Alternate Conclusions
By H.W.
Chapter 7
"I thought this was only going to be a little party to celebrate the fact that Voyager finally made it home, even if only for a moment. So why are we here in dress whites?" B'Elanna asked while tugging at her collar.
"Well, there might be a commendation or two granted," Annika said, trying hard not to laugh at the look of distaste that crossed B'Elanna's face. "At least, rumor has it."
Of course, she knew that it was more than rumors since she had been contacted to let her know what was coming so that she, as the captain of Voyager, could make sure that everyone would be there.
B'Elanna was about to say something but decided not to when she saw Admiral Ross stepping up to the podium. He waited for a moment while the conversations died down and eyes focused on him.
"Good afternoon," He said and then started to then continue with the kind of talk everyone was expecting; about Voyager having survived a long and tough journey and coming out on top against all odds. Then he spent a moment to remember the people that had died during that journey. Finally, about twenty minutes later he came to the point that had the people in the room sitting up a little straighter.
"Lastly, all of you have indicated that you will be leaving Starfleet. For most because you are going back to the other universe, while for some because you want to move on with your life in a direction away from Starfleet. Because of that we, Starfleet, have decided to give a closure to the life you have been living for the last eight years."
Beginning with the lowest ranking crew member, Ross called Naomi forward. "Crewman Wildman, I hereby turn your provisional position in Starfleet into an official one. Based on your record as Captain's Assistant to first Captain Janeway, and then Captain Hansen, I hereby promote you from Crewman to Petty Officer Third Class."
Ross handed Naomi the little box that held her new insignia and congratulated her. Then he took a transparent aluminum frame that held a piece of paper; if nothing else, Starfleet valued its old traditions. "Petty Officer Wildman, I hereby grant you your Honorable Discharge from Starfleet. Good luck with your life, and thank you for your service provided to us. Dismissed, Petty Officer Wildman."
Naomi stood and looked at Ross for a moment, a bit dazed about the fact that not only had her Federation position been made official; she had even been promoted. Then she remembered protocol, gave a salute and quickly made her way back to her mom. She was so excited that she never noticed the tears that were running down a proud mother's face.
The next person was called, and Seven realized quickly that while Starfleet had not followed all of her suggestions, they sure had followed a lot. And on top of that even added some; like Naomi's promotion. Ross slowly worked his way up the ranks and there were actually quite a lot promotions made.
Then Seven realized the reason. These people were leaving Starfleet for good, and as such the promotions were of the kind their record deserved; not what the situations in Starfleet allowed.
Seven wasn't sure which look on Harry's face she found more interesting. The one when he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, the one when he was awarded the Starfleet Medal of Honor, the one when he was awarded the Starfleet Citation for Conspicuous Gallantry, or the one when he was awarded with the Cochrane Medal of Excellence. In the end, all of the Senior Crew had gotten at least two Starfleet medals and the ceremony ended with Captain Hansen being awarded with the Starfleet Medal of Honor and the Prentares Ribbon of Commendation.
Or at least Seven thought that this was the end.
"Lastly," Ross said once Annika was back where she had stood before. "All the people that joined Voyager on its journey became members of the crew along the way and have gotten their commendations when I called them in order of their rank. All people with the exception of one that is."
Looking at Seven, Ross added, "Civilian Seven of Nine, would you please join me at the podium?"
Confused, and after a little push in her back from Torres, Seven walked over to the podium.
"Seven of Nine," Ross began, "I realize that the following pales in comparison with the things that happened in the Universe you now call home. Still, you did serve Starfleet for several years, and we don't forget the people that helped us. As such, for the services you provided to Starfleet even though you were a civilian, I hereby award you the Starfleet Honorary title of Commander-At-Large."
Seven lost some of her cool composure when hearing that and her jaw actually dropped a little. She knew only too well from her research as to what commendations she was going to suggest for the Voyager crew that the honorary title of Commander-At-Large was not really a command rank as such. It was a prestigious recognition for people that had, as civilians, served Starfleet on a level one should only expect from senior Starfleet Officers.
After a few seconds to let his words sink in, Ross continued, "Since you are now an Honorary Starfleet Commander... For showing valor and bravery in action that was above and beyond the call of duty I hereby award you with the Starfleet Medal of Honor. For showing extreme bravery in the line of duty I hereby award you the Starfleet Decoration of Gallantry. In recognition of remarkable leadership, meritorious conduct, and acts of personal bravery, I hereby award you the Christopher Pike Medal of Valor. Lastly, but certainly not least, for outstanding feats in numerous areas, I hereby award you the Cochrane Medal of Excellence."
After having said the last, Ross took a square box from inside the speaker podium and handed it to Seven. Seven slowly opened the Starfleet-blue box and inside, nestled in velvet, she saw the four medals that Ross had just awarded her. She looked back up at Ross, not really knowing what to say.
It was Ross that spoke up though, his voice softer and nowhere near the 'speaker voice' he had used before. "From the files of Captain Janeway, we know that one of your fears was that Starfleet would lock you away to do all kinds of experiments on you since you were Borg; basically dissect you. I won't lie to you, you would have faced days, weeks, or even months of questioning. But it would have been that; questioning. Not interrogation."
He gave her a small smile and assured, "Starfleet prides itself on looking at individuals, and not which species they are. The questioning would have been because you have information about the Borg; not because you were Borg. We recognize the things you did for Starfleet, the times you risked your life, the personal sacrifices you brought. As such, these medals only go a small way to showing our gratitude."
Ross took a step back and did what he hadn't done with the others; he saluted.
Seven needed a moment for realization to catch up before she returned the salute.
Ross lowered his hand again. "Commander, thank you for your services to Starfleet. Dismissed."
Not really knowing how to react, Seven suddenly felt an arm closing around her shoulder. Looking at her lover, Seven whispered, "I never realized."
"Realized what?" Torres asked softly.
"I was only thinking of the others; I never realized that I too needed closure from Starfleet, from the life I had before."
Ross, who was the only one close enough to have heard the soft conversation was about to place a hand on Seven's shoulder, but quickly changed his mind when he heard the growl coming from the beast that was sitting at Seven's side. "As Intendant Phoenix, you and I still have quite a lot of things to discuss, but never doubt that we recognize only too well what you as Seven of Nine did for a Federation Starship; for Starfleet."
Trying to lighten the mood a little, he asked, "Which reminds me, you are already stealing this fine Starfleet crew, are we at least getting our Starfleet ship back? Those things aren't cheap, you know?"
Seven favored Ross with a small smile before saying, "Actually, I have something to discuss with you about ships, but shall we keep that until tomorrow?"
"Alright," Ross said, wondering what Seven meant, but having been in Starfleet long enough to have learnt patience.
Ross made a little show of looking around him and to the Klingon guards that were in the room. "In that case, is it safe to break out the alcohol? I don't want any fights here about just what's better; Coalition of Federation."
"I can assure you," Torres said, "Those guards don't drink alcohol, not when on duty that is."
"Then by all means, let's get the party started."
~~~~~~~{}~~~~~~~
They were comfortably resting on the couch in their quarters and Torres was just about to ask Seven a question when she realized just where her hand was resting. Curious she asked, "Seven?"
"Yes?" Seven asked from her comfortable position, nestled in Torres arms.
