Star date 5234.5
Tom Paris was
finished with his Alpha shift. He was seated in the mess hall playing
with his dinner and thumbing through a magazine from the 21st
century called ‘WHEELS’. As he came upon a 2004 Harley Softtail Fatboy
his pulse raced. Oh to be saddled on
this baby, he thought.
“Tom Paris, are
you alright?” came the inquiry from behind, jostling him from his
magazine. Seven of Nine recognized the increase in his respiration and
stopped out of concern.
“Oh - Seven, I’m
fine! I was just admiring this bike,” he replied quite happy to share
the magazine with her. Tom was the proverbial boy with a want for all
the cool toys.
“Ah,” she
responded as she looked over his shoulder at what captivated him. “A
rather interesting uniform the young lady is dressed in, yes?” The
model posing with the motorcycle was scantily clad in little more than
leather chaps.
At this Tom
Paris laughed, “Yes it is, but it is not what I find most
appealing.” He tapped the picture of the Harley. “This – now this
is a most awesome piece of machinery,” he explained with a twinkle in
his eyes.
“It must be -
love.” Seven droned, “Is B’Elanna Torres aware of this?” She
quirked her implant covered brow along with a questioning smirk.
Paris grinned.
“Please, have a seat!” He offered then proceeded to explain the facts
of why this particular motorcycle caught his eye.
“I’m thinking of
building this one. What do you think?” Paris pointed out to Seven who
now was apparently intrigued with what lay before her. She found it
interesting and would have to ponder her attraction to it later. It was
even more interesting to find herself relaxed in Tom Paris’s company.
Most other times their relationship was antagonistic at best. His
relationship with B’Elanna Torres, who was extremely outward in
displaying her contempt for Seven, kept Seven away from the couple
unless ship’s business dictated otherwise.
“I believe it
would be – fun for you, Tom Paris. Would this also be an experience I
would enjoy as well? she questioned, looking from magazine to fair
haired peer.
“Seven, just Tom
– please,” he said, thinking perhaps he could be a friend with this
woman. Today he was not sensing the usual coldness she generally
exuded. B’Elanna will think I have lost my mind of course, but hey what
the heck. “And yes, I believe you would enjoy this – experience.”
“If it will not
cause you much discomfort, I would like to see how it – handles - also.”
Tom replied,
“No, no discomfort at all, it’s a date. I’ll let you know when I’m
ready to take her for a ride.”
Seven furrowed
her brow. “Mr. Paris, I do not believe B’Elanna Torres would appreciate
– our - recreational time together considered as a ‘date’.”
“You’re right,
she wouldn’t!” he answered what appeared to be a warning, “Just plain
recreational time it is then.”
Alpha Shift ~ Several Days Later
“Captain, I am
picking up a distress beacon.” Lt. Harry Kim informed Janeway.
“How far off our
current heading is it, Mr. Kim?” inquired the captain, leaning forward
in her chair.
“5.7 light-years
at warp 8, Captain. We should be able to reach it within 30 hours.”
Harry advised.
Janeway hated to
deviate from their current course toward the Alpha quadrant. Her
decision took only seconds. “Mr. Paris, set a new course to the distress
beacon. Let’s go see if someone needs our help.”
“Aye, Captain,
course laid in,” Lt. Tom Paris, Voyager’s helmsman, responded as he
keyed in the new coordinates.
“Chakotay, you
have the bridge,” Janeway informed as she rose from her seat and walked
to her Ready room. Behind closed doors the replicator and coffee became
her first intention, after which she proceeded to her desk where piles
of departmental PADDs awaited. This was the part of her job she
detested, but it was a necessary task which seemingly filled some of the
void as they traversed the Delta quadrant toward home.
I could really use an assistant,
she thought to herself, grabbing the first PADD.
Ah Katie, you could use a lot of things way
out here, the little voice
in her mind responded back and she chuckled thinking,
yes – yes I certainly could.
It was a short
time later when her door chimed. Welcoming the distraction she
answered, “Come!”
