"Dreamcatcher"

By Tammy Young

©2004

(Somewhere in the Delta Quadrant)

(Sometime before season seven)

The ship's decrepit condition is obvious even in the darkly-drenched blackness where shadows drip off shadows.  A vessel once illuminated with life and courage as endless as the universe itself, now adrift in the icy graveyard of space.

Sifting through haunting images, the mind's eye seeks to grasp onto reality… any reality.  One image flows quickly into another, lacking a connective narrative.  Fear is the only thread on which these images are strung; fear and memories of the darkest shadows of the mind.

This is not real, it can't be real, and I won't let it be real. 

In this chill of helplessness a sense of inadequacy completely overwhelms and they feel enslaved once more to fate, chance, and dangerous thoughts.  Spates of shivers merge into continuous trembling, as the superannuated ship becomes the only reality of the mind.  An inextinguishable thought removing their last shred of hope and every illusion left. 

Cobwebs of fearful images creep through the minds of the crew, as they lie in stasis unable to break free of its tangled icy-fingers.  Their silent screams unheard as their life signs begin to fail.  

=^=

"Harry my pal, not that I'm complaining mind you," Harry Kim stopped in mid note to glare at his friend, "but, your choice of music is putting me to sleep.  How about something with a bit more… life?"

"Tom, you wouldn't know good music if it hit you in the face."  Harry shot back, adding a blast from his clarinet.  Tom put his head down on the console pretending to snore.  He received a poke in the back with so-called instrument of sleep.  "How did you get blackmailed into taking the nightshift anyway?"

"You don't want to know.  Let's just say I… "

"Ensign Kim, I'm picking up a… "  The words were cut short by the sudden drop in temperature on the bridge.

All eyes focused on the view screen.  "What the hell is that?"  Tom spoke the thought for all of them while shaking off the chill running through his bones.  The milky fog danced across the view screen with an almost operatic flair.  Seemingly to melt into the ship, disappearing along with the icy air before any of them could even catch their breath.

Harry Kim looked back at Ensign Miller at ops for the answer, simultaneously tapping his combadge.  "I have no clue, Sir, but whatever it was it's gone now."  She responded with more than a hint of nervousness in her voice.

"Ensign Kim to Captain Janeway."  His voice betrayed his unrest.

"What is it Harry?"  Janeway sounded more alert than she should for that hour of the morning.

"I'm sorry to wake you, Captain, but we just had an interesting experience up here."  Harry had no idea how to describe the unknown.

"Well, Mr. Kim, I was already awake," although, Captain Janeway had no clue as to why, or what had awoken her so suddenly.  She was rubbing her arms working the chill out of her body.  "Harry, you're a wealth of information at this hour, but could you be a bit more specific with your details?" 

She heard the all too familiar chuckle from Tom.  "Go ahead, Harry, I think we would all like those details."  Tom's smile was replaced with a painful expression as he received his second clarinet jab in less than two minutes time.

"I'm sorry, Captain, but I don't have many details.  One second there was a very cold feeling in the air and then this… " He looked back at the view screen trying to find the right words, "milky fog that sort of danced around in front of the ship, then the next second it sort of…  melted into the ship and was gone, along with the cold."  Harry smiled to himself thinking that wasn't a half bad description.

Janeway didn't like the sparse details or the bad feeling that was seeping through her.  "Anything on sensors?"  She had to ask even though she knew the answer.  Her crew was trained well.

"No, Captain."  Ensign Miller answered.  "We aren't picking up anything from long or short range scans.  I detected… something for just a millisecond earlier, then it was gone."  She knew the captain wouldn't settle for that answer, but that was all she could offer.

Janeway was up and getting dressed ready to head for the bridge.  "Harry, take us out of warp, start a level three diagnostic on all ship sensors, and check environmental systems.  I want some answers.  Also, wake Commander Tuvok and B'Elanna and have them meet me on the bridge.  I'm on my way, Janeway out."

Before Harry Kim could issue the summons the turbolift doors opened bringing, Commander Tuvok.  Harry looked quickly towards Tom.  "Maybe you should wake up your wife."  He said almost pleadingly.

"No thank you, Captain Kim.  I'll leave that in your very capable hands."  Tom sat back linking his hands behind his neck.  "I will say this though, this sure gives a new meaning to the 'graveyard' shift."  Although the frosty air was gone, Tom was still feeling its creepy effect. 

=^=

Still a bit rattled from the unknown, Captain Janeway walked out of her quarters and right into Commander Chakotay.  The collision was not an all too unpleasant sensation.  "Commander, I didn't know you made a habit of roaming the ship at night."  Her blue eyes couldn't help traveling down his partially nude frame. 

He smiled at her wandering eyes.  "I don't make it a habit.  Something rather chilly just woke me up and I came out to see if there was a reason."

"It seems there may be a reason, although what is anyone's guess.  Care to join me on the bridge?"  Her 'all captain and no play' expression was in place, or so he thought.

Gesturing for her to go first he smiled and said… "Lead the way."

After two steps she turned back letting her wandering eyes be known this time.  "Chakotay, not that I don't appreciate the view, but leopard is not quite Starfleet regulation."

This could prove to be a fun night after all.  Chakotay spun around in front of her giving her front and back views.  "So, you like?"

Janeway turned heading for the turbolift to avoid showing him her admiring smile.  "I do indeed.  Now go change, Commander." 

=^=

"Anything yet Mr. Kim?"  Janeway asked before the lift doors had opened all the way depositing her on the bridge.  Seeing that Tuvok was already there made her feel more relaxed.

"Nothing so far, Captain.  We're running scans and diagnostics now.  There has not been a hint of anything out of order."  Harry was relieved by his own news but knew that it wouldn't satisfy Captain Janeway.

"Tuvok, grab a security team and check every inch of this ship for any sign of… anything.  I want to know what that was before we find out we should be worried about it."  She didn't wait for his acknowledgment before tapping her combadge.  "Janeway to Torres, you'd better be awake Lieutenant."  She rather enjoyed toying with her half Klingon chief engineer, also feeling safe from this end of a combadge.

"Ha, our very own 'Starfleet' made sure of that.  Remind me to kick his… "  Tom was laughing while playfully rubbing his butt in mock sympathy.

Harry just raised his clarinet towards Tom sneering.  "Chicken."

"No need Lieutenant.  I'm quite sure Mr. Kim got the point."  She smiled slightly at Harry just as Chakotay walked in passing Tuvok at the turbolift.  "B'Elanna, get to engineering and make sure everything is on track.  I want a full diagnostic on the warp engines while we're sitting here.  I don't want any surprises down the road."

"I'm already in engineering.  Can I ask why and what I'm suppose to be looking for?"  She didn't enjoy not knowing what she was doing, or for that matter she didn't enjoy being woken up in the first place.

"You can ask, Lieutenant, but I have no answer, just do it and let me know the minute you find anything, Janeway out."  She sat in her command chair as Harry moved to ops.  Chakotay had already taken his seat next to her, no leopard in sight.  Janeway couldn't stop the smile in his direction. 

"Captain, I take it you noticed the sudden ice-berg feeling in the air?  Did you see anything at all?"  Tom had turned in his seat hoping it wasn't just him that had felt like a ghost had walked over his grave.

"No I didn't see anything.  I just suddenly woke up and the air was freezing, but before I could even get my brain to work it was gone and Harry was contacting me."  She looked at Chakotay knowing he had felt something too.

"I have no idea either what woke me up, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling.  I don't remember a thing about what I was dreaming about, or if I was.  All I knew was something wasn't right and damn cold so I thought I'd better check it out."

"That explains the leopard."  Janeway spoke softly while avoiding his eyes.

"What?"  Tom had heard her remark and just had to ask.

"Nothing Lieutenant.  It's just been a strange night."

"I won't argue that.  Kind of like a real live ghost story." 

"What's the matter, Tom, don't you like a good ghost story?"  Harry had to get back at his friend.

"Ha, ha, always the comedian.  I like them fine, just not when I'm in the middle of one."  Tom was not enjoying the nightshift at all.

"That's enough both of you.  We need to find the logical reason for this.  I hardly think we are being haunted by a ghost."  Janeway was up pacing the bridge now.

"I wouldn't bet on that, we are in the Delta Quadrant after all."  Tom was a betting man, but not on this.

Janeway was staring at the view screen.  "Tell me again exactly what it looked like." 

"There is really nothing to describe, Captain.  It was just a milky fog like appearance, a cloud maybe.  It just floated in front of us and then vanished."  Harry still thought his details were not bad.

"You said before it melted into the ship.  Harry, put the outside of the ship on the view screen."  She had a sudden image in her mind of a rather nasty looking ghost hanging off her ship.

"Damn, Captain, you need to wash your ship once in a while."  Paris' comment went unacknowledged.

"What is that?"  Chakotay was up standing by the captain.

Voyager looked like she had been through a milk storm.  A thin layer of white foggy film covered the front half of the ship.

"I believe that's our ghost, Commander, or what's left of it anyway.  Harry, are you getting any readings from it?"

"Negative, Captain.  The computer isn't identifying anything other than the normal space particles that collect over time." 

"Well, unless none of us can see, there's something stuck on my ship."  The bridge was quiet as all eyes remained fixed on the view screen. 

"Captain, it looks like it's starting to disappear in spots."  Chakotay broke the silence.

Sure enough the white film was dissipating, and fast.  Janeway had an idea.  "Commander, since I know how you enjoy a nice midnight stroll around my ship… " She nodded her head in the direction of the view screen.  "We need a sample of whatever that is before it's gone."

Chakotay got the subtle hint all too well.  "This should be fun.  Paris, you're coming with me." 

"Me!  I don't even like the nightshift, take Captain Harry instead, he does."  Tom disliked this turn of events immensely.  He looked towards Janeway for help.  She just folded her arms with a smile on her face.

"Sorry, Tom, no can do.  Next time you might think twice about losing a bet and ending up on the nightshift.  Let's go!"  Chakotay was already heading for the turbolift.

Grumbling, Tom followed Chakotay to the lift, not bothering to look back when he heard Janeway.

"Oh, Tom, watch out for ghosts."  She just couldn't help it.

They were in the turbolift, but Tom's remark was heard before the doors closed.  "Captain, you've been hanging around my wife too long."

Harry and Janeway were both laughing now.  "No, Tom, I have been hanging around you FAR too long."

=^=

"Tom, watch your footing here.  No telling how this stuff will affect our magnetic boots.  I don't want to have to tell B'Elanna I lost her husband out in space."  Chakotay was just a few steps ahead of Tom.

"I hear ya, on both accounts."  Tom was focused on his tircorder and on his feet, anywhere but on his current position with only a thin magnetic barrier between him and an eternal space-walk.  "This doesn't make any sense, Chakotay.  Is your tircorder reading anything?"  Tom actually gave his a couple of hard whacks with his gloved hand.

"Not a thing.  Whatever this stuff is our tricorders don't know anymore then we do."  This was starting to frustrate even the ever-calm Commander.

"Janeway to Chakotay, how ya doing out there?"  She had them in sight on the view screen.

"We're having a blast, Captain."  He looked over at Tom who had no intention of removing his gaze from the hull of the ship.  "Captain this stuff is evaporating fast and our tricorders don't even detect its existence."

"Then I suggest you beat feet and get a nice sample of it before it's gone.  Let me know when you've got it."

"You heard the captain, Paris.  Let's dance before the ballroom is empty."  Chakotay moved towards a big area of white film.

"I prefer a female dance partner thanks, and a ballroom where the vastness of space is not the back drop."  Tom begrudgingly followed keeping his eyes focused… down.

By the time they had collected a moderate sample and were headed back the ghostly film had totally dissipated.  The only remaining sign that anything had been amiss was the vial full of unknown fear Chakotay held in his hand.  Fear the crew of Voyager had yet to even comprehend.

=^=

Captain Janeway had sequestered herself in her ready room most of the afternoon and evening, mulling over the reports coming in from all departments about the strange events in the wee morning hours.  From all the reports it was hard to believe that anything had really even happened.  More than once she questioned her own experience, or lack of, and wondered if maybe they had all imagined the whole thing.

Every report from engineering down to Neelix's pots and pans only confirmed her self-doubt.  All systems checked out fine.  No intruders were found.  Engines were running at peak performance.  Not a hair out of place on the most out of place ship in the Delta Quadrant.  The only thing they had as proof was the small vial of fog-like film that didn't even prove to exist at all.  The Doctor and Seven had worked all afternoon to try and find out what it might be.  Only to come up empty handed from the latest report she was scanning now.

