*

"Kahkar?"

She watched his eyes carefully, wondering if what she had seen had been her imagination. Then, she saw it again. A movement behind his eyelids. A closed-eye blink. She tried again.

"Kahkar. Wake up. Wake up, Kahkar."

First, there was a groan. Then, his eyes opened. "Sev…." He choked as a blood bubble popped from his mouth.

Seven quickly reached to support him, wiping the blood that was trickling down the side of his mouth. "No. Do not try to speak."

His eyes wandered around the cabin. He took a painful, shallow breath. "We survived."

"Yes." She gave him a brave smile.

He looked around again, aware of how cold it was in the shuttle. "For now."

She nodded. "For now."

"How bad?"

Her mouth twitched slightly. "It is bad. We only have emergency life support. The integrity of the shuttle held through the crash, but something is corroding the hull. I do not think it will last long."

His eyes looked down at his body. "And you?"

"I am uninjured."

"Me?"

Her look did not waver. "You are badly injured."

He took another shallow breath. "I thought so." His eyes focused on the window. "How long?"

"Maybe a couple of hours."

"Not enough time."

"Probably not."

He watched the colors outside of the window. "Beautiful."

Seven glanced out of the window. "Yes, it is."

He sought her hand. She noticed immediately how weak his grip was. "We will not give up hope yet."

She shook her head. "No, we will not."

He started coughing, his face screwed up in pain. She reached for his head again, then wiped the blood from his face once his attack stopped. She reached for an oxygen mask and quickly placed it over his face. "This will help you." She prepared a hypospray. "And this will give you relief."

He nodded and allowed her to administer the medication. Once it took effect, he closed his eyes as the pain resided. Seven watched him carefully. When she knew he had drifted off to sleep, she looked around the cabin, hunting for something, anything she thought she could do to ensure their survival. But she could find nothing.

Her eyes caught the corner of something, and she slid across the floor, pulling at the object. Kathryn B’Elanna’s pillow. She clutched it to her.

This is so you won’t forget me, Mommy.

A tear trickled down her cheek, and she buried her face in the pillow.

Kathryn B’Elanna searched. She reached out, her mind connecting, touching, passing, fleeting and fast, finding pathways, discarding them quickly. She touched signals. Uncle Tuvok calling for Mommy. Uncle Harry searching for the shuttle. She touched thoughts, an Eightfour talking to another Eightfour. She traced pathways of thoughts, winding through their maze, then unerringly moving on.

She touched something. Something not human, yet human. Warm-blooded mechanical. Cybernetic neural processors, linking lymphatic systems with circuits, vascular systems carrying volts of energy to implants and back, one feeding the other.

A thought. A beautiful perfect connection of minds, of thoughts, of mental voices. A name held in a mind. Kathryn B’Elanna. A thought. I love you and Daddy.

She had found her. She could not see her; she could only make out a vague presence. There was too much between her and Mommy to get close. But Mommy was alive.

Kathryn B’Elanna left the thought. There was nothing she could do here. She would find help.

T’Pel came out of Katie’s bedroom, relieved that she had managed to settle both children. She looked to the spot where Kathryn B’Elanna had been, seeing that it was now empty. A quick search of the living quarters confirmed that the child was not there. Touching her combadge, she spoke.

"T’Pel to B’Elanna."

B’Elanna was on the floor of the Flyer, her body stretched under the helm, fitted tightly into the small opening. When her combadge beeped, she slid her hand down her body to tap it.

"B’Elanna here. Go ahead, T’Pel."

"B’Elanna, Kathryn B’Elanna is gone."

B’Elanna banged her head against the floor in frustration. "Damn. I knew something was going to happen." Speaking softly, she replied, "On my way." Slowly, she slithered out of the opening, reaching out her hand for help as she did.

When she emerged, she saw the questioning face of Kathryn. Glancing around, she saw that both Tom and the Doctor were still working, somewhat relieved that neither of them had heard the hail. Giving Kathryn a nod toward the Flyer’s door, she said, "I need to get some supplies. Help me?"

Kathryn saw the look and replied, "Certainly."

They quickly left the Flyer, B’Elanna grateful that neither the Doctor nor Tom seemed to notice. As soon as they were out of earshot, B’Elanna turned to Kathryn. "KB slipped away from T’Pel."

Kathryn’s face went white. "Any idea of where she is?"

Shaking her head, B’Elanna spoke. "Computer, locate Kathryn B’Elanna."

