Janeway stepped off the turbolift, smiling at Tuvok as she moved over to the Command chair she noticed Chakotay by Ops. "Problem Commander?"

Chakotay shook his head, "Not precisely Capt., we detected a small energy surge on deck 10, looks like a relay burnt out is all." Sitting down Janeway motioned for Chakotay to join her. Speaking softly after Chakotay sat down, "The simulation went well Chakotay, they are verifying the numbers before we make another attempt but it looks very promising."

Chakotay looked at the Capt., "You seem very positive about this, does this mean you have decided to bring Tom and Kes back?"

Janeway looked at him her thoughts confused, "What do you mean?"

Chakotay leans in close, "Capt., your actions and words seem to be in contradiction here. You seem sure that we shouldn't sacrifice Eugene to bring them back but you are almost elated at the prospect of being able to do so. Frankly, as strong as you seem at not bringing them back over Eugene, I find our attempts to be able to do so counter productive. Maybe you should just go ahead and decide and if not in favor, let's abandon it and give Tom and Kes a memorial and get back on course for Earth."

To say Chakotay's words stunned her would be an understatement, they stung deep within her, but she instantly knew he was right, had she merely been placating the crew in the possibility of getting Tom and Kes back, but she already knew she wouldn't go through with it? Her mouth opened several times but she couldn't find her voice. "I'm sorry Capt., if I over stepped protocols, I wasn't trying to insult you or anything," Chakotay was trying to explain but Janeway placed her hand on top of his gently and shook her head.

"It's okay Chakotay," finally finding her voice, "You didn't say anything wrong; in fact it might have been the perfect thing to say."

Janeway tilted her head up, Janeway to all senior staff, report to the conference room immediately, Neelix report at once to the conference room." Janeway got up and moved into the conference room followed by Chakotay and Tuvok, moments later they were joined by the Doctor and Neelix and finally by Harry and B'Elanna. After everyone had finally sat down Janeway turned away from the windows and looked at her most trusted Officers and friends. "B'Elanna, Harry, how are you doing on the data?"

Clearly puzzled B'Elanna speaks up, "We've analyzed a good bit of it Capt., it's looking very promising."

Janeway nodded, "I know when this first happened I said after we had a way to get Tom and Kes back I wanted your input about rescuing them. After some thinking and prodding," She smiled at Chakotay, "I believe the time is now for that input, Chakotay?"

Chakotay nodded, "I'm torn Capt., I would rather not, but I believe Eugene has the right to sacrifice himself for his parents."

Tuvok looks to Janeway, "While I understand his desire Capt., I do not agree with Eugene, I believe we should not try."

B'Elanna rose fiercely from her chair, barely able to reign in her Klingon impulse at the last second. Placing her hands on the table top she struggled for several long moments, "I say we bring them back, since Eugene is willing to make the sacrifice." Slowly she sat back down, her eyes clenched tightly along with her jaw. Janeway marveled at her control, it had to be taking a huge amount of energy to remain in control.

"I spoke with Eugene not long ago about this Capt.," the Doctor began, "and while I do not believe Kes or Mr. Paris would approve of it, I have to admit, humans have always made such sacrifices for strangers let alone loved ones, I do support Eugene in this matter."

Harry looked away from everyone as he spoke, "Capt., this may make me look selfish or bad, but, I want my friend back, despite how his letters spoke about Kes, their life on that planet and Eugene, if Eugene is willing, I say bring them back."

Neelix was shaking his head vehemently no, "No, no, absolutely out of the question. Neither Kes nor Tom would be happy about Eugene's sacrificing himself to bring them back to the present. I don't want to lose either of them, but I can't ignore my responsibility to their son."

With Harry's decision B'Elanna was able to relax a bit, it was 4 in favor of bringing them back and only 2 opposed. Janeway sighed, "I got to tell you I was hoping for more support in not bringing them back. If it was a situation of a snap decision and he made it, I wouldn't think twice about this, but being able to look at it objectively, with time not as a factor and knowing both Tom and Kes and knowing they would not support such a decision it makes this so much more difficult."

