Firstborn
by Cat and Kadith
Rated: PG-13 for language

Disclaimer: What? You mean they aren’t really ours? We don’t get paid for this? BUMMER!

The soft sniffling sobs were the first thing to pierce her brain. Rolling to unsteady feet, Hope made her way towards the sounds. The all encompassing darkness was overwhelming. She had no idea where she was. "Kayli? Kaleb? Faith?"

The sobbing increased, but she received no answer. "It's all right baby, I'm coming." Seconds later the stumbling footsteps where halted as she tripped over something and went crashing to the floor.

"Bloody Hell!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you, are you okay?" Hope pushed herself up and angled away from the body she was sprawled on.

"I'm fine, thanks. Who's crying?"

"I'm not sure. I called out but didn't get any response."

"Why don't we crawl over there and check it out. Hello? Can you call out so we can find you easier? Can you tell me what's wrong?"

"I'm scared." The voice was small, frightened, that of a child.

"Me too." came an identical response.

"Are you hurt?"

"No."

"I want my mommy!"

"Okay, why don't you stop crying then? We're here with you so you're not alone, and I'll make sure you get back to your mom, okay?"

"Promise?" The small voices echoed in unison.

"I promise to do everything I can to keep you safe, and get you home."

"What's your name?"

"Ryn. And my friend here is?”

"Hope."

Shuffling forward slightly, Ryn encountered a sneaker clad foot. "Is that your foot I have?"

"Uh huh. My name is Kadi, and this is my sister Kat."

"It's a pleasure to meet you ladies."

"Ummm, Ryn?"

"Yes?"

"Can I cuddle with you?"

"Me too?"

“I don't think my lap's big enough for two, but why don't you guys curl up between me and Hope and we'll share a cuddle? Hope?"

"Sounds good to me. Is that Kat against my side here?"

"Yes ma'am."

Hope snuggled the child closer to her side, her arm brushing against the other child. "How old are you Sweeting?"

"Seven."

"Me too. We're twins. My daddy says we're the bestest cuddlers in the world."

"You sure are. I don't think my own kids cuddle this good."

"You're a mommy? Do you have a little girl too?"

"Yes, I have two little girls and a little boy too."

"We have a brother, but I don't think he's here. Are you a mommy too, Ryn."

"No."

"Why? Don't you like kids? I want to be a mommy when I grow up."

"Me too."

"I like kids just fine, I just don't have any that's all." Ryn shifted the child until she too was cuddled next to Hope. "You cuddle here with Hope, and I'm going to check out the room and see if anyone else is here or if there is some way to get some light." She stood, placing her hand one the wall, and began a slow circuit around the room. Methodically her hands slid up and down the wall searching for anything that might be a way out or give them some clue as to where they were. After several minutes of searching, her hand encountered an odd groove in the wall. As she passed over it, the lights came on. As her eyes adjusted, she took in her surroundings. She turned quickly to a loud chorus of "Mommy!" The girls flung themselves at her, burying their faces in her stomach. Ryn threw a startled gaze at the young woman standing across from her. A gasp escaped her mouth at the site.

Hope stared in startled shock at the woman across from her. "Sweet Blessings....." The image facing her might have been her own, so exact was the detail. Were it not for the red hair and the tattoo, Hope would have thought she was looking in the mirror.

"Bloody Hell...." Ryn glanced down once more at the identical twin girls before her. They had just realized that their effusive greetings were not being returned.

"Mommy?" Kadi pulled back and looked up at the woman she thought was her mother. Sad brown eyes stared right back at her.

"No Honey, I'm not your mommy. I'm sorry."

"Ryn?"

"That's right. And you must be Kadi, right?"

"Uh huh. But you look like my mommy. How is that possible?"

"I don't know sweetheart. Maybe we're related."

The child seemed to take this all in stride. She pulled back and looked over at Hope, who hadn't moved. "You look kinda like me, 'cept your eyes are brown like Ryn's. Are you related too?"

Hope studied the three people before her, trying to make sense of the whole situation. Her eyes met Ryn's once more, and she read the confusion there. "Yes, Kadi. I think we are all related."

Kat pulled her thumb from its resting place in her mouth and pointed at Ryn. "My daddy has a tattoo like yours."

That caught Ryn's attention and she focused back in on the child. "Does he? What is your daddy's name?"

"Commander Chakotay. And my mommy is a Captain. Kathryn Janeway."

Hope's gasp drew Ryn's attention and she watched helplessly as the young woman leaned against the wall and slid to the floor. "Hope? Are you okay?"

Hope nodded weakly. "How is this possible? Where are we?"

Ryn sighed in frustration. "I don't know, but I intend to find out." Glancing from Hope to the children and back to Hope, she stated emphatically "We have to stay calm. We can't afford to lose our heads over this. I will figure out what is going on."

Hope nodded again, and tried to pull herself together. As she tried to accept the facts before her, she studied her surroundings. The room was roughly 20 ft square. The walls were white, and there appeared to be no breaks with the exception of the light groove.

Ryn took both of the girls by the hand. "Come on, Little Ones, looks like Hope needs a cuddle."

The twins nodded sagely at this advice, and settled down next to Hope hugging her tightly.

Two hours later, the four females still sat cuddled together. During their time there, Ryn had gotten up twice to check out room, before sitting down with a growl. The twins had gotten tired and shifted so that they were sprawled over the older women, who were now sitting shoulder to shoulder talking quietly. Hope glanced at Ryn once more. "You're my sister, sort of, aren't you? Just like they are?"

"I think so. I don't know how, or why, but we are connected. Somehow we all share the same parents, but...."

Hope nodded, tears filling her eyes. "I've always wanted siblings, but my parents couldn't have any more children."

"I have three other siblings. Two sisters and a brother. I get along with Kol, my brother almost always, and Kes most of the time, but Phoebe.... She makes me wish I was an only child."

"That's what my Kayli is always telling me. She and my son Kaleb fight all the time. Sometimes they make me glad that I was an only child."

"Yeah.... but I like having them around... Most of the time."

"Isn't this a touching scene."

Both woman turned at the sound of a voice. Standing before them, dressed in a Starfleet uniform, stood a man neither had seen before.

"Ah this is wonderful. The firstborn daughters of dear sweet Kathy and her loyal dog of a first officer Chuckles. I never thought to see the day."

Ryn would have stood if Kadi weren't wrapped around her. Pulling her best command voice, and causing Hope to do a double take, she growled at the figure. "Who the hell are you and what are we doing here? Where is my ship?"

"I, my dear impatient girl, am Q."

"Bloody Hell!"

"Who?"

"Q. At least one of you has heard of me. My dear Kathy has been silent once more. Tsk tsk."

Hope glanced at Ryn who bristled with anger. "Should I know you Sir?"

"Bloody Hell, he's Q. The biggest troublemaker and mischief brewer in the universe."

"Ahhh, my reputation precedes me. Perhaps you, Hope, should have paid more attention to your Voyager history lessons."

Sudden dawning turned Hope pale. "Bloody Hell...." She dislodged herself from the child holding on to her and stood, "Now that we know who you are, maybe you should explain yourself."

Q arched a brow and looked her up and down, "Well well, daddy's little girl is smarter than I originally thought. You know Hope, I was beginning to wonder about you, but it's nice to know ole Chuckles didn't have that much influence on you."

Kat stood and walked up to the man, "How can you be a Q, you're a person. Q's are letters."

He looked down at the small child and smiled, "Q's are beings you'll eventually learn about little one, for the moment all you need to know is that you need me to get home."

The little girl placed her hands on her hips in a trademark maneuver that had Q chuckling, then she frowned. Sensing she was about to open her mouth again, Hope reached over and pulled the child behind her, "Well, if we need you to get us home, then by all means, please send us home."

"It's not that easy--"

Ryn bolted to her feet, "Why the hell isn't it? Snap your fingers, wiggle your nose, whatever the hell it is that you do and send us back to our ships."

Q sighed, "Geez, you're more like your mother than I thought. You see, it's like this, each of you is from a different universe. A sort of, alternate reality." At Ryn's disbelieving look he rolled his eyes, "Yes dear, they do exist. The continuum created them for entertainment purposes, whether you believe me or not isn't the issue."

Hope sighed loudly, "Then what is?"

He stared down his nose at them, "In one reality, one in which your parents are not yet 'together', they are about to change the nature of the space time continuum so drastically that the other realities will be wiped. Janeway and Chakotay will never meet, in any universe, are you understanding me yet?" They were staring at him, mixed looks of shock and confusion on their faces.

Kadi looked at her twin, "What’s a space time continuum?"

Kat shrugged, "I don't know, we haven't learned that yet, we prolly skipped that day."

"Oh, okay." Kadi shrugged and leaned back to watch the adults some more.

Hope looked over her shoulder and silenced the two with a look, then returned her gaze to Q. "What could our parents possibly do, that is so terrible it messes things up THAT badly."

Q shrugged, "Oh, there are any number of things they could do, but this time they were just fighting. You know, the usual, sexual tension, what a bummer. You're dad is angry at your mom because she said, he said, she said, I can't go into it now, we don't have enough time. They're *your* parents, you figure it out."

Ryn stared at him, "So how exactly are we supposed to help things? We're supposed to save our realities? And just how are we supposed to do that?" The string holding her temper in check was already frayed, and in another two seconds it would snap completely.

Hope recognized the look in Ryn's eyes. That was pure Janeway temper and she was going to snap anytime. She placed her hand on Ryn's arm. "Okay, I understand the logic. Why us though? What can two adults and two children do to correct the problem?"

Q threw his hands up, "Finally, we're getting somewhere. I was way off, this has never happened before, I was certain she," he pointed at Hope, "would be the dense one, not you."

Ryn's fists clenched and unclenched, had it not been for the hand on her arm she would have launched herself at him, "Why don't you cut the shit," she winced remembering the twins, "and tell us what we have to do. The sooner you do, the sooner we can get started, and the sooner we can go home."

Q smiled, "Now you sound like the Kathy I know and love so much! Okay, it's like this, you're parents had this teeny weeny little fight and broke up. Not that they were much more than best friends, but they were getting somewhere, finally. Those two are so slow," he shook his head, "anyhoo, this time it seems their differences are completely irreconcilable, you're father has chosen to leave Voyager and remain on the planet they're currently orbiting." He watched them both go pale and lifted a hand, "Please, save the drama, let me finish first. I wouldn't really mind seeing good ole Chuckles getting what he deserves, but, there's one little problem. This is where you come in, I can not interfere, continuum rules and such, it's really all drivel, but that's beside the point. You're job, will be to convince your father to remain on Voyager, and your mother to see past her anger, which believe me, is beyond anything I've ever seen before--from her at least. So you have to calm them down, and get him back on the ship, otherwise the Pattern in Space and Time will be shattered and you're parents will never meet, in any reality."

Hope frowned and nodded her head slowly, "All right, I think I understand until now, but how can one little fight disrupt space and time?"

"Simple," Q made a grand gesture, “just like this room, the planet your father has chosen to remain on is separated from normal time. Time there exists years behind that which your parents exist in, by staying there your father is disrupting time."

Ryn sighed, "Therefore causing a rift that will completely disrupt any reality dealing with their lives, in every instance where they were involved a decision or event will occur that will keep them from meeting one another. Natural Laws of the Universe will intervene to preserve what's left of the Space/Time Continuum. Great, just bloody wonderful."

"Exactly," Q grinned, "now for the specifics--"

"Not so fast," Hope cut in, "where do the children come in? And you still have yet to explain why *we* specifically have been chosen."

Q waved his hand in a negligent gesture. "What does it matter? You have been chosen for this mission and that's all that counts."

Ryn stepped forward, a resigned expression on her face. "It matters Q. Where you are concerned things like this always matter. if I've learned anything, it's that there are always subtleties that have to be weedled out of you."

With a snort of frustration, Q gave in. "You are sooooooo like your mother. Speaking of which, who do you get along with best, your mother or father?"

Ryn looked at him quizzically. "My father... Why?"

Q ignored her and looked over at Hope. "And who do you deal with best?"

Hope blinked. "My mom... She's the peacemaker in the house."

"Now why do you suppose that you each get along with a different parent?" Both women gave him blank looks. "Oh come on. Must I spell it out for you? You are each in temperament more like the parent you least get along with. You think like that parent, therefore you find it easier to deal with the other. As much as I hate it, Kathy and Chuckles do get on famously, but when they clash...."

Ryn growled. "Get to the point Q, because so far you've not stated any reason why we are any better choice than any other person from any other reality. You can obviously pull us from any time and at any age so why here and now?"

"If my Kathy weren't so fond of you I turn you into a single celled creature destined to live its life out in a short empty existence. Maybe I should have pulled you later, after you've matured and mellowed, but I prefer your spunk. You are going to need it." He glared at Ryn for a moment. "You four are the Firstborn. Each of you were born within the same time frame. All of you were born during the fifth to sixth year of Voyager's journey."

Ryn was beginning to grow more agitated, if that were possible, "What does that have to do with anything?"

Q closed his eyes for a moment, "If you would stop interrupting me, I could tell you!" A chair appeared out of thin air, and suddenly she found herself sitting there unable to speak, "That's better, now where was I? Oh yeah, there are aspects of your lives that make each of you the better choices. You for example," he walked around Hope, "are Daddy's little angel, you have in you the perfect culmination of your parent's personalities, but your father is and has always been more prominent parent in your life. You want his respect, you crave it, and you absolutely adore him. The thought of disappointing him frightens you to the core, that's why you freaked when you met that Kalin person you're so crazy about. You were afraid your father would never forgive you, but you have enough Janeway in you to do what you want and deal with the consequences later."

