Date: Sat, 29 May 2010 15:22:18 +0000
From: James Leete <leeteey2063@hotmail.com>
Subject: My Maquis Lover Chapter 11

Disclaimer:

This story is based in the "Star Trek" universe. The use of anything
related to "Star Trek" in this series is not intended to infringe upon the
rights of Paramount Pictures. The author is in no way associated with the
owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise.

All other content or otherwise are works of my own imagination. All events
are fictitious in nature.

Any similarities to persons living, dead, or otherwise are purely
coincidental.

This story contains strong themes of homosexual content, if this offends
you in any way, please refrain from reading further. If you are not of
legal age to read this, please leave now.

Ok as well before we start this is based on the series Star Trek Voyager
but with a twist from the original story line and i hope you like it.

Chapter 11: Messages from Home

"This is Starfleet command calling the USS Voyager, if you are receiving
this message please study it carefully, we have information..." said a man
over the comm. I looked up for my console and looked over at the
captain. Even though the message was garbled and very fuzzy we all heard
the words Starfleet Command. Was this for real. Just as quickly as the
message had started it stopped. "What happened?" asked Janeway. "I'm not
sure, the transmission just stopped" replied Kim. Oh god please don't say
we lost the entire transmission. If it's from home they may have found a
way to bring us back. "Locate the source see if you can get it back"
ordered Janeway. "It looks like... Captain the transmission was sent along
the same network of alien relay stations we used to send the doctor to the
Alpha Quadrant." reported Kim. "Starfleet command must be using the same
way we did" said Chakotay. It was the same relay stations we used a few
weeks ago to send the doctor to earth. I was jealous of him for actually
getting the chance to go home. "Harry can you clear the interference from
that message?" asked Janeway. "Yes Ma'am" replied Harry and went right to
work. "They said they wouldn't stop until they found a way to get us home"
commented Paris. "None the less we shouldn't assume that they have been
able to devise a plan this quickly" said Tuvok bringing a low point to the
mood. Why did he always have to do that. "Their communicating with us,
that's a big step" said Janeway re-lifting people's spirits. "Okay, I've
reprocessed everything we received and managed to clear out most of the
interference. Here it comes." said Kim. He activated the message and it
replayed but this time a lot less garbled. "This is Starfleet command
calling the USS Voyager, if you are receiving this message please study it
carefully, we have information which we ..." "That's all we got, it looks
like the bulk of the transmission is lodged in one of the relay stations."
reported Kim. God I hope it's a close one and not light years away. We knew
the stations extended all the way to the Alpha Quadrant, I just hope we
don't have to wait months to hear the rest of that message. "Can you tell
which one?" asked Janeway. "It's about 3.8 light years from us on a heading
of 274 mark 13." Said Harry smiling. Oh thank god it wouldn't take too long
to get there. "Set a course Tom." Janeway ordered. "Aye Captain" he
replied. "The last time we used one of those stations the people who built
them weren't too happy" said Chakotay. Why were people being so negative,
we were hearing from home. "Oh we'll deal with that if we have to, but I'm
not going to miss this opportunity. We're going to find out what the rest
of that message says" said Janeway. "Maybe they've figured out a way to get
us home." said Harry. He was right. "How could they get us home from 60,000
light years away?" asked Paris. Sceptic. "Who knows what kind of
technological advances Starfleet has developed while we have been
gone. They may have discovered a whole new way of travelling through
space." I said. "You two are desperate to get home." Said Paris. "Since it
was technology that brought us to the Delta Quadrant, it is a reasonable
assumption that technology could get us back." Said Tuvok. "Thank you. And
yes Tom I am desperate to get home, as I'm sure Harry is." I said sticking
my tongue out playfully. He and I had gotten a lot more friendly since he
and B'Elanna had started to date. "Starfleet found a stable wormhole to the
gamma quadrant. It's possible they found one that leads here." Said
Chakotay. That was a good point. "This kind of speculation can be
intriguing, but be careful about setting yourselves up to be disappointed."
Said Janeway pointing to me and Harry. I smiled at her. "I'm just happy my
parents know I'm alive." I said. "I agree" said Harry. Tom turned in his
chair "What is it with you two?" he asked. "It comes with being an only
child" I replied. Harry laughed and nodded. "I imagine there were quite a
few celebrations when people got the news." Janeway said. "Probably, but I
can see how it could make things difficult for some. I guess people had
given up on us. Done their mourning, gone on with their lives, found some
kind of resolution. Now they get the news that we're alive, but so far away
we may as well be dead." Said Chakotay. "Some people may think that, but
not my mom and dad." Said Harry smiling. "Well at the very least we know
the relay stations extend almost all the way to the Alpha Quadrant, if
Starfleet has found a way to use them to transmit messages we'll be able to
keep in constant contact with people at home. That has to be comforting."
Said Janeway smiling. ""I'm sure it is, but I think it's more comforting to
believe that Starfleet is actually going to get us home. If nobody objects
that's what I'm going to do." Said Harry. He looked at me and said "Right
Jack?" I smiled. "Absolutely" I replied and went back to work.

