First off, I'd like to say I didn't forget about this fic! I just ended up having my computer crash and I lost everything. So after I got it all back, I litterly forgot that I uploaded this chapter already. But enjoy none the less and reviews! I heart reviews! Assilem
Night
"Once upon a time there was a prince who wanted to marry a princess; but she would have to be a real princess. He traveled all over the world to find one, but nowhere could he get what he wanted. There were princesses enough, but it was difficult to find out whether they were real ones. There was always something about them that was not as it should be. So he came home again and was sad, for he would have liked very much to have a real princess," Kathryn read as Quinn lay in her lap. For almost a year old, Quinn was as bright as a near two-year-old was. Her speech and comprehension amazed Kathryn, especially at her young age.
"Me?" Quinn asked.
"Yes, you are a princess," Kathryn smiled kissing her daughters head.
"One evening a terrible storm came; there was thunder and lightning, and the rain poured down in torrents. Suddenly a knocking was heard at the city gate, and the old king went to open it. It was a princess standing out there in front of the gate. But, good gracious! What a sight the rain and the wind had made her look. The water ran down from her hair and clothes; it ran down into the toes of her shoes and out again at the heels. And yet she said that she was a real princess.
" 'Well, we'll soon find that out,' thought the old queen. But she said nothing, went into the bedroom, took all the bedding off the bedstead, and laid a pea on the bottom; then she took twenty mattresses and laid them on the pea, and then twenty eider-down beds on top of the mattresses. On this the princess had to lie all night. In the morning she was asked how she had slept. 'Oh, very badly!' said she. 'I have scarcely closed my eyes all night. Heaven only knows what was in the bed, but I was lying on something hard, so that I am black and blue all over my body. It's horrible!' Now they knew that she was a real princess because she had felt the pea right through the twenty mattresses and the twenty eider-down beds.
"Nobody but a real princess could be as sensitive as that. So the prince took her for his wife, for now he knew that he had a real princess; and the pea was put in the museum, where it may still be seen, if no one has stolen it!"
Quinn laughed and flipped the page over to see the picture of the pea in the museum. "ungy."
"You're hungry? Well why don't we go and get you some dinner?" Kathryn asked as Quinn nodded and wiggled from her mother's grasp. "Grab your triangle." The little girl stayed on her hands and knees for several seconds before she tried to stand up, holding onto the coffee table. Kathryn watched her daughter try and stand. She was growing up too quickly for Kathryn's liking, but she loved watching her daughter grow and flourish.
Quinn held onto the table and reached over, taking her COM badge from the coffee table.
"Remember, never lose that," Kathryn reminded her daughter as the little girl nodded and held onto the coffee table. Still not able to completely walk, only take a few steps at a time. Kathryn smiled and picked up Quinn before carrying her to the messhall.
"Hi Captain," B'Elanna smiled as she stood at the door of the Captain's quarters.
"Hi B'Elanna," Kathryn smiled.
"I was wondering, if you would mind if I took Quinn for a little bit. I'm going stir crazy, and I thought maybe I could take her," the half Klingon rambled
Kathryn chuckled and nodded. "Why don't you come in and ask her."
"Thank you," B'Elanna smiled as she walked in and saw Quinn playing on the floor. "Hi Quinn."
"Hi," Quinn smiled and waved.
"How would you like to come with me? I need the help of a very special little girl down in Engineering. Do you think you could come help me?" B'Elanna asked as the little girl nodded and tried to stand up. B'Elanna chuckled and picked up Quinn as she looked at the Captain. "I'll bring her back, I promise."
"I'll see you later," Kathryn smiled as B'Elanna and Quinn left her quarters. Taking a breath she sighed and sat down.
"Jewo!" Quinn laughed as B'Elanna handed her a gel pack.
"It looks like Jello doesn't it?" B'Elanna smiled. "You know what that does? That Jello looking thing powers the entire ship."
Quinn smiled and continued to poke the gel pack. B'Elanna laughed and took the gel pack away. "You don't want to break that. Lets go get some real jello."
Quinn smiled and flashed B'Elanna with her bright blue eyes. ('flashed B'Elanna' or 'flashed her bright blue eyes at B'Elanna')
"It's probably nothing. Just background theta radiation. But it could mean there's someone nearby," Chakotay explained as he stood in front of his Captain.
"Distance?" Kathryn asked
"Approximately twenty five light years," Chakotay answered.
"It's a long shot, but alter course," Kathryn ordered.
