Q stood on the hull of Voyager looking at the Unicomplex as it exploded. A single word escaped his lips… "No." He snapped his fingers and was gone.

Meanwhile….

Relaxing in her home in San Francisco, Vice Admiral Janeway is watching a news transmission highlighting Voyager’s triumphant return to the Delta Quadrant ten years ago. Voyager slowly descends, diving toward the majestic Golden Gate Bridge. Thousands of people are shown outside, crowded together, necks craned upward to view the last few meters of Voyager's long journey home, voices hoarse from cheering the sleek vessel to its rest. Voyager swoops down, clearing the top of the landmark bridge in the San Francisco Bay with a hair's breadth to spare, then swoops upward and executes a spiraling upward climb through the rainbow of celebratory fire. The doorbell chimes.

"Would you please answer the door darling?" calls Seven from the kitchen. "I am just finishing the hors d'oeuvres."

"Yes dear." Admiral Janeway replies as she rises from the couch. She goes and opens the door.

"Harry! You are as prompt as ever. How’s captaincy treating you?" asks Admiral Janeway

"Quite well thank you. I brought this for you and Seven" Harry presents Janeway with a couple bottles of Andorian wine. Janeway smiles as she takes the bottles and motions for Harry to follow her into the kitchen.

Seven is busy plating various finger food, but pauses and gives Harry a smile and says, "How thoughtful!" Janeway puts the wine on the counter, slips her arms around Seven’s waist and gently kisses her on the cheek.

"This looks great!" says Harry. "Is everyone coming?"

Seven replies, "Yes, I believe so." As she hands a tray to Harry and Janeway and motions them toward the dining room table.

"I am glad I was able to return in time for the ten year mark and your 26th anniversary party. I was afraid they were going to send me back out without leave." Harry comments on the way to the table. "By the way Seven, how are things over at the Daystrom Institute?"

Before she has time to answer, the doorbell chimes again and she goes to answer it. B'Elanna Torres smiles at Seven and then envelopes her in a hug. "Seven, I have missed you. Q'onos is nice, but most of our friends have been moving back to Earth. As a matter of fact we are looking for a place here too."

The rest of the crew arrives and the party is in full swing. Suddenly, Seven feels a shift in phase. She finds Admiral Janeway and gently touches her arm to get her attention. She leans close and says "Kathryn, I need to speak to you a moment alone."

Admiral Janeway nods and turns to see Seven’s face. She senses the apprehension and moves them toward the kitchen. Seven and Admiral Janeway step into the kitchen pantry and close the door.

"What’s going on?" asks Admiral Janeway

"There has been a slight phase shift and I am unsure of the cause." replies Seven. "The last time I experienced this particular type of shift was on Stardate 54704.5 when…"

"Q" interrupts Admiral Janeway

"Yes." says Seven.

"Did someone mention my name?" asks Q as he appears between Seven and Admiral Janeway.

"Q. What are you doing here?!?" asks Admiral Janeway

"Now Kathy, is that anyway to greet an old friend? Besides, I thought I would at least get an invite to the party." Q puts on a pout and looks at the Admiral.

"Honestly, Q. That look won’t work on me. What is it you want?" replies Admiral Janeway

"Well, I need a favor. There is a certain disturbance in one of the timelines that only you and Seven can repair. I cannot tell you what the disturbance is or how to correct it. I can only say that you both are needed. Will you come?" pleads Q

Admiral Janeway pursed her lips and Seven arched her brow.

"Q, I do not appreciate being approached this way. You have provided limited information on what the problem is, yet you expect us to drop everything and go?" replies Admiral Janeway

"Kathy, please, you can trust me when I say the outcome is important to both you and Seven. I would solve it myself if I could, but the Q are not allowed to interfere that way. Seven, please help me." Q looks crestfallen

Seven turns to Admiral Janeway and says, "I cannot make an informed recommendation based on the given information Kathryn. However, I believe Q is being sincere. What do you wish to do?"

"Q, I want your reassurance that should something dire occur we will not be harmed and we will be returned, intact to this specific moment in time in this exact timeline." says Admiral Janeway

Q looking hopeful once more, nods in agreement and says, "Done."

Admiral Janeway turns to Seven and with a twinkle in her eyes says, "Sweetheart, we’ve been homebodies for far too long. I think we can afford a little adventure with Q, don’t you?"

"Yes Kathryn. I agree." replies Seven grasping Admiral Janeway’s hand.

Q gives them both a quick embrace, then "Snap!"

Stardate 54973.4.

Janeway rolls her eyes. She's in her ready room, and Chakotay is making a report. She's sipping coffee.

"When?" Janeway demands.

"0400."

"How many false alarms does that make?"

Chakotay shrugs. "Three--that we know of."

Janeway throws up her hands, spilling some coffee. "That baby is as stubborn as her mother!"

"Harry's starting a pool to see who can guess the actual date and time of birth."

Janeway puts down her coffee and folds her arms, deep in thought. She smiles. "Tell him to put me down for next...Friday, 2300 hours."

She smiles. "Anything else?"

"Crewman Chell's asked about taking over in the mess hall full-time."

Janeway snickers. She strolls over to the big sofa under the window and sits. "Neelix left some pretty big pots and pans to fill. Does Mr. Chell feel he's up to the challenge?"

"Apparently so. He's prepared a sample menu."

Chakotay walks up the steps and hands her a PADD with the proposed menu.

Janeway reads, incredulity growing with each item. "Plasma leek soup?!?" She looks up; Chakotay shrugs. "'Chicken core done blew.'" She laughs in spite of herself; Chakotay joins her.

"If his cooking's as bad as his puns, we're in trouble," Chakotay says.

"Oh, I don't know. I wouldn't mind giving his 'red alert chili' a try. Feel like having lunch?"

Chakotay hesitates. "I'd love to, but I've already made plans. Rain check?"

"Absolutely." Janeway smiles; Chakotay leaves. The captain returns to the proposed menu, laughing hysterically at the menu selections.

A few minutes later, Chakotay enters cargo bay two, and his eyes go wide. "What's this?"

Seven of Nine is kneeling on a red-and-white checkered picnic blanket. A wicker basket is nearby.

"A picnic," Seven says. She's smiling as she pours a glass of something red and rich. "According to my research this is an appropriate third date." She offers the glass.

Chakotay takes it. "You didn't have to go to this much trouble." He takes a sip.

Seven looks worried. "If this makes you uncomfortable I could prepare a less elaborate meal."

Chakotay kneels on the blanket. "No, no," he reassures her. "Don't change a thing." He takes another sip, looks satisfied, and then raises the glass in toast. "This is perfection." His smile is radiant.

Seven's is as well. The two glasses clink.

"I am doing all the things I should, but I still have not achieved the feeling of completeness." thinks Seven as she drinks her wine. "Chakotay is a patient and kind individual and clearly interested in me, but there is something lacking. I will have to analyze this more later."

Meanwhile, in the mess hall, Icheb's brows furrow in concentration. He's holding a kal-toh piece in his hand, waving it uncertainly over the chaotic pile of metal strips. He is playing against Tuvok with some unsolicited "help" from Harry.

Icheb makes his move.

Nothing happens.

"You should've listened to me," Harry says smugly.

Tuvok makes his move a moment later. After setting the strip in place, the game shimmers a bit--and resolves into a partially completed sphere.

"Kal-toh is as much a game of patience as it is of logic," Tuvok explains. "An experienced player will sometimes take several hours to decide his next move, and in some cases even days may be necessary to--"

While Tuvok explains, Icheb makes his next move. The game shimmers a bit, and resolves a moment later into a perfect geometric shape.

Icheb smiles. "Kal-toh!"

Harry's eyes pop out of his head and roll around on the table. "You beat him!"

Tuvok shows only a glimmer of annoyance, but he is gracious in defeat. "Congratulations."

Icheb senses the Vulcan's discomfort. "I'm sure it was just beginner's luck, sir." He smiles sheepishly. "I'd offer you a rematch, but I'm due in Astrometrics."

"Another time, perhaps," Tuvok says. Icheb leaves.

Tuvok leaves moments later after declining to play another game against Harry.

He goes directly to sickbay for an exam. The Doctor runs a scan checks the results and frowns. "I am detecting lower neuro-peptide levels."

"As I suspected," Tuvok says. "My condition is deteriorating."

"It's a minor change," the Doctor counters. "We knew it would happen." He prepares a hypospray. "I simply have to increase your medication." He applies the dose to Tuvok's neck.

The injection seems to have an immediate effect. "Thank you, Doctor," says Tuvok, with a look of relief. He gets up and prepares to leave.

The Doctor stops him. "Commander, I understand your desire for privacy--but maybe it's time we informed the Captain."

"I will inform her if and when the disorder begins to affect the performance of my duties." replies Tuvok and leaves.

Over in Astrometrics Neelix and Seven are playing a game of kadis-kot.

"Your move," Seven says.

Neelix moves. "Green, Grid 1210."

"Red, Grid 313," Seven counters.

"Tricky!" Neelix says appreciatively.

"How's Brax?" Seven asks.

"Wonderful! Thanks for asking. I know I can never replace his father, but..."

Seven smiles. "I have no doubt the boy looks up to you."

"I haven't told anyone but I'm thinking of asking Dexa to marry me."

Seven beams. "She'd be wise to accept."

Again, the grateful smile. Then he leers. "That's enough of my love life. How about yours?"

Seven stiffens and replies, "I don't have a love life."

"Oh?" Neelix asks, clearly not believing it. "What about your relationship with Commander Chakotay?"

As her thoughts again turn to the puzzle of what is lacking in her relationship with Chakotay, she forces the thought away and replies "It's your turn."

"Actually, it's yours." Neelix's voice softens. "At least tell me how he liked the picnic!"

"He found it enjoyable. Thank you for suggesting it." Seven replies.

Neelix asks, "But what about you? Did you enjoy the picnic?"

Suddenly a console on Seven's Astrometrics sensors beeps furiously.

"What is it?" Neelix asks.

"Long-range sensors are detecting extremely high neutrino emissions...accompanied by intermittent graviton flux. Approximately three light-years away."

"A wormhole?"

"I'm not sure. I'll need to conduct more scans."

Neelix nods in understanding "We can finish our game tomorrow."

Seven nods. "I'll contact you at the usual time." The screen switches from Neelix's face to scans of the source area of the new readings.

