NEW: (VOY, "New Life" series) "Turbulent Inception" 9/11 (J/P) [PG]
geo...@gti.net
Part: 9/11 Rating: PG Codes: J/P, K/T, C Summary: As Janeway and Paris'
relationship progress, not all the crew accepts them as a couple.
--------------------------- Note from author: My PC crashed the other day
(I'm posting this from work) though the JuPiter Station will be delay in
updating this week. It's unknown how long it will be until I could update the
Station, but I'll do my best to get it up and running when I can.
I appreciate feedback on "Turbulent". What do you think of it? Where you think
the direction of J/P relationship and the crew should go from here? Ideas on
potential plots, stories, etc. to make the relationship not seem flat? I agree
the "Getting There" moments are more challenging and interesting than the
"Arrival" moments, even though I still enjoy the "Family" stories with Phoebe
and Harry running amok. ;)
Take care and I now give you the *conclusion* to "Turbulent Inception"! :)
Geordi
----------------------------------
Disclaimers: Yoa, dude! It's at part 1! Cowabunga!
This part is rated PG.
Voyager: New Life
Turbulent Inception (10/11)
By George Padovan
An hour and a half after his shift at the helm ended, Lt. Paris
was sitting at the work desk of his quarters. After he had eaten
dinner, using his rations, he began his work adding more touches to his
`Greasemonkey' program, working on `Helm and Navigation' reports,
evaluations on the personnel he was training as backup for helm duty,
and many other things to keep him occupied.
Throughout the day, Kathryn had been in a rotten mood, thanks to
Chakotay, and knowing her, the chief helmsman had decided to lay low to
allow her time to sort out her feelings and to get her bearings with
the Commander. A message he had received from Kathryn when he had
arrived at his quarters, provided proof he was correct about laying
low. She wanted to be alone for tonight, but had stated she still would
keep her date with him for tomorrow night.
So Tom was sitting at his desk working on some of his students'
evaluations when the door chimed. Allowing entrance, his two best
friends onboard, Harry Kim and B'Elanna Torres walked in and approached
him.
"Hi guys!" Paris greeted his friends with a grin. "So what brings
you to my realm? Want me to play `mediator' to your `Romeo and
Juliet'?" His grin broadened. "You want to bet me at another game of pool
so you can try to win some replicator rations off me?"
"Stuff it, Paris, but I'm sure Harry and I wouldn't mind getting
those rations though," Torres growled before she gave a lopsided grin,
which caused Tom and Harry to chuckle.
"Tom," Harry began, "we haven't had the chance to talk to you
since last night. We had planned to talk with you at lunch, but
B'Elanna and I were too caught up in our work to spend time with you."
Torres brought over a couple of chairs for she and Harry to sit
in. "We want to talk to you about what happened last night." The half-
Klingon and her boyfriend saw Tom frown upon hearing why they were
there.
As the couple sat down, the chief engineer continued. "Look, Tom,
I know it's none of our business or concern, but after last night,
Harry and I want to let you know we're on *your* side. I admire and
respect Chakotay a lot, but what he did last night was none of his
business. I thought he was *better* than that."
Harry reached over to pat B'Elanna's hand to try to calm her
down. Sometimes her temper got the better of her, even over a minor
problem. "B'Elanna's correct, Tom. You and Kath...umm, the Captain
have the right to date each other if each of you want it. It's your
*private* life and as long as you two can keep it separate from your
professional lives, you two deserve to find happiness." Then he
muttered for himself. "I still can't get use to the idea of calling her
`Kathryn'."
Tom heard his muttering nevertheless. He chuckled. "Don't worry
about calling her `Kathryn', Harry. I found it odd at first, but now,
when we're off duty, I find calling her 'Kathryn' to be second nature."
Giving a sigh, Tom grew serious. "Look, don't worry about us.
Kathryn and I have no intentions to stop dating each other just because
Chakotay has a jealous fit. Matter of fact, we're planning to meet
together on Holodeck 3, which I reserved for tomorrow evening."
