Writing History, Part 4
By Kate O'Riley
Disclaimer, etc. on part 1
=/\=
Chakotay had the news reports on the screen as he fixed dinner. Kathryn was later than she had said she'd be. He hadn't been paying much attention to the news until he heard "Starfleet". He instantly turned to watch.
"It was just reported that Starfleet Headquarters has had a building of offices bombed. It is not known if anyone was in the building at the time. A pro-Dominion group known as Regorta is claiming responsibility."
Chakotay barely heard it. He had been focusing on the building.
It was Kathryn's.
=/\=
Harry Kim was working late that night. He had been helping design a new class of starship. There was just something about the design that wasn't quite right.
He was puzzling over it when he heard an explosion. He instinctively threw himself to the floor. After a minute, when no dust - or, for that matter, ceiling - came down, he got back up. Looking out the window, he could see that one of the buildings on the other side of Starfleet Headquarters had been bombed.
Figuring that he should leave the rescue crews to their own work, he decided to go straight back to his apartment, three blocks away. It meant that he would have to walk past the building that had been bombed, but it was the only way. His head was hurting, he'd been puzzling over this design so much.
He had to walk almost directly next to the building. It was then he heard a faint moan. He stopped. With the rescue crews shouting, it was hard to tell. But he heard it again. It was only a few feet away.
"Hey! Over here!" he shouted. He began to dig in the rubble. Soon he had cleared enough away to reach the person's face.
He drew back in shock. It was Janeway.
=/\=
B'Elanna had just finished feeding Miral and was rocking her to sleep. It normally was easy to get her to sleep, but she'd been having trouble the last few days for some reason.
She'd just gotten her to sleep when Tom burst in the door of the room. The door flew back with a bang, hitting the wall. Miral woke and began to cry.
"Tom Paris!" B'Elanna said. But he ignored her.
"We have to go." He said, grabbing her arm and pulling her out of the rocking chair. He began to drag her towards the door, but B'Elanna dug her heels into the carpet.
"Wait. Go where?" she asked.
"Starfleet Medical."
"What? Tom Paris, are you insane?"
He gave a sigh. The look on his face kept B'Elanna from saying anything more. "Tom, what is it?" she pressed gently. "What's wrong?" A thought occurred to her. "Is it your father?"
He shook his head. "Worse."
"What?" B'Elanna was scared now. "Tom, tell me!"
"It's Captain Janeway."
"What?"
"I'll explain on the way."
=/\=
The Doctor was looking over his patient charts when a nurse approached him.
"Doctor? There's a trauma patient downstairs. Her husband specifically requested you."
"Really? How flattering." The Doctor walked down the stairs into the main treatment area.
"Right over there." The nurse pointed to a bed.
He walked over to the bed, picking up a med kit as he went. The woman on the bed looked familiar.
"Captain!"
=/\=
An hour later, Tom, B'Elanna, Harry, and Seven were gathered together with Chakotay in Starfleet Medical's waiting area, along with Gretchen Janeway, Kathryn's mother, and Kathryn's sister Phoebe. With the exception of Seven, who had reverted back to Borg behavior as a way of dealing with this, they were all pacing the floor together. The staff and other people in the room had learned to leave them alone, after B'Elanna had nearly taken their heads off when they came near. She had gone to Klingon battle mode, and not even Tom could calm her down. She barely paid Miral any attention.
When the Doctor walked into the room, they instantly flocked around him. They remained silent though, and let Chakotay ask the question they all dreaded.
"How.how is she?" he asked. They held their breath.
The Doctor fidgeted nervously. The news couldn't be good.
"She's currently comatose. I believe she may have suffered some brain damage. I'm.not sure she'll make it. As for the baby, it's alive for now. It's life signs are flucuating, however."
Tom wrapped an arm around Chakotay to support him. B'Elanna clutched Miral to her, so tight that Miral began to cry. Harry was nervously squeezing his hands. Gretchen Janeway and Phoebe hugged each other.
"Has anyone informed Commander Tuvok?" the Doctor asked. They looked at each other. They had, hadn't they?
