Balance of Power

by Kat and Kadi

Rated NC-17   For graphic descriptions of sexual situations, violence, rape and language

This one is for Chancie, who has been waiting patiently for nearly a year for us to get this finished.  And also to our pondies, who continue to put up with us

Disclaimer: Pffft! If they came up with something like this, we'll dye our hair green, but until then.. it's ALL OURS!

Oh, this is a sequel of sorts.  If you don't know who Kat and Kadi, Hope, or Ryn are, then we recommend going back to the Night Flights page and doing some research.  It's a cool story but doesn't make a lot of sense without the history.

Kadi bounced in her seat. "I can't believe they are finally letting us go on our own mission."

Tom grinned at her. "Yeah it's the first one together and without supervision since we stole the Delta 3. This is soooo great."

Harry scowled from the back of the shuttle, pretending their enthusiasm wasn't infectious. "Yeah, if we can get to the planet in one piece."

Kat turned and shot him a glare. "That better not have been a jab at my piloting skills Mister Paris."

"Me?" He gave her an innocent look. "Would I insult your flying ability?"

Kadi grinned and answered for her. "Every chance you can get Helmboy."

The group snickered as Kat drew in a huffy breath. "Sheesh, one little shuttle crash and everyone makes a case about it." She glared at each of them in turn. "That was years ago. I haven't wrecked a shuttle or the ship for that matter since then."

Tom patted her on the shoulder. "There is always that chance."

When she shot him a glare Tom quickly amended, "There's always that chance that it may never happen again."

Kadi giggled, "Good save."

Tom let out a loud sigh of relief when Kat returned her attention back to the helm, "I swear, you people are enough to drive a person to drinking."

Harry snickered, "She already drinks quite enough, please, don't drive her to do it more."

Kat opened her mouth to retort but quickly clamped her jaw shut when a sudden burst of energy rattled the shuttle. "Shit, where did that ion storm come from."

Kadi's fingers flew over her console, "I don't know, it wasn't there a minute ago. Shit, I wasn't looking a minute ago. Kat we've got trouble, we won't be out of range of that thing for another fifteen minutes."

"We'll be dead in fifteen minutes!" Kat swore and checked her sensors, "I'm picking up an M Class moon nearby, I'm gonna try to set her down on it.  Maybe we can ride out the storm there."

"Good idea," Harry accessed the com system and tried to send a distress signal to Voyager, but with all the interference he couldn't tell if it was getting through.

A loud explosion rocked the shuttle as a bolt of ion lightening struck the ship. Kat bit back a curse as she struggled to stop the ship's rapid downward descent. Harry and Tom worked quickly, trying to make as many physical repairs as possible as Kadi worked on bypassing damaged computer systems. The shuttle slowed, then began to level out. No sooner had they release a breath of relief, then another bolt of lightening struck, this time blowing out the control panel for the helm, and sending Kat flying backwards. A flurry of Klingon curses escaped as she struggled to help the others put out the fire and regain control of the ship. As the shuttle spiraled downward, she was able to get short range transporters working. She initiated a sequence and as the foursome waited for the computer to beam them to the planet, Kat shot the group another glare. "You just had to say something, didn't you?" Their reply was lost as they were swallowed in the transporter beam. Kat closed her eyes and prayed as the blue light washed over her. She could see the shuttle exploding around them.

She moaned as she woke, pressing a hand to her forehead she slowly opened her eyes and lifted herself into a sitting position. She looked around herself, noting her surroundings. She was surrounded by greenery, trees seemed to stretch everywhere, imprisoning her in a small clearing. Standing, she looked around for the other members of her away team. She spotted Harry a few meters to her left, then on the other side of the clearing were Tom and Kadi, both seemingly unconscious. She moved over to Harry first, noting that as she did so Kadi began to stir, as did Tom. She knelt beside Harry and touched his shoulder, his eyes opened slowly and peered up at her, "We make it?"

She nodded, "So it seems, but there's no sign of the shuttle, or the ion storm." She frowned, it was actually a beautiful day, and the scenery reminded her of something she'd seen on the holodeck once. She helped Harry to his feet and noticed Tom slowly helping his wife to her own. "Kadi, Tom, you two alright over there?"

Kadi nodded, still shaking the last vestiges of disorientation from her brain, "I'm alright, a little shaken, but otherwise fine."

Tom steadied his wife next to him, "I've been better, but I could be worse."  He looked around, "What happened to the storm?"

"Good question," Kat sighed, "well, Voyager was out of sensor range so its going to be a while before they miss us. I suggest we set up a homing beacon for them, our combadges will work for that."

Kadi nodded, "Good idea," she reached for Tom's combadge and took it apart.  It took her only minutes to set up the beacon, then she repeated the same action with her own, just as Kat and Harry were doing with theirs. When they'd finished she looked around, "We need to find shelter, there's no telling how long we may have to stay here. We may have simply ended up on the other side of the planet, that storm could be minutes away."

"I agree," Kat did a quick survey, "I don't want us splitting up, we'll move out together and see if we can find anything in the way of a cave, if not we'll start gathering wood and what not and build our own shelter for the night." The others nodded and followed her as she set off into the woods.

The foursome stuck together and wandered the area in search of shelter.  Kat's bad leg was aching but she tried to ignore it as she looked around. A leader couldn't afford to be distracted by personal pain and loss. She looked over her crew surreptitiously, noticing that Kadi kept holding her wrist. Tom was limping slightly and Harry had a solid bruise forming over his left eye. The entire group looked bloody and ragged and totally out of place. She hoped Voyager found them soon, because she had no idea how they would survive. Of course they had gone through all sorts of survival training, and Kat knew she'd do everything in her power to keep them alive.  Real life had a way of interfering with survival training, and the unpredictable had a way of happening.

The pain was increasing and Kat knew she had to sit down before she fell down. She decided to call a halt near a stream. "Alright everyone, take a few to rest." Kat pulled off her jacket and then pulled her turtleneck over her head. Then she slipped the jacket back on. Using her teeth to worry the tears in the material, she tore long strips out of the shirt. Afterwards, she soaked a long piece in the cold stream water. As she wrung the cloth out, she watched her skin for signs of allergies. She then leaned down and scooped up a handful of the liquid, smelling it then finally tasting it. It tasted like water, only a little sweeter. She passed Harry the cool cloth. "For your head." She patted his hand. "Kadi, soak your wrist in that water. The cold should help some. Tom?" When he looked up, she pointed to the ankle he was rubbing. "You should probably soak that too, but use your judgment. Don't take that boot off if you don't think you are going to get it back on. The last thing we need is you to damage that foot some more." She smiled as she looked around.

As she walked by Harry, he grabbed her arm. "Don't you think you ought to take a look at that leg?"

The reminder brought the pain back full force and she had to concentrate to keep from falling. "When I need your opinion, I'll give it too you."

Harry jerked as if slapped, and Kat pushed a fall of hair out of her face and sighed. "Look, I'm sorry, that was out of line completely. It's nothing to worry about right now okay?"

He glanced down, noticing the way the black material of her trousers stuck to her leg, and nodded. Kat had become somewhat unpredictable in the last three years. She changed rapidly in a command situation from the fun loving girl he grew up with into this tough, strict little general, closing off all her feelings and locking herself in command mode. It was rare she let her hair down, literally and figuratively. He believed she was still atoning for some sin only she could comprehend. Perhaps she was.

Ignoring her wrist for the moment, Kadi knelt beside Tom and took his ankle into her hands. Gently feeling along its length she felt for swelling, and finding none, gently slipped the boot from his foot. "If it hasn't swelled by now, it won't, otherwise I would never have gotten that boot off."  Squeezing the area around the base of his ankle a little harder she asked, "Does this hurt?"

He shook his head, "No, it just hurts a little when I move it, and when I put weight on it."

She nodded as she slipped his foot into the water, "Sounds like you just twisted it. Soaking it for a few minutes should help it a lot." Tom nodded to her wrist, and gently took it between his hands when she offered it.  Gently repaying the favor, he felt along it looking for serious injury. "I'm pretty sure its just a sprain," she sighed and looked toward her sister, "of much less importance than what's bothering her."

Tom followed her gaze, "She always does this to herself, takes on much more responsibility than she should. It was a damned ion storm, there was nothing she could have done."

"I know that, and you know that," she looked toward her sister, "but damned if she knows that."

Tom nodded, then frowned. "Hey," he pointed past her, "looks like the Calvary has arrived."

Turning her head she caught sight of the figures shimmering into view, "Already?" She stood slowly, "Kat," she pointed her sister into the direction of the transporter beams.

Kat smiled in relief as Starfleet uniforms materialized into view. What stopped her cold was that she recognized none of the faces before her. The beam-down crew offered the same puzzled looks as they looked at the foursome who had sent out the distress beacons. Kadi moved next to Kat, with Harry and Tom standing behind them, close. For an instant Kat thought that the group that had beamed down was maybe from another ship, maybe someone from Starfleet, but that thought was dashed as a woman with long black hair slapped her combadge.

"Hope to Voyager, we've located the source of the beacons. I'll tell you more as I get it."

"Understood Hope, Voyager out."

As the woman called Hope approached them, Kat instinctively took a step back. Something was really wrong with this scene. She froze when she realized the woman seemed very familiar. "I'm Kat Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. Who the hell are you and what have you done with my ship?"

A warm smile washed over the woman's face as she walked forward. "I've always wondered..." She reached out and caught Kat in a huge bear hug.  Then she turned, encompassing Kadi. "And you must be Kadi. You were so small the last time I saw you and now you're all grown up."

A man in command red stepped forward and smiled down at the dark haired woman. "Hope?"

She laughed. "The twins Kalin. We told you about the twins. My sisters?"

Kat took a step back and stared at the woman as if she were mad. Hope released Kadi as she froze in her arms. "Oh my... I'm so sorry. You ouldn't have remembered. Q said he was going to erase your memories. Ryn and I talked him out of it for us, but he would have continued on with his plans with you. You must think I'm so strange. My name is Hope Metrel.  I'm Voyager's ship's counselor, at least in my timeline. In yours, I don't exist. What we have to figure out is how you got here?" Her words dwindled to a stop as she finally took in the ragged and somewhat frightened expressions of the young people before her. "I'm probably scaring you to death. Why don't we all beam up to Voyager? At least the setting will be the same."

Kat shook herself from her confusion and moved slightly in front of the others. "We can't leave here. Our Voyager will be looking for us."

"Look Kat, I can't really explain what happened, but I can assure you your Voyager isn't anywhere near here. It doesn't exist here, you don't exist here. Somehow you have crossed time and space. You and your crew members are living in an alternate dimension. We are going to have to work together to find out how you got here and how to get you back."

Kat glanced around at the others and saw the uncertainty on their faces.  She took a deep breath, ready to defend her choice and position, but the look in Hope's eyes, both understanding and sympathetic, reminded her of her father. In an instant she knew she could trust this woman. "We will go with you, for now."

They rematerialized aboard the different Voyager, that Ship's command team awaiting them. Kathryn took a step toward the transporter padd, "Hope?"

She stepped off the padd, facing her mother, "Remember me telling you about the twins Ryn and I encountered in our dealings with Q? Well this is them, some how they've gotten stuck here and we need to find a way to get them back."

"But how?" Kathryn Janeway frowned as she looked at the rag tag little team.

