Okay, This was my entry in the Pond13 Story contest. We wrote stories and an anonymous pond member was the judge, and the stories sent out to the list mom only, and she in turn posted them anonymously. SO no one knew who wrote what, except the list mom. Not even the judge knew. There was also a contest to guess who wrote what.

I didn't win for my story, but I guessed the most correct answers as far as who wrote what. The story that one was very good, writen by Ghostwriter called "A Time for Us" with "Wonder" Coming in second, written by our newest member Kat. Both stories were Wonderful! If you get a chance to read them do so! Hopefully Our list mom will get them posted to the Pond 13 website soon.

YES, I know this is rated G... don't everyone faint at once! LOL

Paramount owns these Characters. I just let them have fun.

And So It Starts By Guinan

"Well, if that is all?" Kathryn stood and looked around the table at her senior staff. "All right, dismissed."

Everyone had returned to their duty stations, except Chakotay. Hanging back, he waited until they were alone. "Captain, there is one more thing..." he hesitated.

"Yes Chakotay, what is it?" Kathryn settled back into her seat, motioning for him to do the same. Taking his seat, Chakotay leaned forward, "Lt. Bristow has approached me for permission to marry Megan Delaney."

Kathryn sat back "Well... we knew it was going to happen eventually. Have you discussed this with them both?"

"Yes. Actually, they have been wanting to do this for months now, but it always seemed to be one disaster or another lately." He smiled a small smile.

Kathryn rose to stare out the window at the stars streaming past. "And so it starts..."

"Pardon?"

Turning to face her first officer, she gave him a wan smile. "I guess it is no longer a matter of if, as a matter of when."

"You've lost me."

"First the crew pairs off, then children... families." Looking at Chakotay, she let out a resigned sigh. "We knew it might happen, and if Voyager is forced to make the entire journey back home we *will* need to start having children. The question has always been when? When do we make the decision that no short cut will be forth coming? That the only way home is the long way? And if it does take Voyager 50+ years to get home, we *will* need a new generation of crew on this ship, other wise there won't be anyone left to run the ship except Tuvok." Kathryn smiled at the thought of her old friend sailing into federation space at the ripe old age of 170 years of age.

Kathryn took her seat again and continued "When do we make that decision? It's been 5 years, do we make it now? How about at 10, maybe at 20? And who then will be still young enough to have and raise these children?"

Chakotay grinned "I'm 42 now, in 20 years I don't think I'll be up to that challenge"

"I made a promise to this crew to get them home, but at what cost?" Kathryn mused. "If we don't allow families on Voyager, we deny this crew a chance at reclaiming something they lost by being trapped out here. And if we do allow families, it's such a risk. A risk of being killed by a new enemy, of a technical failure that could blow us to bits. Is it fair to bring children into this situation? Just as a means to ensure getting home?"

Chakotay leaned over clasping her hands in his larger ones, "Kathryn, allowing human nature to take its course is part of life, and so is risk. It's human nature to seek companionship, and this situation is unique. I know that this ship wasn't prepared for families. But we will just do what we always do, adapt and make do. You can refuse to perform marriage ceremonies, but that won't stop the people on this ship from falling in love. Falling in love is usually not a matter of choice. And it isn't always convenient."

"No, it's not is it?" Smiling, she patted his hands as she pulled hers away to stand and walk back to the window again. Chakotay rose to follow her, standing a few feet behind.

Looking at him through the reflection, "Don't you ever think about it Chakotay?"

"Yes, I think everyone does. Don't you?"

Turning with a smile "Yes, I do. Quite a lot actually."

Chakotay tried to suppress a grin " Oh really?" and before his better judgment could stop him, "Anyone I know?"

Kathryn nodded, having trouble finding her voice... when she did, it was full of emotion "Yes... " her eyes shining brightly. "You may have seen him around, a big fellow, former angry warrior, funny looking tattoo over his left eye."

Chakotay feigning indignance "Funny looking?"

Kathryn gave a small laugh. "Okay, how about interesting?"

Chakotay smiled, dimples in full force "Well... I suppose its better than funny looking."

Moving slightly. "Yes, well so you see I think about this fellow and I quite a bit these days."

Chakotay moved just a little closer. "Just think?"

"Well... you see, Starfleet never covered our unique situation. And as much as I might think about it, I don't know if I can ever act on it. For once in my life, I don't know what to do."

Now it was Chakotay who seemed to lose his voice.

Kathryn closing the distance between them. "So what should I do Chakotay? Indulge my feelings? Hold fast to protocol? What?" her voice breaking.

Chakotay looked at her with all the love in his heart. "You have plenty of time to think about it Kathryn, I have it on good authority that your angry warrior will wait as long as it takes."

All Kathryn could do was smile, a weight had been lifted from her shoulder. But then wasn't he always the one to do that? Returning her smile, Chakotay asked "So, should I go tell them to start planning a wedding?"

Smiling as Kathryn nodded. "Yes. You know Chakotay, this might just be the beginning."

Sitting down again she reached for a padd, calling up the data for fleet protocol on ships with families. "This ship wasn't designed for families, it was designed for war. This won't be easy."

"It never is."

"I suppose we need to define parameters for married couples and eventually for families."

Chakotay smiled at the familiar phrase. "The sooner the better." "Well lets get to work, and I'll make the ship wide announcement on the new protocols in the morning."

~~~~~~1 month Later~~~~~~

Walking side by side down the corridor, Kathryn stopped in front of the door to her quarters. "It was a lovely ceremony, wasn't it?" Turning to Chakotay, she asked. "Coming in for a nightcap?"

Chakotay almost declined, but at the last minute said, "Yes, thanks I'd love to."

Kathryn motioned for him to take a seat on her couch, while she replicated a bottle of Saurian brandy and two glasses. Taking the tray to the couch, she poured them each a glass and raised hers to a toast.

"To the bride and groom."

"Here here" Chakotay joined in their toast. After taking a sip Kathryn set her glass down. " Well I had a nice time."

"Me too. Only..."

Kathryn raised a eyebrow "Only what, Commander?"

"Only... I never got to dance with the Captain." Chakotay looked slightly injured. With a laugh, Kathryn replied "Well! We can't have that now can we? Computer, play music selection, Janeway beta 4" Music began playing softly in the background, Kathryn stood up "Commander, may I have the pleasure?"

"Why of course, Captain" Standing he moved with her into the middle of the room and taking her lightly in his arms, they began to dance with the music. After a few moments, Kathryn moved in closer, laying her head against his chest. Listening to the sound of his heart beating, she let out a long sigh. Chakotay pulled back slightly, "What's wrong?"

"Hmm? Nothing, just thinking"

"Ahhh..."

Kathryn looked up in amusement. "Ahh? " "Well I like it when you're thinking." he replied, his voice filled with humor.

"You do, do you?" She asked softly. "I wonder if you'll like this better?" With that, she reached behind his head, guiding his head towards her, their first kiss. Hesitant at first, Kathryn's lips parted eagerly under Chakotay's probing tongue, tasting the sweetness of his desire and igniting the underlying passion that sent currents through her. Chakotay reluctantly broke the kiss. Kathryn took him by the hand leading him into her bedroom.

"And so it starts..." Chakotay said before her lips reclaimed his.

~~~~Finis~~~~

Back to All Ages Fanfiction