Writing History
By Kate O'Riley
Disclaimer, etc. on part 1
=/\=
It had been a week since the bombing. True to his word, Chakotay had found someone to talk to her constantly. She assumed someone was there all night long. When she went to sleep, someone was still there, and when she woke up, someone was. But it was frustrating, only being able to listen.
Chakotay was with her almost constantly. Tom and B'Elanna were there several hours a day, as were Harry, Tuvok, and her mother. They told her all their plans. What they would do when she woke up. B'Elanna said the entire Voyager crew was planning a baby shower. Tom said they were planning a party. Chakotay told her about the crib he had carved. Harry told her the engineering problems he was having with a starship he was designing. Her mother told her about current Federation news and what her sister's children's latest antics were. Tuvok.well, he was there. But Vulcans didn't make small talk too well.
Hey, it was the thought that counts.right?
OK, the truth was.she usually ended up asleep. Not that it was Tuvok's fault.
She was beginning to become.well, she had gotten to the point where she almost wished she died. Kathryn Janeway, scientist, captain, wife, soon to be mother - give or take six months -, a person who had braved the Delta Quadrant, who had had a spectacular career.was bored beyond bored. Oh, she thought she had been bored before. But it was like. comparing a drop of water to the ocean planet that had gotten Tom demoted. One was small, one was huge.
So she was intrigued by the activity she heard in her room a week later. There were the sounds of many people moving around, and whispers. Suddenly she felt fingers being placed on her face and several Vulcans chanting, "My mind to your mind."
Suddenly she was aware of several presences in her mind. She mentally blinked in confusion several times, before sorting out the individual presences. Tuvok, B'Elanna, Tom, Harry, Seven, Chakotay! They were.in her brain???
(author's note; to avoid confusion, Janeway is ***, Tuvok **, Chakotay ****, Tom ^, B'Elanna ^^, Harry ```, and Seven ~. Confused yet? I think I've caught the characters well enough you can guess it though)
*** What....who? ***
**** Surprised, Kathryn? We're here to try to help you.****
*** Of course I'm surprised! I'm not used to having six people invading my brain at once. How did you do it? ***
``` It was the Doctor's idea. He thought we could help pull you back. Took a lot of Vulcans. ```
*** I'd imagine. ***
^ Gee, not sure I wanted to know that. ^
^^ Tom! Get out of her memories! ^^
^ B'Elanna! You ought to SEE some of this! ^
^^ *** Tom! ^^ ***
**** Paris, get out of there, or I'll personally beat you into the ground. ****
^^ Not if I don't first. ^^
^ Whatever happened to 'till death do us part'? ^
^^ Didn't say a thing about my causing the death, did it? ^^
~ This discussion is irrelevant. We must focus on the task on hand. ~
** Indeed. Captain, imagine your body, and imagine your life force, your katra, if you will. Imagine them as two separate entities. Now, imagine them merging into one. Meanwhile, the rest of you may proceed. **
**** Kathryn, I remember the first time I was on Voyager. I was hostile towards Paris, and you stepped right up into my face and told me to respect your crewmembers the same way I'd want you to respect mine. ****
*** I remember. ***
``` I remember when I first came aboard Voyager. I was so nervous I was stiff as a board. You told me 'At ease before you sprain something.' ```
*** I remember that. You looked scared to death. ***
``` You didn't know it, but I actually did pull a muscle in my back. ```
*** Really? I knew you would. You didn't relax the whole time. ***
^^ I remember how you were so patient with me. I was awful when I first came aboard Voyager. I broke Carey's nose! But you let me come up with the idea to get us out of that creature. ^^
*** You weren't that bad. ***
^^ Oh yes I was! ^^
~ I remember how I resented you when you first disconnected me from the Collective. I did not believe you truly had my best interests at heart. I was wrong. I am sorry for that. ~
*** I understand, Seven. ***
^ I remember when you demoted me to ensign. You know what upset me the most? It wasn't being demoted, it wasn't being put in the brig. It was disappointing you. ^
*** It's past Tom. And I'm certainly not disappointed in you now. You've become a fine person. ***
** My memories of you are many Captain. But one of them is how you expressed relief at my well being when we had been dragged into the Delta Quadrant. **
*** I was worried about you, Tuvok. When I learned you were missing, I got Voyager out as fast as I could.***
** Now Captain, you must focus on your body and spirit merging. Imagine it filling you. Imagine yourself waking up. We must withdraw. You will be alone for this portion, but we will be waiting for you to wake up. **
*** I'll try. ***
**** You can do it, Kathryn. I know you can. ****
*** I'll do my best Chakotay. ***
=/\=
The room was filled with anticipation. Nine pairs of eyes focused on Kathryn Janeway's still body. She made no movement other than her breathing.
They stayed that way for half an hour. Finally B'Elanna turned away with a sigh. "It didn't work." She said in a disappointed tone.
