Beams of sunlight filtered through the shades in Seven's living room, their brightness calling Janeway awake. Squinting, she waited for her eyes to adjust before attempting to move any of her limbs. Past experience had taught her that this could result in painful consequences.

She was warm. The gray blanket covering her body was much too heavy, so she threw it off impulsively, eager for cooler air to chill her legs.

Janeway's mental faculties rapidly came online when she realized where she was and sat up.

"Shit."

Rubbing her temples, she glanced at her chronometer. 0649. The good news: she felt rested enough to get up and move about in the common area. The bad news: no coffee.

Yet as much as her body ached for coffee, it ached for the fresh, brilliant sunrise outside a little more.

After smoothing her clothes and splashing some water on her face, then carefully pulling the front door shut behind her, Janeway took a few timid steps into the freezing sand. Her feet quickly adapted to the temperature as she walked the few hundred meters to the water's edge.

The rising orange orb in front of her melted away any fatigue and stiffness that had settled into her bones. It was fantastically refreshing. She stood there, arms crossed and gazing blissfully over the water, for well over a half hour and thought nothing of it. The sun had not yet turned hot, the wind was not overly cold or gusty. The birds sang to her. The waves continued their pacifying rhythm.

There was peace.

The Admiral's sigh was visible as Seven cut across the sand, trying not to give away her presence. The older woman seemed to be immersing herself in the tranquility that had escaped her for so many years on Voyager, dealing with their constant fight for survival. Or had she perhaps stolen moments like these, looking out at the stars with some small feeling of contentment, with no one else around? Seven tried to ignore the feeling of privilege that arose from witnessing the atypical sight before her, and focused on what she had come for.

The sound of Seven's voice directly behind her cut into the stillness Janeway had cultivated.

"I do not mean to intrude, Admiral, but I thought you would like…"

Janeway was already turning around and immediately zeroed in on the steaming mug in the blonde's hands.

"If you're bringing me that, the intrusion is more than welcome." The cheer in her tone was abundantly evident. "Sun up in the sky, warm air, good company, and a hot cup of coffee—life doesn't get better than that."

Seven smiled.

"Was your sleep adequate?" she inquired, hopeful that the Admiral hadn't experienced any discomfort from the makeshift arrangements.

"Very. Your couch was more adequate than the ritzy, oversized bed I've been sleeping on."

The younger woman nodded and moved to stand beside Janeway, both women surveying the seascape before them with a feeling of ease. Their shared silence was companionable; neither was keen to spoil the breathtaking beauty surrounding them. The Admiral sipped happily at her coffee and felt the pace of her mental wheels begin to increase as the caffeine went to work.

Having sufficiently woken up, Janeway eventually turned to Seven, struck with a plan. "Let's go into the nearest native town, Seven. What do you say to some exploring today?"

Seven quirked an eyebrow in surprise. "That would be…acceptable."

"Let me walk back to my place to freshen up and get a change of clothing, and I'll meet you at the stop just west of here at 0900. Sound alright?"

The ex-Borg tilted her head. "Of course."

Janeway smiled and began to walk away, intending to leave.

"Admiral."

She stopped, looking back at Seven through the sunrise.

"Thank you…for listening last night. It was very helpful to me."

Janeway softly laid a hand on Seven's shoulder, then left.

The blonde stood alone for several more minutes, watching the ocean and trying to recapture the tranquility she'd felt moments earlier. Her effort was in vain.