Her door chime sounded and she knew whom it was without even having to ask.  "Come in, Commander."

"I can't surprise you can I?"  Chakotay walked in with a smile and a tray of something that didn't smell half bad.

Janeway smiled back.  "Well you could try.  How about surprising me with a detailed report on what our little early morning wake up call was."

"That mystery has yet to be revealed, but… " He brought the tray to the desk uncovering the contents.  "I do have Neelix's latest surprise dinner, care to join me?" 

Janeway's stomach was rumbling, and it did smell good, but she had her doubts.  "I don't know, Commander.  This could be too much of a surprise to handle tonight."  Her continued smile betrayed her doubts.

"I'll take that as an 'I'd love to Chakotay' now let's eat, I'm starving."  He was already setting the tray of food on the coffee table.

Janeway was right behind him.  "You are a man who likes to take risks, Commander, I admire that."  She grabbed a hot roll from the tray.  "I think I'll join you."

The comfortable light banter and surprisingly delicious food lasted another hour until Janeway's eyelids were beginning to slam shut.  Chakotay was more than just a bit tired himself.  It had been a long day for all of them.

They decided to take the 'don't fret over spilled milk' approach to the day's events and keep working on it tomorrow.  The ship was underway again heading for the Alpha Quadrant.  All systems were a go and the crew was more than ready to forget the whole thing, even if they didn't know what the 'thing' was.

Chakotay grabbed her hand and headed for the door.  "Come on, Kathryn.  I've got one more job to do before I can hit the sack."

"What would that be?"  She asked through a yawn.

"Tucking the captain safely in her bed."  He held tighter to her hand as they made their way off the bridge.

Tuvok was taking the nightshift, which made Janeway feel more relaxed to help Chakotay with his last job of the day.  "That is a job I'm glad to delegate into your trusting care."   Janeway rested her head on Chakotay's shoulder as they rode in silence to their destination. 

=^=

"Good morning, Captain."  Neelix handed her a steaming shot of caffeine with a cheerful smile on top.  She took the cup from him without even looking in his direction, and mumbled something he could swear was more Klingon than human.  "That seems to be the general consensus one this gloomy morning."

"What?"  Janeway obviously hadn't been listening.  She did however look up with a weak smile showing.  "I'm sorry, Neelix, I guess I'm still a bit tired."

"As I said, the general consensus of many of the crew."  He followed her to a corner table with the pot of life-brew in hand.  "Is there anything else I can get you, Captain?"

"No, this is fine."  She answered half-heartedly.  "My replicator didn't like me this morning."  He just smiled and turned to leave, hoping this 'out of sorts' feeling the crew seemed to be in would pass soon.  "Neelix, what did you say about some of the crew?"  Her question brought him back around.

"I think everyone got up on the wrong side of the bed."  There was a questioning look on the captain's face.  "That was what Tom said about B'Elanna this morning."  He leaned in a bit closer to Janeway.  "Just between you and me though, I think Tom got kicked out of bed by the before mentioned."

Janeway had no choice but to laugh now.  She could well imagine her loving chief engineer doing just that.  "Your analogy of our distinguished couple is safe with me, Neelix."  She took several sips of what posed for coffee.  "For me anyway, it's not which side of the bed, but having to get out of it altogether."  The genuine smile continued.  "I guess I really didn't sleep too well."   

"Maybe you should catch a nap today.  Not much has been going on the last few weeks.  I think the crew is feeling a bit frazzled from lack of… excitement."  He refilled her cup and walked away making no further comment.

Kathryn Janeway was grateful for that small blessing.  She just wanted to sip her breakfast with nothing but quiet for company before heading to the bridge, and that possible nap he'd suggested. 

That wasn't meant to be, however.  Across the room she heard the loud protesting voice of Naomi Wildman.  Her young protégé was anything but happy, or quiet.  Whatever the ruckus was about it was clear Miss Wildman was not getting her way.

Janeway smiled to herself as a wisp of the young girl flew past and out the door as if the ship were a blaze to match her temper.  I'm sure glad I'm not you Samantha.  Times like these Janeway didn't miss having children of her own.

Sam Wildman was not far behind her daughter but stopped when she noticed Janeway watching her.  Her change of direction accompanied with an embarrassed look lead her over to Janeway's table.  "I'm sorry, Captain.  I suppose you heard the whole thing."

"Well it would have been a bit hard to miss."  She responded, but with a concerned smile.

Samantha took the seat next to her captain.  "I just don't know what has gotten in to her.  One minute she is my sweet little girl and the next she acts like a crazed… teenager." 

Both women were laughing at that one.  "My friend, I hear it only gets worse from here, good luck."  For the second time in less than two minutes Janeway was glad she didn't have kids.

"Gee thanks, but I think I am going to need more than just luck."  Sam was worried and frustrated with her daughter and Janeway could see the concern in Samantha's tired eyes.

"I don't have any motherly advise for you, but as the captain of this integrated family I will say you're doing a fine job with her.  She'll come around, she just has a lot of… spunk."  Janeway's thumbs-up smile continued. 

"Spunk is an understatement, Captain.  Just in the last few days she's gone from a kind compassionate little girl to a raging hormonal teen.  She's too young for this… I think."  Samantha really had no way of knowing how her daughter should act or react being half Ktarian.

"Well, too young or not it sounds like the fun has begun."  Janeway put a reassuring hand over Samantha's.  "Sam, we both know from experience that listing to your parents is the last thing any teenager wants to do."

"That's sure true.  My own mother always said she hoped I'd have a daughter who acted just like me."  Samantha Wildman smiled at the memory.  "Guess what goes around comes around."

"Indeed it does, but the good thing about being on a small ship lost in the Delta Quadrant is she can't run too far.  She'll have to listen to someone, and there is always a someone with an opinion floating on this ship."  Janeway finished the last of her brew and stood up to leave.  "I'll try and talk to her as well, maybe give her some extra… captain's assistant duties.  Keep her too busy to remember her raging hormones."

"Now that is a plan worth smiling about."  Samantha Wildman did just that.  "Thank you, Captain." 

"Don't thank me yet, this could backfire and we'll both end up paying for it."  Janeway's cheerful yet less then optimistic tone made them both feel better.  "I'll see you later, Sam.  Time for the captain of this ship to act like one and get to work."  She made a quick exit from the room, leaving a lasting comforted feeling with Sam.

=^=

"Sleep late, Captain?"  Chakotay asked as Janeway made her way to the command center.

"I wish."  She replied stifling a yawn.  "I just can't seem to wake up this morning, or should I say, feel awake this morning."  She took her seat next to her first officer.  "Maybe it's the lack of anything exciting, or anything at all for that matter."

"Won't argue that.  It has been a bit boring around here."  Chakotay leaned in close to whisper his next comment.  "Except for Mr. Paris and his new chair dance." 

"I heard that, and it's not funny."  Tom did a little side-to-side movement while rubbing his hindquarters.

The command team unsuccessfully tried not to laugh.  "What's the matter, Lieutenant, get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?"  Janeway couldn't help herself.

Tom spun around in his seat a bit too fast for his own comfort.  The grimace of pain quailed his coming comment, slightly.  "Not exactly, Captain.  It's more… how I ended up out of bed!" 

"Oh come on, Tom, elaborate further please.  This is the most fun we've had in days."  Harry Kim enjoyed any chance to goad his friend.

"Ha, ha, go find your entertainment elsewhere."  Tom grumbled and slowly this time, turned back to the helm.

"No problem, I'll just ask B'Elanna."  Harry knew how and who to get the info he wanted.

Janeway and Chakotay just kept smiling but wisely keeping any further comments to themselves.  Janeway tapped her combadge.  "Janeway to Engineering."

"Torres here, Captain."

Tom, forgetting his pain once again flew back around with close to the death glare in his eyes.  "Take it easy, Lieutenant, I'll leave the asking to Harry."  Janeway enjoyed the moment though.

"Ask me what?"

"Later, B'Elanna.  What's the status with the Doctor's emitter and the dozens of other little glitches around the ship?"

"Yea, like my sonic shower."  Chakotay cut in.  Janeway sniffed in his direction and wrinkled her nose.  She received her second 'almost death glare.'

"So far everything checks out fine, even the Doctor.  He's his usual henpecking self."  She paused to let that one sink in.  From the laughter she heard over the com-link it did.  "I don't know, Captain.  It's like the ship has a case of the hiccups or something.  There just doesn't seem to be anything wrong by the time we run a diagnostic on the problem, even Chakotay's shower."

"Well that's at least good news."  Janeway wrinkled up her nose again winning her nothing but dimples this time.  "B'Elanna, keep at it, there has to be a reason for all the… hiccups.  We can't very well ask Voyager to hold her breath until they're gone."

"That doesn't work anyway, I've tried.  I'll keep at it Captain, at least it's something to do.  Torres out."

"A ship with the hiccups.  I bet that's one Starfleet hasn't heard of yet."  Chakotay was only half joking.  In the Delta Quadrant they all knew anything was possible.

"Speaking of Starfleet, Tuvok, have we had any sort of transmission from them lately?"  Janeway asked knowing the answer anyway.

"Nothing in several weeks, Captain."  Tuvok answered.  "However our long range communications have also been effect by the… hiccups."

"Well keep trying to raise them, or anyone.  I'm starting to feel a bit lonely out here."  Janeway knew she wasn't the only one feeling that way.  Something just didn't seem right.  The problem was, not knowing what that something was.  She leaned back in her chair with a reflective look on her face.

"Are you ok, Captain?  You seem a bit weary."  Chakotay was ever mindful of her every action and reaction.  "Why don't you go get some rest.  I think we can handle the excitement around here for a few hours."

"I'm sure you can, and I'm fine, Commander.  I was just thinking about a little conversation I had with Samantha Wildman this morning.  I think she's got enough excitement right now for all of us."

"Let me guess, little Naomi."  It wasn't a guess at all, however.  Chakotay had insider information when Naomi had let him know just how tired she was of being treated like a little girl by everyone, mostly her mother.  All he had done was say hello to her the other night and he'd ended up with an ear full.

"It would seem our youngest crew member is fed up with being treated as such.  The terrible teens have struck." 

"Then let's hope this ship is big enough for all of us."  Chakotay once again managed to brighten this rather humdrum morning.

That sparkle reached through to Janeway's eyes.  "I'm sure you were the model teenager, Commander."  Biting on her lower lip so as not to laugh she quickly stood up to leave. 

"Absolutely."  Chakotay folded his arms with pride.  Tom didn't hold back and started to laugh, until the movement caused pain to his bruised exterior.  "You doubt me Paris?"

"No, Sir, not today anyway.  I'll just drive the ship and mind my own business." 

"That is a wise decision, Lieutenant."  Janeway responded before entering the turbolift.  "Just find us a planet, a star, a rock to investigate."

"I'll see what I can come up with, Captain."  Tom pretended to focus on the helm.

"Then I'll leave the bridge in the capable hands of you fine gentlemen.  I have a little something to do."

"Like nap."  She heard Chakotay say as the lift doors closed.

=^=

"Come in, Chakotay."  Janeway called out from her bedroom at the sound of the door chime.

"I'm already in."  Chakotay meandered over to the sofa, plopping his sore muscles onto the soft cushion.

"Do you always make it a habit of walking in before invited?"  She responded laughing slightly.

"No, I save that little annoyance for the captain."  His comfortable response matched the feel of the sofa. 

"Well then, it's nice to know you hold me in such high esteem."  The words mingled with more laughter.  "Make yourself at home, I'll be out in a minute."

"I already did."  He stretched back feeling more at home than in his own quarters.  "Can I get you a drink, Kathryn, or is your replicator still acting up?"

"I hope not, or dinner will be slim pickings tonight."  Janeway walked out of her bedroom still running a brush through her hair.  She looked as comfortable as Chakotay felt, and much more beautiful.  "And yes I'd love some wine."

"Me too."  Although, he made no movement towards fulfilling their desire, but his smiling eyes remained locked on her. 

A few more strokes with the brush and she set it on the table all the while keeping her own eyes locked on him.  "Chakotay, when a gentleman offers a lady a drink, that usually means he gets it for her."  He still made no movement to do so.  "Commander, are you stuck?"

"Not exactly."  He proved it by gingerly getting up.  "I was just admiring the view."  He slowly crept over to the replicator.

