3 weeks after Plots And Counterplots:

Kathryn Janeway sat at her desk and buried her face in her hands, lost in her thoughts. And in a losing effort to keep what was left of the morning's breakfast down. This was the third morning. She had to give up thinking as she made her way to the bathroom.

She could no longer deny or ignore what was happening.

Tom sat in the dining hall and looked around. B'Elanna smiled as she sat down by him: Harry and Kes joined them.

"So, are we ready?" Tom asked.

"I don't know: we shouldn't meddle," B'Elanna had never really approved of the plan.

"We're not. At least not really, just giving them a prod. And our tacit approval. Kes, Neelix is still going to participate?" Tom asked.

Kes smiled. "Yes, he's been trying all morning to use a phaser to cut the leaves of an orchid from my garden. It really is funny. The leaves end up scorching around the edge, but I think we can make a reasonable facsimile."

"We'll be reaching the omicron field in a day," Harry added. "If the field is there we can replicate a branch."

Kes shook her head, "we can try, but it is poisonous."

"I'll check the replicator, we can probably replicate a synthetic one." B'Elanna said as she poked at the food.

Tom continued to smile. It was as good a plan as anybody had come up with after three weeks of thinking. Neelix and he had just completed the holo-program for the Solstice dance that would be in two days. It was quite a program and quite a triumph. No one would see the setting until the night of the dance.

B'Elanna's combadge chirped. "Janeway to Torres."

"Captain?" B'Elanna responded.

"Have you finished preparations for gathering the omicron particles."

"Yes, Captain. I'll have the report to you in an hour."

"Very good. Janeway out."

B'Elanna snarled quietly. "What's gotten in her, she's been cranky the past week or so."

Tom shrugged. "She's been busy. B'Elanna, the turbo lift stopped again on my way to the bridge this morning. Planning on fixing it soon."

She almost hit him. "Tom, I'll fix it when we can build or replicate a new processing unit. Until then it works fine, most of the time. Just leave earlier. And no comments about that." He just grinned at her. "Well, I should be leaving."

"See you tonight?" Tom asked her as he chewed on his lunch.

B'Elanna nodded.

Kes smiled. "I need to see the Captain about using the replicators for medical reasons this afternoon. No it can't be today, maybe tomorrow morning."

"She's been trying to catch up with reports in the morning," Tom said. "She's been swamped the past couple of days. I never realized how many reports one little ship generates."

"Speaking of which," Harry muttered, "I have to finish this month's systems analysis report in the next three hours. We're going to yellow alert at 1600 hours. We're approaching the omicron field cautiously."

"So that's what the late morning meeting was about--glad I missed it." Tom stabbed at his dessert, it was quite hard. "But we finished preparing the shuttle to collect the particles. And I'd better get my report in too." Both he and Harry had, had the early shift the past couple of weeks and were now off. If writing reports in their cabins could be considered off. They were both scheduled to return to the alpha shift the next day.

Voyager slowed to warp 4 late in the evening. The night shift was starting short-range scans. They had found the omicron particle field, but there was too much distortion to determine quality and if anybody else was there.

B'Elanna and most of the engineering department were still working to modify the sensors to penetrate the distortion region. It was slow work, complicated by the fact that the distortion was randomly changing.

She swore quietly in Klingon. This was not going well. After 3 hours work, they had only gained a 1 percent improvement in the scanners. "Carey, try realigning the sensor arrays and cross connect every fourth one. Take Forrest and Loren with you. I'm going to run another simulation." She hadn't even looked up from her console. She typed for a few minutes, and then watched the data appear on the screen. She swore louder. B'Elanna felt like throwing the whole terminal, no the whole station on the ground and watching it spark and flare as it crumbled into hundreds of pieces. But then she'd have to repair it and write a report.

"Everything OK, Lieutenant?" Chakotay asked

She turned swiftly, too swiftly. She knocked her teacup on the ground. Fortunately there had only been a little liquid left. "No, everything is not OK. What are you doing here?"

Chakotay looked at her and shook his head. "I just came by to see how it was going--see if you needed any help."