"I love you." Torres gave a little grin of wonder when the heartbeat that she felt with her hand did indeed stop for a moment before continuing with its steady beat. "Wow, I wonder when that magic will stop."
"Never," Seven assured turning in the embrace and looking at Torres. "I cannot predict the future, however I can predict that hearing you say that you love me will never stop affecting me. I love you too, B'Elanna Torres, and my life would be meaningless without you."
"Your life would be very meaningful," Torres disagreed. "You are changing the lives of so many, without you they would be totally lost."
"That only means that my life is meaningful for them," Seven disagreed. "for me personally it would at best mean that I would be kept busy. However, it does not change the fact that for me, my life would be meaningless without you."
"Well, just for the record, baby, my life would be meaningless with out you also."
"Good thing then that we have each other," Seven said amused.
"Indeed," Torres agreed, using one of Seven's most favored words. She took her time to treat Seven to a kiss that left the blonde breathless before pulling back a little and looking at those unfocused blue eyes with a clear trace of amusement.
"Are you trying to get me into bed?" Seven asked after a moment.
"No," Torres assured, only to lean in and kiss Seven again before adding, "I'll do that later. I just felt like kissing you."
"I like when you feel like kissing me. I think I should return the favor." Seven did so, taking her time to slip her tongue inside Torres' mouth for a methodically exploration.
After a few very enjoyable minutes, Torres asked amused, "But it sure seems that 'you' are trying to get 'me' into bed. Are you, my Pet?"
"No," Seven assured. "I merely want to turn you on."
Torres laughed. "Seven, you only have to wink at me to turn me on, and you damn well know it."
Seven's answer was another kiss.
"So, Intendant Phoenix," Torres asked after the two had spent another couple of minutes with returning the favor of kissing back and forth. "What's the plan now? You do know that I have to be on Liakria II in four days time, right?"
"I remember," Seven assured. "My plan was to leave tomorrow, not too early of course. I want to give people a chance to sleep off the partying they did tonight."
That too had been a surprise of Starfleet. Now that the last day of the negotiations were over, only leaving the small things that could be addressed over the communication device, Starfleet had thrown together a goodbye party of sorts. The three days of the negotiations had been used by Starfleet to gather up any friends and family of the Voyager crew members that could be at DS9 in time for the party. The emotional displays Seven had seen had made it clear to her that even after she left, she would have to find a way for people to, from time to time, visit the universe they once came from.
She had pointed out as much to Admiral Ross who fully agreed with her. Then he had reminded her that the people that were now 'her people' would have vacation time, and that there was nothing that said just in which universe that vacation had to be spent. The way things were going between the Phoenix Alliance and Starfleet, the travel back and forth shouldn't be a problem.
Seven had wondered for a moment whether this generosity was simply out of kindness of Starfleet; a kindness she had no reason to expect in such measure, or whether it was simply a case of making sure that the people that were going to form Seven's government never lost touch with the roots they had in the Starfleet Universe. In the end, Seven had decided, it really didn't matter. All that mattered was that 'her people' weren't cut off from family and loved ones forever.
"Once we leave we can go to Risa, making a stop along the way so that you can take care of the problem on Liakria II. Martok's reports tell me that the last two people I am looking for are both on Risa and their known business plans indicate that they will be there for one week. So if I want to save myself a trip to Orion we have to be at Risa within that one week. Does this schedule meet your approval?"
Torres went over distances and speed for a moment before pointing out, "To get to Risa within a week, and stopping at Liakria II for at least one day, means that we would have to run the engines at maximum cruise the entire time. I don't want to do that for a whole week."
Seven moved slightly until she was pinning Torres to the couch. "There is another option."
"Really, do tell," Torres urged, not at all upset to be covered by a hot blonde who was slowly moving up until her breasts were right at the Klingon's mouth level.
"We could take Voyager instead. We can then have the Negh'Var ship follow us at the highest realistic speed. The only problem I see is that there will not be enough room for your full guard contingent, and I do not mean the ten close guards."
Torres playfully tried to nibble some of the firm swell that was gently pressed against her face. "I know, I know, you mean those three hundred damn commandos. Well, baby, the name really gives the solution; commandos. They have been trained to survive in the wilderness and all that. We can stow them away in those cargo bays in bunk beds. To them that will be luxury."
She tried to nibble again, but once again it didn't really work. "You know you little vixen, this would be a lot more fun if you are naked."
"Yes Mistress." Seven stood up and more than willingly stripped out of her bio-suit.
"Hey, what about not wanting to get me into bed?" Torres asked right before licking her lips without even realizing it.
Even after almost a year together, it never stopped to affect her to see the blonde nude. Even after as many times as they had shared the bed... and other places... she still was in love with every curve of the blonde, still relished even the smallest squeeze of a breast or playful touch on the behind.
Seven looked at the couch for a moment. "This is a couch, not a bed. I am not trying to get you into bed, at this time, but I am trying to make us necking as we talk a bit more fun."
Torres crooked a finger at the blonde. "My Pet, let me assure you, when you get nude, it won't be stopping at necking. I'll be doing a lot more to you before I get off this couch again."
Seven smiled and started to kneel. By now the action and the result was so connected that Torres didn't even realize that she had opened her legs to give her lover more room.
"I know," Seven assured. "And I look forward to it. But I also look forward to see if I can drive you crazy. I am going to turn you on, tease you, make you wet, and I want to see how long I can do that before you can no longer talk coherently."
"Oh, you are so mean," Torres growled playfully. She grabbed a hand of blonde locks and pulled up, of course making sure that she did so slow enough for Seven to go with the motion. Once they were nose to nose, Torres growled again. "I'm so going to make you pay for that."
Seven slowly lowered herself again a little. "Promise?"
"Oh, I promise alright," Torres assured.
"Good, such determination needs to be rewarded." Seven stopped moving down and changed direction. She moved teasingly slow and once they were eye to eye she stopped for a moment and they shared a knowing look.
Then she moved on, higher, until finally one of her nipples was brushing over Torres' lips. "May I point out, the Commandoes normally stay in the quarters on deck 12, those they would see as luxury."
Her nipple was caught between sharp teeth and she continued with a smile, "The bunk beds on Voyager they would see as 'not bad'. Having said that, I believe that could work, if you as Intendant, do not mind traveling on a ship of which the weapons and the shields are far less powerful than the Negh'Var."
Torres moaned around the peak in her mouth. Reluctantly she let it go. "Baby, you really expect me to talk?!"
"Yes." Seven moved her other nipple close and waited until it was being very expertly sucked upon. "Mmm, nice."
"I can't really talk like this," Torres mumbled, not really willing to let her price go.
"Then I suggest that you free you mouth, and set the situation to your hand. You are supposed to be good at that, Intendant."
Torres suddenly gave Seven's behind a sharp slap. "Hey, no cheap jokes about me being Intendant. Remember, when we have fun I'm never the Intendant. Unless it's one of those occasions where you want to be fucked by the Intendant of course."
"No, it is merely me wanting to try something new. B'Elanna, I love to make love to you. But unfortunately we now often have to spend quite some time talking. And the irritating part is that the talking needs to happen. We might postpone it now so that we can make love, then we still have to talk later."
She frowned, realizing that she was giving the wrong impression. "And it is not just the making love. There are a lot of things we do together that suffer now because we have to talk about work. I think we should combine more. There is nothing that says that we cannot talk about the allocation of resources while we are playing with Toby."
