Stop, Drop, and Incognito
In the back alley next to the nightclub they had tracked Captain Janeway and Lieutenant Fowler to, Chief Engineer Torres and Seven of Nine crouched down behind a crate and worked out their game plan of how to gain passage into The Quantum, Venkat's personal nightclub. B'Elanna, who was no stranger to this kind of place thanks to her days with the Maquis, in which she had to frequent much worse places to meet certain people to gain intelligence about Cardassian movements, immediately informed that since they didn't have passes they would have to use their 'attributes' and probably money to convince the man at the door that they should be let in.
Pulling off her thick, long sleeved shirt, leaving her torso clad in a tight, black tube top, Torres turned to Seven, who raised her eyebrow in appreciation of her sexy partner, and said, "Take off your vest. We'll just leave that stuff here and hope no one swipes it. It's dark, so I don't think anyone will see it." When Seven did as ordered, Torres pursed her lips and said, "Okay, well, you've got a great rack, babe, but I think we need to show more skin…but, we don't want to expose your art either." After thinking for a minute, she spat, "Christ! All I need is goddamn knife...we could just cut your shirt."
"I can modify the implants on my hand to work in a similar fashion," Seven reminded, taking off her glove on her enhanced hand. Then modifying the tips until one was a sharp point, she asked as Torres smiled crookedly, shaking her head, having forgotten that handy ability, "Where do you wish me to cut this garment?"
"Cut off the right arm...at the seam...we'll be safe with that that," Torres explained. Then after Seven cut it enough so she could pull it apart, she went on, "Okay, now untuck your shirt and cut the bottom off…make sure it comes to the middle of your waist."
Seven cut across the fabric, slicing it easily and went around as far as she could, and then let Torres pull the rest of it off. As she did so, the chief said, "Alright...that's all we'll be able to get away with...and I don't wanna to screw up your pants."
Nodding, Seven adjusted her implant again and pulled her glove on. Then looking at her bare arm, which was also gloved at the end, she asked, "Should I remove this glove?"
The engineer thought it over for a minute and then nodded, "Yea...then it's kind of stylish...weird, but cool." Grabbing their things and stuffing them into the corne,r near the crate where their dark color made them completely invisible in the shadows, Torres said, "I'm gonna let your hair down…I think that will help make you look less…hostile…it covers your starburst better too." Standing, she brushed off her black, form fitting pants, adjusted the belt at the waist and asked, "How do I look…hot?"
"That is correct," Seven nodded once, seriously, highly determined at this time, understanding the term meant appealing, rather than warm in temperature. "Am I 'hot' as well?"
"Always, tootse," B'Elanna offered, poking the blonde's abdomen that was exposed. "Okay, let's go…let me do the talking…just look pretty and harmless."
"I will comply," Seven answered as she followed closely behind Torres and then quickly closed her mouth, putting on her best pleasant face as B'Elanna approached the male at the door.
Smiling, and walking sexy, Torres asked, coming up to him, "Hi there...so, what's it gonna take for you to let me and my girlfriend in here?"
"A pass."
Frowning and sticking out her lower lip, Torres dug her hands into her pockets and said, "And what if I don't have a pass…what will it take then?" Pulling out her datachip which held her currency, she winked at him and said, "Will this do?" When the man didn't budge or say anything, Torres slid up to him and whispered, "See that pretty blonde thing with me…well, I promised her that I'd get her into the best club in town, and this is it." Then waving the chip in front of his face, she offered, "You know how it is...help me out here. We don't want any trouble. Just want to have a few drinks and shake our stuff. Name your price…and I'll never say a word about this."
The man eyed both of them, thinking they looked definitely appealing but not rich considering the blonde's torn shirt and strange facial art, and then remarked, "You don't have enough."
"Try me, pal," the engineer pounced on the sentence, sensing victory, knowing she had all the money in the world as far as they were concerned.
Looking around quick and cautious, he whispered, "Five hundred."
"Done…run it," the brunette smiled, pressing the chip to his flabby chest. After the man grabbed the chip, rolling his eyes as if she were bluffing, and then changed his mind quickly when five hundred credits were transferred into his personal account and deducted from their chip, still leaving them with plenty for the evening since Wang had given Seven and her five thousand credits each since they were dealing with more expensive machinery than the rest of them. Taking the chip back from him, Torres nodded her thanks and then reached back for Seven's hand as she opened the door.
Almost immediately she locked eyes with Fowler.
Quickly, she nodded at her friend, hoping to inform her they were there as only protection for them both. Glancing over at the captain, who hadn't seen them yet, Torres ushered Seven off to a small table near the opposite corner before Kathryn spotted Seven who B'Elanna knew Janeway rarely missed making note of. As they sat down, the engineer instructed Seven to sit in the corner so Janeway wouldn't see her as easily since B'Elanna blended in better because her hair and skin were darker and her attire looked more like clothes people would wear in that type of place. Then taking her seat and glancing back over to Fowler, who was making a note as to where they were seated, but didn't pay them anymore attention and didn't signal to the captain, B'Elanna sighed and said to Seven as a waitress started toward them, "We're good…Red hasn't seen us and Nick's not saying anything."
Automatically smiling as the tall, topless waitress approached them and asked what she could get for them, B'Elanna stuttered in surprise since bare breasts were staring her right in the face, nice ones at that, and said, "Um…we'll have beer…just beer…cold please." When she left, Torres sighed as the woman's butt wiggled away, "Shit." Shaking her head, she informed, "It's been too long since I've been in a place like this. That kind of thing never phased me before. That's what I get for hooking up with a captain."
Seven of Nine raised her eyebrows and smirked, "I believe this mission could be considered a cultural experience. It is…intriguing to observe nudity in this manner. It feels different than when I observe you or…our partner," she informed, not wanting to use Janeway's real name or her character's name in there for fear someone would catch on that they knew the redhead who was talking to the owner.
"Damn right it's different," B'Elanna explained, speaking softly. "Here, you're allowed to look, but not touch…well, at least that's how it usually goes, and since you don't give two shit's about the people you're admiring, it makes it less intimate, but more sexual." Then looking at the fairly bare dance floor that was between them and the captain, and was raised off the ground by almost a meter, Torres noted, "The music's not half bad either."
"It is acceptable," Seven informed, watching the dancers move closely, curious as to how they always seemed to know how to do so, despite some of the sudden and drastic changes in tempo. "I believe you would enjoy dancing to this type of music. It sounds similar to the style you prefer." When the engineer nodded as the waitress came over and asked for payment, Seven spoke up, "You will run a…'tab.'" When the woman's expression became somewhat put off, she added, "Please," and then "thank you," understanding that she was again going to have to adapt since this place was decidedly different than the last establishment they had visited.
After the waitress left and Torres clinked her glass to hers, Seven took a swig of the amber libation, getting used to the wheat flavor and continued, "I have never witnessed…our partner dance to this style of music. I do not believe she will attempt it. It seems too…agitated for her to attempt." Then raising her eyebrow, she finished feeling more comfortable with the lingo, "It does not seem her…speed."
Gulping her beer and then setting the mug down softly, not wanting to draw attention and prepared to leave her Klingon half aside until she needed it, hoping she didn't, Torres said, turning her head to Seven, "Well, Red's a good dancer…but I've never seen her dance…dance…like that, so I don't know. But I think you're right…at least I hope so…because I don't want to see her dance with that prick to this kind of music…it's way too hands on, if you know what I mean."
"Agreed," Seven nodded, drinking more. Then wiping her mouth, she remarked, "However, I do not believe she would do so. I was speaking of her and…the pilot. I do not believe I would be disagreeable to observing them dance to this music…so that I could witness our partner doing so, although, I am certain I would enjoy observing you and her dancing more."
"I'm not sure Nick can dance like that," Torres informed smiling. "She likes folky, acoustic music more than digital, computerized dance music." Then snickering, she admitted, "Although, I think it'd be a riot to watch though…I'm with you on that." Smiling wickedly, she whispered, leaning toward Seven, "We could give them shit for months about it…let's keep our fingers crossed."
After more than an hour of sitting back quietly watching Janeway continue to talk to Venkat, the captain still not spotting them, Torres ordered them yet another beer, glad she had taken the hypospray in the lift to Deck Four since she figured it could be a very long night of sitting and drinking as they watched not too much occur. Just when she thought about suggesting that they split up so that they could cover more territory, and so she could see about getting some information herself since it didn't look like Kathryn was making much headway, B'Elanna's mouth fell open as Venkat offered the captain a cigarette and she accepted it. Snapping to get the blonde's attention, most of Seven's observing focused on the dance floor, B'Elanna informed in a loud whisper, almost giddy with wonder and rebellious surprise, "She's smoking! I can't believe she's smoking!"
Seven furrowed her brow and her mouth deeply as she watched their oldest lover do something she knew was entirely poor for her heath and asked, curt, "B'Elanna Torres, why would she engage in such harmful behavior?"
Laughing, Torres, who reminded herself, yet again, to stop being surprised by their lover and said, "She's just doing it to keep him talking and play nice." The chief smiled while she looked over at Seven, noticing the disapproval on her face, and said, "Dollface, a few smokes never killed anyone…relax. Red's not going to start smoking…trust me."
Seven scrunched her face as she watched the smoke billow out of the captain's mouth and said, "It seems as though it would be unpleasant…to say the least." Then looking over at B'Elanna, she asked, curious as always, "Have you smoked?"
"Sure…lots," nodded Torres, taking their drinks from the waitress' hands and nodding her thanks. Handing the blonde hers, she went on, "It's not half bad, Kanik…Chakotay smokes."
"I was not aware of that."
"Yep," the engineer nodded, "but don't tell on him…you're not supposed to smoke on the ship." When Seven looked unhappy with that, she explained, "Yes, Red knows, she just looks the other way. He smokes a pipe as part of his religious rituals sometimes…it's an old, old tradition. He doesn't do it more than a couple times a month." Smiling crookedly, she went on, "He used to smoke a lot more before we hooked up with her, but he pretty much gave it up when we converted to…the 'good' side."
"There seems to be many aspects of our…group that I am not aware of," Seven noted.
"That's 'cause you were always holed up in the Cargo Bay or in Astrometrics," Torres whispered, leaning in close. "You've just got to get out more." Then smiling, she added, "Plus, if you're looking for the scoop, I'm the person to come to…there's not much that I don't know about." When Seven asked her why she was always so interested in gathering sometimes irrelevant information about the crew, B'Elanna shrugged and said, "Old habits die hard, dollface. I'm used to getting the dirt on folks in case I need it later…now, I just do it to keep up the tactics in case I need to use those skills again, and to keep up on what's going on. I don't like being in the dark."
Janeway laughed while she leaned forward toward Venkat, who had moved his stool enough times in the last hour that he was practically sitting on top of the intrepid starship captain at this point. However, other than a few touches to her knee as he spoke to her, the man did well to remain a 'gentlemen,' which was beginning to make the captain feel that she was going to have to spend a lot of time in his company for the next two days before she could get him in a position to talk.
The only thing that was giving her hope for a short but sweet meeting was that they still had several hours to spend together and he was starting to show signs of intoxication. They were subtle, and it was obvious that he could hold his liquor since he was on his third beverage, which were very strong, the captain having to drink them slowly so she didn't get drunk herself, but she was able to pick up on them. Every now and then he slurred a few words together, and within the last few minutes, she had noticed that not only was he more obviously admiring her body, but he was becoming more forward in his comments. So, when he motioned for her to lean forward so he could whisper to her, the captain didn't hesitate, knowing she would have to get close to him, and just hoping that he didn't get too friendly with her without asking permission first, which he would never receive, or he would pay the price.
When he placed a hand on her thigh as he started to speak, she felt Fowler—who was holding her other hand behind her so they could continue to silently communicate and signal to each other without drawing attention—squeeze her palm gently, and to reassure her that that was acceptable, the captain squeezed back and leaned farther into Venkat's chest, almost touching him, but not quite.
"Mmm...Miss Kate, I can't but help but admire your clothes," Venkat whispered, squeezing her thigh once and rubbing his thumb across it. "The style is different than what I'm used to seeing. I'm enjoying this top verymuch," he slurred slighlty at the end.
Janeway sighed in relief inwardly, glad he was finally starting to move things along and get friendlier with her, simply because she knew it was the only way she was going to get him to shoot off his mouth about his dealings. Speaking directly in his ear, she tempted with a question, "Oh, you like it....hmm?"
Venkat chuckled and clarified, rubbing her thigh now, the movement very sexual but not aggressive or unacceptable since his hand was still at her lower thigh, "Well, I'm afraid I like what's under it more."
"Mmm, thank you, Mister Venkat," Janeway whispered back in her extra husky voice; her sultry tones now enhanced by the smoke she had inhaled during the evening.
"Let's dance so I can pay all of you the attention you deserve," he requested, forwardly, but still somewhat eloquently which surprised the captain really. She hadn't expected the man to be such a smooth talker, but he had been so the entire evening, which the captain really preferred because it made it easier for her to not act put off, but she had to admit that it made her job more difficult to negotiate.
Laughing sexily, Kathryn informed, "Hmm…Mister Venkat, I'm sure you're very capable, but I'm afraid my friend might not like that. She's rather protective, you see…and that's how I like it."
"Seems to me like your friend isn't paying you much attention tonight."
"She pays me attention when I want her to," the captain informed plainly, but still seductively. When the man changed tactics and started moving his hand up her thigh, she grabbed it quickly as Fowler squeezed her other hand, and explained, moving his palm farther down her leg, "I just don't let anyone pay me that kind of attention, Mister Venkat…not even such enterprising and handsome gentlemen such as yourself." When he relented but continued with his stroking of her lower thigh, although more insistently, she expalined, "Nick's the only one allowed that privilege. She takes care of me…and in turn, I make certain she gets what she wants. It's a perfect partnership. I am a business woman after all."
"Yes, you're verysavvy," he slurred again, "that's why I like you so much," Venkat informed, not giving up yet. "I'm intrigued, Miss Kate…what does it take to have you?" Then before she could answer, he added, "Because I'd very much like to take you to my penthouse after we close and take care of you until the morning." Squeezing her thigh more rhythmically, Venkat finished, "I'm certain Nick's not the only one capable of that."
"Mister Venkat," Janeway informed quickly, albeit not harshly, "that's not how I like to entertain myself."
"Then tell me what you like and I'll see to you getting it," he hissed leaning in closer.
Sensing an opportunity, Kathryn let go of his hand on her thigh, prepared to stop him again before Nick clocked him upside the head and purred back, placing her hand behind his neck, "I like Nick…and only Nick…but if you're a nice man, maybe I'll let you watch?" Then tracing her finger across his jaw, she informed, "I like my own way, Mister Venkat…and Nick makes certain I get it."
"How can I be a nice man for you, Miss Kate?" asked Venkat, taking the bait, hook line and sinker, ideas and images of the two women engaged in sexual activities fully arousing him and assisting with his patience.
"You can start by getting me another drink and making certain you don't do anything to upset my friend," Janeway informed, letting him go and sitting back. Then grabbing Fowler's arms and wrapping them around her waist, bringing one of them to her upper chest, the captain leaned against Nicole's chest, looking up and said, "Isn't that right, darling?"
"You're always right, Miss Kate," Fowler smiled, bringing the redhead's hand to her lips, kissing it softly, and then returning it to her upper chest.
When Venkat gave her another drink, Kathryn smiled and said, "Thank you." Then patting Fowler's hand and tracing the groves on her tendons with her fingernail, glad that she had let them grow back out to a more dangerous length in the last two months, since combined with her trusty heels, and her elbows, they were always good in a fight, she remarked, "Mister Venkat informed me that he likes my outfit…" looking up and lifting her arm, hooking it behind Fowler's neck, "do you like my outfit, love?"
Fowler took the hint, bit back her curse since she knew Torres, and more importantly, Seven of Nine were watching and said, letting her finger tease the captain's cleavage, "I love all your clothes." Then leaning down, she whispered loudly, knowing Venkat, who was watching with renewed interest, could hear, "You're lovely, Miss Kate…always."
Janeway smiled, looking directly at Venkat, her eyes flashing with make-believe lust and said, "Mmm…you see why I like her? She says the nicest things to me."
"Nick," Venkat asked excitedly as the pilot's hands grew more eager with each small stoke of the small valley between the redhead's bosom, "perhaps you'd like to dance with Miss Kate?" Then looking to Janeway, he added, "I'd very much like to watch you dance to my favorite song." Back at Fowler, "I'm sure you'd like it." Then looking over at the dance floor, which was a little more crowded, he added, "If you want, I'll have the floor cleared for you?"
Since she wasn't certain the captain wanted to dance to the kind of music they were planing in this place, since it just seemed completely not Janeway's style, despite the cocky look the captain had given her earlier in the evening when she asked if she could dance to that kind of music, Fowler asked, looked down, but raising her hand to Janeway's chin and tilting it up and over, winding up stroking her cheek with her thumb, "Do you wanna dance tonight...or are you too tired from the shuttle ride?"
Smiling as she swivled her chair and turned her back to Venkat, knowing Fowler would keep an eye on him, Kathryn stood as she looked up at Nicole, who let her arms fall to her back, and said while placed her palms on the pilot's biceps and squeezed, "I think at least one dance is in order, darling...besides," she said, turning around and holding Fowler's hands to her hips, "it's been much too long since we've spent such a nice evening together." Then grabbing her drink and taking a healthy swig of her drink, she asked Venkat,"I'd like to freshen up for a moment though...do you have a private restroom, Mister Venkat?"
"Of course," Venkat snapped his fingers at the bartender, who did something and right next to them a completely unseen door slid open, revealing a spacious and luxurious bathroom, complete with something that looked like a hot tub.
Janeway maneuvered around the stool, but kept Fowler close to her and said, "We'll just be a moment." Then once inside, she hit the sensor on the door to close it and said, reaching down to her thigh and pulling off her knife, "You'll have to hold this for me…I'm afraid it will be spotted if I dance up on that stage."
Taking the knife, Fowler lifted her leg and strapped it to her calf muscle which was practically the same thickness as the captain's upper thigh, then asked, turning the captain around to face her, "What's in your bra that I'm supposed to be careful of again?"
Pulling out the small black pouch, Kathryn informed, "Pepper."
Nick smiled and said, taking that as well, "Hey, that's a good idea…clever. I'll hold that too." Sighing, she explained, "I'm afraid it might fall out if this keeps up." When Janeway nodded and then checked her top in the mirror, readjusting herself, Fowler said, "Um, there's probably something you should know…so you're not caught off guard, especially if this guy clears the dance floor for us." When Janeway looked at her confused, Fowler crossed her arms over her chest and informed, "Torres and Annika are here."
Sighing and nodding, having a feeling the gruesome twosome was hanging around somewhere close since that exactly what she would be doing if she were them, Kathryn said, "I figured as much. When did they get here?"
Confounded at that response, since she'd expected the captain to be rather cranky, Fowler answered after a beat, "They came in about an hour ago." When Janeway turned toward her, her face unreadable, Nicole said, "But I don't think it's what you think.. and I'm glad they're here...we we're way outnumbered, Kate."
"Any idea how they got in here?" Janeway asked, not thinking Fowler was in on the plan, but not certain either, and having done her own little head count when they first entered, knowing it was true that they were outnumbered.
Fowler smiled crookedly and said, "Well, they're showing a little more skin than before. I think they bribed the doorman or something." Then turning serious again, she said, "They're just drinking and pretending to be having a good time...I honestly don't think they'll interfere. Torres was even chatting it up with some guy who was ogling her a few minutes ago. I think it's cool."
When Janeway nodded evenly, asking where they were, Fowler responded, "They're over in the far corner on the other side of the dance floor. It's a good spot, they can cover the door." To make her point, she added since she still couldn't gauge Janeway's mood, "I know we didn't expect this, but they got in here on their own…they're just doing their job to even up the odds." Then putting her hand on the captain's shoulder, she finished, "I'm still comfortable with our plan…are you?"
The captain thought it over for a few beats and then nodded, "Yes, and thank you for asking," her tone completely even, despite the fact that this small series wasn't exactly typical captain/subordinate behavior, but Janeway realized this situation called for them to be one more even levels considering the personal and emotional circumstances, and the captain cared for the welfare of her crew far too much to ignore those needs. Then smiling crookedly herself, she finally added, "In fact, I'm glad they're here too…it seems…honorable…in some weird way." Then setting her shoulders and taking a deep breath as if she was preparing to go on a commando raid, she asked, "Are you ready to get fresh?"
Laughing at the serious look on the captain's face, but her funny phrase, Fowler responded, "Well, normally I'd like to think I'm always ready," when Janeway barked once in laughter at that, she nodded, and finished setting herself too, "Let's go shake our butts…just don't step on my toes in those boots."
"Can you see where they went?" asked Torres quickly as she caught a fleeting glimpse of the Janeway and Fowler disappearing behind the wall, the tall pilot's, thickly muscled, flat chest was always hard to miss. Even if Nicole was rather mannish, which the engineer thought was pretty cool, she definitely stood out in a crowd since her frame was rather impressive, to say the least. Torres hoped to one day get Fowler into an old fashioned tailored suit, certain Nick would look completely amazing in something like that; although, she wasn't certain when she'd ever get her to wear it outside of the holodeck since the Klingon knew that Fowler never dated, for a few private reasons. She also hoped to talk Nicole into cutting her long hair into something much shorter, more hap-hazard and sassy, which B'Elanna thought fit the green-eyed woman's personality more, and might change her mind about dating when the ladies aboard Voyager got a look at the new Nick. The engineer had never had a sister before, but now she was finally starting to see what was so great about it; dress-up was just too much fun.
"I cannot," answered Seven of Nine, setting down her beer a little harder than she intended, but the bang wasn't loud enough to draw attention to them.
Torres looked around the bar, and then offered, "Maybe they went to the can?" When Seven queried as so what 'the can' was, she sighed, remembering that she should try to lighten up on the slang with the Borg in this environment so she didn't have to constantly explain herself and informed, "The toilet…the bathroom…the head…the pot…the can." Then smiling crookedly, she added, "There's about fifty terms for it…but I think you get the point." After a few beats, she pulled out her datachip and said, "I'm gonna go get a pack of smokes over at the bar so I can see what's happening…you want anything?"
"B'Elanna Torres, do not smoke," Seven demanded quickly and leaning forward. "It is damaging to your body, and I do not approve."
"Kanik, would you lighten up?" B'Elanna sighed. "Trust me…I know what I'm doing. Now do you want something or not?"
"I do not require anything more at this time," Seven replied, leaning back and picking up her beer defiantly.
Torres rolled her eyes and got up, making her way over to the bar slowly. Stopping at the end so she had a direct view of the wall the captain and Fowler seemed to pass through, she leaned casually on the edge and waited to get the bartender's attention. Once the woman came over to her, she asked, "You sell smokes here?"
"Yes," the woman nodded. "We have regular, filtered, mint, cream, and fruit flavored."
"Give me a pack of regulars…not filtered," Torres requested. When the woman handed her the pack, then asked if she needed a lighter, the chief said, "Yea... just put it all on my tab…I'm over in the corner," she pointed. Then snatching up the cigarettes and the cheap lighting device, she opened the plastic case by pressing the button on the side and took one of the short, fat, brown sticks out, laughing when she saw that there were only five in the pack, thinking they would probably run her twenty credits, easy.
Lighting up the stick and puffing on it like it was something she did everyday, she looked casually over to Venkat, who, surprisingly to her, was looking right at her. When he smiled at her, B'Elanna smiled back, and when he hopped off his stool and started toward her, the Klingon held her breath, hoping she hadn't just royally screwed up.
"Hello, I'm Venkat," the bald man said, coming up to her. Then looking at the bartender, who immediately migrated toward him, he said, "Honey, put on my favorite music for a while, and see to having the dance floor cleared some." Then looking back at B'Elanna, he said, "I haven't seen you in here before…I'm certain I'd remember such an attractive woman."
"My friend and I helped out some guys with their equipment and they gave us passes," Torres lied, hoping that would work. "We're just here for a few days…business, but thought we check it out and have some fun in the meantime." Looking around, nodding at the nude bodies, she smiled and said, "Great place…you come here often?"
"This is my club," Venkat said arrogantly, pulling out a cigarette of his own and lighting it as Fowler and Janeway came out of the bathroom.
"Oh, really?" Torres smiled in surprise acting impressed, wanting to spit on him in truth. "Wow, well…this is great." As Fowler and Janeway started toward them, the captain shooting her daggers, Torres sneered, knowing the captain wouldn't blow their cover, even if she was mad as hell at her, which B'Elanna honestly expected her to be, "Well, if it isn't her highness…should have known you'd be here...considering the scenery."
Shocked, Venkat turned to Janeway, who was wrapping Fowler's arms around her and trying to kill Torres with her eyes, but not honestly upset, and questioned, "Miss Kate, you know…" then turning to Torres, "I'm sorry I didn't catch your name?"
Answering for Torres, Janeway said, "Yes…unfortunately. Mister Venkat, that's B'Elanna Torres. She works for my father." Waving her hand to Torres as if she was an insect, she said, "She's a mechanic…or something."
"The word is engineer, princess," Torres rallied. Then glancing up at Fowler, she added, "I see you brought your thing…having fun, Giagantor?"
"Beat it, shrimp, or I'll shove that cigarette where the sun doesn't shine," Fowler said, taking a step toward Torres, leaving Janeway for a moment, not sure where they were going with this, but hoping they would work it out.
Stepping between them, Janeway turned her back to Torres, hugging the tall pilot and said, "Darling, she's not worth your time." Then looking at Venkat, who looked highly intrigued, she said, "Mister Venkat, I apologize for my father's mechanic…she doesn't get out from under shuttles very often."
Torres laughed sardonically and said, pushing past them, jumping at the chance to leave so she didn't interfere, "At least I'm not stuck under that," pointing to Fowler, "all the time, sweetheart." Then turning around, she waved at Venkat and said, "Nice place, Vinnie…but maybe you should think about taking out the trash."
As Kathryn gasped bringing her hand to her mouth, Venkat chuckled and said, "Miss Kate, I do believe she's jealous." When Janeway looked at him like he was off his rocker, he added, smiling, "I've seen it a thousand times." Then touching the captain's chin affectionately, he whispered, "Not that I can blame her." When Janeway continued to pout, he snapped at the bartender and said, "Music," then informed, "Don't let her ruin your evening. Why don't you dance with your friend and forget all about the mechanic?"
Doing her part to take care of Miss Kate, Fowler turned Janeway around, wrapped her arms around her waist, raising them just enough to pretend to show a preview of things to come to both Venkat at the captain's alternate persona and said, "Come on, Miss Kate…let's dance." Then moving one hand to the captain's hip and rubbing it languidly, she added, "I promise to be very nice to you."
"You're so good to me, love…I don't know what I would do without you," Janeway purred, completely spoiled and pretentious, tracing her elegant finger across the muscles on Nicole's arm that was wrapped around her. "Let me just go get a sip and then we'll dance."
"What has occurred?" Seven asked quickly as Torres came back and sat with them, ignoring the smoke stick stuck between her grinning lips for the moment.
Taking the stick out of her mouth between in her first finger and thumb, B'Elanna ashed on the floor, on purpose, her own little way of spitting on Venkat, and answered, "I think we're cool…we'll at least for now. Who knows when we leave, but at least she's playing along, and Nick probably told her in the bathroom because she didn't seem surprised to see me, we'll other than pretending to." Then grinning, she added, "We just had a little fight, and I played it up good." Laughing, she shook her head and said, "Although, I'm sure I'll get hell for what I said to her. If she weren't supposed to be a lady, she'd of slapped me good."
As two security goons appeared and started clearing the dance floor somewhat abruptly, showing their fortitude whenever anyone who'd had enough to drink got mouthy with them, leaving only a few people on the silver, smooth surface, all of them attractive, painted dancers from the carnival, Torres said, watching Janeway go up to their seat and sip her drink, "I think they're gonna dance." Then taking a drink herself, she informed, "I think Vinnie digs me…so maybe I'll go dance some too." Looking over at Seven, she asked, smiling, "You wanna dance, dollface?"
As a new song started, Seven looked over and watched Fowler and Janeway take the floor, staying toward Venkat's side of the establishment, the blonde answered, "I believe I am capable of dancing to this music as you have shown me. It is not as…agitated." Then raising her eyebrow a few beats later as the sexy, guitar-like sound and the woman's vocals turned quickly into a fast, equally sexy, but pulsing rhythm, she amended as Fowler and Janeway both faltered, but not terribly, and then adjusted accordingly, "Perhaps I was in error?" Looking back to Torres, who was smiling, watching Fowler dance with the captain, and not doing a terrible job, but it was clear that the smaller woman was much more comfortable, at the moment, she asked, "B'Elanna Torres, do you require a partner?"
B'Elanna looked to Seven quickly and said, "No, not really…it's not required," and then looking at one of the painted men and women, she smiled and added, "Besides, I can just steal someone's…or dance with them…this kind of song is all about that." Puffing on her smoke stick a few more times and then putting it out on the floor with her boot, she downed her beer, stood up and said, "Watch and learn, hotstuff," as she jumped on the stage and quickly made her way over to the woman she had been eyeing who was an excellent dancer, and also highly appealing, even covered in neon paint.
"Oh dear," Janeway mumbled as the music changed quickly, while Fowler held her close and moved her rather well to the passionate, latin-like beat. Looking up at the tall pilot who stopped moving instantly as the beat turned from a guitar sound to a digital percussion driven tone, full of hard and fast, and definitely erotic tempo changes, realizing that suddenly they were expected to move to more energetic music, then smiling as Nicole sighed in irritation, this obviously not being her forté, Janeway spun around quickly, although, this wasn't the good captain's forté either, grabbed the pilot's hands, putting them on her hips, facing Venkat and helped Nicole find the beat, hoping to make it look like Nick was still leading. After a few bars when the her lieutenant seemed to be doing just fine on her own, Kathryn let up on the guiding, and lifted one of her arms to Fowler's neck, again giving the signal that Nicole should commence with the fondling of her commanding officer.
When the tall brunette didn't disappoint, and quickly brought one of her hands up to her breast, and cupped it easily, then moved her other hand closer to Kathryn's hip bone, pushing her back against her as the moved, Janeway smiled with determination on her thin, ruby lips at Venkat who shifted in his seat, obviously enjoying the show, having a feeling that they were finally starting to really get somewhere with him...and just hoping the information would be worth dragging her crewmen into something she'd normally only do alone. Although, here...that was just not anywhere close to practical.
When the music changed quickly again, the captain just went with it as best she could as Fowler found her confidence, spun Kathryn around quickly, picked her up and wrapped one of Janeway's legs around her sturdy thighs. And when the pilot dipped her, then snapped her back up quickly and let her slide down her leg, Janeway swallowed down her shock at not only the strength Fowler wielded so easily and carefully, but at the Nicole's own determination to hit a home run and see this through. Again, she simply reacted as Nicole spun her again, began moving her hands freely over her body, concentrating on her hips, shoulders and upper-chest, making the movement sexual, but doing well not to stay on one area too long or make it seem like she was avoiding fully embracing Kathryn's bosom, which she absolutely was, and not because they were in public because several off the other couples and groups of dancers were being rather hands-on themselves. By the end of the first song, Kathryn was relaxed now and in the correct mindset, all of her concentration on Venkat, and she was practically oblivious of the fact that her lieutenant was fondly at great deal of her body freely in front of her true lovers, although she had to admit that it was obvious that Nicole preferred women because her hands were indeed nimble; the captain having more than a feeling that Nicole was a dynamic, and capable lover. Such knowledge was simply clear, just by the way she touched her which was demanding in its dominance, but respectful and kind in its pressure and beat.
Tapping the captain on the shoulder as the second song started, this one even more vigorous and a purely dance song, Fowler whispered, "I need a drink…can we take a break?" As Janeway nodded and said that was a good idea, Nicole scooped her up quickly as if it was something she did everyday, and carried her down the steps as Kathryn played it up well, laughing and throwing her head back, letting the pilot support her full weight. When she set the woman in her arms down on her stool, and the captain smacked her arm, calling her a beast and then proceeded to drap herself all over her, Nicole smiled and sneered inwardly at the look on Venkat's face, snatched up her beer, and asked, "Miss Kate, do you need another drink or something else?"
The captain grinned wickedly and said freely, "You should know better than to ask me loaded questions, darling…there's always something I want." Then when Fowler pretended to whisper sweet nothings into her ear, the captain receiving information that Torres was busy tearing up the dance floor, and Seven was still sitting alone observing, Kathryn titled her head and cooed, "Mmm…later, love…you can do all of those nice things later. The night's still very young. Isn't the right, Mister Venkat?" she asked, trying to divert his attention back to her since it had migrated for the moment to the dance floor, where she was certain her engineer was putting on quite and athletic display, probably with one, two or three attractive men or women.
"Yes, that's right, Miss Kate," Venkat said, looking back over to her. Snapping at his bartender, he said, "I think we all need fresh drinks…and more smoke sticks." Then offering another cigarette to Janeway, who accepted again, although she wasn't certain how long she could continue to smoke without it bothering her lungs, he nodded over to the dance floor, "You're mechanic...she's quite a dancer." Then smiling, he turned back to Kathryn and said, "I think I'd like to watch the two of you dance. You're opposite styles seem well-suited."
Rolling her eyes, Janeway spat, "She's an animal, Mister Venkat. She'd probably break both of my arms with her flailing about…and she has a certain odor that I find offensive." Then turning away from the dance floor before she watched Torres' impressive movements too much and gave her excitement away, completely unable to help herself since no matter where she was, when the engineer was being herself, the happenstance completely turned the redhead on, she added, blowing smoke his way purposefully, "She's threatened my life more than once, and I'm not particularly fond of that type of behavior. I tolerate her simply for my father's benefit since she's supposedly very good at...fixing things."
Venkat leaned forward, pulled Kathryn close to him and whispered, "Some of my best lovers have been with people that hated me, Miss Kate. Besides, people usually dance and fuck equally well…and similar."
Kathryn Janeway was pretty certain she wanted to punch the man right in the nose for two reasons: one for being vulgar, and two for speaking of her lover in such a manner, even if it was true, but knowing she couldn't very well do that, the ever-present, quick thinking captain said instead, "Well, I'd much rather just do away with her all together…but I don't like to get my hands dirty with that kind of thing. She's repulsive, Mister Venkat, and I'd prefer you to just continue to be a nice man, or I'm afraid I'll have to leave and play with my friend by my lonesome." Then before he could say anything, she added for emphasis, "Which really would be a shame for you since Nick and I haven't had an evening together in several cycles…" Then laughing, she finished, purring, "And that always means I'll get…everything…I want…twice." Pulling away, Janeway brought one of Folwer's hands to her chest, informing her to be extra friendly because she needed to make a point, and said, leaning back against Nicole's chest, "Isn't that right, love?"
Nicole smiled down at Kathryn, groping her freely—inwardly sighing again...not for herself, but for the captain, who obvioiusly felt the need to display herself in this manner for the welfare of her crew, and even though Fowler couldn't argue with the tactics since this was the lease dangerous way, she was honestly humbled that Janeway would sacrifice herself in such a way—one hand at her bosom, and the other at her neck, behind her ear, supremely thankful for the fact that she could see Kathryn's skin pebbling, since the hand behind her ear was cold thanks to the beer she'd been holding, and feel her nipple hardening at the contact, which told her that not only had she not lost her touch, but that the captain wasn't having a negative reaction to this event, and said, "Absolutely, Miss Kate," even though she had no idea what was being said, but playing her part well.
Venkat downed his drink, eager, feeling like the luckiest man alive, and said, "Miss Kate, I do believe you have surprised me this evening." Snatching up his new drink that was immediately filled, he toasted her and said, slurring again, "To business endeavors."
Janeway did the same, tossing her drink back easily, set it down and then said to Fowler as the song changed, "Mmm…my darling, as much as I'm enjoying what you're doing...I think I would like very much to watch you dance with one of those painted ladies." Patting her arm, she said, "Go have fun…but watch out for the smelly Klingon." Then turning around quickly so she could look into Fowler's face and hopefully speak silently, the captain slide into her pilot's firm body and said, pressing into her firmly, "But don't be gone too long…or I'm afraid I'll miss your hands…and we wouldn't want that, now would we?"
Fowler wasn't certain what was going on, but she felt pretty sure the captain was telling her to scram so she could talk with Venkat, and also telling her to come back sometime soon, so bringing her hand up to the captain's jaw, she tilted it, kissed her neck for a quick moment and then whispered very soft, "I'll be close." Then added louder, pulling away, "No, Miss Kate…we wouldn't want that. I'll be back."
