Back to Land You Once Did Know! ch 14-15

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Part Two

Follow stars that leap

chapter 14

day 252

"And just why is my daughter behaving like a thief in the night?"

Kathryn turned around quickly and hugged her mother. "I told you I would be arriving this morning."

Gretchen nodded several times, then shook her head. "I was expecting you at maybe seven or nine...Not at..." She glanced at the old wooden clock on the wall. "Not at four."

"I just wanted to see you..."

There was no fooling her mother, but Gretchen seemed willing (for the moment) to let the matter rest. "Are you hungry?"

Kathryn nodded. "Brownies?" Gretchen laughed.

"I baked a batch when word first reached us you had come home." The older woman wiped her eyes. "I still can't believe it. Kathryn, welcome home." She wrapped her arms around her daughter.

Gretchen sat Kathryn down at the table and handed her a brownie and a glass of milk, then sat down beside her. "So, are you planning to tell me why you are here, at this dreadful hour?"

Kathryn smiled sadly. "I have no idea what you know...But I've been put to pasture..."

"You're kidding?" Gretchen didn't look too surprised. "The Maquis? There have been rumors of things. The press had a field day with the news black-out. The speculation was rampant."

"Yes, the Maquis. Things I'm not supposed to know--let alone talk-about. My crew...Former crew are probably still partying--I just didn't feel like partying or destroying their joy. So I left."

"Leaving your Maquis First Officer to turn the ship over to Starfleet. That was very naughty." Gretchen smiled.

"Yes, it was--wasn't it. I hope I wasn't too subtle."

"Probably, Joe Bammings has no sense of humor--or sense of irony. But the press will love it."

Kathryn took another bite of the brownie, relishing the taste and texture. The replicated version had never been satisfactory. "What is the press saying?"

"Everything and nothing. There were even reports you are changelings."

"Changelings?"

"The newest fear in this damn war. Some of the Dominion forces can change their shape...Supposedly. The press speculates a lot about that."

"So, tell me about yourself? And Phoebe."

"There's not much to tell. Phoebe's married to a sculptor she met in Paris. She has a little girl, named Kathryn." Gretchen smiled. "The day after she was born, we heard from Starfleet that you had somehow contacted them. We sent a message..." She looked toward the window, then at her daughter. "So did Mark..."

"I didn't get yours...We had some problems with the messages." That was a slight understatement. "How is Mark and his wife?"

"I haven't heard from them for a while. He took a position in Ankara last summer. What about you? What was it like?"

"Different." Kathryn chuckled as she finished her milk. "Full of strange new worlds. More excitement than we needed. But somehow we made it."

"And you. How did you make it?"

"Barely. I had my ups and downs." She yawned.

"You can tell me about it in the morning--but you need to sleep."

day 253

The sun was streaming through her window when she woke up in her own room much later. She stretched under her non-Starfleet issued bedding. She lay there for several seconds, then sat up too quickly, and had to take a moment to re-orientate herself. She was in her mother's house in Indiana...She glanced at the little clock on the dresser. "Eleven?" It had been a long time since she had slept so late.

There was a quiet knock at her door. "Come in," she called out in her command voice, then laughed.

"You finally woke up?" Gretchen asked.

"I think so."

"Good, your sister will be here in an hour. Well have lunch when the family arrives."

"Sounds lovely--just no leola root."

Gretchen looked puzzled. "Leola root?"

"Our cook's favorite ingredient." She laughed. She started to stand and sat down quickly.

"Are you all right?"

"I just slept too late. I'm not used to this." She motioned with her hands. "We're not traveling at warp speed."

"Well, I've always preferred Terra Firma...Would you like some toast?"

"Sounds good." Kathryn seriously considered lying back down and enjoying this, but decided against it. It was good to be home.

#

The day passed quickly. They'd sat in the living room listening to her regale them with tales the Delta-Quadrant. She'd started telling stories, expecting to give a cursory view...But had ended up embellishing the stories. Her audience, consisting of her mother; Phoebe and her family; and a few cousins had been enthralled.

