"Devante to Commander Chakotay." It was early the next afternoon when the voice of the Trill
he'd met in the infirmary the day before came through the commline.
"Chakotay here."
"Your babies are awake, Commander, if you'd like to come to the infirmary for a few minutes and see them."
Chakotay was out of his quarters and jogging towards the infirmary before Kegan had even finished speaking. “I’m on my way, Chakotay out.”
Ciarnai quickly caught up with him. “Where are you headed, Commander?”
“To see my babies,” he replied. She hadn’t said anything about Kathryn, which made him worry a little. He had been expecting an update on her condition by now.
Zarianne Kegan was waiting for Chakotay when he stepped into the infirmary's back room and gestured him to a pair of rocking chairs in the nearest corner. "They've been treated for the exposure, as well as some insect bites and scratches. Nothing too major." She moved to the biobed that held both twins and gently lifted the boy into her arms, carrying him over to place him in his father's arms. Returning to the biobed, she settled the girl twin against her shoulder and then sat down in the other rocking chair next to him. "When you want to switch, let me know."
Chakotay gazed down at the little boy in wonderment. His son. He was someone’s father. Two someone's. He watched how his son gazed up at him with dark, curious eyes. He gurgled and cooed quietly as Chakotay rocked in the chair and the bonding began. Now he knew the fear and anticipation his own father had felt looking into his son's eyes for the first time.
Zari watched them interact, leaning her cheek against the baby girl's head. At the human's surprised look, she smiled and explained, "All my patients become 'my' babies while under my care. It's a habit I picked up when I did volunteer work at the Mezkha Children's Center in my home province. They believe in bonding with very young patients, as long as you can do it without forming a serious attachment. Sometimes, it's hard--you get a very charming child, or one whose history is so heart-breaking that you want to take them home. But I usually do all right." She sighed softly. "And I miss my own right now."
"You have children? How many?"
"Three. Well, four--I found out about an hour before receiving Dr. Bashir's call asking me to come here. Sean wasn't happy about me leaving the Dauntless and almost tried asking Captain Giovanni not to let me. She had to tell him three times that I wasn't being sent to Cardassia to tend to Admiral Janeway and your little ones." Zari shook her head with a rueful laugh as she shifted the baby girl to her other shoulder. "But that's what comes from having the chief of security for a husband--fifty questions."
Chakotay laughed a bit. “Try having the Federation’s golden girl for a wife. She can do no wrong in the eyes of Admiral Paris.” He kissed the forehead of his son. “I’d like to see my daughter now.”
Zari stood up to hand Chakotay his daughter, and very gently lifted the boy twin from his other arm before seating herself again. "Such a serious look, little one," she said to him. He blinked dark solemn eyes very much like his father's at her and curled his fist around the fingertip that was offered to him. "You're very much like Royce, you know. He's the younger of mine and Sean's boys," she added for Chakotay's benefit. After another moment, she asked, "Have you and the Admiral chosen names yet, Commander?"
“We pretty much settled on Kolopak Edward for our son, after his grandfathers....but as for our little girl,” he paused as he admired the little girl that locked her gaze onto him. He laughed. “Only a few days old and she has already mastered the infamous Janeway stare.” He cuddled her closer, already in love with her. “We have yet to choose a name for her. Kathryn was preferential to Takara, which is Japanese for precious treasure--but I was leaning towards Arabelle, which is German for beautiful eagle.”
"How wonderful of you to honor both of your fathers. And those are both very beautiful choices for the girl." Zari studied the blue-eyed bundle in Chakotay's arms, mentally picturing her with either name and seeing both as suitable. "I've mentioned Royce--the name was suggested by one of Sean's brothers. Our eldest, also a boy, is Michael Tarien. Michael for Sean--it's his middle name--and Tarien is my younger brother. Our daughter's name is Shazadi Isabella. Isabella is after the mother-in-law of Admiral Ashanti Valkyrys--she's like a second mother to me, since my relationship with my own mother isn't exactly the greatest. And since we're all required to study the histories of the major Federation worlds at the Academy, you have no doubt heard of Shazadi Rythe."
“Of course I’ve heard of Shazadi Rythe,” Chakotay laughed, recalling the history lesson on the woman who had achieved first flight for the people of Trill. “In some parts of the quadrant, that’s like encountering someone who hasn’t heard of Lwaxana Troi!”
"I'm hoping this new baby is a girl too. That way, Zadi and I won't be outnumbered anymore." Zari laughed softly.
A faint tap on the doorframe made them both look up at a smiling Julian Bashir. "Sorry to interrupt the two of you, but our other patient has awoken and is asking for her family. Her vitals are reading well enough that I don't think a ten minute visit would hurt."