Hope was staring at him dumbfounded, "Don't look so surprised, I'm Q, I know all, see all, am all. Now, the reason you get along so well with your mother is that she understands, she feels the same way about your father, even if she is more secure than you, it comes from age and wisdom. It's also the reason you chose Kalin, if you haven't noticed it, the man you chose as your mate is quite similar to the man that is your father." Her eyes widened, she started to open her mouth, but quickly closed it again. Q smiled, "I know, astounding isn't it. Now, your turn," he looked at Ryn. "You may want to sit," another chair appeared and Hope found herself in it. "Now, for you," he walked around Ryn's chair, oblivious to the daggers she was shooting at him with her eyes, "You, because of your unique DNA, are more your mother's child then any of the others. You are the perfect blend of the two. However, because of your father's ridiculous wish at the moment of your conception, you are even more a replica of Kathryn Janeway. You have her temper, her personality traits, even some of her maddening habits. It is the one reason you and she fight so frequently. You strive for her approval, much the same way Hope strives for Chuckle's. You have her love, but you want her respect. And look at you, you follow in her footsteps. Captain of a starship, in love with your first officer, striving to get your crew home. Pathetic."

Ryn's eyes glared her fury, but she was still unable to move or talk. Kadi, though young, understood that Q had done something to her new friend. She ran up to the man and kicked him in his shin. "Leave her alone!"

"Why you little demon! How dare you kick me!" He turned to restrain the child, but Hope had stood and once more pulled Kadi behind her.

"Don't even think about it," Hope's eyes were blazing. She pulled the child over to the chair she'd just vacated and put her in it, along with her twin sister. "You two stay put, that's an order." She turned to Q, "All right, I understand what you're saying, you need us because we're so much like our parents we can achieve our goal by communicating with the opposite. They'll feel comfortable with us, trusting, but one thing you *still* haven't told us, is what two children have to do with any of this. How can those two," she gestured behind her to the twins, "possibly help to stop a disaster? They don't know a first thing about any of what we've been talking about."

Q sighed, "Touché, but they have a purpose. It's one I cannot reveal at this time, but they are here because they are the only twins. In one other reality there was a set, but they were fraternal, they are the only set of identical twins born to Kathy and Chuckles. And vas such they are the absolute, perfect combination of both parents, look at them, their pversonalities are a reflection of their looks. I had thought of pulling them here in their older forms, but they wouldn't have been able to achieve the goal. I need their youth, their innocence, their spontaneity."

Hope and Ryn watched the pair, already beginning to argue over space in the chair. He spoke the truth, they had the appearance of their father, but it was subdued by the grace that was all Janeway. The stubborn chin, accented by blue eyes, and dark brown hair that also reflected red highlights. The two older women glanced at each other before looking back at Q, "So what now?" Hope asked, "Obviously we have no choice in this, what do we do now?"

"There is one other thing you need to know before I go into the details. You were both created in the after effects of violence." He pointed at Ryn, whose expression was surprised. "Your parents overcame the emotional problems before your conception, but it was the catalyst in changing their relationship. Hope, you were the result of that violence, and again it was instrumental in changing their relationship. You have also seen the extents of their anger, you know how to deal with it. One more factor that should help you two bond. You both have shared a violent past yourselves, overcome adversity, and become stronger and much much more than you were. You can do this."

They stared at each other for several moments, "All right," Hope said, "we'll try."

Ryn nodded in agreement, but her eyes still blazed with fury at Q. He smiled, "Good, pay close attention, I'll only be able to tell you this once. I will alter your physical appearance, but only slightly," when Ryn started he held up a hand, "it's only a precaution, you'll defeat your purpose if Kathy and Chuckles realize who you are. It won't be much of a change, but you," he pointed at Ryn, "will have to lose the tattoo, I promise to put it back when your mission is over. You'll go under the guise as sisters, since its not far from the truth anyway, you will take the place of the Rindaruan Ambassadors currently aboard Voyager, they aren't getting much done anyway. Now the important part, it is imperative you do NOT reveal who you are to your uh, parents. This rule belongs to the continuum itself, upon the moment your identity is revealed your appearance will revert back to normal. The explaining will be up to you, and at that point you will have only 13 hours to complete your task. Understood?"

Hope looked at Ryn who only shrugged, "We understand, what do we do with the children?"

Q shrugged, "They'll be with you aboard Voyager, I suggest you keep an eye on those two, they can be a handful. As I said, their purpose will be revealed in time, but remember this, they are as important to this mission as you are. Their task is as important as yours, consider it phase II." He looked from Ryn to Hope, "Any questions?" When he saw Hope staring at Ryn he added, "Kathy Jr., you can speak now."

Ryn stood slowly, "And if we need your help? How do we contact you?"

Q shook his head, "You don't, this is up to you. From the moment I leave this room you're on your own."

The older women looked at each other for a moment, "We're ready."

"Good," he rubbed his hands together, "I'm taking you directly to Voyager, to them you've already arrived and have been aboard an hour. Anything they need to know about you has already been provided. Now, for the looks," he studied them, "Hmm, you I believe would look good as a blonde with shorter hair." The transformation was instantaneous, Hope's hair was shortened and lightened. Next her eye color was changed from the deep brown to a vibrant green. "I'm so good," he looked at Ryn next. "Brunette, definitely. With, hmm.... violet eyes." The twins he left as they were, simply adding the features of the Rindaruan people, "Those two are too young for any real resemblance to be determined," he looked at Ryn and Hope again, "good luck." With that he was gone, and so were they.

As soon as they arrived in the guest quarters set up for them onboard ship, Ryn sprang into action. "He has got to be the lowest life scum I've ever seen." She began pacing as thoughts raced through her head.

Hope sighed and sent the twins into the other room. "Would you please calm down? You're going to upset the twins."

"Oh please.... Drop the earth mother routine for a minute will you. We've really got to access the situation and move fast. The longer we are here, the more likely we are to violate Q's rules. We need to figure out what to do and how to do it. We also need to sit down with those two rugrats and make sure they understand the seriousness of this mission. We can't have them running up to Mom screaming Mommy now can we?"

"They're smart kids, Ryn. They will be fine. Besides you heard Q, they are as intregal a part of this mission as you and I. Although at the moment, I fail to see your value."

"You are too typical, miss know it all. I may not be all nice and perfect like you, but I'm here to take command so to speak. We map out a plan and follow it to the letter."

Hope sputtered as she stared at the woman she was already considering a sister. "Why you arrogant, egotistical witch..."

"Name calling won't get you anywhere Little Girl. It's time to play hardball, and I know the rules, you're just guessing."

"You can't make a judgment call like that. You don't even know me."

"I know you're a spoiled little princess who has obviously always gotten every little thing she wants. And that is quite enough, now if you'll shut your mouth I'll figure out how we're going to do this."

Hope's eyes narrowed, "I apologize for being an only child, it was hardly my fault mom was unable to have any other children. But I will have you know that I have never gotten *everything* I've ever wanted. And I am not without my fair share of knowledge on how the real world works. I have a husband, three children, and while I may not be on the command fast track like you pretend to be, I did complete my Starfleet training, or rather as much training as one can complete while living aboard Voyager. Considering of course that I was pregnant most of the final year of said training, so if you don't mind, I would appreciate it if you would stop treating me like a mindless twit otherwise I'll have to knock you on your plump little ass." At Ryn's look of disbelief she smiled bitterly, "And believe me, all my children are under the age of 8, my husband insists I be capable of defending myself, I can do it."

Ryn snorted, "Drop the act princess, tough just doesn't suit you."

"Stop it! You're acting like babies! If you don't hush, you're gonna wake up my sissy and she's cranky if she gets woked up." The women turned in shock at the sharp little voice, surprised to see the silent Kat standing before them with her little hands on her hips.

The object of her concern appeared then, standing in the door way rubbing her eyes. "Where's Mommy?"

Kat looked at her, then back at the adults, "Now you've done it." She walked over and hugged her sister, "S'okay Sissy."

Kadi shrugged her off, "I want Mommy!" Her little face was beginning to crumble, and her lips were trembling. Tears welled in her blue eyes and threatened to spill down her cheeks.

Ryn sighed, "Oh bloody hell, this is just what we need."

Hope glared at her, "Would you hush." She walked over and lifted the little girl, "It's okay Sweetie, I know you want your mommy, I want mine too." She reached for Kat's hand and lead them both over to the sofa, "But its going to be a while before we can get you home, okay? And you are going to go home, but there's something we have to do first, and it's very important."

Little Kadi snuggled easily into her arms, feeling immediately safe, "What?" She sniffled and wiped at her face with the back of her hand.

Ryn sighed and sat down next to Hope on the sofa. She was surprised when Kat crawled up into her lap and snuggled close. She hugged the child and waited for Hope to explain.

"Do you know what magic is Sweetings?" As the girls nodded, Hope continued. "Well, that man, Q, has a kind of magic. He sent us to a place where your mommy and daddy exist, but you don't yet. They have had a bad argument, and now they aren't talking any more. We are here to try to fix that, to make everything okay, so that we can go back to our homes."

Kadi sniffled again, and wiped her nose on Hope's shirt. "When we get 'em together again, we can go home?"

"Yes, when everything is fixed between them, we get to go home."

Kat began to cry, and Ryn looked at her helplessly. "Please don't cry, Little One. Look at this as an adventure okay? Hope and I are like big sisters to you. Bet you don't have any big sisters, and maybe that will be fun." Her expression was hopeful as she tried to convince the twins.

Kat sniffled again, wiping her nose on Ryn's sleeve, and ignoring the horrified look her elder gave her. "Can we call you Sissy too?"

Ryn opened her mouth but quickly closed it and looked at Hope, she shrugged and asked silently for help. Hope arched a brow at her and smiled knowingly, "Yes Sweetings you can call us Sissy too. Now what we need you to do is be very brave for us okay? We'll figure out how this is going to work, some how." She shot a look at Ryn, "And we'll figure out how you two can help us. But it is very, very, very important that you understand that you can not call Kathryn and Chakotay Mommy and Daddy okay? It's an adventure and you have to pretend you don't really know them all right?"

The two girls nodded simultaneously, "Good," Ryn jumped in. "I'm guessing Q left the information we'd need to pull this off around here somewhere, we just have to find it." Her statement was addressed more to Hope than the twins. "When we do we can fill these two in on what they need to know, in case anyone asks them any questions."

Hope nodded, "Good idea," she looked from Kadi to Kat, "are you two hungry? I seriously doubt they'd deny us use of the replicators in a diplomatic situation."

Ryn nodded, "And I really don't want to venture out until we know all the details of our disguise."

Kat sniffled, "Can I have spaghetti?"

Kadi lifted her head and looked at hope, "With meat balls?"

"And lots of sauce?" Kat threw in, looking hopeful.

"But no mushrooms!" The two girls cried simultaneously and wrinkled their noses, "mushrooms is blecky!"

Hope chuckled and looked at Ryn, "Sounds fine to me!"

Ryn shrugged, "All right by me, I'm not really hungry. Give me some coffee and I'll be fine."

Hope rolled her eyes, "You really are Kathryn Junior!"

Ryn glared at her for a moment, then smiled. "Your point?" she said with a chuckle.

Hope started laughing. For the first time since this escapade started she had some hope of its success. "I'm sorry, it's just that not only do you look like Mom, but you have the same habits. It's uncanny."

"You mean to say you don't like coffee?"

"Oh, it's okay. I just don't need it to survive."

"Blame it on Daddy. It's his fault I take after Mom. He asked for it."

"Oh really. Just like a genie in a lamp? He wished for it and got it and all that?"

Ryn smirked at Hope's doubtful expression. "Something like that. I believe his exact words were 'I want a little girl exactly like you,' and he got it."

"Yeah right, that's not possible."

"It is when you combine alien DNA."

Hope blinked. "What?"

"You've been in space a long time, you figure it out. Besides, if four sisters can exist in a room who weren't even born in the same reality, anything is possible, even special order kids.'

"You've definitely got my attention."

"Well, tell you what, if you're still interested, I'll fill you in later. Right now, I have exactly what we are looking for." She held up a padd she'd noticed on the coffee table, "It looks like it contains all the info on the Rindaruans and the negotiations going on with Voyager." She scrolled through it, "Damn, they want weapons, replicators, transporter schematics, and in exchange for asylum for Commander Chakotay, they're asking he be wed to the Proconsul's daughter." She scrolled a little farther, then her eyes widened, "Houston we have a problem."

Hope blinked, "Huh?"

"Earth saying, never mind, we have a bigger problem than we thought." She offered Hope the padd and shifted Kat on her lap, "Guess who the Proconsul's daughters are."

Hope stared at the padd, her face growing pale, "We are the daughters? I'm going to kill Q." As she scrolled down a little further her face went even whiter, "Wait a minute, which of us is Brekina and which one is Dekarna?"

Ryn shrugged, "I believe," she reached for the padd again and sorted through the information. "Here it is, a description of each," she smiled wryly, "You my dear are Brekina."

"Oh just great," Hope groaned, "I'm really going to kill Q. Guess who gets to marry our father."

Ryn snickered, "Better you than me."

The twins were staring at them, eyes wide and filled with confusion, "Can we eat now?"

Hope blinked, "Huh? Oh! Yes, of course." She shifted Kadi onto the sofa next to Ryn and Kat and stood, "Spaghetti right, with meatballs and lots of sauce." The two nodded and scrambled off the sofa to follow her to the replicator.

As they were eating, Ryn sipped her coffee and studied the padd. Hope grinned at her and pushed a plate in her direction. "You really should eat something besides coffee."

