Future Past
Day
One, 16:00
Captain Kathryn Janeway of the USS Wolf was sitting in her ready room sipping coffee and reading the latest engineering report, when commander Chase called her to the bridge.
'What do we have?' she asked as she emerged from her ready room.
'A ship, apparently,' answered commander Chase, getting up from the captain's chair.
She looked at the screen showing the starry space and then at her commander. 'Apparently?'
'They're cloaked.'
'According to its warp signature, it's a Federation ship,' said lieutenant Kedem Nol, the security officer. 'They're hailing us.'
'On screen.'
'Audio only, Captain.'
'Good evening Captain Janeway, I'm Agent Cole of the USS Dawn. I apologize for startling you. May we beam over for a little chat?'
Janeway looked at commander Chase, who eyed the blank view screen warily.
'Agent Cole, you came all the way from the Alpha Quadrant for a chat? Are you all getting bored back there?'
'All will be made clear to you in a moment, Captain, I assure you.'
Janeway pondered this a few seconds before nodding. 'Very well.' She got up and walked to the turbo lift. 'Chase, you're with me.'
'Captain?', the Bajoran security officer tried to protest, but to no avail.
'No, thank you, Lieutenant, I think we'll be safe.'
He exhaled audibly as Janeway and Chase left the bridge.
'He's harassing me,' complained Janeway.
'Give him a break, Captain, he's young and he's new. He's just trying to prove himself,' Chase smiled as she stepped off the turbo lift.
'I don't think I have patience for youth anymore,' said Janeway as she strode briskly to the transporter room.
'You're not that old, Captain,' smirked Chase.
'Nor for impertinent young commanders, who think they can get away with everything just because they're talented.'
'Thank you, I'll take that as a compliment.'
They arrived at the transporter room and Janeway nodded to the ensign. He activated the transporter and two women materialized and stepped off the dais. They wore Starfleet uniforms, one carrying a case, the other two large bags.
'Hello again, Captain, I'm Agent Cole and this Agent Clay from Starfleet's Temporal Division.'
Agent Clay nodded, 'Captain.'
'This is Commander Chase, my first officer. Let's hear what this is all about, shall we?'
* * * * * *
'Captain, before we begin, I would like to make sure the walls don't have ears. Clay.'
Clay got up, took out a small square device and put it on the table, she activated it and sat down. 'Twenty seconds,' she said.
'May I ask what's going on?'
'I'll answer all your questions in? eighteen seconds, Captain.'
Janeway was getting angry, but she waited, looking intently at Clay and Cole. Clay looked at her and then averted her eyes and watched the device. The conference room was deathly quiet.
Eighteen long seconds later, the device beeped once and agent Cole began to explain.
'We come from the 28th century, we are a section of Starfleet Intelligence called the Temporal Division. We monitor criminal and hostile activities taking place in the past, intended to disrupt the future.
'We know the dominion was attempting to infiltrate several Starfleet vessels simultaneously in the 24th century. We placed the point of infiltration to your ship about two days ago, when you received a shipment of dilithium. There is a changeling onboard your ship and Agent Clay is here to take care of the situation.'
Janeway and Chase exchanged looks. Chase spoke first. ''To take care of the situation'. Just like that?'
'Well, no. It might take a while.'
'And
how do we know you are who you say you are?' asked Janeway, visibly irritated
with the young agent's attitude.
Agent Cole opened her case, took out a padd and handed it over to Janeway. 'Here you'll find a file sent to you from Admiral Cohen. Only your thumb and voice print can open it.'
Janeway took the padd and got up. 'If you'll excuse me, ladies.'
'Captain, please take this device with you. If it beeps twice, get out of there,' smiled Cole.
Janeway eyed Cole uncertainly, but took the device and went to her ready room. She sat down, activated the device and waited twenty seconds. After twenty seconds it beeped once. Janeway was surprised to feel relieved. She pressed her thumb to the small rectangular window at the bottom of the padd. 'Please state your name and rank to activate padd.'
'Kathryn Janeway, Captain.' The small screen flickered and the stocky image of Admiral Esther Cohen appeared.
'Hello Kathryn, I hope this finds you well. If you're watching this, then you've met agents Cole and Clay. I'm sure Cole already managed to get on your nerves. They are from Starfleet's future Temporal Division. It was a long and complicated process for them to establish their credibility, so rest assured, these women are here to help you, and I understand they are two of the best.
'It appears the Dominion is trying to infiltrate our ranks again. I was informed there might be a shape shifter onboard your ship, but I'll let Cole debrief you on that. Yours is not the first ship they've tried to infiltrate. You've got a battle on your hands, Kathryn, just like you wanted.
'I hope you're doing fine in that hell hole quadrant of yours. I don't understand what you're doing, traipsing around the Gamma in a that tiny science ship, but you're wasting away there and so is Seven.' Admiral Cohen sighed and looked away. Kathryn watched her in silence.
'Take care, Kathryn. Your mother sends her love. Cohen out.'
Kathryn sat back in her chair and sighed.
* * * * * *
The silence in the conference room was deafening. Agent Cole got up and went to the replicator and ordered a Coke. 'There's nothing like 24th century Coke,' she said. 'Did you know they changed the flavor back in the 25th century? Every chance I get to hop back to the 24th, I buy a few cases.' She grinned at Chase who stared at her incredulously. Clay stood silent, looking out the view port.
The doors opened and everyone turned to look at Janeway.
'Very well, Agent Cole, let's talk business,' she sat down and looked at Cole expectantly. She saw the can in her hand and raised a brow. Cole smiled and took her seat, placing the can on the table. 'Alright. Agent Clay will stay here and become part of your crew. She'll show you how to replicate more detectors and you'll install them throughout the ship. Only these detectors will locate a changeling, your internal sensors are useless right now.
'There will be two command centers, one in security and one in her quarters, so if one of these devices detects a changeling, she'll immediately know about it.'
'Excuse me,' interjected commander Chase, 'It sounds like you're talking about a one woman mission here. With all due respect, the situation is highly dangerous and very complicated.'
'We are aware of that, Commander, and I assure you that my agent is qualified to deal with this. It's not her first time on the field, she has dealt with this kind of situation before. Since the changeling does not suspect we are here, the element of surprise is on our side. It actually might be easier than it sounds.'
Janeway looked at agent Clay who was leaning against the window, regarding her quietly. 'Somehow, I don't think so,' said Janeway testily.
'This is a serious matter, Captain, there's no doubt about it. But this is not the first time we are faced with this kind of mission. If there is a changeling onboard your vessel, and we know there is, Agent Clay will catch him.'
'Him?' commander Chase lifted a brow.