"Shall we go see your lam're, Kolopak?" Zari asked the solemn little boy. He blinked his dark eyes at her in answer. "I'll take that as a yes." She followed Chakotay into the next room. The admiral lay on the biobed, covered by two thick blankets. She turned her head expectantly at the sound of her name being called by her husband, a light coming into her eyes at the sight of the two small bundles being brought to her.
"Admiral, if you can turn on your side, I can lay your son next to you." Zari waited patiently until, with a little help from Bashir, Kathryn lay on her side facing them. She then stepped forward and gently settled Kolopak next to his mother, rearranging the blanket he was wrapped in so he could move his head. "Here's your lam're, little one." With a final touch to the soft baby cheek, Zari turned to Chakotay. "Call me if you need anything." Then she and Bashir both slipped out to let the new family have a little time alone.
“They’re beautiful,” Kathryn gasped in wonderment over her children. She had never seen anything as beautiful or perfect in her life as the two little bundles she and her husband were holding. “They’re really okay?” she asked, a hint of worry in her eyes that there could be adverse affects from their experience on Cardassia and Kalaim’s abuse.
“Dr. Kegan gave them a clean bill of health. We have two perfectly normal, healthy babies,” Chakotay assured her as he slid into a chair next to her biobed. “How are you feeling?”
Kathryn was momentarily lost in the deep, soulful eyes of her son as they watched her intently. She could feel an aura of calm spread through her and she realized he was most certainly his father’s son. Her eyes slid away and to those of her daughter, who was also looking at her. With a rueful smile, Kathryn knew she was looking into the future and seeing the little clone of herself. With vibrant, fiery blue eyes and auburn locks, she knew she had come into the world complete with the Janeway stubbornness. After all, she had been the last to come out. “I still feel weak, but better that you are here.”
Chakotay shifted their daughter in his arm and pulled his wife into his embrace. “I was so afraid that I’d lose you. After everything we have been through...” he broke off as his tears fell into her hair. He had held in all of his anguish and fear and the floodgates had just broken. He buried his face into the auburn locks as he heard her cry against his chest.
“I’m glad they sent you for me,” she whispered as she cradled her son in her arms and nuzzled her nose against her daughter’s forehead.
Chakotay pulled back, almost afraid of her reaction when she had learned what he had done. “How much do you remember after I found you and Reanla in the bunker?”
Kathryn tried to sort through her clouded memories. “Not a whole lot. I remember fragments of conversation and knowing I was safe. I remember transporting, but I don’t recall to where or who took care of me.”
“Starfleet didn’t send me, Kathryn.” To her wide-eyed expression, he added: “Nechayev would not authorize a search and rescue mission. Keeping peace with Cardassia was more important to her than your or the twins' lives. After telling her to fuck off, I called Sveta. She got in touch with Kitanal Kestrae, who contacted Ro Laren and Tom Riker. It is thanks to them that we were able to rescue you, not Starfleet.” He watched as her shocked expression wavered between shock, surprise, and horror. He was almost afraid of her reaction for violating Starfleet’s mighty principles.
“You revived the Maquis?” she gasped.
“Not exactly. Let’s just say some of those who have been in hiding risked their necks to help me,” he replied with a dimpled smile. “We kept it under the radar and, in fact, I don’t even think they had a clue I was on their planet until we were on our way back to DS9.”
“I should have assumed Nechayev would be against sending in the troops. She has always had a vendetta against me though I can only theorize as to why.” And it was true. She had heard from Owen all about how Nechayev was against the Pathfinder project and any other time being devoted on bringing Voyager home. She felt that any and all energies should have been devoted to the war without exception.
“I’m just happy I got to you in time,” Chakotay told her as the tears subsided and he laid their daughter in her arms and picked up their son. He didn’t even like to consider what would have happened had he not gotten there in time.
There was a comfortable, peaceful silence that fell between them as they both thought about the future and the things that were to come. They were parents now and they both knew some things were best left behind. She knew that her future with Starfleet was a very short one now, indeed, and she was not sorry about that one bit.
“Have you thought of a name for our daughter?” Chakotay asked.
Kathryn looked down at her little girl laying peacefully asleep in her arms. Suddenly, she knew exactly what name she wanted to give her. A small smile spread across her lips as she silently looked at the little child and thought the name over and over to herself to see if it fit. “Yes,” she replied softly, “I don’t know any name that could be more perfect.”
**
“I am so excited about seeing the twins!” Naomi gushed as she was escorted by her mother to Chakotay’s quarters.
“I’m excited too, honey,” Sam replied. She thought of her own pregnancy, which she still hadn’t told Naomi about. She hoped she was just as excited about becoming a big sister as she was about being her Aunt Kathryn’s mother’s assistant. She eyed the guard at the door and offered her a smile as she reached to ring the chime.
