Unfinished Symphony

Prologue: Mid-September 2376  

Loud, explicit swearing echoed through Deck Five, as it had been for the past hour. Crewmembers would occasionally pause as they heard a new phrase being invented, among other things. Something big was happening on Voyager, and it was most certainly not happening quietly.  

"You lousy son-of-a-bitch!" Moretta cursed loudly. The Doctor stood a few feet away, refusing to let her touch him. Sure, he was a hologram, but he wasn't stupid.  

"Excellent Lieutenant," he said encouragingly. "Keep pushing."  

"Why don't you push for a change?!" Moretta shouted.  

"Because you're the one who's having the kid, not me," the Doctor raised his voice slightly.  

Moretta groaned and began another line of cursing.  

About three decks up, Captain Janeway was reading status reports from Engineering, enjoying a rare moment of quiet. She had never really imagined that a single baby could tire a mother out so quickly. A set of mothers at that, Janeway thought wryly. Marija wasn't even five months old yet, but this week alone she had let her mothers get only about twenty hours of sleep combined. Janeway lounged on the couch, sipping coffee, and trying not to nod off. Chakotay had been a great help during the past months, watching Marija when Seven and Janeway were simply too exhausted to do so. He called it preparing for his own children. Janeway called it bonding. And when he made his claims Janeway reminded him that Marija was partly his too. He'd smile at this. She knew he'd make a wonderful father, even though he was somewhat nervous. He and Moretta were now engaged, but were putting off the wedding until Voyager got its two newest crewmembers. Which, Janeway thought, if the sounds that occasionally made their way through the air system were any indication, shouldn't be too long in coming.  

But there was another change on Voyager, among the having of children. Janeway herself had become a bit more subdued than she once had been. She was a bit more defensive as well, but with less of a tendency to pick a fight with an alien ship. And though no one would dare ever mention it, the captain of the USS Voyager was physically weaker than she had been a year previous. In public Janeway still kept up the strong mental and facial front, unshakable as ever. It would still take a warp core breach for her to give up the ship. But in her quarters, she was a different person. Her walls fell down rapidly--she wept, she laughed, she entertained her daughter. And she slept occasionally. The Engineering report hit the floor silently, but bounced and clinked loudly against the table leg. Janeway snapped awake, her hand clenching and causing her to realize that she had dozed off and dropped the padd. She rolled over slightly, looked down at the padd, and decided against working on it. Janeway rolled back and fell asleep again.  

"Kathryn? Kathryn... Captain!" Seven's voice woke Janeway from her nap. She was shaking her shoulder gently. Janeway grumbled something sleepily, and tried to turn away. But Seven held her grip, and eventually managed to wake up enough to carry out a human conversation with Seven.  

"Yes Seven? What is it?"  

"What if there was a red alert?" Seven chided. "You'd sleep right through it."  

"I'd probably sleep well though," Janeway rubbed her nose and considered the now cold cup of coffee. She decided against it and took it to the recycler. "I assume you had a reason for waking me?"  

"Yes, other than the fact that it isn't fair that you should sleep and I not," Seven smiled. "You're needed in Sickbay."  

"In Sickbay? Why..." Janeway's voice trailed off thoughtfully.  

"Chakotay and Alexandra seek your attendance," Seven said evenly. Janeway caught her eye. There was something eager there.  

"Alright, I'm coming," Janeway said, going into the sleeping room to get her uniform jacket.  

"Captain, you made it," Chakotay greeted her at the doors to Sickbay.  

"Yes, I'm awake now," Janeway smiled at him, and then blinked. "Chakotay, that's one heck of a shiner."  

"I got in the way of Alex's fist," Chakotay explained. Janeway chuckled.  

"Ah, I see. If I remember, I did a number on Seven's hand when Marija was born." Janeway glanced at Seven.  

"Yes, Kathryn, you did," Seven smiled lightly.  

"I thought it would be proper and fitting for you and Seven to be the first 'outsiders' to meet the newest additions to the ship family."  

Janeway smiled, tilting her head. "I thought I noticed an absence of shouting in here!"  

"Indeed," Chakotay grinned, the proud new father.  

"May we see?" Janeway asked.  

"Oh, of course!" he led them further into Sickbay.  

"A boy and a girl," the Doctor announced, "in very good health."  

"Ooh," Janeway breathed a sigh. She looked over at Moretta, who was dozing, and felt a pang of sympathy. It hadn't been too long ago that that had been her lying there. Janeway looked back down, smiling. "They're even smaller than Marija was."  

"Only by 3 and 4 ounces," the Doctor said. "But yes, they are smaller." He seemed almost as proud as Chakotay.  

"What are their names?" Seven wondered, staring down at the sleeping infants with a look similar to what she had first considered Marija with.  

"The boy, first-born, is Michael Douglas Chakotay. And the girl, second, is Amanda Corrie Chakotay."  

"Lovely names," Janeway noted. Chakotay nodded, and then looked over to where Moretta was sleeping.  

"Captain, Alex and I wanted to ask you something."  

"Yes?"  

"We would like for you to be Michael's godmother, and for Seven to be Amanda's godmother."  

In surprise Janeway looked first at her first officer, and then at Seven. She nodded slightly, and Janeway turned back.  

"Chakotay, we'd be honored," she smiled.  

"Thank you," he said.  

Part One: June 2381  

Kathryn Janeway worked on personnel reports. She was so wrapped up in her work that when a small black haired shadow pranced into her office, she didn't even take notice. The little girl tugged on her mother's pant-leg.  

"Mama," she said insistently, "Mama!"  

Janeway finally realized that she was being hailed.  

"Ah, what little fairy is this that comes and disturbs me in my work?" she smiled as she set down her padds and turned to face Marija.  

"It is I, Marija!" the child declared, "and I'm not a fairy, I'm a troll." She had a green and brown piece of cloth tied around her shoulder that contrasted the fair looks of her black hair and blue eyes.  

"A troll now? And what brought this about?"  

"I heard a story today," Marija said. "And it was about three goats and a troll."  

"Is that so?" Janeway tousled her dark hair. "So why have you come to me, little troll child of mine?"  

"Will you braid my hair?" Marija asked, ignoring the question and skipping onto the next subject.  

"Why don't you get Moma to do it for you?" Janeway's eyes darted briefly back at the reports.  

"She's on duty," the child replied, playing with the knotted cloth at her neck.  

"That's right," the captain sighed. "Can you wait until I finish this report?"  

"What'll I do 'til then?"  

Janeway paused and looked down as a thought occurred to her. "Marija, aren't you supposed to be with Lixa and Jeremy?"  

"I left," Marija said honestly. Janeway sighed again, rising tiredly to her feet.  

"You know you're supposed to stay there until Moma gets off duty, Marija," Janeway bent down and took the cape off her daughter.  

"But they're taking naps," Marija protested.  

"You need a nap too." She folded the cloth and set in on the desk.  

"But..."  

"No buts," Janeway said captainly. Marija looked thoughtful.  

"Will you carry me?" Janeway took Marija by her small hand.  

"Dear you know I can't pick you up," she said.  

"Doctor's orders!" Marija chirped.  

"That's right. Mama will hurt herself if she picks you up. Remember? The Doctor said, 'no picking up heavy objects or children.'"  

"Okay," Marija imitated Janeway's earlier sigh to the letter.  

"Come on, silly," Janeway smiled. They went to the exit of the room.  

"Mama?" Marija spoke again after they stepped into the hall.  

"Yes dear?"  

"When will you and Moma both be off duty?"  

Janeway looked thoughtful for a moment. "Not for awhile, honey," she said apologetically.  

"Why not?"  

"It's just the way that things are," Janeway looked down at Marija.  

"I wish we could spend more time together," Marija said.  

"So do I," Janeway sighed.  

"Couldn't you just have Chakotay change the duty rosters?" Marija looked up hopefully.  

"Yes, but that wouldn't be fair to the other crew members, now would it?" Janeway wasn't about to admit to her daughter that she had considered that course of action before.  

"But you're the captain," the child protested," you can do whatever you want." Janeway chuckled.  

"It's just not that simple, Marija," she smiled.  

"Can't you make it that simple?" the open honestly on her face was almost enough to make the captain burst out laughing.  

"I wish it were." They had reached their destination. The doors opened and Ensign Wildman rushed out.  

"Oh, there you are Marija!" She cried in relief. She nodded to at Janeway. "I'm sorry. I put them all down for a nap, but..."  

"It's alright," Janeway smiled. "She just came to me."  

"Well thank you for bringing her back here," Wildman scooped up Marija who was already blinking sleeping.  

"No problem, I need a break anyway," Janeway smiled. She patted Marija on the head. "See you later sweety."  

"Bye Mama," Marija yawned.  

"See you later Captain," Wildman said. She addressed the child with a laugh. "Alright you, it's nap time for you munchkin." She started back inside.  

"But I'm not sleepy," Marija protested.  

"Sure you're not," Wildman laughed. "You're arguing, you need a nap."  

"Then you need a nap too."  

"True, but you need one more than me..." The doors closed on their conversation, and Janeway returned to her work with a wistful sigh.  

The Mess Hall was nearly empty, and Janeway was glad for it. Even Neelix wasn't around to pester her. Janeway replicated herself a cup of coffee and sat down with several personnel reports. She figured that the change of scenery would help her think. Doing reports for on some of the crew was difficult because she'd never actually met them before. It was a pain to admit, but it was true. There were many things that she'd like to do on Voyager that Janeway knew she'd never get the chance to do, even with 60 years to go.  

