New Discoveries

Part 5

Time suddenly became suspended. Kathryn focused on the softness of Seven’s lips, how the slightest pressure from her was equally matched, creating a delicate balance. She realized she had stopped breathing and allowed herself to slowly exhale. When their lips parted Kathryn leaned back and waited for any sign this was not right for Seven. She smiled when she discovered that Seven’s eyes remained closed. Somehow, she managed to hold on to Seven’s hands and in that instant of physical contact, Kathryn knew deep in her soul she had been searching a long time for the right person. Here she sat across from her.

How had she allowed herself to remain so blind that she might have missed this moment? No one else in Kathryn’s life had ever made her feel as she did at this instant. None had led her to a cliff where she could peer into an abyss and still want to leap as long as she held onto those hands. Seven opened her eyes and Kathryn realized she could not go back to what was. She had known this woman for nearly three years and in all that time, she had never really looked at

Seven until now and what she saw made her breath catch. Seven’s face was open to her; those clear blue eyes were looking directly at her and Kathryn realized the next few moments would present a major change for both of them. She knew without a doubt, all of her experiences in life had brought her to this intersection of time and circumstance.

Kathryn felt the onrush of warmth spread throughout her.

She felt almost giddy from the overwhelming level of emotions swelling within her. She had finally allowed herself to express a desire she had kept pent up inside and it felt good to let it go! How could she have been so resistive to the possibilities? How could she have deprived herself using Starfleet protocols as a shield to hide behind? Kathryn knew she must do something now before she gave herself the opportunity to change her mind. She had to cement her resolve and hope Seven would understand, that Seven would agree, and that Seven would want the same in return.

Kathryn brought her hands holding Seven’s so tightly up to her face and gently, softly, yet deliberately, kissed each of her knuckles, all the while never allowing her eyes to waver from maintaining eye contact. Kathryn watched for any kind of resistance knowing those penetrating blue eyes would display

any telltale signs if this initial gesture was acceptable or not. Instead, Seven opened her hands revealing her palms and Kathryn took one, then the other, and kissed each with such tenderness that Seven thought her heart might stop. She watched as Kathryn closed her eyes placing a delicate kiss in the center of each palm. The sensation Seven felt was a combination of thirst, hunger, and desire.

Seven realized the same ache centering in her abdomen was there again only with more intensity and it seemed to expand exponentially. She stood and walked around the table to stand behind Kathryn. She placed her left hand the one with the Borg implants, on Kathryn’s shoulder and with the right hand, gently swept the hair from her neckline. Seven leaned forward brushing her lips against the soft spot located just below Kathryn’s ear and felt, rather than heard, the slightest intake of breath. She remembered this was considered an androgynous zone in human physiology and intuitively knew a touch here could bring exquisite pleasure.

Seven placed another kiss, then another, this time attempting a soft nibble. The results were as she expected. Kathryn’s rate of respiration increased perceptively and Seven could feel slight shudders rippling across Kathryn’s narrow shoulders and back. Seven smiled. She realized Kathryn was enjoying this contact and she wanted to please her. She continued her efforts gently caressing Kathryn’s shoulders, feeling the tension slowly ebb. At one point Seven’s tongue lightly grazed Kathryn’s earlobe and the results were electric. Kathryn emitted a low groan, which at first concerned Seven until she realized this was another sound of pleasure.

Kathryn had almost forgotten what it felt like to have her neckline kissed and nuzzled. She was acutely aware of how Seven’s lips felt against her skin, soft and satiny. She had no idea if Seven knew just how much her neck was an area that when touched, aroused her. Kathryn emitted a low groan. When Seven’s tongue flicked her earlobe, it was as though she had somehow turned on a switch awakening her entire body. It was enticing, electrifying and compelling, serving to heighten her senses everywhere. She wanted to kiss Seven, feel and taste her, yet she could not be moved from the touch of those exquisite lips. Not yet anyway.

Seven continued lightly massaging Kathryn’s shoulders, almost as though she knew Kathryn kept all her tension caged in those narrow, but deceptively powerful shoulders.

