I pace my ready room. One foot in front of the other. What an infuriating, ridiculous life I lead. I think to myself. Once more a species has decided to play games with us and probe us as if we are lab rats. Just a couple years prior, a shielded group of aliens tested our bodies to the limit without our consent. The fun little experiment ended with me nearly blowing up all of Voyager just to scare them away. We made it out just by the skin of our teeth but I fear we wont be as lucky this time around.

I let out a humorless laugh. I should be amused by how absurdity has become the norm for myself and my crew.

"It may not be what it appears" Chakotay urges, watching me from his seat.

"Yes." I reply bitterly "An alien species who never shows their face, has kidnapped myself along with members of our crew, poisoned and tortured us, leave us for dead and later leave symbols in our system hinting towards death. No. Im sure they are down right pleasant!"

Tears of frustration and exhaustion prickle behind my eyes.

He is silent. He knows any words of comfort would sound patronizing but it's in his nature to sooth.

"We need a plan" I continue "But we are dealing with a species so elusive it's hard to know where to even start. At the same time, I don't want Voyager to sit idly waiting for the next strike like sitting ducks."

By now Im not even sure if Im speaking to my first officer or just to myself. I turn to look at him. He looks at me, expecting something. Leadership? Naturally. But something more. He's becoming spoiled I realize. I have indulged him in the last few weeks. I have indulged him in my weakness, into my inner thoughts, into my quiet need for dependency, into those brief moments when I am more woman than captain. He's been feasting on what he has been starved for since day one. Yes, I have very much spoiled him.

"Seven" I say blandly

"What?" He asks surprised

"I need to talk with Seven"

With that I turn on my heel and quickly exit the ready room. I hear his heavy footsteps behind me.

"I think what you need is some rest" he states directly behind me

"When it comes to the livelihood of my crew rest is not up for consideration, Commander" I retort

The turbolift makes its way to the deck of my choosing. I know Chakotay will follow me to Astrometrics and to where ever else until I promise him that I have exercised some form of self care.

"How do you expect to make such major decisions without sleep, Captain?"

"Simple. Coffee. It's like you don't even know me." I tease before stepping off the lift.

He tries to fight a chuckle but fails. He shakes his head but with a smile.

We enter the Astrometrics lab to find, as always, the former drone working dutifully at her console.

"Seven" I greet

"Captain" she replies in kind

"I've come to understand our friends here have been a bit of a white whale to the Borg."

"I don't see how the species are anything like a large aquatic mammal." Seven replies cooly

I fight a laugh. I forget how often I speak in references until I speak with Seven. I find conversations with her to be an interesting challenge. I can feel it activate a usually dormant part of my brain and as a scientist I find it fascinating. But in times of crisis her love for the literal can be maddening.

"It refers to a very old story back home. I hear that the species have been very elusive to the Borg."

"Yes," she sighs as her latest notes of the subject pops up on screen "Their talents are to be admired."

"Impressing the Borg? I believe that's what scares me the most" Chakotay comments from his place in the corner.

"Agreed" I reply 'Have you made any headway of figuring out where these people came from? How they might be tracking us?"

"After Voyager…'rebooted' as you would say. The ship exited our path leaving at Warp 8.5 bearing matrix 2.04"

"I know that"

"I traced the skematics so we may follow suit but as I typed in the cooridinates I received nothing. I then performed a sweep to look for Warp particles. I received nothing. I did a second sweep for tachyon bursts only to end with the same result. It seems as though despite the fact we had recorded their departure, there is no evidence for us to follow their trail.

"Well, naturally they would want to cover their tracks but how did they do it so well?"

"Captain…there is a possibility there were never here to begin with."

"But how can that be? We have the symbols they in our systems."

"The symbols maybe real.." Chakotay replied slowly "but the ship itself could have been a smoke screen."

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. I feel the Delta Quadrant weigh heavy on my bones.

"If this is another game with Q.." I groan.

"If it was him his ego would have had him reveal himself earlier" Chakotay states blandly

I admit. I'm surprised by Chakotay's candor but I have to admit as his words settled I know he's right. Im unsure wether or not to be relieved by the statement.

"Thank you, Seven" I say looking back up "Please send me a full report on your findings."

She nods and I turn on my heel to exit.

"Where to Captain?" Chakotay asks hot on my heels

"To very short, very precisely timed nap." I state "We don't have time for it but I keep seeing everything in doubles."

"Do I make a good twin?"

"Tvok may have you beat."

I keep my pace light but I admit the thought of some shut eye for once is invitation I am more than willing to take. My tired but happy banter is interrupted by my commbadge coming alive.

"Captain, we will be needing your presence on deck five." Lieutenant Ayala' s voice wavers from the gadget

"Can this wait?" Chakotay asks

"Im sorry sir but no…" as if sensing our hesitation he adds "…there has been a death of a crewmen."

I apologize for the wait. Sometimes, my mind just won't work and the writing suffers. I don't mean to suck you guys in and leave you hanging. A level of uncool there. Thank you for your patience and wonderful comments. - RB