Soaks You To the Bone
 

Twin suns shined down brightly on the planet of Aganos 5. The air was fresh, and the people friendly. The crew of Voyager was taking a much-deserved shore-leave after three and half months of being confined to the ship. Much of the senior staff was on the planet's surface on the excuse of looking for supplies.

"It's a lovely planet, don't you think?" Kathryn Janeway smiled breezily. Her accompaniment for the day paused in consideration for a moment, and then nodded.

"Yes, it is," Seven of Nine smiled crookedly. "But.."

Janeway looked up from her inspection of a strange-looking fruit. "But what?"

"My feet hurt," Seven complained modestly.

"It's just the shoes," Janeway assured her. "You're just not used to wearing sandals."

"I suppose so," Seven looked down at her feet. Janeway looked too.

"You have a scar."

"A scar?"

"On your big toe," Janeway pointed. Seven peered at the pink zag running along the middle of her toe.

"Am I damaged?"

Janeway held back a laugh, "No, you're not damaged, Seven."

"But I was?"

"It's probably from when you were a child," Janeway told Seven. She pushed up the brown sleeve of her shirt. "See? I got that when I was six." Janeway pointed at two small marks on her arm.

"From what?"

"A cat." Seven blinked in confusion. "The neighbor's cat bit me."

"You were damaged?" Seven's brow dove in concern.

Janeway let the laugh that had been persisting for several minutes escape. "Seven, that was many, many years ago."

"You are not damaged now?" Seven's face relaxed. Janeway nodded.

"Other than the scar, you have very pretty feet," she succored the other woman. They continued walking down one of the market side-streets. Seven looked thoughtful.

"I am afraid I have yet to understand the concepts of attraction," she said simply.

Janeway blinked. "Well, when something is pretty, humans often find it pretty."

"Pretty," Seven repeated the word.

"Appealing to the eye," Janeway continued when Seven continued to draw a blank. "Lt. Torres is pretty to Lt. Paris."

"So... attraction has to do with love?"

"Well, not exactly."

"My feet are pretty," Seven said in her calm monotone. "Am I pretty?" Janeway stopped.

"Seven, you are beautiful. But that's not..."

"That is not what?"

"That isn't the reason why I feel the way I do about you," Janeway breathed.

"How do you feel about me?" Seven wondered. Janeway looked up, squinting in the bright sunlights.

"I'm still resolving myself on that." Seven nodded in acceptance. She looked around, taking in their surrounding as they walked.

"I hear the ship's crew speaking of these things," Seven said evenly. "About attraction, beauty... love. Yet I am unsure what they are speaking in reference to. What is love, Captain?"

Janeway's eyes squinted again, though she was looking down at her own feet. "Seven... love is.." She sighed. "There is no real definition to love, Seven. To beauty and attraction and personal relationships. Each person finds their own definition of these things in their own time."

Seven nodded again, but pressed the issue. "If there is no definition, than how does one know it is there?"

"You just do," Janeway said simply. "Love isn't always permanent, but when you do love someone, you feel it very strongly."

Seven absently ran her fingers through her hair, which was tied back in a ponytail at the nape of her neck. "Did you love Commander Chakotay?"

"Yes, I did," Janeway responded quickly. "But... something happened, and I don't think that I love him now as much as I used to."

"Why?"

Janeway looked at Seven, "I don't really know." They mutely continued their way down the street for several minutes before Seven slowed again.

"May I love you, Captain?"

Janeway's mouth worked wordlessly for a moment. "I suppose you could, Seven, if you felt that you did." Seven became quiet, and Janeway decided that it was the best course of action for the time being. She ran her hand nervously through her recently shortened hair-a cut made simply for convenience, of course-and looked over at Seven.

Janeway opened her mouth to speak-

"Ensign Aeori to Captain Janeway."

Janeway huffed a sigh, "Janeway here."

"Captain, I found the ore sample Lt. Torres had been requesting. Should I have it transported to the surface first?"

"No, I'd like to have a look at it first." Janeway turned to Seven. "If it wouldn't be much of a trouble..."

"I will go and get the ore sample from Ensign Aeori," Seven said with a nod. Janeway smiled softly.