Simultaneously, she continued kissing Kathryn on the neck, exploring further, letting her kisses take her down to where the neckline met the junction just above the shoulder, lingering there, tasting the slight saltiness of Kathryn and offering the slightest nip causing a low moan to escape Kathryn’s lips once again. Seven’s lips wandered across the back of Kathryn’s neck where she remembered it, too, was a sensitive area. She was rewarded when she heard Kathryn emit more than a groan, almost a growl. Kathryn leaned her head back and turned to face Seven.

She took hold of Seven’s hands indicating she wanted to stand and Seven obliged by gently pulling her to her feet. They stood facing one another for what seemed an eternity, searching each other’s eyes for any sign of resistance, finding none. Seven tentatively bent her head, placing a tender kiss upon those lips, exhaling slowly when she realized Kathryn had responded to the gesture. They stood together, cheek softly brushing cheek for the moment, arms holding each other gently. Kathryn nuzzled the soft spot beneath Seven’s earlobe, finding where her throat began just below the jawline, hoping it, too, was an arousal zone for Seven. Kathryn found the skin delicately smooth and as she heard the sharp intake of breath, she smiled. Seven inhaled the scent of Kathryn’s hair, the blending of a clean smell and light perfume, the essence of which she associated as being Kathryn.

Kathryn brought her hand up and lightly stroked the sinewy muscles giving Seven her beautiful, lithe neck. Seven lowered her head to Kathryn again and as their mouths met, Kathryn felt a surge of pure pleasure wash over her leaving her slightly light-headed. Seven nibbled on Kathryn’s lower lip, which heightened Kathryn’s craving for more contact. She opened her mouth slightly and Seven tentatively, hesitantly yet, purposefully, let her tongue begin exploring. She had never tasted anyone before and Seven realized Kathryn’s lips and tongue tasted quite differently from the skin of her neck and shoulders. There was sweetness, not a sugary sweetness, but a pleasant flavorful sweetness that came from inhaling Kathryn’s breath and savoring her lips and tongue. She flicked her tongue across Kathryn’s bottom lip and once again, heard a low moan escape from the depths of Kathryn’s throat. The ache Seven felt in her abdomen increased in intensity. She briefly wondered if she was indeed ill or hurt in some way, but cast this thought aside in order to concentrate more fully on Kathryn.

Kathryn was astounded at the level to which she was becoming aroused and how quickly the heat of passion was consuming her. She felt breathless from the intoxicating effects Seven was bestowing upon her and although she was more than ready to take this to the next level, she restrained herself by gently breaking free from those wondrous lips to look into the eyes of the woman standing before her. Kathryn found she was searching those eyes like the explorer looking for lost treasure, so intent was her gaze. She had to believe this was what Seven wanted, too, before she made any overtures defining her next actions.

Seven pulled Kathryn to her holding her tightly in an embrace acknowledging she was willing. She closed her eyes realizing there was no place else she preferred to be at the moment. Standing there with Kathryn in her arms felt as right as gazing at the Omega molecule.

"Seven, I … I want you," Kathryn said softly. "I want all of you, but only if you believe this is right for you, too."

"Shhh. I believe we are ready for this. Let me please you, Kathryn. Let me satisfy you."

Before Kathryn could utter another word, Seven covered her lips with her own and once again, delivered a knee weakening kiss sending Kathryn over the edge into an abyss of total wanton pleasure. Seven’s lips were stunning instruments providing such wondrous sensations. Kathryn thought she could not become any more aroused and yet, her passion continued to build.

God, it’s been so long…and this feels so good, she thought. Where did she learn to kiss like this?

Not that it mattered, Kathryn mused. Seven was taking her time enjoying the delights found in kissing Kathryn and exploring what she sensed she liked. She had already discovered Kathryn enjoyed her lower lip being softly chewed and she made certain to do more of that before moving on to something else. She remembered from previous assimilations some species were satisfied with a certain level of teasing and she wondered briefly if this was something Kathryn enjoyed. She filed that thought away for future reference to pay more attention to what she was doing at the moment. She could feel the heat from Kathryn, could feel her breathing become more ragged, and knew it was time to continue exploring elsewhere.

