Chapter 3
"Admiral!" Janeway greeted the bolstering man as she offered her hand. Wincing slightly as he took it and squeezed. Her fingers pressed slightly uncomfortably together. His curt jostling aching her wrist.
"Captain!" His voice heavy with barely controlled glee. "I trust your first few days back have been well?!"
"Oh yes, very." She smiled. "It's been quiet a journey. I must admit though, it has left myself and most of the crew reeling."
"I am sure. My son and his family have been an absolute joy to have around. That wife of his is a fierce one! I like her very much."
Captain Janeway laughed. "And I am sure that little bundle was a surprise!"
"Oh yes!" His eyes dancing. "She's the apple of PawPaws eye!" He dropped her hand and motioned for Seven of nine to approach. She had been observing them shyly from a few feet behind the Captain.
Stepping aside to allow him to greet the suddenly mute ex-Borg.
"My dear, its an honor to make your acquaintance." He extended his hand to her. As she reciprocated, when their hands met, he gently clasped her fingers and brought her knuckles to his lips where chivalrously pecked them.
Janeways half smile towards Seven lightened her mood drastically. Sevens angst at meeting with the Admiral had her deeply unnerved for hours. Constantly, she gone over protocols and mannerisms, searching her eidetic databanks for her lessons with the doctor. She desperately wanted to make a good impression. Then there was the part of her that worried Starfleet would want to dissect her and study her for Borg information. Though, she knew Kathryn wouldn't dare let that happen. The possibility was ever present in her minds eye.
"The, pleasure, is all mine, Admiral."
He smiled kindly at her and let go of her hand.
"So!" Captain Janeway trudged onward. "Is this a debriefing? Or are you going to court martial me?" Her tone light, with a hint of trepidation.
Admiral Paris just grinned and walked to his desk. Keying up a few commands, he swung his monitor around so the two women could see it.
"Please take a seat. Let me ease your mind, first, captain. You will not be courtmartialed. You will not be demoted. However," he paused surreptitiously, "You will be offered an Admirals position."
Janeways eyes widened. Her forehead wrinkling as her eye brows shot up to her hairline.
"And You, my dear are safe and free." He spoke to Seven pointedly. "I know how you must feel. Take me word for it, no one will lay a hand on you. I would ask that you be open to an interview with our task force on Borg encryption and defense."
Seven nodded with a slight smile.
"Good! Now that everyone's nerves are set eased, lets get to it!"
Captain Janeway and Seven took a seat in front of his desk in full view of the monitor directed towards them.
"What is this about?" Janeway probed as she crossed her left leg over her right.
Admiral Paris pressed a side button and the monitor sprung to life.
"Watch." Was all he said.
Seven and Janeway looked at the screen. Recognizing it immediately, Janeway gasped.
"It's fathers Admiral ball!" Her voice far away as if retreating in time.
"Watch." Paris said again, softer.
Her father, so young looking and dapper, stood at a podium thanking the guest for attending and accepting his promotion to Admiral. As he spoke, screen began showing visuals of the audience. First some Vulcan delegates stoically listening. Their pointed eye brows lifting in the only outward sign of emotion. Then there was a few tables of people closest to the newly minted Admiral. His parents, the sight of which cause Janeway to sniffle.
Seven glanced at Captain Janeway. An unreadable expression on her face.
"That is your father?" She asked. Her only answer a slow nod.
Continuing to watch, a woman both recognized as a young Gretchen Janeway appeared. Looking almost identical to the Janeway watching the display. With an ease more fluid than water, the younger Gretchen stood and applauded her husband as he finished his speech and stepped of the podium platform. Taking Gretchens hands in his, he pulled her to him and kissed her deeply.
"Aw Jeez, you guys!" A youthful voice was heard off to the left of the display.
Janeway froze. All of a sudden a very short teenager with long red hair was on the screen. Her nose crinkled in embarrassment. The 15 year old was wearing a knee length blue dress with delicate lace for shoulder straps.
"Shut up, stupid!" Janeway laughed out loud before covering her mouth with her hand.
"That was Phoebe." Clarifying to Seven why she was amused. Seven nodded and actually giggled for a moment. Forgetting herself.
