CHAPTER 22

No sooner had they arrived in the foyer of the church than the EMH began pestering everyone to go up to what had at one time been a choir loft. It was now an area used for formal wedding holoimages to be taken. Kathryn held Seven’s hand as she climbed the stairs and once they were posed Phoebe, Gretchen and Aunt Claudia arranged Seven’s train for the formal portraits. Janeway was sure that they would be up there for hours, but after a surprisingly few minutes the photographer and the EMH declared that they had enough shots of the happy newlyweds and the entire wedding party. Both of them hustled outside to set up for shots of Kathryn and Seven descending the church steps under the arch of swords.

The main players, meanwhile, went back down into the brides’ room and eased the train and overskirt off Seven’s dress. Once everything had been bagged up and arrangements made to have it sent back to the hotel suite, Janeway draped the cloak around Seven and they headed out into the vestibule as the rest of the wedding party left the church.

The wedding guests had exited the church and were milling around on the square outside waiting for Janeway and Seven to lead the way to the reception. On the church steps the Marine Ceremonial Detachment was standing at attention. Five pairs of Marines faced each other on the steps awaiting the bridal couple. When Kathryn and Seven appeared in the church doors Martin called out “Draw…Sword!” Ten Mameluke swords flashed from their scabbards in unison, were drawn to a salute position and then tips crossed overhead. The maneuver was performed flawlessly and the metallic note when the tips crossed was sharp and crisp. The guests began to cheer and Janeway and Seven descended the church steps under their ceremonial arch and into a shower of birdseed. Janeway wasn’t quite sure she understood the necessity for a fertility symbol at their wedding, but Seven had claimed it was tradition and so she went along with it.

As they crossed the square toward the hotel Martin commanded, “Return…Sword!” and the Marines collapsed the arch, saluted with their swords and returned them to their scabbards like a well-choreographed ballet.  Martin commanded a center face and the Marines marched off the church steps and onto the square before being dismissed. Their impressive display had not gone unnoticed by most of the crowd; Phoebe, Gretchen and Claudia Hansen included.

“Close your mouth, dear, or you’ll drool on your dress,” commented Gretchen.

“They’re very impressive, Mom.”

Grinning slyly Gretchen replied, “Impressive? They look good enough to eat!”

“Mom!” Phoebe’s jaw dropped in shock, the flash of a nearby holo-imager ignored.

“Just because I spent the bulk of my adult life married to a Starfleet officer doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the scenery when the Marines hit the beach.”

Claudia laughed heartily at both Gretchen’s comment and the scandalized look on her younger daughter’s face. “Come along, ladies, or we’ll miss the reception!” Gretchen hooked her arm through Claudia’s and pulled her stunned daughter along in their wake.

Back at the hotel, the main ballroom was ablaze in light and the same varieties of flowers and winter greens as the church. Phoebe had been allowed more latitude here and pools of bright crimson flowers punctuated the silver and white and green. Janeway and Seven received their guests just inside the double doors with Gretchen, Phoebe and Claudia standing next to them. Even with the large number of people attending the reception it didn’t take long for everyone to make their way into the room and begin celebrating.

Kathryn and Seven took their places at the head table and for the first time in what seemed like hours got to relax and enjoy the scene before them. Janeway had made sure that the flute in front of Seven would be full of champagne only once. When they’d finished the toasts a bottle of sparkling cider was there for both of them for the remainder of the evening.

“Sweetheart, look at Admiral Paris!” Janeway whispered to Seven. “I think he’s been in the champagne already.” The Admiral was waltzing around the room carrying his granddaughter Miral and posing for holoimages in their matching dress whites. Waiters moved smoothly through the room serving dinner and keeping glasses filled. It wasn’t long after they’d finished eating that Tuvok stood amid the rising sound of cutlery clinking on glassware.

“If I may, I rise to offer a toast to the brides. May this day be the beginning of a new chapter in the love story that began before either of them realized it, that will endure forever and that will bring them both great joy and happiness. May they always remember the vows they have made today and let them be the unshakable foundation on which their life together is built. I give you Seven and Kathryn!”

