Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek Voyager, I do however own this plot and the original characters.
Naomi Wildman would have been having a great day, really she would... if not for the tactical drill instructor screaming at her.
"You call that running, Cadet? My grandma can run faster than you and she's ninety years old! Move like you mean it! Get that ass to that obstacle! Move! Move! Move!" Naomi felt her lungs burn as she used her years worth of physical conditioning to hurtle over the obstacles in her path. Naomi Wildman was running a course with a tactical officer by her side, getting her to run faster.
Naomi was being trained past the limitations of a normal cadet. She huffed and puffed as she ran, carrying a backpack full of weights and dodging the obstacles. The instructor had her ducking behind 'cover', pulling out her heavy training rifle to 'fire' at the 'targets' while missing 'civilians' and sprint to the next obstacle. The instructor yelled in her ear, trying to distract her, pushing her down, all the while sounds of gun fire, screams, and distractions were all around her. But Naomi lifted herself back up and ignored it all, focusing on her mission.
Since beginning her new year at the academy at the aftermath of the Born crisis she had been doing all she could to reach her stacked goals. Three months after starting her year, Admiral Pavel Chekov approached her with an offer. He had developed an early entry special officer training program and she had impressed enough to be asked to join it. It was developed shortly after Icheb had proven to the brass that with enough drive you could go above and beyond what was expected of you at the academy, like he had and made Captain early. Accepting the offer, Naomi set on her course to reach her dreams of serving on the bridge of a starship.
It was hard work!
When she wasn't tasked with triple the amount of studying, she was being pushed beyond her physical limits through grueling training, often times breaking her more than building her. It wasn't often, but on occasion she found herself returning to her dorm either crying that she couldn't do it, or so wound up she snapped at everyone. She would return bearing fresh injuries, broken bones, sleepless eyes, or even just mental strain. Every time though, she had, often impatient, friends to set her straight, remind her of her goals, remind her who was waiting for her at the end. It was all she needed. Just the thought of making Icheb proud of her, seeing his ruggedly handsome face grin at her for reaching her goals was enough for her to keep going.
And so Naomi went on, day by day she threw herself into the program, accepting more and more laborious assignments, going past what she thought she could physically do and each time meeting the approval of the board studying the progress of the candidates. Years of physical pain in her eyes, Naomi found herself brought out of her thoughts and back to her task at hand.
After a long, harrowing, sleepless, painful, lonely year, she had finally reached her last tactical battlefield test. The officer beside her ran the test with her, doing everything he could to distract her, to tear her down, to mentally take her off balance, make the test as difficult as he could. The test took place in a massive complex with a group of other candidates all working to pull through it. It was dark, only the glaring red emergency lighting there to help, barely piercing the darkness. There was 'atmospheric' smoke and sounds of weapons fire, screaming, or other eerie sounds to make it more difficult. The test was as much physically and mentally challenging as it was psychology.
Still Naomi pushed through, still she forced her burning lungs to pump oxygen into her bloodstream, still she demanded her aching muscles to carry her through, still she held onto her resolve and fought through the obstacles in her way. She would do it. She would defeat the test and win her right to be a tactical officer. While she loved working in astrometrics, her ultimate goal had always been and would always be the bridge. For now though, the program would open more doors for her to eventually reach those goals. In the end, Naomi Wildman made it, like she always did when she fought hard enough for something. Icheb had once said she was every bit as stubborn as he was... and he was right.
That evening, T'Chea heard the familiar sluggish footsteps of their roommate returning. It was later than usual, but today had been a special day and she was eager to hear the results of her final trial. "Hannah, Naomi's back, would you help her in?" the Romulan asked as she set off to prepare soothing tea.
Hannah looked up from her studies and glanced at the door. "I wish I had your sense of hearing," she smiled and got up, rushing over and opening the door. As her roommate promised, there Naomi was, looking more worn, dirty, and in pain that she ever saw her. It would have caused her alarm if it hadn't been for the supremely satisfied look in her eyes, the little, tired smile peeking her chapped lips up.
"I finished it... it's done..." Naomi murmured in a drawn-out, exhausted tone.
Hannah stepped over to her quickly, catching her before the younger woman could collapse onto the floor. "Naomi! Come on, T'Chea is making you tea. Do you need me to break out the heating pad?" she asked. The groan of pain was all the full-blooded human needed. Helping her to the couch, Hannah made sure her friend wasn't about to fall off of it and went over to the medical cabinet.
