CHAPTER 13



The party was still in full swing when Janeway, Seven, Gretchen and Phoebe returned to their table. B’Elanna was eager to know the results of their conversation with Chakotay.


“Let’s just say he won’t be returning to the festivities this evening,” said Janeway with a small smile. “He pushed Seven a little bit farther than was wise and they’re taking him to Medical right now.”


“You decked him?” Tom asked in disbelief.


“He insulted Kathryn and refused to acknowledge his role in my abduction,” replied Seven coolly. “I can accept that his concept of reality is not the same as ours, but I will not tolerate him insulting Kathryn.”


Getting to his feet the EMH excused himself, “I’ll head over to Medical and check him over. What should I do with him when he’s back on his feet?” The EMH had secretly loved Seven on Voyager and since he had operated on her after her abduction he had no liking for Chakotay.

Admiral Patterson also rose from his chair. “I suppose the best thing is for me to go with you and give him his next duty assignment. We can load him on a transport and get him headed there yet tonight if we’re lucky,” he commented dryly.

“What will his next duty assignment be?” inquired Seven.

The Admiral chuckled. “Commander Chakotay is the officer in charge of the cargo docks on the repair station at DS6. We couldn’t find a posting farther away from Starfleet HQ and it has the added benefit of having civilian contractors staffing the cargo docks. He won’t be in charge of any Starfleet personnel. Come on, Doctor, let’s go check on the good Commander. Good evening everyone, I hope you all enjoy yourselves.”

They wished the Admiral good evening and watched as he and the EMH made their way out of the room and back to the Starfleet complex. As they reached the doorway Martin and Radcliffe met them and the four men exchanged a few words. Patterson and the EMH continued out the doors while Martin and Radcliffe rejoined the group.

“Admiral Patterson and the Doctor will accompany Commander Chakotay and a couple of my men to Starfleet Medical. We won’t be seeing him again tonight,” said the lieutenant as he and Radcliffe sat down at the next table.

“So, to move on to happier subjects, how are we going to celebrate your engagement?” asked B’Elanna.

“Yeah, B’Elanna’s right,” chimed in Tom, “If we were still on Voyager we would have had a party to celebrate you getting engaged. Why don’t we have one now?”

“Mr. Paris,” began Janeway in her best command voice, “We will be getting married in three weeks. Don’t you think the wedding will be celebration enough?”

“Actually…no. Come to think of it, Tom and B’Elanna are right, Kathryn. We should have a party to celebrate your engagement,” commented Phoebe. “In fact, I’m so happy that you’ve finally found someone worth marrying that I’ll throw the engagement party for you. We’ll keep it simple; how about a barbeque at the farm next Saturday evening? Say 6:00 pm? Will that be okay, Mom?”

“I’ll never object to a good barbeque, especially when it’s in honor of one of my daughters,” laughed Gretchen. “But how are we going to get the word out in time?”

“You just leave that to us, Mrs. Janeway; we’ll get the word out. Is there anybody from Starfleet HQ that you’d like to invite, ma’am?” said B’Elanna, grinning. She scooted her chair closer to Gretchen’s and the two of them began assembling a list of friends to invite.

“All right then, I guess we’re having a barbeque next Saturday at the farm. Either of you have any objections?” Phoebe glared at Kathryn and Seven.

The couple looked at each other and smiled. Kathryn turned to her sister. “Nope, not a one.”

“It will be nice to see everyone in a casual atmosphere,” said Seven. “The wedding will be too formal to relax with friends.”

There was general agreement around the table with those sentiments and the rest of the evening passed quickly with everyone caught up in the party planning and festive air. Other crew members stopped by the table during the evening and were invited and told to spread the word. B’Elanna declared herself the clearing-house for RSVPs and agreed to communicate daily with Phoebe for planning purposes. Janeway and Seven mainly held hands, danced as frequently as possible and chatted with everyone who stopped by.

Janeway had always been amazed with Seven’s ability to adapt; indeed, it was possibly the Borg’s strongest tactical trait. But Seven had never been comfortable in social situations with many people in close proximity; that was one of the reasons Janeway had been so amenable to eloping. But Seven had agreed to the large wedding and seemed at ease in the ballroom. She even seemed excited about the barbeque and Janeway was amazed at this apparent change in her fiancée.

