Seven walked down the corridors of the intrepid class vessel wondering what today would bring. She had been assigned as Xander's integration officer; it was her job to find Xander a place to fit in and bring him up to date with the current technology and procedures.
Janeway had been very interested in their stories about how Xander had performed under pressure and her eyes had lit up when his military career had been mentioned. Xander had tried to play it down, but that was something that Seven was quickly coming to realize was just a part of the way Xander did things. In the month and a half since Xander had come on board he had made friends with just about every single member of the crew. A feat that Seven actually found herself almost envious of and she had found that even she wasn't totally immune to his charm, and had become friends just as he had said they would.
Since becoming his chief go between Seven had found that Xander was a most … singular individual.
She walked up to the door that created a temporary barrier between her and Xander and reached for the door chime triggering it.
"Come in Seven" Xander called out without pause.
Seven stepped into the room to find Xander was doing a free standing handstand slowly doing push-ups his body perfectly balanced as he rose and fell to the rhythm of his breathing.
The one thing about the situation that Xander liked was the fact that Q had taken him to the chamber in 2377, fully fit and healthy. The Creator had taken him from that point and deposited him into the Pod. So he was approaching his peak fitness and had all the skills and memories to help him in his work. It was a small favor, he thought, because he’d been essentially caught up in Q and Lucifer’s punishment.
Seven watched the well-toned man bow his arms and drop his legs backwards slowly. Then pull himself up from that position to his feet. He turned to her with a wide smile, “Hi Seven, how are you this fine morning?” Xander asked with a large smile for the ex-Borg.
"I am well thank you, and yourself," Seven asked in return.
Xander shrugged, "Good thanks. So what's the what?" he asked her his eyes suddenly twinkling with mirth.
Seven had also found that he seemed to do that on most occasions, despite the actual humor available from the situation. She cocked her head to one side in a move that brought a pang to Xander's heart when he thought about a certain dark haired beauty that had that same habit. Then suddenly his face split into a huge grin when he remembered that she wasn't dead. "I thought I would leave the specifics up to you today" Seven replied as she was wondering about his huge and very happy smile.
"Cool" Xander said walking over to grab his trademark long jacket and tossing on a shirt he had replicated. "I'm in the mood for a workout" he said walking beside her as they left his room. He pulled on his jacket and smiled at a few crewmembers as they passed calling out to them by name.
"That is a most impressive memory for names" Seven commented leading him down the corridor.
"Not really, there's only a few hundred on this ship." Xander said without thinking.
"You've been on ships with more?" Seven asked.
Such an open question couldn't go unanswered in Xander's book, "Yes" he said answering the question without giving details.
"You remembered all their names also?" Seven asked, wondering if Xander perhaps had a photographic memory.
"Yes in the end I did, took me a while to get all the way round though" Xander answered honestly.
"How many?" Seven enquired with a raised brow.
Xander decided it was time to answer a different question, "You get a lot of people on a carrier several hundred, not sure how many exactly" he said smiling at her the entire time. He enjoyed his time with Seven a lot, they were finding their relationship and becoming close, at least Xander thought they were. He was personally going over old ground and already knew Seven better than he did himself, so he knew just how to respond to her and just exactly when not to. As such Seven found that she was extremely comfortable with the dark haired young man.
"That is impressive," Seven said after a moments thought, "How did you accomplish that?"
Xander shrugged again, "It's no big deal. A person is like a snowflake, unique and because of that it's easy to remember them, you just kind of assign their name to their face, you know?"
Seven nodded, "I understand, have you ever considered that you have an photographic memory?"
Xander snorted, "I don't think so, if you'd seen my grades your would never have said that, believe me"
"Having a good memory isn't indicative of academic achievement in and of itself Xander"
"Well in that case, I don't remember what were we talking about?" Xander said cracking out a lopsided grin and presenting it to Seven.
Seven's lips twitched slightly, "Very amusing, I'm sure"
"Yeah, yeah, that's what the Alpha Hirogen said"
"Hero Gem" Seven said then blinked.
Xander's laugh was heard up and down the length and breadth of Voyager.
"This is Holodeck 2, we currently have it running as a gym full time," Seven said sweeping into the room.
Xander meandered in and smiled, "Well hello Jo" he said his eyes fixed on the bent over form of Jo Andrews as she did some stretches.
Seven turned around and rolled her eyes slightly, "You wished a 'Work Out' this is the place for it. We have several machines and a …"
"Tatami" Xander said with a smile gracing his face, "Now all I need is a sparing partner"
"The Holodeck can provide those for you, you remember we talked about our holographic technology"
Xander nodded, "Oh yeah I do, what was it you said to do… Computer Arch" A LCAR's panel appeared by his left arm. He turned and his fingers played across its black surface, "Huh, I like this system, it's much easier to use that the computer in 2001.
Jo turned around and watched Xander programming the console with a slight smile playing on her face. She decided it was time to even the score a little; she owed him for scaring her on that planet in the D'Lorean system.
"No need Xander, I'll spar with you" Jo said drawing both Seven and Xander's attention onto her.
Xander looked at her with a slight smile, "Sure, just let me warm up with one of these Auto-Bot things"
"Automaton" Seven corrected.
Xander smirked at her "Two words Seven…"
Seven looked at him inquiringly so he continued, "… Hero Gem"
Seven's lips played around a smile again but she schooled her features into just a slight inclination of her head.
A few moments later a simple holographic opponent appeared in the middle of the Tatami dressed in a simple white Gi.
Xander slipped off his shoes and walked over to the computer-controlled man and bowed deeply, keeping his eyes on the opponent. Then he settled back into a loose stance.
The combatant squared off and came at him with a simple forward kick that Xander slapped to one side whilst moving back with a fencing step.
Jo's eyes watched with an expert air wondering what form Xander was using, it appeared to be a combination style she'd never seen before, and that was saying something with her up bringing.
The Karateka launched an offensive combination at Xander only to find it was flying backwards across the floor, when Xander's foot lashed out in a powerful side thrust kick. "Hey Seven, I'm must have got the programming wrong and put it on beginner can you whack it up for me?" Xander called out dancing around and keeping himself loose.
Seven nodded and moved across to the arch her nimble fingers playing it like a piano, "Yes, you got the parameters wrong Xander, but other than that it was a very good effort" she said approvingly as she set the level up by two. "I have changed the parameters to intermediate.
Xander nodded his thanks as the Karateka disappeared and reset to the center of the room. Xander repeated his bow once again keeping the Gi clad figure in sight at all times. He once again fell back into the upright and loose stance that Seven had taught him in another lifetime.
The Karateka moved with more care and deliberation this time stepping forward and back with crisp movements, it's form perfect. Xander watched it with an amused expression waiting for the attack he knew would eventually come. In the meantime he remained perfectly still waiting his moment. It came when the Karateka launched a side thrust kick. Xander stepped to the side and into the Karateka's body before launching an elbow strike at the Karateka's knee and then as it dropped a reverse wheel kick at close range to it's chest. The white Gi clad figure was sent hurtling to the side of the gym and hit the wall HARD.
Xander in the meantime wasn't even out of breath, "Boring" he commented, "Okay Jo, Yo-go," he said with a laugh.
Jo smiled and walked softly over to the Tatami as Seven deactivated the 'unconscious' droid program.
"So, how you been" Xander asked as she approached. She was the one person he hadn't seen since the planet. Her time spent mostly in the lab and not in the more communal areas of the ship.
"I've been good thanks, just found a new form of gaseous life in the samples we took…" she trailed off and looked at him, "Sorry, you weren't really interested, my mouth just runs away with me" she said ducking her head.
Xander titled his head at her and used a finger to tilt her head back up, "Yes…I was, go on"
Jo's smile lit up the room and Seven smiled slightly herself, wondering just how Xander had come to be Xander and how she could in some way emulate him in order to improve her interpersonal skills.
"Well I found it in a sample we took from the nebula, It's seems to be similar to a Davorain amoeba but there are differences" Jo said doing a stretch that made Xander smile again.
"Dav…" Xander said shaking his head, "Erh what?"
"Davorain Amoeba"
"That's single celled orgasm er organism isn't it?" Xander asked his eyes twinkling again.
"That's right" Jo said totally missing Xander's somewhat childish quip.
"Huh, so how can you tell a single cell apart from another single celled creature?"
"Different cell structure and the DNA markings are completely different from other Amoeba we've found so far" Jo said her scientific excitement infectious.
"That is interesting" Seven said from the side of the Tatami, "I hope to read your paper soon"
"Just adding the final touches" Jo replied walking to the center of the mat, "Are you ready?"
"For you Jo, anytime" Xander said with a charming smile.
Jo flushed slightly at his words trying to ignore the still very active crush she had on this man and seeing him as the enemy, just as her father had taught her.
Xander walked to the center of the mat also and bowed deeply.
"Set" Seven said from the side of the mat with an arm raised, "Go"
Xander's eyes changed from cheerful to concentrated in a blink of the eye and he dipped into his stance slightly. He knew from his earlier experiences with the attractive Lieutenant that she was not to be taken lightly.
Jo smiled slightly as she noticed Xander's cautious stance and they started to circle each other one-step at a time.
Neither made any move on the other as they looked into each other's eyes trying to find that telltale expression that gunslingers were so found of. It was the moment of decision and the time to react to that decision. Neither saw any sign of it in the others eyes as the slowly circled around and around the training mat.
Xander moved his hands round in a complicated movement changing his style completely and gaining a widening of eyes from Jo as she realized that Xander didn't just know the one style. She had never seen him going hand to hand only hand to dagger, so she wasn't sure what to expect. Scientific curiosity had led her to study the Military of 2001 and the Marine's in particular. They were not so very different from the Marine's of her time. They were trained and highly dangerous men who would not stop until they had succeeded in their mission. She also knew about the combination style that they had been taught back in the twentieth century and had expected that to be all that Xander knew. She was obviously mistaken as she recognized the style as crane style Kung Fu, a soft style that would match her own circular Aikido.
Xander was turning out to be a very interesting opponent. She moved forward slightly and feinted to the left, hoping to draw him into the right and then toss him around a bit. Xander didn't even react to the feint and instead dropped like a rocket and sent her onto her back with a carefully placed leg sweep. Jo rolled away from any follow up strike and was on her feet with a timed somersault across the floor.
Xander smiled as he watched Jo turn to face him mid roll and 'flip' to her feet with a somersault thing. Then he decided it was his turn and moved across the mat in a blink.
Jo's arm caught his and twisted. He removed his arm and drew back.
Another strike was struck out and Jo deflected it to the side.
Xander's leg came up for a kick and was blocked with a knee.
Xander' moved back and round slightly with Jo following him every step of the way. Then he flipped back as her foot lashed out in a kick.
Jo pressed forward her kicks coming hard and fast. As she used a combination of snap and thrust kicks to try to disable the flipping mad man.
Xander back flipped away from them until the hit the side of the mat. He then cart wheeled away from her next kicked and allowed his body to drop.
One foot lashed out and he nailed Jo in the back of the knee toppling her over backwards as she lost her supporting leg. She slapped the floor as she hit taking away a lot of the force of the drop and rolled away from Xander's lying down axe kick.
She came to a stop when she arrived on her feet her face flushed and a smile on her face.
Xander kipped back to his feet and he also wore a large smile, "That was fun Jo, same time tomorrow?"
"You're going" Jo said making no effort to hide her disappointment.
"I've had my work out" Xander said with a smile, thinking it was best to end this now before he let on that he was MUCH better than he had shown. The moves he would normally use had been from an eclectic selection of species now known as the Borg collective. He knew that Seven would wonder how he had learned Andorian Kick Boxing, for instance. "And Seven's trying to find me a niche"
"Oh, okay, then tomorrow?" Jo said then nodded, "Oh yeah you said"
"And I meant it, see you same time same place, same station"
"Station?" Jo asked with a curious expression as Xander walked off of the mat and put his shoes back on.
He just smiled and shook his head, "No TV, how did you all manage to grow up without TV?" he said in wonder.
Seven walked up and held out a hand to him helping him to his feet, she turned back to Jo and smiled, "That was most impressive Lieutenant" she complimented, "and I hope to read your paper on the Amoeba soon"
Jo smiled back at the ex-Borg, "I'll send you a copy"
Seven nodded then thought and smiled again, "I would appreciate that," she said, duplicating what she believed Xander would do.
Jo beamed at her, so she thought she was on the right track.
Admiral Janeway looked out across what had been San Francisco with an angry look in her eye. So many lost in so little time. So much lost to the bastards and yet hardly a blow dealt. Of course, now they had hope in the form of a rallying cry, and a leader against the darkness. Yet, if only she'd managed to get home quicker, perhaps something could have been done to stop it from getting this far.
A voice emerged form her Hand Held Data Padd.
{
These should be familiar images to everyone who remembers the USS Voyager's triumphant return to earth after 23 years in the Delta Quadrant.
Voyager captivated the hearts and minds of people throughout the Federation, so it seems fitting that on this, the tenth anniversary of their return we take a moment to recall the sacrifices made by the crew.
The Federation chambers on Bajor were attacked today by a marauding pack of hellhounds in a surprise…
}
"Computer, end display." Janeway said and looked up as a dragon like demon soared though the air. Flames flared out of its mouth and torched a small one-man fighter that had been sent against it. It was just yet another loss that she felt keenly in her heart and soul.
"Admiral" a soft voice came form behind her.
The steel gray haired Janeway turned slightly and smiled, "Reg" she said warmly
"It's time Admiral"
Janeway nodded and smiled even more, "Come on Reg, let's party"
Reginald Barclay, Commander, smiled back, "I would love to Admiral" he said offering his arm to the aging woman that had become his most important person in the world.
"I'm looking forward to it." A smiling man said to the gray and enigmatic looking Harry Kim, now a captain of the first order for the Federation.
"Hello." Harry said looking at a pre teen girl with a smile.
"What's your name?" the girl asked
"Harry, What's yours?"
"Sabrina."
Harry Kim looked at the attractive young girl in shock, "Naomi's daughter?" He took a surprised breath "You've gotten so big."
Sabrina frowned slightly in thought trying to place the oriental man before her, "I'm sorry I don't remember you."
"I haven't come to one of these reunions in four years."
"Why?"
"I've been on a deep space assignment."
For four years?" Sabrina asked with a frankly disbelieving look.
"Compared to how long I was on Voyager it seemed like a long weekend." Harry paused suddenly wondering where Naomi was
"Can you find your mother for me? I'd like to say hi." A gravely voice from behind him asked
"Oops." Janeway said as the girl walked away from Harry then she smiled widely, "Here you are, Captain."
"Thank you, admiral." Harry said with a chagrined smile, "I haven't seen her since she was a baby."
"It's amazing how fast you've all grown."
"How's Tuvok?" Harry asked with a concerned frown.
Janeway sighed, "He's not well."
"I thought maybe I'd go see him tomorrow."
"Oh, that would be nice."
"I'm sorry I missed the funeral." Harry said witching Topics, "I should have been there."
Admiral Janeway smiled and nodded understandingly, "You were on a mission. Everyone understood." She paused and reached out to clasp the distinguished Harry Kim by the shoulder, "It's so good to see you, Harry."
"It's good to see you too Admiral"
Just then the room shook and an automated voice filled the air, "RED ALERT, WE ARE UNDER ATTACK BY A CLASS III DEMON, PLEASE MOVE QUICKLY TOWARDS THE EMERGENCY BUNKER"
"I've considered your officer Xander" Janeway said smiling slightly, "And I've decided that I'll grant it on a probationary basis"
Xander smiled at his Captain, inside his head was almost hysterical laughter but he was managing to ignore it, "Thank you Captain, It'll be an honor to serve the crew"
"In more ways than one… " Janeway said her eyes sparkling with humor.
Xander smirked back at her, "I'll admit that I was at a bit of a loss as to what else I could do for you all" 'without blowing my cover, that is' he added in the privacy of his own mind, even away from Q who was howling in the forefront of his thoughts.
"I just hope you don't know what Leola root is," Janeway said with a slight grimace.
'A root common to the delta quadrant and served up by Neelix every five minutes' Xander replied again in his mind, "Nope, got me there Captain, but I do a mean steak"
"I think the crew may very well promote you right into my office if you can manage to scrape that sort of meal together" Janeway said with a chuckle, "Hell, I think I'd marry you"
#Say yes, Say yes# Q suddenly yelled into his mind.
"I may hold you to that Captain" Xander said with a mischievous smile.
Janeway cocked an eyebrow at him but refrained from comment, "When can you start?"
Xander almost said 'As which cook or husband', but changed his mind at the last second; Q was a bad influence on him, he was sure of it, "Whenever you want captain"
Janeway smiled, "Right now if I can tear you away from Seven"
Xander frowned, he had shown no undue interest in the ex-Borg, in fact had made damn certain that he had made no move other than friendship. A Q influence to keep the time line as clear as possible. Despite his own wish in that regard.
"She's been raving about you for the last month, in her own way. She seems to think that you have great potential, I'm not sure she'll like the idea of you becoming our cook, I think she had you pegged for security with your martial skills"
Xander blurted out a laugh, "Me?" he shook his head, "Seven's great, insane but great"
"From what I've heard, and not just from Seven, we could use a man like you there. That's why this is a probation, I may need you somewhere else"
"I'm not Starfleet trained captain and from I've read, there a wealth of difference between my training and yours"
"That's precisely why Seven recommended you and I have to agree. We need a new approach with some of the races out here in the Delta Quadrant."
Xander sat back on the couch a little and regarded Janeway over the tips of his pressed together fingers, "Tell you what Captain. The Galley won't take all my day, perhaps I could train with Lieutenant Tuvok's teams, get a feel for how it works and then give you some input from there, maybe even…" Xander trailed off wondering if he would be pushing his luck.
"Go on Xander, I'm always open to suggestions. I might not like do what you suggest, but I always listen" Janeway told him smiling slightly again. One quickly found that it happened a lot around Xander, unless he was in one of his rare introspective and depressive moods. One such incident Janeway had heard about had made her reassess the cheerful young man and take him a little more seriously.
It had certainly upset Seven, and that was another thing that had surprised Janeway. Xander and Seven seemed to have struck up a very real friendship and were growing closer all the time.
"If Tuvok agrees I'd like to go on an away mission see how it works, it would make any suggestion I had more concrete if I'd seen it first hand"
"There would be some fairly intense training for that Xander, do you feel that you would have time?" Janeway asked her eyes suddenly serious.
"Of course, as I said the Galley would be a very small part of my day"
"This is a hungry crew Xander, you may find that you have less time than you think"
Xander just smiled at her with a secretive gleam in his eye.
"In that case, I'll discuss you idea's with Tuvok and get back to you"
"What is that amazing smell?" Paris said to his wife as they walked into the Galley. Tom was sniffing the air and smiling slightly and even B'Ellana felt the first stirrings of hunger at the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen, despite her condition.