"Authorized visitors only," Ciarnai said.
“But we’re friends of Chakotay and the Admiral--and I am her aide,” Sam explained to the young woman.
“I’m sorry, but I will have to clear you with Ops first. Your names?”
Naomi watched the guard and noticed she had turned to talk to her mother and was not paying attention to her whatsoever. Very carefully, she reached up and tapped the chime. She had already waited almost eight months to meet the babies, she was not waiting any longer while this security guard took the time to figure out who they were.
“Come in.”
Naomi recognized her Uncle Chakotay’s voice and quickly palmed the keypad for entry as the security guard figured out what had happened. By the time she reached to grab Naomi, she was already in the quarters. “Uncle Chakotay!” she cried out as she rushed to his side.
“It’s okay, Ciarnai; they are former crew and family,” Chakotay assured her, then watched as she nodded and moved aside to allow Samantha entrance. “Hello Sam, sorry for all of the security,”
“Well, it’s not every day Starfleet’s favorite Admiral gives birth to twins,” she said with a smile. “How is Kathryn?”
“Doing better. I’m sure she’ll be giving Bashir hell about getting out of sickbay soon. You know how she is about visits from the Doctor. Excuse my manners. This is the woman responsible for saving Kathryn and delivering the twins, Colonel Reanla Kaelinn. Colonel, this is Lieutenant Samantha Wildman and her daughter, the first child born on Voyager, Naomi.”
Sam took Reanla’s hand and shook it. “It’s a pleasure.”
"The same to you, Lieutenant Wildman," Reanla replied with a smile of her own. "And you as well," she added to Naomi. "I've heard quite a bit about you."
“I hope it has been all good things,” Naomi smiled as she zeroed in on both babies, one in Uncle Chakotay’s arms and one in Reanla's.
"Of course." But Naomi's attention was already on the twin nestled in her father's arms.
“They are so tiny!” She peered into Chakotay’s arms at the little girl, then moved to Reanla and looked down at the little boy. “What are their names?”
“This is Linn and Reanla is holding Kolopak,” Chakotay replied as she nestled herself between them.
“They are very cute, Uncle Chakotay. May I hold them?” Naomi asked as she moved to the back of the couch.
“Sure. Sam, can you grab the holo cam off of the table? I’m sure Kathryn will want a photo of this!” Chakotay moved and laid his daughter into Naomi’s arm, then waited for Reanla to lay Kole next to his sister before taking the holo cam and setting it for the shot. “Look at me, Naomi.”
Naomi looked up with a smile and as proud as she could be. She really was a mother’s assistant and the twins really were here! They were so tiny and helpless--and already they had gone through a crazy ordeal. It made her remember her times on Voyager when things would get scary. She wanted to hug them and tell them she was never going to let anything bad happen to them. As the adults looked at the picture on the camera, she kissed the forehead of one baby, then the next as they slept in her arms. She couldn’t wait until Aunt Kathryn saw the picture of her holding the babies. She tuned out the conversation of the adults as she lost herself staring at the tiny little beings lying in her arms. They were just perfect. She was so glad Aunt Kathryn and Uncle Chakotay had managed to work out their adult problems, because she couldn’t imagine them having to grow up without the gentle guidance and influences of their father. They deserved the best.
“I’m sure Naomi wouldn’t mind,” Sam replied to Chakotay as they turned to look at her daughter. “What do you think, honey?”
Naomi tuned back in at the sound of her name, but had no idea what her mother was talking about and gave her a blank look. “About what, Mom?”
“Your Uncle Chakotay and Colonel Reanla would like to take a stroll around the promenade and take a look in on your Aunt Kathryn. I told them I didn’t think you would mind babysitting for a little while.”
Naomi broke into a huge grin. Her, baby sit the twins, already! But they were only days old! She didn’t think she would be allowed to watch them for at least the first few months. “Sure! That would be wonderful!”
Chakotay knelt down next to her and kissed the tops of his daughter's head followed by his son. “You’ll be extra careful, right?”
“Oh yes, and Mom will be right here if I need help,” she replied.
“Thank you, Naomi. I knew we could count on you.” He leaned down and dropped a kiss on her forehead, just above her cranial spikes. To Sam, he said, “We’ll be back in just a couple of hours.”
After Chakotay and Reanla had disappeared, Sam relieved Naomi of little Kole and sat down on the couch next to her. Naomi was rocking and cooing to Linn, who had started at the sudden absence of her brother’s warmth next to her. “Wouldn’t you like to have a little one like this at home?” Sam asked. As she watched her daughter with the twins, her heart was bursting and she couldn’t wait a moment longer to tell her.
