Part 18

"Elara!" Selene shouted as she ran toward the dark haired Lieutenant.

Elara's brow rose as she heard her name being called out and quickly turned, her eyes widened as soon as they landed on the small girl running towards her. "Selene," she gasped with surprise.

As soon as Selene got to Elara she hugged her waist. "I've missed you."

The Lieutenant hugged her back, and then dropped to a knee. "What are you doing here?" she then glanced over her shoulder hoping she would spot Seven. When she didn't, she narrowed in on the girl. "Where is your mother?"

"I knew that was you." Selene blurted, ignoring the question. "Where have you been? You haven't visited me in a really long time." She rambled.

Elara felt overwhelmed. "Um," she blinked. "Wait a second…again, I ask, where is your mother?"

"Which mother?" Selene grinned with a shrug.

Elara narrowed. "Uh Seven, of course," then started to wonder what Selene meant.

"She's up at work."

"Up… at ….work?" Elara mouthed more to herself. "So she is not here?"

Selene shook her head. "No."

Elara gulped, quickly standing up and taking hold of Selene's hand. "You're here by yourself?" She scanned the area, and still there was no Seven.

"Not really," Selene informed.

"So," Elara figured. "You're here with your babysitter?" she questioned even though it kind of seemed unlikely, unless Seven was truly in a bind.

"No." Selene told her, her voice light.

Elara pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm so confused." She would just try to read her, since she was part Betazoid, but even with Selene being older her thoughts were still erratic.

She only had one option. "Come on, we are going to find your mother."

Selene pulled back as she remembered that her mother Kathryn would wonder where she was. "Wait I need to tell my mom, where I am at."

"That's what I am doing." Elara said, then tugged on her hand leading her to a communications area.

…

Kathryn had her eyes downcast as she began to walk out of the Admiral's office. She had no idea that not only she didn't get the command she was wanting, but they actually told her they were going to reinstate her as an Admiral. So she could continue with the education side of Starfleet. She really didn't give them an answer she just wanted to get Selene, and wait for Seven to return home.

"Selene," she called out as she raised her head to the sitting area, but once her eyes landed on an empty chair, and seeing her little girl's backpack laid haphazardly on the ground her heart rapidly flew up into her chest. "Selene," she called out louder.

This time the ensigns that were flirting finally noticed. "Oh no where did she go?" The young girl asked, her face shaken.

Janeway glared at the young cadet. "Are you kidding me? I asked you to watch her, and you are asking me where she went?" She growled through clench teeth.

"I uh…" she swallowed. "I only took my eyes off of her for a second." She blubbered.

"Yeah well I find that really hard to believe. If something has happened to her….so help me." Janeway warned. She began to leave, then turned back. "Get your asses out there and look for her." She commanded.

Kathryn pulled in a few deep breaths as she began to storm the area, in search of one little girl. Her little girl. She was so mad at herself for letting this happen, and her stomach churned with uneasiness as she worried for her. "Please be okay." She whispered to herself.

…..

Elara finally got in touch with the Starport as soon as she found out where Seven was, and it didn't take long before her former girlfriend was on the screen.

"Elara?" Seven looked baffled. "This is hardly the time." She fired. "I'm extremely busy."

Elara just slowly shook her head, her eyes big brown even somewhat sad, as she reached over and brought Selene into view. "I found something that might interest you."

Shock reigned over Seven's features. "Selene!" she snapped. "What are you doing there?"

Selene grimaced and scratched the back of her head. "Sorry mommy." She said softly, her eyes downcast.

Seven growled internally, and tilted her head as she gathered a calming breath. "Why do you have her?"

Elara firmed her jaw. "Because she found me…..I was actually at lunch, and was heading back to operations, when out of the blue I hear my name. I turn, and guess who it was?" she sarcastically quipped.

Seven drew in another deep breath to settle herself as she pointed a look at her daughter. "Why are you there?" Seven breathed. "And where is Kath…. Captain Janeway? She was supposed to be watching you."

"She had a meeting." Selene shrugged; a pout now filled her lips.

Seven gritted her teeth at the thought that once again Kathryn was putting Starfleet first, and not watching their daughter. She should have brought her to the Starport with her. "And where were you supposed to be?"

"I did my studies, but I grew bored. I'm sorry I shouldn't have wandered off."

Seven tried to stay calm, but this little girl was her entire universe, and if something were to happen to her, she just didn't know what she would do. "I see," she huffed. Her eyes now drifted back to Elara. "Can you please keep an eye on her until I make arrangements here until I can come and get her?"

"I can do that." Elara said. "I told you Seven, I would always be here for you."

"I know." Seven inhaled. "Selene you will stay with Elara until I get there. Do you understand me? That means DO NOT leave her side."

"Yes, mother." Selene made a face, brows dove deep in thought. "But what about mommy Kathryn?"

Elara blinked hearing that, and her face went wide with shock with the realization of finally cluing in on whose Selene's other parent was.

