My Lifeline Pairing J/C By: AW Rating: MA

Part 1

Kathryn watched Chakotay saunter into the ready room. She has spent all night musing over the comminuque from Admiral Hays, status of the Maquis? These weren't things she thought about anymore...not since New Earth and their sojourn together. They had been a couple since then, unofficial mind you, but a couple none-the-less. She stared at her lover as he said his good mornings and stared at her. "Good morning. Problem?"

If only he knew. "I haven't decided. I've just listened to a communique from Admiral Hayes." She stared at her computer terminal then back to her lover, as he responded.

"Nice to have friends in high places."

She turned the terminal around so they could stare at the terminal together. On the monitor the Admiral went forth with the message she had seen more times then she cared to admit. "Hello, Captain. I hope this message finds you well. From what I understand, it has not been easy, but I want you to know that a lot of people here are very proud of what you've accomplished. I also want to assure you that we have not given up finding a way to get you home. We've redirected two deep space vessels toward your position. If all goes well, they could rendezvous with you in the next five to six years."

She looked at Chakotay and tapped something into the computer. "Computer, advance to time index one twenty one point four."

Admiral Hayes went on as if time and the message had not passed, "as we get closer and our conversations become more frequent. When you respond to this message, please let us know of any casualties. I'm sure you've had more than your share. I'm anxious to know the status of your crew, the Maquis, first contacts that you've made, interactions with the Borg, but there'll be time for everything. Our thoughts are with you. Talk to you soon."

She turned the computer off and stared at him, "What." She looked at him incredulous, had he not heard what she just had.

"Status of the Maquis."

"Do you find that surprising?"

"I don't think of you or B'Elanna or the others as Maquis. I think of you as part of my crew." and more she thought. "I can't handle this Chakotay, I have spent years trying to get this crew to forget the torrid and unfortunate in some ways beginnings of this crew, and I succeeded, but to have the Admiralty simply dismiss our accomplishments as if they were nothing"

"You may have forgotten, but we haven't. You heard the Admiral. It'll be years before we have to deal with those issues. Let's worry about it then."

"Do you have lunch plans?"

"Is that an invitation?"

"Isn't it always honey?"

Chakotay grinned at his woman. "Normally, but I thought you might like to compose this one without a 'Maquis traitor' staring over your shoulder."

Kathryn punched him playfully. "If you wanted to take the ship you would have done it years ago Chakotay."

He smiled, "I got everything on this ship I wanted when I landed you Kathryn."

She grinned ruefully, "I know you, its all part of your plan to get this ship isn't it?"

Chakotay laughed, "Oh yeah Kathryn, that's my plan." He thought about the ridiculousness of the letter. "I'm thinking that tomorrow I'll tell B'Elanna that it's a go on 'plan mutiny' that we devised years ago, time to resurrect the Maquis."

Kathryn laughed, "Not."

[Kathryn's quarters 1200]

Kathryn listened to the door chime and instinctively knew who it was. "Come in Chakotay."

Chakotay entered and stared at her, "What's on your mind dear?"

"What are we doing Chakotay? We've been an item - although privately - for over 3 years. We won't tell the crew, we can't really move on with our lives, what are we doing?"

Chakotay sighed, "What do you want me to do Kathryn? I tried to take this relationship further and you said no, over and over. I would marry you and give you everything but you said 'no'."

Kathryn looked at him, "Okay."

Chakotay's eyes bugged out of his head, "What?"

"I said okay, I'll marry you. I'm not puting my life on hold anymore, and the letter from Admiral Hayes just told me I can't."

Chakotay shook his head, "What do you mean you can't? Are you saying you'll just marry me to exhonerate the maquis?"

Kathryn shook her head, "No, I'd marry you anyway, but this just pushed if forward."

Chakotay looked at her, she sounded so sure of herself. He decided now was not the time to inform her that he had made a wedding appointment at 'Aquiel' the planet they were now orbiting. He pulled the beautiful ring out of his pocket he had gotten on shore leave four months ago, got on one knee, and performed the deed. "Kathryn if you're so sure, will you do the honor of being my wife."

Kathryn had tears running down her cheeks as she grabbed the ring and placed it on her left hand, "Of course I will."

He leaned down and kissed her, "It's a good thing you said yes because we have an appointment on 'Aquiel' after shift."

