C
HAPTER 11
Seven of Nine sat in the consultation room waiting
for
“Well, Seven, it looks like our estimates at the time of your surgery were way off. I said it might take months and you’ve managed to be back to 100% in six weeks. In this case, I’m absolutely delighted to be incorrect. I must say that those extra regeneration cycles on Voyager this past couple of weeks have helped immensely. Will you be able to continue regenerating in your alcove regularly?”
“Yes, Admiral.
“So you and Kathryn will be moving back to the city? How does Gretchen feel about that?”
“She understands that Kathryn and I will both need to return to work after the honeymoon and that she wouldn’t be seeing much of us even if we were to remain living on the farm. But we have assured her that we will go home to
Voyager’s EMH dropped his opinion into the mix. “It’s not a good idea to anger your mother-in-law before the wedding, Seven. Or afterwards, for that matter.”
“Gretchen is not angry, Doctor. Kathryn is the one who has been angry. Phoebe has been teasing her unmercifully about us needing some privacy. That is why Kathryn rented the suite for a long weekend. Phoebe and Gretchen will attend the welcome ceremony and ball, but Kathryn has arranged for them to have other accommodation in the hotel. They will arrive tomorrow morning.”
“Well then, we’d best get you on your way to the hotel, young lady. Effective this date and time, you are hereby released from all medical care and deemed fully fit for duty. We’ll see you at the ceremony tomorrow evening.”
With that
“Thank you both for everything you have done for me. I would be dead if not for both of you.”
“Well, you gave us a lot to work with. Now do us both a favor and don’t make us do it again, okay?”
Seven’s smile glowed. “I will comply. And I will look for you both tomorrow evening. Thank you again.”
Once outside the Starfleet Medical facility Seven turned east toward the Headquarters complex and main gates. As she strode toward the gates she was aware of the stares from Starfleet personnel as she passed. A breathtaking six-foot former Borg drone is hard to miss and stories of Voyager’s adventures in the Delta quadrant and of Seven of Nine in particular were running rampant. To see Seven on the Starfleet base was cause for most of the personnel who could see her to stop and enjoy the view.
It didn’t take her long to exit the Starfleet complex and she flagged down a hovercab just outside the main gates. “Claremont Hotel,” she instructed the driver. In a few short minutes she was stepping out of the hovercraft at the Hotel’s entrance. Once inside she quickly obtained her suite access codes and directions to the private penthouse lifts. Riding up to the penthouse level she felt a bubbling of anticipation in her chest. Kathryn had been deeply frightened by Seven’s abduction and was reluctant to pursue a physical relationship with her until she was certain that Seven had fully recovered from her wounds. In the three weeks since their engagement they had kissed and ‘snuggled’ as Kathryn phrased it as often as possible but had never taken their caresses to the ultimate conclusion. But now that she had her medical clearance there was no reason to wait any longer. Neither of them had discussed it directly, but both were keenly aware of it; in fact it had prompted Kathryn to arrange for the suite and the long weekend away from the family farm.
As Seven stepped off the lift she entered a short hallway with a door on either end. One was marked simply “A” and the other “B”. She and Kathryn were in Penthouse “B”, the larger of the two suites. Walking swiftly to the door, she keyed in her codes and entered the suite.
Janeway had spent the morning alternately pacing and forcing herself to read from the reports Radcliffe had forwarded to her. While Seven had beamed to Starfleet Medical she had come directly to the hotel with their luggage. She’d checked in and unpacked, following Seven’s instructions regarding her formal wear for the ball the following evening. For some reason Seven didn’t want her to see what she was planning on wearing before the ball itself, so Janeway had hung the garment in the closet without removing the opaque plastiseal covering. She made sure her dress whites were in good shape and arranged to have her boots polished and returned late tomorrow afternoon. She took special care in arranging for their food, for if everything went according to plan, she and Seven wouldn’t be leaving the room until they went downstairs for the Starfleet welcome ceremony the following evening. Then there was nothing to do but pace, read the reports, wait and wait some more.
