All the usual disclaimers apply. The characters belong to Paramount (Viacom and whomever else), but what they do between episodes, between scenes, and in my rather dangerous mind are my concern (no matter what anybody says). This is, after all, my alternate universe.
(title: The first line of the 2nd verse of 'The Oak and the Ash', an old British folk song)
The poison: I started with a real one--tetrodotoxin. Found in Puffer Fish and Blue-ring Octopuses.
"Captain Janeway," the system governor said. "Welcome to Lyrpa. I'm delighted that you and your First Officer have agreed to meet with me in my home." The governor sat down at a large table: Voyager's Captain and Commander sat next to each other across from the Lyrpan governor.
"Thank-you for inviting us," Janeway said with a smile. The Lyrpa colonies offered much of what Voyager needed and the colonists seemed eager to help.
Voyager had first contacted the Lyrpans the previous day. Both sides had been delighted with the contact. The Lyrpans, while a space-faring group, had limited contact with outside cultures and had leapt at the chance to meet the crew of Voyager.
The governor continued speaking, her olive face clearly showing her excitement. "Your story is fascinating. I find you so similar and yet so different from my own people here. Our colonies were founded three generations ago, since then we've had very little contact with outside cultures. Our space travel these days is limited to traveling between the planets that make up our home. We have not been in contact with our homeworld for 18 years. We fear the worse." The governor looked down at the table for several seconds before looking up again, capturing the gazes of her two guests with her piercing maroon eyes. "We have learned to survive on our own. Everything we need is here on these planets in this system. I am willing to grant you permission to gather and mine what materials you need. It is the least we can do for a people with such an epic journey in front of them." She smiled at Janeway. "At least you do not make the journey alone."
Janeway looked startled, "Pardon?"
"Your Noylira." Both Janeway and Chakotay looked confused. The Universal Translator hadn't been able to translate it. The governor looked at both officers and nodded. "Noylira--soul-mate. A loved one." She frowned when Janeway turned away quickly blushing and noticed the Commander looked very uncomfortable. "I'm sorry," the governor said, realizing that she had said something wrong. "From the way you two interact, I naturally assumed. In our culture, its that two people...Please forgive me. Our two cultures must be more different than I thought." There was an awkward silence.
Chakotay almost smiled, but figured the captain wouldn't appreciate any acknowledgment on that subject. He noticed the governor look at him, with a puzzled expression. He shrugged his shoulders in reply.
The governor realized her mistake and nodded slightly. She stood. "I have to discuss the final arrangements with the System Council. I will notify you late this afternoon about the final arrangements. Until then, Captain, Commander. Peace and life."
The Captain and Commander stood as they watched her leave the room. Janeway reached for her comm-badge, but Chakotay took her hand.
"Captain...Kathryn we should talk about this."
"There's nothing to talk about *Commander.*" She replied in an monotonic voice. "There is nothing at all between us."
He held her hand tighter. "Nothing? Kathryn, there..." He whispered.
She wrenched her hand away. "Commander, I am not going to have this conversation with you. We have a ship to run." But she didn't contact the ship. She had known from the moment the governor had spoken he would try to talk about *them.*
"Voyager and...and Mark have been your excuse for over three years. *Kathryn,* you know as well as I, that by now, Star Fleet has declared us missing and presumed dead. They've gone on with their lives, so should we. We have a seventy year journey in front of us, unless some miracle occurs...We both know--everybody knows--those kind of miracles are very rare."
She glared at him, "You are out of line Commander." She tapped her comm-badge. "Janeway to Voyager. Two to beam up. Commander, this conversation is closed. I cannot, will not, become involved with a member of my crew."
As they felt the transporter lock on them, he replied "Too late. We have been involved." She didn't hear him. "We both know," he said to himself and the twinkling lights. "That there is something between us..."
The ensign operating the transporter started to speak, but the Captain's glare silenced him. He shook his head as the Captain walked out of the room quickly and apparently angrily. Instead he said, "Welcome back," to the commander and was met with another angry glare. The ensign raised his hands in frustration as he watched the commander leave the room. "Nice to have you back on board too," he muttered to himself.
By the time the governor contacted Voyager with the final arrangements, only three hours later, everybody on Voyager knew that both commanding officers were not in a pleasant mood. #
#
Tom noticed that mess hall was more subdued than usual. The diners came in, ate, and left. He would have done the same, except he had started people watching. And was hoping that B'Elanna might make an appearance. He didn't expect either Chakotay or Janeway to appear. The last few hours on the bridge had been excruciating. He rubbed his forehead. He'd never seen the Captain, or, for that matter, any Captain so absolutely formal with their First Officer. It was worse than being back in the academy. Despite the differences in their backgrounds and the original reason for becoming a command team--Voyager's Captain and Commander had always worked well together. Something had happened on the planet...Tom could make a pretty good guess at what. "God-damn Protocol," he grumbled.
"What was that Tom," even Neelix seemed subdued.
"Swearing at protocol. Quiet tonight, isn't it?"
"Morale isn't very good right now. I'd talk to the Captain..."
Tom shook his head, even though he realized that Neelix knew that was not a good idea. "With several away-team missions starting tomorrow, there's not time to improve morale. Having something to do will help."
"You're leading the away-team to Lyrpa Four." When Tom nodded, "Good, I've been assigned to your team."
"So were B'Elanna and the Doctor. The Captain will lead the team to Lyrpa Six." Leaving the Commander in command of the ship. #
#
Chakotay paced the floor of his quarters, mentally cursing himself for both bringing the *forbidden* topic up, and not pursuing it further. There had been a silent agreement not to mention that topic--especially on her side.. He had tried several times to talk with her about them, but she had always cut him off, intercepting the moment with a very clear warning not to pursue the topic further. After this mission, he fully expected her to--unilaterally--decide to place a moratorium on everything: the quiet flirting; the looks they shared; the time they had spent together.
"This is what I get for loving the princess in her ivory tower, me a mere mortal," he grumbled to the floor.
He considered going to her quarters and having it out once and for all. She probably wouldn't throw him in the brig--that would require explanations he figured she would rather not give--but they did have work together for almost 70 more years...
He looked out his window at the planet below. The away-team missions would last several days. Maybe...possibly in that time, his and her perspectives and moods would change.
Perhaps...
