"Just-in Time"

Part Two

"Chakotay, hang on I'm coming." 

Neelix, he's alive, Chakotay opened his eyes not sure if he was hearing things. 

"Chakotay I'm coming, just hold on."  He was alive and so was his friend and the earth had stopped its heaving fury.  There was such an eerie quiet now with no sounds at all, not even a rustle of leaves or the sound of a bird.  It was as if the world was suddenly dead and Chakotay and Neelix were the only things left alive.

Chakotay closed his eyes again.  Please Kathryn be alive.  I can't live here without you.  God please!  He pleaded silently holding on for all he was worth. 

"Chakotay I'm here, hold on."  He felt Neelix wrap his arms under his armpits and he was quickly dragged up and over the side of the crevice.  Neelix collapsed to the earth beside him, his strength totally spent.

"Thanks Neelix."  Chakotay uttered in a chocking whisper.

"Anytime Commander." 

The eerie silence enveloped them again as they lay there catching their breath.  After what could have been hours, but was really only minutes, Chakotay slid back from the edge and slowly sat upright.  He was having some trouble accepting what his eyes were seeing because the area around them was completely changed.  Nothing of their main camp was left and there were mountains where there had been flat grassy areas.  The lake was nowhere in sight but the water streamed in many different directions, like a kaleidoscope of sparkling threads dancing in the sunset.  Some of the trees were standing straight but their roots were now the treetops.  If they hadn't just lived through it, Chakotay would swear it was impossible.

"Commander, what are we going to do now?"  Neelix's voice was still only just above a whisper.  Chakotay turned around to look at his friend who had tears in his eyes and looked like he'd just been assimilated.

"I don't know Neelix, but it's going to be dark soon and we have to find Kathryn and the Doctor."  He didn't want to even consider the possibility they might not be alive.  They had to stay focused and do what needed to be done, whatever that was.  Slowly they rose to their feet.

"Commander, we need to find something for your arm.  It looks badly broken."  Neelix pulled the turban strip of his coat from his head and got two thick twigs to use as a splint.  Chakotay knew what was about to happen next and it made his stomach churn.  "We have to set the bone first."  Neelix looked heartsick for his friend because they both knew how badly it would hurt.  Chakotay closed his eyes as Neelix found one more smaller twig.  "Here, bite down on this."  Chakotay put the twig in his mouth and nodded for Neelix to get it over with.  The wail of Chakotay's scream echoed throughout the eerie planet, but it was over in an instant as he passed out.

***

Not for the first time in his relatively brief existence, the Doctor wished he had never been allowed to develop the sub-routines that made him feel.  His poor holo-heart was breaking over the loss of his friend and he was so deep in his tortured reverie he didn't even hear Janeway stir.

"Doctor?" she weakly spoke, but her question had already been answered by the look on the Doctors face.  He just sat with tears running down his face.  Oh Moth, I'm so sorry.  She felt the sting of tears fill her own eyes.  Reaching up she took hold of the Doctor's arm to get his attention.  "Doctor, I'm so sorry."  He finally focused on her, dragging himself back to reality.

"Captain… he's gone."  His voice started to choke up so Janeway squeezed his arm a bit tighter.

"I know Doctor, he saved my life." 

"Thank the creators for that, Chakotay would never forgive me if something happened to you… if he's even alive."  The Doctor finished his statement in a whisper.  An alarm went off in Janeway's head since she hadn't even had time to consider that horrible possibility.

"Doctor, we have to get back, we have to find them."  The Doc was already examining her broken leg and other injuries.

"You aren't going too far with this leg Captain."  He got up and found two sturdy twigs.  Janeway sighed.

"Not the peg-leg."

"I'm afraid so Captain, but it gets worse."  He held up a smaller twig.

"I don't like what I'm thinking Doctor."

"Neither do I, but I have to set the bone before I can brace your leg.  I need your belt."  He helped her pull the belt off and then he handed her the twig.  "Just bite down on this and try to hold still."  The horror he saw in her eyes made him once again wish he had no feelings.  Janeway put the twig in her mouth and closed her eyes.  Her howling scream tore through the Doctor's heart, but it was over in an instant.  Mercifully she passed out again.

The Doctor got the brace on her leg making sure it was tight and secure then he stood up looking around in all directions.  Nothing looked the same.  The terrain looked nothing like it had only minutes ago.  The sun was starting to sink lower in the sky, casting an orange glow over everything.  It would be dark soon and he had no idea what direction to even head in, but he knew he'd never give up.  He couldn't lose another dear friend.  He gently picked Janeway up in his arms and headed off in the direction he thought was right, but he had no way of knowing for sure.  It was going to be a long walk.

***

Slowly but surely Chakotay and Neelix climbed over and walked around the new terrain until they came to what they thought was the edge of the lake.  For all they knew it was just a new lake.  The sun had set over an hour ago and the moons were hiding behind some storm clouds.  It was too dark to go any further and they were both exhausted, hungry, torn up and worried sick.  The earth under them had been rumbling off and on since the big one, but so far they had managed to avoid any further injuries.

"Neelix, we'd better just stop here for the night.  I don't think I can go a step further and it's too dark to see anything now."

"I'm half asleep already, so fine by me."  He plopped down onto the ground and was out within a few minutes.  His loud snores were a welcome sound that night because the eerie quiet was really getting to Chakotay.  It was as if the entire planet had died and he wondered if Kathryn and the Doctor were gone too.  He laid down close to Neelix and let the sound of his snoring help him drift off to sleep.

***

"Doctor, where are we?"  Janeway opened her eyes to be blinded by the bright sun of early morning.  Her next awareness was of pain throughout her entire body, especially her leg.

"I'm not at all sure where we are Captain.  I carried you as far as I could before it got dark, but I had to stop because I couldn't see my hand in front of my face.  You were also in so much pain that I just couldn't bear to continue to put you through anymore."  The Doctor found a chunk of wood that slightly resembled a bowl and had filled it with water for Janeway.  He helped her into a slight sitting position, and she took a few sips of the cold liquid.

"Thank you again Doctor."  She closed her eyes and sighed.

"Don't thank me yet Captain.  You're not going to like what I have to do next."  Her eyes flew open and the panic was back in them.

"No, not the leg again."

"No, the leg is doing OK for now.  It's the claw marks on your back that need some attention.  The water in Janeway's stomach started to churn at the thought of Moth, and the Doctor looked away to avoid her gaze.

"Doctor, I'm…" the words stopped with a choke.

"It's not your fault Captain and we all owe Moth a debt of gratitude for saving your life.  I'd rather have you here with us if I had to choose."  Janeway squeezed his arm as the tears silently fell from her eyes.  She just couldn't express the feelings she wanted to with words.  The Doc help her roll over on her side so he could get to work washing out the claw marks with water.  He tore off a large piece of his shirt to use as a rag.  "These are pretty deep but I have to get them cleaned out as best I can or they will get infected; and that could be deadly on this planet.

"Understood, where's that stick?"  The Doc smiled and handed her a new stick to bite on.  He scrubbed and soaked the wounds for fifteen minutes without a whimper from Janeway.  He then placed a dry piece of his shirt over the bloodied claw marks and used the tie from her hair to wrap around her slender waist, holding the cloth in place.

"That's the best I can do for now.  When you're ready we'll continue on."

"I hope we're going in the right direction - toward camp.  Everything looks so different."

"According to the placement of the sun, we're headed in the right direction, but there is really no way to know for sure."  Just as the Doctor was about to lift her up into his arms once again, the rolling of the earth resumed.  Janeway's panic-stricken expression was back as she gripped the Doctor's arm, but the rumbling already subsided.  "Don't worry Captain, we been having those little demons all night.

"And here I thought 24th century life was hard.  That was a picnic compared to prehistoric life here."  The Doctor just nodded in agreement as he picked her up and they started their way back.

***

"I don't know Neelix, I think this might be our lake but with a slightly different shoreline."

"Slightly!!!  You mean a lake that was once over there is now over here.  I'd say it's more than slightly different."  Chakotay gave Neelix a small smile.

"Well Neelix, you've always been a better navigator than I am.  Which way shall we go now chief?"  Neelix started looking around in all directions when he spotted something shiny off in the distance.  He squinted his eyes to get relief from the glaring sun and to get a better view.

"Chief says this way Commander."  Neelix was already leaping over fallen trees and large rocks toward his destination.  He had a hunch what it was he had just seen.

"Neelix, wait up!  I'm an old man with a bum arm and a limp."  Chakotay was struggling to keep up.

"Come on Chakotay, it's the Doctor and the Captain!!  I can see them!!"  Chakotay caught up to Neelix in a flash and was already passing him by.

"Kathryn!  Kathryn!  He was yelling the entire way down the steep hill.  The Doctor emerged from behind a large tree leaning sideways carrying Kathryn in his arms.  "Doctor, Kathryn!  Is she alright?"  Chakotay, with Neelix right on his heels slid down the rest of the steep embankment sliding to a stop right in front of the Doctor.  Kathryn, despite her pain started laughing at the sight of the two of them sliding down the hill on their butts.

"You do know how to make an entrance Chakotay."  She was still laughing when the Doctor sat her down next to Chakotay and started to examine his arm.  His other arm had wrapped around Kathryn pulling her in for a huge hug.  She buried her head in his shoulder and they both wept softly expressing a release of emotion that couldn't be restrained.

"Well Mr. Neelix, I must say you did a good job of setting the bone in the Commander's arm."

"Thanks, I learned from the best."  The tears had stopped but Chakotay wouldn't let go of her and had no intention of doing so.  Neelix stood up again and was looking in all directions.  "Moth, come here boy.  Moth, come here."

