Title: DISPLACED (2/20)

Writers: NICK LEWIS (Quark, Paris, Sisko), PATTI KEIPER (Kim, Janeway), SONYA BRINKMAN (Tigan, Fitzgerald, T'Prena)

Edited by NICK LEWIS

Disclaimer: Star Trek Voyager and it's associated characters are trademarks of Paramount/Viacom. This is a fan-run venture, making no money. Please leave our lawyers alone ;-)

V-Trek: The Alternate Adventures @ http://www.virtual-trek.fsnet.co.uk

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The Ferengi barkeep looks at the Starfleet officer on the other side of the bar. "If I may say so, it's been my special pleasure to see many new officers like yourself come through here." He smiles showing a row of pointy teeth. "Your parents must be very proud my boy. You know, on an occasion like this-"

"I'm really not interested" Harry Kim interrupts, seeing the sales pitch coming a mile off.

"Interested?" Quark feigns ignorance.

"You were about to try and sell me something, right?"

"I was merely going to suggest that your parents might appreciate a memento of your first mission" Quark replies, smile still fixed in place.

Harry puts his cup down. "And you happen to have several to choose from?"

"I do carry a select line of unique artifacts and gemstones indiginous to this region" Quark says proudly, opening a box and offering it for view. "Why quite recently, I acquired these lobi crystals from a very strange creature, called a morn."

"We were warned about the Ferengi at the Acadamy" the young Ensign explains politely.

"Warned about Ferengi were you?" Quark asks, the smile suddenly dropping off his face.

Tom Paris can't help but overhear the exchange as he sits nearby, a tankard of synthehol in his hand. Uh-oh! Here it comes.

Harry nods. "About your mercenary capitalism" he adds helpfully. By this point, Tom is covering his mouth with his hand to avoid laughing.

"Slurs!" Quark bellows. "Slurs against my race at Starfleet Acadamy. Who made these accusations, hmm?" he demands.

A sudden look of panic fills Harry's features. "Er... what I meant to say was-" he tries to say, but Quark is in full swing.

"Here I am trying to be a cordial host, knowing how much a young officer's parents would appreciate a token of his love on the eve of a dangerous mission, and what do I get for my trouble? Scurrilous insults!" Quark sighs and shakes his head. "Well, someone is going to hear about this!" He pulls out a PADD from under the bar. "What's your name, son?"

"My... name?" Harry asks worriedly.

"You do have one I presume?" Quark replies with a sneer.

"Kim... Harry Kim" the Ensign confesses. "But-"

"And who was it at the Academy who warned you about the Ferengi?" Quark asks in a steely hard voice.

"You know... I think a memento for my parents would be a great idea." Harry backpeddles furiously as fast as he can speak, hoping to placate the angry barkeep. "These would make a great pendant for my mother."

"Or cufflinks for your father" Quark adds, without pausing for breath.

"Cufflinks... great idea!"

"They're not for sale. And you can inform your commanding officer that the Federation Council should expect an official query regarding-"

"How much for the whole box?" Harry asks desperately.

Quark appears to consider this, then presses a button on the PADD and turns it round to face Harry. "Cash or credit?" he asks, now interested.

Tom shakes his head. He can't watch this lamb being led to the slaughter any further. Besides, the guy's a shipmate, even if only for one mission. He wanders over to the two. "Dazzling aren't they" he says in mock wonder, looking inside the box. He picks one of the gemstones up and fingers it reverently. "As bright as Koladan diamonds" he adds.

"Brighter!" Quark snarls, snatching the gem back.

"Hard to believe you can find them on any planet in the system" Tom goes on.

"That's an exaggeration" Quark retorts, but Tom isn't finished.

"You know, there's a shop at the Volnar colony that'll sell you a dozen assorted shapes and sizes for a single Cardassian lek. How much are these going for?" he asks sweetly.

"We were just about to negotiate the price" Quark replies in a tone which suggests Tom's presence is not desirable at that moment. Harry looks at the sparkling display, glances at Tom, then back at Quark. Closing the box, he shoves it across the bar, back to Quark. Getting up from his seat, he turns to leave without another word.

Harry stops outside the bar and stands by the bulkheads, an ambivalance of fury and gratitude dominating his emotions. He can't believe he's found yet another chink in his carefully crafted Starfleet Academy armour. Gullibility... the worst kind. If it hadn't of been for his slick, fair haired rescuer, he would've been strapped for all he had by that "I've-been-insulted-so-fork-over-some-latinum" scam. Harry paces outside the door, waiting for Tom to appear. He feels that he should at least thank the man for his timely intervention. Man, that guy. I'll never be as cool and anchored like a rock as he is. I'll bet he's served on a starship for months!

Back in the bar, Tom flips the Ferengi payment for his drink and saunters out, only to find the Ensign waiting for him. "Thanks" Harry tells him, flushing red with embarrassment.

