The sidewalk outside of Starfleet Headquarters bustled with activity. People going to and from work, tourists from other planets taking holo-images of the area, a group of youngsters following a Starfleet recruiter around on this beautiful Earth evening.
Captain Kathryn Janeway sat outside a café nearby sipping hot coffee and observed the hectic scene with a peacefulness she hadn’t felt in seven and a half years.
Thinking about how long she had actually been away still made her catch her breath. After being pulled seventy thousand light years from her home, it had been a constant struggle to keep her crew safe as they sailed through the vast unknown of the Delta Quadrant, alone. The memory of that fateful day still haunted her.
It was Voyager’s first mission: track down some renegade Maquis and retrieve her chief of security, Lieutenant Tuvok, who had infiltrated the Maquis ship undercover. A dying being called the Caretaker tore both ships away from the Alpha Quadrant, leaving them stranded in the Delta Quadrant when it died. The rival crews joined together in hopes of someday making it back to their loved ones. A week ago, after seven years of battling their way through countless battles and seemingly hopeless situations, Voyager and her crew were finally home.
Voyager’s journey was definitely not something that happened everyday, and Captain Janeway hoped it would never happen again- to anyone.
She took another sip of her coffee and went back to watching the different familiar Alpha Quadrant species go by. She had nearly forgotten how colorful it was here. There were the bright blue of the Bolians and Benzites, the shiny metal of a Borg.... Borg!?!
Kathryn gasped and nearly got choked on her coffee. Actually, ex-Borg. “Seven!”
Seven of Nine stopped and searched for the person who had called her name. She knew only one person with that low husky voice, and finally spotted Captain Janeway waving to her from the busy café. Seven smiled and started toward her.
The moment Kathryn saw Seven’s radiant smile her heart rate rose by at least ten percent, and she felt the blood flow in her cheeks increase as well. Great, she thought. Now I’m sounding like the Doctor.
She stood as Seven reached the table.
“Captain,” Seven gave her traditional greeting with a slight nod of her head.
“Hello Seven.” Kathryn felt her goofy grin widen from ear to ear. She stole pleased glances down Seven’s body. Instead of wearing a skintight jumpsuit as she had on Voyager, Seven wore an all white outfit: A tank top with a diaphanous, long-sleeved open blouse over it, and leggings that only came halfway down Seven's long, voluptuous calves. Her golden hair was no longer up in its usual bun, instead cascading around her shoulders framing her blue eyes and perfectly shaped cheekbones. The Borg seek perfection, so it was no wonder they went after Seven. Kathryn had to remind herself to breathe every few seconds. “Long time no see.”
Seven, still smiling, raised the eyepiece that covered her left eyebrow, “Captain, I just saw you three days ago at the ‘Welcome Home Parade’.”
Kathryn blushed further. “I know. I suppose I’m just used to seeing you everyday on Voyager.” She motioned to the seat across the small round table for Seven to join her.
“I have been occupied by interviews with Starfleet Command.”
“I know, so have I,” Kathryn took another sip of coffee hoping it would calm her nerves. Why do I always feel like a shy, nervous teenager around Seven? She tried futilely to relax the muscles in her face to get rid of the goofy grin taking permanent residence there. “I suppose after half a dozen years of exploring the unknown, it’s going to take a while to go over everything. They don’t want to leave out one nanosecond apparently.”
“Their questions are...efficient,” Seven glanced down at the table and clasped her hands in front of her. To Kathryn, Seven suddenly appeared shy as well.
Without warning, the events of a few days earlier flashed through Kathryn’s mind, as they had a habit of doing. Her future self, Admiral Janeway, had traveled over thirty years into the past to help Captain Janeway get home. One event in particular haunted her the most though, especially in her nightmares. When Captain Janeway had refused to listen to the Admiral, the Admiral had blurted out, “Seven of Nine is going to die,” causing Captain Janeway’s blood to go cold, and she was certain that her heart actually stopped beating for several seconds. Suddenly, nothing in the universe mattered anymore, not even Starfleet’s protocols regarding pollution of the time line. She would rather be hunted by a group of Hirogen, assimilated by the Borg, then thrown to Species 8472 as a snack rather than lose Seven of Nine.