As I sat on the bridge and people were still talking about the possibility
that Starfleet could get us home, my thoughts turned to my mum and
dad. They were so proud that I got into Starfleet and my dad always said I
would go far, I bet he didn't imagine just how far. Both of my parents were
in Starfleet and were both commissioned officers like me, which meant they
attended the academy. My mum was the deputy director of Starfleet Strategic
Operations at the rank of Vice-Admiral and my dad was the deputy director
of Starfleet Intelligence also at the rank of Vice-Admiral. Many people
would think with my parents holding such high positions in Starfleet meant
that my childhood didn't really include my parents. They couldn't be more
wrong. They spent all the time with me. I mean sure, we had security
procedures in my house because of their jobs. For instance whenever either
or both of them had to work I couldn't disturb them unless it was important
and anything I heard in the house couldn't be repeated. Also I had to
understand that if Earth was ever attacked we would all be taken to a
secure location and I had to be ready for that as well. My parents used to
teach me about it and do practise tests so I was ready. Growing up in my
house as well meant I met a lot of high ranking officers. In particular the
Director of Starfleet Intelligence Admiral Ive and also my mum's department
director Admiral Hayes. But other than that they were the most relaxed
people you could find. When I decided to join Starfleet they didn't
pressure me into going into a certain department they left the decision
entirely up to me. I can just picture what the house would have been like
when they got the news, all my aunts and uncles and cousins would have been
there helping my mum and dad celebrate. While I was in deep thought the
ship suddenly began to shake "Report." Asked the captain. "We're
encountering some kind of gravametric distortions" reported
Harry. "Source?" asked Chakotay. "It seems to be coming the relay station
we're headed for" reported Harry. But it was still so far away. "That
station is still 2 light years away, how can it be projecting a gravametric
field this far?" asked the captain. "It would have to have an incredibly
powerful energy source." Commented Chakotay. Harry worked the controls and
suddenly the ship stabilised. "I've compensated for the disturbance, we
should be alright. At least until we get closer" reported Kim. "I'm
detecting a ship captain, 800,000 kilometres off the port bow." Reported
Tuvok.  "On screen" ordered Janeway. The appeared on the viewscreen and I
could see that it was on fire. "Its adrift, no propulsion, no weapons, no
life support." I reported. "I'm picking up one male humanoid aboard, he's
dead." Reported Harry. "As soon as we're close enough beam the body to
sickbay. I wanna know how he died." Said Janeway heading for the turbolift.

