Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, I just borrowed them.

Twisting Canon- Part Two cont.

"There's a reason why Interspecies Protocol is a required class at the Academy, and why the Starfleet Handbook on Personal Relationships is three centimetres thick," Janeway's voice was harsh as she stared out the viewport, one foot braced on her couch.

Kim straightened to a formal posture and recited by rote, "Yes, ma'am. 'All Starfleet personnel must obtain authorization from their commanding officer, as well as clearance from their medical officer, before initiating an intimate relationship with an alien species'."

"Very good, Ensign," Janeway sarcastically commended him as she turned to face him. "Too bad you didn't-" she stopped suddenly as Kes suddenly materialized in the room.

The Ocampa looked up unsteadily, touching the desk lightly to keep her balance. "Captain," she exclaimed in relief. "What happened? I don't know how to describe it, but- did the Doctor say…?" Kes realized she was not in Sickbay as she had been, by her perspective, a few moments earlier. Looking around, she recognized the Captain's ready room. "Captain. What is going on?"

"That's what I'd like to know," Janeway said grimly, tricorder out and scanning. "Computer, describe the life forms present in this room."

"There are three humanoids present: two humans, one Ocampan."

"Something must have gone wrong," Kes said, somewhat ironically. "What's the stardate, Captain?"

Eyeing her visitor warily, Janeway replied, "52573.1."

"It was 52861.27 when I returned to Voyager," Kes told her. "So this is earlier in the year. But why would I suddenly have been taken to the past?"

"I have no idea. Mr Kim, you have a reprieve. I will deal with you later," the Captain said shortly. "Dismissed."

"Yes, ma'am. See you, Kes," the ensign nodded and she managed a smile in return.

"Bye, Harry. What trouble," she gave in to curiosity when the doors slid shut, "could Harry Kim have gotten into?"

"Fraternization with a Varro crewmember. But that's not important. What is important is that you say you've been displaced in time, and you have no idea how or why. Correct?" Janeway asked.

Kes blinked in astonishment at the brusque tone. "No," she replied icily. "What I am saying is that I have been displaced in time, as you say, and I do have a faint idea of how. The Doctor was used a bio-temporal field in an attempt to stop my aging process. I entered the morilogium prematurely."

"A bio-temporal field," said Janeway. "Tuvok would say the logical place to start an investigation is at the last place of change. This bio-temporal field could be the cause of your current situation."

"Thank you, Captain. How very helpful. Your understanding of this matter amazes me," Kes said sarcastically. "Do you possibly think that- I'm freezing," she broke off. "Computer, did the temperature just change?"

"Negative," the pleasant voice answered her.

Then the dizzying sensation of extreme disorientation came over Kes again and-

"Kes? Are you ill?" Janeway finally sounded concerned.

Flash.

Deck 11, Section 94:

"Wonderful," an irritable voice declared.

"I doubt you'd say that if you knew how I felt," Kes snapped.

Janeway stared at the Ocampan who had appeared out of nowhere. "I have an 8472 cornered, wounded and all the more dangerous for it, Hirogen breathing down my neck wanting to kill it for a trophy in this Hunt of theirs and-" she looked at Tuvok. "First confirm that Kes really is here, and is not a product of my overworked mind."

"She is real, Captain."

"Hi, Kes," Janeway said more cordially. "You'll forgive my lousy mood and less than welcoming manner?" she asked with a crooked grin, although her face still bore signs of weariness. "It's been one hell of a day. So. We…didn't expect to see you again. How have you been lately?"

"Captain, what's the stardate?" Kes, more rapidly recovering from her disorientation this time round, asked.

"The stardate? 51652.3."

"51…this is Voyager's fourth year in the Delta Quadrant?"

Janeway arched a brow, "Last I recall, yes. Is that a problem?"

"I left Voyager- the beginning of this year," Kes said, as she tried to puzzle it out. "I return a year from now, in Voyager's fifth year in the Delta Quadrant. I go back to- uh, Captain, have you met the Varro?"

"No, should we?"

"Oh, that's right, that'll be earlier, I went back to an incident with the Varro in the fifth year, and now I've travelled further back to the fourth year."

"The Varro-? Wait, don't tell me. Kes, try to limit the details you give us?" Janeway said with a rueful smile. "Don't want to contaminate the timeline."