"No, but thank-you Commander." She grinned as she looked down at the broken cup. "No one will believe that was an accident. We're not able to improve our scanning abilities in the distortion region. We're trying another idea--we may pick up a five percent improvement."

"Beats what we have. B'Elanna don't drive yourself and everyone else into the ground. We need you all conscious for the next couple of days. Then you can overwork them."

She smiled as she turned back to her terminal. "I'll need that in writing. I have a rather extensive list of items that need replacing. Including the processing unit in the lift to the bridge and the humidity controls in Kes's gardens. Have you been in there, the place reminds me of the jungle on Algernon two. Ah ha." She turned her attention back to her screen. "Damn, almost. Chakotay, is the Captain all right?"

Chakotay glanced quickly at her, fortunately she wasn't looking at him. "She's worried about this being a trap. Why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering. She seems like she's been under a lot of stress the last few days. Maybe you should ask her out." B'Elanna smiled. It'd be about time, she thought. Tom was right, the Captain and Commander did belong together. Maybe the group's plan would be what would finally get the two of them to realize it.

Chakotay didn't smile by sheer force of will. "B'Elanna you're becoming as nosy as that hotshot pilot you're dating." He thought it fairly remarkable that no one had noticed that he and the Captain were a couple. But then the ship was use to them working together, discussing ship's business in her quarters. Or his. This thought almost caused him to grin as he thought about some of their more recent conversations. "Well if you don't need any help."

"Go away, relax, get some sleep. At least someone can. And Chakotay, I'm serious, ask her out. A round of pool at Sandrine's or swimming at Neelix's resort--just run it without the people. It's better that way."

"B'Elanna..." He shrugged his shoulders. This was ridiculous: he'd had a similar conversation with Tom about a week ago.

Kathryn woke-up feeling awful. She looked at her chronometer. An hour before she was due on the bridge. She'd tell Tuvok she was meeting with the Doctor to discuss emergency replicator usage. She couldn't hide from everybody too many more mornings before someone guessed the truth. Chakotay would be in engineering: she'd asked him to work with B'Elanna on the final preparations for gathering the omicron particles. Very carefully and slowly she dressed, working to not increase her morning nausea. She walked into the corridor and slowly walked to the lift. Trying to look like she was deep in thought.

"Good morning, Captain."

"Tom. Morning."

He looked at her strangely. "Are you all right Captain?"

"Fine. See you on the bridge." She walked away, leaving Tom watching her with a surprised frown.

Tom entered the bridge a half-hour later and looked around. "Good morning Tuvok." Tuvok was sitting in the Captain's chair.

"Good morning Mr. Paris."

Tom moved to relieve the helmsman, then looked at the logs. It was too quiet. Usually there was some conversation. "So, where is everybody?"

Tuvok raised an eyebrow. "Captain Janeway is meeting with the Doctor and Kes; and Commander Chakotay is down in engineering." He went back to monitoring the incoming data from the sensors.

Tom finished his review of the navigational logs and smiled slightly. The Captain hadn't looked too well--the same shade of green as his roommate's girlfriend had been when... Tom almost whistled. Curiouser and curiouser.

Kathryn had to admit she'd never seen the Doctor at a loss for words. Three whole seconds he'd been silent. She hadn't realized that surprise was in his program. "Doc, can you do something about the nausea?"

A beaming Kes had already filled a hypospray and was placing it into the Doc's hand. He recovered from the surprise of his diagnosis. "I must apologize for my unprofessional behavior." He injected her in the neck. "This should prevent the nausea for forty-eight hours. Captain, you are about one and half months pregnant, everything looks normal. Your health is my concern right now. I would like to schedule you for a complete physical--I assume today is out." She nodded. "As soon as possible then. Do you want to know the gender?" She shook her head. "Captain, one thing puzzles me, your records show that your suppression boosters are current, yet I find no sign of the suppressant hormone in your blood stream. If we have a faulty batch, I will need to examine all the crewmembers."

Janeway shook her head, "I don't think that will be necessary. Somehow Q..."

"But Commander Chakotay is the father--am I missing something Captain?" The Doc looked puzzled.

