Author's Note:
Not only do I have the voices in my own head to contend with, I now have all these others chasing mine around, vying for space. I apologise now if it gets confusing, and before I become a jabbering idiot.

Chapter 7

Kathryn wandered slowly around the room, idly picking up the occasional knick-knack or running a hand lovingly over the surface of a piece of furniture. Generally absorbing the familiarity of her childhood home that always brought a genuine smile to her face. A smile that reached, not only to wrap itself around her heart but, also shone openly from her eyes. The program of Bloomington was the single-most private thing she had on Voyager. She had only run it a few times in the six years they'd been in the Delta Quadrant and now she was going to put a stranger in it for Q knew how long. She refused to examine her choice of location too closely; in fact she point-blank refused to examine her choice at all. She quickly made her way back to sick bay.

A few minutes later, when she entered through the main door to sick bay, the first thing she noticed was that the doctor had removed Lauren's white coat. The blue blouse she wore stretched tightly across her ample bosom; the opening at the top revealed a tempting glimpse of creamy flesh beneath that rose and fell with her breathing. Is her skin as soft as it looks? She wondered. Woah! What the hell. Since when have I ogled breasts? And wanted to touch them? Kathryn thought face flushing hotly at the unbidden lustful thoughts that had raced through her at the sight of Lauren. She thought her hormones being in overdrive may have something to do with Q somehow, but seeing as he was being his usual unforthcoming-self, she'd have to wait to ask him about it.

Seeking out the doctor quickly, she cleared her throat loudly, not only to get the doctor's attention, when he didn't look up from his console when she entered his office, but to clear the fog of arousal from her brain.

"Is she ready to transport Doctor?"

"Yes, I suppose so." He replied, paying scant attention to the Captain.

"Good. I've commandeered Holodeck One. Only you and I have access. And you only in an extreme medical emergency, is that understood?" When she didn't get a response right away, she increased the strength of her tone. "Doctor?" and waited until he lifted his head to look at her.

Still only half paying attention to her he acknowledged her with a muttered, "Understood." then continued reading the report on his screen.

"Excellent. Now that we have that out of the way." She concluded. Not even the doctor's rudeness could distract her from her objective right now. She made her way quickly back to her 'guest' and initiated a site to site transport. Even though Voyager's energy resources were getting low, she felt the use of the transport justified, under the circumstances.

"Computer, site to site transport. Two to beam to Holodeck One. Authorisation, Janeway Omega six three one."

With pin-point precision she rematerialised standing next to her old bed in her childhood bedroom. Lauren appeared lying on the bed at the same time. The doctor had already removed her shoes at some point so all Kathryn did was pull the comforter up over her so she wouldn't get chilled. Taking one last lingering look at her, deliberately avoiding any intimate areas, she turned and left the room. She had some serious thinking to do before Lauren regained consciousness, so she better get started.

Reluctant to leave the holodeck, now she was there, she quickly informed Chakotay she would be unavailable for the rest of the shift and for the next few days.

"Is everything all right Captain? Nothing too serious I hope." Even with the distortion of the communications system, Kathryn could hear the concern in his voice.

"Yes Chakotay, everything is fine. The doctor suggested I take a break for a few days, nothing you need to worry about." She was quick to assure him. Well that's almost the truth. "I've utilised Holodeck One and it is off limits for the duration, in the meantime, the crew will just have to make do with Holodeck Two.

"Very well, Kathryn. Enjoy your rest. Chakotay out."

Satisfied she had covered her absence, she replicated herself a mug of coffee, and grabbed a throw rug from the living room on her way outside. She settled herself comfortably in a deck chair on the West side of the house; the best place to watch the sun set. She fully intended to enjoy her time here as much as the situation would allow. Several peaceful moments later, the only conclusion she'd reached, was that a log entry was required. Instead of entering an official Captain's Log; she decided there are some things Starfleet brass don't need to know; she made a personal recording instead.

Captain's personal log, Stardate 52991.89

Today has been... eventful to say the least. I had hoped to get through the day without incident. Being my birthday, I just wanted it to be over. Then Q decided to make an appearance and shake things up a little. It seems Q thinks it appropriate to give a person as a birthday gift. Yes that is what I meant, Q gave me a person for my birthday. A Dr Lauren Lewis from Earth. From 2013 no less, I can't believe he brought her here from 360 years ago. His actions are not only a personal affront to me but to everyone involved. His thoughtlessness has gone too far. I don't know why he feels he has the right to meddle in people's lives like this. He said Lauren was my soul mate. Then he had to gall to tell me he gave her to me to relieve my sexual frustration. Sexual is not the type of frustration I feel right now. If he would just stay still long enough...

I am at a loss as to what to do. I get a headache just thinking about this. Her reality is so fundamentally different to what she's been brought to. I'm afraid that even if I were to divulge the whole truth to her; ha! even if I told her the half of it; she wouldn't be able to fathom it. The doctor is the only one that knows of Q's involvement in all of this at the moment; and then I've only let him know because I may require his assistance if her health is affected by Q's actions.

The only other people who know of her existence on board are Tom Paris, crewman Jerry Platt and my old friend and trusted advisor Tuvok. I am reluctant to let anyone else know more than they already do, even Tuvok. The doctor's suggestion to put Lauren in a holodeck simulation of Earth was an excellent idea, so I have placed her in my childhood home in Bloomington, Indiana. I am currently waiting for her to awaken from the sedative the doctor administered earlier. I have no idea how long that will take, and in the meantime I have to decide what I'm going to tell her.

"Computer, end log."

Kathryn took another sip of hot coffee, relishing the warmth of the acerbic liquid as it travelled down her throat, soothing her frayed nerves. She coveted what little outer warmth she could by cradling the metal mug in her hands and holding it close to her chest. Taking a deep breath, she savoured the aroma. Of all the things from Earth, the single-most important one she would not have been able to endure the Delta Quadrant without, was coffee.

She pulled the soft woolen blanket closer around her shoulders, snuggling down in its warmth. She loved this time of year in her hometown. The air starting to chill in the evenings, requiring the use of an open fire if one was feeling decadent. The leaves on the trees just beginning to turn colour at the onset of Autumn. She loved the feeling of nature folding its arms around itself to keep itself warm until Spring. Even if it was just a holographic version. A small breeze rustled the leaves in the trees and in the distance she could hear the cicadas calling to each other.

As she sat there, and despite her internal struggle, the familiar surroundings and sounds of encroaching night were enough to lull her gently to sleep.