She raised an eyebrow, "You move fast Commander."

He looked at her, "I learned from the best, 'Captain'."

Later that evening the Captain and Commander met in her quarters, soon to be their quarters he hoped. "Chakotay -"

"Kathryn -"

Kathryn smiled and looked at him, "You go first."

Chakotay looked at her, "I think we should begin to tell the crew about us."

She grinned back, "I think so too. Why don't we start with Tom and B'Elanna, we'll need witnesses on our 'wedding day'."

Chakotay nodded, "Chakotay to Torres."

He heard a pause then B'Elanna answered, she sounded out of breath. "B'Elanna, can you come down to the Captain's quarters and bring Tom too...when you're finished of course."

Kathryn laughed, and the couple heard B'Elanna hesitate, and they could swear if B'Elanna had been standing in front of them she would be blushing. "Yes, Commander."

Chakotay nodded, "And it's just Chakotay and Kathryn tonight, this isn't a work call."

He heard Tom over the line, "Well this is a nice surprise."

"Shut up Tom." Chakotay could hear her hand over the commbadge. "We'll be there in about 15 minutes Chakotay."

Chakotay nodded, "Aknowledged."

Chakotay turned to Kathryn, "Well, looks like we have our witnesses."

"Good thing too," She placed his hand on her abdomen, "Wouldn't want our daughter born out of wedlock."

Chakotay looked at her stunned, "I thought we were both on boosters Kathryn."

"We were, but I didn't update mine and it appears that there was a little accident."

"Little?"

Kathryn laughed, "Okay poor choice of words."

Chakotay regained his senses, "You're sure?"

"That's what the doctor tells me."

"Gods, I love you Kathryn."

"The feeling is mutual, now all we need to do is wait for Tom and B'Elanna to let the cat out of the bag." The door chime rang, "Speak of the devil."

Kathryn touched Chakotay's arm. "Can we keep the baby news between us for now? I just found out yesterday."

He grinned and reached over to touch her belly. "Anything you want...'mommy'."

Janeway glared at him, "Come in."

B'Elanna and Tom walked into the Captain's quarters. "Well, hello." Tom gave them a cheeky grin.

"Wipe that smirk off your face Tom. We need to ask you two something as 'friends' not 'officers'."

B'Elanna nodded, encouraging them to continue. "Will you two be our witnesses at our wedding?"

B'Elanna's jaw dropped, and Tom put something into the padd he was carrying. "And the winner is Ensign Wildman."

Janeway glared at him, "I thought you stopped the pools 'Ensign'."

"Uh...it's just a little fun Captain."

Chakotay laughed, "You want to be sent back to the brig that badly do you Paris."

B'Elanna glared at her boyfriend. "We're so happy for you two, that you finally found each other. You're good together."

Tom looked at them curiously. "How long have you two been together?"

Chakotay and Kathryn shared a secretive look. "Oh only about three years Tom."

B'Elanna laughed, "Maybe your instincts aren't as good as you thought helm-boy."

Tom looked at his girlfriend, hopefully soon-to-be wife. He got down on one knee and pulled out a diamond ring. "How about we make the wedding a double date B'Elanna? B'Elanna Torres, will you do me the honour of being my wife?"

Kathryn smiled as she looked at the couple before her. "Well, it looks like there are going to be two weddings when we go down to the planet."

Chakotay smiled and drew Kathryn towards him. They looked at each other and kissed. "Life will be okay Chakotay." She felt Chakotay's hand move down and gently caress her abdomen.

Tom Paris was nothing if not observant. "Hey B'Elanna, what's up with those two?"

B'Elanna shrugged and looked at her soon to be husband. "And by the way the answer is yes."

Tom looked cockily towards his fiancee, He whispered, "He can't keep his hands off of her, especially her stomach. You don't think..."

"Already?"

"Well it has been three years, they are getting married, maybe there's a reason for the sudden interest in matrimony."

Tom looked at the couple and approached them. "I hear congratulations are in order for both of us."

Janeway looked shocked at her helmsman, but quickly covered it up. "You know Captain, you can't keep it a secret forever."

Chakotay stared at Kathryn and shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about Tom. We're getting married and so are you, congratulations are in order for both of us."

B'Elanna grabbed Tom's arm and pulled him away, "Leave it alone Tom. It's not worth getting demoted yet again."

