CHAPTER 6

Downstairs, Gretchen and Phoebe talked quietly as they stored the leftover soup in the refrigeration unit.

“My God, Mom, she’s gorgeous!”

“Yes, Seven is a very beautiful young woman. Your sister seems to be showing extraordinarily good taste.”

“I never thought that much of Justin or Mark. They were duds.”

“Now, Phoebe, your sister loved both of them. Granted, they might not have been exactly what we wanted for her, but they were what she wanted. We have to respect that.”

“I know, I know. It’s just that if Kathryn would ever, just once, drop that iron-clad control of hers, she’d be so much happier.”

“She’s like your father in that respect. Duty above all else. Always maintain control of the situation.”

“Do you think Seven was the reason she was so miserable when she got back home?”

“Yes. I think Kathryn hoped Seven wouldn’t look for love until she got them back home. Then she wouldn’t be bound by her Starfleet responsibilities and could follow her heart.”

“Starfleet responsibilities? You mean to tell me that she ignored that…that… glorious woman for four years because of Starfleet?”

“It’s complicated, Phoebe. Starfleet doesn’t exactly say that commanding officers can’t have relationships with members of their crew, but they discourage it because of the potential for problems if it doesn’t work out. You know your sister. She’d take the strictest interpretation of the guidelines when she applied them to herself.”

“Well, you can bet that if it was me out there in the Delta Quadrant with Seven all those years you would have been presented with a Borg daughter-in-law when we walked down that gangway at McKinley Station. Kathryn’s crazy if she doesn’t think most of Starfleet will be lined up to date her Astrometrics officer when she’s well again. How are we going to convince her that she’ll lose Seven again if she doesn’t do something?”

“We’re not. You know Kathryn will dig her heels in if she thinks we’re interfering in her love life. Her stubborness knows no bounds where her personal life is concerned. She’ll never forgive us if we try to play matchmaker.”

“So we’re just going to sit by and do nothing while she lets the love of her life walk out of it…again?”

Gretchen grinned wickedly. “Of course not! We might not be able to push Kathryn into dating Seven, but that certainly doesn’t mean we can’t push Seven into dating Kathryn.”

Phoebe let out a whoop of laughter and wrapped her mother in a hug. “Mom, have I ever told you I love the way you think?”

* * *

Later that evening, after a dinner of beef and potato casserole, Kathryn sat at Seven’s bedside and related the story of her rescue and its aftermath. Seven recounted as much of her abduction and detention as she was able to recall. The drugs that Section 31 had used were both powerful and effective.

“I remember extreme pain, Kathryn, but not the specifics of why or how it was applied. I believe from analyzing residual data fragments in my cortical processor, that prior to the attempted removal of my implants I was subjected to varying degrees of electrical surges and radiation bursts in an effort to determine the limits of my adaptability and Borg shielding. Unfortunately  the drugs that were employed to keep me from attempting escape also interfered with full functionality of my cortical node so the tests were inconclusive, forcing them to be repeated, several times.”

“You call them tests, Seven, but that sounds like torture to me. I’ll need to report that to Starfleet Security. Was there any kind of…of…I mean, did they…were you…did any of them…” The muscles of her jaw bulged as she attempted to regain control.  Janeway flushed and began to scowl just thinking about what she was trying to ask Seven of Nine. Finally she bit out the words. “Seven, were you sexually assaulted in any way?”

Seven’s gaze softened and she reached out to touch Janeway’s hand. “No, Kathryn. They may not have been altruistic scientists or physicians, but they were at least professional to that degree,” she said quietly.

Janeway’s whispered “Thank God,” would have been inaudible to anyone without Borg-enhanced auditory functions. She cleared her throat to dispel the lump that had formed there. “I don’t want to tire you out unnecessarily, but we should probably talk about Chakotay. He’s tried to contact you here and…”

“Kathryn, we need not discuss the Commander. He is irrelevant. Our relationship was a mistake. The Commander was…convenient. As soon as I am able to communicate with him I will terminate the relationship formally. Regardless, he is meaningless to our discussions.”

