NEW VOY 'The Fates' [PG13] (J/C, K/7, P/T) by Anne Rose NFS The Fates PG13 Title: The Fates Author: Anne Rose Email: anne3rose@yahoo.com URL: http://annerose.cjb.net Rating: PG13 Disclaimer: Voyager and its characters belong to Paramount Pictures. No infringement intended. Spoilers: none Summary: J/C, K/7, P/T, After receiving some shocking information about the true nature of their existence, the crew decides to take their fate into their own hands. (31K) Archive: Yes, I would be honored if you want to archive it. Please let me know where so I can visit it. Author's Note: This story won 3nd place in the Voyager Central, Fatal Finale contest, in the category of "Other Obliterations". Thanks to my beta readers Sylvia, Katie, and of course, Hubby. © April 30, 2001 Warning: Character Death(s)... duh! But I swear, no tissues required. ~*~*~ On Voyager "You mean like the Fates from ancient Greece, or the Norns from Scandinavia?" Chakotay asked, since he was the only one even marginally following the conversation. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Whatever they write becomes our lives," she said with a shudder. "That would explain a great many illogical things that have happened to us over the last seven years," Tuvok added. "Is that why I keep dying, can't get a promotion, and my love life is a joke of galactic proportions?" Harry squeaked. "Yes, it does, and now that we know, I say we should take control of our own lives!" Janeway declared, as she slammed her hand on the table. She looked around the room, at her senior staff, who were still digesting the scripts from various episodes. "Well? Are you just going to let them dictate your lives?" She demanded. They looked up, one by one. A circle of dazed expressions met her, with the exception of Tuvok, who remained unreadable. "Since the alternative is to allow a few, clearly irrational and unstable, individuals to decide our futures, taking matters into our own hands is the only logical option. I am in favor of it, Captain," Tuvok stated. "All right. Chakotay, I'm putting you in charge of assembling our script. This has top priority. Anything else that you needed to accomplish...write it in, and consider it done. Each of you, collect material from your departments, clean it up, consolidate it, and send it to Chakotay." She paused to look around. "Any questions?" They all gave her glazed looks. "Let's get to it! I want to see a final draft on my desk in a week." After the staff meeting, Janeway made a ship wide announcement, informing the crew that 'the sky's the limit' on whatever changes they wanted to make for the script. Since their lives had been artificially on hold and tampered with for the last 7 years, maybe longer, they were now free to make whatever changes they wanted. It was subject to a few, small restrictions, but she was sure it would still provide something for everyone. ~*~*~*~ Two days Later On Voyager Chakotay was sitting in the briefing room, going over early rewrites from the crew with the rest of the senior staff. "B'Elanna, how are the pages from the engineering department progressing?" He asked. "You won't believe how many aspiring authors are coming out of the Jeffries Tubes. I've got enough material already to redo our entire seven years in the Delta Quadrant. I don't know how we'll ever make this all fit." "I agree," Lt. Commander Mary S. Brown interjected. "I have reviewed the text from the Sciences department, and many of the parts are in conflict." "Mary, we already agreed that crewmembers are only allowed to write about themselves and their own families. Any storylines, involving relationships and families onboard, must be jointly submitted by the affected crewmembers. I don't understand what the problem is? "Well, it seems that we have a consistency problem then. Crew are reviving dead family members, rewriting history and generally polluting the time stream," Mary summarized. "If I may Commander," Seven said. He nodded for her to continue. "I've been studying this form of entertainment quite closely, and the chronicles of the Federation and the Alpha Quadrant are famous for failure to adhere to what is called continuity." "What is that, Seven." Chakotay prompted. "It would take far too long to explain. I have outlined it and uploaded it to your PADDs. Suffice it to say, it will resolve any of the conflicts we may have with our various script parts." She paused for a moment as they browsed the file she indicated. "After you read that section, please continue to the descriptions of 'Alternate Universe' and 'Mirror Universe', 'The Reset Button' and 'The Dream Sequence.' "You will note that the AU and MU are similar in concept, with the Mirror Universe being a specific instance of Alternate Universe. Likewise, the Dream Sequence is a particular type of Reset Button. See the cross reference for Kirk, Sisko and the Mirror Universe, and our Voyager and the 'Year of Hell' two part episode." "I died?" B'Elanna exclaimed. "I thought only Harry died?" "If you check thoroughly, you will find that many of us have died, only to be brought back because the writers wished it." The creative meeting continued for several hours and culminated with a rough outline for the plot of their final episodes. ~*~*~ Later, in