Chapters 15 to 16 added on 31 May 2001
Disclaimers are in part 1.
Rating: PG13
Chapter 15
Life was made up of many moments and within the multitude there were a few perfect moments. For her this was one such moment. It felt good to hold this woman in her arms although for the life of her she could not remember when Naomi had crawled into her bed and fallen asleep beside her. They used to do this quite often when they were younger at least once she started requiring sleep but they had never done this once they were in the Academy.
Mizati really did not want to get up from her bed but knew if she was going to have breakfast with her mother she had better. Another memory to treasure. She gently disengaged herself from her friend smiling when she heard the mumbling. Leaning over she placed a light kiss on Naomi's cheek. If there was one thing she really adored about Ni, it was her capacity to sleep. It took a lot to wake her up. Moving to the bathroom she started her morning 'ritual' as Naomi called it. Half an hour later she was dressed in her Starfleet uniform.
Moving to the side of her bed she knelt down and gently shook Naomi. Her reply was Naomi turning over and burying her face in the pillow. "Come on, Ni you need to get up. You have to be at your post in an hour and a half. I thought maybe you might want to join mother and me for breakfast."
"Zati, go away and let me sleep will ya? Wait a minute, did you say breakfast?"
"Uh huh, thought that might wake you up, sleepy head. Now get ready we need to be in the Captain's quarters in half an hour."
"Zati,... what am I doing in your bed? I mean I remember falling asleep in mine so how did I get here."
"Well, I don't know either but I was glad nonetheless. I had missed this."
"Yeah me too. Too bad we had to grow up." Naomi smiled as she remembered their childhood.
They were inseparable. 'I guess growing up on a ship can do that to you but the strange thing was they were inseparable even back on Earth.' shaking her head clear of her thoughts she got out of bed
~~~
The two girls were making their way to the Captain's quarters, chattering away as usual or rather Naomi was chattering while Mizati was listening to her friend patiently. Suddenly looking at Mizati, Naomi asked " I'm talking too much, aren't I?"
Seeing the mischievous smirk on Mizati's face she knew she was and stopped talking.
" Ni, it's okay I don't mind hearing you talk besides one of us must and since I don't normally that's your job."
"Yeah that's true. Did you know they called you the Sphinx in the Academy? They used to say that you were very stingy with words."
"I know but I didn't care. Besides you used to give them a piece of your mind whenever that happened and I can't really add much to that now can I?"
"But how did you.........?"
"Ni, I overheard you one day when you thought I had stepped out of the room. I had forgotten something and came back to pick it up when I heard you talking. Let's just say I liked that you were my protector not that I needed it but the thought was much appreciated."
When they reached Seven's quarters they were surprised to hear the sound of laughter coming from the inside. Looking quizzically at one another they pressed the chime and when the door slid open they stepped in.
"Good morning, Mom!!"
Only to stop in their tracks at the sight that greeted them.
There on the floor was a very happy Katie sitting on top of a very happy but very un-Captain-like Seven who was in the process of tickling the little girl. The girls looked at one another and then at Seven who had by now realized she was not alone. Looking sheepishly at Mizati and Naomi, she got up from the floor while picking up Katie at the same time. The first thing Mizati noticed was that Seven was not in uniform. It looked as if she was still in her nightclothes.
"Good moring you two. MAy I ask what you are doing up so early Naomi?" she said as she looked at them quizzically.
" We were supposed to be having breakfast together remember."
"As you can see I think I was occupied by someone so I forgot. Guess I am running a little late. Give me 10 minutes." and with that she retreated to her bedroom.
"Morning Katie. What are you doing here?" Mizati was curious as to how the child was in Seven's quarters and as if she could read her mind Naomi had asked the question.
"I just woke up. I think I slept here yesterday. So did Mama. She is still asleep, I think"
"WHAT?"
Both the girls looked at one another and then at the little gitl and realized they had just stumbled on an interesting story.
~~~
"B'Elanna, B'Elanna...."
A very sleepy brown eye opened and surveyed her surrounding before falling on Seven at which point all thought of sleep left the Chief Engineer.
"Sorry to wake you up so early but I forgot that I was to have breakfast with Mizati and she is in the living room right now."
