Maquis Act 39
Scene 1
Father O'Malley was sorting through an old box of fireworks when Miss Q walked in and sat down opposite him.
"Is Kathryn Janeway in physical danger. I know he is a gangster but is he likely to hurt a woman?" asked Miss Q.
Father O'Malley's reply was emphatic, "Gangsters rule through terror and reputation. If he doesn't punish Quinn, the other families will think he's vulnerable. A mob boss with a target on his back means running gun battles through the streets of Chicago."
The Priest looked grim, "I have never heard of any gangster who showed mercy."
"So she is in mortal danger."
Now, Miss Q was certain that she had to try to rescue Kathryn Janeway or Q would never forgive her.
"Right we will need to find appropriate costumes and find a place to hide until we can gain access to the Club.
Scene 2
Q and Miss Q waited at the back of the venue for the staff to arrive. She had already changed Q's appearance so Al Capone wouldn't recognise him.
"I don't know how to be a waiter," whined Q, "I've never done any menial work."
"There is nothing wrong with good honest work Q - you should try it sometime."
"It isn't a mystery why you are still on your own. Males don't like shrewish females."
"You aren't the first male to call me a shrew. Shakespeare wrote a play about me after I spurned his advances."
"Funny I don't remember a play called, 'I'm a bitch!" gloated Q.
The arrival of a truck interrupted their petty squabble. The casual waiting staff started to unload from the back of it. A pompous little man with a clipboard started to bark out his orders.
"Casuals wait over there and I will assign you to an area. Before you start work I will read the rules of your employment. Number one, If you don't submit your timesheet, you will not get paid."
Q and Miss Q slipped into the group of casual staff who were milling around.
"Stand in a line, I want to expect your uniforms." shouted the maitre d'. He walked down the line and pulled out six of the more refined looking casuals, including Q and Miss Q.
You will work the VIP section. The trays of canapes and glasses of champagne are in the kitchen area. Keep circulating! When your tray is empty, return it to the kitchen then pick up a fresh one."
Q and Miss Q followed the others into the kitchen. She didn't know what to do so she waited until the other waiters picked up their trays and followed suit. Q was looking for a place to hide when Miss Q appeared behind him which made him jump.
"Pick it up and follow me. I still have my powers so don't do anything rash Q because I'm not in the mood. We can't draw attention to ourselves or the others will find a comet for two."
Miss Q made him walk in front of her so he couldn't escape. The party had begun so everyone was on their best behaviour. As they circulated, Miss Q was scanning the room for Kathryn Janeway. Q approached a large group of men who were talking and laughing loudly. He froze when he saw Kathryn standing next to Al Capone. He couldn't decide what was different about her then he realised - she was stunning. She was the spitting image of the Hollywood actor, Kathryn Hepburn and they both had that sexy voice. He moved closer to the group to attract her attention.
Miss Q stood in front of him, "You show yourself now and he will kill you. Kathryn Janeway will become his mistress until he grows tired of her, warned Miss Q.
"I got her into this mess so I will have to get her out of it." declared Q.
Miss Q had never heard him take responsibility for any of his actions. She couldn't wait to talk to Miss Janeway to understand why Q was so infatuated with her.
Miss Q took charge again, "Stay in that area after you've collected another tray. I will tell her that we are here to rescue her if he leaves her alone for a few minutes."
Miss Q could see that he was beginning to lose control. Although the others had stifled his power, he could still kill Capone with a click of his fingers. These events would drastically alter the timeline which would disrupt the Continuum.
Q tried to keep his mind on the job but he couldn't stop staring at Kathryn. She looked remote and untouchable; it was an alluring combination.
Nobody at the party knew how frightened she was. Her Starfleet training was keeping her alive.
Scene 3
Al Capone was enjoying the party. Kathryn was the perfect hostess. Her elegance and poise brought some class to the occasion. One of his lieutenants noticed that a waiter was staring at Kathryn. He excused himself and spoke to one of his thugs in an alcove so nobody could hear their conversation.
He pointed at Q, "I don't like that rube! He is paying too much attention to my companion - deal with him now!"
Capone went back to his entourage and continued to enjoy his night. As a sociopath, he didn't have to worry about a conscience.
Miss Q was keeping a watchful eye on Al Capone. When she saw him point at Q, she realised the idiot had drawn attention to himself. He was intolerable but she couldn't allow them to kill him. When the lieutenant got close to Q, she waved her hand. He stopped, scratched his head and veered off to the kitchen.