Cole smiled. 'Agent Clay will explain everything.' She got up and turned to Janeway. 'Captain, I'll be leaving you in Agent Clay's very capable hands,' she chuckled. 'Clay, take care. I'll be heading back tomorrow at 06:00. Make sure to contact me before I leave. Commander Chase, would please escort me to the transporter room?' Chase looked at Janeway who nodded her consent.
'It's been a pleasure, Captain,' she took her Coke and left.
Janeway exhaled and turned to look at agent Clay. 'Well, Agent Clay, it seems we are left in your 'very capable hands'. I hope you know what you're doing.'
'I do, Captain.'
Janeway regarded her a few more seconds. 'Very well. Where do we start?'
Clay approached the table and sat down across from Janeway. 'I need my own private quarters and I need you to assign me to your security department. I also need a lieutenant's rank and unrestricted access to the ship's computer. I need your personal codes and the code for the auto destruct sequence. Don't worry,' she said when she saw Janeway's expression, 'it won't come to that.
'As of this moment, I am the commanding officer of this vessel,' she handed Janeway another padd specifying emergency rules and regulations. Janeway glanced at the padd and tossed it on the table. Clay smiled thinly and continued. 'But I will not intervene, of course. I will assume command only in case of a changeling related emergency.'
'Agent Cole spoke of a 'him'. Do you know who you're dealing with?'
Clay nodded. 'Yes, Captain. We know changeling and we are trying to get our hands on him for quite some time. We refer to him as male, because he prefers to take the shape of human males.'
'Will he harm my crew in any way?'
'He usually assumes the form of a human male and seduces unsuspecting females. That's his favorite pastime, he likes to play games.'
'Then I must warn my crew.'
'I'd rather you didn't, Captain.'
'Why?' demanded Janeway.
'I don't want to create a panic and I don't want him to know we know he's here. The worst that could happen is that someone will have sex with a changeling. No harm no foul.'
'I beg to differ, agent Clay, I will not allow this to happen on my ship. I intend to send a memo regarding?'
'I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that, Captain,' Clay said quietly. 'This may jeopardize my mission, which takes precedence in this case. We are at war, Captain, and Starfleet has taken considerable measures to try and prevent this war by traveling back in time. Consider these women casualties of war. The good thing is, they'll never know it and they might even enjoy it. I'm sorry.'
Janeway was about to answer, but at that moment, commander Chase returned. She looked at Janeway and knew she was outraged. 'Anything I need to know, Captain?'
'I'll debrief you later, Commander. Right now, we have work to do. Please assign agent Clay quarters and the rank of a lieutenant, and log her as a member of our security department.'
'Yes, Captain. Agent Cole requested that agent Clay be assigned the guest quarters.'
'The guest quarters?'
'She was quite adamant, Captain.'
'Any particular reason?' asked Janeway, turning to agent Clay.
'Ah, yes Captain. That deck houses only your quarters and the first officer's, there isn't much traffic there and I would be able to come and go unnoticed. Furthermore, the guest quarters are spacious and I need room to set up my command center.'
'Very well,' said Janeway. 'Let's get you settled. In the meantime, is there anything you wish us to do?'
'I'll schedule a meeting with your chief engineer and your security chief. And about that memo, Captain?'
'I heard you the first time, Agent.' Janeway got up. The meeting was over. 'Commander, will you see to it that agent Clay gets everything she needs?'
'Yes, Captain.'
'One more thing, Captain.'
'Yes?'
'Please, call me Lieutenant Clay.'
Janeway nodded and left.
'This way,' said commander Chase.
Day Two, 05:30
'The time is 05:30,' announced the computer. Clay turned on her back and looked at the ceiling. All was quiet. With a sigh she got up went to the bathroom. When she walked out she was wearing her new uniform, black, gray and yellow. She checked herself in the mirror. I prefer red.
She sat down at her work station and contacted her commanding officer at the Dawn.
'Good morning, Ashley, sleep well?' The face of agent Cole appeared on the screen.
'You're a bitch, you know that, Cole?'
'A little early in the morning for foreplay, isn't it, dear?'
'You instructed them to assign me the guest quarters. I heard them fucking last night.'
'It's not polite to eaves drop, Ashley,' scolded Cole and laughed when she saw Clay's furious expression. 'Come on, Ash, what are the odds? Besides, I just wanted you to feel comfortable.' Then she smiled slyly and asked, 'so, was it good for you, too?'
'Fuck you, Cole, you deliberately put me next to them. It was hard enough the last time. Don't fuck with me.'
'I would love to fuck with you, Ashley and keep that tone down, Agent. You know what you're getting into, so stop whining and do your job. Now remember, don't activate your personal unit unless it's an emergency. It drains your body.'
'Yes, Ma'am.'
'I'm taking the ship back to our arrival coordinates and I'll be jumping from there. I'll be back in thirty days. Cole out.'
Clay took a deep breath and tried to calm down.
* * * * * *
After commander Chase showed her to her quarters
last night, she stayed in, setting up her equipment and eating a replicated
dinner. The captain dropped by to see how she was doing and then left. You're
suspicious of me, Kathryn. Just like the first time.
She installed a detector in her room and activated it. She was hanging her clothes in the walk-in closet when she heard them. The closet wall was bordering with their bedroom wall. She knew that, of course, after studying the ship for her mission. But she wasn't prepared for that. She froze, hearing the cries and moans. She stared at the wall, her heart hammering in her chest. She started to tremble. She leaned against the side wall and slid to the floor, burying her face in her hands. She heard them climax, each in her turn, and then everything was quiet. She sat there for a long time, just staring at wall.
* * * * * *
Clay caught herself staring at the blank screen.
She switched if off and went to the replicator. Breakfast. There's a lot of
work to do. She already scheduled a meeting with lieutenant Kedem and
lieutenant commander Schtrick, the chief engineer. After that, it was simply a
matter of tracking the changeling. She left the half eaten corn flakes bowl on
the table and entered the bedroom. She took out two phasers from her bag and
strapped one of them to her ankle underneath the pant leg. She wore an ordinary
looking wrist watch on her left hand, which made the other half of her tracking
unit. Then she took out a small personal transporter unit and strapped it to her
arm underneath her sleeve. She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath..
The Alpha shift starts in forty minutes. Time to get the feel of the ship again.
* * * * * *
15:00
'May I have a moment, Captain?'
'Yes, Lieutenant.'
Clay entered the ready room and sat in the chair facing the captain's desk. 'I came to give you a progress report.'
'I don't have a detector installed here yet, you might want to wait with that.'
'There's no need, Captain, I activated my personal detector before I came here.'
'Where is it?'
'At the back of my neck.'
'Excuse me?'
'A micro-detector was transplanted underneath my skin. I can activate it any time I want and it takes only ten seconds to identify an intruder.'
Janeway stared at Clay for a few seconds. 'So, is this room clean?'
'Yes.'