"The view isn't much to admire these days."  She took the seat he'd just vacated.  "It looks like Tuvok's security training program got the best of you, Commander."  His prehistoric movements were a dead give away.

"Nothing gets past you does it?"  He handed her a glass of red wine and a smile.  "Just what did you mean 'the view isn't much to admire?' I quite enjoy the view."

She moved over… slightly so he could sit down.  "I think you're losing your eyesight then.  The view is turning slightly gray."  She absentmindedly ran her hand through her hair.  "Not to mention that time seems to be marching right across my face as well."

"Hmm," he moved in for closer inspection.  "I rather love the hint of silver, and the distinguished look of time."  Chakotay brushed her cheek slightly with his free hand.  "My eyesight is just fine, Kathryn."

For a fleeting moment that marching of time seemed to stop as their hearts felt more than that physical touch.  "So is your oozing charm, Commander."  She made a quick escape from the moment by taking a generous sip of wine and standing up.  "Let's get something to eat before we both fall asleep right here on the couch."

"I can think of worse places to be."  He followed her over to the table.  "For your information, Captain, It wasn't Tuvok's training course this time."  Chakotay helped set their freshly replicated dinner on the table.

"Oh?"  Janeway lit the long burgundy candles.  "Let me guess… " She feigned an expression of deep thought.  "B'Elanna kicked you out of bed too?" 

Chakotay was laughing hard enough to cause the wine in his glass to move like an ocean's waves.  "The secret's out, I'm sleeping with Tom's wife."  They were both laughing now.

"Well for your sake, you'd better hope this secret doesn't spread too far.  I'd hate to explain to Starfleet why my first officer ended up drifting in space for eternity."

"I'd hate to be that first officer."  They were enjoying the evening and the meal.  "Seriously though, I was playing a friendly game of Velocity with Seven."  He rubbed a sore spot on the back of his neck.

"I take it you didn't win."  She remarked between bites of warm bread.

"As a matter of fact I did."

"Really, that isn't a game Seven is too gracious about losing.  How did you manage to get out alive?"  Janeway's humor was still in tact.

"Not sure I did."  The rubbing of sore muscles continued.  The strange thing is, she didn't even put up much of a fuss.  She seemed almost glad to lose and get the game over with."

"That doesn't sound like Seven."  All humor was gone from her voice.

"No, and I asked her if anything was wrong.  She wouldn't elaborate other than to say her regeneration alcove had been acting up.  She apparently hadn't gotten much rest the last few nights."

"I hope it's working now."  Janeway said with a hint of apprehension in her voice. 

"I did bump into the Doctor on my way from the hollodeck and he said when he and B'Elanna checked her alcove earlier in the day it was working fine."

"Sounds like a few other things on this ship.  Working one minute and then the next, not.  I'm beginning to think Voyager really does have the hiccups."  Something just wasn't adding up and they all were starting to feel it.  "I'll check on Seven in the morning to see how she's doing."

Chakotay reached over and refilled her wine glass.  "I'm sure she'll be fine, you shouldn't worry too much, Kathryn."

"I'm always worried about all of us, and speaking of worry… just why were you in sickbay bumping into the Doctor?"

Chakotay tried the charm routine again.  "Did I say sickbay?"

"Out with it, Commander.  You're as easy to read as a book." 

"So much for all that undercover training."  His charisma was overflowing.  "It's really nothing, just a few aches and pains.  In fact the Doctor basically said… take two of these and call me in the next millennium."  They were both laughing again.  "I'm really fine, Kathryn, honest."

"That does sound like our loving Doctor."  Her expression grew somber again.  "Chakotay, I've just had this feeling lately that something is not right.  I can't really put my finger on it, and that unknown is what is making me so uneasy."  Her demeanor solidified her concern. 

"I know what you mean, Kathryn.  I'm quite sure most of the crew feels it too, and all the crazy little glitches throughout the ship.  The fact everyone seems a bit on edge and tired." 

"They were both lost in thought for a moment.  "Chakotay, this all seems to have started after we ran into that murky cloud thing.  Even though none of us has been able to figure out what it is, it has to be connected to this."

"I tend to agree, Kathryn, but how?  Every time we bring a sample of it out of stasis it evaporates before we can do anything, even get a reading on the tricorder."

"Like I said, it's hard to figure out the unknown, or even if there's an unknown.  Maybe we should just jettison the damn vial into space before it can really harm us."  She knew that was a stupid idea but they were grasping at straws for anything at this point.

"A substance can't harm anyone in stasis and we both know it may be the only way to help figure out what is wrong, if anything is wrong.  I'm still not 100% sure there is anything to worry about."  Chakotay, despite his effort not to do so, yawned.  "Sorry, Kathryn.  I guess I'm a bit tired myself." 

They both got up, clearing the table off in record time.  "It is getting late and I'm more than ready to jump into bed."  Janeway quickly amended that last sentence.  "Alone, Commander."  She half shoved him to the door.

"Did I say anything…?"

"You didn't have to.  Remember, I know you like a book."  Her smile was still radiant and Chakotay could live off of that forever, almost.  "Good night, Commander."

"Good night, Kathryn, and sweet dreams."  He backed up to the door.

"I hope so, and you too.  I'll see you in the morning."  Chakotay left taking with him his comforting presence.

=^=

The tenebrous substance lay in oblivion within the stasis unit.  Flourishing with life within its non-existent consciousness.  Its avaricious tentacles are threading a foreboding visage to the unsuspecting crew.  A form of life that is void of light but thriving within the graveyard of the mind.  Claiming living organisms for its own, quenching the never-ending hunger to survive.  Feeding on the darkest fears and endless shadows of the soul. 

=^=

"Why is it so cold?  This isn't right, where am I?" The long and unwelcoming corridor left her reeling with fear.  Super enhanced adrenalin pleaded with her frozen muscles to run!  " Faster, go faster, this isn't real!"  Embedded deep within her tomb of hell were the faces of her friends and family, each grotesquely aged face screaming out her name.  Harry, The Doctor, Naomi, they were all there with her, trapped in this unreal horror.  "No!"  She heard her voice scream as her eyes snapped open.  Blue eyes brimming with fear and anger at yet another regeneration cycle interrupted. 

=^=

"Captain, I need to speak to you."  Seven of Nine inadvertently met Janeway coming off the turbolift.

"Hello, Seven, you're just the person I was coming to see." 

"Then it is convenient I am here."  There was no hint in Seven's voice that this was going to be a pleasant conversation.

Janeway tried a smile as she walked off the turbolift.  "It's even more convenient that I am here."  She gestured for Seven to lead the way back into the cargo bay. 

Seven's expression became slightly puzzled but she refrained from making a further comment until the cargo bay doors closed behind them.  "My alcove is malfunctioning." 

Blunt and to the point as always, Janeway kept the smile and thought inside.  "So I've heard."  They walked over to the alcove and she ran her tricorder over it.  "Just what is it that you think is wrong, Seven?" 

"I don't think, I know something is wrong.  Your scan will not show anything, Captain."  Seven stated with a bit more anger than she should.  She received a warning look for her trouble. 

Janeway put the tricorder aside.  "Why don't you start at the top and tell me just what is going on." 

"My regeneration cycle keeps being interrupted by…" she paused averting her gaze from Janeway.  "By nightmares."  Seven had some trouble even believing it herself, and if not for the fact she was living them she wouldn't believe it.

Janeway's reaction came as a surprise to the once Borg and now part of the family.  "You're not the only one."  She seemed to be looking past the alcove, though her eyes were focused directly on it.  "I don't think your alcove is the problem, Seven."

"So I've heard."  Seven received another warning look, but tempered with a smile this time.  "Captain, the Doctor, Lieutenant Torres, myself, even Icheb have done everything to locate the problem.  We even disassembled the entire unit, but still found nothing.  Yet I keep having these images of… something horribly wrong interrupting my cycle.  There has to be a problem we just can't detect."  Seven sounded desperate for an explanation.

Janeway put a comforting hand on her arm, although just as much for herself as the ex-borg.  "Seven, these are real dreams, nightmares if you will.  I doubt no matter how much you tear your alcove apart you would find the problem."

"That's not possible, I'm not… " 

"Oh yes you are, you are as human as I am and as vulnerable to the dream world as any of us."  Janeway said with a pensive look clouding her eyes.

"Then I would rather be borg."  Seven wasn't even slightly amused with this latest prospect of human life.

Not that Janeway could blame her friend for that, not after some of the nightmares she'd had of late.  "Seven, I've had some rather unpleasant dreams myself lately, and I'd be willing to bet we're not the only ones either."

"How unpleasant?"  Seven was just relieved to know she wasn't going crazy.

"Most of the time I don't even remember what it was that wakes me up so suddenly, leaving me with a foreboding feeling.  It's more images really.  Images I'd rather not contemplate.  Let's just say they are very disturbing and frightening."  Janeway couldn't even bring herself to say what she'd been seeing in her nightmare world.  "I don't know, maybe this is just our overactive imaginations taking over for the boredom lately.  Even you have to admit there's not been much excitement on this ship."

"I don't excite easily, Captain.  However, even I have been lacking in things to occupy my time."

"Exactly, you are just as vulnerable as any of us emotionally unstable humans."  Janeway said with a genuine smile.

"I do not find that minutely exciting," although said with a lighthearted tone of voice.

"Well it makes me feel better."  Both of their moods had improved a bit.  "We'll figure this out, but for now I have an appointment with our good Doctor."

"It was Seven's turn to have a bit of fun.  "Then I will wish you good luck, Captain.  The Doctor has been more than his usual self lately."

Janeway was on her way out the door.  "You're not the first one to inform me of his… bedside manner."  She left without a glance back, missing Seven's bona fide smile.

=^=

"Hello Captain."  Ensign Marshall was walking out of sickbay as Janeway was walking in.

"Hello Ensign, how are you this morning?"  The question was just automatic, although she didn't get the automatic answer of 'fine.' 

"Well according to the Doctor I'm a -- sniveling human with nothing more than a few aches and pains."  He said with a bit of embarrassment.

Janeway did her best not to laugh, but was less than successful.  "My advice, Ensign Marshall, take that as a compliment and consider yourself fit as a fiddle."  She gave his shoulder a friendly pat on her way into sickbay.

"Yes Ma'am."  He replied with a bit of humor in his voice.

Janeway was startled to see so many people in sickbay, and no Doctor in sight.  She made eye contact with Tom Paris. 

"He just went offline, he'll reappear any… "  Please state the nature of…  "Second."

The Doctor looked more annoyed than Janeway could ever remember.  In fact he looked like he was about to bite someone's head off and she was his closest victim.  Tom wisely focused his attention elsewhere.

"Doctor, what's going on, and why the old line?  You haven't used that in years."  She asked, but with a warning note to the words.  She hoped it would be enough to quail his all too short fuse. 

It wasn't.  "What's going on is YOUR ship is possessed and YOUR crew are the demons." 

"I beg your pardon!"  This time he got the warning along with the look that made him wish he were offline again.

"I'm sorry, Captain.  I haven't been myself lately."  His apology was less than sincere.  "Something is causing my program to shut down suddenly then come back online.  I have ordered Lieutenant Torres to fix it, but apparently she hasn't seen fit to do so."

"Well for starters, Doctor, you don't order B'Elanna to do anything."  She smiled to herself at the thought of him even trying.  "Secondly, why don't you just transfer your program into your hollow-emitter?"

"I've tried, the computer just ignores the command."  He was clearly fed up with the whole thing.

"Computer, transfer all of the Doctor's programming into the hollow-emitter on his arm."  The familiar sizzle of air and the Doctor was gone, then back.  "Seems to work just fine."  She couldn't hide the 'I told you so' smile.

"Not funny, it didn't work before."  He pouted and headed for his office with Janeway right behind.

"Why are there so many… sitting ducks in here anyway?"  She looked out at the dozen or so of her crew waiting their turn for the Shotgun-Doctor.  He just gave her the 'you've lost your mind' look.  "Did Neelix try a new recipe last night?"

"Well that would have been my first thought, but this has been going on for a week or more and it's just getting worse."

"What's wrong with them?"  Janeway was getting concerned.

"Nothing, and everything."  The Doctor looked and sounded exasperated.  "I've had complaints from A to Z.  My back hurts. I can't see to read in the dark. There's something wrong with my hearing. My knee is creaking. Lieutenant Cooper even had the nerve to come in complaining he was going bald."  He rubbed at his own hairless head.  "There is nothing wrong with a shinny dome." 

