Chapter 5

Junior snapped his fingers and disappeared as the shockwave hit. Voyager hurtled sideways. Circuits blew out on all decks as hull integrity began to buckle and the shields strained against the force of the explosion outside. Janeway was thrown to the deck while the ship went into freefall, and Tom desperately tried to help Voyager ride the shockwave. After a few sickening tilts and rolls, they finally stabilized.

Oh, the Captain groaned inwardly, picking herself up again. "Is everyone alright?"

"Yes, ma'am," Tom breathed, surveying the bridge. "I think we made it."

"I don't know how it's possible, Captain, but we're over five thousand light-years from where we were," Harry reported incredulously.

She looked quickly around. "Where's Junior?"

"There is no sign of either Q or the alien entity, Captain," Tuvok monotoned. "They appear to have vanished."

"Or vaporized," Tom said uncertainly.

Janeway threw him a glare, but dread settled in her stomach at the words. Still, she maintained her calm captain's demeanor, pushed some stray hair out of her eyes, and sighed, "Let me know the moment they come back; I'll be in the ready room. Send the ship damage reports and new sensor scans there. Chakotay, you have the bridge."

She sensed Seven following her into the ready room and turned to face her protégé when the doors closed. "Captain," Seven began, "I wish to…apologize for my earlier behavior in Sickbay. It was…irrational."

"No, Seven. It was human. Your feelings were normal. I meant what I said about loving you as my daughter, and there's no need for you to feel guilty or embarrassed about loving me back," the Captain smiled. "I've watched you grow in your humanity, and you've come so far. I'm proud of you."

Seven still looked uncertain, but she replied softly, "Thank you. Your approval means a great deal to me." She held her Captain's eye warmly.

Janeway nodded appreciatively. "You'd better get some rest and then head down to Astrometrics,"

"I will go directly to my post, Captain. I do not need regeneration," Seven replied, and then, in her usual style, she didn't wait to be dismissed. Janeway shook her head lightly in amusement before turning back to her desk.

"Q!" She couldn't keep the flood of relief out of her voice as she took in the sight of both Qs in the room, safe and sound. "I thought…"

"Oh, ye of little faith," Q laughed. "You didn't really think I couldn't handle it, did you?"

"Well, from my perspective, it didn't look like it was going very well," the Captain answered while Junior nudged his father indignantly.

"Alright. The truth is that if Junior hadn't come just in time, Archon would have escaped again. As it is, he's safely locked up for the rest of his short, miserable existence. He won't bother anyone ever again," Q said. "I'm proud of you, son."

Junior smiled then. "Thanks, Dad. I'm really glad you're all okay, Aunt Kathy. I have to go do something, but I'll be back later."

"Go ahead," Janeway nodded.

"I'll join you in a minute, Junior," Q added.

Once she and Q were alone, she sat down on the sofa, and he joined her. "You know," she mused. "We're always asking other people to trust us, but I think we have to learn to rely on them a little more, too. Don't you think?"

"Hmm, yes," Q replied.

"What?"

"Oh, I was just thinking that we make a pretty good team, Kathy, the Continuum and Voyager. You, Junior, and I."

"Q…" she warned, knowing just where that road might lead.

"It was just a thought," he backtracked quickly. "You're the one talking about trust and reliance."

She sighed, "I'll think about that."

"Good," he said, and disappeared.

Left in the low-lit, empty room, she said, "Computer, start personal log entry, Captain Kathryn Janeway." She paused to hear the computer's acknowledgement, and continued, "We do need each other. If nothing else, that's what our journey has taught us. We're stronger together, and trust is the foundation we have built on. I'm so used to holding all the key decisions in my hands and burdens on my shoulders alone, but trust is one thing that doesn't seem to come easily to me. I've maintained a captain's distance from a loyal crew. I've always been the rescuer and refused to be rescued. But, I'm not infallible. I guess I need to learn to rely on them as much as I ask them to rely on me. – New paragraph."

At that moment, her communications badge chirped. "Neelix to Captain Janeway."

"Pause recording," she sighed. "Yes, Neelix."

"I've heard that we're five years closer to Earth. I think that sounds like a cause for celebration, don't you?"

The Captain laughed, "Neelix, I have no idea how news travels so fast on this ship, but I think it's a wonderful idea. Permission granted."

"Thank you, Captain! Neelix out."

"Resume recording." She recollected her thoughts, and then finished, "There's something else that Seven made me realize today. I'm the authority figure over my crew, as well as their guardian, but I'm also their friend." Janeway sighed, "No, more than that. Voyager is more than a starship; it's a home. We are not simply a crew; we are a family.We are a family who works hard together but encourages each other. We are a family who cries and comforts, laughs, learns, and loves. And…well, I think this is the best home I could have ever hoped for on our journey. – End log."

This turned out much longer than I expected and carried many smaller themes that I hadn't intended when I began, but hopefully, that was a nice resolution for the story. Thank you as always for reading!