"Kathryn B’Elanna is in cargo bay two."

B’Elanna breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness she hasn’t figure out how to hide from the computer yet."

"Or she just isn’t thinking about it."

B’Elanna blinked. "Right."

"Want me to go see about her?"

"No." B’Elanna handed her the tools she had carried out. "I think I need to do that."

Kathryn nodded. "I think you’re right." When B’Elanna moved past her, she grabbed her arm. "Keep me informed. I’ll make certain they aren’t interrupted."

B’Elanna gave her a sharp nod and moved off. Kathryn took a deep breath and returned to the Flyer.

There were more. There were many more. She heard their voices, many voices blending into a perfect voice. One voice. One mind. Yet many voices. Many minds. She followed the voices.

She could see now. She could see them now. She was with them now, on a ship. They had implants like Mommy, only more of them. They were gray. They moved stiffly, many of them moving around, taking care of the ship.

She formed herself and moved to the center of the room; a large figure facing away from her at a strange device suddenly turned, the eyes searching in front of it, then snapping down to her.

The thing spoke, the words alien and deep, yet tinny. Then it stopped, a single eye changing and awareness flooding into it. Slowly the large figure kneeled down, the face coming into focus, the lights flashing in its implants drawing her eyes from its face.

"You are Kathryn B’Elanna."

She looked at it in surprise. "You know my name?"

"Yes. We all know your name." When she looked at the many figures now staring at her image, she heard the thing speak to her again. "Why did you come?"

She cocked her head slightly to the right as she tightened her mouth. "My Mommy needs help. You will help her."

B’Elanna was moving in quick, long strides toward the cargo bay. She was fighting her growing anger as she got closer. She had told Kathryn B’Elanna to stay with T’Pel. When she got her hands on her she would…..

The doors opened, and she never finished the thought. She stopped cold.

Kathryn B’Elanna stood in the alcove, her eyes closed, the alcove bright with the power pouring through her.

"Noooo!" She screamed and ran for the child. As she reached for her, she slammed into a force field, the impact sending her flying backwards. She hit hard, the breath knocked out of her. She had to give herself a moment to gather her senses. Stumbling to her feet, she moved forward, hands out, hunting for the force field. She touched it, barely three feet from Kathryn B’Elanna. It came from the alcove. She tried to access the controls, but found them protected by the same force field. She moved to the console, trying to terminate the power to the alcove, but found herself locked out.

Slowly, she turned to face Kathryn B’Elanna, knowing that, regardless of what she tried, the child would stop her. She felt the panic rising in her gut.

The drones circled her. They talked among themselves, their voices a deep, tinny cacophony of sound mingled with their thoughts. She waited, then sighed.

"You will help Mommy."

The large drone turned to a smaller drone near it. The smaller drone stepped forward. "Where is she?"

She focused her thoughts, feeling through the computer system of the ship, finding the navigational array. With a single thought, she fed the information into their systems.

A voice spoke from behind the drones. "We have the coordinates." The large drone and the smaller drone moved to the console behind them. She listened to them speak.

"It is on the edge of the eddy."

"We can rescue them – if they are still alive."

"Mommy is alive." She raised her voice.

The large drone turned toward her, what she could see of its face a scowl. He looked like Aunt B’Elanna when she made her mad.

"You will go help her."

The smaller drone approached her and squatted down to face her. "Yes. We will go help her."

"I’m going, too."

It did not speak. It simply stood. But she heard its thoughts.

Yes, you will. Come.

"B’Elanna to Ketaria." She waited, her anger and her fear building. She tried again. "B’Elanna to Ketaria. Ketaria, answer me!"

The voice was breaking when the answer came. "Yes, B’Elanna."

"Ketaria, I’m sorry, but I need you in the cargo bay, and I need you here now."

There was a brief hesitation. Then the answer came. "I will transport immediately."

B’Elanna stood away from the alcove, not able to look at Kathryn B’Elanna, yet not able to tear her eyes away. She felt the air tingle as the transport began.

As soon as Ketaria materialized, her hand flew to her mouth, and she closed her eyes tightly against what she saw. For the first time in her life, she thought that what she was experiencing was more than she could bear. The feeling of loss overwhelmed her.

B’Elanna grabbed her arm, shaking her. "No, Ketaria!" Her voice was firm, her anger giving her a strength she did not know she had. "I need you right now. Kathryn B’Elanna needs you."

