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"My name is Tialin. I am of Lhiau's people, and I wish to stop his terrible deeds as much as, nay, more than, you do."

She fell silent, and Jekri Kaleh's face suddenly went blank. Then she shook her head, as if waking from a dream. New respect was on her face as she regarded Tialin.

"I understand," she said, and so did Janeway. Tialin had telepathically informed Jekri of everything that had happened to date. Janeway wished that the Shepherd had shown such consideration with them earlier, but let it go. No doubt Tialin had her reasons.

"Time grows short. Lhiau is, when all is said and done, a Shepherd, though a renegade. He will not violate the Oath that we all took, back when the universes were young. He will not actively destroy life. But he can trick others into destroying themselves." "I have been," said Jekri firmly, "a veruul." "No," said the other Romulan. While they had been talking, the Doctor had been busy healing their visitors' wounds. Now the Romulan male, a handsome young man, rose and went to Kaleh, though Janeway noticed he stopped short of actually touching her. "You have been wise, Jekri."

"As have all of you," said Tialin. She cocked her head, her eyes unfocused, as if listening and watching something Janeway could not see or hear. A faint smile curved her lips. "It is time you have arrived, my friend," she said, softly, with great love.

The Entity rushed toward Voyager filled with joy such as she hod never known. What a precious thing it would be, to come home to the people who had freed her, then loved her, then let her fly to her true destiny. How fulfilling it would be to, for a time at least, assume that small, female form into which she had been bom, and speak with them of all the marvels she had witnessed.

She had lacked control, the last time she had been with them. Her powers were overwhelming her. They were the master, not she. Now, she was complete. She had attained mastery. She had the vast comprehension that this transformation had granted her, and, thanks to Tialin's Presence, she had gone on this quest not only to recover the traces of Ae dangerous dark matter but also to remember her own identity. She knew who she was, at last.

How satisfying it would be to say hello and then farewell, but not forever, to people whom she had not been able to before. She envisioned chatting with the Doctor, sharing her medical knowledge; eating Neelix's food and simply loving his sweet presence. And Captain Janeway, her mother and friend. Now, she could thank this remarkable human.

There it was! Oh, sweet home, forgotten and remembered with new poignancy. The Entity swept down, penetrating shields and metal alike with carefree ease, flying through corridors down which she had once walked. They were in sickbay, a place she knew, she knew! In she came, and-

The Entity's joy turned to icy horror as the gentle tendrils she had sent forth found something dreadful.

They would not welcome her. They would fear her. They would be afraid that she would come filled with fury as she had once before, to march through the ship leaving death in her wake. No, no, this was not she! She loved these people. She would never harm them!

You would not, came Tialin's thoughts. But another you would. And has.

And then the Entity understood. There were universes upon universes, and there was more than one destiny for every being. This was not her Voyager, her Janeway, her Neelix, her Tuvok. This was a Voyager from another universe, one in which she, the Entity, had not ascended to a greater height of knowledge and compassion, but had descended to depths of terror, pain, and rage. In this universe, when she returned, she had come with vengeance in her heart.

It was bitter, but the Entity understood. She understood so much, now. She would not be granted the sought-after reunion, not be welcomed and embraced and fueled with love.

I am sorry for your pain, dear one, said Tialin in her mind,