Tom, do this, Tom do that.  How the hell do they expect me to be on time for this stupid meeting anyway?  Tom Paris was moving as fast as he could through the ship before someone else yelled at him to do something.  It's not like I'm a spring chicken anymore, well in some ways I still got it.  His self-pitting thoughts turned to a smile on his face as he rounded the corner.  Now, what have we got here?  He almost stepped on something shinny lying next to a PADD in the middle of the corridor.  Well, well, it looks like I'm not the only one who's late.  With an even bigger smile Tom picked up the PADD and their ever-loving Doctor.

His spring chicken step was back as he sashayed through the briefing room door.  "Captain, are you missing something?"  Tom held out his hand towards Janeway.  Just as he said the words the Doctor rematerialized finding himself in the arms of Tom Paris.

The room erupted in laughter as Tom struggled to not drop the doc on his holo-butt.  The Doctor, however, was not amused.  "Put me down, Mr. Paris," he roared.  "What is the meaning of this charade?"

Tom dropped him on the spot.  The poor doctor didn't quite land on his feet.  "This is the thanks I get for giving you a ride."  Tom laughed the words as he took his seat by B'Elanna, who had tears in her eyes from laughing so hard.  She affectionately smiled at her husband.

With little success, Janeway tried to contain her own laughter as the embarrassed hologram brushed off his pride and took his own seat.  Seven had the misfortune to be occupying the seat closest to him.  Her smile abated quickly with the deadly glare he shot her way.  "Not one word or you'll be regenerating for eternity."  He hissed. 

"Oh come on, Doctor, it's not Seven's fault.  Besides, we all needed a good laugh, thank you."  Captain Janeway took control of the situation.

"You're not welcome, Captain."  The Doctor pouted. 

"It looks like you'll have to stay confined to sickbay, Doc.  The holo-emitters are on the fritz too."  Chakotay stated the all too obvious.

"Brilliant observation, Commander.  Whatever would this ship do without your expert opinion?"  This time Chakotay scowled.

"That's enough both of you.  We've got more important things to do right now than to bicker."  The room turned somber with the captain's words.  "Now, Doctor, what did you find?"

Tom scooted the PADD across the table to him, only to receive another scowl.  "Both Icheb and Neelix are immune to the effects from our 'old' friend."  The Doctor made sure to emphasize the old.

"Do you have to use the word 'old' so loosely?  Tell us something we don't know, Doctor."  Captain Janeway was beginning to wish Tom hadn't found him.  "Like what do they have that we don't?  Better yet… how can we get the same immunity and stop this damn thing?"

"What they have is a particular enzyme in the cerebral fluid of their brains.  It's the only thing that is remotely similar in the two of them.  As for getting what they have, I doubt it will be as easy as trading supplies with the next ship or planet we come across for some of it."  He handed his results to the captain before she could respond with her building death glare.  "We're talking about something here that none of us understands, not even me.  The genetic makeup of any humanoid species is complex at best.  Nothing in them suggests that this is a genetically shared enzyme, and yet, they are the only two who have it, the only common marker." 

"Then this enzyme was there before we encountered 'father-time'?"  Chakotay refrained from using the 'old' word.  "Why didn't you see it before?" 

The Doctor continued his 'how dare you question me' attitude.  "Up to this point I had no reason to look for anything similar in a Talaxian and a Brunali."  He glanced over at Tom and B'Elanna.  "It's not like Neelix and Icheb are having a baby together," Neelix had a sudden look of disgust cross his face, "so the need to find out any compatibility hasn't come up before."

"Doctor, calm down, no one is blaming you for any of this."  Janeway tried to keep a lid on the situation.  "Starfleet medical has never had to research a Delta Quadrant species, until now.  This is a first for all of us, as well as you, Doctor.  Let's try to keep that in mind.  We're all doing our best."

The hardened look on the Doctor's face softened.  "Their medical test from before are inconclusive.  It's possible they have had this enzyme, or whatever you want to call it all their lives, maybe even were born with it, but if so… it was in a dormant state.  Something in Casper may have triggered it.  There's just no way to know for sure."  The briefing room remained quiet.  "The one thing we do know is the warp-speed rate of aging Casper did trigger in the rest of you."  The somber quietness remained.  The Doctor's gaze turned to the distressed mother to be.  He answered her unspoken question.  "The fetus isn't mature enough to tell if the enzyme is present, B'Elanna." 

She didn't comment other than to squeeze Tom's had a bit harder.  "Doctor, short of stopping at the nearest convenience store… can you reproduce the enzyme for the rest of us?"  Tom asked in hope.

"From the samples of their cerebral fluid and blood we might be able to pinpoint and replicate something similar.  However, you've all been infected already.  What we need is an antidote not an antivirus.  I can't say if it would even work at all.  Every medical genius from the beginning of time has tried to outwit the aging process, with little success I might add."

"Then it's a good thing we have the best in the medical field at our disposal."  Janeway smiled at the Doctor.  He accepted the compliment with his own smile.  "No matter how minuscule the odds are of this working, we are going to give it our best, with your expertise, Doctor."

"I'm already working on it, Captain.  I could use a few extra pairs of hands to help though."  The Doctor enjoyed the praise to the hilt.

"You've got it.  Anyone who isn't working on Casper, or keeping this ship together will be available to help.  We need the antidote to stop this thing, top priority.  Father-time is no longer on our side folks.  We need that anti-aging miracle sooner than yesterday.  I will NOT let this ship and crew die of old age."  From the looks on their faces, not even the gods themselves would dare doubt her.  "Let's get on it, dismissed."

All but the Doctor followed the captain from the briefing room, determined to conquer this adversary like the countless others they have faced before.

"Excuse me!  Aren't we forgetting someone?"  The Doctor called out to them.  Tom turned around first, realizing the predicament. 

He tapped his hand over his pocket.  "Did someone call for a cab?"  Tom hardly got the words out before the laughter.

Seven and B'Elanna had stopped as well, B'Elanna joining in the laughter.  The Doctor was not amused.  "Better hop on, Doc, think of it as the ride of a lifetime."  B'Elanna couldn't help it.

The Doctor protested, making no move towards his offered cab.  "How low does a hologram have to sink on this ship?" 

"I will take you back, Doctor."  Seven held out in her hand for him.  "Unless you'd rather I regenerate for eternity."  The good doctor could only respond with a slight grin.

B'Elanna looked from Seven to the Doctor with a grin of her own.  "Well, Doc, she may not have a pocket, but I'm sure you'll fit nicely… somewhere."  Her eyes briefly roamed from Seven's chest back to the Doctor.  "I stand corrected, your new ride of a lifetime is waiting."  She pointed to the only resemblance Seven had to a pocket.  "Climb aboard."  Tom and B'Elanna scurried from sight before Seven or the Doctor had a chance to retort.

Seven looked slightly perplexed, but continued to hold her hand out.  "Are you coming or not?  I don't have all day, Doctor."

The Doctor was so tongue-tied all he could do was mentally force his legs to move towards Seven.  She caught him just before the holo-emitter hit the deck.  He would never know if the ride was… of a lifetime.

=^=

"Seven, you don't look too comfortable working in here with Casper."  Chakotay's voice had a slight echo through his environmental suit.

She had reached for one of many new vials of Casper, almost dropping it in the process.  "Comfort is irrelevant when it comes to your ghost.  However, this stupid suit is another matter of comfort.  I'm not sure wearing these suits is even prudent at this point."  She set her vial on their workstation.

"It might not be, but better safe than sorry.  We don't know what prolonged exposure to this stuff can do to us."  Chakotay gathered the samples of cerebral fluid and blood from Neelix and Icheb that the Doctor had given them, along with some blood samples from a few more of the crew.

"We don't really know anything so far."  Seven had that same haunted look many of the crew had these days.  "We've been working on this non-stop and the only thing we know is, it likes to sleep."

Chakotay looked up at the rows of cloud filled vials they now had.  "More like Casper likes to reproduce in a sleeping environment.  The only thing that's not sleeping in here is Casper itself." 

Without comment, Seven injected some of Neelix's blood into the vial.  They both watched in silence as the gaseous cloud swirled, ingesting the substance like a crazed animal.  Not knowing what to expect they stepped back, but kept their eyes locked on the vial.

 The swirling subsided within the blink of an eye, with the few droplets of blood settling at the bottom of the tube.  Chakotay and Seven glanced quickly at each other then back to the vial.  "Well, that excitement didn't last long.  Looks like Casper didn't find Neelix's blood too interesting."  Seven wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

"Let's see if it likes some of this better."  Chakotay injected another vial with one of the other blood samples.  Instantly the swirling motion of cloud enveloped the drops of blood.  Again the whole thing lasted less than a few seconds.  However, this time the blood didn't just fall to the bottom, but remained floating within the cloud in a hardened, crystallized state.  "It looks like the blood has been petrified."  They both knew that was not a good sign.  The haunted look Seven had before intensified on Chakotay's face as well.  "Whatever the hell this is it sure doesn't like Alpha Quadrant blood."

"We'd better find a way to get it to like us soon before we suffer the same fate as those little drops of blood."  Seven had a sudden mental picture of her petrified body crumbling to dust.

They worked with very little conversation between them, both lost in their own troubled thoughts.  Trying several more samples and tests brought them to the same conclusion… they were in trouble.  Every sample of Alpha quadrant blood did the same thing, and with every petrified drop their discouragement grew.  Chakotay stopped and looked directly at Seven.  "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."  She answered with curiosity.

"How is it that with all the thousands of species the Borg have assimilated they didn't come across this one?"  Chakotay was grasping for anything that could possibly help their situation.

"Who's to say they didn't, Commander.  It's possible they did, but as you can see it would have had no effect on them.  The Borg are Delta Quadrant.  Neelix and Icheb would never have known they'd encountered this Casper if not for us.  It's very likely the Borg never knew, or at least found there was nothing there to assimilate.  After all this time we still don't know what this is, or even if it is.  The Borg, if they did encounter Casper wouldn't have had enough time to evaluate if there was anything there to assimilate."  Chakotay just nodded in acceptance.  "I wish they would have, Commander, I wish I could give you/us the information we need to beat this thing."

Before Chakotay could comment further, Janeway joined them.  "How's it going in here?"

"Not good."  Chakotay answered.  "Aren't you a bit early for your shift?"

Janeway was all suited up and ready to go.  "I just figured six hands were better than four."

"Indeed."  Seven remarked while handing her a vial of Casper.

"The only conclusion thus far is… well see for yourself."  Chakotay picked up their latest petrified blood sample holding it up for her to see.

"Not a very promising conclusion."  You could hear the disappointment in her voice, even through the suit.  "How many have you tried?"

"Quite a few.  Different amounts, different mixtures of blood and cerebral fluid, and so far, nothing."  Chakotay felt his own level of disappointment growing.

"I take it Casper found the blood, petrified it, then disappeared."  Janeway didn't like that conclusion.

"Exactly.  Without the total protection of being in stasis Casper can't survive, or rather just vanishes."

"This just doesn't make sense, Chakotay.  How can a substance survive in a sleeping state, even thrive, and yet die within moments after coming in contact with life?" 

"If we knew that answer we'd have this mystery solved.  All we know is it doesn't like life, well Alpha Quadrant life that is.  It doesn't harm the samples of blood and fluid from Neelix and Icheb, but it still vaporizes within minutes.  Like it didn't find what it wanted so it just leaves."

"Not very hospitable then is it?"  Janeway was almost at a loss as to what to do next.

"Captain, since we have established that Casper is this deadly to all of us now, why not just get rid of it?  Isn't it possible we might all just recover once this stuff is off the ship?"  It was Seven's turn to grasp at anything for hope.

"Possible maybe, but I'm more inclined to think getting rid of it will be our biggest mistake yet.  I don't know how, or what, but instinct tells me that Casper is our only cure, as well as our possible demise.  There is someway, or something we need from Casper and I don't intend to throw that out an airlock, just yet."  Janeway tried a slight smile for all their sakes.

"I tend to agree.  Casper is the cause, it has to be the cure, or part of it anyway."  Chakotay felt even more determined now to figure this out.

"Then I suggest we stop talking about it and get busy finding that cure."  Seven could only accept that they were all stuck with Casper, for the time being.

"Yes, Ma'am."  Janeway and Chakotay replied in unison.

=^=

Oh come one you stupid computer, it's too early.  Commander Chakotay rolled over in bed trying to hide from the annoying alarm.

