TRUE LOVE...

By Ammo

October 1998

 

I wrote this story while I was on holiday in the Lake District, England.  It rained so much that I was able to finish it, so the holiday was not a complete wash out!  Well anyway, about the story.  It's an alternative Voyager story investigating the relationship between Janeway and Chakotay had they of met under slightly different circumstances.  Good reading.

 

Disclaimer: Paramount is GOD.  They rule and own everything, including the characters written about.

 

Rating: PG/13

 

Enjoy!

 

*-*-*

 

"What do you think about her then?"

 

Chakotay looked up from staring at his drink to find his friend nudging him.

 

The four of them were sat in their usual place by the window.  All around them people were chatting and drinking various drinks as they relaxed in the friendly atmosphere of the ship's lounge.

 

In some ways they made a funny group, two Human's both male, and two females, one Bajoran the other Betazoid.  On the outside they did not appear to have much in common, but who says that the outside is the only thing that counts?

 

Their eyes all followed the direction in which Jack was motioning in, his boyish face held captive to a cheeky grin.

 

Chakotay was not as interested in women as his friend Jack was.  He saw them more as friends then as anything else.  At twenty-eight, he had had his fair share of women, most of which had left him with a broken heart, or had just simply left him.  He was not looking for another of those tragic love triangles that usually consisted of him, Jack and the woman.  Not yet anyway, but he turned his head to look all the same, purely out of interest to see who had caught Jack's eye this time.

 

Long light red hair hung off the shoulders and down the back of the young woman in question.  She had her back to them, apparently talking to someone behind the bar.

 

"Who is she?"

 

Teress Darra, a Bajoran voiced the obvious question, although the young woman's gold and black uniform did seem to suggest that she was some kind of Engineer.

 

"New science officer I think,"  Jack MacMillian told them leaning back in his chair.  His blue eyes continued to look her over from a distance.  "Daughter of some Admiral apparently."

 

Chakotay glanced at the other two trying to hide his smile at Jack's research on the matter.

 

"Way out of your league then!"  Phillipia Fedo teased, her drown eyes twinkling.

 

"Not necessary Phil," Jack answered slowly rising to his feet.

 

Chakotay raised a dark eyebrow as he watched his friend walk over to the new young officer.  Introducing himself was one thing that Jack had always excelled at much to everyone's amusement and Chakotay's wonder.  Being much shyer, he nearly always relied on being introduced rather then being the introducer, a role that Jack had filled so well over the years.

 

They all watched as Jack introduced himself with his usual cheeky grin and sparkling eyes.

 

The young woman smiled graciously and glanced over at them nodding her head gently at something Jack had said.

 

As they neared, Chakotay tried to figure out her eye colour.  At first he had believed then to be brown, then he thought green as the light changed, but then as she was very close he realised that they were actually blue, a very light almost clear blue.  He had always liked eyes, they could never tell a lie.  They showed exactly what a person was thinking or feeling no matter what they said.

 

"Everyone, this is Kathryn Janeway."

 

She smiled at each of them.

 

"Kathryn, this is Darra..."

 

She nodded at the Bajoran.  She had not met many as Bajor was still being occupied by the Cardassians if she remembered rightly.  Any that managed to escape where fortunate.

 

"And Phillipia," Jack pointed to the Betazoid with long brown hair, "but we just call her Phil."

 

From where he was sitting to her side, Chakotay was sure that he could see her eyes narrow slightly as if she was wondering about something.

 

"Don't worry," Phil told her having also noticed the odd look, "I'm a Betazoid."

 

Kathryn's smile suddenly broadened, her eyes widened.  "I wondered," she claimed.  No doubt she had picked up the sense that Phil was telepathic, although not many actually did.

 

"And lastly Chakotay."

 

She looked closely at him.  He had dark hair and eyes and slightly tanned skin, but she could find nothing that would justify his name.

 

"Chakotay?"  she asked simply sitting next to him on the chair that Jack had provided.

 

He nodded.  "It's Indian," he explained, "native American Indian to be exact."

 

She rose an eyebrow.  He was not exactly how she had pictured an Indian.  "I thought there were not many left," she offered.

 

"Only a few," he corrected, "and then most of them don't live on Earth."

 

She found herself staring at him and not even knowing why.  There was just something captivating about him that had her hooked.

 

"So Kathryn," Phil asked, "What's your assignment here?"

