The Inevitable Truth
by: AW
Chapter 18
Rating: MA
Pairing: J/C
Summary: The Consequences of 'The Killing Game'.
Disclaimer: Paramount/Viacom owns the series and the characters that are related to Star Trek: Voyager, but the story is mine.
Length: 856 words
Date: February 2018
Kathryn felt herself rematerialize aboard Voyager. She needed to speak with Chakotay.
On one hand, everyone being exonerated was good news. On the other hand, how Chakotay would feel about his pregnant wife being put in the position of Fleet Commander, in a hostile situation, near Cardassia – that was another story all together.
She tapped her combadge, "Janeway to Chakotay."
"Yes Captain."
"Where are you? Can you make your way to our quarters immediately please?"
She heard a sigh over the line, "I'll be right there. Chakotay out."
Kathryn left the transporter room and made her way to their quarters.
[JANEWAY QUARTERS]
Kathryn was standing in the doorway to what would be the twin's room.
She stared at the already standing cradles and changing table and shook her head.
She heard the door to their quarter's open and Chakotay come walking in. "So Kathryn what was so important that you had to see me right away?" Chakotay feared that Kathryn has made a deal with the devil.
"All the Maquis have been set free and they are allowed to keep their commissions. There will even be some promotions for some of them."
Chakotay smiled, this was good news. "What about you?"
She gave an unsure smile, "I was given a promotion to Fleet Admiral."
Chakotay got a dark, cloudy look in his eyes. "After all that you've been through and with you now carrying our daughters, you're going to go on the front line."
More a statement than a question.
Kathryn stared at her husband, "When we got married and I got pregnant… we decided not to let it come between our duties."
"Kathryn we're in the Alpha Quadrant now. You don't have to play the martyr or the hero anymore."
She stared at him, "Is that what you think I'm doing?"
"Kathryn, you are being ridiculous. I know what you went through with the Cardassians not a month ago, do you really think that you're up to dealing with them again?"
Kathryn pursed her lips. "It is my assignment, my duty."
"What about your duty to me and to those two little girls."
Kathryn threw her hands up in frustration. "This is why commanding officers don't ever take that leap. It's hard enough to separate the professional from the personal when we're friends; but when you throw sex and love in that mixture –"
"Damnit Kathryn this is our family; our babies. It is something that we both wanted or you would not have let it happen!"
"And maybe it was a mistake."
The couple were at an impasse, both staring at each other trying to get the upper hand.
Eventually Kathryn backed down and walked out of their quarters.
Kathryn eventually found herself outside of the Paris quarters.
She rang for entrance and B'Elanna answered. "Captain! We weren't expecting any company tonight."
Kathryn blushed a lovely shade of rose, and saw that without the uniform she just looked like a woman coming to visit a friend. "Please come in."
Kathryn followed B'Elanna into the quarters and gently lay a hand on her belly where the twins were. "I'm sorry to bother you at such a late hour."
B'Elanna smiled, "No worries Captain."
"Just Kathryn tonight please."
B'Elanna looked at the dress her Captain was wearing. "You're starting to show Kathryn. Is Chakotay being a big over-protective oaf yet?"
Kathryn smiled a faint smile at that. "He has been ever since he found out about the twins. After William it was so hard to think that we might ever get the chance to be parents again."
She let her hand fall to her belly. "He's being overprotective because they gave me a Fleet Admiral Position on the front line near Cardassia."
Kathryn looked B'Elanna's way hoping to get a supporter but none was forthcoming.
Her eyes turned dark with barely concealed anger.
Kathryn turned to the woman that was once here enemy and who know holds a delicately balanced friendship with Kathryn.
"No wonder he's mad. Remember as the Maquis what we were fighting for?"
Kathryn sighed, "What if they've changed?"
"Are you willing to risk your life and happiness for a flimsy alliance, maybe? And what of the babies?"
Kathryn stared at B'Elanna, "I'll tell you the same thing I told Chakotay: Nothing is going to happen to any of us. It's just a matter of diplomacy."
"You thought that before and look what happened to you?" She sighed, "I know they raped you and punished you for thing more than being a Starfleet Captain. An Admiral, that would be a feather in the Cardassians cap."
She stared at her former Chief Engineer, "There is nothing to worry about. I have to believe that people can change."
B'Elanna watched the nervous movements as Kathryn touched her belly.
"I have to believe it B'Elanna."
END CHAPTER 18
TBC IN CHAPTER 19