Disclaimer: I don't own the ship, the characters, or anything at all.

Chapter 4 – Time Is Only A Commodity

Two weeks later

Cassie wandered through the academy grounds, contemplating the last two weeks. A lot had happened, firstly her grandmother had died, leaving her completely alone in the world family wise, then she had been forced to sell her grandmothers house, and her mothers childhood home, simply because she couldn't pay for the upkeep. That had been her breaking point, that house had been her last piece of her mother, she had even had her mothers room as her own. When she had been there she had felt closer to her mother, now she felt entirely lost and alone. This was what had prompted her to attempt suicide; only days after her grandmothers passing she took a knife to her wrists and a hypospray full of toxins to her neck. Unfortunately in her eyes, Captain Chakotay had found her and they had managed to save her life, although at times it didn't look likely.

She sighed, that was what had led her here, Chakotay had of course left on another mission. He had put Tom in charge of her, and in charge he was, he wouldn't let her out of his sight. Both Tom and B'Elanna had tried talking to her but she was unreceptive to say the least. She wished she was dead, and when she was truly honest with herself, she wished it had been her that had died that day, not her mother. Living without her these last three years had been like a death sentence and now they wouldn't even let her end it.

Reaching a small bench, she sat down and stared out across the icy park. It was her first day back at the academy, and for the first time in her life she was bunking off class. Part of her felt guilty, after all she was bound to get found out, but the large majority of her didn't care, nothing seemed to really matter anymore.

She thought back to when she woke up after the suicide attempt, and Chakotay had just hugged her and cried. She had pushed him away, screaming at him for forcing her to live. He had left her a letter before he left, hoping she would read it sometime and forgive him. Cassie shrugged, and pulled it out of her pocket. She had refused to speak to him since he was told to leave the hospital, placing the blame on him was easier than facing up to the truth. She hesitated momentarily before ripping open the envelope and pulling out the letter within.

It read:

Cass,

         I'm sorry, but I can't let you go. I promised her I wouldn't, I promised I would protect you and I will, even if it means protecting you from yourself. I just hope when I come back we can be friends again. I want to help you, and be there for you, if you'll let me.

Cass, you've been like a daughter to me, and I love you as such. Don't do anything-stupid honey, too many people love you and care about you. Your mother would be devastated if she knew what you did, you were the most precious and important thing in her life, whether you believed it or not. Just remember that.

Love Chakotay

Cassie slouched back on the bench, he was right maybe she was being selfish.

"Oh god, what have I done?" she said out loud.

"Nothing, yet" came the reply.

"What the hell?" Cassie said standing up and looking around for the owner of the voice.

Suddenly Q appeared in front of her, "Cassie, so nice to see you again."

Cassie stared at him, "You've got a nerve, what the hell are you doing here?" she asked, angry.

"Watching you."

"Watching me, how dare you.." she began, seething with anger.

"I dare. I can help you," he said smirking.

Cassie glared at him, "How?"

"Why you picked up your mothers facial expressions", he grinned.

The mention of her mother seemed to disarm Cassie; she smiled weakly, "Thanks."

"Time is a commodity, why not travel back and change it", he said watching her intensely.

"Change time. It's against the prime directive. I cant go back in time and change it simply because I miss my mom. She would never have gone against the prime directive, you know that", she said seemingly shocked by the idea.

"Why not, having her alive could be an advantage to the federation, and it wouldn't just be for you. What about the rest of the crew? What about your grandmother? Kathy would want you to be happy" he said his face taking a more serious expression.

Cassie turned away, as though thinking about what he was saying.

"Why do you want to help me?" she asked, suspicious.

"Kathy helped my son. One good turn deserves another."

Cassie sighed; she frowned, "How?"

"I can give you the device to create a temporal fold in space, the rest is up to you", he said.

"Okay, fine. Its one way right?" she asked.

He nodded, her confirmation. What have I got to loose she thought.

"I'll do it. When can you have the device ready for?" she asked, determination evident in her voice and features.

"Midnight on friday, meet me here. How do you plan on getting a shuttle?" he asked, suspicious. He knew her mother and he knew Cassie was rumoured to be a lot like her. Q expected Cassie to steal a shuttle, if she wasn't allowed to take one. He knew she would go to any lengths to complete this personal mission.

"I'll be here", Cassie answered, ignoring his question. 

Q nodded and disappeared. Cassie sighed; Q had a point how was she going to steal a shuttle without getting caught.

-Fin-

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