Disclaimer: Paramount owns all--I'm just messing. The rumors are there that TPTB will be sending Voyager home--whether this season--or later, I don't know--but I wanted to tell my version first.
Kathryn Janeway leaned against the old oak tree and took a deep breath. She still wasn't used to it. Being home, free from duty...To be able to just relax and not worry about what new enemy lurked behind every passing star and nebula.
The Indiana air was warm and she knew that it would soon be too hot and humid to remain outside comfortably. But for the moment it was still too new to not be breathing recycled air; to be hearing live crickets and frogs...
She had escaped a week ago from the press, from Starfleet, from her crew, from the well-wishers and hidden herself away at her mother's house. She was avoiding everything--for once procrastinating and able to. She was actually enjoying putting off doing things. There were a dozen or more invitations to be a guest speaker at some university or some admiral's party sitting on her desk...She wanted nothing to do with it.
They'd been home three weeks--and her life had been dumped upside down. She'd lived through days of hearings, meetings, briefings, arbitration--then she'd disappeared. She needed time to think.
All of a sudden she had no idea what she would be doing tomorrow. She didn't want to deal with that yet--but knew she had to.
She briefly wondered if it had been worth it...
"Captain," B'Elanna said as she burst into the ready-room waving a PADD. Janeway looked at her sternly and waited for the young lieutenant to calm down. B'Elanna took a deep breath and handed the PADD to the Captain. "Vorik and Seven have been working on the slipstream technology. I think it might work."
Janeway didn't answer right away as she skimmed the data. It just might, she realized as she read the conclusions. "We'll need to do some testing."
"We realize that. Seven suggested that we make the modifications and run some preliminary tests with a shuttle."
The Captain smiled slightly. "Bring the plans to the evening briefing. Invite Vorik and Seven--it's their plan."
"Very good, Captain." B'Elanna hadn't stopped smiling. Janeway had to admit that she had every reason to smile. This was probably the best plan to date for getting them home. They needed to study some of the risks more. "And talk to the Doctor. He'll probably have some concerns about the health risks."
"Yes, Captain."
"Dismissed." Janeway reread the document carefully. Seven and Vorik's idea for modifying some of Arturis's slipstream technology had real possibilities. She turned to her console and pulled up their detailed analysis. Every so often she stopped and reran their calculations or looked up a source. She had to work to control her increasing confidence and optimism. Too many dreams had blown up in their faces...All of them in fact.
She looked up. "Get a grip..." But home...If it worked, it would be more than the miracle they'd been looking for...They would have done it themselves.
She took a sip of coffee and continued to read.
#
She studied her senior staff as Vorik calmly presented the data. Harry in particular seemed to be excited. He kept clasping his hands, and his smile grew with each passing minute. Tom and Chakotay both sat there, a calm--even hesitant look on their faces. Of her senior staff, they possibly had the most to lose when they returned to Federation space. She turned her attention back to Vorik, who was describing the modifications needed in the warp configuration to maintain a stable field.
She smiled when he'd finished and looked around the room. "Thank you. There will be no way to keep this from the crew as we start adjusting a shuttle to conduct the experiment. There is no guarantee this will work, so I want your enthusiasm to be tempered. Lieutenant Torres, prepare a list of what and who you'll need."
B'Elanna slid a PADD over to her. "Vorik and Seven have already prepared the list. It's their project, so I think they should be in charge of it."
Janeway nodded, then looked at the Doctor. "Have you been able to determine any medical problems yet?"
He stood slowly. "Based upon our previous experiences with slipstream technology...For shorter attempts in the slipstream, the medical problems are few. But we are talking about extended periods. I do have some concerns about the increased radiation levels. I have asked Ensign Kim to look into shield modifications...And I am looking at adjusting present preventative treatment measures."
Janeway nodded and looked around the room. "We'll need to adjust sensors and shields to work in the slipstream. Commander Tuvok?"
"Our primary concern will be navigation."
For a change, Seven hadn't stood in the corner. Recently, every so often she would sit, this evening was one of those times.. "Using data gathered from the Astrometrics lab, I can program a course into the computer. While we are in the slipstream, the pilot's job will be to make minor adjustments."
