Title: Where the Heart Is
Author: Megan Faye
Rated: PG13
Series: We Belong
Disclaimer: I don't claim to own anything but the plot.
Note: This story contains graphic sexual content. If you are under the age of 18, or disapprove of such things in Fanfic, then I advise you not to read.


"Listen with all your heart, hold it inside forever. You may find all your dreams have already come true." Where the Heart Is Soundtrack, 'That's The Beat of The Heart.'



March 2001



"Holy heart failure, its cold!" Kate said as she entered the building.

"Its an ice skating rink. What did you expect, Kate? Palm trees?" Chakotay asked, wiggling his eye brows. "Happy birthday, Katie."

"Thanks Papa!" She stood on her tip toes and kissed her father's cheek. "Thank you, Mom," she said, hugging the shorter woman. She paid, got her ice skates and got ready to go out on the ice.

"Most kids these days want a car for their eighteenth birthday, or their own apartment. Ours wants to go ice skating," Kathryn said as Kate glided out. "Well, at least she's doing something new for a change."

"She's doing pretty good, Kat." Chakotay smiled and gently placed his arm around her shoulders. "Kathryn, do you ever think of our old ship?"

"We served together for 5 years on her. I miss her, but I don't think I'd give up what we have here. Five years of being on a ship compared to 25 of being in a wonderful family. Can't begin to compare."




September 2376


"Papa? Can I speak with you?" Kate asked, walking beside her father down the corridor. Chakotay smiled and draped his arm across her shoulder.

"Of course," he said.

"I want to go back. I'm not happy here. This time is...wrong. Its not my home! Everything I had at home is gone. I managed to save a few photo albums, but my friends are all dead for a few centuries, our house is gone, my favorite ice skating place is gone, and I...."

"I know, Kate. That's how we felt when we came to Earth in 1976, only in reverse. No one we loved would be born for a few centuries."

"If you know what its like, then why put me through it?"





June 5, 1979


"Kathryn, I'm asking you to marry me," Chakotay said, taking her by the hand. "Last night was the first time since we got stranded in the Delta Quadrant that I felt.....I don't know.....human."

"One night of amazing, Chakotay, was all it was. We can't try to base a life on one night of passion."

"Is that all it was to you? Passion? What about that little thing in the kitchen where you said you love me? Kathryn, I can't....you.....Stop doing this to me! Stop leading me on, and shutting me out! Make a choice, Love me, don't love me, but make up your mind!" Kathryn turned and walked away.




March 2383


"Y'know, Chakotay, its Kate's birthday tomorrow. Four hundred years old," Kathryn joked softly, not looking up from her data PADD. "She looks damn good for 400."

"She's 24, Kathryn. The baby is going to ask a hell of a lot of questions about why she's 24 but was born in 1983. Its going to be rather interesting."

"I'm going to give birth for the first time, only 3 months before my daughter gives birth to my grandchild. Couldn't be more interesting without being back on Voyager in the Delta Quadrant."

"That reminds me. Naomi will be 11 soon. Kate's taking her to Earth for a week to visit the sites of the places they lived in Kate's time. I think she'll be happy with the holoprogram we wrote for them. Did you know-"

"Chakotay?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Shut up, kiss me and come to bed." Chakotay smiled and slid into their bed next to his wife."




June 5, 1979



Kathryn lay on her bed facing the wall, crying silently. She never wanted to hurt Chakotay, but fear had blind sided her again. "Wonderful job, Captain," she said out loud to herself. "I've really lost him this time." Bear jumped onto her bed and curled up by her feet, dropping her head on the bend of her knees. "Your master is total blind when it comes to love, Bear." Kathryn stared out the window and began crying again. She soon fell asleep.
Someone sat next to her on the bed and placed a big, gentle hand on her head and brushed the hair from her tear stained face away. His hand; she knew it anywhere. Kathryn opened her eyes.

"I let the dog out into the back yard."

"Chakotay," she said, another tear escaping her eyes. "I'm-"

"Shhhh, its all right." He lay next to her and pulled her onto his chest. After she settled into his arms, he gently kissed her head. "If you aren't ready for this, I'll wait for you until you are." Kathryn listened to his heart beating in his chest.

"I want to give it a try, Chakotay. Tomorrow, we'll start fresh and everything will be different this time. I promise." Kathryn leaned up, catching his lips with her own. Chakotay ran his fingers through her hair. "I love you so much," she whispered into his lips.

"I love you too, Kat," he said, tears coming to his eyes. "I promise I'll never do anything to hurt you." She smiled and kissed him again.





2000



"Mom, I'm going to be late for school. Y'know, teachers really don't like it when you're late the first day," Kate said, pulling her headphones off as Kathryn got into the Jeep.

