Disclaimer: see part one.
Okay, so here's finally the second part. Sorry for taking so long. Thanks go to Allison, Voyagergal and Archantel for reviewing and yes, I do know the water should have vanished in the first chapter, but I liked this better; I'm using my artistic licence on this one. I hope everyone likes this chapter too, and please review!
And of course thank you Kermit, I would probably never have gotten past that first attack in chapter 1 if it weren't for your encouragement. You're a story-saver!
Kathryn woke up feeling disoriented and a bit unsteady. Chakotay's name was spoken somewhere in the background, but it was faint and she couldn't make out any other words. She groggily opened her eyes; only to slam them shut a second later, the bright lights of sickbay hurting her eyes. She kept them closed as she tried to sit up. The movement made her head throb and she moaned softly while leaning on her elbows, only propped up a bit. Her moan must have caught the Doctor's attention for he was standing in front of her when she dared to open her eyes slightly for the second time. He admonished her for trying to sit up 'in her physical state' and darkly muttered something about difficult patients, but shut up quickly when she glared at him. Her eyes had slowly adjusted to the lights and squinting, she looked around her. As she had deduced earlier, she was in sickbay, lying on one of the biobeds. All the other biobeds were occupied, but none of their occupants seemed seriously injured. Most of them sported bruises, broken limbs or burns. A few of the others seemed knocked out, but she couldn't be sure. Tom and the other people aboard with medical expertise were circling around, healing the injured as best they could. The Doctor had also moved on to other patients after giving her a quick scan for any lingering effects.
She tried to sit up straight again, but faltered. Suddenly strong arms were supporting her, helping her up and putting some pillows behind her back. Once she was seated she turned her head to see Chakotay smile back at her. Kathryn gave him a small smile in return, letting him see she was okay, before demanding to know the status of her ship and crew.
"You know Voyager wasn't in a very good shape to begin with, and ramming her halfway into a mountain didn't exactly help. Just about every system apart from life support is down and B'Elanna is fighting tooth and nail to make sure that doesn't fail too." His disarming smile took the sting out of his report, but couldn't completely belay her uneasiness.
"What about our crew? Were there any casualties?" A slight dizziness manifested itself in her head and quickly spread through her body. With all the strength she could muster she willed it away again, hoping that Chakotay wouldn't notice.
"A few, but not as much as expected in a situation like this. The lower decks were hit the worst as they were the ones that directly rammed into the mountain. As we hadn't gotten around to fix life support on decks 11 to 15, there was no one there. We were lucky; we would have lost dozens of people if it hadn't been for that earlier malfunction." He realised she wasn't looking at him any more, instead her eyes were closed and her expression was somewhat strained.
"Kathryn? Are you alright?" She opened her eyes again and started to nod when she suddenly lost her balance. Chakotay immediately put his arms around her, leaning her against him to steady her.
"I'm fine." She rasped after a few minutes. "Just a bit dizzy." She started to move away and he reluctantly released her, beckoning over the Doctor while she sat up again.
"Doc, how is the Captain? Will she have to remain in sickbay?" Said captain already opened her mouth to object to whatever the doctor might say when he shook his head.
"No, except for some light-headedness and maybe a mild headache she's fine. As long as someone keeps an eye on her and makes sure she doesn't overdo it, she's free to go." Her mouth snapped shut, but neither the Doctor nor her First Officer seemed to be paying attention to her.
"I'll stay with her. How long until she can return to duty?"
"After some good night's rest, she'll be as healthy as a woman her age can be." Those last words earned him a cold look – also known as a Death Glare – from his captain, but they still didn't notice her. Her patience had had all it could take.
"Will you two stop talking about me as if I'm not here?" Her harsh tone certainly got their attention; the Doctor visibly shrunk under her look and even Chakotay looked slightly abashed. "Good. Now, Chakotay, shall we?" Without waiting for an answer she slid off the bed, grabbing Chakotay's arm when she felt the dizziness return, and almost dragged him out of sickbay. The doctor heaved an audible sigh after the doors had closed behind them and whipped some non-existing sweat off his brow.
