Janeway: Generations Part 6
Title: Janeway: Generations (6/?)
Author: vicar_dibley
Rating: G
Fandom: Star Trek
Character/Pairing: Admiral Nechayev/Phoebe Janeway, Gretchen Janeway/Admiral Pulaski, Captain Janeway/Seven
Disclaimer: I do not own any of them.
Summary: Certain Starfleet officers take a certain interest in the females of a certain family.
Author's Note: It’s a different timeline and I took a lot of liberties with the characters, especially Admiral Nechayev. I can’t help it; I always kind of liked her. Hope you enjoy it. Comments are very welcome.
Janeway: Generations
6
Waiting for the artist to get ready, the Admiral used the time to take in the house. The interior, the walls and furniture exuded a warmth which reminded her of the younger woman. Each little piece of decoration reflected the personality of the artist, her liveliness, her passion and her creativity.
Watching the Admiral from the doorway for some time, Phoebe wanted to know what the older woman thought of her home.
“So what do you think?“ Phoebe’s voice drifted over from the door, startling the other woman.
“Excuse me?“
“My house.“ Phoebe smiled at Alynna´s confusion.
“Oh“, Alynna was slightly flustered. “I like it, at lot. It is very much you.“
Smiling shyly at the words Phoebe turned and led them out of the house to the pond. It was a one hour walk on which they didn’t talk to each other at all, every woman lost in her own thoughts.
Seeking out her favourite spot under the willow tree Phoebe patted the grass beside her, indicating for Alynna to sit down. Sighing at being expected to sit on the ground the Admiral got down next to the artist.
“I’m way too old for frolicking in the grass.“ The Admiral grumbled.
“I can’t believe you just said that.“ Phoebe was astonished.
“Why?“
“Because for one you are not old and secondly we are not frolicking we are merely sitting. By the way I highly doubt you have ever frolicked in your life let alone know what it is or how to do it.“
“Yeah sure“, Alynna snorted. “but you’re probably right where the frolicking is concerned.“
“And why do you think is that?“
“A lot of reasons, I suppose.“
It was obvious that Alynna didn’t want to talk about herself, she never did. Right now it was fine with Phoebe, what she wanted to talk about though was Phoebe’s reluctance to talk to her mother.
“Can we talk freely?“ Phoebe asked tentatively.
Nodding her assent the Admiral waited for Phoebe to order her thoughts before she spoke, expecting nothing less from the younger woman.
“I know you and Kate have been friends for years. She has been married three times and can you honestly say that she won’t hurt my mother?“
“No, but nobody can give you that certainty. You know that, but I understand that you are worried about your mother.“
“I just want her to be happy.“
“Then you should talk to her and Kate.“
Phoebe was mulling things over before she stood, holding out her hand to help the other woman up.
“No, go on! I’ll join you later. I still have to walk for a few miles.“ Alynna waved her off.
“See you later then, Alynna.“
Leaving the older woman behind Phoebe walked with determination towards her mother’s house.
Wanting to take her usual entrance through the kitchen Phoebe stopped short when she spotted her mother and Kate leaning against the counter embracing and softly talking to each other. She had to admit that her mother looked somehow different.
But most of all she looked happy, her mother was actually glowing with happiness. This was all Phoebe needed to know.
Turning away from the door Phoebe decided to take the front door and give the two women more time. When she entered the house she made sure to make enough noise to alert them of her presence.
On her way through the hall Phoebe heard two pairs of footsteps coming from the back of the house and soon enough her mother and Kate met her half way. They were holding hands and Phoebe had to smile because when she looked into her mother’s face she could see how happy she was. And what was even more surprising, their display of affection didn’t make her feel awkward. She was at ease with it and truly happy for her mother.
“Hey, mom!“ Phoebe grinned at her mother.
“Hello, darling.“ Gretchen pulled her youngest into a motherly embrace. Holding on tight to her mother Phoebe inhaled the scent that was uniquely her mother’s.
“Are you happy, mom?“ Phoebe whispered into her mom’s ear.
“Very much so.“ Gretchen assured her daughter.
“Good.“ Pulling out from the embrace, Phoebe stepped towards Kate and engulfed her in a similar warm embrace.
“Welcome to the family, Kate. If you hurt her I am going to kick your ass all across the quadrant, Admiral or not.“
“Yes, ma´am.“
After her daughter’s approval Gretchen made sure that Kate would spend as much of her free time on the farm as possible, especially her nights. Even Phoebe’s relationship, if it could be called that, with Alynna had somehow become less strained over time. Although it was still edgy at times, it seemed as if the two had reached a better understanding. Given their different personalities though there were still moments were neither of them would give and they ended up frustrated at the other’s unwillingness to see reason.