Tom peered around the side of the kitchen to find Xander wearing a chief's hat with an apron wrapped around his waist, tossing eggs. Xander whistled to himself as he worked and seemed completely oblivious to Tom and B'Elanna's presence.
"Xander?" Tom said incredulous, "What are you doing here"
Xander looked at Tom catching the egg in his pan, "Making lunch, Hungry?" then he smiled at B'Ellana, "And for your, (far too beautiful for you), Wife?"
B'Ellana smiled at him slightly, she still wasn't quite sure how to take Xander. He was like Tom, only not. He had a much harder edge than Tom despite his criminal past, and his humor was, if possible, even quirkier. "I'll have the eggs," she said looking at the pan with longing.
Xander flipped the frying pan slightly and the eggs landed on a plate, "Bacon, Steak?"
"Steak?" Tom said suddenly salivating, "You have Steak"
"I do, just don't ask what it's made from, but trust me it tastes the same"
"You tried it?" Tom asked now eyeing the stake.
"Bacon please" B'Ellana said answering Xander's question.
As Xander placed some rashers on her plate he was already nodded, "Yeah of course I did, I wouldn't feed my friends anything I'm not willing to eat myself." He smiled apologetically at B'Ellana, "Except Gagh, sorry, but there is no way in hell I'm eating that"
B'Ellana nodded emphatically at him, "I completely agree, I HATE it, trouble is I've been craving it"
Xander laughed, "Well at least the craving's have gone right, I mean at this stage in pregnancy?"
B'Ellana shook her head, "Unfortunately not"
Xander grimaced, "I feel sorry for B'Ellana, I really do"
"Hey, my steak and stop chatting up my wife"
"Can it flyboy," Xander said shoveling a large stake onto Tom's plate, "Do you want fries with that?" he said and winced, "Sorry throw back to the double meat palace"
"The what?" Tom asked.
"Don't worry about it, let's just say it was a nightmare and leave it at that"
Tom smirked then forked a piece of meat into his mouth and went cross-eyed with pleasure, "Oh wow" he said round the half masticated meat. "Where did you learn to cook like this?"
"Home, it was that or starve and once they found I could cook I did it all the time, including Harris Clan gatherings, and let me tell you the Harris Clan was HUGE" Xander said chortling to himself. "And I was always good at making stakes"
Tom blinked at the start of the sentence and smiled at the last part, "Well, you've got my vote for Employee of the decade"
"Employee of the Decade?" Janeway said stepping smartly round the corner with a mischievous smile. She had followed Tom and B'Ellana into the canteen and had listened with great interest to two of her most capable officers.
"Captain on deck" Xander said and did the obligatory whistle without the whistle, badly.
Janeway blinked and then laughed, "I think you may actually be insane" she said shaking her head as Tom laughed and B'Ellana looked at Xander like he was an alien, which to her he actually was.
"I've been told that before Captain, and I doubt it was the last" Xander said, "Can I get you anything Captain?"
"From what I heard," Janeway said looking at Tom's plate, "I want steak"
"Consider it done" Xander said after a second, handing her a plate full of her order.
She tasted it carefully and smiled at him, "This is amazing"
"Thanks Captain, so is that marriage proposal still open?" Xander said innocently.
Janeway froze with her fork halfway to her mouth and looked at Xander for a moment before her lips twitched. In the meantime Tom and B'Ellana had already dissolved into chuckles. "I'm old enough to be your mother" Janeway said finally with a laugh.
"Not unless you're 435 years old captain" Xander said smirking unrepentantly. #Yep#, Xander was sure of it now, #Q you’re a very bad influence on me#.
#Just teaching you some taste" Q replied
#She really isn't in my age bracket# Xander said back #though she sure, has got a sexy voice#
Q's laughter in his head joined the laughter of Tom, B'Ellana and Janeway.
Xander eyed his opponent warily, the last time he'd been forced to call a draw; he wasn't going to let that happen this time. They may be cunning and they may be skilled but he was sure that with the right application of skill he could beat them. Plus Seven wasn't around to watch this time.
"Did you earn that belt, or did the replicator give it to you?" Jo asked her lips curling up into a slight smile. She wouldn't normally come down to the gym everyday but she was thinking that it would be a good idea from now on. Especially if she got to see Xander dressed the way he was currently, with just a pair of jet-black Gi bottoms and a matching belt.
Xander smirked back at her, "Oh you are so going to get it," he said laughing slightly.
'Oh god I hope so' Jo thought to herself, "Do you think you can give it to me?" she asked then blushed when her words reached her ears. She was really going to have to see the doctor about that.
Xander's lips quivered as he held back a laugh instead his eyes were dancing at her merrily, "I'll just have to see what I can do," he said carefully. "And yes, I bloody did earn this belt" he said laughing. He eyed her black belt with at 6 markings up the wide with slight wariness. He had once heard back in Sunnydale that the only person outside of Japan to have earned their 6th Dan Black belt in Aikido was Stephen Seagal. That had apparently changed, but he had a feeling that it was still no mean feat.
"What in?" Jo asked her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Karate" Xander said with a shrug, "Shotokan to be exact"
"You don't fight like a Karateka" Jo told him.
"I hadn't finished!" Xander said with a smirk, "I've got the equivalent in three forms of Kung Fu and a few more esoteric Martial disciplines. Once I got into it I found that I loved it. Plus I learned the Combination Style from my … time as a Marine"
Jo nodded with a smirk, "It all sounds very impressive," she said in dismissal tone of voice, "but can you actually fight or are you going to run away this time as well?"
Xander's smile turned shark-like, "Jo, Jo, Jo" he said shaking his head, "Taunting your enemy is never a good ploy"
#Seems to work for you' Q put in.
#Shad up you# Xander laughingly thought.
"Then lets stop talking and get to sparing shall we?" Jo asked innocently.
Xander smiled and was across the floor in a flash standing before Jo before she had time to react, "Sure" he said hip tossing her to the floor in the process.
Jo glared up at him her eyes aflame, "Oh!, you're a bad man," she said rolling away and up to her feet in a gymnastic move similar to before. She hadn't rolled very far and as soon as she was on her feet a perfectly execute leg sweep sent Xander up into the air. He reacted by twisting in mid air to catch himself on his hands and flipping backwards away from her follow up move.
"Nice, but too slow" Xander said walking calmly round the Tatami.
Jo followed his movements in a mirror image, "Slow?" she asked incredulously; "I took out a Vulcan with that move in the academy. It's not my fault you move like a cat" and that was exactly how Xander was moving, he wasn't walking he was stalking, his movements fluid and feline.
#With that many lives too#
#Q, I'm trying to concentrate here#
#Finish her and move on# Q said with an annoyed huff.
#Who are you Raiden? #
#The God of Thunder, you know him? I'm surprised#
Xander was so stunned by Q's answer that he found himself flying backwards with air exploding out of his lungs before he knew what had hit him. He skidded to a halt and Jo rushed over to him.
"Xander, I'm so sorry, I thought you were looking," She said to the prone man
Xander caught his breath and dragged in a lungful of air, "Whew we, no It's my fault, I was eh… Distracted" #Bastard#
#Wimp#
"Are you okay?" Jo said holding out her hand to help him to his feet.
"Sure" Xander said a feral grin crossing his face as he grabbed Jo's arm and used it to both pull himself to his feet and toss her to the floor. He landed on top of her, pinning her to the floor, and he smirked down at her, "I've got you now!"
'Have you ever' Jo said, looking up into Xander's laughing eyes. Her heart was hammering against her chest, and it had nothing to do with exertion. "You cheated," she said still looking into his eyes.
"Yep" Xander admitted cheerfully, "I do that sometimes"
"Faker"
Xander shook his head, "Hell no, I've just had to learn to recover quickly" Xander said oblivious to what was happening to Jo below him.
Her mind was filled with thoughts that had no place in a cold logical scientific mind and would be quite at home in a hormone teenager. "Can I get up?" she asked in a small voice.
Xander frowned and rolled off of her helping her to her feet, "I didn't hurt you did I, I'm sorry if I did. I'm such a doofus"
"No, I'm fine" Jo said still feeling dizzy with lust.
"I sorry if I offended you then, I was just playing. I wouldn't really cheat you like that, not a friend, never that" Xander said earnestly.
Jo smiled into his eyes, aching to kiss him, "No I'm fine I just remembered that I have a paper to finish"
"On the Amoeba" Xander asked.
'My god he was actually listening' Jo thought in shock, "Yes that's the one" she said weakly.
"Tomorrow then, and I promise no cheating" Xander said with a spread of his hands.
Jo just nodded and beat a hasty retreat leaving Xander to look at her back with a confused expression.
#Stupid Humans# Q scoffed deepening Xander's frown.
#Huh?#
#Never Mind, now Sword practice# Q said redirecting Xander before he dwelled on what Q had said for too long and got himself completely confused. For a man that had spent so much time around Women, Xander was a remarkable blind individual.
#Okay, but I don't thin it's safe to show I've got you yet, I'll have to use a holographic one#
#At last! Actual thoughts! # Q said with wonder in his mental voice.
"Arch" Xander said and walked over to the console that had become available to him. He tapped the pad scrolling through the options until he found a similar blade to his own. Then he executed the changes and watched as a simple Katana appeared in the center of the Tatami.
He began to walk over to the Katana when a sudden flash filled the Holodeck. Used to this sort of thing and thankful the color wasn't red Xander just smiled at the new Arrival, "Good to see you Q" he said, holding out his hand and summoning the Q-Sword to him. He wasn't even sure how he managed that particular trick he just knew it worked and sometimes that was enough.
The elegant female Q held up a hand, "In a moment, I have a request of you first" she said surprising both Q and Xander.
"Shoot, if I can do it it's yours"
The female Q raised an eyebrow at that and smiled slightly, "I want you to be MY champion"
"Sorry what?" Xander said blinking rapidly, "I'm Q's champion already aren't I?"
The female Q shook her head, "No, you are not! It has just been brought to my attention that Q is currently not allowed a champion under the treaty"
# I'd forgotten about that! #
"That's understandable, with all that you've been through lately" the female Q said looking at the intricate Katana that Xander was holding, a soft smile on her face.
She looked back at Xander with an inquisitive look on her face, "Well?"
Xander smiled and nodded, stepping back with one leg he sank to a single knee and bowed his head, raising the sword and laying it across his palms, presenting it to her.
The female Q flashed him a smile and accepted the sword, "Arise my Champion" she said still smiling.
#You never went down on bended knee for me! # Q said indignantly from his wife's hand.
#She's WAY prettier than you#
"Hello, Tuvok." Admiral Janeway said as she stepped into the well appointed but small sickbay, the light silhouetting her for a moment. Tuvok was on the floor scribbling onto pieces of parchment like paper with a wax crayon, the only writing implement that he was allowed.
"The Light" Tuvok said shading his face from the bright light that washed into the room from the corridor.
"Oh! I'm Sorry" Janeway said stepping fully into the room and allowing the automatic door to swish to a close.
Tuvok looked up from his work and narrowed his eyes at her, "I know you?" he said thoughtfully.
"That's right" Janeway said, a slight smile on her face. "I'm your friend, Kathryn Janeway, remember?"
Tuvok went back to his writing, "You're an imposter" he accused scribbling harder.
"No Tuvok," Janeway said as she frowned slightly, "It's me"
"Admiral Janeway Visits on a Sunday" Tuvok said looking up at her again, "Today is a Thursday" he said in the sure knowledge of the truly sick, "Logic dictates that you are not who you claim to be," he finished almost proudly.
Janeway ignored that, "How are you?"
"I am close to completing my work" Tuvok told her his hand flowing across the page and laying out intricate Vulcan symbols.
"I'm glad to here it" Janeway said with her trademark, half smile and half smirk.
"It is difficult with so many interruptions," Tuvok said grumpily.
"Would you like me to leave?" Janeway asked gently.
"No," Tuvok said, "You may stay"
Janeway looked around the room, her eyes resting on candles and other Vulcan themed bric-a-brac, "Tuvok" she began in a quite voice, "There's something I need to tell you, It's very important" Tuvok looked up at her expectantly, "I'm going away and I may not see you again"
Janeway suddenly found she was beset by emotion and took a moment to clear both her eyes and voice, "Commander Barclay and the Doctor will continue to visit you. They'll bring you anything you need"
"The doctor comes on Wednesday's" Tuvok informed her, "Commander Barclay's visits are… Erratic"
Janeway smiled and knelt by one of her oldest friends till alive, in a moment of emotion she leaned forward and kissed Tuvok on the head.
"Hey Seven" Xander said with an especially large smile for her. He was once again in his kitchen and was cooking up a storm. His efforts had been rewarded by an increase in moral. He had even managed to get Tuvok to nod about his Vulcan soup, which had been almost completely bland, just the way it was supposed to be.
"Hello Xander, are you well" Seven said taking a seat at the counter and returning his smile as much as she was able.
Xander was once again caught by the sight of her, his mind overlaying images of their past before he mentally shook it off. "I'm good thanks and how is my favorite ex-drone today?"
"I am…" Seven trailed off looking thoughtful.
Xander took his apron off and tossed if over to the side, "What's up?" he asked looking at her seriously.
"You once said you are my friend" Seven stated.
"Yep" Xander said with a nod.
"Would it be part of a friends duty to give advice?" Seven asked her head titled inquisitively.
Xander smiled at her, "Yes it is, I'm guessing you want some." Xander looked at the busy canteen, "Want to go somewhere private?" he asked gently.
Seven smiled slightly, appreciative of his thoughtfulness, "I would prefer that, thank you"
Xander walked out of the galley area and into the restaurant fully, he picked up his apron on the way and tossed it over to Harry Kim who had just entered, "Hey Harry, hold the fort for me please"
"Sure Xander" Harry said, knowing that Xander had already done all the cooking and all he had to do was make sure it didn't boil over or in some other way ruin. He also felt that he and the rest of the team that had gone down to that planet owned him one.
"Thanks man, you're a star"
"I've not brought you here before" Seven said as they walked in, "This is the Astrometrics Lab"
Xander looked around with a smile, "Impressive place"
"I … Like it here" Seven said with a slight smile.
"I'm guessing that without me bothering you, that you spend most of your time in here" Xander said, he could detect the unique Seven 'scent' in the air.
Seven tilted her head slightly, "You are not a … bother to me Xander"
Xander smiled and looked around to cover his expression, "Well it seems nice and private here… so what did you want to ask me?"
"I have a question and a request" Seven said slowly, "I would normally ask the doctor or perhaps Neelix, but I do not wish to hurt the doctors feelings and Neelix has his own family to think of"
Xander leaned back against a console and cocked an eyebrow at her in an obvious imitation that made Seven smile, "Shoot"
"Pardon?"
Xander laughed slightly, "Ask away"
"I am wondering what to do for my next 'Date' with Commander Chakotay"
The room titled for Xander and he couldn’t help be somewhat amused by the situation, "Huh" he said nodding slightly. Well now he knew what she meant about hurting the doctors feelings, the guy obviously had a serious Jones for her. Of course so did he, but what the hell, "Okay, what have you done so far"
"We've seen a concert and spent some time together having a picnic"
"Huh" Xander said looking around again his alighting on the console at his side. He noticed that it was a radio transmission observation point. He knew that most vessels even in earth's time monitored all frequencies for navigational information and to triangulate course. He also vaguely remembered something about there being some sort of signal from Galactic north.
His eyes swept the panels LCARS display that was scrolling at a typically Seven speed, in other words fast. Luckily he'd had some practice at keeping up. "Well, I'd suggest a dinner" he said after a few minutes. "Something private and intimate with just the two of you. Maybe some wine…" he smiled at the display and tapped it a few times flying through the system, "music" he continued piping the broadcast through the main speakers. He was pleasantly surprised to find that it was earth music, sent some time ago, in fact if he had to guess sometime in the nineties by the sound of the music. It must have been accelerated by something, possibly a natural occurrence.
Pop music poured out of the Astrometrics communications system, in perfect surround sound. "Something slow, like this" he said with a smile.
Seven cocked her eyebrow at him again, "I'm impressed that is a complex system integration program you have just re-routed"
Xander shrugged, "Beginner's luck, now back to your question, I'd suggest dinner definitely, maybe even some dancing"
"I felt you might suggest something like that. I know dance steps…"
"… But you can't dance?" Xander said knowing only too well the answer.
Seven smiled slightly self consciously, "I cannot… At least not properly"
Xander smiled and pushed off of the console and held out a hand, "Of course you can," he said pulling her into him when she took his hand, "It's easy. Trust me, if I can dance, anyone can. You've just got to…let go a bit" he said starting to move to the music and lead Seven around in a simple waltz, "see you've got the steps and the rhythm" he complimented her, "Now just relax"
Seven nodded, "That is not something I am able to do easily, it was not part of my upbringing"
"Yeah, the Borg seem to have a stick up their butt" Xander said, "But you're not Borg anymore" he smirked, then looked thoughtful, "I can't imagine growing up without music"
"I did not know any better" Seven said relaxed in his arms, or as relaxed as she ever was, at least.
"I guess, mind you I suppose the collective itself was kind of beautiful to be a part of" Xander said thoughtfully, the truth was he'd never thought about it before, but voices in harmony with each other even talking was a music of a sorts.
"That's a singular thought" Seven said still stiffly moving to the pace that Xander had set.
Xander chuckled slightly, "I'm a singular kind of guy. Hang on this isn't working"
"I am sorry," Seven said looking disappointed.
"Don’t be, it's not your fault" Xander said moving to the console and running a filter making sure to remove any trace of just what he'd done, "Let's try something a little more…more" he said as the tune changed to a Latin beat.
"This is a … Tango, the bullfight and sex on four feet" Xander said with a smirk, "Come one, lets make love"
"Xander, I think perhaps…" Seven said blushing faintly.
Xander barked out a laugh, "… Kidding - Jesus, Seven just relax okay. Do you trust me?"
Seven only paused for a fraction of a second, "Yes" she said honestly feeling that she did, "Yes I do"
"You know the steps and rhythm, right," Seven nodded so Xander continued, "Then now all you have to is feel the passion" he said sweeping her down into a dip and pulling her back up and smartly stepping into the first steps of a Tango.
Seven was somewhat shocked by his move but did her best to follow Xander, "Don't just follow me," Xander said after a few seconds, "Feel the music. That fizz in your blood. I know you can feel it even if it's muted by the Chip thing"
Seven nodded vaguely, she could feel…something…a tingle in her bones. She smiled slightly a rush running through her.
Xander smiled into her eyes, "There it is" then he put all his lessons and then practice into his dance and breathed life into their steps. Seven for the first time in her life just went with the flow and found that she was actually enjoying herself her eyes twinkling with to that point, repressed emotion. She knew that she should be careful but for once she didn't really care.
"Don't be scared, I won't let anything happen to you" Xander said looking into her eyes and reading straight off of the top of her mind in the way only two people that have been close can do.
