"We have to hurry," Hansen said as she stepped out of the shower. "Dr. Pulaski released her twenty minutes ago."  Seven quirked an eyebrow and handed her a towel, looking slightly exasperated, but since the Borg had looked like that for the past two hours, Annika had pretty much learned to ignore it by now.
Taking one last stab at getting her cropped blond hair to look its best, she wondered to herself if Kathryn would prefer it longer the way Seven indicated her captain did. Of course, allowing it to grow long would mean having to pay more attention to it in terms of both time and care. Still, perhaps Seven was right, she mused while taking a final look in the mirror. Certainly everything else her counterpart had said in her economy of words and straight forward manner had made sense, and Annika was willing to do anything it took.
"It is not my fault you failed to prepare yourself prior to Captain Johnson's release," Seven said, her arms folded across her chest. "You knew what time the doctor planned on releasing her."
"Just help me finish getting ready," the physicist said, conceding the point. Naked, she padded out of the ensuite and walked over to her closet, staring pensively at the selection. Several long white lab coats, a set of dress whites and one spare uniform fought for space in her cramped closet. The two dresses that she did have were ones that Kathryn had seen her in before and simply would not do.
"Dammit, what am I thinking?" she asked aloud. "I have nothing to wear."
Seven rolled her eyes and left the bedroom where she went to the replicator, programming in a selection before returning with a shimmering dress made with an economy of material.
"You've got to be kidding," the scientist said when she saw what Seven had materialized. "Oh no. There is no way that will work on me. And it's the middle of the day, for crying out loud."
"It is patterned after the one that Kathryn gave to me for our anniversary," the Borg said, handing the dress to her twin. Certain that she was making a mistake, Annika slid the shimmering dress over her head and stepped into the low heeled shoes. Running her hands down the silky fabric, she realized why the program had not included matching underwear. There was simply no room between the dress and her body to wear any. Nervously she returned to the ensuite and stared at herself in the mirror.
Seven was right, the dress fit perfectly, the soft blue material clinging to her body in all the right places, the thin straps whisper soft on her shoulders, the neckline low enough to see just a hint of her breasts. Her back was exposed as was a good portion of her legs, the material stopping several centimeters above her knees. The normally conservative scientist had to admit that the dress was beautiful and in turn, made her feel much less like the clumsy brain who was all arms and legs, and much more as the woman she wanted to be. She added the perfume she knew to be Kathryn's favorite to her wrists and between her breasts, adding a drop for good measure behind each earlobe.
"Are you really sure this will work?" Hansen asked one last time as she followed Seven into the living area.
"Yes," Seven said firmly, heading for the door. "Was I not correct with regards to the memo to your parents? Did they not respond with their message as you would have hoped? Just do not forget what I have told you and ... good luck."
"Thank you, Seven," Hansen said, not watching the Borg leave as she returned to the ensuite. One last check of her hair, which no matter what she did would never look the way she wanted, and she was off to welcome Kathryn home ... and do whatever it took to get the woman she loved back.
But when she requested admittance to the captain's quarters, she was disappointed to see Johnson sitting on the chair, dressed in her uniform trousers and t-shirt. The scientist felt extremely foolish, as if she were a teenager trying far too hard to attract the attention of some celebrity. Not even the look of stunned appreciation in the captain's eyes made her feel better, and her face felt hot as she entered, barely acknowledging Janeway's presence.
"If you ladies will excuse me," Janeway murmured, already on her way out. She cast one final, warning look at Johnson before the door hissed shut behind her.
"Obviously, I'm overdressed for this," Annika said, looking down at her feet.
"No, god no," Johnson muttered, rising from the chair and catching her lover's hands in her own. "I'm ... Annika, you look incredible." She hesitated, then drew her hand back uncertainly. "I'm sorry ... I'm a fool."
"No," the scientist said, looking up at the distress in her lover's face. She took a breath, trying to remember what Seven had told her about being honest. "Listen, we're probably both just trying too hard, thinking about it too much." She spread her hands out. "What we look like is irrelevant."
Johnson inhaled, obviously searching for something to say. "Um, the dinner I made is still here," she said, gesturing vaguely in the direction of the table which had been set a week earlier with candles, the fine china covered with a stasis field. "Or rather, the dinner I programmed into the replicator. Are you hungry? We might as well have it for lunch."
"Sure," Annika said, though the last thing she wanted to do was eat.
Her stomach churned unpleasantly, and as she sat down to the elegant place setting, she searched her mind, wishing she knew what to say. Johnson busied herself at the replicator, programming in the commands and bringing over two plates, piled high with food. After sitting down, she uncorked the bottle of wine and poured two glasses of the ruby liquid. Annika noted that the captain drained half her glass in the first swallow and immediately followed suit, hoping the illusion of control the alcohol provided, might get her through the next few moments. They began their meal, both occasionally trying to start conversations which began weakly and expired almost immediately, unable to be sustained in this atmosphere of extreme uncertainty and confusion. Annika thought the food was probably quite good but it tasted like ashes in her mouth and she had difficulty swallowing, each morsel seeming like a huge lump that pushed down her throat and lay in her stomach like an unexploded photon grenade.
"This shouldn't be this hard," Annika said finally, pushing her plate away and slumping back in her chair.
"I agree," Johnson said quietly. "When did it get so ... damned awkward?"
"When we stopped talking to each other. When we started treating each other as captain and lieutenant instead of Kathryn and Annika. It shouldn't hurt this much to be in love with you."
Johnson took another long swallow of her wine, watching as Hansen did the same. "No it shouldn't," she agreed. She paused, searching for the right thing to say. "I don't want to lose you," she said finally, in as simple terms as she could manage.
