As the Velocity disc spun from the wall glowing red, Seven spun herself away from the glowing puck of doom right into the path of Kathryn Janeway. Without hazarding a glance at her opponent, Seven prepared herself defensively for the next parry. With a deep inhalation of oxygen to fortify her attack, she spun to zap the disc; but, instead saw it impact on Kathryn's left buttock as she tried to dive away from impact. With a smugly carnal grin she looked down upon the supine form of her Captain and held out a hand to assist Kathryn from the floor. "Allow me to assist you, Captain."
While Seven had been smugly grinning the computer had announced the match point had gone to Seven -- as well as the game -- for the first time in three years. She was radiant and glowed from every inch of herself. This was a moment she had anticipated for a seemingly endless time; now that it was actually here she was disconcerted about what to do with her victory over the proud friend she had just beaten.
As though understanding Seven's unease with her recent victory, Janeway wrapped her arms around Seven in a congratulatory hug. "Congratulations, Seven." She pulled back from her hug. "Don't think I don't know how you pulled off your little victory." And then just as quickly, "Let me make you dinner tonight, as a prize, for your having finally beat me at Velocity."
Seven, thinking Janeway really did know how she had pulled off her win, felt guilty. It was not a true win since she had distracted Kathryn the entire match. Seven had used her 'womanly wiles' to fluster her opponent to total distraction; but, had Kathryn really discerned what Seven had been doing -- or was she bluffing? Seven knew that the Captain often lured her victims into admitting things that she truly did not know.
But the Captain -- would she really allow herself to realize her attraction for Seven? For if she was not attracted to the lovely young blond, then surely the ploy she had adopted would not have worked well enough to garner a victory. As Seven pulled back from her congratulatory hug, she involuntarily sniffed the air, causing both nostrils to flare. With her face openly responding to the scent she had inhaled, Seven responded with a voice deepened by her involuntary reaction to Kathryn's scent.
"Dinner would be - acceptable." Suddenly at a loss for words, after hearing her desire seeping into to her voice, the former Borg drone turned to exit the holodeck before she reacted too much to her captains close proximity.
Before she could make her escape, Janeway had grasped her wrist, to keep her at bay a moment longer. "Shall we say, 1900 hours, then?"
All Seven could do was shake her head in agreement, for the electrical charge that was emanating from her wrist had her completely and totally flustered. Before she could show her shock, she fled holodeck 1, and headed to cargo bay 2. As she walked to the end of the hall to await a turbolift, she replayed the Captain's response to losing today's Velocity match. It was not the reaction Seven had anticipated at all.
As Seven entered the turbolift, she played back the captains victory hug, and how good it had felt to be enveloped into her arms, against her soft warm chest. Had the captain nuzzled my neck? The edactic memory replayed the incident for the former Borg drone; yes the captain had definitely nuzzled my neck when she hugged me.
Seven had raised her hand to her neck -- where Kathryn had nuzzled against her. She could remember the warmth from Kathryn's face and the ticklish caress of her breath upon skin. The turbolift doors opened and she stepped off without conscience thought of where she was headed.
And my wrist, when she kept me from leaving until she stated a dinner time; she had been stroking my wrist as she spoke. I was so caught up in a human reaction I lost control of my thought processes. How can one individual have so much affect on me?
I am truly becoming human now, Seven surmised -- the captain creates strong emotional and bodily responses in me. The responses, they are the same as the ones I hoped to elicit during today's game. Does the Captain realize the consequences for this attraction? In all the data the lovely blonde had researched about human mating practices and rituals, the data pointed to a strong conclusion that they should become bonded partners -- mates if you will. Will she sense the need to bond as deeply as Seven herself was now feeling?
As Seven rounded the next corner she arrived in a dead end corridor and balked.
Flustered, she turned around and realized she had been wondering her deck since exiting the turbolift moments ago; lost in thought about Kathryn Janeway.
