Raffi watched as Seven paced back and forth in the opulent study of Chateau Picard where the crew had retreated to for some "well earned R & R." as Jean-Luc had suggested a few days prior. She had confided in him after Seven explained how Kathryn had suggested finally meeting face to face, invoking a minor bout of anxiety in the former Borg. Picard had offered his family vineyard as a possible meeting place for the two women and Raffi had suggested that "since we're heading to 'His-Lordship's Estate' that Janeway could come there?" Seven had agreed and the meeting had been arranged.
"Honey, you're now making me nervous, " Raffi finally spoke after watching Seven go back and forth, time and again, in front of the large windows offering a spectacular view of the vineyards.
The pacing continued, her words having no effect.
"Ok, now I know you heard me, that super-duper hearing of yours 'n' all." she reached for a metal-lined hand, "honey, stop."
Seven stopped and slowly stepped towards the large oak desk and sat down upon its edge and immediately begins wringing her hands, unable to contain her anxiety at seeing Kathryn Janeway for the first time in too many years.
Stepping slowly towards her Raffi took the hands in her own, gently stroking the knuckles with her thumbs.
"Babe, it'll be fine."
Study doors whooshed open and Jean-Luc entered the study, stopping just inside.
"She's here," he announced in his dignified tone and left quietly.
Raffi heard the air being sucked into Seven's lungs as she visibly tensed. Taking the pale face in her hands Raffi looked into ice blue eyes which now, for the first time since Raffi had met Seven, looked utterly terrified. "Everything will be ok babe…" she whispered with an encouraging nod of her head, making her wild curls bounce gently.
Warm hands slip down the ExB's arms as Raffi slowly makes for the door, Seven gripping onto fingertips as her partner leaves her with a warm smile.
The door again whooshes open as Raffi leaves.
A familiar husky voice floats into the room, just at the limits of Seven's enhanced hearing, causing a rhythmic clenching of her right hand once more. Her eyes shot down towards the floor.
Almost silently, a small, white haired figure slowly, gingerly, enters the study and halts just before reaching Seven.
"... the first time I noticed you doing that was in the cargo bay… you would do it when you felt nervous. " the warm gravelly voice said, slowly taking Seven's hands in her own.
Seven feels the sting of tears as her emotions began to betray her as she slowly lifted her eyes to finally look up. Kathryn could plainly feel the tremble of the younger woman's hands in hers.
Janeway's mouth began to raised on one side in her typical lop-sided grin.
"I've missed you…" she said softly as she watched the tears slip from the blue eyes before her.
Slowly she wrapped her arms loosely around Seven's shoulders as the battle with the blonde woman's resolve finally crumbled, pulling her gently towards her.
"...'m sorry" she mumbled tearfully into a shoulder as Kathryn rested her chin against blonde hair.
"Oh, sweetheart. You have nothing to be sorry for."
Seven's tears plummet into sobs as she finally surrenders into Kathryn's arms, thankful for the embrace of the woman who had meant to much to her.
The older woman pulls her closer, becoming aware of the fact that Seven had never displayed her emotions to her as openly before, and never, had she allowed herself to be held by her like this.
" 've missed you," she whispered through her tears.
Kathryn pressed her lips into the blonde hair, "I've missed you too, so very much." she said as her own grateful tears began to fall. "We're here now, sweetheart, we'll be ok."
Seven lingered on the term of endearment which Kathryn had bestowed upon her soon after she had opened her home to Seven, relishing in the comfort it, and the feeling of a small, warm hand which made gently soothing circles upon her back.
As her tears began to subside Kathryn slowly brought her hands up to gently cup ether side of Seven's face, sweeping away the rivers of tears which lined her cheeks.
"Well, " she huffed out a gentle laugh as she cradled Seven's jaw, "I was going to say that you looked well…" she wiped away a fresh tear with her thumb as it fell, earning a small huffed laugh.
"It is so good to see you Seven."
The notorious former Borg nodded her head, and for the first time that Kathryn Janeway could remember, Seven Of Nine hugged her first.