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Reunion
Reunion
Kanay
Kathryn Janeway gazed through the window of her home overlooking San Francisco Bay. It had been over seven years since she last stood looking out this window, pondering her future just prior to Voyager's fateful disappearance, and nothing in her immediate view had changed. Not a damn thing. The city was still vastly overpopulated. The lights still shined brighter than any she had seen, and if she listened hard enough she swore she could hear the hustle and bustle of the traffic buzzing below. It was as if time had been frozen here until her return. It was indeed the same city she left, but she was far from being the same woman.
She didn't think she would ever forget the day they returned. If facing the Borg wasn't enough, when Voyager emerged from the transwarp hub, the onslaught of Starfleet vessels and escort they provided back to Earth caused such an emotional overload within her. Merely seeing Earth again through the bridge viewscreen was enough to choke her up and she was forced to hold back her tears as she ordered Chakotay to bring them home. There were celebratory fireworks as Voyager soared over the Golden Gate Bridge and into the history books. A gathering crowd of family and friends cheered them on as the crew departed, welcoming them home again. But it was that last look in Seven's eyes, looking back over her shoulder as Chakotay took her hand and guided her through the barrage of waiting people, slowly disappearing from her life, that made her want to die in that moment. She realized she was in love with Seven, on some level had known it for quite some time, but in that brief moment of self revelation, between deception and truth, she had lost everything.
For seven years all she talked about was getting her crew home, but now a part of her deeply regretted that it ever happened.
Nearly a month had passed since that day, and as much as she buried herself in work related issues- debriefings, meetings, counseling- her realization nagged at her and refused to let go. Regardless of how hard she tried to forget the past, forget the Admiral's haunting words of Seven dying in her husband's arms, something about it wouldn't let her forget. She had brought her people home safely. The future the Admiral warned her about had changed. Wasn't that enough? Perhaps she owed it to the Admiral, who gave her own life to help them, and even owed a little to herself, to finally make peace with that one thing that ached the most. Only then she would be able to move on with her life.
Janeway knew what she had to do. It was facing that fear that prevented her from taking action. Once she gathered up her courage, like she had many times before now, she quickly contacted Chakotay's residence before she came to her senses and backed down. However, the one thing she wasn't prepared for was the very thing that happened. Seven's image appeared on her screen.
"Seven," Janeway said, doing her best to hide her shock. "It's good to see you again."
Seven's smile brought butterflies to her stomach. Why was she feeling nervous? Seven was her friend. After all they had been through in the Delta Quadrant, the last thing she should be feeling now was anxiety.
"Kathryn, it's good to see you too. This is quite a surprise."
A moment of silence passed as Janeway studied Seven, struggling to put her finger on what exactly it was about Seven's appearance that caused her to look so different from the woman she knew. The long blonde hair normally pinned up now hung free, loosely tied in the back, but she had seen Seven's hair styled this way before and knew that wasn't it. Seven looked withdrawn, almost sad, though she hid it well with her smile and Kathryn was sure the casual observer wouldn't have even noticed.
"How have you been?" she asked.
"Well. Thank you," Seven replied. "How have you been?"
"Oh you know how it is, one debriefing after another around here. How's Arizona treating you?"
"It is hot," Seven added with a slight roll of her eyes that caused Janeway to laugh.
"That's the desert for you. It never was my cup of tea."
"Would like to visit sometime? I am sure Chakotay would like to see you as much as I would."
"Well, that's actually why I'm calling. I've got some free time and I'd love to have you and Chakotay over for dinner tomorrow night."
"Chakotay is not at home. He is scouting with Icheb and not expected to return until next week."
Janeway felt the beginnings of a devilish grin make its way to her face. "Why don't you come then? We can make a weekend of it…unless you have something else you need to do instead."
"No," Seven quickly said. "I have nothing else to do."
"Great. I'll see you tomorrow. I've got a few meetings throughout the day but I should be home around 3:00. See you then?"