"Why?"
Johnson held back the tart rejoinder that initially came to the tip of her tongue, remembering Janeway's words. Throwing out a host of other answers, she said "Because I love you."
Hansen looked at her empty glass for a moment before answering. "It's been a long time since you've told me that," she noted. "I love you too."
Kathryn Johnson looked over the table at the woman she loved, the woman she knew without a doubt she would protect with everything she had and would give everything up for. All the petty fights and cold silences hurt with the pain of time lost that should have been spent loving each other. Was she beginning to finally comprehend what Janeway had been telling her? "When did I stop being so understanding of you and your needs?"
"Probably about the same time I stopped trying to tell you how I felt and instead, started being insubordinate to your command," Hansen said, feeling equal guilt over their arguments.
"So where do we go from here?"
"Seven suggested we try talking," Annika said. She shook her head somewhat helplessly. "But first, we're supposed to hold onto each other. She said the rest would take of itself."
"Janeway said the same thing." Johnson stood up and reached out, offering her hand.
Hansen swallowed hard, then accepted it, getting up from her chair. Together they moved over to the couch where it took only seconds for them to arrange themselves into a comfortable position, Hansen cradling Johnson in her arms. A word from Johnson lowered the illumination, providing a sort of coziness to the quarters, and for long moments, they remained where they were, getting used to the sensation of each other's bodies again. More importantly, they allowed the physical contact close some of the distance they felt between them, the silence stretching into one of serenity rather than trepidation. It was not easy for either of the strong willed women who were more apt to take control of a situation that allow it to unfold naturally, and both had to force themselves not to disturb this fragile peace that was slowly forming. They concentrated very hard on heartbeats and respiration, letting go of their emotional turmoil for the time being. 
"I like this," Annika admitted finally, softly, letting her lips brush over the auburn hair. "I miss this. You don't let me just hold you very often."
"I know," Johnson said apologetically. "I ... it's hard for me to be vulnerable with another person, even someone I truly love. Can you understand that?" She leaned in and kissed the soft skin of Annika's neck. "I didn't realize I was being so neglectful," she said, remembering Janeway's suggestion. "I ... don't mean to make you feel like you don't matter. You do, more than anything."
"Then why does every last thing come before me?" Hansen asked shakily, tightening her grip around Johnson. She tried not to sound accusing but rather, questioning, a request for information. She didn't know if she succeeded. "You have no idea how much it hurts to sit here waiting for hours for you only to have you brush my feelings off by saying it's captain's business."
"Being a captain is a great responsibility," Johnson defended before catching herself. She inhaled slowly. "But you are right, there's no excuse for ignoring you or your feelings."
Surprised by the admission, Annika tilted Kathryn's head back so she could look into the soft grey eyes. "I know it's hard for you, Kathryn, but please let me in," she whispered, her fingers gently stroking the auburn hair. She searched for something to say, some way to bridge this distance between them. "I used to follow you to the caves and watch you." She swallowed. "You looked so lost, so lonely, and all I wanted to do was wrap my arms around you just like this."
Johnson allowed a small smile. "I wish I had known you were there. Many times I could have used just this."
"And if you knew I was following you, would you have let hold you? Or would you have just stuffed it deeper inside and found a new hiding place?"
"The latter, I believe," Johnson admitted. "I've always been a private person, Annika. I've never learned how to let anyone in, not really." She sighed. "I guess in many ways I'm just like my father, putting my career ahead of my personal life. I used work to keep Mark at bay and I'm using it to keep you away, as well." She took a deep breath, taking comfort in the scientist's gentle touch. "I don't want to do that anymore. I don't want to lose you, Annika. I can't." She wished she could speak to her lover the way Janeway apparently could to Seven, confiding all her doubts and fears, talking about the feelings that kept her up at night. "Please help me," she whispered.
"How?" Annika implored. "I don't know how to help you, Kathryn. I wish I did." She cupped Johnson's chin with her fingers. "I wish I was smart enough to figure out what it would take to make you understand that it's okay to be a woman instead of a captain around me."
"Janeway says when the cabin doors close, her rank doesn't count anymore," Johnson revealed. "She said that's where she can relax and just be herself, knowing Seven is there for her." She pulled back slightly and searched soft blue eyes. "I want that with you," she whispered. "I know I try to control everything with us and use my rank to justify it."
"You do," Annika said, her voice carefully devoid of any anger. "Especially lately. It hurt and I resented it. When we were on Mars you would ask me for my input on a problem. We worked together to find a solution. Now you make me feel like a child who has to follow your bidding just because you're the captain. I kept forgiving you, thinking that when the mission was done or when we made it back to Earth that things would be like they were when we first became involved, but to me it seemed like you just took my forgiveness as an excuse to go ahead and do it again."
Johnson lifted her fingers and traced full lips. "I know that now. I am sorry and it's a mistake that I'll probably make again, but even if I don't deserve it, I need your patience and understanding."
"You do deserve it and you'll always have it," Hansen vowed. "I want us to be partners, Kathryn, not just two women who make love once in a while. I want ... I need more than that from you."
"You have to tell me what's going on too," Johnson said quietly. "I can't read your mind." She smiled. "Janeway says that Seven just assumed from the beginning that Kathryn was an imperfect, fallible Human who required precise instructions about everything, all the time. It used to drive my counterpart crazy, but because of it, both of them learned not to hold anything back. Seven just didn't have ... uh, the conditioning the rest of us do to hide our feelings."
"You and I were never very good at communication, were we?" Annika said ruefully.
"No, not very." She looked up into Hansen's eyes. "But I want that to change, Annika. I'm going to make mistakes, but I want us to be more open with each other."
