Disclaimer
This is the FV version of the original episode Scorpion, but it also follows an alternate crew to the one you've been reading about for the last three seasons.. more or less. The only differences between these lot and the ones you're used to is a few events in the last season (and a few in the second) either didn't happen, or happened differently, that's all. They're the same characters, just things are a tad different as you'll see. The crew you're used to will go through Scorpion near the end of the following episode Aggressions, which is the first FV episode published to the internet (World Domination or Timeline are technically the first ever written, Resolutions first part Marooned was the first attempted at back in 2000). You'll find the style of writing in Aggressions to be a little different to this episode's style, but that's to be expected when you go back six years ^_^

Episode Synopsis
In an alternate reality Voyager reaches Borg Space just in time to get involved in a war between the Borg and a new species.

Special Guest Stars
Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine
Desmond Harrington as Damien

Guest Stars
Jake Wood
Adam/Maddie Blaustein

Written By
Marill

Written
8th - 15th July 2005
18th, 25th - 28th November 2005
1st - 6th December 2005
September - 4th December 2006

Episode Based In
January 2373 (late season 3 / early season 4)

It was a normal day on the Voyager bridge, well as normal as it ever got onboard ship. Tom stood pestering Harry at opps, unaware that he was wearing a headphone in one ear while he worked. Kathryn nursed a coffee cup in her lap looking not so pregnant when you'd think she would be. Tuvok had his eyebrow raised while working, silently judging everyone. Chakotay seemed to be silently preying to his animal guide that Kathryn was only on her fifth cup cup, not fifteenth. Danny was in a daze at the Science Station, most probably thinking up a dirty joke.

"Sooo, what do you say Harry?" Tom questioned, smiling broadly.

"No," Harry replied.

Tom's smile turned into a grin, "hell yeah, I knew it." Harry didn't respond, he kept on working. Tom patted the station he leaned against, "he's just gave up his Holodeck time, yes he did."

Tuvok's eyebrow raised even higher, so did his judging level.

"Captain, the light's flashing again!" Lee suddenly blurted out, startling a few of the bridge staff.

Kathryn groaned, luckily she wasn't one of them or she would of had coffee all down her uniform. She stared at the unfortunate teenager that had replaced Jessie at the Engineering station. "I told you we should of found a better replacement for her."

"I thought it didn't matter," Chakotay shrugged his shoulders. He leaned back in his chair, one hand reaching to his console. "All she ever seemed to do was play games most of the time."

Kathryn narrowed her eyes while staring at the screen, "is that Hearts?"

Chakotay blinked a few times then shifted his eyes in her direction. "Yes, what's your point?"

"Oh god, it's still blinking.." Lee stuttered.

Kathryn closed her eyes, it didn't work as well as she thought it would. Chakotay smiled, showing off his dimples. "How long is Jessie's maternity leave anyway?"

"I may be wrong but I think it's six months," Kathryn replied.

"That's a long holiday," Chakotay sighed, getting back to his game.

"Believe me, after one month she'll want to be back here," Kathryn muttered.

In: "Engineering to the Bridge."

Kathryn sighed, "what is it B'Elanna?"

In: "We have a situation Captain, a big one.. you should see this."

Kathryn and Chakotay glanced at each other, both curious and a little worried.

Engineering:
Kathryn and Chakotay walked through the main doors, both of them immediately noticed the tension in everyone who was there. They picked up speed to join B'Elanna by one of the side stations.

"Captain one of our probes stopped transmitting," she said. "However I was able to playback the last few seconds of the transmission." She leaned over the station, entering in commands to the monitor. "Take a look at this." Chakotay and Kathryn hovered around her.

On the screen a Borg Cube flies directly toward the screen until it's taking up the entire shot. They see a brief transporter beam, then the creepy lifeless interior of the Borg ship. Static covers the screen only for a second, the next the command crew see is a Borg Drone looking directly at them, about to use it's mechanical tool arm on the probe. Static appears again, but this time it doesn't wear off.

Kathryn slowly turned her head toward Chakotay, his shoulders slumped as he watched her with concern planted on his face. He spoke in a raspy tone, "this is it Captain, Borg Space."

Ian stopped behind them, folding his arms and shaking his head in disgust. "I know, can you believe it? We saw an abandoned damaged Borg Ship, ex drones and such.. everyone seems surprised by this for some reason like it never happened. Unity wasn't that bad."

Kathryn, Chakotay and B'Elanna slowly turned their heads to look at him, all with annoyed expressions on their faces.

"Yes I know, it was never covered by an episode," Ian commented. He shrugged his shoulders casually, "well look on the bright side, at least the Borg have had decorators on their ships, and a makeover themselves. Though I don't care for the sweaty, green lights look."

Kathryn raised her eyebrow while glanced toward Chakotay, "this is the last episode with him in for a while, right?" Chakotay nodded in response.

Ian looked on nervously, "I was just trying to lighten the mood."

"Chakotay, change the status of that Senior Staff meeting later this morning," Kathryn ordered.

"Yes ma'am," Chakotay nodded.

"Ok just so I know, am I still in that?" Ian questioned.

Kathryn shuddered, "I need ten cups of coffee." She marched off.

"I tell you what, Ian. If you can come up with something you're senior of that's actually true, then you can come to the meeting," Chakotay replied, he quickly followed the Captain.

Ian looked at B'Elanna, she rolled her eyes and walked away. "Hmm something I'm senior of.." he muttered to himself.

Jessie/James' Quarters:
The bedroom was still dark, except for the dim red light above the window which stupidly only lights up parts of the bed. Jessie lay under the covers on her left side, again she was pregnant but now heavily in her eighth or ninth month. Her head rested on James' left arm like it was a pillow. He lay behind her so to speak, with his right arm wrapped around her waist. That hand rested on the baby bump, while her right hand held it.

James opened his eyes, cringing slightly at that annoying red light. Jessie woke up a little while later, she turned her head slightly to look up at him. "How long this time?"

"Only a few seconds," James replied. He kissed her on the cheek a few times, then worked his way down to her neck then shoulder.

