Room With a Q Too - Thirty Seventh Chapter
The following day, Lady Q offered to take the Twins with her for the day, to give the Captain time for herself before she took command of Voyager again. Captain Janeway grasped the opportunity with both hands and decided to spend the day doing all those little tasks that you put off if you are very very busy woman.
The Captain waved to the Twins as they left with Lady Q and Junior.. As soon as they disappeared, she headed straight for the bathroom where there was a steaming hot bath waiting for her. She washed her hair and completed all those personal grooming tasks that women never have the time to do. After a couple of hours in the bath her back started to stiffen so she got out, wrapped her hair up in a towel and dressed herself in a bathrobe ready for the next stage of her plan. She was going to start reading a new book from one of her favourite authors, while sitting in a reclining chair on the balcony. Lady Q had thoughtfully left her a light breakfast ready to eat. When she went outside, the weather was glorious, the sun was radiant and the sky was that difficult shade of blue that always frustrated the great painters.
Due to the warmth of the sun the Captain was half asleep, when a loud voice interrupted her peace and quiet. She opened her eyes to see Colonel Q standing on the balcony, pointing a rather large antique gun at her.
"Well Madam, I hope you all enjoyed my humiliation yesterday ?"
Captain Janeway was wide awake now and realised that she was in danger. Colonel Q had not enjoyed the joke and hadn't taken her rejection well, which was a volatile mix of emotions!
She tried to appeal to his gallantry, "Well sir you have me at a disadvantage, will you allow me to get dressed please."
The Colonel wiped his brow, "Of course madam but I will be going with you, obviously I will turn my back as you put on your attire, I am a gentleman."
"You couldn't put down that ridiculous antique, could you - it's making me nervous?"
"I'm sorry Katherine but I must refuse your request. Don't let its appearance fool you, it is a Q weapon," he warned her..
Captain Janeway was exceptionally angry, the stupid old fool had ruined her perfect day and now she had to endure his tedious threats. She stormed into her bedroom to get dressed closely followed by the Colonel. She took off her bathrobe and put on a simple shift dress then sat down on the bed and folded her arms defiantly. The Colonel turned around to face her.
"What do you want and tell me concisely, I'm not in the mood for waffle!" Anybody who really knew her would recognise the warning signs that she had not had coffee yet.
"I would like the chance to get to know you better Kathryn, unfortunately every time I've tried to talk to you someone has stood in my way."
"You were a guest at my wedding sir, I can't believe that you've forgotten that I am married to Q."
Colonel Q started to look smug, "Q is dead, your marriage is null and void now, so you are a single parent now."
"I was informed that he will return once more."
"He might but you will have to marry again so I would like the chance to persuade you that I would make a better husband and father to your children than Q."
"Are you out of your mind - the Q may view marriage as a disposable arrangement but I was raised to respect the vows I made. When Q returns he will find his wife waiting for him."
"I'm sorry that I can't allow that to happen. You are the mother of two extraordinary Q and they must be raised in the Continuum where they will be looked after by people who understand them" declared Colonel Q.
Captain Janeway glared at him, "My children will be raised by their mother and father on Voyager, our home!"
"I am sorry Kathryn, I hoped to persuade you using logic and reason but you obviously need time to think sensibly about my offer."
The Captain was so angry that she could feel a pulse throbbing in her temple, "Are you threatening me because you better have something to back it up?"
Q waved his hand and moved Captain Janeway to the grim, dusty attic. He decided to let her cool off for a couple of hours then he would try to reason with her again.
Colonel Q didn't know the Captain at all if he thought she would use the time to cool off - she was smouldering ... and plotting. her revenge. That ridiculous man would regret trying to intimidate her. She searched all around the attic for something to use as a weapon, even a simple plank of wood could be utilised to knock him unconscious. She found a pile of dusty broken furniture which she was just about to smash when she heard a noise
Colonel Q announced his arrival with a discreet cough, The Captain stood up quickly unwilling to give him the advantage of looking down on her.
"Are you able to have a reasonable discussion now Kathryn because we are wasting time."
After he spoke, Captain Janeway realised that he needed to achieve his objective before Lady Q returned - he was scared of her! She could use that fear to her advantage.
