Endgame

A month has passed since the crew had been able t make first contact with their families back on Earth. Most had enjoyed their time, getting to catch up on what they’d missed at home and sharing stories of their time in the Delta Quadrant. Kathryn had been high spirits since her discussions with Mark. She hadn’t realized just how much it had been weighing on her that he hadn’t known about her life. She and Q had been on better terms as well since the transmission. She knew he wanted her to be happy, not wanting to show any discontent in front of the children. Still, she knew she should just let him take them home. It wasn't that hard to come up with an explanation for Starfleet Command.

"Captain, are you alright?" Tuvok asked as she walked onto the bridge, looking slightly dazed.

"Hmm? Oh I'm just thinking."

"Something you would like to discuss?"

"No. That's alright, but thank you for the concern, Tuvok."

He nodded, returning to his station. She sunk into the Captain's chair and watched the stars whiz by on the view screen.

"Mr. Tuvok, on our current course, how much longer would it take to get home?" she asked abruptly.

"Approximately 57 years."

"Vulcans and their approximations. Sounds more precise to me," Tom muttered from the helm.

"That's an awfully long time, isn't it?" Kathryn mused, tapping her chin.

"Yes Captain. It is." She sat there for a few minutes more, contemplating what she should do. As much as she wanted to explore this region of space all the way back to Federation territory, she knew it was unfair to the crew.

"Mr. Tuvok, you have the bridge."

"Aye Captain."

In their quarters, Q had just put Qiana down for a nap. She'd come down with a cold and had not slept much the night before. He had just covered her with a blanket when the felt a presence behind him. He turned to see the Female Q standing there watching.

"What are you doing here? If Kathy finds you, she'll have a fit."

"She doesn't need to know I'm here."

He gave her a disgusted look. "What do you want?"

"You have to come back to the Continuum."

"I have to do no such thing. The last time I checked, they wanted to murder my daughter."

"There's been an unease growing in the last few months, thanks to your little stunt."

"Stunt? I don't know what you're talking about."

She rolled her eyes. "You threatened to restart the conflict."

"Oh...that. You can't be serious."

"Someone took it seriously. They've been mobilizing on both fronts."

"Well that's just ridiculous."

"You have to come to Continuum, talk them down."

"Kathy won't like it."

"You'll be back before she knows you're gone."

Q glanced at his now sleeping daughter. He didn't want to leave her but he refused to take her to the Continuum. He just couldn't trust them.

"Fine."

Together, he and the Female Q disappeared. In her crib, Qiana let out a soft whimper, clutching the blanket tighter to her body. In Main Engineering, Quinten, who had been following B'Elanna around like a shadow, stopped. She nearly tripped over him.

"You can't just stop in the middle of the room, Quinten," she scolded, trying not to be too harsh on him.

"Dada is gone."

Her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Dada isn't here anymore."

B'Elanna didn't like the sound of his statements. She took him by the hand and led him up to Deck One. They ran into Kathryn outside their quarters.

"Is everything alright?" Kathryn asked.

"He keeps saying that Q isn't here."

It was Kathryn's turn to look perplexed as they walked into the room to find it dark and quiet. She checked the crib to find her daughter slumbering.

"Q?" she called out softly. She received no answer.

"Where could he have gone?" B'Elanna asked.

"I don't know. Could you keep an eye on him for me? I’m going to check the holodeck.”

“Yeah…sure.”

Kathryn got two or three paces out the door when Quinten grabbed her hand. “What is it honey?” she asked.

“Continuum.”

She tried to give him a reassuring smile. “I don’t think he’s there.”

The boy watched him mother walk away, ignoring his knowledgeable admission. He was a Q. He knew these things. Even if he was only four, he understood what had happened.

--

Some twenty years in the future, a gray haired Kathryn Janeway sat staring out her window. Night had fallen hours ago but she’d barely noticed. In her old age, she’d become something of a cynic. She was so engrossed with her own thoughts she didn’t hear the door chime ring or the doors opened. Two figures stood in the doorway, both nudging the other to go forward.