 |
|
|
||||||||
|
||||||||||
 |
||||||||||
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Disclaimer #1: Voyager and all her crew belong to Paramount. I’m just taking them out for spin.
Disclaimer #2: This story involves an explicit sexual relationship between two consenting women. If any of that bothers you, please do not read.
I would like to thank BeachBum and Monk for all their help and patience. Any errors are mine alone.
“Captain’s log, stardate 52619.2. We got another twenty thousand light years out of the transwarp coil before it gave out. I figure we’re another fifteen years closer to home.”
* * * * * Chapter 1 1800 hrs
Entering the turbo lift, Kathryn decided to do her rounds instead of returning to the bridge. The captain needed to reconnect with Voyager and her crew. The time spent on various Borg vessels these last few weeks left her feeling disconnected with her beloved vessel. It was the beginning of Beta shift and tucking Seven in had been her last duty for the day. So Janeway began a leisurely stroll around her ship to take the pulse of her crew after all they’d endured.
Janeway made her way through Voyager, pausing at each deck and observing her crew. She was occasionally stopped by someone and drawn into conversation. The captain didn’t mind these chats; she found them informative and usually was impressed with the courage of certain crewmembers that engaged her in banter.
Arriving at deck ten Kathryn entered Engineering, hoping to catch B’Elanna before she left. The captain wanted to check on how the engines were doing after their use of the transwarp coil. Glancing around the deck Janeway did not immediately notice her Chief of Engineering nor did she hear her voice. Spotting Lieutenant Carey she asked, “Where’s Lieutenant Torres?”
“She left already, Captain. There wasn’t much to repair once we disconnected the burnt out coil.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant, carry on.”
Things seemed to be moving along just fine. The ship was whole, the crew excited and energetic. Kathryn decided that beating the Borg and shaving another fifteen years off the journey had increased morale. She knew that retrieving a certain errant drone had definitely improved her morale.
The captain shoved the thought down, not wanting to think about her feelings now. Contemplating those was best done in a steaming tub with a good, stiff drink, preferably a whiskey and soda. That was the safest means of dealing with those impossible thoughts. She continued her journey through the ship. As the captain got to deck eight she contemplated watching Seven of Nine regenerate. Kathryn decided to skip her secret hobby for now, her emotions concerning her crewman already threatening her command detachment. On deck six Sandrine’s was up and running with several crew members eating dinner there instead of in the mess hall. In sick bay Janeway requested a meeting with the Doctor tomorrow concerning Seven of Nine. She had a few questions about her physical progress.
Finally, the captain made it to deck two where the mess hall was located. Kathryn was a trifle peckish and curious to see what Neelix’s personal celebration of Voyager’s survival had wrought in the way of cooking. The mess hall was busy, the crew being used to their cook’s ways by now and some, like the captain, looked forward to Neelix’s offerings with wonder and trepidation. The line for food was short and Kathryn was content to queue instead of using Captain’s privilege to move up front. She could hardly wait to see what he had to offer tonight for dinner.
Neelix looked up and spotting the captain, he grinned. Janeway was right; Voyager’s survival had translated into an extra ebullient Neelix. Even his clothes clashed more than normal, the neon green and hot pink suit causing the captain to squint a little.
“Captain Janeway! It’s lovely to see you this wonderful evening.”
“What do you have for me tonight Mr. Neelix?”
“Well Captain, I thought I would try some new dishes. This here is Talaxian Cacciatore; here we have Rinex Gumbo and finally Leola Curry.”
“I see you have been studying Earth cuisines again, they look wonderful. How about dishing me up a bowl of your Rinex Gumbo?”
“Sure thing Captain!” Neelix quickly grabbed a bowl and ladled a serving of his about to be famous, or infamous, gumbo. “Enjoy your dinner, Captain!”
“Thank you, Mr. Neelix. Have a wonderful evening.”
Grabbing her tray, Janeway turned to survey the mess hall. There were a few empty tables and Kathryn decided to grab one of those. She thought about eating with B’Elanna, but seeing her in discussion with Tom and Harry decided to skip joining them. The topics she wanted to address bordered on personal. Therefore, the captain sat down alone, took a deep breath, girded her loins and started on her gumbo.
* * * * *
2000 hrs
Entering her quarters Kathryn stripped off her jacket and boots before going to the replicator and requesting her evening libation of whiskey and soda. Drink in hand the captain ordered the computer to play some light jazz and preceded into her ensuite to begin her bath. Janeway started the water at her preferred heat, added her favorite bath oils of sandalwood and vanilla and finished stripping off the rest of her uniform.
Standing naked in front of the mirror Kathryn examined her body with the critical eye of a woman contemplating dating a younger woman. Even though Kathryn Janeway was in her forties time hadn’t softened her figure much, if at all. The rigors of Starfleet life, advanced medical care and certain lotions kept her skin tight, her muscles firm and countered the effects of gravity on her breasts. All in all, the captain was still youthful looking, except on her face. Her eyes, their color shaded to a neutral blue gray, showed the wisdom of a life lived.
Janeway smirked at her reflection; it was silly to be looking at her body this way. Here I go thinking improbable thoughts again. She could not act on her feelings. Seven may never want to touch her naked body. She glanced at her drink sitting on the tub’s edge, about a quarter of it gone already. Maybe I need a bigger glass or maybe I should just replicate a whole bottle and be set for the night. Deciding against getting drunk the captain climbed into her tub and relaxed against the rim.
Kathryn remembered when she realized her feelings for Seven included romantic love. It was such a random occurrence. One of their first velocity matches, Janeway was winning and Seven was frustrated. The ex-drone stood there frowning at her phaser as if it somehow failed her. Watching the annoyance plainly visible on Seven’s face thrilled the good captain.
Then the ex-drone scanned her from head to foot. That perusal did it; Kathryn’s fingers started tingling so badly she almost lost her grip on her phaser. In two seconds Janeway went from a disconnected captain to a yearning woman in love. For the next five seconds Kathryn forgot Mark, Starfleet and her guilt. She became a woman in love.
Then Janeway remembered her responsibilities and proceeded to rebuild the walls around her heart. Starting the next round, she slowly reconstructed her defenses. Phaser shot by phaser shot, brick by brick, the barriers were re-established. By the end of the game the captain was back in control. She could be Seven’s mentor but never her lover.
Since then a few things had changed. Voyager received news from home, which included a letter from Mark Johnson. He was now married to someone else. Kathryn was no longer engaged. On top of that Starfleet Medical actually recommended fraternization. The counselors strongly urged the Voyager crew and especially the captain to pursue relationships within the crew, all types of relationships.
With the loss of the two biggest barriers against dating Seven, Janeway realized that she was actually considering pursuing her. She wasn’t quite convinced she should though. All this would be moot anyway if Seven didn’t return her feelings.
Taking a sip of her beverage Kathryn allowed herself to reflect on the more recent troubles with her Borg Astrometrics officer. When Seven told the captain she was staying on the Borg vessel Janeway went ballistic. Part of her was livid that Seven would want to rejoin the Collective; the captain had not worked for nearly two years on introducing individuality to Seven of Nine to have it thrown away right now. The woman she loved was not becoming a drone again.
Standing in that passageway Kathryn Janeway experienced something else she hadn’t in a long time: heartbreak. Not since the death of Justin and her father had she felt such tremendous loss. Fortunately Seven wasn’t dead, just on a Borg vessel heading deeper into Borg space.
For most people Seven would have been as good as dead or more likely reassimilated, but Captain Janeway was made of sterner stuff. Kathryn’s course of action was inevitable: brave Borg territory and retrieve her Astrometrics officer. That said officer was also the woman she loved; well Seven had saved Voyager and her crew several times now, it was a professional decision not personal. Yeah right, that is just what I told everyone else.
Kathryn snorted to herself. Never abandon a member of your crew, Katie Janeway; though I would like to abandon a certain first officer. The captain was being a little harsh on Chakotay, but the whole “should I just go to red alert” discussion irked her nerve. To be honest if that conversation had happened two years ago she wouldn’t have been so vexed by it. Since he disobeyed her direct orders as soon as she was unconscious during the Borg alliance Janeway found it easy to be annoyed by her first officer. There was also the fact that he still thought he had a chance with her, which he most assuredly did not.
Was Seven even ready for a romantic relationship? Kathryn didn’t know. The ex-drone still had problems socializing and making friends. The only other friends she had were the Doctor and Naomi Wildman. Some of the crew still didn’t trust the Astrometrics officer. On the surface, her recent actions concerning the Borg wouldn’t have reassured the crew of her allegiance. Janeway knew different. Seven’s action had proved her loyalty without doubt. She sacrificed herself for her new collective. The captain needed to let the crew know the real reason Seven of Nine had left. Maybe that would help.
Perhaps they were expecting too much from the ex-drone. Two years wasn’t nearly long enough to expect Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct to Unimatrix One to become Annika Hansen, human. Unassimilated Humans didn’t even reach maturity that quickly. Most took twenty to thirty years to grow into themselves. Kathryn herself hadn’t felt grown enough until after her father died.
Janeway didn’t need Seven to become Annika Hansen again. Her time in the Collective gave the ex-drone an experience that could not have been duplicated. Voyager used her knowledge time and again. Kathryn believed their journey was easier and safer now. Seven’s expertise and intelligence gave them an edge the Starfleet crew needed to survive out here in the back beyond.
Though Seven experienced more emotional upheavals since her severance than most human teenagers. The birth and death of One though stuck out in Janeway’s mind. Seven was devastated when he sacrificed himself for Voyager. Kathryn remembered entering Cargo Bay two to check on Seven after hearing of One’s death. The ex-drone had been sitting on the dais of the Borg alcoves clutching her knees and sobbing her heart out.
Those heartrending sobs had broken Janeway’s own heart as well; all she could do was sit beside her Astrometrics officer and hold her until Seven collected herself enough to regenerate. The grief was strong, as strong as Kathryn’s own when her father and Justin died.
Janeway wished she could have spared Seven this experience. The loss of her “son” could have retarded Seven’s growth. Though she realized that ultimately knowing and losing One helped the ex-drone along her journey.
Something else would help Seven. It had been niggling in the back of Kathryn’s mind since they salvaged the Borg scout ship. With all that Borg hardware in Cargo Bay two, it looked even more like a cube. Janeway shuddered at the memory. The thought of her precious Seven surrounded by the hardware or even the sterile dusty confines rankled the captain.
How could they expect Seven to regain her humanity if she was stored away like a piece of equipment? Well that settles it, Seven needs quarters. She may not want them, but she’s getting them. Kathryn’s fingers tingled at the coming argument. The discussions where Seven got especially passionate aroused the good captain, almost as much as their velocity matches. Anytime Kathryn got to see Seven’s progress filled her heart with joy and love. Even though it made keeping a distance difficult, she would not trade those moments for anything, not even real coffee.
Kathryn sat up and rubbed the tingle away. She marshaled her arguments for convincing Seven to accept and use her new quarters. Of course, Janeway had to find some empty quarters first. Space was still at a premium on Voyager, even though they lost several crewmates since the journey began. Any empty cabin was filled quickly by crewmates who were doubled up. Then a thought flashed through her mind; a fragment of remembered conversation that occurred just before Kes had left the ship.
‘Captain, when the time is right, give my quarters to Seven of Nine. She may not want them at first but she will need them.’ Kathryn acknowledged her request and asked the computer to put a hold on Kes’ quarters until the ex-drone was ready. The time was right. * * * * *
2200 hrs
Janeway left her quarters and made her way to deck eight where Kes’ quarters were located. This was a point in their favor; they were close to Astrometrics, Cargo Bay two and the Wildman quarters. Here was something she could give Seven that was actually a personal gift from her Captain. The ex-drone would now have the space she needed to help her on her journey.
Janeway disengaged her lock on the door and entered. She was probably the only person who had been in here since Kes had left. Only Neelix had requested admittance to retrieve a few mementos of his ex-lover. Now looking over the quarters, she realized that she should have let Maintenance come in and clean them out. Surrounded by Kes’ life aboard Voyager Kathryn had to sit down on the sofa, overcome again with the loss of the young Ocampan.
After the fall of a few tears Kathryn rose and dried her eyes. Kes would not have wanted her to mourn. She also would have encouraged the captain to follow her heart. She smiled in remembrance of the Ocampan’s sweet presence, which had often soothed her when the guilt became too much. Janeway started going over the room, picking up things to recycle and even setting aside a few mementos of her own.
* * * * *
An hour later Kathryn finished recycling the last of the Ocampan’s personal affects. The quarters still needed to be cleaned, but she would let maintenance do that later. Grabbing a PADD from the desk Janeway checked the contents and was glad to see it was empty. Reading any words written by her departed friend would involve too many more tears and the captain in her wouldn’t allow any more.
Quickly making notes of things she wanted done and possible projects, Kathryn wondered if an alcove could be adapted for these quarters. Janeway glanced back where the bed was located and pondered where it would fit. Maybe a portable version would be better, one she could use while lying down. The thought of Seven reclining on a bed caused more tingles in her fingers. Her flaxen hair would be spread across the pillow, her voluptuous body barely covered by a silky negligee and a sheet. The thought was perfection. Kathryn smirked to herself; wearing the sexy lingerie would probably be deemed inefficient by the ex-drone. Lying in bed naked would be more efficient.
After notifying Maintenance to clean in the morning, Kathryn left Seven’s new quarters. She glanced in the direction of Cargo Bay two, debating on whether to go Borg-gazing. Janeway made her decision quickly. She would go watch Seven regenerate now because if she didn’t, the captain would be making her fourth trek to deck eight later tonight.
Keeping her head down until the last possible moment Kathryn entered the Cargo Bay like she had a legitimate reason to be there. Janeway learned long ago if you acted like you had right to be somewhere most people ignored you.
Finally lifting her head when she approached the alcove, Kathryn caught her breath. Oh God, she is beautiful. That was the only thought in her mind for the first five minutes of her Borg-gazing, and then thoughts of Seven lying in bed both scantily dressed and nude started streaming through her consciousness. The tingles came back, not to mention her previous arousal. For the next ten minutes all Janeway could do was stand there gripping Seven’s console.
After taking several deep breaths, reciting Starfleet regulations and imagining a Q naked, she was able to turn around semi-composed and return to her quarters. Worried at how she would sleep still pulsing with arousal, Kathryn decided she needed to take matters in her own hands or she would never get any rest.
* * * * *
|
|
|
|
[Home] [Fan Fiction] [When Love Attacks pt 1] [Links] [Pictures] [Temple for Katrin] [Updates] |