Souls Revisions
6. Personal Priorities
By: AW
Disclaimer: I don’t own them we all know who does, but the story however twisted is mine.
Rated: MA
Length: 5,277 words
Kathryn stared at Hayden. He was a beautiful baby; she’d just fed him and earlier had pumped a couple of bottles for the baby’s sitter. “I feel like a brood mare Chakotay.”
Chakotay laughed and placed his hands on Kathryn’s still flat but firm abdomen. “At least you don’t have to breast feed this one.”
She giggled, “Yeah this one will be bottle fed all the way.”
“Yeah, I don’t think Harry has the proper equipment.”
She stared at her husband, “Do you think we should have talked to Harry first?”
“A little late to be thinking about that now, isn’t it?”
She shrugged, “I suppose so. I hoped he’s alright with this baby.”
“I’m sure he will be; what better gift could someone leave him than a baby from the woman he loved?”
Kathryn sighed, “I know but are you sure he’s ready after Jenn’s death and all?”
“He’s going to have to be: This baby will be here in about 7 months.”
Kathryn rolled his eyes, “Ugh, I know. I hate morning sickness.”
Chakotay shook his head, “I know darling, but it’s almost over.”
“And how would you know?”
He shrugged, “As I recall, it always ends by about the third month.”
“You my dear, are too observant for your own good.”
He hugged his wife, “This is a wonderful thing you’re doing honey.”
“Thanks, but I don’t know how Harry will feel watching his Captain exposed for all the world to see.”
“Grateful that you would do something like this for him.”
“I guess, but I’m not sure how I feel about letting little Harry see what shouldn’t be exposed to the world.”
“No doubt.”
Kathryn looked at Chakotay, pensive. “Let’s have this one here Chakotay. I want the kids to experience this with us, and Harry can be here to see it.”
“We’ll see how you feel as it gets closer to the birth.”
“Oh come on Chakotay. Taya is old enough, and Haley will go and see Sam or Naomi if it gets to be too much.”
“I’ll say we’ll see for now Kathryn. I’m not sure how I feel about delivering my own granddaughter.”
She glared at him, “Or grandson , we don’t know yet.”
He stared at her, “This one is another girl.”
“And how would you know?”
He laughed, “Hey maybe it’s a girl and a boy. How many embryos did you say he implanted?”
Kathryn rolled her eyes, “Don’t even go there.” She paused staring at the chronometer. “Well it’s half past. We’d better get ready to go.”
Chakotay nodded and the couple went to get dressed.
[Holodeck 1, Sandrines Program – 1930 Hours]
Harry attached the chain to the ceiling of the bar and stood on the table. *She’ll be here, and she’ll see how meaningless my life is without Jennica.* “Computer delete all voice commands and Command Protocols upon entry into the holodeck.”
That procedure is not authorized.
Harry took a computer chip out of his pocket and inserted it into the computer console. “Computer, delete all voice commands and command protocols upon entry into the holodeck.”
Acknowledged. Authorization required for reactivation of commands level ten-sigma-four.
Harry stood on the table and waited.
[1945 Hours – Outside Holodeck 1]
Chakotay and Kathryn had finally made their way to the holodeck after searching for outfits that were appropriate for the excursion.
Kathryn had discovered that even though she wasn’t visibly showing yet, there were some clothes that just didn’t fit her anymore.
She had finally decided on a flowing emerald green dress with an empire waist. “God Chakotay, I didn’t have to wear this until at least four months with the others.”
”Like I said Kat, how many embryos did he implant?”
Kathryn shook her head, “Let’s go inside.”
Kathryn walked up to the doorway; and the two entered together.
Kathryn watched in horror as the furniture disappeared, leaving only Harry with a chain around his neck and no foothold to keep him up fell towards the ground and Kathryn’s eyes widened in horror. “My god!”
Kathryn fell to the floor in dispair as she watched Harry end his life. Her hand went to her belly and all she could think of was the life she carried.
Harry’s and Jennica’s life.
Chakotay knelt down to the ground next to Kathryn. “Computer re-instate safety protocols, authorization Chakotay-pi-six-two.”
Unable to comply, level ten authorization required.
*Level ten, - that’s higher than Kathryn’s level.*
“Computer, on who’s authority was this given.”
Unknown.
*Damn it Harry. I have to get to Kathryn.*
Chakotay watched as Kathryn, eyes filled with tears, as she rubbed her hand over her belly and cried for the life that had been lost and the life she carried within.