“All right, Seven, I’ll make sure your message to the Commander is transmitted securely to him. Are you sure that…”

“Kathryn, he is irrelevant.” Janeway couldn’t hide the joy and relief that flooded through her at those words. Maybe it wasn’t too late after all. Maybe she could have that second chance she’d dreamt about.

“And there were no repercussions from walking out on your Board of Inquiry to rescue me?”

“No, in fact I think our apprehension of a large chunk of Section 31 may have prompted the Board to cut through all of the political implications of the inquiry. I certainly came out of it in far better shape than I thought I would. I’ve still got a couple of weeks to notify Starfleet what my plans are for next year although I’ve pretty much made up my mind. Something else we need to talk about is what you’re going to do now. I know you’ll still need to meet with Starfleet a few more times, but what would you like to do when you’re back on your feet?”

“I would like to continue in research. I have had a communication from Dr. Brahms’ Theoretical Propulsion Group, but had only replied to acknowledge receipt of it when I was abducted. Would you consider helping me research other possibilities so that I can determine the most efficient method of applying to them?”

“I’m afraid that my parents’ Traditionalist lifestyle means we only have a small comm unit here. But I’ll tell you what. I’ll go to Starfleet HQ tomorrow morning and pick up a large personal PADD for you. I’ll have the COMM Center download all your messages to it. That way you’ll be able to keep up with your personal communications and link to whatever databases you need from Starfleet, too. We can start exploring possibilities for you then. How does that sound?”

“It sounds very good, Kathryn. But you don’t have to go tomorrow. I can wait for a few days.”

“I’m sure you can, but I don’t think Admirals Paris and Patterson can. They’ll want the details of your abduction. I’ll need to report to them what we talked about tonight as soon as possible. It’ll also give me a chance to talk to them about Voyager’s refit.”

“Kathryn, I am…grateful for all your assistance. I haven’t always…”

“Seven, enough! I know you’re grateful, but don’t you see that I’m grateful too? If it weren’t for you Voyager never would have made it back to the Alpha Quadrant. You saved the ship more times than I can count. Can’t you see that I’ve got just as much to thank you for? So can we please stop with all the thank yous and just enjoy the fact that we’re here, that you’re safe again, and that my mother gets to cook for both of us?” Janeway’s wry grin made Seven’s heart beat a little faster just as it always had on Voyager. For a long moment, neither could tear her gaze away from the other.

The sound of voices in the hallway made them turn toward the door as Voyager’s EMH and Admiral Pulaski entered the room trailed by Phoebe and Gretchen. Both medic’s faces lit up at the sight of Seven sitting up in bed, alert and functioning well. As the EMH began scanning her, Pulaski leaned against the wall next to Janeway and commented quietly, “She really is a most remarkable young woman.”

“You just now getting around to realizing that?” Janeway grinned as she listened to the EMH question Seven about her waking. The young woman had a tiny frown line on her forehead as she concentrated on what she could recall of waking earlier that day.

“I was aware of voices. One seemed familiar. I knew as long as I could hear those voices I was safe. But I remember them talking about demons and huge canines and piercing cold fog, too.”

“That would be Phoebe’s bright idea to read her ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’,” commented Janeway in disgust. Phoebe grinned, totally unaffected by her older sister’s disapproval.

“Then I remember someone telling me that Kathryn was wicked and had tormented her. Kathryn hates to lose. I know that from our Velocity matches on Voyager, but…walked home ten kilometers… horrible storm...lost some athletic contest. I…I remember now. I remember why I woke up. I did not agree with…” The young woman looked up and locked gazes with Phoebe. “Phoebe, you are in error. Kathryn is not a…a ‘candy-assed wimp’…because she slept with Boswell until she was nearly ten.”

There really are never any Borg cubes around when you need them, thought Kathryn flushing deep red at the laughter that erupted. Well at least Seven doesn't think I'm a wimp.