After ignoring a man that was sitting at her table trying to pick her up for a few minutes, and then finally telling him evenly, "You will refrain from attempting to engage me in irrelevant, idle conversation," which promptly got him to leave, Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct to Unimatrix 01, formerly of the Borg Collective, divided her observation time between B'Elanna Torres' athletic, and seemingly chaotic movements, although detecting the pattern after a few minutes, and the redheaded captain. Once she became accustomed to seeing someone else touch Kathryn in a manner the older woman would only allow Torres or herself to do, the sexy dancing before that helping her, she was finally able to unclench her fists, until she was now observing the behavior out of interest so that perhaps in the future she could perform such a task for the captain instead of the pilot, knowing her acting skills required much more work before she would ever be considered. She knew she was fully capable of showing her love for the captain at any time, however, she wasn't certain she could show only lust, or act as merely a servant, as Nicole Fowler was. Seven, of course, would prefer that Kathryn never feel she was required to behave this way ever again, but the ex-drone was preparing herself for that occurrence and wanted to be able to offer her services in a logical manner, hoping Janeway would not resist simply because they were involved.
When she wasn't watching Nicole Fowler's hands, and more specifically, the captain's reaction to them, Seven was studiously studying the movements on the dance floor and memorizing the steps so that when she felt she had done enough research, she could dance with B'Elanna Torres or Kathryn and feel confident that she was performing the task acceptably. As the current tune ended and Torres turned toward her, then jumped off the dance floor after receiving a kiss on the cheek from the exotic man she had been dancing with, Torres obviously deciding to stick to men in this place, trying to play up the feminine side of herself, Seven said, "That was impressive."
"Thanks," Torres huffed, plopping in the chair, feeling loose and much more ready to kick ass if need be. Snatching up her beer, which had grown warm, she gulped it and asked, quietly, "Anything happening?"
"They continue to be …'friendly,'" Seven noted, whispering as well. "The male is now whispering to our partner, but I cannot detect the conversation. He has not attempted to touch her for sometime. I believe he is aware that she does not wish it, and is complying."
"Well, good…it's about time something goes our way," B'Elanna came back. Then laughing, she added, "Although, I'm sure he's having plenty of fun watching Nick do it for him." Sighing, she shook her head and said, "I never, ever thought I'd be able to watch something like that and not go ape-shit." Torres glanced over there as the captain stood up and faced the pilot and continued, "I guess that means it's real love, huh? Being secure and all…" When Seven nodded in agreement and understanding, Torres turned to her and mouthed, "I love you." Then speaking louder, she added, "You're the best…I mean it…I don't know what I'd do without you, dollface."
"The accurate response to that statement is not something I can do at the moment, so 'ditto' will have to suffice," the cool, tall blonde informed as Fowler left Janeway's side and stepped onto the dance floor. Furrowing her brow, she stated, quickly, "She is alone with him," as more people converged onto the dance floor and began obstructing their view.
Torres immediately snapped her head around and caught Fowler's eye motion, telling her that she should flank her and spread out. Nodding, B'Elanna said quickly to Seven, "I'm going back to the bar to buy more smokes and keep watch over there. You cover the door and if shit goes down, get over there and make sure we have an exit."
"I will comply," Seven replied, standing and leaning against the wall as Torres walked away. When she felt that maybe she was being too obvious, the Borg picked up her beer, tried to look casual and slump, and then tapped her foot to the beat of the music as she continued to scan the room and smile as best she could at the dancers.
B'Elanna lit another cigarette as she came over to the bar in the same spot as before, and asked, "Can I get a beer…and some more smokes?" to the bartender as she came over to her. She didn't really need more cigarettes since she still had three left, but she figured her change of venue wouldn't look as obvious if she purchased more. Then subtlety, she turned her attention over toward the end of the dance floor where she could see the captain out of the corner of her eye, and silently puffed away as Fowler danced closely with the woman Torres had been dancing with at first, before she decided to change tactics and stick to males, and the top of Seven's blonde head was visible off to the side. Liking this spot since she could see everything and nothing was behind her, unless there were more hidden doors, Torres perched just on the edge of the stool and moved her beer and smoke-sticks in front of her out of habit so she could keep her eye on them as well, as she waited for Fowler to return to the captain, or Janeway to crack the man's ribs with her elbows. B'Elanna didn't want to see the latter happen, but only because she knew it would put a world of hurt on them real quick, and not because she was against seeing the piggish man cry out in pain at the hands of her captain, not to mention girlfriend.
"Miss Kate," Venkat said, sliding up next to Janeway and putting his arm around her as she sat with her elbows propped up on the bar, treating him to an eye-full of womanly curves, well as much as she had, facing the dance floor, pretending to be taking delight in watching Nicole dance with a half-naked women, "I'm curious about what you said a few moments ago, about the mechanic."
Sighing, Janeway acted pissed, and hissed, "Mister Venkat," turning toward him, their faces close together, "I told you, I don't like her…in fact, I despise her. She's a filthy, foul-mouthed tramp…and I'm certain she's stealing from my father." Then crossing her legs the other way, she informed, "I think perhaps it's time for me and Nick to be going back to my room…alone."
"Well," he lit another cigarette and said, reaching toward her again, "if you must go, then I won't stop you, but I was only going to offer you my services," tucking the side of her hair behind her ear and then forwardly slipping his hand behind her neck, while he rubbed his thumb near her ear.
Instantly more than uncomfortable, but fighting through the sensation with bravado and not showing one sign of her unease, Kathryn rolled her eyes again, as high and mighty as every, and said, "You know, Mister Venkat, I'm not in the habit of repeating myself." Sliding off the stool, but keeping the movement clean and not as if she was running away from his touch, she said, "You haven't earned that privilege…and I highly doubt you ever will. Good day to you, Sir."
When Venkat grabbed her arm, she snapped her head around, having been prepared for that since she continued to try to bait by threatening to leave, which would hopefully urge him to be blunt, and watched closely out of the corner of her eye as Fowler's large form moved toward them quickly. "I'd let go of my arm if I were you, Mister Venkat…I'm afraid Nick doesn't like to see me manhandled." When Fowler jumped down from the stage, ignoring the steps and started toward him with her fists clenched and looking definitely mean, she smiled as he let go, "Do you, darling?"
"Business services are what I'm offering…nothing more," he leaned back, waving his hands to two men that were converging on their position, telling them to get lost since he was sure Miss Kate would like what he would have to say and that Nick would do whatever the redhead asked of her. "I'm sorry if I offended…I just didn't want you to leave thinking I was a unworthy of your company."
"Everything okay here, Miss Kate?" asked Fowler at the same time, hovering close, then putting her arm around the captain where she stood.
Janeway straightened her shoulders, tossed her hair as best she could considering it wasn't long enough to reach her shoulders and said, "Fine, love." Then eyeing Venkat up and down, she turned back to Nicole, grabbed her by her belt loops and said pulling her close to her, "You're so good to me, my darling. Do me a favor and go dance with that painted lady some more while I discuss business with Mister Venkat, hmm?" Then touching her first finger to her lips and then pressing it to Nicole's chin, she smiled and said, smoky and wanton, in full captain mode now and like a tigress ready to pounce on her prey, "And then we'll go back to our room. I'm afraid I'm feeling slightly bothered, and need you to take care of me." Patting her bottom, she finished, "You just go play and I'll let you know when I'm through."
Fowler nodded, rubbing Kathryn's shoulder, not wanting to leave but following orders, then glanced over at Venkat and said with definite warning, "Don't touch her again."
"Play nice, love," Janeway shooed her away, and then said, snatching up her drink and turning to Venkat, who was patiently waiting, since he felt he was about to make a lot of money, even if he guessed he wasn't going to get laid, at least not by the redhead, well, not tonight. Taking a sip, she grabbed a smoke-stick, let him light it and said, "I'm going to forgive your indiscretions this evening because I'm a reasonable woman, and because you have been generous." Then taking a puff and blowing the smoke directly in his face, she informed, "However, I believe your behavior has compromised our personal relationship…so if you do have business to discuss, I suggest you do it quickly." Turning and smiling at Fowler, she informed, looking back at him, "She gets rather testy when I'm bothered, you know..."
Venkat smiled, eating up the personality and attitude being thrown at him, which was a breath of fresh air from most of the women he spent time with since all they seemed to be interested in was using him for his money and took all of the fun out of art of the chase, and replied, "Of course, Miss Kate." Scooting in closer, he said, "Normally, I'd ask to go some place more private, but since I feel you're resistant to that, I think we can talk discreetly here…for now." When she nodded, he continued, "Were you serious when you said you would just rather be done with the mechanic?"
"That's what I said, isn't it?" she replied cranky.
The bald man dared to put his arm around her and leaned in closer as he spoke, "If you'd like to see that happen, I know of some people that will take care of it…discreetly." Then smiling at her, he backed away as she eyed him carefully, and added, "I'm sure the funds required for this service wouldn't be a problem for a woman such as yourself." Reaching out to her again, he traced his finger across her shoulder blade, then dipped it to her collarbone, whispering, "Mmm...yes, such a savvy, beautiful woman like you, Miss Kate."
Raising her eyebrows, Kathryn swiveled in her chair, forcing him to remove his hand and leaned on the bar again, swinging the leg on top slightly, keeping her cool, even though her skin was definitely crawling at this point. Then tilting her head closer to her chest, she looked over at him and smirked, "You surprise me, Mister Venkat…and here all this time I just thought you were a nice man…fresh…but nice." Then looking up, she smiled at Fowler as she danced, then turned her head over to where she had spotted Torres before and glared. Then turning her head back to Venkat, she said, "Oh, I hate her…she's absolutely foul. However," she turned toward him quickly, "I don't like to get messy, Mister Venkat. I'm a dignified woman." Looking him up and down, she asked, "How do I know you're not trying to trick me…or can't really do the job efficiently?"
Waving his arms around, Venkat grinned, "Does all of this look like I can't take care of business?"
"I guess it does speak for itself," Janeway offered, somewhat non-committed, her mind working her game plan out at the speed of light, trying to decide what was best to try first. "Burnhouse is certainly more accommodating than it used to be." Then snatching up her drink, she swirled it around, sipped and then asked, rocking her foot steadily, "Alright, I'll accept that you could possibly do this…if…that's what I decide, but," she sipped again, leaned back and asked, watching Nick, "I'll need some information before I make my decision." Looking back over at him, she asked, "Do you have any references? I am a reputable business woman after all." When he asked what more reference did she need other than the glorious facility that was this space port, she turned, smiled and said, "I'm not that easily impressed, Mister Venkat. How do I know you didn't make your money through trade and whatnot? I need to know if you've done this before…and aren't just trying to get your foot in the door with this business."
Setting down her drink, she picked up her smoke-stick again and asked after she puffed on it, blowing the smoke out as she vocalized, "You working on anything now?" Leaning in closer, she informed, "I know she's only one person, but she's my father's top engineer, and he pays her very well…why, I'm not certain…but this isn't just your ordinary, run of the mill job…understand? My father has top of the line security for all of us."
Venkat smiled, leaned in close and said, "You know that business I was discussing this evening that kept me away from you?"
"I vaguely recall something of that nature."
He laughed at her wit and continued, "I'm setting up a job right now…a big job…biggest I've ever heard of."
Kathryn turned toward him again, carefully questioning, knowing she didn't need to push for too much to make the connection between her and Devin's ships and the Fynth, "Well, I certainly don't need names, Mister Venkat…I wouldn't want to compromise your partners, but big is a loosely defined term, especially by men." Blowing smoke in his face again, now starting to have some real fun with him, she requested as he chuckled, "Care to clarify…big?"
Venkat leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Big enough that a government official is paying me two million credits just to set it up...ten more if their target is found."
Janeway continued to breath easy, even though she knew she was looking at the man who was working on seeing to the demise of her precious crew, and the kidnapping of her youngest lover, and said, raising her eyebrows and turning back toward the stage, leaning once again, "I would say that's rather big, Mister Venktat. Seems you don't have a problem with embellishment as is the case with the majority of your gender. So, " she smoked more, "what's the time frame? How long before you can fit me into your…big…schedule, hmm?"
"The majority of my contact work is done, so I'd say…four cycles," he answered easily.
"Well, that's going to mean I have to stay longer than planned," Kathryn informed, blowing a kiss to Fowler on the stage. Then glancing over at Torres, she narrowed her eyes, the turned back to the stage and went on, "Well, do you have some way I can get in touch with you? I'll have to clear the extra stay with Daddy before I can tell you either way, or it might look suspicious." Then looking back at him, she smiled and said, "I don't think it will be a problem, however. I'll just tell him of all the wonderful things you've done to Burnhouse and how I can't possibly leave yet." Then leaning in she said, semi-warningly, "I'm my father's only daughter, you know? So, my happiness is his happiness, and he sees to making certain I'm taken care of...and becomes very upset when I'm treated properly."
Handing her his card, he said, "Call me anytime, Miss Kate…and remember, those passes I gave you will get you in here. I can usually be found somewhere around this area at night." Then leaning in again, he said, "And maybe later we can work on rectifying our personal arrangement again?"
Kathryn slipped the card in to her waistband, and said, sliding off the stool, "Never mix business with pleasure, Mister Venkat." Then holding out her hand, she let him kiss it as he chuckled and said, "I'll think about this…and if I'm interested, I'll let you know. Thank you for the refreshments, and for the passes. I'm certain Nick will want to return since she seems rather fond of the ambiance." Pulling her hand away, she finished, "Perhaps we'll meet again?" Then turning, she motioned for Nick to follow her and quickly shot Torres a look, telling her to get a move on too.
Torres hollered at Janeway and Fowler, saying, "Try a collar, princess...it'll keep your pet from finding another bitch to ride," as they went past, and then kept it up until they were all the way out the door. Then laughing, she sat at the bar, and then continued to talk to the man she had been speaking with the entire time she was over there, thankful that he was pleasant and not overtly trying to pick her up. Then after a little while, she excused herself, saying she had to get back to her friend before she got in trouble, winked at him and headed back to their table where Seven was now seated since Janeway and Fowler had left. "Let's stay for a few more minutes and then scram…something tells me she found out something that isn't good. She had that look in her eye…you know the one."
"That is correct," Seven replied evenly as the waitress came back, and then said, handing the woman her datachip, "We are required to depart at this time. Thank you for your assistance, and leave a nice 'little something' on the 'bill' for yourself." When the woman looked at her funny and then smiled, saying, "Hey, thanks," Seven turned to Torres and asked, "Was that acceptable?"
B'Elanna laughed, patting her arm and said, "Yea, but you have to be careful with that, or one of these days some waitress is going to clean you out." Then looking over at the woman, she added, "But I don't think she will since she seems honest enough."
When the waitress came back smiling, handed Seven her card and then kissed her cheek, producing two passes, and saying, "Come back and see me tomorrow," Torres waited until the woman was gone and then laughed as Seven blushed and said, "Come on, hotlips…let's hit it."
Standing, Seven asked, "What are we going to strike?"
"Leave…depart…scram…blow this joint…hit it," Torres answered walking out the door and shaking her head, holding Seven's hand and trying to remember when she had had more fun, and all in the name of duty…Starfleet, at that.
"Let's stop here and wait for them," Janeway requested, coming around a corner, out of sight from the night club, but still close enough that if they felt it was necessary, they could get back quickly and check on Torres and Seven, hoping it wasn't because that was sure to ruin the whole scheme. "Damn, I wish we had a tricorder…I wonder if Samuel's around here?"
"Not likely, it's past two," informed Fowler, looking at a time display on one of the buildings and quickly doing the math to figure out what that time meant to them. "He's not the type to break the rules." Looking around to make sure no one was listening to them, then gathered up the captain in her arms and whispered since there were still enough party-goers about to keep her wary, "I'm surprised Tuvok and him aren't lurking about since I don't think they knew Torres and Annika would try to get in there with us."
"I'm sure when he saw that they were in the same place as us, he figured it out quickly," Janeway whispered back, confident since she knew Tuvok very well, wrapping her arms around Fowler's neck comfortably, not having to think about it after practically hanging on the woman for the entire day. "You did well tonight…I'm proud of you, and thank you…I'm not sure I could have managed with out your help."
"Thanks," Fowler replied. Then chuckling as Janeway urged then back against the wall so she could stand on the small ledge so their height difference wasn't as great, she added, "You're the brains of this here op, though…I'm just the muscle. Did you get what you were hoping for?"
"Mmmhmm," Janeway answered, speaking right into her ear. "We'll talk later."
"Understood." Then shifting a little, Nick laughed, "God, I can't wait to get out of these pants…I think they're permanently stuck to my butt." As they both snickered, Fowler whispered, "You just had to make me go dance more, didn't you?"
Kathryn chuckled freely and replied, "Oh, I'm sure it was just an awful assignment…dancing with an exotic, painted goddess…gee, sounds tough. I'm surprised you survived."
"Like I said, Kate…no one is ever going to believe me…ever." Then snapping her fingers, she said, "I take that back…Torres will corroborate, and so will Annika, and everyone knows she never lies." Then tapping Janeway on the shoulder, she chuckled, "Hey thanks…maybe I'll get a date now."
The captain rolled her eyes, then pulled away so she could look at Fowler's face and asked seriously, "I don't want to pry, so tell me to mind my own business if you want…but, any special reason why there's no one you spend time with?" Before she could answer, Janeway smiled softly, unshy, and said, "I think we know each other well enough, that when I say I'm surprised…you know what I mean."
"I know what you mean," Fowler said back softly, keeping their voices to a low whisper, "and I'm flattered…really." Sighing, she shrugged and said, "I don't know…I guess I just don't try to think about it much." Clearing her throat, she said, feeling the need to speak with her commanding officer about personal matters since Kathryn was the only other female, totally Starfleet, senior officer, so that automatically meant they had an understanding and knew what was acceptable and what wasn't, most of the time, "You know that woman I told you about…Francis?"
Janeway immediately turned solemn, incredibly so, and said, hugging Nicole again, not as a pretend lover or as even a friend really, but simply as a woman. Resting her head on her shoulder, she whispered, barely audible, Fowler only catcing part of her words, "Yes…I'm sorry I never said anything about that. It was too difficult for me…and I know me saying I'm sorry can't change anything, but I am…really…terribly sorry that you had to go through that."
Fowler sighed and hugged Janeway back in thanks and went on, "Well, " sighing heavily, "I still love her…it's like she was the one, you know? That one person that is just…wow…everything, all the time. There's not a day that goes by…still…that I don't think about her and wish I could go back and do that all over again." Shrugging again, she went on, "I mean, I've been with other women since then, even loved them for a time…probably will again, but I'm not sure I'll ever settle down with another woman," then chuckling, "or two."
When the captain laughed once, soundless, Nicole said, "I know it's probably hopeless, but I still can't help but wonder if we get back, with all the time that's past and hopefully healed our wounds enough, maybe if she's not too different, and I'm not too different from everything we've been through, we can find each other again." Fighting her tears, she whispered, "Man, we used to tear it up at Mardi Gras…and sing, Lord could she could sing…like no one I ever heard. She could sing everything…put me to shame, although, I kicked her ass on the guitar." Laughing, getting over the worse of her emotion before it got the better of her, she added as Kathryn continued to hug her gently, unmoving, and remained completely silent, "She's a redhead too…blue-green eyes…not too different from you really...little bit taller...long, thick hair...not so thin, but she has the same way about her…everyone pays attention no matter where she goes. She would have been a great captain too." When she heard the captain sniffle, she asked, suddenly fearful, "You're not crying…are you?"
"No," Janeway lied, wiping a rebel tear away. Then sighing at herself for being such a sap, she sniffled again, "Well, I can't sing to save my life, or play any instruments…at all." Then pulling away, she kissed Fowler softly on the cheek and said, "I think you're a wonderful person, and I honestly hope you find her…she sounds lovely."
Fowler blinked away her own tears that suddenly shot forward again, and asked, "You don't think I'm crazy for hoping that I will get back to her?"
Kathryn smiled and said, "Nicole, I had to come all the way across the galaxy to find the greatest love of my life, and drag the most passionate love of my life along with me…I don't think I can pass judgement on anyone." Patting Fowler's arm, she offered, "I know for a fact that you're well-adjusted, don't suffer from depression or anything like that…so if you leave a door open because you honestly love her that much, I can't find anything wrong with that." Shaking her head, she said, "I know there aren't a lot of possibilities in our family…but just don't let it blind to you to what could be there. I'm living proof of that…Lanna and I spent almost seven years together before we found each other. Sometimes, it just takes time and opportunity."
As more people came around, Fowler pulled Janeway in close again and chuckled, "I can't believe I'm getting love advice from my boss…especially right now...but thank you...I'll take it to heart." Then sighing, she shook her head and said, "You know, six months ago I would have never dreamed of having this conversation with you…I'm honestly sorry it took me so long to make an effort to walk in your shoes." When Kathryn said in a sad, weak whisper that she didn't owe her any apologies, Fowler said more adamantly, but still speaking supremely quiet, "Captain, please...just let me do this, because I do. You gave up just as much as everyone else to save those people, and have given up so much else in the process of trying to get us home. I guess I just forgot for a time what it means to be the big cheese, and even still, I don't have a damn clue…but I want you to know that you'll always have my support now. I know now how much you care for us, what you'll do for us…you can count on me to stand by you, Captain…it's an honor, and well…I'm pretty humbled tonight...probably not nearly as much as I should be, though."
When she could feel the slight trickle of dampness on her bare shoulder, Fowler didn't say anything more and just continued to hold Janeway close and let her have her silent break, knowing she was definitely crying because she could feel the wetness continue to fall, but not surprised when Kathryn didn't shudder or move, just leaned against her and cried away the pain and burden that constantly hounded her night and day, forever, relentless.
After a few minutes, she spotted Seven and Torres, now dressed in their clothes again, although Seven was still missing a sleeve, and whistled over to them as the captain pulled herself together and used Fowler's tank top strap to dry her eyes, mumbling her thanks for the use of the garment. When Seven of Nine eyed Kathryn closely as the redhead kept her back to them, still trying to settle herself, Fowler was not surprised in the least when the Borg stepped up to Janeway, placed her hands on her shoulders, and whispered, "I am here with you."
When Torres punched her arm lightly, and furrowed her ridged brow, wondering what was happening, Fowler leaned down and whispered, "It's cool…trust me."
Janeway patted Seven's gloved hand and pulled away, not wanting to be seen by anyone they 'knew' being so friendly with a woman she wasn't supposed to like and said, strong and sure, "I'm fine." Then turning around, she nodded and said, "Let's go…we'll talk in the shuttle."
As Fowler and Janeway, arm in arm again, walked ahead, Torres and Seven stayed behind and gave each other looks of support and worry as they wondered if they were about to feel the wrath of Captain Janeway, or worse, if she was having some kind of negative reaction to the events because both of them knew, even though they didn't often talk about it, that Janeway wasn't the same woman she was before she was attacked. Some of the changes were subtle, some of them less, but they were there if anyone bothered to pay that much attention, but if you asked Seven of Nine, who was in the habit of studying Kathryn, she'd tell you that although she was speculating, there was often much more going on in the redhead's mind than she ever let show on the surface.
"Sorry we're late," Janeway said, stepping into the shuttle, hoping her eyes weren't as puffy and smudge with make-up as she thought, but figuring Fowler would have informed her if she looked terrible if that was the case, "but it was worth it. Have a seat, everyone…I'll be right out."
Then stepping into the bathroom, she blew her nose, brushed her teeth, then washed the make up form her face and removed her ridges, sighing in relief that she didn't have eye make-up running down her cheeks, although she figured it was probably all on Nicole's top, which was thankfully black. Then taking a few deep breaths and thinking everything over as she used the facilities, driving her neverending guilt for trapping her crew in this quadrant and memories of when her body hadn't been treated with respect and kindness as was the case tonight, at least with Nicole, out of her mind, she washed her hands and then came out, and had to smile as Seven offered her a cup of fresh coffee, obviously a peace offering.
"Thank you…and no, I'm not going to read you the riot act, so you and your partner in crime can stop worrying." Then looking around, Janeway asked Tuvok, "Are we secure?"
"Yes, Captain," he nodded.
Sighing, glad she could stop calling everyone by their first names, needing to get down to business since she once again felt like things were spinning out of control faster than they could stop them, even though she honestly couldn't see any problems with the fact that she was undeniably growing closer and closer to her crew as each day passed, but she figured it was just the Starfleet backbone in her that was making her edgy about it, and was fairly certain that wasn't going to go away in this lifetime, the captain started, "Venkat is in the process of setting up a bounty hunt for Voyager." When everyone opened their mouths to ask questions, obviously wanting more information, she held up her hand, took an enormous swig of the coffee, and explained, "I couldn't get specifics without seeming too interested, but their 'work'…whatever that consists of, will be done in less than four cycles, which gives us less than week to get back to Voyager and get the hell out of here."
Tuvok added to ease their fears, somewhat, "We haven't received any transmissions from them, and I'm certain the commander would attempt to inform us if they came under attack or gained intelligence."
"Yes, I specifically told him to do so, no matter what, so I'm sure they're fine, for now," Janeway said, coming over to Tuvok's cot and sitting down next to him, unzipping her boots to let her feet breathe a little, hoping she wouldn't smell up the whole room, and glad when she didn't detect any odor, other than the smoke coming off of her clothes.
Curious, Fowler asked, "How'd you get him to talk?"
Janeway sighed, nodded to Torres and said, "It's a good thing you two came by tonight, Lieutenant. After our little tiff," she smiled and shook her head, "Venkat decided that perhaps you didn't hate me as much as you sounded like you did, and then proceeded to try to get me to dance with you."
Slapping Seven on the shoulder, Torres winked and said, "See, what did I tell ya, Seven…love and hate."
"Well," Janeway continued, "since I told him that Miss Fowler was the only one with whom I shared my time," she said politely, "I couldn't very well dance with you, so I dropped him a hook about how atrocious I thought you were and how I'd much rather see you done away with, rather than dance with you." When Torres eyebrows shot up at that, she informed quickly, "Don't worry, B'Elanna, you don't have a price on your head."
Scratching her head, Torres laughed, teasing, "You had me scared there for a minute, Captain."
Rolling her eyes in jest af Fowler snickered slightly, Janeway went on, "So, I told him that I was possibly interested in his services, but questioned him on his…resumé…so to speak, and he informed me that he has a 'big' job that he's working on right now where a government official is paying him two million credits just to set it up and ten more once their target is found." When Wang whistled at the number, she looked over at Tuvok and said, "I'd bet the farm this government official is Fynth."
"I would have to agree, Captain."
Nodding, she went on, "So, I asked him about the time frame, as far as when he could fit me in and made it up that your," pointing to B'Elanna, "hit would be a big job since my so-called father's very fond of you and has top-notch security. I told him that I didn't plan on staying that long, but that I would contact my father and tell him I needed more time to avail myself…so he could set it up…if I was interested." Pulling out the card from her waistband, as Fowler and Torres chuckled, the captain laughed too and said, "I got his phone number."
Seven reached into her pocket and said, "I have also acquired two passes to his facility, Captain."
When Seven didn't elaborate, Torres had to tell the story since Janeway seemed impressed and said, patting Seven on the back, "She's been practicing, Captain. She did good…tell her, Seven."
"Very well," Seven nodded at Torres and then turned to Janeway, who was smiling fondly, listening intently, as was everyone else, equally curious, although none with the personal stake as the redhead, and informed, "When the service attendant," then amended as Torres whispered the word to her, "the 'waitress' approached us, I informed her that we were required to depart, handed her our monetary datachip, told her to pay our 'tab' and to 'put a little something nice on it for her.'" When Torres smiled proudly and patted her on the back, she continued, "She thanked me, returned with the datachip, displayed her affection for me by kissing my cheek and presented us with the passes, informing me that I was to 'come back tomorrow and see her.'"
Janeway held back her laughter, sorry she had missed yet another moment for the beautiful Borg and said, nodding, "That was very kind of you, Seven…well done." Then looking around, she asked, "Anyone else have something before we work out our game plan?" When both Samuel and Torres nodded, she pointed to Wang and said, "You first, Mister Wang," then winking, "since I've always been so fond of you."
Samuel stood up and produced several different articles from his pouch, "I ran into a few doctor's and scientists today, most of them work here in the R & D department, and they gave me a few samples of some new antibiotics. The data's in the chips…so they say…I didn't have a chance to look at it, but I told them I'd read their research and think about funding their project. Could be helpful since they say that they'll knock out any infection…but it's mostly emergency type of medicine." Then handing over a few other datachips, he went on, "The Fynth are trying to capitalize on the data we gave them about the Borg, which is a hot topic in the medical field around here, and there should be several articles about research they're planning." Sighing, but smiling, he added, "It's good thing we didn't get them nanoprobes, Captain…these guys are opportunists of the first order. I'm not sure what they're planning, but I think it's pretty harmless, from what I heard, since they don't have anything to work with. I think they're just selling the information to would-be scientists hoping to get a heads up on the competition. Sounds pretty lucrative though...which, I guess is why they're being so persistent."
"Thank you, Ensign…good work," Janeway nodded, sighing as well, but moving along, not about to start second-guessing herself and glad she had gone with her instincts and not given them any Borg hardware whatsoever, but very sorry she had given them any information specific to Seven, since she really abhorred the thought of her Borg's personal information floating around medical journals, since giving them that information hadn't stopped her from having to destroy almost thirty ships to keep them away. "Was there anything else?"
"No, Captain…that's all that was of any relevance," the scientist answered. "I do have a couple of funny stories…but I'll save those for the ride home."
"I look forward to hearing them…thank you." Then looking over to Torres, she smiled and said, knowing the story she was about to hear would be colorful, to say the least, "Alright, Lieutenant…let's have it." Then holding up her hand, she said, "Let me get some more coffee…anyone want something…trust me, we could be here a while if the chief lives up to her reputation."
When everyone informed the captain of their drinks of preference, Torres stood, going to help the captain and said, "And what reputation is that, Captain?"
"You know damn well what I'm talking about Miss 'Maybe you should think about taking out the trash,'" Janeway laughed as they went into the other compartment. Then as she went to the replicator, ordering each of the drinks, smiling as she prepared Seven's 'coffee,' she said over her shoulder, "That bit about being stuck under Nick…that was good…lude…but good." Then laughing as she handed three glasses to Torres, she said, "I can't believe you called him Vinnie and he didn't take offense."
"You just don't hang out with enough riffraff, Captain…I know that type," Torres remarked, coming back into the aft compartment, handing off her various drinks. Then after sipping her own coffee, clinking her cup to Seven's, she said, "Well, it all started when…" then laughed and said, "Seven and I had a meeting with some sleezeoid," which caused the captain to shake her head and roll her eyes in humor for the engineer's neverending ability to describe or name someone appropriately, "and we gave him our list of supplies. He said everything but the constrictors will be ready by tomorrow, so if you want to skip town early, I think we're still coming up on top." When Janeway nodded, taking in the information, Torres added, "I also asked him about Vinnie, and told him I'd meet him tomorrow at the same time to find out what job he's working on now." When Tuvok and Janeway both raised their eyebrows, she held up her hand and said, "I know that wasn't part of the plan, but this guy we hooked up with seemed like he was into that shi…work, so I paid him well to get the info. I told him I wanted to settle a few scores, but didn't have all day to wait around for Vinnie to fit me into his schedule of dirty deeds, so I needed to know what he was up to currently and if he was up to the task." When Tuvok and Janeway both seemed concerned, she shook her head and said, "I know what you're thinking…but I think you both forget sometimes that I used to do this this kind of thing all the time. The guy's middle management…he has an opportunity to make some serious cashola, so he jumped at it, after making sure I was clear that I never heard of him…and visa versa."
"Are you sure, B'Elanna?" Janeway asked seriously. "I'm not doubting your abilities, but you haven't done that in a long time."
"I'm positive…he took it and it went smoother than it sounds retelling it," Torres nodded surely. Then sipping her coffee, she added, "I'd like to meet him tomorrow. He knows Seven will be there, and she scared the shi…the heck out of one of his goons that tried to get friendly while they frisked us." When Janeway frowned deeply at that, she added, "And no, we didn't rough them up... she just informed him that he should possibly rethink his actions or she'd be 'displeased.'"
"It was efficient," Seven stated proudly, smirking in her normal, confident way. "He ceased his actions immediately and posed no further threat."
"Only you, Seven," Fowler added, shaking her head, "can make displeased sound like a death treat."
As Janeway thought it over, looking over at Tuvok, each of them silently communicating just by the looks on their faces, Torres added, "Maybe we won't learn anything new…but since this guy's on the inside, and needs the money, I think we should risk it. He could give us specifics…things to look out for possibly. I don't know, but I'd like to try."
The captain nodded and said, "Okay, then meet him…the both of you, but Samuel," she looked over at him, "I want you hanging around the immediate area, since there's nothing more for you to do that's more important." Then looking back at Torres, she continued, "I want you both to check out the place a few hours before your meeting and hang around to make certain they aren't setting you up. If either of you feel something is wrong, back out and we'll just worry about the supplies at a later date. Understood?" When they nodded and answered her, she finished, "I'm afraid to ask, B'Elanna…is there anything else?"
Smiling, Torres said, "Lots…but those stories can wait too, Captain."
As all of this was happening, Seven of Nine continued to work on the merchant's riddle in her brain, still attempting to decode the message, and since she was aware of everything that B'Elanna Torres was saying, she tuned her out and focused on it since all of her observation and distractions were gone at the moment, but still, the puzzle alluded her. That is until the captain's voice calling her name snapped her out of her thought-invoked trance, and gave her the key she sought.
"Seven," Janeway asked, looking at the young blonde, noticing that she was distracted, which was a highly rare occurrence. When Seven didn't answer, she tried again, "Seven…did you have something?" but still she was not responded to, and then finally said softly and lovingly, not able to stop herself and knowing that sometimes the only way to get through to the Borg was to speak in such a manner, "Seven of Nine."
The blonde whipped her head toward Janeway, froze and then stated, "Four…I am to meet the merchant at four." Then standing as Janeway stood as well, concerned as to her behavior, she placed her hands on her hips and started pacing around, stymied as to how the man knew of her name, certain it had not been spoken in his presence, or anywhere near him, and doubly certain none of them had used her full Borg designation…since Tuvok and Janeway were the only ones that used it consistently, the captain out of affection, and Tuvok out of respect.
"What merchant?" Janeway asked quickly as Torres stood and said, "How'd you figure it out?" When the blonde didn't answer her, Kathryn grabbed her arm softly, turned her around and requested, "Seven, what merchant?"
"You mean the old crazy man?" Fowler asked, sipping her black coffee.
"How'd you figure the riddle out?" asked Torres again.
Becoming irritated, Janeway snapped, "Everyone, please!" Then said softer when they shut up quickly, "Thank you." Back at Seven, who looked visibly bewildered and upset, Janeway patted her back and said, "Come on…let's go talk in the front." Ushering her away, she let Seven go first, then climbed the stairs and closed the door. When the tall blonde continued to stand with her hands on her hips, looking down, obviously thinking deeply, Janeway asked, trying to snap her out of it, "Seven, do you want to sit down?"
Sighing, Seven looked over at Janeway who was perched on the console for the tactical station and said, "I prefer to stand, Kathryn."
Janeway understood right away that this was a personal thing that was upsetting her partner, so the captain changed quickly to the lover, but was prepared to go right back if she didn't get the answers she needed since she didn't like the idea of some crazy man, telling riddles asking to meet Seven of Nine anywhere, "Darling, please tell me what happened…maybe I can help?"
Seven thought about that for a minute, knowing the captain was much wiser in the many aspects of life, especially with cultural endeavors, so she nodded and said, "Very well, I will tell you." Placing her hands behind her back as she recited, which was habit, she informed, "This afternoon while Nicole Fowler and I were conversing after I assisted the individuals with their device which controlled the lighting for this evening's 'carnival,' I questioned the merchant whom owned the display we were standing near as to the function of a particular item. The item, he informed me was a Tomorrow Sphere, which upon further study was actually a translucent crystal sphere, quartz I believe, but it would require further analysis to be certain." When Janeway nodded, telling her to go on, she said, somewhat humbled, "It was without imperfections, Kathryn, and I questioned him as to what was required of me to acquire the item since I found it intriguing."
Kathryn nodded at that, and smiled softly, understanding the appeal of something so simple, yet perfect to the perfection driven Borg, and asked, "And what did he say?"
"He informed me that it was not for me today, and that I do not know of the 'realm,' and know only what is seen in this plane, but not what is known," Seven stated evenly, but furrowing her brow at that. "Those were not his exact words, but his dialect is…peculiar and that is what I was able to extrapolate. I informed him that I was aware that he was speaking of the paranormal…or clairvoyance, and that such ideas are illogical in nature." He then touch my hand, and said that he would give me the sphere tomorrow at the square of my sum, and then informed us we were required to depart the premises, which we did."
"The square of your sum?" Janeway mumbled, shaking her head. Then replaying the events, she did the math backwards quickly, taking Seven's answer of four and multiplying it by four, which gave her sixteen, and then remembered that Seven had been deep in thought and at the same moment. As the captain solved it, she stood, in shock and fear and said, "Seven of Nine equals sixteen…he knew your name? That's it…isn't it?"
