Christmas Kisses
By Ingela Stern

The alarm went of and Seven reached out her hand to turn it of, she leaned in closer to the smaller woman beside her and carefully dislodged her arm from hers trying not to wake her up, but Kathryn stirred and opened her eyes.

" What are you doing, Seven." Kathryn sounded sleepy, " it's our day off we don't have to get up yet."

Seven didn't answer at first, just bent down and kissed her gently, then she said: " I have a meeting with Naomi Wildman at 08.00 hours to finish decorating the messhall before this evenings festivites. Do you remember?"

" Yes, I remember, Seven. You said 08.00 hours it's only 06.00 now, do you need to regenerate before you see her? Is that why you get up so early?" Kathryn's voice sounded a little concerned, this wouldn't be the first time Seven had ignored her own need to regenerate in her alcove, since they had become a couple.

" No."

" Then why? Are you sure you're all right, Seven?"

" I will be functioning perfectly as long as you let me start this morning by making love to you." Seven didn't wait for an answer, she bent down and kissed her again, this time the kiss was not only tender, it was full of love. Desire shot through Kathryn and she melted like snow in the sun. Hands touching, lips kissing, soft sounds of love and passion filled the room as they slowly made love to each other. Kathryn came first, her hands tangled in Sevens blond hair and her hips countered everyone of her lovers slow but firm strokes and suddenly she was there.

" Seven..oh...Seven...I.." Seven heard the sharp intake of breath, felt her stiffen and then with a quiet cry she came. Seven felt herself trapped inside Kathryn as wave after wave passed through her. Finally Kathryn came down from her high and she leaned her head against Sevens shoulder.

" Oh God, I love you so much." Her voice quivered and for a moment she thought she would cry. She didn't have a chance to do that, Seven captured her lips again and the kiss deepend quickly.

" Oh no, it's my turn my love." Kathryn pushed her down and traced her finger along her collarbone. Seven shivered and closed her eyes.

" No, look at me." The voice was quiet but demanding and she opened her eyes looking straight into the deep blue pools of love above her. Kathryn's hands slowly trailing a line of fire along her body.

" Kathryn.. I love you." It was barely a whisper but Kathryn smiled at her and bent down to close her lips around one nipple, sucking gently while her hand went to the other. She kissed, nipped and touched until Seven was writhing under her, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

" Ka.....Kathryn, please. I....I need you." The trembling voice made Kathryn smile again and knowing exactly what Seven was feeling, she kissed her way down her abdomen trailing her tongue over the implant there. She felt Seven hiccup when she touched the implant and she couldn't resist doing it again. Seven cried out as she blindly reached out for something to hold on to and Kathryn gently took her hand and held on as she bent her head and kissed the soft insides of thighs that shook with anticipation of what would come next.

" Please.... Oh please...." Seven was sobbing pressing herself closer, begging for release. Kathryn slowly kissed the folds and she felt Seven arch and heard a low moan from deep inside her. She didn't wait any longer, she let her tongue trace the edge of Sevens labia and then knowing how close Seven was she focused on the one place she knew would give the most intense pleasure. Seven's moans grew louder and when Kathryn fianlly closed her lips around the hard little bundle of nerves and sucked it gently, Seven cried out her name as the orgasm rolled through her. When she could breathe again Seven pulled Kathryn close.

" I love you more than anything."

" I love you, too. We should get into the shower or you'll be late. How long will you be gone?"

" I will hurry. We are going to finish the decorations and have a talk with Neelix about the food and then it will all be set for tonight. I will return here and we can get ready for tonight together."

" I'd like that." They got out of bed and took a shower together and then Seven got dressed and left for her meeting with Naomi and Kathryn decided it was time for a little planning of her own.

" Janeway to Torres." She said as she slapped the commbadge on her chest.

" Torres here, Captain. Is it time?"

" Yes."

" I'll be right there."

" Good, Janeway out." Moments later the chime rang through Kathryn's quarter and she let B´Elanna in.

" Sit down, B´Elanna. Do you want something to drink?"

" Some tea would be nice."

" Sure, what kind would you like. Take your pick"

" I'd love some Raspberry tea."

" Raspberry it is." Kathyn went over to the replicator and returned with two cups, one tea and one coffee and then she joined B´Elanna on the couch.