Janeway turns her back on the table and walks back over to the windows and stares for long moments. "Very well, my decision is not to proceed. We will follow Chakotay's suggestion and tomorrow morning at 8 hundred hours we will have a memorial service to honor Tom and Kes, then we will get underway at 10 hundred hours. Commander, would you make the announcement please, dismissed." Everyone got up and left except B"Elanna, she sat there stunned and hurt, and her hurt was building in the form of rage within her. As the door closed Janeway sighed and turned around and was shocked to see B'Elanna still there.

"B'Elanna, I can only imagine you are hurt right now and I am sorry," Janeway told her as she walked over to where B'Elanna sat. She continued as she sat down next to her, "I know you have feelings for Tom and he had feelings for you but think about it this way. What if the situation had been reversed, it had been you and him on that planet. What if Eugene was your son and you and Tom were dead on that planet. Would you still want Eugene to sacrifice himself to save you?" B'Elanna's eyes were closed and her head shaking back and forth, her rage fleeing from her as a soft almost whimper came out of her mouth as she turned and hugged Janeway tightly light sobs escaped her. Janeway enfolded her in her arms and held her tightly, trying her best to console her grief.

Eugene sat in the Chevy, his eyes bright and a large smile on his face, his arms about Tal as she snuggled against his bare chest, "That was, amazing Tal, I never expected it would be so euphoric."

Tal smiled and snuggled just a bit deeper, "I got to admit, I don't think I have ever felt as much as I did but we probably should get dressed, we could be infringing on someone else's time and I don't want to be walked in on like this."

Eugene barely noticed but after a few moments the jostling of the car seat finally got his attention. "Oh, right," he simply replied as he too began dressing.

Once they both were dressed and out of the car, "Computer end program." Instantly the bare holo-deck appeared and they moved towards the door. Just before they got there, Eugene pulled Tal back into his arms and kissed her again, both of their passions flared as they kissed, the kiss became very passionate when Tal managed to pull back, looking hungrily at Eugene. "Computer, what is the time?"

"1639 hours," came the reply.

Tal cursed, "Sorry Eugene, I've got to go, I'm on duty shortly, maybe we can pick this up when I get off duty? Say your quarters a little after midnight?" Tal smiled and quickly darted out of the doors. Eugene stood there for several moments before heading out.

His stomach growled and so he made his way to the Galley. The early dinner crowd was there before they went on duty. Neelix saw Eugene and gestured for him to get a table. Neelix prepared a tray while asking one of the crew to take over serving for a few minutes. Then walked out and sat the tray down in front of Eugene as he sat opposite of him. "Thanks Neelix, it smells wonderful and I am quite hungry."

Neelix laughed, "I bet you are." Neelix sat there for a moment, wondering just how to broach the subject with Eugene while watching him eat.

In between bites Eugene began to sense Neelix was a bit apprehensive. "What's the matter Neelix?" Eugene asked as he took a drink of water.

Neelix kind of fidgeted a bit, "Ah, well you see Eugene, while you was with Tal Celes in the Holo-deck, we had some news."

Looking up at Neelix, "Don't tell me they haven't figured out the problem with scanning the chronometric field."

Neelix shook his head, "No, no, actually they believe they figured it out, but the Captain has made the decision, we-we're not going to rescue your parents."

Eugene stared at him in stunned disbelief, "They know how, but they aren't going to save my parents? Why Neelix?"

Neelix shifted in his seat, "Well, you see Eugene, in the senior staff meeting, it was 4-2 in favor of allowing you to sacrifice yourself to bring your parents back, but apparently that wasn't enough to outweigh the Captain's feelings on the matter. I'm sorry Eugene, I really am."

Eugene got up quickly and moved towards the door as it opened, Harry walked through almost bumping into him. "Hey Eugene," Harry greeted him.

"Hi Harry," Eugene replied, "how are you doing?"

"I'm fine Eugene, look, for what it is worth, I agreed you should be allowed to bring your parents back, though I got to admit it was a bit selfish on my part, I'm sorry."

Eugene smiled at Harry, "It's okay Harry, I understand, we don't really know each other, probably was the best way to approach the decision. Thank you though. Neelix said you got the scanning problem figured out though?"

