CHAPTER 21

Kathryn woke slowly to the sound of winter winds swirling snow against the windows. She was surrounded in the warm cocoon of Seven’s arms and the thick comforter on the bed. Easing her head back slowly she gazed fondly at her soon-to-be wife.

I still can’t believe my luck. Not only did we get back in only seven years, but I got Seven. I didn’t have to settle for less than the brass ring; I’ll never live the lonely, bitter life Admiral Janeway did. She’s here in my arms and tomorrow we’re getting married. Married! I get to wake up in her arms for the rest of my life. My God, what did I ever do to deserve that? Must have been something good…

Unbidden, her mind turned to the first time she’d seen Seven; their arrogant liaison with the Borg Collective. Then an image of the frightened isolated ‘emerging’ human in Voyager’s brig; Borg implants being rejected as her organic systems began to reassert themselves. Another of her seizing in Sickbay; the EMH working desperately to save her life. Finally, the cold, impassive Valkyrie in the silver biosuit who had so frightened the crew at first. Enhanced skeleton and near super-human strength, eidetic memory, the data files of the entire Collective in her cortical node; and yet there had always been something. That first night in Cargo Bay two when she’d handed Seven a COMM badge and offered help if contacted. Seven had nodded and abruptly turned away and then, to Janeway’s utter astonishment, had replied to a personal question Janeway had posed days earlier.

“Red…the child you spoke of – the girl. Her favorite color was red.”

There had always been something. That slight catch of breath she’d feel when she saw Seven unexpectedly. The feeling of pride that warmed her when Seven triumphed over a stumbling block in her journey back to humanity and the cold rage that drove her when someone was intentionally cruel to the young woman. The unwavering determination to help Seven become fully human; to help her recover what the Borg had stolen from her. The feeling of security in a battle knowing Seven was at the station behind her command chair, the cool voice sounding almost detached as it fed her critical tactical data and analysis. Knowing that as long as Seven was with them Voyager had a fighting chance against the Delta quadrant.

And how many times had Seven almost been lost to them? Even now her stomach clenched as the memories came: Seven, standing isolated and alone in the corridor of a Borg sphere watching with longing in her eyes as Janeway made good her escape, leaving her to be reassimilated. Seven, strapped down to the biobed in Equinox’s Sickbay as the EMH with all ethical protocols erased removed her cortical node. Seven, sobbing and curled into the fetal position as a Borg vinculum caused her cortical node to malfunction and multiple personalities to erupt in the normally unflappable former drone. Seven, weakened and unsteady as her cortical node failed, but determined to die with dignity and refusing the increasingly desperate solutions offered by Voyager’s crew including the murder of a living drone to procure the needed cortical node. Seven, confused by a data overload in her alcove, seeing paranoid conspiracies everywhere and fleeing Voyager in the Delta Flyer determined to end her life. Seven, battered and bleeding; fighting to the death in the Tsunkatse arena against a Hirogen to save Tuvok’s life. And finally, the terrifying memory of Seven, drugged and tortured, being dissected alive as Section 31 operatives tried to harvest her Borg implants.

Janeway reflected on the terror she’d felt every time Seven was in danger and the overwhelming relief when she had been rescued and brought back to Voyager.

Back to me. How could I have been so blind? How could I have deluded myself for so long? Thank God for Admiral Janeway. If she hadn’t knocked some sense into me I’d still be denying my feelings instead of lying here next to this amazing woman.

Yes, there had always been something. Janeway’s heart had known even if her head had denied it for all those years. The feeling of unutterable rightness as she’d blurted out her proposal of marriage and the way her heart leapt at the incandescent smile on Seven’s face as she’d accepted. The feeling of completeness in her heart for the first time in her life. Oh yes, there had always been something. Janeway’s eyes filled with tears as she regarded her soon-to-be wife tenderly.

Seven, as if sensing she was being watched stirred and blinked her eyes open. As they focused on Janeway a slow smile began to spread across her face.

“Good morning, my Kathryn. Did you sleep well?” she murmured.

Janeway propped herself up on one elbow and gazed down at the gorgeous blonde snuggled against her. She leaned down and pressed a quick kiss on Seven’s lips. “I always sleep well when I sleep with you. It’s a shame I was so stubborn on Voyager; if we’d been living together back in the Delta quadrant we’d have been so well-rested we’d probably have figured out a way to be home years earlier.” Idly she trailed a hand slowly down Seven’s side, fingertips delighting in the feel of abdominal implant mesh joined seamlessly to the soft flesh of her lover’s flank. Blue eyes darkened with desire as the hand began its return journey, gently cupping a full breast and brushing across the hardening nipple.

