The rest of the day was spent in sleep shifts.

Kathryn woke up a few hours after Quinn and Rembrandt went to bed to watch the girls. The girls were being quite lively, much
to the annoyance of Chakotay who had been watching them.

Wade woke up a hour later and almost ran into Kathryn, who was getting a cup of coffee from the kitchen.

"Woah," Kathryn said, steadying her.

"Thanks," Wade said, taking a look at her. "Your Kathryn right? Last night is kind of a blur."

Kathryn nodded. "You want something to drink?"

"How about coffee?"

"Kathryn grinned. "I was afraid you were going to ask for something hard,"  and handed Wade her coffee cup. "Here. Fresh
from the pot."

Tom came down the stairs at that point. "You got another cup for me, Kathryn? I can sure use one."

"You'll have to go get it for yourself, Tom. And make another cup for me, please."

"Yes ma'am," he said, playfully saluting.

Kathryn swatted at him, but was also grinning. She turned back to Wade as she took a sip from the cup.

Wade was looking at her questioningly.

"Long running joke between us," Kathryn said, smiling.

Wade just nodded and continued sipping.

A moment later, Tom came out of the kitchen and handed a mug to Kathryn.

"Let's go upstairs where we can keep an eye on Elizabeth and Phoebe," Kathryn said, leading the way up the stairs.

"Who?"

"Our daughters."

"How many people are living in this house?"

"Well, counting you and your friends, 11."

"That's a lot of people."

"The more the merrier," Kathryn said as they got to the girls' bedroom.

Kathryn picked up Phoebe and Tom picked up Elizabeth, both sitting in rocking chairs that were set near the cribs, while Wade
took a seat on the floor.

"Excuse me for asking, but what exactly is your relationship with Quinn?"

"Wade shrugged. "We know we love each other. Before I was captured we had confessed our love for each other but we
decided not to pursue a romantic relationship then."

"Do you want to pursue one now?"

"Wade nodded, sitting on the floor.

"Kathryn I should go take care of the horses, or at least check on them," Tom said, getting up to put Elizabeth back in her crib.

"I'll look after her," Wade said, jumping up from her seat on the floor, and surprising both Tom and Kathryn. "I've always liked
children."

Tom nodded and handed Elizabeth to Wade then left the room.

Wade sat down in the rocking chair that Tom had just vacated, which was across from Kathryn's.

"Did you have any children while you were at the Kromagg reproduction camp?" Kathryn asked quietly.

Wade was silent a moment before answering. "Yes, two. They were both male."

"Were?"

"Before we left we killed everyone there that wasn't human, both the Kromaggs and our children. I also set a self-destruct
sequence right before we left. I don't why the camp had one, but it came in handy."

"I'm not completely surprised to hear that. All of the ships in the Federation have the same thing and many ships we've come
across out here also do. It's a standard item these days."

"What's the Federation?"

Kathryn smiled. "I was afraid you would ask that." She got up from her chair and put Phoebe back in her crib. "One of the
pluses of living in the 24th century is that you don't have to keep a constant eye on children. The computer system that we use in
the house keeps them happy and contented and warns us if they need to be changed or fed. It doesn't take a lot to do that at
this stage, but we obviously stop using it later when they get older, start crawling, and the such." She took Elizabeth from Wade,
put her back in her crib, and went over to a panel near the door. Kathryn pressed a few buttons and the lights dimmed a bit in
the room.

Kathryn led the way out of the nursery, closing the door behind Wade. "I'm going to grab a couple of things out of me and
Chakotay's bedroom. Wait here."

Wade nodded and watched as Kathryn moved down the hallway.

A minute later she came back carrying a bundle in her arms.

"Let's go downstairs. There are more things down there and anyways I need another cup of coffee," she said grinning.

They entered the kitchen to find Maggie and Colin sitting at the table drinking coffee along with Tom and Be'lanna. Tom looked
up as Kathryn came in and set the bundle down on the table. "What's up Kathryn?"

Coffee cup in hand, Kathryn sat down next to him. "Nothing really. I just thought I'd bring out my uniform to show them when
we tell them what the Federation is."

Tom nodded. "Not a bad idea."

"I think I'll wait till Quinn and Rembrandt wake up though. Then we can explain it all at once."

Tom nodded. "Are you planning on wearing it?"

