RATED NC 17
It had been a short work day, an afternoon
wedding and the largest celebration Voyager had ever seen, but the next
morning saw everyone-- including the newlyweds-- back at work. If
there had been any doubt that Voyager had blended the Maquis and Starfleet
crews, there was no more. The marriage of Captain Janeway and
Commander Chakotay met with approval from all and served to reinforce the
growing feeling of family aboard the Starship. The Voyager crew worked
side by side with the Allitens for the next three weeks until the other
ship was in the best shape they could hope for. Another celebration
was planned upon completion of the work and both ships would travel side
by side to the Allite home world.
Now that the work was complete, the senior staff took a few days to relax and enjoy some of their new friends before they parted company. The setting today, was a sandy beach bordered by large shade trees and fringed with grass, the perfect place for a picnic and relaxation. Mutu and several members of his crew joined Kathryn, Chakotay, B'Elanna, Tom, and Harry for a relaxing lunch under the shade trees.
Kathryn had fallen asleep after lunch and woke to the unmistakable sounds of a chase in progress. As she sat up trying to clear her head, she noticed Seven and Naomi had joined the fun and everyone was chasing Tom down the beach in an apparent attempt to throw him in the water. B'Elanna was leading the pack, dripping wet and Kathryn assumed -correctly- that Tom had been responsible. As she watched the fun, Chakotay came to join her on the blanket.
"Too old for running in this sand." He gasped at her as he flopped down beside her. "Have a nice nap?"
"Yes." She stretched as she eyed him. "Better work on that stamina--gonna have to run this ship without me sometime."
"Please." He laughed, pulling her down next to him. "Like you won't be giving orders in the middle of delivery!" He kissed her. "Kathryn Janeway, you'll never give up command."
"Excuse me." Naomi came up to the blanket. "You can do that later." She tapped her foot in the sand. "Wanna go swimming?" She stood above them, hands on hips.
"Good idea." Kathryn looked from Naomi to Chakotay. "Coming in?" She stood up and for the first time removed her cover up. She offered Chakotay a hand and the three of them joined the others in the water.
They both had gotten used to her slightly rounded figure and never even notice the looks she received from other crew members. She was eight weeks pregnant and had only really gained two pounds, it was just distributed differently. She didn't protrude in any one area, she was just well rounded---fuller than she had been. Mutu knew and Naomi didn't notice, so there was no reaction from them or from Mutu's crew. B'Elanna and Seven didn't notice, but Tom and Harry seemed to have a hard time keeping their eyes of the Captain's increasing bust line.
"Hey---big guy." Tom stopped Chakotay as he was about to follow Kathryn into the water.
"What?" Turning back to face Tom and Harry, Chakotay raised an eyebrow knowing what they were looking at from the looks on their faces and Harry blushed.
"What the hell you been feeding her? I mean she always looked good but now---well she looks great." Tom was never shy about his attraction to the Captain. He always claimed it had to do with power---but not entirely.
"I'll thank the two of you to peel your eyes off my wife and put them back in your heads." He gave them a mock threatening look and Harry blushed deeper.
"I'm just saying she looks--she really---r-e-e-a-a-l-l-y looks great." He looked back to Kathryn, who had noticed the conversation and started back toward them, and shook his head. "Harry ---tell him-- Harry."
"Yea--Chakotay--she really..." Harry stopped as B'Elanna came up behind Tom and shoved him into the water.
"Hey---enough of her---I out rank you too!" She pushed Tom under again.
"B'E ---You know I love you---but look at her." She dunked him again and he came up sputtering.
"What's the commotion about?" Kathryn joined the group.
"Tom--the pig--who professes to be in love with me--is lusting after YOU again." As she spoke B'Elanna turned toward Kathryn taking a good look---for the first time. "Shit---he's right--I hate it when he's right."
"Do I really want to know what this is about?" Kathryn looked at Chakotay and then around at B'Elanna's open mouth, Tom sitting in the water and Harry who was a deep shade of red.
"These gentlemen seem to be fascinated with the changes in your figure." Chakotay stated flatly, but no one missed the glint in his eye.
"I see." Kathryn smiled "I hope you feel the same way a few months from now." Kathryn saw the light go on in B'Elanna's eyes, the others just looked at her.
"Ohmygod---Kathryn--Chak..." She looked to them for conformation and seeing it in their faces she slapped Tom again. "Congratulations---this is great." She hugged both of them.
"Did I miss something?" Tom stood up bewildered.
"Paris --sometimes you are just naive." Harry shook his head and offered his own congratulations.
"Kathryn, when?" B'Elanna ignored Tom.
"Long way off--we still have seven months to go."
"Aunt Kathryn's gonna have a baby." Naomi whispered to Tom and then ran to Kathryn. "Can I baby sit?"
"Well you are my assistant aren't you? I'll need your help even more with a baby to care for."
"Congratulations, guys this is really great." Tom finally woke up. "And Kathryn you really do look fabulous."
"Well thank you, Tom---I'll try to remember that when I look more like that beach ball with legs." They all laughed.
"Paris ---be careful." Chakotay shot Tom another look.
"Only looking---chief--only looking." Tom raised both hands in the air to emphasize his point and B'Elanna took the opportunity to poke him.
"Be sure that's all you do or Chakotay will be the least of your problems!" B'Elanna threatened.
Samantha and Nelix joined the beach party and Naomi couldn't wait to tell them the news. Word was out and it wouldn't be long before the entire ship heard the news. As far as Kathryn was concerned it was just as well--give the crew a chance to get used to the idea before they see their Captain waddling around unable to see her own feet. The beach party wrapped up shortly after that and every one went to prepare for the farewell celebration to be held at Sandrine's that night. Tomorrow they would reach the Allite home world.
Sandrine's was jumping by the time the Command team joined the party. Kathryn made her entrance arms linked between Chakotay and Mutu. The buzz rose as they entered and the topic of conversation wasn't hard to guess. Each person in turn, quickly glanced in their direction giving the Captain the once over. Several acknowledged them as they passed and a few braver ones offered congratulations. For her part Kathryn tried to smile and nod---tried to acknowledge her crew and accept their good wishes without blushing like a school girl. Chakotay spoke to a few people and nodded to others, but wasn't able to do so without a silly grin on his face. They reached the area between the pool table and the dance floor where the senior staff was seated. Kathryn sat quickly--ducking temporally out of the lime light--greeting everyone from that position..
