Sorry it has taken me so long to write something new. I kindda stumbled into the worlds longest writers-block. But I'm back in full writing mode now, and hope to finish this story within a couple of weeks tops.

I am working on a new project. An original fantasy series to be posted on fictionpress.net as soon as I finish the first "episode". If you have enjoyed my Charmed work so far, this new series will blow you away. I'm very proud of the whole concept, and thinks it's gonna be good. I should have the first episode ready within a month or so, maybe sooner.

But now, on with the current story.

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Chapter 5 The metal-detector

The man who was apparently called Q looked shocked at the Captains lack of welcoming him.

"But Kathy, aren't you glad to see me?" He said in a mocking tone. Then he glanced around the bridge and saw Prue, Piper and Phoebe.

"Ah, I see you already have guests."

"Leave them alone Q."

"But why, they're so lovely." He started towards Phoebe and Harry immediately left his post to stand as a protective ward in front of her. The Captain called out to them all in warning.

"Perhaps you'd better leave, and avoid this individual at all costs."

As he steered away from Phoebe and headed for Prue, Piper sensed the danger in the air. She threw her hands up in the air and waved them a little. Everybody on the bridge froze in place. Everybody except the Halliwell sisters of course, and Q.

"He didn't freeze, why didn't he freeze?" Piper looked nervously at Prue. Q just broke out into laughter.

"You really think you can use your little parlor tricks on me witch?" He laughed even more.

"You're even more out of place than I thought."

Prue eyed him with cold and calm eyes.

"You know, don't you?"

"About what you call reality, yes of course I know."

"But how is that possible."

"Haven't you learned by now, anything is possible." Prue was still managing to stay calm as he moved around waving his hands wildly as he spoke.

"Are you the key?" She asked in an even voice. Q laughed again and Phoebe noticed how unpleasant the sound was. He positioned himself so he was standing right behind Prue, then with a light motion of the hand he swept the hair away from her ear and whispered.

"No, I'm your metal-detector."

Then just as suddenly as he had appeared he was gone again and time un- froze. The Captain and everybody else looked around in confusion.

"What just happened?"

* * *

It had been two days since Q appeared on the bridge of Voyager, and they had not seen or heard from him since. Piper was still wondering what he had meant when he told Prue that he was their metal detector. Was he meant to help them find the key? If so, why had he not come back yet? After the incident on the bridge the sisters had been told all about Q, and they had explained to the captain that Piper was not able to freeze him and that their powers therefore were useless against him. Nobody in the crew seemed surprised at that. And from what Piper had learned of Q, she was not surprised anymore either.

"Miss Halliwell?

Her train of though was broken by the the small, furry Talaxian she had come to know as Neelix. She smiled up at him. Though he was quite odd- looking, she found him to be pleasant.

"Please call me Piper, it's get's to confusing if you call all three of us Miss Halliwell."

"Good point. I'm ready for your little tour now. If you'll follow me."

She got up from the table she had been sitting at in the mess-hall and followed him over to the little kitchen area. Phoebe had told Neelix about Piper being a cook, and he had agreed to give her a little tour of the kitchen, share recipes, techniques, and maybe even let her cook a little something. She was eager for the opportunity, as it took her mind off things. She smiled brightly as her showed her around the cramped little kitchen and with great enthusiasm explained the use and purpose for every appliance and ingredient. He was quite fond of talking about something he called leola- root, but Piper didn't think that it looked that inviting when she saw it. She finally convinced him to let her cook dinner for the crew. She told him that she really needed the distraction and apparently him sympathized with his fellow chef. He showed her how to use the communication device in case she needed help, made sure to show her where all the repositories of leola-root were, and then he left her to her task. She smiled, took a deep breath and then just jumped right into it. As she chopped her first vegetables she could already feel the tension leaving her body.

* * *

Prue was walking along the corridor, feeling quite sad about the fact that her little personal tour of the ship was almost over. The last week had been great she had to admit. Phoebe was right at home here, what with her romance with Harry and all, Piper had quickly become loved among the crew as she cooked her first dinner for them 5 days ago, and she herself had spent some time with some of the crew. Mostly she had had long conversations with Captain Janeway, but these last couple of days she had spent quite some time with the vulcan Tuvok. She found him fascinating and very calming to be around. Just being near him centered her thoughts somehow. She was also very interested in learning more about the security of the ship, so she had asked him to give her a personal tour of the ship and along the way to explain about the security training and the duties involved in being a security officer. They were nearing the end of that tour now, and she knew Tuvok had to be back on duty in half an hour.

"And this is a transporter room. I believe it is the only place on the ship you have yet to see. After you."

She smiled at him as he stepped aside to let her enter the room. The doors slid aside as she approached them and she entered. Just as Tuvok was about to enter the doors slid shut in front of him with great force and speed. She was startled at this, but only had a split second to acknowledge it, because and instant later Q appeared in front of her.

"Prudence darling, so lovely to see you again." He smiled at her but Prue was cold as ice.

"What do you want?"

"Now, now, is that anyway to talk to your cruise-director!?"

She seemed puzzled at this statement, but then remember his remark from a week ago about being their metal-detector.

"Do you know what the key is? Do you know how to get us home?"

"Patience my dear, all in good time."

"You said something last week about being our metal-detector."

"Yes, and I'm detecting. I'm am doing my job well I might say."

He moved around her so he was standing directly behind her leaning in against her back. With his arm he gestured around the transporterroom.

"Beep, beep Prudence, beep, beep."

In a flash of light he disappeared and the ensign on duty in the transporterroom re-appeared looking somewhat baffled. Prue turned as the doors slid open again and she saw Tuvok standing there looking puzzled, yet calm as per usual.