Seven begins her report to the staff, "The emissions are occurring at the center of the nebula," Seven explains, showing the staff an image of a massive nebula pulsating with loads of bright spots. "There appear to be hundreds of distinct sources."

Harry draws the most obvious conclusion. "Which could translate to hundreds of wormholes!"

"The radiation is interfering with our sensors, but if Ensign Kim's enthusiasm turns out to be justified, it would be the most concentrated occurrence of wormholes ever recorded." replies Seven smiling.

Janeway's also grinning. "Any idea where they lead?"

"Not yet," says Harry. "But if just one of them leads to the alpha quadrant..." He lets the suggestion dangle.

The staff head for the bridge and assume their stations. Seven heads for Astrometrics. Tom begins cautious entry into the nebula. Voyager beings to shudder.

"What is it?" Janeway asks.

"I'm detecting a tritanium signature, bearing 342, mark 55," Tuvok says.

"Whatever it is, it's too close," Tom says.

"Evasive maneuvers!"

"Was it a ship?" Chakotay asks Tuvok.

"Possibly."

Once again Voyager shudders as it encounters a wave. This one is powerful enough to visibly shake the crew. "Another tritanium signature right on top of us!" Harry yells.

A second later, visibility clears enough to see a large shape barreling toward them.

A cube shape.

"Tom!" Janeway shouts.

Tom ducks. The ship follows.

The Cube scrapes some of the paint off Voyager's hull, but otherwise Tom evaded just in time.

"Get us out of here now," Janeway orders.

"Vessel identified: USS Voyager. We will pursue and assimilate."

A solitary voice dissents from the Collective. The Borg Queen descends regally. "No. They haven't compromised our security. Let the vessel continue..."

She smiles suggesting she has something special planned for Voyager

"For now." The Queen stares at the fleeing vessel. "I'll keep an eye on them."

After moving out of the nebula and the crew has settled down, Tuvok says, "There's no evidence that the cube detected us."

"Where is it now?" Chakotay asks.

"Approximately three light-years away," says Seven of Nine.

"How could they not have seen us?" Tom asks, still sweating from the near-miss. "We came within ten meters of their hull!"

"The Borg wouldn't knowingly risk a collision," Tuvok says. "The radiation must have interfered with their sensors as well."

"If they can't detect us, we should go back!" replies Harry.

"I wouldn't recommend it," says Seven. "My analysis of the titanium signature suggests there were at least 47 Borg vessels inside the nebula

"We can't just give up on those wormholes!" says Harry.

"Oh, yes, we can," says Janeway.

Harry interjects, "What if we try to modify--"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Kim," Janeway says, her voice commanding "You may be the Captain someday, but not today."

Seven arrives in sickbay for her weekly checkup. She has been thinking more about her recent experiment in dating with Chakotay. Perhaps the problem lies in her "emotional" fail-safe device within her cortical node. The device may be stifling the type of response she is searching for,

"You're fine--aside from some minor inflammation around your biradial clamp," the Doctor concludes. "Let me know if it starts to bother you." He starts to move on, but notices that Seven is still sitting on the diagnostic table.

"Is there something else?" he asks.

Seven hesitates. "Do you remember three months ago, when my cortical node shut down?"

The Doctor answers with sympathy. "How could I forget?"

"You said it might be possible to remove the fail-safe device that was causing the problem."

"Has it been giving you trouble again?"

"No. But I've...reconsidered your offer to extract it."

The Doctor smiles. "I've been hoping you would."

"You said it would require several surgeries."

"Actually, in anticipation of your change of heart, I've been studying the problem in more detail." He pulls up Seven’s chart. "I now believe I can reconfigure the microcircuitry with a single procedure."

Seven walks over to see what he has in mind.

"You'll be free to experience the full ranges of emotions--everything from a hearty belly laugh to a good cry."

"How soon can you do it?"

"Today, if you'd like."

Seven nods. "My shift ends at 1800 hours."

"It's a date."

Seven walks toward the door. The Doctor stops her. "Speaking of dates...Once the fail-safe is gone, you'll be free to pursue more...intimate relationships," he says choosing his words carefully.

"I'm aware of that," Seven says guardedly.

"If you decide you need help with that aspect of your humanity...I'm always at your disposal."

"I...appreciate that."

The Doctor rushes over to her. "Really?"

"Yes..." she says, "But...I already have all the help I need."

"Ah...of course. You'll undoubtedly be running more simulations with the Chakotay hologram."

"No, actually." Seven turns around so as not to betray her emotions. "I'll see you at 1800 hours." She leaves.

The Doctor looks both confused and crestfallen.

On her way back to her quarters the comm channel chirps. "Senior officers to the bridge," Janeway’s voice rings out. Seven feels something flutter in her stomach and a warmth flows from her center. She pauses for a moment, but the feeling passes. "Odd." she thinks. She continues to the bridge.

"What is it?" Chakotay asks as he takes his seat.

"Judging from the tachyon emissions, some sort of temporal rift," says Janeway.

Seven takes her station. "How's it being generated?"

"That's what we're trying to figure out."

Meanwhile in Stardate 54983.4 Admiral Janeway is ready. "Computer, activate the chronodeflector."

The siren-like device on the shuttle's hull lights up with a green glow, but before it can do anything, two Klingon vessels arrive and fire on the shuttle. The shuttle’s shields light up.

"Deploy armor!" Janeway shouts.

"Unable to comply. Ablative generator is off-line." drones the computer

Janeway curses. "Evasive pattern, beta six. Open a channel to the Rhode Island."

Captain Harry Kim and his ship appear a moment later. "Harry, I'm under attack! Get these Klingons off my tail!"

Captain Harry complies, and the Rhode Island fires until the Klingon vessels retreat.

Janeway continues on. "Computer, activate the tachyon pulse and direct it to these spatial and temporal coordinates."

Once again the siren lights up. A green beam lances forward like a search light, opening a rift in space and time.

"There's a vessel coming through the rift," Tuvok announces.

"Klingon?" Chakotay asks.

Tuvok checks. "No. Federation."

The shuttlecraft spurts through the rift and heads straight for Voyager.

"We're being hailed," Ensign Kim reports.

Janeway hesitates for only a moment. She stands and walks toward Tom. "Onscreen," she orders.

The face on screen is familiar...and not. So is the uniform. "Recalibrate your deflector to emit an anti-tachyon pulse. You have to seal that rift." So is that voice. It's a voice used to being obeyed. The eyes are hard.

Captain Janeway matches the intensity of the newcomer's expression. "It's usually considered polite to introduce yourself before you start giving orders."

"Captain, a Klingon vessel is coming through," Tuvok reports.

The admiral on the viewscreen repeats the order. "Close the rift!"

Captain Janeway glares.

Admiral Janeway glares back. "In case you didn't notice, I outrank you, Captain. Now do it!"

Captain Janeway responds with a nod. Before the Klingon ships can breach the rift, a beam from Voyager slams the door on them.

Captain Janeway glares at Admiral Janeway. "I did what you asked. Now tell me what the hell is going on."

Admiral Janeway is unmoved and simply says, "I've come to bring Voyager home."

Meanwhile onboard the Unimatrix, the queen turns away from her viewscreen. She has been monitoring the events. She smiles.

The rift has closed. The shuttle from the future is safely under Voyager's wing.

Captain Janeway, Commander Chakotay and Commander Tuvok stand at attention in the transporter room. At Janeway's command, the transporter officer activates the beam-in.

The Admiral appears. She smiles at her two former junior officers with a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Welcome aboard," Captain Janeway says warily.

Admiral Janeway smiles warmly. "It's good to be back."

Admiral Janeway and Seven, dressed now in Starfleet uniforms, courtesy of Q, found themselves in VIP Quarters 2 onboard Voyager.

"The stardate is 54973.5 in timeline epsilon." says Q "You are onboard Voyager in the Delta Quadrant. Your other selves are here as well. Good luck!" he snaps his fingers and is gone.

"Great." mumbles Admiral Janeway. "Well let’s see what is going on, but we will need to be careful and do our best to uphold the Prime Directive."

Seven replies, "Kathryn, I can access the ships logs from here. I will use one of my standard encryption codes as I do not want undue attention to our actions. " Seven also cloaked their lifesigns and encrypted the door.

"Do it." replies Admiral Janeway.

Seven accesses the logs, concern drifts across her features, and she quickly summarizes the situation.

"Kathryn, it appears that Captain Janeway has encountered the same nebula that we did. However, this time it is filled with Borg ships. In addition, it seems that another Admiral Janeway has just arrived from the future of this timeline with promises to bring Voyager home."

"Well, that is interesting. I wonder what decision the Captain made that brought the Admiral all the way back here. The Admiral has obviously violated the temporal Prime Directive and who knows what else she has planned." replies Admiral Janeway.

Meanwhile, Seven has been continuing her scans of the ships logs. "Kathryn, I have analyzed this Seven’s personal logs and in this timeline she does not yet have an intimate relationship. This Seven has been dating Chakotay and has just had her failsafe removed. She has also been questioning her lack of intimate feelings for him."

Admiral Janeway paled for a moment as thoughts of Seven with Chakotay drifted through her mind. She goes to Seven and hugs her from behind, her lips near to Seven’s ear. "That would have been a terrible mistake for both of us" she whispers.

"Yes." agreed Seven as she turned into Admiral Janeway’s embrace and kissed her with a passion that never dulled. The Admiral returned the kiss, deepening it as a low moan came from Seven. It was several minutes before they broke apart with the Admiral rasping, "We need to stop. For now, anyway."

"Yes Kathryn. For now I will wait. I do not promise that for later." Seven smiles coyly at the Admiral.

"Let’s monitor the situation for a while longer and see what the other Admiral’s plan might be." Admiral Janeway suggested.

"Agreed." says Seven.

In the ready room, the Captain asks "Fresh coffee. Would you like a cup?"

"No," says the Admiral. "I gave it up years ago. I only drink tea now."

The Captain looks at her unbelieving.

The Admiral walks over to the window by the couch and sighs "I told the curator at the museum that if he wanted to make the ready room more authentic, he should always keep a steaming pot of coffee on the desk."

The Captain rolls her eyes. "Voyager's in a museum?"

The Admiral grins. "Voyager is a museum. On the grounds of the Presidio." She points out the window. "On a clear morning, you can see Alcatraz from here."

The Captain smiles, "You made it back to Earth."

