Reanla's mind was in turmoil as she, Quinn, and Janeway walked to the airlock at upper pylon #2 the next day. It wasn't the fact that she had only managed four hours' sleep--that would be easily caught up on once they were on the Rainier. With a starship full of security officers, there would be no potential danger to Janeway during the two day trip to Cardassia Prime. It was the call she'd made the night before upon getting back to her quarters.

Already annoyed by Janeway's seemingly cavalier attitude for her own safety, Reanla was already not in the best of moods when she had decided to make the call to Starfleet Command. Which meant Owen Paris' attitude didn't help either....

"Come now, Colonel Reanla, you're not dealing with some longtime admiral who's grown soft. Like me," he chuckled self-mockingly. "Katie is still growing used to this position--and a lot of good it will do with her impending retirement anyway. But I'll let you in on a little secret. The trick to dealing with Katie is to develop a rapport with her."

"Rapport?" Reanla echoed in disbelief. "Please, Admiral Paris. Exactly how do you propose I make friends with a woman who's more stubborn than a crazed cherka??"

"Common ground. And since you're known to be just as bull-headed as Katie can be, I would think you should be getting along famously."

Kathryn had to stifle her smile as they approached the airlock where the Rainier was docked. To her right was Reanla, who was armed and seemed to be on her guard, especially while they crossed the length of the Promenade. Their presence drew a crowd but everyone seemed to remain at bay as they passed. The teenage girls from the previous day were among the crowd, but seemed to think better of rushing her when they saw the phaser holstered on the guards' belts.

Kathryn’s eyes slid to her left and she saw Rash'iel Quinn. Both of the women who escorted her were as dedicated to their jobs as they were beautiful. She was beginning to have a little more confidence in their abilities and felt like she could relax, especially after the incident at Quark’s bar. After the incident, Kathryn had spent some time lying awake and decided she was determined to start off anew with Reanla and the others. She still hadn’t gotten used to the fact that, as a Starfleet Admiral, she was always going to be assigned security details who were going to act like babysitters.

A tiny, almost childlike, Bajoran female was awaiting them at the airlock, along with Vedek Caprit, two Bajoran males--one blond, one dark-haired--and two Fleet officers dressed in security gold and black.

"Admiral on deck!" the nearest one snapped upon sight of Kathryn. The approaching trio could now see what appeared to be the starship Rainier's entire security team lining the airlock. Reanla stifled a smile. She recalled one of the times this had been done for Shakaar and how uncomfortable he'd been with all the attention.

The only ones who had not snapped to attention were the four Bajorans and now the tiny female stepped forward, light brown eyes full of eagerness. "Reporting for duty, Colonel." At Reanla's nod, she then turned to Kathryn, her wheat-colored hair swishing to brush her cheeks. "Lieutenant Ilario Cheyne at your service, Admiral Janeway."

Kathryn raised an eyebrow in a very Vulcanesque manner at the tiny woman who stood before her. She was no bigger than a child and her elfin figure reminded her of Kes. The thought of the little child-like woman they had left behind made her breath catch in her throat. Kes had been like a daughter to her and, even after this many years, she still missed her innocence and grace. She decided immediately that she would have a soft spot for Ilario so long as she did not step on her toes. Kathryn nodded to Ilario and continued to survey the group.

"Colonel, Lieutenant." Raduen and Reanla had already met several times via subspace, so they exchanged only a nod and a smile before the diplomat turned his full attention to the admiral, reaching out a hand to clasp hers.

"Raduen Aredat. But please do call me Aredat and save the formalities until we reach Cardassia, Admiral Janeway. It's truly an honor to meet you." Raduen was the shorter of the two men at exactly two meters, and his smile reached his eyes, which were a dark brown. He gestured to the man to his left, who was slightly taller than him, with tousled dark brown hair and blue eyes almost as bright as Kathryn's own. "My aide, Tinalo Lasair."

"Admiral." Tinalo's eyes studied the petite, pregnant woman before him and, as his boss released Kathryn's hand, he took it in both of his own and bowed over it. "Never did I imagine I would have the chance to meet the woman who brought Voyager home. I assure you, the honor is mine."

“Thank you, Tinalo.” She smiled as she extracted her hand from his. She noticed that his eyes seemed to study her intently, almost in a soul-baring manner and she did not like it. He was handsome enough, but something about the chill of his hand and the way his eyes swept her she did not like.

Tinalo hid his shock very well when she had come into sight. Pregnant and very heavily at that! His sources had not only failed to inform him of her marriage, but of her advanced pregnancy as well. She was a figure to behold, even for a human woman, and her presence seemed to command the attention of the entire group gathered around the airlock. As she turned away from him, his eyes narrowed on her.

Just wait, my pretty little admiral. You’ll get what’s coming to you.

**

Kathryn sighed in relief as she nearly ran to the turbolift and ordered it to the deck where her assigned quarters were. The damned uniform itched and clinched her in all of the wrong places--and the boots! The God-awful boots were dreadful! They squeezed and chaffed and hurt her feet. She was certain they had not been designed to carry the weight of a house, let alone a seven-months-pregnant-with-twins admiral. She realized she was all alone in the lift and was surprised that she didn’t have someone from her security detail in a panic that she had dashed out of sight.

She didn’t care. She was getting out of this uniform NOW. She had been wearing it for practically four hours and she’d had enough. She was hot, irritable and anyone who stalled her getting to her quarters was getting plowed over.

She darted out of the lift on deck five and she kept an even expression as she hurried past awestruck ensigns and lieutenants who recognized her on sight and drew to attention as she came within sight. Several times, a random member of the crew would announce “Admiral on deck!” and it took everything she had not to bust out laughing. Part of her was going to enjoy retirement and the other part was hoping said retirement would glaze over her celebrity status and that she would eventually fall off the front page news.

Kathryn checked the padd with her assignment again. Deck five, section twenty-five alpha. She was only at section fifteen. She would have jogged--if she wouldn’t have risked looking like an elephant attempting aerobics. She quickened her pace as fast as her short legs would carry her and she was out of breath by the time she found her quarters.