Part of it was because she was so tired. Even with light work schedules and nutritional supplements from the Doctor, Janeway never felt fully up to speed. The only people who might have noticed it were the Doctor, Seven, and Chakotay, but after having Marija Janeway had lost twenty pounds. The Doctor knew, of course, and had told Janeway that it wasn't healthy. Janeway hadn't mentioned it to anyone else though. But Seven had given her a questioning look when Janeway had to replicate a uniform that was even smaller than the one she'd worn before being pregnant. She hadn't said anything though. Chakotay had also mentioned during a hiking excursion on the holodeck that Janeway's clothes were hanging off her. Subtle hints, but nothing more.  

What had assured Janeway that Seven really knew was the way she held her at night. It was a delicate embrace, as if Janeway were a china doll and Seven were afraid of breaking her. When Marija had cried at night as an infant, or called now, Seven would always go and see what their daughter needed. When Janeway tried to get up Seven would tell her not to worry and go back to sleep. Janeway didn't even wake from her sleep at night anymore when Marija called. And Marija never called 'Mama' in her sleep, it was always 'Moma'. What she called Seven. These were all prices paid for the way things were.  

"Hello Captain. Coffee? Don't mind if I do," Alex Chakotay clunked her coffee mug on the table and slid into the seat across from Janeway.  

"How's your hip, Alex?" Janeway wondered.  

"How's yours?" she laughed in response. A pause, and then, "It's much better today." Alex had bruised her hip the day before while chasing after her daughter Amanda. She'd limped around and cursed, and taught her kids some new words. Then, and only then, did she go to Sickbay.  

Chakotay had nearly been rolling on the floor with laughter when he had heard about it. If anything, he reveled in his wife's vulgarity. Janeway had decided that if having two children didn't soften Alex's vocabulary, then nothing would. It didn't bother Janeway much, because she'd always been careful when on duty.  

They sat quietly at the table, Alex adding sweetener to the drink, and Janeway glancing occasionally at a report. She finally ended up watching Alex. After a moment the other woman looked up.  

"What?" she asked innocently.  

"You're defeating the point of having coffee," Janeway laughed, sipping on her own mug.  

"How's that?"  

"Well, look at it. You probably have more sugar in there than coffee."  

"So?"  

"So, now you don't have sugar in your coffee, you have coffee in your sugar." Alex chuckled.  

"I see no problem with that," she said, and tasted the coffee. "Mm."  

"How's it taste?"  

"Sweet," Alex smirked. Janeway sighed in defeat.  

"Whatever makes you happy."  

"You get more caffeine that way too," Alex grinned. "But I don't usually drink it like this. I just felt like something different today."  

"Then you should have just drank it cold," Janeway said.  

"Ew," Alex made a face. "That's probably worse than how I have it now."  

"Maybe." Janeway picked up a padd off the stack.  

"Ooh, are those the personnel reports?" Alex leaned over with interest. Janeway shooed her away.  

"You're not supposed to see them," she said.  

"Like who else is ever going to?" Alex laughed. Janeway frowned.  

"Starfleet someday, I hope," she said. Alex nodded.  

"I know. We all do. In fact I'm sure there are some people who would be happy to face any charges they've earned while being out here, if it meant just a chance to get home."  

"What kinds of charges?"  

Alex shrugged. "Who knows? I'm sure someone has done something triable out here."  

"We all probably have," Janeway sighed. "But it's nothing something I'm worried about right now."  

"I don't blame you," Alex said. "So, what did you put on my report?"  

"Alex!"  

"Well, a girl can try can't she?"  

"You're hardly a girl," Janeway said.  

"True, but I can try," Alex repeated.  

"It won't get you anywhere."  

"You probably gave me 'pleasure to have in class', or something like that."  

"I'm not sure I follow," Janeway raised a brow.  

"You know, for school ratings and such."  

"Oh. I see. Well, I'm not sure you'd even earn that."  

"You're so cruel, Captain," Alex said, sipping her coffee.  

"Thank you," Janeway said, typing something into the padd.  

"Who's padd is that?"  

"Quit being so nosy!" Janeway turned the padd over.  

"She can't help it, it's her nature," someone said as they said down next to Alex.  

"Well, I certainly know someone who's going to get a 'pain in the ass in class'," Janeway said.  

"Did I miss something?" Chakotay asked.  

"Just a totally pointless conversation," Alex grinned.  

"Trying to peek at people's personnel reports again?"  

"Gee, how'd you guess?"  

"I just know you," Chakotay kissed her hello. He glanced down at the coffee mug in her hands.  

"What are you drinking?"  

"Coffee," Alex said.  

"Are you sure?"  

"She put a bit too much sugar in it," Janeway commented.  

"Want some?" Alex waved the mug under Chakotay's nose.  

"I'll pass," he said.  

"Cutting back on your stimulants?"  

Chakotay whispered something to Alex that Janeway didn't fully catch, but that she thought sounded like 'you're stimulant enough'. She kept her mouth shut though as Alex giggled guiltily. There was a chime from the kitchen from Neelix's clock, and Janeway blinked.  

"Shoot, I was supposed to get Marija twenty minutes ago," she said as she rose to her feet.  

"I'll hold those reports for you," Alex offered with a smile.  

"Don't even think about it."  

"Too late."  

"Well, keep yourselves out of trouble," Janeway smiled as she collected the padds.  

"Trouble?" Chakotay said innocently.  

"You know what I mean," Janeway said and started for the exit.  

"I'd like to see the look on Tuvok's face if that happened," Alex giggled as the doors shut behind Janeway.  

Janeway emerged from her ready room a few days later. She huffed a sigh of relief at the thought that the personnel reports were finally done. Janeway took her seat on the Bridge. Glancing around she noticed the lack of personnel.  

"Tuvok, where are Commander Chakotay and Lt. Paris?"  

"The commander is reprimanding Mr. Paris in his office," Tuvok said evenly. Janeway sighed.  

"I'll have to speak to him about it later," she said quietly. Tuvok nodded. Quiet descended onto the Bridge, except for the appropriate noises from the computer. Janeway sighed peacefully and relaxed her thin frame into the command chair. It was such a nice quiet afternoon... she thought lazily about asking Seven to join her that night on the holodeck for a game of pool at Sandrine's. She was brought out of her reverie by Tuvok's concerned voice.  

"Captain, I am reading an energy build-up in the secondary security panel. I am rerouting the power, but-" Tuvok's faintly alarmed voice was cut off by the sudden shriek of the console behind the command level. Janeway turned slightly in surprise, only to see the violent eruption of energy from the panel. A miniature fireball burst throughout the Bridge. The red alert klaxons wailed faintly but sputtered out. And then there was silence. Officer rose from where they had crouched behind their consoles. The main doors were pulled apart to admit a shocked Chakotay and Paris. Everyone began to look around and access the damage.  

"Captain," Tuvok spoke after only a few seconds. "I am calling repair.." His voice faded out as he looked up. There was still one officer who had yet to move.  

A terrified scream unlike anything the crew had ever heard before pierced the silence of the Bridge.  

"Kathryn!" Seven was bolting from the Engineering station and across the sizzling carpet before anyone could register what was happening. And then the smell registered on their noses. It was the smell of burnt flesh and blood.  

Seven crouched next to a form on the floor. "Kathryn," she whimpered, holding a hand close over Janeway's mouth. Seven's lips quivered, and she leaned back on her heels, fearful to touch her and unsure what to do.  

"Transporter room, emergency beam-out. Beam the Captain and Seven directly to Sickbay."  

Chakotay watched on in open-mouthed horror as the transporter took them away.  

"What the hell now?" the Doctor looked up in surprise from where he was treating a cut on Brenna Whitesen's arm.  

"Oh my," Ensign Ramirez covered her daughter's eyes and shut her own. Brenna let out a cry. The Doctor dropped what he was doing and rushed to the biobed where Janeway's body had been deposited. Seven let out a sob. The Doctor ran a tricorder over Janeway. He shook his head in frustration. Seven watched him with fearful eyes as the Doctor held the faintly beeping tricorder over Janeway. He was frowning.  

"What happened?" the Doctor asked quickly.  

"There was an explosion on the Bridge. She was near the center of it."  

"I see. There are third degree burns on 70% of her body, and there are internal burns as well."  

"She is going to die?" Seven choked numbly. He turned his eyes up at her and said nothing. Seven took one of Janeway's charred hands in her own, not caring to the doctor's protests. Seven put her mouth near Janeway's ear.  

"Kathryn, please," she whispered.  

"She can't hear you, I'm sorry," the Doctor said softly. Seven nodded in understanding. There was a long moment of quiet. And then Seven gave a small anguished cry of surprise as the whithered hand between her own moved, clenching Seven's hand tightly. Then thumb moved in a soothing manner over the back of Seven's hand. Then, after a moment the thumb dropped and the hand went limp. The tricorder in the Doctor's hand gave a long sad trill. Seven looked up in pain, her brow and eyepiece drawing together and her mouth falling open.  

"I'm sorry Seven, there was nothing that I could do," the Doctor whispered.  

"No!" Seven shrieked, looking down frantically as she dropped Janeway's hand. "No!"  

"Seven please-"  

"No!" Seven shouted hoarsely, stepping away. The Doctor reached out and touched Seven's arm, but she shrunk away, and ran from Sickbay.  

