DISCLAIMER: Star Trek, Star Trek Voyager, and Characters, are property of Paramount. I am not making a profit on this story.

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B’Elanna and Seven love story. Circumstances surrounding the marriage of B'Elanna Torres and Tom Paris have been altered for this story. Endgame never happened.

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Baby Miral Paris is kidnapped by a religious order and Seven of Nine volunteers to fight in a contest for her custody. However, the rules state that she must be a relative. The only solution is for her to marry B’Elanna in order to be declared a relative. Happy ending. Mild violence and a loving and sexual relationship between two women. Rated PG 13.

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Note: This story contains a Klingon Ritual that is not canon as well as other non-canon Klingon elements.

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'TaHqeq' is a Klingon swear word used as a slur. It is a stronger insult than Peta'Q is.

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Thank you Karla Jensen.

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My Cherished Warrior

By Cygirl1

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B’Elanna Torres, Voyager’s Chief Engineer, made her way wearily down the corridor to her quarters. She had just finished a 14 hour shift in Engineering to do necessary repairs after many of the ship’s systems had been damaged by an ion storm six days earlier.

Opening the door to her quarters, she noticed it was dark and quiet. Too quiet.

"Computer, lights at full." She blinked at the momentary brightness and her vision immediately adjusted. She saw that Miral’s crib was empty and a quick check of the bedroom showed that it too was unoccupied.

She sighed in dismay at the mess Tom had left in their living quarters. He had left half eaten trays of food, not only on the dining table, but the coffee table as well. The cushions from the sofa were scattered on the floor and various items of his clothing were strewn across the chairs. She walked into the bedroom and saw the unmade bed and other items of clothing scattered hap hazard on the floor.

“Damn, what a mess.” She groused to herself. She sighed in frustration and disappointment. It was always left to her to clean the place up. Tom rarely ever lifted a hand to help, unless she ‘nagged’ him, as he called it. Then he only did it grudgingly and rarely did a thorough job.

“Computer, what is the location of Tom Paris and Miral Paris?”

“Tom Paris and Miral Paris are in holodeck one.”

B’Elanna rolled her eyes. ‘Kahless, Tom has no sense at all keeping Miral up this late. Wonder what program he is running? I hope it’s one of Naomi’s old holo programs and not some circus or carnival program like the one he took Miral to a couple of weeks ago. She’s too young to understand that clowns are supposed to be funny and not scary.’ B’Elanna found clowns to be creepy herself. ‘Never did like them. Especially those white faced ones. Look like the dead to me. What’s the big attraction to them any way?’

She remembered Tom bringing back an upset and screaming Miral. Tom stated he had only taken her to a circus program and all was going ok until a clown approached. She had really laid into him for that. She informed him that Miral was too young for those types of programs. She had instructed him to use the ones that Sam Wildman had made for Naomi when she was Miral’s age.

B’Elanna hit her combadge to contact Tom, but there was no answer. She left her quarters and took the turbo lift to deck six where the holodeck was located.

Entering holodeck one, she stood in momentary shock. Then she felt anger. ‘What is that Peta'Q thinking?’ She found herself on the sidewalk in front of Sandrines. Stalking quickly through the doors, she heard Miral crying. Before she could locate her, the holographic Gigolo approached her.

“I see a star has fallen from the heavens and has graced us with her light.”

He made a grab for B’Elanna’s hand, to kiss it, and she snatched it back and glared at him. “Touch me, creep, and I’ll disperse every photon in your body and erase you permanently from the program. Now, move it or lose it.”

He held up his hands and scurried away. B’Elanna immediately saw Miral’s carrier on the surface of the bar. She hurried over and picked up the crying four month old child and put her against her shoulder, hugging and comforting her. She slipped her finger into the top of her diaper and found that it was wet. She glared at the holographic bartender. “Where is Tom Paris?” The bartender motioned with her head towards a door on the left side of the bar.

B’Elanna saw Miral’s diaper bag on a nearby stool, took it and the baby to a nearby table, and changed her diaper. Miral quit crying but was still fussy. It was way past her bedtime. She picked up Miral and cuddled her again and begin patting and rubbing her back.

“There, there, my sweetie pie. Momma has you." ‘Now to go see what Tom’s up to. Probably got some card game going on behind that door. Well, I’ll just bust that up. Kahless, the man is as useless as tits on a boar targ.’

She opened the door only to discover that it led up a flight of stairs. B’Elanna didn’t even know that the place had an upstairs. Making her way up the stairs, she immediately heard the unmistakable sounds of Tom groaning and an accompanying sound of higher pitched female groans. B’Elanna had no doubts what was going on behind the door of room number one. Tom was bonking a hologram.

She felt a rush of anger and immediately covered Miral’s eyes as she kicked the door open. To her surprise, a naked Tom jumped up and off Ensign Sandra Blocker from hydroponics. B’Elanna was stunned out of her anger and into disbelief.

Tom immediately grabbed a pillow and held it in front of him. More for protection than to cover his nakedness. Sandra snatched the covers up and around her shoulders, her expression one of sheer terror.

“What the Grethor…!!” B’Elanna roared.

“B’Elanna, look…I can explain…” Tom cajoled.

“Explain?!” B’Elanna felt as if the top of her head would explode as rage infused her entire being. It was all she could do to keep herself from jumping on the two and beating them to a pulp. Fortunately, for Tom and Sandra, she had her daughter with her. She gritted her teeth and somehow managed to hold her rage in check.

She snarled and spit out, “TaHqeq! Don’t even bother coming back to our quarters... my quarters now. I’m through with you.”

She turned and quickly exited the room and stomped loudly down the stairs and out the front entrance of Sandrines. Before she exited the holodeck she said, “Computer, end program.” She heard a couple of loud thumps behind her and Sandra’s screech. She didn’t even bother to turn around and look. She knew that the holodeck safeties would prevent them from injuring themselves when the upstairs room dissolved around them.

She exited the holodeck and saw a group entering holodeck two. She called out to them, “Holodeck one is empty.“ Several of the crew left the group and hurried to holodeck one and entered. B’Elanna bared her teeth in a predatory grin and continued down the corridor to the turbo lift. She exited on her floor and passed a couple of crewmates, who seeing the look of rage on her face, quickly moved out of the way. She went directly to her quarters to care for Miral. She would deal with Tom later.

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Tom tried to contact her by comm that night. He didn‘t dare come to the door for fear she would kill him, or at least hurt him. She informed him if she saw hide or hair of him, she would divest him of his manhood. She changed the codes on the quarters and put a hold on any com calls from him.

In reality, she had seen this coming. After Miral’s birth, Tom had made it clear that he wasn’t going to get up in the night to change diapers or feed Miral.

He spent more and more time in the holodeck than at home. And when he was home, he demanded that B’Elanna pay attention to him. He couldn’t understand why B’Elanna needed to devote time to Miral and wasn’t in the mood for love making, or fixing him his dinner and catering to him.

He only babysat when nobody else was available, and as soon as B’Elanna got off work, he was gone to one holoprogram or another.

The only reason she had married the Peta’Q was that her birth control had failed due to her being a hybrid. She really had had no intention of a permanent relationship with him before her pregnancy. True, she initiated the physical aspects of their relationship due to that damn episode with Vorik, which caused her to go into Pon Farr. At the time, Tom had been pursuing her and this made him the easy choice. However, once married, she intended to make it work, as that was the honorable thing to do.

Captain Janeway had put a moratorium on having children due to the limited space and resources on Voyager. However, Janeway was not one to demand the termination of a pregnancy if the woman did not wish it. B’Elanna had thought long and hard about an abortion, but after Tom swore to her that he would stand by her and help raise their child, she decided she would keep her child. Even with Tom turning out to be non-supportive, she was still glad she had opted to have the child.

She spent a miserable night both crying and cursing. She couldn’t sleep and spent most of the night throwing his ‘junk’ and clothes out into the corridor. She had contacted him and informed him to come and clean up his trash that was outside her quarters. She had cut communication before he could reply.

The next morning, she called in sick, something she rarely did. She did not want to face Tom right away at the staff meeting, afraid she would throttle him. Later, that morning, she contacted the Captain and requested a private conference. Captain Janeway agreed to see her right away.

