I can't help falling in love with you.

The ship was buzzing with excitement. Icheb had been performing routine scans of a nearby solar system and had identified a spatial anomaly that appeared to be a wormhole. The ship was heading for the co-ordinates that had been confirmed by Tuvok, and the rumors had begun already. Seven walked swiftly along the corridor towards astrometrics. She was annoyed that Icheb hadn't called her when he had first analyzed the long-range scans that had revealed the wormhole. The door swooshed open and she stalked into the small lab. "Ah Seven." The Captain said as she turned back to the large screen in front of the workstation.

A thrill ran down Seven's spine, as it always did when she heard Kathryn Janeway's voice. "Captain." Seven said, as she took her place at the workstation.

Icheb stood aside to allow her access to the computer console. "I am sorry that I didn't call you earlier." He started to say.

Seven realized that he was still having trouble controlling his feelings for her, and she tried to swallow her annoyance. "Your apology is irrelevant." She said, without stopping her rapid analysis of the data in front of her.

Janeway turned to look at her. Seven realized that she had been stern and chose not to correct herself. "The spatial anomaly appears to be a wormhole." She stated, confirming the findings of the ships security officer.

"How long before we are close enough to see it?" Janeway asked, leaning forward as she spoke.

Her arms supported her weight as she stared intently at the huge screen, and Seven gazed longingly at Janeway's supple body. The Captain turned her head to look at her astrometrics officer, wondering why she had taken so long to answer her easy question. Seven looked away quickly, her thoughts momentarily jumbled by the beauty of Janeway's blue eyes boring into her. "Seven?" Janeway asked again.

Seven cleared her throat. "We will reach the anomaly in 12 days 7 hours and 15 minutes." She said, concentrating on her computer console.

The Captain straightened up and nodded. "Excellent, let me know if you find out anything more before we get there." She said, and left the room.

Seven continued to work in silence, realizing that Icheb was standing behind her waiting for her to give him something to do. He cleared his throat. "Is there anything I can help you with?" He asked cautiously.

Seven once again swallowed her annoyance with the young Borg. "No, why don't you go and regenerate." She said, realizing once again that she was being overly stern with him.

But she wanted time on her own. Icheb nodded and left the room. Once the doors had swooshed closed, and Seven had looked around her to ensure that she was alone, she relaxed slightly. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. If she thought hard enough, she could just about smell the delicate fragrance of roses. An aroma that followed the Captain, and was the after effect of some soaps that Seven had presented her with a few weeks earlier.

Janeway had been pleasantly surprised by the unexpected gift that Seven had presented her with one evening. They had been meeting once a week to talk about Seven's developing humanity. The Captain had agreed to discuss any problems that the former Borg drone might have, and their meetings had become more relaxed as the weeks had gone on. Seven remembered the light in the Captain's eyes when she had presented her with the small wooden box containing the different bars of bath soap. She smiled to herself, and a warm feeling spread through her body as she recalled how Janeway had thanked her, grasping her hand, and smiling so happily.

She turned her thoughts back to the computer consol in front of her. She had seen this anomaly on long-range sensors several days ago, but had chosen to stay silent on it. If this truly was a wormhole, then it might lead them back to the Alpha Quadrant, or at the least get them closer. She sighed heavily, realizing that this was the last thing that she wanted to happen. Once they arrived back on Earth, her pleasant friendship with the Captain would end, and there was every chance that she would never see the older woman again. The mere thought of this last possibility made Seven's heart sink and she realized that if she could, she would probably cry. She inhaled deeply, fighting the lump that was forming in her throat. She wished that she knew whether the Captain would return her feelings of affection, or whether she would merely bid her farewell without further thought.

Once, during a particularly animated discussion about human behavior, Seven had thought that Janeway might indeed return her affection. But the feeling had been brief and she realized almost as soon as she had the thought that she was wrong. She sighed again. If only Icheb hadn't found the wormhole, or had spoken to her first, she might have been able to hide the information from the rest of the ship. She would have completed further scans and analysis and ascertained the possibility of it being a route back to the Alpha Quadrant before she had decided whether to tell anyone else. Now she could only hope that the wormhole was not their salvation from isolation.

The computer beeped, and several new features appeared on the screen. Seven immediately hit the com button on her consol. "Astrometrics to the bridge." She called.

"Go ahead Seven." Janeway's voice called over the intercom.

"Captain, I am detecting alien ships, heading our way on an intercept course. I estimate their arrival in 14 minutes." She said, her fingers flying over the consol as she tried to discover further information on the ships flying towards them.

Up in the Bridge of the Starship Voyager, Captain Kathryn Janeway turned to her security officer. "Tuvok?" She asked.

The Vulcan stood impassively at his consol. "There are 3 ships, on an intercept course, I do not recognise their configuration." He said, not looking up from his computer screen.

Janeway looked at her first officer. Chakotay returned her look. "Mr. Neelix, please report to the bridge." Janeway called, and then sat back in her chair.

"Tuvok, do we know who controls this part of space?" She asked, wondering if their welcoming parties were friend or foe.

"According to our limited records of this area, the Minorians are in control, they are an early warp civilization, with a limited fleet, and to our knowledge, no aggressive intent." Tuvok stated simply.

Janeway frowned. She didn't like being caught out now knowing more about her possible enemy. The door swooshed open and Mr. Neelix walked onto the bridge. "You called Captain?" He asked, his brown eyes twinkling with permanent amusement.

"Mr. Neelix, what do you know about the Minorians?" Janeway asked.

Neelix stood for a moment, stroking the hair that grew out of his left ear. "The Minorians are a friendly race. The last trader that we met seemed to have quite a good opinion of them. He said that they were always hospitable to him anyway." Neelix said, proud to be able to offer help to the ship's Captain.

"Yellow alert." Janeway said, and the ship's computer initiated the standby status of the yellow alert.

"Captain?" Chakotay said, slightly surprised that the Captain was being so cautious.

"Why did they suddenly come to meet us, after we headed for the wormhole?" She said, keeping her voice low so as not to alert the rest of the bridge crew that she was worried.

Chakotay nodded his agreement. "That is unusual, but perhaps they were already headed our way and we only just noticed them." He said.

Janeway smiled. Her first officer was always so benevolent. He always gave alien races the benefit of the doubt, whereas she had a tendency to be more careful. "Perhaps." She said and stood up.

"Mr. Tuvok, I would like to speak to you in my ready room." She said, and walked across the bridge.

Tuvok let his station and stepped down to follow her. "Chakotay join us? Mr. Kim you have the bridge."

"Aye Captain." Harry Kim said enthusiastically.

Janeway smiled making sure that Ensign Kim didn't see. She enjoyed giving him brief opportunities of power. He always relished such opportunities, and she took such pleasure from making him happy. If he had been a little older, she mused as she walked through the sliding steel doors into her ready room, and they hadn't been stranded in the Delta Quadrant. She quickly turned her mind away from such thoughts, they were detrimental to her mood. As she crossed the room she heard the doors swoosh closed behind Tuvok and Chakotay. "Drink anyone?" She asked, as she approached the replicator.

