Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures

Switched

Chapter 25

A WEEK LATER

"Remember, Captain," the Doctor said as Chakotay helped Kathryn put on a blue jacket, "discharge is not permission to climb Everest. You're going to have to take things easy for a while...for the next eight months to be precise. Your body has been through a terrible ordeal and is still recovering."

"Don't worry, Doctor," Kathryn smiled. "I have no intention of climbing Everest. The most exerting exertion Chakotay and I have planned for the next week is a trip in a four mile per hour canal-boat."

A young black nurse came into the room, pushing a trolley of clean linen, and was surprised to find Kathryn packed and ready to leave.

"Leaving us, Captain?" she asked.

"That's right," Kathryn said. "I've been given the all clear."

"That's great news," the girl smiled, "but we'll miss you."

"I'd have thought you'd be glad to be rid of a celebrity," the Doctor said. "It's been like a circus here at times. Twice I was almost squashed into holographic oblivion by swamping journalists and once I was actually leveled."

"We're not accustomed to having celebrities," the girl answered, "so it's all been rather exciting. For me, anyway. I've been following the Voyager story since my teens and can't believe I've got to meet so many Voyageurs, especially you, Captain. It's such an honor."

"Then the honor is mutual," Kathryn said. "You're a fine nurse and I thank you for taking such good care of me."

"You're welcome, Captain. And I wish you..." she turned towards Chakotay, "and you, Commander, a wonderful honeymoon. But before you all leave, would you consider paying a visit to the Children's Ward? They're thrilled to be in the same hospital as you, Captain, and it will make their day if you all visit."

"Of course we will," Kathryn smiled. "It will be a privilege."

The Children's Ward was long and had at least thirty individual beds on each side. Most of them were unoccupied, however, as the hospital only served a small area. Some of the children were barely more than babies whereas others were in their teens. So the children would not be overwhelmed, Kathryn, Chakotay and the Doctor split up and were each guided through the ward by a nurse.

"All the children on this ward have either been injured in an accident," a middle-aged nurse told Kathryn as they left a sleeping toddler, "or have come in for an operation. Children who have a virus or disease are always kept solitary."

They approached the next bed in which a pretty little girl with long rusty red hair was lying. Yellow ear-phones were plugged into her ears and her large brown eyes were staring vacantly ahead.

"This is Gertie Vinten," the nurse said. "A fellow American. Poor thing has really been through it. Two months ago a shuttle her parents were flying crashed not far from here and only she survived. Her parents died on impact and her older sister a few days later. For a while we thought she would follow but she surprised us all and pulled through. As a result of her injuries she is blind but we're confident that a series of treatments over the next few years will restore her eye-sight. How she copes, I don't know, but she's a real spirited little thing and no doubt that helps."

The nurse went up to the pale child and gently tapped her shoulder. The little girl instantly pulled out her ear-phones and turned blindly to her right.

"Some very special people are visiting the ward today," the nurse said. "Captain Janeway, Commander Chakotay and The Doctor from Voyager."

The child's face lit up. "Really? Today?"

"In fact," the nurse went on, "Captain Janeway's here right now."

"Really? She's here?"

"Right here," Kathryn said. "I'm Captain Janeway."

The little girl smiled. "And I'm Gertie. Pleased to meet you."

Kathryn sat on a chair beside the bed. "Likewise."

"I've heard so much about Voyager," Gertie said, "and am so glad you got home. It must have been scary not knowing if you ever would. Like Dorothy says in 'The Wizard of Oz' there's no place like home. I never quite understood what she meant as Oz is such a wonderful place, but now that I've lost my family I understand. They're in heaven, you see. Mommy, Daddy and Tina. I'm to have a new family. A family from New Mexico are going to adopt me. I'm told they're very nice. I hope so."

"I'm sure they are," Kathryn assured her.

"I don't want to call them Mommy and Daddy, because only Mommy and Daddy can be that, so if they let me I'm going to call them Ned and Jess. If I have to call them Mommy and Daddy I will, but I hope they don't mind if I don't." She paused. "I heard on the news that you're having a baby. Is it true?"

"Yes," Kathryn answered. "Although it's supposed to be a secret."

"Well," Gertie smiled. "I won't tell anyone. And congratulations."

"Thank you."

"I'm sorry a bad man hurt you. I hope he's caught real soon. Granddad used to catch bad men. He was a police-man. My parents were Starfleet Officers like you. I can't see now because of the accident but Doctor Parker says I may be able to see again by the time I'm eighteen, I'm eleven now, and if I can I want to be a Starfleet Officer too."

"I'm sure you'll make a fine one."

