Disclaimer: I don't Andromeda or Star Trek Voyager. I also don't own the
characters and I'm making nothing from this story.
Chapter 15
Lieutenant Tom Paris sat alone in a waiting chamber, biding his time until it was his turn to give testimony.
After a short break in the proceedings, a member of the Q Continuum approached the helmsman. "It is time for your testimony Tom Paris," the Continuum bailiff informed.
Paris stood up and followed the man out of the waiting room and into the courtroom. The helmsman took a deep breath and gathered up his courage as he sat down in the witness chair.
During the two hours that Paris was on the witness stand the young man relaxed as time wore on. The Starfleet lieutenant tried to be truthful and concise in his testimony. The prosecution attorney nearly tripped up Paris whiled questioning the helmsman. Paris realized in time that the prosecution attorney was trying to get the lieutenant to admit that he had suffered at the hands of Q2.
Paris was glad when Q2's defense attorney had the chance at cross examination. Paris felt the Q Continuum was going too far with this trial. Paris looked over at Q2 and could see the boy's anguish. The poor kid probably hadn't slept much lately, if Continuum members slept at all, Paris thought to himself. Q looked as concerned as Paris had ever seen him. Paris found himself feeling sympathy for Q. Paris now felt even more uneasy about the whole situation. For that happened to Paris as a result of Q2's actions, the helmsman felt the teenager deserved a certain amount of understanding and leniency.
It was another two hours before the judge called a break in the proceedings, allowing for a lunch break for Paris and other organics that were at the trial. Paris was returned to Voyager for the duration of the lunch break.
"Welcome back Mr. Paris. How is the trial going?" Chakotay asked upon seeing the lieutenant materialize in the mess hall.
"Well, I guess it went okay. I tried to be honest and I don't think I made things worse for Q's son," Paris answered as he headed for one of the coffee replicators.
Chakotay put down his sandwich and smiled reassuringly. "It sounds to me like you did just fine. Did you get any sense of how the sentencing is going to go?"
"The jury seems to be siding with the prosecution and a tough sentence. Although, Qs are so unpredictable so it's hard to tell what punishment they'll hand out."
Chakotay stood up and patted the helmsman on the back. "Just keep telling the truth and don't let any of the lawyers intimidate you."
"Thank you Commander. I'm trying not to let them get to me," Paris assured as he sat down at one of the tables.
"How are you feeling Lieutenant?" The Native American asked when he noticed the far away look on the helmsman's face.
Paris looked embarrassed at being distracted. His Flash cravings had hit him after the ordeal in the Q Continuum court. "I'm doing okay Commander."
Chakotay frowned at the helmsman. "Are you sure? Go to Medical and talk to the Doctor just to be on the safe side."
Paris resigned himself to another trip to Medical. He knew Chakotay would just make it an order if he refused. "I'll do that as soon as I've finished eating."
Harper busied himself working on his latest project in on of Andromeda's machine shops. The engineer looked up as the door chime sounded. "Enter at your own risk,"
Trance entered and sat down on a stool next to Harper. "I wanted to see how you're doing Harper."
"Me? I'm fine. Why do you ask?" Harper questioned.
"You were a witness at a trial. Your testimony could determine Q2's future. That idea has to make you concerned," the golden woman surmised.
Harper stared into Trance's brown eyes, wondering just how much she knew, "Okay, I won't lie to you. I am worried I might have messed things up for the kid."
Trance smiled at her friend and put a hand on his shoulder, trying to reassure Harper. "You'll do fine Harper."
Harper recognized the look in the golden skinned woman's eyes "Is there something about this situation you would care to tell me my Golden Goddess?"
"No, but have faith Harper," Trance answered before giving the engineer a peck on the cheek.
"Still as forthcoming as ever aren't ya Trance," Harper replied with a smile. "I suppose the head honchos of the Q Continuum will go easy on Q2 with him being just a kid and all."
Trance started to leave the machine shop when Harper hopped off of his chair. "Trance, Senior Q mentioned said you might be able to answer a question."
