Author's Note: Huge thank you to everyone who has read this! I am so appreciative of everyone's feedback during my first story. Thank you! Thank you! I hope you enjoy the final chapter.

Kathryn watched Lady Q walk towards her. She tried to take a deep breath and did her best to ignore the pain that throbbed in her neck and throat after Lady Q had lifted and tossed her like a rag doll across the room. She glanced at Chakotay who still stood on the small stool, arms and legs tightly bound with a noose biting at his neck. His eyes followed her as she shakily stood up.

Lady Q stopped. "Ready for round two, dear? Or should we go straight to the finale?" She held up a finger in Chakotay's direction.

"No!" Kathryn screamed and ran headlong knocking her back. Lady Q's head smacked the hard floor as she took Kathryn with her. Kathryn snapped her fingers and a phaser materialized in her hand. She held it to Lady Q's throat.

"You have got to be kidding," Lady Q said.

"No, I'm not. This ends now." Kathryn turned and pointed the phaser at Chakotay. His eyes widened as she aimed and shot the rope above him burning it in half. He dropped from the stool and rolled to the wall, struggling to pull himself upright, his arms and legs still tied tight.

"You insolent little…" She yanked Kathryn up by her hair and pulled them both up into a standing position. Kathryn's eyes watered as Lady Q pulled and twisted her head towards Chakotay. "You use your powers again and he will die first."

With a flick of her wrist, Lady Q sent Kathryn flying back into the kitchen area. She landed hard against the shelving. Pots, cutlery, and other cooking utensils spilled around her. A long knife clattered next to her and she grabbed it.

As she rose, Kathryn felt a sharp pain and held her ribs. She was becoming tired. She knew her physical self was weakening and Lady Q was in no mood to help her out. At this level of exertion, Kathryn thought, she wouldn't have to kill her. She would probably die on her own. But, first, she had to make sure Chakotay was safe.

She walked out of the kitchen and brandished the knife. Lady Q smirked and snapped her fingers. The knife flashed from Kathryn's hand to her own. Shaking her head, she said, "Let me show you who this will hurt."

Lady Q hurled the knife at Chakotay who ducked to the side as the knife blade lodged in the wall. "Hmmm, you humans like to cheat death."

"Maybe you're just not good at making it happen," Kathryn said.

Lady Q turned to her. "Are you done putting up this pitiful fight? I can tell you're weakening. Some bruising here. A little blood there. Before long, you'll match your beloved behind me."

Kathryn glanced at Chakotay and saw him hit his shoulder underneath the knife and dislodge it from the wall. He silently caught it and worked it to one of his bound hands.

Lady Q took a few steps towards her and folded her arms. "I could just wait, you know. Watch you die, piece by piece, until you fade away into nothingness."

"You could. But where would the fun be in that? You're just toying with me, like a cat with its mouse. But I know what you're really doing."

Lady Q's brow arched. "Oh really? Aside from ending your existence, what am I accomplishing, dear?"

"You're testing him."

"Testing who?"

Kathryn noticed Chakotay's arms release as he unwound the rope from his upper body. "You're testing, Q. You want to see if he'll save me. You're testing his loyalty."

Lady Q laughed. "If you are planning on Q swooping in and saving you once more, dear, that won't be happening."

"If you think I'd wait for him, you're equally mistaken."

Lady Q sniffed. "So heroic. Don't you get tired of being so tough? So independent?" She snapped her fingers and the knife and phaser flashed into her hands. "I actually do have better things to do today so, which will it be? Your primitive phaser, a quick kill, or a good old fashioned blade for a long, lingering, painful death?"

Kathryn raised her chin. "You can kill me with either but I'll still pity you and the rest of the Continuum. In the past, the Q have been obnoxious and you've been annoying. But on occasion, you've been fun and even charming. Of course, none of those qualities exists at the moment but over the years we've learned a great deal from one another. End this, Q. There is no reason we have to go through these theatrics each time our species engage each other."

Lady Q inched forward. "I told you before not to spout Q's drivel at me. You can stall all you like, dear. If that was a plea for his attention, it won't work. Your favorite Q will not be coming for you. He's tied up at the moment, just like your lover."

"Actually, I think I'm good." Chakotay threw the rope around Lady Q and wound it tight around her body pressing her arms to the side. Chakotay knocked the phaser from her left hand and went for the knife but Lady Q flashed it of his grasp. With a growl, she grabbed Chakotay by the shirt and tossed him against the wall. Chakotay hit hard and slid down to the ground unconcious.

"Chakotay!" Kathryn yelled. She tried to go but stopped as Lady Q waved the knife in front of her.

"Go ahead," she said. "Force me to use it. You can't repair the bruises on your body. How do you think you'll handle a knife wound? Shall we find out?"

