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Janeway/Seven Advent Calendar Story 2007 Merry Christmas, dear readers, and a Happy New Year.
I wish you the very best for
2008, and hope that you having a joyous holiday season. Stay safe,
Gun Brooke
Janeway’s Odyssey
By Gun Brooke 25
Janeway stood motionless and regarded Seven with what she hoped was a calm and collected demeanor. She was stunned and felt off balance, hearing Seven speak with such certainty and innocence. “Kathryn?” Seven whispered and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Janeway moved without thinking, closed the last distance between them and brushed the tears that clung to Seven’s eyelashes. “Hush, darling.” Janeway spoke huskily. “I’m feeling very confused at the moment, but trust me, one thing I know for sure…no matter how long it would have taken me, I would have kept going to find you, to be with you.” “Kathryn…” Seven wrapped her arms around Janeway and pulled her in for a kiss. It was sweet and passionate at the same time. Janeway parted her lips and invited Seven to deepen the kiss. She needed this caress, she realized, before she faced Voyager’s crew. Her crew. The thought of the upcoming commotion made Janeway cling to Seven who immediately held her closer. “Seven,” Janeway said, “please, don’t think that I would ever lie deliberately to you. I think we’re both overwhelmed with what’s taking place today.” “I agree.” Seven nuzzled Janeway’s neck, making her shiver. “I also believe you when you say you would not deliberately keep anything from me, or speak the untruth.” “Good. I mean, thank you.” Janeway’s knees nearly gave in and she closed her eyes as she initiated another kiss. “Darling…I can’t seem to stop doing this…or stop wanting to do it.” She tugged gently at Seven’s lower lip with her teeth, eliciting a deep moan from Seven. “Kathryn, I don’t want you to stop.” “Kathryn, we need to transport…Oh.” Chakotay’s voice broke through Janeway’s feeling of utter bliss. She flinched, but refused to let go of Seven. She broke off the kiss, but kept her arms wrapped around Seven as she looked over her shoulder at Chakotay. “It’s time? All right.” Janeway finally let go of Seven, almost. She kept a firm grip of Seven’s right hand. “We’re ready.” “You and Seven, huh?” Chakotay rubbed the back of his neck. “Makes sense.” “It does, does it?” Janeway gave Chakotay a sharp glance. “Should you soften the blow to the crew?” “I thought I’d beam in and talk to them, and then merely beam you in once I’ve cautioned them to not think they’re crazy.” “All right. Go ahead.” Janeway swallowed. “I’m standing by.” “As am I,” Seven said firmly. “Computer, site to site transport to shuttle bay one.” Chakotay disappeared in a rain of green sparks. Janeway pivoted and pushed Seven back against the desk. “Before he summons me, us, I want to tell you something important. No matter what happens after I am reintroduced to the crew, I want you to know…I love you, Seven. I have loved you for more than nine years, and I don’t imagine I will ever stop.” Seven blinked twice, and then a beautiful smile graced her lips. Not one of her faint smiles, which were a mere upturn of the corners of her mouth; instead it transformed her face into looking a decade younger and infinitely happy. Letting go of Seven, Janeway was content to just enjoy this breathtaking beauty as she waited for the transporter to beam them down to the shuttle bay.
*-*-*
Chakotay gazed out over his crew. They had given him their loyalty and trust for six years as their commander, and four years as their captain. Now they stood silent, watching him questioningly, but not looking overly concerned. “Today our lives changed for the better,” Chakotay began. “Because of Naomi Wildman’s perceptiveness and keen mind, we are now better off than we were yesterday, or this morning. I know you are disappointed about the revoked shore leaves, but I assure you, you won’t mind. You won’t mind at all.” “What’s this about, Captain?” Tom Paris asked, hugging B’Elanna in front of him. Pregnant with their second child, which was barely visible, the couple was two of the major role models aboard Voyager. They led by example and showed the younger crewmen, together with Samantha, that it was entirely possible to raise children and live a family life while you were still far away from home. “I don’t think there is anything I can say to prepare you for the shock, a joyous shock, but still. Just remain calm, and rest assured that we’ve taken every precaution and performed all possible verifications of identity. Here she is, accompanied by Seven of Nine. Welcome back the woman whose place I can never fully take. Computer, one at a time, site to site transport of the two individuals in the ready room to shuttle bay one.” Chakotay paused as Seven first materialized and then the transporter began singing again. As the green light delivered Kathryn, he spoke again, this time with a voice thick with emotion. “Crew of Voyager, welcome back Captain Kathryn Janeway.”
