The BLTS Archive - Liberation
by aaabbey (aaabbey@gmail.com)

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Disclaimer: Characters belong to Paramount, not me. Not used for
profit

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Tom Paris stood at the door of the meeting hall. It had been a church
once, but was now mostly used for non-denominational weddings.
Chakotay and Seven's wedding was going to begin shortly, and he was
beginning to wonder if Admiral Janeway was going to show. Now this
would make an interesting plot for a holonovel.

Janeway paced up towards him, walking a little more briskly than
usual. "Hello Tom, care to find me a seat?"

"I've saved you one next to the Doctor. On the bride's side." Damn
Paris and his wicked sense of humor, Janeway thought as she grinned
her thanks and moved in next to the Doctor.

"Why Admiral, how good to see you." Sotto voce he whispered "I was
beginning to think you wouldn't make it."

"It took me a long time to make it out of Headquarters."

"On a Saturday?" Janeway smiled sheepishly.

"I'm here, can we leave it at that?"

"Of course Admiral."

The room was noisy, Janeway mentally picked out the faces of
chattering crew members between the two aisles.

"Yes, since Chakotay and Seven have very little family of their own,
Mr. Paris split the crew between the two aisles, dutiful usher that he
is. Although I think it would be more logical to have you on the other
side of the aisle."

"Maybe not."

"He cares about you deeply, you're aware of that fact, correct?"

"Yes, I am."

"Admiral, that's more than I can say for Seven's feelings towards me."

"Oh Doc, you know that's not true. After all you did for her, I'm sure
she cares for you."

"That's improbable and you know it. Don't try and lie to a Hologram."

"You'll find the perfect woman, don't worry. I just have this sense,
this feeling that you will."

"Very well, Admiral. And you?"

"Well I'll probably die a bitter, sexless old woman. Just like the
Admiral."

"She was a far deal less bitter than you would expect. In fact, she
treated Commander Chakotay with a great deal of tenderness. And, quite
frankly, I found her rather attractive."

Janeway giggled throatily and elbowed the Doctor in his holographic
ribs. She would have to thank Paris for seating her next to him.

"Shh. Absolutely enough. We came here to show our appreciation for the
bride and groom."

"There's no rule against having fun at a wedding."

"But Doc, please-"

"Certainly no rule against having fun at your best friend's wedding."

"Doctor, that's quite enough."

A hush spread through the room as a strain of a long, elegant, march
began to play. And there was Seven, sans the Catsuit, now in a ivory
gown. On Owen Paris' arm. Oh Jesus. And they were so happy, too. Both
absolutely radiant. This was not happening to her. Of course, Janeway
reminded herself, who else would have done the honors? Seven had
become very close to the Admiral in the three years since Voyager's
return to the Alpha Quadrant. He had been impressed by her dedication
to Starfleet and intrigued by her experience with the Borg. He was
Seven's one father figure. It was only that...It was Admiral Paris who
had been supposed to give her away. To Mark. Who would have....It was
all so perfect, it was all so horribly, wonderfully perfect.

Janeway watched the Doctor's eyes follow Seven's form to the front of
the room, watched him attempt to smile as his eyebrows rose in
agitation. He was really quite good company. The officiating officer
was a member of Chakotay's tribe. The happy couple knelt before a
medicine bundle and began to consult the spirits.

"'Akoochemoya, we are far from the bones of our ancestors," they said
in unison. They must have gotten a go ahead from the spirits, because
a few minutes later they stood and formally requested to be married.

Tuvok, best man, surveyed the scene. Janeway could have sworn his
eyebrows rose ever so slightly as he observed the Doctor easing his
arm around her back. Or that he held her gaze for just a second,
quizzically, sympathetically, knowingly? Or was he peeved by her
thoughts? She'd always had the distinct feeling that Tuvok could read
her mind.

Nobody in the room knew the maid of honor. She'd must have been one of
Seven's new friends. The chief recited a tribal story about the nature
of true love; faithfulness, patience, friendship, sacrifice,
truthfulness, wisdom. And how a loving relationship could help us find
peace, and bring that peace to others. It could have only been worse
if it had contained an angry warrior.

Janeway gripped the Doctor's hand and smiled softly as Seven began to
recite the words that would bind her to Chakotay forever. She'd never
seen Seven smile so much. She could handle this. She could be happy
for them. She would have to be. After all, hadn't the Admiral gone
back in time for this? Therefore, in some part of her psyche, Janeway
knew she was willing to die for Chakotay to be happy with another
woman.

Bride and Groom kissed and Janeway wriggled her hand out of the
Doctor's so they could applaud with the rest of the hall as Seven and
Chakotay made their way down the aisle and outside. Janeway grabbed
her purse and headed towards the exit, so she and the Doctor could
proceed to the wedding reception held at a nearby building. There was
a light rain shower, the Doctor protectively guided Janeway towards
the banquet hall.

Later there would be toasts to give, stories to edit, smiles to
straighten. It was certainly going to be draining. But afterwards...
She would be free. Free of the whole damned thing. Free of him, free
of worrying about him, of worrying about Seven's personal life. What a
fucking sorrowful relief it would be.

Janeway and the Doctor neared Admiral Paris at the door. "Hello
Kathryn, Doctor." They exchanged pleasantries. "I must ask you Doctor,
this is your first time attending a wedding on earth. How do you find
it?"

"Admiral, I find it rather...liberating."

"As do I" Janeway drawled, tugging on the Doctor's arm and leading
them into the banquet hall, a snorting chuckle dying on her lips.

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The End