Everyone in the room raised their flutes and toasted the newlyweds. After sips of champagne Kathryn leaned in and brushed a soft kiss on Seven’s lips. “It’s tradition, darling,” she murmured.

“I am in favor of tradition, Kathryn,” whispered Seven in reply as she grasped Janeway’s tunic and drew her into a much lengthier kiss to the cheers of Voyager’s crew. The reception got considerably livelier from that point, the merriment subsiding only briefly when Janeway and Seven cut the cake.

When everyone had finished their cake and Janeway was sipping a much-needed cup of coffee, B’Elanna approached them and informed them it was time for the audience participation portion of the evening. Seven and Janeway were escorted to one side of the large dance floor while a boisterous crowd gathered on the other. As Seven moved into position B’Elanna gave the ‘go’ signal to implement the plan she and the new bride had worked out earlier.

Karri Jameson and Susan Nicoletti slipped into positions flanking Phoebe. As Seven raised her bouquet and prepared to toss it over her shoulder, B’Elanna fed her the necessary trajectory data. As the bouquet flew in a perfect arc toward its intended target, Jameson and Nicoletti used elbows, feet and judiciously thrown hips to keep other interested parties away from Phoebe. As she caught the flowers she glanced around and realized that the bouquet toss had been thoroughly rigged. Her victorious grin dissolved into a glare at her older sister and new sister-in-law as the crowd whooped with delight.

Gretchen, Claudia Hansen, Kate Pulaski and Siobhan Paris were seated at a table sipping champagne and enjoying the general merriment.

“Looks like the fix was in, Gretchen. Seven nailed Phoebe like a laser targeting array,” laughed Pulaski.

“Frankly, I’m surprised that you weren’t out there vying for it, Kate.”

“Bite your tongue, Siobhan! Three times is enough for anyone. I’m finished making those kinds of mistakes.”

“Funny, but those words smack of cowardice don’t you think, Gretchen?”

“Cowardice?” Gretchen had all she could not to burst out laughing at the look of outrage on Kate’s face.

Siobhan Paris had spent her entire adult life around career Starfleet officers and knew exactly what buttons to push. “Perhaps I didn’t express myself clearly. I’ll bet you one thousand credits that you don’t have the nerve to get in the group and make an honest effort to catch a garter.”

“A thousand credits? That I won’t try to catch the garter?”

“A thousand credits.”

Pulaski rose majestically to her feet. “You’ve got yourself a bet, lady.”  She headed for the dance floor and on the way veered sharply to her left to acquire moral support.  She swung by another table of Starfleet brass and hooked Alynna Nechayev under the arm as she passed.

“C’mon, Alynna. We need to uphold the honor of Starfleet women!” A sputtering Nechayev was dragged along with her into the growing group on the dance floor.

Meanwhile on the opposite side of the parquet floor, a chair had magically appeared for Seven and Janeway knelt down at her feet. The grin on Kathryn’s face could only be described as wicked as she slipped her hands under Seven’s dress and tickled her way up those endless legs seeking the garters concealed high on her new wife’s thighs. If either of her hands strayed from their intended path the only indication from her bride was a quickly cocked optical implant and a small quirk at the corners of her mouth. Janeway eased the stretchy garters down Seven’s legs and slipped them over her shoes. The crowd cheered as she stood and waved them overhead. She hooked one of them over her thumb, pulled back on it and shot it in a perfect arc into the crowd. What followed could charitably be described as a free-for-all, which ended only with Lieutenant Ayala whooping with glee and holding the garter aloft. As Janeway prepared to shoot the second garter she noticed Admirals Pulaski and Nechayev in the crowd and altered her aim toward them. As she fired she saw Pulaski dodge sideways. Admiral Nechayev, confronted by an object flying directly at her face, did what anyone would do; she caught it. There was a moment of dead silence and then the ballroom erupted in deafening cheers while the stunned flag officer stared silently at the bit of frilly fabric in her hands.

“Nicely done. Alynna. There may be hope for you yet!” laughed Pulaski as she led the flustered woman back to her table. When she returned to her seat Gretchen, Claudia and Siobhan were laughing so hard they had tears in their eyes.

