Note: This story contains a fair amount of P/T, and hints at MSR (it's just as far as you can go without having Mulder and Scully actually *be* in a relationship) Noromos and everyone else: you've been warned!

Authors' Notes:
-- Jane: Well, we started this in February and finished it in October :) It's a very long RR, but it was so much fun to write! We're going to do a sequel, aren't we, Caitlin? *grins* I wanna dedicate this to my 'partner in crime,' Caitlin Rose. Thank you so much, Caity! :::hugs:::

-- Caitlin: For M & S.  You are two of the funniest, kindest, most beautiful - inside and out - women I could ever ope to meet and emulate.  Your friendship is invaluable, and as M says, “work like you don’t need the money, love like you have never been hurt, dance like no one is watching.”  To the One in whom I live and move and have my being: without you I am nothing.  As always, thanks to my beta-readers, Kashy and BrIgEtTe.  The largest applause, though, needs to go to my co-author, Jane; she is the best person you could ever hope to spend seven and a half months (!) writing a story with.  It’s been a blast and I hope this is only the beginning!

Feedback is good. Feedback is *definetely* good. All authors live for feedback! E-mail us at JaneG100@rocketmail.com (Jane) and dana_lynn_tighe@hotmail.com (Caitlin)

Disclaimers: Paramount owns the properties and characters of Star Trek: Voyager; Chris Carter, 1013 Productions, and FOX own the properties and characters of The X Files. We are merely borrowing the characters and plots for our own personal usage. In other words: please don't sue!! :) I (Jane Griffen) own the properties of Heather Whitney. We both own the characters of the countless junior officers who appear in this round robin, and the story.

Is that all we need? Anyway, sit back, grab a soft drink, and enjoy the story. Beware: this story is ^long^, which is why we divided it into five different parts in the first place. You've been warned!

ARCHIVIST'S NOTES: Okay, this story is really annoying me because none of the paragraphs are really indented and the TAB-ing won't work. It's way too long for me to go back and re-format, but I'll try to get around to it eventually! Until then, happy reading!
***

It all started on a dark and stormy night... The wind blew outside, making the window panes rattle against the house walls. And inside, a person screamed...

Just kidding ;) But can't you tell it's near Halloween?
*****

24th Century
USS Voyager
Holodeck 2
10:00 a.m.

     Tom Paris ran a hand through his ruffled blond hair. He was standing in the holodeck, but no program was running yet. Dressed in black pants, a black suit jacket, and a light blue shirt, he had gotten some strange looks from crewmembers as he passed them in the corridor. But he didn’t mind; he couldn’t wait to start running the holoprogram Heather Whitney had found.
     Standing next to him, the empath was busy accessing holodeck controls. “I can’t wait to run this program!” she chatted excitedly, her blue eyes gleaming as she scrutinized the controls, pressing random buttons in the process.
     Tom only laughed. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” he teased gently, looking over her shoulder.
     Dressed in a white blouse and black pants and wearing black high-heeled shoes, Heather had a trenchcoat slung over one arm as she continued to work at the computer console. She glanced over at him, eyes wide. When she realized he was only kidding, she sent him a withering glance and turned back to her work. “Very funny. I just can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner. I was so surprised when I found this program in the computer! This is going to be *the* best holoprogram ever.”
     Paris rolled his eyes. “I thought you thought Insurrection Alpha was the best,” he commented.
     Whitney laughed. “That’s cool, too,” she assured the pilot, “But this program is awesome! Did you ever see the movie? I *know* you’ve seen the show; we watched it back at the Academy, remember?”
     Tom laughed, and was about to reply and tease her again when the holodeck doors swooshed open. In walked B’Elanna Torres and Harry Kim. They both were dressed similarly to the two 20th century fanatics. Harry had on a green shirt, black pants, a black jacket, and his commbadge was concealed by the jacket.
     B’Elanna kissed Tom gently before she punched him lightly in the shoulder. “Tom, you win. I’m lost. What exactly is this program? Heather, you’re the fashion freak. What kind of outfits are these?” she asked, head cocked to one side as she scrutinized the science officer and pilot.
 Heather only grinned as she glanced at the chief engineer’s outfit, which consisted of a white shirt and a gray suit and pants. She wore high-heeled shoes as well, although Whitney was confident that B’Elanna had been sensible enough to wear comfortable shoes. Even with heels, Torres still seemed short compared to Tom. Heather wasn’t exactly tall, but with the heels she had on she was six feet, and stood even with the two men. “Believe me, you guys are going to love this program. It is one of the best I have ever found, and considering some of the ones I’ve dug up or created...” She let her voice trail off. Best to keep them mystified.
 “Heather, what gives?” Harry asked, hands on his hips.
 Tom sighed. “The four of us are going to be FBI agents. That’s short for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is like a 20th century version Central Intelligence at Starfleet Headquarters. We’re going to be assigned to work with two other agents - Fox Mulder and Dana Scully - to work on an ‘X File’.”
 B’Elanna nodded, smug. “And what’s that?” she finally asked, expectant.
 “Its one case of many, actually.. They deal with paranormal and extraterrestrial events.” replied Tom.
 “Extra terrestrial?” Kim asked, looking over at Heather.
 Heather laughed. “Aliens.”
 “You can’t be serious.” B’Elanna exclaimed, looking from one to the other. “Oh, c’mon. Get real.”
 Tom looked at her. “B’Elanna, it’ll be a blast.”
 “Aliens?” she repeated, incredulous.
 Harry looked reapproachingly at Whitney. “Heather?”
 Whitney sighed. “Harry, I know this sounds a little far fetched a crazy, but the television show and movies are incredible! They’re awesome! They’re-”
 “Out of this world?!” B’Elanna suggested. “Tom, you can’t be serious. Captain Proton was one thing, but this?”
 Tom looked over at her, looking into her brown eyes and pleading silently to go along with it. Exasperated, she rolled her eyes, then had to smile softly. “All right. I’ll do it.”
 Harry nodded. “You can count me in. So, what are our aliases?”
 Heather grinned. “Well, I thought we might as well go with our original names. Except that we should call each other by our last names: Kim, Torres, Paris, Whitney-”
 “We get the picture, Heather,” Kim commented dryly.
 The science officer flashed him a warm smile. “B’Elanna, your background is that you’re an engineer and you were recruited a few years ago to work for the FBI. Oh, and you do believe in aliens,” At this B’Elanna rolled her eyes, but Tom ignored her.
 Tom continued, “Just pretty much act like yourself, although try to keep up with the lingo. No warp cores or bio neural gel packs.”
 Torres faked sad. “You’re so mean!”
 “I am, aren’t I?” Tom teased, then turned to Harry. “Okay. Harry, you’re going to be an astrologist and a skeptic. You’ve been an FBI agent for three years.”
 “A skeptic?” asked Harry.
 “You don’t believe in aliens,” Heather explained, smirking.
 “Oh, good,” Harry shot back. “You guys are nuts.”
 “Almond.”
 “What?”
 “Almond, not nut.” Heather replied, dead pan.
 Harry rolled his eyes and B’Elanna laughed. “Right, Heath. What about the two of you?”
 “Hmm?” Whitney asked, then grinned. “Oh, yeah. I’m a scientist-”
 “No kidding,” muttered Harry.
 Heather shot him a look. “I’m a scientist and I’ve been with the FBI for two years now.”
 “Do you believe in aliens?” B’Elanna asked, who obviously couldn’t believe what her friends had thought up.
 “Oh, no. Well...” Whitney shrugged. “No, I don’t. Tom does, though. And he’s been with the Bureau for two years. The two of us are partners. Harry and B’Elanna, you two are partners as well.”
 “Why can’t Tom and I be partners?” B’Elanna protested. “I mean, no offense, Harry-”
 Kim only shook his head, smiling.
 “The FBI frowns on partners being involved intimately.” explained Heather.
 Torres sighed. “Fine.” she gave in.
 Tom smiled. "The two agents that we're going to be working with are Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. It'd help if you'd seen a few episodes of The X Files, a 20th century drama show, but it doesn't really matter. Mulder believes in aliens, and is humorous. Scully's dead serious, a scientist, and started out not believing in aliens at all. I don't know if she's supposed to now, but. . . ."
 “Why, does she get abducted?” Harry asked.
 B’Elanna stifled a laugh. Obviously Harry thought that Paris and Whitney were crazy as well.
 “That’s not funny, you guys. She did, but not by aliens. Seriously, they’ve been partners for about six years now, and are working on the X Files now.” Heather continued.
 B’Elanna sighed, raising an eyebrow in exasperation.
 Heather and Tom shared a look.
 “We don’t have time to set them down and show them any episodes - our shifts start in five hours.” Tom told the telepath, who stomped her foot in frustration.
 “You reserved the holodeck for five *hours*?” B’Elanna asked.
 Tom nodded. “Yes, but you won’t want to leave by the time we’re finished here.” he promised her. To Whitney, he added, “Let’s just run the program.”
 “All right.” Heather went over to the computer panel for a second time. “I wish Mulder and Scully were actual people. That would be so cool!”
 Tom smiled softly at his best friend’s wistful comment. “They’re only television characters,” he reminded her.
 “Yeah, but still...” Heather’s voice trailed off.

And In Another Part of the Galaxy, a Being Smiled As He Snapped His Fingers. This Was Going To Be Wildly Entertaining...
***

20th Century
February 15th, 1999
J. Edgar Hoover Building
10:16 a.m.
 

