Disclaimer: Paramount owns everything Voyager etc:
This is a sequel to I’ve Been Told There’ll Be Another, it’s around the time that the Doc gets the message through to Starfleet to let them know they survived.
Helen struggled with the bags whilst opening the front door, “I’m home,” She called out. Silence greeted her; he must still be out with Mollie she thought. She went into the kitchen placed all the bags on the counter and switched the kettle on. Whilst she was putting away the shopping she heard the vid screen buzz to tell her there was an incoming message. She flopped down on the sofa and pressed the receive button.
A woman’s face appeared on screen, she was in her 70s and looked vaguely familiar, although Helen knew she didn’t know her.
“Is Mark there?” She asked.
“No, he’s taken the dog for a walk, can I take a message.”
“It’s Helen, isn’t it.”
“That’s right, but I’m sorry I don’t know your name.”
“I’m Gretchen Janeway,” She said softly. “Can you ask him to contact me as soon as he gets back, it is very important.”
That explained why she looked familiar . “I’ll have him call you as soon as he gets in.”
“Thank you.”
The screen went blank and Helen sat there gazing ahead, her eye’s travelled to the photograph on the mantelpiece, it was one of her and Mark taken on their wedding day just a couple of months ago. Mark had put the picture of Kathryn away shortly after they had started going out together, but Helen always felt as if it was still there as if Kathryn was still there. He never talked about her anymore but she knew he still thought about her, she could feel it.
Now Kathryn’s mother had been in contact what could she possibly want. Helen Suddenly felt very uneasy. She went back into the kitchen to finish unpacking trying unsuccessfully to put it to the back of her mind.
“We’re home,” Called a voice from the hallway followed by the appearance of Mollie in the kitchen.
“Hello girl,” Said Helen stroking the dog, “Did you enjoy your walk?”
“I’m sorry honey, I lost track of time.” Said Mark as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.
“That’s okay,” She said pulling away from him slightly.
“What’s the matter?” He asked puzzled.
“Gretchen Janeway called, she wants you to contact her.”
“Gretchen! What does she want?”
“I don’t know but it sounded urgent, I said you’d call her as soon as you got in.”
“Okay, I'll do that now.”
She followed him into the lounge, “Do you want to take this in private?”
“No, of course not.”
It only took a few moments and then Gretchen Janeways face appeared on screen. “Hello Gretchen are you well?”
“Hello Mark, I’m sorry to call you at home but I wanted you to hear the news from me,” She said ignoring his question.
“What news?”
“I received a message from Starfleet earlier today, Kathryn’s alive.”
Mark was stunned, in the background he heard Helen gasp. Gretchen continued, “She’s stranded in the Delta Quadrant, she managed to get a subspace message through to Starfleet a few days ago.”
“When will she be home?”
“She’s about 65,000 light years away, but Starfleet are going to try to work on a way to get them home quicker. But at least she’s alive, Starfleet have said that we can write messages and they will try to send them via the same network that Voyager used.”
“Gretchen that’s wonderful news, I’m just a little stunned at the moment.”
“I know what you mean, I had to get Owen Paris to repeat it twice before I could take it all in. I’ll speak to you later”
Mark nodded and switched the vid screen off. He wasn’t sure how long he sat there staring at the blank screen but he became aware of Helen talking to him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t catch what you said:”
She sat down next to him, “I asked if you wanted to talk about it?”
He shook his head, “Not at the moment, I think I’ll go out for a walk I need to be alone for a little while.” He took hold of her hand, ”You do understand don’t you?”
Helen forced a smile on her face and said, ”Of course;” Her smile faded as she watched him leave.
Mark left the house he had to think about this latest news. It was quite ironic if you thought about it, for 3 years he had longed to hear this and now he wasn’t sure how he felt. Oh of course he was pleased that Kathryn was alive, but for 18 months now he’d told himself she was dead and buried his feelings for her.
Then there was Helen, he’d seen the way she’d forced a smile on her face and the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. She’d helped him come to terms with Starfleets decision to officially declare Voyager lost and at first she had just been a very good friend, but gradually their relationship had developed into much more until he felt able to put the past behind him.
He still thought about Kath but lately not as often and now this had happened. Damn it why did life have to be so complicated. Mark walked around for several hours totally lost in his thoughts until he realised how selfish he was being. This was not being fair to Helen he had to go home and discuss it with her.
Mark let himself into the house it was very quiet. “Helen” he called, but the only reply was Mollie running up to him. “Hello, girl” He said rubbing her ears. He walked into the lounge there was Helen curled up on the sofa fast asleep. She was holding their wedding photograph and her face was tear stained.
He went and got a blanket and covered her up, she stirred but didn’t waken so he went into his study and started writing a letter
Dear Kath
Gretchen called me today to tell me the wonderful news that you are alive and well. Before you ask Mollie had 5 puppies and they were all beautiful I managed to find good homes for all of them, but I couldn’t bear to give Mollie away. When we were first told that Voyager was missing I wouldn’t accept that you were dead. I knew that if anyone could survive it would be Kathryn Janeway, but as time went on I had to start believing that there was a possibility you hadn’t survived.
When Starfleet announced they were declaring Voyager officially lost I was furious, how could they give up on you but I had to face facts. There had been no trace of you for over 2 years. At this time I was helped greatly by someone I work with her name is Helen, at first she was just a friend but over time she became to mean so much more to me and 3 months ago we were married and we are very happy. You’d like her Kath and Mollie is devoted to her.
I’m really sorry to have to say this to you in a letter but I wanted you to hear it from me. I still have very deep feelings for you that could never change. I hope that when you get back to the Alpha Quadrant and I know you will get your crew back, that you will feel able to see me. We have known each other for many years Kath and I would hate to lose our friendship as well.