"Ryn mom, I have to get in touch with her. We know she can cross universes, but maybe she can cross time too. There's no way those two can be my age, and I know we were born at roughly the same point in each of our universes." As if to confirm her own hypothesis she angled her head around to face the girls, "Kadi, how old are you two?"

Normally it would have been Kat to handle the situation, but ever the skeptic she continued to scowl and check out their surroundings. "We just turned twenty-two," she anticipated their next question and answered it before it could be asked, "that puts our Voyager in its twenty-sixth year in the Delta Quadrant."

"Hope," Kalin put a hand on her shoulder, "you should probably try to contact Ryn as soon as possible. Their Voyager will be looking for them."

She nodded, "You're right," she turned to the group, "Hopefully we'll have you home pretty soon."

Kat stepped forward eyeing Hope, and the parents who weren't her parents.  "Who is Ryn, and how can she help us get back to our Voyager?"

Hope sighed, trying not to take umbrage at Kat's skepticism. "Ryn exists in yet another alternate dimension. She is the daughter of Kathryn Janeway and Chakotay in her dimension." At Kat's doubtful look, she sighed and ushered the group to sickbay. The command team followed, interested in yet another addition to their family.

As they entered sickbay, the Doc's familiar manner put them at ease. He glanced over at Kathryn and grinned. "It seems Captain that you keep bringing me children that you birthed and I welcomed into this world, but neither of us knows about."

Kathryn laughed. "Chakotay and I have been more productive than I thought.  However, these young people are a bit out of their league. Why don't you check them over and we will find out some more details about how they got here."

Kat ushered the others ahead of her as she posed questions to Hope. "How is it you know of us, but we don't know of you?"

"Okay, do you at least know who Q is?"

"Yeah. According to our history books, he's an almost omniscient pain in the ass who likes to interfere in the lives of humans."

Hope laughed. "I'd say you have a pretty accurate idea of who he is. About two years ago, for me anyway, I was pulled from this reality into a cell of sorts. In that cell with me, I found three other daughters of Kathryn Janeway and Commander Chakotay. One was my age. The other two were twins, about seven years old. They were introduced to me as Kat and Kadi. The older girl was named Ryn. Ryn and I accepted responsibility for the twins, and Q's demented mission. We were the firstborn daughters of the command team of Voyager, and for some reason, known only to Q, we were the only ones who could stop the command team from destroying themselves in all realities, ours included. From the beginning Ryn and I didn't understand why the twins were along, but in the end they were the catalyst and the result of the reconciliation. You were those twins. Q was going to erase our memories of that time, but Ryn and I requested that we be allowed to keep our knowledge of each other, as a bond had formed. We were also quite fond of you, but realized you were too young and would be confused by what had occurred. I wish you could remember, it would make all of this easier."

Kat raised her hand to her head, searching for elusive memories that fluttered at the edge of her mind, like flighty butterflies. Elusive things like the familiarity of this woman's voice, her perfume. A safe feeling, a warm hug, patience and laughter danced on the edges of her memory, things she had always associated with her mom, but knew that they weren't her, just pieces of her in someone else.

Kadi steeped forward placing her hand on Kat's shoulder. "Does Ryn look like mom, with daddy's eyes?"

Hope smiled and nodded. "Yes! And when she's frustrated she has this awful tendency to say..."

"Bloody hell." Kadi finished for her. "That's where Kat picked that up."

Kat scowled at her sister. "Mom says that."

"No she doesn't. You just don't want to remember. She was abrupt and bristly, but soft underneath. You comforted us with warm tenderness, and Ryn did so with gruffness and discipline. You let us sleep with you."

"Oh... I'm so glad you remember something. It will help. Why don't you tell me where you were before you got here, and we will try to figure out how you got here. Then I'll try to get to Ryn."

Kadi pushed Kat towards the biobed. "Your turn Captain."  Kat pushed her away, but Harry stepped forward to lift her into place and she slid on it, holding up a hand to stop him.

With an aggravated sigh, she allowed Doc to run the scanner over her, and tried to ignore the pain in her leg. "Hope? How will you contact Ryn?"

"You remember the vision quest?" Kat nodded and looked at Hope like she was missing some marbles. "Well, we can communicate through the quest. If I can't reach her there, and it's important, she'll hear me in her dreams."

Kat gave her a skeptical look, but decided not to question the woman. She was startled as Doc pushed her back and had her stretch out while he got a regenerator. "I don't know how you managed to walk on this leg young lady.  You've got a spiral fracture along the bone from thigh to knee."

Kat raised a brow and looked at him in shock. Kadi placed her hands on her hips. "You idiot...."

Kat rolled her eyes and let out an explosive sigh, "Don't start with me--"

"Kathryn Hope Janeway," Kadi cut her off, much too angry to be stopped.  "You know better, what has Doc told you repeatedly about that leg. If you ever want to regain strength in it, if you EVER want to be able to get rid of that damned limp you have to stop ignoring it when you're injured. How can we be related? I ought to slap you upside your red head, and if you think I'm not telling Doc when we get back you've got another thing coming."

Kat sat up, the Janeway death glare in full force, "Don't you Kathryn Hope me, Kadi Ryn Kim, someone had to take charge. We had to keep moving and you know it, I can't lie down and take it easy when I have an away team in need of shelter and food. If you can't get that into your own damned red head you can bloody well stop going on my away missions!"

The others watched them in amused silence while Harry and Tom tried to decide whose turn it was to break the girls up. Finally, deciding it was a draw, they both stepped between the twins. Tom took his wife's elbow and gently maneuvered her away while Harry stepped in front of Kat, blocking her view of her sister. Both men repeated the usual mantra of, "you're right, she doesn't understand, just calm down..." While the girls continued to glare at each other.

Kathryn Janeway laughed, a deep belly laugh, turning into her husband and clinging to his shirt to muffle the sound. Chakotay's was grinning as well, patting his wife's back, and fighting back a few chuckles of his own. The twins shot them indignant glares, and Kadi even sniffed. "What?"

Kathryn slowly gained her composure and wiped the tears from her face. "You two are wonderful. You must keep your parents in stitches. And you boys... boy have they got you trained. It took me years to get Chakotay wrapped around my finger like that. Of course my girls would be smarter and faster. Hope had Kalin in a matter of days." Chakotay smiled indulgently at his wife while the boys managed a passable indignant.

Chakotay held up his hands as the boys started to pull away from their mates. "I suggest you boys stay right where you are. Keep the peace and do whatever works best to keep those hellions calm. I have more than enough temperamental women on this ship to deal with... Not that I'm objecting mind you. It's a might refreshing. Now, while Doc patches Kat up, I suggest we hash over a few details. What is the last thing you remember doing before we found you on the planet?"

Kadi sighed and leaned against Tom, allowing him to wrap his arms around her. "We were traveling on the Delta 3 to an uninhabited planet to collect ore samples and supplies. While we were gathering supplies, Voyager was planning to negotiate with a neighboring race to procure a few foodstuffs and do a basic cultural knowledge exchange."

Kat, feeling grumpy, and out of sorts interrupted her sister. "They sent us on our first official supply run in order to keep us out of their hair."

Kadi glared at her sister. "That's because you screwed up the last First Contact by getting the son of the lead ambassador drunk off his ass, then punching him in the nose."

"I can't help it if he decided to get a little too friendly in the turbolift. Better me than Harry. Besides, how was I to know coffee would make him intoxicated?"

"You should have read the bloody bio reports that Doc issued and followed the guidelines."

Kat rolled her eyes. "Oh please... I would have had time if you and Tom hadn't been having a little pre-anniversary celebration in the Delta 1 and asked me to sneak you fresh uniforms. I swear, you two go through more of those than anyone I know, when are you going to learn to get them off without tearing them. Besides Kadi-Luv, you're the one who almost electrocuted the ambassador when you gave him a tour of Astrometrics. I didn't blow it by myself."

Kathryn gasped as Kadi launched herself at her sister, growling. Kat's eyes narrowed in preparation for a battle that never came. Tom had caught Kadi around the waist and Harry had clamped a hand over Kat's mouth. Despite her growling and clawing fingers, he held her securely. Tom managed to pull Kadi into a soothing, controlled hug, and was murmuring soothing words to her. Harry used another tactic. "Act like the leader you know you can be Kathryn, before someone gets hurt."

Hope winced at the look of pain that crossed Kat's face. She noticed that Kadi had heard, and felt the same way. Insult one in the other's presence, and you managed to hurt both.

Kat composed a carefully controlled mask as she turned her attention back to Hope and the command team. "I apologize for our outbursts. My sister and I have a tendency to snipe at one another, we rarely mean anything by it. We forgot ourselves for a moment. It won't happen again."

Kathryn nodded, secretly hoping that she would see much more interaction between these young people. They reminded her of the young ones on board her own ship, as well as her daughter, and Ryn. "Please continue with your story."

Kat scooted herself to the edge of the bed, ignoring the doctor's glare. "We were hit by ion lightening as we entered the atmosphere. We sent out a mayday and attempted to gain control of the ship, get out of the storm. We managed for a moment, then we were hit again, and the shuttle went down. We transported out at the last minute. All of us were knocked out. We came to on the planet below. You found us as we were searching for shelter and supplies, waiting for our Voyager to find us."

Hope turned toward her parents. "I think we should probably have Seven scan for any temporal anomalies. We can get another group working on any old theories involving transporter accidents and ion storms and explosions."

Kathryn nodded. "Team B'Elanna with Seven. Kalin, I want you to locate Harry and start that research. Hope, after you get our guests settled, try to contact Ryn. She may have a whole new perspective for us."

Hope motioned for the young people to follow her from sickbay. "I hate to cramp you, but it will probably be easier if you stay with Kalin and me in our quarters. The only open areas we have right now are the brig, the messhall and cargo bay two. Unfortunately we had a mishap with some renegade aliens, and all these areas are in use constantly because of repairs."

The group glanced around as they entered Hope's quarters. A little girl about 5 years old raced up to Hope, screaming, "Mommy!"

Hope swooped the child up and hugged her tight. "This is my youngest daughter, Faith." She nodded to the table, "That beautiful child at the table is Kayli." The girl smiled at the visitors, curious. Hope gestured to the boy next to her, amusing himself with a model of some sort. "That's Kaleb, my son." She set Faith down and looked around, "And the baby is..." She trailed off as she spotted the play pin near the sofa, "Right there."  She moved over and scooped the 7 month old into her arms, "This is my youngest, Ryn." At the looks that gained her she quickly explained, "I named him after Ryn, for without her, I never would have been able to have him, but that's a long story." Before the gang could say anything, "You guys go pack your overnight bags. You're going be sleeping in Gramma's quarters for the next few days, okay?"

Kaleb jumped up cheering. "Awesome, camp-out at Granddad's."

Kayli giggled, and raced over to grab Faith's hand. "Come on Brat. We get to sleep over with Grammy." Faith grinned, whooped, and tried to race her sister into their room.

Kat stepped back, not use to so much enthusiasm. "We don't want to put you out."

"You're not. My folks love having them around, and Kalin and I take every chance we can get to send them over there." She glanced at the foursome for a moment. "The girls have two twin size beds in their room, and there is one in Kaleb's room as well. This one," she nuzzled the baby's neck, "sleeps in a crib in our room. You guys can work it out."

Kadi nudged Tom toward the smaller one. "Just give us a few blankets and we'll be fine, but what about Ryn?"