"No, thank you." Tuvok's stilted reply did not surprise her, he rarely took a drink when they were discussing the ship's actions.

"Not for me either Captain, thank you." Chakotay's more friendly reply was quick to follow and Janeway smiled again.

"Coffee, black." She stated simply, knowing that her preferences were stored in the replicator's memory and that she would obtain a perfect cup of strong back coffee.

She wondered why she had been smiling so much in recent days as she reached for the coffee. She was usually happy, but she didn't recall being quite *so* happy for a long time. She reflected on recent events, wondering which one had boosted her spirits so thoroughly.

"Well Mr. Tuvok, what do you think about this possible wormhole that we are headed towards?" She asked, seating herself at her desk and indicating to the two officers that they should sit down.

"It is difficult to say without further information. However I suspect that Icheb's initial analysis was correct, that the spatial anomaly is indeed a wormhole." Tuvok said.

Janeway nodded. "I am inclined to agree, after a quick scan of his data. I expect Seven to come up with more information as we get closer." She said, but before anyone could reply Kim's voice called over the intercom.

"Captain to the bridge."

Janeway stood up and walked quickly to the door. It swooshed open and she stepped back onto the bridge. "What is it Mr. Kim?" She asked, striding across to her chair.

"We are being hailed." Harry replied.

"On screen."

A large green-scaled head filled the view screen. "Stand down your shields and prepare to be boarded." A deep gravelly voiced bellowed.

Janeway looked surprised, and then glanced at her First Officer. Chakotay returned her bemused look. "This is Captain Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. We mean you no harm." She began, gesturing with her left hand, her right hand tapping on her chin.

"Stand down your shields and prepare to be boarded." The voice repeated.

"I am sorry if we have entered your territory, we weren't aware that there were restrictions on passage through here." Janeway persisted.

"If you do not stand down your shields we will be forced to fire on you." The voice said.

Kathryn looked at her First Officer in exasperation. "If you would check your scanners you would see that we have far greater fire power than you. I warn you that if you fire on us, we will be forced to retaliate." Janeway said, flicking a piece of fluff from her pant leg.

The ship shuddered and Janeway turned to face Tuvok who raised one eyebrow at her. "They have fired on us Captain." He stated.

Janeway turned back to the screen. "I really don't want to engage you in a battle." She said, wondering why the Minorians had approached them.

"Too late." The alien said, and the screen went blank.

"Tuvok fire a warning shot across their bows." Janeway said, and Tuvok fired the forward phasers.

They all watched the screen as the lead ship was hit by the phasers, and appeared to dissolve. "Tuvok?" Janeway asked, standing up.

The other two ships beat a hasty retreat. "Should we follow them Captain?" Paris asked.

"No, stand down red alert. Tuvok, my ready room now." Janeway said, her voice was cold and low.

As she left the bridge she turned to face Chakotay. "Chakotay you have the bridge." She said, and walked into her ready room.

Tuvok followed her and the doors swooshed closed behind him. "I told you not to destroy them. What the hell do you think you were playing at?" She demanded.

Tuvok remained impassive. "I did not fire the fatal shot." He stated.

Janeway looked at him, and then sat in her chair. She threw her hands up in despair. "What are you talking about?" She asked.

"If you would scan the area, you will see that there are weapons signatures that are not Federation. I fired a shot and bounced off the hull, I did not fire the shot that caused their engines to explode." Tuvok continued.

Janeway sat staring at him for several moments, then leaned forward in her chair. As she activated her communications console the door alarm bleeped indicating that there was someone outside. "Janeway to Seven." She said into the comm, and the doors swooshed open.

Chakotay walked in. Tuvok looked at him in surprise, as he hadn't waited to be invited. "Seven here." The former Borg's disembodied voice called.

Janeway looked up at Chakotay and wondered why a little thrill ran through her as she looked at him. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. "Captain?" Seven asked.

"Yes Seven, please run a scan and see if you can identify the weapons signatures from that last exchange." Janeway said, and ended the communication.

"Captain, the other two ships have returned." He said softly.

Tuvok turned to look at the Captain, and saw to his amazement, that she was blushing. "Thank you Chakotay." She said, and looked away demurely.

Tuvok returned his gaze to the wall. "He had heard the rumors that the Captain had finally found comfort in the arms of a man, and that man was Chakotay. He had, on more than one occasion, questioned her choice of partner, but never aloud. Janeway stood up and looked at Tuvok who returned her look with a steady gaze. "We will discuss this further at a later time." She said, and they left the room.

Before Janeway could return to her chair, the ship was hit by the Minorians. "Red alert, bring her around." Janeway shouted, as she struggled to regain her footing.

The ship lurched sideways, and Tom battled with the steering system. He finally managed to right the ship. "Shall I get us out of here?" He yelled over the chaos that was reigning on the Bridge.

"Report." Janeway shouted as they were hit again.

"Captain?" Paris called, realizing that their window of escape was limited.

"Tom get us out of here." Janeway called, and he immediately complied, jumping to Warp 2.

"Engineering to the Captain." B'Elanna's voice called out.

"Report." Janeway shouted, finally sitting upright in her chair, and tapping her console rapidly.

"We can't maintain warp speed for much longer, we are leaking plasma down here." Torres called, and Kathryn could hear the hissing and crashing from the engine room.

"Understood, give us everything you can B'Elanna." She replied, and turned to survey the scene around her.

The ship had suffered considerable damage, several decks were without power, and there were hull breaches galore. "Tuvok, organize repair teams, Harry look for an M Class planet that we can head for just in case. Tom, keep us together." Janeway barked orders in rapid succession.

"Astrometrics to the Captain." Icheb's voice crackled through the comm.

"Janeway here?"

"Captain, I think you should get down here." He said, he sounded in great distress and Janeway's head snapped up.

"Chakotay you are with me, Tuvok, you have the bridge." She called, as she sprinted for the turbo lift.

Power was out on too many decks for the turbo lift to take them to astrometrics and Janeway sprinted along a corridor on Deck 4, with a huffing and panting Chakotay struggling to keep up with her. As Janeway rounded a corner she stopped in her tracks, her breath held in her throat, and she stared at the scene ahead of her. This part of the ship must have taken a direct hit, the corridor was blocked by fallen structural supports and pieces of wall. The doors to the Astrometrics lab weren't working properly, and she forced her way through the small gap. Once inside the room she stopped in horror. A huge section of the hull had been sheered off, and the Astrometrics lab was missing one wall.

Icheb stood at his console, behind an emergency force field that had been activated when the hull had been breached. "Icheb?" Janeway whispered as she moved to stand beside him.

He turned to face her, the look of distress on his face was almost her undoing, and then the realization struck Janeway. "Seven?" She whispered, moving forward until she was right up against the force field.

Chakotay appeared beside her, his heavy breathing pierced her thoughts and she turned to face him. "Captain." He panted, seeming not to realize the implications of the scene ahead of him.

Janeway was struggling to hold her emotions in check. She knew she was close to breaking down, her mind was racing, and she struggled to fight the tears that were threatening to spill over. She placed one hand on the force field, and felt it fizzle beneath her fingers. "Captain?" Chakotay said again.

