B4FV 3.07 - Blood Oath

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Go to Parts -- 1 & 2

Disclaimer
This episode is basically an original episode, well two original episodes pieced together into one.

Episode Synopsis
Voyager is plagued by a confusing murder spree that doesn't make any sense.

Guest Stars
Adam Blaustein
Jake Wood

Written By
Marill

Written
26th February, 1st, 6th - 11th, 14th & 17th March 2005

Episode Based In
July 2372 (early season 3)

Last time on B4 Fifth Voyager
"No of course not, this is just a thing we're doing for the whole crew," Chakotay said.

Kathryn's smile changed into a fake sweet one, "well more or less."

"My point exactly," Tom muttered. "Now, you come with me when I ask her to hang out, that way she wont think that I'm just trying to date her."

B'Elanna turned around and found herself face to face with the two. "What do you two want?"

Tom elbowed Harry. "Um er, we're going to the Mess Hall for lunch, do you want to join us?"

B'Elanna rolled her eyes, "ok, who told you about the being friends tactic? I'll give them a beating."

"No, I'll manage," Clive muttered. "Geeze, somebody's testy today."

"I'm not, couldn't be better," James said.

Jessie moved her own chair closer to James', she put a hand on his arm. "You've been a bit off all day, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, just some people annoyed me that's all," James replied.

"A lot of complaints have been sent to me about a crewmember, however Mr Taylor is the one that's in charge of going through them," Tuvok said.

"And?" Kathryn said.

"They're all about him," Tuvok replied.

Everyone glanced over in James' direction. "Oh come on, not all of them are. There's one about Janeway and a few about Tom," he muttered.

Kathryn glanced over at Chakotay, "put him on the list." Chakotay nodded. "Now moving on.. As you know I've been having fifteen minute meetings with crewmembers I don't know that well, to get to know them, for the last few days. I'm not impressed so far, there's obviously a lot of people onboard with problems."

"The Captain and I agree that this ship needs a counsellor," Chakotay said. "As we don't have any, the Captain has decided to do it temporarily for a week." Nearly everybody stared blankly.

"Everyone who obviously needs help with something will get it. You know like people with attitude problems and violent tendencies," Kathryn said, glancing James' way. "Other violent people," she glanced at B'Elanna, then Jessie. "Crazy and or stupid people who are a danger to themselves," glancing at Tom, then Neelix, and then finally Ian.

Faye nervously sat down next to her. "Why don't we talk about this collection of yours," Kathryn said.

"Uh actually I don.." Faye said.

"Do you see them as substitutes Faye, they're not real people, and they do not understand you," Kathryn said.

Faye raised an eyebrow, "uh.. right."

"You should try doing more grown up things, it should give you some self esteem," Kathryn said.

Tom pulled a chair away from another table, he sat down. "So do you think my mouth works faster than my brain does?"

"Yes," everyone replied.

"Ok, do I have behaviour problems?" Tom asked. Everyone nodded. "Right, you've got to say no to this one. Do you think I only annoy violent people because I get my kicks from getting punched in the face?"

"It kinda makes sense," Harry said. Tom moved his stare over to him. "Think about it, why else would you say stupid things to people like them? You should know by now what kind of response you'll get it."

"Feel the love in the room," Tom muttered. "Besides, I'm sure more people are less fond of having a Jessie Junior around."

"What's that suppose to mean," Jessie stuttered, looking nervous. "What have people been saying?"

Tom sighed in relief, "I didn't mean that you did, I was just wondering why you panicked after the Junior comment."

Jessie laughed nervously, "oh it's just somebody was spreading some rumour, forget I said anything."

"Shush, I'm getting somewhere!" Kathryn snapped. She had a sip of her coffee. "I think your problem is that you're trying to avoid acting like a teenager, or a grown up. You're still trying to be a child."

"But I do act like a teen," Craig muttered.

"Listen Craig, you seem like a nice boy and you're not ugly. At your age you should be dating, partying with friends, that sort of thing," Kathryn said.

Craig walked in, he stopped once he was a few metres away from the door. After a quick nervous glance around the room, he whipped out a PADD.

Neelix stared at Faye blankly, "are you drunk?"

"Me, no way. You've been serving me Cherry Coke anyway, there's no booze in that," Faye replied.

Neelix looked worried, "you never know."

Craig meanwhile made his way over to a table occupied by three girls. "Hi um, can I join you?" One of the girls shrugged so he sat down. "Now um, what's your names?" he asked as he held the PADD tightly. The girls eyed it looking worried. "It's a crew survey."

"Why do I get the feeling that I already know what this is about," Kathryn said. "She told you, didn't she? Took her time."

"Well you seem to be snapping at nearly everyone, it's almost like you don't care about anything at the moment," Kathryn said.

"I do though, I just.." James muttered. "There's no point in talking to me about this, cos I have no idea what's wrong with me."

"It's all right James, I'm sure after a few days you'll warm to the idea. You're just in shock," Kathryn said.

"That's the thing, I don't think it is that. I didn't feel shocked when she told me, I don't know what it was.," James said. "It's stupid you know, I thought this was what I wanted and that I'd be happy."

"And you weren't," Kathryn said.

"What's the matter with me, do I just subconsciously enjoy making myself miserable? For god's sake, I'm in a relationship with my best friend who I've loved for years, she's pregnant with my child.. I should be annoyingly happy and hyper. I should be the one people would want to hit, you know.." James said.

"There's obviously something that's ruining this for you," Kathryn said with a sigh.

"Well I didn't want our baby to be the product of a stupid virus in the Cherry Coke, maybe that's it," James replied.

"What check list?" Kathryn asked.

"My check list of stuff I was against, you know stuff that I thought nobody had a good reason for doing. I didn't really write it out obviously," James replied.

"Oh.. but that's the thing you.." Kathryn stuttered.

