*

Seven and Kathryn B’Elanna were sitting on the rock cropping in Flotter’s Forest. Seven had not brought him online. She wanted to be able to talk with Kathryn B’Elanna without Flotter’s helpful chatter.

Seven had been waiting for Kathryn B’Elanna to open up a conversation with her, but that had not happened. Finally, she took a deep breath and said, "You talked with your father last night." Her daughter stared at the water and nodded her head. Seven asked, "Do you want to talk to me about it?"

"I guess so."

"Go ahead." When her daughter stayed quiet, she said, "Come here." She pulled her daughter into her lap and leaned against a rock, wrapping Kathryn B’Elanna in her arms. "You can ask me whatever you want to ask me whenever you are ready." Seven felt the stillness inside her child. After another long period of silence, Seven asked, "Would you prefer for us to go to our special place?" Seven felt the slight nod of the head against her shoulder. "Okay, get into place."

As soon as Kathryn B’Elanna settled into her place, they closed their eyes and left awareness. Seven followed her daughter as they walked through the corridors of Voyager. She waited, trying to remain calm as they moved through the ship. She knew where they were going, and she was not certain how she felt about it. When they stopped, they were standing in front of her alcove, and Kathryn B’Elanna was staring up at it. Seven waited.

"What’s it like, Mommy?"

"It is like sleeping, Kathryn B’Elanna. Nothing more."

"Do you like sleeping here?"

"No, actually, I would rather sleep in my bed with your father next to me."

"Why can’t you do that all the time?"

"Because my implants require special energy. I can only get that kind of energy from this alcove."

"Why don’t I have to sleep here?"

"Well, you do not have implants, and you can get all of your energy from eating and sleeping. I can get most of mine like that, but my implants still need energy from this alcove."

Kathryn B’Elanna was silent a moment, then she asked, "Why don’t I have implants?"

"The Borg gave me my implants, Kathryn B’Elanna. They are surgically implanted. It’s like they were…installed in me. Implants are not something you grow, like fingernails or hair. Someone would have to give them to you."

"Will I have to have them…installed one day?"

"Not if I can help it."

"Does the Queen want to install them in me?"

Seven took a deep breath and gave herself time to think. Finally, she said, "I do not believe so." She felt the relief that immediately filled her daughter.

Kathryn B’Elanna stayed quiet a moment, then asked, "What about the rest of the Borg?

Seven hesitated. "I do no know."

"Mommy?"

"What, Kathryn B’Elanna?"

"Are you upset that I don’t want to have implants?"

"Oh," she breathed out an quick breath of air, "no, I am not. I do not want you to have implants."

Kathryn B’Elanna turned to look at her, now openly staring at her mother’s ocular implant. "You’re pretty, Mommy."

"Thank you, Kathryn B’Elanna."

She stood looking at her mother a few more minutes, then turned and led them back to awareness. Once they returned, Kathryn B’Elanna took her mother’s hand and traced the metal on it. Seven sat still, watching her, uncertain as to what would happen next. Finally, Kathryn B’Elanna asked, "Did it hurt, Mommy?"

Seven inhaled sharply. Gathering herself, she answered, "Yes. It did."

"Was your mommy there to help?"

Seven was glad Kathryn B’Elanna was still sitting in her lap and could not see her face. Closing her eyes, she said, "My mother was also assimi...she was given her own implants."

"She didn’t fight for you?" Kathryn B’Elanna turned to face her mother, her look upset. "She didn’t try to stop them?"

"Yes, she did, but there were too many drones."

"What about your daddy?"

"He was…implanted also."

Kathryn B’Elanna stared into her mother’s face, her emotions working. Then, she reached out and hugged her mother’s neck. "I know you would take care of me, no matter how many there were." Seven held on to her tightly, fighting back tears. "And Daddy would take care of both of us!" Her voice was emphatic.

"Yes. Yes he would."

"Besides," Kathryn B’Elanna pulled back, "he’s a hologram! He could change himself and the implants would go right through him!"

Seven gave a shaky laugh. "Yes, I think you are right."

Kathryn B’Elanna gave her another hug. "I love you."