'Ok. How did it go in engineering after I left?'
'Very well. Lieutenant Commander Schtrick made the necessary alterations to the replicators in engineering and they are installing the detectors as we speak. I've asked security teams to scan all the air vents and all Jefferies tubes. Cargo Bay One is secured and all non-essential chemical materials have been stored there. There are two security guards at the armory at all times. There is another command center in Security, where a they'll be monitoring the detectors. If we find something, we immediately seal the area and move in.'
She sat back in her chair and looked at Clay. 'How long have you been with the Temporal Division, Lieutenant Clay?'
'Five years, Captain.'
'Are you considered one of their best?'
'Yes.'
'Have you ever failed in one of your missions?'
Clay regarded her for a moment before answering. 'Yes.'
'What happened?'
'I'm sorry, Captain, that's confidential information.'
'I see.' Janeway leaned forward in her chair, looking at Clay intently. 'Your personal file was transferred to the Wolf, was it not? '
Clay tilted her head to one side and regarded Janeway with an amused look. 'As is the case when an officer is assigned a new post, yes. But I'm afraid the information on my file requires special clearances, which you do not have. If you'll attempt to access the file, your access will be denied, Captain.'
'I have my ways.'
'May I remind you, Captain, that you will be hacking into a top secret file, breaking a few laws on the way. Besides, not even Seven's formidable decryption capabilities will be enough for this task.' She paused and then said, 'You don't trust me, do you, Captain?'
'No, I do not.'
'Any particular reason?'
'This whole operation looks like it's being handled by an amateur.'
Clay frowned. 'I assure you, Captain?'
'Don't assure me of anything, Lieutenant,' spat Janeway acidly, 'I want to see results.'
'I've only been here one day, why won't you cut me some slack?'
'You're forgetting you place, Lieutenant.'
'I do not think so, Kathryn. I'm not really under your command. If anything, you are under mine. I'm just doing you the honor of calling you 'Captain'.'
Anger flashed in the Janeway's eyes.
'Just wanted to remind you of that. Captain.'
'Don't ever call me Kathryn again.'
Clay flinched, but said nothing. Her eyes were unreadable.
'Will there be anything else, Lieutenant?'
'No.'
'Dismissed.'
Clay got up and left the ready room. Janeway stared
after her for a few seconds. The way she was looking at me? She shook it
off and logged off duty.
Seven is waiting.
* * * * * *
Clay
crossed the bridge and went straight to the turbo lift, ignoring commander
Chase. 'Security.' She leaned against the wall and exhaled.
The
doors opened and she headed for Security, deactivating her personal unit on the
way. Nothing yet, said lieutenant Kedem. She thanked him and left. They still
haven't installed detectors all over the ship, but it didn't make any sense. One
of the detectors should've picked up some activity by now. She stopped by the
mess hall, ate quickly and returned to her quarters.
The
empty dark rooms and the silence that greeted her weighed heavily on her heart.
She entered the bedroom and took off her uniform. She looked at the closet,
dreading to open its doors. She looked around the room, searching for any
discarded pieces clothing. Nothing. She undressed and showered quickly and as
she came out of the bathroom, she grabbed the blanket and closed the bedroom
doors behind her. She lay on the couch in the living area, looking out the
window. I miss you.
* * *
* * *
When
Kathryn Janeway entered her quarters, she was disappointed to find a padd
containing a message from Seven saying she'll be late. She saw a message
flashing on the screen at her work station. She approached her desk, looked at
the screen and frowned. She sat down and started reading.
Day
Three, 06:00
When
Clay heard the doors to her quarters open, she was surprised and alarmed.
'Lieutenant!'
the tension in Janeway's voice was unmistakable. She was brushing her teeth and
Janeway didn't hear her answer.
'Agent Clay!' Janeway's voice was closer now. She looked up and saw the captain
standing at the door to her bedroom, searching for her.
'Yes,
Captain?' Janeway started and looked at her. Clay thought she saw fear and
confusion in her eyes.
'What
is the meaning of this?' she waved the padd in her hand.
'What
is it?'
'As
if you don't know.'
Clay
approached, took the padd from Janeway and started reading. 'This is my personal
file.'
'The
one you warned me not to hack into. The one that suddenly appeared on my
personal work station!'
Janeway stood toe to toe with Clay. 'I don't know what kind of game you're
playing here, agent Clay, but I'm warning you?'
'I
did not put this on your work station, Captain.'
'Oh,
the hell you didn't!'
'Don't raise your voice at me, Kathryn.'
'Now
I understand why you think you can call me that.' Janeway exhaled and stepped
back. 'So things are a bit more complicated, aren't they?'
'You
read this.'
'Yes.'
'Goddamit
to hell!' Clay threw the padd and it smashed against the wall.
Janeway eyed her suspiciously. 'Wasn't that your intention all along?'
'No!
I'm telling you, Kathryn, I did not put this file on your work station.'
Janeway took a deep breath and tried to calm down. Clay watched her silently,
waiting for her reaction. Janeway stood there, with her hands on her hips,
avoiding Clay's eyes. 'I didn't sleep a wink last night,' she said. Clay exhaled
and sat on the bed. 'I think I'm numb,' confessed Janeway and Clay smiled
bitterly and concentrated on the towel in her hands.
'So
it's true?'
'It's
true,' said Clay.
Janeway felt the walls closing in on her. She wanted to bolt. She sighed and sat
on the edge of the chair facing the bed, resting her head in her hands. She
looked up and regarded Clay who was staring at the floor. She looked at her as
if she saw her for the first time. Dark hair, delicate features, broad shoulders,
long legs. I could say she's beautiful. I guess she is. I guess I thought so
at the time. No. I never did. 'Excuse me?' Janeway was shaken from her
musings by Clay's voice.
'I
heard you.'
'Heard
what?'
'The
day before yesterday. I heard you.'
Janeway frowned, trying to understand and then it hit her. 'Oh,' she said. 'I
see.' She looked away. She felt violated and ashamed.
'I'm
sorry,' said Clay, 'I didn't mean to?'
'It's
alright.' The silence stretched on. 'How did you hear us?'
Us.
'The closet. I was hanging my clothes.'
Janeway turned to look at the closet. She tried to position her bedroom in
relation to this one. 'I see.'
'I'm
sorry, I shouldn't have brought this up.'
'It's
ok. I'm sorry if it?'
'No,
please. You've got nothing to apologize for. I'm? happy that you're happy. I
wasn't prepared for it, that's all.'
'I
see.' Janeway regarded Clay once again. She was still staring at the floor,
unable to meet her gaze. I don't know this woman. Clay was clutching her
towel nervously. I don't want any part of this. It never happened to me.
'Tell me what happened.'
'There's
nothing to tell. The file you read pretty much covers it.'