"All I need to do now is hit a kid, abort a kid, rape someone or just try, and get married just so I can get divorced," James muttered. "Then I'll be the kind of monster my dad would be proud to call his son."

Faye tilted her head to the side, she then glanced behind her. "Who are you talking to?"

"Um, you.. you're my age and um pretty," Craig said really quietly.

"Yes. I've never done anything to you, and I'm not a bad guy. You're treating me like crap for no reason, and if you can give me a reason then I'll leave you alone," Tom replied.

"All right," B'Elanna said, she slammed the PADD down onto the table and got out of her seat. "I can't stand you, I hate you.. you're a stalking creep who loves himself and thinks he's god's gift to women. News flash Paris, you're women's punishment for letting something like you ever be born, which isn't really fair."

"I am, I mean what else am I good for besides killing and beating," James said.

B'Elanna frowned, "what's up with you lately?"

"There are differences, ones I do wish didn't exist but in some ways we are the same," Peter said. "Come on, you've been thinking the same thing yourself for months."

"I wouldn't do any of the things you did. Yeah I am probably just as violent as you, but it goes to the deserving.." James muttered.

James looked up at where Peter was standing, but someone else was in his place. He pulled himself back onto his feet, staring at the person in front of him which was himself.

"I mean she really believes in you, too bad you're going to mess up everything you touch," the other James said.

"No that's not true, just stop it," James stuttered.

The second James tilted his head slightly, "stop what? I'm only telling you what you've been thinking for days. You are right though, you're nothing like your father. You're worse than he ever could be, even he would be disgusted with you." He glanced down at the baby, he put his hand over the baby's face. "Isn't that right junior," he said in Peter's voice.

"Isn't it obvious? Janeway was right, I should start acting like a grown up instead of this childish little girl," Faye replied. She pushed the cup off the table.

Claire sighed, "Faye, there's nothing wrong with what you are. Janeway's been talking a load of bull to everyone so I hear, I got Chakotay luckily and I'm fine."

"Ok it all started when you walked into the office, you were acting all weird. Then you tell me we're having a baby, and we can thank that virus in the coke for it," James said.

"Oh.. but you seemed ok then," Jessie said.

James tried not to laugh, "oh come on Jess, you've known me for what, nineteen years and you don't know when I'm faking." He sat down nearby her.

Jessie frowned, "what's that smell, is that beer?" She moved a little closer and sniffed the air, she backed off again, "have you been drinking?"

"Yeah, and it kinda is yours too," James muttered. "Now, we are both having this kid in a few months. It wasn't how I pictured doing it, you know this virus thing. Neither of us remember it, so as I said I've got the perfect solution."

"What, a memory ray gun?" Jessie questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"No, way better," James replied. He moved forward, and reached out to stroke her arm. "We can just pretend right, that it happened tonight.."

Thompson glanced at Foster nervously as he pulled out a phaser, Foster did the same. They rushed towards the door.

The two of them stared in shock as it opened. Jessie was now on the ground, struggling to get away while James was holding her down, and leaning over her.

"Oh my god.." Foster stuttered.

The Doctor walked over to stand in front of him. "I've never seen anything like this, I didn't think anybody could drink this much."

"It's ok Jess, he didn't get anywhere did he," Danny said.

"That's not the point Dan," Jessie muttered. "He's the one I trusted the most, I never thought he'd.."

"Yeah I know, but he wasn't himself," Danny said.

Ian shook his head, "but he wouldn't. You've seen him drunk before, he's the happy kind of drunk.. not the violent kind."

The Doctor made his way over. "I think this time was different because it looks like he drank slowly all day. Usually it's quick and the deed's done after an hour."

Danny leaned closer to him to whisper in his ear, "he tried to rape her."

Ian's eyes widened, he pulled himself back off the biobed. "You're kidding right?"

"You remember something, what do you.." Kes questioned.

"I hurt her didn't I.. please tell me I didn't," James stuttered. Kes glanced briefly at the floor, she nodded her head. "No," he said, he started crying into his hands.

"All right, I still have a spare room. You could stay there until you can," Danny said.

"Really, you don't mind?" Jessie questioned.

Danny smiled, "of course I don't. I'll drop you off, then I'll get some of your stuff."

"You don't get it. He doesn't need you to try beating him, or yell at him," Kes said.

"Oh boo hoo, who cares," Ian muttered.

"You're still not getting it. He doesn't need it cos he's doing it to himself," Kes said.

"I just didn't think she liked him the same way, I mean he loves her and I doubt she feels the same way. It's just now there's a baby," Kathryn said.

"You must be as blind as he is," Chakotay muttered. Kathryn stared at him. "I think she does, were you even listening to her 'I'm keeping his baby' speech two months ago?"

"Oh poor you," Ian sarcastically said. "What the hell's the matter with you? She's a great girl, there isn't another one of her in the universe. She has trouble trusting men as it is, it means a lot that she trusted you but what did you do, go and betray her in one of the worst ways possible. She's not going to get over that fast."

"I don't know," James said, getting a few tears in his eyes again. "I don't what's wrong with me anymore."

"Yeah that's true, I just hope the Taylor family ends with you. We certainly don't want anymore of you creeps," Ian said.

James turned back around, "I said it's too late for that now. She's, Jessie's pregnant."

"Oh and it gets better," Ian muttered. "You didn't just try to rape your girlfriend, you tried to rape your pregnant girlfriend. Good god."

"Yeah you're right, she wont ever want to see you again. You'll be lucky if you ever see this kid, but I guess you wouldn't of drowned yourself with booze if you didn't want that to happen," Ian said. "Are you happy now? You're free of that responsibility, you don't have to pretend to be a good guy for Jessie anymore.. it's over."

"I was really happy with her, happier than I've ever been in my whole life. I was starting to think it was the real thing, you know the kind of relationship that goes on for years, maybe even life," James said.

"And then the baby ruined it for you," Ian said.

