Lesson

Kathryn Janeway smiled as she stepped onto the holodeck, for she was immediately transported to another place... another time. Filtered sunlight gathered into a pool on the floor of the studio, forcing reluctant shadows to creep along the edge of the far wall. The room smelled of chemicals, mostly solvents for cleaning brushes and thinning paints. A breeze carried in the faint aroma of Italian coffee from the bistro down the street and Kathryn inhaled deeply, her nostrils flaring as the intoxicating blend teased her palette.

She needed this.

The events of the last few weeks weighed heavily upon her shoulders, wearing her down, leaving her feeling despondent and cold. Kes was gone. The ship was still smarting from the encounter with Species 8472. And although they *were* ten years closer to home than anyone had expected they would be at this point, Voyager would have to limp along on impulse power until B'Elanna could get the warp core up and running.

It had just been one disaster after another, and Janeway knew that if she didn't do something to lift her spirits soon, the bleak mood she had tried so hard to conceal would begin to show through. The effect that would have on the crew would be more profound than any alien threat, and Kathryn Janeway found that unacceptable.

The sound of the holodeck doors clanging open drew Kathryn from her self-pitying reverie and reminded her of the dual nature of this excursion to the holodeck. She wasn't the only one who needed this. Kathryn turned to see Seven of Nine hesitantly stepping inside, narrowed eyes searching the dimly lit studio for any signs of life. Once a member of the Borg collective, Seven of Nine -Seven, Kathryn had decided to call her- was gradually easing her way back into humanity. It wasn't easy. She was dressed in a one piece silver jumpsuit that clung so tightly to her curvaceous figure that it was more a second skin than anything else, and Kathryn couldn't help but wonder if Seven had even the slightest idea how delectable she looked.

Kathryn quickly pushed that thought aside. "Seven... thank you for coming."

"I have arrived at the designated hour?" Seven asked.

Kathryn laughed. "Yes, dear. You're right on time." She felt the other woman's eyes upon, searching, probing, appraising her. It was the Borg in her... assaying the situation. "Is something wrong?"

"Your clothes, " Seven said. "I am not used to seeing you out of uniform."

Kathryn considered herself for a moment. She'd almost forgotten that she had dressed for the occasion. All part of the illusion. "Oh, yes. It's just a costume... it goes with the program."

Seven of Nine looked around, taking in her surroundings as if seeing them for the first time. "What is this place?"

"The studio of Leonardo Da Vinci, " Kathryn said. "He was a- "

"I have access to that information, " Seven cut in. "All Federation records were assimilated into the collective when the Borg engaged Starfleet at Wolf 359."

"Of course, " Janeway said. She gestured to the room with a flourish. "This is my sanctuary. I come here when I need to unwind. Painting is a hobby of mine. A passion, really, that I hope to share with you."

"For what reason?" Seven asked.

"I thought you might enjoy it."

"Enjoyment is irrelevant, " Seven replied in defiance.

Kathryn sighed patiently. "You'll change your tune, I promise you. I can think of no better way to explore humanity than through the canvas. Now grab a piece of charcoal and a blank piece of paper. I thought we'd start with some basic sketching."

"Must I?"

"Resistance is futile, " Kathryn smiled.

Seven of Nine slumped her shoulders in defeat, gathering a few supplies and taking a seat on the bench next to the captain. Kathryn was immediately aware of her... her body heat, her smell, the way her hands nervously fondled the piece of charcoal. She was also aware that she was spending far too much time ogling the other woman's shapely bosom and wondering what that flesh would taste like under her lips.

"What should I... sketch?" Seven asked.

"Whatever you like, " Kathryn said. "I'm going to sketch that bowl of fruit on the table. Pick an object and try to draw it as best you can. We're going to work on realism today. As we go on, we'll deal with more abstract forms. For today, though, we'll focus on detail."

"I can hardly wait, " Seven of Nine murmured.

Kathryn laughed to herself as she began sketching. Seven may have been assimilated by the Borg at a young age, but every now and then a decidedly human gesture would show through. It was that more than anything that gave Kathryn hope that Seven of Nine could become fully human once again.

The amicable silence that had settled between them shattered as Seven of Nine grunted in frustration. Kathryn looked over and saw that her young charge was also trying to draw the bowl of fruit on the table, but with limited success.