Harry nodded, "Well the simulation ran well and the data numbers were looking very promising before the Captain stopped us."

Eugene smiled sadly at Harry, "I'll catch you later Harry, I think I need to be alone for a bit." Eugene walked out into the corridor, he wasn't mad exactly nor was it sadness, frustrated, would be the right word to describe him. He began to just walk around the ship not really knowing what he wanted or needed at this point. Scratch that he thought, he wanted his parents here alive with him. But just as quickly he knew even if his mother hadn't died when she did, she would have lived at most another 3 years. What a stupid life span to give a sentient life.

Eugene bumped into Lt. Carey as he came around a corner, "Excuse me, Eugene is it?"

Eugene nodded, "Sorry Lt. Carey, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, how you doing today?"

"Doing okay, just got to go down to the planet and bring some equipment back up."

"Well I don't want to keep you, be careful down there," Eugene told him as he turned to walk off. Lt. Carey moved on down the corridor, but Eugene stopped and turned to look at Lt. Carey. Just before he got to the door of transporter room 2 Carey stopped and stood there for several moments, slowly he turned around until he faced Eugene and stared at him. After about 2 minutes he just nodded at Eugene then turned and walked on down the corridor passing the transporter room. Eugene kind of sighed as he turned and made his way to this dad's quarters, where he took a shower and laid down for a nap since his last one had been interrupted. It took him a bit to fall asleep as visions of his time in the holo-deck returned to him, Tal was quite pleasing to his eyes, she was more intelligent then she thought, she just lacked the self confidence, but slowly his eyes closed and he drifted off to sleep.

After some time B'Elanna was finally able to regain her composure and after wiping her tears she had thanked the Capt., and left by the corridor door, not really wanting to see Chakotay or Harry. Janeway sat for a moment after she left when she thought about Eugene and she had to let him know what she decided. "Computer, what is the location of Eugene."

"Eugene is asleep in Lt. Paris's quarters."

"Well I guess that idea can wait." Janeway got up and walked out onto the Bridge and went over and sat in the Command Chair next to Chakotay.

"Capt., the crew has been notified, Harry has asked to play a tribute song, and Neelix is currently planning a Wake feast for the over night."

"That sounds fine Chakotay, I think B'Elanna is at peace with my decision now."

Chakotay nodded, "It's a hard thing to come to terms with, Tom and Kes were big parts of our crew, but I think you made the right decision."

Smiling Janeway simply said, "Thank you."

"Neelix also wanted me to tell you that he spoke with Eugene about your decision and said while he was a bit upset, he seemed to accept it, he also wanted you to know the Wake will start at around 22 hundred hours."

"I really wanted to tell Eugene myself, but he was asleep by the time B'Elanna was able to come to grips with it." Janeway replied, then questioned, "Do you have any recommendations about who to replace Mr. Paris with?" Chakotay nodded, I have a few people in mind, I've got the first 3 day shifts re-assigned, I thought after we discussed them, we could make a final decision about the replacement."

Janeway nodded, "I think perhaps Harry should open the service tomorrow with the song he wants to play."

How long he had been laying there asleep Eugene wasn't sure but he kept hearing this strange beep sound for a short bit, he rolled over to get a bit more comfortable when he heard his combadge, "Tal to Eugene, did you forget about me?"

His eyes popped open, "Tal? I'm sorry, I feel asleep. Where are you?"

Tal kind of laughed, "Outside your door, have been for about 5 minutes. May I come in?"

Eugene swung his legs out of bed and sat on the side of the bed, "Of course, come in."

The door opened and she stepped in, Eugene stood up smiling at her. Tal kind of stared at Eugene for a moment, mostly below his belly button, "Umm, I know I said maybe we could continue tonight, but I thought perhaps we could have a bite to eat first?" Tal said with a bit of laugh to her voice.

Eugene looked down and realized he wasn't wearing anything, his cheeks flamed and he quickly grabbed his pants and slid them on, "Sorry about that Tal, I guess I slept harder then I thought."

Tal watched as his pants slid up over the cheeks of his butt, a wicked smiled instantly formed on her face, but then she remembered something else. "Eugene, I don't want to put a wet towel on our evening, but you may not know, umm, Neelix has put together a celebration in honor of your parents, if you want, we can go attend?"