"Alright, thank you. Ensign, Seven is on her way to meet you. Give her you location and she'll be over shortly."

"Yes, Captain."

Seven got the location from Ensign Aeori, and started off. Janeway busied herself looking at textile dealer's wears. After a few moments, another person passed by, and paused.

"Captain?"

Janeway looked up and smiled. "Chakotay!"

"So here you are."

"Were you looking for me?"

Chakotay smiled, "Not really." Janeway set down the bolt of fabric and looked at him. He held up a box. "Actually, I was. Seven sent me to give this to you. She had to return to the ship to help with something." Janeway took the box and looked inside.

"It's the ore sample Ensign Aeori found for B'Elanna," Janeway explained. Chakotay nodded.

"That's what Seven of Nine said."

Janeway closed the box and set it in the bad she was carrying. "You can call her Seven, Chakotay."

"What?"

Janeway looked up. "You refer to her as Seven of Nine. You can call her Seven."

Chakotay frowned slightly. "Oh. I see."

Janeway squinted at him. "See?" Chakotay shook his head.

"Nothing."

"Right," Janeway nodded slowly, and turned away to look at the cloth again.

"Kathryn, we need to talk."

"About?" Janeway didn't look up.

"About us."

Janeway's expression softened. "Chakotay, you know there hasn't been an 'us' for some time now."

"Why?"

Janeway absently ran her hand over a coarse grey fabric. "I'm not sure, to tell the truth."

"I'm pretty sure that whatever it is, it has to do with Seven," he bit down on her name. Janeway looked up sharply.

"What does Seven have to do with any of this?"

"Kathryn, I'm not blind!" Chakotay hissed lowly to keep from drawing attention to them. "You're attracted to her, aren't you?"

Janeway fell silent. She looked down, and then back up. "I suppose that you could say... that I do have feelings about her."

Chakotay paled. "How do you think the crew is going to react when they find out their captain is gay?"

"Chakotay!"

Janeway colored darkly. Chakotay stared back at her evenly.

"You're jealous!" Janeway's shortening temper oozed through the brief words.

"I am no-"

"You are," Janeway smirked. "You're upset by the thought that I might leave you for a woman."

"That's not it."

"Just admit it."

Chakotay grimaced. "It does bother me somewhat that you just... drop me, and seem to be turning your affections towards Seven."

Janeway set a hand on his arm. "It wasn't intentional, I promise you that, Chakotay." He sighed.

"I know." Janeway smiled softly.

"We can still be friends, right?"

Chakotay's mouth crept into a smile. "Of course."

"Yes, this will do quite nicely," Lt. Torres nodded with satisfaction. She set the tricorder down and put the ore sample back into the box. "I'll have to thank Ensign Aeori when he gets back to the ship."

"I think he's already beamed back," Janeway said thoughtfully.

"Well, whenever I see him, then," Torres smirked.

"I was thinking," Janeway stated, "perhaps-" She was cut off by the sudden flash of the red alert lights.

"What the hell?" Torres ran over to a console. "Someone shot a power conduit on deck three."

"Deck three?" Janeway appeared at her shoulder. "Why would someone want to shoot a power conduit there?"

"Security to Captain Janeway."

"Janeway here. What's happened, Tuvok?"

"Ensign Aeori discharged two shots from a phaser rifle, on Deck Three. One struck a power conduit. The other struck Seven of Nine."

Janeway's jaw visibly tightened. "Status?"

"I'm sending a repair team to the conduit," Torres reported.

"Seven of Nine has been taken to Sickbay. The damage was to her left shoulder, and does not appear to be serious."

"Good. Janeway out." She turned to Torres. "Why on Earth would Aeori do something like that?"

"I have no idea Captain," Torres sighed. "I've never seen him be hostile to anyone, let alone Seven."

Janeway was collecting the dinner dishes later that day, and putting them into the trash receptacle.

"So, how do you feel?" she asked. Seven looked up from where she was staring at a piece of the ore sample.

"I am undamaged," Seven replied, and looked down again.