Paris muttered something, Janeway frowned at him, but sympathized with his feelings. "How long will it be until you can modify a shuttle?"
"Three weeks, Captain. We need to manufacture a new coolant system." Seven seemed totally unaware of the increased optimism and other emotions coming from the others.
"Very well, dismissed. Commander." She looked at Chakotay. "A moment please." He nodded and remained seated while the others left.
"Captain," he said when the door closed. "What happens then?"
"When we get home?" She shrugged slightly. "I promised to fight for you and the Maquis. That promise still stands. With the changes in the political situation, it seems *logical* that I shouldn't have to fight too hard."
"I don't know how the Maquis will take knowing we may be returning to the Alpha-Quadrant. There is nothing there for many of them..."
"I know, but they may have a chance with Starfleet. Most likely they will be pardoned and can start new lives. We all will be starting over. So much has changed--we don't know what is waiting at home anymore." She had spent the past four years working to get them home, that, until she'd read her letter from Mark, she'd never really considered what getting home meant. "What will you do?"
Chakotay smiled slightly, "I don't know. I've thought about it many times. Sometimes I used to think I would have returned to the Maquis...Since...Since they don't exist anymore, I am considering remaining with Starfleet...Now that it may be a reality, I really don't know. What about you?"
"Starfleet has been my life for so long...If the war is still going on, I will probably remain in Starfleet and command a ship. Voyager I hope."
He took her hand. "I hope you are not being too optimistic."
"Starfleet is a reasonable organization..."
"It's a bureaucracy, Kathryn. Full of rules and regulations."
"I thought we agreed to follow those rules..."
"We did. And we have...For the most part. But the agreement didn't include *in the Alpha-Quadrant*."
She looked down at the floor and bit her lip. "So you will be leaving?"
"I didn't say that, Kathryn." He let go of her hand. "If you will excuse me Captain." He didn't wait for her answer.
"Dismissed," she said to the empty room. Instead of leaving, she sat down and started to look through the reports.
"Damn it Tom, not that way. Counter-clockwise." B'Elanna grabbed the wrench from him. "Pilots..."
Tom looked around the room at the crowd that had gathered to watch the first test and shrugged. He then glanced over at the Captain and shrugged as he slowly slid out from under the shuttle.
"She's just nervous," Janeway said to Tom with a half-smile when he'd stood up. So was she, she just wasn't about to admit it to anybody.
"I know. She's been snapping at everybody for the past two days." He grinned. "At least she isn't breaking bones."
Kathryn knew she shouldn't smile, but did anyway. "Well, it will all be worth it." I hope, she added to herself.
"I hope so..." Tom didn't look particularly hopeful. Janeway considered asking what was bothering him, but decided not to..."Any idea how much longer?"
Tom shook his head. "They had to replace the whole coolant system." Janeway nodded. The shuttle engines ran three times hotter while in the slipstream. They'd had to create a new coolant system.
"Tom," B'Elanna called out from under the shuttle. "I'm sorry..." There was a string of Klingon curses.
Seven walked over to the shuttle and bent over. "Do you require assistance, Lieutenant?"
"No...almost..." There was a long pause, then B'Elanna slid out. "We're ready to test the engines again." She looked at Tom.
The crowd, consisting of the design team, Tom, and Janeway backed toward the doors. Today's tests were being monitored by scanners. They would view the test from the corridor outside the shuttle bay. If the new coolant system and modified engines passed this test, they would conduct a test flight in the slipstream tomorrow. Kathryn clenched her fists in excitement. She could feel the thrill in all the others too.
Seven entered some information into the computer. "We are ready to begin. Initializing control sequence alpha." They could hear the muffled roar despite the thickness of the walls. "So far, all systems are nominal. Increasing output."
The crowd of ten was silent, as they watched the shuttle and the data. Kathryn knew through-out the ship everybody was watching. She didn't let herself smile until after fifteen minutes, when Seven started to power down the engines.