"What?... How ?"
"She saw Katie in the living room and if my hearing is accurate I think your daughter just informed her where you are."
Looking at Seven for the first time she realized that her Captain was already in her uniform shirt and trousers and was just pulling on her jacket.
'Damn, you look good in red. Okay B'Elanna remember to breathe. In and out. In and out..' She wondered why she always seemed to hear her mother's voice when she admonished herself.
When she saw Seven looking at her strangely, she realized she had missed something.
Smiling sheepishly she asked, " Did you say something?"
"I asked how you wanted to handle my daughter and Naomi?", Seven said as she returned the smile with a smirk of her own. She was glad she had gotten a chance to gaze at B'Elanna that morning without having to worry about getting caught. She still didn't know where they may end up in their relationship but she did know she was reacted to B'Elanna physically like water did with fire.Today was the first time she could let her eyes roam all over the well toned body of a certain Chief Engineer. She had also discovered a few interesting habits of the woman who held her heart like the fact that she always kicked off her bedcovers and that she looked really good in her shorts.
"Maybe I should transport to my quarters get dressed and then come by to pick up Katie."
"Perhaps or you could just get ready here and join us for breakfast. I sort of promised Katie she could have breakfast here besides I have nothing to hide from Mizati and Naomi, so it is really up to you."
"Naomi's here too. Great all we need is a few more people. Are you sure this is the Captain`s quarters?" She asked with a smile.
" Yes it is or at least that was what I was told. Maybe you could help make sure of that by researching the ship's blueprints." B'Elanna was glad Seven didn't seem to mind her teasing.
" I'll let you get dressed unless you want me to stay?" Seven asked with a quirk of her optical implant and an innocent smile on her face. If B'Elanna didn't think it were possible she would have sworn it was a leer.
"Hmm.. should I let you stay? I wonder what's in it for me?"
"Well, it's a way of getting in your Captain's good books. I can be very nice when I want to be."
" Maybe but let me ask you this would you return the favor?"
"Let me see maybe someday."
"Well till that day arrives I have just one thing to say to you." B'Elanna said with a very sweet smile on her face.
"And that would be?"
"Out!"
Seven rolled her eyes and said, "First time I ever heard of the Captain getting kicked out of her own bedroom. What has this universe come to?"
They both looked at each other and then started laughing at that comment. For the first time they were really comfortable with one another especially in a situation that should have been awkward.
As Seven turned to leave, B'Elanna moved into her path, stopped her and said, " I never did thank you letting Katie and me stay and for being there for her, when I wasn't there. I am glad she trusts you enough for that. I wish I could have......"
Before she could say another word, Seven placed a finger on her lips. " B'Elanna , did you know she told me that you were the one who told her to look for me if you were not around. So I am glad her mother trusts me enough to take care of her. Besides I love that little one." Silently she added, `Almost as much as I love her mother.'
Neither realized they were standing close to one another nor the fact that they were moving closer still. It was as if their minds had no control over their bodies. Before they knew it they were face to face. Seven bent her head towards B'Elanna........
" Mama, I'm hungry. Are you and Seven ever going to join us for breakfast?"
At the sound of her daughter's voice B'Elanna seemed to regain her senses and with a look of regret and longing at her Captain, she moved away before answering that she would be right there.
Seven sighed as she too realized the mood had been broken. Well that was life and she took comfort in the fact that they would get sometime together soon even if she had to manufacture a way to ensure it. Making sure she had buttoned her jacket, she made her way to the living room leaving B'Elanna to get dressed.
The girls were deep in conversation with Katie and didn't seem to notice Seven in the room. Seven decided she might as well get breakfast started for all of them. Luckily the Captain's quarters included a small kitchen, a dining room and an extra bedroom which Seven used as her study. As she was moving about the kitchen she felt Mizati come up behind her.
" Need any help?"
"Thanks but I think I will just replicate breakfast. You might want to set the table."
"Okay..... Mom, is everything okay with you and Commander Torres?"
"Better than it has been in a while. You do know she slept here last night but she only did so because we didn't want Katie to wake up. She was so terrified when she came to me after waking up from her nightmare."
