Beta Battles

G. L. Dartt

            Back in Confederation space, USS Millennium powered down from warp, sailing majestically into the Elthanian system at impulse speed. Captain Janeway rested her chin on her thumb and forefinger, staring idly at the viewscreen dominating the bridge. It revealed a magnified image of Hearthstone, the StarScouts Headquarters and premier space station in this region of space. Not far away, a large communications array maintained synchronous orbit with the station, its boxy Federation technology in stark contrast to the fairylike spires and structures constructed by the Elthanians.

            Elthanians made up most of the membership of the StarScouts, but Janeway knew the real power lay with the Soularri, a vaguely ursine species whose technological advantages kept them ahead of other more aggressive and volatile species. The fact that they were cute, standing about three feet tall with long golden hair and teddy bear-like features, led many to underestimate them. After having Minister Jiidan on board her vessel for several months as an observer, Janeway did not make the same mistake. She had learned that they could be as ruthless and implacable as any human…including a starship captain.

She glanced over at him now, seated at the auxiliary bridge station on the upper rim, just aft of ops where Lt. T’Shanik worked. Minister Jiidan’s only concession to garments was an emerald green loincloth and a matching vest that hung open over his small but muscular chest. His unclad feet were tipped with black claws, as were his dexterous hands, but the edged claws were retracted. It was unlikely she would ever see them exposed in anger given the jeweled belt about his waist that contained a multitude of weapons and devices, making any attempt on his person a short and unpleasant one for the attacker.

“You must be glad to be home, Minister,” she offered pleasantly.

“I have enjoyed our voyage immensely, Captain,” he responded evenly, ever the diplomat. “But yes, it will be good to be home again. I’ve missed my family.”

Jiidan had a mate and two little ones, Janeway knew, but he didn’t speak of them often. “We should be arriving at Hearthstone within the hour.”

“Captain, we’re being hailed. It’s the StarRunner.”

Tazna Jade’s flagship? Janeway looked over at her Vulcan operations officer, T’Shanik, whose dark head was bent intently over her board. “On screen.”

The image flickered from the dark reaches of space to the interior of a space ship. Intendant Tazna was willowy and tall, with large green eyes and silver hair. Dual antennae grew from the inner corner of each brow, following the line and wafting two inches in the air at her temples. Her features were narrow but attractive, and her smile was bright as she greeted the Federation starship.

“A pleasure to see you and your vessel again, Captain Janeway.”

Janeway suspected that the only thing Jade was glad to see was the opportunity to see Seven again, but she merely dipped her head. “Intendant. Swift hunting to you.”

Tazna’s eyes flickered briefly at the Elthanian greeting that Janeway had learned from Jiidan. She’d even managed to say it without any sort of indication that she knew exactly what sort of ‘swift hunting’ the Elthanians had once enjoyed.

“I trust your mission was successful?”

 “It was indeed. And yourself? I’m surprised to see we warrant an escort.”

“Nothing so grandiose, I’m afraid. It’s urgent that I speak with Minister Jiidan as soon as possible. If you could arrange to transport him to my vessel, I would be most grateful.”

Surprised, Janeway glanced over at Jiidan who was frowning as he regarded the screen. “I find Captain Janeway’s hospitality more than sufficient, Intendant.”

It wasn’t so much the words as the tone, bringing Tazna Jade to heel with a casual disregard that made Janeway bristle instinctively. Despite her dislike of being bested by Jade a time or two, she considered them to be equals, and to see her so publicly demeaned by Jiidan left a sour taste in her mouth. There had been times in her career when she had warranted a reprimand, but an efficient chain of command meant that it was delivered in person and out of sight of junior officers, let alone any alien contingent. It was simply a matter of never showing weakness. For Jiidan to have exposed his disdain for the Intendant so openly was considerably worrying.

Tazna’s only response, however, was a tightening around her eyes. Clearly she was used to such treatment. “Minister, it is imperative that I speak with you as soon as possible.”

“Then I suggest you make the proper arrangements with Captain Janeway to visit her vessel at her convenience.” He slipped off his chair and walked off the bridge.

Janeway was horrified. “Intendant, if you would be so kind as to join me and my senior staff once we’re docked at Hearthstone, I would be honored,” she said quickly, trying to cover the moment as best as she could. “We’re having a small gathering to celebrate our safe return. I’m sure that the Minister will be attending.”

“That is most gracious of you, Captain.”

“At 1800 hours?”

Tazna looked less than pleased at having to wait so long, but not enough to object so Janeway presumed whatever it was she needed to speak with the minister about, it wasn’t dire. She nodded briefly and cut the transmission. Janeway found that she was looking into Ro’s eyes, the security chief turning her chair so that she could face her. The Bajoran ridge between her dark brows was crinkled, indicating her concern.

“Captain?”
            “I’m not sure,” Janeway said slowly. “See what you can pick up on subspace chatter. Something’s going on, but I’ll be damned if I can figure it out from that exchange.” She glanced at Keira Kelly, her exec. “Commander, you have the bridge. Bring us into the station. I need to speak with the ambassador.”

“Aye, Captain.”

In the turbolift, Janeway checked on Jiidan’s location with the computer, discovering he had headed for the VIP guest quarters on deck three. As she instructed the turbolift to descend, she wondered if she was about to interfere in something she shouldn’t. The politics of other civilizations could be tricky, and it really wasn’t her place to stand up for Tazna Jade or even comment on Jiidan’s behavior. Still, as the Federation representative, she needed to know if whatever was going on between the Soularri and the Elthanians could affect the treaty in any way.

Her request for admittance was readily granted and as she entered Jiidan’s quarters, she felt a light sweat break out over her forehead. The temperature was higher here and the gravity a third again heavier than that of Earth’s, making each step a bit of an effort. When Jiidan motioned her toward a chair, she lowered herself into it gratefully, relieved to be off her feet, though she declined his offer of a drink.

“You wish to discuss something, Captain?” From his expression, Janeway didn’t believe he had any illusions about why she was there so she discarded a more diplomatic approach for a blunt one.

“Do you have a problem with the Intendant that I need to know about, Minister?”

Jiidan regarded her a moment and then seemed to sigh. “My behavior on the bridge was…unwise, but Tazna Jade and I have a history, and if she wishes to speak with me now, before I meet with the council, it’s because she wishes to promote her agenda. She does so at every opportunity.”

“What sort of agenda?” Janeway thought she could guess, but she wanted to hear it from him.

“She wants…she actually demands…that the Elthanians be given more of a role in the council and in Confederation policy.” Not even his best diplomatic manner could conceal that he found such demands unrealistic and even a little presumptuous.

“Aren’t you afraid that the Elthanians might choose to take it by force rather than continue to go through channels as the Intendant does?”

Jiidan smiled and it wasn’t pleasant. “We still maintain our technological advantage, Captain. I fear that any such attempt would be futile.”

“You’re not the first to think resistance is futile, Minister,” she said mildly as she stood up. “In the meantime, I invited the Intendant to the celebration this evening. I hope you will attend and perhaps listen to her concerns?”

Jiidan regarded her steadily, and then nodded, albeit reluctantly. “It will not be anything I haven’t heard before, Captain Janeway. She takes advantage of my willingness to grant her any attention at all. I am one of the few Soularri who does.”

“Then don’t lose that advantage, Minister.”

Jiidan inclined his head. “Very well, Captain. I look forward to the party.” He paused before adding wistfully, “By any chance will Seven be catering?”

Janeway laughed. “Sorry, Minister. We’ll have to settle for what Paryk and the rest of the Nexus staff can provide.”

And they’ve done me proud, she thought a few hours later as she glanced over the buffet dinner set up in the Nexus. Various selections of rice and stir-fry dishes, spring rolls, wontons, and egg rolls offered a decidedly Oriental theme, as did the décor of her ship’s crew lounge.  She picked up a small plate, filled it with a few egg rolls and carried it back to the large table where others of her senior staff and a few members of Tazna’s crew were already eating. As she sat down between Minister Jiidan and Commander Ro, she glanced up just in time to see Seven and Tazna Jade enter the room, talking animatedly to each other.

