The Inevitable Truth

by: AW

Chapter 1

Rating: M

Pairing: J/C

Summary: The Consequences of 'The Killing Game'.

Disclaimer: Paramount/Viacom own the series and the characters that are related to Star Trek: Voyager, but the story is mine.

Length: 3,425 words|

Date: December 2017

The young Hirogen walked up to Janeway, "What's this?"

"An optronic data core. You can use it to make holodeck technology on your own vessels. I made a promise to your leader before he died that I would give this technology to the Hirogen." She smiled and handed him the data core. "Take it."

The Hirogen looked at her unsure. "His ideas were unconventional, I do not share them."

Kathryn stared at the young man knowing she had to get the point across to him. "Was he any more unconventional then you are? Calling a cease fire with your prey?" She paused letting the idea set in.

"Only a few days ago, the thought of speaking with us on equal terms would've been inconceivable; but here we are. Take this trophy. You can use it to create a new future for your people." She smiled at him. "At the very least you can hang it on your bulkhead; No?"

She smiled at the young Hirogen and walked out of the cargo bay.

[LATER THAT NIGHT – MESS HALL]

Kathryn grabbed the 'goo' that Neelix was serving for dinner and proceeded to make her way to the table where Chakotay was sitting. "So have you tried this concoction yet?"

Chakotay shook his head. "I was waiting for you to be the guinea pig."

Kathryn tilted her head and shot Chakotay a look. "Thanks for that."

She put her fork in the pasty goo and brought it up to her mouth. It was pungently fragrant and she felt her stomach do a summersault pushing the offending food away.

"You want to make our way to my quarters and tonight we can eat from the replicator."

Chakotay laughed, "If that's the kind of reaction it solicited in you, I might take you up on that offer."

The pair made their way to Kathryn's quarters.

She punched in the access code and they walked over to the replicator. "Vegetarian Lasagne?"

"That, I think I can deal with."

The dish appeared in the replicator and Kathryn brought it over to the table. "This definitely smells better than what Neelix was serving."

Chakotay grinned and showed Kathryn the dimples that she had long ago fallen in love with. She slowly brought the fork up to her mouth and felt the bile building in her throat. She shook her head, "I'm just not feeling well tonight."

Chakotay stared at her. "I can go if you want to just rest for the night."

"I just think these last three weeks with the Hirogen, have been a little much for me."

Chakotay watched her disappear into the bedroom. "If you want to take the rest of that with you to your quarters you can. You must be hungry."

Chakotay grinned, "I'm not going to say no to free replicated food."

He heard Kathryn let out a laugh from the other room. "Just don't think this is going to be a regular thing. We all need our replicator rations."

Chakotay smiled to himself and packed up the leftovers to take with him.

Kathryn put on a light white nightgown that went to her knees and lay down in bed.

Sleep would not come to her tonight.

She felt bloated. *Must be that time of the month again.* She looked at the calendar to see when the last date checked was.

She slowly made her way to the bathroom and threw water on her face hoping that would clear the dirty feeling she felt from the weeks of being violated by the Hirogen.

When no relief was forthcoming she went to the living room and replicated herself a cup of tea. It was Chakotay's special blend and always made her feel calmer and ready for a good night's sleep.

She finished the beverage and made her way back to her bedroom.

She lay down on the cool sheets of the bed and waited for sleep to take her over.

[SIX WEEKS LATER]

Kathryn flipped over in her bed. She was lying on her stomach and turned her head to look at the chronometer. *0900* She was late again, she had slept through her alarm.

She got up and was going to make her way to the bathroom when a wave of dizziness swept over her. This was the third day in a row she had slept in, and the dizziness was becoming a normal thing for her. She made her way to the bathroom and felt dry heaves making their way up to her throat. She sighed, maybe it was time she went to visit the doctor.

Lately nothing was staying down and even coffee made her stomach churn.

She quickly had a sonic shower and dressed in her uniform.

Kathryn – against her better judgement – paid the doctor a visit.

[SICKBAY]

Kathryn strolled into the sickbay. She had sent a quick note to Chakotay stating that she wasn't feeling well and was going down to sickbay.

She sighed as the Doctor approached her. "Captain, it seems the Commander was a little worried and wanted to make sure you actually got down here."