Janeway finally turned to face him, and Chakotay's breath caught in his throat. His heart tumbled around in his chest. Damn she was beautiful, and so upset, he wanted to reach out and hold her to him. To comfort her. He wondered briefly why she was so distressed, but as quickly as the thought had come to him, it disappeared again. "Captain? What should we do?" Icheb asked.

Janeway didn't reply, but stared back at the gaping hole in the hull. "Captain?" Chakotay said again.

Suddenly Janeway's instincts took over and she snapped into action. "Icheb are you ok?" She asked, turning to face him.

He nodded silently, but she could tell that he had been hit by debris and his head was bleeding. "Janeway to the Bridge, Tom all stop." She called, and strode across the room to a console on the wall.

She stood tapping on the computer controls, desperately searching for information on what had happened. "Janeway to sickbay report." She called.

She hoped that somehow Seven had made it to sickbay. "We have 28 wounded in here and more on their way." The Doctor called, and she closed her eyes, she couldn't be seen to be favoring one member of her crew, but she had to know.

"Seven?" She asked quietly.

"No, not yet." The Doctor replied, and she knew that she couldn't press him for more information.

Chakotay appeared at her shoulder. "Captain, what is happening?" He asked, and a momentary flicker of annoyance rattled through her.

She turned to face him. "Icheb, get to sick bay and get your head looked at. Chakotay, scan the room, I need to know exactly what happened here, and I need to know who, whether we had any," She stopped, unable to say the words.

"Captain?" Chakotay asked, wondering why she hadn't finished the sentence.

Janeway turned to look at him, and Chakotay's heart melted. He reached out for her and pulled her into his strong embrace. She leaned her head against his chest, and tried to draw comfort from his nearness, but she still felt desperately empty. She pulled back after a few moments. "Chakotay scan the room." She whispered, swiping at her tears with one hand.

She inhaled deeply and drew on her inner reserves of strength. "There were no life signs in the room at the time of the breach." Chakotay stated moving his tricorder around.

Janeway heaved a sigh of relief, and then further worry over took her. "Where was Seven?" She asked, more to herself than to her First Officer.

Chakotay turned to look along the corridor, and scanned with his tricorder again. "I am picking up a faint biosign." He said, and moved slowly along the corridor following the signal.

"Computer locate Seven of Nine." Janeway said.

The computer bleeped. "Seven of Nine is not on the ship." It stated simply.

Janeway looked around her in frustration. "Captain." Chakotay called, as he kneeled against the bulkhead some 50 feet along the corridor.

Janeway rushed to his side and scanned the area with her own tricorder. "I am picking up faint biosigns." She said.

Chakotay nodded. "Yes, and they aren't human." He said, confirming what Janeway already knew.

She nodded. "Janeway to Tuvok, we need a security team down on Level 4, sector 17." She said, tapping her badge before she spoke.

"I'm on my way." Tuvok replied, and Janeway kneeled beside Chakotay to try to make sense of her tricorder readings.

"There seem to be faint biosigns behind this bulkhead." Chakotay said, and Janeway wondered why he was telling what she already knew.

"Where is the nearest access point?" She asked, looking around her.

The bulkhead wasn't accessible the whole way along, and Janeway was searching her mind to try to remember what was located behind the panel that they were standing by. "Down here." Chakotay said, standing and moving along the corridor.

She followed him cautiously, continuing to monitor the biosigns, but as they walked along the corridor the readings became fainter. "We are moving away from them." She said, and turned to look in the other direction.

She could see a Jeffrey's tube entrance near the Astrometrics lab doorway, and she moved quickly towards it. When she arrived at the door, she tucked her tricorder in her belt, pulled open the door and peered in. When she had ascertained that there was no immediate danger, Kathryn pulled her phaser from her belt holster, and clambered into the tube.

The door clanged shut behind her, and Janeway was left in the dark. She regretted not bringing a wrist light with her, and realized that she had to go back for one, as it was pitch dark in the Jeffrey's tube and she wasn't able to see anything. She returned to the door, but it had locked. Kathryn sighed, felt around with her hands and located the keypad at the side of the hatch, and then tapped her security code in, the computer bleeped, but the door didn't open. "Computer, open access hatch door, damn which one is it?" She said.

"Restate the question." The computer replied.

Janeway grumbled. "Computer lights." She said, wondering why the emergency lighting in the tube had failed.

"Please restate the question." The computer replied.

"Damn." Janeway said aloud, into the dark.

The computer didn't respond. She rested her head back against the wall of the tube and closed her eyes. "How did you get yourself into this mess?" Kathryn asked herself, wondering how long she would be trapped in the Jeffrey's tube.

After several minutes, the lights still hadn't come on, the computer still wasn't responding. Janeway decided that she couldn't stay sitting where she was, and she started to make her way slowly along the corridor, feeling her way cautiously. It was pitch dark and she couldn't see her hand in front of her face, and yet she stared intently into the distance, hoping to see a glimpse of light that would tell her that she had found a way out of her prison. She crawled on, making painfully slow progress. "Hello?" She called, after what seemed like an hour.

Her voice echoed around in the tube, coming back to her several times before it faded away. There was no response, and she rested for a few moments, before continuing her journey. Janeway felt as though she had crawled for miles, but she hadn't encountered a hatch, or even a junction in the tube, and she knew that she had only crawled a few hundred yards. She sat back and rested against the wall of the tube for a short while, regaining her breath. It was getting very warm in the tube, and she had already shed her uniform jacket some distance back. She licked her lips, wishing that she could get a drink of water, and realized that she had to move faster if she was to find her way out of the tube alive. She pressed on.

Suddenly Kathryn felt the wall of the tube disappear, and she realized that she had come to a junction. She wracked her brain to remember the schematic of the tubes, and came to the conclusion that if she took the different direction she would come to the recreation hall sooner than the room she would encounter if she continued on her way. She felt out with her hands, and entered the second tube.

It seemed to be slightly cooler in the other tube, and she wondered if the hatch at the end of it was open. She moved faster, trying not to hyperventilate, she was concerned about the oxygen levels in the tubes. The air had felt thinner for some while now, and she didn't want to pass out. Kathryn rested again, leaning against the cooling metal wall of the tube. "Hello?" A voice called out.

"Hello, yes?" She replied quickly, leaning forward and peering into the darkness.

"Captain?" Seven of Nine called out.

"Seven!" Kathryn replied happily.

Seven suddenly reached out and touched her face. Kathryn sat back startled by the touch. "I am sorry, I didn't realize where you were." Seven said, settling down beside the other woman.

"Seven, I am so glad to have found you." Kathryn said, her hand grasping Seven's arm.

Seven felt a bolt of electricity shoot up her arm, and she thanked fate that they were in the dark. "I think that we can get out of this tube slightly further up." Seven said, trying to retain control of her surging emotions.

"Yes so do I, it leads to the recreation room." Kathryn said enthusiastically.

Seven smiled in the dark. "I will lead the way." She stated, and began to move forward again.

