Nocturne

Sydney Alexis

Third Person:

His shuttle was shaking violently. The next volley of fire sent the Flyer spinning out of control. Engines were off-line, phaser banks were not functioning, his shields were down to 67%, and the warp core was overloading.

"Paris to Voyager," his fingers flew across the communications panel. "Come'on damn you...Computer, diverge power from any system left functioning to the communication array."

"Paris to Voyager, please come in."

"Warp core breech in ten minutes," the computer's voice cut in again.

"Damn."

The alien vessel powered up it's phaser banks again, preparing for another wave of attack. A tiny, blue creature appeared on Tom's communication's panel.

"You are a stubborn little man, aren't you? Surrender the vessel and we might let you live," he taunted.

Cutting the link to the other vessel, Tom began searching for any place to hide the shuttle while Voyager came into range. The paneling beneath his feet began to quiver as their next assault began. This time, their fire was twice as powerful as the last. The Flyer lurched, throwing Tom from his seat into the console behind him. His world began to grow dimmer, turning pale shades of blue. Sound became distant..conflicted. Slowly, a deep black veil overcame the blue palette his eyes saw. Tom's eyelids grew heavy. He was vaguely aware of blood on his face, the pain in his chest. His consciousness slipping, he laid back on the floor of the shuttle, giving into the darkness.

Kathryn:

Captain's Log, Stardate: 54623.05

Once again the ship is running at half-power until we are able to locate a source of Dilithium. I have sent out several scout vessels to nearby planets with some success. Six of the seven shuttles sent out have returned empty handed. However, we have yet to hear from the Delta Flyer. Tom flew into an area of space that is involved in conflict. Just before Tom flew into their system, he informed the crew of a species, the Breannia, who have agreed to allow us to harvest enough Dilithium to pass through their system. They further transferred coordinates of a planet just 300 light years from our present location that is rich in Dilithium. However, their arch rivals are known to attack anyone they see as a threat. Thus, I sent Tom and a small team of engineers in the Delta Flyer. We should receive a transmission from them within the hour.

"Computer, date and save," I said, turning off the panel on my desk. Grabbing the handle of my coffee cup, I took a small sip. The bitter liquid had grown cold. Had I been working that long?

"Captain to the Bridge," Tuvok's voice came through my comm badge.

My hands started to tremble, loosening my grip on the cup I was holding. It fell with a loud crash to the carpeting. I looked down at it, but past it. I had had this unshakable feeling that something was wrong most of the day. However, I had ignored my instinct. Straightening my shoulders, I walked out onto the bridge. Tuvok rose from the command chair and moved to his post.

"Captain, we are receiving a message from the Delta Flyer, audio only," Harry's voice broke through the silence on the bridge.

"On speakers."

The message was filled with static, but the voice was unmistakable. "Paris to Voyager...under attack...shields...67%...warp core breech in 10 minutes...is dead... badly injured...haven't broken off attack...need assistance...don't know how much longer I can hold them off..."

"Time to intercept?"

"Six minutes at warp seven," Tuvok's even toned voice said.

"Lay in a course, maximum warp."

"Bridge to Torres. I need warp nine now."

"That's not possible, Captain. We don't have enough energy left," B'Elanna said flatly.

"I won't accept no as an answer, make it work," I said, not even trying to hide the anger in my voice.

"Captain, may I remind you that, after this rescue mission, we may very well have little to no power left."

"I am aware of that, Mr. Tuvok."

I collapsed into my chair. I clapped my eyes shut, fighting the veil of tears that had formed. Though I was grateful that the Starfleet side had taken over the situation, part of me just wanted to return to my ready room and cry. How many times had I dreamt that this very scenario would play out? We would tractor his shuttle in, I would be waiting in the shuttlebay the moment that the hatch was opened. His lifeless body laying next to a console. His head in a puddle of blood. I pulled him into arms, and sobbed. I refused to let go of him. My uniform is slowly covered with the last bits of blood oozing from him. I would awake, screaming, covered in a thin sheen of perspiration. Every time, Tom would just gather me into his arms and tell me that he would never leave me. I wanted to believe that was true, but now that the moment was upon me, I was growing dangerously close to coming unhinged.

