I know I really, really should put out the next part of Evolutions, but the chapter is half done I promise. Right now I just find this story a lot easier to write. There's an 80 chance the next update I do will be for evolutions, but the more reviews I get, the faster I want to write(hint, hint)
Samantha quinn: Look I don't want to get into a big thing with you about this but if you ask anyone in the world calling someone lazy is an insult, and goes under the heading of flaming. Constructive means, ways to help the story, or things that can be improved
Sadipriss: You caught me, I goofed when I was writing it should be three months without replicator rations. About the filling out of conversations, tell me if I'm on the right track with this chapter.
A person: I actually have been thinking about taking it off hiatus, but I want to finish off at least one more of my stories first.
Hpfreak040290: I was hoping to convey B'Elanna being jealous for the reason she didn't let Seven go on the date with Harry.
Ouke no Ki: I probably should put an "AU" in the description but technically every piece of fanfiction out there is AU because it never happened in the show. What I'll most likely do is start giving a more detailed description on the first chapter.
Goddess Anjanee: I know I don't say it often enough but it really means a lot that you keep finding the time to review my stories.
For The Love of a Child
Part Eleven
B'Elanna felt nervous as she walked home after her duty shift. She knew that she loved Seven but she didn't know how to tell her.
"What am I going to do?" B'Elanna thought to herself. "You don't just walk into a room and tell someone that you just realized that you're in love with them."
B'Elanna kept mumbling to herself until she reached the door to her quarters. She stood outside for a few moments wondering what she was going to do before finally going inside.
"B'Elanna you are home." Seven said as she turned away from the food she was cooking.
"Yeah, there isn't much to do down there right now since we haven't run into any hostiles in the last month." B'Elanna explained. "Where's Kaia?"
"She is asleep in her crib." Seven said as pointed to the center of the room.
"So what's for dinner?" B'Elanna asked as she leaned against the counter beside Seven.
"I have made pot roast with a garden salad." Seven said as she finished preparing the salad. "We can eat now if you wish."
"It smells good." B'Elanna complimented. "Why don't you sit down while I set the table?"
Seven gave a slight smile to this and sat down in her chair.
As they began to eat B'Elanna couldn't help but notice how good Seven's cooking was. "I never knew that you could cook so well Seven. When did you find the time to learn?"
"I began to learn soon after I was pregnant with Kaia. When I moved in I decided that I needed to do something to improve our relationship." Seven replied.
"I don't think that it would have mattered in the end Seven. It may have taken a little longer without Kaia but I know that we would have moved past our first meeting." B'Elanna reassured Seven.
"I am glad. I never wish to go back to the way things were before." Seven admitted.
"No matter what happens Seven, I promise I will never treat you like that again." B'Elanna promised.
"Thank you." Seven said feeling reassured.
"Let's talk some more on the couch." B'Elanna suggested when they finished eating.
Seven nodded as she began to clear the table. This was not a conversation that she was looking forward to.
"Don't worry about the dishes." B'Elanna said softly as she took Seven's hand. "I'll take care of it before we go to sleep." She said as she led Seven to the couch.
B'Elanna noticed that Seven was going to sit down on the far side of the couch, and knowing how emotional this was going to be for Seven B'Elanna took her hand again before she sat down and led her to the arm chair.
B'Elanna sat down first and then pulled Seven into her lap and put her arms around her in a loose hug. "You can fool everyone else Seven but not me, I know that this is hurting you and I'm not going to let you up until we finish talking about this."
"It is nothing." Seven denied as she tried to get up. "I was just being over emotional."
"No you weren't." B'Elanna said as wrapped her arms tighter around Seven and pulled her back down. "Now talk to me, because I can wait all night."
"Yes B'Elanna." Seven said with a sigh as wiggled around a little bit to get more comfortable and lay her head down on B'Elanna's shoulder.
"You'll feel better after we finished talking about it." B'Elanna said as she started to run her fingers through Seven's hair.
"I did not know that it could have been this bad, that I could have lost Kaia." Seven said with a sob.
"I didn't expect it either, but everything is fine now. Your nanoprobes saved her life and yours as well." B'Elanna said as kissed Seven's head.
"Why do I feel like this?" Seven asked. "I know that Kaia is fine, that I am fine but… I do not understand." Seven said feeling confused.
"I think it's because you've only just begun to feel your emotions. You can still be afraid of something even after it has already happened." B'Elanna said going back to stroking Seven's hair.
"How do I make this feeling stop?" Seven asked.
"You don't, eventually the feeling goes away by itself. It just takes time."
"I know that I forgave Mr. Paris but every time that I see him I remember what he did. I am… afraid of him." Seven realized. "I thought that by forgiving him I would not feel this way, but it does not help. It feels as if I did not forgive him at all."