"Oh Neelix!"  Janeway sighed and then the tears were back while Chakotay felt a chilling feeling creep over him.

"What's happened?  Where's Moth?"  Neelix came around to sit on the other side of Kathryn while the Doctor answered his question for her.

"Moth was killed saving the Captain's life," the Doctor choked out just above a whisper.

"No!  Not Moth."  The tears welled up in both Neelix and Chakotay's eyes.

"I tried to save him but he went over the edge and I couldn't grab him in time."  The Doctor sat down beside Chakotay and they all sat in respectful silence for a few moments.

"Kathryn, what happened?"  Chakotay's gaze had locked onto her new peg-leg.

"I was caught by a falling tree, and before I could do anything the earth just opened up underneath me and I was dangling over the edge of hell."

"Sounds awfully familiar."  Chakotay tightened his hold around Kathryn's shoulders.  She gave him a questioning look.

"Latter."  She took a deep breath and continued.

"At the last second Moth jumped to the edge and grabbed me by my belt just as I started to slip from the branch.  He was hanging onto me by his claws until the Doctor could finally grab me and pull me to safety.  There was another tremor and Moth slipped and went over the edge."

"I'm so sorry about Moth and I'll spend the rest of my life thanking that beast for saving your life.  Losing you Kathryn would have been too much for me."  Before either of them could have stopped it, their lips had met in a very emotion filled kiss.  Not the passionate one Janeway had always thought would be their first real kiss, but a kiss filled with love and gratitude that they were both still alive.

"I hate to break you love birds up, but we need to figure out what to do now."  Neelix once again broke the mood.  Janeway and Chakotay smiled slightly at each other at the memory.

"Is there anything left of the camp?"

"Sorry Kathryn, your new mansion is no more.  The site isn't even recognizable."  Janeway just sighed and rested her head on his chest.  The emotion and pain was getting to her.  "Neelix and I did find a new cave though.  It's much bigger than our last one and it's not too far from here."

"Then I suggest we get the Captain and yourself back there.  I need to examine your arm and the Captain's leg better and you all need to rest."  The Doctor got no argument from any of them.  He once again picked Janeway up and they headed to their now home.

***

I wonder what sweet Kathy and her little students are up to these days.  I haven't paid them a visit lately.  The cosmos have been a bit boring, sounds like fun.

Voyager had been streaking steadily toward the Alpha Quadrant for the last two months.  The mood onboard was just as steadily going down hill.  No one was blaming Captain Tuvok this time for leaving the command team.  This time they had no idea where or what had become of them.  A very somber crew indeed and there was nothing that they could do about it.  Tuvok had to inform Starfleet through the last communication that the Captain, First Officer, the EMH and Neelix had been lost.  Even being a Vulcan that was one of the hardest things, that Tuvok had ever had to do.  It was a big blow, not only to the crew of Voyager but also to the entire Federation.  A loss that spread over many light-years, and touched many lives: and Captain Tuvok was not immune from that loss.  When he looked in the faces of his crew, he was reminded of that very thought.  He could never replace Captain Janeway in their eyes and he knew better than to even try.  They were still just as loyal as they had been for Captain Janeway, but this was a crew of much feeling and emotions, something that Tuvok couldn't share with them.  Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay had bonded them into a family, a family that had lost so much already.  What would be waiting around the next light-year was anyone's guess, but it would never be filled with the same adventure and love for exploration as it once was.  All they wanted now was to just get home, just end the nightmare.

Captain Tuvok was just about to leave the ready room for the night when the Red Alert started to blare.  "Intruder alert!  Captain to the bridge."  Harry Kim's voice rang through the noise.  Tuvok was out the door in a flash.  Someone was sitting in the Captain's chair.

"Hello old pointy ears, where's Kathy?"  Q stood up turning to face Tuvok.  "What's the matter, cat got your tongue?"

"Why you son of a…"  Tom Paris had jumped up from his seat at the helm, with nothing short of the perfect death glare on his face.

"Un-rattle your feathers bird-brain.  I wasn't talking to you."

"Why you…"

"Lieutenant, calm down before I have you removed from the bridge."  Tom didn't move a muscle, but kept the glare shooting daggers at Q.  "What are you doing here Q?"

"What's everyone in such a tiff over?  I just came to pay Kathy a visit."  When he didn't receive a response, other than the dumb looks on their faces he continued.  "You know, your Captain, and where's the big ape too?"

"Just what do you know about them Q?"  Harry Kim spoke up.

"Oh, I get it.  They're locked away in her quarters for a little fun.  How quaint.  Although what Kathy sees in the ape is beyond me.  I'll just pop in and make sure they know what they're doing."  Q was just about to snap his fingers.

"Q!  They aren't in her quarters."  Tuvok was slowly losing patience.  Q could bring out the worst in any species, even Vulcan.

"Well where are they then?  I haven't got eons you know."

"Q, if this is one of your games, I swear I'll rip your heart out myself.  What did you do with them?"

"What is this bird-brain talking about?  I didn't do anything with them, well not yet anyway."  He smiled.

"Q, we lost them over three months ago."  Tuvok wasn't quite convinced Q wasn't just playing a sick game.

"Lost, as in you can't find them, or did they just abandon ship, which I wouldn't blame Kathy.  Must be a daunting task to take care of a nursery school for seven years.  Guess she got tired of playing with the little kiddies ha?"

"Q, your insults have no effect on me, so just get on with it and tell us what you know about the Captain and the others."  Q gave Tuvok a quizzical look.

"You mean there are others who jumped ship, fascinating, who?"

"Besides the Captain and Commander, we lost our Doctor and Mr. Neelix."  Tuvok wasn't sure, but he had the sneaking suspicion Q really didn't know anything about it.  Q was rubbing his chin pretending to be in deep thought.

"So you are telling me that Kathy, the ape, the flash light and the fuzz-ball are all missing."

"Your omnipotent mind catches on fast Q."  Tom Paris was a bit more relaxed, but still ready to pounce.

"Just fly you tinker-toy and let the adults take care of this."  Q started to pace around the bridge.  "This isn't supposed to happen.  If Kathy is gone then the entire future of the federation will be changed."

"What are you talking about Q?  What is going on here?"  Tuvok was more than ready to get some answers out of the almighty.

"How would I know, I didn't lose them?  But you better hope we find them."

"We?  I don't think anyone asked for your help Q."  Paris was back in Q's face.

"You, I have had enough of."  With a flash, Tom Paris was gone.  In the next instant, a blood-curdeling scream filled the com-system.  "Does she have to bellow like a crazed Klingon?"  Q was holding his hands over his ears.

"Captain!  Tom, he's… he's in the warp core.  He's just floating in there.  What the hell is going on?"  B'Elanna was sounding even more crazed than her scream.

"Calm down Lieutenant, I'm sure Q would love to explain."  Tuvok took a few steps toward Q.

"Q!  You dirty rotten, slimy piece of targshit!  Get my husband out of there, now!"  Q was still holding his hands over his ears.

"Captain, are you just going to let that Klingon viper talk to me like that?"

"If you don't release Mr. Paris as requested, I'll let that viper have you."  Harry Kim had never been more proud of Tuvok as he was at that moment.  It took all he had to suppress his laughter.  "Now Q."

"OK, you are all worse than Kathy when it comes to having any fun."  Q snapped his fingers and Tom was back at the helm.  A bit confused, but in one piece.  He started to stand.

"Mr. Paris, stay put.  Q, ready room, now."  Tuvok had taken all the games he was going to from Q.  The Omnipotent meekly followed Captain Tuvok.

"Q no more games, I want some answers."

"Sorry pointy ears, I don't know what happened to Kathy.  This is one time when I didn't do anything, but you'd better hope we can find them.  Now, where's the last time you saw them?"  Tuvok eyed Q for a few moments, deciding whether or not to trust him.  Well one could never trust a Q, but they really had nothing to lose this time.

"The shuttle disappeared while we were orbiting the Nimsarin home world."

"Did you ask those little puppets if they took them?"

"Those puppets, as you call them didn't take our people.  They were just as unsure of what happened as we were.  We were hit with a spacial anomaly just as the shuttle was coming back to Voyager.  We were both thrown around and that was the last time we heard from them."  Q was rubbing his chin again.

"Interesting, so what was this little space hiccup?  Didn't you investigate?"

"Of course we did.  We searched every inch of space around the area.  We discovered that this anomaly had been a random occurrence in the region.  Our crew wasn't the only ones lost.  We searched for weeks then the anomalies just stopped.  Not a trace of anything.  There was nothing left to do but continue toward the Alpha Quadrant."  Q had an all too serious face, even for the serious Vulcan Captain.

"Well I suppose I shouldn't have expected you small humanoids to figure it out.  I'll go see what I can do.  We have to get Kathy back, even the dumb ape and the fur-ball."  Before Tuvok could respond, Q snapped his fingers and was gone in a flash of light.  Tuvok's first reaction was to use a certain metaphor, but Q saved him the trouble, he poked his head back inside the ship.  "Pointy ears: stay put I'll be back."

***

"Kathryn, what do you think you're doing?"  Chakotay came strolling into the carve scaring her half to death.

"Commander, would quit sneaking up on me; and what the hell does it look like I'm doing?"

"First off, I wasn't sneaking and second, I haven't a clue as to what you are doing, but I do admire the view."  She was stuck in a very similar situation that he had been in a few months back.  The view of her north facing rear was quite nice indeed.

"Would you just cut the crap and help me."

