This is a bit of a long chapter. I wondered whether to divide it as two, and it probably needs an edit, i haven't even got to lunch. But I think the muse is on the fritz, and I need to move on! Lets think of it as a double feature.

-0-0-0-

Seven Janeway

I will not feel trepidation as I walk towards the Captain's door. Kathryn, it is my sister Kathryn. I say this several times. Unfortunately, I do not comply. I hesitate at the door. Removal of the failsafe has had more adverse effects than I had anticipated. Indeed, I had not anticipated any. I will not feel trepidation. It is irrelevant. I press the chime and the door opens into her home. Her home with Chakotay. I have mostly avoided this. I have shared girls night at my appartment with Sam, Naomi and Tal, and met the Captain at Velocity on the holodeck, and at the cafeteria or at my workplace. I have avoided here. Here represents her success over me.

I walk in, and she greets me with a hug, but what captures me is the mixture of scents. The blend of the musk and spice of Chakotay's cologne with the floral of Kathryn and the roses in a vase is perfect, even with the undertones of coffee. It rankles that even their olfactory coupling is complementary. There is no doubt that this is their home, not a random accommodation. The captain finishes recycling the breakfast dishes and turns back to me.

'so, Seven, are you ready to shop? or shall we talk first' as always, she takes command, treating me like a child. When will she see that I want to be an equal, not her child substitute. I do not want to be patronised by her condescending attitude towards my relationship with the commander. It was not some youthful indiscretion. i was attempting a true pair bond. It may have not been love, but it mattered.

'talking is irrelevant to this activity' i say icily, stalking towards the door, protecting my pride . I will adapt. I will adapt.

'stop, seven' and she is behind me having swiftly caught up. Her light perfume surrounds me and her hand is on my arm. I look down to shrug it off, and realise that I have missed this. I have missed her. 'Seven, all I ask is that you trust me, again'

She turns me to face her, and all I can see is concern and love in her eyes. The condescension I am expecting is absent. 'I am still angry with you, Captain. It may not have been love, but it was... special, and I thought it was mine. ' I will be defiant. Our talk on Voyager still rankles. I remember them both arriving in the mess, their relationship clear to see, the crew happy and I was, irrelevant. I remember seeing the look of love and concern Chakotay gave her, and knowing that he was never truly mine, and never would have been in any timeline despite his assurances. 'your clandestine love betrayed me. It was deception'

She sits on the sofa and pats for me to sit beside her. Instead I stand before her and raise an eyebrow. In the past, this assertion of my independence would cause her heartrate to increase. I ... enjoyed ... those moments of subtle disobedience. Now, however, there is no such change, and her eyes maintain compassion. 'I have never lied to you, Seven. Stand then, if you wish. Let me tell you a love story' and she smiles 'a disastrous, convoluted love story'

'Kathryn' i interrupt her coolly, though I am aware that nearly every other member of Voyager's crew would scream at me if they were present 'i believe that you could impart this knowledge whilst we purchase our outfits. I believe that your *other* sister would also be pleased to join this discussion' She gives me a wry smile and steps up to join me. 'Seven, in truth, I probably saw you more as a daughter than a sister. But there is no doubt of my ... love ... for you. you know this' she breathes at me. I gaze challengingly at her and then nod my acceptance.

She is correct. She has proved many times of her care for me. I owe who I am to her persistance through adversity. Even when she thought that... well, even then she looked for my comfort as she negotiated with the admiralty, and held my choice as valid with my crewmates. After, she provided me with shelter and support through intermediaries until I would be comfortable with her closer direction again. She arranged for both the counselling she suggested and the Vulcan emotional training I requested, although I initially asserted they were diametrically opposed. Allowing the spill of unwanted emotions to one, and controlling them with the other. However, she was correct here too. I needed to understand those emotions and their roots, and in controlling them, I need to do so with knowledge. I have begun, and will continue. In leaving me, she let me prove my independence from her.

