Change of heart
Author: Natta
Rating: PG Pairing: J/C mainly Disclaimer: I deny everything. Okay, Voyager belongs to Paramount, but Voyager is destroyed in my story! Ha! Gotcha! Summary: What would happen if Voyager were destroyed instead of the maquis ship? Author's note: Thanks to Carolyn who helped me with comment's about the story!
Chapter 1
She woke up to find herself in some kind of sickbay. She was not aboard Voyager though. The panic rose inside her and she struggled to sit up, but the pain shot like arrows through her body. Someone approached her and she tried to look less shattered and frightened. As he got closer, she recognised him as the tall, dark maquis captain. 'Have they decided to take us prisoners? Hopefully, I'm the only one. Please, God, let it be so.' 'Welcome back,' he said without any explanations. 'What's going on? What am I doing here?' Anybody could hear how she struggled to get control of herself - And failed. 'Voyager was destroyed by one of the kazon warships. We beamed you over here in the last minute.' She let her head fall back on the pillow, horror mixed with relief. 'So maybe they do not intend on taking us prisons. But then again, what do we do if they don't want us on their ship. He spoke again. 'I think you should rest some, you've got a bad concussion and some broken ribs.' He rose to leave. 'Wait. What about my crew?' He sat back down. 'I'm sorry.' She flinched. Everybody dead, except her. That wasn't possible! 'We only managed to beam about half the crew aboard before the crash. We did not have enough transporter power to beam everyone over at the same time. We tried, but only half the crew made it over.' 'Oh god. Half my crew dead, the rest stranded in the delta quadrant. On top of everything, we're also stranded on a maquis ship. Just great.' However, her sarcasm couldn't make her feelings go away. She felt tears filling her eyes, and an urge to vomit. She wasn't about to vomit or cry in front of this maquis leader, so she restrained herself. But he saw her tears, and suddenly there was something else in his eyes. Something caring and soothing. He leaned closer to her. 'Kathryn, I'm...' He was getting to her, and she hated him for it. 'I did not realise we were on a first name basis so that's "Captain" for you.' His eyes changed back to "maquis mode" again. 'You do not have a ship to captain, therefore you are no captain. I'll call you whatever I want, as long as you're on my ship!' With that he left. 'Maybe I should have been nicer to him. After all, he was just trying to help. I wonder which of the crewmembers survived and which of them...died.' She couldn't contain herself any longer. Tears fell freely down her cheeks and she felt like screaming out loud by fear, helplessness and anger toward the being that stranded them here. She cried until she passed out by the concussion.
The next time she woke up, she decided to try to find members of her crew. The fear arose inside her again, she was afraid of who she'd find, or rather the ones she wouldn't find. When she went around the corner, she bumped into Tuvok.
Relief washed over her. At least he wasn't one of the victims. 'Captain, I believe we are stuck in a rather...different situation here. Our ship, the only federation ships within 75000 light-years, have been destroyed, and we are stuck on a maquis ship. As I can see it, we have two options. Either we join the maquis, or we stay on a planet here in the delta quadrant. Maybe the ocampans would let us stay with them. 'I can't make that decision for the whole crew. Everybody must decide what he or she would like to do.' He turned to face her, a disturbed look on his face. 'May I remind you Captain, that joining the maquis would mean officially being a criminal, when and if we get home.' She sighed, still troubled by her headache and her sore bones. 'I know that Tuvok. However, staying on a planet would completely ruin our chances of ever getting home.' 'This mess is just growing bigger and bigger. I hope I don't look as bad as I feel.' 'Even if we choose to stay with them it's not sure they want us', she added. 'Though I'd say they could definitely use us.' He raised an eyebrow. 'Indeed.'