She let her lips and tongue travel slowly in an ever-expanding circle until she came in contact with the shirt cloth. She looked up at Kathryn with eyes wide and full of desire. Seven began to slowly remove the tunic over Kathryn’s head and as she did, she somehow resumed her exploration of Kathryn’s flesh, placing delicate kisses and playful nibbles along the shoulders. Kathryn leaned her head back allowing Seven to continue her caresses. Captain Kathryn Janeway finally gave herself permission to let go of any thoughts of protocol or Starfleet edicts. This was where she wanted to be and what she had wanted for a long time; she was no longer willing to deny herself these pleasures.

Seven removed the undershirt serving as a bra and stepped back to gaze upon Kathryn, drinking in the beauty of the woman before her. She looked upon firm breasts and her own breath caught in her throat. Seven found Kathryn’s breasts to be absolutely lovely and perfectly shaped. She leaned forward cupping one mound in her hands, raking her lips across the nipple causing it to swell. Immediately, Kathryn moaned and her head lolled to one side, her eyes closed. Seven continued focusing on how the breast felt to her, letting her thumb and forefinger roll the nipple. She watched Kathryn’s face become flushed as her own passion began rising. Seven continued caressing each breast, kissing the nipples. She gently held one mound as though it was the most precious thing, causing again that familiar ache within her which somehow had magnified itself.

She discovered she had an overwhelming urge to kiss Kathryn again and brought one hand up to the back of her head and gently wrapped her fingers, letting them become entangled, in Kathryn’s hair. She gave Kathryn a sweet kiss, one that conveyed her own level of rising passion, letting her tongue caress Kathryn’s.

"Seven," she murmured, slightly unsteady on her feet.

"Yes, Kathryn?"

"I want us to lie naked with each other. I want to feel you next to me." Kathryn said quietly. "But first, I want to undress you."

"As you wish."

Kathryn began by untying the drawstring lacing at the top of the bodice of Seven’s shirt, her movements slow and methodical. She eased the shirt down exposing Seven’s powerful shoulders. She lightly brushed her lips across the line between the neck and the shoulders feeling the ripple of a muscle contraction. That brought a smile to Kathryn’s face. She lifted the shirt over Seven’s head and her heart almost stopped. Seven was not wearing the usual undershirt and seeing only a band of gauzy cloth covering her breasts gave Kathryn an erotic voyeuristic sensation. Seven helped Kathryn remove this and as she stood before her, Kathryn could not help but admire the sculpted breasts thrusting forward, nipples pointing. Kathryn leaned in to kiss each breast, holding them in her hands and marveling at such beauty. She drank the scent of Seven eagerly as she lightly sucked each nipple causing it to harden, the aureole pebbling under the pull of her lips and tongue. Seven emitted a soft groan, serving to further heighten Kathryn’s pleasure.

Kathryn began by unfastening the snaps at the front of Seven’s trousers and as she did, Seven reached for Kathryn’s drawstring at the front of her pants. It was almost as though each woman couldn’t wait to see who would remove the other’s garments first and they almost fell backwards in their haste. Seven stood watching Kathryn as she finished stepping out of her undergarments, a smile spreading across her face.

"Kathryn, you are very beautiful."

Despite her blushing Kathryn looked up at Seven and returned her smile.

"It’s been a long time for me. I don’t know if I …" her voice trailed.

"You know this is my first experience. I may have memories because of the Borg, but you must assist me."

"We will assist each other."

Kathryn led Seven to the bed carefully easing her down before sitting beside her. She took Seven’s hand in her own and brought it to her lips, brushing the back of Seven’s knuckles, closing her eyes and breathing in the slightly metallic scent emanating from the Borg implants lining Seven’s fingers. She kissed each finger, letting herself take the time to experience how the implants felt against her lips. She was surprised to discover they felt slightly warm to the touch; she had assumed otherwise. Seven watched Kathryn through half-lidded eyes.

Kathryn gently pushed her into a reclining position before lying beside her. She leaned against Seven and again began to kiss her, trailing her lips over Seven’s neck and shoulders, drinking in the fragrance of her perfume. Kathryn continued to let her lips form murmuring gestures, both tickling and exciting Seven and felt amused at how the slightest brush of lips could bring such exquisite sounds from her such as the ones she was making at that moment. From time to time Kathryn wrapped her arms around Seven in an effort to reassure her this was what she wanted.