The day before Ambassador Troi´s second visit to the farm Phoebe had to meet her agent in San Francisco for a business lunch. When she was on her way back home an armed man joined her in her hovercraft when she got in at the Indiana station.
Alynna was on the front porch reading her novel when Phoebe arrived at the house. Sensing that something wasn´t quite right, the Admiral stood from the swing and descended the front steps.
As soon as Phoebe got out of the hovercraft Alynna knew what was wrong. Behind the younger woman stood a man with a phaser pointing at the artist’s head.
Shooting Phoebe, what Alynna hoped, was a reassuring glance the Admiral shot an icy glare at the man behind the younger woman.
“Admiral Nechayev?“ The man asked with a voice that sent shivers down Phoebe’s spine.
If he had been hoping he could intimidate the older woman by the tone of his voice or with his weapon he soon realised that he had miserably failed on both accounts.
The Admiral linked her hands behind her back, her right eyebrow rose and with a voice of steal she answered the question with one of her own.
“And who are you?“
“That doesn’t matter.“
“Why don’t you let her go and then we talk about what matters and what doesn’t?“ It sounded like an order and not like a request.
Unsure of what to do, sweat was forming on his upper lip and brow. This was not how it was supposed to be.
Stepping closer towards the perpetrator Alynna once again made eye contact with Phoebe letting her gaze soften when she looked at the younger woman. Detecting trust and fear in the artist´s eyes the Admiral knew it wasn´t an option to fail.
“Let her go“, the Admiral ordered again. “After all it is me you have come for, is it not?“
Hesitating for a moment the man finally gave Phoebe a shove and she stumbled towards the older woman who caught her safely before she could take a fall. Helping the artist to find her footing, Alynna locked eyes with Phoebe before she sent her into the house.
“Get inside, call security and then inform Owen.“
“But...“
“Go!“
With one last look over her shoulder at the armed man and a deep look into the Admiral’s eyes Phoebe ran up the stairs and through the door, shouting Alynna´s instructions at her mother. She remained at the door, her gaze fixed on the scene right in front of the house.
After she was sure that Phoebe was safely inside the Admiral took another step towards her
wannabe assassin. No wonder they, who ever they were, were unsuccessful in their attempts on her life if that was all they could come up with. This sorry excuse of an assassin was rather sad than anything else. But she knew she had to be careful nonetheless because this little idiot was armed and she was certain the phaser, now trained at her chest, was set to kill.
Before the man could even blink the Admiral brought her left arm around from her back, snatched his right wrist, bending his hand backwards, forcing the man to drop the weapon and the man himself, with a howl of pain, to his knees.
Back in the house Phoebe’s hand flew to her mouth to stifle her astonished cry of surprise at the sudden change of power. How had this happened? One moment there was a phaser pointing at the Admiral’s chest and the next the weapon was on the ground and the man on his knees.
Without so much as the blink of an eye this woman had saved her life, all the time making sure she was securely in the house before she moved.
Soon enough Starfleet Security arrived and took the perpetrator away. The Admiral gave them some orders before they were dismissed, looking absolutely shaken when they left. Whatever it was she had told them, it must have been cutting. As soon as the Admiral turned to return into the house Phoebe rushed through the door, down the stairs and nearly knocked the other woman over with her fierce hug.
The artist had the Admiral in a vice like grip, holding on to the other woman with an astonishing force. Not really knowing what to do, Alynna´s eyes found Gretchen´s who was standing in the doorway, asking for help with a pleading look. Gretchen rolled her eyes and motioned for Alynna to put her arms around her daughter and return the hug. Looking distinctly scared at the prospect, Alynna tentatively brought her arms around the younger woman and carefully held her, afraid to hurt or suffocate her.
When she felt the younger woman shake, the Admiral slightly tightened her hold and felt the artist instantly relax.
Before her emotions got the better of her the Admiral extracted herself from the younger woman´s embrace and put some distance between them.
“Well, I’d say a simple handshake and a `thank you´ would have done nicely.“ Alynna muttered.
It came so fast the Admiral couldn’t have prevented it, even if she had wanted to. Phoebe slapped her face so hard that her head flew to the side. Bringing her hand to her stinging cheek, the last thing she saw was an angry artist stomping away all the while muttering about stupid Starfleet officers.
A completely flustered Admiral was looking stunned at a rather astonished Gretchen. She knew her daughter had a temper but that reaction had surprised even her.