Eugene turned to face Tal with his brow furrowed, "A celebration?" Tal nodded, "It's a custom among some, a social time of friends and loved ones, reminiscing and loads of food."

Eugene shook his head as he grabbed his shirt off the bed, "If you don't mind Tal, this is hard enough as it is, I would much rather just be in your company tonight."

Tal's smile warmed Eugene's heart as he continued to dress, Tal walked over to the replicator, "Computer, candles, table cloth and a silver service set please." As Eugene started putting on his shoes Tal pulled the items out of the replicator and moved over to the table, cleared it and then set it with the cloth and utensils. She set up the candles and went back to the replicator, "Computer 2 servings of Lobster Colorado medium rare, California vegetables and a bottle of Shirza wine.

Eugene stood up and helped Tal carry the food to the table. "I got to say Tal, this smells delicious." Tal just smiled as Eugene gave her a light kiss on the cheek and a gentle one arm hug.

As Eugene sat down Tal looked up, "Computer, light music please, instrumental, romantic, lights to half, hold all non-emergency Comms." The computer gave an answering chirp and as Tal lit the candles soft music began playing. Sitting down she smiled at Eugene who finally worked the cork out of the wine and was filling their glasses. Tal picked up her glass and looked deep into Eugene's eyes, "To the journey, wherever it takes us and however long it lasts." She waited a moment but Eugene didn't pick up his glass and so she cast her eyes to it then looked back at him. Eugene finally picked up on what he was suppose to do so he raised his glass and then lightly clashed his glass into hers with a soft, almost melodic ring from the glasses and they took a sip.

The Wake was in full swing, Neelix had gone over board, he replicated and fixed every favorite dish of Tom and Kes, he had the computer playing their favorite songs, the crew had come through with dozens and dozens of holo-photos of Kes and Tom, with B'Elanna's help he set up a small holo-emitter that was displaying random photos as 3d images. Many faces were wet and eyes red, but the smiles and laughter told Neelix this was the right thing to do. He was concerned that Eugene wasn't accepting any communications, but when the computer said he was in Tom's quarters with Tal he just smiled and let it go.

Eugene's eyes opened slowly, a dreamy smile on his face as he felt the weight of Tal on his shoulder, he looked down, using his free hand to pull back her hair as he looked down her face, his smile broaden and he hugged her tightly, and she snuggled deeper against him as he did. His eyes closed and he sighed contentedly when suddenly they opened in panic. "Computer, what time is it?" With an answering chirp the computer told him it was 0725 and he relaxed just a bit, but his stomach tightened on him. Placing his fingers to Tal's temple he said softly, "I love you." Tal smiled for a moment, then slowly the smile faded and a slight frowned replaced it. Her head shook lightly back and forth but slowing until it stopped and then she nodded once.

Eugene kissed her forehead and slipped out of the bed and dressed. He made his way to the mess hall where he ran into the remains of the Wake, several people greeted him and offered him their condolences before Neelix brought him a plate. As he started to eat the Capt came in and after seeing Eugene, she moved over to speak with him. He smiled as she drew near, "Good morning Capt.," he said as he stood, "care for some breakfast?"

Janeway smiled but shook her head. With a gesture back at the chairs Janeway and Eugene sat back down. "Eugene, I wanted to talk with and explain to you about my decision."

Eugene nodded his head, "Capt., it is really okay, really it is. It was a slim chance you would agree to it, I figured that out after a few discussions with others on the ship."

Janeway nodded, "Well I really wanted to tell you yesterday, but you were asleep at the time. We're going to have a service in a little bit in the cargo bay to say goodbye to your parents, if you would like to come."

Eugene sighed, "No, I appreciate it Capt, but I'd dealt with their deaths some time ago, and I would rather not share in the crew's grief over them any more then I have to. I hope you can understand that I don't mean any disrespect over it."

Smiling Janeway nodded, "It's fine Eugene, it should be over around 0830 and we'll be ready to get back under way by ten hundred hours. I guess my next question is, do you want to come with us, or did you want to stay here on Nutera 4?"