"I trust you," Seven said holding Xander's muscular shoulder as he dipped her again and making her smile.
"You've got a gorgeous smile Seven, it's a shame we don’t see it more often" Xander said stepping around her in a classic tango step his hand trailing around her trim waist. She mirrored his moves going the other way. Their feet stepping round each other and their hips touching the entire way.
Xander stopped and smiled at Seven, "Well done, you've got it"
Seven nodded feeling the loss of him against her, "Thank you Xander"
"That's okay and you'd better appreciate it…Commander" Xander said tapping the LCAR's panel and turning Seven and himself round to find Chakotay looking at them with a slightly jealous expression. Xander liked that expression; it showed that Chakotay felt he had something to be jealous OF.
"Xander" Chakotay said curtly but politely.
"I gotta get back to my pans" Xander said to Seven, "Commander," he said as he passed the Native American man on his way to the door.
When he stepped outside he smiled…widely.
#You haven't won her heart yet# Q counseled him wisely.
#I know, I know# Xander said the smile still on his face, #in fact she's utterly into Chakotay, I just enjoyed being with her for a while, even as a friend#
Q nodded, mentally speaking but refrained from comment.
#Anyway, I've got to meet Jo# Xander said noticing the time.
#Oh really# Q said with a mental chuckle, #Mrs. Troi was correct#
#Up yours Q# Xander said laughing.
#Primate# Q shot back, feeling a sudden sense of oneness with Xander. It was a strange feeling for the normally shunned super-being. He had a feeling that it was the precise reason that the creator had picked this particular punishment, not that it was turning out to be that much of a penalty.
Xander smiled, #Arrogant Ass#
Their string of hurled insults lasted all the way to the Holodeck.
"I urm …" Jo trailed off her heart pounding in her chest as she watched Xander strip of his trademark black jacket. He turned to her and smiled slightly, which seemed to bring her back on subject, "I thought we could do something different today" she said as nonchalantly as she was able.
"Sure, what you got in mind, something fun I hope" Xander said with a twinkle.
Jo blushed faintly, something that Xander found quite endearing in this day and age, "A run?"
"Hmm, never tried running for pleasure. It's usually something I do when I need to…Like running for my life" Xander said chuckling slightly.
"We could do something else?" Jo said quickly.
"No, a run sounds good, somewhere nice with plenty of trees. Voyager's great but sometimes I get fed up staring at the same drab Fleet colors ya know"
"I don't really notice to be honest," Jo said walking over and changing the program, "I spent too much time squinting down a microscope"
Xander cocked his head at her, "Really, do they still use those?"
"A figure of speech" Jo said smiling slightly, "Central Park?"
"Cool" Xander said and felt that nauseating feeling he always got when a Holodeck reconfigured. Contrary to popular belief it wasn't instantaneous, to a person whose reflexes had been honed by endless fighting if was a horrible sensation and it always made him dizzy as hell.
"I set the parameters for a sunny day, I hope you don't mind"
"Never did like running in the rain, makes the floor slippery" Xander said, 'The last thing you want when running for you life is to slip over' he added in the privacy of his own mind.
They started off at a slow jog, Xander forcing himself to stick to Jo's pace. He was highly fit due to his constant fight or flight over the years and had a fast pace even jogging. He knew it wouldn't do him any harm to slow it down and work on his stamina.
As they ran they chatted lightly between each other and Xander gently probed to find out a few more details about the attractive Lieutenant and her life before they had met. He wasn't that surprised to find that her father had been a highly ranked Aikido Sensei and was fascinated by her love of science. He had very little interest himself but he did like to listen to someone that was passionate about his or her chosen subject. It also gave him an idea although he wasn't sure how he would broach the subject with her.
He knew that at one time in the other time track Seven had been working on a nanite that would essentially kill a demon from the inside out. She hadn't been successful due to the demonic energy and it's habit of obliterating all that it came in contact with. He was wondering if a Xenobiologist such as Jo would be able to synthesize a pathogen that would take out the demon. Something that was essentially natural, or even intransigently natural that would kill the demon. It had to be worth a shot, but how the hell was he supposed to broach a subject like that?
'So Jo want to help me design a virus to kill something you don't believe in' didn't really cut it as far as he was concerned. So he limited himself to talking about a host of different subjects but soon found that he was being probed about his past and whilst his cover was good he didn't want to take any chances. "I gotta go" Xander said, "I've got meet Lt. Commander Tuvok"
Jo smiled, "Of course, hey I may come up to your kitchen later, I've been hearing good things"
"I do my best" Xander said deactivating the Holodeck and shrugging his jacket back on, vowing to change.
"I'll see you, same time, same place, tomorrow?" Xander asked.
'DO it now!' Jo roared at herself, "Would you…" she trailed off and blushed.
Xander frowned slightly and walked over to the furiously blushing women. He tipped her head back up with a finger, "Would I … what?"
Jo swallowed past a sudden lump in her throat, "GoOnADate" she rushed out.
Xander smiled slightly as he unraveled her babble it reminding him a little of Willow in her early years, "I'd love to" he said smiling down at her.
#Oh look it's chuckles# Xander broadcast to his ever present quip buddy.
#He's a Vulcan, they're not supposed to laugh, honestly, I would have thought you'd know that# Q told him with an amused voice.
#I know, but I've never actually met a Vulcan before, except Banana's and he so didn't count#
#I'm surprised, as one of the founding races of the Federations, there are a lot in Starfleet#
#Okay, I can see that, must have just been one of those things, how strong is this guy#
#About three times your strength, give or take#
#And I have to spar with him! # Xander shot back
#Vampires are four times the strength of the host# Q pointed out.
#I don't spar with Vampires, I kill them…again#
"Mr. Harris" Tuvok intoned with no emotion in his voice whatsoever.
"Lieutenant Commander Tuvok" Xander replied with his voice notched down an octave.
#You're not here to take the piss#
#Q! I'm shocked at you, that sort of language from a super-being such as yourself#
#Fuck off# Q shot back with a chuckle
Xander's eyes danced with humor as he surveyed Tuvok with a warm smile, "I'm not sure what I'm here for today, sir, so I just came as I was, but I understand you wanted to gauge my abilities"
Tuvok nodded and raised an approving eyebrow at his respectful tone and address. "That will be adequate Mr. Harris"
"There's just one thing, Sir, urh, please don't call me that"
"That is your name is it not?" Tuvok asked
"It is, however it doesn't have good associations for me"
"Perhaps you should not associate a name with anything other than a form of address" Tuvok said logically.
"That's true sir, but I've not got very good control over my emotions, I …" Xander trailed off looking for a word, "lack that ability"
"Very well, then what shall I refer to you as"
"Please, call me Xander Lt Commander"
Tuvok nodded, "Very well, then Xander. The captain thinks that in this quadrant of space we need a new approach"
"You don't agree with her?" Xander asked curiously.
"My opinions are not in question here, I was stating a fact"
"Well, The captain wants to know what I think based on my knowledge of 21st century security training. I would need to know if a 24th century trained person thinks their techniques are well suited to the job so I can draw a comparison would I not. Sir"
Tuvok inclined his head slightly to show he saw where Xander was coming from, even if he didn't fully understand the logic.
Starfleet Academy, 2400
"Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Borg." Barclay said triggering a holographic projection of a Borg drone. "Over the course of this term, you're going to become intimately familiar with the collective. You'll learn about the assimilation process the Borg hierarchy and the psychology of the hive mind and when it comes to your performance in this class my expectations are going to be no different than the Borg queen herself - perfection."
The class chuckled slightly, smiling at Barclay's mock serious tone and expression. He was well known for being one of the less strict tutors in the academy and was well loved by his pupils for his easy way with them and his unique insight into teaching.
"This semester, we are very fortunate to have a special guest lecturer the woman who literally wrote the book on the Borg: Admiral Kathryn Janeway."
The class applauded as the Elderly Admiral took Barclay's place at the podium, "Thank you, Commander." She said with a smile and a nod for her old friend, "I'm glad to be here." Her eyes cast across the class and noticed that one young cadet had his hand in the air. 'They get younger every year' she briefly thought to herself with great sadness and knowing full well that she'd had to send more than her fair share of these young things to their deaths.
She shook off the black thought and plastered a smile onto her face, "A question already; Cadet?"
The cadet nodded and then looked a little nervous, "I suppose it could wait until after class, Admiral."
"As they say in the temporal mechanics department 'there's no time like the present.'"
The group chuckled again with Barclay joining in this time.
The cadet smiled at the joke then went ahead with his question "In the year 2377 you aided the Borg resistance movement known as Unimatrix zero."
"Sounds like someone's been reading ahead." Barclay interjected with a wagging finger.
"I thought you had a question, cadet?" Admiral Janeway asked.
"Yes, ma'am." The Cadet said and cleared their throat, "When you informed the queen that you were going to liberate thousands of her drones could you describe the look on her face?" He said delivering his punch line with aplomb.
The class burst into chuckles again and Janeway's eyes danced for a moment a smile on her face, the answer had been 'Classic'. Then she noticed another hand in the air, this time from a young female cadet
"Admiral?" the cadet said as Janeway nodded at her, "Some of us were talking before class and we were curious. How extensive was Seven Of Nines involvement with Unimatrix zero?"
Janeway flinched, "I'd, uh... prefer not to discuss Seven Of Nine."
"Yes, ma'am." The cadet said quickly noticing the look of old pain that flickered on Janeway's face, "Sorry."
An officer walked into the room and leaned into Janeway, "Admiral, you have an incoming message from Miral Paris."
"Thank you." Janeway said nodding and smiling, "Excuse me." She said with a nod at Barclay.
"Okay, Urh …"Barclay looked at a loss for a moment then snapped onto a topic, "Who can tell me a little about nanotechnology?"
The class was suddenly a see of arms in the air.
The attractive visage of Miral Paris, a highly attractive combination of both Tom and B'Ellana's looks and personalities, "I'm sorry to pull you out of class, admiral." She said with a smile, her small image seeming to float on the cutting edge viewer.
"Did you see it?" Janeway asked leaning forward in her seat.
Miral smiled and nodded, "Yes, ma'am."
"And?"
"It works."
"Korath has agreed to the exchange?"
"Yes."
"But..." Janeway asked seeing Miral looking nervous.
"He's insisting on handing it over to you personally." Miral said with a tilt to her head as if she was about to continue.
"I'll be there as soon as I can." Janeway said cutting her off, "Good work, Ensign Paris."
The smooth head of the doctor turned to look at the young pilot and a slight smile played across his photonic countenance. “I’m sorry, but this is another false alarm”
B’Ellana threw her hands up in the air pointed to her stomach and then outwards, wincing slightly as she did so, “Get it out!” she demanded hotly, “Now!”
“I’m sorry,” the doctor said once again even though he didn’t look in the slightest bit apologetic. “But the baby will come when it’s ready. It’s really not that unusual with Klingon’s to have this many false alarms”
“Doc, you’re killing me here” Paris said with a moan.
“Don’t blame me,” the doctor said, a little of his old grumpiness rising to the fore, “It’s not like I have control over these things” he said, “I’m a doctor, not a god”
“Think if I called Q and begged…” Paris said thoughtfully then shook his head, “Nah, he’d just laugh”
Of course he had no way of knowing that with nothing better to do the super-being himself was watching and was indeed laughing. His powers were highly curtailed, but then he’d been immensely powerful to begin with. Even with less power he was more than able to perceive what was happening on the ship. It was just where normally it would be a tiny part of his sphere of reference it was now the entirety. His bearer was currently fast asleep, so it wasn’t like he’d be able to get much amusement there at the moment.
Q did briefly wonder if he should ask his wife to step in to help the two out, then paused as he analyzed that thought. Whilst Xander was always complaining that Q was a bad influence on him, Q suspected that the opposite was certainly also true.
“Can’t we do anything?” B’Ellana asked hopefully, desperately in fact.
The doctor nodded, “Yes, in fact there is”
Paris looked at him with hope springing up in his eyes, “What?” he asked almost breathlessly.
“You can get out of my sickbay and get some sleep before your respective shifts start” he paused consulting his inner chronometer, “in two hours”
Paris deflated as B’Ellana gave the doctor a mean glare worthy of her heritage. “Have you been spending time with Xander?” she said thinking that was just the sort of crack he’d come out with.
The doctor paused in his analysis of the medical pad and turned back to the couple, “Xander?”
“Came up when we visited the D’Lorean system?” Paris prompted.
“Oh yes, of course, I only know him as Alexander LaVelle Harris, which was, of course, for the record. I’ll have to make an addition to my database that he is also known as Xander”
Tom forgot his tiredness for a moment, “LaVelle?” he said with an evil gleam appearing in his eyes, “His middle name is LaVelle” he repeated his smile growing.
“This from a guy with a middle name of Eugene?” B’Ellana said with a wry smile as she dropped slowly down from the counter.
Xander looked up from his cooking as a familiar voice called out to him, “Xander”
“Jo” Xander said smiling at the brunette scientist. “Good to see you here”
“Well, you did invite me” Jo said with a slight smile looking Xander directly in the eye. Last night had given her a bit of confidence. As far as she was concerned it had been heaven. Although to Xander it had been more about spending time with a friend more than an actual date it had struck a chord in the attractive lieutenant.
“I certainly did, I believe I promise you the best breakfast of you life, including waffles with maple syrup didn’t?”
Jo nodded emphatically, “That you did, I’d be most put it out if you didn’t deliver”
“Then I’ll just have to try my British, sorry American best” Xander said. Jo shot him an inquisitive look so he smiled self-consciously and continued, “Sorry, I had a friend, back well, in the ‘dale he was English and I picked up a fair bit from him” Xander chuckled, “Including some really weird English sayings” he told her dishing up the promised breakfast and having used a fair portion his rations to get it replicated, a large amount of Maple syrup. “Bon Appetite”
“Thank you” Jo said then paused looking around, “Join me?” she said indicating table.
Xander smiled, “I’d love too, but I kinda have to serve breakfast” he said then Jo’s face fell slightly so he carried on, “Just sit over there, I’ll clear a space for you, that way you can join me instead”
Jo smiled beautifully at him and their gazes locked for a moment before a polite cough made Xander look to the side. His smile actually grew slightly as he spotted seven, “Hey Seven”
“Xander, Lieutenant” Seven said greeting them, “I was wondering, can I have a short moment of your time?” she said looking directly at Xander.
Xander glanced at his cooking, “Sure as long as it’s quick, you’ll be okay?” he said the last to Jo who nodded at him and smiled sweetly at Seven. Just a little too sweetly as it happens.
“Thank you, I’m sorry for interrupting” Seven said to Jo with a slight smile.
Jo continued to smile and nodded not saying anything and making a show of the pancake eating.
Xander and seven walked around the corner just as Jo lost her smile and mouthed ‘bitch’ after Seven. She immediately flushed after having said it, but she DID NOT like that smile Xander had given Seven.
“What can I do for you?” Xander asked with an amiable smile as soon as they entered the Astrophysics lab.
Seven looked a little uncomfortable again and Xander, with his prior knowledge, was easily able to discern the reason. “Dancing lessons?” Xander asked with a slight smile.
Seven just nodded, confirming Xander’s thoughts.
“Sure, when?”
“Tonight, at 8 o’clock” Seven said briskly.
Xander nodded, “Sure thing, See you then, oh, where?”
“Here?”
Xander nodded, “It’s a done deal, see you later Seven”
She smiled at him in that way she had, a quick flash of brilliance that was too soon gone and replaced with the Borg exterior.
"Don't forget, that we have an official lesson later. I believe the time has come to teach you how to use voyagers computer systems" Seven said, her tone brisk and business like again.
Xander hid a smirk, "Sure Seven, at 4 yeah?"
"That is correct Xander"
"Then I'll see you then, I have to go. Tom promised me a trip in the Delta Flyer"
Stars hung in space, the vista of of the eternal night sky in all it's glory only a few feet and a shield away from his body. Xander smiled as he 'felt' the small, nimble craft move. Of course, he couldn't actually feel the movement. If he could then they were in trouble. At even sub-light speeds, if not for the Inertial Dampner's, they would be splattered against the back of the hull.
"Can I have a go?" Xander asked, his eyes alight with mischief.
#Careful# Q counseled from his back seat in Xander's mind.
#Awwww, but DAAADD!# Xander replied with an inward chuckle.
Tom Paris looked at Xander with a gauging glance, then smiled impishly, "I shouldn't..." he began
"Captain Janeway, did say that I was to learn as many skills as I was able" Xander reasoned, "and I could fly back in my time" he said, telling the truth, without actually telling the truth. By his estimation his time was now, not back in 2001.
Tom had to concede that point. He had been at that meeting after all, and Captain Janeway had indeed said that. He just wasn't sure that piloting the new flyer was what she had in mind. He thought for a few minutes before finally deciding in Xander's favor, "Okay, normally we'd do some Holodeck time before attempting a real flight but since I'm here I can't see the harm"
Xander smiled widely, looking like a kid in a candy store. He was happy to be at the controls of a craft like this once again, but at the same time he knew he would have to be VERY careful.
"This control here" Tom said pointing at the black LCARS panel in front of Xander, "Is the flight control. Because space is three dimensional the controls reflect that. You have to think the same way. If you imagine the ship with a circle around the X axis, and one around the Y the control is a direct reflection of that. To control speed, you use the slider control below and that will get you started. To program Co-ordinates takes some serious theory. Since this is open space we'll go manual for a few minutes." Tom said, pointing out the various controls needed. "I've got a manual system set up, but if you want to learn the Fleet system, then it's the LCARS I'm afraid"
Xander nodded, looking intent and trying not to show that he knew exactly what to do. "Okay, let's do this"
Tom sat back in his own seat, his hands close to the controls, should there be a problem. Trying to look hesitant Xander reached for the controls. A smile flitted across his face and he sent the small craft into a rapid nose dive. Tom reacted with insanely quick reactions, setting the craft back on the straight and narrow without even blinking, "Remember, the controls are very sensitive" he said with great patience.
Xander smiled at him, and felt like a complete ass, "Sorry"
"No problem, you'll soon get it" Tom told him
Xander touched the controls again, this time with slow, smooth and precise movements. The nimble flyer looped in a graceful arc back up to where they were and Xander pushed the craft forward with a sure sweep of his hand.
Tom watched his movements with professional satisfaction, "That's great Xander, you're a natural. Now take us back towards the ship." Tom said glancing at the navigational display and then pointing in the direction they had to go.
Xander nodded, then almost reached for the flight control panel that he would normally use to enter the Co-ordinates of the ship and let the computer fly. Luckily he caught himself just in time and instead, span the ship round on it's X axis. Then used full thruster to speed the small craft back towards Voyagers safe embrace.
"Well done, we'll make a pilot out of you yet" Tom said with a large smile.
"Okay, but you're putting it back inside Fly boy. I don't feel like painting the hull with my brains today" Xander replied in the same tone.