 

Kathryn quickly turned back to face them.  "I'm the new science officer," she told them sipping her drink.

 

As she spoke, Chakotay noticed the one and a half pips on her collar for the first time.  Being a full Lieutenant he actually out ranked her, although he had to admit, he was probably older then she was.

 

"So what are your positions?" she asked trying to get a conversation going although she had a good idea from their uniform colours.

 

"Junior Doctor," Darra replied sipping her drink.

 

"Ops," Phil replied with a twinkle.

 

Kathryn turned to face Chakotay.

 

"Helm," he replied softly while watching Jack's movement on the other side of her.

 

Jack edged nearer and nearer as she turned to face him.  He lent closer.  "Security," he told her, "should you ever need any."

 

Chakotay glanced at Phil who was watching Jack's advances with amusement.  After all, he had tried the same thing on her when they had first met.

 

"You doing anything tonight?" he asked his blue eyes full of mischief.

 

"Washing my hair," she told him bluntly, "and if you don't remove your hand from my thigh, I'll do it for you."

 

Chakotay could not help but smile at Kathryn's smooth reaction to the situation.  Here was a woman who had experience with men like Jack and handled them with style. 

 

Jack, who only really did this for harmless fun, moved away obligingly.

 

She smiled a wicked smile at him knowing that he was only joking.

 

"Paterson to Janeway."

 

Kathryn paused placing the glass back on the table at the sound of the Engineer's voice.  "Janeway here," she replied tapping her comm badge.

 

"Lieutenant, will you please report to Engineering right away."

 

"Aye sir," she replied, "Janeway out."  She reluctantly rose to her feet.  "Nice meeting you," she told them looking them in the eye.  "See you around," she promised her eyes resting on Chakotay.

 

They all nodded.

 

Chakotay smiled shyly at her before she turned to leave, wishing for the world that they would.

 

Phil glanced at him her big brown eyes narrowing a touch.

 

*-*-*

 

Nearly a month had passed since the initial introduction.  Kathryn had seemed to have settled down with spirit and enthusiasm into her new position.  She appeared to be enjoying her job, both the benefits and the rewards.  She spent much of her time, either by herself, or with the group despite the fact that she had caught the eye of many young men.

 

"So Jack, who are you going to take to the party?"  Darra carefully shuffled the cards in her small hand before beginning to deal them out.

 

They were sat around the table in Jack's quarters as they did every Friday night to play poker.

 

Jack looked up from sorting out all the counters that he had won, again.  "Well you know the young woman in Engineering..."

 

"The one that you've had your eye on for the last few weeks?" Phil asked picking up her cards.  "Ensign Waynwright?"

 

"That's the one," he replied with a grin rubbing his chin as he inspected his cards.  "Well I asked her this morning."

 

"And she actually said yes!"

 

Jack threw a sarcastic face in the direction of the young Bajoran before throwing a counter into the middle.  "Ten."

 

"Just wondering," she replied with a quick grin.  "Count me in."  She too threw in a counter.

 

She dealt another card to each of them.  "What about you Chakotay?"

 

Chakotay looked up from where he was studying his cards.  He had wanted to stay out of this conversation.  "What?" he asked.

 

He soon found all the other member's of the groups eyes upon him.

 

"Who are you taking to the party?" Darra prompted.

 

He looked down at the table.  "I'm not sure yet," he mumbled laying his cards down flat, pushing them into the middle of the table.  He was not even sure that he wanted to go.

 

His friends glanced at each other.

 

"Why don't you ask Kathryn?" Jack suggested his eyes gleaming.

 

"Yeah right."  He looked up to see if Jack was actually serious about his suggestion.  His friend's expression puzzled him.  "You're actually serious aren't you?

 

"Why not?" he answered throwing another counter into the middle.  "Twenty," he told who ever was left playing.

 

Darra sighed folding up her cards.  "Too rich for me," she admitted.  Turning she allowed her eyes to rest back on Chakotay.  "Oh come on Chakotay," she prompted, "I think you'll make a great couple."

 

Chakotay sighed.  "What makes you think that she would want to go anyway.  She's already turned down half the ship."

 

"Oh come on Chakotay," Jack urged, "take a chance.  She's there for the taking."

 

"Oh I don't know," he blushed slightly.

 

"Oh come on Chakotay, we all know that you're crazy about her," Phil admitted.

 

"You haven't been looking into my mind have you?" he asked the Betazoid, panic suddenly flooding his features.

 

He relaxed marginally as she shook her head.

 

"Didn't have to," she smiled, "it's already tattooed right across your forehead."

 

"Come on," Darra joined in.  "We've all seen the way you look at her, you’re dotty about her.”

 

Chakotay blushed again, uncomfortably looking down at the table.  He half wished that he was not having this conversation.  “Well what if she says no?” he asked his hands refusing to stay still.  “After all she’s already turned down Lieutenant Riker.”

 

“Well there’s only one way to find out,” Jack told him grinning.  “You’ll have to ask her!”

 

“Anyway,” Phil added a grin stretching across her dark features, “I think you’re much better looking then Riker.”

 

*-*-*

 

Chakotay was nervous, very nervous.  He paused outside Kathryn's quarters trying to build up the courage to just ring the bell.  He was not sure why he was even here, after all, she probably did not even like him.  Not in that way any way.

 

He glanced down the corridor.  For once it was actually empty.  He grabbed a lung full of air and let it out slowly.  Tentatively he reached forward.  His fingers jerked away from the button as if he had received an electric shock.  He could not do it!  He had to do it!

 

"Come on Chakotay!  She's just like any other woman."  But the truth was, to him, she was not.  She did something to him that no-one else had ever done.  She made him feel alive with her energy and laughter.  Just the tiniest of touches from her set his heart beating out of control.  Just a smile from her would make him feel special.

 

He slowly reached forward again.

 

"Just an ordinary woman!"

 

It felt like an eternity from when he had pressed the button to when the door finally opened.  In fact it was less then five seconds, but for him, time might as well be standing still.

 

He stared blankly into the room.

 

Kathryn was sitting on a sofa reading something in her hand.  She paused to look up at him.  Her eyes lit up and she smiled on seeing who it was.  "Chakotay," she put down her PADD, "come in."

 

He hesitated for a moment before remembering how to walk forward.  He found himself staring at her as she rose to her feet and made her way over to the replicator.

 

"Do you want a drink?" she asked blushing slightly as she glanced over at him.

 

"No," he stuttered nervously, dropping his gaze.  "Nn, nn, no thanks!"

 

Something about the smile she gave him put him at ease right away.  It was warm and friendly, but also very understanding.  He unconsciously looked at her eyes.  They seemed to say the same thing.  Maybe he had nothing to fear after all.

 

"Computer, coffee, black."

 

She picked up her cup and walked back towards him, offering him a seat.

 

He sat, his hands refusing to stay still.  In the end he resorted to keeping them clasped in his lap.

 

"So why have I got the pleasure of this visit?" she asked, no hint of sarcasm present in her voice.  Instead it showed that she was indeed very pleased to see him.  Her eyes twinkled as she took a sip of her drink.

 

"Actually," he admitted rubbing behind an ear.  "I was wondering if you had a date for the party tomorrow night?"

 

She gently shook her head, her eyes not leaving him.  "I don't."

 

Chakotay stared at her for a moment, forgetting what he had planned to say next.  He had half expected her to come out with some kind of sarcastic remark about having a date or washing her hair.

 

"Urm," he stuttered, "I was hoping that you would, hopefully, maybe," he paused to take in a deep breath, "consider going with me."

 

Looking him directly in the eyes, she rested a hand gently on his.  "I would love to!"

 

*-*-*

 

Chakotay steadied himself as he paused outside her quarters.  Running his hand over the top of his hair, he tried to flatten it, but as usual some stands had refused to lie down without a fight.

 

He had spent extra time on his appearance tonight.  Brushed his hair down so that it covered the top of his forehead.  He had taken time over picking out his outfit.  He had wanted something smart, but not over the top.  It had to look a little casual as well, but yet dressy at the same time.  It had taken him years to get the right combination.  In the end he had settled on a plain pair of black trousers, a light purple shirt finished with a matching sleeveless jacket.  Some one had mentioned to him once that black went very well with his hair and eyes.

 

It was now coming up for seven.  The party was due to start at seven, but as he mused, who wanted to arrive at the beginning of a party?

 

He nervously rang the bell.  Was she ready?  What was he to expect?

 

They had not actually spoken since the day before when they had agreed on a time.  Although she had not actually said what she was to wear, he could image that anything that she wore would make her look fabulous, but still, he was not quite prepared for that shock that was in store for him.

 

The door opened with a gentle hiss.

