Estranged Relations

Chapter 1: Little Rebel

Ten years later. . . .

Kat was a 5' 5" blonde with brown eyes and a perfectly toned body--and she knew she was beautiful. She was extremely smart and resourceful, but had a tendency for getting into trouble. People, especially her Grandma Rose, would compare her to her father. Kat didn't remember much about her mother, but kept a locket, with her mother's picture in it, around her neck at all times. Kat felt she was a good mixture of both her parents, and now, at the age of sixteen, she had to make a mark in the world for herself.

Some how Kat couldn't stay out of trouble during her time at school. She had been expelled from two different schools in one year for fighting, and was currently trying to stay in this one. Like many teens her age, she was tired of wasting away her days reading books and socializing with the same group of kids. She wanted to graduate as soon as possible and get on with her life. One day at school, while Kat was trying to be good, a bully named Jeffery came up to her as she was walking to class. He had pinched her butt hard enough for her to squeal in pain, and continued to walk past her snickering. Kat was so angry she didn't even realize she'd run up behind Jeffery and shoved him really hard into a wall, at least not until it was over. He was covered in blood. When she saw him, she ran away afraid of the consequences she would face if her dad found out. She couldn't let her father down again, she knew if she did, he wouldn't come to see her at all. It was bad enough that she only saw him at Christmas and Summer break. Some of the kids who witnessed everything told the nearest teacher. Now Kat was in the Headmistress's office waiting on her dad to get there from Star Base II wondering how pissed off he really would be.

When Shinzon arrived, he went directly to where the headmistress had Kat waiting. He knew that Kat had been provoked this time, but he felt this behavior was becoming a habit he had to stop. He was informed that Voyager would be heading back into the Neutral Zone, and he wouldn't be able to take care of Kat. Before leaving Voyager he had decided it was time for Kat to come back home. He made sure her room was ready and enlisted a Teacher for her who would double as a her companion while he was on duty.

Upon seeing Kat, Shinzon sighed and said, "Pack your bags, you're coming back to Voyager with me. I'm heading to the Neutral Zone and I can't take care of you from that distance."

Kat spitefully yelled back, "You don't even care about me do you old man? You've left me here to begin with because you didn't want me anymore--so why should I go back to Voyager with you?"

Shinzon didn't know if he should slap his little girl, or leave her alone. He chose the later. He turned back to Kat and clenching his teeth while holding back his temper, he told her he would not repeat himself again, and to do what he had told her to do.

Kat glared at her father, she wasn't expecting this and had no response. In a way she was glad to be going home, but she also knew she had pushed her father too far this time. When they reached the transporter room aboard Voyager, to Shinzon's surprise they were greeted with a loud welcome home cheer from the crew. Alura, Kat's new teacher was there and told them their would be a welcome home party in her honor and that they were to meet back in the mess hall at 1900. Shinzon looked at Alura and nodded his approval. Maybe this was what Kat needed.

When everyone started to leave, Alura followed the Clearwaters back to their quarters. Kat wondered why this lady she didn't even know would be going with them, but she looked up at her quizzically but her dad wouldn't look back at her. Upon reaching their quarters, Shinzon looked at Alura and asked her to wait in the living quarters. Alura did so, and Shinzon walked Kat to her room with all her belongs.

Kat looked again at her father and asked "Who is she and why is she in our quarters?"

"She is your new teacher, and she will be your companion while I'm on duty." Shinzon stated.

"I don't need a babysitter!" Kat stated as a matter of fact. "Besides, she looks like the type of woman you like to prey upon."

Shinzon ignored his daughter's last comment and told her she didn't have a choice in this. He also told her that she had better behave while on board or she would stay in the brig for the rest of the mission. Shinzon turned and left his little girl stunned and upset. He returned to the living room and explained that Kat had no prior knowledge of the arrangement. He told Alura to give her time and that they would meet her at the party tonight. Alura left to go to her quarters which were adjoined to the Clearwater's.

Shinzon thought of Kat's last comment and realized there was some truth to it. He did find Alura very attractive. She was 5' 7" with black hair and hazel eyes. She had a bewitching quality about her that Shinzon couldn't resist. She liked wearing the color red, and after seeing her in everyday clothes and having a hard time concentrating on work, he ordered her to wear a Starfleet uniform unless she was off duty. Shinzon didn't allow himself to fall in love anymore, but he still had needs. The only problem with using Alura was that he needed her around much longer than one night. So he avoided her as much as possible.

The party was fun that night and everyone made Kat feel like she was among her family again. She talked with Tom Paris Jr. and a girl named China both of whom she had known since she was two. She tried desperately to try to forget Alura, but everywhere she turned, Alura was there. She tried to concentrate on the conversation Tom and China were having, but they were both two years older than she and were talking about the entrance exams to Starfleet Academy. Kat had no interest in the Academy and wondered if she could skip out early. She stayed with them though because she thought that Tom looked very handsome and wondered if he was dating China or anyone else, but she didn't ask.

That night Kat went back to the quarters she shared with her dad and found out that her dad had removed the door between their quarters and Alura's. Kat didn't like this idea, but she wasn't willing to push her father right now. She settled into her room and wrote a letter to her grandma explaining the 'surprise" her father had waiting for her. She was sure her grandma would tell her father that this was definitely the wrong thing to do to her.

As the days turned into months, Kat started getting cabin fever. They had been on Voyager in the Neutral Zone for a month now and Kat knew her father hated this part of space. She was right, Shinzon felt really uncomfortable being so near the Romulan and Reman home worlds. He was haunted each night with dreams which made him wake up in a cold sweat. One night he was dreaming that his old Viceroy was coming at him with a Reman knife exposed, he lunged for Shinzon. Shinzon grabbed his knife and sliced through the Viceroy's chest with an upwards thrust, barely grazing him, but then he heard Kat scream. Shinzon awoke to find his little girl laying across his legs, blood seeping out from under her. He panicked for a second then called sick bay and ordered an emergency transport for him and Kat.

When the doctor finished caring for Kat's wound, he turned to Shinzon and said, "Ok Captain, I need to know why she has a Reman knife wound." Shinzon explained the dreams and the wound. The Doctor looked at him and said, "I remember what happened the last time you were having dreams Captain Clearwater. I think I should scan your brain for signs of sabotage."

Shinzon had forgotten the implanted memories which had been forced upon him before telepathically, and worried for Kat's safety. He didn't want any harm to come to his little girl and asked the Doctor if there was something he could take to keep the dreams and the old Shinzon at bay. The Doctor prescribed benzodiazepine with the hope that he would be in such a deep sleep he wouldn't dream or be subjected to someone's telepathy. Shinzon didn't like giving up that much control, but for his little girl, he consented to it. The Doctor told him Kat was resting peacefully and to come back in the morning after he had a good night's sleep.

The next morning Shinzon went to check on Kat. She wouldn't look at him or speak to him. She thought he had hurt her on purpose, he seemed wide awake when she touched him and he turned to her. But she also say a madness in his eyes she had never seen before. She needed time to find out why her daddy had acted like this. She had inadvertently broken Shinzon's heart with her coldness. Shinzon was so sure she would want him to hold her. Had they been separated too long? Kat was wondering the same thing, or had she ever known her father?