"No. I would of loved to have a family with her, I thought if I ever was told I'd be happy about it. When I did it felt like something inside me died, and I didn't get why. Then it all made sense when I had a dream about my father," James said. "He told me I was just like him in some ways, and different in ways he didn't like. I originally worried that I'd turn into him if I ever became a dad, but.."

"Usually I'd say I doubt you'd ever hurt your own children, like he did, but after today.." Ian said.

"Yeah, I have no right to call my dad a monster, he's nothing compared to me. I doubt he ever killed anyone, or laid a finger on my mother. I haven't even had a kid yet and I'm already a murderer, and I've just hurt the woman I love in the worst way possible. And now because of it, I'll never see her again or the baby. Now because of some stupid craving to drink myself stupid instead of talking to her about how I felt, my life's over.. and I ruined hers too," James said.

Ian muttered, "you know I've tried to understand, but I still can't. You always went to Jessie if something was wrong, why was yesterday any different. You've changed, and it's not for the better. If you want to spend the rest of your life punching walls like the way you have, be my guest, you wont be getting my sympathy."

And now the conclusion
Captains Log Supplemental: Finally a distraction worth logging about. Voyager has docked with a trading station, the crew are taking the chance to take shore leave.

The Bridge:
The entire room was chaotic as a lot of alien guests were rushing around in groups, chatting amongst themselves. Chakotay, Tom, Harry and Danny were hanging around, talking to the guests.

"No, I'm 'afraid' we're not all like that. That's just a rumour," Chakotay said, eyes shifting nervously.

Kathryn fell out of the Ready Room. She pulled herself up, she looked back. "Stupid thing." She stood back up. "Those things have a mind of their own, ey Chakotay?" she giggled.

"Is that your captain?" one guy asked.

"Uh no.." Chakotay stuttered. "She's our um entertainment, like a clown."

"I thought I was that," Tom pouted.

One woman moved over to Harry, "is it true that this ship is a death trap? You know like vampires and stuff, lots of people die."

"Don't be silly, we're just a normal ship with a normal crew," Harry replied.

Kathryn picked a flask up off her chair, "oh yeah baby." She opened the flask and poured the contents into her mouth. "Mmm lime coffee, what a great idea."

Danny walked over to the turbolift, "I think we should be more worried about having strangers on the bridge." The doors opened as she passed, something fell out of it and crashed into her. She screamed, then backed into tactical, everyone turned their attention to her.

"What is it?" Tom asked.

Danny pointed her finger shakily at the floor, "there's a.. it's a.."

Everyone slowly made their way closer to her. In front of the turbolift lay a man, lying face down on the ground.

Tom tapped his commbadge, "Paris to Sickbay."

The Conference Room:
Most of the senior staff were watching the Doctor on the wall panel, while sitting around the table. Chakotay stood in front of the window.

"Mr Anders was strangled, a DNA test should reveal who did it easily," the Doctor said.

"When will it be completed?" Harry asked.

"Not long, about ten minutes," the Doctor replied.

"Well surely that can't be it for the episode," Ian commented.

Chakotay sighed, "this couldn't of come at a worse time. All of the people on the trading station now have proof that the ship's a death trap." He turned around to face the others. "I don't know why I'm surprised though, we're one big freak show."

Tom rolled his eyes, "no we're not, why say that?"

"Hmm, is that a trick question?" Chakotay muttered.

"Not too little, not too much," Kathryn muttered. She scooped up some coffee in a jar with a little tea spoon. "That's it," she said before pouring the whole jar into a big cup. Then she put the tea spoon granules into the jar. With glee she opened the flask and poured the water into the cup.

"Janeway isn't a good example," Tom said.

"Who are you kidding Tom?" B'Elanna groaned. "We've got a streaking Talaxian, a coffee nutcase Captain, and we've even got our own personal psychotic Slayer. What other starship has all that?"

"Good point," Harry commented.

Kathryn slammed a fist on the table, "Slayers are people too, unlike you soulless ones!" She started crying and ran out.

"What's up with her?" Harry asked. "She hasn't even touched her.. um cup of coffee."

"She'll be back," Chakotay said. He walked around the table, "Tuvok and I will be in Sickbay, everyone dismissed."

Sickbay:
Tuvok and Chakotay stood nearby the station as the Doctor worked on it. "Crewman Marsen," he said with a sigh.

Chakotay frowned, "Marsen? Not possible, the guy gets along with everyone."

"DNA doesn't lie Commander," the Doctor said.

Tuvok raised his eyebrow, "indeed." He tapped his commbadge. "Tuvok to Security Team Three, confine Crewman Marsen to the brig."

In: "What, why? The guy's a hoot."

Chakotay rolled his eyes, "just do it." Tuvok re-tapped his commbadge. "How come our crew have security members with personalities, annoying ones."

"Present company excluded of course," the Doctor smirked.

Danny's Quarters:
Ian and Danny were sitting on the sofa facing each other. Danny had a cup of hot chocolate in her hands.

"And then it fell on me. I still feel a little shaky," Danny was saying.

"Yeah I bet," Ian said. "So do we know who did it yet?"

"I don't know. Honestly, this ship is getting less and less safe every day," Danny replied. She sipped her hot chocolate. "It's no wonder Jessie likes to stay in her new room."

"So how is she anyway?" Ian asked.

"A little quiet, too quiet," Danny replied. "I was just about to check on her actually. Seeing as you're in one piece, I take it you changed your mind about confronting James."

"No I did go," Ian said. "He's a bit of a mess, but hey at least this one deserves to be."

"Ian, he was drunk.. it's not fair to say that he deserves it," Danny said.

"Oh come on, he's been drunk lots of times and has never done anything like this," Ian grumbled.

"True but he wouldn't do it sober," Danny said.

Ian climbed off of the sofa, "why are you taking his side? You saw the state Jess was in."

