Spring Break: Part One

Captain Kathryn Janeway relaxed on the sofa in her ready room and had her head tilted to the windows.  A lush, green backdrop with snow-capped mountains provided a beautiful landscape in comparison to the streaking stars that Kathryn was used to.  A few days ago, B’Elanna Torres, the ship’s Chief Engineer, concluded that it was yet again necessary for a maintenance overhaul on the ship.  Janeway agreed grudgingly as she did not want to slow down their journey any further.

Only twenty-eight thousand light years away, she thought with her eyes looking at the planet’s sky.  The Federation felt so close at hand with the datastreams they’ve been getting, but still so far away as distance goes.  She still wanted to get home, but what would happen when they got there still worried her.  Seven of Nine, the ship’s Astrometrics officer, had been working alongside the Engineering team to modify their engines for another attempt at slipstream capability - an attempt she was assured would not result in the ship’s destruction as it had before.  Starfleet had also expressed an interest in Seven and were moving in a direction that Kathryn didn’t like and most certainly wouldn’t approve of.  But what choice would she have?

Both Chakotay and Tuvok, her double team of conspirators, had suggested that the crew be granted a week of shore leave before the ship underwent its maintenance overhaul and she was almost powerless to deny the request.  After all, she admitted to herself, I’d like a chance to put in some off-duty time myself.

The chime on her door rang, indicating a person was requesting admission.  “Come in,” she said, granting the request.

The tall, slim form of Seven of Nine entered the room briskly with a PADD in her hand and Janeway walked over to her desk.  Seven outstretched her hand and offered the PADD to the Captain, who accepted it.  “It is this week’s Astrometrics report,” she explained.  “In it, I have also detailed our latest developments on the slipstream technology.”

Janeway glanced at the PADD and set it down on her desk.  “We’re on shore leave, Seven, why don’t you take a break?” she questioned, curious as to why the former Borg preferred work over play, for lack of better terms.

“The sooner the work on the slipstream is completed, the faster that Voyager will be able to return home,” she stated.

Janeway looked back up at Seven and stared into her blue eyes which some referred to as ‘eyes of ice’ because of the Borg’s demeanor.  Janeway knew otherwise, though.  She had discovered that those were eyes of compassion and kindness and that she reverted to Borg speak only because she was still not completely comfortable otherwise.  The implants on her face served as a striking reminder of where she came from.  “Seven, the crew doesn’t get many chances at shore leave out here,” she reminded her.  “You should take advantage of it.”

Seven quirked her face and raised the implant above her left eye.  “Why don’t you?” she asked simply.

“I haven’t decided where to go yet,” Kathryn responded.  However, she did feel reluctance to do so, as she believed that it would be advisable to stay on the ship and supervise repairs.  Janeway also did not wish to enjoy herself until her ship was back in the Alpha Quadrant where it belonged.  But, she allowed, I suppose a little break once and a while won’t hurt.

“Why don’t we go together?” Seven suggested openly.  “Lieutenant Torres showed me a set of coordinates that she and Mr. Paris were going to occupy during leave but no longer are able to.”

Janeway resisted the urge to drop her mouth in shock.  Seven was actually contemplating going on leave and it was with her.  What was this feeling that was rising within her as she thought about the idea of going on leave with Seven?  It felt like a certain gaiety at the proposition.  Nonsense, she told herself.  A friend has asked you to spend time with her over vacation, nothing more.  Kathryn, as much as she tried not to, couldn’t help but smile at the young woman who stood in front of her.  “I’d love to, Seven,” she beamed as she got up from her chair and walked over to the landscape that had so captivated her moments before.

“Very well,” Seven replied and walked over to the windows, looking out at the vast, earth-like countryside.  “It is a very pleasing view,” she agreed.

Kathryn glanced at Seven as she looked out beyond the ship’s windows.  “It reminds me a little of home,” she said, grateful that Voyager had found such a beautiful, uninhabited M-class planet to set down on.  Questions from the scientist within her couldn’t help flourishing to her mind.  Why did no sentient life evolve here?  If there had been intelligence here, where did it go?  Why?  She shook the thoughts off and looked back at Seven.  “So, tell me more about these ‘coordinates,’” she prodded.

