Chapter 29 added on 21 Dec 2001
Disclaimers are in part 1.
Rating: NC17
NOTE: A reminder of where the story left off. It was the night before the big surgery. Torres just tucked in all the little Sochlings.
"Fesh`e to Icheb."
Icheb looked over at the other occupant in Astrometrics. He saw the questioning look cross Tal Celes' face and said, "This is Icheb. How may I be of assistance, Fesh`e?"
Janeway chuckled at the predictable response. "I'd like to see you in my Ready Room when you get a chance."
"I am not currently involved in any pressing matters. I could come now, if you would be agreeable."
"That's fine. Fesh`e out."
Icheb took a moment to explain to the young Bajoran, "The Captain has allowed us to call her by the designation `Fesh`e' when she is not on duty. By referring to herself in that manner just now, she was letting me know that she was off duty and that what she wished to discuss was personal in nature."
Celes just shrugged and did not pretend to understand the young former Borg. All she knew was that his mother had just undergone major life-altering surgery for the second time in a year, and the young man was spending a great deal of time in Astrometrics. Whether he was there to distract himself with various projects or to feel closer to Seven, she had no idea.
Icheb left Astrometrics and headed for the Bridge. When he arrived, he nodded to Lt. Masters, who was manning the Tactical station. Tuvok had the conn and gave no notice to the boy as he pressed the chime to the Captain's Ready Room.
"Enter."
Janeway smiled as Icheb entered the room. She thought to herself how fine a job Seven was doing with the boy. Icheb walked up to the Captain's desk and stood at `Borg attention'---feet spread shoulder width apart, hands clasped behind his back. He reminded Janeway so much of Seven of Nine.
"Relax, Icheb. I just wanted to talk to you---grandma to grandson, so to speak." As she said this with a twinkle in her eye, she stood and moved toward the upper level of the Ready Room, motioning for Icheb to follow her.
She chuckled to herself when she saw Icheb sit without argument. Expecting him to use Seven's response of `I prefer to stand,' she was somewhat surprised. "You no longer `prefer to stand,' I take it?" she teased.
Icheb gave a small smile and replied, "'Ov'wI has encouraged this behavior."
Janeway smiled back. "Figures. Actually, Icheb, B'Elanna's the reason I asked you up here. Frankly, I'm a little worried about her. It's been a little more than 72 hours since the surgery. From the reports I've gotten from the Doctor, Seven's regeneration is normal and uneventful, and B'Elanna is spending all of her off duty time sitting in Cargo Bay 2---standing guard."
Janeway smiled a bit at that and continued with a small, wry twist of her mouth, "According to the Doctor, that's a bad thing." Janeway mentally rolled her eyes at the EMH because she was also guilty of `watching over' Seven as she regenerated. It was as if she needed continual reassurance that her daughter was okay.
"What is it you would like me to do, Fesh`e?" asked the hesitant boy.
"You're about to be her son. I'm trying to stack the deck in our favor. We need to convince her to go to her quarters and get some actual rest. I could order her to do it, but I don't want to have to do that. I know what it's like to worry about a loved one. However.if she doesn't take it easy, the Doctor will be furious. It's not good for either her or the baby. Be honest, Icheb. How happy will Seven be if B'Elanna harms herself or the baby?"
"She would be most displeased," replied the ever-honest Borg.
"Exactly," drawled Janeway. "So I need your help. If we can present a logical---yet loving---argument, she'll, hopefully, not put up much of a fight."
Icheb shifted on the couch and leaned forward in thought. "Perhaps if we offered to `guard' Seven of Nine in shifts, she would be agreeable to leaving the Cargo Bay?"
Janeway lifted her eyebrows. "That's not a bad idea. I bet Rain would volunteer for a shift. I'm sure several others would donate their time, as well---the Doctor, Mr. Paris, Neelix, Mr. Kim, Tuvok. I think Mizoti may be a bit young to stand watch alone." She allowed herself to trail off to see if Icheb raised any objections.
Icheb was nodding as Janeway left her sentence dangling. As he was somewhat protective of his younger `siblings,' he agreed with his Fesh`e. "I believe Seven would not object to FeDet`e's presence, nor any of the others. Perhaps if Rebi and Mizoti were to take a `watch' together?"
Janeway nodded. "Provided that they understood that we would need to be notified immediately should any problems develop. What of Azan?"
Icheb gave a negative indication with his head. "No, Fesh`e, he is spending most of his time with `Ov'wI. They are especially close, and he finds great comfort in her company. I believe it would be prudent to allow that interaction to continue unimpeded."
Janeway chuckled at the boy's speech. He was adorable. "Now, young man," she began somewhat sternly. She watched his brow crinkle in confusion at the change in tone and continued, "why were you in Astrometrics this late?"