She palmed the pad outside the door and was granted admittance. She didn’t even think the door was fully closed behind her when she kicked her boots off and they flew across the room. She moaned in relief as she lifted one bare foot off the ground, set it down, then repeated with the other. She set about removing the damned maternity dress uniform. She pulled and tore at it until she was standing nude just inside the door of her quarters. She moaned loudly again, then sighed and looked around at her quarters. Not as spacious as some of the presidential suites she had enjoyed, but still very nice and comfortably furnished.

“Decaf coffee, black,” she ordered as she paused at the replicator as she headed to the desk and the console that sat upon it. She picked up the dreadfully unleaded coffee and slid into the chair at the desk and tapped on the console. “Computer, prepare to send a subspace message to Commander Chakotay, priority one.”

“Begin recording.” Kathryn smiled at the console, knowing he could see her bare shoulders and the suggestion of her nudity. She knew he would be smiling, knowing she had shucked her dress uniform as soon as she was alone. “Hello, Chakotay. I just wanted to let you know we are on the Rainier and on our way to Cardassia Prime. The twins are doing wonderfully and keeping very active. I think they miss your voice and the ancient legends you tell them. I miss you too, my love. I may not have the chance to communicate again until after the mission but, I love you, my darling. See you in a couple weeks.” She kissed her fingers, then touched them to the screen before signing off. Just a few weeks and you’ll no longer have to share me with Starfleet, she silently added as she stared longingly at the blank screen and the Federation emblem.

Two hours passed before Reanla decided to look in on the resident mother-to-be. No less than twenty members of the Rainier crew reported seeing Janeway make her best attempt at a mad dash all the way from the docking deck to the turbolift and then through half of deck five, where they were all being housed. Vedek Caprit had questioned it, but Reanla shrugged it off. No doubt Janeway simply wanted to get off her feet--and, for that, Reanla couldn't blame her. Dress uniforms were never comfortable and especially not when standing.

Reanla punched the door chime and raised an eyebrow at the barked "Come in!" But she stepped inside anyway to find the admiral sitting on the sofa dressed in a soft violet tunic and matching slacks, barefoot and attempting to rub the side of one ankle as best she could reach. From her angle, Reanla could see that both feet and ankles were swollen and could guess the cause. "Been awhile for uniform boots, I'm betting."

Kathryn rolled her eyes as she continued to rub at her feet as best as she could. She could hardly reach them and therefore a satisfying massage was beyond her reach. Frustrated, she stopped straining her back and arms in an attempt to rub the aches out of her poor feet. “Thank God it won’t be long before they are a thing of the past. These damned uniforms were uncomfortable to begin with, let alone adding several kilos and centimeters to cram into them. Klingon armor is more appealing than these damned things!” she griped.

"That's because they were no doubt designed by men, who have no concept of what the opposite sex endures." Reanla settled herself on the opposite end of the couch. "And that stretches to the Bajoran Militia too, believe me. I broke an ankle on Kerok Nor once because of these." She tapped her fingers against the edge of her own boot.

Kathryn’s curiosity was piqued as she recalled injuries of her own she had conveniently blamed on the damned Starfleet uniforms. She realized her coffee cup was empty and hauled herself to her feet to visit the replicator. “Can I get anything for you? In return, I’d enjoy hearing your story.”

Reanla was a little surprised Kathryn was asking her to stay. She half expected to be told "I'm fine" and promptly shooed out. But given the opportunity, she decided to take it. Common ground, Paris had said. Might as well give it a shot. "Double kava, half sugar, please." She waited until the other woman had returned with both drinks and Kathryn had settled herself on the couch once more. "One of the great mysteries of Kerok Nor....the surprise attack that took place for no known reason and with absolutely no warning. One minute, everyone was going about business as usual--the next we were under attack." Reanla's eyes briefly drifted ceiling ward at the memory. "I was on the Promenade's lower deck at the time and tried to make my way back up to the Embassy. Only got about a third of the way there and I heard what sounded like a baby's cry in one of the unoccupied shop areas. I went inside and discovered it was someone's pet cat that had escaped."

Reanla paused for a long sip of the kava before continuing. "Once the cat came to me, I picked it up--and right at that second, the next shot our attackers threw at the station hit somewhere very nearby. The cat panicked, of course, and took off. I went to follow, and the next round of hits tripped me up. The boot heel caught in something and wham--down I went. Whatever I tripped off snapped the heel right off the boot--and a bone along with it. So there I was, with chunks of bulkhead and ceiling beams starting to come apart around me--with a broken ankle, in a little used part of the Promenade that would likely be the last place to look for survivors."

Kathryn smiled at the story of the woman attempting to rescue a cat in the midst of chaos. It brought back several memories of days and battles in the Delta Quadrant. “Obviously you survived that mess quite alright. How did the lost feline fare?”

"As felines of most species tend to, she landed feet first." Reanla shook her head with a rueful smile. "I found out much later that the cat belonged to the most un-Cardassian Cardassian of them all--a little galt from the engineering department by the name of Maleah Merritt. Maleah was outwardly friendly to everyone, including all the Embassy staff--which got suspicious looks from a few of ours, and a lot of grumbling from her fellow Cardassians. Prophets forbid she not be xenophobic like the rest of them. As for me getting out in one piece--well, I owe that to a certain Klingon ambassador." Her smile turned soft at the thought of her long-ago rescuer, now her lover. At the question in Kathryn's eyes, she went on. "I'm not sure what sent Ko'Tak to look for me, but after awhile, I heard someone calling for me. And he got me out of there just in time too. He'd moved me halfway to the door when another hit landed somewhere directly beneath our position and the ceiling beam right above where I'd been sitting came crashing down. If he hadn't shown up...." She shuddered.

