Time Enough Chapter 9
Mio added a little more dirt, patted it down and poured water around the basil seedlings. She felt a wave of contentment working in the hydroponics lab. Everything felt so normal.
She heard something bump against the wall. She didn't recall actually jumping up and running to the far corner of the lab and crouched with her back to the wall brandishing a trowel. She just saw John standing there wide-eyed holding large box.
"Are you okay?" He set the box down and started toward her then stopped. Mio? Mio, are you okay?"
"John. You startled me. I'm sorry."
John stared at her a moment then sighed. Everything was suddenly quite clear to him. "Carol is full of shit." He smiled sadly at her confusion. "She's been saying you lied about Nels. I don't think you did. Not anymore. I'm sorry. And I'm sorry for being a jerk to Jan. Carol's just not who I thought she was."
Mio picked up the tool. "Thank you, John," she said with a composure she did not feel. "I appreciate it. Please excuse me." She stepped around him and walked out. She didn't notice the trowel still in her hand until she was on the lift. She made a note to talk to the Doctor about raising her dosage.
"I still do not understand," Seven complained. "According to the research materials you suggested, the relaxation after an initial tensing and putting a hand on the side of my face were clear signs of approval. If the Captain approved of my kiss, why did she then tell me to leave?" Her expression grew hurt. "And why has she refused to speak with me about it?"
Janice reminded herself yet again not to roll her eyes or laugh. "Ma'am, perhaps she needs time to think about things. After all, you've been thinking about a relationship for some time now. Her reaction is encouraging but a physical response is not enough. Give her some time," Janice advised.
"Very well. I will give her another day. If she will not talk to me privately, I will talk to her wherever I can."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Janice said carefully. "In fact, it's a very bad idea."
"I require an answer," Seven all but whined.
"And I'm sure you'll get one. Just give her time, Ma'am."
"Very well, I will be content to wait for now." Seven paced back and forth across the Astrometrics lab. "Do you think her delay means she does not wish a romantic relationship?" She slapped the console in frustration. "Enough. Ensign, begin mapping grid 365-2J." Seven pretended not to notice the look of relief that flashed across Cavanaugh's face.
"Happy birthday, Ensign Sato" Nelix said as he set a small cake on the table. The cake was decorated with a few fresh flowers.
"Why thank you, Nelix," Mio said with a genuine smile. "It's beautiful." She wondered where he got the flowers.
Jan smiled at Nelix. "That's really sweet."
"Isn't cake supposed to be sweet?" Nelix replied with a chuckle. "And you're welcome. I hope you enjoy it. I'm so glad to see the two of you smiling."
"Happy birthday, Mio."
Mio turned to see John walking over. The flower mystery was solved. She sensed Jan tensing.
"Jan, it's good to see you," John said. "I'm sorry for missing your birthday the last couple of years. I hope you two have a great day." He smiled again and walked away.
"What just happened?" Jan asked Mio.
"I told you he had a change of heart," Mio said. "Maybe it was seeing how Carol's been acting." She knew John still held some resentment toward Jan but saw no point in bringing it up. Truth be told, she still had a bit of resentment herself. "Please join us," she said to Nelix.
Nelix cut and plated slices of cake for each of them. "Don't mind if I do."
Seven went through the simulation specs yet again. Someone had accessed it covertly and covered their tracks. Covered them almost as well as she had. She didn't see any changes. Perhaps someone else wanted to use the simulation. It was a good one based on her research.
Seven was offended that someone had accessed Cavanaugh's beach simulation without her permission but, considering she'd done the same thing herself, she could hardly say anything. She tightened up the security protocols and waved the program away. Until Janeway talked to her, the simulation was unnecessary.
"I don't like it."
"Jan, it's just a short trip to the surface. I'll be back in a couple of days." Mio was more than a little apprehensive about a shuttle mission herself but saying so would only wind Jan up more.
"Can't they send someone else?" Janice knew she was whining but she felt like she had left her stomach was about five light years back when Mio announced the away mission.
Mio stopped packing and put her hands on Jan's shoulders. "Sweetie, I begged off the last two missions. I need to go. I need to go because this is my work and because I can't stay afraid forever. Please understand. I need you to not make this any harder."
Janice slumped. "I'm sorry. I know I'm being hysterical. I'm just, well, I couldn't take it if anything happened to you. Promise me you won't take any unnecessary risks."
"I will. And you promise not to mope around worrying while I'm gone." Mio leaned in and kissed Jan. "Love you."
"Love you too." She sighed. "Go on, finish packing. We'll have a nice dinner when you get back. You can tell me all about the weird flowers you find."
"I'm hoping for edible grains and roots myself," Mio laughed. "Fruit if we're lucky. Nelix is all hot to make fruit smoothies now that he's managed a decent yogurt."
"Go find something yummy." Jan hugged Mio tightly. "And damn it, be careful." She sat on the bed and tried her hardest to look supportive while Mio finished packing.
They embraced again and Mio took off for the shuttle bay. Back in their quarters, Jan poured herself a large beaker of distilled spirits. She knew she would pay for the indulgence but synthehol wouldn't numb her the way the moonshine would. It was technically against regs but so long as consumption didn't interfere with duty, security turned a blind eye to the homemade stills. After a few shots she stopped noticing the feeling of dread. A couple more and she stopped noticing anything.
Seven frowned. "Ensign, the coordinates."
Janice fought down another wave of nausea. "Yes Ma'am, right away, Ma'am." Her stomach continued to protest but it didn't concern her. No, Janice was far more concerned with the headache that spiked with every sound, every movement, every flashing light. She focused and managed to complete the data transfer.
"You do not seem well," Seven observed. "Are you ill?"
"No, Ma'am," Janice replied quickly. Being ill meant a trip to sickbay and that meant a hangover diagnosis. While she was sure The Doctor could ease her symptoms in a flash, there would be reports made and Security would get involved. "I'm fine. Just a restless night. Ensign Sato is on an away mission."
Seven narrowed her eyes but simply nodded. "I am confident Ensign Sato will return unharmed at the appointed time. Please initiate a level 4 diagnostic scan once the remaining sector scans are complete. I will be on the Bridge."
Janice collapsed in her chair after Seven left. The scans were routine and did not require much attention. She ordered the lights dimmed, set the scans, and settled down with a mug of honey-laced tea. All in all, it was still better than brooding about Mio.
Janeway felt her face go warm when Seven strolled onto the Bridge. She chided herself for acting like a silly teen. "Hello, Seven." She found it easier if she did not look directly at the former drone. "We have good news. Most of the fauna is edible. We'll be beaming down transport containers shortly." Janeway winced. She was babbling.
"The non-synthetic nutrients will be welcome," Seven replied. Not so much by her but it seemed an appropriate response. Seven positioned herself so she could observe Janeway and waited patiently. This was quite interesting.
Janeway pretended to read several reports and otherwise made herself appear busy. She saw Seven studying her out of the corner of her eye. Damn. She would have to resolve this. She must shut this foolishness down. A romantic relationship with Seven was simply not possible. Janeway didn't even like women that way! That Seven starred in the sexiest dreams she'd ever had didn't mean anything. That she could not stop replaying that kiss...
Janeway stood. "Chakotay, you have the bridge. I'll be in Sickbay. I feel a cold coming on." Janeway swore she saw Seven smirking as she left.
A/N: I know, I suck. I'll try to be better about updating. On the plus side, I finally figured out how to post from my tablet. Your thoughts on the story are very much appreciated.