Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures
Switched
Chapter 2
Alone in her quarters, Kathryn lay on her bed and stared vacantly at the ceiling. As planned, the Doctor had submitted a parental DNA match request that morning and in only a few hours time she would know the results. Although she wanted to believe that the Doctor had made some terrible mistake, that the DNA profiles he'd analyzed were the wrong ones, she couldn't shake the terrible feeling of dread that was haunting her. In fact, with every second that ticked away her dread was growing. If her parents were not her real parents, if she was not really Kathryn Janeway, how was she going to deal with it? She had absolutely no idea. At the moment she could barely even deal with the possibility. Ever since the Doctor had told her she'd kept busy to keep her mind off the subject, even working through most of the night so she wouldn't have to be alone with her thoughts. But now she was alone with her thoughts and they were terrifying dark shadows looming over her like monsters and suffocating her. Kathryn could feel her throat tighten, feel the air thin, and all she could do was push the monsters away and try to escape their clutches by escaping her thoughts...
As quickly as she could she put on her Starfleet Uniform, the only clothes she had at hand, and made her way to the holodeck. She was too tired for a game of hoverball, but the holodeck would offer some much needed distraction. However, when Kathryn arrived at the holodeck, she found it was occupied. Hoping holodeck 2 would be free, she made her way there, but found that it was also in use.
"Damn," she said. For a moment she thought of using her position to turf whoever was using it out, but hating to abuse her authority, she refrained.
"Computer," she said. "When will the holodeck be available?"
"In 72 minutes 19 seconds time."
Just over an hour. That was not too bad. She could sit in the mess hall for that time. Anywhere but her quarters. Unless, of course, someone was running the Sandrines or another social program in which case she could join in.
"Computer, what program is running?"
"7'sQ."
Seven's? Could Seven be using the holodeck? If so, then perhaps she wouldn't mind some company.
"Computer, who is using the holodeck?"
"Seven of Nine and Commander Chakotay."
Kathryn's heavy heart lightened at that. No doubt her two friends would be happy for her to join them. Even if they were skiing, a sport they both enjoyed, she could watch from a hotel veranda with a mug of hot chocolate. With no hesitation, Kathryn pressed the entry button, but the door did not open.
"Access denied."
"Override," Kathryn said. "Authorization Janeway delta419."
The doors immediately opened and Kathryn stepped inside. But to her surprise she found her friends not on an icy slope, a tennis court, or any other sporty venue, but slaving over a stove in a very large, and very elegant, quarters. Chakotay had a black apron over a casual cream shirt while Seven of Nine had a shimmering silver one over her blue catsuit. There was something different about her appearance, but what exactly Kathryn couldn't tell. Then it occurred to her that the difference was Seven's hair. Instead of being swept up as it always was, it was tied back from her face in a graceful ponytail. When the ex-borg saw Kathryn, she froze in her tracks.
"Captain..." she said, surprise, disappointment and embarrassment in her voice.
Kathryn smiled. "What's this? A late cooking lesson?" Chakotay had mentioned he'd started giving Seven cooking lessons so she could help in the mess hall now that Neelix was gone.
"Exactly what it is," Chakotay said, looking up from the broth he was stirring.
Seven questioned. "What are you doing here, Captain?"
"That isn't polite, Seven," Chakotay said, looking up at her with a teasing warmth in his eyes.
"But to the point," Seven answered. "You may be Captain, Captain, but that does not give you the right to barge into peoples holoprograms."
"I beg your pardon," Kathryn answered, a little sarcastically. "As to what I'm doing here, I came on the off chance that the holodeck was free. As it wasn't, but you and Chakotay were using it, I thought I'd join you. Not as your Captain, but as your friend."
"And you're more than welcome to join us," Chakotay said. "We're about to start eating our labor. You may..."
"I'm sorry, Captain," Seven interrupted, "but there is not enough food for three. If you had informed us of your intention to come, we would have made a meal for three, but as you did not, we have only made a meal for two."
"We can make it stretch," Chakotay said. "I'm not that hungry."
"Appetite is irrelevant to nutritional requirement," Seven argued. "You told me yourself you have not eaten more than a snack since lunch time because of our planned meal. Neither have I. We both require full nourishment."
"And we have more than enough to fill us." He gestured to a table that was clearly set for two with pretty pink napkins, white roses and a bottle of wine. "Take a seat."
"It's ok," Kathryn said, a feeling she was intruding combined with a feeling of nausea at the thought of food, "I couldn't manage a mouthful. I'll leave you cooklings to it."
"Are you sure?" Chakotay said. "We really do have more than enough. And Seven has made a superb strawberry cheesecake. I know it's one of your favorites."
Tears unexpectedly welled in Kathryn's eyes as she gazed into Chakotay's, but she suppressed them. "I'm sure. You both enjoy your meal."
With that she turned around and left the holodeck. Just as the doors closed behind her, she heard them open again and Chakotay call to her.
"Kathryn..."
Kathryn turned around and Chakotay approached her. The holodeck doors shut tight and they were alone in the corridor. When Chakotay reached her, he put a kind hand on her shoulder.
"Is everything alright, Kathryn?"
At that question, Kathryn averted her eyes. "Everything's fine."
"I know you well enough not to believe that," he said gently. "If you want to talk then we can go to my quarters."
Kathryn looked up at him. "You have a date," she teased.
"The meal is almost done. Seven can manage the rest without me."
"No," Kathryn said. "Finish what you started and enjoy it. I'm ok, truly. Just having trouble sleeping. But no doubt Icheb's latest essay installment will cure that."
"No doubt," Chakotay replied, but the concern in his eyes belied the smile on his face.
The holodeck doors then opened again and Seven appeared. "Commander, I need your assistance." The former drone then disappeared back inside.
Tenderly, Kathryn punched Chakotay's arm. "Duty calls."
Chakotay nodded but was reluctant to leave Kathryn. "Remember, any time you need me, I'm here."
"I know," Kathryn whispered. "And ditto."
Their eyes locked for a long moment, then Chakotay broke their gaze. "See you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," Kathryn echoed.
Chakotay then returned to the holodeck and the doors shut behind him.
END OF CHAPTER TWO