“I have always thought it would be neat to have a little brother or sister. I guess I will have to settle with Miral and visiting these two as often as I can.”
Sam couldn’t do it. She just couldn’t bite her tongue any more. “What if I told you that in a few months, you’ll be having your own little brother at home?”
Naomi’s eyes went wide with recognition. “You mean you’re pregnant, Mom?”
“Yes, I am, honey. Your Dad and I decided to wait to tell you until after the twins came because we didn’t want to take away from your excitement.”
Naomi smiled brightly and she thought of all of the babies she was going to have to teach things. She thought perhaps she would have to open a little school or daycare in her bedroom to keep up. “A little brother,” she said, thoughtfully. “I would like that very much. And I think Kole will like that too, because otherwise he is outnumbered by Miral, Linn and I. If I am to have a little brother then he will have a boy to play with and do boy things with when they get older.”
Sam smiled at the intelligence and the thoughtfulness of her daughter. She had a heart of gold and was always thinking of someone else. She had worried about her initial childhood being on Voyager and among all adults, but she had not suffered for it. She had grown to be a very well rounded adolescent.
“I can’t wait to call Neelix and tell him all of the baby news! And Aunt B’Elanna told me she and Uncle Tom want to have another baby soon, too! I will have to ask him of all the news of Brax and their new daughter, little Kes.” Naomi decided out loud as she kissed Linn. “Some day, I will tell you all about Uncle Neelix and maybe, once you are bigger, we will be able to go visit him and his family.”
**
"Promenade," Reanla ordered the lift after the doors had closed behind her and Chakotay. "Any idea when they'll be
releasing Kathryn? I haven't had a chance to talk to Julian lately, what with the number of headaches the
Provisional Government is giving Nerys of late. I'm spending all my time in Ops helping her sort them out."
“Sounds like a headache I would prefer to avoid, myself. And, as for Kathryn, Dr. Bashir hasn’t told me but she is doing better. I am hoping for the next day or so. I’m sure word of the twins arrival has reached Earth by now and if I don’t get them and Kathryn back there before too much longer her mother will have my hide,” Chakotay laughed as the lift came to a stop to pick up another passenger.
Reanla's laughter joined his. "Kathryn told me a little about her mother amongst the many stories we exchanged on the Rainier. Is she as formidable as she sounds?"
“When it comes to the safety of her daughters? Let’s just say I would rather take on an army of Borg than face the wrath of Gretchen Janeway.”
The lift halted on the Promenade and they both stepped out, heading down to the infirmary. Reanla saw at least four reporters, but all it took to put a hint of fear in their eyes was a hand on her phaser. She also received a couple glares, but simply returned the brightest smile she could manage.
When they reached the infirmary, the trio of deputies currently running the security perimeter all greeted her politely, and stepped aside to let them pass. "Hopefully she's awake," Reanla remarked, leading the way through the doors.
"Hello, Colonel, Commander." Zarianne Kegan stood in the center of the infirmary, hypo in hand and a puzzled look on her face. "Now that's odd--I left a patient in here to go get the necessary medication and they've vanished? I didn't think I was that scary."
"Maybe they changed their minds and decided they felt better?" Reanla suggested.
Zari shook her head. "This one was suffering from a serious case of food poisoning. He said he and his cousin that live on the station went to the Bolian restaurant last night--and the scans showed he was seriously allergic to the spices used in one of the dishes he ate. Terrible way to find out, but it can happen."
“He’s lucky he was never forced to eat leola root,” Chakotay grumbled under his breath. To the curious looks he received, he laughed. “Next time you’re on Earth, stop by the Academy grounds and have lunch at Chez Neelix and order the leola root soup. After about six months straight, it will start to grow on you. Then again, if your bedside manner is anything like our holo Doc’s, you may have told him one too many jokes and scared him away.”
Zari blushed, but laughed nonetheless. "That's definitely not my style, Commander." A thump from the back of the infirmary caught their attention and they all turned towards the sound in confusion. Each of them realized in the next moment what its source could be--Zari's expression became one of shock, Chakotay's of anger, and Reanla's a grim fury. Zari was closest and she was first to run into the back room where Kathryn was being held.
Only Kathryn wasn't alone. A meter or so inside the doorway knelt a young man who barely looked old enough to be an Academy cadet. His face was pale, almost white, and the miserable expression on his face showed that he was clearly in distress. He pushed himself slowly back to his feet as he struggled to draw in a deep breath. Laying by his side was a small holocamera.
