#I think B'Elanna can forgive Tom for being human

[pilots-and-protons]

Since I am constantly seeing discourse about the subject (especially in regards to thoughts I've expressed in my fanfic), I want to explain my opinion on some things. But I'm going to ignore the crazy sci-fi and break it down into more a understandable context.

Imagine you have a co-worker. He's kind of a jerk and he's said some dumb shit, and you rightfully write him off for it. Unfortunately, your new friend is also his best friend, so the three of you kind of hang out sometimes. And you still work together. He's good at his job, but you think his personality leaves a lot to be desired. At best, you're acquaintances, at worst you're less-than-cordial colleagues.

Then you get into some trouble, are in a bad place, and he ends up unintentionally being on the receiving end of you spilling your guts about personal baggage. He can't relate exactly, but he makes sure you know that he sympathizes, and doesn't make fun of you or bring up how vulnerable you were. Your secret is safe with him, which seems counterintuitive to his character. He's actually rather nice throughout the whole incident. So okay, maybe your friend has a reason for liking this guy. After that you work together some more, the three of you, even collaborating on some big special project. You warm up to him (he's actually a lot nicer than he initially seemed, once he stops trying to pretend like he's hot shit).

You might even tentatively consider him a friend. Not a close friend, but a friend. You'll eat lunch together at work; he'd probably give you a ride if you needed one. But there's a difference between work friends and real friends. You've been treated pretty poorly by people in the past, and you're not just going to trust any random person for the really important stuff. Good friends, best friends would lend you their car. They'd bring you soup if you were sick, listen to your problems, keep your deepest secrets, take care of you - especially when you can't take care of yourself. He's also been watching you, trying to flirt and has subtly asked you out a couple times. You think this guy isn't so bad, but you don't trust him - not like that.

And then you're with some people at a gathering and suddenly, you've been drugged. Everything is hot and fuzzy and all you can think about is picking up someone and screwing their brains out. And there he is, your sort-of-a-friend. You spend the night throwing yourself at him - touching him, pushing him against the wall, practically trying to tear his clothes off. All you can think is why not? He's easy, he's got a reputation - and obviously you're not thinking clearly because of the drugs.

Except instead of hauling you off to some room, he pushes your hands away - says that you're sick, you need to go home. He calls you a cab, but when he sees the state you're in, he climbs in with you and tells the driver your address. You're trying to get into his lap, insisting that you want this, that whatever you've said before about his advances aren't true. You're so doped up and out of your mind, even you aren't sure if these are lies or the truth. And for a minute, he gives in when you kiss him - he's kissing you back. But he stops, despite your protests, despite the fact that things he's said have you sure that he wants what you're offering. Instead, he gets you home, makes sure you've got water and something for a hangover. He gets your shoes off so you're comfortable, but tucks you into bed fully-clothed. He calls your mutual friend to check up on you in the morning in case you're too sick and need help. Then he leaves.

How would that not change your perspective? This is someone you thought was only a surface level work friend, someone you weren't sure you could trust. Then he took care of you, kept you safe, made sure you were ok when you were vulnerable, and stopped you from doing something you'd regret. Suddenly this guy went from a "sure I'll spot you five bucks for a coffee" friend to, "let me hold you hair back and bring you tea while you're sick" friend.

That is how I see B'Elanna's view of Tom after "Blood Fever". I can't imagine a scenario like this that doesn't leave your perceptions of a person fundamentally changed - for the better. Yes, she was embarrassed, and yes it was a violating experience. But honestly, I would have thought that anger would be aimed more at Vorik (even if it wasn't his fault), because he's the one who forced all of this onto B'Elanna in the first place. And from what we know of B'Elanna's struggle with vulnerability, it makes more sense to me that her embarrassment would be aimed inward, because she tried to force herself on Tom and is constantly worried about the "Klingon" aspects of herself being "too much" for other people.

So yes, I stand by my headcanon that B'Elanna does have a "silver lining" takeaway from the whole fiasco - she sees Tom in a drastically different and better light, and appreciates what he did for her (for the latter, she even says as much at the end of the episode).