*-*-*
Seven beamed into place a few seconds before Kathryn. The crew was focusing on Chakotay and only briefly acknowledged her with quick glances. “Crew of Voyager, welcome back Captain Kathryn Janeway,” Chakotay said. The transporter came to life again and Kathryn appeared center stage, between Seven and Chakotay. Utter silence made everyone’s united gasp sound ear-deafening. Someone whispered “Captain Janeway” and sounded almost frightened. The crew, all 145 of them, stared at their former captain and eventually someone to the far left began to push themselves forward. “Captain? Captain!” Harry Kim called out and approached Kathryn. He was pale and his eyes huge and glazed over with tears. “Oh, Gods…” “Harry.” Kathryn didn’t hesitate. She wrapped her arms around Harry and hugged him tight. Seven knew this was maternal feelings, just as sure as if she’d watched Samantha with Naomi. Harry buried his face into Kathryn’s shoulder and sobbed. “You were dead. We all thought…how can this be?” More people stepped closer. B’Elanna stood next to Harry and as soon as he let go of his grasp of Kathryn, she took over. Growling softly deep in her throat in a very Klingon way, B’Elanna rocked Kathryn back and forth. “Captain. I can’t believe it. I have to. I feel you, damn it, but I can’t wrap my head around it.” “Then try wrapping your heart around it instead. Surely you can feel that it’s really me?” Kathryn spoke for the first time since she’d beamed into shuttle bay one, and a visible shudder went through the crew at the sound of her familiar, throaty voice. “It’s her. It really is. Nobody else has that voice.” Susan Nicoletti said, standing close to Seven. “Captain, what took you so long?” Tom Paris asked and hugged both his wife and Kathryn at the same time. “Sorry for being tardy like this, Tom. I didn’t have a pilot of your caliber at my disposal.” Kathryn winked at him and smiled tremulously. “You look well, if a bit fatigued, Captain.” Tuvok had now joined them. “It is good to see you, Kathryn Janeway. I have prayed for you many, many times since we thought we lost you on Quarra.” “Tuvok!” Kathryn gently freed herself from B’Elanna and Tom, and threw herself at Tuvok who held her close. He placed two fingertips at her forehead, and whispered something inaudible. Seven regarded the ritual with interest, but when she saw a single, crystal clear tear running down Tuvok’s cheek, she knew it was time to interrupt. She stepped forward to Kathryn’s side and as Kathryn let go of Tuvok and wiped away his lonely teardrop, Seven gently took her elbow. “Allow me to escort you among the crew and reintroduce you to the ones you may not remember as readily,” she murmured and received a grateful squeeze of her arm in return. Seven guided Kathryn around the room, and eventually there was only one person left who stood trembling by the exit. Neelix hadn’t said anything, and his demeanor did not bode well. “How can we be certain?” he muttered under his breath as Seven and Kathryn approached him. “How can we be certain that this woman, this potential imposter, is Kathryn Janeway?” “The Doctor scanned me thoroughly when I came onboard Voyager, Neelix,” Kathryn said softly. “He performed every identification determination procedure he could think of, and I didn’t flunk a single one. It’s me, Neelix. Trust me. I’m older, and hopefully wiser, but it’s still me.” Neelix swayed where he stood. “Captain?” he mouthed. “It’s you, Captain?” “Yes.” Neelix burst into tears and once again, Kathryn was embraced vigorously. Neelix cheered and Seven knew she hadn’t seen him so filled with his trademark joyous delight since Kathryn “died.” After letting go of Neelix, Kathryn looked exhausted. She looked pleadingly at Seven and Chakotay. Both of them nodded, and Chakotay cleared his voice. “Kathryn Janeway is back on Voyager and all seems right with the universe, doesn’t it?” Everybody cheered and several crewmembers brought up new questions. “Are you going to captain this ship again, ma’am?” --- “How does it feel to be back?” --- “What have you done while you’ve been away, ma’am? --- “What happened back on Quarra?” Kathryn shook her head. “I want to answer all your questions, and I will, I promise. I have many