PART IV

The blonde head twisted on the pillow as Seven's eyes fluttered open. She half sat up and looked around but as soon as she recognised Sickbay she collapsed back onto the bed as she was hit but a startling stream of images and feelings. She stared blankly at the ceiling, unable to breathe, as her entire life flashed through her brain. Her mother singing, the terrible, searing pain as the assimilation tubules pierced her flesh, the Borg Queen welcoming her into the collective and Janeway pulling her away from it.....image after image flashed through her like a film on fastforward, everything from her first childhood memory to making love with Astra by the still lake. No, not Astra....."B'Elanna!"

On the next biobed B'Elanna moaned "Shari?" as she began to come around groggily, "Sharika?" Seven got off her biobed and moved quickly to the Klingon's side, taking her hand and reassuring her "I'm here." When Torres opened her eyes, however, she was silent as she tried to process the torrent of memories that flooded back into her brain. She gasped as her entire life played rapidly before her eyes, unknowingly clutching Seven's hand tightly, and when it was over she lay in stunned silence for minutes before murmurring "Seven!" her eyes focussing on the blonde woman that sat on her bed.

They looked deep into eachother's eyes, both uncertain, fearful, confused, and the Klingon reached out very tentatively to touch the pale cheek, half expecting the other woman to flinch away. But she did not flinch, she caught B'Elanna's hovering hand and brought it to her lips, confirming that nothing had really changed, that they were still lovers in every sense of the word. Seven tried to think of something to say, struggling for the appropriate words. "B'Elanna, I.....I..."
"It's alright," the darker woman assured gently as her thumb caressed Seven's full lips, "I know."
They fell into eachother's arms without a word and held tightly on until the doctor was forced to clear his throat to get their attention.

When the doctor had explained everything, he insisted that Seven go to cargo bay two. "You need to regenerate for at least 72 hours, Seven" he said as he helped the considerably weakened blonde off B'Elanna's biobed. Once she was standing, though, the effects of nearly a month without regenerating hit her and she collapsed. "Seven!" gasped the Klingon, springing off the bed to crouch before the fallen Borg and looking anxiously up at the EMH. "What's wrong with her?"
"Nothing a few days in her alcove won't fix" he informed her as he injected the Borg with enough stimulant to get her there. Between them, they supported the taller woman during the direct transport to the cargo bay and settled her into her alcove. "B'Elanna!" called the dizzy, disorientated Seven before the regeneratation began, but the Klingon rubbed her arm lovingly and assured her "I'm here, Seven. And I'll be here when you wake up, I promise" and with that the Borg's eyes fluttered shut and the green halo began to flicker behind her head.

The EMH insisted that B'Elanna return to the Sickbay and stay there for observation while Seven was regenerating, and so it was there that the captain found her some time later. She smiled warmly as she greeted the lieutenant with a "Hello, B'Elanna, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, Captain, just a little tired."
Janeway nodded and looked around for her other crewman. "Where's Seven?" she asked.
"Oh, she has to regenerate for the next three days."
"Ah," she nodded in understanding and then added, almost testingly "you'll miss her."
Torres mind wandered onto the idea of three days without her lover and, realising that they had not spent more than a few hours apart in five years, she acknowledged "yes," only then wondering how the captain could have known her feelings.

"Uh, B'Elanna," Janeway began falteringly, "when you two materialised here you were......well let's say it was clear that we'd interrupted you...in the middle of....."
"Ah," smiled Torres in understanding, "making love?"
"Yes.....Look I know this isn't really any of my business, Seven's a grown woman and I've never thought of myself as the maternal type, but I'm the nearest thing she's got to a parent. I feel responsible for her and I care a lot about her."
"And you want to know my intentions."
The captain huffed her amusement at the phrase. "It's a little old-fashined, I know," she admitted "but basically yes."
"Fair enough, but you don't have to worry, ma'am. I know we've only been gone a month but for us it's been five years and for four of those we've been lovers."
If she was taken aback by the news, the captain didn't show it, merely stating "I see, so you're not just playing games."
"No, Captain. I love her very much....and she feels the same."
The captain nodded her preliminary approval but added "you know, Klingon warrior or not, if you ever hurt her I'll personally throw you out of an airlock?"
"Yes, ma'am" B'Elanna snorted good-naturedly then, becoming very serious, assured her commander "but if I ever hurt her, I'll jump."
Janeway smiled warmly as she reached out to lay a reasurring hand on the lieutenant's arm and, nodding her total acceptance said "Well, in that case.....I know you don't need it but, as an honourary parent, you have my blessing....for what it's worth."
Until relief flooded through her at that moment, B'Elanna hadn't realised how much the captain's approval meant and now she acknowledged that simple fact. "Thank you, Captain, it's worth a lot."

"Now, what about this planet? Did you come across anyone else down there? We picked up several humanoid lifesigns."
"Yes, we made a few friends actually. I suppose they'll be wondering what happened to us."
"The storm has finally fizzled out. We could transport them here, find out where they come from and get them back to their families. What do you think?"
"No, ma'am. I'd leave them. They're happy, they have good lives there. We don't know what their lives were like before and neither do they. They'll never miss it."
There had been no condemnation in B'Elanna's voice but, for her own peace of mind, the captain had to ask. "Do you resent me bringing you back here?"
"No" came the immediate, slightly baffled reply, "Captain, please don't feel guilty about that. We had a great time down there but this is where we belong."
"Even though I risked your lives to bring you back?"
Torres laid a comforting hand on the captain's thigh and assured her softly "you did what was best for all of us, Captain. We know that" and seeing the self-doubt still present on the normally stalwart captain's face she added "but if you want me to say it, I forgive you."
Janeway's eyelids closed in a mixture of irony and relief. "Well then" she said, when she had taken a moment to rid herself of all self-blame, "are you sure about this? About your friends, I mean."
"Yes, ma'am. I'd leave them be."
"Alright, Lieutenant, I'll be guided by you." The captain stood to leave and informed the engineer "when Seven comes out of her regeneration cycle we'll have a full debreifing but for know I want you to get some rest, okay?"
"Yes, ma'am."

* * * * * *

Coming out of Sickbay, who should Janeway run into but Lt. Jettahna Iskar? "Jett," she greeted, mainly to cover her embarassment at the image in her mind, which she fervently hoped the Betazoid hadn't had time to pick up before it was savagely crushed. "Hello, Captain" came the calm, silken reply. There was a pause, slightly awkward for the captain, before she filled it with an idea that had been brewing in her mind for weeks. "I've been meaning to speak to you, Jett. I have a comission for you, if you're intersted."
"Of course, ma'am" the younger woman agreed immediately, "what's the subject?"
"Voyager."

The lieutenant's face lit up and a broad smile of excitement emerged on her lips as a parade of possibilities streamed through her mind. "Yes, ma'am. I am definitely interested. Voyager is beautifully designed, she's a work of art in herself."
"Excellent" smiled Janeway, finding the young artist's excitement infectious. "I'd like it quite big. While we're still in the Delta Quadrant I'd hang it in the messhall for everyone to enjoy, but it would be mine, and when we eventually get home I'll take it as a memento."
"It's a great idea, Captain. How big are we talking?"
"How big have you got?" As soon as the words left her lips the captain flushed and dropped her eyes in embarrassment, but Jett just smiled to herself and passed over the unintentional inuendo, suggesting that the captain came over to her quarters that evening to choose a piece of wood.

