Chapter 2

The following ten days was a quiet time for the crew. It had become so quiet that Lieutenant Tuvok arranged a series of drills, not only for his security teams but also for the entire crew; battle drills, intruder alert drills, as well as testing medical emergencies procedures amongst other things. And to obtain an accurate picture of the crew's readiness, the drills were conducted without any prior notification; day or night, middle of a duty shift or at the change over.

Kathryn had just entered the mess hall for lunch when the ship's evacuation alert sounded, following immediately by Tuvok's unemotional voice, "This is an evacuation drill for Alpha shift only. I repeat, this exercise is for Alpha shift personal only. All personal are required to present themselves to their nearest escape pod and prepare for separation. Tuvok out."

She had to repress her desire to roll her eyes at the great timing; all she had for breakfast that morning was a cup of coffee and now her stomach was protesting, rather loudly, over the lack of food. She didn't really want to spend the next fifteen minutes or longer, in an escape pod with five other people but it seemed that her security officer had other ideas. But her irritation was soon replaced with pride, as she watched those members of alpha shift who were in the mess hall, stand up and leave, without too much grumbling over the loss of their lunch.

"Ah captain," Neelix greeted her, as they made their way to the six escape pods that were located near the mess hall, "Shouldn't you be on the bridge?"

She shook her head, "Not this time, Neelix," she replied with a smile, "Tuvok is the one conducting the drills and therefore I'm included in them, along with the rest of the crew."

He smiled, "I see," he said, "Perhaps you should do a drill of your own, just to get give Tuvok a taste of his own medicine." he added with a grin.

She chuckled, "I might just do that." she replied, as they reached the escape pods and proceeded to enter the third one. The previous two were sealed and she heard the faint swish sound of the pod ejecting from the ship.

As she stepped inside the small vessel, her eyes met a pair of familiar blue ones and for a second she hesitated before she nodded politely, "Ensign." she greeted her estranged lover.

He nodded, "Captain." he replied as she settled into her seat beside him, while Neelix entered the pod behind her.

"Ah Tom," Neelix said with a smile, "So you're our pilot, eh. At least we know that we won't get lost." he added with a chuckle, as he sat down.

Tom grinned, "Not that this pod needs a pilot," he replied, "Even the greenest crewman can operate these things." he added as two more crewmen entered, the last one closing the hatch behind him, "Clear." he said.

Tom nodded and returned to the control panel, "Releasing docking clamps and preparing for jettison." he said, "Everyone secure themselves, it will be a bumpy ride." he added with a grin. The escape pods were notorious for its rapid release, where seconds often meant the difference between life and death.

The six people secured themselves in their seats, just before they felt the jolt of the pod ejecting from it's moorings, then their forward motion quickly settled down as Tom applied the thrusters and guided them away from Voyager.

"Ensign Paris, hold us at five hundred metres." Kathryn ordered.

"Aye captain," he replied as his fingers flew over the control panel, "Holding at five hundred metres."

Neelix grinned, "No matter how many times, we've done this, I'll never get used to that release."

The others chuckled.

"You're not the only one Neelix," Ensign Lang said, with a smile on her face, "The very first exercise drill I did in these pods, I hadn't secured myself and I ended up with a black eye and a broken nose."

Ensign Murphy chuckled, "I remember that," he commented, "And for your pain, you had to oversee that all the pods were spotless clean from top to bottom"

Lieutenant Nicoletti grinned, "I imagine that you've never forget to secure yourself ever again." she said.

Lang grinned, "No, it's the first thing I do."

Kathryn let them chatter, as she sat beside Tom, aware of his closeness, of his maleness and she had to fight down her emotions, which were stirring within her once more; attraction, desire, of love for the young man beside her. Perhaps it was time to start healing the rift between them, time to confront her anger, her pain and to move forward.

"Voyager to all escape pods," came the Vulcan's calm voice over the intercom, "Please proceed back to your point of departure and secure."

Tom glanced at Kathryn, who nodded, "Preparing to manoeuvre back to Voyager." he confirmed, as he began the task of co-coordinating with the other six pods from their area, for the order in which they would return to Voyager.

