St Patrick’s Day

“Thank you, but no.  I do not have time to attend the celebration this evening.”  The former Borg drone continued working at her Astrometrics station.

“Seven, you don’t have to stay all night!  Just come for a couple of hours!  Consider it an observation in human interaction.”  Captain Katheryn Janeway leaned against the console next to her friend trying not too look overly eager.

The lean blonde paused her movements and glanced over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow “Why is this so important, Captain?”  She made no movement as she watched the typically masked Captain struggle with the emotion both of them felt, but neither was ready to admit to.  This was a fight that both women had fought for several yeas.  One that was slowly coming to an end.

Never one to back down from a challenge, Katheryn folded her arms and squared her jaw, “It wouldn’t be the same without you, Seven.”

Moving to mirror her Captain’s stance, Seven folded her arms under her chest, leaned her hip against the console, and gazed intently at Katheryn.  “Is that so.  Hmm…tell me Katheryn, how long has this celebration been a part of Earth tradition?”

Believing that Seven was now intent on learning more of human history, and perhaps interested in possibly attending the party, Katheryn took a half a step closer and readjusted her lean against the console. “Well, hundreds of years for many regions, Seven.”

“I see,” Seven’s eyebrow knit together in a look of intense thought, “And how many years have we known each other?”

Janeway smiled, her eyes lighting up at the thought of the many years they had been friends, “Eight years next month.”

Pursing her lips, Seven slowly nodded her head, “And how many years have you celebrated this St. Patrick’s Day?”

No thought was even needed to answer this question.  “As far back as I can remember.  I remember one year when my Father…”

“So,” Seven raised an eyebrow, interrupting her friend’s memory, “human kind has celebrated this day for hundreds of years without the need for me to be there.  You yourself have had plenty of ‘fun’ at these parties throughout your life without my presence.  Yet the event tonight would not be the same if I wasn’t in attendance?”

Katheryn had to chuckle.  Shaking her head, she knew when she was beat.  The gravely voice softened, as well as her eyes as she stepped closer.  “Annika, you wouldn’t make me beg would you?”

A half smile spread across the chiseled features of the blonde, “begging is not what I had in mind, although perhaps it is worth exploring at a later time.  No, I simply want you to ask.”

Shock crashed through the Captain.  “Ask?!  What do you think I have been doing?”

“Katheryn, you have suggested and then attempted to persuade me to attend tonight.  However, at no point did you ask me to go with you.”

“No my friend, I suppose I didn’t.”  Sighing, Katheryn uncrossed her arms and reached out placing one hand on Seven’s crossed forearms.  Gazing into an unblinking sea of blue, Janeway smiled and softly asked “would you like to go to the St. Patrick’s Day party with me tonight Annika?”

Taking the Captain’s hand in one of her’s, Seven lowered them slowly and smiled. “I would love to Katheryn.”

A breath escaped that Katheryn didn’t realize she had been holding.  “Wonderful.  I will stop by the cargo bay at 19.00 if that is alright with you.”

“I will be ready.”

“Until then.” Katheryn squeezed Seven’s hand lightly and turned to leave the Astrometrics lab.

As the doors opened she was stopped by Seven’s voice.  “What should I wear this evening Captain?”

Glancing back over her shoulder, the Captain smiled and spoke firmly. “Something green.”

With a raised eyebrow, Seven turned back to her readouts.

The mechanical swoosh of the cargo bay doors alerted Seven to the entrance of her friend and date for the evening.

Stepping out from behind the privacy wall, Seven and Katheryn saw each other for the first time that evening.  Silence permeated the air as each woman struggled to breath.

First to recover, Seven whispered, “You look beautiful Kathryn”.  In a green slip dress, the off duty Captain’s skin glowed golden, her eyes sparkling as she searched for words.

 “Me?  My god Seven.” Stepping closer, Janeway waved her hand slowly up and down, “Look at you Annika.  Absolute perfection.”  Smiling uncontrollably, Katheryn let her gaze take in all of the blonde’s statuesque presence.  In a deep red gown, her skin appeared to be cream.  Her Borg arm clothed by a sleeve all the way to her wrist, while the other shoulder and arm remained bare.  Her collarbone visible, makde Katheryn’s knees weak.  She fought the intense desire to run her tongue along the smooth skin.

Amused, but a little embarrassed at her friend’s stare, Seven shifted her feet and cleared her throat.  “Perfection, Katheryn, is far from accurate.  It is, as you say, a bad hair day.”

Walking in front of the tall woman, Katheryn touched the curls that fell around Seven’s face. 

“Bad hair day?  I think not.  As I said,” Janeway’s gaze focused on the red lips in front of her, heart beat jumping. “You are perfection.”

They were both quiet for several minutes, the electricity intensifying with every breath, until Katheryn couldn’t take it any more. She whispered, her gravely voice barely audible, even to the former Borg. “Seven, I am going to kiss you.”

Seven’s lips twitched into a small smile, her fingers reached for her friend’s hand and entwined.  An involuntary lick of her lips almost sent Katheryn over the edge.