* * * * * *

Kathryn stood nervously in front of the mirror, checking her appearance for the fifth time that evening. Perhaps she shouldn't have changed out of her uniform, after all, she didn't want to give Jett the wrong impression.....or rather, the right one! And yet, this was not a work-related matter and she didn't want to look like she couldn't be anything other than a Starfleet officer. This was better, she thought, black jeans and T-shirt and a thin, colourful, loose overshirt. Just sexy enough to entice and yet not enough to look obvious. As she nodded approvingly and flicked back her hair, she realised that she had butterflies in her stommach. "For goodness sake, Katie" she admonished herself aloud, "you're behaving like a teenager. This is a meeting not a damm date!" And yet she felt very much as if she were going on a first date even as she tried to make herself believe that Jett probably wasn't even interested anyway.

As she stood outside the lieutenant's door, however, that didn't make her feel any calmer. Tutting quietly as she once more admonished herself, she rang the chime and took a deep breath. When the door slid back, however, she was presented with an unkempt young lieutenant that looked just as flustered as she herself felt.

"Captain!" the young woman exclaimed hurriedly as she tucked her shirt into the top of her jeans, "I...I wasn't expecting you yet."
Somehow, seeing the usually supremely confident officer in such disarray made the captain feel a little better and she relplied smoothly, "I could come back later," allowing the hint of a teasing tone to enter her voice.
"No, that's okay, ma'am" Jett responded, stepping aside to allow Kathryn to enter, "I'm just....I mean, I was just tidying up a bit."
Kathryn was secretly flattered, but waved her hand nonchalantly, assuring "Oh, you don't need to go to any trouble for......" but then her eyes alighted on the room and she couldn't stop her mouth from falling in amazement. The quarters really did look as if a bomb had hit them. The floor and furniture were strewn with clothes, empty bottles, screwed up bits of paper and various other articles that Kathryn thought it better not to try and indentify. "This is after you've tidied!!" she enquired with forced calm.
"Well...yeah" Jett blushed furiously and dropped her eyes to the floor in embarassment.

The captain moved trepidatiously to the middle of the room, carefully picking her way through the carnage. "God!" she sighed, "What is it with you artistic types!? You don't get inspired unless you're living in a pig sty? Artists!"
"I...I'm sorry, ma'am" came the abashed reply, its tone of despair drawing the captain's attention back to her host and bringing a spasm of shame to her heart. "No, I'm sorry," she soothed, "these are your quarters and I have no business sticking my nose in. Besides, I should be used to it; my sister, Phoebe, is just the same. I think it must be a prerequisite for being an artist."
"Oh, your sister's an artist? I didn't....." Jett stopped mid-sentence as she suddenly realised the import of the captain's statement "....wait! Phoebe Janeway!" she almost squealed, "..... Phoebe Janeway is your sister?!"
"Well, yeah" replied the captain proudly, as if she were somehow due all the credit for the fact.
"My gods! She's a genius!" exclaimed Jett excitedly, "I love her stuff!"
"I love it too" smiled the captain, warmth flooding through her at the young woman's enthusiasm, "though I don't profess to understand it."
Jett's whole manner had changed now that she was in familiar territory, and her embarrassment disappeared to be replaced by her accostomed confidence. "I'm not sure it's meant to be understood, ma'am" she offered.
"Oh, let's not go there," the captain pleaded with a wave of her hand, "you'd have to discuss that with her. I have absolutely no idea about art. I just know what I like."
"Well, that's the important thing, Captain" came the smooth reply.

Leading her guest into the living area, the young lieutenant hurriedly cleared a space on the couch and motioned the captain to sit. "Can I get you something to drink, Captain?" she offered.
Janeway hestitated; she really wanted a beer to calm her fluttering heart, but she thought better of it, not trusting herself to remain proffessional if she became too relaxed, so finally she requested a mineral water. Jett smiled and looked understandingly at her slightly flustered commanding officer. "It's okay, ma'am," she assured, careful to keep the flirtatiousness she felt out of her voice, "you can have a beer if you want." Janeway looked up into the serious but gently smiling eyes and quietly snorted in recognition of the situtation. "Thanks" was all the aknowledgement she gave. It was almost impossible to keep anything from this woman. She would have to be very careful. But that thought disappeared from her mind as Jett handed her the open beer bottle, and was replaced by a longing for the woman to touch her hand, to hold her, to kiss her, to....

Jett smiled knowingly as the captain gazed up into her eyes and now it was Janeway's turn to blush. She lowered her face, closed her eyes, and sighed deeply, wincing at her own transparancy. "I'm sorry, Jett" she groaned apologetically, while trying to keep her command composure in tact, but the lieutenant just laughed softly and assured her, "it's alright, ma'am."
"No, it's not," came the soft reply, "that was completely inappropriate."
Jett felt the captain's mortification and came to sit beside her, waiting until the woman looked at her before staring into her eyes and reassuring her solidly "Captain, it's alright. Really. I know you really do want a carving of Voyager."
"Yes, I do" the captain acknowledged, gazing at her with a mixture of confusion and resignation before smiling and taking a much needed swig of her beer.

The captain chose a large panel of wood from the enormous stockpile that was stashed in the woman's bedroom and they discussed the preliminary sketches Jett had made of the ship. "I'll need to go outside in a runabout to look at the details, Captain" the young woman explained.
"I'm sure that can be aranged" came the reply, "in fact I may come with you....if you don't mind."
"Of course not, ma'am. It's your piece, you should be involved as much as possible."
"Good. Let me know your schedule and I'll arrange it."

A few beers later, the business talk was concluded and they were both much more relaxed. They began to chat about other subjects, finding it easy to talk to eachother but always skirting around the subject that they really wanted to discuss...their increasingly obvious mutual attraction. Images started to creep up on Janeway's mind once more, as she listened to the young woman speak, and once more she felt the need to apologise for her lack of mental discipline. As an image of a passionate kiss formed in her brain, the captain groaned and sighed "Gods, I'm sorry, Jett. Maybe I should go" but the lieutenant reached out to forestall the captain's movement. "You don't have to, ma'am" she assured the blushing woman and paused before asking carefully "Captain, may I speak freely?"
"Well, I think one of us should," came the slightly weary reply.

The younger woman settled herself against the back of her couch and began "You're worried that I might be offended by your....interest in me," she began, "but I can assure you, ma'am....I'm not." She reached out to lay her hand on the captain's arm and admitted "the truth is I...I have similar feelings for you and if you weren't the captain I would have made a move a long time ago."
Janeway's eyes widened and her pupils dilated rapidly as she took in the information. "Really?" she asked tentatively, as if seeking reassurance, "why did you never say anything?"
Jett laughed lightly at the idea of blurting out her feelings to the captain. "What could I say, ma'am? You're the captain!"
Janeway nodded sadly. "I know," she sighed "but I'm a woman too."
"Yes, and a very powerful woman" Jett replied, raising her hand to stop the captain's protest. "I don't just mean because of your position on Voyager," she explained, "I mean you personally, even without being the captain. Oh I know you get scared and insecure sometimes, just like the rest of us. I know that some of that confidence is just a mask you wear because you have to....but really it's you...it's a part of you." She took a swig of beer before feeling able to continue "you're so strong and self-assured and you have a personal power that can be quite scary at times. To tell you truth, I was a little intimidated."
"You!" exclaimed the captain in astonishment, "intimidated! By me! Do you know how crazy that sounds? You're always so confident and unstoppable."
Jett laughed again. "I'm the second in command of security on this ship, Captain. I have to appear like that to the crew. For them to be confident and sure of their survival in a given situation, Tuvok and I have to appear sure of it. I guess it's pretty easy for a Vulcan but for me.....well, let's just say you're not the only one that has a mask."

