A/N: I apologize for the long delay in getting the second chapter posted. I appreciate any constructive feedback. I'm not a rabid Voyager fan so please forgive me if I accidentally used a name of an existing character. I had to go to the Memory Alpha website to figure out the name of the "pleasure planet" from a TNG episode I vaguely recall. I'm not a Chakotay fan but I promise he isn't a bad guy in this story. Janeway and Seven are not the main characters although they do play important roles. I'm telling the story in the "present" time and in flashbacks that move forward in time from the initial meeting of the Mio and Jan characters. I hope the time-jumping does not become confusing.

Time Enough Chapter 2

Janice and Mio wandered aimlessly through the ship. Arriving at either of their quarters would just make everything real. Eventually, they ended up at the hydroponics bay. "Wow," Mio said as she took in the ornamentals section. "It's really grown!" She moved through a bit then stopped suddenly at a plaque.

"I'm sure they'll take care of that," Janice said softly.

Mio turned to her, pale and shaking. "A memorial? I.. This just can't be real. It was two weeks! We were right beside you the whole time!"

"Believe me, I understand," Janice said. "I was at your funeral, after all. I thought that seemed unreal. This, this I'm honestly not sure about. I'm too stunned to think." She hurried to add, "But I know I'm happy you're back. I dreamed of it but never imagined.. God, please tell me I'm not dreaming!"

Mio hugged Janice. "Maybe we both are." After a moment she said, "Let's get out of here. So tell me what you've been doing the last two years." Mio tried to keep the tension from her voice. Two years was a long time.

"I work in Astrometrics now," Janice said as the continued their stroll. "I guess it's better than the maintenance crews they had me on. Seven is a decent boss once you get used to her." She saw the confusion on Mio's face. "Seven of Nine is a Borg, well, former Borg. The Captain got her separated from the Borg hive and now she runs Astrometrics. Captain Janeway trusts her," Janice assured Mio. "I'm sure you'll see her around. She's not awful but she's not really skilled at the social graces so don't take it personally if she says something kind of off." It was more of a guarantee. It had taken her awhile to get used to Seven's mannerisms.

"A Borg," Mio said with a shake of her head. "But you know that I'm not asking about your boss, Jan. What about us?"

"I'm not with anyone," Janice said quietly. "Let's leave it at that for now." She wasn't looking forward to discussing the last two years. "Do you want some coffee? Something to eat? Neelix will about pass out from joy if he sees you eat his cooking," she joked.

Mio nodded. She wasn't a fool. But as hard as this was on her, to imagine thinking Jan dead for so long... She told herself she should be thankful for anything she got from Jan and not judge her. She would tell herself that as many times as it took.

"Ensign Sato! It's wonderful to see you," Neelix enthused. He led the two to a table. "And you, Ensign Cavanaugh. Would you two like something to eat? I've been working on my pizza recipe. Mr. Paris has told me it is as good as any Midwest pizza," he boasted.

Janice forced a smile. "Thank you that would be nice. It's not, uhm, got anything still moving on it?"

"Oh, no," Neelix assured her. "Not even Lieutenant Torres enjoyed my Klingon pizza I'm sad to say. I'm still very confused by these fusion cuisines."

"I'd love a cup of coffee," Mio said, anxious to change the topic. Her stomach was still a bit delicate. "Perhaps I could have some more of that soup instead of pizza." She saw Janice smile slightly. Mio did not have a particularly adventurous palate, something that proved a bit inconvenient when it came to Neelix's cooking.

"Of course," Neelix said and hurried off with a wide smile. It was so nice to see something set right. Not all of the VS-4 crew had such a happy reunion. Ensign Hines had no doubt learned that her fiancé had married about six months ago and that his new wife was pregnant. Crewman Nels had apparently lost control while on the mission and was confined to quarters. Neelix was a bit surprised the details of his behavior were not yet common knowledge. He was a bit curious, he had to admit. Well, gossip traveled at Warp 11. He'd hear the details soon enough. Crewman Thompson and Lieutenant Wilson were both unattached so at least they did not have to rebuild a relationship or move on from one that no longer existed. He reflected that in a very real way, the VS-4 were still living in a different time stream.

