Janeway: Generations Part 4
4
In an attempt to cool her temper Phoebe found her way to the small pond behind the house where she and Kathryn had often bathed when they were kids. Sitting down under an old willow tree Phoebe thought about her quarrel with the Admiral wondering what it was about that woman that always got her off so quickly. It wasn’t that the Admiral had been that offensive, but no matter what the woman said she always got it down the wrong way. In all honesty Phoebe had to admit that her own words were the offensive and hurtful ones.
Maybe it was the fact that even without her uniform the Admiral still screamed Starfleet, she oozed it from every pore of her body. Duty, rules, regulations and responsibilities all rolled into one, Admiral Alynna Nechayev. The woman should get a life. But this wasn’t why Nechayev brought out the worst in her. Phoebe just couldn’t, for her life, understand why she always felt this urge to strike out at the older woman. Was it in hope to get a reaction other than cool indifference? Sighing at the thought, Phoebe closed her eyes. Resting underneath the tree for some time seemed like a good idea.
She woke to a slight shake of her shoulder and with confused eyes she looked up at Kate Pulaski.
“Sorry to wake you, your mom said I might find you here. Dinner will be ready soon.“
“Hi Kate, it’s okay. I didn´t mean to fall asleep.“ Rubbing her tired eyes and stretching her lean body Phoebe padded the spot next to her, inviting Kate to enjoy the view for a few minutes.
The two women sat in comfortable silence, enjoying each others company and Phoebe wondered why Admiral Nechayev couldn’t be a bit more like Kate. No nonsense but still warm and understanding.
“Your mother told me you had a little disagreement with Alynna.“
“That’s putting it mildly“, Phoebe snorted. „I called her awful names.“
“Well, if it’s any consolation I’m sure she has heard all of them before and has been called worse.“
“Figures.“
“According to your mother she was trying to come after you to apologise“, Kate offered.
“Really?“ Phoebe couldn’t help but smile.
“Yup. What is about her that gets you off?“
“I don’t know“, Phoebe sighed. “I have asked that myself. It’s just that the Admiral always seems so cold and unaffected. Nothing whatsoever can shake her demeanour. I wonder if the woman is human at all.“
“You’d be surprised. Alynna is just as human as the rest of us, but she tends to forget that herself sometimes. Refusing to believe she has the same wants and needs like us minor beings. Alynna Nechayev is hard on others but she is the hardest on herself, she never cuts herself a slack. Never. I guess that’s what makes her often seem so cold.“
“Maybe.“
“Come on, Phoebe. Let’s head back, I haven’t really eaten all day and your mother’s stir fry was smelling heavenly.“
Laughing at the older woman’s longing face they got up and went back to the farm.
When they entered the house through the back door, Phoebe took the tray from her mother’s hands and headed upstairs, leaving behind two rather stunned women.
With only one knock and without waiting for an answer Phoebe entered the guest room and was surprised to find the Admiral dressed and sitting in a chair.
“Why are you out of bed?“
“Doctor’s order. Tomorrow I have to walk around for a bit.“
“Oh.“
Putting the tray on the older woman’s lap Phoebe awkwardly scratched the back of her neck, not really knowing how to come up with an apology.
“Look, Admiral, I...“
“Alynna.“
“What?“
“My name is Alynna, not Admiral.“ A little smile was tugging on Alynna´s lips.
“Ok, Alynna. What I was trying to say was, I am sorry for the things I said. They were uncalled for and hurtful.“
“Only as long as you accept my apology, Miss Janeway.“
“Phoebe.“
“Phoebe. I didn’t mean to be ungrateful. Believe me when I say I appreciate your kindness because I do. I´m just not used to it.“
“All right.“
“Just like that?“
“Yes. Now eat your dinner! You don’t want to feel the wrath of Gretchen Janeway if it gets cold.“ Phoebe laughed when she left the room.
Alynna couldn’t prevent the full smile that was forming on her face after Phoebe had left. Maybe Lwaxana was right, enjoying the company of caring people wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
Getting up and about was no fun at all, Admiral Nechayev had a hard time getting used to her limitations over the the next couple of days. It was beyond embarrassing to need help with putting on clothes, but with determination she was able to handle it herself after a short time. What was even more unusual was the casual civilian attire Alynna was wearing now. She couldn’t remember the last time when she had worn jeans, shirts and sweaters on a regular basis.
Kate had ordered her to do a daily routine of exercises to get back the strength in her muscles. Although, she was diligently following the doctor’s orders her left arm and right leg were still giving her a lot of trouble. Otherwise Alynna felt that her recovery was progressing nicely. She also had to admit that the company was quite enticing. Gretchen was a witty and funny woman, all about her conveyed warmth and care. The Admiral’s relationship to the youngest Janeway still remained sketchy at best. Some time they had an intriguing conversation and other times all they could do was not biting each other´s heads off over one issue or the other.
Phoebe was everything the Admiral was not, she was temperamental, funny, smart, outgoing and underneath all that, just like her mother, she had a big and warm heart. Add to that the fact that Phoebe Janeway was a highly talented artist, her pictures and sketches were one of a kind, and it was no surprise at all that her pictures were widely praised and appreciated.