" I think you know why I asked you to come here, don´t you?" B´Elanna nodded and looked at Kathryn and she was amazed at the softness of her Captains face and the tears in her eyes.

" Ca...Kathryn what's wrong."

" Nothing is wrong, B´Elanna. I... I just... I love her so much. I'm not sure I can do this."

" You can and you will. I'll make sure of it."

***

When Seven and Captain Janeway arrived, the party was already in full swing. The first person they meet inside the door was a rather suspicious looking Santa Claus. Oh, he had a beard and a red suit and the cap on top of his head was also red, unforunately that didn't really go well at all with his bright orange hair. Kathryn struggled hard not to laugh and Seven had a strange look on her face.

" Captain, Seven. Welcome to the party and merry christmas to both of you." Neelix greeted them with a broad smile and then offered them both a drink. They thanked him and took the drinks and started to mingle around. They saw Tom and B´Elanna talking with Sam and they walked over to them. Tom saw them first and he smiled at them.

" Captain, Seven hello. You're late, you missed Neelix debut as Santa Claus."

" We're late because Kathryn couldn't decide what to wear." Seven said honestly, causing her companion to blush.

" Well, Captain. I think you look beautiful." B´Elanna smiled and leaned her head against Tom's shoulder.

" I agree." Samantha smiled at them.

" Where is Naomi? I haven't seen her yet." Kathryn looked around the room, searching for her future Captains assistent. Sam looked around a little confused.

" She was here a moment ago," she said, " she's here somewhere." At that moment they heard a laughter and seconds later a flustered Harry Kim and a laughing Naomi stopped beside them. Harry had snow all over his hair and shoulders and it was slowly melting into tiny little drops. Naomi hid behind her mother.

" Naomi, what have you done?" Sam looked at her daughter trying desperately not to laugh at Harry.

" I.... We were just having a snowball fight at the holodeck. I got snow from Neelix, real snow. Harry missed but I didn't and then he tripped and I laughed at him and he said he was going to get me and I ran and ...and.."

Her voice trailed off and she looked at the grown-ups around her as they broke into laughter none of them able to hold it back anymore, even Harry joined in. Naomi shook her head at them and the look on her face made them laugh even harder.

" I have to go and change my clothes, I'll be back in a moment." Harry left and Kathryn turned to Naomi. She put her hands on her hips in that famous Janeway pose.

" Naomi Wildman. I've been hearing things about you and I need to know if they're true." Naomi looked worried and hesitantly stepped in front of her mother, looking up at her idol swallowing hard when she saw the look in Kathryn's eyes.

" I haven't done anything wrong, Captain." Her lips quivered slightly and Kathryn took her hands down and put one on Naomi's shoulder.

" I didn't say it was something wrong, now did I?" Naomi shook her head, Kathryn smiled at her and picked her up in her arms.

" I heard that you're responsible for the decorations here tonight and I must say they are beautiful. Maybe it is time you start to work for me." Naomi beamed at her and without hesitaion she threw her arms around Kathryn's neck and gave her hug.

" Really. Oh, Captain I'll be really good. I know I'm big enough and Seven promised to show me how to make you coffee." Kathryn smiled and burried her head briefly in Naomi's hair returning the little girl's hug.

"We'll talk about it tomorrow."She promised as she put Naomi down.

" Maybe we should talk to the rest of the crew a little." Seven took Kathryn's arm and they walked around talking, smiling and laughing for a while with other crewmembers before it was time to sit down to dinner. Neelix had outdone himself and for once there wasn't one single dish with Leola root in it and most of it was actually really good. There was a lot of laughter and even some singing around the table, everybody enjoying themselves.

After the dinner was over the floor was cleared and when the music started it didn't take long until people started to dance. Kathryn turned to Seven and asked her to join her, but she didn't go to the dancefloor.

" Where are we going?" Seven asked quietly as she followed Kathryn.

" Not far, just over here." Kathryn stopped suddenly in the far corner and she turned around. Seven almost bumped into her when she stopped and they came very close, face to face.

" I've been wanting to do this all evening." Kathryn said softly as she pulled Seven closer into a deep kiss. When they finally broke the kiss they were both panting for air. Seven looked deely into Kathryn's eyes.