Seven nodded.
"It really is good to see you again. I look forward to catching up with you."
"I will see you tomorrow, Kathryn."
When Janeway disconnected the visual she felt some of that unease already begin to lift. Apparently, getting in touch with Seven had been the right thing to do, even if Chakotay wasn't around to participate in the invite, and she regretted waiting so long to make the call.
The meetings had run much longer than Janeway expected. When 3:00 came and went and she knew she would be at least another hour, she cursed herself. She would make it up to Seven, though, with one of the finest home cooked meals ever, thanks to a recipe she got last night from her mother. She had begged her mother for years for a copy of this particular recipe with no success. Apparently, being gone for seven years was enough to make the woman change her mind since all Kathryn had to do was mention the meal and her mother gladly divulged her secret.
When Janeway finally arrived back home she was surprised not to see Seven waiting for her. It was nearly 5:00 and Seven was usually so punctual. You could set your watch by her timeliness. Not today though. She entered her home, threw a stack of padds on her coffee table, threw on a change of clothes, and briskly headed for the kitchen.
Glancing over the recipe now, she realized she should have started cooking this meal hours ago if they were going to eat it anytime soon. If she was going to impress Seven with her cooking she would simply have to make some adjustments to the recipe. She placed all the dishes into the various cooking units and increased the temperatures while shortening the cooking length. That would have everything cooked in less than an hour. She had barely begun setting the table when her doorbell chimed.
"Hello Seven," Janeway said when she opened the door, immediately noticing Seven had foregone her biosuit for looser clothing, no doubt looking for some relief from Arizona's heat. She pulled the young woman into an embrace and closed her eyes at the warmth she felt with their touch, almost a return to normalcy, brief as it was. "I'm sorry I was late getting home," she offered when the parted a moment later. "One meeting after another today, and not a pithy one of the bunch."
Seven smirked. "I took that into consideration, along with your history of tardiness at staff meetings, and decided to add a couple hours to the time you suggested."
"You always were a bright one," Janeway said. "Please, come in."
"Your home is very nice," Seven said, looking around at the vastness of it. Aside from a few padds on the table, it was virtually clutter free, far from how Janeway kept her quarters on Voyager.
"Would you like the tour?"
"Yes," Seven answered without hesitation.
As Janeway showed Seven around, she had unconsciously wrapped her arm around Seven's on several occasions as she guided her from room to room. Though neither woman made much of it, Kathryn was well aware of this sudden domestic feel. Both women were more relaxed than they had been on Voyager and it was evident in their smooth interaction with each other now. But then things quickly changed when they found themselves alone in Kathryn's bedroom.
"Say, would you like to look at some old photos?" Janeway asked.
Before Seven could answer, Janeway had already begun pulling out a large photo album from the closet. Seven took a seat on the edge of the bed, and when Janeway had turned around and noticed where she was sitting, she bit her bottom lip and blushed.
"Are you alright, Kathryn?" Seven asked, concern evident in her tone.
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"Your faced is flushed now, and although I have not mentioned it, I will not deny I have noticed you have lost weight since returning to Earth. I'm concerned for your well being."
Apparently there was no getting anything over on Seven, Janeway noted to herself.
"It's true I've lost some weight, but it's nothing to be concerned about." She patted her belly and smirked. "I guess being home again and running around trying to get my life in order again has caught up to me. As for 'being flushed,' well let's just say it's just a bit warm in here. Aren't you warm too?"
"No. My nanoprobes still regulate my body temperature," Seven reminded her.
Janeway nodded. Although there was plenty of room on the bed, she tapped Seven's leg to scoot over and sat down next to the blonde, leaving only the barest space between them. She thought about sitting closer but didn't want to make Seven uncomfortable. Regardless of how much she despised the idea, Seven was still living with Chakotay. However, as if reading into her thoughts, Seven scooted closer and eliminated that space and Janeway smiled to herself.