"Its your first day, sweet heart. They can't be too upset with you." Kathryn pulled out of the driveway and turned toward the high school.

"I live half a block from school, and I've been going there since freshman year."

"So?" Kathryn shot her a lop sided grin. She pulled into the school driveway and stopped. The two stepped out of the car. "You know I'll get you out of it if you need me to. What time do you want me to pick you up?"

"This is my senior year, I only have four classes. How about 1100 hours?" A student passing by laughed lightly. Kate stared at him hard. The short freshman swallowed and walked faster. Kate hugged her mother, kissed her cheek and walked towards the school.

Kate found her name on the list of seniors and started off towards the Drama class room. The class was filled with familiar faces. Her friend Kyle was sitting in the front row, farthest away from the teacher's desk, but closest to the "stage." Ms. Kallen was in the back working on a computer. Rusty was goofing around with Damen, and Sara was scaring some trouble. Rachel, the cheerleader, was sitting with Laura, who was on the other dance team. Kate loved the way this year was starting. All of her classmates were friends. Ms. Kallen had been teaching Kate for the last 4 years. The class room was familiar, and comforting.

"Hey, Kate! Want to cause a little mischief?" Rusty asked, holding up a fake rat. Kate raised an eye brow. "Come on! You know you want to!" Kate smiled and sat next to Kyle, who was the other loner in the class.

"Hey, Kyle."

"Hi Kate. We keep ending up in classes together. How....odd."

"Gee, I thought you loved me."

"You know me, always negative." Kate smiled. Kyle was always negative. She usually could get him to laugh. "Go play with Rusty. I want to see Ms. Kallen write you up on your first day of senior year."

"Kyle," she said softly. "I missed you this summer. I was worried."

"Didn't want to go out side. Besides, you were in Los Angeles."

"For two weeks." Ms. Kallen smiled and handed Kate her school schedule. "Oh, Drama, choir, Environmental Science, and English. Not too shabby. The only new teacher I have is in English Literature. Time to start my usual toe kissing!" Kate made kissing noises, making Kyle laugh.

"Kate, can I ask you a question?"

"You just did."

"Cute."

"Thank you."

"Kate, are you still with Tom Kim?" Kyle asked softly. Kate nodded. "How serious is it?"

"We're engaged. In August of next year, we're getting married. My parents are thrilled." Kate took her hat off, and started brushing her long brown-red hair to pull it back into a low pony tail, much like her mother used to wear. "Tommy is so far the only guy comfortable with me being a tom boy. He likes that I wear jeans, t shirts, with button ups pulled over, and backwards hats," she said, pulling her hat back on. Tommy walked into class, searching until he found Kate.
One of the cheerleaders walked up and introduced herself. Kate hadn't noticed him, as her back was facing the door. He nodded, said hello and walked towards Kate.

"This seat taken?" he asked softly, leaning into Kate's shoulder.

"Tommy? What are you doing here?" Kate asked, hugging him tightly.

"Dad let me come and stay with Jenny and Megan Delaney. They live a few blocks away from your house. LA was getting too crowded for my taste," Kate smiled and kissed him.

"Glad you came, Tommy."

"Do you know how much trouble I had getting the same schedule as you. I joined choir, Katie. I can't carry a tune in a bucket." Ms. Kallen came over.

"Hi, I'm Ms. Kallen," she said, shaking the boy's hand. "You MUST be Tommy. Kate's been telling us about you for the last four years. One rule; no making out in class, please. Getting fired isn't my idea of fun."

"Ms. Kallen, can I show him around?" the cheerleader asked.

"Um, can Kate take me instead? We have basically the same schedule, and I haven't seen her in over a month." Ms. Kallen nodded, and wrote out a pass.

"Kate," she said. "You've been in my class for 4 years now, you know the drill. Get to work on Variety Show ideas for themes, skits, sets, and music. I expect a list by next week." The two headed out into the hall of the main building.

"That sounds like a lot of work for two people."

"Its just ideas. The first month of school, basically, August 18th until September 15th, we bounce ideas off each other for the show, and get a theme together and pick music that works with it, and start writing skits. Then there are the musical acts that come between scenes. Everyone will have a list of ideas. I'll help you." Kate wrapped her arm around Tommy's waist, and he dropped his arms across her shoulders. "Tommy, I really missed you," she said leaning her head onto his shoulder.

"I know. I missed you, too, Kate." Tommy kissed her head and they walked on.



2376


"Kate?" Tommy asked softly. He hadn't seen her since they talked in sickbay after she beamed aboard. "Talk to me."