“I’ve had a few of those near misses in my life time, too.” Kathryn lovingly thought of Chakotay in that moment. “You tell a wonderful story, Reanla. My husband likes to tell the twins and I stories all the time.” She paused for a long moment before deciding which story from her own repertoire to share. “When I was a young, green Ensign, I was posted on a ship called the Al-Batani under the command of Owen Paris. He begrudgingly accepted my proposal to serve as my advisor on my junior thesis when I was at the Academy and, despite his initial lack of confidence in me, I excelled. Naturally, he took an interest in me and assigned me to his ship upon graduation. The senior science officer left me in charge of the night shift with orders to align the positronic relays.” Kathryn shook her head at the memory of how green she had once been. Just like Harry Kim during his first days on Voyager. “Did you know misaligned positronic relays can knock out power to six decks on a starship?”

"You didn't...." Reanla tried and failed to suppress her laughter at the confirming nod. "How long did it take to realign them and get the power back?"

"Fifteen hours! Commander T'Por had to be roused from bed as well. And once the work was done, Owen bawled me out for a full thirty minutes for my incompetence. Then, and only then, could I go to bed."

“You tell wonderful stories as well, Admiral.”

“Oh, I could go on boring you for hours, Colonel, but I’m sure you have somewhere else to be.”

“Well, if you can order up another kava, I might be convinced to stay for a few more stories,” Reanla hinted. Despite her original misgivings about Janeway, she was enjoying her company and wasn’t in a hurry to leave. She felt even better when the admiral offered her up one of her brightest smiles.

“You’ve got a deal. One mug of decaf black coffee and one double kava with half sugar,” Janeway ordered from the replicator. She hadn’t been certain she was going to like Reanla, but now the first impressions were beginning to fade and she was enjoying the colonel’s company immensely. And to think she had counted on a very lonely journey.

As Kathryn resettled on the couch, Reanla took the fresh mug of kava and added, "My turn again? And by the way, as long as we're not 'on duty', it's Kaelinn."

Again the bright, sunshine smile. “And while we’re ‘off duty’, you may call me Kathryn.”

Reanla nodded before taking a sip of the kava and starting with a new story about her first week in the First Minister's guard. And to think she had counted on a very long, dull two days.

**

Tinalo sat gazing out the viewport in the crew mess. At this hour, there weren’t many people milling about and it was quiet. It was so quiet he could almost hear the steady thrum of the engines as they traveled at warp eight towards the Cardassian border. He rested his chin on his fist and watched the streaked stars blur against the polarized windows. It had been an eventful, noisy day--what with following around Raduen and listening to his incessant blabbering about his excitement over the mission and the prospects of peace at long last.

The hiss of the doors made his head snap around and he found himself staring at the very maternal admiral. The corners of his mouth curled into an evil grin as he watched her enter the empty mess hall and look around. She looked as though she were looking for solitude and quiet as well. She offered him a nod as she headed towards the bank of replicators.

“Decaf coffee, black,” she ordered and paused as it materialized in front of her.

“Liquid sewage,” he snorted.

“I beg your pardon?” the admiral asked as she approached him.

“One of the worst possible things you could ingest, Admiral, in your condition. I would think you would be a little more concerned about what you are putting into your body.”

She smiled as she paused next to his table. “Coffee has brought me through some of the worst possible times. It brought me home from the Delta Quadrant.” She raised her mug and inhaled. “Decaf, nothing more than coffee flavored water, but it was a compromise I had to make with my husband and my physician during my pregnancy.”

“I suppose we all have our vices, Admiral.” His overly bright eyes locked with hers, intently watching and observing her. He noted the strength of her jawline, the vivaciousness of her eyes, the musculature in her arms, her way her auburn hair shimmered against the dim light in the mess. He studied her to know her. It was all part of what he did.

Kathryn felt a chill of discomfort descend down her spine as he looked at her with such intensity. It was as though he was taking a mental picture of her and she felt as though she were standing soul-bared before him. “Yes, I suppose so.”

“What other vices do you have, Admiral? I find you to be a remarkably interesting human.” He had an intense desire to keep her there with him, to keep her talking. There was no telling what interesting things might spill from her thin, ruby lips.

She regarded him with caution. There was something in the back of her head that screamed at her, the warning flags were waving, the red alert klaxons were blaring in her ears. Those eyes--those vicious, sharp, accusing eyes. She knew his eyes--but from where? Where had she seen them before? She couldn’t seem to remember where she had seen those menacing eyes. Eyes that held secrets she didn’t want to know, eyes that held a hunger for viciousness, for betrayal, for revenge. She did not want to show him her weakness, her fear. She stood her ground and slid into the chair across from him, folding her hands on her swollen belly. She had already decided she was not going to be answering any personal questions for him.

"So, how long have you been in service to Raduen?” She sipped at the piping hot coffee.

Tinalo had expected her to turn on her heel and run away when he started questioning her, but she turned the tables on him when she didn’t. It irritated him that she swept the rug out from under his feet like that. He had wanted to take pride in driving her off. He liked to be intimidating, for others to feel on edge around him. “I have been in his service for nearly one year. I find Raduen to be an excitable, but passionate, man. He tends to prattle at times, though. An often annoying habit, but it has grown on me,” he answered.

Kathryn smiled through her discomfort. “I had a member of my crew like that when I was captain of Voyager.” She reminisced for a moment back to her first thoughts when Neelix had asked for him and Kes to be permitted to join their journey. She had hoped the spotted man and the little elfin girl would quietly stay out of her way. She had thought they would be better off not seen and not heard. How wrong she had been about them. “At first, he seemed useless and he even usurped my private dining room and turned it into a galley to serve the crew three home cooked meals a day. I was annoyed at first--but gradually I learned to appreciate him for the unique, kind, and talented individual he was. He became an invaluable member of my crew and I was sorry he decided to part company with us, but it was what he wanted. He met a wonderful woman with a son and finally found the family he had always desired.”

“How perfectly quaint and domestic,” he replied with a toothy grin. “Such as your own story of true love, isn’t it, Admiral? You meet on the wrong side of the law, fall blissfully in love with your enemy and end up his wife after he is acquitted of all charges as a Maquis. And now look at you, heavy with child and by the looks of it, ready to deliver any day now.”