The Admiral looks back at the Captain." Unfortunately, our favorite cup took a bit of a beating along the way. It was damaged during a battle with the Fen Domar." She plucks the coffee mug from the Captain's hands and inhales deeply, savoring the aroma of the coffee.

"Who?"

The Admiral waves her hand. "You'll run into them in a few years."

The Captain gets a bit edgy. "You know what? I shouldn't be listening to details about the future."

"Oh, the Almighty Temporal Prime Directive...take my advice. It's less of a headache if you just ignore it." replies the Admiral

The Captain's eyes are cold. "You've obviously decided to, or you wouldn't be here."

"A lot's happened to me since I was you."

"Well, I'm still me, and this is still my ship. So no more talk about what's going to happen until I decide otherwise." The Captain gives the Admiral the level ten stare. "Understood?"

The Admiral is unfazed, but she changes tactics. "Alright. Let's talk about the past. Three days ago, you detected elevated neutrino emissions in a nebula in grid 986. You thought it might be a way home. You were right. I've come to tell you to take Voyager back to that nebula."

The Captain blinks. "It was crawling with Borg!"

The Admiral stares. "I've brought technology that'll get us past them."

The Captain rolls her eyes in disbelief.

"Oh, I don't blame you for being skeptical--but if you can't trust yourself, who can you trust?" The Admiral smiles innocently.

The Captain begins to pace. "For the sake of argument, let's say I believe everything you're telling me. The future you come from sounds pretty good! Voyager's home, I'm an Admiral. There are ways to defend against the Borg." she waves her hands and twirls in place. "My ready room even gets preserved for posterity--"

"So, why would you want to tamper with such a rosy timeline?" the Admiral asks knowingly. "To answer that I'd have to tell you more than you want to know." She walks back downstairs and stops centimeters from her former self. "But...suffice it to say, if you don't do what I'm suggesting, it's going to take you another sixteen years to get this ship home." Her face grows sad. "And there are going to be casualties along the way."

The Captain says nothing.

"I know exactly what you're thinking," the Admiral says.

"You've also become a telepath?" the Captain asks coldly.

"I used to be you, remember? You're asking yourself, 'Is she really who she says she is? Or is this some sort of deception?'" The Admiral strolls upstairs. She sets herself elegantly upon the sofa under the window. "For all you know, I could be a member of Species 8472 in disguise."

The Captain purses her lips.

"Have your people examine my shuttle. Tell them to take a close look at the weapons systems and the armor technology. In the meantime, the Doctor can confirm my identity."

On the far side of sickbay, the Doctor quietly tells the Captain, "My scans of the Admiral's cerebral cortex turned up something interesting."

"What is it?"

"I'm not sure--I've never seen this kind of implant before." He shows her an enlargement of what could be a microchip.

"Alien technology?" the Captain asks.

The Doctor shakes his head. "The microcircuitry has a Starfleet signature."

The Admiral, on the opposite side of sickbay is lazily kicking her legs over and under the diagnostic bed. "Of course it does," she says dryly.

The Doctor and the Captain look up and turn to the Admiral in shock.

"Admiral?" the Doctor says.

"You invented it--twelve years ago from my perspective," she tells the Doctor.

"I'm sorry, Admiral, I didn't realize..."

"What? That I was eavesdropping? I may be old, but my hearing's still excellent--thanks to your exemplary care over the years."

The Doctor crosses over to the Admiral eagerly. "So, this...implant I'm going to invent--what does it do?"

"It's a synaptic transceiver. It allows me to pilot a vessel equipped with a neural interface."

"Fascinating!" exclaims the Doctor "Tell me, what other extraordinary breakthroughs am I going to make?"

"Doctor!" the Captain hisses.

"Sorry, Captain--but you can't blame a hologram for being curious."

"Just finish your report."

"Yes, ma'am." Doc walks back over to the display console to continue his report. "My scans indicate that the two of you are genetically identical. The admiral is you, approximately 26 years from now."

Seven of Nine enters. The Admiral looks up and her face takes on a saddened expression. "Hello, Seven."

Seven of Nine looks at the Admiral and feels a pang of something in her heart, she is not sure what, but it hurts. She chooses to ignore the Admiral for now and turns toward the Captain. Seven meets the Captain’s gaze and suddenly feels overwhelmed with emotion as she looks deeply into the blue-grey eyes. She cannot remember what she came to say.

"Seven?" the Captain asks gently. "Is there something wrong?"

The Captain’s question jars Seven’s mind back into focus. She starts and says, "No Captain. I have come to report my findings. The technology aboard the Admiral's ship is impressive. Much of it appears to have been designed to defend against the Borg."

"Could we install these systems on Voyager?" Captain Janeway asks although she is still wondering about Seven.

"The stealth technology is incompatible. But I believe we can adapt the armor and weapons."

"Well, Captain?" Admiral Janeway asks.

With all eyes on her, Captain Janeway makes her decision. "Do it."

Seven again feels a strange sort of thrill course through her, but nods her head, turns, and leaves.

Seven is entering Cargo Bay 2 and steps over to her workstation. She is getting ready to perform her daily check of the computer system but she seems distracted. "Why did I react so to the Captain earlier?" she muses. She then runs a scan of her cortical node to correlate her reactions to the Captain over time. Her eyebrow rises as she processes the results. She then cross references the data to social interactions and relationships. She goes to make an entry in her personal log.

Stardate 54973.8 Personal Log

I had the Doctor remove my failsafe device today. Since then I have been experiencing a new level of emotion, especially around the Captain. Even now as I think of her, warmth fills my being.

I have evaluated these feelings against profiles for friendship at various levels and against my feelings for other members of the crew. Based on those comparisons, I can state that Harry Kim is a friend and B’Elanna Torres is a close friend. When I analyze my feelings for Chakotay he also falls into the friend category, but when I think of the Captain my feelings are beyond that of a close friend. Could this be what I have been looking for? Is this what is called "love"? I must conduct more research.

She finishes her entry and begins the system wide scan she runs everyday to ensure the safety of her collective. Her fingers fly across the workstation. Suddenly, she pauses. "What’s this?" she says aloud.

Meanwhile, back in VIP Quarters 2, Admiral Janeway and Seven are found lying in bed. Both are naked, with the topsheet winding around various bodyparts.

"Seven, I told you we were going to wait for later." the Admiral says smiling and placing her index finger lovingly on Seven’s nose.

Seven laughs and replies "Kathryn, we did wait for exactly 4.2 hours, before you could not keep your hands to yourself."

"That was only because you decided to change into "something more comfortable" while I was watching."

"That is irrelevant."

The workstation emits a beep. Seven starts and looks at the Admiral. "I suggest you get dressed darling." she says calmly as she rises and gathers her clothes. We are about to have a guest.

"What do you mean?"

"I set up an alarm if my encryption codes were breached. It seems that they have been and the only one who could do that is the other Seven. As it is likely she is similar in nature to me, she will trace the source and arrive here in approximately 15 minutes."

"Damn." replies Admiral Janeway as she too begins to gather her clothes.

Exactly 14.8 minutes later the entry bell chimes. Seven and the Admiral are sitting on the couch discussing a plan. Seven turns and says, "Enter."

The door opens and the younger Seven warily steps through. Admiral Janeway rises from the couch and says, "Hello Seven. We have been expecting you"

The older Seven turns her head and meets the younger Seven’s eyes. The younger Seven feels a strange lightness in her head and the room beings to swim. The older Seven jumps up from the couch and yells, "Kathryn, she is going to faint!"

"We must have been too much of a shock for her." says Kathryn as the older Seven carries the younger to the couch and lays her down.

"I’ll get a cold cloth." Kathryn goes to the replicator and gets a cool compress for the younger Seven’s head. She takes it over to the couch, sits next to the younger Seven, and gently places the compress on her. She takes her had and moves some errant hair from Seven’s face and smiles.

"How could the Captain let Seven date Chakotay?" she wonders aloud.

The older Seven gently replies, "Like you, the Captain must have difficulty recognizing that she too deserves to be loved. She hides her true feelings behind Starfleet protocols that do not apply in the Delta Quadrant. She may not even be aware that Seven was dating."

The older Seven left the Admiral’s side and went back over to the workstation. She checked the system for updates and scanned the relevant entries. She downloaded the Captain’s recent personal log onto a PADD and returned to the Admiral’s side.

"Based on her recent personal log, it looks like she is beginning to realize her feelings for the Captain."

"Seven, you should not be reading her personal logs." admonished the Admiral

"Kathryn, I am merely trying to ascertain the best course of action to take with her. Currently, her Borg systems are adjusting to the amount of emotion she now has access to. She will wake up shortly, but before she does, I think you should read this."

"What is it?"

"The PADD contains the Captain’s personal log and her account of what the other Admiral Janeway has planned."

Grudgingly Admiral Janeway accepts the PADD from Seven and quickly reads the entry. Her face begins to harden. "This is serious." she says.

"Yes." replies Seven taking the PADD back and setting on the table.

"Mmmn…Kathryn?" the younger Seven mumbles although still asleep.

Admiral Janeway turns back to her and gently touches her face. "It’s going to be alright Seven." she says quietly.

Seven turns her face toward the Admiral’s touch. The Admiral softly smiles and says to the older Seven, "I think the Captain will shortly have a surprise headed her way."

The younger Seven suddenly awakes and sits up looking at both Admiral Janeway and the older version of herself. "Who are you and what are your intentions?" she demands.

Older Seven replies, "I am Seven of Nine and this is Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway we are from a different timeline. Our intentions are to determine why we are here."

"How am I to know you are telling the truth?" says the younger Seven

The older Seven reaches out her hand and says, "Come here and I will show you."

The younger Seven rises from the couch and allows the older Seven to guide her to the workstation. "We will interface through the workstation, I will allow you access to some of my personal memories."

"Seven, is that wise?" asks Admiral Janeway

"Yes Kathryn. This is the fastest way for us to share information" replies the older Seven as she begins the interface.

The younger Seven follows suit and turns to look at the older Seven. Their eyes meet and their minds connect. The younger Seven sees the older Seven’s Voyager and her crew flying through the Delta Quadrant, fighting the Hirogen, discovering the Omega particle and coming to this same nebula.

Her feelings again surface as she sees the elder Seven playing velocity with the then Captain Janeway, having dinner in the Captain’s quarters, watching the Captain laugh at a joke, coming forward to kiss Seven, wearing dress whites and saying "I do".

"Enough." says the younger Seven as tears fall from her eyes, her legs feel weak. "Enough. I need to sit down."

