A/N: It's been awhile. I finally decided to abandon my absurd plan to write this entirely on my tablet. I'll never get used to touch screens, I fear. Now, with a new, more lap-friendly laptop, I've picked up where we left off. I appreciate all of you who've stuck with me and I'll try not to test your patience again. Constructive comments are, as always, appreciated.
Time Enough Chapter 10
Janeway handed the PADD back to Harry. "Supplies look good. I have to say," she said, glancing at the tray of empty cups, "those berries the team harvested make a good smoothie."
Nelix beamed. "Thank you, Captain. I'll get working on making more yogurt right away. I'm also working on a recipe that will freeze well." He picked up the tray and left the briefing room with a spring in his step.
"Tuvok?" Janeway asked, "Anything to report?"
"Nothing substantial, Captain" the Vulcan replied. "There are now four stills in operation but the supply of ingredients is too limited for significant production. The alterations to the replicator programming have ensured that only non-replicated food products will produce adequate fermentation. There have been no reports of crew being impaired on duty."
Seven suspected that was not true but kept her own counsel. Ensign Cavanaugh had reported for duty with symptoms suggesting a hangover on several occasions. Since it stopped as soon as the resupply mission returned she had not made an issue of it.
"We have had no further incidents with Crewman Nels," Tuvok continued. "I am uncertain that continuing to devote personnel to guarding him is a good use of resources. I would like to propose moving to a non-removable tracking device. I have found plans for one in the database which includes non-lethal subdual options such as an uncomfortable shock should he leave his assigned area as well as a pulse that will render him unconscious."
Janeway nodded reluctantly. "Get it working and tested. If it works, we'll have a chat with Crewman Nels." She would also have to talk with Cavanaugh and Sato. She did not anticipate it being a pleasant conversation.
Janice looked at the flask sitting out on the counter. She cursed under her breath, got up and slipped it in a drawer under a sketchbook. Mio was due to return any moment. She made herself a cup of tea instead. The last time Mio was on an away mission, Janice had reveled in the quiet. She left dirty cups out, left her discarded uniform on the floor, and slept in the exact center of the bed.
Janice had spent a great deal of her down time working on a drawing. She was not an exceptional artist herself but could produce passable work when she focused. Having Mio about had made focusing on art far too daunting a prospect. She thought Mio might enjoy a picture of her smelly purple flowers now that they had been banished from their quarters. She had put it away unfinished when Mio's ship had been declared missing. Now it lay forgotten in a sketchbook used to conceal her flask of moonshine.
Mio walked inside to find Jan sitting on the bed, her face swollen and eyes red. "Jan?" Mio set her kit down and moved to sit beside her. "Everything went fine. I'm back and everything is fine."
Jan hugged Mio tightly. The past few days had been so hard to bear. "I'm glad you're back," she managed to choke out. She couldn't let go.
Mio felt guilty. She had been caught up in the excitement of finding edible flora while Jan relived VS-4's disappearance and her apparent death. Despite all the reminders, it was hard to remember that so much time had passed. Of course, she had spent the entire mission making sure she was never alone with a male crewmember. The medication was helping but it would be a long time before she felt comfortable around men.
Mio kissed the top of Jan's head. "I missed you." She put a hand under Jan's chin and gently lifted her face for a tender kiss. She felt Jan respond with an urgent passion.
"Do you have to be anywhere soon?" Mio whispered when they came up for air. Jan shook her head. "Neither do I." It wasn't true. She was supposed to be meeting with the hydroponics crew to discuss possible cultivation of the specimens she's brought back. She tapped her comm badge. "John, its Mio. I want to give those specimens a bit of time to recover from transport. You have the specs. Keep them comfy and we'll talk next shift. Out." She disconnected before John could reply. He'd understand.
Jan raised an eyebrow. They'd long ago promised not to let their relationship cause them trouble on duty. Mio smiled and kissed her again. Jan melted into the kiss and pulled Mio down on top of her. Work be damned.
They made love slowly without the frantic need that usually left them breathless. This time, the fire burned just as hot but it was as patient as it was intense. Finally exhausted, they lay with bodies entwined, neither willing to let go of the closeness.
Jan ran her hand absently over the curve of Mio's hip. It felt better than she had remembered. For the first time since VS-4's return, Jan did not have any lingering fear that it was all a dream. And she had not felt the slightest hesitation from Mio. Intellectually, Jan knew the damage to both of them was still there but the worst, that was behind them.
"If that's the welcome home I get, can I pretend to be on an away mission every shift?" Mio grinned and kissed the tip of Jan's nose. "Let's go get something to eat. The supplies we brought back were so good even Nelix couldn't ruin them." She felt herself grow warm when Jan smiled, a feeling that intensified as she felt Jan's renewed passion against her leg. "In a little while we'll go."
Janeway sighed and resigned herself to another sleepless night. "Computer, lights to twenty percent." The Doctor was holding sleeping pills hostage to a "full evaluation." Janeway had no desire to discuss the reason for her unrest, least of all to the annoyingly perceptive hologram. She wrapped a robe loosely around herself and picked up a PADD. May as well get some work done.
Janeway started as the door chimed. "Come in," she said reflexively then, realizing her robe was not doing a terribly effective job of covering her otherwise nude body, she quickly stood facing away from the door as she secured it. She heard the door close.
"What— Oh, Seven. Shouldn't you be regenerating?" Janeway took a step toward the haggard-looking Borg. "Are you okay?"
Seven closed the distance between them. "No, Kathryn, I am not okay. I am unable to regenerate peacefully. I am unable to think peacefully."
Janeway felt a warmth surge through her when Seven used her name. Seven only called her "Captain." It felt good. Very good. Scarily good. "What can I do to help?" Janeway asked, struggling mightily not to let her voice crack. Professional, she reminded herself. Keep it professional.
Seven pulled Janeway to her and kissed her. Janeway felt her own arms reach out and wrap around Seven. Seven continued to kiss her with growing passion. Janeway felt them moving backward. Her legs hit the bed and her robe fell to the floor. "Seven?"
"Resistance is futile, my Kathryn," Seven murmured as she gently pulled Janeway down to the bed. Their naked bodies pressed…
"Oh, fuck," Janeway moaned. She sat up, still breathing heavily. Her nightshirt was gathered up and her fingers were wet. "This has to stop. Or at least last longer," she muttered. Her body still throbbed from the dream. "What are you doing to me?" she whispered as she lay back down to give herself what proved to be a thoroughly inadequate release.