Reaching Out (part 6)

Kathryn and Seven were in a dining area in the facility, which was more elegant than Kathryn had imagined.  It overlooked the various underground gardens.  They were at a table that sat very close to the edge of the drop off, snuggled against the protective railing.

The food was some sort of beef stew with dumplings. Janeway hadn't realized how hungry she was and ate hers quickly.

She spotted D'Lara approaching their table with a glass in her hand.

"How's everything going?" She asked, sitting down. "I brought your milk shake, Seven."

"Thank you."

Janeway rose a quizacal eyebrow.

"It's an energy drink, it substitutes my regeneration."

A little man in a brown robe hustled by, but stopped briefly to bow to D'Lara, who rose from her chair to return it, and then sat back down.

"See how they are now?  Before this whole thing most of the religous class hated us.  Now we're their best friends," she snorted.  "Anyway, we have some intelligence that things may heat up a little, and I want you to stay out of it, Seven."

"Stay out of it?"

"Yes, look over Kathryn.  You were planning to leave the Nejad, weren't you?   Consider yourself relieved of duty.  We'll start getting together a plan to get you two out of here."

"As long as I'm here I should serve the Nejad.  I will not comply to your orders."

"Too bad, there's no choice in the matter."

"Doesn't Seven have any say in this?" Kathryn asked.

"No, she'll adapt." She stood up. "Good evening, ladies."

Seven stifled a sigh as she looked at the rows of plants below them.

"She's probably correct."

"Let me try to talk to her." Janeway stood up from the table and followed the Nejad trainer.  She caught up to her in hallway.

"I need to talk to you, Captain Standridge," she said, making her voice as icy as possible.

D'lara froze in her tracks, then whirled around.

"Did you think I wouldn't check you out?"

"What relevence does it bear?" she asked, clasping her hands behind her back.

"Were you Captain Delia Standridge?"

"Yes.  So what? Did you think that information would somehow intimidate me into letting Seven go into battle?  Do you think what I just did was out of petty jealousy or something along those lines?  She loves you, but your being here will be a distraction for her, and as her trainer I can't risk it.  I'm responsible for her well being."  She took a few steps towards her.

"Now you're going to ask me if I killed that poor little engineer, and the answer is yes, because you see, I'm the worst kind of immortal; the kind that feeds off others. Goodnight, Janeway."

She pondered over the meaning of the statement as she went back into the dining area and sat back down.  She decided not to repeat the conversation to Seven.

"I didn't have much luck."

"I would imagine not."

"How have you liked it here?"

"It's been pleasant."

"The fighting must not have been."

"No, it wasn't." She looked down, then suddenly looked up, smiling.

"I'm pleased you're here, Kathryn."

The smile about knocked Janeway over. "So am I."

"Would you like to retire to my quarters?  You have had a long day."

"That sounds wonderful."

Seven stood and paused, holding out her hand, which Kathryn took graciously.

Seven's room was small and dark, carved out of the same dark, smooth brown stone that made up the facility.  There was a narrow bed in the center of the room and there was a small desk in the corner.

They sat down on the bed and Janeway began to tell her everything that occured with Voyager, how they had gotten home by a strange twist of fate, about where everyone scattered to, about her depression, her unhappiness with being home.

Seven listened very attentively, letting Kathryn tell her story.

She then told her about her relief in receiving D'Lara's messages, how she had stolen the Flier against everyone's better judgement, and came to Omega Prime.

The blonde seemed somewhat shaken over Janeway's ordeal.  When the story was over they were lying next to each other on the bed, Seven propped up on her elbow so she could look into her former captain's eyes.

"But it's okay now, I'm here, where I should be."

Seven raised her implant covered eyebrow, and the expression on her face
reminded Janeway of the look she gave her when she had ordered her to regenerate after returning from the Borg Queen's clutches, teasing and flirty.  At the time she could only smirk back, but now she could do more.

She reached up to grasp Seven's slender neck and pulled her down for a kiss.

It grew heated quickly and Seven pulled away.

"You should rest Kathryn, you were injured."

"Hmm...I guess you're right."  She pulled the bed covers over them both, and felt Seven snuggle her form against hers.