Kathryn blew a piece of hair out of her face. "Get out of my way! I'm tired of this! You want to use that knife? Use it! I'm going to help him." Kathryn ran to Chakotay's side. Cradling his head in her lap, she bent down and whispered his name.

Chakotay stirred as Lady Q approached. "Oh good. He'll be awake just in time to see you die. Prepare to switch places with him, dear. And be grateful I'm allowing you to die in his arms. I'm nothing if not a romantic at heart."

A single tear slipped down Kathryn's cheek as his dark eyes opened to her. He gently lifted a hand and brushed it away. "Kathryn." She swallowed hard and shook her head at him. "I'm so sorry. I love you."

The knife clattered to the floor as Lady Q hovered over them. She lifted her hand and flexed her fingers. "I've decided the old fashioned way is best. Say goodbye, Janeway."

Kathryn bowed her head and closed her eyes as Chakotay made one last effort to hurl himself up and at Lady Q. He grabbed her legs as he heard her fingers snap. "No!" he roared. Lady Q fell back to the ground again and landed hard with Chakotay holding her down.

"Need some help?" Q flashed into the room.

"No! No! No! No!" Lady Q struggled in Chakotay's grasp but could not kick him loose. Chakotay realized he was successfully restraining her and decided to test his strength further. He pulled her up by her clothing and landed a right jab across her face. Blood poured from her nose as Lady Q dropped to the ground.

Chakotay wiped his brow and caught his breath. He sized up Q who put his hands up in the air. "Peace, Kemo Sabe. I come in peace."

Chakotay's throat tightened and he closed his eyes. "You're too late, Q. She already did it. Kathryn's gone." He could not bear to turn around and see Kathryn absent from his life once again.

"Did she? My eyes could very well be deceiving me. It's been a long day and I've been under a lot of stress. But if you open yours and turn around, I think you'll see that Kathy is very much behind you. Although she could probably use the attention of your sick bay."

Chakotay's eyes opened and he whirled around to see Kathryn slumped against the wall. She gave him a tired smile. "Kathryn!" He gathered her in his arms. "Help her, Q! Her body is failing again. You need to help her. Now!"

Q frowned and shook his head. "I'm afraid that would be against the rules. No more interfering with human life spans, dead or undead, especially that human." Walking over to Lady Q, he snapped his fingers and revived her. Her injuries healed and her spilled blood vanished as she sat up and glared at him. "Where the hell did you come from?"

Chakotay's anger welled in his chest. "You'll bring that one back but you won't help Kathryn?"

Q yanked Lady Q up. "You still don't listen. It's always about you, isn't it?" Pulling Lady Q to him, he said, "Did you enjoy your moment of humanity, dear? It hurts, doesn't it? Well, I need to get this one back to the Continuum. Strict orders to come here and back. For some reason, they don't trust me being away for very long."

Lady Q scowled. "Our son set you free. The Continuum will punish him now too!"

"Oh no, Junior had nothing to do with my liberation. I made sure of it."

"If he didn't help you, then how did you get out?" she asked.

"The same way you did. What is it that ancient human playwright said? Oh yes, 'turnabout is fair play'. Or is it 'all's fair in love and war'?"

Lady Q's mouth dropped. "You had him switch our powers."

"Back," Q said. "I had him switch our powers back and rectify that terrible mistake he made by giving you mine. I had my powers returned to me. Junior restored the Continuum's original decree to strip you of yours. They can't touch him. You, on the other hand, are in big trouble. Major. Huge."

Kathryn coughed and gasped in Chakotay's arms. Q looked over and said, "For someone who professes to love this woman, are you really not going to give her medical attention? I suppose I have to clean up everything around here. This is going on your tab." He snapped his fingers and the Doctor appeared carrying his medical kit.

The Doctor glanced at the mobile emitter on his arm. "I don't remember putting that on. I don't remember picking this up. I don't remember transporting myself to this area of the ship. Where am I?"

"Doctor," Chakotay said. "Please help her."

The Doctor looked down and saw Kathryn fading in Chakotay's arms. Her breathing grew labored. He quickly bent down and said, "What happened?"

"I got kicked out of the Continuum," she said.

"Congratulations." The Doctor grabbed a tricorder and scanned her injuries.

Kathryn coughed again and grimaced in pain. "I hurt…all over."

"You should based on these injuries but…" the Doctor stared at the readout.

"Doctor?" Chakotay said.

"Your physicality has changed, again."

"Again?" Chakotay said. "What did you do, Q?"

Q smiled. "I did nothing. Consider it a gift and an apology from the Continuum. I'm sure your doctor will be able to heal Kathy quite quickly now. I wouldn't waste much time though. She is only human."

