Chris moved around his office, picking up the mess that consumed every inch of the room. On a normal basis, the office would be spotless at all times. But with the ongoing search of finding the perfect point to expose Starfleet, the whereabouts of Lavinia's former maid and how she disappeared and re-appeared from death, took over. When work became too hectic and his office a mess, Chris would leave it until that particular search was over. However, it was when Lavinia came to his office for lunch the day before, which made him jump into cleaning mode. As she was leaving to head up to see Len, she slipped on a pile of papers and smashed her elbow against the table.
Of course, Len screamed and cursed at him, as he brought a crying Lavinia in to see him. While Lavinia reassured him that she wasn't mad, her tears only for the excruciating pain that she was in, Chris couldn't help the guilt that flowed through him. Once Leonard diagnosed her with a chipped elbow and wrapped her up with an ace bandage, Chris brought her back to their room and made sure she was comfortable. He brought her books and a tray of tea and cookies, before tucking the blankets over her lap.
Now, as he placed the books back onto the shelves, Chris hoped to get his office in shape before the end of the day. What he didn't plan on, was Christine bursting into his office, out of breath and wild eyed.
"What the-" he started, before she stopped him.
"Chris," she panted, her blonde hair wild about her head. "We need to talk."
…..
"How's my favorite cripple today?"
Lavinia looked up from the pile of clothes on the bed and glared, "That is not funny."
Jim chuckled as he pushed away from the doorframe, stepping further into the room. "Yes it is," he shook his head, before throwing himself down on the bed. "What are you doing in here? I thought you were shaking up with Pike?"
Lavinia sighed, "I came in here to get some more clothes," she moved to the wardrobe. "I'm getting tired of coming down here every week."
"I'm surprised you haven't moved everything up there already," he picked up a tea gown. "This is cute," he eyed the fancy lace around the bust. "When did you get this?"
Looking over her shoulder, she eyed the lilac and white-laced gown in his hands. "I think I got that after a trip to France," she shrugged. "1916 I think it was; Chris, myself and Scotty were searching for someone by the name of Number One."
Jim shrugged, "Sounds familiar," he set the dress down. "What are you going to do with all these clothes? Usually we just store them in the basement."
"I would never," Lavinia gasped, as she pulled a suitcase off the top shelf. "I've never seen anything past 1912 and even then I had lovely things to wear. But this stuff?" she nodded to the pile on the bed. "I couldn't bear to part from it."
Jim snickered, "I'm assuming it's because Chris tells you how pretty you look in everything you wear."
He laughed as she blushed, grabbing the sweater and folding it into the large case. "You are so annoying," she scolded, as he laughed harder. "Don't you have research to do?"
"I'm taking a break, " he shrugged, laying back against the cold pillows. "Besides, I've missed hanging out with you. You're always off with Chris, slipping on papers and cracking bones."
Lavinia was about to open her mouth when someone came running into the room, startling them both. Turning around, Lavinia was surprised to find Chris standing in the doorway of the room.
"We have an emergency, " he said, moving towards them. "We need to leave. Tonight."
JIm sat up quickly, "What? Why?" he asked.
"Christine overheard Barnett and Archer," he shook his head quickly. "They've found our location and plan on busting in at 0700 tomorrow morning."
"What?!" Lavinia yelped, dropping the old corset from her hands.
Chris turned to her, "I need you to pack as much as you can into that bag," he nodded to the open suitcase on her bed. "Because we're not coming back here."
Jim got up, "I'll start saving all the files onto a portable," he moved to the door. "I'll make sure Pavel does the same and we'll grab the important papers from the file locker."
"Bring clothes too, Jim," he said, watching as he moved to the door. "We're leaving no later than nine tonight."
With one final nod, Jim took off, leaving them in the room. Chris then turned to Lavinia and took her into his arms. "It's going to be okay," he said, as she stared at him. "I want you to pack quickly and go to our room and pack whatever's in there."
She nodded quickly, "Where are we going?" she asked.
"Christine knows a place far from here," he brushed her hair away from her face. "It's safe. I've been there before and so has Len and Scotty."
"Okay," she whispered, trembling at the thought of a massive raid coming through the station.
Chris cradled her face in his hands, "Lavinia," he said, snapping her out of a daze. "I'm promise you, it's safe. I wont let them get you."
With another nod, Chris quickly kissed her and moved out of the room, in need to warn the others. Turning her attention back to the mess on the bed, Lavinia shook her head. Grabbing the pile of clothes, she quickly folded them up and shoved them into the suitcase. Not a single thing would be left behind.
…..
By eight, Lavinia managed to drag her suitcase down to the transporter room, before rushing back up to the bedroom she shared with Chris. Digging through the closet, she snatched another suitcase that rested against the wall and tossed it onto the bed. She didn't know where they were going, making it harder for her to pack clothes for Chris. Instead of stalling, she ripped the clothes off the hangers and moved like a madwoman, folding and shoving them into place.
As she moved to the dresser, Chris was coming into the room with a bag. "I got everything important from my office," he said, moving to help her. "Len is packing up the necessary things from medical and Christine is actually packing up Nyota's room."
"But we don't know where she is!" Lavinia exclaimed, as she swiped everything off the nightstands and into another bag.
"Doesn't matter, "he said from the bathroom. "Did you get everything from the closet?" he asked.
"Yes," Lavinia searched under the bed quickly. "I didn't know what to pack though; I figured everything was a safe bet."
Chris nodded and moved to the now empty closet, the hangers laying on the floor and on the bar. Reaching up, Lavinia watched as he pulled something of the top shelf.