Kathryn was busy telling about the Kazon and Seska at dinner and barely noticed the meal or her mother's cat who was determined to help her eat. She was describing how Seska had been a Cardassian spy when her sister interrupted.

"Kathryn Janeway, when did you learn to tell a story?"

Kathryn looked at her. "Huh?"

"You've been telling us about your adventures all afternoon." Phoebe motioned with her hands the audience. "The last time you told a story, I left. You should write a book."

"And while we're stopped," Gretchen said. "We should quit for the evening. The kids are tired."

"And so am I," Kathryn added with a yawn. She had lost track of time--but it was dark. It was still such a new idea not having to deal with the daily routine. Right now she would be looking at the daily reports...having dinner...Which led her to think of Chakotay. Her mind drifted to him...

"Kathryn? Kath? You there?" Phoebe was waving a hand in front of her face.

"Thinking sis..." She smiled. "Just remembering what I would be doing now--on Voyager." She couldn't control the pain in her voice. "Well, I'm tired...Is something wrong?" Her mother was looking at her strangely.

Gretchen smiled. "No, Kathryn, absolutely nothing."

She said good night to her cousins and then her own family. She climbed the stairs slowly.

"Do you think she knows?" She heard her sister ask.

She recognized her mother's laugh. "I don't know. But in true Janeway fashion, I'm sure she will find out soon enough."

day 254

The clock clanged four times, waking Kathryn from an unplanned afternoon nap. She stretched, and nearly fell off the couch.

"I'm not used to doing nothing," she said to her mother.

"Nothing?" Gretchen smiled. "How are you feeling otherwise?"

"Fine. Why?"

Gretchen's smile just grew bigger.

day 258

"Kathryn, there's a reporter here," her mother called out from downstairs.

"Damn. Tell them to go away." She pushed the curtain back slightly. It had been a pleasant few days--it had taken the press longer to find her than she'd figured. She returned to her computer and continued to write. She'd taken Phoebe's advice...but for some reason seemed compelled to start at the end. The tale of the last 8 months was upper most in her mind.

"Kathryn," this time it was Phoebe.

"What?" she said angrily as she corrected a word.

"It's lunchtime," her sister was in the doorway. "You need to eat."

"What is it about everybody. You, mom, Chakotay always worrying if I eat or not." She turned around in her chair. "I'll eat when I reach a stopping place."

"Very well. Chakotay, your gorgeous first officer? He liked to pester you about eating?"

"Amongst other things," Kathryn said in a calmer voice--wondering at her previous spurt of anger.

Phoebe burst out laughing. Suddenly Kathryn joined in.

"Kathryn. Phoebe." It was their mother: she was holding a newspaper. "Kath, you should see this." She held out the newspaper. "The reporters will be gathering soon."

Slowly Kathryn reached for it and scanned the headline. "What the Hell?" She ignored Phoebe who was reading over her shoulder. "What kind of garbage is this..." She read further.

"I wouldn't have thought it true...but...well," Gretchen looked at her older daughter curiously.

"Except you suspect it's eight, not seven as the article says?"

Gretchen nodded.

They'd had problems with the radiation prevention treatments. The Doctor had made numerous changes. But this wasn't exactly the kind of results she'd been expecting.

"Starfleet will love this." She said after reading the first five paragraphs.

"Oh, I bet they will," Gretchen answered. "But what about you?"

Kathryn closed her eyes. How did she feel about this. Slowly she nodded. "I suppose I should find out for sure."

She opened her eyes in time to see Phoebe and Gretchen exchange winks. "What?"

"You have an appointment this afternoon with Doctor Black."

"Mother..." Kathryn couldn't decide if she was angry, exasperated or what...

"And Kathryn. Chakotay should know."

Kathryn nodded again--then looked at her mother in shock. "How???"

"Kath, it's obvious every time you say his name," Phoebe clasped her sister's hand. "Congratulations."

They left her to her thoughts. Very complicated thoughts they were indeed.

Complicated and confused. It was incredible how much one's life could be turned upside down in 8 short months. Then, getting back to the Alpha-Quadrant had been her number one priority.