"Hmm are you on maternity leave yourself yet or do I have to kidnap you?" she sighed.

"When you're on punishment duty you don't get maternity leave. No you don't anyway, I'll gladly skive some more," James replied. He backtracked with his kisses. She rolled onto her back, wrapped her left arm around his shoulders, then placed her hand across his cheek. "You know better than that, don't stop there." He smiled and leaned in to kiss her.

They pulled away but only a little. "So when can you sneak away?" she asked.

"After the Conference, and then that meeting with Tuvok. I'm free after that," he replied.

Jessie pouted her lips, "that sounds like a long wait."

"Yeah I know. If I don't turn up they'll notice," James said.

"Is this the one you're going to tell everyone in?" Jessie questioned.

James sighed, "I dunno, why don't we both do it."

"If I did at least we wouldn't have to say anything," Jessie said.

"Not really. Come to the meeting early with me and.." James muttered.

"Ooh no no no," Jessie muttered, sitting up slowly.

"What?" James innocently moaned. He sat up as well. "You'll be half underneath or behind the table."

"I can't. I won't be able to face them," Jessie said. "Maybe when they know I could."

"What am I suppose to do exactly? Blurt it out half way through?" James questioned.

"No. I suggest making a speech about how great I think you are, to fill in for me. Then tell them quickly, and move onto a speech about us," Jessie replied.

"It would work if I didn't have to talk about me, what about you?" James said.

"What would you say and I'll think about it," Jessie sighed.

"Nah, I'll be here all day," James muttered.

"Explain to me how that's a bad thing," Jessie said, frowning in confusion.

"Hmm, drawing a blank," James said. He edged closer to the side of the bed, Jessie grabbed his arm quickly. "Jess I have to get up, or I'll be late."

"No don't, missing one meeting isn't the end of the universe," she said.

"Sorry Jess but we've put this off for too long," James said. He climbed the rest of the way out of bed. She watched him change into his uniform.

"So how do you think they'll react?"

"There's been rumours for a while, so I doubt they'll be surprised," James replied.

"What else has there been? I hope the ones who thought I was fat, ugly and desperate have converted. Some might think I had a boob job."

James shook his head, "who would be thinking that you're ugly, that's just crazy. The first one well, the last time people other than me and Kes saw you was three months ago. Oh and boob job?"

"Don't tell me you of all people haven't noticed," Jessie raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"No of course not," James said, his eyes shifting nervously.

"I wonder why they did that," Jessie commented as she turned onto her side again.

"I have no clue what you mean," James muttered. He walked over to kiss her on the head. "I better go, can't be late."

"Hurry back," she sighed.

The Conference Room:
Only Kathryn, Chakotay and James occupied the meeting area. They all stood nearby the window, Chakotay's attention was focused on the padd in his hands.

"Yeah today, is that a problem?" James questioned.

Kathryn sighed uncomfortably, "it really is. This is an important meeting, it's up to you if you feel like it's worth mentioning afterwards."

"Just give me some cue and try not to cringe," James said.

"It wont be that bad," Kathryn muttered.

The rest of the Senior Staff arrived in the room, they all sat down around the table.

"Now as you know we've reached Borg Space. Their space is vast, it would take years go around it and there's no doubt that it increases every day. It's also filled with thousands of vessels, all Borg. Going around isn't an option, but there maybe a way through it," Kathryn said. She turned her head to Chakotay, he got out of his chair then walked over to the side panel.

Everyone turned their chairs around to look at him. He brought up a small star chart of the area, what looked like a passageway went straight through it. "Borg activity is heavy all around their space, except for this corridor going through it. We've nicknamed it the Northwest Passage."

"Surely there's got to be a reason why they're not using it," Danny commented warily.

Chakotay sighed, "the passage is filled with gravitational waters, quantum singularities, and other subspace potholes. It could be a rough ride but.."

"It's better to ride the rapids than face the hive," Tom finished off his sentence.

"Does this passage go through all of Borg space or just a part of it?" James questioned.

"It goes through enough of it to ensure mostly safe passage," Kathryn replied with a smile. "I believe it's do-able."

Ian looked uncomfortable, "we just have to get there first."

"It shouldn't be a problem, the Borg wont go out of their way to assimilate a lone vessel. If we posed a threat however it's a different story," Chakotay said as he sat back down.

"Harry how is it coming on the sensors?" Kathryn asked.

"I've got them remodulated to detect transwarp frequencies. If any Borg are nearby, we'll know about it in advance," Harry replied.

"I've already gotten somewhere with the dead Borg drone Mr Paris and Lieutenant Torres found on their away mission four months ago. I know more about how assimilation works, and I may be able to find a defence," the Doctor said.

Chakotay nodded, "get on it, it's a top priority. Neelix, how's our food supplies?"

"I have an excellent plan for preserving the current stock," Neelix replied.

"What, making your food even more disgusting or have pictures of you naked next to the kitchen," James said.

Neelix pouted, "my food is not disgusting and what?"

"That would put anyone off, even Sid will think twice," Tom sniggered.

"Make sure you let me review your plan sometime," Chakotay said, trying to keep a straight face. "B'Elanna what about the engines and fuel?"

"My Engineering staff are working around the clock to keep the engines working 100%, our fuel should last a while. We shouldn't have to stop for a long time," B'Elanna replied.

"Tuvok, get your teams trained up for possible Borg attacks. We need all phasers to be set to a rotating modulation," Chakotay ordered.

Tuvok nodded, "yes sir."

"Does that include me too?" James asked.

Chakotay glanced at Kathryn, "I don't know, I don't think so.. Drones have been rumoured to be strong but you might be ok."

"We could always set the doc onto them then, can't assimilate him," Tom commented with a smirk. The Doctor raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah lets hand them twenty ninth century technology," James said.

Tom looked confused, "um no, we wont do that. We can get crewmembers to lure them to the holodeck or something, we wont need the doc, just program lots of holo weapons, big muscley armed guys and safeties off."

"What kind of dumb idea is that?" Ian muttered, shaking his head.

