He lengthened his stride to the max, speed walking was too obvious, and running would cause a scene. Those he passed were few and far between, thankfully. For the first time in all his memories of Voyager he wasn't being stopped with smiles or to chat over the daily work aboard the starship. He passed another corridor before they finally spotted him, the voice he respected above all others called out to him,

"Icheb!"

Icheb's legs froze for a moment and then they pushed forward. He sent a silent prayer of gratitude that his legs weren't being hindered by cybernetics. For most of his life he was forced to move at a glacial pace, now he was able to break loose and run. In the defence of the borg he'd never had these emotions coursing through his body. Hormones filled his body, his mind fogged over, and he let his thoughts fall away.

The light swishing sound that followed as his bedroom doors closed weren't as satisfying as he would've liked. He had few memories he cared for from his past but he really wished he could slam his bedroom door right now. Seven's face came into view just as the doors closed and he typed in the lock, ensuring his peace.

"Icheb!" Seven began pounding on his door. "Icheb, open this door, now!"

Icheb walked slowly away from the door only for one foot to catch on the other. His rear hit hard against the floor and as he scooted himself up against his bed his emotions caught up with him. Tears began to fall down his cheeks, his heart throbbed painfully as he tried to stifle his sobs. He would not make a sound. He would not let his mother hear him.

He wiped at his nose and listened as her fists began pounding quieter and quieter. Soon enough silence filled his room, only his sniffling nose to keep his focus. He watched the ground, everything looked like a gray blur with these cursed tears. He heard a dull thud against his door and he held his breath, sure that she would be able to hear his pitiful nose.

"Icheb, please, let us talk about what happened."

Seven's voice sounded heavy, raspy even.

Icheb looked toward the sliding door and waited, she wouldn't stay out there forever. She couldn't, she had a job to do and her work always came first. Maybe work wasn't as important to her as he once believed. Clearly she was fine spending time with the Commander.

Icheb felt his jaw clench and his brain felt fuzzy with pounding hormones again. He pushed against his skull, willing the emotions to stop. Tears continued in an ever growing puddle on his carpeted floors. He wished he were borg. If he were borg he wouldn't be crying, if he were borg he wouldn't feel so many awful emotions clouding his brain. If he were borg, his mother wouldn't be leaving him.

He slammed his fist against his bed. Seven was not his mother, he needed to remember that from now on. He glared into the empty space around him and repeated this new mantra.

"Seven is not my mother" Over and over again, maybe the tears would bleed him dry of all sentiment.

"Itchy?" Icheb startled and looked up to find a red and black blur standing out against the gray.

"Q-ball? What? Why?" He rubbed at his eyes trying to erase the evidence. It was impossible though, his face was probably coated in red blotches by now.

"Icheb, why are you crying?" Junior's hands were outstretched, he was clearly panicking. Icheb began to laugh at the absurdity. Here he was, a reformed borg crying while a Q floundered to try and help him.

What madness was this life aboard Voyager.

"Is this a joke? If so, it's not very funny. And I should know, I've done some messed up pranks."

Junior lowered himself to the ground and both teens sat back against Ichebs metal bed frame. Junior would be patient and wait for Icheb to explain why he was still giggling to himself.

In the meantime Junior gazed about the room, the same room structure for the entire crew, save for the bridge officers and the few quarters reserved for dignitary visitors. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. He'd missed this.

He'd missed Voyager, he missed Icheb, he missed the angry Klingon B'Elanna down in engines. He missed dodging Neelix during meals so hid 30min lunch wouldn't turn into hour long lectures. He missed teasing Mezoti, Neomi, Azan, and Rebi.

"I think I'm going to be sent away."

Icheb's words cut through the silence and Junior's head snapped towards him

"What?" The young Q questioned.

Ichebs eyes remained forward, staring at nothing but seeing everything.

"What do you mean you're getting sent away, Itchy?"

Icheb brought his knees up towards his chest and finally turned to look at his friend.

"I said I think, not, I know I'm getting sent away. It's just a fear."

Junior elbowed Icheb and rolled his eyes. Icheb was just being dramatic, right?

"How could they get rid of you, Itchy? You and your family are instrumental in getting Voyager back to the Alpha Quadrant!"

Ichebs eyes hardened

"What family?"

Junior felt his humanoid brown crease, Icheb was the good boy here. What was going on? Why was he so full of anger?

"Uh, your family? Seven, Mezoti, Azan, Rebi? Stop me when any of these names ring a bell."

Ichebs hands clenched onto his legs and Junior felt his resolve starting to crumble. He hadn't been here in a little while, what was going on?

"Mezoti and the twins are gone, Q."

What a strange range of emotions he could feel here on Voyager. Here he stat with Icheb and yet the second those words were out in the open, it felt like Q's stomach dropped right out of the starship. It was probably 1000 kilometers away by now.

"How are they gone? What are you talking about, Icheb?"

But even now he was probing the ship with his mind, and Icheb was right. The three borg kids were no where onboard.