Seven gasped as Janeway pressed butterfly-soft kisses along her jaw line and teased the starburst implant below her right ear with the tip of her tongue. “Kathryn...!”

Janeway’s chuckle came out as a deep vibration against Seven’s skin as the smaller woman kissed her way down the alabaster column of throat and across Seven’s shoulder. Without hesitation she took a pebbled nipple between her lips and began to suck gently, her tongue stroking with increasing firmness as Seven moaned and clutched her head against her. Without haste, and seemingly ignoring the increasing urgency of her partner’s moans and the writhing of her hips, Kathryn lavished attention on each breast as her hand once again ventured slowly south. When her fingers tangled in the crisp curls at the juncture of Seven’s legs she felt the heat and readiness of her partner and wasted no time slipping her fingers into that velvety sheath. Seven’s response was immediate, gasping and thrusting against the fingers that stroked her.

Janeway could feel the rapidly building tension in Seven’s body and knew that she was close. Concentrating on her partner’s responses, Janeway smoothly brought her lover to the edge and over, holding Seven as the spasms of her orgasm washed through her and gently kissing her as her gasping subsided into regular breathing again. Seven shivered as Janeway’s hand returned to stroke over an inflamed nipple and then down her arm to clasp her hand. The kisses that followed were gentle and sweet.

“How did I ever think I could live without you?” mused Janeway. “I should have blown Chakotay out an airlock when I found out about you two.”

Seven chuckled softly. “I should have had more courage and pursued you, Kathryn. You were the one I really wanted.”

“Mmm, love…I don’t want to think about what we should have done. We’re together now and tomorrow we’ll be married and that’ll be that. Are you nervous about the wedding?”

“No, I am apprehensive, but not overly nervous. Of course, as the time nears for the ceremony to begin my apprehension may grow until I reach fully panicked, but I am hopeful that will not happen. When I feel it increasing I remind myself that I am marrying you and the thought calms me.”

Janeway gazed into the impossibly blue eyes next to her and grinned. “That is a marvelous thought, isn’t it? So tell me, my love, how do you feel about a long, leisurely, steamy shower before we have brunch with everyone?”

Seven rolled them over until she lay partially atop Janeway. Her human hand swept across Kathryn’s chest until it captured a small, firm breast. “I have a better idea for the immediate future,” she said lowering her lips to Kathryn’s.

Janeway didn’t argue. It really was a better idea.

* * * * *

“…and just as he leaned in to kiss Maggie, I transmitted the matrix alterations and she turned into a cow! You should have seen Harry’s face!” Newly minted Lieutenant Kim blushed furiously at the howling laughter that ensued from Tom’s story.

“Yeah, and look how that turned out. We were the only ship in Starfleet whose holodeck characters ever staged an uprising,” he retorted. Now it was Tom’s turn to flush at the laughter.

The wedding party and a few guests were having brunch in a private dining room of the hotel. As the friends relaxed over coffee after eating, the conversation naturally moved to their time on Voyager. Family members and those who had not been with them in the Delta quadrant listened and once again marveled at the bonds that had formed among Voyager’s crew.

“You know, somehow I keep waiting for Neelix to show up,” commented Tom, “He would have been in his glory organizing this wedding.” Glancing at Gretchen he added hastily, “Assisting you, of course, Mrs. Janeway.”

“Of course, Tom,” laughed Gretchen. “Neelix was your cook and morale officer wasn’t he? A Delta quadrant native?”

“A Talaxian from Rinax, yes. Neelix and Kes were the first of our Voyager Irregulars,” said Janeway. “After we got B’Elanna and Harry back off the Ocampan home world they came into my ready room and informed me that we needed them. And he was right. Of all the things that Neelix did for us, there was nothing he enjoyed more than throwing a party. He came up with the most unbelievable excuses to have them.”

“Mr. Neelix was most adept at inventing holidays to celebrate,” said Tuvok implacably.

