Gun Brookes Advent Calendar 2012
Star Trek Voyager /Devil Wear Prada – Crossover
Dangerous by Design
The bar was like nothing Seven had ever seen. Standing behind Kathryn and Miranda, she gazed around the Minya'ar club. Crystals, rare metals, adorned most of the walls and furniture. It would've given a cold expression, but the pulsating lights made it warm, inviting. Even sensuous. No doubt that was the intention.
A hostess walked up to them, smiling brilliantly. "Welcome to the Minya'ar, ladies." She motioned with her hand. "Dining section or the stage area?"
"Stage area," Miranda said.
"Certainly." The woman, dressed in a glittering dress and with her hair in the most intricate braid Seven had ever seen, led the way. Soon they assumed their seats around a tall table by the stage that was really a long, winding runway. The hostess took their cocktail orders and hurried toward the bar, no doubt encouraged by the look Miranda gave her.
"There," Kathryn murmured and motioned with her head toward one of the gilded cages dangling from the tall ceiling.
It took Seven a moment to recognize the shy and stumbling ensign she had found infuriatingly slow and inaccurate when it came to her work performance aboard Voyager. Here, Tal Celes was dressed in a miniscule golden garment, a sort of bikini, and was dancing provocatively to the sensual music. Every now and then she caressed herself, even her breasts, which Seven found equal parts curious and intriguing. She had never frequented an establishment such as Minya'ar, and certainly not seen anything like this in public.
"She's stunning." Miranda nodded approvingly. "I'd say she has the look that easily lends itself to change, depending on outfit and makeup."
"Who would've guessed that our little awkward ensign could transform into this?" Kathryn smiled wistfully. "I did see her grow tremendously the last year aboard Voyager. I guess her development curve went straight up."
"I'll say," Miranda said.
The hostess approached with the drinks and Kathryn turned to her with a confident smile.
"We'd like to talk to the girl dancing over there." She pointed at the cage.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Golden Butterfly doesn't perform in private. She only dances out here in the club area."
"No, you misunderstand. We want to talk to her. Out here. In public." Miranda nailed the hostess with what Seven had named her 'evisceration' glare.
"Certainly. Of course. I'll tell her." The hostess, several shades paler scurried off.
Seven sipped her glass after removing an odd and superfluous little paper umbrella. "She sees us," She followed Tal as she climbed down the chain to the floor, avoided skillfully the groping hands of an inebriated man and the cat calls from a table where four women sat.
"Cap—Admiral Janeway," Tal said as she reached their table. "It's been a while."
"It has." Kathryn smiled and motioned to the chair next to Miranda. "I understand from Admiral Neyachev that you are the best person to assist us in our mission."
"If you mean I'm the best person to introduce you to Maladorian's next in command, I think there's something you need to know." Tal spoke in a low voice, carefully glancing around them. "Nash Forster and I didn't exactly part on good terms." She snorted and leaned back, a pained expression ghosting across her face. "She might actually kill me on sight."
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Janeway frowned. "I was led to believe that you have some pull with this woman."
"You'd think that, wouldn't you, considering that we sort of hit it off initially." Tal gave a one-shoulder shrug. "Nash is a dangerous woman. In itself, that can be rather thrilling and I fell for that. The dangerous, bad-girl routine. It was when I discovered who her associate was that I realized it wasn't a routine."
"You understood that you were getting too close to the Alpha Quadrants worst crime boss alive." Miranda sipped her drink. "What was your reaction?"
"I contacted my superior officer. She took it up with the brass and came back within twelve hours, ordering me to cultivate the relationship." Tal curled her lips into a wry smile.
"You say relationship…of a romantic nature?" Janeway saw Seven sit even straighter out of the corner of her eyes.
"Oh, yes. Hot and heavy." Suddenly Tal blinked. "Capt—damn, I mean Admiral, it was easy at first. I just had to go with what my body told me. Then—it became more. She has a way to get under your skin, Nash. For being so callous, and I'd say greedy, she is also warm, caring, and nice. When she wants to be. That made me start to believe it could happen. You know." She swallowed hard and wiped at her eyes. "Love?"
Janeway grabbed a paper napkin and gave it to Tal. "And?"
"And that's when I remembered. She was the next in command to the man who was directly and indirectly responsible for my parent's death. I got to spend ten days. Ten days, Admiral, with mom and dad after we returned to the Alpha Quadrant. Then their colony was attacked the day before I was to join them. Eight-hundred people, men, women, and children, died on Logg's Prime."