Kathryn glared at him and sat on the biobed.

"What seems to be the problem?"

She drew in a cleansing breath. "I know what these symptoms are going to sound like, but I'm telling you now, it is not possible."

The Doctor stared at her, "If you don't tell me what's wrong I can't even begin to make a diagnosis."

She stared at the Doctor, "I have been feeling queasy: Even coffee makes me turn a little green. The last three or four days I have been having dizzy spells; and I can't seem to manage to make it to the bridge on time."

"Uh-huh." He took the tricorder and pointed it lower until he was scanning her abdomen. "When was your last menstrual period?"

She knew where this was going. "I don't really keep track but it was before the Hirogen came on board."

The Doctor flipped his tricorder closed. "It appears that while the Hirogen were on board you missed your booster and you indulged in things you wouldn't normally."

Kathryn shook her head and put her hand on her belly. "Really?"

The Doctor nodded. "Well, it appears to be 100% human, so at least we know they didn't force themselves on you."

She drew in a steadying breath. "It could be anyone on the crew that is Human. I have no recollection of the time with the Hirogen until the implant was shorted out."

The Doctor stared at the distraught woman. "If you want I can take a sample of the amniotic fluid and compare it to likely candidates that were in the simulation with you." He sighed, a very human action for a hologram, "Or if you choose not to have it, I can make that happen as well."

Kathryn stared at him. "You mean abortion? In this day and age."

The Doctor patted her hand. "This wasn't your choice. You had no say in it."

"How long do I have to decide Doctor?"

He scanned her again, "You're about nine weeks along; I would not recommend performing the procedure after 12 weeks."

The Captain nodded and ran her hand along her belly. "I'll tell you what I decide Doctor."

Kathryn exited sickbay in a daze and somehow manage to make her way to the bridge.

She looked over to Tuvok's station and locked eyes with him momentarily before making her way down the stairs towards Chakotay. "You have the bridge Commander; I'll be in my ready room."

Chakotay watched her retreat into her ready room. He would give her 20 minutes and then go check on her.

[30 MINUTES LATER]

Chakotay had given her half an hour before he went to check on her.

He rang the chime and no answer was forthcoming. Finally he used his override codes and made his way into her private sanctuary. "Captain…"

She lifted her head up and he saw the tear streamed face. "What is wrong Kathryn?"

She drew in a cleansing breath. "Nothing Chakotay, I'm just tired."

Chakotay didn't believe this for a minute. "Come on Kathryn, you were late for duty three days in a row. You look like hell, and today I get a message that you had gone to see the Doctor."

She stood up and made her way toward Chakotay. She took off her jacket and summoned him over to where she stood looking out the window. She took his hand and placed it on her belly where the bump was beginning to form. "I'm pregnant."

His jaw dropped open in shock. "Who."

More a statement than a question. She shook her head. "I don't know." She threw her hands up in frustration.

"How far along are you?"

She sighed in frustration and let out a sarcastic chuckle. "Nine weeks you do the math."

"Oh my god."

She put up a hand to stop his questioning. "It's completely human but I have no idea whose baby it is."

Chakotay stared at her and all he could think was maybe it was his. It would be a dream come true born out of the nightmare they had all lived. "Is there any way the Doctor can find out?"

He drew her lips together into a tight line. "There is one way, but the more important question is if I'm even going to have the baby."

Chakotay stared at her, "Abortion?"

"Chakotay, I wasn't trying to get pregnant! I wasn't even engaging in any unsafe activities under my own volition."

He stared at her, "But abortion? Don't you want to know who the baby's father is? It might make a difference."

She huffed and just about yelled, "I don't want it to make a difference. This has to be my decision." She turned to storm out of the ready room, "I believe we're needed on the bridge."

She breezed out of her ready room the weight of the world seemingly lifted from her shoulders for the moment.

[2 WEEKS LATER]

Kathryn walked into the Doctor's office. She had decided. "I guess you should do a prenatal check-up and figure out who the lucky father is."

The Doctor stared at the Captain, "I am assuming this means you have decided to continue the pregnancy."

Kathryn slowly nodded. "I want to know who my baby's father is."