She shook her breasts slightly before adding. "There is nothing that says that you cannot touch me while we talk about traveling. But if we do combine it means more free time where we do not even have to think about work."
Torres grinned. Explained like that she was definitely open for the challenge of something new. "Alright, let's try that."
She moved a hand between them until she had reached Seven's golden curls. She started to move her fingers through them, playing with the curls of Seven's neatly trimmed pubic hair.
Torres heard Seven give a small groan of pleasure and decided to turn things around a bit. She was Torres damn it; she was supposed to be in control. Teasing her lover mercilessly, she continued the conversation. "And about me traveling on Voyager, come on, baby, the fact that Voyager is less powerful than the Negh'Var doesn't really matter. You know just as well as I that I only travel on this ship so that I can show up and basically tell people, 'Look at the big boot I got with me that I can shove up your ass if you fuck with me'. Voyager will be fine for one trip. Besides, I think your crew will like it. You know; one last mission before the have to concentrate more on governing than on being a spaceship crew."
Seven let her head drop onto her lover's shoulder. The blonde had admitted to Torres that when she had still been on Voyager she didn't have hair growth on her pubic bone; stopped by the Borg to enhance the effectiveness of the body armor that relied on contact with the skin to work. But when she was studying mating behavior, she had also explored some video files for people that didn't have access to a holodeck. In it one of the people had gone crazy when her partner was playing with her pubic curls.
Wanting to see if it really could feel that nice, Seven had stimulated the hair grow above her center. Being smart enough, and liking aesthetics enough by then, to only stimulate the hairs above her center in a neat triangle large enough to have enough hairs to play with, and still small enough to enhance the aesthetics. She had liked the feeling of playing with the hairs, but nothing more. Still, since she then had her golden curls and did like how it looked, she had left them.
And now she was glad. What a difference it made if it wasn't you but your lover that was doing the playing. Because every time Torres played with the short curls, it always drove the blonde wild with passion and need.
"I believe you are correct," Seven managed to say as her body started to rock slightly against the teasing hand. "Either w, wonderful."
Torres stopped and asked with a grin, "Either wonderful?"
"Either way, I meant," Seven corrected, never lifting her head from its perch. "One week later, two weeks in total from now, I would like to hold my first meeting with my complete government top. I plan on having a meeting with the entire government top once every month, with the people being present either physically, or through a view screen."
"You want to make sure that they keep working as a group and know what the others are doing," Torres said in understanding as she reluctantly moved her hand. She loved to play with Seven's hair; be it head hair or pubic hair. But she knew that Seven also loved to be touched in different places. That was one of the many things she loved about the blonde. Other people wanted to be touched 'here' or 'there'. Seven simply wanted to be touched, period. The where merely meant a different kind of nice feeling that the touch gave.
Her hands moved to Seven's hips and rested there for a moment, wanting to be sure that Seven could coherently understand her. "You might want to look into doing it different than through a view screen though. I have tried it, and I can tell you that it sounds great in theory, but doesn't work in practice. Well, I mean, it does work in practice if you have a smaller group, say up to four or five people. Then you can even have a view screen meeting without any of the people meeting in the same physical place, if you know what I mean. But it doesn't work with more people. You have over twenty people, what if half can't physically be there because they are doing other things?"
Seven sighed and stepped back for a moment.
Knowing only too well why, Torres didn't let go of the blonde but merely leaned forward a little until the blonde was back far enough for Torres to be able to close her legs.
"You are correct," Seven agreed as she leaned forward again to kiss Torres. "Having meetings mostly only over viewscreen would not work with such a high number. It would be... confusing. I will give the matter some thought. Maybe I can work with interactive holograms instead, where a person sees what the 'eyes' of the hologram see; basically still be present like that."
Torres sucked on Seven's neck in just the right spot that always produced that little whimper. There it was. Having succeeded in that task, she suggested, "Or you could simplify it and just take your government with you wherever you go."
"What do you mean?" Seven asked as she leaned back a bit and tugged Torres' under-armor shirt up to expose her breasts. "I love that I can do this, that you thought that it was indeed a good idea to take the battle uniform off in the evening.
Torres smirked as her breasts were being cupped. "Well, your arguments were very convincing... kinda like this repeat of that argument. As for what I mean by taking your government with you, Seven you are already doing it now pretty much anyway. The biggest part of people that are going to be in your government are on Voyager; following us around everywhere. Also, as you told several people already; you don't want to separate couples because that would also mean cutting the number of available people in half because they would stay with their partners and not take the jobs. You are setting up the jobs so that the people can do most of their job over a viewscreen. For them this works because then there would be only one viewscreen. Other people will be at the Ministry and contact the person in your government over that one viewscreen."
"True, so?" Seven asked as she moved her thumbs over Torres caramel covered nipples.
"So, my suggestion is that you keep doing that. Just have them follow you around unless they have to be somewhere. If they do have to be somewhere then they go, and then those people can join meetings over a viewscreen just like they join other meetings over a viewscreen. That way you will cut down on the number of viewscreens in a meeting to a reasonable number of the few people that had to be somewhere else. And not to forget, because they are interacting as a group all the time, you keep that 'group thinking' you want in your government."
"I could do that," Seven said thoughtfully. "But would that not be a security risk? Having the entire government in one place would make a tempting target for all that want to get rid of that government."
Torres frowned. "Attack a ship that is flying in the Negh'Var's proverbial shadow? Or try to get at the people of your government that are on my ship? Not counting a single infiltrator slipping in to kill one or two people, this ship is one of the most secure places in the Coalition. You could argue that it's just as secure as Worf's palace. He has more security around him, but he is on a planet where someone can easily land and doesn't even have to give a reason for coming to the planet. It is the main power center in the Coalition; hundreds of ships come and go every day just for supplies alone. But here, I have less security than him, but it's centered on protecting a ship. Nothing can get even close without first being checked. Believe me, it's much tougher to get at your government is they are close to this ship than if they were on a planet. After all, on a planet a ship in orbit could fire on their location. Any ship that fires on this ship will only do superficial damage, and that's if the shields are down."
"A very valid argument," Seven had to admit. "And if I do have them with me all the time, but do not make that an actual law, I will not be setting a way of working that absolutely has to be followed by the next Intendant."
Seven was quiet again while thinking about the idea. She liked it in general, but did see one problem. "However, if I keep them following me around, I will be preventing them from having a social life with others, from setting on a planet and making friends there."
"No you won't," Torres disagreed. "Well, in the essence of the word, yes you will. But baby, remember who we are talking about. Most of your government, and the layers directly below them, is made up from the Voyager crew. They are used to traveling around, they already have friends. In fact, if they were to go settle on a planet they would be leaving their friends behind, or they would all settle on the same damn planet. So you won't be keeping them from having a social life; they already have one."
She sighed and covered the hands that were teasing her so expertly. Then she opened her arms. "Come here you. Enough of the teasing while we talk. At least for now. I really am only a fraction away from throwing you onto this couch and fuck you like there is no tomorrow."
She frowned while thinking for a moment. "Or do the slow and gentle thing; I could go either way right now. But the point is that I am about to go. So, let's cuddle while we talk."
"Yes Mistress," Seven willingly agreed as she moved to lie against Torres' side.