B’Elanna took Miral over to the mess hall for Neelix to watch while she met with the Captain in her ready room.

Captain Janeway knew something was up by Tom’s sheepish looks and vague replies when she asked about B’Elanna’s health. After Captain Janeway heard B’Elanna’s story, she did not hesitate to start the paperwork for the divorce.

Tom didn’t protest, and B’Elanna felt this was a sign that he was glad to be out of the marriage.

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B’Elanna spent the next two months doing nothing but her job in Engineering and then going home to take care of her daughter. She did not spend time with co-workers or her old Maquis friends. She avoided eating in the mess hall during peak hours as she couldn’t stand the pitying and speculative looks from the crew.

She told Tom if he wished to see his daughter, he would have to tell her at least 48 hours in advance. He was to visit her only in her quarters and he was not to take her out of them. Tom mildly protested, but B’Elanna could see this was all for show, so he could complain to all who would listen that the bitch B’Elanna was keeping him from his child. Captain Janeway had backed up the visitation plan when she learned of Tom abandoning the baby in the care of a hologram so he could commit adultery with a crewmate. He had only come by to visit Miral eight times since their divorce.

She had gotten off her shift on time for a change and made her way to the mess hall to pick up Miral. When she entered, there was Voyager’s resident Borg and Ice Queen holding Miral and making goo goo sounds. B’Elanna was frozen not only by the beautiful wide smile on Seven’s face but also by Miral gurgling in delight, and trying to tear Seven’s optical implant from her brow.

The way Seven held Miral and the baby’s reaction to the Borg, showed that this was not a first time occurrence. Seven looked up and saw B’Elanna and she immediately sprang from her seat, holding Miral close. It was obvious that Seven was nervous. B’Elanna casually took Miral from Seven. “Momma’s here now, Sweetie pie, you want to go home, hmmm?” Miral reached out for Seven and started to fuss.

Neelix had just come from the kitchen and seeing the three said, “Hehehe. Miral had a good time with her Auntie Seven.” He looked at Seven and said, “Thanks for watching her for me.”

There was silence for a moment, as B’Elanna looked at Neelix then Seven, then back at Neelix. “Neelix, I thought you would be watching her. Why is Seven watching her?” She noticed out of the corner of her eye that Seven had reverted to her customary Borg pose, hands behind her back.

Neelix answered, “Well, Seven has been helping me out with both Naomi and little Miral here, while I attend to the cooking. I must say, I don’t know what I would do without Seven’s help. Both children are comfortable with her, which is a good thing, as Miral does not take to everyone.”

Seven spoke, her voice cool but with an underlining strain, “I assure you, Lieutenant Torres, Miral is adequately attended to while in my care. I have researched Voyager’s database on childcare as it relates to both Human and Klingon infants and their needs and development. I am fully capable of providing adequate care for Miral while you are on duty.”

B’Elanna thought about this for a second and handed a squirming and fretful Miral back to Seven. “Here, Seven, do you mind holding her while I get something to eat and drink?”

Seven hesitated slightly then took the baby and sat back down in her seat. Miral smiled and tried to pull the metal mesh off her left hand. B’Elanna could tell that Seven knew how to hold her and was comfortable with the child. She noticed Seven’s features relax, and there was a small smile on her lips.

Neelix said, “Allow me Lieutenant, what will it be?”

“Uhm, how about enchiladas and a glass of prune juice.”

“One plate of enchiladas and a glass of prune juice coming up. Anything for you Seven? My treat.”

“I do not require nutritional supplements at this time.” Seven paused and added as an afterthought, “Thank you for your offer.”

B’Elanna bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing, sure that Seven was recalling the lessons in courtesy from the EMH. “Err…So, Seven, how long have you been helping Neelix babysat?”

“For approximately 36 months. I have been assisting him for two hours a day, duties permitting, in the care of Naomi. On those occasions when Neelix has not been available and I had no pressing duties, Ensign Wildman has solicited my help in caring for Naomi.”

B’Elanna knew that Seven spent time with Naomi but was unaware that she also babysat Naomi and assisted Neelix with these duties. It irked her that no one had thought to inform her of this. After all, she was the number one source that others ran to with information to see if she knew anything and to check if the information was fact or fiction. She had seen Naomi with Seven on several occasions and had heard someone say that Seven and the child would often run Naomi’s Flotter program in the holodeck. At the time, she just took it as an opportunity to make a joke along the line of, “Someone should run the program to make sure Seven didn’t substitute Borg drones in the place of Flotter and the other characters.”

“So you have been helping out with caring for Miral?”

Seven smiled down at Miral, wiggled her fingers out of the child’s mouth, and tickled her belly, causing Miral to laugh. “Yes. On my off hours I have been assisting Neelix in the care of both Miral and Naomi. Naomi, however, does not wear diapers or need to be spoon fed, as does Miral. She does however enjoy interacting with Miral. I have a blanket I place on the floor for her to utilize as a play space. I have also replicated toys appropriate for a child of Miral’s age. Naomi often interacts with her at playtime.” Seven looked up quickly at B’Elanna, a look of concern on her face. “Do you object to my interaction with Miral?”

B’Elanna took only a moment to reach a decision. She remembered the care Seven had given to the Borg children and that Sam Wildman trusted Seven with Naomi. “Of course not, Seven. I was just surprised, that’s all. But I know that Naomi is in your care and the Borglings were in your care.” B’Elanna saw a look of profound sadness pass quickly over Seven’s face. ‘Damn. She really cared for those kids.’

Seven recovered, but her eyes still looked pensive to B’Elanna. “I find that I …enjoy interacting with children.”

B’Elanna thought, ‘Yeah, children are more accepting than the rest of us.’ She cleared her throat and said, “Well, I have no objections. I can tell Miral likes you and that you have taken good care of her.”

By that time, Neelix brought over B’Elanna’s order and laid it on the table in front of her. “Anything else, Lieutenant?”

“No thanks, Neelix. This will do.” B’Elanna proceeded to eat while observing a happy Miral in Seven’s arms. She felt her heart still when Seven suddenly smiled at Miral. ‘She is beautiful. Almost otherworldly.’ Her thoughts quickly returned to her childhood and a picture her grandmother Torres had of the Christian Mary and Baby Jesus.

She cleared her throat and said, “Don’t you have other things you would rather do with your free time? I mean, you do have a social life don’t you, dating and such?” She had heard about the breakup months before of Seven and Chakotay. The scuttlebutt was that Seven had dumped the first officer. No one knew the reason why, and Chakotay had not volunteered any information. That there was bitterness, at least on Chakotay’s part, was obvious, as he completely ignored Seven at the staff meetings and on several occasions referred to her as ‘that Borg’.

“No. I have not engaged in a relationship of a romantic nature since terminating my relationship with the Commander.”

B’Elanna was dying to know the reason why Seven terminated the relationship. All she knew was that the Borg dumped him. True, there had been wild rumors floating around. Some of them so absurd that she knew they were fabrications. “Oh? Hmmm. Ah…Seven, why did you break it off with Chakotay? Whatever you tell me, I swear, won’t leave here. I know you had a few dates with him and things seemed to be going fine. At least that is what Chakotay said.”

“I only participated in six dates with the Commander. I could not generate the expected feelings for him and terminated the relationship.”

B’Elanna snickered. “Well, gee, Seven, I mean six dates, that’s not much to go on.”

“Perhaps. But I made a discovery during the time I was involved with him that had a direct bearing as to why he would be an unsuitable mate.”

B’Elanna was all ears now. Did Seven know something about Chakotay that she didn’t? “Well, Seven. You know a lot of women would consider him an ideal mate.”

“Women that are heterosexual would, perhaps, consider him an ideal mate . However, I am not heterosexual. This is why I could not generate feelings for the Commander of a…romantic nature.”

B’Elanna almost choked on a piece of enchilada, grabbed her drink, and took a huge swallow, her eyes tearing.

Seven looked at her with some concern. “Lieutenant, you appear to be in some distress. Should I summon the Doctor?”

B’Elanna shook her head from side to side Having effectively relieved the coughing, she replied, “I’m fine. I just swallowed a piece of food the wrong way. So, ah… Seven…How did you ah…find out that you’re gay?”

Seven looked at her in confusion and B’Elanna quickly added, “I mean, you are telling me that you are a lesbian, aren’t you…that you prefer women as romantic partners and mates?”

