The Goodnight Kiss

"Kiss me."

"What?" Seven was so startled she nearly recoiled from her companion.

"Kiss me," the voice repeated, adding a tiny giggle.

"Why would I kiss you?"

"Because my mom gives me a 'goodnight kiss' every night."

"Very well."

Seven first tucked the covers about the small body, then she leaned over a placed a chaste kiss on the forehead.

"Good night, Naomi Wildman. Pleasant dreams."

Seven waited beside the bed until the young girl was fast asleep. She was new to 'babysitting' and she was still unsure if she liked this recent addition to her normal duties. She enjoyed Naomi's company, and was fond of her friend, but spending hours with her on end... even that had its limits. I will be glad when Ensign Wildman returns with the Away Team, she thought. This has been a trying day.

She moved into the living area and sat down on the couch. It would be several hours before Neelix would relieve her. This 'goodnight kiss', she pondered, is this something that only Naomi and her mother share, or do other crewmembers participate in it?

Seven contemplated the kiss, and all the other questions that arose, while she waited for Neelix. She was surprised and a bit disconcerted to find her thoughts straying to Captain Janeway when she thought about kissing. It is only because she is my mentor, the one who could answer my questions, the ex-Borg rationalized.

When Neelix finally arrived, Seven distractedly thanked him, then she headed for Cargo Bay Two. She suddenly stopped in the deserted corridor.

"Computer, locate Captain Janeway."

"Captain Janeway is in her quarters," the computer replied.

"Computer, what is the Captain's status?"

"Captain Janeway's status is active, and her commlink is open."

Seven immediately changed her direction for Deck three. Outside the Captain's quarters, she checked the panel for the Captain's status once again before pressing the door chime.

* * * * * * * * * *

Upon hearing the door chime, Kathryn Janeway glanced at the small chronometer on the table. 2245. Only one person aboard Voyager would be stopping by at this hour, she thought. She was unaware that she'd begun to smile at the prospect of seeing Seven.

"Come," she said, marking her spot in the book she'd been reading.

She knew without looking up that Seven of Nine had entered her quarters.

"Captain."

"Yes, Seven. What can I do for you?"

"You told me that if I ever had questions about humanity that I could speak with you."

"Yes, I did. And my door is always open for you, Seven." She noted the puzzled look on Seven's face. "Not literally," she explained to Seven. "I meant that you can come to me at any time with your questions."

Seven took careful measure of the captain's words. I know she does not mean 'any' time, Seven thought out. She only means when the time is appropriate for us both. Still, it is a considerable gesture on the Captain's part, she allowed.

"What's your question?" the older woman inquired, interrupting Seven's thoughts.

"I would like you to explain the nature of the goodnight kiss."

Kathryn Janeway struggled to keep her mouth from dropping open. Seven had surprised her on many, many occasions, but this was an altogether different topic of conversation than she was used to.

"What do you want to know?" she asked, trying to buy some time to collect her thoughts. She set her book on the small wooden stand beside the chair.

"I have recently encountered a goodnight kiss and would like to understand the meaning."

Janeway was surprised at the sudden surge of jealousy she felt. She immediately clamped down on her feelings. "Has someone given you a... goodnight kiss, Seven?" she asked in what she hoped was an even tone of voice.

"No, but someone asked me for a goodnight kiss."

"And did you kiss this individual?"

"Yes."

Who on the ship would ask Seven for a kiss, Janeway thought, her mind racing through the crew manifest with lightning speed. Better still, whom would Seven kiss?

"What exactly do you want to know, Seven?"

"What is the purpose of this activity?"

"Wouldn't you feel more comfortable talking to the Doctor about this?" Janeway asked.

"If I wanted to speak with the Doctor, I would have done so." Seven shifted her stance. "I am no longer... comfortable discussing such matters with the Doctor. I believe his interests are somewhat prurient."

"I see." Janeway motioned toward the sofa. "Have a seat, Seven. This could take some time."

"I prefer to stand," she responded almost reflexively, then she stopped. "But I will sit."

"Thank you," Janeway replied, smiling warmly at Seven. She tossed back her blanket and stood up. "Would you like something to drink?"

"I do not require liquids at this time."

"A simple 'no, thank you' would be a sufficient response." The implant over Seven's left eye quirked upward. Janeway chuckled. "Just another lesson in humanity."

Still smiling, Janeway went over to the replicator. She suddenly recalled the topic of their conversation and she cancelled her order for coffee. I think I need something a little stronger, she thought. She ordered an Irish Coffee, complete with whiskey and whipped cream. She took a long swallow before sitting down beside Seven.

"Now, where were we?"

"I want you to explain the purpose of the goodnight kiss."

Janeway sipped from her large mug. I'm not sure I really want to be the one explaining this to Seven, but I suppose I am the best choice, she mused. I can't imagine Tom or even sweet, gentle Harry explaining this. She smiled to herself. Or for that matter, Tuvok.

"Well, there are several types of... goodnight kisses."

"Indeed. Explain."

Janeway took another long drink from the mug. Come on, Kathryn, you can do this, she told herself. It's not like you have to explain the 'facts of life' to Seven. She hazarded a quick glance at Seven. She felt a nervous fluttering in her stomach and she clenched her fingers tightly around her mug. I have to do this, and I have to do this without involving my own feelings, whatever they might be.

