Alpha - Chapter 3

A little of the night's chill followed them inside as they came in from the porch that overlooked the back yard.

Kathryn was mulling over the question her mother had just asked in regards to how she and Seven had "gotten together." She sat down on the couch and looked over at Gretchen, who sat down across from her.

Seven and Phoebe were still outside, which made Kathryn cringe just a little. Together they had the potential to be a quite mischievous pair.

"Well, you know of course about how Seven came on board." She paused and took a breath. "It was a lot of things, actually. I think part of me was attracted to her immediately..."

Her mind cartwheeled backwards to the day that she realised that they shared a mutual attraction to each other.

She had dared not believe for a moment that Seven could possibly return the feelings that she had begun to develop for the young woman. She knew she was just another admirer among dozens on the ship.

After one particular distressing ship crisis she had re-evaluated the entire situation and decided she was becoming too attached, too...vulnerable to the object of her desire, and too vulnerable for a Starfeet captain anyway. Besides, harbouring crushes for crewmembers seemed less than appropriate and she decided it was best for them both if she limited the amount of their interaction.

That evening Seven reported to her quarters for their scheduled game of Velocity.

When Kathryn saw Seven in her black outfit, hair already looking mussed, and a towel slung over her shoulder she immediately regretted her decision and it began to rip at her heart, making her eyes brim with tears.

"I--I'm sorry, Seven, but I'm afraid I won't be able to play a game with you tonight, in fact, I'm afraid I'll have to postpone our Velocity matches indefinitely." She stood very rigid as she made this announcement, doing a good approximation of Seven's usual stance.

Something fluttered across Seven's features but it was too brief to notice.

"I see. May I ask why?"

"Some ship's business just caught up to me, things I've put off too long." Yeah, things caught up to her all right, like the rumours that had begun circulating around the ship concerning herself and the curvaceous Borg, rumors that had to be put to a stop.

Seven seemed to be at a loss and whispered something quietly, seemingly to herself.

"What was that?"

"I said, what am I supposed to do now? I have grown accustomed to playing Velocity."

"You can still play, with someone else or the computer. Maybe you should try expanding your interests a little." A little of the stiffness left her as she recalled a memory from childhood. She sauntered over to the replicator as she spoke.

"You know, I've always regretted not learning how to play an instrument. Scotch on ice," she ordered the machine a little hoarsely.

"Which instrument do you prefer?"

"Piano, definitely." She took the drink and sipped it tentatively, then turned to look at Seven, who had returned to her usual cool demeanour.

"I've always wanted to play the piano."

Seven nodded. "Thank you, captain. Good night."

Kathryn watched her go, and with a heavy sigh, turned to look out the window.

Even now Kathryn could feel the pain of that decision. She shook loose from the recollection and smiled over at her mother, continuing with the story after a thoughtful pause.

"Anyway, it wasn't until the next evening that-" She stopped as she watched Seven emerge from the kitchen and hand a steaming cup of tea to Gretchen, who murmured a thank you.

"Where's mine?" Kathryn asked.

Seven fixed her with a look of pure indifference. "You are not a guest here, nothing is preventing you from using the replicator." Unbidden, a smirk crept onto her lips.

"Please? You know what I want."

Seven had to make a deliberate choice not to comment on that statement.

"Very well."

Kathryn watched her go back into the kitchen with a self indulgent little smile.

"So, anyway, the following night I was having some trouble sleeping and around three in the morning I went into the mess hall."

"12:53." a voice from the kitchen shouted.

"No, I'm fairly certain it was around three."

"I have an internal chronometer, it was closer to one," the voice from the kitchen said.

"Maybe you were malfunctioning."

"Maybe you should buy a watch." She emerged from the kitchen with Janeway's coffee and handed it to her carefully.

"I'm going back out to the porch. Phoebe is telling me what she terms embarrassing stories of your childhood." Seven bent down to kiss her briefly on the cheek, and then went back outside.