"It is 06:09, get up, Commander." 

Chakotay pulled the covers over his head.  Why is it that of everything on this ship that's dying the damn alarm is not one if the?

"It's 06:10, get up, Commander."

"Damnit!  Fine, I'm up!"  Chakotay yelled at the computer while sitting up.  The first thing he noticed, besides the fact he didn't want to be awake, was his breath in the frosty air.  What the hell?  "Computer, why is it so cold in here?"

"Please restate your request."

"Try this…SHUT UP!"  Chakotay tossed a pillow across the room while slamming his other hand over the obnoxious alarm.  "Damn, it's cold in here."  He grumbled to himself while grabbing the blanket off the bed and headed into the bathroom

Without much thought he quickly hopped into the sonic shower, only to be disappointed yet again… it didn't work.  "Damnit!"  He cursed under his frigid breath.  Still not fully awake he stepped from the sonic shower over into his water shower, closing the door and turning the water on at the same time.  "DAMNIT!"  He was fully awake now.  The blast of ice-cold water did the trick.  Chakotay scrambled from the bathroom dragging the blanket behind.

"This is ridiculous," he mumbled while finding his combadge.  "Chakotay to engineering, why is it so cold up here?"

"Lieutenant Vorick here, Sir.  Sorry about the cold, we're having a bit of trouble with the environmental systems on that deck."

"That much is obvious.  Any chance of some heat up here soon?"  With teeth chattering, Chakotay pulled the blanket tighter around him.

"We're rerouting power now.  It could be a few minutes, or more.  Might I suggest you climb back in bed to stay warm."

"Nice suggestion, but I'm already late for the early shift with Casper."  Chakotay looked at the clock by his bed. 

"Then you're in luck.  The environmental suit will keep you nice and warm."

"Excellent thought, Lieutenant.  Now may I suggest one for you?  You'd best hurry with that heat before the captain wakes up."  Chakotay almost laughed at the thought.

"Too late for that, Commander, she knows.  That would be why we are on top of this sooner than… now!"  Vorick sounded a bit nervous, even for a Vulcan.

Chakotay was laughing now.  "Understood, good luck, Lieutenant."  His smile remained as he dressed in record time, even throwing on extra socks and an extra under-shirt.

He did a spit-shine job on his grooming and headed for the replicator.  "Computer, hot tea."  He was rewarded with… nothing.  "Damn!  Ok, hot coffee."  Again… nothing.  "This is insane!" 

He slammed both hands onto the replicator while noticing the project he'd been working on sitting on the sofa.  It's a good thing I used all my replicator rations while I still could.  Despite the building frustration, his smile was back.  He hoped Kathryn would like it and not beat him over the head with it. 

"Ok, how about a drink of any kind, anything!"  This time he was rewarded with a glass of…Rum?  He took the small glass of brownish liquid, sniffing the contents.  "Yup, most definitely rum.  Oh well, who am I to argue this fine morning."  He downed the glass in two gulps.

Feeling warmer already.  Chakotay was all smiles as he walked out the door, almost running into Janeway.

She had a blanket wrapped around her and a smile of her own.  "Why is it we always seem to meet like this, Commander?"

Chakotay's smile was enchanting, even at this early hour.  "I don't know, maybe because we live next to each other."  He moved a bit closer to her.  "We could remedy that you know, maybe even share a bit of body heat."

Janeway was laughing while tugging her blanket tighter.  "I think not, Commander.  What would people think?"  She caught a whiff of his smiling breath.  "What have you been drinking, it smells like rum?"

"Good nose on you," his smile moved closer.  "Yes, it may have been rum, but it's not my fault," he pleaded.  "I asked for hot tea and got nothing.  Then for coffee and…"

"Let me guess… nothing?"  Janeway said it as if she'd been there.

"Yup, no coffee, so I just asked for anything to drink and rum was the computers drink of choice."  He wasn't sure from her expression if she was really mad or not.

"Well, at least you got something.  My replicator has totally stopped working."  Her smile was back in full.  "You wouldn't happen to have any rum left would ya?"

"Sorry, Captain.  Me being the pirate that I am, I DRUNKS it all."  Their joined laughter could have been heard throughout the entire deck.

"This has been one weird morning for sure."  Janeway was getting her laughter under control.  "You'd better get your pirate butt to work before Captain Hook finds out ya been in her rum."

"An excellent suggestion…Captain."  Chakotay bowed slightly.  "I'll be off then before she makes me scrub the deck on my hand and knees."  He hurried down the corridor.

She just might indeed.  Janeway took her smile and blanket and headed for the bridge.

=^=

 "Captain, I'm sorry I'm late."  Janeway turned around at the sound of the Lieutenant's voice.  He walked off the turbolift holding something behind his back that Janeway's sensitive nose caught a whiff of instantly.

"If that's what I think it is, Mr. Paris, you are more than forgiven."  Janeway inhaled deeply.

Tom came forward with his steaming cup of peace offering.  I was hoping this might help.  I heard through the grapevine that a certain Captain Hook had lost the battle with her replicator."  He handed her the hot mug.

She took a few long leisurely sips before even making eye contact with him.  "This grapevine wouldn't happen to be posing as a pirate now would he?"  Her words mingled with the dancing smoke coming from the large mug of brew. 

"I can't reveal my sources.  I could lose me bloody eye if me did that."  Tom closed one eye while trying to remain straight-faced. 

Janeway tried to remain dignified and not laugh; but she failed.  "Don't tell me you've been into the captain's rum as well?"

Tom's look was worth more than an entire sunken treasure.  "You have a stash of rum!!"

Tuvok was standing at his station trying to follow the conversation and wishing he wasn't.  "Captain?"

Janeway turned in her seat.  "Calm down, Commander.  If I had any rum I would have shared it with you."  Not quit the response Tuvok expected.

"I do not drink… rum."  He wasn't amused.

"Hey, I do.  You could share with me.  After all I used some of my last few replicator rations on your caffeine fix."  Tom sounded almost hurt.

Janeway took another warming sip.  "And I appreciate such generosity.  If it was in my power I'd promote you to sainthood."

"No thanks.  I don't want to be a saint, I'd rather have the rum."  Tom and Janeway both enjoyed their few moments of lightheartedness.  The time for such things was far and few between these days.

The moment was short-lived as always when the lights on the bridge started to flicker.  "Now what?"  Janeway set her coffee aside.

"I don't know, but this is freaky."  Tom had moved to the helm.  The lights were flickering off and on like a kid playing with the switch. 

Before either of them knew it, they were flung around the bridge like rag-dolls as the ship lurched, rolling like a lifeboat in a hurricane.  The ride lasted only a second or two before the lights were back to full and the seas calmed once more.  "Captain, are you hurt?"  Tuvok slid himself from the upper railing.

Tom was already helping the captain to her feet.  She'd ended up behind Tom's seat at the helm.  "Damnit!"  She swore as she was helped to her feet.

"Captain, where are you hurt?"  Tom wasn't sure where to even be touching her to help.

"I'm not hurt, let go of me, Paris."  She said a bit too intensely.  Tom looked shocked at her reaction.

"Captain, maybe I'd better get you to sickbay."  Tuvok reached for her arm.

"Would you two clowns back off!  I said I was fine."  Her gaze shifted to the seat next hers.  Tom and Tuvok looked at each other in confusion.  "I'm just fine but… my coffee!"  All three looked to where the empty broken mug set.

Tom burst out laughing.  Tuvok's only reaction was a half raised eyebrow.  Janeway, however, felt the loss as keenly as if a friend had died.  "Voyager, you and I are about to become enemies here."  She snarled.

"Captain, is everyone alright up there?"  B'Elanna's hail cut through Janeway's mental distress.

"We're fine, Lieutenant."  She was in instant captain's mode.  "What happened?"

"We need to talk, Captain.  I'll be up in a minute."  B'Elanna cut the link before Janeway could even respond.

"Tuvok, would you stop hovering over me and get me a damage report." 

"Aye, Captain."  Tuvok was at his station before the words were out.

"Tom, go see if the Doctor needs some help.  I'm sure we have a few injuries."

"Yes, Ma'am."  He hurried off the bridge knowing she would be right.

Janeway took a deep breath and straightened her dignity and uniform then picked up the broken mug tossing it in a corner.  "What?"  She looked up at Tuvok's questioning expression.

"I did not say anything, Captain."  His gaze, however, landed in the corner with the pieces of coffee mug.  Janeway couldn't help the smile.  "We have damage reports coming in, Captain.  Minor damage on all decks, all major systems are working.  Sickbay is reporting some bumps and broken bones, otherwise no serious injuries."

Janeway sighed.  "At least that's something."  She had walked up to where Tuvok was reading off the list of damage.  "How about the forcefield holding Casper?"  She had to ask, but wasn't sure she wanted to know.

"Seven is reporting no disruption in the forcefield and no damage to any of the vials."  Tuvok looked directly at her.  "Your Casper is safe."

"I wouldn't call this mess mine.  It's not Casper's safety that is the concern."  That concern was even evident in Tuvok's eyes, along with something else Janeway couldn't quite decipher  "At least we can be grateful it didn't escape."

The turbolift doors opened bringing B'Elanna, along with Chakotay.  Only B'Elanna made it through the doors before they closed trapping the first officer.  

B'Elanna didn't notice she'd lost her companion.  Janeway was unsuccessfully holding back a snicker.  "What's so funny, Captain?"  B'Elanna walked towards them.  Janeway just pointed to the turbolift as Chakotay started pounding on the door from the other side.  "Oh for hell sakes."  Torres tried to get the door to open."

"Hey, let me out!"  Chakotay protested over the pounding.

"Hold your horses, magic boy, I'm working on it."  B'Elanna was trying about everything to get the door to open.  Tuvok and Janeway were of no help at all, Janeway still laughing.

"Would you like some help, Lieutenant."  Tuvok finally offered.

"No thanks."  Just then, she kicked the door as hard as her small-booted foot would allow, the door opened.

"And you are my chief engineer?"  Janeway stated with mock annoyance in her voice.  Chakotay was just happy to be through the door in one piece.

"Of course, Captain.  How else do you think things get fixed around here?"  B'Elanna played right along.

"I'm not sure I want to know."  Janeway said with a glint of humor still in her voice.  B'Elanna just smiled.

"Is everything alright up here?"  Chakotay asked as he headed for his chair and command station.

Janeway and B'Elanna followed.  "We're fine now, although that was quite a… Commander, I wouldn't…" Chakotay set in his chair.  "Sit there."  Janeway put her hand over her mouth to smother the laugh.

"What the…" he flew up and out of the chair, "hell is that?"

Janeway let the laugh escape.  "Sorry, Commander, it's coffee."  Chakotay was wiping at his soggy butt while giving Janeway a disgusted look.  "It's not my fault, I tried to warn you."

"Your coffee, means it's your fault.  From now on, Captain, no more drinking on the bridge."  Chakotay tried to sound fierce.

"Oh really!  Since when does a captain take orders from a drunk pirate?"  Janeway folded her arms in a playful challenge.

B'Elanna had taken Tom's seat at the helm while Tuvok just stayed out of it altogether.  "I'm not sure I dare ask, but… what the hell are you two talking about?"  B'Elanna really wasn't sure she wanted to know.

"You probably shouldn't ask."  Janeway sat in her DRY chair.  "We've got more important things to talk about right now."

"Yes we do."  B'Elanna looked up at Chakotay.  "Would you rather we go to the ready room?"

"No this is fine."  Janeway answered.

"I'd rather."  Chakotay was still standing.

"Oh sit down, Commander.  You're already wet anyway, it won't kill you."  Janeway smiled sweetly at him.  He set down but did not return her smile.  "Is this a good and bad news situation, Lieutenant, or just bad?"

"It's more a bad and, very bad news situation I'm afraid."  B'Elanna handed one of the PADDS she was holding to Janeway.  "Over the last few weeks I've been keeping track of all the systems that are failing, or have just quit altogether.  As you can see so far it's mostly been just annoyances, things we can live without, but that's not going to be the case for long."

Janeway and Chakotay were studying the dismal report.  "Hasn't taking the warp-engines offline helped?"  Janeway looked up from her reading.

"Oh it's helped as far as being able to reroute power where needed, but it's not going to help in keeping Voyager from aging.  I'm sorry, Captain, but everything on this ship is breaking down, running out of power, and just plain getting old.  We need to prioritize how and what we need most, and then make sure we can keep the power working for those systems."