She looked up sharply at the sound of the door opening and was rewarded with the sight of the woman she loved smiling at her. She wasn’t conscious of either rising to her feet or moving to greet Seven; awareness returned only with the feel of Seven in her arms. Her face nestled in the soft vee of Seven’s neck and shoulder, she asked the question that had been foremost in her mind all day.
“
"Are
you all right?”
“I am fully healed, Kathryn. I have been given full medical clearance from
“I’m just always worried, that’s all. When they took you I was so frightened…and when I saw what they’d done to you.…All I could think of was that I was going to lose you because I wasn’t brave enough to tell you how I felt. If I’d been able to tell you before you wouldn’t have had to endure any of this.”
“Kathryn, ‘enduring this’, as you put it, allowed me to be with you, to become a part of your family, to learn how wonderful it is to be loved. While I would rather not have been tortured, I do not regret the circumstances that allowed those things to happen. We are together, Kathryn; that is all that matters. How we got here is irrelevant.”
Janeway felt tears leak out and trickle down her cheek. Seven must have felt it too, for she eased her head out of their embrace and gently kissed the droplets away. Feather-soft kisses traced along Janeway’s jaw line to that sensitive spot just below her ear.
“Kathryn,” the husky whisper in her ear made Janeway’s knees weak, “Which way is the bedroom?”
Wordlessly, Janeway stepped out of the embrace and taking Seven’s hand led her into the adjoining bedroom. She had lit the gas logs in the fireplace earlier and the flames flickered on the paneled walls. The huge bed had been turned down and a single rose rested on the pillows. Janeway picked it up and handed it to Seven, raising up on her toes slightly and kissing the taller woman after she had done so.
“I love you so much. I am the luckiest woman in the universe to have a second chance with you. To not have lost you through my own stupidity and stubbornness. Thank you for loving me, Seven of Nine.”
“Thank you for coming after me, Kathryn. Thank you for bringing me into your family and into your heart. Thank you for loving me.”
Their kiss began softly but quickly intensified as arms wrapped tightly and bodies melted together. Janeway couldn’t control her hands; they moved over Seven’s back, shoulders, sides as if of their own volition. She groaned softly as the tip of Seven’s tongue touched her lips seeking entrance. She granted it immediately, her tongue meeting Seven’s and beginning that instinctual dance.
Go slow, for the love of God, go slow…it’s her first time…don’t frighten her!
Her pulse racing, Kathryn grasped for control when every atom of her body wanted only to tear the clothing off Seven and fling her to the bed. Seven wasn’t helping; her hands roamed from hip to shoulder, brushing the sides of Kathryn’s breasts. She broke their kiss as her hands clasped the bottom hem of Seven’s sweater and in one swift motion, pulled it and the shirt she wore under it over Seven’s head. She pressed her lips to the velvety skin of Seven’s neck, tasting lightly with her tongue as she worked her way downward; her hands smoothed over warm skin and metallic mesh as she traced Seven’s abdominal implant.
Seven’s cortical node was in danger of decompiling under the onslaught of sensations and emotions raging within her. When Kathryn had pulled off her sweater and shirt, the sudden coolness of the air had been overcome by the molten fire of her touch. Everywhere Kathryn’s hands touched seemed to burn. Her own hands swept up the curves from Kathryn’s hip to her shoulder, the softness of her small breast a fleeting temptation to stray. She quickly unfastened Janeway’s uniform tunic and slipped it off her shoulders. Instead of pulling the slate gray sweater free of Janeway’s trousers, she gently unfastened them and eased the sweater loose. It was a simple matter to slide it over Kathryn’s head.
Afterward neither woman could remember removing the rest of their clothing; only that after what seemed mere moments they were on the bed separated by nothing but a faint sheen of sweat, their arms and legs entangled. My God she feels so soft…how can metal feel so soft? Kathryn’s hands swept up from Seven’s implant to cover rose-colored nipples and felt them pebble against her palms. Softly her fingers traced over them, gently squeezing the hardening nubs as her lips traced down Seven’s throat. When her lips closed around a swollen nipple Seven gasped and writhed beneath her, hips grinding in primal rhythm.