" Why now." She asked, knowing full well how hard it was for Kathryn to show her feelings openly. Kathryn didn't answer, just pointed above them. Seven looked up, there was somekind of flower hanging above them from the roof and she vaguely remembered something in the files she'd been reading about christmas.

" Is that a mistletoe?" She asked as she returned her eyes to Kathryn.

" Yes, do you know what to do under a mistletoe? If you don't I'll be glad to show you again." Kathryn's voice was slightly huskier then normal and her smile a little teasing.

" No, I remember." Seven leaned in closer and kissed her again this time wrapping her arms around her and pulling her into a hug.

Across the room B´Elanna saw them and she carefully elbowed Tom's side.

" Look at them. They really love each other so much, Tom."

" Yes, I just wish the Captain would understand that everyone else already know how she feels about Seven and that they just want her to be happy." He was looking at the two women embracing in the dark corner and didn't see the quick smile that graced B´Elanna's lips.

" Would you like to dance?" He returned his eyes to her and she nodded her head.

Kathryn broke the kiss and pulled back, she was flushed and she knew she had to break this off or they would end up on the floor. She took Sevens's hand and started to walk back.

" Let's go back, it's almost time for the presents."

" I will go back with you if you promise that we will continue this activity when we get back to your quarters."

" That I promise. I do love you, you know. It's just hard for me to show you sometimes, but I'll try to change that."

" I know that and I love you too." They returned to the table and about ten minutes later Neelix made everyone sit down and started handing out presents.

" Here is one to Naomi from the Captain." He gave a small package to the little girl and she sat down beside her mother and ripped the paper revealing a small box. She looked at Kathryn and then hesitantly opened the box. Inside on a bed of red satin was a small silver pin, Naomi was unsure of how to react, she carefully picked it up and the confused look on her face told everyone that she had no clue what it was. Kathryn smiled at her and kneeled in front of her.

" Do you know what it is, Naomi?" She said and took the small pin from the girl.

" No, but it's pretty." Naomi was a little embarressed knowing every crewmember on Voyager was looking at her.

" I'll show you." Kathryn put the pin at the right side of her collar.

" Naomi Wildman, I hereby grant you a field commission, the rank of an ensign and official make you my bridge assistant. You will report to me tomorrow morning at 09.00 hours sharp. Understood." Naomi just stared at her, unable to speak she looked from Kathryn to her mother and back again.

" Really." Her voice was just a whisper and tears rose in her eyes and when Kathryn nodded yes, she threw herself in her arms for the second time that evening. Kathryn nearly fell backwards when Naomi threw herself at her but she managed to hold her balance. Naomi was so happy she was speechless but then she suddenly remembered that she hadn't acknowledged the Captains order. She suddenly stood up in front of Kathryn, her back straight and her hands clasped behind her back in a perfect imitation of Seven.

" I apologize, Captain. I'll report to you at 09.00 hours tomorrow morning, please forg me for being in...insub... What's that word again, mommy?" She turned around and looked at her mother, who was trying valiantly not to laugh out loud.

" Insubordinate." Sam put her arm around her girl's shoulder and made her face Kathryn again. Kathryn and the others were also fighting against laughter and not all of them were too successful, however Naomi only had eyes for Kathryn as she finished her excuse:

" I'm sorry for being insubordinate to you, it wont happen again."

" I know that Naomi and you are excused. I'll see you in my office tomorrow then?"

" Yes, mam." Naomi beamed and Kathryn cringed. Sam turned her daughter to face her.

" It's time for you to go to bed, Sweetheart. Now, if you go and put your jammies on you can come back and say goodnight, okay. Come on, Naomi." She ushered the unwilling little girl out the doors and the rest of the crew went on giving each other their gifts and having a good time. Finally everyone except the Captain and Seven had chared their gifts with each other and their was only one gift left.

" This one is to the Captain from Seven." Neelix gave her the small package. It was quiet in the room and everyone was looking, curious to see what it was. Kathryn opened it and it was a silver necklace, so thin it was almost invisible and with a small blue stone.

" Seven, it's beautiful." Kathryn's eyes was bright and had the same blue color as the small stone when she locked her gaze with Seven. " Will you help me put it on?" Seven nodded and helped her put it on and to her great surprise Kathryn turned around and gave her a quick kiss.

" Thank you, Seven. It is beautiful, where did you get it?"

" I made it."