"I take it you've already got a plan in progress."  Chakotay spoke up.

"That's why I'm the chief engineer."  B'Elanna said only half jokingly.

"This plan doesn't involve kicking everything on this ship does it?"  Janeway was also only half joking.

"If need be, yes.  First and foremost, however, is life support, that and keeping the forcefield and Casper in tact."

"That goes without saying, Lieutenant.  Let's start with what we can shut down, or has quit and go from there."  Janeway was all business and all determination.

"Some of the personal things we can live without that will help with the power is shutting down the holodecks, our personal replicators, well the ones still working."  B'Elanna caught the commanding officers smiles.  "We could also limit the use of sonic showers, or share with a friend."  B'Elanna couldn't stop herself.

"Not a bad idea," Chakotay smiled at Janeway, "if you can find one that's working that is."

"Happy hunting, Commander."  Janeway shot back.  "Any other personal conveniences we could do without?"

 "We may be doing without all of them soon, but for now, we can keep the lighting at a minimal.  Also use the catwalks and jefferies-tubes instead of the turbolifts, until we're too feeble to move anyway.  I know it's not going to be fun, or easy, but the more we can do to save power the longer we have to figure out how to stop this."

"Fun and easy are irrelevant, as Seven would say.  We've gone without a hell of a lot more and we'll do it again, and for as long as it takes."  Janeway had no doubt her crew would and could manage without any conveniences.  "Now, let's move on to ship's systems and reduce those down as much as we can."

B'Elanna referred to her PADD.  "We've already lost a few of the ships systems such as long range communication.  Our short range is all but worthless as well."  Janeway glanced back at Tuvok who just nodded his head as B'Elanna continued.  "Our weapons array is malfunctioning.  It won't do us much good to fire at something if targeting scanners don't work, we could blow ourselves up first."

"As much as I don't like being without our weapons, I don't see we have any choice.  Besides, it's not like we've seen anyone in this dreary expanse of space to shoot at."  None of them liked feeling so vulnerable, but they'd have to make due.  "What's next, Lieutenant?"

"We could do without Astrometrics.  With little navigation or communication it's not much help."

"Agreed, but I don't want to just stop dead in space.  How long do you think we can keep running with impulse power?"  The thought of Voyager just drifting felt all too final for her captain.

"I don't know how long, but I'll do my best.  We also need to keep a close eye on gravitation.  We've lost it a few times on several decks.  I've been given a strong warning from the Doctor to keep the crew from floating around and banging their heads."  That brought the smiles back.  "I think his exact words were…'Some of these people don't have enough brains to spare, Lieutenant', or something like that."

 "That sounds about right."  Chakotay had been in earshot when he'd said it.  "We might need to evacuate a few decks, bunk up to save energy."

"We might at some point.  We won't be able to keep life support running throughout the entire ship for much longer.  It's only going to get more cozy around here in the days to come."  B'Elanna was afraid it would be sooner than later, but kept that to herself for now.

"B'Elanna, how are the shields holding up?"  This was another important system Janeway wasn't quite ready to relinquish.

"Right now they're running at 70% and holding.  For now I think we're ok, and we do need them especially since our weapons will be offline."  B'Elanna was running through her checklist making sure she hadn't left something out.  "I think that's about all for now."

"There's not much left anyway that we haven't lost, or are about to cutback on."  Chakotay voiced his unpleasant thoughts.

"We've been through worse and managed to live to tell about.  This time is going to be no different.  Our one and only priority is to find an antidote and get that damn nightmare off my ship."  Janeway's determination alone was enough to make any of them believe.  "Let's get this plan implement before we lose another system we can't afford to."

All three stood up to take care of their own duties.  B'Elanna was the first to leave.  "I'll be in engineering."  She left through the turbolift without a hitch.

"I better get back to Casper.  I'm pulling a double duty today."  Chakotay was at the turbolift.

"Commander, maybe you should take a little jaunt through the Jefferies-tube instead."  Janeway just couldn't help teasing.

"What," he turned and smiled at her, "you think the door won't open?  Voyager and I are pals."

Janeway made a slight gesture with her hand towards the door, almost as a dare.  Chakotay turned around and walked right into the door, the unopened door.  Janeway's only comment was…"No comment."  Chakotay made some animal-growling nose and took the road less traveled through the Jeffries-tube. 

=^=

The expansion of fear is a living, breathing entity.  Dwelling safe inside itself, while coagulating into every fiber of life.  Incorporating into an existence known only by fear and the darkest reaches of the mind.  Amplifying into the dreams of all living, holding them captive to that abyss of nightmarish hell.  Escape is as unknown as the fear yet to come.

=^=

"Mom, Dad!  How…when did I get home?  I'm home!  Mom, Dad, I'm home!!"  This is so weird, I don't…  "Mom, why are you crying?"  Something is definitely wrong.  Where am I, and why can't I move?  "Mom, Dad, what's going on?"

Who are all these people, I don't know you.  Why is everyone staring at me?  Where are Captain Janeway, and Tom?  Where the hell am I?  "Mom, Dad, come back, I can't see you!  Why can't I move?  HELP!"  Harry Kim could feel the salty tears trickling down his flushed cheeks although unable to move even a finger to wipe at them.

"Come on, let me up!  If this is some kind of joke, it's not funny.  Mom, Dad, come on, what's going on?"  Flowers, what is with all the flowers?  Hey, don't…  Oh my God!  They think I'm dead!  "NO!  Wait... don't close the…NO!  Stop, I'm not dead…  NO!!" 

"Harry, buddy, wake up!  Harry, it's me, Tom, wake up pal."  Tom Paris held firmly to Harry's shoulders while shaking him.  "Come on, Harry, it's me, wake up!"

Harry stopped screaming as his eyes flung open to the site of his best friend.  "Tom!  What the…?"  Harry wiggled and jumped out of the captain's chair like it was on fire.  "What the hell is going on?"  He screeched while wiping at his moist cheeks.

"Hey, calm down buddy."  Tom stood up from his kneeling position in front of the now empty chair.  "Nothing's going on, you were having one hell of a bad dream.  I was just trying to wake you up."  The look of dread on Harry's face was something Tom wouldn't soon forget.  "Harry, it's ok, it was only a dream."  Tom put a comforting hand on his friends shoulder.

"That was NO dream, it was…" Harry was still trying to clear the monstrous cobwebs from his brain.  "It was horrible, and it was so real."  His legs still felt like a bowl of Jell-O so he sat back down in the chair.  "Tom, it was…  I was in a coffin and everyone thought I was dead."

Tom sat in the other chair hoping he could cheer up his friend a bit.  "Well, you really shouldn't hang out in coffins, gives people the wrong impression."  He said with a smile.

Harry's death glare look was a good second to the captain's, however, short lived that it was.  The two friends broke out in laughter.  "You're an ass, Tom Paris."

"I'll take that as a compliment, besides, I've been called worse."  Tom continued to grin.

"I'm sure you have, even by me."  Harry matched his grin.

"Hey, that's not nice.  Maybe I should just go tell the captain I found you sleeping on the job."  Tom was still joking, although Harry's face got that haunted somber look so many of them had lately.  "I'm just kidding, Pal."

"I know, it's just that…" Harry was more than shaken by the dream.

"Do you want to talk about it?"  Tom said with all joking aside.

"Not really, but I do have to say… being at your own funeral and living to tell about it is an interesting experience."  Harry's own attempt to lighten the mood was helping.

"Yup, that's got to be one for the books."  Tom said with all sincerity.  "We've all had some pretty freaky dreams lately, but yours is an original.  Not many can say they have been to their own funeral."

"I wouldn't recommend it either."  The bridge fell quiet for a moment as the two friends set contemplating the 'what and why' of this latest disaster.  "Tom, I'm glad it was you who found me up here."  That was Harry's way of saying thank you.

"Me too, Buddy."  Tom brought back the charm.  "Besides, it's my turn to play the captain.  Why don't you go get some real sleep now?"

Harry looked terrified at the thought of going back to sleep.  "I think I'd rather just hang out with you a bit, if that's ok?"

Tom sure couldn't blame his friend for not wanting to go back to a nightmare.  "Fine with me, but…" he stood up.

"But what?"  Harry had no idea what the 'but' was.

"You're in my chair.  It's my turn to play boss of the Delta Quadrant."  Tom's dopey grin was back.

"Good grief."  They switched chairs.  "You always have to play the captain don't you, Proton?"

Tom just folded his arms while getting comfortable in the captain's chair.  "Of course, Buster."  He wiggled a bit more.  "Besides, this chair is a perfect fit."

Harry rolled his eyes.  "Hate to break it to you, but the chairs are exactly the same."

"Nope, this one fits my butt better."  Tom wiggled his derriere again to prove his point.

"You mean your boney-butt."  Harry was in need of a bit of fun.

"Ha, ha.  At least I don't have skunk-striped hair."  The game was on.

"At least I have hair."  Harry ran his hands through his still think but graying hair.

Tom unconsciously ran his hand over his sparsely clad dome.  "I'll have you know women find a bald man very sexy."  He said with pride.

"Yea right.  A bald man with a boney butt."  Harry said through his laughter.  "You only say that because you already have a woman, who for some stupid reason seems to love you."

Dopey was grinning again.  "B'Elanna adores me, she worships the ground I walk on."

"Isn't that the other way around?"  Harry was feeling much better now. 

"Could be."  Tom had no doubt it was though.  "Let's just keep that to ourselves, we don't want it going to her head or anything."

"Right, just like it hasn't gone to your head."  Harry smiled slightly as his eyes roamed to Tom's sparsely fuzzed scalp.  Tom only glared back.  Harry got that grave look again.  "Tom, is the baby ok, I mean…?"

"That's the only bright spot in this 'old' fiasco.  So far the Doc can't find any sign that there is abnormal aging with the baby."  Tom's expression was one of both elation and sorrow.  "I'm… we're excited to become parents, but I feel more like I'll be the great grandpa instead."

"I'm sorry, Tom.  This has to be doubly hard for you and B'Elanna."  Harry's sincerity was comforting to his friend.

Tom tried to smile his appreciation.  "For the first time in my life I've felt it had real meaning.  I had/have a chance to do something right, a chance to unscrew up my life.  I found the woman of my dreams, and I'm about to be a father, well, gramps is more like it."  Harry just smiled letting Tom continue.  "Harry, I don't want to give that up.  I'm not ready to be an old man, maybe even be dead before I see my kid and watch him, or her grow up."  Tom took a deep breath.  "This is really screwed up."

"You can say that again."  Harry's mind reflected back on his resent death experience.  "Who would have thought that old age would be the enemy that stopped us from getting home?  Of everything we have battled, fought, begged, and ran from, old age is going to get us in the end anyway."

"I'd almost rather have a visit from the Borg Queen herself."  No sooner had Tom said the words then the hatch to the jefferies-tube opened.

Harry, being able to see who it was first, erupted into a huge smile.  "Be careful what you wish for."  He whispered then started laughing.

Tom caught sight of Seven of Nine and joined his friend in laughter.  "I will indeed."

Seven stepped down to the command center to join them.  "You will what, Lieutenant?"  She spoke with little or no emotion.

Harry spoke up for him.  "He'll be glad to take my next shift with Casper so I can get some sleep."

Tom's look had a rather bewildered appearance to it.  "I will?"  He glanced up at Seven.

"Of course you will, we both heard you, right, Seven?"  Harry loved playing captain, even momentarily.  Tom scowled.

"Indeed."  Seven just accepted it and moved towards the ready room.

"I'm beginning to hate that damn cartoon.  Casper has turned out to NOT be a friendly ghost."  Tom was still pouting.

Harry continued to enjoy the moment.  "Seven, what are you doing up here anyway?"

She stopped right at the doorway.  "I'm just getting a report for the captain.  She's not as able-bodied as I am to crawl through the ship."  Seven turned back towards the door, and then stopped again looking directly at Harry.

"Ensign, I might be asking you the same question.  What are you still doing up here, your bridge shift was over awhile ago?"  She asked out of curiosity.

Harry stood up ready to take his trip through the bowls of the ship.  "Just keeping Tom company.  He doesn't like to be alone."  He winked at Tom, who glowered right back.  "I better get going so I can catch a few hours of sleep."  Harry climbed through the door and was gone.