"Kathryn, care to lose at pool while you can still bend over the table?" Tom challenged loud enough to be heard in a wide area--even over the music.
"Paris, it will be a cold day in hell when I can't beat you---no matter what my size." Kathryn took the cue stick and motioned him to break.
Tom broke and took another shot which he missed---his last. Kathryn proceeded to clear the table without a miss ---impressing even Tom---and handed him the cue.
"You better practice-Paris---next time I expect a challenge." She spoke as loud as he had and returned to her seat to the applause of the surrounding tables.
"Quite impressive, Kathryn." Mutu looked to Chakotay. "Tell me ---is there anything she can't do?"
"Only one." He grinned at her before continuing. "She can't cook---does a hell of a job with a replicator though." He laughed then, putting his arm around her and pulling her closer. "Other than that---she is quite a talented lady."
"He cooks and is very good at it---so I don't have to."
"You two truly are a perfect match." He smiled wistfully. "My mate and I were like that---thanks to you we will be again." He reached out and touched both of them. Thank you."
"Mutu---we do what we can--you, my friend have given us a precious gift also." Kathryn returned his touch.
"Yes it is good to have made new friends and tomorrow I will be able to share my world with you." He smiled and his eyes seemed to light up. "Kathryn, dance with me?" He looked at Chakotay . "You don't mind?"
"Just remember --she comes home with me." Chakotay ducked from Kathryn's swat as she rose to join Mutu.
"Don't mind him---he's a wise guy." Kathryn assured Mutu as she took her place in his arms.
"You are a beautiful and talented woman, Kathryn--any man would worry." He was looking down at her seriously, then smiled. "Any man--but him--a fleet of Starships couldn't drag your love from him---he is a very luck man."
"Thank you, Mutu---but I think I'm the lucky one."
"Yes---I can see, you are both lucky." He glanced over her head taking in the crew as they moved across the dance floor. "Lucky to have each other and this crew---you have formed a real family here."
"Yes, it's not the usual starship environment--but then this isn't the usual mission." She chuckled, at the thought. "It was a hard lesson for me to learn---but not all the rules can apply out here--so far from home. Sometimes we have to make our own."
"You have done well, Kathryn." The music stopped then and he took her hand. "I'll give you back now, thank you - for a moment you allowed me to be just a man dancing with a beautiful woman---We can't always be Captain or we would lose ourselves."
"Another lesson I learned the hard way." They were laughing as they returned to the table.
"As long as we keep learning." He turned to Chakotay. "Returned
safe and sound."
Their arrival at the Allite home world, was occasion for celebration. Mutu and crew were welcomed as heroes and the crew of Voyager right along with them. When under it's own power, for the first time in weeks, Captain Mutu's ship came with in haling range of the Allite home world; he contacted his government requesting docking accommodations for himself and Voyager. Only the briefest of explanations was necessary, before the Prefect issued a formal invitation to the Captain of Voyager and her crew to make use of their space dock and all facilities available both there and planet side.
Voyager spent two weeks at the new Allite home world. They were able to replenish all their supplies and restock spare parts and dilithium used to repair Mutu's ship and even acquire some reserve. The use of the space dock made it possible to accomplish some long over due maintenance and as a result Voyager left the Allite home world in better shape than she'd been in for years. The crew enjoyed shore leave and the command team very much enjoyed spending time with Mutu and his family. At the end of their time, Captain and crew were happy to resume their journey to their own homes, yet sad to be leaving their new friends. With one last farewell the view screen went dark and Voyager broke orbit.
As the weeks passed, the crew grew accustom to the new "larger" Captain. The Captain, however, clearly had no intentions of making any concessions to her new 'status', she continued to do everything she had done before and some---like the Commander---thought she tried to do even more. She was seen crouching under consoles and crawling through jeffries tubes, never retired before 2400 and made it a point to personally check each department at least twice weekly.
By her sixth month, Kathryn was quite large and even she had to make certain allowances. She had given up velocity, exchanged her boots for more comfortable shoes and took to spending lunch in her ready room or her quarters, where she could put up her feet without observation. One such afternoon, after a particularly difficult negotiation with the local hierarchy, she retired to her ready room. The Commander was planet side arranging the delivery of their hard won supplies, Tuvok had the bridge, so she replicated lunch and sat on the couch. That was where he found her some three hours later, when he returned.
When she wasn't in their quarters as he expected and didn't answer his hail, he asked the computer where she was. The computer located her in the ready room and he proceeded to the bridge. He rang the chime several times, glanced sideways and noticed Tuvok watching him with a concerned expression and entered his override. The door opened to a darkened ready room and there she was. On the couch, head back, feet on the table---next to her untouched lunch ---sound asleep.
"Kathryn." He spoke quietly, kneeling down next to her. "Kathryn." He gently shook her.
"Humm ---Chakotay?" Her eyes fluttered, mumbling she realized where she was and tried to sit up straight---which wasn't easy, especially with her feet up. "Sorry, I must have dozed---what time is it?-----You're back already?"
"Yes, 1600" He chuckled. "Calm down ---you only took a nap for god sake." He was laughing at the guilty expression on her face. "You have been doing way too much, you know."
"I have not---I'm fine." She tugged at her uniform to straighten it.
"Let's go get some dinner ---you didn't eat your lunch." He tried a change in tactic.
"Shift's not over."
"Kathryn --- you were gonna take it easy---remember?" He sat down next to her. "When exactly is that gonna be?"
"I'm fine ---You worry too much"
"Yes -- right on both counts --so humor me a little?" He gave her a grin with the dimples in full force. "Come have dinner with me, I'm starved --- can't eat anything they serve on that planet."
"Well, since you put it that way." She laughed, "I didn't think anyone could cook worse than Nelix ---Ugh." She looked up to see the grin widen. "Don't say it Mister!"
"It's alright---you have other talents." He laughed at her mock anger as she swung at him.
He slipped on her shoes and she took the hand he offered as he helped her to her feet. As they crossed the bridge she officially handed it off to Tuvok, who just nodded in response
They went to the mess hall for dinner. It was early yet and not many crewmen were there. Chakotay was grateful for this, it made it easier to find a table-- not that there weren't enough tables, it was just that it was a little difficult for Kathryn to sat at a table the had attached seats. She never would have admitted it and Chakotay certainly wasn't going to point it out, but she was far more comfortable in a movable chair. The mess hall was not designed to accommodate her 'growing ' condition.
