| Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to Paramount but we will put them back when we are done playing with them. We don�t own anything useful so don�t sue. Thanks. This Voyager story is between two strong women Feedback is encouraged and nourishes the struggling author�s ego. Archive: Sure you can, just email us and ask. |
| Looking to the Future By: Jennifer Lee |
| <--Jennifer Lee's Fan Fiction Page [Home] | [Index] |
| Klingon terms wa�Hom = Little One, SoS�ma = Mother, puqbe' = Daughter |
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| The room was dark when B�Elanna entered carrying her precious burden. �Lights one quarter.� B�Elanna whispered and the lights came up to a soft glow so she wouldn�t trip over anything. She laid her little bundle down on the bed and looked down onto her daughter�s face and took off her shoes. Tucking the child under the covers B�Elanna kissed her cheek. She had a lighter complexion and the brow ridges where even less pronounced than B�Elanna�s but other than that B�Tel was the spitting image of her mother. B�Elanna sighed and walked out of the room calling to cut the lights as the door slid shut behind her. B�Elanna hated having to pick up her daughter so late at night. By the time she got out of her office it was well passed 2000 and B�Tel had long been asleep. B�Elanna sighed and ran her hand through her slightly white streaked hair. She knew why she couldn�t be with her more right now and it was hard. Thinking about him got the Half-Klingon mad and she stomped over to the replicator and ordered a really stiff drink and flopped down on the couch. He has no honor! Came the voice inside her head when she drank her first swig. Lt. Commander Tom Paris was gone. They had been married for nearly seven years and had a daughter before he decided that he needed �space� and quiet literally left for space. B�Elanna had agreed that some time apart would do them some good. B�Elanna had climbed the ranks very quickly in Starfleet R&D; She had made Commander after only six years. Tom had only after 5 made Lt. Commander and that put even more strain on their marriage. Tom had stopped coming home and before that continuously �forgot� about picking up B�Tel at night. When Tom left, B�Tel was only a year old, it hurt that Tom was taking no part in B�Tel�s life. Tom had taken a posting on a deep space ship and had not looked back since. B�Elanna had received the divorce injunction six months after he was gone, and didn�t even want to contest it. If that was how he wanted it she wouldn�t stop it, but what upset her most of all was when Tom made no effort to keep in contact with B�Tel, his own daughter. B�Elanna knew that her marriage to Tom was rocky at best but now she had B�Tel to think about and it would do no good to worry about Tom when she had a precocious little girl to raise. Tom had not contested the courts when B�Elanna filed to have B�Tel�s last name change to Torres thereby removing all of his parental rights. She wouldn�t allow B�Tel to be hurt by her father, if he didn�t want to be apart of her life that was fine, but B�Elanna wouldn�t let her daughter be hurt by this. Harry Kim was her best friend through all of this and more. He had been posted to Starfleet R&D with her and they had made a great team and now she really missed him. Harry and Megan Delanny had gotten married not long after their return to the Alpha Quadrant. They had two kids of their own and helped out a lot with B�Tel, but they got the urge to get back out into space and were now on the new Galaxy Class Starship that B�Elanna and Harry helped design. B�Elanna walked over to her computer terminal and asked the computer to display her messages. Most were from her subordinates relaying the information she had asked for and then something caught her attention, �Pause.� B�Elanna called when she saw the face that was on the screen. It was a face she had not seen; except in her dreams, for over ten years. She stared at the screen and all that Harry had told her came crashing down on her like a title wave from hell. �Seven.� B�Elanna whispered as she gingerly touched the face on the screen. Shortly before Harry and Megan had left, they had gotten together for lunch and had told her about how the people from Voyager had been doing and then they got to Seven and B'Elanna�s hearts skipped a beat. She knew that Seven had joined Starfleet when they returned to the Alpha Quadrant and that Seven shot through the ranks and made Captain after only four years, but she thought that no one had really seen or talked to Seven frequently. Seven was always gone and never came to any of the Voyager reunions, but B�Elanna knew Admiral Janeway kept in contact with Seven as she did with all of her former crew, but what B�Elanna hadn�t realized was that Seven returned to Earth often, let alone, that Harry and Seven got together every time she had returned. Harry had told B�Elanna that Seven came to Earth quite often because for one, Kathryn Janeway had adopted Seven not long after they had returned and that Seven had changed her name to Annika Janeway. Also, Seven was under Admiral Janeway�s direct command and she reported directly back to her. That had stunned B�Elanna, she didn�t know any of this and to hide her shock, she had asked Harry �Well what did you and Seven have to talk about?