"Seven just because you forgive someone doesn't mean that you have to forget everything that they've done or not be afraid of them. Believe me when I tell you this Seven. He will never even come close to hurting you or Kaia again." B'Elanna promised.
"I believe that you will do everything in your power to protect us, but I am still afraid." Seven said with a sigh.
"It's okay to be afraid Seven. It's part of being human." B'Elanna said with a smile.
"Thank you for making me speak about this B'Elanna. I am still afraid but not as much as it was earlier.
"I will always be here for you Seven." B'Elanna said as she leaned back into the chair and hugged Seven closer.
Seven and B'Elanna sat like this for another couple of hours in a comfortable silence, just enjoying each others company.
"We should probably get to sleep." B'Elanna said as she looked at the clock. "There's no telling when Kaia is going to wake up."
Seven nodded and got out of B'Elanna's lap a little reluctantly. B'Elanna stood up as well, and took a hold of Seven's hands firmly in her own.
They both walked to the crib and smiled down at Kaia, each kissing her on the forehead as Seven pulled the blanket around Kaia.
The pair changed and got into bed, but B'Elanna could tell that Seven was still feeling upset.
"Come here." B'Elanna said as she moved to the center of the bed and lay down on her back.
Seven didn't need to be told twice as she moved to center of the bed and lay her head back down on B'Elanna's shoulder. She let out a happy sigh as she felt B'Elanna's arms wrap around her.
"Thank you." Seven said as she closed her eyes and went to sleep.
Seven woke up the next morning to hear Kaia crying. Getting out of bed was going to be a little tricky as well. She did not want to wake up B'Elanna, but during the knight they had shifted positions slightly and now B'Elanna was spooning her and had a hand firmly wrapped around her stomach.
Seven slowly took B'Elanna's hand and gently removed it from around her waist and eased out of bed. A quick glance to the bed showed that B'Elanna was still asleep but had used Seven's pillow in her place.
"I am here Kaia." Seven said as she bent down next to the crib and watched as Kaia reached up for her in amusement before picking her up and bringing a smile to Kaia's face.
"You must be hungry." Seven said as she fed Kaia and thought about what was going to happen today.
When Kaia was finished Seven looked over at the table. B'Elanna had forgotten to clear the table the previous night.
Seven placed Kaia inside her play pen, giving Kaia her toy monkey and started to make breakfast.
"Perhaps B'Elanna would like some banana pancakes." Seven thought to herself as she made the batter and started cooking.
"Something smells good in here." B'Elanna said as she walked into the living room dressed and ready for work.
"I have made banana pancakes." Seven said as looked up from the dishes that she was washing from the night before.
"I was going to clean those up." B'Elanna said as kissed Kaia's forehead.
Seven simply raised her eyebrow at the comment in amusement.
"What? I was. Don't look at me like that. Alright fine I was putting it off for a while. Just get ready for work I'll finish up." B'Elanna said as she shooed Seven away, never giving her a chance to speak in the entire exchange.
Seven came back into the room just as B'Elanna had finished washing the last dish. Today she was wearing her hair up in its usual bun except for two strands coming down on both sides of her forehead a pair of black pants cut close to her body and wearing a white blouse, completing her outfit with a pair of black heels.
"You look great Seven. I like the new hair style." B'Elanna complemented.
"Thank you, when I leave my hair down Kaia likes to pull on it." Seven explained.
As the pair sat down for breakfast B'Elanna decided to make conversation.
"Do you want to have lunch together?" B'Elanna asked.
"I would like that." Seven said after she finished her bite of pancake.
"Great, meet me down at engineering at about 12.30."
"We will see you then." Seven confirmed.
"We better get going Seven." B'Elanna said looking at the clock, then picking up Kaia's bag while Seven picked up Kaia.
When B'Elanna and Seven entered the ready room for the morning meeting they noticed that for the first time they were the last ones to arrive.
Everyone else noticed that when the pair arrived B'Elanna had her arm around Seven's waist as the trio sat down next to each other in the last two remaining chairs.
"Alright, let's begin the meeting." Janeway said, bringing all of the other conversations to an end. "Seven do you want to know what Mr. Paris's punishment is?"
"B'Elanna has already informed me." Seven said as Kaia placed a wet kiss on Seven's cheek with a happy gurgle.
"I know that the punishment seems light after what he has done but we just can't afford the resources to keep someone in the brig for more than a month. I have placed a restraining order on him though. He will not be allowed to come within 10 feet of you or Kaia, except for any senior staff meeting where two security officers will be escorting him." Janeway said apologetically.
"I understand Captain, I will adapt to the situation." Seven said drawing strength from her talk with B'Elanna the night before.