"How do we start?"
"I think we already have," Johnson said, resting her head against Hansen's chest and delighting in the warmth and steady beat. "Do you want to talk about what's going on with you and your parents? I know I wasn't willing to listen before, but I am now."
Annika sighed. "You know, I don't want to because I think it's getting off us, but maybe we'd better," she admitted. "It might have a big effect on what happens in the near future. You see, they met with Seven yesterday afternoon. She told me about it this morning when we were ... when we were working on repairs."
There was so many things that needed to be repaired that Johnson did not question the excuse. "So how did it go?"
"Seven seemed to think it was a positive meeting. She said she found them to be intelligent, caring and very Human."
"Very, huh?" Kathryn allowed a small smile at that.
"Yes," Hansen said. "Count on Seven to find the good in everyone." She paused, idly stoking the soft auburn hair. "They've invited Seven back for dinner tonight."
"How do you feel about that?" Johnson asked, remembering more of her double's suggestions to open the lines of communication.
Annika shrugged. "I don't know. She was able to get through a couple of hours with them so I guess she'll be fine. Besides, Janeway will be there with her."
Kathryn picked her head up to look in her lover's eyes. "Your parents are having dinner with Seven and Janeway? I bet Janeway doesn't know about this."
"Seven hadn't had a chance to tell her when I ran into her," Annika said idly. "I'm just having a hard time believing that my parents are willing to sit down at the dinner table with any high-ranking Starfleet officer."
"I wouldn't get your hopes up that Janeway will actually go. In-laws are tricky to deal with, especially if they're anti-Starfleet and you happen to be a starship captain."
Annika regarded the older woman closely, her eyes searching her face.
"What if they invited you?" she asked softly. "Would you go?"
Johnson lowered her head, seeking the comfort of the physicist's neck. "If it would make you happy," she said, privately hoping such a thing would never come to pass. She had enough trouble dealing with her own mother, much less Erin Hansen, who despised just about everything Kathryn stood for.
"Good," Annika said, kissing the top of Johnson's head. "Dad invited us both over for dinner tomorrow night. I'll send a memo accepting for us."
"Oh god," Johnson said, feeling as if she'd been completely blind-sided, which in fact, she had.
"Oh, by the way, Seven and I were also talking about the war this morning, and she said something that I thought was quite interesting," Annika said, suspecting a change in subject might be a good idea, if the blank expression on Johnson's face was anything to go by. "What if we utilized the altered nanoprobes against the Dominion without modifying their quantum signature? That would turn all their equipment into junk."
Johnson's eyes widened. "What?" she exclaimed, then had to forcibly calm herself, her voice taking on an edge that the other woman wasn't entirely familiar with. "How would we make them work without turning our equipment into 'junk'?" she asked, carefully probing to find out if Annika had been informed of the communiqué.
Hansen shrugged. "Simple, we make copies of the other Voyager's replicator patterns for their rifles and weapons array, maintaining their quantum signature, then replicate them in our universe."
Johnson swallowed hard. "Just like that?"
"Why not?" Annika asked innocently.
"Why not, indeed," Johnson said, looking dazed. "Um ... I'm sure that would be of great use to Starfleet and the Federation. Put the entire science team on it if you need to."
"Don't have to," Annika informed her casually. "Seven and I worked out all the bugs this morning. All I have to do is start including the modifications into the repairs and send the specs to Starfleet Command as soon as we get back."
Johnson had, in the past, many opportunities to be overwhelmed by the young woman's innate brilliance, and she suspected that two Annikas put together were the most formidable brain trust imaginable, greater even than the special group of Humans who had been genetically altered through illegal accelerated critical neural pathway formation. This was yet another example and she closed her eyes, feeling overwhelmed at being exposed to such demonstrations of intelligence. Still, it would be unwise to display it too openly. She knew Annika was very sensitive to appearing 'different', so the captain did her best to take it in stride.
"Problem solved then," she said with studied casualness. She paused. "I wish all our problems were solved so easily." Never letting on that it was entirely possible that her lover had just won a war for the Federation.
"Emotion is a lot harder for me," Annika admitted, resting her chin on Johnson's head. "It always has been."
"For me, as well," Johnson said, voice growing unsteady as they were abruptly back on the topic. She paused, then seemed to make some kind of an internal decision. "I ... put things behind doors, Annika. So I don't have to think of them when the tough decisions have to be made ... when I have to be the captain. Sometimes it seems like I lose the key and can't get some of those doors back open again afterward." 
Annika closed her eyes, fighting back the tears. Never had she witnessed her companion try so hard to explain what she was feeling.
"Maybe," she said huskily, "you just have to let me help you look for the key ... or help knock those doors down." The blonde drew back so that she was looking into the greyish eyes. "Kathryn, I know that you have to be captain. I just want..." She searched for the words. "I just want to be part of it somehow. It seems that when you keep me outside the command aspect, you end up keeping me out of the rest of your life, too."
Johnson opened her mouth to respond, hesitated, then closed it, but her expression was very troubled.
"I know," Annika said, frustration edging her tones as she tried to explain. "I don't mean that I would presume to know what it means to be a captain." She took a breath, trying it from another angle. "Seven doesn't give a damn about being in command of Voyager. As far as she's concerned, whatever Janeway does is fine with her. Yet, at the same time, she directly influences how Janeway commands, simply by being a part of her life. She told me that it was a great responsibility, and part of upholding it was to tell Janeway exactly what she thought whenever asked about a command situation, holding nothing back. Not all of it would be accurate or applicable or even relevant, nor does Janeway necessarily take into account everything she says, but it is Seven's belief that her duty to the captain is to offer her opinion, even when it is not that flattering to what Janeway had been doing up until that point. In fact, she told me that she is the one person on Voyager who can tell Janeway when she is going about things incorrectly. She never ever does it in public, and once Janeway makes a command decision, even if she still disagrees with it, she supports it completely. She trusts that Janeway is a good enough captain to make the right decision when it has to be made."
