By:AW

Published in Unicorn Press. Editor: Nancy Border & Pat
Hayden.

You can buy it from Unicorn Press @
http://members.aol.com/UnicrnPrs/press.htm

Disclaimer: You know it, I know it, I don’t own idea
of Star Trek: Voyager. I just own the story.

Date With Destiny II

of Star Trek: Voyager. I just own the story.

9. Changes

It begins where it ends. In nothingness. A nightmare born from deepest fears, coming to me unguarded. Whispered images unlocked from time and distance. A soul unbound, touched by others but never held. On a course uncharted by some unseen hand. The journey ahead promising more than my past reflected back upon me. Until at last I reach the end. Facing the truth I
can no longer deny. Alone, as ever.

I left my home, my life…only to have my carefully laid plans backfire and my precariously constructed strands unravel.

Kathryn left Earth, and everything that was and had been her from the beginning. Where she was going even she didn’t know, but life would go on as it always did.

Tom and B’Elanna sat by the view screen and listened to the Bolian talk of his tale and how he had, in the end, found Kathryn Janeway. It had apparently not been an easy task.

“This woman is stubborn. She is hell-bent on doing things her way and only her way.”

B’Elanna let out a chuckle. “Yes and that’s what got us home.”

“Maybe, but it sure as hell made my life more difficult. So what did you need me to do now?”

B’Elanna looked at Tom. “Why don’t you go get Harry, he’s probably hungry. Feed him and I’ll get the rest of the plan straightened out.”

Tom knew that look. “Yes ma’am. Tell me when you’re done.” He could have sworn she had learned to glare at people like that from Kathryn Janeway. It didn’t matter though. She commanded presence, just like
Kathryn, and so Tom left the room.

B’Elanna turned back to the man. “I need you to track and find Captain Chakotay. It’s really important, and I need it done preferably before this little one,” B’Elanna patted her stomach, “makes her appearance.”

“Alright, I think I can do that, but why is it so important that I find these two and track them. There has to be a reason.”

B’Elanna thought about it. “Because they saved me more times than I can count. They gave me a second chance when everyone else would have thrown me out an airlock. Because I love them both for what they’ve done for me, and I owe this to them.”

“Alright B’Elanna…but you owe me.”

B’Elanna grinned. “Whatever you want, just give me some warning. Torres out.”

Tom heard B’Elanna approaching the kitchen. “So…did you get your plan all organized?”

“Of course Tom, do I ever do things half-way?” She got a dreamy look in her eyes. “So Tom, do you want a boy or a girl?” She was rubbing hypnotic circles over her ever-expanding middle.”

“Well we already have a boy, a girl would be nice.”

B’Elanna felt herself losing control. “We had a girl too Tom. Don’t you remember her? And we still have to take care of little Kearstin if my plan doesn’t work out.”

Tom pulled her close. “Everything will be fine B’Elanna. We won’t lose this baby. Katie’s death was a tragedy, but we have to get past that. Live for now,
not for yesterday. Now let’s think about what we’ll say to Chakotay when we get him on the comm. system. Let’s think about names for this baby. Let’s think of happy days.”

B’Elanna couldn’t help but laugh at his optimism. “But how do you know Tom? How do you know I won’t lose this baby? How do you know she’ll be okay?”

“I know because whatever power is out there wouldn’t put us through that twice. I have to believe that.” He looked into her eyes. “She B’Elanna? Well now, I know what you’re hoping for.”

B’Elanna covered her mouth with her hands. “Did I give it away? I’m so sorry, Tom. I know you wanted to be surprised but it came up at the physical, and I…I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to…”

He took her once more in his arms. “It’s okay honey. No problem, at least now the list of names gets shortened.”

They erupted into laughter, then stood in comfortable silence until Harry decided he wanted to play and awoke them from their reverie.

/\/\

Chakotay was sitting and thinking. What did it mean? He had seen Kathryn’s spirit guide on one occasion for a prolonged period of time, and then nothing. He had disappeared along with Kathryn. There was nothing left of the once strong woman he had known and loved. She had simply disappeared. Strange…

It began with an act of supreme violence. A big-bang expanding ever outward, cosmos born of matter and gas. Matter and gas, ten billion years ago. Who’s idea was this? Who had the audacity for such invention? And the reason? Were we part of that plan ten billion years ago? Are we born only to die?

What is the purpose Kathryn? You come into my life only to leave. You love me only to stop…do we all live only to die?

To be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth before giving way to our generations. If there is a beginning, must there be an end? We burn like fired in our time only to be extinguished. To surrender to the elements’ eternal reclaim. Matter and gas. Will this all end one day? Life no longer passing to life. The Earth left barren like the stars above, like the cosmos. Will the hand that lit the flame let it burn down, let it burn out? Could we too become extinct? Or if this fire of life living inside us is meant to go on, who decides? Who tends the flames? Can he re-ignite the spark even if it become cold and weak?

This thought only made him think of children. Little children with blue eyes and auburn hair. Ones with stubborn attitudes and porcelain complexions. He had given himself completely to Kathryn Janeway and her cause, without her he would never be complete, with her he would never be happy.

Maybe we do live only to one-day die. What a pitiful existence.

TBC in Date With Destiny II - Chapter 10: Santos VI

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