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"I do," said the Doctor solemnly. "Khala, you are in no immediate danger, and I believe I can give you something #iat will slow this process down. But somehow, we need to find a way to eventually return you to the Shadow universe, and recover Commander Chakotay and Ensign Paris. Unless you return, you will die."

Khala turned her face up to Harry's, and he could almost hear the sound of her heart breaking. He sure as hell knew his was. This couldn't be happening. It simply wasn't fair. He'd finally found a soulmate, someone who understood and loved him with a steadiness that embraced and yet overwhelmed mere passion.

The Shadow universe. He'd heard it theorized, but it had never been proved. It was one of the more entertaining theories espoused by scientists more often known for dull, boring conjecture. The theory was that mere was a Shadow universe entwined with the universe he knew and inhabited. Shadow people, shadow stones, even shadow planets passed through them without ever interacting. They were mixed together, combined so completely that separation was inconceivable.

"We were mixed, blended thoroughly together," said Janeway, as if reading Harry's thoughts. "Our universe and yours, Khala. Mixed supposedly inextricably, like tint added to white paint."

"Exactly," said the Doctor. "Except now, thanks to Lhiau's disruption and the Shepherds' attempts to counteract that disruption, both universes1 are unraveling. Some things from the Shadow universe are appearing here, and some things from here are manifesting in the Shadow universe. Now they're no longer blending, to use your analogy, Captain, like tint into paint. They are being juxtaposed, like threads of yarn woven into a rug."

" 'Things fall apart,'" said Janeway. Harry recognized the quote; it was from Yeats. " 'The center cannot hold.' " She searched Kim's eyes for a moment, then Khala's. "Doctor, a word with you."

She and the Doctor stepped away a few paces, spoke in soft tones; then Janeway quirked a finger at Harry. Obediently he left Khala and came to her.

"Captain."

Her face was soft with compassion as she spoke. "Harry, I'm so sorry. But Khala's life depends on her returning to the Shadow universe."

"I understand that, Captain." He understood all too well.

She hesitated before speaking. "Harry-there seems to be no physical reason why you and Khala shouldn't continue to... be together until it's time for her to leave. I realize you wanted something more permanent"

Strangely, he felt no embarrassment at the conversation. His pain went too deep for that. "I understand what you're saying, Captain. And I thank you."

She smiled, squeezed his shoulder, and left. The Doctor, too, had discreetly left to work at his desk. Khala sat alone on the biobed, her feet dangling, and Harry was suddenly, swiftly reminded of the first time he'd seen her. It was here, in sickbay, and the Doctor had asked for his assistance in examining Khala since Paris had disappeared.

Swallowing hard, he went over to her. He knelt in front of her, like a gallant knight of old, and placed his head in her lap. Khala ran gentle fingers through his thick, black hair. He lifted his head and gazed at her.

"Will you come to my quarters?" he asked, softly. She nodded, her eyes bright with tears.

Janeway stepped onto her bridge in a melancholy mood. Poor Harry. Poor Khala. She'd enjoyed watching the romance blossom, but now she felt that she and the Doctor had come along with shears to nip it in the bud. But Khala's very life was at stake, and by extrapolation, the lives of Tom and Chakotay.

Until now, recovering her two lost crewmen and returning Khala to her home planet had been a lower priority. First had been to carry out the Shepherds' quest of gathering up the dark matter. But Janeway wondered now if she was going to be asked to sacrifice three lives to accomplish that laudable goal. If so, then it was three lives too many.

"Bridge to Engineering.