"As Mr. Paris would say; that was a close call." He muttered with a tickle of sarcasm. "She didn't even protest Chakotay's company." He rolled his eyes skyward – well, he intended to anyway. Instead, his eyes rolled to the back of his head and got stuck there. The Doctor sighed and mumbled something along the line of 'and of course they can't spare someone to repair me, I'm just a hologram'. He gave a hard knock first on his mobile emitter and when that didn't work, on his own head. His eyes shot back with a plop and he ran his tricorder over the next patient, still grumbling.
-()-o-()-
The following morning the captain woke up feeling well rested. For the first time in years she'd fallen asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. She quickly changed into her uniform and walked to the living room. Smiling gently when she noticed the figure on her couch, she remembered the night before. Chakotay had refused to return to his quarters yesterday evening after he'd escorted her back from sickbay and had instead spent the night on her sofa. His excuse had been that he'd promised the Doctor he'd keep an eye on her and would do just that, but she had seen in his eyes that he needed to know she was safe; that's why he was staying. The silent resolution on his face and the hint of anxiety in his dark pools had stopped her from arguing. Although she would never admit it to him – had in fact barely admitted it to herself – his presence had made her too feel safe. For just a night she'd been able to forget about the heavy burden that lay on her shoulders and fallen asleep easily. She was a bit surprised that he was still asleep, but decided not to wake him. Instead, she left him a message on a padd, picked up the blanket that had fallen to the ground and covered him with it. With a last glance to ensure he was still asleep, she left for the Mess Hall to get a cup of coffee.
-()-o-()-
By 1300 hours, Kathryn was busy replacing a burned-out relay in one of the Jeffries tubes on deck 7. Every crewman that could be spared had been called on to help with the repairs, leaving a skeleton crew to deal with the normal running of the ship. And now that they had landed Voyager, there wasn't all that much to run. Suddenly she heard someone shout her name through the tubes.
"In here!" She called back and turned her head in the direction of the sound to see who it was, as the echo's had made that impossible to tell. Within a few minutes, Chakotay appeared around a corner and gave her a wide smile. "What are you doing here?"
"I thought I'd make sure you got something to eat. Doctor's orders." She threw him a mock glare before one corner of her mouth tugged up into her famous lopsided grin.
"Just let me finish replacing this relay."
"Sure, I'll even lend you a hand." She rolled her eyes at his mock generosity, but couldn't help but smile again.
"You're too kind." For the next few minutes they worked in companionable silence, quickly finishing the work.
"All done." Kathryn stated firmly while picking up her tools again and crawling towards the nearest hatch. After a few meters she stopped and looked back at Chakotay, who was replacing the conduit. "Coming?" She said teasingly. Her only answer was a big dimpled grin that made her heart flutter in a very uncaptainly way before Chakotay followed her through the pipe.
-()-o-()-
The Mess Hall was not very crowded when they entered, as lunch shift was almost over. They ordered some lunch, but Neelix detained them for a few minutes while babbling on about one of his latest creations. It of course contained Leola Root and he was certain it would become a favourite of the crew's. Their obvious doubt didn't show on either of their faces. The only thing that saved Kathryn from having to taste the dish was that Chakotay told Neelix she was still a bit nauseous as a result of her injury and it would therefore be better if she ate something without too much flavour. That, however, got him stuck with having to taste it.
"Nausea because I hit my head?" Kathryn couldn't help but ask Chakotay once they sat down at their usual table. "Now, I'm not a doctor, but that does sound strange. I hope it's not serious." Her eyes twinkled at him even as she managed to keep a straight face.
"Apparently, it's very common… for Bolians. I remember Chell having it once."
"Well, no matter what made you think of it, thank you for saving me from that." She pointed at the strange red-and-blue goo, which in response twinged in seeming discomfort. She blinked once or twice in surprise before looking back at Chakotay. "Correct me if I'm wrong, Chakotay, but I believe your food just moved. What did Neelix say it was?" Chakotay just shrugged.
"I've learned not to listen too carefully to what my food is called, it tends to be easier to eat that way."
