The two women walked slowly down the corridors toward the Cargo Bay. The atmosphere between them was comfortable, and Kathryn especially couldn't remember a time when she had felt more at ease.

"Captain," said Seven, tentatively, "I do not wish to regenerate. I am not in need of rest... I believe I have more energy than usual today."

Kathryn turned to her, and smiled knowingly.

"Oh? And just what do you wish to do instead?"

"I believe that question is one that does not require an answer."

The Captain chuckled heartily. Seven certainly was forward when it came to these things. Far more so than she was accustomed to.

"Well?" she said softly, "?that'll come, in time. But I'd like for it to happen naturally. It's the spontaneity that brings the passion to a relationship? we should talk about this more in private. Let's go to my quarters and I'll make us a coffee."

"That would be? acceptable, Kathryn. I am unsure of how to proceed."

"Everyone is, at first. Love can be a difficult thing to fathom out. Some people never manage it."

"I find myself experiencing urges. I wish to be in your company when I am not? I find it difficult to be around you and not touch you. I also find myself imagining what your body looks like underneath your clothing? do you experience such desires?"

She beamed widely upon hearing this. It was good to know that it wasn't just her having these impure thoughts. To think that Seven needed her in that same wanton, lustful manner as she needed Seven was surprisingly reassuring. So much for her being innocent! Thinking hard for a moment about the best way to respond to Seven's question, her smile quickly became a wicked grin. She manoeuvred herself so that they walked much more closely together.

"Yes, Seven, I do?" She whispered throatily into her ear, "?In fact, I would like nothing more than to take you into my quarters, undress you very, very slowly, and spend this afternoon working out how to make you?"

Seven's lips parted, and her breathing became slightly ragged, as an Ensign turned the corner. Both women nodded in greeting to him. He passed quickly as the pair moved slightly apart, nodding in return. Kathryn teasingly brushed her hand against Seven's lower back, smirking.

"?com?fortable..?"

Seven took a quick, sharp breath. A light sensation rushed through her stomach, as though she was being tickled from the inside. Warmth spread throughout her entire body, followed by a slow, dull ache in her groin. She recognised the feelings of arousal from her kiss with Kathryn that morning, but this was magnified.

"?Indeed?" Seven croaked.

Kathryn noted with some satisfaction that she had succeeded in turning Seven on. It wouldn't be fair to push it any further, though. Besides, she was getting aroused herself, and the temptation might just prove to be too much if she didn't keep Seven in check!

"But? not yet. It's only been a day, after all!"

Seven's mouth dropped open, and she stared at her desperately.

"But? but Kathryn, I?"

"Trust me, Seven. It'll be worth it."

They reached her quarters, and the two women paused momentarily.

"Coffee, Seven," Kathryn stressed, smirking, "and coffee alone."

"I will comply," Seven replied, with more than a hint of frustration, "although it is not my first choice of activity."

"It will have to do," Kathryn said firmly, "because it's all you're getting!"

"For now..." Seven murmured, under her breath.

The doors swished open, and they entered.

"Lights, soft." Kathryn said clearly.

Walking into the ensuite area, she motioned towards her small blue couch for Seven to sit. Once the younger woman was seated, she moved to the replicator at the far wall.

"How do you take your coffee, Seven?"

"I have not yet sampled the... 'delights', that coffee has to offer," she replied, sarcastically, "I do not require caffeine to remain alert."

"Oh, coffee is much more than that!" Kathryn said, animatedly, "You know, as a child I always preferred replicated meals and beverages to those that my mother prepared for me. These days, I wish that I could get a taste of real, freshly made coffee. It's one of those things that reminds me of Earth. The smell of it in the morning made me almost eager to get up."

"I see. How do you recommend I take it?"

"Hmm? well, black might be a little too bitter for your first time. Milk and sugar would probably be better."

"As you wish." She smiled at Kathryn's enthusiasm.

Kathryn turned to the replicator.

"Coffee, white. With one? no, two sugars."

There was a slight whizzing sound, and a mug of steaming liquid appeared.

"Coffee, black."

The process repeated, and she grabbed both mugs. She padded back to where Seven sat, and, setting both mugs down on the table, curled up beside her. She wanted them both to be comfortable when she brought this up, and now seemed as good a time as any. Drawing herself up in the seat, she turned to Seven.

"I'd like for us to talk about the future," she said, softly, "I want us to have a relationship, Seven. But I'm not ready for everyone to know about it."

"Why not?"

"Because it's so early on. We don't know where this is going. Plus, I'm the Captain of this ship. I have no idea how the crew will respond to this, and I want to be a hundred percent sure of everything before we tell them."

"That would be efficient. I am in agreement with you." she responded, "However, I do not wish for this to be a long-term secret."

"Agreed." Kathryn grinned, "I'm glad you're with me on this. And I promise, it is just for a while. Anyway, drink your coffee, it'll get cold!"