Climbing the front steps Alynna still held on to her cheek, standing next to the Janeway matriarch they watched the retreating figure in silence for some time.
“I have to give you that“, Gretchen finally broke the silence. “You seem to have a special talent for pushing all the wrong buttons with her.“
“Obviously. I need to contact HQ, do you mind?“
“No, go on“, Gretchen waved her off. “I’m going to look after hurricane Phoebe.“
Gretchen found her daughter in her studio, the paintbrush was flying across the canvas, each stroke an indication of her agitation and anger. Only when Gretchen called her name did Phoebe register her mother’s presence.
“Hey, mom“, Phoebe put the brush on the easel before she went to her mother to be hugged.
“Hey, baby.“ Holding on to her impetuous daughter a little while longer, before she pushed her at arm´s length to take a good look at her. Gretchen gently smoothed some of Phoebe’s stubborn locks off her forehead.
Taking Phoebe’s hand she led them over to the small couch where they took a seat and Phoebe snuggled into her mother’s side. With her arm around her daughter’s shoulder Gretchen put her head on top of her youngest´s.
“Can you tell me what happened out there?“ Gretchen softly asked.
“I don’t really know, mom. One moment she was saving my life, risking to be killed by this imbecile and holding me in her arms and the next she is acting as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened. `A handshake and a thank you would have done nicely´, my arse.“ Phoebe huffed.
“Oh, dear.“
“I’m sorry, Alynna. Before he could be interrogated he killed himself.“ Owen Paris knew she wouldn’t be pleased.
“That is unacceptable“, Admiral Nechayev slammed her fist on the desk, making Owen jump in his seat.
“What have you found out so far?“
“Nothing really“, Owen cringed at his own words. “It’s as if he never existed.“
“Then dig deeper! Nechayev out.“ Disconnecting the comm link Alynna leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes.
What the hell was going on? Phoebe could have been killed, the thought alone made her sick. Allowing herself to return to the incident Alynna could still smell the artist’s scent and feel the warmth and softness of her body. It had felt so good to hold her. It had been years since the last time she had held another woman in her arms. Before she could get lost in the feeling she had broken their embrace and made that stupid comment to diffuse the tension.
She needed to get out of here as soon as possible. Maybe she could convince Kate to let her get back to duty sooner than later. She simply had to.
Thankfully the next day brought a welcome diversion. Lwaxana Troi arrived in her usual flair of drama after lunch. Meeting Phoebe Janeway for the first time was a pleasant surprise for the Ambassador who had two of the artist’s work of art in her house on Betazed. Soon the two of them found a common ground, Lwaxana liked the younger woman’s passionate and free spirit. What caught her rather off guard was the underlying tension between Phoebe and Alynna. Observing the interaction between the two of them brought a new revelation to the Ambassador. There was so much sexual and emotional tension in the air she could firmly grasp it, no wonder they were constantly picking at each other.
Before dinner Alynna and Lwaxana, with Gretchen’s permission, went to the study to talk business. Having heard about the recent attempt at the Admiral’s life Lwaxana was worried and angry because try as she might, she hadn’t been able to find out what was going on. Although she was sure something was happening behind the scenes none of her sources had been able to provide any useful information.
The Admiral’s frustration clearly showed in her body language and Lwaxana could understand all too well. So much was at stake. Even though she always pretended to be unaffected and not interested in higher politics she knew full well what was happening. All her air of dramatic and superficiality had often come in handy and nobody knew that better than Admiral Nechayev. Lwaxana had always admired the Admiral’s dedication towards the Federation and in many ways it matched her own. It frustrated Lwaxana to no end that right now she wasn’t able to get to the bottom of the case, when it was more important than ever.
“I’m sorry, my friend. You are absolutely right, something is definitely going on but I couldn’t come up with any useful information.“
“It’s all right. You tried and I thank you for that.“
„You are more than welcome, dear.“ She smiled at her dearest friend. „But there is more than that which keeps you so tight.“
“What do you mean?“ Alynna feigned ignorance.
“Alynna, Alynna. Don’t play coy with me! Remember who you are talking to!“ Lwaxana sing sanged, wiggling an annoying finger in front of her friend’s face.
“Phoebe be a dear, dinner is ready, would you please get the Ambassador and the Admiral?“ Gretchen asked over her shoulder.
“Sure.“ Trotting to her father’s study, the younger woman stopped when she heard the distinct voice of Lwaxana Troi teasing the Admiral. She knew she shouldn’t be eavesdropping but it was just too good to let the chance pass. With an ear closer to the door Phoebe was curious where the conversation would be going and if she could find out more about Alynna Nechayev.