"Well Chakotay," she laughed, pointing her fork at him, "maybe you can get out of trying this by reminding Neelix that you're a vegetarian." He looked down at the unappealing substance again, saw the distinctive tremor it gave, and decided to take Kathryn's advice. He walked back over to the counter and came back a few minutes later with a fairly normal-looking salad and some bread.
"Now that looks much better – not to mention edible." He sat down again and as they had both skipped breakfast – she because she'd had too little time and he because he'd been asleep until well past breakfast – they dug in and were silent for the next ten minutes. Finally, after their first hunger was sated, Chakotay easily started another conversation.
"Thanks for letting me sleep this morning. I didn't realise I was that tired."
"It's the least I could do after yesterday evening. I imagine you were quite exhausted." Her thoughts momentarily flooded back to the previous day. It had definitely been strenuous, between a battle, a spatial rift and a rough landing. Her thoughts were transported back the present as Chakotay opened his mouth to speak again.
"What about you? It must have been draining for you too."
"I guess those few minutes of 'sleep' I got in sickbay really helped." Her words were accompanied by a light-hearted smile. After that their conversation turned to business matters and a few minutes later they split up while he went to the bridge and she returned to Engineering.
At the table next to the one they'd just abandoned, a grin played on Tom Paris' face as his mind went over the conversation he'd just overheard. They had been totally oblivious to his presence the whole time and he had heard every word they'd said. It was clear to him that the Captain and Commander had spent the night in the same quarters, probably hers, and that the previous day had been quite tiring for both of them. The mischievous glint in his eyes would have made Harry sigh and bid his nice shiny pip goodbye had he seen it. Tom Paris had just come up with an idea, one that had the potential to earn him a lot of rations from the betting pools – or meant trouble and possible demotion for everyone involved.
-()-o-()-
"Come in, Commander." Chakotay stepped thought the ready room doors.
"There's no surprising you, is there?" Kathryn looked up from her position on the floor.
"I'm already surprised you could find me; I've been all over the ship with these damn repairs." She gestured to the relay she was replacing and pulled a face. "On the other hand, I'm betting you've come to remind me to have some dinner, which of course you're willing to provide. All that's missing now is my presence." Her grin could almost be called hopeful. The tug on his ear told her she was either right or he was going to tell her something she wouldn't like.
"Actually, I just finished talking to the Doctor. He wants to check you over to see if you have any more head injuries. He said to tell you to report to sickbay immediately." Her smile turned wry and she rolled her eyes at him.
"I don't suppose it would help if I told you I feel fine?"
"It wouldn't. Now we'd better go, the Doc was quite adamant you come right away. He didn't want you to escape his clutches." She didn't respond, but turned her back to him and made some modifications to the just installed relay. "Kathryn?"
"I'm coming. I just had to finish this." She stood up and brushed some dust from her knees. Then she looked up at Chakotay again. "You don't have to escort me to sickbay, Commander. This is my ship, I know perfectly well where it is."
"Well, can't have you 'forgetting' this appointment."
"Would I do that?" She was already walking to the door to the bridge and her tone was light. He sighed dramatically.
"Kathryn, you're notorious for forgetting your physicals. Even the newest ensign on the ship – had that been possible – would know you don't like to go to sickbay. So yes, you would do that."
"Can't blame a girl for trying." She winked before stepping into the sensor range so the door opened. "Nobody likes doctors; they have cold hands."
"Kathryn, he uses a tricorder. Not to mention that he's a hologram." His only answer was an exasperated glance as she crossed the bridge.
-()-o-()-
"Oh, come on Doc. It's not that big a deal. Besides, you would be able to keep a closer eye on her. And what harm can it do?" Tom was pulling out all the stops in his pleading with the Doctor. Unfortunately for him, the hologram was immune to his blue puppy-dog look and had moral subroutines that did not like being ignored.
"No, absolutely not! I will not tell the Captain to wear a cortical node just so you can see if she's participating in any … sexual activity." Had his program contained the necessary subroutines, the Doctor would now be producing more steam than an average steamer. "I'm a doctor, not a chaperone. And, Mr Paris, I'm definitely not you!"