The Lyrpan system consisted of 10 planets circling a Class F star. Two planets and one moon had been colonized by the Lyrpans three generations ago. Voyager was orbiting Lyrpa Five, the main colony and the system capital. Tom was leading an away-team to Lyrpa Four, a planet rich in a variety of minerals. The Captain would lead a team to the small agricultural colony on a moon orbiting Lyrpa Six, mostly to gather food supplies. #
#
Tom's away-team had taken two of the surviving shuttles to Lyrpa Four. Janeway glanced at her chronometer. They'd left just a few minutes ago.
She had used the upcoming away-team mission as an excuse to avoid the bridge, to avoid seeing *him*. She was still upset over the events of the previous day. Since beaming back on board Voyager, they hadn't spoken to each other, except in crisp-military tones. Short, extremely professional and to the point. His replies had been 'yes ma'am, no ma'am'. She knew he was upset with her--it was the only time he used that phrase. And the crew had noticed. They had kept their distance, warily watching the two of them.
Angrily she slammed the PADD she hadn't been reading on her desk. Even the crew thought there was something between them.
"Bridge to Janeway." Tuvok's voice said.
"Janeway here."
"Captain, we've left orbit. We should be arriving at the Lyrpa Six colony in three hours."
"Thank-you Tuvok. Janeway out." She didn't know if the Commander had asked Tuvok to contact her, or if Tuvok had done it on his own.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then another. Feeling a bit calmer, she finally looked back down at her PADD. It was a list of equipment they would need for her away-team. She finally read through it, approved it, and sent it to engineering. #
#
After Voyager left orbit, Commander Chakotay turned the bridge over to Lieutenant Tuvok. He had to complete the crew schedule for the following month, and read the cross-training evaluations.
It was at least an excuse. Chakotay was feeling restless and it would be possible to vent his frustration with everything in the privacy of his own office. The door shut behind him and he moved to his desk. He grabbed a PADD and started to pace again. Ten steps turn, ten steps turn. He started reading the evaluations as he paced. Eventually he stopped and sat on his desk. The cross-training was so far successful. It had been his and the Captain's goal that each crew member would be trained in at least three fields...
The Captain...
She could be so decidedly stubborn at times.
He looked out his window. Maybe he'd been wrong. Maybe she really only considered him a friend...But there were moments, moments he still considered special.
He'd never been optimistic about their chances of getting back to the Alpha Quadrant. Why should he be? He didn't have anything there. But she did. She had friends, family, a dog...a lover...Even after three years she still clinged to that hope, that dream.
The rest of the crew had started to accept life here, on board Voyager. Even Harry. The young ensign was developing a reputation of being a *young Tom Paris*. Though recently, Harry was seeing a lot of Angela Nicolletti.
He sighed as he looked at the reports. He only had a couple of hours before he had to return to the bridge. He moved to his chair and continued to read. #
#
Lyrpa Four was the same size as Earth, it even looked a lot like Earth, Tom noted as he guided his shuttle craft. Except the land masses were different. He looked at Ensign Scholler and both smiled. Tom wondered if the other man was feeling a bit homesick too. Quickly his mind went back to the controls. He contacted the other shuttle, "Merryweather to Sacajawea." *Who had thought of these names,* he mentally cursed.
"Sacajawea here," the other pilot responded.
"Set heading one-four-two. We will be landing in thirty minutes. And look out for local traffic and wildlife." The mission briefing had included a warning about some flying creatures.
"Yes sir."
The flight was uneventful and the two shuttles landed on an apparently rarely-used landing-field by a large town. The surface was cracked and weedy. In a couple of places large tree-like plants had found openings and were further buckling the cement. There was a single craft to one side--it looked well maintained. Tom wondered if that was the Lyrpan fleet. A quick scan showed that there was a welcoming committee of three Lyrpans. After shutting down the engines, Tom pressed the *all-clear* and the door opened. The away-team assembled just behind his shuttle: all 15 personnel were present. Tom then stepped forward to introduce himself to the waiting Lyrpans. #
#
The moon circling the gas giant, Lyrpa Six, had a desert climate. Rainfall was minimal and unreliable. The farmers and miners were experts at getting every drop of moisture out of the ground and air. And had developed an elaborate system for recycling all waste water. It was around this moon that Voyager entered orbit almost three hours after leaving the capital.
Chakotay had returned to the bridge about an hour earlier. Tuvok had left at that point to prepare to accompany the Captain to the surface. Except for Harry, most of the bridge crew were cross-trainees. Though Harry was working at Tuvok's station.
He tapped his comm-badge. "Commander Chakotay to Captain Janeway."
"Janeway here," came the reply.
"Captain, we have entered a standard orbit around the moon."
"Very good Commander. We are beaming to the surface now. Janeway out."
Harry shook his head. Tom was right, something had happened between them. Chakotay hadn't even smiled as he talked with her. There was nothing wrong with the conversation, it was just...stilted...Uncharacteristic of either of them. "The away-team has beamed to the surface, Sir."
Chakotay nodded. "Continuous scans." He sat there for a few minutes, before leaving for his office. At least he would be caught up, and Harry was getting some valuable command time. #
#
Janeway, Tuvok and the other four members of the away-team looked around the barren surface. The door in the nearby hill opened and a tall, olive-skinned male-Lyrpan stepped out. "Captain Janeway, I'm Doctor Ymar. Welcome to the settlement of Myzu. But shall we continue this conversation inside." He was dressed in light clothing and was shading his eyes from the sun. It was definitely a good idea as the temperature was already 37C.
Janeway nodded and they followed the Doctor into the hill. Inside was definitely cooler. And greener. By filtering the external light and using artificial light sources, the inhabitants had established a small, but thriving colony. Underground. The Captain looked around, pleasantly surprised at what she saw. Even Tuvok raised an eyebrow in appreciation.
Ymar laughed. "A common reaction. The surface is hardly noteworthy, except that it is so unpleasant. We have extensive underground farms, mines, and homes covering about thirty-five percent of the moon. Near the polar regions we are able to farm and live on the surface. But even there the living is tough. He looked at Janeway. "I was informed by our governor to expect your arrival and to offer all possible assistance." He smiled at her. "Our council is waiting for you. I think we will be able to help you." He took her hand. "Captain, if you and your team would come with me."
The buildings were carved out of the rock. The Lyrpans had designed the caverns to be supported by the buildings and a system of metal arches. Every 10 meters was a light source and window. Doctor Ymar explained that by controlling the intensity of the artificial lights and angling the windows they had created several ecosystems. They were even able to grow plants brought by the original colonists.