“Captain
Janeway.” Entered Seven of Nine carrying a PADD, “I have studied the
space surrounding the distress beacon and a beacon is all it is.” She
handed Janeway the PADD then took a step back as if at attention hands
clasped behind her back. Janeway read the report and leaned back in her
chair with a sigh.
“I don’t want to
put this ship through anymore than what we have to. We are already in
need of repairs.” Janeway said, “but I cannot ignore a distress
beacon.”
“Cannot
Captain? I believe you mean - will not,” Seven countered. “We can not
save everyone we come across.”
And this is what
she liked most about Seven of Nine, her directness like it or not.
Like her or not, Katie, uttered
the little voice. Captain Janeway cleared her throat and sat forward in
her chair folding her hands together, “Seven, how would you feel if you
were in distress and no one came to help?”
“My feelings are
irrelevant,” Seven replied. Janeway stood up from her chair and
promptly moved around the desk.
“Seven of Nine,”
she started. “What is the worst thing which could happen based on the
facts you have just presented?” Janeway leaned back on her desk front
crossing her arms.
“We use up this
ship’s much needed resources for no reason.”
“In other words
-.” Janeway smiled. “Nothing?”
“Captain, I am
in the process of looking for our next source of Dilithium and other
necessary crystals,” Seven reminded. “It would seem a better cause to
take Voyager off course for.”
“So noted,”
Janeway answered then stepped into Seven of Nine’s personal space.
“Now, what really brought you to see me?”
This invasion of
space caused Seven some personal discomfort at which she was at a loss
to describe, but her borgness held fast as she remained stalwart. She
greatly admired the Captain for her ability in knowing her so well. Her
Borg efficiency would not have allowed her to visit the Captain without
good reason and taking day’s trip to investigate ‘nothing’ was not a
good enough reason when someone appeared to be in distress. Touché
Captain, Seven thought to herself.
“Captain, I will
not be able to participate in our scheduled Velocity match this
evening.”
“And you came
all the way to my ready room to inform me of this?” Janeway commented,
sensing Seven’s discomfort yet doing nothing to alleviate it. She
simply continued to look up at the 6 foot Borg losing herself in the
closeness as she considered the beauty Seven possessed. She wondered if
Seven understood the power of such beauty. How it could transfix you,
reach out and pull you in. She cleared her throat bringing herself back
to reality, Katie! Katie my girl! What
are yuh doin’ to the poor lass!
The little voice roused, Heck what are yuh doin’ to yourself? Invading her crew’s
personal space from time to time was something Captain Janeway used as a
means of reminding people who she was and what she controlled. However,
with Seven of Nine, it took on a different meaning something a bit more
personal, most often taking the control out of her own hands leaving her
more a victim to her own feelings. Feelings Seven of Nine was always
able to stir from the day she first confronted her in the brig after
separation from the Borg Collective.
“I would like to
reschedule, if you do not mind?” Seven said ignoring Janeway’s
question. At this, Janeway gave her a break and stepped back.
“When?” She
asked as she again leaned back against her desk. She enjoyed the
workout the Velocity matches provided her. She enjoyed Seven as her
opponent because of the skills the young woman possessed and the
intensity at which she played. There matches albeit tiring were also
invigorating.
“Tomorrow would
be better. At 1900 hours?’
“Tomorrow at
1900 hours it is then,” Janeway confirmed. “Is that all?”
“Yes, Captain.”
Seven knew this was a dismissal. As she walked to the ready room door
the Captain added, “And Seven of Nine make sure you have your
Astrometrics report completed by end of day today. It is required for
tomorrow’s senior staff meeting.”
“Aye, Captain,”
she replied as the ready room door hissed shut behind her.
Katie me girl! You got us all excited there for a minute.
The voice picked at Janeway as she moved back around her desk.
Yes I certainly did, Kathryn
thoughtfully smiled to her self,
sometimes I just let my feelings get the best of me, and Seven is
certainly one who always indulges my worst behavior.
She then picked up a departmental Padd and went back to work.