Seven sighed, frustrated, and replied, "Perhaps I should have come to you sooner? I have been contemplating his words since that time continuously without success." Placing her hands on her hips, she asked, "Kathryn, how did the merchant know of my designation? It was not uttered."
Letting her instinctual reaction to hit the roof subside, the captain sighed and said, "Darling, I'm sure he was just a telepath."
"He also told me that when I return to him that he would tell me 'the path,'" Seven stated, having forgotten to mention that part. "I am not certain as to what 'the path' is as of yet." Shaking her head, she said softly, "It is peculiar, but I feel as though he is more than a telepath." Looking away searching for the right phrase to express herself in this manner, "I felt as though he knew me as you know me, but different in a manner I cannot describe. When he looked at me…I was intrigued, and I wished to converse with him further. I am unsettled now because I do not understand these feelings, however, I did not feel threatened at the time." Placing her hand behind her back again, she stated the phrase she had come to lean upon as much as her nanoprobes, "I require your assistance with this matter."
"Okay, but I want you to try to relax alright?" When Seven nodded, she said, "Why don't you sit down. I'm going to go get your drink and tell the others to turn in for the night, so we'll have plenty of time to talk." Once Seven told her that she would comply, she went into the other room and asked Fowler, "Nick, you were with Seven when she met that merchant…did you sense anything strange about him…like he knew more than he should…or was possibly watching us?"
"No, Captain," Fowler nodded quickly, sensing something bad was going on. "He was just a weird old man peddling junk."
Sighing, Janeway rubbed her forehead, looked at Torres and said, "The riddle was solved by using her name, Seven of Nine, as her…sum…that equals sixteen, and the square root of that is four. Which presents us with a problem," looking at Tuvok who was raising his eyebrow. "I'm guessing this man is just a telepath and uses that to fool customers into buying his things…but I'm not willing to just leave it at that. Commander," she nodded, since her Security officer had telepathic capabilities, "I want you and Miss Fowler, since you know where this place is, to go there tomorrow morning, sometime after you get up and go check him out. Try to see if he knows more than he's letting on, and if we have a problem." When they nodded, she sighed and said, snatching up Seven's coffee, "Since there's only four cots, and four of you…I want you all to turn in and get some rest. I need to talk to Seven, and we'll just rest in the chairs if we get to it." Shaking her head, she mumbled, "Telepaths and riddles…that's all I need right now," as she walked away. "Goodnight, everyone…excellent work today."
As Janeway left and closed the door, Torres sighed and said, "Kahless…they're gonna be all night. She's got to be freaked." Scratching her head and laying back as every one got situated and Fowler came up to her and sat on the edge of her cot, she whispered, "I'd be freaked…that's creepy." Shaking her head, she rubbed her forehead and informed, "And you don't know Seven like I do…when something like this goes down, she'll be up all night running through everything that's been on her mind, and trust me, there's always a lot. Christ," she spat, "that's so not what we need right now."
Patting Torres's leg, Fowler offered, "We'll check it out tomorrow. I'm sure it's fine. I think he's just got a few screws loose, you know." Then smiling, she added, "And I don't think he works for anyone…he's got bad teeth...I mean nasty, and he sells mostly junk…it will be cool." Once Torres nodded and sighed, Fowler jumped up and said, "I got first dibs on the shower."
"If you need any help skinning that cow hide off your ass, lemme know, I gotta knife," Torres teased and then laughed as Fowler pointed to her butt before she stepped in the bathroom as Wang laughed, giving Torres a high-five for getting Nick good and Tuvok looked on, thinking he rather be talking down a distraught Borg than attempting to sleep with the three of them with the captain in the other room, whose presence usually kept the profanity and insults to a minimum, even on a bad day.
As Janeway handed Seven her coffee and sat down in the pilot's chair, the Borg asked, "Kathryn, would you be disagreeable if I requested that you come and sit with me while we converse? I feel the need to have you close to me." Sighing, she said, "I am unsettled, even though I am attempting to adapt."
The good captain, always willing to do her 'duty' for her Astrometrics officer, which wasn't completely untrue, with regards to it being her duty since Seven was a vital member of this team, although that certainly wasn't her primary focus at the moment, nodded and said, "Sure, just let me do a few things first…alright?" When Seven nodded, she looked out the window, wondering now if they were being watched and quickly lowered the blast shield so that no prying eyes would see her sitting on the lap of someone she supposedly didn't like very much. Once that was done, she said, slipping off her stockings, "Darling, if you want to take off your gloves and shoes, or get more comfortable, that's perfectly fine."
After Seven nodded, as if just considering that, and then proceeded to take off her gloves, vest, and ripped shirt, leaving her torso clad in a tight, sport's style bra, but left on her shoes, the captain asked Seven to untie her shirt in the back since she had done the knots so tight after her sponge bath, she couldn't manage by herself. Then slipping her shirt off, she carefully peeled the clear support bra from her chest, hissing a little since the temperature during the day had practically melted the fabric to her sensitive skin, and then asked, "Do you mind if I wear your shirt…I can't manage the other one without a bra?"
"I do not," Seven stated, looking fondly at her captain, wanting to reach out to her and sooth her ruddy skin with her hand since she was certain Kathryn was in distress since the Borg was very much aware of her sensativity in that area, but feeling as though she should not now, she said instead, as Janeway pulled on her torn shirt, laughing at the job they had done of making the attire more sexy, "I am in love with you, my beautiful Kathryn. I wish you to know that is true every day."
"Seven," Janeway whispered, holding her stomach, her breath being sucked out of her yet again by the younger woman's ability to state facts so plainly, and out of the blue, yet make them sound like words from a divine power. Then swallowing back the tears that immediately sprung in her eyes, not wanting to cry since she felt she had done plenty of that already today and broken her father's rule about letting a member of her crew see her cry, although she didn't count her lovers, she leaned forward, bracing her hands on the arm rests and said, looking at the blonde's azure pools, "You never cease you amaze me, Seven of Nine, Annika Hansen." Then kissing her lips sweetly, she added, "I'm in love with you too, darling…and thank you for telling me." Smiling , she whispered, "You're the sweetest talker I've ever met…I think maybe we should rescue more Borg just to add more sweet talkers to the universe." Then trailing her finger down the slope of her nose, she stood and added, "After the trash I heard today…sounds like a pretty good idea to me."
Frowning as Janeway reached up into one the compartments, pulling out a grey blanket, she asked, "Was Venkat vulgar to you?"
Janeway turned her head as she stepped down from the chair she was standing on to reach the compartment, and said, "At times…not like I didn't ask for it, though."
"B'Elanna Torres was also vulgar on several occasions," Seven informed, not 'telling' on her, knowing she and Janeway were slipping into their best friend mode. "In one instance, to show the individuals we were attempting to converse with regarding our supplies that we were not attempting to 'pick them up,'" Seven said as Janeway came over and sat in her lap, semi-sideways, and pulled the blanket over them, "she approached a female and proceeded to inform her that she was fond of her footwear and wanted to know if she wished to copulate." When Janeway brought her hands to her eyes and shook her head, she stated, "That was not the term she used, however."
"I've heard the line," Kathryn informed flat, not expanding on that admission since she figured Sevne would understand that their potty-mouthed friend had been feeling frisky with her one evening and asked her similiar question, "what happened?"
"The female was displeased and proceeded to show that by throwing the contents of her glass in B'Elanna Torres' face, then departed…immediately." When the captain sighed, although wasn't surprised, and snuggled with Seven, the Borg reported, "It was efficient, and we secured a meeting shortly thereafter." Seven set down her coffee on the console, wrapped her arms around Janeway and informed, "B'Elanna Torres informed me that if you were in that particular establishment, she would have approached you in the same manner, since she was certain you would have reacted in a similar fashion and possibly struck her with your palm across her face."
"No, I'd have popped her right in the mouth," the captain came back producing her small, but deadly sharp knuckled fist, although it was well known between them that she'd never really punch anyone for saying something to her she didn't approve of...although, she might slap them...maybe? Although, when B'Elanna had asked her that question, it had been under much different circumstances, and was purely and attempt to get the redhead to laugh. Then tilting her head, she kissed Seven's mouth and informed, "Darling, we can talk about whatever you want to, okay…I don't want you to feel like you have to talk about anything in particular…just say what's on your mind."
"Very well," Seven nodded, an extensive list compiling in her neural processor. "I do not approve of you smoking, Kathryn. It is damaging to several parts of your body and I find the smell unpleasant. I can also detect it on your lips, and it is distasteful."
Smiling, Janeway said, "Yes, Mom." When Seven rolled her eyes, she said, "Darling, I don't like to smoke either…and only do it in a situation like tonight, or when I'm in a diplomatic situation where it's considered rude to decline an offering. I promise not to smoke any other time…okay?"
"That is acceptable," the ex-drone reported, happy with that compromise. Then resting her head against the redhead's, she informed, "I also expressed my distaste for that behavior to B'Elanna Torres...however, she was more resistant." Then smirking, she added, "She was impressive, Kathryn. I believe you would have been proud of her. There seems to be much to her personality that I am not aware of…but I am enjoying observing her a great deal, even if I find some of it…unpleasant, simply because I know that she would not behave in such a manner in normal circumstances." When the captain nodded and said that Torres was part of a whole other life before Voyager and that she completely understood, and admitted to enjoying watching B'Elanna put on a show, considering she did it rather well, Seven stated, "I believe for the same reasons, I was able to observe you and Nicole Fowler engage in sexual behavior without attempting to damage her beyond repair." When Kathryn laughed and poked her stomach, but then sighed, Seven asked, "May I ask you a question regarding that situation?"
"You can ask me anything..."
"After I adapted to witnessing such an event," Seven started, needing to be perfectly clear as to what she was asking, she went on, "I did not find observing her embrace your body in such a manner unpleasant…especially when you were dancing. You are an impressive dancer." When Janeway gave her thanks, she continued, "I am curious, did you find it unpleasant to be touched by her?"
Normally such a question would automatically put the older woman on the defensive and probably make her more than a little angry, but with Seven, it was simply different. She knew she wasn't accusing her of anything, and was honestly curious as to human behavior, so she answered completely truthfully, "Well, honestly, no, Seven. All in all, it was relatively pleasant, but it's very different when you or B'Elanna touch me like that. One, I was working, and I've been trained to be able to ignore certain things like that without really reacting to it…although, you can't completely shut it out. Two, Nick is a member of my crew, and I was constantly worried that I was putting her in a bad situation that she wasn't comfortable with, but we worked through that and set our ground rules, so it went over well. Three, I would never really behave that way...certainly never for the benefit for a perfect stranger, and finally, I don't love Nick. I don't have the same, deep, emotional connection with her that I have with you and Lanna…so it makes it totally different." Then taking a sip of her coffee and contemplating her next words, she finally said, "But, she's is my friend, we work closely together…she's also respectful and very kind…and truthfully, I think she's rather beautiful…so, because she was touching me…and not, let's say Paris, I was able to enjoy it more. I think it would have been the same if Chakotay had been my protection, although, maybe a little more awkward since he's a man…and that situation, I think, works easier with members of the same gender...at least amongst females." Looking up at Seven, who was listening intently, she smiled and added, "She certainly didn't make my skin crawl…which is nice…do you understand?"
"I do…thank you for clarifying," Seven stated. Then kissing Janeway's forehead, she informed, although modifying her complete response because she didn't want to get into the topic of her concerns that such a situation could have been terrible for Janeway considering all she had been through recently, "I am pleased that it was not unpleasant. I would never wish that for you, and I will thank Nicole Fowler privately for treating you appropriately and making you comfortable."
Janeway shook her head in disbelief and then replied, "Seven," sighing, "you truly are extraordinary. I don't think you really understand how wonderful you are." Then kissing her chin again, she added, "And I think Nick would very much like to hear you say that to her. She was extremely kind to me all day…as a woman…and as her captain." Leaning in close and cuddling, she admitted, "That's why I was crying when you showed up. It wasn't because I was upset about what had happened…just felt like we had bonded on some level as similar people. That's always nice when that happens…it's very rare in my line of work…well, at least these days it is." Sighing, she said, "I think Nick's one of the kindest people I've ever met, darling…she's very much like Chakotay in many ways…except with a little bit of a B'Elanna Torres streak in her."
"I have made similar comparisons myself," Seven nodded. "However, I understand that she is also different because she is a Starfleet officer, and has been so for my years. B'Elanna Torres remarked that you and she have an inherent understanding due to this. Do you feel that is accurate?"
"Yes, very much so," Janeway nodded, freely, letting Seven continue to engage her in whatever she was curious about in her attempt to become comfortable talking about feelings and whatnot before she attempted to discuss the merchant and why she was so unsettled by the incident. Sighing, Janeway admitted, "It's nice to have a female senior officer that I work closely with every day that has the same Starfleet backbone I do. It's not that I don't think of B'Elanna as a Starfleet officer, but I know that technically, she's not." Then chuckling, she added, "Technically, she and I are enemies. She's the rebel, freedom fighter and I'm the militaristic agent of the state she's fighting. If this mission would have gone like it was supposed to, I would have been responsible for apprehending her and hauling her off to prison." Then getting back to the point, she finished, "So, yes, working with Nick is nice…she can do things Tuvok can't because he's Vulcan, and she's not nearly as naïve as Harry. Plus, she's only a few years younger than me, so I'm able to relax more with her in these situations and let her do her job. There's also the fact that she's a woman, and women just tend to understand each other…just like men tend to stick together…so I don't feel as alone on the Bridge now." Then sipping her coffee, and added, "Don't get me wrong, Chakotay and I have a wonderful relationship, and we look out for each other more than most people know, but I'm know there are times when he talks to Tom and Harry…even Tuvok, man to man…just like I talk to Nick and Devin, woman to woman…it's the same." Then chuckling, she raised her finger and said, "Although, I know he talks to B'Elanna in the same manner…since, well, she's just like-minded, and they have a strong bond as ex-Maquis…they are similar people in that respect."
"I have made note of this as well," Seven replied. "I find it curious that B'Elanna Torres can exhibit clear masculine tendencies, which I believe is her preference, but then also be feminine if the situation calls for that, or if she is feeling the need to express her humanity. Perhaps this comes from her genetic make-up?"
"Some of it, I'm sure…but not all of it," Janeway responded. "Nick is the same way…she's a tough, but polite, tomboy most of the time, but that's not always true." Then smiling crookedly, she added, "I think the same could be said for me sometimes too…although, not to such extremes. I think all in all, I'm fairly feminine, but I have my moments."
"This is true... however your differences are easily defined. I have never witnessed you display clear masculine tendencies in your personal life…only as the captain, and then, they are subtle and stem from your authoritative position." Looking away for a moment, Seven leaned forward, retrieved her coffee, enjoying this conversation a great deal since the captain was allowing her to make observations as to her behavior, which was Seven's favorite thing to do in her 'free-time,' and added, "However, I am hesitant to label that behavior masculine…it is inaccurate." Then nodding, she went on, "I have researched this…and I believe the accurate term for you is a matriarch. It is similar to elephants."
When Janeway barked in laughter, Seven nodded and affirmed, "I have researched this, Kathryn." As Janeway covered her mouth nodding, certain Seven had indeed researched it, she explained, "Elephants rely on a single female to guide them and raise the offspring. When males become adolescents, they then leave the herd, but the rest remain and rely on the matriarch to guide them to various natural resources, keep them from danger, and teach them the skills they will require to take her place. The matriarch is wise, respected, the single authority, maintains harmony, has an instinctual understanding and respect for her ancestors…she is, as are all elephants, self-aware…and if she perishes, the rest of the herd usually becomes chaotic, and rarely maintains order or survives." Looking down at Janeway, who was smiling at her, she finished, "You are like a matriarch elephant."
"How flattering," Janeway teased, pinching Seven's stomach, then said softer, "Thank you…that's very astute, and flattering, by the way." Then smirking, she informed, "Okay, my turn to be curious. Why did you research elephants?"
"My research lead me to elephants as I continue to attempt to understand why it is that I love and admired you…precisely," Seven informed. "I have spent five hun…" she stopped and amended, doing her best to not always feel she had to be so precise when reciting facts, "a great deal of time in this endeavor, and find it…rewarding…and believe that my research will continue for the foreseeable future since you are constantly changing, some times at will, more often due to circumstances beyond your control, but it is of no consequence. I enjoy this personal endeavor, and learn a great deal about many other things while doing so. The behavior of elephants is an example of that." Raising her eyebrow, she explained, "If the Borg assimilated knowledge of elephants, they did not deem it relevant, so I was previously unaware of their behavior, but I, as an individual, find it intriguing."
"Seven," Janeway shook her head, not at all surprised to learn of that. Then cuddling and kissing her neck softly and whispered, "I guess I should stop wondering why you always seem to understand me…even if you don't agree with what I do." Then clearing her throat, she chuckled and said, "Darling, you really are good for my ego. You keep me believing in myself, yet humble…I think every starship captain should have a Borg. I'll make a recommendation to Starfleet when we get back."
"We have a reciprocal relationship," Seven informed softly. "You do the same for me…this is 'good,' I am certain. I will stand by your side when you make your recommendation as testament."
"You're getting so good at that," Janeway laughed, kissing Seven's neck again. "You have the most wonderful sense of humor…I think you're a natural."
"I was serious, Kathryn."
Laughing again, Janeway nodded, and said, "I know…that's why it's funny…only you can make a serious statement sound so charming." Kissing her softly, she whispered, "That's a good term for you…charming. You could hypnotize the moon and the stars…I'm sure of it."
"Kathryn..."
"Yes, love..."
Sighing, she stated, setting her drink back down, "I am prepared to discuss the merchant now."
Janeway immediately set her coffee down as well, curled up with the blonde, wrapping her arms around her, resting her head on her shoulder, and said, "Tell me what's bothering you."
"I believe I feel…'depressed,'" Seven admitted. Thne nodding, she said more adamantly, "That term is accurate."
"Do you know why?"
"I am not certain, but my thoughts continue to focus on the events that occurred with him. Particularly the fact that he believed I was not worthy of possessing the sphere because I…do not know of the…'realm.'" Sighing, she asked, "Explain this…'realm?'"
The captain sighed, holding back her anger and trying not to have thoughts of going to go see 'the merchant' and wringing his neck tomorrow for making such a wonderful creature feel as though she was lacking simply because she didn't believe in hocus pocus. Then shaking her head, she explained, "Well, I'm not sure really. I can guess though, and say that I think he's talking of a 'spiritual plane.' One that exists in the mind." Then sighing again, she went on, "Honestly, darling, I'm certain if I would have approached him and tried to purchase the sphere he would have said the same thing to me. I'm a scientist like you are, and even though I've had a few, what you might call 'spiritual' experiences, I certainly wouldn't call myself a spiritual person. It's not that I don't necessarily believe in it, I'm not sure if I do really, but I'm not sure if I don't…but it's just not a part of my life."
"He asked me to look into the sphere and tell him what I observed, which I did, and that is when he informed me I could not purchase it, but that I should return to him tomorrow for it…and that he would tell me the path." After a few beats, she stated, "I wish to go see him tomorrow, Captain…will you permit it?"
"Before I answer, I need you to tell me why you want to go," the captain informed, not surprised by the request since the Borg was not fond of leaving things undone, especially when they affected her so profoundly…positively or otherwise.
"Very well," the Borg nodded. "I am curious as to spirituality. When I was required to stay with Commander Chakotay, he allowed me to observe his nightly ritual. He…'prays.' After it was complete, he allowed me to ask questions, and answered them 'as best' he could, but informed me that some were difficult to answer with words and that the actual experience could describe it better." When Janeway nodded at that, Seven went on, "He informed me that if I wished to contact my 'Spirit Guide' that he would assist me. I informed him that I was not aware that I had such an individual, and would seek his assistance if I felt that needed to meet him or her. I have been continually curious since that time and have often contemplated requesting a meeting. B'Elanna Torres was not agreeable with hers and she is no longer allowed to take 'Vision Quests.'" When Janeway chuckled once, remembering learning off that shortly after Voyager was sent to the Delta Quadrant, she went on, "I believe this is an exaggeration, and that if she wished to do so again, the commander would assist her...however, I believe her 'spiritual' focus has changed since then because she is embracing her Klingon heritage more, as of late. From what I know of Klingon culture, it is ritualistic in nature, however, not in the same manner as the Native American culture. The commander's culture is spiritually centered, from what I have extrapolated thus far."
"Yes, it's a wonderful culture…very spiritual, very respectful and nature centered," Janeway responded. Then smiling, she added, "Honestly, it's always been one of my favorites. I'm not sure why…I just think it's beautiful…everything about it is…" sighing as she searched for the correct word, "it's just lovely…I can't think of a better word. It's hard to describe, but it's very ancient. There's a certain romance to it, I think because of that. It is what is it is…and hasn't changed very much as most cultures do as civilization evolves."
"That is a sufficient definition," Seven added in compliment. "I am curious as to this other aspect of humanity. Perhaps I should request the commander's assistance when we return?"
"I think that's probably a good idea," Kathryn offered. "Chakotay's a wonderful teacher, and doesn't expect you to understand or even believe everything. He's happy to just help…and pass along knowledge of his culture." Sadly, she said, "I don't know if you know this, but his culture was treated terribly by the state for hundreds of years and their way of life was almost completely wiped out." Shaking her head in shame, she went on, "It's terrible…really horrible, and they finally left Earth and made a home on another planet since they were so outnumbered and really had no space of their own, which is unthinkable since they're called Native Americans because they were native to that territory before the Europeans took it over. It's a very dark chapter in human history, I'm afraid…and I'm certain it's one reason why Chakotay believed in and joined the Maquis because that similar thing was happening to the Bajorans." Softly, she added, "I certainly can't blame him for feeling that way…never could, which, I guess is fairly obvious since I destroyed the Caretaker for similar reasons."
"We are straying for our objective, my Kathryn," Seven informed softly, which caused Janeway to chuckle at herself. "This is why I wish to return to the merchant tomorrow. I still would like to acquire the sphere, but if that is not possible, I continue to be interested in this 'realm' that he spoke of. I am curious as to what he believes my path is."
"Well, and I'm not trying to speak negatively of him, Seven," Janeway started, "but what he's talking about and what Chakotay believes are two very different things. This sphere sounds to me like what mystics on Earth and in the Alpha Quadrant call a crystal ball, and they are normally clear and made of quartz." Then snatching up her coffee, and sipping, she sat up so she could look at Seven's face and continued, "I'm not saying it's bad, but that kind of thing…scrying, as it's called, is more of the occult…which is different from Vision Quests and Spirit Guides. I think some of it is probably true and the people that can do it have extraordinary telepathic and empathic capabilities, which they can use to share your thoughts, understand your reactions to situations, and then make very educated guesses, or predictions as to what will happen to you, using general terms that fit most cases. Some of it can be called witchcraft, I suppose, which is a loosely defined term, and even though there aren't many human's that still perform those types of rituals, it's still around. It's just not popular, and like I said…I don't think it's bad. Sure, there are evil people that do those things, but that's true for anything, unfortunately, and the few witches that I have met along my travels have been wonderful people that care very deeply about nature, the seasons and the cycle of life." Nodding at Seven, sensing what she was going to say, she added, "That part is similar, in a way, to Chakotay's culture, but they use many different tools, celebrate changes in the moon, and other things that I don't know enough about to really explain. It's kind of…obscure, but I'm sure if you're curious, there is plenty of information in the Federation database."
"You are saying that he cannot really tell me what my 'path' is, only use his abilities to…guess?"
"Yes," Janeway nodded. "I can't be absolutely positive, but I'm fairly certain…even Chakotay would tell you that you make your own path, Seven, and I don't think it's safe for you, at this point, to be exposed to that type of thing," the protective captain added. The touching the blonde's face, she smiled and said, "Darling, I know you won't take offense when I say this but…you're awfully literal sometimes, and that's just because you are you, and you spent so much time with the Borg who are all about precision, objectives and efficiency. This man knows nothing of that sort of thing, and I'm afraid if you let him tell you things that they'll end up happening simply because you make them happen."
Furrowing her brow, Seven requested, "Explain."
"Well," Janeway thought carefully, trying to figure out how to explain the power of suggestion to an ex-drone, "um…oh, let's say he tells you that the day after tomorrow, you'll meet a woman, dressed in neutral colors, and that she has something for you that will change your life." Sipping her coffee, she asked, "What would you do the day after tomorrow?"
"I would seek out a woman that fit his description, approach her and request that she relinquish the item she is to give to me," Seven stated.
"Exactly," Janeway nodded, happy she had guessed correctly. "More than likely, Seven, there is no single woman he's talking about, and half of the woman around here are dressed in neutral colors. You would most likely pick the first one you saw, or if you spotted several at once, pick the one you found most appealing, since that's human nature, and she could give you any number of things." Smiling, she said, "If she was put off by you, she could say something rude…if she was the sort, she could attempt to harm you. If she found you intriguing, she might give you her communication card, which could set off a whole other chain of events, which could very well change your life…but you see, that same thing could happen to anyone you approached. It doesn't have to be a woman in neutral colors. You could get the same reaction out of a man with blue hair. Do you understand?"
"You are saying that if he tells me something, I will see to making it occur because I wish to understand how he knew of this information, instead of just allowing circumstances to play out as 'life' would see to them doing so on their own," Seven stated, nodding. Then sighing, she said, "I believe I understand, Kathryn. You are correct…that is precisely what would occur."
When she saw Seven frowning, Janeway clasped her chin and informed, "Hey, don't be so hard on yourself…you don't have to be a Borg to fall for that." Smiling, she said, "Fortune telling is a very profitable business that's almost as old as the universe. It's completely natural to want to know the answers to life. Life is difficult…and often filled with uncertainty. That kind of thing is attractive…but it's just not true. No one can tell you for certain what is going to happen, because you always have a choice as to what you'll do." Then letting her go, she kissed her quickly and said, "And the answer is no, Seven…I don't want you to go see the merchant for that reason, and because I don't like the fact that he knew your designation. He's probably just a telepath, but considering we're sitting in the middle of the very thing that is looking to destroy us, I won't risk it."
"I will comply," Seven stated nodding, "and if he attempts to contact me, I will not listen to him and inform you immediately."
"Yes, please, do that. Do you feel better now?" Janeway asked, setting down her coffee and curling up on Seven's lap again, pulling the blanket up to her shoulders.
"No," Seven answered honestly, as always. "However, I am adapting as we speak, and I look forward to conversing with Commander Chakotay regarding these events." Then sighing, she slid her hand under the captain's shirt and rubbed her torso as she said, "It is unfortunate that I will not be able to acquire the Tomorrow Sphere, however. Naomi Wildman informed me that I required…'stuff,' and even though I do not completely agree, or understand the need to keep irrelevant items, I wished to have the sphere. I wanted to have it as 'stuff.' I would have liked to display it on the desk that we plan to install in our quarters for me. I thought it was…pretty, as well."
Already planning on paying the merchant a little visit tomorrow to get the sphere for Seven since she wouldn't let her Borg do it herself, and give him a piece of her mind afterward, Janeway said as Seven began to slowly massage her breasts absently, which the captain found completely endearing, since it was clear Seven wasn't aware of her actions and was thinking, as she always did whenever she was exposed to new things, "Mmm…darling, we'll get you a crystal ball if you want one. It might not be that one…but we'll get you one, I promise." Then leaning into her ear, she whispered, "Thank you…that feels nice. Just be careful, love…they're rather sore from being strapped into that contraption all day."
Seven faltered for a beat, and then said, "You are welcome…although, I was not aware of my actions." Shaking her head, she admitted, "I am distracted. This day has been overwhelming, to say the least." The feeling of the captain's breast in her hand urged the question, "Kathryn, did you observe the 'dancers' at the 'carnival?'" When Janeway asked which ones, she clarified, "The individuals that were without adequate clothing and were brightly painted." When the captain nodded, humming into Seven's ear as she was given attention, she asked, "What is the purpose of such a display?"
"Well, it's artistic," Janeway explained, giving up on the thought that she was going to get sleep tonight since it was obvious that Seven had seen and heard enough new and 'intriguing' things to keep the Borg questioning, and the captain on her toes for several hours. "That kind of nudity is different from what we observed at the nightclub. That was blatant, and solely for the purpose of arousing sexual desire. The dancers, I'm not certain because I don't know of them, other than what I saw, were probably expressing their culture. Yes, they were nude, except for their loin clothes, but did you notice that the paint distracted the eyes enough that it seemed like they weren't nude?" When Seven nodded yes, she went on, "That's because it wasn't tawdry, like the nightclub, it was…well, it was an expression of the beauty of a body, and the patterns and colors were an interpretation of the sun, which was the theme for the carnival. I thought it was very beautifully done, and would much rather watch that kind of natural and artistic display rather than what we saw in the nightclub. The dancers were a celebration of the body and life…there were males and females, but the nightclub is something very different…much more objectification of women as purely sexual objects to be desired and used for their bodies alone. It's not very noble…or evolved, and very typical of men, and even some women, like Venkat, although, I'd be lying if I said that type of behavior was equally distributed amongst the sexes."
"Why to you believe that is?"
"I'm not sure exactly," Janeway answered honestly, "but in most cultures, well, at least the majority I've come across, women are considered the fairer gender. It's true for humans as well…although, thank goodness we're not objectified like we used to be. But, even still, a woman's body is admired above all others." Then smiling a little, she said, "And I don't completely disagree with that view point. Women are pleasing to the eye…we're softer due to our curves…they make us naturally nice to look at…and our faces are usually less rigid. Of course, not everyone likes that the most, but the majority of people do…it's very natural to admire pretty things. Women are pretty…I think naturally so. We also bare children, and even though we can't do it without men, well, at least not without the help of science, that also makes us special…cherished, and unfortunately, for some cultures, slaves to that fact. All in all, if I had to say, scientifically why, I'd say because we live on planets, and planets are round, and women have similar curves, and people are instinctively drawn to that shape."
Raising her eyebrow, Seven smirked and stated, "You are most impressive, Kathryn. I believe you underestimate yourself. How is it that you are able to make such extrapolations? I find it hard to comprehend…yet you make it seem simple."
"I've been around," Janeway smiled, then kissed Seven's neck in thanks for the compliment, "and my mother is very wise, darling. You'd like her…I'm sure of it. She could explain things to you that I don't even pay attention to…and she loves to talk."
"Kathryn..."
"Hmm?"
"When we return to the Alpha Quadrant, there are many things I want to do," Seven informed, smiling. "I look forward to returning more each day now that I have data on your Collective. What is it that you wish to do first?"
Semi-giddy, since whenever she talked about going home with Seven it seemed as though the event was only a few days away, she answered, "First, well, after I inform Starfleet that I've returned with the finest crew to ever serve…and I do mean ever, " she raised her finger for emphasis, leaving no doubt she believed it was gospel, she went on, "and after Chakotay picks me up and swings me around, which I'm certain he will do, and after I have an emotional break down of epic proportions," she chuckled, knowing that was a guarantee, if there ever was such a thing, "I want to hand over Voyager to the proper authorities, and take you and B'Elanna home to my family's farm in Indiana, where I will proceed to eat an absurdly huge, home-cooked meal, roll on the floor with the dogs, take a walk down by the lake at sunset, then lay in the grass and look up at the stars until it gets too cold…and then go to bed, make love to you both until I pass out, and finally sleep for at least a week." Looking over at Seven, who was watching her, she asked, "How does that sound?"
"I believe it would be perfection, my Kathryn." Then nodding, she added, "That is what will occur. I will see to it, and inform the commander that he must perform his duty after you have contacted Starfleet headquarters." When Janeway giggled, she smiled and said, "I am certain he will comply."
"Seven of Mine."
"Yes?"
"I'm in love with you…and I want you to know it as truth every day." Smiling brightly, she requested, "Kiss me."
After kissing the captain for several long minutes, leaving the redhead breathless and flushed, Seven informed, quietly, joking, and being 'charming,' "I am Borg. I am not capable of 'forgetting' that data, thus I will comply."
"Mmm…you say the most wonderful things to me," Janeway purred languidly as Seven continued to massage her breasts with the human hand and gently rub her back with her metal encased hand. "Seven," she breathed into her lover's ear, the timbre erotic and electric.
"Yes?" When Janeway didn't answer but only continued to kiss her neck and press her body into the embrace, the blonde stated, rather than asked, speaking softly since it was sensitive subject matter, "You are becoming aroused."
"Oh yes, darling," Janeway whispered directly into her youngest lover's ear, as her hand teased the other ear and the starburst next to it. "I can't help it…mmm…you're very, very good at that." Now nibbling on Seven's earlobe, she added, "Besides...I think I'm addicted to you."
"I would not be disagreeable if that were the case," Seven noted, continuing to be charming, yet serious. "Is there anything you wish for me to do, other than what I am doing at this moment?"
"Mmm…I can think of several wonderful things," the captain informed, breathing heavier now, "but I don't think any of them would go unnoticed by our companions. I'm afraid all of the stimulating conversation we've had would make it rather difficult for me to refrain from vocalizing," she inhaled as Seven gently tugged one of her erect and sensitive nipples, "my appreciation…oh, yes…mmm...that's good." Beside herself now, she purred, "God…you make me so wet sometimes...."
Seven of Nine might not be the sharpest tack in the box when it came to reading behavior, but she was fairly certain that such an admission meant that the good captain was not only enjoying herself, but wanted to continue to do so, despite her fears of it being overheard. This was especially true when the captain made reference to a deity, which she knew occurred almost exclusively when she was very angry, extremely emotional, or engaged in sexual activities. However, knowing that information did not mean that she wanted to put the captain in a compromising position, unless Kathryn was completely willing to do so, so as she continued to fondle her chest, she kept her technique, which she felt she had honed to almost a science now since Kathryn, much more so than B'Elanna Torres, and even herself, enjoyed being touched there a great deal, very sexual in nature, but did not attempt to escalate the encounter by touching her anywhere else. "I enjoy embracing you in this manner," Seven informed, "for many reasons, however particularly due to the response it elicits from you."
The captain wasn't certain what exactly it was about how the ex-drone worded things, but whatever it was drove her absolutely frantic with need...consistently. Feeling like part of her was banging her head against the wall, begging for mercy, while the other part was banging her head, begging for more, Kathryn sat up, straddled Seven's legs, glad the chair was roomy enough to allow for that, although knowing that if they each weren't so thin they'd never manage, and requested, taking her top off, certain that no one would come into the compartment without knocking and waiting for admission since it was obvious that private 'conversation' was occurring, "Use your mouth, darling." Then grabbing her shirt, pushing it into a ball as she sat up straight, she shoved her face into it, stifling her moans as she hovered over the blonde. As Seven complied happily and pleasured one breast with her whole mouth, taking the modest mass almost completely into her and sucking, hungered, but still carefully, the captain clutched the top of the chair, trying not to pound on it as her body tingled with excitement, burying her face into the shirt that was resting on the top of the chair and moaned, semi-unbidden, pleased that the noise wasn't traveling.
What happened next somewhat surprised the Borg, but after a moment, she realized that perhaps she and B'Elanna Torres had been too hasty in labeling the captain as 'straight-laced,' and Seven quickly adapted accordingly, while she made a note to discuss the events with B'E lanna Torres, but then changed her mind and decided if Kathryn wished to engage in this risky behavior again with B'Elanna, she would do so of her own will, and for the captain's sake, and because it was a private moment for them, she would keep it their little secret and enjoy knowing each time she sat in this chair, she had made love to the captain in it.
Although, as the scene unfolded, it occurred to Seven that perhaps making love wasn't entirely an accurate term for this encounter, since it was completely different from their previous ones, and she made a note to question her lover about that once it was over.
Pulling away, tossing the shirt in her hands recklessly over to the other chair, and positioning herself so her chin was at Seven's forehead, Janeway whispered, wantonly, "I want you inside of me." When Seven raised her eyebrows in surprise, but quickly took her human hand away, while her other carefully held her right breast, and slipped past the slit in her skirt and then into her underwear, which were indeed damp, Kathryn informed, just before Seven made purchase, "I'll be quiet…I promise," and to prove her point, when Seven's fingers found her plentiful moisture, swirled it around and then slipped inside of her easily, Kathryn bit her bottom lip, holding back her sob at the intense pleasure, and sank down immediately onto Seven's hand.
Placing her hands on Seven's shoulders, Janeway asked, catching her breath, "Am I hurting you?"
"I am comfortable," Seven informed, watching the captain closely since they had never been in this position before and finding it rather stimulating because she was able to clearly see the captain's face, which Seven thought was a wonderful face because not only was it lovely, but it was extremely expressive, even when she wasn't talking. Not certain as to how to perform this act in the manner the captain needed currently, she asked, "What do you require?"
