Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures

Hearts Astray

Chapter 3

12 MONTHS LATER

On the fifteenth deck of a luxurious ocean liner, Kathryn leant against a wooden rail and looked out at the glorious blue sea of the South Pacific. A warm wind was blowing, rippling the ocean and sweeping through her hair, and Kathryn cherished every moment. It made her feel alive, invigorated, and connected to the planet that she loved so much.

"Admiral Janeway?"

Kathryn turned in the direction of the American accented male voice that spoke her name, and came face to face with a very handsome middle-aged man in a white naval suit. He had graying black hair, distinctive green eyes, and a rugged olive complexion.

"That's me," Kathryn said. "And you are?"

"Captain Brett Laurence," he smiled, "captain of this vessel."

"Then I'm honored to meet you," Kathryn said, holding out her hand to him.

"Likewise," he said, taking her hand in his and shaking it. "I heard that you are onboard and I wanted to welcome you personally. But you're a hard woman to find."

Kathryn smiled. "When I don't want to be, absolutely."

"How are you enjoying our cruise?"

"Very much. I've always wanted to take a sea cruise and this is living up to my expectation in every way."

"I'm delighted to hear it. We aim to please. And it's always nice, isn't it, to be a pampered passenger instead of an exhausted officer?"

"Yes, it certainly is."

"Are you here alone?"

"I am," Kathryn replied. "Call it some long overdue me time."

"I know all about that." He stepped closer, his manner unmistakeably flirtatious. "But a beautiful intelligent woman like yourself shouldn't be here alone. Join me for dinner tonight?"

Kathryn smiled. "Are you just being friendly or are you asking me on a date?"

"If you'd like it to be a date."

"I would."

"Then we have a date. My quarters, 20:00 hours?"

"I'll be there."

The man smiled warmly. "See you later then...Kathryn."

Kathryn smiled in return. "See you later...Brett."

They gazed at each other for a moment, then the captain turned around and left.

In the bedroom of her luxurious cabin-suite, dressed in a gorgeous blue velvet gown, Kathryn was just about to apply some make up when a dizziness swept over her. The room began to spin and a nausea filled her stomach. Leaning back in her chair, Kathryn let the dizziness pass, then she got to her feet, fetched her commbadge, and called The Doctor.

"Janeway to The Doctor."

The Doctor answered instantly. "Doctor here. How's your vacation?"

"Fine, but it's starting again."

"The temporal flux?"

"Yes. I'm feeling dizzy and sick"

"I'll be right there. Doctor out."

The connection terminated and Kathryn sat again. She knew the signs of the oncoming temporal flux well now as this was her fourth attack. The last one had happened exactly six months after the previous one and this one was happening exactly six months after the last. Suddenly, a blue transporter beam filled the room and The Doctor materialized.

"Good evening, Admiral," he said. He then saw the rich decor of the room and was awestruck. "Oh my! What a grand room! And what a grand view!"

Outside the room's gold round windows was a magnificent view of the ocean.

"It's a grand ship," Kathryn replied. "But you can admire it later. Right now I need assistance."

"Of course," he said. "Forgive me, Admiral." He opened his med-kit and pulled out his tricorder. "Are you seeing any colors?"

"No. I've finally taken your advice and called you at the first sign."

"I'm glad to hear it. The sooner I reinject you the less your suffering." He scanned her and then stepped back. "Definitely the temporal flux. But very early stages. The serum hasn't quite worn off yet." He picked up a hypospray and put it to her neck. "This should put you back in temporal sync and prevent further symptoms."

The serum began to work immediately and Kathryn's nausea lifted.

"Thank you, Doctor," she said. "I feel better now."

"Good. But you know what this means. It means we must be dealing with a long term condition. We can no longer put these episodes down to out of time experiences. Two we could, three we could possibly, but not four. As a result of something that happened eighteen months ago on Voyager, you've been left in a permanent state of temporal chaos and only these injections are keeping you in sync. This means you will need these injections for the rest of your life."

"Then I do," Kathryn said. "It's no big deal."

