Chapter 2

Chakotay had never seen Kathryn so lost. He got her to change out of her uniform and eat the meal Neelix had provided, but he couldn't get her to talk. She was shutting down emotionally and mentally. Following his simple instructions took the last of her physical energy. He didn't want to leave her like this, so he made the silent decision to sleep on her couch. Once their dinner was cleaned away, he settled her on the couch. She instinctively turned toward the windows and the stars. She didn't acknowledge his statement that he would be right back, just stared at the streaks of lights flying by.

He quickly went to his quarters, gathering items for the night. When he let himself back into Kathryn's quarters, she was turned toward the door with a panicked look on her face.

"What's wrong?"

"You weren't there."

"I told you I would be right back," he said softly, setting down his things on the table. "I just ran next door to get my things for the night. Would you mind if I slept on your couch tonight?"

"You weren't here."

"Where did you think I was," he asks as he sits next to her. That simple move immediately relaxed his captain. He saw her ramrod straight back ease, her shoulders sag, and her legs curl up to her chest as she wrapped her arms around them.

"I didn't know. I didn't know if you were coming back," she mumbled around a yawn.

"I made a promise to you years ago. That is not going to change. Why don't you go to bed? We can talk in the morning. Maybe, go visit Sick Bay and that little girl," he says pushing a wisp of hair behind her ear.

Kathryn slowly nods before moving into her bedroom. At the door, she turns back to look at Chakotay. Feeling her eyes on him, he stands, turning toward her. Whatever she saw was enough for her to turn back to the bed and disappear.

Chakotay wasn't sure what had awakened him. He lay still on the couch, listening to the background hum of the ship. Some instinct told him something had changed in the apartment, despite the silence. He quietly rose from the couch, adjusting his sleep pants. The steps to Kathryn's bedroom was accomplished without his shoes and quietly enough to not draw her attention. His intent to check on her changed to surprise at finding her bed empty.

Looking around her quarters, he called to the computer, "Computer, location of Captain Janeway?"

"Captain Janeway is in the Sick Bay Lab."

"Location of the Emergency Medical Hologram?"

"The Emergency Medical Hologram is inactive."

Chakotay returned to the couch, grabbing a shirt and his badge before heading to Sick Bay.

Moving as soundless as possible, he found his way through the dark Sick Bay's main area and the Doctor's Office to look around the corner into what normally was the Doctor's lab. On one wall set a cot holding a sleeping Crewman Peters. The young woman had volunteered to help take care of the newborn baby. Against the rest of the walls stood a crib, changing table, and a rocking chair currently holding Kathryn and the baby cradled on the Captain's chest. Both slept comfortable in the twilight.

Moving back into the main treatment area, Chakotay called for the EMH, who appeared in the trauma bay. The hologram's normal greeting hesitated as he took in Chakotay lack of uniform and shoes. "Is something wrong, Commander?"

"Not really. Take a look in the lab."

The EMH walked through the way Chakotay had just come. A small smile sat on the Doctor's face when he returned. "Is this a good sign?"

"Maybe. You took both of us by surprise today. She didn't handle the surprise very well."

"How angry at me is she?"

"She's not angry. Well, not now. She is more . . . confused right now. The idea goes against everything she had built her life around, but I think she wants the courage to do this. Confused is the only word I can think of right now to describe her."

"Would you like me to wake her? Send her back to her quarters? She is more than welcome to stay here."

"No, if it wasn't the middle of the night, I would tell you we would just take the baby back to her quarters and spend time with her. We would wake Peters if we tried to pack the baby up right now."

"Maybe not," the Doctor said, turning to look through his office windows into the small room. "We could just do a site to site transport of the crib and chair, with the Captain and the baby as they are. You could be waiting for them if they awaken. Crewmen Peters could remain for the rest of the night and I could tell her a different arrangement was in the works in the morning."

"Milk, diapers?"

"I've been replicating them as needed. The changing table could be moved tomorrow if things work out. I can give you a PADD with instructions and the infant's current schedule. Her needs are rather simple right now."

"Do that."

The Doctor moved back into his office, returning with a PADD. "Everything is on here. Comm me when you get to the Captain's quarter and I will complete the transport."

Several minutes later, Chakotay stood by the door in Kathryn's quarter and watched as the transporter deposited the furniture and the two sleepers in a cleared area he had created. Over the open comm link, he acknowledged the process' success. He watched as Kathryn's eye slowly opened. He couldn't help but smile at the enthralled look on her face as she looked down at the baby. His move to lean against the wall drew her eyes to him. For the first time in a very long time, her eyes remained clear as she registered his stare.

"We didn't mean to wake you. But, the Doctor and I didn't think you would want to be found in the morning in Sick Bay."

Kathryn looks around the room before looking back down at the child's movements. Chakotay moved to kneel by the chair and watched the little girl yawn and stretch one arm up before resettling again Kathryn's breast. He couldn't resist running a light finger over the child's cheek. This was the scene he imaged in the Ready Room, the view that made him fall in love with Kathryn again.

"Can we really do this, Chakotay?"

"Yes, together, we could do anything."

He watched as she slowly rose and placed the child in the crib. Turning back to face him, she held out her hand to him. Reaching out, he took the small hand that held so much control. She pulls to help him rise and guides him into the bedroom and to the bed. He took control then, pulling her to him and covering her lips with his. The stars faded from view as they lay together, touching and feeling, at last.

Two weeks later, the majority of crew stood in Holodeck 2 to watch Tuvok preform a Vulcan birth blessing on the child named Catori Lace Janeway.

"The name Catori Lace was chosen to represent your parents' heritage and the path you will take through this life. Catori is from Earth's Native American culture, meaning spirit. Your father's spirit will stand with you forever and provide strength and guidance, as he does now for those around him."

Chatokay blinked several times before he could look up at Tuvok in gratitude for the unexpected words.

"Lace is from the Earth's Gaelic culture, meaning warrior maiden. Your mother stands against all those who will bar your path of life. She led us now for home as you will one day lead people for the noble and right causes."

Kathryn pulled Chakotay's arm tighter to her, as a tear slipped down her cheek.

"I am honored to stand in your life Catori Lace as a friend and mentor. Around you stand men and women who will stand with you and teach you of the universe's secrets. May you find your life filled with peace and honor," he slowly hands the child back to Kathryn before nodding solemnly to the crowd. "Join us in celebrating the newest member of Voyager and completion of the new family formed before us today."

Chakotay pulled his two loves close to him as the crew cheered and clapped.