Leaning close to Seven she murmured, “Are you sure about the barbeque, darling? I don’t want to be uncomfortable, love.” Seven’s reply stunned and delighted her.

“I look forward to it, Kathryn. When you’re with me I can face anything with equanimity. I will enjoy the party and seeing our friends again.”

Janeway had to make a concerted effort not to appear too smug for the rest of the evening.


* * *

The ball finally broke up a little after 0100 hours. Riding back up to their suite in the lift Janeway and Seven agreed to meet Gretchen and Phoebe for brunch the next morning. The two women were returning to Indiana at midday and Janeway and Seven had plans to meet B’Elanna, Tom and the EMH for some long overdue sightseeing in the afternoon.

When they finally arrived back in their suite Janeway immediately went to unhook the stiff collar that had strangled her all evening but found her hands imprisoned in the grasp of her lover.

“Let me do that, Kathryn,” Seven murmured as her hands caressed up Janeways chest and around her neck. Slowly, Seven drew the Medal of Honor over her head and began to unfasten her dress tunic. As Seven’s hands slipped under the tunic to push it off her shoulders, Seven captured her lips in a searing kiss. She caught the tunic as is slipped off Kathryn’s arms and tossed it in the direction of one of the sofas. As the kiss deepened her hands slipped down to gently pull the formal shirt out of Janeway’s pants and begin to slide it over her head. They broke the kiss as Seven did and it soon joined the tunic on the sofa. Janeway took advantage of the break to work her hands under Seven’s top.

Their next kiss was softer but no less intense; hands wandered across velvet skin as pulses grew more rapid. Janeway broke away with a gasp and pulled back from Seven. Seven took her hand and led her to the empty couch where she sat down and pulled Janeway down to straddle her lap. Seven put her arms around Kathryn’s waist and pulled her close, drinking in the sight of her lover breathing hard through slightly parted lips. She buried her face in the crook of Janeway’s neck reveling in the smaller woman’s scent. Her lips traced up Kathryn’s throat and lingered on the sensitive spot just beneath Kathryn’s ear. As she nuzzled her lover she unfastened Kathryn’s bra and slipped it off. Her hands immediately swept back to caress the small breasts and she delighted in the moan and pebbled nipples her touch elicited. Kathryn put her hands on the back of the couch and leaned into Seven’s touch unable to stop the moans it caused. Her hips began to undulate as Seven stroked her nipples into hard peaks and placed butterfly-soft kisses along her jaw line.

“Oh, yes…yes!” she whispered.

Seven reclaimed Janeway’s lips and eased her hands to the closure of Janeway’s pants. Kathryn could barely restrain herself from thrusting against Seven’s hands as they brushed against her belly. Seven trailed kisses down Janeway’s throat, finally bringing her lips to a taut nipple. Kathryn’s breathing became harsh as she felt one of Seven’s hands slide into her underwear and brush across her heated sex. The combination of Seven’s lips on her breasts and fingers gently spreading the wetness between her legs and stroking her core was driving Janeway close to the edge. She could feel the passion building rapidly even as her hips began to writhe spastically. She flung her head back as she felt the orgasm crash over her crying out in her pleasure. Seven kept stroking her until her shudders eased and then pulled her close as Kathryn collapsed against her.

“My God, what you do to me,” was all she could gasp. Seven cradled her and murmured soothing words until Kathryn nearly purred from contentment. Their kisses were lingering and soft now, the urgency assuaged. Touches were gentle and meant to soothe rather than arouse.

“You do realize that you’re wearing entirely too many clothes, don’t you?” whispered Janeway after several wonderful minutes.

