Kiidep

Kiidep'Tyya Part 01

Teniib is pronounced ten-*eeb*; Raeli's home city
Jaeda is pronounced *jay*-dah; Raeli's home planet
Kiidep is pronounced key-*dep*; Bloodfire
Kiidep'Tyya is pronounced key-*dep*-tie-*yah*; Bloodfire Bond
Peta is pronounced *pay*-tah
Yelii is pronounced yay-*lee*; type of illness, untranslatable.
Kiidep'Leii is pronounced key-*dep*-lay-*ee*; Bloodfire Mate
Ryii is pronounced rye-*ee*; Change

Raeli grinned broadly at Janeway. "You're welcome at stay in orbit a few more days if you wish, Captain. Shore leave for your crew, perhaps?"

Janeway smiling back. "Thank you, Mistress Raeli. I'm sure we could stay a while longer. It's been a while since we had leave."

"Our planet is your planet, Captain. The Counsel has informed me that if you wish to stay, however, your crew must remain on the Central Continent. It's too dangerous to be anywhere else."

Janeway frowned. "Dangerous?"

Raeli bit her lip. "My people… are quite aggressive, Captain. The Outer Continents are kept quite primitive. Each person there who wishes to join the population of the Central Continent must apply, and then go through extensive training and conditioning on the Second Continent before coming here. I assure you, there is no risk to your crew, so long as they stay on the Central Continent. The Counsel takes no responsibility for those injured on the Outer Continents."

"I'll be sure to tell the crew. Thank you again, Mistress Raeli, for allowing us to stay."

Raeli blushed slightly. "Captain Janeway, it was not my decision to make. I only took the proposal to the Counsel for them to decide."

"Either way, thank you."

"You are welcome, Captain."

Seven had to consciously hold in the urge to fidget as she beamed down to the planet with five other crew members, B'Elanna and Tom, Tuvok, Neelix and an ensign from xenobiology.

"Greetings," a clear voice rang out. "My name is Raeli, I am Primary First Mistress of Teniib. I will be your contact through the city. I can provide you with tour guides, and show you where the main attractions and facilities are. Before you beamed down, each of your commbadges were reconfigured for each city. If you wish to speak with a guide, no matter which city you're in, simply address your query to the name of the city, and you will get the Mistress assigned to you. Any questions?"

As silence followed, Raeli grinned. "All right, then, you are free to go! If you wish to speak with me, again, simply ask and I will be here."

Immediately B'Elanna and Tom headed toward the hotel they had been assigned to, and the ensign wandered off to explore. Tuvok, Neelix and Seven all approached Raeli.

"Yes, what can I do for you?" Raeli asked, looking at Neelix who was directly in front of her.

"I was wondering where I could find some kind of market, or… maybe orchards or something…"

Raeli grinned. "Ah, we have a cook among us, hm? Well, if you follow the red markers for five sections, then the blue for two and the green for ten, you will come across the Central Open Market."

With a wide smile, Neelix headed off, nearly skipping in his enthusiasm.

Tuvok stepped forward. "Where is the Central Security Detachment?"

"Orange eight, purple nine, yellow one."

Without another word, Tuvok turned and left, Seven stepping forward to take his place, giving Raeli her first uninhibited view of her.

Raeli's jaw dropped, her eyes widening for a second before falling half closed, her nostrils flaring as she breathed in Seven's scent. She felt her blood growing hot, and forced herself to clamp down on it, willing herself back to normal. When she was sure she could stand it, she opened her eyes completely again, looking up slightly into Seven's vaguely confused face.

"Yes, and what can I do for you?" Raeli asked, her voice not quite how it was, carrying a bit of an edge to it.

"I would like to see the Central Archives."

Raeli nearly groaned. "Well, you're in luck!" she exclaimed. "I was just going to go there myself, why don't you walk with me?"

"Acceptable."

As the two made their way toward the Central Archives, Jaeda's version of a public library, Raeli kept up a steady stream of self-castigation in her mind.

When they arrived at the Central Archives, Raeli directed Seven toward one of the Keepers, and went to her own office to work. Hours later, when she finally decided to take a break and eat something, she saw Seven still seated in front of a terminal, several data PADDs scattered around her, reading avidly.

"Seven?" Raeli asked as she approached. "You're still here."

Seven looked up at the Mistress. "Yes." She stood. "However, if you could tell me where I could receive nutritional supplements, I will leave."