Jealousy, unexpectedly raw and powerful, blasted through her chest and curdled the pit of her stomach, though she hoped her features remained impassive. She must have given something away, however, because Seven immediately glanced over at her, nodded pleasantly to Tazna, and moved toward the buffet. Not because the captain's gaze intimidated her at all, Janeway knew, but because she was being considerate of a hurt that still lingered after the rough patch they had recently suffered.

Taking a slow breath, Janeway looked down at her plate and used her fork and knife to slice off a piece of egg roll. Chewing savagely, she could barely taste it as she tried to bring her wayward emotions back under control. When she looked up again, Seven was seated across from her and Tazna Jade had found a place beside her. A plate of rice covered with vegetables and sesame chicken rested near Janeway, and she met Seven’s eyes, nodding her thanks for bringing it over.

As for the rest of it, she would just have to grin and bear it, she decided. After all, only time would completely heal the wounds and restore the absolute faith in her spouse that she had once taken for granted.

            “So, Intendant, were you able to speak with the Minister?” she asked, deliberately making her voice as pleasant as possible.

            Tazna’s emerald eyes met hers gravely. “We were able to speak,” she said. From her tone, Janeway suspected it had not been a particularly productive conversation.

            Seven flicked her eyebrow at her, and after a few seconds, Janeway realized that she had been privy to the conversation. It would simply be a matter of taking Seven aside to find out what was going on, but that would have to wait until after dinner. Until then, Janeway would have to swallow her impatience as she did the last of her egg roll.

            “How long before you make the jump back to the Federation, Captain?”

Janeway put aside her empty plate and replaced it with the entrée Seven had so thoughtfully provided. “We’ve spent the past week preparing the ship for our return so there’s no need for any delay. Tomorrow morning we’ll retrieve the last of the Starfleet personnel from the communications array, and once we’re clear of the system, we’ll be activating the transwarp jump.”

“Do you anticipate returning here soon?”

Janeway thought she picked up a note of something behind the words, but Tazna’s features were blandly pleasant, nothing more. “I doubt our next mission will include the Beta Quadrant, but the Federation is very strongly considering future expeditions here for the new deep explorers coming off the line. It’s a real advantage to have a safe destination point while testing their transwarp drives.”

Tazna’s eyes grew lidded. “Then I wish you a good trip, Captain. Hopefully, there will be no delays in your departure.”

<>          She turned to Dr. Pulaski who was seated on her left, joining the conversation the medical officer had been enjoying with Kes across the table, leaving Janeway to ponder all the layers she was sure lay beneath Tazna’s bland words.
            It was imperative that she talk to Seven as soon as possible.
            “So why didn’t you tell me this was a baby shower?”

            Seven smiled faintly at B’Elanna. “This party has quickly evolved into many things: a chance for the Intendant to speak with Minister Jiidan, a gathering to celebrate the successful conclusion of our mission, and finally, the opportunity for some of the crew to celebrate the new addition to your family.”

            “And it makes up for the crew not having any shore leave on Hearthstone,” Ro added as she scanned the Nexus, her dark eyes never still. Seven did not think she was even aware of her constant assessment of the crowd.

            “Well, I’m never one to turn down free gifts,” B’Elanna said as she opened up another brightly wrapped box. Once dinner had ended, she, Ro and Seven found a booth in the corner, out of the way of the rest of the party. Despite their inconspicuous location, quite a few members of the crew had stopped by to share their best wishes and, in some instances, a present for the expecting couple.

            Seven lifted her eyebrow. “All gifts are, by their nature, ‘free’. Otherwise they would be purchases.”

            B’Elanna shot her a look but didn’t respond. Instead, her attention was taken with the pink knitted sweater that she pulled out of the gift box. It was impossibly tiny, festooned with a plethora of ribbons and lace, and she regarded it without expression.

            “Do you like it?” Seven asked with scientific dispassion, wondering when the traditional ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ would begin. Some of the other mothers-to-be in the showers Seven had attended on the ship over the past two years had actually cried when opening their gifts. B’Elanna, in contrast, looked as if it were a chore she simply had to get through. Seven was glad she had not planned anything more elaborate for her friend.

            “It’s very nice,” B’Elanna said in a very noncommittal tone. “They’re all very nice.”

            “Perhaps you should open the gift from Kathryn and me.”

            “The best for last, is it?” She didn’t sound as if she meant it but after placing the sweater on the table with the other gifts, she took the package Seven slid over to her. It was rectangular and flat, and when B’Elanna shook it, it rattled slightly. With a bemused expression, she tore off the paper to reveal an ornate wooden box. Flipping open the lid, her eyes lit up perceptibly when she discovered a six-inch-long bat’leth resting on the black velvet lining. Its wickedly sharp blade gleamed with deadly menace in the muted illumination.

            “Ooh,” B’Elanna squealed in delight. “Ahh. This is fantastic, Seven.”

            “Are you kidding me?” Ro asked with a certain amount of alarm. She was no longer scanning the crowd. She was staring in dismay at the tiny weapon B’Elanna was waving around.

            “What?”

            “Lanna, it’s sharp as hell.”

            “Ah, it’s never too early to teach them about weapon control,” B’Elanna assured her, checking the edge of the weapon with her thumb and blatantly pleased when a thin line of crimson immediately appeared on her skin. “It’s perfect, Seven. Thank you.”

            “The captain picked this out?”

            Seven flicked a glance at Ro. “Kathryn trusts me to select all the gifts we give as a couple.”

            “Oh, my God.” The throaty tone sounded absolutely horrified and Seven looked over her shoulder to see the captain approaching, gaping at the small bat’leth that B’Elanna continued to admire. “Who on Earth gave you that?”

            “You did,” Ro told her dryly.

            Janeway stared at Seven. “That’s what you chose?”

            “It is an appropriate gift for the offspring of warriors.”

            “I love it, Captain.” B’Elanna beamed at her.

Janeway hesitated, and finally shook her head. “As long as you like it, B’Elanna. But I take no responsibility for what your child does with it.” She looked at Seven. “I need to speak with you a moment, please.”

“Of course, Kathryn.”

Janeway wrapped her fingers around Seven’s arm, guiding her to the concealing shadows of an alcove near the large viewports which normally looked out into the dark depths of space. Now they revealed the interior of one of Hearthstone’s docking ports where thick umbilicals connected the ship to the station, replenishing atmosphere and the basic organic food provisions that were used by the ship’s replicators.

After glancing around to make sure there wasn’t anyone nearby, Janeway looked up into Seven’s face, her eyes shading to gray. “What’s going on between Minister Jiidan and the Intendant?”

Seven resisted the urge to smile. She had wondered how long it would take for Janeway to seek her out regarding that particular topic. “Why do you believe anything is occurring between them?”

“Seven.”

Apparently the captain was in no mood for dissembling. “Jade believes there is a faction within the StarScouts that is on the verge of rebelling against the Confederation Council.”

Janeway inhaled sharply, her eyes narrowing. “Jiidan’s response?”

“He did not appear to take it seriously. He indicated this was not the first time the Intendant warned of such action, and that all her previous warnings had been without substance.”

“Were you present for this conversation?”

“I was ten meters down the corridor, waiting for the Intendant to escort me to the party.”

“So you were eavesdropping.”

“I do not need to share what I heard if you have a philosophical objection to information gathered in such a fashion.”

Janeway shot her a look and inhaled slowly. “Point taken. What else have you got?”

Seven thought about it. “I have only impressions, Kathryn.”

“Your impressions are better than a lot of other’s facts, darling,” Janeway said warmly, patting her arm. “What is it?”

“It is my opinion that Jade was very serious about this warning. That she did not feel that it was without substance. It is possible that any former attempts at violent rebellion were forestalled by her actions, and she can no longer maintain the control over her people that she once held.”

“That’s a hell of an opinion.” Janeway looked at her. “Has she said something to you about it?”

“Nothing specific, but it is a tentative theory I have formulated from previous conversations with her, added to this new information I possess.”

“All right, see if you can pick up on anything else.”

Surprised, Seven stared at her. “You wish me to spend time with her?”

