Another Star Trek Story

'What the fuck!' Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres stared at where, only a moment ago, was a calm and ordered Engineering. And now? Well now there where two women that looked before deaths door, and that dripping wet, and she was dealing with one of them brandishing a big knife. The one wielding the knife knew what she was doing.

'D..do...don't!'

B'Elanna backed her people off and away from the two women, giving them some room. She then slapped her com badge. 'Torres to Captain Janeway.' B'Elanna made sure that she was well away from the woman.

'Janeway here. Go ahead.'

'Captain we have a situation in Engineering.'

'On my way. Janeway out.'

Well at least I won't have to handle her myself. But man her companion doesn't look so hot. B'Elanna slowly edged towards the two holding her hands up so she looked as non-threatening as she could. 'I'm not going to hurt you. But your friend looks really bad. I can help her if you let me?'

The woman eyed B'Elanna still holding the knife up.

'Look I don't have any weapons on me.' B'Elanna held her hands up a little more and slowly turned around to show that she really didn't have anything on her.

The woman sagged a little in relief. 'W..w...wa...water.'

B'Elanna nodded and moved to a replicator. 'Computer water.' She took the glass and knelt down. 'I'm going to try giving her a little.'

The woman nodded but kept close watch on B'Elanna. 'Thirsty.'

B'Elanna poured a little water into the unconscious woman's mouth , but had to turn her when she coughed it up again. 'I don't think she's going to be able to drink anything.' B'Elanna held the glass up to the other woman. 'Why don't you give it a shot?'

The woman took the glass and took a sip. It was obvious that she wanted to take more, but was pacing herself. She was obviously trained to at least know that after going without water not to drink to much all at once.

B'Elanna meanwhile did her best to check vitals. 'She's very weak, I don't know how long she'll survive if we don't get her to a doctor.'

'Help her, please.'

B'Elanna looked up, she could feel the woman's fear. She was terrified. And the reason for that fear was in her arms. 'I will, but you have to trust me.'

The woman kept eye contact with B'Elanna for a long minute before she finally nodded. 'I won't leave her.'

'I wouldn't do that to you.' B'Elanna slapped her combadge. 'Torres to sickbay.'

'Sickbay go ahead.'

'Doctor I need you in Engineering right away.'

'Sure make me come to you. I'm only a hologram.' The Doctor sniffed.

'Doctor just get here already!' B'Elanna tapped the badge again to sign off.

'Report.' Captain Kathryn Janeway walked in and everyone straightened up, she just had that kind of personality. And it made her untouchable.

B'Elanna looked up from where she was holding one of the women. 'There isn't much to report Captain. One moment they weren't here and then they were. Captain they look as if they are suffering from exposure.'

Janeway looked at the two women, they truly looked bad. Except for the fact that the one was still brandishing a knife. 'I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Starship Voyager we mean you no harm. We only want to help.'

B'Elanna looked at the two women facing off. Now isn't this interesting. I've never met someone that could keep eye contact with Janeway that long. 'You trust me right?'

'Yes.'

'Then believe me when I say that the captain is ok.' B'Elanna reflexively tightened her hold on the woman she was holding when she moaned.

'Case!' The other one cried out, and looked confused as to what she should be doing. She so very obviously wanted to help Case, but wasn't ready to give up her knife just yet. She was scared.

The Doctor chose that moment to breeze in. 'On time just like always.'

'No! Get away from her!'

Janeway stepped in. 'He won't hurt your friend, he's a doctor.'

'No!'

'Doctor step back.' Janway ordered and watched the woman relax a little bit. Good, I need her to relax. If I want to get anything from this woman I need her to relax.

'But she needs medical help.' The Doctor protested.

Janeway gave him her patented captain look and he stopped in his track.

'Tell me what to do.' B'Elanna was getting really tired of the situation. And she was worried about the woman her breathing was shaky to say the least.

'Is that ok?' Janeway projected an air of calm. Hoping to get everything rolling.

'This is ridiculous captain. I can't treat my patients like this !'

Janeway rubbed the bridge of her nose. Sometimes she just really could not stand the Doctor. But what the hell was she going to do. She couldn't reprogram him, if she could she would have done it a long, long time ago. 'Doctor at the moment you aren't treating them.'

The Doctor huffed, sounding like a five year old. 'I am very aware of that captain.'

'I'm sure that if you changed the parameters of your bedside manner people would flock to you instead of having someone else treat them.' Janeway stepped out of the Doctors office and into sickbay. 'Lieutenant how are they doing?' They had been able to move both women when B'Elanna assured the woman that they meant no harm.

B'Elanna looked up from where she was finishing with the dermal regenerator, boy that had been fun to explain to the still nameless woman. 'Case is doing ok, still out like a light, as far as I can tell.' B'Elanna looked first at Janeway and then at the woman. 'As I told you both numerous times, I'm not a doctor.'

Janeway had to work to keep the grin of her face. Sometimes B'Elanna could be so direct it bordered on rude, but she had a good heart. And she would have rather spaced herself than stand back and watch these two women suffer. 'Maybe you went into the wrong field. Because you are doing a great job.'

