The five months after her decision to set a healthy example for Gretchen had passed slowly for Captain Janeway. She was very pleased though, that the Doctor had reported nothing concerning about her daughter, nor was Gretchen isolating herself as Kathryn had feared.
The younger woman was commonly with members of her Task Force, even off duty. When she saw Gretchen in the halls or across the room at meals, she was often holding hands with Naomi Wildman or laughing with Sam. The recovered Athena Ariti was ever so slightly reclusive by nature, but there was ship buzz that Gretchen was working with her on a signature perfume for Voyager.
Kathryn herself was trying, very hard, to hold to her end of the bargain, the one that Gretchen did not know they had made. With Kathryn's extra time she played Velocity with Soeur or Seven at least once a week. Their team had won the resumed tournament, which Soeur never failed to bring up whenever they practiced.
Kathryn had decided the best way to avoid isolating herself from her crew was to have a meal with each of them. She invited them three or so at a time, and was planning to go through Voyager's entire roster by the time the men woke up.
She had started with her Senior Staff and any willing K'Terrans, hoping to normalize the practice. Soeur, Be'nl, and B'Elanna had been first, followed by Seven, the Doctor, Bahan, and Bheina. There was good food, and laughter, even some games and music. And it was working, the crew seemed less intimidated by her, quicker to say hello or bring up a concern when she passed.
Kathryn was less lonely but still lonely.
When she made it to Engineering's turn, Kathryn saved the Task Force until last, and then debated whether she should in fact, include everyone on the Task Force. She had wondered, if it was fair to invite Gretchen, but had finally decided the woman was strong enough to decide herself.
When she received the returned invitation with a marked yes, she smiled broadly, trying to tone down her expectations.
It was, after all, one dinner, and Gretchen had Sam, Naomi, and Athena to protect her from unwanted attention. It did not mean anything, the younger woman may simply have not wanted to explain an absence to her shipmates.
Still, I'll be glad to see her, really see her, thought Kathryn, still smiling.
I wonder if my mother misses me this much.
Kathryn was the most nervous about this dinner, by far, than any of the previous ones. She ended up running around hurriedly before the meal, loosing focus and somehow burning the pot roast. She had considered serving all of Gretchen's favorites, but as the woman always seemed to eat the same thing, she thought that would be far too obvious.
Besides, thought Kathryn to herself, I'm not trying to manipulate Gretchen, just to let her know the door's still open, if she wants it to be.
Kathryn breathed in deeply, and squared her shoulders, shifting her attention and replicating a roast chicken. She placed it in a warming dish for later just as her doorbell rang, and Sam and Naomi Wildman entered. The mother and daughter were both wearing party dresses of a stunning mauve color and gold jewelry.
"Thank you for inviting us Captain," said Samantha, kindly, "Naomi has talked about nothing else for the last week."
"Thank you Captain!" said Naomi loudly, spinning around so that the oddly folded skirt flared out, "Do you like my new dress?"
"Yes, Naomi," said Kathryn fondly, "It looks very pretty on you."
Naomi beamed at her.
Kathryn left the doors open and Athena Ariti arrived next, in a glamorous silk dress, which absolutely glistened with green gems.
"I feel under dressed," joked Kathryn, gesturing to her formal uniform.
"We do not often get to dress up, Captain," said Athena, "We thought we would take advantage of the opportunity."
"And we had extra credits," chimed in Sam, "The one thing good thing about missing the men."
"You're not the first," said Kathryn, smiling, "Though I think you're the most fashionable group by far. I ought to give it a try too, but I suppose Starfleet uniforms have their pluses."
"I think you ought to wear a red dress because of your hair," said Naomi cheerfully.
"Oh, but I wear red everyday," said Kathryn, joking with her, "Maybe you could help me decide on something different."
"I always thought you would look good in sapphire," said a voice behind her, and Kathryn turned to see Gretchen enter.
She smiled internally, trying not to show it too much. The younger woman was wearing her regular uniform, and had a look on her face Kathryn had never seen before.