Seven on the other hand still looked unsurprisingly pissed. "I will figure out where she is, and tell her there is no need for her to have to watch her daughter." She hissed.

The former Borg now turned her attention back to the Betazoid human hybrid. "Thank you for doing this. I promise I will get to you shortly."

"I'll take her back to my place, unless you want me to take you to yours? I mean I can wait for you there."

"There will be no need for that!"

The familiar voice broke around them, and as soon as Seven shifted her eyes from Elara to where it came from, the blonde's gaze locked on to those familiar blue-grey eyes. "Kathryn," she grated.

Kathryn felt Seven's heated glare all through her body. She swallowed as she took a few steps closer. "Seven," she greeted, and actually maintained the level in her voice.

Janeway knew that this woman would be furious with her; she had every right to be. She basically lost their daughter, on the very first day she had her. Hell she was furious with herself. "I can explain everything, I promise." She then looked down at Selene. "I'm sorry for leaving you out there. I never should have done that. Please forgive me."

Selene just smiled. "Of course I do. I was the one who didn't stay put, and wandered off." Tears welled up in her little blue eyes. "I'm sorry I did that."

Kathryn drew in a deep breath, a breath that held so much relief that her precious little girl was okay. "We'll talk about that later." She said to her daughter, then turned back to the view screen, and noticed Seven had lost some of the fire that was in her eyes. "It was not my intention to even come in here today, I swear to you."

Seven felt torn, as anger and relief flowed through her, but she knew she needed to stay calm and hear everything out. She would not do anything rash. "I believe you, but it still happened. What if…" the blonde's voice trailed off as emotions swelled through her thinking that something horrible could have happened to her daughter.

Kathryn understood, and her throat constricted. "I know, and I feel awful about it." She exhaled. "I'll take her home, and I will not leave again until you get back. I swear."

Seven hesitated only for a moment. "She is your daughter too, so I am having a hard time understanding how this…." once again she trailed off and had to look away.

That cut deep, maybe because it was the truth. Kathryn could not believe she had let this happen. She sucked in a heavy breath as tears filled her eyes. "Never again, I swear to you." She was making a vow to Seven, and to Selene, but most of all to herself.

All Seven could do was slowly nod. She finally swallowed after a moment and found her voice. "Selene you stay with your mother, no matter what. Do you understand me?"

Selene nodded. "I will."

"That means you need to listen to her as you do for me, understood?"

"Understood."

Seven now looked behind her. "I really need to go."

Kathryn could tell that Seven was scarcely holding it together, shit she was barely hanging on as well, but she wasn't the one on duty. "I know, and we will be at home, waiting for your arrival."

Seven nodded once more, than the transmission ended.

Kathryn turned and noticed that Selene was still holding Elara's hand. "Come on I'll take you home." She then held out her hand for Selene to take.

Selene quickly went to her, pouty lips in tow. "I'm sorry….I just got bored." Her face skewed up.

It broke Kathryn's heart at seeing it. "I know, and I should not have left your side. But it's over, and I just want to get you home."

Kathryn now looked up and saw the younger woman giving her a strange look. She didn't recognize her when she was at that Starfleet party, the same one where this young woman was Seven's dance partner. But now Janeway saw it, maybe now being in this atmosphere she knew who this woman was, and more importantly who she was related too. She had to wonder if a certain counselor had set them up. "What?" Kathryn bit.

"I should have known," Elara said, shaking her head.

Too surprised by that comment Janeway just shook it off and continued to walk away, but when Elara kept talking, so she had to stop. "Also I hope you know what you have here."

Kathryn pivoted then narrowed; she didn't like what this woman was implying. "I do." She quipped icily.

"Do you?" Elara dared, she knew she shouldn't be talking to a superior officer like this, but if it wasn't for this woman, she'd probably be the one who was waiting on Seven's return.

Kathryn knew, and now she sized her up. "I don't have to explain anything to you, other than I love my family very much, and I'll do whatever I have to, to keep it." She warned.

"If I were you, I would too." Elara pointed out, then knelled before Selene. "It was good to see you little one. And by the way you've gotten so tall and looking more and more like your mother every day." A haughty grin split her lips as she saucily glared up at Kathryn.

Kathryn knew she wasn't talking about herself, and she wanted to roll her eyes, but she was a fortified captain, and she wasn't going to let on that any of that bothered her. "Selene, let's get you home."

As they walked back to where this all started Kathryn stared down at Selene. "So how do you know Lieutenant Troi?"

Selene shrugged nonchalantly. "She used to live with us."

Kathryn now rolled her eyes. "Of course she did."

….

It was precisely 0600 when Seven walked into the Admiral's office. "On time I see," the older gentlemen teased.

Seven only raised an eyebrow clearly not amused. "So what did you want to discuss?"

"Have a seat."

"I prefer to stand, and you just get to the point, so I can get back to work."

The admiral slightly shook his head and sighed. "Seriously Seven, you do know how to take the sails out of things don't you?" He waited and even motioned with his eyes to the chair.

