12 WEEKS LATER:
Kathryn stepped into her quarters at 1800 hours completely exhausted. "Hey Peanut how was school today?" she called out. Taking off her boots she began rubbing her feet and wiggling her toes hoping the aching would go away soon. Looking up she frowned realizing she hadn't received an answer. "Kim?" she called out again. Janeway peeked into Kim's bedroom but found that empty as well. Tapping her comm badge she tried hailing her with no success either. "Computer locate Kimberley Janeway" The answer Kathryn received confused her even more. "Kimberley Phoebe Ellen this ISN'T FUNNY! ANSWER ME!" Kathryn yelled loudly. Entering her own bedroom, she found clothes tossed on the floor and her bed; a wet towel lying in a crumpled heap on her chaise and there, on top of the vanity was Kim's comm badge, next to Kathryn's makeup which had also been used. Snatching up the comm badge, Kathryn stormed over to the computer on her desk and smacked it hard to turn it on. Using the internal sensors she tracked down Kimberley. "Coffee black" she demanded. Wincing as she put her boots back on she grabbed her cup and headed down to the Observation Deck. Kathryn knew she had to calm herself down before going to see Kimberley for fear of losing her temper completely in front of the crew.
Half an hour later Janeway stepped into the mess hall and was greeted with a loud commotion coming from one corner of the room. She could hear a couple of distinct voices above the rest of the crowd. "Pin him down!" "Duck. Get him. Don't let him beat you!"
Standing at the edge of the crowd she pushed her way into the middle. "What in the HELL is going on?" Janeway bellowed. What she lacked in appearance and stature she made up for in command abilities. Most of the spectators scrambled away but a few brave souls remained where they were. "Break it up. Security to the mess hall. I said break it up!!" Kathryn grabbed an arm and pulled roughly. "Escort Lt. Parsons and Ensign Dalby to Sickbay and then their quarters where they have been confined to until their next duty shifts begin" she instructed the Security team that had arrived.
"Yes ma'am"
After the mess hall incident Kathryn waited in her ready room until the Doctor informed her that the patients were ready to leave. Tuvok had brought the initial incident report of what happened. "I believe this will suffice for you to determine what the appropriate punishment will be for this situation." After receiving a verbal report by the EMH she and Tuvok headed to Sickbay together. Albeit a silent trek she was happy he had escorted her there. Upon arrival she sent him back to his quarters since he had a duty shift in a few hours. With a polite nod he turned and left. Taking a couple deep breaths Kathryn put her Captain's mask in place, took her command stance and entered through the doors. Parsons was quick to snap to attention where as Dalby was a little slower.
"I have read Commander Tuvok's security report and I would like to add I am very disappointed in the reason for the argument to begin." Crossing her arms over her chest she glared first at Parsons then at Dalby. "Do either of you have anything you would like to say for yourself?"
"I was standing up for something I believe and I don't tolerate anyone putting down my way of life" Dalby angrily stated, staring down at Janeway disapprovingly.
"Noted. As a member of this crew you don't need to be reminded that I tolerate this, behavior lightly either." She held up the padd on the word "this" to drive her point home. Standing at attention she continued, "Ensign Kenneth Dalby, Lt. Barry Parsons, I sentence you to two days in the brig and five days serving meals in the mess hall, to begin upon your release from the Brig. While serving your first two days you will still perform your regular shift duties as expected. Dismissed."
"There you are. I heard about the fight in the mess hall and came to make sure you were okay". Chakotay had concern written all over his face. Massaging her temples she sighed and in a tired but irritated voice explained, "I've dealt with the worst of it. Now I need to find a certain 15 year old to help scrub Plasma Manifolds once she has cleaned up the mess that was made in my sleeping quarters". Chakotay watched as Kathryn swayed then fell to the ground unconscious.
"Kathryn! DOCTOR!!" Running out of the lab the EMH asked what happened. "We were talking and then she just passed out" Chakotay explained.
"Her blood pressure is dangerously high". Jumping up he loaded a hypo spray and injected it then took another scan of her body. "The baby doesn't seem to be affected at all" he said gladly.
"Wait, did you just say baby?" Chakotay raised his head in surprise. The Doctor looked at Chakotay equally surprised. "She never informed you?" Chakotay shook his head. "She never mentioned anything to me".
"Oh no" the Doctor moaned. He was certain the Captain would want to decompile his program for sure now.
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CHAKOTAY'S P.O.V.
She looked so content sitting on the window ledge of the Observation Deck; knees drawn up to her chest. As I got closer I knew she was anything but content. She seemed worlds away as she stared at the stars passing by. I softly call out her name as I approach. Not sure she heard me the first time I say her name again and place an arm around her shoulders. "Hi" she responds in a voice barely above a whisper. We stayed that way for a long time not saying a word. I finally can't take it anymore and I break the silence. "This isn't just about the fight is it?"