"If Ryn can make it, she can have the couch. It won't be the first time she's slept there. I'm sure I can find an air mattress or something for you guys." She grinned knowingly. Kadi blushed, Tom and Harry grinned, and Kat rolled her eyes, trying hard not to grin. Hope nodded toward the bathroom.  "Feel free to freshen up. I'll see about replicating you a few uniforms."

As the foursome settled in and made themselves at home, Hope used the Akoonah to start her vision quest, searching for a link to her sister.

As Hope walked along the beach she smiled. This world was uniquely Ryn's, she only wished she could see it for real. She broke into a grin and picked up her pace as she spotted Ryn sitting on the boulders by the water.

Ryn slid off the rocks and met Hope, wrapping her in a big bear hug. "You wanted me?"

"How could you tell?"

Ryn shrugged and encouraged Hope to sit. "I can hear you sometimes. Since the last time we were physically together the link has grown stronger.  Sometimes I hear you at the most inopportune moments."

Hope couldn't suppress a giggle. "Bet Dare loves that."

"Ummm hmmm. Anyway, what's up?"

"Well, do you remember our demon twins?"

"How could I not? They drove me nuts. What about them?"

"Well, somehow they were in a transporter accident and they are now residing in my dimension. They are only twenty two years old. They should technically be our age, but they aren't. They have somehow managed to cross space and time. They need our help to get back, your help."

"Hope... If I cross, it... well it's... it's difficult. There's a cost."  Her expression was pained.

Hope's eyes narrowed, confused. "Are you saying you won't come, can't?"

Ryn closed her eyes. "Hope... There is more at stake in a crossing then just crossing. It takes a connection, a link. You are my link, but there is no urgency, nothing to form a cohesive link. Nothing to justify the cost."

"What is the cost Ryn? Why is this an issue? You never mentioned it before? What is the cost?"

Ryn's eyes closed again. She sighed. "Do you honestly think you can not get them back on your own?"

Hope tipped her head to the side. "Ryn..." At her sister's discouraging look, she continued. "No... We have no idea how they crossed, or where they came from, just a general time. I don't know how to help them Ryn.  But they are scared and striking out at one another. They need us. They need us to help them get home, and maybe, just maybe to be big sisters."

Ryn stood and nodded. "Go back and give me a link. Call to me as if I were the only person you know. It will take time but I will find you."

"Ryn, the cost."

She shook her head. "It's not important if you need me, if they need me."

"Ryn?"

"Go now. I'll see you soon."

Hope returned to find the foursome watching her.

"Well?"

Hope smiled. "She'll come."

"When?" Kadi was leaning forward expectantly.

"As soon as I give her a link." Hope closed her eyes and focused all her thoughts on her sister. Several moments later a whirl of air churned through the room. She stared in awe as a cloudy swirl of white centered in the corner of the room. A figure tumbled through, hitting the floor with a resounding thud. The whirl of white closed behind her. Hope hurried over, rolling the figure to her back. She gasped at the flow of blood trickling out of her nose. She lightly patted her face. "Ryn! Ryn!"

Cloudy brown eyes fluttered open, focusing in on Hope. "Hope?"

"Yeah... I'm here Sis."

"Good... Sleep now." The eyes fluttered closed as Ryn slipped back into unconsciousness.

Kat leaned over Hope's shoulder. "Is she okay?"

"I don't know. I've never seen her like this." *There's a cost.* Hope shifted her sister to swat at her combadge. "Medical Emergency. Lock and my signal, two to beam directly to sickbay."

"That was quick," Doc moved over as the two materialized before him. He helped Hope lift the unconscious form onto the biobed and began scanning her. He frowned at the readings, "Hope, do you know if she's crossed anywhere else recently?"

She shook her head, "No Doctor, why?"

"Because I just compared her neural readings to those I took the last time she was here, they've grown weaker." He handed her the tricorder, "There is a definite decrease in neural energy here," he pointed to a line on the scan, "Compared to what it was when she crossed over the last time, here," he pointed to another line.

Hope sighed and leaned heavily against the biobed, "She mentioned a cost, damnit if she'd have told me..." She looked at him, "Is there anything you can do?"

"I'm afraid not, think of the energy as a life force of sorts, once its drained its gone." He closed the tricorder and stepped away from her, "She needs to rest, when her body is ready to cope with the drain she'll regain consciousness, until then I suggest we leave her be."

Hope nodded and turned toward the door to rejoin her 'visitors', stopping short when she saw the four of them standing there expectantly. Kadi stepped forward, "We're sorry, if we'd known this would be so difficult--"

Hope cut her off, "Don't worry about it, Ryn knows what she's doing, there's no other way of getting you home without her. She'd never let you remain here just because of her own needs."

Hope left sickbay, encouraging her visitors to join her. "I don't know about your Voyager, but Neelix is still in charge of the messhall. You would think that we'd have kicked him out by now, or he'd have learned to cook, but no one wants to take over the task of feeding this group.  However, I'm starving and I'm sure you guys could use something resembling food as well."

Kadi grinned as two black covered arms encircled Hope and drew her back.  One of Kalin's hands curled into the curve of her hip and the other under her breast. He pulled her close, nuzzling her neck. "Did someone say something about eating?"

Hope laughed, a warm bubble of sound that instantly put the group at ease.  "Mmm hmmm, and the kids are staying with mom."

The kiss turned into a wild growl as Kalin nibbled her ear. "Hot damn. Drop your sisters and their fellas off in the mess hall and let's make use of the privacy of our quarters."

At the girls' giggles, Hope pulled away. "There is no time and no privacy my love. You'll just have to wait."

He sighed as if put upon, and released her, taking her hand. "Well Counselor, I guess I'll have to make an appointment for an hour or so of your time later." He winked at the guys. "I've always like that desk in your office. Nice and sturdy."

Hope punched his arm and blushed. "Kalin!!!"

He pulled close for a quick playful kiss and motioned the others toward the mess hall. "Since my darling wife won't indulge a few of my appetites, I'll have to settle for food. Join me?"

Tom and Harry put their arms around their own mates and nodded seriously, "Food works for us," the latter answered.

Kadi slipped an arm around Tom's waist while Kat continued to look uncomfortable in their new surroundings. She shook her head and sent Harry a sympathetic smile, then leaned into her own husband. "Actually food sounds pretty good right about now, I feel as though I haven't eaten in days."

Tom blinked and leaned close to her, "Kadi, darling, that's because you haven't.." Thinking quickly he dodged her playful swipe.

Kalin watched the couple in quiet amusement then arched a brow at Hope, "How long have you four been together?"

Kadi shrugged, "Practically since birth, Kat and I grew up with the Paris and Kim kids practically right next door. It's actually all our parents faults, if they hadn't thrown us together at every opportunity we probably wouldn't have ended up together."

Tom nodded, "We grew up together, but there was a time when Kadi wouldn't even look at me. Who would have thought five years ago that we'd end up married? Or watching Kat and Harry play the game of on again off again."

Hope smiled. "I can understand that. Probably would have ended up with one of them myself if Kalin hadn't kidnapped me."

Kadi's eyes widened. "Kidnapped you? As in took you from your family and home."

Hope grinned as they entered the messhall. "Oh yeah. Of course, at the time, I was terrified, then I realized what a big teddy bear he was and the rest is history."

Kalin shot her a mock glare. "Teddy bear?!? I do have a reputation to uphold, so watch your mouth or I'll ravish you right here on the table in front of everyone."

Hope rolled her eyes. "Ohhh I'm really scared."

Kalin grinned as Kadi giggled. "You two act like my folks. I hope Tom and I are still interested in teasing each other after we've been married a while."

Kalin looked the young couple over. "Seems to me you've had a relationship that has lasted twenty plus years and its still going strong. I don't think you are going to have a problem."

Kadi hugged Tom as he spoke. "I hope you're right." They got their dinner and sat, talking about little things and getting to know one another.

*~*~*~*~*

The pain searing her head was the first thing that registered for Ryn. The second was the Doctor's obnoxious voice. "Are you going to sleep all day or are you going to pull out of it?"

She lifted a hand to swat him away and forced her eyes open. The pain nearly blinded her but she forced herself to focus on his face. His face filled her vision as he leaned over her. Ryn flinched slightly. "Waking up to you is enough to make a person wish they were back in a nightmare."

"Good to see you too."

She pushed herself up slowly trying to ignore the ache in her head. "Enough with the pleasantries old man, give me something for this headache please."

Doc sniffed and filled a hypospray. "At least you remembered some of your manners."

Ryn snorted but refrained from answering. An argument with the doctor wasn't going to get her anywhere. As the medication flowed through her system, she sighed. "Where are Hope and the others?"

"Well they were heading to the messhall when they left you with me. It's only been about an hour, but they might still be there. Shall I let her know you're awake?"

"No, she'll just take it upon herself to yell at me. If I catch her in public it's likely to be more subdued."

"Well, if you ask me, I think someone needs to yell at you. You're too damn stubborn for your own good. If you keep crossing dimensions its going to kill you. It drains your neural energy."

Ryn held up a hand. "Enough Doc. I don't have the energy to argue with you. You will keep this to yourself, understood?"

"But..."

"No. Patient confidentiality." She slid off the biobed and stood shakily by it. "Computer location of Hope Metrel?"

"Hope Metrel is in the messhall."

Ryn thanked the doctor for his help and headed off to find her sister.

*~*~*~*~*

"What about you two," Hope looked at Kat and Harry, "married?"

Kat shifted uncomfortably as Harry chuckled, "Engaged, indefinitely."

She scowled, "No time for marriage, too much other stuff to do."

Kadi shook her head, "Oh no, don't you two get started, I am not listening to that argument again, well, at least not here!"

Taking the initiative, Kalin changed the subject, "So, any kids?" The question was directed at Kadi and Tom, but he realized the mistake almost immediately. "I don't mean to pry..."

"No, you're not," Kadi sighed, "we're putting it off, we had a near miss a few years ago, but we're waiting a year or two more, settling into marriage to be more exact."

Hope smiled, "It sounds like a plan to me, I wish I'd had that luxury. Don't get me wrong, I love my babies, wouldn't give any of them back, even if you pointed a phaser to my head, but it would have been nice to settle into a relationship with Kalin, rather than having it shoved at me."

"Shoved?" He snorted, "I never shoved anything at you...well, something, but never mind." He cleared his throat and looked around. "You all about ready?"

Kat and Kadi nodded in unison and threw their napkins aside, "Whenever you are!"

The group stood and started to move out of the messhall, but were stopped when Neelix bustled over, "Oh, wait, please."

Kat turned momentarily and only half listened as Neelix mumbled about wanting to have a welcome party for the group. She shook her head at his enthusiasm, then turned back toward the exit. She'd made it about three fourth's of the way through her turn when she collided with something hard.

"Bloody hell!" Two voices said as they were sent sprawling to the floor.

Ryn lay on the floor staring at the ceiling, debating whether or not to bother getting up. The sound of Hope's giggles were enough to cause her to raise up on her elbows, glare at her sister, and look down at the girl sprawled over her. Her rough rebuke diminished as she noticed Kat wasn't moving. She shifted slightly and laid a hand on Kat's shoulder.

Kat rolled at that point and looked at her. "Ummm hi Mom."

Ryn couldn't help a chuckle. "Knock some sense into you did it? Well get off me youngin'. You're to heavy for me now." Kat scrambled to her feet and turned offering Ryn a hand up. Ryn stood and walked over to Hope. "You laughed at me. I ought to hurt you."