[trillscienceofficer]

If you want to: assign a music instrument to each member of the voyager crew + their favourite music genre to play. you may keep harry's clarinet if you wish to, or you may assign him a new instrument! (& take care <3)

This is such a fun question, thank you for asking!! Actually I've been thinking about this for a while, albeit strictly in the context of an orchestra. Some time ago I had an idea for a fic in Harry's point of view where it was hinted that after many a boring shift on the bridge he's basically assigned an imaginary instrument to each member of the senior crew. Here's how it went (and actual music nerds please forgive my partial understanding of orchestral dynamics):

Voyager crew as orchestra instruments (according to Harry Kim)

Harry: clarinet (obviously. charming and eclectic member of the woodwind section, with hidden complexities!)

B'Elanna: oboe (the oboe has such a distinct timbre while still being very expressive. Also the fact that oboe players have to make their own reeds from bamboo blanks really fits B'Elanna's resourcefulness, according to both me and I think Harry as well)

Tom: trumpet (loud and in your face but also able to carry forward entire sections on its own)

Janeway: violin, and precisely principal first violin (for those who may not be aware, this role is also known as 'concertmaster' since they direct a lot of the technical details... it's the closest you can get to being a director while still playing an instrument)

Chakotay: viola (tends to get overshadowed by the violins but taken on its own it has a charming and very distinctive voice)

Tuvok: cello (it HAS the range and it can do so many different parts in an orchestra, but either way it's foundational--source: dude trust me, i used to play the cello a bit)

Kes: flute/piccolo (maybe boring choice but I think Harry would think of her as a fellow woodwind player... also the piccolo can get quite intense if not a little grating!)

Seven of Nine: piano (yeah okay maybe boring choice too since she actually plays it in “Human Error” for some reason but it IS a big instrument with lots of range and dynamics that tends to steal the show... and it's somewhat of a 'later' addition to orchestral ensemble music... hmmmm...)

at which point you're asking... where IS the bass and Harry's answer I think would be

Neelix: contrabassoon (it a a bit of a goofy-looking but surprisingly complex instrument with plenty of range, also again DIY reed-making for resourcefulness)

the Doctor: timpani (drums that can be detuned while you play them?? both melodic and rhythmic?? impossible to ignore even when you would maybe like to?? perfect for the Doctor)

and that concludes it... I realize this wasn't perhaps the answer you were expecting! I'll have to think more about assigning instruments & musical genres outside of the context of an orchestra because that's such a big question! But one I definitely love to think about.

(I absolutely do think Seven blasted “A Blaze In The Northern Sky” from the cargo bay 2 speakers at least once in an attempt to reconnect with her human roots or something)

[voyagerafod]

Star Trek Voyager: A Fire of Devotion: Part 1 of 4: Louder Than Sirens: Chapter Five

Chapter Five

   Three weeks later...

"So B'Elanna, I hear you and Seven of Nine seem to be getting along better," Commander Chakotay said as he caught up with the Chief Engineer on her way to her shift.

"In the sense that she's a lot less pushy lately, sure," B'Elanna said. "She still has a bad habit of just working on things without clearing them with a department head first, though. And before you say anything Chakotay, I know full well that I used to be like that too. But if I can get over that and learn to follow protocol, so can she. It'd be one thing if it were a life and death matter and she didn't have time to go through proper channels, that I can forgive. Otherwise, it's damn annoying."

"You aren't the only one who's noticed an improvement in her behavior lately. Neelix says she occasionally joins him and Naomi on the holodeck to play in one of her fairy tale stories. And rumor has it she's been helping Ensign Kim deal with his PTSD on the side, though both of them deny it."

"Well, she's certain assimi- wait, poor choice of words there. I mean she's starting to fit in faster than I think any of us expected. And, credit where credit is due, that distraction she came up with to deal with those aliens who were invading our dreams was pretty clever. And Harry played along beautifully. If I hadn’t been standing right next to her, I’d have thought she was really kicking his ass."

Chakotay nodded. "So,” he said. “do you think she and Harry are-"

"No way,” Torres said. “From everything I've been hearing on the ship's rumor mill, Seven's not into guys."