 Special Agent Fox Mulder glanced down at his watch. She was sixteen minutes late. *Where is she?* he wondered. He was sitting in AD Walter Skinner's office. Skinner had promised him earlier that it would be an 'unusual' case indeed, and he was eager to find out what it was. However, his partner, Special Agent Dana Scully, was already sixteen minutes late.
 "You have no clue where she is?" Skinner asked, sitting across from Mulder behind his desk.
 Mulder shook his head. "No. Scully's not normally late." he reminded the assistant director.
 Skinner looked amused. "I don't think she's been late in her life." He paused, thinking over what he had just said. "Well, maybe a few times. . . ."
 Just then, there was a knock on the door and Skinner's secretary popped her head in. "Agent Scully, sir," she said quickly, flashing the two men a quick smile before she opened the door wider to allow Scully to enter. Then she closed the door, leaving Scully to explain her lateness.
 "I'm sorry, sir. The traffic was really bad on 25th Street." she said hastily, setting her briefcase down and sitting next to Mulder in a separate chair.
 Skinner nodded. "It's all right, Scully," he said with an amused expression.
 "Yeah, we'll let you off this time," Mulder added, teasing her.
 Scully shot him an amused look.  "Very funny, Mulder." she commented dryly before becoming serious again.
 Without any further ado, Skinner got down to business. "In Hawaii, one town reports unusual sightings and several disappearances. No one seemed to know where nine different people had vanished to, when suddenly seven of the nine bodies show up dead without a trace of evidence as to what caused their deaths.  Two Navy supervisors have reported that they haven't been doing any fancy flying over that region of space, either."
 "Sir?" Scully questioned, pushing a strand of red hair back behind her ear.
 At the same time Mulder asked, "Unusual sightings?"
 Skinner looked at them. "Strange apparitions on the beach at night that glow, then disappear when anybody tries to approach them."
 At this, Scully looked exasperated.  Mulder watched her, his hazel eyes sparkling at her behavior. Skinner, seeing Scully’s look, got up. "I'll be back in a few minutes. You don't have to take this case if you don't want it."
 As soon as the door shut, Dana Scully looked up. When she saw the look on her partner's face, she groaned. "Mulder!" she protested, but he didn't listen.
 "Think about it, Scully! Even if it turns out to be nothing, its still a free vacation to Hawaii!" Mulder offered. At her look, he added, "And I promise not to get too out of hand-"
 *He hasn't said anything about aliens yet. That's got to be a good sign.*  Scully thought. The truth was, she wouldn't mind too much. She hated to admit it, but the truth was she wouldn't. Hawaii was supposed to be great at this time of year, and. . .
 "Please?" Mulder asked softly, taking her hand in his.
 She glanced up at him, blinking her large blue eyes once. "Mulder. . . ."
Her voice trailed off at the pleading look on his face.
 “I promise I won’t ditch you, either,” Mulder added earnestly. “Please?”
 "Fine, I'll go." she said, smiling a little bit.
 Mulder smiled. "Thanks, Scully. I'll owe you one," he promised.
 Scully's eyes danced, but she said nothing.
 Skinner came back in. Seeing the look on Scully's face, he wordlessly handed them a file-
 Flash.
 Scully sat up straighter, suddenly apprehensive. For a split second there had been a blinding flash of light. *What the-* she thought, bewildered. Looking over at Mulder, she knew that he had seen it as well. *What's going on?* she wondered, searching her mind for a reasonable explanation for the flash of light. She couldn't find one.
 Mulder, after glancing making sure that Scully was all right, turned to Skinner and took the file. Apparently, the assistant director obviously hadn't seen the flash of light. *I wonder. . . .*  He shook his head. Scully would deck him if she realized what he was thinking. No way was he going to theorize the flash for her. "We'll look at it." he promised, glancing sideways at Scully. Scully seemed just as puzzled as he was.
 "Oh, and by the way. You'll have four other agents working with you: Agents Paris and Whitney, and Agents Kim and Torres."
 "What?" Scully asked, confused. "You never mentioned anybody else being involved with this case."
 Skinner seemed mystified. "I thought I told you."
 Mulder shook his head.
 "Sorry. You still want the case?" Scully and Mulder both nodded. "Their offices
are on the sixth floor."
 The two agents got up and exited Skinner's office, Mulder taking the file.  "Scully, it's an X File!  At last!" he said, clearly excited.
 "Mulder," Scully protested as they entered the hallway. "Just think of it as a normal case. You know we're not on the X Files anymore." she reminded him.
 "I know, but still," he replied, already skimming through the file Skinner had handed him. "Check this out."  Mulder showed Scully one of the multiple photos.
 Scully wordlessly took it from him. Her blue eyes widened. "Its gorgeous," she commented, looking at the picture. The photo was of a beach at sunset. It truly was a beautiful site.
 *Not as gorgeous as you are,*  Mulder thought of Scully, then bit his lip when he realized what he had just thought. *This is just great,* he thought.   *Scully's already made it clear.*  She had made it clear, but then again, he barely remembered what had happened when he had woken up in the hospital after taking a boat out into the ocean and somehow being on the Queen Anne with the Alter-Scully and the Nazis. He didn't even know if it had been a dream or not, but it had made him realize how much he loved Scully. Not just as a FBI partner, or friend, but more than that. . . . He shook his head.
 "What?" Scully questioned, gazing up at him.
 "Nothing," Mulder replied quickly as they entered the elevator. He pushed the button for the sixth floor. "Want to go meet our fellow agents?"
 Scully nodded. "Sure." She was still flipping through the photos. A picture of the beach during the day, and then one during a full moon. She gasped slightly as she caught a glimpse of two blurry light blue glowing figures on the beach. There was no way to make out what or who they were. There were also pictures of the people who were supposedly missing, as well. And then pictures of the seven who turned up dead. Scully shook her head. It certainly was going to be an interesting case, that was for sure.
 Shutting the file, Scully turned to Mulder. "Mulder, I can see Skinner having assigning two agents to us, but four?  This isn't a big case."
 Mulder shrugged, "I don’t know, Scully."
 The elevator opened and they stepped out side by side.  They finally located the office where they were supposed to meet the other agents.  A young woman who was clearly excited to see them burst out of the door.  "Agents Mulder and Scully!  I'm Agent Whitney.  This is Agent Torres."   Whitney motioned to a woman with a dark-complexion with dark brown hair.  She had odd ridges on her forehead; Scully didn't recognize her.  She felt sorry for the woman,
the ridges must be the result of an accident.
 Scully stepped forward and extended her hand.  "Pleased to meet you, Agent Whitney.  Torres."
 B'Elanna shook Scully's hand, and then shot a Look at Heather.  Heather had to stifle a smile.  Even if the Mulder and Scully *were* Holograms, she wasn't in the mood to tell a couple of holograms they weren't real.
 "I'm Agent Paris."  A tall, blonde man stepped forward and grinned at them.  He
stood just behind Torres and his hand drifted to her shoulder and rested there.  Scully arched and eyebrow at Mulder.  He knew what she was thinking.   *Hmm.  They're obviously a couple.*  Scully thought.
 "I'm Agent Kim," the last man said.  He was oriental, and had a warm, easy grin.
 Scully gave Mulder a wary look.  It looked like it was going to be a long case. Agent Whitney kept looking at Agent Paris and grinning. Scully's only conclusion was that it must be from having to work with "Spooky" and "Mrs.  Spooky,"  as she had heard herself dubbed.
 Mulder seemed to want to get down to business, and get out of that office as fast as he could.  He opened up the manila folder he had had tucked under his arm.  "Here's the case AD Skinner has assigned us to."  He told them briefly what had happened.  Then he passed around the glossy photographs.
 Agent Paris grinned when he saw the beach in one of the pictures.  "Ooh, Hawaii!  I wonder if it'll be better than Tahiti, B'Elanna?"  he nudged Agent Torres and grinned.
 "I don't know, Tom, those masseurs in Tahiti were pretty good. . . ." Torres tried to keep a smile off her face but to no avail.  "You know I'm kidding, Tom."
 He nodded, rolling his eyes.
 "We're here to solve this case, not to watch you two flirt,"  Whitney interrupted without even looking up from the photos in hand.  He voice was severe but the corners of her mouth were twisted upward.
 Harry nudged Heather and jerked his head in the direction of Mulder and Scully
who were watching them with surprised and wary looks on their faces.
 "We're not pulling this off very well, Heather."  Harry whispered.
 "They're holograms, Harry,"  Heather said, regret tinged her voice.
 "Still. . . ."
 Heather nodded in agreement.  "We have to get this case moving, or Tom and B'Elanna are just going to play footsie for four hours."
 Harry cleared his throat.  "So, uh, do we have any leads on this case yet?"
 "No," Scully said.
 "Do you have any theories as to what may have happened?"  Whitney asked.
 Scully glanced at Mulder before she answered.  "It might be the work of cultists."  She laced her arms across her chest.  "I haven't had a chance to look through the crime scene and autopsy reports, though."
 "It's plausible it was cultists, Agent Scully, but from what I've gathered so far, I believe it's also plausible that extraterrestrial may have been involved,"  Tom challenged.  He looked to Mulder; he was the one who was supposed to be the believer.  "The lights sited in the night sky are classic signs."
 "Not another one,"  Scully  muttered to herself, but Mulder heard her.
 "Ah, you know you love me, Scully,"  he said playfully.
 Scully's eyes widened, but when she realized that Mulder didn't mean it literally, she relaxed again.  She was nervous around anyone or anything that questioned the extent of their relationship.  Mulder had never even mentioned their almost kiss this past summer, but *she* certainly couldn't forget.  She could recite everything either of them said, what they both were wearing, what he had smelled like. . . .  Yes, she loved him as a friend, but she was beginning to admit to herself that it was more than that.  But she was never going to tell him.  They could never maintain their professional relationship if they became romantically involved, and if he didn't feel the same way about her . . . she didn't want to risk losing her best friend.  He had told her he loved her, but that had been when he was in the hospital, doped on who knows what.  *He probably thought I was Diana Fowley.* she thought bitterly.  While Scully was in her silent reverie, the
conversation was continuing on around her.
 "The lights plausibly could have been airplanes, fireworks, or any number of other things,"  Whitney said.  "It's just not logical, Paris."
 Tom wanted to burst out laughing at the fact that Heather had just told him something was ‘not logical.’ He opened his mouth to reply, but before he could a rich, throaty yet feminine voice spoke from all around them.  "Lieutenants Paris, Whitney, Kim and Torres, please report to the Bridge."
 Scully turned to Mulder, her eyes wide.  "What was that?!"  she whispered.
 Mulder unconsciously moved closer to her.  "I don't know."  he whispered hoarsely.  It had seemed to come from nowhere.  He shook himself.  *I've just watched to many B-grade horror flicks.*
 Agent Torres sighed and tapped something on her shirt that had been hidden under her suit coat.  "On our way, Captain."
 "How does she always seem to know just when we have a large chunk of time reserved on the holodeck?"  Whitney grumbled.  "It's a conspiracy."
 Harry sighed.  "We'll have to finish this later."
 "Computer, delete program."  Torres commanded.
 The four lieutenants turned to leave.  Whitney was halfway to the door, before she turned around, her eyes wide with shock.  Mulder and Scully were still  standing in the middle of the room, looking confused and as if they weren't sure whether this was a bad dream.
 Heather turned back to face her friends.  She saw her own shock mirrored on their faces.  "It . . . must be a computer glitch."  B'Elanna said.  She rushed over to the terminal and typed something.  Her face paled.  She cleared her throat.  "They're real."
 Tom Paris sucked in his breath. "You're kidding me," he accused B'Elanna, who was staring at Mulder and Scully. She merely shook her head wordlessly.
 Heather didn't know whether to start screaming her head off or start laughing hysterically. Finally she settled on just not saying anything.
 "Who are you?" the redhead - Dana Scully - asked, her blue eyes flashing angrily. "Where are we?"
 Heather glanced around; if no one else was going to answer Scully’s question, then she might as well. "On a UFO," she answered brightly to the second question. Tom made a strangled sound and B'Elanna merely sighed audibly. Harry, meanwhile, was busy smiling along with the empath, who found the situation incredulously funny.
 Paris glared at her, mouthing ‘not funny, Heather.’
 *Yes it is,* Whitney said telepathically.
 Harry shot them both a warning look, then turned back to Agents Mulder and Scully. "I’m Ensign Harry Kim of the Federation Starship USS Voyager. This is Lieutenant Tom Paris, Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, and Lieutenant Heather Whitney," he introduced slowly, pointing to each person as he introduced them.
 Meanwhile, Mulder leaned over and whispered into Scully's ear. "UFO?" Scully only elbowed him in the ribs, her eyes narrowing. "And what exactly is the Federation?"
 Tom didn't know what to say. *They're never going to believe this in a million years. Well, he might, but she obviously won't.*  "A large area of the Alpha Quadrant is controlled by the Federation, which consists up of many different alien races and their homeworlds and territories," he said.
 Harry smirked at his friend. "That’s a wonderful explanation." he said in a knowing tone.
 “I’d like to see you try to do better.” Tom retorted with a slight smile.
 B'Elanna and Heather looked at each other. 'Men,' Heather mouthed to B'Elanna, then turned to the FBI agents. "I know that this may seem very strange to you, but you have to understand that this seems very strange to us. We're not used to having 20th century federal agents come alive from the holodeck database," Whitney tried to explain, a confused look on her face.
She looked at B'Elanna for help.
 Torres sighed. "Welcome to the 24th century, Mr. Mulder and Ms. Scully."
 The looks on Mulder and Scully's faces were priceless.
***
 Scully stuck close to Mulder as they followed the four humanoids out of the set of doors that had mysteriously appeared in the black wall. She had no idea what on earth was going on, and Mulder obviously didn't either. *The 24th century?!* she wanted to scream incredulously, not believing for one second what the woman with the ridges on her forehead - B'Elanna Somebody - had told them. She nearly balked as they entered a gray corridor with smooth black panels on either side. Sliding gray doors marked with small maroon lettering across them were on either side of the corridor. Hearing Mulder demand to know what had happened to them and where exactly they were, she decided to let him do the talking.
 B'Elanna, eyeing Mulder slightly warily, sighed. *This is going to be a very long day,* she thought, then frowned as she thought of all the warp core evaluations that awaited her on her return to Engineering. *A very, ^very^ long day.* she corrected herself. "Well, Heather and Tom, you're the 20th century fanatics and the ones who know all about the holoprogram. What did happen and how did they get here?"
 Tom and Heather looked at each other. Scully interpreted their look as being bewildered. Neither seemed quite so enthusiastic as they had before.
 "The truth is that I have no clue why the two of you are here or how exactly you got here, four hundred years in the future," admitted Tom quietly. "You're on a starship called the USS Voyager, and we're all part of her crew."