Ryn looked up from the padd, blinked, and grinned. Grabbing her fork, she scooped a mouthful of noodles in and rolled her eyes. "Yes Mother."

"You really need a keeper."

"I have one. His name is Dare."

"Dare? What kind of name is that?"

"Don't ask me. Tom suggested the name when he was born. The rumor on ship goes that if Tom hadn't dared Harry to ask Seven on a date, then locked them in the Holodeck, Harry would never have faced his love for her and they never would have gotten married."

Hope choked on her tea. "Harry Kim and Seven of Nine? Are you nuts? I can't picture it. On my Voyager, Harry is married to Ensign Edy Sarah from the science department. Seven has bonded with Tuvok."

"That's too weird. Ole Tuvie is the father of one of my closest friends. His son Lavek is my science officer."

"Cool. Are Tom and B'Elanna together on your Voyager? Their son Devon was my best friend and chief mischief maker growing up."

"Yes. Tom and B'E are still together on my Voyager. But their son is called Owen in my reality. He's my helmsman, and his sister, Belle is my chief engineer."

"You keep saying my. Why?"

"Well, several years ago, we encountered a ship graveyard and found a salvageable vessel. My friends and I revamped it and made it space worthy again. The oldest of the second generation took over the smaller ship and I happen to be her Captain." Ryn gave Hope a quirky grin. "You'll never guess her name."

Hope shook her head. "Probably not. What?"

"Hope."

"Huh?"

"That's her name. The Hope. Hilarious isn't it?"

"You're kidding right?"

"Afraid not."

"Well," Hope lifted her tea cup, "then I guess this just means you were destined to meet me."

"Yeah, if you say so." Ryn shook her head, "This is weird, how can our realities be so similar but so different?"

Hope shrugged, "Different decisions, different paths, I kinda wonder if there are different realities where both of us exist with different lives. Like a reality where I'm still the spoiled little princess."

"Oh you mean this one?" Ryn grinned wryly at her.

She rolled her eyes, "No, I mean the reality in which I didn't meet *my* keeper. I wonder what my life would be like if I hadn't met Kalin. I wouldn't have three kids that's for certain."

Ryn shook her head, "How can you be so young and already have such a large family? I mean, you can't be much older than me, 27 maybe?"

Hope grinned, "Close, 25 soon. I was 18 when I met Kalin, and 19 when our son was born. He's several years older than me," she sighed softly, "it's complicated, he kidnapped me."

She arched a brow, "Kidnapped you? Okay..." She made a funny face that had the twins giggling.

"Well, he was the leader of a resistance group, but he wasn't. He was undercover, I was kidnapped by other members of the group and he kept me safe until a deal with Voyager could be reached. But we didn't know he was the good guy until after the fact, and by then I'd already fallen for him, and our son had been conceived. We were told he was killed in a raid on the camp where I'd been held so we left that sector of space, it was almost a year before I saw him again." She took a deep breath, "He had a three year old daughter, Kayli, she's almost 8 now. He'd asked that she be brought to me if anything happened to him, so when we finally met up with him again he'd come for his child."

Ryn nodded, "But by that time your son had been born, so he stayed?"

Hope smiled, "Something like that, our youngest child, Faith was born about two years later. I don't know what I'd do without them." She toyed with her food, "Before meeting him I could never understand the connection between my parents, it was so solid and so natural it didn't seem real. But now I can't imagine my life without Kalin and I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost him. And now I feel stupid for never understanding it before."

She grinned and nodded, "I know. It’s like that for me and Dare...sorta. We're still getting the details figured out." She shrugged, "Like everyone keep's saying, I am my mother's daughter, so it'll take me a while to get used to it all."

"All that icky love stuff," Hope laughed, "what would we do without it?"

"Here, here." Ryn took another bite and thought for a moment. "What is she like?"

"Who? Mom?" At Ryn's nod Hope frowned slightly, "We've become very close in the last 5 years, I used to ignore her advice and run straight to my dad. Now its just the opposite, I think the only thing she hasn't been able to help me with is keeping my kids from tearing each other apart. Already Kaleb and Kayli are at it," she lifted her cup again, "I just pray Faith remains the little angel she is." She smiled, "But she's still stubborn, still very much in command, she's not as set in her ways as she once was. My conception wasn't exactly a happy occasion, it changed her, a lot. It changed both of them really, but not so much on the surface. I guess you'd have to really know them to understand the changes in their personalities, they've mellowed a lot in recent years, grandchildren will do that I suppose." Her smile brightened, "My father hated my husband the first year or two we were together, Mom kept her judgment reserved, but now they're both grooming him for command." She rolled her eyes, "Keeping it in the family I assume."

"Do you ever fight with her?" Ryn was toying with her coffee cup.

"Not really, we don't always agree, usually when it comes to the children, but its never been anything major."

She sighed. "I do, constantly it seems. Things have let up since The Hope came into my life. I don't spend a whole lot of time on Voyager now, but we've had some doozies. Dad has always been great about separating us and sending us to our neutral corners. Sometimes I think she doesn't understand me at all, then I think she understands me too well and uses it to her advantage."

Hope reached over and squeezed her hand, "Care for some advice? From a mother?"

Ryn arched a brow shrugged, "Why not."

"She pushes because she loves you, that you know. But because you are so alike, she doesn't want you to make the same mistakes she has, and believe me, in both our realities mom has made some doozies. I'd bet its safe to assume she doesn't push you any differently than she does your siblings, you just take it differently. That bloody Janeway pride and stubbornness, it'll get in the way every time."

Ryn shrugged again, "I guess. Sometimes I could almost swear she gets a kick out of pushing my buttons."

Hope chuckled, "I wouldn't doubt it." She sobered, "Now it's my turn, what's it like, having brothers and sisters? Devon was as close as I ever came."

Ryn rolled her eyes, "It's hell on Voyager, believe me." Then she smiled, "It's hard to explain, they've always just been there, it's great I guess. I love them all, dearly--except Phoebe, the jury is still out on her."

The two older women went on chatting about their families and careers while the twins pushed away their dinner and explored the cabin.

Finally, Ryn stood and stretched. "As much as I'd like to sit here and talk all night, it's getting late. We should probably get those two in bed, then take a look around."

Hope cleared the table and nodded. She turned toward the twins, who were doodling on some paper and chattering a mile a minute. "All right Bratkins. Bathtub, now."

As they stripped, Kat called out "Bubbles?"

"Yeah!"

Hope and Ryn chuckled in unison. "Yes, you can have bubbles if we can find some."

"I think I'll go replicate some. I happen to like my bubble baths as well."

"Don't we all."

Ryn raised her brows suggestively. "I especially like mine when Dare joins me."

"Oh please... Though I have to admit, Kalin seems to enjoy sharing too."

"You mean you don't?"

"Well... I'm just too much a lady to admit it."

"Yeah, right, and I'm their mother."

"Actually... you are."

"Pardon?

“Didn't you read that in the padd? The older sister has two small girls, AKA our twins... So, they get to run around and call you Mommy."

"The hell you say." Ryn turned in a panic and reached for the padd, scanning it quickly with her eyes. "Q specifically said we were traveling as sisters."

"Keep looking Sis, because you be a mommy now." Hope laughed all the way into the bathroom. She chuckled harder at the sudden "Bloody Hell!" that echoed from the other room.

Ryn sulked into the bathroom where Hope was helping to strip down the twins, "Why can't they be your kids?"

Hope grinned, "Because they're yours, think of it this way, would you rather have the kids or be marrying Dad?"

She nodded, "Good point, but I don't know the first thing about being a mother, or acting like a mother? How the hell am I supposed to pull that off?"

"Simple, act like Mom. Just don't yell and rant at them, they're kids not officers."

"Cute Miss Perfect, very cute." Ryn walked over and plopped down onto the side of the tub, "When we get these two settled in, I say we take a tour of the ship, familiarize ourselves with it. But we don't want to be too obvious, I think we should stay away from the heavily populated areas."

"I don't think so." Hope helped first Kadi, then Kat into the tub. As the two started playing in the bubbles she walked out, Ryn following her. "Just the contrary, I think we should go by the mess hall, we don't know how similar or how different this ship is from our own. We also want to make sure what time frame we're in."

She thought it about it for a few minutes, "Good idea, we don't want to go near the holodecks though, we should probably just stay on Decks 5 through 2."

"Right, and we don't want to leave these two alone for too long. You have no idea the trouble two 7 year olds can get into in just the span of a few minutes." Hope sat on the sofa and pulled her feet under her.

An hour later, with the twins tucked into bed and snoozing peacefully, Hope and Ryn headed for the messhall. The corridors of Voyager were relatively quiet. As they entered the messhall, Ryn turned to Hope once more and whispered in her ear. "Did you ever have a nickname for Neelix?"

"Yep. We call him Uncle Nee when we are feeling really affectionate. Although, as adults, for some reason it doesn't happen often. Why, what do you call him?"

Ryn grinned. "Uncle Nee." The girlish chuckles were brought to a halt, as they were surrounded by the sudden silence in the room. Several members of the crew were staring at them oddly. Glancing cautiously at her new sister, Ryn leaned closer. "Okay, tell me the truth. We killed somebody didn't we?"

"Either that, or you've got toilet paper stuck to your shoe."

Ryn looked down first at her shoe then at Hope's, "Nope, safe on that front. Damn, you'd think we'd walked in here with purple faces." The two looked at each other and shrugged, then quickly walked to a table nearest the door. All the eyes in the room followed them, some were whispering and shaking their heads, others glaring.

Hope leaned over, "I think I know what this is about."

"Oh? Please, enlighten me oh wise one."

"They had to have heard of the conditions by now. They must know what's going on, about the marriage proposition. If this crew is as into our parents getting together as the crews of our ships, I'd say it's pretty safe to assume they're a little upset at us."

Ryn sighed, "Then maybe we should go, we'll come back and chat with Neelix some other time, closer to closing time."

She nodded and stood, "Good idea, retreat!" They bustled out of the room, not breathing a sigh of relief until they'd rounded a corridor and entered a 'lift. "Well, what next?"

"Hmmm, I'd suggest sickbay, but Doc is a bit nosy, and annoying." Ryn wrinkled her nose, "I definitely don't know if I could put up with him at the moment."

Hope grinned, "Aww, poor baby is afraid of the harmless little hologram."

"Yeah, yeah, like your Doc is any less annoying." Ryn muttered.

"Actually," Hope gave her a wry smile, "He isn't."

"Well, what do you suggest? There is some major hostility around here. I didn't figure on that. Though, why, I have no idea."

"Well it is pretty late. What do you say we head back to our quarters and get some rest? We can start with a clear head in the morning."

"That sounds like the beginnings of a plan anyway. I can replicate a cup of coffee and go over that padd again, maybe even come up with a few ideas... Yeah, I like that idea. Let's do it."

Hope blinked at her and started laughing. "Aye Captain. Gods you are so amusing sometimes. I bet you keep your siblings in stitches."

"Ha Ha. I am sooooo glad to amuse you. Really Hope, we need to map out a viable plan."

"I understand that, but we've been through a lot in the last couple of hours. I was thinking along the lines of getting some sleep so we have clear heads and are able to deal with the twins."

"Yeah, right." Ryn held up her hand to forestall anymore arguments. "Chill Little Mother. I don't need much sleep, so don't worry okay. I promise to go lie down like a good little girl when I get tired."

As they entered their quarters, Hope sighed. "All right, I'll back off a bit. Go do what you are going to do, and I'm going to check on the girls. I'll be right back, and then maybe we can get something planned out."

Ryn had just settled in her chair with a cup of coffee when Hope came running into the room. "We have a problem. The girls are gone!"