Repair crews were already scouring over the Bridge when the doors burst open. Paris looked up in wonder from his work on the helm console. In fact, everyone turned to peer at the new arrival.  

Seven's hair had come loose from its careful arrangement. Her face and clothes were smeared with blood and soot. Seven's eyes were glassy with unshed tears. She gripped the walls on each side of her, as if for support. Both Chakotay and Tuvok moved to speak, but they were beaten to it.  

"Captain Janeway," Seven's whole being quivered, but she spoke in a calm voice, "is dead."  

"Death occurred at 1022 hrs. Cause of death; failure of the circulatory and respiratory systems, and of lesser failures of the nervous system. All failures were brought on by widespread third degree burns of the epidermis and lung tissue." The Doctor recorded the statistics of the Captain's death into the computer with a chilled monotone. Commander Chakotay stood near the doors and watched the procedures with haunted eyes. He had seen what Janeway looked like on the Bridge, but the was worse. The Doctor had pulled away the burnt layers of uniform and flesh during the full autopsy. Now she was just... pink and blotched purple in a few areas. The Doctor had been so careful it was almost like he was preserving her--but for what Chakotay couldn't imagine. Nor did he dare wish to. The Doctor pulled a grey sheet over the Captain's body, and turned to face Commander Chakotay.  

"Have you informed the crew yet?" he asked softly.  

"Not officially," Chakotay frowned. "But I'm pretty sure that it's spread around the ship by now." The Doctor nodded.  

"Especially after Seven entered the Bridge and announced it," the Doctor said with a tinge of sarcasm.  

"Yeah," the frown remained on Chakotay's face. The Doctor looked at him for a moment.  

"Is something wrong Commander?"  

"She's really dead," Chakotay whispered.  

"Yes, I'm afraid so," the Doctor said in return. Chakotay shook his head.  

"No, I loved her, and now she's dead."  

"Commander, I thought you were married to Alexandra.."  

"I am, and I love her more than anything. But... Kathryn was something else. She was my captain and my friend and..."  

"The mother of one of your children?"  

"That too," Chakotay sighed. "She was the strongest person that I've ever known. But now she's gone, and I just can't figure out why that doesn't seem possible."  

"I see."  

"No Doctor, you don't." Chakotay looked up at him with misty eyes. "I need to go figure out what I'm going to do. I... suppose I have a lot of work ahead of me."  

"Now more than ever," the Doctor said somberly. Chakotay glanced at him, and then back down a Janeway's body for a long moment. He sucked in a deep breath, wiped at his eyes, and then exited Sickbay silently.  

Ensign Pedio read something off a padd. There was a shocked expression on her face. She looked over at the crewman who had given it to her. He nodded, his expression equally pained. Pedio read it again, just to be sure. Then she felt a tugging on her pant-leg.  

"Miss Pedio," a young voice chimed sweetly, "can I go see my Moma now?"  

Pedio, who was in charge of the daycare center on Voyager, looked down with a mixed expression.  

"I'm sorry, Marija," she said gravely. "I don't think that your Moma feels like seeing you right now."  

"Why not? Is she sick?"  

"Not exactly," Pedio said softly.  

"Is she sad?" Marija looked up at Pedio earnestly.  

"Yes, Marija, she's very sad."  

"Then I should go and cheer her up. I always can cheer her up," Marija said brightly.  

"No, Marija, not now."  

"But "  

"No objections," Pedio held her ground.  

"Alright," Marija sighed. There was a crash and wail across the room, and with a sigh looked down at Marija.  

"You stay right here Marija, and don't go anywhere." Marija nodded, and Pedio rushed off. The child stood there by herself for several minutes, looking thoughtful. Once she decided that no one was paying her any attention, she slip out the doors and dashed off down the hall.  

Marija entered her family's quarters quietly. The lights were off and so she remained quiet. She checked the sitting room, but it was empty. So were all the other main rooms. Marija went to her mothers' bedroom door. It was open, and the room inside was dark. A soft breathy noise stopped her from leaving. Marija turned back and stepped inside the room. She realized that her mother was lying on the bed. She was face-down and very still. Marija crept into the room.  

"Moma?" she whispered. Seven didn't move. Marija swallowed, and called a second time. After a moment, Seven's head rolled sideways. Her eyes were shut, but they opened a crack. Both eyes stared out blankly, one red and the other only pink around the lids. She didn't say anything, and just studied Marija silently for a moment. Then her head returned to its original position.  

"Moma, is something wrong? Do you want me to get Mama?" Seven flinched slightly at the second name, but still was silent. Marija sat on the floor next to the bed. After a few minutes Seven looked over the edge of the bed again, down at Marija. She knew she wasn't being fair to her, but at the moment she didn't really care. She felt so empty. Alone, the way she had first been disconnected from the Collective. Maybe they had been like their own collective. Either way, Seven was hurting terribly inside and couldn't bring herself to talk to Marija right then. Seven had finally stopped crying, and knew that if she talked to her daughter that the tears would only return. She returned her face to the pillow.  

A few hours later, Seven woke again. She dragged herself off the bed, stepping over Marija's sleeping form. She padded barefoot into the sitting room. Just entering in there made Seven want to cry again. It smelled like her. She was beginning to suspect that the whole ship smelled like its Captain. Seven returned to her bedroom and went into the bathroom. She washed her face off, and as she was toweling it off she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her skin was flushed, and now both eyes were red. Her blonde hair was tangled on her back, and all together she looked horrible. But this was the face that Kathryn Janeway had loved. And Seven still loved her, so that had to count for something. She thought of Marija, asleep on their bedroom floor. Marija still loved both of her mothers. Seven ran a hand over the metal on left brow. The Collective still harbored her memories, and Seven still harbored her own memory of Janeway. No matter how much it hurt, Seven knew that she had to continue living.  

Seven set the towel down and went back into the bedroom. She scooped Marija into her arms and carried her into her own room. As Seven settled her on the bed, Marija stirred.  

"Mama?" Seven sucked in a breath.  

"No, its Moma."  

"Oh.... where's Mama?" Seven frowned in the darkness.  

"She's left."  

"Left? When is she coming back?"  

"Oh, Marija.... she.. isn't coming back."  

"Why not?"  

"She's just can't. She's gone."  

"Gone where?" Marija yawned sleepily.  

"Marija.... her body is gone. But she'll always be here."  

Marija started to question again, but Seven quieted her. She was close to tears.  

"Now, dear, just go to sleep. Don't worry... I'll explain it in the morning."  

"Okay Moma," Marija whispered.  

"Yes," Seven replied breathlessly. "We'll be okay."  

Part Two May 2388  

"And don't forget to finish up your math assignment," spoke Lt. Hithingburg to her students.  

"Alright, you're dismissed. Have a good afternoon."  

As students shuffled out of the cargo room turned classroom, Marija Janeway was the last to leave. She dreaded this part of the day more than anything Neelix could cook. Leaving meant that she would have to return to her quarters and face her mother. So she delayed her return as long as possible, going to the mess hall and talking with Brenna and Amanda. She'd wasted nearly an hour before she ventured to her quarters. Her mother's duty shift usually ended at the same time that 'school' got out, so she would probably be there.  

"You're late," Seven said with a sour expression almost as soon as Marija entered the cabin. Seven was sitting on the couch.  

"Were you expecting me for something?" Marija set her work padds down. she sat on a chair and took off her shoes.  

"Not exactly," Seven's voice softened moderately. "But you didn't come home right away after school. I was... worried."  

Marija stared down at her shoes. "I was in the Mess Hall."  

"The Mess Hall?" Seven echoed.  

"Talking with Amanda and Brenna."  

"I suppose they're better company that I am," Seven frowned slightly.  

"Sometimes." Marija bit her lip, and looked over at her mother.  

"What were you talking about?" Seven asked. Marija swallowed.  

"We worked on our homework. And.. talked about guys."  

"I see," Seven rose from her seat.  

"Like, Brenna thinks that Aaron Birde is cute."  

Seven echoed the name curiously.  

"Yeah. Sure I guess he's cute. But she can have him."  

"You're too young to be worried about such matters," Seven said, walking over to the replicator. "Are you hungry?"  

"Not really," Marija declined.  

"Well, let me know when you are," Seven said smoothly, and went back into her bedroom. Marija sat on the couch that her mother had occupied only a few moments before.  

It wasn't that Seven was mean or disliking to her daughter. She spoiled her frequently in fact. But Seven had good days and bad days when it came to dealing with her depression. Lately it had been a long string of bad days. Even after almost seven years, Seven was still distraught over losing Kathryn Janeway. It haunted her every waking moment, and her every dream at night. She would never forget it could never forget it. If it hadn't been for Marija, Seven might have died of apathy. She nearly lost all will to live that first night she spent alone in their bed. But along with constantly being reminded of her loss, Seven was also reminded of her duty to raise Marija. But sometimes at night Marija still heard her mother crying. It made her sad, because she missed Janeway too, especially since she remember so little about her. It also made Marija scared, because she was afraid that one day Seven would be unable to draw strength from her secretive source. That one day the depression would hit too hard, and that she would lose her.  

There was a picture that Seven kept on her night stand. It was of Janeway, and held in a delicate silver frame. In the picture she looked about four or five months pregnant. Her hair flowed loosely above her shoulders, and she wore a dark emerald green dress that looked like it was made of velvet. The dress flowed onto the foot of the glowing fireplace at which she sat. Her face shown radiantly, and her eyes flashed a scintillating blue. Sometimes Marija would find Seven holding the picture, a sad and distant look on her face. Once in a while Marija found herself standing in front of the night stand, staring at the picture. It was one of the few images of Janeway available on Voyager, and it was treasured deeply by those who had been closest to her.  