When she woke Janeway found Seven gone, so she took the time to take a long
shower.  There was a small room off of the bedroom's main area. carved out of stome it was a nice shower stall.  Sunlight streamed down from far above, but she knew it wasn't real because the sun had set hours ago.  But it was a nice effect.

The water was perfect and she bathed for a while until she heard the door open.

"Where did you go?" she asked

"To talk to D'Lara.  She's stubborn, rather like you.  Perhaps that is why I thought I loved her." She walked into the shower area and handed her a towel.

Kathryn blushed furiously, reaching out for the towel.

"You shouldn't watch people when they shower," she teased.

"I'm not watching people, I'm watching you.  I'll be in the sparring room when you're dressed."
 

When she got there she found Seven pacing the room.  Before she could ask why D'Lara came hustling through the door.

"Sorry I'm late, I wanted to talk to you about the Delta Flier, we need to see if we can get her operational and get you two out of here.  I can probably send you back the same way.  It's going to have wait until the sun's back up, there are too many hostiles running around in the night."

"Are there more out there?"

"There's a chance"

"Have they found a way through the sheild without being detected?"

"It's a possibility we're considering."

"Then I should fight with you when the times comes."

"Out of the question."

"D'Lara, can I talk to you alone for a moment?" Kathryn asked.

"Certainly."

They walked into the hallway.

"I appreciate that you're trying to protect Seven, but this is what she wants, and Seven usually gets her way.  I just don't understand this decision."

"Do you really want to risk losing her right now?" she asked quietly.

"This is personal somehow with you, I can't figure out what it is but I'm certain of it."

"I have things to attend to, excuse me." She turned and left.

The underground city seemed busier than usual.  More people were moving about in the hallways, and Kathryn spotted familiar face.

"Kathryn Janeway!  How wonderful to see you?"

"Q," she said dryly as he shook her hand furiously.  "What are you doing here?"

"There's a big pow wow going down about the situation."

"You're all powerful, why don't you just handle it?"

"Doesn't work that way here, Kathryn.  I'll see you around."

"I don't understand them," Seven stated as she watched Q walk away.  "D'Lara finds them amusing.  Immortal humor is odd."

"Speaking of immortals, what's the story with D'Lara?"

"She was a vampire."

"A what?"

"An immortal creature who feeds off the blood-"

"I know, but how...and how can she not be one anymore?"

"She found alternate means of survival."

"How?"

"I don't know."

They continued walking as Kathryn rolled the thought around before filing it away for further examination.

"When we talked earlier she told me I didn't want to lose you, and she was right.  Promise me, if they let you fight, that you'll be careful?"

"Of course.  Why would I purposely engage in risky behavior?"

"The promise is something you do to make me feel better."

"Oh, I promise."

"Thank you."  Janeway glanced over at her.  "You're amused aren't you?  You have a little smile on your lips.  I think worrying me amuses you."

This time she smiled for real.

Janeway stopped and looked at her.  Seeing Seven smile was something she
wasn' used to.  It tickled her profoundly.

"Maybe I need to find other ways to amuse you."

"I'm sure you will," she said, her voice lowering.

"I think you might have a dirty mind."

"One that should be put to good use."

Kathryn's heated thoughts were interrupted by a yell.

"Try right now, Seven.  Get your gear, we're getting hit.  You wanted to stay in the fight."

"What?"

"Someone's attacking the complex."

"I'm ready."

"Let's go, squire of mine." D'Lara was slipping a leather belt over her head that crossed her midsection.  It held a large two handed broadsword; a Scottish claymore.

Kathryn followed them as they ran down to a lower level.

They were at the stables.  The large lizards were bawling like cattle as a loud pounding sounded at the heavy wooden door that and been swung shut.

"Geth them back against the wall.  Seven, go around to the other side of that door.  We'll keep this door shut, pin them against it. Others should be on the way.  I'll stay here in case they get through.  Start moving those animals, Janeway."

"How?"

"Push 'em, pull 'em, I don't care."  She yanked the gates open and started herding the lumbering animals to the wall.

Janeway felt like she was puching elephants.

Suddenly, the clamor behaind the door silenced and there was a sound that Janeway knew well.

Phaser fire.

Part of the door ripped apart. then swung open.

A second shot was fired, and she could watch it boil through the air, but then unexpectedly it rolled to a stop.