Ketaria fought for control. She looked away from the alcove, struggling to regain her composure, to center herself and regain her inner strength. Finally, she took a deep breath and turned to face B’Elanna.

"Good." B’Elanna gave her a nervous nod of her head. She turned to face the alcove. "So, got any ideas on how we can get her out of that thing?"

"What?" Ketaria gave her a puzzled look.

"She’s got a force field erected around her."

Ketaria whispered in disbelief, "A force field?"

B’Elanna nodded. "A force field. And she’s locked me out of the controls."

Ketaria went ash white, her knees started to buckle. B’Elanna grabbed her.

"No, Ketaria. Don’t! I need you! Hold on!" B’Elanna was almost yelling at her.

Ketaria shook her head, working to clear her senses. "What is she doing?" Ketaria knew the answer even as the words escaped her mouth.

"She’s going after her mother."

Ketaria nodded. Staring at her, she asked, "You can’t get to her at all?"

"No," B’Elanna answered. "I can’t figure out anyway into the system. Every time I try something she blocks it. She’s in there until she decides to come out." She put her hands on her hips and added, "If she can decide to come out."

Ketaria turned to her. "Then what do you think we can do?"

B’Elanna took a deep breath. "We’re going to do the only thing we can do. We’re going after her."

"What?"

"Pull yourself together, Ketaria. We’re going on a special trip."

The ship was traveling through space. She could sense its great speed. It was a small ship, round in shape. There were no windows, but she could still see the colors in the space around them. She could feel the forces tearing at the ship, could feel as the ship was buffeted. She could hear the voices of all of the drones as they talked. She could also hear their thoughts.

"The center of the eddy is approaching at five hundred meters per second."

"Intercept time to the asteroid is five point four two minutes."

"The eddy will absorb the asteroid in six point two eight minutes."

"There is no room for error."

"Transport functions may be compromised."

"Shield integrity is down by twenty-two percent."

She listened to the voices. They were not upset. They were not excited. Aunt B’Elanna would be yelling. She wished someone would yell.

"Increase power to the shields."

She felt the shields weaken, felt the power that flowed to them, but felt them weaken again. She followed the circuits, realigning them, increasing their efficiency.

The large drone turned to her, its eye showing her it knew what she did. It gave her an approving nod and turned back to its work.

"Prepare for immediate transport."

The large drone and the small drone moved to the center of the room, standing still, waiting. She heard as the larger drone spoke.

"Lifesigns?"

It was many voices responding. "No."

The large drone looked to the small drone. The small drone spoke, "Initiate transport."

She felt the transporter system begin and once again reached out, improving the efficiency of the system. She watched as the figures disappeared. She stayed on the ship, making certain it continued to function perfectly.

Seven reached to adjust the oxygen mask on Kahkar’s face, her hand shaking in the cold. She was struggling to breathe. Kahkar was on the last oxygen tank. She had wrapped him in blankets, taking everything in the shuttle to keep him warm. He was weakening. So was she.

The air was almost gone. In a matter of minutes, it would be gone. So would Kahkar’s. They would die together. She reached out again, placing her hand on his chest, feeling the slow rise and fall, knowing that soon, it would be still.

They had talked. He had told her how much he loved her, how much she had added to his life, that he was sorry it would end like this. He told her if she found a way to survive, she should take it, not to let him stop her.

She told him she would not leave him, would not leave without him. She told him how much he meant to her, how thankful she was for Kathryn B’Elanna, how complete her life was because he had come into it. She told him she did not want to die, but that she found comfort in being with him, grateful she would not die alone. They recorded messages to Ketaria, the Doctor and to Kathryn B’Elanna. They huddled for warmth, she lying beside him. He had finally fallen silent, and she had watched over him.

Her head bobbled. The oxygen was gone. It would not be long now. She patted Kahkar’s still body, then slid her hand down to hold his. She thought about the Doctor and Kathryn B’Elanna. She would miss Kathryn B’Elanna’s seventh birthday party. She felt deep pang of pain. Her child’s life would never be the same and each birthday would also mark loss.

The fates were often cruel.

She felt her body relax, felt her life slowly start to fade. The light in the windows started to dim, and she relaxed her grip on Kahkar’s hand. Then, she saw the blue light that took over the small cabin. Rescue. She felt a deep sense of relief, but feeling was all that she could do. Her body was frozen, her muscles would not react. She managed to move her eyes, to focus on the feet as they solidified.

