Chapter 29: Aftershock

The Captain hadn't moved, she couldn't. The tension from the last contraction was still in the final stage of easing. Her hand gripped onto the Commander's arm but was slowly beginning to relax. The colour returning to her knuckles proved that. She moaned quietly and released a long breath. She hadn't expected the pain to be so intense. Perhaps she should have been paying more attention to the Doctor's most recent lectures.

"Kathryn?"

She nodded softly. While she couldn't answer the Commander immediately, it was enough to indicate she was okay.

Her hand fell from his arm and came support her lower back as best it could. She knew the progression of labour could take several hours – that was one thing she distinctly remembered being told by the EMH. For now, she'd have to get on with it as best she could since there was no chance she'd see Sickbay for a while.

"I'm alright." she spoke quietly, turning slowly to meet his eye, "We need to get back to work."

The Commander's brow shot up, near enough merging with his tattoo.

"Kathryn…"

She held her hand up. "Chakotay, stop."

From what she knew about early labour, it would be in both hers and the baby's best interests for her not to panic. Besides, there was much more important things that needed to be done.

"The ship comes first."

The Commander sighed. It had been her one rule when she'd first allowed them to fall into their relationship, the one thing they both had to agree before she allowed their talks after weekly dinners to become anything more than simply talking.

"I'm going to my ready room. You have the Bridge."

He nodded softly, leaning closer to her ear and planting a small kiss into her hair.

"I'll be in when I can."

She nodded softly, a small smile gracing her lips. She knew he would be and silently, she was glad. If she couldn't have the Doctor, at least she'd have Chakotay.

The Commander watched her slowly make her way to her ready room and then leave the Bridge. While he wasn't glad she would have to spend much of her labour, perhaps all of it, without the Doctor, he took some comfort in the knowledge she was only one room away. He couldn't have imagined how he'd have felt if she'd have been in their quarters when the filaments had hit – he wouldn't have even known that she'd gone into labour. He shuddered at the thought. She would have had to face it all alone.

He turned his head just in time to see Lt. Paris and Ensign Wildman re-enter the Bridge. It made him frown. They hadn't been gone long enough to have made it down to Sickbay.

"Lieutenant?"

"There's too much damage to the Jeffries Tube. There's no way we'll get through." Lt. Paris explained to the Commander, "And emergency bulkheads are blocking off any further access to the ship."

He briefly looked at Ensign Wildman before back towards the Commander.

"We can't reach Sickbay, Commander."

Chakotay sighed softly before nodding in understanding. "Very well. Take your stations."

"Aye, sir."

The Commander gave the pair a moment to leave his company before taking a step towards the Operations station.

"Harry, how are you coming along with the emergency bulkheads?"

The young man rubbed the side of his mouth. It was taking much longer than it should have due to the lack of power. He'd been trying to draw power from less important systems but all the circuitry to make transfers was damaged in one way or another.

"Still working on it, Commander."

As Chakotay came to a stop, he took note of the burns along the young man's face. It was the first time he'd even noticed the Ensign was hurt.

"Are you alright, Ensign?"

Harry nodded. He knew immediately what the Commander was referring to but in all honesty, he could wait. Voyager was definitely in a much worse shape than he was.

"Yes, sir."

It was as Ensign Kim spoke that the Commander took note of the other injured crew members on the Bridge. He'd been so transfixed on the Captain that he hadn't realised that a couple of the junior officers from the Mission Ops stations were sporting even angrier burns that Harry.

His head turned to face the man at the helm. "Tom, you're our temporary medic until we can get access to Sickbay."

"Aye, sir."

=/\=

Chakotay couldn't quite believe an hour had passed before he found himself heading into the ready room. He left Commander Tuvok in command after discretely informing him as to why the Captain had disappeared. It was more than enough for the Vulcan to assume command without any issue.

He entered the room to see the Captain rocking on her feet, her face crumpled as what he assumed was another contraction cramped around her stomach and dragged down her aching spine.

He came to her side and delicately held his arms around her. It made her gasp sharply and her eyes opened a little. She hadn't heard him come in.

"Chakotay." she breathed deeply.

With the lightest of smiles, she fell against his arms and used them as a needed support when she learnt forward. She much preferred using him as her leaning post than her desk.

"Why don't try and sit down?"

She shook her head adamantly, tightening her grip on his arms. She had found it had been easier to remain on her feet. Sitting hurt too much. It kept her too stationary.

"I'd prefer to stand."

He nodded, gently leaning towards her desk and grabbing the tricorder sat there. It was clear she'd been using it but had long given up. He wasn't surprised really.

Still holding one arm out for her to lean on, the Commander scanned over her body. It made its usual noises as the readings displayed before him. From what he could see, the baby was in a good position and she was beginning to dilate. The progression was exactly what was expected.

He sighed as he closed it, effectively shutting off the noise. She really needed to be in the Doctor's company soon. His Starfleet medical training would only go so far.

The Captain's shoulders relaxed as the contraction eased.

"How's the ship?"

He nodded softly. "On the mend." he answered truthfully, "How's the Captain?"