'I
want you to tell me,' she said.
'It's
against protocol, Captain.'
'Drop
the protocol now, we both need this.' And suddenly Clay began to cry. Slowly,
Janeway got up and sat next to her. Clay buried her face in her hands, crying
quietly. Janeway touched Clay's trembling shoulder hesitantly. 'Ashley,' she
said, tasting the name for the first time. 'It's alright.' Ash couldn't contain
her grief any longer, and the sobs wracked her body. Janeway put her arm around
clay's shoulders and slowly drew her closer, whispering. 'It's alright, Ashley.
It's ok now, it's alright, everything's going to be alright. Shhh, it's alright,
it's alright?'
* * *
* * *
06:45
Both
women were sitting in the living area. Ash, wearing her uniform, was sitting in
the chair. Janeway was sitting on the couch sipping coffee. They sat in silence
for a long time, when suddenly Ash began to talk.
'I
first arrived on the Wolf four days from now. My mission was the same. Find the
changeling and bring him in, dead or alive. Three days later, in his attempt to
take over the ship, he planted several bombs in strategic locations: the bridge,
engineering, cargo bay one, which contained hazardous and explosive materials,
and sickbay.
'By
the time we discovered this, a few bombs already exploded. We suffered a hull
breach in cargo bay one and had to seal that deck. There was no way to treat the
wounded, because sickbay was about to explode as well. The bombs were timed to
explode within ten minutes of each other. We raced to the bridge and to
engineering and managed to neutralize five of the bombs, but one went off in
engineering, killing Lieutenant Commander Schtrick, Lieutenant Kedem and eight
security guards. Many were wounded. Seven among them.
'I
knew the USS Tempus was following us, cloaked, so I tried to contact them for
help. They didn't answer. A few minutes later the Wolf was knocked off course.
The Tempus blew up. There was nothing left. Sickbay exploded and deck five was
sealed.
'You
then contacted me and asked me to come to holodeck two, where you created an
alternative sickbay. When I got there, I realized it was a trap. The changeling
was waiting for me. He beat me up and shot me in the chest. He got away using
one of the shuttles.
'By
the time I was discovered, I already lost a lot of blood. I was unconscious for
three days. When I woke up, I was too weak to do anything. Seven was lying in
the bed next to mine. She died that day. You weren't there when she died and you
were wracked with guilt. When you learned of her death, you stayed in your
quarters and wouldn't come out. The doctor relieved you from duty and Commander
Chase took command of the ship and supervised the repairs.
'We
had no way of contacting Starfleet and no one came looking for the Tempus,
because no one expected it back for another two months.
'I
was released from sickbay after two weeks. I came to see you everyday, but you
refused to see me. You blamed me for Seven's death. You didn't eat, you didn't
sleep, you refused medical treatment.
'Two
weeks later, Commander Chase and I decided to put an end to this. We entered
your quarters and took you to sickbay against your will. You were sedated and
strapped to the bed. You were suffering from malnutrition and dehydration.
'Six
weeks later you once again took command of the Wolf. Everyone thought you'll
take the ship back to the Alpha Quadrant, but your orders were to continue the
mission. You were an empty shell. You lost your vitality, your joy. At times, I
thought you lost the will to live. I kept trying to reach you, but you didn't
want anything to do with me.
'I
kept waiting for my rescue to come, but no one came. I requested you to assign
me a role on the ship, until someone from the Temporal Division came back for me.
To my great surprise, you made me chief of security. Chase objected, but you
didn't care. 'I want you to keep me safe,' you told me. The irony was not
lost on me.
'One
day, a month later, when I casually suggested dinner and, as always, expected
you to decline my invitation, you accepted. We had dinner in your quarters. You
were resentful and sarcastic the entire evening. I suffered through most of it,
but finally I couldn't take it anymore. We had our first confrontation regarding
the failure of my mission and Seven's death since it happened. I told you I
refused to be your scapegoat any longer and suggested you get on with your
life.'
* * *
* * *
'I
know what Seven meant to you, Kathryn, but maybe you'll find someone else?'
'There
will never be anyone else!'
'Then
you're a fool.'
'How
dare you! You don't know what it is to love someone so much that you feel dead
without them.'
'Yes
I do.'
'Oh, really? Who do you have in your pathetic life? You're too busy jumping from
one century to another, no one is waiting for you back home, Ash, you're alone.'
'I'm not alone and I do know what it is to love someone like that, because that's
how I feel about you!'
* * *
* * *
'You
slapped me and called me an opportunist and threw me out. From that day you didn't
speak to me, aside from ship related business.
Twenty-four days later you came to my quarters, took me by the hand and led me
to the bedroom.
* * *
* * *
'No, Kathryn.'
'I
want you.'
'Is
it me you want or is it someone else?'
'What
do you mean?'
'You're
lonely, Kathryn, you're hungry. I need to know there'll be more than that.'
'I
have nothing more to give.'
'Then
this isn't going to happen.'
*
* * * * *
'You
looked at me and I saw pure hatred in your eyes. I'll never forget that look.
You wanted to relieve me of my role as security officer after that, but by then
I gained Chase's trust, and she managed to persuade you not to do it. You cut
off all ties with me and talked to me only through Chase.'
'Seven
of Nine to Janeway.'
Janeway glanced at Ash. Ash got up and went to the replicator, giving the
Captain a little privacy. Janeway took a deep breath and then answered.
'Go
ahead.'
'Kathryn, you left early this morning.'
'Yes,
I apologize, I had to talk to Lieutenant Clay about an urgent matter.'
There
was a pause and Seven asked, 'is everything alright, Kathryn?'
'Yes,
darling,' said Janeway, looking at Ash standing by the window, sipping water. 'Everything's
fine.'
'Very
well. Dinner at home?'
'I'd
love to.' The connection was terminated. Janeway proceeded to notify commander
Chase that she's in a meeting with lieutenant Clay and should not be disturbed,
unless it's a red alert, and then turned to look at Ash.
Ash
sat back in the chair and took a deep breath. 'Maybe we should continue this
some other time, it's too much.'
'Please,
Ash, go on.'
Ash
sighed. 'A month passed. You slowly became more involved in the ship's social
activities. You started eating in the mess hall again, playing velocity. I
remember hearing you laugh after such a long time.
The
crew's mood took a turn for the better. But I was very much alone. It was quite
clear that if you wanted the captain to like you, you weren't openly friendly
with the chief of security. I was furious at you, but there was nothing I could
do.
'Time
passed, I don't remember exactly how long. Events came and went. And one day you
came to me at the mess hall and put your hand on my shoulder and said, 'I think
I have something to give you now,' and left.
'That
night we made love for the first time. You insisted on my quarters. I did not
object.'
Ash
stopped and looked at Janeway. 'I've missed you so much, Kathryn, so much.'
