Part 33 - 36

BLONDES/REDHEADS

Seated once more side by side with her captain, Seven felt a tingle as Kathryn picked up her right hand. Languid fingers stroked the bones on the back of the hand, before Kathryn turned it over and bent her head, her lips grazing the palm. Blue eyes widened at the electrical impulses generated by that brief palm kiss. Nerve endings fluttered up the length of Seven's arm to her brain then back down her spine, spreading warmth everywhere.

Smiling at the reaction, Kathryn cupped the Borg's cheek, smoothing the hard starburst implant with her thumb. Under her touch the cool metal warmed, and the pulse in Seven's slender throat jumped.

"Let me kiss you first and then you copy what I do," Janeway murmured.

Seven nodded, trembling slightly. But why? She was neither cold nor afraid. Before she could send an order to her cortical node to investigate this malfunction, a barrage of sensory data descended.

Kathryn's soft lips brushed hers gently, sweeping back and forth lightly until Seven's lips parted instinctively and Kathryn's tongue slid in. The blonde shivered at the welcomed intrusion. Pressing her body closer, Janeway reached up to hold that golden head in place, all the while tasting the sweetness of Seven's mouth. She felt almost light-headed to be finally kissing the woman she had mentored, protected, **loved.**

As the captain's tongue stroked its magic, the blonde moaned, sparking an answering growl from the more experienced redhead. Kathryn pulled back, noticing Seven's pale cheeks were even paler than normal.

"Take a breath, Seven," she instructed.

Obediently, the Borg drew in a lungful of air, the simple act causing her breasts to thrust urgently against the captain who felt in need of oxygen herself at the unexpected contact.

**Control yourself.** Seven had wanted to learn the rudiments of kissing, nothing more. She would not take advantage of the young woman.

"Was that all right?" she asked now, trying to be bright and professorial and failing as miserably as the EMH did with his cheery bedside manner.

"Yes, Kathryn. However..."

Janeway stiffened, lifting **her** eyebrow. Was some fault about to be found with **her** kissing?

"However?" she asked coolly.

"However, I require practice before I reach any level of competence."

**Damn.** Should have expected that. The Borg were perfectionists in everything, why not kissing too?

One more time couldn't hurt, surely. Kathryn took Seven in her arms and kissed her again, this time giving in to the urge to suck on the full lower lip. Always eager to master a new skill, Seven found her confidence growing. She shifted slightly on the bed, angling her mouth so her tongue delved into Kathryn's, the strong slightly rough muscle bent on its own explorations.

"God." Janeway tore herself away, her heart pounding so loudly that it could break a rib.

Seven looked puzzled. "Why are we stopping, Kathryn? Were you not breathing correctly?"

Breathing be damned, Kathryn thought, staring at the blonde's flushed face, the blue eyes gone dark as sapphires, the lips now slightly swollen. She was a fool to have granted this request. It was a lesson in utter madness, but she couldn't help reaching for Seven again.

Tenderly she kissed the young woman with all the desire and love in her heart, trying to convey in a few moments what she had longed to tell her for years. Kathryn had loved Seven for far too long to hold back now. As the kiss intensified, the redhead's breathing grew ragged, and her fingers raked Seven's scalp to the point of mild pain.

Seven barely noticed any discomfort. Her attention was centered instead on the two plump nipples pressing against her more generous bosom, and she was the one who drew away to catch her breath. Not expecting the move, Kathryn almost fell over.

"Are you all right, Kathryn?" Seven asked, catching her and rubbing the captain's back soothingly.

"Yes, I'm fine." Janeway said, her body reacting to Seven's touch.

"Is my kissing improving?"

"You go to the head of the class."

"Head?"

"An expression. It means you would be the best."

Seven beamed. "I enjoy being the best. I enjoy your class. Now, I would like to escalate this."

"What do you mean?" Kathryn squeaked. Escalate? Seven couldn't mean what she thought she did, making love. She couldn't. Not yet. Not ever. Or could she?

"I wish to initiate the kiss and not just respond," Seven explained.

"Oh." Janeway felt a rush of relief then disappointment.

"Is that not acceptable to you?" the young woman asked, still awaiting her reply.

"Yes. Shall I just sit here...or would you rather try something standing up?" Away from the bed.

"Standing would be acceptable," Seven said, helping the captain to her feet. Then her strong arms drew the smaller woman close.

A long finger slowly traveled toward Kathryn's mouth, tracing then slipping between the wine-colored lips. Startled by this action, Kathryn found herself licking the cool digit, running her tongue over it. The blonde sighed and closed her eyes.

**Stop sucking on her finger,** Kathryn commanded herself. But her body had stopped listening to her brain long ago and she slowly continued to lave the fleshy underpad of the fingertip.

Seven withdrew her finger then tilted Kathryn's face up, her eyes filled with such longing that Janeway knew she was doomed. Resistance was futile. Seven's mouth descended slowly, inexorably on Kathryn's. With infinite care, careful not to use anything close to her full strength, Seven pressed her lips to her beloved captain's, nuzzling the lower lip, nipping it and then slowly, savoring the promise that was Kathryn Janeway.

Her mouth moved with a certainty and assurance that belied her inexperience. This was no sweet sampling but a thorough incessant tasting, taking what she needed and what Kathryn freely offered. Four arms, two long and two short, wrapped around the women. Kathryn felt awash in pleasure. Seven's kiss was igniting the redhead's long dormant passion. Six long years of celibacy were about to explode here and now in 21st century Chicago.

**Control. Starship captains needed control.** Clamping down on her fevered physical response, Kathryn fought her desire. Seven sensed the change and deepened the kiss, sweeping Kathryn back to her. She molded her body closer to Janeway, her left hand clasping the captain tight, not allowing any space between them. The smaller woman squirmed, not wanting to remain captive to the strength of her student. But the student was now her teacher and she brought all of her overachieving traits to the fore, demanding of Kathryn what no lover had done before her. Total surrender.

**Kiss me.**

**Be mine.**

**Surrender to me.**

Kathryn heard the implicit command. Part of her yearned to obey and submit, while another part steeped in Starfleet protocol, tempered by six years battling Delta Quadrant's hostile aliens, bade her resist.

Seven could feel Kathryn's inner struggle. One moment the smaller woman was all clinging acquiescence and the next she was resisting. Seven softened her kiss, allowing Kathryn to take command as she so evidently desired, wishing only to have the delicious contact prolonged. Abruptly, Kathryn broke away. Her lips were swollen, her pupils dark, her auburn hair mussed.

"Have I damaged you, Kathryn?" Seven asked uncertainly.

"No, Seven." Not damaged as much as being turned inside out.

She had never been kissed so sensually, so thoroughly, so well. Seven's mastery of the kiss was astonishing and Janeway couldn't help imagining how her lips would feel on other parts of her body. Her nipples ached as she thought of the perfect lips latching on there.

"Stop!" she cried out involuntarily.

Seven who had been about to initiate another kiss paused, her mouth inches away from her intended target.

"Kathryn?"

Janeway felt flustered, aware that her outcry had probably confused the young woman. "That's enough kissing for tonight."

"I wish to continue." The blonde's pouty lips seemed even fuller than usual. "I enjoy kissing."

"Yes, it's an enjoyable pastime. However, you seem to have mastered the fundamentals."

"So our lesson is over?"

"Yes."

"I need more practice, Kathryn," Seven said shyly.

**Was she being flirtatious or just stubborn?**

"I think you'll do just fine from here on. Too much kissing leads to problems."

"Explain."

**Oh hell.** "If you continue to kiss someone as you just did me, a certain expectation if you will, may occur and then frustration and disappointment."

"You are speaking of kissing as a prelude to copulation. Foreplay."

"Yes, I am," Kathryn said, her mind boggling that Seven would know this.

"Kerry explained that kissing does not always lead to copulation."

"She did?"

"Indeed." Seven felt a persistent ache in her lower abdomen. "After kissing how does one regain one's physical equilibrium, Kathryn?"

"I'm surprised Dr. Weaver hasn't already explained the therapeutic benefits of a cold shower," Janeway said, sympathetically.


 

"Ker, are you awake?" Kim nibbled on the back of a silky neck.

"Am I alive is the better question." Weaver grumbled into her pillow. "You nearly killed me with that last move of yours, Legaspi."

"You're the one who wanted to go again..." Kim grinned and ran her lips lightly over Kerry's back. She couldn't seem to get enough of the yummy redhead. She mouthed a soft spot along Kerry neck and noticed a hickey that she had planted earlier. She giggled.

"What's so funny?" Kerry lifted her head.

"You could really use that dermal regenerator now."

"Me...what about you?" Weaver snickered as her fingers lightly circled a purple mark on Kim's shoulder. "I guess we both got carried away."

"Vampira!"

"I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"Nope...course you could kiss it and make it feel better."

"Here...?"

"Uh-huh..."

"How about here...?"

"There's good too," Kim said, settling back with a contented sigh.


 

Seven lay in bed, cradling Kathryn in her arms. After some initial restlessness, the older woman had fallen asleep and now lay on her side with one leg draped over Seven's thigh and her head pillowed on Seven's breasts.

Holding her, the blonde felt a new emotion, a combination of joy and peace, something she had never felt as part of the Collective or on board Voyager. This deep contentment must be due entirely to Kathryn's presence in her arms. Sighing with pleasure, she smoothed the auburn hair falling against the captain's cheek.

Asleep, the captain sighed and burrowed closer. She was dreaming of being back on Voyager, lost again in the Delta Quadrant, and yet for some reason she felt safe and serene. Odd to feel this way in a part of space that teemed with unknown dangers. She reached her hand out and touched metal implant, strong and hard and comforting somehow.

She and Seven had returned safely to the ship, and Seven was now part of the captain's life. No problems had arisen from the crew. The dreaming Kathryn smiled, as she entered her quarters which Seven now shared. Dressed in her blue and silver biosuit and the incongruous Cubs baseball cap on her shiny golden hair, the young woman was cooking an omelet.

"Kathryn," she greeted.

"Seven." Kathryn's smile widened as Seven put the omelet pan down and cocked her head. "Shall we go into the bedroom, darling?"

Thanks to her optical implant, Seven could see the smile on Kathryn's face even in the darkened room. The twitching eyelids made it clear that the smaller woman was in the midst of a REM cycle. Kathryn was dreaming. Seven did not dream and wondered if the experience was a pleasant one. Judging by the way Kathryn was smiling, it seemed so. And yet oddly her respiration had increased and her heart rate accelerated.

