Again so slow with the updates but my life has been busy busy and not in a good way. Thank you for your patients.
Kathryn woke up and stretched her body to find herself alone in the bed. Sitting up suddenly she looked around the room, now bathed in a soft light coming through the window. No Tom, this was strange, she was always the first up, the thought of him not being there worried her far more than she would admit, even to herself.
Getting up quickly now she opened the door to the room and poked her head out. Finding it deserted she walked across the room to the window and looked down on the street below.
The low set of the sun told her it was still early, and the absence of anyone on the street told her it was really early. Not unusual, she always seemed to wake at the crack of dawn no matter where she was. The fact that she was apparently alone however bothered her greatly.
Tuning back to scan the room for any sign's of her companions whereabouts' her eyes finally fell on a PADD lying neatly on the dilapidated coffee table.
Picking it up she smiled at Tom's obvious attempt at half asleep humour.
"Gone fishing, back soon." Was all it read, but it was all she needed, knowing it was from Tom and that he was probably getting something to eat made her feel slightly better.
That and the fact that he had not left her alone with his old friends. Kathryn was yet to make up her mind about these people from Tom's past, but for now, if he trusted them then so would she.
Moving into what looked like the kitchen Kathryn searched the cupboards for something to drink. Preferably coffee, but juice would be ok. Finding nothing she slammed the last door as people walked in the front one.
"Ha I told you she would be up and on the prowl for coffee, pay up doc." Tom said as he walked into the kitchen and waved the bag of goodies he had at her.
"Fine, but I expect a rematch when the opportunity arises." The doctor said handing over something to Tom which Kathryn could not quite see.
"Making bets on me again Mr Paris, I thought I told you about that a long time ago." Kathryn said playfully as she grabbed the bag out of his hand and found coffee and fruit inside.
"I think I can forgive you this time though." She said as he smiled back at her as she took out the cup of coffee and handed him back the bag.
"Why thank you Ma'am." He said pulling out what looked like an apple, but Kathryn suspected it was noting like an apple. When Tom bit into it and the purple juice ran down his chin her suspicions were confirmed.
"Where are your friends?" Kathryn said after a few moments of enjoying their breakfast in silence while the doctor brooded over his loss to Tom.
"Gone to get some supplies we will need. I doubt they will be gone long, they are as eager to leave as we are." Tom said looking at her over their top of his own coffee and Kathryn couldn't help the narrow of her eyes.
"I don't like it that they seem so nervous." She said and Tom shook his head.
"It's not our problem, the people after them are people they own money too, not anyone interested in us. After we pay them for their work I am sure they will be in the clear anyway." Tom said and Kathryn could not detect any hint of deception in Tom's voice and she allowed herself to relax slightly.
It wasn't long before Geoffrey and Riley returned, they swooped into the room looking from face to face and both Tom and Kathryn noticed that something was wrong.
"How far away is your ship Tom old buddy?" Riley asked as Geoffrey went to the window and checked the outside.
"Not far ten minute walk." Tom said standing up, feeling the urgency coming off the pair in waves. It was obvious that Kathryn felt it too as she was also on her feet.
"Then I suggest we go now." Riley continued as Geoffrey came back over to the front door and led the way down.
None of them needed telling twice. Tom followed Kathryn through the door, and the doc brought up the rear.
Checking the street as they went Tom saw no one. But there were plenty of side streets for people to hide down, and Tom was not going to hang around a check.
Almost breaking into a run as they cleared the main part of the town Tom guided them towards the flyer. He remembered where he had hid it by the formation of the rocks surrounding it. Pressing the remote the flyer declocked and the aft door opened, they all filed on to the flyer quickly. Tom taking the pilots seat and Kathryn not hesitating to sit next to him.
The doctor shits behind while their two newest members hover in the aft compartment checking behind them to see if the coast is still clear.
"I suggest Tom if you can forgo any checks to do that." Geoffrey said and Tom noted the slight panic in his voice as he threw at quick glance at Kathryn but she was not looking at him. Tom followed her eyes line out of the front window and watched as movement in the trees alerted him to the fact that someone was out there.
Thinking he would be having a pretty strong word with Riley and Geoff when they got out of here Tom cranked up the flyers engines and took off.
"Nice Tom, now head for the outer moon, we had to relocate somewhat." Riley said now coming forward and patting Tom on the shoulder briefly. He also avoided Kathryn glare but only for a moment.
"What the hell was that all about?" Kathryn said grabbing hold of Riley's arm and holding him in a vice like grip. Tom was well aware of the woman's surprising strength but Riley was not. He almost stumbled backwards at the intensity of Kathryn glare only to find himself wedge in between the console and Tom's chair.
"Umm look, we are kind of in dept, slightly to the wrong guys. I don't think they would have taken your ship for payment, by why take the chance a." He said finally stuttering slightly as he glanced at to for support but none was coming.
"Take a seat Mr Riley I expect you need one." Kathryn said her tone cold as Tom tried to hold in a smile and failed as Kathryn gave him a quick glance.