"They found the twins a family and Mezoti decided to stay with them." Icheb felt his throat dry as the words spewed out.

"Found them a family? Surely Aunt Kathy had something to say? They already have a family, here!" Q suddenly felt frantic.

"Captain Janeway is the one who suggested it would be best for them to remain in the delta quadrant with their own species."

"Well what about Seven!? Your mom could still convince them to go back and--"

Icheb was on his feet in seconds.

"Seven is not my mother!"

The outrage dripped from his words and his breathing was erratic as he took in huge gulps of air.

Icheb felt his head begin to swim and wondered when the floor had become close again. Junior caught him before any damage could be done. He set Icheb on top of his bed as he once again took the floor.

He let silence rein once again as he pondered all this change. He hadn't even been gone a full year, yet everything seemed different.

"Why were you crying, Icheb?" His question was so quiet he hoped Icheb hadn't heard. He wasn't sure if he wanted the answer.

"Seven has been distancing herself from me. Ever since the others left, it's like she was afraid of getting attached to me. It really hurt."

Ichebs voice was just as quiet but he continued, gulping at times to clear the new tears

"Then, today I wanted to try and impress her. I painted a picture of all of us together, happy. But when I opened the door, she was with the commander. They were kissing."

Kissing wasn't wrong, was it? He'd seen his father kiss Aunt Kathy loads of times.

"I knew she wanted to get rid of me, but i didn't think she would replace me so fast. She didn't want a child. She wanted a commander."

Ichebs words were full of spite and Junior felt taken aback. Icheb was the rational one in this friendship.

He stood and grabbed Icheb by his shoulders.

"Icheb, you have to pull yourself together. Seven is still Seven. She's a caring, yet terrifying, woman who loves you."

Icheb stared him straight in the eyes for a while.

"You really believe that?"

Junior released Icheb, letting his friend fall backwards while Junior rolled his eyes.

"Icheb, I saw Seven naked. I am a Q and I am scared of her. I try my best to avoid any kind of interaction with her and even I Know how much she loves you. She's your mom Icheb."

Icheb looked towards the floor, a small smile twitching at his lips. Junior was sure Icheb would rush out the door any moment, and he was right. But not before he slugged Junior in the arm as hard as he could.

"Ow! What was that for, Itchy!?"

Icheb was already halfway out the door as he called back, "That was for my mom, you creep!"

Junior laughed out loud to himself in the empty room.

He leaned against the wall, lost in thought now. He loved being home. Everything felt good. He was glad Icheb was about to go and have a heart to heart with his mother.

He wished he could speak with his own.

Junior pushed off the wall and began walking down the cooridores. His father warned him not to bother Aunt Kathy, that it was dangerous for them to be near her. But he missed her more than he expected.

He covered his chest with his hand, still confused by this full ache he had whenever he thought of his Godmother. One little chat couldn't hurt, right? Lady Q wasn't anywhere near by. He was certain he'd know when his birth mother would be around.

It was decided. If Icheb could have his moment with Seven, he deserved a moment with his Go-- with his Mother.

He smirked as he searched the hallways to see any of the bridge officers, they'd know where Aunt Kathy was.

He'd turned the third corner and still hadn't seen any of them. Actually he hadn't seen anyone. This was strange. Usually this place was crawling with bipeds.

He heard the whoosh of a door and came face to face with an unknown vulcan. She nodded in Junior's direction before briskly walking in the opposite direction.

"Hey, wait a minute!" He raced after her.

"Sorry, Ensign, I do not have time. I am needed in engineering."

He nodded and kept pace with her.

"I understand, but could you just tell me where the captain is?"

He passed by as the Vulcan woman suddenly froze in place. He backpedaled until they were eye to eye. She cocked her head slightly.

"Captain Janeway was taken to Sick bay after she was abducted by the unknown race of species on the planet we are in orbit."

Junior felt his heart drop once more.

"What?" He was already turning his body towards the medical office when the young vulcan placed her hand on his shoulder.

"The Captain may not be welcome to guests Ensign. The commander is leaving with his team now to search the planet for clues. It's best you talk to your leading officer." She let her hand drop and continued on to report for duty.

Junior ran to the nearest turbo lift. What was going on? Aunt Kathy was taken hostage? By Globulins? They were harmless, a pacifist and religious people.

"Sick bay. Now!" He roared to the computer and as the doors closed he tried to breath in and out.

She's fine. She's fine. She's--

He sniffed and surprised himself. His emotions were too high right now. He needed to calm himself before he saw her. She'd be upset if he were to cry all over her again.

He could picture her, convincing the holographic doctor she were fine so she could get back to work. She didn't like physicals, this must be absolute torture for her.

The doors opened and he continued his journey, a little slower now. The sick bay came into view and his heart beat loudly in his ears.

She's fine. She's fine. Each beat repeated in his mind.

He turned the corner and watched as a very uncouncous Katherine Janeway was being crowded by the doctor. The doctor called out to her and began checking her vitals.

Junior could only stare and uttered out pitifully, in a quiet and high pitched voice,

"Mom?"