Kathryn was escorted up to the tent where the general Q had been waiting while Q laid low still nursing the injury on his arm. She was so convinced she could do something to change the generals mind but in the end she just couldn't understand Q was marked for death as far as the others were concerned. Still he was giving her this chance and if things didn't turn out for the better he would get her out of there. He still didn't know what her plan was but he was trusting her. More than she might ever do for him. Time past by quickly when he realized her 'plan' hadn't worked out and it was time to be heroic. Prove his undying love for her by not dying and swooping in for the rescue. That might change her mind for the better then. Getting up from his hiding position he tried sneaking around the back of the tent the general had ushered her inside. Rolling up one of his sleeves he prepared for his dashing heroics only to hear the click of a Q weapon behind him. "I surrender." Q held up his hands to show he wasn't a danger to his foes. So maybe this rescue hadn't gone according to plan.
Just as they started walking his beloved little captain out from the tent Q was walked over with his sly smile and giving her a look as though he could still get them out of this. The least he could do was keep her hope alive even if they were both doomed. The general only added to his fear by announcing they were both to be executed. Even with the desire to tell her he had told her this would happen it just wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Going to his grave and his last words would have been negative towards Kathryn, that wouldn't be the way he wanted it to end. "So this was apart of your plan then? If so I am curious to know what we are going to do after they kill us. You have to admit it's a little romantic dying side by side, together."
Being her typical noble self she tried one last attempt to change the minds of the Q who would send them to their deaths, all Q could do was turn to her and smile. What fire, what passion, what determination. It was a shame it would all be for nothing now. Their child would have changed the continuum forever, been the element it had always been missing. Now they would go out with a bang. Inspired by her own sentimental speech Q himself tried to get her out of this situation, to save her life and yet again his words were ignored. With the starting of the drums Q turned to her feeling the guilt. He hadn't wanted to pull her into this, to be the cause of her death. "I'm sorry." Q spoke softly to her.
"I know." With the end of the drum line Q cringed and heard the firing of riffles. He cried out in pain what he thought would be his dying words only to hear her dark calming voice yell at him. "Q, they're not firing at us." Looking around the crew of Voyager came out to untie their beloved captain and left him behind as they filled her in on how they had arrived. Rather than suck up to his female counterpart as she approached to reprimand him Q turned his attention back to Janeway.
"A little help here?" He leaned sideways trying to reach his hands out to show he was still very much restrained and tied to a post. Though she wanted nothing more than to leave him tied up they still had a war to end. Pulling the rope away from his wrists she held him up a little and let him find his feet again before tracking down the general.
"Q, if you want to end this war now feel free to do so. I have a feeling they are in a position to listen now."
"Thank you Kathryn, I owe you."
Back at the ship Janeway was happy to sit in her room alone with a cup of coffee in her hands. Everything seemed to be back to normal now and her hopes Q had come to a better peaceful agreement was starting to look like a comfortable reality. Taking a sip from her cup she gazed out the window hearing that familiar whimper from the day before when Q had used a puppy to try and win her affection. Sitting up she followed the whimpering to her door and watching it slid open with Q standing there, the golden colored pup in his arms. "Before you tell me to get out or leave I just wanted to let you know I have decided to be respectful and leave you alone. However I wanted to give you this, consider it a thank you Kathy. You can tell me how repulsed you are by me but I know you are lonely here on this end of the Delta quadrant away from your family and friends. Perhaps he can help to ease the pain. It's the least I can do, I ask for nothing in return." Before she could try to ask him if he had a hidden agenda again he plopped the pup off in her arms with a smile. "I also want you to know the others have agreed with my approach with how to change the continuum for the best of every Q. I am also happy to tell you that you are off the hook Miss Kathryn. I know when I am not wanted, I will find someone else who is a more willing participant even though well, it won't be the same."
The puppy wagged it's tail happily and licked at the captains face as Q gave it a pat on the head. "By the way I took the liberty of naming the little guy Rowley. I know he will never be the same as your pooch back on earth but maybe he can give you something I couldn't. Some feeling of family here."
"He's lovely Q, thank you." She stroked the pup lightly and gave him a little hug. His wet tongue slopping over her face again. With a smile she set the pup down and placed her hands on her hips. "What do you mean by it won't be the same?"
Q looked down acting a little like a shy boy not wanting to look her in the eyes. "Well, someone told me recently you can't just have a child. You can't abandon them and expect them to turn out how you want them to. I know better now, I'll take on the responsibility as a father for my little tyke but I also know you can't have a family without love. No matter who will decide to raise a child with me, well it won't be a family built out of love. Not when I already have those feelings for someone else and she's indifferent about me. I don't blame her, I wouldn't trust myself either after how dishonest I have been with her."
She couldn't just let him off the hook, forgive him, let down her guard because he was right. She had no reason to trust him even now but some part of her despite her better judgment did. "You are right, you can't have a family without love Q, you can't raise a child in a loveless environment and I'm afraid I just don't have those feelings for you." It was the reassurance he had been looking for from here. Even with his honesty he hadn't been able to win her and so he knew he was bested. Kathryn was truly the impossible thing he could never have but he would always admire her. Just as eh turned to leave her alone Janeway put her hand down and leaned against the doorway. "Of course you should also know by now humans can have a change of heart. If you really feel this way about her perhaps give her a little time. Let her know you are honest about your feelings, sincere, that this isn't some phase you are going through and perhaps she might just change her mind about you. I don't think she would want you to give up on something you believe is real. You just might get your family built around love after all. The idea of a real family, of real love might be more appealing to her."
A shimmer of hope flickered in his eyes as he stepped forward wanting to grab her and pull her into the hallway but instead Q paused and gazed at Kathryn like an excited school boy on his first day of summer break. "Well in that case I can't give up can I. I'll come back tomorrow to help with Rowley. Help him settle in anyways. He's a good pup Kathy, loyal and with a good heart even if he likes to cause trouble. You'll love him."
"I hope I do."