"Oh?" Torres' brows rose in mischief delight. "Is she going to
teach you next how to play pool underwater since she has been teaching
you how to scuba dive for the past month?" She smiled wickedly at the
blonde man.
Tom gave a half laugh while throwing his hands up in the air. "No
secret is *safe* on a ship this size!"
Voyager's Chief Ops Officer grinned at his friend. "Tom, you and
the Captain have been spotted coming out of the holodeck during the
past month with *damp* hair and wearing swimsuits. Everyone guessed
either you're swimming all the time or she's teaching you something.
From Chakotay, we knew she was a good scuba diver plus you're already a
good swimmer, so we put two and two together and concluded she's
*teaching* you to scuba dive."
"Well, that's true. She has been teaching me how to scuba dive.
However, *that* is not what we're doing tomorrow night. I'm going to
teach *her* how to cook."
Torres sputtered. "*You* are going to teach the *Captain* how to
cook?" She shook her head at him. "Good luck, Tom, you're going to need
it. Chakotay told me that she hates to cook and when he tried to teach
her, while they were on New Earth, she turned the kitchen into a
disaster zone."
Giving his cheek-to-cheek smile, Tom pointed to Torres. "We'll
see, Torres. I want to reciprocate for Kathryn's diving lessons. I
mean, it's not fair she's teaching me while I'm not doing a thing for
her. It's high time I returned the favor."
At that moment, the door chime sounded and Paris gave permission
for whomever to enter.
Commander Chakotay walked into the quarters and noticed Harry and
B'Elanna. He nodded to both of them before looking at Paris, who has
placed on his expressionless `mask'.
"Commander, what can I do for you?" Paris asked neutrally.
"Lieutenant, I need to speak to you about a matter." He then eyed
Harry and B'Elanna. "*Alone*."
Both took the hint, so they rose from their seats to depart.
"We'll see you tomorrow, Tom," Harry stated. "Good night."
"Good night, B'Elanna, Harry," Tom returned, "and thanks for the
talk."
"Good night, Tom," B'Elanna said as she and her boyfriend began
walking toward the exit. As she and Harry passed Chakotay, the half-
Klingon gave Chakotay a look that the big man recognized. A look that
said `Don't make things worse or you'll be sorry!'
After the couple left, Chakotay walked over calmly and sat down
in the vacant chair where B'Elanna had sat. The two officers stared at
each other warily, both wearing expressionless faces.
Then the First Officer broke the silence with a sigh. "I might as
well start this and get straight to the point," he said looking into
Tom's eyes. "What I did to you last night was wrong. By confronting
you, I indirectly hurt Kathryn. It wasn't that confronting you hurt
her, she was hurt because I didn't trust her with regards to her
private life. She has the right to choose who she wants to date.
"I also had misjudged you, Tom." Paris' light-blues widened a bit
on this. "As an officer, you're good at what you do. A great pilot,
officer, and person anyone can depend on. However, I still thought
of you as the same cocky, selfish person I remembered in the Maquis. I
was worried for Kathryn, thinking you were going to hurt her."
Tom gave a wry smile that didn't reflect off his eyes. "You
really think I would have gotten away with hurting her? She would have
beaten me to a pulp, stuffed me into the photon tubes, and then fired
me out of them."
Chakotay gave a twitch of a smile. "That she *would* have done."
he agreed before sobering. "Tom, I apologize for what I did. Kathryn
and I talked in her ready room just before the shift ended, and I once
more realized that she and I can't be together as much as my heart
wanted otherwise."
"You were *jealous*, were you?" Paris asked.
"Yes, I was," Chakotay replied. "I couldn't get over the fact
that Kathryn wouldn't forge a relationship with me due to our
positions, point-of-views on life, and what she wants out of a
potential partner. I thought given time, she would eventually come
around, but that will not happen."
Nodding a bit, Tom showed he understood. Given Kathryn Janeway's
personality, it was hard *not* to like her in heart and spirit.
Chakotay fell for her and it had been hard for him to let go.