"I did." Seven said. "He should be on the next transport."
"Good," the Doctor said. His face was grim. "Her chances may be better if she survives the night, but I'm not sure of the extent of the brain damage. She may stay in a permanently comatose state."
=/\=
Kathryn had been moved into a private room, and the Doctor had agreed to let them in to see her, one at a time. Chakotay had dreaded going into the room. The last time he'd seen her, she'd been so vibrant, so full of life.
He steeled himself and walked into the room. Kathryn was pale, with pink all over her face from where skin had been regenerated. Her heartbeat was somewhat erratic. Chakotay couldn't tell much about the baby's, but it didn't look good.
"Kathryn?" he said, softly touching her cheek. He squeezed her hand. "Come on Kathryn. You have to stay with me. After all we've been through, you can't die now."
There was no sign she had heard him. He had hoped there would be.
"Come on Kathryn. We're all waiting for you to wake up. Your mom and sister are here, Tom and B'Elanna are here, and Harry, and Seven, and Tuvok's on his way. More Voyager crewmembers are coming every minute. They designated a special place on the lawn for them, there's so many. We're at 90 and counting. Actually, they're right outside the window. All we have to do to see them is open the curtain. But I'm not going to do that. I don't think the window is big enough, because they'll try to see in. They're worried about you, Kathryn. We all are. You have to wake up."
The Doctor had said he thought she could hear him, but he wasn't sure. There was no indication Kathryn had heard.
He leaned over and stroked her forehead. "Come on Kathryn." He whispered.
=/\=
*** Chakotay! Chakotay, I can hear you! Please don't leave me! I'm in here! ***
Kathryn Janeway felt like she was trapped. She could think, she could understand what was going on, but she had no control over her body. It was the most frusterating thing she had ever felt.
Chakotay would stay with her, wouldn't he?
"Kathryn, the Doctor said the others can visit you as well. We're letting them come in one at a time."
A moment later, she heard the door open and shut, and then B'Elanna's voice. "Captain, I don't know if you can hear me, but you've got to live! I don't know." Was that crying she heard? Yes. B'Elanna was actually crying! "I don't know what I'd do without you. You were more than just my commanding officer. You were my friend. Don't leave us. Please don't."
*** Don't worry B'Elanna. I don't plan to.***
She heard B'Elanna leave, then someone else entered. "Kathryn?" she heard her mother ask softly. "Oh Kathryn, darling." A hand stroked her head. "I wish it could have been me instead of you."
*** Don't sound like I'm dead, Mother! I'm not! I'm here! I'm breathing, I'm thinking, I'm just trapped inside my own head!***
It went that way with her sister and the rest of her former officers and friends. She wondered why B'Elanna had gone first. That was odd.
Finally she heard Chakotay come back in. She could tell by his footsteps. She felt her hand being picked up and squeezed.
"Hey Kathryn. You should have seen B'Elanna. She practically shoved your mother to the floor, she wanted to see you so bad. We let her. When B'Elanna acts Klingon, you're the only one who can really handle her. She wouldn't even listen to me. So you see, we need you to calm B'Elanna down.
"We need you. I need you."
*** Oh Chakotay. I'm here. Please don't sound like that. I'm in here. Oh Chakotay.***
=/\=
It was several hours later, Kathryn guessed. Probably the middle of the night. She could hear Chakotay softly snoring. She felt a smile. If he wasn't in just the right position, he had a tendency to snore. He didn't know it, but several years ago, back on Voyager, his snoring had been so loud she had heard it in her own bed. She couldn't sleep. She had finally gone and snuck into his quarters. It was a good thing that there were no crewmen around. What would that have looked like, the captain sneaking into the first officer's quarters? But she had gone in and shifted him enough that he had stopped snoring. She had just made it back to her own quarters when he apparently moved back, because it started again. The next day, she had nearly used up her replicator rations, she got so many cups of coffee.