**The Dreaming Kathryn walked into the outstretched arms of her lover.**

Seven's arm tightened around the smaller woman, ready to wake her in case she showed any further signs of distress.

**Kathryn brought Seven's head down until she could capture her mouth in a spell binding kiss.**

Seeing Kathryn's glowing face, Seven could not resist a kiss, wanting to experience again the joy of loving the captain.

Kathryn's response was immediate and unconscious, welcoming her whole-heartedly. A wet heat began to throb inside Seven.

Lovingly, Kathryn's hands traced the soft flesh and metallic implants. This could only be Seven. Only one person could feel this good.

"Seven," she whispered.

"Kathryn..." came the soft reply.

Still dreaming, Kathryn's body did what her conscious mind never would have allowed. Stealthily her fingers laid bare the younger woman's pajama top. A wiry leg wrapped around the Borg's lankier limb.

The captain's temperature was soaring. Seven could feel a corresponding rise in her own temperature. She must put a stop to this activity. And yet it felt so good.

Then Kathryn's body began to move against hers. Seven moaned. The pleasure had just increased a hundred percent.

"Seven, please..." **Strong arms surrounded her.**

"Kathryn..." **A muscular thigh slid between her legs.**

"Oh yes. Please, my darling."

Seven had never heard that plaintive note in the captain's voice before. And darling, was that not an endearment humans used? For just a moment the blonde surrendered to the sensations of the captain's rhythmic rocking. Some deep need to connect had been sparked.

A light sheen of sweat covered Kathryn's forehead and she was growling, a sound that made Seven's nerve endings jump. Kathryn was so agitated Seven became concerned she would overheat.

"Kathryn, you must wake up...." Seven shook her gently on the shoulder.

Used to responding instantly to red alerts, Kathryn came awake immediately, stunned to find herself lying on top of Seven with her night shirt riding up and Seven's pajama top open under her. She sat up quickly, chagrinned to recall the dream world she had inhabited. Apparently she had taken that dream for reality, judging by the unbuttoned pajama top. Good Lord, what had she done?

"Seven, are you all right? I didn't hurt you, I hope."

"No, Kathryn. You did not hurt me. We merely kissed and hugged quite vigorously."

**Quite vigorously.** Kathryn stifled a moan as she closed her eyes for a moment, recalling the delicious feel of being pressed against Seven, poised on the edge of release.

"Are you all right, Kathryn?"

"I'm fine." Her tone was short and clipped as she tried to regain control of herself. Realizing that she was still on top of Seven, she rolled off.

"I would have let you continue sleeping, however you were becoming restless and overheating. Your heart rate and respiration were increasing."

"Probably because of a dream I was having."

"I suspected as much. Do increased respiration and pulse occur in dreams?"
"Yes. Sometimes if someone dreams of running or being in a fight, it is as though they are doing that in reality. Their bodies don't know the difference." **And hers certainly hadn't.**

"Were you fighting in your dream, Kathryn?"

"No."

"I'm glad." Seven lifted her mouth in a half smile.

"Why do you ask?"

"You were calling my name. I didn't want to think we were fighting even in a dream."

"No...anything but," Kathryn couldn't help divulging. "I'm sorry I disturbed you."

"Do not be," Seven said softly. "I do not sleep...I was lying awake, holding you and watching you. You are different when you are asleep. More vulnerable. It make me feel more protective." She wrapped her arms around the smaller woman and gathered her close.

Janeway surrendered to the hug for an intoxicating moment, inhaling the other woman's scent. Then she drew away.

"Seven, it is not appropriate to watch people when they sleep," she admonished.

"Then why do you watch me regenerate?"

Kathryn stiffened. Damn, she'd forgotten that Seven knew about that.

"How long have you known?"

"From your first visit. During regeneration I am conscious of what is going on around me. I know that you like to come into Cargo Bay Two and watch me before my cycle ends."

"I apologize, Seven. I don't know why I did that." She felt mortified that the blonde had known all this time about her nocturnal habit.

"No apology is necessary, Kathryn. I felt warm and protected by your presence, as I hope you felt when I watched over you." She touched the smaller woman gently on the cheek.

Kathryn resisted the urge to lean into the caress, instead she pushed herself up in bed until she was resting against the headboard and pulled the sheets up around her. Seven sat up as well, her blonde hair down to her shoulders, the pajama top she wore not hiding her generous curves.

"What is the matter, Kathryn?" she asked curiously.

Janeway glanced over at the young woman sharing her bed. What she had just done in her sleep was inexcusable. If she had been thrusting against Seven in reality the way she had in her dream...? Thank God, Seven had awakened her. No telling what else she might have done to the young woman. Conduct unbecoming an officer. Conduct certainly unbecoming a Starfleet captain.

Her dream had only confirmed what a mistake that kissing lesson had been. She should never have kissed Seven. The two of them had no future together. She had always known that.

"I don't think sleeping together like this is a good idea."

"I find it pleasant."

Pleasant? "I toss and turn too much, Seven. I'm not finding it conducive to sleep."

"Perhaps you are feeling frustrated?"

Kathryn let out a bark of laughter. That was hitting the nail on the head. She was frustrated all right...and it had to stop right here and right now. She was not taking her friendship with Seven to another level and she was not indulging herself when she knew that she could not continue it on Voyager.

"Our kissing lesson was a mistake, and there can be no further occurrences, Seven. I am sorry. There will never be kisses of that nature between us again."

Seven blinked, not knowing how her night that had been spent in such a blissful fashion was now rapidly turning the opposite. Quickly she searched her eidetic memory, reliving each kiss she had shared with Kathryn. There had been nothing but enjoyment on both their parts. Only later in bed had Kathryn tossed and turned and then came the dream. Just what was her dream about?

"You are punishing me."

"If I'm punishing anyone it's myself," came the grim reply.

"Explain."

Kathryn looked up briefly, seeing the pain in the blue eyes. She had hurt Seven by giving in to her own selfish desire.

"I thought I could have a relationship with you," she said, knowing that she owed Seven the truth. "I wanted that for some time now. But I can't simply indulge myself. It's not good for the ship, or the crew, or me. I cannot have a relationship with you, Seven. It would be wrong. It's never going to happen."

The blunt words fell against the blonde like blows from a Klingon painstick. **Kathryn didn't want her.**

"You are repulsed by my body," Seven declared. "Because I am not fully human and never will be."

"What? God, no. I'm not repulsed."

"My implants," Seven continued, slowly spreading her open pajama top, exposing herself to Kathryn's tortured gaze. "You find them unattractive. You find me unattractive."

The captain quickly averted her eyes from what she could not have. "Your implants are part of you. They always have been. I've known that from the beginning."

"I believe I love you, Kathryn." Seven said, her honest declaration catching Janeway off guard.

**Oh my darling.** Kathryn stared down at her hands. "I'm so sorry. I do not share your feelings," she lied. "I cannot love you back."

The blonde bit back a soft cry of dismay, then she rose. Long legs flashed and an abdominal implant gleamed as she headed for the door, buttoning up her pajama top.

"Where are you going?" Kathryn cried out, surprised by the sudden move.

**Stupid question. She had rejected Seven's declaration of love and expected her to stay in bed?**

"I will not disturb you any longer, Captain. I will be downstairs on the couch."

"I'll go. The couch is too small for you."

"No, you deserve the bed." Ice blue eyes glittered. "You are the captain after all."

Kathryn flinched, as though her four pips had been flung in her face.

"Seven, wait..." She heard the quaver in her voice.

"Captain?" The blonde turned, slightly.

"I'm sorry. It's just impossible."

The young woman licked her lips slowly. Kathryn felt a physical jolt, remembering those lips on hers only a few hours ago.

"I will comply with your order, Captain. I will never kiss you again," Seven declared and left the room.

Kathryn threw herself back on the bed, one arm draped over her eyes wet with tears. Bereft and utterly brainless.
 

BLONDES/REDHEADS

Seven stood on the sidewalk and gazed up at the stars. Clad only in the thin cotton pajamas that Kim had bought for her, she shivered in the wind. Small streaks of light intermittently flashed in the night sky. The Perseid meteor shower was underway. Odd to think the small dust particles from a comet extinct by the 24th century would still cause so much attention on Earth. What would Terrans think of the meteors that Voyager encountered in its travels.

Voyager. For a moment Seven was filled with longing for the starship and the ordinary life on board where she was just an astrometrics officer and Kathryn was the captain. Everything had changed tonight. She and Kathryn would never be the same. And they would never kiss again.

If she had her comm badge she could attempt to contact the ship, but her communicator was attached to her biometric suit hanging in the guest room. She dare not go back there to face more humiliation.

"Kathryn doesn't want me."

Although her eidetic memory made it unnecessary, Seven spoke the words aloud, feeling a fresh stab of pain every time she said them. The captain had made it clear that she did not want a physical relationship with her. And Seven understood. She was too inferior to be a suitable mate to Kathryn who deserved a mate as beautiful, as intelligent, as human as herself.

Wearily she glanced down at her left hand. If she had not been Borg, perhaps Kathryn would reconsider. Of course, if she had not been Borg she would never have crossed paths with the fiery Starfleet captain. As Seven examined her hand she felt droplets of rain fall on her mesh covering. Then she realized it wasn't rain. They were tears. Her tears.

"Kerry? Where are you going?"

"Bathroom. I'll be right back."

"I'll be waiting for you," Kim said, throwing her best come hither look at the redhead.

"You're going to kill me, you know that, don't you?" Weaver muttered as she crutched out of the room to Kim's giggle. She cinched the belt on the robe she had dragged on, a precaution lest she run into Kathryn or Seven in the hallway. In the bathroom, she peered into the mirror, noticing the sparkle in her eyes. Being with Kim again was just too much. Too much love. Too much happiness. It was spilling out of her.

Finished in the bathroom, Kerry started across the hall then noticed a light downstairs. Had Seven and Kathryn forgotten to close up? Puzzled she went down the stairs to investigate and found the metal whatchamacallit and tools on the dining room table. But no sign of Seven. Had she gone back upstairs? It wasn't like the neat, organized Seven to just leave things scattered. Worried, Weaver walked toward the door and opened it, quickly spying the blonde standing across the street.