“Can we stay focused on the important things for the time being? I’d like to know how my Astrometrics officer is doing,” Kathryn groused.

“Her scans look very good, Captain. If you’re feeling up to it, Seven, you can start getting out of bed for a while tomorrow. Not for too long at any one time, and not until you exhaust yourself. Start it slowly. Agreed?” asked Admiral Pulaski.

“Yes, Admiral. I will comply.”

“I think we can stop our regular visits here, too. Why don’t we set up an appointment at Starfleet Medical in a couple of weeks?”

“I will comply, Admiral. Captain Janeway is requisitioning a personal PADD tomorrow so you will be able to communicate with me directly.”

After a few more instructions the medics took their leave. Janeway, Gretchen and Phoebe saw them out, leaving Seven of Nine alone for a few minutes. She settled back into the comfortable bed and a flash of comprehension hit her. The ‘more’ she had been missing with Chakotay, it was here – in this house – with the Captain. In this house there was laughter, there was love, there was acceptance. A warmth suffused her when she thought of Captain Janeway sitting by her bed, gently holding her hand when they had talked about her abduction. She remembered the relief that had flooded Janeway’s face when she realized that Seven had not been sexually assaulted. But most of all Seven recalled the almost electric shock in her midsection when she’d clawed her way up through the fog of sedatives and awakened in this room. When she’d finally opened her eyes and seen the gray-blue of Janeway’s eyes filled with joy and love gazing back at her. Was it possible? Could the Captain have feelings for her? She had given up hope that her feelings for Captain Janeway would ever be returned. Janeway was the Captain of Voyager. And Starfleet Captains did not get involved with members of their crew. It had been difficult to force those burgeoning emotions back down and lock them away, but she had eventually succeeded. That was when she had begun experimenting in the holodeck with romance. But now? Was it possible?

Kathryn and Phoebe returned to Seven’s room and talked quietly with her for the remainder of the evening. When Seven began to show signs of fatigue Janeway and Phoebe wished her good night and left her to sleep. When Kathryn walked into her room a surprise from her mother awaited her on the bed. There in all his glory sat Boswell, her beloved teddy bear. She grinned as she felt the well-remembered fur under her fingertips. A quiet chuckle from the doorway caused her to turn.

“Did you think I’d gotten rid of him?” asked her mother.

Janeway answered with a grin, “Well, I’d hoped not.”

“Sweetheart, Boswell will be waiting to comfort the ones you love just like he did for my precious ones. Sleep well, dear.”

“G’night, Mom.”

* * *

The next morning, just about the time Kathryn Janeway was stepping off a transport pad at Starfleet Headquarters, Gretchen Janeway woke her houseguest with a cup of tea and the promise of a breakfast tray in a few minutes. She left the room grinning to herself as she watched the young woman gaze in wonder at who lay beside her. Seven of Nine’s smile would have lit a black hole as she reached out tentatively for her bedmate.

“Boswell,” she whispered.

Janeway’s morning was not as pleasant as her Astrometrics Officer’s. Once she’d picked up a large personal PADD and dropped it off for the COMM Center to configure for Seven she headed to Admiral Patterson’s office to give him the details of the abduction that Seven had recounted to her. When Owen Paris had joined them she repeated what Seven had told her about the abduction and subsequent ‘tests’ performed on her by Section 31. The two Admirals made notes of her statements, then Patterson spoke.

“Kathryn, we’ve discovered some additional information about Chakotay’s involvement. He may not be quite the innocent dupe he claims he is.”

“What do you mean, Admiral?”

“We need some more information about two incidents in Voyager’s logs. The first is your pact with the Borg Collective for safe passage across their home territory and the second involves your interactions with Captain Ransom and the Equinox.”

“What do you need to know, Admiral? Most of those incidents were covered in the formal debriefings and in the official logs.”

“Was there some tension between you and your First Officer during those incidents?”

Janeway found it hard to suppress a bitter laugh. “ ‘Some tension?’ Oh yes, there was ‘some tension’ between Chakotay and I. He defied my direct orders in both instances.”

“Explain, Captain.”

“When I forged the alliance with the Collective I beamed over to work on the Borg cube along with Lieutenant Commander Tuvok. When the cube was attacked by Species 8472 and destroyed I was struck with an energy discharge right before we beamed back to Voyager with several drones to continue the work. My neural pathways were compromised and our EMH determined that I needed to be placed in a coma to protect my higher brain functions. Before he did, I turned command over to Chakotay. I told him to make the alliance with the Collective work. That they would push him, make him crazy, but that the Collective needed the alliance as much as we did. When the EMH stabilized my neural functions and brought me out of the coma the first thing I discovered was that Chakotay had severed the alliance because of his distrust of the Collective. The situation had escalated, resulting in the deaths of all but one drone that had been working on Voyager. Seven of Nine was the only one left alive. Once we’d managed to get Species 8472 to return to fluidic space and end the war with the Collective we severed Seven’s neural link to the Collective and got the hell out of Borg space. But what started the collapse of the alliance was Chakotay’s distrust of the Borg. He simply couldn’t accept that they would deal with us in a forthright way. He was always looking for betrayal, and he found it where it didn’t exist. He disobeyed my direct orders. It was a long time before I felt I could trust him again.”

“And what happened during your exchanges with the Equinox?”

“Captain Ransom betrayed his oath as a Starfleet officer. He spat in the face of everything I hold dear. On top of that he kidnapped Seven of Nine and compromised my EMH. I was determined to stop him and his crew from killing any more sentient life forms and bring him to justice for his crimes against the species of the Delta Quadrant. Perhaps too determined. I was willing to put Noah Lessing in mortal peril to get the information I needed to stop Ransom. Chakotay felt that I had crossed the line and stepped in. He countermanded my orders.”

“Had you, Captain? Crossed the line?”

Admiral Paris regarded her gravely a moment. “Kathryn, we’ve discovered logged records of Chakotay’s meetings with the Section 31 operative. What name did he use? Wilson, Lieutenant Commander Rath Wilson. The video records jibe to a certain extent with what Chakotay told us initially. Admiral Richardson manipulated some of his debriefings by focusing on the Borg, knowing that Admiral Nechayev would be most aggressive in her questioning regarding dealings with the Borg. I suppose one can’t blame her too much, she lost her husband at Wolf 359. But between Richardson’s and Nechayev’s questioning, Chakotay began to fear for his freedom despite our assurances that he wouldn’t be prosecuted for his actions in the Maquis. Section 31 utilized those fears quite adeptly to maneuver him into working with them. But once he’d agreed, his attitude seemed to change somewhat. In the last meeting he had with ‘Wilson’, Chakotay told him that his relationship with Seven of Nine had more to do with you than with Seven.”

“His relationship with Seven? Had something to do with me?”

“Apparently, he felt that you cared…a great deal…for Seven. And he considered it a personal victory to have ‘won’ her over you. He almost considered her a prize.”

Janeway’s fury at this news caused her to sputter. “Prize?  Per…personal victory over…me?”

Paris said gently, “Kathryn, Seven was his trophy when Voyager couldn’t be.”

“Voyager? He wanted Voyager?”

“He wanted to command Voyager. His plan was to ensure that you were promoted to flag rank. He contacted as many of your command staff as possible and encouraged them to cast your command decisions in the best possible light. He tried to appear the loyal First Officer, looking out for his Captain, but the ultimate goal was to take your ship. Had B’Elanna not realized that something was amiss and discovered Seven’s abduction, both Chakotay and Section 31 might have succeeded in their plans. He would have been considered the prime candidate to command Voyager if you accepted promotion. And Section 31 would have murdered Seven of Nine to ‘protect’ the Federation.”

Janeway’s rage erupted and she sprang to her feet. “Are you saying he knew? That he turned her over to them knowing they wanted to kill her?”

“Kathryn, calm down! We’re not saying that. There’s no evidence that ‘Wilson’ ever elaborated on their plans for Seven of Nine. Only that she posed a ‘threat’ to the Federation. He might not have realized what their ultimate intent was. But he had several meetings with ‘Wilson’ before the abduction. Not just the one he told you about. It’s pretty clear that he knew that she’d be incarcerated for a lengthy period of time. Beyond that, well, we’re just speculating.” Janeway collapsed back into her seat, attempting to regain her equilibrium.

“So what happens to him now? Will he be court martialed for his part in her abduction?”

“I’m afraid not, Kathryn,” said Patterson, encoding the PADD in his hand. “This entire episode has been classified Top Secret – Eyes Only for the Joint Command Staff and the Federation President. Nothing more will be done officially. He will be cleared of all charges by the Review Board. Unofficially, however, we’ve taken steps. The Commander will never rise above his current rank. He will never set foot on another starship in a command capacity. And he will be stationed as far away from Starfleet Headquarters as possible. We can pretty much isolate him until he understands his Starfleet career is finished. We’re hopeful that he’s intelligent enough to come to that realization fairly quickly. That will have to do.”

Captain Janeway realized this was an appropriate solution for Starfleet to take. Kathryn Janeway, however, wanted to feel Chakotay’s neck snap in her hands as she choked the life out of him. For a brief moment this internal conflict threatened to tear her apart. Then her command integrity established supremacy over her emotions and she straightened in her chair.

“I understand, Admiral. Will I need to meet with the members of my crew involved in Seven’s rescue to brief them?”

“We’ll take care of that, Kathryn. You’ll need to make sure your mother and sister are discreet about what they may know. And of course, Seven of Nine. A copy of the final, sealed, report is being sent to her. What do you think her reaction will be, Kathryn? Will she have any difficulties with Starfleet’s decision?”

Janeway smiled tightly. “No, Admiral, she’ll probably deal with that decision far better than I am. She’ll see the logic in it immediately, as well as the necessity for it.”

“I know it rings hollow, Kathryn, but we can’t allow Section 31’s involvement to become known. As I said, we’re hopeful that the Commander realizes quickly that his career is over and leaves Starfleet quietly. If he chooses not to, we’ll make sure he never again commands Starfleet personnel.”

“It will have to do, Admiral,” Janeway said as she stood and shook their hands. They made their goodbyes and Janeway walked to the door. Just before she reached it, she turned to face the two men again. “Oh, and by the way? I accept command of Voyager’s refit. Let me know when to report to Utopia Planetia, won’t you?” With a grin, she turned and left the room. When she reached the COMM Center, the PADD for Seven was configured and all her files had been downloaded. The trip back to the farm was quick and uneventful. There was a strange hovercraft parked in the drive when she arrived.

As she walked into the house she heard laughter from upstairs. She leaned against the doorjamb of her old bedroom and grinned at the sight of her mother and Phoebe staring openmouthed at one of Seven’s biometric suits as B’Elanna and Seven laughed heartily at them.

“Damn, Seven! You mean to tell me that you actually wore these? And you didn’t have the entire male crew contingent following you around?” exclaimed Phoebe.

“Yes, Phoebe, I wore them. Our EMH designed them to support my implants after he had removed my Borg exoplating. Eventually I no longer required the biometric support, but by that time everyone was used to seeing me in them and it was just easier to continue wearing them. They are quite efficient at controlling the impact of environmental factors and are self-maintaining.”

“Not to mention flattering as all hell! My god, Seven, these didn’t leave much to the imagination, did they?”

“I do not know, Phoebe. The Borg do not have much of an imagination.” Another round of laughter rolled out of the bedroom.