Tom grabbed her arm. "No, look!" His voice was hushed, and filled with awe. There was a reason.
Under the sheet, barely noticeable, but still there. Her foot twitched slightly. It twitched again, stronger this time.
Chakotay squeezed her hand. He was startled when he felt her squeeze back. It was slight, but it was a definite squeeze!
He reported it to the others. A slight cheer went up. Then they leaned over the bed and watched her face intently.
=/\=
Her body felt so heavy. It had taken intense concentration to just wiggle her toes. Squeezing Chakotay's hand had almost completely drained her.
But she knew they were waiting for her to wake up. She had to open her eyes. She had to!
They were so heavy. They felt like lead.
She took a mental deep breath. She had to do this. She had to do this, or lose everything.
Slowly, slowly, she pulled her eyes open.
At first, the light hurt. But she forced herself to keep them open. She wasn't sure she could open them again if they closed.
Things were blurry. She could see faces above her. Gradually they cleared into the familiar faces of her.her family. She counted each and every one of them to be as close as a family member.
Tears dripped down all of their faces, tears of joy. Well, with the exception of the Doctor and Tuvok. But even they were smiling, Tuvok in that Vulcan-ny way he had.
She licked her dry lips with a tongue almost equally dry. "C-Chakotay," she got out. Her voice was dry and hoarse.
"Kathryn!" he whispered.
She looked around. "B'Elanna.Tom.Harry.Doctor.Tuvok.Seven.you don't know how happy I am."
"I think we're just as happy to see you!" B'Elanna said. Her face was absolutely lit up.
It felt easier now. She could keep her eyes open and talk. But listening to them all talk at once was something else.
The Doctor finally put his hands up. "That is enough. You must all leave immediately, so the captain can get some rest. That includes you, Chakotay."
"Wait," Kathryn said. "Chakotay stays. I want to talk to him."
The Doctor sighed. "He can for a few minutes, I suppose. But you need to rest."
They waited until everyone had reluctantly left. Then she gave a happy sigh. "You don't know how good it feels to be able to talk," she said.
Chakotay looked at her. "What was it like?" he asked softly.
"It was horrible. Awful. Hearing the despair in everyone's voices, not being able to say I was alive and well, at least inside." She shuddered. "I never want to go through that again."
He rubbed her shoulder sympathetically. "It's all right Kathryn. It's over."
She yawned. "Thank you Chakotay." She was already drifting to sleep.
=/\=
Part six coming soon.yeah, I'm just sttrrreeeeetttccchhhiiinnnggg it out.
Disclaimer, etc. on part 1
=/\=
It had been a week since the bombing. True to his word, Chakotay had found someone to talk to her constantly. She assumed someone was there all night long. When she went to sleep, someone was still there, and when she woke up, someone was. But it was frustrating, only being able to listen.
Chakotay was with her almost constantly. Tom and B'Elanna were there several hours a day, as were Harry, Tuvok, and her mother. They told her all their plans. What they would do when she woke up. B'Elanna said the entire Voyager crew was planning a baby shower. Tom said they were planning a party. Chakotay told her about the crib he had carved. Harry told her the engineering problems he was having with a starship he was designing. Her mother told her about current Federation news and what her sister's children's latest antics were. Tuvok.well, he was there. But Vulcans didn't make small talk too well.
Hey, it was the thought that counts.right?
OK, the truth was.she usually ended up asleep. Not that it was Tuvok's fault.
She was beginning to become.well, she had gotten to the point where she almost wished she died. Kathryn Janeway, scientist, captain, wife, soon to be mother - give or take six months -, a person who had braved the Delta Quadrant, who had had a spectacular career.was bored beyond bored. Oh, she thought she had been bored before. But it was like. comparing a drop of water to the ocean planet that had gotten Tom demoted. One was small, one was huge.
So she was intrigued by the activity she heard in her room a week later. There were the sounds of many people moving around, and whispers. Suddenly she felt fingers being placed on her face and several Vulcans chanting, "My mind to your mind."
Suddenly she was aware of several presences in her mind. She mentally blinked in confusion several times, before sorting out the individual presences. Tuvok, B'Elanna, Tom, Harry, Seven, Chakotay! They were.in her brain???