The flight to the outer moon surrounding Andros was thankfully uneventful. Kathryn noticed the change in their two newest passengers as they began to relax as they got closer to their home.
Tom landed the flyer with ease once again and Kathryn along with the Doc and Tom's old friends departed while Tom flew the flyer carefully into the workshop and powered down the engines.
"Excellent job Tommy boy. Not that you're a boy any more, I forget it has been a very long time since we last saw each other, the lines on your face grow almost as deep as mine." Riley said, much to Kathryn's bit not Tom's amusement.
"Thanks Riley, now how long do you think it will take to get these modifications sorted?" He asked tuning back to look at the workshop. It was old, slightly dusty with a faint and lingering smell of old motor oil. Tom suspected that the pair of them had been tinkering with things they shouldn't have been. It was in working order though, tools from every part of the Alpha quadrant lined the walls. Parts from a hundred different ships rested in draws, sinks and cupboards. Tom also knew that appearances were often deceiving. Riley and Geoffrey may have looked like unkempt street urchins but they were two of the finest engineers he had ever worked with. Second to only one person, B'lanna.
"I reckon two days, maybe if you shut up and leave us alone, we can have it done in one and a half." Riley said clapping Tom on the back and escorting him into the main house. Tom checked behind him to find Kathryn almost on his shoulder the doc not far behind.
"For now I suggest we get something to eat. I don't know about you but I am starving from all that running. Geoffrey said casting his grin all around the table and finally settling it on Kathryn who smiled back. Tom could see the falseness behind it but Geoffrey took it at face value and smiled back.
"Good roll out the pasta." He said dramatically walking over to the replicator and pushing some buttons.
Tom caught Kathryn eye roll as the doc excused himself, claiming that the getaway in the flyer had given him a case of space sickness. Not wanting either of Tom's friends to catch on to the fact that he was a hologram the Doc made quick his retreat.
"Oh well more for us then." Riley said as he dug into the pasta as Tom and Kathryn watched on in slight amusement.
As night slowly fell and the clattering and banging died down from the workshop Tom looked out of the window at the planet that filled the space beyond.
"You think this has all been worth it so far Tom?" Kathryn asked from behind him. They hadn't even questioned the fact that they were sharing a room. So used to it now, it was hared for either of them to sleep without the other.
"What we haven't done anything yet." Tom said turning and leaning back against the window frame.
"Oh no, stealing the doctor, running from Starfleet. Getting B'lanna to lie for us. I would call that a pretty healthy string of things we have done." Kathryn replied from her position over on the bed. Tom couldn't see her face, she was bathed in shadows but her recognised the tone. She was searching for an absolution that he couldn't provide. Her resolve crumbling in the darkness as it often did.
Face Kathryn Janeway with danger and she would act, questioning later weather it was wise or not. Give her time to think and she would question the questions.
"I think we have yet to see if it has all been worth it." Tom replied as he made his way back over to the bed. Sinking his weight down on it he allowed the soft mattress to take his weight as he collapsed on to his back and placed his hands behind his head.
"Even if we find the Borg and manage to destroy them."
"That would be worth it." Tom interrupted her and Kathryn playfully slapped his arm.
"Let me finish, what says they wont send more ships, adapt to the technology and come after us with even more force?" She said laying next to him now and laying her head on his chest. Tom didn't hesitate in allowing his arm to wrap around her shoulder as she got comfortable.
"There is no way of knowing, but we went into that transwarp hub two years ago knowing exactly what we were doing. It didn't stop you then, why the pause now?" Tom asked as Kathryn sat up slightly resting her weight on her elbow.
Trying to catch his eye Kathryn looked down at Tom and finally managed to really look at him in the darkness. She still saw the respect there in his eyes, even now, even in this dark foreign place where she has no more command over him, than he does of her. The respect he has for her is still the first thing she sees when she looks him in the eye.
"Because I was trying to get us all home then, it was worth the risk." She said finally as Tom copied her position. Sitting up resting on his elbow so that he was facing her. Their faces mere inches apart. Close enough so that Tom's breath moved the hair at the side of her neck with his every exhale.
"This time you are trying to save Earth, what could be more important than that?" Tom asked and Kathryn dropped her gaze.
"I am just not sure if it is worth saving anymore Tom." She replied after a brief pause and she couldn't believe she had said it. the words rolling of her tongue like she was speaking about the weather.
To his credit Tom didn't react adversely, or start jumping around for joy. He regarded her with those deep blue eyes quietly until she had to give in a say something.
"Ok I don't want to see Earth blown up, maybe just Starfleet head quarters." She said a slight smirk on her face as Tom's smile spread from ear to ear.
"Now your starting to come around, wont be long before I have you poisoning the coffee." Tom said as they resumed their previous positions. Kathryn laid her head on his chest once more and listened to his heart beet.
"I would never do that to the poor coffee." She replied as sleep took over and she missed Tom's quite chuckle.