“You are a wicked, wicked woman, Kate Pulaski!” choked Siobhan as she slid a small PADD with the credit transfer authorization across the table. “That’s probably why we love you. Alynna may never be the same again.”

Pulaski grinned as she tucked the PADD into her tunic pocket. “She’s a tough old bird; I’m sure she’ll recover. And thank you for your contribution to my retirement fund, Siobhan.” The four women continued laughing until a fanfare from the orchestra drew their attention.

Gretchen eyes teared up a little as she watched her daughter lead her new bride to the dance floor and begin a romantic tango. Many hours of practice since the weekend they’d discovered Kathryn dancing with a pillow had made Janeway and Seven a stunning pair. They spun around the dance floor to the admiring whispers of the crowd and when their dance ended thunderous applause and cheering rang through the room.

After a bit Janeway and Seven joined the older women at their table and chatted for a few minutes. After they had, the newlyweds stood and excused themselves to change clothes. They found B’Elanna and the EMH and informed them that they were preparing to leave for St. Lucia and went back upstairs to their suite.

Once inside Janeway leaned back against the closed door and sighed loudly. She stretched and walked slowly over to where her new wife stood watching her.

“Did I mention at the reception that I stopped breathing when I saw you coming down the aisle toward me? You were so beautiful that I didn’t remember to breathe. I was so nervous when I walked down the aisle, but when I saw you walking toward me all I could think of was how beautiful you are and how much I love you. And I stopped being nervous.”

“All I could look at while we were walking down the aisle was you, Kathryn. I was apprehensive before we moved into the vestibule. But when the doors opened and I saw you standing at the altar all I could think of was how much I love you too. And I forgot to be nervous.”

“How would you feel about kissing your wife right about now?”

“I believe I would enjoy that very much, Kathryn.”

When they came together it was with a gentle sweetness. There was passion, yes, but more important there was an overwhelming feeling of finally coming home. Of being where they should be. A feeling of rightness. Their embrace lasted a satisfyingly long time and when they finally stepped apart their soft smiles spoke volumes to each other. Holding hands, they went into one of the bedrooms to change into casual clothes.

* * * * *

When Kathryn and Seven re-entered the ballroom a few minutes later the party was still in full swing. Phoebe and B’Elanna climbed on the bandstand and took the microphone away from the conductor. When they had everyone’s attention they brought Kathryn and Seven up onstage and turned the mic over to them.

“We’re getting ready to take off, but just because we’re leaving doesn’t mean the party has to stop. We want you all to have a great time and be safe heading home. Those of you who are due to report to Utopia Planetia within the next few weeks, we’ll see you there. But most important, we want to thank you for sharing this day with us. It has been wonderful to have all our family here to witness our wedding and share in our happiness. We’ll see all of you in ten days. Oh, and the first person who hails our COMM badges during that time will spend the next five years scrubbing plasma vents on every ship in the Alpha quadrant. On that note, we’ll take our leave.”

It took them nearly half an hour to work their way through the happy crowd, bidding family and friends goodbye. When they finally made it back into the lobby Martin and Radcliffe were waiting with a hovercar at the curb. The flight to the Transport Center was brief, but Kathryn and Seven spent it holding hands and enjoying the beauty of the moonlight on the fresh snow. They thanked Martin and Ethan at the Transport Center and moments later were rematerializing in the hot, humid night of St. Lucia. Another hovercar was waiting for them with two of Martin’s Marines and in short order they were walking into the plantation house that was theirs for the next week.

The tropical house sat on a mountain ridge between two peaks of the Piton Mountains. The views that had sold Janeway on it were muted by the night into silvers and grays but spectacular even in the moonlight. A plate of cheeses and fresh fruit waited for them on the kitchen counter along with a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket and two flutes.

The two women explored the sprawling house before finally unpacking in the master bedroom. Large skylights allowed the moonlight to spill over the large four-poster bed, the mosquito netting gleaming like spun silver as it draped the bed. At Janeway’s suggestion they shed their clothes and padded naked back through the house to the kitchen. Picking up the food and champagne they crossed the living room and walked out onto the spacious pool deck where they slipped into the steaming spa.

Lazily they went back through the events of the day with each other, nibbling on pieces of cheese, fruit and the occasional ear lobe. The cold champagne was a delightful contrast to the heat of the spa and climate. After Seven made a second humorous comment about Janeway becoming a prune, Kathryn stood up and straddled her wife’s lap. Sliding her arms around her love’s neck, she began kissing the starburst implant by Seven’s jaw line and when she had worked her way back to the delicate ear next to it she whispered a suggestion into it. Seven apparently approved of her idea as she stood up and lifted Janeway out of the spa before climbing out herself. She strode to the chaises on the deck and retrieved two large towels and brought them back to where Janeway sat on the edge of the spa. The drops falling from Seven’s body looked like liquid mercury in the moonlight and Kathryn’s breath caught in her throat at the beauty of that picture.

After toweling off they went back inside headed toward the bedroom. Seven stopped suddenly and Janeway turned back to her with a questioning look.

“Is something wrong, darling?”

“No, Kathryn, I nearly forgot something. That is all.”

“What did you forget, love?”

“This, Kathryn.” And Seven swept the smaller woman up in her arms and carried her into the bedroom. “One of us is supposed to carry the other ‘over the threshold’ I believe.” 

Janeway threw her head back and laughed as Seven put one knee on the bed and gently lowered her to the sheets. She kept her arms around Seven’s neck and drew the larger woman down with her.

“Mmmm,” she murmured, nuzzling her wife’s elegant neck, “I’m so glad I married a former Borg: eidetic memory and the physical enhancements to take care of business. What more could a lonely Starfleet captain need?”

Seven eased her head back and kissed Janeway deeply. “I’m not so sure about the lonely part. After all, you spent over a month isolated on a planet with Chakotay, there were rumors about you and Kashyk, you moved in with Jaffen on Quarra and then there was always…Michael Sullivan.”  A major cocking of her optical implant accompanied the last name on the list. “It would seem you got around quite a bit in the Delta quadrant.”

“Got around?” Janeway sputtered, “Got around? Am I going to be allowed to defend myself?”

Seven whispered “Yes,” on that wonderful spot just below her ear while Janeway nearly purred at the bolts of electricity those marvelous lips were sending around her body. Seven’s hands had begun a desultory exploration of her backside, gently caressing her flank and lower back as Seven’s thigh slipped between her legs.

“Mmmm, okay, first of all, the only reason I even gave Kashyk the time of day was to make sure we kept the Brenari telepaths concealed from his inspection teams. Since you were the one concealing them in the transporter buffers I’d think you would remember that.” Janeway sucked in her breath with an audible hiss as Seven’s human hand drifted up her side and passed over her breast with a feather-light touch. “Oh God, yes, darling…right there…”

“And what about Jaffen?” Seven whispered before delicately licking the shell of Janeway’s ear.

Moaning, Kathryn managed, “You can’t hold me responsible for Jaffen; all our memories had been altered. If Tuvok hadn’t resisted their chemical amnesia and got you started investigating I’m not sure that we all wouldn’t still be there. But I didn’t know anything other than what the Quarran medical staff planted in my mind. So you can’t really blame me for Jaffen.”

“All right, my Kathryn, I won’t blame you for Jaffen. What about the others?” Seven’s lips trailed down Kathryn’s throat and onto her chest as her hand surrounded a small, firm breast.

“Oh yes…yes, darling…oh God…The…the others? Well, on New Earth the only other person was Chakotay. And I spent all my time trying to find a cure so we could get off that damned rock. That ought to tell you everything you need to know about any alleged attraction to Chakotay.”

Seven raised her head and looked directly into Kathryn’s eyes. “I believe we can both write Commander Chakotay off as singular errors in judgment, Kathryn.” And without warning dropped her head and captured a pebbling nipple between her lips. “And what about…Michael?” she murmured between strokes of her tongue over the hardening nub.