"No, Doc you're not. Please keep this confidential."

The Doctor looked askance that she could think he wouldn't. "Of course, Captain. Kes, bring me a vitamin booster. Captain, you need to rest more. And you need to..."

"I know Doctor, I'll let you know." She smiled: she was delighted, confused, scared, and almost every other emotion she could list. She had never really considered parenthood before--thought about it, but until recently...

The lights began to blink. Her combadge chirped. "Tuvok to Captain Janeway."

"Report." The ship had just gone to red-alert.

"Captain, we may have detected a ship in the omicron particle field."

"I'll be there. Janeway out. Thanks Doc," She said as she left sickbay.

She paced as she waited for the lift to arrive. It finally did and the door opened.

"Commander." She didn't look at him as she stepped into the lift, hoping the injection would work quickly.

"Captain."

The turbo-lift jerked upwards, before slipping a couple of centimeters down, then stopped completely.

"Damn. Janeway to bridge."

"Tuvok here."

"The lift is stuck, both the Commander and I are on it. Fill us in."

"We've detected an unidentified ship, possibly two. The distortion is making it hard to identify them."

"Hail them Lieutenant,"

"Yes Captain."

Janeway resisted the urge to kick the paneling. She had no way of knowing what was happening.

"No response to our hail, we've backed off, and have cleared the distortion region. There are at least 3 ships, probably more." Tuvok's voice announced.

"Tuvok, you're in command. Keep me informed." She leaned her head against the side and screamed silently to herself. "We've accelerated," she noticed out loud, standing straight.

Chakotay nodded. "Still at less than full impulse. Kathryn, they'll do fine. It isn't like it's their first fight without either of us."

"I know. We've altered direction." There was a lurch and she fell against the paneling. Chakotay had managed to grab the railing and was still standing. "Evasive maneuvers, the ships must not be friendly."

"Sit down Kathryn. There's nothing we can do except wait. And avoid getting thrown about."

Tom's voice said, "Captain, six ships--they're Narbezian battle cruisers."

"Very good." She sat down on the floor as the ship lurched again--they could hear the sound of phaser impact. "Definitely not friendly."

Chakotay looked at her: she didn't look happy with the situation and was possibly a little pale. It was hard to tell in the dim lights. "Captain..."

"Shh. We're firing again. One of my instructors at the academy said one should listen to the ship. This is the first time I've been able to do so during a battle. We've been hit--port side."

"Old man Rhodes?" Chakotay asked. "I remember that lecture. Must have hit the port thruster--there's a slight pull toward starboard."

"He retired four years ago, runs a restaurant in Philadelphia now--or did last I heard. Port thruster is back up." The ship shook violently, and the lights blinked several times. "That hit near engineering. Someone knows what they're doing. They did say they had friends. You don't think...?"

"The only group to know that much about Voyager are the Kazon Neestrum--Cullah's been selling secrets? We'll probably never know. Losing shields--they're diverting power from the auxillary systems." The lights dimmed even more.

"We're accelerating. God, I hate this." She started to stand. "What the hell is happening out there?" She had moved too fast and a wave of nausea passed over her. She sat down again and waited for it to pass, glad the lift was almost dark, so he couldn't see how awful she felt. Now was not the time to discuss her health: he didn't need any more distractions. "We've stopped." She again resisted the urge to contact the bridge--they didn't need any distractions either.

"Captain," Tom's voice said. "We've entered the omicron field to complete repairs. Shields are at 75 percent. And there is a crack in the hull on deck 13. Repairs will be completed in 15 minutes. We hit two of their ships. It looks like the Narbezians are having the same difficulty we are with their sensors. They're looking for us now. And Captain, B'Elanna is sending Ensign Loren to work on the lift."

"Casualties?" She asked.

"Some bruises, nothing major." Tom responded. "One of their ships just flew by." There were a few seconds of silence. "They're looking for us."

She turned to Chakotay, "I wonder if our friend is in command?"

"Xykator? Probably, the guy's intelligent and well motivated. I bet their president wasn't too pleased with him." Or you, he didn't need to add.