Janeway blinked, and her expression darkened. “I don’t like the idea,” she admitted, “but there’s something going on and it may affect the Federation’s interests in this area.”  She looked away, mouth tight, a muscle jumping in her jaw. “With Jiidan having already transported to the station to be with his family, she’s our only source of information on this. Do what you can. I’ll try to find out something from her crew.”

Seven stared at her a few seconds longer, then leaned closer and brushed her lips over Janeway’s cheek. “Kathryn, there is no need for you to be jealous of Tazna Jade,” she murmured. “I have absolutely no romantic interest in her.”

“I know.” Janeway dipped her head sheepishly. “I’m sorry, darling. This jealousy of mine is completely irrational. I really don’t know where it comes from.”

            “I believe it is not so much jealousy as it is fear, and my recent actions have exacerbated that fear. It is understandable, Kathryn.” Seven slipped her arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “And completely forgivable.”

Janeway allowed the embrace, and even went so far as to kiss her throat. “I love you, Seven of Mine.”

“One of One, I love you as well.”

“Be careful.”

Janeway gave her a final hug and moved back into the crowd. Seven stared after her for a moment, reminded again of how much she had upset her spouse’s equilibrium with her recent actions. It would take time before Janeway carried herself with that almost smug self-assurance she had once enjoyed. Swallowing a sigh, Seven plunged back into the crowd in search of Tazna Jade.

While Tazna appeared happy to spend time with Seven, she did not offer anything else despite Seven’s best efforts at being charming, which admittedly, was far short of her spouse’s adept command of the skill. Every time Seven brought up the political balance between the Elthanians and the Soularri, Jade smoothly changed the subject to Millennium’s mission and how the Federation operated. She finally excused herself from Seven’s presence, politely and graciously, but also leaving no doubt that she had wearied of her company. It was clear, Seven decided ruefully, as she watched Tazna move out on the dance floor with the ship’s EMH, that she no longer offered the same fascination for the Intendant that she had once enjoyed. Obviously, her revelation some months before that she and Janeway were actually mated, as opposed to merely being romantically involved, had completely destroyed Tazna’s interest. It made for a more honest footing upon which to build a friendship, but it offered little in the way for Seven to take advantage of the woman.

Feeling oddly dismayed at her reduction in status, though unsure why, Seven sought out the captain, finding her with Ro and B’Elanna. Janeway’s eyes held an inquiring look. Seven shook her head minutely to indicate she had not learned anything new and turned her attention to B’Elanna. The Klingon really did look excessively healthy, radiating a disproportionate hormonal balance. Seven wondered if that was the ‘glow’ pregnant women were purported to exhibit.

“Would you like a drink, darling?” Janeway slipped her arm around Seven's waist and squeezed lightly.

“A spring wine, if you would, Kathryn.”

B’Elanna nudged her spouse. “The same for you?”

Ro handed her a now empty glass. “Thank you.”

As Janeway and B’Elanna set off to brave the crowds surrounding the bar, Ro took a step closer to Seven. Her body language had altered slightly, becoming oddly aggressive, and Seven reacted instinctively, nanoprobes flooding her system, heightening awareness, speed and tactile strength, though she had no idea what was going on. Positioning her body so that her left side with the Borg manipulative implant was angled toward Ro, she regarded her quizzically.

“I’ve been going over the logs of our mission with the parasites,” Ro said in a low, tight voice. “When they swarmed out of the guest quarters, you treated B’Elanna pretty roughly.”

“I carefully calculated the force necessary to disable her.”

“Yes, like you did when you broke my jaw that time. You’re exceptionally powerful, Seven, and that can be dangerous, particularly when the captain is endangered.”

“I would never willingly hurt B’Elanna, and I would never wish to harm your child in any manner.”

“Nonetheless, neither holds the same priority for you that Janeway does.”

Seven could not deny the accuracy of that assessment, and finally, she understood from where Ro’s aggressive posture was originating. Ro took another step closer and Seven allowed it, though she did not lose any of her alertness as Ro continued to speak in that low, taut voice.

“I appreciate that you felt you had to do what you had to do to get to Janeway. But if you ever hurt either of them again, I will kill you.” Cold and implacable, the words were devoid of challenge or bravado. It was merely a statement of fact. In those dark eyes, Seven could see a resolve that equaled her own, and beyond that, a glimpse of what devastation would be wrought on the Bajoran should she ever lose either member of her family unit.

            “You could make the attempt but it would fail.” Seven said it with a touch of regret, though she thoroughly believed it to be the most probable outcome of such an event. “You would die.”

            Ro smiled without humor. “Only if you saw me coming.”

            “No threat will deter me from protecting Kathryn in any way I can.”

            “Oh, I realize that. I know exactly what I’m dealing with in you, Seven. Just know what you’re dealing with in me. I love B’Elanna and my daughter as much as you love the captain.”

            Seven lowered her head in respectful acknowledgement. “Understood, Commander.”

            At that moment, B’Elanna and Janeway joined them. The engineer slipped her arm around Ro’s waist and smiled brightly at Seven. “So what are you two ladies being so serious about?”

            “Commander Ro was merely outlining procedure should certain circumstances require it,” Seven said blandly as she accepted the glass Janeway handed to her.

            “Well, enough shop talk for now,” Janeway said as she touched her drink to Seven’s champagne flute with a soft ‘clink’. “This is a party to celebrate our return to the Alpha Quadrant and the new addition to your family.”

            “Of course, Kathryn,” Ro said, but her eyes met Seven’s squarely over her glass as they drank to the baby’s future.

             “So what were you and Seven gabbing about?”

           Ro glanced up from the security report she was reviewing, frowning slightly. “When?”

           “When the captain and I were getting your drinks.”

B’Elanna eased the tunic over her head, exposing an already bulging belly and Ro eyed it with a sort of proprietary wonder. The thought of their daughter, growing and developing even as she watched, safe in the womb of its mother, still awed her.

“Laren?”

Ro blinked and put the padd down on the coffee table, leaning back against the cushions of the sofa. “Sorry, love, what was it?”
          Annoyed, B’Elanna tossed her tunic at her, draping it over Ro’s head and obscuring her vision. Unperturbed, the security chief pulled it off and threw it in the direction of the replicator and the rest of the discarded clothes piled in front of it. While Ro tended to favor Spartan surroundings, B’Elanna had a far more relaxed attitude toward the issue, which meant one of the many compromises Ro had accepted in their marriage resulted in an occasional display of clutter. B’Elanna would run the clothes through the cleaning cycle in the morning, when she did her uniform. Ro’s uniform for the next day was already folded neatly on the nightstand next to the bed, boots set neatly on the deck below, ready for donning at a moment’s notice.

            “What were you and Seven talking about when Janeway and I were getting your drinks.” B’Elanna spoke in a slow, exaggerated tone, as if to a small child or someone who didn’t quite understand the language. Ro resisted the urge to smile.

            “Nothing important,” she said. “We were just clarifying certain things between us should the situation ever require it.”

            “Meaning?”

            “Meaning it’s between Seven and me and doesn’t require your input.” She spoke easily but firmly. B’Elanna regarded her a moment, obviously trying to decide whether she should pursue it or not. Ro took the opportunity to reach out for B'Elanna, grasping her lightly at the waist and pulling her to the sofa. Kissing the soft skin of B’Elanna’s abdomen, she rested her cheek against it, listening to the soft gurgles and swishes within and hoping to hear a heartbeat.

  B’Elanna hesitated a moment longer and then wrapped her arms around her head, hugging her close to her. “Hear the little bugger?”

            “No,” Ro said with a bit of a sigh. She was about to add that she wished she had Seven’s enhanced hearing abilities, but realized that might draw the conversation back to where she didn’t need to go, so she kissed her stomach again instead. “Ready for bed?”

            “Yeah, about an hour ago.”

            Ro drew back, looking up into B’Elanna’s dark eyes. It wasn’t like her to admit to weariness so easily. “You okay?”

            B’Elanna shrugged. “I’m fine. Just want to curl up in your arms and sleep for a year. Honestly, most of the time I feel like I can power the ship itself, but when I crash, it’s major exhaustion.”

            “Hormones.” Ro smiled.