� Harry looked at her and then back at his wife and said �Well mostly� She asked how you were doing.� B�Elanna froze after that she didn�t know what to think. She wasn�t sure why she found that so disturbing. It wasn�t that Seven had asked about her but that B�Elanna always wanted to know how Seven was doing, but didn�t know how to ask. B�Elanna tried to play off her shock but Harry had already seen it and was looking at her and then said something that B�Elanna Torres never got out of her head. Harry had told her that Seven has been in love with her for the past 12 years, and that was why she never came to any of the Voyager events that were held. He said that Seven just wasn�t able to take being around her and Tom. B�Elanna said that she and Tom had not been together for three years now so why has she continued to stay away? Harry just shrugged so Megan spoke up. Megan said she thought that Seven just didn�t know what to do now that B�Elanna was single again. Which brought B�Elanna back to the message from Seven. Why would Seven be contacting her now? B�Elanna thought to herself. B�Elanna had known that she had feelings for Seven but when they were on Voyager she was with Tom and even though B�Elanna, at that time, had very little to do with her Klingon heritage she still had Honor and would not end the marriage with Tom, not to mention B�Elanna had no idea Seven had feelings for her as well. That was why B�Elanna had fought with Seven so much. It was a way to keep Seven at bay and keep her from getting too close where B�Elanna would do or say something she might regret, but now things were different. B�Elanna knew she still had feelings for the blond ex-drone and now she was single and here Seven was leaving her a message. �Breathe B�Elanna!� B�Elanna said to herself and then she took a deep breath and told the computer to play the massage. �Commander Torres,� Seven looked to be about the same as B�Elanna had remembered, just now Seven was in a uniform and out ranked her. B�Elanna was sadden by the fact that this was not a personal call but one of duty, due to how Seven had used her rank. So B�Elanna pushed all other thoughts out of her mind and concentrated back on the screen. �You are here by ordered to report to Admiral Janeway�s Office at 1100-tomorrow morning. We will inform you the nature of these orders then.� B�Elanna was already reorganizing her schedule for the meeting tomorrow. She was also thinking about what this could be about when Seven�s demeanor changed completely. B�Elanna had never seen such a visible change in Seven�s emotions before, so B�Elanna listened closely to what and how Seven was saying her next few words. �On a personal note, Kathryn has asked me to request that you bring B�Tel tomorrow as well. She wishes to see her Goddaughter again, and that she wishes to invite you and B�Tel to have lunch with us after our meeting is over.� B�Elanna�s mind was racing, as well as her hearts. This was all fine and she really did want B�Tel to see Kathryn again but what was she going to do with B�Tel during the meeting? As if reading B�Elanna�s worries, Seven gave B�Elanna the answer to that question. �Oh, and B�Elanna Don�t worry about who will watch B�Tel during our meeting, that has all been arranged. She will have world-class babysitters watching her.� Seven smiled a very warm and enchanting smile. She had a look in her eyes that told B�Elanna that she was thinking about something that was very funny but was a cherished memory of some kind. B�Elanna�s hearts skipped a beat and then sped up at the sight of it. �Thank you Commander for your time, Captain Janeway Out.� At that the screen went dark and B�Elanna felt as though she was a teenager all over again. �Kathryn do you think she will come tomorrow?� Seven looked over to the couch were her adopted mother was laying down, reading some padds, and drinking her coffee. Captain Annika Janeway and Admiral Kathryn Janeway were in Kathryn�s house in San Francisco. Annika, known as Seven to her friends, had just gotten back from one of the many missions that Admiral Janeway sent her on, most of which were at Captain Janeway�s request. Kathryn looked up and over her coffee, put her padd down on her lap, swallowed what she had in her month and said, �Annika you have no reason to be worried over this. After all you did make it an order �Captain� Janeway.� Kathryn jibed. Seven looked down at her hands and then back up and out the window and said in a small, almost too softly to be heard voice, �I know it was the only thing I could think of.� Kathryn got up quickly and wrapped her arms around her daughter and hugged her tight saying, �I know. I�m sorry; I know this is hard for you. You�ve loved her for so long and now�� Kathryn trailed off as Seven pull away a little and looked into her Mother�s rich blue eyes. Kathryn looked at her daughter and asked, �Annika it has been three years since Tom and B�Elanna have been divorced; why haven�t you told her how you feel?