They watched as the monitor panned around the table. Coming to rest on a very familiar, and shocking sight. Sitting there beside Gretchen, as she took her seat, was Magnus and Erin Hansen.
Blood turned to ice in Sevens veins. Her face suddenly devoid of all color. Her hands felt like rocks in her lap as she squeezed them into tight fists.
"Congratulations, my friend!" Magnus greeted Admiral Janeway with an outstretched hand.
"Thank you, Magnus!" He replied with a jovial smile, shaking his hand. "I cannot believe she slept through my speech!" He motioned to the chair beside Erin.
The monitor zoomed out to reveal a tiny 5 year old little girl, curled up in the center. Her long blonde hair falling like a silken waterfall over the edge. Her corduroy jumper all bunched up and her white tights wrinkled from her unladylike position.
Erin laughed, "why don't you girls take her outside to the garden." She spoke to the two other children across from her.
Kathryn watched as her teenage self and kid sister ran around the table to the sleeping child.
Her Red hair flowing behind her, till she reached the chair and knelt down beside it. She couldn't look away. Her younger self, was tenderly waking a younger Seven of Nine.
Suddenly, as if jolted by an electrical shock, the memories flooded her psyche. She remembered it all! How her father and Magnus had been colleagues. How their mothers were so close they could have been sisters. Summers playing in the pond with her favorite little friend and her sister.
She watched as young Kathryn shook little Annika with great tenderness.
"Com on," she said. "Wake up, Little one."
.. "little one." Janeway said the endearment at the same time as her younger self.
Seven of Nine released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Her head slowly turning to see Janeway's face. Her expression full of wonder, amazement, shock, and sadness.
Captain Janeway continued to watch, as little Annika slowly picked her head up and wrapped her arms around the teens neck.
"Kit-Kat"
"Kit-Kat"
Little Annika and Seven said in unison.
Janeway turned her head to meet Sevens intense azure gaze.
The two women sat quietly, both lost in their own thoughts. Memories. Each going back and fourth between not believing and wondering how they'd forgotten.
"Wait for me!" Young phoebes voice drew their attention back to the monitor as it went dark. The last thing they saw was young Kathryn carrying Annika away and Phoebe chasing after them.
Captain Janeway took a ragged breath, and slowly let it out. Closing her eyes, she tried to stave the warring emotions that had begun to swirl inside her like a hurricane.
Seven, formerly Seven of Nine, formerly Borg, Formerly Annika, stood and took a few steps to her right. Reaching her Borg enhanced hand out to steady herself on the edge of Admiral Paris' desk.
"I do not understand." She said almost imperceptibly. "I have read all literature pertaining to my parents personal and professional lives." She felt a heated anger rising inside her abdomen. "Explain!" She demanded swirling around to face Admiral Paris.
Suddenly speechless, the Admiral kept his composure as best he could with face with an angry ex-Borg, who he used to know himself, as little Annika.
"I intend to." He tried to ease her furry. "Please, sit back down and I'll explain and I'll answer any questions you will no doubt have."
Nodding stiffly, Seven sad back down. Ramrod straight and solid as titanium. She felt Janeways hand on her arm, sending a ray of heat slowly through her body, relaxing her, just a bit.
"Magnus and Erin Hansen were colleagues of Admiral Janeway. For 4 years." He paused to take his heat behind his desk. "When it became clear that the Hansens intended to embark on their journey whether Starfleet approved it or not, it was decided to expunge completely all reference to their association with the Janeways." He dared a peek at Seven, who he found to be intently listening to his every word like a child listening to a bedtime story.
"It was necessary, in order to keep your father on as an Admiral. Him having had any relationship to the Hansens would have greatly effected his promotion."
Seven bolted out of her seat again. "Why," she tried, feeling tears behind her eyes, "Why do i not remember" she was shaking with emotion.
Captain Janeway, who had been sitting calmly, listening to the Admiral, did remember. She remembered her favorite little one. Her golden haired friend who she'd played with and loved. Her tiny friend, who stopped coming around and slowly drifted out of conscious thought.
"You were too young." She whispered. "You were so small. I'm not surprised you don't remember." A thought occurred to her and she leaned forward, taking Seven's hand in her own and pulling her back down to the chair, swiveling it to face her dead on.