“Seven will die in the arms of her husband....Chakotay.” The Admiral’s voice echoed in the Captain’s thoughts.
Kathryn shook her head and tried to push the memories away. That time line had been changed; nothing to worry about now. But Kathryn knew it was not the revelation of Seven’s death that worried her now, rather that Seven would end up marrying Voyager’s First Officer. That last thought finally removed the grin from her face.
“So,” Kathryn cleared her throat, “ Have you decided what you’re going to do now that we’re home?”
Seven inhaled deeply as if trying to sort her thoughts, “My aunt came to San Francisco yesterday to see me and stated that she would prefer I stay with her in Connecticut once the debriefings are done here. At least for a little while, to ‘make up for lost time.’”
A crooked smile managed snuck across Janeway’s lips. “Have you met anyone else in your family yet?”
“My aunt brought her children, my cousins,” Seven said, “cousins” as if it were a foreign word to her. “As well as her brother.”
“You don’t seem very thrilled about meeting them.”
“I am uncertain how to act around them and often find myself at a loss for words. They frequently discuss things I did as a young child that I find embarrassing.”
Janeway chuckled. “That’s what the elders in a family are for.” She glanced down at the ceramic mug in her hands then back at Seven. “Can I get you something?”
“No, thank you Captain...”
“Please,” Kathryn interrupted raising her left hand. “Call me Kathryn. I’m not really your Captain anymore.”
“Kathryn,” Seven said as if testing the word. “I’m actually supposed to meet Commander Chakotay in about ten minutes so I really should be going. It was nice seeing you again, Kathryn.”
Janeway loved the way her name sounded on Seven’s lips, but the mention of Chakotay sent a sharp stab through her chest where her heart was located. “It was nice seeing you Seven.” She forced a smile and watched Seven walk away until she was lost in the crowd. Safely alone, she sighed deeply.
The jealousy eating away at her insides made her jump up after another minute. I’ve got to get out of here, she thought. She nodded a “thank you” to the waiter and started walking in the direction opposite of Seven.
Her relationship with Chakotay is none of my business, she scolded herself. I should be happy for her. Seven’s happiness means the world to me.
But she’s not being happy with you, her heart added, sending another pain through her chest. Kathryn admitted she took her time with Seven aboard Voyager for granted for the most part, especially the last couple of years. She’d thought they’d be on the ship together for the rest of their lives, leaving plenty of time to tell Seven how she felt. Now it was too late. Seven would not be spending her life with Kathryn because Kathryn had waited too long.
Not that Seven would want to be with me in the first place, she thought glumly. Sure, at times Seven did act like she cared for her when she would spend what the ex-drone would usually consider an “inefficient” use of time in the holodeck playing Velocity, and would go out of her way to please the Captain in her work, but all of that could’ve been nothing more than a close friendship, or a mother-daughter type of relationship to the young blonde. And yet, Kathryn couldn’t shake the feeling that despite the overwhelming odds, she and Seven were destined to be together. Even when Seven was still a Borg drone something pulled the Starfleet Captain to her.
Kathryn’s thoughts wandered back to the first time she had seen Seven. At first Kathryn had been startled when the towering drone stepped out of an alcove on the Borg cube.
“I speak for the Borg,” She went on to introduce herself as, “Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero One. But you may call me Seven of Nine.” Kathryn could still feel the drone’s eyes examining her from head to toe when Seven circled around her and Tuvok.
Kathryn’s thoughts jumped ahead to just after Seven had been severed from the Collective. Seven had threatened to kill the Captain, but Kathryn sensed it was only the fear talking. Despite the Borg implants and attitude, she could see the lost and frightened Annika Hansen inside yearning for help.
Once the Doctor had removed most of the Borg technology, underneath was a stunning young woman. Janeway had managed to find a single photo of the young Annika before she was assimilated and knew Seven had been an adorable child, but 18 years later she was absolutely breathtaking. Though as Captain of Voyager she did not have the luxury to consider love or relationships, it wasn’t long before she could no longer deny that Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero One, had assimilated her heart.
“Hello Seven.” Commander Chakotay took a step to the side and gestured toward the living room. “Won’t you come in?”