The captain sat back and, taking another swig from her rapidly emptying bottle, leaned her head back, tuning it slightly to look into the dark eyes. "I'd never be able to keep anything from you, would I?" she mused dreamily.
"Well" offered the younger woman, as she turned her body slightly, draping her arm over the back of the couch so that it rested near Janeway's shoulder, "I could promise not use any telepathy with you."
"No" replied Janeway, shaking her head gently against the couch, "I like the idea of having someone that I have to be completely honest with, even when I'm being less than honest with myself."
Jett smiled and, raising her eyebrow, asked "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, it would be a relief, not to have to worry about keeping the mask from slipping. It gets so heavy sometimes, you know?"
"Believe me, I know" the younger woman acknowledged as she moved a little closer. "The way you're talking, Kathryn.....can I call you Kathryn?"
Janeway smiled and nodded, "I think you should."
"The way you're talking," Jett began again, her voice soft as her hand wandered closer to the captain's neck, "it sounds like you want to......"
"......start a relationship with you?" supplied the captain.
"Yes."
"Well, you are telepathic, Jett," came the gentle teasing, "you must know that I want that very much." The captain tuned her body and took a hold of the hand that was so close to touching her. "Now that I know you feel the same way," she said as her lips approached Jett's, "I can't think of a single good reason against it."

* * * * * *

B'Elanna stood impatiently before her motionless lover and gazed up at the peaceful face, surrounded by its aura of green light. The regeneration cycle was just about to end and for some reason she couldn't quite fathom, B'Elanna was beginning to feel nervous. The soft whirring sound, which had become so much a part of the cargo bay that no one really heard it anymore, stopped abruptly and the voice of the computer announced "Regeneration cycle complete" but the young Borg did not move.

Torres looked at her holographic companion and he gave her a reassuring smile. "Give her a minute, Lieutenant," he advised "it's been an unusually long cycle" but the Klingon was too on edge to heed him and took the two steps in one stride, standing before the statuesque blonde, searching fearfully for any signs of awareness. She reached up to touch the pale cheek and was reassured by its warmth and softness, but there was no sign that Seven had felt the caress. "Seven?" B'Elanna asked softly as her thumb tenderly stroked the smoothe skin, "Seven.....come on, darling."
"Astra?" enquired the Borg, her voice weak with lack of use, as she opened her eyes and smiled lovingly at the woman she had been dreaming of for three days, reaching out to return the light caress, "Hi."
"Hey you. How are you feeling?" asked B'Elanna.
"Fine, just...uh....not really awake, you know? I feel like I've slept for a week."
"Well, you have, kind of" joked the Klingon as she helped the young woman out of her alcove and sat her down on the top step.

"Hello, Seven" came the EMH's voice as he stepped forward with his tricorder, ready to scan the Borg. A frown of puzzlement settled on her forehead and she asked "who are you?" moving back slightly. It was only then that the tall blonde really noticed her surroundings and, turning to her dark companion, asked "Astra? Where are we? What's going on?"
B'Elanna laughed, but realising quickly that Seven wasn't joking, her smile faded and she became concerned. "We're back on Voyager, Honey....don't you remember?"
The frown became deeper and Seven shook her head. Then, in a tone of utter confusion, she asked "What's Voyager?"

PART V

Ensign Sparky sat and explained "there's someone I like, Jett, but I don't know if he likes me back. I don't want to make a fool of myself by approaching him if he's not interested and I..."
"You thought I could read his mind for you" finished Jett.
Sparky looked abashed and admitted "I know it's a little underhand."
"Underhand! Sparky, it's downright unethical! I can't just go poking around in people's minds without their permission!"
"I'm not asking you to do that."
"Then what are you asking?"
"Just that if you should happen to see us together at anytime that you'd pay attention and not shut off your telepathic abilities. That's all." The Betazoid thought about it. It wasn't the first time she'd been asked such a thing, and it wouldn't be like purposefully prying. At least, that's what she told herself. "Alright," she agreed, "but I'm not promising anything. I'm not going snooping around in his mind looking for details."
"Fair enough" said Saprky, relaxing considerably in her seat.

"So, who is it?" asked Jett after a short silence.
"What?"
"Who is it?" she repeated, "I'll need to know if I'm going to tell you anything."
"Yes, of course," aknowledged Sparky, shifting uncomfortably in her seat, "it's...it's Commander Chakotay."
Jett stopped in her tracks and turned towards her guest. "Chakotay!" she exclaimed.
"I know," agreed Sparky, forestalling any protest, "that's why I can't do this the usual way."
"Yes, I see," mused Iskar, "well, I'll see what I can do."

Just as Ensign Sparks was leaving her friend's quarters, the captain was arriving. They acknowledged eachother, the ensign looking slightly surprised as she took in the captain's casual appearance. Jett, however, was highly appreciative of the casually sexy attire. Kathryn smiled broadly as she stepped through the door and held out the bottle of Katarian Merlot that she had brought with her from her private stock, her smile broadening as the lieutenant's eyes lit up. "Wow! Where did you get that?" she asked, clearly impressed by her new lover's aquisition skills.
"Been saving it for a special occassion" Kathryn said as she pulled away from their hello kisss.
"Is this a special occassion?" asked Jett, puzzled.
"Our one month anniversary" the captain informed her.
"Well," acknowledged Jett, as she pulled the woman into her arms once more, "I'd say that's cause for celebration," and she kissed her captain deeply adding, as she came up for air, "then we'll have the wine."

Janeway giggled girlishly as she pulled away. "The wine's for later" she explained, "if I have any now I won't be able to fly you out to look at Voyager's hull."
Jett's eyes lit up almost imperceptibly as she moved back a little. "Now?" she asked excitedly.
"Yes, now" confirmed the captain, with an indulging smile, "if that's alright with you." She motioned to the bag that was hanging on her shoulder and added "I even brought a picnic."
Jett's mouth crinkled into a smile as she aknowledged "that's incredibly alright with me, Captain" leaning in for a kiss.

Jett having gathered a pad and some pencils, the two made their way to the shuttle bay. "I'm sorry it's taken so long to arrange this," Janeway said, "but I haven't been able to find a time when you, I and a shuttle were all free together."
"That's okay" the Betazoid placated, "I've been using the time to think about the best angles and such. I'd like to get a view of the starboard bow from just slightly above, say twenty degrees."
"I'm sure I can manage that" agreed the captain with a smile.
"You know" added Jett as they stepped through the doors to the shuttle hangar, "you didn't have to give up your free time for this. I may not be Tom Paris but I'm sure I could've managed to manoeuvre a shuttle sufficiently for my needs."
Janeway grinned and blushed a little despite her best efforts. "I know" she agreed, "but I wanted to." Abruptly her smile faded as an unwelcome thought occured to her. "You don't...." she began, but her words were immediately interrupeted by her lover's soft hand on her lips.
"No" the Betazoid reassured her with utter sincerity, "of course I don't mind. And, yes, of course you'll distract me, but I believe it's the kind of distraction I can handle quite well."

* * * * * *

"Seven?" asked B'Elanna, as she entered her quarters to find her lover staring out of the window. When there was no response she repeated her call and came up behind the young woman to lay her hand on the drooping shoulder. Seven gasped and turned in surprise at the Klingon's touch, smiling as she recognised her partner's presence. "Sorry, I was miles away" she acknowledged a little sadly.
"Can I guess where?" asked B'Elanna.
"Probably" came the weary reply. Seven turned her head back to look out at the stars once more as her lover wrapped strong, comforting arms around her. "Strange," she acknowledged, "you tell me we were only there for a short while, but I miss it so much."
"Me too," acknowledged the Klingon as she nuzzled the taller woman's back, "it's not strange, Seven. It's called homesickness."
"Yes" agreed the blond, turning into her lover's arms, "home. Except it never really was our home, was it?"
"Oh, I think it was. You know what they say.....'home is where the heart is'."
"Then you must be my home, Astra" said Seven softly, as she bent to plant a loving kiss on B'Elanna's lips.

