I did it guys. I got to the holidays. And only 4 days until Christmas. Also, end of the workd today. How will you guys be celebrating if we don't die? Personally, I'll be telling the world that the Doctor saved us. Anyway, enough of my rambling. Here's the next chapter!
A week and a half later, Kathryn was found holed up in her ready room, going through report after report. She was tired but knew if she did not get through them today, she never would. She rubbed her temple, pulling the top PADD towards her, groaning when she read the title. It had been a trying few days. Q had been leaving his presence around the ship and she could only assume it was how he was apologizing. She was studiously ignoring everything he tried, going about her daily business as if he had never existed.
The things he was doing were all sweet; Lovely meals, flowers and as always, coffee. These gestures were thoughtful and always made Kathryn remember how much she missed him. She knew if she was not so angry with the stunt he pulled she would have forgiven him days ago. What he did was stupid and reckless. His actions were against what she believed in and he knew that. She was hurt by his complete disregard for her feelings when engaging in the fight. She was just too angry to allow herself to forgive him.
A bright flash in her peripheral vision brought her attention to the fresh cup of coffee that appeared on her desk. She purposely ignored it. The smell of fresh coffee wafted around her room, drawing her longing for a cup to the surface. Absentmindedly, she reached for the cup. Before she allowed the liquid to pass her lips, she came back to herself and put the cup the furthest point away from her. She quickly picked up the report she just put down and began work again. Before long the coffee cup was replaced.
Hours and many reports later, Kathryn decided she should grab some dinner. She could not stand the idea of returning to her empty quarters and thought the mess hall was the best plan of action. She rose from her chair and exited her ready room. She watched as Chakotay and Seven caught the turbo lift, completely ignoring the rest of the bridge crew. Kathryn had noticed that since being released from his quarters, Chakotay had been spending all his time with Seven. He no longer made so much as eye contact with her anymore, let alone talk to her. The few words he had said to her were curt and only about ship business.
Kathryn stepped into the turbo lift as Tuvok stepped over the threshold.
"Captain," he acknowledged, nodding his head.
"Tuvok," she greeted with a smile. She realised that he had not been spending a lot of time with Tuvok since this whole fiasco began. She'd quite like to catch up with him.
"Are you free for dinner, Tuvok?" she asked, glancing sideways at him.
"I am, Captain," he replied.
"Would you care to join me in the mess hall then?" she enquired.
"I would," he responded.
Kathryn smiled, turning back towards the doors. They slid open and they both stepped out at once. They continued into the mess hall where they grabbed a tray of whatever it was Neelix had made that evening. The sat down in Tuvok's usual seat in the corner by the window. Kathryn began to prod at the substance on her plate with her fork, trying to figure out what it was. Deciding it probably would not kill her she took a bite. It wasn't too bad but it wasn't all that good either.
"We haven't talked much recently. How are you, Tuvok?" she asked through a mouthful of food.
"I am well, Captain. How, may I ask, are you?" he responded, watching her eat.
"I'm good, Tuvok. Well, within parameters but I don't think much more can be expected at this time," she answered almost to herself.
"Captain, if I may, you appear to be experiencing grief and anger. I can only surmise that this came from the encounter between Commander Chakotay and Q last week," He observed.
"Yes, I suppose I am," she murmured, knowing it would be fruitless to try to lie to Tuvok,
"Allowing Q into your private life may have been a lapse in judgement. It is better that he has left," Kathryn let out a breath.
"Could we discuss something else" she asked, not wanting to delve into her feelings or personal life.
"Of course, Captain. Seven informed me there has been a 0.2 drop in the crew's efficiency,"
"Did she suggest a way of fixing this slip?" She gave him a smile.
"I believe I suggesting cutting Mr Paris's holo program out of the data basis," Tuvok deadpanned.
Kathryn let out a chuckle, thinking about the faces of the crew.
"I think you may be onto something there, Tuvok," she smiled, still chuckling.
They ate the rest of their meal in a companionable silence. When both plates were clean the two officers stood.
"Good evening, Tuvok. Enjoy the rest of your evening," Kathryn said a smile in her voice.