"And what would that be?" Trance asked with genuine curiosity.
Harper struggled to find the right words. "On Voyager the Senior Q guy said that Q2 had already been convicted. When Beka asked him how come the trial went so fast he said to ask you."
Trance gathered her thoughts, trying to decide just how much information to reveal. "It has to do with time. Time is much different in their existence. They can do things in just one of our days that would take years for us to accomplish."
"So they had the trial which probably took weeks but in our time it only took one day?" Valentine asked rhetorically.
Trance smiled cheerfully. "Now you understand."
Several hours later Harper was giving the Slipstream Drive a tune up when Hunt's voice sounded over the comm. "Mr. Harper, our guest from the Q Continuum has arrived. Meet us on Command."
"Be right there Dylan," Harper answered before crawling out of the conduit. Harper found Senior Q on Command, waiting with the rest of Andromeda's crew. Harper pushed aside his nervousness and approached Senior Q.
Senior Q nodded at the engineer. "Seamus Harper, the Continuum court is ready to hear your testimony."
"I don't know what kind of information I can provide, but I suppose I don't have any choice about testifying at this trial," Harper replied, addressing Senior Q.
"Now I must leave with the engineer," Senior Q stated then turned to Hunt. . "Before you ask Captain Hunt, when Mr. Harper returns will depend on how long he is questioned."
Harper didn't have time to see Hunt's reaction as he disappeared with Senior Q.
"I don't suppose the Continuum would object to us just watching the trial?" Hunt asked Trance Gemini.
"If the Q Continuum wanted an audience at the trial they would have invited us," Anasazi replied. The Nietzschean knew it was no use belaboring the subject any further. "Since we don't know the location of the trial, and I seriously doubt that the ship's sensors could find the location, I suggest we end this discussion."
Hunt's shoulders sagged at the realization. "You're right Tyr. Besides, we're probably worrying about a lot of nothing."
"It's not nothing that Harper is out there somewhere where we can't get to him," Valentine reminded.
"Beka, the Little Professor is not on trial; he's merely a witness. We have no reason to believe his life is in any danger. Now I suggest you concentrate on the task at hand which is navigating slipstream to Melina 3 so we may assist the colonists there."
Beka glared at the tall Nietzschean as a growl escaped from her throat. "All right, to Melina 3 we go. But if anything happens to Harper you will suffer the wrath of Beka Valentine."
A half an hour more of testimony and Paris was allowed to step down from the witness stand. On his way out of the courtroom, Paris glanced ahead of him and saw Seamus Harper approaching from the other direction. The two men nodded at each other while Harper winked at Paris.
Paris wanted to remain to watch Harper's testimony, but Senior Q insisted the lieutenant return to Voyager. Paris arrived back in Medical where the Doctor insisted on a full checkup. "Back to the old grind Tommy," Paris said to himself as the Tricorder took his readings.
Paris and the EMH both look up in surprise when Torres entered the room. The Doctor graciously excused himself to pour over the Tricorder readings.
There was a few awkward moments of silence between the couple as both tried to summon up the courage to speak first.
"So how did the trial go Tom?" Torres asked, trying to start with small talk.
"Fine but I think we can cut the small talk B'Elanna," Paris announced. "We need to talk."
Torres sat on the bed next to her husband. "Yes we do. When the Doctor is finished with you we'll go to our quarters."
Paris started to put an arm around Torres but thought better of it. He wasn't sure how she would react. "I'm surprised you're even talking to me after what I did to you."
"I had a chance to think about everything and I had a talk with Captain Valentine and Mr. Harper."
Paris raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "They did huh? I guess they have a lot of faith in us."
The Doctor interrupted the conversation to pronounce Paris fit to finish up his recuperation in his quarters. Paris felt himself feeling more than a little hope that his relationship with Torres could be restored. As B'Elanna Torres escorted her husband to their quarters she kept her gaze steadied on her husband, watching for any unexpected violent move. It was an uncomfortable feeling, but one that the Klingon woman was hopeful would fade. Torres had made up her mind that Tom Paris was worth the effort it would take her to get their relationship back to what it was.