Icheb hung his head sheepishly. But being both Borg and Seven's son, he replied honestly. "I, too, have had trouble adapting to Seven's absence. I did not want to be obvious by watching her in the Cargo Bay."
Janeway gave an understanding smile. "So you thought you'd feel closer to her in the lab?" When he gave a nod of affirmation, she said, "It's okay, Icheb. I'd be worried if you weren't upset." She patted the boy on the knee and then let him off the hook. "Let's go see about implementing Operation Borg Watch."
Icheb smiled at Janeway's attempt to lighten the mood. "Acceptable, Fesh`e."
Kathryn Janeway just couldn't help herself. She laughed in delight at the boy. He truly was `Seven, Jr.' She stood and put her hand on Icheb's shoulder. They left the Ready Room together. On the Bridge, she waved a hand at Tuvok to indicate that he still had the Conn. Passing by the Tactical station on her way to the turbolift, Kathryn nodded at Rain, lifted her hand and scratched her brow with her thumb. It was a silent communication the two had set up to indicate a desire to see the other, privately, as soon as it was convenient. Rain nodded in return and watched her mate disappear into the `lift with her future grandson.
In the `lift, Kathryn tapped her commbadge, "Computer, locate Lieutenant Torres."
"Lieutenant Torres is in Cargo Bay 2."
Janeway rolled her eyes. "I don't know why I bothered."
When the `lift arrived at the appropriate deck, she and Icheb headed toward the cavernous room that the Borg family called `home.' Walking through the big doors, Janeway thought again about the subject of privacy that Rain had brought up a couple of nights ago, regarding Seven and the children's regeneration.
---------------
["Kathryn. I'm kind of uncomfortable with everyone having access to them while they sleep. It's creepy. And unsafe. They need privacy as much as the rest of us. Something has to be done."]
---------------
Looking at the slumbering Seven, Rebi, Azan, and Mizoti, Kathryn silently agreed with her lover. Maybe she could assign the problem to B'Elanna, which would get her focused on something other than the regenerating Seven. The children could help her. The idea was sounding better with each passing second. Spotting the engineer on the dais, leaning up and dozing against Seven's legs, she and Icheb slowly approached. She was about to speak when Icheb laid a restraining hand on her arm and motioned toward himself. Curious as to the course of action the young man would choose, Janeway nodded for him to proceed and backed off a bit.
"'Ov'wI?" he began softly. When she raised sleepy eyes to meet his, he knelt down beside her on the deck. He raised his eyebrow in perfect imitation of his mother and asked, "Why are you not in bed, `Ov'wI? You are obviously exhausted. And the deck is not a surface conducive to comfortable regeneration---unless you are Borg." He smiled gently at his favorite engineer and waited for the predictable argument.
Torres grinned at the boy's self-deprecating humor. Sitting up straighter, she murmured, "I just wanted to be with Seven."
Icheb reached out and took hold of his `Ov'wI's hand. Very softly and in an extraordinarily gently manner, the boy murmured, "This behavior is not good for you or my youngest `sister.' You both require adequate rest, and you are not getting it. My `mother' would be deeply displeased with me if I continue to allow this to happen. "
B'Elanna's mouth opened and closed. Not really sure what to say, she replied, "Really, Icheb. I'm fine." She stopped when Icheb just shook his head back and forth.
"No, you are not. What is the real reason you do not wish to leave?"
The tired Klingon sighed heartily. "Two reasons," she muttered.
"What are they?" asked the persistent young man.
Torres rubbed her forehead ridges vigorously before she answered. "First, I don't want to leave her alone. Second, I just want to be with my family." The last was uttered pitifully as the engineer's eyes watered slightly.
For the first time ever, Icheb found himself in the position of offering comfort. He tentatively placed his arms around the slight shoulders of his `Ov'wI and pulled her to his chest in a hug. He whispered almost silently, "It is `all right,' `Ov'wI. You do not have to do this alone."
Janeway discreetly wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. Seeing that Icheb was more than capable of finishing this task alone, she quietly left the Cargo Bay. Since she was technically off duty, she chose not to go back to her Ready Room but went to her quarters instead, where she sent Torres a message detailing her wish for the engineer to design quarters for her `family' during her next duty shift.
Torres sniffled and swiped at her eyes. When Icheb released his hold she sat back. "Thanks."
Icheb nodded and said, "Please do not debate this, `Ov'wI. You cannot win." His look was soft when he continued, "Fesh`e and I have come up with a `plan' so that Seven of Nine will not be left alone."
"You discussed this with Janeway?" she asked incredulously.
Icheb nodded slowly and stated, "We are worried about you. You do not have to do this alone." He was pleading with her to let him help.