She swallowed hard. "I don't know how good I would be at offering my opinion to you," she said. "I'd probably be a lot more emotional in presenting it than Seven is, but I would do my best, Kathryn. But what you need to do is to respect me enough to ask in the first place. It's not that I want to tell you how to be a captain. That's not what I'm saying, at all. But I do want to feel that, as long as I'm serving on your ship, I'm considered capable of contributing to you as captain. Afterward, I swear I'll support you completely. But don't cut me out of the process you have in how you command, then get upset when I don't agree with it after the fact."
Johnson continued to look troubled, sitting up and putting some distance between her and the scientist. Annika forced herself not to react negatively to that, knowing that this concept was something she had to present as dispassionately as possible because it went to the very heart of what Johnson was.
"You know, Janeway said something that sounded sort of the same," Johnson allowed finally. She shook her head. "I feel like everyone else is getting this while I'm just flailing away in the dark." She fell silent again, her eyes lost in thought and Annika put a tight rein on her impatience, hoping that the older woman could work it out.
Keep quiet, she told herself firmly. Don't rush in with more words now, more emotion, trying to hammer it home. That will only make her feel on the defensive. Give her the time and space to figure it out.
Finally, Annika had a glimmering of what 'giving someone space' really was. It didn't mean removing her physical presence from her lover, and it certainly didn't mean refusing to talk to her at all. It meant granting her the peace to think about things, yet letting her know at the same time that she was there to listen while she worked it out. It was a revelation she hadn't expected, yet even as she considered it, she was aware that the silence between her and Johnson was comfortable, not strained ... merely the understanding that they both needed to think for the moment.
"Maybe ... maybe I just try to separate the parts of my life too much," Johnson offered finally. "I have a section for being captain, and a section for being a woman, and a section for being a daughter and a section for being a friend and so on."
For Johnson, who had never claimed to be the most introspective of people, this was a revelation indeed and Annika felt a sense of relief. She was even more pleased when it turned out the captain wasn't completely done.
"But all those things are interconnected in ways that maybe I haven't thought about before. What happens in one has to affect the other, but rather than recognize that and find a way to make them all work together, I tried even harder to push them apart." She glanced over at the young woman, her eyes soft. "I guess that means I tried pushing you away, too, not just personally, but professionally as well. I'm sorry."
Annika nodded briefly, not entirely trusting herself to speak yet. When she finally did, it was to try to offer her own perspective. "I think maybe I felt that in some way," she said. "So I started resenting those parts of you I wasn't allowed to touch, particularly the captain aspect." She paused. "And that's the last thing I should be resenting because being the captain is very much who you are. That's why you seemed so adrift at the Mars facility, and why you are so sure of yourself here on Voyager. In the meantime, perhaps I didn't do a particularly competent job of being a good science officer for you."
"You did a fine job," Johnson said sincerely, reaching over to take Annika's hand. "I'll grant that maybe you weren't the finest Starfleet officer ... but maybe what a Starfleet officer was before the war, isn't what one has to be now." She studied the hand cradled in her own, stroking the palm lightly with her fingertips which sent tingles up the young woman's arm. "God knows this vessel is operating with kids so green it's a wonder they don't produce chlorophyll, and people who retired from service before most of their crewmates were born. You'd think I'd be better adjusted to commanding such an eclectic crew after the Delta Quadrant."
"But you are," Annika pointed out. "After all, you still have your ship and most of your crew. There are a lot of captains right now that can't say that ... those who have survived, that is."
Johnson looked up. "Yes?" she said, her eyebrow raised. She thought about it. "Maybe you're right. Thank you." She said the last with great sincerity and Annika flushed, pleased. Perhaps she did have an influence over this woman after all, if her opinion meant that much.
She discovered that Johnson was regarding her with a very familiar expression, and she smiled. The captain returned her smile.
"You're exceptionally beautiful," she said quietly. "Particularly in that dress."
"Thank you," Annika said. "But maybe I wore it too soon." Her voice lowered. "After all, I would love for you to take it off me, right now, and we both know that's not going to happen. Pulaski warned me that you wouldn't be in any shape for anything ... uh, really physical for another day or so."
Johnson looked regretful. "She told me the same thing," she said. She wiggled, obviously testing that restriction, wincing as a particularly tender spot let itself be felt. "Unfortunately, I think she was right." She offered her companion a sheepish smile. "So what do we do?"
Annika shrugged. "Maybe we should just snuggle up together," she suggested. "We haven't had a lot of chances to do that in the time we've been lovers."
Johnson nodded. "You're right, we haven't," she admitted. She tilted her head. "I'm game if you are."
"Come here," Annika invited, and once more they arranged themselves on the couch, Annika leaning back against the corner cushions as Johnson leaned against her. A word to the computer initiated a selection of soft music, and for the rest of the afternoon, they learned what it was like to spend time just being together.
 
Janeway entered her quarters, hoping for nothing more than a good meal, a nice long soak in the tub, and a certain astrometrics officer to cuddle up with in bed. She was therefore quite surprised to see no food being prepared and Seven dressed in a delicate sapphire dress that, while it did not cling as much as the Borg's biometric suits, certainly showed off her wife's most becoming curves. She stared with mingled astonishment and appreciation as Seven crossed the room to give her a welcome home kiss.