That provoked another round of laughter as well as more Neelix stories. Radcliffe felt a small pang in his chest as he regarded the Voyager officers, wondering idly if he would ever feel that kind of bond with crewmates. As he shifted in his seat he felt a twinge from his last workout. He was slowly improving his marksmanship skills and Lieutenant McDeere was teaching him katas as quickly as he could learn them. He still felt awkward and clumsy when he performed them but Lieutenant McDeere assured him that was normal and that he was making good progress. His determination to win a berth on Janeway’s new command was stronger than ever, even more so as he observed the camaraderie of her Voyager officers. Knowing each of them had agreed to join the captain in her campaign against the Borg without hesitation merely stiffened his resolve to become a member of that select group.

The rehearsal went smoothly that evening with general merriment accompanying the revelation of Miral’s and Ethan’s roles in the ceremony. Janeway laughed so hard at the sight of her aide carrying a squirming toddler down the aisle that she had to sit down to catch her breath. Miral, for her part, was more interested in grabbing hold of Radcliffe’s nose than she was in her role as flower girl and kept the young ensign busy trying to keep tiny fingers out of his eyes. The arrival of Captain Martin and a contingent of Fleet Marines didn’t even cause a ripple in the festivities. The rehearsal dinner was equally light-hearted with several hilarious toasts and even more humorous tales from the Delta quadrant being recounted. After the rehearsal dinner close friends and family moved to a suite in the hotel for one last evening of reminiscing. Even that was low-key, with Janeway and Seven retiring for the night at a surprisingly early hour.

As Phoebe and Gretchen were preparing to retire in their rooms Phoebe commented that Kathryn had seemed more relaxed that she had expected.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet. She’s just like your father; he was fine the day before but by the time of the ceremony he was shaking so badly we weren’t sure if he could make it down the aisle. If it weren’t for Owen and Rob Patterson I think he would have fainted dead away before I got to the altar to hold him up. Just wait.” Gretchen burst into laughter at the stunned expression on her younger daughter’s face.

* * * * *

The morning of the wedding dawned clear and cold, the sun blinding on the blanket of fresh snow covering everything. Gretchen and Phoebe joined Kathryn, Seven and Seven’s Aunt Claudia for breakfast in the suite before leaving to check on final preparations at the church and ballroom. Martin and Radcliffe arrived midmorning to transfer the luggage to St. Lucia. Martin kept his involvement very low-key, but his real purpose was to insure that his security team was in place on the island and ready to take up their protective duties that night. They would be walking a fine line between respecting Janeway and Seven’s privacy and maintaining the watchfulness necessary to protect the women, but Martin was confident that the senior men he’d selected for the duty were up to the task. He had been mildly surprised but pleased when Radcliffe had offered to accompany him. It was a good opportunity to instruct the young officer in some of the varied considerations of a security assignment.

Claudia Hansen did her level best to keep the tension levels low in the suite. Janeway was beginning to show some nerves and Seven was sounding more like the drone that she’d once been, a sure sign of tension. By the time Gretchen and Phoebe got back Janeway was buffing the shine on her boots for the third time and her hands were shaking noticeably.

Gretchen looked at her youngest daughter with a twinkle in her eyes. “Just like your father.”

B’Elanna arrived shortly thereafter to help Seven dress for the wedding and Gretchen pointed Janeway toward a bedroom at one side of the suite while Phoebe and Torres ushered Seven toward the bedroom opposite. Before she turned away Seven smiled at Janeway and said quietly, “I will see you at the altar, Kathryn.”

“Altar, yes, at the…the altar,” stammered Janeway. Gretchen shook her head with a smile. Just like her father. Gretchen was hard-pressed to nudge Kathryn into the rooms set up for her to dress in. Gretchen took the boots away from Janeway lest they be polished yet again and pointed her toward the shower.

“Shower. Now. Long and hot. Scrub until you’re pink.” Kathryn’s wry grin acknowledged the whip of command in Gretchen’s voice as she headed for the bathroom. Gretchen turned and began a minute examination of Kathryn’s dress whites. It didn’t take long for her to pull out an ionizer to remove the stray lint. As she flipped the switch to activate the unit a bittersweet smile touched her lips. How many times did I do this for Edward? I never realized that I missed fussing over a uniform until just now. The replicator leaves a uniform with a slight negative charge that attracts lint like a magnet. He never knew. Apparently, neither does Kathryn. Her chuckle was deep and throaty. Just like her father. I’ll have to remember to tell Seven about this. She’ll have to check the uniforms from now on.