Everything was frozen, like time had come to a standstill.  D'Lara had her hand raised, as if she was sheilding herself from the shot.  She seemed to be the only thing moving as the phaser shot hung midair.  She thrust out her hand like she was striking and the ball of energy shot backwards, effectively killing three of the attacking troops.

Now everything was moving again and fast.  D'Lara unhooked the claymore and with one swipe ripped someone's head off with it.

Seven and some other Nejad  came up from behind and effectively finished off the rest of the attackers.

D'Lara was still yanking her blade out of the guts of a fallen trooper and she motioned to something on the floor.

"Phaser rifle."

"They must've got it from the Flier."

"Son of a bitch." She held down the body with her foot and the sword finally came loose. "I didn't even think about that."

"No harm done,"  Varen said, walking into the stable.  He was the leader of the Nejad, a tall humanoid that towered over everyone. "But we need to secure that shuttle.  Now."

"I'll go.  How many more rifles on that shuttle, Janeway?"

"Three.  I should go, I know where they are and how to unlock them."

"I'll accmpany her. I have night vision capabilities," Seven stated.

Varen pursed hip lips. "Okay, Seven and the red head go.  D'Lara, a word."

She shrugged off her cloak and tossed it at Janeway.

"Put that on, you'll stand out like a sore thumb out there."

Putting on the cloak, she stepped over the silver armored bodies and followed Seven out of the tunnel.

"How are you enjoying your visit so far?"

Janeway chuckled dryly.

A quiet moment stretched between them.

"That was a little brutal, don't you think?"

"Isn't all war brutal?"

***

Seven stood in the darkness, scanning the form of the downed shuttle.

"I didn't know such a landing was possible."

Janeway grumbled a little and she crawled inside. "I'll check for the other rifles.  I can't see a thing in here, do you have light?"

"No, I'll go in." Seven allowd Janeway to crawl out, and then went into the Flier.

It was as she feared.  All the rifles were gone.

When she emerged from the shuttle she found one of the said rifles pointed at Janeway's head. She surrendered promptly.

***

Their captors wore silver blue battle armor, probably designed for space combat.  They were unarmed except for the phaser rifles.  They took them silently to  a tent that had been erected in the desert, guarded by two sentries that held crude wooden clubs.

They were sat in chairs and drilled endlessly about Omega Prime, who lived
there, what were they protecting, and who did the shuttle belong to.

They both chose to remain silent.

The invading aliens had long faces and narrow eyes.  They were much taller than humans with segmented legs that were very insect like.

"You have made a grave error and should release us immediately," Seven stated in a very Borg like manner.

"Wny?"

"Have you just arrived here?"

"Yes."

"I thought so.  None of your people have returned from this planet, there's a reason."

That seemed to bother him.
****
Jiirk Nor spit on the dry earth, testing his club in his hand as he stood in front  of the tent.  What had been all the fuss of Omega Prime? Those other landing parties must've been just plain stupid.  If those little fleshy things were the only beings protecting this planet then they would have this place conquered in a number of hours.  They round up those ugly little things, probably wouldn't get much for them on the slave market though, make some profit, and get to mining.

He could hear the taller fleshy thing speaking. What terrible sounds they made!  Not like the good rumblings of decently devolped beings. Uck.

Something moved in the darkness. He peered out at it and felt his neck nerve bundles twitch. Inanately, he knew it was something unnatural.

There it was again! He tensed, eyes follwing the shadow. Was it flying?

When it struck, he never had time to even raise his club.
***

From inside the tent they heard a ghastly scream from outside.

Their inquisitor turned to look, and in a flash was yanked outside of the tent, followed by the gruesome sounds of bone snapping.

The guards holding the phaser rifles turned towards the tent entrance and fired.

There was a viscious ripping sound.  The tent back wall was ripped open.

D'Lara grabbed the one guard, turned him to fire on the other, and then snapped his neck cleanly, even though she had to hop up a little to get the leveridge.

"What happened?!!" she barked.

"They got Kathryn."

"Seven," she sighed, putting her hands on her hips. "Didn't I tell you? Always let them shoot the hostages," she winked at Janeway.

That poor engineer never stood a chance, Janeway thought.

"Oh boo hoo, that fucking engineer,  You act like you knew the bastard. Let's get those rifles nad get out of here."