“Indeed. I am a lesbian. I discovered this fact 131 days ago when I was assisting in Engineering with diagnostics on the gel packs. I was on my way to run diagnostics on the gel packs at Section 10, when I came to the junction of Jefferies tube 32. I heard a distinctively human sound as if someone was in distress. I looked down into tube 32 toward the terminal. I could make out what appeared to be humanoid figures in the shadows. I activated my night vision in my optical implant and observed two individuals approximately 40 feet away. It was Ensign Delores Mathers from Engineering and Lieutenant Pat Summers from Security. They had removed pieces of their uniforms and were stroking and kissing each other’s breasts. They continued this activity for 2.3 minutes. Lieutenant Summers proceeded to help Ensign Mathers out of her trousers. She proceeded to perform an act I later learned is referred to as cunnilingus for approximately 6.1 minutes when…”

B’Elanna felt her ears turning red and heat flush her cheeks. “Ok. Ok. I get the picture. They were having sex in the Jefferies tube. You’re telling me that you had no idea that two women could engage in sexual activities until you observed them?”

“Correct. After witnessing this incident, I researched Voyager’s database on information related to same sex couplings. There were numerous references pertaining to lesbian relationships, from dating to copulation. Not only from a human perspective, but including those of other species. I confronted the Doctor as to his reasons for not including female members of Voyager on my list of potential romantic partners. He stated that he assumed I was heterosexual, as the majority of humanoid species fall into this category.”

B’Elanna rolled her eyes. “Wait a minute, Seven. I mean, you just can’t decide you’re gay, I mean a lesbian, unless you felt, or feel attraction to members of the same sex.”

Seven hesitated and looked at B’Elanna and then back to the table. “All of my attractions have been toward females. I concluded since the Doctor failed to include same sex couplings in the information that he provided, that these attractions that I felt were erroneous and flawed.”

“Gee, Seven. Janeway should have never put the Doctor in charge of your socialization. He’s a damn hologram. What does he know about attractions and chemistry? There is nothing wrong with being attracted to the same sex. Nothing at all. Don’t let the Doctor, or anyone else, tell you who you must find attractive.” B’Elanna remembered her own attractions to various females, Seska among them, and a brief but satisfying sexual relationship with a Bajoran Maquis member named Ro Laren.

“I realize that now. Even though the Commander tried to convince me otherwise.”

“What do ya mean? What did Chakotay do?” B’Elanna felt some alarm.

“I informed him that we were not compatible. I informed him why. He stated that I must have felt some attraction toward him and that I was confused. He stated that if I were to engage in a sexual relationship with him he would show me that I was mistaken in my orientation.”

B’Elanna saw red. “Why that Peta’Q. I oughta go punch him in the nose. I hope you told him to go screw himself.”

Seven was amazed to see B’Elanna’s reaction. It was as if the engineer really cared.

“You did tell him to fu…You did tell him off didn’t you Seven.”

“Tell him off? Ah,…I see. You want to know if I informed him that I did not intend to comply with his suggestion. Yes. I informed him I had no desire or intention to engage in copulation with him. He persisted in trying to persuade me otherwise. He attempted to kiss me. However, I am Borg. My strength is greater than his and I dissuaded him of any further attempts.”

“Dissuaded him? How did you do that?”

“I used one of the Tsunkatse moves and proceeded to kick him in the groin. It was effective.”

B’Elanna laughed and said, “Way to go, Seven. I wish I had been there to see that. So. You have any prospects in mind?” B’Elanna held her breath, almost afraid Seven would say yes and she would feel disappointed if this was so. She quickly put aside this train of thought.

“No. From my observations of the female members of Voyager’s crew, I have concluded that there are approximately nine lesbians, excluding myself, on Voyager. Six are in relationships. My…research on the other three reveals that we share no common interest.

“Oh. Well, you sure there are only nine women on Voyager who would fit into the category of lesbian? I mean there might be others whom you don’t know about. How would you know unless you asked them? You’ve got to consider those women that may be bi-sexual, too.”

“You are correct. The current information I have is what I have surmised from data I have observed or heard about the individuals.”

“See there. Maybe you need to make a list of women candidates regardless if you know what their orientation is, and narrow it down from there.”

“I have already done so.”

“Oh. And did you ask any of them out on a date?”

Seven blushed red and, looking down at Miral, replied, “I ruled out the first two that were the most compatible immediately. The one most compatible was in a relationship at the time, but has since terminated that relationship. However, she has given no indication that she would be interested in pursuing a relationship with me. The second one on the list has made it clear that she is not allowed, by Starfleet guide lines, to engage in a relationship with a subordinate.”

B’Elanna thought for a moment. ‘Captain Janeway, that‘s the second choice. But who is the first?’ “Well, you just hang in there. You know, Ms. Right will show up, just when you least expect it.”

“Ms. Right? I do not believe I have met her. In what department does she serve?”

B’Elanna laughed. “Ms. Right is a way of saying the right woman will come along.”

Seven looked at B’Elanna for a moment and stated, “Perhaps she will.”

B’Elanna was working up to asking who the first choice was when Miral let out a huge yawn. B’Elanna reached out to Seven and took her daughter in her arms, smiling down at her. “I got to get this sleepy head home and in bed. Thanks, Seven, for watching her.”

“You are welcome, Lieutenant. Any time you need assistance with her care, and I am available, I will assist you while you are at your duties.”

B’Elanna smiled at Seven and said, “You know, Seven? I’ll take you up on that offer.”

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Over the next few weeks, B’Elanna did take Seven up on her offer. Those times she had to work late in Engineering, Seven would pick Miral up from the care of Neelix or Sam and return to B’Elanna’s quarters. Once there, she would feed and bathe Miral, and if it were bedtime, put the youngster down to sleep. B’Elanna had come home a few times at Miral’s bedtime to find Seven rocking the child and singing her a lullaby. The first time this happened, Seven had stopped singing and seemed embarrassed. B’Elanna had asked Seven to continue as she thought Seven’s voice was beautiful and soothing. Now, Seven was no longer embarrassed. B’Elanna thought it was a treat those times Seven’s help was needed and she got to hear her sing to Miral.

Tonight B’Elanna got home late and smiled when she entered her quarters as Seven was singing a lullaby and holding a sleepy Miral. She started dinner and listened to Seven sing. Seven finished her lullaby and lay a soundly sleeping Miral in her crib. B’Elanna said in a soft and low voice, “Seven, why don’t you stay for supper?”

Seven replied softly, “Lieutenant, I do not require nutritional supplements at this time.”

“Ah come on, Seven. Just try this, If you don’t like it, don’t eat it. What I really want is your company. You can fill me in on what happened today and what you did, and I’ll fill you in on what’s going on in Engineering.” B’Elanna knew that Seven liked to keep abreast of what was happening in Engineering. B’Elanna thought Seven had missed her calling by going into Astrometrics, as she knew a lot about engineering.

Seven hesitated and then gave a shy smile. “Very well.” She took a seat at the table and looked at the bowl of soup and salad placed before her as if she were uncertain on whether to begin.

B’Elanna took her seat and ate a spoonful of the soup. She looked at Seven and said, “It’s vegetable soup and made from carrots, peas, corn, and potatoes. And I promise you, there is no leola root in it.”

Seven gingerly took a spoonful and tasted it. B’Elanna smiled at seeing her eyebrows rise in approval.

“Not bad is it?”

“It is very acceptable, Lieutenant.”

B’Elanna smiled, pleased. “Hey, Seven, please call me B’Elanna when we’re off duty.”

Seven smiled and nodded. “As you wish…B’Elanna.”

Seven filled her in on the latest Astrometrics findings and B’Elanna informed her about some of the updates she was making in Engineering.

Dinner took longer for B’Elanna to consume than normally. This was because she wanted to stretch out the time with Seven. She found the Borg an interesting conversationalist and she was someone who understood engineering and what B’Elanna was talking about. The only thing Tom wanted to talk about was his latest holo-adventure. That is if B’Elanna could pin him down long enough to have a conversation. His habit was to eat quickly and run out the door to play Captain Proton. Or apparently, sneak off to Sandrines for a tryst with Ensign Blocker. She had found out that he had been having an affair with the Ensign for over a month by the time she caught them. Seven asking a question brought her attention back.