B'Elanna glared at Janeway. 'Nameless over there is another matter, she won't let me get near her to help her. She took the water I gave her, but that's as far as she's willing to go. She's as stubborn as someone else I know.'

Janeway raised her eyebrow, B'Elanna was usually more professional than this. 'Lieutenant.' Janeway made her voice a little sharper, making it clear that B'Elanna stepped over the line.

'As I was saying she wasn't really helping me out any.' B'Elanna glanced back at the woman who was keeping close watch on her every move. 'But her friend was the perfect patient.'

'She's my heart.'

Both B'Elanna and Janeway turned to her. B'Elanna was the one that moved putting her hand on the woman's shoulder. 'Well you're heart will be fine, she's just resting. But what will she say when she finds out you ran yourself down?'

'That I'm to stubborn for my own good.'

B'Elanna held out her hand hoping that the woman would take the hand. 'I haven't given you any reason not to trust me up to this point.'

The woman took the hand offered and let B'Elanna lead her to a bed so that she could check her out. 'But don't come near me with a needle.'

'No needles promise.' B'Elanna laughed as she started the exam. Lucky for her she had actually listened to Tom blabber on about how much he hated sickbay and why.

Janeway stepped closer. She hated to since she didn't often get the chance to see B'Elanna this relaxed and well the woman herself was fascinating. Under the haggard outside Janeway got the sense that this was a great person. 'Do you think you could answer me some questions?'

'No.'

Janeway stared, she had never gotten such an out right no before. 'No?'

'You're army or military or something like that. I don't take orders from you any more.' The woman turned away from Janeway.

B'Elanna stopped for a moment, this was getting increasingly interesting. Janeway was gaping and the woman looked as if she was in pain. 'Well that's it you can just lay back and relax. You'll feel a lot better in a bit.'

'Thank you.'

'Will you at least tell us your name?' Janeway managed after a bit.

The woman turned her head and looked at Janeway defiantly. 'Carter, Reilly, Captain US Air Force.'

Well she told you, didn't she Kath. 'Thank you Captain Carter, I'll let you get some rest. I hope your partner feels better soon.' Janeway stepped away and motioned for B'Elanna to follow her. 'You have to finish up here B'Elanna, unfortunately I need you in Engineering, and let me know if Case wakes up.'

'Yes captain. I won't be to long.' B'Elanna went back to Reilly once Janeway left sickbay. 'Well Reilly it's good to meet you, I'm B'Elanna.'

'No you are a lieutenant, not B'Elanna.' Reilly said not taking her eyes of off Case. 'I'm grateful for your help, but I won't be pulled back to the institution that turned its back on me when I needed them the most.'

B'Elanna stared at Reilly's back. She didn't know what to say to Reilly. How can you make comments on something if you only had fragments of the story. 'You know this isn't the same institution you left. And I may be a lieutenant in it, but I had to become one out of necessity. So when I say I'm B'Elanna I do mean that.'

Reilly turned her head and frowned. 'This might not be the Military I know, but some things don't change.'

'Like what?'

Reilly looked away again. 'Being close minded for example.'

'Again Reilly for me to even try and convince you that it isn't that way any more I need to know what the hell you are talking about.' B'Elanna stepped into Reilly's line of vision. 'I'm not trying to trick you or get you to tell me things you don't want to. I'm simply trying to be a friend. Believe me you will be grateful having them. This is a small ship and and we are a long way from home.' And you are even farther away if I'm not mistaken.

Reilly sighed, she was so tired all she wanted to do was sleep and drift off to where it didn't hurt as much. 'I'm tired.'

'Yes, I guess you would be. I have to get back to Engineering, but I'll be back if Case starts to wake up. If you need me before that just ask the computer to alert me.' B'Elanna walked to the door and turned back. 'I hope you feel better later. And please think of my offer.'

Janeway sat and looked at her senior staff. They had come such a long way from where they had started. From the adversarial team that didn't trust each other to the well oiled team they were now. It did her heart good to see it. Though sometimes, just sometimes she missed the old days where she really had to work to get them to all work together. At the moment she felt as if she really wasn't needed any more, and that feeling of not doing was really hard to handle. Janeway shook her head slightly to clear the thoughts, she had other concerns then her lack of motivation at the moment. 'Lieutenant what do we know?'

B'Elanna looked around the table. 'Not a lot captain. Pretty much what I told you before. They were just suddenly there.' B'Elanna frowned. 'They are from earth though, that much I do know, but I don't think they are from this century though.'

'I noticed that to. Captain Carter seemed to be a little over whelmed with our technology.' Janeway nodded.

'Yes, she was even if she did hide it very well.' B'Elanna agreed.

'So we don't know who they are where they are from.' Janeway summarized. 'Does anyone have any ideas?'

Lieutenant Tom Paris nodded. 'I might captain. I think they might be from the 21 first century. From the little B'Elanna told me earlier that sounds about right.'