Kes smiled back, relaxing slightly. This Janeway was more like the one she remembered from happier times. "No, we wouldn't want that, now would we?"

"So, what exactly happened?"

"The Doctor was trying to halt my morilogium. That had to have triggered something that's resulted in this time travelling," Kes said. "It's the only explanation."

Janeway laid a friendly arm on her. "Come on, then, let's get the Doctor to have a look at you. Tuvok, remain here and attempt further communication with the creature."

"Aye, Captain."

"Keep me informed," the Captain ordered, steering Kes in the direction of the turbolift. "Morilogium? I thought you were rather young for that…"

Sickbay:

"Hmm," the hologram said noncommittally a few minutes. "Ah hah. Oh, yes…"

Kes suspected he did that on purpose, though to what end she was not entirely sure. Attention? To infuriate his audience? With the Doctor, it could be anything.

"Doctor…" the Captain prompted him with an edge to her tone.

"Hmm?" the Doctor assumed a surprised expression, as though he had been oblivious to their impatience. "Right, this bio-temporal procedure is nothing short of brilliant, although it does seem the reason for your time travelling. I don't understand why you appear to be suffering from chroniton radiation poisoning, though."

"What?" Kes said, startled. "Let me see that."

The Doctor rolled his eyes as she examined the tricorder data. "I believe I am capable of sufficiently interpreting medical readings and offering diagnoses. After all, it's what I've been doing programmed to do by the best in Starfleet."

"Of corse, Doctor, but I wasn't expecting that diagnosis," Kes handed the tricorder back with a troubled look. "So, if I were ill from this radiation poisoning when the procedure was conducted, would that have altered…?"

"Yes," Janeway answered her, expression animated with interest. "Theoretically, it does stand to reason that the bio-temporal field could have reactivated the chroniton particles and thereby caused the jumps back in time. Fascinating," she was lost in thought for a few moments, but then snapped back into business mode. "So how do we stop it?"

"Paris to Janeway."

"Janeway here," she turned away to talk to the helmsman. "What have you found?"

"Well, based on what Seven and I discovered from what it was trying to access, I'd say the 8472 was trying to open a singularity into fluidic space. I don't know, Captain, Seven thinks it's trying to call in reinforcements, co-ordinate an invasion…" Paris was concerned. What little they knew of Species 8472 from Seven was not reassuring, though they had never encountered the species directly before. "Captain…maybe we should consider handing it over to the Hirogen."

Janeway looked over at the Hirogen trapped behind force fields. "Maybe not. I'll see what Tuvok has to say. Janeway out," as she severed the contact, the Hirogen spoke up.

"You would be wise to do as your officer advises you."

"Please, I thought you were going to be sensible. We've already discussed this matter to death and it's giving me a headache."

The hunter regarded her arrogantly. "Then you will die," he stated succinctly, giving up the matter with an air that whatever happened, it would be her funeral. Literally.

"So you keep telling me," she said dryly. "Janeway to Tuvok. Report."

"This discussion has been enlightening. It appears that in a conflict with the Borg, the alien's ship was damaged, and it became separated from its companions, stranded here. Apparently it has been hunted relentlessly by the Hirogen since they discovered its existence. It claims that it only wishes to return to its home in fluidic space."

"I see," Janeway said, staring intently at the Hirogen hunter. "Then we shall assist it."

"Bridge to the Captain. Please report to the bridge immediately."

"On my way," Janeway looked at Kes. "You're with me."

The hunter once again stirred. "That will be the other Hirogen vessels. You will be outnumbered and destroyed. This is your last chance, Captain."

"I don't give in to bullies," she said over her shoulder.

"Courageous…but foolhardy."

Discussion apparently over, he ignored her again and she shrugged, not having planned to wait around to hear what words of wisdom he would share next.

Bridge:

The battle was underway and Voyager definitely outmatched. Still, Janeway fought back, determined not to be subjugated. Rapping out orders on the bridge, she was still fuming over Seven's refusal to obey orders and assist the 8472 back to its home. The ex-drone would pick now to rebel, when it would surpass mere extreme inconvenience and enter potentially disastrous. As always, her timing was impeccable.

The Vulcan had reclaimed the Tactical post and she ordered, "Tuvok, fire at will."

