This is a work of fiction. Characters belong to Paramount. This story contains a romantic relationship between female characters. If you don't like it, don't read it! I would welcome any reviews/comments. Enjoy!
That Groundhog Day Feeling – Chapter 6
Loop 7 continued
Janeway's pale features stood out against her silky auburn mane and the dark-coloured pillows. Seven watched as her chest gently rose and fell with the rhythm of her breathing, the Captain's expression peaceful and content as she slept. Tenderly the younger woman smoothed the hair from Janeway's face, but she did not stir. The muffled beep of a comm badge intruded on the intensely private moment.
"Doctor to Seven-of-Nine."
Seven carefully climbed out of the bed and retrieved her comm badge from the pile of clothing on the floor. Carrying it with her along with her blue biosuit, she left the bedroom and entered the sitting room, closing the door behind her, oblivious to the fact that she was walking naked around the Captain's quarters.
"Go ahead, Doctor."
"I need you in sick bay to program your temporal node. Chakotay has something planned for 21:00 hours and we don't want to be late."
"Acknowledged. I will be there shortly."
The former Borg quickly washed, dressed and fixed her hair in its customary style as quietly as possible, reluctant to disturb Janeway even though she would most likely be the star guest at whatever it was Chakotay had planned and would probably be awoken shortly anyway. In truth, Seven's emotions were in turmoil and she was glad of the excuse to escape. They would be alone again soon enough on the Delta Flyer.
Whilst Seven was in sick bay, Janeway slept on. Flashes of recent events came and went, but with no pattern or coherence that could be called a dream. Not unexpectedly, it was her comm badge that roused her. She tried to ignore it, burrowing her face in a pillow, but her First Officer was insistent.
"Captain, please respond."
Janeway rolled over and, fishing her uniform jacket from the floor, located the shining gold and silver device.
"I said I didn't want to be disturbed, Commander. I believe I was very precise in my instructions," replied Janeway, struggling into her trousers and grey t-shirt. Her tone was waspish but the words were said with a smile. There was a pause on the other end before Chakotay spoke again.
"What if I said you're needed in the mess hall? Reg Barclay just poisoned the Borg Queen with an undercooked targ chilli."
Janeway couldn't help but laugh. "On my way, Commander," she answered, about to finish the transmission when she was stopped by Chakotay.
"Ah, Captain, you might want to dress up a little. Chakotay out."
The Captain shook her head and began pulling off the rumpled uniform she had managed to put on. What is appropriate to wear to one's own wake, she mused, picturing several selections. A long, elegant cocktail dress? That white tuxedo? Comfortable slacks and a plain blouse? Crossing the room, she took out a pristine Captain's dress uniform and ran her hand over it fondly. There really was no other choice.
***********************
As Janeway entered the room full of Voyager's senior crew, a silence descended that was almost tangible. As she walked across the room and passed each man or woman in turn, they stood to attention. Except for Neelix and Seven-of-Nine, every one wore a Starfleet dress uniform complete with any medals, commendations and honours they had received during their service. Reds, blues and yellows mixed together in the Starfleet rainbow as everyone in the room faced their Captain. It was customary to announce the Captain's presence at an important function, and Tuvok, Voyager's Security Chief and Janeway's oldest friend, did so, a crack in his voice betraying the emotions bubbling beneath his Vulcan veneer of calm.
"All rise for the Captain." The instruction was completely unnecessary, but Janeway nodded once in acknowledgement. She continued to walk through the group of Voyager's crew, her eyes not settling on any one of them as she made for the single raised platform in the corner of the mess hall. The tables had been moved aside to clear a large space. Tasteful silver and red decorations adorned the room and trays of food and drink were dotted around, as yet untouched. Janeway stepped onto the platform and turned to face her Voyager family. Her expression set in a steely mask of authority, determination and courage, Captain Kathryn Janeway began to speak.
"Thank you all for coming on what must have been extremely short notice. I hope you're not missing out on anything important." A ripple of subdued laughter ran around the room. "I never expected to give this speech, and I'm sure none of you ever expected to hear it, so I'll keep it brief. If – and it is most definitely an 'if' – if I do not return from this mission, it will be with the knowledge that Voyager will get home. She has the strongest shields, the fastest engines of her class. She has the deadliest weapons, the most powerful computer in the fleet. But most of all, she has the finest crew ever to serve aboard a Starfleet vessel.
"Each and every one of you can feel proud, stand tall, for I know you have given the most you can, over and above the call of duty, time and time again. Let the record show that I, Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Starship Voyager, would recommend that every crew member receive a commendation for bravery and valour, and that there is no group of people with whom I would rather serve."
The silence stretched, five seconds, ten, then from somewhere at the rear of the room a solitary pair of hands began to clap. The dam broke and applause spread throughout the gathering; raucous, wild applause accompanied by shouts and whistles that seemed to last for hours. There was not a dry eye in the room as Janeway stepped to one side to make way for her First Officer who held up his hand in a request for silence once again.
