End Game redux
see part 1 for info
End Game redux
see part 1 for info
CHAPTER 8
Delta Quadrant
2378
Present Timeline
“Once Voyager is within the core of the nebula, we will fire a spread of transphasic torpedoes.”
Janeway’s thumb rubbed along the black rubber handle of her coffee mug as she listened to Tuvok and Seven speaking unemotionally about destroying a Borg transwarp hub as if it were an everyday occurrence for the intrepid crew of the Starship Voyager. She nearly smiled at the speed in which such an audacious idea had been devised by her senior staff, but her thoughts were muddled by the tragic story Miral had just disclosed to her. She didn’t want any of it to be true, but she knew the damaged figures of Icheb and Naomi were testaments to the validity of Miral’s tale.
“The torpedoes would be programmed for a simultaneous detonation.” Seven pressed a control next to the wall mounted display. The screen showed blue transwarp tunnels destabilizing quickly under Voyager’s firepower. A rendering of what such an act would look like if their plan was successful. “If the shielding is penetrated the conduits would begin to collapse in a cascade reaction, which would destroy the hub completely. We would have less than ten seconds to exit the nebula to avoid the ensuing shock wave.”
Seven had wanted to be able to tell her captain more. That she and the rest of the senior staff had come up with an ingenious plan to destroy the Borg transwarp hub and get Voyager home. She regretted that she could not. She and the crew came up with no viable strategy, except for the one Seven devised herself and kept secret. She would divulge it to the captain later during their customary late night dinner. If she had the courage.
“Thank you, Seven. Tuvok.” Janeway let her hand fall away from her coffee mug as she stood. Her chin was held high and her eyes moved from one determined face to the next. She felt her chest fill with warmth as she looked with pride and affection upon her crew, her family. “Good work. All of you. Let’s do it.”
****
Seven felt her thoughts leave her as Kathryn pressed her soft lips against hers. She was so swept up in the kiss that her plan, her solo mission, was forgotten as her strong arms wrapped around the petite form of the woman she loved. She increased the pressure of her mouth and licked Kathryn’s lips in a request for the captain to open her mouth and allow her inside.
Kathryn Janeway moaned with exquisite pleasure consuming her body as Seven’s tongue entered her mouth and began dueling with her own. She gasped in surprise and delight when Seven effortlessly lifted her into her arms before she was carried with great care and gentleness from her dining room to her bed room.
The meal had started off as many did. They spoke of their day and most importantly their plan to destroy the hub that was scheduled to take place within the next twenty-four hours after certain modifications were finished on Voyager’s systems. When they had finished their meals, they spoke of each other, their budding relationship, and their love. Kathryn had wanted to speak to Seven of what Miral had told her, but she found that she couldn’t. Having the knowledge of a horrific future that might never be was not something she wanted to burden Seven with. So she had remained silent.
When they had been enjoying their after-meal kisses that had also become customary, Kathryn knew time was not to be taken for granted. And so she broke her cardinal rule with a breathy, desire-filled request. “Seven, I don’t want to wait.”
So now, with that softly voiced admittance to forgo her own rule, Kathryn was lying on her bed and slowly being divested of her uniform. Seven’s hands were gentle and unhurried as she removed the red and black tunic, the gray turtleneck that contained four pips and the standard issue undergarments until finally her eyes gazed hungrily upon Kathryn’s naked, pale form.
“You are beautiful, Kathryn.” Seven leveraged herself on the bed using her left hand as she brushed just the pads of her fingers across Kathryn’s smooth skin.
Kathryn writhed and moaned under the tortuous touch that was far too fleeting and gentle for what she needed. She wanted Seven to make love to her. Now. “Seven, please…”
“Patience.” Seven thought perhaps it was cruel of her to make Kathryn wait, but turnabout was fair play. “We have plenty of time.”
Kathryn arched her back and groaned loudly when Seven unexpectedly took a hardened, coral colored nipple between her fingers and pinched, hard. “Oh, Seven!”
“Does this give you enjoyment, Kathryn?” Seven smiled toothily for she already knew the answer. Kathryn’s elegant features were the epitome of pleasure as Seven increased the pressure on the nipple between her fingers.
“Yes!” Kathryn writhed on her bed as she was quickly being overcome by her hunger for Seven and her need for release. “Please. Seven.”