"I believe Ensign Kim was not telling the truth."  Seven stated as she went into the ready room.

Tom folded his arms and smiled.  "Indeed."

=^=

"Come in."  Chakotay called out at the sound of his door chime.  He went about lighting candles and getting their late dinner on the table.  "I've got some ice-tea here if you'd like a glass, Kathryn."  His only reply was the sound of the door chime again.  He looked around at the empty room and smiled.

The door chime sounded again followed by Kathryn's muffled voice.  "How do you expect me to come in when the stupid door won't open?"

Chakotay was laughing as he manually opened the door.  "Sorry, guess you can't quite walk through doors yet."

Janeway greeted him with a big smile.  "Well, that magic trick only works IF the door would open."  She walked in and the door closed behind her on it's own.  She turned around shooting the death glare at the door as if it would care.

Chakotay was still laughing slightly.  "As I was saying, I've got some ice-tea made if you'd like some." 

Janeway followed him to the candle-lit table.  "It's nice to see you're doing your part to conserve energy, and yes, I'd love some."

Chakotay handed her a tall glass.  "Just part of the job, Captain."  He smiled and brought his glass to hers.  "Besides, I know you like candle light.  Cheers."  The sound of their glasses clinking was her only reply.  "I'm not sure just what it is we're having for dinner.  Neelix just fixed us up a tray."  They both sat at the small, but cozy table.  Chakotay took the lid off the tray inhaling deeply.  "Doesn't smell half bad."

"Let's hope the smell isn't deceiving."  From the look of the brownish pile of… whatever, Janeway had her doubts.

Chakotay dished up their plates.  "Beggars can't be choosers."  He ventured into the first mouth full and smiled slightly.  "It's not so bad, besides, if you eat everything on your plate you can have dessert."  His smile widened.

"Dessert!"  Janeway's eyes lit up.  "What is it?"  She already had her first bite swallowed.

 "Neelix said you might react this way.  He made another batch of Sam's famous cinnamon rolls and saved the biggest one for you."  Chakotay couldn't help it and started laughing at her delighted expression.  "I take it I won't have to force feed you then?"

Janeway had another mouth full.  "Not only will you not have too, but my plate will be empty long before yours.  I'm not about to relinquish my dessert to you, or anyone."  She continued to gobble down her unknown entrée.

Chakotay continued to delight in the moment.  "I hope you didn't mind having dinner up here instead of the messhall tonight."

"Mind?  Are you kidding?  We've hardly seen each other in the last few days.  This is nice, Chakotay.  We could both use a little down time."  Her smile continued.

"Our schedules haven't coincided much I'll agree."

Janeway shook her head.  "Well, Commander, you do make that schedule.  I've just been following orders."  She said with merriment in her voice.

"I do like the sound of that."  He received a wadded up napkin in the face. 

"You are not getting one little bite of my dessert."  Janeway scraped the last of her plate clean.

"No problem."  Chakotay stood up and brought back two big rolls.  "Neelix assured me that I would need my own."  He handed Janeway the slightly biggest of the two and refilled their ice-tea glasses.

"Neelix is a smart man."  Janeway sunk her teeth into the warm delectable roll.  Chakotay couldn't argue that, he was enjoying his own roll immensely.

Janeway licked some sweet frosting from her lips and reached her hand towards Chakotay's mouth.  "Hey!"  He pushed her hand back.  "This is mine, back off."  He demanded with a smile.

Janeway was laughing hard now.  "Oh take it easy, I'm not going to take candy from a baby."  She reached her hand out again.  "You've got some frosting right here."  Her finger ran softly over his very pronounced dimple, wiping the glob of sticky sugar from his cheek.  She licked her finger and smiled.

Chakotay smiled right back while keeping a close eye on the remains of his cinnamon roll.  "Maybe I was saving that for later."  The sugarcoated charm was dripping. 

"Too bad."  Janeway's eyes were focused on his last big bite of sweetness.

"Don't even think about it."  Chakotay postulated while shoving the whole thing into his mouth.

Janeway sat back in her chair and pouted.  "Here I thought you'd do anything for your captain."

Chakotay was licking his fingers.  "Even I have my limits.  Besides, it wasn't an order."  He continued the playful grin.

"Would that have made a difference?"  She asked teasingly.

"Not one bit, I'd risk a court-martial over that."  They were both laughing again.  A sound Chakotay would never get tired of hearing.  "How about we finish our drinks over on the sofa where it's more comfortable?"

"Absolutely, these old bones could use a bit of padding."  They both stood a bit slower than normal.

Chakotay noticed again the slight limp Janeway had.  I guess this is as good a time as any.  He briefly glanced at his surprise.  "Kathryn, wait, don't sit down yet."

Janeway turned and looked at him curiously.  "Why, are you hiding another cinnamon roll under the cushion?"  She asked with hope.

"If I was, I wouldn't tell you, and I wouldn't hide it there anyway.  Now, turn around, but don't sit down yet."  He stood in place waiting for her to comply.

"You are acting more weird than normal.  You're not getting senile on me are you?"  Kathryn said, her humorous voice betraying her.

"My mind isn't 'out to lunch' yet.  Now turn around or no surprise."  She did as was told without further comment.  Chakotay picked up the surprise he had hidden from view and walked up behind Janeway holding it behind his back.  "You can turn around now."  She did so ending up face to face with her matured but enamoring first officer.  Her lively blue eyes fixed on his as he brought the surprise from behind his back and placed one end in her hand.

She looked down with a blended mix of expressions crossing her face.  "It's a…" she hesitated slightly, "cane."  Her eyes remained fixed on the intricate design of the handle.

"Not just any cane, Captain.  It's a command cane."  Chakotay said with pride.

She looked at him and smiled sincerely.  "A command cane ha, this could have some possibilities."  Her smile appeared slightly less innocent.

"I've noticed lately your tendency to favor your right leg.  You've got a bit of a limp going on."  Chakotay wasn't at all sure she liked this surprise until her expression changed his mind.

"Chakotay, it's really very beautiful, thank you, and you're right about the leg, but I'm not the only one who's been hobbling around lately."

"Well, it just so happens…" he walked back to the hidden corner and brought back his own surprise, "that I made his and her command canes."  He held up his for her inspection.  "What do you think?"  He asked with even more pride.

Janeway was genuinely touched.  "I think they're both beautiful, and I think you're crazy."  She laughed while admiring his handy work.  "Chakotay," she looked up at him.  "Is this your way of asking me to grow old with you?"

He wasn't quite sure how to answer that, but could see from the look in her eyes she wasn't joking.  "I guess, in a way it is."  He hoped that was the right answer.

Her smile lit up the room brighter than all the flickering candles.  "Well, it would seem I may have no choice but to grow old, and I can't think of anyone I'd rather share that un-pleasurable experience with.  I accept."

It wasn't quite the proposal Chakotay had long ago dreamed of, but it would do for now.  "Thanks, I think."  With command canes in hand they got comfortable on the couch.

"They really are beautiful, Chakotay.  How on earth did you manage it?"  Janeway was admiring the hand carved design of stars and the outline of Voyager on the wooden handle.

"Well, aside from using every little replicator ration I could get my hands on before we lost them, a good old fashion pocket knife.  It took a few… million hours to carve."  He answered with a teasing smile.

"I didn't realize you had so much spare time on your hands.  We'll have to remedy that now won't we?"  She teased right back.

"Now that's gratitude for you."  Chakotay complained with jest.  Janeway just got a bit more comfortable leaning against his shoulder.  "Speaking of things to do, how's it going with the antidote?"

"Too slow for my liking, but the Doctor says he thinks they're on to something.  He's been holding Seven and Icheb hostage until they come up with the cure."  Janeway had to smile at the thought of the three of them stuck in sickbay together.

Chakotay was laughing inside himself.  "I've got to say I'm glad I do make the schedule so I can make sure I schedule myself far away from sickbay."  His laughter escaped.

"Do remember, Commander, you have to run that schedule by the captain."  Janeway flashed him an evil wink.

"Noted, Captain."  They both sipped on their ice-tea in silence knowing their comfortable few moments wouldn't last long.  Time had a way of making sure of that, and their time was running out.

"Chakotay," he instantly knew the mood had changed.  "If we can't find a way to stop this aging process, how long do you think we can make it?  I mean, if Voyager doesn't die altogether on us first."  As Janeway said 'die' the door to Chakotay's quarters opened on it's own.

"I don't think Voyager appreciates us talking about her."  The door closed again.

"I guess not."  Janeway sighed while silently cursing her ship.  "I hope she won't mind if we talk about the crew then."  She sat back on the sofa resting her head on the back cushion.  "I'm worried about the crew, Chakotay.  This aging thing has really taken a toll on all of us."

"I know.  It's amazing how the body can just fall apart due to age.  Even with all the medical technology at our disposal, well, what we can use at the moment that is, we don't have any real control over aging.  We've learned to slow down the process, under normal conditions that is."

"This is anything but normal that's for sure."  Janeway closed her eyes but continued talking softly.  "Did you know that Ensign Hansin actually had a heart attack last night?"

"I heard.  I also got an ear full from the Doc about him having to use… prehistoric 21st century medicine."  He had to smile at the memory of his encounter with the Doctor.

Janeway opened her tired eyes smiling herself again.  "Nice to know I'm not the only one who got that speech, but I do understand his frustration.  There are so many things not working on this…" she stopped herself from saying it.  "Well, let's just say we don't have a lot of choice which systems we lose first and where we have to compensate for loss of power.  We're lucky to be even running on half impulse right now."

"I know, but at least Ensign Hansin is going to be ok."  They were all grateful about that.

"For now, what about the next time?  Chakotay, if we can't stop this soon we're going to lose people to heart attacks, stroke, whatever, and that's if we can keep life support going that long."  Janeway's sigh was more audible this time.

Chakotay put his hand over hers squeezing slightly.  "I know it looks bleak, but this is a fighting crew who adheres to a captain who never gives up.  She won't let something as trivial as age get the best of her ship and crew."

That little pep talk was all Janeway needed to bring back her full smile.  "This captain couldn't do it without her first officer by her side."

"She will never have to either."  There was never a doubt of that, which Janeway was more grateful than she could ever express.

"Chakotay, have you noticed anything odd about Tuvok?"

Chakotay thought the question itself was odd.  "No more than normal.  Why, has something happened?"

"I don't know, but he's just been acting different, unfocused, even a bit emotional maybe."  That surprised Chakotay, but he kept quiet.  "The other day Neelix came to me with his concerns.  Apparently he saw Tuvok in the messhall late at night, and he said he could swear he saw him crying."

"Crying!"  That surprised Chakotay a lot.  "That sure doesn't sound normal.  Maybe he ate something that didn't agree with him."  Chakotay snickered.

"Would you quit clowning around, I'm serious."  He knew she was worried about him, about all of them.

"I'm sorry, I know.  Maybe he's going through some weird Vulcan aging thing.  Who really knows that much about Vulcans when they age, they outlive most humanoids anyway."

"True, but something isn't right and this aging thing has effected him more then we know.  He's even looking old and haggard.  I'm not sure his mental abilities aren't being effected in someway that we just don't understand."

"Kathryn, everything about this old age business is a mystery.  Have you talked to him about it?"

"Not yet, no time today, but I'm going to as soon as I can.  I'm worried about him."

"I know, and we'll help in anyway we can, and we're going to figure this mess out soon."  She just nodded slightly.  "Did you get a chance to look over that report on Casper I gave you?"

Janeway sighed again.  "To tell the truth… no.  I had a few seconds earlier and went to glance at it but…" she looked at him with an almost embarrassed expression.

"But what?"  Chakotay had a feeling he know the reason, however.  He'd seen her squint trying to read something many times over the past few weeks.

Janeway reached in the pocket of her comfortable jeans she'd put on before dinner and pulled out a pair of odd-looking eyeglasses.  "Compliments of the Doctor.  Apparently I'm losing my eyesight, and he doesn't have time, nor the resources to fix it right now."  She put them on, but quickly took them off again putting them back in her pocket.

Chakotay was trying not to laugh.  "I haven't seen a pair of those in… years."  He was unsuccessful in keeping his laughter controlled.

"Where would that have been, a museum?"  Janeway was only half kidding.

"Come to think of it, that could be where."  He received a slug on the arm for that one.  "Kathryn, you looked cute in them, promise.  Besides…" he turned his head so she could see his right ear.  "I have a hearing aid the Doc whipped up for me.  I guess he doesn't have time to fix my hearing either." 

