Giddy

 

"Oh my God, look at that! Wait a sec-don't look yet-okay now-just coming in."

"What? I see Janeway greeting the Admiral. Honey, you know I love a woman in uniform, especially her, but what exactly . . ."

"Her companion, her date . . . "

"I don't see . . . Oh. Oh my god. It's that part Borg woman-what's her name? -Seven. Oh my God. Kathryn Janeway has come to a Starfleet party with a . . ."

"I don't believe it. Maybe it's just a mother daughter thing. She's old enough to be . . ."

"Not on any planet we'd care to visit, she isn't. Maybe on one of those religious colonies where they start breeding at puberty."

"She doesn't have any children of her own . . . "

"Hey, I don't have any children of my own. But when I see a gorgeous thirty year old, I don't want to adopt him. Oh, maybe I wasn't supposed to tell you that."

"Don't worry, I'm not the jealous type. You do have a point. Look at that dress."

"Nice. Black's good. It's so simple it has to be expensive."

"Mm. Look, she has red stockings. So the two of them match. You know, there's something so sexy about clothes that hang. Knowing that, under them, the person might be naked."

"I didn't say I wasn't the jealous type."

"I can't believe they came together. That's pretty brave."

"We came together."

"No we didn't. We came at the same time. It's not the same thing. We're both Starfleet."

"The Admiral seems to be coping well."

"The Admiral has a lot of experience with aliens."

"Yeah, but this isn't a triad of Vorsingian bird people. Or a couple of joined Trill where nobody can keep track of gender. It's a little closer to home."

"Let's go over."

"Captain, it's wonderful to see you."

"Doctor, Chief."

"Captain."

"Have you met Seven of Nine? I don't think I need to introduce you gentlemen. Seven memorized the guest list."

"Very nice to meet you."

"Pleased to meet you."

"And you."

"You are a vibrant addition to our drab little party, Seven of Nine."

"Seven, please. Thank you."

"You're looking very well, Captain."

"Thank you. I'm feeling very well, Doctor."

"Excellent. You've been back such a short time, and I know Earth's atmosphere can sometimes be a difficult adjustment, after a long trip. The slightly lower oxygen, and all."

"On the contrary. Voyager's oxygen must have been below Starfleet standard, because I find myself feeling . . . almost giddy."

"Ah well, be careful then."

"I think it's too late for that, don't you Doctor? Please excuse us. It was very nice to see you. Chief, you aren't looking for a posting are you? On the off chance I get another ship, after this. No? Ah well."

"She doesn't seem very maternal, does she?"

"Hmmph! No, I guess not."

"God, she's got balls."

"Wow."

"So what do you think . . . what's the arrangement?"

"What do you mean?"

"There was a rumor she's a dominatrix."

"Which one?"

"Janeway, of course."

"Ah, bullshit. In my experience, if they're on top by day, they don't want to be at night."

"Your experience? And exactly what does that experience consist of?"

"You said you weren't jealous."

"I could be changing my mind."