Recognition slowly dawned on her as her eyes moved up the bodies.

No. It could not be.

She watched as a drone moved forward and an arm extended toward her. She prayed for death.

The transport completed and the smaller drone moved forward dropping down to one knee beside the still body. It reached toward her. As it did, it watched the consciousness fade from her eyes.

"We need to pull back, Kathryn."

"Give me a minute more, Chakotay." She turned slightly, not taking her eyes off of the view screen. "Anything, Harry?"

"No ma’am. Nothing."

She dropped her head, defeated. She slowly lowered herself into her chair. "Reverse, Chakotay. Get us out of here."

Tuvok spoke behind her. "Kathryn." As she turned to look at him, he spoke again. "I have identified Borg signatures."

"What? Here?" She shot out of her chair, jerking her head up to the view screen, watching in shock as the round Borg vessel came into view.

"We are being hailed."

The sound filled the cabin as the face of the large drone filled the screen. "We have your people."

Kathryn’s mouth flew open, and she stood in stunned silence.

B’Elanna and Ketaria moved through the special place, hunting for Kathryn B’Elanna.

"Can you see anything?" B’Elanna was getting more and more frustrated.

"No. B’Elanna, please center yourself. You are making it difficult for me to concentrate."

B’Elanna forced herself to calm down. "I’m sorry."

"Can you feel her?"

B’Elanna concentrated, trying to reach out around her as Ketaria had taught her to do. Finally, she shook her head. "No, I can’t feel anything."

Suddenly, they were aware of another presence. Ketaria stopped, opening herself, trying to focus on the presence. B’Elanna waited, watching without interfering.

"Ketaria. Aunt B’Elanna."

"Kathryn B’Elanna!"

"KB!"

She came running up to them. "Mommy’s coming home. Mommy’s coming home."

B’Elanna and Ketaria stared at her. B’Elanna found her voice first. "What?"

"I got the Borgs to bring her home!"

B’Elanna stepped back, closing her eyes. She heard Ketaria’s voice.

"Are they okay? Is Kahkar okay?"

B’Elanna opened her eyes as KB responded. "Kahkar’s hurt. Daddy will have to take care of him."

Ketaria’s hand went to her mouth, and she fought her emotions. "Come, we must go."

Kathryn B’Elanna quickly moved in front of them, both leading them home and easing their way.

"Report to sickbay immediately."

The Doctor and Tom jerked their heads up, their eyes locking. The Doctor slapped his combadge. "What happened?"

"Kahkar is being transported. He is seriously injured."

The Doctor spoke, "Computer, medical emergency. Two to beam to sickbay.

They had no sooner materialized than Kahkar started to materialize on the main biobed. They moved to him, starting to work.

"Lifesigns erratic. Severe internal injuries. Hypothermia." The Doctor was reading the diagnostics. He started gathering instruments, giving Tom orders. At the first opportunity, he raised his head. "Computer, open a line to the bridge." He waited a beat. "Kathryn, what about Seven?"

His hands worked as he waited, the silence filling him with fear. Finally, she spoke. "She’s regenerating."

His hands stopped for a brief moment as relief swept over him. She was alive. She was alive. He looked up at Tom, a grin coming over his face. Then, he forced himself back to his patient. There was a life to save.

B’Elanna and Ketaria took simultaneous breaths and dropped their handhold. As they opened their eyes, they heard the alcove computer’s intone.

"Regeneration cycle complete."

They turned to look and saw Kathryn B’Elanna’s eyes open. She blinked a couple of times, and stepped forward, her body moving uncertainly, her head swiveling back and forth. B’Elanna jumped to her feet and rushed to her, grabbing her by the shoulders.

"KB, are you alright?" Kathryn B’Elanna nodded her head, unable to speak. B’Elanna pulled the child to her in a desperate hug, then jerked her back to arms length. "KB, what in the world did you do?"

Kathryn B’Elanna slowly focused her eyes on B’Elanna’s face. "I saved Mommy." She looked over to Ketaria. "Kahkar’s in sickbay. Daddy’s taking care of him."

Ketaria stared at her, then turned and ran for the cargo bay doors.

B’Elanna watched KB’s face. "Where is your mother?"

"She’s regenerating."

B’Elanna glanced at the alcoves around them. "What?"

"On their ship."

"Whose ship?"

"The Borgs."