Kathryn snorted. "I doubt I could still fit into it," she said grinning.

"What's that on top of it?" Quinn reached over.

"My comnbadge."

"What's that? A kind of walkie-talkie?"

"Well, I have o idea what a walkie-talkie is, but probably."

Apparently Tom knew what it was, since he broke in right away. "Actually it's more like a telephone. Only two people can talk
at one time."

"Do you use them here on Luna?" Wade asked taking it from Rembrandt.

"No. We haven't found any use for them here. They're not used on Earth either."

"Except for Starfleet headquarters of course."

Kathryn rolled her eyes and waited for the obvious question which came from Quinn. "What's Starfleet?"

"How about I explain that along with the Federation. After all, Starfleet is an integral part of the Federation."

"Oh, Kathryn, I just remembered. A message came through last night for you. I didn't do more than glance at it, but I think it's
important."

Kathryn could tell he was trying not to smile but didn't call him on it.

"All right Tom. I think I'll go watch it now. Do you know who it is?"

Tom grinned. "Yes, but I think you should find out for yourself."

"Can I come see it?" Wade asked.

Kathryn nodded and they left the room.

"Who is it?" Maggie asked when they Kathryn and Wade had left.

"A good friend of Kathryn's and a beloved member of our crew," Tom said, still smirking.

"I thought all of your crew was on Luna," Colin said.

"Actually we considered her dead. It's hard to explain what happened to her since she didn't understand it herself."

++++++++++

"Any idea who it is?" Wade asked as they exited the kitchen.

"None whatsoever. I don't know who Tom knows that he would want me to go watch the message right away," Kathryn said,
as they entered the room that held the communication equipment.

"How many people do you both know?"

"Not many. I know his father, but I don't see why he wouldn't tell me it was him."

"Maybe it's not him," Wade said as Kathryn turned on the viewer.

To their surprise, it was not an old man that sent the message, but an old woman with lots of wrinkles, and blonde hair.

Kathryn felt an inkling of recognition in the withered face, but couldn't place a name with it.

"Well Kathryn," the woman said slowly and forcefully like she was having trouble speaking. "Didn't think you'd ever see my face
again did you? It you can't think of my name maybe my ears will help you." She pulled back the hair from one of her ears,
exposing an ear that Kathryn hadn't seen in 3 years.

The old woman Kathryn now realized was Kes turned back to face the screen and chucked.

"I wish I could see the look on your face right now. It would be priceless. Hey, I couldn't believe that I was alive either."

"Somehow I ended up in the Alpha Quadrant. I woke up on another starship, the Enterprise, with people pointing guns at me.
Apparently I had appeared on the bridge, unconscious. They thought I was a Q at first until they saw my ears. They of course
wanted to know where I had come from and how I had got there.

"I told them all I knew: Voyager, the Ocampa, etc. They took me to Earth where I had to answer another barrage of questions.

"I contacted your mother to let her know you were not dead. After explaining to her who I was, she offered to give me a place
to live. I've been living with your mother and sister for the last 3 years.

"As you can see I've aged quite a bit. I've already passed the average age of my people...

"I'm going to die soon, I have no doubt of that. I'm not afraid though. I've lived a long and meaningful life in the eyes of my
people and have no regrets whatsoever.

"Please relay this message to the rest of the Voyager crew. They will want to know also.

"I don't know if I'll live long enough to see a message from you come in but I'd love to see your face once more.

"I'm going to stop rambling now. My time on Voyager was wonderful and I miss everyone, especially you. I wish I could be
there now, but it's not to be. I'll always hold you guys in my heart. Goodbye Kathryn." The message ended.

Neither Wade or Kathryn moved for a moment then Kathryn reached over and turned off the viewer.

"Wow," Wade said. "Who was that?"

"A good friend of mine. We all thought she was dead."

"What all did she mean when she said: 'I've aged quite a bit'? How far back do you know her from?"

"Actually only about 3 years."

"Then why..."

"Let me explain. Her species only lives for about 9 years at most. She's about 7 or 8 now."

Wade's eyes bugged out. "9 years. Wow... that's really... short."

"Yeah. She was already about one and a half when she came on board."

"Kathryn was about to get up when the console beeped.

"What does that mean?"

"That there's a message coming through," Kathryn said, pressing a button.