Kathryn shook her head, "people, can we be serious for a moment here." Everyone glanced back toward her. "There's one more thing, the Borg has one of our probes so they know we're here."

"Great, just great," Danny stuttered.

"We'll do what we can to avoid a confrontation, but if we do I have every confidence in our ability to succeed," Kathryn said, looking all around the table. "I have faith in each and every one of you.."

"Naked indeed," Neelix muttered.

"Well almost every one," Kathryn sighed.

"Even Tom?" Chakotay questioned.

"Yes as long as he's doing his job," Kathryn groaned.

Tom smiled, "it's nice to hear at least once in a while."

Kathryn shook her head, "before I dismiss you, does anyone have anything to add or announcements?" Most of the staff looked at her in confusion, this was certainly suspicious and new to them. James shifted in his seat uncomfortably.

Tom raised a hand into the air, "yeah I need a pee." B'Elanna slapped his arm.

Neelix copied off him, "I'd like to tell everyone I'm serving tuna casserole."

Everyone pulled a face, except from Danny who looked intrigued. "Sounds nice."

"Lets hope the Borg don't assimilate Neelix, can you imagine the carnage?" Harry commented.

"Um I'm having my hair dyed pink," Ian said.

Kathryn shook her head, "a serious announcement!"

"But I am making tuna casserole, with minted rice," Neelix moaned.

"God that's as bad as processed fish steaks served with a sickly white sauce and chicken rice," Tom said.

Neelix pouted his lips, "but Faye gave me the recipe."

"I bet she was laughing at the time," Harry muttered.

Kathryn glanced at James, "last chance people."

"Ok ok," James said as he stood up. "I have one."

Tom sniggered, "don't say you're gay, we're all expecting that one."

James narrowed his eyes in his direction, "mine's not a joke."

"We'll see," Tom said.

"Ok um," James said. "You're probably wondering why Jessie hasn't been around for a while and uh.. She's, rather we.." He cleared his throat, "we're having a baby." Mostly everybody stared at him in shock. Tom started sniggering, then burst out into loud laughter. Everyone decided to ignore him.

"Oh wow, really?" Danny almost squealed. She jumped up to hug him tightly, "that's great, congrats!"

"You're serious?" Harry stuttered. "Great news but why has she been hiding, how far along is she?"

James waited until Danny had pulled away before answering. "She's two weeks.. to go."

Danny stared at him with wide eyes, everyone who didn't know excluding Tom did the same.

"What! Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Danny questioned, clearly insulted and upset by this news.

"It's a long story," James uncomfortably replied, pulling a nervous face.

"Oh my god," Tom laughed. "You're serious?"

"Yeah what's so funny?" James muttered.

Tom tried to stop laughing but he couldn't. "I really don't know," he continued laughing.

James rolled his eyes, "now you guys know why we didn't tell sooner."

"Hmm yeah," B'Elanna said, glaring at her laughing boyfriend. "Congratulations."

"Sooo are you together are what, I heard a lot of rumours but they're usually wrong. Hence the surprise," Harry questioned. "Did you get together before or after the baby if you are?"

"Um long before," James replied.

Kathryn sighed, "yes well we'd better get to work now. So dismissed." Everyone but Tom cleared out.

"Took your sweet time," Ian whispered to James.

Danny overheard this with those sensitive to gossip ears of hers, she gasped in shock. "Ian, you knew about this?"

"Uh," Ian quickly tapped his commbadge. "Yes I'm on my way." He dashed into the turbolift.

Danny moved her stare to James. Before she got a chance to bombard him with a hundred questions, Tuvok stepped in between them. "Mr Taylor, we'll have to have our meeting elsewhere as Mr Paris appears to be having some kind of fit in the Conference Room."

"Great, my office," James quickly said, he headed for the other turbolift. Tuvok raised an eyebrow and followed him.

Danny growled to herself.

Meanwhile, Deck Twelve:
Foster, Sid and Thompson were busy showing a new guy to the team, the ropes. Well Thompson and Foster were trying to, Sid just stood there looking disappointed.

"This is where we usually stand or sit around to play Poker, Go Fish and other card games," Thompson was saying, pointing at one of the rooms. "We do that in the Cargo Bays usually, it depends which is closest at the time."

"Yeah yeah, when are we getting to the ropes?" Damien asked.

Sid's eyes lit up, "I was thinking the same thing."

Foster and Thompson looked at each other with the same worried expressions on their faces. "Can't we just once get a team-mate that isn't homicidal?"

"Obviously not," Foster said.

"Showing you the ropes is a term, it means showing you around the new job," Thompson said.

Damien groaned, "ugh devil, that's boring."

"Devil?" Foster said.

Damien shrugged, "something new I'm trying instead of god.. Meh I have something better."

"What ever happened to your stalker?" Sid asked with interest.

"He was stolen," Damien replied.

"Why would anyone want him?" Foster asked.

"Exactly, I have no idea. The only reason he stuck around until now was that we were in the prequels," Damien replied. "I know, lame huh?"

"Oh my god, if we're not in the prequels or the main series, where are we?" Thompson whimpered, looking around nervously.

"Oh me," Damien grumbled, walking off.

Foster raised an eyebrow as he followed, "is that your replacement word for god?"

"Yeah, you like it?" Damien replied.

"It could use work," Foster said.

Thompson and Sid ran to catch up with the others, then slowed down as they caught up. "Now around here there's the off limits Jeffries Tube. It leads to Thirteen," Thompson said.

"Is it passworded?" Damien asked with an evil grin on his face.

"I dunno, we haven't tried.." Foster replied nervously.

Sid sighed, "yes it is."

"Crap, that was going to be my hideout lair," Damien muttered. The others stared blankly at him. "What? Of course I'm lying, I would never tell you where my lair is."

"Um yeah," Thompson muttered.

Foster frowned as he stared at the Jeffries Tube door they were standing nearby. He saw it move open only a tiny bit. "Guys, that door's open."

"Ooh!" Sid exclaimed happily, he was about to run to it but Damien shoved him roughly on to the floor so he could instead. "Oh wow, thank you!"