"I love you, too, sweetheart." She held her daughter tightly to her, then said, "Kathryn B’Elanna?"

She pulled away to look at her mother’s face. "Yes?"

"I want you to know, you can talk to me about anything. You can ask me any questions. I will not be upset with you."

Kathryn B’Elanna curled herself up in her mother’s lap, wrapping her hands around her mother’s left hand and rested her head against her mother’s chest. "Okay fine."

"Yes," Seven leaned her cheek against her daughter’s head, "okay fine."

"How many more days?"

"Seven!"

"Why, that’s only a week. You can’t possibly be turning seven in only a week."

"Grandpa, you know when my birthday is. You’re just like Daddy." She poked him in the stomach. "Except you can’t make yourself disappear."

Louis Zimmerman laughed. "No, but I can make you disappear!" He grabbed the throw off the back of the couch and quickly threw it over her head, delighting in her screams as she tried to find her way out from under the cover. He rolled her over in his lap, then onto the floor, keeping her covered up and squealing.

When he finally pushed off of the floor and let his granddaughter out from under the throw, Seven said, "I do not know who is the bigger child."

"Oh, I think it would definitely be a toss up." The Doctor handed Louis his drink. "Where’s Hailey tonight?"

"She’s helping Kathryn with Katie."

"Really?"

"Yes. She has taken quite a liking to that young lady. I think Kathryn appreciates the help."

Before anything else could be said, Kahkar walked in. "Where is my little one?" Kathryn B’Elanna ran to him, almost jumping into his arms. "I think you are going to be too big to lift soon. Let’s see, I think you have a birthday coming up in about a month, don’t you?"

"Seven days! Why doesn’t anyone know when my birthday is?"

The adults laughed, and Kahkar said, "Oh my special friend, we all know very well when your birthday is. We’re just trying to make certain you do."

"I know!"

"And," the Doctor walked up to take her from Kahkar’s arms and let her slide to the floor, "when you wake up tomorrow, it will only be six days until your birthday."

"Oh, Daddy…."

"Oh, daddy, nothing. It’s bedtime."

She started stomping off. "Okay fine."

"I’ll be in in a few minutes to tuck you in."

"Okay fine." She went into her room and the door closed behind her.

Kahkar chuckled, accepting a cup of coffee from Seven. "She is growing up so fast."

"I know." Seven’s voice was wistful, her eyes almost sad as she stared at her daughter’s bedroom door.

Kahkar grabbed her hand and pulled on it lightly. Seven turned her attention from the door and looked down into the face of the other man she loved dearly. Smiling, she joined him on the couch. Kahkar lifted his arm to rest around her shoulders and took a sip of his drink. Putting the cup down on the table beside him, he said, "Seven, I have a special study to propose to you."

"Oh?"

"I have identified an interesting spatial configuration of asteroids in an area of fluidic space about a light year from here. I thought you would like to go with me to investigate it." He handed her a PADD. When she took the PADD and activated it, he continued talking, "I have spoken with Kathryn, and she has agreed for us to take a shuttle. She thought we would enjoy the adventure."

Seven raised an eyebrow. "It is unusual. It would make for an interesting study." She handed the PADD back to Kahkar.

"I figure it would take us three days at the most. We would be back in plenty of time for Kathryn B’Elanna’s birthday."

The Doctor saw the look on his wife’s face. "You should go if you want to, Seven. Kathryn B’Elanna and I will be fine."

"I remember the last time you said that – and I went."

"I don’t think we will have that problem again."

Seven sat thinking. The idea of an away mission was appealing. She had been bored lately. Besides, it would be fun to spend time with Kahkar again. She raised her eyes to the Doctor, and he smiled.

"So, Kahkar, what time tomorrow will you and my wife be leaving?"

The Doctor and Kathryn B’Elanna walked hand in hand into the mess hall, the sounds of laughter and conversation immediately greeting them.

"Doctor, you almost missed breakfast. And I can’t imagine KB missing a meal!"

The Doctor laughed. "Well, I’m glad you said ‘almost.’ I don’t think my daughter could survive missing out on breakfast."

"Oh, Daddy," Kathryn B’Elanna shook her father’s hand, "Neelix wouldn’t let me go hungry."