"Seven what did you do?" asks Admiral Janeway rushing to assist the younger Seven.

"I showed her scenes from our life."

"It’s all right." says the younger Seven. "She has answered my questions and helped me to see that what I have been feeling recently toward my own Captain is love."

She paused in her thoughts and continued, "I do not know if the Captain will return these feelings and right now is not a good time to find out. We are in the process of installing the Ablative armor and are preparing to re-enter the nebula. The other Admiral is quite determined that the way back to Earth is through that nebula."

"It is…I mean it was for us." said Admiral Janeway quietly. "Right now we need a plan of what we are going to do."

The three of them begin discussing possible options of how and when to tell the Captain of the presence of the second Admiral Janeway and the older Seven.

"Tell me more about Admiral Janeway." says Admiral Janeway.

"I only saw her for 3.5 minutes." began Seven. "She has not aged as you have. She appears older than her years and has an unhappy disposition. The Captain seems distressed by the Admiral’s appearance and mannerisms." Seven paused and then said quietly, "My heart hurt when I looked into the Admiral’s eyes."

"It sounds as if she has suffered greatly since her time in the Delta Quadrant." says Seven. "Perhaps we should meet with the Admiral first."

Admiral Janeway replies, "That might be a good idea. Seven, I assume she will be staying in the VIP Quarters as well. Computer…locate Admiral Janeway."

"Admiral Janeway is resting in VIP Quarters 1." Comes the reply.

"Let’s go." says Admiral Janeway.

The door chime rang in VIP Quarters 1. Admiral Janeway was seated at the workstation reviewing crew files. Her face reflecting joy or sorrow depending on the crew member and the memories she had. She did not hear the chime until the third time it sounded.

"Come." she says as she turned to see who was there.

The door swished open and the younger Seven entered followed closely by the older Seven and Admiral Janeway.

"What the hell is going on here!" she demanded striding over to where the trio stood.

Admiral Janeway stepped up and went toe to toe with her likeness. "I could ask the same thing of you!" she replied giving the second Admiral the "level ten" stare.

The older Seven steps up next to the two Admirals and with a gentle voice says "Kathryn, please stop."

The two Admirals stop staring at each other and turn toward the older Seven. Admiral Janeway from the epsilon timeline stares at Seven, then at Admiral Janeway, then back to Seven. She is speechless.

"Sorry darling." says Admiral Janeway with a small smile.

Epsilon Admiral Janeway steps back and tears can be seen in her eyes. She has calmed down from the shock and simply says, "Explain."

Admiral Janeway gives her the short version saying that there was a timeline shift that landed them both here and that they are simply trying to figure out why and how to return to their own time.

"You and Seven are married then?" asks Epsilon Admiral Janeway.

"Yes," replies Seven with a bright smile. "We have been married for 26 years 12 hours and 3.6 minutes."

Epsilon Admiral Janeway gets a far off look. Admiral Janeway reaches over and squeezes the older Seven’s shoulder as if to say, "Good timing."

The younger Seven watches the three for a few moments, wondering exactly what happened to cause Epsilon Admiral Janeway return to this point in time. The thought passes as she thinks again of Captain Janeway and the current situation.

She says looking at Admiral Janeway and the older Seven, "We still need to inform the Captain of your presence here."

Epsilon Janeway replies, "She doesn’t know you two are here?"

Admiral Janeway replies, "No, not yet."

The older Seven says, "I have masked our lifesigns and we have remained in VIP Quarters 2 since our arrival."

The four of them begin discussing how to best approach Captain Janeway and finally agree that it would be best to inform her first thing in the morning. They will meet at VIP Quarters 1 at 06:00.

Seven returns to Cargo Bay 2 for regeneration. She learned that the older Seven no longer needs an alcove to regenerate nor does she need to regenerate as often. She steps up on the dais and enters the alcove. "Computer, begin regeneration cycle." she commands. The cycle begins.

"Seven of Nine, tertiary adjunct of Unimatrix Zero One." The voice rings in Seven’s mind. Her face shows signs of anger. Seven sees the virtual realm of the Hive and its Queen.

The Borg Queen smiles, saying, "It's been too long."

"What do you want?" Seven asks hotly.

"Do I need a reason to visit a friend?"

"We are not friends."

"No," the Queen agrees. "We are more than that. We are family."

"And while we're on the subject of old friends," the Queen says in a sultry voice, "I see that Voyager has just got a visitor--and she's come from the future. Tell me why."

"You may be able to communicate with me while I'm regenerating but I'm no longer a drone--I don't answer to you!"

The Queen slowly closes her eyes. When she opens them again, the scene has shifted, Voyager appears on a screen near Seven's head. "I've extrapolated Voyager's trajectory. I know that you are returning to the nebula. I suggest you alter course."

"Why should we comply?" Seven demands.

The Queen launches herself at Seven. She lovingly caresses Seven’s cheek saying

"You've always been my favorite, Seven." The Queen continues her caress running her hands over Seven's arms and other sensitive parts as she whispers into her ear. "In spite of your obvious imperfections, I know how much you care for the Voyager crew, so I've left them alone."

The Queen's tone changes to one of sadness, "Imagine...how you would feel if I were forced to assimilate them."

Seven resists the Queen’s touches and replies, "Voyager is no threat to the Collective. We simply want to return to the Alpha Quadrant!"

The Queen has come full circle around Seven and is now nose to nose with her, their lips only centimeters apart. Seven is having difficulty controlling the varying emotions running through her system. She is unsure what the Queen is going to next.

The Queen speaks in a whisper. "I've no objection to that. But if you try to enter my nebula again...I'll destroy you." The Queen places a gentle kiss on Seven’s lips, turns away, and is gone.

The encounter seems to have overloaded Seven's alcove. It begins to crackle with energy discharge. Seven’s eyes fly open and with a horrified expression she spasms a few seconds, stiffens and collapses to the floor.

"Warning," says the computer. "Regeneration cycle incomplete."

"Kathryn, wake up!" demands Seven as an alarm can be heard emitting from the workstation in VIP Quarters 2.

"What is it?" asks the Admiral groggily

"Something is wrong with Seven’s alcove! Her regeneration cycle is incomplete and her lifesigns are weak!" replies Seven.

"Computer two to transport to Cargo Bay 2," says the Admiral.

They arrive to find Seven slumped on the floor. The Admiral rushes to her aid while the older Seven investigates the Cargo Bay.

"There are no signs of attack, but her alcove is in need of repair. We should get her to Sickbay."

The Admiral requests another site-to-site transport and the three arrive in Sickbay. The Doctor appears automatically saying, "Please state the nature of the medical emergency."

The older Seven turns and places the younger Seven on the nearest biobed.

"What is gong on here!" demands the Doctor

"Seven’s alcove has malfunctioned and she is in need of immediate treatment," says the older Seven giving the Doctor a look that does not leave room for questions.

While the Doctor treats Seven. Admiral Janeway contacts Epsilon Admiral Janeway and they discuss what to do regarding the Captain. They decide that the Doctor will contact Captain Janeway and Epsilon Admiral Janeway will "bump" into her on the way to sickbay. Admiral Janeway and the older Seven will wait in the Doctor’s office for them to arrive and Epsilon Admiral Janeway will make an excuse to go in there with the Captain.

The Doctor who has been listening says, "What if I don’t agree."

Admiral Janeway curtly replies, "What if I have Seven here change your programming?"

"Very well… I agree." says the Doctor. "Doctor to Captain Janeway."

Captain Janeway was smiling in her sleep. Dreams of Seven floated through her subconscious. They were back home in Indiana sitting on her mother’s front porch. The sun was beginning to set on a warm summer night and the fields were abuzz with the sounds of the evening.

Seven was wearing a boots, jeans, and a blue plaid shirt that matched her eyes. She had her hair pulled back in a pony tail. "She is so beautiful," thought Janeway. "Does she even realize how she makes me feel?"

At that moment, Seven reached up and let her hair down. Janeway thought "This must be what angels look like."

Seven spoke, "Kathryn, what are you thinking?"

Janeway replied, "That I would like to kiss you."

Seven smiled a big full smile and laughing said, "Then, what are you waiting for?"

As Janeway leaned in to touch those luscious red lips, her heart beating faster, she heard a voice in the distance.

"Doctor to Captain Janeway. Please respond."

"Dammit!" she said to no one in particular angry that her dream had been interrupted. "This had better be important" she thought.

"Janeway here Doctor"

"I just wanted to inform you that Seven’s alcove has malfunctioned and she is here in sickbay."

"What?!? I am on my way. Janeway out."

Captain Janeway quickly dressed and was headed toward the lift when Epsilon Admiral Janeway caught up with her.

"Captain, where are you going in such a hurry?" asks the Admiral

"Seven is in sickbay. Her alcove malfunctioned and since the Borg is in the vicinity I want to be sure she is alright." replies Janeway a bit disconcerted.

"Is that the only reason you want to check on her?" asks the Admiral

They enter the lift.

"What do you mean?" asks Janeway defensively

"You know full well what I mean." replies the Admiral gently. "She is the single best thing that ever happened to you and yet you deny yourself the opportunity to be loved by hiding behind Protocols that simply do not apply out here."

"How dare you!!!" snaps Janeway as the lift doors open. She turns and storms out of the lift heading toward Sickbay with the Epsilon Admiral close on her heels.

The Sickbay door opens and Janeway still stung from the Admiral’s comment barks "Report!" at the Doctor.

"Would you please keep it down! Seven is asleep. Her cortical node was exposed to a low-energy EM surge," the Doctor explains. "It could have been much worse."

"What caused the surge?" concern fills the Captain’s voice.

"I don’t know" replies the Doctor. "We will have to wait until she wakes up."

"When will that be?"

"Within the half hour. We are lucky to have a spare alcove she can use for now until we can fix the other one."

Epsilon Admiral Janeway takes this opportunity to corner the Captain. She says,

"Captain, I need to speak with you alone. Would you please come into the Doctor’s office so as not to disturb Seven?"

"Fine." replies Janeway her feathers are still ruffled but the anger has abated.

They enter the Doctor’s office, Epsilon Admiral Janeway going first to block the Captain’s view of the others. Once the Captain has entered the room Seven says "Computer lock door. Authorization code Red, Omega, Seven, Pi."

Captain Janeway’s eyes blaze as she looks up to find that there is a second Admiral Janeway and another Seven.

"What the Hell is going on around here!" shouts Captain Janeway anger clearly pouring from her features.