“I do, as are you. And I have a solution to that problem as well,” said Seven with a small smile. Suddenly, in one fluid movement, she swept her arms under Janeway’s legs and around her waist and stood up, carrying her lover along. She stopped briefly at the table and instructed Janeway to pick up the velvet box for her jewels and proceeded into the bedroom where she released Kathryn’s legs and let her slide back to her feet. Seven turned her back so Kathryn could remove the necklace as she removed the bracelet. When the jewels were safely in their box and the box safely in the nightstand Janeway turned back to her love and watched with delighted awe as Seven disrobed, taking special care to fold the ribbon of her Medal of Honor and lay it gently on the dresser.

Talk about Borg perfection! And she's mine! How did I get so lucky after all the mistakes I made with her? My God, she's breathtaking! Kathryn stood rooted as she watched Seven remove the lacy undergarments she’d worn beneath the dazzling formal clothing. When she was nude Seven looked at Janeway with a cock to her optical implant and a tiny smile.

“Kathryn, I believe it is now you who is wearing entirely too many clothes.”

Wordlessly, Janeway dropped onto the bed, tore off her boots and socks and leapt back to her feet. As soon as she was upright she peeled her pants and underwear off and kicked them across the room.

“Is this better?”

“Much, my love. I wish very much to hold you and feel every inch of you against me. Clothing does not facilitate that. Come here, Kathryn,” Seven purred. She enfolded the smaller woman in her arms then swept her up and carried her to the bed.

In a moment they were lying on the bed, wrapped around each other and delighting in the warmth of their embrace. Janeway nibbled her way along Seven’s jaw and down the side of her throat. She kissed the pulse in the elegant neck and slowly kissed her way down to Seven’s exquisite breasts. She used the tip of her tongue to softly circle a rosy tip and shivered when she felt it pebble under her touch. She wrapped her lips around the hardening nipple and drew it into her mouth while her tongue stroked it more firmly. Seven shuddered and could only groan at the sensation and clasp Janeway’s head to her bosom. Kathryn kissed her way across Seven’s chest and paid the same attention to the other breast while one hand stroked where her lips had just left. She rolled over and eased a thigh between the blonde’s long legs. Wetness coated her thigh as it rubbed against Seven’s center. Slowly she disengaged from Seven’s breasts and kissed her way down her torso and across her abdominal implant. Her lover’s hips were heaving against her as she kissed the edge of the crisp blonde curls then buried her face in the hot wetness of Seven’s sex. Her tongue stroked over the engorged nub of nerve endings while two fingers slid easily inside. Quickly establishing a rhythm between fingers and tongue, it did not take long for Seven to cry her name in ecstasy as she was engulfed in her climax. Kathryn licked up the last of Seven’s passion and kissed her way back up the young woman’s body. Separating from her only long enough to pull the bedclothes over them, Janeway and Seven sank into the warmth of their bed and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

* * *

“The time is 0830 hours,” chimed the suite’s chronometer.

Kathryn stirred at the alarm and slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she focused on was Seven smiling at her. Stretching contentedly, she planted a brief kiss on her lover’s lips and then settled comfortably back into her arms.

“Good morning, darling. Did you sleep well?” she purred, feeling Seven’s silken skin under her hands.

“I slept very well, Kathryn. I have discovered that I sleep more deeply after we have made love. Is that common?”

A deep chuckle rumbled through Janeway’s chest. “Yes it is, love. I’ve slept much, much better these last couple of nights than I have for the past ten years.”

“Ten years, Kathryn? But you were only in the Delta Quadrant for seven years. Were you not engaged to Mark Johnson prior to your mission to the Badlands?”

Janeway fidgeted uncomfortably as she tried to formulate an answer. “Seven, not every romantic relationship is the same. While it is true that Mark and I were engaged when I left with Voyager, and that we were…physically intimate, I rarely slept with him. Until you, I have never really enjoyed sharing my bed with a lover. But it’s different with you. With you I can’t get close enough in bed. I’ve discovered that when I fall asleep touching you I sleep deeply and soundly, and that’s something that I’ve never done much before.”

“So physical proximity with me is necessary for you to sleep efficiently?”

“So it would appear, darling.”

Seven nodded in understanding. “Acceptable. I find that physically touching you while asleep makes my slumber more restive and that I will require less regeneration time because of it. Apparently, it is good for both of us to fall asleep touching. I assume we will continue to do so?”