And... I met her mother. I truly have a family. I don't need her in the same way I did in the delta quadrant, but... my life is enhanced by her presence.

I smile at her 'after you, Kathryn'

I will let her explain her love story, and then we will accept our new relationship with the challenge of sibling association. I try to hide the smile as I think 'resistance is futile' where the Janeway family is concerned.

It is only as we hit the transporter that I realise that she said that she loves me. I cannot help the smile. I find I can walk with confidence again.

-0-0-0-

Phoebe Janeway

Hooray! I see them coming from the transporter station. Bang on time, as expected! I should surprise them by being early, but they probably wont notice. Starfleet! However, I have been tactical, and have the morning all planned out. I could laugh as I look at them. Katie is stomping, yet her face is projecting calm. I can tell by the shoulders that in the initial battle of wills, Seven has been the victor. There she stalks, a smile on her face and serenely ignoring all the glances in her direction a borg of beauty in our midst. San Francisco has seen wall to wall Voyager stories, but rarely appearances, and never walking down the main shopping street two of the most notorious women of all. I imagine there will be photographers soon. I am not sure if they are aware, but a security detail is following at a discreet distance.

I wave and jump outside the coffee vendors, and have an effusive wave from Katie, and acknowledgement from Seven. when they get here, I bundle them up onto the balcony. It is relatively private, in that we can be seen, but that there is a conversation disruptor on each table to prevent overhearing. Katie sinks down, grasping the black coffee with huge relief, smelling it appreciatively as if it was her saviour, and then, reluctantly placing it back on the table. Seven swirls the red berry frapaccino and sniffs it suspiciously. 'down the hatches, both of you! it's decaff Katie, wicked waste of coffee, but Mom says you are on a caffeine restricted diet' Ha! she blushes! interesting.

'down the hatches?' Seven responds slowly enunciating each word, clearly amused 'I recall you saying something similar about a storm, though then it was batten?' Katie laughs in her best gravel 'it means drink up, Seven!' and she does just that! I grin as I sip my pumpkin latte and nearly laugh at the hesitancy that Seven approaches her drink. I choose something different every time. 'so, sisters, what is the order of the day - and Seven, this is not really requesting a minute by minute response'. 'indeed' I love the emphasis the girl can place in her one word rebuttals 'however, I believe we have an outfit for tonights premier to buy, and something for the family party, and perhaps a spare item of celebratory clothing?'

I try and stifle a giggle into my latte, nothing has ever got past Katie ' an outfit for a surprise party perhaps?' she drawls, eyeing us both quizzically. I grin back. 'Katie, I think there are going to be any number of surprise parties, evening dinners and first night performances in your near future. You both have the credits, lets get spending!' I can see she is amused, but is prepared to be mollified. In fact, she is just too easy with this. There must be something up. I'm about to ask when Seven updates us on the rest of the agenda 'oh and Kathryn is going to tell us a story as we go around, a 'disastrous, convoluted love story' is how she put it, is that not correct captain?' I nearly splutter my latte across the table! 'Katieeeeee!' I squeal. I swear that she and Seven roll their eyes in unison! 'oh, i love a love story!'

I adore the start, that Katie is such a romantic. She says it is a story of Capulets and Montagues and misquotes wonderfully in her best storytelling voice...

' the delta quadrant, where lies our scene

From cardass grudge broke to maquis mutiny

Where civil blood made starfleet hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes

A pair of star-cross'd lovers stake their life

Whose adventurous dangerfilled overthrows

Do with their deeds bury their parents' strife'

Oh yes! this is Katie in full declaming mode! She and I had a shakespearean acting binge when she was a cadet. She said it prepared her for standing up and being noticed. I guess it might well have done. I had nearly forgotten all the fun we had had turning dreadful experiences into a mock Shakespear play. 'go Katie!' I laugh. even Seven permits a smile, though acidly comments that 'this account could be more simply delivered'. Katie and I share a grin, we know when Seven is complaining for appearances. Anyway, Katie is well into the mood now, and asks us to picture 'a warrior captain proud and true unbowed, far scried her love 'cross hostile space replied... nah! I can't do it Pheebs any more' and she giggles at me. An eyeroll from Seven, and a theatrical sigh of relieve has us laughing harder.