Chapter 15
Lieutenant Tom Paris sat alone in a waiting chamber, biding his time until it was his turn to give testimony.
After a short break in the proceedings, a member of the Q Continuum approached the helmsman. "It is time for your testimony Tom Paris," the Continuum bailiff informed.
Paris stood up and followed the man out of the waiting room and into the courtroom. The helmsman took a deep breath and gathered up his courage as he sat down in the witness chair.
During the two hours that Paris was on the witness stand the young man relaxed as time wore on. The Starfleet lieutenant tried to be truthful and concise in his testimony. The prosecution attorney nearly tripped up Paris whiled questioning the helmsman. Paris realized in time that the prosecution attorney was trying to get the lieutenant to admit that he had suffered at the hands of Q2.
Paris was glad when Q2's defense attorney had the chance at cross examination. Paris felt the Q Continuum was going too far with this trial. Paris looked over at Q2 and could see the boy's anguish. The poor kid probably hadn't slept much lately, if Continuum members slept at all, Paris thought to himself. Q looked as concerned as Paris had ever seen him. Paris found himself feeling sympathy for Q. Paris now felt even more uneasy about the whole situation. For that happened to Paris as a result of Q2's actions, the helmsman felt the teenager deserved a certain amount of understanding and leniency.
It was another two hours before the judge called a break in the proceedings, allowing for a lunch break for Paris and other organics that were at the trial. Paris was returned to Voyager for the duration of the lunch break.
"Welcome back Mr. Paris. How is the trial going?" Chakotay asked upon seeing the lieutenant materialize in the mess hall.
"Well, I guess it went okay. I tried to be honest and I don't think I made things worse for Q's son," Paris answered as he headed for one of the coffee replicators.
Chakotay put down his sandwich and smiled reassuringly. "It sounds to me like you did just fine. Did you get any sense of how the sentencing is going to go?"
"The jury seems to be siding with the prosecution and a tough sentence. Although, Qs are so unpredictable so it's hard to tell what punishment they'll hand out."
Chakotay stood up and patted the helmsman on the back. "Just keep telling the truth and don't let any of the lawyers intimidate you."
"Thank you Commander. I'm trying not to let them get to me," Paris assured as he sat down at one of the tables.
"How are you feeling Lieutenant?" The Native American asked when he noticed the far away look on the helmsman's face.
Paris looked embarrassed at being distracted. His Flash cravings had hit him after the ordeal in the Q Continuum court. "I'm doing okay Commander."
Chakotay frowned at the helmsman. "Are you sure? Go to Medical and talk to the Doctor just to be on the safe side."
Paris resigned himself to another trip to Medical. He knew Chakotay would just make it an order if he refused. "I'll do that as soon as I've finished eating."
Harper busied himself working on his latest project in on of Andromeda's machine shops. The engineer looked up as the door chime sounded. "Enter at your own risk,"
Trance entered and sat down on a stool next to Harper. "I wanted to see how you're doing Harper."
"Me? I'm fine. Why do you ask?" Harper questioned.
"You were a witness at a trial. Your testimony could determine Q2's future. That idea has to make you concerned," the golden woman surmised.
Harper stared into Trance's brown eyes, wondering just how much she knew, "Okay, I won't lie to you. I am worried I might have messed things up for the kid."
Trance smiled at her friend and put a hand on his shoulder, trying to reassure Harper. "You'll do fine Harper."
Harper recognized the look in the golden skinned woman's eyes "Is there something about this situation you would care to tell me my Golden Goddess?"
"No, but have faith Harper," Trance answered before giving the engineer a peck on the cheek.
"Still as forthcoming as ever aren't ya Trance," Harper replied with a smile. "I suppose the head honchos of the Q Continuum will go easy on Q2 with him being just a kid and all."
Trance started to leave the machine shop when Harper hopped off of his chair. "Trance, Senior Q mentioned said you might be able to answer a question."
"And what would that be?" Trance asked with genuine curiosity.