“Oh yes! There’s no way in hell I’m ever sleeping apart from you again if I can avoid it. But we may want to think about getting a new bed for the house.”

“Why?”

“Because I have what is known as a standard double bed. And I think that while we may only take up a small area of it while we sleep, that a larger bed would be nice for…other activities.”

Seven’s optical array rose almost to her hairline is confusion. “Kathryn, if you are referring to making love I do not understand. Did you not say that you and Mark Johnson were physically intimate? Why would we require a larger bed in which to make love than you and he did?”

Janeway blushed to the roots of her hair. I had to open my damned mouth, didn’t I? How the hell do I explain this?

“Uh, darling, not every everyone makes love with as much…enthusiasm…as we seem to.”

Seven puzzled over this revelation for a moment, her brows furrowing slightly.

“So what you are saying is that you and I make love in a different manner than you and Mark Johnson did. In what ways is it different?”

Janeway mentally began to bang her head against a wall. NOW what do I tell her? Christ, I had to pick this moment to start acting like Phoebe!

Kathryn took a deep breath and asked, “Seven, I’m assuming you know basic humanoid anatomy and the mechanics of heterosexual intercourse. Right?”

Seven’s small smile spoke volumes. “Yes, Kathryn, I am familiar with the mechanics of male-female intercourse and male anatomical structures.”

“Well, just as each individual is different and unique in their own way, every male is unique. Not all of them are…endowed…equally…some are…smaller…than others.”

“And was Mark Johnson smaller in this anatomical respect?”

“I, uh, well, actually, yes, he was a bit smaller than the other men I’ve been with. He was, er…adequate, but not outstanding, if you can understand that.”

The optical array shot upwards again. “Kathryn, if I understand you, then Mark Johnson was an inadequate lover for you. Why did you remain in an intimate relationship with him if that was the case?”

“Oh, darling, at that point in my life I didn’t want passion. Mark was safe and secure and that was all that mattered. If the sex wasn’t outstanding, well, that wasn’t what I needed at that time.”

“And what do you require at this time, Kathryn?”

“You, my darling. I require you. I changed out in the Delta Quadrant. I don’t care about safe and secure any longer. I won’t settle for adequate any longer. I want passion and love and fireworks. I want you.”

The blue of Seven’s eyes deepened at that comment. Her smile grew as she pulled Kathryn tight against her and rolled them over. “And I want you, Kathryn,” was the last coherent speech from either of them for quite a while.

* * *

When Gretchen and Phoebe called for them, Kathryn and Seven weren’t quite ready, but had taken the prudent action of having a pot of coffee delivered so that Phoebe had something other than teasing harassment to keep her occupied while they finished dressing. They again hopped a cable car down to Ghiradelli Square and strolled along the waterfront until they found a restaurant to their liking. It featured an extensive brunch menu and both Phoebe and Gretchen were amazed at the size of the meals Kathryn and Seven ate. Phoebe raised an eyebrow and pointedly asked Kathryn if she had been burning off extra calories lately while Gretchen just smiled at all of them. When they’d finished eating they returned to the hotel and helped Gretchen and Phoebe pack and check out.

At the transport center Kathryn and Seven promised to call them as soon as they had determined what needed to be done to make Janeway’s house livable. Gretchen stayed quiet during that part of the discussion, but her smile hinted that she might be keeping a secret or two regarding Kathryn’s house. Once the Indiana Janeways had beamed back to Bloomington Kathryn and Seven returned to the hotel to read the day’s news vids and meet B’Elanna, Tom and the EMH for some sightseeing.

The five friends gathered in the lobby at 1145 hours and again took a cable car to the waterfront. They walked along the Embarcadero to Pier 33 where to Janeway and Seven’s surprise and delight, Harry Kim and Karri Jameson joined the group. Janeway, Seven and the group offered congratulations to them as both had just been promoted to Lieutenant JG. The group briefly discussed a sightseeing strategy and then, opting to travel the old-fashioned way, purchased tickets to ride out to the Alcatraz Memorial on the small hydrofoil that provided ferry service to the island. The small island had a long and storied history; lighthouse, military base, prison, national park and now, finally, a memorial to all those Federation citizens who had perished as prisoners of the Dominion and Cardassians during the war. The group toured the memorial plaza and then moved to the perimeter railings while Janeway and Harry pointed out and explained various sights. The island’s position in the center of San Francisco Bay gave it an unparalleled vista of not only San Francisco but Marin, The Golden Gate, Sausalito, Oakland and virtually all areas of the Bay. They spent over two hours looking out across the bay and hearing stories of the various landmarks before boarding the hydrofoil to return to the city.