'And what about her stance against anything that sounds even remotely military?' Janeway asked him, it was a well known fact that Tom was a bit of a history buff. And not for the first time his insights were valuable.

Tom scratched his head. 'I'm not sure. What I do know is that the Military then was very different than anything we know.'

'What do you mean?' B'Elanna asked, for some reason wanting as much information on this as she could. Their two passengers drew her and she didn't understand why But she wanted to, and she wanted to try and understand them better.

'For one they were extremely paranoid, and their officers got to feel it. They were kept under strict codes of conduct. And even the slightest offence could get you thrown out or even sent to prison. And when I say codes of conduct I don't mean like we have. I mean ridiculous things that the military should absolutely not have a say in.'

'What do you make about the statement she made of them letting her down when she needed them the most?' B'Elanna had told Tom earlier in the hopes that he could come up with a theory.

'It could mean so many things, without more information I just don't know.' Tom shrugged really having done all he could.

'So we need more information.' Janeway sat back and grasped her cup of coffee tightly. 'I want Captain Carter questioned.'

'Captain if I may?' Commander Tuvok spoke up for the first time. He liked to observe before he commented on anything.

'Please Commander?' Janeway tilted her head slightly looking at him.

'Captain seeing as Captain Carter is so weary of anything to do with the military I do not believe that questioning her is a very good idea.'

'I agree captain. She won't talk if she feels pressured. I'm sure of that.' B'Elanna agreed with Tuvok.

'What would you suggest then Tuvok?'

'I believe that letting the lieutenant remain close to her and her companion will get better results.'

Janeway frowned. 'You want B'Elanna to get closer to them, without us knowing who or what they are?'

'Yes. The security logs suggest that Captain Carter trusts her up to a point at least. Plus the lieutenant is not a typical Starfleet Officer. I believe all of that will help Captain Carter to relax and eventually tell us what we want to know.'

'Captain I can do that. I wan to.' B'Elanna could read Janeway and interrupted her before she could shoot down Tuvok's suggestion. 'I really think it's the only way she'll talk. I get the feeling she's very good at not talking when prompted.'

Janeway didn't like it, not at all. She was being set aside, but then the good Captain Carter didn't seem to like her one bit. What choice did she have. 'Fine, B'Elanna they are your responsibility. At least for now. Doctor medically how are they?'

The Doctor glared at Janeway. 'How should I know. I'm not being allowed into sickbay.'

'Doctor!' Janeway barked startling him.

'Fine. They are both suffering from severe exposure to the elements. The captain is doing better, so is her companion. Although she seems to be a lot weaker than the captain.' The Doctor summarized.

'How long until they can leave sickbay?' Janeway wanted to know when she had to start looking for quarters for their new guests.

'Captain Carter can be released already, but I don't think she'll move. As for her companion. We have to see when she wakes up.'

'Fine, Chakotay will you see to it that they have quarters when they need them. I think double occupancy will be good.' Janeway had the distinct feeling that if she tried to separate the two that the captain would skin her with the knife she had with her.

Chakotay nodded. 'I'll see that they are available as soon as can be.' Chakotay glanced at B'Elanna. 'I'll try and get quarters that are as close to B'Elanna's as possible.'

Janeway arched an eyebrow. 'I don't know if that's a good idea. I don't want them to close to Miral.'

B'Elanna sat up straighter. 'With all due respect, when it comes to my daughter I will decide if something is dangerous or not. And I am positive that Neither Reilly nor Case will hurt her. Chakotay can put them wherever he chooses. I'm not worried.'

'Thank you lieutenant.' What is going on with B'Elanna. We haven't had this much problems with each other since the very beginning. I think it's time that we have a little talk. 'Then that's all people. Lieutenant a word please?' Janeway motioned B'Elanna to a chair closer to her as the others files out.

B'Elanna knew she may have gone a little to far, but really what was Janeway thinking. As if she would let anything happen to her little baby girl. 'Captain?'

Janeway waited until the others were out. 'You're pushing me lieutenant, and I want to know why?'

B'Elanna was startled with the tone. Janeway was using. She saw Janeway as a friend, but lately she was even more unapproachable than she usually was. And it clouded her vision. 'Kathryn I'm not pushing you.'

'Lieutenant.'

'No, don't you lieutenant me Kathryn. You asked me to be your friend a long time ok and I accepted. And you have been there for me threw so much! But Kathryn you don't let me help you. And I'm worried about you, you aren't yourself. You haven't been for a while now.' B'Elanna took one of Janeway's hands.

Kathryn swallowed hard. Had it really come to the point that others could see how unwell she was? 'I... I am just worried about Miral, she is my god-daughter after all.'

'I know you are, but it's bullshit. You have become increasingly stubborn and you don't come around any more. Miral misses you and so do I.'

Janeway shook her head hard. 'No this is not about that this is about our two new guests, they could be dangerous and you don't seem to realize that.'

'You used to be the one that would push us to welcome those without a home or who were lost. Damn it Kathryn look at Seven she was a Borg drone when we met her. Now she was a danger but Reilly and Case?' B'Elanna shook her head. 'They are out of place and time. And Reilly is scared out of her mind.'