"Seven you still haven't brought Kaia back for her check up." The doctor reminded her.
"We will see you as soon as the morning meeting is over." Seven promised.
"If only the rest of the crew would follow your example." The doctor said as he stared pointedly at the rest of the senior staff. "You should all be setting a good example for the rest of the crew."
"Does anyone else have anything to report?" Janeway asked changing the subject before the doctor broached the subject of her own attendance to sickbay.
"I do Captain." Chakotay said. "Seven I have just authorized a replicator allowance for Kaia. You won't have to use your all of your own rations for her now.
"Thank you Commander." Seven said politely. In truth Seven was wondering how she and B'Elanna were going to manage their rations with Kaia needing new things on almost a daily basis.
"On a personal note Seven, if you ever want to talk about any of what happened my door is always open." Janeway offered.
"Thank you Captain, but B'Elanna and I spoke about it last night. I am dealing with what has happened." Seven said.
"B'Elanna how is everything in Engineering?" Janeway asked.
"There isn't anything much to report. Since we haven't run into any hostiles for a while all that we're doing is fixing the patch jobs we didn't have time to fix properly before and running diagnostics." B'Elanna reported.
"Well I guess that's all we need to discus today, you're all dismissed." Janeway announced as she left the ready room followed by Chakotay and Tuvok.
"I'll see you two for lunch." B'Elanna said as she kissed Seven and Kaia on the cheek before she left.
"So what did Seven say last night?" Meagan asked curiously.
"What are you talking about?" B'Elanna asked.
"You were supposed to tell her that you were in love with her." Meagan said a little annoyed.
"Oh, I never got the chance. Seven was really upset about what happened with Tom. We stayed up and talked about it until we went to sleep." B'Elanna explained.
"The rest of us never stood a chance did we?" Meagan thought wistfully.
"The rest of us?" B'Elanna asked curiously.
"Come on you had to have noticed." Meagan said incredulously.
At B'Elanna's confused look Meagan continued. "You can't tell me that you didn't notice Paris, and me trailing after you not to mention Harry and the Captain going after Seven."
"I knew about Harry and the Captain going after Seven but I didn't notice anything about Tom or even about you." B'Elanna said a little shocked about not noticing any of it sooner.
"Well I guess you were a little busy the last few weeks taking care of Seven." Meagan allowed. "So when are you going to tell her?"
"I'm thinking about doing it tonight actually. I'll leave a couple of hours before the end of shift, tell Seven I love her and make a special dinner for Seven and Kaia." B'Elanna said thoughtfully.
"It sounds good. tell me how it turns out." Meagan said as she returned to her work.
Seven and Kaia followed the Doctor to Sickbay and allowed him to complete his medical exams of both mother and daughter. Both were healthy and the doctor reminded them to come in for their monthly check-ups. Seven agreed before she went to Astrometrics to complete her duties.
"It is time to go see B'Elanna." Seven said as she smiled down at her daughter and watched Kaia's eyes light up at the mention of her.
Kaia immediately thrust her arms up, wanting to be picked up right away.
Seven grabbed Kaia's baby bag and picked up Kaia as she saved her work and left Astrometrics.
"Hi Seven," Harry said as soon as he spotted Seven walking away from Astrometrics. "Would you like to have lunch together?" he asked hopefully.
"I have already made plans with B'Elanna. You may accompany us if you wish." Seven offered.
"Sure that'd be great." Harry said as they walked into engineering.
"Do you know where B'Elanna is?" Seven asked when she spotted Lt. Carey.
"She's in her office Seven, just go on up." Carey said.
"Thank you Lt." Seven said as she walked into B'Elanna's office followed by Harry.
"Hi Seven," B'Elanna said, getting out of her chair and offering it to Seven so she could sit down. "Just give me a second." She said as she saved her work and put away the data pads she was looking at.
When B'Elanna looked at Seven she couldn't help but notice the eager smile on Kaia's face and her arms stretched out expectedly.
B'Elanna picked Kaia up from Seven's arms and kissed Kaia's forehead. Kaia responded by placing one of her own wet kisses on B'Elanna cheek.
"She misses you when you go to work." Seven said with a smile.
"I miss you both too." B'Elanna said as she kissed Seven's cheek as well.
"What are you doing here Harry?" B'Elanna asked a little suspiciously. After she had found out that Harry was chasing after Seven she was a little suspicious of his intentions.
"Seven asked me to join you guys for lunch." Harry said noticing how close the two women seemed to be.
"Is this a problem?" Seven asked when she noticed the looks Harry and B'Elanna were giving each other.
"No, it's nothing." B'Elanna responded first. "Let's go." B'Elanna added as she put her free hand around Seven's waist, almost as if marking her territory leaving Harry to follow behind them.
