Disclaimer
I'm not sure what inspired this episode, but you can rest assured that it's not a rip-off, parody or whatever. The first scene however is a re-write of original Season Four episode Revulsion, I know this series starts things a little earlier than the original (you'll see what I'm talking about straight away) so it shouldn't have the scene at all, but there's no where else it can really go, what with Season One already being written and all. ^_^

Please Note
This episode's recap includes scenes/dialogue from the previous episode as usual, but it also has scenes and stuff from the first main season episode, Aggressions. See Q and the Grey's note for more info. To make it easier for you to know which bit is from which episode, recap is colour coded (B4FV white, Aggressions blue).

Episode Synopsis
Voyager's systems start to break down and strange things start happening on the lower decks. Something's brewing on Deck Thirteen and it's slowly destroying the ship from within.

Special Guest Star
Desmond Harrington as Damien

Guest Stars
Jake Wood

Written By
Marill

Written
23rd, 28th, 30th November, 1st & 4th December 2005

A few scenes re-written
Sometime between 1st and 7th February 2006

Episode Based In
September 2372 (mid season 3)

Previously on Fifth Voyager
"Miss O'Tani's treatment will take a while, for now she has daily counselling appointments with me and her quarters have been cleared of all coffee and reflective material. Obviously she was seeing the girl differently to Jessie was, but we have to start somewhere," the Doctor replied.

--

"Too busy, we've been working on updating a shuttle. Someone thought it was a good idea to add Damien to the team, supposably he knows a good deal about ship design," Jetal replied with a smile. "He wanted to rename it the Shuttle Damien."

"He has a bit of an ego doesn't he? My condolences," the Doctor said.

--

B'Elanna and Tom were busy arguing nearby the warp core.

"I don't care Tom, I'd rather be single and childless for seventy years than lower myself to be with you," she grumbled.

"Oh come on B'Elanna, can't you give me another chance. I'll treat you nice," Tom said.

"Furthermore, I don't think a holodeck program involving Klingon monsters and whatnot is a good first date," B'Elanna muttered.

Tom still looked determined as ever, "I thought you'd like that, you're Klingon.. that must be their version of a first date." What they didn't realise was that the Doctor was busy snapping pictures of them.

--

"She kept moving away from her station, she'd either jump first or you'd hear her gasp and back her chair into the wall loudly," Chakotay said.

James closed his eyes and covered his face with his left hand, "she's still a little shaky about that ghost. A computer screen must of been on when she went into our living room."

"The locals don't really appreciate aggressive people in their space, something about a terrorist movement. They fear people like us will get involved," Chakotay replied. He shook his head, "they only think we're violent because that station we were at spread rumours that we harbour vampires, intentionally."

--

"A three day trip away, just the two of us on a warm planet away from everything," James replied.

Jessie stared with her eyes widened, "really but how?"

"Doc and Harry's mission will keep them away from the ship for three days. Voyager's off doing some survey thing until they're finished," James replied. "Chakotay said we have the three days."

--

"Some idiot's firing at us," James replied. He keyed in a few commands. "Alien vessel, why are you firing at us?"

A rough male voice came over the comm, "lower your shields and prepare to be boarded. You're being arrested for the bombing of the Lactivia Canteen."

"You mean the bombing we've just arrived at and were hit by a shockwave by?" Jessie muttered.

In: "Lower your shields or we'll do it for you."

The weapons fire grew more intense. James eyed his station with wide eyes, "crap, an overload's building." They both could hear the sound of the overload building up. James also stood up, he glanced at the station Jessie was standing at. He quickly grabbed a hold of her and pulled her away from the stations. Just then they exploded, sending sparks and smoke everywhere, and them to the ground.

The sound of a transporter beam came from behind her, two men's figures appeared in the smoke. Jessie just managed to catch a quick glimpse of them before passing out.

--

Jessie awoke to the sound of men cheering, hooting or yelling coming from all around her. She looked around at her blurry surrounding, her vision then started to clear. Standing all around were scruffy, dirty looking men with Klingon like forehead ridges except a little less pronounced.

"Both yeah," James meekly replied. She put her most strongest glare on her face. "Look I'm sorry. The people here, they treat women a little differently. If I act normal around you, guys will challenge me for custody. And if you're yourself they'll be more interested in you."

"Great, my favourite kind of men," Jessie muttered sarcastically. "I get the first part with you, if they think you're soft they'll think they have a shot. The second part I get less, wouldn't they prefer weaker girls who do as they're told?"

"Some do, but most of the guys here love a challenge. Don't take this the wrong way but you're a good challenge for them," James replied.

"Well I remember you saving me from the overload, men beaming aboard. I must of passed out from the smoke. I woke in this brig where they interrogated me, there was this court hearing with a judge. He said you had confessed doing the bombing for the both of us," Jessie replied. "I don't know what happened after that, I just woke up at the bottom of that slide thing."

"That chute thing was the worst part for me though, I didn't land too well," James said. "It seems to be the only way out of this dump though.."

"You've got another chip?" Jessie questioned as she sat down. She made an attempt at eating the so called food.

"You should have one too," James said, sitting down opposite her. He brushed away some of the hair away from the back of his head, revealing an implant about a centimetre in width. Jessie put a hand on the back of her own.

"All I know is that it makes everyone easily irritated. That's why everyone's so aggressive," James replied. "I wouldn't try taking it out, one guy hasn't really been up since then."

--

Jessie stood next to James, he worked on an open panel full of wires. A few extra wires were attached to the pipe he was messing around with.

"How's it going?" Jessie questioned.

James sighed, "not good." He slammed a hand into the wall, and I mean into. "I just can't concentrate, my head's all blurry and.." He headed over to the chute entrance. He slowly moved his hand towards it.

"Careful," Jessie said.

His hand bounced off a shield, he only shook it off.

"It's ok, it's a good sign. It means I'm getting somewhere with it," James replied.

--

"Well I think you should stop p***ing me off, especially right now," James muttered.

Pit laughed, "you're just afraid to accept my challenge." He pulled a sharp bit of metal from out of his sleeve.