This woman feels so good in my arms, Kathryn thought. Here she lies with me, something I have wanted for so long. Her skin is so smooth, so silky, so exquisitely beautiful.

Kathryn continued her exploration letting her hands roam across Seven’s abdomen, feeling the softness of skin and the slightest pucker of her navel. She let her hands continue their trek back to the silky mounds of Seven’s breasts, feeling how the skin changed from soft to even softer. She continued to lightly kiss each area she explored and touched, almost as though this was the surest way to formulate a lasting impression. Her fingers caressed the areola and nipple area on each breast and as she did, Seven continued to utter the sweetest moans increasing Kathryn’s determination. She wanted so very much to please the woman who lay next to her.

Is it possible I can please this woman? It has been so long and I don’t know if I really can, Kathryn wondered.

Kathryn was determined this first sexual experience for Seven needed to be gentle and gradual. There was no need to rush anyway…they had the rest of the evening and dawn was still hours away. She kissed Seven again, exploring her mouth with her tongue, tasting the unique blend of sweetness and metalline flavors that merged into such a delicious mixture.

Her lips began exploring other regions of Seven’s body. Her mouth found the remaining traces of Seven’s abdominal implant and without hesitation, she investigated how it felt to her, how it tasted. Kathryn gauged her actions by Seven’s responses, by the way Seven’s respiration increased, how she grasped Kathryn’s hand suddenly.

Kathryn moved lower, searching to traverse each centimeter of her body with her mouth and hands, but Seven continued to hold fast. It was as though she feared letting go and Kathryn murmured encouragement and her desires for Seven. Finally, Seven released her hand, lifting her arms above her head allowing her body to stretch to its full length. She focused on how Kathryn’s lips and mouth felt, the way Kathryn’s hands moved across her breasts, her abdomen and lower still. She realized the ache she had experienced earlier had magnified to include the curious sensation of moisture gathering at the junction between her legs. Yet, Kathryn had not touched or kissed her there! Seven realized her legs had barely spread apart, almost of their own volition.

Kathryn continued to relish the smoothness of Seven’s skin. She lightly ran her fingers through the velutinous curls that had only recently begun to grow, noting it was more than peach fuzz, yet less than a woman’s full pubis. Seven spread her legs further and Kathryn inhaled the scent of a woman who wanted to be touched, who needed to be touched.

What Kathryn discovered surprised and pleased her. Seven’s body had sexually responded to her caresses and she realized Seven was ready for more intimate touching. She heard Seven’s gasp as she opened her mouth to taste the fullness of lips never before kissed.

The involuntary gasp escaping Seven’s lips momentarily surprised her. She was fully aware of Kathryn’s lips moving gently against this region of her body even she had not yet privately explored. Seven felt the tentative, delicate movements of Kathryn’s mouth and her body responded of its own volition. Her desire for Kathryn to touch her mounted with each murmur of lips against her mound. She knew her breathing had escalated; she was aware of not being in total control of her body’s reactions and yet, this awareness was neither painful nor unpleasant. Rather the opposite was true. She enjoyed these new pleasurable feelings and realized she did not want Kathryn to cease.

Kathryn, urged on by Seven’s reactions, continued her ministrations, paying close attention to how Seven responded to each of her touches. Afterall, she had never made love with a woman before and although she had allowed Mark to orally gratify her, performing it on another woman was somehow different to her. Less frenetic. She felt as though she instinctively knew what to do.

Kathryn proceeded to kiss and lick and suckle at Seven’s vulva with loving care and tenderness Seven found totally captivating. All her attention was focused on how Kathryn’s mouth felt against her, what Kathryn was doing to her, how her body continued to respond of its own accord. She realized her hips began rhythmically moving against Kathryn’s mouth, that somehow, she wanted more contact with those lips probing her, teasing her. She felt Kathryn’s tongue move against her flesh and she gasped with pleasure at the touch.