"Lady Q won't be happy to hear what has transpired today."
"I'm not worried about Q because we are going to come to an honourable agreement. Even she must recognise the advantages of our union especially as a strong father figure for the Twins."
The Twins are very protective of me, the Hirogen found out the hard way when they were downsized and hung on their own trophy wall."
Colonel Q started to look more unsure of himself but it didn't last long.
"Children adapt quickly, when they see how happy you are they will forget about their father and I will gain their trust gradually."
Captain Janeway was stunned, Colonel Q was delusional, he actually believed that they were all going to play happy families. His desire to control the Twins was affecting his judgement.
"Have you discussed your plans with the other Q?"
"Why would I do that, the Q have stagnated for so long that they're not capable of original thought. They will be much happier when I become leader of the Continuum, with the Twins' help of course."
The Captain hadn't been aware of how serious his delusions had become. In order to prevent him harming anyone else she had to keep him occupied and make her move before Lady Q returned with Junior and the Twins.
"I think we got off on the wrong foot, why don't you join me on the balcony and I can make us some tea." offered Captain Janeway.
If Colonel Q had interacted with humans more often, he might have been more suspicious about her sudden change of mind, Q waved his hand and moved them to the balcony. He made sure the tea was there on the table ready to drink in delicate china cups, he didn't want to let the Captain out of his sight.
Colonel Q started the conversation, "I was in awe of your courage madam when you came to my tent during our last regrettable conflict and tried to negotiate a peaceful solution to the war."
"You were so awestruck that you were going to execute me for spying, if I remember correctly," replied Captain Janeway sarcastically
Colonel Q pretended to be mortified, "A regrettable mistake on my part, Kathryn, Q was the leader of the Opposition forces so I had to be ruthless when you admitted collaborating with the enemy."
"Q was willing to negotiate a peaceful truce and you wouldn't listen. It seems to me that all the Qs claims of superiority over other races are undeserved," argued Captain Janeway.
"We have evolved to a higher dimension, some species even believe that we are Gods because of the powers we command." he proclaimed pompously
The Captain laughed, "Don't be ridiculous, you call yourselves 'Guardians of the Universe' but you behave like spoilt children. You sit in your Ivory Towers in the Continuum and pass judgement on other species, You aren't qualified to judge anybody as you don't enjoy or enrich your own lives."
Colonel Q was stunned that this puny bipedal female had the nerve to criticise the Q, He started to see why Q spent so much time with humans and especially this remarkable female. Recently he had come to the conclusion that the Continuum needed new blood and her offspring were perfect additions.
"Will you have dinner with me, let me have the chance to persuade you to stay in the Continuum."
"Okay, but you must abide by my decision and I will not abandon Q until he tells me that our relationship is over." said Captain Janeway emphatically.
The Colonel followed the Captain down to the kitchen where Lady Q had thoughtfully provided a replicator. He sat down at a table watching the Captain closely as she replicated some food for dinner. Her last request was a bottle of Californian white wine.
"What did Q do to earn the your loyalty?"
Captain Janeway stopped what she was doing to think about her reply.
"He didn't do anything, my affection for him has grown due to our shared experiences and becoming parents."
"I would dearly love to share everything with you Katherine!"
"Why don't you put your weapon down, it would be easier to believe your sentiments if you weren't holding me hostage."
"I know you're trained in unarmed combat, I think I'll keep the gun ready, thank you."
Captain Janeway smiled, "You can't blame a girl for trying."
The Colonel saw an opportunity to make his move. He stood up and pushed Captain Janeway hard against the wall, she struggled to push him away but he was too strong.
Colonel Q was becoming frustrated, "I would like to kiss you Katherine, if you stop struggling, you might enjoy the experience."
"Never, take your hands off me you loathsome reptile."
He pulled back his arm and struck her around the face. She looked him straight in the eye with blood trickling down her chin.
"You are a coward and I will kill you with my bare hands if you lay another finger on me."
"You heard her Q, take your hands off my wife now!" drawled a familiar voice.
Colonel Q moved away from Captain Janeway hurriedly and turned around to face an extremely dangerous Q.