2 DAYS LATER!

"Personal Log, Lieutenant Carter, Stardate 50501.4 after 2 days at high
warp we're close enough to the relay station to see it on long range visual
sensors. Now is the time to see what Starfleet really had to say. Tom is
just as excited as I am to hear what they had to say. End log" I wrote on
my padd while I was sat on the bridge. "Not exactly what I expected, it
looks ancient." Commented Paris. I agreed with him on that. "Radio metric
decay ratios indicate it's at least 100,000 years old." Reported Kim. "Scan
for life forms" ordered Chakotay. "Negative sir looks like theirs nobody
home" I reported. "Well that's good news, here we go again." Said Chakotay
as the ship began to shake again because of distortions. "The gravametric
field" said Tuvok again stating the obvious. "Commander if my sensor
readings at right, that station is using a quantum singularity as a power
source." I told him. "A black hole" asked Paris. "It a tiny one, probably
about a centimetre in diameter but it's putting out almost 4 terra watts of
energy." I told them all. "Then someone found a way to contain a
singularity, construct a space station around it and tap it's power, that's
fascinating" commented Chakotay. "Can we take the ship any closer?" asked
Paris. "I wouldn't recommend it, Voyager would take a beating from the
Gravametric eddies." I told him. Chakotay looked at Paris and then said
"Alright Tom back us off." "Aye sir" he replied. "Bridge to Janeway, we're
as close as we're going to get Captain" Chakotay said over the comm. I
heard her then reply "Okay we'll see if we can download the message from
here." She ended the comm. Channel and I went back to work. When I heard
from Tom that the transmission included letters from home I was over the
moon. I really hope I got one, not to be selfish but it really would be
awesome to hear from someone at home. After about an hour Neelix emerged
from the turbolift and cheerfully announced "I am happy to announce that I
have the first letters from home." I smiled. "Who are they for Neelix?"
asked Harry. "This one is addressed to Commander Chakotay" he replied. He
handed the padd to Chakotay who sat in his chair reading it. "Who's it from
commander?" asked Neelix. "An old friend, the person who recruited me into
the maquis." He said. His face fell and I could tell just by looking at him
he had some seriously bad news. "Perhaps I'll read this in private you have
the bridge Tom" he said when he realised that everyone was watching him. He
turned and walked away as Neelix headed for the turbolift. "Neelix wait,
aren't there anymore?" asked Harry. "No none for the bridge crew, be
patient" he replied and turned and entered the turbolift. I continued to
work and soon the captain appeared. She held a padd and was heading for her
ready room. "Is that a letter to you captain?" asked Harry. "Yes, seven
just downloaded it. I'll be in my ready room" she said. She looked at me
and then walked in. As I sat there and worked I wondered when I would get a
letter. About half an hour after the captain had been in her ready room
Neelix came back onto the bridge and said "I have more letters." He was
carrying a box and started to pull out pads and reading off names. I looked
over at ops but Harry had gone for lunch. "Carter" said Neelix. I looked up
and he smiled as I went over and took the padd. "Janeway to Carter, report
to my ready room." Said the captain. Not now I want to see this letter. "On
my way" I said. I went down the steps and touched the panel and the captain
told me to come in. "Can we talk?" she asked. I went over and sat down as
she offered me some coffee. I accepted and she handed me the cup. "I wanted
to talk about my letter and for some reason I feel comfortable talking to
you about it." She said. "Okay, who was it from?" I asked. "Mark." Was all
she let out. Her fiancée. Oh god don't tell me she got a dear john letter
from 60,000 light years away. She handed me the padd and I skimmed it
over. He told her about the litter of puppies her dog had, how he found
homes for them, how devastated he was when he learned that Voyager was
missing, how he held out hopes longer than anyone else. Then he told her
that he had married a year ago and was very happy. After I finished reading
I looked at her with a sympathetic look and she just broke down crying. "Oh
god Kathryn I'm so sorry" I said. I hugged her and once she had stopped she
said "I guess I didn't really expect him to wait for me." I smiled and said
"I guess not, but there was a slim chance." "I guess my safety net is gone"
she told me. "Yeah and with Mark married and happy it means that you and
Chakotay can finally get together" I told her. She laughed and said "You
can dream." She saw the padd in my hand and said "What's that?" I looked at
it and said "My letter." She smiled and said "Well stay and read it while
you have coffee" I picked up the padd and said "Will you read it for me." I
said. "Of course" she replied. I handed her the padd and she spoke aloud

"TO JACK CARTER

FROM ADMIRALS MATTHEW AND JULIE CARTER.