A cheer erupted from the group, and Kathryn chuckled when B'Elanna unexpectantly hugged Seven, then Tom in her excitement. Seven raised an eyebrow but seemed to ignore the displays of emotion happening all around. Though even Vorik seemed to show some emotion.
"Captain," Seven said. Janeway looked at the younger woman. "I have transferred the data to the computer for analysis. But it appears that the data is well within safety ranges."
"Very good. Bring the analysis to this evenings briefing."
"Of course, Captain." She turned away and returned to the console.
B'Elanna clasped Vorik's hand. "Well done."
"Thank-you Lieutenant." The Vulcan said. "We have made sufficient progress."
"More than sufficient." B'Elanna turned. "We have a shuttle to examine." She picked up her equipment and marched into the docking bay.
Kathryn watched them. She had to return to the bridge. Life went on...There were still reports to read and write. She had stopped preparing a number of reports...but with getting home a real possibility, she wasn't about to have some Admiral say she'd been derelict.
#
She looked up from her book at the sound of her chimes. Carefully placing it by her cup of tea, she called out, "Come in."
"Captain?"
"Chakotay." She smiled as she stood. "Is there something I can..."
"I've been talking with my former crew." He grimaced slightly. "The general consensus is they don't trust Starfleet..." He raised his hand to stop her comments. "They trust you, but you aren't Starfleet."
"What do they want to do, stay in the Delta-Quadrant?"
He shook his head. "No. They would like you to consider leaving them someplace until they know..."
"And you?" She stared at her cup.
"I'll stay. The sacrificial Maquis. B'Elanna and Ayala will stay too."
"It's still a long way in the future..." She didn't dare lift her eyes. "You've all become too important to this ship. I shall not let Starfleet consider anything except a full pardon and the option of staying in..."
"And a big maybe...But we all know that. But it is the best chance we've had."
She looked up and smiled slightly. "When this journey began, I put together a file for Starfleet. The first year, I was very diligent, frequent updates. Every reason that the Maquis crew should be considered valuable assets to the Voyager crew." She felt slightly guilty. "I didn't consider them--you--members of the crew...I'm sorry."
"I remember. We didn't feel like members of the crew. There was a tension between the two groups."
"And that was my fault. I felt like I had been pushed into the decision. No matter what I was told and saw, I thought it was only because I had no choice. Now, I know it was the best decision I've ever made. And about a year ago, I rewrote that file. There will be no sacrificial Maquis." She stood and held out her hand. "Forgive me?"
"I haven't figured out exactly for what, but if it will make you feel better." He took her hand, and to her astonishment, instead of shaking it, brought it to his lips, before releasing it.
She stood there staring at her hand.
Tom stood outside the shuttle door and shifted his weight and coughed nervously. "I don't think so Captain..."
She turned to look at him. "Don't think what?"
"I'm not taking passengers...Begging the Captain's pleasure. But the shuttle's emergency supplies are not packed with three in mind."
Kathryn laughed. "I knew I should have turned down the last three promotions. Lieutenants get all the fun."
Tom joined in the laughter. "Damn straight." They both sombered. "You'll be along for the ride, soon enough."
"I know. Be careful...And don't take any needless risks. The thoughts of an angry Klingon..."
Tom grinned, "Oh...and speaking of that angry Klingon, we'd like you to perform the wedding...How about the third night in the slipstream."
"You've got yourself a deal. And congratulations. I'll tell the Doctor to warm up a bio-bed for you."
"Gee thanks...I think." He stepped into the shuttle. "See you in an hour."
Seven's voice interrupted her comment. "Lieutenant, I have completed the pre check. All systems are fully functional. We can depart now."
"My call to duty." He threw Janeway a quick salute and closed the door. She turned and jogged out of the shuttle bay.
"Shuttle is prepared for departure," she said into her comlink.
"Very good, Captain," was Vorik's reply. "We have activated the monitoring and scanning equipment."
She turned to look at B'Elanna and nodded. After almost a month of work, they were actually ready to conduct the first test flight.