The next several minutes were spent looking at photos of Janeway's life in various stages. Baby pictures, school pictures, family vacation pictures, even some pictures from Kathryn's early days in the Academy. Janeway was opening up herself to Seven in a way she never had before, sharing stories and memories of her life that she hadn't shared with anyone, not even Mark.
"Thank you for letting me experience this with you, Kathryn," Seven said as Janeway closed the book.
"Thank you for sitting through it. I can't imagine you found it all that interesting," Janeway added, unaware of exactly how interested Seven really was pertaining to the smaller details of her life.
A moment of silence befell, but it was neither awkward nor embarrassing. Rather, Janeway found it comforting just being here with Seven.
"Excuse my manners," Janeway said finally when she came back to her senses. "Can I offer you something to drink?"
Seven smiled. After the countless times they had spent together, Janeway never failed to look after Seven's most basic needs, even when she knew the young woman would refuse any refreshment before their meal. "No thank you, Kathryn. I will wait."
"Well then, tell me what's been happening in your life since I last saw you. How are you enjoying Earth?"
At this, Seven squirmed and Janeway picked up on her uneasiness immediately.
"It is not quite what I imagined it would be."
"Oh?"
"No. For one thing, there is nothing to do. Chakotay's ranch is isolated in the desert. He insists on as little technology as possible, a lifestyle I am not familiar with. He calls it a 'return to nature.' He also leaves often on scouting adventures with Icheb while I am expected to maintain the household."
"What do you do all day?"
"Although it may be unnecessary now that Voyager has returned to Earth, I have spent the majority of my time attempting to perfect slip stream technology."
Surprised, Janeway asked, "Any success?"
"No, but it is only a matter of time. Every day I come closer and it keeps me occupied."
Janeway was pleased Seven was still able to do some of the things she enjoyed but furrowed her brow at Chakotay's poor mannerisms. "How are you and Chakotay?"
Seven pursed her lips. "That is a story for another time," she said, indicating that she wanted to change the subject.
"I'll hold you to that," Janeway said.
The sudden aroma drifting from the kitchen alerted both women that dinner would be ready at any moment, and before Janeway had time to get into why she had really invited Seven over this weekend the oven bell chimed loudly.
"Are you ready for some home cooking?" she asked, well aware that Seven had heard horror stories of her previous cooking disasters. This time would be different though.
"I am always up for an adventure," Seven joked, causing Kathryn to laugh.
"I've got The Doctor on standby in case we need him," Janeway assured her and added another pat on Seven's knee.
Seven finished setting the table while Janeway removed the various dishes from their cooking units. The meal didn't quite look the way it did whenever her mother would prepare it, one of the dishes a bit runnier than it should be, but everything still smelled wonderful and she knew that had to be a good sign.
They sat down to eat and Kathryn poured them each a glass of wine before raising her glass to make a toast. "To old friends."
Janeway was quite pleased with the way the evening was turning out. She would have to mention to her mother about altering the recipe the next time they spoke. But when Seven took her first bite and couldn't quite conceal her shock, Kathryn knew something was amiss. It wasn't until Seven took a bite from her bread and gave the same expression that she asked the much dreaded question.
"What's wrong?"
Seven chewed for a moment longer before answering.
"Congratulations, Kathryn. I have never eaten rubber chicken before. This loaf of toast is interesting too."
Janeway wanted to die. In the blink of an eye the evening had gone from perfection to a complete disaster. Her attempt to impress Seven with her cooking skills had gone terribly awry and ruined everything. Curiously, she took a bite of the chicken and had to agree that this was among the worst things she had tasted. It probably would have been better if she had burned the meal like she normally did whenever she cooked. She didn't even want to taste the bread.
"And to think there is someone who can cook worse than Neelix..." Janeway trailed off, sighing. "I'm sorry, Seven. Honestly, I have no business in a kitchen. I can lead a ship halfway across the galaxy but I can't even cook a chicken."