"I saved you from a beating. Meet me in the kitchen so I can alter your appearance again. I don't know why I bother? I could be enjoying myself on Risa. instead, I have to save your sorry hide."
He didn't see his ex until he walked through the door and received a blow to the head.
He rubbed his head, "What was that for?"
"Capone ordered his pet thug to kill you. I had to erase the command from his memory."
She waved her hand and changed his appearance for the second time.
"That is the last time Q. ! Stop staring at Miss Janeway because you are going to get us killed."
Their argument ceased when they heard the sound of a large explosion outside. They rushed back to the function to find organised chaos. Al Capone was in the middle of his lieutenants. He chose four men to take Kathryn back to her room and to stay outside to protect her. As soon as she was out of the way he left the Club to command his troops.
Miss Q followed Kathryn and her bodyguards to find out where they were keeping her. She smiled when she heard more explosions.
Scene 4
Joseph ran as fast as he could when he spotted Capone outside the Club. Father O'Malley and Chakotay were sitting in an old van around the corner. They painted over any clues that would identify the owner. Joseph's loud knocking startled Father O'Malley.
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph! I thought Al Capone had found us."
"How long do we have to wait?" asked Chakotay.
"Miss Q said they would find Kathryn as soon as the diversion started," advised Father O'Malley.
"We'll wait for five minutes then we'll park near the service entrance, at the back," added Chakotay.
Father O'Malley hugged Joseph, "God bless you, child. Get on home to your mother or she'll take a stick to both of us."
"Father O'Malley, could you ask Miss Janeway if she could visit me before she leaves Chicago. I'd like to say goodbye."
Scene 5
Miss Q peeped around the corner to see two thugs standing guard outside a door. They were quite large but they didn't look very bright. She ducked into an empty room when she heard loud chatter and laughing. Through a peephole, she spotted strippers in skimpy costumes heading towards the party. Miss Q waited until it was quiet again then she found their dressing room. She borrowed a sexy outfit to dazzle the guards. Then left the room wearing a bra, mini skirt and boots decorated with sequins.
She deliberately left a bra clasp open. She smiled sweetly at the guard. He couldn't stop staring at her breasts. She turned around and looked at him over her shoulder.
"Could you do me up, sugar, I'm late already."
"Sure thing, doll face," he couldn't believe his luck.
Miss Q held his hand and led him into one of the rooms, ".I'm going to give you what you deserve," promised Miss Q.
As soon as the door closed she sent him to the Rain Forest to cool off. One down, one more to go, she thought.
The remaining thug was starting to get suspicious, "Where is Lucca?"
"He felt greedy taking all my time so he wanted me to ask whether you would like to join us. You look like a real man, unlike your friend." She ran her fingers along his biceps.
Thug two couldn't believe his luck, "Yes, yes yes," he looked around to make sure nobody was looking."
"What are you waiting for? Don't you want to have some fun?" drawled Miss Q.
"I have to watch this dame for the boss," said thug two with reluctance.
"She's not going anywhere, lock the door" Miss Q moved right next to him so he could appreciate her assets.
He licked his lips, "I suppose I could take a break."
As soon as the door closed, Miss Q hit him with a vase. "Hitting him wasn't necessary but it made her feel better.
After she changed her clothes, Miss Q went to collect Kathryn Janeway. As soon as she opened the door, she realised that she'd made a mistake not introducing herself. Her legs buckled with the force of the blow. She was lying on the floor staring at an irate Kathryn Janeway.
"Who sent you - Capone?
Miss Q stood up indignantly, "Well that's gratitude for you."
"Identify yourself!" ordered Kathryn Janeway.
"I am Q," She waved her hand and disappeared then reappeared with a flourish.
"Do you know the Q who has plagued me for the last six months." asked Kathryn
"Unfortunately yes! I was his first love. It appears that he prefers younger women now."
Both women sized each other up.
Kathryn was starting to lose her temper, "I don't want Q, you're welcome to him. He only wants me because I rejected him."
"You're selling yourself short Kathryn. Q loves strong, confident women and your voice should be x-rated."
Kathryn couldn't believe that Miss Q was flirting with her?
"We need to get out of here before Father O'Malley runs out of fireworks," warned Miss Q.
"Where are the guards?" asked Kathryn.
"I dealt with them - they won't be bothering us again."
Did you come alone?" asked Kathryn.
"Father O'Malley and Captain Sexy are waiting for us outside the servant's entrance "
"Chakotay is here?" asked Kathryn.
"I brought him with me. He's quite sexy - isn't he?"