“Two months actually. I’m carrying twins,” she replied quietly, again on high alert. He seemed overly interested in her and she decided that it was time to return to her quarters. “Now, if you would excuse me, Tinalo, I should be leaving.” She stood and deposited her cup to be recycled.

“Tell me one thing, Admiral, did his atrocities as a Maquis ever register in your mind when you fell in love with him?” Tinalo knew he should have stopped, but he couldn’t help it. His patience was wearing thin and he was anxious to set his plan into motion.

Kathryn stopped and whirled around. “I don’t know who you think you are, Mr. Tinalo, but what my husband did in his past is just that. It is the past. I practice forgiveness, which is exactly why I agreed to these negotiations. The Maquis no longer exist and that is a portion of history we should all close the door on. As for my reasons and motivations for falling in love with my husband, those are none of your business. Good night, Mr. Tinalo.” She turned and carried herself through the doors and away from the mess hall. She knew she would be perfectly happy not to lay eyes on him again, or have his eyes gaze upon her for the remainder of their journey.

Tinalo’s face spread into a menacing smile as she disappeared through the doors. He liked picking at her, making her uncomfortable, on edge. The unflappable Admiral Janeway was teetering precariously on her wire and he was anxious to see how far she would fall.

**

The next morning, Reanla opted for civilian clothes as she hurriedly dressed to meet Kathryn for breakfast. A wake up subspace call from Ko'Tak had gotten her distracted and now the time they were supposed to have met was ten minutes past. Annoyed with herself, she quickly tore a brush through her hair only long enough to work out the tangles before snatching a clip and hurrying out the door. Luckily, her guest quarters were only eight doors down. When the doors opened at her chime, she hurried in. "Kathryn, I do hope you can forgive me for being late. Ko'Tak called and--" She stopped short at the sight before her.

Kathryn was curled on the end of the couch, still in the same clothes she'd been in the day before. Her hair was slightly rumpled and there were the beginnings of circles under her eyes, along with a distressed look on her face. An untouched cup of coffee, still full, sat on the table. This was a complete turnabout from the vivacious woman she'd gotten to know in the last twelve hours.

"Kathryn?" When she got no response, Reanla moved over to the couch, sitting next to the admiral. She gently touched Kathryn's hand and found it to be ice cold. "Prophets, your hands are freezing. Are you not feeling well?" Still no response. Finally, Reanla leaned her head in a way to try and catch her friend's eyes and was shocked at what she saw there. It was a look she'd seen too many times, during and after the Occupation, but especially during. A look she knew she'd worn herself at Gallitepp.

Abject terror.

Kathryn raised her strained, exhausted eyes to Reanla. She looked well rested, touched by the glow of love from the comm she had mentioned, and inexplicably worried. She didn’t know how to put into words the fears that had been rolling around her mind for the previous evening. Every time she tried to close her eyes to go to sleep, his eyes haunted her. She would drift into a restless sleep and those eyes would be chasing her, threatening her, and she couldn’t escape.

She had tried the calming meditative techniques Tuvok had taught her--to no avail. The eyes crept into her mind and they were a force to be reckoned with. Cold fear invaded her mind and her bed until she found herself up and pacing her quarters. She paced and chewed on his pointed questions until they blurred together and her mind began formulating confused distortions of his questions and nothing made sense anymore. Back in the day, when her caffeine indulgence kept her awake for days at a time, she would have the occasional time of a sharp and clear mind after nearly twenty-four hours without sleep. Now, she felt groggy and stupid without sleep. She had ordered a cup of real coffee, but had abandoned it on the table, concern for the well-being of the twins shining through the thick fog in her brain.

“I don’t think Raduen's aide, Mr. Tinalo, can be trusted,” she quietly stated, trying to carefully formulate her words so they flowed past her sticky tongue.

Reanla absorbed the handful of whispered words, puzzling at them. Tinalo had seemed to be an all right sort in their brief introduction, albeit mildly exasperated with Raduen's exuberance. But she gathered that Kathryn had seen something more that she had not. A brief touch to the cup on the table proved it to be as cold as Kathryn's hands. Rising to her feet, she took it to the replicator and recycled it, calling up two cups of kava--a double for her and a single for Kathryn. Returning, she set hers down and offered Kathryn the other. "Have a little kava and then tell me what's happened."

“You’re going to think I’m crazy,” Kathryn laughed a little crazily at herself, “but I think I have met him before. I don’t know how or where, but his eyes give it away. When he looks at me, I feel like he is dissecting my very soul. Last night, I stopped in the mess hall after exploring the ship and he was there. He seemed friendly enough in the beginning--but then he began asking some very pointed questions about my personal life, asking about how I justified being married to a former Maquis whom Starfleet conveniently pardoned for all crimes committed.” Kathryn shook her head. “The Maquis and the Bajorans fought the same fight from oppression and slavery and to save their homes and their ways of life. He made me feel like I was on trial for crimes my husband committed in his past.”

As Reanla listened to the explanation, her mind began working quickly. It did seem an odd thing for a Bajoran to say--speaking of the Maquis with contempt. That was more the way of hardass Fleeters--or the Cardassians. Unless Tinalo had been a collaborator during the Occupation.... But none of the information she had on him stated such. But there were a few collaborators who came through the Occupation intact and Tinalo Lasair could very well be one of them. "That does seem strange," she agreed. "Is it all right with you if I call Raduen? I really think he needs to be told about this."

“I would suggestion caution and discretion in this matter. If Tinalo is a spy or has malicious intent with regard to myself or the conference, we do not want to arouse his suspicions,” Kathryn decided as the fog began to clear from her brain with every sip of the kava. It wasn’t her normal vice, but her tired mouth and body did not protest the change. In fact, she found that she liked the taste and the fact that it seemed to stimulate her and awaken her senses without the overwhelming initial impact of caffeine. She wondered how her body was going to react when she reintroduced it to her favorite love.