Not liking it, but Seven finally took a seat. "There, is that better?"

"Yes actually, I rather keep the kink out of neck." He now laced his fingers together atop of his desk. "So anyways, I think you know why you are here."

"I believe you are about to give me some news, in which who will be the command of the very first Starfleet vessel that will contain my slip stream device." She told him bluntly.

"Yes," he exhaled. "We, well we as in Starfleet have decided that you Commander will be the one that would be the best. We always have thought that, but we still needed to go through the right protocols, and consider all others as well."

Seven nodded, but it was barely visible. Her chest heaved with the heaviness of this news. She should be happy, but she wasn't. Clearly it was written all over her face. "Commander?"

Seven blinked and readjusted her ocular implant. "Do I have to give my answer right away?"

That stunned the Admiral. "Wait, you don't want this opportunity?"

"I just have a lot to consider." She softly heaved.

He nodded. "Your daughter?"

"Yes."

"We took that in consideration, and we made all the arrangements so she will accompany you."

For the first time in a really long time Seven felt the stirring of a headache. "I understand, but I still need to consider all options, especially what is right for Selene."

He slightly smiled, nodded once more then stood up. "I realize your reluctance here Commander, so I have thrown in that surprise I told you about." He then went to the door and opened it.

Seven looked perplexed, but it only lasted 1.6 seconds when she recognized a familiar face, she couldn't help her excitement as she bounced up from her seat. "Icheb," she breathed, and actually hugged him. "What are you doing here?"

"I am here, because apparently this ship needs a science officer, and I jumped at the offer to be under your command." He expressed earnestly.

Seven blinked hearing his comment, and took a step back. "You will be on the Peregrine?"

"Yes." Right away he noticed her hesitance. "You don't approve?" concern filled his voice.

"No, I love that, it's just…" she trailed off as she turned and looked to the Admiral. "I need to have a moment with this Lieutenant?"

The Admiral blew out a breath, then patted Icheb on the shoulder. "Please talk some sense into her."

"Will do, sir." Icheb relayed.

As soon as he left, Icheb's brow furrowed. "What is it, Seven?" he used her name, and not her rank since he knew this had to be personal.

"I have a lot to consider."

"You are talking about Selene?" He loved that little girl, in fact he thought of her as her as his little sister. "You do know how much I will look out for her."

"I know you will, but that is not the only problem."

"What is it?"

"The thing is my heart can't go out there for however long without…." She trailed off her eyes closing as she tried to ignore the pang in her chest, and the tears that sprung to her eyes.

"Seven, what are you talking about?"

"I don't think I can accept this position." She vaguely said, looking off into the distance.

Icheb scratched his head. "Why not? I mean this is what you've been working so hard for, and now you have it." He tried to reason. "Why would you want to walk away from it now?"

In that moment all Seven could do was think about….. was Kathryn, and Selene, and the fact that they were finally a family, that family she had always sought after, even before she knew about Selene. It was all she had ever wanted, it was never about Starfleet, or some command.

"Because Icheb, I finally have everything I have ever dreamed of." She voiced turning back to the Brunali.

He still looked perplexed. "I uh…"

"I never told you who's Selene's other mother was."

His eyes squinted in thought as he waited for Seven to finish. "And you Icheb, you actually know her, very well I might add." She paused then a soft smile fit her lips. "And if I recall you did say something about Selene one time, and how she reminded you of someone, but then that would be impossible, you concluded." She began to clue him in.

Icheb's eyes went wide, as all of it slipped into place. "Janeway," he whispered more to himself.

"And I can't take Selene away from her, not when they just found each other." Tears now glossed over in her blue eyes.

It wowed him hearing this, frozen in place; he almost waited too long and missed the blonde as she began to shuffle away from him. She had her hand on the door ready to fling it open….to tell the Admiral she was not accepting his offer, when Icheb stopped her. "Seven don't be rash about this."

She pivoted her head, and pinned him with a look. "This is not rash, this is what I want."

"You'd throw all of this away….for her?" He knew her answer, but he also knew there was another way. He just needed her to get on board with it.

Seven didn't even hesitate. "Yes," she exhaled, even though there was time, she wished Kathryn would have given it all up for her. But right now that didn't matter, she knew what she wanted, and what she'd give up, but she also knew what she'd gain too.

She turned to open the door once more, when Icheb pulled her back, and this time with so much force she had no choice but to turn towards him. "What?"

He only grinned. "How much do you love Captain Janeway?"

She gave him an odd look. "You know how much, that's why I am doing this."

"Okay," He drawled. "And how much do you want to be, and stay a family….forever?"

Seven was getting annoyed, and again went to walk away even yanking herself free. "That's what I am doing." She hissed.

"Think about this, you can have it all. That is, if that is what you want." He said firmly, louder even. "You just have to be brave and ask."

Seven stopped, a line etched in her brow deep with thought, then slowly she turned her head at him, her eyes narrowed, and suddenly it was like she was linked back with the collective and it finally hit her.