CHAPTER NINE

The next morning, Kathryn sat sipping her coffee at the kitchen counter, still tingling from the night before. The experience had awoken something within her, fanned a fire that had burned blue, even as she attempted to douse it with a cold shot of reality.

On one level, a layer of doubt and confusion had been lifted. She found herself more at peace about her decisions during the seven years she'd attempted to make it back to Earth, knowing it was all part of some divine law that needed to unfold just as it had, and she'd done the best she could. On the other hand, she was now faced with realizing the story had indeed never ended.

Stirred from her thoughts, she heard footsteps coming down the stairs and looked up as Seven entered the room. She wore an electric yellow blouse-much like the free-spirited garb she had donned in days past-over a pair of tight, black, almost leather-like leggings. Her hair hung in loose golden waves, and her feet remained barefoot. The Admiral swallowed another sip of coffee, almost burning her tongue.

"Good morning," she cleared her throat.

"Good morning," Seven replied as she entered the kitchen to pour herself a glass of water. "Did you sleep well?"

"Indeed," Janeway breathed. "Whatever you did to me, it worked."

Seven smirked as she took a long swill.

"You look like you're ready to go to town," Janeway couldn't help but comment on the blonde's look.

Seven rolled her eyes, but nevertheless continued to smile.

"I have run out of clothing more suited to residing within the house," she admitted. "I do not care for wearing the same items day after day."

Kathryn grinned widely at the admission.

"You've become a bit of a fashionista, I see."

The blonde blushed.

"Do you disapprove of this ensemble?"

"Goodness, no," Janeway assured her quickly. "I think it's rather alluring."

Seven's cheeks continued to burn as she held the older woman's gaze. Janeway stared back.

A sudden beeping noise interrupted their exchange, snapping the women from their reverie.

"A subspace communication," Seven noted, crossing into the living room where the screen was mounted on the wall. Janeway joined the blonde in front of the console. Seven pressed a few buttons and the Doctor's face appeared.

"Good morning, ladies," he smiled sweetly, a sharp contrast from the dark, sterile apartment he sat in on Chaya VII. "You both look like you're in one piece. I take it you're getting along?"

"Yes," Janeway swallowed. "We've had some time to ameliorate our differences."

"Wonderful!" Joe exclaimed. "I cannot tell you how happy that makes me."

The women smiled briefly at one another before returning their eyes to the screen.

"How is Martin?" Seven asked.

"He's not taking things quite as well as I'd hoped, but I think we're finally coming around to an understanding," the Doctor's smile faded a bit. "I should be returning home tomorrow morning."

Kathryn took a deep breath, wanting desperately to try reasoning again, but afraid it would only make things more difficult.

"We'll look forward to seeing you," she told him instead. "Anything in particular you want us to prepare for your arrival?"

"No need to do anything special," he assured them. "Though I have some ideas I will share once I arrive. In the meantime, I have composed a letter for each of you. I wanted to share some of my thoughts about our friendship. I'd appreciate it if you'd read them before I return so you'll have the opportunity to respond, something I know I wish I had done with many people I've known who have passed away."

Kathryn nodded. She stole a look at Seven, who appeared to have slipped back into an emotionless state. She wondered what was going on behind those reflective, steel blue eyes.

"Well then," the Doctor sighed. "I will see you both at approximately 1100 hours."

"Understood," Seven swallowed.

"Enjoy your last night on the Cape," he smiled, before waving rather impishly and signing off.

They both stood still for several seconds, apparently taking in everything that had and would transpire.

"Can you download the letters?" Janeway asked.

"I will retrieve them before joining you in the attic," Seven sighed. "We have done all we can with the materials in the rest of the house."

Kathryn nodded, leaving Seven to complete the task.

After crouching her way into the attic, Janeway massaged her lower back before she began opening boxes, most of which were marked "Voyager." Apparently, this was where the Doctor kept most of his mementos from their time aboard the ship.

She lifted a small velvet box and opened it slowly. Inside was the Starfleet Medal of Commendation she had awarded him after he staved off an attack by the Hierarchy with his improvisations as "Emergency Command Hologram." She laughed quietly to herself as she held the tiny metal pin, remembering just how eager the Doctor had been to propose he be made Captain in case of extreme duress, only to crumble under pressure when given the chance. Thankfully, his imagination came to the rescue. His daydreams had no doubt gotten them into the situation in the first place, but Kathryn overlooked that part of the equation, feeling he had indeed earned their praise for his efforts.

"Here is your letter," Seven interrupted her thoughts.

"Thank you," Kathryn sighed, wiping her brow before taking the pad from Seven's hand. "It's hot up here."

"We should work quickly," Seven spoke softly, appearing less energetic than earlier. "There is still much to be done."

"Agreed," Janeway replied. "I was just thinking back on Joe's stint as the 'ECH.'"

She flashed the medal at Seven before returning it to its box.

"One of his more indulgent ventures," Seven sighed. "I hope he did not retain any of his sketches."

Janeway swallowed hard as she remembered the first fantasy she witnessed: the Doctor sitting in front of a canvas, meticulously drawing Seven, who laid on her side, nude from the waist up. She'd joked about it then, feeling very guilty for imposing.

"Right," Kathryn tried to laugh. "I never spoke with you directly about that incident."