 

Although having been brought up with a lot of rules, not staring being one of them, this time Chakotay could have done nothing to prevent it.

 

Kathryn looked stunning, no, no wait, that word just does not do her credit.  Her dress was beautiful.  Every aspect of it matched her perfectly.  The light sparkled off the sheek light blue material making her eyes glow brightly.

 

Chakotay slowly inhaled, finally remembering how to breath, only to realise that his mouth had been open for the past few seconds.  He shut it quickly still trying to recover his senses.

 

"Do you like it?"  She grinned at him then turned so he could get the full picture.

 

"It's... beautiful," he murmured struggling to find his voice.  "It's..." but he was lost for words.  He was still staring as he looked her up and down again.  Everything looked perfect.  As he looked up, he realised that she had pulled her hair back.  It was twisted and clipped neatly behind her head.  It was so simple that it was more then just effective.

 

"Shall we go then?" she asked nudging him in the right direction.

 

He nodded offering his arm.

 

She graciously accepted it and slowly continued down the corridor together.

 

*-*-*

 

The party was in full swing as they arrived.

 

"Chakotay!"

 

They looked up to find Jack waving at them from the other side of the room.  As they neared they could but not help smile at his appearance.

 

His plain black trousers were the tamest part of his outfit.  His fun loving and outrageous personality shone through in his multicoloured Hawaiian shirt like a night light.  He grinned at them broadly flashing his perfect white teeth for a second.  He seemed more then happy to see them.

 

Chakotay looked around.  Phil and Darra were both there, each with their dates, slowly sipping glasses of white sparkling wine, but there was something missing.

 

"Where's your date then Jack?" Chakotay asked picking up two glasses from the table.  He passed one to Kathryn and moved to stand slightly behind her.

 

Jack coughed slightly, rubbing quickly behind his ear.  "She couldn't make it tonight!" he informed them making sure that his smile did not drop to much.  "Said she was not feeling too well."

 

Chakotay glanced at Kathryn, both of them knowing just what that meant.

 

"Oh well," Chakotay comforted, "better luck next time."

 

Jack's eyes suddenly gleamed with mischief.  "Oh I don't know Chakotay," he told his friend.  "Maybe I could share your date!"  He gently took Kathryn's free hand and kissed it.  "How beautiful you look tonight Kathryn," he told her.

 

Kathryn smiled sweetly, but her eyes conveyed the universal, `you have got to be kidding' look.

 

"Okay, that's enough Jack," Chakotay broke in before Jack could kiss off her entire hand.

 

There was a brief silence for a second as one song slowly came to the end.  Almost immediately another one began, it's upbeat rhythm almost making Jack's feet tap.

 

"Would you like to dance?" Chakotay asked putting down his glass.

 

Kathryn nodded with a quick smile, placing her glass next to his.

 

Chakotay gently grasped her hand, spinning her gracefully onto the dance floor.

 

"They make such a perfect couple, don't they!"

 

Jack watched them for a moment before turning to face Phil behind him.  He sighed glancing over to where the happy couple were dancing.  "They really seemed to like each other," he replied with a sad smile thinking about his own life.

 

"I know," she replied, "you are talking to a telepath remember."

 

He smiled.

 

"Come on," she offered leading him towards the dance floor. "Let's dance."

 

*-*-*

 

Chakotay sighed, blissfully happy.  They were dancing again, this time to the slow ballads.  He could not remember the last time that he had been this happy, if at all.

 

Kathryn's head was resting gently on his shoulder as they danced close together.  He had never met a woman like her and probably would never again.  Someone who sent shivers running down his spine just for being her.  Someone who made him fell at peace with himself in a way that he had not had in years.  Someone who made him believe that he belonged.

 

Time had flown by like magic tonight.  Most of the time they had been dancing, Kathryn being one hell of a dancer.  They had had so much fun.

 

He could hear Kathryn take a deep satisfied sigh as she moved her head deeper onto his chest.  Maybe they were moving to fast, he mused, but what the heck.  He was in love and that was all that mattered.

 

Afterwards, he slowly walked her back to her quarters in silence, still holding hands.  Her's felt soft and smooth at his touch and he only dared to grip them gently.

 

He stared down at her into her deep blue eyes as they stopped by her quarters.  They looked back at him with the same level of intensity.

 

"Thank you," he whispered softly.  Leaning forward, their lips met hers for a quick moment.

 

"What for?" she asked, her voice also in a whisper.

 

"For going with me tonight."

 

Her lips formed a soft smile, but her eyes were already dancing with joy.  She ran her free hand gently down his cheek.  "I enjoyed it."

 

"Maybe we can do it again soon," he offered leaning a little closer.

 

"Definitely," she murmured against his lips as their second kiss lasted a little longer.

 

"Good night Kathryn," he told her taking a quick step back, his eyes never leaving her.

 

"Good night," she whispered in reply feeling for the button behind her, "Chakotay."

 

*-*-*

 

Jack quickly shuffled the deck in his hand, each card falling quietly into place.

 

It was Friday night again.  Nearly two weeks had passed since the party.

 

He promptly dealt out the cards.  "So how serious do you think they are?" he asked deciding to join in with the current conversation.  The only topic of conversation in fact for the past two weeks.

 

Darra winced slightly looking at her cards.  "Very serious I reckon," she told them.  "I've never seen Chakotay throw himself so much into a relationship.  He must really like her.  He's already introduced her to her spirit guide."

 

"Oh I bet that was a fun night in," Jack teased.

 

Darra shot him a warning glare over the top of her cards, as she threw in a counter.  "Well I hope that she doesn't end up hurting him like all the others."

 

Phil's eyes gleamed mischievously as she too throw in a counter.  "Well I know for a fact that Kathryn has more then just the average crush on our friend."

 

"She told you that?" Jack asked dealing another card with a smile.

 

"Not directly," she grinned.

 

"You didn't?" Darra demanded, both she and Jack stared at the grinning Batazoid.

 

"She did!" Jack realised.

 

They all lent forward interested in anything that they could find out.  Gossip after all was still gossip, even if it had been obtained by unconventional methods. 

 

"So what does she think of him them?" Jack asked his eyes wickedly wide.

 

"Oh no, I did not go that deep.  That's not fair," she told them noticing his look.  "But..." her pause slowly built up the climax until it was almost ready to explode, "she definitely believes herself to be in love with him.  So much so that I would believe that she would marry him if he actually asked her."

 

They other two stared doubtfully at her.

 

"But they've only know each other a month!" Jack pointed out, "isn't that a bit quick."

 

"Not for true love," Phil reminded them, "and they do appear to be more then just in love with each other."

 

Even so, Jack still remained a little doubtful.

 

"What are they doing tonight?" the young Bajoran asked throwing in another counter.

 

Jack's expression suddenly lightened as he grinned.  "Apparently, he's invited her around for what he told me to be 'just a meal and drinks'.

 

They all looked at each other before laughing.

 

*-*-*

 

Chakotay lay back on the sofa gently pulling Kathryn with him as the kiss deepened.

 

The remains of a meal lay on the table, ready to be tided up at a more appropriate time.  His jacket lay on the floor, an early victim of a fleeting passion.  Half drunk cups of coffee sat on a low table, cooling with out the hope of being drunk.

 

Kathryn grinned as she pulled away.  Scrambling off him, her long hair fell in waves over her shoulders.  She darted to stand behind one end of the sofa catching her breath as Chakotay jumped up after her.  His shirt was already beginning to come undone, revealing a lot of his chest. 

 

She edged slowly away from him, grinning, as he tried to reach her, always trying to keep the same distance between then as they circled the sofa.

 

He grinned back, enjoying her little games.  Stopping moving they both stared at each other, smiles filling their faces in a childish way.

 

Seeing her chance, she suddenly bolted away from him.  He followed, just that little faster.

 

She let out a high yelp as he gently, but firmly grabbed her, both of them tumbling onto the bed.

 

Kathryn made certain to slip her hands under his shirt, undoing it as their lips met again.  She gently slipped it over his arms, allowing it to fall to the floor.  As his soft lips moved to exploring her neck, she slowly ran her hands over his chest, making sure to feel every single muscle there.

 

Chakotay softly moved her hand up her back, feeling for the tie to her dress.  After this very little would be able to stop them.  Breaking off the kiss, he paused to stare down at her.  She looked beautiful, her face framed naturally by her silky alburn hair.  He gently ran his hand down her cheek not believing that she was actually here with him.  "Are you sure," he whispered, "we've only been going out for less then two weeks."

 

"I know," she whispered back staring up into his enchanting brown eyes, "and I am sure that I love you."

 

That was all that he needed.  "I love you too," he murmured against her lips before they met again, the tie on the dress slowly becoming undone in his hand.