It was Phoebe making the message this time and Kathryn could see people moving around in the background.

"Hey Kathryn. It's my turn to send you a message now I guess. Mom's too torn up and Kes... well that's what this message is
about."

"We got your message last night almost right after Kes made her message to you. She went to sleep with a smile on her face."

Phoebe sighed, then continued. "Last night she peacefully passed away in her sleep.

"We really did think of her as a family member. She was an... incredible person. He strength never faded and she inspired
everyone she met.

"Me and Mom never doubted she knew you. Ever if she hadn't we saw her as a person who needed a place to call home.

"Eventually she did convinced us that she knew you by telling stories that seemed too real to be made up: the Borg, Kazon and
a few others.

"We all watched your message when it came last night Kathryn..." she smiled chuckled and shook her head. "I think she was the
only he who wasn't surprised you had married someone. I'm deeply honored that you named your daughter after me, and I'm
sure Kes was too, though she didn't say it."

Kathryn's mom came into the picture and sat down next to Phoebe. "You've sure changed Kathryn," she said, smiling. "It looks
like you've made a life for yourself there. I don't know who this Chakotay person is, but he is cute, and seems like a nice guy."

Kathryn rolled her eyes at this and Wade grinned. "Mothers," Kathryn muttered, also grinning.

"You'll have to tell me how you two met and fell in love," Kathryn's mother continued. "Well, I'll leave you guys to do whatever
you do during the day. Hope to hear from you soon. I love you, bye."

The message ended. Kathryn turned off the viewer and stood up.

"Now what?" Wade asked.

Kathryn sighed. "Now I have the privilege of telling everyone we just gained and lost an old friend. That's not going to be easy."

"I don't imagine it to be," Wade said, following Kathryn out of the room.

They entered the kitchen. Tom looked up and smiled. "So how's Kes?"

Kathryn and Wade sat down, but not before Kathryn filled a cup with the ever-brewing coffee.

She fingered her cup a moment before she spoke. "She's dead... for good this time."

"What?!"

"Another message came through a few minutes ago. She died peacefully in her sleep the night after she made that message."

"Oh geez. Kathryn, I'm so sorry. I know how much she meant to you."

"Who's that?" Chakotay asked, entering the kitchen.

He gave Kathryn a quick kiss, replicated a cup of tea, and sat down next to her, taking her hand.

"Kes," Kathryn said, smiling sadly.

Chakotay looked at her, surprised. "What made you think of her?"

"A message that came through last night, and another that came in about 15 minutes ago."

Chakotay furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"It was from her."

"How..."

"She didn't die, Chakotay. She ended up in the Alpha Quadrant."

"Now I'm really confused.'

"She was living with my mother. The message we just received said that she died the night after she made the message
peacefully in her sleep... now I have the wonderful task of informing everyone."

"I don't envy you Kathryn," Tom said quietly.

"Why do you have to tell everyone?" Quinn asked.

"It wouldn't be fair to them if I didn't. They knew Kes for 3 years. At least I can tell Neelix and Tuvok since they were her
closest friends, besides me."

They continued talking through the afternoon and into the evening. Kathryn took time to explain what the Federation was with
some help.

Chapter 4

Over the next month things settled down. Kathryn and Chakotay had a second house built on their land not too far from the
original house.

The Sliders had a lot of requests for the house: a wraparound porch; a basement; a large hottub; a large kitchen for cooking;
and a soundproof music room for Rembrandt so he could play music without disturbing anyone; and also a garage.

The house was built to their specifications, and life settled into a routine.

One evening a couple of weeks later, after dinner they were all sitting on the porch talking and relaxing.

"How are you guys adapting to life here?" Kathryn asked, leaning into Chakotay.

"I like it. It's so laid back and comfortable, at least compared to life sliding," Quinn said, smiling slightly.

"What wait like... that kind of life?" Be'lanna asked quietly.

"Sliding?" Rembrandt finally answered. "It's one of the hardest things to do with your life. No home, no control over where we
go, a lot of hardship, and never knowing where we were headed."

"We had a lot of good times though too Remmy. You can't forget that," Maggie said, patting his shoulder.

"I think the bad times outweigh the good, Maggie."

"Do you ever dream about your home Earths, the people left behind, that kind of thing?" Chakotay asked.

