Disclaimer: Only the story is mine. Everything else belongs to Paramount. As much as I'd like to say Seven and B'Elanna are mine, 'twould be a falsehood. (sigh) This story contains femslash (yup, women love women here, get used to it) so if that offends you, then read something else. Although if you've read Ghosts, the story before this one, then you're probably not offended by it if you're still reading. And if you haven't read Ghosts—go read it!

Author Notes: Sequel to Ghosts.

Code: T7
Rating: R
Genre: Romance/Drama
Original post date: Feb, 2001
PLEASE REVIEW!


Family, Chapter 8


Kathryn looked at the report in front of her and smiled. A formal request for a marriage ceremony had been placed on her desk while she was on the bridge. 'B'Elanna Torres and Seven of Nine, nee Annika Hansen,' the report told her, 'Hereby officially request that Kathryn Janeway, Captain of the USS Voyager, bring them together as a married couple, in one week hence.' Janeway decided that Seven must have written it, by the legal sound to the writing. B'Elanna would not have the patience and if she had written it, it would most likely just say, 'Marry us.'

She scrolled down the request of ceremony and all the necessary legal information required until she came to the last line. 'As is tradition in several cultures, including the shared heritage of Seven of Nine and B'Elanna Torres, namely Terran, The brides are to be 'given away' by their father, mother or, barring both, then a friend they consider to be a mentor or parent. It is the formal request of Seven of Nine that this person be Captain Kathryn Janeway, whom she respects and looks to as both.'

Kathryn felt tears well up in her eyes as she reread the request to make sure that she had indeed seen what she had. A surge of pride and maternal love went through her body at the words and she began writing her own formal response, accepting the duty and honor that sent tears rolling down her cheeks, to be dismissed as irritated eyes.


"Seven, I would like you to be my Maid of Honor."

"Me?"

"Yes," Aryn said, smiling.

"Why me?" Seven felt a warm feeling begin in her heart.

"Well, technically, it's supposed to be my best friend. But that's Sam Wildman and she's a wife and mother, so she can't possibly be my Maid of Honor, she'd be the Matron of Honor, but I think that she's too young for such a title. I consider you a friend, Seven, and I know that Harry likes you." Seven raised a questioning eyebrow and Aryn laughed. "Not like that! At least, not anymore. As I was saying, I consider you a friend and you fit the description for a Maid of Honor by all definitions that I've read, so I'm asking if you want to be mine."

"I would be honored." Seven had answered. The wedding had been simple, but large. The entire senior staff had attended as well as several lower ranked crew members. Neelix had catered it, Naomi had been the flower girl, Seven the maid of honor and Tom Paris the best man. Tom had been civil and courteous to B'Elanna and had been on his best behavior.

It was before Seven had adopted Mezoti, but still, the young Norcadian was present, wearing a dress that Seven had replicated for her that matched the light blue Maid of Honor dress that Aryn had picked out. Seven and B'Elanna were still not public about their relationship and didn't spend as much time together as they would have liked. Everyone had complimented Seven and told her that she and Mezoti already looked like mother and daughter.

That had pleased Mezoti so much that she had tried to dress similarly to Seven at every social gathering they had been to after.

"Seven," B'Elanna's voice finally interrupted the dream. She had been calling Seven for almost five minutes while gently stroking her face. It had seemed a shame to wake her up when she seemed so peaceful, but they both had their shifts starting soon. Seven yawned and B'Elanna felt a shiver of delight shoot through her over how cute it was.

"Good morning, B'Elanna."

"Morning Seven," B'Elanna responded, smiling widely. Seven returned her smile, hugging B'Elanna to her in further greeting.

"I have enjoyed waking up next to you these past two mornings."

"Yeah? You're gonna have the rest of your life to get bored with it, so enjoy it while you can."

"I could not imagine ever being bored by you, be'nal." B'Elanna closed her eyes and snuggled against Seven's chest.

"I love to hear you say that," she murmured happily. "But we have to go in for our shifts soon. Do you want to talk to Mezoti at lunch or dinner?" Seven sighed as reality intruded on her bliss, but her practicality wouldn't let her dwell on it.

"Lunch. We really should not put this off any longer."

"I agree. There's no telling how she's gonna react."

"She has taken our relationship well so far and obviously looks to you as a second parent. I anticipate that she will continue to do no less." Seven had never been so wrong...


"I will not accept it!" Mezoti screamed at B'Elanna.

"Mezoti," Seven spoke calmly, belying the turmoil beginning inside of her, "I do not wish to upset you. I have spoken to you several times regarding the nature of the relationship between B'Elanna and myself. You have never protested before."

"It does not matter. I do not wish for her to be my second parent." Mezoti stamped her foot in an effort to express her disapproval.

"But, Mezoti…" B'Elanna began.

"No! You are of inferior intelligence, offend my olfactory and visual senses and are incapable of telling anything but falsehoods!" Mezoti threw the fork she had forgotten to set down and ran out of B'Elanna's quarters. B'Elanna stood in shock at being called the Borg equivalent of a stupid, stinking, ugly liar. If it had been any other circumstances she would have laughed, but this was serious. Seven attempted to call after Mezoti, but it was no use.

"It started out as such a perfect day," B'Elanna stated sadly.

To be continued...