Kathryn leaned in close and answered, "Stroke me slowly, darling." When Seven started doing that, she cooed and nodded, "Yes, love…ohgod, mmmhmm…just like that." And after a few blissful moments, as her body relaxed around the long digits, she informed as she started to move with them, pressing down as Seven pressed into her, "Watch my tempo…let me set it…just try to…uhmmmatch…and tell me if it hurts you, alright?"
"I will not resist," Seven smirked, as Janeway sat back, moved her hands to the armrests and upped the tempo slightly, grinning back at her lover, with excitement and acute need.
Seven finally moving her hand from the captain's breast to her hips which helped her judge the pace that was quickening by the second. When Janeway threw her head back, and hummed, but not loudly, as she rocked steadily in the chair, Seven smiled, showing teeth, thinking that was the most wonderful thing she had seen all day, in a day full of several pleasant observations, and forgot all about the merchant and his perfect sphere since she was quite certain Kathryn was a much better 'stuff' to acquire.
Snapping her head back forward, Janeway rested her forehead against Seven's, wanting to kiss her but not sure she could keep from moaning louder if she did, since the Borg's kisses were so amazingly good, and whispered as she started driving her hips in quick circles, licking her dry lips, "Ohgodyes…mmm…Seven…oh darling, yes, right there." Then not being able to resist any longer, she kissed Seven hotly, demanding with her tongue, and when she felt her inner muscles start to tighten as the blonde starting taking control of the kiss expertly, guiding the captain into submission with her lips, Janeway whimpered, pulled away so she could look into Seven's face, and more importantly to her, so Seven could watch her climax.
As her breath quickened, Janeway leaned forward again for a moment as a wave of pleasure surged through her quickly, and murmured against the side of Seven's cheek, "I love you...ohyes...mmmmake me come, Seven."
"You are perfection," Seven whispered, kissing her lover's hairline at her temple softly, her own breath quickening. When Janeway whimpered again, the blonde said purposefully, knowing Janeway enjoyed when Seven said her name, "Kathryn."
The sound of her name pushing her to the brink, Janeway leaned back again and hissed, "Press inside…farther…ohyes, mmmhmm…ohpleasehold them." And as she kept her eyes locked onto Seven's as she drove her hips in short, quick movements building with speed, Kathryn bit her bottom lip as she whimpered again, and finally had to close her eyes and toss her head back as she arched, her mouth moderately open, but only a gasp being sounded, and came in a silent explosion of nerves that snapped like firecrackers, flushing her face and upper chest, that died out almost as quickly as they flamed, leaving the woman they belonged to heaving with her forehead once again resting against her lover's.
Once she recovered and stopped sucking wind, Janeway once again kissed Seven, although this time much softer and lovingly, then chuckled as the Borg withdrew her hand and said, smiling as her eyes twinkled in pure delight, "I can't believe we just did that." Noticing quickly that her lover's nipples were definitely protruding against the thin fabric of her sport's bra, Janeway asked, "How are you, hmm?"
Intercepting the captain's hand as it made for her bosom, Seven stated, bringing it to her lips and kissing the knuckles, as she knew the redhead adored, "I am well, my Kathryn." When Janeway asked if she was sure, flirting a little bit, Seven answered, "Although I am aroused, I do not wish you to touch me because I am certain I would not be as restrained as you have been this evening." Then kissing the captain's knuckles again, she went on, "And I do not believe Commander Tuvok would wish to overhear such things." As Janeway laughed and then covered her mouth, crawled off of her and put her shirt back on, then stretched, informing Seven how absolutely wonderful she felt now, the Borg asked, "May I ask you a question regarding what just occurred?"
Kathryn smiled, scooped up her coffee, not caring that it was growing cold since she was fairly certain she was the happiest woman in the universe at the moment and replied, sitting back down on Seven's lap, knowing the blonde wanted her to do so, and wanting to do so as well, "You can ask me anything….always."
Once Janeway was cuddled back up with her and had resituated their blanket, Seven of Nine said, "I am curious about the difference in this evening's 'encounter.' I enjoyed it a great deal, but found it different, and not simply because I do not require your 'services,'" which caused Janeway to chuckle at the younger woman's attempt at subtlety. "Would you consider this evening's activities 'fucking?'"
Swallowing down her coffee before she spat it out, Janeway coughed, hurriedly set down the criminal beverage and said, "Seven," then laughing, she shook her head, looked over at her playfully and said, "you really do keep me on my toes, you know?" After the blonde gave the captain her 'I am Borg ' cocky expression, Janeway curled up with her and answered, "Well, I guess I would say it's as close as you and I have ever come to it…but all in all, not entirely, no." Chucking, she went on quickly, her voice light and playful, "I would say it was somewhere in the middle, more toward the wickedly naughty part considering our location, though." Then grinning, she nipped Seven's chin and said, "Which, by the way, is considered very unbecoming of a commanding officer…mmmhmm…but that's what makes it fun." Then laughing, she added, "Especially fun when every time I come in here, I'm going to be reminded of tonight…and it's always nice to be reminded of such wonderful things." Then whispering, she finished, "I'm not certain, I but I think we were the first to 'christen' the Delta Flyer."
The captain didn't mention that it was possible that Tom and B'Elanna had beaten them to it before their 'relationship' fell apart, because she was certain Seven of Nine didn't want to be reminded of that because it was a pretty well-known fact that that the blonde was not the fair-haired lieutenant's fan, to put it kindly.
She did add, however, knowing Seven was not adverse to her previous lovers being mentioned from prior 'pillow talk', which she was thankful of since if they did get back to the Alpha Quadrant they would undoubtedly come into contact with Mark Johnson, which she was really looking forward to since he was still very dear to her heart, as a friend, and knew he always would be, "Voyager was properly christened too, you know?" When Seven raised her eyebrow, silently asking for 'details,' Kathryn grinned at herself and reported, "Before the crew came aboard, I was allowed to take a day to myself, standard procedure, and have a look at her before we left the shipyards. So, Mark and I made certain my quarters, the Bridge, specifically the command chair, and my Ready Room sofa were broken in." Setting down her coffee, she added lightly, "It's tradition, darling…you're supposed to do the same thing when you move into a new house or an apartment…every room in fact, but I'm afraid Voyager's just too big for that, so we hit the major areas that are considered…my domain."
"I was not aware of this 'tradition,'" Seven informed, holding Janeway close. "I am pleased to know that you were able to engage in it then, and I will consider this a tradition as well." Smiling, she said, "I believe I am beginning to understand the need for making these traditions, and look forward to 'christening' the new shuttle." Then looking down at her, she informed, "I am still not clear on what the difference is between making love and fucking. Would you please explain this to me?"
Janeway laughed, holding her hand over her mouth and admitted, "Darling, forgive me…I'm just not used to you using that term." Then pulling herself together, she said, "It's much more of a B'Elanna word." When Seven nodded and said she understood, but required the knowledge still, Kathryn nodded and said, "Alright, well…hmm…let me think." Then pursing her lips as she contemplated her words, she finally said, "Okay…now this is just for me, my preference, and 'fuck' is a loosely defined term. Yes, it means to have sex, but it's also just a profane word that is used and mixed often with other profane words. It's probably considered the worst vulgar word, generally, so it's popular because of that…you can ask B'Elanna about profanity…she's much better at it than I am." When Seven nodded, she said, "Okay, for me, if I asked you to fuck me," she said, leaning up against Seven and whispering in her ear, hoping the closeness would assist her explanation, "that means I want you to be in control. I want you to be more aggressive. I definitely want your fingers inside of me, and usually fairly quickly because I only use that term when I'm very aroused, extremely so…and usually after a difficult day and need to just forget about everything. Sex helps with that. And while you're inside of me, I want you to stroke me, usually faster and harder than normal. When you fuck, Seven, it's about sex…about feeling energized and alive…in the moment…and it's usually incredibly intense, and sometimes very quick. It usually has little to do with love, even though people fuck people they love all the time, and has everything to do with lust." Then kissing Seven's neck she added, "It's supposed to be fun too…and when I want to be fucked, I'm usually more vocal, if possible, and more…animated…wild, if you will. Does that make sense?"
Seven swallowed and bobbed her head, saying, "I believe I understand." Then settling herself, the captain's words and even more so, her voice threatening to arose her again, Seven said, needing to shut Kathryn up for a few moments, "Therefore…making love is what it sounds like. It is copulation that is about love and expressing those emotions in a physical manner…correct?"
"Exactly," Janeway replied, taking her head away from Seven's ear since she could feel Seven's heartbeat racing against her chest. Snuggling and trying to bring down the sexuality, she went on, "You and I make love beautifully, darling. It really is an amazing experience being with you in our bed, in our quarters…it's always very soft, still intense, but slower, more passionate in a romantic type of way…and it's very moving, emotionally…which is why I cry half the time," she chuckled, then sighed softly, not wanting to think of the other reasons she cried whenever she was treated with such kindess. Then kissing her chin quickly, she smiled, forcing all unsettling memories from her mind effectively, as she was becoming somewhat of an expert at and said, "But I love being with you either way…so, if you ever feel the need to be more…playful," she said politely, "especially after you regenerate, since I know you're always more excited after that, now you know how to request a different encounter." Smiling, she added, "I certainly wouldn't deny you that…just like I know you wouldn't deny me…but I think you'll find that we'll be in the mood for the same thing at the same time…most of the time." Then poking her stomach, she added, "There's also the fact that Miss Torres is usually quite energetic, and is wonderfully sexual, just inherently I think…and she's a very good lover. I know you two haven't spent much time together," again she moved along quickly, knowing exactly why that was and loathing the events that continued to affect all of their lives and make her lovers feel as though they were continually required to put off their own needs to make certain Janeway felt safe and cherished, "but you can learn a lot from her about the differences...she's much different than I am."
Seven nodded and stated, "Yes, however, she is also different with me than she is with you…from what I have observed of your rituals. She is more dominant yet protective with you." As Kathryn looked down for a moment, as if she was uncomfortable by Seven speaking of that fact, the drone understood the reaction because she'd seen it several times in the recent past, so she moved along quickly, hoping to redirect the captain's train of thought, "This is not a surprise to me since as I have observed your relationship with her develop, and have come to understand that you and she are highly attracted to each other and I believe your sexuality is a definitive aspect of your relationship." When Janeway nodded easily in agreement and seemed not longer dismayed, although Seven was well aware that Kathryn often hid her feelings, even from her since she was conditioned to so do as a captain, she continued on in the next beat, "Just as our 'best friendship' is a definitive aspect to our relationship. Now that I have more data, I can say that I believe I understand why you approach me differently than you approach B'Elanna Torres, and 'visa versa.' I approach each of you differently as well. It is difficult to determine the difference between my feelings for you both, but I believe B'Elanna Torres and I could be called 'partners'. There are times when she follows me and there are times when I follow her. This evening I followed her mostly because I am unaccustomed to many things here, however, she followed me last evening when we were uncertain how to reconcile our duty to you as our lover and our duty to you as our captain. She and I also have reciprocity." Smiling, Seven stated, doing her best to continue to talk about what was on her mind by 'cheer' the captain up, even if she no longer looked unsettled, and she knew that Kathryn always was pleased when Seven expressed her feelings and enthusiasm about her humanity, "I enjoy her companionship a great deal. I cannot tell you how pleased I am that we have found an understanding. I admit that when the idea occurred to me, I was certain it would fail because you and she would be resistant, but I continued to have 'hope' for quite sometime and continued to research successful polyamorous relationships to assist my 'hope.'" Looking down at Janeway, who was softly smiling as she gazed at Seven, amazed that someone who seemed sometimes very naïve, could be so incredibly wise, simply so, and informed, "I am not certain if you are aware of this, but we are progressing in a manner which dictates that we will continue to flourish as a group, and separately, which is the 'key.' It was clearly stated by those that have been involved in such a relationship that without separate partnerships that flourish and deepen on their own, it is a difficult relationship to maintain successfully and happily. Several individuals stated, in the various journals I read, that they found such a relationship, specifically a trinity, or threesome, was easier to maintain than a binary relationship, when each of the individuals involved were able to share personal relationships with each other, as well as the whole. Do you feel that is accurate?"
"Actually, yes," Janeway nodded, smiling, and swooning in her mind, falling in love with her all over again, which was something that happened to her probably twice a week, not like she ever fell out though, as she listened to Seven recite information, something the captain thought the blonde did with a mixture of grace and precious that was not only astounding, but completely invigorating, and mesmerizing. "I have to admit, when I first decided to do this, I thought I was a crazy, fool-headed woman, who should seriously consider psychotherapy, and that it would be extraordinarily difficult to maintain, but I was completely wrong. In fact, " she smiled proudly at them, "this is the easiest relationship I've ever been in…which seems somewhat ludicrous to me considering all the factors," waving her arm around the immediate area, motioning toward their work, "but it's true. And I think it's because one, personally speaking, I love each of you with truth and passion that…well, that's never been there before, and two, we're all very different, which I think helps a lot, and makes us a perfect match, and three, we all mean so much to each other, individually, personally, separately that we have other outlets…other ways to express ourselves. I think it's the healthiest thing I've ever been involved in honestly…and I'm not afraid to admit it anymore, and," she winked, "I'm rather proud of us, and think we're a testament to the idea." Chucking, she shook her head, "It's certainly changed my mind about it. It's still somewhat of a taboo, you know…but now I know that that's just ignorance speaking, as is the case with most things, and I feel…well, frankly honored to be able to change that idea, even if it is in our own little universe now." Smirking, she said, "Oh, I'm sure there are several people aboard Voyager that think that all we do is have wild sex, and that we don't really love each other, but I'm certain as we get more exposure as a group, that we'll slowly start to change that, and," she kissed Seven's chin again, "it's also nice to know that Naomi won't grow up thinking like that, and I'm very glad her mother is open-minded enough to not try to hide it from her. Children are very influential in society, more than people realize, and I'm certain the more people see us together, with her, and her mother, and that we suddenly haven't turned into raving lunatics or perverts, that they'll change their minds too…maybe not all of them…but enough to make a small difference." Cuddling again, she yawned and said, "It's nice to make a difference…it feels good to 'rage against the machine' sometimes."
Even though Seven of Nine was not tired in the least, having far too many things going through her mind to even contemplate sleeping, she knew the captain was required to regenerate, so she said, selflessly, even though she felt as though she could continue to converse with Kathryn until their comrades awoke, "You are required to regenerate at this time. Refrain from speaking further. You are not required to move from this position, and I would prefer that you did not."
Snickering, Janeway curled up her legs, Seven assisting by holding them up and said after she kissed her lips quickly, "Yes, Mom." When the blonde rolled her eyes, which was the 'tradition' when Janeway used that phrase, Kathryn chuckled, cuddling and said, "I had a wonderful time talking," yawning, "and that other naughty thing we did was nice too." Pulling the blanket up, she asked, "Can we dim the lights?" After Seven did so, she said, "Goodnight, sweetheart…if I get too heavy, just put me over in the other chair, huh?"
"Goodnight, my Kathryn…you will not…I am certain."
"Sweet talker…"
"Grrrr," Torres snarled as she was awoken and feeling like she had been out all night drinking, dancing, and smoking, which was the case, and snapped, "someone kill the computer!"
Rolling off the top bunk, Fowler warned, "Coming down, Commander," and bounced off the bed, ready for duty and feeling sufficiently rested, even if her feet did hang off the cot. Then grabbing her pillow, she flung it at Torres and said, "Good morning, Lieutenant," then glancing over at Wang who was also moving slowly, she clapped her hands and said, "Beautiful day, isn't it, Ensign?"
Since Nicole outranked them, and because she was using their professional names, something she rarely did, B'Elanna thought it best to not curse at her, so she said, irritated instead, rolling off the bed and sitting on the edge, looking up at the amazon who was smiling down at her, "Nick, did Chakotay invade your soul or something last night? Kahless," scratching her shoulder, and then her neck, "I swear, sometimes I think you're his long lost child."
"Maybe?" Fowler laughed, then looked up at Samuel who was sitting up as well, looking a little green. "You okay, Ensign?"
"Yes, Lieutenant," Wang sighed. "I just need some real food." Grinning ruefully, he said, "You know, those hypospray's come in handy during…but not after." Then looking over at Tuvok who was quietly making his bed, then to Torres, and back to Nick, he asked, "Am I the only one hung over?"
Fowler eyed Torres, but since she knew the woman's physiology handled alcohol better than all of them, and she could drink them all under the table easily, she said, "Well, I haven't seen the captain yet," she smiled, "but it looks that way. What did you drink anyway?"
Wang climbed down from his cot in a tanktop and a pair of long pajama bottoms and said, groaning, "It wasn't Sake."
Chuckling, Fowler patted Samuel on the back as he padded into the bathroom, when Torres, dressed in a tanktop and a pair of shorts stood up and stretched as Tuvok went over to the corner and sat down, performing his morning meditation ritual, which Nick was highly impressed he could manage with all the people around him, and said, "I'll go get some coffee…don't start without me," knowing B'Elanna would understand what she was talking about. "And tell Sam to take something when he gets out." Leaning down, she whispered, "He rarely drinks…so he's probably hurting pretty bad right now." When Torres nodded, Fowler said, "Hey, you too if you need it."
Torres smiled her famous toothy grin and reminded, "I'm a Klingon, Nick…we don't take medicine."
"Right," Fowler nodded, smiling, patted Torres back and said, "be back." Then approaching the door, she cleared her throat, not certain if she was about to meet a very cranky captain and ex-Borg drone who had been up all night arguing, knocked on the door soundly, waited a good ten seconds, then opened it and asked, not looking in, but so her voice could be heard, and announced, "I apologize, Captain, but the crew needs some coffee. Permission to enter?"
Seven of Nine looked down into the face of Kathryn, who was stirring in her arms, her expression somewhat unpleasant until the redhead's blueish grey eyes fluttered open and she met Seven's gaze, as the Borg stated, "You may enter, Nicole Fowler." Then smiling down at the captain, who unabashedly smiled right back, not caring that her pilot was seeing her in a rather public, for her, display of affection, and said softly, "Good morning, Kathryn."
"Yes it is," Janeway replied in her sultry voice that was even more so due to lack of use and the cigarettes she had smoked the previous night, as Fowler came into the compartment. Leaning forward she mouthed the words, "I love you."
Coming into the compartment, Fowler was about to leave the door open when she spied the captain's legs hanging lazily over the edge of the seat Seven of Nine was sitting in, and realized the captain probably didn't want Tuvok or Wang to see in her such a light, so she closed it quickly and said, evenly, trying not to show unease or anything, "Good morning, Captain…Seven."
Kathryn sat up on Seven's lap, as the blonde spun the chair around and said to Fowler who was at the replicator, "Morning, Nick." Then asked, knowing the woman tended to sleep poorly on cots, "Did you sleep okay?"
Since Janeway wasn't getting up from Seven's lap, or making any attempt to show that she hadn't just been there for a minute for some reason, but had slept there since she was stretching her back and then leaned against Seven again, Fowler felt comfortable now, since she was very aware that they were involved, and happy that at least the captain had gotten some sleep, and said, "Actually," looking over to them and smiling since she thought they looked rather cute, and noticing that Janeway was wearing Seven's torn shirt, "not too bad, Captain, but," she laughed, pointing at Seven and handing at cup of coffee to the captain who thanked her readily, "and don't take this the wrong way, but your cot looks cozier." Then bringing her own coffee to her lips as Janeway nodded in agreement and smiled, cheerfully, winking at Seven, she asked, hoping they wouldn't take the question the wrong way, "You two manage to get a few winks?"
Kathryn nodded easily, although smiled wickedly in the back of her mind and said, "Mmmhmm." Then looking over to Seven, she asked, although pretty certain of the answer, "How about you, Seven?"
The Borg was pretty certain she wouldn't be scolded by the captain at this point since she knew that Janeway was aware that she still found it difficult to sleep sometimes, especially when she had things 'on her mind,' and answered, "I remained alert while you regenerated. Nothing of significance occurred. It was…'peaceful.'"
"Nick," Torres hollered, coming into the compartment and bounding up the stairs, "let's go!" Then stopping abruptly at the door as she saw the redhead sitting on Seven's lap, she closed it quickly and said, "Oh sorry, Captain…hi…I mean, good morning."
Chuckling, Janeway finally disengaged from Seven's lap and said, "Good morning, B'Elanna. You're awfully cheerful…did you hit your head on the top bunk?"
Since the captain was smiling at her, and making comments about her morning demeanor, which was slightly forward of her considering they weren't alone, even if they were with Nick, Torres knew she could relax and said, "Cute, Kathryn." Then slapping Nick on the arm, she said, "You get her coffee, but not me…some friend you are." Then taking the coffee that was waiting for her in the energy grid as Nick shot her a mock look of distaste, she said, "Hiya, dollface…you okay?"
"I am functioning acceptably," Seven announced, getting up from her chair as well and stretching, but feeling perfectly fine considering she had been up all night, in the same position, with someone laying on her lap. "Kathryn and I had a lengthy discussion regarding the merchant and I am no longer distressed about the matter. He is not capable of predicting my path precisely, so I am no longer interested in his puzzles." When Janeway nodded her head once at her proudly, Seven turned to Fowler and Torres and asked, "Will we be conducting our fitness routine this morning?"
"Just waiting for you two," Torres said, gulping her coffee and then recycling the rest. When Seven nodded and started for the other room, still dressed in her pants, boots, and sports bra, Fowler following after recycling her coffee as well, B'Elanna said, "Sam's setting everything up…I'll be right there…don't start without me." Then turning to Janeway, who was gathering up her things, Torres asked once the door was closed, "Did you get any sleep?"
"A little," Janeway replied, understanding the question. "It took her a while to get to what was bothering her, but I think I got two, maybe three hours. She didn't sleep, of course, but I think she's over the worst part." Turning around, she smirked at Torres and said, "Nice outfit, by the way."
"I could say the same for you," Torres came back, intercepting Janeway as she passed by. When the captain didn't fight her, she kissed her lips fairly quickly, then noticing a familiar look in the captain's eyes, B'Elanna laughed and asked, quietly, "Does that smile mean what I think it means?"
Trying to pretend she didn't know what B'Elanna was eluding to, Kathryn kissed Torres again, pulling away and asked, "I don't know…what do you think it means?"
The chief covered her mouth in surprise and then laughed, and finally whispered, "Kinky, Red…I'm impressed."
The captain opened her mouth, pretending to be shocked and then couldn't stifle her mirth, or keep up the act and finally closed her mouth, covered it with her hand, and laughed. Then going over to the replicator and selecting the spare outfit she had programmed last evening, the other ones she brought not appropriate for the day, or the heat, as she and Wang designed his new clothes, she asked, over her shoulder, seriously, "It doesn't show that much…does it?"
Now it was B'Elanna's turn to stifle her laughter as she said, "No." Then coming up behind her and leaning into her ear, she informed, "Let's just say I've woken up to the that look enough to recognize it." Then as the captain chuckled, turned and cooed into her ear, telling her she was quiet certain of that, and that she loved her, Torres said, "And don't worry, I didn't hear anything…and I'm pretty sure I was the last one to fall asleep." Nipping the captain's neck, playfully, she said, "I'm proud of you…shocked…but damn proud."
Blushing, Janeway replied, softly, "Thank you." Then clearing her throat, she said, patting her bottom, "Your teammates are waiting." Following Torres since she hoped to use the shower, she asked the engineer, "What are you all doing anyway?" Then as B'Elanna opened the door as a rousing, dance beat, somewhat similar to the music they heard at the nightclub started thumping and as Tuvok nodded to her and said, "Good morning, Captain," and then proceeded up the steps, Janeway stepped aside so he could pass as Torres jumped down from the steps, ignoring her question and helped Nicole secure a metal bar over their heads that ran the width of the aft compartment, the captain turned to Tuvok who was ordering himself some tea and asked, "What's all this?"
"They have, together, devised a routine of various exercises that they perform as a group to motivate and prepare themselves," Tuvok announced, not joining in since he was something of the captain of the squad and knew they needed their own time, and since his meditation was how he preferred to prepare, it wasn't necessary for him to join them. When the captain smirked, he added, "They have selected a 'theme' song entitled, Strong Enough, and use this time to bond as a group, and often show off their various skills." Raising his eyebrow, he finished, "It is fascinating to watch, Captain, and I believe it is a prudent allowance."
Once they had set up their bars, and Torres requested that the music be turned up and started over, Tuvok raising his eyebrow and nodding to the captain, who shook her head and remarked, "Well, as long as it helps them focus…I can't see any harm in it. " Starting down the stairs, she turned and pointed to him, "You know best, Commander." Then shutting the door, figuring Tuvok wasn't fond of listening to the music or their banter, the captain breezed past them and said as they stopped and looked at her, "Just pretend like I'm not here…I'll be in the shower." Snatching up her duffel bag, as B'Elanna clapped her hands and rallied the troops, making it obvious that she, and probably Nick too, was the driving force behind their little routine, Kathryn smirked to herself and quickly shuffled off to the ensuite.
After cursing under her breath during her sonic shower, while she plugged her ears and squinted, the captain sighed, shutting off the "god forsaken thing," then took extra time to use soap and water to wash certain areas she absolutely believed could not get clean by mere sound waves alone. Then brushing her teeth, putting lotion all over her body, and applying a clear deodorant to her arms, she combed her hair, running her brush under the water to slick it back some behind her ears, and make it look like she had been able to wash it, as she preferred. When she heard the sound of singing beyond the door, she was tempted to poke her head through, curious, but since she was butt naked, she instead hurriedly slipped on her underwear, which were thin and revealing enough to just be a formality, then eased on her stockings, and quickly her boots before she snagged them on the something. Once that was complete, she slipped on the knee length, black, somewhat flimsy skirt that matched her 'nifty' boots perfectly, and was flexible enough, thanks to the slits on either side that she could move her legs and run quickly if need be; that always a priority whenever she wore skirts on away missions. The top was much more modest than the previous one, but still sexy since it too was black. She had programmed the material to be thin and airy, and selected a cut that was snug, but not clingy. The sleeves went barely past her shoulder, and even though the collar came almost to her neck, it didn't fold over and was free in the front where there was a nice slit down the center, nothing drastic, which would allow the material to move and breathe. She didn't wear a bra since she knew it wasn't necessary, and was thankful she could go without, which she often did when wearing civilian attire, because not only did she think it added a sexiness to her outfit, which she still needed to maintain at the moment, but it certainly would help with the heat factor of this space port. The shirt also stopped just slightly above her navel, exposing only a centimeter of her torso, so it didn't need to be tucked in, which would also help, she hoped.
Hearing the distinct sound of Seven of Nine's powerful and amazingly tuned voice singing to the song, the captain could not longer hide her curiosity and opened the door to the bathroom to see all four of them doing pull-ups from the bar in time with each other. The tall blonde did them as if they were the easiest thing in the world to do, and not only never missed a beat as she sang, but was perfectly in tune with the rousing music, and honestly, and much better, in the good captain's opinion, of a vocalist than the woman who had recorded the song. When Seven turned her head toward the bathroom, let go with her human hand, but continued to do pull-ups and sing, as she waved to Janeway, the captain laughed, amazed, shook her head and said, as she turned back to the bathroom, "You're such a show off, Seven."
While the captain put on her make-up and fake ridges, something she would normally do in private, but wanting to watch the impressive show through the mirror, and get a feel, as a captain, of how these four people connected as a group, within a group, she wondered as they switched to push-ups, what the second bar, just above and slightly behind the bar they had been using to do the pull-ups. As Janeway put on her mascara and heard clapping behind her, she stood on her tiptoes, so she could see the ground through the mirror and smiled as they did a thunderous push-up, clearing the floor, clapping their hands together and then came back down to do it again. Just when she thought she was going to die, just from watching them do that at least twenty times, she found out what the other bar was for while she added blush to her cheeks.
It was apparently Torres' turn to sing as they one by one grasped the bar, swung their legs up and hooked their feet against the other bar, securing themselves. B'Elanna was the last one to climb up, having to do a little dance first, and then in an impressive display of her small, but incredibly dense and powerful form, she secured herself in one swift move, the captain thinking that her engineer probably would have made an impressive gymnast, if B'Elanna even remotely liked that sort of thing, which she was fairly certain she did not.
They all hung upside down for a few bars, Seven and Torres taking turns trying to out do each other singing, Seven's style was much more technically exact and beautiful, but B'Elanna's was much more torchy and passionate, and then at the same time they clapped, pulled their abdomen's all the way up, held them for a second, twisted each way and went back down. The captain's mouth feel open unbidden at that, knowing she'd be lucky if she could do five of those, let alone an entire series, and finally figured out just what exercises Tuvok had put them through which had turned their already tight bodies into rock solid masses of muscle, understanding that it wasn't the Commander motivating them, but themselves, which impressed the captain a great deal. As she finished her make-up job, still wearing more than normal, but toning it down just a touch since she wasn't certain she'd have to meet up with Venkat again and play the part of an over the top, primmadonna, she turned around and watched freely as each crewmember took turns staying up, as vertical as they could manage while the others came back down, making a wave-like motion. The captain was certain this was the longest song on record since it was still going strong when they all hoped down and spread out.
Kathryn thought for certain their activities were over when they cut the music, but thought again as Seven and Fowler, since they were taller, took one of the bars down, the square one, and moved it to about knee height, as Torres motioned for her to come over to her. Nonplussed, the captain clicked as she walked over to Torres, and asked, "What's going on now?"
Leaning over and whispering, B'Elanna said, "You've got to watch this, Captain…it's so cool." Then looking her up and down real quick, she added, "You look nice."
Since that was a much better reaction than she got the other day, Janeway nodded proudly for herself and her lover and said, sincerely, "Thank you." Then backing away as Torres informed her they should do, while Fowler came over to them, she asked as Seven and Wang stood up on the bar, "What are they doing?"
Leaning down, Fowler replied, "They've got incredible balance…it's really amazing…watch," as she tucked the back of her tanktop into her pajama pants that were exactly like Wang's, although bigger.
And of course, the captain did, since not only had she never seen Samuel do this, but she certainly didn't know Seven of Nine was that gifted and watched in utter amazement as they stood on the square, and very thin bar, and proceeded to fake fight each other. The moves were clearly practiced, and looked almost ritualistic in nature, but what really wowed the captain, Torres and Fowler was that not only were they doing this on a bar that was three centimeters wide, but they were spinning, kicking, ducking, and jumping, and not once did they fall or lose their balance in the least. When it was done, they bowed, hopped down, and then gave each other high fives, which made Janeway smiled grandly, but she didn't clap since she felt like that wasn't the purpose.
After they took the bars down, Wang and Seven came over to where she and Torres were, as Fowler started digging something out of her duffel bag and Janeway asked Torres, "What now?"
Smiling brightly, Torres said, "This is wear Nick kicks ass." When Janeway nodded seriously, and turned back to watch Fowler, Torres tapped her shoulder again and said, "Remember when I told you that she plays that drums too?" When Janeway bobbed her head once, B'Elanna smiled and said, "Well, this is how she practices her arm speed since she doesn't have a drum set."
Turning quickly to Seven and Wang, Janeway whispered, "That was amazing, you two." Then when she heard Torres say, "Do it, Nick," the captain turned back around to see Fowler, with nun-chucks in hand, bow to her, and then slowly started swinging the deadly clubs in circles in front of her. As the motion got faster and she saw the chief getting more excited by the moment, the captain brought her hand to her mouth, and tried not to look scared that Nick might hurt herself as Fowler's movements became quick, precise and deadly.
Stepping back, Torres whispered to Janeway, completely in awe of her friend, and bubbling with excitement, "Watch this…it's awesome."
When Torres nodded to her, giving the pilot her support, since Fowler had been working with the weapons much more as of late, honing her skills until she was now an expert, although she had been fairly good with them before, Fowler smiled, then spun, and stopped the free ends, under her arms, crisply. Then releasing one, she spun again, quick and sharp, whirling it over her head, then down in front of her, and then stopped it too. Tossing one to Torres, telling her to hold it for her, feeling extra frisky this morning, Fowler worked the single weapon over her each of her shoulders as the engineer cheered her on, spun into a round house kick and then proceeded to go through the series of moves she could do with her eyes close now, which she did close, which caused the captain to cover her hand over her face and peek through her fingers. When she opened her eyes and saw the captain, she had to smile, nodded at Torres who tossed the other weapon back to her and she quickly added it to her routine, whirling the weapons with speed and accuracy, and finally stopping them under her arms. After bowing, she laughed and said, "Captain, I wish you could see the look on your face."
"Good lord, Lieutenant," Janeway gasped. "How many trips to Sickbay did it take for you to learn how to do that?"
"A few," Fowler admitted, tossing her weapons down. Then nodding to Wang and Seven, she asked, "Who gets to wrestle fancy feet?"
"No break dancing today, killer," Torres informed, opening the auxiliary weapons locker and pulling out the most sacred and deadly of Klingon weapons: the bat'leth. Swinging it around, getting used to the weight, quickly, she added, "I've been practicing." Then smiling, she said, "Don't try this at home, kids." Nodding to Seven, "Let's do it, dollface."
As Janeway turned her head to the blonde, Seven stated, "We have practiced, Captain. It is…'cool.'" Then quickly going to the weapons locker, Seven pulled out another bat'leth, whirled it around her hand a few times as Torres had taught her and spat, "nuHlIj DawIvpu', vaj yISuv, P'taQ!," at the engineer, challenging her honor and demanding that now she'd chosen her weapon, she should fight.
Snarling, Torres coiled, smiling on the inside, knowing they were about to show the rest of them up, simply because no one had seen them do this yet, and lunged at Seven. They had practiced their movements until they were almost like a dance, but to the unknowing, they didn't look like they were playing, and when Janeway covered her eyes again, the Klingon yelled out a battle cry, urging Seven to make her work for it.
Roughly they slammed their long curved and pointed, bow-like weapons together, and when she saw Seven start her turn, the Klingon instantly jumped in the air as the blade past her feet, the captain turning around at that point, not able to watch. Backing away, Torres whirled the heavy object from one hand to the next, Seven doing the same as they circled each other, the tall and usually ramrod straight Borg, doing her best to imitate the hunched style of the Klingon warrior, and again they clanged, backed off, charged again and exchanged a series of blows that rang out in the small cabin. B'Elanna spun at the moment she knew she should, swinging the bat'leth around without having to worry since Seven was as fast as they came, and they met again. Then she spun the other way, in a similar fashion, the blonde blocking that as well, then jumping back, they circled again, charged twice more, and then backed away a final time, swinging the weapons, circling and yelling at each other angered, and finally informing each other that they would be remembered with honor, and finished with high-five.
Janeway didn't turn around until she heard the cheers of Fowler and Wang. Peeking over her shoulder, the captain spun around, sighed as Torres and Seven looked at her and said, "That was very good…don't ever do it again," which caused all of them to smile because they knew one, she wasn't serious, and two, even if she was, that wasn't something she had authority over. Then shaking her head and rubbing her forehead, she said, "Well…I'm spent just watching all of that."
Smirking to each of them, the captain said seriously, "I want you to know that I'm very proud of each other you…and quite impressed, honestly, and I appreciate your dedication to your…craft," she said eloquently, speaking with her hands, "It's obvious that you take this extra responsibility seriously, and I'm pleased with your progress as individuals and more importantly, as a unit. Thank you for the demonstrations."
When they all said, "Thank you, Captain," as they all stood at attention, Janeway shook her head and said, "Now, why don't you all get dressed, and we'll have something to eat." Walking away, up the stairs, she added, joking, "I'm buying."
Grabbing Torres' weapon, Fowler whirled it around and said, "Torres, this isn't half bad…teach me when we get back, huh?"
Torres grabbed it back forcefully, produced a fist and said, "You've got to earn that honor." Then nodding to Seven said, "Isn't the right, dollface?"
"That is correct," Seven nodded taking the weapons and then said, in Klingon, "It is a warrior's weapon. It is not for children."
Fowler smiled and said, "Alright, Torres, I'll learn some Klingon if it will make you happy."
Slapping Fowler on the back soundly, B'Elanna said, "I'll make a warrior out of you yet, Nick." Then patting Fowler again, this time easier, she said, "By the way, you rocked today. That bit with the eyes closed…pretty slick, slick." Then snickering, she informed, "I've never seen her cover her face before…that was pretty funny."
"You should have seen when Seven went for your legs and you barely jumped in time," Fowler added quietly as Wang went into the bathroom and let the females change in the other room. "I thought she was going to leave. Too bad she missed the end…that was sweet." When Seven came over to them, she asked, "How long have two been practicing that?"
"A little over a month now," Torres replied, grabbing her duffel bag and digging out her clothes from yesterday. Since they had started training with the Elite Force, all of them took it upon themselves, without Tuvok's mentioning, that more than likely they would be required to change in front of each other from time to time, so the three women had gotten used to that, since none of them had been in that kind of situation for some time, by working out together, and then using the large showers in the gymnasium afterward. Fowler and Torres had secretly laughed more than once at the Borg's lack of shyness, and were both convinced that the woman should indeed visit the nude beaches on Earth when they returned, since not only was she a work of art, but she had absolutely no problems displaying her body once she was informed the situation required it and that it was acceptable.