"Yes Ma'am."  He walked over to her and using his good arm, pulled her to her feet in one swift motion.  He was supporting part of her weight so she wouldn't put any of it on her peg-leg.  "Now, what else do you require Miss?"  He spoke in a slight Irish accent.  She couldn't help but smile at him.

"My walking-stick kind Sir."  Two could play this game.  He lifted her off the ground and walked over to where she could grab the stick with her hand.  He sat her back down and she rested her weight on the stick and her good leg.

"Thank you, you're too kind."

"Anything for such a lovely lass as yourself."  His dimples were on fire and he was still holding her around the waist.

"Chakotay, you are full of it.  I am anything but lovely right now.  I can't bath; my hair is a mess, worse than Neelix's.  My clothes are filthy, torn, well what's left of them.  I have a tree trunk for a leg and I'm so dam sick of berries and fish that I could puke.  I am not LOVELY."  Chakotay pulled he slightly closer to him.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and my eye has never beheld such exquisite beauty before."  She smiled slightly at his attempt to humor her.  "But… my nose tells me you stink."  He brought his peg-arm up, blocking her attempt at slugging him.

"You're a pig Chakotay."

"I beg to differ, I'm not the one who needs a bath."  He smiled deeply and kissed her forehead.  "However, I have a surprise for you."  Her eyes lit up at the prospect of more coffee.  They hadn't found anymore coffee beans since the quake and she was getting entirely too desperate.

"Well, what is it?"

"Now don't get too excited, it's not coffee, which I am sorry about; but this is almost as good."

"Ok, what?"

"A bath!"

"You built me a new bathtub already?"

"No, even better."  Her expression was a mixture of curiosity and… (Chakotay, you've lost your mind.)

"Fine, I'll bite, what is it?"

"I can't tell you, I have to show you.  It's a little bit of a jaunt, but your going to love it."  Although she didn't feel much like hiking, her curiosity would not let her stay put.

"Let's go, but you're going to have to help me."

"Wouldn't have it any other way."  They left the cave and headed toward the surprise.

"Where are Neelix and the Doctor?"

"They're off scouting for food, and the Doc would have my hide if he knew, so you can't tell him."

"Now I'm very intruged.  How long till we get there?"

"It's about fifteen minutes away.  Just lean on me so your weight isn't on the peg-leg."

"Aye Sir, lest go."

They made it in less than fifteen minutes and were standing in front of a bubbling pool of water.  The steam was rising up from the water creating a fog covering over the whole pool.  Janeway was speechless.  She just stared in awe at the most wonderful thing she had ever seen.  Chakotay was beaming inside and out.  He knew she would love it.

"The water is as warm as a real bath and you can soak as long as you like."  She still couldn't get her mouth to work, but she squeezed tighter around his waist.  The earthquake must have created hot lava flows in spots.  This just happens to be one of them.

"What about my leg, the brace?"

"I've thought of that and the only way I can see to do this is to take the brace off up here and I'll carry you down the steep embankment."

"But your arm?"

"Don't worry, we'll use the old firemen's over the shoulder carry."  Her smile was beaming.

"Chakotay, what would I do without you?"

"You will never have to know Kathryn."

"Promise me Chakotay, promise you'll never leave me."

"I promise Kathryn.  I'll stand by your side for the rest of our lives, no matter what."  He leaned in and sealed the promise with a sweet kiss.  "Now, let's get you in that tub."

Chakotay gently took the tree-brace off her leg careful not to move it too much.  He then removed her boots and stinky socks.  Janeway was finding this just a bit too enjoyable.  "I think we'd better remove your shorts up here.  I don't want you to bend your leg trying to get them off."

"You're the boss."  She continued to smile at him like a teenager on a first date.  He slowly unbuttoned her tattered uniform, no longer pants with his one hand; and she slid them down over her bottom.  Chakotay took over from there and pulled them down over her legs and tossed them over by the peg-leg.  Her fluttering heart skipped a beat when she saw his expression at the sight of her… less than Starfleet issue panties.  Chakotay just swallowed the lump in his throat not putting voice to his wanting comment.

"Are you ready?"  She just nodded the affirmative.  He stood up helping her to her feet making sure her leg didn't touch the ground.  Then he bent down so she could bend over his shoulder and he hoisted her up and over his shoulder, keeping his good arm wrapped around her just below her rear.

"Don't drop me kind Sir."

"Never Miss."  Chakotay slowly but steadily made his way down to the bubbling pool.  When they'd gotten to the edge, he sat her down and helped her slide into the warm water.  She was sitting on a rock ledge with just her lower half immersed in the heavenly warmth.  The steam swirled all around them making it difficult to see much of anything.  "Well if your ok, I'll just wait at the top until you're ready to get out."  Chakotay turned to head back up the embankment.

"Chakotay, wait, don't leave me.  This tub is definitely big enough for two and you deserve this as much as I do.  Please come and get in with me."  She had already removed her tattered tank top and threw it behind her hitting Chakotay in the head.  The foggy steam was too thick for him to see anything, but he heard her slide into the water and the most contented sigh he'd ever heard her utter.  "Chakotay, are you there?"

"No, I left an hour ago."  He was taking off his arm brace.  Janeway was laughing with delight.

"Chakotay would you get in here, I'm not peaking and besides the fog is to thick to see anything anyway."  Her reply came in the form of a huge splash coming from the center of the pool.  "Like I said, you do know how to make an entrance."

"Just wanted you to know I was here."  He had resurfaced not far from her.  Her bobbing head was all he could see and she had her eyes closed.

"Chakotay, this is even better than coffee, thank you."

"You're welcome, but remember, mums the word."  Kathryn was laughing again.

"Is that kind of like, my beak is zipped?"  Now Chakotay joined in her laughter.

"I guess you could say that."

"I just said it."  She dove under the water and this time came up only inches away from him.

"You aren't standing on that leg are you?"

"Nope, I've got the stork routine down to a tee."  She hopped another inch closer.  "You know Chakotay, it occurred to me."

"What has your brilliant mind come up with now?"

"We're twins you know."

"Oh really, how so?"

"Well, we both broke the same leg and the same arm so we are going to have the same limp and the same stiffness in our arms.  That makes us twins."  Chakotay's grinning dimples reached clear to his toes.

"Like two peas in a pod."

"I don't like peas."  She was standing so close now that Chakotay had stopped breathing for a minute as he closed his eyes.  "No, it's better than peas, much better."

"I'm listening."  He was surprised when he heard his own voice come up with a legible sound.

"We are soul-mates."  If possible, his smile just got bigger.

"You mean it's taken you seven years to finally figure that out."

"So I'm a bit slow when it comes to sharing my very heart and soul.  Not in realizing it, just slow to accept it."  The steam from the increasingly warm water danced around their heads, making it seem more mystical and enchanting than Chakotay's wildest dreams.  A paper-thin space was all that separated their bodies.  The course of time seemed to stop moving, and the only sound was the loud beating of their hearts; and Kathryn's abrupt scream that pierced the evening air like a dagger. 

"Kathryn!"  She had jumped back away from him.

"Chakotay, we're not alone in here.  Something slimy just brushed across my legs."  He started to laugh.

"It's probably just a little water snake, calm down."

"Little!  Nothing on this prehistoric hell planet is LITTLE."  She had splashed her way back to the other side of the pool.

"Kathryn, come back, it's not going to hurt you."  She didn't respond and Chakotay couldn't see her at all through the thick misty-fog.  That timeless moment was gone.

"Forget it Chakotay.  Until you confirm what that slim was I'm staying right here on the edge."  As if the slimy unknown wasn't bad enough, at the moment the sky burst forth with a torrential down poor.  The chilling winds picked up and the thunderbolts started snapping all around them.  It wasn't the best idea to be standing in water at the moment.  "Come on Chakotay, get out!"  Janeway yelled above the thunder and roar of the wind.

"You don't have to tell me twice, I'm right behind you, and be careful with your leg."  He reached the side of the pool at the same time and all modesty aside; he helped get her out of the water and onto the bank.

It was raining so hard that it was like stinging metal hitting their bodies.  The howling wind just hampered their attempt to climb up the steep and now very muddy embankment.  It was pointless to keep trying so the next and only other thing they could do was huddle together under a very narrow out cropping of rock at the base of the embankment.  Chakotay tried to be as careful as he could with Kathryn's leg, but he knew all the jostling around was causing her immense pain.  They just did what they could do to protect themselves from the worst of it as nature's floodgates continued their assault.

"Kathryn, I think it's letting up a bit."  Kathryn looked up from her hiding place in the crook of Chakotay's shoulder.  The winds had died down and the sheets of rain; were now just a steady down poor.  The mud from the sliding embankment had covered them both up to where they looked like two big double-dipped chocolate ice-cream cones.  Janeway wasn't sure why she did it, but she busted out laughing and yet another bizarre situation she had found herself in.  No one would have ever believed that she was a former Star ship Captain; she didn't even believe it anymore.  "What's so funny?"

"If you could just see yourself you would know."  She just continued to laugh.

"Then I must be looking in a mirror, after all you did say we were twins."  He reached up and wiped some thick gooey mud from her face.  "One thing is for sure, we will both need another bath now."  The rain had all but stopped and the most beautiful rainbow they had ever seen started to form right above their heads.  The vibrant colors were breath taking and it just continued to get brighter and brighter.

"I think this is natures way of saying 'I'm sorry' It's so beautiful Chakotay."  He didn't even make a comment as he watched mesmerized at the sight above them.  "We sure never saw a rainbow like this in Indiana; nor a storm for that mater."  Chakotay finally dropped his eyes from the heavens and looked around them.  It was going to prove difficult to get out of the mud and up the embankment, and where were their clothes?