"No I don't think LaVelle's a good color for Starships" Tom said with an evil glint in his eye.
Xander turned slowly towards him his eyes wide, "How..."
"Not telling...LaVelle" Paris said with a full out laugh at the horrified expression on Xander's face.
"I'll Jettison you if you say that again" Xander said with a good natured laugh.
Xander glared down at the LCARs panel trying to figure out what Seven was telling him in relation to the panel. Strangely enough she was trying to teach him some of the Astrometrics systems, and that was of course, one thing he had never really encountered before. As such this was a totally new system to him. He had been a little worried about this lesson, it would be very difficult to cover the depth of knowledge he had in programming LCARs systems.
"Bridge to Seven" a call came through the intercom, disturbing both of them from their studies. Xander almost span round, expecting an attack he had been so engrossed in the panel.
Seven lifted an eyebrow at his startled reaction, but was already slapping her communicator pin, "Seven here"
"Seven, could you come up here, we need your knowledge" Janeway's calm, but at the same time, slightly tense voice came back over the system.
"On my way" seven said, turning to Xander, "We will have to continue at another time"
"Sure, I'll walk up with you, I've got to report into Tuvok anyway" Xander said with a slight smile. He knew that whatever had Janeway tense would most likely tie up Tuvok, but at the same time, he hadn't been up to the bridge for any amount of time lately.
Seven nodded curtly and led they way out of the lab, walking at a brisk pace with Xander lagging behind slightly. A soft smile gracing his face, where Seven could not see it.
Janeway turned at the hiss of the turbo lift nodding curtly to Seven as she walked over to a science station. "You can guess what we want to know, we're reading high concentrations of neutrino emissions, but very little else"
"I will investigate Captain" Seven said, her head dipping down to study the control panel before her.
"What can we do for you Mr Harris" Janeway said, talking to the other occupant of the turbo-lift.
"I had an appointment with Commander Tuvok" Xander said with a smile, "I'm guessing that now isn't a good time"
"On the contrary Xander, it will be valuable to you to watch how we deal with a security alert. If the captain agrees I suggest you observe the situation" Tuvok said, gaining a nod from the captain.
"I'll just stay out of the way back here then" Xander said moving over to the security position of the bridge, but far enough away to stay out of the way if the need arose for quick movement.
"Very good" Tuvok said with a nod, his eyes moving back to his panels and the readings therein.
"Seven, what's the distance to the center?"
"Six million kilometers, Captain"
Suddenly the ship rumbled and shuddered slightly, "What the hell was that" Janeway demanded.
Tuvok glanced back at his panel, "I'm detecting a tritanium signature, bearing 342, mark 55."
"Whatever it is, it's too close." Tom put in his hands flying across the flight controls..
"Evasive action" Janeway ordered.
Tom leapt to her command and Voyager pitched away to the left, just as a huge BORG cube, loomed out of the soup like nebula.
"Tom!, Get us out of here NOW!" Janeway ordered.
Paris didn't hesitate, reversing their course, just as another Borg cube came out of nowhere towards them.
The Borg vessel, reverberated with the sound of a million voices speaking as one, "Ship Identified As USS Voyager; We will pursue and assimilate"
Another voice, with a feminine tone replied, her's was softer and lacked the usual harmonic of the Borg. She was the one, the beginning and the end of the Borg, "No, No, they haven't compromised our security. Let the vessel continue... for now; I'll keep an eye on them"
"There's no evidence that the cube detected us." Tuvok intoned.
"Where is it now?" Chakotay asked, checking the readings on the arm of his chair.
"Approximately three light-years away." Seven replied.
Xander kept silent watching all of the goings on with a critical eye, impressed at how well they worked together.
"How could they not have seen us?" Tom said, "We came within ten meters of their hull."
"The Borg wouldn't knowingly risk a collision. The radiation must have interfered with their sensors as well." Tuvok said.
"If they can't detect us we should go back." Harry said excitedly
"I would not recommend it, My analysis of the tritanium signature suggests there were at least 47 Borg vessels inside the nebula."
"We can't just give up on those worm holes." Harry pleaded. Xander's ears perked up at that, he hadn't realized that there were any worm holes up until that point.
"Oh, yes, we can." Janeway said in a firm voice.
"What if we try to modify...?" Harry began
"I'm sorry, Mr. Kim." Janeway said, flashing him a slight smile, "You may be the Captain someday, but not today."
House Of Korath, 2400
Janeway beamed down into the cavern like meeting point, her eyes quickly becoming accustomed to the gloom. She was greeted by none other than Miral Paris, wearing the yellow of an operations officer with a Ensign rank showing on her collar.
"Welcome to the house of Korath, admiral." Miral said with a warm smile, for the oldest friend of the family.
"I love what he's done with the place." Janeway said with a wry smile as she looked around, at the two Klingon guards.
There was a rapid fire conversation between Miral and the guards, before the guards slunk away, casting baleful glances back at the two fleeters.
"What was that about?" Janeway asked
"He says your demeanor was disrespectful."
"I hope you told him I didn't mean to be rude."
"I told him if he didn't show you more respect I would break his arm."
"You are your mother's daughter."
Miral smiled slightly at the praise and the tone of the comment, "Korath is waiting." she said, "We should go in."
Janeway stilled her forward progress, "Sorry, but this is where we part ways."
Miral turned to her admiral startled, "Excuse me?"
"You're dismissed, Ensign." Janeway said curtly.
"But, admiral, I really think..."
Janeway cut her off, "I can take care of myself."
"With all due respect I've been working on this for six months, and..."
Janeway yet again cut off the young ensigns tirade, "And you've done an exemplary job, but it's over." she looked at the young Klingon, human woman. "Understood?"
Miral nodded, grudgingly, "Yes, ma'am."
"I happen to know your parents are anxious to spend some time with you." Janeway said in a much softer tone, "Take a few days leave. Go and see them."
Miral nodded, and triggered the transport to return to her own small shuttle craft, and start the long journey back to Mars where her family had made their home.
A large rock looking door, ground backwards across the floor, revealing a cluttered lab, with an aged Klingon, in the middle of it all. He was looking down at a nasty looking weapon with a smile. He glanced up as Janeway came close, "A Cardassian disrupter." Korath said, "I've modified it to emit a nadion pulse."
Admiral Janeway nodded, "Impressive, but that's not what I've come for."
Korath smiled ferally, "No. You've come for something far more dangerous."
"Where is it?"
"Somewhere safe."
"I went to a great deal of trouble to get you your seat on the high council." Janeway said in an annoyed voice, sensing the Klingon's duplicity: "Now give me what you promised."
"I've scanned your shuttle." Korath began conversationally, "It appears that you've made some... Interesting modifications. Your shields generator is of particular interest."
"It's not for sale." Janeway said in no uncertain terms.
"Then what you want isn't available, either." Korath said snappishly
"We had an agreement." Janeway said with an edge to her voice.
"Show the admiral out." Korath said to the Klingon guards that had appeared either side of the elderly admiral.
Janeway nodded, and allowed herself to be escorted away.
Xander looked at the occupant's of the briefing with a slight smile. He had been included more by proxy by actual invite. He had tagged along with Tuvok, and so far, no-one had challenged him. He was observing and that was all they needed to know for now. Despite the fact that he knew this was not a normal meeting by far.
"But Captain..." Harry tried again.
Janeway held up her hand, "I'm sorry Harry, it's just too dangerous"
Harry subsided from his excitement. He of all of them had wanted to get home most. He had left loving parents and a beautiful fiance seven year's ago. He had tried possibly the hardest to find a way home, and the nebula they had just existed tail between legs. Had been their best chance so far. Anyone of the worm holes they detected could've been a way back to the alpha quadrant, but the problem was the Borg...Again!
Tuvok lifted an eyebrow, "Readings indicate a high concentration of cubes in such a small area, I believe that the area holds some significance to the Borg"
Janeway nodded, that was fairly obvious, the question was why.
"Mak-tah hoon... Janeway, ghuy'cha." The Klingon guard said to his House leader. Korath looked up in time to watch Janeway arriving in his work room. Her posture relaxed and her jaw set.
"I've reconsidered your offer." she said by way of greeting
Korath smiled, "I thought you might."
"I'll give you the shield emitter but not until I've inspected the device you're offering... To make sure it's genuine."
"You question my honour?!" Korath sputtered indignantly
"If you were honourable you wouldn't have changed the terms of our agreement." Janeway told him with a wry smile. "Show it to me, or I'm leaving."
Korath walked over to a section of apparently solid rock, pulling out a small device from his pocket he tapped it and the rock wall faded away. Revealing a niche with a small, slender device nestled within.
"This'll do just fine." Janeway said picking up the device and turning it in her hands. Then the hum of a transport in progress invaded Korath's hearing
"Stop her!" he roared to his guards, but it was far to late, Janeway was already gone.
"Computer, deploy armour." Janeway said as soon as she reappeared in her shuttle craft.
The small shuttle suddenly became encased in metal plated Armour, sections overlapping like an armadillo
"Lay in a course for these coordinates." the computer chiripped, causing Janeway to sigh, "What do you want?" she said as Korath's enraged countenance appeared on the small communications panel.
"You'll pay for your deceit, ghuy'cha!" he raged at her. "And the house of Korath won't rest until you've drowned in your own blood!"
"I'd love to stay and chat but I'm on a tight schedule. Computer, warp six."
"Approaching designated coordinates." the computer announced, jolting Janeway from her thoughts.
"All stop." she commanded, her hands flying across the controls.
"Warning: vessel approaching, vector 1-2-1, mark six."
A communications screen lit up, showing Captain Kim, looking stern.
"Harry! And people are always saying that space is so big." Janeway said, tongue in cheek.
"Lower your shields, admiral. Prepare for transport. I'm taking you into custody."
"You have no grounds to take me into custody Captain."
"Reg told the Doctor everything, and the Doctor told me."
"Now please, admiral, stand down."
"On one condition: you let me explain why I'm doing this."
Harry nodded so Janeway triggered the shields and armour to inactive. Soon after, the hum of a transport indicated that Harry was bringing her in.
"You have no idea what the consequences would be." Harry said with a sigh.
"I know what the consequences are if we do nothing." Janeway shot back, her eyes leaver leaving his.
"So do you."
"I have a chance to change all that."
"If Starfleet command knew what you were trying to do..."
"You haven't told them?" Janeway asked.
"The Doctor and I decided to keep things in the family."
"What about your crew?"
"I told them I needed to take you back to Starfleet medical because you'd contracted a rare disease."
"I hope it isn't terminal." Janeway said with that wry grin again.
"No... But it has been known to affect judgement."
"I know what I'm doing, Harry."
"Do you? Can you say with absolute certainty that it'll work?" Because if you can't... Even if it weren't a violation of every rule in the book it would still be far too risky."
Janeway smirked at him, "What?" he asked her.
"I'm remembering a young Ensign who wanted to fly into a Borg-infested nebula, just to explore the remote possibility that we might find a way home."
"If I remember correctly, you stopped me."
"We didn't know then what we know now."
"Our technology may have advanced, but..."
"I'm not talking I'm talking about people--people who aren't as lucky as you and me. You said you and the Doctor wanted to 'keep things in the family. But our family's not complete anymore, is it? I'm asking you to trust my judgement, Harry..." She stared hard into his eyes, "One last time." From Harry's expression, she knew she had already won this battle.
USS Voyager, December 2376 Harry ran slightly to catch up with his sandy haired friend, "Tom."
Tom Paris turned to his younger friend with a welcoming smile, Harry pressed his advantage, What are you doing when your shift ends?"
"No plans." Tom said with a shrug, "Why?"
"I've been thinking. You and I should have some fun. One last adventure before you get too busy being a father."
Tom smiled at that, "Did you reserve some Holodeck time?"
"I've got a better idea." Harry said, handing Tom a PADD.
Tom already knew what it was, something in his gut told him that Harry couldn't leave the thought of getting home so easily, "This is your idea of fun?" he said with a frown.
"It'll work. We just need to make a few modifications to the flyer."
"We might as well just hand it over to the Borg."
"How could that happen with the best pilot in the quadrant at the helm?"
Tom laughed "Nice try."
"If we go to the Captain together she'll be much more likely to approve my plan."
"I don't want her to approve it."
Harry looked shocked at that, "Where's your sense of adventure?"
"I left it in that nebula and I'm not going back for it."
"Don't you want to find a way home?"
Tom let out a sigh, "I am home, Harry."
"Captain proton would never walk away from a mission like this." Harry said matter of factly, in a last ditch effort to get his friend on side.
"Captain proton doesn't have a wife... and a baby on the way." Tom said, effectively ending the discussion and leaving an annoyed Harry standing in the corridor, frustrated.
"Now, step together, slow" Xander said, his voice an intimate whisper, "That's it, you're getting it, now don't forget, just let go a bit"
"That is... difficult for me" Seven admitted from Xander's arms.
"You've done it before" Xander told her spinning round in a complex step turn that she followed with perfectly placed steps of her own. Back in the original time line, Seven had got him to teach her to dance the way that he had back in his day. He realised now that it had actually just been an excuse to get some human closeness with him, especially after the bad time they had just gotten over at the time. It made him warm to think that she wanted that and at the same time, considering where and WHEN he was now, cold to think what Lucy had caused him to loose.
Seven looked into Xander's normally expressive brown eyes to find that they had darkened and become introverted as his heavy burden sat upon him full force for a moment. She didn't know what had caused him pain, but it was there in his eyes. Or rather, it wasn't and that she had learnt was THE indicator to his inner turmoil. Xander didn't tend to share his thoughts or feelings, she didn't know what had happened to cause him to be thus, but she knew she didn't like to see it. "What is the matter?" she asked gently.
Xander's expression cleared, the spark back in his gaze, "Nothing, just thinking"
Do you miss her?" Seven asked.
Xander frowned for a moment, wondering what the hell Seven was talking about, "Sorry, what?"
"The woman, you left behind, the one you were going to meet before the Briori abducted you"
"Yes, yes I do" Xander said with feeling, looking into the very woman's eyes that he missed.
"I am sorry for your loss, she must have missed you terribly"
"What makes you say that, she could be glad to be rid of me" Xander said with a half smile.
Seven regarded him seriously for a drawn out moment, "I doubt that very much. Why are you so self critical?"
Xander felt a little uncomfortable for a moment, and it must have shown on his face because Seven hastily added, "You need not tell..."
"No" Xander cut her off, "No, It's okay. Urh, I didn't have a great home life, I'm told that is what did it" he said with an awkward chuckle, "But hey, I'm all grown up now hey, so now back to the tango"
Seven allowed him his dodge for now, "Very well. This is the most difficult dance for me, it is very emotive. I lack that ability"
"Don't be so sure" Xander said, holding her round the waist, "Computer, give me a tango, 16 bar, square and make it something contemporary" he smiled at Sevens inquisitive glance, "I better get used to this ages musical style don't you think"
Seven nodded, allowed Xander to lead her into the first steps.
Xander led her for a few moments, "Now remember what we did back in Astrometrics, just feel the flow, that tingle in your bones. Remember?"
"I can feel it..." Seven began, "But I am unable to access it"
"This isn't an LCARS terminal it's your body, just let yourself relax" Xander said gently.
"Sometime ago,"Seven began her face thoughtful, "my cortical node failed"
Xander felt his heart skip a beat, "What?"
"I was dying for a short time, until the doctor repaired the error. At the time we found that there is a chip to limit the emotion I am able to feel. The doctor believes that he can remove it. I talked to him earlier today, he told me that a simple operation would be all it takes to allow me the full range of human emotion."
"Are you sure that's a good idea. It's not dangerous or anything is it?" Xander asked with concern.
"We, the doctor and I agree, that any danger is offset by the possible benefits of the surgery"
"Do you honestly feel that you need it?" Xander said looking down intently into Sevens eyes. The tango had been long forgotten, they were gently moving to the music now, with no particular pattern to their movements.
"What do you mean?" Seven asked with a cocked eyebrow. "I would have thought that was obvious, I do"
"Really, because as we proved the other day. You do feel emotion, and can feel it to a large degree without any harm coming to you"
"My relationship with Chakotay has reached an impasse" Seven told him, "I feel this would allow me the ability to feel more deeply for the commander"
"Will removing the chip make you love him anymore than you already do?" Xander asked before he could stop himself, "Is it the chip, or something else?"
Seven stilled their motion, "What do you mean"
Xander smiled, "Nothing, just thinking out loud"
Seven regarded him for a long moment, "Can I take it that you do not think this operation will improve my emotional depth"
"You can, I think you have plenty of depth, it's just more subtle than other peoples" Xander said looking at her and watching her building ire with wry amusement.
"I don not think you know me well enough to make a judgement like that" Seven said, her blue eyes starting to spit fire.
Xander smirked, "Really, I think you're rather proving my point don't you" he said watching the annoyance cross her face, "Besides" he continued in a soft tone of voice, "I'd like to think we're friends Seven. I think I know you better than you would believe"
"This lesson is terminated" Seven said striding towards the door of the Holodeck they were using as a dance hall.
"Seven" Xander called out, halting her departure, "Don't be angry at me for thinking you better than you think yourself" he walked towards her with ever word until he was close to her.
Xander's hand came out and cupped her cheek. His eyes warm and soft he smiled in the same vein, "Seven, if anyone can overcome the limitations of their 'programming' it's you" he said, and with that he walked past her and out of the door. Seven stood alone in the Holodeck her mind whirling and her heart doing a strange thumping thing in her chest.
Unfortunately, her whirling emotions only caused her to strengthen her resolve, and she walked out of the Holodeck, her destination... Her friend the doctor and his corrective surgery.
Seven Of Nine appeared in Chakotay's quarters in a swirl of lights, "Am I early?" she said off of his surprised expression.
Chakotay smiled warmly, "No, you're right on time. Something wrong with the door?" he said with a wry grin.
"I didn't think it would be discreet to be seen carrying flowers to the first officer's quarters." she said handing Chakotay the flowers, which he promptly placed in a handy vase.
They looked at each other for a long moment before Seven launched herself into Chakotay's arms kissing him fierily.
After a few moments of intense kissing Seven stepped back, her faced slightly flushed. Chakotay covered his surprise with a smile, ""Your research?"
"I've been told that anticipation of the first kiss is often uncomfortable. I wanted to alleviate the tension."
"That was very considerate of you. What about the second kiss?" he asked stepping closer to her.
"I'd have to check the database." she said with a smile, moving closer to him as well, "It may indicate..."
"SENIOR OFFICERS TO THE BRIDGE" Janeway's voice interrupted their 'moment'.
"Next time we deactivate the com system." Chakotay commented, leading Seven out of his quarters.
They arrived on the bridge together, but everyone was far too busy looking at the screen. Seven took her place at a science station nodding to Xander as she went. She was stunned to see him there, but then he was training with Tuvok, but she had been under the impression he had a 'date' with Lt. Andrews that evening. Then there was no more time for thought as Chakotay took his station with a simple question.