“B’Elanna. I understand that tomorrow is your…time off. I have scheduled holodeck one for two hours tomorrow. I wish to take Miral, with your permission of course. I have found a program in Voyager’s holodeck catalog called ‘Petting Zoo’. It is designed for very young children and has a variety of baby animals that can be held and petted. You of course are invited. Naomi already has permission to attend and is taking her camera and wishes to take pictures.”

“Thanks, Seven. I think Miral would enjoy that. I know I would.”

Seven smiled fully, her eyes bright, and B’Elanna felt a jolt in her heart. ‘She is so beautiful when she smiles.’

“I shall come to your quarters at ten hundred hours tomorrow. Then we shall proceed to the holodeck and initiate the program.”

B’Elanna felt almost giddy at the thought of spending time with Seven and returned the smile with a blazing one of her own.

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B’Elanna had Miral dressed and ready the next day. Right at 10 hundred hours the door chimed and B’Elanna opened the door and took in the sight of a smiling Seven of Nine. B’Elanna noticed, with approval, that Seven had her hair in a ponytail and was dressed in a light blue tee shirt and cream-colored slacks. Seven had donned a pair of flat-soled white tennis shoes that made her around 2 inches shorter. B’Elanna thought the whole look made the Borg appear much more human and approachable.

“You look very nice, Seven. I like that look on you,” B’Elanna said with a smile.

Seven blushed and said, “Thank you“

B’Elanna had donned a pair of black shorts, sandals and a red muscle tee shirt. She noticed that Seven was looking at her with less than her typical cold and detached Borg assessment. This pleased B’Elanna.

Seven raised the implant over her left brow “You look…aesthetically pleasing.”

B’Elanna chucked and said, “Why thank you, Seven. That’s one of the nicest compliments I think I have ever received.”

Miral squirmed in her arms and gurgled happily on seeing her Auntie Seven. She reached out her arms for Seven to take her. She was dressed in a new yellow sun suit with a pattern of small baby bunnies. B’Elanna handed Miral to Seven and grabbed the diaper bag.

Seven smiled at Miral and said, “You too, look aesthetically pleasing.“

B’Elanna laughed and they continued on to the holodeck, passing many crewmates who did a double take at the two smiling women and the happy baby.

They met Naomi at the entrance to the holodeck and entered the holodeck. Seven ordered the computer to initiate the program.

The program was set under pink skies with light blue fluffy clouds lazily passing overhead. The petting zoo was located on an area of pale blue grass. There were many meandering paths through the various small fenced areas. Naomi skipped ahead and began taking pictures.

They spent the next hour viewing and petting various animals from different planets: Lambs, kids, ponies, kittens, puppies, grishnar kits, and even a nest of targlets.

Miral squealed with delight at watching and petting many of the animals. But an inquisitive pony nibbled at the pants leg of her sun suit and frightened her causing her to cry.

B’Elanna laughed and shooed it away. B‘Elanna looked around and spied something of interest and said, “I see an ice cream stand over there by the pond. Let’s go check it out. I could go for a little snack about now.”

Seven looked in the direction that B’Elanna indicated and saw the stand set amidst some shady trees. Under the trees were several benches. “That would be acceptable.”

Naomi shouted out, “Goody. I want a triple scoop cone of Strawberry Smash, Bubble Gum Yum, and Zonker Zing.”

Seven looked intently for a moment at the exuberant child and stated, “Naomi Wildman. You may have a single scoop of your choice.”

“But, Seven…”

“Comply. You are in my care and your mother gave me specific instructions that you were not to over indulge in food that serves no nutritional value.”

“But, Seven. This has nutri…nu-tri-tial value. It’s programmed into the replicator to make all the desserts nu-tri- what ever.”

B’Elanna snorted and said, “Afraid she got ya on this one, Seven.”

Seven considered this for a split second and replied, “That may be. However, your mother instructed me that you were not to overindulge. Three scoops would be considered overindulgence. Therefore, you are allowed only one scoop.”

B’Elanna laughed and looked at a sulking Naomi. “She got ya there, kiddo.”

They found a bench close to the pond and B’Elanna handed Miral to Seven. “Naomi and I will go get the ice cream. What kind do you want, Seven?”

“I require no nutritional supplement at this time.”

“Have you ever had any ice cream, Seven?”

“I believe I had some as a child. However, when the Doctor’s matrix was downloaded into my cybernetic matrix, I believe he indulged in consuming this confection. It did not agree with my physiology as I felt ill when I once again took control of my body.”

B’Elanna smirked. “Seven, Harry was there and told me about all the stuff the Doctor replicated and ate while in your body. Not to mention mixing wine with the stuff. I would be sick too and I have a cast iron stomach. A little bit won’t hurt you. I’m getting you some to try. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it.” Having said that, B’Elanna headed toward the ice cream stand.

Seven looked at Miral and smiled. “Your mother is persistent.”

Miral reached for Seven’s eye implant. Seven tried to hold her hands back. “It appears you have inherited that trait from her.”

B’Elanna returned with a small vanilla cone of ice cream for Seven and a chocolate one for herself. Naomi had a cone with one scoop of a purple and orange mixture. Naomi also carried a small cup with vanilla ice cream and a wooden ice cream spoon and placed it on the bench.

B’Elanna sat by Seven’s left side. “Here Seven, I got this for you. Its vanilla and has a mild and sweet flavor that you may like. Of course, my view on ice cream is if it’s not chocolate then it’s just a confection.”

Seven settled Miral in the crook of her left arm and took the cone in her right, studying it with an intent look on her face.

“Is not all ice cream considered a confection?”

“Well, technically yes. But chocolate ice cream is different because, well, chocolate has certain…ah medicinal and beneficial qualities.”

Seven raised her implant and gave B’Elanna a questioning look. “Those medicinal and beneficial qualities being?”

“Hmm, well, dark chocolate is known to lower high blood pressure and thin blood. Chocolate also contains phenylethylamine, which makes you feel good. Chocolate also has certain ah…other benefits. You better get started on your cone before it melts and makes a mess.”

Seven looked again at the cone and studied it intently as if she were unsure how to go about consuming this confection.

This caused Naomi to giggle. “You eat it like this, Seven.” She proceeded to lick the scoop of ice cream.”

Seven attentively touched the tip of her tongue to the cold confection for only a split second and drew back. “It is cold.”

B’Elanna smiled and Naomi giggled and said, “That’s why it’s called ice cream."

“Here, Seven, like this.” B’Elanna swiped her tongue in a long swirl around her scoop. Seven looked on in surprise, her eyes large. She found this action by B’Elanna to be… stimulating.

B’Elanna said, “Do it like that, Seven, so you can get a good taste.”

Seven swiped her tongue in a long languid curve around the scoop. B’Elanna’s eyes just about popped out of her head. ‘Kahless! Can that woman make eating ice cream into something sexy.’

Seven lifted her eyebrows in surprise and exclaimed, “It is very good.” She proceeded to take several more long swipes as B’Elanna looked on avidly.

The two women finished their cones, and B’Elanna gave Miral a little of the vanilla Ice cream from the small cup. Seven smiled as Miral smacked her lips and made small ‘mmm’ sounds of pleasure.

B’Elanna gave Miral some more and took a wipe from the diaper bag and cleaned the baby’s face. She looked up at Seven and noticed a small dab of the cream on her chin. She took a clean wipe from the diaper bag, leaned over, and wiped the dab of cream from Seven’s chin.

Seven found this action to be somewhat disturbing in its intimacy. Disturbing both in a satisfactory way and in another way that she did not have time to analyze.

B’Elanna smirked. “So, taste is irrelevant, huh?”

Seven smiled. “I find it to be very relevant. I wish to partake of the chocolate when I next consume this confection.”

B’Elanna laughed and said, “It will be my treat.”

By this time, their allotted time was up.

They dropped Naomi off at her quarters, and Seven walked with B’Elanna to her quarters, carrying Miral. At the door, B’Elanna said, “Hmm, Seven, if you don’t have anything pressing to do, how about coming in for a while. There are some things in Engineering I would like your input on. But first, I have to put sleepy head down for her nap.”

"That would be acceptable.”

B’Elanna entered her quarters, carried a sleepy Miral to her crib, and put her down for a nap. “Have a seat, Seven.” She indicated the sofa and Seven sat on the end. B’Elanna sat in the middle and facing her, stated, “I want to thank you for taking the time to set up the holoprogram. Miral had a big time and I did too.”

“You are welcome, Lieu…B’Elanna. I too enjoyed it as I did your and Miral’s company.”

“Hey, Seven. Anytime you want to take Miral on an excursion like that, well, you only have to ask.”

Seven smiled shyly and B’Elanna nodded and said, “And if I have some free time I would like to go along. If that is ok with you?”

Seven’s smile broadened and lighted up her whole face. She replied with evident joy, “That would be acceptable.”

B’Elanna felt her heart skip a beat and smiled in return. “Alright then. Now, down to business and ah…why don’t you stick around for dinner.”

Seven smiled again. “I accept your offer.”

They went over several engineering problems and B’Elanna noticed that Seven did not sound as condescending in her replies as she usually did. She was still confident when providing answers and suggestions, but not superior. Then it struck B’Elanna that of course she wasn’t acting the ‘Superior Borg’ because B’Elanna was not bristling at her and looking at her as if she were an unwanted intruder and making snide remarks to her. ‘Yeah, Torres, you‘re the one with the chip on your shoulder. What an ass I’ve been.’

After a while, B’Elanna smiled and said, “Hmm. Now what should I replicate that you would like? I know what you would like. Stir-fried shrimp over rice and an egg roll.”

Seven replied, “I did enjoy the vegetable soup you prepared last night. However, whatever dish you replicate will be acceptable.”

B’Elanna smirked. “Not if it’s my mother’s recipe for Klingon Chili. It was too hot for my father and he grew up eating hot chili peppers.”

She set the table and replicated a bowl of rice, stir-fried shrimp, two egg rolls and two glasses of water.

Placing them on the table, she took a seat across from Seven.

Seven hesitantly took the serving spoon for the rice and dipped out a spoonful onto her plate. She next took a spoonful of the shrimp mixture and put it on top of the rice. B’Elanna had gotten one of the egg rolls and Seven got the other.

Seven observed B’Elanna as she helped herself to the rice and shrimp and took a bite. Following the other woman’s lead, she gingerly placed a bite into her mouth. B’Elanna had been covertly glancing at her and smiled to see the look of surprise and delight on Seven’s face.

Seven looked up and said, “This is very good.”

“I’m glad you like it. You know, why don’t you come by for dinner tomorrow and we’ll try a new dish.”

Seven said, “I do not wish to impose.”

“Believe me, Seven. You won’t be imposing. Consider it thanks for babysitting Miral.”

“You do not need to thank me.”

“I know, Seven. Humor me please. Besides, you’re good company.”

Seven smiled and replied, “I would enjoy that. Thank you.”

B’Elanna found that Seven’s acceptance and smile made her feel warm and...yes...happy. “You’re welcome.”

x

x

B’Elanna entered her quarters and smiled when she spotted Seven on the floor holding onto the hand of an unsteady Miral. The baby was standing up on wobbly legs.

Seven turned and smiled at B’Elanna. “I believe Miral is trying to walk. She has stood several times already but has fallen at her first step.”

It was not unusual for Klingon infants to start walking at seven to nine months of age. Miral had started crawling at six months of age.

B’Elanna knelt on the floor about four feet away and held out her arms. “Come give mommy sugar kisses, Sweetie pie. Hmm. Come here.”

Miral smiled and started to take a step. Seven let go of her hand and Miral took three wobbly steps and fell onto her well-padded diapered bottom.

B’Elanna scooped her up and hugged her, laughingly. “Very good. Such a big girl.” She glanced up at a Seven, whose smile was beaming. “I believe this is cause for a celebration dinner. What do you think, Seven?”

Seven, still smiling said, “I agree.”

B’Elanna prepared one of Seven’s favorite dishes; stir-fried shrimp over rice. Over the past few weeks, she had introduced Seven to more and more food items.

It pleased her to see Seven sampling the varied diet that she provided. Even if not all were to the Borg’s liking, especially spicy dishes, it warmed her to see the look of anticipation on Seven’s face when she set a new dish in front of her. She laughed when Seven would frown when she tasted something that she did not like. The look of delight on the Borg’s face when she liked an item made B’Elanna smile in satisfaction. She liked to please Seven. Seven, when one got to know her, was really like a child herself in her likes and dislikes of certain things.

They both started their meal and B’Elanna filled Seven in on her day in Engineering. Seven informed her about her day in Astrometrics. Both women helped to feed Miral, who was in her high chair and making a mess with her bowl of rice cereal and mashed cooked carrots and squash.

There was a lull in conversation for a moment and Seven sadly looked at B’Elanna and said, “I regret, B’Elanna, that I do not have quarters to invite you to so that I may prepare dinner for you.”

B’Elanna felt a flare of anger at the whole alcove and cargo bay situation. She was a little bit angry with herself, too. It would take very little effort on her part to get Engineering to install Seven’s Borg alcove in a single occupancy quarters. Not only that, but Seven was gradually weaning herself off her alcove since she was eating more.

There was really no excuse for her not to have her own quarters. Even Icheb, who no longer needed the alcove, had his own quarters. True, he had to share them with crewman Baxter, but at least he had a place of his own without being interrupted day or night with people going in and out of the cargo bay.

“You know, Seven. I think you should have your own quarters. Now that you are eating more solids and regenerating less, you’ll need a place to sleep.” B’Elanna had recalled Seven telling her that she was able to sleep for 2-3 hour periods every other day. She was using a cot near her alcove, which was not very inductive to sleep when someone sent to retrieve something could interrupt you. Besides, everyone needed privacy. “I think we could install your alcove with very few problems. I’ll talk to the Captain after tomorrow’s staff meeting.”

Seven looked surprised. “I…find that very acceptable.” She paused for a moment and added, “Thank you, B’Elanna.”

“Hey, no sweat. After all, what are friends for, huh?

”It melted B’Elanna’s heart to see Seven’s mega watt smile. ‘Kahless, and she is my friend. The best friend I have. Willing to step in and help with Miral whenever she has a free minute. Taking the time to help me work out engineering problems. It’s time I show her how much I appreciate her.’

X

X

X

B’Elanna kept her word and requested to see Janeway in her ready room after the staff meeting.

Janeway got a cup of coffee and settled herself behind her desk looking at B’Elanna expectedly.

“What can I do for you, Lieutenant?”

“It’s not what you can do for me, Captain, but what you can do for Seven. She needs her own quarters.” Janeway looked like she was about to say something when B’Elanna forestalled her. “I know what you’re thinking; that her alcove will be a problem to install in regular single occupancy quarters. I’ve actually worked out a plan on not only installing her alcove, but also reducing the size. Seven is eating solids on a more regular basis and does not need to utilize it to regenerate as often. This will mean that it could operate more efficiently with the power grid currently used for crew quarters. Besides, if she had a bed, she could learn to sleep and this would mean she could eventually wean herself away from using the damned thing altogether.”

Janeway thought for a moment and agreed. “I’ll work on arranging getting her a Senior Officers quarters. She is the head of Astrometrics, which would be headed by a Senior Officer, so no one can cause a fuss. In fact, Lieutenant Bryan Jenkins has moved in with Ensign Jemo Gowasaka. They’re getting married soon, so Jenkins won’t need his quarters.”

She took a sip of coffee and looked at B’Elanna over the rim of her cup. “I want to thank you, B’Elanna, for the way you have been treating Seven these past few weeks. You know, I try to play a game of Velocity with her about once a week, and she has been telling me about the times you invited her to stay for dinner after she cared for Miral. If you could see the warmth in her eyes, and the smile on her face, when she tells me about Miral and her dinners with you, you would never think the woman spent 18 years of her life as an emotionless drone.”

B’Elanna felt both happy and sad. Happy that Seven was enjoying being with Miral and herself, and sad that it took her so long to see the warm and loving person that Seven really was.

“Well, Seven is probably the most unselfish person I know, and the most gentle and kindest. Miral is crazy about her. I’m just sorry it took me this long to get to know her. You know, I now see that most of that superior attitude of hers is just a facade she hides behind when she is uncertain or hurt. I wish I had seen it sooner.”