"So Tom, I would like to start a clean slate with you," Chakotay
mentioned.
The helmsman blinked. "What?" He couldn't believe what he heard.
Commander Chakotay gave a tiny closed smile. "You heard me
correctly, Tom. I want to start a clean slate with you. I realize how I
misjudged your personality and want to know you as you *really*
are.
"I recognize your relationship with Kathryn and I wish the best
for the two of you. I will not deny you or Kathryn the potential to
find happiness and fulfillment in your hearts, therefore if you and she
become *closer* down the road, I will not hold you and Kathryn back."
Then the Indian gave another surprise. "My debt to you, for
saving my life on the Ocampa homeworld, is now paid in full, Tom. As I
said, a clean slate for both of us. What do you say?"
Thomas Paris was thrown as he stared at the man across from him in
stupefaction. He blinked a few more times before he tried to formulate
words. "I... I thought... This is..." Then he shook his head. "I don't
know what to say, Chakotay. I thought you'd fight me for Kathryn all
the way. You hated my guts several years ago, and I thought you had
come to be my friend over the past few years. Last night, I thought I
was wrong, but it seemed you've made a turnaround as well. I... I
really don't know what to say about this."
"Tom," Chakotay leaned forward on his chair, "just take *care*
of Kathryn during your relationship with her."
Light-blue eyes became hard and determine as Tom finally got
his bearings. "I promise you, the crew, and myself that, Chakotay. I
can't promise that things will go right between Kathryn and I, but I
know I will *never* hurt her. She has given a lot to me and I will
never even dream of hurting her emotionally or physically.
"I don't know whether I could fall in love with her, but I think
that it would be hard for any man *not* to fall in love with her in
someway."
Looking straight into his eyes, Chakotay realized he was sincere.
"Yes," he nodded his head, "it would be hard for any man not to fall in
love with her in someway or another."
Understanding came between the two men due to the mutual
agreement and caring each had for one woman. Things wouldn't be the
same again. As Chakotay said, a clean slate. A new beginning for
another chance of friendship that didn't exist between them when they
had first met years ago.
Chakotay rose from his seat. "So, clean slate?"
Tom slowly smiled. "Clean slate." He rose and held out his hand,
which Chakotay took.
"I have to warn you, Tom," the Commander said warmly as they
shook hands. "Being Kathryn's closest friend, I'll still feel concern
for her welfare, so don't be offended if I do show it from now onward.
Plus allow me a little while to adjust to this new development."
"Understood," the chief pilot replied. "Tuvok I'm certain feels
the same way toward her."
"I'm certain of that also," the First Officer stated as they let
go and regard each other in a new light. "I'll see you tomorrow on the
Bridge. Good night, Tom."
"Night, Chakotay, and *thanks*." Tom felt that he had passed a
great hurdle.
Nodding with a slight grin, Chakotay started for the door. Just
as he reach there, he paused before turning around with mischief in his
eyes.
"Tom?" Having caught the blonde man's attention he continued.
"Good *luck* in teaching Kathryn how to cook tomorrow night. On New
Earth, she almost burned down the shelter when *I* tried to teach her."
Smiling broadly at Tom's shock and gaping face, Chakotay left.
Raising a pointed finger, Tom blinked as his brain process what
Chakotay mentioned. //Kathryn almost burned down the shelter?!// Then he
shook his head as he headed toward the bedroom. //Naaaah! He's pulling
my tail. She can't be *that* bad.//
The Chief Conn Officer took a long warm shower before he hit the
sack. Things weren't going to be the same between him and the Big Guy. For
him, only time would tell where this 'clean slate' would take him.
***************** =/\= *****************
Arriving at his quarters, Chakotay breathed a sign of relief. Things
weren't going to be spit and dandy anytime soon, but at least he had
started the mending process to slowly get things somewhat back to normal
between him, Kathryn, and Tom. It would be quite awhile for him to get
over Kathryn and get on with his life.