"You--" Zari moved before the other two could. The reporter's face turned even paler, if that was possible, and he tried to back away from the furious Trill, but only stumbled, crashing into the wall behind him. "How dare you--oh, you are so damn lucky this is Deep Space Nine and not the Dauntless, else my husband would have your head!" She slapped her badge. "Devante to Lieutenant Brilgar--I need you to the infirmary immediately. We have a security breach--"
A flicker of anger appeared in the reporter's eyes and, despite obviously fighting pain, reached out and gave Zari a hard shove. She cried out in shock as her boot got caught up in the dropped holocam, tripping her up and she fell hard on her side.
Chakotay darted forward and grabbed Zari under her arms, hauling her back to her feet. “Are you all right?” he asked as he turned eyes of blazing fury at the young man whose curiosity had just screwed up the rest of his afternoon.
Zari nodded. "I think...thank you." She winced as she ran her other hand along her arm and hip, and pulled out her tricorder to scan herself quickly, breathing a sigh of relief when there proved to be nothing broken--or any harm to her baby within. Turning towards the bed behind her, she noticed that Janeway was awake, a nervous look in her eyes and one hand curled tightly around the top blanket covering her.
Almost the instant Zari went down, Reanla had the reporter slammed against the wall and her phaser against his neck. "Going to try to push me down too? Or can't you pick on someone your own size??"
The reporter turned a pale shade of green as the food poisoning ravaged his stomach and his intestines. “The public has a right to know! They have a right to see her--for she belongs to them!”
"Oh, I'm not even going to be tempted to tell you what I think of that one." Reanla caught the pair of cuffs tossed to her by the entering security officer and locked his hands behind his back, before shoving him at Brilgar and the other deputy that had come with him.
Zari was completely ignoring the chaos of the reporter's arrest and removal from the infirmary. "He didn't get near enough to harm you, did he?" Even as she spoke the words, she was running the tricorder's wand over her patient, but it revealed nothing new. Thank the Holies that the little bastard didn't get past the doorway! "Admiral, I'm so sorry for this intrusion," she said softly. "I can promise you that won't happen again."
Kathryn smiled softly, still a little weak from the whole ordeal she had suffered. “It is okay, Doctor. I know the intrusion wasn’t intentional. There is no telling what tricks or how low they will go to gain access to me.” She turned her smile to her husband and it warmed her heart to have him there. Despite the drowsiness of the medication they had been giving her, she had awoken at least twice a night, patting the side of the bed he normally slept on.
"You're damn right it's not happening again," Reanla fumed as she joined them. "Brilgar's moved a deputy to be stationed in the main infirmary, Doctor Kegan. He or she will be posted directly outside the door leading into the hallway that leads to these rooms." Zari nodded and Reanla turned her attention to Kathryn. "You're okay, my friend?"
"Yes, thank you, Kaelinn. It is good to see you. I never got the chance to thank you for everything you did for me and the twins.”
"You're welcome. Knowing you and the babes are alive and well--in your case, soon to be well--is enough thanks for me." Reanla squeezed Kathryn's hand. "Now, why don't I let you and Chakotay have a little quiet time and Dr. Kegan and I will talk out in the main room."
Kathryn nodded with a smile then turned her eyes back to her husband as he moved towards her. “Oh Chakotay,” she sighed as he pulled her into his arms, “I have missed you terribly.”
“Me too, Kathryn. How are you feeling?”
“Ready to go home. Everyone has been wonderful here, but I miss home,” she told him. “Have you called my mother or Phoebe yet?”
“No, I thought I would allow you the honor of calling them to announce the twins once you are well enough.”
“You know my mother won’t forgive you for not calling the moment we arrived back at the station,” she laughed.
Chakotay smirked. “She’ll forgive me as soon as I present her with two chubby little grandbabies.”
“I suppose you have the edge on her this time. So, any idea when they are going to release me?”
“And the Kathryn Janeway I know has been reborn,” he joked, but was silenced by her blue-eyed death glare. “I’ll have to ask Dr. Kegan and Dr. Bashir, but I am going to guess it will be soon.”
“I certainly hope so. How are my babies?”
“Doing very well. Naomi and Sam are watching them now.”
“Dr. Kegan told me they had stopped by to see me but I was sleeping at the time and they hadn’t been cleared by you or security to see me. What does Naomi think of the twins?”
“I think she is in love with them. I suppose it is good practice since she will be a big sister herself in a few months.”
“I didn’t know Sam’s pregnant!”
“She hasn’t even told Naomi yet because she didn’t want to steal the excitement from you,” Chakotay explained.
“She is sweet. I’ll have to be sure to give her my congratulations before we depart.” Kathryn decided as she shifted in the bed. How very exciting for Sam to be having a baby. Naomi was going to be so busy being a mother’s assistant and a big sister, she wasn’t going to have time to be getting into mischief.
