The Plan

 

 

The Doctor sits in his office whistling an aria when the door to sickbay opens, admitting an annoyed, furious Captain Janeway. The Doctor's smile quickly disappears when stormy grey eyes pin him to his chair. He starts to say something but stops when she storms into his office.

 

The level of Janeway's irritation is made evident when she slaps both hands on the desk, leans toward the Doctor and growls out, "One week. You're prescribing a week of shore leave."

 

The Doctor unconsciously wipes his forehead when a twinge of fear, something the holographic Doctor has rarely experienced, courses through him.

 

"What were you thinking? I can't take a week away from Voyager."

 

The Doctor, straightens in his chair. The power of his conviction evident by the strength in his voice when he refuses to back down from the patented Janeway glare that was known to make anyone from an Ensign to a Starfleet Admiral quiver in their boots. "Your health and the health of this crew are my primary concerns. And you Captain, are in dire need of time away from this ship before you become a danger to yourself and to this crew." The Doctor raises his hand to stop Janeway from speaking, "And don't use the excuse that we're in danger."

 

Janeway's command mask slams into place so quickly that it almost deters the Doctor's objective of getting the Captain to take time for herself. He softens his tone but keeps the conviction in his voice that he knows he needs to persuade Janeway. "We've been orbiting this uninhabited class M planet for over a week and haven't detected any ship or anomalies since we've arrived. For some reason the Delta Quadrant has granted us a brief respite. And this has allowed every crew member to take some much needed shore leave, except you, Captain."

 

Janeway snaps her jaw closed, struggling to clamp down on the feelings of irritation that are threatening to explode. She closes her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose, as she takes deep, calming breaths. Slowly she regains control of her emotions but the irritation is still evident in her voice. "Every crew member?"

 

"Yes Captain, even Seven. Though I would have liked her to have stayed for more than one hour. She deemed it an inefficient use of her time. Still she did go."

 

Janeway sits down holding her head in the palm of one hand. Her fingers massaging her temples as she stares blankly at the wall behind the Doctor.

 

The Doctor studies the suddenly quiet Captain. A look of surprise, unnoticed by Janeway, appears on the Doctor's face as he watches the very tired woman emerge from behind the command mask that the Captain wears like a second skin.

 

Janeway glances at the Doctor, "I've been that bad?"

 

The Doctor nods, "No more than usual. We all..."

 

Janeway holds up her hand, forestalling the Doctor's comments. "You're right Doctor. I'll just get some reports..."

 

"No reports, nothing to do with the ship except checking in with me, twice a day." The Doctor stares hard into Janeway's face, "Doctor's orders."

 

Janeway stands and nods, "Thank you Doctor." She strides out of the room.

 

The Doctor smiles at the return of the familiar small bounce in the Captain's step. He taps his communicator, "Doctor to Commander Chakotay."

 

"Go ahead Doctor."

 

"Phase one is complete."

 

"Understood Doctor. Proceeding with phase two. Chakotay out."

 

"Computer, restrict all communications to Captain Janeway's com badge once she has left the ship, by order of the Emergency Medical Hologram."

 

"Acknowledged. Privacy lock initiated on Captain Janeway's communicator."

 

The Doctor leans back in his chair whistling the aria that had been interrupted with Janeway's expected appearance in sickbay.

 

Chakotay ambles down the corridor. The corners of his lips twitch as he fights to keep a smile from his face when he pauses just outside the door to Astrometrics. He straightens his shoulders before taking a step forward activating the door sensors.

 

The doors open revealing Seven working at the main console. On the large screen is a display of the planet that Voyager is currently orbiting. Without turning around Seven asks, "Commander, do you require assistance?

 

Chakotay's smile barely disappears as he steps next to Seven. He watches the display of the planet. "Beautiful isn't it?"

 

Seven glances sideways but continues working. "It is aesthetically pleasing."

 

Chakotay turns to look at Seven, "Is that why you only took an hour for shore leave?"

 

"The Doctor required that I take," a small look of disgust crosses Seven's features, "shore leave. He did not state the length of time that I was required to spend on the planet."

 

"Why?"

 

Seven stops working and turns towards Chakotay. The implant over her left eye arching at the question. "Why?"

 

"Yes why?"

 

"It is an inefficient use of my time."

 

"Inefficient use of time. Interesting."

 

"Interesting how Commander?"

 

"Have you noticed a change in the crew since the beginning of this inefficient shore leave?"

 

"They appear to be more relaxed and happier."

 

"So would you still consider shore leave an inefficient use of time, even for the Captain?"

 

"The Captain," A surprised Seven looks at the planet displayed on the monitor, "has taken shore leave?"

 

Chakotay chuckles, "I wouldn't say taken, more like ordered by the Doctor." He's amused by the thoughtful look on Seven's face. He turns and walks quickly towards the door, pausing and glancing back at Seven, who is still staring at the planet. "If you aren't going to use your allotted shore leave time, I would like to use your time for other crew members? Let me know as soon as you decide." He quickly exits Astrometrics before Seven can reply.

 

Seven stares at the planet and then glances down at the console. A soft smile, that would have shocked most of the crew of Voyager, gentles her normally stern features as she begins to rapidly access information from the computer.

 

Chakotay walks down the corridor. He taps his communicator, "Chakotay to the Doctor."

 

"Go ahead Commander."

 

"Phase two complete. Proceed to Phase three."

 

"Understood Commander, Doctor out."

 

Chakotay begins to whistle as he continues down the corridor.

 

Janeway relaxes on the sofa in her quarters. Her eyes closed as one hand massages her temples, a coffee cup rests on her stomach. She lowers her hand and slowly opens her eyes. Her gaze travels around the room taking in the mementos and souvenirs that each have a special story behind them and the loneliness the large room implies. A deep sigh escapes as she places the coffee cup on a table and then sits up. "Computer open personal diary, begin recording."

 

Janeway leans back, her head resting against the headrest of the sofa. "I'm not even sure where to begin. The past week has been out of the norm for our travels through the Delta Quadrant."  Janeway chuckles, "Normal, what constitutes normal. I'm not even sure that I know what the word normal even means anymore."  She runs her fingers through her hair, "We've had time to make needed repairs and to allow much needed shore leave. Shore leave. I had no intention of taking any time until the Doctor prescribed a week for me. I could have refused but knowing the Doctor he would have made it a medical order and Chakotay would have agreed with the Doctor's assessment. And they're right, I do need time to be only concerned with Kathryn Janeway, assuming I can remember what it's like not to be the Captain."

 

She leans forward, resting her forearms on her knees. Her voice drops to a whisper as she finally reveals a deep secret she rarely allows herself to think about, "The only thing that would make this better would have that special someone to spend it with. But being the Captain makes that impossible."

 

She lifts her coffee cup and studies the dark liquid that has gone cold. With a sigh, she stands, walks over and recycles the coffee. She begins to request a new cup of coffee but stops and walks into her bedroom.

 

Janeway returns carrying a box and a small duffle. She sets it on the table, keys in a code that allows her to open the box. Inside, nestled in protective wrapping is a bottle of whiskey. She removes the bottle and holds it in both hands.

