Dream a little dream of me
Kathryn sighed heavily. She was sitting waiting for her tribunal to begin. The Voyager had arrived back in the alpha Quadrant three weeks earlier, and they had been hailed as heroes. Then reality had set in and the accusations began to be thrown. Kathryn had found herself the target of a Federation Witch-hunt, and she had been charged with several infractions, including contravening the Prime Directive, for her part in taking Seven of Nine from the Borg. Seven herself had also been charged, with crimes against humanity.
To Kathryn’s dismay all the Maquis members of her crew had been charged with subversion, and with plotting the downfall of the Federation. Tom Paris had been returned to the penal colony in New Zealand, and even Harry Kim had found himself facing charges of disobeying orders. It seemed that they had invented charges against every member of her crew, except Naomi Wildman. She sat with her head in her hands, her distress at causing her crew more heartache by her actions was overwhelming.
The door opened, and a robed member of the Federation Council stepped into the corridor. “Kathryn Janeway.” He stated, calling her to order.
She stood up and followed him into the room. She didn’t have legal counsel as she had been notified that this was not a formal hearing, merely a meeting to let her know with what she was being charged. She stared ahead of her; there were 23 members of the Federation High Council sitting around a long oval table. Admiral Paris smiled apologetically at her from his position on one end of the table. She didn’t return his smile, fearful of the consequences.
“Captain Kathryn Janeway, you are charged with the crime of contravening the Federation Prime Directive in your actions in removing a member of the Borg from her collective. How do you plead?” A robed Official called.
Kathryn looked at him in shock. “I wasn’t aware that this was a trial.” She said, looking back to the Council members facing her.
No one would look her in the eye. “How do you plead?” The Official repeated.
Kathryn looked around desperately. “I have no one to defend me, this is not fair.” She cried.
“You have been found guilty as charged, and you will be stripped of your rank and all its privileges. In addition you are sentenced to spend the rest of your natural life on the penal satellite Proton.” The Official continued.
Kathryn looked at him in surprise, he looked familiar but she couldn’t place him. “I *will* have my revenge on you Arachnia!” The Official called, and Kathryn realized that Chaotica was the man trying her.
“But wait!” She cried, Chaotica ignored her and paced across in front of her.
Kathryn was tied to a golden post, her arms restrained behind her, and she felt helpless. Suddenly the doors burst open again. Chaotica turned and gasped. “Captain Proton.” He hissed.
Kathryn turned her head and saw Seven of Nine dressed as Captain Proton heading towards her. “I will save you Arachnia!” She cried.
Kathryn awoke with a start and sat up. She was sweating and out of breath. She waited until she had regained her breath, and then turned her head to glance at the clock beside the bed. It was 3.23am. She lay back down, and wondered whether she would ever sleep through the night again.
It had been three weeks since they had arrived back in the Alpha Quadrant, and although they had been welcomed home as heroes, Kathryn was to be held accountable for every infringement of the Prime Directive that had occurred on their seven year journey. She knew that as Captain she was responsible for the actions of her crew, but she also felt that it was unfair to be charged with nearly 3000 crimes. Crimes that had only come to light after someone had chosen to run the entire ship’s log through a database that searched for records of infractions. She lay staring up at the ceiling, wondering how long it would be before she was finally charged and could get on with her life.
She slipped back into a fitful slumber.
The alarm clock buzzed at 7.20am waking her from another dream. In this one she was floating over her mother’s farm in Indiana watching her sister and mother struggling to pull a cow out of a ditch. She could only float above them, unable to help in any way.
She rose from her bed and grabbed a gown to wrap around herself. It wasn’t cold in her San Francisco apartment, but it wasn’t warm either. She walked into the kitchen and commanded hot black coffee from the replicator. She walked back to the huge window that over looked the bay. A fog was rolling in under the Golden Gate Bridge, and she watched in fascination as everything in its path slowly disappeared into its depths. It was one of the aspects of life in San Francisco that she would constantly be amazed by. She sipped her coffee and planned her activities for the day. The door chime rang, and Kathryn turned her head slightly. “Computer identify caller.” She asked.
“Seven of Nine, former Borg.” The computer stated.
Kathryn would never get used to the male voice that her home computer had. She missed the delicate and friendly tones of her ships computer. “Enter.” She called, and the door swooshed open.
Seven of Nine stepped in to the room. She was wearing a dark blue dress. Kathryn guessed that the material was soft wool judging by the way it moved around her long, shapely legs. Kathryn smiled, truly pleased to see her former crewmember standing before her. “Seven, how wonderful to see you.” She said enthusiastically.
Seven returned her smile with a nod of her head. Her hands were clasped behind her back and Janeway couldn’t resist smiling. Although Seven had clearly embraced her femininity, she was still the same old Seven. "Captain, you are not clothed, I am sorry that I have disturbed you so early in the day." Seven said, not smiling.
“Please, Seven don't worry, sit down, can I get you a drink?” Kathryn asked.
Seven hesitated briefly before settling in a large over stuffed armchair. “A cup of tea would be very nice thank you Captain.” She said, pulling her skirt down so that it covered her knees.
Kathryn smiled to herself. Seven wasn’t quite comfortable in her new attire. “Of course, any particular type of tea?” She asked, walking towards the kitchen.
Seven didn’t reply for a moment, and Kathryn looked back at her. “You chose.” Seven said, and Kathryn wondered if she was ok, her voice was slightly raspy.
She went into the kitchen and retrieved a cup of china tea from the replicator, she hoped that Seven would enjoy her choice. Once back in the living room, Kathryn placed the teacup on the low table in front of Seven. She heard Seven inhale sharply and looked up. “Are you ok Seven? You look rather pale.” She said.
Seven shook her head, and her hair wafted around her shoulders gently. “I am fine thank you.” She said quietly.
Kathryn took a seat on the sofa opposite her. “What can I do for you?” She asked, crossing her legs as she spoke.
“Captain, I wondered if I might ask for your assistance.” Seven said, averting her eyes from the long smooth thigh that was revealed as Kathryn’s robe slipped.
“Of course, you know that if there is anything that I can do for you I will.” Kathryn said, reaching forward for her coffee.
“I have applied for entry to the Star Fleet academy and I need a letter of recommendation.” Seven said, staring resolutely in the opposite direction.
Kathryn smiled. “Of course, it would be a great pleasure for me to write a letter for you.” She said, leaning forward again.
Seven finally turned and smiled at her former Captain. “I know that you are to be charged with several crimes Captain, is there anything that I can do to help you?” She asked.
Kathryn sat back again. “At this stage I don’t even know the specifics of the charges Seven. But if there is anything that you can do to help, then I will be sure to contact you.” She said, sipping her coffee.
The two women sat looking at each other for a short time, and then Seven rose from her chair. “I will leave you now, I should have called before coming around. I am sorry to have disturbed you.” She said, and quickly left the room.
Kathryn sat staring at the door for several minutes after Seven had left. She had detected that there was something bothering the younger woman, and she was worried about her. ‘I wonder why she didn’t talk to me more.’ She thought as she stood up.
Kathryn picked up the teacup that Seven had barely drunk from. The ring of ruby red lipstick that had left an impression of Seven’s lush lips on the edge of the cup held Kathryn’s attention for longer than perhaps it should. She inhaled deeply and unfocused from the cup, and went back into the kitchen.
She had got to know Seven and her little quirks over the five years they had spent together on board the Voyager, and she was very fond of the young Borg woman. Kathryn had helped Seven to discover her humanity, and had watched the young woman blossom from a shy and nervous half Borg, to a strong willed and confident human being. Janeway swelled with pride as she remembered how Seven had developed under her tutelage. She cared a great deal for Seven, the way a parent would care for their child, and she hoped that she would be able to help Seven to enter Star Fleet academy. The door chimed again and Kathryn went out into the living room.
"Computer identify caller." She said.
"Seven of Nine, former Borg." The unfriendly male voice intoned.
Kathryn smiled slightly and looked down at the floor. "Come in." She said, and the door swooshed open.
Seven stepped into the room again. "I apologize for disturbing you again Captain, but I wondered if I could talk to you about something else?" Seven said, jumping slightly as the door closed behind her.