With a sigh, their lips met.  Gentle, light, feather kisses meant to discover sensation.  The feather kisses grew firmer; sighs became moans when Seven’s tongue peeked out to taste Katheryn’s lips.

Feeling the soft tongue begging entrance, Katheryn readily allowed it.  Parting her lips she sucked the hot member into her mouth caressing it with her own.

Taking a step closer, Seven brought their bodies into full contact, pulling moans from each woman.

Releasing Seven’s hand, Katheryn wrapped her arms around Seven’s waist, pulling them closer.  “Mmrfrmrmm?”

Kissing down Katheryn’s neck, Seven inhaled deeply. “Hmm?’

Head tilted back, eyes closed Katheryn repeated herself in a dreamlike voice, “Are you for real?”

Standing up, Seven smiled and caressed the warm lips she had just been kissing.  “Yes Katheryn, I am very real.”  Leaning back in, Seven captured a soft moan in her open mouth.

BEEP BEEP

Katheryn flinched at the sound, but continued to return the passion filled kiss.

BEEP BEEP

Pulling back Katheryn croaked “I think you had better get that.”

Trying to pull the shorter woman back to her, Seven groaned “No.” But Katheryn stepped back and raised an eyebrow.  “Oh alright, fine.”

Stepping into to the dressing area, Seven disappeared for a moment, but her voice carried throught the cargo bay.  “Seven here.”

“Ah Seven!” Nelix’s anxious voice resounded. “There you are.  Do you happen to know where the Captian is?” Stepping into view Seven smiled. “Yes Nelix, she is with me.”

Katheryn smiled back, shaking her head slowly.

“Wonderful.  I have been looking for her.  The party has started.”

“I am sure she is aware of that.  She has been…” A pause and a raised eyebrow, “otherwise occupied.  We will arrive shortly.”

“Wonderful!  See you then!”

Stepping forward, Katheryn wrapped her arms around Seven’s waist again and laughed. “Otherwise occupied?  You make me sound like I was in the bathroom.”

“Would you rather I told him that his Captain and I were sucking face?”

That did it, Katheryn fell into Seven’s arms roaring with laughter right along with Seven.  For several minutes both women laughed uncontrollably then began to sober at the realization of what really had happened.

Clearing her throat Janeway smiled gently “well, I suppose this means it’s official.”

Caressing Katheryn’s cheek Seven smiled. “What is official?”

“Us”  It came out more as a breath than an actual word.

“Us. You and I. Yes, I guess this means it is official.  So, what now?”

Taking Seven’s hand in her own, Katheryn kissed the fingers.  “Now we go to the party.”

Looking downfallen, Seven pouted. “But I want more kissing!”

Without a moments hesitation, Janeway wrapped her free arm around Seven’s neck and pulled her down.  Their lips met in a rush, tongues battling more than dancing, body heat rose, moans grew stronger.  As breathing became more difficult the two separated, Seven’s eyes shown with surprise and desire.  “Where did that come from?”

“That” Katheryn kissed Seven’s chin, “is a sample of what will come.”

“In that case” Seven passed Janeway and pulled her along after, “let’s get the party started!”

Laughing, Katheryn followed closely behind.  “Seven.”

“Yes?”

“I thought I told you to wear green.”

Seven simply looked straight ahead as the two walked down the hall hand in hand. “Oh but I did.”

Glancing over at the blonde beauty she frowned slightly “No you…” Trailing off, she realized what Seven was getting at.  “Oh dear god.”

The doors to holodeck I opened, admitting two breathless women into a world of Irish festivities.  Fiddle and flute music muffled the conversations of the many crewmembers celebrating.

Janeway leaned into her partner “I do believe that was the most eventful lift ride of my life.”

Seven glanced down and whispered back with a bright smile, “well if you had let me halt the lift, there would have been no doubt.”

Huge eyes watched the blonde continue walking and get swallowed up in well wishers as she realized she had stopped in her tracks.

“Glad you could make it Captain!”

Clearing her head, Janeway acknowledged her second in command with a distracted smile. “Thank you Chakotay.  I appears that Nelix has outdone himself.”

“You look amazing Katheryn.”  Chakotay let his eyes absorb the site before him.

With a tolerant smile, Janeway patted his arm and gave a brief “thank you.” 

“I see you arrived with Seven this evening.  She looks stunning.”

The mention of Seven caused the Captain to search the room.  It didn’t take long to find her.  The red rose in a sea of green; blue eyes catching hers. A smile broke out and made her laugh to herself.  The feeling of pure happiness washed over her, breaking down the walls she had spent so long building.  But it was too late to fight that.  It had been far too long since she allowed herself to be loved, since she had wanted to love.

She realized that Chakotay had asked her a question.  Pulling her gaze away from the blonde, Janeway asked “I’m sorry?”

“I said that I am surprised Seven came.  She’s not usually into the social events”.

“Yes well, I was able to convince her otherwise.”