As soon as she left Gretchen let out a hearty chuckle.

"I'm-I'm sorry, dear. Go on."

"Anyway, it was THREE in the morning..."

Captain Janeway headed for the mess hall. She was not going to get any sleep that night and pacing the confines of her quarters was not helping. Maybe she could grab a late snack.

As she entered the Mess Hall she noticed the lights were down and a figure was sitting in front of a piano.

That was new. She resisted the urge to bring up the lights and just stood in the shadows, listening.

The piece was perfectly executed; it seemed familiar in some way, bringing up nostalgic feelings for roads once walked as well as ones unexplored. She was missing something, and the music brought that chasm in her to an aching point and made it throb in tandem with her heart.

The final chords were deep and reverberating, and then the music stopped, the player sitting upright in the darkness.

The silence was broken by the applause of one.

"That was...incredible."

"Thank you."

When Janeway had heard Seven's rich voice respond her knees almost buckled.

"Seven?"

"Yes?"

"I--I...when did you...did you?" Where was a chair when she needed one?

"In the past two days I have been studying how to play. I believe I have become quite adept at it. Computer, lights."

She turned to look at the Captain. Her hair was not in her customary bun and fell gently about her shoulders.

Janeway swallowed hard.

"It was your suggestion."

"Yes, but...You look tired, have you even regenerated?"

"'I'm functioning within acceptable parameters."

Kathryn walked slowly towards the piano. "That piece you were playing, it seemed familiar."

"That is unlikely. I wrote it."

"You wrote it?" She sat down on the bench next to her.

"I wrote it for you...Kathryn."

She literally shook at the pronouncement, and even more so when Seven grasped her gently and treated her to a searing kiss.

Kathryn paused again and could feel her mother's gaze on her. She cleared her throat.

"Anyway, that was the day I decided that it really didn't matter, all the things I had been so worried about, used as excuses...some things you just can't fight. So I quit fighting. It's been...interesting ever since."

"I see. Did you ever tell her that you had been trying to avoid her and that's why you cancelled the Velocity matches?"

"Later, yes. She understood."

"I see your memory is incorrect again," a voice from the kitchen piped up. "I was not understanding. Perhaps you should go see a Doctor about this memory problem."

"And perhaps you should go outside and look for a doghouse to sleep in."

"I'll leave that to you as it seems you know many ways of getting into one."

She knew when she had been bested. She leaned back and sipped her coffee, and giving Gretchen a smile, shrugged helplessly.

Seven sat down on the steps of the porch, carrying two cups, one of which she handed to Phoebe and the other one she kept for herself. Phoebe was still smiling over the last story she had just told about her sister. She took the mug wordlessly and looked out at the city lights. The house sat on a hill, which gave them a good sightline into most of the city. The city shimmered in the night and Phoebe could almost detect the saltwater in the air. She inhaled deeply and then looked over at Seven.

"What are they talking about in there?"

"About when Kathryn and I decided to pursue a romantic relationship."

"Oh." She looked down at her coffee. "I imagine you had to do a lot of chasing, huh? I mean, knowing Kathryn."

"No, when the time came it was a mutual decision."

The events came rushing back to her, and sensing that Phoebe didn't want to hear anything that put her sister and romance in the same possible framework she decided to give her a edited version of the story. A little later in the evening Phoebe and Gretchen left, but Seven stayed out on the porch, looking at the bejewelled city before her. She heard the door creak open behind her.

"Are you going to stay out here all night?" Janeway asked.

"I'm thinking."

"Oh, okay." A little surprise was evident in Kathryn's voice.

"Well, I'm going to bed." Seven nodded and dove back into the memories that had overtaken her.

After her first unsuccessful attempt at dating she had decided the entire practice was inefficient and that romantic relationships were tedious and irrelevant when it came to herself. She was quite happy with that decision, and she felt comfortable with it...until Captain Janeway did everything in her power to ruin that assessment.