“Kathryn, oh….please, Kathryn…more…” gasped her love as she clasped Janeway’s head. Janeway slipped her thigh between Seven’s and felt the copious moisture there coat her skin. She pressed her leg hard against Seven and felt the young woman begin to move against it. That’s right, love, move against me, let it build. She snaked one hand between them and slipped it into the slick folds. Gently she stroked the sensitive bud she found and was rewarded with a shuddering moan from Seven.
“Kathryn...please…” Janeway’s fingers found a rhythm and she felt Seven surge against her, hips moving frantically. Her fingers moved faster and Seven’s moans increased in intensity as her passion built. Janeway kissed her way up from breast to throat and moaned against the velvet skin under her lips.
“That’s right, darling, just relax; let it build. God, you feel so good against me…” Seven’s movements against her leg and fingers became more erratic as she neared the summit. Her words became incoherent as her hands fluttered across Kathryn’s back. “Just let it happen, love, come for me…That’s right, baby, just let it happen….” She felt Seven still momentarily and then her entire body spasmed as she plunged over the edge. Kathryn slowed the motion of her fingers, easing to a stop as she felt the waves of shuddering abate. She kissed her way to Seven’s ear and whispered soothing words as she held the young woman tightly, her hands stroking slowly over Seven’s abdominal implant and back. Seven, for her part, could only sob as she clutched Kathryn to her fiercely.
“Shhh, it’s okay…it’s okay love, you’re fine now…I’m right here, I’ve got you…shhh… I love you…”
“Oh, Kathryn…I never understood…I never knew…”
“I know, darling, I know. It’s always overwhelming. Shhh now, just let me hold you, love.”
Nestled together in each other’s arms they kissed softly as Seven attempted to comprehend what had just happened to her. She understood the mechanics of copulation but had no real perception of the emotional impact of making love as Kathryn would say. She knew only that as much as she had loved Kathryn before, her emotional attachment was even deeper now. She eased back from their kiss and regarded her fiancée gravely.
“I love you, Kathryn. More than I ever thought possible.”
“I love you too, darling. I thought I’d loved before, but it’s never been anything to compare with how I feel about you. About us.”
“It is a good thing that we are to be married soon. I don’t believe I could live much longer apart from you. I am not at all sure how we survived four years on Voyager without…making love, but I certainly plan on continuing now that we finally have.”
“That’s good, love. I thought that maybe on Sunday we could go over to my house and see if you think it suitable. If you do I’ll make arrangements to have it opened up for us so we can move in very quickly.”
Seven chuckled quietly. “I do not pretend to understand why you are reluctant to make love in your mother’s home, but if moving into your San Francisco house means we may continue to make love whenever we wish, then I am sure I will find your home suitable.”
Janeway’s answering chuckle was almost evil in its turn as one of her hands wandered back to Seven’s breast and began teasing its nipple erect. Her lips trailed softly over Seven’s jaw and across the pulse point on her throat. I think my little
Borg enjoyed making love…heheheh, well just wait until she sees what comes next. She eased Seven over onto her back and swept her free hand to cover the unoccupied breast. As her kisses moved south, she slid her body between Seven’s legs pressing her abdomen against the blonde thatch.
When she took a nipple between her teeth and oh, so gently nipped at it, Seven shuddered and groaned softly. Kathryn sucked the hardening nipple into her mouth and stroked it firmly with her tongue until Seven’s moans became almost constant. Then she slowly kissed her way across her lover’s chest and paid equal attention to the opposite nipple. Back and forth she went, feeling moisture pooling against her belly as Seven’s arousal soared. She had kept her own desire tightly in check so that her focus would be concentrated on Seven, but now Kathryn relaxed and allowed herself to be swept along. As Seven’s hips began to move under her, Kathryn felt an answering moisture between her own legs and thrust back. She began to kiss her way down Seven’s abdomen, discovering to her surprise that the bands of biometric mesh of the abdominal implant were extremely sensitive. Kissing across it made Seven’s breath almost a sob and Kathryn could feel her writhing increase.