“Our EMH may have had his private reasons for those biosuits,” drawled Janeway from the doorway, “but he grew to regret his design choices. He spent the first six months Seven was on Voyager treating most of the crew for injuries sustained walking into bulkheads because they couldn’t take their eyes off our Astrometrics officer. We all got used to it eventually, but not before considerable blood was shed.” She pushed away from the doorjamb she leaned against and smiled at her Chief Engineer. “Hello, B’Elanna. How are Miral and Tom?”

“Hi, Captain! Everybody’s just fine. I brought Seven’s things by. I ran over to her place yesterday and packed her up after your Mom called.”

“You called B’Elanna, Mom?”

“It didn’t make sense for Seven to have her things at some tiny Starfleet temporary flat when she’s going to be staying here with us. I called B’Elanna to find out where Seven’s quarters were and she volunteered to go and pack her things and bring them here.”

“Yeah, Captain, and I wanted to visit with Seven and see how she was doing. She doesn’t have a lot so packing was easy. I caught a transport out this morning. We’ve been having a great visit.”

Laughing, Janeway walked over to where Seven of Nine sat propped up in the bed and handed her the PADD. “So, I see.  I heard you from downstairs. If you all will excuse me, I’ve completed my official duties for the day and I’m going to get into some jeans. I’ll be back in a minute. You’re staying for lunch, aren’t you B’Elanna?” she threw over her shoulder as she headed for her room.

The Klingon grinned as she replied, “Well, I was hoping for an invitation. I wouldn’t want to pass up another shot at your Mom’s cooking if it’s offered.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, B’Elanna. Of course you’ll stay for lunch,” declared Gretchen as she stowed Seven’s carry-all on the closet shelf. “I’ve got a pot of tomato soup on and I’m making toasted cheese sandwiches to go with it. Is that okay?”

B’Elanna got a dreamy look on her face. “Toasted cheese and tomato soup? My grandmother used to make me that on rainy days. It’s one of my favorites.”

“It’s one of my girls’ favorites too. I hope you’ll like it as well, Seven.”

“I’m sure I will, Gretchen. If the food on Voyager tasted as good as yours I would have taken far more solid nutrition and regenerated far less.”

“I need to get Kathryn to explain to me how your, was it Mr. Neelix? How he cooked for you. I find it amazing that the food was apparently so bad.”

“Well, Mrs. Janeway, Neelix was Talaxian. We didn’t discover for almost three years that Talaxian taste buds are chemically different from humanoid taste buds. So what we considered good tasting food wasn’t palatable to him at all. He spiced everything so much that most of us got sick when we ate his cooking. It took that long to strike a happy medium,” explained B’Elanna.

Seven was aghast. “You mean the food was worse before I arrived on Voyager?”

“It sure was. You’re lucky you could regenerate and not have to eat in the mess hall. Speaking of which, how’s that portable unit working out? No problems?”

“It is functioning acceptably. I need only use it for two hours a day as long as I am eating regularly and sleeping through the night.”

B’Elanna pointed to the stuffed bear next to Seven on the bed. “I notice you’re not sleeping alone, either,” she chuckled.

“B’Elanna Torres, this is Boswell T. Bear,” Seven introduced them solemnly. “He helped Kathryn fall asleep when she was younger, and now he is going to help me as well.”

“I see. And when did you acquire Boswell?”

“He appeared in my bed this morning,” replied the former drone with a twinkle in her eye.

“And I suppose our Captain knows nothing about how he got there?”

“I most certainly do not, Lieutenant Torres. And I will tolerate no disrespect to Boswell. He is an old and valued member of this household,” laughed Janeway, now dressed in jeans and a sweater as she re-entered the room. “And please don’t tell your husband you met him; he and Harry spent most of the time they were supposed to be setting up equipment in here looking around the room for remnants of my childhood. Boswell would give them ammunition neither of them needs.”

“Acknowledged, Captain. Boswell will remain our secret. Do you think Miral would like one?”

“I’m sure she would when she gets a little older. But to be fair, she ought to have a stuffed targ too, you know. To keep her Klingon side happy.”