"Bloody Hell!"

~~~~~~~

"Sissy said if we get them back together we can go home." Kadi whispered as they crept around the bend in the corridor.

"Right," her sister whispered back, "So all we gotta do is lock them in a room together like we did that time Mommy was mad at Daddy for turning off the alarm. Remember," Kat checked to make sure no one was around to spot them then proceeded ahead of her twin. "She was yelling and locked him out of our quarters. She told him he had to bunk with Tuvok, and he said it was just fine because she was a stubborn--"

"Yeah, I remember," Kadi stopped, "wait, from deck 3 it's this way." She pointed down a corridor, "Because we have to go past Harry's quarters to the turbolift."

Kat stopped and stared at her, "No it's not, it's this way," she gestured back in the direction she'd been leading her. "Harry's quarters are on deck 4, Neelix's are deck 3 and we have to go past those."

"No they're not! Neelix is on deck 4, Harry is on deck 3 remember!" Kadi pointed down the corridor, "Because if you go all the way down you go to the jefferies tube access, and we're not supposed to go there."

The older of the two, by all of six minutes rolled her eyes, "No it's not! I know which way it is, you're just being a stupid baby!"

"I am not!" Kadi stomped her foot, "You're just being a bully!"

"You go that way if you want to, I'm going this way." Kat turned on her heel and walked down the corridor, "But when you get lost don't come crying to me!"

Kadi turned and went her own direction, "Fine, but when you fall down the jefferies tube you're the one who's going to have to go to sickbay and listen to stuffy, dorky Doc!" She marched down the corridor in a huff, finally smiling when she passed Cabin 234--Harry's cabin." She walked further to the turbolift and stopped, and waited, "One, two, three--"

Kat marched down the corridor mumbling to herself, "I'm always right, I'm older than she is, I know more!" She smiled when she passed cabin 243--Neelix's cabin. "She'll be crying for me to forgive her later." She walked a little further and stopped, there was another bend in the corridor, but no 'lift. She frowned and looked around, then decided to go further down. The corridor ended abruptly with the jefferies tube access. "Um..." she turned around, "Kaaadiiii!" She took off running in the opposite direction, and ran flush into something rather big. She cried as she landed roughly on her backside. When she looked up she froze, "Ah oh."

"Dammit! Why can't you watch where you're going." Kathryn Janeway stood quickly and brushed herself off, then looked to see who'd plowed into her. When the little girl's eyes widened she inwardly cursed herself, "I'm sorry." The little girl stared at her in shock, then suddenly lept to her feet and ran down the corridor. "Great, this is another fine mess you've gotten yourself into." She swore again and turned around to follow the child, "Maybe you should just stay in your cabin from now on, maybe then nothing bad would happen."

Kat raced toward her sibling screaming at the top of her lungs. Kaaaaadddddiiiiii! Red Alert! Red Alert!"

The twin who had been waiting patiently for her sister to come back turned abruptly towards her hollering voice. Hearing the panic in Kat's voice, Kadi went barreling down the corridor to help her twin. As she whipped around the corner, she passed a fastly moving Kat. Quickly she tried to skid to a halt, but instead her forward momentum was halted by contact with a human body. She collided roughly with the woman in front of her sending them both sprawling to the floor. As she shook her head to clear it, she heard sounds of similar collision around the corner. She clapped her hands over her mouth as child's voice echoed through the halls. "Bloody Hell, not again!"

"Dammit!" Kathryn Janeway stared at the child in front of her, "Didn't we just do this five seconds ago!" She stood and brushed herself off, again, then helped the child up. "Are you all right?"

Kadi shook her head, eyes wide, she slowly began backing off. "Sorry, gotta run, bye!" She turned around and took off, only to have Kathryn catch her by the collar.

"Oh no you don't, not again." She pulled the child around to face her, "Where is your mother?"

"I ahh..." Kadi stuttered, she couldn't tell the truth, but she couldn't lie either. "Mommy is with, um, she's ugh--"

Ryn came marching around the bend just then, Kat firmly in tow, "I'm right here." She yanked Kat around to stand beside her twin. "I apologize Captain, I assure you they won't be sneaking out again." She stared down the two, "Will you?" They shook their heads in unison. "Good, now apologize to the Captain for barreling her over."

"I'm sorry," they squeaked.

"It's all right," Janeway sighed, "but Voyager isn't a play ground, it's not safe to run around the ship without an adult with you. It's not safe to run period. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good night ladies, Lady Dekarna."

Ryn reached for the girls, turned them around and began be pushing them back down the corridor. "Again Captain, my deepest apologies. Good night." When they were out of the Captain's ear shot she stopped, "Okay you two little demons, just what the hell did you think you were doing?"

Kat turned around, looking defiant, "You're not our mommy!"

Kadi took her cue from her sister, "Yeah, you're just our sissy!"

Ryn gave them a bitter smile, "Well for this adventure, I'm the mommy, so what I say--goes! Got it?" Their eyes widened and they nodded their heads, "Good, now back to the cabin." She marched them back to their assigned quarters.

~~~~~~~

Hope came flying out of bed as the first echoes of the tortured scream faded from the room. She blinked, trying to get her bearings, hoping she had imagined the whole thing. Another pained groan resonated through the room, and she raced into the twins room to check on them. Both girls were spooned around each other sleeping the sleep of the innocent. Hope shook her head to clear the cobwebs out. As she headed back to her room, she could hear the ragged pleas coming from the other room. Sudden dawning hit her, and she slipped back into her room and tried to find something to fight with. Someone was attacking Ryn, and she was determined to stop them. Stealthily, quietly, she made her way to the living quarters where Ryn had been working when she went to bed. She lifted the vase she had found over her head and peeked into the darkness. Another hoarse cry and broken sobs caught her attention and drew it to the figure thrashing about on the couch. A sheet was wrapped tightly about the body, arms trapped to the sides. Ryn's body was slick with sweat, and she begged in her sleep to be released. Hope's heart broke at the sight of her. She set the vase down, and sat next to her sister. As if soothing one of her children, she began stroking Ryn's hair and talking to her quietly. Ryn seemed to quiet for a moment, then her eyes opened, terrified, hurt eyes, and she once more began to thrash about. "Please... let me go... please..."

"Shhh, Little One. Everything's all right. Sleep now." At her words, and the gentleness of her touch, Ryn calmed once more, and slipped into a peaceful sleep. Hope sat next to her, watching over her, and wondering what could have possibly caused such horrible nightmares.

The next time Ryn's eyes opened it was to the sound of an alarm. She stretched and rolled over, coming into contact with another body. When she regained her focus she frowned, and nudged it, "Hey, don't you have a bed? Need me to hold your hand?"

Hope stirred slowly, "Hmm? What's going on?"

Ryn snickered, "I could have sworn we went to sleep in separate beds." She sat up slowly, yawning and looking around the room.

Hope stretched, "Yeah, but one of use was having horrific nightmares, so I had to come in here before she woke the twins."

Ryn's smile faded, "Hmm, well just forget it, it was nothing." As she swung her legs over the side of the bed she remembered someone in the room with her, whispering softly. For a moment she'd thought it was her mother, but now that realization was dawning, she was embarrassed. "Thank you," she muttered as she rose and reached for a robe. Without another word she walked out of the room and headed for the shower.

Hope shook her head, "You're welcome, Kathryn." She sighed and rose, deciding to replicate breakfast and wake the twins. But there was just one problem, they were gone--again.

Ryn allowed the hot water to wash over her, hoping to wash away the embarrassment as well. She couldn't believe she had had those bloody dreams again. They always seemed to plague her when she least needed the distraction. She was rinsing the soap from her eyes when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Ryn turned irately to confront Hope, but the panicked expression stopped her.

"The twins are gone, again."

"Bloody Hell!" Ryn cut off the water, jumped out of the shower, and snagged a towel on her way to her room. "I swear I'm going to space those little demons when get my hands on them."

"You have to find them first, and I just might help you."

The two women dressed quickly and silently, and headed out the door.

~~~~~~~~

Kadi was the first to round the bend in the corridor, padd in hand. When she saw that the way was clear she signaled for her sister to follow her. They crept down the corridor staying close to the bulkheads until they finally reached the first of two destinations. Once there they quickly keyed in the access code to the room, hoping it worked on this ship, but expecting it to since this ship was just like theirs. The two girls held their breath until the doors swished open, and smiled at each other when they did. They crept into the cabin, staying as quiet as possible and waited to see if anyone had heard the door open. When no acknowledgment came Kadi darted in and laid the padd on a desk. When her task was complete she darted back to her sister, smiled, and happily reported, "Mission accomplished Captain Kat."

Kat grinned, "Very good Commander Kadi." They giggled at the silliness and turned to leave the quarters, following the same cautious steps they'd used as they'd entered. The next item on their agenda was the cabin down the way, when they got their Kat keyed in the access code and they crept in. This time when they were certain they were unnoticed Kat dashed in, dropped the padd she carried on the desk and dashed back. "Mission complete, let's return to our stations."

"Aye, aye!" They giggled and darted back down the corridor to the turbolift that would take them back to their deck. They made it back to their assigned cabin, quite pleased with themselves--until their new older sisters returned.

The twins were giggling wildly as they played in their room. The sudden commotion in the living area caught their attention as their sisters return.

Hope sighed and plopped down on the couch. "I don't know where they could have gone. Dad's down on the planet, and Mom's on the bridge. The girls aren't there, and they aren't in the messhall. I have no idea where we are suppose to look."

Feeling courageous and smart, Kadi and Kat popped out of their room. "Sissy guess what?"

"We went and...."

Hope grabbed the girls and hugged them. "We were so worried."

Ryn, on the hand was furious. "Where in the hell have you been? We've been searching the ship for you for the last hour. You could have been hurt, or discovered. Did we or did we not explain the dangerousness of the situation?"

"But..."

"No buts, yes or no."

"But Ryn..."

"Dammit, go to your room before I tan your backsides."

Kat growled and stomped her feet. Kadi placed her hands on her hips. "You listen dammit! We are trying to help."

About that time, Hope's hand came over the child's mouth and Ryn began moving towards her. Hope stood, pushing the girls behind her. Ryn didn't even blink. "Go to you room, now!"

Hope turned, pushing the girls toward their room. "Go on. Give us a few minutes to talk, and I'll be in there in a moment." As the girls went into their room, Hope spun to face Ryn. "You have got to stop using foul language around the girls. They are repeating everything you say. They are so impressionable."

"Bloody hell, Hope. I'm not use to being around kids. Nothing I say is that bad. You'll just have to explain to them that they can't repeat them."

"It doesn't work that way. You have to be a responsible role model. The girls look up to you."

"Well they can bloody well learn not to repeat everything I say, or I will make an impression on them."

"Dammit Ryn!"

"Oh, and she's worried about ME making an impression!" Ryn threw her hands up in frustration, "Look Miss Perfect, I'm not a mother all right! I'm a Captain in training, I know nothing about children."

"That's not an excuse to use bad language in front of them, or to NOT make an effort to be more responsible around them." Hope sighed explosively, “And I am anything but perfect! And stop using THAT tone of voice with me! I'm not one of your crewmembers, and if I want to curse when the children are not present I'll bloody well curse!"

The two of them squared off, quite ready to go to blows if need be, until two little hands tugged simultaneously on their trousers, "We're sorry."

Hope looked down at tear filled eyes, "We're not mad at you Sweetings, we're just upset because we couldn't find you." She knelt down, "You can't wander off without us, this is too important a mission, okay?"

They nodded, "Okay."

Ryn sighed, "Look, I'm sorry I yelled," her apology was directed at the twins and Hope, "but next time you two have an idea on how to help, please tell us. Okay?"

They nodded again, "We had a plan, and needed to complete the mission before Mommy and Daddy went back to their cabins." Kat looked up at Ryn, "You were asleep, we couldn't tell you."

Kadi nodded, "You snore." Her sister giggled, but she was very serious. "So we went ahead and left the notes."

Hope frowned, "What notes?"

"The notes to Mommy and Daddy, from Mommy and Daddy." Kat grinned, pleased with the plan that had been her idea. "They say their sorry and wanna talk."

"You did what?" Ryn knelt down beside Kat, "Oh bloody--" A look from Hope cut her off.

"No more plans, okay girls?" Hope continued looking at Ryn, who was obviously having a difficult time holding her tongue. When they nodded she sighed, "Good, now go back into your room, I need to talk to Ryn--I'll call you for breakfast." They dashed out of the room, "All right, say it now if you need too."

"Bloody hell! I swear, before this mission is over I'm gonna space em!" Ryn stood, "And I'm going to enjoy every minute of it! I hope Q is enjoying himself, bastard that he is!"

Hope smiled, "They were only trying to help. And it doesn't sound like that bad an idea, except that the notes were written by 7 year olds. Bright 7 year olds, but still--"

"7 year olds," they said in unison.

"We'll just have to make sure one of us is with them," Ryn stated, running a hand threw her still damp hair."

"Good idea, Mom." Hope grinned wryly, "I want to set up a meeting with Mom today, to discuss particulars of the uh, negotiations. You should probably start on Dad, probably include details of the proposed wedding. Find out his feelings on it," she couldn't quite surpress her shudder.

"Aye, aye, Mrs. Chakotay." It was Ryn's turn to smile wryly.

"Yeah yeah, I'm already married I'll have you know. That's Mrs. Metrel to you!" Hope walked over to the replicator to get breakfast for the twins.

"Oh my god, she isn't perfect! She's a bigamist!" Ryn cackled as she walked into the bathroom, mind set on braiding her hair.

"Ha-ha, you're the one who has twins and isn't married, Miss Thang!" Hope muttered to herself as she punched commands into the replicator, "Q, I'm going to kill you, somehow, someway, when you least expect it."

*~*~*~*~*

Kathryn Janeway walked into her quarters, in the worst of moods. If it wasn't enough that she couldn't already supply her ship until certain requirements were met with the Trade Commission of this backwards planet, another requirement had been added to an already long list. Her first officer had to agree to marriage to the Proconsul's youngest daughter, Brekina, before trade negotiations would be complete. And before the Proconsul would agree to letting the Commander remain on the planet. She was seething, half of her was so ready to be rid of him that she didn't care if he married the little rich brat, but the other half was planning on killing the bastard the moment he agreed to it.

She plopped down at her desk and let her mind entertain the images of ripping his body apart, piece by piece. How could he? How could he leave her like this? When she needed him most! Fine! If that was the way he wanted to play it, let him go! Good riddance! She didn't need the constant frustration in her life, him always hanging around, getting her so damned flustered she couldn't think straight. Always breathing down her neck, telling her to sleep more, eat more, lay off the coffee. Nobody told her to lay off her coffee! He was constantly on her about relaxing, relaxing! How the hell was she supposed to relax when she had so many people always depending on her and no one else to turn to for help? Stupid, arrogant, egotistical, maniacal, MAN!

That was when the padd caught her eye, she was just about to reach for it and chunk it across her living room. She lifted it and groaned. "ASSHOLE!" It was just like him, kick her when she was down!

~~~
I'm sorry I was such a jerk, I'd hate to leave things this way. Please, will you meet me in the Hydroponics Bay, we need to talk.