One guy rushed over to the fight, passing Jessie. She noticed the metal in his hands so she kicked him in the back of the kneecap. He fell to the ground. The man on the ground suddenly lunged forward to stab him in the leg, Jessie pushed him out of the way. She screamed briefly at it plunged into her leg instead, just above the knee. The audience all burst into hideous laughter that echoed around them. She fell onto her knees, James caught her before she fell any further.

The throat slitter from before walked up behind them, James swung around ready to hit him too but he held up his hands. "No fight, no fight." The two men knelt down next to Jessie. "If she doesn't bleed to death she'll die from infection."

--

Jessie narrowed her eyes, she slapped him across the face.

"Ok, what was that for?" James asked bewilderedly

"He's going to kill us, they all want to," she muttered. "You can't just leave me so they can get me, you're in on it."

"No she's too weak now to resist the clamp," Zio said. "Just leave her, she'll calm down."

--

"It's an experiment," Zio said. He walked over to stand beside him. "The clamp drives everyone insane. They need to cut down the prison population." James glanced back at him with a raised eyebrow. "We kill each other off."

"Yeah great," James sarcastically muttered.

"If you let your emotions take over you the clamp wins, and you'll end up like those crazy men who took over your shelter. However if you learn to control it, you'll survive like me," Zio said.

--

The chute itself was about five metres long, Zio struggled to keep up the speed he started with after the first two. James managed to get to the top, which was just a one and a half metre squared area. Straight ahead from the chute was a small hatch, with a circular dusty window in the middle of it.

James looked through the window once it was a clear enough to see through it. His face dropped as he stared at the stars and space outside.

--

"What does it matter? That thing in there is not your girlfriend, she's just what's left. The clamp has eaten away everything she was, all there's left to do is get rid of it!" Zio snapped.

"If she dies then so does everyone in this prison, including you," James said. "You say I'm not a killer, no technically I'm not but there's two sides of me. I've killed people, and if something happens to her the same will happen again. Back then I didn't have two chips in my head."

"I'm not having that rotting carcass stay in my shelter anymore. Either you get rid of it or I will," Zio replied.

James narrowed his eyes and stepped closer to him, "you do realise that if you even go near her, I will kill you.. and it wont be quick either."

"I don't think so, you're just a small petty little boy that is weak and pathetic. You let the clamp and that girl control you, kill her now and I may change my mind," Zio said.

--

Jessie rested against a wall, barely conscious while James stood guard with the metal bar. Pit and a few others were surrounding them, not any closer than a metre away.

Pit eyed him up and down, sniggering slightly. "Not a problem. Your race must be full of scared little men, letting the women walk all over them."

"There's still prats like you in my race unfortunately," James said.

"Ah ha, so maybe it's just you," Pit said. "Give her to me now.. I'll share her around afterwards, I don't care if she belongs to you."

--

The shield dropped, the chute opened. A body fell out of it, it landed right on it's feet, aiming a phaser rifle. She fired it at a few prisoners who tried to jump on her. A few more people dropped out, one of them was Tuvok but the leader was the only one with a rifle.

"Put your hands on your heads!" he yelled, aiming his own regular phaser. Surprisingly all of the prisoners did as they were told.

"Do it now!" Kathryn bellowed, her angry eyes looked around the crowd. They rested on two men who were pushed aside, James came through in between them, carrying Jessie. Kathryn calmed down in an instant, she rushed over to him.

--

"Captain, it isn't a good idea for Commander Chakotay to leave Voyager. You can easily fall ill. If that would happen, he has to take command of Voyager," Tuvok said in his boring voice.

"I volunteer to go in his place," Tom said.

"Yeah and I'll go in Ensign Kaplan's place," B'Elanna said.

--

"That Riley was always next to you and touching you when you were asleep," B'Elanna said angrily.

"If she was, why would you care?" Tom asked.

"Er...if you must know, I care about you," B'Elanna stuttered.

"So you do love me?" Tom said.

"Er.. um I suppose so," B'Elanna said.

And now the conclusion
The Mess Hall:
The senior staff sat at a group of tables joined together, Kathryn and Tuvok sat on each end. Kathryn was in the middle of a long boring speech so most of the table weren't paying attention.

"So they appeared and started yelling at us.." Tom said to Harry sitting next to him.

"The writers yeah, they've been appearing a lot lately," Harry said.

"But that's what I don't get, the red head hasn't been around for years.. well for us it's never. Damn this is confusing," Tom muttered.

Harry smiled, "yes lets just pretend Aggressions is based after this season, it's way easier then."

Tom glanced briefly at B'Elanna, who sat opposite him. She had her eye on him as well, but looked away as their eyes met. "One's a writer, the other isn't but during Aggressions she was so she has to be mentioned. Otherwise it isn't that bad, everything else is in the right order but the writers stuff isn't. For one thing the actual writer is five years younger than when we saw her once in earlier B4FV eps."

"Don't even try to fathom how this series mixes in with Aggressions at all, the writers side of it is a headache alone," Chakotay added on.

Meanwhile Damien walked through the far door, with a familiar old man following him. "Do you mind, you're cramping my evil image."

"In my day it was called a villain image, and.." the man rambled.

Damien groaned, "look Tim you old coot.. yeh that's your new name by the way. If you don't stop that.." He turned around to find the man had gone. "I wish he wouldn't do that. Oh wait, no it's I wish he wouldn't come back."

Danny giggled behind her hand, she whispered in Ian's direction. "Did you see that?"

"I know, Damien has to talk to himself now," Ian said.

"No, Tom and B'Elanna keep exchanging glances," Danny muttered.

Ian raised an eyebrow, "yeah so?" He turned his head to watch Tom. He moved his glance toward B'Elanna, then to Harry who was talking to him. B'Elanna then decided to look at Tom again. "Oh right."

Kathryn finally finished her speech, she looked around expecting an applause or a cheer but all she got were a few unenthusiastic claps. Pouting she sat down in a huff, "hmph, here's to Lieutenant Commander Tuvok, whatever."

"Thank you, I think," Tuvok said. He stood up to start his own speech. Everyone quickly cleared their seats and started snacking on the food on the other tables.

"Any excuse for a party ey? Harry said with a mouth full of cake.