 

*-*-*

 

Chakotay awoke, rolling over to find the other side of the bed empty.  He rubbed his eyes, sitting up, his hand on the mattress where Kathryn should be lying.  Surely last night had not been a dream her thought.  Slowly he inspected his quarters.  Someone had obviously taken the time to pick up the clothes that had been hastily discarded the night before.  So where was she?

 

He flopped back down onto the bed, surely she had not left him, she was not like that.  He could not take it if she had.

 

Rolling over, his eyes caught sight of something on the other pillow.  A PADD to be exact.  So this was it, the `Dear John' letter.

 

Preparing for the worst, he swallowed and began to read.

 

`Dearest Chakotay,' he read.  `Sorry about leaving you like this, but I've got a lot of work to do in Engineering this morning, so I've have to leave early.  You know what Lieutenant Paterson is like if you're not there on time.  So sorry about this.  I would have woken you, but you looked so peaceful sleeping there.  I'll try and make it up to you.  How about dinner, tonight, seven, my place?  Bring your over night stuff.

 

See you then!

 

Love you loads!

 

Kathryn.

 

PS - Do you always smile in your sleep?

 

PS2 - I promise not to walk out on you like this again!

 

A smile slowly crepted across Chakotay's face as he read it.  He took a relieved deep breath.  So she had not left him after all.  On the contrary in fact.

 

Half an hour later, Chakotay went to his draw.  He had dressed and taken the time to clear everything else up.  Now there was only one thing left that he had to do.

 

Reaching into the draw, he pulled out a black box.  The contents sparkled in the suddenly bright light as he opened the box.

 

He carefully removed the ring from its package, light bouncing off the millions of faces belonging to the diamonds.  It was beautiful, but a plain ring, one that he thought would match her style and personality perfectly.

 

It was a gold ring, with three diamonds resting on it.  The biggest was in the centre, with a small one on either side.  It had taken him years to decide which one he should get, but now he had.

 

Sighing, he replaced the ring in its small black home and placed the box in his pocket.  Afterwards, when he had the time to stop and think, he could not work out just why he had done that.

 

*-*-*

 

Chakotay walked down the corridor not sure of where he was going.  He did not have to be on duty for at least another hour, so he had plenty of time to do what he wanted.  Right at this moment, he was so caught up in his own thoughts that did not actually have a clue as to where he was, let alone where he was going.

 

Looking up, he realised that he was on deck seventeen, near the Engineering section in fact.  That was where Kathryn was, he thought.  Maybe I could...

 

Grabbing onto the wall, he tried top steady himself as the ship suddenly shook underneath him.  The whole ship suddenly darkened as the red alert signals began to flicker all round, the ship heaving and groaning under its own weight.

 

After years of experience, he recognised this feeling immediately.  They were under attack, but by whom? 

 

The ship shook dangerously again as it absorbed yet another impact.  This was not a regular attack, he realised from the way the ship was taking a beating.  There must be at least three ships attacking at least.

 

He ran down the corridor, wall consoles exploding as he went.  Darkness engulfed him with another explosion. The life support system was off line he realised.  That and probably a lot of other things as well.

 

Stumbling, he turned the corner to see the doors to engineering.  The ship was still taking a serious beating with no hint of it getting better.

 

As he approached, the doors opened, thinck black smoke billowing out.  He stared at it, barely noticing the Captain’s voice comng over the comm line.

 

“This is the Captain ordering you to abandon ship.  I will repeat, all hands abandon ship.”

 

People were running towards him, coughing from the smoke.  His eyes began to sting as he searched through the darkness.  Where was she?  She had to be here somewhere!”

 

“Chakotay!”

 

A hand tightened around his arm dragging him backward as Jack called him from behind.  He tried to shake him off, instinctively moving forward not back.

 

"Chakotay, we've got to go," he shouted, pulling him back.  "The ship's about to blow."  Mustering all his power, he dragged his friend towards an Emergency Pod hatch.  "We've got to go!"

 

"But Kathryn," he protested trying to shake off the grasp choking from the smoke.  "I can't leave Kathryn," but even as he spoke, an explosion ripped Engineering apart.  Shielding his face from the flames, tears welled up in the back of his eyes.  There was no way that anyone could have possibly survived that and he know it.

 

A tear slowly slid down his cheek as he turned and ran...

 

*-*-*

 

On To '...Will Never Die!'