Chakotay shrugged. "Well, I think transporter chief Kitrick hasn't been seeing anyone, maybe someone should get the two of them talking-"

"Sorry to keep interrupting you there Commander, but something tells me you'd have to pry Seven of Nine's eyes off Samantha Wildman's butt first, if Ensign Brooks is to be believed."

Chakotay chuckled. "Oh, so I see that rumor has evolved. First time I heard it, it was Seven being heartbroken over a dinner date going sideways. And then later someone tried to say they saw Ensign Wildman leaving astrometrics with smeared lipstick, and a huge grin on her face. I wouldn't put too much stock in rumors B'Elanna."

"Didn't you just tell me a rumor that Seven was helping Harry Kim out with his psychological issues?"

Chakotay opened his mouth and raised a finger as if to offer a counterpoint, but then he just shrugged.

"Touche," he said.

Before the conversation could continue, Seven of Nine’s voice came over Chakotay’s comm badge.    “Seven of Nine to Commander Chakotay, please report to astrometrics,” she said.    “On my way. Chakotay out.”    B’Elanna rolled her eyes.    “You, she says ‘please’ too,” she said, smirking. “Are you two dating or something?”    Chakotay laughed the loudest he had in weeks.   “Right,” he said. “like that would ever happen. Besides, if these rumors you talked about are true, you’re probably more her type than I am.”    “I’d bet five replicator rations that one of the lower deck crewmen already has that as a holodeck program.”

---

  Seven of Nine headed towards Holodeck 1 with mixed emotions. There was the thrill of another clandestine meeting with Samantha, though she hoped that they wouldn’t have to keep their relationship a secret for much longer. There was the accomplishment at having discovered the ancient satellite network that would allow Voyager to make contact with the Alpha Quadrant. But there was also a nagging sense of dread, like something bad was about to happen. This was not a feeling she was used too, and she was already certain she didn’t like it.

   Once she reached the door, she looked around carefully to make sure no one would see her go in, and tapped out a code on the panel next to it. The door slid open and she entered an empty concert hall -- the Royal Albert Hall on Earth. She looked around, when she saw a lone figure up in one of the balconies.

   “Sam,” Seven said, smiling. She made her way up the stairs.“Sorry I’m late. I suppose you’ve heard already.”    “About what?” Samantha said. “Oh, and by the way, thank you for agreeing to this. I felt it was time we used the holodeck for a proper date and not just, well, you know.” She winked.    “It’s amazing Sam. I look forward to whatever performance you have selected. As for the news I am referring to, I’m rather surprised it slipped past you. In astrometrics earlier today, I found an ancient, widespread relay station network. I was able to remotely access the one nearest to our present location, and through it I determined that its reach goes up to the edge of the Alpha Quadrant.”   Samantha’s eyes went wide. “Honey, I’m sure if I’d heard that I’d remember. That’s amazing! Were you able to make contact with Starfleet?”    There’s that negative feeling again, Seven thought. Why am I worried? Samantha is clearly happy about-

That was when it hit her. The Alpha Quadrant. Where Samantha’s husband was.   Seven suppressed the urge to frown. “Not directly. We tried to send a signal using modified transmitters, but they were too weak to reach a Starfleet vessel I spotted using the network. Mr. Paris suggested a stronger type of signal, one that wouldn’t degrade quite so quickly.”

“What did you decide to do? Samantha said, unable to hide her excitement, her grip on Seven’s own hands increasing slightly.   Maybe I don’t have to be so worried after all, Seven thought. It had been a few weeks since the two had begun their relationship, and Seven remembered clearly Samantha’s own words on what kind of relationship they had; “Let’s take it one day at a time.”    “A holographic data stream. It was risky, but it was our best chance. We sent the Doctor to the Starfleet vessel. We should know shortly if it was successful.”   Samantha laughed and removed her hands from Seven’s to throw her arms around her neck and give her a big kiss full on the lips.    “Oh baby, that was genius,” Samantha said.    Seven paused for a moment, then looked slightly downward.    “Actually, credit for that idea belongs to B’Elanna Torres. She’s the one who came up with the idea to send the Doctor.”    “Okay, fair enough. I’m not kissing B’Elanna though.”    “I don’t consider myself to be the jealous type Sam,” Seven said through a wry grin.