It was truly for the first time in years that Admiral Nechayev felt a sense of home at the Janeway farm. No wonder Kate Pulaski didn’t mind her visits either, maybe Gretchen’s cooking was another reason.
Alynna´s daily walks became longer and longer over the passing weeks and when she returned from a rather lengthy excursion over the Janeway estate in her fourth week sweat had soaked her shirt and she was feeling every muscle in her weary body. When she entered the house through the back she walked through the kitchen and on her way to her room she stopped short by what she found in the living room.
Gretchen and Kate were kissing passionately on the couch. Clearing her throat gently the Admiral looked anywhere but at the two women.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean... sorry.“
Gretchen was the first to recover from the shock of being found out. “There’s no need to be sorry. Kate and I...“
Holding up her hand, the Admiral stopped Gretchen. “Please, you don’t have to explain yourself. This is your house after all. I go take a shower and change. I’ll see you both later.“
Heading upstairs Alynna couldn’t help but smirk. So this was why Kate didn’t mind at all to come out here every so often.
While Alynna was buttoning up her shirt she heard a faint knock on her door. “Come in!“
The door opened and Kate Pulaski´s head was poking around it. “Do you have a moment?“
“Of course.“
Sitting next to her friend on the bed, Kate took a deep breath. “About what you saw downstairs...“
“Kate“, Alynna interrupted “please, what happened is between the two of you. You are both adults and unattached, you can do as you please without hurting anybody.“
“Thank you, Alynna.“
“You are welcome, my friend. So tell me, are you happy, Kate?“
“Yes.“
“Good for you.“
Looking wistfully at her recovering friend, Kate couldn’t help but wonder. “What about you?“
“What about me?“ Nechayev was surprised.
“It’s been a long time.“
“Indeed“, Alynna had to agree thoughtfully. “But you know me, I’m not exactly relationship material. Who would want to take up with a set in her ways Starfleet officer like me anyway.“
“Oh, you might be surprised“, Kate knew at least one person who might, despite all indication against it, be up for it.
Lunch was a relaxed affair, conversation was funny and at the end of the meal a paint covered Phoebe joined them for a good portion of her mother’s food. After Kate left, Alynna asked for Gretchen’s permission to use the study to contact Starfleet for the latest information.
Admiral Paris couldn’t tell her anything new and the situation regarding the Dominion was quiet for a change. Feeling tired after her extensive walk before lunch Alynna decided to take a nap on the couch.
“I wonder what is taking her so long“, Gretchen worried.
“Would you like me to take a look?“ Phoebe offered.
“Please, dear.“
Knocking softly on her late father’s study and waiting for a reply Phoebe simply entered when none came. Looking around the room she finally found the older woman on the couch, fast asleep.
Taking a closer look at the sleeping Admiral, Phoebe found she looked younger than her 50 years, more relaxed in sleep. The worry lines on her forehead and around her eyes were smoothed out, the sun gave the blonde hair a special glow and Phoebe had to admit that the other woman looked quite attractive, even beautiful in her own way. The long straight nose along with the high cheekbones and the few grey strands at the temple gave the Admiral´s features a distinguished and classic flair. The older woman´s hands lay intertwined on her belly, her hands were elegant and smooth with long graceful fingers. On her long sensual neck Phoebe could see the light fluttering of her pulse. The first few buttons of her white shirt were open which gave view to her cleavage as well as the gentle rise and fall of her chest. Phoebe couldn’t help but stare at this vision bathed in sunlight. Shaking herself out of it she tiptoed to the desk for paper and a pencil. She had to put it on paper, this was what was missing from her exhibition, a black and white drawing of this woman before her.
Sitting alone in the kitchen Gretchen now wondered what had happened to her daughter. Hopefully these two weren’t fighting again. She couldn’t hear raised voices, so this was not it. Sighing she left the kitchen in search for her missing guest and daughter. Leaning her head against the door of the study Gretchen couldn’t hear voices there either. Strange. When she opened the door a crack she found Phoebe on her father’s desk deep in concentration, her hand flying over the paper while the Admiral was asleep on the couch in front of her. Stranger. Closing the door again without having been noticed, Gretchen returned to the kitchen wondering if those two knew what was really going on.
Gnawing her bottom lip in concentration Phoebe hadn’t heard her mother looking in on them nor did she register the awakening of her model.
“May I move now?“
The soft spoken question nearly caused Phoebe to fall off the desk, paper and pencil were flying across the room and Phoebe’s hand to her heart. “Shit!“
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.“
“It’s okay.“ Phoebe was nearly finished with her sketch. Picking up the paper, she put the pencil back on the desk and the sketch in the back-pocket of her jeans.
Sitting up on the couch the Admiral frowned at the younger woman, wondering why she wouldn’t show her the drawing.
“Don’t I get a look at your drawing?“
“Nope.“ Flopping down next to the older woman, Phoebe smiled mischievously.