Kathryn emerged from the bathroom twenty minutes later, pink as instructed, wrapped in a billow of steam and a terry cloth robe. As soon as she sat down Gretchen pressed a cup of coffee into her hand, sat down opposite her and began to talk about when Kathryn was young. She didn’t have any particular reason for the subject, but one quick look at the rapidity with which Kathryn’s scrubbed pink face was turning white convinced her that some topic was required to keep Kathryn’s nerves calmed. Kathryn’s early years and her father would usually do the trick. Today, for some reason Gretchen couldn’t quite fathom, it didn’t.

“Sweetheart, you look troubled. Is there something the matter that I don’t know about?”

“No, Mom. I was just thinking about Daddy and what it would be like to have him here today.”

“I’d have to keep him isolated and Kate Pulaski nearby to dope him up.”

Janeway looked up in shock. “Why?”

“Because he would be so nervous he’d send you over the edge too. He was shaking so hard at our wedding that he had to be medicated and Owen Paris and Rob Patterson had to hold him up until I walked down the aisle and could keep him upright through the ceremony. He was a basket case. Now what’s bothering you?”

“I…there was…I was wondering how Daddy would have reacted in a situation, that’s all. Somehow I don’t think he would have done the same things I did.”

“What situation, darling?”

“Mom, I…,” Janeway took a deep breath and began again. “When Seven was kidnapped by Section 31 and we rescued her I did something. Something I’m ashamed of that probably would have made Daddy ashamed of me.”

“Why don’t you tell me about it? I think I can pretty much tell how your father would have felt. Perhaps better than you can.”

“I’ll try to explain what happened. After we located her we beamed down to the surface and captured all the guards. Tuvok, Ayala and I went into the operating room. The guys took out the guards and I charged the operating table and forced the surgeons to stand away. Everything was fine…and then I heard her…”

“You heard her? What do you mean?” Gretchen’s voice was a shocked whisper.

“When we broke in one of them had carved out her ocular implant; there was this bloody crater in the side of her face. He was cutting through her skull to try and take out her cortical implant. The other one was cutting her abdominal implant away from her flesh. When we broke in I saw what they were doing but I was in control. I ordered them to stand away from the table. I was fine. And then I heard her…she…whimpered. I’d never heard Seven make any sound like that before. It cut through me like a laser blast. I looked over at the table and she was crying out of the eye they’d left her. She was awake. They hadn’t bothered to anesthetize her while they cut her implants out…and I…something inside me snapped. I…I…killed both of them. I blew them apart with a disruptor rifle.”

“And you think your father would have been ashamed of you for that?”

Janeway looked at her mother bleakly. “Yeah, I do.”

“Then you don’t know your father very well. Edward would have killed anyone…anyone who threatened you girls or me and he would have done it without a second thought. If your father had walked into that operating room and seen me strapped down on that table and those butchers cutting on me without anesthesia he wouldn’t have used a disruptor rifle. He’d have snapped their necks with his bare hands. Ashamed of you? Your father would have been ashamed if you’d balked at killing them. You were protecting the woman you loved. He would have done exactly the same thing. This is what’s upsetting you?”

“Yeah, it was. I just can’t help but think that he’d have come up with another way of dealing with…”

“Kathryn, he would have killed them without hesitation. Kate Pulaski was there, wasn’t she? What did she say?”

“She thanked me for saving her the trouble of killing them herself.”

“And weren’t you debriefed by Starfleet?”

“Yes, Admirals Patterson and Paris debriefed me.”

“And what did Owen and Rob say?”

“They said it was understandable. That anybody would have done the same thing,”

“Okay, let’s tally this up. Owen and Rob said it was understandable, Kate was willing to kill them too and thanked you for saving her the trouble and I just told you that your father would have used his hands to tear them apart. What parts of that aren’t getting through to you? You did nothing wrong, Kathryn. The only person who doesn’t see that is apparently you.”

Janeway looked up and a small smile began to appear on her face. “His bare hands?”

“His bare hands. So why don’t you go a little easier on yourself for once? You’re getting married to the most wonderful woman in the universe tonight. This isn’t a time to be berating yourself for saving her. This is a time to congratulate yourself on saving her and having the good sense to marry her after you did.” Just like her father. Never content to just enjoy what was happening. Always had to analyze it.

Janeway’s smile was full and genuine. “You’re right. Thanks, Mom.”