Finally she kissed the edge of the crisp blonde hair at the juncture of Seven’s legs and allowed herself to slide fully between the young woman’s legs. Kathryn gazed at the dripping folds and gently parted the sensitive flesh with her fingertips. Her breath caused another moan from Seven as she blew softly on the bundle of nerve endings. Then Seven stopped breathing entirely as Kathryn slowly licked the length of that sensitive ridge and sucked it into her mouth. Seven sobbed and her hips began a frenzied thrusting as her right hand stroked the back of Janeway’s head. Gently Kathryn slipped one finger into Seven and felt the velvet walls clench around her. She slowly withdrew the finger and then slipped two fingers inside the tight sheath. She began a slow in and out motion, matching Seven’s thrusts with both fingers and tongue. It won’t be long now, she’s trembling all over. Come on, love, come for me….Janeway’s fingers found the hidden smooth place on Seven’s inner wall and pressed against it. The combined stimuli pushed Seven over the edge and she exploded in orgasm, sobbing Kathryn’s name over and over. Janeway nursed her through it, withdrawing from the young woman only when the spasms of ecstasy had ceased. Giving one more kiss to the bundle of nerves she kissed her way back up the trembling body and wrapped Seven in her arms, conscious of her own rising passion.
Seven must have sensed it too, for even before her breathing had returned to normal she rolled Janeway over and began kissing her throat.
“It is your turn now, Kathryn,” she murmured against the pulse point under her lips. Her hands began a slow, sensuous caress of Janeway’s body, one of them stopping to cup a breast and the other continuing to delve into the moisture pooled between the redhead’s legs. Janeway needed no further encouragement and began to thrust against the fingers stroking her, finally allowing her own need to rise. The feel of Seven bending over her thrilled her and when those lush lips finally closed over her aching nipple Kathryn could not stifle a moan of desire.
“Ohhhh, yes, love…just like that…oh God, that feels so…don’t stop, Seven, please…don’t stop…”
Those words and the husky voice that delivered them caused Seven of Nine to shiver with reawakened desire. The idea of her beloved Kathryn writhing in pleasure under her hands and mouth filled her with awe. She is not afraid to be vulnerable with me, to trust me completely. As if in answer to her thoughts, Kathryn uttered a guttural groan as Seven’s fingers found the source of her copious moisture and slipped effortlessly inside her velvet sheath. Her thumb stayed on the bundle of nerves at the apex of Kathryn’s center as she began a slow in and out thrusting with her fingers.
Flames from the fireplace reflected off the sheen of sweat that now covered Kathryn’s belly. Seven reveled in the salty taste of her as her lips began their journey down to Kathryn’s sex. Her left hand fondled Kathryn’s breast until she slipped it down to nudge Kathryn’s legs apart and slid between them. Wrapping her left arm under Kathryn’s thigh and around her hips, she buried her face in the fragrant folds, lost in the musky scent and salty sweet taste of her lover.
Kathryn’s hips thrust erratically and her incoherent moaning only fueled Seven’s desire as with lips and tongue and fingers she drove her lover toward her climax. Kathryn’s thoughts were chaotic; she could focus only on the waves of pleasure coursing through her. Higher and higher they carried her until with a sobbing scream she was swept away in orgasm. Seven’s lips did not leave her center until her cries had been reduced to whimpers and her hands pressed ineffectually against the Borg’s head. Then full lips traced their way up her body as strong arms encircled her. She lay in the warmth of Seven’s arms trembling and exhausted, only vaguely aware of Seven pulling the blankets up around them. Warmth, passionate sex and soft caresses worked their magic as the lovers fell asleep in each other’s arms.