"I hadn't noticed," lied Kathryn.
Miss Q stuck her head out of the door to see if the second goon had regained consciousness.
"The coast is clear, let's get out of here." whispered Miss Q.
They crouched under the level of the door Windows and ran. There was a fire exit at the end of the corridor. Miss Q burst out of the door followed by Kathryn. They ran straight into Al Capone. He put a gun to Kathryn's temple. Chakotay and Father O'Malley were sitting on the ground, chained to the van.
"You have disappointed me Kathryn; I thought we had a connection."
"You abducted me - what did you expect?" Kathryn was indignant.
Don't worry doll face, you will have plenty of time to get to know me."
He walked over to her and grabbed her hair to ensure she didn't struggle.
"Why do you want me? There are plenty of available women who would be happy to be your mistress."
Al Capone took out his gun and pressed it against Chakotay's temple.
"I don't like competition. I saw the way you looked at him when you came out," swore Capone.
Q appeared behind Kathryn, "You should have stayed with Virginia - this one is mine!"
Q snapped his fingers and disappeared with Kathryn, Chakotay and Miss Q.
Scene 6
Father O'Malley blinked and found himself back in his church, kneeling at his altar. He started to pray for Katy and her weird friends. He decided to never tell anyone about the previous week. Nobody would believe him anyway!
Joseph opened his shoe shine box in his regular spot. He found the envelope tucked into the side. When he opened it a wad of bank notes dropped onto the floor. There was a note inside the envelope. Joseph relied on a newspaper seller in the same street to read letters to him.
"Jimmy, could you read this for me?"
"Joseph, you were kind to me when I needed a friend. I promised you that I would return the favour if I could. There is enough money to start a new life and get yourself an education, yours, Kathryn Janeway"
Scene 7
Kathryn hoped that her eyes would open on the Marie Celeste. Instead, she found herself in a primitive courthouse in the American Wild West. She was sitting in a dock facing a public gallery filled with Q dressed as cowboys, Indians and saloon girls. They were all baying for her execution. Q and Miss Q were sitting beside her, stony-faced.
The Judge banged his gavel and silenced the court.
"Miss Janeway, you are accused of distracting a member of the Continuum from their sacred duties.!"
Kathryn lost her temper, "His behaviour is nothing compared to your arrogance. How dare you play with my life as though I am a puppet who needs the Q to pull my strings."
"If you show any more disrespect to this court, Madam, I will jail you for contempt," stated the Judge.
Kathryn pointed at Q, "This whole sorry mess is his fault. I refuse to accept that my life is forfeit because he doesn't have any impulse control."
Miss Q had listened to enough bluster to last her several lifetimes, "If you want respect you have to earn it, Q. He deserves to be punished not this female, who has done nothing wrong."
Judge Q was afraid of Miss Q. She had a reputation as a ball-buster in the Continuum. He decided to deal with Q rather than provoking her again "
"What have you got to say for yourself, Q?"
"I don't recognise the authority of this Kangaroo court. My feelings for this female are honourable and true," stated Q with pride.
This case was starting to give the Judge a headache. Q was guilty of cosmic stalking. There was no proof that the female had ever shown him any signs of encouragement.
"I would like to hear from Miss Janeway's Captain. He can provide a character reference for her."
Miss Q summoned him with a wave of her hand. She was looking forward to seeing Captain Sexy again - his lips were so erotic.
Chakotay scanned the room as soon as he appeared in the witness box, for Kathryn.
"I need your help, Sir," asked Judge Q, "I apologise for removing you from your ship so abruptly."
"Why haven't you returned my Second Officer back to our ship? I need her!"
"Captain do you have any romantic feelings for this female?" asked Judge Q.
"I don't think that is any of your business," warned Chakotay.
"This court is in session to decide whether to end the life of this female. A member of the Continuum has become fixated on Miss Janeway," said Judge Q.
"I thought the Q were an evolved species. Why are you blaming Kathryn for his lack of control?" asked Chakotay
"You make a valuable point, Captain."
Chakotay walked over to Kathryn and grabbed her hand, "I would like you to return us to our Ship, please."
"Not so fast Captain, I haven't made my ruling yet," shouted Judge Q.
Q put his hand up, "May I make a statement, your honour."
Miss Q was becoming impatient and bored, "Please get on with it!"
"Q, you will meet with Miss Janeway for one Earth day per week to advance your relationship. After their eighth meeting, the Court will reconvene for a Summary Judgement."
The Judge rang a bell and everyone returned to their rightful place