Short Order

Title: Short Order
Author: Megan Faye
Rated: PG
Disclaimer: Usual



Kathryn opened her eyes and stretched. Her bed felt larger and more comfortable than usual. She sat up and ran her fingers through her hair. 'Odd,' she thought. 'I could have sworn my hair was shorter. Oh well. I guess its time to have it cut again.'

"Computer, time," she said. She cleared her throat.

"The time is 0600 hours." She tapped her comm badge.

"Janeway to-" Kathryn stopped mid sentence and cleared her throat again. "Too weird." Kathryn stood, noticing she was fairly shorter than the night before. She looked at her small child like hands. "Oh my God." She ran to the mirror, which confirmed she couldn't be any older than 12 years old. "Janeway to doctor."

*Doctor. Is something the matter with your voice, Captain?*

"There is something wrong with my whole damn body! I'm like, 10 years old, dammit!"




Chakotay, who had regressed to roughly 16, held 2 month old Icheb, and 3 month old Seven. Tom and Harry, who were between 4 and 5 years old, sat in one chair on a booster that had once been Naomi's. B'Elanna, only 2 years old, sat on the end of the table, pouting, with Neelix, probably 11 or so, stood behind her.

"Tuvok, lift me up to reach the controls." Tuvok rolled his eyes and lifted B'Elanna in his arms with her back against his chest and his arm around her mid section. "I think if we go back through the nebula, its might reverse the affects."

"If it doesn't, we would all be killed, B'Elanna," Tom said, pushing his shaggy hair out of his face. "Look at it this way. If we stay children, we could have the chance at doing it over the right way."

"And what if we make it home? I have a feeling my mother doesn't want another child to raise. Phoebe and I gave her enough grief for a lifetime."

"If we get home, Captain, I'm sure you'll make Admiral."

"If its soon, you'll be Admiral before you hit puberty." All in the room laughed.

"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of staying 2 years old when I don't have to. I miss being tall enough to reach the controls."

"Commander, replicate B'Elanna a step ladder that can be moved to where she needs it easily until we can come up with something more permanent." Chakotay nodded. "Get one for Harry as well, and a booster seat for Tom."

"Captain, it might be easier to put in retractable platform witn a small ladder at all stations. I could design something that we could pull out, with a safety rail. I could run some simulations on the holodeck. See how they hold up during battle." Kathryn thought about it.

"B'Elanna, you're a lot smaller and could get hurt much easier. I don't want to risk that."

"I'll help her, Captain," Neelix offered.

"Do it." Neelix and B'Elanna nodded. "I'm glad we all kept our heads. It would have been pretty interesting to see B'Elanna at 2 when she's missed her nap. OK, what does the rest of the crew look like?"

"Short."

"Tom, shut up."

"Aye, Captain. Naomi was unaffected. Tuvok was nearly 100, so he's OK to loose 20 years or so. Everyone else ranges from 2 or 3 months old to about 17 or 18 years old."

"Why was Naomi unaffected?"

"The doctor thinks its because she hadn't reached puberty yet."

"How old is Sam?"

"About 6. She and Naomi were playing with dolls. Naomi understands what's going on, but Sam wanted to stay with her."

"By all means, let her enjoy her daughter's company. B'Elanna, you and Neelix head to the holodeck and get to work. Tom, Harry, I'd like you to round everyone up into the mess hall in three shifts. Tuvok, I'd like you to stay on the bridge. Chakotay, rearrange the schedules to make four 6 hour shifts for the smaller of the crew. Transfer all controls to one station. I'll be in the ready room with Seven." Kathryn took Seven from Chakotay and left.





The taller of the crew became the engineering staff while the platforms were being installed. Anyone over 13 was working to get them installed as long as they could work. The crew who were between 7 and 12 took care of the crew younger than 2. More than half the crew was under the age of 10. Tom, Harry, Chakotay and Neelix chose to bunk together to reserve power and gave their larger quarters to crew members who had taken in the babies.