It was unintentional of course, Kathryn never meant to throw Seven's life into a philosophical turmoil. But that was exactly what she did. Once things had finally slowed down on the ship Seven and Janeway had fallen back into their old routine of playing Velocity and the occasional discussions on humanity in DaVinci's studio. It was during these interactions that Seven had begun to feel unusual. There was a certain joy to be being around her captain, and it would cause her pulse to race ad occasionally her stomach would feel strange. There was no doubt in her mind that their relationship was changing into something else. The Captain had started to smile at her more often, make more eye contact during staff meetings and on the bridge. One time during a Velocity match she had knocked Kathryn to the ground and when she went over to help her up found the Captain just grinning at her. It was then that she first felt a desire to kiss her. Nothing heavy, just a kiss, a quick peck on the lips. This perplexed and disturbed her. She put off seeing Kathryn for the next few days until they met in the DaVinci program to discuss a book that Kathryn had suggested she read. The program was dimly lit except for the fire raging in the heart. After a long discussion Janeway asked Seven to read her a passage from the book to prove some point she had been arguing. Seven had complied, sitting next to the fire, book in hand.

Kathryn had stretched out on a chair, one leg thrown up over the arm rest, her chin resting in her palm as she watched Seven by the fire reading the passage out loud. For some unaccountable reason Seven stopped reading, a chill tickling down her spine. She had looked across the darkened room at the woman who was watching her so intently. The firelight played across the captain's features and suddenly it was as if Seven saw another creature sitting there, catlike and sensuous, eyes sparkling in the light and a smile gracing her features. Everything in Seven's world crashed, shattering into thousands of pieces, each throwing back a reflection of what she saw before her.

The vision before her tore, lacerated, and ripped her very core, made her bleed.

Then there were the eyes...

There was no mistaking the fire that reached out and caressed her across he distance. It was a warmth she wanted to live in, feel wrapped around her naked flesh.

The had book dropped to the floor.

"Seven?" Kathryn had asked gently.

"I..I'm sorry, I was preoccupied." How long had she been staring? Hopefully not too long. Had the captain noticed? She bent down to retrieve the book and continued.

The memory of that moment made Seven shudder as she sat on the porch and wrapped her arms around herself.

Things had never been the same for Seven after that.

She had continued to read the rest of the passage, not daring to look in the captain's direction but feeling her gaze on her the entire time. Her eyes began to water a little and she feared a tear might actually slip out and splash onto the page she was reading. Some unforseen current had taken hold of a considerable chunk of her heart and soul and was moving off with it, to parts unknown.

As she finished she looked up at Janeway, hoping she couldn't see the moisture glistening in her eyes. A little voice popped up in her head that startled her. It was her own. I'm yours now, Captain, it whispered.

"I'm yours now, captain." Seven said aloud to the empty backyard. She rose from her seat and walked into the house. The memory had ignited her blood and her skin tingled in response. She kicked off her shoes in the living room as she made her way to the bedroom.

Kathryn was lying on the bed in her red silk pyjamas; her head propped up as she read the book she had layed on the bed in front of her. Helplessly, she watched as the book was pulled away and tossed onto the floor.

"No more reading tonight." Seven said coolly, "You'll be occupied."

"Oh re--" The comment was ripped from its completion as she felt Seven grasp her by the ankles and begin to pull her down the bed.

Kathryn found herself sitting on the edge of the bed with Seven kneeling before her.

Seven rested her hands on the top of Janeway's thighs and tossed her a smouldering look. Its ferociousness made her shiver and she looked into the sky blue eyes that appraised her so brazenly. Before she could say anything more Seven kissed her fiercely, almost drawing the breath out of her lungs. Her tongue fought for its rightful place in her mouth and Kathryn encouraged her in every way possible.

Janeway wrapped her legs around Seven's waist. The blonde ground against her provocatively but then pulled back, untangling herself from Kathryn's legs and moving away from her prey. Kathryn fell back on her elbows, panting.