            “Hormones,” B’Elanna agreed ruefully.

            Ro pushed B’Elanna back gently to give herself room to stand up. Then she wrapped her arms around her spouse and held her tightly, burying her face in the dark, wavy hair, cherishing the warmth and presence of her. “I adore your hormones.”

“Good thing, because I have plenty of ‘em.”

Amused, Ro hugged her again. “Come on to bed.”

Inside their small bedroom, Ro wearily stripped off the outfit she had worn to the party and placed it in the replicator where it was dissembled back into its component elements, the energy recycled into the ship’s stores. Between the sheets of her bed, she reached for B’Elanna, pulling her into a loving embrace in preparation for sleep. Brushing her lips over the high ridges of Klingon forehead, she was surprised when she felt B’Elanna’s hands start to trace gentle trails of sensation over her body.

“I thought you were tired.”

“I am. I want it slow and lazy tonight.”

Ro’s laugh was low and smoky. “I suppose I could manage that.”

She kissed along B'Elanna's temple and down to her mouth, tasting her lips and tongue with undemanding pleasure. Easing B’Elanna back onto the mattress, Ro nibbled lightly on her neck, stroking her full breasts with a light touch, teasing the fat nipples in a way she knew was as much maddening as it was enjoyable. B’Elanna groaned and tangled her fingers in Ro’s hair, pulling her head to her as they kissed again, deep, open kisses that grew more passionate, more demanding, with each passing second.

            Reaching down between their bodies, Ro fondled the dual clitori she found, alternating back and forth between the upper, larger protrusion and the lower and more sensitive smaller clit. B’Elanna groaned and undulated against the caress, sliding her own hand down to touch Ro’s f’lar ridges. Quivering at the sensation, Ro pulled B’Elanna closer with her other arm and increased her tempo, trying to concentrate even as B’Elanna did her best to make it difficult. They knew each other so well, they were able to remain in sync as their desire rose. Feeling her peak rushing toward her, Ro forced herself to stay with her lover, forced herself to stay in rhythm, and knowing in that perfect moment when she climaxed that B’Elanna did as well. They held on to each other for a moment, and then had to move to their respective sides of the bed to cool off.

            B’Elanna finally laughed. “That was slow and lazy?”

            “Well, slower and lazier than what we normally do.”

            “Good point.”

Ro chuckled and rolled over, cuddling against B’Elanna’s side, the greater heat of her skin welcome now as she settled into afterglow. Nestling her head on a strong shoulder, Ro placed her palm on the slow rise of B’Elanna’s stomach, feeling particularly connected to her. B’Elanna’s arm wrapped tight about her shoulders, holding her close.

“Can I ask you something?”

Ro blinked back sleep. “Always, love, you know that.”

“Are we re-upping for the ship’s next mission? I mean, I’ve sort of been assuming it and now I wonder if I shouldn’t be.”

“I guess we haven’t really talked about it, have we? Not the long-term aspects of raising a child. We’ve been more concerned with actually getting pregnant and having the child. But we should figure out what we want to do. What do you think about it?”

B’Elanna exhaled audibly, not quite a sigh. “I don’t know. Millennium’s as much my home as the house on Mars, but really, neither is permanent. That’s the nature of Starfleet. In fact, that’s been the nature of my whole life.”

After a moment's pause, Ro observed, “There’s some advantage in being a citizen of the Federation as a whole, rather than just looking to a planet or people. But there are advantages on the other side as well. What is it that we want for our daughter?”

Ro felt B’Elanna nuzzle her hair, her tone thoughtful as she spoke. “I grew up on a colony with a lot of other kids around. Dad was away most of the time…Starfleet again…but Mom really didn’t didn’t want him there anyway. And even though we lived there all the time, the only place I really felt at home was with my grandmother. It’s not where the place is, Laren, it’s where the love is.”

            Ro absorbed that quietly. “I didn’t have much of a childhood on Bajor,” she said finally, “but while my father was still alive, I didn’t care, you know. Home was a little hovel where I could be with him.”

“So is being on Millennium so different? This is where our friends are. This is where our jobs are. There’s no reason we can’t raise a healthy, happy child here.”

“No, there isn’t, but we have to acknowledge that there are also safer places to raise children, like Earth or Mars or even on Bajor. We have a great house at Utopia Planecia, and if we choose to accept groundside positions, we’d have full claim on it. It has a back yard and there are plenty of other children in the neighborhood.”

“Is that what you want, Laren?” B’Elanna kissed her temple.

“I want what you want, Lanna, and I want what’s best for our child. Millennium is one of the safer vessels for families, just as the Galaxy-class are, but it’s still a ship of the line, and its purpose is to explore unknown space. We’re probably heading for the Gamma Quadrant for our next mission and that means the Dominion at the very least. Just because they’ve been quiet for awhile doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way.” Ro tapped her fingers on B’Elanna’s abdomen, producing a soft thrumming sound.  “Maybe our child deserves better.”

“But even Earth was at risk during the Dominion War. No place is 100% safe. So why not have it be where we’re happy? Certainly she’ll know if we’re not.”

“She will, won’t she?” Ro sighed a little. “Well, I admit, I’d hate to leave Janeway dealing with a new exec without me to back her up.”

B’Elanna made a soft sound of amusement. “And if you left, that would probably put Seven third in command.”

“There’s nothing wrong with the chief science officer being third in command on a science vessel.”

“Yes, but can you see Seven dealing with everything you deal with on top of your security duties? Dealing with a green-as-grass exec or whatever problem child Nechayev sends Janeway next?”

Ro smiled, imagining the scenario.  “It would be a stressful mission.”

“Yes, it would.” B’Elanna’s lips brushed over Ro’s forehead. “You’ve become an integral part of this crew, Laren. Don’t ever doubt that.”

“Ironic, considering I never thought I’d be an integral part of anything.” Ro slid her arm across B’Elanna’s body and squeezed lightly. “Now I have so much-- you, our child, our friends…”

Ro so cherished these moments in bed, believing the quiet conversations and sharing of thoughts to be some of the best aspects of marriage. She had never had anyone in her life like B’Elanna, had never found a safe haven where she could be completely comfortable. She hoped she would never take it for granted.

“You going to sleep?”

“I was thinking about it,” Ro offered dryly. “Did you have something more in mind?”

“No, I just like talking with you,” B’Elanna said, her words reflecting Ro’s train of thought with unfailing accuracy. That was something Ro was also still getting used to, but greatly appreciated. “I guess having a baby forces us to examine every aspect of our lives.”

“And gives us the chance to realize just how much we have?” Ro smiled. “Well, this time tomorrow, we’ll be back in the Alpha Quadrant and I suspect we’ll have a decent shore leave this time. That means six months where we can evaluate living on Mars as opposed to raising a child on Millennium. By the time we have to make a decision, I’m sure we’ll have everything we need to know so as to make the right one.”

“I hope so.”

They lay in silence a moment until B’Elanna nudged her lightly. “Maybe I do have something more in mind.”

Ro laughed. “Hormones?”

B’Elanna rolled over on top of her, looking down in the dim illumination, a tender expression on his face. “Not hormones. I just love you, bangwI'.”

Profoundly touched by the sentiment, Ro felt tears sting the back of her eyes. “I love you, too.”

         Feeling at home in a way that she never had before.
            <>“So what were you and Ro talking about so intently?”

Janeway glanced over at Seven who was propped up against her pillows as she perused a padd, working out some final details for her department before their jump in the morning. Disdaining nightclothes, she was a vision of gold and silver against the dark blue of Starfleet issued sheets. The bedding was bunched around her waist, leaving her full, heavy breasts on glorious display, their tips a rosy pink. Janeway felt a strong flash of desire shiver through her as she slipped out of her uniform tunic.

            Seven lifted a brow, but did not look up from her padd. “When?”

            “At the party, when B’Elanna and I returned with our drinks.”

            “Must you know everything, Kathryn?”

            Janeway considered that as she pulled her sweater off over her head. “Yes, darling, I believe I must.” After dropping the garment on the replicator tray, she put her insignia pips on the nightstand and unfastened her pants. Seven flicked her a look, a flash of blue eyes, and smiled briefly as she returned her attention to her padd.