"Yeah right." Hope pulled Ryn into a big hug. "Thanks for coming."

"Anything for my sisters." Their eyes met and something passed between them. Ryn had just released Hope when she was grabbed from behind and swung around. "Hey little girl! Long time no see."

Ryn scowled, "Kalin you dope, put me down or I'm telling Dare."

Hope giggled, "Hey, I don't call your husband names, I would appreciate the same courtesy."

"I can call him what I want, now tell the big ox to put me down."

"Not until you apologize," Hope put her hands on her hips and tried to keep from laughing.

Both girls attention was caught as the doors to the messhall swept open again, then in unison, "Mom! Make her stop!"

Kathryn Janeway shook her head as she looked at her husband, "It's times like these, that make me grateful that Hope was an only child."

Kat took a step toward the group, "Look, I hate to be the party pooper, but she came here to help us get home, so I'd really appreciate it if we could get to it."

Ryn turned a glare on her as she was set back onto her feet, "You're Kat aren't you? And the quiet one has to be Kadi." She sighed, "I don't know exactly that I can help you, the whole point was to try... patience, which is obviously not a Janeway trait, is a virtue." She grinned over at Kathryn. "But for the moment, I'd like to say hello to my parents and get some food. After that, we'll see." She walked over and pulled Kathryn into a firm hug. "I've missed you Ma'am."

"I've missed you too."

"Always last."

Ryn glanced over at Chakotay whose smile was in full bloom. "Never Papa."  In an instant she was in his arms, surrounded by the warmth of his hug.

He guided her to a table as Hope brought her a plate. "How are the little ones?"

She grinned, tossing a grin at the twins. "Demons, straight from hell."

Kat looked at them, amazed. "How can you just claim each other like that?"

Ryn arched a brow, "How can you just claim Kadi? Or your parents, or anyone for that matter. You just do, they're your family, there is no explanation. I'm not in my universe, but she is still my mother and he is still my father, I love and respect them as I would my real parents." She gestured to Hope, "And she is my sister... the jury is still out on you two.. well  maybe not Kadi, but definitely you."

Kat snorted, "Gee, thanks."

Kadi rolled her eyes, "Oh come on Kat, you can't say that just because they aren't really our parents you don't feel anything for them. I mean, this is pretty amazing, it's not just us and Jonah, but an entire extended family."

She shrugged, "I guess..."

"There is no guessing about it," Hope explained, "Ryn is my sister, as are you and Kadi, maybe not directly, but still sisters."

Ryn shot them an impatient glance. "Sit will you? All you tall people towering over me makes me nervous." She stuck her tongue out at Harry as he snickered.

"You know Kit-Kat, we finally found someone shorter than you and Kadi. Didn't think it was possible."

"Alright already, short jokes give me indigestion." She frowned at the plate of purple stuff Kathryn had placed before her. "You know, I think I'm going to miss Dare and the girls. At least he can cook."

Kathryn smiled. "Quit whining and fill me in on my granddaughters."

Ryn grinned, her face full of pride. "Well both girls just turned a year old, Aerynn Kalea, my little red head, is this bright, inquisitive trouble maker. Those big brown eyes of hers have only to look at me and Dare and anything she wants, she gets. Her twin, Kaelynn Hope is a dark haired little demon if ever I saw one. Definitely the spawn of Dare and me, she bats those big blue eyes of hers at us and she can get out of anything. I never dreamed I would be a mother, or that Dare would love them as much as he does."

Hope grasped her hand. "It's amazing how easy it is to take a child and love it, just because. Dare loves you and because Aerynn is yours, she is his."

"I hate to say it, but all my worrying was for naught. You two were right." she gave a mock shudder as she glanced at Kalin. "And the longer Kaelynn was around her father, the more she grew to look like him. She is Dare's daughter, the DNA confirms it."

Kadi cocked her head to the side. "How long have you and Dare been together? And who is Dare anyway?"

"Dare is my best friend, lover, and first officer. We grew up together. We've always been friends, but somewhere along the line the dynamics changed. We've been a couple for nearly ten years."

"But he isn't the father of your children?"

Ryn cocked her head, "Yes, and no, children were never considered part of our future, and then we encountered the Arion, and it changed everything."

"Arion?" Kat's brows crinkled as she tried to place them.

"Yes. To make a long story short, I carry human DNA from Kathryn Janeway and Chakotay. It was absorbed by an alien embryo to create a blend of two who were compatible. That is why I am able to cross dimensions, yet still look and register as human. I don't understand the science of it, but I live the reality. It seems my people have a breeding cycle, and we can only reproduce physically through that cycle. When we encountered the Arion again, it triggered the breeding cycle. Dare wasn't an option. Arion can only breed with Arion, regardless of DNA sharing. It's too complicated to get into. Needless to say, my daughters are Arion. And whereas Aerynn only had me from which to pull her Human influence, Kaelynn, who was conceived during my breeding cycle, was able to pull from both Dare and myself, it's really confusing and complicated. I can't explain it as well as the Arion themselves can." She took another bite of her dinner and focused in on the guys. "Well I can tell you are a Paris and a Kim, and I can guess B'Elanna is your mother, but what about yours?" She gestured to Tom.

He grinned. "My mom is Seven."

Ryn clapped a hand down on the table. "HA!" She pointed to Hope. "I knew you guys were screwed up. Harry and Seven were made for each other."

Hope shrugged. "My reality works."

Kathryn took Chakotay's hand. "Don't get me wrong, I love Harry, but Seven just always seemed too much for him."

Tom grinned. "Well, my dad says he has a method for getting past her irrelevants."

Kalin grinned, "Learned a few tricks from him did ya? Must have to get past one of the Janeway daughters."

"Nah," Kat waved a hand in the air, "Kadi's easy."

Her sister scowled, "I beg your pardon, you were the one that--"

"You don't want to go there little sister, who was rolling around the floor of the holodeck with Tom after just a few dates? Hmm?"

Ryn rolled her eyes, "I bet those two are just a bucket of laughs when they really get going, but I doubt anyone here really wants to hear about your sex lives."

"Or," Kadi shot her sister a sarcastic smile, "lack there of, eh Harry..."

He shifted uncomfortably, but kept his mouth shut.

Ryn raised a brow and gave Harry a pat on the arm. "Poor guy." She glanced over at Hope and smirked. "I pull that one on Dare every once in a while.  Keeps him on his toes. Besides, Kadi takes after Hope, I can see it. Two days with Kalin and they were doing some rolling of their own." She paused to take a bite. "So you see, Hope's easy too."

Hope blushed. "Ryn!!!"

Kalin laughed and hugged Hope. "She's right love. I got you where I wanted you and enjoyed every minute of it."

Hope shrugged, still blushing. She stuck her tongue out at Ryn. "Kalin was my first and is my only. You can't say the same."

They noticed a brief flash of something in Ryn's eyes and Hope's sudden intake of breath before Ryn shrugged. "Use 'em and lose 'em, that's my theory."

Hope quickly reached across the table to squeeze her sister's hand, but not before Kathryn could change the subject, "Yes well, obviously my daughters take after their father in that respect. But enough of this," she narrowed her gaze on the twins, "grandchildren?"

Kat pointed at her twin, "Ask her...she's the married one."

"Nope," Kadi was quick, a little too quick for Tom's liking for he scowled at her. "Well its the truth," she amended.

"We're trying," he added with a smile.

"We are not," she put her hands on her hips, "like I told Hope, we're waiting."

He shook his head and faced the elder Janeway again, "We're trying."

"We're waiting," she scowled at him.

Kat giggled, "Now look who's not getting any..."

Harry clapped his friend on the back, "It's not that bad, you just set the shower to 24 degrees, and remember to carry a data padd with you at all times."

Kathryn looked at her husband, "Been handing your tricks out to all the realities eh?"

He wiggled his brows, "Not lately..."

At the so Chakotay remark, everyone laughed, and the laughter allowed each to relax and absorb the moment. Kat glanced around the room, amazed at the sense of the camaraderie among these people. What surprised her more was that she felt included. She bided her time, joining in periodically in the joking and good-natured ribbing. Most of the time she watched and listened. She grinned as Kalin started in on Hope again, getting more suggestive with every comment, especially with Ryn in the background egging him on. Hope was blushing furiously and threatening both her husband and sister, neither of whom seemed worried. A groan echoed through the room as as the com system activated.

"Tuvok to Captain Janeway"

"Well," Chakotay leaned toward his wife before she could answer the hail, "at least we weren't in bed this time.."

She groaned loudly and pushed him away, "Janeway here, go ahead Commander."

"Captain, we have entered a standard orbit around the planet, and the senior staff has gathered in the conference room per your orders."

Sighing she rolled her eyes to the group, "Understood, we'll be there shortly." She cut the link and looked at the group, "I'm afraid I have to break up this little gab party, Kalin, I'll need you to take the bridge.  Hope, Ryn, everyone else, you'll be with us in the meeting."

The group nodded and stood with her to move out of the mess hall. When they entered the conference room, Kathryn addressed the already present senior staff, "I'm sorry to keep you waiting," she took her usual position at the head of the table, then gestured to their guests. "As you all know we've been joined by some special guests, Ryn you all know. This is Kat and Kadi Janeway," each twin nodded in acknowledgment of her name, "And Harry Paris, and Tom Kim."

The two young men exchanged grins as their parental counterparts exchanged confused looks. "Don't ask us, we think our parents were drunk at the time," Harry shrugged.

Kat rolled her eyes and quickly slapped him in the back of the head, "Paris, you pig."

B'Elanna Torres-Paris chuckled, "Well, I know I like her. Welcome aboard."

Kathryn shook her head and ignored the display, "What we need to do now, is figure out a way to get them home, that's why Ryn is here."

The foursome's eyes widened at how quickly everyone went into serious mode.  Ryn nodded at the group as she took a seat. "What can you share with me?"

Seven stood and went to a wall console. "What we do know is that the young ones crossed through time and space. The combination of ion storm, with transporters and the explosion acted as a conduit to bring them here.  Apparently the rock in this planet, the one where we found them, has an ion signature equal to that of an ion storm. Certain areas have the ability to interfere with our transporters, as well as communications. It is our guess that the planet may be a conduit back to their dimension."

Ryn nodded. "It's a good theory too. Do we know the frequency of the ion radiation? The kids can provide us with the stardate and possibly the energy signature of the transporters. Another factor to consider is energy output of the ship they were on. Speed, trajectory, fuel, any specs on the vessel itself. All those will play a part in recreating the accident that brought them here."

"Recreating?" Kat frowned slightly. "I thought you could just send us home, kind of like you got here."

Ryn smiled sadly. "Kiddo, I'm good, but I'm not a God. I wouldn't begin to know where to start to open a dimensional portal big enough for four people, and without a link to your dimension, I wouldn't be able to form a stable enough gate anyway. I'm sorry. We are going to have to try this the hard way before we consider that option." She glanced over to the Captain. "I'd like to form an away team to take to the planet. There may be something there that will help us out."

Kathryn nodded, "Agreed," she pursed her lips in thought, "I'll lead this one," at her husband's instant objection she held up a hand, "I don't get to do many, this is relatively simple. The kids of course will go, as will Hope and Kalin." She looked around the table, "Anything else?" With no responses she nodded her head decisively, "Alright then, let's get these four home."

As everyone stood and moved away Hope caught Ryn's arm, "Speaking of opening dimensional gates," she scowled at her sister.