When the group reached the mess hall B'Elanna passed Kaia into Seven's arms. "Seven, why don't you find a table I'll go get us some lunch."
"I'll help you carry the trays." Harry offered, wanting to talk to B'Elanna alone.
Seven took Kaia and went to a table near one of the view ports and began to breast feed her while Harry and B'Elanna walked to the replicators.
"B'Elanna what was all that about?" Harry asked referring to how close B'Elanna was with Seven. "I know you two are closer now but, you act like she's your wife."
"And what if I do?" B'Elanna asked. "Is it so strange to think that something could happen between us?"
"Come on, she was about to go on a date with me before you butted in. If anyone has a chance it's me." Harry said sure of his success.
"There was a lot more to it than that." B'Elanna said.
"I bet I probably have the best chance out of anyone on the ship." Harry boasted.
"First off, anyone that Seven would even consider going out with would have to love her daughter just as much as she does, and second Seven if off limits for betting of any kind." B'Elanna said in annoyance as she left Harry to carry his own tray to the table.
"Here you go Seven." B'Elanna said as she set the tray in front of Seven.
"What is it?" Seven asked curiously as she poked it with a spoon, and watching in amusement as Kaia scrunched her face at is as well.
"You mean to tell me that you've never had Irish Stew before?" B'Elanna asked incredulously.
"It can not be as wonderful as you say." Seven said as she looked at it again. "See Kaia agrees with me." Seven said with a smile as Kaia moved her head away from the plate.
"Oh she would." B'Elanna said smiling as well. "We all know that she's a mommy's girl." B'Elanna said referring to the fact that Kaia would only let Seven hold her at first.
"At least give it a try." Harry said, joining in as he took a bite of his own stew. "See it tastes fine." He said after taking a bite.
"I do not believe you." Seven said as she poked at it again.
"At least try a bite before you say you hate it." B'Elanna said as she held a spoon full of it at Seven's mouth.
Seven reluctantly opened her mouth and allowed B'Elanna to feed her a bite.
"Well?" Both Harry and B'Elanna asked after Seven swallowed.
"It is satisfactory." Seven mumbled as she looked away.
"So then I was right about the stew." B'Elanna teased. "And if I'm right that makes you…" B'Elanna trailed off with a smirk.
"Wrong." Seven muttered, but unable to keep the smile of her face.
"What was that Seven? I don't think I heard you right?" B'Elanna said with a laugh.
"I was wrong." Seven said more clearly as she poked B'Elanna in the side.
"Did you all hear that?" B'Elanna said as she stood up beaming. "Finally Seven of nine admits she was wrong and I was right." She crowed to everyone in the mess hall.
"Sit down." Seven said as she tugged on B'Elanna's sleeve. "Or I will do the same thing the next time that I am right." Seven joked.
The pair both burst into laughter as B'Elanna sat down, followed by the happy gurgling of Kaia.
"Seven I was wondering, now that Kaia is born do you think we could try going out?" Harry asked hopefully. He knew for a fact that if he didn't do something soon B'Elanna would get her.
"I am sorry Harry, but Kaia takes a long time to get used to people, and until she does I would not feel comfortable with dating." Seven explained, hoping that Harry wouldn't be upset.
"It's okay Seven. I understand. You're worth the wait." Harry said directing a smug look towards B'Elanna.
B'Elanna for her part just ignored it. If Harry wanted to make an ass out of himself later down the road far be it from her to stop him.
"I believe the time for lunch is over." Seven said as she got her stuff ready to go. "I will see you at home for dinner?" Seven asked B'Elanna.
"Count on it." B'Elanna said with a secretive smile as she stood up and kissed Kaia and Seven good bye.
B'Elanna had just left her duty shift early for the first time in Voyager's history. Everything had to be perfect for when Kaia and Seven came home.
B'Elanna had dimmed the lights and set up candles all over the living room, making sure to keep them well away from where Kaia could reach, and had requisitioned Seven's favorite food, fettuccini Alf redo.
As soon as the door opened B'Elanna turned to face the door with a smile on her face.
"B'Elanna?" Seven questioned as she walked into their quarters with Kaia on her hip.
"I wanted to surprise you." B'Elanna said as she kissed Seven and Kaia's cheeks before putting Kaia in her play pen.
"Seven I don't really know how to say this, but when you came to live with me it was because I didn't want to feel guilty about what happened, and when you left I realized how much I wanted you in my life, needed you in my life." B'Elanna said her voice thick with emotion. "I don't know when for sure, but somewhere along the line I fell in love with you."
"I do not know what to say B'Elanna." Seven said in surprise.
"Just say what you feel Seven, who do you see yourself spending the rest of your life with?"
"I…" TO BE CONTINUED…
I just get more reviews when I leave you hanging like that.