She stopped suddenly when she felt the Captain's hand on her leg. "I want to stay in contact with you Seven." The Captain said, and Seven braced herself in the knowledge that physical contact with the Captain would make her mind wander.

They moved forward again, periodically Seven would stop and Janeway would bump into her rear. After several minutes of silence Seven could stand it no longer. "Captain, may we talk?" She said, as she crept along in the dark.

"Yes Seven, what would you like to discuss?" Kathryn replied, wondering if she dared to touch Seven's body instead of her leg.

"I would like to discuss personal relationships." Seven said falteringly.

The Captain didn't reply for a moment, and then she nodded. "Ok, anything in particular?" She asked.

Seven paused and Janeway's shoulder bumped into her rear again. "Friendship." She said, moving on.

Kathryn momentarily lost contact with Seven's leg, and then grasped hold again. "Friendship, yes, what about friendship?" She asked, thinking that it was most odd that they should be discussing friendship whilst crawling along in the dark together.

"I wondered, it is normal to develop feelings for someone with whom you have become good friends?" Seven asked, again thanking the fates that they were in pitch darkness and that the Captain couldn't see her blushing.

Kathryn thought for a few moments before replying. "While I wouldn't say it was normal Seven, it is perfectly natural. And the best long-term relationships arise from friendships. Because the passion of love needs the support of friendship to survive the trials of life." She said finally, wondering from where she was getting the words.

"Thank you Captain." Seven said, and the continued forward in silence.

"Seven, do you believe that you have developed feelings for someone?" Janeway asked finally, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Seven was silent for a few seconds. "Yes Captain I do."

"Well that is wonderful, do you think he will reciprocate?" Janeway asked, a strange feeling had over taken her, and she tried to shrug it off.

"He? Oh no, I have developed feelings for one of my female friends."

"Oh I see."

"Is that natural too?" Seven asked, stopping and turning to face her Captain even though she couldn't see her.

"Well for some women, yes it is perfectly natural Seven." Janeway said, wondering which woman Seven had developed a friendship with, let alone a crush on.

They continued forward in silence. "How do you suggest I proceed?" Seven asked carefully.

"Oh, well, you will need to ascertain whether she is the kind of woman who could entertain a relationship with another woman, and if she is, then you need to introduce the possibility of a relationship between the two of you, and see how she reacts. Of course, if she is not that kind of woman, then you will need to back off quickly, otherwise you will risk losing her friendship." Janeway said, her voice sounding strangely distant to her own ears.

Seven was silent as they continued forward and Kathryn hoped that their lesson for the day was over. "Are *you* that kind of woman Captain?" Seven asked suddenly.

Janeway stopped and stared forward. "Me?" She stuttered.

Seven stared behind her, wishing that she could see the Captain's face. "Yes Captain, are you?" She asked.

"Well it isn't really relevant to *me* Seven, and anyway it isn't something that I have ever thought about. Well. I really haven't thought about it." Janeway stammered, wondering why she didn't just say no, that she wasn't that kind of woman.

"Aren't you my friend Captain?"

"Seven, I am your Captain!" Janeway said, startled by the question, but realizing that she was even more startled by her body's response to it.

"But you are also my friend."

Seven began crawling forward again, and after a few moments, Janeway followed her. "Captain, I think we have reached the hatch." Seven said suddenly.

Janeway heaved a sigh of relief, and moved alongside the younger woman. Together they sought the panel of buttons that should open the hatch. It was unresponsive to their commands, and Janeway leaned against the wall in exasperation. "We should be able to open the hatch manually Seven, the two of us will manage it." She said, feeling around for the manual lever.

Suddenly the hatch opened, and the bright light of the room momentarily blinded her. Seven crawled out of the tube, and then reached in to help Janeway out. "Here." She said gently.

Janeway struggled to her feet, and leaned against Seven as her eyes slowly adjusted to the light. "Ok, now then we need to find out what happened." She said, crossing the room to a computer console.

Seven looked around her. She had never been in the recreation room before, it had always seemed like a waste of time and energy, but she knew that most of the crew used the room regularly. She crossed the room to join the Captain. "I think we have been invaded." Janeway said quietly, as she ran her nimble fingers over the computer console.

Seven gazed down at the screen. "I would concur." She said, reaching across to tap at the keys on the console.

As her fingers came into contact with the Captain's, Janeway snatched her hand back. "Internal sensors aren't working, communications are down, and environmental is about the only system that is still functioning within normal parameters." Seven said, not acknowledging the Captain's backing away from her, but the action cut deeply.

"Can we get sensors working again from here?" Janeway asked, rubbing her hand where Seven's fingers had come into contact with her skin.

"Yes." Seven stated simply, and her fingers ran over the console.

"I am not detecting anyone's life signs Captain." Seven said, not turning around.

"What do you mean? Everyone is dead?" Janeway asked, forgetting her impulse to stay apart from Seven, and stepping to stand beside her.

Seven felt the heat of Janeway's body radiating through her body suit, and she fought to control her emotions. "No, I detect no residual weapons fire from within the ship. I believe that the crew was removed." Seven said, her voice slightly husky.

If Janeway noticed the change in Seven's voice she didn't remark upon it. "Taken hostage?" She asked.

Seven nodded. "It would seem so." She said, tapping some more controls on the console.

"I am not detecting any life signs on board the ship." Seven said, concentrating on the screen in front of her.

The door suddenly swooshed open and the two women had no chance to escape. They ducked down behind the console quickly. Two humanoids in silver, all-enclosed suits walked into the room and looked around. Janeway could see their reflection in the large glass panel that covered one wall. It was used as a screen for movie entertainment purposes. The two beings looked around the room, then nodded to each other, and left the room again. "They didn't detect us." Seven said, as the door swooshed closed again.

"They didn't try." Janeway said, wondering what was going on.

She stood up and quickly moved across the room. In a panel beside the door, she reached for two phaser rifles. "Here." She said, passing one to Seven.

The former Borg took the rifle and followed her Captain out into the corridor. "Where are we going?" She whispered.

Her breath was hot on Kathryn's neck, and she wished that Seven would stand a little further away from her. "There is a good chance that we can find out more about what is going on here if we get back to the Astrometrics lab." Janeway hissed.

Seven placed her hand on Janeway's arm, preventing her from moving forward. "The Astrometrics lab was destroyed Captain." She whispered.

Janeway's mind whirled. "Damn." She said, looking up at the younger woman standing behind her.

Seven gazed down at her, her blue eyes reflecting an array of emotions that Kathryn really didn't want to see. She turned away again and tried to refocus her thoughts. "We should head for Station Alpha." She said quietly, clearing her throat gently.

They moved forward again, listening intently for sounds of the intruders. Janeway peered around a corner and pulled her head back quickly. She and Seven were leaning flat against the corridor wall, rifles at the ready. They listened for evidence that the intruders were approaching them. Sounds of boots on the floor indicated that they were. Janeway pushed Seven back into an alcove in the wall, and then pressed her body against her, hoping that the intruders would walk on past them and not come down their arm of the corridor. Her hopes were dashed as she saw two of the strangely suited humanoids turn in their direction. She closed her eyes and held her breath waiting to be discovered.