Once the blonde was nestled in to Torres' liking, the Klingon continued. "About your friends, their social life is the Voyager crew, and if you keep that group together you keep their social life together, no matter where we are traveling at the moment. It's a bit different for the people that weren't Voyager crew before, but it still doesn't matter. For instance, take that Orion you want as Minister of Commerce. She is from Orion, has her life there. If she is going to take your offer of joining your government she will have to leave that behind one way or another. Either she will have to move to where you put the Capital City of the Phoenix Alliance, or she has to move and be here with you."
She shrugged. "Moving it is either way. She too will have to find ways to deal with that. More than likely you will notice that she will make quite some 'official' trips to Orion. It will be up to you to see just what you will tolerate, just what will you let her get away with as a compensation for taking her away from her home and business. But even there you will being doing her a favor by having the your government follow you around. Yes, she has to leave Orion, but at least she will be around the same people all the time. She will have the time to get to know people and make friends in your government."
"That is a very good point." Seven took a moment to pull Torres' under-armor shirt down again into somewhat of a normal position, only so that she could move her fully Human hand under it so that she could lazily move her fingers over Torres' abs.
That was another difference between them. Seven was a lot stronger than Torres, but the reason was because her body was enhanced by Borg implants. Torres didn't have any strength enhancing implants as such. The metal layer covering her bones strengthened her skeleton, but didn't make her physically stronger. The only thing that made Torres a little stronger was the hormone regulating implant that had increased Torres' strength by approximately fifteen percent simply by regulating hormones and having things like adrenalin ready all the time if needed, even for smaller tasks like lifting stuff, and not only when the body perceived danger.
So that meant that Torres had to work at it to keep her rather impressive strength and muscle tone up. Not that she minded since she preferred to stay good with the bat’leth since she felt that a Klingon Intendant should be able to hold her own in a fight.
Seven on the other hand had a lean body, but not real outstanding muscles. This too was a result of the implants. Seven would never have to worry about gaining weight; the implants would prevent it. But those same implants would also make sure that her muscle tone would always be what the Borg had once decided was the best. In other words, lean but covered with a thin layer of fat. This because lean and protected muscles were suited best for drones that needed to do all kinds of different tasks.
But Torres was definitely not a weak person. Growing up as a mix between species, she had always felt that she needed to proof herself, needed to be better than the others. And the result was that now she was known as being a good fighter that knew how to use the bat'leth just as good as her fists. Her well deserved name as a fighter also helped in keeping the challenges down. Simply because most Klingons knew that in an honest and honorable fight they would probably lose. Only the delusional hopefuls did still challenge her, which Torres almost always ignored because they were nowhere high enough to be able to have a viable challenge position.
A result of this level of martial art, and the fact that she liked keeping in shape, was a body covered with lean muscles. Nothing too extreme though. Enough to see the muscles move, to see biceps bulge and stick out when Torres pulled herself up during training, to give her shoulders a wonderful filled roundness. And gave her some very nice abs that Seven just loved to run her hands over.
As Seven trailed the lines formed by Torres' so nicely defined abs, she thought about what her lover has said. She had to agree that Torres was right; people's lives were going to change one way or another. That was one of the things those people had to keep in mind when deciding on whether or not to join the Phoenix Alliance government.
"Hey, I got an idea," Torres suddenly said, startling Seven a little. "About going to Risa; we take Voyager to go to Risa, but instead of having the Negh'Var following us, we can leave her here, well, in this location 'here' in our Universe. With Voyager we can go to Risa and be back in a two week trip. If we leave my ship here, Tom and the others can reach the Negh'Var within two weeks. Within two weeks some people might also be back from where they wanted to go in this universe. And let's not forget, we can then simply 'hop' back here so that Tom and the others can get their commendations from Starfleet, and not us just handing them a box."
"They do not yet know that they have gotten commendations," Seven agreed.
She had talked this over with the others and they had agreed that it would be great to surprise them with the commendations when they got back instead of simply being told over a view screen.
Then she added, "In fact, I will contact Admiral Ross tomorrow. Maybe we can have a second, smaller, ceremony so that the others can get their commendation in a proper ceremony. I doubt that the Admiral himself will do it since he probably has to go somewhere, but I am sure that some Starfleet representative will be able to hold the ceremony."
"Ross might want to do it, if you suggest it right," Torres disagreed. "Things seem to go pretty good between the two of you. Suggest that he accompany you on the trip we have to make to Risa, since we will be on Voyager and not on my ship he will maybe be more inclined to do so. Tell him that we want to offer him, as Starfleet representative, an opportunity to see how the Intendants work. And also to see how the people react to the Intendants. Oh, and once on Risa he can use the time that we are there to look around and see how the planet looks here, see that we weren’t lying when we said that life goes on when the Intendant arrives, and that people really aren’t all suffering under a terrible regime. Double oh, and not to forget, that on the two week journey he and you can discuss your plans in a little more detail."
"He will love that last part especially, I'm sure," Seven said amused.
Torres chuckled. "Oh yeah. And then, almost in a 'by the way' manner, suggest that since we will be back around that time, he can do the ceremony thing over again and hand the commendations to Joe, Vorik, Megan, and Tom. I'm willing to bet you a month's allowance that he will go for it."
Seven tilted her head up a little to look at her lover's eyes. "You must be pretty sure of yourself, to be betting thirty million credits. However, since my allowance goes into a fund, I do not have an allowance I could put up against that. I am sure that you would suggest that I 'work off' the credits if I were to lose; I do not want that."
"Aww, you are such a spoil's sport," Torres said with a fake pout. "And here I thought I was finally going to get that Body Slave I bought."
"You never bought me," Seven reminded. "You took me."
"Yeah, but I'm really good at taking you," Torres said, now with an overly sexy grin.
"That you are," Seven agreed.
"Aww, damn it, baby. You were supposed to say 'prove it'."
Seven moved her hands from Torres' abs up until she was cupping a warm breast before moving her thumb to stimulate a nipple that was getting very hard, very fast. "I see; I was right after all."
"About what?" Torres asked, as she arched her back a little to push her breast more firmly into Seven's hand.
"About the fact that you want to get me into bed," Seven stated before suddenly taking the nipple between her thumb and index finger and pinching just hard enough to give Torres that slight trace of pain that she sometimes wanted when she was in 'that' mood.
"Ouch, you bitch," Torres said in mock outrage before grabbing Seven and wrestling a little with her until the blonde was lying beneath her with her arms pinned above her head by Torres' hands. Of course, Torres knew only too well that this would only last for as long as the stronger Seven would allow it. "Now you'll pay."
Before Seven could ask how, Torres brought her mouth to Seven's neck and sucked, hard. "There, now you wear my mark for all to see. No more confusion about just who owns you." Of course Torres knew only too well that the hickey she had just created would be gone within minutes thanks to Seven's nanoprobes.
Seven looked Torres in the eyes for a moment before merely stating, "Alright."
"Alright?" Torres repeated, confused.
"Alright, as in, I have just given my nanoprobes the order to ignore any damage to the upper skin of my neck. B'Elanna, I will always be proud to wear your mark."
"Really?" Torres asked, even after all their time together still amazed at how completely Seven had given herself to her. The Klingon brought her lips to Seven's and they spent a moment enjoying each other's kisses.
Finally Torres moved a little to the side and stopped at Seven's cheek. "Any mark?" she asked softly, her warm breath tickling the pristine skin under her lips.