Kerry grabbed two jackets from her closet and hurried outside. What was Seven doing out there in the middle of the night? Was this another attempt to communicate with the 24th century ship?

As Kerry crossed the street, Seven heard her footsteps and turned.

"Seven, what are you doing here?"

"I am watching the meteor shower."

"Oh? I'd forgotten that was starting this weekend," Kerry said. "Better put this jacket on. You'll catch cold. Those pajamas aren't environmentally controlled."

Seven slipped her long arms through the sleeves of the jacket.

Kerry stared up at the sky. "There's one!" she said as a meteor flashed.

"Yes," Seven said, appearing disinterested.

Something was bothering the young woman.

"It's very late. You're not sleepy?"

"No."

"I saw that device on the dining room table. Did you get it working?"

"Yes, the device should function adequately for our needs."

"Congratulations. That's great. Now you and Kathryn will be back on your ship in no time. Once that phaser thingie arrives."

"I am not sure I want to return," Seven replied.

"What?"

Seven gazed into the anxious green eyes. "I am not looking forward to being on board the ship again."

Kerry patted her shoulder. "It'll be okay, Seven. It'll take some adjusting again, but you and Kathryn___."

"There is no Kathryn and I," Seven interrupted harshly. "The captain doesn't want me. She is unable to love me. I would rather stay here with you if you would permit it." She looked intently at Kerry. "I know you love me a little. I find that sufficient for my needs."

"Oh, Seven, sweetheart."

"Unless, you do not want me either?" the blonde asked forlornly.

Kerry reached out and hugged Seven tight. She felt like wringing Janeway's scrawny neck, but first she had to help Seven. "Come on, let's go inside. You may not be cold, but I am."

To her relief Seven followed docilely back into the house. Weaver stored the jackets back in the closet and then led the blonde into the kitchen. Coffee was probably out of the question but maybe a cup of hot cocoa. She put the water on and brought down a tin of cocoa.

"Sit with me," she said, settling on a stool.

"May I stay here with you, Kerry?" Seven asked, complying.

"I would love for you to do that, sweetie, but aren't your implants going to de-polarize again if you don't return to your ship?"

"That is correct. I could not function past three more days."

"Three days!" Kerry cried out. "Seven, I had no idea it was so soon. You have to return with Kathryn to where you came from. I don't want to think of you as not functioning."

Very gently Seven touched Kerry's cheek, noticing the tears that were welling up in the green eyes. "Thank you, Kerry. You make me feel loved. You always have."

Kerry caught her hand and held it tightly. The kettle whistled, and she tried to remember what shelf her mugs were on. Luckily, Seven brought them down for her. Kerry stirred the cocoa asking, "What happened between you and Kathryn? The two of you seemed happy earlier when we were all at the club."

"I was happy," Seven admitted softly. "To hold Kathryn in my arms, to have her smiling up at me. I hoped tonight we would make love."

Tears slid down Seven's cheeks. Oh God. Kerry put down the spoon and hugged the blonde close, soothing and rocking her friend. Kathryn Janeway was such an ass.

Despite the many trials she had been subjected to, Seven had not cried much in her life so her cry session was brief.

"Come and drink this. It's hot chocolate." Kerry dabbed some whipped cream on the top and handed the mug to Seven.

Obediently, Seven took a sip. She lifted her head, revealing a whipped cream mustache. "I like the drink, Kerry, but I do not like this feeling in my heart," she said. "The pain is more than any physical pain I have borne. And coming after such joy."

"Joy?" Kerry blew on her cocoa.

Seven nodded and wiped her eyes. "When Kathryn kissed me tonight I felt such joy."

"She kissed you?" Kerry asked.

"She gave me a kissing lesson."

"Really." The uptight anal retentive control freak of a captain had given Seven a kissing lesson. Well, well. "Seven, tell me everything that happened between you and the captain. Begin with the kissing lesson."

"We commenced the lesson at 2352 hours and kissed for twenty-two minutes."

"Good God. I mean, go on."

"Kim was correct. The captain is a good kisser."

"So it was a good lesson."

Seven rubbed her ocular implant. "At first I shared that opinion. Kathryn kissed me to show me how and then I kissed her to show that I learned the lesson well. Each kiss was better than the previous."

"I just bet it was." Kerry sipped her hot chocolate. "Then what?"

"Kathryn ended our lesson. She felt I was the best student." The note of pride in her voice made Kerry smile.

"I'm sure you were. And then?"

"I told her I needed more practice. She explained that more kissing would lead to frustration and recommended a cold shower. Then we tried to sleep."

"Good luck with that."

"Kathryn did have difficulty falling asleep. She was quite restless."

Kerry snickered.

"Eventually she did sleep. I do not sleep so I simply wrapped my arms around her. I did not think that she would mind. In fact her body seemed to enjoy the contact."

Seven paused. Her eidetic memory replayed the scene of her holding Kathryn close, her nose buried in Kathryn's hair.

"And then she began to dream. She moved against me and became quite energetic."

"Moved how?"

"She pressed her body against mine. Her temperature increased and she became more agitated. I had to wake her up."

"And then what happened?"

"The captain became upset. She declared the kissing lesson a mistake. She and I were never to kiss again."

"Just like that?"

"Indeed. I told her I loved her. She claimed she did not share those feelings."

**Liar!** Kerry had a hard time controlling her temper as she listened to Seven. Janeway was just embarrassed that her subconscious had done what her conscious mind wouldn't allow her to.

"When I showed her my body she averted her gaze. You were wrong, Kerry. I repulse Kathryn. She cannot love me. I don't know what to do."

"Shhh..." Kerry patted the shaky blonde on her back, thinking hard. "Tell me something. When Kathryn began moving against you in her sleep, why didn't you pull away?"

"I didn't want to," Seven said honestly. "I enjoyed it. I moved against her as well."

So it was consensual.

"I also initiated a kiss."

Kerry pushed her mug aside. "I don't believe for a moment that Kathryn was repulsed by you."

"She was. I know," the Borg insisted unhappily.

"When you were kissing each other earlier when she was awake, did she seem hesitant or unwilling?" Weaver asked.

"No."

"Did touch your optical implant or the one on your cheek?"

Seven replayed the kissing lesson in her memory. The captain had indeed run her fingers over both implants and had even kissed her Borg hand.

"She did not flinch from touching my implants earlier. So why did she not wish to view my abdominal implant?"

"Maybe because she didn't wish to view your breasts."

"My breasts? What is wrong with my breasts?" Seven asked defensively.

"Nothing. They are beautiful," Kerry said sincerely, remembering them from two nights earlier. "Breasts are an erogenous part of the female body and seeing them can be arousing to the viewer. I think Kathryn was afraid to look at you because she was afraid that she would become physically aroused."

"Afraid? Kathryn is not afraid of anything."

"She's running scared, Seven. Believe me, I know the signs." Weaver sat back, watching the anxiety on the young woman's face give way to astonishment.

"The captain has faced Hirogen, Kazon, Vidians and countless other species."

"The conqueror of alien species is still afraid, particularly of a certain aesthetically pleasing ex-Borg astrometrics officer."

"She is afraid of me?"

"Of loving you." Kerry amended. She squeezed Seven's hand. "Sometimes people run away from love. They want it and yet they are scared of what it means."

"It seems illogical."

"I know."

"Kathryn has loved before."

"What happened to those she loved?" Kerry asked, curious.

"Her fiance, Mark, married another woman. Her former fiance Justin was killed in an accident that claimed her father as well."

"Poor Kathryn. No wonder she fights loving you and is pushing you away."

"It is most confusing." Seven stared briefly into the depths of her hot chocolate then drank it all down.

"Matters of the heart sometimes take a while to figure out."

"I was raised by the Collective, Kerry. Human emotions are not easy for me to understand," Seven said, taking offense.

"You're doing fine, sweetie. I was talking about Kathryn. She's used to making decisions, running that ship of hers. She's not used to falling in love." She took the mugs over to the sink. "Do you love Kathryn now, even after she's hurt you?" Kerry asked.

Seven didn't hesitate for a moment. "I love her. I believe I always will."

"Then you must be patient. Trust me, if she's kissed you tonight she won't be able to forget that for long. She's probably lying awake now, kicking herself in the butt because she's a fool."

While Seven pondered just how Kathryn might accomplish this physical feat, Kerry ran a sponge over the mugs. The makings of an idea started to take root as she washed them.

"Seven, are you absolutely sure you want Kathryn? Perhaps on Voyager there is someone else who would value and love you better than this stubborn starship captain?"

"I want only the captain. The way you want only Kim," Seven said simply. She is the only one who can fulfill my needs. But Kathryn has made up her mind."

"Don't be too sure about that."

Seven tilted her head and examined Kerry carefully with her optical implant. There was a definite glint in the green eyes as she set the mugs to drain.

"You think you can talk to Kathryn and persuade her?"

"Me? Talk to Janeway? Oh no, that's not going to happen." Kerry dried her hands on a towel.

"The two of you do not always get along." Seven was forced to agree.

"If you're sure you want that redhead, I'll help you. We'll need to do a little strategic planning."

"I excel at tactical planning," Seven said with a proud lift of her chin.

Kerry grinned. That was more like it. "Good. We just need a plan."

"A plan for what?"

"Let's just call it the seduction of Kathryn Janeway."

After listening to Kerry lay out the plan to engage the affections of the other redhead, Seven felt much better.

"Kim will cooperate?"

"I think so...and speaking of Kim, I'd better get back to her."

Seven handed Kerry her crutch. "Would you like the dermal regenerator? I heard you and Kim speak about needing it earlier."

"Uh...no, that's okay." Kerry blushed slightly.

"You are together again?"

"Yes."

"I am happy that you are no longer sad."

"Me too. And you and Kathryn will be happy too."

As they approached the staircase, Seven asked, "May I assist you up the stairs."

Weaver smiled, knowing exactly what kind of assistance the young woman meant.

"Why not?" She lifted her arms and encircled Seven's neck, relaxing as the Borg carried her easily up the flight of stairs.

"Thank you," she said when they reached the landing. She pecked Seven on the cheek.

"Thank you, Kerry."