� Tears started to flow down Seven�s cheeks and Kathryn wiped them away, as Seven answered her question, �I� I just didn�t know how to do it. I mean what if�� Seven stopped and tears started to rack her body and Kathryn wrapped her arms back around her crying daughter harder and whispered soft soothing words into the ex-drone�s ear. When Seven calmed down a little she finished, �What if she doesn�t love me in return?� Kathryn knew this was hard for her daughter. Seven was no stranger to relationships, most had been with women, but Seven had never been able to get past her love for B�Elanna Torres. When they had returned to Earth, Seven had wanted to join Starfleet but there was a problem with the fact that Starfleet wanted to hold her for questioning, as a former drone, Seven had information that Starfleet and the rest of the Federation wanted. Seven was then worried that she was going to have her freedom taken away from her because of this, but Kathryn wouldn�t let that happen. Before Starfleet, or the Federation, had time to react on the issue Captain Kathryn Janeway adopted Seven as her daughter and Seven changed her name to Annika Janeway, therefore making Seven a member of the Janeway family where neither Starfleet nor the Federation could touch her. Kathryn loved Seven like a daughter, as Seven loved Kathryn as a Mother so their relationship grew closer. Seven did enter into Starfleet and answered all of Starfleet and the Federation�s questions regarding the Borg. Starfleet decided that Annika Janeway had no need to go though Starfleet Academy, due to the fact Seven had already served with honors on board Voyager, so Seven started as a Lt JG and was offered her choice of either a ship or planet side duty. Seven had grabbed at the chance to get away from Earth and the object of her unrequited love. Seven climbed to the rank of Lt. Commander after only a year and a half of duty, and then served under Captain Riker as his Chief Tactical officer and Chief of Security. But after six months she was promoted to full Commander and was offered a first officer�s position under none other than Captain Data. They made an unstoppable team and are still good friends to this day. For the next year and a half Seven served under Captain Data, then Data sponsored Seven for Captaincy which was granted. After the Dominion War, Starfleet was badly in need of strong and experienced officers as well as good Captains. When Seven was granted her Captaincy, Admiral Janeway had requested that Captain Annika Janeway be put under her direct Command. Admiral Janeway argued that Captain Janeway was the most knowledgeable and experienced about the Delta Quadrant and since the Admiral was in command of the team preparing to return to the Delta Quadrant that she would need Captain Janeway under her direct command. Also, that she should have Command of Voyager until the new Explorer-Class vessel was finished and that then, Captain Janeway would Captain her. Starfleet couldn�t argue with Admiral Janeway on her reasoning so they put Captain Annika Janeway under Admiral Janeway�s direct command. Seven had asked Admiral Janeway to send her on mission after mission. Kathryn knew that Seven was just trying to stay away from Earth as much as possible, because B�Elanna was here on Earth and Seven really didn�t know how to deal with her or her own feelings towards the half-Klingon. Now Seven was going to be taking command of the new Explorer-Class USS Voyager NX 89374, so she was back on Earth putting together the final members of her crew. The only reason Seven contacted B�Elanna now was because Kathryn had asked her to. �Annika why don�t we just turn in early. I think tomorrow will go better that you think it will.� Kathryn said as she helped her daughter up off the chair. Seven just nodded and went upstairs to her old room and went to bed. It wasn�t so easy for Kathryn however. She sat back down on the couch and picked up the padd she was reading, looked at it, and thought to herself �I hope I know what I�m doing.� �B�Tel Kathryn Torres! Where are you? You better be out here by the count of three or�� B�Elanna didn�t even need to finish her threat when a dripping wet little six year old girl came out from one of the cabinets in the Kitchen looking down at the ground trying to look really sorry and too cute as well. B�Elanna looked at her daughter and smiled inwardly, she wrapped her daughter up in a big fluffy towel picking her up and carried B�Tel into her room to dry her daughter off. �We don�t have time for games today wa�Hom we�re going to see your Godmother today.� B�Elanna told her daughter as she got her dressed and ready to go. �Yeaaaaaaaaaa! We get to see Aunt Katie today!� B�Tel yelled at the top of her lungs while jumping up and down. Making it very difficult for her mother to finish putting on B�Tel�s shirt. B�Elanna glared at B�Tel. She really didn�t have time for this, �puqbe�!� B�Elanna snapped. With that B�Tel stopped jumping and looked down at the floor saying, �Yes, SoS�ma.