"What's wrong?" Kathryn asked.

"I cannot do this!" Seven cried.

"I think you're doing just fine, " Kathryn said, trying to sound supportive. "It takes a little practice, but you'll get the hang of it. I see an artist in you."

"This is a waste of time!" Seven of Nine snapped. She hurled her piece of charcoal across the room for added emphasis. "In the collective, practice was irrelevant. Information was provided to this drone as needed."

Kathryn smiled sympathetically. "So now you'll have to *learn* how to do things, just like the rest of us."

Seven of Nine glowered at her. "I... do... not... know... how!!!"

"Then I'll teach you, " Kathryn said. She took the other woman's hands into her own and pressed them to her face. "Close your eyes, " Kathryn told her. Seven of Nine gave her a questioning look then did as she was instructed. "Now, I want you to trace the outline of my face. Study ever detail, even nuance. Can you do that?"

"Yes, " Seven of Nine whispered. Using only her fingertips, she moved up the sides of Kathryn's face, across the bridge of the other woman's nose, tracing the curve of the eyebrows, the bones in her cheeks. She dragged her finger downward, finding the cleft of Kathryn's chin, slowly, delicately moving to trace the outline of Kathryn's mouth. She ran her finger across the captain's lips, parting them slightly.

Kathryn struggled to her keep her breathing even and regular. Fire suffused her, igniting the pang in her soul she had suppressed for much too long. Seven of Nine opened her eyes and their gazes met for an unbearably long moment. It was as if time were standing still.

"Captain, " Seven of Nine rasped. "I- I am suddenly feeling certain urges that I do not know how to process. It is very confusing. From your own reaction, I must conclude that this is an internal error on my part."

"No, " Kathryn whispered. She took Seven's hand and held it against her cheek, nuzzling her face into the other woman's palm. "No, it's not an internal error. It's the most human thing you've ever done."

"Then perhaps we should explore this further, " Seven of Nine suggested.

"Yes, " Kathryn said. "That seems like the only prudent course of action." She put her hands on Seven's shoulders, drawing her closer until their lips were almost touching. Kathryn stared into Seven's eyes, the feel of the other woman's ample bosom pressed against her own making her light headed. She leaned in, closing what little space was left between them, finding the other woman's lips utterly delicious as she devoured them completely.

Seven moaned her approval and Kathryn captured the sound, returning it twofold. She casually slid her hands downward, cupping a breast and massaging it through the skin tight outfit the other woman wore.

The kiss deepened. Kathryn forced the other woman's mouth to open under hers without much effort, easing her tongue across the lips she had very much enjoyed kissing. She felt hands on her bottom, a firm grasp, kneading and squeezing, and Kathryn found herself moaning again. This time Seven captured the sound and returned it. Trembling hands fumbled with the buttons of Kathryn's blouse, opening it, pushing it over her shoulders to expose bare breasts. Seven bent down, seizing a nipple, sucking it into her mouth and latching onto it like a newborn.

"Mmm, " Kathryn purred. "That's wonderful, love." She ran her hands through Seven's short crop of blond hair, eager to run her hands through the other crop of blond hair that she knew waited for her between the other woman's legs. Not that she was in any kind of hurry. Seven seemed intent on sucking the life out of her through her breasts, and Kathryn was more then willing to indulge her young lover's whim.

Seven gently eased Kathryn back to lie flat on the bench then quickly straddled her on all fours, bending her head down to kiss Kathryn's lips once again. She was insatiable, finding everything she wanted in the other woman's taste. Slowly, Seven made her way down, planting a trail of nibbling kisses across Kathryn's exposed midsection, finding her breasts again and devouring them wholly.

"Yes... " Kathryn mumbled. "Oh... yes... " Her nipples were painfully stiff and Seven seemed mesmerized by them, teasing them with her tongue, biting them, sucking them. Gods! If she didn't have that tongue inside her soon she would explode!

Seven must have read her body language. She drew back, getting to her feet. A wicked smile turned her lips upward. Kathryn watched, eyes wide, grunting with animalistic arousal as Seven seductively eased her way out of the slinky silver outfit to reveal the perfect body it did almost nothing to conceal. Kathryn sucked in a sharp breath. The other woman was absolutely gorgeous. Her breasts were nothing less than spectacular, perfectly shaped mounds of flesh capped with dark rings. Fresh from the collective, she was on the thin side, but muscular, sturdy. The other crop of blond hair held Kathryn's attention for the longest time.

