Seven of Nine, former Borg drone and current Astrometrics officer on the starship Voyager, looked up from her work station as the door of cargo bay two swished open. At the sight of her Capitan, Kathryn Janeway, Seven straightened up and put her hands behind her back. At 43 Janeway was a vibrant woman. Her command persona made her seem bigger then life. In spite of her petite stature, with just a look, the Capitan could leave a crewman shaking in his boots. Her command presence and inherent fairness inspired fierce trust and loyalty from the entire Voyager family. This included the Borg drone that she had kidnapped from the collective and helped to learn what it means to be an individual.

Seven waited patiently for the Capitan to speak, surprised when she did not. The Captain Moved in to the room and began to walk around the edges picking up odds and ends then putting them down again. She did not even acknowledge the officer's presence. Watching silently Seven noticed the slump of the older woman's shoulders and the slowness of her gait. Janeway shook her head as she realized that by her silence she was instigating yet another battle of wills with the young woman. She wondered who would speak first. At the same moment Seven realized the same thing and decided not to participate. Her concern for the captain over road her competitive nature.

"May I be of assistance Captain?"

The blonds' voice was cool and even, yet the unexpected sound made Janeway flinch. As the older woman looked up Seven was shocked to see the ravaged face before her. Dark circles accented the tired wrinkles around Janeway's eyes. Her mouth was shaped in a grim line and the usual sparkle that graced her blue eyes was missing. Janeway looked away and continued to slowly circle the room.

"Captain?"

Seven was shocked at the woman's uncharacteristic rudeness. The captain ran her hand over the many containers stored in the cargo bay and tapped her finger against the wall in a funny little rhythm. As she continued she did not look up. Seven's concern was replaced by irritation and she moved quickly into Janeway's path. With the Borg in her way she stopped. The Captain's voice when she spoke was low and gravely. This was not the rich husky voice that made Seven's heart quicken, but a slow scratchy whisper.

"Have you ever been tired Seven? So tired that you can barley lift your feet to walk? So tired that your face is numb? So tired that every swallow is an effort you must make to keep from drooling?"

Seven sensed that no answer was required and she continued to stand, ram rod straight, as she waited. For what she did not know, but she knew she should just wait.

Janeway circled around Seven to the Borg technology in the back of the cargo bay. Stepping up to the alcove she turned as if she were able to regenerate. Seven watched silently as the Captain stood in the green light and closed her eyes.

"Sometimes I am jealous you know." The Captain did not open her eyes while she spoke. "I have watched you standing here regenerating, looking so peaceful. No insomnia or bad dreams to interrupt your rest. You just plug yourself in and are recharged in the morning."

The former Borg flinched at the comparison of herself to a flashlight battery. While others have insultingly alluded to her being a piece of technology the Captain never had. At the same time she was intrigued at the idea of Janeway watching her while she regenerated. Seven filed away questions about when and why to ask at a later date.

Janeway slowly sat down on the dais. She put her head in her hands. "I am so tired Seven, so very, very tired."

"I will escort you to your quarters so you can rest."

"No" Janeway was vehement. Startled by her on response she lifted her head and sighed with resignation. Seven watched the Captain stand and visibly pull herself together. "I am sorry to have bothered you Seven. I am too tired to think straight. I will see you tomorrow." Command mask in place and shoulders straight Captain Janeway nodded to Seven and left the cargo bay.

Good God Katie what was that about? Seven probably thinks you are going crazy and maybe you are. Kathryn walked to her ready room and lay down on her couch. With her arm over her head the Captain drifted off to a fitful but much needed sleep.

Seven was concerned as she watched the Captain walk away. She believed that a recent interaction with a race call the Kintaday had caused Janeway's disquiet. Twelve days before Voyager had been fired upon by a small group of vessels. The Captain had tried to hail them to no avail. She gave the order to fire on weapons and propulsion. The ensuing battle was short and the other ships were disabled. Janeway was shocked by the hail of surrender that came from the other ships. The leader of the other vessels asked her to spare their children when she chose her slaves.

"I am Dani of the Kintaday." The race was obviously humanoid. "We beg your mercy for our young. We will offer you no resistance as you choose your slaves among us if you honor this." His face on the view screen was care worn and frightened.

"I am Captain Janeway" she put her hands in the air as she shook her head in annoyed amazement. "why were you firing on us?"