"It's not your fault, Kathryn. You cannot be perfect at everything."
"Well, I can at least offer you a decent meal. How about we go out instead? There's a fabulous restaurant not too far and.."
"No," Seven interrupted. "We will salvage this meal. I will teach you how to cook."
Janeway looked stunned. "You know how to cook?"
"Without replicators, I was forced into it. I had utilized the skills I learned from Neelix, with several modifications of course, but the method is basic and quite easy to learn."
Seven pushed her chair away from the table and brought the chicken back into the kitchen. "I will assist you, Kathryn. This chicken can be rescued. Regrettably, I can't say the same for that bread. I think it is best you throw it away. You could lose a tooth and we would have to contact The Doctor," she joked.
Janeway pushed her chair away from the table and brought the remaining dishes into the kitchen. When she brought the last dish in, Seven looked at the runny mess with a confused expression before turning her gaze to Janeway for an explanation.
"Don't ask," Janeway warned, holding her hand up. "It started out as potatoes."
"Granted, I am not a culinary expert, but I would advise you not to eat that either," Seven responded.
Janeway watched as Seven moved around the kitchen with ease, retrieving an assortment of vegetables from the refrigerator and placing them on the counter. Seven ordered her to begin cutting them in cubed pieces while she attempted to salvage the chicken.
"This is a stewing hen, Kathryn. How long did you cook it?"
"About an hour I guess."
"I notice you have several recipes here. Did you follow them?"
Janeway grimaced. "I had to alter them. I told you I was running behind schedule."
"The first rule of cooking is never alter a recipe when you don't know what you are doing."
Seven hoped that didn't sound too harsh but Janeway nodded in compliance and grinned.
"This is ironic, isn't it?" she asked.
"What?"
"You teaching me. The teacher now becomes the pupil. It's quite a change," she admitted, enjoying this new role they found themselves in. "What are we making anyway?"
"We are making a chicken casserole," Seven said.
"Sounds delicious."
"It will be."
Janeway finished with her vegetables and watched in awe as Seven moved around the kitchen effortlessly, explaining her technique with each step she was doing. Regrettably, Janeway's mind began to wander and she unintentionally tuned most of it out. It truly boggled her mind how someone who had never cooked a single thing in all the years she had known the woman had suddenly come to be an expert in the kitchen in little less than a month. Borg perfection.
She was going to miss this. She didn't have a choice though. Being so close to Seven, knowing that she was with Chakotay, would tear her up. It already was tearing her up if her life the past month was any indication. She felt herself begin to get teary at the thought of leaving Seven and decided this was as good a time as any to inform the woman of her news. When Seven finished adding various spices and stock to the casserole, she placed it in the oven and Janeway blurted out the first words that came into her mind.
"I'm leaving."
Stunned, Seven turned and looked confused. "Will you be back shortly?"
"No, you don't understand. I'm leaving for good. I'm heading back into space."
Seven's mouth fell open at the shock. "But you just got here. This is what you wanted. How can you leave so soon?"
"It's part of the promotion, Seven. Normally I would be given a desk job, but the Dominion War depleted Starfleet and we're spread thin." She neglected to mention she was given the choice of either a desk job or redeployment, but that fact wasn't going to change anything now so she brushed it aside.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm taking command of the Sixth Fleet patrolling the Romulan border." Janeway pursed her lips. Not the best assignment in the world but far enough away to escape the pain she found herself suddenly consumed by without Seven in her life on a daily basis.
"You are running away," Seven stated with a piercing glare.
"What?"
"You heard me. You are running away."
"What makes you think that?"
"Because I know you, Kathryn, perhaps better than you know yourself." Seven closed the space between them and stood directly before Janeway, almost challenging her.
"What could you possibly know about me that I don't already know myself?" Janeway asked.
"I know you are in love with me."
Kathryn felt the blood suddenly rush from her face with that revelation. Although the news itself wasn't surprising, having realized it not too long ago, the fact that Seven knew the place she held in her heart was what concerned her.