She somehow laughed a little breathlessly. "Wishing she'd had more than a bowl of vacuum-packed oatmeal for lunch."

For the first time, she cried out when the next contraction hit and she felt herself begin to fall. While standing had been the comfiest position, it was now becoming a struggle. It was requiring too much energy that she was in short supply of.

Keeping her as upright as she allowed him to, the Commander began to subconsciously stroke along her spine. She appreciated the coolness of his hands, something she could feel through both her clothing.

When the sensation eased a little, she allowed the shawl to fall from her shoulders. She was far too hot to keep it on. It was as though her body was on fire, the sweat beginning to form a sheen on her skin. She didn't like it.

"I need the Doctor."

It was a revelation which was nothing but pure truth. She longed to hear his voice, despite her usual protests made when in his company. She longed to be in his Sickbay, longed to be under his watchful eye. While she trusted Chakotay with her life, she much preferred the idea of the Doctor helping to bring her daughter into the universe.

"Soon, Kathryn." he assured her, his lips resting close to her ear as she leant her tired head on his shoulder, "I promise."

Time passed slowly for the Captain, the pain intensifying subtly. She was vaguely aware of Commander Tuvok entering the ready room at one point to give the Commander the latest ship wide report. She hadn't heard a word. His voice had merely been a sound that had blended together with the alert klaxons around the room. It had been easy to ignore.

Chakotay was becoming accustomed to the yelps, winces and hisses that accompanied each of her contractions. It was nothing if not expected. However, the tears which followed one particularly cramp did take him by surprise.

His hand came up to cheek, his fingertips tracing smooth lines along her jaw while his thumb wiped them away. It was that which made the Captain take note she was actually crying. She'd been so wet with sweat that she hadn't noticed.

"You're doing great." he assured her calmly, their eyes meeting for a split second before her resolve collapsed.

Her head dropped and she released a harsh sob, her one hand coming up and gripping his shoulder while the other clawed at the material over his chest. It was clear to him that a contraction wasn't responsible.

"He's going to take her away from me, Chakotay."

Her breathing hitched and other hand moved up to his shoulder as she felt herself falling, still supported, to the floor.

"They're going to take her away from me."

The Commander felt himself sigh deeply as her sobbing took over. It was only brief, the moment of grief being overcome by yet another twinge from her latest contraction, but it pained him. Captain Janeway was one of the strongest women he knew, she could make entire armadas fret with a sheer look, but Kathryn Janeway was different. She was weaker, more vulnerable, and right now, completely broken. It was painful to watch. The woman he loved was grieving for her daughter before she was even born and there was nothing he could do about it.

=/\=

Voyager was at a complete stop in space, near enough adrift. Slowly the crew were putting it back together but it was going to be a long process. Lt. Torres estimated it would take at least two weeks before they would even be able to have access to warp drive. The second filament had near enough ripped off the port nacelle.

The casualty list wasn't as bad as the Commander initially feared. Most of the injuries the crew had suffered were plasma burns, ones the Doctor was in the final stage of treating when the comm. system came back online.

"Chakotay to the Doctor."

The EMH had just sent Ensign Indi back on duty after healing her injuries. If he didn't see another plasma burn again, it would be too soon.

He began to head towards his office, glad to see the number of crew members in the Bay was beginning to decrease. Now he only had three patients left, each of them occupying the biobeds nearest the door and being tended to by the Medical Support personnel on duty.

"Yes, Commander?" he asked before taking a seat at his desk.

"Doctor, the Captain needs you rather soon."

The EMH frowned, immediately concerned. "Commander?"

"She's gone into labour."

He immediately stood, reaching for the nearest medkit as his program searched through his available options. With the turbolifts down, it could take him hours to get up to Deck 1, especially if the Jeffries Tubes were still blocked.

"I'll be there as soon as I can. Doctor out."

The Commander, having heard the commlink end, glanced down to the woman leaning harshly against her desk. She was stood before it, bent over from the waist and leaning her arms and torso heavily against the cool metal. It was the only way she could even partially handle the pressure building in her pelvis.

His hand found the small of her back, the needed pressure something that made her moan gratefully. She honestly wanted to scream.

"The Doctor's on his way." he promised her softly, "He'll be here before you know it."

Her hands gripped at the furthest edge of her desk, her knuckles going white as another surge shot down her body. Again, she whimpered. Her contractions seemed to be getting much longer and closer together.

"Not quick enough!" she panted, her breathing becoming deep.

She would have given anything for any kind of pain relief the Doctor would allow. She wasn't one to moan about kind of discomfort but she was starting to reach a level she had previously thought impossible. It amazed her how a woman could put herself through it more than once. She wasn't sure she'd ever be able to do so.

He smiled softly, gently running his fingers up her back. It was a welcomed distraction from the easing contraction.

"You're doing wonderfully, Kathryn. Absolutely wonderful."

Her eyes welded shut as she took a couple of needed breaths.

"That's easy for you to say… Where the hell's the Doctor?!"