questions also, regarding your adventures without me, and I’m sure we both have to come to terms with emotions like grief, anger, fear, and…I wouldn’t blame you for having trust issues.” “But are you going to resume your duties, Captain?” Neelix asked. “You have to tell us that.” Seven held her breath as Kathryn tilted her head to the side, gazing affectionately at Neelix. “I was away for four years, and Chakotay performed his duties with valor, which the fact that you’re all alive, in fact, you’ve grown in numbers, is a testimony to.” Kathryn looked over at Seven. “I also have a few questions to both Seven and Chakotay, which I will ask in the next few days, and depending on those answers, I will make my decision.” “But, you’ll stay with us, no matter what?” Naomi Wildman had left her mother’s side and now stood next to Neelix. “I would never willingly leave Voyager or any of you.” Seven frowned. The answer seemed reassuring at first glance, but was more obtuse when you examined it. “I will have answers for you within twenty-four hours. It isn’t good for a ship to not have a clear command structure, and I am not about to jeopardize that by being selfish.” “It sound most reasonable, Captain,” Tuvok said. “Your crew will need to know as soon as possible.” “And now, all shore leaves are granted again. Check your duty roster for any changes, and then go enjoy the space station.” Chakotay’s words seemed to go unnoticed at first, but eventually the crew trickled out the large doors. “They’re Janeway deprived and can’t take their eyes off you.” “Perhaps they fear I will sprout two heads and a tail?” Kathryn shrugged, but dark circles under her eyes, together with faint tremors spoke of both emotional and physical fatigue. “I know that you need to discuss matters soon with the captain,” Seven said quietly, “but for now, you need to come back to my quarters and rest. You do not look well.” “Good idea,” Chakotay said. “I’ll see you in the ready room at 2000 hours?” “I’ll be there.” They parted ways and Seven and Kathryn began walking toward the closest turbo lift. “I could sleep for a week,” Kathryn muttered. “You can sleep until 1900 hours,” Seven deadpanned. “I just need you to hold me.” Kathryn turned to gaze at her with eyes burning with such emotions that Seven merely blinked a few times.
*-*-*
Janeway stood in what was now Seven’s bedroom. The bed was meticulously made and only when Seven pulled back the covers, did it look inviting. “I will take a quick sonic shower,” Janeway said, “and then I’ll go straight to bed. Are you joining me?” “In the shower?” Seven asked uncertainly, making Janeway laugh. “No. I think it’s a little too early for that. Not that it wouldn’t thrill me…on the contrary, but as I said at the Inn…I want our first lovemaking to be done right. And with time to spare.” “We have five hours, twelve minutes, and sixteen seconds,” Seven said. Janeway laughed again, and she realized that she hadn’t laughed very much in the last four years. “Sound like that’d be enough.” She walked into the bathroom and took off her alien uniform. Her body was scarred in new places and where she’d been comfortably cushioned during her last year on Voyager; she was now wiry and strong. She let the hair remain in her thick braid as she stepped inside the shower stall. The sonic waves hit and she was the rejuvenated by the feeling of being utterly clean. Reaching for a towel, Janeway wrapped it around her and walked out into the bedroom. Seven was already in bed, and from the looks of it, she was naked under the covers. Her hair was down, and Janeway saw that she wasn’t the only one who’d grown her hair long. The gold mass spread across the pillows, and Janeway couldn’t wait to touch it. Suddenly shy, Janeway tossed the towel on a chair and climbed quickly into bed. “Computer illumination ten percent.” She moved close to Seven and gasped as she felt Seven’s long, curvaceous body against her own. “Seven!” Janeway slide her hands along Seven’s back and soon found her engaged in a searing kiss that stole what little breath she had left. “Mm. This is delicious.” Seven raised her head. She had a look of enthrallment on her face as she gazed down at Janeway. “You taste…exquisitely.” She kissed