Kathryn's eyes flew open and she felt her heart pounding in her chest. Looking around she realized she was in her quarters aboard Voyager. Taking a couple deep breaths to calm herself down she rolled over and looked at the bedside chronometer. She had managed to get 5 hours of sleep this time before the dreams woke her up. Although the doctor had finished the memory restructuring procedure on her weeks ago after the crew was rescued from Quarra, he warned her certain things would still filter in at different times. Getting up to use the washroom she noticed a light coming from Kim's room. Peeking in she saw a younger, thinner version of herself sitting in bed reading. "How long have you been awake?" Kathryn asked the 15 year old girl. Kimberley just shrugged her shoulders without looking up. Kathryn waited a minute more for Kim to say something else but then turned and went to get ready for work. She would stop in after on her way to the Bridge to make sure Kim was up for school.
-----
"Come on Peanut wake up. You're going to be late for school"
"I'm tired" Kimberley grumbled as she rolled over.
"Too bad. Get your butt to the table" I ordered as I pulled the covers off the bed. "I have to be on the Bridge in 5 minutes, so I'll see you tonight". I made sure Kimberley was actually standing and picking out her clothes before I leave. Grabbing my coat and opening the door I see Naomi standing there. "Good morning Naomi, she's just getting dressed".
"Thanks Captain, have a good day" I hear her call back. She's such a polite child. Samantha should be very proud of her, I know I am. Stepping into the turbolift I order it to the Bridge. As it starts to move my stomach plummets and I feel like I'm about to lose my lunch, but thankfully I don't. That would be one of the fastest spreading stories aboard the ship. I could just hear it now. "The doors opened onto the Bridge and there stood the Captain retching all over the floor of the turbolift." Just the thought of it makes me feel worse and I pause at the railing separating the upper section from the command level and take a couple deep breaths to settle my queasiness. I feel a hand on my arm and Harry Kim asking if I'm alright. "I'm fine Ensign, just a little upset stomach" I reply giving him a reassuring smile.
"Perhaps you should go to Sickbay for an analgesic" he suggested.
"Thank you for your concern but I'm fine, really" I tell him in a tone that means the discussion is over. Patting his hand, which is still on my arm, reassuringly I realize his expression says he's unconvinced but thankfully he doesn't pursue the matter more.
-----
Janeway retired to her ready room half an hour into her shift trying to concentrate on the reports rather than how bad she felt. The nausea had disappeared early in the afternoon but returned by dinnertime.
"What is this stuff?" Kimberley asked pushing the food around on her plate.
"It's your dinner, eat up" Chakotay said taking another bite of his own. It had become a nightly ritual that Chakotay would eat dinner with them, and then he and Janeway would go over that day's business.
"I know that, but what is it?"
"Neptune fettuccine alfredo. I'm going to lie down." Kathryn said bitterly as she tossed her napkin onto her untouched plate.
"What about your dinner?"
"I'm not feeling well. I'll see you tomorrow at duty shift Chakotay." After dinner Kimberley decided to check in on her mom. She wanted to tell her about how well she did on her astronomy exam.
"Captain Janeway, please report to Holodeck 2 right away". As Kathryn sat up she was bowled over by an instant bout of nausea and dashed to the bathroom. She re-emerged looking very pale and wiping at her mouth. "Maybe you better see the doctor. You've been throwing up for days now" Kim said worriedly.
"It's just a bug. Don't stay up too late sweetie" Giving Kimberley a quick kiss on the cheek she headed out the door acknowledging the call.
-----
"Computer locate Commander Chakotay"
"Commander Chakotay is in his quarters"
When he didn't answer his door the first time, she knocked loudly on it and called his name. What the heck is she doing? He thought to himself. "Daddy, I want to talk to you about mama" Kimberley said when the door was opened. As soon as she had stepped inside she continued, "I need to know if mama eats breakfast or lunch while she's on duty".
"Usually, I guess. I'm not exactly sure. Why?" he asked in confusion.
"You notice she hardly eats any dinner at all, including tonight right?" Chakotay nodded affirmatively. "Well, when she got called down to the holodeck tonight she ended up running into the bathroom and throwing up first. She also does it every morning and sometimes in the middle of the night too. She insisted it was a bug but I don't think so."
Sighing deeply he ran his hand over his face tiredly. "I've been hesitant to speak up because we both know how upset she gets when I get on her case about skipping meals".
"We gotta do something Daddy, I'm really worried", she pleaded. "I'll talk to her tomorrow, I promise". "Thanks daddy" Kimberley said hugging him tightly then returning to her quarters next door.
-----
The closer Janeway got to Sickbay, the worse she began to feel. "Computer activate EMH"
"Please state the nature of the medical emergency". Receiving no answer he followed a noise and found Kathryn dry heaving beside a biobed. "Captain, how long have you been ill?" He asked once he helped her onto the bed and pressed the hypo spray to her neck. Then taking the tricorder he ran the scanner over her body.
"A few days or so, I'm not exactly sure."
"Captain, we need to talk about this"
"Talk about what?" Kathryn demanded.
"Perhaps how this happened" he said holding up the tricorder so she could see the results of the scan. "You've said yourself that you haven't been intimate with anyone for a VERY long time."
Kathryn's eyes went wide and her mouth hung open as she sat there staring at the tricorder. "I don't understand".
"Might I suggest you go back in your logs, both personal and professional? The answer might lie there." Nodding absentmindedly she hopped down off the biobed. "I'm sorry for yelling at you Doctor. Computer de-activate EMH".
-----
Kathryn sat at her desk staring at her computer in complete and total disbelief. In front of her was a personal log made the day after Voyager had left Quarra. "This isn't right. I can't have another baby; Kimberley is already a handful as it is. No-one will believe me if I say that I don't believe in one night stands." Kathryn began pacing the floor of her ready room rubbing at her forehead trying to drive away the migraine that had decided to rear its ugly head.
"Answer me this Captain. Was this child conceived out of a love that you have for your mate?"
"You know as well as I do that I don't have a mate Tuvok. I care deeply for the father though, yes."
"Then perhaps this is a discussion that must be had between you and the father of the child you are bearing."
"Oh, Tuvok I wish it were that easy". Kathryn sighed heavily and sat beside her confidante. "I have no way of communicating a message to him, even if I wanted to. We're too far away".
"I should return to the Bridge" Tuvok stated. "You are welcome to join me later this evening during my mediation time, if you wish". Placing a hand on his arm she smiled slightly and nodded. "Thank you, old friend. Perhaps I will".
Tuvok stood up. Just before reaching the door he turned. "Would you like me to inform the Commander that you do not wish to be disturbed?"
"No that's fine. Dismissed". With a nod he turned back, left the ready room and took his position at Tactical.