"Captain, Commander, How nice to see you." Neelix rushed toward them. "The main course isn't quiet done yet, but we nice appetizers and several other choices."
"No problem Neelix--I'm only looking for something light." The Captain smiled at the flustered little man. "Chakotay may be interested in more."
"We'll just have a look--I'm sure what ever you have is fine."
"Yes, Well I'll be in the kitchen--just call if you need anything." He bustled off to finish dinner.
"Thank you Neelix" She rolled her eyes. "Come on must be something eatable."
They found suitable food and took a seat under the view port. It was a quiet and unhurried meal, no interruptions, for a change..
"I'm tired, what do you say to a early night?" Chakotay smiled across at her.
"Not very subtle." She reached across and took his hand. "But I guess I'm tired too."
"You did promise to take it easy."
"You keep saying that -but I don't recall ever saying such a thing-- Just when did I say this?"
"Well maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part, but it is a really good idea." He gave her his best dimpled smile and she reached over to give him a playful slap.
"OK, Let's go home." She began to clear their dishes when B'Elanna hailed her. "Janeway here, what can I do for you B'Elanna?"
"Captain could you come to engineering--I could use your help."
"On my way." Her answer was automatic and she cringed when she saw his expression. "B'Elanna doesn't ask for help, if she really doesn't need it."
"I know--I was just hoping..."
"I know. Here clean this up and let me find out what she needs." She shrugged. "Maybe it won't take long."
"Please, we both know if B'Ella can't do it alone--it's not good." He shook his head. "I'm coming down there in half and hour--ready or not."
"Sure." She patted his hand, having no doubt he would show up--also knowing she wouldn't leave until the problem was solved.
Chakotay cleared the table, milled around, talked to Tom for a while, and generally wasted as much time as he could. It was almost an hour later when he showed up in engineering. Looking around he could see neither Kathryn nor B'Elanna. He checked the office, walked around some more, then turned to Joe Carey, who seemed really reluctant to speak with him.
"Joe" Chakotay though he saw Joe shrink--but that couldn't be. "Joe, do you know where the Captain and B'Elanna are?"
"Yes, Sir." Joe continued working.
"Sir?---OK Joe spill it--where is she." Chakotay knew he shouldn't ask this question--he wasn't likely to be pleased with the answer.
"We are experiencing a sever power fluctuation --- it has been threatening to shut down all primary functions for hours now and B'Elanna can't get a line on it---couldn't figure it out myself......"
"Joe--I didn't ask that. Where is she?" Now he was sure he wouldn't like this.
"B'Elanna went to..." He tried to avoid Chakotay's glare
"Joe--Kathryn--Where is Kathryn?" His normally calm voice was getting strained. Joe pointed to the open hatch above the warp core. "Shit Joe--she shouldn't be in there--Why the hell..."
"Chakotay---she's you're wife--but to me-- she's the Captain--what am I supposed to do?"
"Damn it--yeah-- OK" He headed for the opening. "Joe --next time" And they both knew there would be a next time. "Call me"
He hoisted himself into the jeffries tube--it wasn't an easy access, he wondered how she even got in here. As he crawled deeper and deeper into the ship, he started to laugh, he pictured her crawling through this narrow space--lord could she even crawl? He didn't think so---god that woman made him crazy. He could hear their voices now, B'Elanna said something in Klingon--that couldn't be good. He followed the sound. He rounded the corner and had all he could do not to laugh. Kathryn was on her back, her hands were deep within the opening in the ceiling--but they were awkwardly stretched above her head to give B'Elanna access to the opening, B'Elanna was working from over her head, swearing at something.
"Here let me try." Kathryn scooted herself under the opening, taking the tools from B'Elanna. Suddenly sparks shot out, smoke curled through the opening and the lights went out. "Damn."
It only took a few seconds for the auxiliary power to kick in and the lights came up again. Kathryn was sputtering and spitting out cinders, she was still muttering as she wiped her eyes of the black soot and got a look at B'Elanna, who sat wide eyed with black smudges on her face and singed hair. "God-- Kathryn--trying to kill me?" They were both laughing and Chakotay couldn't help joining them.
"I got it out didn't I?" She laughed until she heard Chakotay. "B'Elanna --tell me your voice just got deeper."
"Fraid not--busted." B'Elanna pointed in his direction.
"Commander--what brings you here." She didn't look in his direction.
"No, no, Kathryn--don't even try to pull rank on me." He moved up closer. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Actually, I was just helping to remove this damaged power coupling. You see we had a terrible time locating it because....."
"I don't care. You shouldn't be climbing around in here. What if something happened while you were in here?" He was trying to be angry and somewhere in side he was--well maybe he was just scared--but it didn't matter cause when she raised her head to look at him, with black soot covering all but her eyes he couldn't help but laugh. "God, what am I gonna do with you?"
"You are gonna wait until we finish this--which won't be long now that we found the problem and got this damn thing out---and then you are gonna drag me out of here by my feet cause I can't figure out how else I'm gonna do it. There is no way I'm gonna turn around in here."
"I hope you didn't terrorize my engineering staff on your way in here." B'Elanna laughed as she assisted Kathryn in replacing the coupling.
"Just Joe--he'll get over it." He shook his head. "I think you did the terrorizing--the man couldn't even look at me."
"B'E--hold this." Kathryn wriggled closer to the opening, B'Elanna reached in to help. "Chakotay--can you help here?---hold this while I try to repair that section."
"I can't get..." He tried to move closer, there wasn't much room.
Kathryn moved to the side and he squeezed in next to her--or more like over her, who could tell in the small space with only auxiliary lighting. Sparks came out again and B'Elanna let out a string of Klingon words, no one asked the meaning of. Everybody jockeyed for better positions and finally the light flickered and the main power came on line.
"I think we've got it--check that reading B'Elanna" Kathryn slowly lowered her hands, checking to be sure it would hold.
"Looks good--we'll need a better coupling but I can do that tomorrow--this one is great for now." B'Elanna looked down from her tricorder to where they lay twisted together on the floor. "Well doesn't that look cozy--but how the hell are you gonna get out of that?" She laughed.