Feeling encouraged by Kerry's plan of action, Seven returned to the guest room. Even in the dim light of the bedroom she was aware that Kathryn was lying in such a motionless manner that she must be awake. She accepted the captain's ruse and slipped into bed, curling on the opposite side of the bed, careful not to stray on the captain's side.

She gave a command to her cortical node to slow her respiration by approximately five percent. After twenty minutes or so of her slowed respiration Seven felt Kathryn inch closer. A small hand gently slipped around Seven's back and the Borg felt two soft lips press a kiss between her shoulder blades.

"I'm sorry, my darling. I'm so sorry."

The Borg smiled into the darkness even after the captain rolled away. Seven did not pursue her. For now it was enough to know that Kerry's plan might actually work.


Trying to be quiet, Kerry slipped back into her bedroom,

"That was a long bathroom break, Ker. You okay?" Kim asked.

"Yeah." Kerry swung her legs into the bed, relaxing as she felt the blonde's sleepy embrace. She entwined her legs with Kim's longer limbs, feeling snuggly and warm and happy.

"So what were you doing?" Kim asked. Moonlight had filtered through the window and she could see the blissful expression on Kerry's face.

"Talking to Seven."

"Ah, your **other** girlfriend. What were you talking about?"

"About **your** pal Janeway who doesn't know a good thing when it's standing naked in front of her. Literally speaking. Tell me something...without breaking her confidence...does Kathryn love Seven?"

"Yeah, she does," the blonde said, idly stroking Kerry's hair. "Why?"

Weaver smirked.

Kim nudged her with a knuckle. "Come on, spill. What do you have up your sleeve?"

"Just a plan to make Kathryn realize she's got a brain. I'll need your help."

"My help?"

"Yeah. I need you to go jogging with Kathryn tomorrow morning."

"Jog with Kathryn?" Kim exclaimed, leaning back to stare at Kerry.

"Just a morning run before breakfast. Maybe an hour or two..." the redhead said in a rush, rolling over on top of Kim who continued to object to such an idea.

"Before breakfast, Kerry! You keep me up all night making love to me and then you say go for a run with a military woman who's probably frustrated enough to run twenty miles or more..."

"Probably more...we're talking major frustration, lying next to Seven all night, but I'll make it up to you, babe." She kissed her softly.

"I wanted to sleep in with you." Kim pouted.

"I have a surprise for you after the jog." Another kiss.

"Do I have to?"

"Please, Kim."

"Oh...kay...But there better be something in this for me."

"There is. I promise."
 

Blondes/Redheads

Kathryn looped and knotted the striped headcloth around her forehead. In the gray tank top, blue sports bra and shorts she looked ready to rumble, an image that brought to Kim's mind the San Francisco alley fight. Military women had a certain je ne sais quoi, she thought, smiling as they went down the stairs.

Her smile widened at the front door where Kerry waited for them with a pair of scuffed Nike shoes and white cotton socks.

"From the ER?" Kim teased, glad she had packed her New Balance running shoes and her shirt from last year's Chicago Distance Classic.

"From my closet, wise guy," she retorted, handing the shoes to the captain. "They're made more for walking than running."

"They'll be fine, thanks," Janeway replied. "I appreciate borrowing your gear."

Seven reached her long arm over the ER chief's shoulder, a water bottle dangling from her fingers. "I believe you should have a drink before you begin your run, Captain. You do not wish to overheat."

"Thank you, Seven." Kathryn said, coloring slightly as she remembered the last time she had overheated with the Borg.

"Look who's gone all submissive on us," Kim whispered in Kerry's ear as they kissed goodbye.

"Behave yourself," Kerry whispered back, taking Kim's hand away from her gluteus maximus. "Have a good run, kids." She shut the door firmly behind them.

Kathryn sat down on the steps and began to pull on the socks, while Kim began her warm ups. In her jogging shorts there was no way not to notice the smooth creamy skin on the blonde's legs. Kathryn felt the urge to run her hands up from the calf past the knee to the back of the leg and the implant there. However this blonde didn't have any implants. No metallic eyebrow arch either. Or silver starburst.

"Hey, you okay?" Kim asked.

Janeway jerked her head up. "What?"

"You're staring at me," Kim said, as she stretched out her calf muscles.

"Sorry..." The redhead lowered her head and concentrated on tying the shoelaces. "I was thinking of something else." And someone else. "I didn't mean to be rude."

"It's okay. Of course, if Kerry were around and saw that look you'd be walking around minus a liver right now."

Janeway laughed.

"And I think Seven would make sure I didn't have one either," Kim joked. She finished her hamstring stretches and began to stretch the kinks out of her neck, while Kathryn warmed up.

Five minutes later they started off on their run. The much shorter Kathryn had no trouble keeping up with Kim's longer stride. She didn't know exactly why Kim had suggested a morning run, but she grabbed the opportunity for physical exercise. She hadn't gotten much since her arrival in the 21st century and her 24th century body was feeling the ill effects.

Nothing a little 21st century loving wouldn't cure, a small voice piped up from inside.

Lying next to Seven all night had been an endurance test in itself. Kathryn had dozed off some time near dawn and when she'd awakened, the young woman had already left the bed, sparing her an awkward morning after. The captain was a bit disappointed since she had often imagined what it would be like to wake up with Seven in bed next to her, the blonde the first thing Kathryn saw when she opened her eyes.

A block out from Kerry's house two men jogged past the two women and the always competitive Janeway automatically quickened the pace. It was obvious she didn't like to be beaten at anything by anyone, Kim thought, amused when the men turned the corner and headed into a nearby coffee place, leaving Kathryn at a loss for direction.

"Let's take the route to the park," Kim suggested, nodding to the left.

Running side by side, they soon established an easy rhythm. Kathryn enjoyed being out of doors, out of Kerry's house, and especially away from Seven. Seeing the young blonde made her feel guilty. But now as the minutes passed she could enjoy the spring to her legs and the invigorating bounce of her body as the borrowed running shoes hit the sidewalk.

Not half as invigorating as the rhythmic bouncing she had started with Seven last night, her voice reminded her.

"Do you run often?" she asked Kim. Maybe talking would drown out that idiot voice inside her head.

"Now and then," the blonde replied, remembering her last jog by Lake Merced after Janeway's goodbye kiss had left her keyed up. "It helps to clear my mind."

"Nothing like a rush of endorphins for that."

They turned upwind past a sidewalk café filled with customers for Sunday brunch.

"You must run to keep in shape on the base."

"That's true," the captain said, recalling several holodeck conditioning programs that were mandatory on Voyager. Many of them involved simulations of crawling through Jeffries tubes and up ladders when the power systems were off line.

As they jogged past a Subway shop and Dunkin Donuts, Kim gave the donut display a wistful look. Her passion for junk food was why she had to keep running or she'd resemble a beer barrel. Kerry had given Kim strict orders to keep the redhead out for two hours. Since it was just past eight when they set off that meant they could return at ten. Right now Kim wasn't sure she would last an hour, much less two. Kathryn seemed to run effortlessly and it was a good thing those two guys had stopped for coffee or she would have run them both into the sidewalk and Kim with them. All that sexual energy had to go somewhere.

After forty minutes, Kathryn felt a definite improvement in her mood. What was the use of brooding over the mess she'd made last night with Seven. What was done was done. The endorphins had kicked in, and the captain was convinced that she had made the right decision and Seven would come around and accept it. They'd get back to normal soon.

Normal was not something that Kim Legaspi remotely resembled. Blonde hair slicked with sweat and face flushed, she struggled to keep up with the compact redhead. Even Kim's longer legs were no match for the small legs churning next to hers. How was it possible someone so small could run so damn fast? And she would have bet her last dollar that Janeway had once again increased the pace.

Maybe she should have told Kathryn to take it easy on a civilian when they started out. Back when she could still talk and run without her lungs feeling like they were going to collapse.

"Things going okay with you and Seven?" Kim asked, sucking in enough oxygen to ask. Maybe talking about Seven would slow Kathryn down.

"Things are fine," Kathryn said in a tone that made clear no further inquiry was desired. "And how are things with you and Kerry?"

Kim grinned. That question was easy to answer. "Everything is just wonderful," she said.

A sudden pang of envy struck Janeway. If only things were as easy for Seven and her.

"In fact..." Kim giggled. "So wonderful I only got three hours sleep last night. Intermittently at that." Talking about Kerry seemed to give Kim an energy boost.

Sweat dripped off Kathryn's brow. Just her luck the psychiatrist was the kiss and tell type.

"After a year apart I guess our libidos were in overdrive."

"A year is a long time," Kathryn said blandly.

Try six, her little voice screamed.

"It just felt so good to be together again with her, you know?"

She didn't, but she could well imagine.

"In fact, we might need that dermal regenerator of yours. We got a little carried away."

"Really," the captain said dryly.

Kim caught the astringent tone in that single word. "I'm sorry, I've embarrassed you."

"Not at all," Kathryn said, annoyed with herself. Really, she was turning into such a 21st century prude. "I'm happy you and Kerry have become reacquainted."

"Thanks. Me too...And I plan to renew that acquaintance as often as possible, know what I mean?"

For a second Kathryn wondered if she had imagined that elbow poking her in the ribs. There was no mistake the blonde had waggled her brows. Who knew the psychiatrist could be such a teenager at heart?

"Your friend Seven is really very sweet."

Kathryn smiled. The crew of Voyager would be incredulous at that description of the Borg since Seven was not particularly sweet with them. But with certain people she was. Naomi Wildman for example. Kathryn had been one of the favored few as well. After last night would that change? Had she lost that special bond with Seven?

"I see why Kerry likes her so much and just between the two of us, I'm glad that Seven's crazy about you. Because I don't need any competition."

"Competition?"

"Sure. She's gorgeous. I don't have to tell you that. Pale yellow hair, those soft blue eyes and her figure. Kerry is fond of her."

"She is certainly unique," Kathryn agreed with a soft smile. The only one in the universe.

"And intelligent."

"Yes."

"You make a good match."

"Thank you...." Kathryn narrowly missed tripping over a large tree root in the sidewalk. "I mean, that's nice of you to say but we're not a couple." Not yet, anyway.

Kim ducked under a tree branch. "What's the hang up?"

"Hang up?"

"Problem. Is it that you've never been with a woman before?" Kim guessed.

"No."

"You have been?" The blonde couldn't hide her surprise.

Kathryn frowned. "No, I haven't been with a woman but that's not the problem."