Tom got a funny look on his face, "You know I don't think I can get demoted any lower than ensign and still work on the bridge. I believe she needs my piloting skills...else she'd have to put Chakotay at the helm and we all know what happens when she does that."

B'Elanna laughed, "Yeah and I don't want to fix any more shuttles."

She walked up to Kathryn, "Thank you for trusting us and considering us close enough friends to be your witnesses."

Janeway smiled, B'Elanna looked closer, she looked happy: she was practically glowing. She hugged her Captain. B'Elanna watched as she moved away and ran a hand surepticiously over her still-flat stomach. "And congratulations again Captain."

Kathryn looked surprisingly at B'Elanna, "How did you know?"

B'Elanna smiled, "Your husband can't keep his hand off of you and neither can you."

"You got us B'Elanna, our little 'maquis' will be here in about seven months."

B'Elanna hugged her and grinned, "I'm glad you two are finally going to find happiness Kathryn."

Chakotay looked at the two women, his best friends in the world. "What's up Kat?"

"Our chief engineer found out our little secret."

"I am so happy for you Chakotay, and Kathryn too."

Chakotay grinned at his oldest friend. "I only found out today too B'Elanna, it's still all a little new to me."

Tom looked at his three friends having a little discussion about a child that would soon be. "Wait until the crew hears about this."

"Tom, keep this to yourself please. I know that eventually people will figure it out, but I'm not ready just yet."

Tom looked into the pleading eyes of his Captain, his friend, someone who had trusted him enough to tell him her secret, advertantly or inadvertently. "Don't worry Captain, I wouldn't betray your confidence. Until you tell I won't."

Kathryn smiled and had tears in her eyes. "Damn hormones. This pregnancy is going to kill me Chakotay."

Chakotay looked at her, "It'll be worth it in the end Kathryn."

"You know I never thought I wanted children and a home life, but I realized when this happened, it's something I've always wanted Chakotay. I want to have it all." She had tears streaming down her face, tears of joy.

Tom and B'Elanna looked at each other. "I think this is our cue to leave B'Elanna."

B'Elanna looked at Chakotay. "So when's the appointment Chakotay?"

"Kat and I will meet you on the planet at 2000 hours."

"Sounds good, see you then."

The marriage ceremony went on without a hitch, Janeway and Chakotay were now husband and wife as were Tom and B'Elanna. As Chakotay put it, 'this was just the beginning.'

[10 weeks later]

Kathryn lay in bed contemplating everything that had happened to her over the past couple of months. She heard the door to their quarters open and in came Chakotay, he found her waiting in bed for him, rubbing the bump of their baby. "Kathryn, we have to tell the crew. You are really starting to show, and you replicating new jackets every week is starting to really be a drain on our replicator rations. Stop being so vain and just for the last time tell the crew and replicate a maternity uniform."

She nodded and gave a wry grin, "Fine Chakotay, I'll tell them tomorrow. It will just look so weird to have the Captain in a maternity uniform."

Chakotay rolled his eyes, "Like you didn't see this coming a couple of months ago?"

Kathryn sighed, "I suppose: but it's just becoming so real now."

"It is real Kathryn, you're 18 weeks pregnant, starting to show and the tests are all normal."

She nodded, "I know Chakotay...it's just...I don't know it's so out of my realm of -" She paused as he hands went to her belly and she gasped in surprise.

Chakotay rushed over to her, "What's wrong Kathryn, is the baby okay?" He watched a smile spread across her features.

"I think our baby just moved Chakotay." He went over to where she was laying down resting and placed a hand on her abdomen.

"My god Kathryn, that's amazing!"

He reached his face down and kissed her. "You know, I suppose that I was waiting I really didn't want to show the admiral exactly what the 'status the maquis' was like this."

"It will be fine Kathryn. You were on a seventy year journey, it's not like they expected us to all put our lives on hold for that long, including you."

"I'm great Chakotay, so is the baby, and you're right we should tell the crew." She smiled and paused, "I just felt your daughter move again."

Chakotay chuckled, "It was bound to happen sooner or later, you are over 4 months along, and you seem awful positive it's a little girl you're carrying."

"It's just a feeling Chakotay, just a feeling: but I know it's a girl. I can see her in my mind."

Chakotay laughed, "You can see her, maybe you are cut out for this motherhood thing."

