Disclaimer - Paramount? Oh, Masters of the Universe. Me? Human. They are creators. I am just a penniless manipulator. They own Voyager and major characters. The names of minor crewmembers are imaginary and some of them are my creation.

The Slaves of Tempus

By - Macqui's Queen

'Tempus' is the Latin word for 'time'.

Synopsis- Tom Paris from an alternate universe travels through the time and space to make Captain Janeway realize her true feelings for Chakotay and to stop her from committing the mistake which would ultimately destroy Voyager and her life. In his course of action, he discovers a new and terrifying truth of time travel. It is then that he comes to know that even the best-laid plan can fail against the laws of universe. This story is very different from those typical 'alternate universe' stories. I am sure you will enjoy it. Read and review.

Please, Read the note and request before starting the story.

Codes- J/C and J/P, Doctor, Torres, rest of the crew.

Note- I have used two different terms for two different Voyagers. "Normal Voyager" means the one on which everything is still normal i.e. Captain and Chakotay love each other but are not involved, B'Elanna and Tom are still dating, and no one is dead. At the starting of the story, this Voyager is at the time just after " Night". The " Alternate Voyager" means the other one where things are going differently as story will clearly reveal. However, at the starting of story this Voyager is at time eight months after " The Equinox". Thus, Tom from " an Alternate Voyager " travels through the time and space to change the timeline but the events take drastic turn on both the ships.

Something in*…* means that person is thinking. "….", Naturally shows the conversation.

A Request - I will be very grateful if you just ignore grammatical mistakes and even wordiness at some places. English is not my first language and I could not get a Beta Reader. Further, if someone wants to do Betareading for me, he or she is very welcome. Mail me at - macquisqueen@yahoo.co.in

Chapter One- All the Vital Links - Part I

On Alternate Voyager - Exactly Eight months after the Equinox Incident

Stardate-: Unknown Time: 1230 hours

" Delta Flyer to Voyager" Tom Paris wished silently that the Captain would answer.

" Voyager here." Tuvok's eternally neutral and calm voice came over the comm.

" Lt. Batik has just finished his flying session. We are ready to return." Tom tried his best to hide disappointment in his voice.

" Acknowledged. Standby" There was about four-second gap before he continued, "Shuttle bay is ready to make port.

" Acknowledged. Delta Flyer out." Tom cut the communication link and turned to his left to address Lt. Batik. The Lieutenant was looking ahead at viewscreen, his full concentration at the maneuvers as he saw the Voyager appearing on viewscreen and distance closing between them. Tom studied his face. Lieutenant Batik, his best pupil, although four months ago he wouldn't have dared to think along those terms, neither would have anyone else. Moreover, if Tom has to decide to venture into a greater distance from the present, about eight months earlier…. 'NO'… he cannot afford to indulge his thoughts there, not now, not at least until his plan is completed. There would be time for the past, but not until he takes care of present. Lt. Batik is one of the links in chain of his carefully laid plan. One of the most vital link, in all those crucial links he had carefully chosen and woven. The new 'to- be' Chief Helmsman of Voyager. A man who will sit at helm, who will occupy the position he had occupied till now, from today evening, instead of him. Tom heart constricted a little from the pain. But, then, he reminded himself that he had no option. It was his decision, his own choice, and his own plan. Time to give the final touches to this link.

" Uh, Lt. Batik, I am happy to inform you that this was the final session of your flying lessons. " Tom paused to see if Lt. Batik turns to him. He did not. *Good, He has an excellent concentration. Ready for surprises. Good, indeed. * Tom continued " I must say, I am extremely satisfied with your performance. As soon as we reach Voyager, I will inform the Captain, although I have already discussed it with her. Today evening, at 1700 hours, you will be promoted to the post of Chief Helmsman of Voyager. You will be doing Gamma shift today night and you will be doing Alpha shift tomorrow, that is, you will be doing twenty four hours duty with a break of three hours, two hour in the morning and one hour for the lunch, tomorrow. With the exception of these two occasions, you will not be leaving helm. If you have any questions, you can ask now. Do you have any questions Lt. Batik?" Tom was watching Lt. Batik intently, but was thinking that his own voice must have sounded a lot harsher than friendly voice of Harry Kim but definitely milder than the monotonous logical tone of their Vulcan friend.