Holodeck 1 – 1800 Hours
Tom Paris
thought he out did him self this time. Before him stood the Harley of
his dreams and walking through the holodeck doors was Seven of Nine
donning black sunglasses in faded daisy duke denim shorts, a light blue
tube top covered by a partially laced black leather vest and a pair of
black short top Harley boots.
“Nice
sunglasses, Seven!” Tom quipped as he took in the beauty before him not
letting his glance linger. Yes,
he thought to himself, I am certainly
going to make an effort to be this woman’s friend. B’Elanna will just
have to deal with it like it or not.
“Is the road
ready for us?” Seven questioned, literally, as she walked around the
motorcycle admiring Tom’s shiny new creation.
“Yes it is, but
first I’d like to see you in these, I mean I’d like for you to put these
on,” he corrected as he handed her a pair of black leather chaps.
Seeing her questioning look as she unfolded them he explained, “They’re
to protect your legs from the wind or in the event of an accident –
really.”
“How?” she
asked.
“Trust me, I’m
wearing them, you’re wearing them,” he stated, but was interrupted by
Seven’s comm-badge.
“Janeway to
Seven of Nine,” the voice commanded.
Tapping her comm-badge
affixed to her vest she responded, “Seven here, Captain.”
“Seven, will I
be receiving the Astrometrics report - today?”
Realizing she
left the Padd in Cargo Bay 2 she sighed, “Captain, when I have completed
my project I will bring it to your quarters. If this solution is
agreeable to you,” Seven replied, hoping to have bought some time. It
was extraordinarily unborg like to have left the Padd behind.
“It is
agreeable, Janeway out!”
“We’d better get
going, Seven, otherwise the Captain will be most un-agreeable if you
show up too late,” Tom commented starting up the bike as she donned her
chaps. There sure is nothing like the
sound of a well built Harley, and of course a beautiful woman settling
in right behind yuh, he thought as he smiled to himself,
pulling the bike onto the road.
It was two hours
later when they parked the Harley, both wishing they could have gone
farther, but also both recognizing the limitations of their holodeck
time. “So Seven, what say we do this again tomorrow night?” Tom asked.
“B’Elanna is on Beta shift so I have nothing else to do let’s say at
1900 hours?”
“Can you teach
me to pilot?” Seven asked with a slight smile. “I believe I would like
to ride my own.”
“Sounds
reasonable to me, tomorrow night I will teach you to – pilot,” Tom
smiled. “Computer end program ‘Paris Harley 2000’.”
“1900 hours it
is then,” Seven confirmed as they exited the holodeck and she headed to
cargo bay 2 to retrieve one forgotten Padd.
“Hey Seven,” Tom
yelled after her. “Don’t forget the Captain’s Padd!”
“I have not
forgotten, Tom Paris - thank you,” she replied as the turbolift took her
away. Perhaps Tom Paris and I can be
friends, she pondered as the turbolift doors shut.
After retrieving
the Padd from the cargo bay Seven of Nine made her way to the Captain’s
quarters. She hesitated before hitting the door chime. This was not a
place she found herself very often other than a few late night visits.
And only when something concerning her humanity brought her to the only
person, on Voyager, who would make their self immediately available to
her - always. However, this visit was something else. She was aware
she did not perform her duties efficiently, and knew the Captain was
also aware. It was the first time she found something so irrelevant yet
so intriguing she failed to perform her duties in a timely manner. And
the Captain was not the person she wanted to fail – ever. The
friendship they embraced was like nothing else she knew. It appeared to
have limitless boundaries, except the one which stood high between it
and command. And she recognized this border as the Captain’s only. To
her it was an inefficient construct in the Captain’s life, but it
existed none the less and not just for her, but for all. Being an Ex-borg
drone she found herself challenging this boundary more than others. At
times it left her confined to Cargo Bay 2 and there were times it left
her quite confused by the Captain’s responses. But those really were
the times when the response was not from the Captain, but more from
Kathryn Janeway her friend. There were times when you looked into her
eyes to distinguish who she was. She hit the door chime.
“Enter!” came
the reply and she did. Having not changed out of her clothes Seven of
Nine stepped into the Captain’s quarters to a very lascivious gaze. She
then walked to the Captain who was seated comfortably on the sofa with
whiskey and soda in hand. Seven extended the Padd to her.