Raeli almost groaned again. "Of course. I was going to go for evening meal myself. Would you like to accompany me? I know of a wonderful little place, barely heard of, that offers the best food on the planet."

As was her answer before, Seven merely intoned, "Acceptable," gathered up her PADDs and followed Raeli out the door into the warm evening air.

For three days, Raeli and Seven spent all their time together at the Central Archives, Raeli mostly in her office, occasionally helping the young woman find something, or asking for her opinion of help with something she was working on. They ate all their meals together at the small restaurant Raeli had taken Seven to that first day.

"Seven?" Raeli asked one evening while they ate. "Why do you have those implants on your face and hands? Why didn't your doctor remove them?"

Seven looked up from her meal. "The Doctor removed what he could, but I still have 13 percent of my former Borg implants in my body.

Raeli frowned. "If you want them removed, you can have it done here. Maybe people come to us from the Collective, either to join our planet or simply to have the implants removed. Most of them wish to keep the nanoprobes and internal implants that increase strength and dispose of waste, but we could remove your outer implants if you wish."

Silent for a moment, Seven thought about that. "I would have to speak with the Doctor and Captain," she said slowly.

"But would you want it done?"

Seven nodded. "Yes, I believe so. The crew of Voyager tends to treat me as a complete drone, and I believe that if I did not have my implants they would see that I am a human being, if not like them."

Raeli grinned. "If you talk to your doctor and captain this evening, you could undergo the procedure tomorrow midday and still have three days of leave left to enjoy being human."

Seven's lips curved upward at the corners as she smiled slightly. "I would like that."

"You want to what?!"

Seven suppressed a sigh. "Doctor," she started and was immediately cut off.

"Seven, you don't know what these people could do to you! They could… they could… they could damage you irreparably!"

Just then the Sickbay doors swished open and Janeway walked in. "You wanted to see me, Doctor?"

"Yes! Captain, Seven wants to… to…" He let out a disgusted sound, unable to continue.

Janeway raised an eyebrow, thinking that this display was even more theatrical than that Doctor's usual, and turned to Seven. "Seven?"

"I wish to have the remainder of my outer Borg implants removed."

"Of course, Seven, but I thought the Doctor couldn't do any more."

"He can't." Seven paused for a moment, waiting until the hologram turned to shoot a deadly glare her way. That done, she continued. "However, Raeli has informed me that the doctors on Jaeda can. With the Doctor's and your permission, I will go through with the procedure tomorrow afternoon."

Janeway frowned. "Raeli?" she asked. "Oh, the Primary First Mistress, correct?"

"Of Teniib, yes, Captain."

Wondering briefly how Seven got on a first name basis with the young woman, Janeway continued. "Well, as long as the Doctor is present, and has spoken with the doctor who would perform the surgery, I don't see anything wrong with it. Did Mistress Raeli say how long it would take?"

The corners of Seven's mouth twitched into a small smile. "She said that if I had the surgery tomorrow, that I would still be able to spend three days to 'enjoy being human'."

Janeway shrugged. "If you want to do it, and if the Doctor confirms that there is no danger to you, then by all means, go right ahead."

"Thank you, Captain."

Janeway smiled. "You're welcome, Seven."

Amid much grumbling, complaining and protesting, the Doctor had reported to Janeway that there would be no harm to Seven in the surgery, and they would proceed immediately.

Nine hours later, Seven sat in her hotel room, staring out at the sunset, awed by the beautiful colors of purple, blue and green as the glowing orb fell from the sky.

A soft buzz broke her reverie, and she turned slightly, calling to enter. Raeli walked into the room, bringing the tiny smile to Seven's face.

"Tired?" Raeli asked gently, walking over to sit next to Seven.

Seven shrugged slightly. "I spent the whole day sleeping," she stated.

Raeli laughed. "Well, yeah, I guess you did!"

Seven turned back to the window. "This is the first thing I saw. The sunset. The Doctor was helping me into my room, and the medication was just starting to wear off. I opened my eyes. I was facing this window and the sun was just starting to set. It is the first thing I have seen since I was six that was not tinted green."

"Do you like it?" Raeli whispered.

Seven nodded. "Yes," she breathed.

Impulsively, Raeli wrapped her arms around Seven's waist, hugging the other woman from the side. "I'm glad," she rasped, her voice full of emotion for Seven. Tentatively, Seven wrapped her own arms around Raeli, and the two sat there for long moments, watching the last of the brilliant display in the sky.