Lt. Batik didn't even bother to look at him although every word Tom had said was quite surprise for him. No, that was not entirely right. He knew that promotion was coming in few days, but the time of news was certainly unanticipated. Still, keeping his eyes glued to the viewscreen, the flyer cutting through vacuum in space, he replied calmly, "No, Commander, I don't have any questions."

Tom smiled in heart. " Good, Lt. Batik." * He is damm good with surprises. By tomorrow, there will not be any doubt left about his endurance also. A Vital link in my plan. *

" Commander, we are in." Lt. Batik's voice cut through his thought as they entered Voyager. Seconds later Delta Flyer came to the halt.

" O.K, Lieutenant, you may go and rest now. You will report to bridge at 1700 hours. Dismissed" Tom ordered.

"Aye, Commander." Lt. Batik went out. Tom watched him go. *So much weight is going to fall on that shoulder. * His pupil. * I think I have done a fine job. He won't let me down. I know it. I just know it. *

Tom sighed and went out of the Delta Flyer. He knew it was time to check out the other links of his plans. Then he decided that those could wait. He has to first go to the bridge to check out everything.

Tom quickly made it to the turbolift. " Deck One" He ordered. Half minute later he entered the bridge. Harry looked up and gave him a halfhearted smile. Tuvok gave what could be passed as a Vulcan nod. Rest of the bridge crew just glanced at him, acknowledging his presence with a single glance, before getting back to their work.

" Report" He asked formally, although somehow already knowing what the status would be.

"All systems are functioning normally. Nothing unusual on long range sensors." Harry sounded almost Tuvok

"Well, I guess this is another one of those silent days in Delta Quadrant." Tom commented but Harry again gave him just a twisted smile and Tom decided that his friend is having another one of those bad days. He took a step towards OP station, but apparently, Tuvok decided that precise moment to carry out his duty.

" Commander Paris, may I ask you how did Lt. Batik's flying session go?"

Tom halted his advance towards OP station. He searched Tuvok face purposefully, thousands of suspicions running across his mind. Does the Vulcan suspect something? * You are being overcautious Tom. He is the Chief Tactical officer. It is his duty to ask. It is just a simple question. *

" It was quite satisfactory, Tuvok." Tom replied and concluded not to elaborate further. His eyes locked for a moment with the Vulcan, both men trying to guess each other's thoughts. Inside his heart, Tom smiled sarcastically. Six years ago, he would have never challenged a Vulcan to read his mind. He was like an open book. Now, well, his control was almost equal to Tuvok's, his emotions concealed equivalently, his face evenly passive, his lips set in hard firm line, even his heartbeat disciplined by his mind. In his opinion, only two persons in the entire universe were still capable of breaking his control, and unquestionably, Tuvok was not one of them. The next second proved that his conclusion was right as Tuvok removed his piercing gaze and deflected it towards the tactical control screen in front of him.

Tom surveyed Tuvok for a second longer, waiting for the latter to take up his challenge. When Tuvok continued with his work, Tom turned to enter Captain's ready room. Tuvok's voice penetrated his ears before he could take one step.

" Commander, Captain Janeway is in engineering."

Tom slowly turned back to face the Vulcan again, but his face gave away nothing. * So he took up my challenge. O.K Tuvok you can still read me to some extent. *

" Thanks, Tuvok."

"Commander" Tuvok returned courteously.