Kathryn was riveted to the task she had embarked upon, enjoying each moment. She discovered she truly savored loving Seven in this fashion and could not stop herself even if she’d wanted to. The more she kissed Seven’s vulva, the more she wanted to taste her. Seven’s body had been producing a delectable juice and Kathryn could not stop licking and probing the orifice from where the moisture originated. It was like lapping at a fountain overflowing with delicious nectar. She found she was absolutely absorbed in her maneuverings and realized she enjoyed being totally focused on pleasing Seven. It was as though nothing existed for her outside these moments.

This is what has been missing in my life for too long, she thought.

Despite the gradual increase in intensity of Seven’s responses, Kathryn chose to proceed slowly. She remembered from sexual experiences with men how they tended to rush, eager to move on to the intercourse phase of lovemaking. There was no need to hurry she knew. She placed her hands on the inside of Seven’s thighs, carefully pressing the legs further apart granting better access to Seven’s vulva. She continued to lick at the outer lips while sucking gently on the inner flesh. She discovered Seven’s clitoris had become swollen, the shaft beginning to protrude from the apex between those delicious lips.

Kathryn began to suck gently, alternating between licking the juices that by now had begun to flow freely. Seven responded by moving her hips up and down in rhythm with Kathryn’s tongue. She had begun panting and grabbing at the coverlet on the bed, the fingers encased by the Borg mesh tearing at the fabric. Kathryn, urged on by this more intense response, continued exploring this tender region with her mouth. She discovered Seven rhythmically tensing and relaxing her muscles and realized her passion was beginning to mount toward a peak of pure pleasure. Kathryn allowed her tongue to dart inside Seven before returning to her earlier ministrations.

Despite Kathryn’s efforts to maintain a slower paced level of love making, Seven was being driven to a state of ecstasy she had never before encountered. Even when she had glimpsed the image of the Omega molecule for a nanosecond, it had not compared with what she felt at this moment. Kathryn was bringing her to a new level of awareness and she allowed herself to be carried along. Seven discovered her leg muscles tensing, toes pointing. She felt a greater need to lift her hips higher, pushing herself toward Kathryn. She heard someone cry out and wondered briefly, who it was making those sounds before realizing it was she.

Then without warning, she felt her abdominal muscles tighten and the most exquisite feeling of exhilaration swept through her. It was as though a cascade of exploding spasms swelled inside before spilling forth. She held her breath hearing the blood pounding in her ears. She grabbed for Kathryn, clenching and unclenching her fists, panting in sync with this woman before crying out. The release of pent pressures burst forth.

"Aaauugh! Kathryn!"

Kathryn, unable to answer her cries, continued to suckle Seven’s clitoris, continued to lick the essences, which tasted like honey and some indefinable spice. The sweet moisture gathered and Kathryn savored her appetite, further exciting her. Kathryn could recognize her own telltale signals she was becoming aroused, knowing her orgasm was not far away. Still she focused her attentions on Seven, holding this woman closely, kissing and licking her, bringing still more series of spasms she recognized as multiple tremors. She refused to cease until she felt the tiny spasms become less powerful, less frequent.

Gently, slowly, she raised her head and looked at Seven, her eyes aglow with emotion. She placed her head upon Seven’s abdomen and wrapped her arms around her, holding her tenderly. She closed her eyes, breathed in Seven’s aroma and smiled. She felt a sense of inner peace descend upon her and realized this was the feeling she had been missing most of her life. She exhaled a long slow breath.

"Kathryn."

"Yes?"

"What was that?"

"Darling, I think you just had several orgasms."

"Yes," she murmured.

Kathryn lay in that position for several minutes, her hand lazily tracing patterns on Seven’s thigh. Seven began to stroke Kathryn’s back, letting her fingers idly roam across the expanse of muscle and leanness. She realized Kathryn’s flesh was softer than anything she had ever touched.

Kathryn’s skin suddenly became alive; each nerve ending telegraphing signals to her brain, telling her she had not forgotten how good it could feel to lay in someone’s arms. She had not forgotten what it felt like to be caressed. She had not forgotten how to respond sexually to another human being and she exhaled a long deep sigh spelling utter contentment.