When all that was left was a glow on the horizon, Raeli took a deep breath, sighing quietly. She tensed as Seven assaulted her senses, her scent, her soft, warm body pressed against Raeli's side, the moist air of her breath as it hung in the air, slowly dissipating, the feel of her skin where Raeli's hand rested on her bare arm…

Raeli pulled away almost violently, mumbling an apology and rushing toward the door. Seven sat, stunned, for only a split second before heading Raeli off, stepping in front of her just as the doors opened. Seven took a step forward, forcing Raeli back and the door closed once more.

"Why do you want to leave?" Seven asked.

Raeli took another step back, forcing her Kiidep away, not entirely successful. "I can't be near you like this," she said, her voice raw with the fire.

"Why?"

"I desire you," Raeli whispered, going back to sit by the window, putting as much distance as she could between herself and Seven.

Seven pondered this. "Is that… wrong? I desire you as well."

Raeli groaned harshly. "I can't. it may harm you."

"How so?"

She took a deep breath, calming herself, and softening her voice. "The Kiidep. Bloodfire. It burns within all Jaedians. It is triggered by a potential mate. I have the Kiidep with you, Seven. But I cannot give in to it, because it could hurt you. We are what your ship's database calls vampires. Slightly different than Earth mythology, but the same in general principle.

"We bite those we mate with, and if they are not Jaedian, a tag, of a sort, will attach to their DNA. It will make them experience the Kiidep. If I were to mate with you, we would exchange blood. You would start to experience the Kiidep of your own."

"Would it injure me?"

Raeli frowned. "Not as you mean. It would bring physical changes however. When in the Kiidep, your incisors would lengthen, for the exchange of blood. You would become somewhat animalistic in your pursuit of physical pleasure and emotional bonding."

"Would I be able to control it?"

"Yes…" Raeli hesitated slightly. "Everyone ever given the Kiidep has been able to control it, but to be sure, you could be examined by our healers."

Seven tilted her head. "If I would be able to control it, I see no reason to deny it."

"You would want to mate with me?"

Seven blushed slightly. "Yes."

Raeli smiled. "In the morning, I will bring you to the healer for an examination."

"I must also gain permission from Captain Janeway."

Raeli tilted her head, confused. "Why?"

"It is Starfleet protocol, and I do not wish to be punished as Ensign Kim was when he broke that rule."

"Odd, but then, I think all space traveling life is, so…" Raeli shrugged. "After the healer okays it, you will talk with your captain?"

Seven nodded. "Perhaps you should come as well."

Raeli blanched. "Don't you… transport? Like, get turned into energy and back?"

"Yes."

"No thanks. I feel sick just thinking about it!" she chuckled slightly.

Seven smiled. "Then perhaps I could request that the captain meet us here."

"That would be nice."

"I will contact her after the appointment, then, and ask that she come," Seven stated decisively.

As Seven gave the command for the doors to open, Janeway strode through, slightly surprised to see not only Seven, but Raeli as well. "You wanted to see me, Seven?"

"Yes, Captain. I wish to obtain your permission to conduct a romantic relationship with Raeli."

Raeli smirked. "Smooth, Seven," she mumbled.

"You what?" Janeway asked, her mind not wrapping itself around Seven's words.

Raeli put her hand on Seven's arm to keep her from speaking and added her own input. "Captain, Seven and I have both seen a doctor to make sure that we are compatible without hurting each other. We have feelings for each other, and wish to explore them as best we can while you are in orbit around my planet."

Janeway looked intently at Seven. "Is this what you want, Seven? You know you won't be able to stay here when Voyager leaves."

Seven straightened in her seat. "I would not wish to stay. This is what I want."

"And there would be no adverse effects on you?"

Seven glanced at Raeli. "No."

"Then you have my permission. Just don't forget to report back to Voyager when your leave is over."

"Yes, Captain."

Janeway stood and left, feeling an odd aching sensation in her chest.

After Janeway left, Seven turned to Raeli. Almost blushing, she asked, "Now what?"

Raeli grinned. "Now I get to hold you," she answered, wrapping her arms around the taller woman's waist. "Now when the Kiidep comes, I will not hold it back. I will taste your blood, and you will taste mine. Then we will know what to do from there."

After three days spent in her hotel room with Raeli, Seven finally transported back to Voyager, shocking the hell out of her crew mates as she and Raeli passionately kissed just before Seven beamed up with the other five.

"So, Seven," B'Elanna said as they stepped off the transporter pad. "What was that all about with the Mistress?"