  “Very funny, Annika.” After another moment of looking at each other, smiling, laughing, Seven finally got around to an earlier question she’d meant to ask.    “So, which ballet are we seeing?”    “A 2259 performance of Coppelia. I’d seen it before, in my academy days, but I’d forgotten about it until you told me that you had a dream about ballet last week.”    “I’m still not entirely sure why,” Seven said. “Perhaps I was interested in ballet before I was assimilated as a child.” Seven then made a show of extending her hand out to Samantha for her to take. “Shall we take our seats?”    “But of course my dear,” Samantha said, affecting an accent. “I thought the balcony would be best but if you prefer we could take a floor seat.”   Seven of Nine looked out over the concert hall that would soon be filled with holographic dancers, musicians, and other audience members.    “This is fine Sam,” she said.   “Computer, initiate concert,” Samantha said. In a moment all the unoccupied seats in the auditorium were filled with various humanoids in formal wear, the orchestra pit filled, and although they weren’t on stage yet Seven could see the dancers doing last minute practices backstage from her angle.    “It’ll start in a few minutes,” Samantha whispered in Seven’s ear as she put her right hand over Seven’s left, locking their fingers together. Seven smiled at her.    “I’m sure it will be an excellent performance,” she said. Samantha shifted in her seat so she could rest her head on Seven’s shoulder. It was something she’d done before, both while sitting up, and in bed, and every time it never failed to make Seven feel both happy and safe. While she was occasionally willing to be open with Naomi, Tuvok, and even Harry Kim on occasion, it was only Samantha Wildman who she let see her at her most human. The only exception was tonight, where Seven hid her concern about how Samantha would react once she knew her husband in the Alpha Quadrant would know that not only was his wife alive, but that she’d given birth to his child.   The music began, and the dancers took the stage. Seven pushed aside her thoughts and tried to focus on the concert starting right in front of her. Right as the show began, something unexpected happened.    “I love you, Annie,” Samantha said softly. It was the first time she had said that phrase to Seven. She had heard from Tom Paris among others than in many humanoid relationships, the first utterance of those first three words was a serious milestone in a relationship. Seven found herself too stunned to reply, so she simply leaned her head into Samantha’s, kissing her on the top of her head as she did so, and squeezing her hand as Samantha had done to her moments before.

---

   Captain Janeway paced back and forth through astrometrics, getting increasingly annoyed. Not only was the Starfleet ship the Doctor had been sent to not back in range of the relay network yet despite it having been more than long enough for him to brief Starfleet on their situation, but now Seven of Nine, who was supposed to have been in this room before Janeway got here, was late.    “You’re going to wear out the carpet if you keep doing that, Captain,” B’Elanna said.   “What’s keeping her? Seven is never late.” Janeway stopped walking and tapped her comm badge, but before she could open her mouth, the door to astrometrics opened, and Seven of Nine walked in. Janeway was prepared to ask Seven why she was late, but she noticed something that stopped her in her tracks. Something about the way Seven was walking was different, more relaxed than she’d ever seen before. And there was something else.    Is she smiling? Janeway thought.    “Nice of you to finally join us, Seven,” Janeway said.    “I apologize for my tardiness, Captain,” Seven said.    “Would you care to explain why you weren’t here when you were supposed to be?” Janeway added.    “I would not. It is a personal matter.”    Janeway and Torres shared a look, as if to say to each other “Did she really just say that?” Janeway ultimately decided not to press the issue.   “We can discuss your punctuality later,” she said. “We’re simply here to ask if you had any new information on the relay network.”    “New information?” Seven said.    “You have been continuing to study it, I assume,” Torres said.   “I have gathered some new data since we sent the Doctor, yes, but nothing particularly useful to us. I can pull up that information up if you’d like to-”    A beeping noise from one of the consoles in astrometrics interrupted them.    Torres, who was closest to it looked down. “It’s an incoming transmission.”  