So, with that in mind, Torres thought nothing of pulling off her tanktop as Fowler did the same, and went on while Seven sat next to her and listened, she only needing to replicate and don a new shirt, which she would do once the conversation was over, "There's a pretty good Klingon program in the database that we use…the setting helps get you in the mood." As Seven took her top and folded it for her, Torres pulled on her black, tube top and went on, "I'm going to make a few modifications for it soon since the Day of Honor is coming up fast." Then looking over at Seven, she said, "Dollface, remind me to let Chakotay know when we get back that I need to take two days off for that. I plan to do this right this year."
"I will comply," Seven nodded, filing the information away into her memory. As Torres slipped off her shorts, Seven folded those too while the engineer pulled on her pants and stated, "I was not aware that you were going to participate in the Day of Honor. Will it be a private ritual?"
"Yes," Torres answered, pulling on her top and tucking it in. "I'll go to the holodeck on the actual day, and then go back to my quarters on the day after to recover."
Raising her eyebrow, Seven asked, "You will be damaged?"
Torres snarled and said, "Damaged, ha!" Then patting Seven on the back, she said, "I won't lie to you, Seven…it's tough, but that's the point. Think of it as a rite of passage. It's the day I prove my honor…that I'm a Klingon…and worthy of being called a warrior." Finishing proudly, she said, "To have honor, you have to earn it…and defend it…or it's worthless."
After everyone finished dressing, they went over their game plan, discussed who would be doing what where, and decided after much contemplation to split up into three groups. Tuvok would stay at the shuttle since they didn't want to leave it unattended anymore, and since he had gotten enough 'publicity' as being Miss Kate's assistant, they thought it unlikely he could make himself look tougher and accompany Torres and Seven to the rougher section of town and keep a look out effectively, while remaining low-key.
There was also growing concern for Voyager's and the Alaxiat's safety, so they wanted to keep someone monitoring the communications, as well as keeping an eye on their own shuttle. Tuvok would, however, accompany Nick and the captain to go see the merchant after brunch, to be certain he was merely a telepath, and wasn't working for someone. While they discussed this, Wang dressed again, and when he came out of the forward compartment, he looked decidedly meaner, and fit very well into the Klingon's and the Borg's little group. Janeway informed the group that if they could, they were to have the supplies that were ready for them delivered to the New York, gain whatever information they could, but be back by 2300 hours no matter what because that was when she wanted to disembark and start back for their ships, not wanting to take the chance of hanging around for another day for fear they or their ships might come under attack. Furthermore, the captain said that she and Fowler would 'be around' all day pretending to live it up, and that they would be their back-up.
To assist them, Seven, of course, devised an way in which to call for assistance using the tricorder. She programmed the device to set off a series of beeps in the other tricorder when the correct function was activated. They were all fitted with a subdermal universal translator, that Seven and the Doctor had developed specifically for the Elite Force once the group became official, before they disembarked, but since that microscopic device was embedded into their ears, it didn't function like a communcator, so they had no other way to communicate with each other.
Once everyone was set, Janeway, Fowler and Tuvok set off to have lunch at the same café they had been before, knowing that at least there were some items on the menu that they found palatable and didn't make them sick, while the other three hung back and would wait for Tuvok's return before they left. While Wang took off after replicating enough money to pay for their merchandise, and made certain they had plenty extra, glad that he had picked up a few bills last night so that he didn't have to carry bags worth of coins to the exchange center, Seven made breakfast for them while B'Elanna ran diagnostics on the shuttle just to be certain all was well and the ship was prepared for their departure, and teased Seven about getting it on with the captain last night in the shuttle with everyone else just in the next room, making Seven wonder for a few minutes if they hadn't been as quiet as she thought. After the blonde finally demanded that Torres inform her how she came about that information, the engineer finally gave up the real story and just said that she recognized the twinkle in the captain's eye and called her on it when they were alone, which cause Seven to breath easier and then smile happily, pleased that Kathryn had been able to have fun of her own on this mission.
While Seven, Torres, and Wang ate a traditional Terran, North American conteinent, breakfast, the ensign filling his still slightly unhappy stomach with hearty food to counteract the effects of the alcohol he had consumed, the other three sat at their favorite table outside and enjoyed a much lighter meal. Although Fowler finally had to get up and order seconds, informing the captain that if she didn't eat more she'd never be able to manage a happy face, which didn't surprise Janeway at all since she knew the woman had to have a metabolism that practically worked at the speed of light to keep her so completely fit, even though Kathryn knew from experience she could pack away food like no one she'd ever met, and always felt quiet in awe when ever she sat down at a table with her, just by the sheer amount of food she consumed consistently. After Fowler finished her second plate of noodles that weren't half-bad, and finished off the rest of the captain's sandwich, Janeway handing it over to her without thought, knowing she never finish it herself, they set off for the merchant, and the captain informed Fowler just to hang back while she and Tuvok went and talked with the man.
"Is that him?" asked Janeway softly as they turned the corner and started for his cart, which was loaded down with various trinkets and statues. When Tuvok affirmed her with a slight nod of his head, she let go of Nicole's arm, letting the woman keep a look out, while she and Tuvok came up to him, knowing she didn't have to give either of them any further orders. Spotting the sphere right away since it was right in front, even though there were several similar, but smaller spheres on the cart, she knew that was the one Seven would have picked up, since it was definitely the nicest of them all, she smiled at him, doing her best to keep all thoughts about tearing into him verbally, out of her head and said, "Good afternoon."
When the man paid her close attention as she browsed, but didn't say anything, she left Tuvok's arm while she admired a few necklaces that she had to admit were rather nice, if somewhat odd, and slowly started admiring the other spheres, while the Vulcan did his best to browse as well, but remained closer to the man than she did. Turning around and looking at the front of the cart, she glanced up to see that the grungy merchant was looking directly at Tuvok, as the Vulcan was him. Then looking quickly over to the commander, who had just raised his eyebrow, then turned to her, she furrowed her brow in silent questioning.
"There is nothing amiss," Tuvok stated.
Understanding that such an answer meant that the merchant was a telepath, and that he wasn't an informant of some kind, she nodded at him, slightly uneasy still and said, "Give us a moment please." Then picking up the sphere, she turned to him and asked, "I suppose you know why I'm here then?"
The merchant was clearly not comfortable in the captain's presence since she wasn't doing a very good job at hiding her distaste for the man's tactics, and replied, evenly, "Here you be for angelia." When Janeway's titled her head, he explained, "Towering sixteen…angelia." Then narrowing his eyes some he added, "I sense…her devil you be."
"I beg your pardon," the redheaded captain stood straight and asked, fairly insulted, but not certain he wasn't just speaking in riddles again.
Hopping down from his ledge, the merchant waddled over to the captain, looked her up and down disapprovingly, and then said, "Black witch…tempts her you do! Too good for fire devils, she be." Snatching the necklace from the captain's hand, he said, "This is no…not for you!" As the captain frowned at the insulting man, her mouth slightly gapping, he grabbed a thick silver ring, and thrust it to her, spouting, "Your solider…this speaks pride more…like it, she will…have."
Then grabbing another necklace as the captain took the ring while the man continued to spout to her, feeling slightly confused but starting to understand that he was extraordinarily gifted, and just trying to go with the flurry, so she could attempt to purchase the sphere and be on her way before she was called any more names, he dangled it in front of her and said, suddenly softening, "Have for your mirror…is tiny witch like she…take." When Janeway nodded and took it, he crossed his arms over his chest and looked up at her, pursing his lips, then said, narrowing his eyes again, "Angelia…no…not you be…yet bright I see."
As the captain frowned again, he added, showing his rotted mouth, "Smile you should…be your bright in it. The devil no… not you has taken yet, fire devil…but inside, he lurks…yes?"
Sighing, Janeway ignored the question and asked, trying to be nice, but having a difficult time, pointing at the sphere, "I'd very much like to purchase that for…angelia. She really likes it, and it would make her smile. If I buy these other items, will you let me have that as well?"
"Have you will…no..not buy…thieved coins are cursed," he informed, placing his hand on the sphere.
Raising her eyebrows, Kathryn nodded and then said, "Alright…can I have that for angelia?"
"The path from the devil, Katrina of fire, then smile she will," the merchant said, picking up the sphere and the base. Holding it out, but making it clear Janeway wasn't to take it yet, he asked, "Hear will you?"
The captain sighed, and then nodded, "Alright, go ahead." Shaking her head, she asked with clear disbelief, "What's my path?"
"No here…not," the merchant said, starting toward the back of his cart. When Janeway didn't follow him as he sat on his ledge, he shouted, "Fire devil! Sheltered we speak…no…not there…here, yes."
Looking over her shoulder at Tuvok and Fowler, who were watching her carefully, she nodded once at them and then followed the man to the back. Once she sat down behind his cart as he patted the ledge, she asked, "Are we sheltered here?"
The merchant took the captain's hand, then placed the sphere in it and said, "You will no…not see as sixteen too, so hold and hear." When Janeway nodded and held the sphere, he went on, "Angelia, your smile, she be…yes?"
Knowing there was no hiding anything from the man at this point, and certain they weren't being overheard, the captain smiled softly and whispered, "Yes."
"The devil inside, he lurks…yes?"
"I'm not sure what you mean by that," Janeway replied honestly.
"A silver house have you…yes?" After the captain nodded, he said, "Your bright dwells there, I sense…yet, does the devil too." Before Janeway could say anything, he went on, "Katrina of fire, your house, as the sun, will burn." Then touching the captain's hand, he added, closing his eyes, "Fallen river, is path from the devil inside…hear angelia, water from the river, she has…do no…not…seek holes in sky…quick the flames bring to you, and you are one…and the devil you will be. Seek angelia…her smile is your bright…let the solider teach you to see the child…and your four footed beasts will sense you again." Letting the captain go, he stood and finished, "The devil lurks about you, Katrina of fire…he is many… met, you have, and will again times many," then smiling proudly, he finished, "but angelia will know," tapping his head, "learned is sixteen…her path is yours…and is that way. No…not change it can…so seek angelia, or the devil will know her too…in you."
Pushing the sphere toward Janeway, he said, "Have, fire devil…smile with angelia…play with the solider…conjure no…not the devil…come to you, he will. Your sum is one….sense wisdom in your craft, I do…but one is no…not the path…three you are…and your silver house home your bright will take you."
When the captain blinked, and faltered, he urged, handing her the black silk pouch for the sphere, "Have for angelia, you can…do no… not lose…or curse me today, you will!"
Nodding, Janeway cleared her throat, feeling slightly overwhelmed, and said standing, "I won't…and thank you, you're been very generous…she'll cherish it always." Then feeling slightly silly, she smiled and then said, "Well, goodbye."
As Janeway started away, he stood up quickly and yelled, once her back was to him, "Fire devil!" When Janeway turned around, he ran up to her and said seriously, his eyes dark and mysterious, "Go right in the night…no…not to the left." Then pointing to Fowler, who was watching them closely, "Keep the mountain close or fall, she will," now talking to Nicole, who was looking at him like he was crazy, "to the day you will find…trust." Looking around carefully, he shooed, walking away, "Away with you, fire devil…my words you have."
"Fire devil?" Fowler asked, coming up to the captain.
Sighing, Janeway shook her head and said, "Don't ask." Then handing the necklace and the ring to Nicole, she asked, "Would you put these in your pocket?" Once the tall pilot had, Janeway was about to hand the sphere to Tuvok, when she heard the man scream, "No…not to the twice mind…keep," so she sighed, pulling the string tight on it and draping it around her wrist, "Tuvok, thank you for your assistance, but I think you should get back to the shuttle now."
Tuvok nodded, handing the purse over to Fowler, who laughed and then put it over her head, and said, "I assume you don't want me to inform Annika that you have her sphere?"
Janeway smiled softly, feeling silly, and said, "No, and if she asks about the merchant, just tell her that everything is fine, and that he's just a very gifted telepath."
"It would not be a lie," Tuvok added, then walked away after nodding to Fowler, the silent exchange of power and responsibility being transferred as it became her responsibility to look after the captain, and herself, now for the rest of the day until Janeway got tired of doing whatever it was that she planned on doing.
Gesturing toward the sphere, Fowler asked, "Do you want me to hold that…I can probably put it in the bag?"
"No," Janeway responded as she saw the merchant eyeing her closely over his shelf, "but thank you." Then taking up Fowler's arm, she said, "Come on…let's go have some fun on our cursed coins." When Fowler looked at her like she was too crazy, Janeway chuckled and said, "Nevermind…let's go shop."
After purchasing the tool kit Torres had been drooling over the previous day, the captain wanting to get that out of the way first, having no idea how much it would cost since she wasn't used to having to buy things, she and Fowler returned to Deck Eight, still with three thousand credits burning a whole in their pocket. Janeway had informed Fowler that since they had the money, she planned on using it and wanted to buy everyone something nice so they could remember their first official mission, and felt in her own little way she was sticking it to Venkat by inflating their market with tremendous amounts of money that hadn't been earned. She knew the logic behind that was rather lame, but at this point, she really didn't care either way and simply wanted to be nice to her small little family, and give them each something to smile about...matriarch indeed.
Nicole helped the captain pick out some very nice, thick, almost scroll-like paper for Samuel Wang, the tall pilot telling the captain how the scientist of Asian decent had tried once to use the paper that could be made from the replicators to make ceremonial Kanji symbols for his the wall of his quarters, since he missed the ones he and his father had made several years ago that were at his apartment on Earth, but the replicated material just wasn't the right thickness and the paint he used to make the symbols always was absorbed and bled badly. Happy with that purchase, glad to do whatever she could to bring some home back to the lives of her crew, they stepped into a candle shop, and the captain purchased an artistic and elegant candle holder, as well as three candles to be placed in it for Tuvok, planning to place it in his small office since she had noticed the last time she was in there the candle holder he had before was missing. When she had asked him about it, he informed her he had recycled what was left of it, the ornament being knocked off the shelf during their last space fracas.
That being done, that only left Fowler and herself, so quickly, they headed back to the shuttle, and while the captain distracted Tuvok with questions about the movements of the group and the communications he was monitoring, Fowler sneaked their presents into the shuttle and stored them into an empty compartment. Now that their hands were free again, Janeway leaving the sphere and the jewelry in the shuttle as well, they headed back out to the shops and searched for something for themselves.
The captain saw many things that she liked, but nothing that she really wanted, so she put herself on the back burner for the moment and concentrated on Fowler. Kathryn wasn't certain what kind of things the woman liked, but when they walked into a music shop, she was fairly certain the pilot would find something she wanted.
Fowler perked up immediately once they were inside as she noticed all of the instruments on display, but other than looking around, she didn't do much of anything. That is until the captain tapped her on the shoulder and told her to stop being so professional for a moment and to go have a look around, and that that was an order. Fowler chuckled, nodded her head, knowing that the captain was perfectly capable of keeping an eye out for them, so she went over to the older man behind the counter and questioned him about some of the various instruments she saw. While the captain hung out near the entrance, and then took a seat in the corner, facing the door, Nicole tested out a few of the stringed instruments, picking at the strings and asking questions as to how they were played, tuned, and so on.
When Kathryn heard the distinct sound of Fowler's rowdy laugh, something that wasn't heard that often, at least not the true version, and noted the woman's southern accent starting to reassert itself as she spoke and laughed freely, she turned her head and watched for a few beats as the merchant brought out a guitar like instrument, and handed it to the tall brunette. Smiling as the pilot informed the merchant that it wasn't all that different from her guitar and wondered if she could try it out, Janeway asked, "Does it work the same?"
Strumming a few bars, Fowler said, "Yea…the strings are father apart, but at least there's six." Then as she got used to the difference in the separation of her fingers, actually liking it a little since her hands were rather big, and she often had to be extra careful about where she placed her fingers when she played complicated songs, especially on the electric guitar, she asked, "What's this," pointing to a switch on the side of the guitar.
The captain couldn't hear what the man said since he was incredibly soft spoken, and Fowler continued to pluck away at the stings, but she figured out what the switch did when the guitar all of the sudden sounded loudly, like an electric guitar plugged into an amplifier, when the brunette flipped the switch. Laughing at the look on the pilot's face, thinking it was the cutest thing she had seen in weeks, the captain asked, honestly unknowing, "Is that unusual?"
Fowler played a couple of riffs, and then smiled, her mouth wide, "I can't believe it sounds that good without an amp. They make these back home, but they don't sound nearly this good, and most aren't self-amplified. Huh?" she said, turning to the merchant, who was mumbling something to her. Then as he flipped the switch again, Nicole strummed on the guitar again, then laughed, slapping her leg at the sound coming out of it now. Beside herself, she reported, "Kate, this is what you would call a seriously awesome, eat your heart out, electric-acoustic guitar…with, something of a banjo feature to it."
Nodding, the captain grinned and said, "Well, I guess you've got motivation to practice more now, huh?"
"Kate," Folwer said, taking the guitar off and handing it to the merchant, "that's too much money…in fact, that's just about all our money." Looking over to the merchant, she shook he head and said, "No…thanks for the demo though. This is a great place you've got here. Nice…real nice."
The captain stood immediately and said, "Don't pay any attention to her, we'll take it." When Fowler jumped in, Janeway said, holding up her hand, "Sorry…I'm afraid you don't have a say so in this one." As the merchant brought out a case for the guitar, added some picks and a strap to the package, being nice, Kathryn answered Nick as she asked, frowning, about her present for herself, and informed, patting her shoulder, "I already got my present."
Feeling terribly guilty since she was absolutely certain her commanding officer was again sacrificing herself unnecessarily, the pilot carried her new guitar out the shop and then asked, "What present was that?"
"Honestly," Janeway replied, "I've had several in the past twenty-four hours…the last one, was I got to be a very nice captain." Smiling brightly, she patted Fowler's arm and said, "And, I got to thank a wonderful person for being so kind to me." Then adding as Fowler looked away shaking her head, "But, if it makes you feel better…I'll order you to practice and be prepared to play happy songs to cheer me up at the snap of my fingers."
Laughing, Fowler nodded and said, knowing she couldn't talk Janeway out of this, "Okay, I guess that's fair." Then changing directions smoothly as Janeway tensed against her arm, spotting what she saw, Fowler said, "Come on, let me buy you a drink." Once the golden man walking with another man who the tall pilot recognized from the nightclub last night as one of Venkat's men, moved past them and kept going on their way, not paying them any attention, Fowler whispered, "They didn't see us."
Janeway sighed and said, "Considering that's the only Fynth I've seen since we got here, I'd say that confirms our suspicions." When two more Fynth appeared around the corner, heading in the same direction, Kathryn inched in front of Fowler to hide herself so she could watch them move along with a group of Venkat's men, and whispered, "I don't like this at all, Lieutenant."
The captain was aware that the sound of her voice was giving away just how uneasy she felt, but honestly, she really couldn't help herself at this moment for the merchant's words were seriously playing on her nerves. It wasn't her 'path' that was bothering her since she reminded herself that he was simply picking up on thoughts in her mind of her concern for her ship and an impending attack, and one honestly didn't have to be all that great of a telepath to hear the constant, neverending voice in the back of her mind telling her not to slow, rest, or stop until she brought them all home; no, it was his final riddle, about her tall, mountainous pilot, and how the captain was supposed to keep her close or she would fall. No matter how much Kathryn tried to put his words out of her head, she just couldn't let them go, even though she firmly believed no one could see the future, there was also part of her that firmly believed she was supposed to trust her instincts, and for some reason, her instincts were screaming at her that somehow he knew…what, she wasn't certain, but out of duty and friendship, she was going to heed his words until they got home, and not let Nick out of her sight, let alone out of arm's length, which thankfully, she laughed sardonically to herself, wouldn't be difficult since Fowler seemed to be developing quite an over-protective streak where the good captain was concerned.
As the other men passed them by without paying them attention as they spoke to Venkat's men in hushed tones, and any patrons of Burnhouse in their way quickly sidestepped and made way, Nicole casually put her arm around Janeway, urging her to move along before they became obvious in their sedentary position and said, "Come on, Miss Kate…let me buy you a drink."
Since Venkat's men were all over the place now, the captain knew she had to once again play the part of the tall pilot's sugar mama, instead of just two women walking around arm in arm in a crowded space port to stick together, so she easily slipped her hand into Fowler's back pocket, that move just screaming Miss Kate, although the captain had always found it tacky, and as she walked closely with Nicole, leaning into her affectionately, she kept her hand on the leather pouch in the brunette's pocket that contained her deadly stars.
Instead of heading off to their favorite café, they ducked into a smaller, more private establishment since they both knew they needed to stay out of the open as much as possible since it was a possibility the Fynth had a description of the captain since when she had first spoken with Devin on the viewscreen, there were several people on the woman's ship that witnessed the event, and not all of them stayed with the first when she broke ranks.
As they stepped inside, the captain sighed slightly in relief since it looked exactly like the kind of place they could hide out in for a few hours, and speak openly since it was not only loud inside due to the music over the speakers, the sound of the machines behind the bar making various drinks and whatnot, but there was plenty of lively conversation, all of it looking harmless, just enthusiastic. But as Fowler lead her to a seat toward the back, Janeway twitched slightly when the man behind the bar yelled and quickly started toward them.
"Finally! Why the hell didn't you just call me and tell me you were going to be late? I've got customers you know," the tall, skinny bartender asked, cranky, coming up to Fowler.
Keeping her cool as a few patrons turned around and watched what all the commotion was, Kathryn instinctively stepped in front of Fowler and said, "I'm sorry…but I think you have us mistaken for someone else." Pointing at the table next to them, she added, "We're just here to have a cup of coffee."
The bartender furrowed his brow, never having heard of coffee, but let it go and asked, pointing at Fowler, "You're not the musicians?"
Fowler finally eased up on the death grip she had on the captain's shoulder as she stood behind her and said, sighing, "No…sorry…we're just customers."
"Oh," the blonde man frowned, "gods, I'm sorry." Then snapping his fingers as Janeway nodded and told him it was perfectly understandable, he said, pointing to the guitar, "Hey, since you're here…you want to make some money?" When Fowler shook her head no, he added, "Please, I've got a house full of people expecting live music…I'll feed you both lunch and drinks…and give you all the money I was going to pay the band." When the tall woman continued to look resistant, and open her mouth as the redhead smirked, finding humor in this situation, since the whole restaurant was now watching, he asked, "Well, you can play...can't you?"
Not liking the man's tone at all, Fowler shot back, sarcastic, "No, I just carry this around because it goes with my outfit," then drapping her long arm across Janeway's upper chest affectionately, she said, "But I didn't come here to play…I came to have a quiet drink with the nice lady."
Sighing, the man rolled his eyes, and pleaded, "Please…just a few songs."
As the crowd started growing a little rowdy, trying to persuade the pilot, and she felt Janeway chuckled against her stomach, and then pat her hand, the pilot said, "Okay, but I've got three conditions and they aren't negotiable." When the man nodded and asked what they were, she whispered, "You'll double the money, she gets this table," then nodding toward the door, she finished, "and you'll shut and lock the front door." When he frowned at that and asked why, she explained, lying, "I don't like to be interrupted by people moving in and out."
"That's crazy," the man came back, "what if people want to leave?"
Smirking, Fowler nodded behind her and said, "Let them go out the back door, but I don't want anyone coming or going through the front…it bothers me." Shrugging, Nick, titled her head, and remarked, "Take it or leave it, pal…I'm not the one with a house full of disappointed customers."
"Fine," he sighed as the crowd rallied behind him, some of them stomping their feet, "but you better be good."
"Just go get us two of your most popular drinks, and get that door shut," Fowler said, walking the captain over to their table, "I'll take care of the angry crowd." Once the man left and told everyone that the entertainment was going to begin and that if they had to leave, they were to use the back exit, Fowler set the guitar on the table and said, quietly, "Well, this isn't exactly what I would call lying low…but at least we're secluded." Then glancing over at the captain, who was relaxing in her comfy chair, with her back to the wall, and smirking, Fowler said, "You're just loving this…aren't you?"
"Actually, yes," Janeway chuckled, then glancing over to the door where it was shut and locked and a small group of patrons scouted their table over in front of it to spread out, now that they didn't have to worry about leaving the space open, she said, snatching up the purse Fowler set down and pulling out the tricorder to get a fix on their partners, who were where they were supposed to be, holed up in the bar, waiting for their meeting, each of them taking turns casing the area, she said, "this works out rather well…and," she shut the device and put it back in the purse, "I get to be cheered up at the same time."
Shaking her head, Fowler fixed the strap on the cherry red guitar, slipped it over her head and said, "I think I'm starting to understand the fire devil idea." When the captain rolled her eyes and then laughed at the name, having to admit that part of her was growing secretly fond of the term, understanding that it wasn't an insult, just the colorful man's way of mixing her outward appearance with her personality, and liking it much better than 'black witch,' Fowler snatched up the warm beverage brought over to them, took a sip to wet her vocal chords, raising her eyebrows when it tasted similar to coffee and wasn't half bad, although a little sweet, and asked, "Well...any special requests?"
Janeway scrunched her face at the sweet coffee, but just because it was much more sugared than she expected, and then answered, setting the cup down, "No…but I've liked all the songs I've heard you play so far." When Fowler turned down the volume on the guitar and plucked away, warming up as the crowd continued to talk and pay them little attention since they knew now that they would be entertained, she asked, "Do know what you're going to play?"
Fowler looked around at the people, trying to guess their preference and using the music that was playing on the speakers to assist her with the style, and said, "I'll start off easy and try to gauge their reaction." Then snickering, she laughed, "But most of the stuff I play is from the late Twentieth century…so I'm sure they'll have no idea what some of the stuff is I'm talking about." Then smirking she added, "I don't even know what all of it is…but I like the style, so I just go with it." After sipping again, she finished, "I'm not used to playing by myself, though…you sure you can't back me up?"
Kathryn scrunched her face again and added, raising her finger, "Trust me, Nick…I can't even sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star in tune." Shaking her head as Fowler laughed, she said, "It's not pretty…you're on your own, I'm afraid." Then nodding her head once, she said, "You'll be fine."
Clearing her throat, Fowler said, "Okay, cross your fingers and pray they don't have any rotten veggies around." Then smiling, she jumped onto the small stage, dragging a stool with her and stepped up to the microphone. Tapping on it twice to gauge the sound, surprised when it was rather loud, she scooted back a tad from it and said, "Uh, hi…everyone hear me okay?" When the crowd turned to her and nodded, remaining focused, Fowler swallowed, suddenly feeling really nervous since she had never played alone in front of a house full of total strangers, turned slightly toward the captain for support and said, "Um, I'm Nick…how's everyone today?" The crowd responded cheerfully, toasting her with their glasses, which caused her to sigh in relief since they seemed pleasant at least so far, and nodded, "Good…good. Um, I'm not from around here…just came to check out the carnival and stuff, so you won't recognize any of these songs." Then sitting on the stool, she adjusted the microphone to the correct height and said, "Here's a fun, old tune called I Don't Wanna Go." Then grinning softly, she announced, "This one's for Francis…she always did like this one best."
Over an hour later, Fowler smiled brightly, and laughed with true amusement and honesty as she said, "Thanks y'all…you've been real nice," as the crowd stood and cheered her after the final song, the captain on her feet as well, clapping as enthusiastically as anyone. Hopping down from the stage where she was promptly greeted by two attractive, and young alien women who proceeded to gush all over the handsome, and extremely talented musician, and give her their communication cards, Fowler, finally able to get a word in edgewise, thanked each of them, kissed them on the cheek, and then turned back to the captain, who was covering her mouth, obviously trying not to laugh hysterically, and said as she slipped the cards into her pocket and scratched the back of her neck, "What are you laughing at?"
"Not a thing," Janeway managed, waving her hand in front of her face.
After putting her guitar away and receiving her money and thanks from the owner, Fowler stuck the datachip into her pocket as well, and informed as she sat down, "That guitar is something else, Kate." Shaking her head, she said, "Thank you…I don't know what else to say."
Rather pleased with herself, Janeway smiled, reached over and patted Fowler's large hands, saying, "You're welcome, Nick." Then leaning back and pointing up to the stage, she said, "You were wonderful…really." Shaking her head, she said, "I don't know how you do it. When do you find the time to keep up those skills?" Shaking her head again, she admitted, "You're the best guitar player I know…and I've known a few. How do you find the time with everything else it is that you do?"
Nodding to the waiter that brought her a fresh cup of coffee, Fowler leaned back, and answered, scanning the room, "Well, I've been playing the guitar since I was a kid, and I've been playing those songs for…Lord, almost fifteen years." Smiling, she said, "If someone handed me a new song to play…I wouldn't be nearly as good…and whenever I do find a new song, it takes several weeks to get it even playable." Then taking a sip, she explained for the bewildered captain, "I've just always been good with my hands…usually anything that requires finesse and careful, quick fingers, I'm naturally more adept at." Then laughing, she added, "But I don't play the piano…it's not my kind of instrument."
Janeway kept her eye on the back of the room, even though there wasn't much to look at and asked, curious, "When did you get into martial arts?"
Clearing her throat, Fowler said, "Well," then scratching the back of her neck, she sighed and admitted, not uncomfortable, just not really proud of the story, "um, after Francis and I split…I basically took a header." Making the movement with her arm, she said, "I went down hill just about as fast as someone can." Then resting her head on her elbow on the back of the chair she said, "I was a time bomb, and went off more than a few times…usually on unsuspecting men that came onto me." Shaking her head, she looked down and said, "I've broken a few noses in my day, Kate…to put it lightly. So," she sighed, "after my roommate bailed me out from jail for the third time," she laughed at herself, "she told me that was the last time she'd help me out and that I'd better find some way to deal with my anger." After taking a sip of coffee, she cleared her throat and said, "It was just really an accident, honestly. I've always been a big girl, and always excelled at the physical training classes at the Academy," she smirked, "so, after Starfleet came down pretty damn hard on me, I started running a boxing program when I could. Since I had to take care of my sister too, I was never gone from home too often, so I found this little gym just a few blocks from our apartment and started working out there regularly." Then shrugging, she continued, "Boxing didn't really help me, other than build me up, but I was still mad at the world and beat the hell out of everyone I fought…or at least tried to since I always fought men due to my size." After scanning the room again, she looked over to the woman listening to her intently and said, "One day, this little old Asian man came into the gym, watched me be an ass for a few minutes, then came up to me, told me I was a coward, and," she laughed, "when I tried to break him in half, he promptly worked me over." Shaking her head, she said, "I was impressed enough that I asked him to teach me. At that time I was only interested in learning how to kill people, but I think he sensed that, and said he would, and to make a long story short, he changed my life. After he finally made me see what an jerk I was being, that's when I got involved in counseling." Shifting in her seat, she added, "Karate came first, well after the boxing, and then after I became a fourth degree black belt, that's when I picked up kick boxing, just to change it up, but that was just a few years before we came out here." Smiling, she admitted, "I always liked boxing…I like the training…but I also love Karate because it's much more involved, disciplined, intense…it's a way of life, really…so kick boxing is a fun mix for me."
Staying away from making comments about the personal information the pilot had just told her, not really having anything to say other than she was sorry and that must have been horribly difficult, she remarked, "Well, you're also very good at that too." Smiling, she added, "It's just an eclectic mix, and I don't see how you have time to do all of that."
"I make it," Fowler informed easily. "I don't screw around. I get my work done, so I can have fun, and," she winked, "I'm not the boss, nor do I have two girlfriends to keep me hoppin'." When Kathryn nodded in understanding, she went on, "I mix it up. Take a break for a while from one to concentrate on the other…and now that I got this new gig, I'll have even more time to practice my music since the other stuff is technically work now." Smiling, she finished, "I don't do much of anything else, except those things, and since I've got friends that like to do both, I have a great time." Shaking her head, she informed, "It doesn't ever feel like work…and that's good." Nodding at the stage, she said, "Too bad Torres wasn't here…man that girl can tear it up." Laughing and slapping her knee, she said, "She's going to be so excited now that I have an electric guitar…she always gets antsy when I make her practice folk songs with me for too long. She's much more… animated than I am when she sings." Then snorting once in laughter, she added, "But I have to admit, that singing with..Se…Annika," she amended quickly, "is really a hoot."
Shocked, not so much that Seven would sing, the captain knew her youngest partner loved to sing since she did it often in the shower, but more that she would sing with Fowler since even though Nick continued to be patient and rather kind to Seven, most of the time, the same wasn't always true for the ex-drone, Janeway asked, "You two sing together?"
"Torres drags her along every now and again," Fowler laughed at the look on the captain's face. "She usually just listens and tells us when we're off key, but there's one song that she really likes, so I try to play it every time she joins us in an attempt to get her to sing along." Laughing again, she informed, "Which she does, and good…man, she's got a voice…but the fun thing is that's it's really folky, campfire kind of music, so she's learning to 'adapt' and change her voice to fit the music." After sipping her coffee more, she went on, "She's doing good…doesn't sound like she's trying to sing classical to country anymore." Shaking her head, she added quickly, "She just backs me up right now, since she's always on key and can harmonize to anything, but I'm sure once she gets the hang of it, and stop's trying to make every sentence perfect, she'll be the star of the show." Fowler laughed again and said, "But first we've got to get her to stop singing You Are My Sunshine…but she insists that it's perfection, so I don't know."
Completely intrigued, hiding her supreme flattery at Seven's undying devotion to her, Janeway asked, "What's the song that she likes?"
Fowler leaned forward on her elbows and said, shaking her head, "It's called Devotion. I always loved it for the rustic feel to it, but I never really understood the words until she explained them to me." Fowler scratched the back of her head and said, "She's really wise sometimes."
Nodding, Janeway asked, "What's it about?"
"She says it's about learning to stop trying to control irrelevant things," Fowler laughed, "and how resistance is futile, in that respect." When Janeway laughed and nodded her head, leaning forward too so they could speak quietly, she went on, "She also said something about liking the word devotion, but didn't elaborate." Nodding at the captain, she added, "I think she likes it because it reminds her of you." Shaking her head, Nicole whispered, "It's really cute…the look on her face when I play it. Now she practically demands that I play it at least twice every time she comes over." The pilot chuckled and said, "Between the encores of Devotion and Torres' demands for rock, I'm lucky to play anything that I want…but it's fun to just goof around."
The captain leaned back and forced herself to just be happy that Seven and Torres had someone to have fun with, and to let go of her melancholy for not knowing about that because she knew there was nothing she could do about it and that she delegated her work as much as she was willing to do at this point. And after an hour or so more of conversation where they were served a nice lunch as promised, the two decided to head out, not wanting to stay in any one place too long. They stuck close to the shops again, and Kathryn was not at all surprised when Fowler dragged her into a clothing shop and demanded, in her quiet, but effective way, that the captain pick something out that she wanted, and that she would pay for it with the money she made at the café, half of it being the captain's anyway since she wouldn't have been able to play if Janeway hadn't purchased the guitar for her.
The captain had to laugh when she picked out a beaded belt that was ultra thin and to be worn when her stomach was exposed, or with a simple dress, and Fowler snatched it from her, set it on the counter and promptly ordered her go get something else to go with it. After a few minutes, Kathryn finally settled on short, for her, white skirt that sat low on her narrow hips, which in her current top left her stomach exposed, so after adding the belt to it, she asked for Fowler's opinion, who gave her a thumbs up and told her it was great, and she knew Torres would love it, but would never presume to speak for Annika, also known as Seven of Nine.
Once that was done and they were officially broke again, they headed off back for the shuttle, wanting to drop off their things and check in with Tuvok to inform him that Fynth were lurking about, and to double-check their weapons since Torres and company's meeting was approaching quickly, and the two women wanted to head up in that direction to be nearby just in case something didn't go as planned.
As the captain walked with Fowler, she kept a close look out, but was able to honestly smile as she held the woman's hand, feeling for like the first time in ages she had spent an afternoon with a girlfriend, not a lover, just walking about, window-shopping, having lunch, and talking about nothing in general, and realized how much she really missed that type of camaraderie. Even though there was a small part of her that wondered if she was being too friendly with a member of her crew, other than someone she was romantically involved with, letting them get too comfortable, she didn't worry about it too much since she believed Fowler wouldn't attempt to take advantage, and the woman certainly never had a problem following her orders, nor did she think she would suddenly start…she just wasn't the type.