* * *
Kathryn Janeway entered her quarters and looked around surveying the condition of her personal space. Even though she had been stranded in the Delta Quadrant for almost fours years, she still couldn't bring herself into considering this space home. Now, for some reason, she felt it needed more warmth -- more hominess. How can I live in a space so devoid of warmth & personal influences? Do I really spend so little time here that I haven't needed to personalize it?
As she gazed about her cabin, she slowly realized all the little personal touches she has included into her life had been placed in her Ready Room; off the Bridge. I am such a case -- I am so focused on my professional life, I have forgotten to have a personal life. Have I really forgotten how to function as a person? Can I remember how to be a person -- a woman -- without reverting to being a Starfleet Captain?
Then the stick wielding tormentor of her soul peeped in with her two cents, "Why does it matter now? Oh I see -- you think Seven is attracted to you as much as you are to her. Katie, Katie, Katie -- you can't have a relationship -- you're a Starfleet Captain."
Shaking off this inner voice full of negative feedback from her soul, she went around the main room picking up scattered PADD's and collecting the coffee mugs for recycling through the replicator's buffer. When she had finished the process and looked around her living quarters, it looked even more bleak with out the lived in effect awarding it by the scattering of PADD's and coffee mugs.
Realizing there was nothing to be gained by staring blankly into her bleak quarters, she headed to her bedroom to strip off her Velocity attire, before heading for a long soak in her tub.
Janeway started the water flowing into the tub, added some mineral salts to soften her skin, and walked back into her sleeping area. She walked to the closet, removed a Midnight blue silk gown, and meant to return to the ensuite, when her reflection in the mirror caught her eye, forcing her to stop. Her slim reflection glared back at her from the mirror; an almost haunted look held possession of her eyes as she raked her glance over her reflection within the mirror. Staring back at her was a trim, fit, female with rock hard nipples standing defiant in their need, demanding her attention. She slowly raised her right hand to her left nipple and brushed past it -- the shudder of desire it screamed brought her from her trance, and she walked back to her tub.
Slowly, Janeway lowered herself into the warm embrace of the tub she had drawn. Leaning into the soft incline behind her, she closed her eyes and slowly began running the washcloth over her body. The warmth of the water had relaxed her muscles to the point where she was leaning into the tubs incline, holding her head above water by bracing her feet along the end of the tub.
As her muscles relaxed, she afforded herself a moment to reflect on her bodily responses over the past day. First had been in the messhall at breakfast. While she and Seven had gone over data regarding the ongoing Slipstream project, she and Seven had accidentally brushed hands; and Janeway had been hit with an impulse to wrap her fingers with Seven's. When she had grasped Seven's fingers in her own, Seven's eyes had flashed in what? Not fear -- no, it was surprise; but a surprise laced with what? Yearning? When Janeway had realized her infraction, she had immediately withdrawn her hand's grasp of Seven's; but the young woman had almost appeared sad at the contacts end.
The second occurrence had been in her ready room, just after the morning staff meeting. She had asked Seven to join her so that they could continue discussing the changes Seven wanted to do with the deep sensor array. On a rare occurrence, Janeway had convinced Seven to sit on the couch for their discussion. All too frequently the captain had to strain upwards at the young Borg as they spoke, as Seven had a preference to stand whenever she was given the option. As they had continued to go over the data on the many PADD's they had strewn about the coffee table, the two women had sidled into the middle of the couch. As Janeway had leaned in to clarify a bit a data on Seven's PADD she felt her breast brush the former drone, but instead of stopping the contact, she leaned further into Seven as she finished her question. After her question she had withdrawn from the contact; but, not -- I'm sure -- before making Seven uncomfortable.
The third and most prolonged bout of sensations had occurred during her Velocity match with Seven. She had a hard time keeping her mind on the game throughout the entire session. Every time she grazed by Seven, her body became electrified in a most delightful manner. Whenever Seven had bent over, Janeway had been lost in thought while admiring the beauty of Seven's body. Trying to ignore the impact of Seven's profile on her own body also hadn't worked. Every chance she should have exploited for a point instead had been lost in attraction for her Astrometrics Officer.
When had her attraction for Seven become such a distraction? And when had Seven picked up on it? Janeway was sure that today's Velocity match loss to Seven had been no mistake. Seven had gone out of her way to distract me with her body during the match; I'm sure of it. But when had Seven become devious enough to use such knowledge to her advantage? Or was Seven becoming so human, that she was instinctively reacting to bodily urges?
More importantly -- when did my attraction for Seven become unwrapped enough for her to pick up on? Have I been making an ass of myself in front of the entire crew without being aware of myself?
Janeway sunk beneath the waters surface of the tub to rinse the sweat from her hair. It was only as she surfaced that she admitted to herself how much she felt for Seven - Seven of Mine. When everyone had balked at bringing her aboard permanently, even then Janeway had known there was a connection between herself and Seven of Nine. It had only been recently Janeway had recognized the connection had permutated into something much more; at least in her heart. What about Seven?
As Kathryn Janeway started to replay the hug she had awarded to Seven, she sat straight up in her tub as she realized Seven had blatantly inhaled her scent as the hug ceased. And when Seven had confirmed dinner, her voice had been laced with a truly sexual quality. How could I be so blind? Janeway's heart beat had increased as she put the pieces together in her mind's eye; Seven was attracted to her. And I have to admit -- I'm attracted to Seven as well; now what am I going to do about it?
* * *
As Seven entered cargo bay 2, she was still lost within her thoughts. For the first time since coming aboard Voyager, Seven rambled: both internally and externally. As she wandered aimlessly through the cargo bay, Seven's mind was lost in a causality loop of human proportions; the more she thought about Captain Janeway, the more responses her body experienced.
As Seven momentarily paused in her pacing, she crossed her arms in front of herself and felt the tenderness of her erect nipples beneath her Velocity outfit. Glancing down at the stiff peaks poking through her top, she brushed her left nipple with her right hand. The shock wave of pleasure that coursed through her body caught her unaware; and she fell to the cargo bay deck on her knees catching herself from completely sprawling with her left arm.
What is happening to me? As she now continued to stroke both of her nipples, she began to feel as though she had swallowed something before it was dead, as her stomach began to flutter with lustful anticipation. As Seven ceases the stimulation to her nipples and prepares to get up from the floor, she feels a gush of warm fluid discharge into her undergarment. I am experiencing sexual arousal due to my thoughts; I must marshal my reactions before dinner.
Slowly, Seven got up from the deck in cargo bay 2, and made her way behind the Borg alcoves to her ensuite; she needed to refresh herself and change clothing before dinner. If she was lucky the captain would be too distracted by her commitment to command, to realize that Seven had fallen in love with her, while they ate dinner tonight.
Seven entered her ensuite and began to disrobe. First off was the now cold, sweat soaked top that had become adheared to her flesh. The sport bra was next; and as it cleared her head she took note of the still erect nipples. She continued to remove her Velocity outfit, and took inventory on what she had experienced throughout the day.
That morning, while in the mess hall, she had been reviewing Slip-stream drive calculations with the Captain. During their discussion the Captain had grasped Seven's fingers in her own. It had been so unexpected that Seven had looked up at Kathryn in shock; which in turn had caused the Captain to cease contact. Then, after the staff meeting that morning, Seven had stayed behind to discuss the changes she wished to effect on the deep space senor array. While Seven had been reviewing PADD's with the Captain while sitting together on the couch, Kathryn's breast had brushed against Seven's arm -- for a gloriously long moment. When the Captains question of the data had been answered, the contact had stopped; but not before Seven had become aroused by the contact. Had the captain sensed my arousal, wondered the young former Borg drone?
During thier Velocity match, Seven had made a point of showing her opponent the many beautiful angles of her Borg enhanced body. It would only work if the captain was attracted to her; and there was no doubt Seven's ploy had worked to her favor. But would the Captain ever admit to an attraction and allow herself to enter a relationship? Seven would have to try to determine that tonight at dinner; but she had to keep her own bodily responses marshalled unless she wanted to give herself away.