B'Elanna tapped her combadge. "Voyager to Shuttle Sacajawea, you are cleared for departure." She bit her lip slightly as they listened to Tom's brief reply.
#
"It was incredible," Tom said at the briefing three hours later.
"Incredible lacks precision," Seven interrupted. "We encountered minor difficulties with navigation."
"Only minor. When we noticed that we were drifting off course, we cut-off the slipstream engines and recalculated our position." Tom shrugged nonchalantly.
Janeway scrolled down to that section in the report then looked at Seven. "How serious a problem is this?"
Seven shifted her position slightly. "I would need to know what is causing the problem before I can ascertain an answer." She was standing behind her chair, having said--once again--she preferred standing to sitting.
"Of course. B'Elanna, Vorik. Any idea on the cause?"
"There are several possible considerations as to the cause," Vorik said, then indicated that B'Elanna should continue.
"I have engineering examining every part of the shuttle and the data collected. It is suggestive of an electro-magnetic disruption."
"Captain," the Doctor interrupted. Janeway recognized his impatience.
"Yes?"
"I have been studying Seven and Lieutenant Paris's vital signs during their trip. They both suffered from minor radiation exposure, which, in my usual effective way, I have been able to correct. I have also modified my pre-treatment slightly. I recommend that Seven and Lieutenant Paris not participate in tomorrow's flight. I have developed a set of health protocols that I shall enforce--"
Janeway controlled the urge to smile, instead she cast a quick look at Chakotay--who she noticed was also trying not to laugh.
"--My recommendations include alternating crew on the shuttle tests. I have developed a more complete set of protocols."
"Yes, Doctor. Excellent work as always." She took a deep breath. It had been a long, but exhilarating day. "I'd like to see the complete analysis..."
"I'll have it for you tomorrow morning," B'Elanna said. She smiled slightly as she picked up a PADD.
"Lieutenant Rollins and Ensign Vorik will conduct tomorrow's test?" Janeway smiled as Tom closed his eyes in frustration. She felt sorry for him...But she wasn't going to argue with the doctor about this.
"Yes Captain," Chakotay said. "I've adjusted the schedule accordingly." He smirked slightly at Tom. "I'll have a new schedule out by twenty-three-hundred-hours." He nodded toward the Doctor. "Using the new guidelines..."
"Of course," the Doctor muttered.
"And using all the trained pilots."
Janeway laughed. "And what day are you flying it?"
"The following flight, Captain."
She rolled her eyes, "And when do I get to fly it?"
"Hmmm." Chakotay picked up his PADD. "I don't seem to have you scheduled."
"Fix it." She ordered. "If there is nothing else, dismissed." She wasn't about to give him a chance to cite regulations or protocols.
She didn't get a chance to fly the shuttle until the sixth test. Tom was right, she thought as she felt the jump into slipstream. It was incredible. She glanced at her co-pilot. "Well, how does it look?"
Neelix jumped slightly, then looked down at the data. "All systems nominal, Captain."
"Relax. Neelix." The viewscreen was a blur of streaking lines. "It's truly incredible."
"That it is..." Neelix looked up. "Though I don't know if I like not being in control..."
She nodded. They had plotted a course generated by the astrometrics lab. Their responsibility was to monitor the data and make minor course corrections as needed. "I'm not fond of it either," she confessed. "But..." She shrugged.
Neelix stood slowly and made his way to the back. He spent the next hour conducting various tests, while she monitored the ship's progress.
"Morale has been incredible the past two months," Neelix said as he sat down.
"But?"
"I think people are starting to wonder what happens when they get home. What's waiting for them."
"We all are." She looked down when there was a chirp. "Reaching the turn-around position. Preparing to initiate shut-down procedures. In three, two, one..." They both braced themselves as the ship came to a halt near a small green nebula "Right on target." It had taken four tries to fix the navigation problem. "Scan that nebula, while I enter the data for the return trip." She had a few ideas to work on when they returned to Voyager.
#
Kathryn tapped her fingers on the biobed as she waited for the Doctor to finish with Neelix. She didn't have time to sit here and wait...
