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By Gun Brooke The training was still not obvious to Janeway when a woman handed them a set of loose fitting trousers and shirt, made of white linen. She showed them into a private changing area and explained that the trainer would come for them. Suddenly shy, despite the fact that Seven had seen all there was to see of her, pretty much, Janeway tried to act casual as she turned her back to undress. If Seven noticed her awkwardness, she didn’t say anything. They got dressed in the new clothes during silence and then there was a knock on the door. “You ready in there?” “Yes.” Janeway opened the door and found herself face to face with an older, grey-haired woman. She was dressed in a similar outfit, though black, and with epaulettes on her shoulders. “Hello. My name is Barra. Please follow me into the room I booked for our session. You are in luck; it’s the corner room overlooking the gardens.” “Sounds lovely. I’m Captain Kathryn Janeway, and this is…my spouse, Seven of Nine.” “I know. I’m honored to meet you.” Barra smiled quickly and waved for them to follow her. If she found it strange that Janeway and Seven padded on naked feet behind her, she didn’t say. On their way to their room, Janeway saw a few of their fellow guests, who were dressed identically to her and Seven. Barra opened the door to a room with a low ceiling. Everywhere else on the palace grounds, there seemed to be only extremely tall ceilings, so this was a noticeable change. As soon as she stepped over the threshold, Janeway understood the reason for the low ceiling. The floor was one big mattress-like surface. They’d probably be sitting down for the most part during these sessions. Janeway guessed it was a matter of mental training, like yoga, or meditation. But why then these outfits? And with nothing else on underneath? “A most interesting floor,” Seven murmured, “but highly impractical.” “Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong,” Barra smiled. They’d reached the center part of the room where a stack of pillows of all shapes and sizes sat. “For our purpose, this floor is perfect.” Her statement made Janeway more certain that she was right about the yoga or mental training. “Very well.” Seven motioned toward the pillows. “Why are these here?” “We are going to use them. Soon. Take a seat, please.” Barra sat down on one of the large cushions. Janeway sat down next to her and looked up at Seven. “I know what you’re thinking. Just sit down, Seven.” Seven looked as if she was about to say “Yes, Captain,” but obviously thought better of it. She sat down on another pillow and now completed the triangle. Raising an expectant eyebrow at Barra, Seven folded her hands on her lap. “I am ready.” Barra smiled broadly. “You are a delightful person, Seven,” she nodded. “I believe it is going to be a joyful experience to council you and your life-partner through this. “Council?” Janeway echoed, not liking the sound of it at all. “With all due respect, we don’t require any counseling.” Barra apparently wasn’t fazed by Janeway’s curt words. “I disagree. Especially among spouses, there are times when a third, unbiased party, can offer an ear, and her expertise, while not taking sides or tipping the scale in anyone’s favor.” “Regarding what, exactly?” Seven asked, taking Janeway’s hand as if for support, albeit not entirely clear who from or for. Barra patted their joined hands. “You are not afraid to touch, that’s splendid,” she beamed. “We will make progress quickly, I can tell already.” “You have still to inform us of the subject of today’s session.” Seven frowned. Barra looked a little exasperated. “The Lady Graynce left the explanations to me again, didn’t she?” Barra shifted on her cushion. “This is an opportunity for you to reach within yourselves for courage and intimacy. Together you will embark on a physical and spiritual journey toward a better love life. I will be your pilot, or guide, or—if you prefer—a sounding board.” “Love life?” Janeway squeaked and wanted to kick herself for sounding so panic stricken. The huge mattress floor. The many pillows. The blankets. The pitcher with refreshing water or juice. She was beginning to realize just what kind of therapy they were in for, but she could see that Seven was still in the dark. “Yes, Captain. Regard this as an opportunity to fine-tune something that I’m sure is very satisfactory. On Vegasol Prime, we see this as a terrific way of reassuring longevity of a committed relationship. After you’ve done your business with our home world and are on your way to your goal in…was it the Alpha Quadrant? …then you’ll be as close and happy together as always, since you will have no problem reaching mutual physical satisfaction.” Stunned, and utterly speechless, Janeway couldn’t think of what to say, but instead looked over at Seven. It was easy to spot the wheels actually turning in Seven’s head. It was equally easy to see when the she caught on. Janeway detected a faint tremor in Seven’s voice as she spoke, “You are a sex expert!”
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