   “Is it the Doctor?” Janeway said.   “Negative,” Torres said as Seven moved next to her to look as well. “The Starfleet vessel still hasn’t reappeared. It’s coming in along the relay though. And it’s visual.”

   “Put it on screen,” Janeway said.

  A humanoid alien’s image appeared on the lab's viewscreen, wearing an armored helmet and an armored mask that covered its nose and mouth.    “Identify yourselves!” it shouted.

   “I’m Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation starship Voyager. To whom am I speaking?”    “You are using our technology!” the alien said.    “You mean the sensor network?” Janeway said. “We thought that it was abandoned.”

   “It belongs to the Hirogen. Terminate your link!”    “No, wait please-” Torres started to say, but the screen returned to the map of the network.    “The link has been severed,” Seven said.    “Can you get it back?” Janeway said.    “I can try. Lieutenant, would you be willing to assist me?”    Torres looked dumbfounded for a second. “I- yes of course.”    “Do whatever it takes, both of you.” Janeway said.

---

   Samantha Wildman double checked to make sure no one could see her, then quickly stepped up to the door to the astrometrics lab, carrying a bottle of a drink called root beer that she wanted Seven of Nine to try, as well as a container of soup and two spoons from the mess hall.    “Sorry I’m late An-B’Elanna! I, um. Hi? I didn’t know you were going to be here.”    B’Elanna Torres and Seven were both working on one of the lab’s consoles, but had turned to face her when she entered. Torres started to chuckle.    “Ha! I knew it,” she said. “Brooks wouldn’t lie to me. She’s terrible at it.”   “Lieutenant,” Seven said. “you would be better served by helping me boost the signal gain. Samantha, I apologize, but we ran into a complication with the abandoned sensor net.”    Samantha couldn’t see her own face, but she was certain she was turning red.    “Right. Well, I just, you know, wanted to make sure my daughter’s friend was eating properly. I heard Neelix say-”    “Sam, she’s not buying it,” Seven said.    “Oh, you two are just adorable,” Torres said.    “The signal gain, Lieutenant?” Seven said, a bit more forcefully this time.    “Right. I think with just a little more, we can cut through the jamming signal.”    Jamming signal? Samantha thought.

   “I warned you,” a staticky voice said. Samantha glanced up and saw a black masked alien’s image on the screen.    “Let me explain,” B’Elanna said.    “No explanations.”   “We’re lost here, in this quadrant,” B’Elanna said. “This network is the only chance we’ve had to contact home, to let our people know we’re alive. We’re just waiting on a confirmation they received our message. Once we have it, we’ll be on our way.”    “All messages will be intercepted,” the alien said, looking down. Samantha heard a noise much like those Starfleet consoles made when they were in use.    “He’s trying to jam the link again,” Seven said. Suddenly, the alien on the screen screamed in pain as electricity exploded from his console, striking him in the face and chest.    “What the hell?” B’Elanna said. “Seven, did you do that?”    “It was clear the Hirogen wasn’t going to listen to reason,” Seven said. “so I sent a feedback surge along the link.”

   “Annie,” Samantha said. “You didn’t kill him, did you?”    “It was a mild shock. He will recover.”    “’Annie’, huh?” B’Elanna said. “Well, the captain’s not going to be too happy about that but between you and me, good work.”   “Thank you. And, please, do not call that me that,” Seven said. B’Elanna looked at Seven, then at Samantha, then back at Seven.     “Okay, I get it. That’s your thing. I can respect that. I’ll go inform the captain about the situation. Keep an eye out for a message from the Doctor.”    “Understood,” Seven said.    B’Elanna started to walk past Samantha when the latter quickly grabbed the former’s forearm.    “B’Elanna, I like you, I respect you, and I know you outrank me, but do me favor. Just keep in mind what my girlfriend was able to do with a sensor link if you feel like blabbing to anyone about us. If we decide to share, we’ll do that on our terms. Okay?”    “Okay, okay. Far as the captain is concerned you weren’t here,” B’Elanna said, adding, “You could’ve just asked me nicely you know,” as she left.