"Yes, ma'am," Chakotay said not moving.
"If that's all, Commander," Kathryn said looking out her window.
"Actually, I'd like to make a request. I've been saving up my holodeck rations and I've got three full hours coming. Any chance I might persuade you to join me for a few rounds of Velocity? It'll help clear your mind," Chakotay asked sitting down beside her. "Or even a walk in the forest with Quinn or swimming in one of the many oceans of Katana four."
"My mind is perfectly clear," Kathryn replied.
"And what if I told you I'm not leaving until you join me?" Chakotay asked taking a hold of Kathryn's hand.
"I'd say, get comfortable, it'll be a while," Kathryn said taking her hand away from Chakotay's.
"Then I'll be blunt. You've picked a bad time to isolate yourself from the crew. This ship needs a Captain, especially now," Chakotay said.
"Would you be satisfied with I'm just catching up on some reading? I'm not sure I understand it myself. It started when we entered this, what does the crew call it?" Kathryn asked turning around and standing up. Chakotay followed suit and stood with her.
"The Void," he answered.
"Charming. Oh, what I wouldn't give for a few Borg cubes about now. Anything for a little distraction. Strange as it sounds, I almost long for the days when we were under constant attack. No time to stop and think about how we got stranded in the Delta quadrant. How did we end up here, Chakotay? Answer me that," Kathryn said as she stared at the man.
"We were faced with a difficult choice. We had the means to get home but using it would've put an innocent people at risk, so we decided to stay," Chakotay answered.
"No, no, no. I decided to stay. I made that choice for everyone," Kathryn corrected.
"We're alive and well, and we've gathered enough data about this quadrant to keep Starfleet scientists busy for decades. Our mission's been a success," Chakotay reasoned.
"The very same words I've been telling myself for the past four years. But then we hit this void and I started to realize how empty those words sound," Kathryn said softly.
"Kathryn," Chakotay said reaching out.
"I made an error in judgment, Chakotay. It was shortsighted and it was selfish, and now all of us are paying for my mistake. So if you don't mind, Commander, I'll pass on that little game and I'll leave shipboard morale in your capable hands. If the crew asks for me tell them the Captain sends her regards," Kathryn said.
"What about me Kathryn? What about our daughter?" Chakotay said taking a hold of her arm.
"What about you Chakotay?" Kathryn asked. "You don't think I haven't been thinking about that either? Because I have. How long has it been since I got the Dear John letter from Mark? Six months? Around there? Sure Quinn's conception was out of my control, because of Q and his thinking he can help humanity. But you felt obligated to help with me Quinn, why is that Chakotay? Because you wanted to get me through my daughter?"
"Kathryn, it was not like that and you know it," Chakotay said looking at her. "You know that I love you, and I'll wait a life time for you. And I love Quinn like I would my own, and there's nothing you can say or do to stop those feelings!" Chakotay explained before Kathryn attached herself to his lip. Kissing him deeply for a few moments she pulled away and looked at him. "Uhhh."
"Goodbye Commander," Kathryn said before she sat back down and looked out the window. Chakotay nodded and left her quarters.
"I'll see you later…"
Kathryn looked down at Quinn sleeping peacefully in her arm, as she continued to read her book. It had been a long couple of weeks. Quinn hadn't been able to fall asleep unless she was in her mother's arms. As soon as Quinn fell asleep, she didn't have the heart to move the little girl from her arms, so she stayed in her chair, and read as the little girl slept.
"Kathryn," Chakotay said walking into her quarters without even ringing the chime.
"Sssh," she said gesturing to Quinn. "What can I do for you Commander?"
"I haven't been able to sleep," Chakotay replied sitting down. "I can see you can't either."
"Sleeping is a privilege," Kathryn replied giving Chakotay a small grin. He laughed softly and reached over to run his hand over Quinn's head and kissed Kathryn's lightly on the lips. She gave him a soft smile and looked at her daughter.
What seemed like weeks later, Kathryn was exhausted. Aliens fighting, aliens asking for refuge, aliens wanting those in refuge, all in all it was driving Kathryn insane. Quinn had been sticking close and if she wasn't in the same room as her mother, threw a fit until she got her way.
"Options?" Kathryn asked looking at Chakotay.
"We fight our way past them. Navigate the vortex on our own. Once we're on the other side we contact the Malon authorities and blow the whistle on Emck," Chakotay supplied.
"We give them the reclamation technology, continue on our way home," Kathryn finished.
"Exactly," Chakotay said.