Kathryn indicated the chair that Seven had just vacated. "Of course, sit down." She said, settling herself into the large sofa opposite the younger woman.
Seven's eyes strayed down Kathryn's leg as the open robe revealed it, and Kathryn adjusted the soft material to cover herself again. Seven cleared her throat audibly. "What was it you wanted Seven?" Kathryn asked, concerned that Seven was in some sort of trouble.
"I am concerned about the charges that Star Fleet are bringing against you." Seven said, looking up again.
Kathryn smiled. "Seven that is okay. It is only to be expected, they can't be seen to be treating me any differently to any other Captain who breaks the rules. There are however extenuating circumstances that I know will be taken into account. Admiral Paris has advised me that I will be given ample opportunity to defend my actions to the council. Don't worry Seven, I am sure that if they need clarification on any of the details that they will speak to the officers involved." She said gently.
Seven didn't look satisfied with her answer. "I want to help." She said, said raising her ocular implant.
Kathryn's heart melted. "Seven that is very sweet of you, but at this point I have no idea what is going to happen. But be assured that I will come to you if I need your help." She said.
Seven still didn't smile, simply stared intently at the older woman. Kathryn sat back again. "Captain, I wonder. Would you like to go for breakfast somewhere?" Seven asked finally.
Kathryn didn't usually eat breakfast. Not any more. Not since she had realized, to her horror, that she had put on several pounds in weight since arriving back in the Delta Quadrant. She knew that she should eat breakfast and miss out a meal later in the day, but with all the official dinners and lunch meetings that she had to attend, that was virtually impossible. "Yes of course." She said, and stood up.
"I will have to change though." She said, and looked down at Seven.
Seven's breathing deepened noticeably, and Kathryn thought she looked very pale. "Seven are you ok?" She asked, leaning down to touch Seven's shoulder.
Seven leaned back and looked away. "Yes I am fine Captain." She said, and Kathryn stood up again.
"Ok I won't be a moment." She said, and swept into the bedroom.
She strode across to the bathroom and stopped in shock when she saw her reflection in the full-length mirror on the wall. Her robe was virtually see through, and she realized that she might as well have been naked in front of Seven. "Damn." She muttered to herself, as she slipped out of the robe and climbed into the sonic shower.
Ten minutes later she walked back into the living room, fully clothed. Seven had stood up and was looking at Kathryn's book collection. Mark had stored her belongings, and had shipped them to her new home when she had arrived back. Kathryn hadn't looked at the books much, other than to put them in alphabetical order on the shelf. Many of them held special memories for her, and she was glad that she had them back in her life. "Shall we go?" She asked, and Seven turned around.
Kathryn saw that she held a small book in her hands, it was open at the inscription page, and Kathryn blushed slightly. The book was a Twentieth Century feminist novel by Erica Jong, called Fear of Flying, and one of Kathryn's room mates from the Academy had given it to her as a reminder of their late night discussions. The young Kathryn had been utterly fascinated by the book, and the sexual freedom that it promoted. Andrea had inscribed the book 'To my dearest, most precious Kathryn, I will never forget you, or the many hot and steamy nights we spent together, with all my love Andrea. XXX'
Seven looked at her quizzically. "Who was Andrea?" She asked.
Kathryn blushed slightly. "She was one of my room mates at the Academy. We had a lot of fun." She said, reaching for the book and remembering.
Seven turned towards her. "She was your romantic partner?" She asked.
"Oh no, goodness no, she was just a friend. Like you Seven, a close friend." Kathryn said, quickly replacing the book on the shelf.
Seven inclined her head as Kathryn turned away. "Now where shall we go for breakfast?" She asked, walking towards the door.
**************************
Kathryn sighed heavily. She was sitting waiting for her tribunal to begin. The Voyager had arrived back in the alpha Quadrant six weeks earlier, and upon their arrival they had been hailed as heroes. Then reality had set in and the accusations began to be thrown. Kathryn had found herself the target of Federation Regulations, and she had been charged with several thousand crimes, not the least of which was violating the Prime Directive for her part in taking Seven of Nine from the Borg. Seven herself had also been charged, with several thousand counts of murder.
To Kathryn’s dismay all the Maquis members of her crew had been charged with subversion, and with plotting the downfall of the Federation, Chakotay had already been sentenced to death for Treason, and the Klingon High Command had taken B'Elanna back to Kronos for sentencing. Tom Paris had been returned to the penal colony in New Zealand and was now serving out his time breaking down shuttle craft for spare parts. It seemed that they had invented charges against every member of her crew, even Naomi Wildman had been charged as an accomplice. Kathryn sat with her head in her hands, her distress at causing her crew more heartache by her actions was overwhelming.
The door opened, and a robed member of the Federation Council stepped into the corridor. “Kathryn Janeway.” He stated, calling her to order.
She stood up and followed him into the room. She didn’t have legal counsel as she had been notified that this was not a formal hearing, merely a meeting to let her know with what she was being charged. She stared ahead of her, there were 2 members of the Federation High Council sitting opposite her at a long oval table. Admiral Paris smirked at her from his position in one of the high backed wooden chairs. She looked away in confusion.
“Captain Kathryn Janeway, you have been found guilty of the crime of murder against a former member of the Borg Seven of Nine. Do you have anything to say?” A robed Official called.
Kathryn's heart nearly stopped. "Murder?" She asked.
The official looked down at her from his perch high above the court. "Yes murder young lady." Her father said, and Kathryn was once again the tiny child accused of a wrong doing that she knew wasn't her responsibility.
"But daddy, I didn't kill her." She said, even her voice sounded different.
"Silence in court!" An official shouted, and Kathryn hunched her shoulders protectively.
"Bring in the Borg Queen." Paris shouted from his seat, which suddenly seemed to be very tall.
The huge wooden doors opened and the Borg Queen walked in. She was smiling benignly, but Kathryn's heart raced. She knew that this woman was not to be underestimated, and she turned to the council members. She knew that they didn't know, that the Queen was there to assimilate them all. "Wait." She heard herself shout.
"Captain?" A familiar voice called, and Kathryn saw Seven of Nine up at the ceiling with her father.
"Seven?" She called, craning her neck to see if the young woman was ok.
Seven suddenly let go of the ropes that she was holding, and she plunged to the ground, landing on the top of the Borg Queen. They lay in a tangle of arms and legs. Kathryn rushed over to them. "Seven?" She cried.
The alarm clock buzzed and Kathryn sat up with a start. She was sweating and breathing heavily, her heart was racing, and she placed her hand on her breast. After a few moments she had calmed down sufficiently to reach across and switch off the alarm clock. It was 7.21am and Kathryn slid her legs out of the bed. There was a definite chill in the air that morning, and she reached for her robe. As she pulled it on, she walked across to the huge picture window.
She sighed, the Golden Gate Bridge was obscured by fog again, and she pulled the heavy glass window closed to shut out the chill autumn air. Kathryn yawned as she walked into the kitchen. She had at least slept for several hours. Probably the longest in any night since they got back from the Delta Quadrant. She ordered coffee from the replicator and sipped it gratefully. She was about to settle into the sofa and check her mail when the door chimed. "Your caller is Seven of Nine, former Borg." The feminine voice said.
Kathryn shook her head. She had managed to change the voice on her computer, but it wasn't the voice that she knew and loved. "Come in Seven." She called, and the door swooshed open.
"Captain." Seven said as she stepped into the room.
"I don't know why you don't just move in." Kathryn muttered as Seven headed straight into the kitchen to retrieve her regular cup of tea.
Seven reappeared in the doorway holding a steaming mug of tea in both hands. She leaned against the doorframe and Kathryn marveled at the level of confidence that Seven had gained in three short weeks. "Good morning Captain." She said, smiling slightly.
"Good morning Seven." Kathryn said, and sipped her coffee.
"I have my interview this morning Captain." Seven said, pushing herself off the door frame and crossing the room to the large arm chair that she usually occupied.
Kathryn smiled. "Well that is great Seven, I am sure you will do really well." She said, and realized that she was getting a headache.
"Are you quite well Captain?" Seven asked, seeing Kathryn's slight frown.
"I have a headache coming on." She said, rubbing her temples with one hand.