Seven steps near the Captain and places her hands on the Captain’s shoulders. The Captain turns to face Seven and looks deeply into her pools of blue, trying desperately to control the rage and fear coursing through her.

"Captain, we will explain everything," says Seven gently. "First you must calm down so we can talk."

The combination of Seven’s touch and her voice triggered something in the Captain. She felt herself relaxing. She could see how much Seven cared about her wellbeing. Yet, this was not her Seven, but maybe her Seven cared as well. This thought flitted through her as she composed herself.

"Very well," says the Captain and goes and sits in the Doctor’s chair.

Admiral Janeway tells her about their arrival, what they have discussed with Epsilon Admiral Janeway, and what they know about the nebula in their own timeline.

"I assure you Captain, there is a 99% certainty that there is a wormhole to Earth within that nebula," says Seven.

"My worry is what else lies in that nebula," replies the Captain.

Epsilon Admiral Janeway interjects, "I will tell you what else lies in that nebula only if you agree to take Voyager through the wormhole to Earth."

"What kind of game are you playing at?" asks both Captain and Admiral Janeway simultaneously.

"No game. I just want to make sure that Voyager uses this opportunity to go home," replies the Epsilon Admiral.

"Why?" demands Captain Janeway

"I would violate the Temporal Prime Directive if I told you."

"You have already violated that, what more harm could you possibly cause?" asks the Captain

"Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you." replies the Epsilon Admiral as she begins. "Seven years ago, you had the chance to use the Caretaker's array to get Voyager home. Instead, you destroyed it."

The Captain bristles. "I did what I knew was right."

"You chose to put the lives of strangers ahead of the lives of your crew. You can't make the same mistake again."

The Captain is not accepting that line of reasoning and says, "You got Voyager home--which means I will, too. If it takes a few more years then that's--"

"Seven of Nine is going to die."

The Captain stops in her tracks. "What?"

"Three years from now. She'll be injured on an away mission. She'll make it back to Voyager, and die in the arms of her husband."

Captain Janeway turns pale. "Husband?" she croaks.

"Chakotay…He'll never be the same after Seven's death--and neither will you."

Captain Janeway clamps her mouth shut. She grinds her teeth and just cannot accept what is being said.

"If I know what's going to happen...I can avoid it," she says, not quite convincingly.

"Seven isn't the only one," the Epsilon Admiral continues. "Between this day, and the day I got Voyager home, I lost 22 crew members. And then, of course, there's Tuvok."

"What about him?" asks the Captain clearly shaken by what she is hearing.

The Epsilon Admiral knows this is her winning blow and cynically states, "Tuvok has a degenerative neurological condition that he hasn't told you about."

Captain Janeway pinches the bridge of her nose. She can feel a huge headache coming on.

Epsilon Admiral Janeway smiles. "There's a cure in the Alpha Quadrant--but if he doesn't get it in time..." she pauses for effect. "Even if you alter Voyager's route, limit your contact with alien species, you're going to lose people." She pauses again to let the Captain consider the consequences. "But I'm offering you a chance to get all of them home, safe and sound, today. Are you really going to walk away from that?"

Seven goes and replicates a cup of coffee for the Captain. She places it in front of her and says, "Drink this Captain. It will help your headache."

The Captain looks up at Seven her eyes are rimmed with guilt and pain. "Thank you." she says quietly.

The room remains quite for several minutes while they each process what was said. Admiral Janeway gets up and also grabs a cup of coffee. On her way back, she stops and says, "You never told us what else is in that nebula Admiral."

"Now that the Captain has had a chance to understand my reasoning, I will tell you." replies the Epsilon Admiral "There is a transwarp hub in there."

The Captain snaps out of her musings and says, "What? Seven has said that there are only six of them in the Galaxy!"

"That is a true statement," replies the older Seven.

At that moment, the office door opens and the younger Seven of Nine walks in with the Doctor both looking upset. "The Doctor was unable to open the door and we were concerned." she says.

"We are all right Seven." replies the Captain

"No we are not. It was the Borg Queen who caused my alcove to malfunction," Seven says. "She wanted to make sure I'd be able to deliver a message. She said she'd assimilate Voyager if we attempted to reenter the nebula."

"That doesn't matter," says Epsilon Admiral Janeway confidence. "She's not going to be able to make good on her threat."

Captain Janeway glares. "I wish I shared your confidence. It was one thing to attempt this when we thought it was a secret--but if the Borg are monitoring us...!"

"There's no guarantee they won't try to assimilate Voyager even if we don't go back into the nebula," Admiral Janeway counters.

The Doctor whispers to the Captain, "Is that supposed to be reassuring?"

The senior staff have all gathered in the briefing room. They are all a bit startled, (except the Doctor), when Captain Janeway, Seven, Epsilon Admiral Janeway, Admiral Janeway, and an older Seven enter the room.

Tom says, "Well, this is going to be an interesting meeting!"

The Captain shoots him a look and he quiets down. "We are meeting to discuss options for what we want to do given our current situation. You have all met Admiral Janeway, my future self, I would now like to introduce Seven and Admiral Janeway from an alternate timeline." she says indicating the two newcomers.

The Captain informs them of the wormhole to Earth that is in the nebula, but before they get too excited, she also informs them of the transwarp hub.

Seven gets up and points to an illustration on the viewscreen that looks like an enormous orb spider web. The hub highlighted in the center, the aperture for Earth is highlighted at coordinates 346 by 42.

She begins her presentation, "This hub connects with thousands of transwarp conduits--with end points in all four quadrants. It allows the Collective to deploy vessels almost anywhere in the galaxy within minutes."

Tuvok says. "Of all the Borg's tactical advantages, this could be the most significant."

"It's no wonder the Queen didn't want us in that nebula," says Chakotay.

"How can we go around it and get to the right wormhole?" Harry interjects.

Captain Janeway changes the direction of the discussion. "What I want to know is how do we destroy it?"

This surprises almost everyone. Epsilon Admiral Janeway’s face contorts in anger.

Seven of Nine responds first. "The structure is supported by a series of interspatial manifolds." She pulls up an interior view of one of the conduits. "If we could disable enough of them, theoretically the hub would collapse."

Epsilon Admiral Janeway explodes, "This is a waste of time! The shielding for those manifolds is regulated from the central plexus by the Queen herself. You might be able to damage one of them, maybe two. But by the time you moved onto the third, she'd adapt."

Captain Janeway isn't so easily dissuaded. "There may be a way to bring them down simultaneously!" she says, her excitement growing.

Epsilon Admiral Janeway rolls her eyes, "From where, inside the hub? Voyager would be crushed like a bug."

"What about taking the conduit back to the alpha quadrant and then destroying the structure from the other side?" Chakotay asks.

"This hub is here. There's nothing in the Alpha Quadrant but exit apertures."

Epsilon Admiral Janeway is beside herself now. She stands and says, "I didn't spend the last ten years looking for a way to get this crew home earlier so you could throw it all away on some intergalactic goodwill mission!"

The Captain glaring at the Admiral says "We have an opportunity to deal a crippling blow to the Borg. It could save millions of lives!"

The crew watches the two with trepidation. Each knows that the Captain is in charge and they will follow whatever decision she makes.

"Enough!" says the older Seven. All eyes turn to her. "I have studied the Ablative armor the Admiral has brought here. I believe it will hold up against Borg attack for a time. If we enter the nebula and proceed to the hub, we could fire a spread of transphasic torpedoes and program them to detonate simultaneously."

B’Elanna interrupts, "If the torpedoes penetrate the shielding, the conduits should begin to collapse in a cascade reaction."

"Exactly." replies the older Seven, "In order to avoid the shock wave, we'd have less than ten seconds to enter the wormhole. If we fail, Voyager will be destroyed; there will be no time for escape"

The room becomes very quiet.

Everyone, including Epsilon Admiral Janeway, turn to the Captain to see what she'll say.

At last, she speaks. "A long time ago, I made a decision that stranded this crew in the Delta Quadrant. I do not regret that decision." She is looks straight at the Epsilon Admiral when she says this. "But I didn't know all of you then--and Voyager was just a Starship."

She looks around the room. "It's much more than that now. It's become our home." She stares at each officer in turn, driving the point home. Her eyes linger on Seven and Tuvok.

"I know I could order you to carry out this plan, and none of you would hesitate for a second. But I'm not going to do that. You know the crewmen who work under you, and you know what your own hearts are telling you. So we're not going to attempt this unless everyone in this room agrees."

Janeway looks over at Harry, then to the rest of her staff. "No one will think less of you if you don't." She drops her head to her hands.

"Captain." Harry says and stands up.

The Captain will not look at him. "Go ahead, Harry," she says, addressing the floor.

Harry takes a deep breath. "I think it's safe to say that no one on this crew has been more...obsessed with getting home than I have."

Harry walks toward Chakotay. "But...when I think about everything we've been through together," he says, putting a hand on Chakotay's shoulder, and sharing a smile with him, "maybe it's not getting home that really matters. Maybe it's the choices we make along the way."

He continues. "And if those choices take us into danger just so we can do something we all believe in, I can't think of any place I'd rather be, or any people I'd rather be with. I will gladly go forward on this mission to stop the Borg. If we can make it home as well, and I believe we will, that is the icing on the cake. To quote Ambassador Spock, The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." He stops to raise his cup toward Janeway, "To the mission!"

Tom seconds the motion. "To the mission."

"Here, here," says Chakotay.

Everyone raises voices, "To the mission!" they say in unison.

Epsilon Admiral Janeway, now standing by the window, looks on in amazement, her arms crossed.

"In that case," says the Captain, "when will the armor installation be complete B’Elanna?"

"We should be finished tomorrow afternoon." she replies.

"Then we will plan to take the ship into the nebula in three days. Tell Crewman Chell to prepare a feast for tomorrow night. We will give all the crew an opportunity to get together before we make our move against the Borg. The following day we will solidify our plans for attack and then into the nebula."

B’Elanna is busy in Engineering. The engineers know better than to ask questions when their Chief is in this mood. They had hoped for a break as she approached her due date, but that was not to be.

"I don't want this whole system crashing because of one faulty relay--install new ones!" she yells, marching through the lower level as the engineers respond in double-time.

"Yes, ma'am!" several of them say, and then wish they hadn’t.

B’Elanna turns her wrath on them. "And I need an update on the inductor capacitance. Now!"

Tom Paris comes into view. "B'Elanna!"