the Captain's Ready Room, Chakotay presented the plot line as it stood. "It's very complicated," she said. Are you sure it's 'dumbed down' enough that they'll accept it." "Well, that's where the Doctor comes in. Tuvok and I put our heads together and we feel we need an ace in the hole." She raised and eyebrow, but waited for him to continue. "The Doctor will impersonate two of TPTB. He will alternately assume the identity of Rick Berman and Kenneth Biller." "TPTB?" She queried. "Oh, it's an acronym for the Executive Producers and others in charge of the creation of the show." "Won't they be missed? Mightn't the Doctor run into them by accident?" She asked. He sighed. "Kathryn, you've hit on the one weakness of our plan. Even if we temporarily take them out of the picture, there is a long time between when a script is approved and when the actual episode is broadcast. We would need to ensure that the final film was not altered." Janeway began to absentmindedly draw on the table with her finger. "You could eliminate them altogether. Disintegrate the bodies. Spread the rumor that they had gone off 'together' after the final filming. Perhaps we could even arrange for a large sum of currency to be missing to make their desire not to be found more plausible." There was silence for a moment, and finally she glanced up at him. He was sitting with a stunned expression on his face. "I can't believe you would suggest such a thing. Kathryn, it's not like you." "Isn't it Chakotay? What is like me? What would you do? We have no idea." She stood and began to pace. "We've been like puppets on a string for the last seven years. They decide who lives and who dies, on a whim called 'ratings' and 'demographics'. It's time they paid for what they've put us through." Chakotay stood and walked over to her, resting a hand on her shoulder. "It hasn't been that bad, really..." "Look at this!" She demanded, handing him a PADD, and cutting him off. "Read this, and tell me you haven't changed." She went back to pacing as he read the files. His expression became darker and darker as he read on. "I taught Advanced Strategy and Tactics at the Academy." He muttered to himself, and read on. Finally he slammed down the PADD. "This is obscene! I had almost forgotten I used to be captain of my own ship, and no offense Kathryn, but look at me now!" Chakotay growled. "Oh, and this takes the cake! My 'very' close friendship with you doesn't prevent me from having one quote 'meaningful' unquote, encounter after another. Those are 'episodes' in my life that will definitely be erased!" Janeway reached over and took his hand sympathetically. "You got off easy, being relegated to a supporting role, and having affairs with flesh and blood, sentient beings. Look at me! I'm a manic-depressive, control freak, with a caffeine addiction, and commitment issues, who imagined she fell in love with a hologram." His expression softened, as he looked into her eyes. "You know I don't think of you that way." She smiled weakly. "Don't calmed down completely yet. Have you seen the scenes they cut from 'Resolutions' and 'Hunters'?" "Uh, I haven't got this memorized yet, Kathryn, which ones are those?" He answered. "Cross-referenced under New Earth and letters from home," she said pointing at the files. She watched the blood rush to his face as he read the entries. "You've read these, Kathryn?" He said with barely restrained rage. "Yes, I have." "What do you think about this?" She sighed deeply, and walked toward the view-port. "It explains a lot. Why I've felt so conflicted. I've played those scenes over and over in my mind. Until now, I never understood what was holding me back." He was walking over to her, "And when you received that letter from home?" "When I received Mark's letter, I was so ready to move on with my life. I wanted to tell you that night. I was going to say those words. I had it all figured out in my mind, but then..." "But then, the words just wouldn't come. Something stopped you from saying them." "Yes, that's it exactly," she replied. "You too?" He nodded, and he wrapped his arms around her. She paused and searched his eyes. "I think I could say it now. What about you?" His face broke into a broad smile, revealing the dimples that hadn't been seen in ages. "Do you mean, could I tell you that I still love you? Yes, I think I can manage that now." She tossed her head back and laughed, and then suddenly stopped. Bringing her head forward, she kissed him abruptly. As if she wanted to do it before anyone could stop her. "I love you too." She paused and looked around. "I feel different somehow. Liberated. Free." "I know, I feel the same thing." He picked her up and swung her around, laughing. Setting her back down, he kissed her thoroughly. "I think I could get used to this." "Me too, but first, we need to deal with our problem with TPTB. We're free for now, but at any moment they could reset us back to where we were." "They have to die," Chakotay whispered fiercely. She gazed into his eyes, and returned the look. "I will make sure the Doctor understands the situation. They can't be allowed to gain control over us again." "That will be difficult. Our research indicates that even after the final episode is broadcast, there are longer episodes