Love,
--C
~~~

Her eyes narrowed, she'd just have to see what it was he was up to--this time.

Kathryn walked into hydroponics only to find it empty. Seething, she turned and stormed back to the doors. They opened suddenly and she collided with Chakotay.

He grabbed her arms to steady her, and then realized she was the last person he wanted to touch. His fingers, though seemed to have a mind of their own. They lingered, caressing her arms.

Kathryn leaned into his touch for a moment, then jerked back as if stung. "What the hell did you want?"

Chakotay scowled. "Me? You're the one that sent the note. I came here because I thought you were going to apologize."

"Why you lowlife dog. This whole thing is your fault. How dare you coax my in here, then insult me? Why don't you just marry the Proconsul's daughter, or better yet, daughters and get out of my life?"

Chakotay's eyes narrowed in rage, and he spun away from her. "If that's the way you want it, then fine. At least Brekina is a sweet tempered and beautiful young woman. I sure as hell can't find one of those around here."

"No, you just wait until the next available Bimbo comes along," she spat at him.

He whipped around, dark eyes burning, "Well, I wonder whose fault that is. Not all of us can live our lives as frigid, heartless, control freaks. Some of us actually need to feel human every once in a while."

"Bastard!" Her hand snaked out to slap him, but he caught her wrist and pulled her flush against him. His head lowered and he captured her lips, bruising them with a violent kiss. She almost melted into it, but caught herself, pulling back and slapping him so hard the sting vibrated heat in the palm of her hand. She gasped, unable to believe what she'd just done.

The force of the blow had knocked his head to the side, slowly he lifted his hand and touched his stinging cheek. When he looked at her again his eyes registered something she'd never seen in them before, utter resignation, and complete withdrawal. "You made my decision a lot easier, I hope you realize that."

As he left the bay she sank to her knees, "What decision?" Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. "You left me a long time ago."

~~~~~~

Ryn was surprised to open the door to her quarters and find Chakotay standing there. "What can I do for you Commander?"

"My apologies for bothering you Dekarna, I was hoping to have a few moments of your time so that we might hash out some of the details to this plan."

"Of course. Won't you please come in and have a seat. Brekina isn't here right now, but I'm sure I could locate her for you."

Chakotay paled visibly and swallowed. "No, thank you. I thought we could just go over the preliminaries and start working on a plan. After that, you can speak with your sister and see what she needs from this alliance."

"Can I offer you anything to drink?"

"No thank you."

Ryn replicated a cup of coffee and sat down at the table across from Chakotay. "If you don't mind my saying Commander, you don't seem all that enthusiastic about marrying my sister."

"Brekina is a beautiful girl, but we both know that this is business, not pleasure. It's all part of the stipulations for my staying behind."

"I'm still not sure I understand why you want to stay behind."

"Personal reasons mostly. I'm tired of traveling through space and seemingly getting nowhere, of constantly fighting some unknown alien race. I want peace."

"You think staying here will give that to you? Why don't you tell me the real reason you are staying behind." Chakotay blinked at her, shocked. "I've been on board for a while now. I've listened to the discontent of the crew. I've even seen the way you and your Captain avoid on another. You are obviously in love with her, what's the problem?"

Chakotay ran his fingers through his hair. "I can't... It's just.... I...."

"It's all right Commander. I really do understand, and anything you say is between us."

Chakotay met her eyes and saw the sincerity there. "Have you ever wanted someone so much that her mere presence made you ache with longing? Have you ever loved someone so much that nothing else mattered? And yet, despite how you feel, nothing you say or do seems to get through to her?" Ryn nodded, her heart aching for him. "That's how I feel about my Kathryn. But... no matter what I do, no matter how many steps forward I take, no matter how many times I move forward only to retreat so that I don't make her life more complicated, she never sees me, not for what I am, who I am.... who I could be. Sometimes, I think I see something in her eyes, an answer, and then its gone and there is nothing, no hope. All we ever do is fight anymore. I’m tired of that, I need away from it. I need to find someplace stable where I can rebuild my life and have the things I dream of. I need peace."

Ryn met his gaze squarely. "Do you honestly believe that you can find that peace with anyone or anywhere else?"

Chakotay bowed his head and sighed, "I don't know, probably not, but I have to try." When he met her gaze again, his eyes were full of suppressed longing and pain, "Every day I stay aboard this ship it gets harder and harder to go on, I'm losing myself to these feelings, I can't keep going like this. I've accepted that she will never return my feelings, or even acknowledge that she feels the same way, so if I don't try to move on with my life I will always feel as though I failed." He stared at her for several seconds then shook his head, "I don't know why I'm telling you all this, except for some reason I feel like I can trust you."

She smiled, "You can. While I know the importance of these negotiations, I love my sister, and want only her happiness. The Proconsul has expressed his wish to trade with Voyager, you are simply an added bonus. It is his wish you will bring your knowledge to his council, and the only way he can secure your place is through marriage to his daughter."

"But why offer one so young for marriage? Why did he not offer you?"

She blinked, and quickly tried to recall the information on the Proconsul's family. When that failed, she made up a reason. "I was married once, I do not wish to be again. Brekina is the only other female member of our family." She reached across to touch his hand, "Perhaps, you should seek a final closure with your beautiful Captain, before your decision is made. One way or another, I think you'll feel better for it."

He smiled as he stood, "I've taken enough of your time, thank you, I do feel some what better. Give your sister my regards, I hope to meet with her soon."

When the doors swished closed behind him Ryn collapsed on the sofa, "One down, one to go, wonder how Ms. Perfect is doing."

~~~~~~

Hope rang the chime on Kathryn Janeway's door.

"Come in"

"Captain? May I have a moment of your time?"

Kathryn narrowed her eyes slightly as she studied the young woman before her. She avidly took in all the details. Pretty, blond, young, with a seeming innocence and a hesitant expression. It was the girl's expression that caused her to drop all hostility. The child was a pawn in this game as much as the rest of them, but this girl Chakotay was suppose to marry was definitely a prize. "Please, come in and sit down. What can I do for you Lady Brekina?"

Hope sat, and smiled inwardly at the her opening. She knew Kathryn Janeway too well. "Captain, I need your help. You see I have a problem. I have been touring your ship with my sister and her children and I have felt the hostility of your crew to this merger. I can't help but hear the rumors. The ones that say you and your First Officer are in love."

Kathryn bristled. "I can assure you that the Commander and I share nothing but a friendship."

"Then why does he wish to leave this ship?"

"Chakotay has personal reasons, known only to him. He has suggested a need to settle down. That he is tired of this journey."

"Captain? I really want no part of this merger. I have no desire to marry. My father is forcing this decision on me. I need your help."

Kathryn bristled again, "I was under the impression that you had agreed with this." She studied the girl again, taking in the wringing of her hands, the way her eyes darted about the room. "What does your father hope to gain by forcing a marriage?"

Hope thought quickly, "You're commander's tactical knowledge will serve my father well. He wishes to incorporate him into his council, but can only do that if your commander joins our family through marriage."

"Why you? Why not your sister?" Kathryn sank into a chair near her, "Surely he wouldn't force something upon someone so young."

She shook her head, "My sister has been married once, and is still considered to be in mourning, it would be frowned upon for her to take another husband. My father does not wish to anger those he means to rule. He needs all the support he can get."

"Why?" Kathryn gauged her reactions, something was missing from this story. The girl was holding something back from her, but what was it.

Hope quickly tried to think of something, tried to recall the data on the planet. "We are generally ruled by a matriarch, my father is the first ruler not to follow that pattern. This comes only because our mother died shortly after my birth. Dekarna was too young to take over the task, therefore it was passed onto my father." She tried to recall the reason the eldest daughter had not been given the seat as of yet. "My sister quickly nears the age at which the Proconsul will be forced to leave his seat, he is trying to change the laws so that he may rule until his death. For that he will need support."

Kathryn nodded slowly as she mulled the details over in her mind, "I see. And he feels Chakotay will give him an added advantage. Especially by having him within the family."

"Yes, Captain." Hope watched as her mother sat back in the seat, frowning. This woman was nothing like the woman she'd grown up with, she was harder, there were lines beginning to show around her eyes. Worry lines, brought on by hard times no doubt. Her eyes though were much the same, an open book, Hope could easily read the pain and disappointment in them. As well as the anger, but who was all of it for? Chakotay? What had happened to drive them so far apart her mother would willingly let him go. That he would leave without a fight, that he would even ask to leave. "Captain, if I am forced to marry your Commander, my life is as good as over. My people marry only once, I would not be permitted to marry later for happiness."

"I don't know what you want me to do," Kathryn gave her a weak smile, "but I will try. We need the supplies offered by your planet, and Chakotay's mind is made up. But I won't ruin your life to get what we need, or to allow Chakotay an escape."

~~~~~~

Hope walked into her quarters nearly an hour later to find Ryn once more hunched over a data padd. She plopped down on the sofa next to her and released a tired sigh.

Ryn leaned back, studied her sister for a moment, and smiled. "That good, huh?"

"You have no idea. That woman is soooo stubborn. Talking to her I wondered if she really was the same person. Then this compassionate side would come out, and I really was talking to Mom."

"I know what you mean. I felt the same way talking to Dad, It's so strange. These people are our parents and yet they are not. It's so strange that life choices can so alter a future."

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"Well, look at this. We are in a timeline that corresponds to around the moment of our conception. Where were you parents at this time?"

"They had entered a region of space controlled by the Graveen. There hostile actions forced my parents together. It started a series of events which led to my birth."

"That's my point. In my reality, we entered a region of space inhabited by a gentle race known as the Merka. In gratitude for Voyager's help, the Merka gave Voyager a priceless heirloom. An Arion Rees which when combined with their unique bond and love, produced me."

"That's where your alien DNA comes in."

"Yep, but that's not my point. I did some research based on historical Voyager references. I need to know if you can corroborate any historical references from your reality and we can see a point at which our realities fragmented. Maybe then we'll have some ammo against their anger. We will have incidences to call upon and help them find themselves again. I've already spoken to the twins and they were amazingly able to help."

"Where are the little demons anyway?"

"Sleeping. I fed them some nasty concoction called peanut butter and marshmallow creme. Must be something Neelix originally came up with."

"Actually, Uncle Tom has a sweet tooth. He introduced it to me."

"That sounds really sick. But it also sounds about right. I believe he introduced me to peanut butter and jelly. Oh well. Where are we going from here?"

"Well, how about I replicate us something to eat, you some coffee, and go check on the demon children? Then we can talk."

"Sounds like a plan, but why don't I check on the rugrats while you replicate the food."

"Sounds good to me!"

"Amazing," Ryn shook her head as she walked out of the children's room, "the demon twins are still in there."

Hope laughed, "They're not complete demon spawn, you know. They actually may have helped a little."

Ryn plopped into a chair and reached for her data padd, "MMhmm, and they're so sweet when they're sleeping."

Her sister rolled her eyes and handed her a plate, "Shut up and eat, Junior." She handed Ryn the coffee then reached for her own plate. "All right, where are we?"

Ryn pointed to the padd as she lifted a bite, "Trying to find where our three realities fragmented. We need to find out where the breaking point was, how much about your ship's history, before your birth, do you know?"

She took a bite and thought about it for a minute, "Quite a bit, actually, the best way to do this is to name off some major events, we both have Seven, so that incident with the Borg occurred. Did your mom ever retreat into a DeVinci program? A lot?" At Ryn's nod she went on, "All right, um, what about the story about the woman Dad fell in love with, supposedly, but no one could remember? It's a joke aboard my ship, there was supposed to be some proof but legend has it Mom burned it." She shrugged even as Ryn grinned.

"Yup, same thing on mine, burned it and disposed of the ashes." She entered the data into the padd, "the twins said something about Tom losing his rank? Did that happen in your universe?"

Hope shook her head, "No, not as far as I know, how about you?"

Ryn shook her head, "Nope, Mom threatened a few times, but never actually did it. I think we found our split, Kat gave me a stardate," she entered the data and pushed the padd toward Hope. "This line," she traced a blue line on the padd, "indicates the twins reality, and the red one is mine, yours is the green line. The girls mentioned he lost it because of something he did at a water planet, but they didn't know the whole story, just the basic parts. I know my ship never visited such a place, what about yours?"

Hope shook her head, "No," she tapped the padd, "if you look at the information the girls gave you, they visited the water planet a few weeks after a failed slip stream attempt. In my time line we never brought the drive online, Uncle Tom found some problem with it and didn't want to risk it."

"Right, same thing in mine," she stood suddenly and walked into the outer room, Hope on her heals. She sat down at a computer terminal, "Computer, display timeline of Voyager's missions in only the last 14 months." She pointed as the information lit up the screen, “See, here is where the slip stream attempt was made, in this timeline the drive was brought online but failed." She punched in the info contained in the padd and waited as three lines appeared next to it, one followed it closely for a while, finally veering off after a while. But two lines, hers and Hopes each veered steeply at the one point in time. "Looks like we found our breaking point."

Hope nodded and pointed to the screen, "A few months after that attempt was made we entered Graveen Space."

"And we came into contact with the Merka," she sat back in the seat, "the twins parallel them almost completely, right until this point." She pointed at the screen, "Computer what is the current stardate?"

"Stardate 49623.1"

Hope shook her head, "According to the girls, Voyager was still here," she pointed at the screen, "orbiting Tikara, did they tell you how long they were there?"

Ryn shrugged, "Kadi said a couple of weeks, Kat said a month, after that they started arguing so I made them go to bed."

"So we should assume they were there for at least two weeks, according to this, the ship we're on was only there a few days. So whatever happened to drive our parents apart, happened then." Hope frowned, "How old are the twins? Did you get any other information out of them? Birth dates?"

Ryn shook her head, "They're 7, and no, I didn't. We should find out, it might add another piece to this puzzle."

"Yeah, but its not important, we know about when they drifted, we just need to find out why." She sighed, "It's not going to be easy, but maybe I can buy us some time."

"How so?"

