Wakes Me in the Night
 

Captain Janeway sat on the stage. It was dark, and Janeway liked that, for once. The holodeck was empty, except for her and the program. Janeway was deep in thought, about she and Chakotay. Something wasn't working. Kathryn sighed and laid on her back. She had lain there for quite some time before she realized something.

"Captain?"

Janeway exhaled. "Yes, Seven?"

"Is something wrong?"

Janeway rolled back into a sitting position. Seven of Nine was standing only a few away. She inspected Seven's appearance in the dim lighting. Seven picked at her dress. It was dark blue, and unusually loose. For Seven's apparel, at least.

"You do not like it?"

"Oh, its fine, Seven. It's just that I've never seen you... clothed... before." Janeway smiled meekly. Seven smiled back softly.

"I was experiencing... discomfort, and the Doctor recommended the change temporarily."

"Ah, I understand."

"Captain, you did not seem well today. Is something wrong?" Seven repeated her earlier question as she sat on the stage next to Janeway.

"I'm fine, Seven," Janeway assured the young woman. Seven looked around.

"Why is it so dark?"

"I never turned the lights on, I guess," Janeway shrugged. Seven nodded slowly.

"Captain, I wish to know more..."

After Seven trailed off, Janeway turned her head. "About what?"

"About... dancing."

Janeway smiled. "About dancing? I'm not too good at dancing, Seven."

"But you are the only person who has taught me how, so far."

Janeway laughed quietly. "Alright, Seven, I don't have anything to do right now... what would you like to learn?"

"What are you capable of teaching me?"

Kathryn grinned at Seven's bluntness.

"How about... the waltz. I'm less likely to kill you with that one."

Seven blinked. "Captain, I would not allow you to kill me while dancing."

Janeway laughed again. "It's figure of speech."

"I see."

"It means.. I'm less likely to step on your feet."

"Oh. I do not mind, Captain."

"Good. Well.. lets get started then. First, some music." Janeway went over to the control panel. A now-familiar figure appeared on the stage, and a piano and violin began to play.

"You'll never see the courage I know
Its colors' richness won't appear within your view
I'll never glow - the way that you glow
Your presence dominates the judgements made on you"

"Alright Seven. You remember the 1-2-3 I taught you the other evening?"

"Yes Captain."

"Well.. it's based on that." Janeway began to slowly lead Seven through the simpler steps of the waltz.

"But as the scenery grows, I see in different lights
The shades and shadows undulate in my perception
My feelings swell and stretch; I see from greater heights
I understand what I am still too proud to mention - to you
You'll say you understand, but you don't understand
You'll say you'd never give up seeing eye to eye
But never is a promise, and you can't afford to lie"
 

"This is... enjoyable, Captain."

"That's good, Seven."

"You'll never touch - these things that I hold
The skin of my emotions lies beneath my own
You'll never feel the heat of this soul
My fever burns me deeper than I've ever shown - to you"
 

Seven was barefoot, and Janeway was in heels. They were nearly even. Seven unconsciously drew Janeway closer. The former Borg was slightly cooler than the Starfleet Captain, and gooseflesh rose on Janeway's arms. Seven took the lead.

"You'll say, Don't fear your dreams, it's easier than it seems
You'll say you'd never let me fall from hopes so high
But never is a promise and you can't afford to lie"
 

They swayed silently around the empty holodeck. The only sound other than Apple's singing was the slight click of Janeway's heels as she and Seven moved in a slow, small circle.

"You'll never live the life that I live
I'll never live the life that wakes me in the night
You'll never hear the message I give
You'll say it looks as though I might give up this fight"
 

Seven stopped dancing. She held her grip on Janeway's arms, and stared at the Captain with a bizarre intensity.

"But as the scenery grows, I see in different lights
The shades and shadows undulate in my perception
My feelings swell and stretch, I see from greater heights
I realize what I am now too smart to mention - to you
You'll say you understand, you'll never understand
I'll say I'll never wake up knowing how or why
I don't know what to believe in, you don't know who I am
You'll say I need appeasing when I start to cry
But never is a promise and I'll never need a lie"
 

Seven of Nine's lips touched Janeway's, gently at first. Janeway felt herself responding and pressed into the kiss. After a moment, Seven pulled away. Kathryn felt a flush climbing up the back of her neck. Seven gazed timidly at her, and as she blinked Janeway noticed the tears catching on the younger woman's eyelashes. Janeway's look softened, and with a sob Seven dragged her to the floor. Janeway wrapped her arms around Seven's shoulders as she buried her face in the Captain's uniform front. Seven's tears soaked the front of Janeway's uniform. Janeway rested her face on the other's blonde hair. She supported Seven's head with one hand, and the other soothingly rubbing the blue fabric covering Seven's back as she whispered assurances into her hair. Seven of Nine shuddered and murmured something that Janeway did not comprehend. She understood the implications in it, and the pit of her stomach churned. After awhile, Seven stilled. Janeway concluded that she had fallen asleep, and rested Seven's head in her lap. Janeway wondered what to do. She couldn't just leave her here overnight, and yet she wasn't sure what effect waking alone in her alcove would have on Seven.

Janeway discreetly had Seven beamed to her quarters and setting the woman on the couch. She went and found a blanket in her closet, and tucked it over Seven. Then, after dimming the lights, Janeway retreated into her sleeping room for the night.