"I'm not taking any sides. We don't know what's been going on between them to judge or get involved. Lets leave it at that," Danny said.

"Oh I do and I can safely say that the guy's turned into a right b***ard. The Slayer crap must be getting to his head. I can't wait until Jess finally dumps his so called superior a**," Ian muttered.

"Ian, you were one of his best friends," Danny said.

"Yeah, cos he was all right to start with. Jessie is one of my best friends too and.." Ian muttered. "You know that if I did that to you, those two would be on your side 100% and they'd be right to."

"You don't know that. A lot of people do stupid things while drunk, he just had more than usual ok," Danny said. "If he is in a mess like you said, no doubt he's the one that hates him the most."

"Dan, haven't you paid any attention to him and her lately? Jess has been treat like crap, she's just let him walk all over her and that's not like her," Ian said.

"No it's not but.." Danny said.

"That's all been happening ever since he was told what he was, it's not a coincidence," Ian said. "I don't get what happened to Jessie though."

"Maybe she fell for him, you know she's been acting different for a while," Danny said.

"This keeps on getting better and better," Ian grumbled.

Danny sighed into her left hand, "oh god.. poor Jess."

"There, you are where I am right now," Ian said. "I've got to go anyway." He walked out of the room.

Danny stood up, she headed over to one of the bedroom doors. Inside Jessie was sitting on the bed, looking out of the window. "Hey, how are you doing?"

Jessie glanced at her, she could tell she'd been crying recently. "You don't want to know," she said before turning back.

"No, but it might make you feel better if you talk about it," Danny said as she sat down near her.

"No, I know how that conversation is going to go," Jessie muttered. She turned herself around so she had her back to the window. "Your comments will be 'what', 'I can't believe it' or 'are you crazy?'"

Danny shrugged, "try me."

"Ok fine, you want to know how I feel?" Jessie questioned.

Danny nodded, "I asked didn't I?"

"Well putting it mildly I feel like crap," Jessie replied.

"Um ok.. what, are you crazy?" Danny said with a smirk.

"Funny," Jessie muttered. "It's the reason why I feel crap that'll make you say that."

"I know the reason," Danny said.

"No, I feel so bad because I keep thinking about my future. Because of all of this, James is never going to risk coming near me," Jessie said. "Weird thing is, I miss him."

Danny looked shocked, "um.. thinking, thinking. Uh huh?"

"You can say it," Jessie said.

"Thanks, are you crazy?" Danny stuttered.

"I don't know. I know that he wouldn't do that normally. For the last hour I've been thinking of what my life will be like without him," Jessie replied.

"Is that what you've been crying about?" Danny asked.

"Now that you mention it, yeah," Jessie muttered in response.

"Ok, the thing is Jess, drunk or not James did a terrible thing to you. Right now I'm finding it hard to understand, and I've been the one trying to defend James the most, as far as I know. Other people will think you're nuts," Danny said.

"I don't care what they think," Jessie said.

"Come on Jess, Ian's noticed it and somehow I haven't until today.." Danny said.

Jessie frowned, "noticed what?"

"That whenever James does something to you, you quickly let him off and continue like nothing ever happened," Danny replied. "For example the Zare incident, Ian mentioned something on New Earth where he went off to fight some vamps, and well. Right now I can't think of other times."

"Ok firstly, both Zare incidents he didn't do anything wrong, it was that whore's fault. Secondly he told me he had to do that, or the vampires would of attacked and killed us in order to get to him," Jessie said.

"Ah you see, that's proof enough," Danny said. "What's your excuse or reason for this incident? Oh he had too much to drink and I led him on, or something."

Jessie stared at her, eyes slowly filling with tears. "I thought you'd understand eventually," she muttered.

"What's to understand? If you try and get him back this soon, he's going to think it's ok to do horrible things to you," Danny said.

"No he wont, get out," Jessie muttered.

Danny climbed off the bed, "I'm just trying to help, Jess.. I don't like seeing you like this." Jessie's stare turned into a little glare. "All right fine." She turned around and stepped back out of the room.

The Bridge:
Chakotay watched as Kathryn stirred a bowl of rice pudding. She put her spoon in the bowl, then she picked up a half full jar of coffee and started pouring some of it into the bowl. After putting it back where it was, she used the spoon to stir it again for a little while before digging into it.

In: "Team Three to Tuvok."

"What now?" Chakotay groaned.

Tuvok tapped his commbadge, "Tuvok here."

In: "We found Marsen sir.. he's dead. You have to see this."

"That sounds ominous," Kathryn said with a mouth full of pudding.

"No it doesn't," Chakotay commented.

Deck Six:
Tuvok and Chakotay walked down the corridor, they turned the corner and were greeted by the pale Security crewmembers.

"I don't get it really. Why would a guy like Marsen kill someone and then.." Chakotay said.

"Kill himself? Oh no, I doubt he did this all on his own," one Security guy said as they moved to one side. Lying nearby was the bloodied corpse of Crewman Marsen.

In: "Sickbay to Commander Tuvok. My patient has obviously just woken up, he snuck off while I was in my office."

Chakotay smiled and shook his head, "well it's a rare thing that an unknown ever gets out of there alive."

Tuvok tapped his commbadge again, "I will get a team to find him, he might be able to tell us what happened." He re-tapped his commbadge.

"It looks like whoever did this kept going when he was already dead. No way this was suicide," the Security guy said.

"Something tells me we've got one of those complicated murder mysteries on our hands," Chakotay said.

The Ready Room:
Kathryn, Tuvok and Chakotay were in front of her desk, the desk's computer was facing them.

"Did I mention that your hair is lovely today Captain?" the Doctor asked nervously.

"Yes and thanks again, but can we have the results?" Kathryn snapped.

"Marsen was punched first before being stabbed," the Doctor said.

"Ok, did Marsen really kill Anders or is this the handy work of a serial?" Chakotay asked.