"Excuse me, sir--I think you can get off me now."
"I'm not sure I can---not enough room." He laughed at the evil look she gave him. "OK OK , I'm moving."
B'Elanna replaced the cover and packed up the tools, then sat back and laughed again.
"OK, now for the good part--Let's see you get out of here."
"Very nice---I thought you were on my side--see if I help you again." Kathryn laughed as she tried to turn to crawl out.
Just as she suspected, there was no way to turn so she had to crawl backwards all the way back to engineering. Chakotay jumped down from the jeffries tube with a thud that caused the entire staff to look up. They all smirked, but no one dared to laugh as the Captain appeared feet first at the hatch. She awkwardly lowered herself toward the floor and Chakotay grabbed her just before she dropped. B'Elanna jumped down next and the sight of them, sooty and black faced was too much for Joe. He laughed and the rest of the crew joined him.
"Nice job, Captain, Lieutenant--power is stable." He tried to quickly recover.
"Thank you, Mr. Carey." She straightened up using her best Captain's voice, with a tug on her uniform she marched out of engineering.
"Lieutenant, for your information the Captain will be retiring now--If you dare to call her for anything short of a warp core breach you will be assisting Neelix in the galley for the next fifty years. Understood?" Chakotay fought to keep a straight face.
"Understood, Sir." B'Elanna waited until he walked past and then she stuck out her tongue.
"Put it back in you mouth, B'Elanna before I make you lick the plasma conduits clean." Chakotay never turned to look he just continued out the door.
Chakotay caught up with Kathryn at the lift. As they stepped on, two ensigns exited, giving the Captain the once over, with her soot covered face and uniform, her hair singed and her round belly she made quite and amusing picture. As the lift door closed she could hear them laughing.
"Well I'm glad to see I have such a happy crew---I seem to amuse everyone these days."
"You do make quite a picture---I would be amused too, if.."
"OK- I know--but sometimes I have to .."
"Yes, I think we already had this discussion--about a million times." He took her shoulders in his hands. "Please be careful."
"I will." She allowed him to pull her into a hug and didn't even step back when the door opened.
"Well if it isn't Cinderella and price charming." Tom laughed as he entered the lift. "Deck three---You look wonderful, Captain---new hairstyle?"
"Yes Tom, glad you like it---B'Elanna has a similar one." The lift opened and they exited.
"Tell me one thing ---who won?"
"We did Tom---she'll be home soon."
"Thanks for the warning." He chuckled and move off down the hall.
As they entered their quarters, she was beginning to realize just how tired she was. It wasn't a sleepy kind of tired, it was a muscle aching, bone weary kind of tired.
"I think I'll take a sonic shower." She spoke half to herself.
"Shower? ---I thought this was definitely a long, hot, bath night."
"I don't even have that much energy."
"God that is bad--you go get something clean to put on and I'll fix you a bath-- I'll even wash your hair for you." He chuckled as she waddled off.
"Can't pass that up--I'll be right there."
He fixed the bath, scented bubbles and steamy hot water. If she didn't have the energy to run a bath ---she really needed one. He let her just soak and relax a while, then he came back and washed her hair as promised.
"God you could do that forever and I wouldn't mind one bit." She had her head back and her eyes closed and was thoroughly enjoying having her scalp massaged.
"When we're done here I'll massage the rest of you."
"God--you are too good to me." She sighed, slipping deeper into the water as he rinsed her hair.
"Come on--out of here before you turn into a prune." He helped her to her feet and handed her a towel.
When she was safely out of the tub, he went ahead into the bedroom and turned down the bed. Instead of the usual oils, he warmed a scented lotion--it would feel just as good, but be a whole lot less messy. She came in still wearing the towel and he motioned her to the bed. This like everything else in their lives, was not as easy as it used to be. Short of cutting a whole in the bed, there was no way she was gonna lay on her stomach, so they settled for a half way position, where she laid half way between her stomach and her side. He massaged her shoulders and back, took great pains to do each arm and leg both feet, working each muscle gently but firmly. She alternately sighted and grunted, but relaxation was not the state they achieved. God he thought--this pregnancy will kill me.
She rolled onto her back, the expression on her face as she smiled up at him told him this was gonna be a long night. She watched him as he warmed more lotion in his hands, slowly spreading it across her shoulders and down her chest. She arched as he gently massaged her breasts, paying very careful attention to the rock hard nipples and closed her eyes as he continued down over her swollen belly and down each leg. At long last, only when he had finished each toe, he move back up the bed beside her.
Her eyes opened as she reached to draw him down to her. Her mouth devoured his, her hands tore at his clothes, her body pressing against his, demanded satisfaction. He moved her hands back to her sides, holding them there as his mouth worked it's way across her jaw, stopping to nibble an ear, causing her to moan as he licked the sensitive spot behind her ear. She struggled to free her hands until his lips closed around the dark pebbled surface of her nipple, then she arched into him, moaning. Releasing her hands, he move lower on the bed, pressing open her thighs and allowing his warm breath to brush across her.
"Ohhhh." She sucked in her breath, grabbing the sheets as she arched her hips. He ran his tongue along her soft inner lips. "Goddd---ahhhh" She gasped and writhed beneath his gentle assault, crying out as he lips closed on her swollen bud and his fingers plunged inside her. "Chakoottaay---aahhhhhh" Her hips bucked and her body convulsed around him.
He continued until her body stilled and her thighs released their grip on his head, then he moved up beside her. Her eyes were closed, her mouth was slightly open and her chest heaved, but he knew from experience, this night was far from over. Her eyes opened and she smiled at him.
She touched his face, fingers lightly tracing the blue lines on his forehead, then gently brought his lips to hers. She brushed gently kissed across his lips, her tongue tracing the outline, tasting her own juices on his face. Her hands sought to free him from what remained of his clothing, slowly peeling it away gently exploring the skin it exposed. Her body a little more cumbersome, her movements a little restricted, did not stop her from caressing every part of him with hands and mouth, touching, tasting, teasing and tantalizing, all of him until he panted and moaned beneath her expert ministrations.