"Yes," Seven confirmed, answering the questioning expression on Janeway's face. "Before Voyager entered the transwarp hub Admiral Janeway came to the cargo bay."
This was certainly news to Kathryn, and she was curious as to what the women spoke about.
"Thirty years, Kathryn. That's how long she was in love with me, far beyond the time of my death. She used Korath's device to bring Voyager home, but do you know what the driving force behind that was? Me. Are you going to allow her death to be in vain? Are you going to doom yourself to that same fate?"
Janeway stood speechless. Was her future self really so egotistical as to alter the timeline because of her own failures?
"I know you are in love with me, Kathryn. Why are you denying it?"
"I'm not," Janeway cried out.
"Then I need to hear it. Please." Seven moved to within mere inches and whispered her plea again. "Please, Kathryn."
"I can't, Seven. I don't want to ruin what you have with Chakotay."
"What I have with Chakotay? Are you serious?"
"He's a good man. Just give him time. He'll come around."
"Kathryn, it is you who doesn't understand now. My entire relationship with Chakotay was based on an experiment," Seven confessed. "I wanted to be experienced romantically when I came to you. I am not, nor have I ever been, in love with Chakotay. It is you I am in love with, and have been for years."
"Then why did you leave with him?" Janeway asked.
"I left with him because the admiral knew that would be the one thing that would push you over the edge…to help see what you were missing. It was never my intention to leave with him before she suggested it, and it was never my intention to hurt you. In all likelihood, if she had not come to the cargo bay and informed me of your feelings I would have acquired a position on the first vessel I could find that left Earth."
Seven paused for a moment to let this all sink in with Kathryn.
"I kissed him once, but it was you I thought about. It was for you I had my cortical
node emotion prohibitor removed. Not him. You."
"Oh Seven." Janeway's efforts to suppress her tears were becoming weaker as the minutes drew on. How could she be so blind? So foolish? There was nothing between Seven and Chakotay. Anyone with eyes could see that. Anyone but her. Without hesitation, she allowed herself to be wrapped up in Seven's arms, being comforted by the one person who did indeed know her better than she knew herself.
"Will you ever forgive me for leaving with him?" Seven asked.
"Only if you forgive me for letting you go," Kathryn replied. She pulled back and tenderly cupped Seven's head, using her hands to tilt the taller woman's head down to the perfect height for her much smaller frame.
"I do love you, Seven, and I have for a long time," she admitted, gray eyes locked on icy blue eyes.
Then, without reluctance, Kathryn closed in and covered Seven's lips with her own. Soft, affectionate, caresses on full lips as her hands wound through blond hair. Delicately parting those lips as she sought out Seven's tongue with her own, Kathryn wanted…needed…this assurance that what she felt…was still feeling…was real, not a fantasy.
As the moment wore on, Kathryn swore she could remain like this forever. This was how she wanted to spend the rest of her life, in Seven's arms. All conscious thoughts were quickly fleeing her mind and she felt her legs begin to go weak. Luckily, Seven sensed it and managed to press her up against the nearest wall for support as she deepened the kiss, melding their bodies even closer together.
Seven's hands began slowly roaming the length of Kathryn's body, fingers meandering lightly up her side and stopping at the slightest touch of Kathryn's breast.
What's wrong?" she asked when Seven pulled away unexpectedly.
"I believe I am aroused."
Kathryn smiled and cocked her brow. "You're not the only one," she added with her husky tone.
"Do you wish to continue this? I do not want to force you into something you are not ready for..."
"Oh, I think I've been ready for a long time, Seven, but you do realize there is no going back once we cross that bridge, don't you? Things are going to change. If you have any doubts, now is the time to say so."
Seven leaned in and kissed Kathryn once more, this time more fiercely, eliciting further arousal for both of them. "No doubts," she mumbled into Kathryn's mouth.