"I remember you used to sing to me when I first started sleeping and somehow I never ever felt alone because of that. Did I tell you I was glad we never found my birth parents because even they could not have topped the love and care I received from you."
"Hey you are my daughter and I think that should say it all."
"I know but still you didn't need to..."
"Come here, you" Seven pulled Mizati into her arms and held her for a few moments before she placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Come on. I'm feeling hungry."
As she was moving to the dining room Mizati said," Hey Mom."
Seven turned and looked at her daughter with an eyebrow raised in inquiry.
"I love you."
"That feeling is mutual, Zati. Now, Let's rescue Naomi from Katie shall we ?"
"Yeah, Naomi would kill me if I leave her alone too long or else will have to make it up to her with another of her favorites."
Seven didn't say anything to that although she too had seen the signs that the girl's relationship was changing. She turned to ask her daughter something when she noticed a faraway look in her eyes. Following her line of sight she saw what had captured Mizati's attention.
"Ahem.."
Mizati had the grace to blush at being caught staring at her friend.
"Something, you want to tell me about?"
"Mom!!"
Seven laughed at the expression on her daughter's face. This was serious.
"Take it slow. That is all I will say. You, I think know what you want but give her time to make up her mind, okay? And whatever be the case be her friend."
"Thanks and you are right as usual."
The two of them were interrupted by B'Elanna coming out of the bedroom.
"Morning, Commander Torres."
"Morning, Mizati. You know you can call me B'Elanna when we are not on duty."
"I will try and remember that, Comm.... B'Elanna."
"I am so sorry that I have not been much help this morning even with my own daughter. I am sure she still hasn`t brushed her teeth."
"Ah actually I took care of that in the morning. She has brushed her teeth and taken a shower. She was actually insistent on it before getting breakfast. she said she didn't like to eat without cleaning herself in the morning." Seven was feeling a little nervous as she didn't want B'Elanna to think she was taking too many liberties with her daughter.
B'Elanna's reaction surprised her. She threw back her head and laughed.
"Is something wrong, B'Elanna?"
" Oh no Seven but that rascal knows when to be on her best behavior. She doesn't like to have breakfast without a shower but with me it is always a struggle to get her to do anything in the morning. Maybe I should send her to you every morning?"
"It would be my pleasure."
" Nah Seven I was just kidding. Besides you have done enough for her as it is." B'Elanna said as she leaned over to plant a kiss on Seven's cheek.
From Mizati's efforts to control her laughter and B'Elanna's grin Seven knew, she must have looked shell-shocked. However once she got over the surprise she smiled at both of them and motioned towards the dining room. Breakfast went surprisingly smoothly after that. B'Elanna did feel a little awkward with Naomi and Mizati but she expected it and it didn't take anything away from the fact that she had managed to spend some quality time with people she cared about.
Chapter 16
Of all the species of the Alpha quadrant the hardest for Devora Tal to read were the Romulans. So she was not looking forward to the meeting she had in the afternoon with the survivors of the Romulan battle cruiser. Considering that they were allies, you would assume that the Romulan Empire would open up to the Federation just a little bit instead the alliance made them more xenophobic. The alliance was a military alliance only and nothing else unlike the alliance with the Klingon Empire. Devora had not had much contact with the Romulans as a species so she didn't fancy her chances of being accurate in reading them. To make matters worse these Romulans had a Vulcan mother. Vulcans were telepaths so she had no idea how much of that particular ability they had picked up.
`Well, can't find out if I spend more time in the mess hall.' Devora made her way to the Sickbay. She hoped Doctor Zimmerman was in a good mood because she was not in the mood for his sarcasm. How the Captain remained friends with the hologram was beyond the Counselor. The man was acerbic and arrogant at least as far as the Counselor was concerned and she was sure most of the crew felt the same but she had to admit he was a brilliant doctor. Still she believed the Captain had the patience of a saint although having to spend 4 years with the man was good practice for the future. Maybe in another 2 years time, she too will be able to call the man a friend. Shaking her head at the thought, she entered the Sickbay.
"Ah, Counselor. Here to see our guests I presume?"