" You made it" A chorus of voices asked the same question.

" Yes, I visited the Captains holodeck simulation with Da'Vinci and he showed me that one can make art in silver or gold and I found it intriguing that something so hard and seemingly dense could actually be made to follow your every command as long as you did it right. It took a while but then I realized I thought it was not only scientifically interesting but also, I believe you would call it "fun". The necklace was made from silver and the stone is from earth, it's called a sapphire, I thought it suited you." Her voice started out in it's usual way, hard and to the point, but everyone heard the change when the last words were said. Her voice was soft and sounded almost human. Before anyone could make a comment though, the door opened and Naomi rushed in followed by Sam. Naomi stood inside the door, she had her "jammies" on, a long nightgown ending at her feet. It was white and had the cutest little kittens on it and at the right side of the collar was the small silverpip. She looked adorable and she said a quick goodnight to Neelix, Tom and B´Elanna before going over to Seven and Kathryn.

" Goodnight Seven." She said as she gave her a hug and then she turned around to face Kathryn, she straightened her back and her voice took a gravely tone as she said.

" Goodnight, Captain. I'll see you in the morning."

" Goodnight, Naomi." Kathryn was a little sad that she didn't get a hug, but she didn't show it. Naomi turned to leave but then she came back and threw her arms around Kathryn and whispered something in her ear, Kathryn smiled and said:

" I'm glad. Good night, honey." She stood up and turned to Sam:

" Sam, could you stay, just a few minutes." Sam nodded yes and took Naomi in her arms.

" There are no more gifts." Neelix was a little upset, he knew that Seven hadn't been given anything except from Tom and B'Elanna, himself and the Doctor.

" Yes, there is." Captain Janeway's voice interrupted him, " I have a gift left."

She stepped in front of all of them and looked around at all the familiar faces, she was nervous and she didn't really know how to begin. They looked at her, waiting, she semed uneasy and she cleared her throat nervously.

" I... I have a gift left, a gift that I've been wanting to give for a long, long time. Seven, I know how hard it's been for you to keep our love a secret and I don't want you to have to do that any longer." She could feel everyone in the room holding their breath and Seven's eyes had a sheen of unshed tears. Kathryn walked up to Seven and took her hand, she felt a slight tremor and couldn't really tell if it was from Seven or from herself.

" Seven, I love you more than anything. I need to show everyone in here that you are my love and my life. B´Elanna has told me that all of you would be okay with this and I hope with all of my heart that she is right. Seven, I wish to give you this ring as a token of my love for you, but also as a promise from me to you that my love for you will never die. As long as I'm still breathing you will be my heart and my soul." She slowly slid the ring on Seven's finger, their eyes locked and when their lips met in a kiss, the room exploded in cheers. Kathryn blushed fiercely and Seven smiled the most beautiful smile anyone had ever seen. There was a lot of hugging and kissing and every woman in the room crowded Seven to get to see the ring. It was a simple goldband with one stone a red ruby and only Seven and Kathryn knew the significance of the red color. The party continued for another hour and Sam carried the youngest ensign on Voyager of to bed after she had fallen asleep in Seven's lap. Kathryn and Seven were among the last to leave and they strolled hand in hand through the dark corridors of the ship. They stod outside Kathryn's quarters when Seven suddenly asked her:

" What did she say to you?"

" Who?" Kathryn opened the door and they went inside.

" Naomi, what did she say to you when she returned to give you the hug." Kathryn leaned against the wall beside the door and she smiled softly and pulling Seven closer she whispered:

" She said she loves the Captain too, just as much as she loves Kathryn. I told her I'm glad." She leaned her head against Seven's shoulder, Seven put her arms around her and hugged her tightly.

" I love you both as well. You did however made a promise to me before giving me the ring and I intend to hold you to that promise." Kathryn looked at her and then a smile spread across her features, " oh, yes. I remember." Their lips met in a searing kiss and it deepend quickly, clothes were shed and strewn along a path leading into the bedroom. After the lovemaking they were in each others arms and just about to fall asleep when Seven mumbled:

" I love the ring you gave me, but I love the meaning of it even more. Someone loves me as Anika again and that feels good."

On the table beside the bed was a small goldband with a ruby red stone and the inscription: ' To my beloved Anika with a promise of eternal love. Your Kathryn.'

The End.