Chapters 7 to 8 added on 28 Aug 2000
Disclaimers are in part 1.
Rating: PG13
Chapter 7
"Do you know what Commander Torres would prefer for lunch, Mom?" asked Mizati once she and Seven were alone in the kitchen.
Although Mizati addressed Seven formally in the presence of others or when she knew she was in trouble, she and Seven preferred the informal address when at home.
Seven was a very private person and to most people she appeared much the same as she did to the crew of Voyager. A Borg drone who did not have feelings. Her past colored most people's reaction to her. The only people to see her laugh and cry were her children and close friends. With them, she could let the vulnerable woman inside show, as she was sure of their affections.
" How about some of that Italian cooking you like so much? B'Elanna used to like it on Voyager." Seven replied.
"Very well. I could make some `Fettucini Alfredo with cream sauce and some `Spaghetti with Meat balls'"
"Acceptable." Although Seven had been planning on just replicating some lunch, the opportunity to have her daughter cook was too great to pass up. Seven seemed to have inherited Janeway's luck in the kitchen, however Mizati had grown to appreciate the art of cooking. Not surprising since she had spent a lot of time growing up with Gretchen Janeway who cooked everything from scratch.
As proud as she was of Mizati's endeavors in the Academy, nothing made her more proud of her daughter than the fact that Mizati liked cooking.
"What dessert do you want to go with that? I think chocolate ice cream would be pretty good."
"Mizati, honey you always think chocolate ice cream is good. I haven't seen you have any other flavor in 11 years, 4 months and 21 days since the day Naomi introduced you to the flavor. We can let our guests decide what they want and replicate it."
Mizati had the grace to blush on hearing the remark.
"So Ensign, ready to join Security on Voyager?"
"I suppose so. I heard that the department head on Voyager is a hard taskmaster. So I should have an easy time." replied Mizati with a twinkle in her eyes.
"And what do you mean by that?" Seven said in a very dry tone. She knew what her daughter was talking about. Although she let her children make their own choices in life, she insisted they act on those choices to the best of their abilities.
"Mom, after you and the Admiral, any one else is a `breeze' as Naomi would say." as she pulled out all the ingredients she required for lunch. Although neither she nor Seven were regular visitors to their quarters in recent months, Seven always made sure that the food larder was stocked to meet any emergency.
"Is that so? Hmm.. Perhaps I need to have a word with Lt. Ayala. He would not like to be thought anything less than the best of the hard taskmasters in Starfleet." Seven retorted with a very amused smirk on her face and a wicked gleam in her eye.
"Oh no. I just had to tell you that. Me and my big mouth!" Mizati knew Seven often mean what she said. She looked very worried. She certainly did not want life to be harder than it was going to be. After all she was going to be posted on her mother's ship. The crew was bound to be distrustful of her, initially. Thank Omega! They were used to dealing with an ex-Borg. At least they won't hold that against her.
"Relax Mizati. Your secret is safe. What about Naomi? Is she ready to take over as Operations officer?" Seven had read the personnel files while on board so she knew that while her daughter would not be on the Bridge that often, Naomi would most certainly be on the Bridge for the Alpha Shift. She was taking over as Operations Officer from Lieutenant Shavek. Shavek was going home to Vulcan for `personal reasons'.
"Did someone mention my name?" asked a strawberry blond head from the doorway.
"Mom wanted to know if you are ready to take over as Operations Officer on Voyager?"
"I can't wait to join the crew. Mizati tells me that Voyager-A finds trouble on every mission without fail just like the original Voyager did. Can't wait for the adventure to begin!" replied Naomi without thinking over what she said. Mizati was frantically trying to get her attention and only when she looked at Seven did she realize what she had let slip.
Seven's eyes narrowed as she glared at both girls. "Is that why you want to come on this mission? If so then I assure you this is going to be a very dull mission besides you have had enough adventures on the original Voyager"
"No, Seven. That is part of the reason but mostly we want to serve under the best Captain in Starfleet." Naomi knew she had to think fast or she was going to be stuck with her foot in her mouth all afternoon.
"Flattery will get you nowhere, young lady." Seven said in a stern voice although her eyes betrayed her voice. There was a dangerous brightness in them that Naomi knew did not bode well for her.
