|
The Ice
Queen
A J/7 Advent
Calendar Story 2008 by Gun Brooke
Disclaimer
Raffle
Would you like to participate
in a raffle for a signed copy of Warrior's Valor and/or
Rebel's Quest?
1st prize - signed
copies of Rebel's Quest and Warrior's
Valor.
2nd prize - signed copy
of Warrior's Valor
3rd prize - signed copy
of Rebel's Quest
Write me at
raffle@gbrooke-fiction.com and let me know if you want
to participate - it is free, of course! Last date to enter
the raffle is Dec 31, 2008. Winners will be announced and
emailed January 3, 2009. Only one entry per person, please!
Gun
Door 17
Tilde showed them to their rooms, her eyes darting back and
forth between the members of the away team. “This is great,”
she said, beaming. “Annika never said a word about having so
many friends coming here.”
“We surprised her,” Janeway said, the low purr of her voice
sending tremors down Seven’s back.
“You sure did. Not that Annika is the most talkative person
in the world, but you seem to have her at a total loss for
words.” Tilde elbowed Seven in a friendly manner. “I’m so
glad Lars and I saved a few rooms. Otherwise the cold rooms
are booked solid through the season, more or less.”
“The ice art work is amazing.” Janeway seemed genuinely
appreciative of the fantastically chiseled ice blocks. “And
you do this every year?”
“Like clockwork. Guess it’s a way of life, and every year
means new challenges, and as you can tell, new beauty.”
Tilde motioned to her left. “If you get a chance, stop by
the chapel, it’s almost ready.”
“People get married in there?” Tom Paris asked.
“Sure do.”
“Amazing.”
Seven walked next to Janeway, not wanting to be too far away
from her. She was still reeling from when she saw her
standing across the room. She’d actually enjoyed dancing
with Lars, since he was her friend and not a potential
suitor or love interest. When she’d looked up, the woman who
inhabited every single dream of hers, merely stood there,
looking wide-eyed at Seven.
“Here you go. Three rooms. I trust you’re wearing thermo
underwear? If not, we have some for sale.”
“We’re sufficiently dressed. Well, all except Sev-…Annika,
perhaps.” Janeway raised an eyebrow at Seven.
“I will not be cold.” It was true. Her cortical node kept
her body at a comfortable temperature unless extreme
circumstances.
Tilde looked surprised, but didn’t object. “All right.
Please rejoin the party once you’ve caught up. I can imagine
you have a lot to talk about.”
“Perhaps.” Janeway smiled. She thanked Tilde once more
before turning to her team. Pushing her hood back, she stood
in the muted light, and she had never looked lovelier. “I
suppose we should get some rest while we can. Divide the
rooms in whichever way you want. Seven, you’re with me.”
Relieved that she was going to spend some time alone with
Janeway, Seven opened the door to the closest suite. “I
think you will find this sufficient.”
Inside an ice platform held a bed dressed with reindeer
skins and sleeping bags and pillows. Intricate patterns and
sculpted ice gave the room an ethereal ambiance which never
ceased to amaze Seven. She glanced at Janeway who seemed
just as enthralled.
“And this is where you’ve spent the last months.” Janeway
sounded choked up.
“I arrived before the first snow. I have been part of this
project from the start and I found it quite intriguing. Lars
and Tilde have been very good to me.”
“I can tell.” Janeway closed her eyes briefly. “I’m grateful
for that. I have been very worried.” A catch in her voice
betrayed more than her words.
“I have been very lonely.” The truth left Seven’s lips
before she knew what she meant to say. “Your presence now…is
difficult to grasp.”
Janeway turned and placed her hands on Seven’s hips, pulling
her closer. The gesture felt more intimate than a firm hug,
their bodies barely touching. Their breaths mixed in the
cool air, and Seven slowly raised her human hand. Cupping
Janeway’s cheek, she felt the warmth of her skin and it made
the new situation feel real for the first time.
“Captain…Kathryn…” Seven swallowed hard. “I have missed
you.”
“Oh, Gods, Seven.” Janeway moaned and turned her head,
pressing her lips into Seven’s palm. “I’ve been so worried,
so devastated without you.”
“I am sorry.”
“Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault.” Janeway traced Seven’s
lower lip with her thumb. “We found you.”
Closing her eyes briefly, Seven felt as if her body grew
heavier, and her heart pounded despite the nanoprobes trying
to maintain an optimal heart rate.
“Seven, I just want to hold you.”
“Captain…”
“Call me Kathryn, like you did.”
“Kathryn…”
“May I kiss you, Seven?”
Seven’s heart leaped, and she pressed Kathryn close to her
in a full body embrace. “Yes!”
|