Take care of yourself
Love Mark
As he finished the letter he became aware of Helen stood behind him.
“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have been reading over your shoulder,”.
He turned round and pulled her into his arms, “That’s okay I was going to show you it anyway, I’m sorry I went out earlier I just needed to sort out how I felt.”
“I understand,” She smiled weakly, “But are you sure about that letter?”
He nodded, “Kath and I were happy but I really don’t think we would’ve still been together now even if Voyager hadn’t gone missing.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Kath and I were total opposites, she would never have been happy in a job on Earth she liked to be out amongst the stars, if I know Kath she’ll be enjoying the thrill of being out in the Delta Quadrant with all that uncharted space. I tried several times to get her to marry me but she just couldn’t make a commitment.”
He stood up still holding on to her, “You have nothing to worry about, Kath will always have a special place in my heart, but it’s you that I love now.”
“I love you too.” And she reached up to put her arms around him and kissed him.
“ I don’t care if I don’t have an appointment I want to speak to Admiral Hayes now.” Demanded mark almost shouting.
“Mark, calm down, ”Said Helen. She looked at the Admirals Assistant, “Do you think you could see if the Admiral will see us, it’s very important. Please.”
The Assistant looked at Mark it was obvious he was not going to go until he saw the Admiral. “All right, if you’d just like to take a seat over there I’ll speak to Him. What was your name?”
“Mark Johnson.”
“I’m sorry.” Said Mark as they sat down.
“That’s okay, but you won’t get far if you don’t get yourself calm and under control.”
“I know,” He smiled . “That’s why I brought you, to keep under control.”
“The Admiral can spare you five minutes,” Said the assistant. “If you’d like to come this way?”
“Thank you,” Said Helen taking hold of Marks hand for support and following the assistant into the Admirals office.
“What can I do for you?” Said Admiral Hayes.
“I’d like to know why you won’t send my letter to Captain Janeway,”
“We’re not sure how much we can send through the network that Captain Janeway discovered so we’re having to limit each crew member to one letter “
“God damnit, she’s the Captain, surely she’s entitled to more than one message”
“I’m sorry but we are having to be very strict about this, I’m sure Captain Janeway would not like to receive extra letters at the expense of another crew member.”
“You’re right,” Admitted Mark, “But I really need to send her a letter and she listed me as her next of kin, surely that entitles me to send a letter.”
“I really am very sorry, but since your recent marriage we assumed that Gretchen Janeway would be her next of kin and she’s already prepared her letter.”
“What if we ask Gretchen if Marks letter can be sent instead?” Asked Helen.
“It doesn’t matter to us who writes the letter as long as there is only one,” Replied Hayes. “But you’ll need to ask her as soon as possible we want to send the messages out in the next few days.”
“We’ll contact her straight away,” Said Mark.
“Thank you for your help.” Said Helen extending her hand.
“You're welcome, but I’m afraid if Gretchen refuses then there’s nothing more I can do for you.” He said returning the handshake.
“Do you think Gretchen will agree?” Asked Helen as they waited for the transporter to Indiana.
“I really don’t know.” They made the rest of the journey in silence. Mark deep in thought about how he would try to persuade Gretchen to give up what might be her last chance of communicating with her eldest daughter. And Helen silently saying a prayer that Mark would be given a chance to finally lay this ghost to rest so that they could go on with their lives.
A red haired woman in her mid 30s opened the door.
“Phoebe, it’s nice to see you again.” Said mark giving her a hug. “This is Helen.”
“Hi, I’m Kathryn’s sister, come in.”
“Is Gretchen in?”
“She’s in the lounge, go on through. Would you like coffee?”
“Please,” Said Mark walking down the hallway.
“Would you like some help?” Asked Helen.
“That’s okay but you can come and chat to me in the kitchen if you’d like?”
“Mark, I wasn’t expecting you!”
“I’m sorry Gretchen I should’ve called to let you know but we’ve come straight from San Francisco.”
“Starfleet headquarters?”
Mark nodded.
“What’s wrong has something happened to Kathryn?”
“No, I’ve come to ask you a very big favour.”
“Go on.”
“I’ve written Kath a letter telling her about Helen.”
“I see, but where does that involve me?”
“Starfleet have put a restriction of one letter per crew member and.” “And I’ve already submitted my letter.” Finished Gretchen.
“I’ve tried to persuade them to send both the letters to her but they’re adamant.”
“You want me to tell them to send your letter instead of mine?”
Mark slumped into the sofa, “I know it’s asking a lot Gretchen.”
“You do realise that I probably won’t live to see Kathryn return home and there’s no guarantee we’ll be able to send anymore messages.”
“I know.”
“That’s asking too much Mark,” Said Phoebe coming into the room. “Mother can tell Kathryn about you and Helen.”
“If you were Kath would you want to hear the news like that?” He said walking towards her. “Anyway she’d be expecting a message from me.”
“He’s right.” Admitted Gretchen. “And Kathryn would rather hear it from Mark.”
“So you’ll allow them to send Mark’s letter,” Asked Helen.
“Yes, but please tell her that we miss her and love her very much.” Said Gretchen her eyes brimming with tears.
“Thank you, this means a lot to Helen and me.”
“Do you mind leaving now Mark, I’d like to be alone with Phoebe.”
“Of course.”
“I’ll see you out,” Said Phoebe.
“I hope you realise what a sacrifice you just asked her to make.” She asked quietly as she opened the door.
“I’m sorry.”
“Goodbye Mark.”
Phoebe walked back into the lounge; Gretchen was sat on the sofa holding a picture of Kathryn with her Father.
“Mother”
Gretchen turned round and the tears were pouring down her face, Phoebe embraced her Mother and was unable to stop her own tears from falling.
Finis