'however, it was pretty much that Romeo and Juliet 'pow!' this gorgeous angry man that I had been sent to capture in sexy leathers, literally scorching the viewscreen and I had to sell him a plan, having to get on with staying alive and ignore personal distractions. then when he beamed aboard, I truly felt that sucker punch' and her face goes pink, clearly thinking of him. 'Damnit, but he threatened me, and instead of fear, I felt a connection.' I pretend to sizzle a finger on her face, as she blushes deeper. ' but you know, we had to make it work, and we had to make it work as a command team. I think we had both felt it, but we had to push through for trust and understanding first. And I tried to push it back, thinking yes, sexy as hell, but I can't do this, I musn't, i placed all the barriers I could in my way. I was engaged! I had a picture of Mark everywhere to remind me! Damn the fates for throwing us together when we just couldn't do anything about it' and she gets up. I can tell when she needs a break.

'Shopping! I say brightly, I have a room and an assistant waiting for us at Maison Patrice - it is quite a new outlet, but it is a good match for what we are looking for, and they are literally wetting themselves to have you as patrons! Walk and talk sisters!' and I swoop them up, air kiss the barrista and note as we walk out laughing that there are photographers on some of the other balconies. 'bogies above girls, best smiles' and I giggle as Katie growls about 'damned paps' but I notice that she laughs and comes to link arms, central to Seven and I as we stride down the pedestrianised central boulevard. We own this street.

-/-/-

'coup de foudre' mutters Seven as we walk. 'really? it seems so... illogical' Katie scoffs at her 'just wait until it happens to you. totally illogical, completely and utterly compelling. Anyway, in between keeping the crew alive, fighting the resident bullies, finding supplies and integrating our teams. It was hard, but so rewarding, so exciting and such fun! What was I saying? there was little time to think of romance, and the starfleet uniform reminded me to keep my distance there!' She grins.

An excited group of children interrupt, running crazily towards Katie, asking if they can have their pictures taken with her. She is gentle and kind, immediately crouching onto her knee and laughing with them, asking their names, what they see in their futures as she ignores the parents with their imagers. There sure are a lot of future captains of starships in the group. My emotions though are caught by her interactions with a shy boy, who she encourages towards her. When she asks him what he hopes for in his future, he says peace. He then blurts out that his parents say that starfleet doesn't work for peace, but is gearing up for war with the Borg and he is frightened. ,

Katie just smiles at him, that smile where her whole self relaxes into it 'you are right, peace is the most important thing, and that is how I aim to serve starfleet. Creating dialogue and understanding between cultures. Looking at what can bring us together. It is easy to see the military aspect of starfleet and life after the recent events, but over the long term, starfleet supports the federation to bring cooperation and peace.' he looks at Seven, easy to see his fear. 'but she is Borg' he whispers. Katie beckons Seven over. 'this *is* what peace looks like, this is having an enemy, a very scary enemy and making an alliance, this is seeing that that enemy is made of individuals. individuals that if you truly listen to, have compassion for and actively pursue understanding, then you can perhaps turn enmity to friendship, and then finally maybe into family. so, however you choose your future, use your wisdom, compassion and understanding to further peace'

She turns to ask the parents if they have their images, and is barely distracted by the semicircle of onlookers that now surround us, nor the new cameras to the back, who will no doubt be playing this on their 'celebrity round up' feature. I hope they damn well dont cut that speech! So she and Seven stand, with the children in front for final images before she waves 'we really must get on, I have been waiting to shop for over seven years!' and to cheers and a path opening, she waves, grabs us both by the arms and then laughing and half skipping whispers to me 'maison whatever pheebs, on the double!'

