Disclaimer: Star Trek Voyager and all who sail in her belong to Paramount/Viacom and no infringement of copyright/trade marks is intended. This story includes same sex relationships between women. If you are offended by this or it is illegal where you live or you are underage then please read no further.
Code: T/7.
Rating: PG
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Summary: B'Elanna and Seven go skiing together. VJB snow challenge story
"Second place is the first loser."
14 June 2002
"Lieutenant! I fail to understand why we can't transport directly to our location." Seven of Nine stopped in her tracks, leaning on her ski poles.
"Because that would be cheating Seven. Getting there is part of the fun. Come on! The cabin should be just beyond that ridge." B'Elanna pointed ahead with the tip of her ski pole.
"Very well," muttered Seven and resumed her stride.
~~~
Voyager had finally encountered a friendly species, and now the crew could get some much needed shore leave. Surface scans of the planet had revealed a number of high glaciated mountains and as the locals enjoyed mountain activities, they had a well-developed system of cabins and huts as well as guiding services.
B'Elanna had decided to spend her shore leave skiing and climbing so she had arranged through one of the alien engineers to meet up with a local guide at a cabin located at the foot of a mountain called Triple Peak. B'Elanna was very surprised when Seven asked if she could come along on the ski trip. Apparently, Seven wanted to spend her shore leave away from the Captain. B'Elanna had her own reasons for wanting to get away from it all, but her recent fight with Tom was part of it.
~~~
B'Elanna glanced back at the tall blonde following in her tracks. Seven wore a tight-fitting red, white and black suit the Doctor had assured her was suitable for skiing. 'Yeah, competition skiing,' thought B'Elanna. Fortunately, Seven had buckled ski-boots on her feet instead of her usual high heeled shoes.
B'Elanna wore an old Maquis 'Arctic Operations' jacket along with a pair of black Starfleet issue winter pants. Buckled ski-touring boots similar to Seven's on her feet and a wool cap on her head completed the outfit.
Both of them used short alpine touring skis with thermo-active bases and adjustable bindings. In addition, both carried a small backpack.
B'Elanna's thoughts drifted. This was really the break she needed and she didn't mind having the cool blonde along. The look on Janeway's face was priceless when they announced their travel plans. The Captain quickly collected herself though and agreed without protest.
They soon arrived at the cabin and the waiting guide. The guide, Karnic, had white hair and brown eyes. He was slightly taller than B'Elanna with a weather-bitten face. He was dressed in a worn sage green quilted jacket and khaki pants; on his feet he wore black boots with metal buckles and cleated rubber soles. He smiled warmly as they arrived and greeted them with outstretched arms.
"Welcome. Glorious day isn't it? I trust the approach wasn't too difficult. Do you want to put your packs inside?" B'Elanna and Seven nodded, removed their skis, and went inside. Karnic asked them their names.
"Beylanna...and Seven?" The two women nodded in turn as Karnic repeated them. "Beautiful names, but a bit strange..." he added. The sudden change in B'Elanna's expression prompted him to drop the topic.
They spent the rest of the afternoon familiarizing themselves with the equipment and practicing various exercises under Karnic's supervision.
"Seven! Remember to smile," laughed Karnic as Seven fell for the fifth time. Still, Seven had obvious talent and soon mastered the basics of skiing.
That evening B'Elanna discussed different routes for the upcoming ascent with Karnic while Seven tried to get a camping stove to cooperate; she let out a triumphant cry as the stove finally lit. She was determined to treat B'Elanna to something better than Neelix's cooking as well as her own rather bland nutritional supplements. As both B'Elanna and Karnic complemented her on her pasta dish she concluded she had been successful.
~~~
Seven felt like she had barely closed her eyes before she was rudely awakened.
"It's 0400 hours," mumbled Seven under the blanket. "I was under the impression that this was a vacation."
"Get up sleeping beauty!" Karnic giggled. "Your friend is almost ready to go."
"You snore Seven. Did you know that?" B'Elanna stated as Seven wolfed down some milk and granola.
"I do not!" Seven protested.
"Actually, you do," confirmed Karnic. "Not very loudly though. My uncle used to snore so hard the walls would vibrate. Ear plugs helped. Anyway, are you ready to go?"
Seven buckled up her boots. She still felt a bit clumsy stomping around in them but she could also appreciate the support they gave during the descent. She put on her pack and they went outside.
It was still dark as they made their way up the lower slopes of the mountain. The morning was clear and cold and B'Elanna shivered slightly. Hopefully she would warm up soon.
~~~
The climb was surprisingly uneventful. A couple of steeper sections forced them to remove their skis and put on crampons but they still quickly gained height as the sun began to rise over the mountain.