"What is that?" she asked, as he brought down a flat box.
Opening the bag from his office, Chris shoved the box inside and zipped it shut again. "Important paperwork," he said, moving to zip up his suitcase. "Can't let it fall into the wrong hands."
Lavinia nodded as he pulled the bag off the bed, "Lets go," he started to the door. "We have an hour and we need to make sure everyone is ready.'
…
By eight-forty-five, everyone was waiting by the transporter, bags strewn about. Scotty, Hikaru and Pavel were transporting all the baggage first, making it easier for everyone to travel.
"Where are we going?" Lavinia asked, as Leonard set down a box of medical supplies.
"Somewhere warm, darlin'" he managed to smile. "We'll be safer there than here."
She nodded despite feeling unsure about the safety of this new place and Leonard picked up on it. "You'll like it there, Vin," he rubbed her shoulder. "Might even do you some good."
"I hope so," she said quietly.
She watched as he moved to the console, making a quick call to Christine, who went home after informing Chris about the raid. She had opted to stay behind, promising to join them by the end of the week, once she tied up loose ends at work. Leonard hadn't been please with her choice, but knew he wouldn't be able to talk her out of it. Plus, it would raise suspicion; her disappearance so sudden after theirs.
"Alright, lets start moving," Chris said, a few minutes later. "Who wants to go first?"
"I'll go," Jim said, raising his hand. "Anyone wanna go with me?"
Hikaru moved forward, "I'll go."
"Right-o, "Scotty said from the controls. "Keep still and as soon as you get there, you'll need to enable the security system."
Jim nodded as they stepped onto the pad, "See ya soon," he grinned, waving at the small group before them.
Lavinia watched in shock as they materialized before her eyes, disappearing into thin air. Suddenly, she felt sick and nervous. She watched as her brother said goodbye to Christine, ending the call and erasing the data log. Once he disappeared on the pad, Lavinia was ready to throw up.
"Okay," Scotty announced. "You're turn, lass."
She looked and saw that the others were staring at her, "M-me?"
Scotty nodded, "Aye, yer next."
Lavinia shook her head, "I'm not doing that," she nodded to the PADD. "No way."
Chris moved towards her, "You have to," he touched her arm lightly. "It's the only way to get there. The safest and quickest way."
"Then go with me," she begged. "Please."
"I can't, Vina," he shook his head. "I'll have to set the computer to wipe out everything, before joining you."
Lavinia couldn't help the sudden wave of panic that filled her, "Please?" she whimpered. "Chris, I'm scared."
"Don't be scared," he pulled her into a hug, kissing the side of her head. "It's quick and you'll be there before you know it."
"It's not so bad," Pavel shrugged. "You might throw up-" he stopped when Chris turned to look at him. "But that's like, totally rare."
Chris looked back at Lavinia, "I'll be there before you know it," he nodded. "Besides, if you want the best room in the place, you'll need to beat Jim."
Letting out a shaky sigh, Lavinia nodded. "Okay," she took a deep breath. "I'll go."
Lavinia moved to the transport pad and stepped up, turning to face the others. Standing stiff as a board, her hands held firmly against her sides, she watched as the others moved about.
"Remember what I said, Vina," Chris nodded to her. "I'll be there soon."
She nodded, jumping as the machine started up again. She began to panic, her heart racing and her eyes stinging with the promise of tears. "Just breath, lass," Scotty said as he tapped away at the keys. "It's quick."
Suddenly, she felt a tingling sensation all over her body, as a blue swirl moved around her. Meeting Chris's eyes from across the room, she quickly mouthed "I love you," to him, before he disappeared before her eyes.
…
What was only seconds felt like ages, before Lavinia arrived in a bright room. Leonard was waiting for her, sighing in relief as she stood before him.
"Thank god," he picked her up, moving her off the pad. "I got worried when no ne arrived after me."
"I'm fine," she said, as he hugged her. "Where's Jim and Hikaru?" she asked, looking around the room.
Leonard set her down, "They're moving our stuff out of the way," he said, nodding to the suitcases and boxes. "I guess we overpacked."
There was a hum and a flash of light, before Pavel and Scotty stood on the pad. Leonard went to greet them, as they stepped down onto the floor. Lavinia waited for Chris, who was due to arrive only seconds after them. But when the machine didn't start up again, she began to worry. After three minutes, she began to panic.
"Where is he?" she asked, as Scotty went to check the frequency channels. "He should've been here by now."
"Ah don't know," he shook his head. "Maybe it's taking a bit loner to wipe the programs out of the database."
Lavinia began to shake her head, "Send me back," she ordered, moving to climb back onto the pad. "Now!"
"Ah can't send yeh back!" Scotty exclaimed. "We set it up so that we couldn't go back."
"WHAT!" she yelled. "Why would you do that? What if he's hurt! Oh god, what if they came early!"
Leonard quickly pulled her down, "Stop," he ordered. "Just relax, Vin. He's probably waiting for the virus to set in before leaving," he rubbed her back. "We can't leave any trace of our research behind."
She shook her head, "He said he'd be here!" she cried.
"And he will!" Leonard nodded. "He'll be here, darlin'. I promise."
Reluctantly, Lavinia nodded as she played with the necklace around her neck. "If he's not here within the next half-hour, then you better figure out a way to send me back."
Leonard nodded, "Alright," he steered her away from the pad. "Now how about we find your bedroom? If I remember correctly, there's room with a really nice view of the ocean. Perfect for sunsets and I'm sure you and Chris would like that."