Seven was seated on the bed now, holding the picture. The expression on her face was a lonely one as she gazed down at the picture. Seven bit her lip, and then replaced the reminded in its place. She rose to her feet and went out into the sitting room. Seven found Marija still sitting on the couch, staring off at the far wall in thought.  

"Marija?" Seven's voice was incredibly soft and ardent as she came to rest next to the girl on the couch. Marija blinked and turned to look at Seven. She smiled at her.  

"Yes, Moma?"  

"How are you feeling, dear?"  

"Fine," Marija smiled again. Maybe today would be one of the good days.  

"Are you happy, Marija?"  

"What do you mean?"  

"I mean... here on Voyager, with the people on the ship," Seven looked thoughtful.  

"Yes, of course I do," Marija said with a nod.  

"That's good..."  

"Why?"  

"What?" Seven looked up again at Marija.  

"Why'd you want to know?" Marija blinked innocently.  

"Just... checking. I want you to be happy, Marija."  

"I am, Moma." Seven smiled.  

"Good. Now... have you finished your homework?"  

"Not yet."  

"Well, you go finish it up. I'm going to go down to the Mess Hall and get something to eat. Do you want me to bring you anything?"  

"Sure," Marija said brightly. "Just make sure that it isn't one of Neelix's 'surprises'."  

"I wouldn't dream of torturing you like that," Seven laughed lightly. "Now, go be a darling and finish your work."  

"Sure Moma," Marija picked up her work padds and went off to her room. Seven watched her go silently, and then left for the Mess Hall.  

"Captain, do you mind if I sit here?"  

Chakotay looked up from his tray. He smiled. "Not at all, Seven. Have a seat." Seven sat down quietly, setting her tray in front of her.  

"Where's Marija?" Chakotay asked.  

"Where is the rest of your family?" Seven replied evenly. Chakotay laughed.  

"Got me there. Alex is on duty, and the kids are... well I know they're somewhere."  

"How comforting," Seven said sarcastically.  

"They're helping out in the day-care center," Chakotay said. "Alex says they need to start learning how to be more responsible."  

"It is never to early to start," Seven agreed. She picked at the dinner in front of her.  

"Well, I was considering letting them just run loose on the ship until they were old enough to get married and have their own kids," he grinned. Seven looked at him curiously. "Just kidding."  

"I would hope so." Seven began to eat, slowly, as if every bite were her last. She swallowed. "Captain?"  

"Yeah?"  

"How do you feel about Marija?"  

"What do you mean?"  

"In a relationship prospective."  

"Well... I love her like she was one of mine own kids," Chakotay said thoughtfully.  

"Technically, she is," Seven pointed out.  

"True. But she's more your's and... She's more your's than mine really."  

"But if you had to, you would take care of her?" Seven asked curiously.  

"Of course. I'd take care of any kid on this ship."  

"I know."  

"Is something wrong, Seven?" Chakotay asked, his brows diving.  

"Nothing at all," Seven shook her head and stared him in the eye. He looked away.  

"So where is Marija?"  

"Completing her school-work," Seven said. Chakotay nodded.  

"Amanda mentioned that she was working with Marija earlier."  

"Yes." A thought seemed to occur to Seven. "If you'll excuse me, I told Marija that I'd bring her something back for dinner." Chakotay nodded faintly and Seven rose from her seat. He watched her as she went to the counter and spoke with Neelix. Her whole demeanor seemed normal enough, so he shrugged off any nagging that he might have been feeling. Seven returned to the table with sealed bowl, and finished her own dinner.  

"What are you and Alex up to tomorrow night?" Seven asked.  

"Well, nothing much really," Chakotay admitted.  

"The Lieutenants Paris were planning on taking a group of children to the park on the holodeck. I was going to accompany the group, with Marija. Would you and Alex like to bring your brood along?"  

"Sounds like fun," Chakotay smiled.  

"They promise that it should be," Seven nodded.  

"What time?"  

"I believe it is at 1600 hrs," she said, finishing off the last of her meal.  

"We'll see you guys tomorrow then," Chakotay agreed to it. Seven rose again and stared at Chakotay for a long moment. Thinking. But then she turned away and disposed of her tray, and disappeared from the Mess Hall. It was almost as if she'd never been there at all.  

And so Seven ghosted around the ship, as if she were Tuvok making security rounds. Seven first returned to her quarters to bring Marija her dinner. Then she stopped in Engineering to confirm the group's engagements for the next evening. Seven stopped and spoke to Tuvok for a few minutes, and then went on her way. Her last stop that evening was Sickbay. Later, Seven sat at the table in her quarters, working on a report on the Astrometrics Lab. Marija came in after while.  

"Marija, what are you still doing up? It's nearly 2200 hrs," Seven said when Marija sat next to her at the table.  

"I couldn't sleep," Marija explained.  

"Oh, I see," Seven frowned briefly. "Are you sick or anything?"  

"No, I'm fine," the little girl yawned. "Just couldn't fall asleep."  

"I understand. I would imagine that it would be hard to sleep with all of those 12-year-old dreams running around in my head," Seven ran a hand over her daughter's black hair, and looked down into blue eyes much like her own.  

"I guess so," Marija yawned again.  

"Do you remember how I used to read you a story to help you fall asleep?" Seven asked, staring at Marija. The girl nodded. "Do you think that would help you fall asleep?"  

"Sure," Marija smiled brightly.  

"Alright. You go hop into bed and I'll pull up a good bedtime story from the computer."  

"Okay, Moma," Marija said, and went back into her room. Seven watched her go, and then followed her into the room.  

"I thought you were going to get a story from the computer," Marija said softly as she settled between the sheets.  

"Well, I thought that I'd make up a story tonight instead," Seven pulled the covers up over Marija.  

"Okay."  

"Let's see," Seven sat on the floor next to the bed. "Once upon a time, there was a fair young maiden. And her name was Marija."  

"I like this story already," her daughter smiled sleepily.  

"I thought you would," Seven smiled in return. "And this fair maiden was traveling through the woods one day..."  

Almost an hour later, Seven crept quietly into her own bedroom. She sighed tiredly, and looked around. Seven changed into her grey sleeping gown, and brushed her hair out. Then she proceeded to wash her face, and carefully dry it off. She followed her nightly pattern to the letter. Seven stared at herself for several minutes in the mirror, running concerned fingers over the features of her face. One hand settled on the semi-star near her right ear, and she sighed. Then Seven left the bathroom.  

Seven pulled back the sheets on the bed, and then went over to the dresser. She reached up to her neck and unlatched the silver chain on her neck. She set it down into a small padded case, next to an almost identical necklace. Seven bit her lip, tears stinging her eyes. But with a sniff she wiped them away and closed the lid on the case. Then she sat down on the open bed. Her eyes drifted, as they always did, to the picture on the night stand. She lifted her legs onto the bed and pulled the sheets over herself, sighing deeply. She rested back on the pillow, glancing aside to the empty side of the bed. Seven picked up the picture and brought it close. She stared into the image shown, running her fingers over the face again. Then, still holding the picture in hand Seven rolled towards the night stand. Then she dimmed the lights. And went to sleep.  

Part Three May 2421  

"Okay, we'll be passing through the nebula in twenty seconds," a light voice called.  

"Confirmed," another sounded.  

"Entering nebula... now," said Lt. Chakotay, her blue eyes darting up to the view screen for a moment. Her brother nodded and turned to their own half-sister, the captain.  

"Captain?"  

"Launch probe now," Janeway said with a nod.  

"Aye sir," Amanda Chakotay said. She wasn't going to doubt the captain, but she still failed to see the point in launching a probe after you'd already entered something.  

The scene on the Bridge of the USS Voyager was a familiar. The people present were not. Forty years had changed a lot on the ship. She was quite a bit closer to home, but what they were coming home to was a home that few people on the ship actually remembered anymore. Many of the original crew of Voyager were dead, and those left were too aged to serve their ship safely. Of the senior staff, only B'Elanna Paris and Tuvok remained. Janeway and Seven had been the first to perish, but were not forgotten. Next had come the death of Harry Kim. The crew had been on a planet, when the away team had been ambushed. All had escaped except for Kim. They'd never found his body after it was dragged away. Five years later, in 2399, Neelix had died, ironically because of food poisoning. Then seven years ago Paris had died in a shuttlecraft accident. He'd taken the last shuttlecraft with him. Another irony. And most recent was the death of Chakotay, only eight months ago. The Doctor said he'd died of heart failure. Alex was still alive, as was Ramirez, the conn officer's grandmother.  

"Hold our course," Marija Janeway called out.  

"Aye, Captain," Lt. Anita Larson responded. As the ship glided silently through the nebula, following the probe, Janeway's thoughts drifted. Her fingers went to her neck, wrapping themselves in a delicate silver chain. Michael Chakotay looked at the captain and suppressed a sigh, but cleared his throat to bring Janeway's attention back to the ship.  