"Yes, Doctor. Are they up yet? I thought I'd take a chance and come by. I sure losing their ship was a bad experience but to be the only survivors can be traumatizing."
"I had to sedate Barek again. His body needs time to adjust to his injuries and the best cure for that is rest. I was just about to release Physician Shin. You can probably guide her to her new quarters. It would give you a chance to talk to her in an atmosphere that does not remind her of death."
Devora looked at him in surprise. The hologram was very insightful in the effects of trauma on the psyche. She supposed 7 years of dealing with it all alone can do that to anyone and the hologram was more human than computer program. She should know. She had seen him display jealousy, anger, humor and sadness. Almost all emotions that a computer program should not exhibit.
"Thanks Doctor. That is a very good suggestion. Besides I would have to show her to her quarters eventually. This way I can get her comfortable and try and get her to tell me what happened during the attack."
"Oh Counselor, you may want to keep in mind she doesn't display too many Romulan qualities. If I didn't have her DNA sample I would call her Vulcan in behavior. Getting her to tell you anything should be quite the challenge."
"Thanks. I'll keep that in my mind." Nodding his head to the Counselor, Doctor Zimmerman went on to get his patient.
~~~ If there was one part of her job that Mizati liked, it was the time she had to spend in the holodeck, coming up with various defenses against each new unknown species that they met. Unfortunately today was not enjoyable, as the information she had on this particular species was not anywhere near enough to formulate a defense strategy. The V'ok were too secretive up to now and until she received information from the Romulans who had survived the attack, she could only make defense based on guesses and like her mother she hated the imperfection of the guess.
"Computer, run holodeck program Mizati Beta 9 Alpha Level 10."
Within an instant the scenery of the holodeck changed from the bridge of Voyager to the inside of a dojo. Mizati went to the corner by the entrance to the dojo and grabbed a duffel bag and a bag that to the casual observer would seem like one used to carry golf clubs only this particular bag carried a far deadlier tool. Quickly changing into the attire that was in the duffel bag, she grabbed the other bag and retrieved it's contents. Martial arts had always interested her but she had particularly liked the martial arts of ancient Earth.
Although she was trained in hand to hand combat at the Academy. she had decided years before that she needed to learn the discipline from a master. She smiled as she remembered the day she met her Sensei. she had entered the dojo looking with the arrogance of youth and had left humbler for the experience. Sensei Tanaka was amused at the child standing in the center of his dojo demanding he teach her his discipline. she had been 13 at the time and she was quick, strong and smart. That much he could tell but she relied too much on the brute strength the Borg had enhanced and he had shown her how a small, wizened old man can make a tall exceptionally strong girl feel like she had been kicked by a mule. She never even touched him.
Come to think of it she still couldn't touch him and she could always hear his calm voice in her head Patience child, feel the movement before you see it when you are able to do that you will be a true warrior. Open your senses and look with your Ki.
Smiling at that she pulled out her blade, a daikatana named by her Sensei , `Shibou' meaning death in Japanese. She hadn't understood why he named her blade so but he was her Sensei and that was enough for her. She also knew that blades were named when they had been used to kill someone so she guessed her Sensei had his reasons. Besides it had been a great honor to receive the blade as it had been in his family for generations. She slowly began to work her way through a warm-up set of exercises getting her body used to the activity.
Once she began to make the movements on her own with no thought put into it, she proceeded to her first Kata. Half an hour of performing Katas brought a fine sheen of perspiration to her forehead despite her nanoprobes working hard to rid her body of the excess fluid. Her movements were fluid like she was in a dance or ballet. In fact, it was exactly that, a dance but one with deadly intent because she knew that if this was real it would be a Dance of Death.
Satisfied with her workout she decided to test her strength against the best warriors the holodeck could offer. Level 10 brought out the most skilled and the most dangerous warriors the computer could create. Klingons, Romulans , Borg, human and every other species that had the skill or power to face her blade. Her first opponent was a Klingon with a bath'leth the curved edges of the blade gleaming in the light of the dojo.