that are not broadcast immediately. They're called 'feature length movies.' We may be caught up in one of those." "Not to worry, Kathryn. We've been in trickier spots than this, and we've always escaped." He said, laughing at the irony. After the initial rush subsided, they settled down to the task of mapping out their future together. ~*~*~ Over the next days it was amazing to watch the crew. Freed from the artificial confines of "The Powers That Be," the crew began exhibiting all sorts of changes in behavior. It was as if they were waking up after being in comas for years. There were conflicts to be sure, but there was also a wonderful sense of optimism. Janeway now regularly saw crewmembers in the corridors and the messhall who hadn't been seen outside of their departments in years. No matter what the future held for them, clearly this was better than the existence they had had. The senior staff met again in the briefing room to go over the final edits from their departments. But before they could address the crew's issues, they had to decide one pivotal plot point - would Voyager return home to the Alpha Quadrant? The staff seemed split on this point. It always came back to the movie issue. Would they be safe from TPTB in any quadrant? "Captain, what do you think? You've always been a strong proponent of getting Voyager home," Tom asked. She looked around at them and said, "Yes, but I'm better now." For emphasis, she reached over and took Chakotay's hand. "Now that I know the ship is not in any real danger, I'd like to get back to being an explorer. I'm a scientist. Chakotay is an anthropologist. Together, I think we make a pretty good team. I don't feel any need to return to the Alpha Quadrant, if it means losing what I have here." Tom stared at her, amazed at what he was hearing. "Next thing, you'll be telling us you've given up coffee," he chuckled. "No Tom, nothing so radical. I still have cup first thing in the morning, and sometimes an Irish coffee with whipped cream after dinner, but the rest of the time, I've remembered I'm partial to tea." She said, waiving the cup at him. "Tea," Tom said, like the wind had been knocked out of him. Janeway smiled and wrapped her arm around Chakotay's as they exchanged a warm smile. The arguments and debates continued - some wanted to go home, others wanted to bring parts of home to them. In the end, it was Seven who came up with the solution. "We could split the ship - two Voyagers, two destinations and destinies." There was a murmur around the table, but Seven ignored it and continued. "Please reference the data on the episode entitled 'Dead Lock', in which the ship is split into two identical ships by a nebula. We would make a slight modification to the plot, allowing the ships to completely separate and each go their own way." "Seven, I don't understand what good that does us?" Tom asked. "We would still be ourselves. There would just be two of us." "Not necessarily. If we included a strong neurogenic field as a component in the nebula, the crew of the two ships could be divided unequally. Those who wished to return home - or, in fact, the elements of each personality that wished to return home would be separated out onto one ship. Those parts of us who wish to explore the Delta Quadrant with the Captain and Commander would be on the other ship." "That's ridiculous, our thoughts can't affect how the ship is separated. No one would believe that." B'Elanna argued. "As ridiculous as having all your Klingon and Human DNA separated out and reconstituted as two living beings, each with complete memories of your life, but totally different feelings about that past?" Seven countered. B'Elanna shrugged, "I guess not." "But Seven, isn't it a little far fetched. I mean, will it work?" Harry questioned. "Would you all care to have me cite a dozen similar and more far fetched occurrences from our logs? After all, you Harry, are from that alternate Voyager, along with Naomi Wildman. This is merely a combination of that nebula and the telepathic 'pitcher plant' plot devices. They accepted it before, they will accept it now." Seven folded her arms, signifying that debate was at an end, and it was now time for lesser mortals to acknowledge the perfection of her plan. ~*~*~ ... Seven folded her arms, signifying that debate was at an end, and it was now time for lesser mortals to acknowledge the perfection of her plan. One by one they nodded. In the strange universe they found themselves in, it did make perfect sense. In the final scene, a Voyager would be seen flying away from the camera, with a burst as it jumps to warp. Seven assured them that if TPTB were to ever remember that other Voyager, they would constitute and alternate reality where their plot would not be relevant. She estimated the probability was greater than 99% that they would be left alone. The rest of the details were handled quickly. One ship would return to the equivalent of a ticker-tape parade. There would be promotions and pardons for all, and no trials. In fact, in this new storyline the Maquis were hailed as the saviors of the Federation, pointing the way to future long before Federation bureaucrats could see it. The others made changes to their liking as well. Tom wrote in his own