Their musical laughter started up again.  "What a good pair we make.  Voyager has a blind captain with a bad hip, and a first officer who can't hear, and has a bad knee.  Is there anything else wrong with you I should know about?" 

"Hmm, there may be a few things you do not want to know about."  His stomach rumbled loudly.

Janeway was laughing quite hard again.  "You're right, please don't tell me."

"That would be best."  Another rumble.

"Commander, before you have to… go, how about you tell me the latest on Casper?"  Her smile was still very apparent.

"I don't have to…go."  He got more comfortable himself.  "The latest is, we've got an entire room full of that stuff.  I don't know how or why, but it's expanding daily."  Janeway had a look of panic in her eyes.  "Don't worry, it's safely contained, and so far there has been no sign of aggression, hell there's no sign it's even alive."

"At least we'll have enough of it the Doctor can use to make an antidote, if he can."  Janeway hated to admit even to herself she had a slight doubt.

"Oh he'll come up with one.  Either that, or deal with Seven for eternity." 

Janeway had closed her eyes again, but kept her smile in place.  "I expect to hear from him by tomorrow then."

"I'm sure you will, for one reason or another."  The room fell silent, Chakotay forming his next question.  "Kathryn…" he looked over at her still form and soft expression.  His only response from her was her slow and even breathing. 

Chakotay quietly stood up not wanting to wake the sleeping captain.  He grabbed a pillow while laying her gently down across the couch, and covered her with a blanket.  Maybe tonight we will both sleep without the nightmares.  Just the thought of not being alone in his quarters had calmed Chakotay's own apprehension about going to sleep.  He quietly blew out the candles and walked into his bedroom.  Sleep well, Kathryn.

=^=

"I think this is as good as it gets."  The Doctor put the latest sample of their antidote into a vial.  Icheb and Seven silently agreed.  "The only way we're going to know for sure is to test it on Casper."

"We can't do that in sickbay, we'll have to take this to Casper."  Seven stated with slight apprehension and tiredness in her voice.

"Then you and Icheb better get cracking."  The Doctor handed several tubes of antidote to Icheb.

"You are coming along with us, Doctor."  Seven spoke as though it was an order.

"You're forgetting, I'm rather confined to sickbay at the moment."  He hated it and made sure they all knew it.

Seven turned to Icheb.  "Go on ahead and make sure the holo-emitters are functioning in the isolation unit.  I'll make sure the Doctor has a safe trip."

"Ok, I'll contact you when everything is ready."  Icheb walked towards the door with several tubes of hopeful youth in his hands.

"Icheb, be careful with that stuff."  The Doctor's stern warning unnecessary, "and make sure everyone who's on duty there right now leaves, just in case something goes wrong."  That warning felt very necessary to all of them.

"Understood."  Icheb left without further comment.

"Seven, thanks in advance for the ride."  The Doctor looked slightly sheepish.

"Your thanks is not required, you are not getting out of helping us with the most critical part."  Again she sounded more like the captain giving an order.

The Doctor smiled, but chose to remain quiet as they finished gathering up their supplies

"Hey Doc, I think you better take a look at this."  Tom Paris called out to him from across the room where he'd been helping with some of the sick and elderly complaints.

The Doctor grumbled.  "What now, someone break a fingernail?"  He grumbled all the way over to the bio-bed, but stopped short when he noticed who was laying on it.  "Naomi!"

"Hi Doc, sorry to make you come over here, but Lieutenant Paris insisted."  She looked up at him with her scared and tired eyes. 

"Don't worry about that.  For once Mr. Paris did something right."  Tom just shot him the look and went on to his next patient.

Seven had joined them.  Her special concern for Naomi was evident.  "Naomi, are you hurt, what's wrong?"

"I'm ok, Seven.  I just can't seem to get rid of this pain in my stomach.  Naomi winced slightly as the Doctor poked around examining her.

"What is it Doctor?"  Seven wanted an answer NOW.

"If you'd be quiet and give me a minute here, I'll find out."  This time it was Seven's turn to grumble, but she did so while stepping back out of the way.  "Naomi, how long have you had this pain?"

"Well, a few days, but it wasn't really this bad until just an hour ago.  Mom insisted I come down here.  She's on duty with Casper right now."

"Not for long."  Just as Seven said the words Samantha Wildman rushed through the door.

"Guess Icheb is there."  The Doctor stated without missing a beat of his examination of their youngest crewman.

"Naomi, are you all right?  Doctor, what's wrong with her?"  Samantha was at her daughter's side in a flash.

"Mom, I'm fine."  Her facial expression said otherwise as she flinched in pain again.

"Doctor!"  Samantha was about to panic.

"Calm down, Sam.  She's going to be ok, but she needs surgery sooner than later."

Sam didn't let the Doctor finish explaining.  "Why, what happened?"  Panic had set in.

"Mom, take it easy.  I'm not a little girl anymore, I'll be fine."  Naomi was acting more the adult at the moment.

"That's the problem, Naomi, you should be a little girl still."  Samantha's frustration level was rising.

"You're right, Sam.  That is the problem, or part of it anyway."  The Doctor continued his assessment.  "Not many have been forced to go through puberty and adolescence at warp ten.  Naomi may still be the youngest crew member, but her body just can't keep up with the accelerated changing."

"What do you mean?"  Sam cut in again, sounding even more panic-stricken.

The Doctor directed his answer to Naomi.  "You've got some bleeding from your reproductive organs, and possibly your appendix has ruptured.  I can't really tell from my limited use of equipment, and this stupid medical-tricorder," he slammed the thing against the bio-bed, "but your fever would suggest so."  Naomi looked scared.  Samantha remained dead silent.  "Don't worry, I can stop the bleeding, and there shouldn't be any permanent damage to any of your organs, but we need to do it quickly."

"Will I still be able too…" with tears in her eyes Naomi couldn't finish the sentence.

They all knew what she wanted to ask, however.  "Yes, you will be able to have children, well provided you all don't die from old age first.  Your body just can't keep up with the fast pace growth, but this can be taken care of easily."  That helped to calm a few frazzled nerves in the room.

"Icheb to sickbay, I'm ready up here.  The holo-emitters are in tact and we're ready to go."

"Seven is on her way.  I've got something else to take care of first."  The Doctor slightly nodded his head towards Naomi as he answered.

"Understood, I'll be waiting."

Seven tenderly patted Naomi's hand.  "I will see you later."  She walked off to collect the rest of their test tubes.

"Seven, make sure you let me know the minute you find anything."  The Doctor felt a bit cheated out of his chance to go play with Casper, but his priority was with Naomi.

"Doc, do you need my help here, or should I go help with the ghost?"  Tom had been standing close by.

"I don't need your help, but I'm sure Seven and Icheb would gladly accept."  The Doctor was already getting prepared for the surgery.

"Let's go then, Lieutenant, we don't have all day."  Seven was halfway through the door.

"I'm right behind ya."  Tom managed a slow trot after her.

"I suggest we get going on this as well.  Sam, I'll let you know the second we're done, I'm sure everything will be fine."  The Doctor went to finish getting things ready.

Samantha smiled at her daughter.  "I'll be right here the minute it's over."  She bent down and kissed her daughter's spiked forehead.

"I'll be fine, Mom, don't worry.  Besides, I have the best doctor in the Delta Quadrant."

"Indeed she does," the Doctor enjoying the praise walked back.  "Now, shall we get started?"

=^=

"How many different samples do you have?"  Tom asked while making sure his environmental suit was snug and secure.

"We've got six different samples."  Seven answered while checking her suit.  "Let's hope that one of them is the lucky charm.

Tom smiled at her use of wording.  "Seven, I didn't know you believed in luck."  They walked into the room while making sure the forcefield was in place behind them.

"In this case, luck may be all we have where science and logic has failed."

From the way she sounded, Tom had a sudden image of Seven kneeling in prayer.  He smiled again, but wisely chose to keep the thought to himself.

"I've got everything ready."  Icheb was ready to get on with it.  He only nodded at Tom as he came over.

"It's amazing how this thing has expanded so much from the tiny sample we collected off the ship."  Tom stood in front of the large modified stasis unit that was home to Casper.  He stood gazing upon the slumbering misty cloud.  "Every time I come in here there's double the amount it seems."

"A good reason to hope this will work so we can get rid of this stuff."  Seven still had that 'pray' tone of voice.  "I doubt B'Elanna will be too happy to make yet another home for it."

Tom silently agreed on that one.  This was the third unit they had devised to hold their unwelcome guest.  It was kept as dark as possible within and around the unit, and that is just the way old Casper liked it.  "The problem is that it's hard to tell if/when it will outgrow this too.  A cloud is just a cloud, and yet not."  As unwelcome and creepy as Casper was, it was still a captivating sight to Tom.

"I've got all the samples ready."  Icheb had samples of his and Neelix's blood and cerebral fluid, as well as some from many different crewmen, Tom and Seven included.

"Ok, let's start with your blood sample."  Seven took one of the smaller vials and filled it with Casper through the suction tube B'Elanna had devised.  Icheb injected a few drops of his blood into it.

"Same thing that happens each time.  Casper likes you Icheb."  Tom spoke as the cloud swirled quickly then settled as the drops of blood fell to the bottom of the tube.  Casper would soon dissipate leaving only the blood sample.

"Now, let's try antidote number one and see if it changes anything."  Tom injected a bit of the antidote into the vial.

They watched for any sign of… anything.  Nothing happened, the blood drops were still at the bottom and the cloud never swirled at all.  "Interesting."  That was Seven's only comment.

"Ok, my turn."  Tom got one of the samples of his blood and dropped it into a new vial of ghost. 

Again the same thing happened.  His blood was instantly petrified as the swirling cloud settled.

"It would seem your ghost still doesn't like you, Lieutenant."  Icheb had as much of a teasing nature as any of them.

"I must not be sweet enough."  Tom replied with a smile.  He liked Icheb.  The kid had promise.

Seven injected sample number one into the vial.  They all watched in hopeful anticipation.  "Nothing is happening."  Their hopes fell a notch.  "You are definitely not sweet, Lieutenant."  His old dried blood remained crusted against the tube.

"Maybe my wife is sweeter."  This time Tom got a small sample of B'Elanna's blood and injected a few drops into more Casper.  "Damn."

"Well what were you expecting it to do, blow up?"  Seven remarked with a bit of frustration.

"Hell, I don't know what to expect, but something would be better than this."  Tom was feeling every bit the same frustration as they tried the antidote into it as well.

This time they got action, just not the kind they'd hoped for.  Casper swirled and seemed even more alive for a fraction of a second, but when the swirling cloud settled, B'Elanna's blood was nothing but a petrified blob stuck to the side of the vial.

"Not good!"  They all three said at the same time.

"At least B'Elanna's blood woke it up for a bit."  Seven was grateful for anything at this point.  "Possibly it likes a slightly purple tint to it's meal."

Tom was laughing.  "You have your moments, Seven."  They got things ready to repeat the same testing sequence with the second sample of antidote.  "One down, five to go." 

"Doctor to Seven, how's it going up there?"  The Doctor was anxious to find out if he'd managed to save the day, again.

"One down, five to go.  We're just getting ready to try the second antidote.  Seven's hand was shaking slightly but she controlled it without missing a beat.  "Doctor, how is Naomi?"  Icheb shot her a surprised look.

"She's out of surgery and will recover fine." 

"Why, what happened to her?"  Icheb acted like a big brother.

"Just some bleeding, she'll be fine, Icheb.  I'm sure she'll be touched by your concern."  Although unseen, the Doctor was smiling.  "Seven, I'm going to catch a ride with Commander Chakotay, I'll be up to help shortly."

"Understood."  Seven looked over at the still concerned face of Icheb.  "She will be fine."  No more needed to be said.

They repeated the testing sequence with antidote number two, and different blood samples, each with the same results.  "This is not looking good, and we didn't even use my blood."  Tom was feeling close to desperation.

"It appears that I am not sweet either."  Seven got Tom to smile although she hadn't tried too.

"Could you use an extra…" Chakotay walked in as the Doctor materialized in his arms.  "Four hands?"  He said with a heavy chuckle then dropped the Doc on the spot.

"This is getting a bit tiresome."  The Doctor quickly stood up brushing off his pride.

"For a hologram, you're not a feather."  Chakotay was still smiling.