Ryn sighed, "What, you wanted me to say no? I couldn't not come, you need me. This may not work, I may *have* to open a gate to get them home."

"Given the cost I think they'd rather stay here."

"They can't do that Hope," Ryn frowned, "and you know it. It would completely destroy the space time continuum."

"What if it destroys you?"

"Hope.... What do you want me to do? Okay I'll be fine, nothing will happen." She turned away.

Hope growl and spun her back. "Don't treat me like a child. You're my sister and I love you. I know why you came and I understand what you are saying, but you have to take care of you too. Doc said that each time you cross it drains your neural energy, that you can't get it back."

"I told the old man to keep it to himself."

"He talked to me before you woke." She sighed, running her hand through her hair. "Be honest with me Ryn. I deserve that much."

Ryn glanced at the wall for a moment before meeting her sisters eyes. "What good does it do Hope? All it does is make you worry. I would spare you that."

Hope shook her lightly. "I want to know. If I worry that's my choice. It may not change anything, we will still do what we have to do, but I have the right to know."

Ryn sighed and sagged back against the wall. "It's not quite as bad as Doc suggested. The neural energy will recharge naturally, it just takes a really long time."

"How long?"

"I don't really know. Half of the energy I expended in the two jumps I made last year was renewed. This one though took more because the link wasn't as strong. If I have to send the kids back, there is no telling what kind of drain we face, because there is no link."

"There is nothing we can do to stimulate the renewal of the neural energy?  Maybe if Doc knew that it recharged itself, he could come up with a method to help stimulate its return."

"Do you think we haven't thought of that? It's one of the first things Doc and I discussed when we discovered that it did renew. There is nothing that can be done to stimulate it."

"What about through you're Arion connection?"

"Where it not for the Arion connection none of this would be possible."

"There has to be something we aren't thinking of. The Arion all have abilities. This is one of them. They aren't disabled by the usage. Their energy recharges faster, through normal means, why not yours?"

"Look, first of all, I am not among Arion. Secondly, Arion are trained from birth to recognize and control their gifts. Even the young can harm themselves, even to the point of death, if the aren't careful. They can draw on the energy around them to renew. The life-force of the others feeds them. That is how they recuperate. That is why they had to help me open the gate to go back.. that's how the Arion work. The only Arion I can draw from are my daughters and they are not strong enough or experienced enough to share their life-force."

"You can't draw from humans at all?" Ryn dropped her gaze, staring again at the wall. "Ryn?"

"Were I to draw from a human, it would die."

"So it's possible?"

Ryn's eyes met Hope's and they were panicked. "Yes I can draw from a human." She closed her eyes, expelling a rush of air. "Human energy is so tantalizing. It almost reaches out to me. But I am too inexperienced to draw on it without hurting the host." At Hope's confused look Ryn tried again. "Do you remember your tales about Vampires. The dark ones in human lore that fed on the blood of mortals?" Hope nodded. "That's what your neural energy is to me. It's the lure of the forbidden, a bloodlust in energy. One taste and I would draw you completely dry, sucking the life-force out of you like a sponge. I wouldn't be able to control it, so I have to let my mind heal on its own."

Hope actually stepped back a step. "But the Arion don't kill one another?"

"Because the energy is released freely and controlled by both giver and taker. It is a mutual system, and the older and more experienced one becomes, the less energy lost when used."

"You won't have a problem controlling the need will you?"

Ryn shook her head and turned away, once more heading for the door. "No. You and your crew are safe. I cannot take what is not freely given, even if I wanted to, and I would not take from any of you even if I were dying."  She turned back, pinning Hope with her sorrowful gaze. "Now you know why I didn't want to talk about this. I knew you would be afraid of me and what I am. Now things will be different."

"Afraid yes," Hope took a step forward and reached for her sister's hand, "but only for you, not of you. Nothing has changed, except the urgency of this mission. We need to find a way to get them home, if we don't they're staying here. I will not allow you to open a dimensional gate, and neither will anyone else."

Ryn just shook her head, "It's not that simple Hope, if they stay, all of our universes will begin to degrade." She turned then, leaving that to hang in the air between them.

On the planet, the away team fanned out, covering as much ground as possible. Samples were taken from the surface and atmosphere. "There's no sign of debris," Kadi murmured to Tom as they moved toward the forest.  "They're going to think we're dead."

"They won't give up that easily," He gave her shoulder a squeeze before turning to the others. "Given the trajectory of the shuttle, the debris should be scattered in this area."

Kalin nodded, "I agree, scan for any anomalies."

Tom shook his head, "Nothing."

Ryn placed a hand on Kat's shoulder. "The debris wasn't necessarily caught in the rift. It's probably on the planet you were going to crash on." She recognized something in this girl that she had herself. Kat had become all business since they had beamed down, as if she had to accept responsibility for where her team was and how they had gotten there. Ryn's eyes met Kadi's and she noticed the look the girl sent her sister. She patted Kat's arm again. "Ya know Captain, you need to relax before you sprain something."

Kat glanced up at her in surprise as Kathryn snickered. "That remark is going to follow me the rest of my life."

Hope chuckled. "You have to admit, it is legendary and sooooo appropriate."

Kat scowled. "How can you guys joke at a time like this? My family is going to be worried sick. They are going to think we are dead, or worse.  This is not a joke."

Ryn patted her again. "We know Kit-Kat, but there is nothing to be gained here by being uptight or upset. Sure there is a certain amount of precautions we have to take and that sort of thing, but sometimes levity is necessary to help us relax. Your worrying about your parents worrying isn't going to stop it from happening. It's okay to be human and have a little fun once in a while."

Kat shook her hand off and turned away. "Fun has no place during a mission. It leads to trouble."

Ryn shook her head. "True. But sometimes its just necessary. The key is to find the balance." A strange smell assaulted her senses, and she turned, instantly alert. A glance at Kalin showed a similar response. The others came to attention as well. "That smells like fire, but that doesn't make much sense. They are no storms and the planet is registering uninhabited.  Tom, scan the area."

"The tricorder is definitely reading a fire surrounding us. I can't tell how it was started."

Kathryn hit her combadge. "Janeway to Voyager, emergency beam out. Voyager?" She glanced at Ryn. "Communications are down. Must be from the interference." She waited a moment as the others attempted to communicate with the ship.

Tom got her attention. "Captain, I'm reading a path through the fire." He pointed to the left of them. "We need to head toward the mountains. I'm reading a source of water that way as well. We may find safety there."

"Agreed. Let's take no chances though. Kalin, take the front and keep your weapon at ready. Ryn, you take the rear. Let's move people."

"Aye Captain!"

The heat from the fire had almost overwhelmed them before they reached the caves. Chakotay and the junior Paris and Kim boys secured the entrance to the cave while Kalin made certain the deeper area of the cave was uninhabited. "It appears to be several kilometers deep, and I'm reading the water source a kilometer below us."

Kathryn nodded as she leaned against the rock face, she scanned the area herself, "This rock will act as an excellent heat conductor, we should move toward the water source." She took a moment to swipe sweat dampened hair off her neck and face, "I should have stayed on Voyager, I'm getting too old for this."

Kalin grinned, "Never, you'll outlive us all."

She chuckled, "Flattery will get you everywhere my boy."

"And he had better watch where he tries to get with it too," Chakotay moved over and stood next to his wife, "She's right, we need to move lower, that inferno is moving closer."

Never one to be left out, Ryn added her two cents worth, "I'd like to take a team deeper into the caves, we might find another way out. It might also give us more of an idea of what's going on."

Kathryn shook her head, "I don't want us being separated right now, we'll wait until the fires have died down, and we've regained contact with Voyager. Then we'll have a better chance of exploring."

"Agreed," Kalin nodded, "I say we get moving now, it's growing warmer in here by the second."

"I second that," Hope swept her hair over her shoulder to keep it off her neck, "we should move in increments of at least two, a buddy system if you will."

"Good idea," Kathryn looked over the group, "Kalin, Hope, you two will take the lead. Ryn and Chakotay, and I will take up the rear." She looked at the twins, "You four can divide up into two's as you see fit. Let's get moving."

The group started off into the corridor, following the ever darkening path as it wound its way deeper into the cavern. The tricorder issued a series of bleeps as the light disappeared completely. Kalin stopped, turning toward the others. The light from the tricorder was eerie in the darkness.  "There is a large cavern up ahead with a water source. We should be able to wait there."

"Sounds good. Let's keep going."

"Aye Captain."

They continued on for a few more moments, finally stumbling into a wider area. The trickle of water echoed through the room. Tom sighed as they stopped. "We need light. Any ideas?"

Chakotay's chuckle rang out. "You picked the wrong Indian to get stuck with for that one."

Kadi giggled. "My daddy says the same thing every time we go camping and mom asks him to start a fire."

Ryn searched the darkness, squinting, trying to ascertain their surroundings. "I figure someday mine will let us in on the private joke."

A prickle of awareness shot through her. She moved quickly, shoving Kat down as she moved by her. "Get down, NOW!" A burst of intense light swept through the cavern, blinding the away team. By the time their eyes focused, they were surrounded by men with odd shaped rifles. Before they could speak, the rifles were brought up and the butts cracked down on their faces knocking them unconscious.

*~*~*~*~*

Kalin woke to a splitting headache, and the distinct feel of blood trickling down the side of his face. He tried to move, but found himself restrained against something, a wall perhaps. Chains were enclosed around his wrists and ankles, preventing his movement. He opened his eyes, but his vision was blurred in one eye, possibly due to the blow. Without the use of his hands, he had no way of determining the severity of his injuries.

The room he was in was dimly lit, but he could see enough to know Tom, Chakotay, and Harry were there with him, also chained to the wall. He had to turn his head to gaze at the other side of the room, on that wall were his wife and her sisters and mother. But unlike the men, they'd been stripped down to barely anything, and wore only their tanks and underwear. He found himself growling and straining against his restraints.

"Kalin don't," Hope's soft voice rang out through the room. "Struggling will only tighten the chains and cut off your circulation."

"How long have you been conscious?" His gaze flowed over the other members of the away team, all but Kadi and Kathryn had regained consciousness.

"Just a few minutes, I've been trying to wake mother, I think she may have hit the cavern wall when she went down."

Chakotay caught her words and looked Kathryn over. His voice was soft.  "Leave her be Hope. Let her come to on her own."

"But Daddy, she might have a concussion. Don't you think she might have some ideas to get us out of here?"

"Leave her for now Hope. Trust me on this."

She shook her head, confused, before Kat's voice filtered in. "Kadi! Kadi wake up. We need you Kadi-luv."

Kadi's eyes fluttered open and she groaned. "This is the last time I'm listening to your schemes Kat. I always have a headache when we're done." Her eyes opened then widened as she realized her predicament. "Where the hell are we anyway?" She tugged lightly on her bonds then squeaked in surprise. "We're naked!"

"Not quite Kadi-luv, but close. Harry? Tom? Are you guys okay?"

Harry nodded. "My vision is a bit blurry but I'm good."

"I've got a headache from hell but I'll live. What about you?"

Kat grumbled. "I feel like someone ran over me with a shuttle. Hope?"

"Chilly. Ryn?" At the lack of response Hope glanced over at her sister who hadn't moved since waking. The normally calm brown eyes were wild, staring sightlessly at nothing. Hope glanced over at Chakotay. "Daddy?"