Janeway looked at her and felt tears stinging her eyes. 'I'm sorry,' she
whispered. 'I'm so sorry.'
Ash
took a deep breath and sat silent for some time before continuing.
'We
moved in together after two months. It wasn't easy living with you,' chuckled
Ash, 'but we were in love and we gave it all we had. We made a life for
ourselves, we made plans.
'One
day, after one year and ten months, Cole came for me. The Temporal Division
decided it's high time I returned to my own time. Cole later told me they
thought not to retrieve me at all, but they decided to bring me back.
'When
they came to take me back you didn't agree to just 'hand me over'. You refused
to lower your shields to allow them to board the ship, but their ship was more
advanced, and you had no choice but to surrender after they fired a few shots at
us.
'Cole
beamed over along with six armed agents. I refused to go and you actually
attacked one of the agents. Cole stunned you with a phaser and I had no choice
after that. I was removed from the ship by force.
'I
remember crying and screaming your name all the way to the Dawn. They sedated me
and when I woke up a few hours later, I was at Starfleet Headquarters.
'During
the two months that followed, I went through countless debriefings. The psych
evaluations determined I wasn't fit for another mission, but apparently the
Temporal Division suffered a major blow while I was away and lost most of its
experienced operatives. It was decided I was to do it all over again. I had to
go back, only this time failure was not an option. So I was sent out again after
two months and I've been here for three days.'
Ash
completed her story and remained silent. Janeway leaned back. She felt very
tired all of a sudden. It's not me she's talking about, it isn't me, she
kept telling herself during Ash's story, but she couldn't help it. She was
deeply shocked and she felt paralyzed and drained. She wanted to hug this woman,
whom she didn't know at all. But something stopped her. She felt revulsion. She
felt as if someone else's life was forced upon her.
She
looked up and saw Ash watching her and knew Ash sensed her aversion.
Ash
got up and went to the bathroom. Janeway heard water running and then Ash
returned to the living area.
'Well, I guess I better start my day,' said Ash. 'I've got a lot of?'
'Ash,
stop.' Ash regarded Janeway warily. 'I'm sorry.'
'There's
no need to be sorry about, Kathryn.'
'Let
me finish.' Ash nodded and remained silent.
'Please,
you must understand. This a lot to take in. I don't know what to do. I've never
been in a situation like this before. This woman you loved, she's not?'
'You.
I know. I did not mean to make you feel obligated to me in any way, Captain.'
'Ash,
drop the Captain. Please.' Ash leaned against the bedroom doors, waiting.
Janeway took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. 'I don't know what to say right
now.'
'There's
nothing to say, Kathryn.'
'There
isn't anything like it in the Captain's manual.' Ash chuckled and wiped her eyes.
Kathryn smiled and got up. 'Would you like to have breakfast with me?'
'Yes,
I'd love to.'
* * *
* * *
10:06
Ash and Janeway sat in the mess hall, replenishing their depleted energies.
'We still haven't discussed who left your file in my room,' said Janeway.
'I think it's quite clear that our resident changeling is responsible for this. He managed to hack into the file and send it to you. I'm meeting with Schtrick today. He promised me he would install all the detectors by this afternoon.'
Janeway nodded. 'Fine, I'll order Chase to run a
sweep of our computer.
Check to see if there
have been any other
unauthorized entries lately.'
Ash nodded and finished her meal. She looked up and saw Seven nearing their table. 'Seven's coming,' she said quietly.
'Good morning, Annika,' said Janeway. 'Would like to join us?' Seven ignored Janeway and looked at Ash. There was something steely in her eyes. She leaned across the table and hissed at Ash. 'Don't dare come near her, you hear me? I don't care what happened between you two, if you so much as look at her, I will kill you.'
'Seven! Stop this at once!' The raised voices drew attention from neighboring tables. Crew members were looking on apprehensively.
Ash felt cornered and tried to get up, but Seven pushed her back in her seat. Ash swatted Seven's hand and got up and Seven slapped her. She felt Seven's left hand connect solidly with her cheek. The force of the blow threw her to the floor. Seven turned and walked away, crew members quickly getting out of her way. Janeway crouched near Ash, examining her face.
'Shit. That hurt.'
'I'm so sorry, this isn't at all like Seven.'
Ash leaned on one of the chairs and stood up slowly, rubbing her already swelling cheek. 'I don't think it was Seven, Captain, go to red alert. Now.'
* * * * * *
Ash and Janeway hurried to the bridge. 'The detectors aren't working, Captain, someone tampered with them. The ones in the mess hall should've picked him up. I'll contact Schtrick and try to find a way to fix the detectors.'
'And until then?'
'I can activate my personal tracking unit, but it only covers a thirty meter radius.'
They stepped off the turbo lift and entered the bridge. The device beeped once. 'Ok, we're clean here.' Janeway sat in her chair. 'Commander Chase, contact security, I want all the guards to come to the bridge so that Lieutenant Clay can check them. Contact engineering, tell them we're sending them four guards. I want two placed in the armory, two in sick bay, two in astrometrics, two on the bridge and two in the shuttle bay. And scan the ship for bombs.'
'Yes, Captain.'
'All
hands, this is the Captain. We have an intruder aboard the ship, a shape shifter.
Take caution, do whatever you have to do in order to verify the identity of the
person standing next to you, you can draw blood for all I care. All non
essential personnel, please, limit your movement around the ship.'
Fifty
security guards arrived on the bridge and were checked by Ash. Twelve were
transported directly to their designated posts and two remained on the bridge.
Thirty scanned the ship manually and six conducted computerized scans. Schtrick
and Ash were in engineering, working on a way to fix the detectors when the
first bomb went off. Ash's head snapped up. Not again.
'Where?'
she asked Schtrick.
'Deck
five, sickbay.'
'Goddammit!'
'The
deck was sealed.'
'Casualties?'
'Unknown.'
'I'll
be on the bridge, contact me if you manage to fix the detectors.'
Ash
ran to the turbo lift. 'Deck one!'
'Lieutenant,
any luck with those detectors?'
'Not
yet, Captain.'
'We're
fighting blind here, Lieutenant.'
'I
know, Captain. Casualties?'
'Two
injured. We managed to evacuate on time. We moved sickbay to holodeck one.'
'Kedem
to Janeway.'
'Go
ahead.'
'We've
managed to neutralize the bombs on decks five, seven and eight.'
'Keep
up the good work, Lieutenant.'
Ash
looked around the bridge. Someone's missing. She turned to Janeway, 'where's
Seven?'
Janeway got up and looked at Seven's post. It was empty. She looked at Ash.
Ash
slapped her combadge. 'Lieutenant Clay to Seven of Nine.'
The
bridge was silent, everyone held their breath. 'Seven, come in.'