 

Her voice returns to normal as she studies the bottle. "I was saving this for when Voyager crossed back into the Alpha Quadrant, but..."  She returns the bottle to the box, locks it and places it in her duffle.

 

"The Doctor to Captain Janeway."

 

Janeway sighs before tapping her com badge. "Go ahead Doctor."

 

"I've sent you a few recommendations of places that you may find relaxing."

 

Janeway pinches her nose before answering, "Thank you Doctor. Is there anything else?"

 

"The next shuttle leaves in 15 minutes. I've reserved a spot for you. I've also taken the liberty of logging you off duty. And except for a ship emergency all inquires will be routed to Commander Chakotay. Have a nice vacation Captain. Doctor out."

 

Janeway rolls her eyes at the Doctor's actions but knows deep inside that he's right. "Computer, end recording of personal diary and save."

 

She walks over to her work station, opens up the memo the Doctor has sent her. She studies the different camp sites and decides on the one near a creek. She smiles at the preliminary survey that shows a hot spring is only a short hike from her chosen site.

 

Janeway ends her session on the computer. She walks over, grabs her duffle and exits her quarters.

 

The Doctor works in his office when an incoming message informs him that the Captain has left the ship, headed for the planet. He taps his com badge, "Doctor to Commander Chakotay."

 

"Go ahead Doctor."

 

"Phase 3 complete."

 

"Understood Doctor. Beginning phase 4. Chakotay out."

 

A smile appears on the Doctor's face as he returns to work.

 

Belanna quietly enters engineering to find Seven, standing at a workstation, running diagnostics. "Any problems?"

 

Seven barely glances at Belanna before answering with a very clipped, "Everything is within the recommended guidelines."

 

Belanna rolls her eyes at Seven's precise language. "So everything is okay?"

 

"That is what I said, Lieutenant."

 

"Right."  Belanna studies Seven and is caught in her perusal when Seven turns, lifting the implant over her left eyebrow. "Is there something I can help you with Lieutenant?"

 

"Nope. Just came in to do a quick check on repairs before continuing with my shore leave. But since you've already run the diagnostics and they are within the guidelines, there isn't anything keeping me here."  Belanna turns to exit engineering and smiles when she hears Seven speak.

 

"Lieutenant?"

 

Belanna wipes the smile off her face before turning toward Seven. "It's Belanna, Seven."

 

"Belanna, how do you relax on shore leave?"

 

"Isn't that a question you'd normally discuss with the Captain?"

 

"Yes, but she is unavailable."

 

"I heard she was ordered to take leave."  Belanna walks over and leans against the workstation next to Seven. "It depends, how do you relax Seven?  I mean besides your velocity games with the Captain?  Is there anything you do simply for fun?"

 

"I play kodis kots with Naomi Wildman."

 

"And?"  Belanna's eyes widen in surprise, "That's it?"

 

Seven abruptly stiffens, "My apologies Lieutenant for delaying your return to leave."  She starts to walk away when Belanna steps in front of Seven. "Seven, wait."  She's surprised when Seven doesn't simply walk past her. "I want to help but why the questions about relaxing?"

 

Seven clasps her hands behind her back and stands straight. "I wish to take shore leave, but I find myself unsure how I should... experience it."

 

Belanna's surprised to see a faint hint of hope, warring with fear in Seven's normally unreadable features. She nods her head, "All right. I'll help you."  She taps Seven's shoulder, "The first thing is no uniforms. Second, there are no rules to taking shore leave or who you spend it with.  Third, you don't experience leave, you embrace it and enjoy it. All that matters is that whatever you're doing or whomever you're with, that it makes you feel good."

 

The disbelief in Belanna's statement is evident in Seven's reply. "Taking leave is a requirement for having fun?"

 

Belanna shakes her head at Seven's literal take of her comment. "Seven, having fun isn't restricted to taking leave. Having fun is about being with friends and family and them being with you. But taking shore leave, that's about re-affirming, and thanking, the fact that you're still alive. It's about letting go."

 

"Explain letting go?"

 

Torres crosses her arms and studies Seven. "It's the person inside each of us that's rarely seen."  She runs her fingers through her hair at the questioning look from Seven. "When you see the Captain, what do you see?"

 

"Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager."

 

"And?"

 

Seven frowns at the simple question. "She is the Captain."

 

"She is, but she's also Kathryn Janeway. And by taking shore leave, even for a small amount of time, she can be Kathryn Janeway and not Captain Janeway."

 

Torres watches in surprise as Seven's normally stern features are gentled by a small smile. The smile giving a hint of the caring soul that is slowly finding its way out from behind the Borg aloofness.

 

The stoic Seven returns when she taps her com badge, "Seven of Nine to Commander Chakotay."

 

"Go ahead Seven."

 

"Commander, I will be requiring the remainder of my shore leave."

 

"Understood. Chakotay out."

 

Seven begins to exit engineering, but stops at the door. She glances over her shoulder, the shy smile that had earlier, softened her features, to Belanna's surprise, returns. It's accompanied by a softly voiced, "Thank you, Belanna."  Seven turns and exits engineering.

 

Torres shakes her head. "I'm not sure whether I should be happy that this isn't just a weird dream."  She taps her com badge. "Torres to Chakotay."

 

"Go ahead Belanna."

 

She snarls out, "The next time you want to play matchmaker, keep me out of it."

 

A laugh comes over her com badge, "I take it phase 4 was successful?"

 

"Yes. The Captain will soon have company. Torres out."  She shakes her head again. "Seven and the Captain. I really hope this works. They need each other."  She quietly exits engineering.

 

Seven strides into an empty Astrometrics and over to the main console. "Computer, state the location of Captain Janeway."

 

"Unable to comply. That information is restricted."

 

Seven quirks her ocular implant at the information. "On whose authority?"

 

"By order of the Emergency Medical Hologram."

 

Seven studies the display of the planet on the large screen. A small twitch at the corner of her lips is the only indication that she's amused by the attempt of restricting the Captain's location.

 

"Computer display the location of every member of Voyager that are currently located on the planet."  Indicators begin to appear on the display of the planet.

 

She quickly inputs new parameters and as quickly as the indicators had appeared they disappear until there is only one left. A few more inputs and a description of the location of the last indicator appears on the display.

 

The doors swish open as Naomi enters Astrometrics. She is carrying a kodis kots board with her. "Hello Seven."

 

Seven turns to Naomi, "How may I help you Naomi Wildman?"

 

Naomi walks over to the console where Seven is working and sets the kodis kots board down. She looks up at the information on the display. "Are you taking shore leave, Seven?"

 

"Yes."

 

Seven tilts her head at the sadness she hears in Naomi's softly whispered, "I guess you don't want to play kodis kots with me?"

 

"Under one condition."

 

Naomi turns to Seven with a hopeful look on her face, "Okay."

 

"You have not heard what the condition is."

 

Naomi smiles, "Seven, we're friends and you would never compromise our friendship."

 

Seven smiles, "No, I would not."

 

"You should smile more often Seven."

 

Seven nods her head, "I shall endeavor to try smiling more."

 

"Good. Now what's the condition?"