“Seven!” Janeway’s voice was almost a sob as she ran her fingers through the french twist of her wife’s hair, removing the hairpins and freeing the golden locks. After tossing the pins in the general direction of a nightstand she clasped her lover’s head more firmly to her breast, urging more intense stimulation. “Michael? How can I explain Michael?” Realizing that this needed to be said looking directly into her wife’s eyes, she reluctantly eased Seven’s head away from her and gazed unflinchingly at the woman she loved.

“Michael was a defense mechanism against you. When you were going to destroy the catapult with the Delta Flyer, I realized it then. That what I was feeling for you was far more than what a captain should feel for a crewman. And it frightened me with its intensity. So I altered Michael to be my perfect lover. But you know what? I couldn’t. He was pleasant company, I even enjoyed kissing him. But when it came time for anything more I…I…just…I couldn’t. I never really knew why, only that I just didn’t feel it. I’d like to think that it was because deep down I knew he was a hologram; but to be totally honest, it felt like I was betraying you. And I just couldn’t. But I felt so alone. I hope you can understand.”

“Of course I understand, Kathryn. Loneliness was the first emotion I felt after you freed me from the Collective. All-consuming, crushing loneliness. I can understand how you would seek solace with Michael. Part of the reason I was in the Delta Flyer trying to destroy the catapult was the desolation I felt at the thought that you were bringing me back to Starfleet for study. That you cared for me only as the object of a directive. Then you knelt in front of me and I could see so much more in your eyes. But then you withdrew from me and I had to adapt.”

“I pulled back because I was so afraid of what I felt. I’d never been drawn that powerfully to anyone let alone another woman. The depth of those emotions scared me and I ran from them. Can you ever forgive me for that?”

“There is nothing to forgive, Kathryn. However we got here, we are here. We are married. Nothing will come between us for as long as we live. Are we in agreement?” Deep blue eyes flashed with heat.

“We are in agreement. Nothing…for as long as we live…” Seven captured her lips in a searing kiss. Arms slid around each other and the embrace deepened along with the kiss. Seven’s hand again closed over Janeway’s breast, her thumb stroking the erect nipple. Janeway moaned into her mouth.

Lips brushed butterfly-soft kisses along Janeway’s jaw line and a quiet whisper was breathed into her ear.

“I am going to make love to you now, my Kathryn. My wife. How would you like me to do so? Tell me what you desire.”

Janeway was so focused on the exquisite feel of Seven’s body against hers that it took a moment for her to respond.

“I want…”

“Yes, my love? What do you want?”

“I want to feel your fingers deep inside me. I want…I want to feel your lips and tongue. I want to come in your mouth.”

“Then you shall, my Kathryn. You shall.”

Seven’s lips traced a fiery line down Kathryn’s neck and chest. Her tongue bathed a nipple that was hard as a diamond and the answering sob she received told her much about her lover’s state of readiness. Kathryn began to writhe against her as Seven continued the loving assault on her breasts. One hand slid gently over Kathryn’s belly and tangled for a moment in the damp auburn curls at the juncture of her legs.

“Please, darling, now…inside me….please…” Seven obliged, reveling in the copious wetness her fingers encountered. She slipped first one, then a second finger into Kathryn’s velvety sheath and began a slow in and out thrusting. Kathryn’s hips quickly picked up the rhythm and began to rock against her.

“Please, oh God…your mouth…I want…I want…” Seven began to kiss her way down Kathryn’s body, easing her own body between her lover’s legs as she did so. Janeway’s breathing had become harsh in her need and as Seven’s lips neared their goal it became nearly sobs.

“Please…please…” was the harsh whisper that accompanied the breath she blew on Janeway’s heated core. A second later, Seven’s tongue stroked across the sensitive bundle of nerves there and Kathryn could only moan. Seven took the ridge of turgid flesh between her lips and sucked it as her tongue stroked. The movement of Kathryn’s hips became wildly erratic as Seven increased the tempo of her fingers.