After several minutes she opened her eyes again and looked. The corridor was empty and she exhaled sharply. "They didn't see us." She said, suddenly very aware of the feel of Seven's firm body pressed against her back.

She stepped forward, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. Now was no time to be thinking about Seven's body pressed up against her own. She turned to face Seven, and suddenly realized that she *had* been thinking about Seven's body pressed up against her own, and she had been enjoying the thoughts of Seven's firm young body pressed up against her own. She looked away again quickly. "Captain?" Seven asked, stepping out of the alcove.

"This way." Janeway replied, moving off quickly.

They hurried along the corridors, reaching a turbo lift. Janeway touched the control panel on the door and to her relief the door swooshed open. They entered the lift. "Level 0, authorization Janeway 117." Janeway hissed and the turbo lift moved off.

Seven was watching her closely. "Captain, about what I said earlier." She began.

Kathryn put her hand up. "Seven this is no time to be thinking about romance, we need to get ourselves out of this situation first. And then we can sit down and talk about this for as long as you would like." She said curtly.

Seven looked down at her. "I meant about the spacial anomaly that we detected on sensors." She said.

Janeway blushed furiously. "Oh I see." She said, looking away.

"I had detected it already, several days ago, on long range sensors, and had chosen to not say anything about it." Seven continued.

Janeway looked up at her Astrometrics Officer. "Why not?" She asked.

"Because I feared that it would lead to the Alpha Quadrant."

"Oh Seven, but that is what we all want! To get home." Janeway said gently.

"Not all Captain." Seven said sadly.

"Seven, I had no idea. Are you still worried about not being accepted on Earth?" Janeway asked, her previous trepidation about being too close to the former Borg was forgotten as she stepped forward.

"I am not afraid Captain, but I am apprehensive." Seven said, but their conversation was cut short by the turbo lift doors opening.

They stepped out cautiously. There was no evidence of the intruders on this level, and they made their way along a short corridor. "Through here." Janeway said, indicating a low doorway to her Astrometrics Officer.

The two women stepped into the relatively small room that was capped off by a transparent aluminum dome. Seven gazed up in awe. "I had no idea this was here." She said quietly.

Janeway smiled, locking the door behind them. She placed her rifle on the table and quickly crossed to a console. "We can control the entire ship from here." She said as she activated the computer.

"Computer activate emergency channel Janeway omega pi delta." She said quietly, and the computer came to life.

"Acknowledged." The computer said and then bleeped.

Seven stepped to stand beside the Captain. "We can do everything that we need to do to save the ship from invasion from here." Janeway said, as her fingers flew over the keypad.

"What are you doing now?" Seven said, not recognizing any of the commands that Janeway was keying in.

"I am blocking all other consoles from control, they will not realize what is happening, as it will look like a simple computer malfunction. This single portal is the only one that will work now, and unless they know this ship better than I do, they will never find us up here." Janeway said, concentrating on her task.

Seven stepped away again, realizing that she could not help at this stage. She continued to stare up into the star-studded void above. "I love being out here." She said quietly.

Janeway looked up at her. "Seven?"

"I love being out here, in the Delta Quadrant. When we get back to Earth, it will all change. I will be treated like a freak, and my friends will all be gone, off doing more important things. I will be alone." Seven said, feeling the cold and desolation of her imagined life stretching away into the distance.

"Oh Seven, that will not happen. You won't be treated like a freak, and your friends will not desert you." Kathryn said, wishing that Seven hadn't chosen this time to start this conversation.

"Yes it will. You will be promoted and no longer have time for me. Naomi will go back to school and will no longer have time for me. B'Elanna and Tom will not want me hanging around them any more, and Neelix will have more interesting things to do." Seven said, turning to look at the Captain.

"Seven. This is not a great time for this discussion." Kathryn said, smiling gently and indicating the computer console in front of her.

Seven turned away. "You see, you are already too busy to be my friend." She said, realizing that she was going to cry.

"Seven don't be ridiculous, we aren't even close to being home. Come on."

Seven didn't respond, and Janeway went back to the computer. She wondered why Seven felt that she would be left alone, and then she recalled the conversation about her new found feelings for her friend. She looked up briefly, wondering whether Seven had fallen in love and was suffering the depression that sometimes accompanied such an event. She sighed, and returned to her task, either way she didn't have time to soothe anyone's tears just now. The computer bleeped several times, and informed her that all consoles on the ship had been locked out.

Janeway concentrated on her task, scanning the ship for life signs. Anything that would tell her who they were up against. "There are 17 aliens on board, but no Star Fleet personnel." She said, not looking up from her console.

Seven turned to look at her. Janeway didn't look up, she was concentrating on the computer, her fingers running across the screen as she keyed in more commands. "I don't think their technology is up to ours. It seems to me that they use brute force more than brains." Janeway said.

Seven turned away again, suddenly she saw a ship move past the observation window and she ducked down. "Don't worry they can't see in." Kathryn said gently.

Seven stood up again, feeling slightly foolish. "I didn't realize." She said, blushing slightly.

"This whole room is screened. Not even our own sensors can penetrate inside, so no one knows we are here, the computer records are encrypted, so even afterwards, no one will know that we were here. It is our last stronghold against being taken." Janeway explained.

Seven sat down on one of the leather chairs at the side of the small room. "There we are." Kathryn said, and Seven looked up at her.

"Where?" She asked, not understanding.

"I have initiated a shut down of all systems on the ship, everything will fail, and aliens will have to leave in order to survive." She said, not taking her eyes off the screen in front of her.

Seven wished the Captain would pay her as much attention. She looked away glumly, it was clear that the Captain saw her as a crewmember, not as a friend, because a friend wouldn't be so cold towards her. "Seven, tell me what is bothering you?" Kathryn said, stepping away from the console and around towards the younger woman who was clearly in so much distress.

"I believe you have all the information you require in order to diagnose my condition." Seven said, not looking at the older woman.

Kathryn sat on the leather chair next to her, and took her hand. "Seven I know it will be tough for you back on Earth, but everything will be fine. And your friends won't let you disappear from their lives, everyone of them will make every effort to stay in contact with you." She said gently.

Seven still didn't look at her. Janeway tried to remember what Seven had said earlier. "Seven is it this other woman that is causing you so much trouble?" She asked, wanting to help if she could.

"It really doesn't matter." Seven said, finally turning her head to face Janeway.

"Oh Seven." Kathryn said, not really knowing what to say,

She saw the hurt in Seven's eyes as the younger woman turned her head away and her heart melted. "Seven I." She began, and tried hard to think of the words to use.

"I." She began again, but her own thoughts were too jumbled for her words to make any sense.

She gripped Seven's hand more tightly as she realized that the former Borg was crying. "Oh Seven, please don't cry." She said, reaching to put her arm around the slender shoulders of the younger woman.

Seven didn't react to her touch. Janeway pulled on her gently. "Come on Seven, don't be like this." She said softly as the younger woman turned her head to rest on Kathryn's shoulder.