All five nodded. "Almost constantly," Quinn said.

"The Professor..."

"My friends..."

"My mother..."

"My husband..."

"My singing career..."

That got a laugh from everyone. "What about you Colin?"

Colin turned to the group, from looking off the porch into space.

"Hey, Colin, what are you thinking about?" Rembrandt asked.

Colin was silent a moment before answering. "I'm considering sliding off this world with the first group. The search needs to
continue for our parents and the weapon that will destroy the Kromagg."

Everything went silent for a moment as they digested that. "Excuse me, but there's a way to defeat these... Kromaggs?"
Chakotay asked.

Quinn hesitated a moment before answering. "I might as well start from the beginning. Our parents were sliders. You could kind
of say we're continuing the family tradition.

"When the Kromaggs invaded their planet, they sent me and Colin to two different Earths. When I caught wind of this, I also
heard that their world had found a way to defeat the Kromaggs.

"Ever since then we've been searching for their world with the hope that they'll be willing to assist our fight against the
Kromagg."

"I take it you've had no luck?"

Quinn shook his head. "Nope. No signs yet. What about you guys. Do you think of home?"

"Constantly. I've got a mother and sister that I left behind on Earth."

"I've got a father in Starfleet, though I haven't talked to him yet," Tom said.

"I don't have any relatives in the Alpha Quadrant," Be'lanna said. "At least not that I want to contact."

"I have no relatives in the Alpha Quadrant either," Chakotay said.

"You can consider my family yours," Kathryn said, smiling and looking up at him.

Chakotay leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. "Thank you."

Kathryn stood up. "I think I'm ready for bed. Good night everyone."

"I'll be up in a minute," Chakotay said.

"Uhh, I think I'm ready for bed, too," Wade said, stretching.

Everyone said goodnight, and the Sliders headed across the field to their own home.

The upstairs bedrooms were set up in such a way that Quinn's bedroom and Wade's bedroom were the last in the hallway and
that theirs were the last in the hallway.

They stood in the middle of the hallway looking at each other awkwardly.

"Well, good night," Wade said quietly.

"Good night Wade," Quinn said.

They hesitated ever so slightly, then Quinn bent over and Wade stood on her tip-toes and they kissed.

++++++++++

Over the next few months Quinn and Wade grew closer. Surprisingly, at least to Wade, so did Rembrandt and Maggie. Colin
took his leave in the second month with 10 of the women, and the promise to return someday if he could.

Word eventually came back from Earth that there weren't any known descendants of Quinn, Wade, or Rembrandt, since
according to records, their doubles had disappeared also.

"Sliders," Quinn said when the news came through.

Neelix had started his own kind of news service on Luna. I t was a mix of actual news, rumors, and just plain unreliable
information from both the Voyager and Star Dreamer sides.

As part of one of those broadcasts, Neelix asked Quinn to explain the sliding life for the benefit of the people of Luna.

Life was pretty ordinary after that. The horse business continued to flourish, since their was a whole new group who wanted
their own transportation. Rembrandt and Tom started to take orders for cars, and with the help of Be'lanna, found a way to
power it without gasoline. They took about a week to build each one. The only other difference between the ones they were
building and the ones used on Earth in the 20th century was that instead of wheels it had the same basic system as the
shuttlecraft that allowed it to hover instead of move along the ground, but they weren't designed to go out of the atmosphere.

A lot of families were requesting mini-vans and another popular model was the convertible.

They could be adjusted for out of the atmosphere travel, but it was not one of the more popular options since there was
nowhere to go at that point.

There were some expeditions being planned between a few of the more adventurous families on both sides into space, but it
was not ready yet.

Breeding season on the farm came and went with about 95% of the mare becoming pregnant.

Chakotay had decided the year before to allow nature to take its own course within the herd. It had worked well so he saw no
reason to do the same thing that year.

Quinn asked Wade to marry him three months after that first kiss.

She of course said yes, and plans were made for a wedding four months from then.

Chapter 5

As the wedding grew closer things got more hectic around the farm.

Quinn and Wade decided to have right on the farm, of course with Kathryn and Chakotay's consent and blessing.

Plans were made, decorations set up, etc. A few willing people were sent to find Colin but came back, empty-handed saying it
was impossible to find him without some kind of tracking.