� B�Tel said in a small voice that let B�Elanna know that B�Tel was going to behave. It wasn�t often that B�Elanna snapped at her daughter in Klingon but right now B�Elanna was a bit strung out. B�Elanna took a deep breath and finished getting her daughter ready, mostly helping her daughter learn the finer points of putting on her clothes. For some reason when she lets B�Tel do it totally on her own she always ended up with one or more article of clothing either inside out or on backwards. Normally B�Elanna would let B�Tel figure out what she had done wrong and fix it on her own but today B�Elanna was in a hurry. She had gotten up late so now she was hurrying, but they weren�t making up the time. When B�Tel put on her last shoe they were off to get to the Public Transporter Terminal. After Tom and B�Elanna finalized their divorce B�Elanna had moved to her late father�s estate in Spain. Thirty minutes later B�Elanna was walking into Starfleet headquarters in San Fran carrying her daughter on her hip. B�Elanna walked down the hall leading to where Admiral Janeway�s office was located. There she saw Admiral Janeway and Captain Janeway speaking with two other officers but B�Elanna couldn�t really see who they were. As B�Elanna got closer Admiral Janeway turned and locked eyes with first B�Elanna and then with the squirming little girl in her arms. �Aunt Katie!� B�Tel quelled and then squirmed more until B�Elanna put her down on the deck. Once there B�Tel made a B line, running full charge, into the Admiral�s waiting arms. The Admiral caught the charging child in her arms with an audible Whoosh, of air leaving her body due to the impact of B�Tel�s body hitting her at full force. Kathryn picked up the child that now had both arms and legs wrapped around Kathryn�s body squeezing what little air was left out of the Admiral. Even though B�Tel was just a child, and mostly human, she still had a lot of the strength from her Klingon side. Kathryn once again looked eyes with B�Elanna and saw her lip �I�m sorry�. B�Elanna had seen her daughter take off, once her feet were on the floor, right into Admiral Janeway�s waiting arms. She had winced at the sound that escaped the Admiral�s mouth, as B�Tel slammed into her body. She shook her head and then looked at the others briefly. She thought it was odd to see Kathryn so open about her feelings with other officers of a lower rank around. That�s when B�Elanna saw that the other two officers were Naomi Wildman and Mizoti. When Seven saw B�Elanna her heart started beating faster, but then she saw the little girl squirming in B�Elanna�s arms and her heart lurched at how beautiful B�Tel was and how much she looked like her mother. Kathryn had told her a lot about the precocious little Klingon, but she never thought that B�Tel would look so much like her mother. B�Tel had very little of her father�s features. Seven so longed to know this child and her mother. When she saw how B�Tel ran to Kathryn with such gusto, it just made the longing build up more. Seven watched as B�Elanna looked at Mizoti and Naomi and then locked eyes with her. She stopped breathing when she saw a blush creep up on B�Elanna�s beautiful features. About five months after Mizoti and the Twins left Voyager, Mizoti had stole a shuttle and caught back up with Voyager. The only reason Mizoti would give about returning to Voyager was that �This is home.� And everyone left it at that, but B�Elanna didn�t know what had happened to Mizoti or Icheb after their return to the Alpha Quadrant. Both Mizoti and Icheb were the two remaining children that were severed and rescued from the Borg collective a few years before they got back to the Alpha Quadrant. At the time, in the Delta Quadrant, Seven was caring for the two remaining Borg children. Naomi Wildman was the only child born on Voyager not even a year into their journey home. Naomi was eight years old, which would have made Mizoti eleven, when they returned to the Alpha Quadrant. B�Elanna knew that Samantha Wildman, Naomi�s mother, had gotten a divorce from her husband not long after their return but never knew the reason why. She then locked eyes with Seven, blushed briefly, and then turned her attentions back to her daughter and the Admiral. Seven realized why when she turned to her adopted mother and saw the little girl squeezing the air out of her. When B�Elanna spoke with such love and caring Seven�s heart lurched again at the sound of B�Elanna�s voice. B�Elanna realized that B�Tel was squeezing Kathryn a bit too hard and lipped �I�m sorry� to Kathryn and then said out loud to her daughter, �Easy up wa�Hom. We can�t replace the Admiral if you squeeze the stuffing out of her.� B�Elanna smiled at the reaction that comment got from the other four woman not to mention B�Elanna�s daughter. �Oh! I�m sorry Aunt Katie!� B�Tel said as she loosened her grip around Kathryn�s body. �It�s ok B�Tel. I�m fine.