Tom nodded his head as he stared directly at B'Elanna, "yes yes, you are right, always."

"Ok then. Am I allowed to use your replicator rations whenever I want?" Harry smirked.

"Yes yes, you are ri.. always," Tom mumbled. "Excuse me." He rushed over to B'Elanna.

"Of course," Harry smiled. "I'll just go and treat myself to a four course meal and expensive wine."

B'Elanna noticed Tom advancing on her, she quickly turned her back to him. He stopped beside her. "We need to talk."

"Really don't," she blurted out. She sighed, "can we do this outside?"

Tom nodded his head, "sure." The couple headed for the nearest exit, passing Kes, James and Jessie.

"So how's the shoulder?" Kes asked.

"It's getting better," James replied.

"I've told you once before, I'll tell you again.." Jessie muttered.

"Don't steal Janeway's coffee, yeah I know," James meekly said.

"I can't believe she managed to pull the cup that way, while you had a hold of it and without spilling any," Jessie said.

Kes smirked at her, "and that she could keep such a hard grip on a hot coffee in a metal cup."

"I'm not really surprised, she's probably had lots of experience," James said. "I don't even like black coffee either."

Jessie smiled as she snuggled into him, her chin resting on his shoulder, "then why do you do it?"

"She does it to me and I do like annoying her," he replied.

"Annoy her in a less fatal way next time," Jessie said. She pulled a face while glancing over Kes' shoulder, "come on, that guy behind Kes is making me sick." She dragged James away with her. Kes glanced back, behind her there stood a man snacking on a hamburger in a piggish manner. Next to him was the sandwich table. She picked up a few pieces and put them on a plate.

James and Jessie stopped by the window, Kes rushed to rejoin them. "Look Jess, tuna sandwiches."

Jessie took the plate off her, "oh thank god, there's nothing else for me to eat here." She put half of one of the sandwiches into her mouth but looked a bit sick afterwards. "Uh.. what else is in this?" she mumbled with her mouth full.

James took the rest off of her, "looks like melted cheese."

Jessie put her hand over her mouth, "crap, excuse me." She dashed out of the room.

"I thought.." Kes nervously said.

"No, recently cheese has been making her feel sick too. I think she ate too much of it," James said.

Kes cringed, "oh so much for pizza later then. What can she eat now then?"

"Um chips, most veggies, mostly all sweet stuff, pastry and bread. Luckily she's very um, creative with the stuff she can eat," James replied.

"Ohno, she doesn't mix stuff together, does she?" Kes said, looking worried.

Jessie walked back into the room slowly, "ok those tuna sandwiches better be gone before I get back over there."

James managed to get two of the sandwich pieces in his mouth, Kes smirked as she took the last one. "On it," he mumbled.

"Pig," Kes giggled.

Jessie pulled a disgusted face when she stood back in between them. "If you want me to go near or kiss you later, you'll have to clean your mouth out."

"So noted," James said.

"Don't worry Jess, it wont be as bad soon," Kes said.

"Really? It's like this kid wants me to suffer," Jessie muttered.

Kes smiled, "I doubt it."

Kathryn marched over to the group with her hands on both hips. "You steal my coffee one more time mister and I'll ground your butt."

"Um I didn't, I'm still recovering from yesterday's attempt," James said. Kathryn frowned in confusion. "You pulled my arm out of place."

"Oh I'm sorry," she cooed, patting him on the cheek. "But stealing is wrong, you should learn that."

James looked disgusted, "um, you do it to me."

"Yes I know, but taking coffee off someone is taking it back to it's owner, not stealing," Kathryn said.

"Yes it is. I pay for my coffee therefore it's mine," James muttered.

"Aaaaw," Kathryn cooed again. "It's true though."

"Fine, you steal mine and I'll continue stealing yours," James said.

Kathryn gasped, "you are so grounded."

"You can't ground members of your crew," Jessie said with a smirk.

"No, but I can restrict holodeck access and increase work hours," Kathryn said. "That's similar to grounding." She patted James on the arm, "this time you're let off."

She walked off toward the nearest door. It opened for her, the look on her face grew disgusted and a little annoyed. "Do you mind, this is a public place!"

Tom and B'Elanna, who were busy kissing just a second ago, jumped and turned to face her blushing madly. "Captain uh.. we were just discussing something secret," Tom stuttered.

"No you weren't, this is such a bad example to the rest of the crew. You're senior officers for crying out loud," Kathryn grumbled.

"Um.. senior officers are not allowed to uh kiss?" Tom questioned. "What about James and Jessie, most probably and you and Chak.."

Kathryn blew a fuse, "I mean in public, now get the hell out of my sight!" Tom and B'Elanna glanced at each other nervously, they didn't waste any time leaving. She however calmed down instantly, "aaaw, isn't it sweet when two people fall in love and get together." She walked off.

Meanwhile:
The elderly man, aka Tim followed Damien into Cargo Bay 2, Damien was either ignoring him or hadn't even noticed his presence. "Hmm, there's got to be some free food around here that isn't 'cooked' already."

"Why free food?" Tim questioned. Damien stopped and jumped about two miles. "In my day you could get a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine and a haircut for a nickel."

"Nickel, just one.. god you're older than I thought," he groaned as he turned to face him. "Why do you keep following me?"

"You were responsible for my death, in my day we always revenged our attackers or betrayers," Tim replied.

"Uh huh, it doesn't count if you were killed. Back then nobody could be revived or be immortal, so the rule doesn't apply," Damien said smugly. Tim frowned in confusion. "Ok you think about that, I'm going to find something heavy to hit you with in the meantime." He walked off.

"While you do that let me tell you a story about one of my discoveries," Tim mumbled, he continued rambling on.

Meanwhile Damien picked up a cord, he loosely wrapped it around his own neck and pretended to pull it hard. "Nah," he tossed it over his shoulder. Then he discovered a toolbox that looked pretty heavy, an evil smile appeared on his face.

Tim continued his ramblings, not noticing Damien walk towards him with the toolbox. The ceiling began to crack, it creaked loudly. Damien stepped back with a frown. Then the ceiling collapsed just above Tim, a big cloud of dust blocked Damien's view.

