Your Warmth Upon Me

October 2421

"Kathryn, what are you doing up there?"

"What?"

"I said, what are you doing up there? You're going to get hurt."

Kathryn Janeway smiled down at Seven. "I'm just looking for some inspiration."

"What makes you think it'll be on the roof?" Seven leaned on the ladder that Kathryn had used to climb onto the roof of the farmhouse.

"Well there's nothing up here really," Kathryn called down. "It just helps me think."

"You were trying to sculpt again, weren't you?" Seven smiled. Kathryn laughed.

"Yes. I got bored."

"I thought I could keep you entertained," Seven said.

"Well you were off doing who-knows-what with the Parises in Engineering..."

"I'm done with that now," Seven said. "Maybe I can help you with your art?"

"I don't know, I kind of like the view from up here."

Seven looked thoughtful. "How about if I run back to the hill and pull my top off?"

"Seven! You wouldn't."

She smiled again. "I would if it would get you down from there." There was the sound of movement, and then Kathryn's face appeared over the edge of the roof.

"It is tempting... but you might frighten some of the farmhands."

"I remember what happened last time..." Seven said slowly. "Do I have to come up there and get you?"

"Are you that bored, Seven?"

"I'm not sure if 'bored' is the correct term, but yes, I am."

"Fine, I'm coming down."

"Good. I'll be inside."

Kathryn chuckled and made her way down the ladder. She went through the kitchen, where Marris was working on a crossword puzzle. Inside there room Seven was standing in front of a misshapen lump of clay.

"What is it?" she asked when she heard Kathryn entering the room. Kathryn sighed.

"It was a bird. I think."

"You think? You mean you were getting your hands dirty in something and you didn't even know what is was?"

"I never do," Kathryn smirked.

"Very funny." Seven sat at the bed and squinted at the clay. "Maybe you should try sculpting something else."

"Like what?" Kathryn raised a brow and keyed in music into the sound system. Seven tilted her head at the music.

"How about me."

"You..." she looked thoughtful. Seven rested her hands on her hips.

"Well who else would you sculpt?"

"I was thinking maybe Tuvok."

"Why would you want to sculpt him nude?"

Kathryn blinked. "When did I bring nudity into this?"

"You didn't," Seven said serious. "But I did."

"Ooh, you bad girl." Kathryn smiled. Seven crossed her legs slowly.

"I started out that way..." she smiled and inclined her head towards Kathryn. "But you.. helped change that."

I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories.

Kathryn dipped her fingers into a bowl of water and turned to the clay. "Am I going to get anything done today?"

"Only if you're going to insist on playing with that clay," Seven said dryly.

Kathryn dug her nails into the clay and looked at Seven. "At least I can work with the clay."

"The clay don't live and breathe."

"When did you start?"

"Ha ha."

Remember the good times that we had?
I let them slip away from us when things got bad
How clearly I first saw you smilin' in the sun
Wanna feel your warmth upon me, I wanna be the one.
I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories.

She turned her gaze from Seven and focused on the clay in front of her. An unusual bead of sweat had appeared on her forehead. Seven stretched and smiled. Kathryn swallowed hard and shifted on her feet. Seven stood up and moved closer to the table.

"Now, Kathryn..." Seven's voice fell so low that Kathryn had to squeeze her eyes shut.

"Seven..."

"Open your eyes... it's nothing new." Seven hands were moving silently down the buttons on her shirt.

"I'd been worried about that," Kathryn replied, watching Seven's hands.

"No need for that now.."

I'm so tired but I can't sleep
Standin' on the edge of something much too deep
It's funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word
We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard
But I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories.

The shirt fluttered to the floor, and Kathryn released the breath that she'd been holding in. A smile played on her lips. Their eyes met, and Seven held Kathryn's gaze.

"Nothing's changed," Seven whispered. Kathryn rested her palm on the table and leaned forward.

"It never will," she replied, her voice rough. "No matter what happens." Seven moved around the table and picked up the towel. She wiped the stains off Kathryn's fingers and then dropped the towel to the floor. Kathryn smiled.

"The scene may change, Kathryn, but the characters never do," Seven whispered, leaning so close that her words stirred the hair on Kathryn's forehead.

"That's the only way it should be," she replied softly as Seven wrapped her arms around Kathryn's neck.

I'm so afraid to love you, but more afraid to loose
Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose
Once there was a darkness, deep and endless night
You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me light
And I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories.

"I love you," Kathryn murmured into Seven's ear.

"I know," came the breathy reply. "I love you too..."

"Forever," Kathryn whispered.

"Yes, forever." The promise had been made many years before, but it didn't change it any. They turned at the same moment, and their lips brush past each other. Seven gasped softly and Kathryn smiled. Her fingers tangled in Kathryn's hair. They pulled each other closer.

And I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories.

The End