Dani looked shell shocked as he answered. "We had hoped to distract you so our smaller ships could find safety. Sadly we underestimated your power. Once again I beg to you allow our children to continue to safety. If not we will self destruct and your victory will be for nothing."

"Mr. Dani, If you are in danger Voyager will happily escort you and your children to safety. What is the threat that you were trying to escape from and what does that have to do with us? "Janeway was interrupted by her Tuvok her Vulcan security chief.

"Captain there are multiple hull breaches on the third ship. I predict total destruction within 5 minutes."

The Captain nodded her understanding. "Mr. Dani, one of your vessels is in danger. You need to order your people out of there." As she was speaking a crewman on the alien's ship was telling him the same thing. He looked over at the Captain in horror.

"The shuttle bays were destroyed in the battle along with our escape pods. There is no way to help them."

Janeway looked over at Ensign Harry Kim, her operations officer and nodded. After 7 years of working together he knew what she was asking and began to explore possibilities. She looked back at the view screen. "How many crewmen are on that ship?"

Dani looked like he was about to collapse as he answered. "That is our nursery ship; there are 50 crew members and 30 children." Tears were flowing down his face.

Janeway looked over her shoulder at the ensign. "As fast as you can Harry, as many as you can. Straight to cargo bay one." She made eye contact with Dani. "We will transport as many of your people as we can to our vessel "

The man shook his head in confusion. "The ship will be destroyed before you could get a shuttle to them."

Tuvok looked over at Janeway and raised his eyebrow as she realized the Kintaday did not have transporter technology. Oh what the hell its just one more little dent in the prime directive. They can only court marshal me once and this must be at least infraction 10.

Janeway touched her com badge "Bridge to Sick bay. Doctor we are expecting some visitors please get to cargo bay one and asses their needs." She looked over to her security officer. "Take a team, Tuvok. " Then she glanced to her sandy haired pilot, "Tom make sure Voyager is at a safe distance." She looked back at the view screen.

"We have a way to bring people to our ship with out shuttles. We are trying that now." Janeway looked over at Seven. "On screen" The damaged ship replaced the alien's face on the main viewer.

Ensign Kim's hands were flying over his work station. "I am switching to a wide beam transport Captain. The leakage from their propulsion is interfering with transport."

"Do your best Ensign."

Moments latter the bridge crew watched the small ship fall apart as it was rocked with explosions. The air on the bridge was heavy as the captain asked, "How many Harry?"

The young man tried to keep his voice even as he answered. "Sixty Captain, I only got sixty."

Janeway nodded solemnly. "That's more then most would have gotten Mr. Kim. Good work."

Over the next week of meetings with the Kintaday Captain Janeway learned about their odyssey which was not unlike her own. A small group of ships, separated from an armada, which was trying to find a home. Having been wandering the Delta Quadrant for several years they had learned to shoot first and ask questions latter. They perceived Voyager as a threat and acted on it. Sadly this cost them 20 lives, eight of them infants. The crew of Voyager helped the Kintaday crews repair their remaining ships. Astrometrics was able to actually locate the rest of the armada sending the remaining two ships off in the right direction.

And the Captain of Voyager couldn't sleep. Every time she closed her eyes she saw babies who were killed because of their parents fear and her order to fire.

"Come." Captain Janeway looked up as her first officer entered her ready room. Chakotay was a tall man with light brown skin. His face sported a tattoo and a wide smile.

"You called Captain?"

"Yes Commander. In all the chaos with the Kintaday I have not gone over recent events."

"Oh", he responded slowly "something I should know?"

Janeway rose from her desk and waved him to the couch. "About two hours before the attack I received a visit from 5 crewmen, female crewmen. " She paused as they reached the couch and settled in. Janeway gave him a tight smile and said. "It is time to start operation Fleet Baby."

Chakotay sat back and rubbed his tattoo. "So how many of the ladies were expecting?"

"All of them. It was awful; they were very confrontative and let me know in no uncertain terms that they expected combat from me. They had some convoluted idea that I might throw them in the brig or force them to terminate." Janeway put her hand to her head and closed her eyes as she remembered the scene.

The five women entered her office and stood shoulder to shoulder. Crewman James stepped forward to be spokesperson. "Captain we, the five of us, are pregnant." Before the Captain could congratulate them James continued. "We all wanted to start a family and decided that just because we are stuck here on this ship doesn't give you the right to decide everything in our lives." Janeway's face became stony as the woman continued. "You can put a reprimand in our file or throw us in the brig but you can't change this."