"Oh the nerve, I'll have to file a complaint to Starfleet about that, how could he?"  Janeway could hardly get the words out before the laughter.

"Is everyone on this ship a comedian?"  The Doctor wasn't amused.  "They're all acting like they need a geriatric goodie bag."  Janeway's expression was a mixture of drollery and apprehensiveness.  She didn't say anything for a few moments but kept her expressive gaze locked on him.  The Doctor was starting to feel some of that apprehension.

"Doctor, have you done any thorough exams on anyone lately?"  Janeway had an idea and the Doctor had a bad feeling he wasn't going to like it.

"It's not like I've had much free time these days to play pre-school physician.  Seven and I have been working almost non stop on our mysterious muck in stasis, when I'm not offline that is, or fixing another bellyaching crewmen."  He was good at pleading his case, but not good enough.

"Forget that vial for now, leave it sleeping.  I want you to do a complete physical on the entire crew." 

The Doctor's holographic eyes almost popped out.  "You have got to be joking, Captain."  He almost shouted.  Quickly realizing his blunder as the deadly dagger look hurled his way.  He almost ducked for cover.

"Do I look like I'm joking?  That was not a friendly request, Doctor, that was an order, and I want you to start with me."

"Well that's a first.  You insisting on a physical is one for the books."  He was trying to save grace here. 

"Yes, it's always one for the books out here.  Now let's get on it shall we?"  Janeway remained firmly in position.

"Now?"  The Doctor was more annoyed then he dare let on.

"No, Doctor, I mean… yesterday!"  It was a level-ten frustration moment.  "Then after you're finished with me I want you to work through the entire senior staff."

"Just what am I suppose to be looking for, Captain?"  The Doctor was clearly frenzied over the situation.

"Anything and everything, and compare all test results with the last ones you did.  I want some answers here, something is going on that doesn't add up."  Janeway had a theory, however as off the wall as it could possibly be.  "I have this very… aging-hunch, I just hope that's all it is.  Now don't just stand there, get on it!"

"Aye Captain, come with me."  He stormed out of his office with Janeway hot on his heels.

=^=

 "Captain."  Tuvok acknowledged as she walked off the turbolift.  She walked past him without a comment.  "Commander Chakotay was summoned to sickbay."

"Rather strongly summoned."  Ensign Kim added.

Janeway changed direction and met both with a slight smile.  "The good Doctor is only following orders, and you two are next." 

"Next for what, Captain?"  Harry's fondness for sickbay was zilch.

"Time for a physical gentlemen."  Tuvok and Harry exchanged a glance.  "Have either of you had any unusual aches and pains, or any strange dreams?"  Again there was an exchange of looks.

Tuvok answered first.  "Nothing that doesn't factor in with my age Captain.  I have not had many dreams, weird or otherwise that I remember.  However, I have not been sleeping well over the last few weeks."  Janeway nodded slightly and turned her questioning eyes to Harry.

He was a bit embarrassed to have to admit this, but she was the captain.  "I've had a few unsettling dreams but nothing I care pinpoint exactly, and… "  He hesitated slightly.  "I noticed a couple of days ago that two of my teeth are a bit loose.  I must have bit into one of Neelix's petrified surprises."

Janeway's smile widened.  She touched Harry's shoulder.  "Take my advise, Harry.  Never eat anything older than you." 

He joined her in that smile.  "I'll keep that in mind."

She turned again towards the ready room.  Not quite ready to voice her cockamamie suspicion.  'When Commander Chakotay returns, have him come to the ready room."

"Aye, Captain."  Tuvok answered.

=^=

"Well that was the most fun I've had all week."  Chakotay strolled into the ready room without bothering to even alert Janeway to his presence. 

She was standing in front of the large starlit window.  She turned at the sound of his voice.  "I take it the Doctor's mood hasn't improved."

"If you can call a royal pain in the ass… figuratively speaking," he smiled shyly, "an improvement, then yes."  Chakotay felt as uncomfortable as he was sure he looked. 

Janeway enjoyed the laugh at his expense.  "You poor baby.  How did you survive such a horrendous ordeal?"  She made her way to the replicator while motioning him to take a set. 

"It wasn't easy.  Next time you feel the need to torture your crew could you pick something less… torturous?"  His acting skills needed some practice time.  He couldn't even hide a little dimpled smile.

"Well certainly, Commander.  How about next time we go for fifty nice jabs with a klingon painstick."  She turned away from him hoping to hide her own failing acting abilities.

"You're all heart Captain, that's why we love you."  Chakotay enjoyed this side of Kathryn Janeway.  A side she'd been much more open and willing to share with him lately.

She gave up the game and just laughed again.  "Do you want something while I'm up, say a nice glass of… prune juice?"  The replicator had just produced a hot cup of 'good old reliable' for her.

Chakotay wasn't sure if she was joking, or if he shouldn't take her up on the offer.  "Although tempting, I'll just have water this time."  She brought both the water and coffee and sat on the couch as well.  "So what is this all about, why the physicals?"

Time to get serious.  She didn't answer right off opting for a few sips of liquid comfort.  Their eyes remained focused on the other while every instinct in them knew there was indeed something more serious going on.  "Did the Doctor tell you anything when he was finished?"  She was hoping.

"Only that when he finished with the senior staff he would contact you.  What's going on, Kathryn?"

"I have this very 'off the wall' hunch.  As impossible as this may sound, I really believe it is all too possible."  He was all ears, and all joking aside.  "Chakotay, what do all of our physical and emotional, even mental annoyances we've all been suffering lately have in common?" 

"They all started around the time we found that fog junk, well it found us I should say."  He still wasn't quite sure where she was headed with this because they already established that it could to be a link to their problems, both humanoid and ship wise.

"Yes, but let's just start with the physical annoyances.  What do all the complaints you have heard have in common?"  This was a needle in a haystack at best, but she just had a feeling and hoped she wasn't the only one.

Chakotay considered the question a moment before answering.  "Well from what I've heard and seen, it's just part of getting older."  As he said the word 'older' a sudden chill ran through him along with that light-bulb enlightenment.  Janeway could almost see the wheels turning as he caught on.  "Our aging process has been accelerated somehow."

"Bingo.  I don't know how or why, but it all adds up.  The physical ailments the crew has had.  The fact that some, if not all of us are having trouble sleeping, or nightmares.  Something is causing us to get old a bit too soon for my liking.  Whether it's that vial in stasis or something else we're not aware of, it's happening.  I just have this gut instinct I'm right, that and a few more gray hairs everyday." 

Chakotay was none too happy with her analogy, but his own gut knew she was dead on.  "Kathryn, maybe we should just blast that vial into space after all before we end up with more than one foot in the grave."

Janeway almost smiled at his own analogy, all be it morbid.  "No, you were right when I suggested it the first time.  What if we do that and throw away our only hope to fix this problem.  Besides, it can't harm us while in stasis… "  She looked sufficiently doubtful.  "I hope." 

Chakotay took a big gulp of his water hoping it would help him absorb the possibility of the impossible.  "This is just so… ludicrous.  I mean, I don't have a problem with getting old, but I'd much prefer to do it in a nice natural way.  Maybe we're expecting trouble where there isn't.  There could be any number of explanations for why we're feeling a bit, out of sorts."

Janeway almost laughed at his milk-toast way of describing their ailments.  "I'm hoping there is any number of things that could explain this, Chakotay.  God knows this is one time I would love to be wrong.  I always believed I'd get this crew home long before anyone got too old to care, or remember."  She was up pacing the ready room, a very captain like trait.  "I'm not senile… yet."  She tried another smile for both their benefits.  "This is more than ludicrous as you say, but whatever it is, I just know I'm right and we need to figure it out, and fast."

Chakotay stood as well, blocking her pacing path.  He held on to both her shoulders looking directly in her still vibrant eyes.  "Kathryn, this ship and crew have faced more than just a few insurmountable odds.  You could say we're 'old timers' at facing and overcoming the impossible, and this is no different.  We'll figure it out long before the rocking chair stage."  His humor, annoying as it was, always helped.  The soul touching hug that followed helped even more.   

 "Thank you, Chakotay."  Her words a bit muffled against his chest.

"For what?"  He gently rested his lips on her head and for the first time really noticed just how grey her hair was becoming.  He wisely chose not to comment on that.

"For not thinking I'm crazy."  She stepped back from the hug.  "And for… "

"Doctor to Janeway, the results are in."

Chakotay would never know what the 'and' was.  "Understood Doctor.  Bring your findings to the briefing room, time for a staff meeting."  That hollow spot in the pit of her stomach just became more so.  Her eyes never left Chakotay's.  "Guess we'll find out soon enough."

"Give us a few minutes, Captain.  I've got Tom and B'Elanna here, I have some news they will want to hear in private."

"We'll be waiting, Janeway out."

=^=

"Sorry we're a bit late, Captain."  Tom Paris almost sashayed through the door wearing a goofy grin with B'Elanna just one step behind him.

"It's quite alright, we haven't gotten started yet."  She watched Tom as they took their seats.  That face reminds me of something.  Janeway searched the library of her mind for that something.  Her smile widened as enlightenment hit.  "Dopey!"  She hadn't meant to say it out loud, however.

"Excuse me, Captain?"  Chakotay who was sitting next to her had heard it loud and clear.

Janeway's eyes hadn't left Tom's face.  "Nothing, Commander.  I was just reminded of an ancient earth's fairytale character."  She finally looked away from Tom and over at Chakotay's baffled expression.  "You know, one of the seven dwarfs… Dopey?"

Chakotay had no idea what she was talking about.  "Are you calling me dopey?"

"No."  Janeway said as she nodded her head in the direction of one grinning, Tom Paris. 

There were a few snickers around the table as Tom finally caught on.  "Hey, that's not nice, Captain."  The dopey look remained.

Janeway made no comment, but good old Harry couldn't pass it up.  "It was very nice, considering you're starting to look like Snow White as well." 

Tom ran a hand through his sliver tipped hair as B'Elanna jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow knocking the dopey grin off his face.  He got the painful hint.  "Ok, give a guy a break would ya?"  He was rubbing his side, "and not literally either."  His plea focused at his sweet wife.

"Ok, let's get started, we have a lot to cover."  Captain Janeway looked at each of her most trusted friends in turn, ending with the Doctor.  The question directed at him.  "I'm not crazy am I?"

"I can't confirm that in general, but on this issue, no you are not crazy."  The Doctor's own dopey expression was short lived.  Janeway's glare doused it quickly.

"Thanks for you confidence in my sanity, Doctor.  However, in this case I wish I wasn't sane."  Her troubled visage spread around the room, although mixed with confusion on some.

"You'd better start at the beginning, Captain."  Tuvok broke the lingering silence.

Once again Janeway was grateful for Tuvok's calming presence.  "As I'm sure all of you are aware, we've had a few little annoying health complaints lately."

"A few?  Try a multitude of stupid complaints."  The Doctor felt the need to emphasize amount and importance.

"Fine, Doctor.  The point isn't how many but the commonality they share.  Everything from achy joints, loss of hair, sleepless nights, vision problems, even hearing difficulties."  She paused letting this sink in on its own.  By the looks around the table it was.  "People, we are getting older."

"That is to be expected, Captain."  Tuvok, by far the oldest of the group didn't quite see why that should be a concern.

"Naturally yes, but not at an accelerated rate."

"How accelerated, and why?"  B'Elanna cut in with the question they all wanted to know.  All eyes turned to the Doctor for the answers.

"From your last physical exams to this one I just did, you have all aged somewhere between ten to fifteen years.  All except for Neelix."  Eight pairs of eyes turned to the Talaxian.  He just shrugged his shoulders as confused as the rest of them.  "His test results are identical to his last ones, normal, if you can call him that."  Neelix just smiled, grateful for any bit of normalcy he could claim.

"How is that possible?  My last exam was less than three months ago."  Harry Kim, the youngest of the group wanted to keep it that way.

"Possible or not, you are getting old Mr. Kim."  All the Doctor could offer was the scientific proof in front of him.

"Doctor, can you confirm an exact time this acceleration started?"  Janeway took over the questions again.

"That's hard to pinpoint exactly.  Your physicals from last time vary.  Some were just a couple of months ago, others… "  He looked directly at Janeway.  "Like you, Captain had been over a year ago.  Best guess, I'd say anywhere from two weeks to two months ago."

"This is just absurd."  B'Elanna both looked and felt sick to her stomach.  Tom had his hand over hers, a show of support they both needed.

