Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: Wed, 19 May 2004 08:36:30 GMT In: alt.startrek.creative From: billfl@hiwaay.net (Bill Livingston) Title: Forever and Ever, Amen Author: Bill Livingston (billfl@hiwaay.net) Series: VOY Rating: [PG] Codes: J/m, P, 7; Jungle Kitty's "Series Shuft" Challenge Summary: How does Kathryn Janeway handle the knowledge that someone she's come Note: This is in response to JK's "Series Shift" challenge (take an episode, plot or scene from one series and rewrite it for another), and is the fourth and final story based on a single (*the* single, some might say) episode of TOS. Archive: OK anywhere, as long as title and authorship remain unchanged. Any MSTers welcome, just let me know. 8-] Disclaimer: "Star Trek" and all related characters and situations are trademarks of and © Desilu/Paramount/Viacom. All rights are reserved. Feedback in ASC and by email is welcome. If you liked it, please let me know. If not, please let me know. In either case, please let me know *why*. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOREVER AND EVER, AMEN By Bill Livingston After a frantic search, punctuated by frustration on one side and panicked delirium on the other, the three of them had been re-united. It was a happy occasion, but one as full of questions as it was relief: "How did you get here?" "How did *I* get here?" "Have all the effects worn off?" "How long have you been looking for me?" "Do you remember anything you did?" Then the captain turned - and saw doom approaching. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Edward!" Janeway whispered, almost choking on the word. He didn't see the doom speeding his way with his name on it. She started forward, every instinct telling her to save him. "Captain!" Seven's severe voice brought her back to agonizing reality. Simply by living, this gracious and perceptive gentleman was endangering Earth, the Federation, and the life and liberty of everyone she knew. But she loved him - she loved him so much, it hurt! Then she felt Tom begin to surge past her, and she knew there was no time left at all. She had to act. With all of her strength, Kathryn Janeway flung herself in front of her onrushing helmsman - but even in his weakened condition, Tom was quicker. She felt his sleeve slip out of her grasp as he plunged past her. As in a dream, she watched Tom Paris tackle Edward Keeler. The duo spilled backwards, onto the sidewalk and out of the path of the truck. In a daze, Tom rose and helped his recent benefactor up off the sidewalk. "You okay, Eddie?" "I'm - I'm fine, thanks. Kathy, you know Tommy Paris?" Janeway nodded numbly. "Mr. Paris," came Seven's voice from behind her. "You have interfered in the destiny of Edward Keeler." Keeler looked at her oddly. "If you mean he saved my life, Miss Hansen, then he certainly has. Although you make it sound as if he's made a horrible mistake." Kathryn swallowed hard. "Edward," she said, "Maybe we better skip that Clark Gable film and go back to the mission. We have to talk." "Is that wise?" Seven asked. "I assume the Temporal Prime Directive..." "At the moment," Janeway said, sounding piqued, "There *is* no Temporal Prime Directive because there's no Federation! And unless we tell Edward what's going on, there may never be!" "Captain," Tom asked nervously, "What's going on?" "I'd like to know that myself," Keeler added, gazing at her intently, and adding, half-humorously, "'Captain'." Janeway returned his gaze. "I'll explain everything," she promised. "But first, let's go back to the mission and get a cup of coffee." Their conversation lasted well into the night. At first, Keeler refused to believe her story about coming from 400 years in the future. Then Seven of Nine removed the shroud she used to hide the disfigured face of "Anna Hansen" and shown him her Borg implants. And Kathryn showed him the recordings of the two divergent timelines they'd made from the Guardian. Even then, it was difficult for him to fathom. Keeler shook his head. "Unbelievable that it would come to that. I mean, for God's sake, we just fought a war to pacify the Germans! And now you're telling me that not only was the Great Wat all for naught, but that I'm - I'm going to..." "As you have just seen," Seven said, "It is what happens. Your efforts to broker peace, while laudable, gave these 'Nazis' the time they needed to perfect weapons of sufficient power to dominate Earth." "So what now?" Tom asked. Keeler sighed. "Well, now that I know, I suppose I have no choice. I'll have to withdraw from life - turn the mission over to someone else, perhaps become a hermit. I'll do anything to prevent that future I saw from taking place." Janeway shook her head sadly. "It may not be that simple, Edward. Every minute you remain here is another chance that history could be altered. Anything you do that you weren't supposed to could have consequences. Maybe not as drastically as before but.." "Yes, I think I see," he said. There was a long moment of silence, which he finally broke by saying, "So, a slight change in plans, then." "What do you mean?" "I think, even at this late hour, there's sufficient auto traffic in New York for me to find another truck somewhere." It took a moment for this remark to sink home. "Edward, no!" Janeway exclaimed. Keeler looked at her bleakly. "You said it yourself, Kathy - I'm a liability, a walking disaster that could destroy everything. The only way to be sure of setting your world right is for me not to continue in it." "Wait, wait, hold on," Tom cried desperately. "Captain, couldn't we take him back with us? I mean, if he's in the 24th Century, he can't change the anything back here in the 20th, right?" Keeler smiled thinly. "A generous offer, Tommy, but for what it's worth, I'd rather not spend my final days as a fish out of water. Even if your ship makes its way back to Earth, I'd be a man out of my age. No, I have a destiny to fulfill - and it's one which I'm apparently late for." He rose and shook Tom's hand. "I wish you every luck sailing the stars, Tommy. You're the man for it, or no one ever was." "Eddie, I - I - " Paris said, his throat dry and words failing him. To Seven, he said, "Anna, I've enjoyed our conversations - although I'll admit, I haven't understood them all. I wish I'd gotten to know you a little better." "As do I," she said. "You are a remarkable and courageous individual, Edward Keeler." "Thank you," he said quietly. Then he turned to face Captain Janeway. "Kathy, if there were any other way…" Tears were streaming openly down her face. "Oh God, Edward! I - I love you!" With a sigh, he took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. "I love you too, you know," he said quietly. "That's one of the many reasons I have to do this. Stay strong, Captain Kathy - you'll get all your people home yet. I have all the confidence in the world - in the universe - in you." And with one last sad smile, Edward Keeler walked away from the Rescue Mission he'd help build, to meet his fate. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ billfl@hiwaay.net http://home.hiwaay.net/~billfl "If you're dumb, surround yourself with smart people. And if you're smart, surround yourself with smart people who disagree with you." Isaac Jaffee (Robert Guillaume), "Sports Night" -- Forwarded to ASCL by: Stephen Ratliff ASC Stories Only Forwarding In the Pattern Buffer at: http//trekiverse.crosswinds.net/feed/ ASCL is a stories-only list, no discussion. 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