have a Pinot Grigio, thank you." As the waiter was leaving another ripple of laughter could be heard from the French doors leading to the garden causing Kathryn to look towards the doors. When she looked back Phoebe had a twinkle in her eye. "Uh oh, I know that look Phoebe and whatever it is you can count me out."

"You don't even know what I'm thinking." Phoebe stated rather innocently.

Before Kathryn could reply a well-dressed man approached their table. "Excuse me, I'm Sam Raynard the owner, I apologize for the slow serves tonight. I would like to make it up to you if I may. I'm having a gathering in the garden and would be honored if you lovely ladies would join me."

Kathryn was the first to speak, "Thank you Mr. Raynard for your kind offer, but this dinner is a gift from my sister..."

"A gift you say. What is the occasion if I may ask?"

"The occasion is my sister's birthday, Mr. Raynard." Phoebe explained gesturing towards Kathryn.

Raynard turned to Kathryn and took her hand. "Then I insist that you and your sister join my gathering, because you see it's is also my birthday and we can celebrate together."

Phoebe could tell that Kathryn was about to turn down the invitation. "We would be honored to join you Mr. Raynard, wouldn't we Kaite?"

Kathryn gave Phoebe a look that said they would talk about this later before she turned to Raynard. "Thank you, Mr. Raynard."

As the threesome entered the garden from the French doors, Kathryn was trying to discreetly get Phoebe's attention so she didn't notice when Sam Raynard picked up a champagne flute and started tapping it with a fork to gather everyone's attention. "Ladies and Gentlemen I give you the guest of Honor." He announced.

Kathryn's headshot up towards Raynard, but before her confusion could fully register the entire crowd in the garden yelled surprise. She stood overwhelmed by the site before her. Somewhere near the back of the crowd, a voice yelled. "Happy Birthday, Captain Janeway. We love you." A wave of good-natured laughter rippled through the group. She grinned as she cast her eyes around the crowd. A sea of smiling faces looking back at her, family, friends, and former crew, all so familiar and all so loved. Phoebe leaned in and kissed Kathryn on the cheek and whispered, "I wish you could have seen the look on your face. Happy Birthday Katie." Before Kathryn could reply her mother was hugging her and wishing her a happy birthday and swept her into the crowd of guests.

* * * * *

The party had been in full swing for a while when Tom, Harry and B'Elanna stood by the bar watching Kathryn as she mingled around the talking with her guests. Harry leaned in towards the couple, "I haven't seen Chakotay. I thought you said he was coming?"

"He'll be here Harry, don't worry." B'Elanna replied.

"He'll be here if he knows what's good for him." Tom added.

"Why is that? Are you sending B'Elanna after him with her bat'leth?" Harry wondered.

Just then a strong hand gripped Harry's shoulder. "The whole angry klingon routine doesn't work on me anymore. Besides B'Elanna has more important things to due Harry."

Harry turned around to greet Chakotay. "It's good to see you Commander."

"That's Captain now Harry." B'Elanna corrected.

Chakotay grinned at the embarrassed look on Harry's face. "The promotion came with the job Harry."

Tom stepped up next to Chakotay and clapped him on the back, "So big guy did you get the Captain something better then the burned out deflector dish you gave her last year?" B'Elanna jabbed Tom in the ribs. "Ouch! What was that for? I was only asking him what he got the Captain."

B'Elanna rolled her eyes."Uumm hum."

Chakotay chuckled as he watched Tom tenderly rub his side. "Tom you should know that after all these years what I give Kathryn for her birthday is none of you business. Now if you all will excuse me I'm going to say hello to the birthday girl."

Chakotay spotted Kathryn across the garden talking with a small group. He stopped a short distance from the group and watched Kathryn as a very animated Namoi held the attention of the group. Kathryn had a large smile on her face as she listened to the young girl talk, and it warmed his heart to see Kathryn like this. He started to wondered if what he was about to do was right when Namoi had spotted him and started running towards him.