Thoughts of the woman's status were also running through her mind as they walked, and Janeway made a mental note to discuss Nicole's status with Chakotay and Tuvok when they got back since the captain had to admit that she was really out-growing the title of lieutenant rather quickly, and considering all of the parts of the ship she was now involved in, much of them command oriented, Janeway wondered if it wasn't time to promote her to a lieutenant commander. She also wondered that when they did return to Earth, and if the captain was allowed to keep her command, and if she even wanted to do so, if she shouldn't give serious consideration to asking that Fowler be her first officer since Kathryn was fairly certain that Chakotay would leave starship life, and Tuvok wasn't really first officer material. Honestly, Janeway thought Fowler would make a wonderful first officer since she had an innate ability to mesh with many different types of people since she was completely unpretentious, had an easy way about her, and seemed to know how to rally troops fairly well, which was the most important part of being the second in command. And a little selfishly, Janeway admitted to herself, she wasn't interested in working with a complete stranger that closely ever again. That was one change, thanks to the Delta Quadrant, that she knew she'd never be able to undo. She honestly liked it more, and no matter what Starfleet said to her, she would tell them that it didn't change a damn thing about how they got their job done and honestly made for a much happier captain, which was just as important as a functioning warp-core really, and she was fairly certain that if they declined her request, that she would promptly inform them that that was their mistake and threaten to retire, calling their bluff. Since she knew, sadly, that Starfleet was hurting for officers with any experience thanks to the Dominion, she was pretty sure she'd get her way.
Janeway knew Fowler wasn't ready for the big chair yet, but definitely thought the second chair was within her reach in a year, which made the captain want to get home immediately even more so, just so the woman didn't have to be held back since the captain would never replace Chakotay, she and him just off-setting each other too well with this particular crew, and it was no secret that Kathryn adored the man through and through.
After checking in with Tuvok and stowing their goods, Fowler showing off her new guitar while the swarthy commander admired it and then shot the captain a 'You have surprised me again, Captain' look, the ladies checked their weapons, and Janeway wasn't surprised when Fowler donned a loose fitting, breezy, white, long sleeved shirt and proceeded to tuck one of her nun-chucks into the back of her pants. Now heavily armed since Fowler, who was a lethal weapon all alone, had a phaser, a knife in her boots, ninja stars in her back pocket, and nun-chucks tucked into her pants, and Janeway had a phaser and a knife as well, they started out of the Delta Flyer again and made for the rougher section of town. The need for extra weaponry was clear to the captain since one, the phaser fire would most likely set off alarms on the space hub, which prohibited weapons, and two, they were small, only good for a few shots, and had to be snapped out of he heel, which took a few precious seconds to accomplish, leaning them vulnerable while they did that, but since they were better than nothing, they would good to have around just in case.
Once they got a visual fix on the area where the meeting would take place, having actually made eye contact with Wang as he started into the bar after making a wide circuit of the area, they decided that they would just go into an adjacent bar until the meeting time and then just hang around until it was over. After walking around slowly, casing each of the bars, Fowler poking her head in each one and checking them out, wanting to find the least rowdy one, since the captain looked very much like she shouldn't be in this area, even if she was sexy in her back outfit, Nicole finally settled on one, two bars over and across the way from the bar Torres, Seven, and Wang were in which from the noise coming out of it, looked to the be the worst one, and the most popular.
The bar the tall pilot settled on reminded her an old country saloon, with hardwood floors, brownish tones, and a long bar in the back, with tables scattered about, and other than the smoke and bad music billowing out of it, the crowd seemed pretty subdued, and what Fowler liked best about it was there was a table close to the door, next to the wall open for them. So, hurriedly, before it was taken, she ushered the captain inside, doing her best to block anyone's view of her since she stood out like a diamond in the rough with her shinning hair, nice, attractive clothes, and painted face next to the much less well-kept women that were inside with them, and looked like they frequented this place often, to say the least since they were draped all over the men they were either with, or trying to go home with.
Fowler never thought about herself in such a manner, honestly, just always assumed that no man was interested since she was so tall, fairly mannish in her way, and no clothes she could wear could hide the fact that she was as solid as a rock, especially the ones she had on today, and since Seven of Nine was the only woman Nicole had ever met that could outmatch her physically, she never worried too much about women as a security risk. Yes, she kept her eye on them, but she was much less tense around them since one, she knew she could out muscle them easily, and two, the captain, being a Starfleet officer, could seriously disable most women, even if they were larger than her, before they knew what hit them.
Men were another story. Not only was there the opposite sex appeal that drew them to the captain, but they tended to be larger, harder to over-power, and honestly, just tended to do more physically bad things. Nicole knew women were just as capable of corruption, but they tended to use their brains rather than their muscle. Fowler had never been certain as to why that was, but she figured it had something to do with chemicals in the brain and the fact that stronger, more durable specimens had a natural tendency to try to take advantage of smaller prey, although she knew that was really no excuse for sentient beings, but it wasn't like she could just ignore the fact that there were bad people in the universe, at least according to her social rules, and unfortunately, most of them were of the male gender.
"Umph," Janeway allowed as Fowler practically shoved her into the chair next to the wall and closest to the door. "You could just say, 'Have a seat, Kate,'" Janeway frowned as Fowler came and sat next to her.
Nicole quickly put her arm around Janeway, making it clear she was taken and whispered, "Sorry…have a seat, Kate."
Rolling her eyes, Janeway replied, "Gee thanks." Then patting Fowler's leg, she whispered, turning toward her and smirking, "Nick, relax…no one's going to try anything." Smiling, she teased, "You came in here half-cocked and it shows…I think you made your point." Then turning away, she said, scanning the room as if she was just people watching, "Try to look like you want to be here, huh?"
Fowler sighed, knowing the captain was right and people would start to be suspicious if they just sat and looked pensive, so she forced herself to slouch, and stretch her feet out under the table, not kicking them up since the phasers were somewhat visible on the bottom, and signaled the waitress over. They had requisitioned Tuvok's monetary datachip, so they now had money to burn again, and plenty of it, and since they had also taken a hypospray in the shuttle, she knew they could sit back and drink easily while they waited for the meeting time, which was still over an hour away.
When the waitress came over to them and proceeded to not only give them both unfriendly looks, but acted completely put off by their presence, and it showed in the timbre of her speech, Fowler whispered to the captain after ordering them two cold ones, "I think we should think about picking another bar after this drink."
"Oh, I know we're a little out of place," Janeway whispered back, "but I think we're fine."
Sighing, Fowler shook her head and informed, "I don't think it's a money thing. Take a look around," she added, "I don't see any same-sex couples in here, and that's pretty rare for Burnhouse, at least as far as I've seen." Chuckling, she finished, "I'm sorry, but I think I picked the one place where our kind aren't welcomed with open arms."
Kathryn clearly frowned at that, thinking that type of behavior was absolutely atrocious, and said, surely, "Well, then they'll just have to get used to it then, because we're not leaving." Then looking over at Fowler quickly, the redhead informed, "I don't care what quadrant we're in…that's ridiculous." Waving her arm around to the patrons, she added, "This is an evolved society, not completely unlike our own, maybe a century or so behind…I think they need to just get used to it, if that's the case."
Nicole laughed, scratched the back of her neck and said, "Yes, Ma'am. So, I guess that means you don't want me to stop acting like your girlfriend?"
"Absolutely not," Janeway informed as the waitress came back. When the woman set their drinks down with an audible thud and quickly left without saying anything or asking if they wanted something else, Kathryn narrowed her eyes at the woman, snatched up her drink and said, "Remind me to not leave her a tip, huh?"
Clinking her glass against the captain's, Fowler laughed at the pissed off look on the captain's face, thinking it was the funniest thing she had seen all day and said, "Aah, she's probably just jealous she can't pull of that outfit." When Janeway turned and looked at her, surprised at the pilot's words, thinking it was something B'Elanna Torres would say rather than Nicole Fowler, she added, "Yes, that was rude…but she owes us one."
The captain laughed lightly, not caring in the least since she thought the woman's attitude was completely horrid and said, "Well, thank you," tapping glasses again, "but I think perhaps she's just upset she's not the one you're with." When Fowler laughed, clinked glasses again, but then shook her head, Janeway pat her leg and said, "You know, you're quite the lady's…woman, Nick." As Fowler laughed, but continued to shake her head in disbelief, Janeway turned toward her, smiling and said, "You are…I've always thought so. You remind me of Chakotay in that way…well, in a lot of ways, actually, but especially in that way." Smirking, she whispered, "He's very smooth with the females too, you know?"
Chuckling, thinking this conversation was completely bizarre, Fowler said, "Don't let all of this fool you, Kate…it's all an act."
After sipping her beer, Janeway set the glass in her lap and whispered, "I don't think so." Poking in her leg, she went on, "Don't underestimate yourself…you're very chivalrous." When Fowler bust out laughing, Janeway poked her again and said, "It's true…you are. I think you just don't realize it since you do it without thinking about it."
Biting, Fowler said, drinking, "Okay, like what…because I don't know what you're talking about?"
"Well," Janeway thought about it, "you're a marvelous dinner guest. You do old-fashioned, but I think completely charming things like pull out chairs and serve food," then laughing, she added, "you remind me politely to shut up and eat. I'm certain that if we had doors that didn't part automatically, you'd hold them open…oh, and you always walk just to the side, and slightly behind. Chakotay does that too…what's that about anyway?"
Swallowing down her drink before she spat it out, Fowler sighed, cleared her throat, not having known the captain paid that much attention to behavior, but not surprised since it seemed that not much got past her and said, "Well…" then laughed, she brought her hand to her mouth and mumbled the answer, "honestly, and I can't speak for Chakotay, Ma'am, but um…well, and it's just habit, but," she laughed again as Janeway smiled at her and pleaded that she tell her, "well, it's a nice view…you just get the full picture from that angle."
The captain covered her mouth, laughing heartily and smacked Fowler on the arm, the pilot trying to dodge the swipe and said, "I can't believe you two!" Then smiling brightly and drinking, she snapped her fingers and said, "Oh, I'm going to give him such a hard time when we get back." Turning to Fowler, she nodded, "Thank you…now I finally have something on him." Kathryn shook her head and informed, "He's relentless…and a terrible flirt, right up there with B'Elanna."
Fowler laughed out loud again, and said, "I'll probably pay for this later…but I don't really think you're one to talk."
"I'm not a flirt," Janeway came right back and when Fowler looked at her like she was insane, Janeway held up her hand, pinched her fingers together and said, "Okay, maybe a little one."
"Little's a word," Fowler shot right back, "but I can't talk either…although, I'm nothing like you. You've got it down to a science, I think." Laughing, she informed, "So much that sometimes I just want to pull you aside and ask if you practiced before." Poking her shoulder, she said, "If there's a smooth one around here, it's you…slick as snot."
"Well that's charming," Janeway came back with a mock look of distaste. "Anyway," she smiled, leaning back, sipping her beer, comfortably resting against the inside of Fowler's arm, "we're not talking about me. We're talking about you."
"Right, where were we?"
"I was telling you the funny little things you do that you don't know you do," Janeway informed. Snapping her fingers, she remember and said, "And, you do kind things like get up and take the coffee pot from my hands so I don't have to make two trips." Patting her leg, she informed, "Chakotay doesn't even do that." Shaking her head, she said, "I don't know, you just have this easy way about you, Nick. You can pull off those things without it seeming like it's anything other than just you being helpful and observant. That's a nice quality to have."
Nodding, Fowler understood and said, "That's all my father. He was very polite and respectful to everyone, especially women. It wasn't that he thought they were fragile or anything, or was a womanizer, he was just a truly nice man, enjoyed the company of women, but not in a bad way…and always told me how important it was to be kind and helpful, because sooner or later I was going to need the same treatment. He was a big believer in karma." After sipping her beer, she set it down, and said, "I think I picked up on all that stuff just by watching him interact with my mom. They were a great couple…really well suited. Mom took care of most of the business stuff. She was truly gifted…the most organized person I've ever met, except maybe Annika…but right up there, and Dad stayed home with us kids the most. He's the one that got me into music, and he was a big history buff, so I was exposed to a lot of old-fashioned things, just through his stories and the music he liked…and just watching him be. He was also a great cook, and could program a replicator like nobody's business. My grand father on my mother's side was in Starfleet, so that's how I got interested in that, which I think disappointed my dad a little because he was certain my music would go right out the window," sighing, "which is one reason I make it such a big part of my life now. It's kind of in honor of him." Clearing her throat, she said, "I miss them…they were really good parents, you know? Not just okay, or anything like that…they were good…really good people." Taking a drink, she finished, "I was close to them both, but I'm definitely much more like my father." Laughing, she said, "My mother's business skills didn't rub off as much as my dad's music, but I see myself acting like her every now and then, which is a total trip, but that usually only comes out in my work. I'm pretty laid back in my personal life."
"Oh, I think you're pretty easy going in your professional life too," Janeway replied, "but not in a bad way, it's good. You're like Chakotay there too. Very even, rarely abrupt, which is a good quality to have when you're in command, " the captain whispered, "since when you are harsh, every one understands right away that they'd had better just be quiet and do their job."
"Well, I guess that's true, " Fowler said back weakly. "Do you think I'm too quiet…sometimes I think I'm too quiet?"
Switching to the mentor easily, Janeway turned toward her and said, "In our group, no. I think you fit in wonderfully…every group needs a silent leader. You do that very well. You say what you feel, when you feel it needs to be said, but other than that, you listen, and you follow orders. You set a marvelous example, and I honestly think you've changed the dynamic of our group some…in a good way." Setting down her glass, she added, "But, as you move up, and move onto other postings, you'll have to be mindful of the dynamic. If you can continue to be a silent leader, like Tuvok, then do it…but if the group needs a more vocal presence, you shouldn't be afraid to step up there." Smirking, she added, "Me, I've always been the loud mouth…just grew up in a very opinionated household…so for me to be a silent leader isn't as easy, but I've done it." Then shaking her head, she said, "I think I've been where I am too long to go back, though...and that's fine since I'm the boss, and the boss should always have the last word, but since you're not, and until you are, I think you should continue to go with what you're best at…but just be mindful of group dynamics." Then tapping her chest, she added softly, "Also, don't be afraid to use your size to your advantage to intimidate if you have to." Pointing at herself, Janeway said, "Me, I use my 'vocal talents,' as Annika refers to them, my eyes, and," she smirked, "I use my smaller size to an advantage too by getting up right up in someone's face, which really bothers people, especially when they're much larger than me, but suddenly there I am, right in their face." Nodding, she said, "They back down…every time. I learned that one from my father…he was an admiral, you know?" When Fowler nodded once, looking down, obviously knowing the sad story, well the public record part, Kathryn cleared her throat and said, "Anyway, it works."
Chuckling softly, Fowler said, "You don't have to convince me…I know." Tapping her glass to Janeway's, she leaned in close, whispered, "Thanks, Captain," sighing, she admitted, "I've been wanting to talk about that for a while…but I guess I wasn't sure that was okay. Does that make sense?"
"Yes," Janeway nodded. Then looking at Fowler, she whispered back, "Lieutenant, we're all we have out here, and I'm never adverse to giving advise from experience. It's part of my job, and one part I always enjoy." Smirking, she said, "As long as we're alone, there's usually very little that we can't talk about…and since, well," clearing her throat, speaking intensely soft, "since last night…well, I just feel…silly… trying to pretend like something like that wouldn't bring us closer together, professionally and personally." Sighing, she said, "I'm not going to apologize for it because we both knew what we were doing and I know you didn't feel forced…but, that's just not something that I bring others into normally, not like it's something I do every day, or ever to that extent, honestly. So, do me a favor and don't be afraid to come to me if you have questions or just want to talk. I know how it can be…and I'm quite certain I owe you that much…just as a person."
"Okay, then I won't hesitate anymore," Fowler nodded, "and you don't owe me anything. Please don't feel like you do." Shaking her head, she said, "I know I can't tell you what to do, for many reasons, but I'd rather you not feel that way." Nicole sighed and said, "It's hard to explain right, but I'd rather we just be square." Finishing her beer as the captain stared down at her hands and nodded softly, Nicole chucked and said, "Wait…you do own me something," setting down her glass with a thud on the wood table, "another beer."
After Fowler finished her second beer, the captain just finishing her first, they both braved the saloon's restroom, washed their hands furiously, and then slipped out the back after paying their bill. Nicole left the waitress a huge tip, not telling Kathryn because she knew the fiery redhead wasn't at all fond of the woman's attitude, to say the least, hoping that a random act of kindness just might help change someone's mind about a social issue…homosexuality, in this case. She knew it was a fleeting fantasy to have a universe full of people that just loved each other and sat around campfires singing folk songs, but it was a good dream, and she tried to do what she could every now and then to uphold her father's values of always treating people nice, especially when they didn't deserve it.
If everything was going as it should have, the meeting should have been underway now, so slipping into the shadows of the a quiet back alley where various cargo containers allowed them to remain unseen, Janeway pulled out the tricorder from the purse around her shoulder, having switched to the small, black one she brought along with her black dress that she, thank goodness, wouldn't have to wear. When she had packed her things, she had swallowed back her own protests for the garment that had a plunging neck line that almost went to her navel, was practically backless, and had a serious slit on the right side that went to her upper thigh. It was not something that she planned to keep in her wardrobe, and even though Kathryn thought the black sequined gown was beautiful and was perfectly suited for her body type, it was simply too revealing, and the captain knew she'd never be that brazen in her personal life, at least not in public…she just wasn't the type. Although, as she thought about it for a minute as she opened the tricorder, she wondered if she modified it, adding a sheer, black material to the front and around the back if that would make it more acceptable. Making a quick note to discuss her idea with Ensign Rodriguez, since he had helped her select her outfits a few days before they left, as was the one who picked out the nifty boots she currently donned, she put her mind back to her task, curious as to why it had suddenly been distracted and wondering if the alcohol she had consumed hadn't been a little stronger in content than she was used to.
Glancing up at Fowler, she reported, "Annika and B'Elanna are in the alley…Samuel looks to be stationary, in the same alley…but he's a little ways off." After looking around, she stuck the scanning device back in her purse, knowing if they needed assistance that they'd call of it, and not wanting to be seen with it for fear they'd run into more Fynth, she said, "Well, I think this is as good of a place as any to wait," but she changed her mind pretty quickly when two drunken men from the bar, Kathryn recognizing them instantly, burst out of the back door, laughing, and pretty much looking like they were in the mood for trouble.
Janeway slipped her arm into Fowler's as the pilot turned her head toward the men, and said, "Let's move." When the belligerent fellows starting shouting at them, telling them to come back so they could give them something, and started after them, the captain said, "Just ignore them," but sighed and tensed when one of the men called them several obscene names, and the tall pilot's muscle's tensed against her arm as the brunette stopped and turned around.
Nicole's goodwill only went so far, and she knew she could tolerate a heck of a lot of trash talk when it was directed at her, but when it was directed at a woman she was with, especially when that woman was her commanding officer, not to mention friend, not to mention the woman of her best friend, her temper tended to get the better of her. However, she was working, and even though most of the day felt very much like shore-leave, it certainly wasn't, so she kept herself reigned in…for the moment, but knew it wouldn't take much more for her to make the man feel sorry he had even woken up that morning.
Fowler didn't attempt to shield the captain since the redhead had just been cruelly insulted, and the green-eyed brunette knew first hand just how fast the compact commander could cut someone down with her ability to put a string of sentences together that baffled the mind with their speed, accuracy, and sharp crack, but she did keep her hand on her shoulder. Raising her eyebrows, as the men approached, Fowler said, "Here's a little clue, pal…we don't want anything you have…trust me."
When the largest man, that was about as tall as Nicole, but not nearly as muscled, and looked to be sufficiently intoxicated took a step toward the pilot, Janeway stepped up to him, completely fearless and barked, "Excuse me, gentlemen." As the man stopped and stared at her, obviously not sure what to make of the little woman with the big mouth, she spat, "I'm not exactly certain what your problem is nor do I want to know. I don't once recall requesting your company this evening and I certainly am not interested in it now." Speaking quickly, she finished, "I'm sorry that you can't seem to wrap your narrow-little minds around the fact that my friend and I aren't interested in your companionship...however, might I suggest that as you do an about face and walk away that you think about just what it is about us that threatens you so, and perhaps consider this a learning experience." When the man held his ground but didn't say anything, Janeway stepped up to him and schooled, "And just for your information, most women don't particularly like to be spoken to in such a fashion." Glancing at the other man, she barked, nodding her head once, "Shame on you." Figuring that their pride wouldn't allow them to leave as she had requested, Janeway eyed them both, the said as she turned, took Fowler's arm and started away, "Good day to you."
Fowler was more than duly impressed by the captain's clipped and eloquently insulting words, not to mention the courage required to step up to them and reprimand them so crisply, considering they were drunk and already proven unfriendly, like she had some kind of authority over them, and the pilot figured that if the one man hadn't been so smashed, he probably would have backed away, but unfortunately, for him, he hadn't heeded the captain's unspoken warning, and not only increased the vulgarity of his language, directing it specifically at the redhead, but he continued after them as well.
The lieutenant attempted to take her cues from the captain now, since she really didn't want to put herself in a position to disappoint the woman, but Fowler had to admit that as each word came out of his mouth, it became rather difficult, and even though she wasn't nearly as hostile to men in these types of situations as she used to be, she freely admitted if she had a button, this was most certainly it. So, when the foul-mouthed male said one too many things, crossing the line and hinting at assaulting the smaller woman, Nicole had heard enough, and snapped. Ushering the captain out of the way, Fowler simply turned around, stood toe to toe with the man and yelled, her native dialect coming out crisply, "You will shut your trap right now…or I'll do it for you!" Then pushing him, begging him to take a swing at her as Janeway ordered her not to hurt him…"much," Fowler sneered, "Come on! Hit me if you can manage it."
When the man took a swing at Fowler, Janeway scrunched her face, knowing he would pay, and watched through squinted eyes, although keeping one on the other man who had stayed back after her tongue lashing, obviously rethinking is actions, as Fowler ducked, and nailed him once in the ribs soundly, all of her awesome strength behind the punch. The sound of breaking bones was clear, and as he grunted at the powerful blow, the captain was honestly surprised when Nick didn't follow up and knock him out. Instead, she watched with pride on her face as Fowler pulled back, then stopped, seeing that with her single shot to his side, she had pretty much immobilized him since he was thinner than she was, and then pushed him forcefully, sending him on his back, and said, "Ah, you're not worth it."
Glancing up at the other man who was tentatively standing back, Nicole pointed to him and barked, "You better get him to a doctor," and when the man faltered, she bellowed, her deep, semi-scratchy voice rattling, "Move it!" When the other man nodded and ran up to him, helping him up, Fowler stepped up to them and said, pointing at the quieter man, "You," when the man stared wide-eyed up at her, him being the smaller of the two, she hissed, her accent still sounding clearly, "the next time your punk friend feels the need to shoot off his filthy mouth, do him a favor and stuff it for him." Then glaring at the other man who was bent over, having definite difficulty, she warned, "If I ever hear you threaten another person like that again, I'll do more than crack a few of your ribs…you read me?" Pointing to Janeway, she informed, "Not everyone is as nice as that lady right there…now say you're sorry and get the hell out of here before I change my mind." When they mumbled apologies, she cracked, "Louder! She can't hear you!"
"I'm sorry, Ma'am…he didn't mean a thing by it," the smaller man as the other man wheezed his apologies as best he could. "Yea…he's real sorry, Ma'am…honest to gods."
Janeway nodded once at the man, keeping the motion sharp and hard, similar to how she would dismiss a crewmen after reading him or her the riot act, then glanced at Fowler, motioned that she should follow her with her eyes and said as they walked away, "You know, I think it's true what they say."
Pissed, Fowler scratched the back of her neck and said, cranky, "What's that?"
"Hell hath no fury like that of a woman's scorn," Janeway smirked, holding Fowler's arm. Patting it, she said, "Well done, Nick…thank you." When Nicole, expelled air once, shaking her head, bewildered, the captain said, pointing to the direction she wanted to walk, clearing her throat, "You know, that's the first time that's ever happened to me." Looking up at Nicole, she remarked, "Something tells me that you've been treated poorly due to your sexuality before."
Surprised, Fowler said, "Well, yea…never at home, but abroad…lots." Deep creases formed in the pilot's forehead as she asked, "No one has ever done that to you before?" When the captain shook her head, Fowler raised her eyebrows and said, "Well, good…but I have to say I'm surprised since what I know of your service record, you've been to some bad places."
Janeway spoke softly, her boots making more noise than her voice as they slowly walked down the fairly deserted, small avenue, most people being inside the bars at this time, as she explained, "I've never been involved in a same-sex relationship until now." Raising her finger quickly to clarify, she added, "I casually dated…very casually…one woman many years ago when I was on leave, but that was just dinner, dancing, and…well," clearing her throat to make her point as to what else had occurred, "but it was only two times, over almost a year…so I never really thought of it as a relationship."
Chuckling, Kathryn shook her head and admitted, "We met at a café in San Francisco one evening…she spilled her coffee all over me, and insisted on buying me a drink to make it up to me." Smiling, Janeway said, "So, I went home and changed, met her at a nice little restaurant with a bar, ended up having dinner, then we went to another place and danced, and," she sighed, but not regretfully, "I wound up at her apartment early the next morning." The captain shrugged and said, "She was lovely, but I was leaving and the timing was terrible, although we managed to have one more similar evening together almost ten months later right after I returned." Kathryn laughed and said, "I found out later in the morning that she was seeing a very nice man at the time, but she said she didn't want to say goodbye without 'welcoming me back' properly." As Nicole finally relaxed and laughed as well, Janeway felt like she had adequately unwound the woman and finished, "Well, that kind of behavior certainly isn't my practice, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad she waited until afterward to inform that it was our last night together. We parted happily…and I was actually invited to their wedding." Softly, she said, "I didn't go…just felt as though I shouldn't," shaking her finger, "although, I sent them a wonderful present," she chuckled, "but every now and then I think of her fondly….especially when I spill coffee."
Raising her voice again, it being light and wistful, she said, "So, other than that…I was always involved with men…so I never really was in the position to be harassed."
Truly surprised, Fowler said, honestly since the captain continued to be so open with her, keeping the conversation away from discrimination since the older woman's sweet story had certainly helped to settle her, "Wow," shaking her head, she admitted, "honestly, Kate…I'm surprised." Looking down at her, she said, "You just always struck me as the type…not like we ever interacted much before, but," she smirked, "when I first met you, I thought for sure you were married…to a woman…maybe even with kids." Nicole shrugged her shoulders and said, "I guess I could have checked it out in your personnel file…but," she smiled, no longer holding a grudge, "like we know, I didn't plan on staying long enough to care…really. It was just one of those things….a sense." Smiling, Fowler explained, "When you're a woman like me, that tends to like feminine women, that really carry themselves like traditional women…you learn to read behavior, or at least try to, just so you don't step on any toes." Pointing at her chest, she said, "There's never usually any confusion where I'm concerned," then laughing, "but when there is, it's a riot to me…totally surprises me…every time. Honestly, most of the time I think it's a joke."
Janeway shook her finger at Fowler and said, "See, you do know what I was talking about. You just have a way about you, and it really has little to do with your physical appearance, though." Nodding once, Janeway said softly, "I wouldn't call it obvious, but truthfully, I had guessed your sexual orientation before you told me. You just pay too much attention to things most women like…it's subtle though…I'm just in the habit of paying close attention to my crew."
Turning the corner, Janeway eased them into the shadows again and checked her tricorder. When everything looked fine, Torres and Seven were still together, and in the relatively same spot, and Wang was still in his look-out place, the captain sighed, closed up the device and whispered, "Well, I'm truly sorry that you had to hear those things tonight." Shaking her head, looking down as she put the scanner away, "Something like that must be very difficult for you." Then looking up, she said, leaving no doubt that she was in full captain mode, "Considering that, I think you handled yourself wonderfully…far better than most, I'm sure. You've made me proud."
Nicole nodded, shook the captain's hand and said, "Thank you…Ma'am." Sighing, she added, "And I'm sorry you had to hear that, but," scratching her head, she admitted, "I'm glad you were there…or I think I would have busted him up a little more than that." When Kathryn just accepted that as truth, nodded, but didn't comment, the tall brunette shook her head and said, "Well, I think we can thank our lucky stars Torres wasn't there, though." As the captain crossed her arms over her chest and covered her eyes, shaking her head, clearly imagining the Klingon spitting in the man's face, telling him he had dishonored her lover and now had to die, then pouncing on him and thrusting her dagger into his chest, Nicole sighed, "Something tells me she'd find that dishonorable."
When Janeway nodded, expelling air, Fowler snickered, patting her shoulder, "I certainly wouldn't wish death on him, but I think I might have liked to seen Annika pick him up and chuck him across the street a few times," as Janeway managed a small chuckle, she finished, "showing him just how 'displeased' she was." She leaned back against the wall, looking casual in case anyone strolled past and spotted them and said, feeling comfortable with the woman to make such a comment, "That must be pretty tough for you sometimes…seems as though it's sort of a conflict of interest." Before she could answer, she added, "I think I get why those two stick together like they do. They're similar in that way."
Janeway rested against the wall too, and responded, quiet, "Well, it's not the easiest part of my job by any means, but I think it's probably harder for them honestly. They're the ones that have to compromise." Shaking her head, she looked down and said, "I can't make that compromise. I can't treat them differently just because one's defending my honor, and the other is…well, just being what she is." The captain looked up at the tall pilot and said, "Just like I can't treat you differently for what you've been through, or anyone else for that matter…including myself." Nodding her head, she admitted, "Sometimes it's difficult, but not why you think. If that had been a personal situation, us not working, and B'Elanna had killed that man…honestly, I'd have been upset, and so would she, but mostly because it had occurred. That's her culture, those are her rules, and I love her, so I accept them wholly. She wouldn't be who she is without them. It's simply difficult because I'm not used to being protected like that…personally, just me." Smirking, she looked down at her feet and said, "I go round and round some days about it with myself…but at the end of the day, I'm thankful for it…even if I can't act like it most times." Then laughing, she added, "As for Annika, well, she's simply working on eighteen years of programming, and I think as the older she gets, as more time gets put between her and her former life, she'll become a little more reasonable…not so acceptable…unacceptable. Plus," she shrugged, "I've come to accept that the things she does, she does them for my benefit, or how she thinks I want her to act, so I don't think she would kill anyone unless there was no other choice. I'm not saying she doesn't have her own mind…we both know that she certainly does," they chuckled, knowingly, "but I know she adapts her behavior, makes compromises all the time, simply because she knows I wouldn't like it if she went around terminating defective individuals simply because they threatened me. And B'Elanna does that too…just not as easily because she doesn't operate like Annika. B'Elanna lives her culture…Annika is still in the process of making hers." Finishing, she nodded, "But yes, I'm certain she would have thrown him through a wall or something equally as impressive," patting Fowler's thick arm, "and if you would have knocked that man out, I wouldn't have reprimanded you, but I'm glad you didn't."
The tall, once very angst ridden pilot nodded softly, and said, scanning the area, "Me too," then chuckling, she shook her head and said, "So's my dad."
When the service door they were standing next to clicked as if someone had unlocked it and started to open, Fowler stepped out of the way, pressing herself and the captain against the wall and held her breath as it opened and came mighty close to smacking them in the face. Nicole didn't think too much about it, but just wanted to remain unseen if possible since it would definitely look suspicious if someone found them just standing near a door in a back alley, but when three darkly dressed men emerged, each carrying some type of rifle and started away from them as the door slowly closed, one of them saying something about turning the corner and heading to the roof, the pilot got the sinking feeling that they were snipers, and since Torres and company's meeting was happening just a few blocks down, on the same side of the avenue, Nicole figured something was about to go down.
A few possibilities flew through the pilot's mind as to what they should do, but after a second of contemplation as the captain tightened the grip on her arm, obviously having the same feeling, the lieutenant decided the best thing was to take them out, and hope the meeting was almost over because they really desperately needed the supplies, especially for the Alaxiat so B'Elanna could see to upgrading their warp capabilities, which was no small undertaking. When they turned the corner, Fowler looked at Janeway and whispered, "Captain, we've got to stop them."
Janeway knelt down, requested Fowler lift her foot, snapped her phaser out of it, then took her own out of her shoe, which was even smaller, and asked, "Nick, can you handle them…without a phaser?"
Understanding the captain's concerns of using their energy weapons since that would blow the lid off the whole thing, Fowler took off her shirt, leaving it on the ground, grabbed her nun-chucks and said, moving quickly and silent, the captain on the balls of her feet, right behind her so her heels didn't click and said before she turned the corner, "Just watch my back." Peeking around the corner, she turned back and said, "Shit. They're already starting up the ladder…it's too risky right now."
"Maybe not…follow me," Janeway said, turning the corner, not caring how much noise and barked, "Excuse me!" When the three men on the ladder flinched, she raised both phasers as Fowler turned the corner, showing herself and her weapon, letting it dangle in her hand, and said, "Stop right there." Then nodding toward the ground, she said, "Drop your weapons." When they didn't, she barked, "Now, or I will use this."
"Lady," the man on the bottom, only a few wrungs up the steel ladder, warned, "I'm not sure who it is you think you are," then jumping down, he turned to her and said, "but I think you're the one who needs to drop her weapons."
As soon as the man descended, Fowler was at the captain's other side in two large steps, prepared to take him out with the long reach of her arms, and her extended weapon, so when he finished back-talking the redhead, and started for his weapon, Nicole was duly happy the captain took a few steps back, turned both of her weapons to the other men and left him to the pilot, since they absolutely didn't want to fire unless it was necessary. In one flick of her wrist, Nicole swung the spinning club, striking his hand and knocking his raising rifle away, cracking the gun in the process. She spun the club around and then stopped it under her arm, saying, "She said drop it!"
As he hissed in pain, his hand having to be more than a little damaged, Nicole said, "Turn around and face the wall."
While Fowler worked the man over easily, and ordered him to turn around, Janeway said to the two other men she was staring down, "Who's next, huh?" Crisply, she cracked, "Drop them now!" When they both did, she scooted them away with her feet as Fowler frisked the other man and then said, "Come down, please…slowly."
"Alright…alright," the second man sighed, coming down the ladder as requested.
Once he was down and stood against the wall, facing it as Janeway ordered him to, as the other man started down and Fowler finished checking the other man and told him to stay where he was, Kathryn said, "Lieutenant, get the hypospray from my purse. You," she snapped as the other man jumped down, "stand against the wall with your friends." As Fowler took the hypospray out of her small purse, and she covered the three men, Janeway said, "The setting is three, two, two, one," informing her which buttons to press to activate the correct sedative, in case the pilot wasn't aware, and said to the men, "She's going to give you a sedative. It's completely harmless, and will knock you out long enough for us to finish our business and be on our way." When Fowler approached the first man and he looked like he might put up a fight, Janeway informed, "If you so much as move, I'll shoot you all. The choice is yours."
Nicole approached the man quickly, grabbed his shoulder, squeezing hard with her large, strong hands, informing that she wasn't fooling around and pressed the hypospray to his neck. When he collapsed into a heap, she caught him easily and laid him down carefully, hoping to show the men that if they complied, they wouldn't be hurt. Then nodding to Janeway, she walked to the other one, silently informing the captain that she had the second guy, and to cover the third in case he decided to get brave, she repeated the process. After that, she approached the third man and said, "Relax, pal…this ain't the time to be a tough guy. You'll have plenty of more opportunities after we leave."
Once Fowler took care of the other man, Janeway slipped both of their phasers into her purse, and pulled out the tricorder, checking to make sure all was as it should be, asking, "Any ideas on where we should put them?"
As the captain snapped closed the tricorder and returned it to her purse, Fowler scratched the back of her head and said, looking around, "I don't see any place where they won't be noticed for a few hours." Then snapping her fingers, she reached down, bending with her knees, and lunged one of the men up by his belt, slinging him over her shoulder, "I'll take them to the roof to sleep."
The captain was about to protest, thinking that was entirely too physically taxing of an idea until she saw the amazon climbing the ladder with the man over her shoulder with little effort. Rubbing her forehead, Janeway mumbled, "Good lord." When Fowler returned from the roof, slid down the ladder in a whoosh, and started with the other man, as if this was something she did every day, Janeway said, "I'm going to go get your shirt…don't hurt yourself, Lieutenant."
"Aye, Captain," Fowler responded, glad to be getting back to their professional names, at least for the moment. It wasn't that she wasn't enjoying her private and personal conversations with the captain, but Fowler truly loved her job, liked the chain of command and took solace in it.
Returning with the woman's shirt, Janeway tied it around her waist as Fowler came down, took a few deep breaths, picked the third man up, grunting a little and started up the ladder. Following her pilot, the captain informed, "I'm right behind you, Nick…don't drop him please." When they got to the top and Fowler set the man down with less grace than she had before, obviously feeling the strain, Janeway tossed the lieutenant her shirt and ordered, "Take a load off…I can handle the rest."
Fowler nodded, putting her shirt back on to hide the weapon tucked into her back again and asked as the captain knelt down next to one of the men and started untying his shoes, "What are you doing?"