Janeway shook her head, her face a mask. "I am surprised that you believed this attitude is necessary. It is disappointing to know how little you think of me." The women shuffled their feet a bit as they waited to hear what else she had to say. "Commander Chakotay will meet with you to outline the plans we have made for this eventuality." The Captain sat down at her desk. "Congratulations ladies, dismissed."

James realized the error in judgment that they had made and started to move towards Janeway. "Dismissed Crewman." The Captain said with out looking up.

"Well then I guess I will arrange a meeting with them with them," Chakotay said shaking his head. "As the officer in charge of personnel I screwed up Captain." Janeway quirked her eyebrow in response. "I should have let the crew know we had a plan, that we expected this. " He shook his head slowly. "I guess I was waiting for someone to bring it up with me. I am sorry Kathryn." Janeway's face softened a little as she looked at her friend.

"Well, we will just have to let them know how we feel by our actions. Put Nelix on a party, we could use it after the last two weeks." She patted him on the shoulder. "Dismissed Commander."

Chakotay hesitated. He had noticed how ragged and strained His Captain had become. Her face was thin and gaunt and he was aware she was sleeping in the ready room, not her quarters. The two had worked together so well, for so long Janeway knew what he was thinking. "It's ok Chakotay. I won't lie and tell you I am one hundred percent, but it is getting better." He nodded not willing to push and find out what "it" is.

"Just eat something Kathryn. Every one knows you never eat enough."

She smiled, "is that an order Commander?"

"No, Just a suggestion from a friend." He said and he moved out to the bridge.

Janeway had an hour of work time before she was interrupted.

The familiar chime let the Captain know that someone was requesting admittance. "Computer who is outside the Captain's door?"

"Seven of Nine," was the reply.

Janeway put her hands in her head for just one moment. "I can't do this right now," she thought. "Please don't let her ask what happened last night until I can figure it out myself."

Janeway sat up and approved admittance to her ready room. Seven stepped inside taking a position in front of Kathryn's desk. Hands behind her back she waited to be acknowledged.

"Hello Seven how may I help you." Janeway's Smokey voice, as always, sent a chill up Seven's spine.

"Captain I was wondering if you would care to join me for lunch."

"I am sorry Seven" she replied. "I have a lot to catch up on now that our Kintaday friends have gone on their way. Maybe another time."

Seven nodded her understanding and remained where she was.

"Was their something else Seven?"

The tall bond woman replied. "No Captain." Janeway looked down at the pads at her desk then back up at the woman still standing in front of her.

"Seven?" she asked quizzically.

"Yes Captain."

"what else can I do for you?"

"Nothing Captain."

"If there is nothing you need why are you still here?"

Raising her Borg enhanced eyebrow Seven replied, "You have not yet dismissed me."

Kathryn did a double take. "You have never waited to be dismissed before. Why this sudden adherence to protocol?"

"I have begun to understand that waiting for your dismissal is a sign of respect. I respect you Captain."

Kathryn was stunned and it showed on her face. "Thank you Seven. I appreciate that." Neither woman moved for a moment. Then Kathryn stood up, straightened her shoulders and said, "Dismissed Seven." The women shared a moment of mutual amusement and Seven turned and left the ready room. Janeway grinned thinking about the twitch of the former Borg's lips just before she left the room. "I love that little hidden smile. Is it just for me or does anyone else see it?" She shook her head and went back to her desk.

"Coffee Black."

After an hour of reports it was time for a refill. The usual cup of coffee appeared on a tray accompanied by stasis dish. Surprised at the unexpected addition Janeway took the tray to her desk and examined it. The captain found the dish contained a sandwich, potato chips, and a glass of milk. "well I guess someone wants to make sure the captain doesn't go hungry. " She picked the sandwich up and chuckled, "Peanut butter and jelly. Why in the world would he pick that?" After the first bite she realized how hungry she was and gobbled it all down. A short time later Janeway headed for the bridge. As she sat in her command chair she leaned in to Chakotay and whispered. "That little stunt bordered on insubordination Commander. But thank you anyway."