Now, it was how to tell Chakotay that he was going to be a father. She smiled. That could be fun.

chapter 15

day 260

She knew she would be better off in the house, but this morning she wanted to write outside. She had a spot in mind--she'd used to work there as a kid. An old oak tree by a small creek. It would stay cooler. It also gave her a chance to enjoy the real sights, sounds, and smells of a real Earth.

She left a note for her mother telling where she was, then packed a snack, water, her medication, a pillow, and her PADD with her adventures--their adventures. It was still cool outside--but she suspected by noon it would be too muggy to stay outside.

She walked slowly, enjoying the feel of the grass under her feet. She smiled as she sat down and started to work, conveniently forgetting the dozen or so invitations sitting on her desk. They would wait. #

Kathryn shifted her position and clasped her stomach, dropping her PADD. Her mother had only smiled when she'd complained about being sick. She tried to stand slowly before realizing she wouldn't make it back to the house before she threw-up. Fortunately the Federation hadn't known about this a week ago. They might have found another reason to ruin her life.

She could only concentrate on the nausea as she bent over and started retching. She was barely aware of the sound of footsteps behind her, until he spoke.

"Kathryn, are you all right?" She jumped slightly.

"No. It's all your fault too...And Seven's and the Doctor's..." She bent over again.

She felt his hands on her shoulders. "We'd better get you back home. Come." She took his hand reluctantly--then stopped.

"My water bottle." She pointed toward it. He picked it up and her bag. She took a mouthful of water then spit it out. She then struggled to open her bag and pulled out a hypospray. She handed it to Chakotay, who placed it on her neck. She tried to smile at the look of total lack of comprehension. "I'd have taken it earlier--except it makes me dizzier." She held out her hand for him to grab. "I hate this." She closed her eyes to try to blot the swirling. "I'll be fine in a few minutes."

He helped her sit back down on the ground then sat down beside her. "What's wrong?"

"You got my message?"

"I was waiting for it. After you disappeared, I figured you needed sometime alone."

"I did. Looking back...but it was such a shock. I went to my hearing, pretty much knowing what was going to happen. And when it went exactly according to the plan...I couldn't talk to anyone...Even you...I'm sorry."

"I still don't understand. We were freed. There've even been some very good job offers."

She shook her head, slowly. "Don't..." She started to stand, but sat down when another wave of dizziness passed over her. "I've retired from Starfleet. Or rather was asked to." He took both her hands, a silent gesture encouraging her to continue.

She shook her head slowly. "I was the sacrificial Starfleet officer. Politics and all that...though considering everything..." She smiled at him. "I think I feel better. Let's go back. My mother is very anxious to meet you."

He grinned, "I was thoroughly grilled before she would tell me where you were. I hate to think what Tom and B'Elanna are telling her..." He stood. "And you should talk to a doctor."

"Already have," she took his hand and let him pull him into his arms.

"You're kidding."

"Nope. Mom dragged me two days ago." She was thoroughly enjoying herself, despite the remnants of dizziness.

He looked very concerned and he prevented her from walking away. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing is wrong with me." She pulled her hand out of his and took five steps. "I'm pregnant." She stopped and smirked at him. His face went completely blank, then his mouth and eyes opened wide. He gurgled something several times. "I agree completely. I'm glad that this will not be Starfleet's concern. Was there something else?" He reacted quickly as she walked toward him, faster than he looked capable of she decided just as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

There was the sound of a clearing throat. "Ummm. Excuse me, Captain, Commander." They parted slightly to stare at Tom. "Starfleet has sent you a message." He smirked slightly. "And, umm...Congratulations."

"Thanks, Tom...And it's Kathryn...I've retired."

"Oh...Well no wonder the Admiral has been in a bad mood. I presume this wasn't what you wanted?"

She nodded. "And the others?" They started walking toward the house.

"Well," Tom said. "The Doctor has filed a report on the high number of pregnancies...He was on his way to Sao Paolo when the news broke. He's joining the staff of the xenobiologists there. Dr. Pulaski asked him to put together a Delta-Quadrant edition of Comparative Humanoid Physiology."