“Captain?”
Seven questioned the Captain’s loitering gaze. She watched as the gray
eyes darkened into a blue then just as quickly faded back to gray.
Janeway blushed
as her little voice screamed in her mind, Oh my lord a mercy Katie,
would yuh look at this! Katie! Katie! Are yuh hearin’ me now girl!
She accepted the Padd and motioned for Seven to sit.
“I would prefer
to stand.”
“Of course you
would,” Janeway replied knowing the Borg well enough not to argue with
her want of standing. “May I ask why you are dressed like this?”
Katie! Do yuh really care as long as she is standing right here in
front of yuh? The little voice asked.
“It is
appropriate attire for the holodeck program I just finished.” Seven
answered noting the increase in the Captain’s respiration.
“I see,”
remarked the Captain, trying very hard to get herself back under her own
control, trying very hard to ignore the little voice and trying very
hard to keep from rising and entering the beautiful and extremely sexy
personal space for some purely selfish reasons. Janeway stood up, the
little voice cheering, Go Katie Go! She hesitated rethought her
next comment, and then headed toward the replicator. “Would you care
for something to drink?”
“I do not
require any liquid at this time – thank you,” Seven responded with her
standard answer. Janeway smiled to herself, replicating another much
needed and much stronger Whiskey only this time straight up before
returning to her place on the sofa.
“Seven, you have
never turned in an Astrometrics report late, I must say - I am a little
concerned.”
“I apologize for
the inconvenience this has caused, Captain – I – am aware I have -
failed you.” Seven hesitated in finding the words she needed.
“Why do you feel
you have failed - me?” Janeway questioned, seeing the emotional impact
this minor indiscretion was having on her head of Astrometrics. “And
Seven, please sit.” Kathryn Janeway recognized a long discussion when
she saw one, nor was she in want of letting what sat before her now out
of her sight for a while. Yesssss,
The little voice cheered happily for once with the decision Katie made.
“You required my
report before end of shift. I did not comply. Therefore I must have
failed.”
“Why did you not
comply?” Janeway tried to keep a small amount of the Captain in place
not ready to personalize where this conversation was surely to head.
“There was
something other than duties on my mind.” Seven responded actually
feeling somewhat embarrassed. Not a feeling she liked or found
relevant, but very human much to her dismay.
“Indeed, “the
Captain answered, watching as Seven’s face pinked slightly. “And this –
thing - which could distract you from your duties is the reason why you
are dressed as you are?” Janeway questioned with a smile creeping onto
her face.
“Yes, I am
afraid so.’
“Would you care
to elaborate?” Janeway’s curiosity was piqued.
“Mr. Paris and I
were engaged in a holo-program he just created,” Seven began. “He and I
took a short ride on the open road.”
“Ah,” Janeway
recognized one of Tom Paris’s 21st century creations. “Obviously it’s
something you’ve found to your liking.”
“Yes,” Seven
replied. “I find it an inefficient means of transportation and use of
fuel, yet – fun none the less.”
“And what form
of transportation are we speaking of?”
“I believe Mr.
Paris refers to it as a Harley-Davidson – Fatboy,” Seven replied. What
little if any command mask disappeared from Janeway’s face. The little
voice responded, Vroooom Katie my girl!
“I see,” Janeway
responded recovering from surprise. “And this is also the reason for
your canceling our Velocity match this afternoon?”
Again the flush
of color appeared in Seven of Nine’s cheeks as she witnessed the
Captain’s smug look. She felt as if she were caught at something and
could not figure out why before she responded, “I - ”
“No,” Janeway
interrupted truly not wanting Seven to feel as if she were actually
disappointed. “You owe me no explanation. You did what you wanted to
do and it does not require an excuse.”
“Then why do I
feel as I do? I feel as if I have deceived you,” Seven searched her
feelings. These newer feelings were cumbersome and were confusing.
They were inadequate to deal with.
“Seven, being
human comes with a lot of uncertainty. However, I can assure you, you
have not deceived me. And from time to time it is alright to
have something more favorable to do with an explanation, of course.”