B’Elanna left shortly after lunch with promises of a return visit with Miral the following week. After her departure, Seven caught up on her messages (the number of which surprised her), scheduled her followup visit with Admiral Pulaski and composed a terse personal communication for Chakotay ending their association in no uncertain terms. While Janeway’s outward command mask never wavered the woman beneath that mask was thrilled and terrified when Seven read her the contents of the message prior to its encryption. Thrilled because she realized that now nothing prevented her from telling the former drone of her feelings and terrified for precisely the same reason.

Once Seven had completed her correspondence, Janeway insisted she take a nap before dinner. The fact that Seven did not object to the ‘inefficient’ act of sleeping told Janeway a great deal. A Seven of Nine who was feeling herself would never acquiesce to taking a rest of any kind, let alone something so human as a nap. It was obvious that Seven had enjoyed B’Elanna’s visit immensely, it was also obvious that it had worn her out. Kathryn watched Seven settle back into the pillows with a quiet and very un-Borg-like sigh as she pulled the curtains to darken the room.

“I’ll wake you in a couple of hours. If you’re feeling up to it, maybe we can get you out of bed and into the chair for a while.”

“Thank you Cap…Kathryn. That is acceptable. I would like to ‘get up’. Is that the correct phrase?”

“It is. Rest now. Sweet dreams.”

“Thank you, Kathryn.”

When Seven awoke late that afternoon Kathryn helped her into her robe and slippers and into the comfortable chair in the corner. When Seven was settled with her feet up on a footstool and tucked under an afghan, Kathryn and Phoebe changed the sheets and remade the bed. That task completed, they joined Seven and the three women talked of everything and nothing. Phoebe told them of her time in Paris, and Kathryn and Seven told of Voyager’s travels through the Delta Quadrant. Phoebe excused herself to go help with dinner leaving Janeway and Seven to talk quietly alone. After a few minutes of desultory chat, Janeway looked deep into the blue eyes of the former drone.

“Tell me the truth, Seven. Are you really okay with leaving Chakotay? I can have him back here…”

“No, Kathryn. Our relationship was a mistake on my part. I sought something from him that he could not give. It was unfair of me to expect him to fulfill my needs when he was not my emotional focus. And looking back I do not believe I was his. His dreams were of another. I was convenient and a means to an end. I sought something…unavailable…to me. For a short time we used each other. It is for the best that it end now, before there is any real history between us.”

“And you’re clear about how Starfleet is dealing with him after your kidnapping? Do you have any questions about that?”

“No, I understand what Starfleet is doing and why it is necessary. I am content, Kathryn. The incident is over and finished. It is time to move on.”

Kathryn smiled at her. “I’m glad you’re so understanding. I’m not sure I’d be if I were in your shoes. Tomorrow we can start exploring some of the research options open to you. I can’t imagine any of our science and research institutes that wouldn’t give anything to have you come work there. I think you’re going to be very much in demand. You’ll be able to choose whatever future you desire.”

Now it was Seven’s turn to smile at her former commanding officer as visions of what she had once so desperately wanted were again allowed to flourish. “Really, Kathryn? Whatever future I desire?”

Kathryn was struck momentarily speechless by the brilliance of that incandescent smile and glowing blue eyes. She was saved from completely embarassing herself by Gretchen shouting upstairs that she should come down and fetch Seven’s dinner tray. As she rose to comply Seven quickly reached out and touched her arm.

“Kathryn, please. Would you help me go downstairs for dinner? I would very much like to eat at the table with all of you.”

“Are you sure you’re strong enough? The stairs aren’t easy if your legs are at all weak, and your implants make you heavy enough that I’m not sure I could hold you if you begin to fall.”

“Perhaps Phoebe would help us?”

“I don’t…I…,” Kathryn gazed helplessly into the blue depths again and could refuse Seven nothing. She walked into the hallway and hollered for her younger sister.

“What’s your problem, Katie?” snapped Phoebe from the bottom of the stairs.

“I need you up here for a minute. Do you mind?”