"You too, Captain," he replied, turning to walk in the opposite direction.
Kathryn caught the turbo lift, thinking of her empty quarters. She sighed, thinking of Q, wishing that he would be waiting there for her but knowing he wouldn't. She stepped off the turbo lift planning a quite night, maybe a nice long bath. She walked past a few crewmembers that appeared to be going out for the night walking in the opposite direction. She sighed once again as she crossed the threshold of her quarters. The emptiness of the place just brought her spirits even further down. She walked towards the replicator, desperate for a cup of coffee. She saw the flash in her peripheral vision indicating the appearance of Q. She spun around, knowing this would be a trying night.
"Kathy," he whispered, reaching up to stroke her cheek but stopping with the glare he received.
"I told you to leave," she seethes.
"I know but-"Kathryn cut him off.
"No, when I said leave I meant it," she spat, "Now would you kindly leave."
"Kathy, could you just listen to me. I'm only asking for a minute of your time. I'll leave after that," he stepped towards her.
"I'll call security if you don't leave immediately, Q," she threatened.
"I tried to stop him. What could I have done?" he asked hopelessly.
"Walked away. I knew I shouldn't have given that chance. I knew it would end badly. I can't trust you Q. You willingly involved yourself in a fight with one of my crewmembers. I can't put up with that," she explained.
"He could have hurt you Kathryn. He threw you to the floor. And what was I meant to do? He was desperate for a fight. He would have followed me if I'd left," he almost shouted.
"Security would have taken care of him. There was no need for you to throw yourself into a fight," she barked, turning away from him.
"I didn't throw myself into it. I wasn't a willing participant. I was defending myself. He can really throw a punch." Q argued.
"You could have just disappeared. You are omnipotent after all. You seem to appear easily enough why can't you leave just as easily?" she sneered.
"I didn't know if he would hurt you if I left. Please Kathy. I thought I was doing the best thing for all involved. I didn't think it would end so horribly. Please Kathy, you have to believe me. I never wanted it to end badly."
"How did you think it would end, Q?" Kathryn shouted at him, her anger rising. "You physically assaulted one of my officers. Of course it was going to end badly. How else could it end?"
She took a sip from her sup, hoping it would quell her anger. She groaned as the liquid passed her lips. Of course he would replace her normal coffee with his own blend. She pushed past Q, shoving the offending cup into his hands.
"Just for once can you not interfere with my life?" she demanded.
"I'm sorry, Kathy, but you seemed to so enjoy it last time I gave it to you. I thought you would appreciate the thought. I guess I was wrong," he mumbled, looking down into the rejected cup.
"It was a lovely gesture, Q, but I told you to leave and not come back. You disobeyed my wishes. You involved yourself in a fight with my first officer and now you want me to just forgive you in a heartbeat. A cup of coffee won't do that, Q. I'm not sure anything can," she informed him.
"I'm sorry, Kathy." he agonized. "I don't know how to show you just how much I wish I hadn't involved myself in that stupid fight. I swear it will never happen again. Please, just give me one more chance. Just one more. It's all I'll ever ask of you,"
"I'm sorry, Q. I can't trust you after this. Now leave. Your minute's up," she turned towards the viewport.
She felt a pair of warm arms encircling her from behind. She remembered that used to feel nice. Now she could only think of the pain they could inflict on another being. She turned, placing her hands on his chest. She pushed until he let go of her.
"Leave, Q. there's nothing more for you here. Just leave and don't come back," she demanded once again.
He turned his eyes towards her, a pleading look on his face. His eyes were brimming with unshed tears, threatening to spill over onto his cheeks. She didn't like hurting him so much but she had no choice. She crossed her arms and stared impassively at him. Q sighed, knowing his was a lost cause. There was nothing he could do tonight.
"Goodnight, Kathy. Pleasant dreams," he wished before disappearing in a flash before her eyes.
Kathryn moved from the viewport into her bedroom. She knew it was unlikely she would get much sleep tonight. Q had left her with a lot to think about; Mainly ways to curse him. She still couldn't believe he would involve himself in such a fight. She lay down in her bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking of all the joy she would