   Samantha sighed as she carried her beverage and food over to Seven.    “Remember what I said about it being hard to keep a secret on this ship?” she said.

---

   The next morning, B’Elanna returned to the astrometrics lab to see Seven of Nine already there.    “Did you get a good night’s regeneration?” she said.   “I’m uncertain what a bad regeneration cycle would be,” Seven said without looking up from her console, “but, yes. Also, I wanted to say ‘thank you.’ Judging by the lack of inappropriate questions and innuendos on my way to the lab this morning, I can only conclude that you did not tell anyone about my relationship with Ensign Wildman.”

  B’Elanna was about to say it wasn’t a big deal, that she understood what it was like to want to keep a relationship secret during its early stages, but a noise distracted her.    “We are receiving a signal through the sensor network,” Seven said.

   B’Elanna tapped a few buttons on another console.   “Its origin is the Alpha Quadrant,” she said. “And it contains a holographic subroutine! He did it! Transfer it to sick bay and inform the captain.”    “I will do so,” Seven said. B’Elanna turned to make for the exit.    “Lieutenant?” Seven said.    “Yes?”    “Congratulations. Your plan to send the Doctor was risky, but it paid off.”    “Thanks, Seven. I have to tell you, 60,000 light years doesn’t seem like such a long distance all of a sudden.”

---

   Seven of Nine woke up to see Samantha seated by the viewport, looking out at the streaks of light as Voyager cruised along at warp. She looked at a nearby chronometer and saw that both of them were awake far earlier than they needed to be.    “Is something wrong Sam?” Seven said.    “Hmm?” Samantha said. “Oh, sorry, did I wake you when I got up?”    “I don’t believe so,” Seven said. “How long ago did you wake up?”    “A few minutes maybe, I wasn’t paying that much attention.”   “You would appear to be contemplative. Am I correct in assuming this relates to the Doctor’s return from the Alpha Quadrant?”    “Good guess,” Samantha said. She was silent for several moments after saying that. Seven was unsure if she should say something, but the silence was neither awkward or uncomfortable, so she decided to let Samantha talk to her about what she was thinking if and when she was ready.    “I was thinking about my husband, back home. I imagine finding out that I’m still alive was a shock, never mind what finding out he had a child did to him.”    “A mixture of emotions, most likely,” Seven said. “Shock, happiness, sadness, among others.”    “Sounds about right,” Samantha said. She got up and moved back to her bed, where Seven was now sitting upright.    “Annie, tell me something. Do you think I’m being selfish in hoping that he’s already moved on, found someone else?”    “I don’t know,” Seven said. “The decision of choosing whether or not to pursue another relationship after the death, or assumed death as the case may be, of a partner is not something I have any experience in. I do know however, that the grieving process is different for all sentient beings. As I’ve never met Greskrendtregk, I do not how he would have handled his loss.”

   “I hope he has. Or does. Let’s face it, even though Starfleet knows we’re alive, it’s still not likely that most of us on the ship will ever see our loved ones back home again. Maybe I am being selfish, just trying to justify what I have going with you to myself, but how could I ever ask him to wait for me, especially for what could be sixty years?”   Seven thought about it for a moment, then simply sighed and shrugged as she reached out a hand to touch Samantha’s cheek. “I’m afraid I’m not qualified to answer that question.”

   “Sometimes I think you might be too forgiving, Annika,” Samantha said.    “If that is the case, you may be the only person on this ship who thinks so.”    The two women kissed briefly. Samantha looked at the chronometer herself and sighed.    “No point in going back to sleep,” she said. “I need to pick up Naomi from Neelix’s quarters in about an hour.”    “What reason did you give him?” Seven said.    “Some excuse about needing some ‘me time.’ I don’t think he bought it though. He’s probably figured out by now that I’m seeing someone, if not who.”   “I suppose that means now is as good as any to discuss if we should continue keeping our relationship a secret,” Seven said. “I assume that since we did not take separate routes to your quarters last night that we no longer are.”    “I actually didn’t even think about it last night to be honest. But since you mention it, yeah, I’m not interested in keeping it a secret anymore. It was easier when I thought that maybe this was just a sexual thing but now that I know we’re serious…” Samantha trailed off.    Seven shifted closer to her on the bed.    “What’s our next step?” she said.