As they walked along the narrow ridge toward the main peak, three figures materialized further up on the ridge ahead. It was Tom, Harry and a local guide who gave Karnic a short nod. The three new arrivals all wore blue and red one-piece suits and carried long wide skis.
"Hello Toni," mumbled Karnic in response to the other man's nod.
"Hi B'Elanna, Seven..." offered Tom.
"Nice speed suit Seven," greeted Harry.
"What are you doing here Tom?" spat B'Elanna. Seven remained silent.
"Skiing just like you. Toni here said we could get some nice turns in fresh powder here." Tom patted the alien guide on his shoulder.
"You have to earn them Tom. Transporters are cheating," retorted B'Elanna.
"Nahh... You're just saying that because you want to claim first descent yourself. Isn't it so?" Tom teased.
"Well", interrupted the guide named Toni. "It would seen we need to settle this. A race perhaps?"
"I'm game," answered Tom. "Which way?"
"That one!" Toni smiled as he pointed down a steep and narrow gully below. "First one back at the cabin will be declared the winner." Karnic said nothing, but the look in his eyes revealed exactly what he thought of the idea.
"We would start at the same time?" B'Elanna queried.
"Yes," answered Toni.
"Any prizes?" asked Harry.
"Sure," answered Toni. "In addition to being the first conquerer of Middle Gully the winner gets... The winner gets to have dinner with the blonde bomb shell over there!" Toni added with a wicked smile.
"I'll do it!" B'Elanna said through clenched teeth. A challenge had been issued. She couldn't back down now. She then gave Seven a quizzical look awaiting her response to the suggested 'prize.'
"Acceptable," answered the blonde with a raised optical implant.
"Excellent," stated Toni. "It's a race then! I will back go down to the cabin with Harry and the blonde. Karnic will send you off. I will radio you when everything is ready."
Harry peeked down the proposed 'race course' and quickly backed away. He whispered in Tom's ear.
"Are you sure about this Tom? I know the Doc is good at patching people up but hey..."
"Don't worry Harry. B'Elanna doesn't stand a chance. Besides, you'll finally get that date with Seven you always wanted."
"I will get the dinner? What's in it for you?"
"First descent of Middle Gully and a nice revenge on B'Elanna for not inviting me to go skiing with her."
"Suit yourself. I'm going down with Toni." Harry turned around and began to follow Seven and Toni down the easier, western slope.
Up on the ridge Karnic pulled B'Elanna next to him and whispered some advice in her ear.
"Just be careful. A race down Middle Gully is dangerous at best. Beware of the exit to the snow-field below. It's narrow and goes hard right.
B'Elanna nodded and began limbering up for the upcoming race.
~~~
45 minutes later Toni's voice came over the radio.
"We're ready down here. Let them come!"
Karnic looked at the two racers standing next to him side by side. B'Elanna had removed her jacket. Her forearms bulged under the sleeves of her stretch top. Tom looked relaxed and confident.
"Racers ready?" B'Elanna and Tom planted their poles and leaned forward.
"5, 4, 3, 2, 1, GO!"
B'Elanna pushed off and dove down the icy slope. She could see Tom right beside her out of the corner of her eye as she aimed for the entrance to the gully. B'Elanna made a few jump turns down the steep upper section while Tom, to her surprise, ran straight down the gully. He missed the exit and made a spectacular jump down to the snow-field below. He landed in a big heap. Fortunately, he was able to get up and follow B'Elanna as she made big sweeping arcs down the snow-field.
The final part was spent gliding in the aerodynamic "tuck" position, trying to avoid hitting the big rocks on the way. B'Elanna felt her quads burn from the strain but she was determined to win. Tom had slightly better glide and was able to catch up and inch his way ahead.
Tom was within spitting distance of the finish line when he allowed himself to glance backwards to determine where B'Elanna was. This was a mistake and it cost him the race. His ski tip got caught under a stone buried in the snow and he was ungracefully catapulted into the snow.
B'Elanna raised her arms in triumph as she crossed the line before she collapsed in the snow. The whole run had taken less than seven minutes. Nearly 2000 vertical meters.
"Speaking of Seven..." thought B'Elanna. There she was, with a rare smile on her face.
"I knew you would be victorious, B'Elanna. I would not have accepted otherwise."
B'Elanna pulled Seven down and placed a hungry kiss on Seven's lips.
"Mine," growled B'Elanna as they broke the kiss.
"Yours," answered Seven, with a hint of surprise in her voice.
"Well done." Toni congratulated B'Elanna. "The winner takes it all."
Tom and Harry unsuccessfully tried to believe what they had just witnessed.
The End