"Wha-"

Seven didn't provide her with any response; instead she ran her hands up her captain's torso, just brushing over her breasts and up to the collar of the shirt. She grasped it with both hands and ripped it open, sending buttons dancing across the room.

A gasp escaped Kathryn's lips and she felt the young woman's mouth descend onto her neck and bite her hard, deliciously, and as her head swooned she wondered briefly if Seven had actually drawn blood. She hadn't, of course. She trailed her mouth down, tasting every inch of skin on her way. Her tongue flickered out to tease an already erect nipple. She touched it delicately, almost too soft to notice. Kathryn arched up to encourage her further but she stopped until she settled back onto the bed. Seven treated the other nipple to the same teasing gesture, Kathryn writhing beneath her. Finally, she took the nipple into her mouth and sucked hard, a little murmur of delight escaping from her lips. Her hand skittered along the skin of Janeway's flat stomach up to caress the breast her mouth was neglecting. She switched abruptly to the other nipple; right hand sliding under the silky pyjama bottoms to make a quick swipe at her lover's already dripping sex.

She swirled her fingers in the wetness as she continued to lavish attention on the nipple she sucked on greedily.

Kathryn felt the fingers dancing close to her clitoris and closed her eyes in anticipation, only to feel Seven move her hand away and wipe the moisture that she had gathered onto her nipple, then lick it away slowly, throwing a smoky glance up at Kathryn as she did so. The startled Starfleet captain sucked in a lung-full of air as she met her gaze.

Seven then leaned up from her feast, and never breaking eye contact, began to pull down Kathryn's pajama bottoms. Resistance was futile; in fact, she even wiggled her hips encouragingly. With the silky bottoms tossed aside Seven resumed her kneeling position on the floor. For just a few seconds she allowed Kathryn to feel the cool air touch her heated skin and then she descended, trailing her lips along the delicate insides of her thighs and then swiping her tongue of the expanse of Kathryn's dripping opening.

The body beneath her shuddered, then began to quake as she focused her attention on one delicate spot.

It didn't take long. Moans began to float in the air, Kathryn's hips began to buck up off the bed and with a loud yell she let anyone within hearing distance know she had just climaxed, and damn well, she might add. Seven held her in her arms, inhaling her scent deeply. She didn't know what to compare it to but it was the most wonderful scent in the universe, she was sure of it. She nuzzled Kathryn's neck and kissed it gently as she waited for her lover to come back to her senses.

"Wrap your legs around my waist," she whispered in her ear.

"My legs don't work."

"Make them."

Janeway complied and felt herself being lifted up from the bed. She wrapped her arms around Seven's neck.

"Where are we going?"

"The living room."

The wheels were spinning and it made Janeway a little nervous. Seven laid her down in front of the fireplace and activated it. I flared to life immediately, the flames fed by gas piping.

"I needed to see you by the fire, like before," she said, slipping out of her own clothes and tossing them in Kathryn's direction.

"Like before?"

"In DaVinci's studio, where I lost my heart to you." She stood completely naked now, the light illuminating her flawless skin.

"I didn't know that was where..."

"Yes."

Janeway gulped as she remembered. "When you dropped the book?"

"Yes," she smiled. "When I dropped the book." Kathryn reached up and pulled Seven down to her, feeling like she had just gained an incredible gift that she couldn't even imagine.

A few days later Seven and Janeway stood on the porch together watching the sunset, the lower part of the sky was still blue, and the clouds that covered the rest of the sky reflected the red of the setting sun. It was a beautiful sight. Seven looked at her lover who was in awe of this beauty. Since their return Kathryn had marvelled at many things they had seen on other planets in the Delta Quadrant, so Seven had to assume that when one is at home, these events have a great deal more meaning.

