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Janeway/Seven Advent Calendar Story 2007
Janeway’s Odyssey
By Gun Brooke
12
Janeway regarded Seven hungrily and felt her heart thunder in her chest. She had promised herself, countless times during her long, lonely journey, that if she ever was given the opportunity, she’d not be a coward. Easy to say. She extended a hand and took Seven’s cybernetic hand in hers. It was still the same, shiny, warm metal, able to crush Janeway’s in the split of a second, but never had anything felt better. “I lied to myself, and I was dishonest with you because of it.” Janeway stepped closer, reaching up and cupping Seven’s cheek with her free hand. “Toward the end of the first year of your life aboard Voyager, I knew I cared more for you than what was prudent. It wasn’t the care of a mentor, or a mother figure. It was more.” “We were…are, friends,” Seven said. “Yes. Of course. But for me, it was also something else and I was so certain that this could never be, that I pushed it out of my mind. Or tried. During the duty shifts, or when we played Velocity or shared a meal, I could convince myself that all I felt for you was friendship.” “And it was not?” “No. Whenever I went to bed, and tried to will myself to sleep, all I could think about was how much I wanted you there. In bed with me.” Janeway whispered the last few words. “I was so certain I was doing the right thing to never get involved with anyone on Voyager. When I was left behind, and finally regained my memory, I knew what a fool I’d been.” _______________________________________________________________
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