"Whatever," he grunted. He tried to pull the doors the rest of the way open, failing miserably as the gap wasn't big enough to get even his little finger in. "Damn it."

Foster pulled out a tricorder, "there seems to be a malfunction in the Security system."

"No kidding, but nothing can get through there," Thompson said. His face turned pale, "but a vamp could probably open that up."

"Why, are they monstrously thin?" Damien grumbled.

"They could put something in there to pull it open," Thompson said.

"There's more to the system than a sealed door you know," Foster muttered. "There's forcefields around the entire deck, and just in case of a power failure the direct doors to it have been permanently sealed and reinforced."

"Soo.." Damien said in a bored voice.

"Sooo," Foster mocked him. "The forcefields are working properly, it's just this door that's broken."

"Oh come on guys, the vampires left when James humiliated that lead guy.. they all beamed off," Sid said. "I had a look myself, it was such a disappointing day."

"True but we've had those rift things, so you never know," Thompson said.

"Oh don't tease me like that," Sid pouted.

Damien glanced between the three with an amused expression on his face. "Why would all of them beam off just cos the leader was owned? They probably set off a ship to make it look like it, and just beamed back to Thirteen. As for pain lover, he probably just caught them on their nap time."

"No I went several times," Sid commented.

"That's some bad luck. Think about it, they have a nice little snack box here.. why leave?" Damien questioned. "If they did leave, there's no stopping them from coming back. You didn't detect them before, so why should now be any different?"

"Oh yeah, they've got hundreds of worlds to choose from, well obviously more than that.. Thousands of ships, they're probably eating them. Now can we go?" Thompson grunted. He walked away.

"Hang on," Foster said, stopping him. "I'm detecting something behind the door, I think it's a body."

"Bye!" Thompson stuttered, running out of sight.

"Body?" Sid questioned.

"Well there's no life signs, but I can detect what's left. It's either a vamp or plain dead corpse," Foster replied. "None of us have clearance, we'll have to tell Tuvok."

"Oh please," Damien groaned. He knelt down to have a peep through the hole. "Hello, blood for sale. Huh.. whatever I'm seeing is very still."

"Yep I'm telling Tuvok," Foster said. He tapped his commbadge.

Engineering:
Most of the Engineering staff rushed from station to station, all looking very anxious. B'Elanna worked at the station in front of the warp core, while Tom stood next to her. His face was red from all the laughing, he still had a smirk on his face. Harry worked at one of the main stations nearby the core with Ian.

"I wonder who won the baby pool," Tom mumbled.

B'Elanna rolled her eyes, slouching her tense shoulders. "What?"

"You know the baby pool. There were bets on which two people would have a baby first, Sam doesn't count as her hubby isn't a crewmember and she was pregnant before we got lost. Recently somebody started a poll to see who was pregnant as somebody saw her, but didn't know who she was," Tom replied. "I wonder who won."

"I'm guessing you didn't bet on James and Jessie then," Harry commented.

"Hell no, I always thought it would be Jessie and m.." Tom said, B'Elanna glared at him, making him nervous. "Mervin."

Ian narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "there's nobody called Mervin."

"No but there's somebody called Tom Paris who wont be getting anything from his girlfriend later," B'Elanna muttered.

Tom pouted, "but we haven't slept together anyway, what am I missing out on?" Everyone that heard cringed, shaking their heads. B'Elanna gave him a well deserved slap. "Ow.. it was long before I noticed you."

"How sweet," B'Elanna muttered sarcastically.

"I don't see what the big deal is. There's barely any couples on board, and lets face it those two are the most obvious couples there are," Harry said.

"What about Janeway and Chakotay?" Tom sniggered.

Ian shuddered, so did Harry. "Are they even together?" Harry asked.

"Oh yes, ask James.. he witnessed something horrible," Ian replied. "Though I did witness the neck rub."

"Neck rub? Oh please, how many times have I used that one," Tom said. B'Elanna glared at him again. "Wait, what did James see?"

"Lets just say that he was catatonic for a while," Ian smirked.

Everyone else stared at him with wide eyes. "You'd think he'd be put off sex all together after seeing that, how is there a baby?" Tom questioned. He gasped, "maybe it isn't his."

Ian groaned, "no he just walked in on them sleeping, in bed together.. trust me if he saw that, he'd probably would of killed himself. I know I would."

"Even with the possibility of sleeping with Jessie in the future, yeah right," Tom commented. B'Elanna swung her elbow at his face, this knocked him unconscious. Everyone sighed in relief.

"He'll calm down," she sighed.

"You have to face it B'Elanna, he's still obsessed with Jess," Harry said. "And Kes, he wants them to say yes.."

B'Elanna stared at him with cold eyes, while Ian smirked to himself. "Don't quit your day job Harry."

"He's right though B'Elanna. I was apart of the Jessie obsession too, and it took a while to get over her," Ian said.

B'Elanna raised an eyebrow, "no offense to Jessie, but what's so special about her?"

Harry shrugged, "it's probably the 'hard to get appeal', you know the chase being challenging. Some guys like that apparently."

"No she's just hot," Ian said. He looked around nervously, "but Danny's hotter."

"She's not here Ian," Harry said. "I bet Jess' not so hot right now."

"Is that pregnant-girl-ism?" Ian questioned. "Or do you not like 'fat' women?"

"Forget it. I was just trying to help, but you had to go and make yourself look worse by saying the reason was cos she was hot," Harry muttered.

"Oh right," Ian blushed. "Sorry B'Elanna, you're nice too."

B'Elanna rolled her eyes, "nice? It's ok anyway Harry, you're probably right."

Tom pulled himself up, holding his head. "Ow I landed right on my nose." Everyone groaned. "By the way, Harry and Ian are both right." He stood next to B'Elanna, "but unlike Ian, I got the hard to get crap out of my system. Not the hotness though, cos have you seen her?"

"Not going to work," B'Elanna muttered.

"Damn," Tom clicked his fingers.

"So if it's the hard to get thing, how come James is so obsessed with Jessie? And how come Ian settled for easy Danny?" B'Elanna asked.