"When you were… Taken," grey eyes misted over, "The Borg, undoubtedly erased most of your memories that they deemed irrelevant." The last word stung like a viper on her tongue.
"This is the only record left of any proof that your families were associated connected." Paris offered. "It is only accessible through this data node." He pulled a chip out of the monitor and handed it to Seven, who accepted it. Closing her fingers around it like a precious stone.
Janeway suddenly feeling anger rise up in her own chest, she squared her shoulders and faced Paris, leaning in, inches from his face. "Why did my mother never say anything."
"She was legally required not to. Not even to you, or your sister." His expression was apologetic, but firm.
"Why are you sharing the information now?" She asked icily.
"Consider it a gift." His intonation was gentle. "When we figured out exactly who the Borg drone you had liberated actually was, we felt you would need to know." His words slowly calming the wrath that had bubbled inside the Captain. "We were going to send the information with the Data dump next month."
Janeway sat back down with a thud. Her arms weighted, fell to the side of the chair.
"Kit-Kat" she hear Seven whisper to her right. Peeking at her sideways, Janeway noticed Seven seemed lost in a memory. Her fingers absently tracing a very faint scar on her wrist.
Looking down, Janeway's memory flashed to the swing at the pond by her mothers house. Closing her eyes, she allowed the memory to flow.
She was chasing little Annika around the water when the tiny girl tripped on a root, tumbling forward her hand catching on stick poking out of the ground, gashing her skin open.
15 year old Kathryn picking her up and cuddling her as she wrapped the wound with a tissue from her pocket.
"All good, little one" she'd said.
Opening her eyes to see Seven still caressing the scar with a blank expression on her face.
"All good. Little one." Sevens throat constricted as a sob tore through her body. "I remember."
Captain Janeways face contorted in agony at the sight of Seven crumbling into an emotional heap on the Admirals floor. Sliding out of her chair and gathering the Trembling Borg in her arms, she stroked her hair. Caressing them as she did when they were younger.
"I'll be outside." The Admiral said as he was already half out the door. Leaving the two old friends alone to work through the new information they'd been given.
"If you think about it," Janeways voice was soft and comforting as she rocked Seven who was still quietly sobbing. "How close we became. How deeply we bonded so quickly."
Seven's tremors started to fade and she pulled away from the embrace, though careful not to break it.
"I believe she knew." Her expression gentle, but slightly twisted. "The queen."
Janeway thought on it and realized Seven was right. The queen would have had the knowledge that her drone, Seven of Nine had a person connection to the slight Starfleet Captain who was daring to try an alliance with her. She knew the history. Though Seven was denied it. Anger began to stir again until Seven reached up and caressed her face with metal tipped fingers.
"Do not be angry, Kathryn." She stated plainly. "She is of no consequence to us now."
Janeways turmoil ceased immediately. "I think we are done here, lets go home."
Pulling them both up with her Borg strength, Seven smoothed out her wrinkled biosuit, which was quiet easy. Looking at Kathryn she jostled the Captains uniform slightly to knock out any wrinkles there as well.
Just as Seven was about to make her way to the door to leave, there was a hand on her shoulder. "Even if I'm on duty, please call me Kathryn."
Seven turned and smiled. The brightest smile Kathryn had every seen on those lips and her limbs turned to Jelly.
"Lead the way, Kathryn." Seven stretched out her arm in invitation. "Or, should i say Kit-Kat."
Kathryn almost laughed through the tears forming in her eyes. "Come on, Little one." She called as she strode past the taller woman quickly.
"I am nearly 4 inches taller than you. I am hardly 'little one' anymore."
"You'll always be 'little one' to me."
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"Mom!" Kathryn called into the large farmhouse as she entered with Seven close on her heels.
"Come out, come out wherever you are!"
"Yes my dear?" Gretchen feigned innocence as she peeked around the doorway to the kitchen.
"Don't play innocent with me, i know you know!" Kathryn stormed into the kitchen to find Gretchen and Phoebe eating a while pie with two forks. Their mouths covered in blueberries.
"Know what?" The older Janeways voice was kind and soft. "I know." She quickly conceded.