As children had been born on Voyager, the crew had found it easiest to teach their children what they knew. That is, for example, B'Elanna Paris had taught her son about Engineering. He'd ended up becoming Voyager's chief Engineer when B'Elanna had stepped down. And Jeremy's own daughter, Torres, was working in Engineering as well. Chakotay and Alex, having two children of their own, had unconsciously each taught a separate child their own job. Michael had followed command from his father, and Amanda had taken up the science field. Marija Janeway was a different case. She never had her own mothers to raise her, past the age of twelve. Seven of Nine had committed suicide after dealing with depression for many years, leaving Marija on her own. She'd grown attached to her father though, and as he guided Michael, Marija caught on. She'd jumped ahead, in fact, and become Captain. Now, with her son Jason, Janeway letting him choose his own path. He was standing in for someone else at the security console.  

"The probe is returning information," Chakotay reported. Janeway nodded at the science officer. She turned her head and looked at Lt. Larson. Her eyes were wide and she stared up openmouthed at the view screen.  

"Lt. Larson?" Janeway said with a question in her voice. She didn't respond. Janeway rose to her feet.  

"Captain, the probe is reading a strange energy buildup in the nebula," Chakotay said.  

"Ships scanners are now picking it up too," the ensign at Ops reported. Janeway swallowed.  

"Lt. Larson, please answer me," she said in her captain's voice. Larson still didn't move, but when Janeway rested her hand on the younger woman's should, she finally jerked into awareness.  

"Oh, I'm sorry Captain. I don't know what came over me," she apologized. Janeway squeezed Anita's shoulder.  

"It's alright. Just stay on task please."  

"Of course, Captain."  

"Now, Lt. Larson, set out course-" Janeway never finished her statement. Something appeared on the view screen of her. As they watched with fascination, from the nebula came a brief, massive light. It burst outward like a flashbulb. Janeway, Chakotay, and much of the rest of the Bridge crew all closed their eyes or squinted. Anita stared intently at the screen. Jason turned to look at the screen in surprise. The flash lasted only a second or two. And then the light receded. The others opened their eyes, but almost immediately grabbed their ears as a massive roar made the ship shake and echoed in their ears. They realized quickly that if came from the nebula itself, and not the ship.  

Then silence. Pure, undisturbed silence. The ship seemed not to hum and beep, and the crew couldn't even hear their own hearts beating in their chests. With a rush sound returned though, and Janeway snapped into motion.  

"What the hell was that?" she asked, turning to Lt. Chakotay.  

"I'm not sure Captain. It was almost like... lightning."  

"Amazing," Janeway glanced back at the screen. "But what caused it?"  

"I think it had something to do with the probe," Chakotay said. "It's no longer sending back information to Voyager."  

"Is it still there?"  

"Yes, but inactive."  

Janeway nodded. "Was there any damage to the ship?"  

"Negative," Chakotay shook her head.  

"That's good to-" again the captain's voice was cut off as Anita Larson let out a piercing scream. Everyone turned to look at her in shock. Jason let out a groan, and slumped to the floor. Anita continued to writhe in her seat. Commander Chakotay rushed to her side as Janeway tapped her commbadge.  

"Bridge to Sickbay."  

"Doctor here."  

"Beam Jason and Anita from the Bridge to Sickbay immediately."  

"Aye Captain," the Doctor said and relayed the command to one of the transporter rooms.  

Anita glared at Chakotay balefully as she disappeared.  

"Get Larson onto the other biobed," the Doctor ordered to his assistant, Lt. Ashton. She lifted the trembling woman onto the biobed, and then went quickly to get a tricorder. The Doctor took it from Ashton and ran it over Jason.  

"He's unconscious," the Doctor reported.  

"So is Larson," Ashton replied. The Doctor checked the readouts thoughtfully.  

"There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the," he said. Jason's eyes fluttered open.  

"Doctor!" Ashton hissed. Anita was waking up too. Both of them were twitching violently and screaming. The Doctor went to get his tranquilizer equipment. He tranquilized them, but it had little effect. Several minutes passed. Jason Janeway screamed like a wounded animal, eyes rolled so far back in his head that all was visible was white. Then suddenly, Jason's voice switched from a low bass scream to a shriek that sounded almost catlike. Anita's rose as well.  

"They look possessed!" hissed Lt. Ashton. The Doctor shook his head.  

"I don't know what's wrong with them. I can't find anything-" His comment was cut off suddenly as Anita sat up on her bed, her body as stiff as a board.  

"Seven!" she wailed, the last syllable stretching out for nearly a minute. Her brown eyes opened, but they showed themselves as blue, and reflected the ghostly image of a woman with blonde hair in themselves. Then she fell limply to the bed, silent and unconscious. Jason fell silent as well, but his body still trembled. The Doctor and Lt. Ashton looked at each other in surprise, and then rushed to opposite beds.  

"She's asleep," he announced after a moment.  

"So is he," the Doctor's assistant reported. The Doctor sighed.  

"Get me all the tricorder readings," he said, "I need to know what happened. Captain Janeway is going to want to know."  

As is on cue Marija Janeway entered Sickbay. She glanced at the occupied beds.  

"Doctor, what happened?"  

"I wish I knew," he said, getting the tricorder from Lt. Ashton. "They were unconscious upon entering Sickbay, but awoke and began to convulse and scream in pain. But I couldn't find anything wrong with them."  

"Captain, they looked possessed," Lt. Ashton said, ignoring the looks from the Doctor.  

"Strange," Marija said softly. She was a good strong Captain, like her mother had been, but still.. sometimes she got a haunted look in her eyes. If he had been one to talk like that, Tuvok would have said that it was something that she had gained from being around her mother too much shortly before her suicide. But he wasn't, so it had went unsaid.  

Marija had that look in her eyes right now.  

The Doctor worked hurriedly with the information that he had, and then paused. "Strange," he echoed the Captain's earlier sentiment. Janeway looked up from she had been looking down at her son.  

"What?"  

"These scans show something... just before Anita collapsed. A second brain pattern was detected, along with Anita's."  

"A second?" Janeway wrinkled her nose in thought.  

"Yes."  

Lt. Ashton went over to Anita, and ran a tricorder over her. She blanched slightly. "Sir, I'm still reading the second brain pattern."  

Both the Captain and Doctor looked over.  

"How odd," he said. "Lieutenant, run the pattern through the ship's computer. Search the database and see if it might belong to anyone else on board."  

Ashton did so, but shook her head. "None, sir."  

"Run it through the alien database as well."  

Again the request was complied, but Ashton shook her head a second time. "Still nothing."  

The Doctor turned to Janeway. "Captain, I suggest having nearby space scanned for any unknown alien-" He silence as she raised her hand. Janeway had circled the one biobed, and now stood next to Anita. She pulled back an eyelid.  

"Doctor, I thought Anita Larson's eyes were brown."  

"They are."  

"No, they're not anymore." Janeway titled the young woman's head slightly so that all could see. Anita's eyes were most certainly blue.  

"I'd say it were impossible if I weren't seeing it," the Doctor frowned. Janeway had a peculiar look on her face. "What is it, Captain?"  

"Lt Ashton," Janeway said slowly. "Is it possible to compare that second brain wave with that of a deceased crew-member?"  

"Of course sir," Ashton's voice was soft. "But why?"  

"Just do it," Janeway said steadily. As the scan was administered she ran a nervous hand through her thick black hair. "Anything?"  

"Still checking..." Ashton bent over the console. Then the computer beeped. "Yes ma'am. There was one match." Ashton looked up, her eyes wide with surprised. "It belongs to Captain Janeway."  

"You mean me?" Janeway blinked. Ashton shook her head.  

"No ma'am. I mean you mother."  

Marija sat in her ready room, clutching a mug of coffee. Thoughts swirled through the haze in her mind. The daughter of one of her best friends was laying in Sickbay at this moment, her mind occupied by the brain pattern of the captain's dead mother. The form captain. Marija looked around the ready room. This had been her mother's ready room once. Forty years ago though. Then for awhile it had been Captain Chakotay's. Her father's. Marija swallowed. She was sitting on the floor, bathed in starlight. She looked down at the coffee in her hands. The favorite drink of one of her mothers. Marija felt tears stinging her eyes, and wiped at them carelessly. After her Mama's death, her Moma... Seven, had been distraught. But she had kept going for seven more years. She had been driven by the need to be there for her daughter. Her eyes had always been haunted though, and Seven had never been the same. In the end it seemed that she hadn't become human enough--or maybe become too human--and lost the internal struggle. She'd committed suicide almost seven years to the day of Kathryn Janeway's death. A security team lead by Commander Tuvok had found her on her bed. A hypospray had lain on the floor next to the bed, inches away from Seven's dangling arm. She'd been dead a few hours before they'd found her. There had been no note, but the broken picture of Kathryn Janeway on the floor near the hypo had told them what had been on Seven's mind as she'd overdosed.  

Marija hadn't been told immediately, but when she was informed she didn't know what she felt. She was only twelve at the time. Chakotay and Aunt Alex had taken care of her after that. Marija had dealt with it as well as she could, but there was still an ache. She'd married Aaron Birde at 23, keeping her own last name, and taken the command of Voyager from her father at 26. She had two children, Jason and Max. Jason was 20, and Max... well, if he was still alive, Max would be 18 in a few weeks. Max had fallen in love with a women on a planet, and left Voyager almost a year ago. So now she was down to a son who was unconscious in Sickbay. Marija was now 45 years old. Voyager had been in space for 50. And for the last forty she'd been without the Captain who'd truly gotten them through the worst part of the journey. After Janeway's death Voyager had been passing through quiet space. They'd never had anyone try to steal the ship again, and she'd only been attacked eight times. Twice of those times had been misunderstandings. It was so.. strange.. almost as if the first Janeway had been lost once her job was done. Or possibly she'd been guiding them somehow...  