"Marsen's DNA was found around Anders neck, he was definitely responsible. It's more complicated than you think," the Doctor said. "Where the bruise on Marsen's face is, I found Anders DNA."

"What the hell is going on here?" Kathryn grumbled.

"So these guys killed each other? How does that work? Which one died first?" Chakotay asked.

"Anders. Marsen was killed during the time the teams were searching for him," the Doctor replied.

"Yes but Anders was in Sickbay though. Anders probably just fought back when Marsen was trying to kill him," Tuvok said.

Chakotay nodded his head, "glad that's cleared up, but we need to find the weapon. Then we'll know who got Marsen."

"I already have a team searching for it," Tuvok said.

The Mess Hall:
Kes was holding a cup of tea while standing nearby the window, she glanced over at one of the doors just when Jessie walked through them. Kes headed over but she bumped into a guy, he passed her an icy glare while she stared at him with wide frightened eyes. He walked towards the other doors.

Neelix stopped next to Kes who still looked a little scared. "Are you all right sweety?"

"No, who was that?" Kes asked.

Neelix glanced briefly at the guy who just walked out. "Anders I think, why?"

"Something's wrong," Kes quietly said. She continued on her way over to Jessie, who was now by the replicator.

She came over just as she was finishing off her order. "Sandwich," she finished off. A plate with a small baguette on appeared in the replicator. Jessie took it, she turned around and jumped when she noticed Kes. "Kes, don't do that."

"How are you doing?" Kes asked.

"I'd rather not," Jessie muttered, walking towards the nearest empty table. "What's up with you?"

She and Kes sat down at the table. "What do you mean?"

"You look like you've seen a ghost," Jessie replied.

Kes sighed, "sorry, Crewman Anders.. he just felt weird."

"Don't know him," Jessie said with a shrug. "What do you mean by weird?"

"I don't know, it was a sense.. can't explain it," Kes replied. "I'm sure no.. yes he was the crewmember who was dead in the turbolift. Danny found him."

"And he's alive now? That's different," Jessie commented.

Kes frowned a little, she got up slowly. "Will you excuse me? I have to go.." she stuttered.

"Yeah sure," Jessie replied.

"Thanks, enjoy your um.." Kes said, glancing at the baguette filling, which looked like light green and brownish mush. "I'm not even going to ask what kind that is."

"It's just tuna," Jessie muttered.

Kes sighed in relief, "oh.. I guess that's ok, I thought your weird cravings were starting."

"Nope I'm as normal as I can get. It's just a plain tuna, apple sauce and egg sandwich," Jessie said.

Kes pulled a face, "um yeah, plain. I've got to go." She rushed off. Jessie looked confused, she took a bite out of her sandwich.

Neelix walked over, "do you know what's bothering her?"

"Somebody feels weird," Jessie replied, moving her chair further away from him.

Neelix looked confused, "why are you.. oh right, sorry I'll leave you alone." He eyed the sandwich, "that looks nice, what's in it?"

Sickbay:
Kes rushed in, "Doctor, I need to talk to you."

The Doctor emerged from the office, "Kes, isn't this your lunch break?"

"Yes but this is important," Kes replied.

"Go on," the Doctor said.

"I saw Anders in the Mess Hall earlier, I bumped into him and I felt a strange cold sensation. It was like I was looking at something that wasn't there, I can't explain it," Kes said.

"You think it might be your telepathic senses?" the Doctor questioned.

"Yes I do. I know what you're going to say, my telepathic abilities are undisciplined, but I'm telling you, I've never felt like that before," Kes replied.

"That's something that Mr Tuvok would say," the Doctor said. "I'll have a look at my scans of him, we might be able to find something."

Half an hour later:
Faye and Claire were walking down one of the corridors, holding a drink each.

"Yeah well, watch your back," Claire said in a teasing voice. The two of them split up at the next junction.

"No problem, I'll hear anybody who's following me or nearby thinking," Faye said quietly to herself. She took a swig out of her bottle, as she lowered it there was a light banging noise nearby. She frowned as she turned to the source, the jeffries tube.

"Great," Faye muttered. She walked over to one of the jeffries' doors. Quickly she opened up the door, something leaning on the door fell as a result. She backed into the nearby wall, with a shaking hand she tapped her commbadge. "O'Tani to Sickbay.. you'll never guess what I've just found."

A few minutes earlier, Sickbay:
"Um care to repeat that," Kathryn muttered.

"I haven't said anything yet," Kes said.

"Oh good," Kathryn sighed.

Kes raised an eyebrow, "somebody else is inside Anders body at the moment. When I bumped into him it felt like I was looking at something else."

"We had trouble reviving him, but that's normal. When we did get him back he disappeared. Of course everybody likes to do that, so I didn't think of it as suspicious," the Doctor said. "But when Kes told me about her encounter I double checked his scans, I found a brainwave that didn't belong there. I wouldn't of noticed this normally."

"So Anders is possessed, right. Can we get whatever it is out of him?" Kathryn asked.

Kes glanced at the Doctor. "Captain, the only brainwave there is, is the one we detected. Anders is gone."

"He probably died when he was strangled, we just revived the body and whoever the person is inside him," the Doctor said.

"Well, did he really kill Marsen then? He did leave Sickbay really soon after he was revived," Kathryn asked.

"That theory is back on the table yes, but there's no real proof yet to know for sure," the Doctor replied.

In: "O'Tani to Sickbay.. you'll never guess what I've just found."

"I give up," Kes said.

In: "A body in the jeffries tube."

"Stay really close to him or her, I'll try and lock onto it," the Doctor said. He wandered over to the station nearby. "Wait, why do I always have to do it? Don't we have transporter people?"

"You don't always, usually people call the transporter room. Doesn't happen often though," Kes replied.

The Doctor shook his head as he keyed in a few commands. A body appeared on a neighbouring biobed.