After a while, they found the crew in a large room, some laying down, some talking to each other. They seemed to be relieved to see Kathryn and Tuvok arrive. Kathryn started to speak. 'How am I supposed to make my crew calm, when I'm feeling like a nervous wreck myself. I have to pretend like everything's under control.' 'I know you must be very confused, but I'll inform you about our situation. Voyager has been destroyed and we are aboard the maquis ship. Our options are to join the maquis or find a planet to settle down on. I want you to think this over very carefully. But I don't know whether they're willing to have us here or not. Right now I suggest you co-operate with them. There is no point in trying to escape from them. We have nowhere to go.' Everyone was quiet while she spoke, but she could see fear and helplessness grow in their eyes. When she stopped talking, it was awfully quiet for a few moments. 'Some of them are still so young, eager for a career in Starfleet. They've worked so hard for all this, and what do they get? They get stuck 75 years from home with only one options, one worse than the other. I have to stay strong, have to...' After a few awkward moments, people started to talk to each other. Tuvok turned to her. 'I would believe a lot of them would like to build a new life on a planet. Joining criminals and probably not getting home within their lifetime does not sound very tempting.' 'I know.' She noticed herself talking in a very weak voice.' But still, there are about 70 people and some should stay on the ship. What about you?' 'As a Vulcan, I have some opportunity to get home within my lifetime. However, joining the maquis is an illogical course of action. I think that I will follow you.' She smiled. 'I'm glad to hear that.'
B'elanna Torres was furious. She could not understand that the captain actually considered to let Starfleet stay on Liberty. It was just so stupid! She had thought they'd dump them on some planet. Well, killing them would be better, but she didn't dare to suggest that. She didn't understand why they had helped the Voyager crew in the first place. She liked Chakotay, but he had always been to helpful. She had been in a bad mood all day, and it was getting worse. She just snorted when her friend Ricky Thoran asked her to join him and a few others for dinner. She made him upset and suddenly she felt guilty. It wasn't his fault after all. 'Ricky, wait!' He turned around. 'Look B'elanna, you don't have to come, it's okay.' 'No, but I'd like to. I'm sorry, just in a bad mood today.' He grinned. 'When are you not in a bad mood?' She punched his arm and followed him down the corridors. She felt better already.
'Captain!' It was lieutenant Taia Stadis voice. 'Yes lieutenant, how can I help you?' 'Well, I was wondering. If we choose to stay, do you think they'll let us?' Kathryn Sighed. 'That's the billion dollar's question. I have no idea what they have in mind for us. Maybe they want to kill us, but in that case they probably wouldn't have saved us at all. I think they need us, but the question is whether they realise it or not.' 'I've spoken to a lot of people, and I think they'd like to stay. I'd like to. All my life has been preparing to get into space. Well, I've been on missions before, but I don't want to give it up now. It's...not tempting to settle down on an alien planet now.' Kathryn smiled. She had always liked lieutenant Stadi from the moment she first saw her. 'I'm glad to hear that. I'd like to stay too. It's funny though. My first command, and I'll either be put down on an alien planet or be degraded to cleaning plasma conduits.' They laughed but suddenly a man entered the room. Both of them quickly rose. 'Kathryn Janeway. The captain would like to speak to you. Please come with me.'
Chapter 2
When the former Captain stepped into his office, Chakotay had just finished reading a report from Laja Chrono, his transporter officer. He couldn't call her chief transporter officer, since she was the only one left. A lot of his crew had died under the kazon attack and the transfer to the delta quadrant. The fact of all those dead crewmembers had helped him making his decision about the Starfleet crew. He nodded to the guard to leave them alone. 'I have a decision regarding your crew, Kathryn. She shot him one of her famous deathglares, but it didn't seem to work on him. 'I've decided to let you stay. We had a lot of casualties, as did you but we could form our crews to be one.' He watched her and saw the pain in her eyes. 'Funny,' he thought ironically, 'I didn't know that Starfleet captains was allowed to have feelings' 'I can't make that decision for everyone in the crew. I won't order anyone to become maquis, though I think some would like to join you. He leaned over to her, feeling her hesitate before taking a step back. 'I see. What about you?' 'I think I might join you, though it'd feel a little odd. I mean, on my first mission as a captain, I probably is degraded to cleaning duty instead.' He searched her face for amusement, but she looked dead serious. 'What is she thinking? I certainly can't afford to have officers with her education and experience on cleaning duty.' 'Actually, I was going to ask you if you wanted to be first officer.' She flinched and he felt confused. She didn't exactly look like she was going to scream right out by joy. But this was probably a big surprise to her. 'Why?' 'I thought it would be easier to make our crews work together. Besides, I need you for other things than cleaning floors.' He grinned. She didn't return it. 'I don't know. Being first officer on the enemies ship somehow feels...unsettling.' He started to loose his patience with her. 'Well, it's either that or cleaning duty, so you'd better think fast.' 'Damn, why did I say that? If she doesn't want to be first officer now, I have to make her clean. I can't have her on cleaning duty. Hell, I can't have anyone on cleaning duty.'
