Disclaimer. Set after the episode 'Mortal Coil',this story belongs to me, but the characters do not, they belong to the wonderfull people who gave us Voyager! So don't sue please. I have like no money!
Starting Something.
Katherine Janeway, Captain of the star ship Voyager, closed her eyes to the irritating sound of her computer operated sliding door as it beeped to announce she had a visitor. Sighing and sitting up she called out.
"Enter!" The door to her ready room slid open to reveal Seven of Nine and the Captain smiled. "Seven! What can I do for you?" She asked as she patted the sofa beside her, encouraging the ex-borg to sit down.
"I prefer to stand!" Replied the borg in her usual monotone. The older woman smirked at the now familiar response.
"Someday you will accept my request to relax Seven and comply!" Janeway added as her smirk grew.
"Perhaps!" Replied the younger woman, standing patiently at attention. The Captain thought she'd almost caught a glimpse of a tiny smile being returned to her and inside she felt warmth spread at the thought that her latest crewmember was slowly warming to her new life aboard Voyager. Janeway was trying to help Seven regain her humanity, but she knew it was going to be a long and slow process. However, the older woman could already spot subtle inflections in the blonds voice which helped her discern Seven's intense but buried emotions. Janeway knew she was not the 'ice queen' most of the voyager crew believed her to be.
"What's on your mind?" She asked as Seven remained standing.
"Neelix is angry with me! Was it wrong for me to help him?" The blond responded. Direct as ever. Janeway caught the borgs eyes.
"No, my dear Seven! The crew and I are so very grateful for what you have done for Neelix." Seven stared almost right into her Captain and Janeway felt a warmth ripple through her body. God, her eyes are beautiful! Swallowing, the older woman continued. "Neelix is not angry with you, not really." Seven looked confused. Janeway smiled and explained. "Most species have some kind of story or belief about what happens after death." Pausing, the smaller woman walked to her replicator. "Would you like a drink?" She asked her companion, who shook her head. Janeway sat back down beside Seven and could have sworn, she'd caught a glimpse of…no it couldn't have been…of something, in the tall blonds eyes as their thighs brushed against each other. Pushing her thoughts aside she continued. "Neelix believed that when he died, he would be greeted at a special tree by all those whom he had loved and lost through out his life."
"What is the point in believing in something that you don't know to be true?" Seven asked and Janeway smiled. Good question.
"It's a great source of comfort for most to believe that there's some kind of 'after-life' to look forward to after you die. A place where you can see loved ones again.."
"Neelix didn't find his after-life!" Seven finished for her Captain. Janeway took a few moments to gage her friends feelings. Is that a hint of sadness and regret? She asked herself.
"No, he didn't and he's been having trouble believing that maybe he just hadn't been dead for long enough to find it." The Captain took hold of Sevens hand trying to offer comfort. "His faith had gone and he's been struggling to reclaim it."
Seven looked down at there joined hands. A warm sensation was enveloping her. Unsure of what she was feeling, but enjoying the new sensation she decided that once she returned to her cargo bay she would immerse herself in some mush needed research on human emotions.
"So you aren't disappointed in me?" She nearly whispered. The softness of her voice shocking the Captain more than her words.
"Oh Seven! No of course not!" Janeway lifted the blonds chin, so that their eyes met. "You saved Neelix, without being asked to." Smiling, the older woman's thumb brushed softly over Sevens cheek. Seven's eyes flashed and her tongue slowly poked out to lick her lips before disappearing back in to her mouth. Janeway swallowed, hard. Calm down Katie! She told herself as she moved her hand from Sevens to reclaim her hand. "I'm so proud of you!" Her voice sounded lower than she'd ever heard it.
Seven sat for a while before a smile slowly graced her beautiful face. Janeway was instantly lost to the wonder of it. She was barely aware of Seven's hand slipping out of hers. She was trying to find herself as the ex-borg rose to leave. "Seven!" The Captain called out just as the taller woman reached the door. As the blond turned back to her Janeway forgot what she'd wanted to say. "Uh…umm…Goodnight!" She finished lamely and her inner voice smirked at her and began to repeat the word idiot over and over again like a mantra. Seven dropped her head in acknowledgement and responded with a courteous;
"You too Captain!" before walking through the door and out of sight.
What am I doing? Janeway asked herself as her head fell back against her sofa. Her little voice simply chuckled and replied. Who cares Katie, just roll with it!
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