"Perhaps if you can keep Katie completely occupied for an hour after lunch I will consider your case"
"Do I even want to know why you need an undisturbed hour?"
"Let us just say that I will be otherwise occupied and that you would not want to know the details. Now if you will excuse me I got to go change into something casual." Seven knew that she would not be doing anything embarrassing well, not very embarrassing anyway but she loved to pull Naomi's leg. The girl turned a shade of pink that she had still to find described in any database on colors.
"Seven!! I do not need that bit of information. Honestly, you are as bad as Mizati here. She always used to get me into embarrassing situations at the Academy."
"Indeed. Perhaps she likes the shade of pink you turn when embarrassed. I know you cannot find that shade anywhere else in this quadrant." Replied Seven as she left the kitchen.
Naomi knew that her ears were red but could just grin and bear it. She looked at Mizati with hooded eyes watching her friend work one of her miracles in the kitchen. For an ex-Borg the girl had picked up the art of cooking quite nicely. IF she didn't know better she would say Mizati was perfect in the kitchen.
"Mom is right."
"About what?"
"Your cheeks do turn a unique shade of pink."
"Thank you so much. I thought you were my friend." Naomi stated sarcastically.
"I am your friend but what I just said is a fact. " Mizati was genuinely puzzled by the human concept of `embarrassment'. Why should stating the truth be a cause for discomfort? She was very blunt in her dealings with people and often found them uncomfortable when she talked about some subjects. The only person who was not bothered by it was Naomi. However she too refused to talk about some subjects nowadays. Perhaps she should talk to Mom about this new development. Yes, she would talk to Seven regarding this matter.
The girls were setting the table when Seven appeared at the doorway to the kitchen. Both the girls looked up and critically studied Seven's attire. Seven was wearing a light blue silk blouse and a pair of figure hugging slacks cut very similar to the pattern of her uniform trousers. Her hair was falling in golden waves around her shoulders and the color of her blouse seemed to compliment the blue of her eyes. She was wearing comfortable flat-heeled shoes. After a careful perusal Mizati just nodded and said " You look beautiful, Mom"
Seven blushed and thanked her daughter for the compliment. She wanted to look good for B'Elanna and her daughter's praise was a good start. She now had to get by her greatest fashion critic. She hoped Naomi would like her choices.
Naomi on the other hand had a very different opinion.
"Seven, don't you wear anything other than slacks. I mean I have never seen you in a skirt for instance."
"Naomi Wildman, this is the 10th time we are having this discussion. You know I do not like skirts or dresses." Seven always reverted to Naomi's full name when she knew she would not like what the girl said.
"How is it you do not like something without ever trying it on? I mean you have never even put one of the dresses that the Admiral replicated for you."
"I know I would not like them and so do not wear them."
"I give up!! You can be so stubborn at times. "Naomi said with an exaggerated sigh. "You do look good by the way" Naomi put the last sentence in reluctantly though she knew it was the truth. As far as she was concerned Seven looked beautiful in everything she wore.
Seven knew it was not the last time she would be having this argument with Naomi.
`BEEP'
The ring of the door chime interrupted Seven's reply. She turned to face the door as she called "Enter".
As the door swished open her breath caught in her throat as she looked at B'Elanna. Standing before her was a vision of beauty and surreal calm and the love of her life.
B'Elanna was dressed in a pair of figure hugging jeans and a top that was held up by two thin spaghetti straps. The top left her shoulders as well as her lean and hard midriff bare. She felt her pulse and breathing quicken as the flames of desire started to burn a little brighter. All she wanted to do was grab this woman and ravish her then and there. Instead she controlled her urges and smiled at the woman of her dreams.
As she looked at B'Elanna from head to toe, Seven noticed that a small golden head was peeking out from behind B'Elanna. Katie seemed very different from the exuberant little girl she had met yesterday. Today she was reticent and seemed discomforted to be in unfamiliar surroundings.
"Is that my friend Katie, I see hiding there? Won't she come out to say hello?"
"Hello, Seven" Katie was very unsure of herself in the new surroundings and was feeling a little shy in front of Mizati and Naomi.