"And you’re absolutely right about that." Neelix offered his hand to her. "Come on, let’s get you fixed up."

As Neelix led his daughter to his galley, the Doctor joined the people gathered at the table in the center of the room. "Good morning, all." He pulled out a chair and sat down beside Kathryn and Katie. "And how are we doing this morning?"

"We are doing just fine." Kathryn gave him a big smile. "Did Kahkar and Seven get off okay?"

"Oh, yes. No problems. Well, no problems once we got Seven packed." He chuckled as he shook his head. "You would think she planned to be gone a month!"

"Well," B’Elanna spoke up, "I certainly understand that. When you go away on a mission, you want to make certain you’re prepared."

The Doctor looked up as his daughter approached, walking carefully with a very full tray. He helped as she lowered the tray to the table. "My goodness, look at all of this food. You can’t possibly eat all of that!"

"Don’t bet on it, Doc," laughed Tom.

"That," said B’Elanna, "is a lot of food, KB. Can you really eat all that?"

KB nodded her head, her mouth already full of food. She chewed, then gulped it down. "I worked hard this morning. I helped Mommy." She reached for her bread and took another big bite.

"Yes, she did," affirmed the Doctor. "She was up early helping her mother pack." He gave B’Elanna a wry look. "I think that might be one of the reasons Seven took so much stuff."

"I didn’t want her to forget me." KB’s words were muffled.

"Don’t talk with your mouth full." The Doctor admonished his daughter, placing a napkin in her lap, then leaning over to kiss her on the head when she tightened her lips. Looking back at B’Elanna, he said, "She packed one of her pillows for her mother to remember her by."

They all laughed. The Doctor looked around. "Where’s Chakotay?"

"He’s on the bridge," answered Kathryn, "along with Tuvok and Harry. Chakotay thought it would be a good idea to run Voyager through a safety check."

"Oh?" The Doctor gave her a worried look. "Any special reason?"

"No," Kathryn shook her head reassuringly, "just a precaution." She smiled down at her daughter, "Chakotay has just gotten a little overcautious lately."

"I wonder why?" The Doctor leaned over, gazing at the baby in Kathryn’s arms. "She’s looking very good. I think she’s gained a few ounces."

"Well, she should have. She has a very healthy appetite."

"Are you sleeping much?"

"Not a lot," she shook her head, "but I’m getting by. Chakotay gets up with her when it isn’t feeding time. And, he has taken over all of my duties." She gave B’Elanna a wide-eyed look. "He’s even cleaning up our living quarters!"

"Wow! Lucky woman." She gave Tom an accusatory glare.

"Hey! I do my share."

B’Elanna’s face relaxed into a smile. "I know you do. I’m just giving you a hard time."

Tom looked up at the Doctor. "So, Hansen, what do you have planned for the day?"

The Doctor grinned. He loved it when Tom called him by that name. He was seriously considering asking everyone to call him Hansen instead of referring to him as the Doctor. Still, it was difficult to give up a name that you were so comfortable with. Just like Seven.

"Why, Tom? Do you have something you’d like to propose?"

Tom shrugged. "Nothing much. B’Elanna’s going to be busy in engineering. Chakotay, Harry and Tuvok are busy on the bridge. No one is in sickbay, so I was thinking about working on the Flyer. I wondered if that interested you?"

The Doctor sat back, pleased at the invitation. "Actually, that sounds like fun."

"Can I help?"

The Doctor looked at his daughter. "What did I tell you about talking with your mouth full?" She slapped her hand over her mouth and looked back at her father with laughter in her eyes. "You have to go to school. T’Pel will be waiting on you."

KB chewed and swallowed before responding. "But I already know about adding."

"Yes, but there are a lot of things you don’t know about and that is why you have to go to school."

"Oh, Daddy."

"Oh, nothing. You will go to school."

"Okay fine."

Tom said, "Maybe you can join us after school. I think we’ll probably be there all day."

"Will we go flying?"

"No, not today. We’re not doing that kind of work."

"What will we be doing, Tom?" The Doctor absentmindedly rearranged KB’s tray.