small fleet of Delta Flyers, and expunged his record at Starfleet. B'Elanna wanted her parents reconciled and she erased much of the angst from her personal history. She debated about it for a bit, because those events made her who she was, but with a child coming soon, she wanted to pass on the best aspects of herself that she could. The Doctor chose to restore his original holographic family. He couldn't remember a time when he had been so happy, as when he could look forward to being greeted by their warmth and affection when he returned home at night. The orderliness and harmony of their lives seemed trite and laughable to B'Elanna, but he had enough contention and death in his 'real life'. He realized that what he craved was a safe haven, away from all of that. He had realized, in the last few days, that the fact that organics had to contend with disharmony in their personal lives did not mean that he had to. His ability to program the perfect family was, in a way, compensation for all the things he could not have, that they enjoyed. And, the structured, predictable nature of their lives filled a void in his programmed soul. He realized that, as an outgrowth of Starfleet's computer systems, it was natural for him to crave order and the pure logic of the binary equation. Neelix was very excited about seeing Kes again. He wrote a lovely scene explaining how her alienation from him and leaving the ship was all just a fevered dream he had had after eating one of Tom's 20th century concoctions. It also turned out that space travel enabled Ocampans to live a life span equivalent to Talaxians, and to have multiple children. Neelix smiled when he thought how Kes would enjoy this new arrangement. Harry promoted himself to Lt. Commander, explaining that his mother would never let him hear the end of it if he returned as an Ensign. With all the other changes, Harry successfully prevailed upon Seven to have her cortical node fail-safe removed and all her visible implants removed. They agreed she should retain enough of her Borg implants to allow her to maintain her intellect and her identity as part Borg. Harry and Seven spent many long hours together, working on their parts of the story line. In the process, they also decided to write in a much closer relationship for themselves. Without the constraints of an artificial personality, Seven found that all the time spent with Harry over the years had forged a strong friendship between them, and yet she was still lonely. So they went back to the scene in the messhall, over three years ago. Seven's advance became subtler, and Harry's response became more assertive. The end result was them leaving the messhall together to discuss a less precipitous change in their relationship, but a change none the less. ~*~*~ For Janeway it was still a difficult decision. Now she that she and Chakotay had finally found each other, she was reluctant to alter the past and risk that it might not happen again. They talked about it for hours in her ready room, and over dinner in her quarters. Tonight, after dinner, she brought up concerns about points in their past where conflict and division had occurred, and he quietly let her talk and made notes. At last, when she had run out of objections, he showed her the plan. It was a detailed history of their time together, with notations about slight changes. They encountered the Equinox, but they agreed on a course of action in dealing with Ransom and his crew. Riley Frazier and her Borg community enlisted their aid, but without any personal entanglements. Likewise, some of Kathryn's interaction with aliens changed. Most notably, when they were kidnapped by the Quarren, Chakotay rescued her before anything serious could occur between her an Jeffen. It was titled as backstory, so it would not add to the length or complexity of the script, but it would explain a number of changes in their characters. And starting it all off, he showed her the parts of scene on New Earth and after the letters from home, which he added back in. She read it all carefully, and looked up at him. "You've done a wonderful job, but I want one more thing." She hesitated, and he slid closer to her on the couch, wrapping her in his arms. "Just tell me what else you want, Kathryn." He was curious what could make her so uneasy, when all they needed to do was write the words and anything they wanted could be theirs. "I want a little girl and a little boy, Chakotay." "All right. When would you like to start?" he said grinning. "You know I've always wanted a family. What would you like to name them?" "I want a little boy, Edward. He would be three years old," she said. He nodded and made notes on the PADD. "And a girl named Taya. She would be five by now." "Five years old," he repeated...and then he paused and stared at the PADD. "Five? That would mean..." He looked up at her questioningly. "New Earth." It was a statement and a question. "We would need to edit the scene with the letters from home again..." she started, but he interrupted. "Are you sure, Kathryn? Once we do this, there's no going back." "I know. I don't want to go back. I want a life and a family." She hugged him tightly. "If I'm carrying your child when we return from New Earth, there's no way I can