"Uh Doc.." Kes stuttered as she walked over to the second body's biobed. The Doctor turned around as did Kathryn, they both gasped.

Everyone gathered around the body. The Doctor pulled out a tricorder and scanned the body, "strangled, just like Anders."

Kathryn frowned, "well this is familiar."

Kes closed her tricorder, "unfortunately, this means we've got a serial killer on our hands."

"I'll perform a DNA test," the Doctor sighed.

"How long will it take Doctor?" Kathryn asked.

"Actually it could of been Anders," Kes said.

"Who is she?" Kathryn asked.

"Barely," the Doctor replied with a raised eyebrow.

"Barely what?" Kathryn questioned.

The Doctor groaned, "that was her surname Captain."

"Oh sorry," Kathryn meekly said. "Just let me know the results, I'm calling for another meeting."

"What for?" the Doctor questioned. "We don't know much more since the last one."

"Because.. we could theorize and stuff. Plus Tuvok can tell everyone how his investigation is going," Kathryn muttered. She stormed out still muttering to herself.

Conference Room:
Kathryn sighed, she folded her arms. "What does everyone think?"

"These meetings get better every single week," Danny commented.

"Come on people, think.. I can't do all the work around here," Kathryn snapped.

"What have you done exactly?" Tom asked.

"I will share my thoughts when everyone else does," Kathryn replied.

Harry shrugged, "sounds to me like alien possession. Kes said someone was inside Anders, plus there's a common theme for the murders."

"What? Go strangle somebody, frame it on somebody else and then stab the framed to death. Brilliant," Tom said.

"Ok, that just happened once. We don't know what happened with Barely," Ian said.

"Tom you forgot the last part. Frame again, but frame it on the strangled corpse," B'Elanna muttered.

"What for though? To confuse us," Danny questioned.

Kathryn groaned, "I'm hearing everything I've already heard, but no theories or ideas."

Chakotay glanced at her, "I know it's frustrating, but we don't have enough evidence to figure this out yet. Once the Doctor gives us the DNA results we'll know more."

In: "Sickbay to Conference."

"See this is it," Chakotay said.

Kathryn tapped her commbadge, "go ahead Doctor."

In: "Barely has gone."

"Hmm, and you all doubted my theory," Harry said smugly.

Kathryn glanced at Tuvok, "go and find her quickly."

A little while later
Engineering:
A crewman handed B'Elanna a PADD. "It'll take another two hours to get it back online."

She growled as she walked off, she tapped her commbadge. "Torres to Bridge, we have a problem."

In: "Now what?"

"Somebody has tampered with some of the systems. I don't recommend leaving the station just yet," B'Elanna replied. She got onto the lift.

In: "Great, does that mean I have time to get that trinket that looked like a TV remote?"

"And you wonder why no one wants to date you Tom," B'Elanna muttered as the lift got to the second floor.

In: "What, I like old stuff."

In: "Ahem, lets us know when the problem's solved. Chakotay out."

B'Elanna walked over to the station in front of the warp core while reading the PADD. She nearly tripped over something as she got to the bottom of the steps, her eyes widened. She gasped as she covered her mouth with her hand.

Sickbay:
The Doctor walked out of his office, and made his way over to Chakotay and Kes who were waiting nearby the station.

"Exactly the same as Anders. She got up and left, but this time I completed the DNA test after she did," the Doctor said.

"It was Anders that strangled her?" Chakotay questioned. The Doctor nodded. Chakotay groaned, "so someone is about to be, or already has been stabbed brutally to death."

The Doctor sighed, "I don't understand this at all. What is it's plan and motive for this?"

"It sounds simple enough to me. He or she is just trying to kill off the whole crew," Chakotay said.

"So how are we suppose to stop it?" Kes asked.

In: "Transporter Room One to Sickbay, we have an incoming."

"Oh, so they do, do it," the Doctor muttered. A body dematerialised on the biobed.

As Kes was the nearest she scanned him with her tricorder, "same as Marsen, guess who this is."

"Anders," Chakotay muttered as he walked over. "Great, just as I thought. We need to stop this thing and fast."

End of Part I

Part II

Deck Thirteen:
Crewman Barely stepped out of the turbolift. She was immediately confronted by a group of vampires.

"This better be good, I've got somebody to kill you know," Barely said.

Frenit pushed his way to the front of the group. "Do you realise how many of my guys are here?"

"Um, five?" Barely said, raising an eyebrow. "Did I pass?"

"No sweetheart. On board this rust bucket I have a lot more than five," Frenit grumbled.

"So why exactly did you bring me here?" Barely asked.

"Well I paid you to send us meals. One guy's blood isn't enough," Frenit muttered.

"It's better than nothing. If it's not good enough why don't you do your own dirty work," Barely said.

"We can't," Frenit said.

"Why? Slayer boy has got you whipped, huh. It's actually quite pathetic," Barely said. Frenit growled as he grabbed her by the front of her shirt. She just smiled sweetly. "He wont get in your way anyway, he's locked himself up."

"Really?" Frenit said, smiling deviously. "Boys, I think it's time for a well earned buffet. But first, a starter." He pulled her close and stuck his teeth into her neck.

The Bridge:
Kathryn paced the centre of the bridge with her hands on her hips. "So who is it now?"

In: "Crewman Barely. Anders has already been stabbed, obviously very soon somebody is going to get strangled."

"Computer locate Barely," Kathryn sighed.

The computer responded, "Barely is located on Deck Thirteen."

Kathryn glanced back at Harry, "what is she doing there?"

"Obviously she's way ahead of us Captain, there's no lifesigns there," Harry replied.

"So it's a trick," Kathryn muttered. "Is there anyone missing?"

"Not so far," Harry said with a frown. "Captain without a commbadge, Security's going to have a hell of a time tracking her."

"Indeed," Tuvok said.