Janeway stepped away from being captain and settled into being Seven’s
friend.
Their
relationship was something she embraced. She found a certain comfort
when she could speak and act as Kathryn Janeway with this woman instead
of the Captain. She found she contemplated the boundaries of this
relationship often. Never knowing exactly where she would allow Seven
to go. Not knowing where she would allow her- self to tread. It was
all left unsaid. Kathryn looked at the younger woman who sat before her
recognizing the emotional turmoil written across her face. It occurred
to her it was the most beautiful face ever seen and it stirred in her a
desire kept deeply buried. It was something she had not felt in a very
long time and wondered why now. I’ll
tell yuh why now, Katie, yuh’ve had several whiskies and yuh have a
woman settin’ across from yuh dressed for
the takin’ the little voice expressed,
What’s it gonna take to get this desire stirred up a bit more, ay?
“Captain -.
“Seven started to speak.
“Seven, it’s
late and we are no longer discussing ship’s business, alright, so please
call me Kathryn.” Janeway excused her from the tardy departmental
report. She knew it would not happen again.
“Kathryn, I will
not miss our scheduled Velocity match tomorrow night either.”
“See that you
don’t.” Kathryn smiled as her voice took on a husky lilt. The tone of
Kathryn’s voice caused Seven to stand. Having taken on a different
timbre it caused a misunderstood emotion to surge, and it took her by
surprise. Seven felt an immediate need to escape.
“I believe I
require regeneration at this time,” Seven spoke as she hesitated only a
second for a dismissal then turned and walked toward the door. Kathryn
stood and followed behind her. When Seven stopped and turned Kathryn
unexpectedly stepped into personal space. For both of these women, try
as they might, whatever boundaries there were became as open to them as
the space they traversed. All things, like time, seemed to stop
including their breathing. Kathryn looked up into the commanding blue
eyes and a passion of unthinkable depth stirred her to the core. Seven
enrapt by the smell Kathryn emitted, by the recognition of heightened
respiration, by eyes now deepening to a dark blue, and all the while an
indescribable excitement welling up in her was the first to breath in
what could have been minutes. Time took its leave from both of them.
“Good night –
Kathryn.” She faltered unable to find her voice and she quickly turned
and left the Captain’s quarters door hissing closed behind her.
“Oh my,” Kathryn
Janeway thought to herself as she tried to recover, “I have got to stop
drinking so late at night.” Katie, my
girl! The little voice chuckled,
I don’t believe it was the drink talkin’ to
yuh. She walked to the
recycler, placed her empty glass on it then went straight to bed. It
was the only thing she could think to do.
In Cargo Bay 2,
Seven stepped into her alcove. There was a new feeling in town and it
was bigger than anything experienced in the past, and it seemed
connected directly to the Captain. She was definitely going to need to
confide in someone, but it left her searching, as there were no other
friends aboard Voyager. She would regenerate on it and perhaps be
clearer tomorrow. “Regeneration started,” quipped the computer.
Senior Staff Meeting ~ Next Day
”Lt. Kim what is
the status of our distress beacon?” Captain Janeway asked. She spent
the night tossing and turning replaying Seven’s exit over in her mind.
It left her exhausted and frustrated as the blond often did.
“Captain, I’m
afraid there is nothing to report. It seems to be an old distress
beacon placed some time ago. There is no longer a ship in the
vicinity,” Harry Kim reported.
“Very well, it
appears we made the trip for nothing,” she concluded, making sure not to
look up at Seven of Nine who took up a seat directly opposite her along
the wall.
“Captain, if I
may?” Seven spoke up.
Here it comes!
Janeway thought to her self then replied, “Go ahead.”
“There is a
‘class M’ planet off of our starboard side one and a half light-years
away which would provide us with some of the much needed resources this
ship requires,” Seven announced. “I made note of it in my report.”
The night before
was late and the one report which Janeway did not make it to was
Astrometrics before the meeting. Doesn’t
it just figure, Katie, the little voice chided. Reaching up
she massaged the bridge of her nose to try and relieve the onset of a
headache the little voice so often triggered.