"Oh well," Damien sighed, he dropped the tool box in front of him. A figure emerged from the cloud of dust, his eyes widened as it walked closer. It walked through the dust. He sighed in relief as it was Sid with a grin on his face, of course covered in cuts and a bruise or two.

"That was so cool!" he grinned. "I couldn't of done that better if I had planned it."

"Uh huh," Damien mumbled. He pointed at the toolbox, "that's pretty heavy."

"Oh thanks, you're a pal," Sid laughed. He picked up the toolbox, then walked off with it.

Damien sighed before walking out of the bay. As soon as he left the rubble moved, Tim managed to pull himself out of it. He didn't even have a scratch on him, he did not look like somebody who just had the ceiling fall on him. "Interesting."

Deck Two:
Only a few crewmembers habited the Mess Hall. Neelix was clearing up in the kitchen while Kes stood nearby eating a bowl of rice.

"Nobody should really know so.." Kes said.

Neelix turned around, "I got cha, don't worry." He winked at her as he put down a bowl he was cleaning. "It's in the cupboard to the left of me, but I don't get why it has to be unalcoholic."

"Jessie doesn't drink anymore," Kes replied, glancing away nervously.

Neelix looked at her suspiciously, "uh huh, why's that?"

"I don't know," Kes stuttered.

"You do though, I can tell," Neelix said.

"She just can't anymore, that's all I can say," Kes said.

Neelix widened his eyes, "can't.. is she pre.."

"Shhh," Kes shushed him. "Keep it down."

"Sorry I didn't mean to say it that loud," Neelix said. He watched James and Jessie walk in holding hands, talking quietly to each other. They briefly looked around to see how many people were around. Then they sat down in the corner by the window.

"Don't tell anyone," Kes whispered.

"I wont, it isn't my business to," Neelix said. Kes smiled at him, he stepped away for a second and came back holding what looked like a bottle of wine. "Tell them 'enjoy'."

Kes took a hold of it, "will do." She headed over to the couple. "Hi guys." She put the bottle onto the table in front of them.

"That is non alcoholic right?" Jessie questioned.

"Yeah it is," Kes nodded. "What are you celebrating?"

"Oh just a few little things," James replied.

Jessie held onto his arm, "one of the things is just the baby, you know before I'm too big to be in public."

James glanced at her, "what are you talking about?"

Jessie raised her shoulders, "we can't just have me wandering around the ship while nine months pregnant, for example. Everyone will know."

James shook his head, "so when are we going to tell everyone? We can't really hide it."

"I don't know, I know I'm not ready now," Jessie replied. "I don't know if I could deal with all the staring, the whore comments.."

Kes pulled a face, "ookay, I'm going to go over here." She rushed over to the other side of the hall.

"What do you mean, who would call you that?" James questioned.

"Everyone, they'll all think we're just friends and I'll just be the whore who slept with a friend and got pregnant from it," Jessie muttered.

"Well I suppose it would be a good idea to tell people we're together and that there's a baby coming. No one will really think anything bad of you then," James said.

Jessie stared at him, "you'd be ok with that?"

"Yeah kinda. Part of me wants to tell everyone, you know cos guys will get really jealous that I'm dating and living with the best girl around, or ever for that matter," James replied.

Jessie smiled, shaking her head, "a lot of guys are already jealous of you, you know."

"Oh, then more people know than I thought," James said with a frown.

"No silly, they're jealous cos they want to be strong and stuff like you," Jessie smirked. "Sorry, go on."

"Go on?" James said. "Oh.. telling is good cos we can make every guy on the ship wish they were me, now that is cruel in some ways."

Jessie tried to keep a straight face, "I doubt that unless you mean the stuff with your dad, or mum."

"No but that's a good point," James said. "Anyway it's also good cos it'll be nice not to have to be over careful, and there's nothing to be ashamed of. But there's people like Tom."

"Who just can't keep their mouths shut, yeah exactly. Even if we did come out there will still be the same amount of rumours, just different," Jessie said.

"But we can't hide the baby when it's born, it'll have to be before or they'll find out then," James said.

Jessie sighed, "yeah, but that's still another four months."

"Yeah there's still plenty of time," James smiled. He pulled out a box of chocolates from behind his back, "here this is yours."

Jessie grinned while taking them off of him, "aaw thanks." She opened it, inside were lots of Belgian shells. "Oh great, these'll last for about five minutes only," she giggled. She held the box out after taking one of the chocolates out, "go on, this way I wont eat them all."

"Um ok," James mumbled with his eyebrow raised. "Just one though," he took one of the chocolates out.

Jessie took a quick look around the room, then decided to rest her head on his shoulder and hold onto his arm. "Just help yourself, you bought them."

"That beats the point of getting you them," he said.

Jessie smiled while picking up another chocolate, she hovered it in front of his face. "Here, go on."

James turned his head away, "no, I had one already." He lightly pushed her hand back toward her. She rolled her eyes before moving around so she could kneel on the seat, and face him. She put the chocolate directly in front of his mouth, he took a hold of her hand. "No Jess, they're yours. You can just save the rest for later."

"You know me, I feel guilty eating almost a full box myself," Jessie said with a smirk planted on her face. "Now open."

Kes headed over to the replicator, watching them over her shoulder. Two crewmembers were standing in front of her while somebody else did their order.

"Ok fine," James muttered, he put a hand over his mouth to block Jessie's attack. He managed to mumble something while looking a bit too smug.

"All right, suit yourself. You can just watch me eat them." She placed the chocolate in her hand in between her lips, and bit it in half. One half went inside her mouth while the other stayed put. James moved his hand away, then leaned forward to take the other half.. and I don't mean with his hand. They stayed put.

"Ah ha, I knew that would work," Jessie smiled. They closed the gap between them and kissed gently, she caressed his cheek before pulling away. "The mess is getting busier," she whispered.

"Damn, I really think we should tell all sooner, then we don't have to worry," James said.

The two crewmembers at the replicator backed away from it, pulling confused faces at each other. "What the.."

Kes stood in between them, "what's the matter?"

"Look," one guy pointed at the replicator, which now was the home of a live white rabbit.

