A Grave New World
Part 5

By: AW
Date: August 2018
Length: 1065 words
Summary: What would have happened if during Gravity it had been Janeway and Chakotay on that mission instead of Tom and Tuvok?
What if it had've been six months instead of two weeks?
What would have happened between J/C?

[DIRECTLY AFTER PART 4]

Kathryn sat on the couch in their quarters and Chakotay followed in suit. "Kathryn, we have to get this figured out."

Kathryn sighed, "There is nothing to figure out Chakotay. I am the Captain and no matter what I have to get this crew home. If that means taking some calculated risks with my life I will."

"What about our baby? Does she not deserve the protection of her mother and father?"

Kathryn let her head fall to her hands. "She does but I cannot neglect my duties."

Chakotay walked up to Kathryn and grabbed her shoulders. "Listen to yourself love. Yes the crew is important but so is our baby." He paused staring at her, "And so am I."

Kathryn had tears streaming down her cheeks as she brought her hands up to encompass Chakotay's face. "Of course you're both important to me but so is the crew. The balancing act I perform daily is harder than you will ever know."

He stared at her, "Sweetheart, I used to be a Captain in my own right. I understand the burden." He sighed, "I also understand that sometimes you have to let go and allow others to help you out."

She slowly nodded.

"What would the crew do if you were no longer their Captain. You have kept them together for this long."

She fell into his embrace and knew that in many ways he was correct.

"Let's go to sleep Chakotay. This ordeal has tired me out."

Chakotay took her hand and led her into the bedroom.

They fell into an exhausted sleep, Chakotay spooning his wife and his hand going around to feel the life that was within Kathryn's belly.

[10 HOURS LATER – READY ROOM]

Kathryn sat behind her desk and heard the door chime ring. "Come."

Chakotay sauntered into the ready room staring at his other half as she stroked her abdomen. "Almost time for the staff meeting."

Kathryn nodded. "I've decided how we're going to proceed on that heist."

Chakotay stared at her. "Hopefully it doesn't include you."

She rolled her eyes, "No I won't be going. Tuvok will lead the away mission."

Chakotay nodded his approval. "Well let's get to the meeting then."

[BRIEFING ROOM]

Kathryn stood at the head of the table and stretched her back, pushing her belly out to unfathomable proportions to Chakotay.

He smiled in pride at the image that Kathryn made for him ripe with their child.

A child created by accident in a world that was without hope for six months.

And then she gave in to him.

And then the baby happened.

And now they were home.

He smiled to himself as he watched the senior staff begin to fill the conference room. He knew that she had sent out a memo yesterday with the specifics of the mission, and today was basically to smooth it over and set out the changes.

Once everyone had arrived Kathryn began the meeting. "Well I assume you have all looked over the memo that I sent out yesterday outlining the mission."

There were nods all around and she could tell that B'Elanna was trying to keep her opinions to herself.

Tom's hand shot up. "You can't really think that it's a good idea for you to lead this away mission."

Kathryn stared at Tom. "Today's meeting is to outline some changes that are going to be made to this mission."

She stared at Tuvok. "Mr. Tuvok, you will be leading this away mission. With you will be Seven, Tom and Harry." She paused, "The basics of this mission will be the same. The goal will be to procure a transwarp coil. Operation Fort Knox will take place tomorrow morning." She looked around the room. "Are there any questions?"

She watched everyone shake their heads and Tuvok nod his head in approval.

Kathryn drew in a deep breath. "Dismissed."

The senior staff left leaving only Kathryn and Chakotay in the briefing room.

She stared at him, "Thank you Kathryn."

Kathryn was silent as she stared at her husband.

There was always such a gap between what she knew was true, what she wanted to be true and how she had to deal with all events.

She would always be the Captain.

She would always have that fight going on within herself and she would always have that conflict hanging over any relationship she decided to pursue.

She had known this from the days she first took command.

Chakotay walked up to her. "So what do we do now?"

She looked at him incredulous, "I'm not sure I know what you mean."

"I mean are you wanting to go home and rest or –"

She got a hard look in her eyes, "I may have backed down for this, but it is not even lunch time. I have to be on the bridge – and so do you." With that lasting impression she stalked out of the ready room."

Kathryn walked onto the bridge head held high and stance all the Captain and sat in her chair with as much grace as she could muster at his moment. "Heading, Mr. Paris."

"Just outside of range of those Borg cubes."

She drew in a deep breath, "Did you find somewhere to hide from them while we finish the repairs and prepare for tomorrow's heist?"

The pilot spun around. "Yes ma'am. There is a moon's crater 500,000 kilometers ahead, and we can mine some of the ores there and replenish our supplies."

"Good thinking Tom. Touch down; I'll be in the Cargo Bay going over what is left of that Borg Cube. Harry you're with me. And tell the Doctor that he might want to be down there too checking out the remains. There might be something there he can use."

"Yes Captain."

"She turned to Harry. Ensign you're with me." She turned to Chakotay. "Commander you have the bridge."

Chakotay nodded and watched the Captain and the ensign exit the bridge as another officer took Harry's station.

END PART 5
TBC IN CHAPTER 6