Out of the Blue
by Diana Anderson

Janeway's face turned an odd shade of pale and her eyes widened.

"You can't be serious."
   "I'm very serious," Chakotay said evenly.  He stood motionless in
front of her, his hands clasped behind his back.
     A couple of boxes sat open on the captain's ready room desk.  She
had been in the middle of packing when he had requested a meeting with
her.  His expression was stone serious.
   "This was the best plan you could come up with?"
    "I wouldn't have suggested it to you if I hadn't considered all
other options.  This would be most effective."
    Voyager had arrived in the Alpha quadrant  a week ago and as first
officer he had been running himself ragged keeping an eye on Star Fleet
and how they intended to handle the non Star Fleet members of the crew.
   Most the issues concerning former Maquis members were written off,
they were seen as members of an extinct group, little trouble seemed to
be coming from that area.
   He began to relax until he found intelligence officers poking around
Cargo Bay 2.  He also discovered all of Seven's medical records had been
downloaded by persons unknown.
    He had been working with a Starfleet liaison to help the crew make a
smooth transition back into their old lives, but this same liaison had
been remarkably tight lipped over Seven's future.  It was obvious plans
were being made, none of which they were willing to discuss with him or
Seven.
   A sense of foreboding tickled down his spine and had turned into
throbbing in the back of his skull.
   Seven had no status with with Starfleet, she was just a piece of
equipment.  That was when he realized he needed to find her some status,
   The Federation was heaping praise upon their hero of the hour,
Captain Janeway, their new shining example of a good captain.  There was
nothing they wouldn't do for her.
    And that's when he discovered his solution.

   "You want me to enter into a fake marriage with Seven?"
   "If she'e your wife it'll keep Starfleet at bay.  They're up to
something Kathryn, believe me.  Have I ever taken a stance on something
I wasn't absolutely sure of?"
    "What if..."  She paused and looked out the window. "You're sure?"
    "There are Starfleet intel officers on this ship right now
collecting information without your knowledge or permission.  They've
already downloaded her medical files."
    "Have you mentioned any of this to Seven?"
    "No.  But I have discussed it with Tuvok, he thinks it a logical
plan."
    "Well, who can argue that?"
    "Starfleet Intelligence is a powerful entity to go up against, but if
she's your spouse they might back off a little to save face.  It could
be just a one year license that end end in a no fault dissolvement of
the marriage.  By then arrangements could be made to keep them away from
her.  I know this is a hard decision, especially coming from a
Traditionalist background, I know you take marriage seriously, but this
is Seven's life we're talking about here."
    She pulled herself up and took a breath.  "You're right, if it's a
serious as you say it is."
    "I know I'm asking for big leap of faith."
    "But I'd be remiss if I didn't heed your advice.  It's a god plan."
Her commbadge chirped.
    "Seven of Nine to Janeway."
    "Go ahead Seven."
    "Please report to the shuttlebay."
    "On my way.  Come on, it will give us a chance to talk to her about
your plan."
    When they got there they found Seven facing down a Starfleet officer
with his hand resting suspiciously on his phaser.  She seemed slightly
flustered, which was unnoticeable to the trained eye.
     There was a shuttle standing by and as Janeway walked past it she
got a glimpse of heavily armed guards waiting inside, one was sitting
down with his rifle propped against his seat.
     "What seems to be the problem?
     The officer looked up to watch her approach.
     "Starfleet wants her relocated immediately."
     "I wasn't informed of this.  Relocated where?"
     "It's confidential.  It's for her own safety.  As you know Borg
aren't real popular in this quadrant."
     "I see.  Does Seven have any say in this?"
     "I have my orders."
     "First of all, I never gave you permission to step foot on my ship
and I suggest you friends in the shuttle stay where they are.  Second,
my fiance' and I have some things to discuss."  She took Seven's hand,
whom had suddenly been struck dumb., and gave it a little squeeze.
     "Come on, darling.  Let's go."  She gave Seven a message loaded
glance and hoped she would go along with the ploy.
     Seven nodded and allowed her to lead her to the turbolift.
     "So, you're ready to go ahead with it?" Chakotay asked after the
door closed behind them.
     Janeway was still holding Seven's hand protectively,
    "We'll see.  Seven, we need to talk to you."
     "Will the conversation explain why you're holding my hand and
calling me 'darling'?"
     "Yes."
     "Then I look forward to it."
     They went into the ready room and explained the situation the young
Borg, whom Janeway could see was becoming visibly nervous.  It was
Seven's worst fear realized that she might be in danger on earth.  They
were sitting on the couch and Janeway squeezed her shoulder
comfortingly.
     "There's more.  I've discovered listening and visual devices
installed in Cargo Bay 2."
     "Why didn't you report this?"
     "I assumed it was acceptable."
     "Being spied on is not acceptable. This charade isn't necessary,
this is flagrant-"
     "Kathyrn, these people don't care, they'll do anything in the name
of necessity.  We need the leverage of the marriage."
     "I want to speak with Admiral Necheyev first, see if we can get
this straightened out first, then we'll decide from there.  Seven, are
you willing to go along with this if we feel the situation requires it?"
     She paused and took a deep breath. "If you feel it is the best
solution...I have no plans anyway."
     "Okay then.  Chakotay, could I have a word with Seven in private
please?"
     "Of course."  He quietly ducked out of the room.  Janeway scooted
closer to Seven.
     "You don't have to do this if you don't want to, it was just an
idea to get them to avert their attention from you."
     She folded her hands on her lap.
     "What will your mother think?"
     "I think she'll survive."  Janeway's workstation beeped and she
moved across the room to answer it.
      A stern Admiral Necheyev appeared on her desk monitor.  She sat
down in her chair and tried to compose herself.
      "Admiral," she said icily.
      "Captain, where do you get off tossing intelligence officers off
Voyager?"
      "When they try to abduct a member of my crew.  Seven of Nine-"
      "Is a former Borg-"
      "Is my crew member, a citizen of the Federation-"
      "That was forfeited when she was assimilated."
      "She was a child."  She looked over at Seven, who gave her a nod.
"And she is my fiance'. Now if you want this plastered on every press
outlet in the Federation I suggest you rethink your plans for Seven.  I
could suddenly become very camera shy and do further damage to
Starfleet's sagging recruitment statistics."
       "Well then," the Admiral leaned back in her chair.  "When's the
big day?"
       "Soon."
       "I'd love to attend."
       "It will be a private ceremony."
       "Will your family be there?"
       "It hasn't been decided. I have to run, good day Admiral."  She
shut the screen off.  "She's going to call my mother, tell her god knows
what, probably that I'm nuts."
       Seven rose from the couch and clasped her hands behind her back.
       Janeway took a moment to appreciate her profile. Well, not that
nuts, a little voice said.  Where did that come from?
       "We should begin making plans immediately." Seven stated.  "Will
I be residing with you as well?"
      Janeway thought she almost detected a bit of eagerness in her
voice.
     "It wouldn't look good if you didn't"
     "I prefer the right side of the bed."
      Instead of going ashen like Seven expected Kathryn's face flushed
a furious red .  Seven found it very curious.
      "I was teasing you, Captain."
      "Oh," she laughed.  "You should call me Kathryn."
      Seven nodded.  She was a little relieved to be staying with
Janeway since her own future on Earth seemed to uncertain.and she had
feared Starfleet would take possession of her like some war trophy.
      "We need to get a contract written up.  Chakotay suggested a one
year contract."
      "Logical choice."
      Kathryn was overwhelmed by a protective surge that made her catch
her breath.
     "Please don't feel you have to do this."
     "I trust you, Kathryn."
     Several hours later they beamed down to a house just outside of
London.  It belonged to a minister friend Chakotay had known several
years ago.  t was a typical rainy day, practically soaking them before
they could get to the cover of the tiny front porch.
     Chakotay knocked on the flimsy screen door, which rattled noisily.
     "Hold on!" a man yelled, "I didn't know you'd be here so soon. I'm
getting the paperwork together right now."
     The screen banged open and a black cat darted out, mischief in his
eyes.
     "Mister Lawrence! Dammit!"  A long haired man came barrelling out
the door but the cat was long gone.
     "Chuckles, go get my cat," he ordered Chakotay.
     "He'll come back."
     "Only with some sweet talking, I'm not easy to live with you know."
He hastily put his greying blonde hair into a pony tail, shoving the
book in his hands to Janeway to hold.  The marriage contact was sitting
on top.
     "Okay, let's get the show on the road." He took back the book and
handed the contract to Chakotay.
     "Hold that, witness. You two ready to go?"
     Seven looked a little bewildered but nodded.
     He opened the book and cleared his throat.  "Do you Kathryn Janeway
take...Seven of Nine to be your legal spouse for a period no less than a
year?"
      "I do."
      "Do you Seven, can I call you Seven? Good.  Do you Seven take
Kathryn Janeway to be your legal spouse for a period no less than a
year?"
       "I do."
      "This contract begins today and will expire in exactly one year
unless renewed at that time." He lowered the book. "You may kiss the
bride."
       He was met with blank stares.
       "Humor me, you got me out of bed for this."
       Janeway swallowed nervously and looked over at Seven.  She leaned
over and kissed her on the cheek.
       "You call that a kiss?"  Something caught his eye and he glanced
to his right.  He spotted a familiar black cat sitting high in the cover
of a nearby tree staring down at him.
       "Oh you just think you're real cute, don't ya.  Chuckles, crawl
up that tree and get my cat."
       "I'm not climbing a wet tree for your cat. He must want to get
away if he goes out in this weather."
       "Fine, provide me with a counselor later then.  I need you two to
sign this.  Witness, sign here, and we're all set." He turned to Seven.
"You are now married to Starfleet captain, I hear the benefits are good.
Janeway, you are now married to a Borg, holidays will be awkward and the
in-laws atrociously pushy.  Enjoy."
      He shuffled back inside the house and the door banged shut behind
him.
     "What kind of minister is he?" Janeway asked.
     "A legal one." Chakotay answered.
     As they turned to leave the door cracked open.
     "If you see that cat on your way out tell him to get his little
butt in here."

     And by this unspectacular ceremony began the unexpected marriage of
Kathryn Janeway and Seven of Nine.

    No pictures were taken.

***
    A resounding gasp filled the corridors of Voyager, resulting in
several spanners, cups, and padds crashing onto the decking (Neelix also
received a minor burn from the cooking unit).  This phenomenon was
immediately followed by several shocked utterances along the line of
"You're kidding aren't you? Are you serious? When?" And of course, "Have
you recently experienced blunt force trauma to your head?" which was
directed from B'Elanna Torres to Tom Paris as she helped him pack his
things.
    "My head is fine, I heard this from Chakotay, and he was there,
B'Elanna, he was the witness."
    "How....when?" Tom watched in amazement as B'Elanna was literally
struck speechless, not even a string of Klingon profanities could work
it's way out.  Her eyes became saucer shape and she managed a blink, but
that was all.
    "They got married a couple of days ago, very private ceremony I
guess."
    "I wonder if...Do you think they've been involved this whole time?"
    "I'd guess."
    "When do you think that happened?"
    He shrugged.
    "I'll bet it was when Seven left with the Borg Queen, Janeway was
really steamed over that deal."
    "You're probably right, in the shuttle on the way back there we were
in the middle of this fire fight, I look behind me and they're just
staring at each other.  There was a moment there when I was certain they
were gonna kiss.  I just forgot about it later, chalked it up to an over
active imagination."  He thought about the mission and remembered
Janeway holding the phaser rifle.  "The Captain's always liked big guns
and Seven's certainly packin'." he said, making a rather crude cupping
gesture in front of chest.
    B'Elanna threw a pillow at him. "You're a pig, Tom.  I'm going to go
ask Janeway about this myself, I'll bet you Chakotay was just pulling
your leg."
   On her way in the turbolift Ensign Wildman asked her if she'd heard
the news.  She rolled her eyes and exited onto the floor where the
Captain resided.
    Kahless this crew was gullible.  She pressed the door chime to the
Captain's quarters and was immediately granted access.
    "B'Elanna!  I was planning to come see everyone before I left, I'm
glad you stopped by," Janeway said jovially as she packed some things
into a box.
    "I just wanted to clear up a rumor I heard.  Tom said you and Seven
got married a couple days ago."
    "That's true."
    B'Elanna almost fell over for the second time that day. "Why didn't
you tell anyone?"
    Janeway put her hand on her engineers shoulders.  "B'Elanna, it was
just totally unplanned, came right out of the blue."  That was putting
it mildly. She looked back dissaprovingly at her packing.  "Do you have
a beach towel?"
    "Beach towel?"
    "We're going to the Caribbean for our honeymoon.  Never mind,
they'll probably have towels at the hotel."  She could see B'Elanna was
visibly shocked and some part of her found it deliciously entertaining.
Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
    "You're taking that Borg to the beach?  she'll sink."
    "She'll be fine.  I'm sorry to leave everyone in the dark on this,
you know I value your friendship, it's just..." She sighed and sat down
on the couch.  "Starfleet was really breathing down our necks, they
wanted to take her like some piece of property, so we had to move fast.
With us getting married it forced them to back off."
    "Was it that bad?"
    "Yes, it was."
    So was this to get Starfleet off Seven's back?  She didn't have the
courage to ask. Instead, she chose to just watch her captain, who seemed
filled with good cheer.
   Maybe it was for real.
   The door chimed and Seven entered.  She glanced at Torres then back
at Janeway, her lips pursed.
    "What is it, Seven?" Kathryn asked
    "It's regarding the ring issue we discussed earlier. I believe you
said we should purchase wedding bands-"
    "Captain! You didn't get her a ring!"
    "Well I-"
    "What kind of wife are you?"
    "I feel it is not necessary," Seven stated.
    "Why?"  Janeway asked.
    "I..I," She stammered a little and looked at B'Elanna.
     "What is it?"
     Seven seemed a little distressed and looked over at Kathryn, who
moved closer to her.
     "I do not wish to draw attention to..." she trailed off.
     Janeway searched her eyes, then gently took Seven's mesh covered
left hand in her own and lifted it between them.
     "To this?" she whispered, noticing how incredibly blue Seven's eyes
had become.
     "Yes, I don't-"
     "I know. You could wear the ring on the other hand."
     "But that would not be in accordance with tradition."
     "Who cares?" A lump formed in her throat and it was making it
difficult for her to talk.  She moved closer to her and the universe
suddenly shrank to only the woman in front of her.  "I want you to have
a ring, any ring you want." She took Seven's other hand and absently
rubbed her thumb down the delicate bone of her ring finger. "Wear it
here if it makes you more comfortable," she said as her thumb continued
to caress the soft flesh beneath it.
     "Will you put it on for me?" Seven asked quietly.  They were a
breath away from each other and the effect was so great B'Elanna could
feel HER heart racing.
     "Yes." Janeway drawled.  "If you do the same for me."
     Was there a fire extinguisher around here? The engineer fretted.
     "Absolutely.  WIll you come with me to choose the ring?"
      Janeway took a step back and almost seemed to shake her head a
little.  "I've got some things to finish up here.  B'Elanna, could you
take Seven shopping? Help her spend some of my money?"
     "Sure, come one Seven, let's go somewhere expensive."
     As they left Janeway could've swore B'Elanna threw a glare in her
direction.

     "I just don't get it,  B'Elanna said as she and Tom sat down for
dinner at a small Italian restaurant planetside.
      "I  mean, you should've seen it.  I'm waiting for the two of them
to start a mating ritual right in front of me, Janeway's practically in
tears because Seven's feeling insecure about her implants, then she just
sends her off to get her wedding ring by herself!   What the hell's
wrong with that woman?"
     "I thought you said you went with Seven," he pointed out.
     "That's not the same.  And Seven was just fine with it. 'She's the
Captain and has duties to attend to.' she said.  Well, I'll tell you
what, Seven better nip that shit in the bud quick.  I wouldn't put up
with that I'll tell you what."
    He nodded.  He didn't need to be told.
    "I think I better start spending some time with Seven, I think she's
going to need some help handling Janeway."
    "B'Elanna, I'm sure they'll be fine. The only person who thinks this
is a big deal is you."
    "It'll be a big deal to them eventually too, just watch."

   At that same moment Janeway tossed in her bed, wondering how she
could've shoved Seven off on B'Elanna like she had, and why the woman
hadn't bothered to contact her upon returning from her shopping trip.
    A strange ache filled her stomach when she thought of their
encounter earlier that afternoon and she felt her face flush.
    You made a point of making sure she was tagged as yours, didn't you?
A little voice chided her.
   She rolled over again.  It was going to be a long night.  She punched
her pillow and looked up at the ceiling.  On the bright side Seven would
have to see her tomorrow, because that was the first day of their
"honeymoon."
    And she still hadn't told her mother.
   Ugh.

***

   "I'm going on vacation for a little while," Janeway told her mother as
they sat on the porch of her family's Indiana home.  "Just to the
Caribbean for a few days."
    "That will be good for you, they should give you more time than that
though."
    "Probably later. Did an Admiral call you by any chance?"
    "Actually, yes, she said you would have some news for me."
    You can say that again. "Do you remember Seven of Nine?  You met her
at the homecoming party?"
     "She's not easy to forget."
     "Well, I'm not going on a vacation, I'm going on a honeymoon with
Seven.  We got married. What I tell you has to stay between us.  This is
just to keep Starfleet away from her and that's all.  We have to keep up
the appearance that it's for real."
     "So you don't love her?" she asked incredulously.  She remembered
they way her daughter and Seven had hovered around each other the whole
night, she could've sworn there was something between them. Kathryn
still hadn't answered the question.
     "Why are you hesitating?
     "Well,  I love her of course, just not in that way.  The marriage
will terminate in a year."
     "There was no other way to handle this Starfleet business?"
     "Not that we could find."
     "It will be difficult."
     "I don't know. I enjoy Seven's company and I'm glad to have her
staying with me.  She balances me when I need it, and in the weeks ahead
I'll definitely be needing it." She turned to look at her mother and her
face suddenly became more animated.  "I'm meeting her at the hotel later
today.  I think we're going to have a great time.  It will be nice to be
with her away from Voyager.  Seven isn't the leisure type so it should
be entertaining at least.  And it will give us a chance to sort out
things as far as how we'll handle ourselves in public and everything."
      "Are you going to bring her by so I can get to know her.  She'll
be a big part of your life for the next year."
     "Sure, I'll bring her by."  She stood up and stretched.  "I need to
get going.  I need to pick up my things on Voyager and meet Seven."
    "Have fun."
    "I will."

    Janeway expected Seven to be on Voyager so they could beam down
together to the resort they were staying at but was dismayed to find her
absent.
    The honeymoon had been Tuvok's idea, it would look good and would
give them a chance to get comfortable in the situation.
    She was looking forward to the vacation but now was experiencing a
sinking feeling.  That ring situation must have upset her.
    "Captain!"
    She stopped and turned around to see Naomi Wildman rushing towards
her.
    "Mom said you and Seven got married," she held out her hand
formally. "Congratulations."
    "Thank you Bridge Assistant Wildman," she said shaking her hand.
     "Seven said you'd be living together in San Francisco and I could
come and visit."
     "Sure you can come visit.  I just might be getting a dog you can
come play with too.  Did you see Seven today, Naomi?"
     "She was on board earlier."
     "I must've missed her.  I'll see you later."
    As she gathered her things she found herself growing more nervous,
her heart rate was through the roof and her palms were sweaty.  She
changed into a white shirt and jeans, grabbed her suitcase and headed to
the transporter room.
    By the time she had beamed down the sun had set.  She was late  Her
heart was pounding and her mouth had gone dry.
     The night air smelled fragrant and she could hear the ocean waves
gently rolling in.
     The resort was a small one, usually not too crowded since most
people preferred to go to places like Risa rather than the beaches in
their own backyard.  There was virtually no one in the lobby when she
checked in.
     Their room was several floors up and was supposed to have an ocean
view.
     When she stood before the door she waited a minute to let her
racing heart calm itself.
     What was she so nervous about?  She was acting like a teenager on
her first date.
     Should she knock? She wiped her hand nervously on her pant leg and
knocked gently.
     No answer.  Now she was near panic.  What if Seven didn't show?
She sighed and opened the door.
     The lighting in the suite was dim.  She put her bag on the cream
colored sofa and looked around.
     The door to the balcony was open and a breeze was blowing in.
     "Kathryn."
     She jumped a little at the voice and looked towards the balcony.
     Seven stepped out, her hair down and she was wearing a midnight
blue silky night gown with a matching robe.  She was holding a champagne
glass.
     "I'm sorry I'm late," she stammered as a tingling sensation swept
through her body.  "That looks very nice on you," she said.
     "B'Elanna bought it for me yesterday as a wedding gift."
      Thank God for that engineer. Her brain froze as her eyes roamed
the silk that lovingly embraced Seven's voluptuous form.
      "Would you like a drink?"
      Speech returned. "Yes, thank you."
      "Then report to the balcony, Captain."
      Kathryn's expression was reminiscent of a leer as she followed the
shapely blonde outside and Seven handed her a glass of champagne and sat
down in a chair.
      "I was worried you were upset with me because I didn't go with you
to get the ring."
      "B'Elanna was an acceptable companion."
      "And it looks like you got a gift out of it too."
      "A productive day."
      She didn't see the ring on Seven's hand but decided not to ask
about it.  She took a long swallow of champagne, emptying the glass,
then after pouring herself another one walked over to watch the ocean
below.
      "It's a nice view."
      "Yes, it is."
      "I talked with my mother today.  She wants to meet you."  She
could see her shift a little out of the corner of her eyes and smiled.
      "But she has met me already."
      "But now you're her daughter in law."
She turned and looked at the full moon above them, noticing the dark
patches of maria on the surface, reveling in the familarity.  She took
another long drink.
      "I thought alcohol negatively effected you."
      "Ensign Paris said that was point."
      "Very true.  I got an apartment in the area I told you about.
Most of my things are already moved in.  When we get back we can start
getting your things moved and get settled." Her glass was getting
dangerously empty again and she picked the bottle to find it empty.
      "Don't tell me we downed the whole bottle."
      "I won't." Seven stood up.  "I'll get another."  She sauntered
back into the suite, leaving Janeway on the balcony.
      Kathryn looked over at the cart on which sat the now empty bottle
in an ice bucket.  Next to it was a covered silver platter she hadn't
noticed before.  She lifted the cover and saw two velvet boxes.
     Seven came back with another bottle and Janeway felt like she had
just been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.  Her expression
must've been interesting because a small smile curved Seven's lips.
      "I was saving them for later."
      "Oh." She put the lid back on.
      Seven opened the bottle and a good stream of bubbles shot out.
      "This bottle is defective."
       Kathryn took it from her.  "That's normal.  How'd you get the
first bottle open?"
      "Someone from the hotel staff assisted me."
      "If you were wearing that I would've twisted off Voyager's hull
for you," she smiled, then mentally slapped herself for the comment.
What was wrong with her tonight?
      "We better go easy on this."
      "We're celebrating, Kathryn, excess is allowed."  She walked past
her and retrived one of the boxes.  "This one s for you," she said,
handing her the box.
       Kathryn put aside her glass and opened it.
      It was a white gold band with an intricate carving around the band
that appeared to be oak leaves.
      "It's gorgeous."
      Seven took the ring out of the box and slipped it on Kathryn's
finger.
      She held it up to admire in the moonlight. Seven sat back down in
her chaiir and watched her.
       "It's handmade," Seven added.
       Kathryn picked up the other box and took out the ring's
companion.  She approached Seven and knelt in front of her.
       "I'm sorry I didn't go with you to get the rings."  She took
Seven's right hand and gently slipped the ring on.
       "You can make it up to me.  I believe the minister felt your kiss
was lacking.  You owe me another."
       She wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or the dizzying effect of
Seven's perfume but she was very receptive to the idea.
       "Well, it's the least I can do," she smiled. She looked deep into
the blue of Seven's eyes and found herself moving forward.
      The kiss lasted longer than she planned.  She intended it to be a
peck on the lips but Seven's mouth tasted so wonderful she had to reach
in and ring a deep kiss from her that left her gasping.
      She had to get away.  She got up and hurried into the suite,
turning up the lighting.
      Seven was right on her heels, standing in the doorway.
      "Kathryn."
      Janeway was leaning against the four poster bed, feeling the
electric shock dig into her as she looked at Seven in the moonlight,
smelling of the sea and champagne.
      She was strong but not that strong.  Her steel melted away in
seconds.
      "Lights out." she barked, then marched over to Seven, wrapping her
arms around her waist and burying her head in the tall woman's shoulder.
      "Just hold me." She inhaled her scent deeply and closed her eyes.
They moved to the bed and lied down, Janeway never sacrificing her hold
on Seven's waist.
      No words passed between them and they both drifted off to sleep.

When Janeway woke she realized this was going to be a lot harder than she
thought it was going to be.  She got up and crawled into the shower.  She
stood under the water and as it raged around her she let her mind race.

What happened last night?  It all seemed like some dream.

She had never considered any having any romantic inclinations  towards
Seven, of course being the captain of a lost ship consumed everything.  Now
that distraction was gone and the veil was lifted and it was glaring down on
her like a sun.

The question was did Seven love her?  Her heart told her she did, the way
her eyes became incredibly blue when she looked at her and how her voice
lowered a couple of octaves when she said her name.

And if she didn't know better she had stumbled into a carefully planned
seduction last night.

But then again Seven knew little of seduction, she was probably doing what
came naturally.

So what should she do now?  She didn't need something like love complicating
this marriage.

She laughed a little at the idea and leaned her forehead against the cool
shower wall.

She needed time.  What of Seven?   What expectations did she have of her
now?  She ran her fingers through her hair to help rinse out some of the
shampoo when she noticed an unfamiliar weight. The ring.

She looked at it  and noted the extra weight, how it felt on her finger.
How did she get in this mess?

She turned off the shower, dried herself off, and wrapped herself in a white
terry cloth robe.

Upon returning to the bedroom she found Seven fast asleep, her arm draped
over the spot where Janeway had been lying.

"I thought you were up," Janeway said quietly, brushing Seven's hair away
from her face.

"I was but it was very unpleasant."

Kathryn jumped.  She had been certain Seven was asleep, she felt caught
again.

"What's wrong?"

"There is an aching pain in my head.  Why are you speaking so loud?"

"I think you have a hangover."

"Hangover?"

"You drank too much.  Don't worry, we'll get you fixed up.  I have a cure
that's fool proof."  She  went to the replicator and starting punching in
instructions.  Seven just groaned and pulled the covers over her head.

She returned with a glass of greenish liquid and a hypospray,

"Come out of there.  I need you to drink this."

Seven poked her head out wearily and took the glass.  She took a sip and an
odd look crossed her face.

"Taste is irrelevant, remember?"

Seven downed the contents of the glass and handed it back to her.  She then
obediently turned her head and allowed Kathryn to administer the hypo.

Her eyes roamed the elegant curve of Seven's neck and her heart started
pounding.  This was unbearable.

"There's just one more thing." She handed her a half full glass of
champagne.  "Hair of the alien that bit you."

Seven looked at her incredously.

"Trust me."

She took the glass and sipped from it gently until it was gone.

"Now go take a shower, you'll be feeling better in no time.  What do you
want to do today?"

"I'm uncertain.  This situation is unfamiliar to me."

"Why don't we try the beach?"

Seven nodded as she went into the bathroom.  As she stood in the shower she
fretted as to whether she should bring up last night events.  Normally, she
was not one to shy away from any subject but Kathryn seemed so skittish
about the previous night's events, she felt as if she took one wrong step
she would send her running away.

She remembered something the Doctor had said to her once, a conversational
tool.  Sometimes it was easier to approach a subject from an indirect angle.

She emerged from the shower and dressed in a matching robe.

When she entered the room Kathryn was busy making the bed.

"That was the first time I've slept in a bed," Seven commented.

Kathryn paused for a moment.  "How'd you like it?"

"It is inefficient, but the company was desirable."  That probably came out
wrong, a voice chided.

Janeway smiled and went about her task.

***
B'Elanna nearly growled when she received the communiqué from the Academy.
She had put in for a an internship in the engineering department and had
been given two days to give them a request letter from Janeway or they
wouldn't consider the application.

She knew they were pulling red tape to keep her out, she garnered no love as
a former Maquis member and had no contacts at the Academy.

Her  communicator beeped.  It was Chakotay.

"What'd they say?"

"They won't take one from me," he answered. "Only from the Captain.  I've
had no luck getting a hold of her.  We'll just have to track her down."

"She's gonna kill us, she's on her honeymoon."

"She'll understand."

"You go, I would like to keep my head."

"Meet me in the transporter room.  We'll make a day of it."

"But-"

"B'Elanna, relax."
****

There was a tide pool at the resort beach that was deserted that day.
Kathryn thought it was the perfect place to get Seven acclimated to swimming
in the ocean.

Seven had no experience swimming at all, only the memories and the
programming, she knew the movements but had no practical experience.

Kathryn swam with her for a while, keeping close tabs on her until she felt
comfortable leaving her to swim on her own, then took a seat up on the
beach.

She had brought some padds detailing the plans for Voyager's refit that she
had to review.  The breeze was giving her a slight chill and she slipped on
a light shirt she had brought along. Tossing on a hat to shade her eyes she
got to work reviewing the data for the refit.
***

"Only three miles of beach to comb through,"  B'Elanna sighed.  "Maybe
should wait for them here.  I don't want to walk up on the Captain being
assimilated."

"B'Elanna," he took a breath, "That won't happen, believe me.  Look, I'm
going to tell you something but you have to swear on your Klingon honor
you'll tell no one, understand?"

"Chakotay, we were in the Maquis.  I think I can keep a secret."

"This marriage is just a smoke screen to keep Starfleet away from Seven."

B'Elanna stopped to give him a peculiar look.

"Are you sure?"

"Yea, I'm sure.  It was my idea."

"Well I...hmmm."  She resumed trudging through the sand.
***
Janeway glanced up from her padd, the sun blinding her momentarily.  She
hadn't heard anything in the tide pool for a while.  She scanned the surface
and didn't detect a ripple.

Where was she?  She watched for another few moments.  Nothing.  She stood up
to get a better view, throwing off her hat.

"Seven?" No answer. "Seven!"

Now she was running, plowing into the water.  She was waist deep and ready
to dive in when she heard a voice.

"I thought you were done swimming?"

Janeway stopped and saw Seven a few feet ahead of her, treading water.

"Where were you?"

"I was underwater.  My Borg enhancements allow me to go for long periods
without oxygen."  She said, swimming towards her.

"I thought...don't scare me like that.  I spent the latter part of my career
in the Delta Quadrant keeping you out of trouble, I don't need you in a
drowning accident now when we're finally home."

Seven was standing in front of her now. "I didn't mean to scare you,
Kathryn."  Her voice grew husky when she reached her name.

Kathryn was getting a handle on the signs of a frisky Seven, lowered voice,
eyes darkening as they were now.

"Well, don't do it again."  Her eyes roved down Seven's dark one piece suit
and lingered a little...noticeably.

"Let me make it up to you," she said, moving closer.

Kathryn's hands wound themselves around her waist.  It was happening again,
sea air, blue eyes, pheromones.

"I don't think that we should be doing this." Janeway said.

"No one can hear your protests, I know they're not for yourself and I'm not
interested in them," Seven murmured.  She pulled her close and moved in
swiftly, searing her lips with a kiss that ended too soon.

Kathryn tried to come up with some sort of coherent sentence.  Seven seemed
almost smug.

"Just...do that again."

Seven took a step back.  "Then come and get it."

Kathryn moved forward and lost no time in engaging her in another heated
kiss that she refused to break away from even as they stumbled back into the
water.

***

"Yea, that's them," Chakotay said as they walked down the beach, then he
suddenly froze. "No...that's not them, can't be."

"Oh yes it is," B'Elanna said.

He glanced over to see her peering ahead with a small set of binoculars.

"Where'd you get those?

"I brought 'em.  I thought there might be some good scenery...boy is there."

"Give me those."  He focused them ahead and saw a better image of Janeway
and Seven.  They had separated for a moment, Janeway was saying something,
Seven backed away, then the captain pounced on her, and eventually they fell
back into the water.

He lowered the binoculars and looked over at B'Elanna.

"I told you we were going to walk up on something."

"But..."

"Oh right, you're little secret.  Looks like they have one too.  Let's wait
for them back at the hotel.  Did you see that little cabana back there?  I
bet they've got margaritas." She turned and began to walk back up the beach.
  "Chakotay, come on."

***

When Kathryn and Seven returned to the resort they both looked as if they
had gotten plenty of sun and were appropriately sapped of energy.

They ran into Chakotay and B'Elanna, who were each on their fourth
margarita.  They explained the situation to Janeway, who wrote up a quick
recommendation for her on the spot.  As she did she couldn't help but notice
a peculiar smile that graced B'Elanna's features but decided not to ask.

They had dinner sent to their room and ate on the balcony, watching the sun
set.

After the meal was finished Janeway waited before broaching the subject that
had been knawing on her mind.

"Seven,  I don't think this is a good idea," she said quietly.

"What isn't a good idea?"

"We shouldn't be getting involved like this.  It's just going to make things
too complicated for us.  It's not that I don't want to and it's not that I
don't care about you but-"

Seven slammed her hands down on the table and walked towards the door.
Before she exited the balcony she paused to look at Kathryn.

"I don't know whether to be angry at you or feel sorry for you because you
can't do anything that you don't perceive as a 'safe bet.'  You can take
risks with a starship but not with your own happiness.  Perhaps you should
consider resurrecting your relationship with Mark and quit attempting your
half hearted gambles with the things you really want."  She slammed the door
with a resounding boom of thunder.

Janeway sighed and forcefully threw her napkin down on the table as the sun
disappeared from the sky.

***
Seven didn't stay at the hotel that night, she beamed back to Voyager to
regenerate, and the silence left in the empty hotel was deafening.
     Seven's words rang in her ears.  This was what she wanted to avoid in
the first place.
    She thought over the day's events and an image of Seven at the beach
swam into her mind and it sent fir burning through her veins that jolted
her.  She got herself a hard drink and settled in for the night.
    After a few glasses of liquid courage she also had herself beamed
herself to Voyager and found herself marching into Cargo Bay 2.
    Seven stood in her alcove, eyes closed and standing perfectly still.
She wasn't in her biosuit, rather a pair of khaki pants and a white shirt
she had thrown on over her bathing suit.  Her hair was down and partially
covered her eyepiece.
    Janeway tapped in the sequence to interrupt the regeneration sequence.
    Seven eyes opened and she looked down at Janeway, noticing the circles
under her eyes and the slight slump of her shoulders.
    "Yes, Kathyrn?"
    "I don't want you upset at me like this, Seven.  I'm sure you can
understand my position..." She swallowed and Seven watched her captain say
the two words she had never heard fall from her lips.
    "I'm sorry."
    A little sigh escaped from her lips.  "I apologize for my earlier
outburst.  I was angry at you.  I disagree with your opinion on this
matter."
    "Well, I'm pretty used to that by now."
    "This is not the end of this debate."
    "I know," she whispered. "I just couldn't sleep knowing how upset I'd
made you."
    "Get some sleep, Kathryn.  I'll see you in the morning."
    Kathryn watched as she stepped back up on the dais and began
regenerating.

    Seven returned the next morning and remarkably there wasn't the tension
between them she was expecting.
    They spent the day touring local sites as Janeway tried to draw on her
limited history knowledge.  They took a sunset ride on the Jolly Roger after
dinner on the beach.
    The ship dated back to the pirating rum running days of the Caribbean.
    The ship was magnificently decorated with strings of lights winding
their way up the mast.
    They walked the deck as the sun settled down into the ocean for the
night.
    "It's fortunate there was no 'plank' on Voyager," Seven commented.  "I'm
sure you would've sent me to walk."
    "You were never that bad."
    "I had my moments," she said almost wistfully as she gazed up at the
sails.
    "You could be difficult at times.  You probably would've marched right
off that plank just to spite me."  She got an image in her head of her
ordering Seven to walk the plank and Seven walking right off it in that self
assured manner of hers, not pausing for a moment.
    She laughed at the image Seven raised her eyebrow as if there was a
serious possibility Kathryn had just lost her mind.
    Janeway leaned against the railing, giving it a little nudge.
    "I'll bet this ship isn't as old as they say, I'll bet it's a replica.
What do you think?"
    "I don't have enough data to say.  I have no reason not to believe it."
    "Can't you scan it?"
    "I could, but I won't."
    "Why?"
    "It's better not knowing."
    "Spoilsport."  She knocked the wood on the rail as if that test could
tell her something.
    "Perhaps you should get out and kick the tires."
    "Maybe you should try out that plank."
    "When I walk it I won't scan it's age first.  Maybe I should scan you
for your age."
    "You wouldn't dare.  I'd prefer if you'd treat me like a tree and count
my rings."
    "I think that one alone will age you a few years," she said pointing at
the Captain's wedding band.
    "Is the gray showing already?"
    "Wait until we move in together."
    She laughed and slipped her arm around Seven's waist.

    The crew finished moving themselves out of Voyager before the ship
disembarked for its refit at a nearby space station.  Most of the
engineering crew was tagging along to help and Janeway began the daunting
task of moving Seven into her apartment.
    She was at Starfleet headquarters most of the day when she came home to
find most of the living room of her new apartment filled with boxes.
    "Seven," she sighed in exasperation.
    "Yes, Kathryn," A blonde head popped up from behind a container.
    "What is all this?"
    "My things."
    Her face took on a blank unbelieving expression.  "Where did...how did
you accumulate so many things? There's not enough room." She looked down
into an open box and picked up a computer interface console like the one she
had in her ready room.  She attempted to activate it but it didn't respond.
    "Seven, this is broken."
    "I'm going to repair it."
    "When?"
    There was a pause. "Soon."
    "Are there other projects like this scattered around in these boxes?"
    Seven seemed to be having some difficulty answering the question.
    "Let's get everything organized into now and soon sections.  Soon's
going in storage.  That's a command decision."
    "And you have to stand by command decisions."
     Kathryn froze in her steps to see Seven's eyes turn a steely blue.
    "Yes," she whispered.
    She really wasn't surprised Seven collected things.  Her individuality
was still so fragile and part of assisting in that struggle was the concept
of ownership, a uniquely individual thing.  The more things she owned the
more her individuality was enhanced.  She had encountered enough pack rats
in her life to know things could get integrated into self identity.
    Seven seemed to have a lot of things she was planning to fix, to rescue
from the recycling bin.  Maybe like she herself had been.
    "How were things at Starfleet?"
    "Well, they want to start the debriefing in a couple days.  I'm not
looking forward to it.  I probably won't be around here much.  I was
wondering if maybe you'd like to spend a couple days in Indiana with me
before this starts."
    No answer.    She leaned up from the box she had been going through and
didn't see Seven anywhere.
    "Seven?" She stepped out from behind the boxes to see the tall blonde
collapsed on the floor.  "Seven!" She banged her knee hard on the coffee
table in her scramble to get to Seven.
    She was unconscious.  Kathryn checked her pulse an her neck and couldn't
find it.  She checked her wrist and noticed a bit of thinness she hadn't
noticed before.  Her pulse was weak and her breathing was shallow.
    "Janeway to Starfleet Headquarters: Medical emergency.  Two to beam to
the E.R. I need the Voyager EMH there."
    "We're more than equipped-"
    "Voyager's EMH, now! Site to site transport." She took Seven's had as
they dematerialized.

    At the hospital a virtual swarm of emergency personnel surrounded Seven,
moving her out of Janeway's sight.  Kathryn became panicked and tried to
follow only to find herself being held back.
    "Captain, please, wait out here," the EMH said forcefully.
    "But-"
    "Wait out here.  I'll come get when I know anything," he said as he
retreated behind a set of swinging doors.

    Janeway had been in the waiting room for over an hour when the EMH
emerged.
    "Doctor," she yelped, jumping to her feet.
    He held up his hands. "She'll be alright, everything's fine."
    "Can I see her?  What happened?"
    He took her by the arm and led her to Seven's hospital room, his voice
lowering to hushed tones.
    "Her heart stopped.  Her regeneration alcove wasn't working properly,
her body was wearing down, circulatory and respiratory systems were shutting
down."
    "What could stop her alcove from functioning properly? Seven keeps that
thing tuned like a piano."
    They entered Seven's room.  The lights were dim.  A blue sheet covered
her and her hair was undone and spilling across the pillow.  A clear
facemask was covering her mouth and nose, attached to a machine that was
essentially breathing for her.
The unit she was lying on was providing energy for her to regenerate.
    "She'll have to stay like this for a while," the Doctor said.  He
watched as the color drained from her face.  She stepped forward and placed
her hand gently on Seven's forehead.
    "Her alcove was tampered with.  Someone wanted this to happen."
    She remembered her conversation with Chakotay.  Starfleet intelligence
officers moving about Cargo Bay 2.  Her jaw clenched and she leaned up, a
cool rage filling her.

***
"You're making some very serious allegations, Kathryn."  Admiral
Necheyev said, drumming her fingers on her desktop.

"Who else?  Starfleet intelligence have been lurking around her from day
one."

"Did you ever think of your own crew?  There's plenty of people on
Voyager who have no love for Seven of Nine."

"Why now, after all this time?  I don't have any doubt about who did it,
the question is, what are you going to do about it?  She could've died,
you know.  How would you feel in my position?  That's my wife."

"We'll look into it, alright."

"Thank you."
***
Janeway came home to the sound of drilling coming from one of the
bedrooms.  The high pitched whine continued for a few moments then
stopped when she entered the room.

"How's it going?"

B'Elanna stopped her drill, and took a step back from her work.

"Almost done."  She wiped at some of the dust flecks that had
accumulated on the regeneration alcove.  "What do you think?"

"Looks great," she said, examining the alcove.  "I like it much better
than her old one."

"I have better design sensibilities than the Borg.  Throw some dried
flowers on it and no one will ever notice."

"I'm going to make some dinner, you want some?  I should take you out
for all you've done but I feel like staying in tonight."

"When's Seven getting home?"

"They're going to release her in a couple days.  It will be nice to have
her new alcove waiting for her, I want to surprise her.  Thanks for
putting it together, I know it was short notice."

"It was no problem, kept me busy.  I'm still waiting for my application
to get processed."

"Where's Tom?  I haven't seen him around."

"Neither have I," she said.

"Oh." She decided to drop the subject.

"Did Seven have fun on your honeymoon?"

"I think so.  We had a bit of fight on the second night but it worked
itself out."

B'Elanna began to smile in a way that made Kathryn suspicious.

"What?"

"Oh nothing.  When we went to get you for that recommendation we sorta
walked up on you at the beach.  Chakotay about had a heart attack."

Janeway swallowed nervously. "Oh...well-"  God, what was Chakotay
thinking?  she rolled her eyes and looked back at her meal.
****
Kathryn picked up Seven the next day at Starfleet Medical, the EMH
prattling off a list of instructions before they left.

"How are you feeling today?" Janeway asked as they walked outside.  The
sun was gentle and the trees in the park seemed to just shimmer.

"I'm still tired.  Can we walk home?  I haven't been out of that
hospital room for a week."

"Sure."

"The Doctor said my alcove was tampered with."

"Starfleet's looking into it right now."  Inside she knew the
investigation would reveal nothing, but Seven didn't need to know that.
"We've already taken steps to ensure that won't happen again."  She
glanced up at the blue sky and sighed.  "I'm sorry."

"Why? You did not sabotage my alcove."

"I know but I'm the one who brought you here, insisted that-"

"Kathryn, are you going to apologize every time something unpleasant
occurs to me on Earth?  I hardly think you should be responsible for the
planetary body as a whole."

"I know, but this isn't how things should be."

"And how should things be?  According to whom?"

"I can't handle philosophy right now, let's just enjoy the walk."

When they got home Seven looked around in dismay for her missing boxes.

Janeway nodded to the bedroom.  "They're in your room."

She waited for Seven to go in the room, a little smirk playing on her
lips.  She waited for a moment and then followed her.

Seven was already scrutinizing the unit.

"Does it meet with your requirements?"

"It is acceptable.  Thank you, it was very generous of you to allow this
to be installed in your apartment."

"B'Elanna did the real work, you should thank her."

"I will thank you first." She rose and kissed Janeway on the cheek.

"Thank you."

Janeway smiled.  "Come on, I got dinner planned."

"Are we going out?"

"No, I'm cooking."  She said over her shoulder as she headed into the
kitchen.

"I did just return from the hospital, I would like not to return so
quickly."

"Get in here, I'm not that bad."

Janeway prepared shrimp and rice for dinner and afterwards they sat on the
couch and had coffee.  Seven initially declined but Kathryn talked her into
it.

"Seven, come on.  You never indulged me on Voyager.  Just this once."

"Very well." Janeway poured her a cup of coffee.  "Now this is an acquired
taste.  It may take a little to get used to."

Seven took a sip and tried not to grimace too much.

Janeway sat down on the couch next to her and put her feet up on the coffee
table.  Seven imitated the action.

"You are nervous about tomorrow,"  Seven commented.

The debriefing was starting tomorrow for Janeway by Starfleet and Federation
officials.

"A little, but I'm sure it can't be as bad as my imagination has made it."
She sighed and rubbed her brow.  A quietness overtook her that Seven found
profound.  She was really worried.

"If they were going to throw you in jail they would've done it by now,"
Seven said.

"That's true."  She cleared her throat and took a sip of her coffee. "This
coffee won't make it hard for you to regenerate will it?"

"I don't believe so."

"Well, the good thing is I'm alright, you' re alright.  That's all that
matters."

Seven reached over tentatively and touched Janeway's shoulder.  Her hand set
on her shoulder like a nervous bird and Kathryn covered it with her own and
held it for a moment.  They were silent for a moment.

"Well,"  Janeway cleared her throat.  "I think I better turn in early
tonight.  I need all the rest I can get."  She patted her hand and stood up.

"I should regenerate as well."

"Goodnight Seven."

"Goodnight, Captain."

Janeway paused when she heard her rank, then continued into her room.  She
tired to read a little of a book but ended up pondering why Seven had gone
back to calling her Captain.

When Janeway woke the next morning she got up early to give herself plenty
of time to get to the debriefing.  She made herself a coffee and while still
dressed in her robe, peeked in on Seven.

Seven's new alcove actually had a metallic piece that extended when the unit
was activated.  It circled about four inches in front of her waist, securing
her in.

Psychologically, it made her seem protected in some way and Janeway wondered
if B'Elanna had subconsciously designed it that way.

She tip toed into the room.  When she was in front of the alcove she got up
on her toes and kissed Seven gently on the lips.
***

Janeway was expecting to be grilled by a panel of Admirals but what she came
into was worse than her most fevered imaginings.

It was a hall, in actuality a courtroom used by Federation delegates, the
galleries on either side were filled with Federation and Starfleet
representatives.  It reminded her of the House of Commons in London, and she
knew the big seat in the center was hers.
***

Seven's regeneration cycle completed and she woke to the taste of coffee on
her lips.
***

As Kathryn looked at the people around her she realized she was scared, damn
scared.

There was no rational need for this fear.  She hadn't done anything wrong,
but she was reminded of a story she had read when she was in school about
the lady or the tiger, and she felt certain she would be facing the latter.
***

Several agonizing hours later the day was over and Janeway found herself
standing in front of her apartment door with rubbery knees.

She stumbled inside to see Seven staring at her with wide eyes.

"I must look as bad as I feel," she grumbled, flopping onto the couch.

"Things did not go well?"

"It was...unbelievable.  I didn't know it was possible to get so many people
in one room.  Anyone, everyone you could think of, scientists, diplomats,
there was even a representative from the Romulan Empire.  I guess they
wanted to make sure we didn't bad mouth them out there."  She pulled her
boots off and lied back on the couch.

"And this is just day one."  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.  An
aroma caught her attention and she opened her eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"Cooking dinner."

"Oh." She paused.  "Have you ever cooked before?"

"No."

"Ugh."

Seven set the table and Janeway crawled up from the couch.

She sat down to a plate of suspicious pasta.  She poked at it a little with
a fork and took a tentative bite, Seven watching from
across the table.

She tried not to give away the slightest grimace at the taste, but wasn't
completely successful.

"You don't like it," Seven stated.

"No, I...it's fine," she said around a mouthful of pasta.  "It's a good
first try."

Seven stood up, collected both plates and threw them in the recycler with
such force they shattered.

Janeway tapped her fork on the table and sighed, looking down at the spot
where her plate had been.

"You made me dinner yesterday, that made me happy.  I only desired to do the
same for you.  I have failed."

"Seven, you didn't fail." She stood up and approached her.  "You can't be
perfect at everything.  Give yourself a chance." She touched her shoulder
gently.  "I would've chewed on that pasta all night just because you made it
for me."

"It would've taken all night,: Sven commented.

"How about some soup?  My stomach has been full of butterflies all day and
can't handle much else.  I'll just replicate it."

Seven nodded and took a step towards the living room before Janeway grabbed
her arm.

"Seven..."

She turned to look at her, her blue eyes electric.

"I...thank you."  The words she wanted to say echoed endlessly in her mind
for hours afterwards.

I love you.
***

Janeway got up early the next morning and found her first cup coffee had a
peculiar taste to it.  She tossed it back in and programmed another cup.
Same thing.

She went into Seven's room to see her regenerating.  She got up on her toes
again to kiss her on the lips, then set a padd next to alcove asking her if
she could take a look at the replicator unit.

The second day wasn't as harrowing as the first, but Janeway still left
feeling rattled.  Not a good day start with out a morning cup of coffee.

She found herself getting angry, angry at them for putting her through this.
  The anger kept her from getting tired and giving sloppy answers.  Every
answer was clipped and precise.  The day went much faster than before and
she found herself home before she knew it.

Seven was seated on the couch working on the portable interface unit she had
seen earlier.  She glanced up at her and smiled.

Smiling?  Holy shit.  Janeway gulped and tried to smile back.  She went over
to the replicator.

"Coffee, black."  The machine whirred as a cup was produced.  She took a
tentative sip and found herself spitting it into the sink as quickly as
possible.

"That's terrible!  I thought you were going to fix this today."

"I did.  You said it was an acquired taste.  Isn't it supposed to taste like
that?"

"No."

Seven made a little sigh as she stood up and went over to the replicator.
She removed a circuit board and did some minor adjustments.

"Things must be going well, you're still uniform,"  Seven commented.

"Guess so."

"Don't worry, I'm not cooking this evening.  Dinner, however is planned.  I
am beginning a new rule for you starting today and there will be no arguing,
it is a command decision."

"Oh really?"

"Yes.  No uniforms at the dinner table.  Please change into appropriate
attire."

"But-"

"Command decision."

"Who put you in a command?"

"I did.  I'm here more than you, therefore I outrank you in this apartment."

She did have a point.  Janeway decided not to argue and high tailed it into
her bedroom.

On the bed she found a flannel burgundy pajama top and bottom folded neatly
sitting next to a pair of matching slippers.  The material was incredibly
soft, like velvet slipping across her skin.  She took a moment to revel in
the feeling before returning to the living room, a little bounce in her
step.

"Spending more of my money I see.  What do you think?" she asked, turning
around.  The color did exactly what Seven had wanted it to , it brought out
the highlights in her hair and made her eyes shimmer a dark blue.

"It looks very nice," Seven stated as she set the table.  "I ordered out.
Heating up food is one thing I am capable of.  I ordered Chinese."

"Perfect."  Janeway sat down to her plate of fried rice.  "You're right.
This is better than that uniform.  Thank you."

Seven nodded and sat down across from her.

***

"You're cheating, I know it."  Janeway said sourly as she examined her poker
hand.  She sat on the couch cross legged, Seven sitting on the other end.
"You're implant's twitching."

There seemed to be a moment when Seven might believe her, but then her stoic
facade returned.

"Unlikely."

"Then I call."

"Full house," she said, laying her cards down.

"Damn."

Seven smiled a little and gathered the cards back up.

"Maybe we should bet."

"I have nothing to bet," Seven stated.

Oh yes you do, a voice growled in her head.

"Well, it's time for me to go to bed anyway.  Thanks for everything today,
Seven."

"I am merely being a good captain's wife."

"Maybe I should've married you while we were on Voyager."

A stony silence filled the room and Janeway thought something like pain
flickered across Seven's face for a brief moment.

That night she lied in her bed and realized without a doubt that Seven loved
her, and the feeling was mutual.  She was in love.
***

The next morning Janeway felt unaccountably drowsy and stumbled to the
shower, peeling off her pajamas as she went.  Her eyes went from tiny slits
to wide open shock when she opened the shower door to find Seven standing
there, fully clothed, working on the shower head.

"Good morning, Kathryn."

She gasped and slammed the shower door shut.  She grabbed a towel and
covered herself up.

"What are you doing?"

"Servicing the shower.  It's water use is very inefficient.  We should have
a sonic shower."  She opened up the door and stepped out.  "I'm finished
now." A little grin was playing on her lips as her eyes raked across
Kathryn's form.

"Get out of the bathroom.  You aren't going to get to see me naked twice
today."

The water had enough force to feel like her skin was going to be ripped off.
  She got out of the shower feeling thoroughly scrubbed and found her
uniform waiting for her.

When she exited the bathroom she found a cup of coffee and a bagel waiting
for her on the kitchen table.  She tasted the coffee and it was tolerable.

"Not bad," she muttered. "Seven!"

Seven emerged from her room.

"That shower, the water pressure's a little too strong, could you lower it a
little?"

"Yes, Kathryn.  I'm going to try cooking again tonight."

"Just follow the recipe and I'm sure you'll do fine."

"Recipe?"

Oh brother.  She gulped down the rest of her coffee and had to leave the
bagel untouched.

"I've got to run, I'll see you tonight."

The previous night's revelations had left her feeling weary.  That day's
debriefing was about the Borg and went late into the evening.

The whole time she was kicking herself, knowing Seven was waiting at home
trying to cook for her.

As she headed out she heard a familiar voice call her name.  She stopped in
the crowded hallway and turned to see Commander William Riker approaching
her.

"Kathryn!  I haven't had a chance to see you since you got back.  How are
you?"

"I'm pulling through alright.  Are you here the debriefing too?"

"Enterprise has interest considering how many times we've been up against
the Borg."

They stood to the side, ducking into a deserted area by a stairwell.

"Can you believe all these people?"

"I think everyone's just curious, I don't think they're trying to burn you
in there."

"Then you should try out my seat tomorrow."

"Do you want to go get a drink, catch up a little?"

"You know, I'd really like to but Seven's cooking tonight.  It's her second
time cooking and she's a little anxious."

"Seven, she's the wife, right? I'd heard you got married.  Talk about
bringing home a war trophy.  I saw a picture of her in the briefing packet."
  In fact, that was a big reason he wanted to rekindle his friendship with
Janeway,  She had always courted boring studious men, this new development
fascinated him.

"Captain's always get first dibs," she smiled.  "Maybe later.  Are you going
to be here for the whole debriefing?  By next week I'll be needed that
drink."

"Okay, I'll see you next week then," he smiled and watched her go. Who
could've guessed?

Seven had fallen into a light nap on the couch and never heard Janeway enter
the apartment.

She was in the middle of a dream, a nightmare.  She twitched and turned over
to her side.

Janeway decided to wake her.

Seven jumped when she felt the hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.  Things ran late at the debriefing."

"I can reheat dinner."

"I'll do it."

"I fixed the shower."

"Thanks.  I ran into Will Riker today, he wants to me to have a drink with
him, probably next week.  Do you want to come along?"

"It will give us an opportunity to practice socializing as a married couple.
  I've been doing some research," she sat up and grabbed a padd off the
coffee table.  "I believe we should develop pet names for each other.  The
computer had some suggestions," she said, handing her the padd.

Janeway scanned the list, and then handed it back to her.

"No."

"But-"

"Seven, do you really want me calling you these things?"

"No."

"Then it's settled. Maybe I should call you by your given name."

"I would not like that either."

"Then never mind.  Besides, pet names are usually used in private, not
public, Annika."

"That was tolerable, I suppose."

"Then would you like me to call you that when we're out with Will?"

"No."

Janeway tried dinner and found it was a huge improvement from the day
before.  She even slept better that night.

The next morning her good cheer was squashed by a shower that dribbled water
like an old hose.  She sighed and rested her head against the wall.

During the following weeks Seven overhauled every piece of technology in the
entire apartment, sometimes even twice.  Janeway knew she needed to find
something for her to do but everything was being consumed by the debriefing
and there seemed to be no end in sight.

The sessions began to regularly stretch into the evening and Janeway could
find little time for anything else but eating and sleeping.

Suddenly, Seven's tinkering came to an abrupt stop, and when Janeway found a
book on massage lying on the coffee table she knew Seven had a new project:
her.

*****
Janeway was becoming more distant as the debriefing dragged on, by the sixth
week Seven barely saw her at all and was beginning to become uneasy.

She needed advice, and she found herself back on the rickety porch where
they had gotten married, knocking on a flimsy screen door.

The same long haired man answered, this time his hair was flowing freely
down his back.  He seemed rather surprised to see her.

"Looking for an annulment?"

She ignored his question.  "You conduct marriage ceremonies, correct?"

"Yea, I guess.  Not regularly."

"You are an expert on the institution then?"

"Oh god no.  Having some problems?"

"I am having difficulty communicating with her and-"

"Why don't you come inside?" he said. holding open the door.

Inside was a living room, one wall was covered with bookcases, and a beat up
couch was pushed up against the other wall.

"You're a friend of Chakotay's?"

"Yes.  Have a seat."

He seemed amazingly more hospitable then the first time she had met him.

Chakotay had told him about Seven of Nine and deep down he had felt a lot of
sympathy for her.  He knew it would be hard for her to fit in on Earth, to
make friends.  That was why when he saw her on the porch her had no qualms
about inviting her in immediately.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"No, thank you."  He went into the kitchen and got himself a glass of water.

While he was gone two black kittens roared into the living room, one
following behind the other until one had the advantage and pounced. A fierce
war cry pierced the air.

Seven was watching the display when he returned.

"They're a little rambunctious.  Have you been around animals much?"

"No."

He sat down in a chair next to the couch, tucking his legs up underneath him
so he was sitting cross legged.

"So, how are things with the Captain?"

"She is distant and I am unclear of her feeling toward me.  I don't see her
often and when I do she is tired and in an unpleasant mood."

"Isn't she still in that debriefing?"

"Yes."

"That's probably it I'm sure."

Seven shifted a little.

"Are you always so tense?" He got up and took a box off the bookcase, then
sat back down with it.

"I'm doubtful that is the case entirely.  My feeling's toward her have
changed considerably and I am certain hers have as well."

"I'm not surprised, you see each other in a different light now, you're not
captain and crewmember anymore.  Here."

She took the offered object and examined it carefully. "Cannabis?"

"Here's a light."
***

"I don't understand her," Seven said an hour later, taking another drag off
her joint.

"Wait until this debriefing thing's over, that's distracting her right now.
Then make your move."  He scratched his head and thought for a moment.  "You
should have a party for her after this thing's over, give her a chance to
relax."

"Then I make my move."

"Right."

She nodded and took another drag.  The kittens started to fight again and
she watched them.  Suddenly, a throaty laugh emerged from Seven that caught
them both off guard.

"Hey, would you like to have one?"

"One what?"

"A kitten."

"I do not know how to care for one."

"It's not hard, cats are pretty low maintenance.  I've got one that would be
perfect for you."  He got up and walked into another room.

He brought back a sleepy eyed gray and black tabby kitten and lied it in her
lap.

"Pet him, he's got a good motor in there."

"Motor?"

"Just pet him."  She did as instructed and the cat began to purr loudly.

"I should return home, I require food."

"Here, take some for later," he handed her a small paper bag.

With marijuana in one hand and a kitten in the other she headed home.
***

Janeway got home to find a kitten sleeping on the couch and Seven devouring
a pumpkin pie at the dinner table.

"You got a cat?"  She really wasn't fond of cats but could begrudge her a
pet if she wanted one, it was a good development step.

"Huh? Oh yes."  She was attacking the pie with a fork, not even bothering to
cut it into slices.

Something was going on.  She stepped closer to her and a smell caught her
attention.

"Have you been...smoking something?"

Seven wordlessly handed her the bag.

She opened the bag and the scent assailed her, making her head reel back a
little.

"Seven, this stuff isn't good for you, you really shouldn't be smoking this.
What did you do today?"

"I visited Bob, the minister who married us.  He gave me the kitten."

"And the marijuana?"

"That too."

She REALLY needed to find something for her to do.

***
Seven did find something to do.  While Kathryn was busy with the debriefing
Seven met secretly with her mother to arrange a surprise party for when the
ordeal was finally over.  She also contacted B'Lanna to have her contact
members of the crew and invite them as well.  B'Elanna thought it was
possibly one of the bossiest invitations she had ever received in her life.

On the last day of the debriefing Kathryn returned home early to see Seven
stalking out of the bathroom, her hair down and dressed in a black silk suit
with a plunging neck line.

"Your mother invited us over for dinner, she's expecting us soon."

"I just got home, I want to relax for a second."

"You will have time to relax when we get there."

Can't you just stand there and I can gawk at you all night? she pondered to
herself.  Oh well.  Seven seemed a little over dressed for dinner.  She
didn't think about it much though, the visible cleavage scrambled her
thoughts before they could progress further.  She dressed in black slacks
and a white shirt.  Since when did her mother and Seven start speaking?  She
walked out of her bedroom and found Seven's cleavage scrambling her thoughts
again.

The afternoon sun was still pleasantly warming Indiana when they got to the
Janeway farmhouse.

As soon as they got to the door she knew something was going on.

The inside was decorated and most of the senior staff was there.

"So they didn't throw you in jail?" B'Elanna asked.  Tom was standing next
to her smiling mischievously.

"Then I guess the rest of us are safe," Chakotay smiled.

"They haven't cleared me as of yet, but apparently the Captain has me listed
as a 'war trophy'," Seven stated. Everyone laughed and William Riker stepped
forward and gave the Captain a little wave.

She shook her finger at him, a smile turning up the corners of her mouth.
***

The sun set and the party was in full swing.  As soon as Janeway had a
chance she pulled Chakotay aside.

"I need to talk to you.  I need some advice on Seven. I know you've been
busy, that's why I haven't tried to talk to you sooner."

A series of tragedies had struck Chakotay's family and he had been busy
getting things settled.

"You know you can always call.  What's going on?"

"I think I'm in love with her.  I know you and B'Elanna saw us at the beach
that day, that's as far as its gone.  I don't know what to do."

He paused and looked down at his shoes, then back up at his former captain.
"You have to discuss it with her.  Ignoring it isn't going to make it go
away.  Have you had any discussions about the situation?"

"No, not really, just the once when I told her I didn't think it was a good
idea  I thought it would just complicate things but I don't know how I can
live like this."

"Then you need to talk to her right away, before she moves on. I think her
heart's open to you right now, but it may not be later on down the road."

"I know, you're right of course."  She scanned the party and didn't see the
blonde anywhere.  B'lanna was nearby and she grabbed her attention.

"Have you seen Seven?"

"No, not in a while."

"God, I hope she's not outside smoking that-"  She stopped herself and
cleared her throat.

Their eyes fixed on her.  "Smoking what?"

"Seven's been a friend to the herb lately," Janeway muttered.  "Your buddy
Bob gave her a whole bag," she said, poking Chakotay.

"Seven's been riding the giggly green?" B'Elanna asked with a huge smile.

Tom came up. "Seven's smoking pot?"

Their heads all swiveled to look at him.  "Huh?"

"Old expression."

"Anyway, I'm going to go outside and get some air."  Kathryn slipped out the
back door and into the night.
***
Seven noticed she didn't see Janeway anywhere.  She scanned the crowd and
couldn't find her.

She exited the house and in the darkness caught a spot of red.  Janeway was
standing by the old barn, her hands in her pockets, looking up at the stars.
  She never turned to watch Seven approach her.

"It's a nice night," Janeway commented when she got closer.

"Yes, it is.  Are you enjoying the party?"

"Yea, I am.  It was a thoughtful gesture. Thank you.  I seem to be thanking
you a lot lately, except in the way you should be thanked."

"What do you mean?"

Janeway moved closer to her and lightly ran her hand up her arm, fingers
drifting along the silk of her jacket.  She traced the curve of her neck,
then weaved her fingers into her think blonde hair, cupping the back of her
head gently, pulling her down.

She just brushed her lips against Seven's at first, breathing in her scent.
She deepened the kiss, her tongue pushing forward delicately.

Her mouth tasted of wine.  They moved together effortlessly, bodies melding.
  Kathryn was dizzy when they finally separated.  She trailed her lips to
her ear and gave the lobe a delicate swipe with her tongue.

"I love you," she whispered.

Seven's body tingled with excitement.  "Then perhaps it's time to consummate
this relationship."

"That would be...very nice."

"Then meet me behind the barn in three hours, the party should be over by
then."

Janeway snickered.  "Do you have any idea how lewd that sounded?  Why don't
we go back home?"

"We'll discuss it in three hours, or as soon as the party is over."

The rest of the night Janeway was downright jittery with excitement, she
almost spilled her drink a few times.  Her eyes followed Seven constantly,
the anticipation was more than she could stand.  Chakotay commented on
distraction and she pulled him aside.

"Seven and I are going to ...talk later. I'm a little nervous."

"Talk huh? Is that all?"

"I'm not confiding in you anymore."
***
When the party cleared out Kathryn practically ran to meet Seven behind the
barn.  Seven was already standing there, looking across the rolling green
crops that stretched into the dark distance.

"It is nice here. Someone told me once that I should try sleeping under the
stars."

Janeway noticed a bedroll spread out on the ground.  "That sounds like a
good idea."  She walked forward and took Seven's hands in her own.

"Are you okay with this?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry I fought...this like I did.  I really thought I was doing the
right thing."

"I know," she said, leaning in to kiss her. Her hands were already
unbuttoning her shirt.

Cool air touched her as her shirt fell away.  What if someone came out here?
  She really didn't; care, that and knowing Seven she probably made
arrangement so no one would interrupt them.  She unfastened Seven's jacket
and slipped it off swiftly, delighted to see Seven was wearing a matching
black silk bra.

Wow, her overheated mind thought as they tumbled onto the blankets.  They
quickly got out of the rest of their clothing and soon nothing separated
them as they lied together.

Kathryn nuzzled Seven's cleavage, her object of obsession for most of the
night.  She sucked each nipple delicately, leisurely, lost in their delicate
pink color.  Seven sighed at the attention, running her fingers down
Kathryn's back.

It was a little chilly and Kathryn reaching down to pull the light blanket
up around them, giving Seven a quick kiss as she did so.  Seven moved
towards her for another but found Kathryn had disappeared beneath the
blanket and was finding other uses for her mouth.

She gave each breast a quick kiss before moving lower.  She discovered if
she brushed her lips across Seven's ribcage on her right side little giggles
came spilling out of the normally stoic Borg.  She performed this splendid
little maneuver a few times, laughing herself, until she moved lower.

Seven's sex was incredibly engorged and wet.  Kathryn was a little cautious
at first since she had never tasted another woman.  She found it to her
liking and very tenderly wrapped her lips around Seven's clitoris, giving it
delicate little swipes with her tongue.

Seven moved her hips up to push herself closer to Kathryn's mouth,
encouraging her to be a little more forceful.

Kathryn waited until she knew Seven was at the right state of arousal, then
put more strength behind her caresses, even reaching down at one point to
slip a finger into Seven's welcoming heat.  She didn't move it around
inside, just kept it sheathed in her wetness until she felt Seven begin to
buck and cry out, her inner muscles clamping down on her.

Seven moved with the orgasm, and it racked her body for several seconds.
She grabbed Kathryn and held her tight, kissing her neck.

"Are you okay?" Kathryn asked.

"Okay is an understatement," she murmured into her red hair.

"Then you wouldn't mind if I tasted you again?"  She moved herself down
Seven's body and quickly drove her to a second orgasm.

Afterwards they lied on their backs, looking at the stars, Janeway's head
pillowed on Seven's shoulder.

"Making love outside was a good idea.  All your ideas are good.  Next time I
doubt you toss me out an airlock."

"We're not on a ship anymore, but very well."  She watched the heavens above
her as they both slipped into a much needed sleep.

to be continued

p.s. This author does not in any way endorse or encourage pot smoking,
kittens, or sex outdoors
 

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