 

Seven hesitates, a small flicker of uncertainty appears on her face, "I am unsure what is needed to experience shore leave. Belanna Torres said no uniforms, but I only have my biometric suits."

 

"Did the Captain recommend what to bring?"

 

"The Captain?"

 

"That's who you're spending shore leave with isn't it?"

 

"Yes."

 

Naomi glances at the information on the display, "If you're going there, then you're going to need a few things."

 

Seven steps closer to Naomi, watching as she quickly accesses various clothing data bases. She receives a smile from Naomi, when she rests her hand on the young girls shoulder and gently squeezes.

 

Naomi smiles and stands a little taller at the trust Seven has displayed in her by asking for and allowing her to help. "There, that should reduce your choices. Oh you'll need to replicate something to carry everything in."

 

"You have done well Naomi Wildman."

 

Naomi impulsively hugs Seven and is surprised when the hug is returned. She steps back, grabs her kodis kots board and starts towards the door. "We'll play when you get back. Say hi to the Captain. See you later Seven."  She quickly exits Astrometrics.

 

Seven turns to the console and begins working through the choices Naomi has suggested. She makes her final choice and then a bout of apprehension makes her pause. She tilts her head to one side analyzing the unusual feeling. Slowly the apprehension disappears, replaced by a new sensation that sends tingles of anticipation through her.

 

If any of the crew of Voyager had entered Astrometrics, they wouldn't have recognized the smiling woman standing at the console. The Borg implants still visible but the aloofness that surrounded Seven is gone, replaced by a woman that is not only discovering more of her humanity but is choosing to embrace it.

 

"Computer, when does the next shuttle leave?"

 

"The next shuttle leaves in 30 minutes."

 

Seven saves the files and encrypts them. She deletes the information on the display until all that's left displayed is the planet that Voyager is orbiting. She turns and strides out of Astrometrics.

 

A sweaty Kathryn Janeway, greedily drinks from a water bottle.  She slowly moves the bottle upward allowing the water to wash away the sweat and cool her flushed face. The water trails down her throat, dampening further her already sweaty shirt.

 

The sun reflects off the droplets of water that seem to be floating through the air when she shakes her head. Slowly she tilts her head back, allowing the warm rays of the afternoon sun to dry her skin.

 

She lifts her head, and a small smile curls her lips, at the familiar sound of a shuttle. She listens intently and shakes her head ruefully at the thought that someone would dare to break The Doctor's order of allowing her some much needed solitude.

 

Thoughtful eyes gaze over the landscape. In the distance, she can see where she has setup her campsite and the river that meanders close by. Her head barely moves before she locates the well hidden cave that hides with in its depths a hot water spring that can easily accommodate two people. A slight blush is followed by a derisive snort at the direction her thoughts were going. "Like there's any chance that will ever happen."

 

Kathryn begins walking, her hiking boots easily traversing the uneven terrain. A bounce, that had been missing, is readily apparent in her easy steps as she heads for her campsite. Her pace is unhurried, giving her time to study the area around her. She smiles at the quiet peacefulness that has eased the constant stress that she carries on her shoulders, from being a Starfleet Captain, lost far from home, is dissipating with every step.

 

She approaches her campsite and immediate enters the small habitat. Very shortly she reappears in the doorway carrying a a large towel and a small bag. She pauses in the doorway, studying her campsite. The pile of firewood within reach of a carefully prepared firepit, the camp chair perfectly situated to relish the warmth of the fire and a small cargo box next to the chair, acting as a table. Satisfied that everything is in order, Kathryn exits the habitat, heads toward the river and quickly disappears out of sight.

 

The level of the water, along one small section of the river, is low enough that the top of rocks break through the surface of the water creating a protected pool of water.

 

Kathryn kneels next to the pool of water, trailing her fingers through the water. A pleased smile appears on her face at the discovery that the water is slightly warm to the touch. She looks around and realizes that the cave with the hot spring is nearby. She studies the water and notices bubbles emerging from a small opening about a foot from the water line.

 

"This is a pleasant surprise."  She unties the laces on her boots and quickly slips off her boots and socks. She stuffs her socks into the boots. She stands and takes one last look around before quickly removing the rest of her clothes.

 

Kathryn grins crookedly as she eases her body into the warm, welcoming water. A blissful moan escapes as the water caresses her skin like a lovers knowing hand. "Now if we could just transport it to Voyager."  A deep chuckle creates ripples in the water, "Of course then everyone would want to experience it and I don't think I want to share this treasure."  Her voice drops to a husky purr, "Well there is one person."  She shakes her head ruefully, "No sense going there."

 

She can feel her muscles relaxing as she swims around the pool, exploring. Her hand finds the small flow of warmer water and is pleasantly surprised to discover that the rock around the outflow is worn smooth, creating a place to rest. She turns and allows her body to come to rest on the smooth surface. Slowly the warm water lulls her into a healing peacefulness.

 

Seven walks around a boulder wearing hiking boots, denim jeans, a button down shirt, with the sleeves rolled up above her elbows, a knapsack hangs over one shoulder. She pauses to remove a tricorder from the knapsack, opens it and studies the readings. She snaps it closed and resumes walking. Her long and determined strides rapidly propelling her in the desired direction.

 

So intent on reaching her destination, Seven barely notices the lush vegetation covering the landscape. She does hear the unmistakable sounds of a flowing river and adjusts her course knowing that Kathryn had chosen the campsite near this particular part of the river.

 

She emerges from the treeline to find the river below her. She looks up and down the river, yet finds no easy to cross. With an uncharacteristic sigh, she retrieves the tricorder, studies the readings and begins walking upriver, along the treeline.

 

She carefully navigates an area of the treeline where a rock slide had occurred, leaving a number of fair sized boulders, and comes to an abrupt stop. Directly across the river, the woman she has been looking for, rests in a pool of water. A tendril of fear begins to grow in the pit of her stomach at the lack of movement.

 

A deep sigh of relief is released when Kathryn begins to move.

Seven is frozen in place when she realizes that the woman slowly swimming through the water is nude. She watches the play of muscles with each stroke of deceptively strong arms, wondering if they are soft as they appear to be.

 

Her left hand comes to rest on a boulder, when Kathryn stands, exposing her bare back to Seven's appreciative gaze. She's captivated by the rivulets of water trailing over the muscles in Kathryn's back. A sudden and deep inhalation of air is loud but unheard by Seven when Kathryn turns, allowing the outline of a breast and the barest hint of a nipple.

 

Kathryn reaches for the small bag that rests next to her towel and her com badge that's attached to her shirt. A small blinking light mostly hidden by the bag catches her attention. Using her movement of opening the bag to disguise retrieving her tricorder, she quietly activates the perimeter scan. She continues to rummage in the bag as she surreptitiously studies the information displayed on the small screen.

 

Only years of being in dangerous situations keeps Kathryn from reacting from the information that not only is there someone in the vicinity but the person is directly across the river from her current position. The tension eases and a husky, "Seven," escapes from her.

 

Kathryn's hand hesitates over her com badge. An impish grin slowly grows on her face as she removes her hand from the vicinity of her com badge. She retrieves a washcloth, a bar of soap and a bottle of shampoo from the bag.

 

Dipping the washcloth into the water, Kathryn slowly uses the soap to create a lather. Knowing and feeling the intensity of Seven's watchful eyes, she sensually and slowly washes her arms and shoulders. A blissful sigh escapes from Kathryn from the combination of the slow and sensual cleansing of her skin and from the knowledge that Seven is watching.

 

She tosses the washcloth next to the bag and retrieves the shampoo. Carefully she backs further into the water until her breasts are barely below the surface. She dips her head below the water, wetting her hair. Shampoo is squeezed into her hand and the bottle is tossed toward her bag.

 

Bit by bit she massages the shampoo into her scalp. She closes her eyes until she can barely see and then turns in the direction of her observer.  Her sensual moans from her scalp massage are at first exaggerated and then become very real at the vision of beauty that she can see watching her.

 

The fingers of Seven's left hand are creating indentations in the stone at the sensual movements and sounds coming from Kathryn. Her eyes drop to watch the hypnotic movement of breasts and her tongue unconsciously traces the curve of her lips when a puckered nipple barely breaks the surface of the water.

 

An increase of pressure generates cracks on the rock under Seven's Borg enhanced hand when Kathryn turns slightly and dips her head below the water exposing, fully, both breasts to Seven's hungry and appreciative gaze. A husky, "Oh Kathryn," escapes from Seven's dry lips. Part of the rock crumbles from the pressure and Seven's legs give out when Kathryn lifts her head and stands, exposing her entire chest.

 

Kathryn waits until she turns away from Seven's gaze before allowing a smirk to appear. She exits the water, keeping her back towards Seven and slowly uses the towel to dry off. A husky laugh threatens to break free at the harsh breathing, that doesn't require Borg enhanced hearing to hear, coming from her watcher. She quickly wraps the towel around herself, gathers her belongings and walks toward her campsite.

 

Seven is so entranced by the sensual actions she had been observing, that, if anyone had asked her, she would not have been able to explain how she came to be sitting on the ground, holding the remnants of a rock in her left hand.

 

Kathryn enters her habitat, tossing her clothes and the small bag onto the bed. A frown mars her features and the frustration over her actions, if anyone had been there to hear, is evident in the low growl of, "What the hell were you thinking Katie?" Her towel is sent flying across the habitat. "If anyone else had teased Seven like you just did, they would have been cleaning every Jeffries tube until we reached earth."

 

Angrily, she reaches into her duffle and pulls out the small box containing the bottle of whiskey. She sets it to one side and retrieves a clean set of clothes from the duffle bag. She jerks on each article of clothing and then puts on her hiking boots and her com badge. She quickly keys in the code to the box, removes the bottle of whiskey and exits the habitat.

 

Seven sits on the ground, her breathing erratic, as her eidetic memory replays every one of Kathryn's movements. Her left hand pulverizes the remnants of the rock she had been holding at the replay of the sensual memories. A whispered, "Kathryn," is so soft that the benediction barely leaves her mouth before it's gone.

 

A look of confusion appears on Seven's face at the realization that she is sitting on the ground and has no memory of how it happened. She lifts her left hand, opens it and watches pieces of rock and rock dust fall out.

 

She stands and looks toward the pool of water. A touch of fear settles in the pit of her stomach when there is no sign of Kathryn. She quickly glances up and down the river and reaches for her com badge. Her hand hovers over the badge and instead of activating it, she reaches into her knapsack and removes the tricorder. She releases a sigh of relief from the readings. Slowly the feeling of fear recedes and is replaced by elation. With a determined stride, she begins moving up river.

 

Kathryn sits in the chair next to the small fire she has lit in the fire pit. Next to her, on the cargo box, sits the opened bottle of whiskey and a glass that is half full of the golden liquid. The fingers of her left hand are tapping a slow beat against her left thigh, as she stares into the fire, contemplating her actions.

 

She picks up the glass and drinks half the contents in one quick drink. The whiskey burns a fiery trail down her throat. She empties the glass and then refills it to the rim. The heat the whiskey has created within her pales in comparison to what she feels for Seven.

 

She quickly consumes the second glass of whiskey, but doesn't refill it. She sets the glass down on the cargo box. "I use to enjoy shore leave until...oh hell admit it Katie, until Seven entered your life. You immerse your self in work so you won't spend every minute thinking about her." She snorts in amusement. "I've never felt like this for anyone. Never felt the need to know every thought, every opinion...just everything."

 

She pours another drink and hesitates at drinking it. She holds it up and studies the golden liquid backlit by the fire. "Such a contradiction." She turns the glass watching the liquid distort her view of the fire, "Heat hiding in a cool to the touch liquid."

 

"The Doctor to Captain Janeway."

 

Kathryn almost drops the glass at the unexpected hail. She takes a deep breath before tapping her com badge, "Go ahead Doctor."

 

"Captain Janeway, I was becoming concern when I hadn't heard from you."

 

Kathryn rolls her eyes, "I was following Doctor's orders to relax and lost track of time."

 

"Good."

 

"Is there anything else Doctor?"

 

"No. Until tomorrow morning. Doctor out."

 

She lifts her glass in a salute, "Until tomorrow morning." She empties the glass and slams it down on the cargo box. She settles back in the chair, a softly whispered, "Seven," escapes as her eyelids close.

 

Seven steps off a boulder onto the other side of the river, pausing long enough to take a quick tricorder reading before walking down river in the direction of Kathryn's camp. Her strides are long but with a bounce in every step.

 

Kathryn's eyes slowly open and then slam shut. "Damn. Serves me right for drinking on an empty stomach." Her fingers begin to massage her temples hoping to make the pounding in her head go away. She winces in pain when her com badge chirps.

 

"Chakotay to Captain Janeway."

 

Kathryn taps her com badge. Her response is a cross between a moan and pain, "Go ahead Chakotay." Her eyes narrow as she continues to massage her temples.

 

"Captain are you all right? You don't..."

 

"I was resting."

 

"Sorry Captain. Engineering is requesting an additional three days. They want to take the time to do a complete system overhaul."

 

"That's fine. Anything else?"

 

"No. Chakotay out."

 

Still massaging her temples, Kathryn closes her eyes. Slowly the motions of her hand stops and it slowly sags to rest against her chest as her breathing deepens into a quiet sleep.

 

Chakotay and the Doctor are sitting in the Doctor's office. Belanna leans against the doorway. A frown mars her face, "I don't even want to imagine what Janeway will do to us if this doesn't work."

 

The Doctor straightens in his chair, "All we're doing is making sure that both the Captain and Seven take their mandatory shore leave."

 

"What happens," Chakotay shrugs his shoulders, "or doesn't happen, is up to them."

 

Belanna shakes her head at the simple statement, "I'll remind you of that when we're cleaning Jefferies tubes for the rest of the voyage. Now I need to get started on the complete system overhaul in case the Captain asks." She pushes away from the doorway and exits sickbay.