JACK,

WE JUST HEARD THAT YOU'RE ALIVE. YOUR DAD AND I ARE SO THANKFUL THAT YOU
HAVE SURVIVED. WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE NEWS IT TOOK US SOME TIME TO GET USED
TO THE IDEA THAT OUR SON WAS DEAD AND I DON'T THINK WE EVER TRULY BELIEVED
IT. WE ALWAYS HELD OUT HOPE THAT YOU WOULD COME BACK TO US. YOUR AUNTS AND
UNCLES AND YOUR GRANDPARENTS SEND THEIR LOVE AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST."
The captain paused and looked at me. "That's so sweet, I didn't realise you
were so close with your mum and dad." I smiled a tear streaming from my
eye. I could hear my mum's voice in my head as the captain read the
letter. "Yeah we were always very close. I was their only son so it was
inevitable." She smiled, "I know of your parents obviously being in the
positions they are in, but I never actually got to meet them. But I always
thought that you would have had a hard time growing up alongside two high
ranking members of Starfleet. I know I did with my dad." She said. "No not
at all we were practically joined at the hip." I told her. She smiled and
she continued to read the letter. My mum and dad had written an essay
between them. When the captain finished she smiled and looked at me. I was
physically crying because all I wanted to do was rush to the house and hold
them both. This time she hugged me and said "I'll get you back to them,
that's a promise." I smiled and took the padd back from her. I rose and
said "Well my duty shift is over. I'm only doing a half day as B'Elanna
wants me to get started on the monthly engineering report." The captain
smiled and said "Thanks for your support earlier." I hugged her again and
left the ready room. I walked into the turbolift still reading the padd.

When I finally arrived back at mine and Tom's quarters I walked in and lay
the padd down. I changed into some casual clothes and sat at my desk. I
grabbed a blank padd and brought up all the engineering reports from the
last month and was about to start to work when the door chimed. "Come in."
I said. The door opened and in walked Tabor. I looked at him and
smiled. "Hey, what's up?" I asked. He looked at me and said "Can we
errr.... talk?" I nodded and pointed to the couch and he went over and sat
down. "I just got some pretty seriously bad news." He told me. "About
what?" I asked. He looked down at the floor and I stood up and walked over
to him. As I sat next to him he looked into my eyes. "There all gone. It's
over." He told me. "What are you talking about?" I asked. "There are no
more maquis. They were all wiped out by a species the Cardassians formed an
alliance with." He told me his voice cracking. "Oh my god are you serious?"
I asked. "Yeah I'm serious. Chakotay just told me. He hasn't told many
people yet and I don't think he has told Tom." He replied. It was at that
moment he broke down and began to cry. I hugged him and he whimpered to
himself. "Tabor it's okay, they died fighting for something that they
believed in." I told him stoking his hair. He came up and kissed me. I
broke the kiss and looked at him. "What was that?" I asked. "It was this."
He replied kissing me again. This time I didn't fight him, not straight
away. After about two minutes of kissing I finally broke off and stood
up. "We can't, I'm with Tom" I told him. He smiled and lay back on the
couch. "Yeah I know, but you can't tell me it didn't feel good." He
replied. I couldn't deny it, that was an amazing kiss. "No I can't it was
good." I replied. "See." He replied. I looked at him and gave in to my
feelings. I walked back over and kissed him again. He stood up our lips
still locked and we walked into the bedroom. I fell on the bed and he got
on top I slowly worked my way up the bed. "God you taste so good." He told
me. I could feel his rock hard cock pressing against mine through his
uniform. I slowly removed his jacket, t shirt and tank top to reveal his
flat, toned 6 pack. He removed my t shirt and threw it to the floor. He
then started to remove my sweat pants and I arched my back and lifted my
butt off the bed to allow him to pull them all the way down and off. He
then got off the bed and took off his boots, socks and trousers and climbed
back on top of me looking into my eyes. I traced the ridges on his nose and
giggled. "What?" he asked. "Nothing, I just never noticed how cute you are
with the ridges on your nose." I replied. He kissed me deeply and I opened
my mouth to allow him to probe my mouth with his tongue. He slowly moved
down first munching on neck before going further down and licking my
chest. His tongue felt so good as it went over my abs and 6 pack. He got
further down and played with my cock through my boxers. "I can see why Tom
likes keeping you in bed" he said grinning. He pulled back my boxers and my
8 inch cock flopped out on to my stomach and he started to lick the tip. I
was heaven. He slowly began to take more in his mouth and worked on my cock
his head bobbing up and down. After 2 minutes or so he came back up and
kissed me. I wrapped my legs around him and did my usual trick and flipped
him over so I was on top. He smiled as I went and munched on his neck and
moved down playing with his nipples with my tongue. I finally moved down
his body and I removed his boxers to let his 7 inch cock flop out and his
low hanging balls to be released. I slowly placed my mouth over his cock
and I slowly slid my mouth down his shaft wanting to make this last as long
as possible. As I slowly worked on his cock my head bouncing up and down I
played with his low hanging balls. He was loving this. As I let his cock go
from my mouth I moved even further down and sucked on his balls. He
squirmed as I did this exhaling in pleasure. I could see him tense up and
stopped moving back up his body and kissing him. "Not so fast." I said. He
smiled and I rolled off him and he got back on top of me. "Do you have
any..." he asked. "Yeah top drawer." I said pointing to my dresser. He went
over and took out a condom and some lube and came back. I rolled the condom
onto his cock and he lubbed up my arse. When I was ready after him sticking
two fingers inside me he worked his cock into my arse stretching my
hole. When he was all the way in he slowly began to fuck me. "Oh fuck" I
screamed. I smiled and really began to fuck me hard. I could feel all of
his cock leave my arse and then re-enter me hard and fast. He was so
fucking hot. I could see little drops of sweat on his forehead as he really
began to work my arse. After about 20 minutes he announced "I'm gunna cum."
I looked at him and said "Same." He came out of me ripped off his condom
and began to jack off. After about a minute we both came together and I was
covered in cum. He collapsed onto the bed beside me and came in and kissed
me. "Wow, that was...." he said trying to get his breath back. "Yeah it
was." I said. He smiled. Suddenly the door chimed. Shit! Tabor leapt off
the bed and in 30 seconds put his clothes on. I went into the bathroom and
wiped the cum off my chest as Tabor tidied up my bed. I heard the door
chime again and I went out as saw the place looking good. I went to the
door and opened it. There stood Seven of Nine. "Lieutenant?" she asked
noticing I was only dressed in my towel. "Sorry I was in the shower." I
said. "I did not mean to irrupt. I am leaving with Commander Tuvok to shore
up the stations containment field and Lieutenant Torres said I should ask
you which shuttle you want me to take as you have been working on some."
She told me. "Oh, take shuttle Cochrane." I told her. "Very well, sorry to
have disturbed you." She said turning and walking away. I shut the door and
walked over to Tabor. "That was close." He said. "Yeah it was, listen...."
was all I got out when he cut me off. "Yeah, ermm as good as this was we
can't do this again. We have to work together and we're friends. Plus Tom
and I go a long way back and I don't want to lose him as a friend either."
He told me. I nodded and said "I agree, and we don't mention this to
anyone." He smiled and said "Of course not." He kissed me one last time
before turning and walking out of my quarters. I went back into the
bathroom and had a shower thinking about the last half hour.