"I don't know Hope. You know more about this than I do. Can you reach her?"

"I don't know. Maybe."

Kadi frowned and tugged at her wrist bond again. "What's wrong with Ryn?"

"It's... I have some ideas, but..." She was distracted as Kadi tugged again. "Stop fussing with them, they only get tighter."

Kadi stilled for a moment. "What's going on? Are...?"

A strangled scream drew her startled gaze to Kathryn. She was struggling to get free, her breathing panicked. Her total loss of control startled the young people. Chakotay, familiar with Kathryn's moods, started talking, low and slow. "Kathryn, Honey, it's okay. I'm here. Take a deep breath love..." The words continued to flow. Soft endearments, words of love, soothing tones which slowly brought her back to herself. She stilled, her breathing still heavy but her eyes were focused on her husband, blocking everything else out.

"Chakotay?"

"I'm here."

"Make them let me go. I hate to be confined." She sounded lost, like a small child.

Chakotay visibly winced, "I know sweetheart, but you're going to have to trust me on this one. Look at me," when she'd met his gaze, her eyes wild with a fear that hit way too close to home, his heart skipped a beat. "Now close your eyes," she was reluctant, but did as she was told. "Now breathe, slowly, in and out..." His eyes glanced over the others, Kat and Kadi were staring at her in complete shock, this kind of fear was obviously something they had never witnessed in their own mother, he envied them that. "Open your eyes now," he breathed a little easier, the wild look in her eyes had calmed somewhat. "That's my girl... we're going to get out of this."

Kathryn took another deep breath and nodded, then turned her attention to the others. "Hope, baby are you alright?"

She nodded, "I'm fine Momma, but look at Ryn."

Kathryn glanced at Ryn, then had to take another deep breath and close her eyes to calm the rapid beating of her heart. "Ryn..." She spoke softly, much as she would to any child of hers.

The sightlessly wild gaze never wavered as the girl showed absolutely no sign of response. Something in that look, like a wild animal, wounded and trapped struck a cord in Kathryn. She knew, just from the expression more about this girl then she ever had. She also knew exactly what was going through the girl's head. Maybe she could help her. Her voice hardened as she spoke again. All of the fear shelved as another concern became priority. "Ryn!" No response. Her eyes narrowed some. "Kathryn Chakotay look at me now!"

The girl's head snapped back, thudding against the wall. She turned her head towards Kathryn's insistent voice which was repeating the command again. Cloudy brown eyes met blue. A full range of emotions washed over the pale face as comprehension dawned. "What? Where...? Mom?" Ryn shook her head, trying to dislodge the cobwebs. "Are you okay?" Her voice was strained, cracked.

"I'm okay Baby. Where were you?"

"Hell... again. Thought..." She noticed her bindings then and a wave of panic washed over her. She growled, jerking furiously on the chains, ignoring the blood trickling down her arms.

"Stop it!" Ryn's startled gaze swung back to Kathryn and widened, focusing in on her once more as she tried to breath. "Stay with me Ryn. Don't let it pull you back in. We need you here. Stay with me Baby." Kathryn sighed and kept talking as the haze finally lifted from Ryn's eyes. "We'll keep each other sane."

Chakotay and Hope shared a look.

A long silence followed, only to be broken by the opening of a large steel door. A group of warriors entered the room, each of them large in build, and towering at least a foot over Kalin, the tallest of the away team. Each man wore a mixture of battle armor and uniform, metal plates hung over their chests and over their shoulders, while heavy disrupter-like weapons hung at their waists. Two of the four men carried rifles, while the others carried chains in their hands. The largest of the men stepped forward and fixed his gaze on the twins, "You two will come with us, our Chief wishes to ‘interrogate' you."

The sound of his voice struck a chord within Kalin, "You will leave them alone. If you wish to speak with anyone it will be with me."

With just a jerk of his head the leader motioned one of the guards toward Kalin. The guard made no sound as he lifted his rifle and brought the butt of it down against Kalin's head, causing him to go instantly limp.

"NO!" Hope screamed, and began struggling against her chains, trying desperately to get free.

The entire scene was something out of a nightmare, the twins were released from their chains and pulled kicking and screaming toward the door. Harry and Tom joined Hope in her struggling and tried to free themselves. As the guards moved over to immobilize them Kathryn screamed, "Everyone just stop!"

Her voice echoed off the walls of the chamber, causing even the guards to stop and stare at her small form.

The head guard turned to her, "You will remain quiet, or you will join your young friends."

Her eyes stared daggers through him, "No, I'll replace them. They're under my command, they know nothing, they're still children. If your Chief wishes to interrogate anyone it'll be me."

Chakotay's voice was dangerously low, "Kathryn..."

She ignored him, "You'll release me now, and leave those two here."

The guard stared at her for a moment, before agreeing. He motioned the other two to return the twins to their confines. But he himself moved toward Kathryn, he lifted a key to her wrists when Ryn spoke up. "No," she caught his attention and continued speaking. "Look at her, she's obviously old enough to be your mother, do you really think the Chief wants to see her? I'm her daughter, I know her mind.. believe me, she's growing old and senile, she knows not what she speaks of." She sent an apologetic look at the elder woman, and was all aware of how the others were staring at her.

Her voice was strangely calm and her eyes amazingly clear as she beckoned the guards over. "Make a smart choice boys. Do you honestly think two little girls or an old woman have the knowledge you seek?"

Kathryn glared at her. "Ryn!" Her voice was a hiss as she tried to distract the girl. Ryn would have none of it.

The guard looked from one to the other, before turning to another guard.  "He would definitely get more out of that one than the old one." He moved to free Ryn from her bonds. "Know this, if you displease our chief it will mean slow painful deaths to your friends, beginning with the 'old one'."

Ryn fought back the full body shudder that threatened and met the guard's steal gaze. "Agreed," she remained calmly still as her restraints were removed. As she was led to the exit she paused in front of Kalin, "Let the dark one care for him, she's a medic, and I know your Chief will be displeased to learn you've injured his prisoner before an interrogation could take place."

The guard seemed to think about it for several moments, then, realizing she was correct he nodded to one of the guards to release both of them. Then, as a second thought he added, "Release all of them, escape is impossible, they won't be any good to us injured."

The other guards looked ready to argue, but did as they were told. Each member of the away team was released from their chains. Hope rushed quickly to Kalin's side as he sank bonelessly to the stone floor, and tossed her mother a concerned glance as Kathryn fell to the floor with a loud grunt.

Chakotay moved quickly to her side, fighting back the urge to jump the guards as they moved from the room, once more locking the away team inside.

"Kathryn, are you alright?"

"I think so, I must have injured my knee when I went down." She winced as she shifted on the cold floor to allow Chakotay to look at it.

He slid his hand along her leg, gently rotating and palpitating the area around her knee. "We'll keep an eye on it but I think you have only bruised it."

She nodded and motioned him to help her up. As they got to their feet he guided her over to Kalin and Hope, shedding his jacket and draping it over her shoulders. At his move, the boys repeated the act with the twins. Kathryn rested a hand on Hope's head. "Honey?"

"I think he'll be okay mom. He's starting to come around." Her hand stroked his cheek, encouraging him to wake up. "Mom, we have to find a way out of here."

"I know baby. I know."

The twins stood slightly off to the side, "Look, I think we can get out of here when the guards come back," Kat looked from Harry to Tom. "We can distract them, while you two jump them from behind."

Kadi sighed, "Do you really think that will work? You saw how big those guys are, I don't think it's worth risking injury or death. We should bide our time until Ryn comes back."

Kat scowled, "You mean *if* Ryn comes back. Kadi-girl, you heard the insinuation, wake up, even if Ryn comes back, she won't be in any condition to help us. We got out of one difficult situation, we can handle another."

Kadi sighed, "Alright, what do you have in mind?"

She opened her mouth to explain, but Kathryn cleared her throat. "Whatever it is girls, share it with the rest of the group."

Kadi leaned back into Tom as Kat began to pace. "A couple of years ago, our Voyager was taken over by an arrogant aggressive race intent on stealing our ship and making slaves of our crew." She paused as Kathryn shifted and Chakotay wrapped his arms around her. "The leader of the group was a maniac named Tolan. He said something the first time I saw him that has stuck with me since." She turned to face them, her eyes serious. "Never underestimate your enemy, to do so will mean your downfall. I bring this up because that is exactly what these goons have done with us. They have already discounted us with Ryn's help. We are a group of little girls and helpless old people. Even our men aren't worth much. They don't see us as a threat, therefore they have given us an advantage. I say we play it helpless, lost, scared, confused and when they least expect it, we overpower the guards and get the hell out of here."

At the mention of Tolan, Kadi had shuddered involuntarily. Tom gave her shoulders a squeeze and peered at Kat over her head, "Kat, remember the price of that incident, are we willing to pay with another life?"

"Tom," Kadi frowned and turned to face him, "this is different, we're older now. There will be no stupid risks taken." An unspoken statement hung in the air between them.

He sighed, "Perhaps, but before we do this, I want to make sure we all know this is a one time shot. They may have under estimated us Kat, but they're not going to let us have a second chance at escape."

"You're right," Kat clenched and unclenched her fists as she moved through the room. "That's why we need to make certain everyone is in on this."

Kathryn watched the young woman pace, and wondered what demons she was fighting away. "Kat, what's going on in that head of yours?"

She shook her head. "I'm not completely sure yet, but I know if we work together we can pull it off."

Kadi frowned slightly. "And if we don't?"

Kat's gaze met Kadi's and she held out a hand to her sister. As Kadi took it, Kat sighed. "Then I've screwed up, again." Kathryn and Chakotay shared a questioning look as Harry came up behind Kat and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head. He shifted until they were leaning against Kadi and Tom, the four of them drawing comfort from each other.

A faint yet piercing scream echoed through the room causing all heads to snap up and turn. Hope buried her face in Kalin's shoulder and began to cry softly. As his hand came up and stroked her hair his expression hardened. "I'm in."

As another scream pierced their hearts, the others agreed silently and plans were made.

*~*~*~*~*

Ryn was guided down a hallway and into a chamber not more than 30 feet from where the others were being held. Her first glimpse of the room sent a paralyzing bolt of fear through her. She froze, taking in the scene. The walls were gray and plain. They seemed to be made of stone and there was no natural light. Bare overhead lights lit the room so brightly it was almost blinding. The room was empty except for a pulley hanging from the ceiling .  Dangling from the pulley was a set of manacles, similar to the bonds that had held her in the cell. She wasn't allowed long to look. Her guards pushed her forward causing her to stumble. She was roughly clamped into restraints, her arms raised above her head. The guards double checked to make sure she was secure and left, saying nothing. With their removal the temperature in the room seemed to drop. She blocked the shudder and the overwhelming sense of panic by plotting escape.

She stood alone a while, fear eating at her, but she refused to let it. She hadn't survived by allowing the fear to keep her. She kept focusing on the people waiting for her, depending on her. Her thoughts were disturbed by the opening of the door. She masked her emotions, pretending none of the apprehension she felt. A man, somewhat shorter than the others, but still taller than Kalin approached her. He wore a concerned smile and quickly motioned a guard to release her. "Paro, how could you possibly have misinterpreted my instructions. Release the girl now." As her bonds were released, Ryn rubbed her wrists and watched them warily.