"What it is?"
"Judging from the tachyon emissions some sort of temporal rift." Janeway said
"How's it being generated?" Seven asked, her natural curiosity gaining an upper edge in her thoughts.
"That's what we're trying to figure out." Janeway said turning back to her own displays.
2400
"If Starfleet command finds out I had anything to do with this they'll demote me back to Ensign." Harry said with a smile, as he studied the shuttles display systems.
"You worry too much, Harry." Janeway shot back smiling, ""It's turning you gray."
"Propulsion's online, plasma flow stable." harry said smiling himself, but studying his readouts intently, "This is a device of Korath's. It produces too much tachyo-kinetic energy. It could burn itself out by the time you get where you're going. You wouldn't be able to get back."
"I've always assumed it was a one-way trip." "You're sure I can't talk you out of this?" Harry asked then smirked, "All right." he said off of Janeway's glance, "Stupid question."
"Kim to the Rhode island. One to beam back."
Janeway waited for a few minutes to give the Rhode Island time to get clear before starting the next stage of her mission, "Computer, activate the chronodeflector." Janeway said, just then the small ship was rocked by phaser fire.
"Deploy Armour" Janeway said calmly, she hadn't met anything that could seriously damage the ablative armour her ship and several like it carried.
"Unable to comply, Armour is offline"
"Damn!" Janeway cursed, moving across the cockpit she reached out for the communications station, "Evasive Pattern Beta Six, Janeway to Rhode Island" she said.
"Harry" she said as the screen came to life, "I'm under attack. How soon can you get back here"
"We're on our way captain, abort the procedure before it's too late and we'll try again" Harry said, his voice grave. "It was dangerous before, but with" he glanced off to one side, "Three Klingon heavy cruisier's on your tail, it will be impossible"
Janeway smirked, "With all we've seen Harry, how can you believe that anything is impossible. Activating Chronometric pulse. Come and guard my back Harry"
2376
"I'm detecting nadion discharges on the other side of the rift." Tuvok announced suddenly, causing Janeway to spin round in her seat.
"Weapons fire?" Chakotay said in confusion.
"It's possible. The signature appears to be Klingon." Tuvok replied
"Red alert." Janeway intoned, the ship complied automatically sending the bridge into a blood red hue.
"There's a vessel coming through the rift." Tuvok said
"Klingon?"
"No. Federation." Tuvok replied to Chakotay's question, with only a brow lifted. Any human would have been stunned to say the least.
"We're being hailed." Harry said, his voice tense with the moment.
"On-screen." Janeway ordered, straightening in her chair.
A much older of herself appeared on screen, looking earnestly into the 'camera'
"Re-calibrate your deflector to emit an anti-tachyon pulse. You have to seal that rift."
Janeway smirked slightly, "It's usually considered polite to introduce yourself before you start giving orders."
Tuvok cut into the conversation, "Captain a Klingon vessel is coming through."
"Close the rift!" the elder Janeway pressed, "In case you didn't notice I outrank you, Captain."
Janeway nodded and glanced back at Seven, "do it"
Seven complied.
"I did what you asked." Janeway said as the pulse speared out from their deflector array, "Now tell me what the hell is going on."
Admiral Janeway smiled beatifically, her eyes scanning the bridge. Her gaze came to rest on a suddenly petrified looking Xander Harris who had suddenly realised just what was happening, and what that could mean for him. Janeway allowed her eyes to rest back onto her younger self, but her mind was thanking the gods that she'd timed it right and that he was there, she hadn't been sure if he would be, given his unique status. At least she was in time to do some good after all. Then she dropped the bombshell on her old crew and younger self.
"I've come to bring Voyager home."
Janeway smiled at her counterpart, "Welcome aboard."
"It's good to be back." Admiral Janeway said, looking around the Captains ready room with a whimsical smile.
"Fresh coffee." Janeway said giving the cup a little shake, "Would you like a cup?" "No, I gave it up years ago. I only drink tea now." Janeway elder said, "I told the curator at the museum that if he wanted to make the ready room more authentic, he should always keep a steaming pot of coffee on the desk."
"Voyager's in a museum?" Janeway asked with a cocked eyebrow. "Voyager was a museum... On the grounds of the presidio. before it was destroyed. On a clear morning, you could see alcatraz from here."
"You made it back to earth." Janeway said with a smile. "Unfortunately, our favourite cup took a bit of a beating along the way. It was damaged during a battle with the Fen Domar."
"Who?" Captain Janeway asked with a confused expression. THAT was one name she had never heard before. "Wait a minute, the presidio was destroyed"
"You'll run into the Fen Domar in a few years, The Presidio..." Janeway cut her off with a raised hand "You know what?" she said, "I shouldn't be listening to details about the future."
Admiral Janeway smiled and waived a hand in the air "Oh, the almighty temporal prime directive." she sat down with a slight sigh, "Take my advice. It's less of a headache if you just ignore it."
"You've obviously decided to or you wouldn't be here." "A lot's happened to me since I was you."
"Well, I'm still me and this is still my ship so no more talk about what's going to happen until I decide otherwise. Understood?"
Admiral Janeway nodded "All right. Let's talk about the past." she said suddenly becoming focused, "Three days ago, you detected elevated neutrino emissions in a nebula in grid 986. You thought it might be a way home. You were right. I've come to tell you to take Voyager back to that nebula."
"It was crawling with Borg." "I've brought technology that'll get us past them. Oh, I don't blame you for being sceptical but if you can't trust yourself, who can you trust?" "
"For the sake of argument let's say I believe everything you're telling me. The future you come from sounds pretty good."
Janeway paused before smiling, "Voyager's home, I'm an admiral. There are ways to defend against the Borg. My ready room even gets preserved for posterity. So, why would you want to tamper with such a rosy time line?"
Admiral Janeway: "To answer that I'd have to tell you more than you want to know but suffice it to say if you don't do what I'm suggesting it's going to take you another 16 years to get this ship home and there are going to be casualties along the way. I know exactly what you're thinking."
Janeway smiled around her discomfort "You've also become a telepath?" "I used to be you, remember?" Janeway-elder said, ignoring the sarcasm, "You're asking yourself 'is she really who she says she is or is this some sort of deception?' for all you know I could be a member of species 8472 in disguise. Have your people examine my shuttle. Tell them to take a close look at the weapons systems and the armor technology. In the meantime, the Doctor can confirm my identity."
The EMH, a system originally designed as a 'filler' system, only to be used in dire emergency and had been running seven year's now, was also a valued officer to Janeway. He had a distinct personality of his own and his bedside manner had certainly evolved since those first days of his activation.
"My scans of the admiral's cerebral cortex turned up something interesting." The doctor said, in that tone he always used when he was excited by a discovery. "What is it?" Captain Janeway asked, her elder double was sat on a bio bed, a scanner bleeping at her.
"I'm not sure--I've never seen this kind of implant before." The doctor said, again in that excited tone.
"Alien technology?" Janeway surmised. "The microcircuitry has a Starfleet signature." The EMH replied.
Admiral Janeway sat up on the bio bed a slight smile gracing her face, "Of course it does."
The Doctor cleared his throat, "Admiral?" "You invented it--12 years ago from my perspective."
"I'm sorry, admiral, I didn't realize..." Admiral Janeway: "What? That I was eavesdropping? I may be old, but my hearings still excellent thanks to your exemplary care over the years."
"So, this... Implant I'm going to invent--what does it do?" "It's a synaptic transceiver. It allows me to pilot a vessel equipped with a neural interface."
"Fascinating." The Doc said, his smile showing itself, "Tell me, what other extraordinary breakthroughs am I going to make?"
Janeway held up a hand to still her elders reply: "Doctor." she said sharply, snapping him back to the task at hand.
The Doctor looked contrite, "Sorry, Captain but you can't blame a hologram for being curious."
"Just finish your report." "Yes, ma'am. My scans indicate that the two of you are genetically identical. The admiral is you, approximately 26 years from now."
The doors of the sickbay swished open in that way that all federation doors seemed to have, revealing Seven of Nine, Admiral Janeway smiled warmly at the ex-Borg "Hello, Seven."
Seven spared her a glance, "The technology aboard the Admiral's ship is impressive. Much of it appears to have been designed to defend against the Borg." she said to her captain. "Could we install these systems on Voyager?"
"The stealth technology is incompatible but I believe we can adapt the armor and weapons." Admiral Janeway smiled again, this time with a question in her gaze, "Well, Captain?" Janeway appeared to think it over for several moments before nodding sharply, "Do it."
"Captains personal log, stardate 54973.4: we've begun outfitting Voyager with Admiral Janeway's upgrades. As soon as the major modifications are complete we'll reverse course and head back to the nebula. Though I've certainly had some strange experiences in my career, nothing quite compares to the sight of my future self briefing my officers on technology that hasn't been invented yet."
The computer's voice cut through the silence like a proverbial knife through button as Seven stepped into a regeneration alcove, her eyes snapping shut and her pupils started to move, almost immediately into REM sleep, "Begin regeneration cycle." "Seven of Nine tertiary adjunct of Unimatrix zero one. It's been too long." The Borg queen said, appearing out of Seven's very dream-scape, as if by magic.
"What do you want?" Seven demanded, her voice tight with repressed emotion, including some fear.
"Do I need a reason to visit a friend?" The Borg queen said with a slight smile. "We're not friends." Seven said with assuredness.
"No... We're more than that. We're family. And while we're on the subject of old friends--I see that Voyager has just got a visitor and she's come from the future. Tell me why." "You may be able to communicate with me while I'm regenerating but I'm no longer a drone--I don't answer to you."
"I've extrapolated Voyager's trajectory. I know that you're returning to the nebula. I suggest you alter course."
"Why should we comply?" "You've always been my favourite, Seven in spite of your obvious imperfections. I know how much you care for the Voyager crew so I've left them alone. Imagine... How you'd feel if I were forced to assimilate them."
"Voyager is no threat to the collective. We simply want to return to the alpha quadrant." "I've no objection to that but if you try to enter my nebula again... I'll destroy you." Seven let out a gasp of pain as she was forced out of her regeneration cycle with a pulse of power. She started to sag, only to be caught in a strong pair of arms. Xander looked down at his love, and friend, in shock. He had come to see if he could do anything to help her out with the current situation. He had arrived to find that she was regenerating and was about to leave just as she was thrown from her alcove. Moving on instinct he sagged slightly and got his arms under her slender, but surprisingly heavy frame. He then hefted her up into his arms and strode out of the bay with long, ground eating strides.
Xander looked down at the beautiful blonde haired woman, currently lying prone on the Biobed in Voyager's sick bay. He was a mass of seething emotions, just by looking down at her peacefully sleeping face. The doctor had stabilised her and had ascertained what had happened. He was currently in his office, reporting to his Captain what had happened to the ex member of Unimatrix one. Her eyelids flickered slightly, signalling that she was coming back to the land of the awake.
Xander stepped back from where he had been leaning over her and just looking at her, drinking her in, his memories overlaying, replaying their times together as he allowed him self a moment of memory. He didn't often allow himself to remember, he couldn't it was too painful and just another reason to hate the super being that he now knew as Lucifer. "Xander?" Seven asked as her eyes opened slowly. Her voice sounding a little tired. "Seven" Xander said, warmth radiating from the single word, "You had us worried" "Us?" she asked trying to sit up. She quickly found herself being held in place by Xander's surprisingly strong grip.
"Steady there Seven, your cortical node took quite a shock" Xander told her, pressing her firmly back to the Biobed. "There's no sense in rushing it."
"I am fine" she insisted, pushing her way to sitting, her own strength augmented as it was by the Borg allowing her that freedom.
Xander let out a weary sigh but he was sighing, "Boy, and people tell me I'm rotten patient!"
Seven smiled slightly at his mild joke, swinging her legs off of the bed, just as Both Janeway's virtually flew into the room.
"Seven" Captain Janeway said smiling when she saw her young protégée sitting up on the bed. She noticed, with some amusement, that Xander was supporting her in such a way as to appear not to be doing so.
The EHM doctor then walked out of his office, an amused expression on his face, "Well that has to be some sort of record" he commented wryly. "Normally, I have to drag you down here" The captain shot him a mild glare as the Admiral chuckled at his statement. The elder Janeway then pierced the dark haired young man who was doing his best to blend in with the wall. Her lips quirking in a smile as she saw the startled bunny look of fear in his eyes. 'Oh yes,' she thought to herself, 'I DO know all your secrets my friend' Xander seemed to pick up something in her gaze, because he looked even more worried at her steady look. "hi" he said after a moment, "I'm..."
Admiral Janeway cut him off, "Xander, yes I know. It's good to see you old friend." her eyes warm.
Captain Janeway shot her a surprised look. Certainly Xander was a personable sort of man, but the warmth she heard in her own, albeit older, tones was unmistakable. Xander just smiled warmly back, thankful at last to have on of the few he considered to be a friend actually look at him as one, even if the circumstances were screwy as hell. Seven just looked back and forth between the three, sharing a raised eyebrow with her friend, the doctor.
"Well this is cosy," Janeway commented with a smile, then looked at Seven, "How are you Seven?"
"I am well, thank you Captain" Seven told her with a slight inclination of her head. Janeway looked at the doctor for confirmation which he gave; grudgingly, "Her cortical node was badly effected for a short while with some sort of tachyon burst." He then smiled at Xander, "If not for Xander, it could have been much worse." Janeway the younger smiled at him, "It seems I owe you my thanks, once again Xander" Xander shrugged smiling slightly, "All part of the service Ma'am"
Both Janeway's winced comically and Xander quickly changed his statement, "Captain, sorry" he said, though his eyes were dancing comically. They ceased their merry dancing when he met the Admiral's eyes, instead focusing intently on her, "And Admiral; of course." "Don't worry Xander, I happen to know that I'll have cause to thank you for a lot more than this, you'll get it right one day." Admiral Janeway said with a smirk, then her eyes took on an evil glint, "In fact, I happen to know a lot about you."
Janeway cocked an eyebrow, "Like what?" she asked, curious beyond the temporal prime directive.
"I know a voice in his head was disappointed when you said that offer of marriage was closed." Admiral Janeway said her eyes dancing.
Seven glanced at Xander in surprise, then her eyes widened in further shock as his normally jovial demeanour was gone, a coolness she'd never seen before was behind his eyes as he looked at Janeway. He knew that Admiral Janeway had helped get the Voyager home before, but was THIS that Admiral, or was it perhaps Lucifer.
The admiral, once again seemed to read his mind, "I'm not who you think I am Xander, so don't worry yourself over that."
Xander seemed taller somehow, his very bearing had changed, all thought about the hear and now was placed to one side as he glared at the Admiral, "I can't really be sure of that, now can I?" he asked, his tone glacial.
Captain Janewaylooked between the two, "Just what is going on here?" she asked. The Admiral smiled at her younger couterpart, "Our young friend has an enemy, one who is still around to this very day. He's worried I'm him in disguise."
"I've cleared the admiral myself" the doctor inserted helpfully, or so he hoped. "This guy, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference, even with your technology" Xander said his hand sliding into his coat slowly.
#There is one way I can tell# he thought to Q. His hand willing the pommel of his sword in place.
#She's not Lucifer, he's powerful, and thus very easy to sense. This is a human, easy to sense for a similar reason# Q filled in seriously. He had been working on the problem in the back of Xander's mind since just before it had occurred to the human himself. Xander relaxed, perceivably and Admiral Janeway just smiled knowingly at him. #You know, if she is from the future, a future where we didn't get back to earth on time, she could spill the beans on us# Xander said to Q.
#Indeed she could, but knowing my Katie, she won't. She's had some fun at our expense and made her couterpart look more closely at you. That i think is all she wanted to do. Of course, she may be waiting for the right moment. She's not the same as MY Katie#
"So Seven, what happened" The doctor asked, ignoring the byplays now and getting back to work on Seven.
"The Borg Queen, she visited me in my dream" Seven told them her brow creasing as she tried to remember the exact details, "She warned us, warned us to stay out of the nebula."
Xander's eyes snapped open as he felt a presence enter his room, it wasn't the female Q, he knew that feeling well by now, she and Q had been 'visiting' for the entire time he had been aboard Voyager. He wasn't sure if it was his continued association with Q or him, but he kinda felt when she was around.
A hand touched his shoulder and he started to move instantly. In a blink of an eye he was on his feet, a slender form was face down on his bunk, her face pushed into the covers as her arm was twisted back holding her in a tight arm lock.
"Oh shit, Admiral, I'm so sorry" Xander said letting go of the woman quickly and helping her back up.
Admiral Janeway looked at him with mirth in her eyes, so he figured he wasn't in too much trouble. "Well, that's a fine hello" she commented wryly.
"I'm not used to friendly people sneaking up on me admiral"
"Yes, I'd forgotten" Janeway said rolling her shoulder, "More fool me" she added with a smile.
"So, what can I do for you Admiral?" Xander said, after a moment of silence.
"It's more, what I can do for you" she said, sitting down on his bed, with no shred of nervousness at invading his personal area in such a way. As only a person that knew him well could do.
"Really?" Xander said cautiously. He wasn't one hundred percent convinced who she was.
"I'm not Lucifer Xander, for gods sake" Janeway said rolling her eyes. "I'm me, from the future, but I'm still Kathryn Janeway, someone I KNOW you know very well."
Xander frowned, "How so?"
Janeway smirked, "Let's just say, in about six months time from now, in my time line. There's an incident. A computer virus infects the system, just as we are going into battle with the Fem Domar. YOU, managed to kill the virus, but not in time to save us from attack. It was you taking over the flight controls when Tom was knocked out and flying rings around the Fem Domar that allowed us to survive. B'Ellana then did some snooping into the virus and tracked the cure back to you. You'd managed to weasel out of the flying by telling us Tom had been teaching you. But the computer virus was another thing entirely. Eventually with seven's help I managed to get out of you exactly what happened. Not all of it at once of course, but over the next year I found out more and more. Eventually, you and I... We became close friends, despite our age differences. I learned all about what you'll come to call Track 1, and what happened in it. Since that time, I've found out a lot about just what you are capable of, and how you came by those skills. I know that Q is currently serving out a sentence that was given by none other of the creator of the universe. I know that you've met the being in question and I know many other things besides."
Xander sat in stunned silence for all of a minute before he smiled warmly, "Nice to have someone around that actually knows what's going on."
Janeway smiled at him, "I would think so. I can't be easy for you especially right now."
"Why?" Xander asked with a frown.
"Don't play coy with me Xander, I know you better than that. I know how you feel about Seven"
Xander gulped past a lump in his throat, "Yeah; well..." he trailed off, his eyes suspiciously wet as he turned away, "Tempus Fugit"
Janeway laughed, "I'm also the only one in the here and now that knows you speak several ancient languages, of which Latin is but one. I know what that means Xander and whilst Time does Flow, it is not always in one direction and that you and I are outside of our own times. Me, not for so long, I know the fate that awaits me. I know that you, will go on for a very very long time."