Janeway barely managed to pull herself away. "I believe it would be wise if we carried this into the other room," she suggested, nodding in the direction of her bedroom. She meant that she wanted to take Seven by the hand and lead her in there, but when Seven scooped her up off her feet and carried her, kissing her all the way, she certainly had no objection.
All sense of time seemed to have stopped because the next thing Kathryn knew was Seven gently lowering her onto the bed. Managing this without losing contact of their lips was a testimony to the young woman's strength. She pulled Seven down with her and together they fumbled with each other's clothing, casually removing their blouses in unison, and she was grateful she didn't have to get Seven out of that biosuit.
Kathryn was surprised at her increased arousal when her eyes fell onto Seven's cleavage. She was aware the young woman had large breasts, but the biosuit she wore on Voyager must have greatly compressed them because they were nearly a cup size larger than what she expected. She unclasped Seven's bra, allowing them to fall freely, and rolled Seven over so that she was now on top of the woman, having no conscious memory of her own bra being discarded until she felt the chill that caused her nipples to harden.
Seven quickly responded, arching her self up and kissing Kathryn feverishly on the mouth, using her body to pull Kathryn back down onto the bed. The sensation of fingers running through her hair, fingers on her back, fingers that seemed to touch her whole body at once, slowly drove Kathryn wild with monstrous desire. She remained straddled atop Seven until the young woman rolled them over again, tearing the sheet away from the corner of the bed in the process. Seven had skillfully managed to remove both their pants and shoes with little effort, and she only became aware of their total nakedness when her thigh rubbed between Seven's and was washed in a flood of heated moisture.
Seven's pupils were fully dilated now, indicating her arousal at near high levels. Kathryn watched for a moment, taking in Seven's beautiful form as she breathed heavily before resuming her loving assault. Their lovemaking was proving to be a fight for supremacy, one that Kathryn was reluctant to lose. She knew she was no match for Seven physically, but when she rolled them over one last time and pinned Seven's arms above her head, the young woman didn't fight back.
Kathryn began kissing Seven's neck with tiny pecks, a soft moan indicating this was indeed a good place to start. Carefully, she released her grip on Seven's wrists and gently stroked her fingers down Seven's side. Her kisses languidly trailed down Seven's neck and chest, taking time to kiss every inch of flesh along the way, before settling on a nice, full, eagerly awaiting breast. Instantly, the nipple pebbled at the warm touch of her mouth as she sucked on it. The occasional swirling and flicking with her tongue brought another moan from Seven's lips and Kathryn wanted to devour the woman on the spot. Instead, she moved to the other breast and elicited the same sensual response.
"Oh, Kathryn…please…"
Hearing her name whispered like this from Seven's lips brought a fresh wave of moisture between her own legs. She wasn't sure how much longer she could hold out.
"Do not tease me anymore…"
Kathryn leisurely stroked up and down the length of Seven's thigh, inching closer to the heated sex that begged to be fondled. Seven's legs automatically parted at the hint of what was to come, welcoming anything Kathryn offered.
Kathryn easily slid in one finger, then another, and Seven jerked at the invasion but accepted it with pleasure, moaning a third time and allowing the touch to slowly build into a sensation she was unprepared for. Kathryn knew what was coming though and was determined to guide Seven through it carefully. She set a steady rhythm, adding her thumb to swirl the tiny nub at the top of Seven's sex, and with her free hand she stroked Seven's cheek while whispering loving words into her ear. Seven's ragged breathing grew more labored until finally, in one exploding moment, she shuddered and moaned Kathryn's name in such an affectionate tone that both women were caught off guard.
Kathryn procrastinated in removing her fingers, wanting to stay inside Seven forever, but removed the intruders and tenderly kissed Seven again.
"You are the most amazing person I know. I can't believe I was so foolish to almost lose you," Kathryn said, brushing strands of sweaty hair away from Seven's eyes.
"You are the amazing one," Seven responded.
"I think you should come with me," Kathryn said.