� Kathryn told her little Goddaughter. Kathryn looked back at Seven and smiled at the amused look Seven had crossing her face, but that wasn�t all she saw. Kathryn saw that her Daughter longed to know this child that was the offspring of the woman that she had loved for so long. So Kathryn had an idea and said, when she had the young little Klingon�s attention, as well as everyone else�s, �You have not met my daughter yet have you B'Tel?� B�Tel shook her head no and looked back at her mother for confirmation on that fact. When B�Elanna shook her head no as well she answered the Admiral�s question with confidence �No Aunt Katie I have not.� Kathryn was amused at the expressions on everyone�s faces as she continued, �Well then let me have the honor of introducing my daughter Annika Janeway.� She pointed to Seven, who was now stepping up next to the Admiral, �She�s a Captain.� Kathryn said in a stage whisper so that everyone present heard her. B�Tel turned her body in Kathryn�s arms to look at the person that she was now just meeting. B�Tel, remembering her good manors, stuck out her little right hand for Seven to shake and said, �Hi Anni� Anni�ka. I�m B�Tel, It�s nice to meet you.� B�Tel stumbled over Annika�s name but plugged through and in the end said it right and beamed a radiant smile at Seven. When Kathryn introduced B�Tel to her Seven smiled wide at the display of such manors and took the out stretched hand and shook B�Tel�s hand gently and waited patiently as B�Tel stumbled over her name. And then when she had finished Seven was impressed that B�Tel worked though it till she had it right. Seven said to the smiling little girl, �It is good to meet you too B�Tel. I have heard a great deal about you, and you can call me Seven if you like.� Seven�s smile grew wider when B�Tel said �Seven� out loud and smiled that she got it right. Seven decided now would be the best time to introduce everyone. �B�Tel, I would like you to meet my Daughter Ensign Mizoti Janeway. Seven stepped to the side and Mizoti stepped up and shook B�Tel�s hand and said �Hi� to the young Klingon. �And this is Ensign Naomi Wildman, a very good friend of the family.� B�Tel took Naomi�s hand and said �Hi� to her as well. �These are the world-class babysitters that will be watching you today.� Seven informed the little girl and watched as B�Tel reached out for Naomi to pick her up. Kathryn gladly let Naomi hold the heavy little girl. B�Elanna was watching the exchange with Seven with a smile but when Seven had said that Mizoti was her daughter, B�Elanna was shocked once again. Now B�Elanna understood why Seven was always on Starships that supported family, Seven adopted Mizoti, but did she adopt Icheb as well? Naomi stopped her chain of thought when she spoke to B�Elanna. �Commander don�t worry we will take good care of B�Tel for you.� �Thank you Ensign Wildman.� B�Elanna said stressing Naomi�s rank making Naomi smile. B�Elanna then nodded at Mizoti and said, �Ensign Janeway.� And smiled as she saw the pride B�Elanna saw in all the women�s eyes. With that both Naomi and Mizoti turned back and said, �Commander, Captain, Admiral. We will see you after the meeting.� When everyone nodded the two Ensigns left carrying B�Tel with them. When the two younger women left B�Elanna turned her attention back to the two remaining Janeways and said, with a nod of her head �Captain, Admiral. You wished to speak with me?� �Yes� The Admiral spoke first. �Let�s go into my office.� With that all three women walked into the Admiral�s office and sat down. When all three women were seated the Admiral began again, �As you know Commander the new Explorer-Class USS Voyager is about ready to go on its shakedown cruise.� �Of Course Admiral.� B�Elanna said looking somewhat confused. �Lt. Commander Kim and I had developed most of the ship�s systems. What is this about Admiral if you don�t mind me getting right to the point.� B�Elanna wasn�t sure what was going on and she was really getting antsy about it. Kathryn laughed lightly and then said, �Of course B�Elanna, that would be the best course of action.� And then looked to Seven giving her the look that told Seven that the ball was now in her court. Seven looked at her mother and thought to herself that Kathryn had to have planned this whole thing out, but like the good Starfleet Captain she addressed B�Elanna. �Well as you know Commander, the new Voyager has all new and experimental technologies. We would like you to take the Chief Engineer�s position aboard Voyager.� B�Elanna was stunned. She didn�t know what to say. Well that�s not true, she did, but she knew she couldn�t just say yes. She had a daughter she had to think about, �but I have B�Tel�� B�Elanna didn�t get the chance to finish when Kathryn broke in. �Voyager supports families B�Elanna; we would not dream of separating you from your daughter.� Kathryn said very gently putting her hand down on B�Elanna�s knee. Kathryn had wanted B�Elanna on this team for sometime but knew B�Elanna could do more for the project in Starfleet R&D developing the systems they would need for the mission back to the Delta Quadrant, and that was what B�Elanna Torres had done. Harry and B�Elanna built a stable transwarp drive, and it was going to take them back to the Delta Quadrant and do it right this time. They would be able to really explore and not just try to get home. �Commander, B�Elanna. You�ll be able to pick your own engineering team. You�ll have family quarters and have first pick for your staff. The only thing is that your team will have a civilian complement as well, but you will have a say in who we allow to join your team.