"Huh, I don't even know where to begin on that one," Kes stuttered. The queue behind her quickly headed over to the kitchen or the replicator on the opposite side of the room. More crewmembers walked through both of the doors.

"We'd better leave," Jessie said.

James nodded his head, he stood up then held out his right hand. Jessie took a hold of it and climbed to her feet.

"Hmm, that was gentlemanly," she smirked at him.

"Gentle me? Never," James commented. They both headed for the nearest exit, with their arms around the others. The queue for the second replicator and the kitchen blocked the way.

"Maybe you're right," Jessie muttered. "Can't we just beam to our quarters." She blushed a little as she glanced at him, "I didn't mean to do.. I just want to hang out without prying eyes."

James did a quick scan of the room then glanced back at her, "I'll sort it." His glance moved toward the nearby door, his eyes widened. "Oh god.." He moved away from Jessie who watched him looking confused. "Everyone, I just got word that Neelix's drink was spiked.. he's coming."

Everyone started screaming, some hysterically. They all scrambled for the nearest door. Jessie was about to follow, James put his arm out in front of her. "No no, that's called a distraction."

"Oh.. silly me," Jessie laughed. "Come here," she purred while stroking his chest. Her right arm went around his neck. By this time everyone had cleared the room. They again closed the gap between them and started kissing. What they didn't realise was that Neelix had just ran back into the room, he dropped his jacket by the kitchen. They pulled away but only a little bit, it was enough for James to notice Neelix, his eyes went wide again.

Jessie frowned, "what's the matter?" Neelix started fiddling with his trousers not far behind her.

"No no, I just.." James stuttered. He quickly pulled her back for another kiss just as Neelix finished stripping, luckily he ran straight out of the room.

"Why did you.." Jessie muttered.

James smiled nervously, "lets just say I wont get wrong for tricking everyone in the mess."

Jessie cringed, "eew gross." She glanced away, something on the floor caught her eye and made her scream. She jumped behind James.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Jessie shakily pointed in front of them, on the ground. "What is that doing here, it's horrible.. get rid of it."

James looked down at what she was pointing at, the rabbit hopped toward Jessie. She grabbed onto James' arms tightly. "Get it away!"

"Ok don't look," James said, about to raise his left foot.

"Oh god don't do that, eew, not like that," Jessie mumbled.

"Well you go home.. I'll meet you there," James said while kneeling down.

"Right," Jessie stuttered. She ran like her life was on the line.

"Ok little guy, where did you come from?" James muttered. He picked up the rabbit by the scruff of the neck.

Meanwhile:
Tom and Harry stepped out of a turbolift. "Why didn't you tell me Tom? I figured you'd have told everybody onboard by now to gloat," Harry questioned.

Tom shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know, it was probably for B'Elanna's sake. It's not like this has been going on long."

"How long?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

"She told me a few days ago, but today it happened," Tom dreamily smiled. Harry rolled his eyes. "The way she was treating me was only cos she liked me, and didn't know what to do about it."

"So you're trying to say that everytime a girl rejects you in the most violent way, it means they like you," Harry muttered. "You must have more female admirers than I thought."

"That's what I've been saying. I've always thought that Jessie was the one with the biggest hots for me," Tom said.

"I dunno, she seems more hung up on James," Harry said.

"Well that's her loss," Tom groaned.

"Why cos he's gay?" Harry questioned sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

Tom laughed, "oh I only call him that to annoy him. He's really not, people would have to be blind to not notice the way he looks at and acts around Jessie. If he's gay, all guys are in trouble."

"What, is it like you with every girl?" Harry smirked.

Tom pulled a face, "eew don't ever say that.. unless Janeway doesn't count as a girl as she's old."

What he didn't know was that Kathryn was directly behind him. "Tom!" she screeched. He and Harry stopped dead in their tracks.

"Oh you're dead Tom," Harry whispered.

To their surprise Kathryn put her arms around both of their shoulders. "How's my favourite helmsman and opps boy doing today, ey?"

"Um aren't you mad?" Tom stuttered.

"Mad about what sweety?" Kathryn cooed.

The two men shuddered. "Um we're fine Captain," Harry mumbled.

"Good good," Kathryn smiled.

"You didn't hear what I said then?" Tom asked.

"Yes, you asked if I was mad," Kathryn smiled. She gasped, then pushed passed the pair. She followed a female crewmember that was about to turn the corner. "Lhileny, how did you get your hair so silky smooth.. what's your secret?"

"What's the matter with her?" Harry asked.

Tom glanced at him with an evil smile on his face, "well she's acting a lot like a pregnant woman who's hormones are going crazy."

Harry turned pale, "oh god no. I hope not, can you imagine what a Janeway child would be like?"

James walked up behind them, "ok guys, you're blocking the way."

Tom and Harry jumped, then turned half way around. "Why do people keep coming up behind us?" Harry muttered.

"Well I don't know, maybe cos you're standing in the middle of the corridor," James sarcastically said.

"I wouldn't go down there if I were you," Tom said. "Janeway's really hormonal."

James frowned, "uh.. I hope you don't mean what I think you mean."

"Yeah, Janeway's pregnant," Tom sniggered.

Harry rolled his eyes, "no he just thinks that."

"Great again.. well I hope it goes better than last time," James muttered.

Tom and Harry widened their eyes. "Again.. oh god, where does she hide the other baby?" Harry squeaked.

"In her hair maybe," Tom said. "Though she did chop it off, maybe it ran away from home."

"It wasn't recently, it was a long time ago," James said. "Like mine and Harry's age ago."

"Ooh juicy," Tom smiled.

"Did I mention the baby's long dead?" James muttered.

"No.." Tom's face fell. "Man that sucks, but we would of had a second Janeway that's you guys age around, or a male version I suppose."

"Not really, he or she might not have been like her at all and like the dad," James said. "Now don't tell her that I told you that."

"Hmm I don't know, I'll have to think.." Tom slyly said.

"Tell her and you'll lose a body part," James said.

Tom smiled nervously, "um yes sir."