"You're just old and decrepit, Commander."  The Doctor wasn't enjoying this.

Tom was laughing.  "He's got you there big guy."

"Can we just get back to work?"  Seven always had to be the killjoy.

With the four extra hands they managed to get through numbers three, four and five quicker, but with the same results.  Nothing, and no one's blood seemed to make a difference.  Each time the blood petrified and the antidote only made Casper dance around, but didn't change it.  They were getting more frustrated by the minute, not to mention tired.

"Seven, be careful, your hand is shaking."  The Doctor said with anxiety.

She was filling another vial full of Casper.  "I'm fine, Doctor, I…" the vial slipped from her hand and hit the workstation cracking it open.

"Oh shit!"  Tom said as they all jumped back.  The eddying cloud escaped as a split second of icy-chill webbed its way into the very soul.  No one said a word as they stood in stunned silence watching the vaporous waltz around them suddenly just evaporate.  They had taken great care not to come in direct contact with Casper, if at all possible.  This was more direct than they intended.

It took a few more seconds for the four of them to even realize what just happened.  Seven of course felt mortified.  "I'm sorry."  She said in a hushed tone.

Chakotay, who had been standing by her, put his gloved hand on her shoulder.  He could feel her shiver through their environmental suits, although that could have been him as well.  "No harm done, it could happen to any of us.  I'm sure our suits protected us."  He silently had his doubts, however.

"Did you feel that?"  Tom found his voice.  "It felt like ice daggers shooting through me."  He was looking directly at Icheb.

"I didn't feel a thing."  Icheb looked at Seven and Chakotay.

"Oh I felt it."  Chakotay spoke, Seven just nodded the affirmative.  "Not a very pleasant and warm sensation either I might add."

They all looked at the Doctor.  "Don't look at me, I don't feel."  He looked at Seven who looked a bit pale and shaken.  "Are you ok?"  He even grabbed the medical-tricorder they had been using and ran it over her.

"I'm fine, Doctor, don't fuss over me.  I'm just sorry, I shouldn't be working with this anymore."

"Seven, any of us could have dropped a vial.  In fact, I'm sure you won't be the last, and probably not the first."  Chakotay was doing his best to reassure her.  "We're all still here and not a bit petrified, well in the prehistoric sense of the word."  He flashed them his most reassuring smile.

"If I can trust this tricorder you aren't any worse for wear."  The Doctor ran it over Tom and Chakotay in turn, and they both seemed to be fine, well as fine as they had been a few minutes ago anyway.  I think you'll all live, but…" he directed his focus behind them to the last few blood samples on the table.  "It would seem we have a few casualties."

They all looked towards the small dry, crusted blood samples.  "How can it do that to our blood samples so quickly and yet we all seem to be fine?"  Tom was mystified as well as becoming mortified.

"A few drops of blood age a hell of a lot faster then a person, thank God."  Chakotay was about to say that prayer.

They looked to the Doctor for conformation.  "It makes as much sense as any of this."  The Doctor didn't have any more insight then any of them.

"Can we get back to work, this is giving me the willies?"  Tom was more than ready to get out of there.  "Maybe now would be a good time for that prayer."  Tom mumbled a bit louder than he intended.

All three looked at him.  "It just might be."  Chakotay would be the first to admit that a bit of divine intervention couldn't hurt.  He held the last vial of antidote tightly.  "Well, who's going to be the genie-pig?"

"It looks like you are, Commander."  The Doctor reached for a syringe and new test tube.

"Just as well then, let's do it."  The Doctor took some blood from Chakotay's neck and placed it in the tube.  Chakotay readjusted the helmet on his environmental suit.  "That wasn't so bad."  He smiled at the Doctor, who just shook his head in annoyance.

The Doctor handed the tube of blood to Icheb who injected some Casper into it.  "Here we go."  However, it was instantly as petrified as an ancient dinosaur.

"You're not sweet either, Commander."  Tom helped to lighten the mood a bit.

Icheb carefully handed the blood sample vial to Seven.  She hesitated taking it while looking to the Doctor for reassurance.  He just nodded his head in encouragement.  She took the vial of blood and Casper from Icheb.

They all simultaneously took a deep breath.  "This is it."  Chakotay still held tight to number six as Seven held tight to his blood.

The Doctor had the honor of their last hope.  He took some of the antidote from Chakotay and injected it into the blood sample.  They watched in breathless expectancy for the blood to un-petrify.  They watched and watched and… nothing happened, the blood remained hard and crusted to the side of the tube.

"Oh come one!  Give us a break will ya?"  That was Tom's rendition of a prayer.  "I'm getting too old for this crap."  He sounded defeated.

"We all are, Paris."  Chakotay couldn't help but feel the same sense of doom.

Seven, not saying anything set the tube of disaster down on the workstation table.

"Hold on, let me try one more thing."  The Doctor got the syringe again.  "May I, Commander?"

"Be my guest.  I won't be needing it soon anyway."  He loosened the neck of his suit again.  The Doctor collected more blood and put it into a new test tube.

"Ok, now let's put some of the antidote directly into the blood."  He held the blood sample while Chakotay injected the antidote.

"Well at least it didn't blow up."  Tom sighed, as the blood remained unchanged.

"Seven," the Doctor indicated for her to get more Casper.  She did so without hesitation this time.  "This is the last ditch effort."  The Doctor injected the fresh blood and antidote sample into Casper.  No one dared even breathe as they watched the swirling cloud attack the fresh blood like a voracious beast.  Within the blink of an eye the cloud had settled reveling their last breath of hope.  The blood had slid to the bottom of the vial, intact and un-petrified, the red droplets gleaming.

"Yahoo!  It worked, it really worked!"  Tom was elated.  He patted Chakotay hard on the back knocking the precious antidote from his hands.  "Oh shit!"  Tom screamed in horror.

Chakotay saved the day, and the vial by catching it in mid flight to the deck.  "Nice one, Paris."

"Nice catch, Commander."  Icheb spoke up.  Tom still looked mortified.

"No harm done, Lieutenant, it could happen to anyone."  Seven spoke from experience, and she meant it. 

The only thing either of them could do was laugh, and laugh they did.  They had hope now, and a reason to believe they would make it.  A good laugh was overdue and well deserved. 

"Ok, let's not get ahead of ourselves yet.  This is just the first step, anything could still happen."  The Doctor got the room silent again.  "So far the blood looks fine, but we need to give it some time, just incase.  Then we've got to test it on a real subject."

The elation was dampened a bit.  "Commander, look!"  Icheb pointed to the tube of petrified blood on the table.  Casper was all but dissipated but the blood was trickling down one side of the vial. 

"What do you know?  I'm not prehistoric after all."  Chakotay felt every bit as elated as Tom had. 

"Well, if this really will work that's proof that your old age can be reversed."  Even the Doctor felt the hope and excitement in the room.  "This has promise, but we're not out of the woods yet."  He put a lid on that excitement.

 "Let's wrap this up and I'll go report what we have to the captain.  All we can do for now is wait and see."  Chakotay had plenty of hope still, but knew they needed to be cautious.  "Doctor, if this looks like it will work, how long before you can make enough for all of us?"

"It shouldn't take too long, provided I can get a replicator working long enough."

"Don't worry about that, we'll drain power from life-support if we have too.  This antidote is our number one priority or we won't need life-support anyway."  Chakotay handed the antidote to the Doctor and headed for the door.  "Let's keep our fingers crossed, this is going to work."  He left the isolation unit.

The four of them got things cleaned up and made sure all was secure with Casper safely sleeping inside the stasis chamber.  "Seven, I could use that ride you offered earlier."  The Doctor was hoping Tom wouldn't volunteer.  Tom and Icheb just smiled and walked on ahead.

"It looks like I'm the last ride out, hop on."  Even Seven was feeling more hopeful and lighthearted.

"Just don't drop me."  The Doctor smiled as he walked into Seven's arms.

=^=

"I'll see you later, Honey."  Tom kissed his wife soundly and headed off for another evening in the captain's chair.

B'Elanna was all smiles as she walked in the other direction towards engineering.  Their spirits and hopes much lighter as the news of a possible cure spread throughout the ship.  The Doctor, in his ever-dampening mood had warned them to not get overly excited, but his warning fell on deaf ears.

Carrying that smile with her, B'Elanna strolled down the corridor towards the nearest jefferies-tube.  She knew that keeping her elation in check was wise, but she couldn't help but feel excited about being a mother to be now.  For the first time since they'd found out she was pregnant, she felt the true joy of an expectant mother, not the great-grandmother. 

In any event, they'd know for sure soon if the cure was real.  They had done more testing, and so far Casper accepted the antidote in their blood samples.  It was only a matter of time now, time B'Elanna now felt they had.

She'd come to her hatch of choice only to find she wasn't going to be alone inside.  Her smile grew wider at the sight of the captain's cane, and her uniform jacket on the deck by the hatch.  She'd known Chakotay was making it for her.  In fact, she'd helped with some of her own replicator rations.  I guess she liked it after all.  B'Elanna had had her doubts.

With her toolkit over her shoulder she climbed inside.  She'd crawled about a meter when she came across another article of the captain's uniform, her gray long-sleeved shit, the four silver pips shining in the dim lighting.  B'Elanna was laughing now at the sudden thought of catching her command team in a compromising situation, not that I would ever do such a thing.  The problem with that assessment was that she knew Chakotay was in the messhall eating dinner, that and her command team were only friends, although everyone would cheer them on if they became more. 

Damn, it's hot in here.  She stopped long enough to toss her own jacket aside and wipe the sweat from her face.  Dragging her tools behind, B'Elanna's first encounter wasn't the captain.

"Hey, B'Elanna, you didn't happen to bring me a cold drink did ya?"

"I'm afraid not, Starfleet.  Next time, put your order in before I get here."  B'Elanna enjoyed teasing Harry almost as much as Tom did.  "What are you two doing in here anyway?"  She referred to Lieutenant Thompson as well.

"Just following your orders, Ma'am.  I believe your exact words were… "I don't care how, and I don't care where, even if you have to scrap the static from the bottom of your boots, I want more power to the impulse engines.  If we don't find it soon we'll be drifting like the barge of the dead."   Thompson looked almost apologetic.

B'Elanna and Harry were laughing, however.  "That does sound like something I would say.  In fact, you almost sounded like me, just not as… stern."  She admitted through the laughter. 

"Thanks, I think."  Thompson smiled.

B'Elanna noticed something different about Thompson.  "Don't tell me you took me that seriously?"

"What do you mean?"  She had no clue what she had done, or not done now.  B'Elanna nodded her head towards a pair of black boots sitting a few inches away.  It was Lieutenant Thompson who was laughing now.  "Well, we tried scrapping, but it didn't work so I just left them off because it's so hot in here."  She was hoping she'd get away with a bit of teasing herself.

"She's good."  Harry Kim was enjoying the moment well.

B'Elanna sneered, but couldn't contain her smile.  "I'll give you that one, and it is hot in here.  I've been following a trail of the captain's clothing.  Let's hope she still has some on by the time I run across her."  B'Elanna's attention focused on another article of clothing up ahead.

Harry was still laughing.  "She did when she left here, don't know about now though."  He started to shed his own sweaty shit.

B'Elanna just shook her head.  "Well, I know Chakotay isn't in here with her, so it should be safe."

Harry almost choked he was laughing so hard.  "I sure hope so, she's with Seven."  He could hardly get the words out.

"I'm not even going to touch that one."  B'Elanna wanted nothing to do with that kind of fleeting thought.  "Where is she?"

"Just follow the trail, she crawled up to the next deck."  Thompson answered, Harry was still laughing.

B'Elanna crawled off without another word keeping all ludicrous thoughts at bay.  She made her way up the ladder leading to the next deck, almost sighing in gratitude to find the captain still clothed, although slightly less than normal.  Seven was nowhere in sight.  "Thanks for the trail of breadcrumbs to follow."

Janeway turned in surprise, looking slightly dumbfounded from the statement.  "What are you talking about, Lieutenant?"

B'Elanna nodded, referring to the captain's less than Starfleet attire and smiled.

Janeway caught on and smiled back.  "You're quite the detective, Lieutenant."  Her sweating skin glistened in the red shadowed lighting.  "I don't suppose you've got a portable air-conditioner in that toolkit?"  She asked only half jokingly.