"You look ... beautiful," she said when the Borg released her from the gentle kiss.
"Thank you," Seven said. "Now you must go shower and change. You smell like conduit fluid."
"I was helping B'Elanna and Commander Scott replace some damaged gel packs after helping Johnson back to her quarters from Sickbay," Janeway said by explanation. "What's the occasion that we need to be dressed up?"
"We have been invited to dinner by the Hansens and are expected there at 1900 hours."
"Oh." Dinner with the Hansens? "Darling, are you sure they invited us and not just you?"
"Erin Hansen invited you as well," Seven said. "She said that since we are married that you should also come to dinner."
"Oh." At the moment, intelligent conversation seemed to escape the captain. "I, um ... guess I'd better get ready then."
"I thought perhaps we could bring a bottle of wine from Ginse with us? It is light and goes with a variety of foods."
Janeway, still in shock, merely nodded and headed for the ensuite, returning some minutes later in a clean uniform.
"You are not going to wear that," Seven said disapprovingly.
"But..."
"Your navy dress would be more appropriate."
Janeway wanted to argue the point that she would be far more comfortable wearing her uniform, but knew from the look in her wife's eyes that it would not be an option. It was probably just as well, she consoled herself as she returned to the bedroom and changed her clothes. As rabid as the Hansens were regarding Starfleet, perhaps showing up with four pips would not be the most prudent of ideas.
As she tried once again to make her hair look acceptable, Janeway wondered why there was never a good red alert when she needed one. Not too much, of course, just a dozen Kazon or Hirogen vessels would do ... maybe a Borg cube or two. Resigning herself to her fate, Janeway stepped out the bedroom, waited for Seven's approval of her appearance, then followed her wife meekly to the transporter room, where, within minutes, she would be on Voyager II and facing the alternate universe equivalent of her in-laws.
Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how one looked at it, no red alerts were called, and Janeway found herself nervously walking down the corridor of deck nine, section four with Seven by her side.
"This is the Hansen's quarters," Seven said as they came to a stop in front of the door. "Kathryn, what is wrong?"
"Wrong? Nothing's wrong. Why do you ask?" Janeway said as she smoothed out imaginary wrinkles in her dress.
"Because your eyes are gray, you are exhibiting nervous behavior and your expression is more appropriate for an armed rescue mission than dinner with my ... counterpart's parents."
Janeway wisely did not point out Seven's verbal pause or the possible reasons behind it, but she did make the effort to look more relaxed, succeeding only marginally.
Seven took a deep breath and put the hand not holding the wine bottle on her wife's elbow, squeezing gently. "It will be all right," she assured. "You have not been so nervous since our wedding."
"In-laws, counterparts or not, will always make a person nervous," Janeway said, taking the bottle from the Borg and holding it with a grip strong enough to make her knuckles white.
"I will protect you," Seven said, placing a soft kiss on Janeway's forehead. "I love you."
"I love you too, darling," Kathryn said. Taking a deep breath to steel herself, she nodded and watched Seven press the door chime.
The door slid open, revealing Erin Hansen. "Hello again, Seven," the scientist said, favoring the Borg with a smile. The smile went from honest to forced when it reached Janeway. "Captain," the older woman said with the barest of nods, the ingrained disrespect coloring the tone, but clearly an effort was made to temper it.
"Please, call me Kathryn," Janeway said, holding out the bottle. "We thought this might go well with dinner."
"Thank you. Please come in." Erin said as she moved aside to let them enter.
That went well, Janeway thought, looking on the bright side. At least she didn't call me an imperialistic Starfleet war dog.
It took an effort of will not to let her command mask slip into place as they moved to the living area where Magnus stood, holding his arms out for a hug which Seven accepted. Janeway was not surprised when he gave her the same tolerant acceptance that his wife had only a minute earlier.
"Captain Johnson."
"Actually it's Janeway but please, call me Kathryn." She held her hand out, relieved when he took it in a firm, but pleasant shake.
"Janeway?"
The captain tilted her head. "In your reality, my counterpart returned to the Alpha Quadrant long before I did," she said. "And married the man I had been engaged to prior to being lost. In my reality, I received a communication from him a year later indicating that he had married someone else." She noted the glance exchanged between the couple and stifled a sigh. She knew she was talking too much, but couldn't seem to stop. "In truth, I couldn't be happier about it. Once that last personal tie to my old life was gone, I was able to consider ... other options," she concluded lamely.
She shot a look at Seven who returned it fondly, making it clear just what those other 'options' included.
"I see," Erin said. She motioned for them to take a seat on the sofa which Janeway and Seven did, sitting close together. Janeway was grateful for the long, length of her partner pressing warmly against her side, needing the comfort implicit within it. Erin sat the chair while her husband perched on the arm beside her, putting his arm around her shoulders.
There was a bit of an awkward pause, one Janeway really didn't know how to break. Most of her diplomatic training seemed to have abandoned her and she found herself clutching at Seven, hoping it was unnoticeable to the other couple. Seven seemed to detect her panic and reached over, gently taking her hand in her own, the Borg mesh a definite comfort to the Starfleet captain who squeezed it tightly, unmindful of the metal digging into her skin.
"Kathryn and I have been discussing the Dominion war," Seven said, without preamble, seemingly oblivious to the astounded look her partner cast her way. "In our reality, it has been won by the Federation. In yours, it appears to be intensifying, and not to the benefit of the Alpha Quadrant."
"Is military maneuvering a regular topic of conversation between you?" Magnus asked with deceptive mildness.
Janeway eyed him, suddenly aware of him being a little more dangerous than his wife. Erin was openly disdainful while Magnus covered his up with obfuscation. That made him appear more approachable than his wife, yet, Janeway knew without a doubt, that he would actually be harder to reach than his spouse.