Seven knelt down and pulled the little girl towards her for a hug. She then pointed out Mizati and Naomi out to the little girl. Seven recognized her discomfort and whispered in her ear like she was telling her a big secret. "Come here. I want you to meet my daughter, Mizati and my friend Naomi. Naomi was not much older than you are when I first met her. She taught me how to play Kadis-Kot."
"Will she teach me how to play the game?" Katie whispered back as she looked at both Mizati and Naomi.
"Why don't you go ask her? Perhaps Mizati will show you the garden out front. When she was younger, she loved to run in the grass barefoot as well as play on the small slide there. Would you like that?"
"I would like that very much. Will you join us also?" She asked hoping her friend would come out to play.
"Perhaps later after I have spoken to your Mama" replied Seven
Katie was delighted she would get to play. Since her daddy died she did not get, as much chance to go outdoors since Mama did not like to go out much. The little girl bounded over to Naomi and Mizati and soon was talking and laughing with them as they led her inside the quarters.
Seeing that she had one of her guests comfortable, Seven turned to B'Elanna. Just as Seven was about to invite her in, she found her face being held by two gentle hands while she was kissed quite thoroughly. Seven was lost in the kiss the minute their lips touched. She did not want this moment to ever end. B'Elanna was learning the shape of her lips like there was no tomorrow and it felt.. glorious. She knew she was fast losing control of her senses and realized she just didn't care. To Seven that revelation was an eye opener. She had taken pride in the fact that she was always in control of her surroundings and emotions. She had suspected that the only one who could break her control was B'Elanna. She knew that assumption was soon going to be a fact. After what seemed like forever, B'Elanna broke the kiss. Seven moaned in protest at the loss of contact.
"Missed you, last night" B'Elanna murmured as she encircled Seven's waist and laid her head on the ex-Borg's shoulder.
"I did too, love" Seven said softly. "More than I can ever describe. I did not sleep very well last night until I saw your message." The two women spent a few minutes in silence as they inhaled each other's essence.
"Maybe we should go inside." Seven murmured against the top of B'Elanna's head
"I like it right here. Why go in?" B'Elanna was not interested in moving from her position and her tone indicated her displeasure at the idea.
"It wouldn't be appropriate for Katie to see us like this until we tell her about us." Seven replied as she ran her hands up and down B'Elanna's back.
"All right, let's go inside. I am hungry and something smells delicious but you are not off the hook. You still owe me a hug"
"I will try to give you as many hugs today as you desire. As for the aroma, I cannot take credit for that. Mizati is quite a cook and since she was here, I got her to prepare lunch for us."
B'Elanna was unprepared for that piece of information and her shock showed on her face. Mizati, a great cook? Anyway what were Naomi and Mizati doing here? Last she had heard they had just graduated from the academy. Seeing her surprise and confusion, Seven stated gently "Mizati and Icheb are my children, Lanna. Mizati comes here as often as she can when I am on Earth and when she is free. She learnt cooking from Gretchen Janeway. She spent many vacations with Kathryn's mother in Indiana while I was away on missions. She picked up Gretchen's love for the art of cooking. As for Naomi, since we returned to the Alpha Quadrant where Mizati goes she goes and vice versa. It is like they are joined at the hip."
B'Elanna had never thought much about the Borg children after their return to the Alpha Quadrant. She knew that Azan and Rebi had been reunited with their family but had not really paid attention to the fate of the other two children. She had assumed that Mizati would have been adopted by Samantha Wildman seeing how Naomi and Mizati were always together. She knew that Chakotay had sponsored Icheb to Starfleet Academy. She had just assumed that he had adopted him as well. To find out that Admiral Janeway had not only adopted Seven but also had ensured that Seven's charges remained with her was shocking to say the least. She wondered what other surprises lay in store for her as the day progressed. She was brought out of her musings by Seven gently pushing her into the apartment. She took a look around the room. She found it to be furnished like any regular apartment with one major difference. On a side table near one end of the couch sat an exact model of the original Voyager. On the other side of the couch was a model of the Voyager -A. Both models seemed to have been made of hand crafted materials. Surrounding both models at the base were holo-images of Mizati, Icheb, Naomi, Kathryn Janeway and of course Seven. Also on a shelf on the wall opposite the couch sat miniature models of all the ships Seven had served on. The Dauntless, The Enterprise-E and the Phoenix. There was one more model on display. A ship she seemed to remember seeing but could not place.