            “Ro merely informed me that if I ever hurt B’Elanna again, she would kill me.”

            “What?” Janeway paused in the motion of taking off her trousers. “Are you serious?”

            Seven shrugged minutely. “I appreciate her stance. It does not significantly differ from mine should you ever be harmed.”

            “I don’t believe I care for my crew threatening each other.” Janeway frowned as she finished putting the rest of her clothes into the replicator where a touch of a button caused the uniform to dissolve briefly before reforming, clean and neatly folded. “It was bad enough when you and B’Elanna locked horns, but that was never really serious. Ro is always serious.”

            “So am I, but this has nothing to do with ship’s business, Kathryn. It is a personal matter between Laren and me.”

            “It sounds like a damned pissing contest to me.”

            Startled, Seven lifted her head and stared at the captain. “A ‘pissing contest’? I am unfamiliar with the meaning of the phrase. What is ‘pissing’?”

            Janeway was already regretting her choice of words. “It’s a slang term for urination.”

            “And humans conduct contests in this?” Seven looked thoroughly appalled.

            “Not officially. I mean, I don’t think anyone actually has contests.” Janeway felt her head start to ache as she considered all the ramifications of trying to explain it. This was going to take a while…she could just feel it. “Well, maybe young males do.”

            “And what is the purpose of such a contest?”

            “I believe to see how far a stream of urine can reach,” Janeway said as she slipped into bed beside her spouse. “That’s not the point, Seven.”

            “What is the prize for winning such an event?”

            “Bragging rights, I suppose. Will you quit changing the subject?”

            Seven blinked. “What is the subject, Kathryn?”

            Since she was the one with the eidetic memory, Janeway knew the discussion had digressed badly if she couldn’t remember what they were talking about.

            “Darling, please don’t threaten Ro, again. And I’ll speak to her about threatening you.”

            “You will not,” Seven said firmly, “or I will cease telling you about such things.”

            “But---“ Janeway began.

            “No.” Seven’s tone was even harder. “You will not speak to her, Kathryn. This does not concern you.”

            “It certainly does.”

            “No, it does not.”

            Silence fell as they both considered their stance, recognizing that neither was about to retreat. Resuming the discussion, Janeway knew, would only lead to further argument. Seven rarely utilized that tone with her, but when she did, it was absolute. Was this worth pursuing?

            She inhaled slowly. Seven and Ro were entitled to their own interaction with each other, regardless of how she might view it, and deep down, she didn’t believe for a minute that it would affect their professionalism or even their friendship. It really was a pissing contest in that sense, with both women able to categorize the threats separately from their feelings for each other. It wasn’t necessarily something that Janeway understood completely or felt comfortable with, but she accepted that both Seven and Ro could.

            “All right, I won’t say anything,” she said after a moment.

            “Acceptable.”  But Seven’s tone was still a bit curt.

            Janeway looked sideways at her, not turning her head. Seven appeared completely focused on her padd. Only a slight pinkness in her cheeks indicated her temper was still up. Janeway, who had anticipated other pursuits when coming to bed, regretted that she had wasted time on an argument, particularly one which she had no hope of winning.  Reaching beneath the covers, she put her hand on Seven’s knee, rubbing it lightly in an apologetic fashion. Seven exhaled audibly, but she didn’t move away or request that Janeway remove her hand.

            Encouraged, Janeway slowly continued the caress, moving in an aimless fashion which, nonetheless, crept inexorably up Seven’s thigh toward the junction of her legs. Thin strands of hair tickled the side of Janeway’s hand as she neared her destination, and she wondered how much farther she could go before provoking a reaction. And she wasn’t entirely sure what the reaction would be after their disagreement which, in some odd way, was exciting within itself.

 But she was still startled when Seven abruptly tossed the padd onto the nightstand and turned to her aggressively, grabbing her wrists and pinning them above her head as she pressed her down onto the bed. She had been doing that quite often lately, Janeway thought, and while it was generally thrilling, she was beginning to wonder what was motivating it.

God, Katie, does it really matter? she wondered as Seven kissed and nibbled her throat, looming over her with predatory interest. Why couldn’t she just lie back and enjoy it, especially since she knew that Seven would stop instantly if she made so much as a whimper of protest. Or perhaps that was why, she mused further, groaning as Seven’s mouth made a delicious trail down her chest and gently savaged her breasts. Perhaps Seven wanted her to object just so she could stop. Just so that she could prove to her that she would never go beyond what Janeway wanted or needed.

She jerked suddenly as Seven’s teeth worried her nipple with exquisite sharpness. “Whoa, easy on an old woman, darling.”

Seven looked up immediately, her brilliant eyes wide and concerned. “Did I hurt you, Kathryn?”

Janeway smiled. “Not at all, sweetheart, but just love me, tonight. You don’t have to conquer me.”

“I thought that was what you wanted considering your approach this evening.” But she released Janeway’s wrists and pulled her close in a loving embrace.

“Fair enough,” Janeway murmured as she nibbled along Seven’s jaw line. “I was teasing you, wasn’t I?”

“You were. And you are not old, Kathryn.”

“Old enough, but not so old that I can’t keep up with you, Sprite.”

“’Sprite?’ Is that a new endearment? What does it mean?”

Janeway laughed, charmed as always by that curiosity, so endlessly present and childlike in its intensity. “I’ll tell you later,” she whispered, caressing Seven’s breasts in a circular motion, loving how the tender points jabbed into her palms. Seven’s respiration increased measurably, responding to the sensation as she quivered against her. “In the meanwhile, why don’t you stop worrying about what I want and tell me what you want?”

“Kathryn, I want…”

“Yes, darling, tell me.”

“Use your mouth on me.” Seven cupped Janeway’s face in her hands and kissed her tenderly. “And take your time.”

“Count on it, love.”

Joyously, Janeway mouthed a lazy trail down Seven throat and chest, pausing to pay tribute to her breasts, brushing over the sharp points with the tip of her tongue. Seven moaned quietly and raked her fingers through Janeway’s hair, holding her in place. Janeway was more than glad to linger for as long as Seven wanted, tracing the fine line of areola and tasting the warmth of her body, worshiping her as she deserved.

Finally, urgently, Seven pushed her downward, her desire clear. Janeway smiled as she moved over the smooth muscles of her abdomen, drawing the flat of her tongue over the silky skin, pausing to tease Seven’s navel, causing her to squirm and utter a breathless, “Kathryn.”

Then ever downward, to the thin strands of her triangle that tickled her lips and cheeks, brushing through it to the sensitive flesh awaiting her, inhaling the heady perfume of her body with true enjoyment. Stroking with loving tenderness along the small ridge, she delved deeply into the wellspring of moisture, a flavor that lingered delightfully on her tongue. Using her palms to spread Seven’s thighs wider, Janeway settled in to grant her full attention to pleasuring her partner.

Seven’s fingertips pressed against Janeway’s temples, stroking the skin lightly. Janeway could practically plot the progression of Seven’s pleasure just from the pressure exerted on her skull, how it grew with each passing second until abruptly, the touch was gone. That, Janeway knew, meant her beloved had reached beyond the point in which she could control herself. There was a sudden screech of metal as Seven twisted the steel bar that had been welded to the headboard for just that purpose.

Smiling, Janeway increased the tempo, flicking steadily over the ridge while her index and ring finger gently entered Seven’s rear channel, pushing deep inside her. Finding a perfect rhythm, she thrust and stroked and nuzzled as Seven undulated helplessly beneath her. Then finally, she stiffened, a quivering instant of total perfection and a hoarse “Kathryn”, her release strong and complete, leaving her limp on the sheets.

Janeway bestowed a final few loving kisses on the moist flesh, then nibbled her way up the lean, lengthy body, resting her whole weight on her. Seven wrapped her arms around Janeway and held her tight, hands moving over her back. Janeway could feel Seven’s tongue move over her lips and into her mouth, tasting her own essence. She groaned and returned the kiss, feeling wonderfully aroused and happily anticipating what Seven would do to appease that arousal.

“Kathryn?”

“Yes, darling?”

“That was wonderful.”