It only took another four minutes before Tom secured the pod back into its moorings, "Ladies and gentlemen, please return your seats to the upright position." he quipped as he powered down the small craft. He chuckled when he felt the confused gaze of his comrades, "Ah, that's just something what the old commercial pilots used to say back on Earth." he explained.

Nicoletti grinned, "Thanks for the history lesson, Ensign." she said.

He smiled back, "Any time lieutenant." he replied as they began to leave the pod one by one.

Kathryn felt her heart pound hard, as she noticed the way that Nicoletti was looking at Tom. A look that was speculative about the status of their relationship, as well a flash of interest towards Tom, himself. It hadn't been the first time she had seen that particular look from the younger woman, in the last couple of weeks and usually it didn't bother her but it seemed to her that Tom was being more friendly than usual, as though he might return the lieutenant's interest. It wasn't often she felt a rush of jealousy, she had always been secure in her previous relationships but her relationship with Tom was in limbo. Neither one thing or another.

As she stepped out into the corridor, she was pleased that the others were already walking back towards the mess hall, and as she watched Tom secured the hatch, she found herself asking, "Ensign Paris, would you care to join me for a belated lunch?"

Tom straightened up and turned to face her, "It would be my pleasure, captain." he replied warmly, with a growing smile on his face. A smile that made her heart pound with a different kind of emotion than jealousy.

Later that evening, Tom and Harry were playing hoverball in holodeck two, when the computer chimed, "Senior officers report to the bridge."

"Oh come on, not now." Tom groaned, "I'm so close to winning."

Harry laughed, "Yeah, you're real close," he replied, "I believe the score was thirteen to four. Computer, end program." The hoverball court disappeared around them as they walked out of holodeck and made their way to the nearest turbolift.

"I was just lulling you into a false sense of security." Tom replied with a grin, as they stepped inside the turbolift, "I had you right where I wanted you."

"Sure, Tom, anything you say," Harry said, "Bridge," he ordered the computer.

"I hope it's not another drill. I'm getting sick of them." Tom complained.

"I know what you mean." Harry replied, "I think everyone is sick of them."

"The only person who isn't tired of them, is Tuvok himself." Tom said, with a grin, "Vulcan efficiency can be annoying at times."

Harry chuckled, "That's true enough," he paused as he regarded his friend, "So, how was your lunch with the captain, today?"

"So, you heard about that, then?" Tom asked in return.

Harry smiled, "Well, you know how fast gossip travels on a small ship like ours." he replied.

"I sure do," Tom said, as he ran his fingers through his hair, "It went okay, we mostly just talked about ship's business," he sighed, "I have to -" he stopped when the turbolift came to a stop at deck three, and the captain, herself, entered.

"Ensigns," she greeted them, "Bridge." she ordered to the computer.

"Captain."

"Ma'am."

There was an awkward silence between the three of them before Harry spoke up, "Is this another drill, captain?"

She shook her head, "I don't believe so," she replied, "At least, none that I'm aware of."

"Unless Tuvok decided to test your efficiency, captain." Tom quipped, before he silently cursed himself. Sometimes his mouth ran off before his brain had a chance to think about what he was saying, which on a number of occasions, had lead him into trouble. And trouble wasn't what he wanted right at the moment; he needed to regain his captain's trust and that didn't come from his wisecracks.

But Kathryn had other ideas, "Perhaps he is, ensign," she replied, with an easy smile, "It wouldn't be the first time he has done that." For a moment she held Tom's gaze, felt that familiar pull of love tugging on her heart but the moment passed when the turbolift stopped on deck one and the door opened onto the bridge.

"Report." she ordered, as she strode out of the lift and made her way to the command centre, while Harry exchanged a glance with Tom, who shrugged, before he crossed to his station.

"Captain, we have received a distress call from a ship half a light year off our starboard side." Tuvok advised, from his tactical station, as Tom slipped into his seat, on the conn.

Kathryn frowned as she made her way to where Tuvok and Chakotay were standing, "Did they say what the problem is?"

"Apparently they are experiencing engine problems." Chakotay answered.

Kathryn nodded, "Ensign Paris, plot a course and proceed at warp seven." she ordered, as she returned to her command chair.

