It was as though someone was shattering glass continuously. It wasn't a shrill or gutteral noise she was used to, even comfortable with. The sound that woke her was high pitched and held the note longer than any race she knew. When she had rocketed awake her arms were already covered in goosebumps. This noise caused her heart to quiver and her blood to run ice cold.

The jelly being was awake and in pain.

Junior was already on his feet and covering his ears. The Doctor was rushing over, Katheryn was terrified. She pushed off the bed and only took notice of a dull throb forming in her head as soon as her feet touched the floor.

She wobbled slightly but caught herself on the railing of the biobed. Junior had finally taken notice of her standing and rushed to her side. He removed his hands from his own ears and placed them over Kathryn's. The screams were muffled but nothing would be able to block them.

'Keep your ears covered!" Junior shouted, but Kathryn had to read his lips to fully comprehend him. She nodded once and after hesitating Junior lifted his hands and she covered her own ears.

He turned back towards The Doctor and the awful jellied monster, but she caught sight of his left palm as he'd turned to go. It was red. That explained the headache.

Junior began a shouting match with The Doctor, there was no feasible way she could hear either of them but she could see how passionate each was.

Junior was turning a slight shade of red and muscles were beginning to bulge out from The Doctor's neck. Junior gestured towards the shield and The Doctor continued to focus on the life scans on the side of the biobed.

Kathryn trudged forward and peeked out from the Doctor's shoulder. All levels were maintained. Whatever was happening to this creature, it wasn't physical.

Junior slammed his fist against the invisible shield and a flash of blue and pink sparks flew outwards from his place of impact. Kathryn looked towards her Godson and saw the pain etched in his features. He wanted to let the creature out.

Kathryn looked down at the set, stoney look in the Doctor's own face and she knew he wasn't going to budge for the boy. Junior looked to her now and she tried not to flinch against his complete trust in her. Could she trust this creature to be free?

She turned her face towards it now, his slitted mouth open. The pin-like needle teeth rubbing against each other. She could see right through it but right now it's entire surface was quaking. Ripples were rushing down its face and leaving behind tracks that looked eerily similar to tear stains.

She gazed once more at Junior and then clenched her jaw. It didn't really matter if she trusted the jelly creature, she didn't. But she trusted her son.

"Doctor release the shield."

"But, Capt--"

"Now."

Doctor huffed once and grumbled as he pushed a few sequences into the monitor above the bed. The shield dropped and the creature fell back against the biobed.

It's screams were replaced with gasping and its eyes had to refocus with every blink. Finally it settled on Kathryn's face and she tensed. It lifted one hand feebly, it was pointing towards her as it whispered,

"Help. Us."

It's hand dropped to its side as consciousness fell away. Kathryn let her breathing even out, counting her heartbeats to let herself calm down. She slowly lowered her hands from her ears.

The Doctor and Junior were waiting for her response, sometimes being the one in charge was hard. But she knew how to take control of a situation, and right now what they needed was answers.

"Junior, what is this being?"

"He's Globulin. They're a pacifist race, they believe in protecting all life. I'm not sure what's going on?"

He was staring down at the unconscious Globulin and Janeway heard his breathing hitch as he tried to hold back tears.

"Torres to Doctor." The call filled the room and The Doctor hit his comm with an answering affirmative.

"Doctor, please tell me Captain Janeway is up?" Doctor looked towards Kathryn for permission and she nodded before speaking out loud herself

"I'm right here, B'Elanna, go ahead." Kathryn folded her arms and when B'Elanna's voice returned she sounded very tired.

"Captain we have a problem, it might be best if you come to the bridge."

Kathryn bit the inside of her cheek, she wasn't sure she could handle anymore problems today. But she was Captain, she has worked hard for this position. She straightened her shoulders and began to head for the door as she called out,

"I'm on my way now, Janeway out."

The door swished open for her but she felt a tug on her arm. She looked backwards to see Junior holding the cuff of her sleeve.

"Could I come with you mo--Aunt Kathy?"

Kathryn felt something in her gut melt at his words and she nodded, taking his hand in her own as they walked to the turbolifts.