Disclaimer: I don't own the ship, the characters or anything at all.

Authors Note: The Cassie in this chapter and future chapters, unless I state other wise, is the younger one.

Chapter 9 – Waterworks

The turbo lift carried on its endless journey to the bridge, admitting only one other person, Tom.

He grinned at her, "Been summoned too?"

"No, I finished lessons early. I'm going to see mom," Cassie said quietly.

The turbo lift stopped, Cassie followed Tom out onto the bridge. As soon as she saw her mother she was gripped with an intense fear. She gulped and blinked hoping to make her emotions less obvious.

The Captain looked up as she saw Tom and Cassie approaching the tactical console, which she was stood next to.

"Lieutenant," the Captain addressed Tom, with a graceful smile.

The Captain held her hand out to Cassie, who gratefully accepted it.

"We've found a wormhole to the alpha quadrant, we're going home," the Captain said evidently overjoyed by the prospect. The bridge crew, who had been watching the senior officers hopefully now cheered. The Captain pulled Cassie in for what she had intended to be a brief hug, but Cassie clung to her. As soon as her mother had said those fateful words, Cassie had closed her eyes and felt physically sick with fear.

The Captain held her tightly back, glancing worriedly at Chakotay, who looked on also concerned by Cassie's refusal to let her mother go.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" she whispered to Cassie.

Before Cassie could reply Tuvok stated, "Captain, there has been an explosion just off our port nacelle."

Cassie let the tears fall then, she knew that was it; it was all up to her now. The Captain on the other hand, was getting ever more concerned by her daughters tears.

"What was it?" she asked.

"I cannot tell, no debris remains," Tuvok stated.

The Captain nodded, and dismissed it her thoughts returning to the wormhole and her daughter.

"Set a course for the alpha quadrant, Mr Paris," she said, turning herself and Cassie towards the helm.

"Sweetheart I know living on Earth is going to be a change for you but we'll all be here to help you. You'll still be able to see everyone as often as you want," Janeway whispered hoping to allay Cassie's fears.

Cassie knew she had to let go, dropping her arms slightly and wiping at the tears left a salty trail down her cheeks. Cassie looked up at her mother who gave her an approving nod and smile before going to sit in her seat. Cassie followed and sat in the observers seat next to her mother.

FIN

Please review. I know this chapter has been a long time coming and is rather short but I have been busy recently, sorry. However, the next few chapters should be up swiftly.