Kathryn sat in the Captain's personal dining room. It had served as Voyager's mess hall during their long voyage back to the Alpha Quadrant. She looked at the kitchen and remembered Neelix and his big smile as he bantered with the crew, uplifting their morale for their long journey ahead. She realized she could use one his pep talks right about now.

The space had been converted back into a private dining area after Voyager had been outfitted with its normal replicator stores for the return trip. She and Chakotay had taken advantage of the privacy and shared an intimate lunch together. They kept the conversation light, neither one wanting to think about what was coming in the next few hours.

"Computer," Kathryn said. "What time is it?"

"Computer, belay that order." Chakotay walked out of the kitchen carrying two cups of coffee. "That's the third time you've called in the past two hours." He placed one cup in front of her took a seat. "You're spoiling the mood."

Kathryn grabbed the steaming mug and fingered the handle. "I'm sorry."

Chakotay took a sip. "You always did hate to be kept waiting."

Kathryn sighed and sat back. "I've never been patient, especially when my friends and people I love are in danger. I am the most powerful I've ever been and I feel helpless."

Chakotay took her hand and pulled it towards him. "You are far from helpless especially when you have all of us. We're with you. Besides, you've already done the same. You gave your life when the Borg were coming for Earth. We're just returning the favor. You couldn't possibly know you'd bring back problems from the grave."

Kathryn smiled. "Only I could accomplish that."

Chakotay patted her hand. "The only ones responsible for this are the Q. Not you."

Kathryn was quiet for a moment and then said, "In a way, I'm grateful to them."

Chakotay frowned. "Why?"

"Because if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to come back to you. We wouldn't have had last night and today."

Chakotay smiled as Kathryn placed her other hand on top of his. "We wasted…I wasted a lot of time for us. Time we should have had together. No matter how much time we have left, a few hours or the rest of our lives, I'll always be grateful that we had the opportunity to love each other, right now."

Chakotay leaned across the table and pulled Kathryn towards him. He kissed her and said, "I love you, Kathryn Janeway."

"I love you too, Chakotay."

A light flashed and Lady Q appeared. "This is so precious I could spit."

Red alert sounded as Chakotay fell back to his chair and said, "What's the matter? Love, compassion, civility not qualities the Q deem acceptable these days? You're early."

Lady Q folded her arms. "I like to maintain an element of surprise. That siren is beyond annoying." She snapped her fingers and the red alert warning silenced. Turning to Kathryn, she said, "Enjoy your last meal, dear?"

Pounding at the doors began as the security team tried to enter. Chakotay rose and gripped the phaser at his waist.

Lady Q watched him wait for his back up and laughed. "You really didn't think I would allow them to be here, did you?" She stared at Kathryn. "I detest distractions and I've learned in recent weeks not to tolerate them."

Kathryn rose and walked around the table to stand in front of Lady Q. "You want me? You have me. Take me off this ship and you and I will fight this out. We'll finish it like it started, just between you and me."

Lady Q snickered. "You still believe you have the upper hand here. It would be almost charming if it wasn't so insane."

"Since you've come early, I assume you've finally decided on my manner of death," Kathryn asked.

Lady Q drummed her fingers on her forearm. "Yes, I think I have just the thing. I have decided to allow history to repeat itself and give you the death you had before. You died sacrificing yourself for others. You'll do the same now. I'm nothing if not consistent and it won't mess with the time line too much."

She snapped her fingers and Chakotay was immediately suspended from the ceiling by a long noose. His Starfleet uniform was replaced by his Maquis one. The same clothes he had worn the day Kathryn first laid eyes on him. But, this time they were ripped and stained with blood revealing deep whip marks in his flesh across his chest and back.

Chakotay yelped and groaned in pain as he felt his skin split. His neck was rubbed raw as he tried to maintain his balance atop a small wooden stool. His arms were bound tightly behind his back and his legs were tied together by the same cutting rope.

"No!" Kathryn shouted. She ran at Lady Q and grabbed her by the neck with both hands. "Let him go, now!"

Lady Q took Kathryn's arms and peeled her fingers from her neck. "You really do need to be taught some respect." She grasped Kathryn's neck and lifted her off the ground. "I truly am done with you, Janeway."

Kathryn's legs kicked as she clawed at Lady Q's grip. Her eyes watered as her breath went away. Quickly, she snapped her fingers and Kathryn flashed herself across the room. She crawled into a corner and struggled to catch her breath. She watched as Lady Q took a few steps towards her. She tried to snap her fingers to free Chakotay but nothing happened each time she tried.

Lady Q scowled as she approached her. "Get ready, Janeway. It's going to be a long night."