"Look, Tommy, I told you after graduation, I love you, but its not going to work out. You smother the hell out of me! Why do you think I left Florida? I needed space! You need to stop now, Tom. I can't be so tied down. Not to you, not to anyone." Kate started to leave her quarters to find Naomi.

"You're exactly like your mother! So afraid of feeling anything that you'd shut out anyone who loves you! I love you, Kate! Can't you at least tell me why you suddenly changed your mind?"

"I," she started. "I don't have to tell you anything, Thomas Harold Kim. Just because I can't marry you, don't think I don't love you. I need time to......"

"Grow up?" he offered. Kate smiled faintly and nodded. "Well, when your ready, I'll be here. Just don't make me wait too long, Katie." Tommy smiled and left.





Tommy sat in Chakotay's office, staring blankly out into space. Chakotay, sitting at his desk, waited quietly for the man to find the words he was desperately looking for.

"She keeps pushing me away."

"So does Kate," Tommy said. "Like mother, like daughter?"

"I suppose." Chakotay leaned back.

"Kathryn will probably let you in," Tommy said, sipping his coffee. "She always loved you. As long as I can remember, she's loved you. My father told me stories about the two of you. The two of you were left on an island you nicknamed New Earth. He told me that when you came back, he could see how much she loved you, and how broken hearted you were."

"New Earth was a planet, and yes, I loved her, and told her there. She shut me out." Chakotay set his tea down and looked at the boy. "Why do I feel so comfortable talking to you?"

"Well, before I moved across the country to be with Kate, we had a talk about treating Kate with respect, and you said you really didn't have to worry too much about me, being Harry Kim's kid, I'd probably be too shy to look into her eyes for a minute." Chakotay laughed softly. "Not three weeks later, you found out that I'd asked Kate to marry me. I thought you'd have killed me, but you looked at me and said, "Tommy, don't let her push you away, and don't give up on her. She's got more of her mother in her than she knows." And I told you I would never give up on Kate. I care too much about her to make a mistake like that."

"How did Kathryn take it?"

"Kathryn hit the roof. She got Uncle Mike over to see if Kate was pregnant." Chakotay laughed again, and then thought about it. He glared at Tommy. "I swear we've never done anything besides kiss! My father would have killed me before you had the chance. Besides, I respect Katie too much. I didn't want to, neither did she." Chakotay smiled again. "I love her, Commander."






Tommy looked up from the data PADD at Kate. She smile softly, allowing him to take her hand and pull her onto his lap.

"I'm sorry," she said, looking into his eyes. "Forgiven?"

"Oh, of course! Katie," Tommy said, "I love you. What ever you need to do, I'll be there for you, if you want me there." Kate cuddled into his chest.

"I want you with me always."

"Do you still want to go back?" he asked. She nodded silently. "Come with me." He lead her out of his quarters and down the corridor towards the holodeck. "Dad and Tom Paris helped me make something for you." He tapped the console, and lead her in. They were in her old house. He had most of the details right, except one room. The guest room was completely empty.

"Wow, its great!" she said, kissing him. "What about the guest room?"

"Dad thought you could do a room. He thought it would help you become closer to home. I hope he's right." Kate snuggled next to him on the couch. She leaned up and kissed him deeply. "Kate, I-" he started, smiling.

"Shhhh," she told him, kissing him again.




2382



Kate lead Tommy onto the holodeck. He closed his eyes and allowed her to lead him in. "Its your house," he said.

"Yes, but I finally finished the guest room." Tommy smiled and followed her up the stairs and down the hall. "Close your eyes." He obeyed. She opened the door and opened the curtains. "Okay, look."

"Katie, sweet heart, its a nursery."

"I noticed."

"Kate?"

"Yes?"

"Why is there a nursery?"

"Because."

"Because........?"


"Well, if we're going to have a baby in 8 and a half months, and we are going to have a baby in 8 and a half months, it might come in handy." She flung her hair over her shoulder, and started to walk off.

"Hang on," he said, gently pulling her back to him. "Your pregnant?"

"Yeah," she said, reaching up to kiss her husband. "We're going to be late. I have to see the Doctor." Tommy smiled excitedly.

"Do your parents know?" Kate nodded. "Wow, this is......wow!"



1982


"Can you feel her, Chakotay?" Kathryn asked, placing his hand over her stomach. "That's where her heart is."

"I can feel it," he said, curling against his wife's back. "Have you given any thoughts to a name?"

"Gretchen Kathleen?"

"Gretchen Kathleen." Kathryn nodded. "Now, its very late, and your very tired. Let's get a little bit of sleep," he said, kissing her neck. "Love you."

"Love you too, Chakotay."




End? Maybe, Maybe not!