Kathryn awoke slowly, becoming conscious of the weight and warmth surrounding her. She felt the soft tickle of Seven’s breath on her neck and the weight of a leg sprawled across her thighs. The warmth was a direct result of being nestled as closely as possible against her lover. Not a bad way to wake up; not a bad way to wake up at all. She tried to stretch without waking Seven but felt the young woman beside her stir and languidly stroke her breast as she awoke. She watched, smiling, as Seven opened her eyes, blinked twice and realized where they were. The blue eyes looking back at her darkened with desire as Seven flipped the covers off of them.
“I enjoy waking up with you, Kathryn,” she purred, a soft smile on her face. “Very, very much.” Determined fingers teased Janeway’s nipple into full erection as Seven subtly shifted her weight, pivoted and abruptly sucked the hardened nub into her mouth. Janeway could only arch into that wonderful wet heat and moan in reply.
“Oh, God, Seven…darling, what are you doing to me?”
The heat surrounding her nipple was replaced briefly with puffs of breath as Seven whispered, “I am loving you, my Kathryn.” The voracious mouth returned to her breast as Seven’s Borg hand slid across Janeway’s belly and into the thatch of auburn curls between her legs. Seeking her center, they slid through the wetness and entered her with no resistance. As Seven brought her thumb against Kathryn’s most sensitive spot, the hips under her hand began to undulate. Keeping her tongue and fingers in synch, she stroked Janeway’s breast and sex as Kathryn’s breathing became erratic and her hands groped for Seven. As Janeway’s desire surged beneath those caresses so did her need to touch her lover. She managed to gently pry Seven’s mouth from her nipple and pull her up into a passionate kiss. Moans were muffled as their tongues danced together and Kathryn’s fingers found Seven’s breast, rolling the nipple between her fingers until it was diamond hard.
She gently broke their kiss and whispered against her lover’s lips “Lift your thigh, darling, and lay it over my hip.” As Seven complied Kathryn resumed their kiss and slipped her hand down across the abdominal implant and into the slick wetness at Seven’s core. The kiss deepened again as fingers stroked and aroused. Kathryn pulled out of the kiss to slowly run her tongue across the starburst implant in front of Seven’s right ear and felt her lover’s mouth first on her ear and then kissing and sucking on that marvelously sensitive spot just below it. Hips began thrusting more determinedly as they found a rhythm; each leading the other higher and higher. Breathing quickened as they fell back into their kiss, tongues seeking and twining. Janeway grasped for a semblance of control as her passion surged and forced rational thought from her mind. Just when she thought she could hold off no longer Seven gasped and cried out as the first wave of her climax washed over her. With a sob, Kathryn surrendered to her passion as her orgasm crashed through her. Fingers slowed and gently withdrew as they gathered themselves together again.
“Do you have any idea of what you do to me? How touching you arouses me?” whispered Kathryn, gazing into the depths of Seven’s blue eyes.
“I only know what the feel of your touch does to me, Kathryn. But I am becoming more adept at understanding your responses the more we become intimate.”
“And that will continue, darling. Hopefully, we’ll always be learning new things about each other. How different things affect our responses. How each touch can arouse in a slightly different way.”
Seven’s mouth quirked upward in a soft smile. “At least now Phoebe will not be able to tease you about thrashing about in the guest room. It is my plan to convince you to move back into your old room with me once we get back to the farm.”
“Darling, we’ve discussed this, you know
I’m not comfortable making—,”
Seven silenced her with a deep kiss. “Yes, I know we have discussed this. I am not going to insist that we make love if you feel uncomfortable, but I will insist on being allowed to sleep with you. I refuse to wake alone any longer. The feel of you in my arms when I awaken is far too exquisite to do without again. We will not sleep apart any longer, Kathryn.”
“Yes, darling, whatever you say,” Janeway wasn’t quite sure how she managed coherent speech after that molten kiss but Seven’s position certainly seemed reasonable. As she shifted position slightly she caught a whiff of their combined musk and made a command decision.