Chakotay looked at her with confusion in his eyes. "I am not sure what you are talking about Captain." Confused as he was, the first officer was glad to see her smiling. That had been a nonexistent event for the last several weeks.

"It was a nice idea Commander but really, peanut butter and jelly. A bit juvenile for a Star Fleet Captain wouldn't you say?"

Chakotay still looked puzzled. "Captain I have no idea what you are accusing me of. Care to share?"

The baffled look on the Commander's face convinced Kathryn that he wasn't the perpetrator. "Never mind Commander. If you didn't do it you don't need to know and if you did, thank you."

At the end of Alpha shift Chakotay was delighted to see that captain heading for her quarters not the ready room. He had a good guess that the impending arrival of mini-crewmembers combined with the poor judgment shown by the Kintaday Captain was the reason for her recent malaise. He shook his head as he thought for the millionth time, "Thank the ancestors it isn't me in that chair."

Janeway walked in to her quarters and immediately started herself a bubble bath. After only using the small shower in her ready room for two weeks the Captain was ready for a good soak. She then went to her replicator and ordered a nice mellow gewürztraminer. She frowned as a stasis dish appeared with her beverage. "Oh, really" she said as she carried the surprise over to her table. Opening the dish she found a chicken Cesar salad with a slice of garlic bread. Her stomach rumbled in anticipation of the treat. Torn between hunger and annoyance the Captain decided to eat. "Gives me something to do while the bath is filling." She thought with a shrug. "But who the hell would be so forward to do this. It must be the Doctor. He is constantly accusing me of neglecting my diet. "

"Janeway to sick bay."

"Yes Captain." Came the Doctor's voice in reply.

"Doctor I know you have the best intentions, but I can plan my own dinner."

"Captain?" The Doctor replied questioningly.

"I believe you are responsible for meals appearing in my replicator when I request a beverage. I am ordering you to stop." The annoyance was clear in her voice.

"I wish I could take credit for such a wonderful idea, but it is not me. I hope you are eating, not wasting it?"

"That is not the concern at the moment," Janeway's voice came back icily. "Starship Captains do not need to be fed by their crew."

"In your case I could disagree," The doctor said with humor in his voice. "If you find out who the culprit is make sure you thank them for me."

Janeway could still hear him chuckling as she closed the hail

Luxuriating in her bath the Captain's thoughts turned to her Astrometrics officer. "How can I explain something to her that I can't really explain to myself?" Her mind went over the previous nights encounter in the cargo bay. "What was I thinking? Just walking in to her quarters and climbing in to what is essentially her bed. What would I think if she did that?" A sharp pain ran from her chest to a spot some where south as she envisioned that scene.

"Get it together Kathryn. That will never happen." But her imagination wondered to the idea of Seven's glorious body and what she would like to be doing with her in that bed. Her hand touched her breast as her other one moved between her legs. Thoughts of Seven's mouth licking and sucking her nipples brought Janeway to the edge of pleasure and her hand brought her over. Moaning Seven's name she felt her body arch out of the water then returned to the warmth trembling. With her eyes still closed Janeway waited for her body to relax as she chastised herself for thoughts unbecoming an officer.

Sleep came easy for the first time in a long time. "A good meal, some nice wine and a bath. What more could a girl want?" She smiled a sad smile. "Shut up," she said aloud to the voice in her head. And then she slept.

With her morning Coffee the Captain enjoyed a surprise serving of Banana pancakes. "B'Elanna, why didn't I think of that before? It would take someone with engineering skill to program a replicator to do this." She reached for her combadge to hail the Lt and then thought better of it. "Maybe I should accumulate more evidence this time." After clearing her place Janeway headed out to work.

Janeway's smile and relaxed posture as she sat down next to her first officer changed the entire atmosphere on the bridge. All of her senior officers had recognized her recent mood. Remembering the depression she had experienced in an area they called the void left them concerned for her well being. The Captain's obvious recovery from recent events caused a collective sigh of relief. When she handed over the Conn to Chakotay and headed for her ready room. The recent frowns of concern were missing from her staff.

Janeway spent several hours reading reports and monitoring the ships progress from her ready room. She was not surprised when she was interrupted by a request for admittance. Her first officer entered with a broad smile. Kathryn could tell this was more personal then business and moved up to the couch followed by Chakotay. "Captain," He said. "It is obvious that you are felling better. Care to share the cure?"