� Seven chimed in hoping that she could show B�Elanna that she will have a lot of say in what happens in her department. B�Elanna looked at both Captain and Admiral Janeway and then asked, �How many other children will be on board?� B�Elanna knew about the safety zones for the children and other non-Starfleet personal that might be aboard a ship at the time of danger, because she developed them. She wanted B�Tel to be able to be around a lot of other children as she is now here on Earth. Knowing that if B�Elanna was asking about the number of children on board it must be important to her and hoped that the number would be high enough Seven said �As of right now there will be over 135 children of varying ages on Voyager. There will be classes and day/night care offered as well, on a twenty-four hour basis. In an emergency, all children will be personally picked up and taken to the safe zones. Voyager has all the latest safety measures in place for our children�s safety. I understand your concerns.� Seven then expanded on the safety measures that she had insured would be in place on Voyager. B�Elanna wanted to say yes but she really needed to weigh it all out before she gave her answer. �I will need to think about it Captain. When will you need and answer?� B�Elanna said to both Seven and Kathryn hoping they would understand her need to think on it. �We understand, but I can only give you till the end of the week.� Admiral Janeway stated sadly. She knew it was a big decision to make if you had a child to raise and Kathryn wished she could have given B�Elanna more time to think on the matter, but she just got the OK to offer the position to B�Elanna two days ago. Then got Seven to agree that B�Elanna was the best choice for the job, even though there were personal reasons for Seven not to want B�Elanna under her command. �I understand Admiral. You will have my answer by then.� With that, their meeting was concluded and they walked out to find Mizoti and Naomi seated on the bench in the hall talking quietly, waiting for the senior officers to finish while B�Tel slept in Mizoti�s arms resting her head on her chest listening to Mizoti�s heart beat. Both girls looked up, when the trio walked out of the Admiral�s office, and stood. Naomi had to help Mizoti stand due to the child she was holding. Mizoti was stronger due to her borg implants but she was nowhere near as strong as Seven was, because unlike Seven, Mizoti emerged from the maturation chamber early so she had never gained the same amount of strength. Mizoti could hold the child longer than Naomi could which was why Mizoti now was holding her, but when it came to trying to stand, Mizoti had a bit of a hard time maintaining her stability. B�Elanna saw this and walked up to Mizoti to take her heavy burden from her, when B�Elanna felt a strong hand on her shoulder stopping her. Seven looked at her daughter holding the sleeping child. To Seven it was a beautiful sight and then she saw that Mizoti was having a bit of trouble holding B�Tel up much longer so she decided that she would carry B�Tel to lunch. Seven saw B�Elanna had the same thought so she put her hand on B�Elanna shoulder and said, �I have her B�Elanna, I am sure I can carry her for a longer time than even you can.� Seven smiled at the surprise playing across B�Elanna�s face and then forestalled B�Elanna�s protest by stepping up to Mizoti and taking the child from her. With that done they all started to walk towards the caf� to have lunch together. Seven was carrying B�Tel and walking with both Mizoti and Naomi on either side of her talking softly and Kathryn walked up to B�Elanna and asked, �What are you thinking about B�Elanna?� Kathryn asked as she watched B�Elanna watching Seven carrying B�Tel in her strong capable arms. B�Elanna looked over at her former Captain, smiled and blushed at the thought of being caught starring at Kathryn�s daughter. B�Elanna saw the look in Kathryn�s eyes and knew that Kathryn recognized that she had feelings for Seven. They both looked back at the woman that was, for Kathryn the center of her world, with B�Elanna being a dream within her grasp, and saw Seven laughing lightly at something Naomi said to her. Then they watched as Seven looked at her daughter, Mizoti, with such love, devotion, and pride as Mizoti explained something to her mother. B�Elanna sighed at the sight and answered Kathryn�s question softly, �I�m looking to the future Kathryn�Something I have not allowed myself to look at for a very long time.� Kathryn nodded at B�Elanna�s answer knowing what she meant by her words. �She is so much more that what you remember of her B�Elanna, please remember that.� When B�Elanna nodded and smiled at her, Kathryn thought that her plan was unraveling nicely. |