Marija shook her head, wiping the tears now streaming down her face with the sleeve of her uniform. She was being ridiculous. There was a perfectly logical reason for all of this, and she had to find it. She rose to her feet, and looked around the dark ready room. Staring out the window, at the stars warping by, the captain of Voyager had a strange insight.  

An old woman sat on a porch, rocking gently in the warm sunlight of the holodeck. She wasn't alone there. An elderly Vulcan sat nearby, in quiet meditation. B'Elanna Paris was only 81 years old, but she looked much older. She was a widow, and a grandmother three times over. But keeping the ship together for 45 years had tired her more than she had cared to admit. But her children had convinced her that retiring was for her own good. They'd failed to mention that it was also for the old ship's benefit--it's chief engineer's mind wasn't as sharp as it always had been. But she was still there. More specifically, she was there on Holodeck One, sitting next to Commander Tuvok, also retired. There had been an ache in his bones for some time now that had kept him from his job. He seemed content enough to take his well deserved rest. Holodeck One had became a permanent placement for Voyager's elderly. Many of them spent much of their days here. Some, like Tuvok and B'Elanna, never left it. The program was something of an old ancient farm, with a sprawling farmhouse and long porch positioned to catch the most of the holographic sun's rays.  

A younger figure appeared on the walkway that led up to the farmhouse. The walkway started where the holodeck doors were, and led right up to the porch near the two senior most officers. Paris squinted slightly, and chuckled at the appearance.  

"Hey Tuvok," B'Elanna Paris hissed a bit too loudly, "wake up! Someone's coming."  

Tuvok jerked in his chair, and looked up. "I was not asleep."  

"Sure you weren't," Paris sighed. "Well, I'll be, look Tuvok it's the ghost of our dear lost Captain Janeway! She's come to take us away!"  

Tuvok looked out to the path, studying the approaching form.  

"It is Captain Janeway, but not the one you speak of," he said in slight disappointment.  

"What do you mean?"  

"Her hair is too dark, and she's too tall," the Vulcan sounded grumpy. Perhaps he had been wishing for the original. B'Elanna surely had, and voiced the fact.  

"Damn, I was hoping for the real one," she said. Marija Janeway reached the porch and sat on the step in front of Paris and Tuvok.  

"Good afternoon, Captain," Tuvok said softly.  

"Hello to you both," Marija smiled softly. "Tuvok, you can take a nap, I need to speak with Aunt B'Elanna about something."  

"As you wish," he said, and closed his eyes. Paris chuckled.  

"I wish I could get him to do that," she said, "sometimes he just doesn't shut up."  

"Sometimes neither do you," Janeway laughed.  

For once Paris' mind focused. "You have a reason for coming here, I suppose."  

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do."  

"Let's hear it," Paris smiled, glad to have someone else to talk to.  

"Well, its about Anita Larson."  

"Oh?"  

"Yes. She and Jason had some strange fit today. And now there's something strange happening to Anita."  

"Ooh, something truly strange after all this time. It better be good. I could be sleeping right now."  

Janeway chuckled softly, and then continued. "There are two brain patterns being registered in her brain. One is hers, and the other... the other is my mother's."  

"I knew I saw a ghost in here!" Paris laughed.  

Janeway frowned softly. "We need to know what we can do about this."  

"Do I look like the Doctor?" Paris asked.  

"You still have more hair," Tuvok said drily.  

"Very funny. But what can I possibly do about this?" Paris looked at the seated captain. She was in thought.  

"Ghosts..." Janeway said softly. She blinked, and then looked around. "Aunt B'Elanna, how you catch a ghost?"  

"With a net," the old woman snickered.  

"No, seriously."  

Paris' brows drew together. "Well, what kinda ghosts?" Janeway could tell that she was losing her attention.  

"One's that... possess someone." She was thinking about what Ashton had said earlier.  

"I'd drive the spirit out!" Paris chuckled. Janeway sighed. Tuvok stirred in his chair.  

"Captain.." he said softly. Janeway turned slightly.  

"Yes, Tuvok?"  

"Why is the ghost here?"  

Janeway looked down, uncertain. "I suppose it's here because she is lost. Doesn't have anywhere to go."  

"Well, if she needs a place to stay we have plenty of room on the holodeck," Paris chuckled. Tuvok shook his head in annoyance at his companion's rambling.  

"Sometimes I miss the days when she would prefer silence to stupidity," Tuvok grumbled.  

"No wait Tuvok, I think she has a point." Janeway's eyes had lit up, and she looked around again.  

"Yeah! You could have her possess a hologram instead of a person," Paris smiled vaguely.  

"How would you do that?" Janeway turned her attention back to Paris. The woman paused in thought for a moment, pursing her lips together.  

"I suppose if you could change the energy of the ghost from spirit to holographic.. you could program a hologram with the spirit in it," Paris smiled again, pleased with herself.  

"She's being ridiculous," Tuvok sniffed.  

"No, I think she may have a point," Janeway said, pushing herself to her feet.  

"Where you going now, child?" Paris asked.  

"To Sickbay."  

"Ah. Say hello to the Doctor for us... tell him to come visit and shut Tuvok up."  

Janeway was already on her feet, racing down the path to the exit.  

"They get stranger everyday," Paris sighed.  

"No, you get stranger everyday," Tuvok said.  

"You should be the one to talk."  

The Doctor had more news for Marija Janeway upon her re-entering Sickbay.  

"I've detected another brain pattern," he said.  

"In Anita?"  

"No, in Jason."  

Janeway stopped dead in her tracks. "Jason?" She looked over at her son in concern. He was sleeping. The Doctor nodded.  

"I'm afraid so."  

"Have you identified it?"  

"Indeed I have," he said. Janeway peered at the Doctor.  

"Tell me," she said.  

As he did, Commander Chakotay entered Sickbay. Janeway looked up at her first officer in surprise.  

"Michael, you're not going to believe this," she said to him.  

"What?"  

"We have company."  

Chakotay blinked, "What do you mean?" Janeway's gaze drifted over to Jason and Anita.  

"Ghosts."  

"Captain, with all due respect, are you out of your mind?" Ensign Torres Paris blinked at her captain in confusion. Janeway sighed.  

"Not now, Torres," she said. "Where's your father?"  

"Up here," a voice called. Janeway made her way up to the second level, where Lt. Paris was tinkering with something on a console.  

"Are you busy, Jeremy?" Janeway asked. Paris looked down at his work, and then back up at the captain.  

"Not really," he said wryly. "Is there something you need?"  

"In a way yes," Janeway nodded. "Have you heard about what happened to Anita and Jason?"  

"The brain pattern thing?" Paris said off-hand. "Yeah, Mom mentioned it to me earlier."  

"What were you doing in the holodeck?" Marija smiled.  

"I needed some help on this," he gestured at the panel. "She may be a bit crazy, but she still knows her stuff."  

"That she does," Janeway nodded.  

"So what's up?" Jeremy asked, tapping commands into the console and looking into his tricorder.  

"Well, I had an idea on how to remove the second brain patterns."  

"Shouldn't you go to the Doc about something like that?" Paris asked.  

"I will, but it needs your expertise." Paris looked up curiously.  

"Tell me," he said finally.  

"What if there was a way to convert the brain pattern into a holodeck subroutine?"  

"You mean program a holoprogram with the brain pattern in it?"  

"Yes," Janeway nodded. Paris rubbed his chin.  

"Well... I suppose it could be done."  

"It's a start." Janeway said. "But Jeremy, I don't want any guesses about this. The patterns need to be meshed permanently into the program, but still be functional."  

"Not controlled by the computer."  

"Right," Janeway wove her fingers together at stared at them. "How long do you think it'll take?"  

"Depends," Paris said. "I'll need to have a good look at the holoprograms... and talk with the Doctor about what it'll take to actually accomplish this. If it can be done."  

"I'm afraid to think of that will happen if nothing can be done about it," Marija sighed.  

"Don't worry, I'll do my best."  

"Like mother, like son, huh?"  

"Yeah," Paris smiled softly. "Like daughter too I hope." Janeway chuckled.  

"I want a report in twelve hours."  

"You'll have it in ten," Paris assured her.  

"Thank you, Jeremy," Janeway nodded and rose to her feet.  

Marija Janeway opened her eyes slowly. She'd dozed off again, she realized after a moment. She'd developed a tendency to doze off in her ready room between shifts. She was pretty sure that her first officer knew about it, because he'd interrupted what he jokingly called her 'beauty sleep' several times. But what had woken her up now? She rubbed her nose, and then heard it again. Her commbadge chirping. Janeway sighed, and tapped the badge.  

"Janeway here," she said.  

"Captain, would you come down to Engineering?" Ensign Paris' voice chimed over the line. "Dad needs to speak with you."  

"I'm on my way," Janeway pushed herself off the couch.  

"You called me up here three hours early, I assume you must have something?" Janeway approached Paris, rubbing her face clear of any last traces of sleep. "I sure do," Paris was smiling triumphantly at the Captain. "It took a bit of abstract thinking, but I think that I've got the answer."  

Marija sat at the console in the seat in next to Jeremy Paris's. His daughter came down for a moment and whispered something to him. The she went back to her station.  

"Doesn't she ever sleep?" wondered Janeway. Paris laughed. It was a tired but pleased sound.  

"She's been helping me on this," he said.  

"So, what have you come up with?" Janeway asked after a pause.  