Mio ran yet another simulation. She would find a way to cultivate those hybrid tea leaves if it was the last thing she did. She had convinced Neelix to advocate for the project but she wasn't doing it for his cafeteria. She wanted Jan to have a cup of real tea, not replicated flavored water.

Mio smiled to herself. She had vowed never to get involved with another crew member. Of course, things were different now that they were in the Delta Quadrant. While she found being alone peaceful, it could also be lonely. She was contemplating asking Jan to move into couple's quarters.

It was a big step but one she was ready to take. She found herself resenting those days she woke up alone. She thought Jan would want to live together but since they'd never discussed it, she couldn't be sure. She made another adjustment and checked the results. It might work. Living things did not always work the way the simulations said they should. Still, the probability of success was high. She got to work readying a sample. She'd try growing a few and see.

"What do you mean it was denied?" Mio was furious. "I know for a fact there are couple's quarters available. He can't just deny our request for no reason!"

"Well, yes, it seems he can," Janice said. She threw the PADD on the bed and swore. "I'd heard he's a Traditionalist but I always figured he'd keep his views separate from his job."

"We'll appeal to the Captain." Mio waved off Janice's protest. "I'm going to do it. We're tripping over ourselves. And dammit, I'm tired of one of us always having to run off to change uniforms and I'm tired of these tiny beds. Mostly the tiny beds," she admitted.

Janice laughed. "Fair enough. We'll send her a request, but not until you calm down. I'll make you a cup of coffee."

Janeway rubbed her temples. She had approved recycling of any possessions of the VS-4 crew not claimed by their loved ones after the search had been called off. Wilson and Thomas hadn't had anything claimed so they had nothing of their lives left. Hines was livid that her ex-fiancé had given her jewelry to his new wife and he felt he should not have to return it. Janeway decided he could keep the engagement ring since after all they were no longer engaged, but the necklace he'd given Hines as a gift, that was going back, as was everything else. She deserved to have those memories to hold onto, even if they were bitter ones. At least Cavanaugh had kept most of Sato's possessions.

"I hope those two will be okay," Janeway muttered aloud. "Be nice if this wasn't a complete clusterfuck." She recalled the meeting she'd had with the two women so long ago. Chakotay had denied their request to share quarters. He claimed he wanted to hold the larger quarters for couples with children but the women thought it was due to his Traditionalist views. Frankly, Janeway agreed with the women. She had sent them off with a promise to look into the matter. She could not undercut Chakotay's authority by granting their request then and there.

Janeway did not have fond memories of her conversation with Chakotay. He refused to admit his Traditionalist views were driving his decision. Finally she got him to agree to granting the request under the condition that childless couples would have to give up their quarters to crew with children if there was a need. Well, he agreed once she rephrased it as an order. Thankfully, Chakotay had become a bit more open-minded over the course of their journey.

Mio frowned at the print Janice was holding against the wall. "It's kind of creepy," she said. Kind of creepy like space was kind of large.

"You really think so? The discordant elements do draw the eye," Janice mused. "Of course, this print can't do it justice. The actual alto-rilievo is simply stunning. And way creepier." She sighed and said, "How about we find a place for it in the closet?" It wasn't that Mio didn't appreciate art. She did, so long as it was pretty art. Janice knew most people felt the same way. Her own tastes made her the odd one, not Mio.

"Well," Mio hedged, "if you really like it, I could get used to it."

"No, sweetheart, this is our home so we'll make it right for both of us. Besides," Janice said with a grin, "I haven't told you yet how much I detest the smell of those awful purple flowers."

They continued to put away their belongings and decorate their new quarters with a minimum of bloodshed. The move had come on a day they were both off duty but tomorrow, that was another issue. Mio had her usual shift but Janice had been transferred to a crew doing routine maintenance in the Jeffries tubes. It was of course in the middle of the ship's "night." They figured it was a housewarming present from Chakotay.