They toured the Ferry Building and Coit Tower and the Aquatic Park before deciding on a dinner in Chinatown to end the day. Janeway hailed hovercabs and the group headed for one of her favorite restaurants. Their meal was delightful in taste, conversation, company and alcohol consumption and they strolled out of the restaurant an hour and a half later in marvelous spirits.

“Well, now what shall we do?”

B’Elanna piped up, “Aren’t you going to check out your house tomorrow, Captain? How far is it from here? Why don’t we run by there now so we can all see it?” She and Jameson exchanged a quick look and Janeway was immediately suspicious.

“Why would anybody want to go see a closed house?” she asked.

“Because we’d like to see where you’re going to live? So we know how to get there for that big house warming party you’re going to throw when you get back from your honeymoon?” suggested Tom.

Janeway laughed and decided that her former staff members were positioning themselves to get invited for meals once they’d settled in. It appeared that word of Gretchen’s cooking lessons with Seven had spread.

“Okay, let’s find some hovercabs. It isn’t that far from here.” They walked a half block to the corner and hailed cabs. Janeway gave directions to the drivers and everybody piled in. In just a few minutes they were climbing out onto the sidewalk.

“Where are we?” asked Harry. “This is Russian Hill, isn’t it?”

“Yes, we’re on Lombard west of Hyde. The world’s curviest street is a block that way,” Janeway replied, pointing downhill. “But here’s what we want.”

She indicated a narrow gate behind them. It was set in an ivy-covered brick wall and barely wide enough for a single vehicle. A pedestrian gate was nestled in the ivy next to it. Janeway opened the gate using her private code and they filed through into the leafy tunnel of Fremont Lane.

Ancient California Black Oaks lined the narrow lane on both sides and their intertwined limbs formed a virtual canopy over their heads. The lane ran straight north for about two hundred feet, ending in a small cul-de-sac. More black oaks surrounded the cul-de-sac, shading the fronts of the three homes that abutted it. The home on the east side looked out over Nob Hill and the Bay Bridge. The home on the west side had views of the Presidio and the Golden Gate. But it was the home on the north side of the circle that drew their attention.

The giant oaks shaded the front of it and a ten-foot privacy fence surrounded the back and side yards. Russian Hill dropped away behind it giving the home’s rear a breathtaking view from the Golden Gate to Angel Island, the Marin headlands and Sausalito. Warm, inviting light poured out of the ground floor windows.

“You live here? My God, Captain! Which house is yours?” gasped the EMH in disbelief.

Janeway was frowning mightily. No way should there be lights on in her house. It had been closed and secured when she left and Voyager had gone missing. Gretchen and Phoebe had never given up hope that Kathryn was still alive and kept her home maintained in the event of her return, but had left the house closed and secured.

“It’s the north house. But it should still be secured. I don’t understand why the lights are on. Come on, we need to check this out. Something’s wrong here.” Janeway strode toward the spacious house with the others in hot pursuit. At the front door she keyed in her access codes and they filed into the foyer.

Indirect lighting showed an immaculate home, tastefully furnished. A fire was laid in the hearth, ready to be lit. Furniture gleamed with fresh polish, the atmosphere seemed fresh and clean. Janeway looked at her home in disbelief.

“This isn’t possible! I haven’t contacted the maintenance group…how could…?” she looked questioningly at Seven. “Do you have any idea how this happened?”

“No, Kathryn, but I believe it would have to be from your mother and sister. Who else knew of our plans to reopen the house?”

“Wow, Captain, this is something. Can we get a tour?” asked Jameson.

