Jealous Q Act 27

Scene 1

Kathryn woke up with a pounding headache and a sore, stiff arm. She tried to sit up but a loud voice told her to lie down again.

"Captain, unless you want to undo my good work you have to rest for at least another forty-eight hours."

"How long have I been out of action, Doctor?"

"It took me the best part of five days to treat all your injuries. Those Hirogen are little better than animals."

"Where are the Twins?"

"It was hard to keep them away from you. How do you keep two powerful entities out of Sick Bay."

"Where is Q?"

"He has been at your side since you returned from the Hirogen."

"I need to speak to Chakotay. We have to talk about strengthening our force fields."

The Doctor looked stricken, "You don't remember Captain because you were unconscious. The Commander told them to let you go and he would take your place."

"Did Q suggest such a foolish course of action?"

"No I didn't and I'm horrified that you think so little of me!" said Q as he walked across Sick Bay. He bent over and kissed her on the cheek.

"Why didn't you stop him?"

"I concentrated on getting you back to the Doctor as soon as possible."

Captain Janeway sat up and pulled the monitors from her arms, "Help me get dressed."

"Are you sure Kathy, the hologram said that you had to rest for a little bit longer."

"Who gives the orders, the Doctor or me?"

Q had never seen this side of Kathy before but he approved. He collected a clean uniform and with Q's help she dressed.

The Doctor came out of his office with a sling. "If you are going to ignore my orders at least protect your shoulder. I repaired most of the damage but it needs rest."

The Captain smiled at him, "Thank you, Doctor, for all your efforts. You know what a bad patient I am. I would have driven you mad if I had stayed any longer."

"Thank you, Captain. Bring him home because these creatures are savage."

Captain Janeway put her hand on his shoulder - I will do my best."

The Doctor noticed that the Captain was suffering some pain as she walked. He loaded a hypospray and caught her as she walked out.

"Captain, this should ease your pain. If it doesn't work I would like you to see me tomorrow."

"You know that I won't have the time but you could give me another injection tomorrow, on the Bridge."

Scene 2

"I will teach her to leave my crew alone!"

Q felt a twinge of jealousy, "Are you sure that you would get out of your sick bed for anyone or just him?"

He sacrificed himself for me, I have to find him."

"Captain on the Bridge!"

The Bridge crew stood up and greeted their Captain with a round of applause.

"Thank you, now let's get to work and find Commander Chakotay."

She turned to Tuvok, "Report!"

Tuvok looked uncomfortable, "Before Commander Chakotay left he ordered us not

to rescue him."

"I am the Captain now and I expect you to follow my orders - do you understand?"

"Aye, Captain!"

"Do you have any ideas about where she intended to take him?"

"The Hirogen would not hand him over to the Borg until they get their hunt. They have colonised a planet nearby to use as a hunting ground. It's climate and terrain are perfect for their requirements. I think they will use him then." pass him onto the Borg Queen."

"We will start there. What is our estimated time of arrival Mr Paris?"

"We should reach the Planet by thirteen hundred hours at Warp seven,"

"Engineering, B'Elanna what speed can you give me."

"Give me one hour and I will give you Warp nine, Captain."

"Mr Tuvok you have the Bridge. I will be in my Ready room if you need me."

Scene 3

Chakotay felt the walls around him. He was in a small space underground. He closed his eyes so he could plan his escape. Unfortunately, he was claustrophobic

He had taunted the Hirogen Alpha until he struck him first. He had the satisfaction of landing a few good punches. Then they knocked him unconscious. Now he had time to think about how to stay alive until she came for him. Chakotay had no intention of becoming the Borg Queen's plaything. At least Kathryn was out of harm's way.

There was a sudden flash of light as a hatch opened above him. An Hirogen Hunter dropped some basic armour and crude weapons through the hatch.

"Prepare yourself, the hunt will begin soon."

"Can I have some water or I will be too weak to run?"

The Hirogen was about to refuse his request. Then he thought about the reaction of his Alpha if the hunt ended early.

"I'll fetch you some water, we're not savages."

Chakotay kept his focus on staying alive until Kathryn came for him. He knew she would come for him.

Scene 4

Kathryn was lying on the couch in her Ready Room with the Doctor in attendance.

"I told you to take it easy Captain. I have had to repair the tear in your shoulder muscle again. If you continue I will have no other option other than to relieve you of your command."

"What do you expect me to do Doctor. Commander Chakotay sacrificed himself for me. I won't let him die in my place!"

"Do you see what I have to put up with Doctor? She will not listen to advice. Chuckles will have made the sacrifice in vain if she gets killed trying to rescue him."

"Captain I understand your motivation but you must trust your officers to do their job."

Q was smiling while the Doctor told Kathy that she had to rest. He would be happy if they turned the ship around and headed in the opposite direction.

When the Doctor left Kathy punched him in the arm. "I saw you smiling when I was rebuked by the Doctor."

"Ouch, why do you have to be so violent?"

"I know you're not exactly fond of Chakotay but I have to try to rescue him. Do you want me to find a planet to leave the Q.