Seven sat up and reached for Kathryn, drawing her into her arms and kissing her tenderly. She held her gently before pushing her back onto the bed and rising over her. She looked down at the woman who had just given her first introduction into human sexuality and suddenly Seven felt a different hunger needing satisfying.

She leaned forward, kissing Kathryn again, teasing her with her lips and tongue. She felt the stirrings again and proceeded to kiss Kathryn’s neck and shoulders, letting her mouth taste each area before moving on. She settled on Kathryn’s breasts and realized how wonderful it was to cup a breast and nibble.

Kathryn found she had let her fingers find their way to Seven’s hair, loosening the fastening holding it so severely in place. Strands of blond hair fell about her shoulders, cascading across Kathryn’s breasts and offering sweet sensations of silk filaments brushing against her skin. The effect was sensually exciting. Kathryn arched her back letting her breasts rise even higher to allow more of Seven’s hair to come in contact with them. Seven took her lead from Kathryn and gently began to slowly toss her head back and forth letting her hair trail across those perfectly formed breasts. She was rewarded by a slight whimper Kathryn uttered before seeking her lips to kiss.

Although she opened her mouth to Kathryn, it was Kathryn who sought to explore her mouth with her tongue, feeling the slightest nip of teeth against her lips. Kathryn became increasingly demanding with each kiss. This time it was Seven who heard herself uttering a moan, which seemed to come from deep within her.

Seven continued to let her hands roam across Kathryn’s smooth, flat abdomen, keenly aware of how this body hair had a downy feel to it. She enjoyed tickling Kathryn, lightly brushing her fingers against the soft flesh, and noting with pleasure how Kathryn’s hips seemed to slightly move against her. She continued to let her fingers roam, letting them make widening circles across Kathryn’s lower belly until they barely grazed the fawn colored pubic hair that formed a triangle at the base of her abdomen. Kathryn gasped with pleasure. Seven repeated her circling motion beginning at the navel and moving lower, further along the groove of Kathryn’s groin, letting her fingers lightly touch the pubic hair, before making their trek back toward the navel. Each time she began another circle, Seven applied slightly more pressure, especially at the point where her fingers graced Kathryn’s mound. And with each cycle, Kathryn seemed to move her hips more while uttering low moans, sending shivers through Seven.

Kathryn’s world had suddenly been reduced to the sensations washing over her. She was intensely aware of how soft Seven’s touch was, how erotically similar it was to a feather’s touch. Earlier she had feared she would not be able to respond sexually to Seven and realized how insignificant a thought that was as she became aware of the moisture gathering at the junction between her legs. The tight feeling in her lower belly came from the desire to have Seven touch her everywhere; she wanted to be consumed by her; she needed to be consumed by her.

Seven began another lazy circle with her fingers, again aware Kathryn had begun thrusting her hips towards her fingers and hand. She was careful to not place too much pressure with her Borg enhanced hand and fingers; the last thing she wanted to do was injure Kathryn.

As Seven continued, she alternated between using the flatness of her palm and the tips of her fingers to vary the touch sensations as well as amounts of pressure. While circling over Kathryn’s mound, her fingers dipped lower and discovered the satiny moisture gracing the outer lips. Curious, Seven chose not to move her hand, but rather found if she allowed her forefinger to apply the slightest additional pressure, Kathryn’s response was most dramatic. She could hear moans escaping Kathryn’s lips and feel the shudders coursing along her body. Intrigued, she repeated the gesture and discovered the cleft between the outer lips rapidly becoming drenched in wetness revealing the level of Kathryn’s heightened pleasure and passion. It sent a thrill through Seven to realize this was directly related to how she had been touching Kathryn.

Kathryn opened her eyes to gaze into Seven’s, a smile forming on her lips. She began lifting her hips in rhythm to Seven’s fingers moving back and forth along the shaft, now suddenly swollen and hard. Her eyes locked with Seven’s. Her lips parted slightly, her tongue raked across her parched lips and Kathryn’s breathing began to match the cadence of those fingers. All of her attention focused on how her body was feeling and responding to Seven’s touch. She could feel her passion and heat rise; sensations she had not known for some time; sensations that seemed to consume every fiber of her being. Yet, she knew she wanted more.