"Aye, captain," he replied, as his fingers flew over the control panel, "Course plotted and proceeding at warp eight."

Captain's Log,

After receiving a request from a stricken freighter experiencing engine problems, we diverted from our course to rendezvous with them, where we have offered transportation for their twelve passengers, who are in need of sanctuary from oppression.

"I can't thank you again, Captain Janeway, for helping us." Kir said, as they stood in the mess hall with the other passengers, "The Devore Imperium loves nothing more that to imprison my people, simply because of our telepathic abilities."

Kathryn frowned slightly, as she glanced at Tuvok, "Tell us more about this Devore Imperium." she said, as she gestured to a nearby table and chairs, "Just how large is their territory?"

"Their territory is rather large, captain, it would take many weeks to travel out of their domain." he replied, as the three of them sat down, while the children played nearby, "They are a semi military people, paranoid to the extreme, especially to gaharays."

"Gaharays?" Tuvok spoke up.

"It's their word for strangers, and it's considered a derogative term." Kir replied, with a shake of his head, "And if you happen to be telepathic too, well, then it's even worse. They put you into detention centres, possibly for the rest of your lives."

"But how can they tell if anyone is a telepath? I mean it's not something you would automatically assume someone was." Kathryn said.

Kir shrugged, "They send out heavily armed inspection teams, up to four ships. Then they board the ship, something in the manner you brought us here," he replied, "They have these hand held devices that can scan brain waves for any signs of telepathy and then search that ship until they either discover our people hidden away, or they send the ship on their way."

"Do you believe that we will have an encounter with the Devore and their inspection teams?" Tuvok asked, as he began mentally planning for that eventuality.

"I'm surprised that you haven't already encountered them," Kir replied, "Considering how far into their space you have travelled."

Kathryn turned to her security officer, "We need to start planning for the possibility of an inspection from the Devore," she said, "And we need a way to hide our guests as well as yourself and Vorik. We can put all your recent drills to good use."

Tuvok nodded, "Of course, captain."

"Good," she replied, before she turned back Kir, "Has this always been Devore space?" she asked curiously.

Kir shook his head, "This part of space wasn't claimed by any one race, there were a number of worlds settled by numerous races, all around this area. Most of the time it was peaceful but occasionally there were small disputes that escalated into violence, with deaths on both sides."

Kathryn nodded, "We came from a similar situation but we always prefer to settle problems by peaceful means than with violence."

Kir nodded, "So do we," he replied, "But the Devore had other ideas, and they've expended their territory significantly in the last ten years or so. They took by forced the settled worlds and made it part of their Imperium. They allowed the races to live and trade, with certain restrictions, but not those they branded as criminal."

"Such as telepaths." Kathryn added quietly, "May I ask what you were doing this far into their space?"

"It wasn't by choice, captain," he replied, "My family and friends were captured over a year ago, and placed into a detention centre. We saw what was happening to the others; the beatings, the disappearances, so we managed to escape with the help of a sympathetic Devorian freighter captain and his crew. Not all of the Devonian are bigots, captain, and they take great risk in helping us get out of Devore space. And now, so do you, captain."

Kathryn smiled, "The way I see it, Kir, you've already helped us out," she replied, "I have several telepaths in my crew and if we hadn't come to your aid, then we would never have known about the Devore. I would have lost my people, and possibly have the entire crew detained, and my ship impounded, all without knowing why. I give you my word that we will try everything we can to get your people and mine, to safety." she added sincerely.

Kir gave her a warm smile, "Thank you, captain."

Over the following three weeks, Devorian inspection teams, much to the annoyance to everyone and especially Kathryn, inspected the Voyager crew three times. She detested giving up control of her ship. It didn't matter that she was outgunned three to one, or sometimes four to one; it just grated on her nerves to know that someone else held the reins. And when that someone was a self assured, self opinionated, smooth talking, xenophobic person such as Inspector Kashyk, it just made her skin crawl.

And to top it all off, he had to audacity to claim asylum from the very government he had served loyally for decades, imprisoning countless innocent beings simply because their biological nature allowed them to communicate telepathically.

Harry nudged B'Elanna, as they waited in the mess line for their lunch, "Hey look, they're having lunch together again."

