A/N: I'm afraid my efforts to better the spacing were rejected by the word editor, so sorry if it's hard to read! Please do review, it's so great to hear people are enjoying the story, and I hope you continue to do so! :)
Seven's eyes opened on the familiar sight of the cargo bay and she momentarily considered the possibility that the last few days had been a dream, until she saw Kathryn
sitting on a pile of containers intent upon a padd and mug steaming in her hand, waiting for Seven's cycle to end. The sight made something warm inside of her.
"Did you sleep?" She asked, stepping out of the chamber. Janeway looked up at her and smiled gently, making the feeling intensify.
"My quarters are still mine for now." She replied by way of an answer. "How are you?"
Seven was coming to realise just how good she felt, which was surprising given she had gone for long periods of time without regenerating before. "I'm well." She noted the
suitcase by the Captain's feet. "Do you mind if I pack up a few of my own things before we go back? My room is...empty."
"By all means." Janeway agreed. "But don't take anything from Astrometrics just yet."
"I'd like to buy some things." Seven commented. "I don't have that many personal effects."
"No, I don't suppose it made sense to personalise the cargo bay." The Captain looked guilty. "I want to apologise" she ventured "for never giving you quarters. For never
giving you a place of your own."
Seven smiled. "You have given me a place of my own" she pointed out, starting to gather up some of the cooking materials she'd replicated and a few other bits and pieces of
her life on Voyager. "My room, a home. It wasn't that long before we returned that I felt the need for more privacy. I should have brought it up with you. "
"I just don't know why I didn't..." the red-head started started.
"You aren't omniscient, Kathryn." Seven interrupted her, giving the Captain a stern look.
Janeway smirked. "No, I suppose not."
Seven picked up her two bags. "Shall we?"
The Captain nodded and they headed back to transporter room one.
"I was thinking of going sight-seeing later, would you join me?" Seven asked on the short walk back to the apartment. She knew Chakotay had wanted to take her, but she
was enjoying spending time with the Captain.
The corner of the Kathryn's mouth tilted up. "That depends. Would you be willing to come for coffee with my mom and Phoebe first?"
"I would." Seven affirmed, pleased by the invitation.
"So what were you talking to Harry about so animatedly last night, anyway?" Janeway questioned, raising an eyebrow at her younger sister.
Phoebe shrugged. "Oh, you know...The Delta Quadrant." She picked experimentally at a muffin. "Your grand exploits, that type of thing."
Seven took a taste of her first latte. It didn't have the bitterness of coffee that she disliked – the sweetness of the milk balanced it nicely. "I seem to recall you discussing
his clarinet."
Kathryn grinned at this piece of information "His clarinet, eh?" she teased.
Phoebe glowered at her older sibling. "He likes music."
"He asked me to introduce him." Seven pointed out.
"Whose side are you on?" Phoebe complained.
Janeway chuckled and sipped her drink. "This is just heavenly. How I survived on replicated coffee I'll never know."
"I'm glad you suggested the latte." Seven informed her. "I enjoy the flavour."
Kathryn looked pleased as Gretchen sat down with a tiny cup.
"What is that?!" Seven questioned, surprised by its size.
"This is espresso." The eldest Janeway explained. "It's essentially a very strong coffee. Same amount of coffee, but less water."
"I see." Seven decided she would stick with her latte.
The Captain leaned over. "Even I don't drink straight espresso." She said in a low voice.
Seven grinned at her over the top of her mug.
"Do we have an event tonight?" Seven asked as they lazily wandered along the boardwalk late that afternoon. She felt overwhelmed by the last few days, the swirl of events,
fights, people, and Earth all melding into a muddle that left her feeling rather lost.
Janeway shook her head. "No, debriefs start bright and early tomorrow morning, so we get a night off."
"I'm glad." Seven paused to watch a shuttle fly in slow loops over the bay. She turned to the Captain, who was leaning comfortably on the rail beside her, chin in hand,
looking very peaceful. The sight made her smile. It wasn't often Kathryn had looked peaceful on Voyager. "What shall we do next?"
"Hmmm. We haven't tried Irish coffee, but you might not like the taste...We could go out on a boat...We could go see Alcatraz...We could go out for dinner..." Janeway listed.
Seven examined the smaller woman. "Could we just...go home?" she asked tentatively.
"Of course!" The Captain looked delighted, whether by her use of the term 'home' to describe the apartment, or by the concept of a night in, Seven wasn't sure. Kathryn
snapped her fingers. "I know! We'll order Chinese food."
Seven raised her ocular implant. "Why Chinese food?"