Finally emerging from the bathroom in a fresh uniform I was about to work
when Janeway called me over the comm. "Lieutenant Carter to the bridge." I
tapped my commbadge. "On my way." I said. I left my quarters and rode the
turbolift up to the bridge as Harry was explaining to the captain "We
picked up an automated distress signal from Tuvok's shuttle, sensors show
no one on board." It wasn't that long ago since they left. "Jack take
tactical and scan for their Lifesigns." Ordered the captain. I nodded and
took over at the tactical station. I worked the controls and instructed the
sensors to locate Seven of Nine or Commander Tuvok. I worked for a good 10
minutes when Harry reported "Captain, it's tricky to scan through the
interference, but I think I'm detecting a ship." I checked the sensors and
saw it as well. "What kind of ship?"  asked Janeway. "Let me reconfigure
the sensor array" I reported. ""It's Hirogen and Tuvok and seven are on it"
I said again. We had only seen the Hirogen once and that was a long time
ago. "Hail them" ordered Janeway. "on screen" reported Kim. "I'm Captain
Janeway of the starship voyager. You have 2 of my crew on board" said
Janeway to the very tall Hirogen Man. "Disconnect your link to our module
and leave this space." Ordered the Hirogen man. "Not without my people"
said Janeway. "They are my relics" the Hirogen said. "I'm prepared to offer
you something for their safe return surely we can come to some agreement"
said Janeway trying to barter. "If the rest of my group arrives, you will
be taken as well, I'm giving you chance to run." Said the Hirogen. "We
don't run" Janeway told him. That was true we didn't. "Captain, I've got
three more ships on sensors heading towards us at warp" reported
Kim. "Don't be foolish. Leave now and save yourselves" the Hirogen
warned. "Give me my people and we'll do just that" said Janeway. "They're
mine" said the Hirogen making Tuvok and Seven sound like property. "Then
get ready for a fight. Red Alert" ordered Janeway. The bridge darkened as
we went into alert.