She slowed her breathing and stood still, feet apart knees slightly bent, body twisted sideways so she presented the smallest target she could to the grinning warrior in front of her. Her eyes watching everything and nothing. Saw the flicker in his eyes as he moved his blade in wide swinging arc towards he chest only to whistle through the air. Quickly looking around for his opponent he pulled back from his extension only to realize he was too late as he felt the daikatana slip through his defenses and penetrate his chest armor. The look of surprise on his face was momentary before the program took over, recognizing the warrior had a mortal wound and he disappeared. Taking a deep breath before getting up from the floor where she had dropped into a split to avoid his attack, Mizati realized that she had taken him without effort and it was the first time it had happened. Before she could reflect on that she was facing her next opponent.
Her body seemed to react without conscious thought to the attacks moving to defend each and then she decided she had defended long enough and began a attack that on most days would have left her breathless but today was not affecting her in the slightest. She could feel her opponents moves, and the adrenaline rush was exhilarating.
She was so attuned to her match she never even noticed that the holodeck doors had opened and she was being observed by a couple of astounded faces as she went about demolishing her opponent. After going through 2 more opponents Mizati let her body relax as she cooled off and let the last of the adrenaline rush bleed off. As her mind cleared, she became more aware of her surroundings and noticed two faces staring intently at her. Naomi and B'Elanna.
With a start she realized they had been standing there for a while, so did what she thought was best under the circumstances. She smiled at them and then jogged over towards them, sheathing her sword in it's aged scabbard.
"Hi."
"That was ....I have never seen...When did you?...."
"I have to agree. I have seen many masters of the bath'leth on Q'oonos but the mastery you displayed here was something I have never seen with any kind of blade."
Mizati blushed at the compliment before shrugging her shoulders. " I have never been able to do what I did today. The most I have done is 1 opponent and that was a struggle but today I was more focused and then my body was reacting without thought. Sensei Tanaka says that when that happens the body finally recognizes the spirit of the warrior. "
"Why didn't you tell me? I am your best friend and I didn't know you could wield a sword much less be a master of the art."
Motioning her friends to a flat wooden bench she sat down and closed her eyes in thought. "I guess it was intensely personal to me. I had a lot of anger in me when I was around 12 or 13. I was angry with everybody the Borg, Mom, my birth parents and I needed an outlet for my anger. So I went into this dojo looking for a fight. I got the fight and I got the first real taste of defeat on a personal level. You know me, Ni. If there is one thing I hate it is to lose. So I went back to the dojo the next day and Sensei Tanaka accepted me as a student. I have never stopped being one to this day and when we were on Earth I always visited the dojo at least once a week."
Naomi looked at her with a new understanding as a few things finally made sense. "Three hours every Thursday night. You said you were on your way to exercise. I never really knew where you went. Now I know."
"Yeah. Sorry for not telling you Ni. It was just hard partly because I felt anger towards everyone including you. "
Startled by the statement Naomi looked up into pleading eyes that were asking her to drop the question that was in her eyes. Sighing she let it go for now with an impercitible nod of her head.
"So what are you doing here?" Mizati was curious as to what the two women were doing in the holodeck.
"I wanted to test a theory I had regarding the cloaking device. So I grabbed our Operations officer to assist me. We want to see if the cloak can be modified to fire weapons through it."
"Is that even possible? I mean I thought the Romulan cloaks didn't allow that capability. I know the Klingons have the technology but don't use it because of the power drain which allows only 2 or 3 shots." Mizati was surprised the Chief Engineer was about to test theory on the cloak out here in deep space with support some distance away. Who was she kidding that was exactly what B'Elanna would do.
"That's why we need to use the holodeck to run the simulation. when we saw it was occupied we just thought we would request it from whoever was using it. We didn't expect it to be open but decided whatever program was running was open to public." Naomi replied.
"Uh I guess I forgot to lock the holodeck." Mizati said with sheepish look on her face. "I was feeling frustrated at not making progress on a defense strategy for the V'ok. I thought I would work off some of those frustrations." Besides others. She wisely refrained from voicing the thought.