Janeway shrugged. "It's what I order on lazy nights in."
"Why don't you replicate Asian cuisine?"
Janeway's lips hinted at a smile. "It's a tradition, Seven. It's fun!"
"A tradition." Seven nodded. "All right, let's 'order Chinese food'."
She did have to admit it was rather enjoyable, sitting on the couch with an assortment of folding paper boxes spread across the coffee table (Kathryn insisted that take-out
food couldn't be eaten at the dining table, for reasons unknown). Seven diligently insisted on using chopsticks to eat, even though it took her a while to master the
technique.
She was most frustrated when she successfully picked up a piece of broccoli only to have it pop out from between her two sticks, much to the Captain's amusement.
"You can use a fork, you know." Kathryn pointed out, adeptly transporting noodles into her mouth.
"These are the proper tools for eating this type of food." Seven insisted, aiming for a piece of tofu.
Janeway chuckled. "Of course." She scooped up some more noodles. "Here, try these." She held out the food.
Seven leaned over and delicately ate the food off of the chopsticks. "Oh, they taste nice!" Kathryn offered her the box, and Seven carefully took some of the noodles. She
smiled triumphantly at the Captain.
Janeway grinned back, examining the blonde. "It's nice to see you smile." She commented. "I like this new, relaxed Seven."
The warm feeling from that morning returned. "I've enjoyed today." Seven set down her box on the table. "You've changed, too." She examined the Kathryn out of the corner of
her eye. "On Voyager you always tried to maintain a certain level of distance. You had to be the Captain, first. "
Janeway nodded, looking away. "I know." She murmured, sadly.
Seven squeezed her arm gently, encouraging the Captain to look back at her. "I understand, Kathryn. It was frustrating, but I understand." She smiled, selecting a new box
from the table, and leaned back into the couch and sighed happily. "I'm glad you suggested Chinese food." She opened the box and her face took on an appalled expression.
"What are these?"
Janeway looked into the box. "Prawns," she announced in amusement, pulling one out with her fingers "in garlic sauce."
"Crustaceans?"
The Captain nodded, sucking the garlic sauce off of her prawn before beginning to shell it.
Seven selected one and delicately copied the Captain's motions before popping it in her mouth. "I do not like the texture." She informed the red head after she'd swallowed,
grimacing.
"Seafood takes getting used to if you haven't grown up eating it." Janeway suggested.
Seven picked up the noodles and went back to eating them. "Eating took getting used to." She made a face. "Especially when trying to deal with Mr. Neelix's cooking." Her
chest tightened at the thought of her friend, now so far away.
"He was overly creative with his cooking, but he got us out of some tight spots." The Captain agreed with a sigh. "Neelix made so much of the journey with us. I know he's
happy, but I do wish he'd gotten to experience Earth."
Seven looked down into her noodles. "I do, too." Suddenly she wasn't so hungry anymore. Thinking of Neelix made her think of all the things she'd grown used to and now
lost. Almost everyone else was home, the place they'd been chasing for so many long years, whereas she was displaced and uncertain. Voyager had been home. She had
thought she could depend on Chakotay to provide her with support here, but it was becoming evident to her that their short relationship on board the star ship might not
survive the transition to Earth. Would he follow through on what he'd said last night? Or would she find that back on Earth, as she developed her bond with Kathryn, her
relationship with Chakotay would crumble? It made him so angry, and he wouldn't say why. Why did he find it acceptable for him to flirt with other women, but she couldn't
have a close friend? Seven frowned at the thought.
"Seven?" The concern in Kathryn's voice cut through her line of thinking.
"I'm alright." She put the noodles back on the table, trying to smile.
"Won't you talk to me?" the hurt in the Captain's tone was unusually discernible. Usually she hid things better. "The last few days...There must be a lot on your mind."
Seven nodded. But...she didn't feel like she could discuss her relationship with Chakotay with Kathryn. She knew he would see it as a breach of his trust.
"There are things about Earth I like, such as the change in our relationship", she started, carefully. "But things were different on Voyager. While I had some issues with the
crew, I was ultimately able to get used to humanity and grow into myself at my own pace. Earth doesn't allow you distance or time to adjust. There is no privacy or respect
for my boundaries. And, as you say, I've changed. My emotions are closer to the surface, I'm expressing them more. What I really need right now is stability, and privacy. I
feel emotionally volatile." She paused. "I can't get used to that when I'm being showcased as some...miracle of humanity."