Tents were set up and also temporary shelters were set up for anyone who didn't want to travel home that night.

Wade had decided to make her wedding dress even though she had never made one. Quinn just replicated a tuxedo.

Wade's dress was pretty traditional. It was white silk with a low v-neckline. It had a small train behind it that was about two feet
long.

Quinn picked Rembrandt and Tom for his bestmen, and Wade chose Kathryn and Maggie as her bridesmaids.

This of course raised the question of who would perform the ceremony. It was finally decided that they would use a holographic
priest from the Star Dreamer's holodecks (it had been decided to leave it in orbit) and use the doctor's holoemitter so he could
do the ceremony on Luna.

The Doctor challenged this decision of course, insisting he really should be there in case something happened.

Everyone came to a compromise and set up a live feed to the infirmary at Memory and have a car standing by to bring a person
if that person needed medical attention.

As the day of the wedding arrived, people were already bustling around the farm and arriving for the ceremony.

The ceremony was scheduled to start at 10 am. At nine Wade started putting on her dress. It took a half hour to get it on and
make any last minute adjustments with the help of Kathryn, Maggie, and Be'lanna."

"Wow Wade. You look wonderful," Rembrandt said, standing in the doorway, and smiling.

Wade looked over her shoulder and smiled. "Thanks Remmy."

"I have something for you," he said, stepping forward. "Quinn wanted me to give you this," he said, handing her an envelope,
and leaving the room.

The envelope was moderately heavy in Wade's hands.

She carefully opened it, not sure what she was going to find.

Wade,

I had this made for you. It's a replica of an old family heirloom that was in my mother's possession. I'm surprised I remembered
it after all this time. It's not the original, but it's as close as I could get it. I hope you like it.

Quinn

Wade set aside the note and lifted out a necklace.

"Wow," Maggie said, straightening up from making the last change on Wade's dress.

The necklase was a gold chain that had a pendant hanging from it. The pendant was actually a locket with an old-fashioned
silhouette on the front of it, that was white on a black background. Wade opened it and was surprised to see two miniature
pictures inside. On the left was a picture who Wade assumed was Quinn's mother, and on the right was a picture of Quinn
smiling back at her.

"You want to wear it?" Kathryn asked, looking over Wade's shoulder at the necklace.

Wade nodded and Kathryn slipped it around her neck and clasped it at the back.

"You ready to go?"

Wade nodded, taking one last look in the mirror, and left the room with everyone else.

++++++++++

Quinn looked around the clearing. People were already arriving and sitting down in chairs.

"Q-Ball, relax. The wedding's not for another half-hour."

"Did you give Wade the necklace?"

"Rembrandt nodded. "She looks really good in that dress."

"Thanks Remmy."

Chakotay came up from behind them. "Now it's a matter of waiting."

Chakotay had been asked by Wade to walk her down the aisle.

"How many people have you been married to Chakotay?"

"Just the one time to Kathryn," Chakotay said, smiling.

"How many people do you think will come?"

Chakotay shrugged. "We from Voyager are always looking for a reason to party, but things are starting to break up, so to
speak. People have their own lives now.

"There of course will be those who are interested in seeing a true Christian ceremony, since Christianity is not nearly as common
as it used to be, even on Earth. We've never had one on Luna so there will be a lot of interest."

"I've been curious," Rembrandt said. "Where did you get the name Luna?"

"Of course, you wouldn't know. Earth has one moon. Luna has eight. Luna is an old Earth name for moon, hence the name for
our home. I couldn't tell you what language it comes from though."

"You mean to tell me Spanish is a dead language? Man, I was hoping to return to Spain one day and continue my studies of it,"
Rembrandt said, laughing.

Quinn rolled his eyes. "So what became the standard? English, I would think, right?"

"Yes. In fact, it became the standard language for the Federation."

The priest tapped Chakotay on the shoulder. "Your wife says they are ready to start the ceremony. She wants you to go meet
them back at the house."

"Thank you sir," Chakotay said. He turned back to Quinn and said "Good luck and I'll see you in a bit."

Quinn nodded and Chakotay turned and walked back down the aisle toward the house.

++++++++++

The ceremony lasted just a little over an hour, finally finishing with the customary kiss.

The party started half an hour later but was a very laid back one.

There were none of the customary speeches and no cutting of the cake (after all it was a lunch party).