"Shouldn't you be on the bridge?" she says, rushing around trying to get things done.

Tom pouts and runs after her. "Is there something wrong with a pilot requesting a systems report from the chief engineer?" he asks flirtingly.

"The last report I got said the com system was working perfectly," she says, relaxing a bit.

Tom chuckles. "Okay, you caught me. I'm checking up on you."

"I'm fine." She keeps moving.

"What about your back?" Tom calls out.

"I'm ignoring it."

"Well, I would offer to give you a massage--but then, everybody would want one."

B'Elanna stops long enough to smile at him. "You know, for a Starfleet flyboy...you're pretty sweet."

Tom lights up and her banter. "So, how's it going?"

"This armor technology that the admiral brought--it's incredible! I hate to sound like Harry, but we might actually make it this time."

Tom detects a change in her. "Well, you don't seem too happy about that...."

She turns to look at him. "Oh, I'm happy. It's just that...I'd actually gotten used to the idea of raising our daughter on Voyager." She sighs. "And now, I might end up delivering her at Starfleet Medical instead of Sickbay."

"That wouldn't be so bad, would it?"

"Not as long as you're with me," she says softly. Then, to make her point she raises her voice "And I want The Doctor! I don't want some stranger."

"You would have to take him off-line to keep him away."

"If we do make it home...where do you think we'll live?"

"Well, we could always stay with my parents for a while." Tom says with a smile.

B'Elanna looks at him in disbelief.

"You're right, bad idea,"

"Of course, it probably doesn't matter to you, anyway. You flyboys are all the same. You'll probably take the first piloting assignment that comes along and leave me home to change the diapers."

"Not a chance," Tom says.

They kiss and it becomes slow and deep, walling them off from the activity around them. They separate, both knowing that whatever happens, they'll be all right.

"What do you mean you are not going to the party?" the older Seven asks the younger Seven as they complete projections in Astrometrics.

"There is still much to be done." the younger Seven replies trying to evade the subject.

"You are avoiding the issue. That excuse may work for others but not for me. I suggest you tell me what is going on."

"It is difficult to describe." replies the younger Seven. "Without the failsafe, I am being overwhelmed with feelings and sensations. If I focus on a given task the emotions subside."

"Would you be more specific?"

"The Captain has been occupying my thoughts almost exclusively. I find myself drawn to her, wanting to make her happy, wanting to simply be near her. But when I am near her, my heart rate increases and I feel a warmth in my abdomen that I have not felt before."

The older Seven smiles and goes over to the younger Seven. She wraps an arm around her shoulders and gives her a small hug.

"You are experiencing love," she says. "My Kathryn brings out the same emotions in me."

"But what am I to do about it?" the younger Seven asks. "The Captain has shown no interest in an intimate relationship with me."

"Are you sure about that," replies the older Seven "Think about all the times you have been alone with her...playing velocity, working in DaVinci’s studio, talking with her about your experiences in her quarters at night." She pauses, "She still has the policy where she has asked you to come to her with any questions correct."

The younger Seven listens attentively, and then cocks her head as she processes all the interactions she has had with the Captain and how the Captain responded. A slow smile begins to form as she realizes that the Captain does have a definite interest in her and that perhaps she can use the "Open Door" policy to her advantage.

"You do see then," says the older Seven. "But be wary, she is afraid of being loved. If she is anything like my Kathryn, she will try to hide behind her Captain’s mask and quote protocol at you. Do not be deterred, she desperately needs you now more than ever."

Chapter Seventeen

The Captain has spent some time alone in her ready room mulling over all that has happened. She feels the responsibility of each crew member’s life weighing down on her shoulders. She wonders of she is making the right decision and will they all be destroyed for nothing. "Stop it Kate." She tells herself. "I need to focus on the fact that we will destroy the Borg and make it home."

Her thoughts drift again to the Epsilon Admiral saying that Seven would die and that Chakotay was her husband. "That cannot be." She thinks. Anger builds, but is it really anger that she feels. "No", she finally tells herself. "I feel a sense of loss and jealousy. But why?"

"You know the answer to that one Kate" her little voice says.

"Yes, I do." She sighs. Her doorbell chimes.

"Come in." she says.

Chakotay enters. He is there to talk about personnel reports. They speak for a while and then the topic drifts to what they will do when they return home. They have been chatting lightly when Janeway brings up Seven.

"Tell me Chakotay," she says offhandly, "how have you and Seven been doing?"

Chakotay almost spills the drink in his hand. "What do you mean Kathryn?"

Janeway keeps up her act, "I heard that you and she had been dating and I wondered if things were getting serious."

"Well, it is true that we were dating. I thought things were going along fine, but Seven broke it off yesterday. She said that she could only think of me as a friend and nothing more." answers Chakotay a little sheepishly.

"I am sorry to hear that." replies Janeway with a touch of sorrow in her voice although a feeling of relief runs through her. "There are more fish in the sea you know."

"I suppose," Chakotay replies softly. Then with more confidence, "I don’t think she made a good match for me anyway. Our overall interests are too different."

He walks over to the window pauses in thought and then says, "If we do make it back to Earth what will happen to her."

Janeway puts her command mask on and says, "I will do everything in my power as Captain to ensure she is protected and treated as an individual."

"Well, you can count on me to help if needed. Who knows how Starfleet will react to her."

"True." says Janeway and changes the subject. "So, how are the personnel reports coming? I would like them up to date before we enter the nebula."

"I will have them on your desk by morning." Chakotay senses it is time for him to leave and picks up his PADD.

"Then you are dismissed." says the Captain.

As Chakotay leaves, Tuvok enters.

"Captain, you wanted to see me." Tuvok asks.

"Yes, I did Tuvok. Please sit down."

Tuvok sits on the couch and Janeway comes over to sit next to him.

"Why didn’t you tell me you were sick old friend?" she says as she touches her hand to his.

"Your concern is appreciated, Captain, but premature," says Tuvok. "It will be several years before the symptoms become serious. Until then, the Doctor could manage my condition with medication."

"Is it true what the Admiral told me? That there's a cure in the Alpha Quadrant?"

Tuvok nods. "It is called a fal-tor-voh, and it requires a mind meld with another Vulcan."

"What about the other Vulcans on Voyager?" Janeway asks.

Tuvok shakes his head. "None of them are compatible."

Janeway’s expression begins to show understanding. "But members of your family are." Tuvok nods.

"I trust you will address this once we return to Earth."

"Yes Captain. However, my main concern is defeating the Borg. To that end I must review some tactical information that the Sevens’ have just sent. If you will excuse me."

"Dismissed" says the Captain.

She watches Tuvok go out the door and again feels the weight of what they are going to do press upon her. She pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs.

The party is in full swing in the Holodeck. Crewman Chell has outdone himself. The theme focuses on the "Return to Home" and he has prepared dishes from each of the homeworlds represented on the ship. Admiral Janeway and the older Seven are cutting up the dance floor. Epsilon Admiral Janeway is quietly observing from a dark corner. Chakotay, Tom and Harry are standing by the bar watching the crowd.

"I am glad to see so many crewmembers here" says Chakotay

"Me too! Once the word got out that we have a way home, people started getting excited." replied Tom

"They know that we have to face the Borg, but they are sure that with the Captain at the Helm, two Admiral Janeways’ to assist and two Sevens in Astrometrics, the Queen does not stand a chance." Harry chimed in.

"By the way that Admiral Janeway and Seven are dancing over there, I don’t think she does. They have moves I have never seen." Says Tom with one of those looks like the cat who got the canary.

"Too bad the Captain left before they came. Maybe she would have gotten some ideas." says Harry softly.

"What!" replies Chakotay

"I mean," says Harry choosing his words carefully, "the Captain rarely lets anyone close to her. She deserves some happiness too."

Chakotay calmed down and thought it over. He watched the happy couple for a few minutes more. "Yes she does." He said so quietly no one heard.

B’Elanna enters looking a tired but happy.

"Hey B’Elanna! Over here!" shouts Tom

She turns and makes her way over.

"Hi guys! This looks like a great party. Too bad I’m too big and too tired to really enjoy it." She smiles.

"Has anyone seen the Captain?" she asks

"Why? Are you still working," asks Tom a bit concerned that his wife is overdoing it.

"No, I just wanted to let her know that we are ready and that we will run a final check in the morning."

"Well she stopped by earlier and stayed for a few minutes. But she looked beat and decided to turn in" replied Chakotay

"Just tell her tomorrow." says Tom. A slow song starts to play.

"Come on honey, let’s dance." he says holding his hand out to B’Elanna. She takes it and off they go.

Captain Janeway was in her quarters relaxing. She had changed into a pair of slacks and a loose blouse and was sitting on the couch with her feet on the table. A glass of whiskey was on the table. Light jazz was playing in the background and she was engrossed in a trashy novel about a pirate and a maiden.

Seven was outside her quarters unsure of what she wanted to do. She raised her hand to push the bell, but then lowered it again. Epsilon Admiral Janeway was coming down the hall and saw the younger Seven hesitate. Seven turned, saw the Admiral and began to walk toward her and away from the Captain’s door.

"Stop right there Seven." says the Admiral in a voice that was tired but full of gentle determination.

"I, I am unsure." Seven stammered and dropped her head.

The Admiral was now standing in front of Seven. She took Seven’s chin in her hand and lifted Seven’s face so she could see her eyes.

The Admiral drew in a deep breath and in confessionary tones says "She does love you Seven. Very much. And right now she needs you. I know, because I loved you from the moment I saw you and the day you died nearly killed me."

Seven’s eyes grew wide, "I died?"

"Yes. A few years after this, during an away mission. I decided that this nebula was not a risk to take and we journeyed on. You died without me ever telling you how I felt or me finding out if you returned my feelings." the Admiral replied her eyes rimmed with tears her voice full of regret.

Seven realized she was the reason the Admiral had returned.

"Does the Captain know this?" Seven asked in a whisper

"Yes. So please, turn around, go back, and tell her what you are feeling."

Seven reaches out and places a chaste kiss on the Admiral’s cheek. "Thank you." She turns and goes back to the Captain’s door. She rings the bell.

The door opens and Janeway says, "Come."

Janeway looks up from her novel, closes it and turns to face Seven. Sensing that Seven is troubled she puts aside her command mask.