Shaking her head in disgust, Phoebe trotted up the stairs and into Seven’s room. “What exactly is the big deal that you need me for?”

“We’re going to help Seven go downstairs and eat at the table with us. She weighs a lot more than you think because of her implants and I don’t want to take any chances on the stairs. You get on her other side.”

Moving slowly and flanked by a Janeway on each side, Seven laboriously made her way down the stairs and into the dining room. The sisters seated her at the table, and Phoebe set an extra place in front of her. Both women then went into the kitchen and began bringing in the meal. Depositing the various bowls and platters on the table, they took their seats and waited a minute for Gretchen to bring the meat platter. When the Janeway matriarch entered and saw the three women at the table her face broke into a radiant smile.

“Now this is what I like to see. All my girls at the table!” With that, she took her seat and enthusiastically began filling a plate for Seven, talking the whole time.

Seven of Nine would remember the warmth and love of that meal for her entire life. It was as if she had always been a part of the Janeway clan.  Her usual reticence and discomfort in social situations vanished in the affection lavished on her by Kathryn’s mother and sister. For the first time since her assimilation at six years of age she felt like a welcomed part of a family. And for the first time since the future Admiral Janeway appeared and swept them back into the Alpha Quadrant, the former drone contemplated a happy future on Earth.

When they finished the meal, the laughter and conversation continued as the women settled Seven at a smaller table in the kitchen’s breakfast nook while they cleaned up. The Janeway women made short work of storing the leftovers and washing the dishes and before long Phoebe was lighting a fire in the hearth while Kathryn pulled an ottoman under Seven’s legs, and tucked a fleece throw around her on the sofa. Gretchen appeared in a moment with a tray of fresh coffee and a pot of tea for Seven.

Sitting in another section of sofa, Gretchen told stories of her daughters growing up. Both Kathryn and Phoebe flushed in embarassment as Seven laughed at the tales. Kathryn told some of the harder stories of loss on Voyager, but somehow it wasn’t as painful to tell them with Seven sitting next to her. Seven contributed a hilarious story of how Kathryn nearly precipitated an all-out sector war when she clapped her hands on her hips during a negotiation with a Delta Quadrant species. The Tac-Tac used ritual posturings as part of their speech methods and hands on hips turned out to be a deadly insult in their language.

Gretchen was the first to notice that Seven was beginning to run down. Without missing a beat in the conversation she stood, walked over to the sofa and dropped a throw pillow in Kathryn’s lap.

“Dear, if you’re starting to tire why don’t you stretch out on the sofa? You can put your head in Kathryn’s lap. Here, let me help you.” It was all Gretchen could do to contain her laughter at the stunned expressions on Seven and Kathryn’s faces. But, stunned or not, in a matter of moments Seven was curled on her side with her head on Kathryn’s leg and warmly covered by the fleece throw.

Janeway didn’t know what to do with her right hand. There was nowhere to put it that wasn’t on Seven. Gingerly, she rested it on the young woman’s arm as Gretchen pushed the ottoman under her legs. Kathryn wondered idly if anyone had ever gone deaf from the thundering of their own heart. She could hear nothing of the conversation in the room over the roaring in her ears and was sure that permanent hearing loss could not be far behind. A film of perspiration broke out across her forehead and an involuntary tremor shook the leg on which Seven had rested her head. Just when Kathryn thought she might actually get a grip on herself, Seven shifted slightly and laid her right hand on Kathryn’s thigh which effectively destroyed any illusion of control the commander of Voyager might have entertained.

Captain Kathryn Janeway, hero of the Delta Quadrant, conqueror of the Borg, winner of the Medals of Honor and Valor, had no idea how she survived that evening in her mother’s living room. But eventually the fire burned down, Phoebe left for her home and Gretchen and Kathryn helped Seven back upstairs and into bed. As the old farmhouse settled around them for the night Gretchen slept the sleep of the just while Kathryn and Seven both tossed and turned as possibilities and visions of what might be caromed through their heads.