 Mulder nodded, taking in the information. He kept a nonchalant tone as he asked, "So, do you believe in extra terrestrials?" He turned to Heather Whitney as he asked this.
 Harry Kim nearly burst out laughing at this question, which was obviously directed towards the science officer. Heather's crystal blue eyes widened, and her eyes seemed as big as saucers as she replied telepathically: *I am an alien.*
 Mulder stopped in mid-stride, his eyes wide. Scully stared at him quizzically. "Mulder?" she asked, glancing warily over at the four adults before looking with concern up at Mulder, who had a transfixed expression on his face. "What are you?" he breathed.
 The brunette smiled softly at him. "I'm half human and half of another humanoid race that are telepaths. We're called Betazoids. We can sometimes sense what people are thinking and the emotions they're feeling." she explained.
 "And you?" Mulder asked Torres.
 B'Elanna glanced up at him, slightly confused. Then she realized that he was asking her if she, too, was part 'extra terrestrial', or however he had put it. "I'm half human and half Klingon," she replied.
 The six came to a dead end, and Harry pressed a button. The doors opened, revealing a small room. Paris walked in. "Its your version of an elevator." he explained.
 Heather flounced in after him. "I can't wait till Captain Janeway figures out what’s going on," she whispered to Harry, who nodded. "I know."
 Mulder walked in first, then nodded slightly. Scully quickly stepped into the turbolift, and nearly jumped out of her skin as the doors closed behind her.
 "Bridge," Torres said in a mild tone, then went back to scrutinizing the two newcomers. The man - Fox Mulder - had brown hair and hazel eyes, and was as tall as Tom and Harry. She had to admit that he was handsome as well, although the only man in her life was Tom. She smiled slightly as she let her gaze linger on the pilot, then looked over at the woman, who was glancing worriedly up at Mulder. Dana Scully had dazzling bright blue eyes and beautiful chin-length reddish-golden hair that hung loosely. She was pretty slim, and was around B'Elanna's height.
 "So, how long have the two of you been working together?" Heather asked, wondering if she could fit some of the pieces together. She and Shelly McCaffrey had loved the show The X Files during the Academy, and would get together every Friday night to watch an episode or the movie. Most of the time Tom, Laura, Learra, Aria, Mike, and a few others would join the two 'X Philes' and watch it, although Tom and Laura had complained because Shelly and Heather talked most of the way through it, adding in their own little jokes and sarcastic and snide comments (although some had been hilarious).
 "About five and a half years," replied Scully, glancing over at the brunette with blue eyes. Heather Whitney seemed to know a lot about her and Mulder.
 Heather nodded. *Sixth season,* she informed Tom, who nodded. *After the movie - when they almost kissed! I can't believe that bee had to sting her then! I mean, that’s ^so^ unfair! And then-*
 "You're such a romantic," Tom muttered in the half Betazoid's direction.
 Harry and B'Elanna were mildly confused at this statement; Heather Whitney loved to play 'match maker' - she and Harry had ganged up to get Tom and B'Elanna together ever since Heather had come onboard - but neither one would classify her as a romantic. Whitney even hated romance novels.
 The science officer's blue eyes sparkled. "Oh, shut up," she teased back.
 Mulder and Scully had both heard what she had said, and Scully found herself blushing slightly even though she didn't quite understand what Tom Paris had meant when he had made the comment. Seeing Mulder staring at her quizzically only made the blood rush to her face quicker.
 "You okay?" Mulder asked, slightly confused at his partner's flushed appearance.
 Scully nodded quickly, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes and back behind her ear. "Yeah, I'm okay, Mulder."
 "Where have I heard that before," he murmured into her ear. He couldn't help but notice her perfume-
 *They're even worse than Tom and B'Elanna!* Heather commented telepathically to Harry. She made it so that Tom and B'Elanna heard her thoughts as well. B'Elanna sent her a pretty good imitation of Captain Janeway's famous 'death glare', and Tom rolled his eyes.
 Before anyone could comment, the turbolift doors opened, revealing the command center of the USS Voyager - the Bridge.
***
 Captain Kathryn Janeway stood and turned to face the small brigade of officers who had just arrived on the bridge.  She could sense Chakotay sitting pensively in his chair beside her, but she did not avert her gaze from the man and woman who were standing beside Lt. Whitney. She had never seen them before, and after being stranded in the Delta
Quadrant for almost five years, she knew her crew very well.
 “Captain, you asked us to report to the bridge.” Harry Kim said.
 “Yes,” Janeway replied distractedly.  “But first could you please tell me who your guests are?”  She rested her hands on her hips.
 Tom glanced at the rest of them and then stepped forward.  “I suggest you call a senior staff meeting, Captain.”
 Janeway raised an eyebrow, but after glancing at the faces of the four officers, she merely nodded.
***
 Dana Scully could not believe this was happening.  She was sitting at an oval table next to Mulder and the conference room, as Whitney had called it.  Captain Janeway was seated at the head of the table, with Commander Chakotay on her right, and Lt. Commander. Tuvok on her left.  Whitney had informed her Tuvok was a Vulcan, and no fun, for that matter.  The only other person present was a blonde woman with a metal implant over her left eye.  She also happened to be wearing a very skin tight blue suit.  Scully had to give Mulder credit for the fact that his expression hadn’t changed when he’d first seen her.  ^Seven’ll more than make up for his daily dose of *ahem* literature.^  Scully thought.
 Torres, Paris, Kim, and Whitney were telling the other officers what had just happened in the holodeck.  This had to be a dream.  There was no other logical explanation for it.  There was no such thing as aliens, and there certainly was *no* way that she and Mulder had been transported from the J. Edgar Hoover building in Washington D.C. to a starship sometime in the 24th century.  It had to be a dream.  She pinched herself on the arm, but several seconds later she was still sitting in the conference room.  Mulder shot her a bemused smile.  If she had been nine she would have stuck her tongue out at him.  She realized this wasn’t a dream.   It was her worst nightmare.  Even though she knew she had kept her face expressionless, Mulder had sensed the panic rising, and he casually draped his arm over the back of her chair and squeezed her shoulder.  It sent a shiver through her spine.
 Mulder leaned over and whispered in her ear,  “I wanted proof, but this is insane.”
 Scully couldn’t keep the amused look off her face; not a smile, though, of course.  In his own way, Mulder was trying to comfort her.  And it was helping.  She breathed evenly for a minute, and then turned her attention to the conversation that was going on around her.
 “So you’re saying that somehow these two were transported here from the 20th century?”  Chakotay asked.
 B’Elanna nodded.  “I checked the logs in the holodeck, Chakotay. Besides, if they were holograms they wouldn’t be sitting here now.”
 Janeway’s brow was creased with concentration.
 ^Just like Scully’s does.^ Mulder thought.
 “Agent Mulder, Agent Scully, can you explain how you got here?” Janeway asked.  She clasped her hands and leaned forward intently.
 Scully sat up a little bit straighter in her chair.  Mulder squeezed her shoulder one last time before moving his arm back to his own chair.  “Agent Mulder and I had left Assistant Director Skinner’s office--”
 “No, Scully, I think it happened before that,”  Mulder interrupted.  She raised an eyebrow.  “Remember the bright flash of light while he was briefing us on the case?  After that light, things started to change.  He had never mentioned us working with *four* other agent until after the light.”
 Scully nodded.  “You’re right, Mulder, and this isn’t a dream, so how did we get here?”
 “Some kind of natural phenomena?”  Harry asked.  “A spatial rift?  That could send them forward in time.”
 “If there was a spatial rift, they would not be the only people sent forward in time.  Agent Mulder said they were sitting across from Assistant Director Skinner, if it had been a rift, Skinner would be here, too,” Seven countered coolly.
 Janeway opened her mouth to speak when her comm badge chirped.  “Captain, we are an extensive asteroid field.”
 “I’m on my way.”  Janeway pushed back her chair and stood, turning to speak to Mulder and Scully.  “Seven of Nine will escort you to your guest quarters.  As soon as Mr. Paris pilots us through this asteroid field, we will continue our discussion.”  She signaled to the officers sitting around the table to join her on the bridge.
 Heather grinned at Mulder and Scully.  “Have fun with Seven.  Especially you, Mulder,”  she said, wiggling her eyebrows.  Mulder smiled at her. Harry smiled at them before he left, and B’Elanna and Tom paused to say goodbye before they followed they others to the bridge, Tom’s hand resting lightly on B’Elanna’s back.
 Seven turned to the Agents.  “Follow me.”  She led them wordlessly through the brightly-lit corridors.  Mulder’s hand rested in the small of Scully’s back in a protective gesture.  ^However we got her, however we get back - we *will* get back - whatever happens, I am not going to let her get hurt.^ Mulder thought vehemently.  Finally, Seven halted outside of a closed door.
 “This room and the next one right there will be yours for the duration of your stay.  If you need anything, merely ask the computer.  If you require assistance, the computer can locate me.  I will be in Engineering.  You may explore the ship as long as you do not hinder the crew’s work.  You may order something from the replicator if you require
nutrients.”
 “Replicator?” Scully asked.
 “Yeah, Scully, haven’t you ever watched any old science fiction flicks?  You tell the machine what you want and, viola, it appears out of thin air.”
 “It does not, as you say, ‘appear out of thin air,’ Agent Mulder.  If I had the time, I would be ore than willing to explain the technology of the standard replicator, but as I do not, of you wish to learn about it, the computer will have information in it’s data banks.” Seven held out two small, shiny objects.  “The Captain requested that you be given
these communicators.  If you need assistance, tap them and say the name of the person you wish to speak with.”  She handed one to Scully and one to Mulder.  “I will be in Engineering if you need me.”  Then she turned on her heels - and heels they were!  They were bigger than the ones Scully wore, Mulder decided - and was gone.
 Mulder took a step closer to the door, and it opened swiftly.  He walked into the quarters, Scully right behind him.  The doors closed behind her, and she jumped.  The room was dark.  “Uh . . . computer, can you turn on the lights?” Mulder asked cautiously.
 “Partial or full illumination?” asked the cool, feminine voice of the
computer.
 “Full.”  Suddenly, the lights turned on.  Mulder looked at Scully and shrugged.  He stripped off his jacket and unbuttoned the top button of his dress shirt.,  After a moment, he undid the sleeves.  Scully took off her trench coat and suit coat and laid them across the arm of the coach, before joining Mulder on the couch.
 “How are we going to get back?” Scully asked quietly.
 “First we need to figure out what brought us here, but I suggest we wait and leave that until we have the rest of the ‘senior staff’ brainstorming along with us,” he added quickly.  Scully didn’t say anything, and was staring at the carpet.  “You okay, Scully?”
 “I’m fine.”  He gave her a look, but she didn’t see it as she was still looking intently at the carpet.
 “Some lint there they missed?”
 She glanced up at him to shoot him A Look.  Then she stared out at the stars passing by.  Suddenly, she spoke, “Mulder, we’ve seen a lot of weird things over the past five years, but this . . . this is beyond weird.  I don’t know what to make of it.  There is no logical explanation.”
 “Not everything has a logical explanation Scully.  God.”
 “What about God.”
 “You can’t explain God, yet you believe in him.  Or at least want to believe.”
 Scully didn’t say anything.  “Mulder, do you miss Diana?”  He looked at her sharply.  Her sudden change of topic had left him walking a fine line.  She brought her gaze to his face and eyed him levelly.
 “No.”  Her eyes probed his, searching for the truth.  “She and I were over a long time ago, Scully.”  he sighed, and now it was his turn to avert his gaze.  “I still value her as a friend and fellow agent, but . . . I don’t love her.  I don’t even know if I ever did.”
 They were both silent, each caught up in his own thoughts.
 “Love is confusing,”  Scully finally murmured.  “I've tried to avoid it my whole life.  I’ve always been afraid of loving people, of showing that I love them, because I was afraid of attachment to anything that could be there one moment, and then be gone the next.  Maybe that’s why I’ve pursued science.  It’s solid, it does leave or die, it’s always there.  And whenever I’ve loved people, I’ve always denied it for a long time, and then suddenly, it’s like a light is turned on, and I finally see what I’ve been denying, and realize it for what it is.”
 “You sound like a devotional,” Mulder murmured.
 Scully couldn’t keep the edges of her mouth from turning up in the impression of a smile.  That was just like Mulder, he could never handle anything too serious or sentimental without making a comment or snide remark.
 Mulder cleared his throat.  “When Samantha vanished, I suddenly realized how much I loved her.  When I’d had her there all the time, I hadn’t valued her.  She’d just been my pesky little sister.  I mean, what kid truly values their siblings when they’re twelve.  But after she was taken . . . .”
 “I know, Mulder, I know,” Scully murmured.  She reached out a hand and laid it on his.
 Suddenly, the door chime rang.  Mulder and Scully looked at each other.
“Come in,” Mulder called out.
 Heather walked in, a smile on her face.  “Oh, sorry, am I interrupting something?” she asked quickly when she saw them.
 “No, not at all,” Scully stood abruptly.
 Heather’s smile returned.  “Ready to have some fun?”
***
 "Where exactly are we going?" Mulder questioned Heather Whitney as they walked down the gray hall. Scully walked right next to him, her eyes wide open as she gazed about, taking in everything.
 Heather seemed mildly surprised at the question, but replied anyway. "Well, since you've never been on a 'spaceship' before-" She stopped, her brow furrowed. "Oh, wait, you have. Never mind." Mulder and Scully exchanged confused looks. "The captain thought you might like a tour of Voyager. We have no clue how you got here so it may take awhile to get you back to the 20th century..." Heather's voice trailed off and she shrugged. "So, what were you guys doing for the Bureau before you came here?"
 Scully raised an eyebrow. "You seem to know everything about us - why don't you fill us in?" she asked, immediately on guard. Mulder gave her a confused glance, but she ignored it.
 Heather was surprised at the defensiveness of Agent Scully. "Its just that..." Her voice trailed off. *How do I explain that they're part of a twentieth century television show?* "You're pretty well-known." she finally decided on. *There.*
 "Why?" Scully persisted, her blue eyes narrowing.
 Whitney had an immediate comeback. "Because of your work on the X Files." she informed the other woman.
 Meanwhile, Mulder was processing this information. "And why is that?" he replied.
 At this Heather looked exasperated. "The X Files is a project outside the Bureau’s mainstream, but I looked it up and read through some of the case files in the database." she said, her mind racing to keep ahead of the two agents’ questions. No way was *she* going to be the one to tell Mulder and Scully they were characters in a 20th century television show in her universe. Thankfully, she remained cool.