"I realize that the Doctor repaired the damage to your shoulder," Janeway said, twisting her smiled between chin and cheek. "But... how do you feel?"

Seven gave Janeway a waggish smile. "How should I feel?" Janeway laughed shortly.

"How do you think you should feel?"

"You are not going to make this easy for me, are you?"

"No."

Seven inhaled slowly, thinking. "I feel... content."

Janeway's smiled straightened itself out. "That's a start."

"You ask me that question every night," Seven said slowly. "Yet I always find it difficult to tell you my answer. Why is that?"

"You have the feelings Seven, you're just still learning how to express them properly."

"I can never think of the words to describe... how I feel."

Janeway nodded. "That's natural. Don't worry. There are many words to describe emotions, but quite often they never fit the way you feel."

Seven turned the ore over in her hands. "I believe I understand your meaning."

Janeway set the last dish into the slot. "That's good."

"Captain?"

"Yes?"

"You have cheese on your uniform."

"I do?" Janeway found the spot Seven was referring to. "Darn it. I'll just soak it. I don't have enough rations to get it cleaned." Janeway went into the bathroom and stoppered up her sink, and started to fill the sink. She tested the water to make sure it was hot enough, and then went back out into the main room.

"So, Seven?" The younger woman diverted her attention from the readings on the ore sample and glanced up. "Why do you think that Ensign Aeori attacked you earlier?"

"I am not sure, Captain. He was quite cordial to me on the planet. I can not recall doing anything that would cause him to harbor ill intent toward me." Janeway nodded.

"I-"

The door chimed.

"Who's there?" Janeway called.

"It's me."

"Come in Commander," Janeway said, advancing to the door. "Is something wrong?"

"No, there isn't," Chakotay said, his voice still and even. Janeway heard a noise from across the room. It was Seven. She was making a decidedly angry noise.

It happened quite quickly, which might have been why Janeway recalled little of it later.

Before Janeway could reach him, Seven sprang to her feet and had reached Chakotay. She issued a strong punch across his jaw, but he grabbed her arm on the way back and flung Seven into the wall. There was a crack and she shrieked briefly before sliding into a heap down the wall. Janeway backed off in horror but was nabbed by Chakotay and half-dragged into the bathroom.

Chakotay grabbed Janeway by the hair, and plunged her head into the sink basin, and underneath the surface of the hot water. He held her struggling form there for a long time. Too long, in fact, and then pulled her back out. No movement for a moment, and then Janeway gasped for air. Her eyes opened and she looked around wildly.

"Chakotay!" Janeway shrieked but was cut off as her face was pushed underwater again. She strained underneath him, digging her nails into his arm. He tugged her up again. Janeway's face was pale, but scorched pink from the water. Her body convulsed with a sob.

"Chakotay! Stop!" she sobbed. To no avail. Chakotay plunged her under again. For one minute, then two. Three. Janeway stopped struggling. She grew limp in his arms. Four minutes. Chakotay sneered down at the sink, and while still holding Janeway's still form underwater, reached for a towel.

Something crashed against Chakotay's skull. Their was a piercing screech, not from Chakotay but from his attacker. Chakotay slumped to the floor, as did Janeway as she lifelessly slid from the bowed position. Seven of Nine screamed again, dropping the ore sample and staggering out of the bathroom. She collapsed to the floor, screaming raspily.

"Oh my Gods!" Torres blurted, as she entered the Captain's quarters. She had been in passing, and heard the screams. The doors had been unlocked, and after calling security Torres decided to investigate. Seven looked blanked at Torres again and screamed again. Torres slipped past the deranged woman and into the bathroom. Chakotay was lying on the floor, blood seeping from a gash on his forehead. Janeway had fallen half on him. Her face was swollen and purple, a combination of red from burns and blue from choking. She was altogether motionless.

"Captain!" Torres cried out and stepped over Chakotay. She felt Janeway's neck. No pulse. "Oh Gods.."

"Lieutenant! Please-"

Torres silence Tuvok, who had just enter. "They need to get to Sickbay!"

Tuvok stared silently, and then nodded.