The beauty of the blood red sky even moved Seven this evening. Yet she found herself at a loss to describe this feeling to Kathryn. Though she was hesitant to admit this to anyone, Seven had begun to feel extremely insecure about her relationship with Kathryn since they arrived home. Their experiences in the Delta Quadrant had been fraught with danger, and they had lived under a great deal of uncertainty. It was a somewhat bizarre environment for Seven's re-introduction to humanity. However, these living circumstances were what she was used to. To be presented with a quiet, peaceful planet with no immediate threat of a pirate attack, or even a visit from the Borg, was unsettling for Seven. She never had leisure time in any great abundance before. If it were available, she and Kathryn would generally seize the opportunity to do one of two things, make love or play Velocity. Now Seven was presented with a month's holiday before needing to report for her new position. The idea was frightening. While this one was particularly divine, how many more sunsets could she sit through, and appear interested?

She must a find a way to communicate her feelings with Kathryn. Otherwise Seven feared that Kathryn would begin to find her boring. Seven had found that she no longer required the Doctor's social training when she became involved with Kathryn, however it was now apparent that she should not have given up the classes so quickly.

Her thought were interrupted when Kathryn sighed "Oh, isn't it magnificent Seven".

OK, time to try an interested reaction? "Yes Kathryn, I have not witnessed such a beautiful site since our shore leave on Xorein 2".

"Yes that was great Seven, but nothing compares to an Earth sunset."

"No? however at that time I had no Earth sunset to compare it to."

"Well we can rest assured they will be many more from now on."

'Just what I was frightened of' Seven thought.

"Kathryn, I must admit something to you."

"Yes Seven?" there was a worried tone in her lover's voice.

"While I am enjoying this sunset with you, I must be honest? I have found that the time we have recently taken to? how did you put it, 'smell the roses'? Well, I am confused. You seem to be enjoying yourself so much, yet I don't share this joy to the same extent you do?" She paused.

"Go on Seven?"

"I am worried about our upcoming holiday? that I will not be able to adapt to doing nothing."

Kathryn couldn't help laughing. It really was one of the sweetest things to come out of Seven's mouth.

"Why do you find this amusing? This is a valid concern for me."

"I'm sure it is Seven. I'm sorry I did not mean to patronise you, it's just that with everything that has gone on since we got home, well? it is funny that you are worried about being bored."

"Bored?"

"Well that is essentially what you are saying isn't it? The thought of doing nothing is frustrating for you."

"Yes, it is. However there is more." Kathryn was now thoroughly intrigued. She turned to face Seven. "I am also worried that you will find my inability to function in these settings, unappealing? and that it might lead to you deciding that you no longer wish to continue as my partner."

Kathryn was still slightly amused at Seven's honesty, however she could tell that her lover was truly troubled by these thoughts.

"Seven, if you didn't get bored with spare time, I would be worried. One of the many reasons I fell head over heels in love with you was because of the way you passionately commit yourself to your work. I know most people on Voyager thought it was because you had nothing better to do, but I recognised immediately your need to solve problems, you thrive on it." Kathryn hoped she was saying the right thing? "Seven, I know things are different here. The pace is a lot slower, but I can assure you that we are together for the long haul. I love you, and cannot imagine my life without you."

"You are sure?" asked Seven hesitantly.

"Of course I am my darling. You really must stop doubting yourself. Could I ever lose interest in you? That's like asking me if I will ever give up coffee."

Seven smiled, Kathryn was right. Of course now she was beginning to worry about why she was experiencing these insecurities. Surely there was a way to eradicate these flaws from her personality?

Seven and Kathryn spent the following day rearranging the apartment. Kathryn had already tired of the d飯r before she left for the Badlands. She had wanted to do something with the place, but assumed she would be moving in with Mark eventually, so she had left it as it was.

