Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

"Good afternoon, Admiral," Neelix said as he entered the helm of Kathryn's shuttle. "I believe congratulations are in order. The Doctor tells me you've cracked Q's code."

"I have," Kathryn smiled. "Now all I have to do is apply it." She picked up a padd. "And that's what I'm doing."

"If you don't mind my asking," he asked as she returned to work, "how long will that take?"

"I'm almost done."

A sadness filled Neelix's eyes. "Then I guess you'll be leaving."

"First thing tomorrow."

"I thought so." He paused. "I don't suppose you'll be able to visit with Commander Chakotay and the others...when you've rescued them I mean...before going back to Earth?"

"I don't think so, Neelix. It would take too long. I need to get them back to Earth as soon as possible."

"That's what I thought."

"Strange," Kathryn said, analyzing data before her.

Neelix stepped closer. "What?"

"Aswell as various frequencies, Q's given me a number of lifesign signatures."

"Don't you already have all the signatures you need?"

"That's what's strange." She worked her console. "He must want me to transport these people along with Chakotay and the others, but why?"

"Could they be other people from Voyager?"

"There's no one else from Voyager missing."

"Could be worth checking, just incase Dr Loriska's missed a couple of CBRs."

"I don't think so. Besides, I don't have the crew's lifesigns in my database."

"Maybe they're CBRs then."

"Possibly. Perhaps they don't all have the same lifesign as the person they imitate. There's..." Her words trailed and her face paled at a sudden discovery.

"What is it, Admiral?"

"One is mine," she said quietly.

Neelix's eyes widened. "Then...?"

"Looks like I'm definitely a CBR."

"No," he argued. "It must be her. She's the CBR.You are too much like you."

"Thanks for the reassurance, but I'm betting she's the real McCoy."

"Well I'm not. You're as real as the real Captain Janeway ever was. Even the Doctor thinks so."

"And I thought Chakotay was real, Seven and Tuvok too. But it doesn't matter whether I'm real or not. What matters is getting Chakotay and the others out of there."

"How many of these other lifesigns has Q given you?"

"Excluding myself, five."

"Then they must be CBRs, Admiral. One for each of our five missing friends."

"Probably. Now, if you don't mind, Neelix, I've got a lot of work to do. I want to make sure I've got everything right before we leave."

"I don't mind at all," he said. "But I would mind if you left tomorrow without us having had a chance to say a proper goodbye. I'd like it very much if you would come and spend the evening with Dexa, the Doctor and me. Not only would we get the chance to say goodbye properly but there's something Dexa and I would like to tell you."

Kathryn imputed data into her padd. "I'd love to come. I was going to suggest an evening together myself."

Neelix beamed a smile. "Wonderful, Admiral! How about you come about 19:00 hours?"

"19:00 hours it is."

"Then I'll go and tell Dexa," he said, rubbing his hands together. "And I promise I won't disturb you for the rest of the afternoon."

"Much appreciated. See you later"

"Later," he said, already half way out of the door.

When he was gone, Kathryn lowered the padd in her hand and closed her eyes in despondent thought. She had tried not to think about the possibility of being a CBR, but now it seemed she could not ignore the possibility any longer. In fact, it seemed a likelihood, and that thought was devastating. In every way she felt like Kathryn Janeway, from the tiniest freckle to the most insignificant memory. The thought of being no more than a breathing, bleeding, hologram was terrible. At least the other CBRs had never had to know they were only imitations. They had just gone to sleep for a medical exam and never woken up. That deathly sleep was kind, but this living death was cruel. She would rather die in ignorance like them, than to die with the knowledge of being no more than an expiring shadow.

But it was perhaps too precipitous to condemn herself already. Even though it was unlikely, there was still a chance that this other Kathryn was the CBR. And if there was still a chance, it was still a possibility. And what was still a possibility, could still be believed. Until it was confirmed otherwise, she would go on believing that she was the real Kathryn Janeway, and she would get on with her mission.

"That was delicious," Kathryn said, licking her fingers after eating a luxurious coffee gateaux. "You've exceeded yourself this time, Neelix."

"Oh I didn't make it," he said. "Dexa did. She's a wonderful cook."

"So it would seem," Kathryn smiled. "That was the best coffee gateaux I've ever tasted."

"It's too bad you can't stay longer," Neelix continued. "She could give you lessons." He then bit his lip. "Not that I'm saying your cooking is awful, nothing like that, just that she could help you to improve...not that I think you need much improvement, that's not what I'm saying, I just..."

Kathryn held up her hand. "It's alright, Neelix, I get the picture. Dexa could give me tips."

"Exactly," Neelix smiled. "Tips, that's it."

"So," the Doctor injected, "what was this all important news you and Dexa wanted to tell us?"

"Something wonderful," Neelix answered. "I can hardly believe it." He got up from his seat and put his hand on Dexa's shoulder. "We're having a baby."

"Oh Neelix," Kathryn said, getting to her feet. "That is wonderful. Congratulations."

She embraced the happy Talaxian and then the mother-to-be.

"I'll say congratulations too," the Doctor smiled. "When is the little one expected?"

"In about five months," Neelix answered. "You're the first to know. We want to keep it quiet, just for the moment. But as you're leaving tomorrow, we wanted to tell you in person."

Kathryn poked Neelix's stomach. "Looks like you've been holding out on me."

"Only for a few days," he said. "And it's been so difficult, Admiral. I want to shout it out everywhere."

"I'm sure you do."

The Doctor spoke again. "If you're interested, I can do a test to find out the baby's gender."

"We already know," Dexa told him. "We're having a girl."

"Excellent," the Doctor teased. "A little you rather than a little Neelix."

Neelix turned to the Doctor, not appreciating the joke. "And what would be wrong with a little Neelix?"

"Nothing," the Doctor answered. "I was just joking."

"I hope so," Neelix replied. "It isn't right to say bad things about a little girl's father in her presence."

"I'm overjoyed for you both," Kathryn said. "This really is wonderful news."

"I keep pinching myself," Neelix replied. "To make sure I'm really awake. I thought I was hearing things when Dexa told me." He paused. "With your permission, Admiral, we'd like to call her Kathryn...Rinny for short."

"Oh Neelix," she answered. "You don't need my permission. I'd be delighted and extremely honored."

"Then Kathryn it is," he smiled. He then fell serious. "I only wish you could see her when she is born."

"I will," she said encouragingly. "You can send me pictures and I can see her when we have our regular talks."

"I know. But it's not the same."

"No," she admitted. "But maybe one day I'll be back here. You never know."

"I suppose it's possible," he said. "You Federation people advance so quickly."

Kathryn put her hand on his shoulder. "I want you to know how grateful I am to you and your people for putting the Doctor and me up over the past few weeks. We desperately needed a haven."

"The pleasure has been all ours," he said sincerely. "Besides, we all owe you."

"Not as much as I owe you for all the years of outstanding service on Voyager. You were the greatest morale officer any captain could have. You really made a difference in the lives of many lonely people."

"I just did what I could to help," he replied. "And I enjoyed every moment." He paused "I just hope you find Chakotay and the others. I really hope you do."

"So do I," Kathryn said, hoping with all her might. "So do I."

END OF CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE