Timeless  

"People who love you!" Admiral Janeway insisted, her voice pain-filled.

Seven turned her head, regarding the older woman. "Most people don't," she said simply. "Only a few people care for me, and certainly none love me."

Janeway closed her eyes. "We do," she whispered.

"You do?" Seven asked, curious.

Janeway's eyes opened, staring deeply into Seven's. "Yes."

Seven blinked. "You… love me?"

"Yes, Seven. I do."

"No…" Seven shook her head. "No. Captain Janeway doesn't love me, and you don't love me."

Janeway placed a hand on Seven's shoulder. "Seven, listen to me. In my time, I didn't realize that I had stronger feelings for you until you married Chakotay. And when that happened, I didn't let myself think about it. You were married, there was nothing I could do. But when you died…" Janeway's voice broke.

She continued in a whisper. "I realize that I was in love with you. That I couldn't live without you, even if living with you involved you being married to someone else. Only Voyager and the thought of getting my crew home made me continue. Even then it wasn't me. Just my body. Chakotay knew, of course. It was pretty obvious when I was more upset about your death than he was."

Seven frowned. "But that was you. Not Captain Janeway."

Janeway raised an eyebrow. "Seven," she said dryly, "I am Captain Janeway."

Seven shook her head. "You're different. Changed."

"Yes, I am," Janeway agreed. "But, Seven, when I realized I was in love with you, I also realized that I had been for years. Since before you married Chakotay. Since before you got involved with him." Her voice softened, and she reached a hand up to lightly caress Seven's cheek. "You're so beautiful," she whispered. "I don't think you know how much. Beautiful on the outside, and more so on the inside. It shines through your skin, gives you life, and light and love. The beauty of your body is unrivaled, but it is the beauty of your soul that made me fall in love with you. She may not have realized it yet, but your Captain Janeway is in love with you, Annika. Show her that you're in love with her, too."

Seven stiffened. "What makes you think I am?"

Janeway smiled sadly. "In my past, I was there when you died. The energy hit you, and you screamed. Not for Chakotay, who was also there, but for me. I held you, and you said something to me that I've never forgotten. You said, 'I'm sorry.' You didn't say you loved me, but you didn't have to. I knew. You called me Kathryn. And I knew."

Not knowing what else to do, but knowing she had to do something, and knowing the connection she felt with this woman, Seven leaned forward, pressing her lips to the older woman's.

Janeway's hand slid from Seven's cheek to the back of her neck, holding her in place. Seven's arms snaked around Janeway's waist, pulling her closer, feeling her softened curves pressing into her own body, feeling a deep, timeless passion sparking.

Parting her lips, Janeway's tongue peaked out, brushing against Seven's lips a moment before pressing into the younger woman's mouth. With a sigh, Seven let her in, let her explore and learn, tasting the past, tasting roads not taken. As Janeway retreated, Seven's tongue pressed forward, exploring and learning, tasting the future, and roads yet to be taken.

Long moments passed before the women parted, both breathing hard. Salty tears trickled down Janeway's face from beneath closed lashes.

"Go to her," Janeway whispered. "Tell her."

Seven gently grasped Janeway's hand, pulling from around her neck and pressing a kiss into the palm. "I will," she whispered back.

Janeway stepped away and opened her eyes. "I love you, Annika."

"I know."

"Listen to your instincts," she warned. "And make Kathryn listen."

Seven nodded, knowing the Janeway was speaking about her death. "I will," she promised fervently.

"Goodbye," Janeway breathed, transporting over to her own ship to jump back into her own time.

Seven stared at the spot where Janeway had stood, feeling her own tears trail down her cheeks, but ignoring them, letting them mark her, burn her, brand her forever as belonging to Kathryn Janeway. Timeless in her love, her need. Timeless in her desire.

Timeless.