"And we're forever grateful you're not." Janeway quipped as she strolled in with Chakotay. "It's difficult enough having one Tom Paris, I don't even want to contemplate having two."
"Captain!" The Doc jumped at her voice and seemed to deflate while his anger vanished. Tom wondered briefly whether he had actually been producing steam, but quickly dismissed the thought.
"Don't sound so surprised; you did order me here." The Doctor grumbled a bit and shot Paris a loathing glance, but decided to use the opportunity and examine the Captain; after all, it was almost a miracle she'd come. Tom quickly returned to his work refilling the medical supplies. While doing that, he kept an eye on his commanding officers. The Doc quickly scanned the Captain and studied the readings for a minute, a look of near shock appearing on his face. Janeway and Chakotay didn't pay any attention to it. They seemed to be having a communication with just their eyes and facial expressions. Tom's attention was pulled away from the pair by the sound of a loud cough. He looked up to see the Doctor staring pointedly at him, his expression somewhere between amusement and austerity. Tom quickly returned to his job, but strained his ears to hear what the others were saying.
"Well, Doctor. Is there a problem?"
"No, no problem. Your caffeine levels are lower than usual and your body actually seems rested for a change." His surprise at those readings was noticeable in his voice.
"The replicators are still down, so it's a bit difficult to get coffee today." The Captain explained.
"I guess that must have helped you sleep too. I told you that might help with your insomnia." Paris could practically see the Captain roll her eyes, however, her answer sounded anything but annoyed.
"Oh, I think that cutting back on coffee wasn't exactly what helped me sleep." Her voice had dropped to something that very much resembled a purr and Tom's head whipped around to catch her expression. She was staring up at Chakotay with a crooked grin and an unidentifiable look in her eyes. Tom's mind went over this new information while the Doctor told Janeway she was fit to go and Tom just caught Chakotay inviting her to dinner before the sickbay doors closed. As soon as his shift was over he raced to Harry's quarters, a new glint alight in his eyes.
-()-o-()-
"Chakotay?" The commander looked up from the food he was preparing to face Kathryn, whose eyes were serious and held an emotion he hesitated to name. "Thank you."
"What for?" Her realization from that morning, about how his presence made her feel safe, had stirred something in her and she plunged into uncharted territory. Collecting her thoughts she took a deep breath before meeting his eyes with hers.
"For always being there for me. You always try to make things easier for me, making my burdens lighter. I don't know what I would have done without you." Chakotay laid down his knife and turned to come face to face with her.
"You're welcome." They stared at each other for minutes before he finally came to his senses and turned back to the food to add pasta to the boiling water. He quickly changed the subject. "How are the repairs coming along?"
-()-o-()-
"Okay, that's it. You ready?" Tom looked from the console they'd been working on to Harry.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into this." As opposed to Tom's expression of excitement, Harry looked wary, but resigned to his fate – whatever that would be.
"Oh, come on, Har. This is gong to be great! Where's your sense of adventure?"
"It decided it wasn't old enough to participate in one of your schemes. I don't know what's worse; that my sense of adventure is smarter than I am or that I'm actually doing this." Tom rolled his eyes at Harry's lack of enthusiasm, but didn't comment. Instead, he turned the panel on.
"Oh, Chakotay, this is wonderful." The Captain was practically moaning in delight. "What did you say it was called?" Tom's eyes grew wide.
"Sounds like I was right about them finally getting together." Harry turned a definite shade of pink in embarrassment and looked slightly sick at the same time. They could hear Chakotay's chuckle over the one-way comm. link.
"I'm glad you like it, Kathryn. It's called Tagliatelle. I had to use some substitutes, but I think these Talaxian tomatoes improved the taste." Harry had to laugh at Tom's sudden dumbfound expression and closed the comm. link.
"That'll teach you not to listen in on other people's conversations. Now come on, you better hurry if you still want to make that dinner you promised B'Elanna. Hey, you could make tagliatelle, it sounded delicious." He gave Tom a pat on the back and dashed out the door before Tom regained the use of his voice and managed to rope him into doing the cooking.
-()-o-()-
Captain's log, star date 53932.4.
