Kathryn's eyes opened as she awoke from dozing on the forest floor. Before she could re-orient herself, Lady Q appeared in front of her.

"Hello, my dear." Grabbing Kathryn's shoulder, she yanked her up from the ground and pulled her face close. "You have been a great deal more trouble than you're worth. I made a very big mistake taking you from death. It's time to rectify that."

As Lady Q gave her a shove, Kathryn fell back to the ground. Her wrists ached and her palms burned as they took the brunt of her fall. She rubbed at the scrapes and brushed away the dirt and rocks from her hands. "What do you want? Where's Q?"

Lady Q circled her on the ground. "Q is no longer your concern. I've put him away for safe keeping. Humans have always been quite a fascination for him. It's time that ends. For females in particular." She knelt down and said, "What is it with you, Janeway? You have one man and one Q so desperate to keep company with you. The man would actually give over his existence for you. Intriguing that your species loves so deeply that you would die for one another. I'd ask you to share your secret, dear, but I have too much self- esteem to throw myself at the feet of anyone other than myself."

Lady Q rose and circled again. "I'll disrupt your little fantasy on one end and tell you that you're just a passing fancy for Q. A diversion he checks in on from time to time. He would no more give over his existence for you than this tree would." She smiled and looked down. "I hope I haven't shattered too many of your future plans."

Kathryn shaded her eyes. "Do I have a future or are you here to end it?"

Lady Q shrugged. "Well, you're nothing if not perceptive. Your existence is over. As soon as I end it, I will resume my position within the Continuum and Q and I will carry on our eternal association with one less irritating distraction."

Kathryn dropped her hand. "Then do it."

"Oh no." Lady Q shook her head. "No, no, it's not that easy. I'll need proof of your death for the Continuum."

"Are you going to invite them, tie me to a tree and shoot at me again?" Kathryn waved her hand at their natural surroundings. "You have plenty of choices here. Who gets the honor of being the executioner or are you self-appointed?"

Lady Q knelt down again. "I actually haven't decided how to kill you yet."

Kathryn smiled. "The method of my death seems to be a hurdle the Q can't seem to get over. I don't understand why you are having such a difficult time with that decision- unless it's an empty threat."

Lady Q laughed. "Hardly. Unlike you where time was once finite, the Q have all the time in the world. As immortal beings, we're not as familiar with death. There are so many possible choices to make it happen. How did you choose each time?"

"We only killed to defend ourselves. What's your excuse?"

Lady Q rose. "I'm defending the Continuum."

"From what? What will killing me accomplish? I'm no threat to you."

Lady Q shook her head. "Not yet but you will be. I cannot permit you to give birth to a new breed of Q."

Kathryn's mouth dropped. "A new breed of Q? Is that what you think I am?"

"That's what you will become if Q has his way. He'll populate the heavens with your offspring. " Lady Q crossed her arms. "That, my dear, will never happen as long as I exist. And since I am immortal, I win."

Offspring? Kathryn took a deep breath to grasp the enormity of what Lady Q was saying. A new race of Q with her as the designated mother? Q was nothing if not consistent. Kathryn blew her breath out and realized she was done reacting. It was time to reclaim her role as leader. She may be dead but she still possessed her intelligence, memories, and Starfleet training and experience. They created her. They were now going to deal with her. Kathryn had reached her limit and Lady Q had the privilege of being the first Q to be put on notice.

Kathryn brushed off her hands and helped herself up. Squaring herself with Lady Q, she said, "First, if Q had bothered to consult me on his universal population plan, my answer not only would have been no, it would have been hell no. If you want to kill me for agreeing with you and not wanting to create a new race of beings, try it. But frankly, I think you should let me help you and the rest of the Continuum in stopping Q's ridiculous plan."

"I'm already stopping it. If you don't exist, the plan is dead too."

Kathryn moved closer. "How convenient for you but it's a little inconvenient for me. And if you think I won't fight for my life, you are very mistaken."

Lady Q felt Kathryn's hot breath on her face. "A challenge? How I wish you would give me one, dear, but I'm afraid it wouldn't be a fair fight."

"Don't be so sure. You look down on humans as a minor species but your immaturity is already tearing your blessed Continuum apart. Humans have learned to live with differences, other cultures, other races. That's why we fascinate you. We've mastered a skill the Q can't even begin to comprehend. To the Q, status and social conformity is everything, isn't it? You disregard other ideas and other experiences just to stay the same. And, in doing so, you lose the chance to grow and learn from them. You're so proud of your existence but that's all there is. All you do is exist. You don't learn. You don't grow. You don't experience change. Just think how wonderful the Q's existence might become if you embraced evolving as a species instead of just being one. The Q are in a unique position to guide other species. Not kill them outright just because they have nothing better to do."

Lady Q bristled. "Don't you dare spout Q's drivel to me! And please don't beg for your life. It's beneath you." Grabbing her arm, she said, "Time's up."

"Oh no, it's not," Kathryn said. She snapped her fingers and moved herself away from Lady Q into the meadows.

Lady Q appeared in a flash beside her. "You have got to be kidding," she said. "You'll never out snap me." Grabbing Kathryn again by the arm, she said, "Time to say goodbye to your loved ones."

Kathryn heard Lady Q's fingers snap and felt the movement whisk her through time and space. When they stopped, Voyager's ready room came into view. She saw Chakotay look up from his desk and put down a padd. As he rose and came around the desk, he looked between the two women and put a hand on his phaser.

"No need, Captain." Lady Q threw Kathryn towards him and he caught her in his arms. "I brought her here for you. You have twenty-four hours to say goodbye. " Chakotay steadied Kathryn as Lady Q began to flash away. "I suggest you make it count."