"Kathryn, we may have a new problem?"  She looked at him with a mixture of what now, and I don't want to know on her face.  "Where are our clothes?"  Her eyes darted around in all directions when a slight smile crossed her face.  She pointed to a big tree branch hanging over the water's edge, with a pair of dark-blue boxers hanging from its tip.  Chakotay had spotted the object of her smile and could help his own.  "I'm very glad I won't have to put his in any Starfleet report, would be a bit difficult to explain."

"Maybe, but I for one would like to see you try."  She busted out laughing.

"Laugh it up, but at least I have underwear to put on."  Their laughter exchanged places.

"Damn!  Up for a little hunting Commander?  My clothes have to be around here somewhere."

"Hmm, for you, I'll find your; not so official Starfleet panties and bring them back dead or alive; or my name isn't Mighty-Worrier."

"Oh, my hero.  Now, get hunting."  Chakotay slid back into the water, giving Kathryn a slight bit of privacy.

***

"Where have you two been?  We've been worried sick about you."

"Sorry Doc got caught in the storm."  Chakotay was carrying Kathryn back to the soggy camp.  The Doctor help Chakotay get her into the cave where it was slightly dry.

"What happened to your leg brace Captain?"  She glanced at Chakotay before answering.

"It just floated away Doctor, along with a few other items."  She wasn't about to reveal that her mighty-worrier couldn't even hunt down a pair of panties.

"You should have seen it Doc, terrible storm, just terrible.  We were lucky to get out alive."

"Right, must have been just dreadful for the both of you."  The Doctor rolled is eyes at the two of them and walked back out of the cave in search of a new brace for the Captain.

"Don't think he bought it, do you?"

"Hell Chakotay, I don't buy it and it happened to me."

"Sorry about your…"

"I imagine I'll survive without them."

"Yes, that's one thing I can imagine also."  He was rewarded with a nice slug on his good arm and a…

"You're a pig."

***

"Q, there you are, I've been looking all over the cosmos for you."

"I've been right here, what's up?"

"Have you been bugging your Aunt Kathy lately?"

"No, I haven't seen her since… well you know.  Why, has something happened to her?"

"It seems she's missing along with the ape and fur-ball."

"Maybe she just got tired of playing house.  I sure couldn't stand it for more five minutes."  Q started laughing with his son.

"My boy, you are like me.  Two Q's of a kind."

"So what do you think happened to Aunt Kathy?"

"That's what I came to ask you Q."

"I told you, I haven't seen her or been near her playground."  Q looked at his son with a scrupulous eye.  "I didn't take her, I swear."

"Ok, I believe you, but have you been playing with some spacial anomalies?  You know, like making them appear then disappear, throwing ships through them, that sort of fun."  Q2 seemed deep in thought not answering Q.  "Hello, continuum to Q, anyone home, come in please."

"I'm thinking… I play around with all kinds of anomalies.  Could you be more specific?"

"Q, I take it back, you are more like your mother than me.  Do I have to spell it out for you?  Kathy is missing; there were some spacial-flexures in the area.  Her shuttle was thrown in one way and her little pre-school went in the other.  The kiddies couldn't find a trace of the shuttle anywhere.  They were in orbit over the Nimsarin planet."

"What were they doing with the puppets anyway?"

"That's what I ask old pointy ears.  He didn't seem to think I was too funny.  Vulcan's are the most tediously, boring species we've ever had the misfortune to encounter."  Q2 was laughing again.  "Anyway, did you or didn't you mess around with those anomalies?"

"I may have, but I didn't know that Aunt Kathy was anywhere around the area.  I would have just gone to bug her instead if I'd have known."  Q had an all too serious face on for a Q.  He looked genuinely worried.  "Q, she's not dead is she?  I didn't mean to do anything to Aunt Kathy.  Please tell me she's ok."

"No, she's not dead, I would know that, but she could be in trouble.  We have to find her and get her back.  She's messed up more than her share of time lines already.  If we don't find her though, things will be even more messed up.  She's supposed to get that tinker-toy ship of hers home in the next few months; although how she does it will be the biggest screw up she's ever going to make."

"Then maybe she's better off where she is."

"Q, it's not for us to determine that, even though it's fun to stick our heads in now and then.  Humans have earned the right to make their own mistakes, all we get to do is drive them crazy in the process."

"They are fun to tease, but I wouldn't hurt Aunt Kathy, well not permanently anyway.  I really don't know what happened to her."

"What were you doing with your little space-rattle then?"  Q was trying to tease his son, with little success.

"I was just shaking it around a bit, nothing bad.  They were just some space-time flexures.  If Aunt Kathy's shuttle went through one, who knows where she would be?"

"Well then my boy, it looks like we are going to take a trip down memory-lane."  In a flash, both Q and Q2 were floating above the Nimsarin planet.

"Q, how long is this going to take?  I have other things to do you know."

"As long as it takes.  You are the one that lost your Aunt Kathy, let's just hope you didn't throw her too far in the past, or the future."

"Fine, but I want the future, you can take the past.  The past is so… boring."  Q just smiled at his son.

"I did a great job raising you, always think of yourself first, a true Q.  Ok, lets get started and if you find her, don't let her know you're there.  Just come and get me and we'll deal with her together."

"Count on that, Aunt Kathy can be pretty vicious.  She's going to want to kill me."

"I know how you feel son."  Q winked at his son and they took off for their perspective time-frames.

***

"Good morning Commander, sleep well?"  Neelix was up and already cooking some new concoction over the fire.

"It's not a good morning and no I didn't sleep well."

"I'm sorry, did my snoring keep you up again?"

"No Neelix it wasn't your snoring."  Just then, Kathryn came out of the cave rubbing at her sleep filled eyes.

"Who was snoring, I didn't hear a thing last night."  Neelix busted out laughing and Chakotay just glared at Kathryn.  "What are you staring at Commander?"  When she didn't receive an answer, she felt the giggle creeping up through her throat.  "Now, you can't possibly mean that I snore.  All this time I've put up with the two of you and now you're claiming that I snore!"

"Not a claim Kathryn, but a definite fact; you SNORE."

"I do not."

"You do too!"

"What's all the fighting?"  The Doctor came up the trail.  "I could hear you clear down by the lake."

"Nothing Doctor."  Janeway hissed as she walked past Chakotay.  "I don't!"  She headed down the path.

"Not this time Kathryn.  You can't always have the last word."  She just kept on going not paying him any mind.  "You do snore."  They could hear her laughter drifting through the trees.

"Commander when are you going to learn, Kathryn is always right."

"Oh, I learned that one long ago.  I just can't help but tease her.  She's so cute when she's mad."

"Chakotay, you would think she was cute if she looked like a terelien eel."  Neelix was having as much fun as Chakotay.

"I like eels Neelix, well a particular one anyway."  Now they were all laughing.

"I heard that Commander."  Janeway's voice echoed in their ears.  The morning laughter continued along with the many chores they had to do.

***

Well, well, would you look at that?  Q my boy, you did great this time.  You sent poor Kathy as far back in the past as this planet would allow.  Q was laughing to himself as he watched his Kathy.  She and the dumb guy have a limp.  Wonder what's been going on here?  He was debating whether he should just show his face now or wait for Q2.  He opted for the later.  This one, is entirely your fault Q, I'm not going to take the blame for this one, although I can't wait to see Kathy's reaction.  Q went to get his son.

***

"Hey Tom, B'Elanna, where are you?"  Harry Kim strolled onto the holo-deck.  The scene was amazing.  He was standing on the streets of Chicago.  Sometime, Harry guessed in the 20th century around the 1920's.  Harry was glad he'd taken Tom's advice and dressed in an old pinstripe suit with shiny loafers.  He also had on a wide-brim top-hat and black gloves.  He looked like all the other gentlemen on the street.  It was after dark and a fog had settled in over the city.  It looked like early winter and felt like it too.  Harry pulled his top-coat tighter around him and headed to find his friends.

It didn't take Harry long to find where Tom was.  The crowd outside of the nightclub was a dead giveaway.  He laughed to himself as he tried to get to the front of the mob.  "Hey buddy!  Unless you got an invitation, you ain't goin in."  The biggest of the three bouncers just glared at him.  Harry fumbled around in his pocket for the slip of paper Tom had given him.

"I've got an invitation, it's right here."  Harry handed the big gorilla the paper.  The ape bouncer just looked at it quickly then gave Harry the worst death glare he'd ever seen.  Damn Tom, do you have to make everything so authentic.  Harry was starting to get a bit nervous because the big ape wasn't looking too convinced.

"How the hell do I know if this is the real thing?  You sure, don't look like the company that the boss keeps?  You look like a little weasel to me."  The thug tore the invitation in half.

"Hey!  That was the real thing you big… "  Harry's words were cut off when the huge hands wrapped around his throat.

"You were saying you slimly little worm."  The big Neanderthal growled in his face.  His three front teeth were missing and the bottom ones, were all gold. 

Tom, I'm going to get you for this.  "Computer, pause program."  The Neanderthal's hands froze.  Harry wiggled his neck out of the frozen grasp and ducked inside.  "Computer, resume program."  The smoke in the nightclub was so thick Harry could hardly see a foot in front of him.  The music and lights were blazing as the scantily clad dancers were flaunting around the room.

"You got business here boy?"  Another one of Tom's cronies was in his face. 