"Shields decreased a further ten percent," Kim called.

"Reroute power from non-essential systems to the shields."

Another volley hit Voyager. "Shields holding," Kim reported.

In the middle of the fracas, Janeway looked over at the stressed Ocampan as Kes grimaced. The 8472 was loud in its distress.

"Something wrong?"

"The alien, it's becoming agitated," she reported.

The Captain nodded. "Janeway to Seven. Give the 8472 more nanoprobes," when Seven's response was less than immediate, she said, "That is a direct order, Seven. Do it."

"I will comply," Seven said reluctantly.

"Captain, permission to accompany her?" Kes asked. "Maybe I can help soothe it."

"Go ahead. Keep an eye on Seven while you're at it."

Kes nodded and headed for the turbolift. As she entered it, she heard the cry from Kim as a particularly vicious round was fired on Voyager.

"Shields down, Captain!"

Deck 11, Section 94:

"Calm down, you're going to be all right," Kes spoke softly to the agitated 8472. "Captain Janeway will help you."

The ship shook under the heavy fire and the alien shifted tensely. It seemed to study her for a few moments, and then she felt a telepathic connection form between them. Before she could sense heightened emotions, such as anxiety, tension and rage. There was a more sophisticated form of communication in place now, and she repeated her earlier words to it.

The 8472 was doubtful. Janeway was an unknown, it could not be certain of her motivations, and since its abilities were not compatible with her mind, it could not access that information. With a society such as its own, this alienation from mental contact with others of its own kind was difficult to endure, especially for months that it had been forced to exist in isolation. Lost, in a strange universe where the laws were unfamiliar, so alien to what was known by the 8472-

The creature protested her use of the label. It did not exist as a mere Borg designation.

Kes soothed it. Very well, then. I did not know what else to refer to you as. How else may I do so?

Its name- was Ri'Kath, to put it in simpler terms. The unabbreviated form would have little meaning to her as she was not familiar with its cultural context.

Ri'Kath. I must say, I've never encountered anyone like you before. You say that in your society, all are linked by a common telepathic bond?

It started to reply, but then she sensed contempt and distrust. Kes realized that Seven of Nine, the former drone Captain Janeway had mentioned, in one time period or another, was approaching.

"Kes," the statuesque woman stated. "Formerly of the Voyager collective."

The 8472- apologies, Ri'Kath- murmured a wicked observation regarding Borg terminology and the ex-drone. Seven was oblivious to the exchange, and Kes hid a guilty grin at the statement.

"Yes, well, I prefer to think of myself as still part of the family," she covered up.

Seven arched a brow. "Indeed? As you wish," it was said with an air that suggested it did not matter to her what Kes chose to think. "I have the na-" she stopped with a sharp glance over her shoulder at the Hirogen who appeared.

Kes recognized him from Sickbay. "Of course, shields were down," she said. Then, shivering at a sudden chill, Kes rubbed her arms and-

-as though the hiatus in the prior time frame had been to allow her a chance to catch her breath and absorb what was happening to her, Kes now spun wildly through the past, flashing in and out of fragments of time in a bewildering experience of loud voices and blinding colour. At one stage, she was aware of what looked to be viruses of colossal stature attacking the crew. One, roughly the size of an eagle, propelled itself menacingly toward her, proboscis plunging with disturbing intent. Kes turned to run but was jerked into another fragment of time.

Now she must be in the holodeck, because around her was a representation of early Earth at a less advanced stage in history. She saw the Captain hurrying past her and called out but the woman cast her a strange glance and continued on her way.

"Captain!"

Katrine stopped and looked annoyed at the young woman pursuing her. "Look, do I know you?" she asked impatiently. The blond stopped as if shot.

"Captain Janeway, this isn't amusing."

Her brows rose. "You must have the wrong woman, then. I'm Katrine. Now, I really must go…" She didn't see the young woman inexplicably vanish behind her, an imploring hand outstretched as she disappeared.

Around her, the ship shook as though under attack. A hull section exploded out right in front of her, leaving her shaken, and a hand clamped on her shoulder, spinning her around to face who she recognized as a Hirogen, judging from the Hunter in Sickbay.