The guard followed her back to the "sickbay". Taia Stadi immediately acknowledged her. 'What did he say?' 'He offered us to stay and-' She shot Taia a look. 'You won't believe this one.' 'What?' 'He asked me to be first officer.' 'What, why?!?' 'He want's both crews to work efficiently together. If I'm first officer, it would probably be easier to integrate the crew from Voyager.' 'I guess he's right. What did you say?' 'I said I didn't know. Just didn't want him to think being his first officer is my biggest dream. I think I'll take it though.' 'I think you should. Maybe you could put some Starfleet in them.' 'Yea, right. Don't really think so, most of them probably hate Starfleet.' When Taia left, she sat down on the floor. 'Am I ever going to get home again? I just wish Mark won't give up on me. Well, he probably will after a while. Why does everything has to be so complicated? Can't it just be easy for a change?' She felt tears falling down her cheeks. She tried to wipe them away, but eventually, she let in to her emotions and cried.
Chakotay couldn't understand why this woman had to be so stubborn. He offered her a dream role aboard his ship and she "didn't know"? What was the alternative? He shook his head and decided to go see some of his friends in the dining hall. A lot of people used to be there after duty. When he got down there, he saw some of his friend's, including B'elanna Torres, Ricky Thoran and Laja Chrono. Unfortunately, Seska was there too. He sighed. He had two options, either leave, or sit down anyway. He chose the latter. Though she was annoying in all her attempts to "win him back" it had been 13 months since they broke up. She should have learned that by now. When she him saw him, she gave him a seductive smile. 'Hello, Chakotay. Come, have a drink.' He sighed. 'I should have known. I wish she could stop that. Now that she have seen me, I guess I don't have a choice.' Suddenly the dining halls communication device beeped on the wall. He quickly answered. It was Chell, a rather annoying bolian. 'I have the Starfleet captain here, she'd like to speak to you immediately.' 'Thank you.' 'Saved by the bell. Well, I'd better go down there and save her, bolians can be very annoying. Once they've started talking, they never stop.' When he got there, Chell was indeed talking. Kathryn Janeway seemed to listen with about half an ear. 'Thanks Chell, I'll handle it from here.' 'Yes Captain. Aye Captain.' Chakotay made an inviting gesture toward his office and they stepped in. She addressed him. 'I've been thinking about your request.' 'And?' He didn't like when people didn't just say what they wanted. 'I accept. I've also prepared a list of the crewmembers who'd like to stay on the ship. Some of them would like to stay with the Ocampans. Do you think it would be possible to hail them?' 'Yes, I'll deal with that. Now, I have to decide about roommates. We share quarters two and two. A lot of people died, so they will be some rooms left.' 'What about yours?' He grinned. 'I don't have a roommate. Captains privilege. He thought he saw a smile tugging at her lips, but she suppressed it. 'Well, I'll work this out, call the Ocampans and let you know. Dismissed.' 'When do I start my new job?' 'As I said, I'll let you know. Dismissed.'
'Chakotay!' It was B'elannas voice. B'elannas angry voice. He slowly turned around. He was tired. He wanted to go to his quarters. He wanted to sleep. He did not want to speak with an angry klingon. Well, half-klingon. 'What's wrong, B'elanna?' 'I'll tell you what's wrong. I've reviewed the roommate list. No way I'm sharing quarters with her. He sighed. 'You don't even know her.' She was almost shaking by anger. 'She's starfleet. I don't need to know her.' 'Well, you're sharing quarters with her whether you like it or not. Please, B'el. Give her a chance. She's going to be first officer too, so you'd better get used to the idea.' He left quickly, leaving a stunned B'elanna Torres. He decided to let the Starfleet crew start working tomorrow. He needed personnel, so they could as well settle into their new lives tonight. He hoped there would be no more trouble with roommates.