-/-/-

We are still laughing like little girls, well Katie and I are, whilst seven smiles -I guess it is a start - when we arrive at the front of Maison Patrice to find fednews waiting, the manager and a variety of flunkies. 'thanks a lot!' katie snaps at me, the laughter stopping. 'i had no idea' i whisper back, but I should have done. damnit to orion, I damn straight should have done. 'sorry pheebs, I know, I've got this' and she smiles up at the managers as if she is putty in their hands, and whilst she smiles so reasonably she comments

'if you ever want mine or any starfleet business ever again, you will *never* pull this stunt without discussion. This is the first time we have met, and I am prepared to be gracious, but publicity comes only on my terms. We have one photo, of only you and I, and then no mention of what we looked at or purchased. If you do this, then you can be sure that I will credit your store if and when I wear such items. If you don't, then they will be donated to charity and I will discuss with starfleet your security risk. Are we clear.' he mumbles back. katie is not for this, in full captain mode she reiterates 'I said, are we clear' and finally, the clear response is 'yes sir!' 'then, lets do it'

As we finally walk in, I notice that she makes a slight gesture, and those two security agents, they come right behind us, and in the private room monitor and remove recording devices, and then set up a disruptor shield. 'we will be waiting outside, captain, and will scan everything coming in and out' 'thankyou Dalby, I am grateful for your help' she smiles at him.

'so!' i say brightly 'party somewhat derailed, but I think we should get it back into gear!' and an'ele our assistant comes in with the formal and semi formal choices for katie, seven and I that we have chosen from the screens. and the fun definitely starts! Katie and Seven have sparkling water, and I learn that Seven cannot metabolise synthehol there is some laughter about an event where she was for the only time inebriated , and Katie is still on a debrief diet, which seems somehwat unusual. soon we are creased with laughter as Katie tells us more of the first 2 years as we twirl in and out of different clothes.

She tells of daring games of coy flirtation, mostly in the ready room, joint training exercises, or on walking the decks, them trying to fix a line that they could safely dance around. using their ranks as words of endearment, a whole world of subtext that they enjoyed hiding. the escalation of this with gradually some spill over onto the bridge, with posturing at the conn 'chakotay has busy eyes' she says, laughing, 'I concur' Seven interjects, 'later there Mr Paris ran a book on his ocular fascination, as well as your tactile targets.'

'Katie! I'm shocked!' I am really, allowing the crew to run books on their commanding officers! 'pheebs, we were out there without safety or support, we couldn't all take shore leave with family, we needed to allow some safe but, well, risky feeling activities! Anyway, I needed those winnings for coffee!' and she giggles some more at Seven's truly horrified face. 'you knew about the betting' 'well, yes Seven, I am sorry to inform you that I always read the scuttlebutt with my first coffee of the day, and purchased my last coffee of the day with my winnings.' 'scuttlebut?' I breathe. 'mm, well, we also had our version of trashpadd - a scurrilous rumour mongering site, where you could be anonymous or not. It worked!' 'Katie, are you sure this was a starfleet ship?' I receive a deathglare and put up my hands 'shields to the max big sis! I am defeated. i wasn't there Katie, and i'm glad you got to have some fun' I can feel her standing down her red alert, and then shamefaced, hugging me 'sorry sis,' she murmurs 'but it was a big issue in the debrief, so I go to automatic defend'

'Back to our 'star crossed lovers' then sis' and I take a swig of my champagne, and so, rather naughtily, does Katie. 'one swig can't hurt!' she declares

'well, we escalated to stepping into each others space, he so I could feel his breath on my neck, and I would lean in close over the consul so it could seem I would steal a kiss, I would see just how far I could slowly encroach' She then laughs over chakotay's knowledge of mating strategies and her reply, which got Tom too interested. 'After that, we needed to take the whole thing to highly encrypted PADD communication, which just got wilder and wilder. Somehow, via PADD, it wasn't quite real, and we shared more than we should, though took nothing physical. And then there was new Earth! Damnit! I need alcohol for that Pheebs!'