"Do you require medical attention?" Seven asked in concern.
She placed her teacup on the low table in front of her and leaned forward. Kathryn shook her head. "No it is ok, it will go away soon enough." She assured the younger woman.
"This is the third morning that you have developed a headache, are you sure you are not sickening with something?" Seven asked, still leaning forward.
"No Seven, it is lack of sleep." Kathryn said, trying to smile cheerfully.
"You are not sleeping?" Seven asked sitting back again.
"I am sleeping Seven, I am simply having trouble falling asleep, and then I am awakened by my alarm clock soon after."
"Perhaps you should not set the alarm clock so early in the day." Seven offered.
Kathryn laughed. "But then Seven, who would let you in for your morning tea?" She asked, and Seven frowned at her.
"Are you saying that I am disturbing you?"
"No, no Seven, no, I enjoy our morning conversations. It is almost like being back on Voyager." Kathryn said, realizing how true her words were as she spoke them.
She looked at the younger woman. Seven was wearing a new dress. It was pale blue with small flowers embroidered on it. The bodice was wrapped around her tightly, and her breasts were straining against the fabric. Kathryn noticed that Seven's attire had changed as she had grown in confidence also, and she smiled. "So Seven tell me, who is helping you with your wardrobe?" She asked, rubbing at her temples.
Seven arose from her seat and moved to sit next to Kathryn. "Let me massage your shoulders, that might help ease your headache." She said, gripping Kathryn's shoulders and turning her away.
"Seven that is ok." Kathryn began, but then Seven's nimble fingers began to massage her sore muscles, and she realized that her headache probably was tension from not sleeping.
She began to relax as Seven soothed her aching muscles, and she rested her head back slightly. She could feel Seven's breath on her neck and she smiled gently. "Captain. I would very much like you to come with me today." Seven said quietly.
Her mouth was very close to Kathryn's ear, and it occurred to her that she could lean forward very slightly and kiss the soft skin of Kathryn's neck. The thought jolted her and she sat back quickly. Kathryn turned to face her. "Seven?" She asked, as Seven stopped her soothing massage.
"I am sorry Captain." Seven said, and reached out again.
She sat well back, so that there was air between them. Cold air. She hadn't noticed how cold it was, but as she looked down she realized that her nipples had become erect with the cold. She shook her head and wondered why she had never noticed this strange reaction to the temperature before. "Seven that will do thank you." Kathryn said, tapping Seven's left hand with hers.
Seven stopped her massage. "Has your headache gone?" She asked.
Kathryn nodded. "Yes." She lied, wrapping her robe around her tightly.
Seven noticed the action. "It is rather cold in here this morning." She stated, and stood up.
Kathryn couldn't help but notice that Seven had also become aroused by the innocent shoulder massage, and she looked away again. "What time is your interview?" She asked, reaching for her coffee.
"10.00." Seven said simply, and went to stand by the bookcase again.
Over the last few weeks she had been looking at Kathryn's collection of books, enjoying reading the inscriptions, learning about Kathryn's earlier life from the notes that her friends had left for her. "I will dress and we can get breakfast." Kathryn said.
She stood up and watched Seven running her hands over the spines of the books. When Seven had pulled out one of the smaller books and opened it, Kathryn smiled, and walked into her bedroom to dress.
*************************
Kathryn sat waiting for the transporter to take her to the Space Dock. At her trial the previous day she had been found guilty of all the crimes she had been charged with. She had been reduced in rank to Ensign, and was to serve on the Transporter Vessel Purgatory. There hadn't even been time for her to go to visit her mother before she had to report for duty. Admiral Paris walked into the transporter waiting room and saw her. He didn't smile. He didn't even walk over to where she sat, and Kathryn looked down at the ground. She knew that he was desperately disappointed in her, as she was of herself.
The bell rang signaling the arrival of the transporter. The doors swooshed open and several people walked out. Seven of Nine was one of them, she was arm in arm with another woman and they were laughing together. "Captain Dazzling." Paris said, nodding to the woman that accompanied Seven.
"Admiral." She acknowledged him.
"Seven of Nine, how wonderful to see you." Paris said, reaching for Seven and pulling her into an embrace.
"Admiral Paris, how are you?" Seven asked politely.
"Very well, I am thrilled with how well you have been doing at the Academy, I have heard some wonderful reports about you already! I am sure that you will turn out to be one of our most successful recruits." Paris said enthusiastically.
Seven blushed slightly and looked at the floor. Kathryn was slightly surprised to see her in a biosuit, she had thought that Seven would wear the Star Fleet Uniform now that she was at the Academy. "Yes it is nice to know that not *all* the bad habits of your previous commanding officers rubbed off on you." Paris said pointedly, and he turned to glare at Kathryn.
She blushed and looked away. Seven didn't even acknowledge her presence. Paris stepped into the transporter and the two women walked towards the exit. "Seven?" Kathryn said, reaching out with one hand.
Seven turned to look at her. Her beautiful blue eyes were cold and accusing, and Kathryn's heart fell. "I am glad to hear that you are doing well." She said, wishing that the other woman wouldn't glare at her.
"Ensign." Captain Dazzling said to Kathryn.
Kathryn nodded and the Captain frowned. "What is your name?" She demanded.
Kathryn stood looking at her for several seconds, not quite understanding the question. "I said what is your name Ensign!" Dazzling repeated.
"Kathryn Janeway." Kathryn said, holding out her hand.
"I will be reporting you for subordination." Dazzling said, and grabbed Seven's arm.
As the two women walked away they laughed loudly, and Kathryn stood holding her hand out like a fool. Seven looked over her shoulder with a look of pity in her eyes, and then turned back to the other woman. Kathryn felt a tear roll down her face as she saw that they now had their arms around each other's waist as the doors closed behind them.
The alarm clock buzzed and Kathryn sat up. She rubbed her eyes wearily and looked at the clock. It was 7.50am. Seven had agreed to come around later than usual to allow Kathryn to sleep, but for someone who didn't need to sleep, 30 minutes extra had seemed more than enough additional time. Kathryn leaned over to switch off the alarm clock and rolled out of the bed. She felt around on the floor for her slippers as she wrapped the thick wool dressing gown around her shoulders.
She walked slowly into the kitchen and ordered coffee. The door chimed and Seven walked in. Kathryn had given her access privileges three days earlier. It had seemed easier. "Morning Kathryn." Seven said, reaching around the older woman to access the replicator panel.
Kathryn grunted in reply and went into the living room. Seven was dressed in a pantsuit that morning, with a large wool coat over the top to keep the winter chill off. Kathryn huddled in one corner of the couch, her feet pulled up under her body. "You look as if you didn't get any sleep at all last night." Seven said, dropping her coat on the floor and sitting in her usual chair opposite the older woman.
Kathryn looked up. She felt like hell. She felt sick, her head was thick and felt as if someone had removed her brain and left a ball of cotton in its place, and she knew that her eyes were puffy and bruised. "I didn't Seven. But hopefully after the hearing today I will be able to sleep again." She said, yawning loudly.
"Do you require my company?" Seven asked, sipping her hot tea.
"Seven I would love it if you came with me today, but I know that you must be very busy getting ready for the Academy." Kathryn said, wondering whether she should visit the sickbay prior to going to the Council meeting that would determine her fate.
"Then I shall be in attendance." Seven said, and she smiled.
Kathryn smiled back. She very much enjoyed Seven's morning visits. They had become a ritual now, which Kathryn wouldn't give up for anything. Even though she knew that she needed more sleep, she was scared to ask for more time in case Seven found something better to do in the morning. "Thank you." She said, and sipped her coffee.
"Shall we take breakfast before your meeting?" Seven asked, after a long period of silence.
Kathryn nodded. "Might as well, even a condemned man gets a last meal." She said, and laughed ruefully.
Seven stood beside the bookcase browsing the titles as Kathryn showered. Each day she had taken a different book off the shelf and wondered at what had made it special to Kathryn. A few days after their first breakfast together Kathryn had explained that each book held a special memory for her. Many of them were inscribed, and Seven had asked her about some of the inscriptions. Kathryn had been forthcoming about all of them, except for one, that had simply said 'To Katie love from Daddy'. When Seven had asked about that book, titled 'An Explorers Guide to the Universe.' Kathryn had struggled with tears and had quickly changed the subject.
