=A=
It was weeks later, after she'd almost forgotten about the Admiral's lecture, that Seven had the misfortune of meeting her again.
She grabbed her bag from the locker room, fresh from a shower. A peaceful feeling settled in her chest, the aftermath of a thrilling match. Her body was alert, supple, her mind clear. This was the clarity she had been craving for a long time, the feeling of purpose and accomplishment. Something other than emptiness. Seven strode smoothly out of the gym and out onto the Academy grounds.
The weather had turned warmer—winter was slowly abating. Her skin felt cool after such a workout, the crisp air invigorating in her lungs. She closed her eyes as she walked, letting the feeling of serenity sink deep into her body.
Eventually she came to a familiar spot, one with a great view of the water to the west, and slowly seated herself.
She lost track of time. It was satisfying enough to simply look out over the world.
She longed for such moments, and had come to appreciate them when they graced her life, because they were rare. Seven could now recognize them as moments that told her she was "at home" in this life situation—moments when she felt she belonged. Which was always an achievement for her.
Therefore she was, of course, less than pleased when Admiral Janeway intruded.
"Great match, Captain."
Her voice was grating against the distant city buzz and rustling of the trees nearby. Seven blinked in annoyance.
"Thank you," she answered automatically, without turning around.
"I'd like to think that our matches aboard Voyager primed you for your position on the Velocity team here, but I suppose that would be vain," Janeway smiled a little, although Seven couldn't see her. "You would beat me soundly now."
In no mood to talk, the younger woman ignored the pleasantries and curtly threw a barb.
"Why did you follow me here?"
Janeway was slightly taken aback by the pointed question. The breeze drifted across as she considered, unsure of how to open the conversation. She opted to start slowly.
"I wanted to congratulate you on your victory."
"Bullshit."
Janeway's eyebrows shot up.
Seven could feel the shocked expression she had generated, the hard gaze on her shoulders.
"Mind your words. I am still your superior, cadet," the Admiral admonished, command tone snapping back into place. "That was uncalled for."
"So was your intrusion into my personal time," Seven parried evenly.
The breeze continued for another minute.
"I apologize for interrupting," Janeway finally tried, switching to soft power tactics. She remembered Seven's penchant for stubborn arguing all too well; that wouldn't get them anywhere. "I came here to talk."
Seven swallowed, still staring out at the water. "Then do it quickly."
Janeway was becoming exasperated with Seven's resistance. She sighed, gazed downwards. "You remember our conversations aboard Voyager…the philosophical discussions and the off-hours when I would teach you about the finer points of humanity," she recounted, examining her hands as she spoke, then looking up at the younger woman's back. "I'd like to rebuild that relationship with you again. Is that a sufficient reason to talk?"
To her bewilderment, Seven stood and gave her a vaporizing stare.
"No. It is entirely insufficient. Clearly you cannot recognize the person I have become, Admiral. You cannot even recognize that I no longer require your teaching; I have gained more experience without your guidance than I ever would have under it. Therefore I see no need to rebuild anything. Good day."
She shouldered her bag and stalked off without so much as a twitch backwards.