Disclaimer: Paramount owns them we set them free!

This took months to write and Leigh and myself were tearing our hair out by the end of it. I don’t think there is any smut in it (sorry).

Comments good, bad, indifferent to Me

The whole story is around 24 pages long so I have split into 4 installments, to make it easier to read. This was our first attempt at a J/C story, so don’t be too judgmental! This is installment 3

By KittyKat & Leigh Ashgan

Kathryn reappeared in her holodeck programme in her maroon red dress and for a moment she thought that she was actually back on Voyager. She heard a footstep behind her and she turned expecting to see the holographic image of Lord Burleigh. But instead there was Q with a 1930’s villain type moustache resting on his upper lip.

"Q your moustache is crooked." Kathryn snapped as Q approached her. Q leered at her and said,

"Kathy, tell me did Chuckles recover from his mild concussion? According to what I heard he was back on his feet in no time." Kathryn shot him a quelling look,

"Q is there any point to this little charade?" Q chortled as he approached the fireplace,

"As I was saying Kathy, I was just trying to liven up your life a little. Besides anything you did you did by yourself." Kathryn rubbed her hand across her eyes while pacing in front of the fireplace.

"Look Q, I have a ship to run, I don’t have time for these silly games of yours!" Q looked affronted.

"My games aren’t silly. You just don’t appreciate the thought that goes into them." He did a dramatic turn and stood with one arm resting on the mantelpiece the other on his hip. Kathryn raised her eyes to the ceiling in despair and pleaded.

"Q! Please just get me out of here!" Q sighed theatrically and twirled his moustache leering in what he perceived to be an evil manner.

"Anything for mon capitan." He grabbed her tightly and bent her backwards over his arm.

"By the way how do feel about weddings?"

Kathryn found herself sitting in front of her desk in her quarters and looked around pensively. She was alone but so far everything seemed normal.

"Computer what is the date?" she barked.

"The current stardate is 54280.9" the computer replied efficiently.

"One year from now, then, whenever" thought Janeway confusedly. She walked over to the replicator and ordered a steaming Brazilian roast coffee. She picked it up distractedly and brought up to her lips to take a generous slurp but as the smell reached her, her stomach churned with nausea, she put it down in disgust. She stopped in surprise and stared intently at the offending coffee, something was definitely not right. Q instantaneously appeared before her and Kathryn jumped.

"Well Kathy you are back on your precious ship. I see that you still insist on those dull greys. Just think what a splash of colour could do round this place! Nice suit. You look like proper blushing bride." Kathryn glanced down at herself and saw that she was dressed in cream suit and looked back up in shock.

"What!?" She exclaimed.

"Oh did I forget to mention that it was your wedding day? Oops how careless of me." Q said maliciously. Kathryn didn’t have a chance to reply as her door chirped and Q disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. Neelix bustled into the room.

"How is the beautiful bride on this beautiful morning?" He carried quite a large box in his arms and he set I carefully on the table and took off the lid.

"In honour of this day some of the crew has chipped in to give you and Commander Chakotay some traditional wedding gifts." Kathryn had sat down abruptly in her chair and was too overwhelmed to reply. Neelix pulled out his first gift. It was sheets of music.

"Firstly, this is a clarinet concerto written by Jara Linx, a Trillian composer. It was written over a century ago and this is the original copy of the music, which Mr Kim shall be playing before the ceremony. He then pulled out two matching red mugs with a delicate black and blue and design.

"These are from Tom and B’Elanna. They both know that you need your coffee and bad habits do rub off. This is your new gift while Mr Kim’s gift is your something old." Neelix once again reached into the box in front of Kathryn. He pulled out a small piece of jewellery. It was a beautiful intricately designed green opal brooch.

" This is something borrowed from Lieutenant Commander Tuvok. It is a traditional Vulcan wedding pin. It is meant to signify the total co-existence of two beings working together in harmony or I think that’s what Mr Tuvok said." Kathryn got carried away with the moment and started to lean over to see what the last gift would be. Neelix produced a sapphire pendant and Kathryn gasped as the light caught the stone.

"This is the something blue as you may have guessed and it is from the Doctor or should I say the Captain and Seven of Nine." After her previous future experiences Kathryn decided just to let things unfold, she couldn’t interfere with the time assuming that what was happening was even real. When she rose from her seat she realised that she had tears in her eyes from the kindness of her crew and Neelix saying,

"I have prepared some traditional earth food for the reception." Kathryn was about to ask what he was serving when Neelix added,

"Of course the food that I have prepared will be a surprise." Kathryn reached over and grasped Neelix’s hand and squeezed very gently to show her appreciation. Neelix smiled back and turned to leave the room. Kathryn was about to shout for Q and an explanation when her door chirped again.