"The only problem," Ymar continued. "Is that this planet had an ecosystem before we arrived. The creatures have adapted to our man-made environments. They are very troublesome." He dropped the Captain's hand and pointed to a snake-like creature coiled on a rock. "That is the least harmful and most desirable of those creatures. Amongst other things, it eats some of the poisonous creatures that inhabit the caverns."
"Poisonous?" Tuvok asked.
"Yes. We've developed anti-toxins, but it still very painful. This is our planetary council office. My colleagues are inside waiting." He showed them into a dull-brown building. #
#
B'Elanna looked at the mine entrance and smiled. The Lyrpans had been most helpful in providing equipment and volunteers to help with their mining efforts. Tom and his team had taken off to work at another mine. And, if she guessed right, hit the markets. Lyrpa Four had some impressive markets and she'd seen how both Tom and Neelix had looked at some of the wares. But she had more important things on her mind. Dilithium and a whole list of other minerals that Voyager needed. She nodded to the Lyrpan who was with her, and together they entered the mine. #
#
Chakotay entered his quarters and looked around. A long, dull day. But he was almost finished with the reports. He ordered a simple dinner from the replicator and sat down to eat. Neelix had left a supply of food to be reheated...but somehow that didn't appeal to him. #
#
Ensign Kim sat in the Captain's chair, waiting for his replacement--Lieutenant Harris would be arriving in 15 minutes. He had the holodeck reserved for later in the evening--a full symphony orchestra to accompany him as he played the Brahm's Clarinet Concerto. He leaned back in the chair, and waited for the last few minutes of a fairly routine day...
"Tuvok to Voyager!" The Vulcan's voice ordered.
Harry sat up quickly. "Voyager here."
"Emergency beam-out of the Captain to sick-bay."
There wasn't time for questions. He signaled the ensign at ops to initiate transport, while contacting Kes that there was a medical emergency. Only after the away-team had beamed back on board, did he stop to think. And remembered to contact the Commander. #
#
The Captain was already lying on the bio-bed when Kes entered.
"Captain, what happened?" The young woman asked.
"Doctor Ymar was showing us one of the underground farms, when he was called to a meeting..." Tuvok replied.
"I'm capable of talking..." Janeway whispered weakly.
Kes looked at the data and asked, "How do you feel?"
"Terrible. I feel numb, I'm having problems breathing." She struggled with the words. "And I feel nauseous." She moaned and started to say something else. She gasped for air, then fell quiet.
Kes looked at the data again as she activated the life support systems.
The doors slipped open and Chakotay entered. "How is she?"
"She's unconscious." Kes replied as she administered a hypospray.
The Commander moved to stand on the side opposite Kes and looked down at his Captain. *Don't do this to me again, Kathryn,* he silently pleaded. "What happened?" He asked Tuvok.
"The Captain had been studying their method of growing food plants when she suddenly complained that she felt numb. I contacted Voyager for a beam-out."
Kes was looking at the Captain's right hand, when she noticed a puncture on the back. "It looks like something stung her." She said. Looking at the bio-analysis, she added. "It's some sort of myo-neural toxin according to the analysis, similar to several known toxins." She paused. "But different enough that the anti-toxins in our data-base will not work, not without modification." She started to gather the equipment she would need.
"Commander," Tuvok interrupted. "I believe we should contact the Lyrpan Doctor. He indicated that they had anti-toxins to the poisonous creatures of the moon."
Chakotay nodded, looked at her lying there, then, with Tuvok, went to the bridge. #
#
Doctor Ymar looked at his view screen. "The Captain was stung. Can you describe the symptoms?"
"Numbness, problems breathing, dizziness, nausea, and she's now unconscious," Tuvok said.
Ymar nodded. "The Ynzwara," he said simply. "How long ago?"
"Ten minutes ago." Tuvok answered.
Ymar winced. "Beam me to your ship, I have the anti-toxin. I just hope..."
Chakotay and Tuvok met Ymar in Transporter room 1 and escorted him to sick-bay.
Kes stepped back when the Lyrpan doctor moved to the Captain's side. He took the anti-toxin and injected it with a syringe. "Young lady..." He looked at Kes and gestured. "I don't know your name. I'm sorry, but could you explain to me how this all works. He looked at Chakotay and Tuvok. "Gentlemen, I think it would be best if you left." He escorted them to the door. "If humans react the same as Lyrpans, she is conscious--and can hear everything we say. She's just paralyzed." He was whispering. "Right now, my job is neutralize the poison, and counteract the effects before it kills her. I'll keep you informed."
Chakotay started to speak, but instead nodded and left. Tuvok watched him leave, quirked an eyebrow, then followed him out.
"Doctor, I'm Kes. Our doctor is on an away mission. I'm his assistant and student."
"I'm Doctor Ymar. You have some interesting equipment. How are her vitals?"
Kes looked at the display. "Maybe a slight improvement. Respiration is still shallow, heart-rate is slow."
"I gave her a diluted dose. I need to learn more about human physiology."
Kes walked over to another computer. "I've accessed the database for you, but we don't have time to program the translation in. I'll have to help."
Ymar nodded. #
#
B'Elanna counted her team as they gathered around the shuttle: it had been a long and very productive day. B'Elanna looked at her team then scanned the sky again. *Tom and his team should have been here 15 minutes ago,* she thought again. Maybe--if she would admit it--she was feeling anxious.
"Lieutenant," someone called out from inside the shuttle. "Paris just reported in, he will be arriving in six minutes."
"Ask him if he needs a beacon," B'Elanna said back with a sigh of relief.
"No Lieutenant, he says..." The young Bajoran pilot relaying the message hesitated.
"Yes," B'Elanna prompted as she entered the shuttle.
"He said..." The ensign stopped as the shuttle started to shake. "What the Hell!"
As the shaking continued to grow in intensity, the shuttle started to bounce. There was a loud roar, then the planet stilled. The shuttle stopped moving a second or so later.
Most of the team had fallen to the ground. B'Elanna sat up and looked around, then carefully stood, still feeling the quaking in her limbs. "Is everybody all right?" She asked as she checked on each of her eight team members. As she did, the shuttle started to shake again. It was over quickly. She moved inside and reached the console. "Sacajawea to Merryweather."
"Ah, Torres it is a pleasure to hear..."
"Shut up Tom. We've just had a quake here." She turned to her crew. "Mira and Mike start inspecting the shuttle." She grabbed the console when the shuttle shuddered slightly.
"B'Elanna?"
"I'm sorry Tom. We're having aftershocks. Maybe you should see if anybody needs help. We're fine for the moment. Just take care the Doc doesn't lose his portable transmitter."