Janeway took her hand, smiling. "People want to talk to you and about you because you've done an amazing thing. I doubt there are many individuals anywhere who have the
strength of will to do what you have done – to be immersed in the Borg collective for as long as you were and to transition back to their own species. That said, I understand
where you're coming from, and I want you to have your needs met. If you like, I can talk to Starfleet about excusing you from any future press conferences and events. I
think they would allow it, especially given how eager they are to have you accept one of their offers."
Seven squeezed the Captain's hand. The suggestion was just what she needed. "I'd appreciate that. It's not that I want to avoid all social affairs, but I would at least like the
choice of whether to attend the events or not."
Janeway winked. "Wouldn't we all" she sighed wistfully. "But I signed up for this when I joined Starfleet, you didn't. The least I can do is try and get you out of it."
"Thank you." Seven murmured, enjoying the friendly pressure of the other woman's hand in hers. She felt much better after talking to Kathryn, even without discussing the
issue of her relationship with Chakotay. That thought made her pause. No-one else understood her like this, could read her emotions the way Kathryn did. Cared the way
Kathryn did. Chakotay certainly didn't. She turned to find the Captain's blue-gray eyes. "I'm so...glad...to have you." She said slowly, realising as she said it that this was
something she'd been feeling for a long time. She looked away, not sure if it was inappropriate, or even, really, what she meant by the statement. Strangely, she felt like she
should say more, but didn't know what it was she wanted to say. Nervousness flooded out the warmth she'd been feeling.
She looked up to find Kathryn looking equally confused and blushed, starting to pull away from Janeway in order to distance herself from the awkward situation she'd
managed to create. "I..." she started.
The red-head held on to her hand. "No, please don't." Kathryn said quietly "You just caught me off guard."
"Oh." Seven relaxed slightly, letting her fingers slip into the spaces between the Captain's. "Alright."
Kathryn didn't say anything but clasped Seven's hand a little tighter.
Curled beside Janeway on the couch in silence, Seven could only think about how right it felt.
She found a message from Chakotay later, after they'd cleared up their left-overs and gone their separate ways to separate rooms. He'd wanted to have dinner that night.
Seven decided to call him in the morning.
She lay in bed thinking of Kathryn and that warm feeling that she'd never felt when she kissed or held or thought of Chakotay, but, thinking back, she could relate to so many
of her interactions with the Captain.
The next morning she woke late, surprised she'd slept at all. By the time she'd showered and dressed, she concluded it was an appropriate time to call Chakotay. As she had
predicted, he was a little upset at her absence the day before, and that she had explored much of the city with the Captain, but was mollified when she suggested they get
dinner before the event that evening.
"May I escort you to the party afterwards?" he questioned.
"I would like that." She agreed. Even if the Captain could get her out of the events, it probably wouldn't be approved for a few days, at least.
She entered the kitchen to find a note from Kathryn, stating that she had an 0700 debrief and would return with breakfast. Checking the clock, Seven concluded that she had
time to compose a message to her aunt, regarding a more private meeting, before Janeway's return, and settled onto the couch to do so.
She had just finished when the door opened to reveal Kathryn with a tray and bag. "Good morning!" the Captain greeted her cheerfully.
"Good morning. How was the debrief?" Seven got up to take the tray from her.
"It went surprisingly well. I was expecting more charges against me for not following Starfleet protocol." Janeway started. "This is only the first of many, so it's hard to tell at
this point where things will go, but it's looking better than I thought." She smiled. "I brought a latte for you." She pointed to one of the beverages.
Seven took the cup carefully from the tray. "Is this all from the place we went to yesterday?"
Janeway removed her own cup and nodded. "I got a few different baked goods. I wasn't sure what you would like." She pulled a box out of the bag and opened it to display a
variety of things.
Seven selected a bran muffin. "Food on Earth is very different than on Voyager. It seems so luxurious here."
Janeway chuckled. "It makes it hard to go back, that's for sure." She sipped her coffee. "Oh, and I got your request approved. You don't have to come tonight, or for most of
the nights after this. There are a few events they want you at, but you'll have much more leeway."
Seven grinned. "Thank you so much, Kathryn."
"My pleasure, though I'll miss your company." The red head smiled back, her cheek propped against her hand.
"Well, I've actually told Chakotay I would attend today's party – I didn't think you'd be able to get Starfleet to agree so quickly – so I'll be there tonight at least." She
examined Kathryn surreptitiously, hoping for a positive reaction, and was rewarded.
"Fantastic! It's finally somewhere besides Starfleet headquarters." Janeway said with enthusiasm. "We get to go to an actual bar!" she joked with a wink.
Chakotay certainly outdid himself with dinner. He took her to a lovely restaurant and had arranged a very private table that kept them hidden from most of the other guests,
which Seven very much appreciated.