“I’m assuming that with their typical efficiency the Borg designed your implants to resist rusting if you’re immersed in water. With that in mind, since we’re both a little ripe right now, how do you feel about taking a bath with me?”
“I have never been immersed in water. On Voyager I utilized a sonic shower and a hydro shower at the farm. But you are correct in your assumption; I will not rust if immersed.”
“Then lets go put the hydro-spa tub through its paces, what do you say?” They rose from the bed together and took a moment to straighten the rumpled bedding before padding into the adjoining ensuite hand in hand.
Kathryn measured various bath oils and salts into the steaming water with the focus of an analytical chemist gazing into an ancient retort. When she was satisfied with the scent she stepped into the tub and turned to Seven who had been looking around at their rather palatial ensuite.
“This is considerably larger than other bathrooms I have seen,” she commented. “Is the bathroom in your house this size, or is this considered a luxury?”
Janeway laughed and extended her hand to her fiancée. “No, the bathroom in my home isn’t this spacious, but it does have large tub and shower units. I think you’ll like it. In the meanwhile, will you join me in our bath, darling?”
Seven took her hand and gingerly stepped into the steaming water. She watched as Janeway sank into the foam-covered water with a contented sigh and then indicated that Seven should do the same at the opposite end of the tub. As she settled into her end of the large tub Seven inhaled the aroma of the oils Janeway had added to the tub and tried to place it. Sandalwood, genus: Santalum. Indigenous to southeast Asia, the south Pacific island chains and Australia of Earth. It was a clean and heady fragrance that seemed to intensify as she gently moved the water.
“Well, what do you think of a bath?” asked Janeway with the wry grin that always caused Seven’s heart to flutter.
“It is a pleasant activity. I believe it would be even more so if you were in my arms.” Kathryn’s laugh echoed in the tiled room.
“Well then, slide toward the middle of the tub and wrap your legs around me.” Seven was only too happy to comply. But instead of returning her embrace, Kathryn took a large bath sponge, soaped it and began languidly rubbing it over Seven’s arms and shoulders. Just as Seven was about to comment on their lack of contact Kathryn leaned forward and gently kissed her.
“Lean back just a little, love,” she whispered and then proceeded to rub the soapy sponge over Seven’s chest and under the water to wash her abdominal implant. Interspersed between strokes of the slippery sponge Kathryn pressed gentle, brief kisses on Seven’s lips, then leaned forward slightly and pressed against her fully as she reached around and soaped Seven’s back. The kisses and gentle stroking kept Seven in a state of heightened sensation, and by the time Janeway finished soaping her entire body, bathing was the last thing on her mind. After she had dipped under the water to rinse off at Kathryn’s direction, Seven was delighted when her lover handed her a newly resoaped sponge and instructed her to ‘do me now’. By the time Seven had finished rubbing soap over every millimeter of her fiancée’s body she’d decided that bathing was going to be a regular feature in their married life, and if the tub in their house wasn’t large enough to accommodate both of them with room to spare, then she would see to the immediate installation of one that was.
When Kathryn had rinsed off she told Seven to slide back to the end of the tub but instead of moving to the opposite side, she turned around in the tub and settled her back against Seven’s chest with her head resting on Seven’s shoulder and pulled Seven’s arms around her. Holding Kathryn against her back to front gave Seven immediate access to the sensitive place beneath the ear that make Kathryn weak with pleasure. She traced butterfly kisses over it, taking time to briefly touch her tongue to the satiny skin. Kathryn’s breathing began to deepen as the oral caress continued.
Seven continued her attentions to Kathryn’s neck and began to slowly stroke her hands over breasts and belly, down over the juncture of legs and tenderly up the inside of thighs. When her hands almost reached Kathryn’s knees she paused for an instant and then reversed the course of her caress, making sure to spend a few extra moments on her lover’s sex and breasts. It did not require too many repetitions of her strokes for Kathryn’s breathing to become erratic and her hips to move.