"Of course." Reanla gently squeezed Kathryn's hand. "Computer, locate Raduen Aredat."

"Raduen Aredat is in his quarters."

"Is he alone?"

"Affirmative."

Reanla tapped her badge. "Reanla to Raduen."

"Raduen here. Good morning, Colonel. Something I can do for you?"

"Admiral Janeway and I need to speak with you immediately. Can you come by her quarters please?"

"Sure thing. Let me just inform Tinalo that I will be late in meeting him for breakfast so he doesn't think I've wandered off on him again." Raduen's chuckle echoed his words.

"Thank you--and I would ask that you not inform him why you will be delayed, please." Reanla hoped that Raduen wouldn't dispute or question her request.

Thankfully, he didn't. "Matter of security, eh? No problem. Be there shortly. Raduen out."

True to his word, Raduen arrived within three minutes of the call. He seemed as concerned as Reanla had been upon first sight of the admiral, asking several questions about her health and that of the babes, and not even sitting down until he was reassured that the problem had nothing to do with Kathryn's condition. Once he was settled, Kathryn repeated what she'd told Reanla. Raduen's expression went from disbelief to shock to bewilderment as he listened.

"I've done my research extensively on all my staff before they were chosen, so the suggestion that he was once a collaborator can be answered with an absolute 'no'," Raduen said after both women were finished. He dragged a hand through his close-cropped blond hair in thought. "But that doesn't explain why he would speak to you in such a manner, Admiral. I'm as shocked as you are."

“I was as bewildered as you, Raduen. Perhaps you can question him gently, ask him how he feels about these peace talks, perhaps his feelings on the Federation’s involvement. Discretion is utmost priority in this manner, Raduen, in case he is not who he has led us to believe.”

Raduen smiled reassuringly as he reached for Kathryn’s hand and patted it gently. “Do not worry, Admiral. I will regard him with caution for now. I am going to send a subspace message to my office on Bajor and have them dig a little deeper on Tinalo Lasair,” Raduen promised, noting the slightest relief that passed across the faces of both women.

**

Their arrival at Cardassia Prime was about what Reanla had expected after two years of daily contact with Cardassians at Kerok Nor. Gul Derrak focused nearly all of his attention on Janeway and Raduen, and largely ignored the rest of the group. He was forced to acknowledge Reanla, Quinn, Ilario, Vedek Caprit (when she accompanied them) and Tinalo, since they accompanied the two diplomats everywhere, but beyond that, paid them little to no heed.

Reanla kept a close eye on the admiral, as was her duty, but she also found herself observing Tinalo Lasair. Raduen had privately contacted her right before their arrival and reported that nothing amiss was found in a second background check on Tinalo. He said he had also spoken to Tinalo in a roundabout way in order to address any concerns his aide might have had on Janeway....

"You know you can talk to me, Tinalo." Raduen's dark eyes bored into his aide as he studied Tinalo's face, looking for any sign that something might be amiss. "Is there something about Admiral Janeway that troubles you?"

"Not at all."

"Or perhaps the Federation's involvement in these talks?" Raduen knew he was shooting in the dark, but it was always a possibility. Many Bajorans disliked--or even hated--the Federation for their seeming refusal to take action to halt Cardassia's annexing and Occupation of Bajor. Perhaps Tinalo's attitude was his way of lashing out towards an unsympathetic government. After all, Kathryn Janeway embodied everything of what many of his people with such an attitude about the Federation mistrusted--a decorated Starfleet admiral who, as a captain, had forged two crews into one, had even gotten away with bending (breaking) protocol and becoming intimately involved with her ex-first officer; a woman who had, by all appearances, had grown up safe, sound, and spoiled.

"It was inevitable that the Federation would become involved in the talks before long, Aredat." Tinalo shrugged. "No, I don't mind that the Federation is involved, as long as they don't intend to interfere in our efforts to secure a better position for Bajor...."

Raduen kept an eye on the Admiral and Tinalo. Despite his talk with Tinalo, he still felt a little uneasy about what the Admiral had said. Surely she must have been mistaken or taken something out of context. Tinalo had been nothing if not thorough and friendly during his employment as his aide. He had grown quite fond of the man and had never known him to be brusque or inappropriate in any manner. Still, he had spent a great deal of time studying Admiral Janeway’s personnel file during their trip and hers was the only file he had accessed.

The site chosen for their negotiations was Lakarian City, which had all but been obliterated at the end of the war. As they were escorted down the street, Raduen felt the discomfort of the heat. Cardassia was noted for their warm climate and he knew it was going to be an uncomfortable five days. He preferred a much cooler, tepid environment. He felt for the Admiral, carrying the heavy weight of advanced pregnancy. He hoped she would not get overheated and faint, for that would be disastrous. It was no telling what the Cardassians would take as insult or mistake for weakness. From his past impressions of them, they were a species that did not tolerate weakness and would be annoyed that the Federation had sent an unworthy opponent as a liaison.

All around them, reconstruction was going on. The Dominion and the Jem’hadar had not spared much on the planet in regards to people or buildings, but the Cardassians were proving resilient. He theorized that their desire to join the Alpha Quadrant trade and commerce was out of need and almost desperation. There was no possible way they were going to have the resources to rebuild their empire to the once proud status it held without the assistance of their neighboring worlds.

They were weak like an animal with its tail between its legs, seeking its master's gentle pets after having bit him. They had been strong with the Dominion, but now they were seeking the help of the very people they had oppressed and those they had tried to conquer. Raduen knew well that emotions were going to run high during these negotiations. What he wouldn’t give to have a Vulcan and a Betazoid at the table. A Vulcan with his lack of emotions to keep the table calm and a Betazoid to read and interpret those emotions that were running hot beneath the surface of cool facades.

Nonetheless, he was confident at his ability to represent Bajor, as he was confident of the abilities of Admiral Janeway as the Federation's representative. He knew that they stood on similar platforms when it came to dealing with the Cardassians. The Federation was happy to welcome them into the quadrant and to give them the benefit of the doubt, while the Bajorans, although they wanted to see their neighbors do well and bring their goods to the market to trade, were afraid of the Cardassians growing out of control with their quest to expand their empire and having history repeat itself.