 Scully raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
 "Scully," Mulder warned.
 Scully gave him a look and merely made a face as if to say that he should be cautious as well, but he ignored it. "So, what exactly do you do?"
 "I'm a scientist," Heather supplied, watching Scully to see any significant reaction.
 She got it. "You're a scientist?" Scully asked, clearly not believing her.
 Whitney nodded. "Yes, I major in science. I can show you Voyager's science lab if you'd like, as well as our medical facilities and our doctor. They're pretty impressive, if I may say so myself, and we've come a long way as far as technology is concerned."
 Scully closed her mouth, merely nodding. The three entered what Paris had called a 'turbolift', and Mulder and Whitney continued to talk. Scully observed the other woman as the lieutenant answered each question Mulder threw at her. Scully had to smile at how bizarre some of the questions would sound to someone who wasn't aware of their work. She stopped smiling when Mulder asked what  had happened to them that summer.
 Heather's blue eyes widened as she looked from Mulder to Scully, then back to Mulder. There was no way she could answer that question safely - The X Files: Fight the Future was one of her favorite 20th century movies. "Her explanation or yours?" she questioned, the corners of her mouth curving upwards at the looks on the two FBI agents' faces. Before Mulder or Scully could answer, the turbolift doors opened and she stepped out, beckoning for them to follow her.
 Mulder, still recovering from her obvious ebullience, didn't know what to say. He raised his eyebrows and looked over at Scully, who was yet again staring intensely at the carpet. He gently touched her arm and she looked up at him, slightly startled. His hazel eyes shone with concern as he silently asked her if she was okay, his eyes probing hers.
 "I'm fine, Mulder," Scully said, replying the same way she had for the past five and a half years, reverting her gaze back to the carpet. Without another word, she walked off to join Whitney, who was waiting for them in the corridor.
 Mulder paused for a second before following Scully, his gaze never drifting from her retreating back. He shook his head slightly as he walked over to them. Although the signs were too subtle for anyone else to detect, he knew them quite well. Scully was greatly disturbed by everything that had happened. It defied all science. Literally. Putting on a masked expression, he asked, "So, where to first?"
 The science officer grinned. This was going to be *fun.*
***
 "Okay. You may see some-" Heather hesitated, "people who look kind of-" *How would you describe Neelix? Odd? Different? Terrifying? Scary?*- "peculiar, but everyone's really nice and no one's going to hurt you." *Well, maybe his cooking might hurt them but I'm sure the Doctor is perfectly capable of taking care of them,* Whitney thought dryly. She refrained from saying her comments out loud.
 Scully's brow furrowed. "Where exactly are we going?" she questioned, still a bit suspicious.
 Without further ado, the brunette walked up to a set of closed doors that opened automatically and stepped into a large room.
 Mulder gestured for Scully to go first. As she passed him he leaned down slightly and placed his hand gently against the small of her back, whispering, "We've still got our guns if something should happen."
 Looking up, she flashed him the briefest of smiles before entering the room. Mulder kept his hand on her back, but she didn't say anything. The two stopped as soon as they gazed around.
 They were in some kind of large meeting place. There were tables and chairs set up, making it look like a dining area. On the far side was another set of doors similar to the ones they had just walked into. The right wall was made up of large glass windows that looked out into space. Scully nearly jumped five feet in surprise when a person with spots on his forehead and tufts coming out of his head walked over to them. "Lieutenant Whitney! I heard we had some guests, but they certainly look a lot like humans!" she heard him say. She looked up at Mulder, who was clearly as astonished as she was.
 Meanwhile, their guide merely smiled. "They are, Neelix. Mulder, Scully, this is Mister Neelix, a native of the Delta quadrant. Neelix, these are FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully." Whitney looked over at the two FBI agents as she spoke, smiling inwardly at their reactions to Neelix. Scully was looking at Neelix with an astounded look on her face, her blue eyes wide. Meanwhile, Mulder was glancing down and trying very hard to keep a straight face as he saw his partner's reaction. Still trying not to smile, he offered his hand.
 Neelix shook it, then glanced at Scully, who was trying to look as neutral as possible. The Talaxian shook his head slightly and smiled. "Its a pleasure to meet both of you," he said.
 Scully, realizing how rude she was being, tried hard to smile and extended her hand. "I'm sorry, its just that..."
 "Its been awhile since she last met anyone like you," Mulder finished for her.
 Heather covered up a smile with her hand as Dana turned to glare at her partner as she shook Neelix's hand.
 Poor Neelix didn't get the joke, but decided not to comment. Just then another person joined their group.
 "Hi, Heather! I heard the holodeck screwed up again, but them? Woah." Megan Delany scrutinized Mulder, who returned her smile with a boyish one of his own. Her dark eyes sparkling, she turned to Heather. "Well?"
 Whitney rolled her eyes. "Down, Meg, down," she teased her friend.
 "What? Oh, c'mon Heather. I thought you knew me better than that. Its *Jenny* who gets all over the men." Meg paused, as if her brain had just registered Scully. "Oh, sorry, I didn't know the two of you..." Delany's voice trailed off.
 Scully's brow furrowed. "What?" she asked.
 "You guys aren't..." Megan groped for a word. "A couple?"
 Scully opened her mouth slightly, her eyes widening. "Oh, no," she commented softly, looking down. Looking up, she found Mulder looking at her intensely. She felt the blood rushing to her cheeks, even though she was trying hard not to blush. "What?" she demanded.
 "N-nothing," stammered Mulder.
 Heather smiled softly as she surveyed the two agents. The next few days were going to be very interesting.
***
 "Here's Astrometrics," Heather informed the two FBI Agents, flourishing her arms.
 Seven of Nine looked up from a console.  "Do you need assistance?"  she asked seriously, eyeing the two twentieth century humans.
 "No, I'm just giving our gusts a tour," Heather answered.
 Scully approached the huge view screen in amazement, though she made sure not to let it show.  She heard Mulder behind her, but she didn't turn her head.  He didn't say anything either.  She slowly walked around the room, glancing at the work stations - or consoles, as Heather had called them.  This was amazing.  Even though she couldn't understand what most of the stuff meant or did, she still couldn't believe the technology that Voyager possessed.
 "Ready to go see Engineering?"  Whitney asked from behind her.
 Scully turned to the woman and nodded her head.  "As long as we aren't required to try anymore Delta Quadrant Cuisine."
 "Hey, I've heard the Talaxian version of Iced Tea is to die for, Scully,"  Mulder commented as they left Astrometrics.
 Scully shook her head slightly.  Men.  He was incorrigible.  How did he expect them to be able to maintain a working, professional relationship if he was dropping hints left and right.  She would ignore it for now.
 Heather chatted about Voyager as the walked to Engineering.  The trio provoked some stares from crew members, but Mulder decided it best to ignore the looks.  He was used to being ostracized by everyone.  Everyone expect for Scully, that is.  He studied her as she walked head of him, beside Heather, discussing some of Voyager's technologies.  She was his saving grace.  Mulder didn't know what he would do if he lost her, and he vowed that he would not lose her again.  He brought himself out of his reverie as they arrived at Engineering.
 Heather strode in without a second glance at any of the other officers who looked up from their stations.  "This is the warp core," she said, tilting her head toward the two story-tall cylinder of swirling purple and blue gases.  "It powers Voyager, and without it we can't go to warp."
 "Lt. Whitney, can I help you?" asked a young man with brown hair.
 "Lt. Carey, these are Agents Mulder and Scully," Heather introduced them, ignoring Carey's question.  When he looked perplexed, she added, "VIPs," softly under her breath.
 He extended his hand.  "Nice to meet you.  So Lt. Whitney was just showing you Engineering?" he asked conversationally.  Mulder nodded.
 "Is Torres here?"  Whitney asked Carey,
 Carey shook his head.  "her shift ended fifteen minutes ago, and unless I'm mistaken, she and Lieutenant....Paris had a date," he flushed slightly at the end, glancing up at Mulder and Scully to gauge their reaction.
 "Thank you, Carey," Heather smiled.
 "It was nice meeting you two," Carey said.  "Hope you have a nice stay."
 Scully resisted rolling her eyes.  A nice stay.  They might be staying forever.  Forever  was a long time.  Were their bodies still in the twentieth century in comatose, or did their coworkers, friends, and family believe them to be missing or abducted.  Scully bit her lip when she realized something else.  They were missing.  Together.  What were
people back in D.C. presuming about their relationship?
 Heather told them a little bit more about Engineering, but Scully's mind wasn't on it.   Mulder refused to let himself glance over at Scully.  He would have thought she'd be debating warp theory or whatnot with Heather, but instead she was subdued, and hadn't said a word since they had entered Engineering.
 Next, Heather showed them the Science Lab, her ‘baby,’ as she’d put it, with great pride.  She’d introduced them to some of the officers working shifts, including a species called Bolians, but through it all Scully had been remarkably silent, only speaking when spoken to.  Mulder had to assume she was just shocked about what had happened to them and still hadn’t gotten over it
 Heather gave them a brief description of Stellar Cartography, but confided to him that she wasn’t looking forward to going there, so they were going to bypass that o their tour.  She mentioned the Cargo Bays as they passed, and took them in for a quick peek at Seven’s Borg alcove.  That finally seemed to snap Scully out of whatever it was that she was in.
 “Borg?” she asked.
 “They are a species that exist as one mind, all her linked to the collective hive.  They assimilate species that they deem worthy, and had them to the collective conscious.  Borg are mainly machines, but underneath that they range from Delta to Alfa to Gamma to Beta quadrant species.  Seven was assimilated when she was about nine.  Her name used
to be Annika Hansen.  Over a year ago we liberated her from the Collective- we cut her off from the collective conscious.  Since then she has been struggling to regain her individuality,” Heather explained.
 Scully looked stunned but managed to cover it quite well.  Come to think of it, Mulder was stunned himself.  Borg collective consciousness; it was all a lot to take in at once.
 Sickbay as their next stop.
 “Hello, Doc.  I have some guests.”  Heather said cheerfully.
 “My sickbay is a place to tend those who are ill, Lt. not a tourist attraction,’ the Doctor retorted.
 Mulder picked up a hypospray from a tray.  “What’s this thing, Heather?  It looks like a tire pump,” he added more to Scully than to Heather.
 “That is a hypospray, Mr. Mulder,” the Doctor said, deftly plucking it from Mulder’s hand.  “We use these as torture devices when the crew isn’t behaving.  Captain’s orders,” he said with a deadpan look. he smiled suddenly.  “Just kidding,  They are used to put people to sleep - a much more advanced form of your anesthesia, though they also can bring people back into consciousness.”
 “Sorry for taking up your time, Doc,” Heather said as she showed Mulder and Scully out of Sickbay.  “He’d have you in their all day, explaining what everything was.”  She turned to Scully.  “It’s a good thing you didn’t let him know you’re a medical doctor as well as an agent, he’d try to recruit you as a nurse.,” she said, wrinkling her nose.  “Are you hungry?  We can go back to the Mess Hall and see if Neelix is making anything edible, and if not we can always use the replicators.”
 Mulder shrugged.  “Sure.”
***
 Heather took Mulder and Scully back to the Mess Hall, keeping up a stream of chatter by talking about herself, Voyager, and the 24th century, and asking Mulder and Scully about their lives. Mulder answered all of the questions with ease, talking about his and Scully’s work and himself. Scully, on the other hand, barely said more than a sentence when directly asked a question. Whitney, baffled by the other woman’s quietness, mentally shrugged it off and continued to talk with Mulder.
 Meanwhile, Scully sighed inwardly as she listened to Whitney and Mulder’s conversation, which was heading towards the topic of basketball. It wasn’t as if she minded - she didn’t. She just couldn’t understand how they could just appear in the 24th century. It wasn’t scientific and there was no plausible explanation that would explain their disappearance and reappearance in different centuries.
 Upon entering the Mess Hall, Mulder immediately noticed that a lot more crewmembers were out of uniform and wearing civvies. “Who operates Voyager at night?” he questioned Heather, who was cautiously glancing over in the kitchen’s direction. Spotting Neelix chatting with Ensign Wildman, she quickly steered the two agents over to the replicator.
 “Everybody takes turns working the night shifts, although some people prefer it to the daytime shifts. Each week a different duty schedule comes out with the different shifts each crewmember has that week. They’re almost always different. Since I’m the senior science officer I go to the science lab even when I’m off duty sometimes to finish running an experiment or catch up on lab results. If something goes haywire, I have to be there to supervise it. B’Elanna has her hands full down in Engineering, since if something blows up or malfunctions, its Engineering’s priority to fix it.” Whitney smiled softly. “I don’t think she appreciated it when the fire alarms went off in the science lab.” She gestured to the replicator. “What do you want for dinner?”
 Scully paused, then shrugged. “What’s available?”
 Whitney grinned. “Computer, one cappuccino and one black coffee. Oh, and a mocha freeze.” she told the computer.
 Two mugs and a glass appeared on the shelf inside the wall. Scully’s eyes widened as she took the cup of coffee from Heather and took a sip. Then she smiled. “It tastes like the real thing,” she remarked, taking another sip.
 The science officer smiled, then ordered meals for the two. She herself had clam chowder soup and a Greek salad. Then the three sat down at a table.
 Dinner proved to be eventful in many ways. Scully seemed to perk up a bit, and talked a lot more than before. Mulder accidentally spilled some of his food in Scully’s lap. Heather laughed and promised Scully that the agent would be able to replicate as many outfits as she wanted when she went back to her quarters.
 Whitney herself let the other two agents do most of the talking, observing them with interest. Captain Janeway had told her to do a report and a background check via the computer on both of them. Heather hadn’t a clue as to where to start.
 Forty minutes later, the three were still talking. Whitney glanced at the chronometer on the wall and her blue eyes widened slightly. She was five minutes late for a senior staff meeting. Looking around the Mess Hall, she saw that Neelix was waiting for her near the doorway. She nodded at him, then turned back to Mulder and Scully.
 “Listen, it was great talking to you and it was really nice getting to know you, but I’ve got to go. The senior staff is having another meeting, and I’m already five minutes late.”
 The computer will show you to your quarters when you’re finished here. Feel free to look around, though. Bye!” Without another glance back she hurriedly dematerialized her dishes back into the replicator, and took off at a fast pace to catch up with Neelix. All in all, it had been an interesting tour.