“B’Elanna, what
will it take to get what we need and be on our way?” The Captain
inquired.
“Two days tops,
Captain. I can have a team on it immediately,” B’Elanna reported.
“Make it
happen! Does anyone have anything else?” Hearing no replies she ended
the meeting.
As her senior
staff filed out Janeway remained seated, “Seven of Nine, may I have a
moment?” she commanded. Once they were alone she sighed and spoke
still massaging her head. “Seven, let me apologize if what I am about
to say seems short, but I did not get much sleep last night.”
“Are you ill,
Captain?” Seven inquired.
“No, just
tired.” With this she rose and walked to the replicator for a refill on
her coffee then returned to her seat. “I did not mean to be forward
with you last evening as you were leaving my quarters.”
“Captain, I did
not take it as being forward,” Seven replied. “However, it did cause me
– some discomfort.”
“I am sorry for
that. I have no reason to make you uncomfortable. As a matter of fact
I never want you to feel that way in my presence or my quarters when we
are on our own personal time,” Janeway admitted.
Katie, I don’t believe you will be able to
keep yourself from making this happen again,
the little voice chortled.
“Captain
Janeway? May I speak freely?” Seven asked.
“Yes, of
course!” Janeway replied.
Captain, the
discomfort I felt was most unusual. I have never been made to feel this
way by anyone before and I do not know what to think of it. I do not
understand the emotion and I sensed you experienced the same. Can you
explain?”
Yes Katie, girl, do explain,
the
little voice piped right up. Kathryn Janeway knew this time would come,
eventually, but she did not ever believe it would involve herself. She
searched her mind for the right thing to say. “Seven, I think this
would be best discussed later.”
“Later,
Captain?” Seven asked with raised implant.
“Yes, perhaps it
should be one of our nighttime discussions?” She needed time to think,
as much time as she could get and a nap. It seemed to her any first
time discussion of love would require much time, especially with Seven;
who was apparently coming into her womanhood a lot faster than
anticipated. Janeway recognized she was teetering on the delicate
balance between mentor and or love interest.
“That would be
acceptable,” Seven answered.
“How about we
grab a bite to eat after our Velocity match in my quarters?”
“I have another
engagement after our Velocity match, I apologize. Would it be
acceptable for you to join me in Holodeck 1 at 2000 hours?”
“I suppose it
would be fine,” Janeway accepted finding herself relaxing from skirting
the up coming conversation.
“Good. Am I
dismissed?” Seven asked.
“Yes, dismissed
Seven of Nine.” Janeway smiled as Seven left the room and she rested
back in her chair. Katie! We need a nap
a big nap it’s gonna be a long one! The little voice sang.
Holodeck ~ 1945 hours
“Seven! You are
a natural!” Tom Paris exclaimed as they both got off their bikes. “And
I like your taste in cycles!”
“You are a good
instructor, Tom,” Seven answered. They were on the road for almost an
hour. Seven showed Tom the motorcycle of her choice from his magazine
and he recreated it exactly. The Harley Roadster XLH 883 fit her
perfectly. “I have acquired several more hours of holodeck time and
wish to take her out on my own.”
“Her?” Tom
inquired with a smile.
“Yes, I believe
my bike to be female.” Seven smiled back not quite knowing why she knew
this. “Perhaps when B’Elanna has finished her mining expedition she
would care to join us?
“I don’t know,
Seven. B’Elanna doesn’t exactly like my holodeck toys very much.”
“Perhaps if she
were to know you were spending time with me she would like these
particular toys - more.” Seven planted.
“Perhaps,” he
laughed as he walked toward the holodeck doors. “I’ll ask her, but I’m
not promising anything.”
“Acceptable, I
will see you tomorrow same time.” Seven affirmed. They had scheduled
rides together, having found they enjoyed each others company.
“Yes, 1900
hours!” He answered as he walked out of the holodeck. Seven took the
time before the Captain arrived to polish the chrome of her wheel
covers. It was soon after wiping down the bike she heard the hiss of
the doors at which she turned her attention toward.