"I can't follow that," he said, "and I don't think I should, except to propose a toast." He held up a flute of champagne, and there was a period of frantic confusion as everyone scrabbled for a glass. When it was settled, he raised his glass again.
"To the finest Captain a crew could wish for. Captain Janeway."
"CAPTAIN JANEWAY!" The words rang out in a chorus, and Janeway could only stand, mute. Her eye caught Seven-of-Nine's, who raised her eyebrow and raised her own glass in a final, private salute.
********************
Loop 8
Janeway sat at the helm of the Delta Flyer, constantly monitoring their speed and course. She heard a noise behind her as Seven-of-Nine emerged from the aft section and proceeded to take the seat beside her. Janeway glanced across.
"Is the torpedo ready?" she asked softly, watching the Borg's expression in profile as she stared fixedly forward through the viewscreen at the red giant star ahead.
"Yes, Captain."
Janeway nodded. "All stop," she ordered, and the shuttlecraft slowed, her engine noise decreasing to a faint hum as the little vessel came to a halt. The Captain turned in her seat.
"This is where things start to get a little hairy. You have the conn."
"Acknowledged," Seven replied, not moving. Janeway edged closer so that their bodies were touching and placed an arm around the younger woman's shoulder.
"The Doctor suggested that I sedate you, to make this…less traumatic for both of us," Seven told her Captain, whose arm tightened around the taller woman.
"Thanks, Seven, but I'd rather -" her voice choked off and she paused, struggling to regain her composure. "I want to be awake," she finished, leaning into her friend's warm, slender figure. Seven nodded tightly, then began to enter the commands that would continue the shuttle's journey and with it end the Captain's life. She had considered not following orders, simply turning back or just waiting for the next time loop to begin again, to give them another chance to find a way out, but Janeway had been insistent.
The Flyer began to move once again. Seven held the older woman in her arms as she began to gasp for breath, her heart racing as she moaned and whimpered with pain. Tears coursed down the Borg's pale cheeks as the shuttle ploughed through space and Captain Janeway struggled valiantly as her life ebbed away. Cradling the warm body in her strong arms, Seven flew on to her destination. Two hours later, the temporal field generator was finally in range.
"Computer, arm chronoton torpedo and target these coordinates," Seven ordered, entering the information into the computer which beeped in response.
"Torpedo armed."
With her free arm, the Borg inserted a device into the console in front of her. "Computer, download file Seven-of-Nine alpha".
"Download complete."
Seven took the device and held it up to her cortical implant, pressing a button and waiting until a tiny light ceased its flashing. She discarded the device and returned both arms to their former position around Janeway's body, holding it close and resting the Captain's head against her shoulder.
"I love you, Captain," she whispered softly, before closing her eyes. "Fire torpedo."
********************************
Loop Zero
"I considered all members of the crew, Captain. The same is true for the females as for the males; they are unsuitable. Many are already attached, a significant number possess ranks that are too low or too high to consider a match, some are too intellectually inferior, and some I have found…disagreeable."
"Ok, I take it back; it sounds like you've done your research. Just wanted to make sure you'd considered all the options. I'll have a think, see if anyone occurs to me." Janeway smiled and looked out of the viewscreen. As she did so, she felt the strangest sensation pass over her, leaving her nerves tingling and alarm bells ringing in her sharp mind.
"Did you feel something?" demanded Janeway, starting a scan of the surrounding area. Seven-of-Nine replied that she had felt nothing, but her startled expression betrayed her. Janeway knew her friend too well.
"There's nothing on scans. What is it, Seven?"
The blonde woman was silent, frustrating Janeway who turned in her chair and opened her mouth to demand an answer, but Seven beat her to it.
"Captain, would it be a contravention of the Temporal Prime Directive to reveal events that occurred in an alternate timeline?"
Janeway sighed and held her head in her hands. She was tired, dirty and hungry, and a temporal paradox was the last thing she needed. Wearily she mustered up a Captain-like face and sat up again in her chair, meeting Seven's cool, enquiring look.
"To the letter of the law, yes, it would. There are more clauses in that damn thing than the whole of the Federation Constitution. However, let's just say there are ways to get around it. Spill the beans, Seven."
The younger woman raised an eyebrow. "Beans, Captain?"
"Just tell me what's going on!"
"The time is not appropriate. I suggest we meet for dinner in your quarters and discuss the matter then."
"Fine, ok. Now let's get back to Voyager, hmm?"
The two women flew in companionable silence after a few more attempts by Janeway to extract information from Seven-of-Nine. Together, they returned to Voyager. The Captain was looking forward to an enjoyable evening, and enjoyable it was, though not in the way she had imagined…
THE END.
Author's Note
I enjoyed writing this story very much (except for Janeway's speech which made me cry!) and I hope you enjoyed reading it. If you have any comments or feedback please review and/or send me a message. If you like the story, please read my other work on this website.
Thank you.