Seven tilted her head, offering him her bland expression. "Tactics and strategy are an element of our everyday life," she explained with that devastating matter-of-factness. "Certainly, it is a knowledge that I can offer her after having been a member of the Collective, and fortunately, I have the military planning of over ten thousand species to draw upon, which enable our ship to travel with far more safety through the Delta Quadrant."
The couple blinked, surprised. Obviously they had been thinking of it as Janeway coaching the young woman in military strategy, rather than the other way around.
"Safety, of course, is of primary importance to us," Seven went on, as if she didn't notice the couple's bemusement. "Our vessel has many children on board. It is imperative that we protect them before all else."
Janeway winced internally, wondering if that was a needle that her partner needed to stick in or if Seven even realized what the impact of that last statement might be.
"I see," Erin said with apparent difficulty. Apparently the impact was that of guilt, Janeway thought to herself. Maybe Seven knew what she was doing, after all.
"I thought it was the Galaxy-class starships that carried children," Magnus said.
"They do, but being lost in the Delta Quadrant for so long turned our Voyager into a generational ship," the captain said, not wanting to go into detail about the B'Rethna and the virus which rendered the reproductive control devices inoperative.
"We are waiting until we return to the Alpha Quadrant to have our own children," Seven said. She paused. "I am grateful that, in our reality, the Federation and Starfleet won the war so decisively. I would not wish to have my children face existence under the Dominion. I anticipate offering the entire store of information I accumulated as a Borg in order to aid Starfleet in the future protection of their civilians. It will be my duty ... indeed, my responsibility ... as a fully functioning member of that society."
Janeway forced herself not to gape stupidly at her partner, wondering when the Borg had acquired this skill of pounding a point home without actually making it seem like she was doing such a thing. It had to be the lack of overt voice inflection and primarily impassive features, she decided. The Hansens took the young woman's words at face value, seeming to flinch involuntarily at each one, but never once suspecting her of having an ulterior motive behind them.
Thank god she's on our side, she thought fervently. But it was entirely possible that Seven was being too intent on driving the point home, and a diverting of attention might be in order. Keep the Hansens off balance, as it were.
"Annika will make a wonderful mother," Janeway said, wondering why no one else seemed to be affected by the heat of the room. "We have an Irish Setter named Jake and she has him trained wonderfully."
"He is much easier to train than Kathryn," Seven said, drawing first a startled look from the trio, then a short burst of laughter from the Hansens. The Borg smiled, clearly understanding that the joke was needed to ease some of the tension.
"I'm sure he is," Erin said, relaxing slightly against the supportive arm around her. "Being stubborn seems to be a trait of Starfleet."
"Actually it's a requirement," Janeway said smoothly, ignoring the tone of Mrs. Hansen's voice.
"Perhaps we should sit down for dinner now," Magnus suggested, much to everyone's agreement since full mouths would not have to speak and possibly be the spark to set off the plasma charging the room.
Seven and Kathryn sat opposite each other at the round table. While Janeway appreciated being able to see her wife, it also meant that Magnus and Erin were sitting on either side of her. Nothing like being flanked from both sides, she thought wryly.
"It smells wonderful," she offered, accepting the slight nod from Erin.
"I understand Seven does most of the cooking for you?" the older woman said.
"It is far more efficient if Kathryn does not help," the Borg said easily, answering for the captain before Janeway could even open her mouth. Apparently, she was quite determined to protect her spouse, just as she had promised in the corridor. "And I find the challenge of culinary creations to be quite rewarding and relaxing."
"Cooking is just one of her many talents," Janeway added gamely, pleased when she saw the soft smile directed at her by Seven.
"Yes, she is a very special girl," Magnus said. "So, assuming the war is over by the time you return to your Alpha Quadrant, what are your plans?"
Pausing, the fork halfway to her mouth, Janeway dared to look into his eyes, seeing the deeper meaning behind the inquisitive expression. "Our plans are to go to Indiana and stay with my mother for a brief time until we can arrange to have our home built." 
"You have no home of your own?"
"I did in San Francisco, but I'm sure the family got rid of it when Voyager was declared officially lost." Janeway brought the fork to her mouth and chewed slowly, buying herself some time to formulate her thoughts. "It's just as well, I suppose," she said. "I want our children to be raised in Indiana like I was, surrounded by the earth and sky with an endless yard to play in. Many people living in the agricultural community there have children, so ours will have friends to play with."
"I see," Erin said. "You intend to leave Seven out in the middle of a Traditionalist state, pregnant and dealing with your children, while you go off on your starship."
Janeway, whose mouth was full, could only shake her head at the assumption.
"That is incorrect," Seven said, staring at the elder Hansen as if she were completely foolish. In fact, it was rather like the look she accorded Harry Kim or Tom Paris on occasion, and Janeway, known for the power of her own looks, was rather impressed. "I cannot become pregnant and Kathryn will require my presence while she is bearing our children. It would be irresponsible for me to leave her alone at such a time, and after our children are born, we shall go with her, whenever she has ship duty."
Janeway watched the play of emotions on the faces of the Hansens. Wisely, neither of them chose to ask why Seven was unable to bear children. The captain wondered if they were starting to get the idea who really ran things in the marriage. Certainly, it had been a hard enough lesson for her to learn in the past year.
"I don't intend to be the kind of parent that leaves my family behind," she said mildly. "I love Annika and I married her because I want to spend the rest of my life with her, not because I needed someone to make dinner or raise a family."