Harry shook his head, laughing to himself. They all jumped to the sound of a woman's ear piercing scream. James was the first to run toward the source, Tom second and Harry about twenty seconds after him. He bumped straight into Tom, who stumbled forward and bumped into James, he managed to remain still.

"Ow.. what are you made of?" Tom grumbled.

James didn't answer him, he was staring ahead of him looking a little paler than usual. Tom easily managed to look over his shoulder, while Harry moved to his side. "Oh god," Harry stuttered.

Only two metres ahead of them a young female crewmember's upper torso was only seeable. She had her back to them, was remaining deathly still and had a look of pure terror on her face.

"Um where's her legs.. looks like they're in the floor and next deck," Tom stuttered. He nudged James in the left arm. "What are you waiting for, pull her out."

James shook his head, "I don't think so.. there's no hole in the ground." He stepped a little closer, then knelt down next to her. "It looks like the ground disappeared for only a part of a second, then reappeared when she was falling through it."

Harry put a hand over his mouth, "how, that's impossible."

"It's happened once before on another ship," Tom muttered. "This isn't good."

The Bridge:
Chakotay climbed out of his chair, "what do you mean by screwy?"

Danny shrugged, she turned away from the helm. "I mean screwy. The console wont do as I tell it."

"Sir," an unknown crewmember called from the back of the bridge. Chakotay turned toward him. The entire back station had sparks coming from it, and the power in parts were flickering on and off.

"What's going on?" Danny muttered.

Chakotay sighed, "you never know with this ship."

"Commander. Reports are coming in from all over the ship," Tuvok said while working on his station. "There's similar station problems on Deck 4 and 6, spots on the walls on Deck 10 to 12 are fluctuating like they're made of liquid, and a crewmember fell through the ground on Deck 11."

"Holy crap," Danny commented.

"Indeed," Tuvok raised an eyebrow. "Also the replicators are malfunctioning. For example the one in the Mess Hall created a live rabbit."

"That's not so bad," Danny said.

Chakotay groaned, "Danny, shut up."

Danny pouted, "god fine."

In: "Janeway to the bloody bridge."

"This'll complete everything," Chakotay sighed as he tapped his commbadge. "Yes Captain?"

Deck Eleven:
Kathryn stood with her hands on her hips with the most ferocious look on her face. She appeared to be standing in a rather large puddle of dark liquid that trailed all the way down the corridor.

"Who's been spilling coffee all over Deck Eleven?" she asked angrily.

In: "No one's that suicidal.. how much?"

"I'd say about ten litres worth," Kathryn grumbled.

In: "Oh so only half your daily intake then."

"Stop rubbing it in Commander, do you want to be demoted back to Lieutenant," Kathryn said.

The Bridge:
Everyone glanced at Tuvok looking surprised. "I was just telling the truth, none of you have ever measured how much she drinks."

"True," Chakotay shrugged. "Um Captain, there is a few strange things happening on the ship."

In: "Just what are you implying Commander?"

"Uh that coffee leaking on Deck Eleven is strange," Chakotay muttered.

In: "Oh.. well call a meeting in half an hour and I'll be there, I have to clean this up first. Janeway out."

Danny sniggered, "it wont take her that long as long as she can find a straw."

"Great, maybe we should have the meeting now," Chakotay said.

"Good idea," Danny nodded.

The opps station started beeping madly, Ian looked nervously at it, "uh that's not such a good idea."

"Why not?" Chakotay groaned.

Ian eyed the wall beside the station warily, "crap." He backed off as some of the wall itself turned into what looked like liquid. "That's why."

"Put a containment field around it," Chakotay ordered.

Tuvok nodded, he keyed in a few commands. "It'll take about an hour to recover Commander."

"Great," Chakotay said.

Later
The Conference Room:
Kathryn stood by the window holding a coffee, B'Elanna stood next to the wall panel, everyone else were sitting around the table.

"Voyager's being torn apart from the inside," B'Elanna said.

"By what?" Chakotay questioned.

B'Elanna sighed, "I don't know."

"What do you mean, you must know," Neelix stuttered.

"All I know is that we've got less than twelve hours," B'Elanna replied.

Harry nodded, "the only thing out of the ordinary is a strange energy reading on Deck Thirteen that doesn't belong there."

"Great, that sounds ominous," James muttered.

"Yeah. what is up with that deck?" Tom questioned.

"An energy reading is hardly cause for alarm though," Kathryn said. "Sid could of just started a fire."

"True but whatever it is, it's increasing," Harry awkwardly said.

B'Elanna sat down in the nearest empty chair, "if it keeps this up it'll have reached the outer hull in twelve hours."

"Maybe we should send a few people down to investigate. If we figure out what it is we may be able to stop it," Chakotay said.

Kathryn turned away from the window, "good plan. Harry, B'Elanna take a few Security members with you to Deck Thirteen."

"Yes ma'am," both Harry and B'Elanna said in unison.

Deck Thirteen:
The turbolift doors opened for B'Elanna, Harry, James, Sid and Damien. They headed down the corridor.

"I don't know James, why bring these two? It seems a bit daft," Harry wearily said.

"It's not, if something happens Sid will run to it. If he doesn't or it's not enough to stop us getting hurt, we can push Damien into it," James said.

Harry and B'Elanna agreed, glancing at Sid. His eyes were wide, his hands clasped together in front of his chest.

"Oh yeah, this is like a field trip," he giggled.

They turned their attention to Damien, he wasn't really listening and was eyeing the walls. "This place would be perfect for a secret lair.." He then spotted the two were looking at him. "Lair of fun, for Sid.. got to make rations somehow."

Sid continued talking to himself, then pulled out a big bag from behind his back. "Snacks, drinks.. we could have a picnic."

"Now we just have to hope something does happen," James said.

Harry cheerfully put his hand in Sid's bag. "Oh I don't know, maybe something less obvious pain wise then we could just skip to pushing Damien." Sid slapped his hand as it brought out a chocolate bar. "Ow hey."

"Push who and what now tar hair?" Damien grumbled.

"These are for the picnic!" Sid snapped at Harry. He glanced between the two, who walked on both sides of him.

"Sorry, it was James' idea," he moaned.