“Captain,” she
smiled brilliantly. “Care to join me?”
“Oh Seven of
Nine, I don’t know,” Janeway hesitated. “However, it is an extremely
nice looking motorcycle.”
“Captain are you
afraid?” Seven of Nine inquired noting Janeway’s hesitation.
“Well, no, but -
” she started as she walked around the bike.
“I am a safe
driver, Captain. You do not need to be afraid I assure you.”
And with a deep
breath she relented, “I suppose a short trip couldn’t hurt.” She looked
at the 6-foot woman standing before her clad in black leather pants and
the laced vest. Her blond hair was no longer captured on her head, but
hanging in a French braid down her back.
“A – short trip,
indeed,” Seven smiled and handed the Captain a pair of leather chaps and
a pair of sunglasses. “You will need these.”
Kathryn quirked
her eyebrow at the items as she took them, “Really now, Seven I - ”
“Kathryn
Janeway, please put them on. They are for your safety and resistance is
– futile.” Seven looked at her in a commanding, but friendly way as she
climbed on the bike, started it up and turned to watch Janeway don the
rest of her attire. “You are ready?”
“Yes, I suppose
I am,” Janeway answered as she straddled on the back of the bike.
“Hang on,” Seven
said and as Janeway did Seven let out the clutch. Janeway clutched
harder, leaned into Seven and away they went.
Big Louie’s Chicken Shack & Gas ~
Virtually 70 miles away
As Seven parked
the bike Janeway inquired, “Why are we stopping?”
“I require a
nutritional supplement at this time, and the bike requires fuel in order
to make the – short - trip back,” Seven explained shutting off the bike
and slipping off. “Tom and I stopped here last night. The food is
adequate.
“I see,” Janeway
commented as she followed Seven into the restaurant. They found a booth
towards the back. Seven sat immediately pulling the menu out from
behind the napkin holder. “What do you recommend?”
“I believe you
cannot go wrong if you order a burger,” Seven suggested just as the
waitress approached.
“What can I get
you ladies?” the waitress inquired looking from Seven to Janeway loudly
popping her gum.
“I’ll have a
burger with everything, no onion and a coke,” Seven ordered. Janeway
continued to peruse the menu.
“My shift ends
in an hour miss.” The waitress looked at Janeway seemingly annoyed.
“Oh, I’m sorry.
I’ll have what she’s having then,” Kathryn spoke up putting the menu
back where she found it as the waitress walked away.
“So Captain,
what do you think about our short ride thus far?” Seven inquired.
“At first I was
a little unsure, but as we moved along I guess I settled in. You seem
to ride as if you were born to it,” Janeway commented.
And you settled in behind her quite naturally yourself, Katie,
the little voice offered.
“Yes, it feels
most comfortable to me also,” Seven added. “You know we can talk here
as well as your quarters later.”
Janeway sighed,
“Yes, I suppose we can.” The waitress brought their Cokes.
“It’s a 20th
century drink, Captain. Mr. Paris referred to it as - soda.” Seven
explained.
“I see, “Janeway
took a sip through the straw, “Not bad!”
“It is
adequate,” Seven noted. “Kathryn, please explain the emotions we spoke
about this morning.”
Let’s hear it, Katie, my girl,
the little voice spoke. “First you put your discomfort into words for
me, if you will,” Kathryn asked accepting now was as good of time as
any.
“I felt as if I
was caught in a vacuum of some sort and the only thing I could do was
look into your eyes. However, I could smell you even though I felt as
though I was not able to breathe and I was able to sense your increased
respiration. I felt as if our beings were trying to fuse together.”
“I see,” Janeway
contemplated what she just heard knowing she felt the same thing only
not willing to admit it presently. “And this has never happen to you
before?”
“I can assure
you – not,” Seven answered. “It took all of my will to leave your
quarters. It took all I am not to reach out and touch you. I wanted to
- hold you. I wanted no, needed to be a part of – you. I felt all of
that, Kathryn, why?”
“Oh my,” Kathryn
replied as the waitress sat their burgers down in front of them.