"She's not easy," Ian grumbled. "She's just rude."

"It's obvious, Ian is a quitter and James isn't a chaser, he likes women who appeal to the ego he hides," Tom said. "Though Danny is tougher to get than you think."

B'Elanna raised an eyebrow, "oh you and James have something in common, Tom. Too bad you didn't get what you wanted."

Tom pulled a slight face, "not exactly what I mean, but close. Being with a gorgeous, smart and strong woman really raises a guy's ego. It makes him 'da man'." He put his arm around B'Elanna, she looked at it in disgust.

"I'm not suggesting that you are 'da man', but shouldn't there only be one?" Ian questioned.

"Obviously I won," Tom smiled.

B'Elanna sighed, "who are we kidding with this Borg preparation. They'll take one look at us and run away.. the only thing we'll contribute to the collective is craziness."

"I hope so, I like my hair," Ian commented.

Harry nodded his head in agreement. "How could you have won Tom? You should know the only way you can get 'da man' throne is if you don't let the girl make you her b**ch."

"I know, that's why I won. Come on, Jessie'd tell him to jump off a cliff, you know he would," Tom said.

"Tom, get me a muffin," B'Elanna said.

Tom smiled sweetly at her, "yes dear." He ran off.

"Wow, he's Da Man," Harry smirked.

"There's no such thing these days," B'Elanna sighed.

James/Jessie's Quarters:
Jessie was sitting on the sofa with a bowl of cereal sitting on the bump, she looked a little pleased with herself as she balanced it. The door chimed. She held the bowl while looking up with fear in her eyes. After putting the bowl down on the table, she got to her feet. "Who is it?"

"It's me!" Danny called through the door.

"Oh.. oh," Jessie stuttered. She ran into her bedroom. The door remained open as she stuck her head through it. "Come in." Her head quickly went back out of sight, the door closed.

Danny stepped inside, she had a quick look around the empty room. "Oh come on Jess, I know now. You can come out."

"No, you'll stare and insult," Jessie's voice said through the door.

"I wont insult, I promise," Danny said.

"All right," Jessie's voice sighed. The door opened again, she slowly stepped out fearing the worst. Danny's eyes went extremely wide.

"Oh my.. You're huge. I thought James was lying about the nine-ish months, and is it twins?"

"What, no!" Jessie pouted angrily. "There's just one and it's two weeks to go for your information."

"But that's not right," Danny muttered as she walked over, her eyes narrowing. "You can't be nearly nine months."

"Oh I am, you can ask Kes, not the doc as he wont know for sure," Jessie said. "Tom will have told everyone now I suppose."

Danny gasped, pointing her finger at her. "You lied to me!"

"I did?" Jessie frowned. "When did I say I wasn't pregnant?"

"No no, you said you and James didn't get, you know, psychical until H'Taria. That was six months ago," Danny replied.

"Oh, yes then I guess I did lie," Jessie mumbled.

"So how long then?" Danny asked.

"Ten, just over ten months.. but to be fair we're not animals, and I haven't been in the mood for a month or two now," Jessie replied meekly.

"Why lie to me?" Danny asked.

"Um cos you always make dirty jokes, and always want details," Jessie replied. "I only told you about H'Taria because we were getting more serious, and it would seem less believable to you."

"You're right, you and him were getting closer.." Danny said. She sighed, "so then months ago, lets see that was New Earth."

"Yeah that's why Ian, Lisa and the others know," Jessie said. "Plus Kes too. Janeway told Tuvok, someone told Neelix."

"Ok so how serious is this then? Is it too soon to be thinking about a wedding?" Danny asked, smiling in her usual nosey way.

Jessie rolled her eyes, smirking slightly. She sat back down on the sofa. "You know James, he'd never ask anyway."

"What if he did ask?" Danny questioned.

"I don't know, I'd be surprised but.." Jessie mumbled.

"No no, how would you answer?" Danny asked.

"Truthfully?" Jessie said. She smiled, "I'd say yes, I wouldn't have to think about it."

Danny grinned as she down next to her friend, "really? Whatever happened to 'I wont marry someone unless I know I love them'? Sounds to me like someone's in loove."

"Well somebody is," Jessie said.

Danny's face turned serious for once. "Oh? When did this happen?"

"A long time ago Dan, I've only just recently realised," Jessie replied. "I've spent a lot of time alone here, it gives you time to think."

"Wow," Danny muttered. "Lets hope he does, I've got to see you in a wedding dress, only then my life will be complete."

"Dream on Danny," Jessie muttered.

Sickbay:
"This is absolutely, it's absolutely a really bad word I don't think exists," the Doctor ranted on to himself. Kes stood nearby looking nervous. They were both working on a dead Borg drone. "Hiding somebody's pregnancy for over eight months is unthinkable."

"She requested confidentiality, and I could handle it," Kes said.

"How did you do it?" the Doctor stuttered.

"With great difficulty," Kes replied. "Luckily there was no complications."

The Doctor shook his head, "just get her here sometime today. I want to see if she's all right for myself."

Kes shook her head, "do you not trust me? She's in good health."

"I do but I still want to see her," the Doctor grumbled. "We've had enough deaths the last two weeks as it is." He walked into his office leaving Kes bewildered.

"Charming," she muttered.

In: "Transporter Room Two to Sickbay, prepare for incoming patient."

The Doctor sighed, he headed toward one of the empty biobeds. "Very well."

A body dematerialised on the one closest to them. He was very pale, parts of his clothes were stained by blood, and his neck had a red bite mark on it. "Well I don't need to scan to know that this man's been dead too long."

Kes sighed, "great, another vampire victim. How do we know if he's been sired or not?"

The Doctor looked around the medical tray, he took out a hypospray. He injected the body with it. He burst into flames before their eyes, seconds later all that was left was a singed biobed and the forcefield around it that put out the fire.

"That's how," the Doctor replied.

Kes frowned, glancing briefly at the tiny label on the hypospray, "holy water? You actually listened to my suggestion."