He brought a long needle over to her bedside. "I need you to stay absolutely still Captain." He took a hypo-spray and injected a numbing agent into her belly. She felt the pressure as the needle was inserted into her womb and she stared at the ceiling. "So when will I know Doctor."

He smiled, "I should have some answers for you by end of shift today."

Kathryn nodded and went to get up; the Doctor's hand on her shoulder stopped her, "I'd prefer if you stay in bed for another hour."

She sighed, "I can't neglect my duties Doctor. Can I go to the bridge and lay down in my ready room."

He sighed, "I guess I can make that compromise, but I want the Commander to come here and escort you to the bridge and make sure you get that hour of rest."

Kathryn looked at him incredulously but he was already making the call to the bridge. "Doctor to Commander Chakotay?"

"Yes, Doctor."

"Could you please come and escort the Captain to the bridge?"

Kathryn heard the hesitation over the line. "Is Kathryn okay?"

She knew he was worried or he never in a million years would have referred to her as 'Kathryn' in front of the bridge crew.

"The Captain is fine and I will explain everything when you get here."

5 minutes later - she swore he must have been running from the bridge – Chakotay showed up in sickbay. "Is Kathryn okay? The baby?"

The Doctor stared at the distraught Commander, "They're both fine Commander."

Chakotay looked confused. "So what was the rush to get me down here?"

"I need you to escort the Captain to the bridge and make sure that she lies down in the ready room for the next hour."

*She must have gone through and aborted the baby.* Was all he could think. "Yes Doctor I'll make sure she does as instructed."

Kathryn got up off the biobed and followed Chakotay. She stopped as she got a cramp in her stomach.

Chakotay turned at the sharp intake of breath. "Captain, are you okay?"

Kathryn nodded, "Just a little tender in the stomach area right now."

He stared at her. "You did it didn't you? You got rid of the innocent little baby, without even telling the father." He had tears streaming down his cheeks now. "I could have been that little girl's father."

She saw his heart breaking for a child he wasn't even sure was his.

She looked into the soulful eyes of her First Officer. "Oh honey."

He took her arm and they entered the turbo-lift. "Deck One: Bridge."

The lift began moving and all of a sudden Kathryn's voice rang out. "Halt turbo-lift."

Chakotay stared into the bright blue eyes of Kathryn Janeway. "I didn't abort the baby; I just had to have some tests run so I would know who the baby's father is."

Chakotay's eyes cleared. "Even if I'm not biologically this child's father, I will always be here for her."

"You sound awfully convinced it's a little girl I'm carrying."

He pulled her close and whispered in her ear. "I always pictured us with a little girl."

She turned away from him. "Computer resume."

[BRIDGE]

Kathryn got onto the bridge and promptly turned it over to Tuvok. "You have the bridge Tuvok, the Commander and I have some issues we need to discuss."

Tuvok nodded and watched the Captain and Commander enter the Captain's ready room.

The doors closed behind them. She turned on him. "I need to lay down Chakotay."

He picked up his captain and brought her over to the couch at the top of the ready room. "Why didn't you just let the doctor keep you in sickbay for another hour?"

"He wanted to: I told him no."

He stared at his Captain, she looked so tired. He saw the miniscule bump starting to make itself known. Even though he knew to most it would be invisible.

He sighed, soon he would know whose baby she carried biologically; but that didn't matter.

She carried 'their' daughter.

He saw her finally peacefully sleeping her hand draped over her baby bump. Chakotay wasn't going to wake her until she woke on her own.

Since the discovery of her pregnancy she probably hadn't slept much.

He sighed, if only she would let someone else assist her.

He sighed and left the ready room.

Two hours later, Kathryn emerged from the ready room. "Commander, may I see you in my ready room?"

Chakotay shuffled his way into her safe haven.

Tom let out a low whistle.

Tuvok turned to him. "Was there something that you wanted to say Mr. Paris?"

"No Tuvok, nothing."

Tuvok nodded and went about his sensor scans.

[READY ROOM]

Kathryn spun on Chakotay, "You had no right."

Chakotay stared at Kathryn, "You are pregnant. You went through a series of procedures today. The Doctor wanted to keep you in sickbay afterwards and you insisted on coming to the bridge. You need to slow down."

