The senior staff immediately began to let the crew know what they had learned. The responses were varied. The people on the lower decks, who were far removed for the Captain's sphere, took the information in stride. There was empathy for the Captain's situation but it really didn't make any difference to them. The officers outside of the senior staff were angry and hurt. They believed that they should have been trusted with this information from the start.
But the members of engineering were devastated. When the Captain walked by they couldn't look her in the eye. They saw the information, it was there all along. They wondered how they could have missed it. Why had they been so willing to blame the Captain when they were the ones who had the access to the facts and the knowledge to interpret them? The atmosphere on Voyager was not happy.
"Janeway to Mr. Nelix." The call came in to the mess hall as he was cleaning up from the midday meal.
"Nelix here Captain"
"Are you free to come to my ready room?"
"On my way Captain" Nelix headed down the corridor at a quick pace with a smile on his face. He was sure she was calling for him in his capacity of the morale officer. And he loved being the morale officer.
"Mr. Nelix it has come to my attention that the crew is feeling a little down. I thought the situation would be transitory and take care of itself but that does not seem to be the case. Do you have any suggestions?"
"Actually Captain I do. I believe that Seven informed you of a dilithiam rich planet that we will be passing in about a week. Ever since she mentioned it I couldn't stop pondering an idea I had. I think we should stop there for some mining and celebrating."
The Captain looked a little surprised as she responded. "Our cargo bays are filled with all the dilithium they can hold. We won't need more for a year or longer."
Nelix smiled and nodded acknowledging her point. "True Captain but we still have limits on what the crew can replicate. I suggest a bonanza. What you might call a shopping spree. The crew could replicate luxuries and gifts. We could have a no holds barred party and combine it with shore leave. Land the ship and spit polish the hull. Have fun and still be productive. Allow for a time where rationing is not something to think about. We can replace all that we use before we depart."
"My God Nelix," Janeway replied wide eyed. "Can you imagine all the stuff that would end up on board? Unlimited replication could fill every nook and cranny of the ship. We would never get her back into space with all the extra weight. I don't think that would work."
"Captain, we can put limits on the poundage that comes aboard just not the cost in rations. It is true Lt Paris might try to replicate another shuttle, but most of the crew would be happy with new clothes. Many would love the opportunity to aquire special personal items that are not justifiable when they have limited rations. The other day I heard Crewman White talk about her favorite body lotion and how much she missed using it. She would never waste the rations that could be used for comfy socks. With our stop over she could have both."
By the look on her face he could tell Janeway was warming to the idea and he knew just what string to pull to close the deal.
"And then there are the babies."
"What about them?" Janeway said a little more sharply then intended. Any thing to do with the upcoming arrivals put her in high gear.
"If we do have a problem in the future you can't ration baby food. Diapers are a staple that you can't just run out of. If we make lofts in the cargo bays we could store a few years worth of food, clothes, diapers and even toys. We have had times in the past when we had all we needed only to have it taken away by some alien or anomaly. By stocking up on things that are necessary we can prevent the children from going with out."
Janeway grimaced remembering the times that she shifted her own rations to increase what was available for little Naomi Wildman. Samantha never knew that the extra rations for her baby weren't from the general fund budgeted for her. She was not aware that the Captain had gone to bed hungry so that Naomi wouldn't.
"I think you are correct Nelix. The crew would benefit from the pleasures that extra rations would bring. I also think repairs and forward planning will provide a positive sense of purpose to put us all back on track. And of course a party never hurts. A baby shower to start then a blow out before we leave. I will work out the details with the senior staff and get back to you. Dismissed"
The suggestion was greeted with excitement by the senior Staff. Harry could almost feel the new clarinet in his hands while B'Elanna had visions of a new wardrobe. "That's that then" said the Captain. "We prepare for code blue in four weeks time. We will land for three weeks of upgrades, shore leave and out and out extravagance. Dismissed." Everyone was smiling as they left the conference room.
"Seven, do you have a moment?" Janeway caught Seven before she went out the door. The young woman stopped and nodded. "I was wondering if you would like to join me for a walk on the holodeck and maybe dinner afterward?"
