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Chakotay sighs. Deeply.
“So you’re saying that the mutated alien offspring are lonely and have somehow set up a telepathic link to you?”
The camera pans over to Kes, who’s covering her ears. It doesn’t seem to be helping, because her face is contorted in pain. Chakotay says her name, the Captain gently takes her hands away, and then he repeats himself.
“Yes,” Kes manages. “But it’s more than I can manage. My abilities are limited and I’m trying to talk to them, but I can’t.”
Captain Janeway looks at Chakotay a bit awkwardly. “You said the Doctor’s explored all options?”
Chakotay nods severely.
“Well,” Janeway says. “Janeway to Paris. Set a course for the Mutant Planet.”
“Captain?” Tom’s voice says.
“Do it, mister Paris.”
It is, Chakotay thinks, a truly ludicrous situation they’ve found themselves in. Now he remembers one of the biggest reasons he left Starfleet, aside from helping the Maquis: it’s so fucking weird. Things like did this not happen in the Maquis. Sure, maybe committing terrorist actions and taking lives is worse (even though it was for a good cause), but this? Well. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen again.
Kes looks less in pain now, so at least it’s not for nothing. Chakotay really hopes Tom’s dad will be proud.
A few hours later, they’re back on the planet and the offspring is in Sickbay. Chakotay hasn’t gone there yet. Instead, he’s been watching the Captain make excuses not to go.
“Paris to Janeway.”
Janeway wearily looks at Chakotay. “Yes, Tom?”
“Don’t you want to see the children? They’re really not so bad.”
“It’s nothing personal. I just…wasn’t expecting this.”
“Yeah, well, that’s no excuse to abandon your kids like that. They’re sentient, you know.”
“He’s got a point,” Chakotay says, much as he hates to admit it.
The Captain sighs, defeated. “Tuvok, you’ve got the Bridge.” Off to the turbolift they go.
“Are you alright?” Chakotay asks. “I know this is probably a lot to handle. I know I still feel strange about Seska’s baby.”
“No, it’s fine,” Janeway lies. “Just unexpected, that’s all.”
“After you’ve met the children, why don’t we go to the holodeck? I’ve got some time scheduled. It might help you relax.”
“Sounds good,” Janeway says gratefully. The doors open. The walk to Sickbay is quiet with anticipation. The Captain takes a deep breath and steps toward the doors.
“Here goes nothing,” she says.
“You’re here!” Tom says excitedly. “The babies are over there. Come on.” He guides a confused Janeway and Chakotay to three cribs.
“This one’s the smallest, so I decided to name him Harry, if you don’t mind. Neelix came up with this one’s name - Maxar. Apparently, it means ‘unique’ in Talaxian. And this is Jade, because she’s slightly greener than the rest of them.”
“What.” The Captain looks like her systems have crashed. Chakotay coaxes her to a sitting position on a biobed. “Okay,” she says. “Yeah. This is fine. Totally normal. Chakotay, get me some coffee, will you?”
“Not in my Sickbay!” the Doctor calls.
“Yes in your Sickbay,” Chakotay responds and that’s that.
“Listen, Captain,” Tom says while Chakotay gives her a cup of coffee that she downs immediately, frowning at the taste. Bad sign. “We can’t just leave them there forever. They need guidance. I don’t want to be the uncaring parent and I’d really prefer if you weren’t, either. It’s your choice, but well. I’m sure you understand.”
“Okay,” Janeway says again after Chakotay brings her another cup of coffee. “Take me through it. What can they do? Is their cognitive development like humans? I know our mission is to explore, but this is a little much. How are you so calm about it?”
Tom shrugs. “Well, this is just the way it is. I can panic, or I can roll with it. Normally, you’re the one to roll with everything. I figured it must be tiring, so let you have this little moment of panicking.”
“Thanks,” Janeway says weakly. “Well. I suppose we’ll figure it out, won’t we?”
One of the babies meows. Chakotay wonders what they even are.
“I name Chakotay the godfather,” the Captain decides. Chakotay’s eyes widen. “Alright,” he says. “Yeah, I’ll help. That’s fine.” And then the roles are reversed and Chakotay quickly decides he will never down a cup of coffee again.