'Carter? Scared? Not very likely.' Janeway snorted loudly.

'Oh she hides it well, just about as well as you do, but yes she is scared. Did you look at her Kathryn, really look at her?'

Kathryn opened her mouth to respond then closed her mouth again. She's right Kath you used to be the one trying to integrate them. Now I'm fighting against it? And I didn't really look at them, when she told me off I lost interest. 'You're right.'

B'Elanna gaped, this was not the way she thought this would go, Janeway never just gave in. 'Oh god now I'm petrified. Kathryn what's wrong?'

Janeway looked at her feet, even if she wanted to she couldn't answer B'Elanna. She didn't know either. 'I... I think I lost my way B'Elanna.'

B'Elanna lent down and tipped Janeway's face so they were eye to eye. 'Then let me help you find it again.'

Janeway just managed to nod when the computer beeped. 'Lieutenant... uhm B'Elanna? Case is groaning... I don't think she's doing so good.'

B'Elanna was on her feet in a flash. 'Reilly just stay calm I'll be there in a minute.' B'Elanna turned to Janeway. 'Come on Captain lets go save someone and make some friends.'

'She really is scared.'

'Wouldn't you be if your lover was sick?' B'Elanna asked, but she really didn't have to. Janeway had finally made the connection.

'Let's go Bee.' Janeway walked to the door and then looked at B'Elanna. 'Would you mind a guest for dinner?'

B'Elanna sighed with relief. 'I'm sure I can fit you in. if you don't mind Miral's chatter?'

'I would love her chatter.' Janeway smiled crookedly. 'And Bee? Thank you.'

B'Elanna walked in straight to Case and checked her vitals. 'Reilly you can relax she's just waking up. And I'm guessing she's not happy about it. That's probably why she's groaning a bit.'

Reilly chuckled in relief. 'She always hated getting up. Said that mornings were for the birds, not us usual folks. Guess that's why I followed the family business and she didn't.'

'Oh?' B'Elanna commented in a just by the way sort of way.

'She's a doctor, but unlike me she went the normal way and I got there by means of serving my country.' Reilly stopped before finishing her thought. Really good Carter, you've already forgotten what happens when you open your big mouth.

'As if you liked it.' A scratchy voice mumbled, and Reilly suddenly had tears running down her cheeks.

'Oh god Case!' Reilly was suddenly holding Case close. 'Don't you fucking ever scare me like that again!'

Case groaned. 'Hey bucko ease up there. I'm still a little weak, but I'm fine.' Case turned to B'Elanna and Janeway. 'Captain Janeway, B'Elanna thank you for helping us.'

'You're telepathic?' B'Elanna asked intrigued, how else would Case know her by name, then delighted when Case's laugh rung threw sickbay.

'Oh she didn't tell you, so like Reilly.' Case startled B'Elanna by taking her hand and pulling her closer to the bed after she freed herself from Reilly. 'Reilly is my twin and we two are somehow linked. I guess with her I am telepathic to a point. We have that famous twin connection thing going.'

'You're twins?' Janeway asked flabbergasted, the two didn't really have a lot in common with each other. Kath you don't know them how can you decide that?

'Yes we are captain.' Case lay back with B'Elanna's help. 'And don't you glare at me Reilly I'm not in the military and I never was. I don't hide, besides I think we are a long way away from what we know.'

'They will hurt us.' Reilly argued.

Case made eye contact with B'Elanna and felt something shift in her and shook her head. 'No, Reilly they won't.'

B'Elanna was rooted to the spot, for the first time in her life she knew what her mother meant when she had told her that when she met the love of her life her blood would sing. It was burning her up from the inside out and all because of a simple touch from a woman she didn't even know.

'You can't know that.'

'Reilly they helped us when they had no reason to do so. I'm going to trust them, you can do things your way.'

Reilly sighed, she knew when she was beat. Case always knew just how to get by her. But that didn't mean that she was going to trust them. 'As if I would let you do on your own.'

Case grinned at Reilly. 'You are such a sucker. Captain you had some questions for us?'

Janeway who had watched all of this in fascination nodded. 'Only if your up to it.'

Case squeezed B'Elanna's hand who she still had in hers, drawing courage. Reilly stop being so negative!

I can't help it, it's in my nature.

'Go right ahead captain.'

'A name would be nice?' Janeway relaxed her pose, they were all tense enough without her putting her own out there.

'That's easy enough. I'm Dr. Casey Carter and this is my stubborn sister Dr. Reilly Carter.'

Janeway's eyebrows nearly crawled of her face. Now she knew what Reilly meant that Case went the normal way and she went the military way.

'You look surprised.' Case said frowning.

'A little yes, Captain Carter failed to mention that she was a doctor.'

'You have to excuse her, but she doesn't mean anything by it. But she is a wonderful doctor.'

'In what field?' Janeway asked really interested in what sort of doctor Reilly would be.

'I'm a paediatrician...'

'Really?' B'Elanna asked trying to mask her delight.

