A/N: This story is based on the television series, Star Trek: Voyager, which as far as I know, is the property of Paramount Pictures. No infringement is intended.
Chapter 1: Watching Over the Captain
The next two months flew by at warp speed, and before the Captain and the Doctor knew it, it was the Captain's due date. However, much to the Captain's chagrin, her due date came and went without any sign of labor. But even though the baby didn't come when she and the Doctor had hoped, something else did come their way that was very welcome news to the crew and especially to Captain Janeway.
On the seventh of March, 2391, precisely one month before the Captain's due date, the Voyager crew made First Contact with an alien race called the Tersans, a very generous and benevolent race of people, most of whom were five feet tall, dark-skinned with dark eyes, with nose ridges similar to those of Bajorans, and with pointed ears like Vulcans and the Ocampa. Like Starfleet, they too highly valued space exploration, and they were constantly attempting to create and perfect technology to help them travel extremely long distances within a very short timespan. They spent the next four weeks with the Tersans, getting to know them, and as they were both bitter enemies of the Borg, it didn't take them too long to officially enter into an alliance with each other. And one month after their first meeting, on Captain Janeway's due date, she beamed down to the planet of Tersa to discuss the possibility of them sharing some of their knowledge and technology with her and her crew to help them get home quicker. And she returned to Voyager after several hours of negotiations with some very good news. And as soon as she beamed back to Voyager, she held a meeting with the Doctor and all her senior officers in the conference room. The moment Captain Janeway returned, Commander Chakotay, Dr. Luke, Commander Tuvok, Seven of Nine, Commander Paris, Commander Torres, Lieutenant-Commander Kim, Dr. Dexa, Mr. Neelix, and Kes were all there waiting for her.
Once they'd all sat down at the conference table together, Commander Chakotay said, "I hope today hasn't been too taxing for you, Captain. I tried to convince the Tersans to let me beam down to the planet's surface to discuss the possibility of us using their technology, but they utterly refused to speak and negotiate with anyone other than you."
Captain Janeway shook her head and said, "Don't worry, Commander. I may be nine months pregnant, but even so, I'm not that fragile."
Like all the other officers there, Captain Janeway was in uniform, and even though the Starfleet maternity uniform wasn't the most comfortable uniform in the world, Dr. Luke could easily see how happy she was to be in uniform and functioning as their captain again. Although she certainly appreciated all the rest she was able to get while on maternity leave, her husband understood better than anyone how much it irritated her not being able to do anything for her ship and crew during the remainder of her pregnancy. And even though Dr. Luke was obviously not wearing the teal Starfleet uniform he'd worn for so many years, he looked very classy and professional in his beige jacket, white shirt, and black pants that day.
"So you said you had big news, Captain," said Commander Paris, who was sitting beside his wife.
"Very big news. As it turns out, the Tersans have created an extremely powerful device that can propel ships like ours, with hundreds of people aboard them, across very long distances within a very short period of time." Captain Janeway then began showing them scans and slides of the Tersan device, allowing them to see for themselves what it was capable of doing.
"The device manufactures a temporary but stable wormhole," Commander Torres said in astonishment. "Incredible!"
"Most impressive, indeed," Seven of Nine concurred. Seven, who no longer wore the one-piece outfits she'd worn in the past, was now wearing a lavender blouse and a black floor-length skirt.
"I've got some good news, and some not-so-good news," the Captain told them. "The good news is, the Tersans have generously agreed to allow us to use their device. I've been down on the planet's surface with the Tersans doing calculations all day, and according to our calculations, their device should be able to propel Voyager a distance of just over fourteen thousand light years."
"Fourteen thousand light years," Dr. Luke gasped. "That means that if we use their device, and everything goes according to plan and it works, that'll put us within a single year's distance from the Alpha Quadrant."
"We'd only be one year away from home," said Lieutenant-Commander Kim.
"That's correct," the Captain confirmed. "Unfortunately, though, there is a catch. Not for you guys, but for Luke, Deborah, and me."
"Who's Deborah?" asked Commander Torres.
"That's the name Luke and I finally decided on for the baby," Captain Janeway announced. "We're calling her Deborah after the judge Deborah from the Old Testament, and her middle name is going to be Phoebe after my little sister."
"That's lovely, Captain," Kes said with a smile. She was wearing a simple, short-sleeved navy-blue dress, and she looked quite beautiful that day.
"It certainly is," Dr. Dexa agreed.