 

Seven's approach to Kathryn's campsite takes her past the quiet pool of water. She hesitates and then detours to the pool. Kneeling on one knee, she dips her fingers into the tepid water. A smile appears on her face as her eidetic memory replays the memories of Kathryn's actions in the water. Her breath comes in quick gasps as the multitude of possibilities the pool of water offers runs like quicksilver through her mind.

 

She lifts her hand, her eyes darkening in arousal at the sight of the water that had been wrapped around Kathryn was now running down her hand. She brings her hand closer and, whether it was just her imagination or wishful thinking, inhales Kathryn's unique essence. Her eyes close as the tip of her tongue pokes out from suddenly dry lips and takes a tentative taste of the water.

 

The first taste ignites a need for more and Seven slowly cleans her fingers. Moans reverberate with each swipe of her tongue. Each moan getting deeper and more erotic when she mixes the sensual images of Kathryn in the water and the swipe of her tongue. Anyone watching or hearing couldn't help but feel deeply aroused by the erotic display.

 

A husky, "Kathryn," escapes from Seven. So erotic were the images, Seven closes her eyes and falls to both knees. Her hands flat on the rock are barely holding her up as she gasps for air.

 

Slowly she regains control of her breathing. Her eyes open and as she turns her head, a feral look, that no one would ever have dreamed of seeing on Seven's features, is aimed in the direction of Kathryn's camp. Gradually she rises from her kneeling position. Without another thought, she strides across the path heading for Kathryn.

 

Groaning from drinking on an empty stomach, Kathryn lethargically enters the habitat. She massages her temples with one hand as she rummages in her small bag. A sigh of, "Finally," brings a grimace to her face when her hand closes around the tricorder. She quickly enters what she needs and the relief is immediate when she injects herself with the antidote for a hangover.

 

Still massaging her temples, she glances at the small replicator and wrinkles her nose in disgust. "Coffee, hot, black, double strength." She watches the coffee materializes, picks up the mug and closes her eyes as she inhales the powerful aroma. Needing the boost to her system, she doesn't take the time to enjoy the coffee, but rather consumes it like a woman drinking water for the first time in days. She finishes the last of the coffee and sets the mug down. She starts to exit the habitat and freezes in the doorway at the sight of Seven watching her from the other side of the fire.

 

The intensity of Seven's gaze has Kathryn clutching the door frame to keep herself standing. Her eyes begin to slide close but snap open at hearing Seven's husky, "Kathryn,"for the first time. She watches, entranced as Seven walks around the fire. Unable to stop herself, Kathryn's eyes drift over the stunning blonde, her mouth opening in surprise at how Seven's outfit is far sexier than the normal skin tight bio suits the Doctor required Seven to wear.

 

Seven absentmindedly drops her rucksack in the chair as she continues toward Kathryn. Her eyes take in the light bead of perspiration that has appeared on Kathryn's forehead, to the slight parting of lips drawing in ragged breaths of air, to the tip of Kathryn's tongue, nervously wetting her suddenly dry lips.

 

Seven's left index finger comes to rest against Kathryn's lips, stopping her from speaking. Her eyes darken at the warm breath wrapping around and caressing her finger. Slowly she traces the pliant lips marveling at the duality of their current softness and the strength they display when Voyager or a member of her crew is threatened.

 

Her finger trails across Kathryn's cheek leaving goose bumps behind. Her finger caresses the pulse point in Kathryn's neck, feeling the increasing blood pressure. She softly begins to talk, "When you severed me from the Collective, I wanted nothing more than to escape Voyager and return to the only life I truly knew." Her finger trails over the quivering muscles in Kathryn's neck to the collar of her shirt and traces the collar around Kathryn's neck.

 

Her softly spoken dialogue continues, "You forced me to accept my humanity even when I refused to accept that part of me." She lightly trails the fingers of her left hand over Kathryn's shoulder and down her arm, feeling the muscles quivering in anticipation of her touch. Gently she grasps Kathryn's slender hand, lifts it and traces the contours with the fingers of her right hand and with her eyes. "You gave me strength even when I was unaware I needed it. You defended me." She lifts her head allowing Kathryn to see the truth of her statements in her eyes. "You fought for me and with me. You were proud of my accomplishments and at times," Seven glances away almost in shame, "disappointed in my actions." Her gaze returns to meet the blue eyes that reflects understanding and love. "But never once did you waiver in your determination to have me see myself, as you see me, an individual and not," she lifts Kathryn's hand, "an unfeeling drone," and places the gentlest of kisses on Kathryn's palm.

 

A softly whispered, "Oh Seven, you have far exceeded..." is stopped by Seven's fingers once again resting against Kathryn's lips. "Please Kathryn, let me finish." Kathryn nods her head in understanding.

 

Seven's thumb continues to gently stroke Kathryn's hand. "At first I refused to accept these feelings, that I considered an inefficient use of my time, and I fought, as you are well aware of, to keep them buried deep inside of me. But these feelings, like a particular Starfleet Captain, were extremely stubborn." Kathryn smiles and nods her head for Seven to continue, "And no matter what I tried, I could not contain them." Seven pauses to take a deep breath and finds the courage she needs to continue by looking into Kathryn's eyes. "To my surprise I gradually came to care for the crew of Voyager and for Voyager itself. I came to care for the needs of my friends, Naomi Wildman and The Doctor. I came to care for Captain Janeway. But what I feel for Kathryn...is beyond caring. And it was not until recently that I discovered what I truly feel and that is love."

 

Seven steps closer until their bodies are almost touching. She lifts her left hand, placing Kathryn's hand over her heart and holds it there. "I love the intensity in your eyes, whether it is during a game of Velocity or during one of our philosophical discussions or fighting to protect your ship and crew from another Delta Quadrant enemy. I love how your simple touch inspires faith that we will survive our latest encounter no matter how hopeless it may seem. I love your patience and your snap judgements, whether they are right or wrong. I love how the corner of your mouth curls up when you are amused. I love how your eyes change colors depending on your mood. I love..." She lowers her head until her lips are almost touching Kathryn's and she can feel the hot rush of air with every breath, "You, Kathryn."

 

Kathryn lifts her free hand and slides it around Seven's neck. She breathes in deeply the air escaping from Seven. A smile curls the corners of her mouth as she whispers huskily, "And I love you Seven." She swallows the gasp of happiness from Seven when their lips finally touch in the softest of kisses.

 

Kathryn's fingers work free the tight twist of blond hair, moaning from the sensual feel of her fingers finally being allowed the freedom of combing through the silky strands. She deepens the kiss, parting Seven's lips with her tongue and delving deep into the unique flavor that was rapidly becoming an addiction.

 

Slowly Kathryn lessens the intensity of the kisses and lifts her head. She smiles when Seven's lips follow, refusing to allow the loss of contact. Reluctantly Kathryn frees her hand from the silky strands and places it over Seven's lips. She moans at the gentle licks of Seven's tongue against her fingers.

 

She opens her mouth to talk but swallows deeply when her eyes connect with eyes so darkened with arousal that none of the white of the Seven's eyes is visible. With great effort, Kathryn closes her eyes, to break the hypnotic spell she is falling under. She takes a breath and a husky, "Seven," is all she is able to gasp when her fingers are engulfed into the white hot heat of Seven's mouth.