Janeway again, this time deeper. Janeway opened her mouth under Seven’s and willingly let her explore, even when she ran out of oxygen. Just when she thought she might actually faint, Seven moved on down her neck, following a collar bone to her shoulder. Janeway arched as Seven approached her left breast. Her nipple ached and when Seven ran her soft tongue over it repeatedly, Janeway could feel how the wetness between her legs coated the inside of her thighs. She groaned, lost in a feeling of surrealism and bliss, and her heart ached for the proud woman in her arms. Seven, always so in control and stoic, was gasping in short breaths, praising Janeway’s skin, her beauty, and interspersing such compliments with terms of endearment. “I wish to do this right. I wish for this to be…perfect, Kathryn,” Seven said, nuzzling Janeway’s stomach. She kissed her belly button and then looked up at Janeway with pleading eyes. “I wish for you to feel that I touch you out of love.” Teary-eyed, Janeway blinked over and over to not lose sight of the look in Seven’s eyes. Dark blue, they looked up at her with equal parts fear, love, and adoration. The part that was fear was not hard to figure out. Janeway shared the same feeling of semi-disbelief. Part of her fully expected to wake up and find herself back on the alien ship, sharing quarters with Norrian. When this never happened, she spread her legs eagerly to accommodate Seven. “I want you to touch me anyway you want. I will let you know how it feels.” She knew Seven wouldn’t settle for anything but complete honesty. “Good.” Seven placed herself between Janeway’s legs and ran her eyes along her body, several times. “I can hardly believe that you are displayed like this, underneath me, and that I am allowed to touch you. So many nights I worked in cargo bay two, or astrometrics, and fantasized about you. After you died…was lost,” she corrected herself, “I stopped daydreaming. There was no use. The person I loved was lost to me.” “To me too.” Janeway hummed as Seven pushed her hands under her buttocks and massaged her gently. “I cursed myself, hated myself, really, for never telling you how much I loved you.” “I knew you cared for me.” Seven smiled tremulously. “But not how much I loved you in a romantic, sexual sense.” “No. Not that.” “I did. And I do. I love you with all my heart, Seven.” Janeway closed her eyes briefly as Seven kissed the auburn tuft of hair at the apex of her thighs. She opened them quickly again, not wanting to miss anything about Seven’s first time making love. “I do as well. Love you.” Seven spoke in chopped sentences, so unlike her. She focused on Janeway’s sex, looked at it with keen interest and it apparently affected her physically as well, since she wriggled where she lay. “I am…becoming wet, like you,” Seven said in a low voice. “Only natural. Can’t wait to touch you and taste you, darling.” “Taste…” Seven obviously took that as a suggestion. Dipping her head, she parted Janeway’s folds with her tongue. Janeway spread her legs further and pulled her knees up some. Seven pushed her open with her thumbs, cupping her bottom as she did. “Like this?” She flicked the tip of her tongue over Janeway’s clitoris and the sensation made Janeway whimper. “Perfect,” Janeway hissed between clenched teeth. Encouraged, Seven gently explored Janeway’s sex, from the clitoris back to her anus, over and over. Janeway felt sparks engulf her, much like the transporter did, and she groaned as she moved toward the blinding light. “Yes, like that,” she murmured. “So good. So good…” Then she was there. The orgasm seemed divided into two parts. One that hit like lightning, searing through her and scorching all her veins. The other part was like a soft cloud of multicolor droplets that prickled her skin, caressed her and kept her rocking against Seven for several minutes. Seven kissed her way up along Janeway’s body, snuggling tightly with her. “You are beautiful when you climax,” she said reverently. “Oh, Seven,” Janeway gasped. “You were wonderful to me. You took such good care of me.” Seven kissed her and Janeway could taste her own arousal which rejuvenated her. “And since you did,” she said playfully, “I think it’s time for me to reciprocate.”