Janice sprawled out on the bed and held a hand out to Mio. "This is wonderful. I don't care if I'm assigned to cleaning the waste treatment tanks so long as I get to come home to you."

Mio flopped down beside her. "I'd just as soon you stay in the Jeffries tubes. They smell much better." She rolled on top of Janice. "I'm glad we did this," she whispered then kissed Jan. The larger bed was really nice.

The two women ended up at Janice's quarters. Mio saw several of her own nick-knacks scattered around. The walls held prints of space with various overlays and color shifts and filters. "These are pretty," she commented.

"Thanks. Seven lets me use the equipment in Astrometrics to create pictures when we're not busy." It had become a hobby for her. Most of her creations she gave away if only because she had limited wall space. "Want some coffee?"

"No, thanks," Mio said. "I hadn't had any in a couple of weeks so my tolerance isn't what it used to be." She sat down on the edge of the bed, the only place they could sit next to each other. Jan took the hint but not without some obvious hesitation. They sat next to each other in awkward silence.

"Jan, are you going to tell me what's going on?" After another moment of silence Mio stood. "You need some time. I mean, you thought I was dead and now I'm standing here. I'm going to my quarters. Can we talk tomorrow? At lunch, maybe?" She ran her hand lightly across Janice's cheek. "I love you."

Janice felt tears welling up. "I love you too," she managed. Her voice was not cooperating. Her entire body was not cooperating. "I'm not very proud of some of the things I did while you were.. gone," she confessed.

Mio felt the words like a physical blow. She had expected Jan to have had relationships. She couldn't expect her to remain faithful to a dead person, after all. Still, it hurt. "You thought was dead." She sighed. "Look, I don't like the idea of you with someone else but how can I be mad that you moved on with your life?" She was in fact mad, but she knew she had no right to be. "Let's just say the last two years were like a trip to Risa."

Janice managed a smile. "I wish it would stay on Risa." She stood and wrapped her arms around Mio. "I love you," she whispered. Mio felt the wetness of tears on her neck. "I want things to be like they were before. It's just... It doesn't feel real yet. I'm numb and I don't want to feel that way with you. Does that make any sense at all?"

"It does." Mil gently stroked Jan's hair. "So is lunch good?" Truth be told, Mio wasn't sure she was ready for someone to be touching her intimately right now. She was still having flashbacks to Nels' assault. Knowing that he was merely confined to quarters did nothing to alleviate her anxiety. Jan nodded. "Good. I'll see you for lunch. To be honest, I'm exhausted and just want to get some sleep."

"You could sleep here," Janice said quietly. "I know my pajamas will fit you well enough," she said with a shaky smile. Mio returned the smile.

They changed and lay down. After some uncertainty they moved into a comfortable, familiar cuddle and fell quickly asleep.

Seven of Nine walked into Janeway's office. "Captain, Ensign Roberts is not an acceptable substitute. When will Ensign Cavanaugh return to duty?"

Janeway raised an eyebrow. "I thought we agreed to give her some time with Ensign Sato. Having a lover come back from the dead is fairly traumatic," she said dryly.

Seven frowned. "Ensign Sato never died so she did not come back from death, just from a temporal anomaly." She considered. "The return of VS-4 has decreased Ensign Cavanaugh's efficiency. Nonetheless, even impaired by emotions I believe she will be far more efficient and competent than Ensign Roberts."

"Give her another day," Janeway said.

Seven recognized the tone. She considered what tasks she could entrust to Ensign Roberts for one more duty shift. "Very well. I do not understand why the return of a lover is traumatic. I thought it would be a pleasant revelation."

"It's complicated," Janeway said with a sigh. "People change. I hope they're able to continue their friendship. They seemed very happy before the VS-4 disappeared."

"I am not certain Ensign Cavanaugh's efficiency would benefit from being happy," Seven groused.

"Oh, you might be surprised," Janeway said with a smirk. She waited for Seven to leave then dropped her head into her hands. "Stop it," she muttered to herself. "Don't even think about it." She looked back at the door with a stab of longing. "Damn it."