And B'Elanna heard him. "What's your plan, kiddo?" she asked wearily.
Icheb leaned forward to bestow a kiss to the Klingon's ridged brow. "Thank you," he stated simply. At Torres' raised brow, he explained, "For allowing me to `take care' of you. I am aware that it is difficult for you to relinquish control. I am honored."
"Hmmm," Torres murmured dryly, looking at the boy through squinting eyes, "you guys seem to have that effect on me."
"It is because we love you unconditionally." His tone was matter of fact.
Tired as she was, B'Elanna could do no more than nod appreciatively. Seeing this, the former Borg---in an effort to hurry her off to sleep---told his `Ov'wI of Operation Borg Watch. He stated that he would have the first `watch' and that he would summon the Doctor to take his place when he was required to regenerate. Tomorrow he and his Fesh`e would compile a list of those they thought would assist in the project. There would be no more camping out in the Cargo Bay for B'Elanna.
She sighed deeply. "You win. Now help us up," she demanded wryly, gesturing toward her swollen belly.
Icheb did as bid. He stood and offered his hand. When B'Elanna was back on her feet he stepped back, knowing she had a routine she religiously followed before leaving the Bay. He watched her walk down to Mizoti's alcove, whisper into her ear, and place a kiss to her brow. She did the same for Rebi and Azan. Back in front of Seven, she leaned up as far as she could and spent the next several minutes whispering to Seven. With his Borg-enhanced hearing, Icheb could have easily picked up everything she was saying. However, his respect, love, and admiration for both the engineer and his mother prevented him from listening to the private utterances.
At the conclusion of the tender moment, B'Elanna approached Icheb, and the two left the Cargo Bay. Icheb escorted his `Ov'wI back to her quarters and returned to the Borg home only after stopping by Sickbay to request the Doctor's aide in `guarding' Seven. Once he heard why the boy needed his presence in Sickbay, the EMH was more than happy to volunteer his services. He had been trying to get the Klingon to rest for three days. He also made note of the fact that the typically irascible engineer, who tended to neglect her health on a regular basis, was a pushover when it came to any requests made by the Borg population on board Voyager. That knowledge might come in handy in the future.
"Computer, locate Captain Janeway." Rain leaned back against the turbolift wall. Gamma shift was just starting, and her duty shift was over. Remembering Kathryn's earlier signal, Rain wanted to see her before heading to bed.
"Captain Janeway is in her quarters."
"Deck 3," she called to the computer, and the `lift began moving. Walking down the corridor, she was surprised when the door to the Captain's quarters hissed open as she reached them. Warmth flooded her body as she realized that Kathryn had reconfigured the sensors to open the door at her presence. She stepped through the opening, and her heart melted. The lighting was dim, but she immediately saw the love of her life reclining on the sofa. She was dressed for bed, a book in her lap. And she was asleep.
Rain walked past her captain and mate and headed for the bedroom. Inside, she turned down the covers, and then returned to the outer room. She leaned down and gently scooped Kathryn into her arms. She was setting the redhead down on the bed when Kathryn stirred. "Rain?" she murmured sleepily.
"It's me," she whispered in reply while placing a kiss to the captain's brow. "Shhh. Just go back to sleep," she encouraged tenderly.
When Rain began to pull away, Kathryn whispered, "Don't go. Please."
So the security officer reversed course and sat on the edge of the bed. "You need your rest, enge'mi'," she scolded softly.
"I need you more," came the stubborn reply. "Now lay down."
Rain chuckled. "Yes, ma'am. But only for a little while." She pulled off her boots and stretched out beside her mate. Kathryn maneuvered until she was practically on top the Energetic, laid her head on Rain's shoulder, and threw her arm across her muscular abdomen. "Is something wrong, Kathryn?" she asked quietly.
Nearly asleep again, it took Kathryn a moment to answer. "Mmm? Oh.no. Nothing's wrong," she murmured into Rain's neck. "I just missed you. But there's something I'm supposed to ask you. I can't think what it is, though." her voice trailed off sleepily.
Rain smiled and lifted a hand to stroke through Kathryn's auburn locks. "It's okay. You can ask me when we meet for breakfast." Her smile grew wider when she realized her captain had already fallen back asleep. Rain stayed for about an hour, watching Kathryn sleep. Slipping out from under her love, she murmured, "I love you, ele'mi'," and quietly left the bedroom. In the main living area, she hunted for a PADD. After leaving Kathryn a note to remind her of their breakfast together the next morning, Rain left. It was just as she was drifting off to sleep herself that she realized she had just spent an hour in Kathryn's BED.and all she had done was watch her captain sleep. Her only thought.'damn.'
To be continued....