"It takes a great deal of pull to obtain property in an agricultural park," Magnus said, eyeing her oddly. "Earth's government is very hesitant about allowing too much expansion on such designated land." He said it with such conviction that Janeway wondered if he was speaking from some kind of experience. Perhaps he had tried to acquire such permission at some point?
"I guess it's a good thing I was born there," Janeway countered smoothly. "Natives always have preference when settling, and truthfully, the plots cut from the family property had already been arranged by my father for both my sister and me before he died."
"How many children do you plan to have?" he asked. Janeway hadn't felt so badgered since the time she had been questioned by Cardassians during a botched surveillance mission several years ago.
"Two," she replied.
"Of each," Seven piped up.
Janeway swallowed hard. "We haven't completely decided that yet." She noted Erin looked positively aghast at the thought of bearing four children. "Doctor?"
"Darling?" Magnus asked, reaching across the table for his wife's hand. Erin gave a small smile and looked at Seven.
"Have you ever seen a woman giving birth?" she asked the Borg.
"Yes," Seven replied placidly, apparently oblivious of the edge in the woman's tone. "Kathryn and I were trapped on the turbolift with Megan Delaney when she gave birth to her son."
"Do you really wish to put Kathryn through that four times?"
"Certainly not," the young woman replied. She paused. "She shall have two sets of twins."
"Oh god," Janeway said, reaching for her wine glass. Erin shot her a look, but to the captain's surprise, it held no disdain or reproach, but what actually looked like sympathy.
"Well, as Kathryn said, you still have to talk about it some more."
"You had only one child," Seven noted, finally understanding that there was some objection here. "You feel that four children are too many." She thought about it for a moment. "Naomi is six years old. She has no one her own age to play with. The nine babies will always have someone their own age to be a companion. I believe I do not wish for my child to be ... lonely. I believe Kathryn benefited by having her younger sister around when she was growing up."
"I see," Erin said. "But then two would suffice."
Seven raised an eyebrow. "I would prefer eight," she explained blandly. "I am resigned to four."
Janeway drained the rest of her wine and mutely held her glass out to Magnus who, just as wordlessly, filled it to the brim.
The conversation for the rest of dinner was kept to more uncomplicated topics, changing it immediately whenever anyone got too close to things they really shouldn't discuss at this particular juncture. Still, Janeway was relieved when the main course finally ended and she helped Erin clear the table and serve dessert. Seven favored her with an approving glance, and the captain wondered how much longer the evening was supposed to last. If she had known ahead of time what was going on, she would have prepared a failsafe with Chakotay or Tuvok; a scheduled call back to her ship where she was 'urgently needed'. She frowned as she carried the saucers of cheesecake back to the table. It wasn't like Seven to spring things on her unannounced ... not things like this. She shot a look at her partner who seemed totally oblivious to the captain's sudden suspicion.
"Seven," Magnus said, gesturing toward the other side of the room where two workstations were situated, "I've been working on some of the Borg cranial transmission integers for years, but the equations keep giving me a fatal loop error. Would you care to take a look at it while we have dessert?"
"Of course," Seven said. "I would be most interested."
"Good." He smiled and rose from his chair, taking his saucer of cheesecake with him. "I have everything right over here."
Janeway looked uneasily at her spouse as the Borg left the dinner table, bearing her own dessert as she went across the room with Magnus. That left the captain alone with Erin, and she was very conscious suddenly of what that might portend.
"So," the older woman said, not wasting any time. "You're about twenty years older than Seven, aren't you?"
Janeway wondered how angry Seven would be if she chose that moment to run screaming from the room. Somehow, she doubted that her partner would be particularly impressed.
"Yes," she said carefully. "Fortunately, Seven doesn't hold it against me." She decided a good defense was best served by having a good offense and fixed the woman with a laser gaze. "Do you?"
That seemed to catch Erin off guard. "Uh ... perhaps it's not really my place..."
"You're right," Janeway said mildly. "It's not. But since you brought it up, what's your point? Do you think I'm somehow taking advantage of her?"
Erin recovered quickly. "Are you?" she returned the volley.
Janeway glanced over at the young Borg, a muscle jumping in her jaw. She wondered what would be the best approach to this. Honesty perhaps?
"I ... will say it's come up as a topic between us on a few occasions," she admitted. "Seven dismisses my irrational fears about it. She says that after spending eighteen years as a drone, with the experiences of over 10,000 species in her head, I actually lack enough life experience to match her." She smiled dryly. "The truth is, to harbor such thoughts disrespects her. It disrespects this incredible being that she is and will become. She has a wisdom that transcends her intellect, which, as you know, is formidable indeed. To suggest that she doesn't know what she wants, that she is somehow incapable of understanding what it means to love and be loved in return, would be an insult. Certainly, she has made it clear that she considers it as such." She shook her head. "I suppose you worry that Johnson is too old for Annika. Trust me, Annika's running circles around the woman."
It was a measure of her continued disconcertion in having to meet her in-laws that it took a few moments to realize what she had let slip. Aghast, Janeway watched the changing expression on Erin's face at her imprudent words, remembering, far too late, that the elder Hansens had no clue about their daughter's relationship with Johnson.
Or perhaps they did know because beyond a mild compressing of the scientist's lips, it wasn't as if she was exhibiting a whole lot of shock.
"We suspected as much," Erin revealed tightly. "And yes, it is part of my concern. But primarily I am worried that Annika is allowing herself to be pulled into Johnson's world, to the point where she's losing herself."
In for a penny, in for a pound, Janeway thought ruefully.