"Do you mind that I call you Astra?" she asked as they pulled apart and moved to the sofa, "I know it's not your name but somehow I can't get used to 'B'Elanna'."
"No, I don't mind" replied the smaller woman as they settled down in eachother's arms, "and anyway, it's just as much my name as 'B'Elanna' is. Do you know what it means?"
"No, but I do feel like it means something."
B'Elanna smiled indulgently as she caressed the back of Seven's hand. "it means 'star' or 'of the stars'" she informed her lover.
"Really?" acknowledged Seven, "then it suits you exactly. You are my star, Astra, my point of light in the great, empty darkness."
B'Elanna was stunned and pulled back to observe her partner's face intently. "Wow!" she said, "that's really....beautiful. You certainly haven't forgotten how to be poetic. Where did that come from, mmm?"
"I...I don't know" admitted the other woman with a little shrug, "perhaps you inspire me."

They snuggled in eachother's arms, Seven's cheek resting on top of her lover's ebony curls. "You know," began the Borg softly, "it is very confusing to know that so many things have happened that are completely non-existant to me now. You tell me all the things I have done while you have known me and it's as if you are talking about someone else, telling me stories about some fictional character or something. I trust you and I know it must all be true, but I can't feel it." She took a deep, shuddery breath as her eyes began to fill with tears and in a tiny, confused voice she asked "Why can't I feel it, Astra?"
B'Elanna reached up to wipe a tear from her lover's pale cheek. "I don't know, my darling. I wish I could help you, but I....I don't know what to do." Feeling utterly helpless herself she sat up and took the younger woman into her arms, rocking her gently. "We'll find the answer, Shari" she crooned, "I'll do everything and anything I can to find out what's going on and put it right, I promise you."
"I know you will" the Borg confirmed, feeling calmer now she was lying in her lover's arms. Astra's arms were the only home she had now and they could instantly make her feel better despite her confusion. "I'm sorry, darling," she sighed, "I just get so frustrated sometimes."
"Frustrated, mmm?" teased the Klingon, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively, "well, I might be able to do something about that right now."
Seven's face lit up as a broad grin stretched the corners of her mouth. "How is it" she asked as she raised herself up, "that you always know exactly what to say and what to do to make me feel better?"

* * * * * *

After two hours of the kind of passion that drove all thoughts of frustration from both their minds, B'Elanna and Seven lay peacefully in eachother's arms. "What is it, darling" asked Seven, as she laid light kisses on the Klingon's forehead ridges, "you seem a little tense." Nervously, B'Elanna looked up into the trusting, loving eyes of her companion and announced "Shari, I have something to ask you."
"What is it, my love?"
"When this is all over and you have your memory back will you....will you marry me?"
"What?"
B'Elanna sat up and ran the back of her hand lovingly down Seven's cheek, "I said, will you marry me?"
"I....I..." Seven tried to hide her confusion, sensing that her lover was nervous and that this portended something important, but that was all the more reason to be honest and so she asked, "I don't understand. What is 'marry'?"
The nervous tension drained from B'Elanna's shoulders as she realised that, though this had been nerveracking for her, it was foreign to her lover. She smiled and began to explain. "It's a promise" she ellucidated, "we would make a promise to eachother and to the universe that we will love eachother and support eachother and protect eachother. We would commit ourselves only to eachother for the rest of our lives."
"But haven't we done that already?" asked Seven, her tone a little puzzled.
"Yes, but this would be in public, in front of all our friends and our crewmates and the law of the Federation. There would be a short, public ceremony, conducted by the captain, where we would devote ourselves to eachother in every way, legally, personally and publically, once and for all. We would become family. We would be saying to the universe that we are one unit, that we belong to eachother, that we have legal rights concerning eachother, that we want to be together always......or at least as long as you can put up with me."
Seven thought deeply as she observed her lover's face. "Yes, I would like to do that" she said, leaning in to kiss the relieved woman in her arms, "but do we have to wait?"
"I think we should, darling. I don't want to take advantage of your current state. I have to be sure that you understand exactly what you're doing."
"Alright," agreed the Borg "but I don't understand why we didn't do it before."
Now B'Elanna was puzzled as she asked "when?"
"Before we left Voyager."
"Ah," acknowledged the Klingon, "you don't remember. No, I suppose you wouldn't."
"remember what?"

At times Seven's amnesia was extrememly frustrating. Some days it would seem as if she was starting to remember things, finding that certain people or events that B'Elanna told her about were becoming more familiar, but then when she stepped out of her alcove the next morning it would be gone again and she would be back to square one. At least she had B'Elanna and her memories of their time together on their planet to cling to, it was the only thing that seemed real to her now. B'Elanna had been hoping her lover's memory would return before the subject of their past relationship raised it's ugly head, but clealy that was not to be and there was no way she was going to be less than honest now. She took a deep breath and tried to find the right words as she lay back and settled her hands calmly on her abdomen.

"The thing is," she began, "we weren't together then."
"We weren't?" Seven seemed surprised.
"No, if fact we....we didn't even like eachother."
Seven was astounded, taking a moment to absorb the information. "I can't imagine that."
"I know, I can't either now, but it's true. I think at times we actually hated eachother."
"Why!?"
B'Elanna took a deep breath and tried to explain. "You thought I was aggressive and irrational" she began with a sigh, "and sometimes you were right, I could be like that. I suppose I still can be, sometimes, though I think I've learnt to control myself better now, thanks to you."
"And what about me?" asked the Borg, "why didn't you like me?"
B'Elanna closed her eyes against the question, not wanting to admit to her long-dead feelings, but knowing she had to be honest now. "I thought you were arrogant and cold" she addmitted quitely.
"And was I?" asked Seven evenly.
"Yes" admitted the Klingon unwillingly, "but there was a reason for it, a reason I didn't bother to look for. I resented you for being like that but it was never your fault. I suppose I was so jealous of your calmness that I saw it as a fault and never bothered to look beyond. It wasn't your fault, I know that now. It was just a defense mechanism. If I hadn't had so many problems of my own and been so self-obsessed about them I would have realised that. I'm sorry."
Seven sighed in frustrated puzzlement as she turned to her companion. "What do you mean by a defence mechanism?" she asked.
"You were scared and lonely" explained B'Elanna, "after being severed from the Borg Collective you must have felt very alone. I should have realised it but I was too caught up in my own resentment."
Seven looked at her lover once more in confusion and asked quietly, "what's the Borg Collective?"

* * * * * *

Kathryn sighed with contentment as she relaxed back in the pilot's chair and watched her new lover intently observing Voyager's elegant lines. She smiled at the graceful way the young Betazoid's hand glided over the paper, her pencil confidently filling in the necessary details with the minimum of strokes. After a while a smile began to grow on Jett's lips and, without moving her eyes from the paper or stilling her hand, she asked "what?"
"What 'what'?" asked the captain.
"Are you just going to sit there staring at me the whole time?"
Janeway dropped her eyes and smiled broadly, answering "It's mesmerising."
"What's that?"
"Watching you work. You're so graceful."
Jett huffed and looked around at her companion. "Kathryn, I'm just sketching. How can that be graceful?" she enquired disbelievingly.
"I don't know," admitted the captain, "but it is."
"Okay," came the amuzed reply, "if you say so." Jett continued to draw, trying her best to ignore the captain's ogling glance. After a while she sat back and requested "Could you move us aft a bit?"
"Sure," agreed Janeway, turning back to the console, "just tell me when to stop."