She smiled. "Listen--it sounds as if they are randomly firing into the field."

"Flushing us out."

This time Tuvok's voice filled the lift. "Captain, one of the ships we hit, exploded, the other is just sitting there. The other four ships have separated to search for us. Engineering has modified the sensors again, with a 20 percent improvement."

"Tuvok, can we gather the particles without being detected?"

"Captain, I would not recommend it. We would have to lower the shields."

Janeway looked around, the lift was still dark, but her eyes had finally adjusted to the dim light. "Comfortable Commander?"

"Not really." He moved to sit next to her. "That's better." He moved to put his arm behind her, just as the lift started to move. She smiled at him, as she stood up.

The doors opened on the bridge. "Report," the Captain said as she made her way to her chair.

"Captain, repairs are almost complete. There are now five Narbezian ships, one has possibly been damaged. The other four are searching for us," Tuvok said as he moved back to his station.

"Captain, two ships approaching from starboard. The other two are waiting." Harry looked back at his station.

"Have they found us?" Janeway asked. "Tom have set a course of 143, warp one for one minute. On my mark."

"Yes ma'm."

"Captain, they are on an intercept course." Tuvok said.

Janeway nodded and watched the data on her terminal. "Ready." She looked at the numbers. Voyager had been found. "Engage."

The ship leapt forward past the two ships. Voyager slowed and stopped a minute later.

"Scan the area," Chakotay said as the Captain contacted engineering.

"B'Elanna?"

"Captain, repairs to the shields are complete--we've patched the crack. We still need to complete the repairs there."

"Captain, four ships have followed," Harry said.

The ship was still at red alert. "On screen. Long range scans--are there any other ships out there?"

"Captain, just the damaged one," Harry responded.

At least here the distortion region was not offering anybody a hiding place. She looked at her second-in-command who smiled at her, then nodded. They needed those omicron particles and damn if she was going to play a game of cat and mouse. "Mr. Tuvok, I'd like to just disable their ships. Lock phasers on their warp vents."

Two ships broke off to the right and went to attack speed. "Tom evasive maneuver delta," Chakotay said. "Now." As Voyager went under the first two ships, one fired, but the angle was such the beam bounced harmlessly off Voyager's shields. The other two started their attack run. Voyager returned fire, hitting both ships. The two wounded ships sat there--dead in the air, the other two moved in to help.

"Tuvok?" Janeway asked.

"Two ships disabled. It looks they will be abandoning one of them. Yes, they are transferring the crew to another ship."

"Open a channel."

"Channel open, Captain."

"This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. We are willing to negotiate terms for your surrender."

No response. "Tuvok lock phasers on three remaining ships--target their nacelles. Tom move us to directly behind them." She repeated the hail: this time a rather beleaguered Narbezian responded.

"Captain, we meet again. Why should we surrender?"

"Captain Xykator," she said, deliberately using the wrong title. "Because we will disable the rest of your fleet and leave you here on your own." The Narbezian didn't correct her on his rank. But he did look startled to see the Commander beside her. "How?"

Janeway smiled. "As someone once said, we have some very interesting technology. Surrender?"

"What terms."

"One: leave now and quickly. Out of the system. Two: avoid us completely should our paths EVER cross again."

Xykator smiled. "Interesting terms. We know you wouldn't just blow us up, that goes against your Federation principles--and you are not set up for prisoners." He paused. "Deal Captain. Let us finish transferring the crew from the ship."

"Twenty minutes. And General, the ship on the other side leaves too."

"They will be traveling with us." Xykator smiled grimly, his yellow skin looking sallow against the pale light of his ship. "Captain Janeway." He bowed his head. The screen returned to the view of the four ships.

"Back us off five kilometers. We'll wait here until they've departed.

Harry, the fifth ship?" Janeway watched the screen.

"They're waiting."

"Constant scans. Lieutenant Paris, have the shuttle-crew prepared to gather the particles. We'll start as soon as the Narbezians leave the system. Mr. Tuvok, continue red-alert until the Narbezians are on their way, then maintain yellow-alert until we leave."