"Any mark," Seven assured once again. Then she smiled. "According to the Chancellor we are already engaged, do you not think it is time we made that official?"
Torres' answer was to bite down, breaking the skin and then quickly licking away the blood that had formed. "I love you, Seven. I love you, my fiancée, and I look forward to the day that I can say; I love you, my wife."
Seven said nothing, but closed her arms around her lover in a tight embrace as her lover took care of small wound she had created. Kissing and licking until the blood stopped forming.
"Did it stop?" Seven asked when Torres lowered her head until they were cheek to cheek.
"Yes, my fiancée," Torres assured.
"B'Elanna?"
"Yes."
At first Seven had thought that Torres was saying 'yes' to the questioning 'B'Elanna,' but then Torres moved her head, bringing her cheek close to Seven's mouth.
"Yes," Torres said again, this time as she felt Seven's teeth break her skin. The matching marks would be clear to understand for every Klingon; there was no dominant partner in their relationship.
"Come to bed," Seven said when Torres' wound had stopped bleeding. "I want to make love to my fiancée."
~~~~~~~{}~~~~~~~
It was a few hours later when the topic of Voyager crew came up again.
"You must be glad that Tuvok and T'Pel will be back in time to be at that meeting," Torres stated as she playfully circled one of Seven's nipples with her middle finger.
"I am glad that both agreed to be part of my government," Seven agreed. "That they will be back in time to be at the first meeting is a bonus."
As Tuvok had told them the day before, coincidence wanted it that T'Pel was on a seminar on Praka VI; four days away from DS9 at warp eight. Tuvok had contacted his wife and they had discussed matters over the viewscreen. They had quickly come to the conclusion that it was only logical for both of them to take the position in Seven's government, not in the least because of what they could mean for the Vulcan species as a whole there.
Now Tuvok was already on his way to Praka VI, having left the moment the party ended. Once he would arrive, he and T'Pel would spend a few days there to get reacquainted with each other and then come back in time to be at the first Governmental meeting. As Tuvok had said; starting up the Phoenix Alliance was of paramount importance. Once that was done, he and T'Pel would take a vacation to finally make that trip to Vulcan.
Of course, as soon as Tuvok had left the room, Torres had asked Seven if she knew what 'getting reacquainted' meant for Vulcans partners that had spent years apart. Before Seven had been able to answer, Torres had told her; since mates Vulcans are monogamy to the extreme, 'getting reacquainted' meant to meet up and have sex like crazy and catch up on years of going without.
"One of the first things I have to do with my full government is to set up a structure in which they basically work like I do," Seven said as she playfully captured Torres' hand, but only to then bring it to her other breast.
"What do you mean?" Torres asked as she dutifully started to circle the other nipple.
"I want it all," Seven said. "I want my people to govern and steer other people, yet at the same time I want them to stay on certain projects and give it their full attention, that is an oxymoron of sorts. The problem is that I appreciate the qualities of the people I select into my government, and as such I want their focus on important things. However, just look at what I am doing. I have spent already one and a half months just selecting the right people for the right positions, and in some cases have gone to see them. By the time the first governmental meeting will be held two months will have passed since the Phoenix Alliance has been created. What do I have to show for it? Nothing. Nothing except for the fact that people agreed to be part of my government."
"Yeah, but the main reason for that is because you want to get a feel for the situation," Torres reminded. "You don't simply want to appoint people from reading a record. You want to see them, talk to them; get a feel for them. That takes time."
"I realize that, and that is my point," Seven said slightly amused. With a smile she once again took Torres' hand and moved it around as if she couldn't make up her mind.
Torres grinned and willingly let her hand be moved around until Seven settled on a very sensitive spot. "Oh, I like this place," Torres said as slowly moved her index finger over Seven's bundle of nerves.
"What I want them to do is the same; appoint people to do the general work while they themselves deal with problems that have risen to their level. While at the same time also take a direct interest in subjects they think needs close attention."
"Close attention?" Torres asked, before saying, "Alright." And moving lower until she was between Seven's legs. "I can do close attention."
Torres placed a kiss on the same place where her finger was mere moments before. She placed another kiss before saying, "That goes along with my suggestion of taking your government with you wherever you go. They will be with you, see what you want them to focus on. They will give that..." another kiss, "...close attention to those things. Besides that there will come things to their attention from problems they have to deal with. They will see the problem and decide that from now on, or at least for some time, that problem requires some..." This time a slow lick, "...close attention. The rest can be done by the people in the Ministries. As policy setters your people will have a wide range of things that passes their desk, but if you ask them in one year's time; so what did you do?' It might very well be that they can only mention ten things at most."
"Which is alright, because they also kept the focus on the whole that is their Ministry and steered in general directions."
"Right," Torres agreed.
"B'Elanna?"
"Yes?" Torres asked.
"I did say focus."
"Ah," Torres asked before sucking Seven's warm flesh into her mouth and moving her tongue over it. After a moment she let go and said, "I can do focused," Before proving to Seven just how great she was at focusing.
~~~~~~~{}~~~~~~~
"Hey, can I speak to you for a moment?"
Kastra looked behind her and saw Leeta coming down the corridor.
"Sorry for shouting," Leeta apologized. "I was just coming to see you, so when I saw you walking away."
"It's alright," Kastra assured. "How can I help you?" Kastra was debating about doing the polite thing and ask Leeta into her quarters instead of talking in the corridor, but finally decided against it because she too really needed to be somewhere.
"Um, I, well," Leeta suddenly stammered. Finally she rushed ahead. "I was hoping that you could help me, I really like Ezri Tigan."
"I'm happy for you," Kastra said with a smile.
"No, you don't understand, I like her; a lot."
"I do understand," Kastra assured. "I just don't understand why you come to see me. You don't strike me as a person that would have a problem with approaching a person she likes."
"Well, normally no," Leeta assured. "The thing is that I have to work with her. She is a Minister, so am I. I have to work with her on a continued basis, and I don't want to mess that up either. I was hoping, you know, since you are a Betazoid, that you know, maybe you could, I don't know, have a little talk with her. Bring me up as a subject and see how she feels. I really don't want to approach her only to find out that she is not interested. That would make working with her really... awkward."
"That reasoning is just silly," Kastra said, inward amused about the feelings of insecure nervousness she was feeling from Leeta. It was good to see that she wasn't the only one with feelings like that. "What if you are to get into a relationship with her and it doesn't work out? Don't you think that it would be awkward working with her then as well?"
"Well, yeah, I guess, but,"
"Leeta, I don't really know you that well yet, but just as you don't strike me as a person that would have a problem with approaching a person she likes, you do strike me as a bold person that goes for what she wants. Do so now." Kastra winked before suggesting, "The Ministers have the authority to interrogate people, within limits. Maybe you should do just that; subject Ezri to an interrogation and see how she feels."
"Now that's just plain stupid," Leeta said annoyed. "I can't interrogate a Minister, the law doesn't allow for that. Besides, that sure won't get her interested in me."
Kastra sighed before asking, "Leeta, what are you doing here?"
"I told you, I want some advice," Leeta said still annoyed.
"And what did I just give you?"
"Well,"
"You wanted advice; you got it," Kastra said. "I can't do any more for you. Now if you excuse me, I have somewhere to be."
As Kastra walked away she smiled to herself, hoping that Leeta would be smart enough to follow her suggestion.