Seven continued to stroke along this shaft, which now had become rigid and drenched in the silky essence flowing from Kathryn. Despite her vast knowledge of sexual encounters learned because of time spent with the Borg, she marveled at how she was able to produce such an effect with a woman who afterall, commanded a starship. It pleased her to realize Kathryn was responding to her not only as a woman, but also as a lover might. Afterall, isn’t this what lovers did when they wanted to express affection and desire for one another?

Another moan escaped Kathryn’s lips and Seven returned her attention to Kathryn realizing that as she had been stroking along the hardened shaft, Kathryn had been rotating her hips in such a way as to produce more physical contact. One of Seven’s fingers had found an opening slick from the moisture now covering Kathryn’s vulva. The aroma wafting to her was heady. She could no longer restrain herself and bent her head to kiss the mound that lifted to meet her lips. Seven found Kathryn’s scent to be intoxicating and she had to discover if the sweet scent also carried a sweet taste.

She dared to kiss the cleft between the outer lips, tasting Kathryn’s essence. She found she could not prevent herself from licking at the moisture bathing Kathryn’s lips. Kathryn let forth a gasp without restraint and grabbing Seven’s head, pulling her against her vulva. Seven had no choice but to nibble gently at those lips, tasting the succulence found on either side of a hardened shaft. She raked her tongue along the shaft and noted Kathryn’s reactions.

"Oh…..that feels so good, Seven," Kathryn exclaimed, continuing to hold Seven’s head against her. "Please don’t stop, please. Taste more of me."

Seven continued, aware she too, was beginning to feel a dampness between her thighs. She rolled onto her stomach and placed her body between Kathryn’s legs, lifting her thighs onto her shoulders granting better access in order to accede to Kathryn’s wishes of tasting more of her. She found she was now able to rake her tongue not only along the shaft, but could flatten her tongue and lick the juices pouring forth from Kathryn. She found Kathryn especially liked it when her tongue found the opening to her vagina and Seven let it wander inside a bit. That offered her more of a taste of Kathryn’s nectar and Seven enjoyed the aroma and flavor.

Suddenly, Kathryn’s abdominal muscles tensed and her moaning took on a sense of urgency. Seven continued to lick and thrust her tongue inside Kathryn, who had now begun to lift her hips off the bed in a rhythmic frenzy. Seven stayed with her, never letting her mouth move from Kathryn’s vulva and vagina, knowing somehow that to do so would be disastrous. Instead, she began to suck at Kathryn, gently at first, but with increasing intensity. Kathryn continued to undulate her hips with a newfound urgency, the cries escaping her throat an indication of rising passions.

She lifted her hips a final time and held them in the air. Seven reached under Kathryn’s buttocks and cupped them with her strong hands, supporting her, holding her firmly in this position as Kathryn suddenly began to tremble. The strength of her orgasm was matched only by the strength and endurance of Seven holding her in that position as she rode through wave after wave of orgasm. Seven maintained the same rhythm of sucking and licking Kathryn’s copious moisture, except now she gave into a more soothing touch helping to calm and quiet Kathryn.

Kathryn’s increased rate of respiration slowly began to abate and she looked down to see a mass of blond hair between her thighs. That brought a huge smile to her face. She could still feel Seven’s tongue and mouth against her as she continued the same motions. Kathryn signaled to her to cease.

"Darling, where did you learn to do that?" Kathryn inquired.

"I have the memories of several human individuals who managed to satisfy their partner with this particular technique," she responded shyly.

"Really! I had no idea. Well, it’s nice you were able to remember it because I certainly enjoyed it."

"I’m glad," Seven said with a broad smile on her face.

She crawled alongside Kathryn who pulled Seven to her, allowing her to lay her head upon her shoulder. Kathryn wrapped her arms around Seven as she reached across Kathryn’s breasts to lightly caress the aureole with a smooth and gentle circling motion. Both women lay in contentment, well sated, and accepting of an intimacy shared. As Seven listened to the regular rhythm of Kathryn’s beating heart, she felt an abundance of …

What is it I feel? She thought for a moment.