*-*-*
Seven looked down at her lover. Kathryn looked so happy and the fact that Seven had something to do with it made her feel proud. “May I do something else first?” she asked. “Anything.” Seven took the end of Kathryn’s braid and removed the fastening. The heavy auburn hair unraveled and spread around Kathryn like an expensive cloak. Combing through it with her fingers, Seven enjoyed the silky feel of it and could not resist burying her face into the seductive tresses. “You like it?” Kathryn asked. “It’s been far between hair dressers.” “I do.” Seven hugged Kathryn close and suddenly felt her lover roll them. Finding herself underneath Kathryn, Seven parted her lips and pulled her down further to enjoy more kisses. They shared leisurely caresses as Seven’s arousal slowly escalated as Seven got to know her own body more intimately. Soon she was as wet between her legs as Kathryn had been, and Seven knew she couldn’t wait for Kathryn to claim her any longer. “Please. Take me, Kathryn.” Kathryn’s head snapped up. “You certain, darling?” she asked. “You can change your mind at any time, you know. I would never love you less, and I’d be willing to challenge my patience and wait until you were ready for this. I promise.” “I appreciate your thoughts, but what I want is for you to seal the fact that we’re now lovers. I need to feel it, and I am very aroused.” Kathryn smiled. “Well, I can help you with that.” She pushed a hand down between them and cupped Seven’s sex. The touch was not intruding and still it made Seven press her legs together to draw Kathryn’s hand closer. She trembled and found it difficult to breathe, and the strange whimpering sound turned out to originate from her own vocal chords. “Kathryn, I need more,” Seven managed. She wasn’t quite sure how to express exactly what she required, but surprisingly, Kathryn seemed to know. She pushed several fingers in between Seven’s drenched folds, and briefly touched the engorged clitoris. Seven’s trembles escalated and she wrapped both arms around Kathryn’s neck and moaned. Kathryn now held Seven’s clitoris between two fingers and did something so wonderful to it, not letting go for a single moment. The feelings whirled inside Seven, created patterns in her mind and fire in the pit of her stomach. Suddenly everything came to a crescendo and Seven arched convulsively, crying out loudly. Shaking she pressed Kathryn’s hand closer with both of her own, afraid that Kathryn might break contact too early. Kathryn wrapped her free arm around Seven and rolled them on their sides, her other hand still lodged between Seven’s thighs. “I love you,” she whispered. “You gorgeous, beautiful, amazing woman. Seven…” Several deep, lazy kisses later, Kathryn carefully removed her hand and tugged the sheet over them. “Computer, illumination zero percent.” Darkness settled in the room and the stars outside the view port was the only light source. “Just relax,” Kathryn whispered when Seven stirred. “Just relax.” Seven curled up next to Kathryn and did as suggested. She was tired now, but didn’t want to go to sleep. “I’ll be here when you wake up,” Kathryn said, her voice soft and serious. “As will I.” “Then I suggest we sleep some.” Seven tried to stay awake, wanting to watch Kathryn sleep for a little while, but it turned out to be impossible. She closed her eyes, inhaled Kathryn’s scent and fell asleep instantly.
Epilogue
Memo to all crewmembers of the USS Voyager of the Federation of Planets from Kathryn Janeway.
Dear crewmates, I promised you two days ago that I would let you know ASAP what my decision is regarding my future aboard Voyager. I have now sat down with Captain Chakotay, and we have reached a mutual understanding that we are both pleased with. I am not comfortable assuming my duties as captain of Voyager until I have reacquainted myself with this fine vessel and its crew. I want to “find my stride” as our esteemed helmsman Tom Paris would put it, and also have time to go through the logs of your past adventures without me. While I am doing this, I will have the provisional title of acting commander. Once I am comfortable that I will be able to resume my duties with the abilities you have the right to demand of your captain intact, Captain Chakotay have amicably decided that he does not mind handing over the captaincy. By then, it will also be my pleasure to marry him and Samantha Wildman. Lastly, thank you for your patience, and the way you’ve welcomed me back into the fold. You are my family, and I feel now that we are united again; nothing will stop us from reaching the Alpha Quadrant.
Kathryn Janeway
Janeway raised her gaze to Seven after sending off the memo. She had asked Seven to proofread it and it had been a relief that Seven also agreed with the decision Janeway and Chakotay had reached. “You know, we should take advantage of Chakotay before he is demoted back to commander,” Janeway said. “Kathryn?” Seven raised her right eyebrow. Janeway rose and walked over to the couch where Seven sat perusing dataPADDs with astrometrics readings. Removing the one Seven held and placing it on the coffee table, Janeway held on to Seven’s hands. “What I’m asking is…will you marry me Seven?” Seven pressed her full lips into a thin line. “You are serious?” “Yes.” “then that is my answer.” “What is?” Janeway asked, not sure what Seven meant. “Yes.” “You’re accepting?” Janeway’s heart began to pound. “Yes.” Seven smiled brightly. Janeway tossed her head back and laughed which rendered her a full body hug. “I love you, Seven of Nine. I can’t wait to marry you.” “I suggest we do not postpone it. We have waited for each other long enough.” And Janeway agreed whole-heartedly.
END _______________________________________________________________
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