"Who is it?" she asked,

"It’s Lieutenant Kim Ma’am." Kathryn smiled at the fact that Harry had finally been promoted,

wondering whether he had taken the officer’s exam.

"Enter Harry." The doors whooshed open and Harry stepped through into her quarters.

"Captain, Commander Chakotay asked me to deliver this to you before the ceremony." Harry produced a small velvet box from behind his back.

"Thank you Harry." Kathryn then opened the box and saw an old-fashioned pocket watch nestling in its cushion.

"Oh Harry it’s beautiful. Thank you." She paused as a wave of nausea hit her and she held her stomach.

"Captain are you okay?" Harry asked. Kathryn waved her hand in dismissal.

"It’s probably just nerves." Harry ran his hand through his hair and replied,

"I know what you mean. Ever since the Commander asked me to be the best man I have been worried about my speech." Kathryn smiled at the young man standing across from her and said,

"I am sure you will do a fine job, Chakotay would not have asked you otherwise. Will you tell Chakotay that the gift is beautiful and give him my thanks." Harry nodded and then added,

"I have to get back to the Commander and make sure that he gets to the holodeck on time."

And with that Harry turned and walked out of the door. Kathryn then turned her attention back to the box and lifted out Tuvok’s brooch. She studied it for a moment, then removing her combadge and pinned the brooch to her chest. She placed her combadge in her side pocket. She picked her pendant up of her desk and pulling her hair out of the way placed it around her neck under her suit jacket.

To steady her nerves she had sat down behind her desk and reviewed the latest astrometrics data from Seven. She had passed the Koalian system and was ready to enter a Class 3 nebula, when

her door chirped again.

"Enter." She commanded without looking up from her padd and was startled by a voice saying,

"Captain, are you ready to leave?" Kathryn looked up to see Tuvok dressed in his dress uniform. She set down the padd and rose to her feet, but had to grab hold of her desk as the world started to go dark. Tuvok grabbed her arm to steady her and asked in his usual calm tones,

"Captain are you feeling well?" Kathryn readied herself and said,

"I’m fine. It’s just all the excitement." Tuvok seemed satisfied but he added,

"Captain, it may be advisable to visit the Doctor after today’s proceedings." Kathryn grinned and said,

"Tuvok if I didn’t know better I would say I heard concern in your voice."

"Vulcan’s do not feel concern. The Captain of a ship needs to be healthy in order to command efficiently." He replied,

"I believe that it is now time to leave." He offered her his arm and they walked out of the door.

The doors slid open and revealed an open land that resembled the Great Plains of North America with the sun about to rise. The entire crew stood as Kathryn and Tuvok entered and Harry stuck up on his clarinet. Kathryn smiled as she caught the eyes of Tom and B’Elanna, and turned to see Seven of Nine with Neelix, Ensign Wildman and her daughter Naomi. She then looked to the front and saw the image of the Doctor, dressed in full dress uniform with Captain’s pips in front of her. Chakotay was standing at the front in a royal blue suit and he turned to smile at her as she neared the front. When she stood beside him she felt him grasp her hand, and then the Doctor began.

The party was in full swing in the mess hall. Kathryn had to admit that Neelix had finally got the food right. She was surprised because although she knew that this wasn’t happening in her time, she had this inexplicable feeling of joy and contentment. She picked up an hors d’oeuvre from one of the table and rejoined her new husband. He was with Tom and B’Elanna and when she joined them Tom and Chakotay were in a heated discussion.

"Remember Tom that I trained as a pilot."

"I know, but the Picard manoeuvre is the greatest tactical move."

B’Elanna fixed Tom with a look and then turned to Kathryn and said,

"Boys and their toys." Kathryn just smiled; she then spotted Harry talking to one of the Delaney sisters. She crossed the floor and touched him on the shoulder to draw his attention,

"Harry could I have a word?" Harry turned around and replied,

"Of course Captain." Kathryn smiled at the Delaney sister; she was never sure which one was which, as she moved off to talk to another Ensign.

"Harry I wanted to thank you for your music and the speech."

"Anytime Captain," said Harry smiling, then his face fell,

"Of course I am not saying this would be a regular occurrence for you. Not to say this is the only chance for you to get married……" He grinned in embarrassment and added,

"What I mean is it was a pleasure." Kathryn laughed and patted him on the back,

"I know what you mean Ensi… Lieutenant. Excuse me." Janeway wandered over to the Doctor,

"Doctor, can I have control of my ship again, please." The Doctor smiled,

"As much as I enjoyed the power Captain, she is all yours." He tapped his mobile-emitter and the pips disappeared.