"Wait!" said Jett suddenly as they manoeuvred slowly around, a frown of puzzlement on her brow, "did you see that?"
"What?"
"That glint of light on the hull as we moved just then."
Janeway leaned forward a little, her eyes scanning Voyager's side but she had to admit "no, I can't see anything."
"Move us back again," the young woman requested and when they had only moved an few centimetres she pointed out "there, a tiny pinprick of green light on the hull."
Janeway's eyes narrowed in an attempt to focus on the spot the lieutenant was pointing to, but she still couldn't see anything. "I'll move in a little" she decided, her hands flitting over the controls to take the little vessel closer towards her mothership. Again she stared at the hull but was unable to see anything unusual. "I still can't see anything" she announced, turning to her companion with a shrug.
Iskar sighed and sat back in her seat. "I suppose I must be immagining it then" she suggested.
"No, darling," Janeway said, letting her hand rest on the young woman's arm, "If you saw something, let's look into it. What did it look like?"
"Just a really tiny glint of light. Like....like maybe there's a crack and the light from the room behind it is shinning through."
"Hmm," mused Janeway, "a crack big enough to let through light from inside the ship would comprimise structural integrity, the computer would be bound to pick it up, but we'll check anyway. Computer, scan Voyager's hull."
The computer bleeped and requested calmly "Please stipulate scan parameters."
"Look for any micro-fractures or punctures."

Intrigued, they waited while the computer bleeped and whistled and then came the unexpected announcement "One micro-puncture detected in section five alpha. Size six hundredths of a millimetre."
Janeway was silent as she took in the news and turned to Jett, a look of total astonishment on her face. "Six hundredths of a millimetre! How the hell did you see that?!" she asked breathlessly, but the young woman just grinned and shrugged innocently. "Computer" continued the captain, her tone confused, "why didn't this show up before?"
"unknown."
"Why hasn't it affected structural integrity?"
"The area aound the inside end of the puncture conduit is sufficiently sealed."
"Sealed!" exclaimed the captain, her voice rising as her confusion deepened "by what?"
"Bio-nueral circuitry."
Janeway's hand tightened on her lover's arm as the pieces of the puzzle slowly began to fall into place in her head. "Did you say it was a green light?" she asked softly and the young woman nodded to emphasise her affirmative answer. "Computer" Janeway continued, getting into her stride now that the answer was approaching her, "What's behind that puncture conduit?"
"Seven of Nine's Borg alcove" came the answer she had been half expecting and she slumped back in her chair to take a deep breath as the last peice of the puzzle slotted into place. "Computer" she began again, "scan the conduit for any alien or unknown elements."
"Unknown element detected" confirmed the computer, clearly unimpressed by Janeway's detective skills.
"Was that same element present in the sample of atmosphere we beamed aboard from Kal'aran last month?"
"affirmative."
The captain turned towards her lieutenant, a look of relief and awe on her face. "You know, my darling," she announced softly, "I think your incredible observational skills have just solved Seven's problem." She leant in for a kiss and ran her finger lovingly down the smiling young woman's cheek. "You really are amazing, Jett."
"I aim to please" joked the Betazoid as she pulled her captain in for a deeper kiss.
"Oh you do please me, my love," sighed the captain, "you please me very, very much." Their kisses began to get heated but the captain pulled her duty back into place for just a while longer and gently pushed her lover away. "If you just let me take care of this" she crooned, "I'll let you please me all night long."

PART VI

With the offending element purged from Seven's alcove and the puncture wound to her ship repaired, Janeway could now allow herself to relax. Although the fissure had been microscopic, she knew it had had the potential to get much worse and cause a catastrophe if left unrepaired for any length of time, so her brilliant young lover had not only saved Seven but also Voyager, and Kathryn loved her even more. 'How is it possible' she asked herself 'that I can be so totally in love with her after knowing her for such a short time?'

The only dark cloud that hung over the captain now was Seven and her recovery. It had been going well and, now that her mind was free to recover its memories in full, without having them partially wiped by her alcove every night, more had returned each day until she was almost back to her old self. The one thing she still could not recall, however, was her assimilation by or her time with the Borg. The doctor saw it as her mind's natural defence mechanism against a traumatic experience but, however difficult it would be for the young woman, he believed it was essential that she did remember it and had been using various theraputic techniques to try and unlock the door that held the memories at bay. Janeway ached for the young woman, knowing that when her recall was finally complete it would be extrememly painful for her, but knowing B'Elanna was there to help and support her gave Janeway faith that Seven would get through it.

She smiled to herself as she thought of the young couple and their devotion to eachother. At first it had been strange, difficult for her and her crew to understand the relationship, bearing in mind how antagonistic the two had previously been to eachother, but seeing them together, so cearly and so deeply in love, had softened the heart of even the most skeptical. She supposed that they had always been attracted to one another but that their mutual resentment had blinded them to it, perhaps their attraction had even been half the cause of their resentment. "What strange creatures we are!" she sighed aloud to her empty ready room and then, with a smile and a little shake of her head that indicated she was resigned to the fact, she took a sip of her coffee and turned her attention to the stack of reports on her desk.

When she was interrupted by the doorchime she was surprised to find that three hours had passed. "Come" she called, sitting back and grimacing as the long-cold coffee hit her gullet. But the bitter taste was entirely forgotten as the tall, athletic figure of Lieutenant Jettahna Iskar stepped through the doors and graced her with a dazzling smile. "I'm not inturrupting you, am I?" she asked, her honied, Betazoid tones making the captain glad that she was already sitting down as her legs turned to jelly. "That's alright" she smiled sweetly as the woman approached, "I could do with a break. What can I do for you?"
"Well" began Jett, "it's more about what I can do for you, Captain."
"And what's that?" asked Kathryn, her eyebrow rising and the corners of her mouth twitching.
The young woman produced a hamper from behind her back and glided gracefully toward the captain's desk. "I thought, since we were interrupted last time, I might steal you away for a picnic" she explained tapping the basket lightly as she placed it before Janeway. The captain began to speak but was stopped by a soft kiss on her lips, "....and don't say you're still on duty and you have too much to do" the young woman crooned as she ran a finger softly down the captain's cheek, "because your duty shift ended two minutes ago and I don't intend to take 'no' for an answer."
Janeway smiled almost apologetically and gracefully accepted the futility of argument. "Well, in that case, Lieutenant," she grinned as she rose unsteadily to her feet, "by all means, lead the way."

* * * * * *

Kathryn gasped as her young lover's strong fingers entered her gently. After having her breasts and her midriff massaged, sucked and kissed for the last ten minutes she was shaking with need and had only just that minute been thinking how much she wanted to feel the woman inside her. She still couldn't get used to the idea that Jett knew exactly what she was thinking, what she needed, but she wasn't complaining. To be loved like this was so beautiful it took her breath away. "Ahh, Jett!" she cried as the thrusts became more insistant, "god, that's so good, oh....oh yes..!"

Jett was aching for release herself as she rubbed herself against the captain's thigh. She tried to control the violent throbbing in her clit as she continued to make love to her captain, wanting to wait until her lover was at the point of orgasm herself before letting go. She slid up to take a swollen nipple in her mouth and sucked and bit at it gently but, through the incoherent words that the captain spoke out loud she could hear her innermost thoughts. 'Oh God, Jett. Harder, bite harder....harder...please, I need you to hurt me'. She stopped dead in suprise.
"What do you mean?" she asked, staring into Kathryn's glistening face.
"Oh, Jett, please don't stop...please" begged Janeway desperately, her heavy breath shuddering in her chest and the Betazoid quickly continued her ministrations. It was not long before she could feel Kathryn's mind go blank as velvet walls closed around her fingers and she allowed herself her own release, feeling the ship almost literally shake beneath them.