 

Forgetting everything but the feeling of her fingers engulfed in the heat, her head falls forward until it's resting against the expanse of skin exposed in the vee of Seven's shirt. She moans from the tingles running through her fingers and spreading through out her body with every caress of Seven's tongue. Desperate for more contact, she begins alternating open mouth kisses and nips of her white teeth on the quivering muscles of Seven's chest.

 

Seven releases Kathryn's fingers from her mouth and arches her neck exposing her tender throat to Kathryn's erotic nipping. She moans as her hypersensitive nerve endings are sending out sparks that threaten to buckle her knees. Needing to feel grounded, her hands clasp Kathryn's hips, pulling her closer while arching her neck further for her lover's soft lips.

 

Seven moans when teeth nip at her pounding pulse point in her neck. In a voice deepened by her rapidly building desire, Seven can barely pant out, "Kathryn," when those maddening lips capture her earlobe, sucking it into the heat of Kathryn's mouth. A husky, "Please," rushes from her at the feeling of teeth nipping her lobe followed by the soothing caress of Kathryn's tongue.

 

Kathryn's lips reluctantly releases the tender flesh of Seven's earlobe and slowly kisses her way along the quivering muscles of Seven's jaw until her lips are barely touching Seven's. She breaths in deeply the gasps of air Seven is exhaling and smiles. Her fingers tighten in the silky strands and pulls, crushing their lips together in a fiery kiss that is filled with desperation, frustration and the promise of things to come.

 

Barely remembering to limit the strength of her left hand, Seven tightens her grip on Kathryn's hips, pulling until they're touching the entire length of their bodies. Her hands slide around to the middle of Kathryn's back, swallowing Kathryn's moan, when she draws their lower bodies even tighter together. So immersed in the multitude of new sensations that are coursing through her, Seven can't determine whether it's her body or Kathryn's that is trembling. She barely grasps the fleeting thought that it's a combination of both of them that is creating the trembling.

 

With a moan, Kathryn breaks the kiss and rests her forehead against Seven's chin. A smile appears at the gentle caress of lips, accompanied by Seven's ragged breaths on her sweaty brow. A breathless, "Seven," is all that Kathryn can manage.

 

"Yes, Kathryn." The gentlest of kisses, and the occasional nip of white teeth, are placed from Kathryn's forehead, down the side of her face to her ear. Hot breath is creating new tremors in Kathryn as Seven softly whispers, "Please Kathryn," a nip to Kathryn's ear lobe brings forth a moan, "Please love me."

 

Kathryn tightens her grip on Seven's head and with strength born from her deep desires finally being allowed to see the light of day, she pulls Seven's head back until they are looking into each others eyes.

 

Seven had thought she had observed most of the changing colors of Kathryn's eyes during her time on Voyager, but this was such a different shade of blue, darker, more sensual, more feral. These eyes asked for, no demanded every feeling, every emotion, just everything Seven had to give. The intensity of Kathryn's gaze was searing through her like a dark arrow of desire searching for and piercing her soul and left her wondering if she was going to survive. She barely had time to finish her thought before her lips were crushed in a kiss that neither asked for nor demanded what Seven was offering, rather it took.

 

So lost in the intensity of the moment, it takes Seven a moment to realize that Kathryn is no longer in her arms nor kissing her. She tries to control her rapid breathing as she looks around to find Kathryn near the fire, spreading, what takes a minute to register in her foggy brain, the padded bedroll from the habitat.

 

Kathryn slowly stands and turns toward Seven. Her heated gaze starts at Seven's feet and slowly trails over every inch of Seven's body. She smiles at the hitching in breathing and the tremor that runs through Seven from her intense perusal of Seven's  alluring body. Her tongue slides out to wet her dry lips, and she rubs the tips of her fingers together, when her eyes pause at Seven's breasts. She quirks her lips when two small protrusions appear in Seven's shirt. Finally, her eyes connect with Seven's and never breaking the connection, Kathryn extends her hand towards Seven and waits.

 

The distance to Kathryn is lessened with every step Seven takes until her hand comes to rest in Kathryn's offered hand. She shudders when soft lips caress the back of her hand and a breathy, "Kathryn," escapes when the tip of a tongue strokes across her knuckles.

 

Unsure what to do with her hands when Kathryn releases her grip, she lets them come to rest against her legs. The fingers on each hand curl into a fist when Kathryn slowly kneels and begins to untie the laces on her hiking boots. She balances herself with her right hand resting on Kathryn's shoulder when she lifts each foot allowing the removal of her boots and socks.

 

She had dismissed her feet as anything special until Kathryn's fingers begin to dip in and out between her toes. Her toes curl into the ground when those maddening fingers caress the arch of each foot and then glide upward to wrap around her suddenly sensitive ankles. She can feel the slight twisting of each of Kathryn's hand that is accompanied by fingernails lightly trailing over her skin.

 

Kathryn smiles at the response her gentle touch is creating. She can almost see the muscles twitching in anticipation of her touch. Relenting, she releases the grip on each ankle and slowly rises, trailing her fingers up the outside of Seven's jeans until she reaches the narrow waist. Lifting her head, she waits for Seven's eyes to meet hers.

 

Needing to see the reactions to her touch, she maintains the eye contact as her fingers follow the waist of Seven's jeans until they meet in the middle. Her fingers find the first button on Seven's shirt and slowly works the button through the closure until it gaps open. A small moan escapes from both women when her finger touches the smooth skin covering Seven's abdominal implant. She keeps her finger inside the shirt, stroking upward to the next button and smiles at the contractions each touch of her finger creates in Seven.

 

Startled by what her fingers are not touching, Kathryn's eyes drop to the button and slowly pushes it through. She wets her suddenly dry lips as her fingers release the few remaining buttons. The shirt gaps, exposing Seven's unencumbered chest to Kathryn's appreciative gaze.

 

Her hands flatten against Seven's upper chest and slowly she pushes the shirt sideways revealing firm breasts topped by soft nipples that pebble under her appreciative gaze. Her hands continue pushing the shirt over strong shoulders and then down equally strong arms, leaving it to dangle by the shirt tails still tucked into Seven's jeans.

 

Unable to resist the tempting flesh, she starts to reach out when her hands are captured by Seven's. "No Kathryn." Seven releases Kathryn's hands and then grasps the bottom of her shirt. "I wish to see you." She quickly divests Kathryn of her shirt and her bra, dropping the articles of clothing before hesitantly reaching out to cup Kathryn's small breasts. Her thumbs brush over the areolas feeling the soft flesh pebbling with each caress.

 

Kathryn leans into the caresses, her breathing coming in gasps at the pleasurable sensations Seven's thumbs are creating. Her hands come to rest on rounded hips, fingers stroking the quivering flesh along the waist of Seven's jeans until they meet in the middle. Her fingers fumble with the snap and the zipper. She groans suddenly, "You feel so soft," as her hands slide around and then beneath the loosened denim grasping Seven's soft, yet powerful butt muscles and kneads them. She feels Sevens breathing catch and then rush out with every knead of the muscles in her hands.