“Lieutenant Torres informed me it was situated near a pond with a view of the mountain formations in the distance.  It is approximately 34.2 kilometers from the ship’s present location and, according to sensor scans, supports a vast amount of vegetation.  B’Elanna informed me it was the perfect place for a ‘romantic getaway,’ although I am unfamiliar with the meaning of that term.”

Janeway smiled.  “It has many meanings.  The location is romantic because the conditions are so unbelievable, so…idealistic,” she explained.  “It sounds like a wonderful place.  I have bridge duty for the next half hour, though,” she said without enthusiasm.  “Why don’t you put in a request for the needed supplies while I go finish my duty shift?  This should be a lesson to you, Seven - never be late for a duty shift because it will catch up with you.”

“Indeed,” Seven replied.  “I will perform the requested tasks, Captain.”

“Seven,” Janeway told her, “when we’re off duty or in my ready room, you may call me Kathryn.”

“Very well…Kathryn,” she replied and walked out the door.  Janeway stole one last look at the landscape and decided this leave wasn’t going to be so bad after all.  She turned her back to the windows and walked out through the door that led to the bridge.
 

She saw Seven’s back enter the turbolift as she stepped out onto the command deck, taking her place next to Commander Chakotay.  She looked at the chronometer on her display console and noted it was nearly sixteen hundred hours and her crew was getting a bit edgy as the time approached.  She refused, however, to let them off duty early.  If she had to sit through another half hour, they could certainly sit through another ten minutes.  She didn’t want them entirely uncomfortable, however.  “Mr. Paris,” she said, not knowing what prompted her to get into the personal lives of her crew, “have you and B’Elanna decided on a location for your leave yet?”

Paris turned and chuckled.  “B’Elanna wanted to go on a romantic getaway with all the works but I thought that it would be better to just have a week of fun near a large lake to the north.”

“Yeah,” Torres remarked unenthusiastically from the Engineering station, “we’re going to have lots of fun.”

“Hey Tuvok,” Paris said, changing the subject as he swiveled to face the Vulcan at tactical, “what are you doing for fun?”

“Vulcans are not ones to have ‘fun,’ Mr. Paris,” he replied without emotion, but Janeway could see the slight curve of his lips.

Janeway knew he loved to toy with Paris, even though he would never admit it, just like he liked to tease the Doctor.  “So what are you doing, Mr. Tuvok?” she prodded.

“I will be accompanying Ensign Vorik to one of the mountain peaks to meditate.”  A moment later, he added, “without interruptions.”

“I wish I could come,” Paris returned, “there’s nothing I love more than to meditate for a whole week.  Where does the time go?”

She could have swore she heard Tuvok sigh, but it was probably just her imagination.  She leaned in closer to her first officer so the rest of the crew couldn’t - or so they maintained - hear them, although she suspected they could.  “What are you going to be doing, Commander?” she asked.

“I’ll be going on a spirit quest to keep in contact with my ancestors,” he told her.

Long ago, he had invited her to take part in a spirit quest.  In fact, it was in their first few months in the Delta Quadrant, when tempers were still flaring between the Starfleet and Maquis crewmembers.  “Too bad B’Elanna tried to kill hers,” she chuckled, “I think that swimming in a lake is hardly her idea of being romantic.”

As she chuckled, the Beta shift walked on to the bridge and relieved their Alpha shift counterparts.  “All of you,” she said as she stood up and walked back to her ready room.  “Have a good shore leave.  That’s an order.”

A rush of “yes Captains’” flooded the bridge.  Captain Janeway walked into her ready room and smiled.  She had become much closer to this crew than she would have allowed herself to in the Alpha quadrant.  It was always requested of a Captain that they keep a distance from their crewmembers, but it was inevitable out here.  As the only Starfleet ship in the Delta Quadrant, the only ones they could turn to were each other.  They’d become family, and another reason Janeway was perturbed by the fact of being split up not just from her crew, but also from Seven, when they returned.  How will I be able to protect her when I get home?  The thought continued to resonate as she walked over to replicator and ordered a cup of coffee, as it would be her last cup in a week and she didn’t want to miss it.