"Hisssssss" He sucked in sharply as the velvet moisture of her mouth covered him. "Ahhh ---Kathh--ahhh" He thrust against her, sucking, swirling tongue as she took him deeper, her one hand between his thighs cupping him, massaging. His fingers in her hair tried to hold her, he groaned when she released her hold and move to straddle him. She moved up to capture his lips then back to settle over him. Reaching down, she stroked her hot center with his throbbing manhood until they both gasped and then she slowly sank down until she had taken all of him. He thrust against her movements, reaching out to stroke her. She arched back, sucking in her breath then cried out as her body spasmed, her inner muscles clutching him. He grabbed her hips and thrust deeply calling her name as he spilled himself deep within her.
She moved next to him, resting her head on his shoulder, running her fingers across his chest, now damp with sweat. She was pressed so close to his side he could feel the baby move against his ribs.
"She's angry at us again." He leaned in and kiss her head.
"Just wants to be noticed."
"A little hard to miss." He placed his hand on her stomach.
"Hummm--I'd hit you but I'm too tired." She mumbled.
"Good, maybe you'll sleep" He chuckled thinking, a few hours sleep and you'll be waking me again. He smiled, could have worse side effects.
True to form a few hours later, he woke up to the gentle, yet demanding touches of his wife. He yawned and stretched, then rolled to face her. Sleep was not a priority tonight.
In the morning, a sleepy but very content Captain rolled off the bed and quietly left the room.
"Computer silence morning wakeup--reset 24 hours"
She didn't want her alarm to wake him---she'd done that a few time last night and now she want to let him sleep as long as he could. She made herself a cup of coffee--she didn't have much now, but she still had a cup or two first thing in the morning. After the first cup she took a sonic shower, he was worried she would slip in the water one--so when she was alone she used the sonic shower. It made him feel better--a small concession. She was out and dressed before she woke him.
"Hey, time to get up."
"Again?" He peeked at her through one open eye and she laughed at him.
"Time for work." She leaned over and gave him a kiss. "Sorry"
"There are worse fates." He chuckled as he stretched.
"I suppose. If you hurry we can catch breakfast in the mess hall."
"Yes Ma'am." He jumped up and headed for the shower. "Get
me a fresh uniform and I'll be ready in 5."
"Yes Sir!" She laid his clothes out on the bed and went out to
replicate him his morning tea.
By the time they reached the mess hall most of alpha shift was already there, Tom signaled them to come and sit with him and B'Elanna. It was a tight rather uncomfortable fit, but they managed.
"Captain, you look much better this morning." Tom smirked. "You Commander, look like hell."
"Thank you, Tom." She smiled at Chakotay. "I'm afraid he doesn't do as well on just a few hours sleep, as I do."
"God Chak--you threatened me if I kept her from sleeping--then you do?!" B'Elanna shook her finger at him.
"Yeah, for gods sake she's already pregnant--let the woman get some rest."
"Yeah, maybe I'll do that." He tried not to look at Kathryn, but couldn't resist and when he did, neither could hold back the laughter.
"B'E-- I think we missed something here." Tom glanced from one to the other than at B'Elanna.
"That I'm sure about--it's what--that's I want to know."
"I can tell you what you need to know---you need to know that if I catch you letting her crawl around the bowels of this ship again--you will find your self cleaning the exhaust manifolds with your tooth brush." Chakotay stood and offered Kathryn a hand. "Time to go." He turned back to B'Elanna. "Oh --have a nice day."
"Don't take it too seriously---he's always cranky when he doesn't get enough--sleep" She winked at them and turned to followed him out the door.
"Yeah--he can't stop her. How in the hell does he think I can?" B'Elanna shook her head. "Poor Joe, he doesn't want to see either one of them."
"I wouldn't worry about Chakotay---he knows none of us can do anything to stop her. He didn't look too upset when I saw them last night." Tom laughed. "How could he, she did look cute as hell with soot all over her."
"Oh so that's how it is---she looks cute as hell and I'm just dirty?" She gave him a threatening look.
"No, You were---hell B'E cute is not a word I'd ever use to describe you---beautiful, sexy--dangerous, but not cute."
"Not a bad cover." She punched his arm. "But we better get to work before the "cute" one throws our asses in the brig."
As the weeks passed, the Commander's alert system functioned better and better, but no amount of monitoring was fast enough or thorough enough to keep the Captain in line. Once alerted, he would arrive to find her over and under places he couldn't even imagine how she fit into. It became a game of sorts with the crew divided into two camps--those who saw nothing and those who saw everything and reported it immediately to the Commander. He knew sometimes she just set him up. He would get a call that she was climbing here or crawling under this and when he arrived she would be sitting calmly having a conversation with some member of the crew, always happily surprised at his presence. Most of it was in fun, they had had no real trouble and the occasional break down of a minor system was nothing the Captain needed to be involved in-it was just the challenge of getting away with it. He knew they was no real danger and so the game went on.
Joe hailed him, the Captain was prowling around engineering and it made Joe nervous. He wasn't gonna be the one responsible if any thing happened to her. Damn it-- the woman was almost eight months pregnant, why couldn't she go home and put her feet up or something. Chakotay made it to engineering in record time, Joe was waiting. "Bout time." Joe mumbled.
"Excuse me, Lieutenant Carey?" Chakotay challenged Joe, but could help the chuckle that followed.
" 'Bout time, SIR---that better?" He motioned with his head. "Over there--I would appreciate it if you kept your damn wife out of engineering --at least on my watch"
"What's she doing?"
"Nothing---nothing Yet!" Joe gave him a dirty look when he laughed. "You know her--- She will do something and damn it she's the Captain--I can't stop her and then you'll kill me and ...."
"OK--OK I'll see what I can do." He laughed at Joe and headed off to find Kathryn
He almost laughed again when he rounded the corner to find Kathryn sitting on the floor. Talking to Ensign Vorik, who was half way under his console. She was instructing him on how to do something and he was none too pleased, but he calmly followed her directions step by step.
"Captain?"
"Commander, What bring you to engineering?" She smiled innocently--like she didn't know.
"Actually, I was looking for you--thought we could get some dinner." He looked under the console at Vorik, who couldn't hide his relief. "If your not too busy here."
"Oh, Well--Ensign Vorik and I were just making some adjustments." She ducked her head down to see him. "How are we doing Ensign?"
"Fine Ma'am--just fine" He crawled out. "In fact I think you have solved the problem---thank you, I should have no trouble finishing up --if you'd like to take the Commander up on his offer."
"If you're sure?" She knew he was more than glad to be rid of her.