Paris, you're a dead man.  "Yea, I got business here.  I'm here to see Tommy."  The crony growled in his face.  "No!  I mean, Baby Face."  The growl turned into a big dumb grin.

"Well why didn't ya just say so in the first place?  The boss has been expecting you."  The thug pointed to the back of the room where there was a door.  "Get moving boy, or do ya need me to carry ya in?"

"I can manage thank you."  Harry headed for the big door still ready to kill Paris.  He walked in and was stopped dead in his tracks.  Three thugs had guns aimed at his chest before Harry could even blink.

"Who the hell are you?"  The biggest of the three asked.  "You got to the count of three before you kiss your butt goodbye.

"Hold on Vinnie!"  Tom jumped out of his chair.  "This is my associate Buster, remember the one I told ya about?"  Harry took a breath as the three guns were lowered.  His eyes had locked onto B'Elanna, who was smiling devilishly at him.  His eyes just grew wider as he stared at her.  He'd never seen her in… so little before.  She was dressed in the flamboyant flapper style of the 20's.  "Hey Buster!  Get your eyes off my women or I'll let Vinnie shoot ya."  Tom and B'Elanna were laughing.  Harry took his seat in the only empty chair, right next to Vinnie who gave him a big yellow-toothed grin.

"Can I shoot him anyway boss?"  Vinnie was still grinning.

"No Vinnie, I kind of like him."  B'Elanna winked at Harry who choked on his first swallow of whisky.

"You're the boss?"  He was having trouble getting the words out.

"Of course I'm the boss.  You think I'd let little Baby Face here drag me into this otherwise?"

"Good point."  Harry took another sip of his drink.  B'Elanna just took a big inhale of her long fancy cigarette, blowing the smoke in Harry's face.  "Thanks a lot boss."  Harry rubbed at his eyes.

"Hey kid, hope you got lots of money, cause you going to need it."

"Just cool your heels Al.  I'll front him some, he's good for it."

"You better hope so Baby Face, I still got my trigger finger on my gun."  He winked at Harry.  Tom slid Harry half of his stack of chips.

"Stop flapping your gums boys, let's play."  B'Elanna was about to deal the cards when the all too familiar sound of the Red Alert blazed through the holo-deck.

"All senior officers to the bridge."  Captain Tuvok's voice was heard above the noise.

"Sorry boys, game's over."  All three stood up and headed for the door only to stop at the sound of gun triggers being pulled back.  B'Elanna turned back and growled in a low voice.  "Computer, end program."  The three Starfleet officers exited the holo-deck running back to reality.

"What the hell's going on Captain?"  They all three rushed onto the bridge together, Lieutenant Paris speaking for all of them.  Tuvok stood up from the command chair turning to his officers.  For an instant, he was speechless at the sight of the chief engineer, but didn't miss a beat with his response.

"Our warp engines have engaged and we are traveling at… well at warp twelve."

"That's impossible."  B'Elanna was at her engineering station.

"Apparently not Lieutenant."  Before anyone could make another comment, the ship slowed to a stop.  "Ensign Kim, our position?"  Harry was at his Ops station punching buttons at faster than light speed himself.

"You're not going to believe this Captain."

"Ensign, I assure you, I would believe anything; on screen."  A second latter they were looking at the Nimsarin planet looming in front of them.

"What the hell?"  Tom asked.

"Indeed Mr. Paris."  Before they could utter another comment, a flash of light brought the answer.  "Q!"

"Nice to see you missed me old pointy ears."  Q sat down in Tuvok's seat.

"I did not miss you Q."  Tuvok was in no mood for Q's antics.

"I'm crushed, I'll never be the same."  Q put his hand over his eyes and sighed.  B'Elanna stormed up to the front of the bridge directly in front of Q.

"Why the hell have you brought us all the way back here Q, what are you up too?"  Q looked up and his eyes almost popped out of his omnipotent head.

"I see you've gone back to that old Klingon style of clothing.  You Klingon's certainly don't leave much to the imagination."  B'Elanna advanced toward Q with a deadly look in her eyes.

"Hey Q, get your eyes off my woman or I'll let her have you."  Tom had jumped up ready to defend his wife.

"Oh chill out Minnie Mouse, your wild cat isn't my type."

"Why you… "

"That's enough Lieutenant."  Tuvok stepped between Q and the advancing wild cat.  "Q, just get on with it and tell us why you're here and why we are here?"  Q jumped out of his seat.

"With all this distraction, I almost forgot.  I've got a surprise for you.  All you have to do is stay put until I get back."  With a snap of his fingers, he was gone.  The Voyager officers just stood with confused faces.  Q poked his head through the view-screen.  "Now, stay put pointy ears."  In a flash, he was gone again.

***

"Hey Neelix, Doc, where's Kathryn?"  Chakotay came trotting up the trail with something hidden in his hands.  Neelix put his fingers to his lips to indicate that Chakotay keep it down.

"She's taking a nap."  The Doctor answered for them.

"A nap!  She's not the one who was awake all night.  She's the reason I was awake all night."  Chakotay handed Neelix what was in his hand.

"You didn't!"  The Doctor exclaimed.  "There is a God after all."  That got all three of them laughing.  "Just what the Doctor ordered."

"I thought you didn't like it when Kathryn drinks too much coffee?"

"That was before I had to live with her without having coffee in her.  She can be quite deadly without her caffeine fix.  I would prefer that our sweet ex captain intoxicate herself into oblivion than for my program to be taken permanently offline; or as she threatened the other day, bird feed."

"Now Doc, you know she'd never do that, she's terrified of the birds."  Neelix was having trouble not laughing out loud at his own remark.  Chakotay on the other hand had no trouble at all laughing at the comment.

"Neelix, you are getting better.  How about you whip up some of this coffee, while I go wake sleeping beauty?"  Chakotay dug in his pocket and pulled out three large handfuls of the beans handing them to Neelix.

"You got it, dinner should be ready in about an hour anyway."  Chakotay headed for the cave.

Chakotay had found her asleep in her little corner of the cave with his tattered jacket covering her.  She really did look like sleeping beauty and he just couldn't help but want to kiss her awake.  He knelt down by her side and started to place soft butterfly kisses on her cheek.  Her eyes fluttered and a smile spread over her cute pouting lips.  He smiled to himself as he continued the assault on her smooth skin, moving his kisses a bit lower, around her jaw line, and down her neck.  Chakotay wasn't sure if she was asleep but decided to continue the game either way.  He continued for a few minutes more as the kisses went all the way around her neck and up the other side of her face, stopping to blow in her ear.  By this time he knew she was wide awake because he could feel her flinch at every kiss, every touch.

"Commander, I can't wake up unless you kiss me on the lips."  He pulled back and looked at her smiling face.  Her eyes were still closed but she was fighting not to open them.

"Hmm, are you sure that's how the story goes?"  Her arms snaked around his neck pulling him to within a breath of her lips.

"I know the story by heart Sir.  It's the only way to break the spell."

"Well… " His remark was cut short as his lips were wrapped by hers.  The warm passionate kiss took over any and all rational thought Chakotay had left.  Their desire had grown so strong that deepening the kiss was his only option.  The feel and taste of each other threw them both light years beyond reality.  Nothing but the two of them existed, or so they thought.

"Hey Light-bulb, Fuzzy-face, how's it going?"  Q and Q2 appeared in a flash of light.

"Q!  Q2!  What are you doing here?"  Neelix could hardly believe his eyes.

"Don't have a heart-attack old Fuzzy.  Where are Kathy and the ape?"  Neelix just pointed toward the cave.  "You mean… they… oh this is good."  Q was grinning like he'd just swallowed a canary.  He turned in the direction of the cave.  "Q, wait here, I don't want your innocent eyes to see this."  Q2 just folded his arms with the same stupid grin on his face as Q.  Both Neelix and the Doctor were still too stunned to even warn them of the impending Q. 

Q snuck up quietly to the cave, peeking inside.  Janeway and Chakotay were much too involved to notice the smirking mug in the doorway.  "Well, well, what do we have here?"  Kathryn's scream bounced off the walls of the cave making Q put his hands over his ears.  Chakotay was on Q like a lightning-bolt.

"Q!  What the hell are you doing here?"  Chakotay was in his face ready to pounce.

"Kathy!  Get this big ape off me.  I came to help you."  Neelix, the Doc and Q2 had rushed to the cave at the sound of Janeway's scream.

"Q!  What is going on, how did you… why are you here?"  Janeway was up and standing beside Chakotay with the same deadly look in her eyes.  "If you had anything to do with us being stranded here, I swear I'll kill you myself.  Now what the hell's going on?"  Q2 had backed up a bit seeing the anger coming from his Aunt Kathy.

"Q, get back here you coward."  Q yelled out at his son.  Janeway's death glare focused on the younger of the two omnipotent trouble makers.

"Out with it Q, now!"  The fire in her eyes made even Chakotay flinch.

"I'm sorry Aunt Kathy, I didn't know you were even in this area of space.  I didn't know you had even been lost, I swear."  Q's panic filled voice even made his father a bit nervous.

"Go easy on him Kathy, he's just a boy."  Q stood by his son, putting a protective arm around his shoulder.  Janeway just covered her eyes and took several deep breaths.

"Ok Q, from the top, what did you do and where is Voyager?"

"Come on son, you can tell her, I won't let her bite."  Q was starting to have fun with this.

"I told you Aunt Kathy, I didn't know you were here.  I was just having a bit of fun with some spacial-flexures, you know, zapping them here and there?"

"Yes I know Q, just get to the point."  Janeway was still fuming.

