TWO MONTHS LATER (they are at a party thrown by the Ambassador of the planet they were currently trading with).

"Mind if I join you?" Chakotay asked as he sidled up beside Kathryn and handed her a glass.

"Not at all" she said quietly taking the glass.

"Why are you out here? Crowd getting to you?"

Janeway slowly shook her head and took a sip. "Just too warm inside, I needed some fresh air".

"Is it helping?" Kathryn didn't say anything, just nodded. "You're being awfully quiet. What is whirling through your ever busy mind?"

Kathryn chuckled and smiled wide, turning around to watch the crowd inside. "To tell the truth, I'm just relaxing and enjoying myself. So, who asked you to check on me?"

"Guilty as charged. At least one of us better get back inside before rumors start flying again about what we're doing out here."

"Again?" she asks curiously.

"I'm going to get another drink. I'll see you inside." Chakotay attempted to make a hasty get away but wasn't fast enough.

"Nice try Commander" Kathryn said grabbing his arm and pulling him back to her. "What were we supposedly doing out here the first time?"

"I don't know exactly but nothing really surprises me now. Shall we?" Taking his arm she let him escort her back to their table. When a song began 20 minutes later Kathryn stood and asked Harry to dance. He looked up a little startled, then around the room looking to see if anyone would be watching. "Just one dance, that's all". He looked up at her voice to see her friendly smile and outstretched hand.

"Okay, one dance" he replied with a nervous smile of his own. Once on the floor he hesitated not sure if he should make the first move or wait for her. "Harry relax, it's not like we haven't danced before" she said in an amused tone.

"I know but, well, I – I didn't think you would find it appropriate at a gathering such as this." Kathryn stopped dancing and looked at the Ensign.

"Why wouldn't I find it appropriate? Is it because it's a diplomatic celebration involving a new alien culture and not just your friends and co-workers?"

"Actually Captain that's exactly the reason. I know you feel that you have a responsibility to Starfleet to be their representative out here in the Delta Quadrant. Therefore you shouldn't be seen socializing for long periods of time with the lower ranking members of your crew – especially dancing."

"Well you're a Senior Officer and I go with what I'm comfortable doing Harry" Janeway proudly said as they began moving to the music again. When the song was over, Harry returned to the table and Kathryn took turns dancing with Tom, Chakotay, Lieutenant Ayala and Ambassador Junas. When another slow song came on Harry asked Kathryn to dance again. This time he didn't hesitate taking her in his arms. "Should I dare ask what you find so amusing Mr. Kim?"

"I'm sorry Captain. I'm trying to get used to the feeling of dancing with you being pregnant. Even if we try to keep a respectable distance…"

"…there is no distance" Kathryn said understandingly then laughed at the expression on Harry's face when the baby shifted position and threw a couple punches.

-----

As Kathryn stepped through the doors of her quarters she felt her legs go weak. Chakotay caught her and helped her over to the couch. "Do you feel okay?" he asked with concern.

"I'm a little dizzy. I probably just need a good night's sleep." Kicking off her boots she curled p on the couch as best as she could and closed her eyes, suddenly feeling extremely tired and sore. By the time Chakotay had come back to check on her a half hour later she was sound asleep. Grabbing a blanket from the bed he draped it over her and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight Kathryn, sweet dreams" he whispered quietly.

The next morning:

Kathryn could hear a voice calling her name but it was faint, as if they were calling from a distance. Slowly she opened her eyes and found herself staring at the spots and whiskers of Neelix's cheek. Letting out a yelp and scrambling to sit up she called out an intruder alert. "Captain it's me, Neelix". The Doctor was beside her with his medical tricorder scanning her. Waving her hand, she knocked it out of his had and stood up pulling the blanket closer around her and glaring at the two of them and the Security officers that had come through the doorway. Running her free hand through her hair she growled, "What the hell are you doing in my quarters? How the hell did you get in here?"

"I entered the emergency medical clearance code into the panel when you didn't answer the door" the EMH explained. "We tried hailing you but you didn't respond and when we contacted the Commander he mentioned you were feeling dizzy last night so he sent us to check on you".

"As you can see I'm perfectly fine. You're all dismissed."

"Captain I expect to see you in Sickbay for your monthly prenatal exam today" the Doctor reminded her. "GET OUT!!" she demanded more forcefully. The security guards had already left and Neelix was almost at the doorway. Janeway very seldom lost her temper in front of other crewmembers and he knew when she did slip like this, she meant business.

"Commander could you please join me in my ready room?" Kathryn said upon stepping foot on the Bridge. With a nod Chakotay turned the Bridge over to Tuvok and followed Kathryn.

"Chakotay, why did you tell the doctor and Neelix to check on me?"

Sitting in the chair in front of the desk he worked out in his mind how he would answer this loaded question. "Chakotay?" she asked impatiently. "Okay here's what happened. The Doctor appeared on the command center control panel and said that you weren't answering his hail; I told him that you mentioned feeling dizzy at bedtime but you just thought you needed rest. I told him you were probably still sleeping because it's your day off today. Then the link was closed. Why, what happened?"

"I woke up to find Neelix two inches from my face and the Doctor scanning me with a tricorder. Two security guards were also just outside the door. Needless to say I was very surprised."

"I would think so. I'll have a talk with Neelix. Since we're on the subject, how are you feeling today? Still Dizzy?" Kathryn shook her head and rubbed the small of her back. "I best be getting back to the Bridge" Chakotay said. Just before he disappeared through the door he added, "Have a good day off". Returning his smile she nodded and thanked him.

-----

"Good afternoon Captain, I assume you're here for your prenatal exam?"

"You assume correctly doctor"

"Everything seems okay" he said a couple minutes later. "I did notice that the baby did grow an extra 20 cm in length and gained two more pounds."

"It's not normal for a baby to grow that fast is it? Should I be worried?"

"It isn't normal, but I don't see a reason to worry. You're still 9 weeks away from your due date. Do you have any other questions or concerns?"

"No, none that I can think of" she said after a moment. "Okay, I want to see you again in 3 weeks". The EMH helped her off the biobed. I have set up a time for your birthing class because you missed last week's class. I have already cleared it with Commander Chakotay so I'll see you at 18:30 tonight." With a sigh Janeway nodded and answered, "alright, 18:30 in my quarters." With an approving smile he disappeared into his office to log his reports.

More to come soon...