"Ah, Captain. Thank-you for waiting so patiently."
She glared at him, but he blatantly ignored her implied threats as he slowly ran his tricorder over her. "Very good, Captain. Hmm."
"Something wrong?"
"Nothing serious. Just a slight hormonal fluctuation. I do not even have to treat it. I have noticed it with several of the returning crew."
"Serious?" She asked as she slid off the table.
"Not at all. Just another curious anomaly found here in the Delta-Quadrant. A clean bill of health."
"Thank-you, Doctor."
Four days later, the senior staff, Vorik, Seven, several of the engineering staff, and the pilots, met in the astrometrics lab. Janeway could feel the excitement as she motioned for Seven to continue with her explanation. The young woman seemed totally non-plussed at the importance of what she was saying. Janeway again made a mental note to talk with her about returning to the Alpha-Quadrant. Just months ago, Seven had wanted to stay. Now that it was almost a reality, she hadn't said a word.
"You're day dreaming," Chakotay whispered into her left ear. She smiled at the warmth...then blocked that thought.
"Just reminding myself to talk with Seven about what she wants to do when we return."
"Ah...I was hoping..." She closed her eyes...He was getting bolder. Like the rose on her ready room table this morning. That would have the crew talking for days.
She felt him sit back in his chair and opened her eyes. Seven was discussing the proposed route for the first test with Voyager. Two hours. If all went well...
Janeway sat back in her chair with only the quickest of glances at her First Officer. She fingered the small stone bear he'd given her earlier in the lift. 'For luck.'
"Mr. Paris," her voice was crisp and clear.
The pilot turned slightly, with his typical cocky smile. "All set." His grin grew bigger.
She raised her eyebrows, but didn't comment. Leave it to Tom to lighten the situation. "Well then. Implement slipstream." The ship lurched slightly. And then the stars blurred into a stream.
After five minutes she allowed herself to look around the bridge. Only Tuvok and Chakotay looked calm.
"Report," she called out after 15 minutes.
"All systems are within established parameters," Seven said.
"Excellent. Tom?"
"Outside of being bored...Navigational protocols are stable. I'm...or rather the computer is not detecting any course deviations."
"Very good." She smiled slightly as she shifted in her chair. "Well, Mr. Paris. I need some clarification. Is this three days in the slipstream...After the first three days...Or was that three days in a row?"
"Uh..." Tom laughed. They had been so busy with the tests and then modifying Voyager, they hadn't had a chance to talk.
"We'll make that three days in succession. Which should be in seven days. I've talked to Neelix. We have enough provisions for a reception afterward."
"Thank-you, Captain." Tom continued to concentrate on his console, so Janeway couldn't see his face.
"Do let the crew know."
"With pleasure...Captain." The ship lurched, throwing Tom against his console.
Janeway slid out of her chair; landing on her rear. "Report!" She stood slowly, ignoring the smirk on Chakotay's face. She heard Tom grunt. Everybody else was slowly recovering their equilibrium.
"I am showing that the slipstream engines overheated and shut down automatically." Seven said in her usual efficient tone.
"Engineering to bridge," came B'Elanna's voice at the same time.
"Lieutenant, what happened?"
"The engines overheated and vented, but we know now the safety protocols worked. I've got teams looking for the cause now."
Janeway glanced at Tuvok, as she closed communications.
"No injuries or damage reported, Captain. Shields are holding." Tuvok said.
"I'm not detecting any ships in the area," Harry said a second later. "There is considerable activity 70 light years at heading five-six-three."
"Monitor the situation. Engines?"
"Warp engines are on line." Tom turned. "Captain?"
"Maintain position." She turned to speak to Seven. "Where did..." She looked at Chakotay.
"I believe she headed to Engineering," Chakotay said.
Janeway raised her eyebrows and took a deep breath. "Harry, pull a new course from the computer and upload it to navigation."
"Aye Captain."
