Disclaimer: This is my story, but the characters (with the exception of any new ones) belong to the god of all gods, Paramount. Gotta love 'em! And the picture also belongs to one of many Voyager sites. It comes from that lovely episode "Counterpoint"

Note: I've been working on this since "Counterpoint" came out, and if you're reading it, that means I finally finished it! And although I'd never meant it to, it kind of seems to be a prologue to "Kalena's Cry". And to explain the title- Checkmate, due to the fact that a checkmate is when you have your opponent conquereed. Counterpoint...because, well...just because, I suppose.

PG-13, only for the swearing and the light scenes that show /nothing/.

The Delta Quadrant.

Nothing different here.

Kathryn Janeway stared out the large viewing window in her ready room, heart sinking at the usual sight of unfamiliar territory. After four years... you'd think...

She shook her head. No, Kathryn, don't be getting all melancoly on me, she chided herself. A pillar of strength, that's what she had to be. If not, what good was she to the crew, to herself. But still, there was a nasty little snag. Her emotions. Her feelings. She kept them locked inside for so long, she was afraid she'd lost the key. Her personal tug-of-war was interrupted almost blessingly by the chirp of her commbadge, then the familiar voice of Ensign Kim, Voyager's chief of operations.

"Kim to the Captain."

"Janeway here."

"Captain, a Malon freighter is approaching us. They're raising shields."

"Say no more, Mr.Kim. I'm on my way." The Captain glanced out the window once more, then marched onto the bridge. "Report."

"They just came forward, and raised their shields without warning." Commander Chakotay informed her as she took her place beside him.

"Hail them." She ordered. Her ears caught the sounds of Kim moving to acknowledge her orders, and then:

"Nothing, Captain. They aren't responding."

"And I thought we were done with them." Janeway sighed, sounding to Chakotay as if she needed a good long rest, and perhaps dinner. "Ensign, keep trying."

"Aye, Captain." She leaned back, head sinking into the deep grey cushion. Chakotay watched her carefully, trying not to make it obvious, but sure that if she were to look, she'd see the deep worry etched in his wise features.

"Captain," He leaned over, and she turned to look at him. "you look tired. Maybe..."

"I'd like to see what the Malon are up to, Chakotay." She interrupted, facing forward again. "After that, I'll get some rest."

"Okay, then." He didn't look like he believed her, but she leaned back confidently and told herself that it was his problem, not hers.

"Captain, the Malon vessel is releasing a theta radiation cloud." Ensign Kim reported, and the Captain dug her fingernails into the armrests as the ship tremored slightly.

"Shields?" She asked.

"Down to eighty three percent." He informed her.

"Lieutenant Tuvok?"

"All weapon systems are armed and standing by, Captain." Tuvok replied. Janeway shook her head.

"Stand down weapons for now, Tuvok. I don't want to seem a threat until we see if we can't resolve this peacefully." She turned to Chakotay. "Commander, I-"

The ship jolted suddenly, throwing an unexpecting Janeway to the floor, and she found herself pinned underneath her first officer, which would have been an amusing situation had the circumstances been different.

"Report!" She cried, muffled a bit as Chakotay tried his best to lift himself off, and then reached down to help his captain to her feet.

"The Malon just released another cloud, Captain. This time it was a large percentage of their cargo hold." Ensign Kim sounded strained, and Janeway could see a large gash on his smooth, normally unmarred forehead. "Shields down to sixty two percent."

"Ensign, report to Sickbay. Get a replacement for Ops." She threw the order out to no one in particular, knowing it would be done before she even got the words out. That was how smoothly her crew operated. "Why would they attack us unprovoked? Tuvok?"

"I do not believe I have an explanation, Captain." Tuvok replied dryly, and she almost imagined she heard a hint of exasperation in his voice. Though of course, that wasn't possible.

"Commander?" She settled herself into the captain's chair once more, again leaning back into the soft cushions, but finding herself unable to relax.

"Maybe they're attempting to get hold of our multi-spacial probe again." Chakotay offered.

"No, they've tried that before." Janeway replied, shaking her head. "They know we're not going to release it that easily."

"Perhaps they are concealing a weapon in this area of space, and are attempting to keep us from discovering it." Seven of Nine's cool tones came from behind, where she stood at her usual station aft of the command platform. "The Malon are known for their..... unwillingness to share knowledge."