“Computer are transporter controls still on-line?”
Negative; completion of the program is required.
Chakotay walked up to the doors to the holodeck and realized that he couldn’t even leave. He watched the life escaping Harry, and finally saw the body quiet and still.
Completion of program has been reached.
Kathryn let out a gut-wrenching scream and looked once more at the fragile and dead body of her son-in-law. “Oh, god. Chakotay tell me that didn’t just happen.”
Complete control has been restored to Captain Kathryn Janeway.
Chakotay called for transport and him and his wife and Harry were transported to sickbay.
[Sickbay – Two hours later]
Chakotay sat by the side of Kathryn’s bed waiting for her to awaken. The doctor had made a valiant attempt, but all was for not; they had not been able to revive Harry.
Chakotay rubbed his hands over his face as he watched his wife’s oblivious, sleep. Finally he was awakened from his dream state by the moaning of his wife attempting to get back to the real world.
She awoke with a start and her hand went immediately to her mid-section. “The baby!”
“Is fine although I can’t say as much about her father.”
Kathryn sighed, “He did it. And we didn’t even get a chance to tell him he was going to be a father.”
Chakotay placed a hand under her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. “None of this is your fault. You have to stop blaming yourself for everything.”
“What are we going to do with another child?”
Chakotay paused before answering, staring at the woman in front of him. “I think we should just tell the kids that they are going to have another brother or sister.”
Kathryn stared at him with a ‘hello the father was Chinese’ look and Chakotay simply answered, “We’ll answer their questions if and when they come. When they get older we’ll tell them that it’s really their cousin, and something bad happened to their father after their sister’s death. Honestly aside from Taya, the children probably won’t remember Jennica that well.”
Kathryn had tears in her eyes, “But I will.”
“I know Kathryn and so will I. That child will be forever in our memories.”
“Are you speaking of Jennica or the child I now carry? I’ll have you know, that since I have lost everyone else, I will help this child carry on, and she will share our memories of Jennica and of Harry.”
Chakotay shook his head as he put his hand on his wife’s belly. “I don’t mean this child, I would never do anything to hurt a child that you carry, but I need to know that my wife is okay. You just went through a very traumatic experience. Your eldest child died and then her husband –”
“I know what I just went through, but I need to do this, and I will survive. I will deal with the traumatic event of what just happened.”
Chakotay nodded but knew that deep down; she would not deal with anything right away that she would bury it and keep it berried until she was ready to deal with it, and then everything would explode and come to the front.
Chakotay rubbed his hand over Kathryn’s hair in a soothing manner. “It’ll be fine Kathryn, and I’ll be here for you the whole way along.”
Kathryn nodded and fell into a restless sleep.
[2 months later – Janeway Quarters]
Kathryn awoke with a start screaming, “No – Harry. Don’t do it, I have your baby in my belly. Your reminder of Jennica. I’m doing this for you and for her.”
Chakotay woke up to Kathryn’s screams and shook his wife by the shoulder. “Kathryn! It’s okay, it was only a nightmare.”
Kathryn shook her head, getting her bearings. “Chakotay – Harry was – the baby!”
“Hey, hey the baby is fine and the both of you need your sleep.”
Kathryn sniffled and placed her hand on the bump. “What are we going to tell people?”
Chakotay stared at his wife, “We’re going to tell them that we’re expecting a baby. No one will really think anything of it.”
“When the baby is born they will. They’ll know that it isn’t your baby. What do we tell them?”
“We don’t tell them anything. Honestly this is none of their business.”
Kathryn shook her head. “I still want to have this baby here. I don’t want her first breaths to be taken as she is being stared at and dissected by the crew wondering what I did. As far as I’m concerned this child is ours and will be treated no differently than any of the others.”
Chakotay nodded. “I know how hard this is for you Kathryn. I know that carrying this baby and loving this baby – I know you’ve already bonded with her and I know that you already love her.” He sat against the head of the bed and brought Kathryn to sit with him between his legs. He placed a hand on her belly and felt for movement. “Have you felt the baby move yet?”
Kathryn sadly shook her head. “But it could be because I want to try and distance myself from her. She really isn’t my child Chakotay.”
He rubbed hypnotic circles over her belly. “She is now. I will not let my grandchild be born thinking she doesn’t have a family to raise her.”
Having her here and having the children actually watch me birth her, might allay any fears they have that this child isn’t her sister. They don’t have to know.”