This was extremely frustrating. She, Kathryn Janeway, would gladly have been thrown back into the Delta Quadrant, if it meant that she'd be in control of her own body again. She had faced the Kazon, the Viidians, the Borg, the Hirogen, and Species 8472. She had had her memory wiped, her ship stolen, and had to fight to survive. And now, when she had gotten them home, when she had finally married Chakotay, when at long last she was going to be a mother, when life was perfect, it came crashing down around her head.
Literately.
She was scared. She'd admit it. She wasn't in control of her own body. She didn't know if she'd ever be again. She didn't know if she'd even live. And if she did, what about the baby?
This was extremely frustrating.
=/\=
Tuvok frowned as he walked past a group of people sitting on the lawn of Starfleet Medical. About half the group dozed, and the ones who weren't asleep talked quietly to each other. There were about 100 people, and on closer inspection, he noticed they were all former Voyager crewmembers. Interesting.
The former senior officers of Voyager were dozing together in a waiting room when Tuvok entered. He walked over to where they were sitting and gently shook Tom's shoulder.
"Lieutenant Paris. What is the captain's condition?"
Tom sat up and blinked sleepily. "Huh? Oh, hi Tuvok. Captain Janeway.well, it's not good." He quickly outlined what had happened.
As he was finishing, the Doctor walked in. "Ah, Mr. Tuvok. I was hoping you would arrive soon."
"Were you?"
"Yes. I believe I may have an idea as how to help Captain Janeway. But I need a Vulcan to do it." The Doctor told Tuvok the plan.
Tuvok nodded. "It may work. It would not hurt to try."
Tom had been listening in as well. "Sounds good to me," he said. He shook B'Elanna's shoulder. "Come on, wake up B'Elanna. There's a new idea."
That got B'Elanna's attention. "There is? Come on Harry, Seven, Mrs. Janeway, Phoebe, let's go!"
The Doctor sighed, but made no protest. They walked back to Janeway's room.
Chakotay looked up as they entered. "She's still not responsive, but her life signs have stabilized."
"Good. We have a new plan." The Doctor said. "Mister Tuvok?"
Tuvok stepped over to the bed and placed his hand on Janeway's forehead. "My mind to your mind."
=/\=
** Captain, are you here? Can you hear me? **
*** Tuvok! I'm here! Why are you? ***
** You may thank the Doctor. It was his idea. **
*** He's going to get a bigger ego, you know. ***
** I believe the Doctor's ego is irrelevant to the conversation. **
*** You're right. As usual. But you don't know how glad I am that you're here. I've gotten lonely. ***
** I regret that I cannot stay, Captain. We were merely trying to ascertain if you had brain damage, and if so, the extent. **
*** I don't think I do. I've been trying to entertain myself by going through memories. The vast majority from Voyager. Remember the time Chakotay was brain dead, and the alien had taken over you? ***
** I remember Captain. But I must go. They are waiting for my report. **
*** Tuvok, wait! Can you do me a couple favors? ***
** I will try. **
*** The first is simple enough. How's the baby? ***
** According to the Doctor, it has survived. It's life signs have stabilized, and it currently appears unharmed. However, he is keeping an eye on it. **
*** Thank goodness. I've been so worried. She was such a miracle, and I hadn't heard anyone say anything about her. I thought.I thought I may have lost her. My second favor is.can you tell Chakotay I love him?***
** Of course, Captain. **
*** Thank you, old friend. ***
=/\=
Tuvok straightened up. Everyone in the room was gazing at him expectantly.
"She has suffered no brain damage." He announced. The room constantly exploded with cheers. Tom opened the window and told the assembled crew. They started to cheer as well.
After it had died down, Tuvok continued. "She has been able to hear what has been going on. She expressed frustration at being unable to awaken, but seemed in good spirits otherwise. Mister Chakotay, she asked that I tell you.she loves you."
Chakotay squeezed Kathryn's hand and said "Thank you, Tuvok. Kathryn, Tuvok says you can hear us. I love you too. I hope we can get you awake soon, but the Doctor looks like he's already working on the problem. We'll try to keep someone in here at all times to talk to you, so you won't be bored."
Kathryn gave an inward smile. ***I knew they would help.*** She had utter confidence in her former staff.
She just wished she had the same confidence in herself.
