Chapter 3: Dreams and Fantasies
With Q gone, Janeway was finally alone, and free from the irritating and annoying Q. Suddenly, a wave of peace and euphoria hit Janeway, and kept on increasing wave after wave, a feeling which she was only dreaming of the day before, wondering perhaps if she would ever feel that way again. The realization that she had gone back in time, and given a second chance, and was only a quick transporter beam away from Mark, or Starfleet headquarters, or from her family, was so incredibly joyous, that tears of joy flowed down her eyes. A genuine, heartfelt smile, one that she hadn't had for years, suddenly and uncontrollably swept over her face. "Well, I'm finally home" Janeway confidently said, "its time to meet the family, and of course, you too, my love."
The same day, Janeway showered and dressed well, to meet her family members. She was overflowing with joy, happiness, and excitement. As she met her family, she deeply wanted to tell them the truth, that she really is a "different" Janeway for lack of a better word, a Janeway that has been changed to be suspicious, and doubtful of good news over the years, but each time she wanted to explain this to her family, she knew that it might only upset them, or make them think she had gone mad. So she decided against it. After meeting all her family members she wanted to see, she contacted Mark. On Earth, people still use AM/FM Radio and Microwave transmissions for communications, as it is unnecessary to use subspace radio when you are only sending messages within less than 1/7th the second of the distance the speed of light travels around the Earth, and because subspace transmissions use more power, making it wasteful to use for short distance communications.
Janeway and Mark finally met. Janeway had wore one of her best dress. She couldn't believe her eyes. "I've missed you", said Janeway, appearing as if they hadn't seen each other for years. "I missed you too", said Mark, "but we saw each other two days ago, are you alright?" asked Mark in a curious tone? "I'm fine, thanks for asking, it's just, I've had a lot on my mind" said Janeway, concealing the truth, that she is from a different time. Janeway couldn't help but feel slightly like an imposter, as if she has taken over the body of the "real" Janeway, the one that should be experiencing this moment, or experiencing another moment, but isn't, because her future self has been brought back in time, with all her memories of the future, intact.
Janeway decided its best to set her past, in this case, technically the future, aside, and enjoy her moment. Janeway and Mark finally rekindled and shared an intimate moment, a moment she had waited so long for, she pondered one more time whether she should really be here, or whether she should ask Q to send her back, but she decided not to be sent back, as it would condemn over 130 others, to the same fate. So she stayed, and finally slept soundly, after a long time, having convinced herself that she is really staying for the sake of over 130 others.