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. Lyrics: I've changed them a little to suit my needs but they are from "Put it on me" by Ja Rule (I am really interested if anyone has heard this song or artist)
Code: T/7.
Rating: PG13
Archiving: Perfect Misfits and VJB only
Yes please. Constructive feedback welcome.
Any feedback or other comments should be sent to googooplex100@yahoo.co.uk
Description: Very touching and emotional with a great ending.
Chapter 1
27 May 2001
It had taken six days. Six long, frightening days and 6 terror-filled nights. It had taken sweat, blood and tears, quite literally, but they had made it. The Elgarian desert was a harsh and unforgiving landscape, but it was their only route to freedom from the race that was determined to execute them as spies. They had trudged through the blistering heat of the day and huddled together in the cold of the night.
Though they had learnt to appreciate each other as colleagues and good friends in the preceding months before this away mission, the life and death struggle that they had just been through made the women rely on each other like never before. They became each other's strength and courage, they became each other's will to go on. B'Elanna used her only tunic to shield Seven's pale and delicate skin during the day, heedless to her own comfort, scared that her companion would burn in the scorching sunlight. Seven in turn, wrapped herself around her friend's tired and battered body at night, providing the Klingon with essential body heat during the night as the cold winds howled around them.
They were beaten and bruised, some of B'Elanna's injuries were life-threatening, but they had finally reach the safe haven described to them by the Elgarian cleric who had taken pity on them an helped them escape the holding cell. It would only be a matter of hours before Voyager picked up their comm signal. They would be saved.
"Lieutenant, how are you feeling?"
They sat on the cold, dusty floor of the empty building that sat on the outer edge of the desert and waited for Voyager, there was no more that they could do.
B'Elanna was leaning against the wall her eyes closed. She was trying to take her mind off the pain that shot through her body. Several of her ribs had been broken during her interrogation and she was finding it increasingly difficult to breathe. She opened her dark eyes at the question and smiled slightly.
"You only call me Lieutenant, these days if I've done something to piss you off. So, what gives?"
Seven's normally elegantly coiffured blond hair hung limply around her shoulders, the strain of the last week etched plainly on her face. She desperately needed to regenerate, her energy resources had been severely depleted.
"I am concerned for your welfare, B'Elanna. I know that you are hurting, even though you are trying to hide it from me."
"So, I've got a few bumps and scrapes. No big deal."
"Do not attempt to make light of your injuries. We need the doctor to attend to you immediately."
"Seven, try not to worry. Voyager will be here soon."
She took a long look at the ex drone sitting close by. Seven had saved her life out there in the desert, more than once. Without the Borg's body heat during the night, B'Elanna would have died of hypothermia. On the first day of their trek into the desert, she had been recovering from a concussion she had received from a blow to the head, courtesy of the Elgarians. She had been delirious and Seven had carried her for most of the day.
It was almost unbelievable that Seven could show much concern, so much tenderness for her. It took her breath away that there was such a wealth of emotion within the Borg that she had never ever considered.
Seven moved until she sat next to the injured Klingon, she stroked the sweat-matted dark hair away from B'Elanna's ridges and stared deeply into the dark eyes, a shadow of fear darkening her piercing blue gaze.
"I cannot help but worry. You are…, your friendship is important to me."
B'Elanna wondered how much she could read into Seven's gestures. Her touch, her gaze, they were tender, they were almost loving. She wondered if she could dare hope.
Ever since her marriage to Tom had ended, the reluctant warrior had resigned herself to spending her days alone, unloved.
Love had found her when she least expected it, creeping up on her like a stealthy opponent, completely slaying her. At first, B'Elanna had fought the emotions she felt for the drone. Love, real gut-wrenching love made her weak and unsure. She had never felt emotions like this and didn't know how to deal with them. She fought the feelings, but gradually, the closer they worked and played together, the more it seemed right, natural almost, to love the beautiful drone.
But Seven rarely showed true, deep emotion. She shared her friendship and her technical expertise with B'Elanna unselfishly, she had even shared her fear, but never the affection or love that the Klingon craved. B'Elanna knew without any doubt that they existed, but she didn't know how to unlock them. Until now.
Seven stared deeply into the dark eyes of the most important person in her universe. Sometimes when she had an idle minute, she would contemplate which she preferred, the proud ridges proclaiming B'Elanna's heritage or the dark eyes that appeared to have rings of different shades of brown circling the lighter iris.
Seven was scared, but trying not to show it. They had no tricorders or any equipment, but she could tell that B'Elanna was seriously injured. She didn't know how she would be able to exist without the fiery and brilliant woman.
The words floated through her head as she sat and held the small dark hand in hers.
Where would I be without you?
I only think about you
I know you're tired of being lonely
So baby girl put it on me
Where would I be without you?
The thought alone might break me
And I'll die if you aren't with me
My hearts going to cry if you leave me lonely
Who's going to console me? My love.
You will always be part of me
I only think about you
B'Elanna that she was fading it in and out of consciousness, the injuries finally taking their toil, but she felt at peace, Seven was with her. She made an effort to open her eyes, if she was going to die in this godforsaken desert, then she wanted to look into the eyes of the woman she loved. B'Elanna didn't know if it was right or not, but she was going to tell Seven how she felt.
"Seven, there's something important that I need to tell you." She spoke steadily staring into that direct and beloved blue gaze.
Seven leaned close to catch the words, B'Elanna was getting weaker by the minute.
"Shhh, you need to conserve your energy." Seven soothed.
"No, I have to tell you how much …"
"Voyager to Torres."
The Captain's voice cut across her partial declaration.
"This is Seven of Nine, Captain. Lock on to our co-ordinates and transport us directly to sickbay. B'Elanna is injured."
As she felt the familiar tingle of the transporter, B'Elanna wondered if she would get another opportunity.
To be continued.