"So how was it? Do you know if you passed yet?" T'Chea asked, sitting on the chair opposite of her while she waited for the tea to brew. It didn't matter how technology advanced they were, a good cup of nourishing tea always, always needed time and care to infuse properly.
Naomi didn't so much as shake her head as rock her shoulders slightly, forcing her head to make the dismissive gesture. "Not sure..." Naomi muttered and T'Chea almost winced at how pitiful her friend looked. "Will know... in a few minutes... they need to get all the results into the system... before they can all be analyzed."
"How do you think you did?" Hannah asked, nudging her friend over to help her apply the heating pad.
Naomi turned slightly and sighed in relief when the soothing heat of the medical device did its job. "Oh I know I passed it. I made sure of it," Naomi mentioned softly. She didn't need the final report to tell her what she already knew. She had gone beyond the parameters, completed every course, and defended every 'civilian', eliminated every 'threat', achieved every point, including bonus rounds. Naomi had impressed even her distracting instructor, who simply grunted and gave her a little smile when she finished. Naomi hadn't had any intention of impressing anyone, only wanted to finish it and complete the test with a full score. Only her goals were in mind, not the pride of victory. She would only allow herself to feel pride once she made it, once she was commanding her own ship. Until then, these were mere stepping stones and methods to reaching her goals.
Naomi Wildman was not an oracle, she was not a psychic, but she had correctly predicted her success, having known she would receive full marks, even before she began her final test. With the right state of mind before she even began, telling herself in her mind that she would succeed, having enough faith in herself, Naomi had created her own fate and proved herself right.
Now she stood among the other cadets, ready to receive the right and honor of graduating from tactical officer training. This ceremony was held a week before graduation. Naomi felt as though her face would break with how much strain she was employing to not grin like an idiot. She had made it! She had done it! The completion of the program ensured her early graduation and her subsequent promotion to officer status. When she graduated, she would bypass crewman status and earn her first pip, earn her first rank as an officer ahead of the average Starfleet officer. In a few weeks, Icheb would return and she would have the chance to officially join the crew. She was going home! Of course Admiral Janeway had been there, even Seven of Nine! Her parents had been able to ask for leave from their station at Deep Space Nine to stay for the important events as well, making the half human feel very blessed. Naomi only wished Icheb could be there.
That evening, Naomi's brow rose when her father pulled out a bottle of Ktarian Champagne. They had all convened at Janeway's apartment that weekend after the ceremony. Chakotay was there if course, even Seven had agreed to go, despite slight the conflict of seeing her former lover with his new love. Still, Seven cared for both Chakotay and Kathryn and knew of their strained history to be upset with either of them. She and Chakotay hadn't worked out in the end, but they didn't let it keep them from being friends. In the end, it worked out for everyone, Seven was able to concentrate on Icheb and her science career, and Chakotay and Kathryn finally gave in to their two decade worth of repressed feelings for each other. In the end, everyone was content with their choices and their friendship was all the stronger for it. At the little gathering, even T'Chea and Hannah had been allowed to come. Kate had personally thanked the cadets for keeping Naomi going, making them both blush at the attention from the famed Admiral, even the normally stoic Romulan.
"But I'm not at drinking age yet?" Naomi protested weakly as her father poured her a glass. He didn't need to know she had been drinking way before the proper age already, though she had a feeling he knew.
"You think I don't know how it is at the academy?" Greskrendtregk's already prominent brow ridge lifted. Naomi had the decency to blush in embarrassment. "Besides, not only are you way past the age on Ktaris, as a half human I think nineteen is old enough. Besides, if you're old enough to nearly die in an interstellar battle against the most feared enemy of the Federation, you're old enough for a little buzz," he argued. "Right, Admiral?" He turned to level a questioning look at Janeway.
"Absolutely!" Kate agreed readily. "Live a little, that's an order, Ensign..." she grinned.
Naomi smiled, feeling properly satisfied by the answers she received and accepted the glass. "I'm not an Ensign quite yet, Kate," Naomi grinned.