"Perhaps." The Captain nodded. "It's possible, but somehow I don't think that's their reason. Ops, what's the status of their vessel?"

Ensign Dannon McNeil had replaced the injured Ensign Kim; he stood at attention and snapped to as soon as Janeway's inquiry reached his ears. "They've fallen back, Captain."

"It's just a calm, cool game of chess." Janeway stated. "They're waiting for us to make the next move."

"Will you?" Chakotay asked, leaning close. The Captain looked at him, almost as if she'd forgotten he was there, and paused.

"I'm not sure." She murmured. "It's a stalemate either way. They have us over a barrel, we don't know what they're doing, and we have to figure it out. They won't wait forever."

"I would not underestimate their integrity, Captain." Seven spoke up. Janeway nodded.

"Understood, but I won't stand here and let them intimidate me." She stood up and began to move torward her ready room. "Chakotay, you have the bridge. Mr.McNeil, send all skematics on the Malon ship to my computer terminal. I was never very good at chess, and I intend to come out with the upper hand this time."

Captain Janeway sipped from her coffee mug absently, eyes locked on the colorful display of the Malon ship, hanging so awkwardly on her desktop viewer. The Malon certainly didn't build their ships for the looks. Each vessel was blocky, reminding the captain of a garbage scow from old earth history. Starfleet would get a kick out of these, she told herself amusedly.

"Computer, display interior blueprints of Malon vessel." The screen shifted, and a rugged view of the malon interior replaced the current image. Janeway sighed, consentrating briefly on the aft section of the vessel, where the cargo hold was located. "List all short range scan results of Malon vessel."

"Short range scans uncovered numerous theta-radiation readings, as well as residual transport traces." The computer replied in crisp, emotionless female tones.

"Transport traces? Origin?"

"Origin: Devore."

"Devore, hmm?" The captain allowed herself a sly, half smile. The Devore were well known to the crew by now. Thanks to Inspector Kashyk, Voyager had barely escaped with their lives after aiding and abedding telepathic refugees in an escape past the borders of Devore space. Kashyk hadn't particularly seemed to eager to pursue them, but his aide, Prax, had been another story. There was always the distinct possibility that Kashyk had been overthrown, but Janeway almost found that too far fetched to be true.

"Captain to the bridge."

"Report."

"A small craft has dropped out of warp on our starboard side, Captain." Ensign McNeil informed her, his youthful face serious and attentive. "They seem to be conferring with the Malon, and we've picked up detection of several subspace communiques."

"Hmm." Janeway mused for a moment, propping her chin in her hand. "I wonder what they're up to."

"Captain," Chakotay leaned over, lowering his voice for only her to hear. "did you find out anything about the Malon?"

"Actually, I did." Janeway brought up the panel between them, displaying a list of earlier scans on the Malon ship. "It seems our friends were meeting up with Devore soldiers, or possibly civilians, though I doubt as much. It's my theory that whoever is on that ship has paid the Malon a great deal to pass through this area."

"The Devore." Chakotay's tone was easily read. "I wonder what they'd want with the Malon."

"The Malon know us, dislike us, and so do the Devore." The Captain lovered the panel and met her first officers' gaze. "It could be a bounty hunt of some kind."

"And we've got a price on our heads." Ensign Paris spoke up from helm. "How fitting."

"Easy, Tom." Janeway regarded the viewscreen with measured calm. "I'm not sure what they're doing, but-"

"Captain!" Ensign McNeil cut her off. "The smaller craft is hailing us."

"Can you identify them?"

"I'm not sure.. there's a bio-electric field blocking sensors. Wait, I'm filtering through it....." McNeil paused, then continued. "It's Devore."

Janeway stood, a strange feeling overcoming her senses. She almost recognized it as hope... and a bit of caution. "On screen, Ensign."

The main viewscreen faltered, then the view of the Malon vessel disappeared, and was replaced by a soot-smudged, bloodied face. Janeway felt a wash of deja-vu and immediately knew why, as the figure spoke.

"Captain Janeway, how pleasant to see you again."

"Inspector." She greeted him icily, remembering Voyager's former incounters with the duty-bound soldier. "And to what do we owe the pleasure of this encounter?"

"Why, Captain, I'm surprised you don't seem more.... pleased to see me."

"Pleased?" The captain had to fight to hold back a smile. "Why should I be pleased, Inspector?"