Seven was fascinated by the books, and was enjoying learning more about her former Captain. She pulled a thin red leather bound volume from the lowest shelf and flicked it open. The book had been well read and some of the pages had water stains on them that Seven didn't realize were tear stains. She read the inscription 'To the most inspiring woman I have ever worked with, you taught me everything, how to live, how to laugh and most of all how to love. There will never be another Kathryn. Yours always Jarrian X'. Seven wondered who Jarrian was, and whether he and Kathryn had shared a romantic partnership.
She felt vaguely jealous at the closeness that this unknown Jarrian had shared with the Captain, and she closed the book with a snap. She held it to her chest and closed her eyes briefly. The gentle fragrance of gardenias arose from the pages of the book, and Seven looked down at it again. She held it to her nose and realized that it did smell faintly of gardenias. She frowned wondering how she knew that the smell was of gardenias, a flower that she had never seen, or smelled. She opened the book up again and saw that it was a book of poetry.
As she read the first poem, Seven walked across the room to stand by the window. The poem was one of love that had been lost because the lover hadn't spoken out, and told of the irreparable pain that the lover had suffered when their heart had left, not knowing how much they were loved. Seven felt tears welling up in her eyes and she put one hand up to her face. She sniffed violently, and then looked up in shock when she heard Kathryn's voice. "Seven?"
"I am sorry." Seven said, wiping her tears away.
She walked back to the bookcase with the book and placed it back where she had found it. "What was that?" Kathryn asked, walking over to where she stood.
"A book of poems." Seven said, wrapping her arms around her body.
"Oh." Kathryn said, recognizing the red leather binding.
"Who was Jarrian?"
"A former colleague. Seven I don't mind you asking me about the books, but the constant questions about the giver are not always welcome." Kathryn said, walking way from the younger woman.
"Were you lovers?" Seven asked, knowing that she had no right to feel as jealous as she did.
"Seven." Kathryn said in exasperation.
She turned to face Seven and saw how upset the younger woman seemed to be. "No we were not lovers, she was the medical officer on one of my assignments, the U.S.S. Al-Batani."
"You were the Science Officer. Admiral Paris commanded." Seven said softly.
Kathryn looked up at her. "Yes." She whispered, surprised that Seven knew that information about her.
"She must have been a very special person." Seven said, staring intently at the older woman.
"Yes she was." Kathryn said, turning away unable to face the stare any longer.
"Did she love you?"
"Seven."
They didn't speak for a few moments. "Shall we get some breakfast?" Kathryn asked, turning back to face Seven of Nine.
Seven nodded, and leaned down to pick up her coat.
********************************
Kathryn sat on the edge of her bed. She had forgotten how narrow the bunks were on the Federation transport vessels, and that she would have to share her quarters on this short trip to Deep Space 3. Two weeks earlier Kathryn Janeway had faced the Federation Council on charges stemming from her seven years in the Delta Quadrant. All charges but one had been dropped, due to extenuating circumstances. The one crime that had remained in her sheet was the most severely punished of all crimes Star Fleet could charge their Officers with. That of violating the Prime Directive.
Kathryn knew that she would have been extremely lucky to be let off all charges, and Admiral Paris had assured her that they would be as lenient on her as they could. But violating the Prime Directive was a serious crime. The Prime Directive was part of the very foundation upon which Federation policy was built. As a result, Kathryn had been stripped of her title of Captain, and reduced in rank to Lieutenant. She had been given orders to report to the Science Vessel Scripps, which was to travel on a two-month mission to the border of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, to chart some as yet unexplored planets. Paris had assured her that as a training mission it would be very peaceful. That she could expect to receive recommendations and prompt promotion upon her return and that she should see it as a vacation more than anything else.
She had spent an emotional ten days with her mother and sister at the farm in Indiana, and then had reported for duty that morning. Now she sat on the edge of her bunk, in very simple quarters on a transport vessel that would take her to the rendezvous with the Scripps.
The door swooshed open and a young Ensign stepped into the room. She was tall and slender, with long blond hair that flowed around her shoulders like liquid gold. Kathryn's heart stopped as she looked up into beautiful blue eyes. "Hi, Kathryn?" She said.
Kathryn stood up, her mouth was hanging open and she shut it with a click of her teeth. "Yes." She said, extending her hand in greeting.
"Hi, I am Chaste." She said, her Bajoran earring glinting in the light.
"Chaste. Interesting name." Kathryn said, and then could have bitten her tongue.
"Yes, my Bajoran name is unpronounceable to most, and I liked the simplicity of Chaste." The young Bajoran woman said, as she placed her bags on the floor.
"Did you take a bunk yet?" She asked, turning a brilliant smile on Kathryn.
"Yes, this one, if that is ok with you." Kathryn said, indicating the narrow bunk that she had been sitting on.
"That is fine. This is my first trip, I am so excited. I expect you have been out in space lots though. I am told you have years and years of experience already!" Chaste said, and Kathryn ground her teeth in annoyance.
"Yes and I can tell you that the inside of one bunk room on a transporter is much like every other. It is small and cramped, and we must ensure that we don't cramp each other's space." Kathryn said, sitting on her bunk heavily.
Chaste prattled on as Kathryn lay down on the hard bunk, and rested one hand on her forehead. It was going to be a long 3-day trip to Deep Space 3.
The ships comm. crackled loudly and then the communications officer called through the static. "Lieutenant Janeway, you have an incoming message."
Kathryn bolted from the bunkroom before Chaste could ask her any more inane questions. She went into the communications room and identified herself. She was shown to a small screen at a console and the officer sat back at his station. Seven's face appeared through the snow on the screen and Kathryn found herself smiling happily. "Seven." She exclaimed.
Seven smiled back at her. "Kathryn, I understand you are to report for duty on the Scripps." The former Borg stated.
Kathryn nodded. "And I have to share a room with Chaste." She laughed.
Seven smiled. "Make sure she stays that way." She warned.
Kathryn looked puzzled. "Seven?"
"I shall miss you. Our mornings, breakfast." Seven said, and Kathryn reached down to touch the screen.
"So shall I Seven. But I will only be gone for two months." She said, but her heart was heavy as she contemplated the separation.
"I shall call you every morning." Seven said, and smiled again.
"Seven the time difference, please consider that I need my sleep." Kathryn said, suddenly worried that Seven would awaken her in the middle of the night.
Seven smiled. "Kathryn, you underestimate me." She said, and the screen went blank.
"What happened? Seven?" Kathryn called, tapping the keys on the padd.
"Sorry Lieutenant, the connection was lost. This is an old ship and the equipment isn't up to much. I am sure she will call again though." The communications officer said, not looking at her as he spoke.
Kathryn wondered whether all transport personnel were as jaded as this officer seemed to be, and she left the room.
*********************
Kathryn paced up and down in her quarters. She had been on the Scripps for 7 weeks, and every morning of those seven weeks, at exactly the same time each day, Seven had contacted her. Until three days ago. Seven had been 35 minutes late three days ago, and an hour late two days ago. Yesterday she had been nearly three hours late calling and Kathryn had given up waiting and had gone to the laboratory to analyze the data that she had collected the day before. She knew that the time difference meant that for Seven it was 9pm in the evening when it was 6am for her, and she realized that Seven was probably socializing with her new friends from the Academy. She felt jealous of Seven’s new life.
Kathryn looked at her clock and sighed. She had noticed that Seven had been distracted the day before, the call had been short and cursory, almost as if Seven hadn’t really wanted to be talking to her. Kathryn hadn’t been able to stop her disappointment showing, but Seven had seemed oblivious. She sat down and tapped her knee, and then stood up again. ‘This is stupid, go to work, if she calls she calls.’ Kathryn said to herself, and strode out of the room.
Seven didn’t call at all that day. Kathryn tried not to think about it, but she was devastated. She chastised herself numerous times as the day passed, told herself off for being possessive of someone she had no right to be possessive of. She rubbed one hand over her face as she headed for the mess hall. “Kathryn, can I join you for your evening meal?” Chaste called from behind her.
