Prompt: Samson - "I saw you across the bar while I was waiting for him. You were alone, and I knew in one heart stopping instant that I was lost. Just one glance from you." - 'The Deep'
"How old are you anyway?"
The question and the scoffing tone in which it was asked made Chakotay look up from his seat at the bar. Across the room, at a small table, two men sat staring up at a Bjoran teenager. The teen looked as if a strong wind would blow him over and yet there was anger, hatred and determination in his eyes. A look that Chakotay recognized all too well.
"Nineteen," the Bajoran replied quickly.
Chakotay didn't believe him anymore than the Maquis at the table did, though he never would have laughed at the teen.
"Yeah, right," the one man replied, through his laughter. "Get lost kid. Go home. Let the big boys fight this fight."
Chakotay could see it in the teen's eyes as he turned from the table - he had no home to go back to. The Maquis leader also knew the teen wasn't going to 'let the big boys' handle this fight. He might not know the Bajoran's story but Chakotay knew that with or without the Maquis, the teen planned on going up against the Cardassians.
Chakotay also knew that going it alone was a death sentence for the young Bajoran.
With a sigh, Chakotay stood and crossed over to the teen.
"What's your name?" he asked, stepping in front of the young Bajoran.
"Gerron Ral," the teen replied, looking up at him with the same look that he had given the other two men.
"How old are you?"
"Nineteen."
"Try again," Chakotay replied, calling him on the lie.
"I just turned sixteen," Gerron admitted.
"You a runaway?"
Gerron shook his head. "Been on my own for the last couple of years. I plan on keeping others from facing the same thing I've had to go through. I will find a way to fight the Cardassians."
"I have no doubt you will," Chakotay replied. While he didn't believe that children should be fighting this war, he also knew that turning Gerron Ral away would not keep him out of the war. However, taking him under his wing might just keep the kid alive. "You any good at following orders."
"I can be if the right person is given the orders."
"I let you join my crew, I expect you to follow any order I give without question. Am I understood."
"Yes, sir," Gerron replied.
Chakotay nodded. He didn't need the responsibility of looking out for the kid but he knew Gerron Ral needed him and his crew.
"Join me," Chakotay said, nodding toward the seat he had vacated. "I'm supposed to be meeting someone. Afterwards, I'll introduce you to your new family," he told the teen, hoping he didn't live to regret the decision.