"Torres to bridge, you should have warp 9, but only for a few minutes, Captain."

"Thank you B'Elanna," I said, relief coloring my voice.

Tom:

The blackness that had enveloped me slowly gave way to a shimmering white light that drew me towards it. Peaceful, soft music filled the space I was in. I closed my eyes, breathing in the heady scent of roses. I gingerly became aware of a hand taking mine. Nimble fingers encircled my own. They were warm and soft. Letting my heavy eyelids open, I was rewarded to a bright smile from Kathryn. I glanced down at her hand, a large diamond band adorned her ring finger.

She pulled me towards her, drawing me into her arms. Instinctively, I followed her movements. We began to move to the music. It was the same song that played that night at the beach resort. Our song, Patsy Cline's "Crazy."

I suddenly became aware of my surroundings. I was in her quarters, but things seemed out of place. The dimensions seemed right, but some of the furnishings didn't seem standard issue. Then, I noticed the TV set that B'Elanna had created for me was near her desk as were a few other of my belongings.

Another flash of white light filled the cabin. I gazed around the room. More of my belongings had appeared. For some odd reason, I didn't feel so out of place anymore. In fact, my initial reaction was that I was at home. I become more aware of my immediate surroundings. Kathryn was in my arms, asleep. As intimate of a scene it was, it somehow felt familiar. Allowing my hands to glide from her waist, I came into contact with a slight bulge in her stomach. I felt a small kick against the palm of my hand. She nestled into my chest even more, murmuring in her sleep. I began to stroke her hair, slowly.

I gazed up at the window above her bed. Rather than a star field, I saw the white light that seemed to follow me, bathed in a soft blue light. Static, white noise filled the cabin. Though groggy from sleep, I could make out some of the words...'hold on, please...'

Kathryn

"Hail the alien vessel."

"No response. They are targeting weapons."

"Raise shields."

"They are warp capable, Captain, and their weapons seem to be similar to our own," Tuvok said, gazing down at his panel.

"They are targeting the Flyer."

"Open a channel, all bans. This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. Please break off attack on our shuttle."

"No response."

"Time to transport range?"

"Thirty seconds," Harry said.

"Second volley away. Shields are down to 14%."

"Tuvok, as soon as we are in range, lock targets on their weapons array and fire."

"Understood."

I returned to my command chair. My legs were trembling. Seconds seemed like hours.

"We are within range, Captain. They are hailing us, audio only."

"Voyager, this shuttle is now our property. We claim it under the Vendelli Rights Act."

"We have no quarrel with you, sir. We just want our crew members back."

"The treaty states that the contents of any vessel found beyond repair belongs to the ship that finds it. That includes prisoners," the voice said, cutting his link.

"Captain, they are locking targets on us...a full volley is coming straight at us," Harry said from his station.

"Evasive maneuvers, return fire."

I was thrown to the back of my seat as their first volley hit. Conduits all over the bridge exploded. I heard Tuvok's console beep lightly.

"Direct hit to our transport and weapons array. Transporters are off-line and auto-targeting is down. Switching to manual."

"They are targeting the Flyer again, Captain," Harry called from his station.

"If we can't beam them out and we don't have enough time to tractor them in...Ensign, lay in a course to place us directly between the alien vessel and the Flyer."

"Captain?"

"Do it!" I yelled.

"They are hailing us again."

"Voyager, why do you deny us our prize? Move or be destroyed."

"You're not getting any prizes today," I said, turning towards Tuvok. "Target their lifesupport and fire."

I sat in my chair and watched the familiar orange beam move through space towards the alien vessel. It impacted within seconds. A panel from their ship was ripped away, floating out in space. Their engines came on-line as they speed away. I breathed an audible sigh of relief before ordering the Flyer be tractored into the shuttlebay.