They started by unpacking the small amount of belongings they had accumulated in the Delta Quadrant, and then had some fun discussing what they would like to do with the place. Kathryn was amazed at Seven's interest in the project considering their discussion the previous night. She realised that Seven's enthusiasm was probably as a result of the conversation, she seemed more resolved to sit back, relax and enjoy some simple things for a while. It occurred to Kathryn that had Seven been in this environment immediately following her severe for the collective, her 'humanisation' might have occurred more rapidly. Perhaps it was the fact that the entire crew of Voyager was overworked for eight years, and the opportunities to have fun were few and far between. If things were different, Seven might have learned to relax long ago.

Kathryn didn't know if she was taking things a little too far for one day, but she was desperate to go shopping for some new clothes. She also thought Seven could benefit from some new additions to her wardrobe as well. Over the last few years Seven had added a few new suits to her collection. The silver piece was long gone? 'Thank god for that' thought Kathryn. It did reflect the Doctor's taste more than Seven's, and his taste was always questionable.

Seven had even gone so far as to replicate some 'off duty' wear in the last couple of years. Kathryn loved it when Seven wore these clothes. They left a little more to the imagination, and for some reason this always appealed to Kathryn. Of course, Seven would require a lot more casual clothes now, so with that thought she suggested to Seven that they go shopping.

That night the couple had plans for dinner with some of Kathryn's old childhood friends. Kathryn was already nervous enough about seeing them, so shopping presented the perfect distraction.

"Why can't we replicate more clothes here at home?" inquired Seven.

"Because the fun of shopping is to go to a variety of places, try different things on and decide what you like, what looks good..." Kathryn tried to explain.

"And you are sure this will be a pleasurable experience?"

"Well I can't guarantee it Seven, but I have always enjoyed shopping. Throughout time it has been suggested that all women like shopping, though I'm sure that's a gross generalisation."

"Very well, let us? shop then."

Kathryn and Seven wandered down to the some of the fashionable stores off the Castro. This had been somewhere Kathryn had liked to go in the past. Not much had changed, it was still a vibrant area, the bars, cafes and shops had always attracted the more outrageous residents of San Francisco. Kathryn used to love getting to this part of town, rarely did you run into many members of Starfleet, and that was really saying something.

Today was the first time that Seven had been anywhere other than Starfleet headquarters, Indiana, or her new home. She felt strangely self-conscious as they wandered around the shops. She had worn her hair down, as it seemed to divert attention away from her ocular implant. Seven had no cause to be embarrassed by her appearance on Voyager, although her first few days on Earth had already taught that it was not a great idea to flaunt the fact that she had been Borg. She and Kathryn had briefly discussed what to do in situations if people might asked about her hand or eye, and today she had an opportunity to try them out, as the shop assistants they dealt with seemed to have no problem prying.

There were many different species living in this part of San Francisco, and Seven delighted in pointing out Species 923, 361, 2845 and so on to Kathryn. While looking at shoes, a young Andorian woman approached Seven.

"Oh, a fine choice, these are made with the finest Vulcan leather. Would you like to try them on?"

"You are Species 1795, Andorian?"

"Yes? have you visited my home world?"

Kathryn just overheard the last part of the conversation, and glided over to casually put her arm around Seven, giving her a gentle pinch at the same time.

"No" Kathryn interrupted, "Though we were thinking of getting there sometime soon, weren't we darling" Again there was a gentle pinch. It didn't take long for Seven to catch on, "That's right? honey? I had mentioned my desire to visit Andoria." She turned to the young Andorian, "Could I have these on in a 10 please."

The shop assistant went away to get the shoes.

"Seven?"

"Yes I know, I should not have said anything"

"I was just going to say? 'Honey'? Where did you pick that up? Ah, let me guess? Paris?"

"A correct assumption"

Kathryn laughed, as the Andorian return with the shoes - they really were fabulous. The shopping trip had turned up a few surprises; Seven had impeccable taste, and she loved every minute of it.

"You are going to try the shoes on aren't you?" Kathryn asked as Seven held the box, ready to complete her purchase.

"Why would that be necessary? This is my size."