A few minutes later she rounded a corner in the corridor that would bring her to Donatra's quarters, and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Donatra standing in front of her door; sharing a passionate kiss with a Klingon woman.
Donatra had her eyes closed, but when she opened her eyes and saw Kastra she quickly took a step away from the Klingon. Seeing that Kastra was turning around, Donatra quickly moved in her direction and grabbed her arm. "Kastra, wait."
Looking back at the Klingon she said. "Listen... um,"
The Klingon snorted before making a spitting gesture. "I hope for her that you at least remember her name the next morning." With a final dismissive gesture, the Klingon turned around and walked down the corridor.
Donatra gave a silent curse before turning back to Kastra, only belated realizing that she was still holding on to the Betazoid's arm. Letting go of the arm she started, "Um, sorry. I just didn't want you go leave thinking that I,"
"You what?" Kastra interrupted. "You didn't want me to know that you were sleeping around while I,"
"Oh, no. Don't you dare, don't you fucking dare," Donatra interrupted forcefully. "Don't you even think about suggesting that there is something between us. The only thing there ever was between us was that you happen to be reading my mind when I was thinking that I would love to have you in my bed. That's all; a thought. So don't you dare to pretend that I have to act in any way different than I do. I could go around and sleep with every damn person on this ship and you would have no right to object about it. There is nothing between us; nothing."
Hearing the forceful words, Kastra couldn't stop the tears that came to her eyes. She felt like Donatra was trampling all over her soul.
Seeing the tears, Donatra didn't waste any time to take the young Betazoid in her arms for a comforting hug. It was on the tip of her tongue to apologize for her words, but she didn't. She had been right, and she knew it. If she apologized now it would only be hollow words, to both of them.
"Hollow words are still nice to hear at times," Kastra said, making no initiative to end the embrace.
Donatra smiled. "How about until we know each other better you only listen to the words I speak, and ignore the words I think?"
Kastra hesitated for a moment before agreeing with a nod.
Donatra sighed when she felt the nod against her shoulder. "Kastra, just what do you want from me?"
"You are doing pretty good right now," Kastra said, tightening her embrace a little to indicate what she meant. "I also don't like to see you with anyone else."
"That's quite some demand, for someone that never showed any interest in me before."
"What?" Kastra asked surprised. "I have showed lots of interest in you; you just don't seem to react."
"What are you talking about?" Donatra asked confused, reluctantly stepping out of the embrace. "Come on," She suggested, basically pulling Kastra into her quarters by her hand. Once inside she turned back to Kastra and asked again; "What are you talking about? What interest have you shown me, with the exception of some blushing?"
"I always open my mind for you, I,"
Donatra lifted her hand to stop Kastra from continuing. "Then I guess that's your mistake right there. I'm Romulan, Kastra; not a Betazoid. We Romulans don't do the telepath thing, I have no idea what you think. As the saying goes; I can look against your head, but not in it."
Kastra's mouth hang open a little when she realized that she hadn't even noticed the obvious.
Realization started to set in for Donatra as well. "Tell me honestly, Kastra. Have you ever been with someone?"
"No, on both accounts," Kastra honestly admitted.
"Hey, remember the deal?" Donatra asked with a smile, "No replying to my thoughts."
Though she complained about the mind reading, Donatra was actually thrilled about the fact that maybe, just maybe, there was a chance that one day she would not only be the Betazoid's first relationship, but also her first lover.
This time Kastra only smiled.
Donatra sighed before walking over to the couch and sitting down. She patted the place beside her and just as she hoped, Kastra sat down beside her. "You aren't making it easy on yourself, you know? If you never have been in a relationship before, you would at least know the general idea if you get into a relationship with someone of your own species. That someone would have felt how you feel and think and acted. You would have felt what they think and reacted. Added to that you would have general ideas from theater plays you have attended, interaction you have seen, fiction you have read, holodeck programs you have run. You can rely on none of that when you are getting into a relationship with a different species."
"Are you telling me that I'm a fool for wanting a relationship with you?" Kastra asked softly.
"No," Donatra assured. "What I'm telling you is that you have to be willing and ready to start from scratch. Learn through trial and error; fall, and then stand right back up again."
"I am willing to go down a rocky road," Kastra assured. "It's just that I won't accept some things, no matter which species my partner is from."
"Like sleeping around?" Donatra asked.
"Yes," Kastra agreed.
"Too bad for you that we aren't in a relationship and therefore I can do whatever I want, right?" Donatra stated bluntly.
"Right," Kastra said, closing her eyes in defeat. She could feel how determined Donatra was about that point; as long as people weren't in a relationship they also had no hold on each another.
"Alright then," Donatra said, taking Kastra's hand and placing a kiss on the knuckles. "As long as we got that clear, let me lay down the rules for you. Kastra, if nothing else, remember this; I'm not a mind reader. I can't 'hear' what you think. You got to tell me; verbally. If there is something wrong and you don't tell me, I won't know. If I have a feeling that there is something wrong and I ask you and I get an 'I'm fine' answer, then I'll accept that. It may be crude and basic communication for a Betazoid, but that's what you got to do if you want to communicate with me. Along that line, I don't know what, and how, you feel for me; I would like to hear it from time to time."
She waited to see if Kastra would object, but she only got a small nod as answer. "Alright, second, but just as important, I'm not used to being around a Betazoid. I am however used to not always think what I say, or say what I think, if you understand the difference between the two. I may say one thing, but think the other. In cases like that, go for what I said, not for what I think. Also, I don't even want what I thought to be held against me. Don't, ever, tell me 'you may say so, but you are not thinking it'. Let's face it, at times I'll think things that I don't really want to do. There is a very fine line between real thoughts and daytime fantasies."
"Like yesterday in that meeting," Kastra said in understanding. "You were talking about where those schools had to be opened, but the entire time you were thinking about me naked and,"
"Right," Donatra interrupted. "Like that one. There is more though. For instance, there are bound to come times where I think that I really want to quit this job, yet at the same time I don't really want to. Once the day is over, once the problem is taken care of I will once again love the job as much as I do now. At situations like that, go for what I say, not for what I think."
"You mean more in regards to things between us?" Kastra asked, mostly to clarify. "The famous 'I could kill her' thoughts, when only moments later we already kiss and make up."
Donatra nodded. Kiss and make up, what a naive thing to say... what a wonderful thing to say. "Yes, things like that, in regards to us. Lastly, my third rule. I now know that you are interested in me, but I don't know in what way. You can read my mind, so you now know that I don't mind the fact that you want me to be your first relationship. I actually find it quite thrilling. But I don't want to be an experiment. If you just want to experience sex, just tell me, and I'll be more than happy to show you, but don't use me as an experiment to see how you would like being in a relationship; don't play with me."
Kastra gave a nod of understanding. Suddenly she took her hand out of Donatra's and pulled a ring off her ring finger. She showed the simple gray metal band to Donatra before saying, "Fair is fair. You set three rules, I set three rules."
Alright," Donatra agreed hesitantly, her eyes still on the ring.
Kastra lifted the ring slightly to indicate it. "First rule, this ring is extremely important to me. It was given to me when I managed to pass the Mental Control test at school. The majority of people graduate from school without passing that test; they only do it later in life. From my family I'm the only living member that passed that test before their twenty-first birthday, including my sister the Intendant. I did something no living member of my family ever did, and this ring proves it. The rule is, no matter what happens, even if we end up hating each other, you promise, if you ever have to give it back; you will."