"Well, I told Mom today, that I didn't want to marry Dad--or rather, Lady Brekina didn't want to marry Chakotay. I said her life would be ruined, she'd never be able to find happiness. She bought it and wants to help her, er me." She shook her head, "This is going to get confusing if we aren't careful. Anyway, I think she was going to talk to Dad, see if she could convince him to stay, for a little while at least."

Ryn nodded, "Good, maybe he'll open up to me some more. He's really hurting Hope, I've never seen him like this. He's desperate to get off this ship, convinced that when he does he'll be able to find peace, and happiness."

She sighed, "And he couldn't be more wrong." She tapped her fingers on the back of Ryn's chair, "I'll work on mom some more tomorrow, you work on dad, if we can't get anywhere with them just by talking to them, we'll see what ideas we can come up with. Deal?"

"Sounds good," She stood.

"All right, I'm starving, so I'm going to finish eating, then I want a bath."

Ryn looped an arm around her sister’s shoulders, "You said the magic word, bath, I wish Dare was here--he gives the best massages."

Hope grinned, "Believe me, they couldn't be anything compared to Kalin's wonderful hands, gentle, long fingers." She whimpered, "When I get home..."

Ryn gave her sister a squeeze, "Believe me, I know. My first officer is going to need a day off to recover." When their eyes met they started laughing, it followed them back to the dinner table.

~~~~~~~

Q shook his head from where he watched, "They're wasting time, why must they be so meticulous?"

Another figure emerged beside him, "Because, they want to do it right, unlike some people. Do not interfere Q, you already made a big enough mess, let them clean it up."

He sighed, "But they're doing it so slooooowly."

The female Q shook her head, "Stop whining and get back to the continuum where you belong."

She snapped her fingers and disappeared, leaving Q there to shake his head, "Bitch and moan, bitch and moan, this is all Kathy's fault, she just had to let me get stuck with that shrew!" He disappeared, muttering under his breath about the finer things of domestic Q life.

~~~~~~

This time when the scream shattered Hope's sleep, she immediately went in to check on Ryn. Once again the sweat soaked sheets and terrified mews surrounded the sleeping woman. She sat carefully on the couch and began to murmur soft soothing words, eventually breaking into a lullaby. The trembling form seemed to still and Hope curled up next to her, curling her arms around her sister and holding her, protecting her from the dreams. Even on the confined space of the couch, Hope was able to sleep. The thrashing began again short time later, forcing Hope awake once more. This time however, the hoarse cries frightened her.

Ryn's body stiffened and jack knifed off the couch, knocking Hope to the floor. "No! Hope!" Her eyes shot open and she stared wildly around the room, searching for something. Finally her gaze settled on the young woman before her. Without thinking, she dropped to the floor and hugged her sister tightly. Her voice was a hoarse whisper. "You're okay."

Hope nodded dumbly and hugged Ryn back. "Do you want to tell me what that was all about?"

Ryn's eyes were blank as she focused inward. "It started as it always does. I am walking in the garden with a member of the Merian council, Perel. I look out over the water, mesmerized by the moonlight. While I am distracted, I am hit over the head and drugged before I even hit the ground. I wake in a cold, dark, dank chamber where I am chained naked to the wall. I am sore, and bruised and battered. Perel is standing before me, telling me that I am his and I will never see Voyager again. The dream is constant." Her eyes focused briefly on Hope. "It is a memory that replays in my mind, kidnap, torture, rape, over and over like a broken video clip. It hits when I am afraid or uncertain, moments of weakness. It's like the uncertainty and fear release the onslaught"

Hope grabbed her hand and held it tightly. "Oh Ryn... I'm so sorry... during your dream though, you called out my name. What has this to do with me?"

Ryn turned to her, eyes frightened. "You couldn't possibly understand."

"Try me... Please just give it a try?"

Ryn closed her eyes and sighed. "Sometimes I can see things. I dream them, often as a warning of potential harm. I haven't decided if it is a gift or a curse of my Arion blood. It falls back on that discussion we had about choices. Time and place have no meaning reality is often suspended, but it seems so real. So tangible."

"Ryn! What happened?"

"The dream started as it always does. Then it faded. I heard my mother's favorite lullaby and it pushed away the memories. I was at peace. Suddenly the frame altered. I was an observer, visible to no one. You were the one being kidnapped and hurt, and I could do nothing." Ryn's voice was panicked, and tears filled her eyes.

"Shhh... It's okay. We've become close and it's only natural that you might have a nightmare involving me. The nightmare is a part of you, your subconscious just traded places with us."

"No! It wasn't a reoccurrence of my dream. It was a new one. I've never had it. It involved you."

Ryn's panic was starting to get to Hope. "All right, calm down. You believe this is some kind of warning about something that will happen to me? But if I know about it we might be able to change it?"

"Yes."

"So tell me! Let's clear the air and get it out, then we can use some of your wondrous Janeway ability and create a plan."

Her words seemed to focus Ryn, and for a moment she smiled. "You are wearing a uniform. Gold. You are walking through a marketplace when a huge blond man attacks you from behind and carries you away. The images flash then. I see you gagged, frightened and tied to a chair. He teases you, threatens you... I see another man, holding you nearly naked in his arms. He play with you as if you are his toy. I can't understand why you don't fight, you are obviously afraid. When I woke up, the blond was back, and he had you striped and pinned to a bed. You were crying..."

"Oh Ryn... That wasn't a dream, or a portent of things to come. It was real. A part of my life. I told you I was held hostage and protected by my then to be future husband? Well, Kalin did play some unusual games at first. There was so much at stake that he had to convince everyone including our parents that I was his toy. He did a damn good job. The other man was one of the people he tried to protect me from. I was scared spitless, but I was never raped. I just wish I could alter your reality so easily."

Ryn watched her, reading the truth and compassion in her eyes. "Your Kalin? He is the dark haired man I saw?"

"Yes... gorgeous isn't he." Hope stood, pulling her sister to her feet. "Come on, let's go lay down in that nice comfy bed in the other room. We can talk there and be comfortable. That floor is hell."

Ryn nodded, confusion and fear still lingering in her eyes. "I don't want to disturb you."

"Yeah okay, tell me another one. Actually, I know you don't but I want a decent nights sleep, and you seem to do better with a buddy. Do you wake Dare up with these things?"

"Yes." Ryn crawled into the bed, and turned on her side facing Hope.

"How does he deal with it?"

Ryn grinned as she thought about it. "Well, he usually wakes me up, then holds me for a long time. Once I'm calm, he makes love to me and I usually forget all about it."

Hope rolled her eyes. "That is sooooo typical. I can't believe you let him soothe you with sex."

"Hey! It works, besides, sometimes I'm the aggressor. Don't tell me Kalin doesn't do the same thing to you."

"Actually, he does. But then the man has always been able to make me melt in his hands. He definitely knows how to work my body. Not that I have much to compare him to. His is my first and only lover."

"No practice, huh?"

"Ryn!"

"Well?"

"Oh if you must know, no one would take a chance at pissing the Captain and Commander off. Devon Paris taught me a few basics, but it never went very far, and it all happened just a few months before I met Kalin. What about you? Tell all."

"I had the same problem. My Paris and I had done a little petting and such, but nothing really came of it. He was too arrogant for me, then he took an interest in Naomi. Dare and I had always been really good friends, but he never acted as if there could be anything else. One night we got really drunk, and he kissed me in Sandrine's. That started it, but it never really became overt. We grew a little closer, then I had this horribly realistic vision, and it changed me. I knew what I wanted, and went for it. Dare has been amazingly supportive through the whole thing."

"Was he your first lover, or the... uh..."

"I was lucky. Dare was my first lover. We were on shoreleave together. We made love by a stream in a bed of fragrant flowers. He was perfect. It was a few months later that I was captured by Perel."

"Do you think he's the one that you'll want forever?"

"Yeah. What about you?"

"I can't imagine anyone but Kalin. We have three beautiful children. My life is so full. I miss them... Do you think you and Dare will ever have children?"

"No..."

"Why? Don't you want them?"

Ryn shifted uncomfortably. "Yes... I even dreamed it once, that I carried Dare's child. But that child was lost to me, and so are any others."

"I don't understand?"

"I can't have children. Something in my Arion DNA prevents conception. I do not produce any sort of egg for fertilization. Nothing Doc does will cause an ovulation. I will never bear a child."

"I'm sorry I pushed." Hope reached out a hand and wrapped her fingers around Ryn's. "My Kaleb nearly killed me. I was lucky to have Kalin with me when I had Faith. I know how much I wanted both of my children and the fear I carried that they would never survive. I wouldn't wish that doubt and uncertainty on anyone."

"It's okay, you know. I have had several years to accept it. Sometimes though it hurts."

Hope nodded, and the two women lay in companionable silence for several moments. The sound of the door opening caught their attention, and they turned towards it. Two small figures walked up to the bed. Kat stared at them solemnly with her thumb in her mouth. Kadi walked over to Ryn. "Kat had a bad dream.... Can we sleep with you?" The two women shared a smile, and made room for the girls. Within moments they were all settled and asleep, comfortably snuggled together.

Ryn rolled over, flinging her arm across the bed, only to wince when it came into contact with something hard. "Bloody hell," she opened one eye, and realized she was flush against the wall, twins lying sideways between her and Hope who was hanging off the bed. She shifted again and groaned, "Dammit, Kadi, get your foot out of my stomach."

Hope shifted on the bed and mumbled, not bothering to open her eyes, "Stop grumbling, you'll wake up the demons."

"Well excuse me all to hell for not wanting one foot sticking me in the stomach--" She squeaked as Kadi shifted, "And the other one squishing my boob."

Hope had to fight the giggles rising in her throat as Ryn struggled to get out of the bed. She rolled off the bed to make way for her sister, then followed her into the outer room. "Nothing like waking up with a child kicking you to remind you how great it is that they have their own rooms."

Ryn mumbled something unintelligible as she crawled onto the sofa and went limp, the next thing she knew a cup of coffee was being shoved under her nose. "Thank you, you are a goddess in human disguise. Can I take you home with me?"

"Uh huh, sure, that's what you say when I give you coffee, but when I burn the dinner you don't want to talk to me!" Hope plopped into a chair next to the sofa and giggled, "Did your parents ever have that argument?"

Ryn nodded as she took her first sip of coffee, she savored it for several moments, then swallowed and sighed. "Yup," She looked at Hope over her cup, "When the replicators were down, and she couldn't get anything edible, or her coffee, you didn't want to be around. But if you brought her coffee, when she really needed it, she adored you--worshipped even."

Hope sighed, "All we have to do is fix this problem and we can get back to watching our parents fight over coffee and replicators."

She nodded, "Yup, are you meeting with Mom again today? I'm scheduled to go with Dad on a tour of the ship, demon children as well, igh."

"Well if it weren't for the fact mom and I will be discussing details of the trade, I'd offer to take them with me."

"Nah," Ryn shook her head and took another sip, "they aren't that bad, maybe I can come up with something. Maybe Dad will take a liking to them and see how badly he wants a family."

Hope stared at her, "And that's supposed to help us? It'll make him want to leave even more."

"Not if I tell him you're infertile." Ryn shot her a wry grin, "If he realizes he will never be permitted to marry a second time, even if his wife does die, and that he will never have children, he won't want to leave. At least, he won't want to leave now, that will buy us more time, AND fix the immediate problem."

Her smile was slow, "Which is him staying behind on THIS planet. Ryn, you're a genius!"

She shrugged, "I know."

Hope picked up a pillow and tossed it at her, "Don't get smug. I'm going to go shower and get dressed, then I'll get the twins up and dressed while you're in the shower. After that, you're on your own."

"Why thank you so much, you're too kind."

"I know."

"Now who's being smug?"

"Learned it from the master!" Hope squealed and dodged the pillow that was thrown her way. She slipped into the bathroom and out of her clothes, then into the shower. She let the water flow over her body, matting her hair and running in rivulets over the curves, altered by childbirth. Her hands smoothed downward over her flat stomach, tracing almost invisible stretchlines left behind in the wake of two pregnancies. Her heart ached for the woman who had become her sister, that she would never know that wonder. And while her body ached for the arms of her husband she wished only to prolong their mission, she couldn't imagine what her life was going to be like when this was over--to know that which she'd always wished for, then have it torn away from her. Damn Q, damn him for doing this to her, for giving her this gift only to rip it from her life. She damned herself for caring so much, and for not being strong enough to walk away without a broken heart, and she damned herself for the silent tears running down her cheeks, being washed away by the spray of the shower.

When she emerged from the shower her tears were gone, as were her worries, for the moment at least. She carefully masked her emotions as she pulled the large towel around herself and walked into the bedroom that had been designated as hers. As she pulled on the tunic and leggings she pushed her mind into another fray, and began to concentrate on her task. This time she would take a data padd containing all the information she needed, she'd have it to draw upon if needed. When she was dressed she tucked the padd into the folds of her tunic and walked into the other room to awaken the twins, as she'd expected they fought her, not wanting to awaken.