'Yip really.' Case sighed. 'I miss it. Any way Reilly is the one with the real skills. She's a Trauma surgeon.'

Janeway glanced at Reilly without making it obvious. The way Reilly held her body and the way she had moved when she felt she was in danger, Trauma fit her.

'A Trauma surgeon that hates needles?' B'Elanna snorted.

'I didn't say I couldn't use them, just you couldn't come close to me with them.' Reilly grumbled.

'Captain would you answer me a question?' Case waited for Janeway to give her a sign to go ahead. Janeway nodded. 'Where are we?'

How to answer? Janeway sighed internally she had hoped to ease into the explanation, but apparently Case was a lot more vocal that her reticent sister. 'That's difficult question to answer.'

'Well my mother always said that things that are difficult to talk about were usually important and the best way to get them out of the way was to just spit them out.' Case tightened her hold on B'Elanna and Reilly could feel her anxiousness very clearly.

'I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Starship Voyager. We are in space, to be precise we are in the Delta quadrant. A very long way from home.' Janeway held her breath as she waited for the explosion.

Reilly barked out her laughter, this was just one thing to many. 'And I'm Captain Ahab and am looking for the great white whale!'

Case narrowed her eyes as she looked at Janeway and then at B'Elanna. 'Prove it.'

Ah thank god at least one of them has a open mind. Proving it, that's something I can do. 'Well look around this room, for one thing. You are both doctors, and this is a state of the art sickbay. Tell me does it look like anything you know?'

'I haven't really taken the time.' Case tried to sit up and groaned. 'B'Elanna will you help me sit up? I seem to be having a little trouble yet.'

B'Elanna immediately helped Case, with a gentleness that was completely atypical for her. 'That ok?'

Case smiled at B'Elanna and nodded. 'That's perfect.'

'What are you doing Case?' Reilly frowned she knew Case was always touchy, but she hadn't let go of B'Elanna since making contact.

'I'm making a friend you should try it some time.' Case threw Reilly's way before she focused her attention on her surroundings. She was completely fascinated, Janeway was right. This looked like nothing she had ever seen and she used to work to the most up to date hospital in the US. But that didn't mean that Janeway was telling the truth. It simply meant that they were technologically more advanced. 'It's impressive, but doesn't prove that we're in space.'

Janeway nodded her head in approval. 'No it doesn't. And I would have been disappointed if you if you had believed me on simply the fact that our technology is more advanced than what you are used to. Do you feel up to a little walk around the ship?'

'Let's find out. Reilly, B'Elanna will you help me to my feet?' Case swung her legs of the boibed and waited until Reilly was on one side and B'Elanna on the other one. Then carefully stood up. 'So far so good.' Case tested her legs a little and nodded her head. 'With a little help I'll be fine for a little walk around.'

'I don't think that's a good idea!' Reilly stepped in front of Case to block her way. 'You're just doing this to get into her pants!'

'Don't you dare start on that Reilly Carter! I'm not you, I don't do things like that. I really want to know where the bloody hell I am!'Case glared at Reilly a moment longer then turned to Janeway. 'Lead the way captain.'

Janeway had the feeling that she and B'Elanna were missing a lot of information between Reilly and Case. They looked about ready to pounce each other. It is funny though. No matter what century you are from. Sisters will fight for each other just as hard ass they fight each other. 'Then lets go. Captain Carter you are welcome to join us.'

'As if I would let you separate us. I know how you people work!' Reilly barked crossing her arms in challenge.

'Well you're in for a rude awakening.' Janeway turned and headed out of sickbay with the others following her.

An hour later they had finally made their way to the conference room. Reilly looked disturbed and Case so pale that B'Elanna had to actually bite her lip not to pick her up and take her back to sickbay herself. 'Well captain I believe you now.'

'I thought you might.' Janeway was just as worried about Case. She was moving stiffly and it was obvious that she was in quite a bit of pain.

B'Elanna moved behind Case, who stood at the window looking at the stars streaking by. 'Case will you please sit down? You look like you're going to fall down.' Case didn't respond so B'Elanna put her hand on her shoulder. 'Please?'

Case covered B'Elanna's hand with her own. 'Mhhh I think you might be right.' Case let go and sat down to the chair closest to her. 'You do know that now I have even more questions than before?'

'I thought you would, and so do I, but I think you are done for today.' Janeway sat down as well and made eye contact with Case. 'You need to rest.' Janeway held up her hand when Case opened her mouth. 'I'm giving you the choice of going back to sickbay or to the quarters we arranged for you.'

'Ah I see there still is a little of the military I loved to hate in you after all.' Case tried to joke, but it fell flat as her hands were shaking so badly. 'I think I would like to go to the quarters you arranged. I never liked being a patient in a hospital.'

Janeway nodded. 'Janeway to Chakotay.'

'Chakotay go ahead.'

'Commander have you arranged for quarters for our guests?'

'Yes captain, I have them in the quarters just across from Lieutenant Torres. Should I come and get them?'