* * * * * *
As Kathryn Janeway completed her dinner preparations, she felt a mixture of anticipation and fear over Seven's impending arrival. Since her epiphany in the tub, she had tried to decide on the best way to broach the lovely young former drone regarding her feelings. Seven always approved of straight forward communication; but Seven also gave completely honest answers to questions posed to her. Janeway was a little nervous that she wouldn't like Seven's answers if the questions she really wanted to asked were uttered aloud.
While standing behind the couch, gazing out the viewport, the door chime to her quarters sounded her visitors arrival. She started for the door, so she could greet her guest and as she arrived near it she uttered the command for it to open.
Just beyond the portal stood a vision of true radiance -- Seven, with her hair down, and wearing a skirt in the same shade of blue as her eyes, along with a cream colored silk blouse that accented the lovely young woman's hair. Janeway was breathless -- as though caught in a rapture -- by the impact her guests outfit caused upon her bodies systems momentarily. With the sudden clarity of mind to resume breathing, Janeway realized she had yet to greet her visitor.
"Seven, you look -- breath-taking!" Still unable to take her eyes from this vision before her "Please -- come in -- I have dinner almost completed." Witth a broad gesture towards the couch Kathryn beckoned Seven into her quarters for her victory dinner.
Seven was glad with the reaction her choice of attire had upon the Captain. To be told she looked breath-taking had caused a ripple of desire to flare upwards along her spine. A genuine smile crept to her lips as she lowered herself to the couch, and she again caught Kathryn's gaze upon her.
Unable to stop herself, Janeway gazed at Seven with desire -- she truly wanted to be with the beauty so much she felt herself ache with a need she had long ago locked away. Aghast that she would leer so blatantly at her young protege, she immediately turned from the vision upon her couch and walked towards the replicator.
"Can I get you anything to quench your thirst before dinner, Seven?" Janeway queried without turning towards her distraction - er guest.
"I would enjoy a glass of Cranberry juice, thank you."
From her vantage point on the couch, Seven could see that Kathryn was struggling with herself over some inner demon.
Forcing the Captain within her aside, Janeway strode to the couch slowly so she could admire Seven's beauty, letting it soak into her mind's eye, forever wishing to preserve this moment in time within her memories until her very last moment of life. Handing Seven the flute of cranberry juice, she sat down next to the lovely young blonde, drinking in her scent to add depth to the moments memory. Raising her own flute filled with Clos Picard's Champagne she began her toast of concession.
"To Seven of Nine, former Tertiary Adjuct to Unimatrix One -- now invaluable member of the USS Voyager and personal friend of Kathryn Janeway: May all your victories be celebrations of simple pleasures; for victories of power can often cost more than the imagined prizes of victory." Tipping her flute to her lips , Janeway fought back a single tear fighting to break free of her lower eyelid, fighting to break her resolve to love yet refrain from being in-love, she was a Federation Captain for Cochrane's sake!
Before sipping her juice, Seven gauged her captain's symptoms: increased temperature, rapid respiration, flared nostrils, flushed cheeks. Glancing about the older woman, she noticed that Janeway's nipples were erect, and try as she might to keep them sheilded by her arms, it was apparent to even Seven: Janeway was aroused, embarrassed by her lack of composure, and beginning to emit a slight musky odor signaling her increasing desire. Seven sipped her juice, inclined her head in salute to her friend, and decided to show Janeway the reward she really had in mind.
Setting her flute upon the coffee table, Seven caught Kathryn's gaze and softly spoke the words she hoped would change their lives. "Kathryn, I may have won a small victory today in winning a match of Velocity. But, the prize I most wish to win --" she reached across Janeway's lap with her Brog enhanced hand and took the small freckled right hand of her mentor into it's grasp, "-- the prize I most wish to win is your heart; because you have stolen my own." As she finished her declaration, Seven kissed the juncture of their hands, and turned her eyes upwards, wary and hopeful, of Kathryn's response.
Any hope of spurning her feelings for the young Borg flew out the airlock the moment Seven made the leap of faith, revealing her honest feelings for her captain -- and she's a natural poet too, damn her!
Leaning forward, the starship captain took a leap of faith and kissed her one true love.
***FIN***