"Maybe she's actually finding herself," she offered. "Maybe falling in love has given a part of herself back to her that she never even knew was missing." She smiled fondly at Seven who chose that particular instant to glance up, her pale eyes warming perceptibly when they met Janeway's. She offered the captain a dazzling smile, then returned to her discussion with Magnus who was not unaware of the exchange, looking quizzically at Seven, then back to Janeway before refocusing on the Borg. "I know I did," the captain added fervently.
Erin had also witnessed the subtle exchange and it seemed her expression had softened slightly.
"I can see you truly love each other," she allowed grudgingly.
"Completely," Janeway said. "More importantly, we believe in each other. That's all we or anyone else needs."
"I'll admit we haven't taken the time to get to know Captain Johnson," Erin allowed, her eyes troubled and distant. "Magnus invited Annika and her for dinner tomorrow. I was surprised when they accepted."
"Maybe you should consider this a dry run," Janeway noted with a hint of humor.
Erin paused, looked at her, then dipped her head as humor colored her own eyes. "Perhaps I should," she allowed.
Their conversation stopped as Magnus and Seven approached with their empty plates. He set his down on the table. "I need to get something out of the bedroom," he said, looking directly at Janeway. "Captain, could you help me?"
"Um, yes, of course," she replied, rising to her feet and giving Seven a nervous look. No one could accuse any of the Hansens of being subtle, she thought dismally as she followed him. Sure enough, once the door to the bedroom closed, Magnus crossed to the far side and removed a large crystal off the shelf, his body language stiff and ominous. But when he started to speak, it was to approach the topic obliquely. 
"We made a stop on Ryna III when Annika was four. She found this crystal near the mouth of a cave and was absolutely fascinated by the way the light refracted through it. Used to keep it on the table next to her bed." Janeway stared at his back, trying to divine his intentions from his words. He turned to face her, a bleak expression in his face, his gaze dark and intent, much as his daughter's counterpart could be when she was particularly serious about something. "I know that, technically, Seven isn't my daughter but that doesn't change how I feel about her. I love that young woman as much as if I raised her myself, and you can't imagine how it feels to know that in some universe I was selfish enough to allow my family to become assimilated by the Borg." His hand tightened on the crystal. "She's been through so much. I..." He faltered, dropping his eyes. "I guess I'm being the overprotective parent. I just don't want her to be hurt."
"Neither do I," Janeway said soberly. "Dr. Hansen, you have to understand that I love Seven with all my heart. I married her not just while we're in the Delta Quadrant, but forever. I would give up everything I have to be with her."
"Even Starfleet?" he challenged.
Janeway never missed a beat, nodding immediately. "Everything. Nothing is more important to me than being with her. I won't lie, Starfleet has been an important part of my life since I was very young and still is. I am proud to wear the uniform. But if Starfleet Command can't come up with a starship posting where she can be with me, then I'll either take an administrative position on Earth or resign my commission entirely. We will not be separated." She met his gaze, letting him see the sincerity in her eyes. He nodded and put the crystal back on the shelf.
"I never thought I would have a daughter-in-law," he said. "Now it looks like I might have two." He took a deep breath. "I can't say that I'm happy about you being in Starfleet."
She took a breath, a muscle jumping in her jaw. "I can't know what powers your distrust of Starfleet, nor certainly, could I ever expect to understand it, but I will ask you if you can be happy knowing that Seven is happy?" she asked. "And Annika?"
"I remember when she was born," he said, his eyes distant. "There she was, this little bald bundle of arms and legs wriggling about and looking at me with those big blue eyes of hers. All I ever wanted was for her to be happy." He sighed and looked at Janeway. "I guess if that means traveling throughout the galaxy with a Starfleet captain well ... I suppose there are worse things she could do." He took a step forward and gave what could only be described as a concerned father's glare. "But I will promise you this, do anything to hurt her and I won't care what universe you're in."
Janeway laughed, obviously surprising him. "I'm sorry, sir," she said, holding up her hand in apology. "My mother absolutely adores Seven, as does anyone else who gets the chance to truly know her, including my Klingon engineer. If I did anything to deliberately hurt her, what few pieces that might be left of me by the time Mom and Seven's friends got finished, would simply not be worth your time."
He frowned, seeming to consider that, then nodded grudgingly. "All right," he allowed.
"So," Janeway asked, glancing around. "What do you intend to 'show me'?" She raised an eyebrow, regarding him evenly. "I assure you, Seven will ask."
He looked momentarily baffled, then brightened as he seized a small item off the shelf. "Do you think she'd like this?" he asked, holding it out bashfully. "I picked it up in my travels, but Erin's never really liked it. It would make sense if I brought you in here to present you with a ... belated gift of some kind."
Janeway eyed it sardonically. It was one of the ugliest pieces of sculpture produced in the known universe ... maybe in all the universes.
"She'll adore it," she told him dryly, with complete honesty.
He looked pleased and handed it to her, much to her dismay. It gave her a headache just to look at it. Handling it was much worse, and she wondered what possible gene encoding provided such eclectic taste in artwork. Certainly, it was clear where Seven had acquired such a trait.
Holding it carefully away from her body, she followed the man out of the bedroom and forced a bright smile at her partner who was looking at her with the faintest of concern in her eyes. "Look, darling," she said, holding the squat sculpture out. "Dr. Hansen gave it to us as a belated anniversary present."
Seven's eyes lit up as she took it from the captain, examining it with every evidence of complete pleasure. Erin looked at her husband.
"Oh, Magnus," she muttered with exasperation, then shot a look at Janeway with what seemed sympathy. Janeway shrugged lightly.
"It will go with the rest of the ... 'artwork' Seven has collected for display in our quarters," she assured her, a tone of absolute resignation in her voice.
There was definite sympathy in Erin's gaze after that revelation.