“What would you like me to do, my Kathryn? Tell me what you want --” the whisper was soft yet cut cleanly through the fog of desire that was beginning to cloud Janeway’s brain.
“My breasts,” she gasped, “touch my breasts…oh, God, please….”
“As you wish, my Kathryn.” Long fingers swept under and then across her breasts, capturing her nipples and teasing them into engorged peaks.
“Yes! Oh, God, yes…that feels so wonderful…” As the tender assault on her nipples continued, Janeway’s breaths became gasps and she arched into the touches, writhing.
Tell me what you want; the soft whisper seared itself across Kathryn’s consciousness. “Inside me…go inside me now…oh God, now…” She felt the touch trail downwards over her belly and slide through her sex-slicked folds. Without hesitation, fingers filled her and began to thrust in time with the pumping of her hips. No conscious thought caused her cry of pleasure, passion alone governed her movements.
Tell me what you want; “Touch me…down there…please…oh, please…” she sobbed. Heat flooded her entire body; her entire universe contracted down to only the hands on her body as passion built and control began to fail.
Tell me what you want; “Harder…dear God…yes…YES!” The strong fingers on her pressed more firmly and those inside curled slightly to press on the smooth patch of her inner walls. Speech failed; she could only moan as she frantically sought release, froze for an instant and cried out as a thunderous orgasm swept her away.
Seven did not release her fierce hold on her lover or withdraw her touch until the waves of passion had subsided and Kathryn had collapsed, trembling and nerveless, against her. Her hold gentled and she nuzzled the beloved neck of her partner, reveling in the salty taste of her skin.
“You are my everything, Kathryn,” she whispered, “I will love you forever.”
* * *
Half an hour later they were wrapped warmly in thick, terrycloth robes and seated on the floor in front of the living room fireplace as Janeway opened stasis lids on the trays of food she had arranged for earlier. A bottle of Chateau Picard (2346) chilled in a bucket and soft jazz played quietly over the computer system.
“I didn’t know what you’d want to eat or how hungry you’d be so I got a lot of different things. The hot foods are lobster rumaki here and these lobster rolls. The sauces for them are here on the side of the platter. Here are some fresh veggies and a dip for them and this is lump crabmeat chutney and some rye crackers to spread it on. I’ve got chilled shrimp and cocktail sauce. Here are some grapes and strawberries and a triple cream Brie. There’s a wonderful cheesecake for dessert and pots of your favorite Earl Grey tea and coffee for me. Will that do or shall I order something else?”
Seven leaned over and took Kathryn’s face in her hands as she pressed a soft kiss on her lips. “I cannot imagine what else we could want or need. The food looks delicious.”
Kathryn poured the wine and they began their carpet picnic, lounging on plush pillows and laughing quietly as they fed each other the delicacies. Their meal became a protracted affair when some lingering kisses delayed the serving of the cheesecake for quite some time. When they had eaten all they could and cleaned up after themselves Kathryn moved to the middle of the living room and held out her arms.
“Dance with me, darling. We have a ball to attend tomorrow evening and we ought to practice a little.”
Gentle laughter accompanied their early efforts but Seven was a quick study and after only a few songs Janeway declared them accomplished enough to not embarrass themselves in front of the Starfleet brass. Seven decided she enjoyed dancing with Kathryn in her arms, indeed, the slower songs allowed her to not only hold Kathryn close but to nuzzle her neck while she did. When she commented on this Kathryn’s answering chuckle vibrated through her chest.
“Just so you don’t make a habit of it tomorrow night, sweetheart. It won’t be good if we’re caught making out in front of the Admirals. They’re bound to get jealous. I’m going to be in enough trouble for having the most beautiful woman in the quadrant on my arm to begin with. We probably shouldn’t tease them with an obvious display of how happy we are. I’ll be beating them off with a stick as it is. Hmmm, I wonder if Lieutenant Martin and his men would be available to act as bodyguards for you.”