Kathryn glared at Chakotay, "I'm not even 3 months along."

"And it's going to get harder and it's going to get worse for you. So slow down now, give your body a chance to adjust to the changes that are happening. You have to tell the crew soon, you're not going to be able to keep this a secret for much longer."

Kathryn unconsciously ran a hand over her belly and Chakotay saw the fact that she was starting to 'pop' and looked at her sympathetically. He saw the tears glazing over her eyes and went to her and enveloped her in a hug. "It will be okay Kathryn. You said you wanted to be a mother someday, looks like it's going to be soon." He kissed the top of her head.

She brought her arms around him and stared up at his face. "Thank you for being such a good friend. I think once I know for sure who the baby's father is, things will get easier."

Chakotay nodded. "We'd better get back to the bridge."

She sighed, "You go; I'll meet you there in a minute of two."

Kathryn let her head fall to her hands. What had she gotten herself into? She let her hand fall to her abdomen where the baby - she had not asked for, but who was going to be here soon - rested.

[BRIDGE]

Tom spun around at the sound of the ready room doors opening. "Commander."

Chakotay stared at Tom suspiciously, "Lieutenant."

Tom sent a message to Chakotay's Padd. *That room isn't sound-proofed.*

Chakotay stared at Tom. *How much did you hear?*

*Congratulations?*

[READY ROOM]

"Doctor to Captain Janeway."

"Yes Doctor, what can I do for you?"

"Can you come down to sickbay and bring the Commander with you?"

Kathryn sighed. "Be right there Doctor."

[BRIDGE]

Kathryn walked out of the ready room and motioned for Chakotay to come with her.

He stared at her strangely and followed in her wake. "Tom says Congratulations. Apparently the ready room isn't sound proofed."

[TURBOLIFT]

The doors to the turbolift closed.

Kathryn stared at him. "How much did he hear?"

"Everything, apparently we were a little on the loud side."

Kathryn turned a cute pink color.

Chakotay turned to her. "Did the Doctor say why he wanted to see both of us?"

Kathryn shook her head. "He just told me to report to sickbay and bring you with me."

The turbolift stopped on deck five and they proceeded to sickbay.

[SICKBAY]

Kathryn and Chakotay sauntered into sickbay.

"Ah Captain, Commander. Nice to see you. Before we get started I just have to take a quick look at the Captain after the procedure she had this morning."

The pair nodded and Kathryn hopped up on the biobed.

The Doctor checked over the injection site and hummed and hawed. "So did you get your hour of rest?"

"The Commander let me sleep for two hours. I was not impressed."

The Doctor looked at the couple. "He just wants to make sure his son or daughter is happy and healthy."

Chakotay did a double take. "Pardon me?"

"That is your baby the Captain is carrying. It didn't take me long to test for a father, I started with you. I figured that in any time, in any place you were the most likely candidate."

Kathryn breathed a sigh of relief, she hadn't realized she had been holding in. "Thank goodness I didn't go through with the termination."

Chakotay walked up to the Captain. "We're going to have a baby Kathryn."

Kathryn nodded with tears in her eyes. "So it seems."

The Doctor stared at the couple and finally decided to deactivate himself.

"Janeway to the bridge."

Tuvok answered. "Yes Captain."

"You have the bridge for the rest of the shift, the Commander and I have some things that we have to deal with."

"Aye Captain." She heard a pause on the other end of the line. "And Congratulations."

Kathryn shook her head. "Looks like there's no hiding this anymore."

Chakotay put his hand on the baby bump and proceeded to lift the Captain off the biobed.

"Let's go to my quarters and we'll talk more there."

Chakotay nodded and followed the Captain out of the sickbay.

{JANEWAY QUARTERS]

The Captain and Commander entered her quarters and stared at each other. "So we're going to do this then."

Chakotay looked into her eyes. "It appears so."

Kathryn grabbed Chakotay's hand and placed it under her uniform jacket so he could feel the proof of the baby making itself known.

He let his hands roam over her baby bump. "I love you Kathryn."

She had tears in her eyes as she nodded.

Kathryn was not ready to voice the words yet, but in her mind she knew she loved him too…

END Chapter 1

TBC IN Chapter 2