"Thank you," the Captain told them. "Anyway, as I was saying," she continued, "there's a catch for Luke, Deborah, and me. Even though the we'll only be traveling through the wormhole this device creates for up to twenty seconds at the most, the Tersans have found over the years that the bending of spacetime that happens with their device's wormholes puts a terrible strain on the organ systems of infants under six months of age. If I were to subject Deborah to this wormhole before she's six months old, there is up to a forty percent chance that the strain of passing through the wormhole could kill her. Obviously, as a mother, that is a risk I cannot and will not take. But as your captain, I'm not about to ask all of you to spend an extra six months out here in this Borg-infested quadrant. I'm not about to ask all of you to spend an extra six seconds in the Delta Quadrant, much less an extra six months.
"So here's what we're going to do. The Tersans have agreed to use their device to generate a temporary wormhole for us tomorrow, and Commander Chakotay will captain Voyager and take her through the wormhole first thing tomorrow morning at zero-seven-hundred hours. Luke and I will stay behind in the Delta Flyer, have our baby, and remain here until she's old enough to travel through one of the Tersans' wormholes safely. When that time comes, the Tersans have agreed to use their device to generate a second wormhole for us to take the Delta Flyer through. Commander Chakotay, after you've gotten Voyager through the first wormhole safely, you will continue to captain Voyager the rest of the way home, traveling at Warp Nine as often as possible. Luke, Deborah, and I will be a few months behind you in getting home, but we'll get there as soon as we can. In the meantime, Luke and I are going to need someone to volunteer to look after our children for us until he and Deborah and I get back to Earth. I know it's a lot to ask, being responsible for four children for a year and a half, but I know you all understand the situation and that it can't be helped."
"After everything you have sacrificed to protect us and guide us safely through this extremely hazardous quadrant of space over the past twenty years, I do believe I speak for all of us, Captain, when I tell you that any one of us would consider it an honor to care for yours and the Doctor's children for you, not a burden," Commander Tuvok said truthfully.
"I agree, Captain," Mr. Neelix concurred.
"So do I," said Commander Torres.
"I agree as well," Seven of Nine chimed in.
"Commander Tuvok speaks for all of us, Captain," said Commander Paris.
"Looking after your children for a year and a half isn't the issue, here, Captain," said Commander Chakotay. "We're all more than willing to do that. But I've got to say, I don't think you're being fair to yourself."
"What do you mean?" asked Captain Janeway.
"Say it wasn't you expecting a child any day now. Say it was B'Elanna or Dexa or Seven. Say that one of them came to you and told you to take Voyager through the first wormhole while they stayed behind in the Delta Flyer. What would you say then? Would you let them make a sacrifice like that? I know you, Captain. I know you would insist that they stay aboard Voyager with our family. You'd never let them stay all alone with their baby in the Delta Flyer for months, out here in the treacherous Delta Quadrant."
"I'm the first to admit that I'm not entirely thrilled with the idea, but I can't only think of Deborah, Luke, and myself. I have to think about what's best for all of our crew. And as parents, we know perfectly well that the best thing for every child aboard this ship is to get them out of the Borg's backyard as soon as possible."
"I'm not thrilled with the idea, either, but I agree with Kathryn," Dr. Luke concurred. "We have to act in the best interests of every child in our Voyager family, not just Deborah alone."
"Exactly," Captain Janeway agreed.
"May I suggest a compromise, Captain?" asked Seven.
"I'm certainly open to suggestions. Shoot," the Captain told her.
"I suggest that after Voyager comes through the first wormhole, we slow our speed to Warp Four. Then when you follow in the second wormhole, you travel in the Delta Flyer at warp nine. That way, you would catch up to Voyager in slightly over two months," Seven of Nine told them.
Captain Janeway shook her head and said, "No. I won't let you delay yourselves that much. I want this ship and crew to reach Earth just as soon as possible."
"I'm afraid this will have to do, Captain," said Commander Chakotay. "We just became allies with the Tersans, so I can live with you and the Doctor remaining here for several months until it's safe for Deborah to make the journey. If the Borg or any other vicious alien race shows up and tries to put you guys in danger, I know you'll have the Tersans for help and backup. But what I cannot live with is you, the Doctor, and Deborah being on your own in the Delta Flyer for the rest of the journey home. We have no idea who or what we may encounter once we reach the other side of the Tersan wormhole. We all know what a treacherous place the Delta Quadrant is. I don't want the three of you to be alone in the Delta Flyer without Voyager for one single moment longer than you have to be."
"I concur with Commander Chakotay and Seven, Captain," said Commander Tuvok.
"I think it's safe to say that Commander Chakotay speaks for everyone in this room, Captain," said Mr. Neelix.
"And if I still say no, what are you guys going to do? Have another mutiny like you did when we encountered the Malon in the Void?" Captain Janeway asked while barely suppressing a laugh, already knowing what their answer would be.