The look in his eyes when he'd seen her in the cocktail dress she was wearing was extremely gratifying, but somehow it didn't compare to the way Kathryn had responded.
He asked all about her previous day, and told her about his debrief.
"I'm going to be formally accepted back into Starfleet. It'll mean a bit of a demotion, but it's the right decision."
"I'm glad for you." She smiled. "You must be looking forward to the vacation time. Going to the desert."
His face lit up at the mention. "I am. It's been too long." He squeezed her hand gently, looking like we was going to say more, but didn't. The time passed amicably, and soon
it was time to pay and make their way to the bar.
It wasn't a long way, so she suggested they walk. Looking at the stars as they walked along made her feel more at home, though so many of them were blotted out by the city
lights. Between Janeway and Chakotay she felt extremely spoiled, and made the mistake of voicing the thought, which made Chakotay angry, though he tried to conceal it.
"Why? What is Kathryn doing for you?" he questioned with an edge to his voice.
Several biting responses flickered across Seven's mind, but she suppressed them. "I told her that all of the events were making me uncomfortable, so she asked Starfleet to
excuse me from them. They approved the request." She felt defensive. "It was very kind of her."
"Then why are you coming tonight?" he demanded.
She stopped walking, pulling her hand from his. "Because you invited me. I told you I would be your date." She didn't mention that she hadn't known yet that she didn't have
to attend.
"Oh." Chakotay was suddenly contrite. "I'm sorry. I'm a little on edge about your relationship with the Captain."
"I'd noticed." Seven commented acerbically, balling her hands as they continued down the street.
At the bar, she posed politely, if briefly, for photos, before dropping Chakotay's hand as they entered the space. She spotted Harry and Phoebe at the bar and headed for
them, leaving Chakotay to trail behind her.
At first, he followed her, but as she ignored his jokes and touches, he eventually left her in favour of other company.
She actually had quite a nice time, chatting first with Phoebe and Harry, who seemed to have been spending a fair bit of time together, and later, when Kathryn joined them
after escaping the foreign dignitary who was hosting the event. She found herself noticing how often the Captain touched her, how often she touched the Captain. How had
she not realised this before? Her skin tingled.
At one point she felt someone's eyes on her and turned to find Chakotay watching her. She stared back levelly, and he eventually looked down, his fists clenched. Angry.
Seven ignored Chakotay's messages after that, not wanting to sit down and discuss the obvious: his jealousy and anger, and her feelings for Kathryn had ended their
relationship.
She avoided the events for two weeks, spending most of her time in Janeway's company. If the Captain noticed that she had stopped seeing Chakotay, she didn't mention it,
but came home from events more and more disgruntled, refusing to say why.
Finally, Seven attended Icheb's parents' night. It was essentially an information session on the rigors of Academy training. Seven didn't see any expectations that Icheb
had not already surpassed by far during his time on Voyager, but it was nice to meet his classmates-to-be, and she appreciated how accepting their parents were of her.
He was evidently proud to have her there, and became prouder still when she told him her opinion of his skills. "They're allowing me to advance in some subjects." He
admitted. "In some areas my studies on Voyager went far beyond what is covered in the first year here." He examined her for a moment. "Have you thought any more about if
you're going to apply to the Academy?"
Seven shook her head. "I would like to spend some time exploring Earth before I decide what to do."
"I hear B'Elanna is planning to attend when Miral gets a bit older." He commented. "You could have a friend to do the program with."
Seven almost laughed. Her efforts to bond with the female engineer had never been very successful. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Are you coming to the party later?" Icheb asked. "Naomi really misses you."
Seven sighed. She and Naomi had discussed spending time together but the Wildmans were currently engaged in some much needed family time, so they hadn't done so. "I
wasn't going to." She admitted.
"I think Captain Janeway misses you, too." Icheb suggested.
"How could she?" Seven questioned, puzzled. "I spend most of my time with her."
Icheb shrugged. "She was different, when you came to things." He pointed out astutely. "Now she's tense, and she and Commander Chakotay..." he trailed off.
Seven felt cold. "She and Chakotay...?" she re-iterated.
Icheb examined her "You told me a little bit about what happened".
"Yes." Seven agreed.
"Well, they aren't fighting outright, but their relationship has degraded. They barely speak, and some of the looks he gives her are not very friendly." Icheb explained. He
sighed. "I think you have to talk to him." He admitted.
"Alright, I'll come." She agreed. She didn't want Chakotay treating Kathryn rudely for something that was between him and Seven, but she realised she should have
expected it, given their discussions.
