Being So Close

Pt13 Old Memories

Kathryn was directly put into the emergency room. The doctor had told Chakotay that her internal injuries were severe and that it would take time to know the extent of her injuries. Chakotay thanked the doctor as the doctor rushed into surgery.

Chakotay sat next to his cousin. He had never seen Greg this despondent before. Chakotay knew that he was the only one that knew how much Pheobe had meant to him. His thoughts were interrupted by a sigh and smile from this cousin.

"You know Chakotay I remember the first time that I saw her." I opened up the door and there she stood. It was almost as if the spirits had delivered her directly to me."

"I know the feeling cousin; I remember the first time that I saw Kathryn in person. I had just beamed onto her bridge on Voyager. I was a Maqui at the time and I was armed as I beamed over." I saw Paris walk in and I had a few choice words for him. And then out of nowhere this woman walked in front of me and told me that I was to give him respect because he was a member of her crew." "And I thought this woman has to be out of her mind."

Greg turned to Chakotay. "I had forgotten that you were a Maqui." "That must have been difficult being a Captain and being sub ornate to another Captain."

Chakotay shrugged. "With any other Captain it might have been. But with Kathryn it was never difficult.' Don't get me wrong we did things to piss each other off. But we always remained friends. And then we got stranded."

Greg smiled. "Ahh the old rub the sticks to make fire story?"Chakotay grinned. "How did you know about that?"

"Kathryn told Pheobe and Pheobe told me." "You were always rotten with that skill."

"Don't I know it. But actually I was stranded four times with Kathryn." Four times that I recall anyway."

"You were stranded with her four times. Damn Chakotay and you never made your move?" "That's very unlike you."

Chakotay laughed. "Well once I was stranded with her with the crew when the Kazan took over the ship." "Another time our shuttle crashed and I almost lost her on an alien planet. The next time I encountered a part of space that was separate from my own reality and Kathryn hadn't met me yet. Chakotay took a breath and sighed. "And then their was New Earth."

Greg had a puzzled look on his face as Chakotay continued. Chakotay managed to fight back tears as he began to tell his cousin the truth about when he had fallen in love with Kathryn.

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Seven had been taken into custody in Ohio. Because of her crime she had to wait for her case to be brought to trial. When the judge learned that the members involved were heroes, he decided that the trial should take place where it was convenient for the members involved. So on those grounds he sent Seven to Bloomington, Indiana.

Seven was setting in her cell when she heard a strange sound that she had never heard before. Some of the other prisoners were yelling the word "Tornado" She had no idea what that was or why they were yelling. She noticed that some of the prisoners were crouched in the corners so she did the same. Then she recognized something familiar. Wind.

The tornado burst through the prison sending bricks everywhere. Seven closed her eyes, and tried to protect her hair.

When it was all over the prison was only a few bricks. Seven was covered by a few of them. She began removing them from around her. As she removed the last one, it slipped and landed on her toe. She kicked the building material and yelled out. Apparently you shouldn't kick bricks she figured as she hobbled out of her cell.

Seven called out but their was no one around. Everything around her lie in ruin. She felt alone. She hadn't felt so alone since the day Voyager got stranded in a Nebula. And the doctor went offline.

She made her way out of the building and stared at the destruction. She looked up a tree that was unharmed, but next to it was a completely demolished building. She stared at it in confusion. Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud siren.

In the distance she saw medical staff and police officers.

Seven didn't want to be locked up again. So she decided to run.

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Back at the hospital Greg and Chakotay were having a meal in the lounge. They were enjoying each others company when a police officer came over to them.

"Excuse me sir, are you Chakotay?"

"I am what can I do for you?"

"I have a message for you from the captain. He regrets that he could not deliver it himself but he is rather busy."

"Thank you officer." The officer nodded and left.

Chakotay opened the letter and read.

Dear Captain Chakotay,

I hope that Kathryn is doing well in surgery. She has always been like family to us. I was sad to hear of Gretchen Janeway's passing. She and her husband were very generous to us over the years.

I am writing to tell you that the prison here in Bloomington was completely destroyed. Their were no survivors they never had a chance.

The tornado was the strongest we have ever had. I have lived in this area for 60 years and never have I ever seen so much destruction.

We have had no word on Pheobe, she is presumed dead.

Kathryn will remain in all of our prayers.

Sincerely,

Captain Mark Thomas

Bloomington Indiana Police Department

Chakotay handed the letter to Greg who began to read it. When he was finished he handed the letter to Chakotay.

Greg got up and walked over to a large window. Chakotay followed him. The stood silently looking out the window together.

TBC

*I made it a tad longer this time. And for those of you who are asking, I am not a writer, I only play one when the script asks me 2. LOL