It's been a week since we landed Voyager. Until yesterday almost everyone, including me, was working on repairs, but we're quickly running out of spare parts. I've sent out shuttles to search neighbouring planets for much needed spare components and away teams under the supervision of Mr Neelix are on the planet to look for edible plants, to restock our food supply. The only systems operational are life support, short-range sensors, replicators and the comm. system. The remaining Engineering crew is using replicated parts to continue repairs, but most are just too complicated to replicate. Lieutenant Torres is trying to build some of the more crucial and complex components from scrap and has made some progress in getting weapons online. I'm looking through ships systems for anything that could help us. Meanwhile, Tuvok is working very hard with the security teams and is coming up with alternative defences, as we're practically helpless down here. Work is slow going, but I'm sure we'll manage to get this ship flying again. I've got a crew to get home. End Log.
-()-o-()-
Captain's log, star date 53937.6.
We've now completely exhausted our spare parts, but did manage to get weapons online; or phaser banks at least. None of the shuttles have found a civilization or ship, let alone one advanced enough to obtain the spare parts we need. But half of the shuttles isn't back yet, so maybe one of the other teams found something useful. Neelix has been very successful in finding foodstuffs. He's only explored the eastern valley, but that has enough edible plants to last us for at least a few weeks. Lieutenant Torres has relinquished her effort to build some of the parts we need in favour of searching for ores. Sensors have detected a large quantity of dilithium a few miles north of here and she has taken a team there today to see if it's possible to mine. We don't have any people to spare so I've delayed exploring other parts of the planet until repairs have progressed or until the food in the eastern valley starts to run low. Repairs are going to take a long time, but we seem to at least have landed on a fertile planet. I wonder why no one has settled here before. Reports from the shuttles that have returned indicate the other three planets in this system also hold useful resources, although none of those planets are M-class. Whatever happens, we won't run out of resources soon. End log.
-()-o-()-
Captain's log, star date 53940.7.
Almost all of the shuttles have returned by now, but two still have yet to come back. None of the away teams state that they've found anything that could be of use in repairing Voyager. Replicator use is now restricted to medicine and engineering equipment or parts only, as we don't know how much longer we'll have to rely on them. Repairs have almost ceased, as more people are needed to gather supplies now that everyone eats in the mess hall or from what they cook themselves. A few crewmen have volunteered to work in the mess hall, while Neelix is still mostly out on the planet to coordinate the food extraction. However, even the resulting higher quality of food hasn't been able to keep moral up. A large portion of the crew has already given up hope of ever getting off this planet and Lt. Tuvok has informed me some are even discussing what living on a planet again will be like. And even those that still have confidence in Voyager and me have taken to calling the planet Vora. Tom Paris came up with that name and informed me it stands for 'Voyager's Repair Area'. But, no matter how uplifting that name sounds, it still means a lot of the crew have already given up. End log.
-()-o-()-
Captain's log, star date 53942.3.
Commander Chakotay stormed into my Ready Room at the start of my shift today and practically demanded I give up the search for spare parts and prepare to build a home on this godforsaken planet. Apparently I'm 'not seeing reason' and am 'too stubborn to see what's best for my crew and myself'. How dare he! So I kindly informed him I'd already gotten stuck on a planet with him once and that was more than enough. Not to mention that I've made a promise to this crew to get them home and I'll keep to that, even if he thinks it isn't in their and my best interest to do so. It seems he finally came to his senses though, and realized we are still in a command structure and I'm the captain. When I told him I wanted to send out the Delta Flyer to explore the sensor readings Seven has discovered in the logs of one of the shuttles that returned yesterday and which might indicate a vessel, he had the nerve to tell me he'd lead the mission even though it was 'doomed to fail'. He left just a few minutes ago and took Harry and crewman Nicoletti with him. He'd better have cooled down when he gets back, because if he ever pulls a stunt like that again I'll throw him in the brig for the rest of this journey, which will continue, despite believes to the contrary. End log.
-()-o-()-
Captain's log, star date 53942.4.