Kathryn sat on the floor, thinking about nothing when he entered. 'I'm just here to tell you that you start working tomorrow. I take it you have read the roommate list. You can all go to your rooms now, there are maps on the walls, I'm sure you'll find them. For you who won't stay, you'll spend the night here and we'll beam you to the ocampans in the morning.' He started to get out, but Kathryn stopped him in the doorway. 'I don't think it's a very good idea for me to share rooms with B'elanna Torres. She doesn't seem to like me. He gave her a reassuring smile. 'Don't worry. Her motto is: I don't like you until you proved I should. Besides, you don't have a choice.' With that, he left.'
Chapter 3
B'elanna paced her quarters. It wouldn't work. This Kathryn Janeway would arrive anytime soon. She looked at the bed which had been empty since Mariah Shelby died. The doorbell rang. She went there to open it. It was Kathryn, dressed in a maquis outfit. 'It's getting late, maybe we should go to bed,' was the only thing B'elanna could think of to say. 'Yes, I think so too. It has been a long day.' She started to untie her tight bun. Her auburn mass of her cascaded freely down her back. B'elanna watched. It was just so unfair! B'elanna had always wanted hair like that, but hers just didn't go past her shoulders. Then Kathryn turned around and started to undress. B'elanna did the same. When they were ready, she turned off the lights without a word. Not because she was angry, her feelings had calmed down. It was more because she had nothing to say, and she was really tired. But after a few hours, she still wasn't asleep. She watched her new roommate who slept very quiet. 'Something positive. Mariah snored. Kathryn doesn't.' She flinched. Did she just call her roommate by her given name? She must be tired. But if they ever were going to be friends, she might have to start now. And they had to be friends. She couldn't share room with someone she disliked.
When Kathryn woke up, the alarm wouldn't ring for about half an hour. She couldn't go back to sleep. 'Well, I might as well get up and familiarise myself with the ship. She put on her new outfit, and started to make a bun of her hair, when she heard a voice from behind. 'You don't have to do that here.' She quickly turned around. 'Oh, I'm sorry, did I wake you?' 'It's okay. But I don't think you should do that with your hair.' 'Then how should I have it?' 'Just let it out. No one in the maquis makes buns. I love your hair, Kathryn. But it's best when it's free from those restraints.' Kathryn was stunned. Had B'elanna Torres just given her a compliment and called her by her first name? Maybe miracles could still happen.
When Taia Stadi got out of her quarters, she didn't know what to do. It would be a while until she went on duty. She decided to go talk to Kathryn. On the way there, she thought about their situation. She was disappointed. She went from piloting a wonderful starship, to be a no one among criminals. At least she could spend her day's on the bridge. What she did was not very important, she just monitored the ships systems. She didn't think the starfleet crew had the posts they deserved, except for Kathryn of course. The maquis still did all the important jobs. She didn't understand why she couldn't pilot the ship. There were three different pilots on the ship, all maquis. She snorted at the thought. She was better qualified than any of them. And, she added reluctantly, so was Tom Paris. But Captain Chakotay hated him, so he wasn't likely to get the job. Right now, he served as a medic. On top of all that, she went from having a nice quarters all to herself, to sharing one with Laja Chrono, a rather annoying K'tarian. Finally, she reached Kathryn's quarters and ringed the chime. The half klingon which name she couldn't remember opened. 'Sorry, I was looking for Kathryn Janeway?' 'Oh, you just missed her. She was going to take a walk around the ship.' Stadi nodded as the door closed in front of her. Take a walk. She could take one too. She was getting to the bridge soon anyway. When she started walking, she saw Kathryn studying one of the maps. Taia was surprised to see her hair down. She went over to say hello to her friend. 'Hi, I hardly recognised you with your hair down. What made you skip the bun?' Kathryn turned to her and smiled. 'Something B'elanna said. Apparently, no one in the maquis does that, so I'm trying to blend in.' 'Maybe I should loose mine too.' 'If you'd like to. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of buns.' Stadi loosened hers and let her dark hair fall back on her shoulders. Kathryn smiled. 'Come on, let's go to the bridge!'