"Computer, pass over the voice control of the starship USS Voyager to Captain Janeway. Command code EMH Alpha 91179." The computer beeped and said,

"Control of the starship USS Voyager has been handed from Emergency Medical Hologram to Captain Kathryn Janeway voice recognition complete."

"Thank you Doctor." She smiled but noticed that the Doctor’s face had become concerned,

"Captain are you feeling okay? You are looking a little pale."

"I was feeling a little unwell earlier and I had a dizzy spell but I don’t think it was anything serious." Kathryn replied sipping her drink.

"Well of course not, that’s to be expected it will get better in another month or so." Kathryn looked at him but before she had a chance to ask what he meant Chakotay came over touching her arm. The Doctor beamed at him.

"So how is the proud father feeling?"

"WHAT!" Chakotay and Kathryn exclaimed in unison. Remembering her sudden aversion to coffee and her dizzy spell it meant sense. Thinking quickly, she jumped in

"It was supposed to be a surprise Doctor!" The Doctor apologised

"I think that maybe you need a little time to your selves. I think I see Seven. Excuse me." The Doctor hurried off. Chakotay looked down at her shock showing on his face.

"I think he may right." He said unsteadily and steered outside the door into the corridor. He looked both ways to make sure they were alone.

"Is it true? I mean are you sure?" He was still staring at her in disbelief. Kathryn couldn’t meet his eyes.

"Yes." She said uncertainly.

"Well I guess that explains why you’ve been late for duty lately." A smile was beginning to show on his face. He placed his hand gently on her stomach and looked into her eyes in wonder. Her eyes met his and her heart began to beat rapidly.

"You don’t mind?" She asked uncertainly.

"No! Of course not. I mean I know that this isn’t the best situation to be having a child in, but look at Naomi, she’s happy and healthy. I’m going to be father." He was beaming now and he pulled her close to him and lowered his lip to hers, Kathryn gripped him, closed her eyes and raised her face.

She opened her eyes when she realised that Q had moved her. Again. She was in ready room alone sitting at her desk. She felt bloated and rather miserable.

"I think Neelix has finally managed to poison me." She thought cattily. She was about to ask the computer for the current stardate when Harry’s voice came over the comm.

"Captain! We need you on the bridge, we almost ready to go." She began to stand and realised that she couldn’t. She looked down with a slight feeling of dread and saw that she wasn’t just feeling bloated. She levered herself out of her chair and winced as a sharp pain shot up her back.

"I am really beginning to hate Q" she muttered to herself. Rubbing her swollen stomach she felt a responding kick and she froze, feeling a sudden urge to cry. Shaking her head trying to dispel the emotions she was feeling she walking towards the door leading to bridge her movements slow and clumsy. It opened with a quiet whoosh and she stepped on the bridge, a pain rippled over her stomach and she gasped grabbing hold door frame

She quickly regained her posture and caught Chakotay looking at her with concern. She shot him a look that quickly told him that she was fine. She crossed the bridge to her seat and gently levered herself into the seat. Chakotay leaned over and whispered,

"Are you sure you should be here?" Kathryn turned to him,

"Yes I’m fine." She was interrupted from saying any more by B’Elanna saying over the comm,

"Captain, we are ready to engage the Transwarp coils." Kathryn raised her chin and then turned to Chakotay saying,

"Commander would you go down to Engineering to oversee things." Chakotay nodded and headed for the turbolift. Janeway then turned her attention to the main viewscreen,

"Mr Paris, hold us ready to go." Tom turned round to look at her and joked,

"Captain, if this goes right you’ll be giving birth on Earth." Harry and Tom started to laugh at this, and Kathryn raised her eyebrow replying,

"The way I feel at the moment I don’t really care." Tom ducked his head and turned back to his console very quickly.

Kathryn sat mesmerised at the viewscreen as Tom said,

"Transwarp online. Setting co-ordinates for the Alpha Quadrant." Kathryn watched as the swirling green tunnel opened up as Voyager hit speeds that Starfleet Scientists only dreamed of.

Transwarp came off abruptly and everyone was jolted, the bridge thrown into darkness. Kathryn stood up and then doubled over and groaned in pain as a contraction ripped through her body. Harry’s voice broke through and said,

"Captain are you alright?" Kathryn’s voice echoed in the darkness,

"Doctor are you there." The Doctor’s voice floated over,

"Of course I am where else would I be?" Kathryn bit her lip as another contraction hit her and then said,

"Get Chakotay up here now!" Kathryn yelled

"I’m a Doctor not an usher." Sniffed the Doctor. Harry’s voice again piped up,

"That could be a bit of a problem. We appear to be running on emergency power, only life support and communications are currently online."

"Tell him it’s an order!" Harry tapped combadge

" Lieutenant Kim to Commander Chakotay."