“I’m glad, though you always seem to think so.”
            “It is always wonderful.” Seven ran her hands over Janeway’s back, down to her buttocks that she squeezed provocatively. “Should I not comment on it?”

“No, it’s rather nice to know my efforts are appreciated.” Janeway kissed her again, a long, slow melting kiss, wanting her to know how much she loved her. “I hope you know you’re always appreciated, as well, even if I don’t always remember to tell you.”

“I do, Kathryn. You do not fail in your attentiveness to me.”

Carefully, Seven rolled them over until they were lying on their sides. Janeway drew back, looking into her eyes. Their quarters always maintained a certain level of illumination with running lights along the base of the walls. They were designed to facilitate movement in case of an emergency, or just in the event she need to take care of a midnight call of biology, but for now, they allowed her to see Seven’s face, the angular planes and smooth skin, the glint of implant framed by a mass of golden hair. Feeling a flood of emotion, tinged ever so slightly with a bittersweet measure of hurt to remind her how precious this relationship was, Janeway hugged Seven fiercely.

“I love you, Annika,” she whispered. “I love you so much.”

“My Kathryn,” Seven murmured in response, hugging her back as if she knew how much Janeway needed her contact in that moment. “Let me love you now. Let me show you how much I want you…how much I need you.”
          “Yes, darling. Oh, yes."

Lying in the darkness, Seven pulled Janeway closer, her body warm and soft against her own. She was still covered with sweat and her skin slid smoothly over Seven’s, her scent musky and redolent of satisfaction. Tenderly, Seven kissed her neck and ear, nibbling lightly on the lobe.

“Do you require more, Kathryn?”

            Janeway made a cheerful but weary sound. “Oh, darling, no, I’m fine. Thank you for giving me such a lovely time.”

            “You are welcome.”

            Releasing her, Seven rolled onto her back, feeling the warmth of afterglow spread through her. Janeway snuggled up against her left side, tucked into the shelter of Seven’s left arm. This was perfection, Seven decided, one that she appreciated all the more after almost losing it.

            “Kathryn?”

  “Yes, sweetheart?”

            “What does ‘Sprite’ mean?”

“It’s an elf or fairy, a mythical, magical creature of endless youth.” Seven could hear the smile in Janeway’s tone as she explained.

Seven considered that, trying to assess which aspect of that explanation applied to her and realized that none of it did. Bemused, she squeezed Janeway lightly. “Endless youth implies immortality. I am not immortal.”

“No, but you’ll always be younger than me.” Janeway turned her head and kissed her collarbone. “And what you do to me is absolutely magical, my love.”

Ah, hyperbole. Seven comprehended that, if not the intent of Janeway’s comment, or her sudden term of endearment. And it did have an aesthetically pleasing sound to the ear. Some words did, she had discovered. “I like ‘Sprite’,” she said finally. “You may use it.”

Janeway started to laugh. “I probably won’t very often. It’s the sort of thing that has to fall into context…such as when our respective ages come up as a topic of conversation.”

“Ah.” Seven nodded thoughtfully.

“Is that your way of telling me you want some new endearments?”

“No, I enjoy all your endearments.” This was degenerating into a rather silly conversation, Seven decided, and while she enjoyed those on occasion, she wasn’t really in the mood this evening. “Do you suppose there is truly an Elthanian rebellion brewing?”

Janeway made a small sound of surprise at the abrupt change in subject, but she didn’t hesitate in her response. “If there is, the last thing we should do is become involved. Even if the Soularri requested it, we shouldn’t interfere with what is basically an internal matter. That, at least, is a much clearer decision than our encounter with the parasites.”

“But what if the Federation could mediate?”

“If the circumstances are right, then yes, I’m sure a few diplomats will be sent, but either way, it doesn’t concern us. We’re headed home tomorrow, and frankly, I’m looking forward to a few months of worrying about nothing more than where we’re going to have dinner.”

“Indeed.” Seven kissed her temple. “It will be good to see our family again.”

“It will,” Janeway agreed. She patted Seven lightly on the stomach. “Are you truly worried about the situation with the Confederation, darling?”

“There is much to admire about this civilization, and much to admire in both the Soularri and the Elthanians. It would be most tragic if they were unable to resolve their differences peacefully.”

“I agree, but it’s out of our hands, Annika. They’ll have to find their own way, just as we do in the Federation.” She snuggled closer, her body growing heavy against Seven’s. “Darling, is there anything else you need to talk about?”

“No, Kathryn. You may sleep.”

“Good night then, my darling.”

“Good night, Kathryn.” She smiled faintly as she heard Janeway’s breathing smooth out into slumber soon after.

But sleep was a more elusive quarry for her, and after a half hour had passed, Seven realized she would not find it by lying there. Easing away from Janeway, she slipped out of bed, padding naked across the deck toward the ensuite. After a quick shower, she dressed in a simple tunic and trousers and left their quarters. She was not in the habit of taking late night strolls around the ship, as Janeway had so often on Voyager, but she did have the occasional need for a solitary walk to clear her mind. It still amazed her at times that she could crave solitude. One of the most difficult things about transitioning from Borg to Human had been losing the constant presence of voices, and yet, here she was only a few years later, roaming the late night corridors of Millennium and able to appreciate their emptiness.

As she walked, she examined her feelings, just as Kes had suggested in one of their sessions. It was not as easy for Seven to analyze her emotions as it was to examine others, Kathryn’s for example. She supposed that was because she was, quite literally, too close to the situation to see it clearly. She wondered if that was why humans were so inconsistent. Did they continually act without knowing the real truth of their feelings? Was that a behavioral pattern she was doomed to repeat in her quest to balance her humanity with her need to maintain her Borgness?

Idly, she realized her wandering had brought her to the deck containing the civilian lounge. Aware that Kathryn preferred this recreational area to the Nexus, she entered, curious about its appeal for her spouse. It was quiet, unlike the crew lounge that would be busy with officers coming off the beta shift and gamma shift personnel taking breaks. A large, white grand piano stood on a dais in the corner, while a small bar fronted the replicators. There was no bartender and very few tables. Nor was there a dance floor or a designated area to play pool and 3-D chess.

So why did Kathryn like it so much?

Bemused, Seven walked over to the replicator and programmed in an herbal tea. Carrying it over to a table, she sat down and sipped the soothing liquid with an eye on the other four people in the lounge. One of them worked in the astrometrics lab, but other than a polite nod in her direction to acknowledge her presence, he did not indicate any further interest. The other three were completely unfamiliar to her but they, like her officer, did nothing more than glance briefly at her and resume their conversations. Nor were they talking about her. Her enhanced Borg hearing easily determined that.

Perhaps there was an illusion maintained here that everyone held the same exact status, no more, no less. In that event, Seven thought she could see the appeal, particularly for her spouse whose burdens occasionally weighed heavy upon her shoulders.

Though it would not hold a full time attraction, Seven decided wryly. For the most part, Janeway enjoyed being the captain and all that entailed, including the fact that people looked upon her to lead them.

The doors to the lounge hissed open and Seven glanced up to see Kes enter the lounge. She spotted Seven and immediately moved over to her table.

“May I join you?”

“Of course, Counselor.”

“Let me find something to drink and I’ll be right with you.”

Seven politely waited until the diminutive Ocampa had retrieved a glass of white wine and taken a seat at her table. As she watched her, she took note of the subtle lines that radiated from Kes’s blue eyes and around her mouth.  For some reason, they were particularly visible under this illumination even though it was not harsh. There were even lighter strands of silver scattered profusely through the feathered blonde hair, and with an abrupt shock, Seven realized that Kes had aged to a point where she actually appeared older than Kathryn. Not that Kathryn was old, of course, but certainly Kes was far from the young woman Seven had met only a few years earlier. She knew Ocampa aged much quicker than most species, but she had believed Kes immune from that because of her enhanced mental abilities and the merging she had gone through with Sek, her holographic counterpart. Perhaps that respite from her Ocampa biology was no longer in effect.

She made a silent mental note to ask Janeway about it later.

“Are you unable to sleep, Seven?”

“I am unsure why. Perhaps because of our return to the Alpha Quadrant in the morning.”