Seven regarded the Klingon coolly. "What did it look like?" she asked, before walking out and to Cargo Bay 2 for a regeneration period.

"Well I'll be damned," Tom said, standing next to his wife.

"Yeah," B'Elanna agreed. "Someone actually managed to get the Ice Princess hot. Who woulda thought?"

"Did you notice something different about Seven?"

"How so?"

Tom and B'Elanna started toward their quarters. "I don't know… something just seemed different…"

"That's it!" Tom exclaimed.

B'Elanna grinned. "So you like that, do you?" she asked seductively.

"No, B'Elanna, I finally figured out what was different about Seven!"

B'Elanna sat up. "You were thinking about Seven while we were having sex?!" she yelled.

Tom cringed. "No, I wasn't, it just hit me."

"I should hit you," B'Elanna muttered, not too quietly.

"B'Elanna, please, I swear I wasn't thinking about her!"

"Just tell me what you noticed."

Tom took a deep breath. "She got rid of her implants. She doesn't have them anymore, she looks just like a normal person."

"And you had to remember that now, of all times?"

Tom shrugged helplessly. "I don't know why. Is there… any way I could make it up to you?" he whispered, sliding closer to his wife on the bed.

B'Elanna grinned. "I think I could think of something…"

"Regeneration cycle complete."

Seven opened her eyes and stepped down from her alcove. Having decided halfway through her cycle to ask Captain Janeway to a game of velocity, Seven checked the time to see if it was too late, then checked the holodeck to see if one was open.

"Seven to Captain Janeway."

"Janeway here, what can I do for you, Seven?"

"Captain, I was wondering if you would like to play velocity. Holodeck one is open right now and not scheduled for another two hours."

Seven could hear Janeway's grin through the comm channel. "Sure, Seven. Give me five minutes to get changed and get down there."

"Of course, Captain. Seven out."

Quickly changing herself, and grabbing her phaser, Seven went to the holodecks, logging herself in until Crewman Chell's allotted time, then going through a series of stretches to warm up. The doors swished open and Seven straightened.

"Captain," she greeted.

"Hello, Seven." As Janeway began her own stretches, she asked, "So, did you have a good shore leave?" As soon as she said that, she regretted it, having an instant mental vision of Seven and Raeli in bed together.

"Yes, Captain. I spent a considerable amount of time at the Teniib Central Archives doing research." Janeway waited for a moment, then changed the subject, grateful that Seven hadn't mentioned Raeli. "So, think you can win today?" she teased.

"I will try, Captain," Seven promised.

Just as they got in position, Seven caught a whiff of Janeway's scent from across the room. Feeling the Kiidep flare within her, she completely missed it when the velocity disk changed to blue and barreled straight at her, giving an immediate point to Janeway as it made contact.

"Seven?" Janeway asked, frowning. "Are you okay? That's never happened before."

Taking a second to clamp down on the fire, Seven then answered, "I am fine, Captain. I was simply distracted for a moment. It will not happen again."

"All right, if you're sure."

"I am."

And so the game continued, Seven battling against both Janeway for points, and the Kiidep for control.

Near the end of round five, however, all that changed. To complete a shot, Janeway overbalanced and collided with Seven, their bodies flush against each other. She pulled back immediately, but the damage was done.

Seven's head spun as she felt Janeway against her, and when she was gone, she missed the warmth of her body. Her body that was covered in a sheen of sweat, heightening her scent and the scent of her blood in the room. Seven desperately fought for control against the raging in her blood, and as a result, lost two points before Janeway called for a pause in the game.

"Seven? As you sure you're all right?" she asked, placing a hand, meant to be soothing, on Seven's shoulder.

An almost feral growl tore from Seven's throat as she felt her incisors lengthening. She opened her eyes to stare at Janeway. "Kathryn," she moaned, her voice harsh with desire.

"Seven?!" Janeway squeaked, her eyes widening as Seven's parted lips revealed the deadly teeth. "Computer, safeties off!" She yelled, running for where she had dropped her phaser. Seven leapt after her. "Security to holodeck one!"

As Seven neared, Janeway scooped up her phaser and whirled around, watching as the beam hit Seven in mid air and she fell to the deck, limp. Moments later, Tuvok and two other security officers entered.

"Captain?"

Janeway stood, not speaking for a moment, catching her breath. "Get Seven to Sickbay. Tell the Doctor to erect a level ten forcefield around her. I'm going to get changed then meet you there."