After the earthquake they had created with their love they lay in eachother's arms, gently stroking and kissing eacother. "What did you mean about wanting me to hurt you, Kathryn?" she asked softly as she kissed the swollen lips once more. Kathryn pulled back and looked puzzled, "did I think that?" she asked, frowning slightly.
"Yes, I heard it in your mind as clear as day."
"Wow, I didn't realize I....I mean it wasn't a conscious thought."
"But you do like the idea?"
"I guess I must. I don't really know. I'll have to think about it." She smiled and raised herself up, manoeuvring to lie on top of her lover. "In the mean time," she said as she bent down to nibble at Jett's neck, "I want to make love to you."

* * * * * *

"Hmmm, Imzadi" moaned Jett as she flopped limply onto her back, "that was so wonderful."
Janeway's mouth stopped half way to her lover's breast and she looked up, her eyes wide with awe as she asked quietly "What? What did you call me?"
The Betazoid looked down at her and repeated "Imzadi. It means...."
"I know what it means" she crooned, "and I know it's not a word to be used lightly."
"No, it's not," Jett agreed as she brushed the hair from her partner's face, "and I'm not using it lightly, Kathryn. I have never used it with anyone before. But I believe that you are my Imzadi."
"God!" whispered Janeway dreamily, knowing the import of the young woman's statement and feeling her heart fill with love. The Federation dictionary gave the official translation of the Betazoid word 'Imzadi' as 'soulmate' but she knew that it meant much more than that. "I...I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything" Jett assured her, "I know what you feel."
"I guess you do" acknowledged the captain with a tender smile and then a slight cloud passed over her face as she admitted "I wish I could do that for you. I wish so much that I could know exactly what you want, what you need."
Jett smiled tenderly and assured her lover "Oh, you do pretty well."
"I do?" asked the captain uncertainly.
Jett frowned and eased herself up to lean on her elbows. "Kathryn, where has this sudden insecurity come from?" she asked, reaching out to stroke the cloud from her lover's beautiful features, "you are the best lover I've ever had, telepathic or not. You're so sensitive and loving, there's nothing I need from you that you don't give me instinctively."
Janeway smiled and lowered her eyes. "You're not just saying that?" she asked tentatively.
"No. 'just saying' things is not a skill Betazoids have, it would be pointless to a telepathic species so we never learn it." She raised the captain's head with a gentle hand under her chin and stared into her eyes, reassuring her sincerely "I mean what I say, Kathryn, otherwise I don't say it, okay?"
"okay," agreed the captain, pleasantly relieved by the assurance, "okay.....Imzadi."

* * * * * *

As she left her lover's quarters and moved through Voyager's corridors, Jett pondered her amazing good fortune. Her thoughts were interrupted, however, as she rounded a corner to see Commander Chakotay and Ensign Sparky standing casually by the window, deep in conversation. She smiled sublty at the sight of the exchange. You didn't really need to be telepathic to notice the glint in Chakotay's eyes or the way he leaned slightly toward the woman as she spoke. But she had promised to confirm Sparky's suspicions so, as she passed, giving her friend a surruptitiously raised eyebrow, she opened her mind to the tall, dark Commander's thoughts. Her smiled deepened as she got her answer and rounded the next corner.

That evenining, as she sat in ten forward, waiting for her lover, she was suddenly aware that Sparky had appeared beside her. "Hey" said the older woman, "mind if I join you?"
"Sure, but just for a few minutes. I'm waiting for Kathryn."
"You're always waiting for Kathryn" teased the Bajoran as she slid into the seat opposite her friend. Less than a second passed before she asked "well?"
"Well what?" came the innocent enquiry, accompanied by the infuriating smile, for Jett was equally able to tease.
"Come on, Jett" the ensign pleaded, a hint of quiet desperation in her voice, "give me your report."
"My report!" laughed the Betazoid, " is that what it is?"
"Pleeeease!"
"Okay, okay, calm down, I'll give." She took a sip of her coffee bofore putting her friend out of her misery. "He likes you, Sparky," she confirmed, leaning forward conspiritorially, "he really 'likes' you. I think you should go for it." Ensign Sparks's smile grew so wide that it almost took over her face.

When the captain reached her Imzadi's table and bent to give her a kiss, she was intrigued by the slightly self-satisfied smile she saw playing around the woman's luscious lips. "You're looking very pleased with yourself," she observed, "what's going on?" With a gentle tilt of her head and flick of her eyes, Jett indicated a couple on the far side of the room. A dark, handsome, tattooed man in red and black and a pretty brunette with a gold band across her shoulders. They were huddled very close together on a couch with plenty of space for spreading out, and the man's arm rested along hte back of the sofa behind the woman's shoulder, as if waiting for permission to advance. All in all, they appeared to be getting on extrememly well. Kathryn smiled as she took in the scene and asked "did you have something to do with that?" turning her joy-filled gaze on her lover.
"Indirectly, I suppose," Jett admitted, "really I just confirmed what she already knew. I guess that gave her cofidence to follow up on her feelings."
"Lt. Jett to the rescue yet again," teased the captain, "is there anything you can't do?"
Jett laughed gently and her cheeks coloured. "I'm sure there must be," she claimed, adding softly and teasingly "I just haven't found it yet."

PART VII

"Captain, long range sensors have picked up a Borg signiture approaching fast" announced Ensign Kim with forced calm. Janeway sprang to her feet and immediately called for red alert. "What've we got, Harry?" she asked, her own calm seeming totally natural only because of her years of training.
"A sphere, ma'am," the Ensign replied, "slightly damaged. It hasn't detected us." He was silent for a few seconds before announcing "there's a Type 2 nebula 1000 kms port, Captain, it would be enough to hide us from the sphere as it passes."
"Good work, Mr Kim," the captain acknowledged, "let's wait it out. Set a course, Tom."
"Aye, Captain" acknowledged the pilot as he set his instuments to head towards the nebula.

From the safety of the thick nebula, they watched as the sphere slowly made its way past, keeping a close eye on it. After a few minutes the captain's attention was caught by a clattering and she turned to see Seven staring at the viewscreen, the PADD which had slipped from her hand lying at her feet. The Borg reeled back as images flashed behind her eyes and the captain leapt up to catch her as she crumpled, her eyes still glued to the screen. Her breathing became rapid and stilted as she tried to make sense of rush of hellish memories and she began to shake in the captain's arms, unaware of the woman's presence. "Janeway to Torres," said the captain calmly, "would you come to the bridge please."

As soon as the engineer stepped onto the bridge she knew something was wrong but when she saw her fallen partner her hearts missed a beat and she rushed to the woman's side, squatting down to take over the captain's relinquished position. "Seven?" she asked, "baby what is it?"
"She can't hear you, B'Elanna" the captain informed her kindly, placing a soft hand on her shoulder to try and help stem the young woman's own rising panic. "She's having a flashback. I've seen this before and you just have to wait it out, I'm afraid."
"Did something bring it on?"
"I imagine it was that" Janeway surmised, indicating the viewscreen and B'Elanna turned to see the sphere that still filled it.
"Oh Kahless!" she said quietly as she took it in and then, turning back to her lover and tightening her grip on the young woman's arms as she felt the Borg's hand's clenching against her chest, she asked "shouldn't we call the doctor?" Her worried face rose to look into Janeway's eyes and the captain's heart clenched.
"We can if you like but there's not much he can do." She squeezed B'Elanna's shoulder and added compassionately, "I know it's hard but she has to go through this, B'Elanna, there's no other way. I think you'll be much more use to her than him."
"Still," replied the Kligon, trying to keep her own distress at bay, "I'd be happier if he were here."
"Alright" agreed the captain immediately, "alright, I'll get him."