Seven nodded, and took a sip of the creamy brown liquid. Her pupils dilated as the bitter taste exploded against her tongue, and trickled down the back of her throat. She quickly drained the mug and placed it on the table. Kathryn watched her drink, her smile hidden to Seven behind her own mug. She kicked off her shoes, and crossed her legs.

"It is? pleasurable. I can see how you became addicted to this substance."

"Addicted?" she laughed indignantly, before drinking deeply. "I'm not addicted."

Seven smirked, shifting her ocular implant even higher than usual.

"Hey? I could give the stuff up any time I? really am addicted, aren't I? Okay, okay. A girl has to have her vices!"

"Maybe I should develop some vices of my own." She replied, still smirking.

"Seven? you, are evil. Do you know that?"

"It is why you love me."

Kathryn set down her mug, and leaned forwards in her seat . She reached for Seven's hand, wanting simply to squeeze it affectionately. However, as soon as their fingers touched, both women felt a surge from the area of contact, almost like an electrical charge. They both sat still in astonishment, gaping widely at their intertwined fingers. Slowly, they drew their eyes upwards until they met in an intense stare. Kathryn felt a pleasurable twinge in the pit of her stomach, and though they were slowly moving closer together, both felt as if they were sat perfectly still. This continued until their lips were just inches apart.

"We? should not?" Seven whispered.

"No? no, it's far too soon?" Kathryn murmured in reply.

"But, then? it is the spontaneity that?"

She silenced her with a rough kiss, clutching at her hair, and shoulders. The younger woman responded intensely, mirroring her actions. Kathryn pushed her backwards, so she lay against the arm of the sofa, and pushed her fingers deep into her blonde hair, loosening it until it fell in long, spidery tendrils about her shoulders. She straddled Seven's waist, crushing their lips together. Seven slipped her meshed hand underneath Kathryn's uniform, cupping her right breast, running the other across her taut, muscular back. Kathryn gasped at the feel of the cool metal against her tightening, erect nipple.

(Oh, God? It's been so long?)

"I, thought?" Kathryn husked, "you, were unsure? how to?Mmm?proceed?"

"I am?" Seven breathed against the older woman's mouth, "? but, I think of you, sometimes? and find myself, drifting? I touch myself, like this?"

She took the nipple between her thumb and forefinger, pinching softly. Kathryn pulled her into a deep kiss, sensuously tugging at her bottom lip, rolling the tender flesh between her teeth as Seven groaned her approval. The familiar throb returned to her groin, and she arched against Kathryn's rapidly moistening sex, both women moaning roughly at the contact. Feeling the heat at her own core, Seven slipped a hand inside the other woman's trousers, shivering as she came into contact with the soft, downy hair, and began lightly stroking against her wetness. Kathryn responded to this by dragging the flat of her thumbnail firmly along the length of Seven's aching sex, tracing it's outline through the dampening material of her biosuit. Seven drew a sharp breath, allowing a deep, guttural sound to escape her throat.

"Oh, God? Seven? maybe we should take this to the bedroom?" she whispered, desperately, "I don't think I can take much more of this?"

"No, I want you here, and now?" Seven responded, softly, "but? I do not think we are dressed appropriately. Allow me?"

She withdrew her hand slowly, and Kathryn whimpered slightly at the loss of contact. Ignoring her protests, she pushed her uniform jacket over her shoulders, tossing it to the floor, then tore her grey turtleneck up over her head. Kathryn assisted as best she could, shrugging off the superfluous clothing as Seven began to work the clasp behind her.

"Seven," she hissed urgently, "My body isn't what it once was?"

"Sshhh? you are? beautiful?"

Seven gently pulled the straps from Kathryn's shoulders, allowing the white laced material to fall from her chest, and onto the couch. She exhaled softly, gazing at the curved form arched tenderly against the lamplight. Kathryn rose to her feet, and hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her trousers. Slowly, she pushed them down past her knees. The younger woman watched intently as she stepped out of the material, elegantly slipped a knee between her legs and drew her into a tight, heated embrace. The pressure of Kathryn's thigh against the crotch of her biosuit was excruciating, and she pushed hard, deepening the touch as best she could. Suddenly, she grabbed Kathryn's backside, lifting her to a position where she easily wrapped her legs around Seven's waist, locking her feet behind her, holding on firmly. Seven stood, still gripping the small frame in her arms, and made toward the bedroom.

"Seven! What the..?!"

"I have changed my mind?" she husked, seductively, "?I am feeling fatigued. You must escort me? to bed."

Kathryn smiled happily, unable to remember a single moment in her life that felt as good as this. She closed her eyes, and held Seven more tightly, nuzzling her face into her lover's warm shoulder as she felt herself being carried to bed.

"I love you, Seven."

"I love you too. Very much."