"Didn't I tell you I despise that title? Please, call me Kashyk......Kathryn."

She ignored his use of her name. He'd been allowed to, once, but that was before. This was now.

"Never mind with the formalities, Inspector. The question is, what are you doing here? She met his gaze sharply, hoping to intimidate him, but knowing full well that she couldn't. He didn't move nor speak, and her patience ended quickly. "Inspector, my ready room. I believe you know the way."

"I do, Captain." The viewscreen winked out abruptly, and Janeway frowned at the picture of Kashyk's tiny vessel. She turned to walk into the ready room, and once the doors were closed, turned to find the Devore inspector sitting smugly at her desk awaiting her. Circling the room carefully, she settled on the couch and watched him.

"You don't seem to be happy to see me, Captain." Kashyk reached up to wipe a smear of blood from his cheek. The Captain stood up, ducking into her private head and emerging with a damp cloth in her hand.

"Here. Let me clean this up. It seems superficial to me; no need to bother the Doctor with it."

"Kathryn," Kashyk's hand seized her wrist sharply, and she was surprised at how strong a grip he had. She looked down, realizing it was a mistake the moment she met his coal black eyes. "did you miss me?"

"No."

"I thought about you often- ever since we released Voyager." He said, refusing to let her go. "You're different than anyone I have ever encountered."

"Wonderful." She continued to blot at his wounds with her cloth, trying her best not to meet his gaze again. His hand slid off her wrist, but she could still feel his eyes on her as she reached for the bloodstain at the corner of his mouth.

He took her hand again, but this time he brought it to his lips, gently kissing the palm and back, moving up to the wristband of her uniform, and stopping...but only for a moment before he peered up into her eyes.

"I do love you, Kathryn. I followed the Malon vessel just to find Voyager. It was the only way I could think of to find you again, and now that I have, they'll leave."

"Oh?" Janeway tilted her head slightly as she continued to mop his forehead. "And why would you do that?"

"Kathryn," His smooth, alien accent pronounced her name with ease, and she felt a slight shiver go down her back. "You're enchanting, beautiful...... challenging. That is everything I fell in love with, and I will always be enraptured by those qualities.....as well as do anything I can to experience it again."

"Kashyk.." She wanted to come out sounding harsh, a rebuke, but somehow as she met those ebony orbs, she knew it was impossible for her to ever sound like that again.

His lips crushed hers in a passionate kiss, arms wrapping around her body and holding her tightly. She could feel his tongue slide between her lips, tasting her, and another light shiver traveled down her spine. With that simple gesture he made her feel loved, more so than anyone ever had, and despite her better judgement she knew that she loved him in return.

Kashyk stepped obediently into the brig, concealing a smile as Captain Janeway stood outside and gave him a stern glare. The force field shimmered into place, and she fixed her sapphire orbs on him sternly.

"You'll stay in the brig until we decide if we can trust you, Inspector." She informed him, arms crossed defiantly.

"And how long will that be, Captain?"

"That's up to you, I'm afraid." She turned around, marching swiftly out the door, but not before Kashyk caught a brief glimpse of her radiant smile.

Janeway stepped into the corridor, all her restraints in place as she fought the urge to turn and run back, to release Kashyk from his prison. She'd never stopped loving him, never stopped wondering, and now was her chance to find out what would have been..or what could be.

"Captain?" A tug on her arm brought her to a halt, as she reached out to deliver a swift chop to the knee of her attacker- but instead Commander Chakotay stepped back, allowing her hand to sweep cleanly through thin air. Janeway stumbled and caught herself, surprised.

"Commander? Why did you do that?"

"My apologies, Captain." Chakotay approached cautiously, palms up in offering of peace. "But you were miles away."

"Was I?" The Captain forced a laugh, knowing it indeed sounded that way. "I don't know why, Chakotay."

"I can imagine." The first officer spoke gently, his wise eyes capturing hers. "What were you thinking about?"

"I was wondering what to do about Kashyk... our prisoner. He can't very well stay in the brig forever, but I..."

"You what?" Chakotay prompted, beginning to look worried. He'd never seen his captain so hesitant to speak.

"I think we can trust him." Janeway released the deep breath she'd been holding. "Call it intuition, call it anything you want, but I think we can. He's convinced me-"

"Convinced you?" Chakotay couldn't believe his ears at what she was saying. "Captain?"