Eugene looked at the Capt for a moment, "Capt, I don't ever want to be alone again, so if it is okay, I'd like to stay aboard."

Janeway smiled at him and squeezing his hand she nodded. "I've got to get to the cargo bay, I just wanted to give you a heads up. We'll talk more in a little while." Eugene nodded as she got up and left. As he took his next bite of food he reached out with his thoughts and found Tal was getting dressed and Lt. Carey was standing by in Transporter room 2. Neelix stopped by the table before leaving to be sure Eugene didn't need anything else and then left.

After a few minutes the galley was empty and Eugene checked again on Tal and found she too was now in Transporter room 2 so he got up and made his way there.

Chakotay called the men and women of Voyager to order then gestured to Harry, who stepped up and began to play one of his favorite songs, Imagine by John Lennon with his clarinet.

The corridors of Voyager were eerily quiet as he made his way through the ship. Eugene soon walked through the door of the Transporter room to see Tal and Lt. Carey behind the control panel. He stepped over to Tal as he asked Lt. Carey to lock the doors. Kissing Tal deeply first then looked at Lt. Carey, "Can they stop us from what we want to do Lt. Carey?"

Shaking his head, "I don't believe so, I've locked the Bridge out of this room, and I isolated the protocols with the power cell and sensors to only accept commands from this terminal. The crew that are on the Bridge aren't as savvy as say Tuvok or Harry, so they won't be able to shut the power down to this transporter."

Eugene nodded his head, "I'm sorry I am doing this to you both, this means too much to me, and as much as I would love to stay here with you Tally, I can't make my parents go through the life as they did. I've left a message in 3 parts to the Capt, making it clear that you both are only doing this because of my persuasion. Lt. Carey, if you would activate the power cell please. Tally, would you begin scanning for the chronometric field please." They both just nodded, though Eugene could see a small tear escape her eyes.

Harry was about halfway through Imagine when Janeway's combadge beeped so she stepped out into the corridor. "Janeway to the Bridge, go ahead."

"Capt, we didn't want to disturb you but sensors are picking up a energy field on the planet, and Capt, it's registering as a Chronometric field."

Janeway's eyes shot open, "Stand by Bridge," Janeway stepped up to the door and gestured for Tuvok and Chakoyta to come out. Once the door closed she filled them in on what was going on.

Tuvok spoke, "Ensign, did you try a command override to disable the power cell?"

"Affirmative Sir, we've tried everything we could think of, hold on a second Sir."

Janeway looked at Tuvok, "Ensign report."

"Capt, we now have an active sensor scan going on into the energy field, we can not shut it down."

Tuvok looked up at the ceiling, "Computer, who initiated the sensor scan?"

"Lt. Carey."

"Computer, suspend Lt. Carey's authorization and terminate sensor scan."

"Unable to comply, sensor control has been re-routed to Transporter room 2." Janeway turned and headed off to Transporter room 2 closely followed by Chakotay and Tuvok.

"Lt. Carey how is the power cell's reserves?" Eugene asked.

"Energy field is consuming power at an exponential rate, if we don't get them in the next 3 minutes, the field will decay." Lt. Carey responded.

Eugene slammed his hand against the wall, "How is your scan going Tally? Have you found them?"

Fear was on her face, regardless to his mental suggestions her own self doubt was causing mistakes, "Not well Eugene, I have found them, but I, I'm having a hard time narrowing down where to pull them from, the data keeps jumping about and just when I think I got it, I get confused."

Eugene turned to her, and pulled her close kissing her. "Tally, I didn't choose you to do this because I care for you, I chose you because I know you can do this, I could have picked someone else, but I trust you. Just relax and do your best."

Tal smiled at him and nodded, as she turned back to the sensor data the intercom chirped, "Eugene, this is Capt Janeway, stand down Mister, and open these doors now."

Eugene sighed, time was almost out, the door would open soon and all the effort would be lost. Tal squealed, "I got them!"

"Bless your soul Tally, Lt. Carey, bring them home now." Eugene commanded. Lt. Carey transferred the ship's sensor lock to the Transporter and initiated transport. The security locks Lt. Carey placed on the doors were finally over ridden and the doors opened admitting the Capt, Chakotay and Tuvok.