"You won't be able to say that for sure until you kiss her. Have you kissed her?" The psychiatrist asked innocently, although she already possessed the answer to that question. Kerry had given her an earful last night.

"Yes, I have. Kissing Seven was no problem at all." If anything, it was sheer bliss.

"You're a good kisser," Kim said, remembering the liplock Kathryn had given her at the BART parking lot.

Kathryn remembered too and grinned at Kim, realizing that she would miss the easy friendship that had grown up between the two of them. Back on Voyager she had no close women friends and no counselor.

"So you kissed her. Anything else happen?" Kim kept digging. Her plan was working. Kathryn's pace had slowed.

"No." Kathryn was not about to confide what happened during her sleep. She was too embarrassed to have practically ridden Seven's leg like that. Just thinking about it made her cheeks flush again.

"Let's cross the street to the park," Kim said, accepting Kathryn's reluctance to divulge anything more. "I don't want you to overheat as Seven put it."

"All right." They had to wait at the corner for the red light to change.

"Seven was really cute back at Kerry's house, warning you of overheating," Kim said, taking advantage of the lull to catch her breath.

Kathryn smiled involuntarily, thinking of the Borg's statement. The light changed and they crossed the street together.

"She's rather protective of you," Kim continued. "When that dog came running up to you at the picnic grounds she was prepared to take the brunt of his attack."

"Yes..." Kathryn said, remembering how Seven had thrust Janeway behind her. She had laughed at the time but she realized the truth of Kim's observation. Why hadn't she recognized Seven's protective tendencies before? It was a reversal from their usual roles. Could they ever go back to what they were to each other?

"You want to keep running?" Kim asked as the captain realized that she had just been standing at the corner once they had crossed to the park.

"Yes," Kathryn said, "let's keep going."

**************************************************
Back at the house Kerry got off the phone, smiling at the surprise she planned for Kim. She had to call in some favors, but it was worth it. She crutched out of her bedroom and to the guest room where Seven was looking at the gauzy shirt and blue shorts Kerry had laid out on the bed.

"You think I should wear these garments today?"

"Yes. And don't wear the bra with that shirt."

Seven frowned. "I thought you told me I needed to."

"Yes, ordinarily but not if it's just going to be you and Kathryn here. Kim and I will be gone so you'll have the house to yourself and you can be comfortable."

"I see," Seven said. Going without the bra would be more comfortable.

"Change into it after Kim and I leave, when Kathryn is still in the shower."

"Agreed..." The two women walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Is the food ready?" Kerry asked.

"Yes. I have prepared the strawberries and the whipped cream and the chocolate and sliced the brioche and the cheese."

"Good. You might want to eat with your hands."

"I will wash the forks and spoons, Kerry," Seven assured her, looking affronted at such a suggestion.

Weaver smiled. "I know you would...just try eating without utensils first, okay? It's considered more erotic that way. It will make the sparks fly."

"It will be messier," the Borg said, seeing the practical side.

"Messy's good in this instance."

"It is?"

"Yes, and if your fingers get messy just lick them clean."

"Why should I do that when I can simply cleanse them at the sink."

"It will give Kathryn a jolt to see your tongue licking your fingers."

Seven paused, recalling how she felt when Kathryn tongue had slid over her finger last night. She felt a jolt herself just remembering it.


"I will do as you suggest, Kerry."

"And I've already prepared some music in the CD player," Weaver said, going into the living room. "And there are videos in case you need some entertainment." She demonstrated how to use the two machines. She noticed Seven looking a little distracted. "Something on your mind?" she asked.

"I am not sure if our plan of seduction will work on the captain."

"It's not the plan as much as the opportunity, Seven. I'll put my money on chemistry."

"Chemistry?" Seven asked

"You and Kathryn together under one roof for 24 hours. It's going to be a volatile combination. I'm thinking she'll combust."

"Indeed?" the blonde asked skeptically. "And if she does not turn to fire, Kerry?"

"Then get a glass of water."

"And drink it?"

"Yes, and be sure to spill some on that gauzy blouse of yours."
*************************************************

The sidewalk dipped, and thighs strained. Kim concentrated on breathing and trying to see as sweat dripped into her eyes. She should have brought a hat and dabbed on extra sun block. Kathryn's tank top was nearly as soaked as Kim's T-shirt, but the captain did not appear to be in any difficulty. Probably from all that damn military conditioning.

I am going to die. But before she did, she wanted to see Kerry one last time to tell her this was all her fault.

"You okay?" Kathryn threw a concerned look over at her companion. Janeway had been so busy concentrating on running she hadn't noticed Kim laboring next to her. She slowed down and led the blonde to a nearby water fountain. Her cheeks were flushed, blonde hair matted on her face.

Gratefully, Kim splashed water on her face and drank down several long welcome gulps.

"You should have said something."

"Couldn't get the words out," Kim gasped. She soaked a handkerchief in water and applied it to the back of her neck. "Besides, I didn't want you to think I was a wimp."

"I wouldn't think that." Even if she knew what a wimp was. Kathryn took a drink of water herself. "Do you want to continue on?"

The blonde checked her watch. Only nine fifteen. "Can we just walk for a little while? That trail loops around and should get us back to Kerry's neighborhood."

"All right. And this time you lead. I'll follow."

Kim blinked. "I don't expect you say that very often."

Kathryn gave a rueful shrug as they walked comfortably together. "You're right. I usually just take the lead."

"It's natural to you."

"Sometimes I wish it weren't. I get tired of always being in command," Kathryn murmured.

"You're not in command right now," Kim reminded her gently.

Janeway looked up and caught the knowing expression in the blue eyes. "You're right. And it certainly has been a good experience for me being with you and Kerry. And with Seven, too."

Kathryn was surprised she had blurted that out regarding Seven. Maybe it was inevitable. The young woman had been on her mind after the debacle last night in the bedroom. And perhaps she just needed to confide in someone. Kim had been such a friend to her and was a therapist too, the perfect counselor.

At times she had regretted not having one aboard Voyager. Although she had gone to her mandatory Starfleet counseling sessions reluctantly herself.

"Are you and Seven having problems?" Kim asked.

Kathryn gazed into Kim's compassionate eyes. She let out a long slow breath and nodded.

"I made such a mess of things last night, and I don't know if she'll ever forgive me. I wouldn't if I were in her place."

This unexpected admission took the blonde by surprise. Quietly she listened as Kathryn poured out all that had happened the night before. Kerry had told her only that Kathryn had rejected Seven last night and the young woman had been in tears outside the house.

Once she started talking, Kathryn disclosed everything, including nearly riding Seven's leg to climax.

"That must've been some dream," was Kim's only reaction.

Kathryn couldn't believe her ears. "Is that all you can say? I practically assaulted her. "

"I wouldn't feel guilty about something you did while asleep," Kim said.

"I'm her captain."

"Not in bed. And surely embarrassment isn't the reason you decided to call a premature end to your relationship with her."

"Not embarrassment, just common sense. I've gone over it in my mind countless times. Seven and I can't start a relationship. We'll have to go back to the ship and it would be impossible to continue. She's a civilian but under my chain of command."

Kim decided to cut through Kathryn's conflicted feelings. "Do you love her?"

"Yes, I do," the captain said softly. Then she squared her shoulders. "But I don't want to hurt her and if I indulge myself, I will."

Maybe it was the red hair. Kathryn could certainly beat up on herself, almost as well as Kerry could.

"Tell me more about your dream."

"What?" Janeway was surprised. "Why?" A hint of suspicion shaded her words.

"Relax, I'm not interested in the details about the leg humping. I just wondered what you were doing in the dream. Were you still here in Chicago?"

"No. We were back on Voyager, my ship. Everyone was happy to see us. We were together." She shot a quick look at Kim.

The blue eyes were filled with understanding. "A couple."

"Yes."

"Happily so?"

"Oh yes." Kathryn sighed. "The crew didn't care a bit about it. Even Chakotay and Tuvok, my senior officers, were fine with it."

"So what happened in the dream?"

Kathryn smiled, remembering. "I had just finished my shift on the bridge and was walking to my quarters. I was feeling happy about going home. I entered my quarters and Seven was there, cooking an omelet for our dinner."

"An omelet?" Kim didn't know that Seven liked to cook.

"Yes. I wondered about that too. Anyway, she was wearing that blue baseball cap on her head. She saw me, smiled, and said my name."

"And then?"

"And then I suggested she put the omelet pan down and go with me to the bedroom where we kissed and I began to undress her and nearly climaxed on her leg."

"That close, huh?"

"It's not funny, Kim!" Kathryn stopped walking and stood, hands on hips, outraged.

"Sure it is, Kathryn. Months from now you and Seven will be laughing about it."

Kathryn resumed a half jog along the trail. "I doubt that very much."

Kim fell into place at her side.

"Tell me you don't think I'm a dirty old woman," Janeway said after a few minutes of running.

"Old no. Horny yes. I'm guessing it's been a while for you?"

"You'd be right." And Janeway was guessing horny was a 21st century term for sexually voracious.

"A year?"

"Try six."

"Good God. How did you find the control to stop last night if you've been celibate for six years."

"The real Seven woke me up. She thought I was overheating."

Kim bent over, unable to walk any more. At first Kathryn thought she had a stitch in her side, but the blonde was just bent double in laughter. Against her will Kathryn began laughing too.

"Do you laugh at all your patients?"

"Just the nutty ones like you. Kathryn, I'm no Freudian, but it's obvious that your dream is all about your heart's desire. You see that, don't you? You want Seven on the ship with you, sharing your quarters, your bed, your life."

Silently the captain absorbed Kim's words. "You're right," she admitted finally. "I've always wanted that."

"And what about Seven? Does she want that too?"

"We've never actually spoken about it."

"No talk, just action?"

"Not much action either," Kathryn admitted ruefully. "But last night just before she left the bedroom she did tell me she loved me."

"You sound as though you doubt that."

"She's so young and never been in love before. How would she know if she really loved me or not."

"How old were you when you fell in love for the first time?" the psychiatrist asked.

Kathryn thought back. "Twenty-one."

"You were sure, weren't you? Even though it was your first time in love."

"Seven is different. She wasn't raised in a normal family environment."

"Well, you like challenges, don't you?'

"Yes. I do." And trying to convince Seven after last night that she loved and wanted her would be a major operation. "Thanks for listening."