Janeway smiled sadly. “I’ve known that for a long time; I just didn’t know how to make others see it.” She then gave B’Elanna a measuring stare. “I can’t tell you how to conduct your personal life and your friendships, B’Elanna, but I will be very displeased if you hurt her.”

“Hey. I’m not going to do that. I mean, she still comes into Engineering with that Borg ‘Know It All’ walk and talk, but I know where it’s coming from now. We sort of give the others a show with some insults. But Seven and I both know the insults are just jokes now. She can dish out some pretty good ones, too.”

“Fine, B’Elanna. Just so you know what my feelings are. Take what team you need and start with the renovations.”

B’Elanna smiled and said, “Thanks, Captain. I want…”

Before B’Elanna could finish, Voyager shuddered and the lights went to red alert.

x

“Tuvok, fire photon torpedoes. Aim for their weapons array. Tom, get us out of here,” Janeway commanded. She watched the view screen as Voyager’s photon torpedoes hit their target, but not before the enemy ship was able to get off one last shot. She held on to the command chair’s arm, bracing for impact. Voyager shuddered mildly from the weapon’s impact on their shields.

Tuvok exclaimed, “Their weapons array has been neutralized. They have dropped out of warp and the two ships with them have stopped their pursuit of us.”

For the past three weeks, Voyage was harassed by what appeared to be a rag tag conglomerate of many different vessels from apparently different races and cultures. Most were half Voyager’s size and lacked her firepower, or warp capabilities, and were no match for her strength, except in one respect, the ability to appear out of nowhere.

It was evident that the ships had some sort of cloaking device that allowed them to get within 5000 meters before they would come out of cloak to fire their weapons. A favorite tactic was to have one ship hit from the back and another from the front. They would then peel off, cloak, and reappear and hit again minutes later, or even hours later. Janeway considered them annoying insects that would scatter with a swat, only to return later to harass them. However, she knew that too many stings from these ‘insects’ would eventually cripple Voyager.

These ships never acknowledged hails or made any communication attempts, and as Neelix was not familiar with this part of the Delta Quadrant, he was unable to identify them.

Seven, on the other hand, recognized several ship configurations as belonging to at least six different species, three of which had been assimilated in the past: The Culliar, Behganlians, and Tilmox, had all hailed from a portion of the Delta Quadrant many parsecs away and their assimilations occurred approximately 150 years ago. Seven speculated that they were remnants of the original species that had escaped assimilation or species that had come across abandoned ships.

The other ships belonged to three species that occupied this sector of space. They were cataloged for possible assimilation later. They were the Graegoians, Eonians and Barzuzans. They were a similarly related humanoid species and were last observed by the collective 60 years ago, at which time they had just developed warp capabilities. They had no qualities or technology that the Collective wished to assimilate at that time. The Collectives next scheduled visit was in 200 years. Then the Collective would evaluate them for assimilation.

“Captain, two ships are approaching at warp 6. They are hailing us,” said Tuvok.

“On screen,” Janeway barked out.

Voyager’s view screen showed an attractive humanoid female with smooth golden skin, brown eyes, and a scalp covered by a short, fine fuzz of white. The nose was aquiline and the lips small and bow shaped. The ears small and shaped like those of humans.

Janeway stood and stated, “I am Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager.”

The voice that followed was a rich tenor, “We know who you are Captain Janeway. I am Major Eija Nava, commander of the Black Arrow and leader of the Sixth Phalanx of Pride Talart. We have been monitoring your attempts to contact the Uuinian Consortium’s ships for the past week and your conflict with them.”

Janeway’s eyes narrowed slightly in both wariness and consternation. ‘Definitely military by the sounds of things.’ " Oh? Why did you not make your presence known earlier?”

Major Nava lifted her right eyebrow slightly and smiled. “I was curious how one lone vessel would handle the Uuinian Consortium. It is part of my duties to assess any party’s need for our assistance.”

“If you surmised that we needed no assistance, why contact us now?”

“To collect fees for your passage through this portion of space that is patrolled and guarded by my Pride of course.”

“And if I refuse to pay this ‘fee’ what then?”

“You will be asked to turn back and go around this sector. Then you will have to fend off even more attacks from the Uuinian Consortium. I believe it would be to your benefit to partake of our protection. If I’m not mistaken, Captain Janeway, your ship could use some maintenance and your crew downtime. There is a large market area at Apulan, on Barzuz, which is two days distance from here. There you will find what you need. And there is a stationary space dock above the city that can accommodate your vessel. Fees are very reasonable.”

“This sounds like an extortion racket to me, Major. What are my guarantees that after we pay this fee, you won’t turn around and attack us?”

“Captain, we are paid by the merchants and various trade guilds of this sector to guard their interests. If you have come in good faith, to trade and not rob, then you will be under our protection.”

“Uh huh, for a fee of course.”

Major Nava smirked. “Of course, Captain Janeway. The fee is very reasonable and goes to support our Pride. After all, my Pride has many mouths to feed and many ships to maintain. However, you have the added bonus of a personal escort by my squadron. We are heading back to our Pride house in Apulan for much needed rest after this rotation. I would like to invite you, as my guest, to dine with me on my return.”

Janeway considered the invitation for a moment. She could learn much about this section of space by accepting this invitation. “Thank you Major. I accept your invitation and will make arrangements to pay your fee.”

Major Nava smiled. “I look forward to meeting you face to face Captain Janeway. I am sending you the coordinates of the spaceport. Until later.”

The view screen went blank.

“Mr. Paris, do you have the coordinates?”

“Yes, Captain.”

“Then proceed.”

x

x

x

B’Elanna Torres walked through the market square in the spaceport city of Apulan, balancing Miral on her left hip. She had just gotten off duty and decided to do a little shopping before having to bathe and put Miral to bed. It was nineteen hundred hours on Voyager, but local planet time was ten hundred hours.

She stopped at a large booth with an assortment of hand-woven blankets and handmade bolts of cloth piled neatly and displayed on several tables. She was trying to find a colorful blanket or bolt of cloth to make a throw to go over her sofa and make a bright coverlet for her bed. She was tired of the monotonous Starfleet Blue upholstery and bed covers.

She was also on the lookout for colorful sheets for Miral’s new bed. Now, at almost ten months of age, the child had outgrown her crib, and a small child sized bed was ordered from the ship’s storeroom. It had been set up by maintenance a few days ago and B’Elanna had replicated the boring Starfleet sheets for the bed. Seven had programmed and replicated a blanket that had baby bunnies and targlets on it. If she had the time, she could work on entering a pattern into the replicator for matching sheets. However, time was spent on working double shifts trying to piece Voyager back together after the many encounters with the Uuinian Consortium, which was actually a loose federation of pirates and other riff raff, who preyed on whatever ship they took to be easy pickings.

They had been at the spaceport for two days and the members of the crew were glad to spend their off time on the surface and spend their replicated local currency in the booming port’s market place and taverns. The population was friendly and welcomed their visits. So far, all had been peaceful with no disturbances or need for Tuvok to put anyone in the brig for unruly behavior.

B’Elanna had to turn down crew invitations to take in the nearest taverns because she had Miral in her care. For the past three weeks, she had hardly had any contact with the child, having to leave her in the care of Neelix and Sam Wildman, when required to work double shifts in Engineering.

She had missed her daughter and relished this time to spend with her. She had also missed the several nights a week that Seven would join her for dinner. Seven had her duties in Astrometrics and was working long hours. She was also helping out in Engineering.

Seven was supposed to join her today for some shopping after her duty shift, but Janeway needed a last minute report on other nearby Star Systems.

Seven stated that she would try to join her later and they would shop for items Seven would need for her anticipated move to her own quarters, which had been interrupted by their run-in with the Uuinian Consortium.

Now that the problems with the Uuinian Consortium were behind them, maybe things would get back to normal.

Miral started wiggling in B’Elanna’s arms, wanting to get down. “Would you be still and let Momma look at these?” Miral started to fuss and B’Elanna put her down on her feet by her side. “Here, wiggle worm. Hold on to Momma’s hand.” She held on to Miral’s hand as she used her free hand to turn back the pieces of material. She saw a piece that interested her and let go of Miral’s hand for a second to pull it out and take a better look .