"I only learned of this today." Janeway wondered now if the brass had kept this from her deliberately. Nobody at any of the Voyager reunions ever mentioned anything about Tal and her family. That in itself was odd and it was only because of her own heartache at the time that she'd not been attentive enough to question Tal's absence.
"Now we know, you do not have to carry the burden alone anymore, Tal Celes," Seven said, her voice soft and resonate. "We are here because we need your assistance, but I also feel you need out emotional support. Your new orders are to join us on the Brilliance and thus go find Nash Forster, and thus you might find out her true feelings regarding you personally as well."
"D-didn't you hear me? She most likely hates my guts for just leaving her without an explanation. Nash is a bit on the possessive side."
"I still maintain that all might not be what it seems." Seven smiled faintly. "Just remember how everybody perceived the two of us, each in our own way. Today, we both have exceeded everybody's expectation, do you not agree?"
Tal guffawed, but nodded in agreement. "I'd say so. Me from a wimp to an agent. You from a Borg automaton to a brilliant and stunning scientist."
"And if I found love, so you can you."
Janeway winced. Too many personal revelations about to ensue. "So, pack up your belongings and report aboard the Brilliance in two hours, Lieutenant. Lt. Commander Wu is head of security. She expects you."
"Aye, ma'am," Tal responded, but it was Seven that received her careful smile. "See you soon then?"
They stood, and Miranda checked the time. "Oh, my goodness. I guess I have time to join Andrea and the children after all. I know I should be thrilled, but honestly…I'm a great deal more apprehensive about what they might expect of me at this Water Wonder World place rather than what we're about to face regarding Maladorian."
And this comment made Tal Celes go from a careful smile to uneasy laughter.
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The Water Wonder World was every bit as loud, cramped, and, well, wet, as Miranda had feared. Dressed in stylish city shorts, a sleeveless shirt that Andrea had made especially for her, a large sunhat and sun-shields to protect her eyes, she tapped her comm badge. "Miranda to Andrea. Where are you?"
"You're here!" The jubilant voice of her lover pierced the noise around her. "We're over by the Raging Roaring River."
"Wonderful." Consulting the map of the vast park, Miranda located what sounded like a horrible way to have 'fun'." She noticed a few people doing double-takes as she passed them. Not acknowledging their stares, she saw Andrea and the girls, which was in fact impossible to miss as they were all three waving madly.
"Mom, you came just in time." Cassidy flung her arms around Miranda's waist. "We're just going on this one."
"Oh, Bobbsey, I'm not going on that." Above her, the people already enjoying themselves howled. "I'm—I'm not dressed right."
"Sure you are, Mom." Caroline tugged at her hand. "You're wearing short and I've waited and waited to show you that I'm not afraid to go on the rides anymore."
"That's brilliant, Bobbsey, you're obviously braver than I am."
"Aw, come on, Miranda. I don't think we'll get all that wet."
Miranda cocked an eyebrow. "You've got to be joking."
"No, I'm not." Andrea pointed at some people coming through the exit. "See. Not drenched. A little damp at the most."
Miranda regarded the people, most of them dressed in fluorescent colored clothes. Granted, some of the more avant-garde designers had gone down that route a few years ago, but these people had no doubt found these loud garments at the local swimwear and leisure suit shops. "Does it really mean that much to you, Caroline?" She tapped her lower lip with her index finger."
"I really, really want you to come. So does Andrea and Cassidy." Caroline tilted her head and looked imploringly at Miranda.
"Oh. All right. If my hair is hanging like a limp dishrag afterward, I won't forgive either of you. And quit smirking Andrea." Keeping a straight and stern face, Miranda made sure they had no idea how difficult it was to keep from bursting into laughter.
The line wasn't very long and sooner than Miranda was comfortable with, they sat down in what looked like an old fashioned canoe. "Doesn't this thing even hover?" Miranda frowned.
"Some of the way, yes. Mainly it floats along and the scenery is quite beautiful." Andrea looked way to angelic to be trusted. Her eyes sparkled in a manner that made Miranda weak at the knees and highly suspicious. The young woman that had once and for all captured her heart was not to be trusted when it came to her quest to 'educate' Miranda in how you 'just kick back and have fun.' A fruitless endeavor, Miranda thought, being unproductive and just 'kick back' was not in her nature. She regarded her girls and saw in them an unbridled joy, something they hadn't always felt around her, she knew that. Andrea's presence had unlocked something…so perhaps there was something productive and worthwhile in relaxing and just enjoying the moment with her family. It might just strengthen her and add to the probability of success.