Xander looked at her with sympathy in his eyes, "I told you what happened in my track then hey?"
Janeway nodded, "That you did" she answered, "But don't worry, I have no wish to die, I'm sure we can come up with something."
"I don't want to watch another friend die" Xander said his voice rough with emotion, "It seems to be the curse of my existence"
Janeway frowned, "What does?"
"Surviving all the time." he said his tone leaden with guilt.
"Idiot!" Janeway snapped, "It's a gift, to yourself and to the universe. You always sell yourself too short. I've always hated that, and so did Seven"
Xander missed the past tense in her sentence. Instead he gave a half hearted chuckle, "I'm just feeling a bit down"
"Still giving Seven lessons in how to dance?" Janeway said with a sympathetic expression.
Xander shot her a wan smile, "Yep"
"What about Jo?" "Stood me up" Xander said with a shrug, "I checked on her earlier, I don't think she even knew I was there. She's big into her orgasm, damn it; organism"
Janeway laughed at his slip, "Well, persevere Xander do me that favour"
Xander looked incredibly sad, "I take it I don't get anywhere with Seven?"
"On the contrary, you do, just not in the way you mean"
Xander gave a deep sigh, "Well, I figured that would happen if we had to stay on this boat."
"Enough of this maudlin crap" Janeway said surprising the hell out of him, she smirked at his reaction, "You're a terribly bad influence on those around you Xander" she said with an affectionate grin, "I've actually come here to give you something."
Xander took a deep breath and the smiled, "Really, is it pretty?"
"Can be," Janeway the elder said with a smirk, "But it's more of a functional gift!"
"cool, what is it?" Xander asked, his curiosity now peeked.
"This" Janeway said, pulling out what looked to be an exact duplicate of his watch. The gun metal Rolex that Anya had brought for him so long ago, still in place on his wrist even after all that time.
"A new watch?" he asked in confusion, "I'm flattered, but this watch has a special meaning to me" he said, blushing slightly.
Admiral Janeway let out a laugh, "Then this watch will be the same, it's the same watch. About a year ago, it finally broke, the system failed it. I managed to procure this from a friend of ours sometime in the future. Then I had some techs add something to it and got it working again." she told him, tossing him the watch.
"Wow, heavy" he said sounding like a stoner, but he was in fact referring the weight of the watch, "Why does it weigh so much?"
"That would be the ablative armour and forcefield generators built into the mechanism."
Xander eyed the watch, "Huh?"
"Like the armour on my ship, this watch has that armour, but changed to work on a mobile person. There's a forcefield to protect you against most things, but the armour comes out when you need it. There's is also stealth capacity as well." Janeway told the now smiling man, "There is of course one slight problem."
"What?"
"The techs I gave this too were able to make the armour and field generators small enough to fit inside the watch, it's the very height of 2400 technology, but there is no power supply."
"Damn" Xander said, "That would have been kinda cool as well"
#I can help there# Q told him from the back of his mind, #I can power the watch, just as long as it is on your body#
Xander let out a laugh that surprised Janeway and then took his watch off, carefully placing it on the bed and vowing to keep it safe, then he placed it's future self back onto his wrist and watched with delight as it started to tick.
"How?" Janeway asked, "I thought you'd be able to find a powerful witch or something to charge it for you. I didn't know..."
"Wasn't me" Xander cut in and Janeway's eyes lit up in realisation.
"Q" they said together, prompting the entity to laugh into Xander's mind.
"Okay," Xander said with excitement lacing his voice, "How do I get this baby working?"
Janeway quirked an eyebrow as Seven finished relating to the them just what the Borg queen had told her. "Really, what's there that is so important?" she asked the room in general. All of her officers where there, with the inclusion of Xander, who her future counterpart had insisted be there.
"I do not know. Although there is a theory" Seven admitted.
"Theoretical or otherwise Seven, I'd be interested to hear what you've got to say" Janeway told her.
"Ensign Kim and I have done some more extensive research on the scan log and WE have decided what we have here is a Borg, Transwarp Conduit"
"No wonder the Borg queen wants us to stay away" Janeway said with a sigh, her hopes dashed, "Just how well secured is it?"
"There would be more than one hundred cubes in the area and at least 30% of those would be tactical cubes." Seven said matter of factly.
"Forefathers" Chakotay exclaimed, "That's a lot of Borg"
Seven nodded, smiling slightly. "Yes it is"
"Well, that's the plan out of the window" Janeway said with a heavy sigh. Harry was about to interrupt but even he saw the futility of going against that many Borg cubes.
"Actually," Admiral Janeway began, only for Janeway younger to cut her off, "This is non negotiable. I WILL not take my crew into that sort of danger."
Admiral Janeway stood and glared around the table, "You're all dismissed" she said with finality in her voice. They all, almost to a man looked to the captain who nodded her head.
Admiral Janeway smiled, "I'd forgotten that. That almost complete loyalty to you, despite rank, I can't believe I had forgotten that." she said with a shake of her head. She grabbed Xander by the arm and held him back, "not you" she said firmly.
Janeway didn't look too happy about that but held her tongue until the last of her officer's had filed out of the doorway. "What's the meaning of this?" she asked and then looked at Xander, "And no offence to Xander, but what has he got to do with this."
"You don't want to know the future, so I can't tell you, but suffice to say that I'll be in need of his particular skills shortly and I trust him wholeheartedly." Janeway paused then continued with a sad smile, "Besides, I think he needs to know this."
Xander looked at her with a worried frown, they had covered a lot the night before, what else did he need to know.
"It's about Seven" Admiral Janeway began.
"Stop, I don't want to hear about the future. We've polluted the time line enough already"
"She dies" she said in a toneless voice.
Janeway blanched and sat heavily down on her seat, "What?" she asked.
Xander lost all feeling in his legs, dropping back down into a chair he just stared out of the viewer, his mind whirring.
"About a year from now, she is wounded in a fire fight with the Fem Domar" Janeway continued, relentlessly, "The doctor tried to save her, did every thing in his data banks to keep her alive." she glanced at Xander, "Outside help was called in; but, apparently once a soul is already moving on, there is nothing, not even the creator himself can do about it."
Xander met her eyes, realising just what she meant, he tried to keep the pain out of his eyes and luckily, Captain Janeway was too stunned by her own grief to see it as it lurked in his dark chocolate eyes.
"And she's not the last, the years we spent travelling through the Fem Domar's reign were the most unpleasant we have ever encountered. Chakotay never fully recovered either, not after Seven was gone. He wasn't the same. " Admiral Janeway said watching her friend closely, trying to show him with her eyes that she wasn't trying to hurt him, but convince her counterpart that they had to go on. "Everyone, some more than others were effected. Tuvok, has a rare brain disorder, that if treated correctly, NOW, can be held at bay. But, of course, he did not receive it. He didn't die, before you asked, but I wished he had, it would've been much kinder"
Captain Janeway looked down to find that her hands were shaking. Then Admiral Janeway dropped THE bomb on her.
"When we got back to earth, there were no celebrations. We returned to find that the system was in utter chaos. Almost from when we entered Federation space, we were attacked by creatures so horrible, so demonic that we almost didn't make it to earth." she drew in a long shuddering breath, "As I left, humanity was on the verge of being wiped out."
Janeway looked at her aghast, "What?" she demanded, "How, how is that possible"
"There is an enemy coming, even as we speak that are far worse than anything the Federation has encountered before. THIS man" she said pointing at Xander, "is one of the few that actually knows how to fight them and win. That was no costume he was wearing when he turned up on this ship."
"What?" Janeway said, "I'm not sure I follow you."
"Demons," Xander said his voice deep and focused.
Janeway scoffed, "I see that Tuvok was not the only one that suffered brain damage. I myself must have had a knock to the head at some point in my future."
"Have the doctor scan Tuvok, then do a little digging into some history books. You'll see what I'm saying is true" Admiral Janeway said. She pointed at Xander, "That man there is one of the most important people in the universe at this point Captain. Trust me, as you have always trusted yourself. He needs to get home to earth and he needs to get there fast. If for no other reason than that, you need to listen to me and do as I ask."
"You do realise, that you've blown my cover wide open, don't you?" Xander asked Admiral Janeway with a slight laugh in his eyes.
"No, I haven't, because I know that you need to do what you need to do in secret and since that" she pointed at her younger self, "is me, she'll understand as well."
"What, you need me to keep this secret, that is if I believed you in the first place. It would be gross negligence on my part to do so."
"The federation is about to find out for itself, you'll be in a position to guide the rudder as it were. Just remember, Xander needs to be kept on a long leash, that's all. I'd suggest you give him a field commission here and now, he knows more about federation technology than you'd believe."
"What, no FUCKING way" Xander said angrily, "I've been caught up before with the f...military I'm not going down that route again."
"So, who are you going to get to help. Captain Masters?" Admiral Janeway shot back, "Good Idea, great in fact, what about Caltair III, what about the Draconian, Major Frank? What about Am'ritha? What about Dee? What about Seven?" she said the last breaking the camels back.
"I don't like this." Xander growled.
Admiral Janeway smirked, "I know"
"You want me to give a civilian an immediate field commission," Janeway through her hands up in the air, "Of course, would you like me to pass over my command while I'm at it?"
"Xander, will tell you a story one day, when he trusts you enough" Admiral Janeway said, "That'll make you; cry" Janeway looked at her double askance. "I'm not kidding. You'll then see that he knows more about the federation than he's been letting on."
"So he's a fake?" Janeway asked glaring at Xander.
"Yes" Janeway-Elder said, "But only to protect the universe as we know it."
Janeway rolled her eyes, "You honestly expect me to believe this?"
Xander sighed, "Fine," he said, "I'll have to prove it to you." he pulled out his Q sword and laid it on the conference room table, "This is Q. This is why he wasn't able to come himself and tell you about that Briori pod, this is the reason that the Female has taken such an interest in you. In another time 'track' I lost the fight, I was not killed apparently, but almost done for. Then Q saved me, he got into some trouble about that, and this..." he pointed at the sword, "is his punishment, I'm here, memories intact, because that enemy I was worried about would have killed me, if I were clueless and without protection. Hell, it's his fault I'm here and not on the enterprise as i was the first time."
"Time travel?" Janeway hazzaded.
"Sort of, but believe me, the time line is already so screwed, there is nothing useful I could give you." Xander said sitting heavily in his chair again. He reached for the sword which disappeared from the table and appeared in his hand, "You're being very quiet" he said.
"I'm trying to take this all in" Janeway replied.
Xander smiled, "I wasn't talking to you" he said giving the sword in his hand a little shake.
Janeway sighed, "I'm still not totally convinced"
Admiral Janeway and Xander shared a look and gave a sigh, it was obvious that they had their work cut out for them.
Several hours later Xander lifted his head from the conference table and glared at the two Janeway's. "I don't like this. Won't questions be asked?"
"Yes, but I'm doing the commissioning" Admiral Janeway answered, "They'll assume I knew that you'd be a fine officer."
"Okay, what rank will I be this time?" Xander asked leaning back and popping his back. Convincing Janeway had proved to be harder than either he or the admiral had thought, but eventually they had got through to her. Now, in typical Xander luck, they were ganging up on him to force him into taking a star fleet commission.
Admiral Janeway smiled, "Ensign?" she said with a smirk.
"Oh Creator!" Xander said with a sigh.
Captain Janeway nodded, "That would make the most sense." she said then noticed her doubles growing smile, "What, I'm missing something here?"
"Lieutenant Harris" Admiral Janeway said, "How about accepting your old commission back, on my authority."
Xander just groaned again, "As long as I don't have to wear the jogging suit."
"You were a lieutenant? The Marines?" Janeway double asked.
"Sort of, in the previous time line I was in the fleet for a short time. I was a Lieutenant (jg) until I threw my pips at Chakotay."
"I did sense you don't actually like each other." Captain Janeway said with a slight chuckle. "Why?"
Xander closed up on her, "You SO don't want to know."
Janeway looked at the admiral, "Well?"
"You SO don't want to know" the Admiral said with a smirk.
"I still don't see how the rest of the crew is going to like any of this" Xander said, referring to his sudden promotion.
"I'll just say that some information has come to light about your past and that is the reason you were drafted" Captain Janeway said.
"And when they ask what?"
"I'll tell them that you served in the marines for longer than you had implied, and that with the reports I've been getting from Seven, Tuvok and Tom Paris. I decided that you would be of use to me. So I reinstated your old commission, and rank"
Xander rolled his eyes, "I'm still worried about this. I mean, so they go for it, that's fine, it's unusual but not totally unheard of. Starfleet will however, still be able to cramp my style once we do reach Earth. Because, we're decided right, to go with this new plan?"
"Well, I don't like it" Admiral Janeway admitted, "Putting you in the line of fire like that is worrying, but I'm out numbered."
"I'm okay with it, I just hope you two know what you're doing." Captain Janeway admitted.
"You'll keep quiet about the time and Demon stuff?" Xander asked.
"I will" Janeway reassured him, "I doubt I'd be believed anyway."
"Once we get back to earth, I've got some plans I need to put in action. I'll do this if nothing interferes with that."
"I'll make sure of it. I believe with the knowledge you've both passed on to me, we should be able to dodge most pitfalls."
"Some we have to drive straight into though" Xander said thoughtfully. "There are a few situations that I think will have to play out just like they did before, at least to start with."
Xander suddenly stopped talking, "Talk of the Q and she will appear" he said his head tilting to one side just as the female Q flashed into place, sat at the table a smirk on her face.
"Hello Boys" she said, almost jocularly to Xander, and of course her husband, "Miss me?"
"Hello Q!" Janeway younger said, surprised, at both her sudden appearance and damn right friendly attitude towards Xander.
Xander smiled at the female Q, "You know he always does" he said matter of factly. "You here for a visit?"
The female Q became serious, "I'm afraid not, I have been instructed, " she said the last word with distaste, "to bring you to a hearing of the powers."
"Ah hell! Did I break some rules or something?" Xander said looking worried.
"No, no one has this time. It's a matter of law that's being discussed but it directly involves you." she said and snapped her fingers.
Admiral Janeway turned to Captain Janeway with a smile, "Don't you hate it when they do that?" Captain Janeway smiled and nodded.
Xander was now so used to the sudden shifts in his position that he didn't bat an eye as he suddenly found himself standing in the middle of a courtyard, straw at his feet and ramparts and other medieval things were arrayed him.
"Huh" he said with a slight smile as he looked around at the millions of different gods that stood round the edges of the large courtyard.
"What?" the female Q asked.
"It's different this time." he said looking around, "Last time it looked like a knights road show, now it looks like a castle."
"Humans!" she said rolling her eyes.
Xander smirked slightly. "Don't blame me, it's not like I have any control over it."
The female Q looked at him, intently, "Actually, you do" she told him. "just focus on what you want to see, and it'll form." she told him.
Xander frowned, "Okay" he said and concentrated. The courtyard spread out, the floor turning from grey to green, the floor directly under his feet turning a rust red with a white line leading away. The Powers That Be shifted and formed into spectators at a baseball diamond, leaving him and the female Q standing at the pitchers position. "huh, funky" Xander said smiling.
The female Q shot him a pleased smile but her focus soon shifted as three new people appeared, one just phased into sight, the other two arrived in a flash of red light.
Xander growled low in his throat, a sound that made Q look at her young friend and bearer of her husband in shock. It had been such a primeval sound it had made the metaphysical hairs on her equally metaphysical neck stand up. "Lucy" he said, still in that same growl.
"It is he that called the treaty meeting" Q filled in, nodding towards the other familiar figure standing with the handsome ex-Q. "I believe you know him."
Xander smiled slightly, "Marshall, what's he doing here?"
"That is the question of the hour." An Alice Cooper look alike said walking towards the young bearer with a smile. "Welcome back, I like the changes you've made to the ole place." the creator said encompassing the stadium with a wave and jingle of his arm.
Xander looked a little startled that the creator could see what he saw, but then as the only truly omni-powerful being in the universe, it shouldn't have been a surprise.
"What's the what, urh Sir?" Xander asked.
The creator smirked at him and the female Q bent to Xander's ear and whispered, "My lord is the correct way to address the creator"
"Sorry, My Lord" Xander quickly corrected.
"The what is a whom, and he is over there, if you'll join me at the plate, we'll get you up to date, and then you can make any objections you may have" the creator told them both, leading them to the plate.
"Lover Boy" Marshall rumbled, almost pleasantly.
"Marshall" Xander said in the same way.
Xander then turned to Lucifer with a grimace of distaste. "Lucy!" he virtually spat, "What is it you're concocting this time." Then he smirked, "By the way, good foot you've got on you there, ever thought of football as an alternative to universal domination?"
Lucifer just glared at him for a moment then smiled charmingly, "Must we be so uncivil to each other, after all. We both want the same things, perhaps from opposite views, but essentially we're the same you and I?"
"You know," Xander said calmly, "I don't think any one has ever managed to insult me that much before now."
Lucifer glared at him again as the female Q sniggered with her back facing them.
"I wouldn't laugh if I were you. By the way how IS little Q?" Lucifer asked with a sardonic lilt to his voice, the threat was clear.
The female Q reacted in a way any mother would, only Xander physically moving between her and Lucifer ceased her charge. "Ignore him" Xander said soothingly, "He's too afraid to touch little Q, we both know that." he told he female super entity with a slight wink. Then turned as Lucifer wound himself up into a rage.
"Enough!" the creator said, his words soft, but his tone hard. "We have business to attend to here."
Xander nodded smirking into Lucifer's enraged glare. "So, what is the business?" he asked looking at Marshall.
"It's been suggested that by my actions, leaving you memory intact and taking you to the pod from the chamber, I have acted unfairly towards demonic kind." The creator said with an edge to his tone. "Some" he said a slight curl of his lip showing that he really wasn't happy about what he was going to say, "Of the power's believe this to be true."
"huh, well if you hadn't I'd already be dead, because Lucy would've killed me like that" Xander said with a snap of his fingers. "Hell, he even tried it anyway. I was just lucky to miss any suns" he said turning and looking the creator in the eye he winked slightly.
The creator winked back, making Xander smile, but he kept his own counsel. "So, the way i see it you didn't have a choice."
"Nor do I, however, the fairness issue apparently still stands" The creator said with an almost aggrieved tone.
"Of course it does" Lucifer said his tone commanding, "My kind are unfairly treated as it is, in a breach of inalienable humanoid rights. However, I can see My Lords quandary, which is why I have suggested a resolution." Lucifer smiled at Xander, "This human has knowledge of the future which would affect my demonic kind. This must be balanced." he finished.
Xander sorted, "Damn, you're just like a lawyer, I suppose the really are evil after all."