"Human!" Lady Q spat. "She's not…they didn't!" Lady Q shot forward and grabbed the knife on the floor.

Q pulled her back and said, "Uh, uh. I would strongly advise against harming her. You're in enough trouble as it is. You interrupt her existence a second time and it's capital punishment for you, my dear. We haven't had a good public execution in years though. It could be fun."

Lady Q tossed the knife away in disgust. "Mortal! You'll be back for her, Q. Back to mate with her and populate the cosmos with vile hybrid beings!"

"No," Q said. "Unfortunately, that plan was shattered. There's no way I can mate with Kathy now."

"I'm relieved to hear that," Chakotay said. "But, just out of curiosity, why not?"

"Because you've ruined her for me."

Kathryn grinned as the Doctor healed her injuries. "And I enjoyed every moment of it."

Q shook his head. "Well, from what I saw, it was unimpressive. You and I could have been so much better together. Kathy, you have your humanity back. Try not to lose it this time. If you do decide to give up the ghost again, no one will be waiting for you, at least not from the Continuum"

"Understood, Q, and thank you."

"Shall we, my dear? I think you've made enough of a mess of things here. Now that I've fixed everything, the Continuum is dying to see you again. I wouldn't want to keep them waiting. You wouldn't like them after they've been kept waiting. Trust me. They do not become amused."

Lady Q glared at Kathryn. "This isn't over."

Chakotay helped Kathryn to her feet. She faced her and said, "You're right, Q. It's not. In your arrogance, you created me and then you tried to destroy me. Take not only my existence but those of the other innocent people around me without so much as a thought. Just a snap of the fingers. No regrets.

You exalt the Q above our lowly human species yet, today, you acted just like one of us. A primitive human. You exhibited the basest of human emotions including jealousy, hate, malice…. Humans learned long ago to value life in all its forms no matter how insignificant or how inconvenient that life may be even if it means sacrificing our own for it. We don't take a life just to make ourselves feel better or to correct one of our perceived mistakes."

Kathryn moved closer. "And here's one more humanity lesson for you, Q. We humans have to live with the consequences of our actions. And I'm going to be a consequence for you for a long time because I don't know if I will ever find one of the purest of all human emotions for you, forgiveness."

Lady Q sniffed. "You haven't the faintest idea of what consequences can be."

Q snapped his fingers and she flashed away. "You only see her on special occasions. Just think how much fun she's been to live with these past billion years. Goodbye, Kathy. Treat her well, Kemo Sabe, or I'll be back and Lady Q's little temper tantrum here will look like child's play." With a snap of his fingers, he was gone.

Before either Kathryn or Chakotay could say anything more, the doors opened and the security team came barreling through. "Captain!"

Chakotay put up his hand. "Everything's under control. Stand down, red alert. Tell the Admiral I'll have a full report to her within the hour."

The security leader nodded and the team withdrew as Chakotay pulled Kathryn close. "You know the Q will be back."

Kathryn nodded and looked at the Doctor who said, "You are in one piece, perfectly healthy, for a human woman of your age. I'm sorry, but the aesthetic improvements you had going left with the Q."

Kathryn smiled. "A small price to pay. If I ever complain about being human, you have my permission to do a full physical and mental evaluation then and there."

The Doctor shook his head. "Promises, promises and not even a reliable witness to hold you to it."

Chakotay put a hand to his chest. "What am I?"

"Captain, everyone on this ship knows you would do anything to protect this woman, even before these recent events. We all knew it the first week we arrived in the Delta Quadrant, even this hologram. Computer, please transfer the EMH back to sick bay."

The Doctor's form beamed away as Kathryn stretched and felt her body.

"He is right," Chakotay said, "I loved you the first day I saw you."

Kathryn shook her head. "No, you didn't. But you fell pretty hard, pretty quickly." She winked. "Do you think I'm really human again?"

Chakotay watched her hands skim over her body. "I would be happy to do an up close and personal examination to confirm it at your earliest possible convenience."

Kathryn matched his grin and put her arms around his neck. "I would love that, Captain." They kissed until she pulled back and said, "Oh my god, the paperwork. I have to contact Starfleet, my family…I have no place to live, my job, my friends, my…" Her next words were smothered by Chakotay's kiss.

"We'll take care of the paperwork and Starfleet and your family. It'll be a shock but it's not the first time you've turned up alive in the Delta Quadrant after being declared dead." He held her closer. "And you have a place to live, Kathryn. With me. You're doing a lot of complaining for someone who's just been given their life back."

Kathryn laid her head against his chest. "Not only my life, Chakotay, you. Finally, I've got you. And coming back home to you is the most precious gift of all."