"Seven, is there something wrong?" she asks concerned

"Yes there is." says Seven still standing in the doorway. Her heart rate increases the moment she sees the blouse Janeway was wearing. She could see a hint of pale flesh at the lowest part of the v against the blue-grey fabric. She catches the scent of lavender and spice that clings to Janeway and draws in an intoxicating breath.

Janeway can see Seven hesitating. She motions to her and says, "Well, come over here and sit down so we can talk."

Seven moves to the couch and sits on the end furthest from Janeway. She turns and looks at the Captain. She notices Janeway’s bare feet resting on the table, the well toned legs outlined by the slacks, her flat stomach, the roundness of her breasts, the elegant neck, her noble chin, the thick red locks framing Janeway’s face, her full lips that are mouthing something, and the blue-grey eyes now looking back at her intently.

Janeway has been watching Seven. She felt Seven’s gaze as Seven ran her eyes over Janeway’s body. She did not stop Seven because it was as if a current touched her wherever Seven looked. She began to feel a pool of moisture gather at her center.

"Good Lord Kate she wants you!" piped up her little voice.

"Be Quiet." Janeway thought, but the look Seven was giving her was full of desire. Janeway needed to figure out what was going on and fast, before her little voice gave her more ideas.

"Seven?.... Seven?" calls Janeway as she reaches and shakes Seven’s knee.

Seven hears her name being called. But it like she is underwater. She focuses on the voice and feels herself rise to the surface. Janeway is speaking to her.

"I am sorry Captain; I seem to have been distracted for a moment."

"I’ll say" says Janeway softly. "Please tell me what is going on and stop calling me Captain. In my quarters I am Kathryn."

Seven hesitates upon hearing the Captain’s given name. She feels the warmth creeping up from her abdomen again.

"Kathryn," she says gently, reverently, "I have come here to tell you that I am in love with you."

Taken off guard by hearing Seven use her name, it takes Janeway a moment to process what Seven has said. The second she does her wall come up and the Command Mask slips back over Janeway’s face. She moves back to the opposite side of the couch. "What are you saying Seven!"

Taken aback by Janeway’s quick change of demeanor, Seven replies more hesitantly that before, "I am saying that I love you."

"This cannot be." says Janeway "It is too sudden."

"No it is not Kathryn." replies Seven softly "I have felt this way since I first saw you and it has grown deeper as time has passed. I could not identify the emotion until recently when the Doctor removed my failsafe allowing me full access to my emotions."

Janeway’s defenses are in full force now. She does not want to hurt Seven, but she also does not want to be hurt. "You know I care about you as a friend," she begins, "but as your Captain I cannot allow this to go any further."

Seven hears what Janeway is saying, but she sees the truth in Janeway’s eyes. Seven moves closer to Janeway. She reaches out and gently takes Janeway’s hands in her own.

"You are lying to yourself Kathryn," she says in a low sultry voice. "I can see the truth in your eyes. I can hear your heart beating; I can smell your desire. Stop hiding Kathryn."

As she speaks, Seven leans closer to Janeway. Janeway has become lost in Seven’s eyes, lulled by her voice. The walls begin to crumble. When Seven finishes speaking her lips are millimeters from Janeway’s.

Janeway feels Seven’s warm breath tickling her nose, she cannot stop herself. She leans forward and kisses Seven.

The kiss is gentle at first, softly exploring, but as the passion rises between them, Seven’s hand release Janeway’s going instead to press her head closer. Seven opens her mouth allowing Janeway entry, tangling tongues, reveling in sensations.

Janeway in turn has released Seven’s hair from its austere bun. Her fingers twirl in the softness. "More!" her body says to her. She feels moisture begin to soak her slacks.

She gently breaks off the kiss with Seven. She whispers in Seven’s ear. "I do love you Seven. With all that I am, I love you."

She pushes Seven off her and stands. She reaches for Seven’s hand. "Come with me and let me make love to you." she says.

Seven takes the offered hand and together they walk to the Captain’s bedchamber. Once there Janeway sits on the bed and removes her clothes. Seven watches and her eyes dilate as Janeway removes her blouse.

Seven reaches out and touches Janeway’s right breast. She thumbs the hard peak and then lowers her mouth and suckles. "More!" her body tells her. She wants to taste every part of Janeway.

Janeway pushes her back. "Easy tiger," she purrs. "We have all night. Right now I want to see the rest of you."

Seven steps back and reaches up to undue the clasp of her biosuit. Her suit drops to the floor and Janeway thanks whatever powers are out there. She follows the contours of Seven’s body and lingers over her breasts, her implants, and her center. "Seven, you are beautiful," she drawls in sultry tones. She reaches out and pulls Seven into bed.

They begin the lovers dance each taking turns at leading. Their passion rises and falls. Seven feels herself balancing on the edge of a precipice as Kathryn’s tongue probes her center. She opens her eyes to see Kathryn looking at her and hears her say, "Let go Seven. I will catch you." as two of Kathryn’s fingers reach inside and push her over the edge.

"Kathryn!" she screams into the night.

The dance continues. The dancers twirling around each other. Touching, tasting, and reveling in the sensations.

Now it’s Kathryn’s turn. She feels the wave building within her. Seven is using her Borg hand to rub Kathryn’s clitoris. "Look at me Kathryn," whispers Seven in a loving but stern tone. Kathryn looks into Seven’s eyes. "You are mine and I am yours." Seven says as she thrusts three fingers deep into Kathryn’s center. Kathryn rises up to the top of the wave. She opens her mouth and screams, "Sevennnnn!"

Far into the night they dance until the passion has subsided and sleep takes hold. They rest, curled around one another, safe in their cocoon of love. Dreaming of their life together.

　Chapter Twenty-One

The time has come. Captain Janeway sits in the Captain’s Chair. Epsilon Admiral Janeway stands a few paces away with Admiral Janeway and Seven. Tom is at the helm, Harry’s at Ops, Tuvok's at Tactical, Torres is in Engineering, Chakotay's to the captain's left.

"Bridge to engineering."

"Go ahead, Captain," B'Elanna responds.

"Deploy armor."

"Yes, ma'am."

The ablative armor extends slowly, meter by meter over Voyager’s hull.

Now prepared, Voyager enters the nebula.

The Borg Queen watches this new development. She is not happy.

With an inclination of her head, several cubes move to intercept.

The first cube engages the tiny starship. Green fire lances out and strikes Voyager's new armor. Nothing happens.

Inside Voyager, there's a bit of rumbling, nothing more.

"Armor integrity at 97 percent," Tuvok reports.

A second cube joins the assault.

"Tuvok?" Captain Janeway asks.

"Integrity holding at 90 percent."

"Maintain course."

More Borg vessels approach. Epsilon Admiral Janeway says "They're looking for ways to adapt."

Multiple beams of energy are directed at Voyager. Another cube arrives, lobs energy torpedoes. Voyager does not slow. Green tractor beams from three cubes latch onto her at once--but she slips through.

"Port armor integrity down to 50 percent," Tuvok says.

A big booming sound is heard.

"40 percent."

Janeway looks to the helm. "Mr. Paris, attack pattern Alpha One." Then, over to Tuvok, "target the lead cube and fire transphasic torpedoes."

An opening appears at the back of the neck of the Voyager saucer section. Two torpedoes spit out at one of the cubes.

The cube explodes in a shower of sparks and pieces.

Another torpedo is fired, and connects solidly with the second cube. It too splinters into a million pieces.

The Borg Queen's eyes go wide. She is furious. The Queen nods again. The remaining cubes veer away, avoiding any further conflict.

"Distance to the center?" Chakotay asks.

Seven looks at the incoming information and replies. "Less than 100,000 kilometers."

A few seconds later, Voyager clears the thickness of the nebula to find they are quite near the transwarp hub.

Cubes and Spheres and other geometric Borg vessels are everywhere, flitting in and out of the impossibly large transwarp hub.

Janeway's jaw is set. "Take us in."

"Aye, Captain."

The Queen looks worried. She will not go down without a fight. Her eyes become slits and a slow smile comes to her face.

The younger Seven suddenly looks up, eyes wide, and yells, "Admiral!"

Too late. Epsilon Admiral Janeway is transported off the Bridge and reappears in the Queen's chamber. She holds a stoic pose as the Queen comes over to her.

Onboard Voyager Captain Janeway orders a full stop.

"Seven," she asks, "How did that happen!"

"I am working on it Captain. It appears the Queen was able to lock onto the synaptic device the Admiral had implanted in her brain. Perhaps, we can bring her back the same way."

The older Seven joins the younger Seven at the Astrometrics station. They are working furiously to find a solution. The older Seven quickly sees a likely solution due to her experience at the Daystrom Institute. She has to run a test to see if it will work here as well.

Meanwhile in the Queen’s chamber, the Queen caresses the Admirals cheek and asks in syrupy tones, "Did you really think I would let you and your friends leave this nebula, when we have so much to talk about?"

"What do you want?" asks the Admiral gruffly giving the Queen the level ten stare.

The Queen takes no notice and continues, "You, your vessel and its database of course."

"Really." Janeway raises her eyebrow and says, "And what do I get in exchange?"

"Voyager and its crew will be allowed to return to the Delta Quadrant unharmed and they can continue on their way."

"That is quite generous of you," says the Admiral sarcastically. Then she pauses and her face softens. She says "How about you keep me, forget about my shuttle, and allow Voyager safe passage through the wormhole?"

The Queen seems to think about this offer. While she does we see her hands drift down over the Admiral’s arms and then over the front of the Admiral’s uniform. Her breathing becomes slightly erratic and her eyes begin to dilate.

"Keeping you could have its advantages," the Queen purrs "I can find out what it is that Seven of Nine finds so alluring about you Janeways’."

The Admiral sees that the Queen is attracted to her and decides to use it to her advantage somehow.

"We could explore all kinds of things together," she whispers as she leans in close to the Queen. "I guarantee you would not be disappointed."

"Mmmmn." replies the Queen as she inhales the Admiral’s scent. The need burns within her. She has wanted Janeway ever since she took Seven of Nine away. Her drones have monitored Voyager through the years. The Queen has watched as Janeway has triumphed again and again over some of the worst the Delta Quadrant has to offer. At first she wanted to make Janeway suffer, but the feeling changed as time passed. She has waited while the Captain matured becoming a leader her crew would give their lives for. The arrival of the Admiral was more than the Queen could hope for. A worthy mate. She would never let her go.