Xander then pointed to Marshall, "So not that it's not GREAT to see him again, but this is Marshall from the original Time Track, what is he doing here?"
Marshall barked a laugh thinking that he would've liked to have met Xander under different conditions he was funny.
"A balance must be reached" a murmur in an undisclosed voice said from the stalls of 'gods'.
The Creator frowned and Xander looked back to find the female Q was doing the same thing. #Q, ole buddy, what's going on here?# he asked his internal oracle.
#Lucifer has co-opted some member's of the Power's that be to plead his case with him.# Q replied, more anger in his tone than Xander had ever heard. #This changes this dramatically. With support Lucifer will more than likely win#
#Damn# Xander thought succinctly, "I suppose you are the balance" he said looking at Marshall.
"That's me Lover Boy. You can bet, that this time Carmel won't be doing you in the shower!" Marshall said with a growl.
Lucifer snorted slightly, then continued with his speech, "My Master vampire, at my side, has similar knowledge to that of the... human... this would address the balance" he stated, "Thus, I suggest to My Lord that he allow me to bring this Master to this track"
"He'll just kill the slayer due to be called" Xander pointed out, "That would be 'unfair' and mess with the balance, would it not?"
The Creator nodded gravely, "That it would."
"I have procured a promise from Marshall Boyd of the humans that he will not pursue the slayer and kill her." Lucifer told them with a smile.
"Why should I believe him?" Xander asked.
"Because a word bond in here is absolute" the female Q told him.
'Ah hell' Xander thought to himself.
#Why would he promise that?# Q wondered to his bearer.
#Because he has a plan# Xander answered, #I don't know what it is yet, but a plan he has. What can we do?#
#Nothing# Q said with a frustrated tone of voice.
Xander looked at the female Q who had a similar look in her eyes.
Then he took a deep breath, "You see, this isn't a balance" he began stilling all movement, "I am currently stuck in an area of space with no way home, thanks to him" he said with a nod at Lucifer, "So for that very reason, he will tilt the balance in Marshall's favour. Imagine the chaos he could cause in the time it could take me to return to earth. I think that there needs to be someone currently in the alpha quadrant that has at least some knowledge of what is about to come."
The creator stoked his chin thoughtfully as Lucifer glared at Xander.
"Tell me more" the creator said looking Xander in the eye.
"You and I both know that left to his own devices Marshall will slaughter most of earth in the time it takes me to return. Now some of the people I'm with know of me, and my past futurewhatever, but they are in the same position as I. So I have a counter offer."
"Go on" The Creator said.
Xander smiled, "Well, he has a Lieutenant called Vinny. He should be brought up to date to keep the balance, whilst another of my choosing is brought up to speed and allowed to take action's and put in some safeguards. Now to properly keep the balance, there should be some sort of block on Lucifer helping Marshall until I get back, after all I can't help my friends, nor should he."
Lucifer snarled at him, "You think that a balance?" he asked then turned round like a showman, "This human knows nothing of fairness, his only thought is to eradicate my kind."
Xander walked to stand next to the super being and cocked and eyebrow at him, "Are you done?" he asked sarcastically then looked up at the Powers, "This treaty was put in place to keep a balance between good and evil, humanoid and demon. It's loaded for demonic kind,you all know that. This..." Xander trailed off for a moment trying to find a word, "Peacock beside me, blinded you with pretty words, like the lawyer he is. Made sure that his demon's had an unfair advantage in terms of both speed and power. Well, that's fine" he said drawing a slightly startled glance from Lucifer, "It didn't work the first time, it won't work this time. But..." Xander turned slowly a full 360, "PLEASE don't let him empower them any further, what I have suggested is a fair compromise that will allow YOUR subjects to stand a fighting chance, and THAT is all we ask for."
The stadium became silent as the powers that be thought on what he had said and Lucifer looked around him in shock, "You can't honestly be listening to this... primate?"
"They are" The creator said walking to stand next to Xander. "Because all he has told them is truth. You can have your Master Vampire from the other track and he may tell his Lieutenant, and any one else he feels he must. But Xander's suggestion on a compromise has been chosen as the alternate to yours. The power's are unanimous in fact" the Creator said smiling, it was unusual for that to happen. "After all, he is WHAT they are here to protect, to be worshipped by. They may want to be fair, and are too much so if you ask me, but they were created to protect those under their care."
"Just as I am trying to do" Lucifer said, overly loudly, trying to sway the powers, "I only want to protect those under MY protection."
Xander nearly spoke up again, but changed his mind, he had already won this battle. Albeit with losses.
Lucifer faded out of sight as the Creator sent him and his envoy away and turned to Xander as the hall faded away into a bright white room.
"That was impressive" he said then nodded at the female Q, "He's good" he commented before fading out of sight.
Xander let out a sigh, "Man, that was intense."
The female Q was looking at him inquisitively, "Now I know" she said after a moment.
Xander frowned, "Know what?"
"Why Q bothers with you all."
Then she smiled, "So, who is it that you choose?"
Xander smirked, "Guinan"
The female Q visibly winced, "Please anyone but her" she said.
Xander smirked, "She's got the captains ear and the knowledge to back this all up." he explained.
The female Q was forced to concede the point, "Very well, I shall go shortly" she told him them looked at the blade still in Xander's hand.
He passed it to her and stepped back, affording them a moment of peace before they had to return to their various destinations.
USS Enterprise 1701 - E
Guinan felt something change in the air. She was in her quarter's on the Enterprise, away from her almost omnipresent post at ten forward. For which she was suddenly grateful, she knew only too well that feeling, that familiar presence.
"Guinan" Q said as she stepped out from no where, no flash, no histrionics. She just appeared.
Guinan snorted softly, "Where's the other one?" she asked with a slight smile.
The female Q smiled slightly, "He is otherwise engaged"
The two women, both powerful in their own rights looked at each other for a long moment, "It's been a long time" Guinan said after a long moment.
"It has, it is; pleasing to see you again" Q told her after a slight pause.
Guinan smiled, "Thank you, you too. So is this a social visit?"
"No, it is not. I'm here at the behest of a singular young man."
"Got bored with Q?" Guinan asked.
"No, he and I are for eternity, you of all people know that Guinan." the female Q paused, "I'm sorry for what happened with your race Guinan."
Guinan let out a bitter laugh, "You are?"
"I am" Q asserted, "It was... unavoidable"
Guinan nodded to that, "Perhaps" she said then took a deep breath, "So, what's this about a young man?"
The female Q smiled, in what could only be called a fond manner, "He has asked me to bring you up to 'speed' with a few going's on with the powers. You realise that the time has come for the key to become once again?"
Guinan drew in a short breath, "No, I didn't. Damn that's not good."
"Agreed, the Q in general do not wish to become involved with this situation. My husband did."
"did?"
"And was, there has been a reset"
Guinan's eyes widened, "A reset? That's unusual isn't it. Only the creator can authorise one of those."
"That is precisely what he did. Two years, almost have been side tracked. This is Track two, of three. The other is an alternate future that had to be aligned with the track change."
Guinan was suddenly glad she was sat down, "I see, and this young man, is he Q?"
"No," Q told her, then smiled, "Not yet, not for a long time, but I suspect my husband will be unwilling to let him slide away."
Guinan's eyes flared again, "Really? So he's what humanoid?
"Human, from Terra in the year 2000. Q brought him to the future to help with the demonic problem. He used a loophole in the treaty."
Guinan smirked at that, it was more what she was used to hearing about Q. "A loophole hey, interesting. So, what does all of this have to do with me?"
"You met this young man in that track, helped him, he respects you and wants you to..." the female Q trailed of, "Keep house for him until he returns. With help of course."
"The captain?" Guinan guessed, and Q nodded in the affirmative, "Okay, so what do you want me to do?"
"With your acceptance, I'll meld your memories from the original track. You were mostly uninvolved with the main battle, but..." she trailed off, "Xander still believes you to be the one to help protect against a master vampire and his minions, all of whom will have knowledge of that track."
Guinan nodded, thinking furiously. "What is it he wants me to do exactly?"
"Block Marshall, the master vampire, from taking advantage of his knowledge. You have contacts throughout the federation, and your knowledge of the demonic kind will be invaluable." the female Q said, grudgingly. She had a lot of respect for Guinan but at one stage they had been in competition, one that Q had eventually won, but not before causing Guinan a great deal of pain.
"Do I have a choice?" Guinan asked.
"As I said, only with your permission. Xander, we, would have it no other way. The memories you would gain would be; unpleasantly uncomfortable for a while."
Guinan smirked, "Is it me, or do I detect some respect for a human?"
Q laughed, she actually laughed, causing Guinan to look as perturbed as it was possible for her to do so. "I've just been converted to my Husbands cause." she said chuckling slightly, "By Xander himself. I now see what you, and my husband see in them."
"Sound's like someone I'd like to meet" Guinan commented.
"You already have, and will again" Q said knowingly.
"Okay, you've got me hooked, do it."
Q nodded and took a deep breath, "This will hurt..." she said then thrust her fingers into the sides of Guinan's skull.
"...A lot!" she finished belatedly. Then she gently picked up Guinan and placed her on the bed. She knew that whilst the memories integrated the Al'aurian would be in need of sleep. Possibly for some time to come.
With that thought she disappeared in a flash of light, reappearing in front of Xander's bed, where he was sat, waiting for her.
He looked up at her and smiled, "It's done?" he asked.
Q nodded, sending her auburn curls dancing, "It is."
"Now, we wait" Xander commented, "Man! I hate waiting."
USS Voyager,
December 2376
Chakotay walked through the tunnel like corridors of Voyager with a frown crinkling his tattoo. He had just been given some orders and information that he just couldn't make sense of. He had just been ordered to continue with the grafting of future technology into Voyager's systems, and that Xander Harris, the occasional thorn in his side, had just been given a full commission. A field one he could almost understand, but it had be ratified by a fleet admiral, Janeway herself, the future version. An ensign would have made sense to him as well. That, apparently would've been far too simple. No, Xander was a lieutenant, junior grade. A rank that was comparable with his old one, apparently. He was needed, and after careful consideration and some information gained from the admiral his Captain had granted a commission to a total unknown, at least to him.
Considering how hard it had been to integrate his marquee crew into the Voyager heir achy, Chakotay was none too pleased by his captains actions, but on the other hand he also trusted her judgement. Something had to be going on, and apparently this Xander Harris was right in the middle of it.
He didn't like Xander all that, he liked his bravery, his loyalty to his friends and his other traits, but after a while, his sometimes sharp humour usually at Chakotay's expense wore thin, very thin. That and the fact that Xander and Seven were virtually inseparable made for a grumpy, and somewhat jealous, Chakotay. He, of course, kept it well hidden under a professional outward looking mask, but Chakotay was self honest enough to realise that he was more than a little jealous of the way Xander and Seven had struck up a friendship almost out of thin air. It had taken the other members of Voyager's crew, in some cases, years to build up any sort of relationship with the ex-Borg. Her innate distrust of humans and the fact she really did prefer to keep to herself made for a very hard person to get to know.
So it was somewhat galling to find that a perfect stranger had waltzed in, almost literally, to her life and made a friend for life. Now, Chakotay knew that in part could have a lot to do with the work they had all been doing with Seven. Yet, at the same time, there was something more to Xander's relationship with Seven, something that went beyond mere friendship into territory which was making Chakotay so damn nervous in the first place. He had just found her, he had no wish for her to be taken away so soon.
There was, he had to concede, very little he could do about it if she did indeed choose to be with another man, or woman come to that. He had to just be all he could be, and be there for her now. Try to enjoy all the time he had with her, for he had a horrible feeling that those days were numbered, if for no other reason than he was only one of many men, especially when and if they got back to earth. Seven's choices wouldn't be so limited any more, and he may end taking a back seat. Chakotay hoped that within himself he would be able to deal with that if the day came, he had no wish to loose her as a friend as well as a lover.
Chakotay shook himself as he approached the bridge, placing his personal worries aside as soon as he arrived at the doorway. He wasn't about to let his insecurities effect his work. That could mean deaths, or other nasty happenings and Chakotay didn't want that on his conscience, there was already too much blood there from his time as a marquee.
Xander looked at himself in the mirror and had to roll his eyes one more time. He'd talked the Janeway's out of putting him uniform, instead coming to a compromise. He was dressed in a brand new jacket and trousers, all black. His own boots and on the straight collar of his jacket was the Lieutenants pips, that Captain Janeway and Admiral Janeway had insisted that he wore. By now, he knew that the command staff had been informed of the decision to grant him a commission and he thought with wry humour aplenty that some of the reactions would be almost comical.
The soft chiming of his personal rooms door going off brought him back to the present and he casually slipped a wooden dagger up his sleeve. It wasn't like he expected a vampire at this time, or this place. But one thing he had now for sure, 100% definitely learned was never, ever to be complacent again. He was now ALWAYS on his guard, even when he was supposed to be relaxing.
"Open" he called, activated Voyager's computer by voice and commanding it to allow entry for however had called.
The door to his small, almost tiny, quarters slid back to reveal Seven who had a troubled expression in her eyes. An expression that only he really knew how to read at this time.
"Seven, what is it?" he asked concern for his friend forcing him to walk over to her and look at her closely.
"I'm unsure, why I'm here" she admitted, "I've just had some; troubling news. I was just walking around the ship and" she waved at the door, "Found myself here."
Xander smiled, standing back he let her through into his personal room. She cocked an eyebrow at his odd door protocol but she was used to it by now.
"So, what was the news." Xander asked.
Seven fixed him with her blue eyes, "I believe you already know. The Admiral insisted you stay to hear it."
"Oh, that!" Xander said.
Seven looked at him inquisitively, "Oh that?" she parroted, "I will admit to being new at handling my emotions, but I find myself more upset than that."
Xander smiled at her warmly, "So how do you feel about it?"
"Not good" she said with wry humour flashing across her eyes. "Decidedly so in fact."
"Nothing is going to happen to you." Xander said with complete and utter certainty in his voice.
"You sound very sure for someone that has just been told the opposite by someone from the future." Seven said once again fixing him with a piercing look.
"I know, because I'd never allow it to happen, and now that we know how and when it happens. It just won't is all." Xander said his eyes flashing fire that confused Seven.
"Why do you care so much?" she asked in a small voice, smaller than Xander had ever heard.
Xander paused, "All part of the package of being a friend, at least I think so" he hedged. "I hate it when anything happens to my friends. Especially one as dear to me as you."
Seven looked at him for a long moment, her eyes glassy with unshed tears, "Thank you" she breathed.
Xander pulled her into a hug. Seven's immediate reaction was to stiffen, she wasn't normally comfortable with physical displays of affection, but then she relaxed. Xander was different, he wouldn't take advantage of her lack of social graces, or her relative vulnerability when dealing with members of the opposite sex. He was both safe, and secure to her. Her arms wrapped around him and she pulled him tightly to herself, sobbing onto his newly replicated jacket. As she let her confused emotions pour out of her just for a while.
Xander just held her for a long time, cooing in her eye and whispering comforting phrases to her. Inside, where only Q could see it, he was crying right along with her.
Q knew, what seven didn't, could never, he'd watched, helped even, when Seven and Xander had got together in the original time track. He could also feel on a very basic level just exactly what Xander was feeling at that very moment. He suddenly wanted to hold onto his wife and child and never let go. It was both an alien feeling, urgent in its intensity and at the same time a strangely good one.
So as Xander cooed to Seven, calming her down bit by bit, Q did the same for Xander, even though the world outside only saw Xander's usual expressions with compassion for his 'friend'.
Q had to admire that, even though he knew how damaging it could be.
Finally Seven's sobs came to a stop and she just held Xander for a while enjoying the physical comfort she gained from his simple touch. Then with a slight sniff she looked up and for the first time noticed his collar. "Xander" she said, her voice soft due to her crying.
"Yes Seven" Xander said, his voice smooth as Baileys Irish cream.
"Why are you wearing a lieutenant's pips. Are they perhaps Lieutenant Andrews?" she asked with a smile. Thinking he was going to visit and decided to play a prank. She had yet to hear the scuttlebutt that was flying across the ship at warp 10.
Xander smirked, but his eyes were a little pained, "Actually I've not seen Jo in a while. These are; well, they're mine."
Seven's eyes widened, she felt ever so slightly put out that he had been given a commission when she had not, but she was also happy for her friend. The happiness won out and she smiled at him, slightly confusedly, "I'm happy for you Xander." then she frowned, "Although I'm sorry to hear about Lieutenant Andrews"
Xander laughed slightly, "Don't be sorry about that Seven, I expect she's just busy. I'm going to check on her later. As for the pips, I have to admit to being a little bemused myself."
"Captain Janeway obviously thought you had what it took." Seven said, thinking she had not shown her own feelings in that simple sentence. Yet again, Xander seemed to read her like a book.
"You know, she's never given you a commission because you didn't show interest, right?" Xander said with a knowing smile, "That she settled for putting you down as a crewman only because of that fact?"
"Who do you know that?" Seven asked, surprised at both the revelation and his insight into her feelings.
"I've been chatting to the Admiral. We've been spending a lot of time together over the last few days, and during one lunch we chatted about... well the past I suppose. She told some stories, I told some stories. You know the score."
She didn't, not really, but it wasn't important, her question had essentially been answered. "I see, that explains a lot."
"Are you?"
"Am I what?" Seven asked.
"Interested in the fleet?" Xander asked turning back to the mirror and fiddling with his shirt, trying to get comfortable.
"Perhaps, if we get to earth, I may pursue a career, maybe in research."
"Not a full commission and exploration then?" Xander said.
"I am better equipped for dealing with technology than I am humans, you know that Xander."
Xander snorted, "I don't think so Seven. It's just practise that's all, humans just take practise"
Seven smiled, "Well, I hope I get some practise before we return to earth then."
"If not, I'm sure we'll find you something worthwhile to do Seven. I guarantee it in fact" Xander said with a secret smile. "Now, I must go find Jo. Want to come along" he continued.
Seven shook her head, "No, I am meeting with Commander Chakotay later in the Holodeck."
Xander smiled, "Okay, well say Hi to ole wilderness tattoo for me."
Seven frowned at him but he shot her a disarming smile and led her out of his cabin. "Catch you later Seven"
With that, he walked quickly away leaving Seven frowning at his back, before her lip quivered slightly and then she smiled slightly.
Captain Picard was sat, his finger's steepled in front of him as he regarded one of his oldest friends over their tips.
"Look, I know this is hard to believe, believe me I know" Guinan said with a wry smile.
"It is not a matter of disbelief; exactly" Picard said with a wry smile of his own. "But Demons..."
"I know, but you have to trust me on this, like you did before. I'm not loosing it." Guinan asserted.
Picard chuckled slightly, "I would never think you were. I just find this all very difficult to take in."
"Well, I can't prove the existence of demons to you; yet. But I can prove I'm telling the truth." Guinan told him. Then started a silent count down, "Let's go to the bridge."