"Re-synching the computers, realigning the shield configuration. We might tinker with a few other things." He gave the Doctor a big grin. "Fun stuff."

"Boys!" B’Elanna stood and leaned over the table, checking out KB’s empty tray. "Well, it looks like you managed to eat everything."

KB leaned back and puffed out her stomach, putting her hands on either side of it. "Yes, and I am full! Look at how big my stomach is." She patted her round belly.

B’Elanna rolled her eyes. "It might be big now, but it will be empty in about two hours." Shaking her head, she said to the Doctor, "She has her mother’s metabolism. If I ate like that, I wouldn’t be able to get through the engineering doors."

"She always has had a healthy appetite."

"Daddy?"

He turned his attention to his daughter. "What?"

"How long before Mommy comes back?"

"Comes back? She just left."

"It seems like she’s been gone forever."

He gathered his daughter in his arms. "I understand, sweetheart. She’ll be back in three days."

"That’s half the days until my birthday." She cuddled close to her father.

B’Elanna watched the two of them for a moment, then looked at her husband. "I think I’ll run by the holodeck before I go to work. It’s been two whole hours since I saw To’mas. Think I’ll go get a hug."

Tom grinned and stood. "Think I’ll join you."

B’Elanna looked back at KB. "Want to walk with us?"

KB tightened her arms around her father, then let go and slid out of his grasp. "Yes."

The Doctor said, "Yes, what?"

KB sighed, "Yes, ma’am."

"Good girl." He accepted a quick kiss on the lips from his daughter and watched as she walked out of the mess hall, holding hands with Tom and B’Elanna. His eyes stayed on the doors long after they closed.

"She really is growing up." Kathryn’s voice was soft as she spoke.

"I know." The Doctor turned back to face her.

"They are young for such a short time."

"And that time gets shorter every day." He looked at the bundle in her arms. "You will become more and more aware of that as you watch her grow."

Kathryn nodded her head. "Katie has only been in the world a few days and I am already realizing that she is growing. Everything seems to happen so fast with children."

The Doctor nodded, but stayed silent. Then, he leaned forward. "Are you feeling okay? Any problems?"

"No, Doctor." She leaned back and shifted Katie in her arms. "I’m doing just fine. Actually, I feel great. I was worried that I wouldn’t be up to this, but I’m loving every minute of being a mother."

"I knew you would do fine. You’ve taken care of all of us for eleven years."

"Yes," she laughed, "but this is different." She lifted Katie against her shoulder. "This is really different." She fell silent a moment, then said, "But this feels wonderful. I never thought I would ever have these feelings." She shook her head. "It makes me wonder why I didn’t do this years ago."

"Years ago, we were a different family. We lived in a different world."

Kathryn looked out of the windows of the mess hall, looking at the beauty of fluidic space. "I know. A few years ago, this place had a different look to me. It was an alien and foreboding place. Now, it is very much a haven and a home. I think we are all happy here."

"Even if we never make it home?"

She quickly turned her head to look at him, then nodded slowly. "Yes, even if we never make it home. But I don’t think that will happen. I think we’ll go home."

"Really?"

She nodded. "Yes, I do. I know Admiral Paris is working very hard to make that happen. And so are Leader Orvis and Darrian Green."

The Doctor played with Kathryn B’Elanna’s fork. "I never would have believed he would turn out to be the man is today."

"Darrian Green?"

"Yes."

"I know. I really hated him when he came onboard Voyager. I think he felt the same."

"He certainly felt the same about Seven and me."

"I think that’s a big part of the reason he’s doing what he’s doing. To make up for what he did to you and Seven."

"More to Seven than to me."

"Those were awful times for both of you." She closed her eyes. "I still have nightmares about that."

He answered quietly, "So does Seven."

Kathryn nodded her head, looking back out of the window. They sat quietly, both appreciating the beauty of fluidic space.

Tom, B’Elanna and KB walked into the schoolroom in the holodeck. T’Pel was working with the children, numbers and childish scrawling on a holographic board. Fingers were working as little voices called out numbers.

"Mommy! Daddy!" To’mas saw his parents and ran up to them. Tom leaned over and swept him up in his arms.