B’Elanna tightened her grip. "The Borg? Here?"

Kathryn B’Elanna raised her head as if she were listening to someone. Then, she said, "No, on the bridge."

B’Elanna opened her mouth to speak, then shut it. Silently, she took KB’s hand, and they left the cargo bay.

B’Elanna saw him as soon as the turbolift doors opened. He was standing in the center of the bridge, large and dark. His arms were crossed across his chest. Parts of his body flashed and blinked. B’Elanna stepped out of the turbolift, KB’s hand held tightly in her own. She stood uncertainly, her eyes taking in everything at once. She heard Kathryn speak to her, her voice normal, almost calm.

"B’Elanna, Kathryn B’Elanna, come meet Korok."

B’Elanna’s eyes went wide with surprise. "Korok?" She felt KB pull her forward and down to the center of the bridge. The huge figure glared at her.

"B’Elanna Torres."

She blinked, looking up into his face. "Korok."

He looked down to the child beside her. "Kathryn B’Elanna."

"You have my Mommy."

"Yes. She is regenerating on our ship."

"I want to see her."

"You will, but she must regenerate."

Kathryn stepped forward. "Was she injured?"

"No." He looked away from the child. "But she was subjected to extreme conditions – lack of oxygen and severe cold. She will have to go through an extended regeneration."

"I want to see her." Kathryn B’Elanna stepped forward, pulling B’Elanna with her.

Korok’s head turned slowly back to the child. "You will."

"Now!"

B’Elanna kneeled down to KB. "KB, you need to stay on Voyager. Your mother will be back here after she regenerates."

"But I want to see Mommy."

"You will," B’Elanna sighed, "but your Daddy would not be happy if you left Voyager without him knowing about it."

Kathryn B’Elanna’s lips tightened. Then, to B’Elanna’s great relief, she slowly nodded her head. "Okay fine."

"What?"

Kathryn B’Elanna rolled her eyes. "Yes, ma’am."

"Good." B’Elanna kissed her on the cheek. "Good girl."

Kathryn stepped forward. "I still don’t understand how you found out about Seven. What were you doing in fluidic space?"

"We were contacted."

"The Eightfours?" When he gave her a questioning look, she corrected herself, "Species Eight-four-seven-two?"

"No. They did not contact us. We have been in fluidic space for some time. We use this area to hide from the Borg. We have an alliance with Species Eight-four-seven-two."

"Well, if they didn’t contact you, who did?"

"I made them come, Aunt Kathryn."

She turned, not wanting to believe she had heard what the child said. "What did you say?"

Kathryn B’Elanna smiled at her. "I made them come. I found them and sent them to get Mommy."

The bridge went totally still.

Korok broke the silence. "She is a brave warrior. Her mother will be proud of her."

Kathryn stared at the small child, an empty feeling in the center of her body. She slowly looked at the huge Klingon-Borg standing in the center of her bridge, then back to the small child looking up at him. Part of her realized she was holding her breath.

Breathe, Kathryn, she told herself. Breathe.

The Doctor turned and nodded to Ketaria. She was standing above Kahkar’s head, her hands on either side of his face, her face held close to his head. When she saw the look in the Doctor’s eyes, she sobbed.

"He’s very weak, Ketaria, and I am afraid he’ll have a rather long recovery, but I think he’ll be okay."

Ketaria nodded but was unable to speak. She rested her cheek on her husband’s and let her hand slide down to rest on his chest. The Doctor watched them for a moment, understanding what Ketaria was feeling.

"Tom, can…."

"Go ahead, Hansen. I think I can handle things here." He patted the Doctor on the back.

The Doctor gave him an appreciative smile. "I’ll be in the cargo bay if you need me."

Before Tom could respond, the Doctor was rushing out of the sickbay doors. He ran down the corridor and into the turbolift doors. He stood bouncing on the balls of his feet, waiting for the turbolift doors to open, slipping through them as soon as they did and running for the cargo bay. As he ran through the cargo bay doors, he skidded to a stop and blinked.

Her alcove was empty. She was supposed to be regenerating.

"Computer, locate Seven of Nine."

"Seven of Nine is not on the ship."

His face went blank. "What the…?" He slapped his combadge. "The Doctor to Kathryn."

"Yes, Doctor."

"Where’s Seven?"

He heard the hesitancy in her voice. "Doctor, perhaps you should join us on the bridge."

He turned and ran.