'Annika, it's Kathryn, come in.' Janeway looked at Ash.
'Computer,' said Janeway, 'locate Seven of Nine.'
'Seven
of Nine is not aboard the Wolf.'
'Chase, scan for Seven's neural transceiver.'
'Right away, Captain.' Janeway paced back and forth while Chase scanned the ship.
'Holodeck
two.'
'Life
signs?'
'She's
alive, Captain.'
'Cole to Janeway.'
Surprised, Janeway looked at Ash, who nodded.
'Go ahead.'
'Please activate your view screen.'
'Activate view screen,' ordered Janeway.
'Good morning, Captain, how are we today?'
'Cole, you bitch!'
'Temper, temper, Ash, darling. We wouldn't want to upset 'Cole', or something might happen to this woman I have here with me.' Cole turned to reveal Seven slumped in the Captain's chair, in what seems to be a replica of the Wolf's bridge in holodeck two. Cole approached her and caressed her face. 'A pretty little thing, isn't she?'
'Don't touch her!' hissed Janeway and approached the screen.
'Captain?' Ash shook her head, signaling the Captain not to aggravate Cole.
'Yes, Captain, you'd be wise not to upset me right now. I'm rather? bored.'
Janeway stepped back, went to her chair and sat down. Ash could see the muscles jumping in her jaw.
'That's better. Now, since agent Clay here is far less stupid than I thought she is, your ship is safe. It appears I have failed. This time.' Cole looked at Ash and chuckled. 'Who knows, Ash, you may have to do this all over again. Poor you.' Ash regarded her silently.
'Excuse me for just one moment, I forgot to stretch this morning.' Cole feigned a yawn and began stretching and changing. She changed into a tall, robust, handsome man.
'That's better. Now, Captain? oh, may I call you Kathryn?'
'No.'
'Kathryn it is, then. Since my portable transporter unit was destroyed in one of
the explosions, I'm in a rather awkward position, where I might have to kill
your precious little Borg, unless you allow me use of your shuttle and guarantee
me safe passage to my jumping coordinates.'
Janeway was pale with rage. 'You son of a bitch.'
'No, no, no, Kathryn,' he said. 'That's no way to talk the person holding your wife hostage. Be nice.'
He sat next to Seven and leaned his head on hers, caressing her cheek gently. 'So, Kathryn, what shall it be? Your happiness or the fate of the future?'
Janeway turned her back to the screen. 'Kedem, get her out of there,' she said through clenched teeth.
Kedem tried, but shook his head mutely.
'Awww, no can do, Lieutenant?' mocked the changeling. 'That's because I have a very, um, futuristic force field here with me. It keeps out all the pests.'
'Mr. Kedem, search for the cloaked Dawn and target its power systems,' said Ash.
'Don't let her do that, Captain. I'd still kill Seven, just to get even, you know. And you, the grieving widow, will be stuck here with that whining ex-lover of yours, whom you never actually had. I shudder at the thought.'
Ash's head snapped up and she regarded the changeling with open hostility.
'Come on, Ashley, who do you think put your file on her work station? I read it my self, you know, very powerful stuff, very moving. And that talk you two had, very touching. You are lovely when you cry, Ashley, you suffer quite? aesthetically.'
Ash was seething. She moved her left leg, making sure her back up phaser was indeed strapped to it. She lifted her sleeve, punched her transporter unit and disappeared in a sparkle of lights.
'Clever! She is very resourceful,' cried the changeling. 'Very well,' he growled. 'Let the games begin.' And the screen went blank.
* * * * * *
Ash
materialized in holodeck two and looked around. Her detector beeped twice. She
looked at the tracking display in her wrist watch, but couldn't get a reading as
to the changeling's location in the room. The signal was jammed. 'Yes, I know
he's here,' she muttered to herself, knowing she would be heard, and turned the
unit off.
'Clay
to Janeway.'
'Go
ahead.'
'I
see Seven, I'm approaching her now.'
'Be
careful and keep this channel open.'
'Yes,
Captain.'
Seven
was still slumped in the Captain's chair. The changeling was nowhere in site.
Ash drew her phaser and walked over to Seven. She aimed the phaser at Seven and
carefully checked her pulse. Nothing.
Seven's
eyes flew open. Her left hand knocked the phaser from Ash's hand and her right
shot out and grabbed Ash's throat. 'So nice of you to drop by, Ashley,' Seven
said in a man's voice. Ash tried to disengage, but the changeling was stronger.
He lifted her in the air and hurled her against the wall.
Ash
hit the wall, the air rushing out of her body. She heard the crack and knew she
broke at least one rib. She crumpled to the floor, feeling sick.
'How
are you, Ashley? Did you miss me?' He approached and crouched in front of her.
'Do you really think you can kill me, Ashley? Your equipment is useless. I saw
to it. True, I couldn't tamper with your personal units, but I took care of all
the rest, including that nice new phaser of yours, which could have caused me a
great deal of inconvenience.'
He
brought his face within inches of Ash's. 'Now, grant me safe passage. I'll be
out of your hair and Kathryn gets her beloved Borg back. All's well that ends
well.'
'Forget
it,' spat Ash. She hugged her knees to her stomach and winced.
'Tell
me, Ashley, how are your ribs? Let me check to see if they're broken.' The
changeling punched Ash in the proximity of her injured ribs. She screamed and
fell on her side, vomiting.
'Agent Clay, are you alright?' Ash heard Janeway, but couldn't answer.
'Don't worry, Kathryn, she'll be fine, I'm taking good care of her.'
Ash
was wheezing. The pain was blinding. Her leg was tucked underneath her and she
couldn't reach the phaser.
'And
how is the little one, Ashley? That was a nasty hit you took there.'
Ash
couldn't answer. She was fighting for breath.
On
the bridge Janeway frowned and stopped pacing. She tilted her head and listened
intently.
'Here, let me feel your belly,' he said in mock concern. 'Any internal bleeding?
We wouldn't want you to lose that oh so precious child. After all, it's all you
have left from?'
Ash
had to think fast. 'Help me up,' she croaked. 'Help me up? so we can talk.'
'Ashley, are you up to something?'
'Help
me up, I'll give you what you want.'
'Agent Clay!'
'Sorry, Captain, I can't do this.'
The
changeling regarded Ash warily and then took her hand and helped her back to a
sitting position.
'What
do we say, Ashley?'
'We
say, don't move, asshole,' said Ash and pulled her phaser.
'And
the plot thickens,' he got up and looked at Ash. 'I didn't know you had a back
up toy. You cheated,' he said gravely.
Ash
leaned on the wall and got up, trying to ignore the pain. 'Where is Seven?'
'I
don't know. Look around, do you see her here?'
Ash
glanced around the fake bridge, but couldn't find anything unusual. 'Where. Is.