"Yes Captain." Tuvok responded.

"Commander, you have the bridge. I'll be in my ready room." She was still feeling a little queasy.

"Aye, aye Captain." He grinned quickly at her, then looked back the screen.

She'd have to watch the smiles. His and hers. She looked around quickly. Good, nobody seemed to have noticed the quick smile she had given her second-in-command in return.

She woke with a start. Damn, she'd fallen asleep. She looked at her chronometer. Only an hour. She stood up: she did feel better, the injection was apparently finally working. She walked to the ready-room bathroom and looked in the mirror. She looked like she had just woken up. "Can't imagine why," she muttered to herself as she splashed water on her face then brushed out her hair, before replacing the clip. She now almost felt normal--a feeling she might never know again, she thought wryly.

She returned to her desk and looked at the sensor scans. The Narbezians were leaving, a little too slowly perhaps. They did have 2 damaged ships she reasoned. Voyager had returned to the omicron field. "Good." Chocolate and coffee were going to be the first things she replicated, then stopped. She was going to have to change her diet. That probably meant no coffee. And, she hoped, no leola roots.

She sat down and started to work on replicator priorities. Engineering and sickbay would be the two highest. After almost three weeks of no replicator rations she would give the crew a week's extra rations. And some extra for Neelix and his party. As long as he didn't program leola roots into the replicator. She would adjust the ration distribution when they had completed collecting the particles.

"Captain's log stardate 50320.4. We started collecting omicron particles at 1322 today. Lieutenant Torres expects to have our storage tanks filled by the same time tomorrow. The crew is excited to be getting their replicator rations back after three weeks without, and even longer on limited rations. On another note, tomorrow evening is Neelix's Solstice party. He and Tom have spent hours programming the holodeck. I've given Neelix extra rations for the party. He has spent the past two days baking. Everytime I pass the dining hall it smells wonderful. On a more personal note, it's official, I'm pregnant. I don't know how I will reconcile being Captain and having a family, but like every other situation the Delta Quadrant has thrown at us, we'll figure out a way. I won't be the first Captain to have a family onboard her ship, but I am probably the only one to include in her family the ship's First Officer." She stopped recording and rubbed her eyes as she yawned. "Continue log. Speaking of First Officers, mine is playing pool with Tom Paris at Sandrines. Paris is trying to organize a pool tournament. I suppose I will join in, if I can stay awake."

She shut off the recorder and wandered to the replicator and smiled as she ordered a cup of hot chocolate. She returned to her desk and started reading some of the information Kes had left for her.

"Good morning Captain," Chakotay said as he entered her ready room. He went to the replicator and got himself a cup of coffee. "Would you like a cup?"

"No thank-you. Go ahead, have a cup."

He looked at her, "Are you feeling all right?"

"I feel fine this morning." She smiled. "How was the pool game?"

"Harry won, Tom was thoroughly distracted." He grinned. "Here are the shift schedules for the next two months. Let me know if you have any changes."

"I shall," she said. There will be at least one minor change, she added to herself. "You going to Neelix's party?"

"Of course--you?"

"I'll show up for a little while."

"And afterward?" He asked with that smile he used only for her.

"We'll see."

Janeway looked around the holodeck. Neelix and Tom had done an excellent job with the program. A large lodge with a very high ceiling. Outside there was snow, inside a large fireplace with a fire, and an orchestra. The crew seemed to be having a good time. They needed this, she thought. Life had been hard for two and a half years and they appreciated every moment off. Neelix was growing into the position of Morale Officer. His early attempts at improving morale had been more humorous than relaxing. She smiled. She would stay maybe an hour before quietly disappearing back to her quarters, freeing the crew to enjoy themselves. Even though Neelix had insisted no uniforms, she felt strangely out of place not wearing hers.

"Captain, you came." Neelix chirped happily. "Come in. The crew is raving over my Tilpurian spice pie. Come have a slice." He firmly escorted her to the buffet table and handed her a slice. "Captain, do enjoy yourself." He left her and went to greet another group of newcomers.