"All those ceremonies are just pomp and circumstance. I'm an admiral, if I say you're an Ensign, then damn it, you're an Ensign!" Kate grinned back. Normally she didn't feel the need to curse, but perhaps the unusually strong effects of the Ktarian blend of ceremony alcohol was getting to her. Or maybe she was a little sick of being prim and proper all the time. After what she had been through, she felt she deserved to let her hair down.
Naomi nodded and smiled in appreciation. "Whatever you say, ma'am!" she answered. After a little bit of mingling, Chakotay heard Naomi mentioning to her roommates how weird it was goint to be to graduate completely ahead of them. The other girls brushed it aside and told her how proud they were of her, how they envied her extraordinary opportunity and wished her the best.
Feeling like they deserved it, Chakotay turned to all of them and grinned. "I say we make a toast," he suggested, looking over at the cadets in the room. "To the ambitious youths among us, our future Captains and Admirals. The group lifted their glasses then, ready to accept the tradition. Chakotay went on. "To the future journeys of these stalwart cadets. May they reach their dreams and find everything they're looking for in life," he said.
"To the journey!" Kate agreed, lifting her glass higher, repeating the words she had said years ago.
"To the journey!" everyone cheered.
One week later, Naomi Wildman once again found herself attending a festive ceremony. Everyone dressed formally, every cadet bearing their graduation colors. Naomi stood with her group, the ones that had made it through the special tactical officer training program, having earned honors above the average cadet. Her name was called and she made her way up, telling herself that she would walk steady, that she would complete the rite with poise and dignety. Naomi's belief in herself proved to carry her through without a hitch. Smiling and taking the hand of the presenting admiral, bearing the cheers around her. Naomi graduated with yellow colors, bearing her mark as an engineer, specializing in long range advanced tactical sensors and interstellar cartography. After accepting her ceremonial diploma, having pictures taken, shaking hands, and receiving many hugs and kisses, Naomi's trying year was finally to an end.
After completing her final responsibilities, meeting her requirements, bidding her friends and classmates goodbye, Naomi returned home alone while her parents were off planet, to their house, while she waited for her orders. She had been given leave to celebrate and relax. Then she would be allowed to apply to any starship with an available opening... but as always, her heart was firmly set on Voyager, so she waited. And then the day finally came. Naomi had received word that Voyager and her escorts were returning that afternoon, having completed their mission and only stopping for a security sensor sweep and inspection from their trip.
Naomi shot up from bed as soon as her senses registered her alarm, nearly tripping on her way to the bathroom, exasperated at how clumsy she suddenly was, even after all her tactical physical honing. But then... Icheb had always made her lose her balance, made her knees weak and proper senses slip from her grasp. The excitement she felt at finally seeing him again after an entire year apart was almost enough to choke her. She missed him with crippling ferocity. The idea of soon feeling his strong arms around her again nearly made her whimper.
Rushing to get ready, Naomi only spared enough time to bathe, groom as quickly as she could, and snatch a protein bar. She spent the rest of her time driving her dad's speeder to the shuttle station. She knew that she was ahead of schedule by a few hours, but the need to be at Stardock was irresistible. And so Naomi found herself in the vast space station with others either eager to see loved ones, or anxious to go on their own ships. Or simply there on leave.
As it were, Naomi sat at one of the corner tables at the club, trying to avoid being hit on by one of those on leave officers. Maybe it had been a mistake to go there, but she had wanted some fun and distraction as she waited. When someone made yet another pass at her, Naomi decided to wait in the lounge instead. Anyway, she now only had to wait an hour so it wasn't so bad.
As she sat and waited, she counted the seconds, her view of the docking ports visible at her vantage point, the massive hanger displaying many of the already docked ships of all shapes and sizes. Stardock was an impressive station, sleek and sexy in design, with tasteful decorations, smooth panels, cathedral size ceilings, elegant banners, majestic fountains, vast shops, and even an exchange, requisition and bank. It was fully decked out with everything you could possibly ask for, but at the moment Naomi wasn't interested in any of that. Many times Naomi had heard announcements of arriving ships, and each time her heart sprinted and then fell flat on its metaphoric face when it wasn't her ship.
Finally though, she heard the divine announcement that the Titan, Prometheus, and Voyager had arrived. Naomi quickly made her way to the information screen, scanning it to see which port Voyager was docking to, then rushed to the lifts to get to that deck. It would still take a little time for the ship to secure docking, power down, prepare for disembarking crew and for decontamination procedures to be done. Every minute that passed was more frustrating than the next and the half Ktarian felt her already narrow hold on her patience thinning. Surely it wouldn't take that long for five hundred plus crew members to be processed, right?