As Kastra slipped the ring into Donatra's hand she explained, "I have a feeling that I may slip up on showing you how I feel. Just remember; as long as I haven't asked for that ring back it must mean that you must mean more to me than the fact that I did something that nobody in my family has."
Donatra looked at the ring for a moment before looking back up at those black eyes looking back at her. "I promise."
"Good," Kastra said with a smile. "My second rule; I don't share. If you sleep with someone else, we are through. I don't think I really have to point out that I would know if you did?"
"You say, if I sleep with someone else," Donatra saw that Kastra was about to answer and quickly asked, "Does that mean that you don't mind if I look?"
Kastra closed her mouth, she had been fully prepared to reply to the thoughts in Donatra's mind about the possibility of them sleeping together. Then she realized that this was exactly why Donatra had asked about the looking. Donatra was showing her what she had said before; listen to the words I say, not the words I think.
"Hey, I didn't make any amendments when you set your rules," she objected with a smile, showing Donatra that she had remembered.
"Doesn't mean that you couldn't have. It only means that you missed your chance," Donatra said while smiling back. "So, how about the looking?"
"Asking someone not to look is plain stupid," Kastra pointed out. "It's the same as asking someone on a diet to suddenly no longer look at food. The looking isn't the problem; it's the eating."
A moment later Kastra shook her head in amusement. "Now I'm starting to understand why you say I should listen to the words you say, not the words you think. That thought was rude."
"No, that was just me," Donatra disagreed. "Think you can handle my heinous mind?"
"It'll be an interesting challenge," Kastra said amused.
"Alright, then tell me; what's your third rule?"
"I don't know yet," Kastra said with an overly sweet smile. "I'll keep that for when I have to set an extra rule."
"Hey wait a minute, that ain't fair," Donatra said outraged. "I didn't hold back any rules 'just in case' either."
"No, but you set conditions," Kastra reminded. "Besides, I'm this innocent young girl who is getting herself involved with this thirty year older womanizing Romulan; I got to have some security measures in place, you know?"
Donatra had to laugh. "How about we forget the fact that I'm thirty standard years older than you, and focus more on the fact that for a Romulan I'm still a young woman?"
"Hmm, I don't know," Kastra said, liking the interaction she was having, especially since what she felt from Donatra and what she could read in her mind was all nothing but full sincerity. "How much of a young woman?"
"How about we pretend that I'm just as old as you, just that I have lived an eventful life while you have led a sheltered one?"
"Alright, I can do that," Kastra assured. "So, to prevent miscommunication, I can react to your thought, right? You don't have a problem with that?"
"Sure," Donatra assured. "I don't mind you reading my mind; it won't tell you anything you don't already know. All I'm saying is, if it's a choice between what I think, and what I actually say,"
"Go for what is said," Kastra finished.
"Right," Donatra said.
They were quiet for a moment; a moment that Donatra spent to go over what they had just talked about. Seeing how Kastra's eyes were focused on her she suddenly realized, "Have you been reading my mind just now?"
"Sure," Kastra assured. "It's interesting to see you going over your thoughts. Interesting and satisfying. I mean, I know you say that I should give more importance to the words you say, but to 'hear' you think that you hope that this really works out between us is putting me at ease more than any words ever could. Words can be lies; thoughts can't."
She treated Donatra to a wonderful smile. "That is one of the things I love about being a Betazoid. People often think that they can lie to themselves, especially the Klingons; but they can't. thoughts are always, always true. People can make themselves forget things, yes. And memories can be distorted by perception. Or over time people tend to remember the good things more than the bad. But real thoughts? Those can't lie. You would for instance not be able to think tomorrow that we never were in your room together; that's impossible."
"Some of my thoughts are of the kind that would require an adult security rating on the holodeck," Donatra admitted.
"They are," Kastra agreed. "But I would more call it interesting. Donatra, I may still be a virgin both as far as sex and relationships are concerned, but I have had the holodeck lessons in school. I have seen the things you think about. It's just that your images are more interesting because there are feelings attached to them, and are not simply cold holographic images."
Being a bit daring, Donatra pulled Kastra a bit closer until the young Betazoid was slightly resting against her. "Hmm, well on that note let me ask you, how come you are still a virgin? I can tell you that my first time was on a holodeck; so have most other people's first time. It's standard, at some point you come across an adult program and activate it. The first time you look in amazement, the second time you think that it might be fun, and the third time," Now Donatra deliberately let the memory surface.
"And that's the answer right there," Kastra said. "You know what I feel from that memory? Only you. With us Betazoids the mental aspect is so important, the feelings, to feel what the other feels. A holodeck program doesn't have a feeling. I can look, but as soon as I close my eyes, I'm standing in an empty room, feeling wise."
"Does that mean that I don't have to bother taking you to the holodeck?" Donatra wondered.
"Oh, not at all," Kastra assured. "I can, and do, enjoy the holodeck, it's just that I know it's not real. I can have fun swimming in a holographic ocean, but I just can't form feelings for a hologram. Feelings I would need to have, and feel, for me to enjoy... you know. But if you were to accompany me to the holodeck, it would become extra interesting because I would feel how you react to it. How you like it, and are entertained. So, I would love, for instance, to enjoy a sunset together with you on the holodeck."
"Good to know."
Kastra felt the Romulans arms move a little more and suddenly realized that she was somehow sitting in a secure embrace. How did that happen? Well, she was not one to object, she had already decided that she loved to feel those arms around her. Then she frowned and said slowly, "Um, I know we just joked about you being a womanizer, but tell me, did you really forget her name?"
"The Klingon?" Donatra asked. "Why do you ask?"
"Frankly, because I have been in meetings with you, I have seen how many details you can remember. I just can't see you forgetting a name."
"And I didn't," Donatra assured. "She probably didn't remember the small fact that she never told me. I have slept with several women whose name I never knew, but I assure you, the ones that did tell me their name, I never forgot it. If for nothing more than common courtesy. I make it a point to always remember a name... if someone gives it to me. Well, with anyone I know pretty much sure I will meet them again sometime, and anyone that I share the bed with."
Kastra chuckled when another reason flashed through Donatra's mind. Lovers would be more inclined to say 'yes' if you asked them for a little extra romp if you had a name to go with the question.
Donatra had a guess what the chuckle was for, but didn't reply to it. "With the Klingon the simple fact is, I went to the bar on deck ten, had a few drinks, she sat down beside me, and about thirty minutes later we were in my room. Kastra, she and I both knew only too well why we were here. What you saw in the corridor was a 'thank you for a great night, and maybe we can do it again, if we ever meet again' kind of goodbye kiss. The reaction she gave after that was probably meant for you; to not be seen as some easy lay or something. She is a Klingon after all."
"But she was," Kastra said, Donatra's thought already telling her just how easy a lay the Klingon had been. "And you are of the mindset that as long as you are not connected, all that's legal is allowed."
"Right, but," Donatra sighed before closing her eyes and very deliberately opening her mind and thinking of former lovers.
"My, that's quite a list," Kastra said, but then she smiled when she noticed something very interesting in that list. "One at a time, huh?"
"One at a time," Donatra assured.
"Thank you for showing me that, it is a very comforting thought."