Seven smiled and moved past the Commander into his new apartment. About the same size as the main section of his quarters on Voyager, the living room was sparsely decorated. A few framed pictures of his family hung on the walls as well as a dream-catcher. The aroma of spices sent a pang of hunger through her stomach.
Chakotay closed the door behind her and put his arm around her waist. “I hope you’re hungry; I made fettuccini.”
Seven allowed him to lead her into the dining area. Smaller than the living room, it still looked inviting. A red and white checkered cloth lay over a round table. Two white candles stood on either side of a vase. The vase held a single red rose and a few small white flowers. Seven thought that they were called “Baby Breaths” but she wasn’t sure. There were also two steaming plates of Italian food and glasses of wine.
Chakotay pulled out the nearest chair for Seven and gently pushed it under her as she sat. “You look lovely,” he said as he took the seat across from her.
“Thank you.” Seven blushed slightly. Though she and Chakotay had been seeing each other for a few weeks, longer if you count the holographic version, she was still unaccustomed to flattery. “You look lovely as well.”
Chakotay chuckled, “Thanks.” He glanced down at his brown dress shirt and pants. “Just something I threw together.” His eyes came back up and caught Seven’s. A brief silence fell over the room as they just gazed into each other’s eyes for a few moments, until Seven turned away. “This food smells delicious,” Chakotay said finally. “Shall we begin?”
Seven picked up her fork and stabbed at the squiggly noodles in her plate. “How was your day?” Seven asked, struggling to remember all the Doctor had told her about making small talk.
Chakotay waited until he swallowed his food before he spoke, “Pretty uneventful. Answered more of Admiral Paris’ questions about our journey and my time with the Maquis, as usual. How about yours?” He lifted another fork full of noodles to his mouth, but didn’t take his eyes off of Seven.
“Uneventful as well, though I ran into Captain Janeway on the way over here.”
“Oh?” Chakotay’s heart fluttered a little. He’d had feelings for Kathryn ever since he joined her crew, but learned to push them aside when he realized that they would never be more than friends. “She accept that we made it home yet, or is she still in denial?” Chakotay asked, remembering a conversation he’d had with her a few days earlier at the parade.
“I still can’t believe it,” she had said. “I just know I’m going to wake up anytime now and realize this was all a dream.”
Seven sipped her wine, “I did not ask. But she appeared to have finally accepted it as reality and was all smiles about it.”
Another silence filled the room, lasting until they finished their meal.
Seven broke the silence. “Dinner was delicious.”
“Thanks. I replicated it myself.” A boyish grin crossed Chakotay’s face.
Seven forced a smile, though that line was getting old.
“Ready for dessert?”
Seven nodded. “What are we having?”
Chakotay stood and started toward the kitchen, “An old-time Earth favorite: strawberry cheesecake.” He disappeared around the corner and reappeared a few seconds later with two plates, each with a slice of cheesecake covered in bright red sauce and sliced strawberries.
Though Seven loved strawberries, it brought back memories of when she, Ensign Kim, and the Doctor were captive on an alien ship intent on destroying holograms. The Doctor had transferred himself into Seven’s optical implant, taken over her body, and been carried away with his food experimentation, eating and drinking nearly all the replicator could provide. Though he enjoyed the new sensation of eating, it left Seven feeling quite uncomfortable.
“How did things go with your family yesterday?” Chakotay set the plates down and resettled opposite of Seven.
“Intriguing. Though I still have no memories of them or the ‘old times’ they speak of.”
“You were very young when you were taken away from them. You can’t really expect to remember every detail.”
“True, however I do not feel that special bond with them as I’ve heard other people describe their feelings towards family members. They are strangers to me. Strangers who know more about my past humanity than I do.” Seven felt her stomach knot up in frustration. Once, not all that long ago, she longed to be back with the Collective. Now, she had nothing but resentment and anger towards them. They’d taken away her family, her innocence, and robbed her of the chance to grow and learn like every other human child. Not to mention all the lives the Borg forced her to assimilate and destroy as well. If Captain Janeway had not severed her from the hive mind, she would still be somewhere in the Delta Quadrant destroying even more lives, unaware of her true self.
Everything I am today, Seven thought, I owe to Captain Janeway. She suddenly wished it were Kathryn she was having dinner with so she could tell her how gracious she was. Although she had not developed a bond with her family, she had developed a closeness with her former Captain that she couldn’t imagine feeling with anyone else, not even Chakotay.
The chime of the door bell dispelled Seven’s thoughts. Chakotay excused himself from the table and walked swiftly to answer the door.
Seven leaned forward to see who it was and was surprised to see Kathryn, now dressed in a formal dress uniform, looking a bit anxious.
“Kathryn?” Chakotay sounded as surprised as Seven felt.
“Hello Commander, I’m looking for Seven of Nine. Is she here?”
Seven rose and moved toward the door. “Is something wrong Kathryn?”
Chakotay shot a glance at Seven, clearly surprised by the informality.
“I’m not really sure.” Kathryn bit her lower lip. “Admiral Paris just contacted me and told me to meet him at 1900 hours. He said he had also been trying to reach you but couldn’t, so I told him I would relay the message.”
“He requires my presence as well?” Seven frowned, puzzled.
“Yes.”
Chakotay stood with his hands behind his back, a puzzled expression on his face. “Did he tell you what this is about?”
Kathryn shook her head, “Just that he’d explain everything when we arrive.”
“What is the current time?” Seven asked.
“Around 1800.” Janeway shifted her weight and tossed her hair behind her shoulder with a flick of her head.
“I should return to my temporary quarters and change into something more formal.” Seven turned to Chakotay. “Thank you for the evening. Perhaps we can do it again sometime.”
“I look forward to it.” Chakotay smiled.
Seven restrained from the usual goodnight kiss, feeling a little awkward showing affection for Chakotay in front of the Captain. She gave him a nod and glanced at Janeway. She was stunned to see, what was that? Pain flickering in the Captain’s eyes?
Kathryn quickly looked down at the floor and took a step back as if to give Seven and Chakotay some space.
Seven stepped into the hall and turned back to her date. “I will see you later.”
Chakotay nodded and shut the door as Kathryn and Seven walked off.
“Mind if I walk you to your quarters?” Kathryn fell behind Seven as they descended a flight of stairs.
“Not at all.”
“How are things with you and the Commander?”
Seven’s enhanced Borg hearing detected a slight bitterness in the word “Commander” that may have gone unnoticed by anyone else. “They are,” Seven hesitated, “Fine.”
Kathryn raised an eyebrow.
Seven noticed Kathryn’s curiosity and decided to reveal a little more, “It is not as I expected.” Seven thought about how much more dull and predictable the real Chakotay was compared to the hologram. But the Captain didn’t know about the holo-romance and Seven preferred to keep it that way. “It was my understanding that relationships would be more than just routine meals together.” Seven held the door open for Kathryn and they stepped outside.
The sun was sinking below the western horizon, trailing behind it a blaze of gold and turning the clouds overhead into a dazzling mixture of pink and purple.
The left corner of Janeway’s mouth lifted. “They are. But it’s not always about what you do, it’s being with the person you care about the most that counts.”
Seven considered this revelation. “Perhaps that is why I find the relationship lacking.”
“I don’t follow.”
“While Commander Chakotay has certain admirable qualities, he is not the person I care about most.”
“Oh?” Kathryn’s heart sped up, hoping Seven was referring to her. Yeah right Katie, her consciousness interrupted. Don’t get your hopes up. Seven didn’t volunteer anymore information as she led the way through the streets of San Francisco, and Kathryn decided it best not to pry.
Kathryn was having enough trouble concentrating on where she was going. She couldn’t help but steal a glance every five seconds at her sensuous blonde companion. At times, especially when they were passing through tight crowds, Seven walked close enough for Kathryn to feel the body heat radiating between them. It gave Janeway a warm, tingly sensation in her chest, as well as a slightly lower aspect of her anatomy. She even thought she could feel electrical sparks pass between them when they touched, but knew it was just her imagination.
“I find it odd that Admiral Paris wants to meet with me and not one of the other senior officers of Voyager,” Seven interrupted Kathryn’s rather unprofessional thoughts.