"Harry, beam the team directly to sickbay. Tuvok, you have the bridge," I said just before the lift doors closed.

My footsteps became heavy and labored as I stepped from the lift to my quarters. I had intended on heading for sickbay, but I just couldn't bring myself to do so. In the silence of my quarters, I reviewed my actions over the past hour, unable to believe what I had done. I sank to the floor, sobbing.

Kathryn:

The chime to my room echoed through the cabin. I slowly got to my feet.

"Identify."

"Emergency Medical Hologram," the computer's voice confirmed.

"Come."

He entered my quarters and joined me on the sofa.

"I thought that I might find you here, reading."

"It helps me think."

"You should be happy to note that, because of my brilliant skills as a surgeon, I was able to stop his internal bleeding. However, he is still in a coma."

"I see, and the others," I said, hoping he would ignore the tremble in my voice.

"Other than a nasty headache, Ensign Wildman is fine. Unfortunately, Lieutenant Perrymen did not survive."

I nodded slowly, trying desperately to slip on a neutral mask.

"May I speak off the record?" he said.

"Of course," I said, motioning with my hand. Even if I had said no, he would have plunged forward.

"It is no secret that you have feelings for Lieutenant Paris. There have been numerous studies that hearing a loved one's voice can sometimes reach through to them."

I felt a lump forming in my throat. I rose and walked towards the replicator. I was dangerously close to crying again.

"For seven years, I denied myself of feelings. I woke up, went to work, came back to my quarters, always alone. I lived as an automaton. It wasn't until that night in Sullivan's that I realized home empty my life really was. For the first time in years, I felt alive, wanted. He pulled me into his arms. They were so warm and inviting.

"Three weeks afterwards, at that double date, was when the last of my reserve finally crumbled. He smiled so sweetly at me....he told me that he loved me. My heart won out. I ignored protocol, and let myself fall in love.

"And now you feel guilty that you sent him on that mission." The doctor offered.

"No, that's just part if it. I gave the order to place this ship between him and that alien vessel. I choose his life over everyone else in this crew. It was selfish, but I couldn't live with the idea of living without him."

There was a long pause while the doctor processed what I said. He covered my hand with his.

"Captain, you are overwrought and thinking illogically. If it was Tuvok, B'Elanna, Seven, or any other member you would have done the same thing. Do you think that Tuvok would have followed your orders, without question, if he believed you were wrong? The only reason you are doubting your actions is because of the feelings that you have for him."

"One of the first things that I learned in command school is never become involved with a subordinate."

"And you did. So what? With all due respect, Captain, this isn't exactly the Alpha Quadrant. If it was, Mr. Paris would be transferred elsewhere and you could continue your relationship, but this isn't the Alpha Quadrant....You are not an island onto yourself. You need some support system. So, you turned to Tom. I'm sure that you find something about him appealing, though it seems to allude me...

"Falling in love isn't a crime," he said, his tone growing softer, but more urgent.

The Doctor's arguments were all on target. Each one managed to shoot down every reason I had for not going to see him.

I gave him a smile. "Have you been studying diplomatic relations, Doctor?"

"No, why?" He asked, his brow raising.

"Because you just won."

With that, I rose from my seat on the sofa and made my way towards sickbay.

Tom:

The white light had begun to fade over the past few changes. It was being beaten back by a black veil. Slowly, I became aware of a warm hand in mine. I opened my eyelids, squinting at the brightness. After blinking a few times, I could see shapes, figures, and finally sickbay. Kathryn was at my side. Her head was on my chest. Her breathing was deep and even, and her eyelids were closed. She began to stir slightly. Lifting her head, she turned her attention to me.

"I thought that I had lost you," she whispered.

"Hey, a promise is a promise, isn't it?"

She stood and kissed me, a smile crossing her features.

"You would never believe the dream I had...," I said, returning her smile.

End