Kes’s even gaze was infinitely compassionate. “I know you’re anxious to see your family again.”

“I have missed Gretchen and Phoebe a great deal, particularly since the incident with the Orion Syndicate.”

“That’s understandable, Seven. You’re worried about them, and until you see them in the flesh, it’ll prey on your mind.” She paused. “What of the rest of your family?”

“Icheb?”

Kes smiled. “I was primarily thinking of your mother.”

Seven felt an icy flicker lance through her, as it did every time her mother came to mind. Rescued from the Borg during their mission to the Delta Quadrant, Erin Hansen was currently in a care facility on Earth. Most of the time, Seven didn’t know how she should feel about her. On occasion, she hoped for a recovery so that she could build some kind of sustained relationship with her. Other times, she felt resentful she even existed, and suitably horrified at herself for feeling that way. Most of the time, she managed not to think about the situation at all.

“Is this a session?” It suddenly occurred to Seven that this may not be a coincidental meeting between them, that Kes's empathic powers may have drawn her to the civilian lounge this evening, brought here by the uneasy thoughts of her patient. If so, Seven wasn't sure if she should be disturbed by that...or oddly comforted.

Kes held up her hand apologetically. “No, of course not, Seven. I just thought you might want to discuss it.”

“I do not.” Seven realized she was being defensive, undoubtedly providing Kes with a large amount of fodder for their next session, but she could not seem to prevent it. With an effort, she took another swallow from her herbal tea and calmed herself. “Are you looking forward to returning to the Federation?”

Kes smiled a touch ruefully at the abrupt change in subject but she did not attempt to ressurect it. “Both lifestyles have their appeal,” she said instead. “The excitement of exploration does become wearing after a time and it’s good to be on leave. But nothing but recreational pursuits also becomes tedious after a few months. Fortunately, being a member of Captain Janeway’s crew grants the best of both worlds.”

“Is Tom looking forward to it?” Seven knew that the backup helmsman had not had a particularly good year, primarily because he had accepted a demotion and was forced to give way to Lt. Nog during any key ship maneuvers. It had been, according to B’Elanna’s cheerfully shared gossip, a bitter pill for Ensign Paris to swallow.

Kes usual bland expression tightened a bit. “I believe he is.”

Intrigued, Seven wondered if Tom’s professional difficulties had carried over into his personal life with Kes. They shared quarters on deck eight. “Where will you be staying while on Earth?”

“Tom’s parents have invited us to stay with them.” Kes didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic about the idea.

“Admiral Paris?” Seven thought about what she knew of him and in particular, his prior relationship with Janeway. They had mended ties after a period of acrimony when Janeway turned down a promotion to admiralship. The few times Seven had met him, she found him less than impressive, but since Janeway had admired him, she had tried to discern admirable qualities in him as well. To date, she had failed utterly.

“His mother is adorable,” Kes went on, obviously aware that she had revealed her apathy. “His sisters have been very welcoming to me.”

Seven wondered what they thought of their brother being with someone who, before long, would look older than their mother. She wondered what the Admiral would think about it. Aware that Kathryn was occasionally conscious of the difference in their ages, she didn't believe it was quite the same situation that Kes and Tom appeared headed for. She wanted to ask the counselor about it, her curiosity piqued, but something inside her suggested that perhaps it was something better left alone. She certainly had a great deal to discuss with Kathryn once she returned to their quarters. Hopefully, the captain would not be too annoyed at being awakened for such a discussion. Perhaps if Seven prefaced it with a certain amount of lovemaking, Janeway would prove more amenable.

 She was about to finish up her tea and proceed with her plan when the mug was jolted out of her hand and onto the table where it shattered. The hot, murky liquid splashed across the surface, spilling over the edge, but fortunately, missing Kes who had been tossed to the floor. Seven, better balanced, was able to brace herself and quickly reach down to help Kes to her feet. She looked around to make sure everyone else was all right. They were, though looking quite confused.

“What was that?” Kes asked breathlessly.

“An explosion of some kind,” Seven said grimly. Around her, the lights lowered and took on a yellow hue.

“On the ship?”

“No,” Seven said with certainty, “from the station.”

She was needed on the bridge. As she took a step toward the door, the ship was jolted once more and this time Seven was unable to keep her feet. As she fell, there came a blow from behind her, something hard and heavy striking the back of her head. The last thing she heard before everything went dark was Kes’s scream.

            Ro dashed for the turbolift, hauling her tunic on over her sweater. Shaken out of a sound sleep, she had hit the deck running as all good security officers must, yanking on clothes and boots, and plunging through the door before B’Elanna had even managed to fall out of bed. A curt instruction to the nearest turbolift, aided by a security code, sped it on its way, depositing her on the bridge ahead of everyone else on the alpha shift other than the captain. The lighting had a slightly jaundiced hue, indicating a Yellow Alert was established.

            She exchanged a look with Janeway as she strode past the command chair on her way to the tactical station, deposing M’Reek from the chair and taking over the controls. “Status?”

            “There have been explosions on the station.” M’Reek spoke quickly and quietly, updating his superior. “The captain’s trying to pull us out of here.”

            Ro shot a glance over at the helm where Tom Paris was frantically working the board. “Captain, everyone else has the same idea,” he said tightly. “Ships are launching everywhere.”

            Janeway, looking impossibly calm and serene in her command chair, lifted her chin. “Then try not to run into anyone on our way out, Ensign.”

            Behind her, Ro heard the turbolift open and the footsteps of two more crewmembers entering the bridge.

            “Captain?” Kelly essentially jumped off the top level, ignoring the stair as she descended into the lower level where her station, empty and waiting, was located.

            “Some kind of conflict is occurring on Hearthstone,” Janeway told her first officer shortly. “Since it doesn’t really concern us, I believe it would be prudent to move up our scheduled departure.”

            “Captain, we’re still connected to station. I’m unable to contact anyone to disengage the umbilicals.” T’Shanik’s cool voice issued from directly across the bridge, and Ro looked over to see the young Vulcan woman concentrating intently on the controls she had just commandeered from the gamma shift officer.

            “Commander Ro?” Janeway looked expectantly at her as Ro glanced over her shoulder.

            “I don’t know if I can, Captain,” Ro responded shortly. She supposed it was a mark of how long she had served Janeway that she knew what she wanted without needing it spelled out. “I don’t really have a shot with the ship’s phasers. It’s far too close. I’ll have to send out a team to cut them away manually.”

            “Or we just pull them out at the roots like everyone else is doing,” Tom suggested acidly.

            “I’d rather not cause any more damage to the station than I have to,” Janeway objected with a frown.

            Another explosion abruptly jolted the ship, sending a quiver through the deck plates and causing more than a few status lights on the displays to change from green to red.

“More damage than what they’re doing to us?” Kelly yelped.

            “Take us out, Mr. Paris.” Janeway sounded a bit resigned as she leaned back in her chair, gripping the armrests tightly. “Full thrusters.”

            Ro settled deeper into her seat, hanging onto the sides of her console as Paris backed the ship out its docking port. On the viewscreen, tubes carrying atmosphere and power to the ship parted in a shower of sparks and escaping gases, while further explosions sent flames across the dock. There was another jolt, smaller this time, and the ship was free, turning away from the station in a slow, majestic arc. Debris littered the space around them, and other vessels, much smaller than Millennium, navigated wildly in their attempt to flee the station and avoid the heavy bulk of the Federation starship. Paris apparently decided it was up to them to get out of his way, and he continued the turn away from the station, ignoring the untamed gyrations of the traders around them.

            “Damage report.”

            “Structural damage on decks ten, eleven and twelve,” T’Shanik reported coolly. “Two of the turbolifts are nonfunctional.” She paused. “Lt. Nog tenders his regrets. He’s trapped on deck thirteen, unable to get out section five, crew quarters.”

            That explained it. Ro had wondered why he hadn’t relieved Paris, though to be perfectly honest, if sudden maneuvers were needed, she felt a little better with him at the helm than Nog. She also briefly wondered why Seven had yet to appear. Perhaps she was working out of her lab.