B'Elanna smiled, shaking her head. "In here." She headed into a large room that looked like it used to be two quarters, with the wall separating them tore down a little messily. She and Harry took out tricorders, then spread out.

Harry walked closer to a small floating ball of white light. "Here it is." B'Elanna joined him.

"Well that doesn't look ordinary," James said.

Damien glanced briefly at him, "what are you talking about, there's no mirror in front of you."

"Oooh witty," James sarcastically muttered.

"What is it?" Sid asked.

"I'm not sure. Whatever it is we shouldn't go near it," Harry replied. "That includes Sid too."

"Don't tell me it doesn't hurt, but is dangerous," Damien groaned.

"Sorry to disappoint you," Harry muttered. Both tricorders started screeching, their owners backed off a step. The light increased in size from about a centimetre to a metre.

"What's making it bigger, there's usually a catalyst," James questioned. B'Elanna and Harry stared at him. "What, I'm not that stupid."

Damien sniggered, "what an a**." He was soon unconscious on the ground, sporting a new black eye.

"Oooh, ooh!" Sid jumped up and down. "You're an a**."

"That wont work," James said.

Sid calmed down, then pouted. "Um, you're so gay you dress up as a woman so you can get off with straight men."

James rolled his eyes, "nope."

"Oookay?" Harry muttered.

"You are right though, there usually is," B'Elanna said. "My guess is since it's interfering with ship systems it could be plain simply power."

"We can't cut all power, we'd still die," Harry said. "There's not enough space suits for everyone."

"We'd better inform the Captain. I've got all the sensor data we need for a full analysis," B'Elanna said.

The Bridge:
The ball of white light now was on the viewscreen, it looked between two metres wide now.

"The phenomenon has increased in size in the last two hours and is continuing to grow," Tuvok said.

"Can anyone please tell me what it is so we can get it off my ship," Kathryn grumbled.

Chakotay sighed, "try moving us away from this area Mr Paris."

Tom nodded, he keyed in a few commands at the helm. "Moving away, one quarter impulse." The left side of the station turned completely black, sparks flew from it. Tom moved his chair away, squinting his eyes. "I was going to say that helm's not responding, but it just did."

"Harry, can you get through?" Kathryn questioned.

"No ma'am, the whole navigation system is fried," Harry replied.

Chakotay tapped his commbadge, "Bridge to Engineering."

In: "We're trying to fix it now Commander but that's not our only problem. It does look like the circuits themselves have been burnt out."

"Told ya it was fried," Harry smugly said. Kathryn death glared him.

"Tell us when it's all fixed," Chakotay said.

"Wait, are you any closer to determining what it is?" Kathryn quickly asked.

Engineering:
B'Elanna sat down at one of the stations nearby the warp core. "Sorry Captain. The best name I can give you is 'energy rift'. Our power seems to be feeding it. When it gathers enough power it expands."

Ian, who stood behind her, glanced back briefly. "Um B'Elanna, check this out."

B'Elanna turned and stepped over to stand next to him. "Oh.. the more it grows the easier it is to scan the damn thing."

In: "Report."

"New scans show that it's sending out radiation that would disintegrate anything biological that touches it," Ian said.

In: "Well now, that's not so bad."

"No it's not. It's the breaching the outer hull part that's getting me," Ian muttered.

B'Elanna shook her head, "the bigger it gets the more radiation it sends out, that's why we didn't detect it earlier. By the time it gets to Decks Twelve and Fourteen it'll be enough to rot away anything close by. Hence the hull breach when it gets to the outer hull."

In: "If we're feeding it can't we cut power to Decks Twelve to Fourteen?"

"I already have to slow the process down but it's still feeding on us. To stop it we'd have to fully power down everything," B'Elanna replied. "It would take half an hour to destroy it that way at it's current size."

The Bridge:
Kathryn groaned, "we can't do that, it would take a while to evacuate the ship and by that time it'll be bigger."

In: "All we can do is slow it down until we can come up with something. Minor systems should be shut down, and the crew should remain on Decks Seven and above, excluding the path to Engineering, and Engineering itself."

"All right. Tuvok take care of that," Kathryn ordered. Tuvok nodded.

"Can't we just go into escape pods or shuttles and get it over with?" Tom questioned.

"Somebody would have to remain to monitor and then reactivate everything," Jessie said.

In: "That's true but I still wouldn't recommend it. Anybody could just come by while we're doing this, and with the systems playing up thanks to this thing we can't be sure the escape pods would behave."

"There will be another way anyway. I'm not going to let some stupid ball of light beat us when we've come this far," Kathryn muttered. She looked around at everyone, "if anyone needs me I'll be in my Ready Room." She headed for her office.

End of Part I

Part II

Engineering:
Tom strolled in looking a bit too pleased with himself. "You wanted to see me Lieutenant?"

B'Elanna turned away from the warp core, "yes I did. I thought you could help with the navigation problem."

"Oh I see," Tom's face fell. B'Elanna nudged him with her elbow, raising her eyebrows briefly. "Ok we should get on that right away." The two quickly headed for the lift.

Only seconds later James walked in, then made his way toward the warp core. "Has anyone seen Tom?"

One crewmember glanced at him, "he just went up to the Deck Ten part of Engineering."

"Great thanks," James said, eyeing the empty lift shaft. Instead he headed for the ladders on the other side. Near the top of them he could hear lots of buttons being pressed, heavy breathing and what sounded like kissing. James got to the top and slowly went over to find Tom and B'Elanna lying on the station in front of the core, making out.

"Uh Tom," he mumbled.

The two quickly separated, they turned to face him blushing madly.

"You didn't ask me to meet you here to do that, did you?" James muttered with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah you wish," Tom said.

"I wouldn't even wish that on my worst enemy," James said. "So what's wrong with her?"

Tom frowned, "wrong?"

"Well yeah, something must be wrong with her if she's kissing you," James replied, smirking slightly.

"Nothing's wrong with me, don't insult me," B'Elanna grumbled.

"No you did that to yourself," James said.

Tom stepped forward to stand in front of B'Elanna. "Ok you've had your fun. Anymore insults and I'll be forced to do something."