He looked around as they walked within the confines of their own and Cardassian guards. He inhaled the thick, moist air and felt the humidity clog his lungs. It was going to be a long five days indeed. Everywhere he looked, there were the signs of progress and rebuilding. Houses, shopping complexes, restaurants, recreation facilities and government buildings were springing from the ground like flowers in the spring after a long winter. The majority of the people they passed on the street seemed to be in good spirits as well. It was nice to see a Cardassian smile at him without that vicious leer.

**

The first two days went about as well as could be expected. Each of the three governments had their own list of requests, demands, questions and suggested rules or sanctions. Each list had to be gone over and compared to the others. And without fail, every other topic raised caused at least twenty minutes of deliberation.

On at least half the points raised, Raduen and Derrak came to some form of compromise. But inevitably, one of the other Cardassians on the panel would object and they'd be back to square one. The process was exhausting for all of them, though Raduen continually pushed himself to the limit. Kathryn did so as well, but the security team kept her from going as far as she normally would have.

Adding to the hassle was that the problems didn't end once they left the council hall. Directly outside the doors, there was always a huge crowd made up of the press, the on-lookers and, not surprisingly, a large group of protestors. Some were there only to object to the presence of the Bajorans, but the overwhelming majority were loudly demanding Kathryn's removal from the proceedings. This meant the daily trips to and from the council hall doors to their transport was a literal run of the gauntlet. Tinalo insisted he would back up Raduen, which meant Reanla and her lieutenants could concentrate on guarding Kathryn. This worked out well enough, though they endured a storm of insults from the protestors.

The third day, the protestors were getting even louder--and more daring. At the end of the day, the Council's security force had to clear the walkway twice before anyone could step outside--and they were being pushed against even as the group made their exit. Quinn and Ilario led the way and Reanla kept an arm around Kathryn as they quickly followed, Raduen and Tinalo bringing up the rear. Halfway to the transport, Reanla felt something catch her foot and she stumbled, breaking contact with Kathryn. As she regained her balance, she saw an arm reach out from the crowd to give Kathryn a brutal shove.

Tinalo spotted the Cardassian protestor who had shoved the admiral and, without thinking, lunged forward, managing to catch her before she hit the ground. She had let out a small cry of shock and Tinalo was quick to reassure her. "Easy, Admiral. I've got you." He watched her hands immediately go to her belly and impulsively touched his own hand briefly to the bulge, feeling a strong thump against his fingertips. "Are you all right?" She nodded, despite the paleness of her face. "Your babes?" Another nod. Satisfied, he released her just as Reanla came to their side. As Reanla took the admiral's hand and offered quiet reassurances, he stormed to the edge of the barrier, narrowed gaze fixed on the group of protestors. "How dare you touch the admiral! She is here as an honored guest of your Council!"

"Just because the Council wishes her here does not mean we do, Bajoran," one of the protestors sneered. He was stout, and easily a head and half shorter than Tinalo; he was the one who had pushed Kathryn and seemed proud of that fact.

"You don't have a choice," Tinalo snapped.

"We have the choice, but our leaders choose to be weak and deal with others who are weak."

"Your unholy alliance with the Dominion brought you to this point. You have only yourselves to blame for that!"

"Tinalo, please." Raduen was by his aide's side, trying to pull him back. But Tinalo shook him off, going almost nose-to-nose with the outspoken protestor. Interestingly enough, the other protestors had given the two men a little space, but they were all wearing smug grins.

"Are you going to hit me, Bajoran? I wouldn't suggest that."

"Lay a finger on Admiral Janeway again and I'll seriously consider it."

"She's not within reach." The protestor's sneer grew and a glint appeared in his eyes. "But you are." He reached out, giving Tinalo a hard shove much like the one he'd given Kathryn. But Tinalo was prepared and, after getting back his footing, lunged at his adversary. Raduen stopped him just in time, catching one of his wrists.

"Tinalo! This is not the time for this!"

"Let me go, Aredat!" Tinalo's blue eyes were dark with fury as he stared down the group of smug expressions.

Another hand clamped down on his arm. Tinalo whirled to face Reanla, his glare murderous. But Reanla wasn't cowed in the slightest. "Are you going to let them have the satisfaction, Tinalo?"

The words seemed to reach Tinalo and some of the darkness left his eyes. Three eternal minutes passed before he shook himself slightly, gave both his boss and the colonel hard looks and said, "You can release me now." Raduen did so immediately, but Reanla held on a moment longer, meeting his stare before letting go and returning to Kathryn's side. He shot one final furious look at the protestors before he and Raduen followed the women down to the transport.

**

He missed her. That was the one constant that followed him everywhere. They had spent the majority of the past eight years together and having her gone on a mission without him felt strangely awkward. He woke in the morning to emptiness and went to bed in a cold, lonely bed.

The idea had come to him during his lunch break. He would surprise her and be waiting for her at DS9 when she arrived back from the conference. It would ease his own worried mind to be closer to her as well, in case she happened to go into labor on her way back from the negotiations.

The fact that Sam and Naomi were departing later this evening was perfect. They were on their way to spend some time with Greskrendtregk while Naomi was on break from school. Chakotay sat down at his desk and booked departure on the Brandenburg for that evening, when a subspace message blinked at him. He selected and opened it, and felt his heart swell at the sight of his beautiful wife.

"Hello, my love. I was feeling lonely for you and this makes me feel a little closer to home. The negotiations are going as well as can be expected. There seems to be a growing resistance to our presence here. Many of the loyalists to the military-governed Cardassia do not like what we stand for. They fear change and are determined to bully us out. It’s a fight they will lose, because Gul Derrak is determined to make this work, despite the equal resistance from his advisors and aides. If we leave, we are going to watch an already unstable civilization destroy itself in civil war. Initially, I had some foreboding about a member of our group, a Bajoran named Tinalo Lasair--but it appears I was wrong about him.