Seven's wide-eyed stare and her shaking continued, her breathing fast, shallow and uneven, peppered with whimpers, her hands unconsciously clutching at B'Elanna. Having reassured B'Elanna to the best of his ability, the doctor was standing by when, quite suddenly, the Borg screamed and clutched at her left eye, doubling over so that her head was buried in B'Elanna's lap. "Seven, it's alright" the Klingon crooned desperately as her arms closed around the trembling, gasping body and rocked it gently, "it's just a memory, it can't hurt you now."
"Aaaagh, nooooo!...." screamed the Borg again and she sat up, her eyes darting fearfully around the room as she pulled away and huddled into a corner, holding herself tightly around the knees as she shivered violently.
"Seven....Seven...." the Klingon said, edging carefully towards the woman and slowly reaching out to her, "Shari! Look at me. Look at me, darling."
After an initial flinch, B'Elanna's hand on her burning cheek seemed to calm Seven and slowly her breathing evened out somewhat and her eyes came back into focus to rest on her lover's beautiful face. "Astra?" she asked in a small, breathy voice.
"Yes, my love, I'm right here."
"Help me!" came the distraught request as the woman reached out to clutch B'Elanna's arm.
"I will, my love" the Klingon promised, "what is it? What's happening? Tell me."
"The.....the Borg!" came the reply, her voice once more beginning to rise in panic and then again the scream as she doubled over once more, clutching her stomach, crying with pain.
"Shari, look at me!" the Klingon ordered, "it's not real. It's just a memory, it can't hurt you anymore." She moved in closer and took the trembling Borg into her arms, ignoring the rigidity of the body as she tried to communicate comfort through her touch. "Don't be afraid," she soothed, rocking the young woman slightly and breathing into her hair, "I've got you, I'm here with you." She felt Seven collapse heavily into her arms, her breathing slowing, her trembling lessening by the second and, with a sigh of relief she knew it was over.

After a full five minutes of resting quietly in her lover's arms, Seven raised herself up and focussed her gaze on the Klingon. "B'Elanna" she said simply but lovingly, her hand rising to stroke the woman's cheek.
"Yes, Seven, it's me" came the relieved reply as the Klingon took Seven's hand from her cheek and brought it to her lips, placing several tender kisses upon it.
"I....I had forgotten," the Borg acknowledged, ".....even before we lost our memories, I had forgotten how....how much it hurt to be assimilated." Seven was exhausted and still not fully back in control. A tear of shame tracked down in her cheek as she admitted "I....I put thousands of other beings through that same pain.....I...I.." and she seemed to be on the brink of emotional collapse.
"Shhhh, it's alright now, darling" B'Elanna soothed, feeling emotionally drained herself and not really wanting to deal with this right now "I'm here and I love you."
Seven looked up, a look almost of surprise on her features. "You....you still love me?"
"Darling, of course I do."
"But how can you love me? How can anyone love me? I am a monster."
B'Elanna raised the Borg's drooping head and looked her squarely in the eye. "Seven, look at me," she ordered, her tone kind but firm, "you are not a monster. What you remembered today, none of it was your fault, Seven. You weren't in control. You weren't even human then, you were just a Borg machine and you couldn't have done any differently even if you had somehow been aware of what you were doing." Gentling her tone as she saw the tears welling up again she added "you know this, Seven."
"I...I....don't... I can't..." Her voice cracked as the tears fell again as her lover pulled her into strong but gentle arms.
"Ssshhh, it's over now" crooned the Klingon as she rocked Seven gently, feeling the Borg bury her head in her lover's neck and bring her arms around her. Then, after a reassuring look from the captain, she gathered the young woman into her arms and carried her off the bridge and back to their quarters.

* * * * * *

That evening, as the captain was wrapped in her lover's arms as they snuggled on her couch, the Betazoid asked "how's Seven?" She knew Janeway had visited the Borg immediately after her shift. The captain sighed and admitted "I don't really know. She was asleep when I got there but B'Elanna said she'd had a tough time of it. I know it's good that she's remembered everything but I so wish there was another way, a way that wasn't so traumatic for her. I've never seen her like that before."
Jett nodded and held Kathryn tighter as she asked "and how's B'Elanna doing? It must be painful for her too."
"Yes" agreed the captain, "she seems to be holding up pretty well but deep down, I don't know. I think she's trying to stay strong for Seven, you know?"
"Gods, what a mess!" murmurred the Betazoid, echoing Janeway's thoughts exactly, "and what about you? I know it affected you too. Are you okay?"
Janeway looked up at her lover and smiled lovingly, answering "I am now" as she claimed a kiss.
"Well," announced Jett, "I have something that may take your mind off it for a while. It's in the bedroom." A broad grin broke over the captain's lips as an intriguing image flashed through her mind. "No, not that" chided the Betazoid with a grin of her own, "well....maybe later."

As the sheet dropped Janeway's breath caught and let itself out only slowly. "Jett!" she breathed, "it's wonderful!" The carver had captured Voyager perfectly, encapsulating the very sprirt of the vessel. Janeway had thought she was the only one that truly appreciated the incredible beauty, the infinite grace of the ship, but clearly Jett had noticed it to. She had sent Voyager slicing though a nebula, the gasses yielding willingly to her and flowing over her bows, caressing her as if she were a goddess come to deliver them.

Janeway stepped forward and, closing her eyes, ran her fingers lightly over the ship's curves. Somehow Jett had contrived to give it a voluptuousness without detracting from the sleek strength of the vessel. Here was a powerful, invincible, indestructable machine with the heart of a living lover and the nurturing spirit of a mother. She made you believe in her, this Voyager, she made you trust in her completly, she gave you a proud promise of home, she gave you hope.

A single tear began to track its way down Kathryn's cheek and Jett stepped forward to wrap her in strong arms. "What is it?" she asked softly.
"Nothing, I'm just being silly" concluded the captain as she snuggled into the comfort enveloping her.
"No you're not" Jett gently chided, "if you feel it, it's not silly. Tell me."
"You must know how this makes me feel" Janeway mumbled into her lover's chest.
"Yes," smiled the telephath, "but I think you need to say it out loud. I know that for non-telepaths that can make something much more real." She pulled away slightly and raised her companion's face toward her own, giving her a reassuring kiss on the lips before repeating "tell me."

Keeping her hands securely on her partner's shoulders, Janeway nodded and began to try to put her feelings into words. "I guess," she started, "your portrayal of Voyager has enabled me to see her again as not just a vehicle but a real participant in this journey. Being inside, at the helm, so to speak, it's difficult to keep hold of the big picture, you know? This makes it possible for me to step outside and see this ship, this crew, this family in the way I hope others see us. I know some people laugh at me when I talk to Voyager but....the relationship between a captain and their ship is real, a true parntership, and I think that's doubly true of Voyager and I because of our situation. I know if I don't let her down she won't let me down. I know that together we can get this crew home. I have faith in this ship and in this crew and I guess that remembering that from time to time helps to renew my faith in myself."
Jett smiled down at her love and asked softly "you got all that from my carving?!"
"Pretty much" came the loving reply, "isn't that what you were aiming for?"
"More or less" acknowledged Jett with a little shrug.
"Well it worked" the captain afirmed, "you see how brilliant you are?" She reached up to pull the Betazoid down for a deep, tender kiss, adding in a whisper as they pulled apart "thank you."