"You sure you don't want him. He might be more useful to your team...OK, I've just been contacted by the planet leader. Paris out." #
#
"Bridge to Commander Chakotay."
He stopped pacing his quarters. "Chakotay here."
"Sir, we've received a report from Lieutenant Paris that Lyrpa Four was hit by a large quake. Both teams are helping with rescue efforts. They would like our assistance. Sir."
"Shit," he muttered as he hit his commbadge. "Chakotay to sick-bay. Kes?"
"Commander," came her response.
"How's the Captain?"
"She's still in a coma. Dr. Ymar wants to take her to his facilities."
Chakotay closed his eyes as he continued. "That might be best. I'll be there in a couple of minutes." He looked quickly at the chronometer. It was only midnight. "Chakotay to Tuvok. Meet me in sick-bay." #
#
"Commander, I've done what I can here. She has stabilized, but I need the equipment at my facilities..." Ymar's olive skin looked pale under the lights of sick-bay.
Chakotay closed his eyes as he nodded. He felt empty inside. "Kes, please assist the doctor and loan him anything he might need. Doctor, we'll need information on Lyrpan physiology and anatomy. There's been a quake on Lyrpa Four--we don't know anything else. We'll be assisting in rescue efforts."
Ymar looked at his patient, then the Commander. "I'll transmit the necessary information when I reach my clinic."
"Thank-you doctor," Chakotay looked at the Captain--so much he wanted to say and too many people about. "Tuvok, we'll leave orbit within an hour. Assign six rescue teams, and have all triage personnel report to sick-bay." He watched Kes hand Ymar a PADD containing the necessary information. She then moved to the medical transporter and beamed the Captain and Doctor to his clinic. Fifteen minutes later they received the information on the Lyrpans. #
#
Chakotay looked at his console, avoiding looking at the disappearing moon on the view screen. He was leaving her there, not knowing if it was to be permanent or not. The Lyrpan doctor seemed confident in her chances, and she did have a little more color when he'd last seen her...
Tuvok looked away from the Commander and glanced around the room. He'd been watching the Commander ever since they'd beamed the Captain back to the moon. He noticed that the others were also quietly watching the Commander. Humans were interesting, so emotional. And yet they could function, even under extreme situations. "Commander. We will be arriving at Lyrpa Four in eight hours and thirty-six minutes."
Chakotay looked up. "Very good. Have the emergency teams standing by an hour before our arrival. And require them to try to get some sleep."
"Aye sir. And Commander. You should try too."
Chakotay almost smiled. He was constantly *nagging* the Captain about that too. He didn't think he could... "So should you. And don't tell me Vulcans need less sleep--I know that. Lieutenant."
B'Elanna shone her light in the hole that had once been a house. She couldn't see anything, but the tricorder had indicated that there was someone under the collapsed wall. "Over here," she shouted. The Voyager team joined her as they started to move debris.
They'd been doing this for five hours in near darkness. The electricity was out: the only light they had was from portable generators provided by the Lyrpans. The going was slow and tiring. Originally they had tried to use the shuttles to beam the victims out--but that had met with limited success. The shuttles were presently being used to ferry the more severely injured to hospitals in other settlements.
"Shh!" Someone shouted. "Listen." There was a very faint whimper. Someone else shouted, "Here." And they started moving debris again.
B'Elanna shown her wrist-light about again. "Everybody stop. We have to shore up that wall before we continue." The wall to her left was leaning dangerously. As she spoke a small piece fell, hitting Ensign Mira Evie on the head. B'Elanna muttered something in Klingon as she rushed over to help the young Bajoran woman up. Mira was bleeding from a nasty cut just above her left ear. B'Elanna scanned her quickly. "Mike, take her to the triage." Voyager's Doctor and the local Lyrpan physicians had set up a triage site in the central park. "We need something to hold that wall up. Brace it with that lumber over there."
The team moved to set up a make-shift brace. It was forty-five minutes before they were able to start digging again. Like a bucket brigade they passed debris from one person to the next, until they had cleared a path to the downed wall that was pinning the victim. #
#
Doctor Ymar looked at his patient, she was still on life support. Her vital signs were not improving, respiration was still labored. He frowned. "Kathryn Janeway I hear you are a very stubborn woman. You don't seem the type to let the Ynzwara's poison have its way." She was also a very handsome woman, he thought. He looked at the results of the blood test. The toxin levels were still too high.
He injected her again with the anti-toxin in her right arm. There was a slight bruise forming from where he'd drawn blood earlier. And he noticed that the hand where the Ynzwara had stung her was also starting to turn purple. His frown deepened, that was not a good sign. He injected her in that hand with an anti-coagulant. The effects were temporary, but would help increase the circulation by preventing clotting: especially at the site of the wound.
There wasn't much else he could do, except sit there, talk to her, and monitor her vital signs. #
#
B'Elanna looked at the body she was holding, and struggled to hold back the tears. *So young,* she thought. The boy looked to be maybe 11.
She felt an arm on her shoulder. "B'Elanna?" Tom's voice was very quiet.
"We spent two hours digging him out, and he dies in my arms." Her voice was ragged and tired. Tom nodded at Neelix, who took the body from the exhausted Lieutenant.
"You need to rest..." Tom offered quietly.
"Not now, there are more that need our help..." She didn't move though. "And why aren't you flying the shuttle?" She asked, growling slightly.
"I was starting to see double. I didn't want to become another statistic. B'Elanna," He said soothingly. "We've been working hard for more than seven hours. Voyager will be here soon..."
"Can't stop, they need our help. We've got to help..."
"Rest. You're in no shape to continue. I've ordered everybody to rest..."
"You can't Tom..."
The fatigue and shock were finally having their toll on the half Klingon. She didn't resist as he pulled her down to sit beside him. They'd worked through the night: between the original away-team missions and then the rescue mission they'd been going almost 24 hours. Tom reached over and took her hand. "B'Elanna get some sleep. There's at least an hour before Voyager arrives. The Lyrpan rescue teams have started to arrive. Sleep." He added quietly. He was exhausted, but knew it would be a while before he fell asleep. The images of the near total devastation on the area still rocked his mind.