#
It had only taken an hour to find and repair the problem (a leak), she remembered, as she lay down on her bed. She was more tired than she'd thought. She had planned on reading the report from the two hour flight in the slipstream. But when the word slipstream had started to look like another set of words completely, she knew it was time to go to bed. Tomorrow they would try to spend 24 hours in the slipstream...She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
It seemed like only three hours later, when her alarm woke her. She rolled over, convinced it couldn't be that late and realized it was exactly zero-six-hundred hours. She told her alarm to shut-up and rolled out of bed. She knew better than to try to slowly get up. "Coffee," she ordered the computer from a distance, knowing that when she arrived at her replicator, it would be waiting. She'd trained her replicator well.
"Chakotay to Janeway, had your coffee yet?"
"Almost, almost." She reached for the cup and took a sip. "Yes, Commander. What can I do for you this morning?"
"I was hoping you would join me for breakfast. Waffles, strawberries, cream...Coffee."
She took a deep breath. "Sounds lovely, but I was going to check in with engineering..."
"And the Doctor will be contacting you in half an hour about eating better..."
Damn them both anyway..."Very well Commander. Breakfast it is. I'll be there in 30 minutes." She took another sip of coffee. She just had time for a quick shower.
#
His door slid open at her approach, but before stepping in, she glanced both directions--then wondered why she had done that. "Chakotay?"
"Kathryn," he stepped out of his bedroom. "You came."
"I said I would. So, where's the food."
He pointed toward the replicator. "Where I usually keep perishables."
"Ah. I can use one of those." He took her hand as she walked past, and guided her toward a chair. She forced herself to breathe normally.
"I'm providing breakfast this morning. Have a seat."
She watched him walk over, her mind wandered slightly to other reasons they could be sharing breakfast. "So...If there are no problems in today's test, we will set a course for one week's travel."
He turned from the replicator carrying two plates. "That is the plan. Are you all right?"
"Huh?" She studied the waffle he placed in front of her. "Why?"
"You seem a little flushed." He was smiling at her. She felt her body react to his wonderful smile, so she took a bite of her waffle.
"Not bad." She didn't look at him. "The coffee?"
"Oh. Sorry." He walked away quickly. "You drink too much of this stuff."
She laughed. "Okay. I drink too much...How much is the Doctor paying you?"
He turned and looked innocent. "Paying??? Kathryn, I'm insulted."
"Yea, right. So, why did you invite me to your cabin..." She stopped as she realized the alternative meaning of that. "So, what did you wish to discuss?"
"I like the other better..." He handed her a cup.
She watched the steam for several seconds before taking a sip. They ate quietly each trying to concentrate on their food, rather than their companion...Or at least Kathryn was. Everytime she looked his way, he was watching her. She swallowed the last bite and placed the fork on her plate.
"Thank-you." She leaned back a bit. I'll be in engineering most of the morning."
"I know." He stood and offered his hand to her. She took it and he pulled her to his feet. Almost without thinking, she reached up and ran her finger along his cheek and quickly stopped.
She swallowed and stepped back. "I need to get going. I'll see you later."
It wasn't until she had ordered the turbolift to engineering that she let herself sag slightly and yawn. "What did you think you were doing?" She asked the walls. She didn't dare ask herself--she might be tempted to answer herself truthfully. Instead she concentrated on her recommendations for promotions.
"Captain's log, stardate 52103. It seems unbelievable. After four years of *if it can go wrong, it will,* we've managed to make the adjustments to the slipstream technology with only minimal problems." She stopped and thumped on her desk and immediately started laughing. It was ridiculous...
"Delete entry." She took a deep breath and started again. This time without the superstitious mumbo-jumbo. Even though in engineering, someone had replicated a horseshoe to hang over the door. She smiled at Seven's comment about luck being irrelevant.
"It is day three in our first extended test and there has so far been two health problems. Megan and Jenny Delaney had a reaction to the anti-radiation treatments. The Doctor was able to adjust their medication, and today they reported to duty."
She picked up the glass of water she'd replicated an hour ago when her headache had begun. "In four days we shall drop out of the slipstream and do a thorough analysis on all systems. If all are within normal parameters, we shall plot a course and stay in the slipstream a month. B'Elanna and Neelix are working together to maintain an adequate food supply. Neelix is also working with the entertainment committee. Overall the mood of the ship is good and morale is higher than it has been in years.