***
 “Good night, Mulder,” Scully called as the doors closed. Right before they did she saw Mulder smile and nod, then disappear from her point of view. Then she shook her head and stretched. It had been a long day. Taking off her trench coat, she folded it up and lay it on one of the chairs. Then she walked down the hall and surveyed the other rooms. There was a spacious bedroom with a double bed, dresser, night stand, and mirror. Behind the bed was a large window that looked out into space. She then found a closet and the bathroom.
 Going back into the living room, she went over to the replicator. Remembering how Heather had did it, she told the computer to replicate her a hairbrush and some pajamas. Surprised at how quickly they appeared, she took them and replicated a few more outfits and necessities. A brush, makeup, cream, clothes, and pajamas were soon a pile on the couch. Taking them into the bedroom, she put them in the dresser.
 Scully still didn’t feel like sleeping yet, so she went over to the personal computer set up on the table. She pulled up a chair and sat down. Then she turned it on, staring at the screen for a few minutes. The truth was, she wasn’t sure where to start. “Computer, display biography of Dana Katherine Scully from the year 1999.” she said.
 “No biography available.” came the computer’s voice.
 Scully’s brow furrowed. “Display biography of Margaret Scully from the year 1999.”
 “No biography available.”
 Trying her brothers Bill and Charlie Scully, she was surprised to find the same thing. “Computer, are there any references at *all* to these people?” she asked.
 “Yes; further information is classified.”
 “Classified?” Scully repeated.
 “You have unauthorized access to read classified files and information.”
 “All right. Then lets try this: show me a picture of Dana Katherine Scully as of 1999.” said Scully.
 The picture that had been taken a few weeks ago at the FBI center appeared. She then asked for pictures of other people and was able to gain access to look at them. Then she drummed her fingers against the table top. “Computer, show me a picture of Samantha Mulder as of 2004.”
 Slowly, a picture appeared. Underneath, it read ‘Samantha Mulder’.
 “Computer, can you show me a biography of Samantha Mulder?” asked Scully, leaning forward in anticipation. All of Mulder’s questions answered. And maybe some of hers in the process.
 “Accessing,” A small silver line slowly threaded its way across the screen. Then bold lettering appeared: Scully -- I know you want to believe. And I know you want to know what happens to you, Mulder, and everyone else in your life in the 1990s. I hate to do this, but you can’t see your files. It is against the Prime Directive - a set of rules which are extremely annoying sometimes but we have to follow them. Sorry! -- Heather Whitney.
 *Damn,* thought Scully, leaning back and closing her eyes. Against the rules. Of course; how fitting. Getting up, she asked for the time and was surprised to find that it was past eleven. Walking into the bathroom, she took a long hot shower, then changed into her pajamas. She discarded her dirty clothes in a hamper-like container in the bathroom and crawled into bed. Turning over onto her stomach, she cupped her face with her hands and stared out into space. Then she closed her eyes and tried to drift off to sleep.
***
 Mulder looked up when the door chime rang. Then he shrugged to himself, called out, “Come in!”, and went back to staring at the picture in front of him. A few seconds later, he looked up to find Dana Scully, wearing a bathrobe over her pajamas. “Scully, its almost midnight,” he told her.
 “And you’re still up?” she retorted. Seeing Mulder’s probing look, she sighed and gazed down at her hands. “I couldn’t get to sleep.” She paused, hesitant to go on. Then she looked up. “Mind if I crash on your couch tonight?”
 A soft smile played across Mulder’s face. “Excuse me, Scully?” he teased.
 Scully gave him a look.
 Mulder shrugged. “Sure.” Then he went back to staring at the picture in front of him.
 Scully walked over to him and turned the personal computer screen around so she could see it as well. It was Samantha Mulder. *Figures,* she thought with a soft smile. Then she sighed. “Did you get the same nice note from Heather?” she questioned.
 Mulder nodded, then, to her surprise, turned off the computer and walked over and sat down on the couch. Scully joined him as he admitted, “Yes, and I have to admit that if I could read what happens in the future, I don’t think I’d want to.”
 Scully thought over that, then glanced over at Mulder. “You know, I have to agree with you. I tried to access our files, but then I realized I didn’t want to know the future. After all, you can’t leave everything to fate.”
 Mulder smiled. “How come you were so quiet?” he questioned, gazing over at Scully.
 Scully looked down at her lap. “This is just all so different, Mulder,” she replied softly, looking up at him. “What do you think is going on at home?”
 “I don’t know, Scully, I really don’t know.”
 They sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, then Mulder got up. “Would you mind if I went and took a shower?”
 Scully shrugged, then lay down on the couch as soon as he left. Closing her eyes, she was almost asleep when she heard a loud yell. Leaping to her feet, she headed to the bathroom door, which was closed. “Mulder? Are you all right?” she called, banging on the door.
 The door opened, revealing a very soaking wet Fox Mulder wearing only his boxers and his white shirt. Beads of water dripped down his face as he looked at her.
 Scully’s blue eyes widened visibly as she took in the sight. Then she burst out laughing. “Mulder, the shower turns on automatically,” she offered, leaning against the opposite wall as another fit of laughter took over.
 Mulder didn’t seem to think the situation was too funny. “Scully, this is not funny,” he proclaimed, walking over to her when he saw that she hadn’t stopped laughing.
 Scully, seeing the look on Mulder’s face, tried to stop laughing. “Oh, yes it is!” she retorted.
 “That’s it,” he said, hurrying towards her.
 Scully dove for the bed, but it was too late. Mulder was already tickling her. “Mulder, stop it!” she gasped, trying to get away.
 Mulder stopped. “Then take it back.”
 “Seeing you soaking wet was the funniest thing I have ever seen,” Scully said, starting to giggle again. Mulder’s tickling didn’t help.
 A few moments later he stopped, and Scully opened her eyes. “Mulder, what do you think happens to our families?” she asked softly.
 “I don’t know, Scully. Besides, I thought you said you didn’t want to know,” he pointed out.
 She shrugged, gazing up at him. Now she was soaking wet as well.
 “I’d better go take a shower,” he commented, getting up. Then he laughed. “You know what, Scully?”
 “What?” asked Scully, rolling over so that she lay on her stomach.
 “You’re all wet, too,” he called over his shoulder, then closed the bathroom door.
 Dana Scully stared after him, deep in thought. Then she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
***
 Scully's eyes fluttered open.  The lights in the room were dimmed, but she shook her head slightly to clear her mind.  Then she remembered the tumble and tickle of the night before.  She sat up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.  Her gaze softened as it fell on the warm blanket Mulder had laid over her.  She threw the blanket off and stood, stretching.  She slowly massaged her shoulders, working the out the kinks that sleep had caused.  She ran a hand through her hair and tucked it behind her ears.  She folded the blanket neatly and left it on the bed.  Then she left the bedroom and ventured out into the living room.
 Mulder was asleep on the couch, where she had guessed he would be.  She stood for a moment, watching him sleep peacefully.  This was one of the few times she had ever seen his face so calm and innocent; usually even in sleep he was tortured by nightmares.  Scully was startled when the door chime rang.   Mulder shifted on the couch.  Scully went to the door and opened it to find Captain Janeway standing there.
 "Agent Scully, I admit I'm surprised to find you here," Janeway commented with a slightly disapproving tone, though it did nothing to hide the sparkle in her eyes.
 Blushing inwardly, Scully watched the Captain's gaze flicker to Mulder's still form on the couch.   She decided it best not to answer the captain's subtle question.  "Was there something you needed, Captain?"
 "I was just going to inform you that there will be a senior staff meeting at 08-hundred hours.  And I was going to extend an invitation for breakfast to you and Agent Mulder before the meeting."
 Scully forced a diplomatic smile.  "We can be ready in fifteen minutes."
 "I'll be waiting for you in my ready room."  Janeway smiled at Scully and then departed.
 Scully turned back to the couch.  "Mulder," she hissed.
 When all this produced was a muffled "Mphmm," she decided to try again. "Mulder, wake up."
 "Doan wanna go to school today, mommy," Mulder groaned sarcastically as he turned over and buried his face in the pillow again.
 "Don't make me rip that blanket off you," Scully threatened.
 This only made Mulder clutch the blanket closer to him.  "You come and try, G-Woman."
 "Time to report to the land of the living, Agent Mulder.  We've got a breakfast date with the captain in fifteen minutes, and I intend to go get ready, whether you're up or not."  Turning on her heels, Scully stalked out of Mulder’s quarters.  He was acting like a spoiled eight year old.
Sometimes he made her want to stick her tongue out at him, like she had done to Bill Jr. when he and his friends had chanted  "dana bana mo mana, fe fi fo fana, dana" endlessly on the bus one day when she was in second grade.  *Ah, happy family memories,* she thought dryly.
 She returned to her quarters and put on one of the outfits she had replicated, a velvety, violet colored long-sleeved shirt and a comfortable pair of pants, comparable to the khakis of the '90s, and with a drawstring.  After washing her face, putting on a little bit of makeup, and brushing her hair, Scully surveyed herself critically in the mirror.  Was it too informal?  *C'mon, Dana, give yourself a break.  This is some obscure vacation, if you look at it from a certain angle.  You need to relax.  The people here have four centuries more knowledge than you do, don't blow an artery in your brain stressing over the situation.*  Satisfied with her appearance, she decided to check on Mulder.
 Scully received sore knuckles for the trouble of knocking on Mulder's door before she remembered the door chime.  "Scully, that you?  C'mon in," his disembodied voice called out from the other side of the door.  She entered his quarters to find him sitting on the couch pulling on a pair of socks.  He was dressed in a tan, loosely fitting sweater with thin, navy blue stripes across the middle and pair of dark blue jeans.
 "You ready, Mulder?"  Scully asked.
 "You betcha, partner," he responded with a fake country accent.
 Scully rolled her eyes slightly and stood and waited while he tied his shoes.  Then they left his quarters side by side.
***
 Kathryn Janeway rubbed the bridge of her nose. She had asked Whitney and Paris to join her in her ready room on her way back from inviting the two guests to join her for breakfast to tell her all they knew about Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Unfortunately, ten minutes didn't seem to be long enough.
 "Sir, I could write a whole *book* on them!" explained Heather, shrugging helplessly.
 Tom nodded. "We could collaborate and write a whole series," he added dryly.
 "So you're saying that from *your* experience, they are characters in a television show called The X Files?" repeated Janeway, making sure she had heard the two lieutenants the first time.
 "Yes, sir." chimed the two.
 "The series is in the database if you want to watch an episode, sir" Heather added, her mind racing.
 *Oh, gosh, this is going to be a long day.* Janeway thought at the look on the other woman's face. "Do either one of you have any idea why exactly they appeared on the holodeck yesterday morning?"
 "No, sir."
 *Definitely going to be a long day.* "Well, then. We've got two federal agents onboard. What do we do now?"
 "Try to find a way to transport them back to the 20th century?" suggested the science officer, wondering why Janeway hadn't thought of that in the first place.
 Janeway shot her a look. "I was aware of that, Lieutenant. What I mean is what are they going to spend their time doing?"
 "I know Agent Scully is a scientist. She might enjoy helping Whitney out in the science lab, sir." Tom said slowly.
 Janeway held up a hand before Heather could put in her two cents. “Why do you keep on calling me ‘sir’?” she asked, slightly confused.
 “Well, sir-” Heather stopped and looked sheepish. “Sorry, it’s just that Mulder and Scully call their AD ‘sir’ all the time, and . . .” She shrugged.
 Janeway looked over at Tom, who merely smiled at Whitney’s explanation. “Lieutenant Whitney, what about Agent Mulder?”
 Heather's brow furrowed as she thought over Mulder's job profile. *Umm..* Her thoughts trailed off and she looked helplessly over at Tom, who mererly shrugged. *Thanks for your help,* she shot at him telepathically. Then an idea struck her when she remembered *her* plans for the day. "Captain, Scully could accompany down to the surface of Manyarra with my team to collect some samples of the tropical plants in the southern hemisphere. Since Tuvok, Tom, and Neelix are taking the Delta Flyer ahead of Voyager in the afternoon to scout out the trade station we heard about from the Gyros, Mulder could go with them and get a first-hand view of life in the Delta Quadrant." she suggested.
 Janeway nodded slowly. "Tom?" she asked, looking over at the pilot. It never hurt to get a second opinion, and sometimes it was best when Heather Whitney had thought up the original opinion or suggestion. While Heather would never be considered 'flaky', she had an active brain and a wild imagination.
 Paris shrugged. "It sounds like a good idea." he commented.
 The doorbell chimed. "Ah, that'll be them now. You two, scat." Janeway said in an amused tone.
 "Don't you feel loved?" whispered Tom to Heather.
 Heather laughed. "Oh, yeah," she retorted. The doors opened, and they both greeted Scully and Mulder before heading for the turbolift. They had promised Kim and Torres to meet the two for an early breakfast before the senior staff meeting.
***
 Breakfast went smoothly, and by the end of the meal Scully felt comfortable talking with the captain. Looking at Mulder, she was pretty sure he felt the same way as she did. Captain Janeway had explained that they still hadn't been able to figure out why exactly the two were in the 24th -- not the 20th -- century, and that they were still trying to solve the problem. "Uh, Captain Janeway?" she questioned softly, looking over at Mulder before she turned her attention back to the captain.
 "Yes, Scully?"
 "What should Mulder and I do today? I mean, Voyager's a wonderful ship, and there are those holi- hola-" On her third try, she got it right. "Holodecks, but still..." She let her voice trail off, not sure how to continue.
 To her surprise, Kathryn smiled and nodded understandingly. “Actually, I was discussing that with Lieutenant Whitney and Ensign Paris, and they had a few ideas." Janeway explained what the half Betazoid had said, watching closely for the two's reactions.
 Scully and Mulder looked at each other.
 "When does the Delta Flyer leave?" Mulder asked, his mind whirling with the possibilities. His first thought was that they were trying to separate him and Scully, but he quickly shoved that idea out of his head. He still wasn't too sure how they could be in the future, but from what he had seen so far, he knew that he could at least trust them a little.
 "At 1600 hours. That will give you both some time to look around the planet on your own. The planet Manyarra's Southern Hemisphere is similar to one of Earth's tropical climates. The planet is uninhabited -- there are no sentient lifeforms dwelling there as far as our sensors can tell. Think about it; it would be a wonderful opportunity. Plus, we could use all the help we can get."
 Scully and Mulder exchanged a glance. "Do you need an answer right away?" Scully questioned.