"I understand that you couldn't' tell me but," Kathryn wined, "Why WOULDN'T you?!" The ever imposing Captain who's presence commanded an entire starship from one end of the galaxy to the other complained openly as she pulled up a chair and yanked the fork from Phoebe.
"Hey!" Phoebe protested.
Kathryn pushed her sisters hands away as they tried to grab the fork back.
Gretchen sighed. "Wasn't my place, sweet heart." Looking over to the door way as Seven entered. "Hello, Seven!"
Sevens eyes cast downward, unsure of what to do or say.
"I know why you stopped making the Strawberry tarts." Her voice faint and full of sorrow.
"You do." It wasn't a question, knowing full well the brilliant young woman would easily figure it out.
Kathryn looked up at Seven, then to her Mother, then back at Seven. Blueberries dripping from the corner of her mouth.
"Why, Seven?" Though Kathryn thought she knew herself.
"They were Annikas Favorite." With that, blues eyes looked up through long dark lashes at Gretchen.
Quickly rising from her seat, Gretchen crossed the kitchen at a record speed, wrapping her arms around Sevens shoulders.
"They were only ever for you." Gretchen felt Sevens arms wrap around her and squeeze.
"What's going on?" Phoebe finally asked
Rolling her eyes, Kathryn punched her in the shoulder. "How are you so dense?"
Snapping her fingers towards Seven, who was still holding Gretchen, Seven tossed the date node to Kathryn who caught it easily. "Take this to Moms monitor and watch it." She said handing the node to phoebe.
"Ok….." Phoebe was skeptical as she left the room.
"Seven," Kathryn called, "Are you hungry?"
"Famished!" Seven exclaimed, causing Kathryn to choke on her forkful of Pie.
"Famished?!" Kathryn laughed "what ever happened to 'ingestion of nutritional sustenance would be required at this time'?"
"Famished is the only accurate assessment." Her eyes twinkling at the delight in Kathryns eyes. Letting Gretchen go, and walking over to stand in front of Kathryn, Seven's thumb absentmindedly reach up to wipe away some blue goop from Kathryns chin.
"Well, grab a fork!" Kathryn said shakily, instantly missing the touch.
"Holy Crap!" Phoebe could be heard two rooms away.
Gretchen and Kathryn broke into a hearty belly laugh, as a ghost of a smile played at Sevens lips.
"Come have some more Pie, Beebee." Seven called out, not sure where, or even when the memory of her name for Phoebe had resurfaced."
They heard pounding foot steps as Phoebe ran into the kitchen and almost knocked Seven over with the force of her hug! Her tears streaming down her face. "Holy Crap." She whispered into Seven shoulder.
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After a long, long dinner full of memories and emotions, of all kinds, the four women sat in companionable silence in a dim living room, lit only by a fire blazing in the corner fireplace.
"It's a shame," Phoebe muttered from her place on the carpet. Her long legs stretched out in front of her. Her head slumped to the side seeming to be only supported by her shoulder.
"What's that, Dear?" Gretchen probed lightly.
"Four years we were all friends with the Hansens," She sighed deeply. "This is the only connection." She held out her hand which held the data node containing the images of Admiral Janeways promotion.
"We have our Memories, as well." Seven stated.
Kathryn was listening to the conversation but eyeing her mother who seemed to be keeping another secret. "Mom?"
Gretchen looked at her and smiled. "You girls know i prefer a traditionalist approach to life."
"Yea?" Her daughters cautiously replied together.
"Well," she stood up and set her coffee mug on the mantle to look at the fire. "I …MAY… have discreetly taken photo images on an antique camera and had them printed at the antique kiosk."
Kathryn shot to her feet and crossed the room quickly. "Where are they?!" She almost demanded.
"Basement." Her mother smiled at the urgency in her daughters expression.
Pulling Seven off the couch as she purposefully marched to the basement door and headed down stairs.
"Kathryn?" Seven tried to keep her balance. "What are photo images?"
"You'll see!" Was the clipped reply.
Reaching the far wall of the cluttered basement, Kathryn found bookshelves of photo albums. All labeled with the year and who was in them. She read carefully and found one that read Katie's 14th birthday.
"I bet this one will be good!" She sat cross legged on the cold floor and opened the cover. Her suspicions were rewarded when she saw a photo of herself, Phoebe, and a snaggle toothed Little Annika wearing cheerful birthday hats.