  Samantha leaned back, reaching for her uniform to pick it up off the floor. “I think,” she said. “That we just stop trying to hide it, and let the chips fall where they may. I’m sure once a few of the less discreet crewmembers see us together it won’t take long. Now I’m kinda wishing I hadn’t told B’Elanna to keep quiet.”    “An even faster method would be to simply tell Neelix. The whole ship will know before shift change.”    Samantha laughed, but shook her head.   “You’re not wrong,” she said, running her fingers through Seven’s hair. “But he’s been getting better about that lately. Let’s not interfere with his personal growth.”

   Seven smiled. “I imagine if we did, the whole crew would hold it against us,” she said. She found that she was staring at Samantha’s lips. “You said an hour, right?”    Samantha smiled. “Why, I believe I did.”

---

  Naomi Wildman went up to the door to her quarters, but found they were locked, like they usually were when her mom and Seven of Nine were having “grownup time,” so she shrugged, and took out the PADD that had a book she’d been reading and sat down, leaning against the wall, waiting for them to finish. Neelix had said to her when she left his quarters that leaving early might mean that her mother might not be awake yet, but Naomi had said it was okay.

   She wasn’t sure how long she’d been sitting when the Captain walked by, but as soon as she noticed she stood up and saluted. “Good morning Captain,” Naomi said, trying her best to have the inflection of a proper officer, something she wanted to be some day.   “Good morning to you too Naomi,” Janeway said, smiling and returning the salute. “May I ask why are you sitting outside your quarters?”

  “‘Cause Mom and Seven are having some grownup time,” Naomi said. As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she’d made a mistake. Her mother had told her that she didn’t want anyone to know, at least not yet, that Seven of Nine was Mom’s girlfriend now, and here she was, blabbing about it to the Captain.    “Oh no, I wasn’t supposed to say anything,” Naomi said, her face feeling hot all of a sudden. “Captain, please don’t tell anyone I told you. Mom might get mad.”   Captain Janeway’s mouth was hanging open, and her eyes wide. Naomi hadn’t yet mastered the art of reading facial expressions, something that the Doctor had offered to teach her, but she was pretty sure Janeway was confused at what she had just heard.    “I, um, I promise. Of course.” Janeway was suddenly acting the way that people tended to act when they were trying not to laugh. “Carry on Ms. Wildman,” Janeway said as she started to walk away. Naomi breathed a sigh of relief.    That was close, she thought. Then the door opened.   “Oh, Captain,” Naomi heard Seven of Nine say. Seven, standing in the doorway, was in her usual brown jumpsuit, but her hair was loose, and she looked a little sweaty for some reason.    “Seven,” Captain Janeway said. The silence that followed made Naomi feel uncomfortable.    “Captain,” Seven said, “if you were looking for Sam- for Ensign Wildman she’s, um, currently in the sonic shower.”    “No,” the Captain said, smiling now. “I was just passing by, and stopped to talk to Naomi. She was just out here, reading.”    “Good morning Seven,” Naomi said. Seven looked down at her as if realizing she was there for the first time.    “Naomi, I was led to believe that your mother would be picking you up from Mr. Neelix later this morning.”    “I know,” Naomi said, feeling embarrassed. “but I woke up early.”    “I see,” Seven said. “It is likely that you will be reprimanded for wandering the ship unsupervised.”   “Seven,” Janeway said, stepping forward and putting a hand on Seven’s shoulder. “just so you know, I am perfectly capable of being discreet if you-”    “Actually, Captain,” Seven said, smiling herself now, in the way that Naomi only ever saw her do when she was in their quarters. “since you mention it, I can inform you that that is no longer necessary.”    “I see,” Janeway said. “Well, congratulations on your first foray into human relationships Seven. I’ll see you later.”