“I suppose so,” grumbled Janeway, “but I had planned on showing it to my fiancée before offering tours to the crew. She, after all, will be the one living in it with me.”

“I don’t know, Captain, it looks big enough for several of us to move in with you,” joked Tom. “How soon can you have our rooms ready?”

“I’ll require only holo-emitters in every room, Captain,” commented the EMH.

“Not funny, Mr. Paris,” replied Janeway with one of her force-10 command glares.

“Kathryn, show all of us the house. We are among friends here and hopefully as soon as we get settled they will become very familiar with it.”

“You’re sure you don’t mind? I wanted you to be the first to see it.”

“It is fine, Kathryn. Give us the tour.”

Janeway took Seven’s hand and started out of the foyer into the great room which boasted a view out over the Bay. A large den was to the left and the dining room was to the right. Ahead and to the right was the kitchen. Counters and cabinets were arranged so that someone working in the kitchen would be able to see into the great room and be a part of any activities going on there. Beyond the kitchen was a breakfast room with the same view as the great room. Two guest bedrooms with baths were accessed through this breakfast room. A utility room and garage access completed the right side of the house.

To the left of the great room was a hallway that led to the master suite, which took the same amount of space on the west side of the house as the two guest bedrooms and utility room did on the east side. Floor to ceiling windows and french doors onto the patio comprised the north wall of the room. Again, the magnificent vista down Russian hill, over the Bay and to the Marin headlands was the focal point of the room. Leading away from that stunning view was a hallway that led past a large walk-in closet, a smaller walk-in closet and to the master bath. Separate sinks on either side of the room were overshadowed by the luxurious bathtub in the center of the room. Behind the bathtub was the walk-in shower with eight separate shower heads. Towel warmers flanked both walls of the shower room.

But no one got that far as Janeway had stopped abruptly on entering the master bedroom. Her old bed was gone, replaced with a king sized bed already made up with plush linens. When she heard a very un-Klingon-like giggle behind her, she whirled on B’Elanna and demanded an explanation.

“You’re in on this, Torres, I know it! What the hell is going on here? Spill it now or I turn Seven loose on you!” she demanded, hands on hips.

“Like I’m afraid of Her Borgness! I can take Seven in a fair fight.”

“Kathryn, she is somewhat correct. Although I believe she is overstating her capabilities, she would provide at least some resistance to a direct assault. I propose tickling her until she surrenders. B’Elanna is extremely ticklish.”

The Klingon hybrid took a preparatory step backwards and paled. “Don’t you move! I’ll confess.”

“Well, Lieutenant, we’re waiting,” demanded Janeway.

“Captain, I was sworn to secrecy. So was Karri. Your mother may never have been in Starfleet, but she’s learned how to give orders really well. It’s your wedding present from her and Phoebe. Let me show you.”

With that, B’Elanna led the way down the hallway to what had been the smaller walk-in closet. She opened the door and stepped back so Janeway and Seven could enter. The room had been outfitted with a floor to ceiling bookcase, comfortable reading chair and ottoman and a fully functional Borg alcove.

“This is why we had to be involved, Captain. We really weren’t trying to deceive you on purpose, but your mother and sister wanted it to be a surprise,” explained Jameson.

“Surprised? I’m absolutely stunned,” gaped Janeway.

“Holy shit! Look at this bathtub! The entire senior staff could swim in here!” yelled Paris from the master bath. His remark caused a general stampede in that direction leaving Seven and Janeway alone in the alcove room.

“This really wasn’t the way I wanted you to see the house for the first time, darling.”

“Kathryn, I cannot imagine it being any more wonderful even if we were alone. Did you confide in Phoebe that you used to watch me regenerate?”

Janeway blushed. “Yeah, I did. We were talking about you one time before you woke up from your surgery and I told her. Apparently she has a better memory than I’ve given her credit for.”

“I think this will be wonderful, Kathryn. If I require regeneration during the day for a short while you can sit with me. And if I require a longer regeneration cycle, I have only to walk down a short hallway to join you in our bed when I am finished. It is very efficient.”