Harper struggled to find the right words. "On Voyager the Senior Q guy said that Q2 had already been convicted. When Beka asked him how come the trial went so fast he said to ask you."
Trance gathered her thoughts, trying to decide just how much information to reveal. "It has to do with time. Time is much different in their existence. They can do things in just one of our days that would take years for us to accomplish."
"So they had the trial which probably took weeks but in our time it only took one day?" Valentine asked rhetorically.
Trance smiled cheerfully. "Now you understand."
Several hours later Harper was giving the Slipstream Drive a tune up when Hunt's voice sounded over the comm. "Mr. Harper, our guest from the Q Continuum has arrived. Meet us on Command."
"Be right there Dylan," Harper answered before crawling out of the conduit. Harper found Senior Q on Command, waiting with the rest of Andromeda's crew. Harper pushed aside his nervousness and approached Senior Q.
Senior Q nodded at the engineer. "Seamus Harper, the Continuum court is ready to hear your testimony."
"I don't know what kind of information I can provide, but I suppose I don't have any choice about testifying at this trial," Harper replied, addressing Senior Q.
"Now I must leave with the engineer," Senior Q stated then turned to Hunt. . "Before you ask Captain Hunt, when Mr. Harper returns will depend on how long he is questioned."
Harper didn't have time to see Hunt's reaction as he disappeared with Senior Q.
"I don't suppose the Continuum would object to us just watching the trial?" Hunt asked Trance Gemini.
"If the Q Continuum wanted an audience at the trial they would have invited us," Anasazi replied. The Nietzschean knew it was no use belaboring the subject any further. "Since we don't know the location of the trial, and I seriously doubt that the ship's sensors could find the location, I suggest we end this discussion."
Hunt's shoulders sagged at the realization. "You're right Tyr. Besides, we're probably worrying about a lot of nothing."
"It's not nothing that Harper is out there somewhere where we can't get to him," Valentine reminded.
"Beka, the Little Professor is not on trial; he's merely a witness. We have no reason to believe his life is in any danger. Now I suggest you concentrate on the task at hand which is navigating slipstream to Melina 3 so we may assist the colonists there."
Beka glared at the tall Nietzschean as a growl escaped from her throat. "All right, to Melina 3 we go. But if anything happens to Harper you will suffer the wrath of Beka Valentine."
A half an hour more of testimony and Paris was allowed to step down from the witness stand. On his way out of the courtroom, Paris glanced ahead of him and saw Seamus Harper approaching from the other direction. The two men nodded at each other while Harper winked at Paris.
Paris wanted to remain to watch Harper's testimony, but Senior Q insisted the lieutenant return to Voyager. Paris arrived back in Medical where the Doctor insisted on a full checkup. "Back to the old grind Tommy," Paris said to himself as the Tricorder took his readings.
Paris and the EMH both look up in surprise when Torres entered the room. The Doctor graciously excused himself to pour over the Tricorder readings.
There was a few awkward moments of silence between the couple as both tried to summon up the courage to speak first.
"So how did the trial go Tom?" Torres asked, trying to start with small talk.
"Fine but I think we can cut the small talk B'Elanna," Paris announced. "We need to talk."
Torres sat on the bed next to her husband. "Yes we do. When the Doctor is finished with you we'll go to our quarters."
Paris started to put an arm around Torres but thought better of it. He wasn't sure how she would react. "I'm surprised you're even talking to me after what I did to you."
"I had a chance to think about everything and I had a talk with Captain Valentine and Mr. Harper."
Paris raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "They did huh? I guess they have a lot of faith in us."
The Doctor interrupted the conversation to pronounce Paris fit to finish up his recuperation in his quarters. Paris felt himself feeling more than a little hope that his relationship with Torres could be restored. As B'Elanna Torres escorted her husband to their quarters she kept her gaze steadied on her husband, watching for any unexpected violent move. It was an uncomfortable feeling, but one that the Klingon woman was hopeful would fade. Torres had made up her mind that Tom Paris was worth the effort it would take her to get their relationship back to what it was.