"Undressing them," Janeway informed easily. Taking one shoe off, she chucked it to the bewildered brunette and said, "Take the laces out so we can tie them up." When Fowler faltered, then nodded, the captain explained, "If they don't have any clothes on, they'll be less quick to alert the authorities, or whomever, in case they wake up before we get out of here."
Chuckling, Fowler pulled the laces out as Janeway tossed her two more shoes and said, "Remind me to stay on your good side, Captain."
"It's usually a good idea, Miss Fowler," Janeway came back seriously.
After the captain stripped, tied and gagged the men with their socks, although leaving the knots loose enough that they wouldn't be up there forever, but would have to fight with them for a bit, Fowler leaving that dirty work to the smaller woman, they took their clothes and shoes down the ladder and stuffed them in a waste receptacle a ways down the road. That being done, they both breathed a sigh of relief as they saw that Torres and Seven where headed back to the shuttle, Wang not too far behind. Since they knew someone was onto them, but not certain as to the extent since it was possible those men simply wanted to kill their companions so they could steal their money without having to give up the goods, Janeway thought it a good idea to get off this deck as quickly as possible, but knew they needed to not be seen anywhere around the rest of their companions, so they started down another road, heading for a different lift.
As they walked, Janeway thought about what had happened, and then tensing as it hit her, although, not realizing she had done so, she blinked when Fowler asked her what was wrong. Stopping dead in her tracks, Janeway rubbed her forehead, taking a deep breath before she blew up into a rage at her own stupidity and finally said, "Those men where assassins." Putting her hands on her hips, she spat in a whisper, "That sonofabitch."
Catching on, Fowler asked, "You think Venkat put a hit out on Torres without you telling him to?"
Janeway narrowed her eyes, and said, "Of course he did." Looking up at Fowler, she explained, "Then he would have something to hold over my head…quid pro quo…this for that." The thoughts of what would have happened to her Klingon lover running through her mind if they hadn't been where they were tearing deep gashes into her heart, and boiling her blood, she screamed in her head at what a complete idiot she was, how she absolutely was certain she was the worst captain to ever wear the uniform, and on and on, until Fowler finally grabbed her by the shoulder, snapping out of her silent castigation.
"Captain," she whispered, "this is serious business for all of us…we knew that coming in. We fully expected people to try to kill us…we're prepared for it." When Janeway opened her mouth to say something, Fowler assumed she was just going to argue with her, so she said, "Jesus Christ, Kate, you put your body on display for that man to protect all of us, and you've been at risk more than anyone because of it." Releasing the captain, Fowler put her hands on her hips as Janeway looked like she was about to blow up and said, "It's about devotion, Captain…just like the song. We can't control anything. We got the info we needed…hopefully the supplies, and we did our job." Then putting her arm around Janeway and continuing on their way, she said, "All said with the utmost respect, Captain, and I apologize if I've over-stepped my bounds."
Sighing, Janeway shook her head, still mad as hell at herself, but getting over it for the moment since they still had a job to finish, she said, "All of your arguments are valid. You'll make a fine first officer, Miss Fowler…keep it up."
Nicole was fully aware that the captain wasn't going to thank her, nor did she want her to because she understood that the redhead would curse her own name for several days, although, she honestly hoped Janeway wouldn't let the fact that she couldn't possibly control or predict everything get the better of her since the brunette thought the captain's idea about wanting to do away with Torres was brilliant, and she knew she would have never thought of it. It was cunning at its finest, quick at that, and Nicole thought she would do well to learn from her captain with regards to that. Janeway just always seemed to have the best ideas, and more importantly, the ability to execute them with decisive skill.
Stepping into the lift, Fowler pressed the button for Deck Eight and said, "I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get the hell out of here." Wiping her forehead, she said, "I've been away from Louisiana too long…I'm not used to the heat anymore."
Snapping her fingers as she remembered vaguely reading that information when she had looked at Fowler's personnel file before their first one on one meeting, Janeway said, "No wonder you go to Mardi Gras every year. What part are you from?"
"Shreveport," Fowler smiled proudly, letting her natural southern accent come ou, as the lift stopped between Deck Seven and Deck Eight. Bracing herself as the lift shook a little at the abrupt stop, she allowed, "Uh oh." Then looking around, she said, "I think we should get out of here…I've got a bad feeling."
"Agreed," Janeway said quickly, coming up to the control panel. Peering at the board, trying to see if there was any kind of emergency release button for a hatch or the door as Fowler tried to force open the doors, the captain spotted something looking back at her through the dark glass. Realizing it was a camera, she informed, "We're being watched."
Kathryn immediately requested Fowler take off her shirt while pulling out her small knife, then drove it into the panel before she hung the shirt over it in an attempt to block the camera's eye. "Can you get the door open? I don't think we should wait around for someone to come get us."
"Maybe," Fowler said, pulling out her own larger knife. Working it into the thin slit of the doors, she got it open far enough for the captain to slip her smaller fingers in between, and as Janeway pulled on one side, Nicole was able to get her hand in the seam as well, and then sticking the knife in her mouth, she pulled in the opposite directions with both of her hands until they were able to force the doors open completely.
Standing up as Fowler held the doors, Janeway grabbed the knife from the brunette's mouth, drove it into the seam at the bottom, keeping one of the doors open, and kicked at it with her foot to make certain it wouldn't budge. Once that was done, she watched as Fowler grabbed the metal door that was at waist height to her, which opened onto Deck Eight and tried to pull it open.
Fowler yelled, and grunted, then finally sighing, she gave up and said, flushed, "It's no use, Captain. We'll never get that open…it's too damn heavy." Then turning around, she said, "Do you want to use the emergency signal? I bet Seven and Tuvok could lift it?" Lifting her eyebrow, she added, "Our phasers could probably take care of it too."
"No," Janeway shook her head. "I'm not sure our cover's been blown…I'd rather not risk it." Pointing up, she asked, "Can we crawl up there?"
Fowler turned around, grabbed the top of the elevator, and pulled herself up until she was overlooking the top of the lift. Coming back down, she said, "I think so…although, it might be a tight fit…but there looks like some kind of access port on either side."
Janeway looked up at the small space, then looked over at Nicole's solid, impressive frame and said, "I'm not sure you can squeeze through there."
"Only one way to find out," Fowler said, bending down and holding her hands out for the captain. "I'll give you a boost." Once Janeway nodded, placed her foot in Fowler's hand, the tall pilot's easily lifted the compact captain until she had her hands on the top of the lift. As Janeway started to pull herself up, Fowler assisted, pushing up slowly and giving the captain something to use as leverage since Kathryn simply wasn't built to use her upper-body in such a fashion, and even though Nicole was certain Janeway could get up on her own, there was no need to make her exert herself as this point.
Once Janeway was up, and she heard the older woman sneeze twice, Nick sighed, figuring they were about to get very dirty. Fowler might be a tomboy, put she had never been fond of getting dirty, especially when she didn't know where the dirt had been. Grabbing the top again, she pulled herself up, looked around, then put her feet on the ledge to the outside door. Reaching back, she grabbed her nun-chuck, swung it around the cabling of the lift and said, "Something tells me this is going to hurt." Then looking over at the captain, who had a painful look on her face for the large pilot, she sighed and said, "Captain, the next time someone gives you crap about your size…just remember this moment." Then taking two deep breaths, she expelled all of the air from her lungs, making her chest as flat as possible, not for the first time glad she was small chested, and doubly glad she always wrapped her upper torso to keep what breasts she did have smashed down, and pulled herself up.
The edge of the second ledge dug sharply into her back, and grunting as she worked through the pain of her flesh being scratched, hoping it wasn't too deep, Fowler managed to get her chest through, before she inhaled deeply. Since she was larger up top, she was then able to easily squeeze her legs through and push herself all the way up until she was kneeling on the top.
Kathryn felt for the woman but knew there was no time to rest and express her sympathies, so she patted her shoulder, said, "Good work, Lieutenant," and then turned to the two access ports. Opening one of them, she frowned when a Jefferies tube style shaft was exposed that was absolutely unlit. From the small amount of lighting that was available to them now, she couldn't tell how long it was. As Fowler stood, the captain went over to the other one, opened it as well. When a pitch blackness stared her down, she cursed, "Damn," then pulled out her tricorder, trying to decided which one would take them in the direction closest to the Delta Flyer.
The captain's heart jumped in her throat, as she read on her device that the left tunnel took her to the Flyer, that situation bringing the merchant's last words back to her. She knew it was ridiculous to let that situation influence her, but the uncanny similarities, and the fact that he said the mountain, Nick, would fall if she went the wrong way, made the intrepid captain doubt herself.
As Janeway rubbed her forehead, Fowler asked, "Which way, Captain?"
Kathryn steeled herself, making her decision, despite her scientific mind, and said, "Right," as she snapped the scanning device closed and pulled out their phasers. After Fowler replaced her club behind her back, wincing in pain, Janeway shoved the phaser into her hand and said, "I'll go first…but I want you right behind me, Lieutenant. I mean it."
"Aye, Captain," Fowler came back quickly, the tone of the captain's voice informing her not to argue. After Kathryn climbed into the tunnel and started down it, Fowler jumped in as well as stayed right on Janeway's heels as they crawled on their hands and knees.
Five meters into the tunnel, they were covered in dust and who knows what, and there was absolutely zero light. Sneezing, Janeway sighed as they crawled slowly, the captain using her hands to feel for obstructions or drops, and mumbled, "Thank god Lanna's not here."
"Why's that?" Folwer asked, hoping to keep talking since she thought all this blackness was down right creepy.
Lying, Janeway said quickly, not wanting to inform anyone that B'Elanna was afraid of the dark because she knew her engineer was very sensitive about it and saw it as somewhat dishonorable and a definite weakness, "She'd be sneezing up a storm in all of this dust…not to mention I'm certain she'd be using every foul word in the book at the moment…and then some."
"True." Chuckling, Fowler said, "She certainly can put a string or two together when she wants to. Puts me to shame."
"You and me both, Nick," Janeway came back. "Okay, I'm going to stop for a moment and check the tricorder…now." Then fumbling around for her purse, she found it near her knees, pulled out the tricorder and opened it, the small display not really helping their lighting situation in the least, but it was a comforting sight. Janeway was certain if she wasn't scared to death, secretly, for her companion's life, she would have been mighty uneasy in the pitch blackness. She hadn't discussed it with anyone, but ever since the day in Sickbay where the Doctor had taken away her eye-sight and the implant in her head had fooled her senses into making her feel like someone was running their hands freely over her body, she had become rather afraid of the dark herself. However, since her safety was certainly not on her mind at the moment, it wasn't bothering her much, although, she wasn't certain how much longer she could push the unsettling memories from her mind as they continued to try to creep up and remind her that she was in the dark as well, and very possibly in danger.
Sighing, Janeway said, "Nick, I have no idea how long this tunnel goes on. We're between the decks…it's possible it goes to the other lift. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Captain," Fowler answered quickly. "Dirty," sighing, "…but fine."
Putting the tricorder away, she informed, "Well, everyone else is back at the shuttle at least. And we still have a little of an hour before we're supposed to be back…so I think we should just keep going. There's got to be a way out of here."
"Hey, you're the brains…I'm just the muscle," Fowler joked.
"Alright, let's go."
A half an hour later, the captain was sniffling and sneezing so much she was certain that when they did get out of the tunnel that had a slight downward angle, which they were still steadily crawling through her eyes were going to be swollen shut in irritation, since she had always been allergic to mold and cats. There being neither of those things on Voyager, she'd stopped bothering taking her yearly dose of anti-allergy medication that she had had to take her whole life…something she was regretting with emphasis at this moment.
Fowler had taken to singing happy songs for them softly to keep them upbeat and comforted that they were close to each other since they couldn't see one another, and since the poor captain's voice was becoming scratchier by the minute as her sinuses were inflamed. When the younger pilot busted out into a countrfied version of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, Janeway managed a sniffling laugh, and hummed along with her between sneezing fits.
When one of her louder sneezes echoed more than it normally did, Janeway and Fowler both halted and grew quiet as they realized they were approaching some kind of opening. Since there was no light to be seen, they couldn't be sure if there was a sheer drop off, or another tunnel, so very carefully the captain felt around and said, "Lieutenant, grab my foot…and just stick with me." Once she felt Fowler's hand clasp around her right ankle, the captain moved forward carefully and felt the wall on her right curve around, and when she went forward just a little bit more, she felt the end of the tunnel.
After a few minutes of fumbling around, the captain reported, "Okay, there's two tunnels, one to the left, one to the right, and," she started down the right one, deciding if she was going to follow the merchant's advise, she was going to do it all the way, "these are taller. I'm going to stand slowly…just stay where you are."
Slowly, the captain stood, keeping her arms above her head in case the roof was lower than it seemed from the sound of the echoes. When she didn't hit her head or feel the top, she said, "Alright…crawl over to me…I'm standing."
"Aye, Captain," Fowler replied, slowly crawling toward the sound of the captain's voice. Using her hands, she finally made purchase on Janeway's knee.
Janeway reached down, took a hold of Fowler's hand and said, "Go ahead and stand…I'm able to raise my arms and not touch the roof, so you'll be fine…just be careful." Once Fowler was standing comfortably behind her, Janeway pulled out the tricorder and said, reading the data, "Okay, we're headed toward the back of the station…we're almost there…so this tunnel can't be that long." After setting it to scan the area and not finding anything that could hurt them that they could detect, like poisonous gases or lifeforms, she put it away and said, "Let's stick close to the right wall…you can never get lost in a maze if you stick to one wall…you'll finally find your way out."
"Next time I'm in a maze, I'll try it," Fowler said, wrapping her arm around Janeway and pressing the phaser in her hand to her waist. "You take this...it's not my forté." Then reaching back, she pulled out her nun-chucks, held them together in her left hand and said, "I'll stay behind you."
Janeway tucked one phaser into her waistband, grabbed Nick's left hand, wrapped it around her waist and informed with authority, "We go together, Lieutenant. I'll keep my hands out front. You keep one around me and one arm on the wall…and keep singing."
"Yes, Ma'am," Fowler replied easily. Then as they started forward, one careful step at a time, she asked, "Any requests?"
"Do that drinking and swearing song you did at the café," Janeway informed as they continued forward tentatively, her voice much graver than their conversation would suggest. "I liked that one…I can relate."
Clearing her throat, Fowler said, still quiet, "Okay, folks…this one goes out to a fire devil I know." When the captain chuckled, Nicole sang, "When I was twelve my daddy said to me. Don't take to drinkin' girl, that road don't lead no where…and don't me ever let me hear you swear…don't you dare. He told me stealin' is a lazy person's way. Somethin' for nothin' leaves you hell to pay, so don't lie…then you can look the whole world in the eye...honey, I tried, but since I've met you girl I'm breakin' every rule. I must confess I'm just a backslidin' fool. I want to drink from your lovin' cup…swear I'll never give you up, steal all your kisses underneath the moon. I want to lie here close to you…look at what you make me do. Darlin' you're the reason why…I drink, swear, steal and lie."
Starting the second verse, Fowler laughed somewhat at the words, never thinking the captain would ever relate, but starting to realize there were many things about her commanding officer she hadn't a clue about. "Last night I threw away my twelve step book. I finally faced the fact that I am hooked on you. There's nothin' more that I can do…it ain't no use. 'Cause every time I see your angel face, my halo disappears with out a trace, I swear…girl, I admit I haven't got a prayer, but I don't care. I know this ain't exactly how I was raised, but heaven help me, honey, I ain't changin' my ways."
While Fowler sang the chorus to her very own theme song, Janeway carefully led them through the tunnel listening closely to the echoes and trying to hear any changes in the soft, scratchy sound of Nicole's appealing voice. The tall pilot certainly didn't have the best voice she'd ever heard, but it had a rough, comfortable, southern quality to it that fit perfectly with the type of music she preferred, and it fit her personality very much, and honestly didn't sound very different from her speaking voice. Although, there were a couple of songs the woman had done earlier that were much higher, and she had impressed the captain greatly with her range, but it was obvious that she preferred alto keys rather than anything higher…it was just more comfortable, and since Nick had been a musician since she was a child, her comfort with her own voice was clear in its easy delivery.
As Nick finished the tune, the captain was just about to request another one she had liked when she heard a noise off in the far distance. Stopping quickly, she brought her free hand to Fowler's that was around her waist and whispered, "Shhh."
Fowler didn't know what the captain had heard, since she hadn't heard anything herself, and after a few beats of nothing, she was about to ask when three faint beams of light appeared on the wall approximately thirty meters away from them. There was obviously another tunnel ahead, and it seemed that someone was looking for them. Quickly, she grabbed Janeway's purse as they squatted down together and pulled out the tricorder, wanting to make certain it wasn't their crewmates coming after them. When all of the others were still in the shuttle, Fowler closed it quickly, placed it back in the purse as the footsteps became audible and whispered to the captain, directly in here ear, "They aren't any of ours."
The captain wasn't certain who it was they were, nor did she really didn't care to find out at this point. Janeway knew they wouldn't have much time to surprise them once they rounded the corner, so she grabbed the other phaser out of her hand, and whispered, "Hit the deck and stay right behind me."
Nicole sighed, knowing if she protested at this point, they were liable to be heard, so she laid down, flat on her stomach quietly, not making a sound, directly behind the captain as instructed, and watched the scene unfold, just able to catch a glimpse of the actions from between the captain's legs where she was standing in a low crouch so she could dive out of the way, if need be. When the three beams of light came around the corner, and Fowler heard one of them say, "Copy that…okay, they've got to be in here, the other passageway was locked down and incinerated, but nothing was found," Nicole swallowed at that an realized that if the captain had picked the left tunnel, as she had expected her to since it went back toward the shuttle, they'd probably be burnt to a crisp right now.
Janeway set herself, knowing she was going to have to be quick on the draw and deadly accurate to get all three of them before one of them could fire, but she knew she was more than capable since one, she had always been a good shot, and two, one of her favorite games was Velocity, which required quick and accurate shooting, especially when playing with Seven of Nine. So, when the three people started around the corner and the only parts of them visible where their wrist lights, Janeway aimed for that area and hit the two beings on the outsides first. Then turning on her heels, she ducked her shoulder, rolled forward and to the left easy, and as soon as she was up, as a weapon of some kind was discharged to the area she had been at as the flash light honed in on that area and exposed Fowler lying on the ground, Kathryn fired again and took out the final assailant, who never even saw her. "Nick...sound off!"
"Here, Captain," Fowler said, getting to her feet. "Nice shootin,' Tex…you got a license for that thing?"
Since the wrist lights were still active and two of them were pointing toward them, they were able to see fairly well, so quickly Janeway and Fowler rushed up to the fallen people, and while Janeway patted them down and removed two of their wrist lights, Fowler gathered up their weapons, put one in her back pocket and then chucked the other one as hard as she could down the other tunnel. Nicole was fairly surprised Janeway didn't suggest stripping them as well, but she figured that would require too much time, so after she smashed their communications device, they quickly set off down the tunnel, ready for a showdown.
"Psst," Fowler said to the captain as they walked quickly down the tunnel, feeling a change in the air temperature on her bare shoulders. The tunnels were actually a good deal cooler than the rest of Burnhouse, so when she felt the hot, thick air settle on her skin for a moment, she raised her light as Janeway turned around and saw what looked to be an access panel on the roof. "Bingo." It was shut, but the seal had obviously been breached some way to allow the hot air above to escape.
"Well done, Lieutenant," Janeway whispered, "that should lead to Deck Seven. I'm not sure what's up there, but I'd much rather face it in the light." Then frowning, she added, "Although, I don't know how we'll get up there…"
"I can lift you up to open it," Fowler informed. Tucking her nun-chucks into her pants, she said, "Come on, I'll boost you." When Janeway nodded, tucked both phasers into her waistband and approached her, Fowler instructed, "Okay, put one foot in each hand, balance yourself on my shoulders, and let me lift you." Then sighing, she added, "Uh, Captain…you probably should take those nifty boots off."
"Right," Janeway nodded and then hurriedly unzipped them, sliding them off. Then stepping into Fowler's left hand that was at her waist, having to hike her skirt up a bit to raise her leg that far, she bounced then pushed up and held onto Fowler's shoulder as the woman raised her up a bit, then turned her hands, so she could push more. "Are you okay?"
"Yep," Folwer said, then informed, "okay, up you go." Once Janeway was at the hatch, Nick offered, "Captain, just stand on my shoulders."
"Okay," Janeway nodded, keeping her hand on the roof, then took one foot and moved it to Nick's shoulders. Once the pilot latched onto her calf, she moved the other foot over and steadied herself. Then looking up, she activated the hatch and it slid it open, the light practically blinding her. Blinking several times as her eyes watered, Janeway said, "I'm going to take a peek…stay there." After Fowler acknowledged her, she grabbed onto the ledge and pulled herself up and off of Fowler's shoulders, just letting her head sneak through. They were definitely on a Deck Seven, and in the middle of one of this space hubs many back alley's behind some kind of large, nice looking building, and thankfully, no one was around.
Relaxing, she straightened her arms, until she was standing on Fowler's shoulders again and reported, "Well, this is good, but we can't get out of here alone. I think it's time to call the troops. Are you getting tired?"
"Captain," Fowler laughed, softly, "no offense, but you aren't much of a heavyweight. I can manage until help arrives."
"Alright, but let me know if you get tired, Lieutenant." Nodding once Fowler acknowledged her, Janeway pulled out her tricorder and activated the emergency distress call. She knew their signal looked a little bizarre since they were somewhat between decks, but since her head was almost poking out of the panel, she hoped they were close enough to Deck Seven that it wouldn't take them long to find them.
"What the hell are they doing!" Torres spat, frenzied, ideas and thoughts about terrible things floating through her mind ever since her strange meeting with her contact, and afterward when Fowler and Janeway hadn't returned, as she paced back and forth in the Delta Flyer as the minutes until 2300 ticked down while Seven continued to report what she found on the tricorder. "This is crazy, Commander…we've got to go get them!"
"Lieutenant Torres," Tuvok replied, "if the captain requires our assistance, she will request it. They continue to move, and although I agree with you that something out of the ordinary is occurring, we will not attempt to retrieve them until the curfew. It is very possible the captain feels that our presence would put us, or herself and the lieutenant, at risk."
"But what if she can't call for help! What if their tricorder got stolen, or is broken?" the Klingon volleyed.
"If that is the case, then if they do not return in the next half hour, we will go find them, but not before."
"Commander," Seven of Nine reported crisply, not certain who she agreed with. She knew that if Kathryn was alone and this situation were occurring, she would have most certainly taken off some time ago to fetch her because the captain was in the habit of risking herself in an attempt to save the rest of them. However, since she had Fowler with her, Seven knew the captain would not be as hasty, and believed that if Kathryn required assistance, she would ask for it. However, there was the argument that it was possible they could not call for assistance, so the Borg was at a stand still. "They have stopped moving for two minutes, and the captain's signal is directly on top of Nicole Fowler's."
Torres spun around as her hearts beat wildly in her chest, and yelled, "Commander, something is going on!"
Tuvok raised his eyebrow and stated, "Indeed." Quickly, he ordered, looking at Torres, "Lieutenant, you and I will prepare the shuttle for departure." Then to the rest, "Go get them…you have my authorization to use any force necessary to do so." When Seven of Nine's tricorder rang out at the same instant, he said, "Do not delay…inform us if you require assistance immediately."
"We will comply," Seven stated, pocketing her tricorder as Samuel moved past her and started for the tunnel. Following him immediately, she shot Torres a quick nod before she took off in a full sprint. Pulling ahead of the shorter man, she said, "They are on Deck Seven, near the far corner. We should not use the public lifts…I believe it is possible they are monitored."
After a good two hundred meter run, Seven and Wang rounded the corner and started toward the service door that was marked Burnhouse Personnel Only. The tall blonde approached the door without delay, and ripping off her gloved hand, she used her assimilation tubules to interface with the technology since it required a special card to open the door. Once she was able to unlock it, Wang bounded through the door, hoping to catch someone by surprise if anyone was around, and then after spinning around, seeing that it was clear, they started up the steep series of stairs they had to climb to reach the next deck. Each deck was fairly large in height, so it was the equivalent of climbing five flights of stairs, but since both were in such good shape, the trip was fast, and left them only breathing moderately harder than normal.
Once they reached the other door that opened for Deck Seven, the Borg interfaced with the system again, and set the door to remain unlocked, since they would have to come back this way and she didn't want to waste precious seconds after they had retrieved the captain, hoping she wasn't wasting precious seconds right now.
Seven and Wang stepped through this door more carefully, and once they were clear and no one had seen them, they took off for the back alley the captain and Fowler were supposedly in. The sprint there was quick, and stopping near the corner, Seven held Samuel back, and quickly peeked around it, since she didn't hear anything like fighting going on. Sighing, suddenly scared, she pulled out her tricorder when she didn't see the captain or Nicole Fowler, and said, "This is peculiar. I cannot see them, but they should be here. I am able to detect their signals with my cortical node, as well as the tricorder." Then zooming in on the data, she sighed and reported, "They are between decks. We should look for an access hatch of some sort." Pocketing it again, she said, "It is 'clear' at the moment."
Together they turned the corner quickly, both moving silently and scanned the area. Noticing something in the floor due to her greater height, Seven reported, "There is an opening." Running up to it, she peered down and then sighed, seeing that Kathryn was functioning, and seemed undamaged, although her face was filthy and she looked as if she had been crying, saying, "Captain, we are here. How can we assist you?"
Janeway smiled and said, "Seven, you're a sight for sore eyes." When Samuel appeared as well, Janeway informed, "We need you to help us up…I'm standing on Nick's shoulders right now." Looking down she said, "Nick, I think if Seven hangs from the ledge, you're tall enough to grab onto her legs." Then looking at Seven, she informed, "Seven, do you think you're strong enough to pull you and Nick up, if she's attached to your legs?"
Holding out her hand to the captain, Seven responded, "It will be an experiment, Captain." Straddling the opening, Seven latched onto the captain's arms, pulled her up through the small opening and then set her off to the side, saying, "Unfortunately, it will not be as easy as that was." When Janeway placed her hands on her hips, then nodded at Seven to do it, the blonde slipped through the opening and dangled from the ledge, keeping her arms bent since she figured if she started straight armed, she'd never be able to pull them both all the way up. Then looking down at Fowler, she stated, "Lieutenant Fowler, I believe you should attempt to jump and latch onto my waist."
Fowler sighed, knowing she could probably make the jump but that such a move would put even more pressure on the Borg. However, she also knew that if she got to that height, and Seven could hold her, she only needed to pull up to Seven's shoulder before she could grab onto the ledge herself. So, deciding to try it, she readied herself to leap and latch onto Seven's vest, or whatever, and asked, "Ready?"
"Proceed."
"If you have to fall, go ahead and we'll think of something else. Alright, on three. One…two…threeee!" Jumping up, Fowler's large hands found purchase on the back of Seven's vest, and when Seven didn't fall right away, but grunted and tensed to extremes, Nicole wasted no time, once Seven started pulling them up until her forehead was at the ledge.
"Hang on, dollface," Nick groaned as she pulled herself up, latched onto the blonde's shoulder with one hand, and pulled up more, as Janeway, squating next to Seven, urged her on, reminding Seven she was Borg and that the captain absolutely knew Seven could handle that task.
With one final thrust upward, the tall pilot grabbed onto the ledge, and then let go of the blonde immediately since she was starting to tremble at the strain. In a rush to help Seven, Fowler grabbed the ledge with her other arm, lifted herself up smoothly as possible so she didn't knock Seven off, then turned, straddled the opening, bent down, grabbed the exhausted Borg, who was still dangling, by her vest and yanked her up with all her might, knowing she'd probably pay for that move with her back muscles, but not caring at this point.
Once Seven was up halfway, Janeway latched onto her stomach and dragged her over to the side. When the ex-drone continued to kneel and her face remained flushed while she kept her eyes closed, Janeway knelt next to her and questioned, softly, "Seven…are you alright?"
"I am…functioning," Seven breathed deeply, "Captain." Then nodding her head, she pushed herself up, flexed her hands and stated, "I am Borg." When Wang came around the corner and told them they had company coming, six of them from the service stairs, Seven immediately stated, "We must utilize those stairs. We should attempt to go around this building and elude them."
Without her boots, and in her stockings, Janeway ran with the rest of them to the wall that had them cornered. As Fowler and Wang jumped and made it over easily, the captain stopped at it, knowing what was coming next, and just held on as Seven grabbed her by the waist and pushed her over the top. Once she was on it, she pulled out her phaser and covered Seven's back as the Borg jumped and pulled herself up. Once Seven hopped over the top, she let Seven pulled her down as Folwer and Wang checked the other side of the building. Quietly, since they could now hear the people after them on the other side of the wall, they crept as fast as possible to the street.
Now happy that she had spent the time to set the door to stay unlocked, Seven stated, "The door is at the end of that wall. It will be unlocked."
Nodding, Janeway said, "Alright, last one there's a rotten egg," and then took off like a bullet.
Wang and Seven were right behind her, but Fowler stayed just a little back to cover them, holding the alien weapon in her hand, and never being much of a sprinter actually. She wasn't at all surprised that the little fire devil could clearly out sprint them all, even in her stockings, since the pilot had seen Janeway zip into the bathroom a few months ago when Seven was ill and bleeding to retrieve a wash cloth, and knew she was much quicker than she looked.
Wang reached the door next, then Seven, and Fowler was only a few steps behind her. Just as she stepped through, Wang down one flight of steps with the captain, as Seven waited for her, someone from the group that was after them spotted her, and fired their projectile weapon.
As the bullet zinged past Fowler, Seven ducked and shut the steel door. Then using her assimilation tubes as Janeway barked at her to "Hurry, Seven," the blonde scrambled the code on the locking mechanism, which would render their access cards useless.
"It is done," Seven announced, retracting her technology and starting down the stairs with Fowler, the pilot urging her to go first.
As they descended the stairs as fast as they could, Seven reached the captain easily since she was having difficulty not slipping on the smooth metal in her stockings. So, picking her up and putting her over her shoulder, Seven informed as the captain barked at her, "I will release you when the surface is sufficient for you to tread upon, Captain." Reaching the bottom, Seven did as she promised, and when Kathryn shot her a most displeased look, Seven ignored it completely.
Sighing as Fowler bounded to the bottom behind them as the pounding on the door above them grew more insistent, Janeway held her phasers at the ready, nodded to Samuel to open the door, then spun and started out of it. Not seeing any threat immediately, she ushered everyone out and said, "Run like hell…I'm right behind you." When they faltered, she cracked, "Move it!"
The captain let them get a few meters ahead of her before she started after them and maintained a steady pace, very glad she and Seven ran the decks of her ship on a regular basis since as she stayed right behind Fowler easily, she knew she could slow every now and again, which she did to check alley ways, and then zip ahead again and keep up.
Wang and Seven rounded the final corner first on the landing deck section, and were approximately fifteen meters ahead of Fowler, and about twenty ahead of the captain. When Janeway heard the distinct sound of gunfire, four things happened simultaneously:
The first was Samuel Wang's series of loud and abrupt karate calls, as he obviously engaged someone, and as that occurred, one of any number of guards was hurled through the air and impacted with devastating force with the far wall, knocking him out, obviously the work of Seven of Nine. As soon as the shot rang out, Fowler slowed her pace, threw down the alien weapon she was holding and snatched her nun-chucks, a move the captain wasn't certain she agreed with, but had no time to react to. As that happened, the captain picked up speed, moving farther to her left so she could round the corner wide and hopefully pick off a few of whomever it was attacking.
As the action came into view, Janeway kept both her arms poised, but had no shot since the movement was furious, and she finally understood why Nicole had dropped her projectile weapon for her other one because in less than five seconds, the captain watched the tall woman work over three guards with it in combination with her long legs, disarming them brutally in the chaos around them, as another shot rang out as one of the guards, who had been knocked back by the pilot in the nick of time, accidentally discharged his weapon toward the ceiling as he fell and cried out in agony, and before Fowler finished him off, knocking him out with a devastating blow to the head with her club.
At the same time, Wang was on the ground, beside a fallen guard next to him, ducking from another shot that was being fired from a man farther in the distance. The captain ducked out of the way as well, and just when she thought she had a shot at the farther off guard, she saw Samuel spin around from his crouched position and fling two of his silver stars at the man. They were difficult to see since they were so quick and thin, and the captain never really saw the impact, but she knew they had hit their mark when the guard who had fired again fell back. Wang was indeed a master, because as soon as he had let the stars go, he had rolled out of the way and avoided the bullet that came just a second later.
During all of this, Seven of Nine stayed back, which the captain thought was rather unlike her, holding the phaser from her boot in her left hand, but since Fowler and Wang had taken care of the rest of the guards, so far, she didn't think anything of it. The whole thing lasted less than twenty seconds, so getting back to a standing position, she took off after them immediately as they annihilated their aggressors and started for the Delta Flyer, which was at the end of the landing deck they were on, less than two hundred meters away.
Wang zipped ahead like normal, and Fowler somewhat lumbered right after him, but as Janeway reached Seven, who she knew could run quicker, she knew something was wrong.
Seven had been shot.
How badly, Janeway couldn't tell, but the large wound was in her shoulder on her right side and the blood was already starting to seep through the front and back, and Kathryn realized that the first shot they heard was the one that had hit her. She was obviously having difficulty moving that arm, which was the reason she wasn't charging ahead nearly as quickly, and holding it closer to her stomach.
Remaining calm, Janeway said as they jogged as fast as they could, "Just keep going, Seven…I'll cover you." As Wang ran into the air tunnel of the Flyer yelling information to Tuvok and Torres, and Fowler turned to check back on them, and ran sideward, Janeway was not at all surprised to see B'Elanna Torres come barreling out of the tunnel, bat'leth in hand, growling at Fowler to move it and that she would cover them.
Keep going, Seven…I'm right behind you," Janeway informed, slowing her pace and spinning around, keeping a look out behind them as Fowler ran into the air tunnel, having to get into the pilot's seat and get them out of there as soon as possible, while Torres made tracks for Seven, who was starting to fade fast.
Running up to the wounded Borg, B'Elanna threw down her weapon, and in a move of sheer adrenaline, came up to Seven, bent down some, urged the deathly pale Borg over her shoulder and lifted her up. Quickly, she turned and started back for the Flyer as Seven felt limp against her, and mumbled at the Klingon to, "Release me…and assist Kathryn," yelling back to Janeway, "Kathryn…get my bat'leth! Don't let those fuckers have it!"
The captain was moving faster now as she semi-skipped as she ran, making small quick turns to keep her officers covered, and quickly she gathered up the ancient weapon, as requested, slipped her arm through the opening and put it over her shoulder, regaining her stance easily. Once Torres made it to the air tunnel, Janeway returned to a full sprint and tested her small legs for all they were worth as she tore down the tarmac.
When countless dark figures came out of the opening to her left, Janeway fired blindly at them as she ducked and dove into the cover of the air tunnel, knowing she only had a second or two before she was in their line of sight again. Not being able to roll on her shoulder since she had an extremely large and sharp weapon latched to her back, the captain cursed as she landed on her stomach, hard and flat. Then pushing herself up, she turned and fired two more pulses from each weapon, just to keep the people back that were approaching from the side, although not in sight yet, before she turned and rounded the corner as Torres started after her.
"Get inside!" Kathryn yelled as she ran, and Torres spun and started back immediately.
Letting Wang take care of Seven for now, who was lying on one of the cots being undressed, the captain jumped through the opening, threw down her weapons in one move and yelled as she bounded for the steps, Torres, who had waited at the door for her, on her heels, "Close the hatch!" Then leaping up the stairs and through the opening since the door was being held open by a lever against the wall, Kathryn barked as she ran through the front compartment and made for Seven's spot, "Get us out of here, Lieutenant…I don't care what you have to do!"
"Aye, Captain," Fowler nodded, engaging the thrusters and ripping them away from the air tunnel before the depressurization was complete, knowing she was exposing the space station to the vacuum of space, but fairly certain the station had security measures in place which would close the breach almost immediately. As they broke free, and she turned the tiny shuttle, seeing the blockade that Tuvok was informing her of at the same moment, she looked over at Janeway and yelled behind her, "Sam…strap her in and hang on!" Then back around to front, she finished, "Same for the rest of you…this could get ugly."
When no one seemed to care that she was giving her commanding officers orders, Fowler quickly engaged the safety belt function on the chairs, reached up and pulled the webbing over her shoulders and locked it down into the bottom. Once that was done, she put her hands back on the controls and informed, "Commander, we're going right down the middle full throttle…try to nail the last ship that's in our way." Not waiting for anyone to argue with her, she engaged the impulse engines at half, then quickly accelerated to full as they started for the five small ships trying to block them.