“We can’t even be sure it has anything to do with Voyager. Or, perhaps they have more questions about some of the anti-Borg technology Admiral Janeway provided us.”
“Perhaps,” Seven was still uncertain what to expect but decided it was futile to continue guessing. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was not right.
The rest of the trip, including five minutes on a shuttle bus, the two women spoke about their families, what some of the other crew from Voyager had decided to do, and reminisced about the good times they’d shared in the Delta Quadrant.
Now Kathryn found herself standing in the temporary quarters Starfleet had assigned to Seven. She settled on the Starfleet issue couch and waited for Seven to return from her bedroom.
Framed pictures sat on a coffee table to her right. She recognized one of a young Annika that she had downloaded from the Federation database for Seven when she first came aboard Voyager. In another Annika was even younger, presumably around three, with her parents. In the third photo, her mother held a very precious baby in her arms while her father stood with his arm around his wife’s shoulders and a hand on their daughter. Kathryn smiled and tried to imagine Seven as a child, laughing, singing, dancing, playing...
“My aunt provided me with additional photos of myself from when I was young.” Seven’s voice startled the Captain. She looked up to see Seven standing next to her. Having been so caught up in her fantasies, she hadn’t heard Seven return.
Now dressed in her usual skin tight plum outfit with a com-badge, Seven took a seat next to Janeway. “Would you like to see them?”
“Sure.”
Seven pushed a button on the table in front of them and a computer rose up and activated. Seven accessed her personal photo database and slightly turned the screen so Janeway could get a better view.
Kathryn stifled a laugh when she saw Annika around four years old this time, sitting in a bathtub with bubbles covering up to her upper chest, with red and white icing smeared all over her face.
“Not only does my family engage in embarrassing stories, but they also find using visual aids amusing as well.” Seven’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink. “According to my aunt, this was at my fourth birthday party. Afterward, for some unknown reason I felt it necessary to dunk my face in the cake. I then engaged in a food fight with my cousins making a terrible mess that took my mother an hour to clean up.”
“You were a doll,” Kathryn laughed out loud now.
Seven smiled embarrassedly and pushed a button to change photos.
Kathryn sat quietly listening to the stories behind some of the photos and chuckling at some of Annika’s expressions. Her favorite was Annika’s first picture, taken just minutes after she was born. Although overall adorable as usual, her face was twisted in such a cry you would think she had just seen her first Klingon.
The final picture on file was one of her entire family on the day before she and her parents left on the journey which would eventually land them in the Delta Quadrant to be assimilated.
Seven stared at the picture intently, apparently lost in thought. “Sometimes I find myself asking, why didn’t someone stop my parents from making that trip? Everyone knew from the accounts told by the few surviving El-Aurians that the Borg were dangerous. Why did my parents feel it necessary to study such a threat closer? Perhaps if someone had said something, we would never have encountered the Borg, and things would’ve been simpler the last few years. And my parents would still be here.”
Kathryn instinctively put an arm around Seven’s shoulders. “We all have ‘what if’ questions about our past, Seven. But dwelling on them only makes it hurt more and harder to move on.” Kathryn lifted the left corner of her mouth, “At least now you’re probably the smartest person on Earth thanks to the Collective.”
Seven looked at Janeway and returned the smirk. “‘Probably’?”
Janeway chuckled, “Of course you are, what was I thinking?”
Seven allowed a smile to cross her face, then returned her gaze to the picture, thinking again about how the Collective had robbed her of her life, and how Captain Janeway had risked everything to give it back to her. “Kathryn,” She turned to look her in the eye.
“Hmm?” Janeway realized she still had her arm around Seven’s shoulders so she removed it, shifting to meet Seven’s gaze.
Seven struggled to sort her thoughts. There were so many things she wanted to tell Kathryn, and they were all trying to rush to her tongue at once. “When you first severed me from the Collective, I gave you every reason not to help me, including threatening to kill you,” she painfully recalled.
Janeway glanced down, recalling those events too, then raised her eyes to meet Seven’s again and waited for her to continue.