"The biggest problem wasn't getting rid of the second brain pattern," Paris said, tapping the console and bringing up varying images. "It was how to get the pattern to control a hologram. So I was thinking about different types of holograms. And then I thought of the Doctor's mobile emitter."  

"What about it?" Janeway tilted her head curiously.  

"The emitter holds a single hologram program. If I could include a self sustained processor in the emitter, the hologram could function independently from the main computer."  

"What kind of processor?"  

"An electronic brain," Paris said with a grin. "It would function like a normal human brain, and it would use the extra brain patterns."  

"Ingenious," Janeway smiled.  

"That was partially Torres' idea," Paris nodded. "I also consulted the Doctor to find out more about the patterns. It seems that really they're not just patterns, they seem to hold a full set of memories as well."  

"So when the new programs started up... the first thing they'd remember was the last thing that happened to them before they died?"  

"It seems to be that way," Paris nodded. Janeway tapped a few things on the console and studied the schematic of the emitter that Paris had redesigned.  

"But what about the power source?"  

"Since it's a bit more complex, the emitters will require a bit more power. But I think that they can simply be recharged during the night while the programs are 'sleeping'."  

"That's good," Janeway nodded slightly, still staring at the screen. "How long before the emitters can be built?"  

"With a team on each emitter they can be ready in about ten hours," Paris said. "And the rest of the needed equipment should be ready within a day."  

"Excellent," Janeway smiled. "Good work."  

"Thank you, Captain."  

"No, thank you, Jeremy," Marija smiled.  

"Just doing my job," Paris nodded, and went off to continue working. Janeway sighed with relief. She knew that this had to work, and she had a feeling that it would.  

A day and a half passed. Jason and Anita remained unconscious in Sickbay, while Engineering teams worked around the clock to complete the necessary adjustments and equipment needed. Janeway was standing in Sickbay, staring down at the still-occupied biobeds. She turned to the doors as they opened and admitted Lt. Paris. He held out his hand, revealing two portable emitters. The Doctor watched on curiously.  

"Here they are, Captain," Paris said, handing them carefully to her. Janeway wet her lips nervously and looked at the emitters in a critical fashion. After a moment she nodded.  

"And is everything else ready?"  

"Yes, it's being set up in the holodeck as we speak."  

"Good. How much longer?"  

"Any time now," he said. Janeway turned to the Doctor.  

"Transfer yourself to the holodeck so you can make sure that they transport alright."  

"Yes, Captain." The Doctor tapped a few controls in and transferred to the holodeck. Janeway waited a moment, and then tapped her commbadge.  

"Doctor, did you get there alright?"  

"Yes Captain. It seems that everything is appropriate on this end. I'm ready and waiting."  

"Good. Keep this comm channel open."  

"I will."  

Janeway turned to Paris. He nodded slightly. "Transporter room two, beam Jason and Anita to holodeck one."  

"Aye, Captain." Janeway watched with a mildly pained expression as they shimmered and vanished.  

"Transport complete, Captain," the Doctor said over the comm channel. "They have both arrived safely."  

"Alright. We're on our way."  

Lt. Paris and Captain Janeway departed the empty Sickbay and started for the holodeck. About halfway Marija paused, and turned to Paris.  

"Um, you go on. I have to go get something," she said softly. Paris studied her curiously for a moment, and then nodded and continued on his way. Janeway watched him go and went to her quarters to collect a small box. Then she hurried back to the holodeck to meet up with her destinies.  

"Are you ready to bring it online?" Marija Janeway asked as she strode into Holodeck One. Torres Paris and her father stood near adjacent beds in the old farmhouse. They had carefully positioned two newly made holographic portable emitters on the beds.  

"I think so," Jeremy Paris said, glancing over at Torres, who nodded. B'Elanna Paris sat nearby with Tuvok.  

"I'm not sure if this is so wise.." Tuvok said softly to her.  

"But it's the right thing to do, Tuvok," Paris said. After a moment he nodded.  

"Because of the computer requirements to bring each program online, we'll have to start one and than the other."  

"I understand," Marija said. There was a touch of apprehension in her voice.  

"Who would you like to start up first?" Jeremy asked softly. Marija swallowed.  

"My... my Mama," her voice sounded odd. It had been so long since she'd said those words.  

"Aye, Captain."  

Jeremy Paris went over to Anita, and keyed in something on the machinery that rested gently on her forehead. There was a beep as the computer worked its magic. And then a form materialized on the first bed. Marija was so tense at that moment, her knees nearly gave way. There was quiet. The Doctor went to the bedside, as Paris went to Jason.  

"Captain," the Doctor spoke. "Wake up."  

"What...?" the blue eyes of Kathryn Janeway fluttered open.  

"My gods it is a ghost," B'Elanna Paris whispered. Tuvok stared at the hologram with wide eyes, but quieted Paris.  

"How do you feel, Captain?" the Doctor continued.  

"What happened?" Janeway groaned as she sat up. She looked around. "Who..?" She rose to her feet. Janeway wore the same uniform as she had on the day of her death forty years previous, except it lacked the obvious scorching of her death. She looked around in mild confusion. Janeway took a look at Marija unknowingly, and took a step forward. Marija bit her lip, her eyes glistening. Janeway looked at her closer.  

"Mama...." Marija croaked out, choking on her own words. Janeway blinked.  

"Oh my god..." she looked at her daughter. "Marija?"  

The other Janeway nodded. Kathryn Janeway took a breath.  

"But you look almost as old as I do!" she shook her head. "But that's not possible."  

"Oh, Mama!" Marija broke into a sob and hugged her mother tightly. Janeway melted into the hug.  

"My baby," Janeway whispered, stroking Marija's back. Tears coursed down Marija's face as she pulled back. Janeway wiped the tears away, even though there were some at her own eyes. She ran a gentle hand down her cheek, and outlined the four pips on her collar. "Captain?" Marija found herself unable to speak, and simply nodded. Janeway finally turned to the Doctor. "But I don't understand. How is this possible?"  

"Captain, you... you're dead."  

"What?!" Janeway's eyes widened. "But I don't feel dead."  

"It's hard to explain," the Doctor said gently. Janeway looked down at her hands.  

"I'm a hologram?"  

"Yes," he said. Janeway looked up at Marija again.  

"But why now, after so long?"  

"Another long story," the Doctor said. Marija wiped at her eyes.  

"Captain," Jeremy Paris spoke. Both Kathryn and Marija turned. But then Kathryn blinked in realization.  

"He means you..."  

"Yes," Marija found her voice. "Yes Lt. Paris?"  

"We're ready."  

"Ready?" Janeway looked around in confusion.. "Ready for what?"  

"Do it, Mr. Paris."  

"Aye, Captain."  

Janeway watched on in confusion as Paris worked the machinery on Jason's forehead.  

"Who's he?" she whispered to Marija, pointing at Jason.  

"Your grandson," Marija spoke with a soft smile. There was a beep of transferring information, and then a figure appeared on the second bed. When Janeway saw who is was she nearly fainted, but Marija propped her by the elbow. The woman on the bed opened her eyes, and looked around. When her eyes settled on Kathryn Janeway, she leapt to her feet and crossed the room in a single bound.  

"Kathryn!" shrieked the tortured voice of Seven. She embraced Janeway tightly, afraid to let go. Marija backed away a few steps, into the arms of her husband. She sniffed delicately as she watched her mothers' reunion.  

"Oh Seven!" Janeway breathed.  

"I thought I'd lost you forever," Seven wept onto Janeway shoulder.  

"It's okay," Kathryn whispered. "I'm back now."  

"But how?" Seven didn't even break the hug to ask. She had her eyes clenched shut. Janeway took a breath.  

"Seven, we might as well be ghosts," she said quietly. Seven finally opened her eyes, and pulled back reluctantly.  

"What do you mean?"  

"I think... we're both dead."  

"Dead..." Seven echoed. She looked thoughtful. "I believe you are right."  

"How so?"  

"You died, seven years ago. I... I overdosed on emmilziene... just a few minutes ago..." Seven finally looked around as Janeway shook her head. "But who are all these people?"  

"Things have changed, my love," Kathryn whispered. "Look, see that woman wearing my uniform?" She pointed across the room at Marija and Aaron. Seven nodded, still gripping Kathryn's arm. "That's our daughter."  

"Marija?" Seven said with wonder. She finally let go of Janeway's arm, though it was a slow release as she stepped away. Marija left Aaron and met Seven halfway. They hugged, and Marija let herself cry again.  

"You're taller than me," Seven noted.  

"You're barefoot," Janeway called. Seven smiled briefly.  

"Marija, can you forgive me?" Seven blonde hair flowed down her back, and she was dressed in her thick grey sleeping gown. Just like she had been 33 years ago...  

"Forgive you? For what, Moma?" Marija sniffed.  

"For leaving you," Seven said. "I shouldn't have done that. I realized... right before the emmilziene took effect... that I was doing the wrong thing. I shouldn't have just given up."  

"It's okay Moma," Marija smiled. "You go be with Mama. Be happy..." She nodded at her lost mother. Seven smiled.  

"Thank you, for giving us another chance," Janeway spoke up. Marija smiled.  

"You did that all on your own. You never really left Voyager... Your souls didn't at least."  

"But thank you," Seven nodded.  

"You don't need to thank me," Marija's smiled broadened. "Just thank yourselves."  

"I suppose we have some catching up to do," Janeway said with a hint of sarcasm.  

"Yes," Marija chuckled. "Yes, you do."  