deny our relationship. Chakotay, I want a family, with you." "We both have to agree to the script to make this kind of a change," he said, and she nodded. "I'll agree to it on one condition." She looked concerned, but she nodded again. "I'm going to write that we were married on New Earth, and that the Federation recognized the marriage. That is, if you'll agree to be my wife?" "Yes," she said, as his lips descended onto hers. ~*~*~ Later, On Earth The Doctor arrived on the Paramount lot, in a secluded area, and immediately began seeking out his targets. He moved boldly, changing his appearance at will in order to gain entrance to the executive suites. It was odd that he had rarely made use of his capability, he reflected. It could have been useful in so many situations. He chalked that up to one more crime on the heads of the men he had been sent to deal with. It strengthened his resolve for the task at hand. The Doctor was in luck, he arrived just as a secretary was exiting an office. He heard her promise to be back with coffees momentarily. The name on the door was Rick Berman. Slipping up behind her, he knocked her out with a hypospray, and carefully concealed her behind her oversized desk. He assumed her form, and collected a tray and coffees. Steeling himself for completion of his task, he entered the office. There before him, were the two men he sought - Rick Berman behind the desk, and Kenneth Biller seated in a comfortable chair in front of it. Spread in front of them, and tacked up around the walls, were the storyboards for the final episode. If he had had any lingering doubts, they disappeared as he scanned, and instantly understood, the plot for the finale. There was true evil and malevolence in their plans. His duty was clear. Locking the door behind him, he walked up and set the tray of coffee on the table. The men each picked up a coffee, just as the Doctor reverted to his usual appearance. The men jumped with surprise, and then erupted into swearing as the boiling hot coffee soaked through their trousers. "Those kinds of burns are particularly dangerous." The Doctor said casually. "The tight clothing holds in the heat. They often result in second or even third degree burns. Very messy." He coolly eyed the men, who were now hopping around, and still swearing. "Ordinarily I would treat your wounds, but since you won't be around long enough even for me to complete the process, I see no point." With that he raised his phaser, and leveled it at Biller's chest. "Wait!" he shrieked. "Who are you?" Then, assuming the Doctor was just another grief stricken fan, he said to Berman. "What are you waiting for? Call security!" Berman reached for the phone, and the Doc 1reacted by phasering it out if existence. He was surprised at the amount of satisfaction he derived from their stunned expressions. "Yes, gentlemen, I'm afraid Frankenstein's monster has returned, and like all good horror stories, the monster's creators must eventually pay for their arrogance." He paused a moment, allowing their situation to sink in. "You're the Doctor?" Berman asked. "How is that possible?" Biller continued. The Doctor sighed condescendingly. "I'd love to spout techno babble at you until you lapsed into comas, but I don't have the time. The Captain and the crew have written a few changes to your script. I need to eliminate and then impersonate you, distribute the revisions, and then see to it our script is followed to the letter. You see, I have a very full schedule." They stared at him, their mouths opening and closing like fish on dry land. "Good-bye," he said as a bolt of light jumped from his phaser and dematerialized both of them. He surveyed the empty office. It had been easier than he had expected. He had worried that he might feel some sympathy for them at the critical moment, but there had been none. He tapped his badge, "Doctor to Janeway. Phase one completed." "Janeway here. Acknowledged." ~*~*~ The Doctor had downloaded calendars and email from the two former producer's computers. Then he access Paramount's email server and read the backups of their email for the last several months. While he was in there, he familiarized himself with their systems, and eavesdropped on... or rather, researched the rest of the cast and crew. From his vantage point, inside the network, it took only a moment to upload the new script and to put in place a realistic set of drafts and supporting emails between Biller and Berman. 'That paper trail would be useful later,' he thought. Everything was set in motion. The new scripts would be delivered to cast and crew. The old ones would be collected in the interest of security. A copy was already being leaked to the Internet via a tried and true source. That had confused him for a moment; the reference to bees still escaped him, but no matter. He prepared to make himself scarce, while the plot began to unfold. Leaving word with his revived secretary to deal unmercifully with anyone wishing to speak with him or his other self, he transformed himself again, and took up an inconspicuous position with the lighting crew. The next day, he was again available for appointments, and his calendar was packed. While he was still not able to be in two places at once, it was a trivial