Fallen Star
Disclaimers: Voyager and Xena belong to Paramount and Universal respectively. I'm not making money out of this - just having some fun with the characterrs. This story contains love between women so if that offends you or it's illegal where you live, go read something else (or move). There's also angst and some violence.
Feedback: is welcome at [email protected]
SPOILER WARNING: You might want to skip this if you haven’t seen the Xena finale.
I’m dedicating this one to Jean for being the best beta reader – couldn’t have done this without you, thanks. :) I'd also like to thank Sonja for the ever so pretty graphic.
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Part 5
"I am Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager, may we be of assistance?"
The alien on screen resembled humans greatly, Janeway noted with interest. He was slightly chubby, and looked like a balding human male in his early fifties. The only visible difference was that their eyes tended to be slightly larger and situated more towards the sides of the head. It had been two days since B'Elanna and Seven disappeared and they'd still discovered nothing. Then alien vessel had approached Voyager, hailing her only a few minutes before.
"My name is Captain Launssomi*, I am the representative of my people, we occupy this system. Welcome." He greeted her cordially, "We've noticed that you seem greatly interested in this area. We are willing to offer you information about the Tambius wormhole in exchange for... some information of your own, perhaps?"
Janeway uncrossed her legs and sat up in her chair, suddenly interested. "You said there was a wormhole. I don't see any wormhole here."
"Ah, but the Tambius wormhole does exist." Captain Launssomi smiled, am I correct to assume that you would be willing to partake in this mutually beneficial trade?"
She did not need to be asked twice. "Yes."
"Good, good! Shall I beam over then? I'm sure we'll have many things in common to discuss."
Voyager's Captain could see him almost rubbing his hands together in glee, and wondered what he was up too. Well, they would find out soon enough, she mused.
*Launssomi - Rearrange the letters and you'll get... *drumroll* ...Salmonius! Yes, he was the long lost twin brother of our pudgy little alien friend. Shocking, but true - our favorite salesman was actually an alien from another dimension! <pause> Uh, right, I'll shut up now, this isn't even a Xena list, nobody's going to understand my nonsensical ramblings. *grin*
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It has been a fortnight since B'Elanna and Seven arrived, and nine days since we left them near the Athene River. Please forgive my hurried writing, as I am trying to set down all the events of the previous days in the short time that Xena is allowing for rest. Soon, we must resume our journey. The lives of our two new friends may depend on our speed.
Xena and I have been travelling at a hellish pace ever since we stopped by a tavern outside Athens two days ago. The weather had been particularly hot, and the road dusty. We saw a pleasant looking tavern that was hidden invitingly in the cool shade of olive trees, so we decided to rest there for awhile and soothe our parched throats with a drink. I stepped through the tavern doors into a crowded room filled with boisterous laughter and good humour, and as I made our way to the bar, a slurred, drunken comment chilled my bones, freezing me on the spot.
"... shtupid bitches will get what they desherve. Damn freaksh."
A rough looking man sat at a table with his companions, making ribald jokes about what he'd do to B'Elanna and Seven once he'd captured them. Xena was in the stables, and I was reluctant to approach them alone. Still, I knew I had to find out more. I approached them timidly.
"Excuse me sir," I said to one that looked slightly more sober than his companions, "I overheard your friend here talking about some uh... women."
"Ha. Those creatures aren't women..." the man sneered, "unlike you." He eyed me appreciatively.
"Have you seen them yourself?" I asked, dancing away from a groping hand and trying hard to sound like an innocent young village girl fascinated by his daring exploits.
"Not myself, no. But my brother here was part of the original group that saw them. Two of them never made it back." He shook his head in sorrow. "Those abnormal she-devils killed them."
"Oh. That's... terrible." I was actually more worried for my friends. What had happened during our absence? I hoped fervently that they were all right.
"Aye, just tragic." Agreed the man, "Don't worry, girl. Justice will be done... even as we speak a group of bounty hunters are travelling towards them. Their heads will be upon pikes by the end of the week." He laughed cruelly, "I hope they're captured alive though..."
I did not need to ask why, I had a pretty clear picture of what he wanted to do and the thought made me ill. I exited the tavern quickly, almost crashing into Xena's breastplate as I rushed toward the stables.
"Gabrielle? What's wrong?" Her strong arms caught hold of me, comforting me in an instant.
"I... I heard some men talking. There's a group of bounty hunters that are about to arrest B'Elanna and Seven." I pressed my body closer to her as she hugged me. "We must hurry... we have to get there before they do."
Xena nodded, trusting me explicitly. As we saddled Argo and set out, I related the rest of the story to Xena. She was as worried as I had been, knowing that the bounty hunters would not treat B'Elanna and Seven as humans, but rather as beasts to be hunted. I can only hope that we will arrive in time.
*******
B'Elanna sat, cross-legged beside Seven, whittling quietly at a piece of wood. Her beautiful companion was still asleep, and B'Elanna was reluctant to wake her. Everyday Seven lost a little bit of vitality, it seemed - every day, she'd awaken a little later, and the smile she always gave B'Elanna upon waking would be a little more weary. Still, Seven tried her best to adapt to her weakening body. She refused to be confined to the hut, and accompanied B'Elanna wherever she went. It had been a little over two weeks since they'd been stranded now, and things were going fairly well despite Seven's declining health. The pleasant summer weather was holding up, and they'd heard nothing more from the men who attacked them, although B'Elanna still kept her phaser by her side at all times.