“You’re welcome, darling. Now shouldn’t you start getting dressed?” Janeway’s face went from nervous and pale to terrified and green. She stood abruptly and bolted for the bathroom. Gretchen pressed a cool washcloth on the back of her neck as her daughter upchucked everything she’d eaten for the past three days into the bowl. Yes, indeed. Just like her father.

* * * * *

Seven of Nine had managed to avoid the worst of the anxiety everyone around her seemed to be suffering from by leaving her dressing room for a while to watch the Marines rehearse the arch of swords under which she and Kathryn would leave the church. When Seven realized that Captain Martin had a detachment of Marines with him she guessed what they were planning. She had discovered the ancient rite during her research on marriage customs shortly after Kathryn proposed. Watching the precision with which the Marines carried out the ritual soothed her. She wasn’t terribly nervous but she had seen that Kathryn was. She had felt some anxiety about marrying Kathryn in front of so many people, but Phoebe had explained the tradition of the ‘community’ wedding and Seven had resigned herself to being watched by a church full of people as she wed Kathryn. But she really wasn’t nervous about vowing her love to Kathryn; that was the one thing of which she was entirely certain. As to the rest, she would adapt.

When she returned to her dressing area after watching the Marines for several minutes she discovered Phoebe and B’Elanna shouting at each other and the EMH and her Aunt Claudia trying vainly to calm them down. Seven stepped in and quietly reminded the combatants that she was the one getting married that evening and that they should remember that. After getting both women to opposite corners of the suite Seven took a short hydro shower and a full power sonic one. Feeling as clean as was possible she carefully dressed in the delicate silken under clothes Phoebe had insisted she buy and pulled on her stockings, shoes and garters. Returning to the bedroom she faced the ongoing battle about makeup and hair. B’Elanna and Phoebe had vastly different ideas on both subjects and the EMH wasn’t helping. She instructed the women on what she wanted and after much complaining and some not-terribly-veiled threats she looked in the mirror and was pleased with what she saw. Once she declared hair and makeup acceptable B’Elanna and Phoebe helped her into her dress.

“Seven, I hope they’ll have oxygen up at the altar because when the captain sees you in this dress she’s going to fall over in a dead faint. Woman, you look amazing.”

“Hmmm, Katie keeling over at the altar. I’d pay cash money to see that,” laughed Phoebe.

‘Well, if she does, there will at least be a couple of physicians on hand to tend to her,” commented the EMH, fussing with the train of the dress. “Are you both ready to go? You know I want plenty of time to take holoimages before the ceremony.”


Phoebe and B’Elanna quickly finished their preparations and began to gather up everything that needed to go over to the church with Seven. Just as they finished Gretchen entered the room, dressed for the ceremony.

“All set, everyone? Tuvok just arrived and will sit with Kathryn until they hear Seven’s safely over at the church. Are we ready to go?”

“All except for Aunt Claudia’s wedding present, Mom.” Phoebe opened a closet door and took out a heavy garment bag. Opening it she drew out a midnight blue velvet cloak and draped it over Seven’s shoulders. Moving around the taller woman, she fastened the cloak at Seven’s throat. “There you go, sis. A little something to keep you warm on the walk over to the church. Your aunt has exquisite taste.”

All B’Elanna could do was stare. “Damn, Seven! You’re stunning!”

“All right everyone, lets get moving. The sooner we settle in the bride’s room at the church the sooner Kathryn can come over and the easier it will be for Tuvok to keep her calm. Doctor, have you got the overskirt and train?”

“We’re all ready, Mrs. Janeway. Let’s go.” The EMH swept out of the room holding the overskirt and train to Seven’s dress well off the floor. B’Elanna followed him and as Phoebe started to leave Seven grasped her arm to stay her.

“I want to thank both of you again for all you have done for me. And thank you Aunt Claudia for being here and for this beautiful cloak.”

The four women hugged briefly then headed out of the suite and to the church.

* * * * *
Once B’Elanna confirmed that Seven and her entourage had made it safely to the church Janeway and Tuvok headed over. Kathryn thought all the traditional superstitions about not seeing the bride the day of the wedding were nonsense, but Phoebe, Gretchen and Claudia Hansen were adamant; Kathryn would not see Seven in her wedding dress until she walked down the aisle. To her amusement even B’Elanna sided against her and threatened to lock her in the church basement if she tried to get near the bride’s room before the ceremony.