The Queen leans in and kisses the Admiral. The Admiral lets her and then deepens the kiss. "Forgive me Seven" she says to herself. The Queen moans. The Admiral shifts one of her hands and places it down where the Queen’s center lies. Her fingers curl against the fabric where her clitoris would be if she were human.

The Queen rubs against the Admirals hand. "Harder," she begs. She has never felt this way before. Her senses are reeling, she feels as if she is going to explode. This is the moment the Admiral has been waiting for. She looks deep into the Queen’s eyes and sexily says, "Cum…for me!" The Queen’s orgasm hits, her neural pathways overload, and she faints.

The Admiral quickly reaches down and pulls a hypospray from her boot. She presses it to the Queen’s neck and pushes the button. The Queen doesn’t move.

"Come on Captain." The Admiral whispers under her breath. "Get me out of here."

Back on Voyager, the older Seven looks up. "Captain we have a lock the Admiral." She says.

"Then bring her home!" the Captain commands.

Seconds later the Admiral appears on the Bridge.

"Captain, begin attack pattern Beta!" says the Admiral in a commanding voice.

The Captain sensing that the Admiral has given them an opportunity gives the order. "Mr. Paris, attack pattern Beta One. Tuvok being launching the Transphasic torpedoes. Mr. Kim, direct us to coordinates 346 by 42."

The Queen awakens. A look of rapture is on her face, she turns looking for the Admiral. When she does not see her, she cocks her head and checks with her Borg. She discovers that she is losing ships right and left and that the Admiral has returned to Voyager. The look changes to that of rage. "I will destroy you all!" she screams. She closes her eyes and becomes the Hive mind.

The voice of the Collective tracking Voyager rings out. "Voyager has entered Aperture 823. Access Transwarp Corridor Zero-Nine. Redirect vessels to intercept--"

A Torpedo hits the Unimatrix and suddenly the Queen staggers. The room begins to fill with smoke as conduits, panels and other electronics explode without warning.

The voice of the Collective begins to stutter. The Queen falls down in a fit of spasms. She pulls herself up and grabs on to poles to help her remain upright.

"What…is happening…to me?" the Queen gasps.

The Queen, with great effort, conducts a diagnostic, and a horrific expression comes to her face. "The Admiral… infected us...with a neurolytic pathogen." she chokes out.

While the Unimatrix complex continues to disintegrate, the younger Seven reports. "The conduit's shielding is destabilizing."

Janeway smiles. "Now, Mr. Tuvok."

Tuvok lets fly with a half dozen torpedoes.

Fireballs fill the sky.

The Queen has felt every explosion. She also sees that Voyager is now racing against one very large fireball. "Voyager will yet be destroyed," she whispers as her arm shrivels up. She grabs it, rips it off her body, and tosses it away. She furrows her brow in thought, and finds what she needs. "Sphere six-three-four. They can still hear my thoughts."

The sphere changes course, now pursuing Voyager.

"They will all die." A burst of insane laughter comes from the Queen. Another explosion rocks the Unimatrix, she screams and goes down. Lying on the floor racked with pain, she uses her dying breath to say, "Captain Janeway is about to die. If she has no future, the Admiral will never exist--and nothing that she’s done here today will happen." She comforts herself with that thought a smile on her lips. Then she melts into a blob of liquid and sinks though the floor.

Whole sections of the Unimatrix now ignite like roman candles. Deprived of its structural integrity, it collapses in on itself. The nebula has become destabilized and a black hole is beginning to form. The center begins to pull everything toward it.

Meanwhile, Voyager is heading for the specified coordinates just ahead of the shockwave. The Sphere the Queen sent in pursuit is in continuous fire mode.

The Bridge shudders and a large boom is heard.

"Aft armor is down to six percent," Tuvok reports.

Another boom.

"Hull breaches on decks six through 12!" Harry shouts.

The sphere opens a portal large enough to swallow Voyager. It looks like an evil Halloween pumpkin’s mouth. Glowing green with jagged teeth.

"I can't stay ahead of them, Captain!" Tom says.

"The armor is failing," Tuvok reports.

"Where's the nearest aperture?" Chakotay asks.

Seven checks. "Approximately 30 seconds ahead--but it leads back to the Delta Quadrant."

Another explosion rocks the ship.

"Mr. Paris, continue on course and give it all she’s got."

Tom's jaw clenches, trying to hold on between explosions. "Yes, ma'am."

They make it to the wormhole and dive in. The Sphere is hot on their tail.

In the Alpha Quadrant, Starfleet Command is on high alert.

"What the hell is it?" Admiral Paris demands.

"A transwarp aperture," Barclay reports. "It's less than a light-year from Earth."

"How many Borg vessels?" another officer asks.

"We can't get a clear reading," Barclay says. "But the graviton emissions are off the scale."

Admiral Paris spares no time. "I want every ship in range to converge on those coordinates. Now!"

Close to two-dozen ships, armed for Borg, scream toward the open aperture. Galaxy class, Defiant class, a few unknown classes, and a brand new class type with quadruple-nacelled floating cannon

"We've got 18 ships in position," reports an admiral to Admiral Paris. "Nine more on the way."

"Open a channel," Admiral Paris barks.

"Open, sir."

"This is Admiral Paris. Use all necessary force. I repeat--all necessary force."

Barclay reports a new development. "Sir, there's a vessel coming through!"

The Borg Sphere emerges from the aperture and all hell breaks loose. A huge bolt is seen coming from the new class ship. A second later, a large chunk of the Borg sphere disintegrates, from the inside. A second after that, more explosions turn the sphere into a million pieces.

Back on Voyager things have quieted down. "Mr. Paris, what's our position?" Janeway asks.

"Right where we expect it to be," Tom says.

"The transwarp network has been obliterated, Captain," Seven reports.

"We'll celebrate later," Janeway says. She looks over her shoulder. "Mr. Tuvok?"

Tuvok looks down at his board. He taps in a couple of commands.

Admiral Paris calls, "Cease fire!" as the Borg sphere is converted from matter to energy.

Barclay reports, "There is another ship!" as a lone starship screams out from the cloud.

The Bridge crew gapes at the images in the viewfinder. "We did it," Captain Janeway whispers, the sound resonates throughout the bridge.

A beeping noise breaks the silence. "We're being hailed," Harry reports. His voice is shaking.

Epsilon Admiral Janeway, Admiral Janeway, and the older Seven turn and head to the Ready Room.

Janeway nods her approval. After they are gone she says, "On screen."

It's Admiral Paris and Barclay, standing side by side.

"Sorry to surprise you," Janeway says. "Next time, we'll call ahead."

Admiral Paris takes a quick look at Tom, who looks away.

He then looks to Janeway. "Welcome back."

"It's good to be here," Janeway says.

Admiral Paris can't help but ask. "How did you--?"

"It'll all be in my report, sir."

The Admiral looks at Tom again, who studiously avoids his gaze. Then he turns back to Janeway. "I look forward to it." he says and closes the channel.

In the ready room, Captain Janeway, Seven, Epsilon Admiral Janeway, Admiral Janeway and the older Seven are chatting away.

Epsilon Admiral Janeway says looking at the Captain and Seven who are seated next to each other and holding hands, "Well, it has been an adventure! I have visions of a great future for you two. Speaking of which, I will need to head back soon."

The Captain gives her a large and happy smile and says, "I am sure we can get you away undetected."

"Indeed." replies Seven "The cloaking technology you have should mask the shuttle signature. Will you have enough power to make the Temporal jump?"

"Yes, there is just enough left to get me back."

The group rises to escort Epsilon Admiral Janeway to the shuttle bay. On their way, Tuvok falls into step with them. They meet Harry and Chakotay as well. Tom and B’Elanna join in at lift. By the time they get to the shuttlebay word has spread and a large crowd has gathered to send the Admiral on her way.

The Admiral is touched. She pauses a moment, turns to the crowd and says, "Well, since you are all here. I would just like to thank you for all your efforts. We have accomplished much this day! I wish you all well and hope the future holds many more accomplishments for you all!"

The crowd cheers. The Admiral enters the shuttle, followed closely by Captain Janeway and Seven. Seven proceeds to run a diagnostic on the shuttle while the Captain has a few moments alone with the Admiral.

The Captain opens her arms to the Admiral and steps in to give her a large hug. "Thank you for coming back. I promise to take good care of her." she says squeezing the Admiral tight. As she lets go, she asks conspiratorially, "Exactly what did you do to the Queen before we beamed you out?"

The Admiral coyly replies, "I did what had to be done, I simply loved her to death."

The Captain’s face is one of disbelief, but regains its composure quickly as Seven comes into view.

Seven also hugs the Admiral. As she lets go, she places a kiss on her cheek, smiles and gently says, "Thank you."

The Captain and Seven leave the shuttle, the doors close, and the shuttle prepares for takeoff. We see the shuttlebay doors open, the shuttle flies out and disappears.

Captain Janeway turns to the remaining Admiral and the older Seven and says, "Well now, what are we to do about…"

Before she finishes the sentence, everyone is frozen in time except for her and Seven and the Admiral and the older Seven. Q pops in by the Captain.

"Q," says the Captain, "I might have known"

"Kathy, so good to see you again," Q says excitedly. "Well, I’ve no time to talk right now; I am only here for my charges who performed their job so well."

"Wait a minute Q," says the Admiral, I still don’t know what we were supposed to do.

"No matter" says Q anxiously, "all is right again. You ladies need to get your goodbyes in; I am on a tight schedule after all."

"Very well," sighs the Admiral who is quite ready to go back home.

They exchange hugs and goodbyes. The older Seven pauses to give the younger Seven some last minute advice. "Kathryn likes variety in the bedroom so don’t be afraid to try new things," she whispers so low that only Seven can hear.

Seven’s eyes go wide as Q snaps his fingers and he and the Admiral and the older Seven are gone.

Captain Janeway turns to Seven and seeing her expression asks, "What is it Seven?"

Seven’s expression softens as she leans into Janeway. Her voice becomes silky as she says, "You’ll find out later, my love." and gives Janeway’s bottom a quick pinch.

"Oh!" says Janeway smiling.

Q is sitting on the roof of Janeway’s family homestead in Indiana. He is watching as four children are running through the fields. Two are platinum blondes, two are redheads. They are headed to the pond where we see Admiral Janeway and Seven have laid out a nice picnic on a large blanket.

He sighs. "The timelines are only harmonized when you and Seven are together Kathy." he says to no one in particular. He watches for a while longer as the children run and play with their parents a smile of contentment on his face.

"Snap!" he is gone.

The End