Tuvok placed the book aside, this would be the first 'Comret' that he had not attended.He knew while praying his famliy would send pray for his safe return, yet for him that could never bee enough.He would not hear his great grandfather give the 'Yanik', he would not join the massive prayer, he would not hear the official introduction of new famliy members, his son's mate and his grandaughter included.He would not exhange tells with the other males in the garden,nor hear any.He would not sleep beside his mate...that was the most difficult.Yet he would meditate and pray, for they were all he could do.

"Tuvoks acting reclusive" "he always acts reclusive." "Yeah but not like this.Normally it takes him 23.7 minutes to eat dinner and dessert in the messhall-" "you know how long it takes him to eat?Tom Paris what are you planning?!" Tom slightly redend and got back onto the subject."Anyway for two days he hasn't been in the messhall,ye hes always there working on reports." "Maybe he wanted a chang-stupid answer.Go on."B'ellana ordered."Weel,today he was there and it took him 1 1/2 hours minimum to eat." "minimum?So after 1 1/2 hours you gave up and left" Toms ' skin flushed giving B'ellana her answer. "Anyway" Tom continued "he wasn't reading or writing any reports; he just kept glaring at couples and groups." "And?" "And.He seemed bumbed out." "Vulcans don't get bumbed out...do they?"

"Can I speak to you privately?" Chakotay asked the captian as they walked down the ships corridors."Talk? About a certian 2nd officer who seems distant,and detached?" "Really?!I hven't noticed." "me either".They turned around a corner into the messhall wicth was deserted at thid hour."Will you talk to him or should I?" "I'll talk to him" Kathryn said to her first officer."Ok.But incase he tries anything" he said swicthing to a pretty good early 20th century gangster mimic "I'll cover you toots!!" Chakotay finished with a wink, Kathryn shook her head and walked away."toots?" she mumbeled to herself.

"Enter" a barked command issued,and Janeway stpted threw the doorway "did I enterupt anything?" she asked, "no captain,I apologize for my abruptness." Kathryn only shrugged a shoulder, they studdied each other for awhile."Do you trust me Tuvok?" "With my life captain" "Then why don't you tell me whats going on." "Going on? I had thought that you had read my reports." he said with a raised eyebrow."Not with the ship Tuvok,with you." "Nothing out of the ordenary has accured" "reall?" Janeway said macthing his raised eyebrow challenge with one of her own "thats not the impression I've recieved.You've been detached lately Tuvok, granted you always seem detached this time more than usual." "And you feel this has interfered with my work-" "no,do you?" Thier eyes meet and he looked away."Had we been in the Alpha Qaudrnt I would be on Vulcan,with my famliy for the 'Comret'." "I'd forgotten about the 'Comret' Janeway said softly."That is not supriseing sense only Vulcans and our outer planetary kin know of its' full significants." "I've always thought it was a famliy praying ceremony...I know its dificult not being with them." "Yes it is.But the Comret' is much more than a praying ceremony, or a famliy reunion.It is the social climax of famliy life, children are officiall introduced, mates are reviewed for them, successors are named, bonds solified for 4 more years.The famlies history is told threw each generation while the younger ones listen; each knowing that may be the last 'Yanik' the eldest may ever recite.The famlies share thier stories, and mark them down so that each new generation knows the: the tales and the poeple who lived them.This way they are living wittness to the past, they know first hand the events that shaped thier famly and world.They are the famlies link to the past,and thier future." Tuvok finished with his head turned away,as if he did not think she'd understand, he was wrong. "'And each member will be remembered, making th famliy strong in knowlage and tradition.'" Kathryn quoted a old vulcan proverb."It may be hard for non-vulcans to understand-" "I understand" Tuvok looked at her "Do you really?" "Yes.The famliy is made strong because they never forget those who came before them are still with them in deed,and remembered as they themselves will be remembered.They never experiance the feel of being forgotten, thats what haunts you isn't it Tuvok?You don't want to be forgotten, well guess wahat?No one does!" "I know my famliy will remember me as they know me-" "Thats just it,your not the same person that left Vulcan, your time on voyager has changed you.They'll remeber the man you were then not who you've become" "yes" Tuvok said on a out gush of breath, and his sholder raised slightly as if a weight had been removed from them. "'If I die away from my famliy,away from those who know me; who will remember me?Who will know me when I am gone? Who will walk my steps,who will speak my words?Who will let me live in thier counsciouness...who will remember me?'" As Kathryn finished the vulcan poem she looked at her friend, "I will remember you".

"He seems better" "yes he does dosen't he?Not back to normal but cloes...if you ever coul call Tuvok normal." "Hes getting there" "Were are you going?" Tom asked B'ellana as she walked away "Captian Janeway asked to speak to me alone" "Alone? Gee 'Bea what did you do?" "I'll find out when I get there."

The female members of the USS VOYAGER meet that afternoon in the messhall, while the male crew speculated on what was going on. "Maybe thier having a p.m.s. awarness meeting." "Maybe thier practiceing stripteases for talent night." "Maybe thier sewing new uniforms" "DREAM ON!!" was the collective response."Guys,thier obviously having one of those lingerie parties." "Or maybe thier planning to take over the ship-" "They already have control of the ship moron!" "Guys?" all heads turned twords the voice, "Captain Janeways a women?" "no man shes a ahemephradite" "what?!Isn't that when they have both...you know" "yeah steve knows" "shut up" steven said but joined in the laughter."how do you know shes a ahemephradite?" "because there is no way you can convince me Janeway doesn't have a set of balls!" "here,here!" was the collective shout.

"So thats why Tuvok was bumbed" B'ellana said to herself while the other women nodded in agreement."Yes," Janeway said "and this is how were going to cheer him up...or just get him back to normal." All the women leaned closer to share in the plan.

The male crew, excludding Tuvok ,were told of the plan one day in advance.Then...the took action.

Chakotay and Kathryn walked the corridor silently, "Who will remember us?" she said suddenly."The young ones" Chakotay said with a smile."Or our children" Kathryn said looking him in the eye."Will our children remember us Kathryn?" "Do you want them to?" "Yes,more than anything" "So do I." "Will you make me a promise?" "A promise Chakotay?" "Yes a promise" "Ok." "Promise to share my heart ,my life,...and my story" "I promise" Kathryn said as her eyes turned glassy.Kathryn and Chakotay linked hands and continued down the corridor.Another chapter of the book was now being writen.

At nine o'clock that night Janeway ,called Tuvok to holodeck one.Tuvok walked down the corridors senseing something was diffrent.Tuvok stept threw the holodeck doors and stopped."We have been waiting for you Mr.Tuvok" Janeway said to him from the head of the circle created by cudhions on the floor,wich were occupied by the crew."Take your place" she commanded Tom and Harry scotted over to allow him to sit.A cup of tea was passed to him,then the captain spoke, her face was in the shadows but he candles lighting the room illuminated her eyes and hair so that she lookes like a cat surronded by flame;her voice was quiet yet stong as it echoed across the room to reach all the crew members. "I tell this story with a half heavy heart; heavy for those we have left,and light for what we have become, and what we have accomplished.Also light because of the knowlage we will take back to those we were forced to leave.Yet we do not morn,for this is a time for rejoyceing in our accomplishments, and to tell our stories so that the new will know of us...the old ones.So here...now I tell the imcomplete story of Voyager; incomplete because we are still learning and growing.Yet I tell not of the ship, wich is only a shell to contain the tells of the true Voyager...the beings that share her name.The crew of the USS VOYAGER...