"I beg to differ. The strain your body is under is tremendous. You need to..."

Kathryn put up her hand. "I don't want to hear it, Doctor. Unless you can find a way of curing me, there's nothing we can do about my condition. As there's nothing we can do, we just have to accept it. And I do. But I'm sure as hell not going to spend the rest of my life worrying about it. I'm keeping to the diet you gave me, and I'm exercising daily, but that's about as far as I'll go."

"But your condition is serious, Admiral. You need to reduce your work hours and..."

Kathryn interrupted. "Didn't you hear me, Doctor? I said no lectures. I'll deal with this in my own way."

"Just as long as you do deal with it, Admiral. You're my friend and I don't want to lose you."

At this, Kathryn softened. "I know, Doctor," she said kindly. "And I appreciate your care. But I'm fine. I get more tired than I used to, and I find I'm not as energetic as I was, but other than that this condition hardly affects me. You're not going to lose me. I plan on living a long while yet."

The Doctor had to smile at that.

"Now," she said, "feel free to admire my room. Quite something, isn't it?"

"Marvellous. Simply marvellous! I'm going to have to book myself onto a cruise. This very one, I think. But the room isn't the only thing to admire. You're looking particularly lovely, tonight. Going on a date?"

"No, Doctor," she smiled. "I'm dressing like this to look at myself in the mirror."

"Then you are. Who is he? Anyone I've heard of?"

"I'm not telling, Doctor. A woman's allowed some secrets. But suffice it to say he's tall, dark and handsome."

"And charming, no doubt. But whoever he is, have fun. You deserve it."

"Thank you, Doctor."

He scanned her again and then put away his tricorder. "The serum has taken full effect. Unless you want me to help you get ready for your hot date with Mr Mystery, then I'll be on my way."

"I think I can manage," Kathryn smiled. "Thank you for coming so quickly."

"For you, I'll always drop everything. Goodbye, Admiral. Have a good night."

"Goodbye, Doctor."

He hit his commbadge, requested transport, and then dematerialized.

Captain Brett Laurence's quarters were on the first deck and Kathryn arrived there promptly at 20:00 hours. He was waiting for her, dressed smartly in a black suit, and he greeted her with a smile and a kiss on the cheek.

"Wow," he said, "you look stunning."

"Thank you," Kathryn smiled. "You're looking mighty handsome yourself."

He showed her into his lounge, which was grand and spacious, and led her over to a beautifully laid table that was before a large window. Outside, a crimson setting sun blazed on the horizon and cast a warm red glow around the room

"I'm afraid to say I'm a terrible cook," Brett said as Kathryn sat, "so dinner is whatever you fancy from any of our ten restaurants."

Kathryn laughed. "I'm a terrible cook too so you're in good company."

Brett sat opposite her and handed her a large menu. It was covered in black velvet and had pretty silver pages.

"As captain," he said, "my order jumps the queue, so whatever you fancy can be yours in five minutes."

"Good perk," Kathryn smiled. "I'll have to make the recommendation to Starfleet." She looked through the menu, but there were so many mouth-watering dishes to choose from that she didn't have a clue what to pick. "But I think I'm going to be here all night deciding. I've never seen such a wonderful choice. Any suggestions?"

"The Bruzkala is good, but very hot."

"I like hot. I'll have it."

"Then two Bruzkalas it is."

"As to dessert," Kathryn said, putting the menu aside, "that's easy. I'll have a slice of coffee gateaux."

Brett smiled. "A coffee lover?"

"Infamously."

"Me too. Black, no sugar."

"Really?" Kathryn exclaimed. "That's exactly how I like mine!"

"Then maybe we're soulmates. Do you like Mozart and Shakespeare?"

"As it happens, I do," she laughed.

"Your favorite play?"

"King Lear. In my opinion, the best play ever written. Yours?"

"King Lear."

Kathryn shook her head in amazement. "Uncanny. Your favorite Mozart symphony?"

"Number 40"

"Mine too. Can you believe it? What's your favorite animal?"