"Ok, the point is that you got caught in one and thrown into the past of the Nimsarin planet.  Way in the past at that."  Q2 smiled slightly, but seeing he was the only one doused it quickly.  "Anyway, while you went in one way, Voyager stayed in the present and they couldn't find you so they started for home again."

"Then Voyager is safe?"

"Of course they're safe Kathy, I wouldn't let anything happen to them."  Q spoke up.

"Where is Voyager now?"  Chakotay finally asked a question.

"They're orbiting the planet, waiting for you, except they don't know it yet.  We wanted to surprise old pointy ears.  He's so… Vulcan."  Q's smugness was back in full force.

"You mean we can go home, back to Voyager."  Neelix was in shock at this latest development.

"You're quick Fur-ball.  Yes, you have to go back to Voyager.  You can't stay here on this planet or you'll start a whole new race of Nimsarin's."  Q looked directly at Janeway and Chakotay.  "And from the look of it, I wasn't a moment too soon either.  Just a few more minutes and a new life would have been created."  Q was laughing until he saw the fire coming from Janeway's eyes.  "Oh Kathy, it's not like we all haven't known how you feel about Chuckles.  I don't understand it, but we all know."

"Thanks for clarifying that Q." 

"Always at your service my sweet Kathy."  Q glanced at the others.  "Would you all please excuse us, I need to talk to Kathy in private."

"We'll be right outside if you need us Captain."  Neelix and the Doctor were already out of the cave.  Q2 just snapped his fingers and flashed away.  Chakotay started for the entrance.

"Chakotay, stay.  Whatever it is, I want you to hear it too."  He stopped and went back to stand by Janeway's side, just like he always did.

"Fine with me, it's probably best that Chuckles hears this too."

"Q, would you just for once call him by his real name?  CHAKOTAY, is that so hard for your extra small omnipotent mind to comprehend?"

"You know Kathy, I have half a mind to just leave you here in the past.  You are even meaner than you were on Voyager."  Q folded his arms and started to pout.  Chakotay was just smiling.

"Fine Q, I'm sorry, now what is it you have to tell us?"

"I shouldn't even say anything, temporal time directive."

"Out with it Q."  Janeway's frustration level had reached its max.

"Ok, I don't see that it will hurt now anyway.  You've already messed things up as it is."

"What do you mean I've messed things up?  It was your sweet son who trapped us here."  Q's smile widened.

"He is good isn't he?"

"Like father like son, now what is it Q?"

"You will, in the near future get home."  The looks on their faces made it all worth while to spill the beans a bit.  "Keep your eyes in your heads, it's not all good news and I'm not going to give you any of the details.  However, I will tell you that it's most unethical how you go about it."

"Just what do you know about ethics Q?  You are the last person to talk about ethics."

"Do you want to hear this or not CHAKOTAY!"  Chakotay just rolled his eyes at the omnipotent.

"Q, just say it, what is so important?"

"You have a choice to make Kathy, you and Chuckles."

"What choice would that be?"

"Whether or not you want your memories erased from your time on the planet?"

"Why would we want our memories erased?  What difference will that make in getting us home?"

"Ok, I'll spell it out for you.  You and Chakotay are not supposed to be together, well not in the way you are now."  Q just watched as both of their jaws dropped.  Janeway took hold of Chakotay's hand.

"Why, what could our being together as you say, have anything to do with getting home?"

"Because your loving Chuckles is suppose to be with that Borg bimbo you adopted."

"Seven of Nine!  What in the hell, are you saying Q?  Seven is the last person I'd want to be with, EVER."

"Just proves you're an ape, you don't even know your own mind."  That was the last straw.  Chakotay let go of Kathryn's hand and went for Q's neck.

"That's enough, both of you."  Janeway pulled Chakotay back.  "Q, I still don't see why that would have any impact on our getting home.  What difference does it make who Chakotay is with?  We still get home don't we?"

"That's the big question Kathy dear.  There's no telling what your older self will do if she's already with the ape."

"What are you talking about, my older self?  I thought you said we get home soon.  I'm not that damn old yet."

"Look, I can't give you all the details, I shouldn't have even said this much.  I just wanted to give you the chance to make the right choice and still get home."

"Well Seven is not the right choice.  I'd rather stay here on this planet than to go back and have to start a relationship with Seven."  Chakotay was not at all in a joking mood.  "Kathryn, I can't lose you now, I won't give up what we have, I can't do it."

"How touching."

"Q, shut up!"  Janeway turned to face Chakotay.  "I don't want that either Chakotay.  I don't want to lose you, but I have to get the crew home, we have to get them home."

"This time Kathryn, the cost is too high.  We've been through too much to just forget any of this has ever happened.  I won't do it.  I'd rather spend the rest of my life here alone on the planet that to betray you with Seven.  Kathryn, you are my life, my soul and if all I can have are the memories of us, than that is the way it is.  I won't go back to Voyager to be with Seven."  He pulled her into his arms, holding on tightly for what could possibly be the last time in his life.

"This is just breaking my heart."  Q was wiping at his eyes.  "It's just so… sweet."

"Q, why does it have to be one way or the other?  I don't see how our relationship can change if we get home or not.  Please, you have to tell us why."

"I can't do that Kathy, but as you humans say, 'let life take its own course.'  Maybe the human spirit is stronger than the future, a future that isn't written in stone yet."

"Exactly Q.  That's what I've tried to tell you for years.  The human spirit is strong and resilient.  We make our own future in the paths we choose."

"And a little help from yours truly."  Q boasted like he was the giver of all life.

"Fine Q, I'll give you that.  So what are you going to do to help us?"  Janeway was beginning to see a light at the end of this dark tunnel.

"I'm going to erase your memories before I zap you back to Voyager."

"Q, we don't want our memories of this planet erased.  None of us are the same people we were before we were trapped here.  If you did that, you would be taking away that resilient spirit we just talked about.  Our life choices have to be our own."  Kathryn was almost pleading with Q."

"I'm not talking about your memories of the planet or of the two of you.  I mean just this conversation.  I want you to have the chance to prove that you can make your own future, good or bad.  When the time comes and you are faced with the decision to take Voyager home or not, it will be all Kathryn Janeway's choice.  I just hope you make the right one or the continuum will have my butt."

"I'll do my best Q."  Janeway walked over and placed a kiss on Q's cheek.  "Thank you."  Without another word, the occupants of the planet found themselves standing on the bridge of their ship.  Immediately they were bombarded by, the crew with hugs and tears.

***

"Chakotay!"  B'Elanna had jumped into his arms almost knocking him on his butt.  "I can't believe it, you're really here!"  He continued to hold her in his arms with tears filling his eyes, until he noticed what she wasn't wearing.  He put her down, but before he could ask, she was in Janeway's arms crying like he'd never seen before.

"B'Elanna, you're choking me."  Janeway managed to squeak out.  B'Elanna let go of her friend and captain and stepped back wiping the tears from her eyes.  Janeway's eyes however just stared at the chief engineer.  "B'Elanna, did Starfleet change the dress code while I was away?"  Chakotay started laughing.

"I for one like the new look.  Can't wait to see you in yours Captain."  He put his arm around her.

"Chakotay, you're a pig!"  B'Elanna and Janeway said at the same time then the entire bridge was laughing.

"I've been told that a time or two."

"Captain."  Tom interrupted.  "I hate to bring this up, but you don't seem to be wearing much more than my wife.  All of you look like hell."  Janeway smiled brightly at Tom and walked up to him placing a kiss right on his lips.

"Thank you Tom, that's the nicest thing you have ever said to me."  Tom just tipped his hat that he was still wearing and smiled back.

"My pleasure Ma'am."  Harry was next to receive a kiss from Janeway and he only managed to turn a deep shade of red.

"Tuvok, my old friend."  Janeway's eyes were the ones filled with tears this time.  She slowly walked up to her friend, who up to this point had remained silent.  She put her arms around him and gave him a hug whether he liked it or not, but she was glad he didn't seem to mind.

"Welcome home Captain."

"Hey, what about the rest of us?  No one gave me a hug or kiss."  The Doctor was pouting.

"Ah, come here Doc I'll give you a big kiss."  Tom advanced toward the Doctor with his lips puckered up.

"Mr. Paris, come any closer and you'll be a permanent resident of sick bay."  B'Elanna slipped in front of her husband and placed a sweet kiss on his cheek.

"Better?"

"Thank you Lieutenant, much better."  The welcomes and hugs went on for a few more minutes more, even Neelix managed to get his share of the hugs and kisses.

"Captain, I think we should open ship wide communications so the whole crew can know that you are back."  Harry had managed to be the first one with a rational thought.

"Open channel Harry."  He just smiled in response and tapped the com-link.  "This is Captain Janeway to all hands."  That was all it took, the com-system was overloaded with cheers, shouts of joy and laughter.  The tears were back in all of their eyes at such a warm welcome from the crew.

"Captain, we are receiving a hail from the Nimsarin Prime Minister."  Harry again interrupted the loud welcomes.

"On screen Mr. Kim."  The Prim Minister's totally shocked expression appeared in front of them.

"Captain Janeway!  You're safe I can't believe it!  How did you… where did you… "  Janeway was smiling and openly touched by his concern.

"It's a long story Prime Minister.  I will be happy to fill you in, but I must take care of my crew first and as you can see, I need to see if I've still got a uniform to fit into."  He started laughing along with the bridge crew.

"It appears there has been some interesting uniform changes for your entire crew."  The laughter continued as most eyes locked onto B'Elanna again.  She just growled and folded her arms protectively over her voluptuous chest.  "Take all the time you need Captain.  We will welcome you back with open arms whenever you are ready."