“How..”

“Excuse me Commander.”

Chakotay watched as his Captain stepped around slightly tipsy and enthusiastic off duty officers.

Approaching Seven, Katheryn placed her command mask on.  “Captain.  Lt. Parker was just complimenting me on my dress.  Although he doesn’t feel that it fits the theme.”  A pink tongue slipped out to wet her lips.

Fighting the smile that threatened, Katheryn never broke her eye contact.  “Well perhaps, Lt., Seven doesn’t fully understand the custom.”

“I assure you Captain, I have fully researched the St. Patrick’s Day custom.  I just did not feel the need to conform.”

Raising an eyebrow Janeway stepped closer.  “I see.  I don’t believe that is the proper attitude for a member of my crew.” 

The room seemed to disappear; all that existed was the two women falling further in love. 

“Well Captain, I suppose that it is a good thing I am not a part of the crew.”  A raised eyebrow set the challenge.

With a huge smile, Katheryn grabbed two pints of ale off a passing tray.  She handed one to the lean woman in front of her and raised her own glass. “Touche’.”

Clearing his throat, Lt. Parker stepped back into the conversation.  “You look wonderful this evening as well, Captain.”

A gracious look at her officer, a nod of her head, and she turned back to Seven.  Reaching out to place a hand under Seven’s elbow, Katheryn steered her date toward a corner.

A gravely voice tried to sound stern, instead it came out sounding tight. “Are you trying to kill me?”

“Kill Katheryn?  I assure you, that is not my intention.”

Leaning her back against the wall, Seven sipped her ale.  “And what exactly is your intention, Annika?”

Janeway leaned a shoulder on the wall next to Seven, pretending to glance around the room.  Her eyes however, we always drawn back to the bare skin in front of her.  She could feel the heat radiating off, begging for her touch.

“To make you desire me, Katheryn.”

Looking up, eyes locked.  “Trust me, Annika, I do.”

Smiling, Seven simply said “good” and walked away.

Sometime later, Seven approached Katheryn in the middle of a circle of officers.

“Excuse me.  Captain, may I speak with you?”

Smiling internally at the official sound in Seven’s voice, she nodded and turned to the group.  “If you’ll excuse me.”

Following Seven out of the holodeck and into the hallway, the music died behind them as the doors closed. 

Once clear of prying eyes, Seven turned, pushing Katheryn against the hallway wall and kissed her.  A hand holding tightly to the back of the Captain’s head, the other caressing her hip, her ribs, the underside of her breast.

“Mmmmm…”

Katheryn could do nothing but respond, and hold on.

Breaking the kiss as quickly as it had begun, Seven leaned her forehead against her partner’s and croaked “You win Katheryn.”

“Win?”

“Whatever this game is we’re playing in there.  You win.  I can’t take it any more.  Those eyes, those lips, that walk.  I see you everywhere you move and I melt.  Please can we leave?”

Pulling Seven to her again, Katheryn kissed her softly this time, deeply.  And spoke against her lips, “yes”.  Taking Seven’s hand in hers, she turned down the hall toward the lift.

Before the lift doors were even closed, Katheryn had Seven against the back wall.  Kissing her neck, her shoulder, she moaned at the taste of her.  She whispered, her breath raising goosebumps across Seven’s skin causing her to gasp. “I knew it.”

“What?”  The blonde head was back, eyes closed, mouth open panting for air.

“I knew you would taste like this.”

Leaning her head down, Seven captured the smaller woman’s lips as the lift stopped and the doors opened.

Breaking the kiss Katheryn pulled Seven along behind her.  Both women were breathing hard as they walked down the hallway.

Once inside Katheryn’s quarters Seven pulled the smaller woman to her.  They held each other, feeling the irratic heart beats.

“Katheryn.”

“Shhhh, Seven…” pulling back Katheryn gazed into Seven’s eyes “we have all night.  We have the rest of our lives.”

“I know that Katheryn.  But I can’t wait.” Reaching behind her, Seven unzipped her dress.  It fell to the floor revealing a matching strapless bra and very small deep green panty set.  She smiled at Katheryn’s look as she stepped out of the pile of dress and her shoes.

“I see that you approve of my” she raised her eyebrow, “display of human custom?”

Looking blankly back into Seven’s eyes, she couldn’t help but smile. “I don’t believe I ever disapproved.”

The smile faded from Seven’s lips, replaced with a look of burning passion. “Make love to me Katheryn.”

“Oh god, Seven.”  Wrapping her arms around Seven’s neck, Katheryn’s body felt on fire. 

“I love you Katheryn.  I want to show you how much.”

Pulling Seven’s lips down to her own, Katheryn whispered against them. “I love you too, Annika.  With everything that I am.”

Lips met, caressing the other’s.  A soft moan welled up from Seven’s chest.

Breaking the kiss, Katheryn led Seven to her bedroom.

“Katheryn?”

“Yes Love?”

“Is St. Patrick’s Day usually this romantic?”

“Not until you.”

The End