They sat like that for several minutes, each deep in their own thoughts. Kathryn inhaled the scent of roses from Seven's hair, and something fluttered around in her stomach. The scent was very faint, but something about it made her heart thunder around in her chest, and a familiar feeling of heat began to spread through her body. She had fought her feelings for so long that it had become second nature to her now. She knew that Seven was feeling very vulnerable at this moment, and that she needed a mother figure, not some older woman making a desperate attempt at seduction. She closed her eyes and battled against the rising tide of desire that was moving through her body.

Seven didn't dare move. Her head was pressed against Janeway's shoulder, and she could feel the rise and fall of the older woman's chest as she breathed. She knew that if she let her head fall just a little she would be pressed against the soft flesh of the Captain's breast, but she didn't want to risk Janeway pulling away from her. She could feel the heat of the other woman's body through her body suit and smell the faint fragrance of the rose scented soap that she knew the Captain had used that morning. She closed her eyes and listened to the rapid beat of Janeway's heart and absorbed the feeling of safety and comfort. Unfamiliar feelings surged through her body, and a strange heat was emanating from the center of her body.

"Seven?" Janeway whispered.

"Yes Captain?" Seven replied not moving from her position.

"There is something I have to tell you." She asked.

This time Seven did raise her head to look at the Captain. She gazed into Janeway's clear blue eyes and wondered whether she had the courage to say anything. "I wasn't completely honest with you earlier." Janeway whispered, her brow was furrowed and she looked concerned.

Seven wanted to smooth away the worry with a kiss, but something held her back. She didn't speak, and they gazed at each other for several long moments. "Seven, in answer to your question, am I that kind of woman. Yes I am. In answer to your question, am I your friend. Seven yes I am your friend, I am your very good friend." She said, Seven could see that tears were welling up in her eyes as she spoke.

She reached up with one hand to gently wipe away the tears. "Captain." She began, but was silenced by a kiss.

A kiss that was so unexpected that it took her breath away, and so passionate that it blew her mind, and so gentle that she wondered whether their lips had actually touched. "Seven, please tell me that I am the friend that you have developed deeper feelings for." Kathryn whispered.

Her heat was hammering in her chest, and she feared that Seven would deny her love. "Yes Captain it is you that I have developed stronger feelings for." Seven confirmed quietly, and leaned down to kiss Kathryn's lips very gently with her own.

"Call me Kathryn." Janeway said, as she wrapped her arms around the strong body of the younger woman, and deepened their kiss.

Seven stood up and moved to sit on Kathryn's lap. "Am I too heavy for you?" She asked and Kathryn shook her head, not wanting to waste time talking.

They kissed passionately; Kathryn ran her hands up Seven's back, feeling the strength of her body beneath the tight material of her body suit. Her hands found the fastener, and she slowly began to pull it down, the suit began to relax, and Seven inhaled deeply. "Oh Kathryn." She murmured loosening her grip on the older woman as her body suit fell away from her.

Kathryn pushed her back so that the material fell away from her body. She was naked from the waist up, her breathing was erratic, and her breasts rose and fell as she breathed. Kathryn leaned down and took one erect nipple in her mouth. Her hands roamed over Seven's naked back and Seven bent her head to kiss Kathryn's neck. "Oh." Seven gasped, as electricity shot through her body.

Janeway's nails dug into the soft flesh of Seven's back and the younger woman arched her back in response to the new sensations that were flooding through her. "I want all of you." Janeway groaned, her hot mouth leaving one engorged nipple and trailing its way across Seven's chest to the other breast.

Seven stood up, pulling herself away from Kathryn, the two women were breathing heavily, their passion had made the room seem airless and Seven ran one hand through her hair. Kathryn stood up and reached up to pull the pins from Seven's hair. It cascaded down around her shoulders, and Seven shook her head, glad to be free of the restraining pins. Janeway pushed her backwards until she was leaning against the table. She pulled at the body suit, dragging it down below her waist, exposing Seven's golden thatch of hair between her legs. Seven kicked off the suit, and grabbed for Kathryn's shirt, pulling the fastener down and then dragging the shirt off. Kathryn kicked off her own boots as Seven reached around to release the clasp of her white lacy bra. Her breasts were freed from their constraint, and Seven held one in each hand, balancing the weight evenly and gazing adoringly at her nakedness. "I never knew I could feel this way." She whispered, leaning down to kiss the Captain again.

They held each other close, the feeling of their skin rubbing against each other was driving them wild with desire. Kathryn pushed at Seven until she leaned backwards. She pulled at her pant fastener until it gave way, and she kicked the pants off quickly. Seven immediately put her hands back on Kathryn's naked body, stroking and feeling her way, learning the contours of flesh that made up her lover. Janeway pushed again and Seven sat on the table. After struggling slightly, both women lay on the cool wood of the table, naked, side-by-side. Exploring each other's body with hands, mouths, fingers and tongues. Kissing, nibbling, touching, pinching and teasing each other to greater heights of pleasure.

Seven shuddered as she felt Kathryn's fingers probing between her thighs. "Let me in." Kathryn whispered, nibbling at the skin below Seven's ear.

Seven obliged, and looked up to the stars as Kathryn skillfully stroked her to a quick climax. Just when she thought the waves of pleasure would end, she felt another surge coming on. "Oh my." She groaned.

Kathryn grinned to herself. She reached down with her lips to suck Seven's erect nipple into her mouth, teasing the bud with her teeth, nibbling and sucking as she probed with her fingers. She could feel the waves of contractions in Seven's groin, and her engorged flesh responding to every stroke and every nibble. Her own desire was great and she knew that she was ready for Seven to take her just as soon as the younger woman was ready. "Oh please stop, stop." Seven begged, but Kathryn continued, and Seven arched her back again.

She bucked beneath Kathryn's body, and Kathryn could feel every muscle in her body tensing as the younger woman thrashed beneath her. "Oh please, stop." Seven pleaded, digging her fingers into Kathryn's back.

Kathryn didn't stop, and Seven groaned again, this time more loudly than before, her body was tightly strung, and every nerve ending was firing. She felt another wave of orgasm approaching, and she knew that she was helpless to stop it. She cried out as the wave hit, gripping her lover tightly, squeezing every muscle in her body to milk the most that she could out of the sensations that she was now submerged in.

Finally she lay still, her arms splayed, her breath ragged, her body spent. Kathryn held her close and kissed her gently. "Seven I love you." She whispered, but Seven was too exhausted to reply.

After a few moments Kathryn lifted her head to look down on the younger woman. Her face was relaxed and Kathryn wondered if she was asleep. She leaned down to kiss her cheek, and Seven turned to face her. She reached up with one hand to cup Kathryn's face and smiled. "I had no idea it could be like that." She said lazily.

Kathryn grinned. "It would be much better in a bed, in a more romantic setting. Under less stressful times." She said gently, kissing Seven's upturned mouth again.

Seven wrapped her arms around Kathryn and pulled her down to kiss her. Her tongue probed Kathryn's mouth, and as the older woman's lips parted, Seven felt the now familiar tingles of desire moving through her groin. She rolled them over, grimacing as the hard wood of the table dug into her shoulder blades. "This isn't the most comfortable of places." Kathryn agreed as she shared a grimace.