“Please, get to the point would you?“ The Admiral was impatient.
“Gladly, dear“, Lwaxana smiled at her friend. “This thing between you and the young Miss Janeway, that’s what I’m talking about.“
“Goodness“, Alynna huffed in annoyance. “I believe Deanna might be right, you are losing it. There is no `thing´ between Phoebe and me.“
Sniffing at the insult, Lwaxana levelled her gaze at the Admiral. “No need to be insulting. And I’m not losing it. As much as I love my daughter, but sometimes I wonder if she is really related to me. More often than not Deanna tends to live from her neck upwards. Very much like you. And I´m certainly not losing it. There is so much tension between the two of you I can nearly grasp it with my hands.“
“Of course there is“, Alynna agreed readily. “She can’t stand me, she doesn’t even like me and every time we happen to spend some time together I seem to make it worse by something I do or say.“
“Wrong, she does like you. She is just frustrated beyond believe because you won´t let her near.“
Looking into her friends eyes, Lwaxana knew she was right.
“Fifteen years, Alynna“, Lwaxana tried to get through. “There hasn’t been anyone for fifteen years. Laura wouldn’t want you to spend the rest of your life alone.“
“Laura is dead“, the Admiral burst out harshly through gritted teeth. Getting to her feet she went over to the floor to ceiling window gazing out into the backyard.
There was this name again, so she hadn’t been wrong, Phoebe knew she hadn’t been imagining things when she had told the Admiral that she thought she was beautiful. What had happened to this Laura and who was she? Hopefully she would get an answer now.
“Phoebe?“ Groaning at her mother’s voice, the young artist turned around with a finger on her lips, begging her mother to remain silent.
“What are you doing?“ Gretchen whispered with exasperation.
“Please, mom.“ Phoebe was begging now. Sighing at her daughter, Gretchen joined her at the door, unable to suppress her own curiosity.
“This has been going on far too long. Laura is dead and you are alive! She would want you to be happy. You deserve to be happy. Why is it so hard for you to accept that you deserve it like everybody else?“
“Because I don’t!“ Alynna nearly shouted. „It should have been me that day, Laura shouldn’t even have been on the ship. She was a civilian not an officer, but she did it for me, for us.“
Breathing heavily now the Admiral remembered, it was all back again, the explosions, the fire, the smell, the screams.
“I was a shitty wife, Lwaxana. I loved her, I really did, but I was so absorbed in my career that I didn’t even notice that my marriage was going down the drain. I loved my career more than I loved my wife. Laura was on that damn ship because she wanted for us to spend more time together, to work it out. We talked before hell broke lose and I was ready to change things to make it happen.“
The memories brought back the tears, long buried but not forgotten. Furiously the Admiral wiped at her face but to no avail she couldn’t stop the tears.
“One minute we were talking about our future and the next minute it was over. She died at the first impact. 40 ships and 39 were destroyed. We were hit during the first wave and survived, so many people died, one of them my wife. But I had to survive, of all people. Wolf 359 is the constant reminder of my failure.“
“You are punishing yourself for something you didn’t have any power to prevent.“ The Ambassador insisted. “You have to let go. Your father couldn’t break you no matter how hard he tried.“
“No, he couldn’t.“ Alynna proudly agreed.
“Then why don’t you grasp this opportunity and be happy for a change?“
“It’s too late. Let’s get real, I’m a grumpy old bitch, too obsessed with her job. What could I offer her? She is young, beautiful, smart, vibrant, passionate and so very much alive. I have nothing she could possibly want or need.“
“What about your love?“
“She wouldn’t want it and frankly I wouldn’t blame her. No, Lwaxana. I am what I am. It is too late. But thank you for trying.“
“No, my friend, it is never too late for love.“ Lwaxana whispered at her friend’s resigned attitude. A knowing smile played around her lips at the presence she felt at the other side of the door.
“It has only just begun.“
Mother and daughter looked at each other, Gretchen was trying to gauge her daughter’s reaction to what they had heard. Shock, astonishment, disbelieve and confusion were the most prominent ones. Storming off was Phoebe’s way of coping with this new information. Gretchen let her go, there was no point in trying to stop her right now.
Sighing Gretchen informed her guests that dinner was ready, which was a rather strained affair, despite Lwaxana´s best attempts to lighten the mood.
Soon after the Ambassador had left Gretchen and Alynna retired to their respective rooms.
TBC