Madam Q appeared, "Shut up Q! Kathryn, you only have to ask - all our powers are at your disposal."

Kathryn smiled at her. "Thank you, Q. When we reach the Planet, it would help if you could find Commander Chakotay's position. We can do the rest."

She stood up with Q's help, "I would like to rest now."

Q stood at her side, "I will help you back to your Quarters, Kathy. The Twins would love to see that you have recovered for themselves. They have been waiting but I don't think they will wait much longer."

"I want to see them as I've missed their company. Tell Amanda to bring them to my quarters after their evening meal."

Scene 5

The Hirogen brought Chakotay out of his cell and fed him with basic rations and water. They handed him a backpack with equipment to help him trek through the jungle.

"We will give you one hour to get as far away from us as you can then we will start the hunt. The hunt will stop when you are dead. I think you will be worthy prey. We have hunted your kind before with tattoos on their face."

Chakotay was stunned, when did his tribe stray into the Delta quadrant. The Tribe loved their oral history. He would have heard about these Indians before.

"How do I know that you will wait for the whole hour."

"We honour the hunt and it would spoil the chase to cheat. We want you to be worthy prey!"

"You should try not to beat your prey before the hunt - that would ensure fair play."

"If I was Alpha, that would not have happened."

Chakotay checked the contents of his bag and made sure that everything was in working order.

"Try to stay off the designated paths it will make you harder to locate. If you want to hide, lower your core temperature which will make you harder to find. We use a lot of heat-seeking technology to find our prey."

"Won't your Alpha punish you for helping me?"

"What help?" Then he walked away laughing.

Chakotay set off with a loping run. He knew that he would have to preserve his energy or the hunt would be short. He Kept changing positions so the dogs couldn't find him. If they could locate him through the heat of his body he had to find a cold water river. Chakotay's only thought was that at least Kathryn was out of harm's way.

Scene 6

Kathryn finished her evening meal and waited for the Twins.

"Mama, you're back!"

They ran to her and almost knocked her over with two big hugs.

"Children be careful with your mother - she's fragile," ordered Q.

"Are you hurt Mama? I can make you better," said Qat.

Qat put hands on her Mother's shoulders and closed her eyes. The Captain felt the warmth spreading around her body like stepping into a hot path. The pain disappeared

Quinn clapped his hands, "You're better now Mama, I don't know why you bother with the hologram.

Q nodded his head, "I don't know why you won't let me take you to a planet with sandy beaches and warm, blue ocean waters."

"Did you forget that Chakotay is being tortured and hunted in my place? He sacrificed himself for me."

Q was furious, "He had an ulterior motive, Kathy - he's in love with you."

"I can't believe that you are still jealous!"

Tuvok interrupted their argument, "Captain we are entering orbit around the Hirogen planet."

"Thank you Tuvok, I'm on my way."

"We haven't finished this discussion yet," shouted Q.

"This discussion is most definitely over Q!"

Scene 7

Chakotay found a place to rest for a few minutes. A tree had fallen over a river creating a small dry space by the roots. He started to shiver as the temperature dropped. It would be nightfall soon so his body would show up like an infrared beacon. As soon as he got his breath back, he planned to wade along the side of the river so he wouldn't leave a trail. The river lead to a series of hills where there might be a cave where he could sleep.

He was exhausted and had already experienced hallucinations. He had been jogging through the jungle when Kathryn joined him.

"You have to find somewhere to rest, Chakotay. You won't be able to make rational decisions if you're exhausted."

"You're not here! I saw them transport you back to the ship. You have to give me orders even when I'm about to die."

"You're not going to die. You have to hold on Chakotay, If they catch you, they will hand you over to the Borg Queen."

When he stopped to catch his breath, she bent down to his level and grasped his hand.

"I will find you and bring you home. All you have to do is stay alive."

He stood up ready to run again. The Captain Janeway hallucination kissed him on the cheek for luck, then disappeared.

Chakotay set off with renewed determination. His hallucination had given him an adrenaline rush. He knew that she wouldn't give up until she'd found him. Then he would tell her how he felt.

Scene 8

Kathryn went to bed early but couldn't sleep. She kept tossing and turning until her bedding was tied in a knot. Every time she closed her eyes she saw Chakotay broken and bleeding on the Hirogen ship.

She gave up trying to sleep and went to the Mess for a warm milky coffee. She was surprised to see Madam Q sitting at one of the tables.

"Would you like a drink? I'm going to replicate one for myself," asked the Captain."

"That would be lovely - thank you!"

Captain Janeway sat down, after putting the mugs on the table.

"I have been in human form for so long that I've developed some of your addictions. I think I will still need coffee when we return to the Continuum."

"Do you still believe that you will beat her and return home?" asked the Captain.

"Yes I do, if she stands in our way - she will regret it!" swore Madam Q.

"Remind me to stay on your good side," said Kathryn, half jokingly.

"I know that Q made you pregnant without your knowledge. The Q may be an advanced species but we love to gossip. Do you love my son?"

