Fair Heaven

by LZClotho

Fandom/Pairing: Voyager Janeway/Seven

Rating: The sex is all fade-to-black for this one. Also, please note that due to the plot, the sex has a decidedly m/f appearance to it. But it isn't. Honest. And that's all I can say without spoiling the ending.

Thanks: to Laura for editing on this one. All mistakes that remain are mine.

Fair Heaven Part 1

"It's been good t'see you again, Katie." Michael looked up from drying a glass under the counter as the redheaded woman set her empty ale glass down on the bar top.

Katie O'Clare pursed her lips, curved the corners in a smile, eyes dancing a little as Sullivan blew her a kiss. "Don't let your wife catch you," she quipped though she reached into the air as if to catch the affection.

"Who's that?" A female voice preceded the entrance of a big-boned woman hefting a box through the kitchen doorway. "Oh, hightail it back t'yer ship, Katie, afore I challenge y't'some rings of me own."

Katie laughed. "I might just take you up on that challenge, Meghan."

"So it's t'be rings at dawn?" Michael questioned. "Ye'd make a might sightlier pair than ol' Tom and Lingham wrastlin' in the mud Saturday last." He kissed his wife's cheek as she presented it. "O'course my quid be on ye, Maggie."

The sun was just beginning to make its faintest rosy appearance as Katie O'Clare stepped out of Michael Sullivan's pub onto the cobbled streets of Fair Haven. She looked around at the nineteenth century Irish port town, smiling as she saw the masts of ships in the harbor, flags from around the known world flying.

She inhaled the sweet scent of heather, watching the farmer's wives leading small ponies, donkeys and mules pulling carts of homegrown and homespun wares. Ah, the industrious day begins.

She pulled her shawl more tightly about her shoulders, holding for just a spare few seconds longer, to the simple feeling of contentment. Turning she headed for the town stable.

A large bulk slammed into her. A gruff deep voice cried, "Odin's tits!"and then large hands, losing their hold on a loaded gunny sack which clattered to the stone street, pulled Katie upright once more. She looked up, righting the spinning world. The very definition of a mountainous figure stood before her, eyes icy blue like the North Atlantic where he obviously made his living. His face was unusually pale for a seafarer, unlined, even boyish. She fought against the urge to hold her nose at the mixed smells of fish, seawater, sweat and whale blubber wafting from him. He was the first from the North countries that she had seen in Fair Haven and curiosity nibbled at her tongue. Sanity however prevailed. Either that or a realization that she wasn't supposed to still be here.

Sensing the Norwegian wouldn't tarry to talk with a woman, especially one who had overset him, Katie sketched a bow, muttered "Thanks," and stepped quickly out of the way. Running to the safety of the stables, she spared a look back at the broad sailor's body as he stooped to collect his belongings. He had smelled very naturally like a man who hadn't bathed in at least a week at sea. But he was also covered in well-mended clothes. His face, what Katie had seen of it, was unmarked, therefore pegging him as young, although clearly master of his own fate.

Though her curiosity was piqued, Katie knew her job could wait no longer. She slipped between the stable doors and called out.

"Computer, Exit."

Captain Kathryn Janeway stepped through the arched doorway leading from Holodeck One, straightening the lie of her cranberry red command uniform. Tapping the communication badge over her left breast, she stated, "Janeway to Chakotay."

"Chakotay here. Go ahead, Captain."

"Status, Commander?"

"On course for the Alpha Quadrant. Nothing unusual on sensors."

"Then I'm going to get some breakfast."

"Enjoy. Neelix's special this morning is Vreldt eggs on toast."

Kathryn rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the warning."

Before the com system closed, she heard Chakotay's robust laugh and smiled herself. Neelix's concoctions were fine, most of the time, now. In the beginning he had possessed no clue. He had learned, mostly through trial and error, over the last six years what probably would work with most of the crew. Vreldt Two was a planet they had left only a few days earlier, and the foodstuffs Neelix had bartered for were still mostly untried. Eggs were eggs though, right?

Entering the mess hall, Janeway was instantly recognized and greeted by Neelix. He left his post behind the counter, scooping a cup off the counter. Not another native shot at coffee? she hoped.

"The Vreldt suggested this would make an excellent caffeinated brew for you, Captain."

By the thinnest of margins she avoided rolling her eyes. "Thanks, Neelix." Gamely she tried the beverage, sipping cautiously at the steaming dark contents. The liquid was sweet, the aroma almost fruity with an undercurrent scent of something almost like almonds. Attuned to caffeine, her body immediately recognized the introduction of the potent energizing source and she felt her heart race a little. Then she felt the flush of higher energy already hitting her brain. What a wake-up call! She pulled the cup from her lips. "Nice kick," she reported.

He promised her a plate of the eggs if she would just take a seat. Crossing to the tables over by the large transparencies, she was just pulling out her chair when the doors to the mess hall opened, drawing her attention to them. People came in and out all the time, but the decision to glance up pleased her when she saw it was Seven of Nine entering.

The young woman was immaculate as ever, hair secured in a French twist, biometric support suit snugly fit to her lean, curvaceous figure.

Seven went directly to the replicator and Janeway overheard the order of "Supplement number 14." When it had materialized, Seven swept it from the console and started for the exit.

"Good morning, Seven."

Janeway smirked as Neelix's greeting stalled Seven's hasty exit perfectly. The young woman turned politely and inquired, "Is there something you require?"

Neelix shrugged. "Just thought I'd say 'good morning'."

"Good morning," Seven replied. The words were simple enough, even issued gently, and if Janeway was not mistaken, the young woman offered a hesitant smile.

Good on you, Neelix, Janeway thought. She started toward Neelix and Seven before she had another thought. "Good morning, Seven."

"Captain?" Seven drew herself up cautiously at Janeway's approach, the ease with which she had been speaking to Neelix evaporating like water vapor.

"Oh, I forgot your breakfast! Please, Captain, excuse me."

"Neelix," Janeway looked away from Seven, who had not yet stopped staring at her, and grasped his arm. "It's all right. Hold it... for lunch. I've got to get to the bridge."

"Um, all right." She let go of his arm and he looked up at Seven. "Anything else for you, Seven?"

"No, thank you. I should also report to my post."

Janeway put herself in stride with Seven as the young woman exited the mess hall.

"Was there something you needed, Captain?"

The question unexpectedly caused a shiver down Janeway's spine. "No, just thought I'd join you in Astrometrics."

"My report is not yet ready."

"No hurry."

They walked in silence together to the Astrometrics lab, and after about fifteen minutes watching Seven bustle around, exchanging greetings with Icheb, Kathryn Janeway took herself off to the bridge.