Kathryn bathed Seven and diapered the baby. She was no longer Borg in any way, but was still as calm as she was before the nebula regressed their ages. Her room mates, Marla Gilmore, who was 7, and the 1 year old Megan and Jenny Delaney, were returning from sickbay.

"Hi Captain!"

"Marla, I'm 10 and a half years old, we're not on duty, and I'm out of uniform. I think its safe to say you can call me Kathryn," she said, giving the infamous lopsided grin. She placed Seven in her bassinet and took Jenny from Marla's hip.

"Thanks. They're getting kind of heavy. I'll be glad when they can walk."

"What did the doctor say?"

"They're going to develop at a normal rate. In the next few months, they should be talking and potty trained." Kathryn nodded and sat to change Jenny's diaper. "When they start talking, they should be, mentally, Megan and Jenny Delaney. Until then, their just a set of 13 month old twins. Seven should develop the same way." Kathryn finished diapering Jenny.

"If you can get Seven her bottle, I'll take these two to the mess hall for dinner."

"Sounds like a plan to me. Bring me back something edible." Kathryn nodded, slid the diaper bag onto her shoulder, and took the two girls, one on each hip and left.

As she walked towards the mess hall, Chakotay, Tom and Harry caught up with her. Chakotay lifted Megan from Kathryn's arms and onto his shoulders. She giggled and grabbed onto his head.

"I knew Megan had a thing for you," Kathryn said, shifting Jenny so Chakotay could take the diaper bag as well. "Chakotay, as much as I love this, I'm never having children."

"Aw, Captain, is 145 children too much to handle?" Tom asked.

"Tom, you were too much to handle before the nebula," Harry said, giggling. "Captain, where is Seven?"

"Marla is feeding her in our quarters. Chakotay, we need to come up with something to transport these kids around. Marla can't carry both of the girls around. Neither can I. I've seen this problem with other groups."

"Recycle all of their old beds and uniforms and anything non-personal. Replicate something from the history logs. As I recall from classes, they had some very innovative ways to transport kids."

"In LA in 1996, I saw a woman pushing a cart-like thing with 3 little kids in it," Tom said. "I think it was called a stroller."

"Handy," Kathryn said, shifting Jenny again. "Chakotay, I was running a ship yesterday. Now I'm running a daycare," she said, looking at the mess hall. It was full of kids, and every table had at least 3 booster seats and one high chair. "A freaking daycare."




"Target their weapons and fire," Kathryn said over her shoulder. A moment later, there was an explosion on the enemy vessel. "Target engines, and shield generator and fire at will."

"Captain, the ship is disabled, and is hailing."

"On screen." An alien face appeared. "I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway of the USS Voyager. Your attack on my ship was unwarranted."

"Go away, little child. Tell your Daddy I wish to speak with him."

"Lt. Commander Tuvok," Kathryn said over her shoulder. "I am the Captain of this vessel." Tuvok stepped behind his Captain. "If you are wondering about my young age, then you can kiss my torpedo. End transmission and fire phasers." The screen went black.

"Captain," Tuvok said, warningly. "I believe your message was received."

"Tuvok, if it was received, then he wouldn't have questioned me. Look around, Tuvok. It was hard enough with a full adult crew. Now I have to get all of these children and babies home. When a member of the crew died before, I felt horrible because someone died, but at least they had a life. Now, even though they had a life, we're going to be burying 3 year olds, and 5 year olds. I want Voyager to have a reputation as a ship you do not pick a fight with." With that, Kathryn turned on a heel. "Chakotay, you have the bridge."

"Aye Captain." Kathryn went to the turbo lift and called out Deck 2. When the lift opened, 5 or 6 of the crew were standing out in the hall, eyes wide with fright, not one speaking or making a noise. All of them were younger than 4.

"Its all right, everyone. Its over, and everything is okay." A few nodded, but the rest still looked at her. They were just babies, memory of adults or not, they were still children who needed comfort and care. "Why don't we all go to my quarters for some hot chocolate?" she asked, with a lopsided grin. B'Elanna was sitting on the floor near the door to her quarters, knees curled to her chest, tears streaking down her face. "B'Elanna?" B'Elanna looked up at her and sniffled. Kathryn held her hands out and B'Elanna went to her, accepting the comfort. They sat there for a moment; 2 year old B'Elanna curled up on 10 year old Kathryn's lap. "Would you like some hot chocolate?" B'Elanna nodded.




2 months later

"Captain Janeway," Harry called, running as fast as his legs could carry him. "Captain, rumor is we've found a worm hole."

"Harry, we don't know if its stable yet, so keep quiet." Kathryn stopped and looked at him. "I made a promise to get this crew home, Harry. I'm not going to stop until I do. Come with me to Astrometrics. B'Elanna and Chakotay are working on it now." Harry nodded and followed his Captain. "Commander, report."

"Its definitely a worm hole, and it leads to right outside Earth's solar system. Its stable. Tom said he can navigate it. We can be home in half an hour." Four year old Harry jumped in the air and gave B'Elanna a high five.

"Well, then what are we waiting for, Chakotay! I want to see my Mom!"

"Kathryn, aren't you forgetting that you were 35 when you last saw her, and now your 10?" Kathryn shot him a dirty look followed by a lopsided grin. "Well, you'll be home in time for Christmas."

"I'll be home in time for dinner! Let's go baton down the hatches. Get all the babies to sick bay. I'll see you on the bridge. Harry, your with me."

"Aye Captain." B'Elanna scampered off towards engineering and Harry scurried along next to Kathryn.




"This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the USS Voyager," Kathryn said, trying to hold down the excitement of being in the Alpha Quadrant.

"They're responding."

"On screen." Captain Picard's face appeared on the main viewer. "Captain Picard! Its good to see you!" His brow furrowed, as if scrutinizing her. "We had a little mishap in a nebula. There was nothing we could do to reverse it."

"I understand. We had something similar happen a few years back with the transporter," he said, trying hard not to smile. "How many of your crew were affected?"

"All of us but Naomi Wildman. She was already 5 years old. Would you care to escort us back to Star Fleet?" Jean-luc nodded and laughed.

"Only if you beam over for dinner tonight. We can spare a few crew member to look after your crew."

"Oh that would be wonderful. Its been a hectic two months. I'd like to bring Annika with me."

"Annika?"

"She was a Borg drone we rescued. When we went through the nebula, she was regressed to 3 months old. I've been taking care of her since." Jean-luc nodded and awaited the arrival of his old friend.






Captain Kathryn Janeway stood before the Admirals awaiting the fate of her Maquis crew members. Owen Paris waited until the last admiral sat before he spoke.

"Captain Janeway, you understand that the charges against your crew members could mean life in prison, even death?"

"Yes, sir. I also understand that I could be charged with conspiracy against the Federation for defending them."

"And you still stand for them."

"Yes, sir." She stood proud. "I would stand for them if it meant my own death as I have every day for the last seven years, and as they have for my crew, and myself."

"We could hardly sentence a group of two and three year olds to death," Owen said, letting a smile appear. "That boy, Chakotay, still wears a tattoo. Is it Maquis?"

"No, sir. Its a tribal marking. His father wore it, and is father's father. His son will wear it as well."

"Then all charges are dropped. If they wish to remain in Starfleet, er, when they are tall enough to reach the controls, they can be reinstated. Dismissed." Kathryn was welcomed with cheering from all of her crew. Even Tuvok showed a hint of a smile. She lifted B'Elanna up and hugged her.

"Thank you, Captain," she said.

"Dad!" Tom called, running to his father. Owen lifted the boy up and held him. "Dad, I, uh, I'm sorry about everything."

"Its okay, Tom. I should be the one apologizing to you. I really missed you, Boy. They should be letting your mother in soon. There is going to be quite a crowd of very confused people."

"Dad, I have a favor to ask."

"Anything."

"My wife, B'Elanna, sort of, needs a place." Owen laughed and set Tom on his feet next to B'Elanna and Kathryn.

"You're right, Tommy-my-boy, she is an adorable little girl! B'Elanna, you're always welcome in our home. Since you are my daughter in law, you and Tom might as well live together. Look, here comes your mother. Act natural."

"Owen, who are all these children?"

"Hi Mom!" Tom said, holding B'Elanna's hand. "This is my wife, B'Elanna." Her eyes grew wide.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Paris," B'Elanna said as Kathryn wandered up with Seven securely in her arms.

"Hon, you remember Captain Kathryn Janeway," Owen said, introducing Kathryn to his wife again. Tom, Kathryn, B'Elanna and Owen all started laughing.

"Owen Paris, explain."

"We went through a nebula in the Delta Quadrant. It had some, uh, lasting effects," Kathryn said, with her usual lopsided grin.

"I should say so! I'm a 28 year old woman trapped in a 2 and a half year olds body. At least my husband is tall enough to reach the replicator. Dinner would have been really interesting."






"Neelix!" Samantha called, running through the croud. "Neelix?" She spotted him near the transport with Captain Janeway.

"Hello, Sam. What can I do for you?"

"Neelix, I talked it over with Naomi's father, and we'de be honored if you'd stay with us until you can find a place, or enter the academy, or until you decide to leave.

"Of course I'll stay with you, Samantha. Where is Naomi?"

"She's waiting the Greskredtreck at the transport. You'll love San Fansisco. Its just lovely. Tom lives out here, so we'll see him and B'Elanna a lot, and Harry won't be too far. It will be wonderful, Neelix." Neelix lifted her up onto his shoulders and headed towards the transport to see his new home.




"Harry?" a woman called. A set of strong hands lifted Harry up onto his shoulder to help the boy find the calling voice.

"Thanks, Chakotay." Harry looked for his mother. "Mom?"

"Do you see her?"

"Yes, she's over with my dad, over there," he pointed. Chakotay followed the boy's finger. "Mom!" he called as his mother lifted him off Chakotay's shoulder. "Thanks Commander!"

"Nothing to it. Where is Captain Janeway?"

"With her mother and Admiral Paris." Chakotay nodded and left Harry's parents to fuss over him.

Kathryn was being held by her mother on her lap. She looked somewhat embarrassed. Admiral Paris held Tom on one hip, and B'Elanna on the other. Another red head held Seven and Icheb. Chakotay smiled and walked over. Kathryn excused herself and ran towards Chakotay. She hugged him tightly. "Chakotay, we did it. We got them home."

"Those of them who have homes and families are very happy. What about B'Elanna and Seven and Icheb? They don't have families."

"Neither do you. Stay here." Kathryn spoke with her mother for a moment before Kathryn, Gretchen and Phoebe headed over in his direction.

"So, you are the reason my daughter was stuck in the Delta Quadrant for 7 years," Gretchen said, coldly.

"Mother," Kathryn warned. Gretchen maintained a stern face for another moment before hugging the boy.

"Thank you for bringing her home to me safely, Chakotay." She let him go and smiled. "I understand you haven't got anywhere to go. Well, you are welcome to stay with us in Indiana. Seven, and Icheb are going to live there." Kathryn smiled.

"Please, Chakotay. My mother won't let up until you agree, so you might as well say yes now and make it easy on yourself," Phoebe said, handing Seven to Kathryn.

"What about B'Elanna?"

"Admiral Paris is taking her in. You know Tom wouldn't have it any other way."

"I guess its settled. I'll go to Indiana until I get another assignment." Kathryn slid into his arms as the new family headed to the transport. "Kathryn," Chakotay asked.

"Yes?"

"I still love you."

"I know. I love you, too. Kiss me and shut up so we can go home!" Chakotay leaned down and brushed his lips with hers briefly and followed Phoebe and Gretchen to the transport.



The End.