"You never suggested it, it was my idea," the Doctor said. He walked back over to the dead Borg. Kes closed her eyes, shaking her head in annoyance.

The Security Office:
For once Tuvok was there instead of James. He was busy talking to Foster and the rest of his team.

"Yes sir we've uncovered an error in the protection system, but it still couldn't of allowed a crewman to have passed through it," Foster said.

"This is the fourth body this week, fifth this month. All of them have been found in the sealed off area, all sired by a vampire. We have three people missing," Tuvok said.

"It's not possible sir. I scanned, none of the doors, walls have been smashed through. The forcefields are working too. The only way a vampire could of gotten through is.." Foster said.

Damien interrupted him, just by muttering to himself, "one maybe trapped in between Decks Twelve and Thirteen." Everyone stared at him, he didn't notice.

"We scanned Deck Twelve, I would of detected the body mass like I did with the recent victim. There wouldn't be much room for him or her too," Foster said.

Damien looked up at everyone, "what, I'm sorry I'm busy not caring."

Tuvok raised an eyebrow, "let me see your tricorder readings, Crewman." Foster handed him the tricorder.

"Great first the Borg, now vampires.." Thompson muttered.

"Actually it was vamps first," Foster corrected him.

"True. At least the Borg wont be able to assimilate us if we're vampires or just plain dead," Thompson said. "Right?"

"Interesting," Tuvok said to the tricorder. "The error with the Jeffries Tube hatch may be the source of the problem."

"How do you mean sir?" Foster questioned.

Damien smirked to himself, "oh me, you guys are so stupid." Everyone looked at him again. "The door being open like that will disrupt the power flowing to the rest of the Security systems. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the anti-vampire systems will be independent power, just in case. Of course a genius did."

"Oh god," Thompson groaned.

"Yes?" Damien responded.

"Stop that, you're not god," Thompson said.

"Hang on, how would the door being open disrupt the power. It's not like it's a wire connection or something," Foster questioned.

"The door being constantly fully open or closed means it isn't doing anything, no power.. but a tiny, incy bit of power is being generated to try and close it," Damien shook his head in disgust. "Honestly, how does the ship run without me?"

"A tiny incy bit of power wouldn't effect the forcefields that much, and you're forgetting the reinforced doors, and the no damage," Thompson said.

Tuvok stepped forward to stand amongst the team. "It's disrupted the forcefield energy, we can't detect as it is so small. A vampire would be able to pass through it at rare times. As for the damage, there's the possibility that there has been damage, and the interference Deck Thirteen gives off is disrupting our scans. A vampire would escape, grab somebody, then go back in without being detected."

"How though? We know for sure there's no openings to Deck Twelve," Foster said.

"That I do not know," Tuvok said. "I'd better inform the Captain of this matter."

"Yeah lets send her down there," Damien said.

Tuvok's eyebrow went higher, "continue your patrols." He stepped out.

End of Part I

Part II

The Ready Room:
Kathryn finished a cup of coffee with a smile on her face. The door chimed, "yes?"

James walked through the door. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes I did, please sit down," Kathryn said, reaching out to refill the cup she had just finished.

James sat down opposite her, eyeing the cup with a worried look on his face. "Ok, what's up?"

"Well a few things actually. First things first, now that the baby news is now everywhere, will Jessie be leaving her quarters?" Kathryn asked. She put down the flask, the cup again cradled against her chest.

"She said she would, I just was going to see her before you called," James replied.

"Good, I don't think it's good for her to stay there mostly alone," Kathryn sighed. "Secondly, you know I helped take care of you when you were young. If you need any advice, or anything, don't hesitate to ask."

"Uh ok," James muttered.

"Actually when it's a little less chaotic around here, we can have a talk sometime," Kathryn said, sipping at her coffee.

"This has got to be the most forced conversation ever," James said, getting a little uncomfortable.

Kathryn ignored this, "I understand that you have hung up the knives and crossbows. I noticed some weapons were recycled, the holodeck isn't used as much anymore."

"Ok you're keeping tabs on me, what's your point?" James questioned.

Kathryn folded her arms across the desk, "what is said here doesn't leave this room. Do you understand? That includes Jessie."

"But that's a.." James said.

Kathryn interrupted him quickly, "there have been a few deaths on Deck Twelve lately. Each one were sired, and we have crewmembers missing. Tuvok, the Doctor and I were keeping this quiet, I suppose Kes is in on it too. We didn't want anyone to panic. Tuvok managed to get a secure system online, but vampires are still managing to get through.. limited access to Deck Twelve, but it's not enough."

"You've never tried to hide something like this before," James said.

"Yes well, news travels fast on this ship. You giving up your Slaying made a lot of the crew nervous," Kathryn said.

James rolled his eyes, "they really should make up their minds. Besides I haven't fully. Tuvok told me about the system he was designing just in case the vamps returned, so really I wasn't needed in that way. I'll help in an emergency where I'm needed, it was just so I wouldn't jump into every bad situation like I used to. I've hurt Jess enough with that habit, and I have a child coming in two weeks."

"I know, I'd consider this an emergency," Kathryn sighed.

"I never said it wasn't," James said. "Everyone always gets it wrong that's all. I never really gave up Slaying, I just quit Security and well.. you saw how long that lasted. It was two months ago anyway, Voyager's gossipers are getting slow."

Kathryn smiled nervously, "well you did say you would probably beat somebody who taunted you."

"Yeah but I told you about this, and you still put me back in Security," James grumbled.

"A punishment's meant to be bad, remember?" Kathryn sighed. "Anyway I only mentioned the nervous natives and such now because of the obvious vampiric activity we're getting. There was no need to bother you with it before now. Believe me I don't want you thoughtlessly getting yourself into danger like the master incident, the rift and the demon attack either. I do admire that you're thinking more maturely."

"But you want me to sort this out?" James said.

"Yes but I'm asking, not ordering. A few vampires will probably be child's play to you," Kathryn said.

"Depends, if Frenit's one I don't fancy jumping in without a plan. But I don't like the idea of leaving him be much longer either," James muttered.

"If you do go remember you have the choice, please be careful. I don't want any injuries or worse on my conscience," Kathryn said.