"When we were leaving the conference today, a protester shoved me and Tinalo caught me before I hit the ground and jumped to defend me. Now, don’t worry, my love--my security detail is wonderful and Reanla Kaelinn, the head of our security, and I have become friends, despite our rocky beginning. I am glad we had such a dull journey to Cardassia and I was able to get to know her. I am not so lonely for Tuvok now, though I am certain he would be perturbed to know he was not ordered to accompany me by Starfleet.”

She paused with a small laugh and a shake of her head as she dropped a hand to her belly. "They miss their Daddy. They have been keeping me up at night and letting me know about it too. I think your little girl misses your stories especially. I wish I could stay here and talk to you all night, but Kaelinn will be here shortly to accompany me to dinner. I love you, Chakotay, and we’ll be home soon.” She touched her lips then to the screen and gave him her brightest smile before closing the comm.

Chakotay knew his mind was made up. He was headed to DS9 right now. He sent a message to the Academy to let them know he was taking an emergency extended leave and headed to the bedroom to pack. He flipped the console around so he could see it while was packing. “Computer, open a comm to Lieutenant Samantha Wildman’s home.” He threw his clothes into a travel bag as he waited for the computer to connect him.

“Hello Uncle Chakotay!” Naomi beamed as her face appeared on the screen.

“Hello, Naomi, how are you?”

“Wonderful! I am excited about our trip to Deep Space Nine. I have never been there, though Daddy says it’s a wonderful place though he warned me to stay away from Quark's or I’ll spend all of my allowance credits before I know it. I’m looking forward to a break from school. I thought it would be awkward being in classes with children older than I, but it is much like being on Voyager again. They couldn’t put me in classes with children my own age because I was bored and far more advanced than they, thanks to the tutelage I received from the crew.”

Chakotay tossed her a grin over his shoulder. She had grown up so fast and was maturing into such a beautiful, well-rounded young woman. She seemed to have flourished another degree with the presence of her father. And the vacation with Kathryn had been a dream come true for her. She had always admired Kathryn and the opportunity to spend time with her in a non-Starfleet environment had been thrilling for her. She was excited over the prospect of the babies coming and usually chattered on about nothing but.

“Is your mother around?”

“Sure, she’s right here.” She turned away from the comm to yell, “Mom! It’s Uncle Chakotay!” She turned back. “She hasn’t been feeling well lately.”

“Thank you, Naomi,” Sam said before sliding in front of the screen. “Hello, Chakotay.”

“Are you still departing for DS9 tonight?”

“Yes, we’re departing on the Brandenburg this evening.”

“Are you well enough to travel?” he asked as he finished packing his travel bag.

Sam smiled and blushed before tossing a look over her shoulder. “I’ll be fine, Chakotay. Naomi doesn’t know yet. I didn’t want to tell her and take away from her excitement over your and Kathryn’s twins.” She hesitated. “I’m pregnant.” She grinned softly.

Chakotay smiled happily for her. “Congratulations, Sam! I am sure Naomi will be thrilled. But, I called to let you know I’ll be joining you on your trip to DS9. I want to surprise Kathryn when she gets back and I want to be close by. There was a little bit of a scrape outside the conference room after the negotiations today and I am concerned.”

Sam’s face went white with panic and worry. “Is Kathryn okay? The twins?”

“Fine, fine. I just want to be close just in case. And it will be a nice surprise for her as well. I miss her desperately,” he confessed. “Well, I’ll leave you to get ready, Sam. I’ll see you on the transport.”

“I look forward to the company and I’m sure Naomi will be happy to see you too. She has complied a list of names she would like to suggest for the twins.”

Chakotay smiled and laughed. “That’s good because Kathryn and I still haven’t decided.”

Sam grinned. “We haven’t even talked about it for ours either. I’ll see you later.” She closed the comm.

Chakotay stared at the blank screen for a moment before he cast one last glance at her picture on the table. I’ll see you soon, my Kathryn, he thought as he headed for the transport.

**

“We only have one more day of this. I don’t know how much longer my back can stand sitting in those uncomfortable chairs,” Kathryn commented quietly to Reanla as they stepped off of the transport in front of the conference hall. She was a bit more comfortable now that the protesting crowd had been moved to a distance of fifteen meters away and were held back by barricades and armed guards. Gul Derrak had also ordered that anyone who attempted to cross the barricades would be stunned on sight. She was no longer afraid of someone rushing her and attacking her. In her present condition, an incident any worse than that they had experienced a couple days ago could have proved to be disastrous to herself and the twins.

Reanla seemed to share Kathryn’s concerns for her security and kept an arm around her back and one on her phaser as they walked through the narrow passage between the screaming protesters. She kept her eyes locked on the crowd and those she made eye contact with, she shot looks challenging them to even think about crossing the barricades. After the mishap two days previous when Tinalo had saved the admiral from a potentially harmful fall, she had cursed herself and redoubled attention and alertness. “I, for one, can't wait to get you back to DS9 and away from all of this,” Reanla replied as she nodded towards the crowd.

“I’ll be happy to get back to my wife and children. My first grandchild will be here any day now,” Raduen said as he started up the stairs towards the door.

“I’ll just be happy to get back to cooler temperatures,” Tinalo joked from the lead position.

"Amen to that!" Ilario chimed in from Raduen's side.

“GET DOWN!” one of the Cardassian guards yelled as the entire group looked skyward as a flaming bottle went sailing overhead towards the door of the conference hall.

Tinalo pulled Raduen back from the steps and Reanla hurled herself in front of Kathryn as a shield from flying fragments and debris as the bottle impacted the ground and exploded into a million pieces. The crowd grew as agitated as a disturbed nest of hornets and tried to surge forward. “Everyone inside, now!” another Cardassian ordered as their troops blocked off the stairs to the conference hall.

“Let’s move!” Reanla called as she reached for Kathryn’s hand. Tinalo pulled Raduen from the ground. They ran up the stairs and through the door where two more guards stood, waiting to fend off the crowd. They darted around the debris from the shattered bottle and into the building where they would be safe from the violence of the protesters.