Naomi all but paced, though resisted wearing a hole into the crisp clean carpeting of the arrival waiting area. When the gate finally opened, Naomi held perfectly still, scanning the crowd for the bridge crew. They would be last to disembark along with the engineering team, to ensure last minute checks of the ship, that everything was in order. Nearly half an hour later, she saw Harry's jet black hair and heard Tom's barking laughter. They stopped by her, hugging her and congratulating her, but Tom seemed to know that Naomi was waiting mostly for the Captain, so as soon as he appeared, Tom guided the bridge crew away, pulling his friends to the club for some down time before their shuttles home arrived.
Icheb made a beeline straight to Naomi, the evidence of him trying to hide a grin very clear in his expression, his eyes crinkling with glee. Naomi resisted running up and jumping on him, wrapping her arms around his neck and never letting go... but she knew they couldn't make a scene, not with so many people around them. It was then Naomi noticed the slight scruff over his jawline, peeking up just below his bottom lip and she had to wonder what made him feel the need to grow the neatly kept beard. Even so, it looked unreasonably attractive on him, giving him an even more rugged appearance. When Icheb stopped two feet away from her then, it was everything they could do to not give in to their need to reunite properly. Instead, Icheb gestured for Naomi to follow and walked with her to a conference room silently.
Once they found an empty one with no windows, Icheb shut and locked the door. As soon as he turned, he felt Naomi's hands pull on him, yanking him down to her level to kiss her. Icheb grinned into the kiss and they nearly moaned as their eager tongues met after a year apart. Icheb's hands went around her body, pulling her close while she messed his hair up with her searching fingers. Feeling her resistance leaving her, Naomi found herself leaping up onto him, wrapping her legs around his middle. Icheb caught her light body, his hands sliding over her behind, gripping her tightly, making her lose her breath as he set her atop the sturdy conference table. "I missed you... so much..." Icheb groaned, laying her on her back over it. He slid up to her, his legs pressing against the edge as he settled between her legs.
Naomi's eyes fluttered slightly at the feel of him pressing into her, the repressed need for him roaring to life, needing to be attended. But here? Now? "So much..." she agreed, her hand slipping over to his neck as he leaned into her, unzipping her uniform, pausing only a second to grin proudly at the Ensign rank over her collar, before brushing it aside and molding his mouth over the contours of her neck. When Naomi felt his hands on her hips then, spreading her legs a little wider so he could grind into her, she remembered where they were. "Icheb... I... want very badly to properly reunite with you... but here?" she questioned distractedly.
Icheb pulled away slightly, his heavy-lidded eyes regarding her for a moment. "The door displays an 'in use' sign when it is locked. No one will bother us. This will not take long," he promised her, reaching over to open her pants. He slid them down and she kicked out of them.
Leaning in again, Naomi felt herself shudder in eager anticipation, her heart on a marathon, her skin tingling, heat flushing through her as his hand slid in between her thighs. "Well if you put it that way..." she gasped.
When he felt what he needed to know, he smiled and pulled her remaining barrier off. "I'm proud of you," he said then, nuzzling her jaw with his cheek. "You deserve a reward for your promotion," he whispered, leaning over so he could look into her eyes while his fingers searched, stroked, teased her mercilessly. His other hand unzipped her uniform jacket and slipped under her shirt. "Naomi, open your eyes," he requested gently when the ecstasy he forced onto her made her shut her eyes tightly, little gasps from his efforts making him harden painfully. "I haven't seen your beautiful eyes in too long..." he murmured lovingly, leaning in a little more.
Naomi couldn't contain the little cry of pleasure from escaping her as he found where she needed him most and ruthlessly exploited it. With his other hand caressing her swells, he held her still, slipping a finger, followed by another. As soon as she began to writhe beneath him, he pulled away, making her gasp. Icheb quickly unfastened his own pants and removed the irritating obstacle keeping himself from her.
Pulling her closer by the hips, his body ran flush into hers, squeezing in with a relishing, swift motion, making them both release a heavy breath of exquisite satisfaction as they finally rejoined after much too long. Naomi could feel the tightly contained power within him, threatening to explode, and ached badly for it... but she needed to feel the connection first, missed him too terribly to let this end too quickly.