I'll have to apologize to Chakotay once he gets back. He was just being the good First Officer he's been for the past five – almost six – years. He may have acted with slightly less restraint than my normally consummate officer, but the weeks on this planet have done that to everyone. I myself behaved far from admirable and allowed our little disagreement to turn into a full-blown fight. I guess I saw his suggestion to stop the searches as a sign that he'd given up too, just like so many of our crew. I saw it as a sign that he was loosing confidence in me and didn't support me like he promised he would. I'll try to make it up to him once he comes back. I just hope he finds something to get Voyager running again. End log.
-()-o-()-
"Bridge to Captain Janeway." Kathryn shot up in her bed and quickly tapped her comm. badge lying on her bedside table.
"Janeway here."
"Captain, the Delta Flyer has just returned. The away team … um … isn't in very good shape, ma'am." The hesitant Lieutenant in charge of Gamma Shift said. Kathryn was instantly wide-awake as all kind of horrible scenarios flashed through her mind. Her shock lasted no longer than a split second and wasn't even noticeable to the young Lieutenant on the bridge.
"Beam all members of the away team directly to sickbay and inform the Doctor I'm on my way. Janeway out." As soon as the comm. link had closed she hurried into her uniform and walked out of her quarters. The way to sickbay seemed to last forever, but she willed herself not to run and look as if everything was normal. Even their journey home didn't seem as long as the few minutes it took to get to sickbay.
Upon arriving she saw Sue Nicoletti sitting on a biobed and pressing a hand to her head while laughing with the Delaney sisters. A biobed further an obviously weak Harry was being fussed over by Seven, who seemed to alternate between scolding him for getting injured and asking if anything hurt. Harry went through all of it with a sheepish grin on his face, a possible result of both 'feeling like mush' – as Tom would have said – or Seven's behaviour. As Janeway entered he looked up and whispered a 'Good to see you again, Captain'. A quick smile was all she could muster. Then her eyes landed on the biobed on the far side, where a motionless Chakotay lay. Both Tom Paris and the Doctor were bent over his still form. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw his handsome bronze face covered in an ashen hue.
"How is he, Doctor?" The hologram gave her a quick glance before turning his eyes to the tricorder in his hand.
"His injuries are quite serious. I've given him a sedative while Mr Paris and I repair the wounded tissue. Don't worry; he'll be all right. If everything goes well, he'll be ready to be released by tomorrow and be back on duty in a few days." He turned around rather abruptly and continued treating the Commander. Kathryn, still standing by the biobed, looked down at his large form and grasped his hand. Her thumb caressed the back of his hand as she leaned down and whispered to him.
"You better hurry up and get well, Chakotay, because I owe you an apology." Realizing she was standing in the Doctor's way, she gave a last lopsided grin before pulling up her command mask again. She released his hand and briskly walked over to Nicoletti and Kim.
"What happened?"
"We were attacked, Captain." Came Harry's answer. "It turned out that planet Seven thought she saw on sensors belongs to the same race that attacked us a few days ago."
"Thank you, Ensign. Why don't you both take tomorrow off to recover and rest up." She strolled out of sickbay before they could reply.
-()-o-()-
The planet seemed sinister as it lay before her, dipped in the black of night. An almost full moon cast a pale light over the large hills at her feet and the stars in the sky formed unfamiliar constellations. She still wasn't used to that even though she'd spent practically her whole adult life in Starfleet, constantly going to distant parts of the galaxy; not to mention the last six years in the Delta Quadrant. The hills were barren, as only the valleys between them held life.
Words and events tumbled through her mind, some about the planet, others concerning Voyager's journey, but most visiting another planet in a different quadrant, one that still was thousands of light years away. Over twenty-two thousand to be precise. She sighed; they'd made it at least two third of the way home, only to be stopped by an attack and a spatial rift. She'd probably never see Earth again, none of them would.
She remembered her family – her parents, sister, relatives – and the old house that held so many wonderful childhood memories. The wide fields, golden with corn come harvest time and her thinking tree in the back of the yard. From those years in Bloomington her thoughts drifted to the ones in Starfleet. How she'd worked her way through the Academy and did all she could to make her father proud, only to be helpless in the face of his death. Her change to command track and all the guidance Admiral Paris had given her. How she'd worked her way through the ranks to finally be given her first command – and to ultimately end up stranded here.