"B’Elanna’s working on it Harry, any idea where we are?" Harry cleared his throat nervously.

"Um… you’re needed on the bridge."

"Why what’s the matter?" he asked immediately. Kathryn still gasping for breath after the last contraction, thumped her combadge and shouted,

"Commander that is a direct order!" the Doctor

"I think you better Mr Chakotay. This is going to be quick!" The entire bridge crew heard B’Elanna shout

"Use the Jefferies tubes I’ll try and get some power to the transporters to move her to sick bay!" The bridge fell silent until Harry stuttered

"I give her a hand from here."

"You do that Mr Kim, and make it fast." Growled Janeway. The Doctor then approached Kathryn down on the main floor of the Bridge.

"Captain, do you want to move to your ready room?" asked the Doctor. Kathryn fixed him with a withering look and replied,

"Doctor, if I could have I would have." The Doctor seemed to grow smaller and then he turned to Tom and Harry,

"I need to get her into the ready room." They both rose from their stations and helped Janeway to her feet guiding her to her ready room. Another contraction hit her and she grabbed the nearest support, which happened to be Tom’s hand,

"AAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHH!" cried Tom, the Doctor looked up and said,

"Stop being such a baby Mr Paris." He then turned around and beckoned Seven who was watching with avid interest,

"Seven we need you." She walked down the ramp and then turned to the Doctor asking,

"How can I be of assistance Doctor?" He lifted Tom’s hand and studied it,

"Please take Mr Paris’s place, it appears that the Captain has quite a grip." He sighed and put Tom’s hand down,

"Just a little bruising and a fractured bone." Kathryn finally was set down in her seat when B’Elanna’s voice came over the comm,

"I got the transporters back online but it will only do one transport." Kathryn rolled her eyes and said,

"This was a waste of effort." The Doctor sighed in irritation and said,

"Site to site transport to the sickbay. Five to transport. Mr Chakotay will just have to make his own way." They then disappeared in the usual sparkle of cascading light.

They all decided it was a very quick birth, but they had been there for two hours and still the Commander had not got there. Kathryn was doing her best with the pain but she had hissed several times,

"If he ever turns up he is dead." She also kept throwing murderous looks at the Doctor every time he asked,

"How are you feeling?" Harry looked green around the gills; in fact he looked like a first year cadet on his first experience of zero gravity. Seven was unable to move as Kathryn had her hand in a tight grip and wasn’t letting go. The Doctor kept telling her to breathe and Kathryn kept on replying,

"I’m hardly going to stop Doctor." To which the Doctor muttered under his breath,

"Hormones." She had finally entered the last stages of labour when they heard a loud bang. Chakotay pushed the entrance to the Jefferies tube open, looking exhausted. The Doctor looked up and sarcastically said,

"Glad you could join us Commander. You look like you have just ran a marathon." Chakotay panted, holding his side,

"It feels like it Doctor." He walked over to the bio-bed and took Kathryn’s other hand. Seven looked straight at him and said,

"That would not be advisable Commander."

"She has already broken Mr Paris’s hand." The Doctor explained. Chakotay ignored them and wiped the stray hair away from Kathryn’s face.

"How are you doing Kathryn?" She turned her head and fixed him with a glare,

"I’m doing fine," in a voice that implied the exact opposite,

"This is all your fault you know, and I’m having you demoted." He grinned and said gently,

"I know." The Doctor then broke their discussion by saying,

"Excuse me I hate to interrupt this romantic interlude but there is a child on the way."

Forty minutes later Kes Phoebe Janeway was born, Harry had promptly fainted and Seven finally regaining use of her hand knelt down to help him. Power came on a short time afterwards with Tuvok’s voice coming over the comm,

"Captain I trust everything is well." Kathryn smiled and replied as she cradled her daughter,

"Everything is perfect Mr Tuvok. Did you discover where we are?" The tactical officer paused and then announced,

"Sensors has picked up a Starfleet vessel approaching, it appears to be a Sovereign class. We appear to be 20 light years from Earth. The vessel is hailing us." There were loud whoops coming over the comm and Kathryn could not help but smiling as she said,

"Play it ship wide Tuvok." Everyone held his or her breath as a polite voice announced,

"This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise. May we be of assistance?"

Kathryn almost laughed, tears in her eyes and said,

"This Captain Kathryn Janeway of the USS Voyager. It’s good to be home."

There was a deafening silence that was then broke with Captain Picard asking,

"Voyager?" Kathryn nodded even though he couldn’t see her,

"It has been a long journey. A lot has happened." Harry came round at that point just in time to hear Picard saying in a stunned tone,

"Welcome Home Voyager."

To be continued…

Installment 4