 Captain Janeway smiled, fully understanding the slight hesitancy of the two. "Of course not -- I will need an answer by 1200 hours, though, because that’s when Whitney's team goes out. We've got a staff meeting in a few minutes, if you'd like to join us." She stood up and motioned for the two agents to follow her as she headed for the door.
 "Hey, this is great! We don't even have to do the dishes," Mulder commented to Scully as they followed the captain out of her ready room and onto the Bridge.
 Scully only sent him a look before heading into the conference lounge.
*****
 "That is irrelevant," Seven of Nine stated coolly.
 Torres shot her a dirty look. "Everything's irrelevant to you" she retorted.
 "Cat fight," Whitney muttered to Kim, who was sitting next to her. Harry made a strangled noise; he agreed completely with the science officer.
 "Shut up," Torres growled, and Heather put her hands in the air.
 Mulder and Scully shared a glance. This meeting was going nowhere. For the past twenty minutes, the entire senior staff had been brainstorming on how they had gotten there. With no such luck.
 "Seven, Lieutenants Torres and Whitney," Janeway admonished.
 Seven raised her eyebrow, Torres glowered at the former Borg, and Whitney rolled her eyes. Mulder wanted to laugh at the situation.
 "Fighting isn't going to resolve anything. We need to brainstorm on every single possibility," Chakotay reprimanded, looking specifically over at Torres.
 "Agreed," commented Tuvok.
 "We're not getting *anywhere*!" the Doctor said, exasperated. “We might as well take a break."
 "Yes, but then we'll be back in the same room trying to solve the exact same problem." Paris reminded the EMH.
 "Too bad we're on the Think Tank's bad side, or else I'd suggest going back." B'Elanna commented lightly, stealing a glance at Seven.
 The former drone gave her an excellent equivalent to Captain Janeway's 'death glare'. "Unacceptable."
 "Think tank?" Scully questioned.
 Heather groaned. "Don't ask," she suggested. She did *not* want to get into that discussion.
 "Never mind about the think tank. The problem is that we need to get Agents Scully and Mulder back to their time and place," Harry reminded everyone.
 "Exactly," said Tom, silently thanking Harry for bringing them back to the actual problem.
 "I'm open to suggestions," B'Elanna quipped, leaning back in her chair.
 Janeway raised her eyes to the ceiling. "I need a cup of coffee; Commanders Chakotay and Tuvok, if you'll join me? I'll be back in a half hour expecting an answer. Mulder and Scully, you're free to leave. As for the rest of you, I suggest you make yourselves as comfortable as possible." She got up and exited the lounge. Chakotay and Tuvok silently followed her.
 Neelix hid a smile. "Trust Captain Janeway to think of something like that," he commented optimistically.
 Heather's blue eyes widened in terror. "This is not funny. Oh, well. When its time to go to bed I get first dibs on the ledge."
 "Heather," Tom commented in a warning tone.
 "First of all, how about spacial anomalies?" the Doctor asked, when he realized that no one else was going to start.
 Harry shook his head. "No. Sensors didn't pick up any."
 "Seven?" the Doctor asked.
 Seven nodded. "Ensign Kim is correct."
 "What about wormholes?" Mulder suggested. Scully shot him an amused glance but he ignored it.
 Heather looked at him, as if she had noticed that he was sitting there for the first time. Then her blue eyes sparkled with hope. "Well?" she questioned.
 B'Elanna shook her head. "Sensors would have picked them up, Heather," she reminded Whitney.
 "But what if the wormhole was on a different frequency than our sensors? What if they *didn't* pick up the wormhole?" Tom countered.
 "It sounds plausible," the Doctor commented.
 Seven of Nine shook her head. "I have already adjusted the sensors to scan on several different frequency levels, and they picked up nothing."
 "There goes that theory. What do we know about black holes?" Heather said, thinking out loud.
 "You can't be serious," Neelix replied.
 Kim hid a smile. "This is Lieutenant Whitney we're talking about, Neelix. Of course she's serious."
 "Oh, shut up," Whitney muttered.
 "The Borg assimilated little knowledge of black holes, as you put it, but your theory is unsound. There is no possibility of it being correct." Seven stated.
 Heather shook her head. "All right, then. I give up. Seven, if you're so smart, why don't *you* think of a solution? I'm going to download a good book to read." Whitney got up and headed for the computer database, bringing a datapadd with her.
 "Lieutenant Whitney," the Doctor said in a commanding tone.
 "What?" But Heather sat down anyway.
 Tom leaned over and snatched the datapadd out of her hands. The half Betazoid was about to say something when he shot her a look and started writing on it. "So far we've crossed out the chances of black holes, wormholes, and spacial anomalies. Voyager's sensors detected nothing out of the ordinary in space when Mulder and Scully appeared in the holodeck."
 "Oh my gosh. That's it." B'Elanna said. Her features changed with her attitude, and she leaned forward eagerly. Everyone waited in anticipation.
 Harry was the first one to figure it out. "She's right," he commented. "We were so busy scanning space that we forgot to scan the ship."
 "But that means-"
 The Doctor was interrupted by Seven of Nine. "Computer, scan all records kept of time index 1.4 to 1.5 from yesterday morning for any anomalous readings."
 "Scanning. Sensors detected slight random fluctuations on Holodeck 2 at approximately 1020 hours." the computer droned.
 Whitney sighed with relief. "Thank goodness. I was beginning to think we'd be here all day," she commented wearily.
 Tom sent her a look. "Very funny, Lieutenant. But just because we have random fluctuations doesn't mean we know what caused them to appear."
 Scully sighed. She had to agree with the science officer. At least they were getting *somewhere*. *There's no scientific basis for what happened to us,* she told herself, willing her mind to stretch beyond its normal thinking capabilities. *No anomalies in space; a slight fluctuation picked up by sensors when we appeared.* "A lifeform?" she suggested, not fully realizing how stupid the question seemed until she spoke it. She felt the blood rush to her face in slight embarrassment.
 "None exist that could alter the future, past, and present," Seven stated.
 "Oh," Scully reverted her gaze, not knowing what else to say. Feeling her hand being squeezed, she looked over at Mulder, slightly startled. He gave her a reassuring smile and she silently thanked him. No matter what, they were in this together.
 "Actually, you're wrong, Seven," B'Elanna commented, her brown eyes widening a little. She understood what Dana Scully had meant now, and she was starting to have a theory form in her mind.
 "He is *dead*!" Whitney exclaimed, her blue eyes flashing. "Of all the dirty, mean, snide things to do! Oh, my go-"
 "Wait a second. What are you talking about?" Tom asked.
 "Q," B'Elanna said simply, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied expression on her face.
 "What exactly do you mean 'Q'?" asked Mulder.
 "Its a long story, but I'll explain everything as soon as the captain gets here," Heather assured him, then tapped her commbadge. "Whitney to Janeway. I think we've got the beginning of a sound theory for you, if you'd like to here it."
 "I'm on my way, Lieutenant. Good job. Janeway out." The captain's voice was filled with amusement.
 "Oh, my gosh! She knew all along! I can't believe it! That is so unfair! Why didn't she say anything?" exploded Whitney.
 Janeway, emerging from the Bridge, laughed as she walked over to her chair. Chakotay was smiling, and Tuvok looked like his regular logical self. All three sat down. "If I had told you, that would have taken the fun out of thinking, now, wouldn't it have?"
 Heather didn't have an answer for that.
***
 “So you’re saying that a man wiggled his finger and Scully and I appeared here?”  Mulder asked incredulously.
 Heather nodded her head.  “Pretty much.”
 “The Q are a species,” Seven elaborated.  “The Borg have never been
able to assimilate them, as the are omnipotent.”
 “What she’s trying to say,” Tom added, “is that they think they are gods.  They can go wherever they want, whenever they want, and have whatever they want.  Q -- the Q we know -- has some bizarre fascination with humans, and gets a great deal of pleasure out of interfering with us.”
 Every head around the table bobbed in agreement.
 “He’s a self-righteous pig,” B’Elanna commented.  Janeway didn’t bother
to shoot her a stern look.
 “Why would Q send us here in the first place?”  Scully asked.  “It’s not as though we’re contributing to the welfare of the Delta Quadrant or anything.”
 Janeway pursed her lips.  “Was there anything that any of you said?” She glanced from Whitney to Paris to Torres to Kim.
 “I don’t think so,” said Harry.  “B’Elanna and I didn’t even know what the holoprogram was until we got there, and I had never what--”  Harry caught himself quickly, but darted a glance at Heather and Tom.  “I had never heard of Mulder and Scully.” B’Elanna added in agreement.
 “Heather?  Tom?”  Janeway asked.
 “Still, Captain, it would seem illogical for Q to send Agents Mulder and Scully four hundred years into the future.  What purpose would that accomplish?”  asked Tuvok.
 “Q doesn’t need a reason to do anything,” Chakotay said.  “If he has the slightest inclination to do something, he’ll do it without a second thought.”
 Janeway nodded.  Turning her attention back to the two lieutenants, she said, “were there any off-hand comments you two may of said, that could have triggered this?”
 Heather brow was furrowed in concentration.  “I . . . I can’t remember.”  She heaved an exasperated sigh.
 Janeway scrutinized Tom, and suddenly she saw his eyes brighten.  “Tom?”  she asked.
 Tom glanced at Mulder and Scully who were listening intently, “I do remember Heather saying how she wished Mulder and Scully were real.”
 “We are,” Mulder said.
 “Yes,” Tom said hurriedly, glancing at the Captain, “but she wanted you to be *real* not holograms.”  He guarded every word he said, afraid that he would let it slip that Heather had meant more than just that when she said she wished they were real.
 Janeway smacked her and on the table.  “Now we just need to get Q to
show himself so we can get him to send them back.”
 “Captain, it is not likely that Q will reappear until he wants to reappear.  I suggest that Agents Mulder and Scully proceed as planned with both the missions.  The missions will not take long, and if Q does return while they are gone, he is just as capable of returning them to the 20th century from wherever they may be at the time,” Tuvok suggested.
 Janeway looked to Mulder and Scully.  “Have you made your decision?”
Mulder and Scully glanced at each other for a moment before they nodded.  A brief smile flashed across Janeway’s face.  “Good.  You are dismissed.  Those of you going on the missions go prepare.”
 Everyone bustled out of the room.  Mulder and Scully left talking quietly.  “Mulder, what if they’re trying to separate us?”  Scully asked once they were out in the corridor.
 “I was reluctant at first, but they haven’t seemed anything but friendly up until now, and I think that we should assume that they have no hidden motives.”
 Scully turned to Mulder.  “What happened to ‘trust no one,’ Mulder?  We
know almost nothing about these people or this time.  once we’re in separate places, we won’t be able to contact each other.  Even if we could keep in contact, they have four hundred more years of experience.  They know the machines, we don’t.”
 “What are our other choices, Scully?  Sit around our quarters?  This is a wonderful opportunity for both of us.  We are *not* alone in the 24th century . . .it’s the chance of a lifetime for me.  And think about it, a tropical planet with beaches and cliffs . . . sounds like an all-expense paid vacation to me, not to mention the fact that you'll be conversing with Voyager’s tech heads.”
 Scully laced arms across her chest.  “All right, Mulder, but be careful.”
 He smiled wryly at her.  “What ever made you think that I wouldn’t be?”
 *I will not justify that with a response,* Scully thought.  Aloud, she said, “I need to go pack some things.  I’ll stop in before I leave?”
 Mulder nodded.  “Don’t forget the suntan lotion.”
***
 Scully surveyed the various items she had packed.  Heather had told her to save some room in her knapsack for rations and an emergency kit she would be given when she got to the transporter room.  She had a two changes of clothes that she had picked for their appropriateness for the planet’s environment, several toiletries (including the 24th century equivalent of bug spray and sun tan lotion), and an old fashioned notebook and pen.  She wasn’t sure whether or not this entity Q would allow her to take it back to the 20th century with her, but she intended to keep a journal of her time on Voyager.  She was wearing a sturdy pair of hiking boots, shorts, and tee shirt with a long sleeved collared shirt over it, and a baseball cap to keep the sun out of her face.
 True to her word, she stopped by Mulder’s quarters before she left to
go to the transporter room.
 “Mulder, it’s me.”
 He opened the doors immediately.  “Heylo, Scully.  Want some?”  he held out a bag of sunflower seeds to her.
 “Not right now.”
 “Oh, here.”  He grabbed a small bag off the coffee table.  “You can’t go out into the wilderness and not have a staple food supply.”
 She smiled slightly and tucked the bag of sunflower seeds into her bag.  “Thanks, Mulder.”  She glanced at the chronometer on Mulder’s wall.  “I have to go or I’m going to be late.  Be careful Mulder.  If you get your neck broken I’ll heal it so I can break it myself.”
 Mulder grinned at her.  He placed one hand on her should and squeezed.  “You take care of yourself, too, Scully.  You’re not immortal, you know.”
 She shot him her nice-attempt-at-humor-Mulder-but-it-didn’t-work look.  “I will.” She hefted her bag over her shoulder and turned to go.
 “Bye, Scully,”  Mulder said softly.  Scully turned back to look at him.  *A man could drown in those eyes and be happy doing it!*  Mulder thought.  “Send me a postcard,” he added before the moment could get too serious.  This elicited the slightest of smiles.
 “Oh, Mulder,” he thought he heard her mutter before she turned again and walked down the hall.  He stood and watched her until she turned a corner and was out of sight.  He sighed and went back inside his quarters.  What was he going to  do with himself until he and his ‘team’ left?
***
 An hour or so later found Mulder in one of the holodecks trying it out.  It would have been much more fun if Scully had been there.  First he decided to go for a long run.  he had gotten out of the habit during the last few days they had been on Voyager.  He picked a rural setting in England, and started to program.  It was beautiful.  The green hills tumbled across the land, tops covered in swaying masses of brightly colored wildflowers.  In the distance he could see the ruins of an old stone church.  A light fog hung over the sky, but the temperature was moderately warm.  A slight breeze rushed around him, urging Mulder forward.  He gave in and started to jog.  He cleared his mind of all his problems -- the mission, getting home, whether his fish were dead, and Scully.  Well, he managed to clear his mind of all his problems but Scully.  Not that she herself was a problem -- quite the opposite, she was a miracle.  It was their relationship that was the problem.  He wasn’t sure how far they should take it.  Everything had been so much more confusing ever since their almost kiss in the hallway.  If it hadn’t been for that bee, who knew where their relationship would be right now?  He had long ago realized he loved her.  He still wasn’t sure how she felt about him.  He really didn’t deserve her.  he had brought so much pain into her life, and yet she had stayed by his side through it all.  If she had not stayed with him, she would not have been abducted, gotten cancer, made so she could never have children, and watch her only daughter die.  This was an old guilt complex of his, one he had been struggling with for the past two years or so.  He was startled out of his silent reverie about Scully when the chime on the
doors to the holodeck rang.  He looked up in surprise.  He walked over to the doors and opened them.
***