Following her gaze as she stood beside B'Elanna, Seven said "That is the Prometheus. It is the ship Icheb serves on as Astrometrics officer."
"Who made these? They are very detailed. It looks like someone put a lot of time and effort into them." B'Elanna asked wanting to find out who created the superb models.
"All of us actually. Well, Voyager and Voyager-A were both made by Icheb before he left for the Gamma Quadrant on the Prometheus. He made a model of Voyager for Kathryn as well, which she displays proudly in her living room. Mizati made the Dauntless, the Enterprise-E and the Phoenix as a gift for me. I made the Prometheus for Icheb. He carries a holo-image of it with him, as do I of the Voyager-A."
"I always wondered about who gave Kathryn that gift."
"Yes. Both Icheb and Mizati have always excelled in all their endeavors. I could not have asked for more naturally talented offspring." Seven said. " They are so much more than just my responsibility. They have been the center of my existence these ten years. They are my family." B'Elanna could see all the pride and love Seven had for her children and was ashamed of herself. How could she have thought of this beautiful woman as an Ice Princess? She was seeing more hidden depths to Seven the longer she spent in her company.
"Tell me about them. Where did Mizati and Icheb stay when you went away on missions? Were they here on Earth"
" You do know I entered the academy for one year after we returned. During that year Kathryn insisted that we stay together in her house in San Francisco. Once I was posted on the Dauntless, Mizati and Icheb came along and stayed on the ship. Icheb decided to join Starfleet that year. He graduated in three years choosing to be a science officer. His first posting was as Astrometrics Officer on the Prometheus on a deep space mission to the Gamma Quadrant 5 years ago. He has stayed on the ship ever since rising in rank to Lieutenant. The Prometheus should return from their current mission in another 4 months. I miss him. Looks like I will have to wait a little longer before I see him again." Seven paused as she thought of her son. She seemed to visibly pull herself from her musings.
" Mizati was with Kathryn here on Earth for a year while she decided which institute to join. Mizati decided to follow her brother's example and join Starfleet. She too graduated in three years along with Naomi. They will be with us on the Voyager-A."
B'Elanna was shocked at that piece of information. "But I thought Starfleet does not allow family to serve together on a single ship. How did Mizati get her posting?"
"Naomi and Mizati graduated first and second respectively. So they had choice of assignment. They chose Voyager-A. I do not agree with their decision but I have to accept it. Starfleet too does not oppose their choices because they believe the girls deserve a reward for their efforts in the Academy." Seven `s eyes shone with pride at her daughter's accomplishment.
"Mom, lunch is prepared. Are you hungry? We can eat whenever you and Commander Torres finish your `discussion' or do we start without you." Mizati called from the kitchen where she and Naomi were busy getting Katie settled in her chair at the table. The little girl's excited voice could be heard coming from the kitchen as she talked to Naomi.
Even B'Elanna picked the way Mizati said the word `discussion' and looked at Seven in query.
"Mizati and Naomi know of the nature of our relationship. " Seven responded to the unspoken question. "So do you want to join them or finish our `discussion'?" Before B'Elanna had a chance to reply, Seven leaned over and captured her lips. B'Elanna felt her heart race and her pulse pound. Just a kiss from this woman sent her blood surging through her veins. Incapable of any further thought she just surrendered to the moment. When Seven finally broke the kiss, she had to hang on to Seven for support. Her legs seemed to have lost all their strength and were incapable of supporting her weight.
"Perhaps you would like to sit down and eat something. You seem to be very weak." Seven smirked as she observed B'Elanna struggle for some measure of control over her body's reaction. Inwardly she was glad she had broken off the kiss when she did. A little longer and she would not have been able to remain in control.
"You think that is funny huh? Just you wait. Paybacks are always a bitch. Now come on. Let's eat and then we can continue our `discussion' later when we have a little privacy." B'Elanna growled as she made her way to the kitchen. Giggling informed Seven that Mizati and Naomi were standing at the doorway to the kitchen looking on. She turned a bright pink.