She continued to stare straight ahead. "Tom, have you ever been to Dorvan Five?" Her voice sounded tired. He shook his head. "After I left the academy, I wandered. I served on a variety of cargo and transport ships. They were always willing to hire me, but I never stayed on a ship for more than a couple of months...Actually, I was usually asked to leave. My last job before I joined the Maquis was with a smuggler. We were bringing supplies to Dorvan Five. The night before we arrived the Captain tried to...When he climbed on top of me, I broke his jaw. The next morning we arrived at Dorvan, it was soon after the Cardassians had ravaged the place. The Captain dumped me there and left..."
Tom was watching her, but B'Elanna was looking at the distant hills, still untouched by the rising sun. She'd never spoken about her past. Possibly to Chakotay and maybe Janeway. He moved to wrap his arm around her shoulder. She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"The Cardassians had leveled the village, the survivors were walking around looking stunned. I joined one of the rescue teams." She paused. "By the time I'd arrived, they had all ready rescued most of the survivors and were now retrieving the bodies. There was a man, a StarFleet officer on my team. That surprised me, because Dorvan was under Cardassian control. I was even more surprised when I learned he was from that village. I remember I was holding the body of young girl--she couldn't have been more than eight, when Chakotay introduced himself. I don't think I've ever seen him as angry as he was when we pulled his father's body from the wreckage of his home. He resigned within the hour. After what I saw that day...The mutilated bodies, destroyed homes. The bastards had raped the women and children before killing them...It had never been my fight, but I went with him to join the Maquis." Her voice faded away as she remembered the child that had just died in her arms.
Tom started to speak and realized she'd fallen asleep on his shoulder. He smiled, and soon drifted off too.
Kathryn Janeway stirred, waking the doctor who had fallen asleep in a chair beside her. He stood as he looked at her vital signs with a smile. He then looked at her and noticed her eyes were open. "Welcome back, Captain Kathryn Janeway."
"What happened?" She asked hoarsely.
Ymar removed the respirator as he filled her in on what had happened. "How much do you remember?" He asked when he'd finished.
"Bits and pieces. I remember Chakotay talking about an earthquake..." She smiled. "You talking about your research. I don't remember being bitten, just suddenly feeling sick."
He nodded. "That's typical. How do you feel?"
"Tired, dizzy, and my arm is sore..."
"You need to sleep. I'll leave you alone now. I'll talk to you in the morning. You're going to be fine." He touched her cheek as he said good night. #
#
The town of Xymir was a total loss. Buildings had collapsed, rubble cluttered the streets, and the smell of dust and mold permeated the air.
Chakotay looked around: the three Lyrpan officials he was talking were still dazed and shocked. He noticed that Tuvok was waiting to speak to him. "Yes?"
"Commander, Lieutenant Paris's team have beamed back to the ship. Kes and her team are assisting the doctor. And I've assigned the rescue teams to assist with the Lyrpan rescue efforts.
The Xymir mayor nodded. "We really are in your debt." He looked back at his town. "If we can help you with anything..." His voice faded away. They no longer had much to offer.
Chakotay just nodded as another aftershock hit. This one was stronger than the previous ones. Again dust clouds filled the air, and from somewhere in the town, more rubble fell with a boom. Then there was silence. The Commander shook his head. Even in the alpha quadrant they could not control the ground underneath. They had been fairly successful with the weather...
He remembered a large earthquake when he'd been at the academy. The place had shaken for months--constantly plagued by aftershocks. He wondered if sharing some of the information on earthquake technology would violate the Prime Directive. Probably.
He looked around again, maybe share some of the early building design standards. #
#
Kathryn Janeway sat up on the bed and placed her feet over the edge and stood. She smiled to herself as she took a few steps. Her muscles were a little uncoordinated, but it felt good to be up.
Doctor Ymar watched her. "I don't know why I'm not surprised. I tell a patient I want them to stay in bed for another day and they ignore me."
"I don't follow doctor's orders well."
"I can tell. I suppose this means if I order you to eat something, you'll ignore that too?"
"Now, that is an order I could obey. I feel as if I haven't eaten in several days..."
"I think 24 hours is closer." Ymar laughed. "I have lunch ready on the balcony."
"Food? Just show me where." She joined in the laughter.
The balcony overlooked a small underground lake. She leaned on the railing and looked out over the dark water. "Lovely."
"Yes. That is our water supply here. The water purification and recovery plants are hidden in the rocks to your right."
She looked to her right then looked at her Doctor. His maroon eyes were very compelling she thought, then shook her head. "I need to contact my ship." Back to business.
"The planet will interfere with radio communications for another five hours. I'll contact your ship then."
"Thank-you. The earthquake?"
"Reports are still scanty, but it looks like it was a major one."
She looked over the water again. Thinking to a similar time, almost a year earlier, when she and her First Officer had spent the evening sailing. She'd had a lovely time. They had...
*Stop it,* she thought angrily. *You promised to avoid such thoughts.*
"Lunch, Kathryn?"
She closed her eyes and opened them, again thinking of the present. "Yes." She again vowed to herself to avoid thinking of *him* and to enjoy lunch. #
#
Kes ran the tricorder over the young woman. Vital signs were normal, just a dislocated shoulder. She picked-up a hypospray off the tray. "Just something for the pain," Kes whispered quietly. The woman would have to wait, as they continued to treat the more severely injured. One of the orderlies helped the patient back to the waiting area. Kes rubbed her eyes.
"You are doing real well. I'm pleased with your work here." She recognized the Holo-Doctor's familiar voice.
"Thank-you." She grabbed a glass of water and sipped it. "How do you deal with this..." The central park was packed with victims. She knew over in the north end they had set up a temporary morgue.
"I am a holographic image..." He looked around. "Just think what it would be like if you were not here."
"I guess." Her next patient was being brought in.
"Kes, I'm going to recommend you for graduation from the Voyager Medical School." He looked at the patient, quickly scanned him. "Lacerated aorta." He shook his head and Kes turned away. The orderlies took the body away. "We cannot save them all."
"I know, but it doesn't stop me from wanting to."
The Doctor nodded, as he watched her start her examination of the next patient. He silently returned to his own work. #
#
Kathryn Janeway wrapped the towel around her head. For once she was in no hurry to dry her hair. For once she didn't even have to be somewhere. It had been a while since she'd had that luxury. New Earth was close. But even there, there had been the pressure of experiments to be done, food to be gathered. The last time was...possibly seven years ago on Earth. She'd had two months leave and had gone with Mark to Vancouver and western Canada. No schedules, no reason to be somewhere...
She'd hated it. Well not completely. For about 2 weeks she'd relaxed and actually enjoyed herself. Eventually she had just needed a schedule, and after three weeks had created one for herself. Mark had gone along, adapting to her schedule.