"Lt. Carey, disengage the transporter and stand down, you to crewman Celes."

Eugene held his hand up, it's too late Capt, in a moment for good or ill, my parents will be back, please don't be too hard on Tally or Lt. Carey, they only did it because I made them. Please tell my parents I love them and that their return home is worth the sacrifice."

Eugene closed his eyes for a moment and both Tal and Lt. Carey shook their heads as they looked about, "Eugene? What have you done?" Tal grabbed him, "What have you done?!"

Lt. Carey looked down, at once all the info flooding his conscious mind, "Capt, we got a problem, we're losing signal strength, the energy field is collapsing and we haven't gotten them out yet."

Tuvok moves up to the console and nods to the Capt, "Capt, the situation is grave, the time field is causing very slow transmission, It's going to be close, I'm not sure it's going to work."

The Capt stepped over to where Eugene was holding Tal, "You may have just condemned yourself along with your parents, I hope you are happy."

Eugene's head came up "Mother?" He turned and saw the shapes of his parents beginning to take form on the pad, "Father! Mother!"

Everyone turned to look at the pad, they saw Kes's eyes suddenly open wide and heard her disembodied scream, "Eugene!" They heard Tal begin crying and as they looked they saw Eugene, his hand outstretched towards his parents and he faded as if never having been there.

Tal ran out of the Transporter before it completely shut down. Kes fell to the floor crying as Tom knelt down to see if she was okay. Janeway stepped up to help check on Kes, Kes clung to Tom a bit harder then he was comfortable with, but in the name of friendship he endured it. "Let's get you both down to sickbay, make sure you are both okay."

Tom was confused as they walked to Sickbay, Kes just kept saying to him, "But he's gone, don't you understand? Eugene is gone!"

It took a tranquilizer and Neelix to quiet Kes down a bit. Harry hugged his friend then punched him in the arm, "Don't ever do that again!"

Tom looked at Harry, "What's the big deal? We walk out of the cave and you guys beamed us back up. You act like we were dead or something."

Harry looks at him sadly and says, "You were, and your son brought you back."

"Harry, have you been sniffing warp plasma again? I don't have a son." Tom reminded him.

Harry shook his head, "Let me tell you about Eugene."

After only a few minutes of story, Tom's eyes became red and tears began to flow and he pushed passed his friend and went to Kes and the two clung to each other, their sobs if not their tears echoed through the room. Janeway stepped up to Chakotay and whispered, "Let's get underway, and give these two some time with their grief." Chakotay could only nod, his own eyes showed his sympathy for his friend and crew mate. Following Janeway's gestures everyone left Sickbay, Neelix was the last to leave, he walked up and put his arms around them both, then kissed them on the head before leaving.

Once in the hall Neelix turned to go to the galley, he needed a distraction, while he was so happy they were back, he was so sad for their grief and his own grief over Eugene, he had come to love him deeply in the short time he was there. But it was as if his own love spoke to him again and he stopped, "Computer, location of Tal Celes."

Tal was crying on her bed in the room she shared with other crewmen. She ignored the computer chirp announcing someone at the door, the second one she screamed out to go away.

Her combadge chirped and she heard Neelix, "Tal, this is Neelix, I, I wanted to talk to you for just a moment please."

Tal screamed into her pillow then raised her head. "Come in", it seemed to take every ounce of energy she had to say it.

As the door opened she saw Neelix, his red eyes and tear stained face. "I don't really want to intrude," Neelix said as he stepped in. "I can see now you already know, is there anything I can do for you? I know you two got kind of close, I have to admit, I did, I'm really going to miss him a lot." Fresh tears started down Tal's face as she stepped over to Neelix and hugged him tight, as if he too was simply going to disappear on her.

Epilogue:

Kes walked into Sickbay and like every time she has for the last month the computer automatically activated the Dr. "Ah, good morning Kes, I hope you slept well, ready for today's lesson?" The Dr. asked with his over large smile he had anytime Kes came into his presence.

Kes smiled back, "Good morning Dr. I am feeling better, but I am not sure I will ever be over Eugene."