Seven pulled her face back and regarded her fiancée quizzically. “You are teasing me, aren’t you, Kathryn?”
“Well, maybe just a little, darling. But I’m dead serious when I say that the Starfleet brass will be lined up to dance with you. Try not to assimilate any of them if they get annoying, will you? That really wouldn’t look too good.”
Seven smiled sweetly and returned to nuzzling the elegant neck before her. “I will comply, Captain.”
* * *
The next morning Janeway awoke and did a double take at the time displayed on the room’s chronometer. She couldn’t believe she’d slept that late. Even more surprising was the fact that Seven of Nine was still asleep, deliciously spooned behind her and holding Kathryn tightly enfolded in her arms. It was an altogether delightful way to wake up, even if it was nearly 1000 hours.
Janeway felt several unfamiliar aches in her more intimate areas. I shouldn’t be surprised; I haven’t had a night like that since…hell, I’ve never had a night like that. A wicked grin crossed her face as she gently snuggled back against her lover. Seven responded with a tightening of her arms and an incoherent murmur. Guess I’ve still got it though; it looks like I wore the Borg out last night. As she settled back into the marvelous warmth of a nude Seven she wondered briefly why she had never had a night like that before now. Simple really, replied her usually annoying inner voice, you’ve never been with the right person before now. It took you this long to find your soul mate. As much as it made her uncomfortable to think that way, if Janeway was being completely honest with herself she had to admit the truth of that statement. Up to now she hadn’t had someone who touched her soul like Seven did. She had settled for what she thought was expected only to discover, thanks to seven years in the Delta quadrant, that she wasn’t the woman she thought she was. In reality, she was stronger, more competent, more courageous and more willing to take chances than she had been. She was no longer willing to ‘settle for’ anything; not now, not when she had finally discovered what true happiness felt like.
Her thoughts drifted then, back to the previous night. Sated after their meal and dancing they had retired for the night only to have their hunger for each other flare back into full flame as soon as they settled in bed. Both Janeway and Seven had seemed insatiable; neither could keep her hands off the other. They made love four more times before falling into an exhausted slumber wrapped around each other. Little wonder that they had slept halfway through the morning.
Just as Janeway was deciding that it wouldn’t be unforgivable to fall back asleep for a while longer she felt a soft kiss against the back of her neck and a purred “Kathryn?” from the warm body behind her.
“Ummm, good morning darling. Did you sleep well?” Arms tightened around her as Seven snuggled as close as possible to her.
“Yes I did. Is it really almost 1000 hours?”
“Yes, love. Your internal chronometer isn’t malfunctioning; we really did sleep this late. Are you hungry?”
“Yes, Kathryn, I am. Will we have breakfast delivered to the room?” Janeway rolled over and kissed Seven firmly. Pulling back, she looked her fiancée with a sparkle in her eye.
“I just had another idea. How do you feel about grabbing a quick shower and going out for breakfast? There are some great places to eat around Ghiradelli Square or we could walk along the Embarcadero to Pier 39 from there if you’d like.”
“I would like to see some of the city. The Commander and I never got to do our sightseeing.”
Janeway chuckled, “Well, I’ll see if I can keep you out of the clutches of would-be kidnappers. Would you like to ride one of the cable cars?”
Seven’s eyes lit up. “I would like that very much, Kathryn.”
“It’s settled then; lets get up, shower and hit the bricks.” After several not-very-quick kisses they finally rose and headed for the shower. Twenty minutes later they were exiting the lifts in the lobby and headed out onto the street. They caught a cable car a block east of their hotel and rode it down to Ghiradelli Square. Seven was fascinated with the historic mechanical cars and Janeway did her best to explain how the 500-year old system was maintained.
Once they hopped off the cable car it didn’t take them long to find a restaurant and settle in for a leisurely brunch. It was after noon when Janeway paid the bill and they rose to return to their hotel. Gretchen and Phoebe would be arriving shortly for the evening’s ceremonies.