"Oh Yes, Ma'am I'm quite sure."
"Alright then, Commander?"
"Yes, Captain." He knew she wanted him to help her up, but just for a moment he thought about letting her do it herself---god she would have to roll over and crawl to that chair to pull her self to her feet and there was no graceful way to do it--he relented and offered her a hand.
"Thank you." She raised an eyebrow--she knew what he was thinking.
When they left engineering, a collective sigh was audible. Chakotay just nodded to Joe as they passed and Joe smiled, finally able to relax.
"Kathryn you really must stop torturing the crew."
"Torturing? I have done no such thing."
"Please, Kathryn they're all terrified to be around you--afraid you'll so something and ...."
"And you'll kill them. I know--but that's not me--that's you!"
"Oh gods--maybe I'll just kill you and get it over with." He ushered her into the lift.
"Or--" She gave him the crooked smile, sliding her hand up his chest.
"Oh spirits ..." The door to the lift opened and she stepped back.
"Captain, Commander" The young crewman, hesitantly stepped on the lift.
"Crewmen." She nodded and watched the young woman avoid looking at them. "We're on our way to deck two."
"Yes, Ma'am --me too."
They rode the remaining six decks in uncomfortable silence, at least it was uncomfortable for crewman Carter. The lift stopped and Carter couldn't wait to exit, leaving the command team far behind.
"Well there goes another one." Chakotay shook his head.
"I did nothing to that girl."
"Please, the look on your face when the door opened --it scared the hell out of me, I can imagine what she thought." They proceeded through the line, picking out food as they talked.
"She couldn't even see my face--and you ---well ..."
"Yes? " They brought their selections to the table Tom and Harry were sitting at.
"You have nothing to be afraid of." She sat next to Harry. "Hi"
"Oh really, are you telling me that look meant something different?" He sat across from her. "Hi guys"
Tom and Harry said nothing just waited for the conversation to continue.
"Well---no, but ---" She put her fork down and stared at him. "Problem with that?"
"Kathryn-" He saw the sudden change in her mood--damn-- this roller coaster never ends. "I'm only teasing---you know I don't have a problem."
"Sure." She picked up the fork and silently began her meal, looking only at her food.
"So, What's up." Chakotay shrugged at their two stunned table mates.
"Ah-not much." Harry shrugged, looking helpless.
"Ah--B'Elanna should be here soon--she want's to go to Sandrine's." Tom looked around, then made a face at Chakotay, who just shook his head. You guys wanna play some pool?"
"I don't know, Tom---Kathryn feel like pool?" Dumb question, he thought.
"No--I'm tired tonight." She looked up smiling sweetly. "You go if you like---I really need some sleep."
"I don't think so. I.."
"Yes--go." She got up. "In fact, I'm not very hungry--I think I'll go lay down." The smile was in place as she looked at each of them.
"I'll come with you." Chakotay pushed back the food he barely touched.
"NO--" She pushed his food back. "Stay and eat--go play
some pool, I'll see you later--good night Tom, Harry" She walked
off, leaving the younger men speechless.
She left the mess hall, passing B'Elanna with
barely a nod.
"Hew--what did you guys do to her?" She sat in the seat Kathryn just vacated.
"WE did nothing---He did something." Tom pointed to Chakotay.
"Chak what the hell did you do?--she is steaming." B'Elanna looked back in the direction the Captain had gone.
"Nothing--she'll get over it." He continued to eat.
"OK-- if you say so, but she..."
"It's OK B'Ella. She gets like this--not often- thank god."
"For no reason?"
"Basically, it's the damn hormones Hers aren't crazy enough the doctor keeps giving her more. She only seems to take it out on me--it's not so bad..." He smiled at her. "In fact usually it's quite pleasant".
"Have you lost you mind? She looked like she was gonna tear your head off." Harry was wide eyes with amazement. "This you enjoy?"
"No" He laughed. "But this isn't how she usually reacts."
"So how does she USUALLY react." Tom was more than curious now.
"Differently."
"What's differently?" B'Elanna wanted to know now too.
"Just differently--she usually channels her energy in other---more pleasant directions."
"Oh so these guys have it all backwards--do they?" B'Elanna questioned. "You haven't been keeping her up all night at all--have you?"
"Nope."
"OK that's enough---I don't want to hear this." Harry was getting uncomfortable.
"A little like hearing that your mother likes sex?" Tom teased. "How'd you think she got pregnant?"
"I know how she got pregnant---I just don't have to think about it" Harry ears were turning pink.
"Probably a good idea--'cause if she ever hear this discussion--we could all be dead." B'Elanna warned.
"Yea, definitely good advice---you don't want the evil mood to be directed at you---believe me." Chakotay gathered up his dishes and Kathryn's untouched dinner. "Better go check on her." He stood up. "If she's still evil, I'll see you at Sandrine's --if not well.."
"Go, just go." Harry shook his head at him and they all laughed.
Chakotay made his way to the lift, took it down one level and slowly walked to their quarters. He took a deep breath and hope he's find something inside that resembled his wife. He entered the dimly lit quarters, she wasn't in the living area or the bathroom--only one room left. She was in the center of the bed curled into a ball---or as close to it as she could get. He sat on the edge of the bed behind her.
"Kathryn---are you awake?" He spoke softly, placing a gentle hand on her back. "Kathryn?"
"Yeah." Her voice was shaky.
"You OK?" He rubbed her back, feeling the slight vibration--she was crying--oh god. "Hey--you OK?"
"Yeah." She sat up and faced him, her cheeks wet with tears. "I'm sorry---I don't mean to..."
"Shhh." He pulled her into his arms. "It's OK" She cried harder and he held her tighter.
Finally she sat up. He handed her a wad of tissues and she smiled.
"Thanks." She wiped her face and blew her nose. "God --Harry and Tom must think I've lost my mind."
"Why cause you got mad at me?--hell they probably think I deserve it, especially Tom. I'm sure they think you're the Captain and you carry the weight of this ship every hour of every day--no matter who tries to help you and that your eight months pregnant----which none of us can begin to relate to --and hell you're married to me. On that count alone Tom would forgive you anything." She laughed "You didn't eat your dinner---you should eat."
"I'm really not hungry, I'd like a cup of tea though--will you have one with me?" She slid off the bed.
"Yeah --I'll get it."