Author: Natta
Rating: PG Pairing: J/C mainly Disclaimer: I deny everything. Okay, Voyager belongs to Paramount, but Voyager is destroyed in my story! Ha! Gotcha! Summary: What would happen if Voyager were destroyed instead of the maquis ship? Author's note: Thanks to Carolyn who helped me with comment's about the story!
Chapter 1
She woke up to find herself in some kind of sickbay. She was not aboard Voyager though. The panic rose inside her and she struggled to sit up, but the pain shot like arrows through her body. Someone approached her and she tried to look less shattered and frightened. As he got closer, she recognised him as the tall, dark maquis captain. 'Have they decided to take us prisoners? Hopefully, I'm the only one. Please, God, let it be so.' 'Welcome back,' he said without any explanations. 'What's going on? What am I doing here?' Anybody could hear how she struggled to get control of herself - And failed. 'Voyager was destroyed by one of the kazon warships. We beamed you over here in the last minute.' She let her head fall back on the pillow, horror mixed with relief. 'So maybe they do not intend on taking us prisons. But then again, what do we do if they don't want us on their ship. He spoke again. 'I think you should rest some, you've got a bad concussion and some broken ribs.' He rose to leave. 'Wait. What about my crew?' He sat back down. 'I'm sorry.' She flinched. Everybody dead, except her. That wasn't possible! 'We only managed to beam about half the crew aboard before the crash. We did not have enough transporter power to beam everyone over at the same time. We tried, but only half the crew made it over.' 'Oh god. Half my crew dead, the rest stranded in the delta quadrant. On top of everything, we're also stranded on a maquis ship. Just great.' However, her sarcasm couldn't make her feelings go away. She felt tears filling her eyes, and an urge to vomit. She wasn't about to vomit or cry in front of this maquis leader, so she restrained herself. But he saw her tears, and suddenly there was something else in his eyes. Something caring and soothing. He leaned closer to her. 'Kathryn, I'm...' He was getting to her, and she hated him for it. 'I did not realise we were on a first name basis so that's "Captain" for you.' His eyes changed back to "maquis mode" again. 'You do not have a ship to captain, therefore you are no captain. I'll call you whatever I want, as long as you're on my ship!' With that he left. 'Maybe I should have been nicer to him. After all, he was just trying to help. I wonder which of the crewmembers survived and which of them...died.' She couldn't contain herself any longer. Tears fell freely down her cheeks and she felt like screaming out loud by fear, helplessness and anger toward the being that stranded them here. She cried until she passed out by the concussion.
The next time she woke up, she decided to try to find members of her crew. The fear arose inside her again, she was afraid of who she'd find, or rather the ones she wouldn't find. When she went around the corner, she bumped into Tuvok.
Relief washed over her. At least he wasn't one of the victims. 'Captain, I believe we are stuck in a rather...different situation here. Our ship, the only federation ships within 75000 light-years, have been destroyed, and we are stuck on a maquis ship. As I can see it, we have two options. Either we join the maquis, or we stay on a planet here in the delta quadrant. Maybe the ocampans would let us stay with them. 'I can't make that decision for the whole crew. Everybody must decide what he or she would like to do.' He turned to face her, a disturbed look on his face. 'May I remind you Captain, that joining the maquis would mean officially being a criminal, when and if we get home.' She sighed, still troubled by her headache and her sore bones. 'I know that Tuvok. However, staying on a planet would completely ruin our chances of ever getting home.' 'This mess is just growing bigger and bigger. I hope I don't look as bad as I feel.' 'Even if we choose to stay with them it's not sure they want us', she added. 'Though I'd say they could definitely use us.' He raised an eyebrow. 'Indeed.'