Kathryn closed her eyes in disbelief. The last she needed was to sit and listen to the stupid ramblings of the Bajoran woman that she had met on her way to the science vessel. “I am not going to eat.” She said, turning to face the younger woman.
She reminded Kathryn of Seven in such a painful manner that Kathryn inhaled sharply. Chaste didn’t seem to notice. She wobbled her head around as she spoke, and her hair fluttered around her. Kathryn knew that her hairstyle was not regulation, and she wondered why the Captain allowed her to flout the rules so obviously. She sighed inwardly as the woman began to prattle on. Chaste linked arms with her, and practically pulled her along to the mess hall. Kathryn stopped and jerked her arm away. “I said I am not going to eat, now please.” She said, rather too harshly.
Chaste turned to stare at her, her face displaying the upset that she clearly was feeling. “I am sorry, I thought we were friends.” She said, her voice took on an immature whining tone and Kathryn swallowed her anger.
“I am sorry.” She managed to say, and then turned on her heel and strode away.
She walked back into her quarters and slumped on the sofa. She felt alone and desolate, and rested her head on the back of the sofa to stare at the ceiling. She knew that she was being irrational about Seven, but she couldn’t help wondering if Seven would have stopped calling on her had she been back on Earth. Her communications console bleeped warning her of an incoming message, and she leapt out of the chair. “Janeway here.” She called into the screen.
Her heart was racing and she felt foolishly happy. “Kathryn!” A male voice called, and Admiral Paris spluttered into view.
“Admiral?” Kathryn said in confusion.
She sat down. “How are things?” He asked, smiling cheerfully at her.
“Going well, we have managed to chart most of the planets in this sector now and we are just investigating another M Class planet.” She said, wondering why he was calling her.
“Great! Great, well that is great. Are you enjoying yourself out there?” He asked, and Kathryn was immediately suspicious.
“Just fine, but I would rather be in command.” She said.
Admiral Paris smiled. “Well that doesn’t surprise me.” He said, looking down.
Kathryn wondered why he had called her. “Admiral, what can I do for you?” She asked, and a sudden fear struck her.
Fear that something had happened to Seven of Nine and he had called her to let her know. Her heart raced and her stomach contracted. “Well Kathryn I have some bad news.”
She knew it, Seven had been in an accident.
“There have been some changes here at Star Fleet. Some pretty major changes. The most important of which is that Federation President Taklon has taken early retirement. The consequences of this are that there have been major structural changes to the administration.”
'What is he talking about? What about Seven of Nine?'
“The change that will affect you directly is that as of 06:00 hours this morning all Star Fleet disciplinary proceedings that have occurred over the last three years have to be reassessed. The good news is that you will not have to be present for the hearing.”
'What was he saying?'
“A senior officer will be appointed to represent you and will act as your proxy.”
'But what about Seven?'
“I have nominated myself to act as your proxy Kathryn, I realize that this might come as a shock to you.” Admiral Paris continued, oblivious to the fact that Kathryn wasn’t listening to his words. “Kathryn?” He asked, when she didn’t reply.
“I am sorry.” Kathryn said, her mind was finally filtering the information that Admiral Paris had just given her. She realized that his call had nothing to do with Seven of Nine, and her mind refocused.
“I know that you don’t want to have your case reassessed, you never know what alternative they might come up with, but I will do my best on your behalf.” He continued.
Kathryn’s mind suddenly clicked back into focus and she realized what he was talking about. “Admiral that is very kind of you to be my proxy, but I am only here for another week, surely I can represent myself?” She said.
“Well that is the other bad news I have for you, well you might not consider it bad news considering that you seem to be having so much fun. Your replacement has been involved in an incident, and you will be required to remain on the Scripps for another three months.” He finished.
Kathryn grimaced. It wasn’t that she wasn’t enjoying herself on the Science Vessel, but she wanted to be back in San Francisco. She wanted to get back to talk to Seven of Nine face to face. “Oh.” Was all that she could think of to say.
Admiral Paris laughed. “It won’t be that bad. Your case will be one of the first considered, as it was one of the most serious of the violations of Star Fleet Protocols, but I am confident that your punishment will not change.” He said, trying to put as positive a spin on it as he could.
He knew, as did Janeway, that there was every chance that all the other charges would be reinvestigated as well, and that she could be court marshaled, at the very worst. “Thank you Admiral. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do.” Kathryn said, as her mind took the same track as the Admiral’s.
They signed off, and Kathryn sat back in her seat. Her stomach growled and she stood up. “Coffee black.” She commanded to the replicator, and took the hot mug full of steaming black liquid.
She sipped it carefully, and thought about what she might like to eat. Nothing came to mind, other than Seven of Nine’s face, and she turned away from the replicator. Then turned back again. “Poached egg on rye toast.” She commanded.
The light meal materialized, and Kathryn took the plate to the table. She ate quickly, enjoying the taste of the egg, and the memories that it brought back to her. The sight of Seven the first time she had eaten poached egg. She had not realized that the yolk would be so runny, and it had taken her by surprise. As had the unique taste of the egg. Kathryn sighed as she wiped up the last of the yolk with her finger and sucked it clean, remembering how the yolk had run down Seven’s chin and she had been forced to try to recover it with her long tongue.
Kathryn sat back again in her seat and stared at the ceiling, her groin was throbbing and she felt miserable. Her communication console suddenly bleeped and she looked up. “Janeway.” She called.
“Captain?” Seven’s voice made her leap out of her chair, and rush around to the view screen.
“Seven?” She said excitedly, and then tried to look less excited.
“I am so sorry about this morning.” Seven said, she looked stunning.
Kathryn’s mind was blank, and her heart was racing as she looked at the vision of Seven of Nine on the small computer view screen. “Seven, you look, wonderful.” She said breathlessly.
Seven smiled coyly. “Thank you, I have been out.” She said.
Kathryn’s heart contracted again. “Oh, new friends?” She asked, not wanting to sound possessive.
“Friend, singular.” Seven said, smiling still.
‘She is in love.’ The sudden thought chilled Kathryn to the bone. “That is wonderful.” She managed to say.
Her words sounded distant, and her blood was thundering in her ears. ‘Seven was in love with someone else. Her Seven. In love.’ Her thoughts were fractured and random, and she was having trouble breathing.
“Kathryn? Are you ok? You look distressed.” Seven said, looking concerned.
Kathryn shook her head. She had to get a hold of herself, and act normally. “No Seven, I am fine, I was worried when you didn’t contact me. That was all.” She said, pasting a smile on her face.
“Yes I am sorry, but we went for dinner on the spur of the moment. You will love Jamila, she is wonderful she is so much fun.” Seven enthused.
Kathryn was dying inside, and she knew that she had no right to feel the way that she felt. ‘Oh Seven, my precious Seven.’ She thought, and tried to focus on Seven’s words. “When will you be back Kathryn? I want you to meet Jamila. I have told her all about you, and she wants to meet with you too. I told her that you were my surrogate mother.” Seven said, smiling cheerfully.
Kathryn closed her eyes. ‘Surrogate mother. Oh lord. No mother feels the way about her daughter the way I feel about you Seven.’ She thought. “Kathryn?” Seven asked, wondering why her good friend looked so distressed.
“I am sorry Seven, I have to go back to work. Forgive me. Perhaps we should reschedule our communications for a time more convenient to your social life?” Kathryn said, sitting back so that her face was in shadow.
She didn’t know how much longer she could avoid crying. “Of course, I am sorry to have disturbed you.” Seven said, and they signed off.
Kathryn sat back in a daze. She couldn’t focus her thoughts properly, and all she wanted to do was collapse in a heap on the floor and stay that way until she felt like getting up again. She hadn’t realized that she was in love with Seven. Oh she had known that she cared a great deal, and she had admitted a certain level of attraction for the younger woman. But she hadn’t realized that her feelings had grown as strong as love. And now she would have to live, knowing Seven was loving another, and worse still, she would have to pretend to be happy. Admiral Paris’ words came back to her as she walked. “You will be required to remain on the Scripps for another three months.” Never had an extended duty had so much appeal.