Seated in the alu-carbon canoe, Miranda found herself between Andrea's legs and with Caroline between her own. Cassidy was up front.
"Stop tickling me, Caro!" Cassidy squealed and didn't sound too angry.
"Hm. Good idea?" Andrea murmured in Miranda's ear.
"Don't you dare." Miranda turned her head and melted completely when Andrea pressed her full lips to the corner of her mouth.
"Oh, I dare, Priestly," Andrea said and gently caressed Miranda's hips and then slid her fingertips up to her waist. "I know you like this."
"Andrea!"
They were interrupted by the jerking movement that sent the canoe forward. Miranda knew that it was steered along the manmade river by a magnetic strip, and she prayed there'd be no technical malfunction. At first, it was an indeed a beautiful scenery around them where the magnetism pushed them forward. She relaxed against Andrea who wrapped her arms around her.
"Brace for impact," Andrea whispered and then every sound was drowned out by the roaring waterfall, the twins echoing screams of terror-filled delight. Behind her, Andrea gasped and then laughed and laughed.
Miranda clung to Andrea's hands, keeping her lover's arms safely around her. She wasn't afraid, how could she be, when she was surrounded by the people she adored. And before she knew it, Miranda joined Andrea and her girls, laughing and even giving an occasional squeal.
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Andy curled up on the soft faux fur rug by the fireplace in the vast bedroom that came with their suite. Letting hair air dry, she looked dreamily at the dancing flames and enjoyed the nice glow of happiness in her chest after having spent time with the girls and Miranda. She chuckled at the memory of a drenched Miranda stepping off the water ride, her hair in the sexiest damp waves. At least they knew now that the top she designed for Miranda didn't become see-through while wet.
"What's so funny, Andrea?"
Miranda's voice right next to her made Andy jump. "Oh. Eh. Nothing?"
"Oh, I know. You're thinking of when you lured me into that god awful canoe." Her glittering eyes belied her words as she sat down next to Andy.
"You enjoyed it," Andy said, smirking.
"I did. Until that last waterfall. You had my children and I go freefalling in a canoe!"
"They loved it."
"Of course they did." Her voice softening, Miranda cupped Andy's cheek. "They love you."
"You think so?" Andy hoped this was true. She adored those girls and not to mention how much she loved Miranda.
"I know so."
"And you?"
Miranda tilted her head, pressing an index finger at her lower lips, something she often did when she wanted to distract the person she was talking to. Andy had also often noticed how Miranda tended to do this, but slowly, sensually, when she was beginning to get aroused. This prospect made Andy forget about wistful thoughts by the fireplace.
"What do you think?" Miranda began to purse her lips, but then smiled brightly. "I love you."
"Oh. Uhm. The girls asleep?" Andy asked, changing the subject surreptitiously after regaining her bearings.
"They are." Miranda combed her fingertips through Andy's bangs, adjusting them. "They were quite exhausted, but very happy. I had to promise them to come back for their birthday next year."
"Sounds like a great plan." Andy circled Miranda's waist with her arms and pulled her closer. "I know of another brilliant plan."
"So it would seem." Soft and sexy, Miranda's smile took Andy's breath away. She slid her hand down her neck, her touch making goose bumps erupt along Andy's arms. "So it would see indeed."
"Computer. Privacy lock on master bedroom door." Andy grinned. "Let's see if I can coax your skin to go into goose bump mode." Andy moved her hand from Miranda's waist to the back of her hair where the tresses lay in damp waves. "Oh, yes. I have the touch too, it would seem." She leaned in and pressed her lips to Miranda's neck. She let the tip of her tongue paint a wet trail down to her collarbone. "You smell amazing."
"A-Andrea." Miranda's voice caught and she gracefully lay down on the thick faux fur rug where Andy had tossed a few large pillows. "Mm. Is this what you want? Did you plan this?" She was trembling now. "Me, in just a robe, splayed on the floor for you to do with as you please?"
"Oh, Gods, yes." Andy untied Miranda's belt and pushed the silk robe open. "You're not cold are you?"
"Do I feel cold?"
"No. You're hot. Scorching." Andy ran her hands up and down along the slight curve of Miranda's stomach, enjoying the velvety sensation. "And so damn sexy."
Miranda just laid there, arms extended above her shoulders, her eyes half close. "Mm."