In: "Security to Tuvok. Intruder al.. aaaaghhh! Can't you wait until I'm finished!?"

In: "Oh sorry."

In: "Ahem, alert. Aaaaghhh!" Some phaser firings were heard.

"Captain, the intruders must of masked their lifesigns. The only lifesigns here are our own," Tuvok said. The intruder alert siren sounded.

Tom and Kathryn turned a shade paler. "Captain it's probably.." Tom said.

"I know Tom. Mr Tuvok, let out our prisoner and then join a team," Kathryn ordered.

"Yes Captain," Tuvok responded. He stepped into the turbolift.

Meanwhile
The Brig:
The security guy paced a while before going towards the door. "Great, phaser fire is getting closer." He headed back while getting out his own phaser.

"Do you know what it is?" James asked, stepping closer to the field.

"I don't know yet," the guy replied.

A crashing sound startled them, that was followed by phaser firing and yelling. There was a scream which got louder, the door started to open but something crashed into it half way. The door opened fully and the 'item' in the door fell to the ground.

"Oh my god, Walter," the security guy stuttered, walking closer. The item, which was a guy, got kicked out of the way. Three figures stepped over the body to enter the room. The security guy fired at the lead one, he rubbed the place he was shot.

"Don't do that, it tickles," Frenit sneered.

James groaned, "oh great, not again."

Frenit turned his way, "we should stop meeting this way, or not at all suits me." He aimed his own phaser at the station, the blast destroyed one of the panels and knocked off the power on the rest. Meanwhile the security guy was fiddling with his phaser. "Well that should stop any meddling. See you later." He headed back the way he came. "You two watch him, just in case."

"For god's sake that wont work, get something sharp," James muttered.

"Um right," the security guy stuttered.

"That is a good idea," one vampire said with his eyes lighting up.

The other one leapt forward to grab the security guy.

Another phaser shot hit the first one in the back. He pouted as he rubbed it, "hey, watch it." He turned around just to get a smack from Tuvok. He shook it off and hit right back.

The other vampire meanwhile had lifted the security guy up, then he threw him in Tuvok's direction. The other vampire got out of the way in time, but Tuvok was knocked to the ground.

"Great, now I just need to find a way to walk through forcefields," James muttered to himself.

The Bridge:
"So it's beheading, heart stabbing.. anything else?" Tom asked quietly.

Kathryn shrugged, "I don't know, I'm not the one to ask." She walked away from the helm.

"Captain, do you and Tom know what we're dealing with?" Harry nervously asked.

"We have a theory," Kathryn replied.

Both turbolifts opened, a group of vampires came out of both. All were holding phaser rifles.

"Ok people, stand over there!" Frenit bellowed, beckoning his head and pointing towards the command chairs.

"No, what do you want from us?" Kathryn questioned, as she stepped forward.

"Hmm, that spoils all the fun of guessing," Frenit sighed. He started making his way down, while the other vamps grabbed the people at the back, including Harry. Everyone was dragged to the centre of the bridge.

"Computer restrict all computer access, command code authorisation only," Kathryn quickly said. All the consoles powered down. Frenit by instinct grabbed her roughly by the arm.

"That's easily solved honey," he said as his face changed to vampire form.

"You don't want her, her coffee tasting blood will make you yak. Not that I'd know personally," Tom said.

"What, these guys are blood donors? Whatever happened to the volunteer system," Harry muttered.

"Well we did have donors, I guess you could call them volunteers," Frenit said. "You lot keep an eye on these people, we'll need them for now."

"Yes sir," one vamp said.

Frenit roughly pulled Kathryn away from the others, "and you, lets talk business." She struggled against him, failing miserably. He pointed at the ready room. "This one yours, oh well." They stopped at the door. "We can't be disturbed, see to it boys." They went inside.

"You, can you put up one of those fields around that door?" one vampire asked in Harry's direction.

"Not without the captain," Harry replied.

"So, what can you do without her?" another vampire asked.

"Anyone up for a game of Pacman?" Tom asked sheepishly.

"Pacman? Interesting, load it up," vampire one ordered.

"I was joking," Tom muttered. The vamp glared menacingly at him. "Sure, you can have two players."

The Ready Room:
Kathryn worked at her computer as Frenit watched. A forcefield appeared around both doors. "Good girl," he said as she pulled her away. "Now, lets discuss that computer access."

"Unless you can impersonate my voice, perfectly, you don't have a problem," Kathryn said.

"Hmm, can I at least use your replicators to replicate cigarettes," Frenit questioned.

"No, it's a fire hazard.. hey!" Kathryn snapped.

Frenit smiled, "I see you're just as sharp as your son, ey?"

"What.. what are you talking about?" Kathryn stuttered.

"It's a vampire thing, we can smell blood and with you two it's more obvious. It's a shame he hates your guts," Frenit said.

The Bridge:
Vampire one slammed his hand down on the station behind the command chairs. "Damn, the title of this game is misleading."

"Shh, trying to concentrate," the vamp beside him grumbled.

"Misleading, what did you expect? Packed lunches with men in them?" Tom sniggered.

"Yes damn it!" vampire one snapped. "I thought it was a virtual game."

Meanwhile in the Brig:
One of the vamps backed away from Tuvok's unconscious form, and crashed into the other one. "This guy tastes weird.. look."

The second vamp groaned as he glanced over. "Green? Oh you're such a wuss, lets swap."

"I wouldn't touch the green blooded one. Rumour has it he caught the phage but he escaped confinement," James said, as he leaned on the wall next to the field. The second vampire looked worried. "And now that the other guy was thrown into him, he'll probably have it too."

"Ugh, those Vidiians tasted really weird the last time," the first vampire muttered. He pulled a face, "much worse than those Romulan dudes."

"Romulan? Tuvok's race is related to them, don't you notice the difference? There isn't any," James said.