'No that won't be necessary. Janeway out.' Janeway turned to B'Elanna. 'Lieutenant will you take our guests to their new quarters?'

B'Elanna hesitated, she had to pick up Miral from Neelix in a few minutes. 'Captain I can't.'

'Lieutenant will you let me pick up my god-daughter?' Janeway smiled when B'Elanna perked up.

'Sure captain she'll be thrilled, you know she's been asking for you.'

Case turned surprised to B'Elanna. 'You have a daughter?'

B'Elanna's whole demeanour softened. 'Yes. Miral she's four years old, but I swear she's going on 30.'

Janeway laughed. 'You only say that because she keeps taking apart your replicator. What did you expect she's as brilliant as her mother with just a hint of Tom mixed in there to keep you honest.'

B'Elanna groaned. 'That's not funny Kathryn!'

Janeway laughed even harder. 'Oh yes it is!'

'Oh well then I guess we're both in trouble, remember you agreed to help me raise her.'

Janeway stopped laughing. 'Oh just go and spoil my fun.'

Case watched them both, intrigued. From what she just heard the father wasn't really in the picture. And the good captain was helping B'Elanna? How utterly fascinating. And Reilly stop frowning you're going to get wrinkles.

Shut up Case. At least I'm not lusting after the mother of a four year old that obviously has something going with Janeway.'

No, I don't think they are lovers, their body language isn't right for that.'Could I meet her sometime?'

B'Elanna beamed. 'Yea of course. I think she'll like you.' If she's anything like me.

'But not tonight, you need to rest.' Janeway smiled and helped B'Elanna get Case back on her feet. 'You going to be ok?'

'I can handle it, go get my little trouble maker.' B'Elanna let Case lean on her as she started to head out. 'You coming stubborn.' B'Elanna looked at Reilly.

'I want to look around some more.' Reilly challenged.

Janeway grinned internally she had expected Reilly to try something. 'You can look around as much as you want, but why don't you go with B'Elanna so you know where your quarters are?'

Reilly glared at Janeway then turned and stalked out of the room.

'I'll take it as a yes.' Janeway chuckled. 'You're sister doesn't like me much, does she?'

'Oh she likes you just fine, she just hates your uniform.'

Janeway nodded. 'I'll see you tomorrow Case.'

'Thank you captain.'

'Just bring the terror around in a couple of minutes?' B'Elanna asked as she started leading Case out.

'Might be a little longer, I think I'm going to take some time with Miral and play.'

'Then come around whenever.'

B'Elanna walked slowly to let Case set the pace. She was leaning on her even harder than before. 'Are you ok?'

'Yes, just tired.' Case squeezed B'Elanna's arm to reassure herself. 'Why don't you tell me a little bit more of yourself.'

'What do you want to know?'

'Well exactly what you are? Because I don't think that you are human.' Case was still reeling with the revelation that not only were there aliens, but that she was on a ship with quite a lot of them.

B'Elanna grinned. 'My forehead ridges give me away huh?'

'What forehead ridges?' Case tried to sound confused but failed. 'Ok so your ridges gave you away, I never would have known otherwise.'

'Well I'm half human anyway. I'm a Klingon Human hybrid.'

'Now explain that to me?'

'That's a really long and boring story. But you can look up everything you want on Klingons in the computer if you're really interested.'

Case nodded. She didn't ask anything more about B'Elanna's parentage it was obvious it wasn't something that B'Elanna liked talking about. 'What do you do?'

B'Elanna laughed. 'I'm the chief engineer on this here bucket.'

'Ah so you keep us all flying. You look a little young to be doing that?'

'If we were home I would more than likely never have gotten to where I am now, but out here I'm the best the captain had.'

Somehow I doubt that, you will always knock their socks off, whoever they are. You are wonderful. 'But you are here and from what I can tell you're doing an amazing job.'

B'Elanna blushed and shrugged the complement off. 'Well I'm just doing my job. Now I'm more interested in what you do?'

'Oh you know doctor stuff.'

B'Elanna snorted. 'And I thought I didn't like talking about myself.'

Case laughed. 'Actually I don't mind. You really want to know?'

'That's why I asked.'

'Well I worked in a hospital. So I saw a lot of kids in the day, most of them very sick. See I was on the terminal cases, giving them a decent way out and simply being there for them.'

'That is an incredible gift you gave them.'

Case shrugged. 'They deserved to have people around them that cared. And I did, everyone that died took a piece of me with them. I just hope it eased their pain.'

B'Elanna didn't know what to say to that. So she said nothing.

'Sometimes it felt as if they were killing me a little bit every day. But then there would be the exception that would cling to me like a drowning sailor and I would feel powerful and strong, because that's what they needed from me. It's also what they gave me.'

B'Elanna scratched the back of her neck. 'That must have been incredibly difficult for you and brave.'

Case shrugged. 'I loved working with children it's such a pleasure. They are so honest with their feelings.'

'I can't say that I have a lot of experience with that, but I do know that I would not give my daughter up for anything in the world. She brought light into my life.'

Case beamed. 'Ah but you have the best kind of experience. The kind I wish I had.'