There was dancing and Quinn picked "As if We Never Said Goodbye" as their first dance:

"I don't know why I'm frightened
     I know my way around here
The cardboard trees
     The painted seas
The sound here.
Yes a world to rediscover
     But I'm not in any hurry
And I need a moment.
The whispered conversations
     In overcrowded hallways
The atmosphere
     As thrilling here
As always.
Feel the early morning madness
     Feel the magic in the making
Why everything's as if we never said goodbye.
I've spent so many mornings
     Just trying to resist you
I'm trembling now
     You can't know how
I've missed you.
Missed the fairy tale adventures
     In this ever spinning playground
Yes everything's as if we never said goodbye.
I don't want to be alone
     That's all in the past.
     This world's waited long enough
I've come home at last.
And this time will be bigger
     And brighter than we knew it.
     So watch me fly
We all know I
     Can do it.
     Could I stop my hand from shaking?
Has there ever been a moment
     With so much to live for?
     The whispered conversations
In overcrowded hallways
     So much to say
Not just today
     But always.
     We'll have early morning madness
We'll have magic in the making
     Yes everything's as if we never said goodbye.

Author's note: I first heard this song when my choir started singing it for our last concert of the 1998-1999 school year. I
enjoyed singing it immensely and it dawned on me a couple of weeks before we sang it at the concert that except for a verse
here and there, it fit perfectly with this story. It's from the movie "Sunset Boulevard", but I've never seen it, so I can't tell you
much more than that!

++++++++++

The party was starting to wind down when the wind picked up to vortex-speed winds.

Quinn immediately recognized it for what it was got everyone's attention, and moved everyone to the sides of the field.

"What the hell?" Quinn said when it opened since the vortex was green.

Kathryn stepped up next to him. "You've never seen a green vortex?"

"I've never even heard of such a thing," Quinn said, carefully moving forward a bit, but being cautious not to get too close.

A moment later two figures rolled.

"I'm too damn old for this chasing anymore Erin," one of the people said.

The other person, Erin, snorted. "You were too old when I met you Art.  You were complaining then too.'

"I'm sick of sliding. This is my last stop, no matter where the hell we are."

Erin sat up, her eyes bulging when she saw how many people were surrounding them. "How about in the middle of a large
crowd?"

"Oh damn. Just what we need," Art murmured.

Wade and Quinn glanced at each other and moved forward to help the pair up.

"Thank you young...sir," Art said, wiping his hands off on his pants as Wade helped Erin up. A look of surprised recognition
crossed his face when he got a good look at his help, then a delighted smile replaced it.

"Well I'll be. And how are you doing Mr. Mallory. It's been what, 3 years almost?"

Quinn's brow furrowed in confusion. Wade walked back over and took a good look at the newcomer who was slightly plump
with shoulder-length gray hair and an equally gray beard.

"Professor?!" Wade said, hugging him. "How?"

"My dear, you took the wrong Professor with you, I'm afraid," he said as he shook hands with Rembrandt and Quinn. "About 3
months after you left I finally finished building a second timer so I could get out of there. I had met this young woman over the
time I had rented an apartment at a local complex. When I was about to leave, she requested that I allow her to come with. I of
course told her of the dangers in sliding, but she was adamant, so I allowed her to join me."

Kathryn and Chakotay stepped forward. "Let me be the first one to welcome to Luna Professor. I'm Kathryn Janeway and this
is my husband Chakotay."

"Nice to meet you ma'am. I'm former Professor Maximillion Arturo. And who would this beautiful young lady be?" he asked,
turning to Maggie.

Maggie almost gagged, was about to retort something, but bit it back and then spoke. "I'm Maggie Beckett Mr. Arturo."

"Nice to meet you Miss Beckett."

"Well, this is all well and good, but we have a wedding party to clean up from the wedding party so if you don't mind. Quinn
and Wade are of course exempt from it."

"Not at all ma'am."

"Professor, would you like to join us for a ride?"

"I don't think so Mr. Mallory. I have no experience in riding and I have no doubt that I will make a complete fool of myself."

It took Kathryn, Chakotay and the rest of their helpers most of the rest of the afternoon to clean up.

The End

Author's note: The next story (which I have yet to title) should follow in a couple months. Any and all comments welcome.