The doors to their side opened almost on cue, the Captain nearly crying out in relief when she saw the familiar hint of blue. She recognised that uniform, and the man wearing it.

The Commander was surprised. He hadn't expected to see the EMH so quickly.

"You weren't as long as I thought you'd be."

The Doctor shook his head, the majority of his attention focused on scanning the Captain with his tricorder.

"Some of the turbolifts are back online. Lucky, the one I needed was one of them."

The Commander nodded, far more focused on the Doctor's readings.

"You're at five centimetres, Captain."

She moaned against the desk and pushed herself up onto her arms. Surely that wasn't all?

"But the progression of your labour seems to be increasing." he reported, expertly closing the device with the flick of his hand, "I'd like to get you down to Sickbay."

For once, she had no intention of complaining. There was nowhere else on-board she would rather have been.

The Doctor held her arm delicately, the Commander mirroring and doing the same with the other. Another time, she'd have protested, perhaps even forcefully pulled herself away. However, that day she was grateful. She wasn't sure she'd have been able to find her feet without their support.

"Are the transporters online?" the Commander asked of the Doctor.

The EMH shook his head uncertainly. "Unknown, but I'd rather not transport anyway, Commander. It could be dangerous for the baby at the active stage of labour."

The Captain sighed, having heard. Despite the pain she was like to experience while walking down to Sickbay, she had no intention of doing anything that could harm her daughter.

The Commander nodded in understanding, about ready to assist the Doctor in helping her take the journey when the door chimed. He rolled his eyes impatiently. The timing couldn't be any worse.

He released her arm gently. "Doctor, take her down. I'll join you when I can."

The Doctor nodded. "Aye, Commander."

Whimpering at the loss of contact, the Captain did protest and reached for his arm. He could see the want in her eyes, the sheer desperation. It may have been selfish but she wanted him with her.

"Chakotay." her voice was weak.

In no time, his hand curled around her head and cradled it briefly while he kissed her forehead.

"I will be as quick as I can." their eyes locked, "I promise."

She sighed deeply, aware of yet another cramp beginning to build in her lower body.

"You better be."

He shot her a soft smile as the Doctor supported her out the side door. If he had his way, the following conversation was going to be the shortest on record.

"Come in."

The doors opened and revealed Commander Tuvok whom proceeded to step inside, holding out a large PADD as he approached.

"Latest ship wide report, Commander."

Chakotay quickly took it from him, his eyes briefly skimming the text but struggling to retain more than a few words. He didn't have the attention span to focus on the report when the woman he loved was wanting him at her side.

"The hull breach on Deck 4 is in the process of being completely sealed and life support is now sufficiently restored on all decks."

The Commander nodded. "Understood." he lifted his head and met the Vulcan's eye, "Look Commander, I'm leaving you in command until further notice. I'm going to be in Sickbay with the Captain."

Tuvok simply nodded. "Aye, Commander."

He watched the other Commander return to the Bridge and was about to make his own way out via the side door when a bright from behind caught his attention. His eyes rolled automatically. He recognised it far too well.

The Commander turned and came face to face with the one being in the universe who still made his body tense. The Captain may have slowly started to forgive him but he was sure he'd always struggle to follow her example.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Q raised his brow pointedly, the look a familiar one usually adopted by the woman he loved. Q had no right to use it on him.

"Well, hello to you to, Commander Chuckles." he rolled his eyes, "How far along is she?"

Chakotay did his best to hide his growing scowl. "She's just entered active labour."

Q looked somewhat perplexed. "Meaning?"

Now it was the Commander's turn to roll his eyes. "She's still getting ready to give birth."

Q looked dumbfounded and simply shook his head. He couldn't pretend he understood anything about the labour or birthing process in humans.

"How's long is it going to take?"

Chakotay could only shrug his shoulders. He couldn't really say, it was different for everyone.

"I have no idea. Why?"

Q looked at him as if it were obvious. "I need to know when to come and get the baby."

The Commander couldn't supress the sudden scoff and drop of his brow and shoulders.

"You can't be serious…" he shook his head, "You're actually going to take her away from her?"

Q felt himself force himself to stand just that little bit taller.

"You talk as though I have a choice."

"Of course you have a choice!" the Commander snapped, his frown deepening, "Babies need to be with their mothers, Q."

Q held his hands up. "Look, I don't like it any more than you do, but the Continuum would never allow a Q to grow up outside of the Continuum."

"She'll only be half-Q."

Q shook his head adamantly. "Full Q, half-Q. It doesn't matter. Rules are rules."

The Commander actually did scoff again. "And like you've never broken rules before." the sarcasm in his voice was evident, "The Q Civil War would never have started if you hadn't broken rules for that other Q!"

Q fell deadly silent; the Commander having struck a painful chord. However, the silence didn't last long and therefore wasn't noticed due to the Doctor's sudden hail.

"Commander Chakotay, report to Sickbay immediately."

The Commander's eyes glanced from the ceiling and back at the omnipotent being. He didn't have time to waste. The Doctor's hail was a clear indication he was wanted. It didn't take a genius to figure out by who.

"Excuse me."