Mark. She hadn't thought about him for...She didn't want to remember the last time she had really thought about him--missed him. Instead she remembered an evening soon after returning to Voyager--after their exile on Hanon. She'd found his picture and had wished for him to go on with his life. Wondering what he had been thinking.
The memory was interrupted by a knock at the bathroom door. She tightened the robe around her. "Yes."
Ymar answered, "I begged some clothes off my neighbors. I thought you might be tired of hospital clothes. I'll leave them outside the door."
Kathryn laughed. "Yes I was, and thank-you." She waited until she heard him leave and opened the door to retrieve the clothes. #
#
Chakotay sat in the Captain's chair and looked at the report. He'd just spent seven hours on the planet coordinating their efforts with the Lyrpan rescue teams. Followed by a meeting with various dignitaries, then he had been in communication with the system governor. This was the first chance he'd gotten to see what progress had been made. All that time, and he hadn't been able to really help. It was frustrating.
"Commander," Harry said.
Chakotay looked up. "Yes ensign?"
"Incoming signal, sir." Chakotay almost groaned. "From the Lyrpa Six colony. Audio only, Sir."
Chakotay sat up. "Let's hear it."
There was a faint voice, "Voyager, this is Doctor Ymar. Can you hear me?"
"Trying to increase signal-boosters," Harry replied to the commander's unasked question.
"Doctor Ymar, this is Commander Chakotay."
"Ah, Commander," the voice was louder and clearer. "I'm just reporting that Captain Janeway has made a complete recovery."
"Is she there?" Chakotay asked. "I have a report..."
"She's sleeping. I have told her you are at Lyrpa Four, assisting with the rescue efforts."
Chakotay nodded--then remembered it was audio. "Very good doctor. And thank-you for contacting us. Voyager out." #
#
Two days later, Kathryn decided that her first excursion outside would be in a garden--not the one where she'd met the Ynzwara, but an arboretum. When the Lyrpans had initially colonized the system, they had cultivated many exotic plants from around the sector. One of the two surviving original gardens was in Myzu.
She had a choice of several paths, so she picked the right one and started to walk. The place was fantastic. She took a deep breath--the smell reminded her of honeysuckle--just not as overwhelming. The aroma was coming from a lone shrub--covered with small magenta flowers. She stopped to study it, resisting the urge to take a very close look. A second later she was glad she had kept her distance when a small-purplish insect-like creature scurried out from the bushes, right passed her feet. She jumped back, it wasn't the Ynzwara--the doctor had shown her pictures of that creature. She watched it until it crawled under a bush with magnificent yellow flowers.
The place was huge, she realized after walking about half-an-hour. She found herself by the shore of the lake. The place was warm, and there was a bench down by the water.
She sat there and let her mind wander. Another luxury a Captain of starship could not afford. One of many.
*Starship captains are not on constant duty for the rest of their lives either,* her mind told her.
"No," she responded. "Even deep-space assignments are usually of shorter duration than this one." She leaned back and looked at the ceiling of the cavern. Through one of the windows, she could see the deep blue sky above.
It was surprising what one took for granted, until it wasn't there anymore. The Sun...home...family...
They'd lost everything and had found everything. At least her crew had. New friends, new home, a new family.
Everybody, but her. Sure she'd made new friends, but she didn't consider Voyager home...
Or did she?
She closed her eyes. Home. Voyager was her home and family. And had been. She had come to love...
"Oh Lord," she muttered as she sat up with a gasp. "When did that happen?" When had she fallen in love with her First Officer.
It had happened a while back, she finally realized. But she had never allowed herself to think of him in anyway except as Voyager's First Officer and her friend...
She looked at the lake, but her thoughts were far from the water.
B'Elanna looked at the Lyrpan engineer then at the designs for the rebuilding. "This won't survive another earthquake."
"It is our traditional method of building," the Lyrpan responded.
"It's wonder there are any of you still alive," the half Klingon muttered.
"Your people have a better way?" The older female-Lyrpan's tone was strained.
"I wouldn't know about better, but where I went to school is on a very active earthquake fault. Most of that planet is earthquake prone. It's just that over the centuries, humans have developed ways of withstanding them." B'Elanna looked around--none of the other Voyager crew were in the area. She quickly sketched a design. "This is a type of coaster some of the taller buildings are put on--instead of shaking the building rolls."
The Lyrpan engineer looked at the design, she was obviously fascinated. "We'd have to change some of the construction materials." She again looked at the sketch. "Lieutenant Torres, thank-you. I'd like to show this to my superiors."
B'Elanna laughed quietly to herself. Something about engineers, they got all excited when they heard a new idea--must be a universal trait. She looked at the building plans again and sipped the strange beverage that someone had given her. #
#
Kathryn stood on the shore of the dark lake watching the ripples cast by the stone she'd tossed in. In the five days she'd been there, this had become her favorite spot.
Ymar smiled as he joined her. He leaned down and picked up several flat stones. "I like to come here to relax. It is a peaceful place. But I also like to do this." They watched the stone skip across the water four times before sinking.
She laughed. "I use to do that. Or rather tried to." He handed her one of the stones. She looked at it, then at the water. She was laughing too hard when she tossed it. It sank immediately.
He started laughing too, "Your technique is all wrong. He handed her another stone, then stood close to her. "First..."
Kathryn was startled and stepped away from him.
Ymar smiled at her, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you...Kathryn?"
She walked away two steps and looked out over the lake, before she replied. "Doctor." Old habit, using titles to get out of an intimate moment.
He noticed the change in her tone, but Voyager would be returning tomorrow. "Kathryn. Do you like it here?"
"It's a very lovely place. But my home is up there." She pointed as she spoke.
"There's someone?"
She nodded. "I have a ship that I'm responsible for. You have your work here."
Ymar smiled sadly. "You are right." He picked up a stone and tried to skip it across the water. "Noylira?"
"I think so." Instinctively she knew it was true.
Only Chakotay beamed down to the moon. There had been no reason for anyone else to come with him. And no one had argued with him on that. Doctor Ymar was waiting for him, "Welcome Commander. Kathryn...Your Captain wanted to take a last walk around the lake." He studied the Commander.
Chakotay looked at the doctor. *Kathryn?* he thought with a puzzled look. "We would like to thank you for every thing you did for her..." They started to walk toward the lake.
Ymar nodded. "Your Captain is a special lady. And she has a remarkable crew. We've heard about all you did after the quake. We are in your debt."