"I fully agree, Lieutenant, but like every other absurd situation we have been in, there's a reason, and a way out."  Janeway said, but with more confidence than she felt.  "I think our focus for the reason lies with that vial in stasis.  Maybe we can't pinpoint an exact time, but I think that's close enough.  We've had no other contact with anything out of the ordinary in more than a few months.  In fact it's been pretty dull around here except for that milky cloud we ran into.  I don't know how, or what it is, but I do know it's not what it appears."

"That's just it, Captain.  It doesn't appear to be anything."  Seven spoke up for the first time. 

"Appearances are deceiving, Seven.  We just haven't looked hard enough."

"Captain, why don't we just get rid of the thing, toss it out the nearest air-lock?"  Harry was not sure what to think, but getting rid of the problem was at the top of his list.

"Believe me that was our first thought too, but it also could be our undoing.  That vial holds the key to all of this.  Tossing it out could prove more fatal than old age."  Rationally everyone knew the captain was right, but this was anything but a rational situation.

"Doctor, you said we could have started to age a few weeks ago, best guess that is.  Does that mean we can expect to get fifteen years older every couple of weeks?"  B'Elanna looked more frightened then anyone, definitely not like the chief engineer.

"Until we know something about what this is, there's just no way to tell.  It's possible that you won't get a day older."  He was trying to sugar coat what he truly thought was going to happen.

"Or we could all be wrinkly old-timers by morning."  B'Elanna not only looked scared, shocked, and angry, but a bit green as well.

"Lieutenant, are you alright?"  Janeway asked with concern.

B'Elanna and Tom exchanged a long glance and Tom nodded his head ever so slightly.  They both looked at the Doctor, who remained expressionless.  "Well aside from the fact that I will soon be older than Kahless himself, I'm pregnant."  An announcement that should have been met with only joy was tainted with fear and uncertainty.

Janeway tried to keep those fears from surfacing with a bit of humor.  "That would explain the dopey face then."  She smiled sincerely at Tom.

"Congratulations are in order."  Neelix jumped up and forcibly hugged the new parents to be.  "I can almost hear the pitter patter of tiny feet."

"Neelix!" B'Elanna choked out.  "That's my rolling stomach not feet.  Let go of me." 

He stepped back with a shy grin.  "Sorry."  

"You're lucky you didn't end up wearing that pitter patter down the front of you."  That did get the laughter Janeway had hoped for.

Just as the laughter and congratulations died down the ship lurched hard tossing anyone still standing back to a sitting position.  Then the steady hum of the warp engines returned.

"Torres to engineering, what the hell are you doing down there?"  B'Elanna beat the captain with the response.

"Vorick here Lieutenant.  We did nothing.  There was a sudden surge in the warp engine, then it just stabled out again.  We're still running at warp six."

"I'm beginning to think this ship has a mind of its own."  B'Elanna said to no one specific.

"Lieutenant?"  Vorick wasn't sure who or even what she was talking about.

"Nothing, Vorick.  I'll be there in a minute, Torres out."  She turned to Janeway.  "With your permission, Captain."

Janeway looked lost in thought.  Chakotay nudged her slightly.  "Um, yes, of course Lieutenant.  Let me know the minute you find anything out."

B'Elanna nodded and stood up to leave.  Tom grabbed her hand again.  "Be careful B'Elanna." 

She rolled her eyes at her husband.  "Don't start mother-henning me already."  With that, she was out the door.

"The fun begins, Mr. Paris."  The Doctor was just oozing with comments, most of which he should have kept to himself.

Tom had long replaced the dopey gin with an expression or disquiet.  "Doc, do you think this… whatever this is will effect the baby too?  Is B'Elanna going to give birth any minute or something?"  All eyes were on the Doctor, although Janeway seemed to be somewhere else in thought.

"Your guess would be as good as mine.  At this point everything looks normal for a four-week fetus.  All I can do until we know what we're dealing with is keep a close eye on her.  There's just no way to know what will happen."  He looked genuinely sorry for what they all must be feeling.  Tom just nodded his head in acknowledgement to the answers he feared would be.  "Captain, do you still want me to examine the rest of the crew?"  He was successful in getting her attention.

"Absolutely, we need to know how many are affected and to what degree.  In fact I want you to get on it right now."  The Doctor looked annoyed but he knew better than to debate her on this. 

"Yes Ma'am."  He left the medical findings of the senior staff on the table and walked right into the door.  He started to dematerialize a bit.  "What the hell?"  The door remained closed.  "This is ridiculous!"  This time he stuck his arm out only to see it fizzle against the un-cooperative door.

"Computer, open briefing room door."  Captain Janeway gave the order.  She received silence and a closed door as her answer.

Chakotay walked over to the door, causing the Doctor to have to stand to the side a bit.  It opened instantly at his approach.  Chakotay walked out and then back in.  "Seems fine now Doctor."  He stood in the doorway gesturing for the Doctor to walk through.

"Sure, but it's not you who is facing oblivion on the other side."  He tested it for himself by sticking his arm through the opened door.  It didn't disappear.  Tentatively, he walked through, remaining intact.  Chakotay stepped back inside letting the door close around the Doctor's grumbling comments.

"Computer, open briefing room door."  This time the order was obeyed as the door opened then closed on it's own.  Janeway added frustration to her expression.

"Yet another glitch."  Chakotay said as he took his seat again.

"I don't believe it is just a glitch, Commander."  Tuvok spoke the thought on the end of Janeway's tongue as well.

"I agree."  She looked at her trusted friend.  "It's not just us that is aging, it's the ship as well."

Some doubtful looks were shared.  "Isn't that a bit extreme?  How can the ship be getting older, it's not a humanoid life form?"  Neelix couldn't quite comprehend that since not even he was affected.

"Not entirely a life form, but Voyager is alive.  The bio-neural circuitry could as easily be aging."  Janeway looked around the room watching her substantial words sink in.  "It makes sense.  The replicators, long and short range sensors.  The fact we can't communicate with anyone, even your regeneration alcove, Seven."  Janeway indicated towards the door.  "Even a stubborn door.  It all adds up and it all started after that damn cloud."

"And the nightmares?"  Seven asked a bit skeptically, still hoping her alcove was really to blame.

"Maybe it's just part of the mind aging.  I don't know how but I know it all fits.  Everything that has happened on this ship and to us is related."  She directed her attention at Neelix again.  "Neelix, I want you to check all of our live food stuffs.  Check any plants, flowers, whatever should be alive and see if it still is.  Anything advanced beyond normal wilting or molding.  We need to find out just how deeply this geriatric joke lies."

"I'll get right on it, Captain."  This time the door opened fine at Neelix's approach.

"Harry, Seven, I want the two of you to take the first shift with our mystery substance.  We're going to work round the clock until we figure out just what this is and how to stop and reverse what is going on."  Janeway was determined to beat the clock and stop the aging process of this mystery, one that could easily kill them all first.

Harry looked almost petrified at the thought of going anywhere near that vial.  "Captain… "

"I know, Harry, but we're all going to take our turn and as many turns as it takes to find the answers.  I want a level ten forcefield around the work area.  Keep it as dark as possible in the room.  We need to make that thing believe it's still in stasis and maybe we can keep it from dissipating so quickly.  It may not do any good, but hopefully we can at least keep it from infecting any of the crew that may not be yet."

"What about protecting ourselves?"  Seven asked the question Harry dared not even think about.

"Anyone working behind that forcefield will be wearing an environmental suit.  It'll be more difficult to work in, but the less exposure to that stuff the better, or so I hope."  Janeway had her doubts, as did the rest of them.

Harry Kim smiled as he and Seven stood to leave.  "We better get cracking then.  It won't look good for a son to be twice as old as his parents when he gets home."

His acceptance and trust in Janeway was absolute.  Her smile was as warm and absolute in her caring for him.  "I agree, that would take some explaining."  

Chakotay and Tom shared in the little uplifting moment.  "Good luck, pal.  I'll take the next turn."  Tom was very proud of his best friend.  Harry just nodded as they left the briefing room.

"Tom, before it's your turn at bat, I want you to help the Doctor get the physicals worked up.  We really need to know who and just how many of us are affected by this."  Janeway was still hoping it wasn't as wide spread, as she feared it was.

"Yes, Captain.  Can I take a few minutes first to check on B'Elanna?"  Tom had more at stake than anyone right now. 

"Of course, Tom."  Janeway walked with him to the door.  "We'll figure this out, and congratulations to both of you."  She surprised him by pulling him into a much needed and welcome hug.

"Thanks, I'll pass this on to B'Elanna."  Tom stepped back with that dopey grin showing again.

"See that you do, Lieutenant."  Tom Paris was the next to leave.

With a long sigh Janeway turned back to face her two remaining officers and friends.  "Well, gentlemen… " She folded her arms.  "You've both been relatively quiet, any comments, suggestions… answers?"  Their concern was evident as she sunk into the nearest seat looking far more exhausted than normal.

"Unfortunately, Captain, I do not have any answers nor suggestions at this point."  There was no reading Tuvok's expression or his deeply subdued emotions.  "My comments would mimic your own."

"Tuvok's right, for now we're doing everything we can."  Chakotay wished he could give her what they all wanted, for this not to be real or at least a way out of it, and not a short path to the nursing home either.  "Captain, you look dead tired."  Her expression cut him off.  "Sorry, wrong choice of words."

"Quite wrong, and may I add, Commander, you are no spring chicken yourself."  Their smiles were instantaneous comfort to each other.  "I have to admit I am a bit tired.  The last couple of nights haven't been too peaceful that's for sure."

"Maybe you should get something from the Doctor to help you sleep.  I'm sure Tuvok and I can oversee your orders and keep the ship afloat."  The dimples remained. 

"I'm sure you can, but I think I'll just rest for a couple of hours, I'm not really up for dreaming anyway."  All three of them stood up to leave.  "I'll relieve you on the bridge in two hours, but let me know immediately if there's any news." 

Chakotay lead the way from the briefing room.  "You'll be the first to know."  He walked on ahead.

"Tuvok, keep trying to contact anyone out here, there must be a ship of some kind, even a Borg Cube would be welcome at this point."  Janeway didn't wait for a reply as she too walked off in hopes of a much-needed nap.

=^=

Deeply rooting through each membrane of life, the incorporeal substance lay percolating within, building to a volcanic state.  Its vacuous existence entombed deep in the minds of the unsuspecting crew.  Bringing the nightmarish realm to life.  Quaking through all living like a raging river, its icy depths drowning out light.  Taking all into its shadowed existence of fear.

=^=

"I don't know about you, Seven, but this isn't quite the job description I had in mind when joining Starfleet."  Ensign Harry Kim and Seven of Nine were standing on the safe side of the forcefield. 

"I didn't join Starfleet."  Seven's tone was drastically lacking in humor.  Simultaneously touching the glowing green button on the arm of her environmental suit they both walked through the protective invisible wall.  "My only job description was to assimilate."

This shift was going to prove longer than Harry had hoped.  He tried again to lift the heavy gloom as he smiled at her through protective shielding.  "Speaking of assimilate, I take it the borg never ran across this cloudy mystery."

"Your assumption is correct.  Although it would be hard to assimilate something that doesn't even prove to exist."  She moved over to the container in stasis.

"True, but it would have made our job a whole lot easier." 

Seven didn't share his belief.  "I fear it would not have been the borg who did the assimilating in this case."

All attempts at lighthearted conversation were squelched by Seven's words and the fear Harry felt radiating from her.  It made Harry's own senses tighten up like a noose.  "Seven, aside from the obvious, is something bothering you?"

She looked directly at him this time.  Her forlorn expression spoke volumes, although she didn't.  "No."  She lifted the vial from its stasis unit, holding it very gently with thickly gloved hands.  "This better work or we're back to square one."  Seven carried it to the work area they had set up without a second glance at Harry.  It was indeed to be a long shift. 

=^=

The swishing of the turbolift doors, along with a most delectable smell alerted the lone occupant of the bridge.  "Captain," Neelix gazed around at the empty command center, "where is everyone?"

Janeway's sense of smell had not aged a bit.  She inhaled deeply as Neelix brought his tray of goodies even closer.  "They're all working to find out what we've gotten ourselves into this time.  It's just my turn at the helm, so to speak."  She smiled brightly though her eyes remained locked on the source of heavenly sent. 

Neelix set in what was normally Chakotay's seat.  "Their loss I guess."  His smile matched hers.  "Care to indulge in a sneak preview of tonight's dessert, Captain?"  He held the tray over closer to her.

