By your side

Rating: T

Pairing: J/C

Disclaimer: Don't own voyager or its characters

Summary: Direct continuation of 'Oh dear god'.

Author's note: If you do need a refresh of the story above it is chapter 6

That-geek-in-a-hat

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"Oh Kathryn" he repeated as he gently stroked her head. She buried her head into his chest and they stayed still for several moments.

"The doc says I'm just over a month and that he can't believe I haven't noticed. I…I just wanted to forget New Earth" she spoke once her sobbing subsided a little "I felt guilty, I know it's ridiculous to think he is waiting but a part of me still hangs onto that, I can return and be with Mark."

"So you regret…" he began but she placed a finger on his mouth.

"Don't say it, I have always wanted a child. I realised on New Earth I...I was scared so I wanted to get away, forget, that scared feeling. Do you understand?" she looked into his deep brown eyes.

"Of course I do." gently his lips touched her forehead, in a comforting motion but soon she began to laugh, a giggle if you like.

"What is it?" he asked

"We are having a child, together" she smiled the euphoria of having a child kicking in.

"I know, I think it's a girl. I know it is early but I have a gut feeling we will have a beautiful girl, she'll have her mother's looks." They foreheads met, their smiles lit up the drab Starfleet designed room.

"I guess I feel it too. Now we do have to have a talk about the future. I mean living arrangements, names, duty shifts" he chuckled Kathryn was too adorable.

"Listen, why don't we just calm down, finish our shift and then talk about all that over dinner" he was of course right she nodded wiped tears from her face, freshened her face up with a little water from the replicator.

=/\=

The day was uneventful but Kathryn was glad to toe of her 2 inch heeled boots, they were killing her, padding through she peeled her uniform off and slid into a bath. Of course with a bath and pregnancy come tiredness, at least for Kathryn Janeway, and she succumbed to the sleepy feeling.

Chakotay collapsed onto his sofa, he was to be a father in about 30 weeks, he knew he had always wanted a child and was over joyed to know it would be with someone he loved. He hoped she would love him back at some point. Checking the time he got up and took a shower before changing into a blue shirt and brown slacks, something he had worn numerous times on new earth, making his way to the desk he decided he would love to propose to her,but knew that might make her uncomfortable, however after this dinner that might change. The right ring would of course tons of rations and he'd have to save up.

At 2000 hours he arrived and was pleased to see she had also shed her uniform into something more comfortable. They sat and ate slipping in to conversation easily.

"The crew's morale really has risen since we returned, a lot of people fought to get us back." Kathryn smiled as she finished her chicken soup.

"I know, Harry especially, Neelix had a real job on his hands, while we were away. Do you ever think about it?" Chakotay asked as he finished his mushroom soup.

"All the time, even if I don't want to, I wonder how our monkey friend is getting on, I like to imagine that it's moved into the house with its family, we never did learn its gender, did we?" She walked over to the replicator to recycle their dishes and he wandered to the couch area.

"I believe it was a he. He did warn you about the storm?" she smiled but argued a female could do that too.

"I really want coffee" she complained.

"Well you can't, unless we want an excitable baby." He chuckled

"It doesn't quite work like that but I suppose you're right. Now we have to discuss this." She turned to face him the other end of the couch legs crossed.

"The sooner you start weaning yourself off Coffee the easier it will get. We will have to tell the crew at some point, maybe the senior staff then the rest of the crew." He suggested

"Or we could let it slip to Tom and see how long it takes to circle the ship" she joked in attempt to lighten the mood since the recent tension entered.

"About 2 minutes, how are we planning to look after her?" the expectant parents had decided thoroughly it was a girl and were happy to refer to her as that.

"Well, I suppose we…I don't know Chakotay, I didn't think this far ahead. I know it would make more sense to extend my quarters into yours so we could live together, but marriage is generally frowned upon, by Starfleet, What do you want, so far all you have done is think of me. What about you?"

"Kathryn, you know what I want but I don't want to make you uncomfortable, however I want to be by your side through every second of our daughters life, the tantrums, the nightmares, the struggles and of course the achievements. I want us to be with each other 100%" looking at her, he saw the tears in her eyes but the unmistakable smile on her face, slowly she raised her hand to his cheek and pushed their forehead's together.

"Then I suggest we get married, nothing can, or will, stop me. I...I love you Chakotay" she said nervously with a secret confidence in her eyes.

"I love you too" their lips met and she could honestly say she'd never been happier. They talked more throughout the night deciding to wait until she was 12 weeks before getting married or telling the crew. The newly formed couple only had to wait one more month before announcing their brilliant news to the crew but what they didn't know was the distress and turmoil just around the corner.

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Author's note: What was that? Its supper fluffy and at times you grabbed a vomit bag, yeah I have to admit I did that too but hey, J and C are together which the main thing is. I think the next will be something a lot sadder so you might want some tissues, don't worry nobody dies

Coming soon: Not always a clear course, Sometimes the clear course of life disappears and all that is left is a void. Kathryn struggles with the void.

That-geek-in-a-hat