Janeway laughed. “I’m glad you like it, darling. How do you feel about the rest of the house? Could you be happy living here?”

“Kathryn, I could be happy living anywhere so long as you were with me. But I cannot give my opinion of the house until I make one necessary quantitative assessment.” With that, she turned and walked toward the master bath. Janeway shook her head and followed, grinning.

Seven of Nine strode up to the large bathtub and swept it with her optical array gauging depth and capacity. She noted the many hydro- and air-jets, the waterfall spigot and the area around it. Then, to the delight of everyone, she stepped into the tub and demanded that Janeway join her. And, grinning from ear to ear, Janeway did precisely that. The howling laughter from the group as she sat in the tub opposite Seven only caused her wry grin to widen.

“Well, darling, does it meet your specifications?”

Seven rose to her feet gracefully and extended a hand to help Janeway rise. “I believe it will adequately meet our needs, Kathryn. It will suffice. Since the tub is acceptable, the house is acceptable. How soon can we move in?”

“Well, we’ll have to check to make sure that everything is working properly, but from what I can see, I’d say tonight wouldn’t be out of the question. Of course there’s no food in the place, but there are dozens of bistros and cafés in the area. I doubt we’d starve.”

“So what are we waiting for? Let’s head back to the hotel and check you two out.”

“Not so fast, Mr. Paris. I need to give my mother a call first.” Janeway headed back into the great room to get to the den. When she walked in her smile widened. Her mother and sister had thought of everything. Instead of her huge antique desk the room now boasted two slightly smaller, but equally beautiful desks facing each other. Both were equipped with state of the art COMM units. One of the bookcases had been cleared for Seven’s use. The office needed only Seven’s presence to complete it.

Janeway sat at her desk and hailed her mother. It took a few moments for Gretchen to answer; she had been asleep on the couch waiting for Kathryn to call. Phoebe joined her in a minute, both of them grinning like Cheshire cats.

“Well, Kathryn, judging from the background I can see, I take it you’ve discovered our wedding present.”

“We certainly have. I’m not sure I like you recruiting my senior staff in your devious plans against me, but the surprise was unbelievable.”

“So, does Seven like the house? Are you moving back in?” asked Phoebe with laugh.

“Are you that eager to get rid of us? Hang on, she can tell you herself,” Janeway slid her chair to the side to make room for Seven at the screen.

“Gretchen, Phoebe, the house is very beautiful. Thank you for getting it ready for us. I believe we will be moving in as quickly as is feasible. If not tonight, then tomorrow morning.”

“Well, let us know when you want us to bring your things from Indiana. Besides, you and I need to go shopping to equip that kitchen, Seven. Kathryn only used the replicator for her coffee. We’ll need to set it up so that someone can actually cook in it. And Kathryn, I contacted Starfleet Support Services and they can have your things in storage beamed there on about an hour’s notice. So let us know your plans and we’ll come and help you get moved back in.” Gretchen had apparently overcome all obstacles to their immediate occupancy of the house.

Kathryn thought quickly. “Well, how about we spend tonight at the hotel and check out in the morning? We’ll spend tomorrow night here and you two can join us Monday for a couple of days. Then we can all go back to Indiana and get ready for the party Saturday night. Does that sound okay to everybody?” Everyone agreed with the plan and quickly signed off. Kathryn and Seven left the den and rejoined their friends in the great room.

“We’re going back to the hotel tonight and check out in the morning to come here. We’ll unpack and settle in for a couple of days and then head back to Indiana mid-week to set up for the party Saturday night. So it’s back to the Claremont.”

The group filed out of the house as Janeway keyed in the commands to turn off the lights and secure the house. They walked back down the tree-covered lane and let themselves back onto Lombard Street through the gate.

“We’ll need to head east to Hyde to get hovercabs. Seven and I can take a cable car from there back to the hotel and you all can get cabs where you need to go.” Janeway took Seven’s hand and the group began walking toward the corner, talking all the while.

At the corner they discussed plans to get together over the next couple of days. B’Elanna agreed to bring Miral over while Gretchen and Phoebe were there and the EMH volunteered to help with the unpacking. Bidding each other cheerful goodnights the group split up and returned to their respective domiciles for the night.