“I attacked Ensign Kim, disobeyed your orders routinely, caused the crew trouble by trying to run away and return to the Borg... And despite that, all of the grief I know I caused you, you did not give up on me.” Seven took a deep breath trying to steady her emotions before continuing. “You gave me back my life, my humanity, and your guidance has been invaluable to me. Thank you, Kathryn.”
Kathryn smiled, moved by Seven’s words. “I just plotted the course, you made the journey.”
Seven recalled that a holographic version of Captain Janeway had said the same thing in response to her thanks a few weeks before. “Still, without you, I would not have had the chance. I would still be assimilating others, and forcing them to go through the same torment.”
Seeing the pain in Seven’s eyes, it was all Kathryn could do not to take Seven in her arms and attempt to kiss that pain away. Instead, she reached over and took Seven’s human hand into both of hers. “I’m glad I was able to help. And as for you being trouble in the beginning, I wouldn’t change a thing,” She said sincerely. “You kept things interesting. And occasionally reminded me that the Captain’s not always right, no matter how much I like to think I am.” Kathryn gave Seven a teasing smile. “Without you to challenge me, my ego would’ve probably made my head swell to the size of Earth before we got back.”
“Probably.” Seven jokingly agreed.
Kathryn laughed and glanced at the time displayed on Seven’s computer. “18:30 hours, we should head for HQ.”
“Agreed,” Seven pushed a button to turn off the computer and it slid back into the table top.
Thirty minutes later Admiral Paris led Janeway and Seven through the halls of Starfleet Command. “As you know, for the past few days we’ve been pouring over every scan and log entry made while you were in the Delta Quadrant.”
“Not to mention questioning every member of my crew repeatedly for the last week,” Janeway added.
“Yes, and today,” the Admiral’s voice took on a grave tone, “I’m afraid we’ve uncovered some things we consider to be very disturbing.”
Kathryn felt her chest tighten, “Oh? What kind of ‘things’?”
They stopped outside a large conference room sometimes used for trials during a court marshal. Kathryn glanced over at Seven who only raised her left eyebrow indicating she had no clue what the Admiral was referring to either.
“Something serious,” he replied. “And I’m afraid that it cannot wait another minute to be confronted.” Admiral Paris lowered his eyes, refusing to meet Janeway’s and began punching in his authorization codes into the door panel. “We’ve been friends a long time Katie, so I’m going to be straight forward with you. Some of the other Admirals and I feel that perhaps you’re just not suited for the rank of Captain.”
Kathryn’s head swam as all her blood seemed to drain from it.
Anger made Seven stiffen to her full six foot stature and she was about to jump to her Captain’s defense when the double doors slid open to reveal a room full of people. More specifically, it was the entire former crew of Voyager and some of Starfleet’s highest ranked officers dressed in formal uniforms that filled the bleachers on both sides of the room.
Kathryn slowly moved forward in a daze as she gaped at all those she had come to call family as they stood and clapped their welcome. Her eyes moved to the balloons and handwritten “thank you” signs that were placed selectively around the room. A viewscreen set up in the back revealed a smiling Talaxian clapping and sending his approval all the way from the Delta Quadrant.
Admiral Munro approached and handed Admiral Paris a gold metal box. Paris motioned for the crowd to settle down and they complied by taking their seats.
“Captain Kathryn Janeway,” he began. “For seven and a half years you’ve managed to overcome overwhelming odds and outwit the Federation’s greatest enemy. You’ve faced obstacles that make the Kobayashi Maru look like a walk along the beach, and yet you still got your crew home relatively quick and safe. You’ve repeatedly gone above and beyond the call of duty for your crew and their well being and it is my pleasure to hereby promote you to the rank of Admiral.”
Applause once again filled the room as Admiral Paris flipped open the box lid and revealed two shiny gold and black Admiral’s pins, one for each side of her collar.
Kathryn took the box with a shaky hand. Feelings of happiness, shock, and a little embarrassment mixed together to warm her cheeks and dampen her eyes.
Seven watched Kathryn’s expression change from surprise to acceptance and felt the sides of her mouth lift with pride for her former Captain. After all that Kathryn had done for Seven and the rest of the crew, it was about time someone rewarded her for it.