The air was crisp and cold with a huge hunter’s moon rising low in the eastern sky. The blanket of new snow glittered in the rising moonlight and reflected the lights of the square and the church. Inside, the sanctuary had been decorated with ropes of winter greens, baskets of white flowers and hundreds of white candles in hurricane chimneys. The fresh scent of balsam permeated the air and the overall effect was breathtaking. Kathryn could only stand in awe breathing in the clean scent and basking in the soft light.

White lilies, hydrangeas and roses lined the aisle with white candles in crystal chimneys. Sprays of the same white flowers banked the altar area and filled the sanctuary; silver and white satin ribbons woven through the flowers and greens glittering. Single, artfully placed pots of bright red amaryllis served as splashes of color in the elegant scene and soft music completed the ambiance. Gretchen and Phoebe had created an unforgettable setting in which to hold the wedding. Even the normally impassive Vulcan raised an eyebrow and commented “Impressive.” Struck mute at the beauty before her, Janeway could only nod in agreement.

She glanced behind her at the sound of the church doors opening and watched dumbstruck as Captain Martin and nine Fleet Marines, all in formal Mess Dress uniforms and wearing the honored Mameluke swords of the Corps, entered the sanctuary with Ensign Radcliffe bringing up the rear in his dress whites. The Marines quickly divested themselves of those ceremonial side arms and snapped to attention.

“Captain Martin, Marine Ceremonial Detachment and a stray supernumerary officer reporting for duty, ma’am!”

Janeway broke into laughter. “As you were, ladies and gentlemen. ‘Duty’, Captain Martin?”

“Yes ma’am, Captain. We will provide the ceremonial arch of swords for you and your spouse at the end of the ceremony. Compliments of Admirals Patterson and Paris. We’re not at all sure what Radcliffe’s doing, but he looked lonely so we brought him along.”

“The ‘arch of swords’, Captain? Is this some archaic part of the ceremony I’m not familiar with?”

“It is certainly a part of any military wedding, Captain. And I believe your spouse will be able to brief you on all the protocols involved. When she realized I had come to the wedding with a detachment she guessed our purpose immediately. In fact, she insisted we rehearse in her presence earlier this afternoon. I assure you, Seven of Nine is quite familiar with the protocol. She’ll get you through it just fine.”

Janeway laughed again. “Of that, I have no doubt. Why did you take off your swords?”

“We will not bear arms in a church, Captain. We’ll be serving as ushers until the ceremony starts. Once we’ve seated the last guests, we’ll put our swords on again and step out of the sanctuary where we will remain in formation until the conclusion of the wedding. We’ll provide the arch for you and Seven and remove our swords again only when that ceremony is completed.”

“I see, Captain. And I presume that the Admirals wanted this ceremony to be a surprise for me?”

“They did, Captain. I trust we managed to do so.”

“Indeed, Captain. So how soon will you all need to assume your usher duties?”

Martin glanced at his wrist chronometer. “Fairly quickly, Captain. Which means we need to get you secluded away before any guests start showing up. We have one small ritual to complete before we can begin our duties.” He indicated the way to the traditional ‘grooms’ room’ at one side of the sanctuary and the group hastened into it.

Once inside Martin snapped to attention and barked, “Gunnery Sergeants Mulcahey and Froelich, do your duty.”

The gunnys chorused “Aye, aye sir!” and produced a small tray with ounce-sized plasticine cups and a flask of suspiciously blue liquid.

“Captain Martin, is that by any chance Romulan ale?”

“Why yes, Commander Tuvok, it is.”

“No doubt you are aware that Romulan ale is illegal, Captain Martin.”

“Indeed I am, Commander Tuvok.”

“Well done, Captain Martin. Carry on.”

“Thank you, Commander Tuvok.” The gunnys poured shots of the potent liquor and everyone took a cup.

Martin raised his glass and offered the toast. “To Captain Janeway and Seven of Nine. May ‘for better or worse’ be far better than worse. Fair winds and safe harbors to you both, Captain.”

“Hear, hear!” chorused the group and tossed back their drinks. Kathryn was fine until the ale hit her stomach with roughly the same impact as a tricobalt device. At that point she wasn’t entirely sure that the top of her head wasn’t about to blow off. The Marines and a slightly green Radcliffe took their leave and Tuvok waited until the door closed behind them before he gently thumped Kathryn on the back to help her breathe again.