“Twelve Forward has been compromised, Captain.” Ro frowned at the data streaming across her board. “Three of the viewports were shattered by one of the umbilicals. Forcefields have been erected and repairs crews have been dispatched.”

            “Casualties?” Janeway’s voice was tight.

            “Six from the Nexus have been transferred to sickbay, none serious.”

            Ro didn’t hear a sigh of relief but she knew Janeway would be feeling it. “Any indication of what exactly is going on?”

            “I’ve been monitoring internal communications on the station,” T’Shanik offered. “It’s a coup.”

            There was a pause. “Explain.”

            “Apparently, a faction of the Elthanian StarScouts has taken over the station. Fighting between them and station personnel has spilled out over all levels. We, and the other vessels docked to the station, are merely collateral damage.”

            “What’s the current status of the uprising?”

            Something caught Ro’s eye and her fingers flew over the board, bringing the shields up to maximum and arming the phaser banks in anticipation of Janeway’s orders. “I gather the rebels won, Captain. The station is powering up its weapons. We’re being tracked by their targeting array.”

            “Raise shields! Go to red alert!” Janeway did not raise her voice, but it did become more penetrating and more authoritative. Ro greatly envied that ability.

            Around them, the illumination darkened and took on a red glow from the emergency lights running along the rim of the ceiling. Ro drew up the schematics of the station. “Targeting their weapon systems, Captain.”

            “Captain, we’re being hailed,” T’Shanik said in the next instant.

            “By the station?”

            “No, by the StarRunner.”

            Ro shot a quick glance over her shoulder. “Captain, their targeting scans continue to track us, but they’re not firing yet.”

            “Stand by, Commander. Mr. Paris, evasive maneuvers, just in case. T’Shanik, on screen.”

            What a ridiculous way to run a battle, Ro thought, disgruntled. Fingers poised over the phaser controls, she lifted her head to watch the viewscreen. It shifted from a view of cluttered space to the interior of a StarScout vessel and the elfin features of Intendant Jade.

            “Captain, you will not fire on our space station.”

            “I can only grant that request if your people offer us the same courtesy,” Janeway responded testily.

            “We are currently positioning ourselves between you and the station and will intercept any accidental fire that comes your way.

"Accidental?" Ro muttered incredulously, too low for anyone else to hear.

“This is an internal matter and you must not interfere.”

            “Agreed,” Janeway said shortly. “Millennium out.” The viewscreen flickered back to the space. While the brief conversation was going on, Tom had maneuvered Millennium further away from the station and they could see the sleek StarScout ship easing past them to intercept any attempts at aggression from the station.

            “Stand down weapons.”

            Ro hesitated, not because she intended to disobey but simply because her adrenalin was up and she needed a second to adjust so that she wouldn’t accidentally fire off a shot. “Aye, Captain.”

            “Helm, take us out beyond the fifth planet and maintain position there. I want to see how this turns out.”

            “Captain, the station is firing on the StarRunner.” T’Shanik’s matter of fact tone belied the drama taking place on the viewscreen.

            “So it is,” Janeway said. “How interesting.” A glance back revealed her leaning forward in her chair, watching the viewscreen intently.

Ro, who hadn’t actually powered down the phaser banks, pinpointed her targeting array on the station, nerves humming through her body like a racehorse at the starting gate. She so wanted to shoot something. Nothing showed outwardly, though. She was far too experienced for that.

“Damage?”

“The StarRunner’s shields are holding. The station lacks the weaponry necessary to penetrate them.” Ro was not surprised. Most space stations were not designed for attack. Their strength lay in their defensive capabilities.

            “Captain!” Kelly’s voice held a mix of outrage and dismay. “The station is targeting the communications array. They’re firing.”

The crew looked on in horror as deadly beams of light lanced out from the station and struck the Federation satellite, penetrating their meager shields and cutting through the metal hull like a hurricane-driven straw through a tree trunk. Gases and debris puffed out from where the structure had been holed.

“Power up weapons. Take us back in, Mr. Paris. Commander, target their weapons. Fire at will.”

Finally, Ro thought gleefully. “Aye, Captain,” she said calmly.

The ship quivered slightly as the she unleashed her full phaser banks, twin beams that came together at a point on the station’s forward weapons array. A ripple of light appeared as the station’s shields held, dissipating the force and spreading it over the shields in a display of rainbow colors. Immediately, Ro switched over board control to the photon torpedo banks, initiating tube loading. “Phasers are ineffective. Loading torpedoes.” She hesitated ever so briefly, giving Janeway the chance to give or belay the order.

“Fire.”

Ro input the necessary sequence. “Torpedoes away.”

Everyone on the bridge looked up at the viewscreen, watching as two mini comets streaked through space toward the station. Just before they hit, Ro fired the phasers again on a rotating phase modulation, trying to match that of the shields and failing that, then at least weaken them in that particular area. It must have worked because the torpedoes penetrated the shields and impacted on the station itself. There was a flash of light, tiny at this distance but indicative of a huge explosion on the station. Ro exhaled evenly and loaded two more torpedoes, but as she expected, that had been sufficient.

“Hold fire.”

At the same time, Ro became aware that T’Shanik was repeating herself for the third time.

“Captain, we’re being hailed by the StarRunner.”

“On screen.” There was a touch of dryness in Janeway’s voice.

Tazna Jade appeared, her features twisted in anger. “I ordered you to stand down.”

“You hold no authority over me, Intendant,” Janeway said acerbically. Ro wondered how long the captain had wanted to say that. “And even if you did, I will not allow any of my crew to be endangered. As long as the Federation has interests in this area, I am duty bound to protect them.”

“We’ll protect your communications array.”

“You’re barely protecting yourself.” Janeway’s voice was laced with scorn. “Intendant, we’re not running from this fight, so you might as well find a way to incorporate us into you planning. What exactly is going on and what can we do to help?”

Tazna hesitated, varied emotions warring for domination in her face before she finally inclined her head. “Very well.” Her voice grated. “A faction of the StarScouts has commandeered the station.”

“That much we’re aware of.”

“They’ve taken Speaker Jiidan and the rest of the Soularri contingent hostage.”

Intrigued, Ro glanced back at Janeway who was leaning forward in her chair, fingertips pressed together, her stormy gray gaze intent. “How many are we talking about?”

“His family had come to the station to greet him. In addition, there were six administrative ministers and ten members of their support staff.”

“Twenty hostages, then, including two younglings. The insurgent’s demands?”

“The usual, Captain.”

Janeway smiled without humor. “I’m not as familiar with your political situation as I’d like to be, Intendant. We need to talk face to face, rather than through a medium which likely is behing monitored by the station.”

“Understood. Shall I come over there, or will you come here?”

“I’ll come to you. I’ll see you shortly.”

Ro would have raised plenty of objections to the captain’s decision except that she had just received a damage and injury report from her assistant security chief. After leaving the bridge, M’Reek had headed directly to the most damaged part of the ship in order to assist the engineering teams digging through mangled decks. He had just updated her on what he had found in the civilian lounge. Swallowing hard, Ro turned in her seat and looked at the captain who was turning over the conn to Kelly in preparation of transporting over to the StarRunner.

         “Captain? I need to speak with you privately.”
            Impatiently, Janeway strode briskly into her ready room. “Commander, you’re not going to change my mind on this. We have to rescue those hostages. In the meantime, Kelly is positioning Millennium to retrieve our personnel off the communications array. If the rebels want to blow it up after that, they’re more than welcome to it.”

“It’s not about Hearthstone, Captain.”

At Ro’s flat tone, Janeway turned, frowning. “What is it?”

“Seven’s on her way to sickbay. She was injured during our exodus from the station.”

Janeway had wondered about Seven when the initial explosion on the station jolted her from slumber, waking to find the bed empty and no sign of her in their quarters. She would have even been profoundly worried about it had she been able to spare a second between hauling on her uniform and rushing to the bridge to handle the situation. She supposed a part of her had simply assumed Seven had gone to her lab, which was her prerogative as chief science officer. Certainly, she could conduct her duties during a red alert there as easily as she could on the bridge, and in fact, had access to better resources. She only went to the bridge because Janeway preferred her presence there during any kind of action.