December, the 21st

"Janeway," Braxton nodded.

"You are supposed to be the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, how appropriate." Kathryn did not bother trying to suppress the slight sarcasm in her voice.

"I'm not here voluntarily," Braxton clarified. "Someone seems to have a strange sense of humor. And I can't approve that I am involved in this timeline-messing action because of you. So let's just get it over with."

Kathryn noted that the darkness around them had changed. She perceived contours, a window, furniture.

"Computer, lights," she ordered, and although the computer should not have been allowed to listen to her, the lights went on. They were in a prestigious apartment overlooking the San Francisco Bay.

Kathryn was shivering and it was not because the temperature in the apartment would have been low. In the 24th Century all apartments were perfectly climate-regulated. The apartment itself seemed to give off a coolness that went through and through. Kathryn walked through the room. The perfect order was almost eerie. Did anybody really live here? The furniture and various ornaments seemed so impersonal, like in a hotel. Not as if this apartment would be home to anybody.

Only two photos in one of the nearly empty shelves pointed out that someone lived in this sterile environment. One was a group photo showing the senior officers of Voyager, the other was of Edward Janeway.

"This is my apartment?" Kathryn said.

Braxton nodded.

Although Kathryn disliked this apartment so much, the implication of living in an apartment in San Francisco was instantly clear to her.

"I brought them home!"

Braxton nodded again.

"But not all is well?"

"Look around you, Janeway. You have a great apartment in the residential complex of the Admiralty, why shouldn't everything be well?" Braxton said sarcastically.

Kathryn decided not to respond to him.

"I guess it's Christmas again and there's something I should see. So let's just do it," she said firmly.

"If you want to," Braxton grumbled and the environment changed again. Kathryn found herself in Starfleet Headquarters once more. Only a few people gathered in the hall. Braxton led Kathryn to two admirals.

"Have you heard? Terrible," the first admiral said.

"Yes, what a loss. Did you know her?" the other one asked.

"We met a few times, but I cannot say I knew her personally."

"Who did? This woman seemed to consist of duty only."

"Some say she never really arrived in the Alpha Quadrant."

"Good point."

"It will be a real blow for her former crew. I have never seen a team that was so devoted to their captain."

"Me neither. It always comes back to the fact that this woman has done incredible things."

"Therefore, her loss is even worse for Starfleet."

"Especially when you consider that her sacrifice was pointless. If she had only waited half an hour, Captain Chakotay would have been there with reinforcements."

"They say she eventually ceased to trust others. Starting with the bureaucrats here at headquarters ..."

"... No blame in that ..."

"... Then to her own staff and, finally, she did not even trust her old associate from Voyager."

"That is something of a tragedy – the greatest heroine of Starfleet and such a meaningless end ..."

"You are so right – and especially at Christmas!"

"Tragic, tragic – but nevertheless I wish you a Merry Christmas. Give my regards to your wife."

"Thank you and Merry Christmas to you too and best wishes to the family."

Kathryn went deathly pale during the talk. Although no name was mentioned, she could not doubt about whose meaningless sacrifice the two had just spoken.

"It was me. They talked about me", she stated flatly.

"Whom else?" Braxton asked cynically. "After all, this little event is all about you! But let's not stand here meaninglessly. Keep going."