"If I did, I'd be using it on me first."  B'Elanna was regretting her earlier decision to even leave the messhall.  "There isn't much we can do about environmental systems in here.  It's all we can do to keep the rest of the ship from melting, or freezing."

"This does put a whole new meaning to 'sweating off the pounds.'  No reason to feel guilty about eating more than my share of dessert lately."  She spoke as her mind drifted to her latest indulgence.

"I wouldn't know.  I haven't felt much like eating lately."  B'Elanna's stomachs had been protesting the presence of food greatly.  "This could be the best nine month diet plan ever."

"Remind me to stay off your diet."  Janeway didn't even want to imagine how her chief engineer was feeling.

"What are you doing up here anyway?  You really don't need to be crawling through the ship."  B'Elanna said with a hint of concern in her voice.

"What's good for the crew is good for the captain."  Janeway winced as she reached for a replacement power coupling. 

"Yea right."  B'Elanna handed the coupling to her. 

"Ok, so maybe I am getting a bit old for this."  She continued working as she spoke.  "Come to think of it, even if I wasn't aging faster than the speed of light I'd be too old for this."

"Well, you're in good company with 'old' friends.  If we're lucky we won't be needing to do this much longer."  B'Elanna was going to stay optimistic until proven otherwise.

"I hope you're right."  Janeway continued to work.  "Voyager is starting to look like a jigsaw puzzle with all the rerouting of power we're doing."  At that moment a fizzling-blue spark of electrical energy danced from the opened panel zapping Janeway.  "Damnit!"  She was knocked back onto her rear.  "Voyager, you are really starting to get under my skin."  She cursed.

"Literally."  B'Elanna did her best not to laugh as she crawled back to the ladder.  "Hey, Starfleet, what are you two doing down there?"  She yelled down to Harry.

"We're not doing anything but getting our butts zapped."  Harry joined the hollering match.

"Captain, are you harmed?"  B'Elanna turned around at the sound of Seven's voice.  She came crawling from the opposite direction. 

"I'm fine, Seven."  Janeway wasn't one hundred percent sure, however, as she shook her still tingling hands.

"What in the hell did you do, Seven?"  B'Elanna scooted back to join them.

"I did nothing, Lieutenant.  It seems Voyager has her own ideas about redistributing extra power."  Seven didn't flinch from the accusation, although she too was wiggling her fingers as if she'd gone ten rounds with an electric eel.

"Alright, Voyager, now you're starting to piss me off as well."  B'Elanna moved over to the open panel grumbling at the ship, in-between some colorful klingon cursing.  "I'm sorry, Seven."  She threw that one in for good measure as she got to work finding the problem.

"Apology accepted."  Seven understood the tension they were all under, and she was never one to hold a grudge.  "I should get back to sickbay anyway, my break is about over."

"Crawling through the ship isn't much of a break.  What are you doing in here anyway?"  B'Elanna asked without taking her attention off her work.

"I would rather crawl though the ship and get electrocuted a thousand times than succumb to a nightmare."  They had haunted Seven far too long for her liking.

"We can all understand that, but you do need to rest and regenerate."  Janeway said with vexation.  "I don't want to make it an order."  She would, however, if need be.

"I will regenerate soon, but I'd better get back before the Doctor makes it a permanent situation."  She wasn't joking about that as she squeezed past Janeway and B'Elanna to make her way to the ladder.

"Now that's a scary thought."  B'Elanna continued to work.

"Seven, have the Doctor contact me the minute the antidote is ready to test."  Janeway said while still rubbing her tingling hands.  "Tell him, the sooner the better, for all of us."  Captain Janeway was starting to feel every bit the age she must be looking by now.

"I will relay your message."  Seven slid down the ladder and was out of sight.

"Captain, are you really alright?"  B'Elanna had turned her focus back to her commanding officer.

"As alright as I can be, it's just been a long day." 

"Maybe you should go with Seven to sickbay, just to make sure."  B'Elanna spoke as her friend.

Janeway smiled.  "You're as bad as Chakotay.  I'm not anymore fragile than the rest of you.  Slightly more stubborn than some, but that won't kill me."

"No, but we could all be in trouble for it."  B'Elanna was comfortable in her friendship with Janeway, sometimes a bit too comfortable.

"I'll give you that one, for now."  Her smile remained unchanged.  "I'm too old to kick your butt now anyway.

"You always have been."  B'Elanna was pushing it.  The death glare was upon her.  "Ok, sorry.  Just chalk it up to the 'foot in mouth' syndrome.  It's not the first time that's happened."  B'Elanna tired her innocent look, which didn't fit her well at all.

"I'm sure it won't be the last either."  Janeway's death glare had died.

"Agreed."  Their optimistic attitude couldn't be denied as they both got back to the job at hand.

"I'm not looking forward to shutting down all engines.  How much longer do you think we can keep impulse engines going?"  The thought of just drifting in space made Janeway feel all too vulnerable.

"Well, if we get some of this power rerouted, I'd guess a week tops, and that's at only half impulse power."  B'Elanna hated the same thought. 

"Let's hope we don't have to find out then.  I don't enjoy the thought of being a sitting duck in pond with duck-hunters behind every weed.  Nothing so far has been in our favor, let's keep every finger and toe crossed that this antidote is the turning point."

"I'll cross everything I can get my hands on if it will help."  B'Elanna had more than her own life at stake.

Janeway gathered up some of her tools.  "I'll make my way to the next panel, see what kind of damage I can get into."

"You can stay here at this one and I'll crawl to the next one if you'd like."  B'Elanna didn't want Janeway to have to do all the grunt work, not in their condition anyway.

"Would you stop with the mothering, you have awhile to go yet."  Janeway said with humor as she started to crawl off.

"Hey, I need practice, how am I doing?"  B'Elanna was laughing again.

"Remind me to send the baby a sympathy card."  Janeway moved slowly up the crawl space.  I might need one soon myself, damn I'm too old for this.  Her combadge got her attention, along with the laughter from her chief engineer.

"Paris to Janeway."

She turned back around facing B'Elanna while answering the hail.  "Go ahead."

"Captain, we've got a… situation, or so I think."  Tom had no idea how to explain this one.

Janeway rolled her eyes.  B'Elanna just smiled.  "Either we do or we don't, Lieutenant, which is it, and what is it?"

"Well, it's um… it's…Tuvok."  Tom felt as though he was tripping over his tongue.

Janeway and B'Elanna had lost all lightheartedness.  "Specifics, Mr. Paris, is he hurt?"  Janeway was beginning to fret.

"Not hurt exactly, more like… well, he's locked in your ready room, you could say he's… throwing a tantrum."  Tom was keeping his voice low so Tuvok didn't overhear.

"Tom," B'Elanna cut in.  "Have you been drinking?  This is Tuvok, remember, the deadhead, emotionless Vulcan?"  Janeway seemed deep in thought, or shocked, B'Elanna couldn't tell from her expression.

"No, I have not been drinking.  I'm serious, B'Elanna.  Just a few minutes ago he blew up at me over… nothing.  He almost started to cry, and then ran into the ready room."

"Tom, was anyone else around?"  Janeway knew something was not right with her old friend.  She'd been concerned about him ever since Neelix said he saw him in the messhall in tears.

"No, I'm the only one here right now.  What should I do, Captain?"  Tom was truly concerned.

"Don't do anything.  Just keep an eye on him until I get there, I'm on my way."  She crawled back to the ladder.

"Ok, but hurry."  Tom had no idea just what to expect next.

"I'm moving as fast as I can."  She was already on the ladder.

"Should I call the Doc?"

"No, just hang on, I'm coming."  Damnit, this is no time to be an old woman, move Janeway!  Her thoughts carried her a bit faster.  "B'Elanna, hold down the fort, I'll be on the bridge." 

"You've got it, just be careful.  Maybe you should take the turbolift to the bridge."

Janeway answered from the bottom of the ladder.  "There is no 'maybe' about it, Lieutenant."  Without further comment Janeway crawled past Harry and Thompson and out of the jefferies-tube.  She collected her jacket and cane and made her way to the turbolift.

=^=

Tom stood up at the sound of the lift-doors opening.  "Captain, I'm surprised the door even worked." 

"You and me both, Lieutenant."  She looked towards her ready room.  "Is he still in there?"  She wasn't sure if she wanted him to be or not.

"Yes, and there hasn't been a single sound coming from there since I contacted you.  I don't know what, but there is definitely something wrong with him."  Tuvok wasn't Tom's favorite person, but he respected him and his logic, most times.

"I guess I'd better go find out what."  Janeway, with cane in hand walked to the ready room.  Taking a calming breath she went to walk through the door, only to be stopped by its refusal to open.

"Well, one out of two isn't so bad."  Tom couldn't contain the humor.

Janeway stepped back from the door a bit.  Taking her command cane, she commanded the door to open with a good jab with the end of it.  The door slid open on contact.  "Two out of two is better."  She smiled back at Tom as she walked through.

"I have got to get me one of those."  Tom smiled and went back to playing captain.

=^=

The ready room didn't seem any the worse for wear as Janeway walked in.  Tuvok was standing still, facing the big view-window.  A position Janeway herself had spent countless hours in.  "Tuvok."  She quietly spoke.  He neither moved, nor answered.  "Tuvok, are you alright?"  She walked over to him trying to decide just what to do or say next.

He didn't look at her, but acknowledged her question.  "I am alright, Captain."  The lingering silence, however, told the real truth.

Janeway moved closer keeping her eyes focused directly on him.  "How about the truth this time, Tuvok?  I'm here as your friend, not your captain.  I want to help if I can."

"There is nothing you can help with, I'm fine."  He still didn't look at her.

This is going to be harder than pulling teeth from an old grizzly bear.  Janeway sighed in frustration.  "Tuvok, this isn't getting us anywhere.  Something, besides the obvious aging is going on here.  I would rather do this as your friend because as your captain, I may have to relieve you of duty not knowing what to expect from you next."

"Then relieve me of duty… Captain."  He said with more anger then Janeway had ever heard from any Vulcan.

Again she took a deep breath, and one more stab at getting the truth from her pigheaded old friend.  "Whether I relieve you of duty or not isn't going to help you resolve whatever is bothering you."  She reached her arm around holding on to his and forcing him to look at her.  "Come on, Tuvok, cut the crap and tell me what's wrong.  Is this anything to do with Ponfar?"  For an eternal frightening moment she thought he was going to hit her.  The anger in his eyes was palatable.

Janeway was about to pull back from him when for whatever reason his countenance softened and all anger vanished.  The potpourri of emotions she saw in his eyes dowsed any fear she had.  "No, Captain, this is not the Ponfar.  Instinctively he put his hand on her shoulder reassuring her that she was safe.  "Maybe we should sit down."  He spoke with such sadness.

"I'll agree to that."  Will I ever, crawling through the ship is so not the best idea I've had.  Janeway was more grateful to be sitting than she would ever let on.  They sat in silence for a moment, Janeway keeping her eyes locked on Tuvok, giving him time to compose himself.  He would not look at her.

"Have you ever heard of Bendii Syndrome?"  He looked at her now, in hope that she would know something about it.

Janeway searched her storehouse of memories, coming up with a blank.  "Not that I can recall."  She was starting to worry.

Tuvok's expression turned to one of gravity.  "Not many have.  I do not know for a certainty, but I strongly believe that is what is afflicting me."

"Let me guess.  This, Bendii only affects Vulcans, and only in their later years of life?"  Once again an entity they know nothing about has caused yet another unwanted affliction for her crew.

"You would be correct, Captain.  Although, even among Vulcans it is rare and almost unheard of."  Tuvok was starting to fidget.

"Of course, and you would just happen to be one of those very rare and unheard of cases."  Janeway's worry was now closer to panic.  Tuvok only nodded his head in conformation.  Try as she might, she couldn't read so many different emotions emanating from him, but she had to know.  "Is it…" her bottom lip quivered slightly.

"Fatale?"  Tuvok said for her.  "Not directly, no, but indirectly it can be even worse than death, for a Vulcan anyway."

That didn't help to lesson Janeway's state of concern at all.  "Tell me what it's indirectly doing to you then."

"Bendii Syndrome is a degenerative disease that affects a Vulcan's ability to suppress, or control his emotions.  In essence, Captain, it causes madness, an overload of emotions that overtakes the mind, body, and spirit."  As it was, Tuvok was having trouble containing his agitation.  He stood up and started pacing.  "Emotions that other species deal with and go through day to day collide all at once on the otherwise disciplined Vulcan."