"Hey, buddy." Tom gave his son a hug. "Are you having fun?"

To’mas gave his head a vigorous nod. "I got all the answers right this morning, Daddy."

"Good for you. That’s great." He looked over at B’Elanna. "He got your head for numbers. He certainly didn’t get mine."

T’Pel approached them. "He does have a talent for numbers. I think he should start studying with Tuvok."

"You don’t think he’s too young?" B’Elanna took her son’s leg, giving him a proud look.

"No, I do not. Age will not stop a curious mind. He will learn as he wants to learn. Tuvok will be able to provide him with the guidance he needs. He will find his own way."

"Wonderful."

"He is a quiet, studious child. I think Tuvok will also be able to assist him in ordering his mind."

Tom looked at his wife. "He definitely took after you."

B’Elanna nodded. He was like her. He was more like her as a child. Quiet, introspective, shy. She hoped he would not develop her anger and insecurities. But then, he was also enough like Tom that he could be brought out of himself. KB was good for him. She always made certain that he was included and made to feel part of the group. She would not let him become isolated and lonely. As a result, he adored her. He followed her around like a puppy. She was glad her son had someone like KB for a friend. She wished she had had such a friend growing up.

T’Pel spoke, breaking B’Elanna’s train of thought. "I will speak to Tuvok. He will be pleased to hear that you want him to teach your child."

"Thanks." Tom grinned and put his son down. "We’ll let you get back to your classroom." Taking his wife’s hand, he added, "And we both need to get on with our days."

B’Elanna leaned over and gave To’mas a kiss on the cheek. "Be a good boy."

"Yes, ma’am." He threw his arms around his mother’s neck and gave her a wet kiss in return.

Laughing, she watched as he took KB’s hand, and they went to sit in their chairs. Waving at him, she took Tom’s hand and let him lead her out of the holodeck.

Chakotay walked into his darkened living quarters, seeing his wife stretched out on the sofa, their baby held to her chest. He tiptoed to them, not wanting to wake them. As soon as he got close, he saw his wife’s eyes following him. He laughed softly.

"I thought you were asleep."

"I’m too contented to sleep."

He pulled up a chair so he could sit close to them and leaned down to look into his daughter’s face. "She looks like she’s nursing in her sleep."

"Oh, Chakotay," she reached out to take his hand, "I don’t think I could ever tell you how happy I am."

He squeezed her hand. "You don’t have to try. I understand. I feel the same way." He reached toward Kathryn, wiping a tear that was running down the side of her face.

She worked to compose herself, then said, "So, tell me about your day."

"First, can I get you a cup of coffee?"

"Oh, please. I would love a cup."

He winked at her and moved to order her a cup from the replicator. "Decafe, black." Setting up a small table immediately next to the sofa she could easily reach, he moved his chair so he could face her and leaned toward her. "Well, our safety checks were all successful. We didn’t run into any problems."

"Wonderful."

"While we were at it, we checked out the shields and made some modest adjustments to the deflector array." He reached out and smoothed his daughter’s blanket down. "We had a pretty successful day."

"I’m glad to hear it." She leaned her head, trying to see her baby’s face. "Is she still sleeping?"

Chakotay checked. "I think her eyes might be opening a little."

"She should be getting hungry. It’s about that time again." She sighed. "I’m glad you didn’t find anything today."

"No, most things looked fine."

"Most things?"

He shook his head. "I don’t think it’s anything. Harry picked up something unusual on sensors, but he couldn’t pin it down."

"Oh?"

Chakotay shrugged. "He wasn’t certain it wasn’t some kind of stellar noise. He said he would work on it more tomorrow."

"What else?"

"Oh, let’s see. B’Elanna and her little band of helpers have managed to clean all of the filtering systems in engineering."

Kathryn chuckled. "She will make a great captain one day."

"Yes, as long as her crew is about seven years old or younger."

"Is that it?"

"Well, the Doctor and Tom have quite a mess on their hands."

"Why is that?"

"Well, they were going to do some minor work on the Flyer and, apparently one thing led to another and the Flyer is now pretty much in pieces in the shuttle bay."

"What did they find?"