The next morning, Seven was gone when Janeway awoke. The cushions on the couch had been smoothed, and the blanket folded neatly. Checking Seven's location, Janeway found that she had returned to her alcove almost an hour ago. Janeway decided to let her be, and got her for her morning shift.

Janeway sat in her ready room several hours later, sipping another mug of coffee. She was reading the duty reports from Engineering. B'Elanna was doing her best to keep a certain former-Borg out of the way when she was on duty. Janeway sighed as the door chimed.

"Enter."

Chakotay entered the ready room, a rather timid expression on his face.

"Good morning," he greeted her softly.

"Morning," Janeway said into her coffee mug. She looked up at him with a tired expression.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

Janeway blinked. "Yes, I slept very well last night. Why do you ask?"

"You look tired, that's all."

Janeway shook her head. "Nope, never been more awake." She ignored the flush that had nearly reached the neck of her uniform now. Chakotay looked at her keenly, and Janeway was willing to bet that he knew about the transport the night before. But he said nothing on the topic.

"So, what are you doing tonight?" he asked. Janeway shrugged in response, averting her eyes in the direction of the Engineering report.

"I dunno, probably nothing."

"How about dinner?"

Janeway smiled. "Alright. Sounds good. My quarters or yours?"

"Your, preferably. Mine are something of a mess."

She nodded. "Good. 1630?"

"Yeah."

Chakotay retreated from the ready room, and Janeway sighed.

Several hours later, Janeway was kissing Chakotay good night.

"Sleep well," Chakotay whispered into her hair. Janeway laughed.

"You too."

Another kiss, and Chakotay departed. Only a few minutes passed, when someone else requested entrance. Janeway sighed and went to the door. Chakotay certainly was persistent. The doors opened.

"Seven!"

"Captain, I hope I'm not intruding.."

"Not at all," Janeway led Seven inside. She was dressed in her usual cat-suit again.

"What is it?"

"I... am having difficulty sleeping in the alcoves," Seven said.

Janeway nodded, "I understand. It probably simply means that your body is becoming less dependent on the energy supplied by the alcoves, and more dependent on food." Seven nodded. What passed for a blush crossed Seven's cheeks, and she cleared her throat.

"Captain, I am requesting permission to sleep on your couch...again."

Janeway was only mildly surprised at the appeal. "Of course, Seven. Do you need a change of clothes to sleep in?"

Seven blinked thoughtfully. "No, I do not. But thank you."

"You're welcome." Janeway paused. "Seven, I have some work to do before I go to bed. I'll try not to disturb you."

"As I you," Seven said slowly. Janeway nodded, and went to her desk.

This slowly became habit. Around 2000 hrs every night, Seven would come knocking at Janeway's door, unless someone else was there with her. Usually that someone was Chakotay, but it varied. Janeway was looking into finding quarters for Seven, so she would no longer have to be disturbed. Actually, Seven wasn't disturbing her sleep at all. She'd be gone in the morning when Janeway awoke. It was the strange looks she'd get from Chakotay in the morning that were bothering her.

Very early one morning, almost two weeks after the "incident" in the holodeck, Janeway was sitting in her quarters, wearing her robe. She was reading reports, feet propped up on a table, mug of cold coffee nearby. Seven was lying on the couch, fast asleep. Janeway yawned, and checked the time. 0235 hrs. She set the padds down, and idly banged her foot against the wall a few times, and then got to her feet. She raised her hands above her head and stretched with a groan. Janeway went back into her quarters and changed into her nightclothes.

Janeway returned to the main room, and began to clean up her mess. Seven was snoring slightly, and Janeway smothered a laughter behind her hand. Seven was draped inelegantly over the sides of the couch. Her blonde hair had escaped from its clasps, and spilled in a tangle over the grey of Seven's nightshirt. She was laying face-down, snorting occasionally into her pillow. Janeway shook her head and observed the young woman quietly. Seven coughed in her sleep, and rolled over. Janeway adjusted the blanket over Seven's shoulders, and then went to the door. She checked the external lock, and then turned away from the exit. Just as she began to return to her sleeping chamber, the door chirped. With a soft sigh, Janeway keyed the doors to open. It was Chakotay.

"Chakotay, what's wrong?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing," Chakotay said quietly. "I hear a bump against the wall. I was afraid something was wrong."

"No, I just kicked the wall," Janeway smiled at him. "That's all."

"Just making-" Chakotay paused, looking just past Janeway's left shoulder. He gestured at the sleeping Seven. "What's she doing here?"

Janeway turned, considered the other woman, and shrugged. "She's sleeping, what does it look like she's doing?"

Chakotay's postured straightened. "How long has she been sleeping here?"

"About seven hours," Janeway said.

"That's not what I meant," Chakotay's voice was tense.

Janeway blinked. "Chakotay, what?"

"I mean, how many nights has she been sleeping in here?" Janeway picked up on the jealousy in his voice.

"For almost two weeks. Why?" Janeway crossed her arms defensively. "Is there something wrong with that?"

"I'm not sure," Chakotay's eyes narrowed. Janeway swallowed.

"Chakotay, if that's all, I'd appreciate it if I could go to bed now." Her hand raised to the door controls. "You're making a big deal out of nothing, Chakotay."

"Am I?"

Janeway's response was the shutting of the door in his face.