 Scully breathed in the deep ocean air, gazing about her. After walking at a set pace for two hours, the away team consisting of herself, Whitney, and eight other junior officers, had finally reached the Western coast of the Eastern Hemisphere. The view was spectacular, and reminded her of pictures from tropical islands like Hawaii, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. Trees that
could easily pass as palm trees were spread out along the beach. Waves lapped against the white sand that covered the coast, and the ocean extended into the horizon. *This is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen,* she thought.
        "Oh, my gosh!" exclaimed one of the ensigns - Scully remembered her name to be Ensign Julia Hawkins - with a smile. "Yo, Heather, come check this out!"
        That was another thing, Scully mused, that she found surprising. The junior officers often called Whitney by her first name, instead of her last or rank. But Whitney didn't seem to mind one bit.
        The science officer gave a short laugh and joined Scully and Hawkins standing at the front of the line. "I know; isn't it gorgeous? I just contacted the captain and told her that we were here. She said that as soon as we set up some sort of base camp, we were to split up and look for edible plants."
        Julia nodded, her mind not fully on collecting plants to eat. "Did you ask the captain about shoreleave?" she asked.
        Whitney gave the younger woman a look. "Ensign, we're here to find food; not to swim in the waves," she reprimanded slightly.
        To Scully's immense surprise, Hawkins only gave Whitney a look. Then Whitney smiled. "Yes, I did. Captain Janeway said that as soon as we finished up here we could beam back up to Voyager and then be on shoreleave for the next few hours," she explained.
        Hawkins nodded as Lieutenant Justin Spicer joined the trio. "Whitney, Hawkins, Agent Scully," he acknowledged, then turned to Heather. "Where exactly do you want to set up base camp?"
        Whitney gazed longingly at the ocean for a brief moment, then sighed and forced herself to get back to reality. "Over there," She pointed to a small grove of palm trees that was a few hundred feet away nearer to the ocean.
        Spicer nodded, then motioned for the rest of the team to follow him.   Hawkins excused herself and went to help set up. Whitney took one last look at the ocean, then headed off after her team. "Coming?" she called back to Scully, who was still gazing at the horizon.
        Jolted out of her daydreaming, Scully nodded and quickly headed to catch up with the rest of the team. She scolded herself for getting swept up in her thoughts about Mulder, and their situation onboard Voyager .  She shook her head to clear her mind. Not that thinking of Mulder was *bad*, exactly, but she seemed to be doing way too much of it lately. She knew that
they both walked a thin line when it came down to their relationship, and that sometimes it seemed as if one of them had already crossed over. Shaking her head one last time, she walked over to Heather. Seeing the look the empath gave her didn't help, and the blood rushed to her face when she remembered that Whitney was part telepathic and could probably feel, or
sense, what she was thinking.
        But Heather didn't seem to notice her embarrassment. "We've got a lot of work ahead of us," she informed Scully, a slight frown marring her face.
        "What exactly do you mean?" Scully asked, slightly confused.
        Heather's frown deepened. "Normally Neelix leads the food-hunting expeditions. I haven't led any at all, and frankly I'm not sure where to start. And normally there are a lot more of us to begin with," she added.  "We've only got ten people-" Her voice broke off as a shimmer of blue light blinded everyone instantly. The next thing Scully knew, there were about twenty people standing on the beach with them.
        Whitney looked like she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I don't believe this," she muttered to herself, then grinned and began to shout out orders.
        Within five minutes, separate three-person groups had been sent out, leaving one group to remain at base camp. Heather gazed over at Scully.  "Would you like to remain here?" she asked as cordially as possible, not sure what the agent would want to do.
        Scully raised an eyebrow slightly at the question. "It doesn't matter. I'd like to help out if I could," she replied.
        Heather tried not to look too relieved. "Thanks, Scully," she said, then handed the FBI agent a backpack. "Hope you're wearing hiking boots."