"You're welcome. And if you need any suggestions when it comes down to crunch time, just say the word."

"Crunch time?" Janeway was finding it a little difficult with these 21st century terms. Now she understood some of Seven's confusion with language on board Voyager.

It was Kim's turn to look embarrassed. "I'm betting that this would be Seven's first sexual experience."

"Yes, what about it?"

Kim chewed on her lip, wondering how to phrase things. "Well, the first time is always so crucial to anyone's development."

"I guess so," Kathryn said, feeling her mouth as dry as the Vulcan homeworld.

"Being the more experienced partner, you'll be in the driver's seat."

"I can handle that." She hadn't encountered any problems before. Of course all her lovers before had been male. Judging by herself women were considerably more difficult to please. Oh God, she was sunk. She didn't have a clue.

"I'm sure you'll do fine. Just as long as you don't expect things to be perfect the first time you and Seven make love."

She didn't expect perfection, but Seven was Borg, and the Borg were big on perfection. Suddenly Kathryn felt her confidence wane.

"I thought we'd just do what ever we felt comfortable with," she said obliquely, darting a look at the blonde.

"Sure...That can work." Kim nodded encouragingly. "But it helps to have a few pointers. I know I was sure nervous the first time Kerry and I made love."

"You were? But you had other female lovers?"

"None like Kerry. And I'm thinking Seven will be just as special."

Kathryn Janeway had never backed down from a challenge before. However, she had never made love to a woman before. A case of performance anxiety was about to land on her like a Laclonian cat unless...Perhaps some suggestions from an experienced lesbian like Kim could come in handy.

"About those suggestions, Kim," she said as they looped around the park.
 

 

BLONDES/REDHEADS

The tall blonde and short redhead jogged around the corner. Kerry Weaver smiled as she checked her watch. Ten past ten.

She ducked her head into the study where Seven was busy working on the laptop. "They're headed home."

"Computer, end program and shut down," Seven said.

"Are you going to leave me a manual on those algorithms you installed?" Kerry asked as she watched in amazement as the computer obeyed the voice command.

"The captain would not allow that," the young woman said regretfully.

"Figured as much. What were you researching anyway?"

"I believe it is called erotica."

"Er, more tactical planning?" Kerry asked.

The blonde quirked her optical implant at the imagined criticism. "You think it unwise?"

"No, it's always helpful to do research. But, sweetie, I think all you need to do is follow your heart and instinct. I'm sure Kathryn will do the same."

"I hope you are right."

Kerry squeezed her shoulder then went to the door and opened it just as the two runners came up the steps.

"How was the run?" she asked.

"Invigorating," Janeway replied.

Kim withheld comment although her eye roll spoke volumes.

"Kathryn, why don't you take the first shower upstairs," Kerry suggested.

The captain darted a questioning look at Kim who probably looked in greater need of the shower.

"Go ahead. I'll just sit here and try to breathe."

Laughing, Kathryn raced up the stairs, still raring to go.

Kim meanwhile slumped on the bottom step of the staircase, her hair damp and straggly and cheeks flushed red.

"Come on, let's go," Kerry said. Kim glanced up warily to find Weaver had the door propped open and her purse slung over a shoulder.

"Go where?"

"It is a surprise," Seven said, appearing from the study.

Kerry turned her attention to the other blonde. "Seven, I left instructions where I can be reached in case of an emergency."

"You have already informed me three times," the young woman replied. "And any call from County General is not considered an emergency."

Kerry grinned. "Just making sure."

"You must leave now as I must change my clothes before Kathryn finishes with her shower."

"We're going. Come on, Kim. Up and at them."

"No." Kim dug in her heels. She had just finished a two hour run/walk and now Kerry wanted to drag her someplace? No way. It wasn't going to happen.

Seven tilted her head and gazed over at the psychiatrist still seated on the bottom stair. "Shall I assist you to your feet, Kim?"

**Then again.**

"No, Seven, that's okay, I've got her," Kerry said quickly, taking Kim's elbow and hustling her toward the door.

"Goodbye, Kerry." Conscious of Kim's watchful eyes, Seven pecked Kerry on the cheek then closed the door firmly on them.

"Okay, what was **that** all about?" Kim demanded.

Kerry headed toward the silver Saturn parked across the street and clicked the keypad to open the doors. "The peck on the cheek?" she asked.

"No...your sudden need to get up and go?"

"I'll explain in a bit."

"Just where are we going?" the psychiatrist asked, still feeling cranky as she got into the car. She didn't want to go anywhere. She just wanted to lie down in front of a fan.

Kerry was busy, adjusting the driver's seat and the mirrors and tucking her crutch into the back within easy reach.

"It's a surprise. Buckle up."

The passenger seat wasn't comfy and didn't adjust. Because of her height Kim's knees seem to be at the same level as the dashboard.

"Here's a towel and water in case you're thirsty."

Kim sopped up the sweat on her face with the terrycloth towel and cracked open the water bottle. She tipped it back greedily.

"You can also slide the seat back. Nobody's riding in the back seat today."

Kim jiggled the lever and felt better with the improved leg space.

"Was the run that exhausting, babe?" Kerry asked as she started driving.

"Kathryn just sets a killer pace."

"Why am I not surprised?"

Kim laughed. The air-conditioning had kicked in and she angled the blower toward her face. She was starting to cool off.

Kerry leaned over and put her hand on Kim's thigh. "Thanks for running this morning."

"You owe me big time, Weaver." Kim trapped Kerry's hand against her.

"And I'm about to pay up." She took her hand away but left something in Kim's lap. "Put it on."

Kim inspected the black satiny object.

"Blindfold? Are we about to have kinky car sex, Weaver?"

"It's a surprise."

"I could always squeeze my eyes shut."

"You'd peek."

"I guess I would."

Kim put the blindfold on.


 

21st century shower technology was a little antiquated for Janeway's tastes, but at least it got the job done. She'd scrubbed herself until her skin tingled. Shutting off the water, she grabbed the small bottle of shampoo from the shower seat cut into the wall and began lathering her hair. Then she rinsed off. As she slid the shower door open, her hand automatically reached for the towel hanging on the rack.

It was about then that she realized she had left her clean clothes back in the guest room. Kerry's robe was hanging on the hook behind the door. Since she had borrowed most of the ER chief's clothes, now was certainly not the time to have scruples and Kathryn shrugged the robe on, thinking that she would make a quick dash to the guest room.

"Kim, the shower's yours," she called out as she left the bathroom.

No answer. Kim was probably downstairs with Kerry. Then she caught sight of a blonde coming up the stairs. Seven, not Kim.

"Kim has gone with Kerry for the day," Seven informed the captain, an intent expression on her narrow features.

"Oh?" Conscious of the blonde's approach, Kathryn clutched the robe tighter.

"They will return in approximately 24 hours."

"Oh."

Janeway cleared her throat, not really following what Seven was saying because the blonde stood in front of her, wearing the thinnest, gauziest cotton blouse Kathryn had ever seen and the shortest fringed denim cut off shorts.

"I believe they were desirous of privacy when they cop...make love."

"Oh."

"Kerry left some garments on our bed for you. She did not like that rugby shirt."

**Our bed.** "Oh."

Oh? Was that all she could say, Kathryn wondered in self-disgust.

An odd half smile appeared on Seven's face. "Your hair curls a little when it is damp."

"Yes."

"It is...." Sufficient, adequate, Seven searched her vocabulary. "... cute."

"Th...Thank you," Kathryn stammered. "I'll go and get dressed now," she said aware that she was standing in just a thin robe. Not as thin as that gauzy shirt, however.

"I will have breakfast ready for you downstairs."

Kathryn hurried to the guest room where she found a pile of T-shirts on the bed. She pulled on a blue one advertising La Salle Bank then her black pants, which had been washed and dried. The black turtleneck and the much maligned rugby shirt had been laundered as well. Kerry really was a thoughtful hostess.

Ten minutes later Janeway sat with Seven at the dining table, watching as the blonde slathered honey and butter on a piece of brioche and chewed. Honey thick and sweet dripped slowly from her mouth and the blonde's tongue made long swipes back and forth across her lips.

Seated across from her with coffee mug in hand, Kathryn felt a distinct urge to follow that trail of honey with her own tongue. Instead, she forced herself to take a long swallow of her coffee.

"Are you not hungry, Captain?" Seven inquired. "You must have expended considerable energy during your morning run."

"Oh. I'm hungry..." **Just for you, not for the food on the table right now.** Janeway cursed her little voice. "Is there any silverware?" she asked, noticing that the forks had not been placed with the plates.

"They are in the drawer. It is considered fun to eat with the hands, is it not?"

"It depends on the food." Before Kathryn could get up from her seat to fetch the tableware, Seven began to languidly lick her fingers. Janeway sat, mesmerized by the sight of the blonde's tongue flicking along the slender fingers. A jolt of desire hit her squarely in the solar plexus. Last night it had been her tongue sucking on that cool digit.

Seven cocked her head, noticing the captain's rapt blue eyes fixed on her actions. Kerry's suggestion about licking one's fingers clean obviously worked.

Shaking off the feeling that she were in a bad holonovel, Kathryn picked up a strawberry and dipped it in the dish of whipped cream. Keeping her eyes fixed on the other woman, she ate it slowly and deliberately.

Seven felt a surge of electricity in her lower abdomen. The way the captain's mouth moved, her lips opening and closing as she devoured the little red fruit. And the play of the muscles of her slender throat when she swallowed.

"Where did Kerry and Kim go?" Kathryn asked.

Seven struggled to answer the question and to concentrate on the plate of food in front of her.

"They are on a getaway."

"Ah..."

Seven's brow knit in a frown. "What is a getaway, Captain?"

"It has different meanings. To escape quickly because of danger."

"Voyager has had many getaways," Seven said sagely.

"Yes, we have," Kathryn acknowledged with a rueful smile.

"There is no danger where Kerry and Kim are going."

"Then it could mean to go off together for a holiday."

"I believe that is the getaway Kerry has planned for Kim." Seven agreed. She dipped a strawberry into a bowl of chocolate and took a tentative bite. Finding the chocolate enhanced the taste of the strawberry she ate it more greedily.

Distracted, Kathryn started to stir sugar into her coffee.

"Captain, I believe you drink your coffee black."