Chakotay stopped walking and glanced at the doctor. "Yes Captain Janeway is a remarkable person. She took two very different crews and made them one."
"She's told me part of your story. And there is much she didn't tell me." They continued walking toward the lake. "Commander Chakotay, she's in love with you."
Chakotay stopped again, tried to say something, but couldn't think of anything.
"And from what I've observed, you're in love with her." He pointed toward the lake. "She's down there. Go to her." Ymar turned and walked away, stopping after reaching his house. He didn't watch the Commander walk toward the lake. *Kathryn was special,* he thought with a sad smile. *She deserved some happiness.* #
#
Chakotay watched her from a distance for several minutes. Working to calm his emotions before he spoke to her again. He smiled. The last time he'd seen her she'd been pale and in a coma. It was good to see her walking. He could tell from the way she was walking--slowly and looking at the ground--that something was on her mind. He glanced back at the Doctor's house and wondered again. Finally he walked toward her, not sure if he wanted to prevent himself from embracing her.
Kathryn stopped walking and looked out over the lake. It was dark and mysterious, yet soothing. She'd only been here a week, and so much had happened. She didn't turn when she heard the sound of footsteps behind her. She closed her eyes tightly as she waited for him to speak.
"Hello Captain."
"Commander." There was a long silence. "Voyager?" She asked, desperate for the silence not to continue.
"The ship's fine, so's the crew. We were assisting with the rescue efforts on Lyrpa Four." She knew that of course, but he also wanted to fill the silence.
"So I understand." Still she hadn't turned to face him, her eyes remained closed. "And how are you?"
"Tired." He looked down at the ground, then out over the lake. "You've got to stop doing this," he said quietly after another lull.
She opened her eyes. "What?"
He placed his hands on her shoulders as he spoke. "Almost dying on me."
They both froze at the contact. He closed his eyes to try to regain control over his breathing. She stood there overwhelmed by the intensity of her response to his nearness, to his touch.
There was no answer to his plea--she'd rather not go through it again either.
Slowly she felt his hands slide down her shoulders, along her arms, then he took hold of her hands. She leaned back against him and felt his breath on the top of her head. She leaned back more and his hands again moved to her shoulders. She didn't resist when she felt him turn her around. She stared at his neck for a second before lifting her eyes to meet his. His arms had encircled her, and she did the same as their lips met briefly. Her stomach lurched as they kissed again. This time they pulled each other closer.
His hands were caressing her back, then her sides. She moved her hand to his face and traced the pattern of his tattoo from memory, her eyes were closed again. They broke the kiss long enough to smile at each other then kissed again. Their desire no longer hidden, they knelt on the sandy shore. His lips left hers as he started kissing her cheeks, her neck, her throat. His fingers working at the buttons of her dress, hers reaching for the zipper of his uniform.
"Voyager to Commander Chakotay," Tuvok repeated.
They separated, realizing that it was the second time the Vulcan had called.
Rather out of breath, Chakotay tapped his comm-badge. "Chakotay here."
"Is everything all right, Commander?" Tuvok asked.
"Fine. Everything's fine." He almost laughed. Kathryn was also trying not to laugh. He looked at her and smiled.
"I'd like to say good-bye. Give me fifteen minutes?" She asked.
He nodded. "We'll be ready to beam back in fifteen minutes. Chakotay out." He laughed as he watched her rebutton the few buttons he'd undone. "Impeccable timing. Kathryn, I..."
She blushed and looked down at the ground. "Chakotay, I don't know. If Tuvok hadn't interrupted, we'd be..." She smiled slightly at the image. She looked at him and smiled some more, then reached over to zip his uniform and straighten it. "We have to talk, but first there's someone I need to say good-bye to." They stood and started to walk toward the settlement. "Alone. I'll meet you here."
He nodded. "Aye Captain." He sat on the rock to wait for her. #
#
Ymar waited for her on the balcony. "You've come to say good-bye."
"Yes." She smiled at him. "And to say thank-you."
"I'm a doctor..."
"For more than saving my life. You became a friend." She saw the look of sadness in his eyes that he quickly concealed.
"And so did you. So did your crew. We will never forget what your crew did for us." He looked at his hands. "I know that in your journey you have not made many friends. We are honored to have known you." He looked at her again. "Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. Peace and life."
"And you, Doctor Ymar, Live long and prosper."
She turned and walked quickly out of the house to where her First Officer was waiting. She nodded her head and he gave the order to beam them back to Voyager.
"For a woman who likes to confront things directly," Kathryn said to the walls of her quarters. "You sure are taking your time on this matter." She had been standing there for maybe half-an-hour. She'd spent over an sick-bay as the Doc had fussed over her--then pronounced her in excellent health. She'd then stopped by the mess hall to eat dinner with the crew--and for another hour had chatted with them. Neelix had been effervescent--and the food was actually better than just edible. Then she had returned to her quarters, where she'd been standing for half-an-hour.
Taking a deep breath, she exited her quarters and walked to his. She started to press the chimes, but the door opened immediately. He'd been expecting her. She stepped into his darkened quarters and looked around. "Hello."
He looked up from the sand painting he was working on and smiled. "Hello." Neither moved.
"We need to define..."
"Parameters, huh?"
She tried to frown. "You're making this sound like a mathematical equation..."
He looked back at the sand painting. "What happens now?"
"I don't know. It's not exactly covered in StarFleet's rules and regulations..." Her voice trailed off and she walked to stand by his window.
"Kathryn." He paused. "I love you..." He stood as he spoke and moved to stand behind her.
She turned to look at him and smiled. "I know. I love you too." She looked at him. "I want this to work...I...I just don't know if we can be...
"Lovers and a command team?"
She nodded. "What happens if we have a fight."
He almost laughed. "The crew will carry on as usual except to try avoiding either of us, if possible. They have practice. Remember the time the replicator programs were scrambled and you had to go without coffee for two days. The crew acted as if they were walking on eggshells."
She laughed, "They did not..." Her expression became serious. "What will the crew think?"
"For over three years they've been waiting and watching. Kathryn--what do you want?"
"You," she said simply with a half smile. "I've had several days to think about this...And I haven't a clue how to go about doing this..."
He reached down and took her right hand and kissed the small scar where she had been stung. She looked at their joined hands, pulled his hand to her mouth and nibbled at his fingers. "Chakotay?" She asked, looking up at him.