"I have noticed increased thoughtfulness. What is waiting for us at home? Will it have been worth it? Since our discussion, Chakotay has not brought up the Maquis, but I've seen the wondering, the contemplation in their faces and in Tom's."
She stopped the recording, and leaned back in her chair and rubbed her brow. And what would happen to her? There was a war on--Starfleet Captains would be in high demand. But would they want one who had been out of the loop for over four year?
Another sip of water and she picked up Vorik and Seven's efficiency report on the slipstream engines.
Janeway clasped her hands and looked at the pair sitting across from her. "First, let me offer you both my congratulations. I haven't had time to say so earlier." Both Tom and B'Elanna smiled. He reached out and took her hand and squeezed it, then let it go.
"Thank-you, Captain," B'Elanna said. "I can relate to the lack of time."
Janeway smiled. "About your wedding." She tried to hide the trepidation in her voice, but didn't succeed. "You aren't planning a...Klingon wedding are..."
B'Elanna burst into laughter while Tom chuckled. Janeway felt confused and started to ask...
"Don't mind B'Elanna, but she threatened to disembowel the last person who asked."
"Ahhh. Well, then fortunately for me, it's against the rules to disembowel captains. No Klingon wedding." She took a deep breath of relief.
B'Elanna glanced at Tom, then spoke. "We want something simple. I am not doing anything traditional."
"Standard vows?" Both nodded. "Neelix is already planning the festivities. If our progress continues, you might be able to schedule time off for a honeymoon." She watched the couple carefully. "Is there something else?"
B'Elanna nodded and took Tom's hand. "I'm pregnant."
Janeway sat there, stunned for several seconds, before B'Elanna continued, speaking rapidly.
"The Doctor already knows--and has adjusted the medication accordingly. I refuse to take time off, until I actually need to." Kathryn realized the half-Klingon was basically saying, *and so there.*
"How long...When??? I mean when is the baby due?"
Tom stood. "Seven months." He was positively beaming. She quickly offered her congratulations again then sat there for several seconds after they'd left.
"Janeway to Chakotay, please report to my ready-room." She didn't smile at his acknowledgment...She couldn't decide why she was angry at him.
He appeared a few seconds later. "Captain?" He smiled at her.
"I have just been informed that Lieutenant Torres is expecting..."
His grin grew. "I thought so."
"And you didn't feel this important enough to tell me?" She rubbed her head in irritation.
"Kathryn, it was just a guess. I..." He stopped speaking and leaned over her desk. "I didn't know for sure. Why?"
"I...um...Because I should be kept informed on what is going on?" She smiled weakly.
"Ahhh. You don't like secrets." He sat down in the chair Tom had been sitting in and slid it up to her desk. "Are you feeling all right?"
She closed her eyes. "I just have a headache..."
"Have you seen the Doctor?"
She shrugged. "I've had headaches before--they go away. How did you guess...about B'Elanna?"
He leaned forward. "She asked not to be assigned to the shuttle testing...And how she worded her decision to remain with Voyager when we get back. Speaking of when we return. The Maquis?"
"I am hoping that by the time we actually arrive, they will have changed their minds. But, yes I have decided to agree to their request." She tried to smile. "Try to convince them..."
"I will. Kathryn, and..." He stood, seemingly uncertain about something.
"Commander."
He studied her for a second, then nodded. "Time, Kathryn. It's all about time." He left her puzzling his cryptic words. She looked up at the ceiling, suspicious about just what he meant.
"Time," she whispered. She picked up Harry's systems analysis. This whole experiment had generated an incredible number of reports. Yesterday she had finally asked that a summary page be included. "I don't have the time." She muttered as she quickly scrolled through his summary. They had adjusted for a slight fluctuation in the shields yesterday. She then read a little further into the report. No surprises...very few problems. So unusual.
She didn't have any delusions--they were still in the Delta-Quadrant. Life here was weird--and unpredictable. She just hoped Starfleet understood.