"No, I'll get it" She looked back at him. "I'm really am not an invalid." She fixed their tea and settled on the couch next to him.
"I don't mean to treat you like an invalid---I just want to help." He placed his hand on her stomach. "There really isn't anything I can do to help you with this."
"You do plenty for me Chakotay---more than most men would ---and you always have. I guess I never thank you, let you know how much I appreciate all you do."
"I wish I could help more with this." He patted her stomach.
"Oh you will--believe me-- you will." She laughed and he rolled his eyes. "The first nine months are mine ---you can have the next nine."
"Guess I left myself wide open for that, didn't I?" He laughed with her. "I might have a little problem breast feeding."
"We'll work on it." She pushed herself to her feet. "I'm gonna lay down--you going to Sandrine's?"
"Are you finished being evil?"
"I wasn't evil--I" She smiled. "Well maybe a little evil--but I'm finished now."
"Then I'll stay here, I have some reports to read---will the light bother you, should I stay out here?"
"No, I should read a few myself---I just want to be comfortable when I do."
"Sure this isn't some trick to get me into bed?" He picked up the padds and followed her into the bedroom.
"Of course it is---you don't think I really want to read another engineering report do you?" She propped herself up on a pile of pillows, sorting through the reports. "Oh much better, how about Neelix's report on the ever dwindling supply of leola root?"
"Real crisis." He settled in next to her happy to have his wife back.
A few more weeks of peace and quiet, no crisis, no unknown enemies, was a welcome blessing for Chakotay. He knew she would not take any kind of official leave, but with no impending doom she did take time out to rest and had no real excuse to go climbing through the jeffries tubes or engage in what ever other adventure came to mind. She did however continue to play the game --just to keep them all on their toes.
Chakotay was on gamma shift, something he tried to avoid these days. He hated to leave her alone and it seemed worse at night for some reason--even though he knew it wasn't. He was only a comm. link away if she needed him and how far could you go on a starship? He really worried more about what she would be up to if he wasn't watching, but tonight she was tired and had already gone to bed when he left.
"Commander, I'm detecting something ---an energy wave of some kind--it's headed right at us." Ensign Watley was new on the bridge. She had only covered Ops a few times alone, and never had anything to report before, so this was exciting.
"Time to intercept." Chakotay ran the reading through his station.
"Four minutes Sir"
"It doesn't look very big---Lieutenant Sommers, what do you think?"
"Should not pose a threat to Voyager Sir." Sommers covered tactical, Tuvok's normal post. "I would think we will hardly notice it's impact."
"I agree, Mr..."
"Sir--A second wave--oh boy--it's big really big" Watley pounded her station. "It's moving fast ETA six minutes."
"Sommers?"
"She's right Sir, this one is dangerous.'
"Red Alert"
"Jenkins--get us out of here."
"Aye Sir" Ensign Jenkins was more than happy to comply.
"Sir we'll never out run it."
"Reinforce the shields."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kathryn had been asleep when the klaxons sounded. It took a little longer to get up and get dressed these days, but she was on her way to the door when the first wave hit. It was a small bump, she grabbed the door frame and hailed the bridge.
"Janeway to bridge" No response, she tried again. "Janeway to bridge" Nothing. She made her way out the door and headed for the lift. Harry had just stepped on and held the door open for her. "Thanks--any word on what this is?"
"No, Captain--the comm. must be down."
"Yeah, I know." She leaned back against the wall and exhaled heavily.
"You OK, Captain?" Harry didn't like the way she looked--but she had been sleeping, at least he had been so he assumed she had too.
"Just took a little more effort to get here, Ensign" She smiled at him. "Seems everything does these days."
"Yes, ma'am" He smiled, trying to force the unwanted picture from his mind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Bridge to engineering" Chakotay hailed.
"Sir the comm. is down" Ensign Watley reported, just as the ship was smacked by the second wave, sending her, slamming into the wall behind her station..
The ship was impacted so hard, for a moment it spun out of control. Alarms rang, wires sparked and systems all over the ship began to fail. Watley regained her footing and began reporting on damages. Tuvok had taken his station and was reporting ships status from there. Tom was at the helm and struggling to bring the ship back under control.
"Commander, we have cleared the wave and are receiving damage reports from all decks." The calm Vulcan voice was reassuring even in the mist of reporting chaos.
"Warp drive is down, we have minimal impulse and thrusters." Tom relayed as he steadied the ship.
"Comm., turbo lifts and transportors are off line, minor structural damage deck three, five eleven and fifteen. Life support and inertia dampers are holding." Watley continued to list minor casualties and damages.
"Sommers, get to engineering and find out what's happening, Jenkins, check the damage on deck three,"
"Aye Sir." They said together and headed for the jeffries tube.
"Jenkins." He waited for her to look up. "Check on the Captain, she should be in her quarters." It really wasn't necessary to tell her that, they all knew why she was checking deck three.
"Aye Sir." She smiled at him. "I'll report right back"
~~~~~~~~~~
"Oh great." Harry couldn't believe his luck as the lights flickered
and the lift stopped. He watched the Captain out of the corner of
his eye--she didn't look happy.
Then suddenly the ship pitched. The inertia dampers must have wavered, he would have sworn they were turned on their side, then it righted. The impact had thrown the both against the wall, unfortunately the Captain landed first and Harry slammed into her.
"God, Are you OK?" Harry jumped back at loud grunt the Captain let out. "Sorry, I.."
"I'm fine, Harry--just knocked the wind out of me" She straighten up, but leaned back against the wall with a slight grimace.
"Captain.?."
"Harry, relax--I'm sure B'Elanna will have us out of here soon."
"Yes Ma'am" He didn't think she sounded to convincing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It took half an hour for Jenkins to make the climb back to the bridge. Chakotay was more than a little impatient. They had no communications, no lifts, no warp drive and all they could get from the Computers were damage reports. At least they still had helm control and sensors. They detected no more waves and were limping along on course.
"Commander." Jenkins called out before she even reached the bridge level.
"Jenkins--what's wrong--is the Captain alright?"
"She's not there, Sir" A winded Jenkins climbed out of the tube. "I had security override the lock when she didn't answer -- she's not in there."
He was stunned, how would he find her. The computer couldn't locate anyone, he had no comm. and Voyager wasn't a big ship as starship went but, it could take days to check all fifteen decks. He sat in the command chair.