"I just might have to sample you." Andy pressed her lips to Miranda's, parting them without any resistance. Miranda's tongue, strong and combative, met hers and their kissing seemed to go on forever. Finally Andy pulled free, gasping for air. "Miranda…" She pushed off her own robe and then moved in on Miranda's breasts. Pushing them together, she enjoyed the feel of the rock hard nipples, effortlessly going back and forth, nibbling, tasting, tugging, until Miranda was a whimpering mess.
"Andrea, oh, please, please, you're going…going to be the death of me. Please, darling…" Miranda's hips shifted restlessly beneath Andy, clearly trying to rub against her.
"No, you're fine. Very horny, but very fine."
"Oh, you—"
"Is this what you need, Miranda?" Andy pushed her hand down between them. "This?" In between drenched folds, she found Miranda's core waiting, no, desiring, her caress. "Like so?"
Miranda pushed her hands into Andrea's hair and pulled. "Damn it, just do it. Oh, please."
Andrea loved to tease, but wasn't much for tormenting, so she entered Miranda and curled her fingers just so. This seemed to send a current throughout Miranda's body. Wailing, Miranda wrapped her legs around Andy, pressing her closer.
Andy wasn't prepared for how it would feel to grind herself against her own hand where it was lodged between them. Nor did she know just how close she was to her own orgasm. She stared with greedy eyes at the stunning, amazing woman who actually loved her, who now thrashed beneath her, begging to come. She knew for a fact that Miranda never begged for anything, but she did in bed with Andy. Every single time.
"Miranda…you're so beautiful." Andy whimpered as Miranda tugged at her hair, pulling her in for a voracious kiss.
"Andrea, you're…you're mine. Don't you ever forget."
"I am." Andy was sobbing now as they pushed against her hand, both of them striving for that moment when they truly became one. "I am. Don't ever let me go, Miranda. Please."
"Never"
"Miranda!" Andy couldn't wait. Her stomach clenched, her sex convulsed and then her whole body engaged in the sweet agony.
Miranda followed a moment later, bucking up twice more, then freezing before tremors took over and she flung her arms around Andy's neck. "Andrea, oh Gods. Andrea, darling, darling…"
Andy was in her own little orbit and not quite ready to answer verbally. She buried her face in Miranda while she pulled her poor aching hand free. "Mm."
Miranda rolled them on their sides. Somehow she produced a pillow from the nearby armchair and a blanket. Andy couldn't remember ever being more comfortable. Sure, the floor was hard, but she didn't care. Tomorrow morning, they were due back on the Brilliance, but right now she was in Miranda's arms where she belonged.
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Seven entered the conference room just behind her lover. She thought it was fairly obvious that their last evening and night on Risa had been very pleasurable. If Andrea's broad smile was anything to go by, she and Miranda had not wasted the romantic setting either.
Miranda wasn't present at this briefing and only the Brilliance Chief of Security, also a well-known face from Voyager, former Maquis rebel Ayala. Kathryn had offered him the rank of junior lieutenant when Voyager was transported to the Delta Quadrant, some seventy years from home. The Maquis rebels were integrated and Ayala was one of the ones who thrived and did his job exemplary. To see him hold such a position aboard one of the flagships was pleasing. Usually any Starfleet officer would stand in line for years to serve on a galaxy class vessel, but clearly Ayala had impressed the brass. Here he was, and promoted to the rank of Lt. Commander at that.
At the other end of the room, standing by the view port, dressed in plain civilian clothes, Tal Celes looked pale and her lips a fine line.
"How are you?" Kathryn asked, matter-of-fact, but with her trademark compassion.
"Nervous. Apprehensive. Sort of how I used to feel aboard Voyager, only ten time worse."
"Sit down," Kathryn motioned for Tal to sit down.
"Isn't Miranda going to be here?" Tal asked.
"She can't join us while aboard the Brilliance. Nobody but the four of us in this room knows of her assignment."
They sat down at the far end of the long conference table. Ayala was studying Tal closely, his stony expression not giving anything away.
"It is natural to feel uneasy when a mission involves something so personal." Seven knew she shocked Ayala, but not Kathryn, when she took Tal's hand in hers. "I know I was not very helpful toward you aboard Voyager. I demanded a lot and I made the mistake on assuming that everyone can function the same exact way, all the time. It was more a sign of my ignorance regarding human behavior and capacity, rather any fault of yours. Your recent service record proves that."
Tal exhaled deeply and leaned back in her chair. "Thank you, Seven. That means a lot, actually. I always tried to please you, but I wasn't very good at what I did."
"You are excellent at what you do now." Kathryn tapped her data PADD with her finger. "Since we got back and you trained for your current position, you have gone above and beyond the call of duty numerous times. Still, we realize that asking you to contact Nash Forster is harder than any other mission."
