Summary: When Janeway, Tuvok and Chakotay beam down onto a planet for resources, Kathryn meets a mysterious stranger from the future who turns out mean more to her than she ever dreamed. Janeway/OC

Disclaimer: I don't Star Trek: Voyager. I've just borrowed them for a little while. I can't promise I'll return them in tip-top condition though. I hope you don't mind. ;) Oh btw, the new characters are mine, which means I can do whatever I want with them! Wooooo! XD

Note: This is set between Concerning Flight and Mortal Coil. Enjoy, and please review!

Part 1

Kathryn let Luke lead her through the shadows alleys, going through so many twists and turns that she lost track of where they were. Then, all of a sudden, they were slipping through the crack in the wall of the alley where he had saved her.

"I'm sure I saw her run this way," Kathryn froze as she heard Chakotay's concerned voice. "I hope she wasn't caught."

"Shhh..." Tuvok's voice was much quieter. "I'm detecting two lifesigns coming from that alley."

"Human?"

"Unsure. Set phasers to stun."

"You won't be needing those," Kathryn said, releasing Luke's hand and stepping from the shadows.

"Kathryn!" Chakotay said with relief, lowering his phaser. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Thanks to Luke."

"Who?" Tuvok tucked his phaser back in his belt, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"That would be me," Luke stood behind Kathryn and smiled politely.

"He saved my life," Kathryn said. "He claims he is from the future."

"Thank you for saving the Captain," Tuvok said.

"No problem," Luke said. "We must return to our campsite, and I must call off the searchers." In return to Tuvok and Chakotay's confused looks he explained. "I sent my friends out to search for you."

"Why?" Tuvok sounded suspicious. "Why are you willing to help us?"

"Like Kate said, I'm from the future. In that future, I am a close friend of your Captain's, and I'm willing to do anything to help her." Tuvok and Chakotay exchanged a glance, and Luke laid a hand gently on Kathryn's shoulder.

"Come. Follow me." Kathryn motioned for her comrades to follow as she slunk back into the darkness. The four of them navigated the darkness, and Kathryn vaguely recognised the course they had taken the first route back to the campsite. Then the building open to the dim lit clearing, lit only by the torch tied to the wall.

"Not much," Luke said to the other men, "but it'll do." In one leap, he jumped onto the brick wall which stood ten feet tall. Kathryn stared at him. He looked down at her.

"Leaping is an ability of my species," Luke explained with a smile.

"And what is your species, Luke?" asked Tuvok.

"Half human, half Maladic," Luke said.

"I've never heard of them."

"We're a species unique to the Delta Quadrant," Luke said. "Not too different from humans, in appearance anyhow." Tuvok exchanged a few hushed words with Chakotay, while Luke threw back his head and howled like a wolf. Kathryn nearly fell over in shock.

Luke howled again, listened, and Kathryn heard about 7 howled replies.

"We use howls because the aliens can't distinguish them from the howls of their own native animals," Luke explained, leaping from the wall and landing lightly next to Kathryn. "The others are on their way back." He them went about building a fire in the centre of the clearing, while Kathryn went over to her comrades.

"Do you trust him?" asked Chakotay when she was within earshot.

"Yes," Kathryn replied without hesitation. Chakotay stared at her, and Tuvok gave her a look that was as close to shock as a Vulcan could get. "There's something trustworthy about him. He saved me from the guard, and all the others seem to know me."

"Here we go," Luke had taken the brand from the wall and lit the twigs piled at his feet. "Fire. The life source of this barren land."

"Good to see the fire burning, Luke," a female with turquoise scales on her cheeks and forehead, and the backs of her hands and arms said. "I might be a water creature, but even I love the fire."

"Come settle down, Mer," Luke said. "Where are the others?"

"Mew!" the cat form of Fleur leapt the wall, and transformed into a human. "That was quick."

"They weren't far off," Kathryn said. "This is Chakotay and Tuvok."

"Nice to meet you, friends of Kathryn," Fleur bowed low, waving her tail. "I caution you when my father gets here. He is... enthusiastic."

"Noted," Chakotay said.

"Are either of you injured in any way?" asked Luke.

"Negative," Tuvok replied. "We are both in good health." He gazed around them at the small place, getting more crowded as the others arrived. "Are we going to stay here?"

"No!" Luke looked shocked he had even mentioned it. "No way! This is a temporary set up. We have a hideout up in the mountains. There's a small lake, a forest, lots of caves to hide in. We'll be setting off for there first thing in the morning."

"Understood," Tuvok said, and turned to Chakotay. "We may as well rest while we can." Chakotay nodded in agreement, and settled by the fire. Kathryn joined him, stretching out her hands as if to catch the heat of the fire. Luke's hand on her shoulder made her jump.

"Sleep," he said softly in her ear. "I'll keep guard tonight. You'll be safe. I promise." Kathryn gently covered his hand with her own and smiled up at him.

"I know," she said. Luke removed his hand, and leapt up onto the top of the brick wall. Kathryn watched as his settled with his legs crossed, and allowed her gaze to flick over him. He was wearing brown trousers, and a pale yellow shirt with short sleeves that was striped brown. He wore a belt, containing a small bottle of blue liquid, a knife in a sheath, a gun, and a smallish, rectangle pouch that was sealed with a button.

Luke turned his head and his eyes locked with hers. Kathryn quickly looked away, turning her attentions back to the fire. Most of the others were already asleep, the last people dropping off slowly. Kathryn got up, and walked over to the wall beneath Luke.

"Hey!" she called softly. He looked down, then landed softly next to her.

"I thought I told you to sleep," he said playfully, hands on hips.

"I need to talk to you," Kathryn said. "Take me to the top of the wall. We can talk and watch at the same time." Luke put his arms around her waist and leapt to the top of the wall. Kathryn hung her legs over the side, and gazed down at the sleeping aliens beneath her.

"Who are you?" she asked. "To me, I mean." Luke didn't reply at first. He shifted closer. Kathryn's eyes flicked up to meet his. His arm snaked around her shoulders, and he captured her lips with his. After a minute, he pulled back.

"Does that answer your question?" he asked. Dumbfounded, Kathryn nodded. Luke helped her down from the wall, and led her back over to the fire.

"Sleep," he said again, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple, before kissing her lips again. "I mean it this time." Luke jumped back onto the top of the wall. Kathryn's heart was beating fast, like it was about to jump out of her chest. But she obediently lay down and went to sleep next to the fire.

Hope you like! I'll do some more soon but I'm supposed to be asleep right now, so ta-ta!

Love Goldie XXX