"Bridge to Torres" said Janeway. "Torres here" she responded over the comm.

"How much longer" Janeway asked. "I'm getting it out piece by piece, at
least another half hour" Torres explained. The channel closed and Janeway
went over to Harry. "How are you coming?" Janeway asked him. "That ship has
some kind of monatanium armour plating it's scattering the targeting beam"
Kim reported.

"The other three ships are closing they're within 6000 kilometres."
Chakotay also reported.

"Captain those ships have massive weapons they've definitely got us
outgunned." Paris told her. Maybe now was a good time to run. "Harry let me
see the relay station in relation to those ships." Janeway said going over
to the auxiliary engineering console above her chair. "Yes Ma'am" Kim
replied "Maybe we can use that quantum singularity to our advantage"
Janeway suggested. "How?" Chakotay asked her. "If we can boost the effect
of the singularity, increase the gravitational pull we might be able to
stop them" Janeway informed him. It was an ambitious plan assuming we
didn't get dragged in with them. "The pull would increase if we could
weaken the stations containment field, an anti thoron burst might do it"
Kim suggested. "If we're not careful we might get pulled in as well" Paris
said mirroring my own thoughts. "Don't worry, we're gunna be ready for
it. Jack create a low level warp field around Voyager, sub light energy
levels that should counteract the gravitational pull" Janeway told me. "If
the field is too strong we won't be able to beam Tuvok and Seven aboard."
Chakotay then added. "Then you'll have to find the right balance, won't you
Jack" Janeway said smiling at me. "Yes Ma'am" I said. She knew I liked a
challenge. "On my mark direct a level 8 anti thoron burst towards the
station, have thrusters ready for full reverse Mr. Paris" Janeway
ordered. "Understood" Paris confirmed. "I've established the low level warp
field captain" I reported. "Anti- thoron system is online" Chakotay also
confirmed. "I'm ready with thrusters" Paris announced. "Do it" Janeway
ordered. "It's working" reported Chakotay. "Try the transporter lock again
Harry" Janeway told him. "Torres to the bridge" came B'Elanna voice over
the comm. "Go ahead" Janeway said. "The anti thoron burst collapsed the
signal, I've got as much of the message as I'm going to get" Torres told
her. "Acknowledged. Hail those ships" Janeway ordered. "Channel open" I
told her. "This is captain Janeway agree to retreat and we will restore the
containment field" Janeway told them. "Captain they're firing" Paris
announced. Their weapons hit the ship. Paris was right they definitely out
gunned us."Their weapons are destabilising the containment field" Chakotay
reported. "This is Janeway stop firing you're putting yourselves in grave
danger" Janeway told them

"The field is going the singularity is about to be exposed." I shouted. We
saw the station squashed together and then destroyed as the black hole
appeared.

"Captain the ship with Tuvok and Seven on it is still be pulled in"
Chakotay announced. "Get a tractor beam on it" Janeway said coming up to
Harry's console and grabbing the railings. "I have Tuvok and Seven
targeted, but if I try to transport them now the gravity well could scatter
their patterns" Harry told her. "Tractor beam is weakening, we're going to
lose them" Chakotay reported. "Harry we have to risk it" Janeway
announced. "Activating the transporter" Harry told us. "Do you have them?"
Janeway asked him. "Not yet there patterns are distorting." Kim
replied. "Narrow the annular confinement beam" Janeway told him. "Tractor
beam is almost gone captain, we're losing this tug of war." Chakotay
shouted. The situation was very very tense. "Re-route all secondary to the
tractor emitters." Janeway told me.