Janeway's eyes opened wide. "I hope they know what they are getting."

"Nothing compared to Utopia Planetia. They've hired Seven to head a new R and D project." Tom laughed. "B'Elanna turned them down. At least for the moment." They talked about the rest of the crew until the house came into view. Some of the happenings surprised her. Samantha Wildman and Naomi would be joining her husband--she was leaving Starfleet. Many of the former Maquis were joining a settlement near the Vulcan system. Harry was taking a three month leave and then would take an assignment at the Academy.

"And you two?" She asked at the door.

Chakotay shrugged, but Tom was beaming. "Can you believe that Starfleet wants me to be an advanced flight instructor?"

"Better you than Chakotay," she said as she took Chakotay's hand. "He still hasn't said a thing..." She looked up at him and smiled. "Let me find out what Starfleet wants...and then we need to talk."

#

The message from Starfleet, despite all the encryption, was just confirmation of her retirement. She would have puzzled over this need to encrypt mundane everyday items, except the sound of B'Elanna's laughter from the living room brought her back to reality.

"And Neelix has booked the gymnasium at the Academy for a party..." Chakotay was saying when she entered the room.

"As long as Bammings isn't invited," Paris said. "Captain...Ummm. Kathryn. Neelix is throwing a final party before we all go our separate ways."

"So I gathered. Tell him that we'll have it catered--he's to relax and enjoy himself..."

Tom and B'Elanna started laughing, while Chakotay explained about Chez Talaxia, Neelix's new restaurant in Beijing. She had to smile as she sat down close to Chakotay.

"How's Elaine?" She asked.

B'Elanna grinned. "Growing. She's cutting her first tooth." Kathryn grinned as she looked at the sleeping child.

Day 293

Neelix's party had been a wonderful night. It was good to see everybody one last time before they went there separate ways. The news of her pregnancy had leaked, so she did have to put up with the congratulations of the crew, but that hadn't been too bad. Chakotay had been there. He had accepted a teaching position at the University of Chicago in Archaeology--he had three months to prepare. She had a dozen job offers she was exploring--including a job at the Academy. Her Maquis-tainted background apparently didn't apply there.

She smiled as she rolled over. Neelix's party had meant that she and Chakotay had to spend several days in San Francisco. A pleasant four days. It had been nice to stroll through the Academy grounds and through the City too. It had been a long time--too long--since she'd been able to just walk around and not worry about this, that or everything else. No nasty aliens were lurking in ambush...

She actually missed that. She jumped slightly at the touch of a pair of hands on her shoulders.

"Can't sleep?"

"Just thinking. It seems so strange. I'm not buried under a pile of reports."

Chakotay laughed. "Just your book. Are you going to let me read it?"

"You can buy a copy like everybody else. If I ever finish it."

"Oh come on--it isn't that bad...oops..."

She turned to face him, trying to put an angry scowl on her face. "Oops? Not that bad?" It didn't work, she started laughing when he wrapped his arms around her.

epilogue day 421

Kathryn watched her mother close the album and smiled. "Hi there."

Gretchen smiled in return. "Hi. Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"I could say the same about you." Kathryn walked over and sat down on the couch.

"I'll get us some hot chocolate." Kathryn just nodded at the suggestion as she picked up the abandoned album and started thumbing through it.

Several of the clippings caught her attention. The announcement of Voyager's disappearance, their return...and one from just five days ago.

*Captain Kathryn Janeway (SF Ret) and Professor Chakotay became the proud parents of a baby boy..." Her mother had found four similar clippings she noticed. She placed the album back on the table and leaned back as she listened in the silence for sounds of the baby, before deciding it was Chakotay's turn to wake up anyway.

"We had some left over whipped cream," Gretchen said as she handed her daughter the cup. "Careful..."

Kathryn smiled. "Hot...I sort of noticed." She took a careful sip.

Day 429

Kathryn smiled as she hit the period key. It was done. She looked over at her sleeping son. "Well, I finished it. The publisher will be happy--so will the university." She scrolled back several pages to reread the closing section.

A whimper interrupted her thoughts. "Hungry Edward Kolopak Janeway?"