The two vampires looked at each other. "Eew, I knew that horrid taste was familiar," the first one said.

"Don't listen to him, he's just trying to prevent their deaths," the second one groaned.

"Not really, I don't like them," James said.

"See, you're so paranoid," the first one muttered.

"And you're so stupid," the second one grumbled. "Ugh, I hope you shut up soon, your voice is grading on me."

"It's grating you moron!" the first one snapped. The two vampires stood up and started punching each other.

James shook his head as he glanced at the wall he was leaning on. He moved his hand away, leaving behind a dent in the wall that exposed some wires. While watching the vampires battling it out, he started to slowly pull them out.

"Well you look like a Vidiian, did you get your looks from your mother?" the first vampire snapped.

"Don't insult my mother, biological or sire one!" the second guy yelled, he punched the other guy really hard.

"Your sire was a gay guy, that doesn't count as a mother," the first one laughed. The second one punched him again. The first one grabbed him, he managed to get him in a head lock.

James pulled one last wire out of the wall. He walked back over to the opening.

"Get off my hair you pansy!" vampire two screeched.

James meanwhile put his hand out, instead of getting the usual shield shock he got nothing. He smiled smugly as he stepped out, then grabbed a hold of vampire one.

"How are you doing that!?" vampire one grumbled.

Vampire two pulled a face, "doing what, I can't do anything!"

"Maybe if you two stopped yelling so much.." James muttered.

The two vampires looked worried. "Uh.. oh crap," vampire one stuttered.

A little while later:
Jessie was walking down the corridor with folded arms. A girl ran around the corner, she bumped right into her. "Oh god, if I were you I'd run fast," she stuttered.

"Why, what's going on?" Jessie questioned.

Three vampires ran around the corner, the girls backed off.

"Ooh look, tasty looking girls," one vamp snarled.

The girl jumped behind Jessie, "what are these things?"

"They're uh.." Jessie stuttered. The vampires leapt forward and they grabbed a hold of the two. "Hey, hands off," she said. She stamped on one guys foot, but the two that had a hold of her kept a tight grip on her.

"Oh god, oh god, oh god.." the other girl stuttered. She screamed loudly, "somebody help us!"

Somebody jumped on the vampire who was holding her's back, he put one arm in front of his neck and pulled him off the girl. The girl ran off screaming hysterically.

"You're welcome," James muttered, he tightened his arm's grip on the vamp's neck. He turned to dust.

Jessie meanwhile elbowed one guy in a sensitive place, he stumbled back. The second vamp kept a tight grip on her, he dragged her into the wall.

James turned around to face the other two. The guy who was kneed was limping around nearby the other guy. The able vampire charged at him, they both exchanged blows for a minute. James grabbed him by the neck, and pushed him into the wall panel. Using his other hand he grabbed a big bit of broken glass, then pushed it into him.

"Good god, that woman has a bony elbow," the last vampire groaned. He stood up straight just in time to get the glass thrown at him. "Oh damn it.." he grumbled, then he disappeared.

Jessie groaned as she pulled herself to her feet. James casually turned her way, "hey are you.." She then looked up at him with wide eyes, his eyes did the same. "Jess?"

Jessie tried not to look nervous, "I'm fine.. you asked so. Uh, thanks."

"It's ok, don't worry I'll get away from you," James quietly said. He turned away.

"No wait," Jessie said. She took a few steps closer to him. "I was going to talk to you, you know visit you."

James looked confused, "I wasn't expecting a visit for a few days." He turned back around, "lets get this over with."

"What? Are you expecting me to yell or hit you?" Jessie muttered. "I don't want to do that."

"Ok kick me.. whatever's good, I deserve it," James said.

Jessie walked over to stand right in front of him. "James I don't want to hurt you. I haven't spent the last day or however long it's been, cursing your name or planning some nasty comeback. All I've been thinking about is how my life would be without you, you know cos you'll avoid me like this. I imagined it while trying to get to sleep last night, but I didn't in the end, you know why?"

"Um well.. I dunno," James muttered uncomfortably. "Cos you um, had a party or something?"

Jessie eyes narrowed, she took one step closer. "No, stop being like that!" she snapped.

"Sorry I just don't know.." James said.

"I cried ok, usually I'd cry myself to sleep but it was too.." Jessie said. "I don't want that life. I want to be with you."

"But Jessie, I did something horrible to you. I don't deserve to have you back," James said.

"Ok, I don't see it that way. Yeah it hurt, but the thing is you weren't yourself," Jessie said. "I know you'd never hurt me normally. And this is what I want, I don't know about you."

"No I wouldn't, but it's not about that. I don't know if I could ever forgive myself for this," James muttered.

Jessie placed a hand on his shoulder, she used her hand to stroke his right arm. "No, don't say that. You may not but I already have. You're not going to punish me by avoiding me because of that, are you?" She started to get tears in her eyes. "Don't you want me?"

"Of course but that's not the issue," James replied uncomfortably.

"Then what's the problem?" Jessie asked. She moved the hand on his shoulder to the side of his face. "We're great together, don't you remember. I know you were freaked out about the baby, but you don't have to do anything if you don't want to."

"Right, I know I'm a bad guy but.." James muttered. "I do want to be involved like I should be, and I do want to be with you more than anything else. I just.."

"I know, you don't deserve me," Jessie muttered. "Don't give me that."

"A lot of people would agree with me," James said.

"I don't care what other people think. This is simple you know. Yes or no questions," Jessie said. She moved her right hand by her side. "Ok, do you want to be with me?"

"Yes, you know that but.." James replied.

"Ah," Jessie interrupted him by raising a hand. "Next question, if I want to be with you, do you really want to hurt me by rejecting me, just because you can't forgive yourself?"

James shook his head, "no."

"I can help you with that. I doubt you're ever going to feel better by lying around in the brig voluntarily," Jessie said.

"I guess but.." James said.