"Mom? What happened?" a low groggy voice called from elsewhere in the room. Marija patted Janeway's arm.  

"Excuse me," she said and went over to Jason.  

"Mom?" Jason blinked in confusion and looked around.  

"It's okay honey," Marija smiled. "Everything's just fine now."  

"But what happened?" Marija glanced over at Anita, who was being wakened by the Doctor. She paused, trying to think how to word it properly.  

"I'll explain it more, Jason," she said. "But... I suppose we had some family come to visit."  

"What?" Jason began to question again, but Marija quieted him and rose. She turned to Janeway and Seven, who were watching her curiously.  

"We will have to adjust to the new crew too," Seven said to Janeway. She nodded. Seven looked at Marija again and pointed at Jason. "Your son?"  

"Yes," Marija nodded with a smile. "You remember Aaron Birde?" Seven inclined her head slightly in a nod. Marija pointed behind them. "He's my husband." They turned to look at him.  

"Hello," Seven said with a laugh.  

"Say hello, Aaron," Marija chuckled at her husband's dumbfounded expression.  

"Hello," he said obediently, "can I call you Mom?" Janeway burst out laughing. Aaron blinked. Seven began to laugh too.  

"Did I say something wrong?" Aaron wondered as Marija came to his side. She smiled broadly at him.  

"No, you said just the right thing," she whispered to him. He smiled in relief. Marija hugged him quickly and then went back to her mothers.  

"So, what are we supposed to do?" Janeway asked. Marija looked thoughtful.  

"I suppose a tour of the ship is due, and a meet and greet with the crew," she said after a moment. "Sounds good to me," Janeway said, and Seven echoed the sentiment.  

"Oh, wait," Marija's eyes lit up in remembrance.  

"What?"  

"I have something for you two," she said, and turned to Aaron, who handed her the case. "These.. belong to you." Marija handed Janeway the case, and her empty handed drifted absently up to her bare neck. Janeway opened the case and gasped in surprise.  

"The necklace..." Janeway looked at Seven and smiled with misty eyes. Janeway pulled out one chain that was obviously hers. There was a darker tinge to the silver necklace in Janeway's hands. Seven took out the other. After a moment they switched chains and put them on each other. There was a sniff from someone in the room.  

"Oh, that is the sweetest thing I've ever seen!" an old voice bawled. Janeway turned in surprise.  

"B'Elanna?" she said questioningly. She crossed the room to where B'Elanna Paris sat. She clasped the older-younger woman's hands.  

"Oh, you certainly feel real," Paris said with a smile.  

"You'll have to excuse her," Lt. Paris said. "She's a bit..." He tapped his head for lack of better explanation.  

"Hush up, Jeremy," B'Elanna snapped at her son. Janeway glanced at him with the obvious question in her eyes. "I'm just fine."  

"You're an old loon," Tuvok said from a few feet away. Janeway's face broke into a grin as she turned.  

"I'd know that voice anywhere," she said with a laugh. "Tuvok." She hugged the old Vulcan.  

"It has been a long time, Captain," Tuvok said needlessly.  

"Indeed it has," she said. "You're here, and so is B'Elanna. Who else is left?"  

"Only Alex and Ramirez and..." Tuvok's voice trailed off in thought. Janeway's face fell.  

"Chakotay?" she whispered.  

"He died a few months ago, Mama," Marija whispered.  

"Oh." Janeway frowned.  

"He recorded you a message," B'Elanna chirped. Everyone turned to look at her. "I don't think he ever intended for you to read it, but he recorded something about ten years ago. Mentioned it to me a few weeks before he died."  

"Thank you for letting me know, B'Elanna," Janeway nodded at her.  

"Anything for the Captain," Paris smiled. Janeway turned back to her daughter.  

"So how about that tour?"  

"Where would you like to start?" Marija Janeway asked.  

"How about the Bridge?" Seven piped up.  

"Excellent suggestion," Janeway laughed.  

"Shall we?" Marija gestured toward the doors.  

"Lets go!" Janeway laughed.  

"Is there anything that you'd really like to do?" Marija asked as they all made for the doors.  

"How about a dance?" Janeway asked with a smile. She looked at Seven.  

"A dance would be lovely," Seven smiled.  

"I agree," Marija nodded at them both.  

The doors to the Bridge opened, admitting the Captain, and her mothers. Chakotay rose from Janeway's seat upon her entrance.  

"Captain on the... Bridge?" Chakotay's last word came out as a question as his eyes darted to look at Kathryn Janeway and Seven standing behind Marija.  

"Yes, I am," Marija smiled. "And so is the former Captain."  

"I see that," Michael Janeway said softly.  

"Hello," Janeway said to the Bridge crew, looking around with a smile.  

"Has it changed?" Marija asked anxiously.  

"Not that much," Janeway said, shaking her head slightly. Her eyes settled momentarily at the secondary security panel, but she shook her head and continued looking around. She finally settled on looking at Chakotay.  

"This is Michael Chakotay, my first officer," Marija said to Janeway. Chakotay had rounded his way up to their level. Janeway shook his hand.  

"Alex's kid," she said with a smirk. "Figures. Where's Amanda?"  

"Over here, Captain," Amanda spoke up from her station. Janeway smiled again and nodded at her.  

"It's good to see you again, Captain," Chakotay stuttered.  

"It's good to see that you took after Chakotay," Janeway whispered to him.  

"I'll be sure to let Mom know that," Michael laughed.  

"Good, you do that," Janeway nodded. She looked at Seven, who was looking around thoughtfully. "What is it?"  

"Nothing," she shook her head. "It's just odd, that's all."  

"I know," Janeway said in return. She walked slowly around the Bridge, nodding to crewmembers present. She came to a stop in front of the command chairs. Janeway swallowed at the lump in her throat. Seven was watching her closely, and Marija was studying her as well. Without uttering a word Janeway sat in the chair, facing the view screen silently. She was there for nearly a full minute, her body stiff and unmoving. And then she stood again. As she faced Seven and Marija they caught a glimpse of the strange torture in Janeway's eyes. Marija had done her best on the way to the Bridge to explain their deaths, but nothing compared to returning to the scene itself. Janeway looked down at the floor. The carpeting all had been replaced over time, except for a small spot near where Janeway was standing. It was black from exposure to the fire that had claimed her life. Janeway toed the spot curiously, and then stepped back. Another moment passed, and then Janeway returned to the upper level where Seven still stood.  

"I've seen enough," Janeway's voice was soft.  

"How about the mess hall?" Marija whispered. Janeway nodded.  

"That would be nice," she said. "I wonder if they make coffee for holograms?"  

Janeway stepped onto Holodeck Two, her mind flooded with memories. It was the dance hall program, she realized with a smile as she looked around. And it was already getting crowded around the edges. She spotted her family and the Parises near the entrance and made her way to them. Marija hugged her hello.  

"Where's Seven?" she asked.  

"Fixing her hair," Janeway laughed.  

"I would have thought you could have just gotten the computer to zap it into place," Jeremy Paris said wryly. Janeway broke into a fit of laughter. They were still getting used to being holograms, but things were alright. Janeway ran a hand over her own hair carefully.  

"It's fine, Mama," Marija said.  

"Well we can tell that Jason got his looks from his grandfather," B'Elanna said from her seat. Tuvok poked her in the ribs, and they both chuckled.  

"I hope that's a compliment," Jason Janeway flushed.  

"It is, dear," Marija smiled. "Speaking of Chakotay's, where are they?"  

"Over there somewhere," Torres Paris said, pointing across the room.  

"That narrows it down," the captain laughed, as did the others. Somewhere amongst the swarm of people music started up. Janeway fidgeted for a moment, tugging nervously at the soft white fabric of her dress.  

"Mama, I'm going to go speak with Amanda," Marija said. "Have fun, will ya?"  

"You know I will," Janeway smiled. "You do the same." Music trilled lightly as Janeway hugged Marija, and then stepped away. She turned, scanning the room. A hand pressed against Janeway's arm, and she turned again. It was Seven.  

"Every night in my dreams I see you. I feel you. That is how I know you go on."  

"Seven, dance with me?" Kathryn Janeway smiled. "Of course," Seven inclined her head gently in a nod.  

"Far across the distance And spaces between us You have come to show you go on."  

Their hands clasped together, hologram to hologram. But in their hearts, their souls, it felt real.  

"Near, far, wherever you are I believe that the heart does go on Once more you open the door And you're here in my heart And my heart will go on and on"  

It was real.  

"Love can touch us one time And last for a lifetime And never go till we're gone"  

Janeway gazed up into Seven's face. Their blue eyes met. Seven led the way, as she always had. Even forty years and death couldn't change some things.  

"Love was when I loved you One true time I hold to In my life we'll always go on"  

As they danced, Seven leaned closer, and whispered into Janeway's ear.  

"I missed you so much Kathryn," she said softly. "It's okay Seven, I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere." "Promise me that..." "I'm not going to leave you again," Janeway promised. Seven sighed softly.  

"Near, far, wherever you are I believe that the heart does go on Once more you open the door And you're here in my heart And my heart will go on and on"  

They had been lost for so long... As the crowd bordering the edges of the dance hall watched them dance, there was no doubt that here on their ship, two souls had found their rest.  

"You're here, there's nothing I fear, And I know that my heart will go on We'll stay forever this way You are safe in my heart And my heart will go on and on"  

They were proof that hearts survived even after death, and that sometimes life got a chance to go on...  

The End