“Thank you, old friend,” wheezed Janeway. “I’m especially glad you waited to resuscitate me until after the Marines left. Don’t want it to look like Starfleet can’t hold its liquor.”

The two friends talked quietly until there was a sharp knock on the door. Janeway paled and leapt to her feet.

“Captain, you must try to relax. It is a wedding, not a Hirogen armada,” Tuvok commented as the door opened revealing Admiral Pulaski carrying a small medkit.

“Kathryn, Tuvok,” she nodded to the room’s occupants. “I’ve been dispatched by your mother to insure you make it to the altar in a functional state. I’m packing anti-hangover meds, anti-nausea meds, anti-diarrhea meds, tranquilizers, stimulants and some Iconian whisky I had smuggled across the neutral zone to DS9. Which do you need?”

“I believe your company for a few minutes will suffice, Doctor,” said the Vulcan mildly as Janeway collapsed back into her chair. “We have already shared a flask of Romulan ale with the Marine contingent.”

“Damn, I’m sorry I missed that.” Suddenly Pulaski brightened noticeably. “Do you think they have any left?” Janeway managed a weak laugh at the thought of the Marines and Admiral Pulaski in the foyer slugging back Romulan ale from a hidden flask.

“Is Seven okay?”

Pulaski chuckled. “She’s nervous, but she’s in better shape than you are, Kathryn. For the love of God, breathe. Your mother’s right, you are just like your Dad. He was a basket case at their wedding too. I had to shoot him full of tranks to get him to the altar. Good thing Owen and Rob were there to keep him upright.” She looked down at her wrist chronometer and rose to her feet. “Well, it won’t be long now. Last chance to get medicated. No? Okay then, I’ll see you in church…in about three minutes.” The statuesque officer left them and returned to her seat in the sanctuary.

Janeway maintained a tenuous hold on her nerves for another minute until her mother and sister entered the room and looked at her expectantly. Then her knees started to shake in earnest. Tuvok cocked his head slightly at the opening notes of Pachelbel’s Canon in D and addressed his commanding officer gravely.

“Kathryn, I believe they are playing our song.” The four of them left the room and took their places at the rear of the church. Tuvok nodded briefly and began his march down the aisle toward the waiting Justice of the Peace.

“There’s still time to run, Kathryn,” whispered Phoebe with a devilish glint in her eye watching Janeway grow paler by the moment. Gretchen smiled as she took Kathryn’s hand and squeezed it supportively. The three Janeway women held hands and started down the aisle as the familiar music washed over the congregation. At the front pew Kathryn kissed her mother and sister and climbed the broad altar steps to stand next to Tuvok.

They looked back over the packed church to watch the newest members of Voyager’s family come down the aisle together. A murmur of quiet laughter followed Radcliffe and Miral through the congregation as people noticed their matching dress uniforms. B’Elanna followed close behind and took her place opposite Tuvok.

The Canon in D faded out to be replaced with the opening notes of the timeless Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin by Wagner. The congregation rose and faced the aisle as the back doors of the church were opened by two of the Marines. All traces of nervousness fell away as Janeway stood transfixe d by the vision that was Seven of Nine. Her spine straightened, her shoulders squared and her lips curled into a soft smile as the most beautiful woman in the cosmos came toward her on the arm of Voyager’s EMH.

The dress was a strapless sheath, closely fitted to mid-thigh where it flared around her feet. Ordinarily that would make it difficult to walk or dance, but was saved from it by means of a pair of long slits up the sides. For the ceremony, an overskirt of matching satin and lace with a six-foot train covered the slits and gave the traditional look of a bridal gown. Seven carried a cascade of white roses and calla lilies on winter greens, the fall of flowers punctuated by three blood red roses.

Around her neck was Gretchen’s contribution to the traditional ‘something old, new, borrowed and blue’. It constituted the ‘old’ fraction of that equation; an exquisite diamond choker with a single large teardrop diamond hanging from the center. The ‘borrowed’ fraction was a diamond tennis bracelet from Phoebe. The ‘new’ fraction was a pair of tango shoes Phoebe had made for her in Buenos Aires. They had then been shipped to Paris to be covered in the same fabric as the dress. And the final fraction, ‘blue’, was a pair of garters that exactly matched the color of her eyes. But the radiant smile on her face as she looked at Janeway waiting for her at the altar eclipsed everything else.