“Thank you Captain.” Janeway politely nodded at both Seven and Naomi before heading down the corridor. Naomi tapped Seven on the hip to get her attention.    “Yes?” Seven said.    “So, I don’t have to keep it a secret anymore? About you and Mom I mean?”    “That is correct,” Seven said. Naomi smiled, and hugged Seven of Nine as hard as she could.    “Yay!” she said.

---

Captain Janeway exited the turbolift onto the bridge, still smiling. There were any number of ways that Voyager’s ex-Borg crewmate being in a romantic entanglement could be a problem, but she didn’t want to think about any of those at the moment. Right now, she wanted to enjoy the fact that Seven of Nine, after less than a year, was already starting to become part of the Voyager family.    “Captain?” Commander Chakotay said as Janeway took the captain’s chair.    “Yes, Commander?”

   “I can’t help but notice you seem rather chipper this morning.”    “‘Chipper’? Since when do you use the word ‘chipper’?” Janeway said.

   “It’s just that it’s not that often I see you walk onto the bridge looking happy,” Chakotay said. “It looks good on you.”

  “Thank you, Commander. But since you mention it, I am in a rather good mood today. I learned that our newest crewmate is really growing up.”    Chakotay’s head tilted slightly.    “Seven of Nine? I thought she was going to be in her alcove until 1300 hours today.”    “Nope,” Janeway said. “Mister Paris, what’s our current speed?”    “Holding steady at Warp 7, Captain.”    “Good.”    “Well?” Chakotay said.    “‘Well‘ what?” Janeway said.   “Don’t leave me hanging here, Captain. What has Seven of Nine done that’s got you convinced she’s finally adjusting to life on Voyager?”    Should I tell him? Janeway thought. Seven said they weren’t keeping it a secret anymore, but still.   “I’ll put it this way, Chakotay,” Janeway said, leaning over slightly and lowering her voice so that only he could hear it since Tuvok and his superior hearing were not on the bridge yet. “Remember that conversation we had a few weeks ago, regarding rumors about Seven and Ensign Wildman? They’re not rumors anymore.”

   “Really? How did you find out?”   “Well, first Naomi accidentally let it slip, then I just happened to run into Seven as she was leaving Samantha’s quarters, and she confirmed it, in her own Seven of Nine sort of way of course.”

   “So, how are going to handle this?”   “The same way we do every other relationship on board. So long as it doesn’t affect performance or ship safety, we just let it go,” Janeway said, smiling. “Looking the other way is a proud tradition amongst Starfleet captains, you know.”    “Given how rarely they’re enforced one can’t help but wonder why Starfleet ever kept the regs against fraternizing to being with.”

   Janeway thought about it for a moment, then shrugged. “I admit, I haven’t given it much thought. Maybe I’d be stricter about it if we were still in the Alpha Quadrant where I could easily kick off a crewmember who was a problem. Still, Seven of Nine isn’t a child, and Samantha Wildman isn’t reckless, I think those two just might-”    “Captain, we’re receiving a transmission,” Harry Kim said. “Audio only.”    “Let’s hear it,” Janeway said.

   The audio was garbled badly, but Janeway could make a few keywords; Starfleet Command being the ones that got her attention.    “Try to clear that up Harry,” she said.    “I’m trying Captain,” he said.    “Is it coming through the relay network?”

   “Affirmative. I think I can, wait, got it.”    “This is Starfleet Command to the U.S.S. Voyager,” the still static filled but much clearer message said. “If you are receiving this message, please study it carefully. We have information th-” the message fizzled out. Janeway, standing now, turned to face Harry Kim but he spoke up before she could ask him the obvious question.    “That’s all we got,” he said. “It looks like the bulk of the transmission is lodged in one of the relay stations.”    “Can you tell which one?”    “Yes. It’s about 3.8 light years away, on a heading of 274 Mark 13.”    “Tom?”    “Course already plotted Captain,” Tom Paris said from the helm.   “Mr. Tuvok,” Chakotay said, “Full sensor scans. We don’t know what Hirogen ships look like, but given how they responded to the last time we used one of their relays they didn’t appreciate it.”    “Understood Commander,” Tuvok said.