The two women had fallen into an easy routine, the days passing swiftly but quietly. In the mornings, B'Elanna would watch Seven sleep while doing something to occupy her time. Today, she was trying her hand at woodcrafts - she planned on carving a wooden rose for Seven as a surprise. On most days, after Seven awoke, they'd take the short walk down to the river where they'd bathe and catch some food. The failing borg would then rest while she collected firewood. By afternoon, they'd return to the hut where B'Elanna would fortify their home as Seven watched her work. A high, sturdy fence now surrounded their cabin - Seven had insisted that it be built fearing that they'd be attacked again. After nightfall, they would spend time cuddling and talking in the soft, flickering light of their fire. It was the time of day that B'Elanna treasured most - everything, even being stranded, was worth it as long as she and Seven could be together. It was during these sessions that B'Elanna and Seven grew closer, bonding through words, through touches... and by the sweet lovemaking they indulged in whenever Seven wasn't too tired for it.
The half Klingon looked up to see Seven stir in her sleep, her smooth, pale brow furrowing slightly. B'Elanna leaned down and awakened her beloved with a gentle kiss upon the lips. Blue eyes slowly fluttered open, focusing on the welcome sight of B'Elanna's face.
"Good morning," smiled Seven, and pulled B'Elanna into a warm hug "I wish to 'snuggle' with you a bit before I get up." She wrapped her arms around her lover. "Is that acceptable?"
"Do I have a choice?" Grinned B'Elanna, wrapping her own arms tightly around Seven.
"No." A pause. "Resistance is- "
"Futile." B'Elanna finished for her, capturing Seven's lips in a passionate kiss which left them both breathless.
They found themselves looking at one another, the same love mirrored in the other's eyes. B'Elanna leaned over to kiss the tip of Seven's nose, causing Seven to smile.
"You're my everything, you know that?"
Seven was about to reply when she tensed suddenly. "I hear something."
B'Elanna couldn't help but note remorsefully that only a week ago, Seven could have determined what that 'something' was and how far away it was correct to two decimal points.
"It's coming closer..."
B'Elanna drew her phaser and looked out the window, in time to see someone hoist themselves over their fence. She did not hesitate to shoot him, sending him back over the fence with a startled oath. Her keen hearing picked up the soft creak of a numerous bows being drawn and she flung herself at Seven, knocking them both flat onto the ground. A second later, dozens of arrows thudded into their cabin, many of them puncturing the walls.
"Damn," B'Elanna swore softly, "We must be surrounded." She knelt under the window, took a deep breath and flung open the shutters, shooting randomly at the men that were climbing over the fence. Seven rushed to the door and bolted it, then she piled the logs against it.
"Who the f*** are they?" growled B'Elanna. "And why are they shooting at us?" Another volley of arrows rained down on their shelter, causing it to shake slightly.
"Seven?" B'Elanna inquired curiously as she watched Seven get up and begin breaking off arrowheads from the shafts stuck in the wall.
"I will collect a handful of these and throw them at the attackers." Seven explained, and before her companion could protest, she opened a window and found a man who had succeeded in breaching their first line of defence. She flung the arrowheads with deadly speed and accuracy, killing him immediately as his chest blossomed with red.
"How many do you think there are?"
"Over fifty, I believe." Seven replied, "Should we try diplomacy? They are too numerous, we cannot win this fight."
B'Elanna ducked as an arrow whizzed through the window and over her head, narrowly missing the borg behind her. "Yeah. We could try... but somehow, I don't think they came here to talk." She took a deep breath, then shouted "Stop attacking us. We want to talk... what do you want?"
"We want you." A commanding voice boomed out, then laughed harshly. "Our king has offered twenty thousand dinars for both your heads."
"And why are our heads so valuable?"
"His nephew was one of the men that you murdered."
"We were acting in self defense!"
"Hey, don't argue with us, we're just doing out jobs." A pause. "Well I am anyway. Some of my boys here aren't as professional... they want to have some fun. I'll make a deal with you - if you surrender now, I'll make sure your end is quick."
B'Elanna and Seven looked at each other.
"Resist, and I'll let my men do what they want." He delivered the ultimatum with a chilly voice; "The king only wants your heads, after all."
B'Elanna's felt bile rise in her throat. "Seven?"
"I will not surrender."
B'Elanna nodded. "We do not accept your terms."
The attack resumed immediately. And the women were forced to hug the ground again as another wave of deadly arrows was released, bombarding their hut.
Thud.
"What was that?"
Boom.
"Oh shit."
Crash. It was the sound of splintering wood.
"They've knocked down the fence..." B'Elanna clenched her jaw. "Damn..."
Their eyes locked.
"We'll go down fighting, I won't let those bastards touch you." B'Elanna promised Seven, holding her close protectively.
"I will defend you to my last breath, beloved."
"Good, it's all settled then..."
They shared one last kiss before turning to stand back to back, ready to meet their attackers.