"I think I may be able to tell you what happened," the Doctor said. Chakotay looked over with a guilty expression, and Seven looked up from where she stood on the opposite side of the biobed. Janeway lay still unconscious on the bed, her breathing shallow and all her bodily systems straining slightly. But she was alive. The Doctor had told Torres that if she hadn't arrived when she did and had the Captain brought to Sickbay, it would have not been very likely that he would have been able to revive her. Seven had, on her arrival to Sickbay, a concussion and a fracture on her skull, but the Doctor had been able to mend the bone and reduce the swelling. Chakotay had a painful lump, but no concussion.

"What happened?" Seven finally asked. The Doctor went to his instrument tray, and picked up the ore sample.

"According to what I have been told, while on the surface of the Aganos planet, Ensign Aeori located an ore sample for Lt. Torres. Is that correct?"

"Yes," Torres said quietly. The Doctor handed the sample to her.

"The sample was then given to Seven of Nine by Ensign Aeori, and from Seven of Nine to Commander Chakotay."

"Correct," Seven inclined her head in a nod.

"Commander Chakotay gave the sample to Captain Janeway," the Doctor gestured downward as he went back to the tray, "who then later beamed to Voyager with the sample, and gave it to Lt. Torres."

"Right," said Torres. The Doctor selected a hypospray from the tray and went back over to Janeway.

"I scanned the ore sample collected from the Captain's quarters. I found a very small organism there. It was missed by the transporters because it was so small." The Doctor pressed the hypospray to Janeway's neck, and then continued. "The atmosphere of Aganos 5 has something in it that keeps the organism from reproducing. When the ore sample was taken off Voyager, the organisms began to multiply. Quite rapidly, might I add."

"I fail to see what this has to do with the events-"

The Doctor silenced Tuvok. "The organisms create something that causes a slight delirium. Whoever had the sample on the planet, and gave it to someone else, they, for reasons yet unknown to me, tried to kill that person when they returned to Voyager."

"Is that it?" Tuvok wondered.

"Yes, I believe so. Ensign Aeori attempted to kill Seven of Nine earlier today. Then, Seven of Nine attacked Commander Chakotay, he attacked Seven of Nine, and attempted to kill Captain Janeway."

"Do you believe that charges should be pressed against any of them?" Tuvok asked the Doctor.

"No, I do not," he said, pressing the hypospray to Janeway's neck again. After a minute, her eyes fluttered open, and she looked around, slightly confused. She remained silent.

"Will the organisms be any further threat to the crew?"

"No, one had to be exposed to them on the planet for them to be a harm on Voyager." The Doctor kept off Tuvok's retort. "And to be safe, I've come up with something to destroy the organisms." Tuvok nodded, satisfied.

"If that is all, I will return to the Bridge."

"It is. Commander Chakotay, you may leave now also." Chakotay reluctantly followed Tuvok out of Sickbay. Torres brought up the rear, leaving Seven, Janeway, and the Doctor to remain in Sickbay. Seven slid off the biobed she had been seated on and walked over to where Janeway was resting. The Doctor went back to a panel to read something. Janeway pushed herself into a sitting position. Seven stood facing her demurely.

"How do you feel?" Seven's voice was slight playing.

"A bit lightheaded," Janeway said. "Are you alright?"

"I was damaged, but the Doctor repaired my injury."

"I don't remember that much of what happened, to tell the truth. I remember letting Chakotay into my quarters, but after that its just a few scattered images."

"The Doctor will be able to tell you what he believes happened," Seven said. "For the main part, he believes that we were not acting completely under our own will." Janeway nodded thoughtfully, and looked over her shoulder.

"When will I be able to leave Sickbay?"

The Doctor advanced from his location near the workstation. "You can leave now Captain, but I would like you to remain off duty for at least two days." Janeway nodded slowly.

A few days later, Janeway lay lounging on her couch. Seven sat nearby on a chair, watching her silently.

"How do you feel?" Seven asked. Janeway sighed, and then smiled.

"We're going to have to come up with a signal for that," she said.

"A signal?"

"Instead of asking 'how do you feel?', we'll do something that will let each other know that's what you want to ask."

"I see. What do you suggest?"

