Someone to Listen to Her

Title: Someone to Listen
Rater: PG
Author: Megan Faye
Disclaimer: I'm not Paramount, so I don't own. IF I owned Star Trek Voyager, Tom and B'Elanna *wouldn't* be together. Harry and Tom would, but this isn't a slash site, and they aren't together, and I don't own jack sh*t....not even my computer.



She walked alone across the bridge, stopping in the middle. Kathryn leaned against the railing, just looking out. It was cold and begining to rain, but it didn't matter. It would only mask the lonliness in her eyes. Kathryn frowned and peered down into the river. Since Voyager had returned, only a few of the crew members had kept in touch with her, and after a year of being home, they'd all been scattered around the quadrant. Tom and B'Elanna called her almost every week at first with news about their baby, and where they were headed, but now she was lucky to hear from anyone at all.
Chakotay didn't stay in touch for more than a week. She had no idea where or how he was. Tuvok had left Star Fleet to be with his family, as had Sam Wildman. Naomi was the only one who still kept in regular contact with Kathryn. Every Wednesday, at 2000 hours, Kathryn knew to expect Naomi to be on screen, smiling, laughing, and doing what every it took to make Kathryn smile. Kathryn knew Naomi wasn't happy on Earth, as she wasn't happy on Deep Space Nine, or Jupiter Station, but at least on Earth, she could visit Kathryn on weekends, parents permitting, of course. This weekend, Naomi wouldn't be visiting, and probably would miss this week's call. Kathryn had told Naomi she'd be out of town and probably unable to send a message, but would call the minute she got in. Kathryn was always a great liar.
Kathryn needed them all at first, but gradually only needed a few. They all left too soon. She needed Harry to talk to her still, but hadn't heard where he'd ended up. It was almost painfull that he hadn't contacted her in the last 6 months, and she still needed the reassurance of his voice, his laugh, his smile.

"Well, you're getting soaked. Would you like to share my umbrella, Captain?" someone asked from behind. Kathryn turned quickly, almost knocking Harry off the bridge.

"Harry! I'm sorry, are you all right?"

"You're always tossing me off the bridge, aren't you?" he laughed. Kathryn managed a smile, but her teeth were chattering. Harry frowned and took his jacket off. "You really are soaked. Live anywhere near here?"

"Yeah, just down that way."

"That is all office buildings. The nearest housing that way is almost a 3 hour walk, Captain." She blushed lightly.

"I guess I walked longer than I thought. I'll catch a transport home, then." Harry pulled her under the umbrella.

"I live a block down the road. You can stay the night; its getting pretty dark out here. Tomorrow, I'll take you home." He could see how troubled she was. Harry was almost afraid for her. Never had he seen such sadness and fear.
The walk was almost completely silent. She didn't want to talk about what was wrong, and he didn't ask, but they both felt better with his arms around her, even if it was just to warm her.

"All I have for you to change into are some Academy sweat pants and an old T-shirt that Tom gave me. I have yet to put my clothes through the laungry unit. I haven't had a day off until today in ages."

"What are you doing now," she asked from the bathroom.

"Teaching. I was offered a position at a local Jr. Star Fleet Academy high school. I'm teaching music for one period and Math for the others. All I see everyday is 12 year olds in little Starfleet Uniforms. Naomi Wildman is starting next month as sort of a surprise by her parents. I hear she visits you a lot."

"Yeah," Kathryn said, coming from the bathroom, toweling her hair dry. "She was supposed to visit this weekend, but I wasn't feeling up to company. I wanted a little quiet time." Harry motioned for her to sit on the couch next to him; handing her a cup of coffee.

"I didn't think I'd have to ask if you wanted a cup." Kathryn laughed lightly. "Are you going to tell me what's bothering you?"

"Only if you tell me what is bothering you, Harry." He smiled sadly, looking into his coffee.

"I'm in-love with someone. I have been for a while now. I feel so...."

"Lost?" He looked up and let a tear fall. "Harry, you aren't alone."

"What, are you going to tell me that you felt lost once before, too?" he joked.

"I am so lost now. Not Now, but before. I still feel lost, but not as lost. I don't know. I needed the people on Voyager for those 8 years, and now all of them are gone. Its not suddenly, but gradually. I still need a few of them; Naomi, B'Elanna, Tom.....you."

"Chakotay?" Harry asked, almost knowing she'd be married to him by now.

"I haven't needed Chakotay in a long time, Harry." Kathryn squeezed his hand. "Tell me about her?"

"She know exactly what to say to make everything seem better. I think I have more respect for this woman than anyone else I've ever met. She's beautiful. I'm not just saying she has a great body; she does, but she is so smart, and witty. I've seen her goof around a few times, but she's not really like that enough. I have loved her since the moment I met her."

"Have you ever told her this?"

"Yeah, I just did."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Hello, Naomi!" Kathryn said, smiling ear to ear. Naomi grinned back.

"Wow, Kathryn, you look like you had a great vacation. Tell me about it!"

"It was wonderful. Harry and I had a great time on the Moon. You were right, it is really nice this time of year. Not much of a place to get a tan, but we had fun. How was your spring break? Did you have fun with Tom and B'Elanna?" Kathryn shifted in her seat, her stomach was causing her discomfot.

"It was fun. Kala stayed with Admiral Paris for the week so it was just the three of us. Tom said that the Klingon Home World was no place for a four year old baby girl as timid as Kala, so he and B'Elanna showed me around the really interesting places. It was a blast!" Naomi said, smiling ear to ear. "So, thought of any names yet?"

"Harry Kim is the most unreasonable man when it comes to babies. She hasn't even been born yet, and he's already spoiling her rotten. You haven't seen the nursery, have you?"

"Of course I did. Remember, 3 weeks ago? My last visit?"

"THAT was three weeks ago, NOW its totally different. Harry thought the crib was wrong with the blankets, so he replicated an antique crib, from the 20th century. While its Beautiful, that is the 8th crib he's replicated; the 8th set of pink crib blankets, 8th set of pink lamps and pink accesseries. None of which is good enough for our child, who I'm sure is going to be a boy." Naomi laughed. A small stuffed bear hit Kathryn in the back of the head.

"Be nice, Kath!" Harry called. "Come take a look at this!"

"Oh my Gods, what has he replicated this time? Naomi, I'll see you in a couple of days. Bye." Kathryn flipped the screen off; Naomi was still laughing. She pulled herself out of the chair with much difficulty, and waddled back to the nursery. All the cribs were gone but one. There was no more bright pink in sight. All Yellows, greens, blues and a few soft pinks; colors for a girl or a boy. "Harry, its wonderful."

"I thought you'd like it, Kath." Harry leaned down and kissed his wife. "Only one more week to go, Love. Just one more week." His hamd rested on the baby in her stomach as it kicked. "I can't wait to meet you, Little person. We love you so much, and you haven't even been born yet. Wait until you are, you'll see exactly how much we love you." Kathryn smiled down at him as he continued to talk to the baby, tell Him or Her about Earth, Voyager, and random people. Kathryn finally felt at home on Earth.