Kathryn nodded and allowed her hands to cover his as he rubbed circles and she joined him in trying to love and calm the child she carried. All of a sudden she felt movement and drew in a deep breath. “My god Chakotay, she just moved.”
Chakotay chuckled, “You have that same reaction every time you feel the baby move for the first time Kathryn.”
Kathryn smiled, “I know, it’s just that it’s so amazing each and every time.”
Chakotay kissed the top of her head and pulled her close. “You know we’re going to have to start telling people and you’re going to have to start wearing a maternity uniform.”
“I know; I just wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it. Now I know that I feel the same as I have every other time that I’ve had a baby growing in my belly.”
Chakotay nodded, “You’d better get a couple of hours of sleep before you have to be on the bridge in the morning.”
Kathryn nodded and slowly lay back down waiting for her husband to take the place next to her. She grabbed his hand and she lay on her side; he laying behind her and cocooning the child that she held in a loving embrace between them.
[Next Morning – 0600 Hours]
Kathryn slowly awoke and stared at the bed beside her. Her husband was nowhere to be found. “Chakotay?”
“I’m in the kitchen. I have breakfast ready.” Kathryn walked out to the living room and stared at the breakfast covering the table and Taya with her face already covered in egg yolk. “Well what’s all this?”
“I thought today was the day we would tell the kids that they should be expecting a new sibling.”
“You’re going to have another baby mom?”
Kathryn nodded showing her daughter her expanding waistline, “In about five months Taya.”
Taya grinned, “Boy or girl?”
“I think you’re going to have another sister, although we won’t be sure until she’s born.”
Taya grinned and put a hand on her mother’s belly, feeling for movement. Finally the child inside gave her a kick. “She’s a strong one.” She paused, “I think it’s a girl too.”
Chakotay came up behind his daughter and ran a hand along her hair. “You’ll always be the first Taya.”
“I know daddy. I’m the oldest.”
Kathryn laughed, “Well we’d better be getting ready for work. Celes will be here soon.
Chakotay nodded and followed his wife into the bedroom. He watched Kathryn attempting to get into her uniform, “Maybe it’s time for a maternity uniform dear.”
“We haven’t even told the crew Chakotay.”
“They’ll find out soon enough one way or the other.”
Kathryn sighed, “True.” She walked up to the replicator. “One maternity uniform, command red, size four.”
Kathryn donned the new uniform and Chakotay stared at her, “There; isn’t that better?”
Kathryn glared at her husband, “Easy for you to say, you’re not the one who’s going to be carrying around 30 extra kilos before this is over.”
“And you love every minute of it.”
Kathryn heard the door chime and walked up to answer it. Celes’s eyes went wide as she saw her Captain’s new changed shape. “Another?”
Kathryn nodded, Celes looked at her. “It looks good on you: Congratulations!”
Kathryn gave a faint smile, “Thanks.” She went to Chakotay, “We’d better get to the bridge. Celes, Hayden is still sleeping, Taya’s up and been fed, and I assume that Haley is still sleeping too since I haven’t heard from her yet.”
Celes nodded and Chakotay and Kathryn made their way out of their quarters.
Halfway to the turbolifts Kathryn stopped Chakotay. “What is the crew going to say?”
Chakotay laughed, “Probably the same thing they say every time.”
Kathryn stared at Chakotay surprise on her face, “Are you saying I’m a whore?”
“No…most of the kids were sort of planned.”
She glared at him, “Sort of?”
“Shall we go to the bridge to see what their reaction is in reality?”
“I guess we don’t really have a choice seeing as I’m dressed for the revealing.”
Chakotay took Kathryn’s arm in his and they headed the rest of the way to the turbolift and onwards to the bridge.
Kathryn stood in the lift, Chakotay at her side. She stared at the wall, wondering what she had been thinking. She placed a hand on her belly and felt the baby roll. “Comuputer: Halt turbolift.”
The lift stopped and Kathryn stared at her husband. “What if I can’t do this Chakotay. What if I can’t look at this baby every day knowing where she came from? What if I resent her? What if I never can stand to look at her knowing where she came from? What if we weren’t meant to play God and create this baby out of nothing? What if –”
Chakotay walked up to her and placed his lips on hers. “There is nothing we can do about this now. We will raise this child as our own and love her no matter what. The children will love her no matter what and the crew will accept her.”
Kathryn slowly nodded her head. “I guess it’s like anything else that we experience in the Delta Quadrant. We take and roll with it.”
Chakotay hugged her, “I was hoping you’d say that. We’ll love her no matter what.”
