Please note…this story contains characters and dialogue borrowed from O.K.. Row ling's Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone. All characters were returned to O.K.. Rowing in pristine condition at the end of the story.
Summary
– Set in Season 7. A chance encounter on the holodeck forces Chakotay to face the truth about his relationship with his commanding officer. A version of this short piece was originally posted as part of the JUKE Advent Calendar, 2003.Rating
– J/C General
Upon Reflection
Part One
'Come on Commander, down here. If they find us we'll be expelled for sure.'
A small hand grabbed hold of his, dragging him down yet another dim corridor. The cloak currently draped over their shoulders might have rendered them invisible to prying eyes but it did little to deaden the sound of their footsteps.
'In here.'
She stopped suddenly, forcing him to brace his hands against the wooden door. As the alternative was to have squashed her flatter than one of Neelix's infamous leola root pancakes he flattened his palms against the rough wood, flinching slightly as a splinter embedded itself into his thumb.
Naomi chose that precise moment to turn and give him a quick hug. Looking down at her face, glowing with excitement he found himself returning her grin.
'Isn't this the best Priding present ever. Mum say's Tom spent months working on it.'
Chakotay let another grin slip free. If he remembered correctly B'Elanna had had a few choice words to say about the amount of time her husband had been spending in the halo-labs lately. Of course, she'd relented when she discovered the recipient of Paris's latest masterpiece was a certain young lady by the name of Naomi.
He was about to speak when a sinister meow sounded from the shadows. He could tell from Naomi's startled gasp that this was not good.
'Oh no…its Mrs. Norris.'
Naomi moved quickly, dragging him through the crumbling archway before he'd had a chance to enquire as to who Mrs. Norris was, and what role she had to play here at Hog warts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Perhaps he should have taken Kathryn's advice and done a little research into the story behind the hooknose before allowing himself to be talked into taking part.
Finally free from pursuit, they were able to shrug off the cloak and take stock of their surroundings. What little illumination there was came from the grime encrusted windows set in the east wall. For a moment Chakotay mourned for the lamp they had been forced to leave behind in the library when they'd been disturbed ransacking the restricted section. As their eyes adapted to the gloom shadows slowly resolved into discarded chairs and overturned tables…identifying their sanctuary as a disused classroom.
'What's that?'
Naomi didn't wait for an answer, racing across the room to stand at the base of what had to be the largest mirror Chakotay had ever seen.
As high as the ceiling, it was contained within an ornate gold frame into which an inscription was carved. Dust clung to every surface, obscuring much of the script, but something about the words reminded Chakotay of childhood intrigues.
'Erised star eh…t up…afro out on w…his.'
Curious, he moved closer but was, once again, beaten by Naomi who stepped up to the mirror, her small face alive with excitement. It took only a second or two for the excitement to be replaced by confusion.
'Something's wrong…where's my reflection?'
The words had barely left her mouth before she'd let out a small scream and whirled round, her eyes searching through the shadows in the room. Instantly alert Chakotay moved to shield her from whatever danger she'd spotted, but despite his best efforts he could see nothing that warranted such alarm.
When he turned back Naomi was once again staring at the mirror; her eyes fixed on a sight only she seemed able to see.
'Look at me…' She reached out and touched the dusty surface, a look of wonder on her face. '…I'm a Captain, and there's Mom and my father. Everyone's smiling at me…'
She was so close to the mirror now that her nose was nearly touching the grime encrusted glass.
'Can't you see them all?'
'Sorry Naomi…I can only see you, and some cobwebs.'
He tactfully refrained from mentioning the large spiders that came with them.
Throwing him an exasperated glance she stepped aside.
'Perhaps your not looking into it properly. Go on, stand where I was and then you'll see.'
Never one to disappoint a lady, Chakotay took up position directly in front of the mirror. Naomi watched him with barely contained excitement. Time seemed to stand still as he stared into the depths of the glass. A flash of something that might have been pain raced across his features, leaving in its wake an emptiness that made the little girl want to throw her arms around him and give him a big hug.
'Did you see them?'
Chakotay dragged his eyes away from the images captured within the glass. Not trusting his voice he nodded, grateful for the fact that Naomi didn't ask him to elaborate.
'Do you think this mirror shows the future?'
'Perhaps…' Balling his hands into fists, Chakotay ruthlessly suppressed the trembling that threatened to expose him. '…but we both know there will be no future for either of us if we miss dinner. Rumor has it Neelix has surpassed himself this year.'
'But Commander…we still don't know who Nicholas Flame is!' She stared up at him beseechingly. '…and then there's that three headed dog…'
'Naomi!'
'I know…' She took one last look at the smiling woman in the mirror, marveling at the four shiny pips nestling on her collar. 'I promised Mom I wouldn't be late…but…can we come back tomorrow?'
'I'll see what I can do…'