*******************
Kathryn sat waiting for the transporter to dock with the Arrival Station. She felt the, by now familiar, clunk of metal on metal, and the hissing sound of the atmosphere in the shuttle equilibrating with that in the Arrival Terminal. The green light went off over her head, and she unbuckled her safety belt and stood up. She waited her turn to leave the shuttle, and stepped onto the moving walkway that would take her to the terminal She leaned against the moving handrail, in no hurry to get back to Earth.
There were several people waiting in the arrival lounge, they were all smiling happily, waiting for their loved ones to step off the walkway and back into their lives. Many of the people arriving back with her from Space Dock had only been away a short time; others had been away for months. There was no one to greet Kathryn and she felt very alone. A smiling ensign handed her baggage to her. “Welcome back to Earth Lieutenant.” He said.
She smiled back and took her bag from him, and then left the building. “Kathryn?” A voice called out and she turned to see who was calling to her.
Admiral Paris pulled his personal carrier up to the terminal doors and indicated to her to climb on board. “I am sorry I was delayed, I meant to meet you at the gate.” He said cheerfully, as she stowed her bag on the back of the transporter.
Kathryn wondered idly why he had met her at the terminal. How had he even known she was due to arrive back that day? She had left the Scripps a month early, not waiting to hear the outcome of her second tribunal. She had been unable to concentrate on her work any more since Seven had stopped contacting her on a daily basis. The only day that Kathryn knew for sure that Seven would call her was a Sunday. Kathryn had become despondent, and increasingly unable to work to her full capacity. She had made several mistakes and the Captain had reprimanded her for her sloppy record keeping. Something that Kathryn would never have allowed to happen before. But somehow she just didn’t seem to care. Eventually the Scripps’ medical officer had concluded that she was suffering from homesickness and had signed her off early. Kathryn had laughed at the irony of being diagnosed with homesickness.
Admiral Paris was chattering away to her, bringing her up to date with the goings on at Head Quarters. She realized that they were flying very fast along the highway and she worried that he was not taking sufficient care. Suddenly she heard Seven’s voice in her head. “You are not taking sufficient care.” Seven said.
Kathryn suppressed a smile, and she turned her head. To her shock Seven was sitting in the seat behind her. She smiled back. Her long blond hair was caught up in a tight French plait, and her biosuit shimmered in the sunshine. “Captain?” Seven said.
Kathryn turned to face forward again, shaking her head. She knew that she must have been hallucinating. She turned back again and Seven was sitting with B’Elanna, they had their arms around each other and were laughing. Kathryn sighed. She was dreaming. She tried to wake herself up, but she wasn’t able to so she sat back and waited until she did wake up.
Suddenly the transporter tipped and she was falling. She fell over the cliff that they had been flying over, and was speeding up as she approached the ground. She could see Seven reaching out for her, but her hand was too far away for Kathryn to grasp it. “Seven!” She cried, as she woke with a jolt.
Kathryn’s heart was racing, and she sat up breathing heavily. She looked at the clock and saw that it was 7.20am. Her alarm clock hadn’t gone off and she wondered why as she slipped her feet out of the bed. Kathryn stood up and reached for her robe, she wrapped it around her shoulders and walked across the room to look out of the huge picture window. The Golden Gate Bridge was obscured by fog again, and she sighed. Winter was drawing in and it was still only half light outside. She went into the living room and flicked on a table light as she passed. Before she could reach the kitchen the door chime announced Seven’s arrival.
“Morning.” Seven said, as she walked into the room.
Kathryn had given her access privileges several days earlier, and she didn’t need to wait for Kathryn to let her in any more. Kathryn looked at the younger woman and felt desperately old. Seven was smiling at her as she took her heavy coat off. “Are you ok? You look rather tired.” Seven said, going into the kitchen and ordering back coffee from the replicator.
Kathryn wondered briefly if Seven had changed her drinking preferences, but then the younger woman passed the steaming mug across to her. She took it and sipped gratefully. “Morning Seven. I am not up to conversation before coffee.” She said, and walked back out in to the living room.
She sat on the large soft sofa and curled her legs up under her body. Seven sat on the armchair opposite her, her long blonde hair was flowing around her shoulders and she looked radiantly happy. “You look well.” Kathryn said, wondering if her voice sounded as grainy to Seven as it did to her.
“I am very well thank you. I am very well indeed.” Seven said, grinning broadly.
Kathryn wondered why Seven was smiling so much. She suddenly caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror on the wall and gasped. She stood up and walked across to the reflection to take a closer look. She was 90 years old! Her face was all wrinkled, and lined, and her hair was grey. She put one hand up to her mouth in horror as tears slid down her face. She turned to look at Seven who was lying on the sofa. “You are so old, I don’t know why you thought I could possibly be attracted to you.” Seven said, still smiling.
Seven’s words cut into Kathryn’s heart and she wondered why the younger woman was being so cruel. “Seven.” She whispered, as the former Borg laughed at her, her laughed getting louder and louder until it was ringing in Kathryn’s ears.
Kathryn sat up with a start. She looked around her and saw that she was still on the Scripps. She lay back down again, wondering what the time was. “Computer time.” She said.
“03.48.” The computer replied.
Kathryn sighed. ‘Oh Seven what are you doing to me?’ She asked the darkness.
There was no reply, and she lay listening to herself breathing. Her communication console bleeping at her wakened her again, and she got up quickly. Before she activated the view screen she grabbed her robe and wrapped it around herself. “Janeway.” She croaked and cleared her throat.
“Kathryn?” Admiral Paris asked.
Kathryn cleared her throat again. “Admiral Paris, what can I do for you?” She asked.
He smiled at her. “I seem to have woken you up, I apologize, I forgot about the time difference.” He said.
Kathryn waved her hand at him. “That is ok, but forgive me for not being my sharpest, I haven’t had coffee yet.” She said, slipping into the chair at the console.
Paris laughed. “That is ok. I have some great news for you! Your tribunal has been cancelled. The new President has decided that it isn’t necessary to review all the disciplinary proceedings. The advocates for each defendant had to present a case for their hearing, and I said it was pointless to retry you. It seemed that he agreed with me, so you will not have to worry about it any more.” He said, leafing through some papers as he spoke.
“Admiral I can’t thank you enough for taking so much of your time. I will never be able to repay you.” Kathryn said, wishing that she had a cup of coffee in her hand.
“Oh yes you will. I have some more news for you. They have reassigned you, as Chief engineer on the training vessel Destiny.” He said, looking up finally.
Kathryn’s heart caught in her throat. Then she stopped. ‘Was this another dream?’ She wondered, and waited for something else to happen. “Kathryn?” Paris said, peering into the screen.
“Am I dreaming?” She asked quietly.
Paris laughed, his booming chortle startled her and she sat back slightly. “No, you aren’t dreaming! It is sort of a deal I did you see, to get you off being retried. We need an experienced engineer for our deep space training vessel. It just so happens that you are the best qualified person available. In addition the training vessel is in your sector just now, so you will have to transfer in the next two days, or you will require transport, let me know if that happens. In the meantime I will transmit your orders.” He said, punching a few buttons on the console in front of him.
“No one else wanted to do it did they?” She asked skeptically.
Paris laughed, and Kathryn was reminded of Tom. “You are far too bright to be a mere staff member on a Science Vessel.” He said, waving one hand at her.
Kathryn sat back as the data stream was transmitted. “I will leave you to your coffee. Call if you have any questions.” Paris said, and ended the transmission.
Kathryn went across to the replicator. She couldn’t decide whether she was happy to be leaving the science vessel, or annoyed that she had been pushed to an outpost in a training vessel. Probably one of the worst assignments in Star Fleet. “Coffee black.” She said, and took the steaming mug from the replicator.
She turned back to the computer console and began to read through the orders that Paris had sent to her. It was worse than she had thought. She would be the most experienced officer on the ship. The Captain was a very experienced and well-liked commander, but he had never been involved in a situation that required tactical skills. In addition there would be several junior ensigns with limited space time, two lieutenants with more space time, but no deep space assignments other than training vessels, and the rest of the crew would be Star Fleet recruits who were still in their first months of training. She scanned down the list not recognizing any of the names, and then her eye fell upon one name Jamila Har’Ath. She wondered if this was Seven’s new friend, and her heart sped up.