"The tractor beam collapsed that ship is heading into the black hole"
Chakotay said before I started. "Okay I'm realigning the pattern buffer
I've got one more shot at it" Kim shouted. He worked his controls. I heard
a sound that suggested it hadn't worked and then one that did. "I got them
they're in transporter room 2" Kim reported. "I need more power, we're
being pulled in" Paris shouted. "Transfer all available power to the
engines." Janeway ordered me. I worked the controls and did so. "It's not
enough" Paris said. "Shut down life support" Janeway then told me. I did
and transferred the power. "Structural integrity is failing the hull is
starting to buckle" Chakotay said. "We're going in" Paris screamed.  "Open
the anti matter injectors to 120%" Janeway ordered me. I looked at
her. "Captain that could breach the core." I told her. "So will that black
hole now just do it" Janeway snapped back

"Yes Ma'am" I replied and did so. The ship got one hell of a boost. "We're
free" Paris reported. "Resume course. I'll be in astrometrics." Janeway
reported giving me a stare.

The last couple of days had been hard on most of the crew. A lot of them
were deeply upset that we had lost the link with the Alpha Quadrant and I
was among them. For a lot of the former Maquis crewmen there were mixed
feelings of anger and remorse. I had comforted Tom a great deal and we had
finally come to terms with what had happened. Neelix was organising a party
to celebrate finally hearing from the Alpha Quadrant. Tom had agreed to go
but he was a little of edge still. "Ready?" I asked as we stood in our
quarters. "Yeah." He said walking up to me. We walked out of our quarters
and headed for the turbolift. Part way down the corridor he looked at me
and said "Thanks for the last couple of days, you have been a real help." I
smiled as he took hold of my hand. "Hey, that's what boyfriends are for. I
care about you and seeing you upset makes me upset." I told him. He kissed
my hand and said "I don't deserve you." I smiled and kissed him. "Yes you
do." I told him. We entered the turbolift and started the ride up to Deck
2. "So got anything you want to tell me?" he asked. Oh god he knows about
me and Tabor. "No why?" I lied. "Well rumour has it, that Seven of Nine
caught you at a bad time and you two talked in our door way dressed in
nothing but a towel." He said smiling. Phew he didn't no. "Oh yeah, well
she picks her moments." I told him. "For a minute there I thought you were
leaving me for her." He said. I smiled and said "Never." The turbolift
stopped and we left and walked into the mess hall. People were gathered
around. Tom and I grabbed a drink each and went over to talk to Harry,
B'Elanna and Paris. As we talked I noticed Tabor looking at me. I smiled as
did he and he went off and spoke or should I say flirted with Crewman
Garren. The captain and Chakotay came into the mess hall after Neelix
summoned them and they each took a drink. I couldn't help but notice they
walked in arm in arm. I looked at them and smiled. She picked up a cup and
grabbed a spoon and tapped it. "Ladies and Gentlemen can I have your
attention. I know the last few days have been hard on all of you, but there
is one positive thing to all of this. Your family and friends know you're
alive and I'm sure are eagerly awaiting your return. To the former Maquis
among you I would also like to extend my apologies on hearing about your
colleagues. I'm sure that many of you have a lot of grieving to do and I
would like to say that for anyone who would like to talk, my door is always
open." She smiled and finished. Chakotay then cleared his throat and said
"As the captain said it was a great tragedy about our friends. But as
someone told me, they died fighting for what they believe in. So I would
like you to all raise your glasses and join me in a toast to the Maquis and
maybe we can remember some of the good times we shared with our Maquis
comrades. May they rest in peace." "Here here." Everyone said. The party
continued and part way through the captain gestured me over. I walked over
and she said "I understand Seven of Nine got a site of you she wasn't
planning on." I sighed as she smiled and said "I wouldn't worry about it."
I looked at her and said "But we all you saw you and Chakotay walk in arm
in arm, maybe there's hope on the horizon" I smiled. She rolled her eyes
and said "No, but if you want to play Cupid why don't you start with Tabor
and Garren they have been eyeing each other up all night. I'll help" I
laughed out loud and together with our drinks we dragged Tabor and Garren
together and the rest is, as they say, history.