"Dogs. Big ones. Yours?"

"Dogs," Kathryn laughed. "Big ones."

"What about wine? Which do you prefer? Red or white?"

"Red. You?"

"Definitely red."

"Type?"

"Lambrusco. You?"

"There you've got me," Kathryn smiled. "Cabernet Sauvignon."

"Well, variety is the spice of life. Speaking of which..." He hit his commbadge. "Captain Laurence to Restaurant Meridian, two Bruzkalas and two slices of coffee gateaux to my quarters, along with a large bottle of red Cabernet Sauvignon."

As the connection terminated, Kathryn gazed at this fascinating and handsome man before her. "Do you want to know what I'm thinking?" she asked.

"I do," he replied. "Tell me."

"I'm thinking you're clever, handsome, successful, well-mannered...so why is there is no Mrs Captain Brett Laurence?"

Brett smiled. "Why is there no Mr Admiral Kathryn Janeway?"

"I'm unlucky in love. You?"

"The same. I was married once, a long time ago, but it didn't work out. My job takes me away from home a lot, because even in this age of transport travel a ship's captain always has to be onboard, and that absence from home can put a strain on things, especially if it doesn't suit both partners. But I'm sure you know all about that. My ex-wife would often beam onboard to join me, but after a few years the novelty wore thin, especially when I was often called away to attend to some emergency."

"Do you have any children?"

"No."

"Do you regret that?"

"No. I like children, very much, but I've never wanted any. I like my independence too much. What about you? Would you like children?"

"Well," Kathryn answered, "at 47 my time has kind of passed, at least to conceive naturally. But I would have liked children, at least one, and I planned on having them with both my fiances. But my first fiance died and I lost my second when Voyager got stranded. He thought I was dead and married someone else."

"I'm sorry," Brett said. "For him."

Kathryn smiled. "Mr wit. But seriously, I'm happy with my life as it is now. I have a great career and it's very rewarding."

Brett reclined in his chair. "I believe you're one of the youngest and most decorated admirals in Starfleet history."

"Yes. But I don't feel like I deserve to be. I'm proud of what I achieved in the delta quadrant, don't get me wrong, but I was only doing my duty as a Starfleet captain."

"Not from what I've heard. From what I've heard you went far beyond the call of duty to get your crew home. That deserves praise and recognition. And I, for one, am totally in awe of you."

Kathryn smiled and was about to answer when their meal materialized on a silver tray.

"At last," Brett said. "Service is slacking!"

He presented Kathryn with her plate of Bruzkala, which was a spicy spaghetti dish, and then picked up his own.

"Smells wonderful," Kathryn said. "I can't wait to try it."

"It is wonderful," he replied. "Just not as wonderful as you."

Kathryn smiled, eyes sparkling. "Keep the flattery coming, I like it."

Brett smiled back and then they began to eat.

When the meal was over, and it was time to say goodnight, Brett walked Kathryn back to her cabin. It was a warm night and above them a silver moon shone down from a heaven of stars.

"I've had a fabulous time tonight," Brett said when they reached her cabin. "Thank you."

"Thank you," Kathryn replied. "I've had a wonderful time too."

"I'd like to see you again. In fact, I insist upon it."

Kathryn smiled. "Then dine with me here tomorrow night? I'll make us something special, courtesy of the replicator."

"I look forward to it."

"See you tomorrow then. 20:00 hours?"

"20:00 hours." Brett then stepped closer, his body almost touching hers. "But before we say goodnight, I'd really like to kiss you."

Kathryn smiled and closed the remaining gap between them. "I'd really like to be kissed."

At that invitation, Brett took her in his arms and kissed her. He was a good kisser, soft and sensual, and the spark between them set the kiss ablaze. When at last they drew away, Brett took Kathryn's hands in his and kissed them both.

"Goodnight, Kathryn. Sweet dreams."

"You too."

Kathryn then opened her cabin's door and Brett watched as she stepped inside. When there, Kathryn blew him a kiss as the door closed and he caught it with a smile.

END OF CHAPTER 3