************************
Lieutenant Kathryn Janeway stepped aboard the U.S.S. Training Vessel Destiny. An Ensign whistled her aboard, and she nodded to him as she walked past. “Permission to come aboard.” She said to the older man who greeted her.
“Permission granted. Welcome aboard Chief.” He said, holding his hand out in greeting.
“Thank you. I take it you are retiring Chief Engineer Hopeless?” She said as they walked away from the docking port.
“I am, my transporter vessel will rendezvous with us in four days time. Plenty of time for you to get to know the ship.” He said, indicating the turbo lift that would take them down to engineering.
“How many trainees do we have on board?” She asked, as they were whisked downwards.
“Twelve, they have all been with us for 2 months.” Hopeless said as they stepped off the lift.
"Have there been any incidents that I should know about?" Kathryn asked cautiously.
“Yes, we had a warp core breach and I managed to fix it. I know that I should have ejected the core, waited for it to stabilize and then we could have recovered it. But I thought the recruits would learn more from watching a master patching up a hole in a warp core just once in their lives.” Hopeless said and walked away from her.
Kathryn grimaced, she didn’t need to hear this about the ship she was about to take command of. “Was the warp core repaired yet?” She asked, almost dreading the answer.
“It is patched, it will hold till the ship gets back into Space Dock.” Hopeless said, hitching his Uniform pants up slightly.
Kathryn looked around her. Engineering was in shambles. There was no one else present. “Where are the crew?” She asked sternly, looking at the tatty décor of the power core of the ship.
“At lunch.” Hopeless grunted, and sat down.
The doors swooshed open and several young Ensigns walked in. Kathryn gasped. Seven of Nine was one of them. "Seven!" She said, this would explain why Seven hadn't been contacting her regularly.
"Mother!" Seven called, and rushed across the room to greet her.
Kathryn woke with a start. Again. She stared into the dark wondering whether there was a cure for dreams. "Computer time." She commanded.
"06.57." The computer replied quietly.
Kathryn sat up. "Computer lights." She said, deciding to get up even though she didn't have to.
She knew that in approximately 4 hours she would be leaving the Scripps and heading for the Destiny. She wondered what the ship would really be like, and what the retiring Chief would be like. She recalled the man from her dream and smiled. She was sure that he wouldn't be short and fat and balding.
She slipped out of bed, realizing that as Chief Engineer she would be allowed the privilege of having her quarters the way she wanted them. She resolved to get satin sheets on her bed as her first priority. "Coffee black." She commanded and the replicator complied.
Kathryn crossed to her communication console. She had tried to reach Seven the night before, to tell her of her impending relocation. But Seven hadn't been home, and Kathryn hadn't wanted to leave a message. She connected to Seven's communication console and waited for a response. There was none. She sighed heavily and looked at the time on the computer screen in front of her. It was 10pm for Seven, and her absence meant that she had to be out again. Kathryn was about to disconnect the terminal when she decided to leave a message. "Seven it is Kathryn, I wanted to let you know that I will be leaving the Scripps for the Destiny today. I don't know what my communication ID will be there, but you can get me through Star Fleet Command if I don't get back to you first." She said, and then added, "I hope you are having a great time with your new friend, and enjoying the Academy too." And then ended the transmission.
*************************
Kathryn sat in her new Quarters, she had redesigned them to suit her own character, and the room was comfortable, but practical. Her only concession to luxury had been the satin sheets. They were virtually a necessity. She had been on the Destiny for two weeks, and since the transporter had taken away most of the crew 10 days ago, Kathryn had little or nothing to do. Her log that morning had merely been to note how quiet it was, and that the warp core was functioning normally. There was a skeleton crew of 5 aboard the small ship. Even with a full compliment there would only be 28 crew aboard. They were expecting a transporter to arrive in the next few hours with another 16 Academy recruits to train.
Seven hadn't contacted her, and she had healed over the hurt with a denial bandaid. She sniffed deeply and rested her head back on her sofa. She looked out of the huge window and was pleased to see that the stars had a familiar pattern to them, and her thoughts turned back to her own first training mission. Her Captain had been a harsh man who hadn't allowed any errors. She had learned a lot from her 2 months aboard the U.S.S. Charter. Now here she was, in charge of teaching a group of fresh-faced recruits all about warp engines and how to keep them running smoothly. She sat up and inhaled deeply, she could smell something but couldn't identify the odor. She stood up and walked around the room, sniffing as she went, trying to locate the source of the smell.
Her door chimed and she turned to face it. "Come in." She said pleasantly.
The door swooshed open and Lieutenant Karri stepped into the room. She was a beautiful young Deltan, and Kathryn felt her body responding to her. She looked away. "Yes Lieutenant." She said, turning to sit down again.
Karri stepped closer to her. "With your permission Chief, I would like to organize a dinner to welcome the new recruits this evening." She said, her voice was calm and soothing.
"That is a wonderful idea. What can I do to help?" Kathryn asked, indicating that the young Deltan should sit down.
Karri sat. "I thought you might help me prepare the meal." She stated simply.
Kathryn smiled. She had read up on the permanent crew and knew that Karri had been promoted two months earlier, and had volunteered to serve on the Destiny. "Well I expect we could create something, although I am not much of a cook." She said, and Karri returned her smile.
Kathryn felt her core melting, and she wondered if the Deltan had taken a vow of celibacy. As soon as she had the thought she dismissed it. "All Senior Officers to the Bridge." The comm. called.
Kathryn and Karri stood up. They walked together to the bridge, Kathryn noticed how smoothly the Deltan woman walked, almost as if she was floating, and she wondered at the sensuality of that race of people. Her groin was reacting in a most inappropriate manner, and she changed the train of her thoughts to get her mind of her body's response to the other woman. Unfortunately her mind turned to Seven of Nine, and she was not much better off. They walked on in silence.
Once on the bridge Janeway looked around her, and her gaze settled on the helm. She inhaled deeply, trying to rid herself of the thought that she would prefer to see Tom Paris sitting there, than Lieutenant Jon Baxter. Not that Jon wasn't an excellent pilot and excellent tutor. Kathryn had had similar thoughts when she had been in sickbay. The medical Officer aboard, Stefan Jablonski, was a Star Fleet veteran with more than five years of accumulated space-time under his belt. But Kathryn still missed the EMH that she had sparred with for seven years aboard Voyager. She shook her head, she knew that she couldn't afford to be having such thoughts. "Captain, the transporter has hailed us, they are 17 minutes away." Jon Baxter said from his station.
Kathryn smiled. "Thank you Jon, hold her steady." Captain Thadius Arthur said, from his position in the Captain's chair.
The transporter docked and Captain Arthur, Jon, Karri, Stefan and Kathryn met the new crew as they boarded. Kathryn greeted the recruits personally, and was counting them onto the ship, she was expecting 16 young men and women from Earth. The last man boarded and Kathryn shook his hand warmly. "Welcome aboard Ensign." She said.
"Thank you Lieutenant." He replied, and moved along to be greeted by the other Officers.
Kathryn turned back to the transporter Captain, ready to invite him to join them at dinner that evening. She gasped. Seven of Nine stood in front of her. "Seven?" She whispered.
"Captain." Seven said, and stepped down from the docking port.
Kathryn's mind was in a whirl. She had dreamed of this moment a thousand times, and each time she had awoken just as she was about to reach out to the young woman. Then she remembered that one of the new recruits was probably Seven's partner. "I am not the Captain Seven, what are you doing here?" She asked.
Seven looked down at her. "We need to speak." She said ignoring Kathryn's question.
"Seven, what are you doing here?" Kathryn repeated.
"In private." Seven stated, her gaze not leaving Kathryn's.
"Welcome Ensign umm, Nine? Is that what we should call you?" Captain Arthur said, moving forward to greet her.
Seven took his outstretched hand and shook it warmly. She smiled, and Kathryn noticed how her eyes shone. "I answer to Seven or Ensign Seven Captain." She said, and he smiled back at her.
"Well good good." He said, clearly taken with the beautiful young woman who stood before him.
"I will let you all settle into your quarters, and then we shall convene in the mess hall at 17:00, that is in approximately 75 minutes time." Thadius Arthur said to the gathered recruits.