She sighed and pulled the taller woman over to a chair. "Just sit down and put them on, walk around in them a little. Just to make sure."

"As you wish," she said with a little annoyance. She put the shoes on and stood up, then a peculiar expression crossed her features.

"Problem?" Janeway asked.

"They are?restricting."

"Too tight? You probably need to go up about half a size."

"Yes." Process of elimination. "Shopping can be very scientific."

"Trial and error," Janeway smiled.

Arm in arm the couple left, and moved onto the next shop. A couple of hours later they arrived home, both hands full of shopping bags.

"From the data I have collected today, I have concluded that I do like shopping. Perhaps that is how we can spend the rest of our holiday?" Seven stated.

"Yes, and there goes my back pay in less than a month," replied Kathryn, "Seven, when our holiday is over, I promise that I will have introduced you to many more exciting activities. After all I have a challenge now, to keep you from getting bored!"

"Indeed. Well I have a challenge of my own? what will I wear tonight?"

'Oh my god' Kathryn sighed internally 'I have created a monster.'

Kathryn and Seven enjoyed a short walk from the transporter site to Emma's front door. Emma North and Mary O'Connell had been childhood friends of Kathryn's. The three had attended school together and even though her career with Starfleet had taken her away often, Kathryn had remained in close with these friends throughout her life. That is, of course, until Voyager was lost in the Delta Quadrant.

Two days earlier Kathryn had received a communication from Emma.

"Kathryn, I can't tell you how much we've been looking forward to this day. I always knew you'd make it back."

"Oh Emma, tell me about it! I'm sorry I haven't been in contact yet. There has been Starfleet issues to attend to?"

"Don't mention it. It has taken all my will power to wait this long to contact you? Mary and I are dying to see you, there is so much to catch up on."

"More than you could ever imagine Emma"

"Are you free to come over Friday night for dinner? Mary and David will be there as well"

"I wouldn't miss it. Could I bring someone with me?"

"Kathryn! Am I sensing some big news?

"You might be..."

"Well of course he can come? although we'll have to get the boys to occupy him so we can get the low down!"

So here they were, before Kathryn could even place her hand on the sensor, the door came flying open. Emma and Mary threw their arms around her. Tears started flowing down their cheeks. Kathryn suddenly realised the impact her disappearance had had on her friends. Clearly they had considered her dead for a fairly long time, and since the word got out that they were in fact alive but lost tens of thousands of light years away, all they could do was simply wait. While her time was consumed with getting home, rarely did her thoughts linger on what was actually going on there.

Kathryn squeezed her friends tightly in a group embrace, and then withdrew. "Emma, Mary I'd like to introduce you to someone?" She took a small step back and placed her arm around Seven as she introduced her. "This is Seven."

Emma and Mary had no clue what was going on. They were both expecting Kathryn to turn up with a man. Mary was the first to speak.

"Pleased to meet you? Seven was it?"

"Yes. Thank you for inviting me" She offered to Emma.

The four women wandered into the house and Kathryn was enveloped into big bear hugs from Kane and David, Emma and Mary's respective husbands.

"Mary, where is Dylan? How old is he now? 10?"

"Yes he is. He, and his little brother and sister are with their grandparents."

"You've had more?"

"Yes, I found out I was pregnant with Aaron soon after you left. He is eight now. And little Katie is four. We named her after you, when we thought you were? well you know?" Although she didn't finish the sentence, everyone knew what she meant. Kathryn pulled Mary into another embrace. "I can't wait to meet them."

"Oh, David, Kane," Kathryn said after hugging Mary, "This is Seven."

Seven shook their hands and suddenly all eyes fell upon her. She realised that Kathryn hadn't really mentioned what she was doing here.

Although she didn't quite understand why, Kathryn was finding it hard to get the right words out about her relationship with Seven. She took Seven's hand in her own.

"Seven and I have been in a relationship for a number of years." There that was it; she said it - simple.