“Annika Hansen,” Applause quieted to a stop as Admiral Paris took a square, silver box from Admiral Munro, and moved past Janeway to stand before her. “Or Seven of Nine as you prefer, though you are not in Starfleet and technically were only a passenger aboard Voyager under no obligation, you aided the crew with the same dedication, loyalty, sacrifice, and efficiency one would expect from any Starfleet officer.” He opened the box revealing a gold medal attached to a strip of red ribbon that held the United Federation of Planets symbol. “It’s my privilege to award you with the medal of Federation Order.” Click here for a pic of the medal.
This time it was Kathryn’s turn to watch as different emotions flashed across Seven’s face until finally settling into one of delight. For the last four years she watched Seven develop from just another Borg drone into a truly remarkable individual, and at no time could Kathryn remember being more proud of her friend than right now.
“Thank you Admiral,” was all Seven managed to utter over the applause that once again erupted from the audience. She looked down and examined the medal more closely. It was star shaped with Starfleet’s insignia in the center, over top of a green wreath. Her heart did a somersault when she felt Kathryn put an arm around her shoulders.
“Congratulations Annika,” Kathryn beamed.
“You too, Admiral Janeway.”
“Well then,” Paris addressed the audience. “Now that we’ve no doubt surprised and embarrassed our guests of honor, shall we eat?”
It was only then that Kathryn noticed a buffet table set up where the judges usually sat, which suddenly reminded her of someone. “Excuse me Admiral, I need to go say hello to an old friend. Seven, would you care to join me?”
Seven nodded and followed Admiral Janeway through the crowd, both receiving words of congratulations along the way until they made it up to the viewscreen where Neelix was waiting patiently.
“Neelix, it’s wonderful to see you again.” Kathryn greeted.
“Captain—oops! I mean Admiral Janeway, it’s good to see you. Congratulations on getting back to Earth and your promotion. I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.”
“Thank you Ambassador. I’m just sorry you can’t be here with us.”
“So am I, but at least I can be there in spirit.” Neelix placed his hand over his heart then turned to Seven, “And Seven, congratulations to you too.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m looking forward to continuing our game of Kadis Kot next month during the next transmission link with Pathfinder. If I remember correctly, I was finally winning.” Neelix winked.
Seven raised her eyebrow and smirked, “And I look forward to proving you wrong.”
The bubbly Talaxian pretended to take offense, “Well then, we’ll just see who’s wrong won’t we?”
“Indeed.”
Lines of static suddenly started flashing through the picture. “I’m sorry ladies, it appears my time’s about up. Congratulations again and enjoy the party.”
“Thanks, I’ll talk to you next month.” Admiral Janeway said.
“It was nice seeing you.” Seven added.
Neelix smiled and nodded just as the transmission got cut off.
Kathryn turned to look at her friends standing around smiling and sharing laughs with one another. Well, that is except for Tuvok who stood near the buffet looking annoyed at Lieutenant Paris, who in turn put his arm around the Vulcan’s shoulders no doubt giving the security chief a lecture on having fun. “Well,” Kathryn turned to Seven. “Looks like the party started without us.”
“Perhaps it is time we go and join it.”
Kathryn once again led the way across the room.
Seven glanced to the far corner where Chakotay spoke with B’Elanna and few other former Maquis. He winked at her before returning his attention to the former chief engineer. Seven, not wanting to leave Janeway’s side, just nodded a greeting in his direction and continued following the new Admiral to the buffet table.
“Can I get you something?” Kathryn asked.
“I believe this occasion calls for a glass of Champagne.”
Kathryn hesitated slightly, remembering that synthehol had a tendency to affect Seven as real alcohol would, actually worse, but decided one glass probably would be all right. Excusing herself between two Ensigns she managed to retrieve two long stem glasses of Champagne. But as she turned back to Seven, a core breach erupted inside her heart when she saw Chakotay put his arm around Seven’s waist and kiss her on the cheek. Thankfully, being Captain had taught her to quickly regain her composure, and she resumed her place next to Seven handing her a glass. “Commander, can I get you something as well?”
“No thank you Kathryn,” Chakotay replied with his typical boyish grin. “Congratulations on your new rank. Aren’t you going to wear your new pin?” He glanced down at the gold box that Kathryn still held in her hand.