"Sometimes a... goodnight kiss occurs after you have spent time with someone." Seven's face remained unchanged. "For example," the Captain continued, "if you spent the day or evening with a special person, perhaps had dinner, and you enjoyed each other's company, you might give each other a kiss goodnight when your time together was over."

Seven thought about this. Yes, she had spent considerable time with Naomi that day, and yes, they had shared dinner together. They had even enjoyed each other's company. But Seven instinctively knew that this was not what the Captain had meant.

"No," Seven said. "It was not that type of kiss."

"I see." Janeway finished her drink. "Another type of... goodnight kiss would be exchanged when the two individuals share deeper feelings between them. This kiss could be a 'I'm sorry we have to part and I can't wait to see you again" type of kiss goodnight."

Seven considered this explanation for even less time. It was definitely not that type of kiss.

"No, Captain. It was not that type of kiss either."

Janeway found herself becoming not only jealous, but also protective of Seven. What member of my crew got Seven to kiss him under the pretense of a 'goodnight kiss'? She became angrier by the minute. Whomever it was, I'll be sure to discipline him to the fullest, she vowed.

"Maybe you'd better explain to me what happened, Seven," she said, deliberately making her voice as gentle as possible.

"Very well." Seven folded her hands together on her lap. "When I... tucked Naomi Wildman into bed tonight, she asked me for a 'goodnight kiss'."

She was astonished to see a look of relief wash across the Captain's face.

"I'd forgotten about that type," Janeway said, smiling. "That's something between a parent and a child."

"I see. And the other types of... kisses... do the rest of the crew engage in them?"

Seven noticed that the auburn haired woman beside her seemed to be startled by her question.

"I don't know, Seven. I can't say that I've ever really thought about it. I would imagine that some of the crew might, especially among the couples like Tom and B'Elanna."

"And what about you, Captain?"

"Certainly not," she retorted.

"Are goodnight kisses so offensive to you, Captain?"

"No," she said quickly. "Just inappropriate."

"Explain yourself."

"I think that topic is best left for another time, Seven," Janeway suggested, setting her mug down on the short table in front of the couch.

"Very well," Seven replied.

She turned and looked intently at the Captain. I wonder what it would be like to give the Captain a... goodnight kiss, she thought. I think it would be appropriate, based on her explanations. I have enjoyed my time with her this evening. I believe the captain shares stronger feelings for me than she does with any other crewmember. And I am regretful that we must part company this evening.

She abruptly leaned towards the Captain and awkwardly pressed her lips against the Captain's.

"Seven, what are you doing?" the captain sputtered, pulling back from her.

"Giving you a kiss goodnight," the blonde explained quite matter-of-factly.

That was not unpleasant at all, Seven thought. Indeed, I would like to do it again. She intuitively grasped the smaller woman's biceps before kissing her again.

At first, Janeway was shocked that Seven would attempt to kiss her again. So shocked, in fact, she froze, but only for a moment. She placed her hands on Seven's shoulders in an effort to push her away, but Seven's body mass prevented her from moving her at all. And the more Seven kissed her, the better her kisses became.

"Seven..." she whispered against her lips, all traces of protest gone from her voice and body.

She moved her hands up from Seven's shoulders and she gently cupped her cheeks in her palms. She looked into the deep blue eyes and made her decision. She drew Seven's face to hers and placed a tender, loving kiss on the full lips in front of her. It was a long kiss, and when it was over, she pulled back from Seven and waited.

"Captain..."

"Kathryn," she corrected. "Call me Kathryn..."

"Kathryn," she said in a tone of voice as if she were savoring the sound.

"Yes?" Janeway began to caress Seven's cheek, her fingers tracing the star-shaped implant near her ear.

"I would like to kiss you goodnight again," she said. "Is that acceptable to you?"

"More than acceptable," Janeway said, giving Seven a wide smile.

She tilted her head back as Seven kissed her once again. She opened her mouth, the tip of her tongue darting across Seven's lips. Seven groaned and Janeway gently parted her lips with her tongue. Seven inhaled sharply, her own tongue invading the older woman's mouth.

Several long minutes of deep, intense kissing left them both breathing hard, their hands clutching one another's body close.

"Cap - Kathryn... "

"Seven," she breathed against Seven's neck. "I want to introduce you to another type of kiss."

Seven felt her body shiver. "That would be... acceptable to me..." she gasped.

"I would like you to learn about the good morning-wake up kiss," Janeway said, hoping that her grin wasn't too wicked.

"I don't understand," Seven said, a small frown on her face.

As she explained herself, Janeway began to place small kisses along Seven's neck and throat. "I want you to spend the night, Seven. Here... in my quarters... in my bed... with me." She ran her tongue up Seven's neck behind her ear. "I want to wake up with you beside me... so that I can give you the best kind of kiss there is... a good morning kiss."

Seven turned her head and kissed her soon-to-be lover as passionately as she could. When she finally drew her head away, she felt lightheaded, and she was certain the Captain felt the same.

"I believe I am ready for you to show me this form of humanity, Kathryn," she said with an uncharacteristic twinkle in her eye.

Janeway stood and held out her hand. Seven took the smaller hand and rose to her feet. She allowed the Captain to lead her to the bedroom. It was there that Seven received her lessons in the all the different types of kisses - not just goodnight kisses.