Naomi could not resist stating before she burst out into a hysterical burst of laughter " Now that's a color I just have not seen in any databases."
Mizati smiled and said "Indeed"
Seven looked at both girls with her patented ice glare. It only increased Naomi's amusement. After all it was not often she got to embarrass Seven. B'Elanna was right. Payback's a bitch.
Chapter 8
Lunch was a pleasant experience with both women listening to Naomi and Mizati tell stories of their time in the Academy. The relaxed atmosphere was ideal for B'Elanna and Seven to just enjoy each other's presence. Although they contributed a few tales to the conversation around the table, most of the time they spent just looking at one another while they paid half hearted attention to the girls. Naomi and Mizati looked at one another and smiled. Katie too seemed to realize that the older women would much rather be alone. She too wanted to see the garden and learn to play Kadis-Kot. So as soon as she finished eating, she started asking Mizati when they could go to the garden. Seeing the little girl's eager face all Mizati and Naomi could do was agree with her. It was fast becoming obvious to the girls that there was very little they would refuse Katie. She was a particularly endearing child. Polite, well-mannered but at the same time excitable and exuberant.
The girls decided to leave Seven and B'Elanna in the house while they took Katie out to play. The least they could do for interrupting them earlier. As soon as the trio of youngsters left, Seven rose and held out her hand to B'Elanna. Drawing her up, Seven led her to the living room where she settled herself on the couch before pulling B'Elanna beside her.
"There, is it not more comfortable here?" Seven asked as she slid her arm around the smaller woman's shoulder and pulled her close.
"Much better but I know how we can be even more comfortable." B'Elanna replied as she got up and settled herself on Seven's lap with her legs wrapped around the former drone's waist.
Leaning forward she whispered "Isn't this much better?" She then proceeded to kiss Seven's ear. Placing feather light kisses interspersed with light licks as she made her way down Seven's face from her ear to her cheek to her gorgeous full lips. Seven's eyes were closed as she drank in the sensation of B'Elanna's lips on her skin. So she was startled when she felt a light nip on her lower lip. She opened her eyes to look up into two brown pools that were darkened with desire. B'Elanna tongue traced the shape of Seven's lips before plunging into her mouth where Seven's met it. The two spent a few moments in a duel for supremacy before Seven gave in and submitted to being ravished by B'Elanna's tongue. As suddenly as the invasion began B'Elanna stopped and withdrew to look at the flushed face of the ex-drone. A sense of utter contentment had settled over B'Elanna here in Seven's arms. This was where she knew she was born to be
"Lanna, please don't stop." Seven groaned as she gasped for breath. She was about to reestablish the contact when she heard a sob break from B'Elanna's throat even as tears began to spill down caramel colored cheeks.
"Lanna, what is the matter?" Seven was concerned at this sudden change in her lover's mood. "Please, love tell me what trouble's you?"
"These are tears of joy, silly. You are everything I have ever wanted and now that I have you I am not letting you go." B'Elanna was smiling at Seven through her tears.
Seeing the happiness on her lover's face Seven gave her a heart-warming smile. "Lanna, my dear sweet Lanna I hope you know that you make me complete." As if to punctuate the statement she leaned forward to capture B'Elanna's lips. The two women separated after a few moments breathless and flush with desire.
"Perhaps it would be wise to join the girls in the garden." B'Elanna suggested.
"Do we have to? I like it right here." Seven replied with a smug look on her face as she wrapped both arms around B'Elanna.
"True. I don't want to get up but I don't want to give the girls more ammunition."
"All right. Let's go. Besides we need to tell Katie about us."
"I don't think I will like that conversation. She has always idolized her father."
"Bangwl, I will be there right with you. Besides she likes me. I think she just may surprise you. She is far more intelligent than you give her credit for." Seven knew children were more observant than adults thought they were.