Kat merely mumbled and rolled away, while Kadi took the more aggressive path and kicked at her. She smiled, so much like her own children--whom she ached to hold, but that was a worry for another time. Finally awake, she steered both girls into their room, and propped them against the bed, laughing as Kadi fell over backwards, her feet shooting up in the air--kicking her sister in the head. She pulled out matching outfits and quickly dressed them, then lead them into the outer room where she replicated their breakfast. By the time Ryn stepped into the room, towel wrapped around her hair, half dressed, Hope was ready to go. She checked her pocket only briefly, making sure the data padd was still in place, then left to meet with the Captain--her mother, yet not.

~~~~~~

Kathryn Janeway looked up from her endless pile of reports at the sound of her door chime. "Come in." She stiffened as the figure entered, "Commander, I was just about to call you."

"What can I do for you Captain?"

"Please have a seat. We need to discuss this potential marriage with Lady Brekina. She came to me the other day requesting my help. She doesn't want to marry you Chakotay."

"What?"

"She's being forced into this marriage. She's frightened and has asked me to intervene."

He stood suddenly and slammed his hands down on her desk. "I can't believe your gall. You won't have anything to do with me, but you'll make damn sure to sabotage any potential relationship I have. How could you be so damn mean, Kathryn?"

"Why you arrogant bastard! I really don't give a flying leap what you do with your life. You certainly don't care where you play. Like a damn dog, you're chasing after any bitch in heat and you dare accuse me of sabotage. That's one scared little girl in there. She wants to marry for love, not as a pawn in some political game. I can't believe you are so selfish as to suggest I had something to do with it. Get the hell out of my ready room!"

"Fine!" Chakotay spun from her in anger and stormed from the room. Chakotay stormed across the bridge, catching Brekina/Hope as she stepped out of the turbolift. He grasped her arm and pulled her back in, after him. "You're with me." Hope froze, "But I am to meet with Ca--"

He glared at her, "It's not the Captain you are marrying, it's me." He snarled their destination, "I think it's time we hashed out a few things, don't you."

Hope's eyes widened at the tone in his voice, and the rage in his eyes For the first time in her life she was afraid of her father.

*~*~*

Kathryn stabbed at the chime and slapped a padd against her leg as she waited impatiently for the doors to slide open. When they did she stepped into the quarters and looked around, not sure what she expected to find, but sure she wasn't finding it. "Lady Dekarna," she bit back the anger boiling in her blood, "I was hoping to meet with your sister, is she here?"

Ryn whipped around at the sound, "No Captain, she left a while ago to meet with you." Panic instantly rose, he wouldn't have, Q wouldn't have taken Hope, not so soon. She couldn't do this alone. "I expected you to be the Commander, he was to take the children and I on a tour of your ship."

Kathryn stared at her for a moment, her eyes flicking up then down young woman, "Computer," she said finally, "locate Lady Brekina."

::Lady Brekina is in Commander Chakotay's quarters.::

Their eyes widened simultaneously, "Is she alone?" Kathryn's fist clenched, then unclenched.

::Negative, Commander Chakotay is also present.::

Kathryn snarled, "He wouldn't," and spun on her heel. Ryn and the twins were right behind her. "I swear," Kathryn spat out between clenched teeth, "if he screws up this time, I'm going to kill him."

Ryn stared at her, astounded at the anger and lack of control. Who was this stranger? She didn't say a word as she followed her mother down the corridor to her father's quarters. She kept each of the twins right beside her, hands held in her own.

When Chakotay's doors slid open, he was standing their, waiting. "Well, well, couldn't stand it could you. Just had to run down here to see what I was up to, really Kathryn, you're such a hypocrite."

Her eyes narrowed, "No I'd just like to meet with Lady Brekina as scheduled, the sooner this is over, the sooner I can get back to running my ship."

He took a step back and allowed the four new comers to enter, "Don't worry Kathryn, you'll be rid of me soon enough. He glanced at Ryn, "Not that the ice queen would notice, but there might be hope for her yet."

Kathryn whipped around at that, her hand swung out and impacted with his cheek, the sting of the blow could be heard throughout the room. "You son of a bitch, you are well out of line."

Hope started to step forward and intervene but a glance from Ryn told her not to. Instead she moved around to where her sisters stood and reached for Kadi, while Ryn held onto Kat. The twins themselves were staring in shock at the scene before them, tears welled unnoticed in little Kadi's eyes. Chakotay for his part never noticed the kids were present, "Out of line, and soon to be out of sight. That's just the way you want it, isn't it Kathryn, you'd just love to throw me in the brig. What will you charge me with? Honesty? I'm sure there are half a dozen people on this ship that would agree."

The blow struck hard, and deep, tears stung, but were held back. "What do you want from me Chakotay, I'm letting you go, why do you insist on adding insult to injury. This entire situation is your creation, but still you insist on stabbing me with your accusations and insults."

He choked out a bitter laugh, "Me? You're the one who got all jealous and pissy because I--"

"STOP IT!" The screech made them all cringe. Kadi stepped forward, hands on hips, frown firmly in place. "Mommys and Daddys are supposed to love each other, not fight, dammit! Stop yelling at each other!" She promptly turned around and buried her face in the folds of Hope's tunic, shoulders shaking with a combination of tears and fear. Kat tore herself away from Ryn and stomped over to Chakotay. She glared up at him, with her hands on her hips. He barely had time to blinked before she drew back her little foot and kicked him right in the shin. "That's for making my sissy cry!" She then turned towards Kathryn, who had the sense to move back. The little girl began to sniffle, and wiped her nose on her arm. "You have to kiss and make up so you can be our mommy again. I don't like Ryn as my mommy, I want you and Daddy back, but you keep fighting, and if you don't stop, we won't ever be borned."

Ryn moved forward quickly to grab the child, trying desperately to shush her, but Kat would have none of it. She darted away from her and hid behind Chakotay. Once again, she wiped her nose, and her eyes, this time on Chakotay's trousers. She tugged on them to get his undivided attention. "Please Daddy, don't fight anymore with Mommy. Kadi and I want to have cuddles again, and Ryn and Hope wanna go home too. Please make nice?"

Chakotay and Kathryn stared in stunned silence at the child.

Hope and Ryn were mortified, their gaping stares bounced from each other to the chidden and back again. Ryn struggled to find something to say, but couldn't, Kathryn and Chakotay were staring open mouthed at the twins--who stood there waiting for an answer. Finally, after several minutes of anticipation it was Kathryn who spoke, "Just what the hell is going on here." She looked up at Ryn and Hope, "Who are you, and why," she pointed at the girls, "do those two think we're their parents?"

Ryn opened her mouth to answer but was cut off, Q chose that moment to arrive. "I told you," he shook his head at her, "I told you their purpose would be revealed in time, and I told you you would lose your disguises if your identities were revealed." He looked to Kathryn and Chakotay, "You two are really more trouble than you're worth." With that said he was gone, Ryn, Hope, Kat, and Kadi's disguises quickly following.

Ryn looked from Hope to her parents, "There is really a very good explanation for this."

Hope nodded, "Right, and--and--and she's going to tell you." Hope looked at her sister and shrugged, ignoring the daggers being shot her way.

"Well, you see, it's like this--" When all else failed she shrugged, "Q did it."

Kathryn shook her head and walked away from the group, "Just what did Q do? What does he have to do with anything that is going on?" The fact that the four girls were human hadn't sunk in yet, nor did their appearance.

But Chakotay was still staring at them, and he could see it as plain as day, "Kathryn shut up for a minute and look at them, I think you'll understand then."

She rounded on him immediately, "You know Chakotay, I really think you should watch it, you're really on very thin ice at the moment."

Ryn threw her hands up, "Oh bloody hell, Kat's right, would you two just shut up! This is your fault too, if it weren't for you two screwing everything up I could be at home right now--aboard my own damned ship!"

Hope stepped around Ryn, pushing the twins behind her, "She's absolutely right, I have enough to deal with everyday without having to be pulled out of my reality and placed in another. My kids need their mother, and gods only know what they and their father have done to our quarters. Not to mention," she quickly continued, hands on hips, "that these two need their parents, and their friends, and a familiar-consistent environment."

Kathryn spun around to confront the young women and stopped dead. Her jaw dropped and she shot Chakotay a questioning glance. At his nod, she turned back. "Sweet blessings...." She walked up to Ryn first, and gently took her face in her hand. She turned it slightly, side to side, studying the familiar features. She noted the long auburn hair and the chocolate brown eyes. Her eyes lingered on the tattoo. Once again she glanced at Chakotay. Next, she stepped over to Hope, and once more studied the girl in front of her. The features were once more identical to hers, but the girl had Chakotay's coloring and eyes. The resemblance was unmistakable. Finally, she took in the twins, with their perfect blend of features and coloring, and intelligent blue eyes. Two little girls who shared her mannerisms. "How is this possible? Are you from the future?"

Ryn was the first to move. "Please Captain, can we all sit down. I'll try to explain as much as I can." The group was awkward as they took their seats. For once, the command team seemed to need each other's strength and sat beside one another on the couch. Hope took a chair, and pulled Kadi and Kat into her lap. Ryn paced the floor as she tried to figure out the best way to deal with this. "From what I understand, Q pulled us each from a different reality. According to him, we were to fix a problem between you two. I really don't understand why he chose us, other than he said something about us being the firstborn in all realities. I still can't figure out why he is involved in this to begin with."

Kathryn shifted out of her stupor. "Knowing Q, he is probably involved or the cause of the main problem. What exactly did he tell you?"

"That you were about to make a mistake that would completely destroy any and all realities in which you two had met. You would never meet, and none of us would be born."

Chakotay shifted, the wheels turning in his head. "How is that possible? Taking the theory of alternate realties, there have to be realities in which Kathryn and I didn't meet, that we didn't ever get along, that we died or split, or killed one another. Why does this reality effect all others?"

"Apparently this planet that we are currently orbiting exists out of normal space and time. Once you stay on the planet, and Voyager goes on her way, the space time fabric is altered and destroys all possible realities."

"And he chose you four to fix this? I'm not sure I understand why."

"I'm afraid Q wasn't that informative, however, Hope," Ryn nodded to her sister "and I have done some research. Apparently our realities parallel so closely, that we could almost exist simultaneously. It isn't until the slipstream drive is completed that our realities split."

Kathryn glanced at Chakotay then back at Ryn. "But we used our drive only a few months ago."

"Exactly. Now, in Hope's and my timeline, our slipstream drive was never brought online. It was deemed unsafe, and our parents decided not to take the risk. In the twins timeline, slipstream was used. Their timeline follows yours more closely. I realize this doesn't answer your question as to why or how, but maybe there really aren't that many different realities. Maybe the timeline only really shifts two possible ways when a decision is made. In my reality Voyager altered course to avoid a hostile sector of space, thus they encountered different species. All I know, Captain, is that you resemble my mother, and if in fact she is you, then I know you are one extremely stubborn wench. And you Commander," she locked eyes with Chakotay, "are exactly like my father. You have always found the strength in your love for her to overcome her anger. You have always had this infinite patience. Draw on it now and search your hearts. Do you really want to imagine a future without one or all of us. We are the potential before you. My mother refused to have any children. She didn't think it was possible or right or fair to do so. But I exist, and so do my three other siblings. Out of the four of us, only two were planned, but we are loved and cherished and a valued part of our parents lives."

Hope nodded and drew their attention to her. "I am an only child much to mine and my parents dismay. I too was not planned or wanted, but both of my parents love and cherish me, and they even enjoy and honor three beautiful grandchildren. They can't imagine a life without them. In fact, my father ordered me to abort my son. It was the only time I ever defied him. Now he and Kaleb are inseparable."

Kathryn dropped her head in her hands. "Why are you telling us this?" She looked up, her eyes filled with pain. "You've already told us that your realities have split from this timeline. You won't exist in our future. We won't hold you or your children. We won't get to watch you grow."

Ryn dropped on her knees before Kathryn, and grasped her hands. "I don't have all the answers. I don't know how or why. But I want you to know that somewhere a version of you made a choice and we were the result. I want you to know that we exist, that your love for one another overcame impossible odds and you found happiness. All you have to do is let it all go, and find the good in one another again. My parents had a horrible fight before I was born. I don't know all the details, they were never shared with me. I only know that my father made a mistake, and my mother refused to forgive him, and they had an all out battle. They overcame it all and found themselves bonded closer because of it."

Again Hope nodded. "Maybe that's why we were chosen to be here, Ryn and I. My parents also fought horribly and almost separated because of their differences. My mother wouldn't bend, and my father couldn't make her see reason. Maybe that's why we're here... to show you that anything and everything can be overcome. Maybe you should focus on what caused the anger, and try to find a way to solve it."

Both Kathryn and Chakotay stared at their hands for a moment before meeting one another's eyes. Chakotay spoke first, reaching out and taking her hand. "I don't want to leave you. Spirits know I love you even after all these years. Can't we please try to work this out? It doesn't have to equal a future with children. Someway, somehow, I can be whatever you need me to be, and it will be enough..."

Tears began to fall as Kathryn considered his words. They never noticed as the four girls slipped out of the room. She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it again and turned away from him. She crossed her arms as she stared out at the stars beyond his portal, "I was considering what you said," her voice was soft, almost unsteady. "When I beamed down and found you with Lyniar, do you remember?" She didn't look at him, didn't wait for his answer, "You'd asked me to accompany you, it wasn't the first time you'd asked me to go with you on shore leave, but this time was different. A secluded spot, no one to interrupt, I caught the hidden meaning, even if you didn't." She took a deep breath, "It's as much my fault as it is yours, I told you I'd think about it, but that usually means no. But this time it was all I could think about," she turned to face him then, tears streaked her cheeks, "I'm not getting any younger Chakotay, and I'm tired of being alone. I was coming to tell you yes." She took a step toward him, "I shouldn't have gotten angry, I have no claims on you, but knowing you've been with others and seeing you one are two different things. Before I could always tell myself it didn't happen, just another rumor on a ship with not enough to do. But that's not how it happened this time, you were laughing, and you were happy, and I couldn't stand it." She began to tremble, and held herself tighter even as more tears flooded down her cheeks. "You have the option of giving yourself to anyone who comes along, to find happiness at any interval, even if it only lasts a short time. I don't, I can't, there is only one person aboard this ship with whom I have that option, and if he's gone, I'm more alone than I care to know. I can't open myself up like that, relationships, when done right, are too distracting. And oh yes, Chakotay, we would do it right, and despite that I was willing, finally, to say yes."

He took a step forward and framed her face in his hands, seeing maybe for the first time how truly fragile this woman really was. "I never realized that--Oh Kathryn, I thought--I thought you were just jealous, bitterly so, because---Forgive me." He brushed the ever steady flow of tears from her cheeks, "It's never entered my head that maybe the reason you were so angry was because you were hurt. I never considered your feelings, each time I met someone, maybe I wanted you to be jealous, to hurt a little, like I was. But I never imagined that you felt trapped. I guess I am fool, I don't deserve you, spirits know I've asked myself a million different times what I could have done right to bring you into my life. I've wanted you for years, more than the physical, I want you in my life Kathryn. I want to go to sleep holding you next to me, and wake up knowing you're still there, and want to be there. But every day that dream faded more, and I guess I was trying to convince myself that I really didn't need you that badly, that I could find what I wanted with another. But each time I was wrong, and I'd come back to this ship feeling worse for it. I told you once that I wouldn't sacrifice my present waiting for a future that could ever come, but with ever present my future became sacrificed, because everyday I was reminded how unlikely it was that you would ever walk willingly into my arms. There were times when I thought maybe, just maybe you were getting close, but something would happen and we'd be ripped apart again, and my heart would shatter into a million pieces because you would look at me with those eyes--so capable of so much emotion but so closed off." His thumbs made stroking movements over her cheeks, gently soothing her as the tears began anew. "I love you Kathryn Janeway, spirits know why, but I do, and no matter how hard I try, I just go on loving you. There are times when I think its my curse, my punishment for crimes I can't begin to name, but I have only to see you smile--that single thing that lights up a room and I know its the greatest gift I could have been given. I can't imagine my life without you, but if you could forgive me, even a little, I'd like to have my best friend back. I've missed her, and I love her, and I'll take her in any form I can get her."

Her hands came up to cup his hands. Her voice was a husky whisper. "Why don't you just take me?"

His shocked eyes locked with hers, searching them for the truth, and surprised at the intensity there. He leaned forward, capturing her mouth in a sweet succulent exploration full of tender passion.

Kathryn leaned into his embrace, molding her body to his. They lost themselves in the kiss and each other, sharing secrets, likes and dislikes, learning each other once again.

Finally, Chakotay pulled back, framing her face with his hands, and trying to control his breathing. "I want this more than you can ever imagine, but I don't want you to regret this. I can't be a one night stand. I can't make love to you then walk away as if nothing happened. I will try to be whatever you need of me Kathryn, but there are limits. I will be your friend, or I will be your friend and lover. I want you to be totally sure. I don't want to take advantage of you in a moment of weakness. Hell, what am I saying?" He leaned down to kiss her once more. "Of course I want to take advantage of this situation, but I won't. I love you too much."

He started to pull away, but Kathryn wrapped her arms tighter about him. "You talk too much. I know what I'm doing and I know what I want. I've made my decision Chakotay. I want a future with you." She moved her fingers into his hair and tangled them in the silky strands. She smiled at him, her eyes clear and determined. "Show me Chakotay. Show me all the things you've ever imagined us doing. Make love with me."

His heart pounding with love, Chakotay place a swift kiss on her lips, then bent and scooped her into his arms. "You have no idea what you've just asked of me."

Kathryn giggled like a school girl. "Enlighten me."

He did.