Tom again held the Vulcan gaze and smiled a little. This time he didn't wait for the other man to drop his glance. He turned and made his way towards his own position on bridge, the command chair. He glanced towards the Captain's chair, which was empty because its occupant was in the Engineering at this moment. He decided to sit there, instead of his own chair. It somehow felt more comfortable once he settled down there.

It was an hour before Kathryn Janeway came back from the Engineering. She entered in hurry, stopped to talk to Harry, and then addressed Tom from behind.

" Commander, I thought you said that the flying session would take three hours." She said without sitting down. He was still in her command chair.

" I did, but apparently, Lt. Batik exceeded my expectation." Tom replied as he got up from her chair to face her.

She observed him for a moment. His blue eyes locked with her blue.

" I would like to discuss the matter, Commander."

"I am almost finished with my report."

"Tell me when you are done. I will be in my ready room. You have the bridge." Kathryn walked away before Tom could finish his ' aye Captain'

Five minutes later Tom was still thinking whether he was ready or not. He had finished the report about twenty minutes ago and lied to the Captain about it. In fact, he wanted to take a review of his own mind. All the answers to the questions she would be asking. All the lies or half - lies he would have to tell her. For her sake, for his own sake, for the sake of his plan. It was all there in his mind. All the possible questions, every alternative answer. Everything was carefully planned. Except one thing. He knew that lying to Kathryn Janeway was worst thing he was going to do. But if everything goes proper, she will probably never find it. But his heart will have to carry yet another guilt. Probably it would kill him, but then at least he would have knowledge he had done something right. Tom sighed as he got up from the chair and resolutely pushed himself towards Captain's ready room. He closed his eyes for a second before pressing the chime.

" Come in."

He walked in and saw her staring at him, her features too hard, Captain's mask in place. He was used to both. He knew they were not for him. But the haunted and cold look in her eyes and tired lines beneath them made his heart cry out in pain again. He crossed the room with two steps, dropped the pads on desk, went around, and took her hand in his.

" You look tired." Tom didn't mean to sound accusing but failed.

" B'Elanna had a problem with plasma conduit. I spent almost entire morning in Engineering. It was quite tiring." Kathryn was not in mood of any sort of argument.

" Really, and besides need I remind you that you slept at 0300 hours yesterday. Not to mention, after drinking that entire bottle of wine." There was more mordancy in his voice now.

" Tom, Please, I am terribly tired." Kathryn's voice also held that bitter edge.

Tom cringed inwardly. He decided to back up a little.

" Have you had your lunch?" He asked knowing that her answer would be negative.

"No, I didn't get time. " She just confirmed his presumption.

" That's it. Let me get us something to eat. After that we can go over that report." He dropped her hand and jumped down.

" Actually, I am not that hungry." Kathryn added her customary sentence to their customary scene.

He ignored her, went to replicater, and ordered the bread sandwiches.

" Tom, I said I am not hungry."

Tom had to bit back the stinging words that he wanted to throw at her at that moment. *OH, God, Why do you always do this to me Kathryn? *

Instead, he decided to make use of another point in his favor.

"Well, how can you be not hungry. As far as remember, You never took breakfast this morning. Besides, you can have a cup of hot black coffee with these sandwiches." He said placing the tray on desk and pulled the chair around, to sit next to her.

Mention of coffee definitely got Kathryn smiling and she decided, to Tom's relief, at last to eat some sandwiches.

" So, what did exactly cause a malfunction in Plasma conduit?" He asked formally.

" Actually… Kathryn began. She had hoped that he would start some conversation and was relived when he did. Nowadays, it always seemed to her that she would find herself more and more times in this sort of situation. They were all so formal, their talks. On the bridge, in her ready room, in their quarters. If anyone else were to hear them talking, they would think they are just colleagues. Alternatively, friends to some extent. A third person certainly won't be able to guess that Tom is her husband.