"Sir?" Jenkins was standing in front of him. "Should I check, the mess, sickbay, engineering?"
"Yes thanks--good idea and let the security teams know to notify me when she's found."
"Aye Sir." Jenkins headed back down the tube.
Chakotay couldn't understand why she wasn't in their quarters, what would make her get out of bed and leave.
"Shit." He said it out loud and the whole bridge turned to look at him. "The red alert---damn it--she's in that turbo lift--she must be."
"Commander, relax. I'll climb down and open the escape hatch." Tom moved up to the command level. "We can't get her out that way, but at least we'll know she's OK."
"Right--do it." Chakotay knew he was right, he couldn't fit through the hatch and Kathryn couldn't right now either -- not that he wanted her climbing up two decks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Harry, I need to sit down help me." Harry gently lowered her to the floor of the lift. "How long have we been in here?"
"A little over an hour" He watched her closer now, this was not good. "I'm sure they are working on it."
"I hope they hurry." She grimaced again and Harry nodded, giving her a strange look. "What?"
"That one was barely three minutes."
"Timing me, Harry?"
"Yes ma'am and I sure hope B'Elanna hurries, cause I never delivered a baby before." He looked a little pale when he smiled.
"Well, Harry---that makes two of us, 'cause I never had a baby before."
They heard someone above them, but they had already tried the hatch---it didn't open. Harry yelled to them but he could only hear muffled sound in return, no words could be distinguished. They tried for a while to open the hatch and Harry tried to help them but it didn't work and they went away. Harry sat down next to the Captain.
"You OK? Can I do something?" He had no idea what he just thought he should ask.
"I'm OK." Her eyes were closed, her head was against the wall, her fists were clenched: she sure didn't look OK. "If they don't move this thing soon..." She stopped speaking: Harry waited --it was a long one. "You just might get the chance, Harry."
~~~~~~~~~~~
Chakotay was getting a little edgy. It had been over three hours since the lift stopped and over an hour since B'Elanna promised a comm. link. He had all he could to not to strangle her when she climbed out of the jeffries tube.
"What the hell is the hold up?" He blocked her path.
"Chak---get out of the way--almost got it." She ducked around him and pulled up the decking in front of the engineering station on the bridge. "Try it."
"Chakotay to Janeway" He waited --nothing. "Chakotay to Janeway."
"It should work --- Torres to Carey"
"Carey here"
"OK, we have comm. Now back to the lift. I'm going down Joe--I'll call you."
"I'll be ready. Carey out"
"Chakotay to Janeway" He looked at B'Elanna.
"Kim to Bridge"
"Harry, where are you?" He didn't need to answer they could hear Kathryn in the background.
"Busy here--talk later." Harry left the link open.
Chakotay stood with his mouth open. No one on the bridge moved. They could hear everything in the lift. Kathryn gave a groan and a sharp cry, They could hear Harry encourage her, another groan. B'Elanna came to stand by Chakotay, everyone listened.
"Harry." Kathryn's voice was shrill--another deep groan.
"OK ---Take a deep breath---almost --come on." Harry was excited almost yelling. "I see her--Come on. Captain-- almost there."
Everyone was still as they listened to the activity in the turbo lift. There was nothing else they could do. It seemed to go on forever. Harry was yelling now, suddenly they heard a cry and then Harry let out a whoop and Kathryn was crying or laughing or maybe both.
"Captain--she's so beautiful." Harry was suddenly awestruck.
"Let me see her, Harry" Kathryn laughed "Harry---thank you."
"Wow--we did it."
"Kathryn?" Chakotay let the tears fall freely.
"Chakotay---she is beautiful."
"Kathryn --how are you? Are you alright?"
"I'm OK." They heard her laugh. "Harry's a little green--but we're all fine."
"Have you out of there soon, Captain" B'Elanna suddenly remembered she was supposed to be working on the lift.
"Hey, Maquis?"
"Yea, Starfleet?"
"A little late."
"Yeah, but ya done good Kid."
"You sure did Harry, why I couldn't have done better myself." Tom joined the group. "Captain, you should try nursing her---it will help with the delivery of the placenta and bleeding."
"OK---Here Harry help me with this.---Harry, don't get shy on me now--help me."
"Yes Ma'am." Kathryn and Harry laughed and the entire bridge with them.
B'Elanna grabbed her tools and climbed down the shaft She worked feverishly for twenty minutes then signaled Joe.
"Torres to Carey"
"Carey here"
"Ready Joe?"
"All set on this end"
"OK ---We're gonna lower this thing to deck 5---that's all we want for right now--got it?"
"Aye--deck five ---here we go, nice and easy"
"Torres to Chakotay"
"Yes B'Elanna"
"Here they come"
"We're Ready." Chakotay and the Doctor were outside the lift doors on deck five, as it slowly descended.
The lift reached deck five, well almost. It wasn't quite all the way down, but far enough to let them out. The doors needed a little coaxing and the Doctor was afraid Chakotay would rip them off before he managed to pry them open. Finally they opened and Kathryn and the baby were whisked away to sickbay. A shaky Harry Kim made his way back to his quarters.
Having been scanned and prodded, examined and finally declared fit, mother and daughter were released from sickbay. Chakotay watched silently as Catrina finished nursing and Kathryn prepared to leave.
"Well, you look better than the last time I saw you." Harry joined the little family.
"You too!" Kathryn laughed. "Catrina, say hello to Uncle Harry." She handed him the tiny bundle, which he reluctantly took.
"I don't know--I'm not good at this." He held her like he thought she would break.
"That's what you said before and you did great."
"Not me---you did all the work--I just caught her."
"You gave the orders this time."
"Yeah--I guess I did." He laughed. "Do me a favor---next time, let Tom do it."
"Next Time?!" Chakotay hadn't considered -'next time'
"TOM!!" Kathryn wasn't ready for 'Tom'
They had spoken at the same time and now stared at each other in amused disbelief.
"God Tom---that is more than I'm prepared to think about now." Kathryn shook her head.
"Never mind that---what next time?" Chakotay looked a little frightened.
"You want to do this again?!"
"Well, I thought we could wait a little while--I wouldn't want to do
it right now--but...." She and Harry were laughing at his expression.
"We'll talk about it." She winked at Harry and took Chakotay's
arm. "Come on Daddy let's go home."
The End