If not Kathryn, then perhaps someone else was meant to be his life
partner. Who was the person the Commander has no idea. But he hoped to
find her someday. It gripped his heart thinking of spending his life alone
without love or having any children.
//Perhaps I should consult my guide// he thought as he took off his
jacket and boots and sat on his favorite recliner. //I certainly can use
her wisdom in the times ahead to get over Kathryn.//
The door chime beeped. Chakotay stood up and faced the entrance.
"Come in."
Two of his former-Maquis comrades walked in - Ken Dalby and Linda
Henley. Chakotay had been proud that these two, along with Chell and
Gerron, had learned to blend with the Starfleet personnel during their
time while under Tuvok's Fleet 'crash course' a few years back.
Off course it was perfect timing that cheese, of the strangest
things, affected the bioneural gel-packs then that in order to save the
ship, the temperature was risen to a very uncomfortable hot degree. Only
the Doctor wasn't overwhelmed by the temperature change being a
holographic being. Kes had stated she had much wanted to strangle the EMH,
friend or no friend, from making such a smug cheerful report, that the
gel-pack infection was gone, while she was drenched in sweat feeling
miserable next to him.
Mentally chuckling from the memory, Chakotay faced his visitors.
"Dalby, Henley, what can I do for you?"
Ken stepped up to Chakotay with Henley just behind him. "Chakotay,
we're here to tell you that you have our support."
"Support?" Chakotay was puzzled. "Support of what?" He remembered
these two were at Sandrine's last night thus he has a suspicion.
"Our support in your pursuit of the Captain and getting Paris off
her case," Linda clarified.
"I see," the Indian stated with his best neutral face.
"Chakotay," Henley continued. "Paris doesn't deserve her. He may be
a good officer but as a person he just not good enough for her. We think
you're better than he for Janeway."
The First Officer looked at both crewmembers with his best command
mask but his internal feelings were blazing. He just had started healing
the wounds between the Captain, the Chief Helmsman, and himself, and the
last thing he needed was others barging in and destroying that healing
process.
With a calm voice, he addressed his former-Maquis comrades. "Ken,
Linda, as much as I appreciate your support, I have to decline. I've
finally realized that the Captain will not ever return the deep feelings I
have for her. She sees me as her best friend and trusted First Officer and
that's far as she will go on the matter.
"I've just started healing the wounds I've created between the
Captain, Mr. Paris, and myself. I don't need others coming in and
destroying it. I was wrong in my interpretations of Tom Paris' motives and
frame of mind in his personal relationship with Janeway.
"Now I think it's high time for everyone else, including you two, to
realize the *truth* about Mr. Paris." Chakotay's voice lower to a menacing
tone as he stared down at the two, whose eyes grew wide. "If you can't see
it then I advice you *not* to create trouble. Do your duties but stay
*out* of anyone's personal relationship, including the Captain's and Mr.
Paris'."
Then the Commander's eyes narrowed. "Janeway is still considered a
good friend to me. It'll take awhile for me to get over that she will not
ever be more than a friend, however, *as* her friend, if either of you
*disrupts* her relationship with Paris, I'll *personally* throw you out
the nearest airlock. Clear?"
Both nodded. Chakotay had enough to last this night. "Dismissed."
Henley was out the door but Dalby stopped at the door to turn back
to Chakotay. "We'll stay out of their relationship, Chakotay, but this
doesn't mean we still think Paris is not good enough for her. I don't
think Linda and I will ever see Paris the way you now see him, whatever it
is."
"Your lost then, Dalby," Chakotay simply stated. "Get out of here."
The young man left with hard expression on his face.
Sighing, Chakotay let go of his command mask. The Commander hoped
Ken and Linda would stick to their words to stay of trouble, but he
couldn't guarantee it would happen.
Taking his uniform jacket, he went into the bedroom to prepare for
bed. Tomorrow was going to be a long day and he would need all the rest he
would need. It was going to be the start of reevaluating his life... and
his heart without Kathryn in the equation.
***************** =/\= *****************
End of part 10
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