"Thank you, I'll contact you in a few hours."  She turned to face her staff just as Seven walked off the turbo-lift.  Seven's usually unexpressive face was anything but.  Janeway's heart swelled at the sight of her young friend.

"Welcome back Captain, Commander, Doctor and Neelix."  Seven spoke without a trace of emotion, but it was all written on her face.  Janeway's smile was as emotion filled as Seven's expression.

"It's good to be back, thank you Seven."  The Doctor walked up to the upper level of the bridge and placed a kiss on Seven's cheek.

"I've missed you Seven."  She didn't flinch but rather cracked a slight smile at him.

"It is good to see you too Doctor.  I am glad you are safe."  He smiled in return and started for the turbo-lift.

"Well I'd better get to sick bay and make sure I still have one."  He nodded at Tom.  "Captain, I want all three of you to report to sick bay as soon as you get cleaned up.  You and the Commander have some intensive therapy to go through an we need to make sure your vaccines are all caught up."

"We'll get there as soon as we can Doctor, but first things first.  I need a shower and some coffee and not in that order.  Come on Chakotay, Neelix, I'm buying."  She held her arm out and Chakotay took it as they headed arm in arm to the lift with Neelix right behind them.

"Hmm, is it my imagination, or do the Captain and Commander have the exact limp?"

"I believe you were seeing correctly Lieutenant Paris.  They seem to be bonded together by more than just a limp."  All eyes turned to Tuvok who just gave his response to their questioning expressions with a slight raise of the eyebrow.  "Lieutenants Paris and Torres and Ensign Kim, I believe a change of uniforms would be in order for you also."

"Yes Sir."  Tom took his wife by the arm and they followed Harry off the bridge.  Tuvok took the command chair for the last time as Captain of Voyager.  A duty that he was very willing to relinquish back to his dear friend; and if one looked close enough, they could see the faint hint of a smile cross his face.

***

After being bombarded in the mess-hall with all the welcomes from her crew, Captain Janeway had taken her fourth cup of coffee back to her quarters to complete the second important thing she had to do.  She had found her quarters just as she had left them almost four months ago.  It was apparent that Tuvok had no intention of taking over her quarters.  She picked up her uniform off the floor where she had dropped it the night before they had left for the planet.  The tears sprung instantly to her eyes at the sight of her old Starfleet self.  She had changed over the last few months and most of that change was for the better.  Being Captain of Voyager once again was very important, but not her one and only priority.  Things would be different from now on, well some things anyway.  With coffee in hand she stepped into the warm bubble filled tub ready for a long soak in the fragrant warmth of hot, clean water.  Her eyes had just started to close when that all too familiar splash of company filled her senses.  There was no surprise in her voice and she didn't even bother to open her eyes to see her intruder.

"Q, what do you want now?"

"How did you know it was me Kathy?"

"You are the only one to just hop into my tub at any given time."  She finally opened her eyes and smiled slightly.  "Now, is there something I can do for you?"

"My, you are being so pleasant."  He started to look around as if he were in the wrong place. 

"What are you doing Q?"

"Just making sure I didn't pop in on the wrong Captain."  He smiled and blew some bubbles from his hand at her.

"I would doubt Jean-Luc would be quite so accommodating.  Now, is there a reason for this or did you just come to wash my back?"  She threw a sponge at him.

"Hmm, that could be fun but I don't want the big… "  He stopped himself at the look on her face, "Chakotay mad at me.  I really just wanted to make sure you were safe and sound."  She smiled sincerely at him.

"Thanks for your concern and for your help, but I'm going to be fine, we all are."  When no smart comment was forthcoming, Janeway got a bit nervous.  "Q, is there something you're not telling me?  I have this feeling that I'm missing something."  This time he did smile.

"As someone once said Kathy, 'the human spirit is strong and resilient.  We make our own future in the paths we choose.'  Just stay on that path and you will make it home."  With a flash, he was gone, leaving Janeway to wonder just what he'd tried to say, but not at all sure, she wanted to find out.

***

"Well Captain, I must say you do look much better."  Janeway walked onto the bridge flashing a smile at her first officer.

"You don't look so bad yourself Commander."

"The Doctor wants to know when we are going to make it to sick bay?  I think he's more excited to get rid of our twin limps than we are."

"Well he's just going to have to wait, we have something more important to take care of right now."  She limped down to the command center of the bridge but didn't take her seat.  "Besides, I kind of like our new twin walk.  I may just hang on to it for a bit longer."  Chakotay just threw his dimples her way and settled back into his seat.  "Harry, would you hail the Nimsarin Prime Minister?"

"Aye Captain."  A moment later, his face appeared on screen.

"Captain Janeway, you're looking much better."  Janeway started to laugh.

"I'm not sure if that's a complement or not, but I'll take it."

"Captain, I assure you it was meant as only a complement."  The Prime Minister looked at bit embarrassed.  Janeway just kept the smile going.

"Then I thank you.  Prime Minister, we are ready to beam down for our talk, but I do have a special request to ask you."

"Anything Captain, name it and it's yours."

"Thank you, we will discuss it when we arrive.  Commander Chakotay and myself will beam down within the hour."

"Excellent, we will be waiting."  His image faded from the view-screen.

"Commander, would you join me in the ready room?"  Janeway had already headed in that direction.

"Right behind you Captain."  The two limped through the door of the ready room leaving the other bridge officers with grins on their faces.

***

"Chakotay, what do you think, is it a good idea or not?"  He couldn't have said no if he'd wanted too.  It had been a while since Kathryn Janeway was this excited about anything and he had to admit he loved the idea just as much.

"Of course it's a good idea and a very kind gesture."  Janeway stood up too excited to sit any longer.

"Great, I just hope the Prime Minister will agree to it."  Chakotay walked over and stood in front of her.

"How could he refuse that sweet smile?  It's damned near impossible."

"Only for you Commander."  Their bodies moved even closer drawn together without hesitation.

"Which reminds me, we have some very unfinished business to take care of later."

"Care to refresh me on what that might be?  My memory isn't quite what it used to be."  He had slipped his arms around her waist pulling her tightly to him.

"My pleasure."  Janeway kissed him with more passion than he could ever remember from a kiss.  The intensity was like an imprint on his very soul.  The most unforgettable and desired kiss of a lifetime.  When the kiss ended they, both stepped back, slightly on the breathless side.  All Chakotay could manage was a sigh.  "Do you think you can remember now, or do you need more refreshing?"

"That I will never forget Kathryn, but you can refresh me on that particular talent of yours anytime."

"I'll hold you to that, but first, we have a surprise to take care of."  Arm in arm they left the ready room on a secret mission.

"Captain, shall I inform the Prime Minister that you are beaming down?"

"Yes thank you Harry, and you have the bridge."  The limping twins left arm in arm for the transporter room.

***

"Captain, Commander, I must say you've had quite an adventure.  It's remarkable that you even lived to tell the tell."

"There were a few times when I didn't think we would and our dear friend saved my life in that earthquake.  I feel in a way that this is the only way I can repay him."

"I understand how you feel Captain.  We can all become very fond of our pets.  They are like family."  Janeway glanced at Chakotay.  She had a brief feeling that the Prime Minister was going to say no.  "In most cases I would have to decline such a request.  It's not the best of ideas to take a species away that originated on a planet and integrate them into a different environment."  Here comes the no.  Janeway thought, and I would do the same if I were in his position.  "However, these are most different circumstances and we are more than happy to let you take one of our friendly fellows with you."  The smile was instant on both their faces.

"Thank you so much, I can't begin to tell you how much this will mean to us."

"You already have Captain.  I can see it in you smile and I know you will take good care of him.  You did want a male didn't you."

"Yes, if it's ok.  Moth was a male and he was so kind and very smart."  Before the Prime Minister could comment, a smaller yet just as lively version of Moth came bounding up the walkway.  Janeway just laughed with delight.  The creature stopped right in front of her, tilting it's head to the side and looking at her with it's familiar bright-green eyes.

"Go ahead Kathryn hold out your hand, I'm sure he will come right to you."  Chakotay was just as happy to see the little fury beast, but even more so to see the joy it brought to Kathryn.  She knelt down and held her hand out and spoke in a calming sweet voice.

"Come here boy, I won't hurt you.  Come on, it's ok."  The furry beastie thing leaped on her knocking her over and commenced to lick her face with more vigor than her kiss with Chakotay.

"I believe Commander Chakotay that you have a new crew member for Voyager."  The Prime Minister was clearly as happy as Kathryn.

"So we do."  Chakotay knelt down and started to put the furry beast.  It was smaller than Moth and didn't have tusks, well not yet anyway.  He was still a pup.  The claws were much shorter than Moth's had been but everything else about it was very much the same, even the purring clicking noise it was now making.

"Isn't he great Chakotay?"

"Yup, he even has your smile."  The Prime Minister was laughing hysterically from the remark, but Chakotay only earned a deadly glare form Kathryn.  Chakotay held out his arms and furry beast jumped into them.  "Come on Captain, we'd better get our new crewman back to the ship.  There's going to be some happy people when they see him."

"The Doctor especially."  She turned to the Prime Minister.  "I can't thank you enough for this and for everything you've done.  It's so nice to meet such a friendly species and to get to know your planet, a bit too well."  They exchanged another laugh and Captain Janeway shook hands with them all.

"Goodbye and safe journey to you Captain.  It has been our pleasure to get to know you."  Janeway just smiled as Chakotay tapped his com-badge.

"Chakotay to Voyager, three to beam up."

