Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 20 Jan 2004 19:16:59 -0800 In: alt.startrek.creative From: louiseell@aol.com (louise ellis) Title: "Still There" Author: Louise Ellis Series: TNG Rating: PG Code: P/C Part: 24/? Archive: yes Summary: An alternate universe story that picks up ten years after Disclaimer: no infringement meant, and comments welcomed (thanks for all the comments so far!). "Still There" (24/?) By: Louise Ellis Suddenly, Beverly blinked, just as a hand touched her shoulder. Reacting automatically, she swept her leg back and around, twisting as she did so to end up using her weight to hurtle the man behind her to the ground. Landing on top of him with a grunt, she had her fist lifted to plunge down when a yell from the door caused her to freeze. "Beverly – no!" Kathryn Janeway stood framed in the doorway, one hand outstretched, the other holding the screen door open. "Don't!" Not taking her eyes off the man she was pinning down, Beverly remained where she was as Kathryn's tone became more reassuring. "Beverly, it's all right. It's Chakotay." "Chakotay?" Beverly blinked, then slowly lowered her hand and traced the tattoo on his forehead with one finger. "I've seen something like this before…" "Beverly?" Kathryn took a step forward, letting the porch door close behind her. "It's all right." "Hmm?" She blinked again, then realized where she was. "Oh!" She scrambled back and off the man, extending a hand after she stood to help him up. "I'm sorry." "My fault. I thought you had heard me cross the porch." He smiled down at her. "A pleasure to finally meet you, Commander." "Beverly, please." She returned his smile. "No, I'm afraid I was lost in thought, and tend to just, um, react when that happens." "That's what happens when you transport to the porch." Kathryn laughed softly. "Hello." "Hi there." He greeted her with a light kiss. "Miss me?" "Mmm." She nodded as Phoebe opened the door. "Chakotay!" Holding the door open, she indicated for them to come inside. "Hello there." "Wait until you see what I found for you this time." He raised his eyebrows at her and handed her a small package as he entered the house. "Did I miss the others?" "Just." Kathryn smiled up at him. "We tried to hold breakfast, but they had to be in early." "I got caught up with paperwork for the refit, it took a lot longer than I expected." He shook his head. "Did you leave any coffee?" "Just started a fresh pot." Phoebe stated as they entered the kitchen, Beverly trailing behind. "Sit." She pointed to the counter, then busied herself pouring the coffee as they obeyed. "You're lucky Chakotay," Kathryn smiled lazily. "She could have taken you out. Permanently." Chakotay gazed at Beverly, who smiled sheepishly at him. Clad in a light blouse and slacks, she looked nothing like a woman who'd been strong enough to survive the last ten years as a prisoner of a Cardassian, instead appearing almost waifish, and completely at home in the warm kitchen. "Appearances can be deceiving. You know that, Kathryn." "I don't do well with surprises right now." Beverly lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug, then smiled slightly. "I wouldn't have killed you though." He chuckled. "For that I thank you." Suddenly, he remembered something she'd said on the porch. "You said something about my tattoo?" "I've seen something similar." Resting one elbow on the counter, she leaned forward, inspecting it. "On…" her voice trailed off as a memory came to her. "Prisoners of Madred's?" He asked gently. "I know. Some were my people." "Oh." Beverly frowned slightly. "I'm sorry." "You kept them alive, some escaped." Chakotay lifted his cup toward her. "More than would have if you hadn't been there to care for them." "It's nice to know…I mean, I never knew what happened…" She managed a nod and took a swallow of her own coffee. "I'm sorry you were late, Jean-Luc said to tell you hello." Phoebe slid onto one of the stools, joining them at the counter and drawing the package Chakotay had handed her across the table. "Thank you for this." "It seemed something you'd like." He chuckled as she unwrapped it carefully. Letting out a delighted squeal, Phoebe held up a brightly colored sculpture. "Chakotay, I love it. Where…" "A little out of the way shop on Denevia Four." He smiled at her. "Glad you approve." Kathryn eyed the thing warily. "What is it?" "Art." Phoebe held it up to catch the sunlight. "I've got to go find a place to put this." Standing, she brushed an absent kiss across his cheek, then wandered off, the sculpture in one hand, her coffee cup in the other. Beverly blinked in surprise. "Does she just…go off like that?" "About art?" Kathryn laughed. "When something inspires her. Chakotay finds the most outlandish things for her." "Felisa, wait here for a minute while I run back inside and finish up." Deanna indicated a chair in the hallway. "I'll be right back, all right?" "I'll be fine, Aunt Deanna." Felisa perched on the edge of the chair and watched as Deanna disappeared back into the conference room where they'd been asking her questions all morning. She and Deanna had finally been excused for lunch, while her father had been requested to remain for more questioning. With a sigh, Felisa look down the hallway to the nearby window. Glancing back at the door, she slid off the chair and moved to gaze down at the garden below. She'd been there for a few minutes, thoughts running through her head, when she heard light footsteps coming toward her. Tensing, she looked over her shoulder, expecting to see Deanna looking for her. Instead, she caught sight of another girl, frowning at something she was carrying. Turning around, she waited for the girl to reach where she stood. "Hi." The girl stopped and looked up, blinking. "Hi. What are you doing here?" "Excuse me?" Felisa tilted her head slightly. "Sorry, I mean, I just don't normally see other kids here." She grinned. "Not really a place they like us to be, you know?" "I guess." Felisa shrugged. "My Aunt told me to wait here for her." "Oh." The other girl held up the padd she was carrying. "I was having problems with my homework, so, I was coming to ask Admiral Janeway for some help." "You ask her for help with your homework?" Felisa's eyebrows rose, "and she doesn't mind?" "Usually." She sighed, "I didn't realize she wasn't here today." "She's…" Felisa trailed off, remembering something, and changed her statement. "She's with my mother. Not here though." "Your mother?" The girl looked confused. "Oh, I'm Naomi." "Felisa." She held out a hand, which Naomi shook. "She and my mother are talking with…" she frowned in thought for a moment, then smiled as the name came to her. "With Chakotay." "Chakotay's back?" Naomi grinned. "I didn't know. I wonder what he brought me." "You know him too?" Felisa inspected the girl. "We were on Voyager. The Admiral was the Captain then, and Chakotay was the First Officer, I was born on the ship." Naomi stated, still smiling. "So they kind of were all my parents. My mom was on board, but not my dad." "That was the ship that was gone for a long time, right?" Felisa frowned, remembering fragments of conversations she'd heard, and things she'd seen. "In the Delta quadrant." Naomi inspected the girl, confused. "I thought everyone knew about it." "No." Felisa stated sharply. "Some of us aren't aware of everything that happens everywhere, you know." "Sorry." Naomi drew back slightly, surprised at the girl's tone. Gazing at her, she frowned again. "You aren't in school now?" "Neither are you." Felisa shot back levelly, one eyebrow rising. (end part 24) -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Stories Only Forwarding In the Pattern Buffer at: http//trekiverse.crosswinds.net/feed/ Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCL/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:ASCL-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. From ???@??? Sat Jan 24 18:53:57 2004 Status: U Return-Path: Received: from n23.grp.scd.yahoo.com ([66.218.66.79]) by merlin (EarthLink SMTP Server) with SMTP id 1aKxx120Z3NZFlq0 for ; Sat, 24 Jan 2004 15:49:39 -0800 (PST) X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1977044-12980-1074988119-stephenbratliff=earthlink.net@returns.groups.yahoo.