It seemed like an eternity to Kathryn before anyone spoke. Of course it was only a matter of moments.

"So you were on Voyager?" asked Kane.

"Yes." Replied Seven.

"What did you do?"

"I was the head of Astrometrics"

"Ah, a scientist, no wonder Katie fell for you." Said Kane, "So can I get either of you a drink?"

"No thank you, I do not require liquid refreshment as this time."

Well that was a conversation stopper. It was only at this moment that Kathryn's friends noticed there was something a little different about Seven?

"Could I have an apple juice please Kane?" Kathryn had to say something to fill the air.

Emma and Mary then started bombarding Kathryn with questions. They also started filling in the gaps of their lives over the last eight years. Kane returned with Kathryn's drink, and then went into the kitchen where he and David began preparing dinner.

Seven was feeling a bit out of her element. She didn't know if she should offer to help with the dinner or to remain with Kathryn. At that moment Emma inquired if Kathryn had seen Mark? well that made Seven's mind up for her.

"Yes, he came down to meet the ship when we landed. I didn't get a chance to speak to him for long. He looked happy."

"Yes. Well that was nice of him. We haven't seen much of him since he remarried, have we Emma?"

"No? he took it very hard, when we thought you were gone? it really was a good thing he met ." Emma offered. "Do you think you will see him soon?"

"In time, right now I just want to spend some more quality time with Mom and Phoebe. And there are many places I want to show Seven before we start work again." Kathryn put her hand on Seven's knee as she spoke.

Mary and Emma seemed surprised, "Haven't you been to Earth before?" asked Mary

"I was born on the Tendara Colony. I have no recollection of ever coming to Earth before."

"What about when you were at the Academy?" Emma asked.

"I was assimilated by the Borg when I was six years old. I did not attend the Academy."

Well with that piece of information Emma and Mary got a little bit more interested in Seven. Kane and David announced dinner was ready, and Seven and Kathryn spent the entire meal fielding questions about how they met, severing Seven from the collective, how they got together and many other Voyager stories.

The evening ended with the couple promising to have everyone, including the children, over soon.

While walking home from the transport site, the moon shone brightly over the bay area. Seven had been unusually quiet.

"Seven did you have a good time tonight?"

"It was? interesting to meet you childhood friends."

"'Interesting', sounds like you had a terrible time"

"No Kathryn, I did enjoy the evening, however I am unaccustomed to engaging in prolonged social interaction with anyone other than you, and the few friends I had on Voyager. It is different and somewhat difficult for me."

"Difficult?"

"Yes. When I came aboard Voyager it did not bother me that almost the entire crew had a distinct dislike for me. You know how 'irrelevant' I thought having friends was. When we became involved, things changed slightly, however as a crew we were always so busy, so the social interaction was never something I had to worry about for long. Here, it is very different."

"How so?"

"Because what people think of me is no longer irrelevant. I want you friends and family to like me, however I am still unsure how to be around them."

"Seven, just be yourself. That is the person I fell in love with, and believe me everyone else will too. And if they don't, well who cares, because it is not going to change the way I feel about you."

"So, did you have a good time tonight?"

"Yes, it was great to see every one again. Although even I am feeling the strain of 'prolonged social interaction'". Janeway said with a smile.

"Do you think they were surprised that you are now with a woman?"

"I think they, and everyone else, are surprised with I'm with a six foot blond, beautiful ex-Borg. But no, I don't think the fact that you are a woman has raised many eyebrows."

"Yes, David and Kane did seem to take an interest in me"

Janeway had to hold back the laughter, "Darling, I don't think it had much to do with you being Borg, I don't think either of them looked above your chest all night".

"Yes that does get somewhat? annoying".

"Seven, that is one of the things I love about you, you have no idea what kind of effect you have on people, especially men!"

"What others think of my physical appearance is irrelevant. It is only your opinion I'm concerned with".

"Well best we get home, then I can show you" said Janeway a sly smile.