She looked around. The orchestra was playing something she didn't recognize, not a Viennese waltz--it sounded Bajoran, and several of the crew were dancing. Chakotay was in the far corner chatting with Tom and B'Elanna. She held back a moment of queasiness. She looked at the pie. Doc had said the anti-nausea medication would last two days. Tomorrow could be interesting.

She smiled. The past two days had been strange--no the past week. She'd had her suspicions earlier, but had not had time to really think about it. No, that wasn't true: she had hoped that was all it was--just a suspicion. And then she had taken to being sick, and she was sure her suspicions were correct.

She finally took a bite of the pie. It was good, she noted with surprise. Neelix's cooking was improving--especially when he avoided using leola root.

Kes walked toward Neelix, greeting people as she went by. "I see the Captain's here," she said to him.

"I don't think she is staying long though, Sweetie."

"She rarely does. You ready?"

He nodded and pulled out a squashed branch of a fleshy small-leafed plant from his pocket. "Humans have such strange customs; like kissing under a poisonous parasitic-plant."

B'Elanna and Tom had wandered away from Chakotay and were talking to Harry. Kes joined them. "Neelix suspects the Captain will leave early. So shall we begin."

The holographic orchestra started playing again. This time more of the crew found their way to the dance floor.

"Captain." She looked up, she hadn't noticed him move toward her.

"Commander."

"It's good to see most of the crew enjoying themselves."

"Yes. Neelix and Tom have done an excellent job."

"It is impressive."

"Just what the crew needed."

He shifted his weight again. "Kathryn." He blushed at the slip, as she smiled and glared at him. "Captain, may I have the next dance?"

She didn't answer right away. She looked around, what would the crew think. If she kept a formal, stiff demeanor and an appropriate distance from him, maybe... But then they were going to find out soon enough. She just nodded her head.

Harry stood by the computer, and when Kes signaled him, he punched in a few command codes and the music changed, to something slower and more romantic.

The Captain and Commander had caused a mild stir when they started to dance to a crisp, sprightly tune, but eight steps into their dance, the music inexplicably slowed. They were stuck. If she stopped now, the whole crew would notice. They would have to finish the dance. She tried to keep her distance, but found herself being pulled closer to him. It was not a very relaxing moment.

There was laughter from the crew and she looked at Chakotay. "What's going on."

"I think Neelix is doing something. I can't see exactly what, but he's waving a plant over the heads of some of the couples." He concealed his smile. It was a beautiful set-up, no point ruining the conspirators' fun, so he didn't tell Kathryn everything he saw. He continued to hold her close--probably closer than she cared, but she didn't seem to be resisting.

It was a well-crafted conspiracy, and the Captain and Commander had made it easier, when they took to the dance floor, without any prompting or trickery on the conspirators' part. Kes watched as B'Elanna and Tom danced closer to the commanding officers. Harry had moved from the computer to stand by her and they both watched as Neelix waved the mistletoe over the heads of two more couples--carefully explaining the custom and watching the couples kiss. B'Elanna and Tom were in position, the trap set.

Neelix saw Kes smile, took a deep breath and walked over to the two senior officers. He held the plant over their heads.

The Captain froze as Neelix spoke. "I understand it's an old Earth custom. Whoever stands underneath the mistletoe must kiss." He grinned.

She tried to think of a retort, to get out of the situation, but B'Elanna's voice behind her stopped her. "Captain, Commander if you don't the crew might think you were hiding something."

She was right, the crew would start to wonder and gossip (there would be plenty for them to gossip about soon enough)... A quick, short kiss. No time for anything to happen. She looked up at him and nodded. He leaned down and kissed her. His arms tightened around her and their lips lingered a second or two longer than she had planned.

She smiled and replaced it with a frown--she hoped it was a sincere frown.

Tom and B'Elanna had already moved on. Tom was wishing that he had stopped the conspirators.

"You've been jumpy all evening. Is something wrong?" B'Elanna asked.

Tom shook his head. "No. Yes. We didn't need to do this."

B'Elanna shook her head. "This was your idea Tom Paris. Are you saying that all our work was for naught? That they've..." He was nodding his head. "Tom." She shook her head disapprovingly.