***

 Paris, who had suggested that Mulder accompany him down to the surface to relieve Whitney, Torres, and Scully for awhile, Kim, and Mulder entered the transporter room. "Ensign Paso, could you beam us down to where Lieutenants Torres and Whitney, as well as Agent Scully?"
        Melissa Paso looked at him strangely. "I guess I could," she replied slowly, trying hard not to grin.
        Tom gave her a look. "What do you mean by that?"
        Paso sighed. *Men,* she thought exasperatedly. "Paris, Lieutenant Torres is off with the mining team, which is a good three and a half miles away from the science team. And the science team is completely spread out searching for edible vegetation since Neelix can't do it." she explained.
        Tom sighed inwardly and walked over to the transporter console.  Melissa stepped away, glancing curiously over at Agent Mulder. She had heard a lot about the maverick agent through the grapevine. *Who says odd things don't happen on Voyager every day?* she thought dryly.

***

        "Voyager to Torres."
        B'Elanna, scaling up a thirty foot vertical wedge of rock, stopped halfway up. "Torres here," she said, instantly recognizing Tom's voice.
        "Need a knight in shining armor to rescue you?" he teased.
        Torres sighed as Ensign Marlett, who was climbing beside her, smirked in her direction. "What do you want, Tom? In case you didn't realize, I'm in the middle of rock climbing."
        "Seriously," he insisted. "Do you want to have lunch with Harry, Mulder, Heather, Scully, and me? We could transport over to a secluded spot on the beach-"
        "Beach?" B'Elanna asked, bewildered.
        "Yeah, the science team has a base camp almost four miles away on a beach that Heather said reminded her of Tahiti," explained Tom, his voice sounding a bit day dreamy.
        Harry rolled his eyes. *Oh, God. Here we go again.* He cleared his throat, which snapped the pilot out of his reverie. Tom, seeing Harry glaring at him, stopped his train of thought.
        There was a pause on the other end. Then all four occupants of the transporter room heard B'Elanna sighing in slight annoyance. "I'll meet you at the science base camp in ten minutes," she relented, after checking her chronometer. After all, it was past 'lunch time', and she could use a break.  The Engineering team she had brought could carry on perfectly fine without her for a half hour or so.
        Tom grinned, breathing, "Perfect."

***

        Whitney and Scully walked through the rain forest, brushing away vines that draped from the tall trees. "This place really is magnificent. Do you normally run into planets like these?" Scully questioned, slapping another insect which had landed on her arm. While the insect repellent kept
the bugs from biting, a few seemed to be intent on having her as their next meal.
        "Not normally. This is the nicest place I've seen so far, but then again, I've only been onboard Voyager for two years now," replied Heather.
        Scully raised an eyebrow. "Really? But I thought that Voyager was stranded away from Earth and all those other planets in the Federation," she said slowly, trying to piece all the facts together correctly.
        Heather smiled, knowing all too well that the agent would never go for any 'spacial anomaly' explanation. "Its a long story how I got here," she ended up saying mysteriously, then switched topics. "How do you like Voyager so far?"
        Choosing her words carefully, Scully answered. "Its impressive."  *There, that much is truthful.* Voyager was the most impressive thing she had ever encountered before in her entire life.
        Giving her a sympathetic smile before turning to walk quickly through a shallow creek, Heather said, "You don't like it here much, do you?"
        "Not really," admitted Scully. "I mean, everything is spectacular, but-"
        "But you wouldn't want to live a 24th century life." Heather finished. Seeing Scully's reluctant and surprised look, she continued on. "I love studying the 20th century. I mean, it's the best century in Earth's history as far as I'm concerned. I love the music, the fashions, the food,
the lifestyles, the places, but I wouldn't want to live there for the rest of my life, either."
        Scully nodded, and the two continued on in silence. Her tricorder beeped. "Heather, I'm picking up three rather large lifeforms headed this way," she called out quietly, trying not to sound too alarmed. Whitney had informed her that there were no sentient beings on the planet.
        The science officer glanced down at her tricorder, her blue eyes widening slightly in surprise. Then they narrowed and she sighed. "Tom, Harry, and Mulder," she said simply, then grinned impishly back at Scully. "Wanna make 'em run a few more meters?"
        Scully didn't understand at first what Whitney meant, but it struck her as soon as Heather took off at a steady jog, heading for a large felled tree, whose trunk was taller than both of them. Scully ran after her, grinning at the thought of the bewildered looks on the three men's faces
when they appeared to find the two women in question they were searching for nowhere to be seen.

***

        Harry pushed back a large tree branch and stopped in a small cleared area. Federation equipment was sprawled on the ground, and the bags with the plants were half full. "They should be here," he commented, gazing around.
        Mulder gazed around at the rain forest, then called out. "Scully?"
        Tom's blue eyes narrowed slightly as he realized the many antics Heather would play. "Heather!" he added with a yell.
        Crouched behind the trunk of the tree, about fifty meters from the three, Heather smirked while Scully smiled slightly. Due to their hiding spot, Heather had also found some edible moss, herb-like plants, and berries that would fill the rest of their bags to take back to Voyager. *Be quiet,* she told Scully telepathically, crouched down on her heels.
        Scully nodded to show that she understood, then they both froze as footsteps could be heard nearby. Hearing a scraping noise, Scully looked up to find Tom giving them a look from atop the trunk. "Very funny, Heather," he said.
        Whitney smirked, then stood up and stretched. Scully did the same, her muscles cramping from being in the crouching position. "I just had to do that," Whitney commented with a smile.
        Tom gave them a look, then helped first Scully then Heather up onto the log, then they slid and jumped down the other side.
        "So, where are we going?" Heather questioned as they headed over to Harry and Mulder.
        Tom only smiled. "Wait and see."

To be continued....