Kathryn glared at Chakotay and went to the replicator. "One maternity uniform, size four, command red."

Kathryn pulled the uniform out of the replicator and donned it. "Oh my god Chakotay, look at how much room there is here; it's huge."

Chakotay smiled, "You'll soon fill it out Kathryn."

She rolled her eyes, "Great." She took a deep breath, "Well I have to go and have a conversation with Admiral Hayes, would you come with me?"

He took her hand, "Always Kathryn, I'm always with you."

Kathryn got a few strange looks as she walked down the hall towards the astrometrics lab, Chakotay's hand in her smaller one, and her new changed shape showing in all of its glory.

They walked into the astrometrics lab and got a raised eyebrow from Seven. "If you'll excuse us Seven, I have to talk to the Admiral about Starfleet matters."

Seven nodded and left the room.

"Well Chakotay, here goes." The screen lit up and the face of Admiral Hayes appeared.

"Captain..." He paused unsure of what to say to the new development he was viewing.

"I've...I've read your logs but it appears you left something out."

Kathryn tilted up her chin, "I didn't see our 'situation' as relevant to the moral or your understanding of the crew."

The Admiral shook his head, "On that contrary captain, I assume this is the proud father?"

Janeway silently nodded her head in agreement.

The Admiral sighed, "Then your two crews are getting along better than I thought. You do realize this man is a felon don't you Captain?"

"Yes but he's also my husband, and I don't see him or Lieutenant Torres or any of the 'former' Maquis, as Maquis anymore."

The Admiral sighed, "This is what I read in your logs and in your response, but now because of this," He waved at Kathryn's distended abdomen, "And your vested interest in the former Maquis, I have to meet with the other admiral's and make an informed decision."

Kathryn was taken aback by his brute nature. She turned to Chakotay, "Commander, can you give us a minute?"

Chakotay walked out of the Astrometrics lab. "Alright Admiral, now we're alone. What is your opinion that they're going to say when you bring this to them?"

The Admiral shook his head, "I really think that even though you are stuck in an awkward and impossible situation, you took it too far."

"I refuse to give my life away to a command that may never end. I'm not giving my life to Starfleet anymore, you've gone too far Admiral." And with that Kathryn shut the line. "Janeway to Chakotay, can you please report to my ready room."

[Ten minutes later - Ready Room]

Chakotay walked into the ready room unannounced. They were beyond that in a command capacity as well as in a professional one. He saw her sitting behind her desk in her ready room tears streaming down her face. "I hope I did the right thing Chakotay. I hope so: for the sake of the crew and our daughter."

Chakotay shook his head, "What are you talking about Kathryn? I know you, and I know you do the right thing, always: even when it's a pain in the ass to me and to the many others that follow your command."

"Chakotay I basically told the admiral where he can shove it, and I'm not sure what's going to come of it. I'm not even sure if after the next transmission I'll be 'Captain' anymore."

Clear blue eyes turned up towards him, "This time I'm not sure Chakotay, I just don't know."

Chakotay shook his head. "Tell me what happened Kathryn?"

She looked down at her hands which rubbed circles on the child within. "I basically gave him an ultimatum, either I keep command - with you as my husband and father of my child - or they relieve me." She sighed, "I think they might take the latter."

"Gods Kathryn, I never meant for it to go this far. I thought for sure they'd see the difficult situation you are in."

Kathryn gave out a dismissive laugh, "Maybe Starfleet is not as understanding as I thought they were."

Kathryn looked to Chakotay who had yet to give a response to everything she had just said. "I gave my whole life to this institution and they're willing to throw me away like a dirty rag."

Chakotay drew Kathryn into a hug. "You were aware of the attitude towards the 'Maquis' Kathryn -"

"But I didn't think it would hurt this much."

Chakotay drew in a deep breath, "Let's wait until we hear from the Admiralty in a week's time, then we'll deal with it."

She turned to him, "I have lived and breathed 'Voyager' for Six years Chakotay. I have always done what is 'right' by Starfleet rules, and then this is how they repay me." She drew in a deep breath, "I was beaten and raped by the Cardassians, I was assimilated by the Borg for the good of this ship, then this."

Chakotay kissed her forehead, "Everything will be okay Kat."

"I hope so Chakotay, I hope so."

END PART 1

TBC IN PART 2