The invitation did not take Seven by surprise. She had been waiting for it. "When would this take place?" The young woman asked.
"Are you free tonight?"
"I could be persuaded, what time would you like to meet?"
Janeway tried not to let her nervousness show as she responded. "Would 1900 work for you?"
"It could." Was the cool reply.
"You said I could persuade you. What will it take?"
"I will comply if it is Kathryn I am meeting not Captain Janeway."
Janeway's face broke in to a relaxed smile as she realized her friend had forgiven her for her previous behavior. Her voice was rather husky when she replied. "I am sure the Captain will have other things to do. It will be only Kathryn tonight."
Seven nodded her consent. But she remained standing as if waiting for something more. Janeway looked at her quizzically then rolled her eyes still smiling. "Dismissed Seven." A rare grin graced Seven's face as she departed.
"Ok," a nervous Janeway was running her fingers through her hair pacing in her quarters. "I can do this. It's a walk. I have been walking for years." Janeway took a deep breath. Suddenly she heard the familiar sound of her younger sister laughing in her head. "Calm down Katie, it's a date not a mission."
"humph," Janeway mentally replied. "I wouldn't be nervous on a mission. I am good at missions."
"You're good at dating too. It's just been a while. You already know her, love her. And deep down you know she feels the same. For this to be perfect all you have to do is show up."
Kathryn began to relax, a smile on her face. But then of course Phoebe being Phoebe had one last comment. "Well it will be perfect if you remember not to poison her. What will you serve for dinner?"
On time, as always, Seven arrived at the holodeck. Kathryn met her at the door with a light jacket. "It's a little windy here." Kathryn worked to keep the nervous quiver out of her voice.
"Where are we?" Seven asked as she looked around the quaint harbor town that Kathryn had created.
"We are on the east coast of the north American continent on earth. This is the coast of Maine. I Love the ocean but have never been much of a sunbather. Walking by the water in the cool fall air has always invigorated me."
Seven smiled and took Kathryn's hand. "Show me." Hand in hand they walked up a deserted path that ran along the harbor. One side was thick with trees and the other was made from large rocks that went to the waters edge. They could see a seal swimming around the harbor following the boats that were dashing in and out.
The women didn't talk much as they strolled back up from the harbor to the small town at its edge. They were both concentrating on the feeling of just being together. The touch of their hands was firm yet gentle. It gave both of them a feeling of peace that had long been missing in their lives. It was if talking might some how break the spell. So they walked quietly. Sometimes gently squeezing the others hand to communicate their enjoyment of the day. They stopped to enjoy the view Watching as a large schooner slipped from its berth heading out to sea. Neither wanted to break the silence but they both felt there was a lot to say.
Seven was standing behind Kathryn and gently pulled her in to a backwards hug. She wrapped her arms around the smaller woman. One arm reaching across her shoulder and the other across her stomach. Both ladies were looking out to the light house in the distance. But their thoughts were filled by the way their bodies were touching. Kathryn gently leaned backwards and Seven pulled her in tight. "I will not let you go my Kathryn."
Kathryn closed her eyes. She crossed her arms over Seven's and squeezed them even tighter against herself. "I don't want you to Seven." She said in a quiet voice. Kathryn then loosened her grip and slowly turned in Seven's embrace. This time she was the one leaning in. She pulled Seven's head down for a kiss. Their lips met and both women knew that this was what they wanted, they needed.
Seven had no point of reference for all that she was feeling. Their first kiss had been sweet, gentle. This was an explosion. As she followed Kathryn's lead touching lips then tongues Seven became almost dizzy with sensation. She felt Kathryn pull back and fear gripped her. She couldn't open her eyes. Seven was afraid to look for a reaction from her love. But she didn't need to look. The gentile nibbling she felt go up her jaw line to her ear told her all she needed to know. With a sigh of relief she cupped Kathryn's face in her hands and moved it away, just far enough to look into her eyes. You are mine Kathryn Janeway." Seven Paused and smiled "And I am yours."
tbc
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