“All right. You are the artist.“ Alynna relented readily. “Although I can’t imagine what you could possibly find so interesting about me.“
Turning towards the older woman Phoebe put her right leg on the couch, her knee lightly touching the Admiral’s thigh. With her arm on the back of the couch and her head in her hand, Phoebe looked at her for some time before she answered.
“You really have no idea how beautiful you are“, Phoebe was surprised.
“I am not“, Alynna huffed at the suggestion.
“Yes, you are! Hasn’t anybody ever told you that?“ Phoebe was flabbergasted. “Probably not, given your cheerful personality.“ The last words were mumbled.
“Laura did.“ The Admiral whispered more to herself.
“What?“
“Nothing.“ Shaking her head, the Admiral got to her feet, consciously breaking the spell of the moment.
Turning back at the door Alynna looked expectantly at Phoebe. “You coming?“
“Yeah.“ The younger woman jumped to her feet and followed her into the kitchen.
Next Friday the Admiral found an unusually nervous and giddy Gretchen bustling around in the house when she joined her after her morning routine of walking and exercising.
“Is everything all right?“
“What? Oh, yes, yes.“ Gretchen was distractedly running through the house before she plopped in a chair across from Alynna.
“Care to share what got you so wound up? Maybe I can help.“ The Admiral offered.
“Kate asked me out to the opera and dinner afterwards.“ Gretchen blurted out.
“And?“ Alynna blinked, clearly not knowing why the older woman was so frazzled.
“And? And? Do you have any idea how long it is since I have been on a date?“
“Um... no.“
“Neither do I that’s how long.“ Gretchen let her head fall on the table with an air of drama.
Smirking at Gretchen’s antics Alynna wanted to know with what she could help her though.
“What do you need my help for?“
Looking up at her guest with an utmost serious expression Gretchen went for the killer.
“I need your help with the dress.“
“I beg your pardon?“ The Admiral was sure she must have misheard.
“You have to help me choose the right dress!“
“What do I know about dresses?“ Admiral Nechayev snorted in disbelief. “I am a Starfleet officer. We don’t wear dresses, we wear uniform, remember.“
“And jeans.“
“Occasionally.“
“And shirts.“
“They go with the jeans.“
“And sweaters.“
“When the weather warrants it.“
“Oh, for crying out loud woman. Don’t tell me you never wore a dress to a date.“ Gretchen was exasperated.
“I don’t date. Therefore, no, I’ve never worn a dress.“ Alynna sniffed indignantly.
“But you were married.“ Gretchen mentioned astonished. “Surely you must have...“
“No, we haven’t. I mean we did go out, but I have always preferred my uniform to casual or fancy clothes, especially dresses.“
Seeing an perplexed look in Gretchen eyes, Alynna sighed.
“Go on, say it. I’m an emotional impaired, overcompensating, frigid old hag.“
“No, just a bit over-focused probably.“ Gretchen couldn’t help but laugh and surprisingly enough the Admiral let go for once and laughed at the characterisation.
“Come on, at least you can keep me company while I fret over my closet.“
“That I can do.“
Together they climbed the stairs to Gretchen’s bedroom at the other end of the hall. Gretchen made the Admiral sit on her bed while she raided her closet for the perfect dress for the occasion.
After an hour of trying on, changing and redressing she settled on a simple long, black dress that flattered her figure and showed enough cleavage to be decent but still sexy.
The afternoon was spent with cooking for dinner and trading stories about Starfleet brass they both have known. When it was time for Gretchen to get ready for her date, Alynna put in a call to Lwaxana, having promised to keep her updated every week. Ending the call with an invitation to the Janeway farm for the following week on Gretchen’s behalf they parted just in time for the Admiral to open the door.
When Alynna opened the front door she couldn’t believe how extraordinary her old friend Kate Pulaski looked in her simple but elegant dress.
“Good evening, my friend. You really look fantastic.“
Smiling at the compliment Kate couldn’t help being nervous though. “Thank you, do you think Gretchen will like it?“
“She’s going to love it!“
Hearing steps on the upper floor, Alynna led the other woman to the staircase, where they waited for Gretchen. Looking at Kate, Alynna wanted to gauge her reaction at Gretchen’s dress and appearance. Gliding down the stairs in her ankle length black dress with her hair pinned up Gretchen was a vision. Alynna could literally see Kate’s sharp intake of breath, her eyes wouldn’t leave the woman she loved and there was a distinct sparkle in her eyes.
Kate was having a hard time to put words to all the emotions running through her body.
“You... This... I...“
“Spoken like a true poet, my friend“, Alynna muttered softly.
Shooting the Admiral a poisonous look, Kate took a step towards her love and gently took one of her hands to place a tender kiss on the back.
“You, my love, look absolutely gorgeous tonight.“ Kate softly whispered.
“Thank you, dearest.“ Gretchen smiled shyly and felt herself blush like a teenager.
Clearing her throat delicately Alynna guided them to the door and held it open for the couple.
„Enjoy your evening, ladies!“
She watched them get into the hovercraft and drive off before she closed the door and made her way to the living room to settle on the couch with the newest Patrick Gascoine thriller Kate had brought her only yesterday.
TBC