**
Three days later, Bashir consented to releasing Kathryn to quarters. She was beamed there, so as to avoid any further
problems with the reporters. He and Kegan each visited twice over the next day, though Kegan's purpose was mainly
to check on the babies. Reanla was, as always, a constant visitor, as were the Wildmans. Upon the week's end, B
ashir and Kegan both agreed that mother and twins would be okay to return to Earth, though Kegan insisted that a
Starfleet ship was best, if at all possible. A quick call to Owen Paris solved that issue and plans were being made
for a departure upon the starship whose planned stop at DS9 was within the next couple days.
It was early evening of the day before the departure. Reanla had stopped by for yet another visit, and insisted on dinner--a traditional Bajoran feast--being her treat. She planned to have it delivered from the Celestial Café within the hour and was currently regaling Kathryn and Chakotay with one of her Kerok Nor stories.
"--so throughout the entire song, every other couple in the room ended up in this start-stop-watch-start again routine!" Reanla finished with a laugh. "And they didn't stop til the song was over."
“Reminds me of the times when we would dance together during our time on Voyager. Whether it was a party thrown by our chef, Neelix, or by the dignitaries of a planet we were visiting, the crew always had that start, stop, watch, start routine.” Kathryn laughed at the memory as she squeezed her husband's hand.
Their shared laughter was broken by the sound of Kira's voice over the commline. "Kira to Admiral Janeway."
"Go ahead."
"I hate to disrupt you, but I need to see you and Commander Chakotay in my office immediately."
Kathryn shot Chakotay a questioning look and, when he gave her one back that was just as blank and questioning, she shrugged. “We’ll be right there, Janeway out.”
“Chakotay to Wildman.”
“Wildman here.”
“Sam, do you think you can come over here and keep an eye on the twins for us?”
“Sure, I’ll be right there. Wildman out.”
“What do you think this is about?” Kathryn called as she headed towards the bedroom to throw on a uniform. With a call like that, she knew it had to be official business.
“Haven’t a clue,” Chakotay called back as he remained in his unchanged position on the couch adjacent from Reanla. “There’s always the possibility that our Maquis mission into Cardassian space tipped off a few alarms and we’re looking at interstellar war.”
Kathryn scowled at him as she reappeared from the bedroom in full uniform, looking neat and tidy. She realized, after having been in medical gowns and her comfortable tunic and slacks that it wasn’t just pregnancy that made a uniform uncomfortable. “That’s not funny,” she shot him a look. “Aren’t you going to change?”
“I resigned, remember? I don’t have to," he replied as he stood from the couch, watching Reanla do the same.
“I’ll escort you up to Ops,” Reanla said as the door chimed.
“Come in,” Kathryn called and paused while Sam stepped through the door, accompanied by her little shadow, Naomi. “The twins are napping. They ate before they went down and shouldn’t be hungry right away when they wake, though they will probably need changing. I don’t believe this will take long.”
“Thanks again, Sam,” Chakotay said as they headed out the door.
“No problem!” Sam called back as they swished closed.
As the turbolift halted in Ops, nearly every set of eyes landed on them. Reanla tried her best to ignore the
sinking feeling in her pagh as she led Kathryn and Chakotay through Ops and up the steps to Kira's office. The
sinking feeling developed into the beginnings of dread when she saw the "we've got trouble" look on Kira's face.
Then her eyes darted to Kira's left as the doors slid closed behind the three of them, landing on one of the last
people she--and no doubt that sentiment was shared by the couple behind her--wanted to see.
Admiral Nechayev.
Reanla shot a look of surprise at Kira. Kira shrugged very slightly in a "what the hell was I supposed to do?" manner, but she clearly didn't like the idea of Nechayev being there either. Reanla half expected the petite blonde to start in on her fellow admiral, but sensed Chakotay was the target for her ire--which became obvious as soon as she opened her mouth.
Nechayev's ice blue eyes narrowed as she circled around Kira, glaring up at Chakotay. "I distinctly told you you were not to interfere with this situation, Commander," she hissed. "Your little display via subspace notwithstanding--and yet you deliberately disobeyed orders, contacted not only your former Maquis friends, but a known Bajoran terrorist, and crossed into Cardassian space--landed on Cardassia Prime--without authorization!"
Kathryn, with equally brilliant and blazing eyes, stepped between Nechayev and her husband. “And if he hadn’t, what would have become of myself and my twins? You were content to leave us in the hands of one whom could only be called a terrorist, just to protect your precious peace treaty. 'The good of the many before the good of the few'. Correct me if I am wrong, Alynna, but you’re not going to look at it that way one day--when you find yourself in a situation where you hope the organization you belong to doesn't leave you high and dry. And another thing. I personally wanted to thank you for your endorsement to discontinue the Pathfinder project--citing it as an 'unnecessary taxation on the Federation's time and resources'. You really are one cold bitch and I am glad I am leaving this job behind before I turn out like you.”