Chakotay shrugged, laughter in his eyes. "They didn’t really find anything. I think they just talked themselves into tearing apart the drives for the fun of it."

"Those two have turned out to be such boys."

"I’m not surprised about Tom, but the Doctor…!"

Katie moved, her hand going to her mouth. Then, she started whimpering. By the time Kathryn lifted her and sat up, she had started to cry.

"Suppertime." She started unbuttoning her top. Chakotay leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs and watched, his happiness showing in his face.

"I’m home."

"Daddy. Daddy."

Their voices called out to him as they ran for him. He caught them, one in each arm.

"Daddy, we learned more pluses today."

"Daddy, we helped Aunt B’Elanna fix engines."

He laughed. "Wow. Sounds like you two had busy days." Carrying his children, he walked into the large kitchen areas of their living quarters where Supala was fixing dinner. "And how about mommy?"

"Mommy is glad daddy is home." She rolled her eyes at him. Her hair was waving more than usual, and her clothes were streaked with flour. "They have been into everything this afternoon."

Harry leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Want me to get them their baths?"

"Oh, please. That would be wonderful. Thank you."

He looked at the countertop. "Looks like you have special plans for dinner."

Supala turned back to her preparations. "Ketaria is coming for dinner."

"Oh?"

"I thought she might be lonesome tonight so I invited her."

"Good idea." He looked back and forth between his twins. "Are you two ready for a bath?"

"Yes!"

"No!"

He looked at his son. "No?"

"I don’t want a bath."

"You don’t want a bath?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"You don’t take baths. I want to stand up like you do."

Harry looked at his wife who was trying not to laugh. Shaking his head, he said to his son, "Let’s compromise. I’ll let you stand up in the bathtub."

Gene thought about it. "Okay."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Then let’s go get clean."

The door to the bathroom had barely closed before Ketaria entered the living quarters. She stopped, her head swiveling from side to side. "It’s so quiet. Where are the children?"

"Harry just took them into the bathroom for their baths."

"They are a handful, aren’t they?"

Supala leaned back against the counter. "Yes, they certainly are." She looked at the bathroom door. "But I do love them dearly. I still think that us being able to have them was a miracle."

"Some miracles are meant to be."

"Oh, I’m sorry, Ketaria."

She walked over and patted Supala on the back. "Don’t be sorry, Supala. I accept that I was never given the miracle of having my own child, but I have been given other miracles. I am not unhappy about how things turned out." She looked at the bowls on the counter. "So, how can I help?"

Supala handed her a knife and a bowl of vegetables, and she started to work. By the time Harry brought the twins out of the bathroom, dinner was on the table.

Teri ran to Ketaria as soon as she saw her. "Keta! Look, I’m all clean."

Ketaria lifted her namesake. "You certainly are, and you are looking so pretty."

"What about me?" Gene was pulling on her robe.

"You, sir," Ketaria kneeled down beside him, "are quite handsome." She reached up to brush his hair down, laughing at how it popped back up, despite her efforts. "Now, will you two sit with me at dinner?"

"Yes."

"Yes."

Laughing, they sat, and the adults helped the children with their plates, making certain they were settled before helping themselves. Once it quieted down, Harry asked Ketaria, "Missing Kahkar?"

"Oh, yes. But, I know he is enjoying himself. He loves it when he can spend time with Seven."

"Well, she loves being able to spend time with him." Harry helped himself to more vegetables. "It will do both of them good to go on this trip."

"Kahkar always has loved to explore."

Supala watched them as they talked, waiting for a break in their conversation to ask, "What did you do today, Harry?"

"Just normal stuff. Checks, maintenance."

"Everything okay?"

Harry shrugged. "More or less."

Ketaria heard it in his voice. "Something wrong, Harry?"

He shook his head. "I don’t think so."

"But?"

He sighed. "I don’t know. I just picked up something strange while were working on the sensor array. It’s probably nothing."

Supala watched her husband’s face. "It’s probably nothing, but you’re going to going to go back tonight to make certain."

Harry gave her a weak smile. "After I help you put the kids to bed."

Supala shook her head at Ketaria. "Well, at least he’ll be here long enough to put the kids to bed."