Tom Paris listened to his wife explaining him about the malfunctioning that she and B'Elanna had discovered that morning. Inside his heart, he was crying. And his heart was crying out to take his Kathryn in his arms, to stop her being so formal to him, to revive their old love and passion, to make all things right in a single moment. As he listened to her all he wanted to say was* Katie, for god sake, I am your husband. We have been married for almost two years. God, why are you so formal. You …You , I love you Kathryn, I still do. And …you used to say you love me? No, You used to love me Kathryn. You…No that's not true. You never really loved me Katie. It was all because of circumstances. Or because of the fate. Because of that single accident…. But then, can't you see that I still love you so much? I want to tell you, want to hold you. HEY WAIT THERE, Tom, boy, you do tell this to her every day. You do still hold her everyday, every night. No, No, …I want to make you happy. Happy? But, I know I cannot. I can never make you happy. Never. I wish I could."

"Seven Of nine to Commander Paris." The piercing voice of ex-Borg was capable of interrupting anyone's thought, even if the person is in coma.

" Paris here."

" Commander, your assistance is required in Astrometrics."

" I will be there in few minutes." He replied, cut off the link, and then smiled at his wife. "Well…I think you will have to finish your coffee all by yourself. "

" It's O.K with me." Kathryn smiled back a reassuring smile.

* OH, but it shouldn't be O.K with you. She interrupted our lunch, called me in middle of conversation with you, I am leaving you in middle of meal, and it is all O.K with You. Oh, Kathryn* Aloud he said, " I will be back in few minutes. Then we can go over that report."

" Of Course, I will go through it."

Tom just turned and came out from her ready room with a heavy heart.

The problem in Astrometrics was minor and it was quickly solved. When Tom finished, he actually got a rather pleasant ' thanks' from Seven. He was about to come out of Astrometrics lab, when Seven suddenly exclaimed.

" Commander, I must apologize for interrupting your lunch with your wife."

" How did you know that I was taking lunch with Kathryn?"

" When you answered my link, your voice was annoyed. As it was usual time of your lunch, and you were in ready room, I came to conclusion that you must be probably irritated because I disrupted your lunch with the Captain."

* Since when did you started thinking in such simple human terms, Seven. Oh come on Tom, she is apologizing. *

"Uh…It's O.K Seven, We don't mind." * No, actually I minded, but Kathryn never did. Why? Oh, she doesn't care any more. *

Tom realized that he was still staring at ex-Borg and a frown was forming on her forehead. He smiled and stepped out of Astrometrics.

He was only halfway to the bridge when Kathryn's indubitably enraged voice addressed him thorough his comm badge.

" Janeway to Paris."

" Tom here."

" I want to talk to you immediately in my ready room."

* So she had read the report. Tom, time to tell those half lies. * " I am on my way to the bridge." He replied, trying to keep his voice neutral. If an ex-Borg can read irritation in his voice, then his wife was certainly capable of reading thousands of emotions.

" Janeway out." The link went dead and Tom thought it was certainly ironic that an ex- drone can read his emotions better than his wife of two years can.

*********

Kathryn was by now furious and was pacing in her ready room. She has just finished the reading her First Officer's report on Lt. Batik's complete progress and the reasons and recommendation for his promotion to Chief Helmsman of Voyager. Of course, he had discussed it with her about two months ago and then Tom started training Lt. Batik. Finally a day before yesterday he had informed her the training was almost finished and they agreed that they would finally give promotion to Lt. Batik in two days, accordingly, today. That was not the reason of Kathryn's anger although she was little amazed when Tom had initially told her that he want to hand over the position of 'Chief Helmsman' to someone else. But then, she was so dejected at that time, had literally cut herself off from entire crew, crying in her quarters alone, mourning over Chakotay's death. * Chakotay! * Kathryn stopped pacing suddenly. Her anger evaporated into thin air, her whole body sagged down, shoulders drooping and slowly the haunted look in her eyes returned back. She just stared at floor, transfixed at her position, her mind and heart indented in guilt. That's how her husband found her when he entered the ready room, overriding the command codes.

