Archive of Our Own ^beta

The whole rest of the day, she'd done her best to distract herself but nothing had truly helped. She dreaded that conversation with her family but knew there was no use.

It was already surprising enough that they had so far not mentioned anything regarding their plans for her birthday. This merely worsened her suspicions.

'What if they have planned to surprise me? That makes a lot of sense. How am I supposed to decide if both my family and former Voyager cast, most of them, technically, very much being old friends, have planned to celebrate with me?

'I'm already so indecisive these days.'

Her family, after she'd told them about the e-mail she'd received from Bob and the party he'd planned for her, had reassured her that they could always celebrate together later and that they left the choice up to her since it was her birthday anyway.

Jeri found herself having trouble falling asleep again that night.

'Why can't I help feeling as if they want me to accept Bob's invitation, celebrate with my fellow former Voyager cast rather than with them? I guess they do have a point though.

'Bob has planned this party, invited all our fellow main cast members to celebrate together on that specific day.

'I can always celebrate with my family at a later date, especially if they have seemingly not planned anything and are pretty flexible, leaving the choice up to me.

'Still, the mere thought of getting to meet that woman again makes me feel sick to the stomach, not like that's the first time she induces that kind of physical response in me.

'It's been two long decades. I have to forgive her, let go of the old story. The past is in the past. I must live in the present. It was a very particular situation back then.

'She was clearly struggling enough as it was then I came along and joined her show as she always referred to it. I so happened to represent everything she despises and didn't want on her show. It was unfortunate but I'm not holding any grudge.

'She's probably not gonna show up anyway, never mind her close friend being the one who planned that party. If only I wouldn't be so damn weak these days. Oh, what do I do?'

Her eyes widened, the all too familiar voice of her alter ego telling her. “Listen to your heart, Jeri Ryan. It knows the answer. You want to meet your old friends again, do you not, catch up, find out how and what they have been doing?

"As you are aware, I have never been fond of social gatherings, parties. However, I did join them on occasion for the sake of my Voyager Collective. Seven of Nine should not be missing on a Voyager reunion, should she?

"This is not solely your birthday celebration but in a way, also mine. We should not let our Collective, our family down. You may not think so, but I am certain that even the Captain would be upset would we not show up for this event.”

Jeri swallowed, never having looked at it this way.

She breathed. “Thank you, Seven. You're right, we can't let our Voyager Collective down by not attending that party.

Jeri mused. 'It's the least I can do to show up there and thank Bob for organizing that party for me, holding it at his own place, no less. Maybe a change of scenery, a trip to New York is gonna do me good as well. I haven't been there in ages.

'At this time of year, it tends to be freezing there though. Oh, well. Guess I gotta pack warm clothing and suck it up.

'Chances are, it's gonna turn even icier once a certain someone makes an appearance, if she's gonna show up, in the first place. Where did that thought just come from? How am I gonna survive this?'

Jeri had confirmed that she'd come to New York and join the celebrations the following day. Bob had been delighted to learn she could make it, reassuring her that she wouldn't regret her decision.

Jeri hadn't dared to ask who out of their fellow Voyager cast had agreed to come, afraid of the answer she might receive. February 22^nd had arrived faster than she'd anticipated.

She had flown to New York a day in advance and had used the 21^st to rest, as well as mentally prepare for any eventual outcome of that party. It indeed turned out to be freezing in the big apple and Jeri was glad she'd packed her winter attire.

She had called a cab that would drive her to Bob Picardo's place, deeming it the best idea, considering her not being all too familiar with the city and Bob lived in an area she'd never personally been to before.

The cab driver had instantly known where to drive and made a remark about not being surprised that a fancy lady like her would want to visit a fancy area of the city like that.

Jeri felt anything but fancy but had refrained from commenting on the man's remark and instead asked him to wait outside for her, reassuring him that she'd pay him however much that would cost extra.

After that, he'd taken a 180-degree turn in personality and apologized profusely, reassuring her that she wouldn't have to pay extra and he'd gladly wait for her.

The blonde had had a hard time not rolling her eyes. 'Men, seen one, seen 'em all...'

Her heart was pounding hard against her ribcage, her stomach was awfully knotted up in anxiety once she stood in front of Bob Picardo's mansion.

She fended down the urge to take the cab back to her hotel and instead rang the chime.