Janeway, who was never comfortable dropping the captain and sharing personal information with her crew, gave him a tight smile. "Rest and food my friend, the oldest and most effective remedies in the book." Just as she was about to change the subject Chakotay continued.

"Kathryn, I was worried about you. I honestly believe that you keep yourself too closed off. Someone to share the load, to listen to your feelings would go a long way in times like this. Watching the Kintaday captain make a decision that cost the lives of infants at the same time as learning we were going to have some of our would be hard on any of us. I know it was extremely hard on you."

The Captain rolled her eyes and shook her head. "What would you have me do Commander? Cry on the shoulders of my senior staff every time I make a hard or painful decision. Or are you implying I bend yet another rule and take a lover. Maybe hang out in the gym and approach a buff ensign." She arched her eyebrow as she tried to intimidate him with a look. Chakotay was not put off.

"A friend Kathryn or lover." He shrugged his shoulder, using her name to show he would not be deterred by her switch back to command mode. "It is true that there e are guidelines about a Captain's relationship with her crew. You also know it is not an actual rule."

Janeway rolled her eyes. "A technicality and you know it. The Captain does not fraternize with the crew. It is important to remain impartial and avoid any impression of favoritism." She waited for the rebuttal she knew was coming.

"Many Captains bring spouses on their vessels. It is not unheard of and is even encouraged on long range missions. And ours is about as long range as it gets." He waited for her next evasion.

"And how many of those captains have to order their spouse on a dangerous mission. How many of those captains pick a spouse from their crew after the mission begins. It doesn't work Chakotay. The Captain stands alone. I know the crew is pairing off." She gave him a sly smile. "you and Marla make a lovely couple." His facial expression showed surprise that she possessed knowledge of the fledging relationship. "But it can't work for the captain. I would loose the respect of my crew."

Chakotay looked at Janeway solemnly. "And one day Kathryn, if we aren't prepared enough, if we are a little too slow, a little unlucky, what then? If I have to move in to your chair do I give up the love I have found? Will the crew loose their respect for me if I get an extra pip and don't end my relationship?" He looked in to her eyes, his face hard. "This mission could last another 40 years. You set the example for this crew. Will you condemn the next captain, maybe Naomi, Icheb or one of the unborn children to your lonely fate? Think about it." He stood up and began to pace. "One person someone with whom you can take off the mask of command. One person either lover or friend who can be by your side after the shift is over. Think about it."

Janeway walked over the replicator as she tried to think of a response. "Coffee Black" Chakotay heard the familiar words but then looked up as the Captain spoke again. "Holy hell this has got to stop." He watched her move towards her desk carrying a tray.

"Is something wrong with the replicator, Captain?"

Kathryn shook her head as she responded. "It depends on your definition of wrong, Commander. Someone has programmed the replicator system to provide me with a meal when I ask for a drink." Kathryn took the lid off of the stasis dish to find a bowl of chicken noodle soup accompanied by a grilled cheese sandwich and a glass of milk. She looked up at the commander with her eyebrow arched. "Any ideas?" Noticing his barely suppressed laughter she glared at him.

"No Captain, I have no idea who the culprit is. But if you find out tell me so I can put a commendation in their file."

Janeway closed her eyes in frustration. "I am thinking B'Elanna. She has the engineering skills and breakfast this morning was banana pancakes." Without even realizing it she picked up her sandwich and took a bite.

"Seven of Nine to Captain Janeway."

Taking a swig of milk to wash down her sandwich Janeway responded. "Go ahead Seven."

"Captain would you join me for dinner in the mess hall this evening?"

Janeway was forming a decline in her mind when a penny dropped. A large penny, the kind that would knock you right out. In a rather low growling voice the Captain asked, "If I were to decline your invitation would my replicator present me with dinner along with my evening coffee." She looked over at Chakotay who was not even trying to conceal a smile.

After a pause Seven responded. "That would undoubtedly be the result Captain."

Janeway's hand went to the bridge of her nose. She felt Chakotay's hand on her shoulder. When she looked up at him he uttered quietly, "Please, think about it." Then he left the ready room.

After the commander exited Janeway squared her shoulders and continued the conversation with her Astrometrics officer. "If I were to have a guest in my quarters, you for example, would said replicator provide a meal for two?"

In her minds eye Janeway could vision the look of surprise on Seven's face as she replied. "I think that is a distinct possibility Captain."