B'Elanna laughed loudly. 'Oh you won't be saying that when you had a little one jumping on you on your one morning of in the week, because she's bored and has already taken apart all of your household appliances.'

Case laughed so hard she had to stop walking. 'She sounds like a riot!'

'Oh she really is. She's also the most important thing in my life. And I can't tell you how terrified I am about having her out here with us. This is not exactly the safest place to have a child.' B'Elanna couldn't help her worry showing.

'Is she happy?'

'Very.'

'Is she loved?'

'Of course, she has me and her father isn't to bad. And she has Kathryn who loves her just about as much as I do. You know she actually delivered her?'

'Really? I somehow just can't see that.'

B'Elanna bit her lip. 'She's going to kill me if she finds out I told you the story, but... I'm going to anyway. I was in some weird nesting phase to the end of my pregnancy. I had thrown Tom out the week before and didn't feel at home in my quarters so I went where I felt the most at home anyway. I went of into the Jefreystubes.' B'Elanna shook her head at the memory. 'What I didn't realize was that my combadge came of while I was crawling around on my stomach. Before I noticed I suddenly went into labour and boy let me tell you it hurts like bloody hell.'

'What are Jefreystubes?'

'Oh I guess you could say it's the guts of this ship.'

Case frowned.

Case I think it's like air-ducts. Not exactly the same, but just about.

Case grinned at Reilly. Thank you, but I thought you weren't listening?

I am not!

Yea right. 'So what did you do?'

'What any pregnant woman who goes into labour and not being able to call for help would...I panicked.' B'Elanna felt a chill go down her spine when Case chuckled. God what the hell was that?

'How did your captain get involved?' Reilly couldn't help herself. She hated to admit it, but Janeway held her interest.

'Before I tell you, you have to promise me not to let anyone know about it?'

Case nodded and glared at Reilly until she nodded too. 'We promise.'

'You must understand that Kathryn is very lonely, because she has to distance herself and because she believes she has to be to stay objective and in her head that means keeping herself isolated from making friends with her crew. That means she is always stressed. I found early on that to centre herself Kathryn gets her hands dirty and does checks on her ship from the inside.' B'Elanna shrugged of the worry that wanted to creep in, that was for later. 'So lucky for me that night Kathryn was doing her tinkering when she heard me screaming. And yes I admit freely I was screaming bloody murder!'

'Oh I believe you I was present at enough births to know it's not a quiet affair.' Case rubbed one of her ears. 'I think I have some hearing loss from one of the deliveries.'

B'Elanna ignored the jib. 'Any way, she made her way to me and found me very far along. I was to far along to be beamed out or for Kathryn do drag me out. The only thing she could do was to deliver Miral herself. And she did a wonderful job up to the point after she handed Miral to me. Because as soon as I had Miral safely in my arms Kathryn fainted dead. Scared the shit out of me, because Kathryn Janeway doesn't know what the word fear means and she never ever shows it. But I guess having to deliver a baby will get to anyone, no matter how tough they appear to be.'

Case snorted in mirth. 'The tougher they are the harder they fall.'

'Isn't that the truth.' B'Elanna's sixth sense kicked in and she turned around just in time to see a little ball of energy heading her way.

'MOMMY!' Miral Torres streaked to her mother and a meter or so from her Miral launched herself at B'Elanna. She knew that B'Elanna would catch her no matter what. 'MOMMY!'

B'Elanna had just enough time to let go of Case and turn before Miral made contact. 'Ooofff!' B'Elanna had to take a step back to stop from falling over. 'Baby where did you come from? You're supposed to be with Aunt Kath.'

An out of breath Janeway came around the corner. 'Miral! I'm so sorry about this B'Elanna, Neelix was telling her about our guests and when she heard you were with them she just took of. When did she get so fast?'

'Mommy I wanne meet old people.' Miral demanded interrupting B'Elanna.

'Old people?' B'Elanna wondered where she had gotten that from.

'Uncle Neelix says they come from long ago.' Miral cleared up.

B'Elanna bit her tongue. 'Kathryn it's fine, no harm was done, she's small and hard to catch. I have chased after my little one on more than one occasion.' B'Elanna put Kathryn's mind at ease. Then looked at her daughter sternly. 'And you. What have I told you about running away from people?'

Miral twirled her fingers and looked. 'Not to do it?'

'Yes and?'

'That it was bad to run away.'

B'Elanna tipped Miral's chin so they were looking at each other. 'Next time you're excited you ask if you can come to me and listen to what you're told, key?'

Miral nodded. 'Key.'

'Ok then you just have one thing more to do. You apologize to Aunt Kath.' B'Elanna put Miral down so that she could go to Janeway.

Janeway crouched down as Miral came to her. 'I'm sorry.'

'It's ok baby, but next wait for your Auntie Kath, I'm not as fast as I used to be.' Janeway opened her arms. 'Can I have a hug?'

Miral gratefully fell into Janeway's arms. 'I love you.'

'And I love you baby girl.' Janeway held on for as long as she thought was proper then let go and stood back up.