"I've always loved space. Tina didn't so much but I always have. I imagine now that I'm in space because it's so dark all the time. I don't get scared then if I think I'm in space. Of course I'm not floating in space, I'm sitting in a special starship that is made of glass. I imagine that I can see stars and planets and all kinds of wonders like nebulas and supernovas. Even if I never see again I have seen so I see now with my memories. I'm glad I still have them. A lady I met the other day has lost all hers. I see also with my imagination. I've always had an over-active one, at least that's what I've been told since I was three, so now having one comes in handy. I don't think anyone can be lonely if they have an imagination because then there are always imaginary friends to play with. I have one called Bunny. She lives on this ward and we play together all the time."

Kathryn's heart went out to this brave little girl and she hoped with all her might that she would find love and happiness with her new family.

"The Captain has to go now," the nurse said. "She has a lot of children to visit."

"Of course," Gertie answered. "Thank you for visiting me, Captain."

"It's been a delight," Kathryn replied, unshed tears stinging her eyes. Suffering had always been hard for her to witness and the suffering of children was even more so. "And I'd like to know how you get on with your new family. You can write to me, if you like. If you send a letter to Starfleet Headquarters it will reach me."

"I will," Gertie smiled. "They're coming to visit me next week and I'm going home with them as soon as I'm well enough. I'll tell you all about it."

Kathryn put her hand over Gertie's. "I look forward to it." She then got to her feet and kissed the child's freckled forehead. "Goodbye, Gertie."

"Goodbye, Captain," she answered. "God bless you."

"You too," Kathryn said, a lump swelling in her throat.

Gertie then gave a wave and Kathryn moved on to the next child.

When Kathryn and Chakotay finally left the hospital, they transported straight to Stanmore Castle, room 509. For a moment both felt uneasy, but as they looked around the gothic chamber, their discomfort faded into joy. The room was seeped in golden sunlight and was majestically tranquil. On the bed was a large bouquet of red roses and on the marble table was a luxurious basket of food and drink.

Chakotay turned to Kathryn and put his hand on her shoulder. "Are you ok? Because if you're not we can stay in another room."

"I'm fine," she said sincerely. "Perfectly happy. Already it's as though what happened is erased from my memory...or transplanted, rather, to another place, another time. It doesn't belong here, in this paradise. We made so many happy memories here and those are what I remember now. They're what I'll always remember."

"Me too," Chakotay said.

Kathryn went over to the basket, pulled out a couple of glasses and opened a bottle of synthesol champagne. "And I hope we'll make many more memories to treasure," she said, pouring the sparkling liquid into the glasses. "Golden ones that time can never age."

Carefully she picked up the glasses, returned to Chakotay, and offered him one.

"Welcome back to our honeymoon."

Chakotay took the glass with a smile. "Ditto."

Kathryn raised up her glass. "To us, the future, the Voyager years, our marriage and our Minnie miracle."

Chakotay knocked his glass against hers. "To us, the future, the Voyager years, our marriage, and our Minnie miracle."

They sealed their toast with a sip and then kissed softly.

Suddenly there was a buzz and a computerized voice said "Incoming Mail."

"Must be from the hotel," Kathryn said. "Breakfast menu or something." She went over to the mail tray, which was situated in the mouth of a stone dragon, and pulled out a gold card.

"You are invited, by special invitation, to a Tudor banquet in the Great Hall at 1pm. Costumes essential. RSVP." She looked up at her husband. "What do you think, Chakotay? Should we go? I'd love to go."

Chakotay smiled. "Then let's go."

Kathryn smiled happily in return and ripped off the acceptance strip. "I'll mail this back right away!"

An hour later, Kathryn and Chakotay were in Tudor costume and on their way to the Great Hall. Kathryn was wearing a gorgeous gown of green velvet and Chakotay a sumptuous white satin doublet over green velvet hose and white tights. In no time at all they reached the hall, but when they pushed open its elegant doors, to their bewilderment they stepped into darkness. Then the lights came on and familiar voices cried "Surprise!"

For a moment Kathryn and Chakotay were stunned, then they began to laugh when they saw their dear Voyager crew standing before them. Everyone was present, from Tuvok to Naomi Wildman, and even non-Voyageurs Gretchen and Phoebe were there. Above all their heads was a huge silver banner reading 'Congratulations Captain and Commander' and the hall was decorated with hundreds of candles and flowers.

"How dare you both think you could get married without us?" Tom smiled.

"That's right," B'Elanna added. "There's no getting away from us!"

"So now that we've got you cornered," Tom went on. "We all want to say..."

Everyone cried in unison. "Congratulations Captain and Commander!"

"Thank you," Kathryn smiled. "Thank you all."

"So let your hair down, kick off your shoes, and enjoy the wedding party!" Tom cried. He then pointed at a little group behind him. "Hit the music, Harry!"

Music filled the huge hall and then the crowd parted into an aisle. At the end of it was a colossal table, laden with all kind of foods, and it was centered by two grandiose gold chairs.

"Your thrones await," Tom bowed.

Chakotay offered Kathryn his arm and to the cheer of the crowd she took it. They then walked through the aisle, laughing heartily as a rainbow of confetti rained down upon them, and to thunderous clapping hands took their seats of honor.

END OF CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE