Considerations

Considerations

They hit the ground and she let out a groan. Why had Q dragged her into this mess? He just couldn't leave well enough alone. It seemed absurd that he would want to mate with her. It wasn't that a part of her wasn't flattered but really, could a child really save the Continuum? She looked down at his Union uniform to see he had sustained a large wound on his shoulder.

"Q, you're bleeding." He touched his hand to his shoulder and pulled it away. It was covered in blood. He looked as shocked as she did. His body shook a little at the sudden loss of blood and Kathryn tore at the petticoat under her dress.

"Hold still." She helped him to sit up and tied the cloth around his shoulder. It wouldn't hold for long but it would have to do. They didn't have any other medical resources available right now.

"Stay here." She could be so commanding, even in a dress.

"Where are you going?"

"You're injured. Someone's got to make sure we don't get killed."

"Don't' be ridiculous, Kathy. Those aren't weapons like you've seen before. They're Q created weapons. Look at what it did to me. Just imagine what it could do to you." She looked from the window to his shoulder and back again. He had a point. But she couldn't just sit there and do nothing. She had to find a way to get them out of there, back to Voyager.

"You have to take us back to Voyager. Maybe the Doctor can treat your wound."

"I'm afraid they won't be too keen to let us leave."

"You 're going to get us out of here." He couldn't help but smile a little at her. He had chosen her for a reason. And it wasn't just because he believed she possessed the human qualities that would temper the Q Continuum. Just then a loud explosion sounded very close to the house. It was too close for Kathryn's comfort. She'd backed away from the window just in time to avoid more glass shattering. Q struggled to his feet and pulled her behind the couch.

"You can't just stand in the line of fire."

"What are we going to do, Q? We can't just sit here forever. You've got to do something."

"I don't know what else to do. I've tried fighting back. You've seen how well that worked."

"Have you tried talking to them? Calling a truce? Waving the white flag?"

"And let them think we're surrendering to their antiquated, dry ideals? Don't be absurd." Janeway rested her head against the back of the couch. This was getting them nowhere. But she shouldn't be all that surprised. It was Q she was dealing with.

"There is one option…"

"What?"

"Well…I've already told you about it."

"Q…" Her voice had an edge to it that warned him she would toss him out the window if he pushed her too far.

"It wouldn't be so bad…really. Think about it. He'd be adorable."

"Let's just say I hypothetically agreed to this idea." His eyes lit up.

"Hypothetically," she reiterated. "What makes you so sure it'd be a boy?"

"I'm omniscient, Kathy. I know these things."

"Of course. And what's to keep you from disappearing after the baby is born?"

"Are we still speaking hypothetically?"

"Yes." Her tone was firm.

"Well…I'm sure he'd benefit from your motherly touch."

"You couldn't just be an absent parent, Q. If you put the time and effort in creating a life, you better be there to take care of it." Another series of shots sounded outside and a few bullets, or what appeared to be bullets, whizzed over their heads.

"I promise. If you say yes, I'll be there every minute of every day." She let out a groan. What had she just gotten herself into. She took a deep breath and noticed that his shoulder was continuing to bleed.

"You need to get help."

"I told you I don't think they'd let me leave."

"I'll make you a deal."

"I'm listening."

"You get us back to Voyager right now and I'll consider your offer."

"Oh Kathy, I knew you'd come through for me in the end." He leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek. He snapped his fingers and they reappeared on Voyager's bridge. It looked to be in a sad state of affairs. Most of the primary systems were down.

'Let's get you to Sickbay." He looked exhausted from getting them there and she led him to the nearest turbolift. She would deal with Voyager after she was certain Q would be alright.