"Wait," Naomi said breathlessly, holding her hand on his arm, imploring him to pause. "Just... I want to feel you for a moment," she sighed, her hand reaching up to caress his jaw, stroking her fingers through his attractive trimmed scruff. Icheb trembled as he held still, but did as she bid, leaning into her touch, kissing her palm. "I love you," she cooed, reaffirming her feelings for him.
"I love you," Icheb reflected back, leaning down to take her lips with his. "Trillions of beautiful galactic wonders... ancient civilizations... marvels of the universe... and all I wanted to see... was you..." he murmured between kisses. They spent the next few moments, kissing, caressing each other, rediscovering each other, reconnecting.
And then he felt her legs around him tighten, pulling him closer, and that was all the encouragement he needed. Icheb tisked. "All that work I did to get you excited... now I'll have to do it all over again," he chided playfully, reaching down between their joined bodies. "Maybe I should punish you for distracting me, pull you over the table and take you from behind, make you test the limits of the auditory proofing around the room," he growled teasingly.
"Ohh..." Naomi's eyes shut again, a full body shiver from how devastatingly arousing his words and tone was flowing through her. Where had he learned to speak like that? He had always been so... Icheb when he spoke, now suddenly he was speaking dirty? Just what kind of people did he meet and spend time with during that year? Or was Tom's influence starting to rub off on him?
Icheb sighed when he wasn't getting the results he wanted. She was distracted, no doubt thinking too much. He would correct the problem. Pulling out of her just enough to let her still feel him, Icheb set off to slowly work her into a frenzy, his skilled fingers finding just the right angle, just the right pressure to make her lose her breath and her mind to go blank. He would agonize over her sensitive flesh until she was twisting in his arms, begging for him. Perhaps this would take a little longer than he first predicted, after all. He slipped in a digit, pumping slowly, rhythmically, joined with his ceaseless strokes of his thumb over her trembling core.
Soon he felt himself smile as she began reacting the way that pleased him. He watched as she bit her lip hard, doing all she could to not scream, her head rolling to the side, her grip on the edge of the table making her knuckles white, whimpers and cries escaping her despite her attempts to remain silent. Icheb pulled his hand away again and resumed his earlier position, sliding into her welcoming body, watching her shudder, her legs shaking around his hips. He released a hiss of pleasure while Naomi's back bowed, her breasts pressing into his own chest. The sound of her moaning his name was music to his ears.
Icheb had plans other than this though, and knew they couldn't stay here too long. He needed them to reach their finish quickly, had things he wanted to reveal to her. So as soon as they readjusted, he began to rock into her, releasing the power he contained, keeping her still over the edge of the table, using the leverage he had to ram into her, grinding his body into hers, providing that extra bit of friction to drive her wild in a matter of seconds. Icheb braced himself over the table, his hands on either side of her, fingers spread apart as he delivered one heart-stopping thrust after another, moaning with each drive.
In no time at all the woman beneath him began to sing. The inescapable rush of ecstasy plowing through her like a plasma storm, lighting her on fire, forcing her to lock up around his length hard. Naomi cried out mutely through tightly clenched teeth as her world became an inferno, searing rapture overcoming her with a tormenting vengeance. The force of her climax, tightening punishingly around his pummeling body forced Icheb's own release to grip him in a vice, making him choke out a hoarse, gasping groan of voracity, not wanting to test the limits of the room either. The force of his ravenous shoving slowed until he was compelled to hold still within her, letting himself relax all the way. They held each other tightly, panting from the power of their synchronized release.
Once they recovered enough, Icheb slid away and helped her pull their clothes back on. Once they were again properly dressed, they glanced back at the table. It was marred with sweat, but fortunately nothing else. Breathing a sigh of relief they grinned at each other, reaching until they were in each others arms again, holding tightly. "Come on, I need to show you something on Voyager," Icheb whispered in her ear.
After wiping the table with water and napkins that sat on a little table to the side, figuring that was the best they could do for the moment, they made their way out, making sure no one was nearby before sneaking out.
