by Dakota

Kathryn left her ready room, crossed the bridge and was gone without a word.  Her expression was troubled.  The bridge crew watched as Chakotay rose to follow turning the bridge over to Tom as he left.  Once on the turbolift he asked the computer to locate Kathryn.  The corridor on Deck 2 – she was heading for their quarters.  Chakotay knew exactly what was bothering Kathryn.  He had given her more than three weeks to make a decision on her own without any pressure from him.  He wanted her to be completely comfortable with her decision, but he knew if she didn’t accept the situation he would have to argue with her about that decision until she changed her mind.  It would be an argument that Chakotay could not afford to lose and Kathryn could not afford to win.

Chakotay entered their quarters and found Kathryn on the couch crying.  She was the perfect picture of misery and despair.  He sat next to Kathryn and pulled her into his arms.  He left her cry herself out.  He knew they had to talk about this; he had allowed her to avoid making a decision for long enough.  Before he could press her for a decision, Kathryn spoke.

“What am I going to do, Chakotay?”

“What do you want to do?”

“I can’t do this; I have to get the crew home. You know that has to be my first priority.”

“I know it has to be the Captain’s first priority, but what does you want?  You have to make a decision, Kathryn.  You know I’ll be here to help you in any way you need.”

“Oh, yes, I want our baby, Chakotay.  How am I going to do all this?  Run the ship? Raise a baby?”

“The question should be ‘how are we going to do this?’  And the answer is just like we always have – together.  We run this ship together; we created this baby together; and we’ll raise our baby together.  Besides, I’m responsible for the duty roster and I can just add babysitting for the captain to the posts to be filled three shifts a day.”  Kathryn chuckled at his last comment before turning in his arms so she could search his face.

“Why do I get the feeling you knew this is what I would decide?”

“That’s simple.  I know you want this baby even more than I do.  All I did was wait until you realized it.”

“I love you, Chakotay.  Thank you for giving me this baby.”

“I love you, too, Kathryn.”