There was an energy field surrounding the space station that forced ships to come in and out of this one area, and since they didn't know where it was generated from and didn't have time to bother trying to disable it, they had to go through the large opening, which was suddenly much more narrow since there were ships hovering around it. Fowler was certain she could get them through the four without a problem, but in order to do so, they had to go fast, which would leave her very little time to get out of the way of the last ship, and that was the one she was hoping Tuvok would disable to keep it from trying to ram them, or blow it to bits altogether; although, that was unlikely, even for the Delta Flyer. The shuttle just wasn't built to destroy, but thankfully, it was built for fancy flying.
The swarthy Vulcan was an excellent Tactical officer, the pilot knew, so as they approached the ships, she was not at all surprised that when the vessels fired upon them, Tuvok hit each of them squarely as they zoomed past. Having to make several quick adjustments as they were tossed around due to the weapons impacting with their shields, Torres doing a great job routing power away from unnecessary systems at the moment to keep them in full working order, Fowler held her breath when the Flyer's phasers arrays focused on the ship directly in front of them. Trusting her instincts, not able to be certain they had enough room to get out of the way, she flipped the shuttle, taking them into a ninety degree nose dive as she heard the captain mumble, "Jesus Christ, Nicole," as she gripped the seat, and then quickly turned them back around the other way, changed their heading so they were now zooming away from the space station, the last ship that Tuvok had effectively disabled above their heads several hundred meters behind them. Once their course for their first leg of the way home was set in, them not taking a direct route home for fear that would give Voyager's and the Alaxiat's position away where they were hiding out on the other side of a nebula that hid them from sensors, Fowler engaged the warp engines and all that was left of them was their twinkle in the horizon.
"Next time, Lieutenant!" the captain barked, pretending to be angry as she unstrapped herself and Fowler looked over at her with a worried look on her face, Janeway smirked and finished, "you might want to warn me before you give me a heart attack." Standing, she patted her arm and said, "Well done, Miss Fowler."
"Will do, Captain," Fowler smiled, nodding.
"Nice shooting, Commander," Janeway said to her Vulcan tactical officer as he manned his board, keeping an eye out for following ships, although knowing that none of the ships they past would be doing the following any time soon.
As Torres tore off her seat belt, snarling and cursing under her breath, then ran into the other compartment, Janeway was right on her heels, barking, "Report!"
"She's sedated at the moment, Captain," Wang informed, removing the straps he had hurriedly wrapped around the Borg's legs and torso. "The projectile went right through her. She's sustained muscle lacerations, but nothing the Doctor and her nanoprobes can't patch up. No broken bones…it missed her collar bone by a millimeter I think." Sighing, he said, "If she weren't Borg, I'd worry about blood lose, but her nanoprobes sealed off the flow pretty fast, and I've administered antibodies to fight any kind of infection." Looking over at the captain and B'Elanna, who were standing right next to each other, staring down at Seven's wounded flesh, he finished, "I think it's best if I just dress this and we keep her arm immobile. Honestly, I'm not all that swift with a dermal regenerator, and since she has deep muscle and tissue damage, I think we should just let her nanoprobes work as best they can and then let the Doctor handle the rest."
The captain nodded once, and then asked, "Will she be in any pain?"
"She's pretty doped up on pain killers, Captain," he smiled, "she won't be feeling much of anything for a while."
Janeway nodded again, then patted his shoulder and said, "Thank you, Samuel…good work, and let me know when I can speak with her please." When he acknowledged her, she turned toward the engineer, who had Seven's blood on her dark shirt and hands and said, "B'Elanna, why don't you go wash up. I'll be with you in a moment."
After Torres nodded, Janeway sighed and quickly picked up the weapons that were scattered about the room, throwing them all in the second weapons locker haphazardly. Then looking down at herself, seeing what an absolute mess she was for the first time and noticing the scrapes on her hands and knees and the stockings that had one run after another in them, she sighed again and said, "Some day, huh Ensign? That thing you did with the stars…pretty impressive. You'll have to teach me sometime."
As Wang cut away the rest of Seven's shirt and carefully pulled it out from underneath her, Samuel said, "Thank you, Captain. What happened to your shoes?"
"I took them off so Nick could be the human ladder," Janeway chuckled, coming over to the cot and sitting on the chair next to the scientist, who was cleaning the wound, "so, I guess they're MIA." Noticing the large cargo containers filling up the room, almost for the first time, the captain asked as she watched him work, wanting to be near Seven at the moment, "Did we get most of the supplies we needed?"
"Most of them," Samuel said, not at all bothered by the fact that the captain was hovering, understanding completely. After cleaning the gnarly wound, the projectile that past through her being rather large, he went on as he bandaged it, "That's most of it…some of the smaller parts are stored in the lower compartments in the floor. The meeting went pretty smooth. They shoved each other around a little, but I think that was part of the thing…I don't know, but I never had to get involved. Lieutenant Torres got some information on Venkat, I think, but she said she should wait to talk to you first. Captain, can you help me sit her up for a minute so I can do the back?"
"Sure," Janeway replied, sliding in behind Seven as Wang carefully pulled her forward. Once she was in place, Janeway held her up as Sam quickly cleaned the back and bandaged that too. Cradling Seven's head against hers, the captain, uncaring at this point, kissed the woman's cheek softly as the mild mannered ensign worked, then sighed and rested her head on her shoulder. After he finished that, he put Seven's arm into a sling, all of the medical equipment in their specially designed gear by the Doctor, who had given the man several lessons on advanced, traditional first aid, for cases similar to this when it was really best to just do what they could and then let the Doctor take care of the rest, especially with Seven of Nine because her physiology was so unique.
After the captain slid out from behind her, Wang eased Seven back down and informed, standing, "Unless you have any objections, Captain…I'll let you take care of the rest. She just needs to sleep now. She'll be fine."
Nodding in appreciation for his polite thoughtfulness, Janeway said softly, squeezing his shoulder, "Thank you, Ensign…shut the door on your way out please." Once Samuel Wang departed, closing the door softly as the captain had requested, Janeway took a moment to untie Seven's boots, slip them off, and then pulled the thin sheet and blanket combo from the cot down, and covered her Astrometric's officer to her bare shoulders.
There were so many things running through Kathryn's mind at the moment, she was honestly having difficulty seeing clearly, and she was certain some of her problems were the fact that she had spent almost an hour crawling through filthy tunnels inflaming her sinuses, not to mention that she was still covered in filth, but that certainly wasn't all of it. There was so much to discuss…so many plans to make, so much to find out…so little time to sit there and be incredibly sad that her darling Seven had been wounded, could have been killed. Barely any time to be thankful that she would be fine…but the one thing the captain knew that she absolutely had to make time for at the moment was her engineer, B'Elanna Torres. The knowledge that she had almost been the cause of the woman's death tonight sat in Kathryn's belly like a curd of rotten milk, festering and churning inside until it would no longer be accepted, and had to be released.
As that moment came upon her, Kathryn leaned down, kissed Seven's forehead, mumbled silent apologies and her undying love, then stood and walked soundlessly to the bathroom door. Knocking on it softly, Janeway said, "Lanna, it's me…can I come in?"
Torres, now without her bloodstained shirt, again dressed in her nightclub outfit, slapped her damp hand against the sensor, finally getting the courage to wipe Seven's blood from her skin instead of just leaving it there forever as a reminder of her own stupidity and carelessness, and how she wasn't nearly worth the affection they both honored her with. "Captain, I know there's tons of shit happening…but I have to talk to you right now."
Surprised by that since she also had to talk to Torres right away before she lost her nerve and stuffed the information away like a coward, the captain stood in the doorway and nodded, concerned, B'Elanna's need to talk overriding hers at the moment, "Alright…are you okay?"
B'Elanna sighed and sat down on the toilet, shaking her head and said, "Not exactly." With her head lulled forward toward her knees, the engineer confessed, "Kathryn, I fucked up." Smacking her forehead, she chastised, growling, "I'm so…god, I'm an idiot." Before Janeway could react, Torres stood abruptly and confessed, "My contact ratted us out. When he saw that we were looking for Fynth components, and after I asked him about Vinnie and the hit he was working on…he figured it out, tried to take advantage of it." Shaking her head, she crossed her arms over her chest and said, "He was a nervous wreck…twitching like you wouldn't believe. I thought for sure something was gonna go down. I don't know what the hell happened, but he kept trying to stall, until finally Seven threw him up against the wall and demanded our stuff."
Ideas, emotions, practically utter chaos swirling through her mind, the captain asked, "Do you know this…for certain, B'Elanna?"
"Red," Torres said, having a hard time talking to Janeway as her captain, or lover, or anything right now, thus forgetting which of her benign arsenal of names to use, and since the captain didn't flinch or scold at all, she continued, "I'm damned sure of it!" Then shaking her head, she went on, "But no, I don't know for certain. I don't have any proof, but it makes sense. How the hell else were they tipped off? I think this guy figured it out and tried to capitalize on it on his own somehow. I don't think he was planning on giving up anything tonight, but something went wrong, so he finally just did and we paid him." Shaking her head again, she sat back down, "You were right last night when you doubted me. I should have never tried getting information from him. I obviously don't know shit about this kind of thing anymore. I'm sorry…I'll never do it again." Then covering her eyes, she growled, "And Seven got shot because of it…all of you could have died. I know it, Red…I know that fucker went right to Vinnie after the meeting, once he knew he couldn't bring us in on his own. I know it, Red…god, that was so fucking stupid!"
"Lanna," Janeway said softly, a myriad of thoughts running through her, taunting her to follow as she struggled to keep up. Kneeling down in front of her, she said, "I want you to listen to me. You are not an idiot, and you are not to blame for this. You did your job…you did a wonderful job…and I never doubted you, B'Elanna. I asked if you were sure because I have to do that…I have to make certain you believe you are safe, so sometimes I need you to tell me twice before I believe you believe it." Sighing, Janeway put her head in Torres lap and said, "Yes, something was supposed to happen tonight. You were supposed to be killed…probably both of you. Nick and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to stop it." Completely letting go of the idea that Venkat had set up a hit on her lover thanks to her suggestion because she had to admit that the whole story never quite made sense to her until now, and she was now certain B'Elanna's contact had tried to double-cross them, thus she went on, sitting up straight and looking into her face, "This is dangerous business, Lieutenant. We've all been at risk, at great risk just by being here. We knew asking for Fynth parts could put us in trouble." Shaking her head, she said, "This isn't your fault. I don't even know if they really knew who we were. You're contact could have told Venkat anything. He could have said we were trying to get to him for a hundred reasons, stealing from him…who knows? We'll probably never know, and honestly, I don't care. We got our information, we got most of our supplies, and we got the hell out of there with only minor injuries. You have done nothing wrong, Lieutenant. This is what we have to expect when we deal with people like this. We know it gets ugly…we know we can't trust them, and we just have to do the best we can and pray that it works…which it did."
Standing, Janeway leaned against the wall, crossed her arms over her chest and said, softly, "Lanna, if there is anyone here that has been irresponsible, it's me. Even alluding to the fact that I was interested in putting a hit out on you to someone like Venkat is dangerous." Sighing, "I can't believe I did that, honestly. And I'm sorry I did…it was a terrible thing to do as a captain. And I honestly wouldn't blame you if you filed a complaint…"
"Captain," Torres said standing up, "I'm not upset about that. You don't think that…do you?" When Janeway looked away, the feeling of believing she had almost saw to Torres' death rushing back to her despite the real circumstances, or what they knew of them, B'Elanna demanded, grabbing her shoulders, "Kathyrn, look at me." Once the compact commander did so, B'Elanna went on, "I was just joking yesterday when I said you had me worried. It was a damn good plan, and Seven was watching my back like a hawk" Torres leaned in close and whispered, "Please don't start this again…I can't take it right now. I'm not going to file a complaint either because that's just crazy." B'Elanna sighed, shook her head and said, "If you didn't get the information from that guy, I was going to suggest that you let me and Seven go back to his club and see if we could get the information by trying to set up a hit on you, before I even knew you had beat me to it." When Janeway looked up at her surprised, Torres said, "And I know that if you hadn't been able to get anything from him, you'd have let us try it in a heart beat…wouldn't you?"
"Yes," Janeway said quickly, "but that's different. I'm the captain. It's okay for me to be at risk like that…"
Torres forced herself not to shout as she reminded the stubborn redhead, "Captain, you were at risk…every single second you were with that man you were at risk…serious risk. You went to his private club, let him drool all over you all night with only one person to protect you, and I don't think Vinnie's that type when push comes to shove, he takes no for an answer. That place was full of his men…and none of them were lightweights. They could have worked you two over in a minute." B'Elanna took a few moments to calm down, think everything over, and then shaking her head as she realized they were both second-guessing themselves, almost trying to outdo each other with their own bull-headedness, she managed a chuckle as the hilarity of the situation became clear, and when the captain looked at her like she was possibly having a breakdown, Torres threw her hands over her mouth and stifled her frustration and anxiety driven laughter as best she was able. After a few more minutes, when Janeway stopped frowning at her and actually almost started laughing herself as she too realized what they were doing, again, B'Elanna recovered, threw her arms around Kathryn and said, "This is so stupid, Red. You're right…this is dangerous business, and we did what we had to do for the good of our family. You trusted us, we trusted you…we kicked ass and took names. That's what we're here for." Then pulling back, she kissed Kathryn squarely easing her back against the wall, and then said, "Red, I'm so glad you were here…we did it, cowgirl…we got'em, and I don't honestly think we could have done it without you."
Sniffling, mostly because her allergies were bothering her again as she smeared the dirt from her hands onto her face while she futilely attempting to wipe her nose, the captain sighed, shaking her head, then sneezed softly and said, nasal, "You're right….this is useless. We've risked everything for one person before." Sighing, she said, "I'm sorry…I was just scared I had almost gotten you killed. I thought Venkat had put a hit out on you to have something to hold over my head. I realize now that it was a reach, but I couldn't explain it…and I just…umph…hmm…"
Torres didn't want to hear any more of the captain's theories or regrets, so quieting the woman who always seemed to have something to say the only way she knew how to sometimes, B'Elanna pressed her lips to Janeway's, kissing her deeply almost immediately, and didn't stop until she felt the captain's tongue respond with vigor, the older woman beginning to take control of the kiss. Slowing their lips down with skill and gently settling the captain who she knew was probably still feeling guilty since that was just her way and Torres knew there was little she could do to change that, only assist her with letting it go quicker, B'Elanna finally released her, rested her forehead against the captain's and said in a raspy whisper, "Shut up, Captain."
Chuckling, Janeway whispered back, "Yes, Ma'am." As she lifted her head, she let her lips brush over Torres' for a minute as she mumbled, "I love you, darling…thank you." Then pulling back so she could wipe her running nose again, she reached over and snatched up some toilet paper, then blew her nose. Throwing that into high-tech toilet that recycled the waste efficiently and turned it into completely harmless molecules which could be released into space, but was more often recycled again back into the ship's replicator systems which could make practically anything out of molecules, Janeway said, "God, I must look like I've been dragged on the back of a hovercraft."
As the captain went over to the mirror and groaned at the reflection looking back at her, then started washing her hands and her face, B'Elanna sat down on the toilet, figuring it was okay if she took a few more minutes with Janeway before she returned up front and asked, "What the hell happened to you two?"
After drying her face, the captain shook her head and replied, "Darling, be glad you weren't there. It was dark…absolutely no light…and it was filthy." Sneezing again, she sighed and added, "And unless I missed the cats…Nick and I crawled through a tunnel of mold." Taking the tissue Torres handed her, she said after she blew her nose again, "Thank you." Sneezing again, Kathryn moaned, "I've got to get out of these clothes before my eyes swell shut. Will you grab my bag please?"
As the Klingon did that, Janeway stripped down, stared down the sonic shower for a few moments, then decided she just couldn't take it, so she filled the basin with water and gave herself a sponge bath while she explained the days events to the engineer in short detail, but spent some time on the personal moments she had spent with Fowler, knowing such a happenstance would improve the engineer's mood exponentially. Once she was thoroughly clean, she asked Torres to take the criminal clothes and washcloths to the recycler to be cleaned since she didn't want to risk touching them. While B'Elanna did that, Janeway used the dermal regenerator to heal the small scrapes on her arms and legs, then used the hypospray to assist her sinuses, sighing in relief as she instantly felt the pressure building in her nasal cavity abate quickly as her eyes finally stopped watering. After that, as Torres returned with her shinny new duds, the captain, with a smile on her face, donned her normal habit, taking solace in the feeling of her body being covered in the material she had come to lean upon in for so many years. Once that was done, she was able to face the sonic shower with less spite, and as Torres snickered at her while she closed her eyes and plugged her ears, Kathryn activated the device and let it do what it could to remove the dirt and gunk from her hair. Sighing, Janeway slapped the sensor of the 'horrid' device, shook her head, ran her fingers through her hair and said, "Oh, it feels good to be me again."
B'Elanna smiled while she announced, "You know, Red…you looked hot in those other clothes, but," giving Janeway an up and down while smirking her famous grin, she added, "no one does the uniform better than you." Hugging her, Torres whispered, "I love you, Captain Cowgirl…don't ever change."
Laughing softly, Janeway rubbed her knuckles across B'Elanna's abdomen and said looking down, "Well, thank you, darling…but if I never change, I think you might actually get tired of seeing me in this outfit." When Torres rolled her eyes, then swatted her fanny, calling her a smart-ass, the captain walked away, looking at Seven and said, shaking her finger in the air, "Keeps it interesting…remember?"
After everyone took turns cleaning up, healing any minor scratches they had, Ensign Wang having to do several minutes of work on Nicole Fowler's back where she had scratched her skin fairly good in a couple of places while she climbed out of the elevator with the captain, and after they had a bite to eat, none of them nearly relaxed enough to even consider sleep, Kathryn slipped into the aft compartment, feeling the need to be a nice captain again since part of her was still mad as hell at herself for putting B'Elanna at risk, even if her fears hadn't been entirely accurate, as far as she knew, and dug out her presents for her crew. Feeling somewhat wistful, and something akin to Santa Claus, Janeway carried the bag of 'toys' up into the forward compartment after looking after Seven, pressing her hand to her forehead, checking for a fever, a habit she wasn't certain she'd ever get out of after caring for the ex-drone the week prior to the removal of her abdominal implant.
Clearing her throat, the captain said, "While you were all out doing the dirty work today, Lieutenant Fowler and I thought we'd take it upon ourselves to spend a little of our 'thieved' coins while we had them. I was going to wait to give these to you all later, but I've never been very good at waiting for anything," which got a small chuckle out of each of them, even Tuvok raised his eyebrow and nodded his head, "so," digging out the scroll for Wang, "Ensign…Miss Fowler said you'd have use for this…"
Samuel smiled softly, his pale and practically ageless face turning humbled and thankful at the same time while he bowed his head in respect to the captain, then to Fowler, who gave him a thumb's up and responded, in Japanese since that was where his family has lived for several generations, "Hai…domo arigato gozaimasu (Yes, thank you very much)."
After patting Samuel's back, thanking him for his outstanding work, she moved over to Torres and said, "Lieutenant, I believe you were drooling over these?"
Snatching up the tool case, Torres' entire face lit up like a proverbial Christmas tree as she opened it and fondled the myriad of alien tools, some of them she still wasn't certain if she could use, but thinking they were nicest things she had seen in forever. Then remembering how much the tools had cost, B'Elanna whipped her head back to Kathryn and thanked, in her own way, "Captain…these weren't cheap."
"No," the captain said softly, endeared by the look on her engineer's face, "but this was," Janeway added, producing the silver ring the merchant had given her. Shrugging, she explained, "The merchant said you'd like it…so he gave it to me for you…said something about it speaking of pride, his word for honor, I assume." Then taking Torres' hand, she slipped the thick, silver band on her thumb, since she thought that it would just look best there, then said, looking over her shoulder, "If you'll all excuse me for a moment," as she leaned down and kissed B'Elanna sweetly, right in front of everyone, something she had never done before, expect in from of Chakotay, who was just different to them both. Then pulling away, she nodded and whispered, "You're welcome, darling."
Standing straight as Torres flushed while Fowler snickered at the Klingon, Janeway tapped her index finger on the tool case and said, "Something tells me you'll be getting a lot of use out of those very soon, Chief…think of it as a well deserved upgrade with an aesthetic flare."
Before Torres could say anything, Janeway turned around, looked at Tuvok and said, "Commander, I know this can't replace the lovely one you lost, but this just had your name written all over it." Producing the three-tiered candleholder, she handed it over to him and said, "Thank you, old friend…you've done a marvelous job with this group, as usual."
Tuvok raised his eyebrow softly, admiring the craftsmanship, the captain able to read his reaction easily, then acknowledged, bobbing his head once in gratitude, "Thank you, Captain. The workmanship is impressive. I will undoubtedly get a great deal of use from it."
Smiling, Janeway patted his shoulder and whispered, "Maybe you should think about bolting it to your table though, huh?"
"A wise suggestion," Tuvok noted, which made the captain chuckle.
When Janeway thanked them all again and started for the aft compartment, Torres piped up and asked, "Hey, wait a minute. What about you and Nick…didn't you two get something?"
Smirking, Janeway looked over at Fowler and answered, "As a matter of fact, we both got nice things." Then grinning devilishly, the captain started back for the front as she said, snapping her fingers, on purpose, "Miss Fowler, I think I'm in the mood for more happy songs…if you please."
Fowler laughed, nodded and stood up, understanding that the captain was keeping her end of the bargain and requesting music at the snap of her fingers, Nicole took the bag from Kathryn's hand and said, "Coming right up, Captain." When Torres looked at them both like they were crazy, Nick said, "Torres…you're gonna die when you see what I got." Running into the back, Fowler put away the bag, took out her shinny new, cherry red guitar, then jumped back into the forward compartment, clearing the steps in a single bound, as the captain manned the helm and sang, "Tada!"
Her mouth falling open, B'Elanna jumped up and exclaimed, "Get out of here! She bought you a guitar?" When Fowler nodded, Torres punched her arm and said, "Not bad, Fowler…guess you're not as useless as I thought you were?"
"Stuff it, shrimp," Fowler rallied, laughing, and walking up to the chair opposite the captain. "Any requests, Captain?"
Since the shuttle was on auto-pilot, Janeway stood up and answered, fetching a cup of java, "Actually, yes…play that stealing and lying song again. I'm rather fond of it actually." Taking her coffee out of the energy grid as Fowler got situated, she turned to Tuvok and asked, teasing him, "You don't mind a little road music, do you, Commander?"
As Janeway returned to the helm, smiling, Tuvok stated, "It seems as though I do not have a choice, Captain."
"I'll save the electric setting for later, Commander," Fowler smiled, glancing over at Torres, who snapped her head toward her, mouth gapping a second time. Laughing heartily, the brunette looked over at Janeway, who was turned toward the window, sipping her coffee and chuckling, knowingly, even though she couldn't see the look on Torres' face, but clearly able to picture it and reported, "Captain, she's foaming at the mouth already…stand by with the sedative."
Once they all stopped laughing at Torres, who gave the tall pilot the finger quickly before Janeway saw her and schooled the gesture, Fowler cleared her throat and said, "Once again, folks…this goes out to a fire devil I know…"
Opening her blue eyes, the lids fluttering heavily as she emerged from the fog of unconsciousness while the recent events processed through her neural processor, Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct to Unimatrix 01, formerly Annika Hansen before she was assimilated by the Borg Collective, immediately started registering data and became aware of her surroundings and her status. "I am Borg. My designation is Seven of Nine. I am an individual. I am lying on a cot in the Delta Flyer. Our present status, course and position are unknown. I am damaged and without adequate clothing. This is insufficient and unacceptable." However, as she attempted to sit up, she became aware that her right shoulder was harnessed in some fashion, keeping her from being able to utilize it, and the small amount of pain she felt when she attempted to move informed her that she was required to remain in her current state. Never one to enjoy feeling disoriented or unable to function efficiently, Seven sighed and requested, "Computer, state the time."
"The time is 0306 hours."
Understanding that she had been asleep for almost four hours since the last time she remembered anything the time was 2315 hours, Seven was about to hail the captain when she realized she heard music coming from the other compartment. Thinking that was peculiar, to say the least, Seven titled her head slightly to the side just enough so that she could see into the forward compartment where the door remained open. From her angle, she could barely make out the arm of Kathryn Janeway, recognizing it immediately, despite that every one was wearing their uniforms again, as the woman sat at the helm, faced forward but draped her upper limbs on the arm rests of the black, leather chair. "Kathryn is undamaged. B'Elanna Torres is singing…she is undamaged. This is acceptable." The Borg was certain no one had heard the computer answer since the music, although not loud, was still playing steadily, and even though she knew she could definitely get Kathryn's attention if she needed to, she decided to wait until the song had ended before she informed her that she was lucid. Recognizing the tune as one that Nicole Fowler played on many occasions, Seven put her head back on the pillow and lightly hummed along with it, finding it a pleasing melody, although not nearly as good as You Are My Sunshine or Devotion and waited patiently since even though she was damaged, she was clearly functioning fairly acceptably. "I will 'live.'"
Once the music ceased, Seven raised her head again and proclaimed loudly and evenly, although a great deal more politely than she had before on several occasions, "Captain Kathryn Janeway, I have completed my regeneration cycle. Your assistance is required at this time…please comply." When she saw the redhead turn to look through the door, smile brightly and then hop up as Wang and Torres bounded to their feet as well, Seven, pleased with herself for not soundly unduly harsh, even though she wasn't certain as of yet what kind of mood she was in, laid her head back and turned toward the space where Wang, then Torres, and finally Janeway occupied.
Once Samuel knelt down beside her and started running a medical tricorder over her shoulder as he asked her how she was while B'Elanna started with her standard greeting of, "Hiya, dollface," and Kathryn, coffee in hand, leaned on the upper cot and looked in on her smiling, but remained silent, Seven stated, to Wang, "I am damaged and without sufficient clothing...however, I continue to function."
Then looking to Torres, who was smiling brightly at her, Seven continued, "Greetings, B'Elanna Torres." Then furrowing her brow, she stated, "You were not required to assist me in the manner you did previously. I was capable of reaching our destination."
Laughing along with the captain, Torres shot back, "Good to have you back, Seven…it's just not the same without your proclamations of superiority."
Raising her eyebrow, Seven turned to the captain and asked, "What is our status?"
"We're on our way home," Janeway smirked, "all's clear so far." Looking to Wang, Janeway asked, "How is she, Ensign?"
"Her nanoprobes are doing a bang up job, Captain," Samuel smiled, closing the tricorder. "By the time we get back, there won't be much the Doctor will have to do that's not cosmetic."
Seven turned to Wang and stated, "I am Borg. We are efficient. When will I be able to remove myself from this position?"
"Seven," Janeway stepped in quickly, "you're going to stay right where you are until we get home." When the cranky Borg turned to her and opened her mouth to protest, Janeway smiled and said lightly, "And yes, that's an order."
"Captain," Seven went on anyway, "I am capab…"
"Seven," Janeway jumped in again, although still easy and without harshness, knowing Seven was just feeling uncomfortable and disoriented, as she tended to whenever she woke up and couldn't do what she needed to feel normal, "you've been shot." Once that plain proclamation was out, she continued, "Mister Wang has done the best he could under the circumstances to assist you, but you aren't healed, and you won't be until the Doctor tends to you, and I won't release you to active duty until that happens." As the Borg continued to look at her defiant, Janeway dipped her head, looked at her square in the eyes and finished, "Comply please."
Sighing, Seven nodded once and said, "Very well, Captain…I will comply." Brushing off Janeway since she was irritated at the stubborn woman as Wang put away the tricorder and stated back to the forward compartment, smartly closing the door for fear the Borg would suddenly change her mind and the captain would have to scold her, Seven informed, "B'Elanna Torres, I require your assistance."
Torres hoped to hell Seven wasn't about to ask her to do something she wasn't supposed to as she tended to do in these situations, so tentatively as Janeway remained perfectly calm and sipped her coffee, B'Elanna asked, "What?"
"I do not wish to go without sufficient clothing at this time. Please replicate an undergarment similar to the one you wore earlier and assist me while dressing."
The Klingon shot a look to the captain quickly, asking for permission since she had no idea what the captain would find unacceptable at this moment. When Janeway nodded her head, just slightly once, B'Elanna said, "Right…be back in a flash."
Slowly, as Torres went into the other room, Janeway made her way over to the to Seven's cot, perched on the edge and asked, quietly, "Darling, how's your shoulder…are you in any pain?"
Certain she was perturbed at the captain, Seven turned her head toward Janeway and answered, clipped, "No."
The good captain remained completely pleasant and even and asked, ignoring Seven's attitude, remembering the acid the blonde had spat when she was stuck in Sickbay while she recovered from her surgery, and thinking this was rather friendly compared to that, "Do you need anything? Something to eat or drink?" Smirking, she flirted, "Maybe a kiss…or two…" speaking in her sultry tones, "or three?"
Seven sighed, turned her head away from the captain and informed, "You are attempting to console me. I am aware of this…it is typical behavior." Then thinking it over, she stated, "Very well, please retrieve a glass of water for me." Then turning her head back, she added, "You may kiss me as well."
As Torres started through the door, Janeway asked, motioning for the engineer to throw her the top, "B'Elanna…will you get a glass of water with a straw too, please?" Catching the black garment as Torres chucked it, then turned and started back up the steps, the captain leaned over Seven, grazed her knuckles across her cheek, and whispered, "Oh, I love you..." Then leaning down, she pressed her lips to the blonde's softly, kissed her like that three times, then asked as she pulled away, "Was that acceptable?"
Over her bad mood instantly once the captain spoke to her intimately, even before she had kissed her, Seven stated, "That is correct, my Kathryn. I love you as well." As soon as B'Elanna came back into the room as Janeway disengaged from the cot, moving over to the other side of the room for some reason, Seven stated, "B'Elanna Torres, thank you for your assistance this evening." Then smirking, she went on as the Klingon set the glass down and perched on the cot while Janeway dug through a compartment, "I believe I have underestimated your species once again. I am aware that lifting me is not considered an 'easy' task. However, you were efficient."
As Janeway chuckled and called Seven a sweet talker, Torres smiled and said, "You know, dollface," pulling back Seven's blanket's to her feet and slipping the top around her ankles, slowly pulling it up, "you keep saying nice things to me like that, and, " at her waist now, "I might just stop hating you." Carefully, she slid the top under Seven's wrapped arm and then over her bosom. Straightening out the undergarment so it covered her fairly well, Torres smiled and said, "Nice outfit." Then looking over at Janeway as she approached with a black bag in her hand, the chief smiled and said, "Okay, I'm gonna kiss you now and leave you to Santa." Then before Seven could ask her what the newest designation for the captain, who had many names, meant, Torres kissed her sweetly, told her she loved her and then exited.
Answering the Borg's question for her, Janeway explained, "Santa…as in Santa Claus." When Seven furrowed her brow, Janeway smiled and said, perching on the cot, "Look it up when we get back." When Seven nodded and accepted that, never being adverse to doing research, the captain started, "I went to see the merchant today." Sighing, she sat the heavy pouch down for a moment and continued, softly, "He told me quite a lot of things." Smirking, she leaned over Seven, ran her knuckles over her face as she loved to do as often as possible, "Apparently, he was quite taken with you…angelia. He informed me that I was, and I quote, 'your devil and the black witch that tempts you.'" Chuckling, she went on, "Actually, he had several names for me…but his favorite was fire devil."
Shaking her head, as Seven raised her eyebrow at that one, Janeway continued, "He was a very wise man actually, and," sighing, "although, I'm glad you didn't go back to him because of it…I'd be lying if I said there wasn't more to his ability than just telepathy."
Surprised, Seven queried, quickly, "You believe he could see the future?"
Clearing her throat, knowing she had to be very careful with explaining this, the captain answered, "Well," sighing, not being able to lie to Seven, "yes, darling…at least, he knew of events that would take place in the near future, but," bringing her finger to Seven's lips as the Borg started to ask her a hundred questions at once, she went on, "and I want you to try to understand as best you can, his knowledge isn't all-knowing. He could predict events according to character traits that he could sense with his telepathic abilities. No one can ever know the future, Seven. Days, events, a certain mood you're in can take you on a completely different path from what is predicted, but yes, he did tell me something that was very important, and probably saved Nick's and my life…but only because I followed his advise, against my better judgement, honestly. He didn't tell me what would happen, just told me which way to go. If I hadn't listened to him…it could have turned out very different. It was only advise…not the entire story. Do you understand?"
"Kathryn," Seven asked, honestly curious and stymied, "why did you follow the merchant's advise?"
Janeway looked down, away from Seven's gaze, shook her head and said, "I did it because of what he told me…the similarities were too uncanny. He told me to go to the right in the night, and not the left, and to keep Nick close to me or she would fall. I assumed that meant she would be wounded, or possibly killed. So, when I found myself faced with two tunnels, each completely dark, and the right one leading away from the Delta Flyer, I figured the moment of truth was upon me." Looking back at Seven, she admitted, "I think he knew that if I were alone during this, I wouldn't have followed his advise, so he informed me that my crewman would be hurt if I didn't…betting in that case, I would…which was true." Smiling, at Seven, she added, "And, I'm certain he told me that because he was fond of you and knew…well, knew you'd be upset if I was hurt." Janeway shrugged and said, "I don't honestly know, Seven. I wish I had more answers for you…but I don't honestly know."
Still curious, Seven asked, directly, "Did the merchant tell you my path?"
Janeway swallowed, nodding her head quickly and said, "Yes, that was when he called me the black witch that tempts you. Said that you were too good for fire devils," she laughed softly, but spoke proudly for Seven's status, "but that I was your path, and that it couldn't be changed, which of course, puts the responsibility for you in my hands." Smiling, Janeway informed, "And that, my love, isn't difficult to sense at all…since it is the truth…in a way."
"That is correct," Seven nodded, happy with that completely. "He did not tell you anything that I did not already know, and I would have informed him of this. I would have also informed him, however, that I am not 'too good' for you, and that such a statement was inaccurate and furthermore, he was required to recant it immediately."
"Yes, that's why I think he liked you so much…well, one of the reasons," the captain replied, chuckling in mirth.
"Did he tell you your path?"
The captain remained quiet for a moment, then took a quick breath, tilted her head and said, "More or less nothing I already didn't know, sweetheart." Smiling, she resumed her stroking of Seven's face and said, "According to him, I'm supposed to smile more, play with B'Elanna, seek and listen to you for answers and keep you very close to me because you are my bright…or my smile…my happiness, salvation…the list goes on and on." Then smirking, she added, "And I'm not supposed to make deals with the devil, which apparently, I'm prone to doing." Grabbing the black pouch, Janeway said, "There were a few other things he said, but they're not important right now. He did however want you to have this…he thought you might like it."
Seven smiled in a supremely rare flash of pearly white teeth, went to grasp the sphere with her Borg hand, and then stopped, stating, "I do not wish to damage it." Smiling still as Janeway held it up for her, Seven peered into it and sighed in relief, "It remains without imperfections." Then looking over to Janeway who was peering into it, checking it out herself, Seven said, "Kathryn, thank you for retrieving it for me and for speaking with the merchant on my behalf." The Borg looked away for a moment, thinking the data over, then back to her and remarked, "I am displeased that I will not be able to adequately thank him for offering advise to you which kept you from harm, or for giving me the Tomorrow Sphere…however, I am most pleased that you were able to speak with him, and although I cannot be certain, I feel as though you do not look upon the experience as negative."
When Janeway shook her head softly, corroborating that, Seven continued, "This will assist me with my future endeavors regarding spirituality, I am certain." Sighing happily, Seven looked back at the sphere and said, "I am pleased we crossed paths. I will think fondly upon him and remember this moment each time I admire this sphere." Raising her eyebrows in surprise, Seven stated, "I believe I now understand the functionality of 'stuff.' It is to remember significant moments." Seven sighed again in contentment that came with success, "Stuff is not irrelevant." Turning back to the captain who was giving her one of the mushiest looks she had ever seen, the ex-drone repeated, "Thank you for acquiring my first significant artifact, my beautiful Kathryn. I will cherish it always…and think upon you fondly, as I always do, when I admire its perfection as well."
As large, wet tears formed in Janeway's eyes, Seven ignored them, not because they bothered her, but simply to continue to be charming for her lover, "However, I will create a stasis field for this item to keep it undamaged…in the event that you attempt to 'make a deal with the devil,' and Voyager comes under fire." Glancing up at Janeway as tears followed freely down the redhead's face, "It is typical behavior, my fire devil."
"Seven," Janeway cried, wiping her tears away with her free hand, "you'll never know how much I love you…ever." Sniffling, she stated as her voice cracked, "It's simply not possible to calculate, darling."
Taking the hand of the woman who was her captain, her mentor, her lover, her best friend, and her path, she brought the knuckles to her lips and informed, "Then I will continue to 'do the math' until I cease to function, Kathryn." Raising her eyebrow, she reminded, pointedly, "I am Borg. The time it takes is irrelevant. Resistance is futile."
fin