Nechayev's look was one of loathing as she stared Kathryn down. "You have no room to speak when you are giving up your career instead of remaining dedicated to Starfleet."
“I’m not going to turn this into a pissing match over who is right and who is wrong, Alynna. Suffice it to say, I would rather have a family than have an organization who doesn’t give a damn about you when you are in a deadly situation,” Kathryn shot back.
"You know protocol as well as I do," Nechayev retorted. Her icy stare returned to Chakotay. "You will be dishonorably discharged from Starfleet, Commander, and stripped of your rank. And furthermore--"
The tension in the room was broken by the commline. "Ops to Kira."
"Kira here." DS9's commanding officer ignored Nechayev's glare in her direction.
"I apologize for interrupting your meeting, ma'am. But we are receiving a transmission for you from Earth, priority one."
"Patch it through, Lieutenant."
"Yes, ma'am. Ops out." A light on Kira's personal console began to flash a moment later.
"Colonel, I do not appreciate this interruption." But Kira ignored Nechayev entirely, leaning over to punch in her access code while turning the console around to face them all at the same time.
“Katie, I am glad to see you are safe and sound. News has reached Earth of the birth of your twins; is that true?” Admiral Paris greeted her as his face appeared on the screen.
“Yes, sir. They are both beautiful and healthy,” Kathryn replied, noticing the pissed-off glower of the blonde woman next to her. She wondered what it was like to be the admiral everyone hated and despised.
"Good--good. You know I'll want to be seeing them as soon as you get back." Paris' gaze moved to Reanla, where she was still standing near the door. "You must be Reanla Kaelinn."
"Yes, Admiral."
"You took quite a few risks on Cardassia--and thankfully you succeeded. Good work."
"Thank you, sir." Reanla offered Paris a small smile. "Though I considered it all in the line of duty, I am grateful I was there for Admiral Janeway and the babes."
"A pity you aren't Starfleet, because if you were, I'd insist on a medal. However, I've put in a call to Bajoran Militia Command and suggested as much."
"Is there actually an official reason you're interrupting my meeting, Owen?" Nechayev snapped.
“Actually, Alynna, there is. I called to congratulate the Admiral and the Commander on their retirement,” he replied, watching all of their eyes widen and their jaws drop.
“Retirement, sir?” Chakotay asked as he stared at the screen.
“Retirement!” Nechayev nearly shrieked, echoing Chakotay. “Owen, you cannot be serious! This--outlaw deserves nothing better than a dishonorable discharge and a court martial. How could you possibly think of allowing him to honorably leave Starfleet with full retirement benefits?!”
“Dishonorable discharge and court martial? On what grounds?” Paris demanded.
“For behavior unbecoming an officer and for committing a direct violation of procedure. Furthermore, I recommend he be sentenced to serve time in New Zealand!” she snapped back as her glowering eyes locked onto Chakotay. “Prison time would be too good for his likes,” she added in a vile tone.
“Alynna, I am not certain what you are talking about. Chakotay was not acting as a Starfleet officer when he rescued Admiral Janeway and the Janeway twins,” Paris explained. “You see, he called me before he left Earth to request retirement and I signed the request that same afternoon along with Admirals Wright and Davis.”
"Knowing full well what he planned to do?! That makes it even worse for him to have been acting as a civilian, Owen! You are aware that he involved other criminals as well--especially that Bajoran terrorist?! If the Cardassians find out about Kitanal Kestrae's involvement, all of the work on this treaty will have been wasted!"
Reanla couldn't keep silent any longer. "Admiral Nechayev, with all due respect, I will thank you to stop calling Lieutenant Kitanal a terrorist. She has been in the Bajoran Militia for six years and has served honorably during that time, including under my command as an officer of the Bajoran Embassy onboard Kerok Nor. Her actions during the Resistance does not make her a terrorist--and, with the end of the Occupation, any warrants from the Cardassian government on her are considered null and void by the Provisional Government." She met the ice blue eyes narrowed at her with a cold look of her own. "Unless you're planning on creating your own diplomatic incident by trying to get her handed over to them??"
"Enough, all of you!” Admiral Paris roared. “Now, no one is going to be creating a diplomatic incident. Alynna, you didn’t have clearance to leave Earth. So I highly recommend you find yourself on the next transport back here before I have to report you as A.W.O.L.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” she hissed.
“Try me. I’ve been waiting a long time for you to slip up like this. And as for you, Katie, I expect you to haul yourself back here with your husband and those twins of yours as soon as you are fit to travel. Have I made myself clear?”