A few seconds later, she looked down, and Miral was gone. She turned and saw the child toddling into the middle of the paved walkway, which was surprisingly vacant; the people that would normally be on it were now standing on the side. “Miral. Come here.” Miral toddled on until she was stopped by a pair of arms that reached for her and picked her up. B’Elanna hurried up to a small procession, of what looked like dignitaries, and stopped in front of the procession and the tall middle-aged woman who now held Miral. The woman was dressed in an ornate gold and green gown and was surrounded by around a dozen green clad figures, both male and female.

“Here you go. I’ll take her now.” B’Elanna held out her arms, but the woman stepped back and two burly guards, one male and the other female, dressed in green robes, crossed their long staffs in front of her. B’Elanna halted immediately and reached out her arms to her child between the crossed staffs. “Sorry about that. She got away from me.”

The woman looked at her haughtily and said, “She came to me willingly. It is as the Gods willed. She belongs to Temple Cothar and will serve the Gods now.”

B’Elanna was stunned. She did not hear the murmuring from the bystanders who had been watching. “Hey. Give her here. She’s mine.” She reached again only to be shoved roughly back by the two guards. Two more guards with staffs stepped forward. “What do you think you’re doing? You can’t just take my child.”

The woman clasped a now crying Miral to her. “It is decreed that any child that comes to us, whether led by the Gods to do so or given to us by their parents, is ours and shall be raised to serve the Gods.”

B’Elanna started to panic now and struggled with two of the guards to reach her child. “What in Grethor is going on? I haven’t given you my child. Give her here.” She continued to struggle and knocked one of the guards down with a wicked right hook. She was getting the upper hand on another, when one of them slipped behind her and crossed her staff over the Klingon’s windpipe, effectively stopping her struggles.

The woman said, “You should be honored that your child will grow up to serve the Gods as a Sacred Priestess”. The woman began walking on with a crying Miral who now began screaming in panic. Members of the Temple, dressed in green, surrounded the woman and Miral.

B’Elanna tried to tear the staff off her neck, but the hold was too firm. She felt lightheaded and knew that she would pass out. She hit her combadge several times rapidly. She hoped who ever was at communications was a former Maquis, as this was the unspoken signal for an emergency beam out. She heard a rushing of blood in her ears, and her vision blurred, then the darkness descended.

x

x

x

Seven of Nine was in Janeway’s ready room having just made her report to the Captain. Janeway thought for a moment and said, “So, if we take the route that Major Nava has recommended, then we should be able to avoid any more attacks by the Uuinian Consortium.” Just then, Janeway’s combadge chimed with a hail from Tuvok.

“Captain, you are needed in Sick Bay. It is Lieutenant Torres. There has been an incident on the planet involving the Lieutenant and Miral.”

Seven blanched, and Janeway replied, “On my way.” Both women looked at each other in surprise, and concern, before Janeway hurriedly exited the ready room with Seven close on her heels.

They entered the Turbolift and Janeway barked, “Deck five.”

Seven found that her apprehension was so great she could not say anything. Janeway glanced at her concernedly and said nothing.

As soon as the turbolift doors opened, Seven sprinted the short distance to Sick B ay with Janeway close behind. The first thing Seven noticed was the Doctor hovering over an unconscious B’Elanna who lay on a biobed. Tuvok and two of his Security team stood nearby.

Seven rushed to B’Elanna’s side. Her Borg enhanced systems showed that B’Elanna was still breathing and she appeared unharmed.

The Doctor addressed Janeway, “She’s fine and shows no sign of injury except some bruising and abrasions of the knuckles on her right hand. I would say her right hand connected with someone’s head.”

“Why isn’t she awake?" Janeway asked as she walked up to the biobed and quickly looked B’Elanna over.

Tuvok stepped up and said, "I had to apply a Vulcan nerve pinch.”

Janeway looked at him and said, “What happened? Where is Miral?”

“The child’s whereabouts are unknown. Apparently, someone took the child, and Lieutenant Torres tried to free her. I was at communications, received a Maquis distress signal from her combadge, and initiated an emergency transport. She was unconscious but coming to when transported. She was incoherent and wanted to be transported back to the surface to get her child. She tried forcibly to take Ensign Carter’s phaser from him. He quickly summoned Security. When they arrived in the transporter room, Lieutenant Torres had the phaser turned on Ensign Carter and was demanding to be sent back down to the surface. She refused to drop her weapon. I arrived on the scene and requested that she desist in her current course of action. She refused. I ordered Ensign Carter to do what the Lieutenant ordered. He initiated the transport to the surface but I reversed it. As soon as she rematerialized, I administered a nerve pinch and had her transported here.”

“What of Miral? Did you scan the surface for her?”

“Yes, Captain. We can find no signs of her on the surface.”

Janeway lifted her eyebrows in disbelief, and Tuvok continued, “Captain. There are 12 places on the surface that are surrounded by energy fields that our scans cannot penetrate, those being the houses of the 10 Prides and 2 Temples of religion. I believe that she may be at one of these places.”

Seven’s voice was strident as she said, “You must organize a search party immediately. You must contact these places and ascertain if Miral is being held by one.”

“I’ll handle this, Seven. Tuvok, contact Major Nava. Tell her I request her help immediately.” Janeway then turned to the EMH. “Doctor. Wake her up.”

Seven stepped closer to B’Elanna and took her left hand as the doctor administered a hypospray to wake her.

B’Elanna opened her eyes and focused on Seven. She immediately tried to get up. “Miral, they have Miral, they have my baby.”

She struggled but Seven held her by the shoulders. “B’Elanna, what happened?”

“We have to go get her. Let me go.”

Janeway interceded, “B’Elanna, calm down. Tell us what happened so we can help.”

B’Elanna still struggled and screamed, “Captain, they took my baby, do something!”

Seven gently shook B’Elanna and clasping her by the chin, turned her face so that B’Elanna had to look her in the eyes. “B’Elanna, please, control yourself. You must tell us what occurred.”

B’Elanna seemed to calm, but her breath came in heaves. “We were shopping…she got away from me. A woman…some dignitary with guards, took her. She said she was hers by decree. DO SOMETHING! Use the damn sensors to find her and beam her up.”

Janeway stated, “She is not registering on our sensors.”

“What the hell do you mean? She’s there, on the surface, I tell you!”

“We believe she is being held in a shielded area. I want you to tell Tuvok everything that occurred. I have put in an urgent call to Major Nava. I’ll give her the information and she can perhaps assist us.” Janeway said.

She looked at Tuvok. “Tuvok. Order all crewmembers on the surface to return to ship immediately. I don’t want any more incidents. Contact Tom immediately. He needs to know what has happened.”

B’Elanna started to cry. “My baby, my baby.”

Seven enfolded her in her arms and said with a shaky voice, her eyes tearing, “I will see to it that Miral is found. I promise this to you.”

B’Elanna wiped her eyes and said, “Thank you, Seven. I know you will. You are the best friend I have.”

B’Elanna then turned to Tuvok and began telling him everything she could remember.

x

x

x

Seven of Nine sat close to B’Elanna at the conference room table as she relayed the events to Major Nava, who sat at the opposite end of the table from Captain Janeway. Tom sat on B’Elanna’s other side. Tuvok and Chakotay sat on the opposite side.

B’Elanna’s voice was pleading, “Please Major. You have got to help me get my baby back.” Seven placed her hand over B’Elanna’s protectively and looked toward the Major, as did everyone else.

Major Nava sighed. “I am sorry. There is nothing that I can do. It is an old and ancient law and goes back to a time of hardship on this planet. During times of famine, families that could not care for their children, sold them into servitude or dedicated them to the service of the Gods, in Temple Cothar or Temple Tatheon. It also came about as custom for children to escape abusive guardians and masters and seek protection from the Temples. These children are said to be gifts from the Gods as it was thought that the Gods directed them to the Temples. The High Priestess of Temple Cothar, Phehere, has apparently taken it upon herself to interpret your child going to her as a sign that the Gods directed her into the Temple’s Care and Service. Temple Cothar is the most powerful faction in this sector. Not one of the Prides will challenge them. The only ones that would speak up against them is Temple Tatheon. But they hold to the same beliefs when it comes to children entering their service.”