B'Elanna turned in the direction Harry was gesturing, "That's the third time this week that Tom and the captain have eaten lunch together, on top of the two lunches from last week," she replied with a smile on her face, "It's a good sign, Harry."

He smiled, "Yes, it is," he said, "And it's about time, too, if you ask me." he added, as they moved up in the food line.

"True enough, but remember Tom did disobey her orders, which is bad enough when it's someone under your command but when it's your lover as well..." she stopped and shook her head, "It wasn't easy for either of them. I just hope they can work it out and get back together."

He nodded, "I hope so too," he replied before he frowned, "Oh no."

"What?" she asked as she turned back to see Inspector Kashyk enter the mess hall, with the ever present security guards behind him, "I don't trust that p'tak." she cursed.

"Neither do I and neither does the captain." he replied.

It was, as if Harry could read Kathryn's mind, for she didn't trust Kashyk, not for a moment. She had not believed the story he had told her, about being so distraught over discovering a child in a ship's extraction tanks, that he would risk everything just to defect. But she was willing to go along with it, to ascertain his real reason for seeking asylum.

Tom narrowed his eyes when he saw Kashyk joined the end of the food line, "I don't trust him, as far as I can throw him, captain." he said.

Kathryn sighed, "Don't worry, ensign, I don't trust him either." she replied.

"Good, because I don't like the way he looks at you." he said possessively.

"Tom." she said in a warning tone. Although the ice was starting to melt between them, and they were at last talking to one another, the unresolved anger, the hurt lay just below the surface, ready to erupt with the slightest nudge.

He turned his gazed to her, "Kathryn, whatever this is between us, whatever we are, we've always been honest with each other," he replied quietly, "He wants you. I know it, you know it and so does the crew."

She narrowed her eyes, insulted by his remark, "Do you honesty believe that I would get involved with the likes of him," she retorted angrily, "A bigot who would lock up our friends just because of their mental abilities. If you do, then you don't know me at all."

He ran his fingers through his hair and silently cursed his jealousy, "Look, I'm sorry, I'm just being an idiot."

Her anger died down, as she understood why he was being surly; jealousy. Just like the absurd jealousy she had felt about Lieutenant Nicoletti a couple of weeks ago, "You're not an idiot, Tom," she replied as she reached out her hand and placed it on top of his, "You're just looking out for me. It feels kind of nice, in an old fashion sort of way." she added, with a small smile.

He held her hand in a simple clasp, "I'm just an old fashion guy." he replied, as he slowly stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.

For a moment they held each other's eyes, felt the pull of their attraction, their love for one another before a voice interrupted them.

"Ah Captain Janeway, Ensign...ah Ensign...?" Kashyk said, as he came to a stop beside their table.

Tom felt Kathryn pull her hand away but he held tight, "Ensign Paris, Inspector." he replied, as you well know, he mused to himself before he slowly released Kathryn's hand, letting the other man know just who he was dealing with.

Kashyk grinned at the obvious show of ownership from the younger man. It was something he understood perfectly and while it would be amusing to have a dalliance with the alien captain, just to see how far he could seduce her, he knew he would have trouble with Paris and that in turn, would put Janeway against him. And that wasn't something he was willing to risk at this stage of the game. There was too much at stake, "It's just Kashyk now, Ensign Paris," he replied, "May I join you two for lunch. There is still much to be discussed if we are to find the co-ordinates of the wormhole."

Kathryn looked at Tom, who shrugged, "Of course, Kashyk," she replied, as she gestured for him to take a seat, "I believe I may have found another way to look at our problem..."

Tom watched with growing annoyance, as they began to discuss scientific equations, and while the inspector was subtle in his complimentary words, he knew that Kathryn wasn't buying it. He felt both relieved and a little stupid for even thinking that she would find Kashyk attractive enough to betray him. Not that they were together as a couple again, or were they? He just didn't know where he stood with her, were they lovers or just friends, were they even friends or just subordinates. Whatever they were, it was obvious that they still had feelings for each other.

He knew they needed time, time to heal the wounds he had created. And not just time, they needed to talk about what had happened. If they didn't talk about it, then they would never get passed it, they needed to resolve their relationship one way or another.