matter to control a simpler hologram of one man while impersonating the other. And thus he met with each of his successive appointments and dealt with all of them the same. He quashed their objections to the changes with an imperious high-handedness that would have made a Roman Emperor proud. He mused that when he returned to Voyager he really needed to devote more time to obvious theatrical talents. After his last appointment left, he tapped his commbadge. "Doctor to Janeway. Phase two completed." "Janeway here. Acknowledged." That accomplished, he headed out to see the sights. Tomorrow he would personally supervise the filming. After all, they had a schedule to keep, and time is money. ~*~*~ On Earth, at Paramount Over the next week, the cast and crew filmed the changed scenes for the series finale. There was still much confusion on the set. Such huge changes in the last episode were not unusual, but they did require long hours and a great deal of effort to pull the whole thing off. Inevitably, tempers flared as actors were pushed to their limited; although some reached that point long before others. "This is not consistent with my character! She would never have a relationship with a crewmember. We agreed on that." The lead actress argued to the producer. Before the Doctor could respond, a large man, sitting over to the side in a red uniform spoke up. "Kate, how about showing us some of that professionalism you're always talking about to the press? Give it a rest. This is television, not Shakespeare. Say the lines, and hit your marks, it's what we get paid for. This is a job, remember?" She glared at him, but ignored his comments. He went back to reading his lines. There was no telling how long this latest skirmish would last, but he wanted to be prepared to work as soon as it was over. The lead actress addressed the producer again. "But, what about all the young girls who look up to Janeway as a role model? I'd be selling them out if I do this." The Doctor sighed. "Those are the very fans we were thinking of when we wrote this. We realized that we had perpetuated an antiquated stereotype for seven years. Janeway had not been shown as a self-possessed, 'liberated' woman of the 24th century. She is the embodiment of the idea what a woman has to give up being a woman to succeed in many careers. In the 24th century they've moved beyond that. A woman can command a starship and have a family. Certainly if they can end poverty, hunger and most disease, they can figure out daycare." She sulked, and rubbed her head as if a headache might be coming on - a headache that would require a nap and some time away from the set. The Doctor decided to retake control of the situation. "Everyone, gather around. You," he said pointing to one of the assistants, "gather up everyone milling around outside. Have them back here in 60 seconds." The cast and crew assembled and the Doctor prepared to address them. 'I've been working with actors for some time now, and I think I understand your concerns and frustrations over the recent changes. I also understand that some of you need help with your character's motivation in these scenes. I think I can help." He smiled smugly at the group. "It's quite simple really. Your character would like to survive the finale, and return in any Voyager movies we might produce." "Now, if being true to your art prevents you from making these changes, we will understand. It will cost some extras their jobs, as miscellaneous bodies, when the ship exits the wormhole, but such are the fortunes of war." He glanced around as he spoke. "Are there any further questions. " There were none. "Good. Let's get back to work then." ~*~*~ The finale aired on schedule, and one Voyager returned to the Alpha Quadrant with pomp and circumstance. They arrive to the cheers of the Federation and were welcomed with open arms. There were speeches and tickertape parades. When the dust settled, the other crew found things as they should be. Their communications to the Alpha Quadrant assured them that the war with the Dominion had ended suddenly, Cardassia was subdued, the Maquis hailed as heroes, and the Romulans had decided to pursue Vulcan philosophy with a vengeance - as only Romulans can. Later, when they retrieved the Doctor, and were able to ask him how things went on Earth, he informed them that the series ending was so bizarre and complicated, coupled with the mysterious disappearance of the two key producers, that all plans for future movies involving the second Voyager have been canceled. Their fate was their own. As the ship shifted to the subdued light of the gamma shift, Janeway and Chakotay walked back from the bridge to find an ensign waiting for them in their quarters. She let them know the children are already asleep, as she left. Epilogue: 50 years after those events, the crew eventually began to succumb to old age. Tom and B'Elanna went first. It was whispered that their vigorous brand of 'affection' eventually did them in. Which explained why they went first. Kathryn and Chakotay followed them a few years later, surrounded by their children and grandchildren. In time, the rest of the crew eventually passed into history, but not until they had lived long full lives - with the occasional re-write.