"What do you mean? What else would it be about?" Resting a hand on the bulge in Kathryn's uniform I ask her how long she's known.
"A while" she replies. Putting a hand over mine she looks up at me with questioning eyes. She knows that her question doesn't need to be vocalized. "Actually, the Doctor told me tonight. While you were unconscious he mentioned that your high blood pressure didn't affect your baby. Does the father know?" When I mentioned the father Kathryn leaned back against the bulkhead and closed her eyes as tears silently slid down her cheeks. "I can't" she whispers swallowing past the lump in her throat. "Kathryn…" I start to protest but she cuts me off quickly with a shake of her head. "Chakotay, it's not what you think. The baby is Jaffen's."
"Jaffen's?" I ask. The shock in my voice is unmistakable and she nods slowly. The sorrow in her eyes is breaking my heart. I would move Heaven and Earth for her if I could. My arm is still around her shoulder and I pull her to me. Like a lost frightened child she climbs down and wraps her arms around my waist. In the comfort of my embrace she buries her face in my chest and lets the tears flow freely. I tip my head down and kiss the top of hers. My hands move back and forth along her back reassuringly. A short time later she pulls back. "I'm sorry".
Taking her face in my hands I force her to look at me. "Don't be, you'll get through this just like last time – with me and Voyager's crew behind you."
"Thank you" she mouths, too choked up to speak aloud. Before I realize what's happening our lips meet and we're kissing – slowly at first but then the hunger intensifies and she opens her mouth to me. I trace small kisses along her jaw line and down her neck as she tips her head to give me access to her throat. A soft moan escapes her lips and she quickly pulls away; and out of my arms. Her back is towards me and one hand is caressing the spot where my lips had been a minute ago. When I reach out to her she steps further away clearly stating that what just happened was in error.
"Don't do this Kathryn, don't shut me out again".
"Chakotay, don't…please" she begged with a tremor in her voice
"I'm not doing anything; you're the one pulling away"
"It's late. I should be getting back" she responds, brushing past me
"At least let me walk you to your quarters". After a moment she nods her approval and allows me to take her hand.
-----
Kathryn woke the next morning feeling as though she had been dragged through the proverbial ringer. Rubbing at her tired eyes she shuffled over to the replicator and ordered her breakfast. Looking up at the sound of Kathryn's voice, Kimberley scrutinized "You look terrible, as if you haven't rested or slept in about 3 days".
"Morning Peanut" Janeway greeted while slowly easing herself into her chair. "You were in bed awfully early last night". With a shrug of her shoulders Kimberley stood up and went back to her room. "Kim" Janeway called and pointed to the empty dishes left on the table.
"What?" Kimberley asked pretending to not know what her mom wanted.
"Your dishes" was Kathryn's reply. Rolling her eyes Kimberley strolled over to the table, picked up her plate and banged it onto the replicator tray then disappeared into her room again.
"Come in" Janeway called out when the door chimed. "Good morning Naomi. Kim's in her room still".
"Thanks". Naomi had barely gone in when she started talking a mile a minute. "Why didn't you tell me the latest news? I thought I was your best friend."
"You are. What news are you talking about?" Kimberley asked as she finished putting on her makeup.
"The Captain being pregnant. You never told me you're gonna be a big sister. Oh no, you didn't know about this" Naomi suddenly realized after seeing the look on Kimberley's face. Tossing her eye shadow on the vanity table Kimberley stormed out of her bedroom. "Mama, I really want to talk to you about something."
"Seven of Nine to the Captain. I would like to speak with you before the morning briefing."
"I'm busy at the moment Seven. I'll be sure to speak to you as soon as the briefing is over. Janeway out." Turning to her daughter she asked, "What is it?" Naomi decided that maybe now would be a good time to study for an upcoming exam. "Bye Naomi". Kathryn waited for Kimberley to talk again.
"Naomi told me something and I want to confirm if it's true or not"
"What did she say?" Janeway asked, heading for the bathroom
"She said that…"
"Torres to Janeway"
"Go ahead Lieutenant." When Janeway ran on autopilot as she was now, she tended to revert to formally addressing her crew by rank. "I'm not going to be able to complete the recalibration of the sensor grid by 0900 hours this morning".
Placing one hand on the small of her back and rubbing the drilling thud in her brain with the other she closed her eyes and sighed. "How long?" she asked grimly, not sure she wanted to know the answer.
"I can't be certain. Depends on how badly Seven messed up the converters" B'Elanna answered doing her best to keep her voice calm.