After a while, they found the crew in a large room, some laying down, some talking to each other. They seemed to be relieved to see Kathryn and Tuvok arrive. Kathryn started to speak. 'How am I supposed to make my crew calm, when I'm feeling like a nervous wreck myself. I have to pretend like everything's under control.' 'I know you must be very confused, but I'll inform you about our situation. Voyager has been destroyed and we are aboard the maquis ship. Our options are to join the maquis or find a planet to settle down on. I want you to think this over very carefully. But I don't know whether they're willing to have us here or not. Right now I suggest you co-operate with them. There is no point in trying to escape from them. We have nowhere to go.' Everyone was quiet while she spoke, but she could see fear and helplessness grow in their eyes. When she stopped talking, it was awfully quiet for a few moments. 'Some of them are still so young, eager for a career in Starfleet. They've worked so hard for all this, and what do they get? They get stuck 75 years from home with only one options, one worse than the other. I have to stay strong, have to...' After a few awkward moments, people started to talk to each other. Tuvok turned to her. 'I would believe a lot of them would like to build a new life on a planet. Joining criminals and probably not getting home within their lifetime does not sound very tempting.' 'I know.' She noticed herself talking in a very weak voice.' But still, there are about 70 people and some should stay on the ship. What about you?' 'As a Vulcan, I have some opportunity to get home within my lifetime. However, joining the maquis is an illogical course of action. I think that I will follow you.' She smiled. 'I'm glad to hear that.'
B'elanna Torres was furious. She could not understand that the captain actually considered to let Starfleet stay on Liberty. It was just so stupid! She had thought they'd dump them on some planet. Well, killing them would be better, but she didn't dare to suggest that. She didn't understand why they had helped the Voyager crew in the first place. She liked Chakotay, but he had always been to helpful. She had been in a bad mood all day, and it was getting worse. She just snorted when her friend Ricky Thoran asked her to join him and a few others for dinner. She made him upset and suddenly she felt guilty. It wasn't his fault after all. 'Ricky, wait!' He turned around. 'Look B'elanna, you don't have to come, it's okay.' 'No, but I'd like to. I'm sorry, just in a bad mood today.' He grinned. 'When are you not in a bad mood?' She punched his arm and followed him down the corridors. She felt better already.
'Captain!' It was lieutenant Taia Stadis voice. 'Yes lieutenant, how can I help you?' 'Well, I was wondering. If we choose to stay, do you think they'll let us?' Kathryn Sighed. 'That's the billion dollar's question. I have no idea what they have in mind for us. Maybe they want to kill us, but in that case they probably wouldn't have saved us at all. I think they need us, but the question is whether they realise it or not.' 'I've spoken to a lot of people, and I think they'd like to stay. I'd like to. All my life has been preparing to get into space. Well, I've been on missions before, but I don't want to give it up now. It's...not tempting to settle down on an alien planet now.' Kathryn smiled. She had always liked lieutenant Stadi from the moment she first saw her. 'I'm glad to hear that. I'd like to stay too. It's funny though. My first command, and I'll either be put down on an alien planet or be degraded to cleaning plasma conduits.' They laughed but suddenly a man entered the room. Both of them quickly rose. 'Kathryn Janeway. The captain would like to speak to you. Please come with me.'
Chapter 2
When the former Captain stepped into his office, Chakotay had just finished reading a report from Laja Chrono, his transporter officer. He couldn't call her chief transporter officer, since she was the only one left. A lot of his crew had died under the kazon attack and the transfer to the delta quadrant. The fact of all those dead crewmembers had helped him making his decision about the Starfleet crew. He nodded to the guard to leave them alone. 'I have a decision regarding your crew, Kathryn. She shot him one of her famous deathglares, but it didn't seem to work on him. 'I've decided to let you stay. We had a lot of casualties, as did you but we could form our crews to be one.' He watched her and saw the pain in her eyes. 'Funny,' he thought ironically, 'I didn't know that Starfleet captains was allowed to have feelings' 'I can't make that decision for everyone in the crew. I won't order anyone to become maquis, though I think some would like to join you. He leaned over to her, feeling her hesitate before taking a step back. 'I see. What about you?' 'I think I might join you, though it'd feel a little odd. I mean, on my first mission as a captain, I probably is degraded to cleaning duty instead.' He searched her face for amusement, but she looked dead serious. 'What is she thinking? I certainly can't afford to have officers with her education and experience on cleaning duty.' 'Actually, I was going to ask you if you wanted to be first officer.' She flinched and he felt confused. She didn't exactly look like she was going to scream right out by joy. But this was probably a big surprise to her. 'Why?' 'I thought it would be easier to make our crews work together. Besides, I need you for other things than cleaning floors.' He grinned. She didn't return it. 'I don't know. Being first officer on the enemies ship somehow feels...unsettling.' He started to loose his patience with her. 'Well, it's either that or cleaning duty, so you'd better think fast.' 'Damn, why did I say that? If she doesn't want to be first officer now, I have to make her clean. I can't have her on cleaning duty. Hell, I can't have anyone on cleaning duty.'