Nearly out of control, Kathryn’s hands clutched Seven’s head to her as she approached her pinnacle. There was a momentary hesitation at the edge and then she exploded in orgasm, able only to cry her lover’s name as she spasmed over and over in ecstasy. Seven stayed with her, slowing the rhythm of her fingers and tongue only when Kathryn’s tremors ceased and her hands pushed weakly against her. Slowly she withdrew her fingers and after licking the length of Kathryn’s sex, placed one more lingering kiss on her center as she began kissing her way back up Kathryn’s body.

When she reached her wife’s chin, she gently kissed the tip of it before gazing down at the woman she loved. A single tear leaked out of the side of Kathryn’s eye and left a glistening track across her cheek. Seven brushed it away with her thumb and placed a soft kiss on Janeway’s lips.

“I will love you forever, Kathryn.”

Janeway couldn’t respond, she merely burrowed into Seven’s neck and nestled as close as possible to her. Strong arms enfolded her and she was soothed by the steady beat of her wife’s heart under her ear.

“You are my heart, darling. I love you more than I ever thought possible,” she murmured. In response, she felt Seven press a kiss on the top of her head.

Gradually her breathing and heart rate returned to normal as she basked in the love they’d shared. She let her hand drift down to brush across Seven’s breast and was rewarded with a sharp intake of breath. The nipple began to firm under her palm. Janeway shifted her head slightly and began to kiss and nip the alabaster neck beneath her. Her tongue darted out for quick tastes of Seven’s flesh as her hand continued its caress of her ample breasts. She could feel Seven’s breathing quicken and her hips begin to stir. Gently, she eased her leg over Seven’s and nudged it between her knees.

Raising herself up on one elbow she kissed her wife in earnest, her tongue drinking deeply of Seven’s mouth as she increased the intensity of her hand’s caress to include soft pinches and tweaks of the swollen nipple under it. The slick wetness that coated her thigh told her that her wife was more than ready for her to escalate their intimacy. She eased down and took Seven’s engorged nipple into her mouth as the hand that had been caressing breasts smoothed down across the abdominal implant and into the molten heat between Seven’s legs.

Gently she slid one finger into Seven. She found the smooth patch on the inner lining and began to stroke it. Seven’s hips began to undulate in that primal rhythm she knew so well. Her thumb found the bundle of nerves at the crest of Seven’s folds and stroked it firmly. The moan Seven gave out became strangled as she eased a second finger inside and began to thrust steadily. Janeway kissed her way across the mesh bands of Seven’s abdominal implant and slid her body down between Seven’s legs. She gently withdrew her fingers and slid her arms under her wife’s legs, raising them onto her shoulders. Blowing gently into the heat, she buried her face in the fragrant folds, her lips and tongue seeking the touchstone of Seven’s passion. Her fingers slid back inside with no difficulty and resumed their thrusting. Seven’s hips matched her pace and began to jerk erratically as Kathryn’s lips and tongue urged her to greater and greater heights. Finally, with a cry that was almost a shriek, Seven’s orgasm crashed over her, her body clenching around Kathryn’s fingers over and over until with a sob she collapsed, limp and spent.

Janeway kissed her way back up Seven’s body and took her in her arms. They held each other as racing pulses calmed and breathing became steady again. Finally, Seven opened her eyes and gazed at Janeway. A slow glowing smile grew on her lips.

“Kathryn, we are married.”

Janeway chuckled quietly. “We certainly are, darling. Any regrets?”

“None, Kathryn. Nor will I ever have any. You may drive me to distraction on occasion, but never will I regret marrying you.”

“Nor I you, darling. I will never forget how beautiful you were walking down the aisle toward me. I will never forget the beauty of your smile as you looked at me.”

“And I will always remember the look of joy on your face as you held out your hand to me at the foot of the altar.”

Snuggling together, their kisses soothed rather than aroused. Soon Janeway began to feel sleepy and burrowed into Seven’s neck. Seven kissed Janeway’s forehead and eased her arm out from underneath her. She sat up and pulled the silky sheet up over them and with a firm tug dropped the silvery mosquito netting around the bed.

Settling back into the soft bedding, she drew Kathryn’s head onto her shoulder and wrapped her in her arms. Legs intertwined, breathing slowed and with almost inaudible sighs the two lovers fell asleep wrapped in each others’ arms and bathed in moonlight.