"Even if we did get through the vortex, there's no guarantee the Malon will do the right thing, if Mister Emck is any indication. As long as this vortex exists, the inhabitants of this region are at risk," Kathryn explained as she picked up Quinn from her blanket on the floor.
"Any chance we could destroy it?" Chakotay asked.
"I believe so, but there's a catch. We'll have to collapse it from this end, where it's dimensional radius is weakest. We'd be closing our short-cut out of here," Kathryn pointed out.
"Two more years in the void. I can live with that," Chakotay said.
"But I'm not sure I can. Four years ago I destroyed the Caretaker's array to protect the Ocumpa. That act of compassion stranded this crew in the Delta quadrant. I'm not about to give that order again," Kathryn said.
"This situation is a little different," Chakotay added.
"It's close enough. I'm asking this crew to make too big a sacrifice. I won't make that same mistake," Kathryn said.
"If you have another option, I'm listening," Chakotay said sitting down and looking at his captain, friend… more than a friend.
"Chakotay, there's no one I trust more than you. You're a fine first officer. Are you ready to Captain this ship?" Kathryn asked. "And be her father."
"Yes," Chakotay said without thinking.
"Assemble the crew," Kathryn said.
"Kathryn…" he said softly.
"I know. But I have to do this for the crew. Quinn can't sleep without the stars. We need to do this."
"Captain on the bridge," Tuvok said as soon as Kathryn stepped out from the Turbo lift. Everyone on the Bridge stood at attention.
"At ease. Harry, how've you been?" Kathryn asked looking at Harry who looked a bit nervous.
"Just fine, ma'am," Harry nodded.
"Good," Kathryn smiled walking to her chair.
"We've missed you, Captain," Neelix said as Kathryn smiled.
"Likewise. I'll make this brief. Your orders are to proceed to the vortex. Use whatever means necessary to fight your way past the Malon freighter. I'll stay behind in a shuttlecraft and destroy the vortex. Tuvok, I'll need a class two shuttle armed with photon torpedoes. Tom, set a course for…"
"Forget it. We're not going to let you die out here," B'Elanna replied cutting Kathryn off.
"Have a little faith, B'Elanna. I'll have a shuttle, plenty of rations. I'll survive," Kathryn replied. "Chakotay will have Quinn."
"Alone in the Delta quadrant? No offence, but…" Tom started before Kathryn cut him off.
"I've made my decision."
"What about us? Don't we have a say?" Harry asked.
"He's right, Captain. I'd be willing to brave this void if it meant keeping you with us," Neelix replied.
"Tom, set a course," Kathryn said as Tom didn't move from his position. "Lieutenant, I gave you an order."
"I can't follow that order, ma'am," Tom replied standing up.
"Harry, take the helm," Kathryn ordered looking at the young ensign.
"I'm sorry, Captain," Harry said. Kathryn looked at Seven.
"I will not comply," Seven said. Kathryn looked at the Doctor.
"What's a hologram to do?" He asked.
"As you can see, you're not the only one who's had time to evaluate the past," Tuvok said looking at his good friend.
"Yes, I can see that. You realize you could all be hung for mutiny. Looks like we need another option," Kathryn said.
"We fire torpedoes the instant we cross the threshold. As the vortex begins to collapse, we jump into high warp," Chakotay explained.
"There'll be a massive shock wave on our tail," Kathryn pointed out.
"I'll reinforce the aft shielding," B'Elanna supplied.
"There's still one obstacle. The Malon," Kathryn said waiting for the solution.
"Antimatter waste has weakened the bulkhead surrounding their cargo hold. A direct phaser strike should disable them," Tuvok replied.
"Poetic justice," The Doctor said blankly.
"Indeed," Tuvok agreed.
"You realize it will reduce our chance of getting through," Kathryn said.
"Chance is irrelevant. We will succeed," Seven countered.
"A vote of Borg confidence. Who could argue with that?" The Doctor asked looking at the Captain.
"All right. Back to your stations. Let's do it," she said sitting down in her chair.
"Red alert. Set a course to the vortex. All hands to battle stations," Chakotay ordered. "Chakotay to Quinn. Stay with Sam sweetie you can come to Mommy soon."
"You told them. They knew coming in," Kathryn said looking at her first officer who flashed her a dimpled smile.
"Let's just say I wouldn't be a fine first officer if I hadn't," Chakotay replied with a wink as they were hit.
"Return fire. Hit them with everything we've got!" Kathryn ordered holding onto her chair.