Seven blushed a bit as she opened another box.

"At first it was shocking," Seven admitted. "Though I could not remain angry towards him. Everyone is entitled to have fantasies."

"Indeed," Janeway breathed.

"I seem to recall your own interest in recreational delusions with regards to Fair Haven," Seven smirked, looking up at the Admiral. "Michael Sullivan, was it?"

Kathryn's jaw fell open. Her cheeks went rosy, even as she raised an eyebrow.

"Michael Sullivan was not a delusion," she argued. "He was just as real as the Doctor."

Seven laughed softly. The sound was a godsend to Kathryn's ears.

"Far be it for me to deny you that experience," the blonde noted. "Given your self-imposed regulations regarding romance with the crew."

"You make me sound like a prude," Janeway teased.

Seven glared playfully as she opened another box and pulled out an ancient-looking contraption.

"The holographic imager," she confirmed.

"Dear God," Janeway groaned, leaning back against the wood-paneled wall. "I'm surprised it's not in pieces. I thought surely someone would strangle him after one of those slideshow presentations."

"He is certainly not one for brevity," Seven agreed.

The two continued working for hours, only stopping for a quick lunch before returning to the attic.

Janeway shuffled through one of her boxes, eventually pulling out a flowered lei.

"Before you arrived, Neelix would throw luaus on the Holodeck," Kathryn shared. "They could get pretty wild."

"I do recall Ensign Delaney mentioning a 'pig roast' during one of our shifts in Astrometrics," Seven shuddered.

"The Delaney sisters," Kathryn appeared to remember something. "Damn!"

"Admiral?"

"It's my sister Phoebe's birthday," Kathryn shook her head. "With everything that's happened I completely forgot about it."

"Perhaps you should attempt to contact her," Seven suggested.

"Yes," Kathryn nodded. "I'll only be a few minutes."

The Admiral excused herself, leaving Seven to continue working on the parcels.

She moved on to the last box in her corner, also marked "Voyager," but taped shut. She was unsure at first if she should open it, but given that they were instructed to go through everything, figured she should. After tearing off the sealant, she pulled back the cardboard flaps and peered inside.

Very slowly, she reached in and pulled out a pile of sheet music. Sitting right on top was a yellowed document with the words "You Are My Sunshine" written across the top. Seven ran her finger along the first few bars, remembering how the Doctor taught her to sing the tune, how they'd harmonized together. It was one of her favorite social lessons, shortly before she told him she would not continue under his tutelage.

She took a deep breath and continued to rummage through the box, finding a number of other items from their lessons, gifts she had given him, a special pad that had been uploaded with all of her medical records and a log of her progression, especially in the early days. She put it all back in the box and sat on her heels staring at it, suddenly feeling a bit dizzy. She pulled the pad with the Doctor's letter from her pocket and began to read.

Minutes later, Janeway returned.

"I'm glad I called now," she shuffled back into her spot. "Apparently my mother is dragging her to some awful show at the Fillmore. I don't know why she doesn't just…"

She looked up at Seven, who was staring blankly into space, motionless and a bit pale.

"Seven? Are you alright?"

Seven pulled herself together momentarily, sliding the pad back into her pocket.

"Yes," Seven responded quickly. "I may also require a short break."

"Why don't you get some fresh air?" Kathryn suggested. "I'll keep working."

Seven nodded, and without another word, climbed out of the loft.

After sorting through a few more items, Kathryn couldn't delay reading her own letter any longer. She lifted the small metal pad and pushed the few buttons necessary to unlock the screen.

Dear Kathryn,

God knows we've been through it all. From countless injuries and life-threatening illnesses to a number of heated debates and debacles, we have maintained a connection that goes beyond that of a simple computer program and his Captain. Next to my namesake and creator-the original Dr. Joe Zimmerman-you are the closest thing I have to a family of origin, a mother figure, if you will.

I cannot tell you how much your support of me over the years has meant, especially as you helped Starfleet understand my need for independence. Because of you, I have been permitted to live the life I always wanted, a life absolutely rich with laughter and love. Even through my darkest hours-those of late being the darkest-you have stood by and helped me to embrace my humanity, much in the way you once helped Seven embrace hers. I know that you do not agree with my decision to terminate my program, but I also know that, as you always have, you will stand by me when I need you most, and for that I will be eternally grateful.

You are a magnificent woman, Kathryn. My final wish for you is that you will, as I have, dare to live your life to the fullest, opening your heart to the people who remind you why you fought so determinedly to bring us home.

Thank you, my dear friend, for all that you are.

Love forever,

Joe

Kathryn wiped away the tears relentlessly streaming down her cheeks. She knew they had grown closer over the years, but she hadn't known just how deeply he cherished their relationship. For someone who always wished she'd had children, to be considered a mother figure by not just anyone, but a man she truly admired, was enough to give her a sense of purpose and fulfillment that had been missing from her life until now.

She vowed that she would continue to grow in the direction he called for in his final wish. Truthfully, she'd already taken the first steps.

She tucked the pad into her pocket and wiped away the rest of her tears, suddenly remembering the woman downstairs and noting it had been more than a few minutes since she'd been gone. She achingly pushed up off the wooden floor and stood, making her way out of the attic.