"You wouldn't be trying to sugar coat a nice helping of bad news would you?"  His answer however would have no effect on her decision to satisfy her palate.

"Absolutely not, Captain."  He held the tray out.  "This was a recipe that Samantha had and she wanted me to make it for Naomi.  She thought it might help cheer her up a bit.  So I thought, it might just do the same for the crew."  Janeway had already sunk her teeth into one of the warm delicious treats.  "Sam said it was a recipe from her mom, well as best as she could recall anyway.  I did have to do some… tweaking to adapt the ingredients, but I think it turned out pretty good."

Janeway nodded her head in agreement while swallowing a mouth full of pleasure.  "I won't debate that one, Neelix.  It's more than good, it's sinfully good."  Neelix had an award-winning smile to match his winning delight.  "It tastes a lot like my mom's homemade cinnamon rolls."  She continued to enjoy.

"That's what Sam called them, 'cinnamon rolls.' I guess mothers know best."  More than almost anyone on Voyager Neelix loved to do something to put a smile on his captain's face, and this little gem did the trick.

Janeway licked that last of the sticky sweet from her fingers and directed her full attention to Neelix.  "So tell me, good news or bad?"

"The news is good Captain.  I didn't find any of our foodstuffs or supplies that looked a bit old, or aging.  Everything we have collected along the way seems to be fine.  I even checked my hidden supply of… leola root."

Janeway was relieved of that worry at least.  "Well we won't starve to death then.  But it doesn't make much sense.  How can we, well all but you so far, and the ship be aging and not the food."  She wasn't really asking Neelix the question, just going over what they knew so far.  

"Not many things on this journey so far have made sense."  Poor Neelix felt slightly guilty that he wasn't growing older too.  He wasn't looking forward to Naomi becoming older than him.  Janeway remained lost in thought.  "Captain, if there's anything I can do for any of you just say the word."

Janeway's focus drifted to the tray of rolls.  "Well, since you offered."  She grabbed the biggest cinnamon delight.  "I guess if I'm going to die of old age… to hell with watching my weight."  She took a delectably large bite.

"I couldn't agree more, Captain."  Neelix popped almost an entire roll into his mouth.  "How ever any of us end up dying, it's best to die happy."  He said with a mouth full of happy.

"At least you have found the way to make your captain happy, thank you."  Janeway licked the last crumb from her lips.

"You're welcome."  He stood and headed for the door.  "I better get a few of these to Sam and Naomi before the dinner crowd follows their noses to my kitchen."

"Good thinking, " Her mind was still enjoying the after taste, "and Neelix, that hidden supply of leola root… "

He shyly turned around.  "Yes?"

"Keep it that way."  That was her polite way of giving an order.

"Yes, Ma'am."  Neelix was still laughing as the lift doors closed.

=^=

"Commander, would you come to the ready room please."  She moved to the calming view of stars streaking by.  "Where are the stars?"  The normal calming view wasn't normal at all.  It sent shivers through her as she watched the misty points of light deliquesce and elapse through the window.  The swirling white slithered around her waltzing in every direction.  "This is not happening.  Commander, ready room, NOW!"  The dancing fingers continued to encircle around her as she backed away from their ghostly grasp.  "Where is he?"  She turned running for the door.  Making it through in a fraction of a second her only greeting was an empty bridge.  "What the hell is going on?"  Her heart was pounding hard enough to break her ribcage as she watched in cold fear as her only companion wormed around everything, crawling and seeping into the bowls of the ship.  "Janeway to anyone!"  She screeched into her combadge as the turbolift doors closed. 

"Take a deep breath, calm down."  Janeway's eyes remained closed as she talked herself into taking that calming breath.  "This isn't real, I must be dreaming."  Slowly she forced her eyes to open, only to see she wasn't alone in the turbolift.  The snaking fingers boar their way through, capturing the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.  "NO, this is not happening."  In a flash she was off the lift and running down the corridor, running anywhere hoping to find anyone.  "Chakotay, Tuvok, hello, is anyone here?"  Her frantic plea was met with eerie silence and the chilling touch of death in the air.  Not daring to look behind her she ran down the endless corridor with her only coherent thought being 'escape'  "I've got to get to the shuttle-bay, run faster!"  She ran until she was sure her lungs would explode but still the long twisting corridor loomed forever in her view.

Exhausted beyond fear and reasoning she bolted through the single door on the left.  The room was bathed in inky-blackness, the air heavy and suffocating.  The frigid atmosphere ran icy through her heated soul.  "Please God!  This can't be real.  It's only a dream, it has to be a dream."  She willed her mind to wake but only the cold suffocation replied.  Creeping along the wall she moved towards a single speck of hazy light.  Her heightened senses were adjusting as she also noticed the smell.  An indescribably retching aroma assaulted her as she tried to keep the bubbling fear inside.  Not wanting to, but compelled forward, she made it to the source of dim light.  The black room opened up into a larger but even colder space.  Holding onto the cold stonewall she watched in horror as the murky cloud subsided giving her a glimpse of the room's contents.  

She could feel the icicle tears sting her checks but she had no control to stop this nightmare from revealing it's deadly secret.  Row after row the room was filled with stasis units.  Each encircled by a ring of misty death.  Propelled by sheer terror she moved slowly down the creaking steps towards the first row of glass coffins.  "Don't look Kathryn!  For Gods sakes don't look!  Just wake up, PLEASE wake up!"  She appealed with everything in her to force her mind to wake but she was held tightly in the nightmare's clutches.

Standing at the first unit her trembling hand reached out to touch the frosty lid.  "NO! I don't want to see, please no!"  Inadvertently her hand had rubbed over the cloudy condensation clearing a spot to reveal what her mind refused to see.  With every last bit of strength and fight left in her she forced her eyes to remain shut.  Tears flowing freely now as the last speck of hope was doused when the minds eye glanced through the small fog cleared opening.  "NO!!"  She saw a decaying skeleton of herself screaming back at her.

She heard the screaming continue as her eyes flew open.  The tear-clouded view was her bedroom on Voyager.  Panting breathlessly she wiped at the tears clearing her vision.  "Thank God, it was only a dream."  With trembling muscles she moved her sweat-drenched body from the bed to the bathroom sink to splash water over her tear stained face.  The cool water helped to calm her frazzled nerves and clear her clouded dream filled mind.  Instinctively knowing where to reach for a towel she grabbed it and buried her dripping face into its soft comforting folds.  Her pounding heart had slowed to an almost normal rate as she stood in front of her sink.  Patting off the last of the moisture on her face she opened her eyes to the reflection in the mirror.  Her horrific screaming reverberated across the universe as the decaying face of herself stared back from the depths of hell.

"NO!!"  Janeway's eyes flew open, the view being only her bedroom.  This time she sprinted out of bed wanting to feel every ounce of life she could.  She hesitated only briefly at the bathroom mirror before looking into the same, although slightly older reflection she had seen for the last seven years.  Kathryn Janeway was awake.

With less than zero percent chance of going back to sleep she opted for a quick sonic shower and an even quicker escape from her quarters and the haunting memory of the nightmare.  "Computer, activate sonic shower."  Her request was granted in the form of a screeching noise.  "Damn, this is unbelievable!"  She stepped from the shower in no mood to deal with her badly behaving ship.  "Time for plan B."  She hastily tossed a clean uniform on and left her quarters and nightmare behind.             

=^=

"Good morning, Captain, sleep well?"  Chakotay asked from the doorway of the ready room.  He stepped in, but the door remained open.  "We're having door problems again ha?"

"Doors, replicators, turbolifts, my sonic shower.  The list goes on and on.  For a few seconds this morning, we even lost gravity on deck six."  Janeway looked up from the report she was quoting from.

"I take it that answers the 'sleep well' question?"  Chakotay sat across from her.  "You could have come and used my shower.  It's working again, well, it was a few minutes ago that is."

"I might take you up on that offer later, and no I didn't sleep well."  She had an eerie shadowed expression.  Chakotay didn't need to guess to know why.  "Before, the dreams were more images, just a jumble of broken ones at that.  I didn't really remember much about them, but this was like living the nightmare."  Her haunted eyes searched his.  "To be honest, Chakotay, it scared the hell out of me."

He reached across the desk, holding her hand in a comforting squeeze.  "I know this doesn't really help, but it was only a dream."

Janeway pulled her hand free and stood up.  "Is it?  Maybe none of this is real, maybe you're not real and we're all living a nightmare."  The catlike pacing started. 

"Kathryn, stop, look at me."  He stepped in front of her giving her no choice but to do so.  "I'm real, your crew is real, this ship is real. Our life here in the Delta Quadrant is real."  He put both hands on her shoulders holding her in place.  "Those nightmares are just that… nightmares, dreams, the minds way of acting out our fears.  This Casper business has everyone spooked."

Her quizzical look was endearing.  "Casper?"

"Our little cloudy companion, affectionately named by Mr. Paris."  His smile was contagious.

"So, now old age has an official name ha?"  Her own smile was breaking through.

"So it would seem.  Tom said it was a white cartoon ghost."  Chakotay thought it was a fitting name. 

Janeway was close to laughter now.  "Well, leave it to Bugs Bunny to know, or should I say, Dopey?"  They both shared a little chuckle at Tom's expense.  "Did he happen to say if Casper was a friendly ghost?" 

"I didn't ask."  Chakotay let go of his hold on her shoulders.  "Kathryn, do you want to talk about your dream?" 

Janeway had taken up the familiar position in front of the large window, with her arms folded.  Chakotay joined her giving her support just by his presence.  She turned her focus from the streaking stars toward him.  "Not really, but thanks."  He didn't say anything knowing there was more.  "I do know, it was just a dream.  By the end of the day I'm sure I'll have forgotten the whole thing."  She faced the stars again, simultaneously reaching for his hand.  "Have you had any nightmares of your own lately?"

He too focused on the endless starlit space, while enjoying the warmth of her hand intertwined in his.  "Well, I haven't had much of a chance to dream anything the last few days.  I had the early shift with our friend Casper this morning.  The only thing I remember is the alarm demanding my attention, and I mean demanding!"  Janeway could feel his smile.  "I think even the computer is getting old and cranky."

Janeway was trying not to laugh.  "Hey, don't call my ship old and cranky.  I think it's just you, Commander."  She failed in holding back the laughter.

Chakotay let go of her hand as his own attempt to stem laughter faltered.  "You may be on to something there, Captain."

"Indeed."  She walked back to her desk just as the ready room door finally slid closed.  "See, Voyager agrees with me."

Chakotay was in full laughter now.  "Not fair Captain.  Siding with your ship instead of your first officer."  He walked over to the door which opened at his approach and closed again as he stepped back. 

"Priorities my friend.  Voyager can't be replaced, first officers can."  Her smile overshadowed her intended sarcasm.

"Your priorities are misguided, Captain."  Chakotay's own attempt only landed them both in laughter.

"Doctor to Janeway."  The ready room fell quiet.

"Go ahead, Doctor." 

"Am I missing some party up there?"  He sounded perturbed he might be missing out.

"Hardly.  Do you have the results yet?"  Janeway was all business again.

"Hardly."  He knew he was safe, for now.  Chakotay was the only witness to her full-fledged death glare.  "I won't have them until later this afternoon.  It seems that some of the crew were not too fond of having a physical in the wee hours of the morning."

Janeway took a deep breath, calming her building frustration.  She couldn't really blame them, and most had no idea yet why they were being subject to endure the Doctor's lovely bedside manner.  "Fine Doctor.  Just let me know as soon as you're finished.  Janeway out."

"I guess that answers my next question."  Chakotay was just as concerned about the crew.  "I just hope this hasn't spread to all of them."

"You and me both, but I have my doubts."  Her worried look confirmed both their doubts.

"Well, let's not fry our chickens before they hatch."  He wanted to give her some good news to hang on too.  "I think we're making a slight headway with Casper."

"Really, what?"  Chakotay had her full attention.

"It's not much, but since we created a stasis like environment to work in, we haven't lost anymore of the stuff.  In fact, it may be growing."  Chakotay wasn't sure that was good news, however.

From the look on her face, neither was Janeway.  "Growing how?  Is that stuff even alive?"

"Not as far as our test show, no.  We still have no clue what it is, or if it's alive per say, but when we scrape a sample from the vial, instead of dissipating, it sort of just hovers like a vapor cloud.  I wouldn't say it really moves, but it doesn't disappear either.  We've been able to move it ourselves back and forth from the work table to the vial, although it's like moving air, you can't feel a thing."