He was looking in her eyes, "Mmm?" He leaned down to her kiss her. He stroked her face with the back of his hand. He closed his eyes. He wanted her and pulled her closer. Just days ago, he'd believed that their future had ended before it had even begun. As he kissed her again, he knew their future was the one he had so often dreamed of.
Kathryn pulled away, trying to regain her breath and reason. "Kathryn?" He placed his hands on her shoulders, his cheek next to hers and whispered, "I've loved you for so long." The words were quiet: he didn't need the to finish the thought. Her heart and soul soared. There was no way they could go back to what they had before. No way she could ever be satisfied with just being friends. Her hand stroked his cheek as she found his lips with hers. As the kiss intensified, his tongue probing her mouth, entwining with hers, she could feel his reaction and her own. Her own body was trembling with desire, every nerve responding to his touch and the knowledge that he was responding in kind.
Slowly they had moved to the entryway to his bedroom, where he stopped kissing her and looked at her, offering her a last chance to say no. She smiled seductively, her hand moved to the zipper of his uniform and she slowly lowered it. He stepped back and removed his uniform, then pulled the turtle neck over his head. Her eyes closed as his hands again unbuttoned the simple blue dress she'd been wearing earlier. As he slid the dress down her shoulders he caressed them, then kissed her down her neck and along her shoulders.
They removed the last of their clothing and took the last few steps toward the bed.
He lay down beside her, and gently kissed and licked his way down her neck. Her hands wandered over his shoulders to his head, which she guided lower to her breasts. His tongue swirled around one nipple, then the other. He relished the soft moans she was making as his hands continued to wander over her stomach and lower.
She tensed as his fingers brushed her clitoris and began probing between her thighs. She was already slick with desire and anticipation. His touches were turning her insides to fire. She instinctively pushed against his hand and gripped her hands tightly in his dark cropped hair. She tried to speak, but suddenly gasped as her whole body shuddered against his.
He rolled on top of her and looked down at her. Her hair was a mess: she didn't look anything like the Star Fleet Captain he had come to love. Under him lay a vision that was his alone.
She smiled, captured his head with her hands and pulled him down to her waiting mouth: their arms eagerly wrapping around each other as he entered her. Entangled together, they lay quietly, then slowly started rocking together. A mating dance, a promise of more than a shared future... #
#
Kathryn woke to the sound of a quiet breathing--not her own. She smiled as she tried to shift position without waking him so she could read the chronometer.
It didn't work, she felt his arm tighten around her and his lips started to nibble on her ear. She tried very hard to ignore him and find out what time it was, but his intentions were very clear. She could feel his erection against her back. "Chakotay..." He stopped anything else she had planned on saying by kissing her. #
#
Afterwards, she would have fallen back asleep, snug in his arms, but the alarm went off. He reached over her and stopped the noise, but there was no way they could stop the day. "What time is it anyway?" She asked, knowing if she didn't move soon--she wouldn't be leaving his bed for a bit longer.
"Zero six-thirty."
Janeway sat up with a start. "I have to be on the bridge in fifteen minutes." She stood up quickly, avoiding his arms and gathered up her clothes that had been tossed haphazardly about the room. Chakotay lay there and watched this most alluring view of his Captain and lover. She turned and looked at him and almost laughed. "Stop enjoying the view--*you* are suppose to be on the bridge in half an hour. It won't do if both of us are late." She almost tossed her shoe at him.
"All right, I'm moving." He stood up and smiled as he noticed her eyes wander up and down his naked body. "Faster if we share the shower." His grin widened.
"Like Hell it will be. I'll go first...I'd like a bagel with cream cheese and..."
"Coffee? Gee, I wonder how I knew that..." This time she did toss her shoe. He caught it, "No, I absolutely refuse to drink coffee from this."
Laughing she walked into the bathroom, to reappear a few minutes later, carrying her one shoe. He handed her the other shoe, which she slipped on. Then grabbing her breakfast, she slipped out of his quarters to go to hers. She barely had time to change into her uniform and make it to the bridge.
After retrieving the captain, Voyager had returned to Lyrpa Six to finish resupplying the ship. They had entered orbit a few hours earlier.
Janeway sat in her ready room, catching up on reports. And steeling herself for when she would finally have to go on the bridge. She was pleased with the crew's rescue efforts--delighted actually. She leaned back, her eyes closed, and smiled as her thoughts strayed to the previous night and that morning.
She shook her head and started to read again.
"Chakotay to Janeway."
She smiled at the sound of his voice. "Yes?"
"We have an incoming message for you from the governor."
"I'll be there. Janeway out." She took a deep breath and stood. #
#
Chakotay moved to his chair and pulled up his console. He was concentrating very hard not to smile at her when she sat down beside him.
"Good morning, Commander," she said--trying not to remember just a few hours earlier. She nodded at Tuvok, then looked at the screen. "Madam Governor."
"Captain Janeway. It is indeed a pleasure to see you again. The System Council would like to show you and your crew our appreciation. And our congratulations on your recovery from Ynzwara sting." The system governor smiled. "Captain, perhaps you are unaware of an old Lyrpan myth. That the first person you kiss after recovering is the person you will spend the rest of your life with..."
Janeway was very aware that Chakotay was also watching the view screen. She started to laugh but controlled it. When they had beamed back on Voyager, Neelix had embraced her and kissed her cheek. She figured he was thinking the same thing, when she heard a stifled laugh from her right. "No Madam Governor, I was not aware of that. And our help is the least we could do for you after your offers of help and Doctor Ymar's kind assistance."
"I wish to give you our heartfelt thanks for all that you have done. We don't have much that you would find useful, so we just offer our prayers for a successful and short journey home. Peace and life."
"Thank-you." Janeway hesitated a second. "And governor, thank-you, our stop here has been interesting."
The Governor nodded to the Captain then smiled at the Commander. "I shall remember your visit." Then she smiled. "But perhaps I was not to far wrong. So long, Captain Janeway."
"Governor, and perhaps you weren't." Out of the corner her eye she caught his smile and quickly smiled back.
Tom had found most of the conversation *strange.* The rest of the conversation had been intriguing. 'First kiss'...'not too far wrong.' There was definitely something happening. And if the myth was right, the Captain and Neelix...He didn't think so.
Janeway smiled and looked around. Some of the bridge crew would be leaving for break soon. The *kiss myth* would be over the ship quickly. She giggled slightly. She looked at Chakotay and whispered, "I wonder what Neelix will think."
Chakotay laughed. Everybody looked at him, then pretended they hadn't. "You could tell him..." She shook her head.