They rested a while, their foreheads leaning against eachother, just basking in the closeness, but Jett had begun to rub Janeway's back, her hand travelling lower with every swoop, and she could sense the response that the woman's body was experiencing. "How much do I owe you?" the captain asked, her hands playing idly with Jett's hair.
"Nothing," laughed the Betazoid, "it's a present."
Janeway's eyes rose and she gently admonished "darling, I couldn't do that. You started this before we were together and you worked so hard on it. I have to give you something."
"Well," Iskar conceded, "you could always pay me in kind" and she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. The method of payment Janeway came up with that night more than satisfied her lover and as the Betazoid lay exhausted in her lover's arms, listening to her solid heartbeat, she wondered if she shouldn't make a habit of accepting comissions from her captain.

* * * * * *

Seven's emotional recovery was not rapid or easy but it was steady and, with the help of B'Elanna and the doctor, she once more learnt to live with both her pain and her guilt and returned to her old self. The couple became quite good friends with Jett and the captain, the two pairs of lovers often visiting eachother's quarters for meals, and it was on one such occassion that the conversation turned to the various relationships that had developed on the ship. "I hear Chakotay and Sparky are planning to move in together" the engineer announced as she took a sip of her after dinner coffee.
"Really?" asked the captain, "I had no idea it was that serious."
"Oh yes," B'Elanna confirmed, "they're getting on really well."
"I'm glad," smiled Jett, "they do seem to be good together."
Kathryn nudged into the Betazoid a little and teased "well you should know, darling. You're the one that got them together after all."
"What?!" asked B'Elanna, intrigued at the information, "you matchmade them, Jett?"
"Well, not exactly" answered the young woman, "I just confirmed Sparky's suspicions."
"You mean you went poking around in his mind to find out if he was interested!" B'Elanna choked, sitting forward in her excitement.
"No!" exclaimed the Betazoid in a horrified tone, "I just, well I....I just didn't screen out his thoughts when I happened to have the opportunity to pick up on them, that's all."
The captain smirked softly as she leaned further against her lover. "It's a fine distinction, love" she laughed "and I'm not sure I should really condone such an invasion of privacy, but I'm very glad you did it. It's good to see him so happy."

"It sometimes amazes me" said Seven, "how some people will indulge in such deceptions merely to get information they could easily obtain by asking."
"It was only mildly deceptive, Seven," observed the captain, "people can be a lot more devious than that."
"That is precisely my point, Captain" avered the Borg, "why is it necessary? Why did Ensign Sparks not simply ask the commander his feelings towards her?"
"Seven" laughed B'Elanna, "it's not quite that simple. What if he'd rejected her?"
"What if he had?" asked the other woman innocently, "she would then know where she stood, wouldn't she?"
"Yes, but it hurts to be rejected, Seven, and it could've affected their working relationship adversely. Chakotay is a nice man, he doesn't like hurting people; he might even have felt compelled to be less than totally honest in order to save her feelings and then he would've been in an awkward position."
"But why would he do that? Honesty is always best, isn't it?"
B'Elanna hesitated, wondering how to explain to her guileless partner. She looked at the captain, her eyes pleading for help, but found only mirthfull anticipation of her answer. Scowling slightly at Janeway's unhelpfullness she turned back and began "usually yes but perhaps not absolutely always, Seven. It really depends on the person and the situation. It doesn't always work."
"But it works with us" she was reminded.
B'Elanna smiled tenderly, a look of gentle amusement and absolute love transforming her face. "Yes, it does" she agreed quietly as she reached out to run the back of her hand down her lover's soft cheek, "but I think I can safely say that we are a unique couple."
"Thankfully" added the amused captain under her breath, attracting a look of agreement from her partner. Neither of them could help smiling as they watched the other couple exchange a loving kiss and they snuggled closer into eachother's warmth.

As they parted Seven took B'Elanna's hand and brought it her lips. "Do you remember" she asked gently, "some time ago....you asked me a question?"
"What question, darling?" enquired the Klingon.
"You asked me, when I had my memories back and was fully recovered, to marry you."
B'Elanna's eyes flashed in anticipation as she confirmed "I guess I did, didn't I?"
Beginning to get a slight understanding of the human fear of rejection they had been discussing previously, Seven asked a little hesitatingly "have you...changed your mind?"
"No" the Klingon reassured her with a subtle shake of her head "have...have you?"
The former Borg leaned back against the sofa and brought her lover's hand into her lap. "You were right to insist that we wait, B'Elanna," she stated evenly, "even with your explanation I did not fully understand the import of the step, but I do now, I remember everything."
B'Elanna's hand trembled slightly and she held her breath. Trying to keep the anxiety from her voice she asked "..and..?" unaware of the other couple also holding their breaths in anticipation.
"And I still say yes" came the reply. B'Elanna almost collapsed with relief as she let herself breathe again and pulled her new fianceé into her arms, hugging her tightly. "Oh, my darling" she whispered in Seven's ear, "I love you so much."
"I love you too" affirmed the Borg as she returned her partner's affection fully, pulling away only in order to kiss her thoroughly. Kathryn and Jett looked at eachother and laughed with joy, taking the opportunity for a celebratory hug and kiss of their own. As Seven and B'Elanna held eachother, though, a thought occured to the blonde and she looked down into the glistening eyes of her lover asking, "but....we are members of this crew, do we not need permission?"
"Yes, of course, you're right" confirmed the engineer and she turned to face the captain. Kathryn had been so touched by their love that she had not realised she was practically sitting on her own partner's lap and that her hand had slipped into the woman's shirt to stroke suggestively at her ribcage, but B'Elanna was too wrapped up in her own happiness to notice and asked "so how about it, Captain? Feel like digging out your dress uniform?"
"I guess I could manage that, Lieutenant," came the happy acceptance, "permission granted."

* * * * * *

Having accepted congratulations and a toast to their happiness it was not long before the younger couple daprted and Janeway was left alone with her lover. As soon as the door swished closed behind their guests, Jett caught a flash of intense love intentionally directed at her and stepped in to claim Kathryn's lips tenderly but thoroughly, causing the captain to pull her closer and clutch at her back. They broke breathlessly, Janeway's hands clenched in Jett's hair, the Betazoid massaging the small of her captain's back. She smiled at her lover's increasingly rapid breathing as she begun to nuzzle into her neck and nip at the tender skin. "Oh, god" moaned the captain, her voice slightly strained. Tenderness turned to full blown lust in the blink of an eye and the captain grabbed desperately at her lover, groaning as their tongues clashed. She soon found herself stripped down to her bra and pressed against the floor with the delicious weight of Jett surging into her. "Oh yes, my darling" she groaned appreciatively as Iskar's hands ripped at her trousers, "please....take me, Jett. Hurt me."
Jett reared up onto her knees and stared down as she tore off her shirt. "Are you sure?" she asked breathlessly but Janeway was past wondering about this new desire. She nodded rapidly and gasped "yes; I'm yours, Jett, do whatever you want with me.....please, my love."
Jett leered down at the prone woman beneath her and then teasingly divested her the rest of her clothes. Moving to the side, she commanded softly "turn over, Kathryn" smiling as the captain obeyed her immediately. Then, having arranged Janeway's limbs to her own satisfaction and probing her mind to reassure herself that she had the woman's total trust, she called out "computer, restrain Captain Janeway."

The End

SW
18/04/03