"Well then Seven, would you like to join me for dinner in my quarters?"

"Yes Captain, at what time should I arrive?"

Janeway paced her quarters as she waited for Seven to arrive. Her black slacks and royal blue silk shirt gave her a look of casual elegance. "Who is it you are waiting for Kathryn," she thought to herself as the options ran through her mind. "Did you invite her as a friend, a crewman, or a prospective lover?" The Captain's stomach quivered a little at the last. Her thoughts continued to race. "She has never been just a crewman, so scratch that one out. She is already the person I am closest to, so friend is a given. But lover, can I do it? Would she be willing?"

The door chime interrupted Janeway's internal dialog. "Come," she said and then caught her breath as Seven walked through the door. Her hair was loose and her blue eyes seemed to be intensified by her sky blue sweater.

"You look lovely Seven. Please come in."

As always, seeing the Captain in civilian clothes caused Seven's heart to beat a little faster. "Thank you Captain."

"Kathryn, please Seven. You are too special to me to address me as Captain when we are off duty."

Seven's eyes widened at such an admission. She unsuccessfully cast about for some kind of response. Janeway smiled softly aware of Seven's disquiet. Putting her hand on the younger woman's elbow she guided her to the table. After Seven was seated Janeway shook her head and said, "I guess all I have to decide is what I want to drink. What about you Seven, what would you like?"

Seven's lips quirked in an almost undetectable smile. "A white wine should go nicely with dinner Kathryn."

Janeway walked over to her replicator, "Wine catalog Janeway one, chardonnay." The wine appeared on the replicator. Janeway stood waiting speechlessly for anything else to appear on the replicator pad. Nothing did. Janeway turned to her guest franticly thinking of what she should prepare on such short notice. "Uh Seven I don't..we won't.." As she looked over at Seven she almost dropped the wine. "oh my god" she thought, " a smile. A real smile."

Seven's face was lit up with mirth as she tapped her combadge. "Seven to Tuvok."

"Tuvok here"

"Commander I am ready to receive transport."

"Transporting now, Tuvok out."

A group of stasis dishes appeared on the Captain's table. "I did not think a replicated meal would be suitable for this evening. I have prepared something that I hope you will enjoy."

Janeway, bemused by the most beautiful smile she had ever seen, just nodded in response and joined Seven at the table. Years latter she could not remember anything about the traditionally prepared meal beyond the twinkle in the younger woman's eyes as she served it.

"Would you like something else to drink Seven?" Kathryn asked they moved to the couch. "I am going to have some coffee."

"I would like some tea. Thank you."

Janeway burst out laughing as 2 pieces of raspberry cheesecake appeared with their drinks.

The women had barley begun to eat their desert when the door chimed. Surprised at the interruption the Captain stood up and turned to the door as she granted admission. Crewman James nervously stepped through the door. Seeing that she was obviously interrupting a special evening the young woman started to retreat. "I am sorry Captain. I shouldn't be bothering you . I'll just go." Practically tripping over her feet James turned to leave.

With steal in her voice Janeway address the interloper. "Crewman James, Stop." The young woman stood still with her back to the Captain. "Turn around." The woman complied. "Since you have already braved the bear in her den you might as well finish what you came for. I assure you it won't be any easier later."

The young woman looked up slowly. Her eyes were filled with a combination of fear and shame. "I wanted to tell you…I need to tell you how sorry I am for speaking to you the way I did." Janeway did not respond. "when we were talking about having children, the other women and I that is, we didn't realize how we would feel once we were pregnant. Then we understood that we are bringing children in to a situation that was too big for us. Hostile aliens, special anomalies, diseases, and all the other things that are out there. It is all so overwhelming. Somehow it was easier to be afraid of your reaction. Being afraid of what will not hurt you is nowhere near as scary as being afraid of something that actually will." The woman's eyes filled with tears as she once again looked at the floor. "Captain, I am terrified at what I have done."

Seven was shocked that the Captain's face did not soften at such a genuine apology. Janeway was looking at the young woman with her very harshest don't think you can hurt my crew look. The face that told aliens to back off or expect the worse. When she spoke it wasn't with an understanding or caring voice but the fire when ready, launch the torpedoes, fire phasers voice. James was actually shaking as the Captain responded.