Kathryn felt tears once again threaten to fall as Seven awkwardly lowered herself to the floor beside her. "Look!" She scooted the album over so Seven could see it better.
"I remember that!" Seven smiled and leaned against Kathryn.
"We are closer in age than I realized." She looked over at the crying woman beside her.
"9 years, 4 months" Kathryns voice caught.
"And 3 days." Seven finished.
Their attention shifting back down to the album resting on half of each of their laps, Kathryn flipped through the pages. There was a still of Erin Hansen walking to the table with a large cake. Another of Magnus holding Annika upside down by her waist as she was ticked. Phoebe with ice cream all over her face after Kathryn threw some at her. They were all full of the greatest joy and happiness either woman had seen in a very long time. The last page, was a single photo, slightly blown up in size and protected by a silicon cover to preserve for longer than the others. It was Kathryn and Annika, close up of their faces smooshed together, Kathryn's right hand and Annika's smaller left hand in front making a heart shape. The smiles on their faces would shame the brightness of all the stars put together.
"Wow." Seven said. Mesmerized.
Moments passed as they sat in silence, Seven felt Kathryn start to shake. Emotions too raw to bury any longer, Kathryn let out a pained scream. Gut wrenching, soul crushing anguish poured out of her. Clutching the album to her chest, she fell onto Sevens lap, weeping uncontrollably. Seven picked her up wordlessly, carrying her up the stairs and through the living room, offhandedly noticing Phoebe and Gretchen, nodding to her quietly, knowingly. As she ascended the stairs to the bedroom, Kathryn let go of the album and wrapped her arms around Sevens neck.
"I get it now." Her voice harsh with still unshed tears. "I could never let you go." She looked up at Seven. "All those times the Borg tried to take you back. Those aliens who tried to take you away, I couldn't let it happen. Not again." Her face was inches from Sevens. "I think subconsciously I always knew." She breathed. "I always knew who you were. Who you are and always will be to me."
Seven pulled her in tighter until Kathryns face was resting against her neck as they entered Kathryns bedroom.
"I used to cry in my quarters on Voyager." Seven set her down as she continued what Seven perceived to be a breakthrough. "I cried for you. For what you lost. What was ripped from you. But now." Kathryn felt new tears flowing freely down her hot cheeks. "Now I cry for me." Her voice raw and husky. "I cry for what I lost. What was ripped from ME." She sat on her bed. "From us." She whispered.
Seven sat heavily beside the still crying Captain. Leaning over, She placed her lips against the wet cheek and kissed her.
"You should get out of your uniform." Seven said quietly, "A messy Captains attire is inadequate."
The statement had its desired effect as Kathryn laughed through her sniffles.
"Your still in your bio suit." She jibbed. "You should change too."
"Agreed." Seven raised her eyebrow.
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After slipping on a pair of fuzzy socks, Kathryn smoothed he sushi pajamas with her palms. Sitting on her bed she laid back and fell straight down with a flop. Well, that was graceful. She quipped. Lost in thought, she almost missed the gentle knocking on the door that separated hers and Sevens. Though, at present she's had no idea why Seven even had a room since they'd been sleeping in the Same bed.
"Are you decent, Kathryn?" Sevens muffled voice came through the door.
"Come." She reverted back to her Captain tone in her exhaustion.
"What are these?" Seven gestured to her PJ's as she entered the room. Kathryn chuckled deep in her chest.
"They're chakras." Kathryn clarified "the symbols represent energy points in the body."
Seven eyes the intricate designs running top to bottom on her night gown. "I see." Was all she could manage to respond with.
"Lay down." Kathryn said patting the bed beside her as she climbed in. An obliging Borg quickly followed suit.
"Kathryn?" Seven yawned. Shocking herself. She'd never yawned before.
"Mmm?" Kathryn was almost asleep, curled up in a ball with her back to Seven.
"I'm going to hold you." It was simple statement, not a question.
"Mhm." Kathryn felt a long arm circling her waist, and another pressing under her head as she was pulled back into the most blindingly comfort she'd ever known. Warmed to her core, she drifted easily to sleep. Not even bothered by the gently snoring ex-Borg nuzzling her hair.