Janeway was, well startled would be putting it mildly.  Shaken to the core was a little more accurate.  Her heart sped up and she had to force herself not to get excited.

D'Lara just walked past her and out of the tent.

When they got back to the facility they stored the phaser rifles in Seven's quarters.

The Nejad seemed completely uninterested in the weapons and didn't even seem remotely interested in using them.

"Why won't they even consider it?"  Janeway asked Seven once they were alone.

"It's not how they do things."

She sat down on the bed and rested her head in her hands.

"I don't understand this place, it just gets weirder."  Her mind was spinning with thoughts of the Nejad, D'Lara and a swinging claymore.  The desire to flee and stay were almost at the same level of intinsity.

A touch on her shoulder brought her spiraling back to reality.  She could feel the dirt in her hair from the desert.

"Perhaps we should do something to get your mind off it."  Seven leaned up and linked her hands behind her back.  "I have a date planned for us."

"Are you asking me out?"

"Yes."

"Well, I need to take a shower first."

"I know of a better place to bathe.  Wait here for me."  She turned and left the room.

After a while she returned with what appeared to be a robe slung over her arm, and a pot containing a flowering plant, which she held out to Janeway.

"Flowers are customary, correct?"

"Well, yes. It's just ususally they're picked."

"That's unproductive, they would die shortly afterwards."

"That's true." She took the pot and smelled the blossoms. "They smell wonderful." She set them on the desk.

"The robe?"

"Robes.  There is a a bathing area I believe you would enjoyable.  Communal
bathing is common here."

"Oh.  That sounds interesting."

As they walked Janeway marveled at the underground city, the hovering lights that simulated day.  It had an openess that she found relieving.  She never imagined living underground could be this way.

On one side there was a waterfall coming out of the rock that tumbled into a shallow pool.  It was in a more agricultural area, there was a feild of some crop to her left and far off she could see people moving about, tending to the crops.

"Would you like something to wear?" Seven asked, remembering Kathryn's previous modesty in the shower.

Quit acting like a farm girl from Indiana, a voice chided the Admiral.  But I am a girl from Indiana, another voice countered.

Shut up you.

"I'm okay, Seven."

She nodded and began to unfasten her belt.

Look elsewhere, don't stare Kathryn.  Whew, thank goodness for peripheral vision. She busied herself unbuttoning her own blouse and caught a fleeting glance of Seven's naked form as she splashed into the water.

Seven busied herself with something at the other end of the pool while Janeway undressed and stepped into the water.

"Thanks," she said quietly, knowing Seven had occupied herself to allow her some privacy.

"It's a social custom here to bathe whomever you're with, it creates a bonding."

"Works for me."  She wondered for a second if Seven was making all this up, but she knew better.

"Come over here."

"Yes, ma'am."  Seven was near the side of the waterfall.  In the rock there was a little shallow indention that had powdered soap in it.  Seven had rubbed some into some cloth.

The water was shallow enough to stand up easily.  Seven stood behind her and began to slowly wash her shoulders.

Unbidden she had a thought of D'Lara bathing Seven and a furious flash of jealousy clouded her thoughts for a moment and shocked her by its intensity.

Her body tensed and Seven began massaging her shoulders, her breasts brushing lightly against her back. A lightning bolt coursed itself to Kathryn's groin.

How was she going to get through this?

"Is everything alright, Kathryn?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, I just-"  She turned around and kissed her gently, taking a moment to savor Seven's bottom lip.

Seven dropped the cloth.

Janeway swooned as they pressed together under the water.  She loved the feeling of Seven's tongue, velvety, quick and gentle, dancing with her own.

They seperated and she leaned her head on Seven's shoulder.

"You must have dinner before you can have desert," the blonde woman stated.

Kathryn laughed. "You have dinner planned for us too?" she asked after her chuckles had subsidded.

"I was going to see to your nutritional requirements, yes...along with any other needs that required tending to."

"You're a considerate woman, Seven of Nine," she smiled.

They finsished up their bath, dried off, dressed in their robes, and went to a part of the orchard where a table had ben set up with their dinner waiting.  Seven explained someone in the complex owed her a favor and had set up the dinner for them.

The meal was strictly vegatarian and Kathryn began to get the sneaking suspicion that Seven was feeding her a light dinner for a reason.