Seven?' she asked and aimed the phaser at the changeling's head. 'This is one
phaser you didn't get to tamper with. You know what it'll do to you. Tell me
where Seven is, or you won't get out of this alive.'
For a
moment, Ash saw fear flashing in the changeling's eyes, but then he relaxed and
crossed his arms on his chest. 'In that case, I've plenty of time on my hands.
Let's chat.' He went to the Captain's chair and sat down, crossing his legs. He
looked at Ash and smiled. 'Don't you find it odd that you're trying to save the
wife of the woman you're in love with?'
He's got a point, thought Ash wryly.
She smiled and nodded as if to herself.
On
the bridge, Chase regarded Janeway curiously, but said nothing.
'You're pathetic, Ashley. You should be put out of your misery, you overgrown
cry baby.' He sat up in his chair and imitated Ash mockingly. ''Oh, Kathryn,
I've missed you so much'. Pathetic!' he spat at her.
Ash
ignored him and concentrated on staying upright.
'So,
she doesn't know it's hers, does she?' he continued with a grin. 'Oh, you poor
little sacrificial lamb. This is too good to be true.'
'Shut
up or I'll kill you.'
'Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Ashley. You won't kill me. Not until I tell you
where Seven is.'
'Computer, end program,' ordered Ash.
'No
use, my dear. Now, I know Kathryn can hear us. Kathryn?'
Janeway stood on the bridge, listening to the conversation taking place in the
holodeck. She didn't answer.
'Kathryn, you are being quite rude, especially when I have such wonderful news
for you.'
'Captain, try to end the program from the bridge.'
'Right away,' said Janeway.
'Well
then, just before Ashley here was taken from the Wolf she discovered?'
Before he had the chance to finish, Ash set the phaser to stun and shot him in
the chest. He screamed and fell to the floor, his body beginning to harden.
'Bitch!'
'Don't swear, it doesn't become you,' said Ash as she slowly limped around the
bridge, looking for Seven.
Ash's
phaser was designed especially for encounters with changelings. The phaser had
the ability to prevent the changelings from shape shifting, by disrupting the
changeling's molecular structure. At the basic stun setting the changeling only
suffered great pain. Ash did not choose the medium stun setting, which would
have knocked him unconscious. She secretly enjoyed the fact that he was
suffering. She watched him panting and twitching on the floor. She knew he felt
as if a rock landed on his chest.
'Captain, what about that program?'
'Thirty seconds,' came Janeway's voice.
Ash
continued to scan the bridge, but she knew she'd find nothing, until the program
was shut down. She was weak and the pain was making her sick.
Thirty seconds later the program was terminated and the bridge was gone. Ash saw
Seven slumped in the corner of the room. She was unconscious and Ash saw a few
bruises on her face.
'Captain, I found her,' said Ash. 'Send a medical team, you may need to blast
open the doors.'
The
relief in Janeway's voice was evident. 'The security guards and the doctor are
on their way.'
Ash
leaned against the wall next to Seven, keeping her eye on the changeling. The
doors opened and three security guards burst inside, their phasers drawn. The
doctor and a nurse approached Seven and put her on a stretcher.
'She's alright, Captain,' said Ash. 'She's going to be alright. Clay out,' she
slapped her combadge and closed the channel.
'So,
how are you feeling?' she asked the changeling.
'Oh,
fine,' he croaked. 'Just a bit stiff.'
'Take
him to the brig,' said Ash. The guards helped the changeling up and left the
holodeck.
'Lieutenant, you look pale,' said the doctor.
'I
think I broke a couple of ribs,' she said.
'Come
on, let's get you to sickbay.'
* * *
* * *
'That was quite stupid of you, trying to take over the ship in exactly the same way as you did the first time.'
'Who knew she'd be that clever? I'll admit it, I can be over confident at times, but I did sabotage all her devices. I had no idea she'd be on to me so quickly. One more day, and you would have all been dead.'
Janeway regarded the changeling in the holding cell and said nothing.
'So, tell me, what gave me away? The jealous wife act in the mess hall, right? I knew it was too much, but I just couldn't pass up a good opportunity to embarrass you and beat the crap out of her, now could I?' he laughed and winked at her. 'Do you think my superiors will be very angry with me?'
Janeway regarded him in amazement. 'Well, I should think so.'
'Well, you know what, Kathryn, as long as I've got you here, there's something you need to know. There is one thing Ashley did not tell you. She did tell Cole, though. Well, the real Cole, anyway. I just happened to overhear her. It was after one of their more exhausting sexual encounters, and I must say?'
'I'm not interested,' said Janeway and headed for the door.
'But I think you should hear what I have to say. After all, Kathryn, it concerns the future of your child.'
Kathryn stopped dead in her tracks and turned to look at him. She remembered him asking Clay about the 'little one' while they were in holodeck two. At that moment the door opened and Clay walked in.
'The happy couple!' cried the changeling.
Janeway turned to look at Ash who was walking slowly towards her. 'How are your ribs?' she asked.
'Fine, a bit sore. The doctor recommends plenty of rest,' said Ash dryly and Janeway chuckled.
'I'm going to see Seven. He's all yours,' said Janeway.
'Ashley, tell her you were pregnant with her child when you left the Wolf. Go ahead, tell her.'
Janeway froze. She looked at Ash who regarded the changeling menacingly.
'Is it true?' she asked quietly.
'Not here, Kathryn.'
'Is it true?' demanded Janeway.
'It's true.'
Janeway blinked and looked away. 'I'm? I'm going to see Seven now,' she said and left the brig.
'I do have a flare for the dramatic, if I do say so myself,' he laughed.
Ash signaled the guard to wait outside. When he left, she deactivated the force field and entered the changeling's cell. He recognized the fury in her eyes. 'Sorry, Ash, couldn't pass that up.'
'I think you are a sick, crazy sociopath.'
'Is that your professional opinion, doctor?'
Ash took out her phaser and placed it on the table.
'Sorry, Ash, can't fulfill your women-in-jail fantasy, Cole is indisposed at the moment.'
Ash took the phaser and aimed it at him. 'Tell me where Cole is.'
'Or else?'
'More pain.'
He seemed to ponder her words. 'Say 'please', Ashley.'
'No, bastard, you say 'please'.' Ash fired and he screamed. The guard burst into the room, but she waved him off. 'Stay outside, Ensign.'
'Help, she's torturing me!'
'Outside, Ensign.' The ensign didn't react right away.
'Get out!' He walked out, slapping his combadge, calling lieutenant Kedem. Ash knew she didn't have much time.
'Is Cole on the Dawn? Answer me!'
'Yes, yes, she is.'
'Is she alive?'
'Yes.'
'Where?'
'She's in one of the stasis chambers.'
