Who Was That Mark Man?
 

Seven passed the time she was obliged to spend waiting for the captain to get off the bridge by examining her quarters. She found few items of more than passing interest occupying Kathryn's shelves - at least until she came across the hologram.

It depicted her lover with a human male and a canine. The canine she barely noticed, as her attention was held by the casual embrace her lover was clearly sharing with the human male.

Seven's brow furrowed slightly in a frown. She knew nothing of this individual. Who was he, and what was he doing with his hands all over Kathryn? Analysing the embrace, she determined that this was no casual contact such as the captain shared with many of her crew.

At that moment the door slid open behind her. "Ah, Seven -" Kathryn began, a smile in her voice. She stopped midsentence as she realised the manner in which Seven was looking at her. "What's the matter?"

"Who is this man?" Seven demanded, holding up the image. Kathryn's eyes widened.

"His name is Mark," she answered, too slowly.

"Why is he touching you?"

"We were, ah... engaged at the time."

"Engaged," Seven repeated flatly. "A human notion which indicates a stage prior to marriage." She was clearly not impressed. "You did not tell me of this."

"It was a long time ago, Seven. When I met you it had been over three years since I'd seen him."

"When did you cancel your engagement?"

"We... uh... We got lost in the Delta Quadrant. We never formally broke it off, I suppose, but I did find out he's married someone else."

"Then you are still in love with him," Seven concluded. "This is unacceptable. You have deceived me."

"I what?" Janeway exclaimed. "Seven, I did nothing of the sort! That was a long time ago. I never even thought of it."

Seven looked at her skeptically. "You do not still love him?"

"I -" Janeway started to speak, then decided abruptly that discretion was the better part of valour, and opted for the simpler answer. "No, Seven. I love you. Only you." Her lover appeared somewhat mollified, and she hastened to take advantage of the opportunity offered, stepping closer to rest her hand lightly on Seven's arm. "I promise," she added softly.

Seven's smile emerged like sunlight from the clouds. "Good."

Kathryn's answering smile was more relieved than anything else. Nonetheless she wrapped her arms around the younger woman's waist, kissing her deeply in a bid to reassure her of her fidelity.

- finis -