"I don't know, but I am inclined to believe him, Chakotay. He told me he's deserted the imperium, that he's hoping to start his own life."

"You believe him. He lied to you once, and you believe him?"

Janeway was beginning to look agitated. "Didn't you believe Seska when she cried out for help? And Riley as well?"

"This time it's different." He looked at her closely, and what he saw in her eyes nearly made him recoil in shock. "No.. it isn't, is it? It's no different than Seska, or Riley. You're in love with him, aren't you, Kathryn?"

Janeway's eyes widened in reflex. How could he know? This man- she confided everything to him except this, and somehow he knew. How was that possible?

"I don't think-" She began, but he cut her off.

"You're too close to this, Captain. If you have developed feelings for him, your judgement is going to be severely impared. You can't decide what's going to happen next. Can't you see that?"

"No."

"You have to. You need to see what's going on, how he has manipulated you. You can't let this happen."

"Chakotay," The Captain took a deep breath and looked up. "You're right."

"I am." He sounded doubtful.

"Yes. I am too close to this, and I've spent too much time with Kashyk to know what effect it is having on my judgement. I'll assign this detail to you, Commander, and keep my distance per your request."

"You don't have to do that." Chakotay protested. "I was just voicing my concerns, pointing out that you should be more careful. That's all."

"Your concern is duly noted, Commander, but I'll be fine. Don't worry yourself about it."

"I'm not worried about 'it', Captain, so much as I'm worried about you. Don't let him near, or he'll hurt you again."

"Again?" Another surprise. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing. Just.... be careful." And he was gone, leaving her to stand in the corridor alone with her thoughts, and tackling her emotions.

"He does care for me, you know." That evening found Kathryn Janeway in Kashyk's arms once more, cozied up on the sofa in her quarters, her wrapped within his strong embrace and covered by a soft azure blanket.

"I don't doubt that, Kathryn. I've seen the way he looks at you. It is much more than the concern of a lesser officer for his captain." Kashyk's breath came to tickle her ear gently. "But ask yourself if you'd be happy."

"You know," Kathryn twisted to look at him, expression open and unsure. "I don't know. I really don't know."

"Well then," The strong arms pulled her closer, and she let them. "How about some food for thought, then?" And he began to nibble down her throat, leaving a tiny red trail in his wake. He moved upward in a painstakingly slow way, finally reaching her mouth and crushing it together with his own. One of his hands moved to her thigh, brushing against it suggestively, and she moaned.

"Kashyk, we can't let this happen...I don't want the crew to think..."

"Think what, Kathryn?" He pulled back, looking down at her and smiling. "Your crew cares about what makes you happy. I care about you being happy, and if this will help in any way..."

"I have no doubt you will make me happy, but somehow, I don't know..." Her mind, with its lingering doubts, was in high warp. She didn't know what to do, what to go with. Her heart, or Kashyk's gentle insistance? Chakotay's warning was embedded far within her skull- back where it would not even tickle her concience in the slightest.

"Then let me make you happy, if you have no doubts." Kashyk slipped one warm, strong hand under her uniform top, coming into contact with cool skin. "I love you, Kathryn."

His hands reached up and tugged at her uniform. She allowed it all, finding herself almost eager to feel his body against hers. He made quick work of it, leaving the garment crumpled on the floor, and Kathryn lying beside him, in her peachy silk chemise.

"Lovely thing," He said, admiring it. "But I fear it hides the beauty I want to see."

"Then take it off." Kathryn's voice was a whisper, barely audible. Kashyk's hands moved like quicksilver over her body, shedding the silken garment as easily as the outer layer of an onion. His touch sent shivers down her spine, and she succumbed to his charms quicker than she had expected, or ever even planned.

They lay in each others arms the next morning, breathing slowed to normal after making love off and on throughout the night. Kathryn raised her head tiredly, looking through shaded eyes at Kashyk's unclothed form. One of her hands ran lightly over his biceps, marveling silently at the strength he possessed. She would have never imagined that one so strong could indeed be so gentle.

"You're awake early." His lips brushed hers before she even realized he'd woken up, and she smiled.

"It's a habit. I have bridge duty in ten minutes." Kathryn slid out of bed, pulling a silk robe of robin's egg blue over her shoulders and securing the waist. "And you need to be beamed back to the brig before they miss you."

"Why not arrange for me to have my own quarters, assuming that would be much more convenient?"

