She felt a heavy burden lifted from her shoulders, once the decision had been made.

She would walk out those doors with her chin held high, no trepidation and no self-doubt.

She ran her hand down the coarse texture at her side and adjusted the garment, making it fall perfectly into place.

She could have used a transporter or she could have ordered the whole crew to avoid her navigation to the lower decks, but the thought quickly diminished from her mind.

She was not vain and she certainly wasn't ashamed, it was for the good of the ship.

She exited her quarters; there was no one in sight.

She signaled the turbo lift and inhaled quickly as the doors opened, it was un-occupied.

She took one last moment to re-adjust her dress and noted how irritated her scalp had become.

She stepped out into the empty corridor, as the door closed behind her.

She made her way down to the heavy grade doors, a fleeting scratch to her hairline to relieve the itch, as Voyager lay quiet.

She had arrived and somewhat vexed by the lack of presentation, she pressed the panel and the doors parted.

She sighed in exhaustion as she exited the holodeck, without thinking she scanned the corridor and again it was void.


She considered her previous intention to use the transporters, realizing such thoughts were unnecessary. What perpetrators?

She made her way back to the turbo lift and rested her back against the bulkhead, a snippet of rest before a change of attire.

She jumped in awareness as she heard a sound from down the corridor.

She suddenly stood straight and waited for the crewman to make an appearance; his steps were heavy in the dense recycled air.

She glanced at him for a brief moment as she the smile play at his features.

She held out her hand in a gesture for him to enter the lift before her.

She followed in silence.

They rode the lift and their eye on the floor, both listening to each other's breaths.

They stood for a while, wanting to say something, anything to relieve the sudden unease of their journey.

They both spoke in unison, only to fumble over each others words.

They looked at each other and smiled brightly, as he reached out to gently caress the feathers on her garment.


"Nice touch"

"I thought so too"

"Well we couldn't have you being over shadowed now could we?"

"Definitely not… Although"

"Yes?"

"Next time you can wear the wig, I'm opting for a crown"

"As you wish Captain, you are the Queen after all"

"Don't you forget that Mr. Paris"

The end.