"You're not wearing your dress," protested Naomi, taking the attention off of Kathryn.
"It's a lot of credits to spend on something I don't need," said Gretchen, kneeling down. Kathryn caught the look of surprise on the other two women's faces.
Naomi frowned but a moment later seemed to forget it as Gretchen complimented her, "Your hair looks beautiful with that dress Naomi,"
"Thank you," said Naomi beaming, and touching the intricate bun, "And thank you for doing it,"
"You're welcome," said Gretchen, though Kathryn now recognized the expression on her face as forced cheerfulness, mixed with nerves.
I didn't mean to make her come if she didn't want to, thought Kathryn, heart sinking.
But I suppose there's nothing to be done about it now.
Kathryn internally straightened her shoulders, smiled, and tried her best to make the dinner party a success.
As she served the last of the five courses, Kathryn was reasonably happy with how it had turned out so far. Gretchen had sat between her Task Force members, and seemed to relax as Sam and Naomi had carried the conversation. The young child, especially, commented on everything, was fascinated by everything, and asked questions about everything. Gretchen even answered some of those questions, though to Kathryn it was clear the young woman's experience in formal events was almost as limited as Naomi's.
Athena Ariti had spoken the least of all of them, until she described, to the table's great fascination, a 32-course starlit dinner on Betazed that she had attended with her parents as a little girl.
I think that's the most I've ever heard her talk, thought Kathryn. The fashionable engineer seemed especially enlivened when she spoke of her glamorous mother. She must've gotten all that beauty and glitz from her mom.
Girls are very influenced by their mothers, genetically and otherwise.
Kathryn was staring straight at Sam and Naomi, who were smiling broadly at each other and laughing about something. Captain Janeway could not help but glance at her own daughter, who seemed reluctant even to make eye contact with her.
They're deeply influenced for good...and bad, Kathryn thought, heart hurting. She forcefully returned her attention to the conversation, which lulled about 20 minutes after the dessert was served.
"So," said Kathryn, as cheerfully as she could, looking at the completely empty plates and glasses, "What shall we do now? I have some Bajoran music you might like to listen to. Or perhaps a game?"
"I'm afraid Naomi isn't going to last much longer Captain," said Samantha, gesturing to her daughter, who had been oddly quiet since she had quickly finished off her ice cream.
"I'm not tired," said Naomi, eye lids drooping. She yawned a moment later, contradicting her words.
"It's already 10:30," said Sam gently, "You've stayed up an hour past your bedtime already."
"I'm sorry, Sam," said Kathryn, as the blonde woman lifted up and took her sleepy daughter's hand.
"Don't apologize," said Samantha genuinely, picking the red-headed girl up, "Naomi will remember this the rest of her life. And so will I. Thank you Captain."
Kathryn returned the warm goodbye, internally stunned and pleased at Sam's words.
Gretchen told you, you know. She told you how much this crew loves you.
"I should be leaving as well," said Athena, standing up gracefully, "I like to go to bed early. Thank you Captain. I had a wonderful time."
The woman bowed in an elegant gesture, and left with her silk dress glinting the light behind her.
"Well," said Kathryn, blinking a bit as the doors closed, "That's the earliest this has ever ended."
Gretchen stared at her for a moment, with an awkward expression.
"I didn't mean to imply," said Kathryn, realizing that Gretchen had not made her goodbyes, "That you didn't count...I just...you've been over here so much...I don't suppose I think of you as company...we could still listen to the music, or the games, whatever you like," said Kathryn, smiling hospitably, finally finding her hostess voice again.
"I wanted to talk to you," said Gretchen, taping her fingers on the table, "But I don't want to ruin your party. I'll bring it up another time."
The younger woman went to stand up, but Kathryn spoke again, "I've been doing these parties for months now, Gretchen. I won't say they're not special but, if there's anything the Captain knows how to do, it's to get down to business quickly. I have the time now, why don't you bring it up? I didn't expect this to end until at least midnight, if not 1 or later."
Gretchen sighed, but sat back down.
What is she going to say after five months?