She found Tuvok first as she and Icheb wound their way through the crowd. "Have you seen Chakotay?" she asked. Tuvok wouldn't mind if she didn't observe the
pleasantries.
He nodded. "As a matter of fact, I saw him a few minutes ago. He and the Captain left the room through that door." He indicated a door on the right hand side of the room.
"I'll be back." She informed Icheb. " Thank you, Tuvok." She walked off quickly in the direction they'd taken, concerned that things between Chakotay and Kathryn were about
to escalate.
She walked down a corridor seeking the raised voices she could hear further away. She found them in the same classroom she and Chakotay had talked in a few weeks
before, but paused outside, not wanting to interrupt if she was mistaken on the topic of their discussion.
"Why won't you admit the truth, Kathryn?!" Chakotay demanded.
"And what truth is that? That when she needed you, you were more pre-occupied with your popularity than her well-being?" the Captain retaliated. "Her first night on Earth, a
new world, at a social event full of strangers, and you left her alone to fend for herself!"
"She's not a child, Kathryn!"
"No. Seven is not a child. She's a human being who cares for you, and who has needed your support in an unfamiliar situation. You're in a relationship with her. Start acting
like it. Stop being angry with me when you're really angry with yourself. That's the truth you're looking for." Janeway said heatedly.
"No, the truth I'm looking for is for you to admit that you're in love with Seven. You have been for years. You want her for yourself, and now you're sabotaging our
relationship! She won't even return my calls!" Chakotay responded furiously.
Seven stepped out into the room, not wanting things to go any further. Unfortunately, they were too involved in their argument to notice.
"What type of sabotage do you think I'm engaging in, exactly? Do you really think Seven would ever let me make her decisions for her?" Kathryn demanded.
"You're in love with her!" Chakotay re-iterated. "She sees you as a role model. Of course she listens to you!"
"Excuse me for interrupting." Seven said, wanting to announce her presence. "But I feel like I can resolve some of these issues."
They both turned to her in shocked surprise.
"Seven..." Chakotay started but she cut him off.
"It would seem that by not returning your messages I have caused you to resort to a rash course of action." She turned to the Captain. "Kathryn, I'm sorry for what has been
happening. Out of respect for Chakotay, I tried not to discuss our relationship problems with you, though I wished to. I knew if he found out I had done so, he would be upset.
I can see he has not done me the same courtesy. Icheb told me this evening of Chakotay's behaviour, and so I have come to resolve things. Evidently I made a poor choice
in how to handle this situation."
Janeway gave her a sympathetic look. "I'll leave you two alone, then." She squeezed Seven's arm causing Chakotay to snort. "I'll be in the ballroom." The Captain said to
Seven.
"I'll meet you there shortly." Seven informed her. She waited until the red-head had left the room before turning to Chakotay. "In case I haven't made it clear, this
relationship isn't working."
"It was working fine before she started sticking her nose into it." Chakotay growled.
Seven shook her head. "No, it worked on Voyager. You were a different person there, a better person. I don't have the same feelings for you any more."
"Can't you see that she's in love with you? That she's manipulating you?" Chakotay demanded.
Something twisted in Seven's gut. She wished Kathryn were in love with her.
"She's not in love with me, and she's not manipulating me." Seven said calmly. "And this discussion is over. You're being irrational. Good bye, Chakotay." She turned and left
the room. He didn't try to follow her.
"Kathryn?"
The Captain turned from her conversation immediately. "Seven!" she turned towards the taller woman. Seven reached out for her hand, reassured when the Captain clasped
it in one of hers.
"Is it true, what he said?" she asked quietly, searching the Captain's face as they sat on the couch later that night. "Are you in love with me?"
"I..." Janeway's eyes met Seven's and she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Yes. It's true." She finally admitted, returning her eyes to her teacup, and thus missing
the smile and blush that crept onto Seven's face. Janeway sighed. "I'm going to go." She informed the blonde, standing.
Seven looked up at her, bewildered. "Go? Go where? It's the middle of the night."
Janeway met her eyes. "To Indiana." She looked away. "We can forget this ever happened."
"Forget?" Seven's voice wavered. "But..."
"Chakotay was right. I let my feelings win out. I asked you to live here. I interfered." She held up a hand to gently brush Seven's cheek. Seven moved to catch her hand and
hold it against her skin, but Kathryn pulled away before she could. "I'll go away for a while. I hope you can forgive me." Janeway turned and walked out the front door before
the blonde could respond; grabbing her coat from where she'd draped it on a chair as she went. Seven watched, stunned into immobility, as the door closed behind her.