"Yes, but…and I promise I won't let my own feelings interfere, but it will be good for me in the long run to get…closure."
Seven studied Tal's dilated pupils, the slight blushing of her cheeks and the base of her neck. "You are still in love with Nash Forster."
Kathryn flinched and looked back and forth between Seven and Tal. Ayala lost his ability to look expressionless for a few moments.
"As blunt as Seven is, I have to ask you, Lt. Celes, are you still emotionally attached to Nash Forster?"
"I think I always will be." Tal blinked rapidly a few times, but her eyes remained dry.
"Do you anticipate these emotions to come between you and your duty when we take Maladorian and Forster down together with the rest of his organization?"
"No. I can't imagine any scenario when I would become affected enough for me to forgo my duties or my orders." Tal's eyes were now two large, empty pools.
Seven was concerned. Whatever Nash Forster had done to Tal Celes, it had nearly destroyed the sweet young woman she'd been while aboard Voyager. Feeling cold rage permeate her, Seven wasn't surprised when her assimilation tubules emerged from her Borg-enhanced left hand and waggled expectantly. She, too, was ready for this mission.
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Janeway had never felt as much at home as she did right this instant. Claiming the captain's chair, having Seven with her, and on a mission that looked like it could be as challenging as it was dangerous. Her nerves tingled and her heart pumped her blood at a steady pace.
"Ensign Vomak, set a course toward the Toskian sector. Lt. Commander Ayala, stay alert for any surprises. This sector is not for the faint of heart to cross."
"Aye, Admiral," both her subordinates echoed.
Glancing over her shoulder toward the newly installed duty station behind the captain's chair. "Commander Hanson. How's the new astrometrics sensor array?"
"Adequate," Seven answered promptly.
"A bit different than aboard Voyager."
"Affirmative. However, the Brilliance's view screen here on the bridge is larger by thirty centimeters lengthwise, and twenty centimeters height wise. As far as I can tell, the sensors reaches a fifth farther into space. I will be able to offer you more accurate scans."
"Sounds terrific." Janeway glanced around her bridge. This was where she belonged. On a star ship with her beloved Seven. She was also getting very fond of Miranda and her family. Somehow, despite their obvious differences, Miranda felt like a kindred spirit. As luck would have it, Seven had bonded with Andy.
Janeway could hardly remember how she had struggled to find meaning with her desk job once she was promoted to Admiral. The first weeks after Voyager's return had been like an endless whirlwind of briefings, parties, interviews, and all the time she'd been so worried about Seven. Furious, she had watched Chakotay return to his homeworld, not about to wait and support Seven during her ordeal. He had claimed he was getting their future home ready—which had been a lie. Instead, he'd thrown himself into teaching anthropology and lecturing about Voyager and how the Maquis had joined the crew in their attempt at getting home.
Janeway noticed that she was digging her blunt nails into the armrests. Willing herself to relax, she focused on how Seven eventually had broken off the relationship with Voyager's former 1st officer. When she came to stay with Janeway in San Francisco, Janeway had sworn to never let her go. Not again. As it turned out, Seven had been as lovesick as she had. Once she started putting down roots with her new lover, Seven blossomed. When Star Fleet offered her a provisional rank as Lt. Commander, she'd declined at first, but when they agreed to the addendum that she would always work alongside Admiral Janeway, Seven accepted. Janeway smiled to herself. Seven looked fantastic in her Star Fleet uniform. Why on earth had she allowed the poor woman to be displayed in that cat suit aboard Voyager for so many years? A leering voice in her mind claimed it was not without its benefits, but Janeway frowned at it and beat it down. She'd had struggled with a guilty conscience ever since she realized how she and other had violated Seven's privacy aboard Voyager. Now, seeing the young woman like this, professional looking, composed and confident, Janeway wanted to kick herself for not using the visual means of integrating Seven via the uniform already back then.
"Admiral?" Seven's eyes were concerned when Janeway snapped out of her reverie.
"My mind was wandering, Commander. Yes?"
"We'll arrive at the Oshada asteroid cluster in approximately thirty-eight point six hours."
Trying her best to hide a broad grin, Janeway felt better immediately. Some things that needed changing, did, and other things, like Seven's charming approximate accuracy, did not. "Good," Janeway said, relaxing back in her seat. "We need time to prepare."
As the Brilliance sped through space at warp eight, Janeway hoped they would be able to anticipate everything. If not, Miranda Priestly and Tal Celes could be lost.
