The BLTS Archive - Flame:
Burns Brightly Still
by Jackee C. (writerjc@jackeescorner.com)

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I stepped unto the beach. The sound of crashing waves, muted voices
and the smell of the sea assaulted my senses. All around were the
people I'd served with not so long ago. None had noticed me there
yet, which allowed me to just stand back and observe what had once
been my extended family. Children frolicked happily near the water's
edge, and parents were talking, dancing, singing, playing games.

My eyes tracked a course along the sands and found a couple sitting
at a distance from the rest. I recognized the woman immediately; the
man was a stranger. A wave of - I wasn't sure what to call it after
so many years, regret, perhaps? - washed over me. I closed my eyes,
willing it to pass.

A voice at my side startled me. "Are you well, Commander?"

My eyes snapped open. Seven. "Yes, I'm fine." I told her.
"Just...enjoying the day. I received your message. Is there anything
wrong?"

She gazed around the crowded beach, and gestured toward a less
populated area. "Would you care to walk, Commander?"

I smiled, "The title is honorary, Seven. I'm no longer a member of
Starfleet."

"You are correct," she said softly. "Would you prefer Chakotay?"

My smiled broadened. "I'd be honored," I said. Something about her
demeanor had changed. Her words and mannerisms were still the Seven
of Nine I remembered from Voyager, but her tone had changed, become
softer, less forced.

"I would like to make a request?" she said, picking her way around a
clump of shells that someone had built into something unidentifiable.
The children had obviously reached this section of the beach at some
point during the day.

"What do you need?" I asked, tracking the tiny footprints that led
away from the sand structure back along the beach. I imagined a
dark-haired little girl frolicking with her friends.

"Would you give me away?" She asked.

I came to a halt, tiny footprints forgotten. "Pardon?"

"I am to be bonded to Ravin Cari of Betazed. I request that you stand
as adoptive father, and as the custom dictates, 'give me away'."

I must have gaped at her for several seconds as my mind tried to
grasp three facts: Seven was getting married. To a Betazoid. And she
wanted me to give her away. I wasn't sure where to start. "What about
Tuvok?" I found myself saying.

"It is a human custom," she replied.

"But, Seven...I'm... My people don't..."

"Are you declining?" she asked.

"No," I shook my head, took a deep breath. "I'd love to, Seven. I was
just worried that I'd be stepping on someone else's toes."

"You won't be," she assured me. "Tuvok will be otherwise involved in
the ceremony. According to the tradition, those who most shaped my
life should be involved in the ceremony."

"I'm honored," I said, not sure what else I could say. I was honored.
But also stunned. Seven and I had never been particularly close. I
couldn't imagine what part I might have shared in shaping her life.

We began to walk again. "Who else will be in the ceremony?" I asked.

"Commander Tuvok, because he served as my mentor both during and
after my time on Voyager. We've had an...affinity for some time.
Naomi Wildman, because she taught me friendship. Neelix because...."

I nodded my head as she went down the list. I could understand each
selection. The last name I'd been expecting, and thought I was
prepared for it.

"Is there a problem?" she asked.

"No? What makes you think that there is?"

"Your steps slowed by 15.2 % when I mentioned Admiral Janeway."

I laughed, shook my head. "It's normally Tuvok's job to pull tricks
like that," I said. "I'd forgotten about your implants."

"Nevertheless," she said. "Your steps faltered. Is there some
difficulty?"

"No, no difficulty. It's just been a long time."

She surprised me by nodding. "I am aware of this. You have not
attended any of the yearly gatherings beyond the first. And --"

"Seven, I really don't want to talk about this." I said. The things
that happened, or didn't happen between Kathryn Janeway and myself
were between Kathryn Janeway and myself. I wouldn't, couldn't discuss
it with anyone, lest of all Seven.

"I understand," she said. "I apologize if I have offended you."

I shook my head. "I'm not offended."

She turned and glanced along the beach. The sun was beginning its
descent and some families were beginning to pack up for the evening.
The festivities would continue throughout the weekend. "I believe it
is time for you to meet Ravin."

I nodded and followed her as we turned back.

She stared off in the distance for a moment, before she continued. "I
have told you reason for the presence of each member of my wedding
party. Would you like to know the reason for your presence?"

I frowned slightly. "Yes."

"From you, I learned the truth of love."

Four shocks in one day. "I'm not following..."

"Many doubt that a relationship between Ravin and myself can last.
They feel that it is...lust only. They are wrong. I observed your
behavior toward Captain Janeway for four years on board Voyager.
There were many times when your feelings were less than vague. I was
not aware of any physical intimacy between the two of you, and yet
your attachment remained, and grew. You sacrificed for her.

"I have similar feelings for Ravin. I would sacrifice much for him.
It is not logical, but it is true. I work for his happiness and he
for mine. As you did, for her."

I'd lost count of the number of shocks this day had brought. I could
only stand and listen as the man who I assumed must have been Ravin
Cari stood and Kathryn with him. He moved and took Seven's hand, and
the two took a step back, leaving me standing next to Kathryn.

He glanced between the two of us, seeming to continue the
conversation he was having with Kathryn, only I was now included.
"Annika has told me many things about you," he said. "I can sense
your bravery, your strength, and your honor. It is our wish that you
may over come your fears. Your gentle fire awaits you. Even in the
face of adversity, it burns brightly still."

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The End