=/\=
Part 5, coming soon!
Disclaimer, etc. on part 1
=/\=
Chakotay had the news reports on the screen as he fixed dinner. Kathryn was later than she had said she'd be. He hadn't been paying much attention to the news until he heard "Starfleet". He instantly turned to watch.
"It was just reported that Starfleet Headquarters has had a building of offices bombed. It is not known if anyone was in the building at the time. A pro-Dominion group known as Regorta is claiming responsibility."
Chakotay barely heard it. He had been focusing on the building.
It was Kathryn's.
=/\=
Harry Kim was working late that night. He had been helping design a new class of starship. There was just something about the design that wasn't quite right.
He was puzzling over it when he heard an explosion. He instinctively threw himself to the floor. After a minute, when no dust - or, for that matter, ceiling - came down, he got back up. Looking out the window, he could see that one of the buildings on the other side of Starfleet Headquarters had been bombed.
Figuring that he should leave the rescue crews to their own work, he decided to go straight back to his apartment, three blocks away. It meant that he would have to walk past the building that had been bombed, but it was the only way. His head was hurting, he'd been puzzling over this design so much.
He had to walk almost directly next to the building. It was then he heard a faint moan. He stopped. With the rescue crews shouting, it was hard to tell. But he heard it again. It was only a few feet away.
"Hey! Over here!" he shouted. He began to dig in the rubble. Soon he had cleared enough away to reach the person's face.
He drew back in shock. It was Janeway.
=/\=
B'Elanna had just finished feeding Miral and was rocking her to sleep. It normally was easy to get her to sleep, but she'd been having trouble the last few days for some reason.
She'd just gotten her to sleep when Tom burst in the door of the room. The door flew back with a bang, hitting the wall. Miral woke and began to cry.
"Tom Paris!" B'Elanna said. But he ignored her.
"We have to go." He said, grabbing her arm and pulling her out of the rocking chair. He began to drag her towards the door, but B'Elanna dug her heels into the carpet.
"Wait. Go where?" she asked.
"Starfleet Medical."
"What? Tom Paris, are you insane?"
He gave a sigh. The look on his face kept B'Elanna from saying anything more. "Tom, what is it?" she pressed gently. "What's wrong?" A thought occurred to her. "Is it your father?"
He shook his head. "Worse."
"What?" B'Elanna was scared now. "Tom, tell me!"
"It's Captain Janeway."
"What?"
"I'll explain on the way."
=/\=
The Doctor was looking over his patient charts when a nurse approached him.
"Doctor? There's a trauma patient downstairs. Her husband specifically requested you."
"Really? How flattering." The Doctor walked down the stairs into the main treatment area.
"Right over there." The nurse pointed to a bed.
He walked over to the bed, picking up a med kit as he went. The woman on the bed looked familiar.
"Captain!"
=/\=
An hour later, Tom, B'Elanna, Harry, and Seven were gathered together with Chakotay in Starfleet Medical's waiting area, along with Gretchen Janeway, Kathryn's mother, and Kathryn's sister Phoebe. With the exception of Seven, who had reverted back to Borg behavior as a way of dealing with this, they were all pacing the floor together. The staff and other people in the room had learned to leave them alone, after B'Elanna had nearly taken their heads off when they came near. She had gone to Klingon battle mode, and not even Tom could calm her down. She barely paid Miral any attention.
When the Doctor walked into the room, they instantly flocked around him. They remained silent though, and let Chakotay ask the question they all dreaded.
"How.how is she?" he asked. They held their breath.
The Doctor fidgeted nervously. The news couldn't be good.
"She's currently comatose. I believe she may have suffered some brain damage. I'm.not sure she'll make it. As for the baby, it's alive for now. It's life signs are flucuating, however."
Tom wrapped an arm around Chakotay to support him. B'Elanna clutched Miral to her, so tight that Miral began to cry. Harry was nervously squeezing his hands. Gretchen Janeway and Phoebe hugged each other.
"Has anyone informed Commander Tuvok?" the Doctor asked. They looked at each other. They had, hadn't they?
"I did." Seven said. "He should be on the next transport."