"Does the vial look like there's more vapor stuff in it?"  Janeway wasn't sure if she wanted a yes or no answer.

"It's pretty hard to tell at this point.  A vapor cloud with no mass looks the same in a tube whether it's full or not."  Chakotay knew his answer wasn't much help, but that was all they had to go on right now.

"I guess I'll see for myself soon.  My turn at bat is in less than an hour."  She was both hesitant and looking forward to getting her hands on the thing.

"As soon as we can tell the crew, if we have to tell them, we'll have a lot more help, and a much better chance of figuring out just what we have here."

"I agree, the more minds the better."  Janeway stood up as if to leave.  "Command is yours for awhile.  I've got a few things to do before I adorn the suit."  She walked to the door but… it didn't open.  "Damn!"

Chakotay was on the verge of laughter again.  "Is that any way to talk to your first priority?"  He walked up beside her.  "Allow me."  He held both arms out as if about to praise the Gods.  "Computer, would you be so kind as to open ready room door?"  On command the door opened. 

Janeway just shook her head on her way through the opening, muttering something Chakotay distinctly heard as… Voyager, you're a traitor.

=^=

The quiet scene in sickbay was a far cry from the last time Janeway was here.  The Doctor was the only one in the room, rather than the only one not in the room.  He was occupied behind his computer screen and didn't notice he had company.  Janeway walked quietly towards his office.  "Doctor."

His startled response was several reports clattering to the floor, and an angry… "Captain!  Don't sneak up on me like that."

"I did not sneak.  I may be getting older, but I'm not dead and floating in air like a ghost."  All this Casper talk had gotten to her.

"Well, that's a comfort.  This ship is haunted enough already."  He picked up the fallen reports.

"My ship is not haunted, I hope."  She had trouble believing in such things.  However, their time in the Delta Quadrant had softened her opinion a bit.  "Do you have the results?"  She was not here for a friendly chitchat.

"I was just about to call you."  He had just finished all the comparisons and was looking at the information they all wanted to know.

"Then aren't you glad I saved you the trouble by sneaking up on you?"  Try as he might, the Doctor would never outwit Captain Janeway in sarcasm.

"I'm elated, Captain."  He turned the computer screen so she could see for herself the results.  "Out of everyone on this ship, myself excluded, there are only two who are not affected by this aging phenomenon."

Janeway's worst fear was now reality.  It had spread through the whole ship, almost.  The knot in her stomach tightened considerably as she studied the screen.  "Only Neelix and Icheb, but why?"  She directed the question more to herself as she continued to study the results.  Finally she glanced up at the Doctor.  "Are you sure?"  She could hope, but knew better.

"There's no doubt.  You are all aging at warp speed.  I can't pinpoint how fast, or if everyone is aging at the same degree, but if it continues like it's going now… "  He hated the thought he was about to share.  "In a few weeks, maybe months, Voyager will be a geriatric necropolis." 

Janeway closed her eyes, willing a sense of calmness that she didn't feel.  "I will not let Voyager be the last resting place for this crew."  She'd opened her eyes showing the Doctor nothing but determination.  He remained silent.  "We'll figure this out and stop it before one person dies of old age.  I won't accept anything less." 

The odds so far were not in their favor, but the Doctor would never think of betting against Captain Janeway, in any situation.  "I'll do what I can, Captain, you know that, but right now I don't know just what 'that' would be."

Janeway was up pacing the small area.  She put her hand on his shoulder as she paced by.  "Me either, but we will."  She stopped and turned to face him again.  "Doctor, what do Neelix and Icheb have in common?  Why would this mist of doom pass them by?"

"There's nothing in their genetic makeup that would suggest any commonality.  A Talaxian and a Brunali, slightly Borg, there just isn't a connection.  There's many species on this ship, so why those two, I don't know." 

"It doesn't make sense why it would pick some humanoid species and not others… unless… "  She considered an interesting possibility for a moment.  "Doctor, there is one thing Neelix and Icheb have in common that the rest of us on the ship, including the ship itself don't have."

She didn't say what it was as she picked up the pacing again.  "Are you going to tell me or is this a game of twenty questions?"  The Doctor hated being kept in the dark.

"No time for games, Doctor, and this is no game at all.  This ship, its crew, even its illustrious EMH are products of the Alpha Quadrant."  She had his full attention.  "Neelix and Icheb are Delta Quadrant born and raised."  It may be a needle in the haystack type of theory, but it was the only one they had to go on, and she was rather proud she'd thought of it first. 

This time the Doctor took a moment before saying anything.  "An intriguing thought, Captain."  She just smiled.  "That would mean Neelix and Icheb have some kind of genetic immunity to the thing, or… it consciously doesn't like the Alpha Quadrant."

"I'm hoping for the immunity theory."  The thought that Casper could have a deviously conscious mind was not pleasant.  "If the first is true, then maybe all we need to do is come up with an anti… whatever, and give it to all of us."

"Easier said than done, Captain.  We can't make an anti… whatever if we don't even know what the thing is.  Also, even if we can cure the crew what about the ship itself, we can't just give Voyager a cure all pill." 

"Maybe we can.  I don't have all the answers, Doctor.  We're grasping at straws here, in the dark even, but it's at least a place to start." 

"I agree.  I'll get them both back in here and see what they have that the rest of you don't." 

Janeway was already heading out the door.  "Let me know the minute you do." 

"Captain, wait."  The Doctor had followed her to the door.  "I wanted to ask you if you're still having nightmares?"

This was one topic Janeway didn't really want to talk about, not even with him.  "Not every night, but yes."  Her last one was still too fresh in her mind.  "Doctor, when you examined the crew did they mention having bad dreams, nightmares?"

"I did ask some of them, and they said they were having trouble sleeping and having bad dreams.  I didn't get anything specific, but a few said they were things of a haunting nature.  Most said they were just broken images, or they couldn't even remember what it had been after they woke up."

"Do you think this Casper is responsible for this too?"  Janeway had no idea how, but it seemed too coincidental.

"Maybe not directly, but the mind has a way of bringing out our worst fears when things in life just don't fit, or add up.  Even in medical science we can't underestimate the intricacies of the mind.  I think it's more from lack of things to do.  The crew has been stuck on the ship for months now.  This could be nothing more than the mind needing to exercise, stretch its wings a bit." 

"Well, my mind has had plenty of stretching the last few weeks then."  Janeway's look was even haunting to the Doctor's eyes.

"Captain, if you need to talk about it, I'm here, and don't hesitate to ask for something to help you sleep.  It could just be your overactive mind from lack of getting any good sleep." 

She smiled at his concern.  He may be gruff at times, but his heart was always in the right place.  "Thank you, I appreciate your efforts, Doctor."  Janeway left sickbay with a smile. 

=^=

"Going up, Captain?"  Tom Paris arrived at the turbolift a second before Janeway.  He stood in the doorway holding the door for her.

"Last time I checked that's where the bridge was."  They both entered the lift.  "Bridge."  Janeway gave the command and the lift started its ascent.

"From the look on your face, I take it the Doc's results are not… "  The turbolift came to an abrupt halt causing them both to stumble.

"Now what?"  Janeway's frustration was climbing, unlike the turbolift.  "Computer, resume lift."  Nothing but Tom's snickering.

"Looks like Voyager is taking a nap."  Tom could only try humor in this situation.  Being stuck in a turbolift with his captain just didn't fit the proper picture.  

"Well, nap's over."  Janeway smacked the panel of lighted buttons.  This time the turbolift complied.  She smiled sheepishly at Tom.  His only comment was a smile of his own.  They made it to their destination, only to be greeted with another slight obstacle, the door didn't open.  "Damn!"  Janeway tried her earlier approach again, didn't work.  "Voyager, you and I are not having a good day, come on old girl." 

Tom was enjoying this intimate moment between captain and ship.  "I don't think calling her old is going to help," but it sure made Tom's day a bit brighter.

Janeway shot him 'the look' but didn't comment on his comment.  She tapped her combadge.  "Janeway to Chakotay."

"Yes, Captain."  He was on the bridge unaware she was right behind him.

"We could use a bit of your magic door routine."  Tom was laughing now.

"Excuse me, where are you?"  He stood up and looked at Tuvok, who just shook his head to say he had no clue either.

"We're right here, Commander.  Would you open the damn door?"  Janeway just rolled her eyes while Tom continued to enjoy the moment.

Chakotay and Tuvok both looked at the turbolift door.  Tuvok made no comment, but Chakotay joined Tom in the laughter.  "Stand back, Captain, this could be dangerous."  He held his arms up as he'd done before.  "Computer, would you be so kind as to open turbolift door?"  The results were a bit different though.  The door remained closed, however, the laughter from Janeway and Tom was close to hysterical.

"That was the most dangerous thing we have faced yet, Chakotay."  Tom said as he wiped his watering eyes.

"Damn!"  Chakotay smacked the door with his hand and it opened immediately.

The two laughing hyenas walked out and past their savior.  Janeway brushed her hand across his shoulder.  "Nice added touch to your magic trick, Commander."

"Very funny, maybe next time I'll just take my magic elsewhere."  He joined her at their seats.

"Well, if Voyager behaves there won't be a next time."  Although, Janeway knew there would be many 'next times' and much worse too. 

The mood quickly changed.  "What did the Doctor have to say?"  Chakotay asked what they all wanted to know.

"Not good, this thing has spread though the whole ship, everyone but Neelix and Icheb." 

Tom turned in his seat.  "Why just those two?"  His tone was one of a 'not fair' attitude.

Janeway didn't answer for a moment wondering if either of them would come up with the answer on their own.  Tuvok did.  "The Delta Quadrant.  They are the only two on the ship who have no affiliation with the Alpha Quadrant."

All three looked at Tuvok.  Janeway nodded her head slightly.  "That's the only explanation that makes sense, if you can call this whole mess 'sense'.  The Doctor is going to run some test on the two of them to find out what they have that we don't."

"So, Casper doesn't like us Alpha Quadrant types ha?  I sure hope we can convince it that we're not so bad, once you get to know us that is."  Chakotay tried a half smile. 

Janeway returned it without hesitation.  "I'm not sure I want to keep it around long enough for it to get to know us.  We really need to step up our efforts to figure out just what we've got and how, or if we can use it to our advantage." 

"We're working around the clock, Captain."  Tuvok commented, being the last one of the four of them to just finish a shift. 

"Anything new?"  Janeway walked up and stood by him.

"I'm afraid not.  We only know that Casper… " Tuvok looked at Tom with a slightly raised eyebrow.  Tom just grinned.  "Is not dissipating at all behind the forcefield.  In fact, all test show slight expansion."

"I'm not sure which is worse, an expanding killer, or one that disappears."  Janeway got the words out just as a big yawn took over.

"Captain, might I suggest you go to bed early tonight."  Tuvok was not alone in that idea.

"You can, and I will just as soon as… "  Voyager shuttered briefly as the bridge lights dimmed and the turbolift doors opened and closed.  "Janeway to engineering, what now?"

"Vorick here, Captain.  We're having a little bit of trouble keeping Voyager at warp six.  It's like she's just tired or something.

Janeway glanced over at Tom.  Her unspoken question answered.  "B'Elanna didn't feel too good.  She's resting in our quarters."

She smiled in understanding.  "Lieutenant Vorick, take us down to warp two and let's see if that helps."

"Aye, Captain."  Within moments the bridge lighting was back to normal and all was calm again.

"As I was saying, I'm going to turn in early as soon as I speak to Neelix.  We need to inform the crew about what's going on, and Neelix is sure to have a way to do it."  This time the turbolift doors opened at the captain's approach.  She turned her head towards Chakotay.  "Commander, you might want to check in a few minutes to make sure I'm not being held prisoner again."  She patted the doorframe for good luck.

"I'll only be a few minutes behind you anyway.  I'm more than just a bit tired, it's been a long day."  Chakotay was having a hard time himself choking back the yawns.

"Goodnight then."  Janeway said to all three of them as the lift doors closed.

=^=

The beauty and tranquility of Risa was the perfect backdrop for the misfit crew of Voyager.  There was something for everyone; with feeling young and trouble free the commonality in mind.  Everything from lounging in the sun atop white sparkling sand, to a vigorous romp through a jungle of vibrantly colorful wild flowers draped over the mountainside.  Even a muscle rejuvenating massage in the lavish marble courtyard was on the menu for the evening.  Food and drink to tantalize even the pickiest of pallets had been set up in the middle of it all.  Their Talaxian host buzzing around making sure everyone got what they wanted, and then some.