Tom grins. "Didn't they warn you about Ferengi at the Acadamy?" he asks lightly. Harry chuckles and the two make their way to the Voyager to report in. The two chit-chat on the way, Harry determined to start making new ties on this ship as soon as possible. Briefly he thinks of the light years that are going to separate him from his girlfriend Libby, but quickly moves the thought from his head. He has a new posting and new friends to look forward to. It would do no good to brood.

********************

Commander Sisko studies the file pulled up on the small screen in his hand. Ensign Ezri Tigan, a graduate of psychology. Quite intelligent, but with confidence issues. Most people fresh out of the academy are usually a little unsure of themselves, but this is something more. It's been affecting her work, mistakes have been made. Jadzia and Dr Bashir have both attempted to play down the situation in their reports, but Ben can see it just isn't working out. As it is she's been reduced to delivering PADDs around the station. "She needs to feel more involved" Jadzia had told him, "Like she's making a difference."

Ben ponders this as the doors to his office open and a a young woman steps in, standing to attention. "At ease, Ensign" he tells her. Ezri relaxes accordingly. "I suppose you'd like to know why I've summoned you here?" he asks.

Ezri gives the matter a moment's thought as if unsure of what to say before eventually giving a simple "Yes, sir."

"I've been going over your personnel file. It appears that our station isn't proving to be the ideal environment for you to excel in" he says diplomatically. "And I've formed the opinion that you'd perhaps be more appreciated onboard a starship. What are your thoughts on this, Ensign?"

Ezri thinks about the question for a moment, trying to come up with the proper response. On one hand she feels like perhaps a starship would be a better place for her. Doing simple busywork isn't her idea of fun and that's not why she joined Starfleet. But on the other hand, she knows some of the people here on DS9 now and is just starting to make some real friends. Suddenly moving to a new location would mean that she'd have to start all over again. But above all else, one question jumps out in her mind, demanding attention.

"Permission to speak freely, sir" she asks in a hesitant voice. Sisko nods, steepling his fingers together as he studies her. "Are you not happy with my performance as of late, sir? I'm getting the feeling that I've displeased you in some way. And if that's the case, I would like to know about it so that perhaps I could strive to improve myself and the job I'm doing here on DS9... sir." She blushes, aware that she just blurted all of her insecurities out in front of her commanding officer. But she also needs to know the truth from Sisko, whether she likes what he has to say or not.

Ben breathes out uncomfortably. He can see the worry in the Ensign's eyes, but she does seem to want the truth. How much truth is it safe to give her though? "Ensign, I'm sure that you could do well in the service, but... unfortunately I don't think it's going to be here." He gets up and paces behind his desk. "DS9 can be a foreboding place at the best of times, and with the recent developments regarding contact with the Dominion, it could get even more foreboding." Ben thinks about his meeting with Admiral Necheyev and Commander Shelby in just a few days. With any luck the Romulan Government will have given their permission for the use of cloaking technology on the Defiant prototype. If the Dominion are going to be as 'difficult' as promised, they'll need ships with real teeth.

He glances at the Ensign waiting patiently and turns his attention back to her situation. He'll have to blunt here, he can see no other way. "I need to know that I can rely on the ability of every man and woman on this station if the situation should turn volatile. But in your case I don't know that I can." He sees her crestfallen expression. Walking around his desk and sitting back down on the edge of it, he thinks back to his own early days in Starfleet. "Believe me, Ensign, I know what it's like. First assignment after graduation, you're eager to please but nervous as hell that you'll do something wrong." Ezri blinks and nods. "The trick is not to let that fear take over. Alright, you've made some... mistakes, but learn from them. Don't let yourself be buried under the weight of every failure. Use the experience to become a better officer."

Ezri nods, doing her best to hide her disappointment. She wishes she could have done something differently. Something so that she wouldn't have been a disapointment to the Commander. But that is obviously not to be. Gathering what's left of her dignity, Ezri swears to herself that no matter what, she's not going to lose it in front of her superior. She's going to leave with her head held high. "Sir, thank you for being so honest with me." She takes a deep breath before continuing. "And I think you may be right. I think maybe a change is in order. Maybe a new job on a starship is exactly what I need right now." Sisko nods. He seems to be pleased with her response. Then Ezri thinks of something. "Um... sir? You never mentioned which starship you were talking about."

"There's a ship currently docked which is scheduled to leave soon on a search and rescue mission. Its chief medical officer has requested more personnel for his team when they return. If you're willing though I can transfer you aboard right now. I think the mission would be good experience for you, plus it'll give you a chance to settle in."