"It will do for now." Seven said, kissing Kathryn again.

Their tongues began to fight for space, and Kathryn raised one leg, bringing it down to rest on Seven's back. Her arms were wrapped around Seven's neck holding her tightly. The computer suddenly bleeped, and Kathryn looked up at the screen in annoyance. "Red alert, intruder on the Bridge." The computer said quietly.

Janeway looked at Seven apologetically, and reached up to pull the screen around so that they could see what was going on. Seven lowered her head again and kissed the hollow at the base of Kathryn's neck, nibbling gently as the older woman tried to focus on the screen. "There are three humans on the bridge Seven. It might be the crew back." She said.

Seven looked up. "But you said that no one would find us up here." She said, looking down into Kathryn's blue eyes.

The older woman battled in her mind between making love to Seven, and investigating the intruders. Suddenly her mind was made up for her, as Seven reached down to tease her between her thighs. "No they will never know we are here." She said, reaching up to kiss the younger woman again.

She arched her back as Seven's inexperienced probing caused a cascade of sensations in her groin. The computer bleeped again. "Red Alert. Intruders on the Bridge."

Kathryn groaned. "It will not shut up." She said, looking up at the screen again.

Seven sighed and pulled her hand out from between their two sweaty bodies. "Perhaps we could deactivate it?" She suggested hopefully.

Janeway turned her gaze on Seven. "No I don't think so." She said sternly, realizing that Seven wanted her as much as she wanted Seven.

Seven rolled off her, allowing Kathryn to sit up. She pulled the computer screen around to face her again, and shuddered as she felt Seven's hands on her breasts. She pulled away and turned her back. Seven persisted, planting gentle kisses all the way down her spine, finishing with her tongue, gently stroking the soft flesh of her buttocks. "Seven please." Kathryn said, trying to focus on the computer.

She slid off the table, and leaned over to read the screen. Seven lay sprawled on the table, admiring the sight of her Captain trying to be official, but looking remotely ridiculous as she was still naked. Kathryn tried not to smile, she didn't want to encourage the younger woman any more than she had already. "Stop it, there will be time for this later." She scolded, finally looking up.

Seven grinned and slid off the table. She moved around behind Kathryn and slid her hands around the smaller woman's body. She leaned down to press kisses to the back of Kathryn's neck as her hands made their way across the soft skin of her superior officer, reaching down towards her thighs. "Seven stop it." Kathryn said, trying to wriggle free.

Seven giggled, and Kathryn stopped fighting. "I have never heard you giggle before." She said, turning to face the taller woman.

Seven smiled down at her. "I have never been this happy before." She said, pulling Kathryn into an embrace.

The computer bleeped again. "Red Alert. Intruders on Deck 2."

Kathryn pulled away from Seven's embrace. "Seven we really have to do something about this." She said, turning back to face the computer again.

"If you insist." Seven muttered, running one finger down the Captain's back as she leaned forward.

Seven's finger trailed a blaze of heat down Kathryn's spine and her body responded with a fire of its own. Kathryn tried to control the rising tide of desire that was starting to overcome her again, but she knew that she was losing the battle. Suddenly she gasped as she felt Seven's hands on her buttocks, then pushing her legs apart. "Seven." She said, looking down and seeing Seven kneeling on the floor in front of her.

"You just concentrate on the computer." Seven said, stroking Kathryn's thighs with her hands, and then reaching between her legs for the treasure. "Oh my." Seven said as she felt the extent of Kathryn's desire.

Kathryn tried to step away, but Seven was holding on to her too tightly. "Seven please." She muttered looking down.

"If you insist." Seven said, and pressed her face into Kathryn's soft thatch of hair.

Her tongue probed between the moist lips of her center, and Kathryn shuddered as she felt the cool smooth length of Seven's tongue stroking her thrumming flesh. She leaned against the desk, bracing her arms to prevent herself from falling forward as waves of pleasure rippled through her body, making her knees weak and her muscles contract. "Seven stop, I will fall." She groaned, but the former Borg didn't stop, and soon Kathryn was overtaken by wave upon wave of crashing orgasm that shook her body with incredible power.

Seven felt Kathryn's weight shift, and she realized that the smaller woman would indeed fall without support, and she reached up to grip Kathryn's hips. As the final throws of her orgasm subsided Kathryn finally let go, and her knees buckled. She slid down to land in Seven's lap and slumped against the taller woman, who held her tightly. As her breathing slowly returned to normal Kathryn looked up at Seven and licked her lips. "Oh my." Was all she could say.

"You were so quiet." Seven said, gently kissing Kathryn's forehead.

Kathryn laid her head on Seven's shoulder and wrapped her arms around her neck. She didn't reply for several minutes, until she felt some strength return to her body. Then she lifted her head again, and smiled. "I am sorry." She said, and Seven leaned down to kiss her.

The musky smell of her own sex was incredibly arousing to Kathryn, and she deepened the kiss. "Red Alert. Intruders on all decks." The computer bleeped.

"Damn thing." Kathryn said, breaking away from Seven.

She rolled off Seven's lap and struggled to her feet, her legs were still slightly wobbly and she chose to sit down rather than fight the weakness. "I will make you scream aloud next time." Seven said, standing up and lightly touching Kathryn's face.

Kathryn smiled in return and then tried to focus on the computer again. "I really have to work out what is going on here." She said.

Seven reached for Kathryn's clothes from the floor and placed them carefully on the table. She stepped into her body suit and pulled it up, fastening it up the back and once more assuming the role of Astrometrics Officer. "Captain, let me look at that, while you get dressed." She said, pinning her hair back up into its neat French plait.

Kathryn relinquished the computer, running one finger across Seven's back as she stepped aside. She quickly pulled her clothes on, straightening her hair as best she could without a mirror, and returned to the computer. "It seems that some of the crew have indeed returned. I can detect Mr. Tuvok and Chakotay on the Bridge, Lieutenant Paris and B'Elanna are in engineering." Seven said, her fingers running over the keypad on the computer screen.

Kathryn felt a pang of jealousy as she realized that Seven had called all the men by their titles, but had referred to the Chief engineer by her first name. "Are you friends with B'Elanna?" She asked quietly, cross with herself for giving in to her fears.

Seven looked up at her. "I don't think my relationship with B'Elanna would classify as friendship, I believe she tolerates my presence," she said, placing one hand on Kathryn's arm. "You on the other hand, are my very good friend." She finished, and Kathryn leaned down to kiss her gently.

"We should transfer control of the computer back to the bridge, so that they can resume control of the ship." Kathryn said, clearing her throat and concentrating back on the task at hand.

They worked quickly to transfer the controls and Janeway watched the screen monitoring the activity of the crew as they quickly realized the computer was back on line. "Come on." She said pulling at Seven's arm.

Seven stood up and placed one hand on Kathryn's shoulder. "Before we leave this room, Kathryn, I need to know. Are we going back to the way things were before? Or have we started something?" She asked, and Janeway could see the anxiety in her eyes.