The man patted her shoulder. "I'm so sorry my dear. I never intended you to be bound so. I was hoping we would have a comfortable chat. I'm certain  once we ascertain you and your people are no threat to us, everything will be resolved." He motioned to one of his men again. The man left and quickly returned with a blanket. She allowed him to drape it over her without comment. "I am Chief Osei of the Chella." At Ryn's lack of response, he sighed. "Do not make this difficult my dear. What is your name?"

Throughout all of this Ryn covertly studied the room and guards. His easy manner combined with his easy frustration reinforced her screaming instincts. Osei was playing a game, one she was somewhat familiar with. "I am Kathryn Chakotay. My family and I were traveling and ended up here."

"Your family." He began circling her.

"Yes. My parents, sisters and their mates."

"I see... How did you get here?"

"We were traveling through standard means and got lost. We have traveled a great distance. There was a fire and we were forced to seek refuge in some caves."

"Yes, our caves." His hands clamped down on her shoulders and ripped the blanket from her. "Do not lie to me little fool. We saw you. Your group appeared in a sparkle of blue. You appeared from nowhere. How is that possible?"

"You must be mistaken. The sunlight must have blinded you somewhat, or perhaps whoever saw it mistook what they saw. We were just walking through the forest, trying to find our bearings."

A sudden storm flashed over his face and he moved before Ryn could even react. He grabbed her arms and motioned to his guards. Within an instant she was rebound and dangling off the floor. Osei grabbed the front of her undershirt and fisted it, reaching for the knife in his belt. He moved quickly and efficiently, slicing the material and tearing it away from her.

Ryn growled low in her throat and kicked out, catching Osei in the thigh.  He grunted, eyes narrowing. He grabbed her legs, stilling them. "You are nothing, less than nothing girl. A woman with no strength and no power. I will teach you to lie to me." Despite her struggles, Osei tore the underwear from her. He leaned down and bit her on the thigh, a deep hard bite drawing blood. The move startled her and she was unable to stop the scream of pain and rage that tore from her lips. Osei grinned, her blood a garish mask on his face. "I will enjoy showing you the error of your ways."

Her eyes widened as she was once more lowered. This time she was given no freedom, just a leash. As her feet gained the ground Osei chuckled and motioned to his men. She backed away, knowing she was trapped. Another scream was ripped from her lips as the guards forced her to the floor and held her still for Osei's pleasure.

She was left curled on the floor when Osei was through with her. Every part of her hurt. Even though she had not been shared among his men, the humiliation of being watched had stripped her more than she ever had been. She was cold, aching, and completely uncertain of what was to happen next.

Over the next four hours, Osei visited her again. Once more his men were present and once more they held her down and watched her degradation. This time however there were no questions, no sounds except her sobs and his grunts and the occasional chuckle or grunt of one of his men. Afterwards, she was freed, draped in a dirty blanket and thrown back into the dimly lit cell with her family.

Hope and Chakotay flanked her side immediately, and drew her over to lean against the wall near Kalin. Ryn's gaze was wild and unfocused, and darting quickly around the room. As Kalin pulled his jacket off and draped it around her shoulders she pulled back sharply, growling, "Don't touch me."

"Ryn," Hope knelt in front of her, "you're all right, you're with us now."

Chakotay reached out and touched her face, "Ryn look at me," he spoke to her as he would a child, in gently soothing tones.

Her eyes met his for the briefest of instances before she lunged away from him, throwing herself into Kathryn's arms. "No.." She shuddered violently, every muscle in her body convulsing as it tried to absorb the horrors she'd endured in the last several hours.

Rocking her like a child, Kathryn began soothing the frightened, incoherent woman. Her eyes met Chakotay's over her head, and relayed every emotion she herself was feeling. This had been her, what seemed like a life time ago, but still it had been her. Shattered and torn because of the actions of another, one who would destroy them all, and could if they let him.

Kat watched until she couldn't take it anymore, then turned away, a curse on her lips. "She should have let us go," she muttered to no one in particular.  "Damned foolish..."

"Kat shut up," Kadi pulled away from Tom and moved to face her. "That is not what anyone needs to be hearing right now, it's not helping us. Now more than ever we need to find a way to escape." She turned back to the others, "Obviously if they've brought her back, then their chief has grown tired of her. It's likely they'll return soon for another of us, when they do, we'll make our move."

"And just what," Kat spat, "do you suggest our move be?"

Clenching her firsts, Kadi turned to face her twin, "I'll distract them, I'll agree to go with them while the guys over power them from behind. Not all of them, just those two carrying the big rifles. If we can gain their weapons we may have a chance."

"No." Both girls spun at that quiet voice. Ryn was curled as small as she could get, Kathryn's arms tight about her. She was watching them with solemn eyes. The shadows and fear there tore at their insides, making them feel guilty.

Kat stepped forward. "What do you mean, no?"

Ryn struggled to find a piece of herself. Something she remembered of who she was and why she had a right to object. "It's not a difficult word to understand. It's not safe, not a good ploy. The notion is sound, but there are too many unknowns."

"You're just scared. You've been through something traumatic and you are justifiably shaken. If we work together we can defeat them."

Ryn stood shakily, drawing the ragged blanket closer around her. "Never underestimate your enemy little girl. It will be your downfall." With each word her eyes grew clearer.

Kat stepped back and gaze her a long look. "They underestimate us. We have the advantage."

Ryn's fists curled in the blanket and she stalked toward Kat, her eyes blazing now. "Do you think I'm so stupid I put myself in their hands just to see you get yourselves killed? We have nothing yet, nothing to move on and if we don't get it together we aren't even going to have each other.  Their leader is a brute and an arrogant pig but he isn't stupid. They are expecting us to act. Their guard is up. We have to wear it down, disorient them."

"What do you suggest then?"

"We plan and get out of here in one piece." She swayed in place a moment, her eyes closing against the pain and nausea trying to flood her senses. She paled drastically before their eyes before lurching forward and falling to her knees over a commode. She wretched convulsively, dry heaves tearing at her. Kat knelt next to her, pulling her hair from her face. Hope crouched behind her, laying a damp strip of cloth over the back of her neck.  After several moments she slid back leaning against Hope and the wall.  After a few more moments she opened her eyes to find a sea of concerned faces hovering over her. She noticed Kalin closest and lifted her hand to him, indicating that she wanted to get up. He took her hands and  ulled her to her feet, holding her up as she gained her balance. She released him slowly and moved further into the main room. Once more she pulled the blanket tighter around her. She leaned back against the wall and slid down again, this time where she could see the door. "Hope? I have an injury on my leg that needs tending and I need to clean up a bit. Osei will be back soon and we need to be ready."

As Hope rinsed the cloth out, Chakotay knelt in front of Ryn. "What are you thinking?"

"We are still underground." She shifted as Hope raised the blanket enough to uncover the blood stained thigh and viscous bite mark.

Kalin cursed from the corner and dragged his turtleneck over his head. "Put this on. That blanket is filthy."

"What's the point?"

"Just quit arguing and do it. It will cut down on the risk of infection."

Ryn glanced from Hope to Chakotay and back to Kalin. "Alright. I will in a moment. First things first." She tried not to flinch as Hope gently washed away the blood from the bite. "When they first took me from the room, I noticed our surroundings. Through this door is a corridor that leads straight into the room they took me to. Just before the entrance to the room there is a hallway to the left. That is the only way in or out of this section of the cavern. We have no idea where to go, no familiarity with this area. We could end up in another locked room."

Kat and Kadi sat beside her, one on each side. Kadi took her hand. "How do you know we are still underground?"

"The walls are all stone, similar to the walls of the cavern we entered.  They left me alone at first, and I could feel the chill of the walls and here the trickle of water along the stone. My guess is that they couldn't move us far. I could be wrong, but I think we are close to where we were then."

Chakotay nodded, "It's possible, I really don't think they could have moved all of us that far without someone regaining consciousness before they reached their destinations."

"So that's it?" Kat scowled, "We just sit here and do practically nothing? And what if they come back and decide to take someone else for their little interrogation? Are we supposed to just sit here and pretend we don't care? While you plan for some way of getting out of here?"

Ryn sighed, "Look, there's nothing else we can do right now. So just sit back and calm down."

"No, I'm not going to sit here and twiddle my thumbs while these bastards have their fun with us. I don't know who made you commander in chief, but it certainly wasn't me." She turned toward where Chakotay and Kathryn had moved to take her into hand, "No, I don't know how you people do things here, but where we come from we don't let monsters take advantage of us this way."

Kathryn narrowed her eyes, "You can't honestly tell me your mother would approve of this plan, I know better."

"Perhaps, perhaps not, but she wouldn't sit back while her family was being harmed and think while she could be acting."

Chakotay shook his head, "If you think that, then you really don't know your mother at all."

Kat glared at him. "You may be Kathryn Janeway and Commander Chakotay of the starship Voyager, but you are not my parents. My mother isn't afraid of anything, including a bunch of no good aliens. She's nothing like this fragile woman before me!"

Kadi gasped at her sister's words. "Kat she's a lot like Mom. It's just that different circumstances have tempered her personality."

"She's weak, and frightened. Mom would take charge instead of debating all of this. She would act!"

Chakotay was furious. Every part of him wanting to slap the girl for her disrespect. "If your mother hasn't learned caution after all these years then she is a fool and lucky to be alive. Kathryn has experienced much in her life and has grown stronger because of it. If she shows a moment of weakness, she makes up for it in many ways. Your mother has been blessed to be spared some of the hell that has shaped the woman before you."

Kat glared at them a moment, before dropping her eyes. Ryn's chuckle pulled her glare to her. "What are you laughing at?"

"You."

"Why?"

"Because I see so much of myself in you it hurts."

Kat pouted, not happy to be compared to another woman she wasn't sure she admired. "Yeah right."

"I see me and I see my mother. Why do you think we rub each other wrong little girl? We are so much alike it hurts, and if you don't adjust your attitude you are going to get hurt. You can only spit on the universe so many times before it fights back. Sometimes it kicks back so damn hard you lose something important. Sometimes its something you didn't even know."

"At least I'm not afraid to take a stand. I'd rather fight then sit here and await my fate. I would protect my sister. I'd rather see her dead than in their hands."

Ryn stood slowly, barely noticing Hope's hand on her shoulder. "You think I wouldn't? Look at them Kat, what do you see?"

Kat glanced around at the people surrounding her. "I see three capable young men. An equally capable older man, and three women who are afraid to fight."

"I see a room full of intelligent people who know to wait for an opportunity. Have you heard the old adage, the good of the many over the good of the one? It's something I have tried to live by for a long time. You and I Kat were born to be leaders. We accept the responsibility for making choices. We expect to give our lives protecting others, not that everyone here wouldn't reciprocate. The point is, we both want to act. We want to fight and overwhelm the enemy and smite them into the ground. But, we can't act without information. We are at an extreme disadvantage. When the time comes, or if there is no other alternative, we will make a move. And everyone here will stand together. Hope is not a fighter and neither is Kadi, another match in the genetic pool, however, both of them will give their all to protect and defend. Be a leader Kat, don't just bust in without thinking. Be afraid, but don't let it control you. There are choices and all of them have consequences and some of them really suck.  Live long enough to make them." She stepped back again and slid once more down the wall. This time Hope sat with her.

Kat thought about her words, long and hard. She sighed then, dropping to the floor in front of Ryn and wiping her hands over her face. "I'm just..."