“Can I get you
anything else?” the waitress offered still popping her gum.
“No, not at this
time, thank you,” Janeway answered. And she moved off to another
booth. “Seven, I believe what you’re feeling is -”
“Love -
Kathryn?” Seven finished for her.
“I was thinking
more on the lines of infatuation,” Janeway answered realizing what Seven
was really feeling but wanting to detour her from it if at all possible.
“Infatuation,”
Seven contemplated. “I believe infatuation to be more of what I feel
for the Harley parked outside.”
Gotcha there, Katie,
the little voice kicked in. Janeway saw the detour deteriorate in front
of her. “Yes, this is probably true, but love is such an emotion of
passion,” Janeway responded looking intently at her friend trying to
find the young woman she grew to know.
“Kathryn, Is
passion not intense emotional excitement? I believe my body’s reaction
was quite intense and the discomfort I felt was extremely exciting. So
much so I did not know how to act appropriately; is passion nothing else
but a strong desire? And I did, within it all, desire to become one
with you.”
Gotta lover her, Katie, right to the heart of the matter,
the little voice spoke. Kathryn Janeway realized at this point in time,
the person sitting across from her was coming into her womanhood.
Neither she nor the Captain could stop it from happening. She could
only try to hold her own emotions in check. In check long enough to
sort through her feelings which were starting to be roused. “Seven,
I’ve never discouraged you from actively pursuing what your heart feels,
but this – this is something we’re going to have to keep a handle on.”
“Do you not feel
the same way? Can you sit there and tell me the response I detected was
not the same?” Seven pushed those undefined boundaries.
Janeway reached
across the table and laid her hand on Seven’s. “I did respond I cannot
deny it. I’ve had feelings for a while now, but they are not something
I could ever act on.” Janeway adjusted her parameter. Or so she
thought.
“And why is
that, Kathryn?” Seven asked.
“I am Captain of
this vessel. I am bound by Starfleet regulations.”
“Of course,
Starfleet regulations,” Seven sighed. “And exactly what regulations
might those be?”
“Seven, I do not
have to explain myself to you,” Janeway answered shortly, throwing up
her Captain’s boundary instantly. It was an attempt at bringing control
back to the conversation, at possibly bringing control back to herself.
“I see,” Seven
removed her hand out from under Janeway’s and looked away, “Waitress!
Check please!” She commanded not inclined to give over control
willingly.
“No dessert for
you ladies, tonight?” The waitress asked as she walked up to the booth
finishing their bill.
“No – thank
you,” Seven responded tersely and took the bill as she slid from the
booth, “I shall pay the bill. I will return.” And she walked away with
Borg like determination. This conversation, her feelings put away for
another time.
Kathryn Janeway
sighed as she leaned back in the booth. This is going to be a long ride
home she thought to herself. Katie! You
could always just end the program, the little voice
reminded. No, I cannot run from this, she thought.
Why not Katie, it’s what yuh’ve been doin’
all along. Damn, she spoke out loud, Damn you.
“Captain, we
should be getting back,” Seven returned. Janeway scooted from the booth
and they left the restaurant in silence. Once outside Seven gassed up
the bike then zipped up her vest. With the sun down the ride back would
be chilly. Janeway nestled into Seven to stay warm and as she rode with
her arms around the beautiful woman in front of her she could not stop
herself from simply melting into the physical presence. Starfleet
regulations be damned, she thought to herself. She pressed her
cheek to Seven’s back longingly and without restraint. As she came to
terms with her own mind, the long hidden emotions now being awakened she
decided it all felt too right. After all how could something so wrong
feel so right she questioned herself? Her passion was not something she
would be able to control, it was alive and it was making her alive, this
she new with certainty. The Captain of the U.S.S. Voyager was riding
down some highway throwing Starfleet regulations, like caution, to the
wind. Seven picked up speed; Janeway leaned in more, if it were
possible.
She raised her
lips to Seven’s ear hoping the woman could hear, “Seven – I do love
you.”
The Borg kicked
the speed of her Harley up again only now with a smile as they moved
along into the night.
The End
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