"Three Sir?"  Came the questioning voice of Harry Kim.

"That's right Ensign, three to beam up directly to sick bay."  A second later the three of them dematerialized from the planet.

***

The Doctor had his back to them when they materialized and didn't even bother to turn around, until her heard a… purring clicking sound.  He spun around in shock, dropping his tricorder in the process.

"MOTH!"  The creature leaped from Chakotay's hands into the Doctor's.  He received the same tongue-slurping kiss that Janeway had just gotten.  "Captain, how… when… I… "  The command team just started laughing at their friend.

"Doc, I never thought I'd see the day when you were speechless."  Chakotay was enjoying this immensely.

"Well Doctor, he's ours to keep, but you need to give him a name."  Janeway was petting the fuzzy head while the Doctor was still receiving his share of slurps.

"You mean he is really ours, for good?"

"I believe that's what I said Doctor."  The poor Doctor sat on the edge of a bio-bed still a bit overwhelmed.  Fuzzy-beast had turned his attention to sniffing out his new home.

"Captain, if it's alright with you, I'd like to call him Moth 2."  Janeway felt a tear trickle down her cheek.  The Doctor was one of the most sentimental people she had ever met.  He had more heart than most humanoids.  She placed her hand on his shoulder while wiping at the tear with her other hand.

"I think that's as it should be Doctor, but how about we call him Moth for short?  One crewmember with a numbered designation on Voyager is enough.  I don't want to start calling him Two."  The Doctor's smile was almost as big as Chakotay's.

"Moth it is then.  Moth, come here boy."  He came running back to the Doctor with almost a smile on his mug.  "See, he knows his name already.  Good boy Moth, good boy."  The Doctor rubbed and petted the little beast until he was purring again.

"Doctor, I'll leave Moth in you capable hands, and he will be your responsibility, although I suspect you may have to share him with the entire crew."

"I have no problem with that, as long as they all know he is mine."  Janeway knelt down and kissed the top of Moth's furry head.

"Welcome to Voyager Moth."  She turned to Chakotay with a smile.  "Well Commander, shall we get back to our bridge?  We've got a ship to run."

"After you Captain."  He held out his arm indicating she should walk ahead.

"No Chakotay, together.  We're twins, remember?  Not one before the other, but always together."  She wrapped her arm around his waist and they headed together for the door.

"Speaking of twins you two, when are you going to come in for your therapy treatments?"  The limping couple stopped and turned back to the Doctor.

"In time Doctor, in time."

***

"Come in."  Captain Janeway responded to her ready room door chime.  Her smile lit up when she saw her visitors.  "Moth!"  Her furry friend came bounding over to her and jumped right up on the desk in anticipation of the good scratching he knew he'd receive from her.  Moth wasn't disappointed, Janeway was more than happy to oblige.  Chakotay, the other visitor just stood back watching with a smile on his face.  Moth had done wonders for the entire crew and especially for Kathryn.  She had a special bond with Moth, which made the beast that much more special to Chakotay.

"Umm, Kathryn, you do have another visitor you know."  She looked up at the sound of Chakotay's complaining tone of voice.

"Oh really, who?"  She looked all around the ready room.  "I don't see anyone else."  Her smile was a dead give away to her teasing mood and Chakotay was all too happy to play along.

"Maybe you should have the Doctor check your eyes?  I'm not invisible am I?"

"No, definitely not invisible Chakotay.  My eyes have been enjoying the view very much."

"Could have fooled me.  You never welcome me when I come bouncing into the room like Moth."

"Well Commander, you've never run in and jumped on my desk and started kissing my face before."  The game was on.  Chakotay's dimples reached from one ear to the other, causing Janeway to skip a breath or two.

"Noted for future use Captain, but for now I have a request."

"What would that be Commander?"

"That you take a break for the rest of the evening.  We've all been working nonstop for the last two weeks and we both could use the time together.

"I won't argue with that one and I would love to spend some time with you, but I've just had so much work to catch up on."

"Good, it's nice to know you aren't going to argue with me.  Meet me in holo-deck two in one hour."  He just winked.  "Moth, come on boy.  Let's leave the Captain so she can finish her work."  Moth jumped down from the desk and followed Chakotay out the door.  "And no uniforms."  He called back just as the door swished closed.

***

Dressed in a pair of jeans and a light blue blouse, Captain Janeway strolled down the corridors of her ship.  Her destination, holo-deck two.  She had butterflies dancing in her stomach in anticipation of what could possibly be the night she had dreamed of for so long.  Having no idea what Chakotay was even up to made it that much more exciting.  She had just rounded the bend that would lead her to the holo-deck when Moth came barreling toward her with something in his mouth.  He jumped right into Janeway's arms.

"Moth, what is it boy, did someone scare you?"  She was petting him when she noticed just what he had in his mouth, at the same time getting her answer to who was after Moth.  "Here Moth, take this and run, I'll cover for you."  Moth took off again at full speed making in around the corner before his pursuer saw him.  B'Elanna came tearing down the corridor yelling a few angry Klingon words at Moth.  Janeway just stepped out a bit causing B'Elanna to have to stop running so she wouldn't collide with her Captain.

"Captain!  Have you seen that thieving little beast?"

"What thieving little beast?"

"MOTH, you know damn well who I'm talking about.  He's got my… "  Janeway busted out laughing.  "It's not funny Captain."  Although B'Elanna couldn't help but join her.  "Now, where is he?"

"I've no idea Lieutenant, but I would suggest you calm down and stop running around on my ship.  I'm sure Moth will bring back your favorite Klingon romance novel."

"You're covering for the little varmint.  I should have known.  Moth has the Captain of Voyager wrapped around his little claw."  They both started laughing.

"I dare say B'Elanna that he also has Voyager's chief engineer in the same position."

"Well, he does kind of grow on ya.  He reminds me of… "

"You!"  Janeway interrupted.

"Very funny Captain."

"But very true Lieutenant."  Janeway put her hand on B'Elanna's shoulder.  "Now, be nice to Moth.  I'll see you later, I'm late."  She headed for the holo-deck.

"Have fun tonight Captain, and by the way you look great."

"Thanks B'Elanna."  Janeway called back,  "and no more running through my ship."  B'Elanna just laughed as she took off again in search of Moth and her book.

***

Kathryn Janeway walked into the holo-deck and found herself back on the Nimsarin planet of the past.  Everything looked as it did on their first day on the planet, down to the most minuet details.  She was speechless at the sight of Chakotay sitting around a fire pit of rocks and rubbing two sticks together to get the fire going.  He looked up and smiled.

"You're late, but I'll forgive you if you can get this fire started."  She walked over and sat beside him on the ground.

"My pleasure."  She took the two sticks from his hand, tossing them over her shoulder.  "Computer, start a fire."  Chakotay just rolled his eyes as the flames shot up from the fire pit.  "Now, am I forgiven?"  She smiled sweetly.

"No, you cheated, this is suppose to be authentic of our time on the planet."  He was pouting, but Kathryn was laughing.

"I'm sorry, and this is very authentic, it's just that I don't want to waste our entire evening trying to get a fire started."  His pout changed to a smile.

"You make a very good point.  I do have other things in mind for tonight."  She smiled back with a bit of devil in her eyes.

"Chakotay, please tell me we are NOT having berries for dinner, or you will be a lone occupant on this planet."

"Don't worry, no berry surprise tonight.  I did sneak in a real picnic basket filled with your favorites, even a bottle of wine."  Janeway leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"You do think of everything."  Just as Chakotay was about to return the kiss, a loud screeching pierced the quiet evening breeze as a huge shadow flew over their heads.  Janeway let out a blood-chilling scream herself and punched Chakotay on the arm.

"DAMN YOU CHAKOTAY!  Do you have to be so authentic?"  Chakotay was rolling on the ground laughing hysterically.  "Computer, delete all flying things from this program."  Kathryn Janeway didn't find this a bit funny.

"I'm sorry Kathryn, really I am."  His apology sounded as sincere as the Borg queen herself.

"I will never forgive you Chakotay.  You scared the hell out of me."  She turned her back to him.

"Never?"  She heard him open the bottle of wine.

"Never!"  Came her smiling reply.  She felt his hot breath on the back of her neck as he reached over her shoulder with a glass of wine.

"Are you sure you'll never forgive me?"  His whispered words tickled the back of her neck, making her shiver clear down to her toes.  She took the glass from his hand and enjoyed its sweet fragrance before taking a sip.

"Well, there is a slight possibility that I'll forgive you."  He started to nibble on her neck.

"Only a slight possibility?"  She could hardly hear his words over the loud beating of her own heart.  He took the glass from her hand and spun her around so she was facing him again.  Every passionate emotion imaginable was displayed on his face, which she was sure was mirrored on her own.

"A very large possibility would be more accurate."  He pulled her to him kissing her deeply, and with the same passion that was written in his expression.  When he released her lips from his he knew in that moment that Kathryn Janeway would always own his heart, and anything else she wanted from him.

"Now, you are totally forgiven."  She whispered.

"I thought as much, now let's eat or Neelix will never forgive me for wasting his hard work."

"We can't have that now can we."  Janeway helped spread the elaborate meal out on the blanket.  "Chakotay, just how authentic did you make this program?"

"What do you mean?  You already deleted the birds."

"Oh you know, things like, horrendous rain storms, earthquakes, that sort of authenticity."  Chakotay laughed then smiled devilishly at her.

"Kathryn, if you feel a rumbling of the earth beneath you, it will not be from an earthquake.  Computer, engage privacy lock."

The End