Ryn leaned forward and took her hands. "Scared. We all are. Sometimes its okay, it brings a measure of caution. Being afraid doesn't mean you can't act." She looked off at nothing for a moment. "I'm sacred. So damn scared that I want to crawl into myself and hide, deny that I even exist, but it won't do me any good. It won't do you any good. When the time comes we will act. Right now its important to work together, something you've been saying all along."

Kathryn sat next to Kat and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "When we move, I need you to be what you want to be Kat, but not before then."

Kadi leaned back into Tom where they had sat near the wall. "Kat's good at coming up with these really good ideas and plotting them out on short notice, but they don't always work out."

Chakotay sat next to his wife. "All you lack is experience. I just hope you never have to gain it."

Kadi shook her head. "We have more then I ever wanted."

When Kathryn looked over at her, Harry who was sitting beside Kadi took over. "A couple of years ago we made some really bad choices. We had to pay for them."

"Oh?"

Kadi nodded. "Yeah. Our folks spoiled us rotten, pretty much let us have our way. Even when we got in trouble we could get out of it."

Tom grinned. "Yeah, Kadi has the commander wrapped around her little finger."

Chakotay smiled and glanced over at Kat who was still allowing Kathryn to cuddle her. "Not Kat?"

Kat shrugged. "I don't know. I was always too proud to try. I was the one always getting everyone else into trouble and taking the blame for it. It only seemed fair to talk Kadi into wheedling Daddy or Mom out of our punishment."

Kadi stuck out her tongue at her sister. "Of course, she would use pure Vulcan logic on mom, and get out of getting in trouble in the first place. If that didn't work then I worked on Daddy."

Chakotay grinned and sent a knowing glance at Hope. "We were much the same way with Hope. Usually she had only to turn those eyes on me and I'd melt. It was rare that I stayed angry with her."

Hope nodded. "But when he was mad... I was usually devastated. When he found out that I had slept willingly with the enemy I thought he'd never speak to me again. And when he found out I was pregnant and refused to have an abortion, it started again. It took me a long time to realize that he was just scared of losing his little girl, and that he respected me for making my own decisions. I imagine your father is the same way?"

Kadi glanced at Tom. "Yeah... I imagine he felt the same way yours did. You see, we stole a shuttle and camped out on a pleasure planet of sorts and did all kinds of things. That's when I think he began to realize that things were happening that he didn't know about. Tom and I had been together for about a year. Sex was just a natural progression of our relationship. Mom knew but kind of let it go. She made sure we knew in subtle ways, and told us if we ever needed to talk to come to her. But Daddy, well, I think he just didn't want to see that we were growing up. We forced it on him and he wasn't very happy about it."

Hope nodded in understanding. "He does tend to get grumpy when things change on him, but he adapts."

"Quit talking about me like I'm not here Hope. What about you Ryn? How did your dad respond to you growing up?"

Ryn smiled as Kat shifted and sat next to her. Her arm came up automatically and held the girl. "I never really had a problem with my Dad.  He and I are so in tuned to one another. He knew me from the moment of my birth. He was the one to sooth and understand when Mom and I fought, and we always fought. I was young, though I think I was probably older than all of you when Dare and I got together. I grew up knowing I was going to be a leader. I was too much of mother not to be. I went into command, but I always had this mischievous streak. No matter how many times Mom and I clashed over it, it wouldn't go away. Anyway, one day I was celebrating my nineteenth birthday and planning my future with no one in particular, and my Arion heritage decided to put in an appearance. I had my first and most terrifying vision. I grew up really fast after that. I was trapped in the dream and watched both of my parents die. I believed it was my fault. In the dream I saw Dare as my lover and lifemate. When I awoke, my parents were alive, and Dare and I were only the friends we had ever been. My mind though still saw the other side. I wasn't the mischievous little girl then. It took me a long time to get part of that back. Dare helped me with that and has been there ever since."

"But if you were friends, how did you change the dynamic. I think we always knew we were meant for each other, especially after one of our schemes got us engaged. We enjoyed teasing each other and then one day it changed and we were dating." Kadi hugged Tom's arms closer about her.

"Like I said, the dream had shown Dare as my lover, lifemate, and friend.  It also showed him as the father of my child. I was pregnant in the dream when I awoke. It nearly killed me to know that my child wasn't there. I grieved long and hard for that lost baby, especially after Doc explained that I would never conceive that child. But I wanted it so badly, the child, Dare, the whole relationship, that I set my sights on him and convinced him that we were meant to be. It didn't take much convincing, but it did take a while for him to be comfortable with the relationship, especially around my parents."

Hope patted her hand. "You never did anything overt to make your parents aware of your being sexually active."

Ryn chuckled. "Well, there was our first duty shift together. My folks had rigged a video feed to watch us. We didn't know about it at the time. Daddy told me about it a couple of years ago. Not that we did more than flirt, but it was there."

Kat's eyes widened. "You actually played around on your duty shift?'

"Yep and it was about stupid too, but we were young, bored, and on the Delta shift. Played a lot on that shift, but never to the point of doing anything compromising to the ship."

"I can't believe you didn't take your duties seriously."

"I don't know about you little girl, but I've seen my parents flirting on the bridge more than once." Ryn grinned as Hope and Kadi both nodded in agreement. Kathryn and Chakotay shared a look that spoke volumes.

Hope scowled. "Come on Ryn, I know you got caught at something. I'm much better behaved than you and I've been caught in more than one compromising position."

"What can I say? I'm good."

"Pulease!"

"Oh alright. One night, while the ship was orbiting this space station and almost everyone was on leave, Dare and I decide to try out the ready room. My folks walked in, with the same intent mind you, to find me half naked on the desk and Dare enjoying every minute of it."

Kadi laughed picturing the scene. "Your dad must have been livid!"

"Actually my mom was the one sputtering. Daddy just took her by the arm and lead her out of the room muttering something about the desk in her office being well used and how she really couldn't be mad because they had planned to do the same thing."

Kat clapped her hand over her mouth as everyone else laughed. "He didn't!"

Ryn nodded. "Yep. I told you, we got along pretty well."

Harry tipped his head to the side. "What does Dare look like?"

She smiled as the image floated over her. "Kind of like Tom, with darker hair. Acts a bit like him too."

Kadi's eyes got sad then. "Ryn? ... Did you ever get over that baby?"

Kat gasped and Tom hugged Kadi tighter. Ryn shifted, ignoring her protesting body to look Kadi in the eye. Her voice was barely a whisper. "No more than you are getting over yours."

Kadi's head dropped, the tears falling on Tom's arm. "It was an accident you know? Not even planned, but I wanted it. I wanted it from the moment I knew I was carrying it." She lifted her head, tear-filled eyes once more locking with Ryn's. "We can have another, but I'm so scared. It hurt so much to lose that baby that I never want to go through that again."

Ryn grasped Kadi's hand. "I can't tell you how I coped. I had Dare and he understood that I couldn't have children, and we accepted that. I even told him about the dream child and he held me and cried with me, as Tom is holding and crying with you. When the opportunity presented itself to me to get pregnant I jumped at the chance even though it meant that the child would not be conceived with Dare. I had to make a choice because it was likely to be the only chance I ever got. Even so, I made choices that almost cost me my girls. It was terrifying and devastating but we survived.  Dare loves my girls as if they were his own, because they are a part of me. You have a man behind you just like my Dare. He loves you Kadi, and even though it might hurt him, he will do whatever it takes to make you happy. You can have kids if you decide you want them, but you have time to make that decision. I can't tell you the pain ever goes away. Heavens only know that even as I hold my precious babies I wonder about the one I can't, the one that never really existed. But somehow, they make the ache better. My mother once told me to never sacrifice the children I have to the ones I don't. It's sound advice."

Kadi swallowed then and brushed the tears from her cheeks. "My mom said the same thing to me after I lost my baby."

Kathryn gripped Chakotay's hand. "She sounds like a very wise woman. I have always regretted not being able to have more children, but I never could have ignored Hope in my own despair. I tried once, and almost lost her. I was never so scared."

Hope nodded. "Carrying Kaleb was the most frightening experience I ever had. I wanted him so badly, a small part of Kalin that was part of me too, and I fought to keep him. It nearly killed us both. I was terrified that I wouldn't be strong enough to carry him to term much less birth him. Faith was much the same, only Kalin was with me at the time. But Ryn was our little miracle, for the first time I was able to enjoy carrying a child within me. And nothing, no pain or fear could ever equal or overshadow that joy."

Kadi leaned over and hugged Hope. She was surrounded by people who could not only relate to her heartache, but understand it. Somehow it helped to know that someone besides her mother knew how she felt.

Kat sighed. "This chit-chat is nice, but it doesn't get us out of here."

She had moved when Kadi asked about the baby and was now sitting stiffly.

Ryn turned to lay into her but Kadi stopped her. "Don't mind Kat. She always gets upset when I talk about my baby. She thinks she killed it."

Kat growled. "Kadi don't start. We both know if I had acted faster you wouldn't have gotten shot."

Harry smacked her lightly on the back of the head. "And if we hadn't been so distracted by our victory, Tolan wouldn't have gotten the advantage and put us in position where we were at risk. For crying out loud Kitty Kat, we had no choice. We were in a hell of a situation, much like this one, and we had to get out of it. We made a mistake and Kadi got hurt. We won, and most of us survived. Let it go."

She stood, temper flaring out of control. "I can't, any more than Kadi can."

Hope stood and put her arm around her. "It eats at you doesn't it?"

"What would you know about it?"

"I know I almost cost Ryn her daughters." Hope glanced down at Ryn who had leaned back and closed her eyes. "I know that I let my sister put herself at risk time and again to help me, us, and I don't do anything about it but be grateful that it's not me there. So don't talk to me about guilt Kat. I know it, I've been there. I know that if the time comes I will watch my sister die for us."

Ryn's eyes opened and narrowed in warning. "Hope..."

"Don't Hope me, Kathryn Chakotay. I know you and I'm tired of you playing the Martyr for us."

Ryn sighed, eyes closing once more. "But I like to." At Hope's sigh she frowned and looked at her. "I'm sorry Hope. I don't mean to play at anything believe me. I'm just trying to survive and see that you do the same." She glanced around at the others. "You know you would do the same for me if I would give you a chance."

Hope sagged and allowed Kalin to pull her into her lap. "I'd like to think I would, but I've been close once, and I know I'd have to fight pretty hard with myself to put myself there again."

Ryn tugged at the blanket, her eyes suddenly bleak. "Believe me, it's a fight, and I'm not exactly sure I win." She shifted again, holding her hand out to Kat for help up. "Speaking of which, they will be back soon and we need to get ready." She looked Kat in the eye and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I need you to be patient and quiet, as well as watchful when they come back. Be demure like your sister, even though it will chafe, and we just might gather a few keys out of here."

Kat bit her lip, but nodded.

Ryn turned to Hope, barely catching her sister's eyes. "Hope, if at all possible, I need your help getting cleaned up. I don't think I can manage by myself."

Hope stood, gathering Kalin's turtleneck in her hands and followed her sister to the corner containing a wash basin and commode. Kadi and Kat followed slowly, offering silent support and a bit of privacy. Kathryn glanced at Chakotay, her eyes speaking volumes.

With Hope and the twins' help, Ryn was able to get somewhat washed up and changed into Kalin's shirt. The garment fell nearly to her knees and for a moment Ryn felt safe. She knew it was a false security, she just hoped she was strong enough to follow her plan.

TBC.....

Feed the authors?  Kadi and Kat

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