Captain Janeway was surprised by her candour, "I'm fond of him. As the father of the twins, he will always have a place in our lives."

"You didn't answer my question, Kathryn."

"At times, he does something which surprises me and I think that I could love him. Then he behaves like an omnipotent entity with no morals or conscience. I am reminded that he's not human," explained Kathryn.

Madam Q agreed, "He is a typical Q, arrogant, sexist and pig-headed. If things don't go his way then he tries to force the situation."

"I think he has to learn that he can't use his powers to solve every problem," said Kathryn.

"What about Commander Chakotay?"

Kathryn thought about the man who had stayed by her side since the craziness began. She didn't realise how much she would miss him until he wasn't there any longer. It felt as though a part of her was missing.

"He is a brilliant First Officer and my closest friend."

"You're evading my question again, Kathryn. I don't want to hear what a fine man he is. What are your feelings for him?"

"Well," she said, "He is sexy."

"Q couldn't stop talking about him when she returned to the continuum. He made quite an impression on her."

"If is a big word. If I wasn't the Captain. If we weren't trying to find our way home from the opposite side of the Galaxy. I could act on my feelings. Unfortunately, I can't change the circumstances."

So there is still a chance for Q!" declared Madam Q, "Now how can we help you retrieve your First Officer?"

Scene 9

Chakotay felt exhausted. He had been running for at least forty-eight hours without food and water. He was ready to give up and let them kill him.

Madam Q appeared next to him in a flash of light.

Chakotay groaned,"If I must have hallucinations, can't they be useful or at least friendly."

"I am hurt, Commander. I wasn't expecting gratitude. I thought you would be a little more grateful for help from an omnipotent entity."

"You won't help me because you want her to live in the Continuum with the Twins and Q."

"You are important to Captain Janeway and she is important to us. The Twins are the most powerful entities in the universe. They will do anything to protect their mother. She is teaching them morals, responsibility and respect. These traits have not been seen in the Continuum for million of years."

Madam Q hadn't set out with the intention of killing Chakotay. Now, they were alone with no witnesses it would solve her problems quite well. She could blame the Hirogen and take Kathryn back to the Continuum to grieve.

She turned around to take all the air from his body. He would be dead before he hit the ground.

Quinn appeared in front of Chakotay. "Mama told us that it's naughty to kill humans unless they are threatening to kill us."

"I wasn't going to kill the Commander child. What made you think that?"

Quinn tapped his head, "We heard you, Grandmother. Chakotay taught us to swim and he promised that I could go on a vision quest. We won't let you hurt him."

Qat appeared beside her brother and slipped her hand through his. She already knew that her Grandmother wanted to kill Chakotay.

"Amanda said that we should return to the ship. Daddy wants to have a word with you - in private."

Q appeared at the same time as the Twins left.

"Your children are out of control Q. When we return to the Continuum, they have to come with us. I like Kathryn Janeway but she has no experience of raising a Q." shouted Madam Q.

"I agree with you, Mother but she is adaptive and the Twins adore their mother and Chakotay. If you want to alienate her and lose the right to visit your Grandchildren - go ahead!"

"I wouldn't hurt the Commander, Q. We need him to help us against the Borg."

They heard a loud scream, "Excuse me, Mother, I have a rival who needs rescuing."

Scene 10

Chakotay knew he was in trouble when he heard a snapping noise. A net closed around him and he was hoisted up in the tree. Three Hirogen were standing underneath the tree. while he was swinging, they were discussing how to kill him.

Chakotay didn't think his day could get any worse until he saw Q, who put a finger to his lips and shook his head.

"Well, Gentlemen it appears that you have something I want!"

The Hirogen turned around together with an expression of disbelief.

"We will not hand over our prey until we have conducted the death ritual. You can have what's left."

"If it was up to me, I wouldn't bother. Yet the 'old ball and chain' is fond of him and she will make my life a living hell if I don't bring him back.

Every Hirogen drew their weapons and aimed them at Q.

"I was hoping that we could be civilised. Now you've been rude so I have a problem with your lack of manners."

Q waved his hand and made their weapons melt. They dropped them as soon as they felt molten metal hit their skin.

The Alpha ran at Q to attack him then bounced off a force field.

"You don't think that I would be stupid enough to walk into a snake pit without protection."

"If you leave now - we won't kill you!" declared the Alpha.

"Thank you very much," he clicked his fingers and Chakotay joined him.

"Goodbye, I would like to say that it's been fun but it hasn't. I think you should work on your social skills."

Q returned them to the Bridge. As soon as she saw Chakotay, Captain Janeway ran into his arms.

She exclaimed, "I thought I'd lost you!"

"I'm a lot harder to kill than you think." whispered Chakotay.

The Captain nodded at one of the Bridge officers, "Take Commander Chakotay to sickbay. Tell the Doctor that I will want a report on his condition."

As Q watched his wife hug chuckles, he felt a stab of jealousy. He should have allowed his mother to kill Chuckles. It would remove a thorn from his side.