"I'll be careful, don't worry," James said.

Kathryn smiled but still looked very worried, "I didn't like asking this one bit."

"It's ok really. Once they're gone I shouldn't have to worry about it again, at least for a while," James said.

"Lets hope not," Kathryn said.

Sickbay:
The Doctor lifted the severed arm of the dead Borg drone who was now in pieces. Two needles stuck out just above the fingers. "You see these? Everything about the Borg begins with these little guys."

Kes watched him as he looked a little too much like he was enjoying himself, giving this report. "Little?"

"Yes," the Doctor smiled. "They inject the host with nano technology that goes directly into the blood stream." He showed her by pointing at the monitor on the station. "Each nanoprobe attaches onto a blood cell, and changes it.."

Kes looked a little uneasy as the Doctor went into more detail. She eyed what was left of the drone on the biobed with distaste.

"There's no way you can really stop this process once it's begun, but we can work on an antibody to slow it down," the Doctor muttered, turning to the station. He began working at it while Kes stood, staring at the biobed. Her eyes widened.

The Doctor noticed her as she hadn't responded to anything he said for a while. He rushed to her side, touching her arm. "Kes? Are you all right?"

She finally snapped out of her daze, now shaking a little she turned her head a little to the Doctor. "I saw the Borg.. there were bodies. Dozens of them dead."

The Bridge:
Kathryn sat down in her chair while Tuvok stood nearby, he was busy giving a report to her and Chakotay. Tom, Harry and Danny remained in their usual places, listening in on it. James stood at the console behind the chairs.

"For the past two hours she has had visions of dead Borg, and foresaw the destruction of Voyager," Tuvok finished.

"A premonition?" Chakotay questioned.

"Perhaps," Tuvok nodded. "Kes' mental abili.."

Danny groaned, "yes we know Tuvok."

"We're not far from the North West Passage, I see no reason to alter our plans.." Kathryn said.

"Says you," Danny commented.

"Tuvok keep an eye on her and.." Kathryn said.

Harry interrupted her this time, "Captain there's a Borg ship heading towards us, they just dropped out of transwarp." Everyone grew even more tense than before.

Tom's station complained to him, "the subspace turbulence is making it impossible for us to remain at warp, we're stuck."

"Red Alert," Chakotay commanded. The lights dimmed, the red lights began flashing and the siren began going on and off.

"Somehow I doubt that'll help with the nerves," Tom commented.

"I'm detecting two now," Harry stuttered, turning a lot paler than usual. "No three, four.. no five.. Oh crap."

"What?" James snapped, tightening his grip on the banister around the console. Kathryn slapped one of the hands as she heard the metal creaking under the strain.

"Should we step up to Brown Alert?" Danny squeaked.

Harry cringed, "fifteen Borg vessels. They're closing fast."

"It was nice knowing some of you, but horrible knowing the rest," Danny said. She fiddled with some of her hair strands, "I'll miss you hair."

"Shields to full, standby all weapons," Kathryn ordered.

"Stand by all air fresheners," Danny commented. Everyone stared blankly at her. "Remember, it's Brown Alert."

"They're in visual range," Tuvok said, even he managed to look tense.

Chakotay tried to swallow the lump in his throat before speaking. He failed to do so and his voice sounded a little croaky, "on screen."

The viewscreen changed to show the Borg armada flying straight toward them. One unknown crewmember collapsed, clutching his chest. James looked back at him with a raised eyebrow, "oh yes, have a heart attack, that'll save your life."

"We're still going to need air fresheners," Danny said. "Should I bother calling Sickbay as we're all going to be drones or dead in the next second?"

"For god's sake yes," James replied. He and another crewman looked freaked out as the dead unknown had died with his eyes seemingly staring at one of them.

Meanwhile:
Jessie lay on the sofa, totally oblivious to what was going on. She closed her eyes, then the ship began shaking a little. "What the.." Jessie sat up to look out the window, she jumped a mile as a Borg ship blocked the window for a few seconds as it went passed. The shaking increased as the ship was tossed side to side by the force of the cubes flying so close by them. As she didn't really have anything to hold on to, or any warning, she fell to the ground.

The Bridge:
Everyone here were having the same problem, several people were tossed to the floor. The rest clung onto their stations, chairs or the banister.

The shaking died down as the last cube slowed down in front of them. The viewscreen had changed view to show it, it fired a green beam at them. The light went through the bridge like a moving forcefield, nothing happened as it passed through everybody but it did give a lot of them a cold shudder. The ship finished what it was doing then took off.

"Ok," Danny muttered. "That was weird. Oh yeah, dead guy." She pressed in a few commands, the collapsed crewmember was beamed away.

"Uh huh," Harry said, collapsing into his seat. Nobody noticed him suddenly disappear from sight as his chair had rolled away from it's usual spot during the shaking.

"They seemed to be in a bit of a hurry. Maybe they smelt Neelix's cooking," James said.

"Finally a use for it," Tom added on.

"They scanned us before they left," Tuvok said.

"All right they scanned Neelix's cooking," James muttered. He turned to go into the nearest turbolift.

"Whatever they're up to, we must be irrelevant in comparison. Tom continue on," Kathryn ordered.

"Yes ma'am," Tom said.

"Keep tabs on them Harry," Kathryn ordered. She turned just in time as Harry had stood back up, looking a bit dazed. "I'll be in my Ready Room." She headed back to the Ready Room.

"Yes Captain," Harry mumbled, holding his head.

James/Jessie's Quarters:
Jessie still lay on the floor, struggling to pull herself back onto the sofa. Every attempt she made ended in her falling back onto her back. The doors opened just as she made one last attempt. "Ugh damn it!" James rushed over to her side, he lifted her to her feet, she immediately sat back down on the sofa.

"What happened?"

"The ship was bloody shaking, and I think I saw a Borg Cube fly by," Jessie replied, looking annoyed at herself. "How come they didn't attack us?"

"I don't know. They were obviously going to somewhere more important than us," James replied.

"Great, they can ignore us all they want. I don't fancy being a Borg, and have you heard what they do to babies?" Jessie muttered.

"Yeah, I didn't skive those lessons," James said. "I wouldn't worry, they had loads of Starfleet ships to pick on at Wolf 359, they assimilated Picard.. so we're probably old news to them."

Jessie sighed, "yeah I guess. So how long can you stay?"

"Not long, I have to take care of a Security matter," James replied.

Jessie's face dropped, "oh, will you be back afterwards?"

"I'll try, I promise," James replied. He gave her a kiss on the forehead before heading for the nearest bedroom.

Deck Thirteen:
James made his way down a dark corridor. Only the dim constantly on red alert light lit the way. He turned the corner, immediately tripping over a motionless body lying on the ground. He quickly regained his footing, and continued on. A dark figure turned the corner, only moments after him.

"I didn't hear a knock," a familiar voice sneered.

James sighed as he turned around. "Ok, lets just get this over with."

Frenit smiled deviously as he pulled two long sharp knives out from behind his back. "If you insist."

He lunged forward, skillfully and quickly swinging the knives around like they were mini swords. James could only dodge, he couldn't get a move in. He threw himself to the ground, and managed to get a kick in. It hit Frenit in the leg, making him stumble and drop one of the knives. He quickly regained his footing as James got back up. He attempted to punch him, but Frenit blocked it by grabbing the hand. Like he was nothing he pushed him to the ground.

A few vampires gathered around behind Frenit to watch. He laughed as he stepped closer to James, he pulled himself back up using the wall. Frenit lunged forward to grab him, he swung him around to throw him into the opposite wall. James smashed straight through it. This amused all the other vampires who were acting like Frenit's fanboys and girls.

"Ugh," Frenit grunted, looking disgusted as he noticed them.

James surprised him by coming through the new hole in the wall earlier than he expected. It didn't matter as all of his attempts to hit him, either were blocked or didn't hurt him at all. Frenit let him do this for a while, just sneering at him.

"Come on James, is that the best that you've got," Frenit laughed. "Maybe you need some Chosen blood in you." He finally had enough, and began to fight back. One punch knocked James back a little, Frenit swung the knife directly at his face. He stumbled even further backwards, one hand covered his eye.

"Oh yeah, soo cool," one vampire girl giggled. The others did the same.

Frenit laughed as he saw blood coming through the gaps in between his fingers, and around the edges of the hand covering his eye. He shakily lowered it, he could see Frenit and the other vampires laughing mockingly only through the right eye.

"Aaaw, if you had a mummy she could kiss that boo boo better for you," Frenit sniggered.

James stepped backwards for a while, then turned around quickly to run. All he could hear was the vampires laughing even louder than before as he went to the empty turbolift hatch. After several tries he managed to key in a long code on the panel, the forcefield directly above the door disappeared.

The computer spoke, "twenty seconds remaining."

He climbed onto the ladder on the left side of the door. He then climbed up to the next deck, the forcefield reappeared right after him. The door was already open like he'd left it like that, he pulled himself through the door onto the ground. He lay there for a while as the room seemed to spin around him, when it slowed down he tried to pull himself back up to his feet. He only managed a few steps before passing out.

The Ready Room:
Kathryn and Chakotay sat at her desk discussing the situation, but for some reason they looked amused.

"I did not," she laughed behind her hand.

"Yes you did. It was uncanny, it reminds me of Harry's impression of you," Chakotay sniggered.

Kathryn's face turned serious, "Harry did what? I'll kill him."

Chakotay still smirked at her, "he even put on a wig."

"I see," Kathryn said, smiling again. She leaned back in her chair, "I just remembered the time Jessie did that stupid impression of me."

"Yeah, and she and James implied we were a couple. Somehow they knew what would happen," Chakotay said. "What happened to those two?"

Kathryn frowned, "how do you mean?"

"Suddenly they're the serious characters," Chakotay replied. "James quit Security to avoid being the main focus of episodes, so to speak.. and Jessie got pregnant, and all loved up."

"Serious? Just yesterday I found my regular message cups had been replaced with ones with different messages on," Kathryn said. "I know what you're implying, and you're wrong. James hasn't matured one bit, as I know he did it. He's been playing pranks on me since I put him back on Security."

Chakotay laughed, "well nothing's happened since the mutiny program going wrong. He's probably been stuck in there doing nothing."

Kathryn shook her head, reaching out for her cup of coffee. It said 'drink coffee, repeat as needed' on the side of it. "As for Jessie, well she'll be back to normal once she has the baby.. she's been slowly losing it for months. She's not loved up, she's just hormonal. Before she locked herself up the crew were gossiping and everything. I bet being stuck in her quarters all day is lonely and very dull."

"Lets hope she does have that baby," Chakotay sighed.

Kathryn nodded, "Ian was right, we should of seen this coming. We knew the Borg originated in the Delta Quadrant, yet it never occurred to us that we'd encounter them." She climbed to her feet, then slowly made her way over to the window, watching the stars go by. Chakotay got up to follow her.

"I guess we've been distracted with more supernatural incidents," he mumbled. The pair stood directly opposite each other, very close together as well.

"I don't know what to do Chakotay. Do we go back and find somewhere to settle, or risk everyone's lives by continuing through Borg space?" Kathryn sighed. "It hasn't truly hit me once during our entire Delta Quadrant outing, how alone I really am."

"You're not alone Kathryn. When the moment comes we'll face it together," Chakotay softly said. "I'll always be by your side."

Kathryn smiled, not even coffee could make her feel as good as she did now. Well not the amount she had already that day. She stared up into his brown eyes.

Sickbay:
The Doctor picked up a regenerator from the medical tray, "you're lucky it didn't go in too deep. Creating a new human eye so it matches the other takes time and care."

Jessie turned to glare at him, "this isn't funny. Will he be able to see ok?"

Her grip on James' hand tightened as she turned back, he was lying on the biobed next to her. His left eye remained closed, with a long deep scar right across it starting from the eyebrow. It ended right at the top of the eyelid, continued half a few millimeters underneath the eye, and end