"Come on. Let's go" B'Elanna got off Seven's lap and pulled her lover up from the couch. Wrapping her arm around the taller woman's waist she walked beside Seven to the door leading out to the garden. As the crossed the door, they heard the sound of laughter coming from the garden. They found Mizati and Naomi chasing Katie who was laughing as she eluded their attempts to catch her. Seven looked at the scene before her and the thought that came to mind was `MY FAMILY'. Katie and B'Elanna were part of it as much as Kathryn Janeway and Naomi were. She looked over at B'Elanna to find her looking at Mizati and Katie. B'Elanna was thinking how the two girls seemed to have bonded as if Katie had sensed that Seven was going to become a permanent feature of their lives and by extension so would Mizati. Perhaps Seven was right. Katie might just surprise her yet.
As she stood looking at the play going on, Seven leaned over and said, "Want to go for a walk? There is a lovely view from the top of the path. I often go there for solitude. I would like to show you my private thinking spot."
"Sure. They won't miss us for a little while longer. Is it far?"
"No not very far. Just over the slight rise there." Seven pointed out the small elevation. B'Elanna could see other beings walking on the path enjoying the late afternoon breeze. As she followed Seven up the path she spent her time observing their reactions to Seven. If B'Elanna thought that ten years in the Alpha quadrant would have changed people's reaction to Seven, she was sorely disappointed. Most of the people they passed seemed to avoid looking at Seven in the eye. She was able to distinguish expressions of anger, hate, disgust and fear on the faces of the people but she didn't find acceptance, compassion or understanding on even one of the faces. The reality of Seven's existence in the Alpha Quadrant rocked her to the core.
"This is why I was glad to join Starfleet. To these people no matter how much I change I will always be Borg. I knew Starfleet would recognize my talents and post me on a ship. The controlled environment of the ship and the command structure make acceptance easier. Besides if Starfleet could accept the return of Locutus, they would accept the return of Annika Hansen albeit as Seven of Nine. I have never spent too much time in public places here on Earth. Luckily my children have had an easier time finding acceptance as they grew up to adulthood in front of these people. I do not believe I will ever find acceptance into mainstream Federation society." Seven said with just a hint of the bitterness that she had to hide for all these years. "Starfleet accepts me and I don't expect more than that"
"Oh Seven! I am so sorry that for a long time I was part of these people. I don't know how you could ever forgive me?" B'Elanna asked as tears misted her eyes.
A gentle hand lifted her chin up. "It's easy to forgive you, Lanna. I love you." B'Elanna looked up into a pair of ice blue eyes and lost herself in them.
"Ahem.!! Excuse us, we are looking for our mothers. Have you seen them?" Mizati and Katie asked in an innocent tone while Naomi was desperately trying to hold back her laughter.
Seven and B'Elanna looked sheepishly at their daughters " You just found them." They replied in unison.
"How can we help you?" B'Elanna looked at Katie and when she saw the twinkle in her eye knew the question her daughter asked her was going to be a loaded one.
"Seven are you going to be my Mom, too?" Katie asked with a curious look.
Both Seven and B'Elanna were unprepared for the directness of the question as well as it's timing. Seven was looking for the right words to answer the question. Finally after what seemed like an eternity to the others, but was in fact only seconds Seven replied, " Katie, I love your Mama. So perhaps in time I will be your Mom too."
"Goody!" Katie shook her head in delight. "Then Mizati will be my big sister. I always wanted a big sister." Satisfied with her world, Katie dragged a stunned Mizati and Naomi with her back to the garden. They had no idea the little girl was about to ask such an indelicate question. They had brought her up here thinking she missed her mother.
Only then did Seven realize that B'Elanna was not too happy. "B'Elanna, did I say something wrong?"
"Seven, we haven't even talked about where we are going from here. How could you tell her we might get married one day? If that does not happen it would crush her. I won't be responsible for raising her hopes only to have them come crashing down. After all we have been together only two days." B'Elanna growled at her.
"Lanna, I have told you I love you. It might be something temporary for you but for me it is forever. I do not consider my emotions so trivial." Seven was coldly furious at B'Elanna." She had just bared her soul to this woman and she seemed to think it was of no consequence. "I am entering this relationship with the long-term goal of marriage in mind. If this does not suit you, please inform me now and we will terminate our relationship before it goes any further."
B'Elanna realized she had just belittled Seven's feelings and was feeling guilty but she also believed their relationship was too new to make that kind of prediction. She was afraid that Seven might not find her a suitable mate once she got to know her a little better. `She's loved you from afar for 14 years', said the little voice in her head. But she doesn't know how I am? What if she does not like the way the Klingon in me behaves in certain situations? I would not survive if she left me.