It took a bit of a process to get back onto the ship, but once they had, Icheb led her to his ready-room, grinning nearly from ear to ear in excitement at her reaction. "Icheb, what is it?" Naomi asked, surprised by the level of enthusiasm he was projecting. Once they stepped in, however, she knew why he had been so eager. Standing at the far end, looking out into Stardock from the large window, was a very familiar now much slimmer looking Talaxian. "Neelix!" Naomi cried in surprised happiness.
Neelix spun around and laughed joyfully, moving over to catch her as Naomi ran up to him. "Naomi! Oh Naomi it is so good to finally be able to hug you!" he laughed, holding his goddaughter tightly. "Look at you!" he gushed as they pulled away a bit. "The video transmissions just didn't do you justice! You've grown into such a beautiful young woman!"
Naomi blushed at the complement. "Thank you... and look at you! Did you lose weight?"
"I did! Dexa got me into an exercise regime... apparently I couldn't fit well into my ceremonial groom robes," he smiled. "Does me good anyway, I feel stronger and healthier! And it helps me keep up with Brax and our newest addition to the family, little Alixia," he grinned.
"Oh! That's right! You named your daughter after your oldest sister, right?" Naomi asked curiously.
"Yes, in honor of her memory. So far the name suits little Ali very well," Neelix smiled fondly.
"Neelix, I love that you're here, but when..?"
Neelix understood her question and smiled broadly, glancing over at the silent young Captain. "A couple months ago, I was more than a little surprised to hear a call coming in from Voyager! To my surprise, it wasn't Captain Janeway that appeared on the screen, but Captain Icheb! If you can imagine, I was more than a little speechless! Imagine that, shy, skinny young former drone Icheb, a confident, strapping, sharp Captain!" Neelix clapped Icheb across the back amiably.
When Naomi saw Icheb nearly puff with male pride at the compliment, she rolled her eyes. "Please Neelix," she sighed playfully. "Don't stroke Icheb's ego any more than it already is..." she mentioned. When she saw his brow raise and a knowing smirk appraise his handsome face, she felt herself flush.
Neelix caught the exchange, saw the subtle though obviously suggestive flirtatious looks they gave each other and blinked in surprise. "What-ah... what else changed?" he asked curiously, looking from one to the other. While they kept themselves at a respectable distance, Neelix could almost sense the tension between them. The two noticed how he was looking at them and then both of them blushed in embarrassment.
"It's... supposed to stay between us, but since most of the original crew seems to know anyway, and you're part of that group, I guess there's no harm in you knowing, right Icheb?" Naomi glanced over to her Captain. When he smiled and nodded she looked back to Neelix and grinned. "We reunited almost two years ago at the academy. We were drawn to each other in a way we couldn't ignore or deny."
"We're a couple, but we're keeping it mostly a secret for now," Icheb added. "Things are still a little complicated with regulations, but... we can not keep away from each other," he murmured, his eyes catching Naomi's and holding her gaze.
Neelix resisted gawking in shock as he saw the clear affection in their eyes. Imagine that, little Naomi and unsure Icheb, grew into confident, capable adults, fell in love and were now fully courting each other! Would the surprises ever cease? "That's wonderful!" the Talaxian cried joyfully. He went over and hugged them both. "I am so happy for you!" he laughed, pulling away to grin again.
"Thank you, Neelix," Naomi smiled bashfully. "Hey um, I was wondering. Will you be here for the delayed ten year reunion?" she asked, too embarrassed by the gushing and needing to change the subject for a bit.
Neelix's gaze softened and he smiled affectionately. "Of course, Naomi, I wouldn't miss it for the universe," he promised, eagerly accepting another hug from her. They spoke a bit more as they made their way out, Icheb explaining how he had found the time to pick him up and offer him a visit to Earth, showing him around the new Voyager and explaining how the wormhole device worked. After securing the transport and escort to the guest quarters Neelix needed, the two left him to settle and rest from the trip.
That evening, Naomi and Icheb found themselves sitting on Icheb's couch at his apartment. "Have I thanked you yet for bringing Neelix?" Naomi asked with a grin.
Icheb smirked a little and playfully rolled his eyes. "Not at all, Naomi Wildman, not once today in the past five minutes."
"Has it really been that long? In that case, thank you, Icheb!" she grinned wider.
Icheb chuckled softly and gazed lovingly at her. "Call it a late birthday present if you wish," he suggested.