 

Seven closes her eyes, her head sinking forward until her lips are next to Kathryn's ear. She whispers, "Kathyrn, I..." She barely hears the husky, "I know," before her lips are captured by Kathryn's in a fiery kiss so consuming that both women could feel their knees buckling from the intensity.

 

Breaking the kiss, Kathryn grasps Seven's hands and steps back. She releases the hands and whispers, "Watch." Never breaking eye contact, she quickly rids herself of her hiking boots and socks. She rests her hands on the snap of her jeans and smiles when Seven's eyes follow the movement of her hands. She can hear Seven's deep breaths as she fights to draw air into her constricted lungs as she slowly lowers the zipper on her jeans. A quick push and her jeans are pooling at her feet.

 

Seven's eyes studies every detail of the woman standing quietly before her. She pushes on her own jeans until they slide over her hips, pooling at her feet.

 

They step toward each other, their lips meeting in a hungry kiss and somehow manage to lie down on the padded bedroll without breaking the kiss. Kathryn rolls them until she's straddling her lover's hips, her hands tangling in the blond strands crushing their lips together.

 

Seven's chest heaves, desperate to draw in air when her lips are freed. Arcs of electricity are coursing through her hypersensitive nerves as Kathryn's lips are everywhere, kissing and tasting then returning to Seven's mouth to explore the heat and wetness that make up the uniqueness of the woman she loves.

 

"Kathryn," she gasped when the hot wetness of Kathryn's mouth hungrily engulfs one pebbled nipple, while fingers begin to pull and pinch the other nipple. Her right hand gently clasps the back of Kathryn's head, keeping the maddening lips and tongue attached to her breast. Her left hand gently strokes the length of Kathryn's back.

 

Never loosing contact with Seven's breasts, Kathryn shifts her hips allowing her free hand room to slide over quivering stomach muscles. She slips just the tips of her fingers into the swollen flesh, slowly caressing up and down.

 

Seven's body arches when Kathryn's fingers begin to tease the bundle of sensitive nerves with every stroke through her swollen flesh. A sudden revelation runs like quicksilver through her, that the love of this one woman is the missing piece in her life. But before she can grasp the significance, it's gone.

 

Kathryn can feel her own orgasm building from listening to Seven's moans and her cries of, "Yes Kathryn. Oh please Kathryn." She can feel her own nipples getting harder with every movement of Seven's quivering muscles.

 

Seven's hand tighten reflexively when she feels one finger slides into her aroused center and slowly begins to thrust into her. Her hips begin their own movement, desperately trying to pull the thrusting finger in deeper. She can feel all of her hypersensitive nerves begin to fire one after another sending a torrent of sensations through her until it feels like she is in a continuos stream of feeling.

 

Kathryn begins thrusting hard and fast into Seven's warmth and moisture with two fingers, desperate to bring Seven to an orgasm before her own explodes. Her thumb finds the bundle of nerves and begins to alternate soft and hard caresses.

 

At the first sign that Seven's orgasm is about to wash over her, Kathryn lifts her head and shifts slightly forward so she can look into Seven's eyes. A husky, "Seven," has Seven slowly opening her eyes, her chest heaving in an effort to bring in more air.

 

A whispered, "I love you," sends Seven over the edge. Moans and sighs beginning in the back of her throat build until they come out as a loud cry. Her body arching as the tidal of sensations causes every muscle to go taut as she comes, pulling Kathryn along for the ride.

 

Kathryn rests her forehead against Seven's shoulder. Her own release hitting her harder than she expected. Slowly she removes her fingers from Seven's warmth, lifts her head, waiting for Seven to open her eyes. The corners of her mouth curl upward when Seven's dazed eyes connect with hers. She leans forward and breathes into Seven's mouth, "I love you," before softly kissing Seven.

 

Ending the kiss, Kathryn lays her head on Sevens chest. She smiles at the soft kiss to her forehead before both women fall a sleep, relaxing in the love that surrounds them.

 

A slim nose twitches from the teasing motion of a few strands of red hair that gently move with every exhale of breath. A hand begins to move but can't since it is held in the grasp of another hand. Slowly eyes open, revealing a blue, that for the first time are reflecting the peaceful feelings that Seven never believed she would ever feel. A feeling she owes to a stubborn woman that refused to give up and refused to allow Seven to give up on herself.

 

Seven turns her head slightly to find Kathryn has moved in her sleep and is now tucked against her right side, her head resting on her shoulder. She lifts her left hand, studying he smaller hand that she holds in her gentle grip. A hand that had calmed her with its simple touch and yet had brought her to unimaginable heights of ecstacy. Gently she raises the hand until she can place a soft kiss in the center of the palm and sighs at the touch of soft fingers caressing her cheek.

 

A husky, "Hi," has Seven turning her head to meet the sleepy blue eyes of her lover. She leans over and tenderly captures Kathryn's lips in a gentle kiss that quickly reignites their slumbering passion.

 

Kathryn's fingers slide through the silky blond hair of her lover. She tightens her grip crushing their lips together. Her other hand slides around Seven, who never relinquishes the soft lips under hers, uses her weight to roll Kathryn over onto her back.

 

Fingers tighten in the blond strands trying to keep Seven from breaking the kiss but a ragged sigh is released by Kathryn when Seven's questing lips kiss along her neck. Her arms tighten around her love when her earlobe is surrounded by the wet heat of Seven's mouth and teeth capture her earlobe, biting only hard enough to sensitize the nerves. A husky, "Oh Seven," escapes from Kathryn when the inflamed nerves of her earlobe are soothed by the gentle caress of Seven's tongue.

 

Kathryn arches her neck when Seven releases the earlobe and kisses her way to the other earlobe, giving it the same treatment as the first one. A whimper of need starts to escape from Kathryn when her earlobe is released but is quickly silenced by Seven's demanding lips.

 

Her fingers tangle themselves among the blond strands in an attempt to keep those maddening lips crushed against her own. A needy, "Don't stop," is pulled from Kathryn when Seven lifts her head. Blue eyes darkened with desire meet and study their fiery counterpart.

 

Slowly Seven shifts her body, shuddering at the teasing sensation of Kathryn's hands trailing over her highly sensitive body. Her movement continues upward until she is sitting upright with most of her weight resting on her bent knees. She captures Kathryn's hands, kisses each palm and then gently places both hands on the ground.

 

Seven's fingers, barely making contact, lightly trail over the muscles of Kathryn's arms and continue over skin that trembles in anticipation of being caressed. She can feel Kathryn arching her body in response to her teasing touch, but rather than increasing the pressure, Seven lightens her touch until it feels as if only the fine hairs on Kathryn's body are the only thing in contact with Seven's fingers.

 

Seven's light touch continues over both collarbones and then barely brushes the outside of Kathryn's breast as she trails her fingers down her lover's side. She flattens her hands against the taunt muscles of Kathryn's abdomen and slowly strokes upward to the underside of both breasts. Her fingers teasingly cup each breast before sliding downward and then stroking upward again.

 

Each stroke caresses more of the sensitive mounds but Seven deliberately avoids any contact with the nipples that are swelling with each stroke. Shifting her weight, Seven's hips are welcomed into the vee between Kathryn's legs. She leans forward, her lips capturing the rush of air from Kathryn when her fingers begin to squeeze and knead the firm mounds.