"Where?"
"Most of the ships are military vessels, but some do have science departments and civilians working in them. I'm sure I can find something for you to do on one of them."
"No," Seven clearly stated.
"Why not?"
"Because Earth is your home. You've wanted to come back for so long. I think you should resign your commission if Starfleet insists on redeploying you."
"Aren't you anxious to get back into space? To get back to work again doing what you love?"
Seven hesitated a moment before answering. "I neglected to mention that I turned down an opportunity to work at the Daystom Institute."
"What?" Kathryn cried, sitting up in disbelief. "Why would you do that, especially after the way you described life on the ranch?"
"I rejected the opportunity because that would have kept me away from you. I knew it was only a matter of time before you would contact me. This day was inevitable, Kathryn."
Janeway beamed at the loving gesture. "I can't believe how lucky I am."
Seven pressed her fingers to Kathryn's lips. "I am the lucky one here."
"Why is that?"
Seven flashed a bright smiled. "Because I am about to make love to the most wonderful woman I know," she said, and pressed a searing kiss to Kathryn's mouth in what was the beginning of another hour of intense lovemaking.
A few hours later, as both women lay sleeping in a tangled weave of limbs, an alarm from the outer portion of the house sounded loudly. Janeway, having been the cause of this alarm several times in the past, knew exactly what it was and jumped out of bed in a panic.
"Shit!" she yelled, grabbing her robe from the closet.
"What is it?" Seven asked, jumping out of bed and following Kathryn, unconcerned about her nude appearance.
However, she arrived in the kitchen just in time to see Janeway pulling the remnants of their casserole out of the smoking oven.
Janeway pursed her lips in disgust, realizing that completely ruining two meals in one day was a first even for her. "I hope you weren't hungry."
"I can't believe I forgot that!"
"Well, from the looks of it, I'd say you can't cook either," she said jokingly as she dumped the entire dish into the sink. "…At least not in the kitchen," she added, mumbling the afterthought.
"You know very well you distracted me," Seven said, slinking up to Kathryn and engulfing the smaller woman in her arms, planting a kiss on her forehead.
"You realize, if you're going to be living here then I hereby designate you the official cook."
"Does this mean you are resigning your commission?"
"No, but I'm sure I can convince them to give me that desk job after all."
Seven kissed Kathryn again. "Thank you. I know you will not regret this decision."
Janeway knew as long as Seven remained in her life, anywhere they were was where she needed to be.
"So, what do you need to get from Chakotay's house?"
"I will need my alcove, but not for several days."
"I'll have it brought over tomorrow."
"Can you do that?"
"I'm an admiral now. I'd like to believe I've got some pull in Starfleet. What else do you need?"
Seven thought about it for a moment and decided everything she really needed was right here, though a few personal items would be missed if she left them behind. "I can pick up the remaining things tomorrow."
"I'll go with you. No need for you to go back there alone," Kathryn said. "Come on, let's go back to bed." She took Seven's hand in her own, kissed the back of her hand, and led her back to their bedroom for several more hours of long, languid, lovemaking.
Epilogue
Chakotay returned home after a week of scouting with Icheb and was already looking forward to their next trip. He still hadn't convinced the young man to get a tattoo, symbolizing his new family crest, but Chakotay would have to work on him further regarding that.
When he burst through the door, expecting Seven to greet him with open arms after his long absence, he had a rather unpleasant surprise waiting for him. There was a huge empty space in their family room area.
He walked over to the space that had housed Seven's alcove and stood dumbstruck in disbelief.
"Chakotay," Icheb calmly said, walking over to the space with a padd in his hand. "There is a message from Seven."
Chakotay took the padd and opened the message, reading carefully:
Dear Chakotay,
This relationship is terminated. Have a nice day.
Sincerely,
Seven of Nine
P.S. Kathryn says hello.
"She's not coming back, is she?" Icheb asked.
Chakotay merely walked away without answering.
The end
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