Seven is trying on dress after revealing dress 'Seven,' I say, 'you need to have dresses that reveal less, not more. It is in what is hidden that the allure lies.' Katie snorts. 'don't be mean Katie, I'm getting to you next, and you can pack away all those frumpy numbers.' I look at an'ele and tell her to bring in my suggested pre choices. It is time for a clothing intervention.

So, you first Seven, pick your favourite from your choices. She picks an absolutely outrageously scandalous scarlet number, clearly made for those that identify with the holovid actresses of dubious repute. Katie loses that next gulp of synthchampagne as she gazes at Seven. She is undeniably beautiful. It plunges down to her navel, where another star borg implant resides, rather attractively and just covers enough of her breasts to allow it to be worn in front of children. It is halter neck, and at the back there is just nothing until the skirt starts at hip. but the most scandalous part is the front. it has bikini panties, and so , the dress splits again under the umbilicus. I roll my eyes. Katie intervenes 'Seven, you are stunning, you look totally desirable in that dress. Buy it, but wear it when you have a ... private... dinner that you want to dress for' 'after a coup de foudre?' 'absolutely, and only then. This dress says that you are available for intimacy. Be sure to only wear it when that is the case... or on Risa' Seven eyes herself smugly in the dress 'noted'. She had better not wear it around my husband, and I am sure Katie would prefer not around Chakotay.

'Now, try on my selections ' I beg. They are form fitting in the lower bodice, but loosely folded and draping material around shoulders across the upper bust and still a scoop back, but the material cascades down the shoulders. It is sheath like to the floor. Simple, elegant, beautiful. Her generous bust is more hidden, with the flowing neckline, but the tight bodice reminds you of its generosity. Although Katie and I draw an in breath at her beauty so showcased, this isn't Seven's idea of style. 'choose this one for the premiere tonight' Katie begs, 'it is stunning, all eyes will be on you, and yet it is appropriate for a starfleet setting ' 'I will take it in red' Seven says. 'Red will be my colour from now onwards' we compromise with her next choice, an evening version of a tea dress, it is lowcut and it shows too much cleavage, though the full skirt to mid calf is demure, but at least Mom won't stop breathing. I help her complete the choice with some 'civilian workwear' as we call it, tailored pants and silk shirts and blouses with some mix and match form fitted jackets. 'you can get rid of those damned catsuits now Seven.' Katie grouses, to a raised eyebrow.

Meanwhile Katie has chosen her own clothing. A number of smartly chic tunic and trouser numbers 'Katie!' I wail as she grins and puts one on. 'OK, they are OK, but not WOW!' She smiles, these are for all the occasions that I'm not dressing up, but will be on the trashPADDs. I like wearing the pants, she grins. The style suits her, loose flowing tunics that just fit at the right points, and tight pants underneath or palazzo. clothes that look good, and have freedom to run.

She then puts on her choice gown, and I agree that it does suit her, but at midnight blue, even with the shots through of silver, it is a very understated classy look though it does have an elegant sculptural quality. You look at her in it, and think beautiful, but your eyes aren't drawn. So I ask her to try on my emerald choice 'it is not dissimilar to the gown you wore at the Voyager party' Seven sniffs. wow! Katie must have been more daring than I thought, I hope I get to see a few more of the images! It is also an easy choice for her. 'i like it, thanks Pheebs' she grins 'and I couldn't really wear that other one out Seven! it was a ... dancing dress' more raised eyebrows.

then I cautiously present my most daring number. Sheath dress in either black or a light to midnight blue ombre- I love that katie and I both know which colours suit her, her favourites for show - in a near opaque andorian silk rather than fully translucent. It gives you the impression of nearly seeing. It has a very tight strapless bodice top which shapes and maximises her feminity. Then there is the optional overdress. this is indeed the very finest of fine translucent silks, barely visible except when layered, and it goes over the skirt part as a waterfall in silver with a subtle pattern picked out in replicated diamonds on silver thread, getting more visible from knee to hem. The top is simply a long wide silk scarf of the same material and patterning at its ends. it can be used as a wrap, it can be fixed on the front of the dress and worn to rise and flow over both shoulders or just one as a sash with silver brooches and clasps. It is stunning. As she looks in the mirror, even Seven drops her jaw. 'captain, that is most aesthetically pleasing' as well as being by far the most expensive. Katie gets the blue and then asks whether the designer is available for commissioned other works.