"You approve of my appearance?" Seven asked.

Kathryn nodded. "Oh, yes. Oh... yes."

"I approve of your body, as well, " Seven replied matter-of-factly. She undid the captain's boots, ridding her new lover of socks and trousers in no time at all. She saw that Kathryn wore no panties and nodded approvingly. Seven eyed the damp patch of darkened red hair between Kathryn's legs and arousal flared within her. She got to her knees, pushing Kathryn's legs apart, leaning forward and positioning herself above the other woman's sex. A smell she had only recently discovered from her own loins invaded her senses, deepening her arousal, making her drool, eliciting gurgling noises in the back of her throat that she couldn't immediately comprehend. She reached out, brushing her fingers across Kathryn's sex, a tentative exploration that yielded immediate results.

Kathryn inhaled sharply between pursed lips, her face red, the heat emanating from her body rising. "Touch me again."

Seven complied without hesitation, her nimble fingers exploring the dark recesses of Kathryn Janeway's sexuality. She thrust her fingers in and out at a leisurely pace, entranced by the other woman's sex and the sounds her ministrations caused her lover to make. First one, then two, then three fingers found their was into Kathryn's throbbing vagina, slipping in easily.

"Yes... " Kathryn whispered breathlessly. "Oh... god... yes... "

Seven continued unabated, driving her fingers deeper and deeper into the slick tunnel that grew wetter with every caress. She noticed the hardening button of flesh and curiously brushed her thumb against it. Kathryn jerked suddenly, gasping for air. Seven bent down, taking the nub of flesh into her mouth and sucking on it like she had sucked on Kathryn's nipples. Kathryn's body jerked again, only this time it didn't stop. Kathryn cried out, mumbling incoherently as Seven continued her loving assault. Her pleasure spewed forth like a geyser and splashed across Seven's face. Seven eagerly drank it up, unable to get her fill. She buried her face in Kathryn's sex in search of more, and Kathryn cried out again and again as wave upon wave of pleasure washed over her.

"You will pleasure me now, correct?" Seven asked.

Kathryn laughed, her body still trembling from the ecstasy that Seven had given her. "Yes, sweet one. That is exactly what I'm going to do." She joined Seven on the floor, hooking her leg over the other woman's thigh, pulling her close and kissing her, tasting herself on the other woman's lips. She easily found one of Seven's breasts and tweaked the nipple, rolling it between her fingers until it stiffened rock hard. Seven groaned, a low throaty growl that nearly made Kathryn come again. She dropped a quick kiss on Seven's shoulder, working her way up her lover's neck to nibble an ear lobe. Seven moaned again. Placing a hand on her back, Kathryn gently pushed her forward, spreading the young woman across her lap. She then began kissing her way down Seven's back, slowly making her way toward the perfectly shaped globes that were the other woman's buttocks. Seven shifted position, kneeling on all fours. Kathryn was quickly kneeling behind her, hands on the other woman's ass, spreading her open to reveal her puckered anus. Kathryn flicked her tongue inside the tight opening and Seven moaned. Kathryn drove her tongue inside the tight opening and Seven moaned ever louder, rocking back and forth on her hands and knees as she gave herself to the new sensations. Kathryn reached underneath, questing fingers quickly finding their target. Seven didn't hold up very long against the double onslaught. Fingers attacked her from the front. Kathryn's swirling tongue was having its way with her rear end. The moment Kathryn's thumb found Seven's clit that was it... she exploded, crying out as a series of orgasms ripped through her body until she finally collapsed into a formless, quivering heap of flesh, exhausted.

Kathryn tired to stand on wobbly legs and failed. Resigned to her fate, she leaned back against the bench and welcomed Seven into her arms. Seven crawled into the embrace, resting her head against Kathryn's chest.

"Enjoyment is not irrelevant, " Seven whispered.

Kathryn laughed. "I told you you'd change your tune."

"You were correct, " Seven said. She nuzzled Kathryn's bosom, stroking a nipple. "I look forward to learning more about... painting."

Kathryn smiled. "And I'm looking forward to teaching you." She bent down and kissed her, hungrily devouring those sweet lips. "Oh God... I am *really* looking forward to teaching you."