The Dr. nodded at Kes, "I can't really understand the emotional side, but I do understand the variables in it. I know you and Tom were only in that cave a few minutes, but a lot sure happened in that few minutes. Tom's been strangely absent from here this past month; how is he doing?"

Kes picks up a medical tricorder and puts it in the diagnostic station to ensure it is ready for use. "We've talked a few times, but I think he is avoiding me because of the situation, which is why he probably hasn't been here."

The Dr. nodded "Perhaps I should speak with Mr. Kim, they are close friends, I'd hate to have to order him down here, but I want to be sure he is okay."

The doors of the Sickbay open as Tal Celes walked into Sickbay. When she saw Kes she stopped dead in her tracks and the Dr. noticed she shifted as if about to turn to leave, "Ah, Crewman Celes, what brings you to Sickbay?"

"Oh, ah, well at first I thought I had an upset stomach, but I think it might just be some of Neelix's cooking, I think I might just go lay down for a bit."

Kes smiled, "Nonsense Tal, please come in and let's check to be sure." Reluctantly Tal moved over to the biobed that Kes and the Dr. stepped over to, then sat down on it. "Do you have any other symptoms Tal?" Kes asked.

Tal looked from Kes to the Dr. as she replied, "Well I have been nauseous for several days now, been feeling kind of tired and run down even though I have slept all night."

Kes nods, "Just nauseous or have you actually been sick?"

Swallowing hard Tal looked at Kes, "Sick, several times, can't seem to keep anything down until late afternoon."

The Dr.'s eyes narrow as Kes enters the data, "Well let's see what the scans can show, temperature is a little high but still normal, blood pressure is good, lung function is excellent, a bit of over production of stomach acid and, wait, what's this?" The Dr. looked over Kes's shoulder at the tricorder, Kes looks up at Tal with a smile, "Tal, congratulations, you are going to be a mom." Kes's emotions kick up a notch in excitement, "You're pregnant!"

Tal looked lost and looked between Kes and the Dr., "But, but, he, but it, it was only that one day. And inter species pregnancies are very rare for Bajorans."

Kes smiled at Tal, "Ah Kes, I just remembered, we had those cultures growing, would you mind checking them while I finish here with Ms Celes?" The Dr. asked Kes, Kes nodded at the Dr. and squeezed Tal's hand as she left the Sickbay.

The Dr. looked at Tal, "Eugene is the father isn't he?" Tal could only nod her head, "You hadn't spoken with Kes or Mr. Paris about your relationship with Eugene?"

Tal swallowed hard, "No, it's all so strange, I mean, we pulled them back before they had him, so if he didn't exist, how can I be pregnant?"

Shaking his head the Dr. replied, "I'm not sure, temporal paradoxes, it's hard to say sometimes how they turn out, but since we still remember him and the events surrounding him, I have to say it has to be possible. I guess the real question is how do you want to handle the pregnancy?"

Tal looked at the Dr. quizzically, "I'm not sure what you mean, it's not like I could give him up for adoption."

"Him?" The Dr., asked confused, "We haven't identified the sex yet."

Tal smiled, "Just as a simple way of addressing the baby."

The Dr. smiled back, "Of course, well there is always the option of terminating the pregnancy if you want."

Tal's eyes opened wide and her face flushed, "Terminate Eugene's and my child? Never, we may have only known each other for a day, but no, I could never do that."

The Dr. smiled, "I'm glad, might I make a suggestion then. Go and speak with the Capt., about this, maybe she can think of a way to go about speaking with Kes and Mr. Paris about this."

Tal nodded, "I think I will, thank you Dr. can we keep this from everyone else for now?"

Smiling the Dr replied, "Of course, Dr., Patient confidentiality and all. And for your sickness, try eating some saltines, they can help a little, if nothing else give you something so you don't have dry heaves." Tal smiled as she left.

Not even 5 minutes later Kes walked back in, "Oh, Tal already left? I wanted to talk with her, for some reason she seems really uncomfortable around me since all this happened. Did I do something wrong Dr.?"

"Oh no, I am sure you didn't, Ms Celes has always had confidence issues, perhaps that is all you are picking up on," the Dr. lied as best he could.