"Seven there is no way that we can forget what happened in here today. But we have to be careful. I am the Captain of this ship, and I can't be seen to be fraternizing with a member of my crew."

Seven smiled. "But Captain, I am not a member of your crew. Yet." She said.

Kathryn returned her smile. "You know what I mean." She said, reaching up to kiss Seven gently on the lips.

"We are lovers now, and that is how I would like it to stay, but we have to act with decorum, we can't let anyone know ok?" Kathryn asked, her face expressing the concern that she felt.

Seven nodded, and smiled. "Don't look so worried. I will not be like Michael O'Sullivan." She said.

Kathryn looked confused. "Shouting my love for you from the top of a tree." Seven explained, and the memory of that unfortunate period of her past made Kathryn grimace.

Seven laughed and planted a kiss firmly on Kathryn forehead. "Are we ready to go?" She asked.

Kathryn turned to the computer console. "Computer initiate shut down sequence, authorization Janeway alpha 9." She commanded, and the computer bleeped.

"Shut down sequence initiated." The computer replied, and the screen flickered then went dead.

Janeway pushed the screen back into its storage position, and turned to look at Seven who was watching her. "Come on then." She said, and they went to the door.

Kathryn punched a series of numbers into the keypad at the side of the door and it swooshed open. They peered out into the short corridor and left the room. "We can't take the turbo lift, it is too risky." Janeway said, realizing that if anyone saw them descending from above they would immediately be suspicious.

"Do we climb down the Jeffrey's tube?" Seven asked, hoping that there was another way out.

Janeway nodded, and accessed the hatch at the side of the turbo lift shaft. They climbed in and carefully ascended the long ladder attached to the side wall of the tube. "How far down do we need to go?" Seven asked after they had descended two levels.

"This should be far enough, we will come out near Astrometrics with any luck!" Kathryn said, reaching into a side tube.

Seven followed her for a short distance, before Janeway found a hatch, and opened it. They climbed out into the corridor and closed the hatch again. "How do I look?" Kathryn asked quickly, aware that she probably looked very disheveled.

"You look incredible." Seven whispered, grinning at her.

"Seven, be serious." Kathryn hissed.

"You look fine." Seven said, and the older woman looked at her suspiciously.

The lights suddenly came on and they moved away from where they stood.

Tuvok stood at his station on the Bridge, trying to locate the rest of the crew. "Any sign of the Captain?" Chakotay asked as he entered the bridge.

Tuvok shook his head. "No. But I have located several more members of the crew and will be transporting them momentarily." He said, not looking up from his console.

Chakotay nodded and crossed to his chair. None of the crewmembers that had been rescued thus far had seen anything of the Captain, and he was concerned as to her whereabouts. The doors of the bridge swooshed open and Tom Paris walked in. "We have warp engines." He said, to no one in particular as he crossed to his station at the conn.

"We aren't leaving until we find the Captain." Chakotay said harshly, and Tom turned to face him

"I know that, I just thought you might like to know that we are ready to go just as soon as we have everyone back on board." He said, raising his eyebrows in surprise at the First Officer's remark.

Tuvok looked up. "Thank you Lieutenant." He said, ad turned back to his console.

Tom turned back to the con. "Mr. Paris, would be so kind as to take over at Operations?" Tuvok said, not taking his eyes off his computer screen.

Tom stood up and crossed the bridge to take the place of Harry Kim at Operations. He quickly scanned the screen and saw that he only needed to monitor the situation; he tapped a few keys and checked on the status of the shields, and the hull integrity, just because he could.

The doors swooshed open and the Captain walked onto the bridge. "Captain!!" Tom exclaimed clearly pleased to see her back in command.

She smiled in greeting, and turned to Tuvok. "Mr. Tuvok, report." She said, and walked to her chair.

Seven entered the bridge behind her, Tom watched her expression and frowned thoughtfully. "All ships systems are operational, we have retrieved 123 crew from the planet surface and have located 12 more. We have full warp capacity, and once we have located and retrieved the crew we can leave the quadrant." Tuvok stated.

Janeway sat in her chair and nodded. "Any idea who these people were?" She asked.

Chakotay looked at her strangely. "Captain, where were you?" He asked quietly.

She looked up at him. "I was on board all the time, I managed to evade detection, as was Seven, she and I managed to retain control of the ship, until the alien's left. Now what happened to you?" She asked, matching his gaze.

Seven walked behind Tom, monitoring his activity on the computer. She peered over his shoulder. Tom look up in surprise. "Seven?" He said.

"Mr. Paris?" She replied.

"Seven, have you?" He started, unsure of how to ask the question that he wanted to ask.

"Have I what Mr. Paris?" Seven asked.

Janeway looked back at them, as she heard their exchange. Paris looked down at her, and then a look of realization overcame him and he looked back at Seven. "Oh nothing Seven." He said, suddenly very interested in his console.

Three hours later the entire crew had been returned to Voyager, no one had been harmed, and no one had an explanation for their removal from the ship. Janeway was exhausted, and she was tired of Tuvok's questions about how she had evaded capture by the strange aliens. "I think that I need a bath and my bed." She announced, standing up and stretching.

Chakotay stood up too. "Will you be going to the mess hall?" He asked, smiling at her.

Janeway looked at him in surprise. "No, I will not." She said abruptly.

Chakotay's smile disappeared. "Forgive me, I misread the signals." He whispered to her.

Janeway looked at him in confusion, and then walked away. Tom grinned at her. "Sleep well Captain." He called as she left the bridge.

Kathryn entered her quarters a few minutes later, and stripped off her uniform shirt. She felt sticky and grubby beneath her clothes and she longed for a long soak in her tub. She went into the bathroom and turned on the faucets, then poured some soothing lavender bubbles into the water. She stripped off quickly and stepped into the water, settling down into the warmth as the bubbles arose around her.

Once the water had reached the level that she liked, she reached with her foot to turn off the faucet, but her toe came into contact with warm flesh instead of cold metal. She sat up quickly slopping water over the side of the tub as she did so. Seven sat at the side of the tub smiling down at her. "Hello." She said, and stood up.

Kathryn smiled in return. "Well hello." She said, watching as Seven stripped her body suit off, and for the second time that day Kathryn enjoyed the sight of Seven's naked body.

"Mind if I join you?" Seven asked, stepping into the tub without waiting for a reply.

Kathryn moved to one side to allow Seven room to settle beside her. "How did you get in?" She asked.

Seven smiled. "Well I had an inspiration. It occurred to me, that all the ship is accessible through a Jeffrey's tube. Including the Captain's quarters." She said, leaning in to a kiss.

Janeway sighed with pleasure. "Well aren't you the enterprising one?" She said, shuddering slightly as she felt Seven's hands roaming over her body beneath the water.

"Well you did say to be discreet." Seven said, wrapping her arm around Kathryn's shoulder and pulling her into an embrace.

"Although I think Mr. Paris suspected something." She murmured into Kathryn's ear.

Kathryn smiled. "Yes I am sure he did. If anyone was to notice the two of us appearing on the bridge stinking of sex, it would be Mr. Paris." She said, and opened her lips to Seven's kiss.