Katie pays. Seven really hasn't grasped how payment works in Earth society. 'its essentially replicator rations, Seven, I am spending them in this shop, I have seven years of backpay, and a mission bonus that I haven't spent' 'but we did have replicators?' 'minimal use, Seven, we were very very careful out there. Mine mostly went on...' 'coffee/coffee' we all say in unison and laugh.

Whilst we are waiting for the designer, katie finally launches into new earth, and when she allowed herself to realise that this truly wasn't desire and flirtation, but love and destiny. She tells of a bathtub, a storm, of Chakotay's declaration via legend, which I think is fairly awful, but Seven declares to be 'irrelevant nonsense, expected from someone with such an allegorical tribal mindset... ' Katie is just outraged, saying it was the most beautiful declaration of love she has received. 'he didn't mention love!' Seven is quick to contradict. Katie turns round, hands on hips and says snappishly 'and that is why he is *my* soulmate' There is a silence, when Katie's eyes go wide as she realises what she has said, we both stare at Seven. She eyes Katie without backing down 'indeed, and you are most welcome' is her eventual reply in tones of ice.

'dammit Seven! I don't want to spend the rest of our life pussyfooting around the topic of Chakotay. I'm going to put it out there, and you can decide what to do with it. He was *my* man. The whole crew new I loved him, new he loved me. He was my dream of homecoming, he was what kept me sane, he is the breath I need for my lungs, the oxygen my heart wants and my soulmate. *you* knew this. yet you propositioned him. Did you do it for spite, rebellion, to show you could? Or did you truly love him, choose him?'

'you are angry with me?'

'damn straight I am, or maybe mostly was. But also with me for pushing him too hard, him for being a faithless p'tak, and the delta quadrant, for taking everything I had to give ... I loved you both, I would have said nothing in the delta quadrant, and I saw the Admiral as the end result - heartless bitch'

'i believe that I chose the commander because you did not. I saw his need when you did not, and I have seen him love before *not you*, and surmised he could do so again. He is gentle, would allow the relationship to develop at the pace I set, put my needs first, and prove to be accommodating. He has good aesthetics and is well respected. I was ... attracted to him and thought this might develop into love. There were few others on Voyager at the time I would consider. I believe I may have had a limited view. I was ... angry ... with your developing friendship with the doctor reducing our time together and for Icheb's reduced reliance on me for advice. Therefore your emotions were irrelevant, and perhaps I sought to take something of yours in return ... I..regret that.'

I am cheering inside, Mom is going to be so proud of me for engineering this little exchange of frank opinions. I keep absolutely quiet.

'are you still angry with me, Seven?'

'...no. I was mistaken, Kathryn. I acted out of misadvised jealousy. I... I wanted to be you. the commander is not the right partner for me, though he would have been an acceptable first dalliance if it had not unsettled our relationship. I wish for us to renegotiate our parameters. I am undamaged, and have gained insight through this unfortunate experience. I wish us to put aside our anger on this matter. Is this acceptable?'

I am holding my breath at this point

'I will comply' says Kathryn with a smile of such happiness, that only now do I realise what this fracture has meant to her as well as Seven. When an'ele comes back with the designer's contact, she finds all three of us hugging, and 2 of us alternately crying and laughing.

Katie admitted that she did shut out Chakotay in those last few months, she had built a wall around her love and friendship. 'Damn, but I need lunch to do the hard part! in the end for us, in very truth it did turn out that for our last months of travel it was as Shakespeare would say

"Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs;

Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes;

Being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears.

What is it else? A madness most discreet,

A choking gall, and a preserving sweet.'