"Their shields are holding," Tuvok supplied as Kathryn quickly ran scenarios in her head.
"Open a channel. This is Voyager. Stand down your weapons and fall back," she said as they were hit again. "I'll take that as a no."
"The vortex?" Chakotay asked.
"Two million kilometers dead ahead," Tom supplied from his sensors.
"Bridge to Engineering, we're approaching the vortex. Bring the aft shielding online," she ordered.
"Acknowledged. See you on the other side," B'Elanna said over the Com.
"Status?" Chakotay asked.
"The port nacelle's been ruptured. We're venting plasma," Harry said.
"Can you get us out of here on one engine, Tom?" Kathryn asked looking at her pilot.
"I think so," Tom said as he quickly punched in a few buttons as they were hit again.
"Torpedoes armed and ready," Tuvok announced.
"On my order, Tuvok. We'll only get one shot at this," Kathryn said.
"They're firing spatial charges," Seven said from her station above the Command chairs.
"Evade them," Kathryn said to Tom who nodded and flew his ship.
"Captain Proton to the rescue," Seven said cheekily as Kathryn looked up to her and over at Tom.
"I'll explain later," Tom said.
"The vortex is in visual range," Tuvok announced.
"Time to intercept?" Kathryn asked
"Forty seven seconds," Tom answered.
"Steady as she goes. Keep laying down fire," she said as they were hit again.
"Direct hit, starboard nacelle," Harry said.
"Both engines are offline. We're running on inertia. One more hit and we're dead in the water," Tom said with a hint of worry in his voice.
"Without warp drive we'll never outrun the shockwave," Chakotay said.
"Tuvok, can you reinforce the aft shields with our main deflector?" Kathryn asked standing up and walking over to tactical.
"I believe so," Tuvok said.
"Do it. We're going to ride that shockwave out of here. Let it push us to the other side," she announced to the Bridge crew who nodded.
"Adjusting shield harmonics," Tuvok said.
"Captain. They intend to block our path," Seven said looking at the view screen.
"Twenty seconds," Tom said.
"Prepare to fire," Chakotay said bracing himself for impact.
"That may not be necessary," Tuvok said.
"The freighter is moving to combat the aliens," Seven said.
"They're trying to distract the Malon, give us the upper hand," Chakotay announced.
"Ten seconds!" Tom said still flying his ship.
"The freighter's shields are weakening," Tuvok said.
"Target their cargo hold. Time to take out the garbage," Kathryn said sitting back in her chair.
"We're crossing the threshold," Tom announced.
"Torpedoes," she ordered.
"Shockwave approaching. Six hundred meters. Five hundred. Four…" Seven said as everyone held onto their station.
"Aft shields at maximum," Tuvok said.
"All hands, brace for impact!" Kathryn yelled as the ship started to shake.
"Pressure is building on the outer hull. Shields weakening," Tuvok yelled over everything as he tried to stay in one place.
"We're clear," Tom said relieved.
"The vortex has been destroyed," Seven said.
"Are we out of the void?" Chakotay asked.
"Not yet. That little maneuver brought us up a bit short. We're still two hundred thousand kilometers from the boundary," Harry said.
"On screen. Maintain course," Kathryn said taking a breath and looking at her view screen.
"There!" Tom grinned pointing at the view screen as B'Elanna walked on the bridge.
"What?" B'Elanna asked.
"I saw something. A star," Tom grinned.
"Remind me to check your eyesight," The Doctor said to the pilot who was too fascinated with what he (had seen, or was seeing?).
"Harry, what do you see out there?" Kathryn asked with a smile looking at the eager young man at the Ops station.
"I see a densely packed region with thousands of star systems. Looks pretty lively," Harry grinned.
"Full speed ahead," Kathryn grinned trying to hold in her giddiness as the doors of the turbo lift opened and Samantha Wildman stepped on the bridge, holding Quinn. "Thank you Sam," Kathryn smiled taking the little girl who was practically jumping to get into her mother's arms.
"Anytime ma'am," Sam replied as she looked at the view screen. "Its beautiful…"
"That it is," Kathryn whispered as Quinn saw the stars and a smile flashed on her face, eyes lighting up and her little heart soaring. "I did what I promised Quinn. I got you your stars," she whispered.
Chakotay smiled and stood up, wrapping his arm around Kathryn's waist and using his other hand to hold Quinn's hand. "You'll always have your stars."
The small gesture of protection did not go unnoticed by the Bridge staff who just smiled at the small, but happy family.