They settled in and simply spoke with each other, reveling in their voices and enjoying the easy, playful atmosphere between them. Icheb explained how with the help of their doctor, the mark two, Tuvok, and even Icheb's reluctant acceptance of counselor Riker-Troi's help had finally mended his mind. Naomi was thrilled to hear it and offered to be his ear for him if he ever needed someone to talk to. Icheb smiled affectionately and thanked her gratefully. Naomi then asked about his mission and they spoke of their friends and allies they made, how a lot of them accepted becoming part of the Federation, how they would be tasked with representing them in the Delta Quadrant before a permanent wormhole could be established, or perhaps the technology to jump between system to system could be more easily distributed. They spoke of how they missed each other, how their longing to be together had been painful.
"I threw myself into my work," Naomi told him. "I made sure I superseded every expectation Starfleet had and every one I had for myself as well. Most of the time I was too exhausted at night to have time to miss you... but I still dreamed of you."
Icheb slid closer and pulled her over onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her. "I ached for you every night," he sighed against her shoulder. "Every time I wrote to you I waited impatiently for your reply. Our video calls were even worse... I could see you but not touch you, not hold you..." he murmured. "Naomi Wildman, I don't ever want us to be apart like that again..."
Naomi pulled away slightly to level him with an intense stare, wondering exactly what he meant by that. "Icheb, what are you saying?" she asked, her heart racing at the implications in his words.
Icheb leaned back to search her eyes, the determination very evident in his gaze and Naomi's heart only sped up. "Naomi I..." he frowned slightly, his tongue suddenly tied up. How could he possibly put into words what she meant to him? How could he accurately articulate his feelings and ask her to stay by his side for as long as time will allow them? Half of his soul was hers and he was suddenly overcome with those 'butterflies' the doctor had mentioned to him years ago.
As always, Naomi could read his eyes and knew instantly what he wanted to say. Her soul cried out in jubilation at what she discovered. "Icheb," she began with a slow grin, emotions thick in her voice.
Icheb was drawn by the misty sparkle in her expression. "...Yes?" he asked slightly distracted, feeling her fingers caressing his scalp.
"Just ask me to marry you," she told him with an exasperated, though very gleeful smile.
Icheb blinked back to reality and his eyes softened, grinning back, remembering the words he had wanted to say. "Naomi Wildman, ever since I met you, you've drawn me toward you like nothing else in my life ever has. Even as kids I felt a pull toward you. It might have been subtle then, but it can not be ignored now. I love you with every ounce of breath within me. If I had to give up the stars, the freedom of exploring the galaxy to be with you, I would without hesitation. I may not be Borg anymore, but my heart is still a simple machine, ...and you are its only power source. I fear it will need constant recharging... but if you are willing, would you carry the charge? Will you marry me?"
As a reply, Naomi tugged him to her, capturing his mouth with hers in a slow, meaningful kiss. Leave it to Icheb to sound both like a scientist and incredibly sweet at the same time. "Yes, Icheb Hansen. I will keep your heart charged. I will marry you," she said tenderly as they pulled away a little, their parted lips hovering centimeters away, resisting the magnetic need to devour each other again. "Icheb?" Naomi began after a moment, an elated smile still playing on her lips.
Icheb drew his fingers through her hair, messing up her neat bun. "Yes?"
"Ask me to stay?"
The former drone smiled softly at the familiar question. "Will you stay with me?"
Naomi stroked her fingers gently over his ocular implant. It had been almost two full years since they reunited and her love for him had only grown exponentially with each passing moment. Would she stay with him? "Forever," she whispered fervently, sinking into his loving arms.
TBC...
End A/N: Yay Neelix! Yay quickies! ...Well, okay maybe not 'yay' but they needed it lol. This chapter was influenced by the song "Wait & See" by Holy Ghost!. The love scene was influenced by "Remain Nameless" by Florence and The Machine, though mostly for the hypnotic beat. I decided to give Icheb a bit of facial hair, to parallel him to his 'alternate' from the fan film Renegades. It may be important to later story development... also, the actor has facial hair so why not? Lol.
Shout-Outs
The Cheshire Cheese: I'm glad you think so. Yeah I actually ship both. I prefer J/C because of the years of tension between both of them, but I like C7 just fine. I don't like any sort of character bashing, it's as disrespectful to the fandom as much as it is to the author that wrote them. That and it's completely unnecessary.
MissSarahG1: You are most welcome!