The guard followed her back to the "sickbay". Taia Stadi immediately acknowledged her. 'What did he say?' 'He offered us to stay and-' She shot Taia a look. 'You won't believe this one.' 'What?' 'He asked me to be first officer.' 'What, why?!?' 'He want's both crews to work efficiently together. If I'm first officer, it would probably be easier to integrate the crew from Voyager.' 'I guess he's right. What did you say?' 'I said I didn't know. Just didn't want him to think being his first officer is my biggest dream. I think I'll take it though.' 'I think you should. Maybe you could put some Starfleet in them.' 'Yea, right. Don't really think so, most of them probably hate Starfleet.' When Taia left, she sat down on the floor. 'Am I ever going to get home again? I just wish Mark won't give up on me. Well, he probably will after a while. Why does everything has to be so complicated? Can't it just be easy for a change?' She felt tears falling down her cheeks. She tried to wipe them away, but eventually, she let in to her emotions and cried.
Chakotay couldn't understand why this woman had to be so stubborn. He offered her a dream role aboard his ship and she "didn't know"? What was the alternative? He shook his head and decided to go see some of his friends in the dining hall. A lot of people used to be there after duty. When he got down there, he saw some of his friend's, including B'elanna Torres, Ricky Thoran and Laja Chrono. Unfortunately, Seska was there too. He sighed. He had two options, either leave, or sit down anyway. He chose the latter. Though she was annoying in all her attempts to "win him back" it had been 13 months since they broke up. She should have learned that by now. When she him saw him, she gave him a seductive smile. 'Hello, Chakotay. Come, have a drink.' He sighed. 'I should have known. I wish she could stop that. Now that she have seen me, I guess I don't have a choice.' Suddenly the dining halls communication device beeped on the wall. He quickly answered. It was Chell, a rather annoying bolian. 'I have the Starfleet captain here, she'd like to speak to you immediately.' 'Thank you.' 'Saved by the bell. Well, I'd better go down there and save her, bolians can be very annoying. Once they've started talking, they never stop.' When he got there, Chell was indeed talking. Kathryn Janeway seemed to listen with about half an ear. 'Thanks Chell, I'll handle it from here.' 'Yes Captain. Aye Captain.' Chakotay made an inviting gesture toward his office and they stepped in. She addressed him. 'I've been thinking about your request.' 'And?' He didn't like when people didn't just say what they wanted. 'I accept. I've also prepared a list of the crewmembers who'd like to stay on the ship. Some of them would like to stay with the Ocampans. Do you think it would be possible to hail them?' 'Yes, I'll deal with that. Now, I have to decide about roommates. We share quarters two and two. A lot of people died, so they will be some rooms left.' 'What about yours?' He grinned. 'I don't have a roommate. Captains privilege. He thought he saw a smile tugging at her lips, but she suppressed it. 'Well, I'll work this out, call the Ocampans and let you know. Dismissed.' 'When do I start my new job?' 'As I said, I'll let you know. Dismissed.'
'Chakotay!' It was B'elannas voice. B'elannas angry voice. He slowly turned around. He was tired. He wanted to go to his quarters. He wanted to sleep. He did not want to speak with an angry klingon. Well, half-klingon. 'What's wrong, B'elanna?' 'I'll tell you what's wrong. I've reviewed the roommate list. No way I'm sharing quarters with her. He sighed. 'You don't even know her.' She was almost shaking by anger. 'She's starfleet. I don't need to know her.' 'Well, you're sharing quarters with her whether you like it or not. Please, B'el. Give her a chance. She's going to be first officer too, so you'd better get used to the idea.' He left quickly, leaving a stunned B'elanna Torres. He decided to let the Starfleet crew start working tomorrow. He needed personnel, so they could as well settle into their new lives tonight. He hoped there would be no more trouble with roommates.