(author's note; to avoid confusion, Janeway is ***, Tuvok **, Chakotay ****, Tom ^, B'Elanna ^^, Harry ```, and Seven ~. Confused yet? I think I've caught the characters well enough you can guess it though)
*** What....who? ***
**** Surprised, Kathryn? We're here to try to help you.****
*** Of course I'm surprised! I'm not used to having six people invading my brain at once. How did you do it? ***
``` It was the Doctor's idea. He thought we could help pull you back. Took a lot of Vulcans. ```
*** I'd imagine. ***
^ Gee, not sure I wanted to know that. ^
^^ Tom! Get out of her memories! ^^
^ B'Elanna! You ought to SEE some of this! ^
^^ *** Tom! ^^ ***
**** Paris, get out of there, or I'll personally beat you into the ground. ****
^^ Not if I don't first. ^^
^ Whatever happened to 'till death do us part'? ^
^^ Didn't say a thing about my causing the death, did it? ^^
~ This discussion is irrelevant. We must focus on the task on hand. ~
** Indeed. Captain, imagine your body, and imagine your life force, your katra, if you will. Imagine them as two separate entities. Now, imagine them merging into one. Meanwhile, the rest of you may proceed. **
**** Kathryn, I remember the first time I was on Voyager. I was hostile towards Paris, and you stepped right up into my face and told me to respect your crewmembers the same way I'd want you to respect mine. ****
*** I remember. ***
``` I remember when I first came aboard Voyager. I was so nervous I was stiff as a board. You told me 'At ease before you sprain something.' ```
*** I remember that. You looked scared to death. ***
``` You didn't know it, but I actually did pull a muscle in my back. ```
*** Really? I knew you would. You didn't relax the whole time. ***
^^ I remember how you were so patient with me. I was awful when I first came aboard Voyager. I broke Carey's nose! But you let me come up with the idea to get us out of that creature. ^^
*** You weren't that bad. ***
^^ Oh yes I was! ^^
~ I remember how I resented you when you first disconnected me from the Collective. I did not believe you truly had my best interests at heart. I was wrong. I am sorry for that. ~
*** I understand, Seven. ***
^ I remember when you demoted me to ensign. You know what upset me the most? It wasn't being demoted, it wasn't being put in the brig. It was disappointing you. ^
*** It's past Tom. And I'm certainly not disappointed in you now. You've become a fine person. ***
** My memories of you are many Captain. But one of them is how you expressed relief at my well being when we had been dragged into the Delta Quadrant. **
*** I was worried about you, Tuvok. When I learned you were missing, I got Voyager out as fast as I could.***
** Now Captain, you must focus on your body and spirit merging. Imagine it filling you. Imagine yourself waking up. We must withdraw. You will be alone for this portion, but we will be waiting for you to wake up. **
*** I'll try. ***
**** You can do it, Kathryn. I know you can. ****
*** I'll do my best Chakotay. ***
=/\=
The room was filled with anticipation. Nine pairs of eyes focused on Kathryn Janeway's still body. She made no movement other than her breathing.
They stayed that way for half an hour. Finally B'Elanna turned away with a sigh. "It didn't work." She said in a disappointed tone.
Tom grabbed her arm. "No, look!" His voice was hushed, and filled with awe. There was a reason.
Under the sheet, barely noticeable, but still there. Her foot twitched slightly. It twitched again, stronger this time.
Chakotay squeezed her hand. He was startled when he felt her squeeze back. It was slight, but it was a definite squeeze!
He reported it to the others. A slight cheer went up. Then they leaned over the bed and watched her face intently.
=/\=
Her body felt so heavy. It had taken intense concentration to just wiggle her toes. Squeezing Chakotay's hand had almost completely drained her.
But she knew they were waiting for her to wake up. She had to open her eyes. She had to!
They were so heavy. They felt like lead.
She took a mental deep breath. She had to do this. She had to do this, or lose everything.
Slowly, slowly, she pulled her eyes open.
At first, the light hurt. But she forced herself to keep them open. She wasn't sure she could open them again if they closed.
Things were blurry. She could see faces above her. Gradually they cleared into the familiar faces of her.her family. She counted each and every one of them to be as close as a family member.
Tears dripped down all of their faces, tears of joy. Well, with the exception of the Doctor and Tuvok. But even they were smiling, Tuvok in that Vulcan-ny way he had.
She licked her dry lips with a tongue almost equally dry. "C-Chakotay," she got out. Her voice was dry and hoarse.
"Kathryn!" he whispered.
She looked around. "B'Elanna.Tom.Harry.Doctor.Tuvok.Seven.you don't know how happy I am."
"I think we're just as happy to see you!" B'Elanna said. Her face was absolutely lit up.
It felt easier now. She could keep her eyes open and talk. But listening to them all talk at once was something else.
The Doctor finally put his hands up. "That is enough. You must all leave immediately, so the captain can get some rest. That includes you, Chakotay."
"Wait," Kathryn said. "Chakotay stays. I want to talk to him."
The Doctor sighed. "He can for a few minutes, I suppose. But you need to rest."
They waited until everyone had reluctantly left. Then she gave a happy sigh. "You don't know how good it feels to be able to talk," she said.
Chakotay looked at her. "What was it like?" he asked softly.
"It was horrible. Awful. Hearing the despair in everyone's voices, not being able to say I was alive and well, at least inside." She shuddered. "I never want to go through that again."
He rubbed her shoulder sympathetically. "It's all right Kathryn. It's over."
She yawned. "Thank you Chakotay." She was already drifting to sleep.
=/\=
Part six coming soon.yeah, I'm just sttrrreeeeetttccchhhiiinnnggg it out.