B'Elanna was still fascinated by the skill displayed and shook her head as she thought of the adrenaline that made her blood sing when she was facing enemies with her bath'leth even if it was only in the holodeck. Looking at Mizati, she knew she felt it too. For all her protestations to the contrary she knew in her heart that she was every bit a Klingon warrior. She recognized another kindred spirit in the gray eyes of the girl.. no.. woman in front of her. Even she could see that this was a woman not a girl.
"You have been learning for 7 years. Your skill is very good but don`t you have a sparring partner? I mean when we learnt bath'leth we were always paired. When we were on Voyager Tom started learning and though he never developed the skill you displayed just now he was better than most humans with the bath'leth. If he had paid a little more attention he would have been as good as me."
" Actually I do have a sparring partner. My partner doesn't get time to practice that often but we take whatever time we can to practice."
"You can always look me up if you need a partner. I think it would give me an opportunity to use muscles that haven't been getting the usual workout. Would it be a problem in matching a bath'leth to a daikatana? That is a daikatana. isn't it?"
"Yes it is. No it should not be a problem and thank you for the offer. I will remember that the next time I practice."
"Anytime Mizati. It will be good to face a worthy opponent after long long time. Holodeck programs are all right but sometimes the unpredictability of a good opponent is what we need to push us that much further."
"I know what you mean."
Naomi looked on amused as the conversation continued between her friend and the Chief Engineer. They talked of combat like they were playing a game but she could see that they were very serious about the topic and she never understood the lure of a fight. Needless to say the conversation made no sense to her. Tuning out the voices, she just spent time looking Mizati over. Her mind still played over the dance she had observed few minutes ago. Looking at her friend she noticed the slight sheen of perspiration on her forehead and the flush to her cheeks. Then glancing at the attire her breath caught in her throat. Mizati was wearing a black gi tied at the waist with a black belt. The effect was startling as she watched the ripple of muscles under the cloth. What was she thinking? This was her best friend . Besides she was sure Mizati saw her as only a friend. But it was first time she realized that her friend was beautiful. Wow she's gorgeous. Straight light brown hair falling to her shoulders and the most startling gray eyes she had seen. Plus legs that go on forever....Wake up Naomi you got a weird look on your face. Come on now. Don't go there.
Shaking herself out her thoughts she realized that B'Elanna and Mizati were talking about sparring partners. She realized that she didn't even know who Mizati's sparring partner was.
"Zati, who's your partner?"
"Mom."
"WHAT?" B'Elanna and Naomi cried in unison.
"Yeah. Well how else could I get practice when I traveled with Mom on the Phoenix. I think we both needed this outlet. After all we went through the same horrors but I think Mom's nightmares make mine seem like a day in the park." Even as she spoke she realized she had something that she shouldn't have.
Looking at both of them she pleaded, " Don't mention that fact to anyone, Please. Mom doesn't like showing weakness. She beleives the nightmares are her atonement for the horrors she committed as a Borg drone."
Receiving a silent nod from both women eased her mind a little. That was stupid, she really needed to control what she said at least in front of B'Elanna. She liked her but the woman got under Seven's armor and skin with mere words far too easily. Mizati didn't much care for the hurt the woman could cause Seven but she supposed all the people in love were vulnerable to their partners. She herself was no exception and when she had told Naomi that she had been angry with her too had caused her heart to clench at the look of hurt on that elfin face. I am so sorry, love.
"Well let me leave you to your simulation ladies. I think I need shower and then I can get back to duty for the beginning of Beta shift."
"See you later, Mizati. Let me know the next time you need to blow off steam. I think I will enjoy the exercise."
"I will. See you tonight, Ni."
"Okay." Naomi said as she watched her friend leave the holodeck and then softly she said" You can bet on that and we are going to talk too."
Mizati smiled as she overheard the comment. Some things about her friend never changed. She still was the most determined single minded person she knew and when she wanted to know something she wouldn't let go until the story was told in every single detail. It was going to be a long night.