Janeway didn't question that.  Just seeing how he was struggling now was proof positive.  "Tuvok, isn't there something that can help, a cure, a mind-meld, anything?"

"I do not know of a cure.  There are steps to help reduce the symptoms, but in time they can't be stopped.  I have only heard of one case where a mind-meld was used, but that help was only for a short time and can cause significant emotional damage to the recipient of the meld."  Tuvok's pacing quickened.

"Have you talked with the Doctor, maybe there is something he can do?"  Janeway knew she was grasping at straws.

"No, I have told no one."  He came back and sat next to her.  "Captain, I do not wish to have the entire ship know about this.  There is nothing the Doctor, or anyone can do to help.  I must endure this on my own.  I can't subject the crew to my emotional outburst, and possible harm to them.  I am requesting that you relieve me of duty immediately."  Tuvok was close to pleading.

"Of course, but that concern isn't for the rest of us, it's for you.  There has to be something we can do.  Couldn't we try a mind-meld?  I'd be more than willing to help in that regard if I could.  I'm a pretty strong willed person if need be."  Now Janeway was pleading.

"As I said, a mind-meld would only help for a short time, and in everyone's weakened emotional, mental, and physical state it's much too dangerous, even for you, Kathryn."  Tuvok so rarely used her first name she knew he was serious about not letting her, or anyone help in that way.  "The case I'm referring to was years ago when Ambassador Sarek was onboard the Enterprise for a special meeting between the Federation and the Legaran.  The meeting was vital to the Federation and Ambassador Sarek was the only one who the Legarans would deal with.  At that time he had just started to suffer the symptoms of Bendii.  He preformed a mind-meld with Captain Picard transferring his out of control emotions to him long enough to get through the meeting.  I only heard that it was almost too much for Captain Picard to handle, and he was in much better physical and emotional health then are you, or anyone on Voyager."  Tuvok was too agitated to remain seated.  He continued his pacing routine.

"Tuvok, other than the obvious agitation you're going through, what other emotions have you been going through?  I'm only asking because if I know what you may be feeling maybe I could help you through them, at least be of some support to you."  Janeway just really had no idea what or how she could help, but she would be willing to do anything for a friend, even an emotionally unstable one.

"I don't think I can describe just what they are.  All I know is they're intense, as intense as anything imaginable."  He couldn't express something he had so little experience with, so he continued to wear a path of frenzy into the carpet.

Janeway stood up hoping to calm his building anger.  "Tuvok, at least consider letting the Doctor give you something to help you relax, maybe even to help you sleep."  The calm she was aiming for backfired.

Tuvok flew into a fury as though he were about to explode.  "I do not need the Doctor's help, or any of your help!  Just leave me alone!  The last thing I want to do is sleep, just get out, Captain!"  Tuvok put his hands over his head looking as though he was about to rip out his own hair.

"Tuvok, please!"  She reached for his hand.

"NO!  Get away from me!"  He pushed her arm away; almost knocking her off balance then sank to his knees in a heap.

Janeway remained standing, unsure of what to think, say, or do.  She would never have imagined that she would witness her old Vulcan friend on his knees in front of her crying and defeated.  The only thing she could think to do was kneel down next to him, and hope her close presence would help.

He looked up at her with his moist intense eyes.  "I'm sorry, I can not control this."  Janeway only listened.  "My thoughts are always on my family.  I miss them all so much.  Did you know, Captain, that I never once told my wife how much I loved her?  I never took the time to tell my children how much they mean to me, how proud I always have been of each of them."

"Tuvok, of course they know, they have always known."  She tried to touch his arm.

"NO, no they don't, and now it's all too late.  I will die out here, an old and crazy man, and they will never know how much I cared."  The tears started to fall, from both their eyes.  "Captain, I never even told you how much I have valued our friendship over the years, how much I respect and care for you."  He could hardly get the words out.

Janeway spoke through her own tears.  "You just did my friend, and I've always known."  Tuvok could do nothing but sob.  Where logic always fails, human compassion remains steady.  Janeway wrapped her arms around her old friend and together they cried over a lifetime of caged emotions.

The abruptness with which Tuvok jumped to his feet startled Janeway.  She slowly made her way to her own feet.  "I have to get out of here."  Tuvok wiped the moistness from his face.  "I have to go to my quarters."  He headed for the door.

"Wait," Janeway grabbed her cane.  "I'll walk with you."  She could see in his eyes he was about to refuse even that slightest bit of help.  "Please, Tuvok, for me.  I just want to make sure you're ok."

He only nodded and waited for her to join him at the door.  Together they left the ready room and made their way in silence to the turbolift.  To its credit, the door opened.  To Tom's credit, he didn't say a word.

=^=

"I can't hear you, Kathryn."  Chakotay hobbled to catch up to her.

The smiling captain turned around waiting for him to join her.  "I said…" she started laughing, "you'd better move a bit faster than the speed of camel if you're coming with me."

Chakotay looked relieved.  "That's ok then.  I thought you called me a camel."  They continued together towards sickbay.

"Would I ever do that?"  She teased, "but, you might want to clean the sand out of your ears."  The temptation was too great.

"Be careful, or you'll be wandering in this desert looking for more than just water."  Chakotay was always up for a challenge.

"I'm not that blind yet.  I think I can find my way to sickbay."  Their merriment was well earned.  "Besides, I have my trusty cane to help guide me."

"Not to mention your trusty camel."  Chakotay held his arm out for her.

She linked her arm with his.  "A bit slow and hard of hearing, but yes, very trusty."

"I'm not that bad, besides, I was on the bridge when the Doctor summoned us and I still caught up to you." 

"Correction, Commander, I let you catch me."  Her smile had a hint of mischief in it.

It was Chakotay's favorite expression and he loved this teasing side of her.  "Not yet, but someday I will." 

Kathryn Janeway couldn't make her mouth form the response in her mind so they walked on to sickbay with only a smile between them.

"What took you so long?"  The Doctor spoke as they walked through the doors.

"Old age."  Janeway answered with no hint of her earlier lighthearted mood, "and I don't intend to get a day older.  Have you got the antigen ready?" 

They joined Seven and the Doctor.  For the first time over the last several weeks sickbay was empty except for the four of them, and their hopeful cure.  "Yes, I guess it's now or never.  We've run every test we can think of and on over half of the blood samples from the crew.  It all looks good."  The Doctor held the vial of youth.  "All we need is a lab rat to test it on."

"I have already volunteered for the job."  Seven spoke up more than ready to get this over with.  "We should proceed, Doctor."

"Sorry, Seven.  You're not the rat today."  Janeway stepped closer to the Doctor.  "I'm not going to risk anyone's life until we know what this will do."

Chakotay didn't like where this was headed.  He had an altogether different opinion.  "I don't think so, Captain."  He stepped between Janeway and the Doctor.  "This ship and it's crew need their captain.  I'll be the one to try it."  Janeway couldn't remember hearing him more determined, but so was she.

"This isn't open for debate, Commander.  You're right, this is my ship and crew, and I'll do whatever I have to do to keep them alive and safe."  Janeway had fire in her eyes, the fire of determination that they all knew well.  Seven and the Doctor stepped back a bit as their commanding officers faced off.

"Right, and just how does you taking the antidote first keep your crew safe?  It's the captain's duty to keep herself safe, to delegate things like this to others."  Chakotay was going to fight her tooth and nail on this one.

"Oh don't feed me the 'captain's duty' crap.  This is not your everyday situation and I sure as hell am not your everyday captain."  Janeway's emotions were teetering on the side of explosion.

"Well, that's one thing we agree on.  You are not an everyday captain, which is why you would even consider such a STUPID idea."  Chakotay shot back. 

"You can't possibly think I would ask someone else to do this."  The screaming match continued.  Seven and the Doctor didn't dare put their two cents in.

"Oh yes I can, that is exactly what you should do as the captain.  Your job is to NOT risk your own life."

"So, who's life would you have me risk, Seven, Naomi, you?"  Janeway had a sudden urge to smack him with her cane, but kept a tight hold on it instead.

"That's exactly what you should do.  Not Naomi of course, but me.  As the first officer it's my job to protect you, even from yourself.  I will take the antidote." 

"NO!"  She yelled loud enough for the entire ship to hear, but mostly for the hard of hearing, pigheaded first officer in front of her.  "I'm not going to let you or anyone else do this.  It's my ship, my crew, and my decision."

"Kathryn, you're being ridiculous, what if this antidote kills you?"  Chakotay was livid in his reaction.

Janeway stared directly in his eyes, and with a slight tilt of her head answered more calmly than she thought she had in her.  "Then it will be your ship and your crew."  She didn't flinch from his burning expression.  "Discussion over." 

Taking a deep breath that he didn't even realize he'd been holding, Chakotay turned from her unbending gaze.  "You are the most obstinate old woman I've ever met."  He growled to himself.

Janeway cracked a slight smile.  "You forget, Commander, I'm not hard of hearing.  I'll take that as a compliment," she put her hand on his shoulder trying to cool the heated situation.  "Even if you didn't mean it as one."  He refused to acknowledge her in any way.  Her lip twitched slightly at his lack of response.  "Fine, the silent treatment it is."  She let her hand slide down his arm and turned back to the Doctor.  "Let's get on with it."

"It's about time, but for the record, I agree with Commander Chakotay."  He filled the hypospray with the antidote.

"Noted."  Janeway said nothing more.

With slight hesitation and a quick glance at the commander, the Doctor injected the captain with their only hope and stepped back to monitor her reaction.  "Let me know if you feel anything at all, Captain."

Unknowingly, Chakotay had moved closer to her, ready to jump to action if need be, his hand resting on the small of her back.  She welcomed the comforting touch more than he would ever know.  They waited in silence as the Doctor continued to run his medical tricorder over her.

"How do you feel, Captain?"  Seven couldn't stand not knowing, and she wasn't too happy with Janeway at the moment.

"I feel fine, in fact I don't feel anything at all."  She directed her gaze at the empty hypo.  "Doctor, are you sure that thing even worked?"

"Quite sure, Captain."  He sounded annoyed that she would even ask.  "The antigen is pumping through your blood stream as we speak."

"So, how long before we know if it's working or not?"  Chakotay still had an unsettling image in his mind of Janeway dropping dead in his arms.

"Your guess is as good as mine.  All we can do is continue to monitor her and run blood tests every hour."  The Doctor smiled.  "You'll be happy to know, Commander that the captain will have to stay in sickbay for the next twenty four hours."

Janeway delivered her death glare as Chakotay broke out in a smile.  "It does indeed."  He moved away from her, just in case.

"I most certainly will not."  Janeway's words fell on more than Chakotay's deaf ears.  "I'm not going to decompose on the spot or something."

"You most certainly will stay here, Captain.  In this instance as chief medical officer I outrank you."  The Doctor glared right back.  "I believe I will have the backing of the entire crew as well."  He nodded to Chakotay and Seven who stood with arms folded.  "The order stands, you will be my guest for however long I determine."

There was no doubt that Janeway wouldn't receive a lick of support in her favor.  "Twenty four hours, not a second longer."  She tried to sound as though she had a choice.

"Make yourself at home, Captain.  We'll be taking blood samples every hour to test on Casper.  If at such time it's my determination that you're not going to… decompose, or worse, you'll be free to leave."

"You're too kind, I feel so loved."  Her words were dripping with sarcasm.

"You should, and you are."  Chakotay felt very relieved she was still in one piece.  "Just be good and do as you're told and nobody gets hurt."  He tried his hand at sarcasm.  The effect was an outburst of laughter.

"You're impossible, Commander."

"You've said that before, and I'll take it as a compliment, even if you didn't mean it as one."  Chakotay felt somewhat calmer knowing the immediate reaction to the antidote was not fatal.

Janeway just shook her head in defeat.  "Don't you have a ship to run or something?"

"I do indeed."  He headed for the door.  "Doctor, let me know the second there is any change.  I'll check on you later, Captain."  Chakotay left sickbay, a bit frustrated but very relieved.

"Have a seat, Captain."  The Doctor put another hypo to her neck, this time taking the first blood sample.  "Seven, you'll have to do the leg work."  He handed the sample over.

"I assumed as much."  She took the sample to test with Casper.  "I'll be back."

"You may as well relax, Captain, it's going to be a long night."  All they could do now was wait, hope and pray.