Kathryn nodded her head and brought her lips upwards to his again. “I guess there’s no choice now is there?”
Chakotay shook his head. “I guess there isn’t. And I guess we’ll just have to deal with it.”
“Computer resume turbolift.”
The turbolift reached the bridge and Kathryn carefully walked out. Ensign Ayala was standing at Tactical and all Kathryn could think was that it was Harry’s station and this was Harry’s baby she was carrying.
The emotions got to her and Tom stared at Kathryn and noticed her changed form. Just yesterday B’Elanna had informed him that they were expecting a child yet again. There would be another Paris on the ship to join Miral and Katie. The doctor had informed him that this time it would be a baby boy. Kathryn stared around the bridge and looked at Tuvok, “Commander you have the bridge.”
Tuvok nodded and watched Kathryn and Chakotay walk into the ready room.
The two command officers reached the ready room and the moment it happened, Kathryn rushed to the couch and sat down. “I can’t do this Chakotay.”
He stared at her strangely. “Can’t do what Kathryn?” He knew exactly what she was talking about but he held on anyway.
“I can’t have this baby Chakotay. It’s not mine; it’s not part of us. I only did it because it was a request from a dying daughter. I assumed her father would be here to raise her.” She paused pensive, “Why did he do it? How did we miss the signs?”
Chakotay shrugged his shoulders, “He was more distraught over Jennica’s passing than any of us thought. We can’t dwell on it; we have to just make the life for this baby that Jennica would want us to.”
“How do we do that Chakotay, I barely knew her myself.”
She was getting frantic and Chakotay took her by the shoulders. “If she didn’t think we’d be good parents in case anything happened to either of them she wouldn’t have entrusted you with that responsibility.”
Kathryn got herself together, “I understand that, but are we really willing to take on another newborn.”
Chakotay placed his hands on her belly, “I think the choice is out of our control now.”
Kathryn nodded and placed her hand over his. “I realize that but it’s just so much to take in: First Jennica’s death, then Harry’s – and I’m carrying their baby – ”
Chakotay stopped her rampage with his lips covering hers. He pulled away, “I love you no matter what decisions you’ve made.”
“But will you love this baby as much as you love all the others I’ve given you over the years?”
He smiled, “And more. This is the only grandchild I have at the moment.”
Kathryn grinned, “Bet you never pictured your wife carrying and breastfeeding your grandchild did you?”
“No but I love you all the same.”
[Two months later – Paris Quarters]
B’Elanna stared at her husband. “So you’re finally going to get a son.”
“That’s what the doctor tells me.” He paused. “And Kat and Chakotay are going to have another one. I thought they were done.” He got ready to say something but stopped himself.
“Come on Tom, they deserve happiness too.”
“There’s something not quite right about it though. The doctor has been really hush hush about it.” He stared at his wife wondering if perhaps Chakotay had divulged something else to her, “It’s not at all like the other pregnancies she’s gone through. There’s something they’re not telling us.”
B’Elanna sighed; she’d been wondering that too. “Well they’re going to be here tonight with the kids, if you’re that concerned maybe you should ask them.”
Tom sighed, “Oh no, I’m not getting involved in that. It’s none of our business. Chakotay said that Kathryn was a mess after what Harry did; he said that they saw the whole thing.”
“Maybe it’s just been a lot going on in their lives with Jennica and Harry, and they need some time to deal with it.”
“Maybe, but I think there’s something else going on here.”
B’Elanna shook her head, “Maybe but it’s none of our business.” B’Elanna heard the door chime and went over to answer it. She saw her Captain standing there wearing a red summer dress and showing her condition. “Hello, well look at you.”
Kathryn laughed, “I could say the same thing about you Lanna.” She reached out to touch the half-Klingon’s belly. “You felt any movement yet?”
“All the time.” She stared at Kathryn, “You know the doctor said with my accelerated gestation, we’re probably due to deliver about the same time.”
Kathryn glared at her, “Don’t remind me. Two pregnant command officers is never a good thing.”
She took Kathryn’s hand and led her over to the couch. “So how are you doing?”
“Me? I’m fine.”
B’Elanna looked at her incredulous, “As Chakotay would say: ‘You’d say that if you’d just had your legs torn off by a Traichan beast.’”
Kathryn sighed, “But really B’Elanna, I’m fine.”
B’Elanna took at her word for the moment when all of a sudden Kathryn gasped. “Are you okay Kat?”