"Oh..." Damn, she was back to one syllable words again. "Thank you, Seven. I don't know where my mind is today."

"Then it is a good thing I am here to remind you of important facts."

"Indeed."
 


 

Kim walked around the Ritz-Carleton hotel suite, looking dazedly at the bouquet of long stemmed red roses on the coffee table, the chocolates on the pillow and the gigantic bed festooned with pillows and comforter.

"This is bigger than my first apartment," she said with a laugh as she swept Kerry into her arms and oblivious to the man discreetly bustling about the room.

"The champagne is cooling in the bucket, Dr. Weaver," he said with a smile. "There is a fruit plate in the refrigerator...and the brioche and pastries that you ordered earlier...And that should be your baggage arriving," he turned toward the door where a bellman had brought up Kerry's weekender.

"It all looks great, George, thank you."

"We've re-fitted the rooms completely this year with beds guaranteed to give everyone a great night's sleep. I hope you'll enjoy the new bed."

Kerry didn't dare meet Kim's eyes. She knew what the blonde was thinking. They would enjoy the bed all right."

He held the card key out to Kerry. "I am just a phone call away, Dr. Weaver."

Nodding to Kim, he closed the doors. Kerry let out a breath and looked at the blonde.

"It's not a sleazy motel, but will the Ritz-Carleton do?"

"Kerry!"

"You likey?"

"Me likey...But how? When? And how much is all this costing you?"

Kerry just grinned, ignoring the questions. "Do you want the champagne now or later?"

"Later...Right now, I just want you..." Kim reached for Kerry and kissed her slowly.

Kerry felt her toes curl as Kim gathered her in and kissed her softly and sweetly.

"This is incredible."

"Your kiss or the suite?" Kerry nuzzled her neck, tasting the salt on her skin.

"Both..."

"So you're surprised?"

"And how...and how in the world did you do all this in one day?"

"It was actually just in a couple of hours. I called up and made the arrangements with George the hotel manager while you were running with Kathryn. I did CPR on his mom this year and Robert did a bypass operation on her. She's fine now. Before she checked out George came and gave me his card and said whenever I wanted a suite for the night to call him."

"Wow. Working ER pays off in perks. I only get the occasional box of chocolates. How long have we got the suite for?" she whispered, nipping Kerry on the ear lobe.

The redhead shivered. "All day and night."

"You're spoiling me..."

"What's the sense of working like a dog if you can't buy stuff for your friends?" Weaver smirked.

Kim knew a cue when she heard one. She swooped down and kissed her, longer and deeper this time. Kerry gave a soft moan as she held Kim's neck with her hand as their mouths welcomed each other.

"First things first," Kim said when they broke away. "I need a shower." She tightened her arms around the redhead and walked her backward toward the bathroom. "I want to get cleaned up so I can get all sweaty again."

"Sounds good...."

"Oh my God!" Kim exclaimed.

"What is it?"

Kim turned her around so Kerry could see the bathroom. The room was bigger than any of Weaver's bedrooms in her house. Marble everywhere from the floor to the counter. A tub big enough for four and a separate shower, along with an enclosed toilet, two sinks and a small chair and makeup vanity.

While Kim oohed and ahhed over the gold faucet and knobs, Kerry pointed to the chair, an idea dawning.

"Bring that over to the sink and place the back against the counter."

Puzzled, Kim followed the instructions. "What are you going to do, babe?"

"Sit down."

"Now comes the kinky stuff. Should I get the blindfold?" Kim asked.

"No, although you will need to shut your eyes at some point." Kerry ran the tap in the sink until the water felt warm enough. "Lean back..."

"Ker, what are you doing?"

"I want to wash your hair."

"Wash my hair?"

"Uh-huh...Sit down and lean backwards, carefully."

Gingerly Kim tilted her head back against the cold marble.

"Wait a sec." Kerry rolled a towel and propped it to cushion Kim's neck. "Better?"

"Yeah." With her neck stretched back and hair dangling into the sink, Kim blinked as Kerry's face hovered above her.

"You got a thing about hair washing?" she asked as warm water cascaded down her forehead and back into her hair and scalp.

Kerry squirted shampoo into her hands and her fingers began to lather and massage Kim's scalp. Kim closed her eyes. Kerry had such strong hands.

The blonde couldn't resist groaning.

Carefully Kerry poured the warm water from a small bucket onto the blonde's sudsy head. As it cascaded, Kim's entire scalp tingled.

"God...that feels wonderful. Where do you get these ideas from?"

"This has always been a fantasy of mine," Kerry admitted.

"Since when?"

"I had a farm in Africa," Kerry said in her best Danish accent.

"You did?" Kim frowned. "I thought your parents were missionaries."

Kerry peered down at her. "Kim, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, the hair washing scene."

"Meryl Streep and Robert Redford were in a movie together?" Kim looked puzzled.

"Only one of the best ever. Out of Africa."

"Sorry, I must've missed that one."

"I have it on video."

"Then I'll watch it sometime."

Kerry finished the rinsing and then gently brought Kim's head up and helped Kim to a sitting position. She grabbed a towel and began to press the water out. There really was nothing sexier than a wet-headed Kimmy.

"So in this little fantasy of yours I'm Meryl?"

"You are the blonde," Kerry pointed out.

"Redford's blonde too."

"That's right. I hadn't thought of that." She started to turn away.

"Hey, where are you going..."

"Just putting the bucket away."

Kim took it from her and tossed it backwards into the sink. "Now, sit on me." She patted her thighs.

"Aren't your legs tired after the run?"

"They're fine...Sit down."

Smiling, Kerry sat down on her lap, her legs straddling the other woman.

"God, this feel good," Kim murmured, enclosing her in a hug.

Kerry pressed down lightly. "I bet that feels better," she teased.

"Uh-huh. Thanks for the hair washing..."

"You can thank me later...when you blow it dry..."




Kathryn stood at the kitchen sink, washing the plates, while Seven put the food away in the refrigerator.

"What should we do now that we have finished eating, Captain?"

"Probably work on the polaric device."

"I have finished that."

"Oh. Did you work on it while I was running with Kim?"

"No, I did it last night after I left the bedroom."

"Seven, about last night...I'm sorry how things ended up between us." Kathryn dried her hands on the towel, unable to really look Seven in the eye.

"It is all right, Captain," Seven assured her. The captain had already apologized for it last night in bed when she had softly kissed her back, believing her to be asleep. "I understand."

"I know you were upset."

"I overreacted. Human emotions are still new to me. You have every right not to wish to be involved with me."

**Not involved.**

"We will speak no more about the matter. Do you have any suggestions for how we might pass the time while we wait for Kim and Kerry to return?"

"Actually, I don't," Kathryn said. Was Seven about to suggest another kissing lesson? And why did that thought terrify and tempt her so?

"Kerry suggested watching an entertainment device known as television in her living room."

"Fine." Kathryn followed Seven into the living room where they found the collection of videos on the small shelf. Janeway couldn't help but roll her eyes. Who knew that Dr. Weaver was such a romantic. Casablanca...Wuthering Heights...Dr. Zhivago...As well as an extensive collection of what appeared to be lesbian erotica.

"Would you make a selection, Captain?"

"Why don't we just see what is on the television itself."

"As you wish." Seven aimed the remote controller at the screen and pushed the on button. The television screen came alive. She began to push buttons, finding a curious enjoyment in this channel surfing even though Kathryn looked annoyed.

"Choose one, Seven."

"Which?" There was a cooking show, but that bored the captain within minutes. A do-it-yourself home repair that did not interest either of them and another channel featured a blonde woman making a wreath out of pine cones.

"How can you keep switching like that?"

It reminded Seven of the Hive Mind and she found the multitude of channels soothing, but she did not reveal this to the captain.

"You may have the controller."

Kathryn found a channel that featured lush greenery and people engaged in a sport that she recalled the EMH enjoying. Golf.

"The LPGA tournament," the announcer said. Ladies Professional Golf Tournament.

"You wish to watch this?" Seven was not impressed.

"The scenery is beautiful. Come and sit with me." Kathryn patted the couch.

Seven seated herself next to the captain, and Kathryn automatically picked up her hand. To her surprise the young woman gently slipped it from her grasp.

"I'm sorry, Seven."

"It is all right, Captain. Under the circumstances I think we should not hold hands."

"I've made you uncomfortable."

"It is just that you are so desirable."

Kathryn blushed. She had received compliments before, but never one so heartfelt.

"Perhaps we should just watch this television."

Seven leaned back on the couch.

"Annika Sorenstam from Sweden..." the announcer was saying.

Seven gazed more intently at the screen. "She bears part of my human designation."

Kathryn nodded. "Yes."

"Do you think we are related?"

"Usually it is the second name that denotes the family name, Seven."

"Annika is common to that region then?"

"Yes, it's a very beautiful name."

"You find it so?" Seven said, pleased. She remembered when she had first come to Voyager and the captain had attempted to use her human designation. Seven had insisted that she be called by her Borg designation.

"I always have. Annika suits you since you are so beautiful."

Seven blinked. She was not accustomed to hearing such things from the captain. And Kathryn was not accustomed to saying them.

"I need some water," Janeway said abruptly.

"Indeed? I shall get it for you," Seven said, glad for a chance to leave the room. Being so close to the captain made her pulse race and her respiration increase. She poured a glass of water from the refrigerator and then took it back to the captain.

"Thank you, Seven," Kathryn said throatily then sipped the water. She could feel Seven's intent gaze on her. Perhaps that was the reason that her hand slipped and water spilled on her T-shirt.

Seven's eyes widened. Kathryn was not usually this clumsy. And the way she was dabbing at the water mark with a napkin only made the stain bigger. Small nipples jutted up through the wet cotton T-shirt.

"Captain?"

"Call me Kathryn, please, Seven."

"Why are you not wearing a bra, Kathryn?"

The captain flushed nearly as red as her hair. "Sometimes I find it rather confining and so I went without because..."

"...it is just you and I here at home," Seven finished for her.

"Yes."

"I have gone without the undergarment for that same reason."

Kathryn's eyes dropped for just a moment to the ripe mounds visible through the gauzy shirt. Round. Firm. Begging to be touched.

"So I see," she murmured huskily.

A faint hum sounded just then as barely audible words came through the communicator in Kathryn's pocket.

"Voyager to Janeway...come in please."