'Any
bombs on the ship I should know about? '
'No.'
Ash shoved the phaser in his face. 'No?'
'No!'
At that moment the door opened and lieutenant Kedem entered the brig with the security guard. 'Is there a problem here, Agent Clay?'
'No, Lieutenant, I got what I came for.' She stepped out of the holding cell and reactivated the force field. 'I will be taking the prisoner with me to the Dawn tomorrow at 07:00.' She eyed the ensign angrily and left.
* * * * * *
14:30
Ash entered her quarters and contacted the Dawn. Agent Childs was surprised to see her, informing her that she was presumed dead and that Cole was on board the Wolf. Ash brought him up to speed on the events of the last three days and instructed him to search the ship for agent Cole.
'I'll be back tomorrow with the changeling.'
'Understood, Agent Clay.'
'When you wake Cole up, tell her I said hi.'
Childs smiled and nodded. 'I will. Good work, Agent.'
'Thank you. Clay out.'
She leaned back and closed her eyes. She was tired. She needed sleep, but she couldn't relax. She stretched and was reminded of her injury by the sharp pain below her chest.
She went to the bathroom and took off her uniform and threw them away. I won't be needing them anymore. She filled the tub and got in, luxuriating in the feel of the warm water enveloping her body. Ash closed her eyes and sighed.
* * * * * *
Janeway sat next to Seven's biobed. Seven was asleep. Janeway caressed her wife's face, carefully avoiding the bruises.
This is not your child, Kathryn!
In a way, it is. Biologically speaking?
That may be, but it's not yours. It belongs to
another Kathryn, one who will never exist.
But?
Kathryn. This is not your child.
But it is. In a way, it is.
She looked at Seven and her heart ached. I'm
sorry, my love. I'm so sorry.
She
leaned her head on Seven's arm and wept quietly.
* * * * * *
Ash climbed out of the tub and toweled herself. She
sat on the bed and lay down slowly. I should have asked the doctor to give me
something for the pain. She closed her eyes. Sleep now.
* * * * * *
15:15
Janeway returned to her empty quarters and went
straight to her bedroom. She took off her uniform and threw them on the floor.
She climbed into bed and hugged Seven's pillow, inhaling her scent. 'Computer,
log me as off duty until 07:00 tomorrow.'
'Acknowledged.'
Janeway closed her eyes and slept.
* * * * * *
19:00
Ash was packing when she heard the chime.
'Come in.'
'Hello, Ash.'
'Hello, Kathryn.'
'Am I disturbing you?'
'No, I'm just packing.'
'Yes, you're leaving.'
'In twelve hours.'
Kathryn looked at the half packed bags and than at
Ash who was wearing the blue uniform of the Temporal Division.
'Would you like something to drink?'
'No, thank you.'
'How is Seven?'
'Fine. She'll be released tomorrow.'
'Good, good.'
'Ash. The child.'
'It's been a long day, Kathryn.'
'Ash.'
'What do you want to know, Kathryn.'
'Is it a boy or a girl?'
'I don't know.'
Janeway saw the blank expression on Ash's face.
'Will you have it?'
'I don't know.'
'What do you mean?'
'Exactly what I said. Look, Kathryn, this is none
of your business. It wasn't you, remember? It has never been you.'
'But?'
'No, Kathryn. Leave it be. This is my life. This is
my decision. Now, will there be anything else, Captain?'
Kathryn flinched and looked at Ash. Ash's eyes were
red and tired. And she understood. She understood what Ash was doing. 'No, Agent
Clay, that will be all,' and she turned and left Ash's quarters, needing to put
some distance between herself and that woman. Between future and past.
Day four, 07:00
Ash entered the transporter room and waited for
lieutenant Kedem who escorted her prisoner. Kedem arrived with the changeling a
couple of minutes later.
'Ok, let's get this over with,' said Kedem and led
the suspiciously quiet changeling to the dais. The ensign activated the
transporter and the changeling was transported to the Dawn.
'Well,' Ash turned to face Kedem. 'It's been a
pleasure working with you, Lieutenant.'
'Likewise, Agent. Have a safe journey.'
They shook hands and Kedem left the transporter
room. Ash picked up her bags and stepped on the dais. When she turned to face
the transporter operator, she saw Janeway entering the room.
'Wait,' she said and stepped off the dais and
approached Janeway. Janeway wrapped her arms around Ash's neck and hugged her
tightly. Ash encircled Janeway's waist and buried her face in her neck, inhaling
her scent one last time. 'Goodbye, my love,' whispered Ash.
She
straightened and looked down at Janeway, who had tears in her eyes. She dipped
her head and brushed her lips over Janeway's. Then she turned and stepped on the
dais. 'Energize'. She never took her eyes off Janeway's.
Janeway exhaled and wiped her eyes. She left the
transporter room and headed to the bridge.
'Kathryn.'
She heard Seven's voice and turned around. 'Seven,
what are you doing here?'
'I asked the doctor to release me early. I wanted
to come home and surprise you, but you were already gone.'
'Oh, darling, thank you,' she kissed her and took
her arm. 'I was just seeing Ash off.'
'Yes.
I asked the computer to locate you.'
'I'm glad you did.'
'Shall we go home now, Kathryn?' asked Seven and
looked intently into Kathryn's eyes.
'Yes,' said Kathryn. 'Yes, my love, let's go home.'
* * * * * *
Ash materialized in the Dawn's transporter room.
The first thing she saw was Cole's smiling face.
'Hello, Ash.'
Ash picked up her bags and stepped off the dais,
wincing when she felt the pain in her ribs.
'Here,' said Cole. 'Let me take these.'
'Thanks. I understand everything went well with our
'cargo'?' asked Ash and her device beeped once.
Cole chuckled. 'Shame on you, Ash! Don't you trust
me?'
'Can't be too careful nowadays.'
'When you're right, you're right. Everything was
fine. He's in the brig and he's not going anywhere. Don't worry, Ash. You did a
fine job.'
They left the transporter room and Cole contacted
agent Childs and gave him the order to travel to their jumping coordinates.
'How are you?' asked Ash.
'I'm fine. Glad I'm not dead. I seem to have slept
through half of it.'
'Don't worry, you'll get to read my gripping
report.'
'I'm looking forward to it. How are you feeling?'
'A little bruised, but I'll be alright.'
'That's not what I asked, Ash.'
Ash sighed and smiled. 'As if I've been to hell and
back.'
They were making their way to Ash's quarters.
'Are you tired?'
'Yes.'
'Very well, I'll let you get settled. Go see the
doctor tomorrow, alright?'
'Yeah, sure.'
'Good. Is there anything else you need?'
Ash looked at Cole, tears filling her eyes. 'Home,
Cole. I want to go home.'
'Yes, Ash. Let's go home.'
End