James stared blankly at him for a minute, then he and B'Elanna burst out laughing. Tom glanced at them both separately. "What, I would. If you got me mad enough I'd kick his a**." The laughter got louder.

B'Elanna wiped tears from her eyes, "Tom please, I can't breathe."

Tom pouted his lips, "ok but you gotta admit that I'd try and he wouldn't expect it."

"I'll give you that one," James smirked. "That doesn't mean you'll kick.. my a**." B'Elanna laughed again.

"Oh come on, what about the size difference. Surely that'll help me a little," Tom muttered.

"That's all you've got on me though," James said.

B'Elanna sniggered, "Tom you should be thinking that size doesn't matter, you might have to say it a lot."

Tom blushed as he glanced at her, "thanks, it's nice to know how you think of me."

James pulled a disgusted face, "oh god, you haven't already."

"Yeah he wishes," B'Elanna said. "I thought it would be an appropriate comment to shut him up, that's all."

"Didn't work," Tom grumbled.

"Yeah nothing does. Let me know if you do find something that does," James said as he turned to leave. "Besides knocking him unconscious that is."

B'Elanna shrugged once he left their sight, "I'm pretty sure that's it." Tom continued to pout in her direction.

The Ready Room:
James sat opposite Kathryn who of course was behind her desk. She was busy reading a padd holding a cup of coffee, while James fiddled with one of her small ornaments in his hands.

"It did look like a slow week, I did say to Chakotay yesterday that things were bound to pick up," Kathryn muttered.

"Yeah when it's quiet for too long, something big usually happens," James mumbled. Kathryn then jumped to the sound of an ornament cracking, she looked up at James. He widened his eyes looking nervous, "sorry." He put the pieces of the ornament on the desk.

Kathryn sighed, "that's ok, with all the battles I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did."

"Can I use the replicator?" James meekly asked, fidgeting slightly in his chair.

"God no, not after last time," Kathryn snapped.

"All right whatever," James groaned. He reached out to grab the coffee she put down by the handle, she kept a firm grip on it.

"No, get off," she growled. "Stop cheating!"

"I'm cheating, what about you with your asbestos hands," James said.

"You dare pull and you'll be in the brig for a week," she muttered with her death glare on full.

"What, you mean like this?" James teased, he pulled the cup right out of her hands. It spilt a little on the desk.

"Two weeks," Kathryn growled, almost jumping to her feet. He started to down the coffee, pulling a face while doing so. "Three!" His feet went up onto the desk. "Four!"

"Ugh that was awful," he groaned when he finished. Kathryn slapped him on the leg.

"Get off, that's five."

"All right but who's going to enforce it?" James questioned. "Nobody really cares about coffee theft." He lowered his feet back to the ground.

The lights dimmed, the red alert lights and sirens turned themselves on.

In: "Bridge to Janeway, we uh have a situation."

"Another one?" Kathryn groaned.

In: "There's some uh.. I want to say aliens, on the bridge. They appeared out of this white thing."

"There are no ships or systems in the area," Kathryn said.

In: "They're asking for someone, a he.."

"That narrows it down," James said.

In: "Ok hey, you can't go in there.. oh yeah, I forgot you had that."

"Tom.. go in where?" Kathryn asked.

Right on cue the door opened. Five large demons holding compression rifles squeezed through the door, only just, damaging the frame. "Slayer," one hissed. "I thought I heard you."

James groaned, then he eyed the rifles each one cradled in their large arms. "You brought phaser rifles to attack me. I don't know who I'm more embarrassed for." He climbed out of his chair. "No wait, I do."

All the demons pointed their rifles at him. One smirked in his direction, "why do they always choose the soft looking ones who are about a foot tall."

"Dunno, it's almost like they want them to die," another sneered.

Kathryn growled, she went halfway around the desk. "Hey now, I'm not having this. If you don't leave.."

"What honey, we don't have any hair to pull," one demon said.

"You don't want to make her mad, she's crazy," James said.

"Thank you, I think," Kathryn muttered. "Now leave, I will not have you threaten him like that."

"Ookay, why don't you tell your old mummy to leave before she gets hurt," demon two said.

James had to bite his lip to stop from laughing out loud, "she's not my 'mummy'."

Kathryn's cheeks flushed bright red, her eyes were now wide and fiery. "I'm not old!"

"Whatever mum," demon two said. "Now Slayer hold still, this wont hurt a bit."

"He has a name you know!" Kathryn snapped.

"Well I don't know it or care for that matter," demon three said.

"You do realise that those things are never permanent. You shoot me and I come back, then you get killed," James said.

"Not really, we kill you then we destroy the body before any revival," demon one said.

"Oh.. all right then, go ahead," James said. Kathryn turned her head to stare at him. "I just wanted to spare you from some embarrassment, but ok."

"James don't you dare, you're better than this," Kathryn snapped at him. He glanced back at her with a confident look on his face, then looked back at the demons.

They fired their rifles, at the same time James quickly grabbed the computer on the desk to block the shots, then he threw it at them. Three of them charged forward to attack.

"Screw this," Kathryn grumbled. She marched forward to tap one of his attackers on the shoulder. It turned only to get her bony fist in his face, that took it by surprise, it pushed her into the wall. One of the still demons took that demons place, while the last one stood around messing with his rifle.

James pushed demon one away, it crashed into the coffee table. He ducked one punch, it hit demon two instead. It quickly recovered, and grabbed him by the arms. Demon three continuously punched him. Kathryn kneed her demon, then hit him with both hands clasped together.

Demon three was kicked away into the one with the rifle, James backed into the wall so demon two was crushed into it. It's grip loosened so he was able to get away, turned around to punch him.

Kathryn then noticed the demon with the rifle was aiming again at James while his back was turned. Her eyes widened, she ran to get in the way of the phaser fire, then collapsed to the ground. He turned around immediately, the demon tried to re-fire but the rifle got kicked out of it's hands. Ducking demon three's fire, he picked the dropped rifle and quickly changed the setting.

He fired the rifle at the two, turned to hit the last one in the face with it. Just in case he fired at the two who looked unconscious. Every demon disintegrated.

"Taylor to Sickbay," James said after tapping his commbadge.

In: "Kes here."