As Seven and the EMH reached the bottom step of the altar Kathryn reached out and took Seven’s hand. Together they ascended the broad steps to the altar to stand in front of the Justice of the Peace who wore a traditional black robe and beamed at the women standing before her as she began the service.

“Good evening, and welcome to the ceremony that will unite Kathryn and Seven in marriage. We gather here today to celebrate their union, and to honor their commitment to not just gazing at one another, but to looking outward together in the same direction. Today they proclaim their love to the world, and we rejoice with and for them.”

“In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love, and in doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift. But even as that gift is shared by two people who are in love, it also touches the friends and family members who in various ways support and contribute to the relationship. All of you are Seven and Kathryn’s community, and each of you has played some part in bringing them to this moment. This is why gathering as a community is such an important part of a wedding ceremony. Because Seven and Kathryn are now taking a new form as a married couple, and in this form, they become part of their community in a new way.”

“Kathryn and Seven, we are here to remember and rejoice with you and to recount with one another that it is love that guides us on our path, and to celebrate as you begin this journey together. It is in this spirit that you have come here to today to exchange these vows.”

“Kathryn, repeat after me:

I Kathryn take you Seven to be my wife /
I promise above all else to live in truth with you/
and to communicate fully and fearlessly/
I give you my hand and my heart /
as a sanctuary of warmth and peace/
and pledge my love, devotion, faith and honor
as I join my life to yours.”

In a firm voice Janeway repeated the vows. When she had finished the Justice turned to Seven and said,

“Seven, repeat after me:

I Seven take you Kathryn to be my wife /
I promise above all else to live in truth with you/
and to communicate fully and fearlessly/
I give you my hand and my heart /
as a sanctuary of warmth and peace/
and pledge my love, devotion, faith and honor
as I join my life to yours.”

Seven’s voice was steady and clear as she repeated her vows. The Justice continued,

“For thousands of years lovers have exchanged rings as a token of their vows.
These simple bands are not of great value in themselves, but are made precious by our wearing of them. Your rings say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to be bound together. Let these rings also be a sign that love has substance as well as soul, a present as well as a past, and that, despite its occasional sorrows, love is a circle of happiness, wonder, and delight.”

“Seven, take Kathryn's ring and put it on her finger, and make your pledge to her.”

Radcliffe had handed Miral to B’Elanna as Seven and Janeway climbed the altar steps. He now stepped forward and placed the ring in Seven’s hand. She turned to Janeway. slipped it on the ring finger of her left hand and gazed into the eyes that she loved saying, “All that I am, all that I will become, I pledge to you for better or worse, in sickness and health, in good times and bad, unto death and beyond.”

“Kathryn, take Seven’s ring and put it on her finger, and make your pledge to her.”

Radcliffe again stepped forward and placed the ring in Janeway’s hand. She, in her turn, slipped it on Seven’s hand and pledged with a steady voice and unwavering gaze, “All that I am, all that I will become, I pledge to you for better or worse, in sickness and health, in good times and bad, unto death and beyond.”

The Justice concluded the ceremony with, “Seven and Kathryn, although I'm officiating here today, it is not truly in my power to sanctify or bless your relationship in any way, because the two of you have already done that in your hearts. So, by joining hands right now and looking into each other's eyes, let it be known that you are joined, body and soul in this lifetime, and that this bond is sacred and eternal. And now that you have stood before me and exchanged these rings and these vows, and have agreed to be wed according to the laws of Earth, it gives me great pleasure to pronounce you joined in marriage. You may now seal your commitment with a kiss.” She beamed down at the two women who couldn’t take their eyes off each other.

Kathryn and Seven had discussed how they should kiss at the conclusion of the ceremony but Janeway promptly forgot everything they had talked about. She reached up and took Seven’s face in her hands and brought their lips together. Blood turned molten as the kiss deepened and each drank deeply of the other, neither of them wanting to sever the connection. Finally, the applause, cheering and whistles from the congregation penetrated their haze of passion and the women broke the kiss. They turned to face the congregation only to discover that everyone was on their feet cheering. Kathryn flushed and grinned sheepishly while Seven’s smile was incandescent. Still holding hands, they stepped down from the altar to the opening strains of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March from Midsummer Night’s Dream.

They paused at the front pews and exchanged hugs and kisses with Seven’s Aunt Claudia, Gretchen and Phoebe. Then, still holding hands and smiling radiantly, they swept down the aisle and into the vestibule of the church followed by the rest of the wedding party.