Seven realized she had spent the better part of the evening in the arms of the one person who mattered more to her than anyone else aboard Voyager. Kathryn’s opinions carried with them the merit and attention most people duly noted.

She knew early on in their platonic though stormy relationship, she had to earn this woman’s respect. Seven recognized Kathryn had tempered many an exasperating moment with patience and understanding. She realized how much Kathryn had exhibited trust in her. This was the woman who believed in her; believed one day, she would regain more than a measure of her humanity. The swell of emotions she believed might be more than mere admiration and respect suddenly surfaced.

"How do you know?" she asked the woman whose heartbeat she felt beneath her cheek.

"Seven?"

"How do you know what love is?" she asked quietly.

"I think each person perceives it differently and yet, there seems to be common experiences shared by people. Writers have taken to the pen for centuries describing the feelings, both physical and emotional, associated with love. And people are able to identify with each descriptive phrase or sentence based upon the strength of the feelings, the experiences."

"I think I may feel love for you."

Kathryn remained quiet; listening to the words as she slowly turned them over in her mind. Wasn’t this what she felt for Seven but had been too afraid to allow such thoughts and feelings to surface? Hadn’t she discovered this woman who caressed her even now, was someone she cherished and wanted in her life always?

"I believe what I feel for you, Seven, is love. I think I have always known but was afraid to say anything, let alone act upon my desires. I clung to the precepts Starfleet set before me as though they were my only lifelines. This is a major change for me and I don’t know how I’m going to manage it. I don’t know how the rest of the crew will manage."

"I understood you to say it was more accepted now."

"It is. But I am still the Captain of a starship and I don’t know how anyone will feel about the Captain being romantically involved with a crewmember. I must think of the crew first, Seven. I know I don’t want how I feel right now to ever go away. I think I have had feelings for you for a long time and denying those feelings was very wrong of me. It pushed you away and I really didn’t want that," Kathryn explained.

"I believe I first realized how much you meant to me when you came after me when the Borg Queen convinced me to return to the Collective. You risked much in doing so; it was an act of selflessness and I found it relevant. You showed your true character and I knew I wanted to be nearer to you than anyone else."

Kathryn knew she had gone after Seven because she couldn’t imagine her not being on board anymore. Even then, Kathryn must have known she felt something for this woman that went beyond Captain/crewmember status. She reflected on her own actions and realized there had been many instances when she repressed her feelings for Seven. She wondered at how long she might have held her feelings in check and realized Keth had done them both a wonderful service.

"I must admit to you I don’t know where we’ll go from here. This is all new for me." Kathryn offered.

"Perhaps we might take the opportunity to spend more time together when we return to Voyager. The Doctor has helped me with the ‘getting acquainted’ aspect in his social skills lesson," pronounced Seven.

Kathryn laughed a deep earthy laugh wrapping itself like a blanket around Seven. Seven had always enjoyed the sound of Kathryn’s voice, its huskiness appealed to her and hearing her laugh sent shivers through her. Kathryn’s face assumed a different expression, lighting her eyes, making her appear more relaxed and carefree. She seemed to recognize in Kathryn an easy-going demeanor as though a large weight had been removed.

"Seven, I don’t mean to disappoint you, but I am not taking any lessons from the Doctor. For right now, I wish to keep this just between us. I agree we can see each other socially on board, but I would like to think about how we might share this information with other members of the crew. Voyager is a small ship and rumors can get started from very little information. I think it best if we move slowly."

"I have no experience in these matters, Kathryn, so I shall defer to your judgement."

Kathryn was still holding Seven’s hands between her own and for a moment, she gazed into those blue eyes some thought were like ice. Kathryn had always thought of them more like the blue found in a match flame, deep, warm, penetrating. She placed her left hand against Seven’s cheek and felt the heat from her skin radiate through her palm. Kathryn continued to gaze into those blue eyes that seemed to speak volumes until she could not hold Seven’s gaze any longer. She held herself in check. They needed to move slowly. There was no need to rush into anything yet. They had time, lots of time.

* * * * * TO BE CONTINUED * * * * *