"Good," Donatra said as she stood up and extended her hand to Kastra to help her up. "Come on, enough talking for now. How about we actually get to know each other? Come on, let's put my womanizer experience to good use and let me romance you like..."
"Like you are trying to get me into bed?" Kastra asked when Donatra stopped talking to find the right word to say.
"I told you to ignore what's in my head," Donatra reminded with a smile, "But yeah, something like that. Come on, I'll promise you that you'll have fun today. It just so happens that I have some time slotted on the holodeck in one hour. How about having a little bit to eat before that?"
"Sounds interesting," Kastra agreed.
"Tell me one thing though," Donatra asked as they left the quarters. "That sister of yours, Intendant Troi? Is she protective of her little sister?"
"Oh yeah," Kastra said right away, trying very hard not to laugh at the look crossing Donatra's face.
"Figures."
"Don't worry, I'll protect you," Kastra said, and this time she did laugh at the look on Donatra's face.
~~~~~~~{}~~~~~~~
Leeta nervously paced back and forth in front of the door. She was insane, she knew it. She was going to lose her job over this, she just knew it. She was going to jail for gross misuse of her powers. She knew it, she simply knew it. She stopped and faced the door. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Well, it was too late now. Even if she went in there and apologized, her chances with Ezri were over. With a last prayer of hoping that the Betazoid had been right she put on a confident air and walked into the room.
Ezri tried to look behind her, but couldn't. The restrains on her wrists held her firmly in place in the chair. She was wondering what she had done wrong. One moment a friendly guard asked her to come along for a meeting with Minister Leeta Akorem, and the next she was led into an interrogation room and restrained to the chair.
"What the hell is going on here?" She demanded, turning her head to the other side, hoping to see more there.
Leeta stopped behind the chair, made one last 'please' gesture with her hand before strolling around to where Ezri could see her.
"Leeta? What's going on here? Release me."
"I'm afraid I can't do that," Leeta said as she leaned against the large desk that stood in front of the interrogation chair. The desk was normally used to place evidence in front of a person, or to place items on it what would scare a person into talking, all depending on who was doing the interrogating.
"What do you mean? This is not funny, let me go," Ezri demanded as she struggled a little against the restrains, but she knew it was an in vain effort.
"You see, there have been some complaints about you," Leeta said as she walked closer to the chair and put her hand on Ezri's shoulder.
Ezri stilled at the touch and looked up at those sparking brown eyes looking back.
"Complaints that warrant a thorough investigation." After a quick mental prayer, Leeta lowered her hand until it was covering one of Ezri's breasts. "A very thorough investigation."
Ezri's eyes got wide when realization set in of just what Leeta's plan apparently was. With a shaky voice she stated, "I don't know what you are talking about. I did nothing wrong; I have nothing to hide."
Now Leeta smiled. She brought her hand to Ezri's collar and slowly opened her blouse until she had a very nice view of Ezri's cleavage. "That's what I intend to find out; just what exactly you are hiding."
She slipped her hand inside the blouse and covering the same breast her hand had covered before, only that this time it was skin against skin. "Oh Prophets," Leeta couldn't help but say as she felt the warm softness under her hand.
"Leeta?"
"Yes?"
"Would you, um, would you stop if I reminded you of the fact that I'm a Minister and you don't actually have the authority to interrogate me?"
"Of course," Leeta assured, her hand never leaving the treasure it had found.
"Just checking," Ezri said before adding, "Stop that. You can't do that; I have rights you know?"
Leeta grinned, realizing only too well that Ezri had very deliberately not 'for real' reminded her of the fact that she too was a Minister.
"You lost all your rights when you were brought in here," Leeta said as she brought her second hand closer to the juncture of Ezri's legs.
"Hey, slow; let me enjoy this," Ezri said softly.
Leeta deftly changed the direction of her hand and used it to open the blouse some more, as if that had been her intention all along. "Alright," She stated softly before continuing louder, "You have no more rights, you belong to me now. Now, I'm going to ask you some questions and you better answer them, if you don't you will be punished."
~~~~~~~{}~~~~~~~
"That was fun," Ezri said as she rested her head on the naked chest below her. They were lying on the desk, both naked, and both very sated. "What in the universe gave you the idea to do this though?"
"I, well, honestly it was Kastra," Leeta admitted as she playfully trailed Ezri's spots down as far as her hand could reach. "I went to her because I wanted to ask her if she could see how you feel about me since I didn't want to try anything that could mess up our working relationship. She told me that maybe I should 'interrogate' you and ask you a few questions myself. The way she suggested that I interrogate you make it very clear that she did mean more than me simply asking you a few questions. So, I hoped. Seems that I owe her a big thank you. This really was fun."
"Ah," Ezri said in understanding. "Please remind me to not let my fantasies surface anymore when I'm around her."
"What do you mean?" Leeta wondered.
"Well, when we were shown around, and they showed us this room and told us that we as Ministers had limited interrogation powers and could use this room for that, I, um,"
"Fantasized," Leeta finished in understanding. "Fantasized about some very special kind of interrogation. Tell me, who did you want to be the interrogator?"
"Let's just say that my fantasy was fulfilled on all levels."
"Really? Me? Now I know why she suggested I do this," Leeta said in understanding. "So tell me, are you open to more... interrogations from me?"
"Hmm," Ezri said, pretending to think about it. "Tell you what, the next time you wear the restrains, and I'll do the questioning."
"Deal," Leeta said right away. "But for now, um, would you like to come to my quarters?"
"To get to know each other a little better?" Ezri asked.
"Yes."
"Well that depends. How big is your bed?"
"Big enough," Leeta assured with a laugh. "Come on then. Let's get dressed. I have to make a little stop in the other room and then we can go."
"The control room you mean?" Ezri wondered. "Why, oh, please don't tell me you had the holo-recorders running."
"I did," Leeta confessed. "I, well, wanted a memory of this if it turned out to be a one time thing. Would you mind terribly if I keep the recording?"
"That depends," Ezri said as she slipped off the desk and started to collect her clothing.
"On what?" Leeta wondered.
"On whether I get a copy as well," Ezri said with a grin.
~~~~~~~{}~~~~~~~
Author's note.
I made up the Honorary Starfleet position of Commander-At-Large. I just thought; why not? There are Honorary Doctorates, Honorary Professorships, and Honorary memberships to all kind of things. Why not a Honorary Starfleet rank?
Also, I don't know if Starfleet would really fork over so many awards at once, I personally think that the awards would be given for certain acts, and if all of those happened in only a few years, then yes they would hand over so many awards at once. Either way, this is a work of fiction, and as such I wanted to give the Voyager crew a real closure from Starfleet, be it realistic or not. The same goes for all of the promotions. I don't know if they would promote some people up several ranks at once, but, hey, as I said, it's more a 'reward and a goodbye' than a Starfleet regulation 'up one rank' thing.
Also, I do realize that the subject of bravery is covered in several awards. I still used some awards that did cover the bravery because of other features that awards had as well. I can't help it if almost every Starfleet medal has a referral to bravery. :) Besides, I could imagine someone getting bravery medal A for doing this, and bravery medal B for doing that.
Lastly, if you are wondering about the little interrogation scene between Ezri and Leeta. That's actually a little homage of sorts to Star Trek. It seems that in an Alternate Universe episode of DS9 the AU Leeta got an order to 'debrief' Ezri, which she apparently took literally. Now, come on, how could I ignore that?"
H.W.