Early the next morning Janeway and Seven packed their bags and checked out of the hotel; eager to be in their own space and settle in. When the cab dropped them in the circle in front of the house they stood on the sidewalk and just admired it for a moment. Then, picking up their bags, they headed for the front door and their new life together.

* * *

Gretchen and Phoebe arrived as promised early Monday morning with Kathryn and Seven’s clothes and belongings in tow. Janeway had called Support Services the day before and had her stored possessions beamed over. When the EMH arrived shortly after Gretchen and Phoebe they put him to work unpacking and cleaning the souvenirs and antiques that had decorated her quarters and ready room on Voyager.

Janeway had walked Seven around the neighborhood the day before and shown her the locations of her favorite shops, cafés and restaurants. Seven walked to a local bakery that morning for fresh croissants and danish and had set them out for their guests. Phoebe complained about having to drink replicator coffee and Gretchen promised to get a decent coffee maker when she and Seven went shopping later on.

Janeway was called to the COMM unit mid-morning with a problem at Utopia Planetia and gave Radcliffe the new COMM access information for both her and Seven. B’Elanna showed up with Miral shortly after the hail and Gretchen stopped doing anything but playing with the baby. The group made quick work of their tasks and by lunch time were very nearly finished.

Janeway ordered Chinese food delivered for lunch and they sat around the dining table discussing plans for the afternoon and the rest of the week. Phoebe brought everyone up to date on plans for the engagement party on Saturday while Gretchen and Seven made a list of what equipment and supplies were needed to outfit the kitchen. Their meal was interrupted by the arrival of a delivery person from the Brew Moon Café bearing several large parcels.

“And what are these, Kathryn?” asked Gretchen as Janeway and Seven carried the boxes into the kitchen. As she and Seven began unpacking them Kathryn began to explain.

“Well, Phoebe was complaining about the coffee this morning. My aide, Ensign Radcliffe, is an accomplished barista who keeps a complete coffee-brewing system in his office for us. I asked him to have the same setup delivered here so Phoebe can find something else to bitch about other than our lack of amenities. We have Jamaican Blue Mountain beans, a custom coffee grinder and the finest coffee-espresso-cappuccino-latte brewing station in the quadrant. And I see that Ensign Radcliffe has included some imported bulk Earl Grey tea leaves and a tea set for my wife-to-be.”

No sooner had Janeway unpacked the items than Phoebe elbowed her out of the way and began the complicated process of brewing a pot of ‘acceptable’ coffee. She promised to teach Seven the proper techniques with the new system so Janeway wouldn’t be deprived of good coffee either. In a few minutes everyone who was capable of drinking had either a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea in their hands as they sat in the great room.

“So what else is there to be done?” asked Gretchen when everyone had settled.

“All I’ve got to do is put the antiques from my ready room on shelves in the den,” said Janeway.

“I have completed my tasks. All that remains for me to do is to organize the kitchen once we return from shopping,” replied Seven.

The others looked at each other. “I think that’s about it, Mom,” said Janeway. “We’re officially moved in.”

B’Elanna put Miral down on their bed for a nap, surrounded by pillows so she couldn’t roll around. The group spent a comfortable hour chatting and generally relaxing over their drinks. Around 1430 hours Miral woke and B’Elanna made ready to take her home. The EMH left with them and Gretchen and Seven left on their kitchen-supply expedition while Kathryn and Phoebe finished up in the den.

“So, have you given any thought to dinner tonight?” asked Phoebe.

“No, I just assumed we’d go out. There are some wonderful restaurants in the neighborhood.”

“Do you really think Mom’s going to want to go out after she spent the afternoon stocking your kitchen? I have a feeling that she and Seven will whip something up for us.”

Grinning mightily Kathryn replied, “Even better as far as I’m concerned!”

* * *

Gretchen and Phoebe returned to Indiana the following afternoon and Kathryn and Seven joined them a day later. They finalized plans for the weekend’s barbeque and took care of more wedding tasks for the remainder of the week. By Friday evening all was in readiness for the party the next day.