Janeway nodded and placed her hand over her belly where the child had just given her a good swift kick. “This one is going to be a Parises Square player: She’s already practicing.”
B’Elanna laughed, “From the look on your face – if I didn’t know better – I’d say she has some Klingon blood in her.”
Kathryn’s face darkened and her thoughts turned inwards. Then she snapped out of it and stared at B’Elanna a fake smile on her face, “I know she doesn’t have ‘Klingon Blood’ in her.”
B’Elanna noticed the sudden change of mood and nodded, “Just kidding Kathryn; but sometimes I think Janeway blood is almost as strong as Klingon blood. Don’t lie to me, your mood swings are almost like Klingon mood swings sometimes.
“That’s the Irish in her B’Elanna.” Chakotay supplied, “It’s almost as bad as Klingon blood.”
The mood was broken and an almost peace fell over the group as supper went off.
[0300 next morning – Janeway Quarters]
Kathryn had been up all night. Chakotay worried about his wife. Sam had kept the children all night, and for that he was glad. “Kathryn now that Tom and B’Elanna are gone, what’s wrong?”
“They know there is something wrong with the baby. They know that this isn’t right.”
“Kathryn, they don’t know anything –”
“Chakotay, they know there is something not right. They know that we had no intention of having more children. Tom also knows that I was considering having a child for Jennica and Harry, and I’m sure that he shared that with B’Elanna.”
“Kathryn, she’s expecting a baby too. The last thing they’re thinking right now is about us.”
She sighed, “I still want to have this baby here, I don’t want anyone else to know before we do.”
Chakotay shook his head, “Know what?”
“About the real nature of this baby; I don’t want anyone else to know that this isn’t our baby before we get a chance to have the children see this child and enjoy the baby.”
“Kathryn no one cares. People are going to see this as a great thing that you did for your daughter and her husband, without knowing what Harry had planned.”
She stared at him incredulous, “Did you know what Harry had planned? Did you even suspect that this was going to be the end game?”
“Of course not Kathryn: If I did, I wouldn’t have let you go through with this crazy procedure.”
“Crazy procedure?” Kathryn placed his hand on her belly, “This is our child now whether we like it or not.”
Chakotay stood at attentionand stared at his wife. “Yes ma’am.”
“Chakotay this is not the Captain and Commander speaking, it’s Kathryn and Chakotay and I need to know that I have your support.”
“My support? What the hell does that mean Kathryn? You’re pregnant, that is not my child or yours you carry.”
“But it’s the last link that we have to Jennica and Harry, and I have to do this. If I have to raise this child alone I will, but I hope you help me.”
Chakotay shook his head unbelieving. “What are you talking about?”
“I let Jennica down 25 years ago when I refused to take her under my wing, I will not do that to this child.”
“Kathryn, I’m here to help you. We’ll get through this.”
She ran her hand up and down her belly, “I hope so Chakotay, I hope so.”
The ship shook and Janeway looked at Chakotay through confused and frightened eyes, “Janeway to bridge, what the hell was that?”
“We have been targeted by a Borg vessel Captain.”
“I’ll be on the bridge momentarily, Janeway out.”
She sighed, “Chakotay, we have not seen a Borg vessel in weeks. Why are they all of a sudden picking a fight?”
Chakotay shook his head, “I don’t know Kathryn, but I suggest we get to the bridge and find out.”
Kathryn nodded and they proceeded to the bridge.
[2 hours later – Bridge]
Kathryn stared at her husband. “The Queen wants something Chakotay, she wants me.”
“What makes you say that Kathryn?”
Kathryn took in a deep breath. “I got a message last night. The queen knows that I’m pregnant with Jennica’s child. She knows that this child could mean trouble for the Borg Collective.”
Chakotay shook his head, “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Before Jennica died she told me that she had been receiving sporadic messages from the Queen telling her that she needed to re-join the collective, that she needed to include her individuality in the Borg Collective.”
“What does that have to do with us?”
“This child, she’s the link Chakotay.” She stared at the viewscreen, “Put the Queen on screen.”
“Captain.”
“It's been a long time. How are things in the Collective?”
“Perfect, for the most part. Voyager?”
“Never better.”
“I understand you've established contact with Starfleet. Perhaps you'll be getting home sooner than you expected. Maybe that child of yours will be born in the Alpha Quadrant and your family will grow up there.”
Kathryn stared at her husband, then back at the screen. “Perhaps.”
“We could help you, we’re willing to give you the co-ordinates of a transwarp hub. You'd find that we can be quite accommodating, but we'd expect the same in return.