Startled, Kathryn pulled out the communicator and held it in the palm of her hand.

"Janeway here. Come in, Voyager."

"Voyager to Janeway or Seven of Nine..."

"Our signal is too weak," Seven diagnosed. "We must go outside."

Kathryn nodded and followed her out of the house until they were once more out on the street, hunched over the trunk of a parked car.

"Janeway to Voyager...come in."

"Captain!" Chakotay's voice, much stronger, came in.

"What is your status?" Kathryn had shifted into command mode.

"The ion storms have cleared. I don't know how long this link will last. Shall we attempt to form the temporal incursion with photon bursts?"

"Belay that, Chakotay. We have an energy device on this side that may form a temporal rift."

"It is a polaric energy device that I will use along with modifications of the tricorder and phaser bursts," Seven said.

"Couldn't we just use the photon torpedoes from Voyager?"

"There is a current meteor shower falling on earth," Seven said. "It may cause interference with Voyager. I believe I can make the proper modifications to compensate."

"We shall stand by for the rift to form in Sector 563?"

"Yes, Chakotay," the captain said. "But we can not attempt this for approximately 24 hours." The phaser should reach them by then surely. "We will make attempts at four hour intervals."

"Understood, Captain. We will see you soon."

"Janeway out."

Kathryn looked over at Seven, a triumphant gleam in her eyes. To her surprise the Borg wore a pensive expression on her face. She also couldn't help noticing how the sunshine streamed through the blonde hair turning it to white gold. Her pale legs seemed to go on forever in the denim shorts and the gauzy shirt was even more see through in the sunlight.

Kathryn put her comm badge back in her pocket. "I wonder if the phaser will arrive today or tomorrow," she said.

"I do not know," Seven replied.

"I can't wait to get back to where we belong." They crossed the street, headed back to Kerry's house.

"We'll be going home soon, Seven."

Seven held the door open, allowing the captain to pass through first. Then she shut it. "You consider Voyager your home?" she asked, knowing the answer before the captain spoke.

"Of course. Don't you?" Kathryn peered more closely at the young woman who was leaning with her back against the front door. "Seven, aren't you happy there?"

Seven dropped her eyes to the carpet. "Although it may seem odd, Captain, I have been happier here in the Alpha Quadrant than aboard Voyager."

"Earth is a wonderful place."

"It is not just the planet." Seven lifted her head. "I have made a good friend in Kerry. I shall miss her when we leave."

"I know." Janeway pressed the blonde's arm. "I shall miss Kim. But we have other friends on the ship."

"Commander Chakotay is suspicious of me because I am Borg; Commander Tuvok's respect for my logical mind and scientific skills is no substitute for real affection. Lt. Torres and I argue and fight over engineering matters. Lt. Paris and Ensign Kim ogle me."

"You're overlooking someone."

Seven frowned. "Naomi Wildman?"

"No. Not Naomi....Me."

"Your friendship is important, Captain," Seven said, looking off to the kitchen, "but..."

"But?"

"But last night you informed me that you were not interested in a personal relationship and that you do not love me. Has that changed?"

She turned and stared bleakly into Kathryn's eyes.

Kathryn was at a loss for words. Her entire future hinged on what she said next and for some reason she couldn't get a damn word out. **So don't talk. Kiss her.**

A wistful expression passed briefly over the blonde's face.

"On the ship you will be the Captain again. I will be your astrometrics officer. You do not love me now when we are in a different time period and off the ship...you will surely not love me on board.

"Excuse me, Captain. I wish to be alone with my thoughts."

She ran up the stairs and made her way into the guest room. But even there was no relief for the distraught young woman. Kathryn's clothes and things were scattered about the room, the jogging shoes she'd used on her run, the rugby shirt. And it would be more of the same on the ship.

Kathryn Janeway was an awesome presence on board Voyager. A touch of the comm badge and her husky voice would resonate. Her impromptu visits to the astrometrics lab brought a welcome break to Seven's long duty shifts. Would they continue? And could she gaze at that feisty redhead again in a staff meeting without feeling the torrent of emotions that now were escaping from her heart.

A cold shower. That was supposed to be therapeutic. Eyes filling with tears, the blonde made her way to the bathroom where she stripped off the gauzy shirt and shorts. A shower, she remembered someone saying, was a very good place to cry in.

Kathryn slowly made her way back to the living room. On the television monitor the other Annika was sending her golf ball over a pond. What was her Annika doing?

Annoyed with herself at that thought she clicked the television off. She and Seven would soon be back on Voyager. It was what she had hoped for since arriving in the 21st century.

Feeling restless, she went into the study where she could see evidence that Seven had been in the room recently. It was that scent of hers...fresh, clean and vaguely metallic from her implants. She slumped down in the LA-Z Boy rocker, thinking of all that had happened. How would she log the past three days in her captain's logs. So much had happened. Too much, maybe. Certainly not an easy away mission to put down in a padd. She ran her mind over all that had occurred. Her arrival in San Francisco, meeting Kim, trying to find Seven, that plane ride to Chicago, finding Seven near death.

She shuddered remembering that scene...thankfully there were happier ones, going on the picnic with Seven, sharing the steak at dinner, asking Seven to dance, kissing her....Seven of Nine. It was all about Seven.

Seven deserved her love, but Kathryn couldn't give it. Her ship. The duty she had to get them back from the Delta Quadrant would always come first. What was left over was a small portion that she could devote to a partner. It was not love the way she wanted to give it to the young woman, freely and without reservation.

**For God's sake Kathryn, you're not on the bleeping ship now.** Her little voice yelled at her. **Go after her.**

Kathryn sprang up from the chair and made her way up the stairs. The bathroom door was closed and she could hear the sound of a shower running. She slumped for a moment, waiting.

**What are you waiting for?**

An odd sound came through the door. Was Seven in trouble? Were her nanoprobes failing her? Alarmed, Kathryn turned the knob and she pushed the door open. Through the shower door Kathryn could make out the outline of Seven's long lean body. Her back was toward Kathryn and the silvery implants on the back of her leg and lower back gleamed.

A whimper came from the stall and Kathryn instinctively knew what it was. Seven was crying. Because of **her.** Without thinking Kathryn yanked off her T-shirt and unzipped her pants. Undressed, she walked over to the shower and slid the door open, surprising the blonde, who had been so preoccupied her enhanced hearing had missed Kathryn's entry into the bathroom. The Borg's blue eyes were red-rimmed.

"Captain..." Seven said, embarrassed at being caught crying and acutely aware that the captain was gazing on her nude body with its harsh metallic implants.

"May I join you in the shower, Seven?" Kathryn asked, conscious of standing in front of Seven, nude, her decades older body while wiry and agile no longer as lithe and firm as it once was. If Seven said no, she wasn't sure what rock she was going to crawl back under.

Seven swallowed and nodded. She had not realized that Kathryn too had disrobed until her naked compact body slid into the stall.

"What are you doing here, Kathryn?"

Kathryn could not speak for a moment as the shock of the cold shower spray hit her body. **What was she doing here?**

"I require someone to soap my back. I couldn't reach it earlier." It was a perfectly inane response but Seven seemed to take it in stride, perhaps deeming it no odder than other commands the captain had issued over the years.

Seven picked up the bar of soap and rubbed it against Kathryn's back, delighting in the way it slid against the captain's skin. Suddenly it squirted out of her hands onto the shower floor and she bent down to grab it, bringing her head now at the level of Kathryn's thighs. Her blonde hair tickled Kathryn's leg and she heard the sound of someone moan. Was it the captain or was it herself?

Dizzy, she did not resist when Kathryn took her hand and led her gently to the seat cut into the shower wall. The captain bent down, one knee on the floor of the shower, the cold water still beating a frigid tattoo against her back.

"Kathryn?"

The redhead laid a fingertip on Seven's lush lips. "Shh...please, just listen. Last night I told you a horrible lie. I was afraid about my feelings for you." She smoothed the wet hair from Seven's brow and stared into the pale blue eyes, the water still continuing to spray them both.

"I love you, my darling," she said huskily. "I can't begin to say when it started. Maybe between throwing you in the brig for subordination or between Velocity matches or maybe just gazing at you when you regenerated. I always knew deep down I was looking upon the one I loved. And these few days here on earth when I didn't have to be captain I have seen you laugh and smile and I've danced with you and kissed you and I cannot let you go on believing I don't care..." Her voice broke.

Seven felt a thrill permeating her entire being. "Kathryn, is this true?" she asked, a look of wonderment and hope in the blue eyes.

Kathryn caressed her cheek gently with her fingertips. "I don't blame you a bit for doubting me. I have been such a fool."

"I do not," Seven said at once. "But why are you telling me this now?"

"Because I require you for my continued functioning..."

Seven smiled at the captain's phrase.

"I need you to return to Voyager with me, Seven of Nine. I am a selfish woman. I must put the ship first. I wish I did not have to and you surely deserve more than I can give."

"You have already given me a great gift," Seven said, her eyes shining brightly. "The knowledge that you love me will sustain me when we are on board Voyager and must refrain from our relationship."

"No. We are **not** going to refrain." The unmistakable tone of command laced Janeway's words. "I am through refraining. I require you on board Voyager..."

"Because I am the best astrometrics officer you have?" Seven teased.

"Partly. And because I can distract myself from tedious personnel reports and meetings by thinking of you, sharing a laugh, or a smile or a kiss with you."

"That would be acceptable."

"So you do believe me when I say I love you?" Kathryn asked. Her knee was beginning to ache on the cold floor.

"I am inclined toward belief but I might require tangible proof." Seven's face drew closer. Water dripped from her nose and ran down Kathryn's chin and between her breasts.

"How tangible?" Kathryn husked.

"A kiss."

She smiled and lifted her face eagerly to the young woman's. Seven pulled her close, feeling a sweet hot pleasure reach deep inside her as she kissed Kathryn, slowly, reverently and then with deepening desire. Kathryn exalted in the connection, her breasts crushed against Seven's, her fingers lightly tracing Seven's abdominal implant. A wave of love hit her. Seven had endured so much in her young life. So much pain and suffering. She wanted to take it all away.

"I love you and I desire you," she said huskily.

"Do you wish to make love, Kathryn?"

"Yes...but not in the shower, my darling. I'm freezing and only if you wish it as well."

Seven turned off the faucet. "Shall we proceed to warm ourselves?"