"Very well, keep me posted, Janeway out". Kathryn looked upwards and shook her head. She heard a snicker behind her and turned to see Kim quickly cover her mouth. "I'm glad you find this amusing" she frowned as she placed her hands on her hips. This action caused her uniform to pull tighter and make her 'secret' hard to hide.
"Seven of Nine to Captain Janeway. The senior staff are wondering if there is a briefing this morning. As I mentioned earlier there's something I would like to discuss with you before the meeting starts".
"Yes Seven, I am aware you want to talk. Let the Commander know there will be a meeting this morning. I have something to deal with first". Kathryn closed the link and saw her daughter walk to the door. "Kimberley wait, you said you wanted to talk"
"Never mind. Bye!"
"KIMBERLEY!!"
"Chakotay to the Captain…"
"…I'm on my way!" she snapped, pausing long enough to get a new cup of coffee.
"Well, if there's no more business to discuss then I would like to say something on a personal note. Mr. Paris, I hope you plan on sharing the replicator rations with the rest of my Senior Staff."
"Captain?" he looked at her in confusion. With a smile she rested her hand on her stomach and confirmed, "Yes Mr. Paris I am officially pregnant".
"Oh Captain, that's wonderful news". Everyone gave their congratulations. Neelix also hugged her, causing Kathryn to blush.
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Kimberley walked in and tossed her tennis racket on the chair then disappeared into her room. Ten minutes later Janeway stepped through the door and looked for Kim. Following the music she found her daughter lying on her bed looking through a fashion magazine. "Computer, block all communications to these quarters, level 9 security clearance only, authorization Janeway 371Alpha6".
"Communications blocked" the computer confirmed. "Delete music". Kim looked up angrily at Kathryn when the last command was ordered. "You stormed out of here so fast this morning I didn't get a chance to find out what it is you wanted to talk about…until now. You said Naomi Wildman said something to you that you wanted to confirm" Kathryn reminded her.
"Is it true you're pregnant?" Looking at her daughter Kathryn could have sworn she was looking in a mirror; there was no mistaking the anger in Kim's eyes. Nodding her head and smiling, she happily answered "yes". "WHY?" Kim demanded.
"I don't know what you mean"
"Why do you think it is a good idea to have another baby? You don't even have time to enjoy the one you already have!" Kimberley was shouting and crying, feeling hurt and angry.
"I'm doing the best I can here, I'm sorry you don't think that's good enough. What do you want from me?" Kathryn immediately got defensive.
"I want to be able to tell you how my day went; hear how your day went; spend time with you; see you for more than five minutes in a day! You never have time for me because it's always about business. Even your dinners with Daddy are working dinners."
"Oh baby, you don't know how many times I wished I was spending time with you instead of negotiating with some planetary dignitary. However, as Captain I have a responsibility to each and every person on this ship, as well as Starfleet, to keep them safe and get them home. I got us in this situation and I must get us out."
"What does getting a crew home have to do with spending time with your family? You don't know what it's like to watch other kids getting to play velocity or parisees squares with their mom or dad; or having a family "vacation" on a holodeck…"
"…And it's my responsibility to make sure you still have a holodeck to do those things on"
"I thought it was Aunt B'Ella's responsibility. Your job is to make sure she does it".
Meanwhile on the Bridge:
"Commander, sensors are picking up a vessel that seems to be damaged and possibly in need of repairs. It also looks as though they are carrying barrels of Magnesium Chlorosulfide."
"Hail the Captain, Mr. Kim. See what she says"
"Yes sir. Bridge to Captain Janeway"
"Communications to Captain Janeway have been set to a level 9 security clearance" the computer replied. Harry, Tom and Tuvok all looked at Chakotay who looked back to Tuvok. "Level 9?" Tom questioned. Tuvok just raised his eyebrow.
"Chakotay to the Captain". When she answered, he continued. "You have a Level 9 Communications security lock on you. Is everything alright?"
-----
"Yes Commander, I'm just dealing with a personal matter. What can I do for you?" After explaining it to her she ordered, "Bring us within detailed sensor range Mr. Paris and keep me informed. Janeway out".
Kimberley had gone into the main quarters to give her mother privacy. She was still upset but had calmed down a bit. Rather than pushing the issue further Kathryn let it stand. Kneeling on the floor in front of Kimberley she brushed the moisture from her cheeks. "I'll tell you what. We'll have dinner together tonight, I promise. Okay?" Nodding her head Kim continued to stare at her hands in silence. "Okay then. I'm going back to my ready room. I'll talk to you later, call me if you need anything". Standing back up Janeway kissed the top of Kim's head and left, turning off the security comm. code on her way out.