Tom studied Kathryn from about five-step distance. She was staring at floor, glued in single position. As he watched her the never-ending pain in his heart intensified by a factor of infinity. He brought his hand to the chest, hoping that it will ease his pain, desperately clutching left side of his chest, somehow trying to console his own heart. The tears in his eyes spilled over and ran down his cheeks freely, but the pain didn't ease. * Kathryn, Oh God, she can't even see me. All she sees is the past. And Him. When he is so far away. I am so near, standing here. Yet, she can't see me. But then why will she? Why? She … stopped looking at me the day he died. NO…even before that. Even before that. I was never anything. It was all an illusion, a mistake, a game of fate, perhaps. * And after this as he had done uncountable occasions before, he cursed all the unknown powers in universe, he cursed the day he made the fatal mistake of crashing Delta Flyer, those illusionary years lost in history forever, the splits, the hurts, the breaches and finally the Equinox.

* Oh Chakotay, I am so sorry, but I really don't know how to love her. I am sorry man. * Tom just shook his head and wiped away his tears. He was so used to find Kathryn like this. How many times in last eight months had he found her like this. In her ready room, in the holodeck, in their quarters, sometimes on the bridge. Sometimes when he went back to their quarters, he would find her sitting on bed, staring at floor, still in her uniform three hours after her duty had ended. He would shake her out of her dream and she would just exclaim " Oh, Tom, what's the time? My God, It's almost 2300 hours. I will fix the dinner."

" Kathryn, Kathryn" He whispered slowly, knowing that she won't answer.

He slowly crossed the five- step distance between them and cautiously touched her careful not to startle her. Nevertheless, she jolted out of her reverie as if she was touched by an assimilation tubule.

" Tom"

Tom winced, but gently reminded her that she wanted to discuss some matter with him.

" Yes, Oh…yes, Commander, I mean Tom, I just wanted to ask you why you want Lt. Batik to do a twenty four hours duty."

* Now, you should actually bark at me for that. *

" Uh, Kathryn, he is going to be new " Chief Helmsman." I just want to know if he can handle Voyager for twenty- four hours."

" But we have never done this. I mean it is not humane. All crewmembers works in duty shifts."

" He is also going to work only in Alpha shift. This is only for initial twenty four hours of his duty."

Kathryn finally looked at him, in his eyes. Tom felt like burning. Her eyes, her oceanic blue eyes, So cold, so haunted, and so lifeless. Yet they used to held such passion. Not for him. Never for him. But always for that some one. Tom held his breadth.

" O.K., when do you want to handle over to him?"

* For God sake Kathryn, You are the Captain here. *

" I thought, you must have decided."

" Uh… Uh…actually, Ok, let's make it at 1800 today. O.K." She averted her gaze.

" Fine, I will inform him." Tom excused himself and quickly exited the ready room, his eyes a little red.

********

Star Date: *******Time: 1500 hours

First Officer's Log Stardate: ********Supplemental

I hereby inform all the crewmembers of Voyager that Lt. Batik, the Assistant Helmsman, will be officially assigned as new " Chief Helmsman" of U.S.S Voyager. Captain Janeway will formally transfer him to the position at 1800 hours on the bridge today and the present " Chief Helmsman"; First Officer Commander Tom Paris would hand over him all the duties. Lt. Batik would resume his duty from 1800 hours, today. There would be a customary dinner tomorrow at 2000 hours in messhall to celebrate the occasion.

Singed: Commander Tom Paris, First Officer, U.S.S Voyager.

End Log.

To Be Continued………….

If you want to know in what circumstances Kathryn and Tom get married, How and when Chakotay was killed and who killed him and what exactly Tom is planning to give Kathryn another chance to love Chakotay and who are conspiring along with him, then PLEASE continue reading.

Read and Review or mail me at macquisqueen@yahoo.co.in