"Crewman James, you and your compatriots are forgetting some very important facts. It is my job to keep this crew safe from hostile aliens and I will. It is my job to keep this crew safe from spatial anomalies and I will. Keeping my crew, both young and old, safe from all things out there is my responsibility."

Seven walked up quietly behind the Captain .

"Crewman James," Seven said in a voice much softer then Kathryn's" Janeway looked back surprised that Seven felt the need to join in.

"Your fears are illogical. Any member of the senior staff would put their life between your child and harm." Kathryn did not take offence at Seven's unsolicited participation. She sensed that it was coming from her love for Voyager's first child, Naomi.

Seven continued, "When it comes to protecting our children, failure is not an option." James was surprised and comforted at Seven's reference to "our children." Seeing the caring look on the former Borg's face gave James a whole new outlook on her shipmate.

Janeway wanted to thank Seven for her desire to offer assurance, but she was not done being captain. With out change of expression Janeway continued.

"Crewman any child born any place is subject to things beyond their parent's control. It will continue to be my responsibility to keep this community safe for your child. It is your job to keep your child safe in this community."

The Captain allowed her face to soften a very small amount as she continued. "I will keep the wolves from the door. You need to keep the children off of the bridge and out of the warp core."

James looked like she was about to respond. Janeway raised her hand and shook her head. "Dismissed." The crewman knew when she had pushed it far enough and left. Janeway and Seven moved back to their seats on the couch.

"Kathryn," Seven asked, " why did you not provide comfort to Ms James?"

Kathryn smiled. "I did Seven. James is afraid. She needs to believe that she and her child are in strong confidant hands. She did not need a warm fuzzy captain."

Seven sat quietly clearly puzzling a few things out. "Kathryn?"

"Yes Seven?"

"Can you insure that I am present if someone does need a warm fuzzy captain. I would not want to miss such an event."

Kathryn laughed and gently slapped Seven on the shoulder. The contact felt wonderful and without thinking she began to stoke the blond's arm. Slowly she touched the object of her affections, her hand moving higher with each caress. As she began to stroke the back of Seven's neck the women made eye contact. Kathryn was taken aback by the look of pure love and desire on Seven's face.

Seven felt Kathryn touching her in a way she had only dreamed about. Soft fingers tickling the hair at the back of Seven's neck were causing her entire body to tingle. The smoldering look in Kathryn's eyes was all the invitation Seven needed to lean in for her first kiss. It was a feather light touch, a gentle caress, a brief meeting of lips. The young woman was overwhelmed by the warmth that suffused her entire body. She pulled back and looked tentatively at Janeway, waiting for a response.

For her part Janeway was stunned. Not by her feelings, her many dreams had prepared her for this moment, but by the fact that it actually occurred. Seven kissed me. She came to my quarters, prepared a romantic dinner and kissed me. Oh my God what am I doing? The thoughts caused Janeway to stand abruptly and move away.

"I can't do this" Kathryn said as she began to back away from the couch. I can't allow this while my crew is still stuck out here, away from home."

As the captain moved away Seven grabbed her hand. "Do not stop Kathryn. You don't deserve to be hurting yourself this way."

"Of course I do Seven, I have stranded my crew away from all that they love. How can I justify finding joy when theirs is so far away. Many who began with me will not make it home."

Seven looked at Kathryn eyes filled with a cross between anger and compassion. "When did you start believing you own lie? Why can't you tell the crew the truth?"

Janeway's back straitened as she tried unsuccessfully to remove her hand from Seven's. "you don't know what you are talking about you where not here."

Seven shook her head. "When I was Borg I was ordered to download all of Voyagers logs. You know this. Your personal logs and ships logs are all stored in my eidetic memory. Don't tell me that I don't know what I know. And even if you try to say your logs were inaccurate Tuvok's were not." Janeway glared at Seven while the younger woman kept talking.

"Your classification of top secret on voyager does not mean that Star fleet will classified the information the same. I believe they will not."

Seven's face was hash. Who do you want to explain to the crew the reason for your deception? You or their family? You or some admiral in their debriefing? It is time to let go of the lies and move on."

Janeway's face was completely covered by her captain's mask. "The captain does not justify her decisions to the crew. Remember that Seven." The joy of the evening was gone as Kathryn looked Seven coldly in the eyes.

"Dismissed" she said in full captain mode and turned her back to her friend. Seven let go of her hand and left without uttering a response.

TBC