“I hope they eventually realize that what Gul Derrak is doing here is in the best interest of their people. I know the distrust is great but we all know violence is not the answer to peace,” Kathryn commented as they were able to slow their pace to a walk upon entering the council hall. She felt a little winded, but otherwise unharmed.

“Admiral, are you okay?” Tinalo asked as he took his seat adjacent to hers and poured a glass of water.

“I’ll be fine; I just need to catch my breath.” She accepted the water Reanla had poured for her and took a deep, refreshing pull from the glass.

“I am very sorry about what happened outside,” Gul Derrak apologized as he breezed into the room with a guard on each arm. “Tomorrow, we will have you arrive by way of the rear entrance since the protesters are growing more violent with each passing day. I had hoped that by the time you were to depart, their feelings would have subsided some. I can see I was wrong. I hope one day, the good of what we are doing here rises above the hatred and distrust.” Not one of their group disagreed with the Gul's statement and they settled in to conduct the beginning of business as usual.

As the day wore on, there were signs that progress was finally being made. There was less protesting from the lesser-ranked Cardassians on the panel. The tension level had diminished greatly. A final list was being drafted for approval. Derrak and Raduen were animatedly debating over the sixth item to be added to the new list when an echoing bang rang out from the far end of the hall. Everyone turned towards the sound, many unconsciously getting to their feet.

Kathryn felt panic rise in her chest as her head whipped around towards the source of the sound. It sounded like a bomb had gone off at the other end of the conference hall. She wrapped her arms around her belly protectively as she listened to the echoing sounds of angry voices that carried into the room. She started to rise from her chair, the incessant urging to take cover was poking her consciousness and a cold chill descended down her spine. She looked to Reanla, grabbing her eyes from across the room and she knew her fear shone through from the return look Reanla gave her.

Derrak scowled, rising to his feet. "I distinctly said we were not to be disturbed!" He gestured to one of his guards. "Rulik, tell the outer guard to--"

The Gul's words were cut off when both doors were flung open, knocking down the glinns who had been standing to guard them. One recovered quickly and drew his phaser even as he leapt back to his feet. But he was cut down by a phaser shot to the head, dead before he even hit the ground for the second time. The first Cardassian that came in, armed with a phaser rifle, was unmistakably the stout protestor who'd tried knocking Kathryn down two days prior.

"The people will not stand for you dragging us down, Derrak!" he roared. He shot down another guard that tried to disarm him, then took aim directly at Raduen.

Reanla leaped over the table and flung herself at Raduen, knocking him to the floor just as a phaser shot seared over their heads. Had Raduen still been standing, he would have been killed instantly. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw no less than five of Derrak's personal guards surround him. Even as one went down, obviously dead, three others dragged the Gul to a protected spot behind the table. The fourth and Quinn fired simultaneously, taking down the gunmen and knocking the rifle out of his hands. But three more took his place, and right behind the trio, a fourth Cardassian--average height, but thin and cold-eyed. Reanla realized with some shock that he was Glinn Vernak, the second in command of Derrak's personal guard. Prophets, we were set up!

"We will not be the Federation's slaves!" Vernak snarled. He had something in his hand and, as he spoke again, Reanla's focus narrowed in on the object. A tricorder? Her mind was fast working and she realized in horror what that tricorder's intent was even as Vernak screamed his final words.

"For Kardassu!"

Then everything went blinding white and the entire Council Hall echoed with the resounding explosion. All around could be heard screams, crashes and phaser shots. Reanla kept a stranglehold on Raduen, determined that he wouldn't be trying to get up and attempt some stupid heroic move. Another crash sounded perilously close, then something struck her hard in the center of her back. Reanla squeezed her eyes shut, unable to swallow back her scream of pain at the sensation that made her feel like her back was on fire.

Kathryn scrubbed the blinding white light from her eyes even as she hid under the table. She could hear the sounds of screaming, smell smoke and fire and she knew she had to get herself out of there. The conference hall had been bombed and she could hear the crashing of debris all around her. As her vision came back, she sat herself back up on her knees and peered over the table. Thick, black smoke clouded the air and she ducked her head back down below it so she didn’t inhale it. As she began to crawl around the table, she came nose to nose with Tinalo Lasair.

“Admiral!” he cried out. “We have to get out of here.” He grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet.

Even in her confused and disoriented state, Kathryn knew they weren’t headed towards the main exit, nor were they headed towards the rear exit. She coughed as a cloud of the black smoke assaulted her face and made its way into her nose, mouth and lungs. She felt his hands pulling her and, even as she opened her mouth to speak, she suddenly felt a familiar tingle and she saw the crumbling, fire ravaged conference room disappear.

"We'll be safe here." Tinalo shook his head, brushing debris out of his hair. He saw Kathryn turn to look at him, questions in her eyes about where they were, but he didn't have time for that. All that mattered was that he'd gotten them out of there.

Kathryn looked around and realized they weren’t back to the accommodations that had been provided for them. They were in a dark, dusty place and she felt as though they were underground. Why would he have brought her here? Where were the others? So many questions swirled around in her head and she was still trying to put them into a vocalization that would make sense. She was afraid if she opened her mouth, the randomized thing she blurted out would be gibberish. She was still trying to make sense of what had happened in the conference hall to begin with.

“Where is here?” she finally managed to ask. When he didn’t answer her, she felt a flutter of worry in her belly. “Where are the others?” She advanced towards him to get his attention. “Tinalo, please...”

“Don’t worry, Admiral Janeway. Everything is going to be just fine.”

“Why won’t you answer my questions?” she demanded. When she realized he was not going to answer her, she started trying to analyze her surroundings and look for a means of exit. She had to figure out where they were and how to find the others. Kathryn saw what looked to be a door but, as she stepped in that direction, she heard the unmistakable hiss of a hypospray and felt the sting in her throat before everything went black.

Continue to part 4