A chorus of “yes sir” went around the room.
“Good. Paris out.” The screen went black with the Federation emblem remaining.
"I know there is more to this than meets the eye. I intend to order a full review of your service records and this incident." Nechayev's furious glare moved from Reanla to Chakotay and settled on Kathryn for a long minute before she spun on her heel and stormed out.
"Well....that went well," Reanla said, an edge of sarcasm in her voice. "I suppose we should thank Admiral Paris for his timely call, else she'd still be in here shredding us from head to pagh."
Kathryn shared a smirk with her husband. “Retirement, huh? I thought you told me you had resigned?”
Chakotay laughed. “Resigned, retired? I guess Owen must have misheard me. Either way, I suppose all’s well that ends well.”
“How about we stop by Quark's and toast your retirement before heading back to your babes?” Reanla suggested.
“By all means! Lead the way,” Kathryn replied as she gestured towards the door to the office.
"Nerys, you too. Let's go."
Kira laughed. "You don't have to ask twice, Kaelinn."
**
The day had finally come for the return to Earth. As much as Reanla didn't want Kathryn, Chakotay and the twins
to leave, she knew they would. Goodbyes are always inevitable, even if we often hate them. It was something
Lupaza had once told her after yet another one of the Shakaar members had been killed during a mission.
With Brilgar's help, the corridors near the airlock had been secured so that the little family, along with Sam and Naomi Wildman, Reanla and Raduen, could say their farewells in peace. Admiral Paris had ordered the USS Archer, who was stopping to pick up some new crewmembers, to bring Admiral Janeway and her family home to Earth. Sam and Naomi went ahead, leaving the two Bajorans with Kathryn and Chakotay.
"I will miss you, leh'le." Reanla dropped a light kiss onto Linn's brow, then pulled back from Chakotay before a little hand could latch onto her earring chain. "And you as well." She held Kole in her arms. As usual, Kole stared seriously back at her, but moved a hand to grasp the finger she offered him.
Meanwhile, Raduen had turned his attention to Kathryn, taking one of her hands in both of his. "Admiral, I want to offer you my deepest apologies. My failure to see Tinalo for what he really was nearly got you killed. That is a mistake I cannot regret enough and I hope you might find it in your heart to someday forgive me for it."
“I don’t harbor any ill will towards you, Raduen. You couldn’t possibly have been aware of who and what Tinalo was,” Kathryn replied as she squeezed his hands. “He had been questing for his vengeance for a long time and his finding me was inevitable. Let’s just be glad there were no lasting consequences for any of us due to his actions.”
"Then I will be content, knowing I have your forgiveness." The relief in Raduen's dark eyes was clear and he suddenly smiled. "I don't know if our paths will ever cross again, but I am honored to have gotten to know you. May the Prophets walk with you and your family." He returned the hand squeeze, gave Chakotay a nod and a smile, then turned to leave, his quick stride soon carrying him around a corner and out of sight. As one, the two women turned to look at each other. Chakotay seemed to sense what was about to happen and he gently liberated his son from Reanla's arms an instant before she and Kathryn reached for one another.
Kathryn felt the tears streak down her cheeks and get lost in the hair of her friend. “I’ll never forget everything you have done for us, my friend.”
Reanla tried to swallow back her own tears, not quite succeeding. "I'll always thank the Prophets for putting me there to help you."
As they pulled back, Chakotay passed the twins to his wife and took Kaelinn into a bear hug. “You gave me back my wife and my children. Thank you, Kaelinn.”
"You're welcome." Reanla returned the hard hug before forcing herself to let go.
Kathryn passed Linn over to Chakotay as soon as he released Reanla and they stood together as a family at the mouth of the airlock. “Keep in touch; that's a order,” she offered a wry smile.
Reanla smiled back. “Aye, Admiral.” She gave a mock salute to which she received a laugh.
Kathryn cradled Kole tightly in her arms as she offered one last smile to Reanla, before turning and leading the way through the airlock and onto the ship that would take them home. The airlock's inner door began to cycle shut before Reanla moved again, pausing just before the closed threshold. She watched through the airlock windows as, after several minutes, the ship slowly pulled away from the station and turned towards its destination. As soon as it was a safe distance away, there was a brief flash as they went to warp and were gone.
Prophets be with you, my friend.
"Kaelinn!" a familiar voice boomed.
Reanla spun around in surprise at the sound of her name. She hadn't expected Ko'Tak to be here, but there he stood at the airlock's opposite end, hands on hips and eyeing her with a challenging look. That look faded into a grin at the sight of her emerging smile.
"That's better! Now, come greet me properly."
She didn't have to be told twice, running down the airlock and into his arms. He caught her easily, lifting her up against him as his mouth came down on hers.