"I fear I am rushing this but there is a subject I must discuss with you," Seven stated.  "I have missed you since the day I left Voyager.  It has been difficult and lonely without you.  Now that you're here I have had the overwhelming desire to be intimate with you."

Kathryn stopped and stared at her wide eyed.

"What course of action do you reccommend?" Seven asked.

Well, that was Seven, right to the point.

"I'd be lying if I said I haven't been thinking the same thing, but I don't want to just have sex with you, Seven, there's more to it than that.  You know, I don't think I've ever truly made love to someone, became physical purely to bond with them.   All of my past relationships have been with men where intimacies were just a requirement, something you knew you would have to do sooner or later."

"You did not enjoy it?"

"Honestly, no, it always seemed so detached."

"That is unfortunate," Seven said quietly.  She truly felt sorry for Janeway and it made her feel a little protectiv towards her.

"So, I'm afraid this is something I have about as much experience with as you do. What do you want to do, Seven?"

She pursed her lips and thought for a moment.  "We should return to my quarters and see how things devolp."

"I think that's a wonderful idea."

They walked back to Seven's quarters holding hands, lost in silence.

The room smelled of the blossoms Seven had brought her earlier and she inhaled the aroma.  Seven crawled onto the bed and motioned for Janeway to join her.  They lied together, bodies intertwined, Seven's head pillowed on Kathryn's shoulder.

"This is nice," Kathryn sighed.

"I agree."  Seven dropped a tiny kiss on Kathryn's collarbone.  She trailed her lips over and kissed her lightly.

Kathryn could tell she was going slow, trying to keep things from sprialing out of control and she appreciated the effort.  She returned with a kiss of her own, nipping at Seven's bottom lip playfully.

She smiled and buried her head in Kathryn's auburn locks, inhaling deeply. "I wanted to tell you I'm sorry.  I'm sorry for leaving Voyager and putting you in the situation where you may have jeopardized your career," she  whispered.

Janeway was caught off guard, she wasn't expectng such a heavy statement from Seven, especially not now.

"It's alright, you did what you had to do. Don't ever think that I blame you for anything.  Anything I did I chose to do."  She kissed her cheek and held her tight.

"I suppose I should listen to you more often."

Janeway snickered.  "Now you decide that?  When I'm no longer you're commanding officer?"

"My repressed desire for you impeded logical thought processes in areas concerning you."  She nibbled her earlobe likely and found she liked the cool delicate skin and gave it further attenton.

At first Kathryn thought she was pulling her leg but realized she was probably right.  She moaned as she gave her neck a little bite.

"Seven, you really know how to flatter a girl."  She kissed her again, this time their toungues danced together.  Kathryn pushed herself up to meld her body with Seven's, who was hovering just above her.  Seven began to grind her pelvis against Janeway's.

Kathryn's robe eventually parted and she felt her exposed skin immediately respond.

Seven stopped and looked down between them, appraising Kathryn's form.  Her nipples had hardened and pushed up for attention.  She decided to appease them and ducked her head to take one in her mouth.

She gasped and her head rolled back onto the pillow. Without thinking Seven moved her hand down between Kathryn's legs and felt moisture coat her hand.  She almost gasped in surprise.  She withdrew her hand and looked up at Kathryn questioningly.

"It's okay."  She took Seven's hand in her own and guided back to where it had been only moments ago.  She pressed Seven's fingers tight against her and sighed as she felt them slip inside her.

"That's it, just move them in and out, real slow.  I want to feel you."

Seven did as instructed, watching as Janeway moved her hips to meet her as eventually the movemenst grew faster.  She was thrown out of her rhythm when Janeway took her hand by the wrist, freed her of her task, and had her concentrate her efforts on a different area, a small hard nub that made Kathryn jerk.

She rubbed it in slow circles that grew faster.  Kathryn clung to her tightly and their bodies pressed together, fixed on getting to one destination.  She felt tremors pass through Janeway's body and her former captain let out a yell that surprised and aroused her with it's power.

"Seven," she gasped.  "I thought we were going to go slow."

"You put my hand there," she insisted.

"Then I guess the only fair thing is for me to do the same to you."

"I agree. Tuvok would be most impressed with your logic."

Janeway laughed as she pushed Seven over onto her back.