~~~
Devora Tal had spent the most painful two hours of her life. It had felt like banging her head against a brick wall over and over again. Shin, daughter of Marek was the most infuriating woman she had met in her entire life. She combined the tenacity of the Romulans and the calmness of the Vulcans to such a successful degree that it left her with a headache. Betazoids as a species were telepathic which helped when dealing with other telepaths they had to be very careful. Although her conversation had been light and had dealt with the attack on the Romulan ship. She had also explained that they would be guests for a while as Voyager-A was on a diplomatic mission to the Ocampan home world but as the conversation progressed she had felt the touch of the other woman's mind probing her own. Her first reaction had been surprise before years of training brought up defenses. She knew Romulans were an offshoot of the Vulcan race but she also knew for a fact that they were not telepathic unlike their Vulcan cousins. The Doctor's words came in to her mind at that moment and from that instance the Betazoid knew she had underestimated her guest`s abilities. She was not just a physician that much she was able to discern from her behavior and the way she carried herself.
Just who are you ? Why were you trying to probe my mind? What were you looking for? And what secrets are you hiding from me?
Picking up her glass of wine she made her way to the view port. Gazing at the streaking stars but not really seeing them. Her mind went over the days events. The morning meeting had some startling revelations from the Captain. She suspected that the V'ok had the ability to fire from cloaked ships. Her plan of action was simple. Voyager had to be able to find the V'ok cloak or no cloak. She had assigned everyone work on getting the ship ready for the next meeting. Devora had sensed that her Captain was far more relaxed this morning than she had ever seen her. Looking over at the Chief Engineer she could sense the same peace of mind. Interesting . Wonder what happened between the women?
Shaking herself off of that particular line of thought, she went over the rest of her day which had been uneventful except for the last 2 hours. She had never experienced the concentrated attack that she had experienced today on a mental level. It left her feeling unsettled. She knew of only cure for her headache, a nice hot bath in the springs on Regulas Prime. Since that was not possible she guess she would have to settle for a soak in her bath tub.
~~~
B'Elanna was tired hungry and irritable. She had spent the first part of her day crawling through Jeffries tubes while going over the layout of the power distribution couplings. After that she had spent time reviewing her plans for the cloaking device. The simulation though had been a disaster. The ship blew apart when the weapon was discharged through the cloak. Thankfully she had someone watching Katie. An advantage of traveling in the new Destiny class ships was that they had a nice complement of child care specialists. Ah the joys of having a sitter. Katie had been fed and asleep by the time B'Elanna returned and she decided she too would call it a night as soon as she ate something.
So she was really not up for visitors when the door chime rang.
Making her way to it, she asked in a voice that gave no doubt as to how she was feeling " Who is it?"
As the door slid open a hand holding out a bottle of 1986 Merlot and a hamper that was giving out the most heavenly smell appeared before her. Tracking the hands up the body to a pair of sparkling blue eyes and a smile that made her weak at the knees, she stammered " Come in, Seven."
"Sorry to arrive unannounced but I was told that you had a rough day and I thought maybe you would like some dinner and wine along with spending a little time with a friend."
"You know you are a mind reader."
"Actually I just was about to sit to eat when i realized I would much rather eat with you. So here I am."
"Glad you are. let me put this on the table and set it."
"No don't worry about it. Let's eat it with as little fuss as possible."
"Yeah that would be nice."
"Katie asleep?"
"Yeah she was in bed before I returned. I was glad she didn't see me in this mood. I can be really irritable and today was really bad."
"So I take it the simulation didn't go well. But it's just the first round B'Elanna you will be able to get this problem solved."
"Not only did it not go well it was a disaster. If I had tried that on Voyager we would be floating pieces of space dust. I hope your belief holds true Seven because I can tell you this is the worst challenge I have faced in my engineering career. I mean I know theoretically how the cloak works and I know how the weapons work I just haven't figured how I can get them working together. Anyway let's not talk about work, please."
"Okay."
The women spent a few quite minutes paying attention to their food enjoying the comforting silence. It felt natural and right to spend the end of the day together. Glancing at each other when the other was not looking, listening to the sound of each breath being taken. It filled both with a nameless pleasure that neither wanted to let go off.
Looking up into startling blue eyes B'Elanna finally decided to break the silence. "Seven, I saw Mizati today on the holodeck. She was running a dojo program. She has a skill that I have rarely seen even among Klingons."
"Yes she does although she hits a roadblock whenever she tries to touch the warrior spirit."