"How about this?" Janeway pressed her finger to her nose. Seven repeated the motion. "That's it."

"Alright." Seven pressed her finger to her nose, and Janeway laughed.

"I'm fine, now."

"Are you hungry?"

Janeway shook her head, and pushed herself up into a seated position. She crossed her legs and propped her chin up thoughtfully in her palm. "Seven?"

"Yes?"

"On the planet... when you asked if you could love me... what did you mean by that?"

Seven was silent for a long moment, and then her cheeks colored faintly. "I... I meant what I asked. When I am around you, when I think about you, I have feelings that I cannot describe. I want to believe that they are love."

Janeway's voice was strained, "Seven, have you spoke to anyone about this?"

"No, Captain, I have not. The matter has been private for me." Janeway nodded lightly. The color rose in Seven's cheeks again. "I must admit, Captain, that even as I have told you this... I am not sure that I have said the right things."

"You have, Seven."

"I have been wanting to tell you this for several days, but have been unable to. I did not want to meddle in your and Commander Chakotay's relationship."

"I understand."

Seven rose to her feet. "When I am near you, I feel that it is never close enough. I feel stronger when I am near you, and incomplete when we are apart." Her face froze at Janeway's raised-brow expression. "Have I said too much?"

"No," Janeway shook her head gently, a smile ghosting her lips. "You may have said it perfectly."

"You... feel the same way?"

Janeway's lips parted with a minute hesitant. "Lately, yes I have."

Seven gaze locked with Janeway's for several minutes, and then she took Janeway by the hands and pulled her to her feet.

"Computer, play audio selection LibraryGamma2," Seven never broke the contact. Janeway's mouth twisted mirthfully.

"Seven, what are you-?" Janeway's voice cut off with a surprised pant as the music began, and Seven grinned more broadly than she had ever seen before.

"Let's dance."

"Maybe I don't really want to know
How your garden grows
Cos I just want to fly
Lately did you ever feel the pain
In the morning rain
As it soaks you to the bone"

Janeway broke into a fit of giddy laughter as Seven spun her into a broken waltz. Seven was grinning as she spoke.

"Now Captain, be serious..."

"I am being serious!" Janeway replied breathlessly.

"Maybe I just want to fly
I wanna live I don't want to die
Maybe I just want to breath
Maybe I just don't believe
Maybe you're the same as me
We see things they'll never see
You and I are gonna live forever"

Janeway was forcing her expression into one as serious as the situation allowed, but her laughter still escaped occasionally, and her eyes were laughing. Seven's own eyes were shining intensely.

"I said Maybe I don't really want to know
How your garden grows
Cos I just want to fly
Lately did you ever feel the pain
In the morning rain
As it soaks you to the bone
Maybe I will never be
All the things that I want to be
But now is not the time to cry
Now's the time to find out why
I think you're the same as me
We see things they'll never see
You and I are gonna live forever"

The British voice that was singing quietly as guitar played madly. Seven gazed at Janeway's flushed face, and Janeway returned the look.

Janeway's lips moved noiselessly. *Forever* Seven nodded heavily.

"Maybe I don't really want to know
How your garden grows
I just want to fly
Lately did you ever feel the pain
In the morning rain
As it soaks you to the bone
Maybe I just want to fly
I wanna live I don't want to die
Maybe I just want to breath
Maybe I just don't believe
Maybe you're the same as me
We see things they'll never see
You and I are gonna live forever
We're gonna live forever
We're gonna live forever
We're gonna live forever..."

The music faded into silence, and their dancing eventually ended. Out of breath, they faced each other.

"Seven.."

"Captain.."

"I.." Janeway's voice trailed off. Seven nodded.

"I know. So do I."

"And Seven?"

"Yes?"

"In private, you can call me Kathryn."

Neither knew who started the kiss, but it was one of brief and strong intensity. Pulling away, Janeway smiled. Seven unwrapped herself from Janeway, and touched her nose. Janeway broke into another fit of laughter.

"Now that you mention it, I'm starving," Janeway exclaimed. "I could really go for a bowl of ice cream right now."

"It sounds frivolously acceptable to me."

Janeway beamed. "My replicator or yours?"