"Yes!" they all yelled in unison, and Captain Janeway knowingly laughed. She then said, "Alright, alright. You guys win. I'll compromise. When you guys get through the first wormhole, you can travel at Warp Four, and when Luke, Deborah, and I come through the second one, we'll travel at Warp Nine until we catch up to you. And from then on out, for those of you who are familiar with how cars used to run on Earth, we'll really hit the gas pedal on Voyager and floor it all the way back to Earth at Warp Nine. Deal?"
"Deal," everyone agreed.
"Very well. The Tersans have begun their calculations to calibrate their device and have it ready by tomorrow morning. I told them we would help. B'Elanna, Seven, Harry, you'll be beaming down to the planet's surface with me. I strongly suggest you bring some coffee with you, because you're going to need it. We've got our work cut out for us. We're really going to be burning the midnight oil tonight. I'll probably need to indulge in a cup or two, myself. And don't read me the Riot Act, Luke. I know I'm pregnant. I assure you, I won't go over two cups."
"I just don't want you to overdo it. I know you don't need me to remind you that you are nine months pregnant now and can go into labor at any second," said Dr. Luke.
"I know, darling. I know. Don't worry. Deborah and I will be fine. If this little baby can't handle a little bit of coffee and an all-nighter, then she isn't my daughter."
"I'd like to go with you to keep an eye on you both, just to be on the safe side," Dr. Luke told the Captain.
"I appreciate that, but I know you won't just keep an eye on Deborah and me; you'll nag at me every two minutes that I'm pushing myself too hard, and you'll drive me up the wall!" she teased, and everyone else knowingly chuckled.
"Would it be acceptable for me to accompany you in the Doctor's stead, Captain?" Commander Tuvok inquired. "That way, he can have peace of mind, knowing that someone is monitoring you and your daughter, and as I am not a human and I do not 'nag,' you will not be irritated or inconvenienced."
"Oh, come on, gentlemen. You're acting as if I'm two!" Captain Janeway complained.
"We're just concerned about you, Captain. And frankly, I personally would feel much better if you would allow Commander Tuvok to accompany you," said Commander Chakotay.
"Speaking as a man who remembers very, very well what it's like to be an expectant father, I have to agree with Commander Chakotay and Commander Tuvok, Captain. It would make me feel a lot better, too," said Commander Paris.
"Speaking as another man who very well remembers what it's like to have a wife who could go into labor at any second, I also agree," said Mr. Neelix.
"Okay, okay. You guys win. If it's really that important to you, then yes, Mr. Tuvok, you're perfectly welcome to come along with us," Captain Janeway said. "You can also assist with the calculations."
"Thank you, Captain," Commander Tuvok responded.
"Now that all of that has been settled, there is one more matter that must be decided upon," said Seven.
"What's that?" asked Commander Paris.
"Who will be taking care of the Captain's and the Doctor's children while they are away," Seven replied.
"I think they should stay with us, Tom," said Commander Torres. "After all, they spend the most time with us and the girls when they're not at home. They'd probably feel the most at home with us."
"That's true," Commander Paris agreed.
"Well instead of having to accommodate four extra children in your quarters, why don't you and Tom and the girls move into our quarters while we're gone?" Captain Janeway suggested. "After all, they're much bigger. You'd all probably be a lot more comfortable there."
"That's a great idea, Captain. Thank you," Commander Paris told her.
"No, I thank you guys," said the Captain. "I thank you both so much."
"And so do I," said the Doctor.
"You're more than welcome," Commander Torres told them.
"Okay, now that we've got all these issues resolved, let's beam down to Tersa and get to work," Captain Janeway told them.
"Yes, ma'am," said Commander Torres.
"Aye, Captain," said Lieutenant-Commander Kim.
Then, as they all began standing, Dr. Luke told the Captain, "I'll go explain everything to the children."
"Thank you, love," said Captain Janeway, and then she gave her husband a quick kiss.
"Don't overdo it," Dr. Luke told her.
"I won't. Don't worry. We'll both be fine," Captain Janeway reassured him.
As the Captain and everyone else began walking out of the conference room then, Dr. Luke approached Commander Tuvok, put his hand on his shoulder, and whispered, "Thank you, Mr. Tuvok."
"Of course, Doctor," said Commander Tuvok as Captain Janeway and all the others left the conference room. Once the two men were alone, Commander Tuvok told the Doctor, "I, too, am well acquainted with the deep concern a husband has for a wife who is close to delivering. I agree with your assessment, that it would be unwise for the Captain to be down on the Tersan surface, 'burning the midnight oil,' as she put it, depriving herself of sleep, without someone with her watch over her. Although the Captain can be exceptionally stubborn and often pushes herself far too hard, I will make every effort to ensure that she does not do so now."
"Thank you, Commander Tuvok," Dr. Luke said very gratefully.
Commander Tuvok responded with a simple nod, and then they both walked out of the conference room together.