Part IX
Rated: M

By: AW

Disclaimer: I don't own the people or the episodes but the story is mine.

In Confidence
Part IX
Rated: M

By: AW

Disclaimer: Blah blah blah blah, you all know what
goes here.

The next day Chakotay made his way to Starfleet medical. He had made it all the way to the grounds of Starfleet Headquarters before he had turned around and taken off. He had ended up at a coffee shop just off the grounds, and had run into someone from his past.

"Hello, Harry."

Harry looked up at his Commanding Officer. "Commander."

Chakotay watched as Harry looked up at him, with the respect he still commanded from the former Voyager staff. "For now I am still a Commander. Some of us weren’t lucky enough to get the promotion of their dreams; And you're what, 'Lieutenant Kim'?"

Harry shook his head. "Yes, sir; and I’m sure you’ll get the promotion soon enough"

He shook his head at the youthful pride that Harry still held. "You know Harry, you can call me Chakotay. You're not officially under my command any more, and I think we're off-duty."

Harry laughed, "I guess we are Chakotay." He looked at Chakotay; he looked lost, and there was a purpose he hadn't seen in him since Captain Janeway had brought him on board. "So how's the Captain, Chakotay?"

Chakotay looked away, and realized how far he was out of the loop. "Well Harry, I'm going right now to see our daughter."

Harry's eyes bugged out of his head, and he looked at his former Commanding officer. "Well, congratulations Sir. I haven't seen the Captain since we were steered off Voyager, I would love to see her."

Chakotay bowed his head. "I don't think that will be possible, Harry."

Harry looked at Chakotay. He paused, "When?"

Chakotay knew at that point that Harry had figured out some of what had happened. "About five days ago. She died in childbirth." Chakotay didn't feel the need to tell Harry anything more than that.

"I'm so sorry Chakotay. Would you like me to come with you to see your daughter?"

Chakotay just shook his head. "I don't think that'll be possible; Starfleet medical doesn't want people in the room seeing the baby until she's had a chance to adjust to me, and the fact that her mother isn't around." He paused, "You know, 'Delta Darling' dying in childbirth with her former maquis Captain's lovechild. The media isn't taking too kindly to that right now."

Harry just nodded. "I understand. Well I hope that we'll meet again soon Commander."

Chakotay approached the door to Starfleet medical. He just stood there for a moment, not quite sure if he could go in there yet. Finally he gathered up all his strength and walked into the lab. He went right to Beverly Crusher's office. She would be able to tell him how to best proceed.

He was about to knock on the door when it opened and Dr. Crusher almost ran into him. "Doctor, I'm sorry. I was just..."

She looked at him. "Commander. We weren't sure we'd see you again. I mean after...and..."

Chakotay nodded. "Yes, well, I need to see that baby. Kathryn was and will always be my soulmate. We just couldn't get it together while we were on Voyager. And I want to take responsibility for the child."

Crusher looked at the lost man in front of her. "She left the baby under your care. It seems that while you were on Voyager, you were both responsible for the other should anything happen. That agreement still stands."

Chakotay was shocked. He had heard it from Starfleet Command, and the doctor herself, but now it was real. "Okay well, when can I see the baby."

Doctor Crusher got a small smile on her face. "Well it was a girl, and Kathryn did name her before she passed. So you can see 'Marissa' soon, but before we
do that, I do need to inform you that she left a note for you. It's got an encryption on it and she said you'd know what it was."

Chakotay nodded his head. "I understand, but can I see Marissa, then I'll take the note home and review it, home with the baby."

The doctor hesitated. "Well, I can't let the baby leave Starfleet medical, but you can take the note after you see the child."

Chakotay was frustrated. "What do you mean I can't take the baby home? Kathryn left her in my care."

Crusher just looked at him. "I'm sorry I can't let the baby go home with you, but you can see her now if you'd like." Crusher handed the padd to Chakotay and led him into the makeshift nursery.

Chakotay followed Doctor Crusher into the medical bay, and saw a small bassinette hiding in the corner. He followed her up to the small cubicle and looked down to see a small child.

As he looked into the bassinette he realized the child looked quite bit older than five days. He turned to Crusher, "She looks a whole lot older than a week."

Crusher nodded her head. "I know, and we're not sure if it’s because of her mixed heritage or because of something the Borg programmed into her."

He noticed the red down on Marissa’s head, and the small implant near her temple. Very similar to one of the ones that had adorned Seven's perfect skin. "Okay well when can I take her home than?"

She looked away. "I don't know Commander. We don't know what kind of threat she poses or if she is a threat to the Federation at all. I..."

Chakotay got angry. "Damn the Federation. She's a child, my child. The only thing I have left of the woman I love."

Crusher just sat silently and watched the damaged man in front of her. "You can pick her up you know."

Chakotay noticed her ignoring his questions and just scooped the child up. Crusher handed him a bottle, and he fed his daughter. An hour later he left Starfleet medical with a note that was hopefully an explanation.

He looked at the note for a good two hours before getting up the courage to open it and hear the explanation his love had given him. He checked out the
number of letters and saw 12 letters knowing what it would be. He entered the word 'angrywarrior' and saw that it opened readily for him.

He read the letter. It began nicely, then it got worse...

TBC in part X

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