 

Kathryn arches into the kneading and the demanding kiss. Her hands clutch against strong shoulders trying desperately to maneuver the wet heat of Seven's mouth to her aching breast. She groans and gasps for breath when lips, a tongue and gentle nips from teeth follow the line of her neck and then explore the length of her collarbones.

 

Seven is lost in the multitude of feelings and sensations that are bombarding her senses: the slight pain of fingernails digging into her shoulders, to the strong muscles of Kathryn's abdomen arching and rasping against her own aroused nipples, to Kathryn's legs wrapping around the back of her thighs, pulling until their throbbing and hypersensitive bundles of nerves are constantly rubbing against each other, to the rush of hot air that caresses her ears with every exhale of breath from Kathryn.

 

Kathryn groans in frustration when Seven's left hand releases a breast but the groan quickly turns into a gasp of pleasure when the released breast is surrounded by the wet heat of Seven's mouth. Her fingers slide into the silky blonde hair holding Seven's head closer as she loses herself in the sensations.

 

Seven's teeth tighten around the nipple, her tongue bathes the turgid protrusion forcing it to swell even more. She pinches the other nipple between her fingertips and pulls up while also lifting her head with the nipple still captured between her teeth.

 

Kathryn's world narrows to three points of pleasure, her breasts and her swollen clit. Her breaths are coming in quick gasps as her hypersensitive nerves have her riding on a continuos stream of sensations. A loud, "Oh god," is ripped from her and her eyes slam shut when her nipples are suddenly released and her clit is crushed by the quick thrust of Seven's hips. A ragged,"Kathryn," has Kathryn opening her eyes to meet Seven's eyes that are darkened with passion. "Watch."

 

Kathryn moans at the caress of damp skin sliding over damp skin when Seven shifts slightly to one side with a muscled thigh coming to rest against the juncture between her legs. The warm metal covering Seven's left hand palms Kathryn's wet breast. She squeezes and kneads the breast and then pulls upward allowing the breast to slide between her fingers until she captures the nipple, rolling it between her fingers.

 

She repeats the motion as she lowers her head to the other breast, pausing just above the nipple. Her warm breath flows over the turgid nipple and a smile appears when the nipple seems to swell even further.

 

Seven glances toward Kathryn and holds their eye contact as her tongue lightly strokes the sensitive skin around but avoiding the nipple swollen with arousal.

 

Kathryn tries to use her grip in Seven's hair to get that maddening mouth where she desperately wants it, but Seven refuses to be hurried. A thought flashes through Kathryn's mind and she quickly follows through with the thought by thrusting her chest upwards, moaning when her aching nipple is surrounded by the wet heat of Seven's mouth.

 

Kathryn jerks from the sharp nips and the soothing swipe of Seven's tongue as well as the fingers kneading and pulling on her other nipple that are increasing the torrent of sensations flowing through her hypersensitive nerves.

 

Her stomach muscles spasm in response to the gentle caress of long fingers that are sliding between their bodies and gently rests against her heat and wetness.

 

The intensity of the sexual energy that is surging through every nerve ending gives Kathryn the strength she needs to pull Seven up and into a soul shattering kiss.

 

Kathryn cries out, ending the kiss when two fingers slowly thrust into her body. Needing to feel grounded, as the new sensations threaten to implode every nerve in her body, Kathryn forces herself to keep her eyes open and focuses on the dark, passionate eyes that promise to keep her safe if she's willing to step off the precipice and let go.

 

A slight shift in Kathryn's eyes tells Seven everything she needs to know. She adds a third finger and increases the speed of the thrusts. She steadily builds the pressure until Kathryn is trembling in her arms. She softly whispers, "Let go Kathryn." The hard caress of Seven's thumb against her swollen clit sends Kathryn over the edge.

 

Kathryn can feel every part of her body tingling as her orgasm flares through her body with such a white hot intensity that it threatens to lay waste to every nerve ending in her body.

 

Seven arches against Kathryn as wave after wave of her own orgasm, that is feeding off of Kathryn's, blazes through her senses. Breathing heavily, Seven tenderly kisses Kathryn. A softly whispered, "Kathryn?" has Kathryn opening her eyes to meet Seven's loving gaze.

 

She smiles, her fingers trailing lightly over Seven's face, "I know." And sighs deeply when Seven gently kisses her before resting her head on Kathryn's shoulder.

 

Fingers slowly slide through the silky blond strands of hair, then over narrow, but deceptively strong shoulders. They continue their slow path tracing the faint rise and hollows of quivering back muscles and then stroking up and down the length of her lover's spine. She can feel her lover's pulse increasing with every gentle caress of her fingers.

 

A husky, "Oh," is followed by Kathryn's deep breath as her desire quickly builds when fingers grasp the warm flesh of her breast. Her hands tighten their grip, and her eyes close, when those same fingers slide up quivering muscles until her nipple is captured between two fingers and squeezed tightly.

 

Realizing the maddening fingers caressing her breast have stopped, Kathryn's eyes snap open to find Seven, having shifted her position, is eye-to-eye with her and is intently studying her. Her tongue darts out to moisten her suddenly dry lips and drags in a deep breath when that intense scrutiny focuses on the movement of her tongue and lips.

 

Reluctantly Seven lifts her eyes, capturing Kathryn's gaze. The warm breath caressing her skin like a lover, sending quivers of arousal through her senses. She takes a deep breath, calming herself before speaking in a voice so soft and so full of emotion that anyone who knew Seven, before and after her arrival on Voyager, would never have believed she was capable of.

 

If I could have just one wish,

I would wish to wake up everyday

to the sound of your breath on my neck,

the warmth of your lips on my cheek,

the touch of your fingers on my skin,

and the feel of your heart beating with mine...

Knowing that I could never find that feeling

with anyone other than you.

 

A single tear slides from the corner of Kathryn's eye, "Thank you."

 

Seven places her hand against Kathryn's face, her thumb gently wipes away the tear and continues to caress the soft skin, "For?"

 

A smile that reaches the depth of Kathryn's eyes brings a matching smile from Seven. "For everything, but mostly for loving me." She takes a deep breath feeling the love that is searing her soul with its intensity and yet bringing a tranquil peace that she had never believed would ever be hers. And all it took was being lost seventy thousand light years from earth to find her heart and in doing so to finally come home.

 

Kathryn grasps the hand resting against her face, turns and places the gentlest of kisses in the palm that holds her heart and her soul. And in a voice that is the reflection of the woman, that has been freed from the shadow of the Captain, she softly quotes her favorite author.

 

In that book which is

My memory . . .

On the first page

That is the chapter when

I first met you

Appear the words . . .

Here begins a new life

 

A tear slides from the corner of Seven's eye as she smiles and kisses Kathryn. The kiss is so soft and gentle that it finally allows a love so deep and encompassing to complete the healing of two souls that were so frightfully scarred and had, unbeknownst to either woman, begun when they first met.

 

 

 

The End

 

**First quote is from Courtney Kuchta and the second is from La Vita Nuova by Dante Alighieri.**