B'Elanna took Miral's hand and led her over to where Case and Reilly had put themselves on the sidelines. 'Baby I want to meet some new friends of mine.' B'Elanna took Case's hand. 'This is Case and her sister Reilly. Case Reilly this is my daughter Miral.'

Case crouched down with B'Elanna's help with Reilly not far behind her. 'Hi Miral.'

'Hi.' Miral turned suddenly shy.

Reilly winked at Miral and grinned. 'Hi there pretty lady, I'm Reilly.'

'I'm not a lady.' Miral got a little of her confidence back.

'You aren't?'

'No silly I'm still too little.' Miral giggled when Reilly gently poked her in the stomach.

'You could have fooled me little bit. But even if you aren't a lady you're still pretty.' Reilly held out her hand for Miral to shake.

Miral took the hand carefully shook it. 'Thank you. You're pretty too.'

Reilly grinned. 'Well thank you little bit.' Reilly let go. 'Don't you think that my sister is pretty too?'

'She looks like you.'

Reilly nodded her head. 'Yes she does. Do you know why?' Miral shook her head looking between Reilly and Case. 'No? Well because Case is my twin.'

'What's that?'

Case came a little closer to Miral. 'Well that means that we were born at the same time.'

Miral's eyes went wide, the Doctor had explained to her where babies came from and that two could come at the same time was news to her. 'Do I have a twin?'

Case smiled. 'No little bit, twins are rare. Usually there is only one baby at a time.'

Miral frowned as she absorbed this bit of new information, then turned to B'Elanna. 'Mommy can I have a sister?'

B'Elanna was shocked completely silent with the other three nearly howling with laughter. When B'Elanna managed to use her brain again she turned a very bright red. 'Ah baby girl, that might not happen any time soon. I like it just being you and me.' Miral pouted and received a kiss on the forehead for her trouble. 'Now why don't you and Aunt Kath scoot over to our quarters? And I'll be there in a bit.'

'Are they coming?' Miral whispered as only a child could, loudly.

'No Reilly and Case just got here and are still a bit tired, but maybe if you ask them nicely they'll come for a visit tomorrow.'

Miral turned back to Reilly and Case. 'Will you?'

Reilly laughed and Case grinned. Case could very well imagine that this was a little copy of B'Elanna, when she was a child. 'You bet little bit, and then you can show us around.'

'Can I mommy?'

'Sure you can, you know Voyager just as good as I do.'

'I have to, I want to be like mommy when I get big. And she knows everything.'

'Well I'm sure you will be great.' Case got up and groaned in pain, and was thankful when she felt B'Elanna's helping hand. 'But I am very tired so I'm going to go take a nap.'

Miral hugged Case and then Reilly. 'Mommy can I play some more before dinner?'

B'Elanna simply nodded, she was long used to her daughters sudden changes of subject and interest. 'Ok baby you go with your aunt and I'll be there in a second.' B'Elanna watched as her daughter and Janeway headed into her quarters. 'Sorry about that, she can be a little tornado, you never know when she's going to hit and when she does she hits hard and fast.'

Case shook her head. 'Don't be sorry she's a beauty and clever to boot.'

'She looks just like you.' That was the first compliment out of Reilly's mouth and it made B'Elanna smile. 'She's a pistol you should be very proud.'

'Oh I am but boy she can run me ragged.'

Reilly twirled her fingers. Her sister might have been the Paediatrician but she was the one that wanted kids of her own. 'If you need someone to help out I could you know?'

B'Elanna managed to hide her surprise that was not what she had expected. 'With Miral I can always use an extra hand.' B'Elanna was even more surprised when she looked at Case and saw relief and gratefulness in her eyes. 'Well we're here. Why don't I come in show you around and how everything works?'

'That would be great, but then I really need to rest.' Case followed B'Elanna inside and listened intently to what B'Elanna said and explained. When B'Elanna left Case crumpled onto one of the beds. 'Reilly we're not in Kansas any more.'

'No I don't suppose we are.' Reilly sat on the edge of the bed and gently twirled a strand of Case's hair around one of her fingers. 'You are ok, really ok?'

'Yes, and it wasn't your fault, you couldn't have known that there were people keeping their eye on you.'

'But it is my fault that you were there.' Reilly's voice hitched. 'Because of me you nearly died and are now stuck here.

'No it wasn't. I got fired and needed to get away and you were my get away. If I wasn't there with you then I would have lost you too and after everything I don't think I could have handled it.' Case covered Reill'y hand with her own. 'You are all I had and have left Reilly. We stick together and we'll be fine.'

Reilly wanted to believe, but she just couldn't. Not yet, this time she would make sure that everything was as it seemed before she would trust anyone. 'I love you too sis, now get some rest you look awful.'

Case giggled. 'Always so chivalrous. You don't stay out to long and please don't go looking for a fight, because you know if you look hard enough you'll find it.'

'I won't I promise.' Reilly sat there looking over her sister until Case had drifted of to sleep. Then she left to get a feel of the territory.