"Convenient for whom?" Her blue eyes laughed at him, and he laughed in return.

"That all depends, my dear Captain." He rose quickly, pulling on his shabby peasant clothing and wrapping strong arms around Kathryn's waist. "Who would it be convenient for?"

"If I wasn't Captain, I could say it would be convenient." Kathryn laughed, pulling herself away and heading for the bathroom. "But as I said, I have duty, and you have to be going."

"If you say so... Captain." His irrisistable grin appeared, and she shook her head.

"Computer, initiate site-to-site transport of Inspector Kashyk to the brig. Authorization Janeway pi-one-one-zero."

"I'll see you later." She smiled, and turned away as the familiar sounds of a transport- in-progress filled her quarters.

"Good morning, Captain." Kathryn Janeway, her captain's mask once more in place, stepped off the turbolift and accepted her first officer's greeting with a smile.

"Commander. What's our status?"

"Any Devore ships on long range sensors?" Janeway interrupted, looking up to operations and an exhausted Ensign Kim.

"Ah... no, Captain. None so far." Kim snapped to attention, though still appearing drowsy to the trained eye. Janeway couldn't blame him, as she hadn't gotten very much sleep herself.

"Ensign, why don't you turn in? You've done enough for now." She said kindly, gesturing to the turbolift. Kim nodded, too exhaused to refuse. "Get yourself a replacement."

"Captain, may I ask how our passenger is faring?" Chakotay inquired, noting the way his Captain refused to meet his gaze at that exact moment.

"Fine, Commander. I checked in on him myself, this morning."

"I'm sure you did." Chakotay countered, expression void of anything other than the slightest hint of anger in his deep brown eyes.

"I don't think I caught that, Commander." Janeway kept her voice low, and a hint of danger crept into the tone. "Would you mind repeating it?"

"It was nothing, Captain."

"I didn't think so." She turned, tresses of auburn spilling lightly over her shoulders as she gazed up at Ops. A young man had replaced Kim the instant he'd left the bridge, and she smiled softly at the promptness and efficiency with which her crew operated.

"Ensign... Mitchell. Anything on long range sensors?"

"Good. I'll be in my ready room, then, if you need me. Commander," she took off without having to meet the gaze of her first officer. "you have the bridge."

"Captain," He almost reached for her arm as she passed, but she stopped him with a stern glare. "May I speak with you in private?"

Janeway paused, then nodded, and Chakotay silently relinquished his brief lived command to Tuvok. They walked into the ready room silently, but the second the door closed, Janeway spun to face her second in command, expression stern and unforgiving.

"Commander, what was the meaning of all that?"

"Captain.." Chakotay sighed, turning his head to glance at the shelf behind Janeway's desk, eyes landing on the graceful, thin stemmed pink rose that balanced lightly on the edge. She'd kept it. "I apologize for what happened a minute ago. I'm concerned for your safety- you know that."

"Yes, I do know that." The Captain moved torward the viewport and the panoramic view of strange stars that cast their mysterious light upon her red-brown hair and made it glow. Chakotay swallowed, remembering why he cared. "I can't explain the feeling myself, Chakotay, but I know that I can take care of myself."

"With Kashyk? He lied, Kathryn, not only to you, but-"

"He kissed me." She coughed abruptly, wanting to take the words back. Chakotay stared up at her, unwilling to say anything but giving her the chance to continue, to repair what damage she had done.

She didn't speak again. Just stared out the window, as he'd known she would. And that hurt- much more than he would have imagined.

"Kathryn, look at me. You were under a lot of stress. The Devore situation, the refugees- they were putting more strain on you than you were willing to admit. It's-"

"No." She did look at him, eyes pleading, sad. "I kissed him back, Chakotay. It's gone much farther than a simple kiss goodbye. I kissed him back, and now.."

"Now, what?" He asked, dreading the answer.

"I love him."

"How?"

"The transport to your quarters. I was informed of it last night."

"Oh, no.." Janeway breathed, collapsing onto the sofa and placing a hand over her mouth. "I must have forgotten-"

"That's all right." Chakotay reached for her hand and pulled it away. "Kathryn, you can't do this. It isn't right for anyone, especially you."

"Why not?"

"You're not seeing straight. Your judgement is impared, you can't see what's right in front of you." His hand remained wrapped around hers, and her eyes fell to it, then rose to meet his. The sapphire orbs shone brightly, and he realized suddenly that she could see, very well in fact, what was directly in front of her.