~~~~~~~~

Ryn and Hope sat quietly in the living room, each silently debating their potential future or lack there of. Finally Hope turned to Ryn. "You understand this stuff better than I do. If our mission isn't accomplished, do we still exist here? Will we stay in this place or will we just disappear?"

"I don't know. I hate time travel and paradoxes. I've played this game before. Seeing my parents in an earlier time. It was hell worrying about saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing and possibly altering the timeline. I hated it."

"What did you do?"

"I flew by the seat of my pants, played it by ear, and prayed. Everything seemed to turn out okay. This will too."

"Will I remember you when I go back to my time? Will you remember me?"

Ryn hugged her sister. "Gods I hope so..."

"Me too."

After several moments, Ryn pulled away. "I need to think, talk to my spirit guide."

"But you don't have a medicine bundle or an akoonah. I certainly wouldn't recommend bothering Dad right now. He and Mom could be talking."

"Yeah, right....Anyway, I am Arion and human. I don't need an akoonah. I can find my own way to the spirit path."

"Can I?"

Ryn smiled and took Hope's hand. "Let's try." The two women sat across from one another and began the ritual chant. Soon Hope found herself standing next to Ryn on a beautiful pebbled shore that gleamed in the moonlight.

"Where are we?"

"Arios, my world. I always find myself here first. Come let's see if we can find our animal guides and learn some answers.

They had only walked a short distance when they heard a husky chuckle. "So now you bring guests for me to meet. You are too kind child."

"And you are as cryptic as always, Old One."

Hope blinked as a gray cat lept from a large boulder onto Ryn's shoulder, her tail curling around the woman's throat. "Why do you seek me out?"

"You know why I am here. Hope and I wish to know if we will continue to hold a memory of one another if everything works out."

The cat's answer was forestalled as a white wolf padded along the shoreline to them. Hope knelt and hugged her friend, burying her face in the animal's ruff. The wolf sat, and took Ryn's hand gently in her mouth and shook her head. Ryn understood the greeting, and after stroking the animal's ears, she turned back to her guide.

The cat jumped down and sat between the wolf's paws, curling her tail around them. "You have the ability to remember. You will remember, and you can always find one another here. You have only to enter this place and you will find what you seek."

Hope wiped her tears in the soft fur. "Everything will work out then?"

"Why ask when you know the answer?" Hope looked to Ryn for confirmation and smiled at the answer in her eyes. The two women stood and embraced.

Hope's voice was barely a whisper. "I love you, my sister."

Ryn hugged her tighter. "And I you."

Their eyes opened to a familiar sight. All four of them were once again in the windowless room and Q was standing before them. The girls stood quickly and held hands. "When I send you back, you will remember none of this."

Ryn stepped forward. "No! Q please. We have done what you have asked of us. Allow us to keep this gift of knowledge. Free the twins if you must, but let Hope and I know of each other."

Hope was nodding, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Please? I have always wanted a sister. You have given me one in Ryn. Allow us this knowledge."

Q watched them for a moment. "By removing your memory, I spare you pain."

"We would keep it!" Both women cried.

Finally Q nodded. "Very well. Say your good-byes."

The girls quickly exchanged hugs and kisses. Then, with a wave of his hand, he made the twins disappear.

Hope caught his sleeve. "Q? Will they grow up and be happy?"

He smiled. "Yes, and because of you two, they will now be born into their reality and they will be very happy."

"Their reality?" Ryn stared at him in shock. "You mean we saved not only ourselves, but their reality. That was their reality? Where they were suppose to be born?"

"Yes, and they will be... In about nine months."

The women smiled as they shared one last hug. Q snapped his fingers and they were home.

One year later:

Hope tried to concentrate on the medical report before her, but found her mind constantly wandering to a different place. She leaned back in her chair sighed, it had been almost four months since she'd visited with her sister, Ryn had not tried to find her through their link, so she assumed her sister was just as busy. She'd told no one of what had happened, save Kalin, and he, not fully understanding the ability of Q, didn't believe her. She thought about taking him on a vision quest, but their schedules had been erratic, there was no time they spent together that they didn't also share with the kids or her parents. She looked at the chronometer on her desk and wondered, "Computer, locate Lieutenant Metrel."

::Lieutenant Metrel is on deck 4, corridor A-6::

She smiled, he was on his way to her office. If he had time to kill she knew what he had on his mind, but she had other ideas. She stood and met him just outside her office, after quickly dodging his arms she led him back to a 'lift and one deck up. She retrieved the akoonah from her parents quarters, managed to sideline his curious questions and led him to their own cabin. Once inside he grabbed her from behind and brought her back against his chest, his slid firmly around her waist. One hand splayed over her stomach as the other inched upward. He buried his face in her neck and arched suggestively against her. "Ah, little Hope..."

Hope turned her head to the side, allowed him one lingering kiss, then pulled away. "Later, I promise." She retrieved her medicine bundle and placed it and the akoonah in the center of the living room. She sat before them and motioned her husband to do likewise opposite her.

He gave her a defiant look, "Hope, you know I don't--"

"I know, but there's someone I want you to meet. I know you don't feel comfortable doing this, but please, do it for me?" She smiled as he walked over and sat across from her, "Even my mother had her doubts in the beginning, but a few years with my father changed that."

“What do I do?”

She held tightly to one of his hands, as she positioned the other over the akoonah. After administering them both a dose of the hallucinogen, she began the ancient chant. “Akoochemoya...”

Hope opened her eyes and looked around, she found herself on the pebbled beach, Kalin stood just to her left. She walked down the beach, her husband following her until she finally spotted their animal guides. Her wolf bounded over to greet her, but turned her nose up at Kalin and snorted. Hope giggled, "See, if you hadn't attacked her last time she'd like you."

Kalin grunted, "How was I supposed to know what she was?"

A deep chuckle drew their attention to a boulder near by, the gray cat hopped down and sauntered over to meet them. "So finally, you have brought him to meet me." The cat walked around Kalin, inspecting him.

Hope knelt, "I came to see Ryn, can you summon her?"

The old cat moved over to its usual perch between the wolf's paws, "She is already on her way, you need only wait child." The moment the words were out of her mouth, Ryn came strolling down the beach toward them, a smile on her face. Hope’s eyes widened in shock as she took in the very rounded stomach preceding her sister.

Ryn walked easily into her sister's embrace. "Hey there stranger, it's been a while, I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me."

Hope grinned, "Never." She patted Ryn’s tummy. “Do you have something you’d like to tell me?”

Ryn smiled, her expression serene. “I’m having an allergic reaction to something I ate?”

Hope slapped her lightly on the arm. “But I thought... You said... How is this possible?”

“You’ve been married how long? Obviously Kalin isn’t that good a teacher. Speaking of which,” Ryn stepped forward to embrace her brother-in-law, “you are Kalin. I am honored to finally make your acquaintance.” She glanced over her shoulder at the figure lingering just beyond their circle, "This is Dare?"

She smiled and nodded, "Dare," she motioned him into the circle, "I'd like you to meet my other sister, Hope, the one I actually like--some times anyway." She chuckled as he stepped forward to meet Hope.

"She talks about you often, though only to me, at first I wondered at her sanity, but its nice to know the stress hasn't gotten to her." He threw Ryn a wry grin.

Hope laughed, "My husband often wonders the same, Kalin," she gestured to him, "my sister Ryn, and her other half, Dare. Now, tell me about this baby."

“It’s wonderful isn’t it Hope? Apparently my time among the Arion was not as informative as I thought. We have a breeding cycle. When it is time, it is time. The cycle begins, the bond is made, and the child created. I was miserable for nothing.” Her hand lightly stroked the mound of her belly. “She might be my only child, or she might be the beginning, but she is a blessing nonetheless.”

“Doc has confirmed it’s a girl?”

“No, I just know. I’m glad I can share this with you... all of you.”

A husky chuckle interrupted the group. “Do you wish to know, or are you planning on jabbering all night?”

Ryn turned toward the cat and sighed. “Know what Old One?”

“You, Little Mother, have the power to see into their world now. Do you wish to see, or not?”

Hope stepped forward. “What do you mean?”

The Cat lept onto a boulder, then onto Ryn’s shoulder. “This one carries the ability to see into other dimensions. The strength of the bond and the blessing have altered her so that she can open the gate. If you so desire, you can view the results of your handiwork.”

“You mean we can check on the twins?” Hope’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

Ryn smiled at the thought. “How?”

The cat purred in her ear. “Desire it, and it shall be.” Ryn caught Hope’s hand, and together the two closed their eyes and thought of the twins. Their concentration was so strong, that they barely noticed their mates moving in behind them, holding them, and offering support. The air shimmered between them, and a vision appeared.

*Kathryn Janeway lay comfortably in the circle of her husbands arms staring down at the sleeping bundles between them. She leaned down to kiss each downy head before returning her gaze to her husband. “Chakotay? Do you ever wonder if they are the twins?”

“Yes. Actually, I don’t wonder, I know. Why else would Q have included them? And, their timeline was exact with ours. It seems a logical assumption. Besides, look at them. they have the same features as their older versions. That perfect blend of you and me, and your blue eyes. How could they be anything but ours, in any timeline?”

“True. They are ours. I’m glad... Chakotay? Do you ever wonder about the other two? How they are? What they are doing? If they are happy?”

“Yes. I realize that they weren’t born to us, in this time, but knowing I have two beautiful, intelligent daughters out there makes me wonder. How many times do you suppose we’ve created these unique lives? How many other children are we blessed with, that we know nothing about? It boggles the mind?”

“I wonder if they think of us, not their parents, but us.”

“Probably, if they can remember. It was a unique experience.”

“I wish I knew how they were and could thank them.”

“Perhaps we will see them again someday. Until then, we will give little Kathryn Hope and her sister Kadi Ryn all the love and attention we would show their sisters if they were here.”

Kathryn nodded and leaned forward to kiss Chakotay. “I love you.”

“And I you.”

The scene faded from sight. The women stood with tears in their eyes, being held by the men in their lives. Hope was the first to speak. “I’m glad it all came to pass as Q said it would.”

“Mmmmhmm. Me too.”

“Ryn? You will tell me when the baby comes and stay in contact?”

“Always. Bring the children next time. I would love to meet them.”

The two women hugged again and returned once more to their realities filled with the promise of hope and the future.

The End...