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"Clarinet," Neelix supplied helpfully.

"For me. It's obvious he loves it, that this noise he makes means something to him. But Neelix, that's what the Culilann do. They play music, and they make things, and they eat food that comes right out of the ground or from animals they raise and men kill. It goes against everything I believe in, everything I've been raised to honor and admire. But Harry-have you ever been in love, Neelix?"

He thought of Kes. Her image appeared in his mind's eye, a tiny, perfectly formed girl with large blue eyes, golden hair, and a wisdom far beyond her years. He thought of her soft, husky voice, the exquisite gentleness of her manner. His heart contracted a little. It always would, regardless of the years since she had been among the Voyager crew. He would love her, after a fashion, for the rest of his Me.

"Yes," he said simply. "I have."

"Then you know," said Khala. "You know how it feels. You know how much you want to do things with that person, to share interests, to take pleasure in the things that bring him or her pleasure."

He knew.

"And I can't do that. I can't. I'm trying, but look at this. I can't even eat a single bite of this sandwich."

Neelix opened his mouth to spout words of wisdom. He would tell her that just being herself was enough for Harry, that she didn't need to change just to please someone else. Usually, that was sound advice. But Khala wasn't trying to wipe out who she was, she was trying to expand herself. Trying to appreciate something another culture valued. He'd seen her with the tomato, he knew that once she could get over this irrational fear that she would enjoy the delights of fresh food, of music, of art.

"Let's try again," he said, and she brightened. "I think a simple broth, well watered down, would be a good start."

Captain's personal log, supplemental: After the unadulterated success we have achieved in cleans-

ing the Kwaisi ship of dark matter, we feel confident as we press on toward their homeworld. This will be the biggest and most important test of the Shepherd technology yet-attempting to engulf an entire planet. But I feel we are up to the task. I cannot begin to articulate how proud I am of our crew and our guest, Dr. R'Mor. He has been invaluable.

I am not as fond of our other guests, however. Ulaahn has become almost unbearable. I am pleased that we have been able to help his people, but I must confess, I will not be at all sorry to move on.

The door to her ready room hissed open. Tuvok stood in the doorway, hands behind his back. "Captain, we are about to enter the Kwaisi home system."

"Wonderful," said Janeway, and meant it. She "hastened onto the bridge. Ulaahn, predictably, was already there, pacing unhappily. He whirled as she entered.

"Captain! What have you been doing hiding in your ready room? This is dire!"

That did it. "Captain Ulaahn, you and your people have been shown every courtesy aboard this vessel. We have devoted this ship and its crew to helping you. We have now come to help your entire planet. A thank you may be too much to expect, I realize that, but you will cease berating me on my own bridge. Is that understood?"

He scowled and did not answer. Janeway would accept silence. She nodded and slipped into her chair, calling up her console with a quick touch of her left hand.

"Torres, report."

"There's a lot of dark matter in this system," came her chief engineer's voice. "With Dr. R'Mor's help, we were able to ascertain that this was where one of his wormholes opened. The concentration is greatest around that area and diminishes as it's spread forth."

"That should be our top priority."

"Already on it," said Torres. "That was the first thing we figured out how to do. It's child's play to us now."

Janeway's heart swelled with pride. She remembered that first tentative transport of a smattering of dark-matter particles. They had gone from not having the slightest idea as to what the floating orb Tialin had given them did to creating