"She touched the spirit today. I have seen many a dance of death but none like the one I saw today. It made my hair stand on end. Which really brings me to my question?" B'Elanna paused hoping she was not making a mistake. "If the daughter is that good, how good is her mother?"
She saw the look of surprise in Seven's eyes but she also saw that she was not upset that B'Elanna knew.
"Well her skills have been slipping. Any suggestions as to how to prevent that?" Seven asked with a twinkle in her eye.
"She could spar with me. I have some off duty time coming the day after tomorrow. I planned on spending a little time introducing Katie to the bath'leth. I think she really should know her Klingon heritage. Want to join me? I could use the partner and we could probably get Mizati to join us."
"Okay."
B'Elanna looked surprised at how easily Seven agreed and her face showed her surprise.
Seven looked at her with what B'Elanna could only describe as a quirk to her lips. "Why in the world would I say no to anything which involves you and me getting hot, sweaty and bothered?"
It was Seven's fervent wish that she had a holo-imager at the moment because she could only describe B'Elanna's look as priceless. The woman looked like she had been struck speechless by lightning. The slight blush that graced her cheeks told Seven that she had hit the bulls eye. Bad Seven Bad. Give the poor woman some time to digest the fact.
Smiling at the dumbstruck woman she got up, moved to the panel by the side of the replicator. She knew that warm brown eyes followed her every movement. Seven made a selection on the panel and then even as the soft notes of the song started to fill the room, turned and made her way back to B'Elanna's side. Standing slightly behind her chair she bent low and whispered softly in the ear nearest her" Dance with me."
B'Elanna could feel the soft breath tickling her ear and she could smell lavender and something else that she couldn't decipher. It sent a shiver down her spine. She had never felt anything quite like it. It was beguiling, brazen, innocent, sexy, hopeful all wrapped into one. The voice held such a seductive quality that B'Elanna could only mutely nod her head, not trusting her voice to answer. Allowing Seven to lead her to the small space she had cleared for them, she wrapped her arms around her partner's neck looking up into pools of blue that held such warmth and tenderness it touched her heart. It was as if time had stopped and nothing else mattered only the two of them swaying lightly to the sound of music. Nothing else mattered but them.
Seven looked deep into her eyes watching them soften with each passing moment as they held hers. She saw the desire buried in them for the first time and she knew that some day she would see the love there too. For the first time in a long long time everything felt absolutely right with her world. Leaning closer towards her partner she whispered " You know we were interrupted this morning and I really would like to kiss you right now."
The answer was immediate as she felt the arms around her neck pull her closer still until she felt a tentative brush on her lips which soon turned confident. It was the calm before the storm because before the effects of that first kiss had faded, Seven felt those lips on hers again and this time it was not a gentle spring in the meadow kind of kiss. This kiss held all the passion of the fiery woman she held in her arms and Seven felt B'Elanna's tongue demand and receive entry into her mouth. The pleasure of the kiss elicited a sweet moan of passion from both women although they did not break the kiss for a while, finally doing so to come up for air.
Music, dancing their surroundings nothing mattered to B'Elanna as she leaned into Seven resting her head on Seven's chest. Her eyes closed as she breathed in the scent of this woman who she knew for a fact was stealing her heart. She only hoped that she would be able to prove that she was worthy of holding Seven's heart because now she knew she wanted it more than anything in the world. Snuggling even further into the embrace she asked "Do you know what you are doing to me?"
"Only what you are doing to me Lanna"
The feel of the voice against her hair caused B'Elanna to look up into Seven's eyes only to catch her breath at the longing showing in them. She could see the flames and the needs growing as her hands began to pull the pins from Seven's hair releasing the golden yellow strands from their confinement. Working her way through all of them she finally released the hair that fell in golden waves around her partners shoulders. "Do you know how beautiful you are, Seven? Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?" "It was always irrelevant till now, Lanna. I am glad that you find me beautiful because you are the most beautiful thing in the world to me."
Pulling back B'Elanna looked up at that beautiful face and gently brought Seven's hand up to her mouth before placing soft kisses on it, never losing eye contact as she did this. "Stay with me tonight?"
To be continued ......