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'Commander Musiker,' Janeway said, standing up as her ready room door hissed closed. 'Welcome to Voyager…'

'Thank you, Captain,' Raffi said, stopping at attention in front of Janeway's desk.

'At ease, Commander,' Janeway said, taking her seat again.

'Aye, Captain,' Raffi replied. 'I've read Kes' file. She's from the Delta Quadrant…?'

'Yes. Voyager was on patrol near the Badlands when we were transported to the Delta Quadrant by an enigmatic life form called the Caretaker. Kes was instrumental in helping us recover our missing crew members and she chose to return with us to the Alpha Quadrant…'

'And…do you believe what she's told you about…what she saw…?'

'Yes, Commander. I do…'

##############

'Thank you for agreeing to speak to me,' Raffi said, gesturing to the chair opposite the desk in her quarters. 'I'm Commander Mussiker, but you can call me Raffi. How are you feeling…?'

'I'm…alright,' Kes said, after a moment.

'…okay. Do you feel up to answering a few questions…?'

'…yes…'

'Okay. You say that you…saw memories of Voyager spending eight years in the Delta Quadrant. How much can you remember about that time…?'

'…not much. The memories that I have…seem to relate to specific events that hold a strong…emotional connection for me…'

'…alright,' Raffi said. 'Do you think you feel up to describing these memories…?'

'I'll try…'

##############

'Kes' neural readings have returned to normal,' the Doctor said, handing the PADD to Janeway. 'I'll be monitoring her over the next 48 hours as a precaution…'

'Thank you, Doctor…'

'…and I could feel my powers growing. I had to leave or I would have destroyed Voyager…I'm sorry, that's all I can remember…'

'Don't be,' Raffi said, passing her a glass of water, which Kes grasped with both hands, taking a deep sip. 'You did well. That can't have been easy for you…'

'It…helped to talk about it,' Kes admitted and Raffi reached out to squeeze her hand.

'We're done for the day. Try to get some rest. I may have some more questions for you, tomorrow…'

##############

'Kes' memories…appear to corroborate our theory about Discovery and the changes to reality,' Raffi said, as she took a seat in Janeway's office. 'With her help, we might be able to learn more…'

'…how?' Janeway asked and Raffi hesitated.

'I've…brought a sample of the Mycelial spores from Discovery. It's possible that contact with them may help Kes recall more about the previous reality…'

'Kes…has still not fully recovered from the effect of her experiences. I'm…reluctant to put her through that again so soon…'

'I understand. She's hanging in there, but I don't want there to suffer any more than she already has. However, the more we can learn about what happened, the better prepared we can be…'

'…I'll need to speak to the Doctor, but I won't order Kes to do it. It will have to be her choice…'

'I understand…'

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