The evening was close to perfect, if you miscount the fact that they would all be substantially older by nights end.  That, and the few spots of the hologrid that faded in and out, not to mention the magic fingered masseuses who's touch became lighter than air at times.  It was still a perfect setting for this imperfect and unfair situation.

"Hey, Neelix buddy!"  Tom strolled up to the bar where Neelix was playing bartender.  Tom leaned in close to the Talaxian's ear.  "You wouldn't happen to know how to make sex on the beach would ya?"

The expression that crossed Neelix's face was priceless.  "I wouldn't have thought you needed help in that department, after all, you are about to be a father."  He said with not a hint of humor.

Tom's expression matched priceless, and then some.  "A drink, Pal, a drink.  I am doing just fine in THAT department thanks."  Tom could barely control his laughter.  Neelix, however, looked quite relieved.  "I'll take that as a 'no' on the drink."

"I'm afraid that wasn't in the database for Risa."  Neelix still looked a bit unsure.

"Well, this drink didn't come from Risa anyway.  This is just another good thing you'll enjoy about earth, when we make it back."  Tom walked around behind the bar.  "I'll give you a quick drink making lesson my friend."  Neelix watched intently as Tom made two of the fancy drinks pouring them into pineapple shells.  He even put little umbrellas on the top rim.  "It's not quite the same using synthohol, but is better for mom to be anyway."

"Thanks for the lesson, I think I'll try one myself."  Neelix had already filed the recipe away for future use.

"No problem.  There's a few different ways to make one, but this is my favorite, looks tropical too."  Tom took drinks in hand and headed towards the beach, passing Janeway and Naomi walking up the cobblestone path.  He just smiled noticing the captain's second glance at his two pineapple delights.

"Captain, I owe you and apology."  Naomi had waited for the right opportunity, and this was it.

"Whatever for, Naomi?"  Janeway slowed their pace down a bit looking at her young apprentice.

Naomi smiled sheepishly.  "Well, for my rather un-adult behavior not long ago in the mess hall."

Janeway just smiled and put her arm around Naomi as they continued to walk.  "That's quite alright, and completely understandable, besides, you aren't an adult, I mean you weren't one, I mean… "  Janeway stopped in frustration while Naomi burst out laughing.

"It's ok, Captain.  At least I hold the record for the shortest teenage years in history."  They were both laughing now.  "I'm sure mom is happy about that too."

"They stopped at a bench overlooking a breathtaking waterfall splashing into a rainbow misted pool.  "Me too."  They were silent for a moment taking in the calming view.  "Naomi, I'm truly sorry this is happening to you, to all of us.  I always believed we'd make it back to the Alpha Quadrant long before you even reached your teenage years, certainly not after you became on old woman."

"Hey, I'm not an old woman, yet, and one thing is for sure, I'll always be younger than anyone else on this ship."  It was now Naomi giving her captain the support.  "Besides, Captain, I'm not worried, I know you'll figure this out long before I get my first gray hair."  Her eyes briefly moved to focus on Janeway's very graying hair.

"Thank you, I think."  Her hand unconsciously brushed through her locks of sliver/gray. 

"Don't worry, Captain, it looks good on you."  Naomi smiled.  "I better let you get back to the fun, I've got to find Icheb, I owe him an apology as well."  Naomi was off before Janeway had a chance to ask, why Icheb?

She took that thought with her making her way to the center of the festivities, and the food and drink. 

"Hello Captain, what's your pleasure?"  Neelix asked from behind the bar.

She hesitated only a second as she remembered the pineapple.  "How about whatever that was Tom had in his hand just a bit ago."  She said with all sincerity.

Neelix's eyes lit up in understanding.  "Oh, you want sex on the beach."  He said as sincerely, but much too loud. 

The look of shock on the faces of those within earshot matched Janeway's.  "I beg your pardon?" 

Neelix was slow, but he realized his blunder immediately.  "The drink, Captain.  That's the name of the drink Tom had, sorry."  He failed at looking that way, however, as his grin broke through.

"I should have known better than to want anything that Tom had, or could conceive of."  She said returning his smile.  "Well, since my reputation is damaged now anyway, I may as well enjoy one."

"Coming right up."  Neelix got to work on the drink.  "Would you like that in a pineapple as well?"

"Of course, that was the whole appeal to it in the first place."  She sat in the nearest stool contemplating more than just a drink.  "Neelix, you have more of an inside scoop than anyone, how did the crew take the news of this latest disaster?"

Neelix popped a little blue umbrella onto the pineapple glass and handed Janeway the drink.  "Most had realized something wasn't right long ago.  From everything I've heard tonight they're taking it pretty well.  In fact, many have commented on how they appreciate you personally telling them, and being a support for all of us."  Janeway just sipped on her drink as he spoke.  "Captain, there isn't anyone on this crew who doesn't support you and believes you will find a way out of this mess, just like you've done a thousand times before."

"I sure hope you're right, Neelix.  This one has me stumped.  It's hard to negotiate, or fight something you can't even prove to exist."  She took a few sips of her drink.  "This is one time where time is not on our side."

Neelix came around the bar and sat next to Janeway.  "We all have faith in you, Captain.  The unknown and disaster is something this crew knows well.  They're all more than willing to work around the clock to help figure this out.  They trust in you, and you should do the same."

Once again she was grateful this Delta Quadrant morale-officer, and all around good guy was on their side.  "Thanks for the pep talk, and you're right, we will figure this out long before senility sets in."  She held her pineapple up for a toast.  "Here's to staying young at heart, body, and mind."

"I'll drink to that."  Neelix grabbed his own special pineapple.

"Hey, it looks like I've missed all the fun."  Chakotay said as he walked up to the bar.

"Not quite all of it, Commander."  Janeway said with a very 'glad to see you' smile.  "Why don't you pull up a… "  The stool she was gesturing for him to take fizzled from existence.  "Or not."  She couldn't help the laughter.

Neelix stood up offering Chakotay his seat.  "Take mine, Commander, it seems to be pretty stable, for the moment anyway."  He walked back behind the bar as Chakotay, hesitantly sat on the stool.

"Maybe I should be glad I was a bit late.  One second earlier and… "  His eyes looked around Janeway to the empty spot.

She was still laughing.  "I don't know, that would have been a sight to behold." 

"Depends on the point of view, Captain."  Chakotay was having as much fun just seeing Janeway smile.

"Why were you late anyway?"  She asked while puling off her little umbrella.

"I don't know, Tom didn't offer a why, just another dopey smile when he came to the bridge."

Neelix had been listening to the whole thing.  "Oh, sorry, Commander, it must have been the sex on the beach."  Once again he said with sincerity.

Janeway, however, was about to have some fun.  "Come on, Chakotay, you should try it, it's delightful."  She said making no suggestive move towards her drink.

Chakotay's shocked expression surpassed that of Janeway's earlier one.  "I beg your pardon, Captain?"  Either I'm dreaming, or dead, was his only thought.

Neelix just played along by being quiet.  Janeway had a harder time though as she broke out in laughter.  "Chakotay, you're as gullible as I am."  She moved her drink over in front of him.  "Have some, it's delicious, and less sandy."  Her devilish smile remained.

He took the offered pineapple indulging in a generous gulp of the fruity concoction.  "You are both evil," he licked his lips, "but good."

Neelix just continued to enjoy the good mood of the two commanding officers as he went off to fill up some depleting food trays.

"So, I'm both evil and good, a bit conflicting don't you think?"  The tilt of her head suggested she favored only one, however.

"No, Kathryn Janeway is evil, sex on the beach is good."  He moved the treasure out of her reach.  "I think I'll just enjoy the rest of this by myself."  He sipped with a smile.

Janeway stood up ready to say her good nights anyway.  "To each his own, Commander.  I've always thought it more fun with two."  She quickly walked off barley containing the bubbling laughter.

Chakotay was left alone with his dangerous thoughts and sex on the beach. 

The merriment continued among all of them, while the nightmare yet to be cultivated itself into every fiber and far reaching thought of the unsuspecting crew.  A slow simmer of doom enveloped the alien intruders from the Alpha quadrant.

=^=

"There you are, Captain.  I was about to call you again."  B'Elanna walked out of her office when she saw Janeway approach.

"Sorry, Lieutenant, this old girl isn't what she used to be."  Her relaxed smile was contagious.

"Are we talking about you, or Voyager?"  Maybe not relaxed enough though, but B'Elanna kept her smile in place.

"Both I guess."  They walked back into the small office.   "The mind is willing, it's the body that is having trouble catching up.  That and, Voyager seems to be mad at me."

B'Elanna was laughing now.  "Oh really, did you two have a little quarrel?"

"Not yet, but…" Janeway sat in the chair next to the desk.  "She is close to being put on report for trapping her captain in EVERY turbolift," although said with a smile.

"That's not so bad, especially if you are trapped with someone you love."  B'Elanna looked a bit too sheepishly at her still flat stomach.  "I mean… "

"I know just what you mean, Lieutenant, and please spare me the details."  Janeway said with playfulness in her voice.

"That would be best."  B'Elanna continued to smile as she sat on her desk.  "So, what else has Voyager been doing to you?"

"Well, she's as full of surprises as Neelix's next meal, which may be our only source of nutrition any day now."  Janeway was pouting over her lack of coffee from her stubborn replicator.

"The bad only gets worse I'm afraid."  That worse is why B'Elanna had called Janeway to engineering.  "Voyager's latest surprise won't make your relationship any better."  She didn't want to suggest it, but they were left with little choice.

"Let's hear it, I'm not getting any younger."  Janeway may not like the news, but it was expected.

"None of us are, including the ship.  I'm afraid Voyager has just run out of gas, she's old and tired."  This is what the captain and chief engineer feared most.  "We have no choice now, the warp engine is finished, we have to take it offline."

Janeway took a deep breath, all playfulness gone.  "Any chance we could just give her a rest then bring warp back online?"  She was hoping against hope.

"I guess anything is possible, but we're losing so many systems as it is we'll be lucky to maintain life support within a few weeks.  There's just nothing that could prepare us for an aging ship.  If it was broke, I could fix it.  If one or two things wear out, I could fix it, or replace it somehow, but not when the ship itself is aging like we are.  The bio-neural circuitry may have been a good idea, but the unforeseeable is turning Voyager into its own great grandmother."  From the shadowed look on B'Elanna's face she was talking about more than just a ship.

"B'Elanna, is the baby…?"  Janeway's voice caught in her throat.

"The Doctor said it's too early to know for sure, but the baby seems to be normal.  The problem is that its mother and father will likely be the great grand parents before it's born."

Janeway had such a strong urge to wrap her arms around B'Elanna that before she knew it, she had done just that.  The comforting hug was returned and needed by both.  "It's not going to come to that, B'Elanna."  Janeway stepped back from the hug looking as determined as ever when fighting against the odds.  "There's no way I'm going to let some old timers disease get the best of us.  We haven't come this far in our quest for home to be stopped by old age."  She smiled.  "Besides, you don't look like you have aged a day, not even a gray hair."

"Well, this could be the one time when I'm very happy to be half Klingon.  The aging is still there, but the outward signs are less visible, we already have the wrinkles."  She touched her ridged forehead. 

Janeway's own forehead wrinkled a bit as her eyebrows rose.  "Maybe I could pass for part Klingon now."

"I hope not, this ship is not big enough for two Klingon women."  The lighthearted moment was back.

"Good save, and good point.  It already gets a bit crowded around here."  Now they were both laughing, but only briefly as the ship lurched hard causing them both to grab on to the desk and each other.  "Ok Voyager, I got the hint."  Janeway grumbled while keeping her balance.  "Take warp engines offline."  They both walked from the office knowing they'd been beat by old age… this time.

=^=

This sure isn't much to go on, but the captain is demanding.  The Doctor gathered up his sparse information and headed for the briefing room. 

"Doctor, wait, I need you."  He almost slammed into Ensign Wildman on his way out the door.

"You and everyone else on this ship.  Take a number and wait, our captain is insisting on the number one position right now."  Samantha scowled at him.  "Hey, don't blame me, besides you don't look like you are in any immediate danger of dropping dead on the spot."  His comment pursued him down the corridor.

"No, but you just may be, Doctor."  Samantha grumbled to herself as the sickbay doors closed.