"Good," the Doctor said. His face was grim. "Her chances may be better if she survives the night, but I'm not sure of the extent of the brain damage. She may stay in a permanently comatose state."
=/\=
Kathryn had been moved into a private room, and the Doctor had agreed to let them in to see her, one at a time. Chakotay had dreaded going into the room. The last time he'd seen her, she'd been so vibrant, so full of life.
He steeled himself and walked into the room. Kathryn was pale, with pink all over her face from where skin had been regenerated. Her heartbeat was somewhat erratic. Chakotay couldn't tell much about the baby's, but it didn't look good.
"Kathryn?" he said, softly touching her cheek. He squeezed her hand. "Come on Kathryn. You have to stay with me. After all we've been through, you can't die now."
There was no sign she had heard him. He had hoped there would be.
"Come on Kathryn. We're all waiting for you to wake up. Your mom and sister are here, Tom and B'Elanna are here, and Harry, and Seven, and Tuvok's on his way. More Voyager crewmembers are coming every minute. They designated a special place on the lawn for them, there's so many. We're at 90 and counting. Actually, they're right outside the window. All we have to do to see them is open the curtain. But I'm not going to do that. I don't think the window is big enough, because they'll try to see in. They're worried about you, Kathryn. We all are. You have to wake up."
The Doctor had said he thought she could hear him, but he wasn't sure. There was no indication Kathryn had heard.
He leaned over and stroked her forehead. "Come on Kathryn." He whispered.
=/\=
*** Chakotay! Chakotay, I can hear you! Please don't leave me! I'm in here! ***
Kathryn Janeway felt like she was trapped. She could think, she could understand what was going on, but she had no control over her body. It was the most frusterating thing she had ever felt.
Chakotay would stay with her, wouldn't he?
"Kathryn, the Doctor said the others can visit you as well. We're letting them come in one at a time."
A moment later, she heard the door open and shut, and then B'Elanna's voice. "Captain, I don't know if you can hear me, but you've got to live! I don't know." Was that crying she heard? Yes. B'Elanna was actually crying! "I don't know what I'd do without you. You were more than just my commanding officer. You were my friend. Don't leave us. Please don't."
*** Don't worry B'Elanna. I don't plan to.***
She heard B'Elanna leave, then someone else entered. "Kathryn?" she heard her mother ask softly. "Oh Kathryn, darling." A hand stroked her head. "I wish it could have been me instead of you."
*** Don't sound like I'm dead, Mother! I'm not! I'm here! I'm breathing, I'm thinking, I'm just trapped inside my own head!***
It went that way with her sister and the rest of her former officers and friends. She wondered why B'Elanna had gone first. That was odd.
Finally she heard Chakotay come back in. She could tell by his footsteps. She felt her hand being picked up and squeezed.
"Hey Kathryn. You should have seen B'Elanna. She practically shoved your mother to the floor, she wanted to see you so bad. We let her. When B'Elanna acts Klingon, you're the only one who can really handle her. She wouldn't even listen to me. So you see, we need you to calm B'Elanna down.
"We need you. I need you."
*** Oh Chakotay. I'm here. Please don't sound like that. I'm in here. Oh Chakotay.***
=/\=
It was several hours later, Kathryn guessed. Probably the middle of the night. She could hear Chakotay softly snoring. She felt a smile. If he wasn't in just the right position, he had a tendency to snore. He didn't know it, but several years ago, back on Voyager, his snoring had been so loud she had heard it in her own bed. She couldn't sleep. She had finally gone and snuck into his quarters. It was a good thing that there were no crewmen around. What would that have looked like, the captain sneaking into the first officer's quarters? But she had gone in and shifted him enough that he had stopped snoring. She had just made it back to her own quarters when he apparently moved back, because it started again. The next day, she had nearly used up her replicator rations, she got so many cups of coffee.
This was extremely frustrating. She, Kathryn Janeway, would gladly have been thrown back into the Delta Quadrant, if it meant that she'd be in control of her own body again. She had faced the Kazon, the Viidians, the Borg, the Hirogen, and Species 8472. She had had her memory wiped, her ship stolen, and had to fight to survive. And now, when she had gotten them home, when she had finally married Chakotay, when at long last she was going to be a mother, when life was perfect, it came crashing down around her head.