Capt Janeway was sitting in her Ready room going through the latest Engineering report when her door chimed. "Come." She simply stated. The doors opened and Tal walked into the room, as the doors closed Janeway looked up. "Crewman Celes, what a wonderful surprise, I think this is the first time you have been to my Ready room. Is everything okay?"

Tal nodded, "I need some advice and I need to tell you something." Janeway continued to smile and pointed to the couches by the windows, "Can I get you something Tal?" Janeway asks as she walks over to the replicator. Tal shook her head as Janeway got a cup of coffee. She moved up to the couch and sat down, "Well, I guess you should tell me what it is you need me to know and then we can deal with the advice."

Tal looked out the window, "Well I'm not sure how to, so, I'm pregnant."

Janeway nearly spilled her coffee, but recovered quickly and smiling at Tal, "Tal, that is wonderful news, how far along are you?"

Tal tried to smile at her acceptance but was still intimidated, "Well, just over a month, the Dr. just confirmed it."

Janeway was still smiling while sipping the coffee, "Congratulations, I really mean it. Who is the lucky guy?"

Tal kind of fidgeted a bit before answering, "May-maybe you should put your coffee down for a moment Capt."

Looking quizzically at Tal Janeway thought maybe it was a Bajoran etiquette issue so she sat the coffee down and looked back at Tal. Tal took a deep breath, "Capt, I need to know how to go about telling Kes and Lt. Paris I'm carrying their grand child."

Mentally Janeway's jaw was laying on the floor as she stared at Tal in almost total disbelief, "Eugene? Eugene's the father? How? When?" Janeway seemed to see a mental image she didn't want and continued, "Skip that, I know how, when did this happen?"

Tal almost laughed out loud that even a hard chiseled woman could be thrown for a loop, maybe there was a hope for her she thought. "We met the last day he was on board, we kind of hit it off, one thing lead to another and" she trailed off but just kind of gestured towards her stomach.

Janeway's smile turned into a light hearted laugh at her words and action. "Oh Tal, this is wonderful news, I can understand your reluctance about telling them. I would bet the best way to start would be to tell Kes first, I'll help you if you want, and then she can help tell Tom. I know the situation is a bit strange, but I think they will actually be happy once it sinks in, especially Kes."

Tal was almost relieved, "Would you help me tell her please?"

Janeway nodded then tapped her combadge, "Janeway to Kes, please report to my Ready room."

Tal's face registered her shock, "Now?"

Janeway smiled and nodded, "Now."

Tal found herself nervous all over again as she sat there, almost feeling like a scolding was coming. And then Kes was there in the room, Tal was trying to get control of her breathing as Janeway ask Kes to come up and join them on the couch. After Kes sat down Janeway spoke, "Kes, Tal had something she wanted to talk with you about. Tal?"

Kes smiled as she turned her attention to Tal, she could see how nervous she was, "It's okay Tal, you can talk to me about anything." Tal smiled weakly at Kes as she tried to find the words, Janeway just nodded at her in encouragement.

Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, "Kes, you know I am pregnant, you did the scan yourself, what you don't know is, you are going to be a grandmother." The last came out so fast from her mouth and mumbled that Kes totally missed it.

She sat there for a moment turning the sounds around in her mind trying to figure out what she had just said. She could see by the Capt's face she was really excited and happy, but no matter how she tried it she couldn't get it. Kes looked at Tal, "I'm sorry Tal, I can tell you're nervous, but that last bit came out too fast, I didn't understand."

Tal closed her eyes tightly, "You're going to be a Grandmother, Eugene is the father."

At first Tal thought she was under attack, but quickly realized Kes was crying and hugging her tightly. She opened her eyes as Kes relaxed her grip and looked deeply into her eyes. Kes was all smiles as she ran her hand through her hair and kissed her cheeks. Of all the scenarios that went through her mind, this was not among any of them. Timidly then Tal spoke, "So you are happy?" Kes could only nod her head. Tal spoke a bit more confidently, "Well now I just have to tell Mr. Paris."

Kes smiled, "Don't worry about Tom, we'll tell him together."