Ezri nods, a smile gracing her lips. She's not sure why, but all of a sudden this change of location is really starting to sound like a wonderful idea! And she'll have a chance to start fresh and make a place for herself aboard this starship. "Thank you, sir. I'd really appreciate it." Then she asks the one question that she's been wanting to ask since she came in. "Sir, could you tell me the ship's name?"

Ben smiles. "She's designated the USS Voyager. The Intrepid class ship docked at upper pylon two."

Ezri's smile grows wider. Voyager... She likes the sound of that. "Permission to go get packed for the trip, sir."

"Permission granted. I'll see about getting everything in order for your arrival on Voyager." Ben extends a hand for her to shake. "Good luck, Ensign."

"Thank you, sir" Ezri grins sheepishly. "I'm sure I'll need it."

Ben inwardly winces at her throwaway depreciating remark. He hopes that Captain Janeway can bring the best out of her, otherwise she'll never rise beyond Ensign. "I know you'll be fine, Ensign. Dismissed!"

Ezri turns and hurries out the door, barely noticing as it whooshes shut behind her. As she makes her way over to the turbolift, her mind is already whirling with lists of what she'll need to take with her. Only the essentials. I can arrange to have the other things sent later. Once she reaches her room, she quickly packs a bag with five regular uniforms, one dress uniform and some of her favorite off-duty clothes. She also grabs a few momentos and personal items that she can't bear to leave behind, even for a short trip. The rest of her things fit into two cases and she quickly makes a call to arrange for them to be sent to the Voyager once they get back from their mission.

That taken care of, Ezri looks around her now bare room. She can no longer even tell that someone lived here. It makes her a little sad to realize that she probably won't be coming back here for a long time. Shouldering her bag, she leaves her room for the last time. As she walks down the halls, she sees a few people that she knows and stops to inform them that she's leaving. Goodbyes are exchanged, along with promises to keep in touch, but it all seems a little hollow to Ezri. As if they couldn't care less whether she stays or goes. She heads for upper pylon two, nervous about this new phase in her life, but determined to see it through. Something tells her that this is going to be one of the most important things she's ever done.

********************

Kathryn blinks, looking out of the window in her ready-room, then back at the console fixed into her desk, the screen detailing the file of one Ensign Harry Kim. He shows a lot of promise, but his teachers at the Acadamy had noted his tendency for anxiety, especially when confronted with authority figures. Always helps to know a little bit about who you're going to be talking to before you meet them. A few moments later, the door chime twinkles.

Harry stands outside, waiting nervously. What will she think of him? What type of Captain is she - strict and authoritarian or easy-going and approachable? So many questions. This is it, he thinks as he hears a voice telling him to enter. He walks inside, feeling like he's just been summarily sent to an inquisition. She's just your C.O, he reminds himself. It's not like she has your life in her hands... not yet anyway. He doesn't know what to do with his hands so he leaves them behind his back. "Captain Janeway... you wanted to see me? Uh, I signed in as Starfleet reques... as... you requested." He clears his throat, trying to hide his apprehension. He tries a different approach - one which he can't screw up. "Ensign Harry Kim reporting in as ordered, sir."

"Mr Kim..." Then Kathryn sees his tenseness. "At ease, before you sprain something." She allows herself a small smile. A genial quip is as good an ice-breaker as any. She sees him relax a little, his hands moving to his sides. "Ensign, despite Starfleet protocol, I don't like being addressed as sir."

"I'm sorry... ma'am?" Harry queries.

"Ma'am is acceptable at a crunch, however I answer best to Captain. Have a seat, make yourself comfortable." Kathryn sits back down and returns to perusing the data on her terminal.

She's got my file pulled up? Harry realizes with a shock. She's found something wrong, I know she has. He fidgets subtly with his fingers as he sits in the chair across from the Captain's desk.

Kathryn's eyes flick up from the screen. "Care for some coffee? I know one would be a godsend for me right now. You wouldn't believe what it's like getting a launch in order."

Harry takes the hint, but shoots out of his chair to the replicator a little too eagerly. "Can't be much worse than a simulation spec run. Ah, how do you take yours? The coffee I mean." Brilliant Harry. You're quite the conversationalist, he thinks sarcastically to himself.

Kathryn's eyes are back on the screen. "Thank you, Ensign. Black, double strong" she says without looking up. She accepts the cup Harry hands her with a polite "thank you" and continues reading. Silence stretches into a minute, Harry getting more and more nervous as every second ticks by. Then she suddenly turns the screen off and faces him. "What's on your mind, Ensign?" she asks. "I asked you here for us to get to know each other a little better. This isn't a review or an interview, the ops post is yours. I think I made the right decision giving that station to you. What I see here further convinces me of that decision." She leans back in her chair. "So... tell me about yourself. I don't see any hobbies listed."

"Captain?" Harry says, a little uncomfortable at her sudden familiarity.

