Sorry this update took so long! The remainder of this chapter that I had written magically disappeared. So I just rewrote it, and while the rewrite of this chapter is a bit shorter, I actually like it better than the original, and it cuts off right when the original did! So enjoy!

Chapter 3: Diagnosis: Isolation

The negotiations were successful, and eight hours later, the trade was completed. The entire crew of Voyager was grateful to have made friends. But things were about to change- drastically.

Over the course of the next two weeks, the crew started to see less and less of the Captain. She seemed much more tired than usual. The doctor finally ordered her to rest, telling her that she was working herself too hard and needed to take some time off to de-stress. She was forced to take the next week off. When the week was over, she returned to Sickbay so the doctor could okay her to work again.

When she exited again, she seemed to be in a daze. She walked toward her quarters as if she were in a dream and couldn't wake up. The crew members who passed her grew concerned at the far-away look on her face.

After that day, the crew saw neither hide nor hair of their captain. She locked herself up in her quarters and completely relinquished control of her ship to Chakotay until further notice. Chakotay began growing worried about Kathryn after about a month. It was unlike her to have so little interest in overseeing ship's activities herself. He finally got up the nerve two weeks after that to go visit her after his shift and find out what was wrong. He needed answers- and he was going to get them one way or another.

Kathryn was gazing distractedly out the windows in her quarters when her door chimed, a sound she had not heard in the last six weeks. "Who is it?" she called out, her voice telling Chakotay that she was completely numb right now from all the emotions running through her body.

"It's me, Chakotay," he replied. "Can I come in?"

A pause followed. Then Kathryn decided she needed to tell someone what was going on, and that Chakotay was probably the best person she could tell. She knew that he wouldn't be judgmental and that he would listen carefully and offer what comfort and support he could, even if he didn't understand fully.

"Captain?" came his voice again. "If you'd prefer to be alone…"

"Computer, set lights to the lowest setting," she whispered in a low voice as she heard Chakotay finish his statement with the words "I can leave, but know that I'll keep coming back until you let me in." When the lights had dimmed fully and he had finished, she spoke.

"No, Chakotay, it's all right; you can come in." She heard the door open.

"Captain, what's wrong?" Chakotay's soft voice said from the entrance to her quarters.

"Chakotay, we're alone here," Kathryn whispered softly. "Please call me by my name, and please continue to do so whenever we are in an informal setting."

"All right, Kathryn," he agreed. "Kathryn, you can tell me; you know that. You can always tell me if something's wrong… please, Kathryn, the whole crew is worried about you. You haven't even spoken to any of us in three weeks." She heard his footfalls, and knew he was coming toward her. His warm, gentle hand touched her arm, supplying comfort and giving her the strength to do what she knew she needed to, but feared she could not.

"Cha-Chakotay," she managed. Then she shivered. "Computer… raise the lights," she murmured softly, but it was loud enough that the computer detected her voice and brightened the lights a bit, just enough that Chakotay could see. Kathryn turned to face him, and at first he didn't notice any change. But upon closer inspection, he could see that her face had filled out slightly, and there was a slight bulge under the loose shirt she wore- after all, she wasn't on duty, so she had no need to wear her uniform. He raised his eyes to meet hers… and then he knew. His eyes searched hers questioningly. After all, it didn't seem possible. But Kathryn's next words only confirmed what he had guessed.

She dropped her eyes to the floor and whispered, "Chakotay, I… I'm pregnant."

OOOOOH, I BET YOU HAD NO IDEA! (is being sarcastic) Sorry. x.x Chapter 4 will be up as quick as I can write it! You'll see, and I bet you'll like Chapter 4... there will be more "Chakotay-chewing-out-Janeway" fun! XD I mean, don't get me wrong, I love them both, but that's why I like torturing them! Anyway, until Chapter 4... THIS IS MYLINDA ANTOINETTE, SIGNING OUT!