All the while she stared at the moon, the only familiar sight in the alien world she now faced.
Suddenly she straightened up and wiped away the lone tear on her cheek. Her eyes made a slow sweep of the surrounding area as the red glow on the horizon announced the coming dawn. Her mind returned to her ship and crew and her expression became detached as she turned around. There lay Voyager, its hull battered and systems failing, but with a lively crew. A crew that would now have to build a new home, one on this planet: on Vora.
With a new goal planted firmly in her mind, Captain Kathryn Janeway stepped towards the exit hatch to inform the crew that they'd be home soon. A home of their own making.
-()-o-()-
Over two days later she stood in that same spot again, overlooking the high hillsides and the dramatic dips of the valleys. Only this time it was broad daylight, somewhere around seven o'clock in the morning, and Chakotay stood to her side. The rest of the away team stood behind them and was scanning the surroundings or climbing out of the access hatch to join them. When they were all gathered around her, Kathryn told them they'd start at the eastern valley and initiate their search for an appropriate site to build their new home from there. They silently made their way to the valley.
Once there they began to scan again, taking more precise readings with the tricorders they'd modified in the last few days to improve their scanning range. It had taken a lot of work from B'Elanna and Harry, but the scans now extended to the edge of the valley. Kathryn and Chakotay had just spotted a clearing at the far edge of the valley and were moving that way to explore it more closely when they heard a sound behind them and whirled around.
"Kathy! Welcome to the Karim system!" Kathryn groaned when she heard the familiar voice and closed her eyes for a moment to gather her patience before looking at Q, who had just appeared a few foot behind them.
"What do you want, Q?" She could feel the throbbing at her temple begin that announced a coming headache.
"Why Kathy, I'm hurt!" Q said in his normal indignant voice. "I come to help you and your pathetic crew and you greet me as if I'm some kind of pest." Kathryn merely heaved a big sigh and Chakotay found it wiser to hear Q out before informing him he wasn't a pest – a pest would have been much more welcome. "Oh well, as you obviously don't want my help, I'll just go. I have better things to do, you know. Maybe I'll strand Jean-Luc Picard on a planet with that gorgeous doctor of his. What was her name? Beehive, Beebe, Beverly? I'm sure he'd appreciate it, not to mention make more use of it than you two did. Humans. I went through all that trouble with bugs, which are even more dull than you bipeds if you can imagine, to give you some alone time with Chuckles here, far from command protocol and all that you're always nagging to him about, and you can't even muster up something as simple as a kiss!" He huffed in a rather patronizing way, but Kathryn didn't really notice. She was momentarily speechless and didn't snap out of it until Q raised his arm to snap his fingers.
"Wait. What did you mean about helping us?" She didn't even dare touch the subject of her and Chakotay's time on New Earth. Q raised an eyebrow at her and frowned at her in a demeaning manner, but didn't comment.
"Oh, just go to the top of that hill there and you'll see what I mean." He pointed to the hill south of Voyager. "Bye, Kathy." With a snap of his fingers he vanished again. Kathryn and Chakotay stood staring at each other for a few minutes, absolutely stunned, before Chakotay spoke for the first time since Q had appeared.
"Well, that was… interesting. But we'd better head back to the rendezvous point." Janeway nodded mutely and they walked back in silence.
-()-o-()-
They quickly rounded up the rest of the away team and went on their way back to Voyager. There, they checked in to see how everything was going before walking through the valley south of Voyager and to the hill Q had pointed out. Even though they travelled as fast as possible, it was almost sundown when they reached the summit. Kathryn was the first to arrive at the top and immediately stopped. Chakotay, who was immediately behind her, bumped against his frozen Captain – and halted too. They overlooked the next valley in shock and amazement. The rest of the team slowly arrived and gathered around them, also stunned into silence by the scene that greeted them. There, illuminated by the red glow from the setting sun, was a large but seemingly uninhabited city, with a large sign in front of it. The sign read Vora…
