A/n: This chapter is for xXTheGothicBumblebeeXx as a thank you for writing my request, it's called "Shreds and Shards" and it's brilliant!
Seven lifted her head up from where she was preparing the children's' lunch and laughed under her breath when she saw her husband leaning against the wall, gasping for air. "I see that hide and seek developed into a more rigorous game." She commented wryly as she handed him a glass of water to revive him.
Chakotay laughed, "You could say that, but I had to make up for forgetting about them earlier… I've played three rounds of tag, each with one of them on my shoulders…"
Seven laughed at the image. "Well, you can take a break for now, lunch is almost ready." She informed him, shaking her head at her family's antics, but glad that Chakotay had found a way to take his mind off that morning's disturbing developments.
"Great!" He replied enthusiastically, giving her a quick peck on the lips as thanks. "I'll go and round them up…" He was interrupted by the shrill and insistent ring of the telephone and sighed, "I'll just go and answer that…"
Seven held him back with a shake of her head, "No, I will. Go and gather the children for lunch, it's probably just Naira about the party anyway." He nodded in agreement and headed off towards the garden where he'd left the children while Seven went to the phone, frowning in uncertainty when she saw the stern face of an unknown male Starfleet Captain staring back at her. "Good Afternoon, can I help you?" she questioned with terse politeness.
His smile in return was small and uncertain, his eyes serious. "I'm looking for Chakotay ma'am; do I have the right number?"
"Yes, I'm his wife." Seven replied coolly, unable to stop herself from continuing sharply, "What do you require of him?"
The man shifted uncomfortably under her piercing gaze but his answer was evasive. "I'd rather speak to your husband about that first ma'am."
"Of course." Seven responded, feeling a surge of agitation rush through her as she stood up even though she'd expected that answer. Normally she would never have dreamed of intruding on Chakotay's private conversations but something about this situation made her feel ill at ease.
With wobbly steps she walked back into the kitchen just as Chakotay walked in through the patio door with their three excitable children in tow, his indulgent smile as he answered Michael's question about cake disappearing when he saw Seven's face. "What is it?" he asked her in concern.
"A Starfleet Captain wishes to speak to you." She replied with dread heavy in her voice.
Chakotay looked at her in surprise before kissing her lightly, "It'll be nothing, don't worry." He whispered comfortingly, his hand brushing momentarily over her small baby bump as he left her side and headed to the phone, frowning impatiently at the stranger on the screen, "This is Chakotay here, what can I do for you?"
"Hopefully quite a lot." He replied wryly, smiling sheepishly at Chakotay's raised eyebrows. "My name is Captain Gareth Yates, until recently I was the commanding officer of the U.S.S Endeavour, but I'm now the newly appointed head of the Earth branch of the Notsinian taskforce."
Chakotay nodded in realisation. "The Endeavour, everyone's heard of their exploits. I'm sorry I didn't recognise you…"
Captain Yates laughed, "Voyager's a great deal more famous, I assure you!" He saw Chakotay withdraw from the praise and changed subject, "But I'm sure you're curious as to why I've called you today…"
"To be honest, yes." Chakotay admitted.
"Well, what my convoluted job title doesn't tell you is that I've been appointed by Admiral Grant to oversee the further development of Earth's defences and strategic plans and I need good people like you to help me Chakotay."
Chakotay frowned in puzzlement, "But…I've been decommissioned ever since I stepped off Voyager, I've been a civilian for over four years now…"
"Not anymore Commander." Yates replied, then proceeded to explain, "The Federation Council passed a temporary measure last night in wake of the attack on Ktaria, all fit Starfleet officers, current or former, can be requested for duty…"
Chakotay held up his hands defensively, "Wait a minute, is this request of yours compulsory Captain?"
Yates shook his head. "No, of course not. You're not being drafted Chakotay, this is still entirely voluntary but you come very highly recommended. Your experience being thrown in the deep end in the Delta Quadrant, fighting the Borg, Species 8472, the Kazon, the Hirogen, others I haven't even heard of, could be invaluable in our fight against the Notsinians, with Admiral Janeway's memory problems, you're the highest ranked Voyager officer we can consult…"
Chakotay took a deep breath being cutting in, "I understand all that, and I'm very flattered, but I can't just fly off on a starship right now, I have commitments…"
"The post isn't on a starship; we need you here in San Francisco. Many people are going back and forth to their families at the weekend, myself included." Seeing Chakotay's doubtful look, he added carefully, "It may only be for a few weeks until this Ktarian situation has calmed down anyway, I'll give you a day or two to think about it, but we really would like you to start on Monday if you're able."
Chakotay sank back in his chair, staring at Yates in disbelief, until the words of his answer came slowly, "I'll think about it Captain."
Seven felt her heart sink to her stomach when Chakotay reappeared; his frowning face lost in thought as he took her arm and murmured in her ear as the children played contently around them, "I need to talk to you."
She stiffened but followed him into the adjoining room, closing the glass panelled doors behind her so she could still see the children in this quieter environment. "Well? What did they want?" she asked tightly, feeling a chill go up her back when he wouldn't meet her eyes, "Chakotay?" she pressed with more harshness than she had intended.
His dark eyes finally fixed on her face as he said slowly, "They want me to work for Starfleet, consulting on the war effort…"
Seven's lips parted in horrified shock. "They want you to leave your family and get entangled up in…in this…" She was for a moment lost for words, "This dangerous fiasco they're calling a war?"
Chakotay grasped her agitated hands tightly and held them still. "No, I wouldn't be leaving Earth. I'd be working behind the lines, so to speak, in San Francisco. I'd be perfectly safe and I might even be able to commute there just like with my job now…"
Seven jerked herself away from him in disbelief, her face pale. "You're going to do it aren't you?" She asked in a strange robotic tone which frightened him.
"Seven, I wouldn't be in anymore danger there than I am here and if my knowledge of what Voyager went through prevents bloodshed…" He stopped when she nodded painfully, though he could see tears hanging from her lashes. "I know it would leave you in the lurch but the moment you had any difficulties with the baby I'd be back here in an instant and I'm sure Irene would help you with the kids, I'll only be gone a couple of weeks…"
Seven's snorted bitterly, "They say that now, Starfleet's timelines are notoriously flexible!" Her eyes flashed at him as overwrought tears began to slide down her cheeks, "It's not the extra workload I'm worried about Chakotay! You know I could cope with that, but not having you…"
He wrapped his arms tight around her shaking shoulders. "Listen to me; you're not going to lose me, ever." He waited until he felt her head nod into his shoulder before he spoke again, "You understand why I need to do this, don't you?"
Seven lifted her head. "Of…of course I do." She replied, her voice still husky from crying but perfectly sincere. "I, more than anyone else, understand what it will take to defeat them, but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it…" She trailed off and twisted away from him, wiping her face with the back of her hand. "When are you to be there?" she asked without looking at him.
"Monday." He replied quietly, he saw her stiffen at the word and guilt coursed through him, what was he doing upsetting her like this?
"Oh..." Seven started, her voice oddly high pitched. "At least you'll be here for the twins' birthday." She muttered tightly.
"Seven…" Chakotay began pleadingly, grasping for her arm but she shook her head.
"Just…" She took a sharp intake of breath, "Just give me time to adapt to this development Chakotay. I do not wish to discuss this anymore." She whispered stoically before hurriedly returning to the children in the other room without another word.
A/n: I hope you don't hate me right now! PLEASE REVIEW! :D As I said in my "Consequences" update, I'm going to Wales tomorrow until Wednesday night so don't expect anymore update until Thursday at the earliest. If anyone puts up a C/7 fic while I'm away, I'll review when I get back!