Work Text:
After Threshold
Chakotay?
Yes, Kathryn?
Sometimes I think about...about them. Back on that planet. The--you know, the…
Babies?
Offspring.
You can call them babies if you want to, Kathryn. If it helps.
Helps?
Well, I don't want to suggest you should feel a certain way, so let me know if I'm wrong, but do you feel sad? Guilty? Maybe angry?
Mmm. Maybe.
Kathryn?
Yes, Chakotay?
Are you angry with me? For leaving them there?
I wasn't in any condition to decide. You made the best choice you could at the time.
I thought so then, but you really should have been the one to make that decision. Not just because you're the captain--because they were yours. I could have--I should have waited. Until you and--and Tom--were ready. I'm sorry, Kathryn.
Thank you, Chakotay. The truth is, I don't know what I would have done if you had waited. How could I raise…
Lizards?
They were more like salamanders weren't they?
Yes.
I doubt I could have met their needs.
We did consider using a holodeck to create a habitat for them. But Tuvok and the xenobiology department put together a report that showed the...offspring...were maturing rapidly and were already meeting their own needs on the planet.
Maturing rapidly?
Yes, they are probably adults by now.
Adults?
I'm sorry, Kathryn...I meant...fully matured.
Chakotay?
Yes, Kathryn?
Were they--I mean are they--sentient?
Uh. Tuvok might be able to answer that better than I can.
Tuvok? Why Tuvok?
Well, in the report...maybe you should just read it, Kathryn.
Yes, I think I will.
Captain?
Yes, Commander.
Here's the report you asked for.
Thank you, Commander, just leave it on my desk.
Commander Chakotay, please report to the bridge.
Captain?
In my ready room.
Chakotay, please explain this.
Um...Yes, I see. That--
That says Tuvok attempted a mind meld with one of my…
Yes, he did.
Who authorized that?
I did.
Explain, Commander.
The xenobiology lab was unable to determine if the young...if they were sentient. Possibly because of their age--or stage of development. Communication wasn't possible. Tuvok volunteered to attempt a meld--
And?
And?
What happened? Was the meld successful? The report just says "inconclusive results".
Are you sure you don't want to ask Tuvok about this?
I'm asking you.
Tuvok told me he couldn't meld because, after he waded out into the swamp and found them, the little one was too…
Too what, Chakotay?
Slimy.
Slimy?
Slippery--I meant slippery.
Slippery. I see. Thank you, Commander.
Kathryn?
Yes, Chakotay?
Do you want me to go back?
Go back where?
To that planet, where we left the…
Oh.
I would, you know. I could take a shuttle and--
I have thought about going back myself, but I read the report and...I don't think they need me. Either they are really like salamanders, lower life forms, or they are sentient but have evolved to the point that they can take care of themselves. Going back there would be a waste of time.
You would know they were alright.
Yes. But that would be for me. They don't need me, but Voyager does.
That's true. So would you like me to go?
Voyager needs you too.
Oh? The ship needs me?
You know what I mean.
I know, Kathryn.
And, Kathryn?
Yes, Chakotay?
I'm sorry I phasered you. When you were a…
On the planet?
Yes. It was the plan Tuvok and I had decided on, but looking back I really don't think you and Tom posed any danger to us at that point. Since you were just--I mean you were completely--
I understand, Chakotay. I would have probably done the same thing.
You would phaser me if I turned into a giant newt?
Absolutely.
I'm glad to hear that, Kathryn.