Kathryn sat on the floor, thinking about nothing when he entered. 'I'm just here to tell you that you start working tomorrow. I take it you have read the roommate list. You can all go to your rooms now, there are maps on the walls, I'm sure you'll find them. For you who won't stay, you'll spend the night here and we'll beam you to the ocampans in the morning.' He started to get out, but Kathryn stopped him in the doorway. 'I don't think it's a very good idea for me to share rooms with B'elanna Torres. She doesn't seem to like me. He gave her a reassuring smile. 'Don't worry. Her motto is: I don't like you until you proved I should. Besides, you don't have a choice.' With that, he left.'
Chapter 3
B'elanna paced her quarters. It wouldn't work. This Kathryn Janeway would arrive anytime soon. She looked at the bed which had been empty since Mariah Shelby died. The doorbell rang. She went there to open it. It was Kathryn, dressed in a maquis outfit. 'It's getting late, maybe we should go to bed,' was the only thing B'elanna could think of to say. 'Yes, I think so too. It has been a long day.' She started to untie her tight bun. Her auburn mass of her cascaded freely down her back. B'elanna watched. It was just so unfair! B'elanna had always wanted hair like that, but hers just didn't go past her shoulders. Then Kathryn turned around and started to undress. B'elanna did the same. When they were ready, she turned off the lights without a word. Not because she was angry, her feelings had calmed down. It was more because she had nothing to say, and she was really tired. But after a few hours, she still wasn't asleep. She watched her new roommate who slept very quiet. 'Something positive. Mariah snored. Kathryn doesn't.' She flinched. Did she just call her roommate by her given name? She must be tired. But if they ever were going to be friends, she might have to start now. And they had to be friends. She couldn't share room with someone she disliked.
When Kathryn woke up, the alarm wouldn't ring for about half an hour. She couldn't go back to sleep. 'Well, I might as well get up and familiarise myself with the ship. She put on her new outfit, and started to make a bun of her hair, when she heard a voice from behind. 'You don't have to do that here.' She quickly turned around. 'Oh, I'm sorry, did I wake you?' 'It's okay. But I don't think you should do that with your hair.' 'Then how should I have it?' 'Just let it out. No one in the maquis makes buns. I love your hair, Kathryn. But it's best when it's free from those restraints.' Kathryn was stunned. Had B'elanna Torres just given her a compliment and called her by her first name? Maybe miracles could still happen.
When Taia Stadi got out of her quarters, she didn't know what to do. It would be a while until she went on duty. She decided to go talk to Kathryn. On the way there, she thought about their situation. She was disappointed. She went from piloting a wonderful starship, to be a no one among criminals. At least she could spend her day's on the bridge. What she did was not very important, she just monitored the ships systems. She didn't think the starfleet crew had the posts they deserved, except for Kathryn of course. The maquis still did all the important jobs. She didn't understand why she couldn't pilot the ship. There were three different pilots on the ship, all maquis. She snorted at the thought. She was better qualified than any of them. And, she added reluctantly, so was Tom Paris. But Captain Chakotay hated him, so he wasn't likely to get the job. Right now, he served as a medic. On top of all that, she went from having a nice quarters all to herself, to sharing one with Laja Chrono, a rather annoying K'tarian. Finally, she reached Kathryn's quarters and ringed the chime. The half klingon which name she couldn't remember opened. 'Sorry, I was looking for Kathryn Janeway?' 'Oh, you just missed her. She was going to take a walk around the ship.' Stadi nodded as the door closed in front of her. Take a walk. She could take one too. She was getting to the bridge soon anyway. When she started walking, she saw Kathryn studying one of the maps. Taia was surprised to see her hair down. She went over to say hello to her friend. 'Hi, I hardly recognised you with your hair down. What made you skip the bun?' Kathryn turned to her and smiled. 'Something B'elanna said. Apparently, no one in the maquis does that, so I'm trying to blend in.' 'Maybe I should loose mine too.' 'If you'd like to. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of buns.' Stadi loosened hers and let her dark hair fall back on her shoulders. Kathryn smiled. 'Come on, let's go to the bridge!'