Self-preservation can often override the heart and sadly in this case B'Elanna's head won. "All I am saying is what if you and I decide to break up tomorrow what will you tell Katie? Sorry honey, I just don't love your Mama anymore so I can't be your Mom?" B'Elanna was being sarcastic and she knew it.
"Fine if that is the way you feel. There is always an element of uncertainty in the future but that does not mean everything changes for the worse. Even if we could not live together in the future, I will always think of Katie as my daughter. I consider her family just as I consider Mizati and Icheb family. If you decide you can leave your fear and insecurities behind and attempt a relationship, you know where to find me. Know that this does not change anything. I still love you but you need to decide what you want from me. I will not be a distraction till you meet the next Tom Paris." Seven kept her face impassive even as her heart was breaking.
Looking one last time at Seven, B'Elanna turned and stormed down the path. As soon as she was out of sight Seven slumped to the ground. She had lost B'Elanna before but this time it felt like her heart had been ripped out of her chest by her Klingon lover. Slowly like a small trickle turning into a flood, the tears started to cascade down her cheeks. Why did the universe not give her even one piece of happiness?
B'Elanna reached the garden to pick up Katie from Mizati and Naomi. One look at her face and both the young women seemed to realize that all was not well. Mizati sent a silent plea to Naomi to look after B'Elanna who looked like she would start crying any minute while she went to look for Seven. Years of friendship had made them attuned to each other and Naomi merely nodded.
"Where's Katie? We need to leave." B'Elanna was trying hard to control her tears. Naomi gently led B'Elanna to a bench and asked her," Katie was tired so we told her to take a small nap. She's in Mizati's room. Did something happen after we left?"
"We had a fight. She is the most infuriating woman I know. She should not have told Katie we might get married." B'Elanna said in a tone that was far from steady.
" Oh! You still have not realized what makes Seven unique, have you?" Naomi asked in a gentle voice. Without waiting for a reply she continued, "Seven never changes her mind. If she calls you a friend it is for life. If she says you are her love and that you might get married, you should know it is not a case of if but when. So the question here is not whether she will want to marry you but whether you will want to marry her. What's in your heart, B'Elanna Torres?"
"How do you know this? People change. She might not find me adequate. I am Klingon. I love her but what if she can't live with me. I can't survive if she leaves." B'Elanna growled upset that a 18-year-old was telling her about love.
"Coward! So you decided to take the easy way out and not try at all. You are the one with cold feet, not her. You don't deserve her. She loves you with her heart and soul even I can see that in the time we just spent together Once you look past all her Borg mannerism's she's a living breathing human. She has all the fears and anxieties that you feel. Did you stop to think that maybe she feels the same way? That she too feels she will be inadequate." Naomi knew her tone was angry but didn't care. She was furious at B'Elanna for her thoughtless actions.
"What gives you the right to talk that way to me? You are just a teenager who has not even had her first crush." B'Elanna retorted.
"True. But I know Seven far better than you ever will. She is my friend and I will do anything to protect her. Also I had to grow up pretty quickly on Voyager. Find out what's in your heart, Commander? Seven deserves someone who appreciates the unique being she truly is and sadly you don't seem to be that someone." Naomi stormed off to find Seven.
"But I do. I do love her" B'Elanna whispered but she was talking to the wind. Her young companion was too far to hear her. How could she have made such a mess of things?
Mizati ran up the path reaching the small rise in minutes. What she saw stopped her in her tracks. Lying on the path was the crumpled form of Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix 01. There was no trace of the strong willed woman who had survived the horrors of the Collective and become a legendary Starship Captain. Instead Mizati found a woman who had lost all hope in the universe. Gently she knelt beside Seven as she wrapped her arms around her mother.
"Hush now.. Mama. Please tell me what happened?"
In between sobs Seven croaked out "I've lost her. I've lost her." She held on tightly to her daughter as she wept for all that she had lost. For the first time in her life she truly despised the Borg. If she had not been assimilated she would not have met B'Elanna Torres who could hurt her with just words more deeply than a Federation phaser at full stun.
Continued in next part ....