B’Elanna stood, her eyes ablaze, and her voice a deep growl, “I don’t care if they’re Kahless, Jesus Christ, or the Prophets. They have my baby, and I want her back. Give me a phaser and I’ll kill every one of them.”

Seven also stood, eyes blazing, and looked at Janeway. “Captain. Give them an ultimatum. Inform them that if they do not return Miral, you shall utilize Voyager’s firepower and force them to do so.”

Janeway was exasperated but gave her best command stare and ordered, “Please. Both of you sit down.” She looked at Major Nava. “You said that you cannot do anything. But, short of violence, is there another way?”

“Yes. A family member related by blood, marriage or adoption, must challenge the claim within a day of the child going into the custody of the Temple. The contest takes place three days after the challenge is made in the 'Champions' Field' outside of the city. There has been no challenge in my lifetime. The last was some 80 years ago. Throughout all of known history, Temple Cothar has never lost. They, after all, are the inventors of the fighting technique known as Tsunkatse and their priests are trained in the art from childhood.”

B’Elanna immediately exclaimed, “I don’t care what technique they know. I’ll fight all of them and tear their hearts out.”

Seven stood. “I will fight their champion.”

Janeway interceded, “Sit down, Seven. There has to be another way.”

Seven replied, “As you are well aware, Captain, I am trained in Tsunkatse and have fought in several matches.”

Major Nava looked closely at the young woman. “Trained in Tsunkatse? How is that possible? Only the Priests of Temple Cothar are authorized to train…Ah. You were no doubt trained in a bastardized form of the art. I hear it is a popular form of entertainment in the Narcadian sector. You would have very little chance of defeating a master of the true art form.”

“I am Borg. I will prevail.”

Major Nava looked her up and down with a twinkle of interest in her eyes and a slight leer to her features. “Not like any Borg I’ve ever heard of, or seen images of. But, regardless, are you a relative of the child?”

“What is your definition of relative? Indeed, Voyager is my collective and I consider the crewmembers…family.”

“The rules are clear. It has to be a blood relative, a relative by adoption, or a relative by marriage. Believe me; I know what you mean when you say that your shipmates are your family, as is my Pride a family to me. But, by law, they are not a relative.”

B’Elanna looked at Seven and said, “I appreciate your offer, Seven, but Miral is mine and I’ll fight for her.”

Tom looked at B’Elanna. “She’s my daughter, I’ll fight them. She will need you, B’Elanna, if I should lose.”

“I will fight. I’ll die rather than let them keep her.” B’Elanna looked at Major Nava. “Does the combat have to be Tsunkatse or can another method be used?”

“You can use whatever method, provided it is unarmed combat. But no method that I am aware of has ever defeated a trained Tsunkatse champion.”

Janeway stated, “Sit down. I’ll not have any of you fighting.”

Just then, Major Nava was hailed. She removed a small rectangular communicator from her belt. “Yes, Major Nava.”

“Major. Pride Llesed has informed me that both they, and Pride Hjod, have been called into service by Temple Cothar. They are to escort Voyager from this sector of space. They are moving their fleet into position to escort Voyager now.”

Janeway was interrupted by Harry Kim. “Captain. You have an urgent message from a Major Pru’eq of Pride Llesed. There are 8 ships approaching our coordinates.”

“Harry, tell them I will be with them shortly. Janeway out.”

She turned to Major Nava. “Why are these two Prides ‘called’ to escort us out? Have they been hired by Temple Cothar? Can we hire your Pride for protection?”

“No, Captain. They are devout followers of the religious principles of Temple Cothar. Cothar's priests often use them as escorts if they have to leave the planet. By law, Prides cannot war against each or interfere with another Pride's work. To be hired by an opposing party would be looked upon as interference.”

Tuvok looked at Major Nava. “If we issue a challenge, will this result in a delay of our expulsion from this sector of space?”

“Yes. You will be allowed to stay until the contest is settled. But you must do it now.”

Tom said, “I will take the challenge.”

Seven of Nine admired him for his courage but knew he could not win. “You will fail. I am the logical choice.”

“Yeah. But you aren’t related by blood, adoption or marriage, Seven. So that leaves me.”

Seven turned to B’Elanna and looked fully into her eyes. “B’Elanna, I am the only logical choice. I will get Miral back to you. I will not fail. I…see no other solution. Marry me.”

There was a collective intake of breath and a split second of silence, and then the whole room exploded with everyone, except Seven and B’Elanna, talking at once.

Janeway called for order, “Enough.” She looked at Seven. “Seven…I don’t think…”

Seven interrupted, “This matter is between B’Elanna and me.” She turned back to B’Elanna and took B’Elanna's hand in hers. “Trust me. I will not fail. Marry me.”

B’Elanna looked into Seven’s eyes and saw the sincerity and conviction. “Yes.”

x

x

x

Seven threw her opponent to the ground, but he quickly sprang up and shot his right leg out, hitting her below her right knee. She went crashing to her side and he threw himself on her. She was prepared and rammed her left fist into his chin, staggering him. She rolled from under him, got on her knees, and came down with both elbows onto his back. He fell forward and she jumped on his back and twisted his neck until she heard it snap, killing him. She rested on the prone body for a second and took in a deep breath before her next round.

Seven was startled by B’Elanna’s voice, “Computer, end program.” The arena faded around her to be replaced by the holodeck grid and B’Elanna Torres, who had come in unobserved.

She had married B’Elanna some twelve hours before in a quick ceremony performed by Captain Janeway and a priest from the Temple Tatheon. Only Tuvok and Major Nava stood in as witnesses. Even though Temple Tatheon and Temple Cothar were rivals, ceremonies officiated over by either were recognized by the laws of Barzuz. Having a priest of the opposing Temple also perform the ceremony would legitimize the marriage under Barzuzan law and prevent a challenge to its validity if just the Captain performed a Federation ceremony.

Seven then had Major Nava contact Temple Cothar with her challenge. The Temple had not protested as Major Nava and the Temple Tatheon priest had registered the marriage in the Hall of Law shortly after it was performed. Combat was set for 3 days from when the challenge was issued. Seven had less than 56 hours to prepare.

B’Elanna handed Seven a towel she found neatly folded on the deck. “Seven. I think you need to rest and get something to eat. You have been going at this for over ten hours. Come with me back to my quarters and let me get you something to eat.”

“I do not require rest or nutrition at this time. I regenerated 3 days ago and will regenerate for 8 hours prior to the contest. My time can be better spent training.”

B’Elanna placed her hand on Seven’s arm and looked up into her eyes. “Please, Seven. Do this for me. We need to talk. We didn’t have time to talk before the marriage took place, or afterwards.”

Seven was touched by the soft and caring look on B’Elanna’s face and in her eyes, which were warm dark amber. She also noticed the dark smudges underneath them and the redness in the corners of the white areas. She would adhere to B’Elanna’s wishes, as she did not want to add to the woman’s intense worry and grief. However, she was a little apprehensive about what B’Elanna wanted to talk about.”

“Very well.”

Once in B’Elanna’s quarters, Seven immediately went to the bathroom and removed her black Velocity outfit and shoes. She would recycle them for training, and later, for use in the actual combat. They fit close to the skin and would not allow her opponent to grab hold of a loose fold of cloth, or open sleeve, and throw her off balance.

She went into the sonic shower and put the setting on high. It had been an intense workout, which had caused her to perspire. Something she rarely did as her nanoprobes and biosuits normally prevented this. She also felt a little soreness in her muscles. This should disappear soon due to her propensity to heal quickly, a gift of her nanoprobes.

She exited the shower and noticed that her velocity suit and shoes were gone and replaced with a set of Starfleet standard under clothes and a soft yellow pull over shirt with bell shaped sleeves and a small v- neck. Also, there was a pair of loose drawstring trousers in mint green and a pair of tan sandals. She put them on and exited the bathroom and bedroom, and into the small dining area.

Seven observed that the table was set with only one place setting. B’Elanna had just turned from the replicator with a tray laden with a bowl of vegetable soup and a salad.

“Take a seat right there, Seven." she indicated the one with the place setting which was Seven’s customary seat when dining with B’Elanna. “I know that you like vegetable soup and took the liberty of replicating this. What would you like to drink?”

“Water will be sufficient.”