Literately.
She was scared. She'd admit it. She wasn't in control of her own body. She didn't know if she'd ever be again. She didn't know if she'd even live. And if she did, what about the baby?
This was extremely frustrating.
=/\=
Tuvok frowned as he walked past a group of people sitting on the lawn of Starfleet Medical. About half the group dozed, and the ones who weren't asleep talked quietly to each other. There were about 100 people, and on closer inspection, he noticed they were all former Voyager crewmembers. Interesting.
The former senior officers of Voyager were dozing together in a waiting room when Tuvok entered. He walked over to where they were sitting and gently shook Tom's shoulder.
"Lieutenant Paris. What is the captain's condition?"
Tom sat up and blinked sleepily. "Huh? Oh, hi Tuvok. Captain Janeway.well, it's not good." He quickly outlined what had happened.
As he was finishing, the Doctor walked in. "Ah, Mr. Tuvok. I was hoping you would arrive soon."
"Were you?"
"Yes. I believe I may have an idea as how to help Captain Janeway. But I need a Vulcan to do it." The Doctor told Tuvok the plan.
Tuvok nodded. "It may work. It would not hurt to try."
Tom had been listening in as well. "Sounds good to me," he said. He shook B'Elanna's shoulder. "Come on, wake up B'Elanna. There's a new idea."
That got B'Elanna's attention. "There is? Come on Harry, Seven, Mrs. Janeway, Phoebe, let's go!"
The Doctor sighed, but made no protest. They walked back to Janeway's room.
Chakotay looked up as they entered. "She's still not responsive, but her life signs have stabilized."
"Good. We have a new plan." The Doctor said. "Mister Tuvok?"
Tuvok stepped over to the bed and placed his hand on Janeway's forehead. "My mind to your mind."
=/\=
** Captain, are you here? Can you hear me? **
*** Tuvok! I'm here! Why are you? ***
** You may thank the Doctor. It was his idea. **
*** He's going to get a bigger ego, you know. ***
** I believe the Doctor's ego is irrelevant to the conversation. **
*** You're right. As usual. But you don't know how glad I am that you're here. I've gotten lonely. ***
** I regret that I cannot stay, Captain. We were merely trying to ascertain if you had brain damage, and if so, the extent. **
*** I don't think I do. I've been trying to entertain myself by going through memories. The vast majority from Voyager. Remember the time Chakotay was brain dead, and the alien had taken over you? ***
** I remember Captain. But I must go. They are waiting for my report. **
*** Tuvok, wait! Can you do me a couple favors? ***
** I will try. **
*** The first is simple enough. How's the baby? ***
** According to the Doctor, it has survived. It's life signs have stabilized, and it currently appears unharmed. However, he is keeping an eye on it. **
*** Thank goodness. I've been so worried. She was such a miracle, and I hadn't heard anyone say anything about her. I thought.I thought I may have lost her. My second favor is.can you tell Chakotay I love him?***
** Of course, Captain. **
*** Thank you, old friend. ***
=/\=
Tuvok straightened up. Everyone in the room was gazing at him expectantly.
"She has suffered no brain damage." He announced. The room constantly exploded with cheers. Tom opened the window and told the assembled crew. They started to cheer as well.
After it had died down, Tuvok continued. "She has been able to hear what has been going on. She expressed frustration at being unable to awaken, but seemed in good spirits otherwise. Mister Chakotay, she asked that I tell you.she loves you."
Chakotay squeezed Kathryn's hand and said "Thank you, Tuvok. Kathryn, Tuvok says you can hear us. I love you too. I hope we can get you awake soon, but the Doctor looks like he's already working on the problem. We'll try to keep someone in here at all times to talk to you, so you won't be bored."
Kathryn gave an inward smile. ***I knew they would help.*** She had utter confidence in her former staff.
She just wished she had the same confidence in herself.
=/\=
Part 5, coming soon!