They filed out of the door quietly, and followed the directions to their new quarters. The recruits were to share quarters, 2 to each set of rooms, and they already knew who their roommate would be. Kathryn looked at Seven. "Who is your roommate?" She asked, realizing that there was an odd number of people to be housed.
"I do not have one." Seven said, and then gazed down at Kathryn, her blue eyes pierced the older woman's conscious and she tore her gaze away with great difficulty.
"We must talk Kathryn." Seven hissed.
"Come to my quarters, we can find you somewhere to bunk down later." Kathryn said, grabbing Seven's arm and leading her in the opposite direction to the rest of the crew.
They walked into Kathryn's quarters and the door swooshed closed behind them. "Seven."
"Kathryn what is going on?" Seven demanded.
Kathryn was slightly taken aback. "I am sorry?" She said, sitting down as she spoke.
Seven didn't sit, but stood looking down at her, her hands behind her back, her blue eyes shining in the light. "Where did you go? You just disappear into thin air, and didn't think to let me know where you were going? Do you have *any* idea how upset I was?"
"Seven?"
Seven stood breathing deeply, her chest was heaving with the effort, and she looked close to tears. "Gardenias." She said suddenly.
"I am sorry?" Kathryn said, now thoroughly confused.
"Gardenias, you smell of gardenias." Seven said, a flood of emotions shot through her body and she sat down.
"I had to beg my way onto this mission to see you." She said, staring intently across at the older woman.
"I saw that your friend, Jamila, was coming on this trip."
"Jamila? What does she have to do with this?" Seven asked.
Kathryn could help but admire her slender figure that was dramatically enhanced by the normally shapeless Star Fleet uniform. "You wanted to be with Jamila, Seven it is ok." Kathryn said, resting one arm along the back of the sofa.
Seven looked confused. "I do not understand. Jamila is a friend of mine, but I have no attachment to her." She said, frowning.
Kathryn looked confused. "But I thought…"
"You thought what?" Seven raised her ocular implant.
"Seven what are you doing here?" Kathryn asked, thoroughly confused.
"I came to see you Kathryn. You just disappeared. I kept trying to contact you, but you were never there, so I had to go through the ship's communications officer and he told me that you had left! So I called Admiral Paris. He told me that you had been assigned to the Destiny. I only knew that it was a training vessel because of Jamila, and I begged Admiral Paris to assign me to this training mission." Seven said, folding her hands in her lap.
"You have been trying to get in touch with me? I haven't been able to get in touch with *you*." Kathryn said leaning forward.
Seven leaned forward also. "I had to move, didn't you get my message?" She asked.
Kathryn shook her head. "No, I didn't." She sighed.
Seven sat back. "I had to move out of my apartment, rather unexpectedly. I have been living in your apartment for the last 6 weeks." She said, and smiled.
"Oh you have?"
"Well you did invite me to move in with you." Seven said cryptically.
Kathryn frowned. "I did?" She asked.
"Yes that morning you had a headache, and I gave you a back rub." Seven said quietly.
Kathryn didn't know what to say. "She was amazed that Seven had remembered that day, even more she was surprised that Seven had heard her comment. "Yes I suppose I did." She said finally.
"Your satin sheets are very sensuous." Seven said, her voice had taken on a sultry note.
"Seven."
Seven moved to sit next to Kathryn on the sofa. "Have you any idea how worried I was when you disappeared?" She asked.
Kathryn couldn't breathe. She stared up at the younger woman. "Kathryn, I have missed you so much. I have missed talking to you. I have missed having breakfast with you every morning. But most of all I have missed seeing you." Seven said, leaning forward slightly and inhaling the delicate scent of gardenias.
Kathryn looked up at Seven. She was so close that Kathryn could feel the heat radiating from her skin. "I have missed you too." She said quietly.
"Have you?"
"When I saw you after you had been out with Jamila, and you were so happy, I thought that you and she, that you had, that she…" Kathryn stared at Seven's lush full lips as they closed in on her own.
Seven bent her head and kissed Kathryn very gently on the mouth. Her lips felt dry, but warm, and Seven longed to deepen the kiss. She moved her body slightly so that she could place one hand on Kathryn's shoulder. When her hand rested on Kathryn's body she shuddered and Seven raised her head to look into Kathryn's eyes. "Are you ok?" She asked.
Kathryn nodded dumbly. "And then you said you thought of me like a mother." She whispered, and Seven smiled.
"I thought I did. But then Jamila told me that I was in love with you. Apparently I talk about you all the time. It was only when she told me that I realized. I knew that I had to be with you, and I kept trying to get in touch with you to tell you." Seven began to gabble, trying to explain.
Kathryn reached up and placed one finger on Seven's lips to silence her. "Shh, it is ok. You are here now." She said, and replaced her finger with her lips.
Seven wrapped her arm around Kathryn's shoulder and pulled her towards her. She felt Kathryn's tongue lightly stroking her lower lip, and she parted her lips slightly. She had spent many long hours wondering what it would be like to kiss Kathryn Janeway. And now she knew. When Kathryn's tongue met hers Seven felt an explosion of electricity coursing through her body that left her short of air, and she pulled back. "Are you ok?" Kathryn asked, as Seven sat breathing heavily.
"Kathryn would it be too fast to ask you to take me to bed?" Seven asked.
Kathryn shook her head. "No Seven, not too fast. After all we have waited for 5 years." She said, and stood up.
She pulled Seven to her feet, and smiled as the younger woman towered over her. "I have been looking forward to this for so long." She said, gripping Seven's hand and heading for the bedroom.
"And the best part is, that I am not the Captain, and we can be together, properly." She said, as they stood at the side of the large bed.
Seven sat down and pulled Kathryn down on top of her. "I never thought I would tell you that I was pleased that you were demoted." She said, and kissed Kathryn passionately.
"Oh Seven you have no idea." Kathryn groaned as Seven rolled her over so that she was lying on top of her.
Seven reached out with one hand and ran it over the smooth peach satin of the sheet. "I think I would like to be naked on these sheets." She said, looking down.
Kathryn smiled. "Well don't let me stop you." She said reaching up to unfasten Seven's Uniform jacket.
***********************
The alarm clock buzzed and Kathryn rolled over. She reached out with one hand and felt the cool satin sheets beneath her fingers. She raised her head from the pillow and looked in confusion. "Seven?" She said quietly.
There was no reply, and she rested her head back down on the pillow. She wanted to return to her dreams, where everything was just the way she wanted it. Kathryn rolled over and looked at the clock. It was 7.22 and she knew that she had to get up. She was teaching at the Academy at 9am and if she didn't get up then she knew that she would be late. She slid her legs out of the bed enjoying the feel of the smooth satin against her skin. It was a cold midwinter morning, and Kathryn wondered why the heating hadn't come on. She pulled her thick woolen robe around her slender body, slid her feet into her slippers and walked into the living room. After she had retrieved coffee from the replicator she walked across to stand by the huge picture window.
Kathryn looked out over the San Francisco bay. Fog was rolling on and would shortly obscure the Golden Gate Bridge from her view. Kathryn stood watching the amazing natural phenomenon as it crept up the river like a blanket. The door chimed and she turned to face the door. "Come in." She called.
The door swooshed open and Seven of Nine walked in. She was carrying a large wicker basket. "Seven? Did you forget your code?" Kathryn asked.
Seven placed the wicker basket on the table, and quickly crossed the room. She wrapped her arms around the smaller woman, leaning her head down to kiss her gently. "Morning baby." She cooed.
Kathryn rolled her eyes. "Oh Seven." She said, hugging the younger woman with one arm.
"You should go back to bed." Seven said, stepping way from her and removing her coat.
"I have to teach this morning." Kathryn said, sipping her coffee.
"No you don't, I spoke to Lieutenant Barclay last night, he will fill in for you today." Seven said, kicking her boots off and crossing the room to grab the basket.
"Seven." Kathryn scolded.
"Kathryn, it is our one year anniversary, do you really want to spend it teaching exobiology to first year students?" Seven asked, turning to face her.
Kathryn shook her head. "Then back to bed, I have brought breakfast." Seven said and walked across the room carrying the wicker basket.
"Seven did I tell you that I love you?" Kathryn asked, as she followed the younger woman into the bedroom.