"I'm sorry." She whispered, chin lowered to her chest in defeat. "I was too afraid to tell you, to let on, and I used that fear in a way that hurt you. I never meant it. You know I didn't mean it."

"I know. You didn't, but you can't keep this up. It's hurting you, and that bothers me." Chakotay's smile brought on a smile of her own, and she held it as a lifeline. She had to smile.

"I thank you for your concern, Chakotay- truly, I do. But there are some things I have to handle myself, and this is one of them. But I assure you, I'll be all right."

He shook his head, a sigh escaping his lips. "Kathryn.."

"Don't, please." Reaching for his other hand, she squeezed both in her tiny palms. "Chakotay, I'm your friend..that doesn't mean you have to feel obligated to look out for me."

"If anything, I've learned that you take care of yourself." Chakotay agreed. "But Kashyk, and this situation- it's different."

"No more than usual." The Captain stood, rolling her neck with a grimace. "Chakotay, I'm all for this conversation, but-"

"I know. Early in our shift, in your ready room, isn't the most opportune time. I understand, Kathryn." He stood as well, leaving without another word. His captain watched the door closely for a moment, half expecting him to come charging back, to explain his worries, to justify his thoughts.

But he didn't come, and after a moment she realized that he wouldn't. Replacing her frown with a forced smile, she straightened her uniform jacket and followed in his wake.

"Oh, God.." Days past found her holding a tattered towel in her moist, sticky hands, groaning as she pressed her face into it. "Chakotay.."

"Kathryn." He was at her side in an instant, strong arms providing a sense of security and love. "Kathryn, how long?"

"Three days." She mustered up the words, barely, her stomach heaving and her body lurching toward a blue mottled bucket on the floor of her cabin. "Chakotay, I can't make it."

"Shh," His hand stroked her hair repeatedly as she vomited again and again. Her soft cries of agony filled the cabin, and to Chakotay, they sounded worse than death. "It's all right, Kathryn. We both know what this is."

"Oh, God, no." But they did, and she knew she dreadful truth so deep down inside...what was going to happen to her.

She was going to have a baby. And since it could never within Kathryn Janeway's morals to destroy an innocent- she was going to carry this child to full term, and love it despite it's heritage.

"It's all right, Kathryn." He held her close, rocking back and forth as the sobs racked her lean frame. "You have to tell Kashyk."

"I do, don't I?" It was a chuckle that escaped her lips this time, and she brought forth one shaking hand toward her commbadge. "Janeway to Kashyk."

Silence.

"Janeway to Kashyk, respond."

Still nothing, and her heart skipped a beat as she gazed up to her first officer. "Computer, locate Inspector Kashyk."

"Inspector Kashyk is not on board."

"My god." She swore, climbing to her feet and using Chakotay's arm for support. "Janeway to bridge."

"Tuvok here."

"Is Kashyk's ship still in our shuttlebay?"

There was a long, awkward pause, and she knew that it wasn't a good answer. "Negative, Captain."

"Dammit!" The furious captain began to storm toward the door, sickness momentarily forgotten, and swung back to face him. "Chakotay, he's gone!"

"Are you sure? How would he have gotten away without alerting internal sensors?"

"Of course I am! He must have disabled sensors somehow...used the refractive shielding, knowing full well that our sensors wouldn't look for that in the middle of the night." Janeway sighed. "Tuvok?"

"Yes, Captain?"

"Scan for refractive shielding." As she signaled for Chakotay to follow her, a strange calm superimposed itself over her features. "Let's see if we can't catch him sneaking off, tail between his legs. Maybe he hasn't gotten far."

"Captain, are you sure you want to find him?" Chakotay asked.

"Damned sure. I'm not letting him get away with this one, Chakotay. Not as long as I live and breathe."

"I'm sure you won't." And they entered the bridge, both determined to find the man who had done this to her, for different reasons.

But they never found him. And months later Kathryn Janeway discovered that she was better off, when Commander Chakotay and the Doctor helped her to deliver a beautiful six pound, four ounce girl- a girl with the light forehead ridge of a father she would likely never know, and the pale skin of a mother who would forever be there in her life. A supportive parent, who knew that she wished for nothing more than to keep her little girl safe from all harm.

It looked like Captain Janeway had come out with the upper hand, after all.