The Captain moved to the wall to watch. She was surprised when Tom approached her several minutes later.

"Captain." He sounded a bit hesitant.

"Lieutenant." She was wondering what he wanted after this latest stunt.

"Captain, may I have this dance." That surprised her--it wasn't what she'd expected.

She stuttered something and found herself dancing with Tom.

"Captain, I." Tom paused. "That was my idea, I'd like to apologize--I would have stopped it, but..." He stopped dancing. "Captain. This isn't coming out well."

Janeway tried not to laugh. Tom was usually not without words. But then he'd never tried such a stunt before either. She smiled to encourage him to continue his apology.

Tom took a breath--he hoped his peace offering would work. "Captain, Samantha will give me an excellent reference. I would be delighted to..." He stopped. The look on her face was of complete surprise.

"How?" She whispered.

"Yesterday morning, you were pretty pale when I passed you. No one else knows, Captain, I haven't told anybody, I swear. Unless they guessed on their own. Captain." She wasn't looking at him, so he moved away ignoring the puzzled look from Harry.

Kathryn stood there in stunned silence. So much for hiding anything from the crew. She wondered if anybody else had guessed.

"Captain, are you OK?" Chakotay asked from behind her. He'd watched her dance with a very awkward looking Tom, then she had frozen completely. She didn't respond.

"Captain, what did Tom say?"

Later, when she recovered she would laugh at what happened next, but at that moment she was still dazed. "He volunteered to babysit," she said to the man she had yet to tell. A second later Kathryn realized that he wouldn't know what she was talking about. She turned, looked at him and smiled. "I'm sorry, this wasn't exactly how I planned on telling you." She flushed. Fortunately no one was standing nearby. She watched his puzzled look turn to comprehension. "Not here, my quarters in fifteen... Oh what the hell, let's give the crew something to really gossip about."

Chakotay looked at her and grinned: he had to resist the urge to grab her and shout the news.

B'Elanna nodded toward the door as she watched Chakotay and Janeway leave then prodded Tom. "What gives?"

"I guess they decided the crew knows--or rather should know." He smiled nonchalantly as he sipped his punch.

"Tom, I watched you dance with her. I've never seen the Captain as stunned as when you left her. What did you tell her?"

"Really B'Elanna nothing. Nothing I can tell."

B'Elanna glared at him. "See if you survive the night. It must have been something--when she told Chakotay, I..." She looked at Tom, her eyes opened wide in surprise.

He just smiled in return. "As I said, nothing I can tell." He winked at her. "Another dance, before we leave?"

Chakotay looked at Kathryn then moved to stand behind her. He wasn't quite sure which question he wanted answered first, so he didn't say anything. Instead he wrapped his arms around her and moved them so his hands were on her stomach.

She leaned back, "Well?"

"I... Kathryn how?"

"Q. His last words to me were that he couldn't protect me from the continuum and something about a solution. I think this was his solution." She placed her hands over his."

"We can cut a door between our quarters. With a little work we can create a nursery." He stopped. "I... Do... I mean..."

She turned around and kissed him quickly. "This is probably going to be the most complicated task I've... we've ever undertaken. It's not exactly standard protocol."

He buried his face in her hair, "No, I guess not. But then not much has been since we arrived in the delta quadrant. When?"

"A little less than eight months." She laughed. "Your secret wish will come true--for a short period of time, you'll be Voyager's Captain."

"Captain!" He kissed her. "That was never my secret wish. Getting you into my bed was." He stopped laughing, the reality of the situation was returning.

Kathryn was also serious. "Can we do this? What will the crew say?"

"After Sam's child was born, the crew was delighted. We'll probably find that there will be more children on Voyager after ours." Our child. He smiled.

"Probably. Can Voyager handle children?"

"Can she not? We've made this ship our home: children are a part of home. Somebody needs to tell our story, if this trip truly takes 70 years."

Kathryn nodded, buried her head in his chest and started weeping. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

He thought of his spirit guide, his last meeting with her and smiled. The wolf had told him, but he hadn't understood.