“I'm not sure I know what you mean.”
“You know exactly what I mean. Tend to your own crew. Stay away from things that don't concern you. That child you carry belongs to the Borg Collective. What Seven of Nine wouldn’t give us, you can.”
“I'm afraid I can't do that but thanks for the offer.”
“I won't be as accommodating next time. Reconsider.”
“I'm sorry. I can’t do that.”
The screen blanked out and Chakotay stared at his wife. “Why the stab at diplomacy?”
“She worried Chakotay, this child could be the downfall of her collective. She could be the answer to fighting assimilation.”
“I’m sorry Kathryn I don’t understand.”
Kathryn sighed, “My ready room Commander.”
Kathryn walked swiftly into the ready room her husband in tow. “Chakotay she can’t have this baby.”
“Why would she want this baby?”
She stared at him exasperated, “What do you mean why would she want this baby? Jennica was a woman who embraced her individuality and fought the collective. This child is a product of that and a human. This child is the key, I know she is. I’ve known it since her implantation in my womb. She is also the secret to saving the Alpha Quadrant from a Borg invasion. I just have to hang on another three months.”
He stared at her, “You knew this before you agreed to do this didn’t you?”
Kathryn shook her head, “Jennica had told me as much and the letter that she left me after her death just confirmed my suspicions.”
Chakotay was livid, “And how come this is the first I’m hearing of this?”
She glared at him, “Because I knew this is how you’d react.”
Chakotay drew in a deep breath and let it out. “Did you also know of Harry’s precarious mental condition?”
Kathryn was mad now, “No I did not. If I had this would have waited for a different time, but this baby has to be born. She has to help us help Earth and help us continue Jennica’s bloodline because this is what she wanted.”
“If Jennica knew about this why would she have wanted this baby to be born. She is going to be nothing more than a pawn Kathryn.”
“She is not going to be a pawn Chakotay; she is going to be the saviour of the human race.”
“And is that more important to you than the life we’ve made for each other?”
Kathryn rubbed her hands over her belly in an unconscious gesture. “It has to be at least as important, it’s part of who I am.”
Chakotay approached her, “I know it’s who you are, but sometimes I wish you were just a little less ‘the Captain and the saviour of the universe’ and a little more Kathryn.”
She rubbed her hand over his thick black hair, “I can’t be anything but what I am Chakotay. You knew that when you met me and nothing has changed, or will change.”
Chakotay stared at his wife realizing this was the truth. “I understand Kathryn but what else aren’t you telling me I know there’s something else.”
Kathryn sighed, “I got a message from a place called ‘Unimatrix Zero’. It was a message from a past ‘friend’ of Jennica. His name is Axum, and he is still part of the collective and apparently this child gives me access to her Seven’s past life in ‘Unimatrix Zero’. There is a way we can throw a crippling blow to the collective and I intend to take it.”
Chakotay’s jaw dropped open. “What is this plan you have in mind.”
“I\ve been speaking with the doctor, and there is a way to get assimilated into the collective without losing our individuality and I intend to take it.”
Chakotay’s jaw dropped farther, “You’re six months pregnant and the collective wants this child; there is no way I’m letting you go and do this,”
Kathryn stared at him, “I’m the Captain you can’t disallow my orders.”
“This is crazy Kathryn. Think of Taya and Haley and Hayden; and even think about the one you’re carrying. You can’t do this.”
Kathryn shook her head and laid a hand on the baby that was within. “Chakotay I have to –”
“Kathryn I’ve let you do a lot of stupid things over the years against my better judgement but I won’t let you do this.”
“Chakotay -”
“No, there are some limits to what a ‘First Officer’ will let his ‘Captain’ do and there are many limits to what a ‘Husband’ will let his ‘Wife’ do and you’ve crossed all the lines; and this is one I won’t let you cross again. I will relieve you of duty if necessary.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“I can and I will, and I’m sure that Tuvok will back me up with this one.”
Kathryn stared at him in disbelief. “You’ve never openly opposed me, and now you are. What’s happened to you Chakotay?”
“That’s what I was going to ask you. You can’t save everyone Kathryn, and this time I’m stopping you before you do something that will strain all relationships on Voyager.”
“Chakotay we have to do this.”
“Then let it be someone else.”
Kathryn finally nodded and Chakotay decided for the moment his conscious was clear.
END SOUL’S REVISIONS 6
TBC in SOUL’S REVISIONS 7