"I make it a point to have good ties with my bridge crew" Kathryn adds, perhaps sensing his tentativeness. "To know what everyone likes and dislikes, on or off duty." She smiles again. "I'll start shall I?" She doesn't wait for an answer before speaking again. "Well... there's tennis. I like cave diving quarries. And I spin a mean game of velocity."

Harry can't help staring. This... from a superior officer? "Well, er... I... I like to practice the oboe."

Kathryn props her chin in her hand. "Musical? Very good. I used to dance when I was younger." She gestures at Harry as if to say 'your turn again'.

Harry sits up straighter, trying to think up an impressive reply. "I... like studying quasar incongruities in stellar cartography" he offers. "The binary spectrum in their doppler's field I find very beautiful... mathematically speaking."

Kathryn doesn't miss a beat. She sips at her coffee. "Mmm, I know what you mean. Last month I wrote a paper on just such a phenomenon and how they might affect helm trajectory patterns in subspace."

Harry's jaw drops. That was just the snafu he'd been kicking around in his head for months. Only someone else had beaten him to it already. "I'll have to read that sometime, Captain."

Over the course of the next half hour, Harry's nervousness steadily fades as he begins to see her more as a fellow officer and less like his immediate superior. By the end of their talk, he's calm and confident... and Kathryn has accomplished her goal. She now knows his true personality characteristics, strengths and weaknesses. And she extracted them in a way that was painless for the Ensign. She stands, feigning a fatigued stretch. "Ensign, I've a bridge diagnostic to head. Care to assist me from ops? Only until 10:00. I know you have a game with Ensign Burns booked in the holodeck. A pirate ship battle isn't it?

She knows about that? I wonder if she knows my perferences in cabin environmental settings too, Harry wonders. "Uh, yes Captain. She wants to know how to slough oceanic cross currents in a schooner with two mainstays only. I thought the best way to do that would be to show her."

Kathryn laughs low in her throat. "Sounds like fun."

"Well... you can join us if... if you like" he adds, coughing to clear his throat.

Kathryn holds up a hand and shakes her head. "Duty calls, Ensign. But thanks for the offer anyway." Her eyes glint mischieviously. "I do run a holonovel of a Victorian nature once in a while, but I have a feeling I won't see that kind of R&R for quite some time. Shall we get to the bridge?" Harry nods, letting her precede him out of the door.

********************

Ezri's own meeting with Janeway had gone well and now she was supposed to report to the ship's doctor. Until they get back from their mission in the Badlands, medical staff is in need of all the extra hands it can get. But for the life of her she can't work out where sickbay is located. I'm lost, she tells herself. Great... just perfect.

She's about to swallow her pride and ask the next crew member for directions when she finally uncovers the elusive room. She feels like jumping for joy, but restrains herself as a Starfleet officer leaping around in the middle of sickbay would look pretty strange to say the least. Ezri looks around her, spotting the doctor and nurse going about their daily routines. "Excuse me" she calls out, walking over to stand next to them. "Pren?" she then cries excitedly, recognizing the Vulcan nurse from Starfleet Acadamy. She and T'Prena had become friends when Ezri was taking a nurse's aide class as part of her Counsellor training.

"Nurse T'Prena is aware I prefer a certain level of formality in sickbay, Ensign...?" the doctor queries with an admonishing stare.

"I'm Ezri Tigan" Ezri says contritely. "Captain Janeway sent me to see you. She said that you were under-staffed and might be able to use me."

"Nurse T'Prena?" Dr Fitzgerald asks in a curt tone of voice.

"Ensign Tigan and I were at the Acadamy medical center together, Dr Fitzgerald" T'Prena tells him. "Trill seem to share the human propensity for expressing emotion with undue excess, but she is a capable counsellor and an excellent nurse's aide."

"Very well." He turns back to Ezri. "Ensign Tigan, as a member of the medical staff on Voyager I will expect you to comport yourself as a professional clinician and officer in all public forums. If you can manage to do that and you're as good as Nurse T'Prena reports you to be, we will get along fine. If not you will find yourself transferred off this ship at our next port of call. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"

"Yes Dr Fitzgerald, message received loud and clear" Ezri replies, blushing slightly. She's just gotten here and already it looks like she's made a bad first impression on the ship's doctor!

"Excellent! The ship will be departing early tomorrow morning. I suggest any personal departure details you need to take care of be your priority. Once we enter the Badlands region of the Federation/Cardassian border, I will require you to be present in sickbay as we're likely to suffer turbulence and receive minor casualties. Until that time comes I will be expecting you to make yourself familiar with the medical equipment... all of it." Fitzgerald gives his orders with a hint of lecturing in his tone.

"Yes Doctor. May I be excused?"

"You are dismissed, Ensign."

When the sickbay doors close behind her, Ezri winces at her faux-pas. This is going to be a long mission.