She had almost forgotten about it. “Oh, yes.” She started to hand Chakotay her glass while she pulled the pin out of the box but Seven beat her to it.
“Allow me,” Seven offered and thrust her own award and glass into Chakotay’s hands without her eyes leaving Kathryn’s. With both hands she pulled off the four pips on Janeway’s right shoulder and replaced them with the two inside of a gold and black rectangle. “It suits you.”
“Thank you,” Kathryn blushed.
Seven placed the four Captain’s pips inside the box and handed it back to Kathryn.
“So,” Kathryn turned to Chakotay, “I take it you knew all along what Admiral Paris was planning.”
Chakotay only smirked and shrugged in reply.
“I thought as first officer it was your duty not to keep things from the Captain.”
“Not when you’re under orders from an Admiral to keep it a secret.”
The Doctor’s voice mixed with the clinking of glass suddenly rose over the crowd. As the crowed hushed, all eyes turned to Voyager’s EMH who stood at the opposite end of the table where just about everyone could see him. “Attention. May I have your attention please? Thank you.” He lifted a glass of champagne in Admiral Janeway’s direction once the room fell quiet. “I would like to take this time on behalf of the crew, to thank Admiral Janeway for being more than just a Captain to Voyager. Over the years and trying times, Admiral Janeway not only managed to maintain structure and order, but also became a part of the family. She not only led us home, but also shaped us into better people, or in my case a better hologram, and I’m sure you’ll all agree when I say that without her moral guidance and support, none of us would have been able to make it this far. So, from the bottom of my holographic heart, thank you Admiral, and may your days be filled with the same brightness as you have brought to ours.”
With that, everyone turned and raised their glasses to the beaming Admiral.
“Thank you Doctor.” Kathryn raised her glass to the hologram’s and took a sip.
The Doctor, not having a stomach for Champagne, returned the glass to the table and turned to chat with Ensign Kim.
In between small speeches in her honor, Kathryn spent the rest of the evening mingling with the other guests and catching up on their new assignments and future plans. Her eyes never lost track of Seven, who had stayed by Chakotay’s side most of the night.
Kathryn sighed. So much for the idea Seven cares about you more than Chakotay, her subconscious taunted.
By 2300 hours, the crowd had dwindled down to only a half dozen or so.
“Lovely party,” Janeway commented to Admiral Paris. “And thank you.”
“After all you’ve been through, you deserve it.” He smiled and gave her a one armed hug.
Admiral Patterson, one of Kathryn’s former instructors at the Academy, stopped by on his way to the door, “Katie,”
“Admiral,” she replied.
“I should be going. It was good to see you again.” The burly, gray-haired Admiral smiled. Despite his age, he still had a youthful twinkle in his eyes.
“It’s always a pleasure.”
“You’ll be sure to keep in touch? After all, you’ve got over seven years to make up for.”
“I will,” she leaned forward to give him a hug.
“Goodnight then,” He nodded towards Admiral Paris and left.
Seven was watching Kathryn and didn’t hear Chakotay’s last sentence, “Hmm?”
Chakotay eyed her. “Are you all right Seven?”
“Yes, I was just thinking about,” she paused. “Things.”
“I said I’m getting kinda tired so I’m going to head back to my apartment. Would you care to join me?” He grinned mischievously at his beautiful girlfriend.
Seven pretended not to know what the Commander was referring to. “No thank you. I do not require rest at this time.”
Chakotay sighed and left with only a peck on the lips to hold him over for the night.
Seven walked over and finally joined the person she had really wanted to be with all evening.
Kathryn smiled at her and had to swallow her heart back down her throat when Seven approached.
After telling Kathyrn to come by her new office at Starfleet Headquarters tomorrow morning, Admiral Paris bid both women goodnight saying he had a long day ahead of him.
Within another couple of minutes, Kathryn and Seven were alone in the big empty room.
“Enjoy the party?” Kathryn asked, finally breaking the silence.
“It was nice to see the crew in one place again.”
Another awkward silence fell between them. “It seems a little odd being here by ourselves.” Janeway offered, “Would you like to come back to my place for a cup of coffee?”
“That would be acceptable.” Seven agreed and they left.