"What is your-" he began to demand, but then merged into a frozen corpse, face arrested in a rictus of pain, which suddenly twisted into a gleeful smile as the tall blonde with an odd metallic object above her eye clasped her in a spontaneous hug. "Hi! My name's Maryl, wanna play kadis-kot?"

Behind her someone called, "Seven! You're supposed to be in Sickbay-"

Feeling sick, retching half heartedly, Kes stumbled back against a workstation in what she automatically identified as the transporter room. Closing her eyes against the temptation of unconsciousness that beckoned, a harsh voice came to her ears.

"Neelix, not to be insensitive, but frankly, you picked a bad time to feel suicidal. Every single member of this crew has been through a lot recently, and you're not helping with this act of supreme stup-"

"Captain," Kes summoned the energy to open her eyes and face the situation, interrupting Janeway as she saw the Captain a few metres away. "Neelix?" she saw the Talaxian on the transporter pad. "What's happening?"

The Captain arched a brow. "Mr Neelix is attempting to beam himself into the nebula," she said icy tones. "He does not seem to appreciate the value of recovery, simple conversation, bonding with people in an effort to overcome his depression, instead preferring to hasten his death as treatment."

"Sweeting?" Neelix whispered. "Is that you? Oh, it's been so horrible, thank goodness you had left before it got worse. So many people, good people…" He stepped off the pad, clearing his throat and leaving the sentence incomplete as he moved to engulf her in a bear hug. "I'm so glad you're here now it's over."

"It's- good to see you too," Kes told him uncertainly. "Neelix, what year is it? Can you tell me the stardate?"

"It's 2374, Kes. And the stardate is 51449.2."

She frowned at the answer. "Well, it seems I'm moving backwards in time…I'm afraid I need your help. I'm not sure-"

"Of course we'll help," Neelix told her warmly, apparently overcoming his previous despair in a dramatic mood swing. "Won't we, Captain?"

Janeway was tiredly pressing a hand to her head. "If it's not one thing, it's another. One crisis after another. What are you doing back, Kes?"

The Ocampan chose not to take offence at that remark, looking with concern at the Captain, who appeared gaunt and brittle, not adjectives that normally applied to her. "I'll explain on the way. I'm not sure what's going on, but I have a feeling that the Doctor may be able to explain. At least, I hope so."

"Very well. Lead on. I assume you recall the way?"

She sighed resignedly. Apparently this Janeway wasn't going to make it easy on her. "Yes, Captain." Gingerly, she walked towards the door, wondering if at any moment she might be picked up and deposited into the maelstrom of rapid time changes that had almost driven her insane just moments before. However, she arrived safely in Sickbay, after a rather tense, though uneventful, journey with the Captain; Neelix had reluctantly left her side to return to the Messhall and she had been rather glad, sickened by his fawning attitude. Now a challenge of a different sort faced her.

"You say I, or rather, my future counterpart uses a bio-temporal field?" the Doctor fired at her in a brusque tone, his manner suggesting she was beneath him but he would deign to investigate and he expected her to be properly appreciative.

"That's right. And Captain Janeway suggested that might have activated the chroniton particles from when the Krenim torpedo exposed the entire crew, myself included, to radiation poisoning-" Kes stopped suddenly, realizing she was perilously close to, if not already, breaking the Temporal Prime Directive. There was a disdainful smile on Janeway's face. "Now I'm travelling back in time and I would be oh so very appreciative if you found a way to reverse my condition before I regress to a time before I was born."

"Effectively wiping her out of existence, I presume?" Janeway asked tonelessly, as if it were a matter of little passing significance.

The Doctor shrugged, emulating her indifferent approach. "One would assume so."

"Since I'm the only person who seems to really care," Kes said with a sharp edge to her voice at these two people's disinterest in her continued existence, "I suppose I'll pose the question very dear to my heart, how can it be reversed?"

"Excellent question. Remarkable how you cut to the crux of the matter at hand. I'll look into it," the hologram moved away, terminating the conversation.

"I'll be on the bridge. Kes, you know your way around," Janeway left without a second glance, doors hissing shut behind her as she exited Sickbay.

Kes looked around in disgust. "Sure. I suppose I'll just amuse myself til someone can be bothered helping me." The Doctor didn't give any indication he had heard her, and so she irritably stalked out of the room.

-End Pt 2-