Picard looked a little bemused, but Guinan had never let him down yet. They walked out onto the bridge together. Riker started to get up before Picard waived him off and turned to his friend. "So what is all of this about."
"When I tell you to, put the shield's up. There's no harm in that is there? But you must do it immediately."
Picard nodded and looked over to data, who was watching the conversation with undisguised interest, "Do as she says." he told him.
Data just nodded.
Guinan had timed this down to the last millisecond. Her race were well known as listeners, and to be listeners they had to have very good memories, especially given their life spanned centuries and not decades. Her countdown reached zero and she quickly told Data to raise shields.
He did as he was told, then there was a loud reverberation throughout the Sovereign class vessel. Picard turned to Guinan and not Ops. "What was that?"
"The Por'aan" Guinan said simply. "They will now be listing off our port bow"
Data's hands were moving already, Picards glance in his direction was more than enough of an order for the sentient android to satisfy his own curiosity. "There is a small ship off of our port side" he said looking at Guinan with wonder.
"I'd beam them into Cargo bay 1 and shut down life support, also take out their armaments in the transport." Guinan suggested with a wry smile.
Picard nodded and Data and Riker set about doing just that. Data doing the transport as Riker changed their parameters.
"A man called Xander Harris, just saved your life Captain" Guinan told him with one of her patented mysterious smiles.
"All adjustments have been made Captain" B'Ellana said looking up from her padd.
"Very good B'Ellana" Janeway said with a smile, "Then it looks like we're all set to go" she said with an apprehensive look at the viewer. "Helm, Reverse course head back to the nebula at maximum warp."
"Aye" Paris said, slipping back into his usual patterns.
Janeway looked to her left, where her elder counterpart was sat, "You ready to do this?" she asked in a low voice.
"You know as well as I" Admiral Janeway said with a smirk, "We were born ready."
Janeway laughed and turned to her right, "And you?" she asked, the most controversial person currently on the bridge, including her time travelling self from the future.
"I'm cool Captain" Xander said with a laconic smile, but his eyes were focused and mind alert.
"Glad to hear it." Captain Janeway said with a smile, "Let's do this."
USS Voyager,
December 2376
Xander slipped into the lab silently, his eyes and mouth smiling as he spied Jo, hunched over a console inspecting something and tapping furiously on a data PADD. He'd found a little time to himself before he was due to play his part in the plan that they had come up with, they being both Janeway's and he. Normally Janeway would've wanted her command crew there, but they had then been briefed, without the distraction of him and his new status around and had agreed fully with the plan.
There had of course been some confusion about how and why Xander was involved, but that was only to be expected.
So, he had come down to check up on his no show date, from the other night.
"Jo" he called out, somehow his voice doing what no others ever had and jolting her concentration and causing her to turn around and face him.
She beamed at him with a happy smile, "Xander! How nice of you to visit me down here." she said then frowned as her stomach growled at her. 'It's been a while since I ate' she realised.
"Well, I kinda had to. To, you know, check you were still alive!" Xander said with a smile.
"Oh god, how long was I gone this time" she said, "Did I miss our date?"
Xander chuckled and walked over to her, kissing her on the head, "Don't worry about it."
Jo blushed furiously, "Oh god, I'm SO sorry!"
Xander just smiled at her, "Tell you what, when I get back, you can make it up to me. How does that sound?"
"That sounds great, thanks for being so understanding, most guys don't get it." Jo said with a happy smile. Then she stopped, "Get back, we're not home already are we?"
Xander laughed out loud and shook his head, "Not yet, but with any luck, this time tomorrow, I'll be kissing you under the Terran sun."
"Kissing?" Jo asked with a sexy smile, "I like the sound of that. So, where are you going?"
"Just into the central nexus of a Borg Transwarp Conduit. Nothing to worry about." Xander said with a smirk.
Jo looked at him for a long time then laughed, "Okay fine, if you didn't want to tell me I understand." she paused looking at him intently, "Will seven be going with you to wherever this place is?"
Xander moved in a little closer to her, "Why, jealous?" he asked, his breath tickling her ear.
"Maybe; just a little" Jo admitted with thumb and fore finger about an inch apart.
"Don't be, me and Seven are just friends." Xander said, his emotions cloaked and utterly hidden with the ease of long practise.
Jo beamed at him again, "So solo trip then?"
"No, I'll have Admiral Janeway with me." he told her.
Jo laughed, "no, it's Captain Janeway."
Xander chuckled shaking his head and dragged her over to an LCAR's Panel, pulling up the ships logs he kissed her on the cheek, "Catch up while I'm gone, see you soon Jo"
"Hey" she said with a smirk tossed over her shoulder, "That's Lieutenant Andrew's to you... Civilian!"
Xander laughed again and pointed to his collar. "Read the pips baby" he said sauntering off down the corridor still smiling. Leaving a confused Jo smiling bemusedly after him.
Xander then walked around the ship, purpose in his every step as he made his way to the main shuttle bay. He had a date with an admiral and he didn't want to be late.
"We're approaching the nebula now Captain" Tuvok intoned gravely.
Janeway nodded, the entire bridge was humming with anticipation. "You're a go" she said hitting a switch on the arm of her command chair.
"Clearing now" Admiral Janeway said.
"Come back to us safely Admiral. I don't want to have to save my own hide." Janeway said with a slight grin.
There was a masculine snort of amusement on the other end of the line. Seven, who was at an science station suddenly perked up. Janeway softly cursed, realising that the one part of the plan they had left out was now in the open.
"Xander?" Seven said curiously.
Xander heard her voice over the Comms and smirked at the Admiral unrepentantly, "What it was funny" came clearly over the Comms as well as Janeway's own distinctive chuckle.
"Good hunting" Janeway the younger said, terminating the Comms, before she got into further trouble with her command crew.
Chakotay looked at her expectantly as Seven turned in her chair to look at her with a brow raised inquisitively. Janeway sighed, "My Future self wanted Lieutenant Harris along for his somewhat unique skills."
The shuttle, that had flown out in front of them suddenly looped 360 and streaked back at them, on a direct collision course. Tom's hand moved to the console just as the pilot of the shuttle suddenly veered off, using Voyager's own sensor echo to shadow it into the nebula.
"Who ever is flying that shuttle is insane" Tom commented with a slight grin.
Janeway snorted softly, her chuckle making itself known. "That he is Tom, that he is."
Tom looked over his shoulder with a smile, "Xander" he said with certainty. "I thought I recognised the style. He's been cheating and practising I think."
The bridge chortled slightly, slewing off some tense energy as it did so. Janeway allowed herself a smile and then a deep breath before getting back to business. "Deploy Ablative Armour. We're going in."
Seven's hands danced across her console and suddenly Voyager was encased in a cocoon of armour plating rated to handle even Borg cutting Phasers.
Then the now somewhat armadillo looking spacecraft slipped into the nebula.
The small shuttle rocked to the side as another near miss sent them sprawling away on thrusters. Xander's reactions saving them again. Even Janeway's neural interface would have had trouble keeping up with the tricky flying they were currently undergoing. Her original plan had the Voyager running straight for the correct aperture and then running home at full speed. As plans went it was simple and direct and totally useless as soon as she came to the actual ship herself.
Voyager was just not fast enough, not to mention that as her younger counterpoint had pointed out. They could deal a heavy blow to the Borg themselves. This plan was much more dangerous, even counting for speed. Luckily, they had a few tricks up their sleeves. Xander and his skills as a pilot being only one of them.
Xander seemed to be following her train of thought as he suddenly asked, "Why didn't you tell the captain about my Watch?" he asked, his eyes still fixed on sensor's.
Janeway, Admiral of some years, just smiled. Xander glanced at her and smiled himself. "I see" he said, "Don't trust yourself?"
"Oh, I do totally, but I also know me quite well. The desire to pull it apart and see how it worked would've got the better of me eventually." The admiral said with a laugh in her voice, "It's better this way, a surprise."
Xander chuckled and accelerated between two Borg cubes that flew together behind him, locking into place. "They're scrambling, I think they've detected the Voyager."
"I'm sure they have." Janeway said with a smart nod, "But the armour will hold up."
"I hope you're right, there is a lot of precious cargo on that ship" Xander told her twisting the shuttle on it's axis and upwards to move out of a tactical cube's way, looking at the armour plating shining dully with the nebula's light.
Janeway looked at her young friend, for that is what he was, and smiled fondly before turning back to the mission at hand. "Here goes" she said as they entered the Conduit and it's surrounding area.
"Scans indicate she should be there" Janeway said pointing to a jutting out area of the Borg space station.
Xander paused and looked at the admiral, "You're holding out on me still aren't you?"
"About the future?" Janeway asked with false innocence.
Xander piloted the shuttle craft with frightening ease to come to a full stop outside what was most likely to be the Borg queens chamber. "I'm coming with you." he stated flatly.
"That's not the plan. You were only to get me here, you're a better pilot than I am, you're supposed to wait here for me."
"I know" Xander said his voice hard and eyes intense.
Janeway smiled and nodded, "Very well" she said. Xander nodded curtly at her and stood.
Janeway waited for him to walk past her towards the transporter console and then jabbed something into his leg.
His eyes spat fire at her, "You cheating B...." he slumped to the floor mid sentence.
Admiral Janeway walked out of the shadows, "I don't know how you do it. All those voices talking at once. You must get terrible headaches."
The Borg queen suddenly tilted her head to the side, "If you're calling drones to assimilate me, don't bother."
The Borg Queen glared at her, "I don't need drones to assimilate you."
"I'm not actually here, your majesty." Janeway said with an evil smirk, "I'm in your mind. I'm using a synaptic interface. If I were you, I wouldn't waste my time trying to trace the signal. For the moment, it's beyond your abilities."
"What do you want?"
"To make a deal. Captain Janeway thinks I'm here to help her destroy your Transwarp network."
"That's beyond your abilities." The queen cut in with a superior smile.
"I know that and I tried to explain it to my naive younger self but she wouldn't listen. She's determined to bring down that hub."
"She'll fail."
"Yes." Janeway said looking the Borg queen directly in the eye, "But she has weapons that I brought from the future. I believe you're familiar with them."
"Transphasic torpedoes. We will adapt." The queen of the Borg told her with a sneer.
"Eventually but not before Voyager does a great deal of damage. I'm willing to tell you how to adapt to those weapons now. In exchange..."
"For what?"
"To send a cube to tractor Voyager... And drag them back to the alpha quadrant." Janeway said with finality.
B'Elanna Torres growled, grabbing the doctor by the front of his tunic, "Oh, if you tell me to relax one more time I'm going to rip your holographic head off!"
The Doctor smiled "I hope you don't intend to kiss your baby with that mouth." B'Elanna yowled in pain as another contraction hit her.
"Tell me this isn't another false alarm." Tom asked his hair wild, he had been called down from the bridge for this as they breached the outer nebula and bided their time.
"This isn't another false alarm." The EMH confirmed.
"I can't believe it." Tom said with a smile.
"Oh, believe it!" B'Ellana growled at him.
"I might actually win." Tom said with a silly grin.
"What?"
"The baby pool. I picked today, 1500 hours."
B'Elanna Torres, half Klingon and engineer growled at her husband, "I'm so glad I could accommodate you."
The Doctor smirked, "Don't celebrate yet. Klingon labour sometimes lasts several days." B'Ellana let out a blood curdling growl crossed with a yell of contraction pain.
"Of course I'm sure that won't be the case here." The Doctor quickly added.
"You're asking me to believe that the incorruptible Kathryn Janeway would betray her own crew?"
"Not betray them." Janeway told her, "Save them from themselves. I brought technology to help Voyager get home. But the Captain's arrogant... Self-righteous." she let out a sigh of annoyance, "And her officers are so blinded by loyalty that they're prepared to sacrifice their lives just to deal a crippling blow to the Borg."
"But you'd never try to harm us." The Borg queen said sarcastically
"I've become a pragmatist in my old age. All I want is to get that crew back to their families."
"You wish to ensure the well-being of your collective. I can appreciate that. I'll help you." she smiled like a shark about to bite, "But it'll cost more than you're offering."
"What do you want?" Janeway asked.
"Your vessel and its database."
"I told you, I'll show you how to adapt to their torpedoes."
"Insufficient."
"If I let you assimilate technology from the future there's no telling how events would be altered."
"You're willing to alter the future by getting Voyager home now."
"Oh, yes, but there's a difference."
"Do what all good pragmatists do, admiral." The Borg queen said seductively, "Compromise."
Admiral Janeway sighed, "All right. I'll give you the shuttle... After Voyager arrives safely in the alpha quadrant."
"You've already lied to your younger self. How do I know you're not lying to me?"
"I guess you'll just have to trust me."
"That won't be necessary." The Queen said with a sharp smile. "You underestimate me, admiral. While we've been talking my drones have triangulated your signal."
Janeway opened her eyes, back in the shuttle a softly snoring Xander sat up in her old chair as she was sat in the pilots seat, "Computer, deactivate the interface."
She tapped a control, "Deploy armor." she managed just before the Borg transported whisked her away.
The Borg Queen walked around her, "Very clever. Hiding right on my doorstep. Were you planning to attack us from inside the unicomplex?" she asked as her projective Nanite tubules struck out into Janeway's neck.
"Not feeling talkative?" The Borg queen asked.
Janeway moaned as the nanites got to work on her.
"You and I don't need words to understand each other." she said resting her head on Janeway's shoulder.
'Move it Xander' Janeway thought to herself, or so she thought, but the Borg Queen stiffened at her side.
"You brought a friend?" she asked. Her mind reaching out and looking at the small shuttle curiously.
A tractor beam reached out for the shuttle craft, even as a thousand voices all sang at once to the queen of the Borg. "Voyager has entered aperture 823. Access Transwarp corridor zero-nine. Redirect vessels to intercept... Nine! New corridor, nine. Voyager... Zero... Nine... Transwarp... Intercept..."
Janeway's head lolled round and fixed the Borg Queen with a gimlet glare, "Must be something you assimilated."
Xander awoke, almost instantly from his enforced snooze, his eyes glared around him and found no sign of the Admiral and he had a nagging feeling of impending doom. He noticed that the armour was deployed and that a message icon was flashing on the main LCAR's panel.
Xander reached out and tapped the icon, his jaw setting as he read the message. Then his finger's flew over the controls searching for the Admiral, finding her he quickly triggered a transport even as the outer armour plating was licked by the tractor beam before it was cut off by the chaos happening in the Unicomplex.
The Borg Queen glared at the weakening Admiral, "What have you done?"
"I thought we didn't need words to understand each other."
"You've infected us... With an neurolytic pathogen." she said her eyes unfocused as she reached throughout the collective.
"Just enough..." Janeway said, as a tingle started around her, "To bring chaos to order." she said as it was stopped by a localised force field. Her last words, and a befitting epitaph for a woman such as she.
Xander looked at his console with anger in the depths of his dark brown eyes and with a set expression, he ran his hand in a circular pattern around the dial of the steering program sending the shuttle into a flat spin and then making a break for freedom.
The Borg Queen reached down and grabbed the dead Admiral's face between her hands, "You may be dead, but I can still feel sphere six-three-four" she said triumphantly even as she commanded the sphere to chase after Voyager. "But Captain Janeway will die, and nothing you have done here today will matter" she said as the complex started to come apart at the seams.
"Admiral Janeway have done it Captain, the Transwarp conduit is destabilising."
"We're still ahead of the shock wave" Paris said, he had been called to duty the moment they had reached the Unicomplex. He now had more to live for than ever and had flown his ass off to make sure they were safe.
"What about Lieutenant Harris" Janeway asked, actually sitting on the edge of her seat. As she looked back at Harry Kim.
Harry consulted his board for a moment then frowned and shook his head. "However, I am reading a Borg sphere. It's coming right at us."
"Damn" Janeway cursed and started to do what she did best. She thought on her feet.
The sphere, small by Borg standards but still five times Voyager's size approached the USS Voyager, it's maw opening as it slammed the smaller craft with high power phaser's. The Ablative armour wasn't designed for use in a Transwarp conduit and was starting to show the first shaking's of coming apart.
Just as a shot managed to pierce the outer plating the Sphere stopped firing shuddering as it was strafed in a circular run that ran around it's entire circumference a small sleek vessel was doing the firing, it's colours the well known colours of the fleet. It's pilot one Xander Harris. He'd dropped the cloak, and the armour to take on the large sphere, knowing that he didn't really have a chance, even with the advanced weaponry he had at his disposal.
On board the USS Voyager, Captain Kathryn Janeway's eyes widened as she watched the proof of her counterpart's claims as Xander ran rings around the large sphere. His phaser shots surgical and torpedo's hitting the mark every time.
It was rather like watching a fly attack a seagull, but this fly had teeth.
"He's nuts" Paris commented in shock as the shuttle came to a dead stop and then looped up around and then down, diving straight into the beast's mouth.
"Coming up on the release aperture now" Seven said, keeping her focus on her display and not watching the human she was possibly the closest to fighting for his and their lives.
"Come on Xander," she heard Paris say his eyes focused on his display panel, the ship's course already laid in. She agreed with him wholeheartedly.
"Cap....out repeat... beam...." Xander's voice crackled over the Comms. Janeway reacted instantly, tracking his signal she initiated transport.
Suddenly the Sphere seemed to fold in on it's self, imploding and shrinking as the force's around it suddenly increased out of proportion to those within it. Then an explosion rocked it, shaking it like a child's toy. The Sphere then erupted into fire.
The Transwarp spat them out into normal start light, straight into the business end of fifty phaser banks. Janeway was almost tempted to raise a white flag but they were being hailed. Then from behind them the Conduit opened again, burping out a torrent of flame that had been a Borg Sphere.
"Voyager?" a voice asked in shock, "This is Admiral Paris calling the USS Voyager."
"Hello Admiral, it's good to see you" Janeway said.
"Likewise, please come about and follow us to space dock, I'll beam over in a few moments." the admiral said his voice full of surprised happiness.
"EMH to Paris"
Tom tapped his comm badge instantly as the deck held their breath.
"Congratulations, it's a girl" The doctor managed to say over the loud piping cry of a new born baby.
Paris nearly split his face in two with the smile.
Just then the turbo-lift doors swished open, revealing a bloodied Xander limping slightly as he walked out of it's confines. "Congratulations" he said with a lopsided grin, "I just caught that when I walked in."
Tom positively beamed at him.
Janeway, Captain Janeway at least, caught his eye. He saw her unspoken question and shook his head, just slightly. Janeway looked a little sad but nodded, she had known that her double was going to pull something, she wasn't sure what or when. Now she had her answer.
Xander limped a little further on to the bridge and leaned back against the wall with a slow smile starting to spread across his face as he watched several cruiser and above craft swam around them in a flotilla of honour.
"Goodbye Heartache, Hello Hellmouth" he commented with wry humour.