Seven released Kathryn’s nipple, which caused the captain to groan in frustration, before she realized the woman standing before her was removing her clothing. Kathryn braced herself on her forearms as she watched with naked lust as Seven slowly peeled away her plum-colored biosuit, exposing more alabaster skin to Kathryn’s hungry gaze as she did. Finally the material was removed completely and standing before her was the most glorious and beautiful sight Kathryn Janeway had ever witnessed.
“My God, Seven, you’re magnificent. Beautiful.” Kathryn detected something passing over Seven’s features. Acceptance. She understood in that moment that Seven had been hesitant, perhaps even afraid to expose her body.
Kathryn had to admit, she wasn’t expecting the large expanse of dull gray implants that were hidden beneath Seven’s biosuits, but she found them to be more striking than anything else. In some way the intricate network of implants and the large panels of metal encasing Seven’s abdomen seemed almost artistic upon the pale canvas of Seven’s body. Kathryn felt a fiery hunger build within her that overshadowed even what she had felt only moments ago when she had been near desperate for Seven’s touch.
Kathryn’s voice was husky and low, filled with the thick desire she held for Seven. “Please, come here.”
Seven moved towards the bed as more of her body was revealed by the starlight coming in from the windows of Kathryn’s bedroom. The implants she had been so afraid to expose were glittering in the dim lighting and Seven smiled when she saw, almost felt, Kathryn’s burning gaze upon her form. Seven knelt down in front of the bed in a position that almost seemed supplicating. Her icy blue eyes remained on Kathryn’s elegant features as she pulled the black pants and undergarment off of lean, strong legs. Finally Seven was able to feast her eyes upon Kathryn unhindered by clothing.
“You are perfect.” Seven slowly moved onto the bed, careful to keep her hard implants away from Kathryn’s vulnerable flesh. “I am going to make love to you now, Kathryn.”
“Please, Seven.” Kathryn was fully aware of how Seven only touched her with her right hand and not the one encased in metal. She knew there was no danger to her from Seven’s implant so her heart ached with the pain of knowing Seven was somehow ashamed of them despite Kathryn’s words to encourage otherwise. She knew she would just have to show Seven instead. “Please, use your left hand, Seven, touch me.”
“Kathryn, I—” Seven’s protests were quickly stopped when Kathryn took the initiative and brought Seven’s metal encased hand to her right breast. Seven’s palm brushed over Kathryn’s hardened nipple and she shook with the pleasure her ultrasensitive implant relayed to her swollen, moist sex. Seven moaned deep in her throat as she rubbed her sensitive flesh against Kathryn’s raised thigh.
Kathryn lifted her head to capture Seven’s open mouth and groaned as she moved her lips against Seven’s and sucked on the moaning woman’s tongue. Kathryn’s hands massaged Seven’s ample breasts, which elicited even more guttural noises from deep within Seven. Kathryn felt moisture seep from her upon hearing such sounds of pleasure coming from the groaning woman. She ignored her own need for release as she moved Seven gently onto her back, careful not to lose their shared kiss.
Kathryn released Seven’s lips before she smiled carnally and began a slow journey down Seven’s lithe body. “Tell me if this gives you ‘enjoyment’, Seven. I want to hear it. I want you to scream my name.”
“Yes!” Seven thought she would explode from the pleasure threatening to engulf her body as Kathryn’s hot, wet mouth enclosed one of her pert nipples, while her other peak was being pulled taut by skilled fingers. Seven’s metal encased hand held one of Kathryn’s as she arched her back, while her other hand held Kathryn close to her breast. Seven felt a hot ache between her legs and wished for Kathryn to help relieve it. She didn’t need to wait long for Kathryn continued her journey until Seven could feel hot, labored breathing brushing across her sensitive flesh.
Kathryn licked her lips as she breathed in the heady scent of Seven’s desire for her. She gently blew cooling air across Seven’s glistening sex, which caused the writhing woman beneath her to release a loud groan of pleasure and frustration. Kathryn knew this was Seven’s first time, so she wanted to go slow, to take extra care in not hurting Seven unnecessarily, and to give Seven as much pleasure as she could.
Kathryn slowly parted Seven’s legs so that she could position herself in between them as she knelt down lower on the bed. Her fingers felt slick moisture upon Seven’s milky white thighs and Kathryn knew Seven was more than ready for her. Kathryn locked her dark blue gaze with Seven’s heavy-lidded pale blue eyes before she tasted Seven’s liquid desire upon her tongue for the first time.
“Kathryn!” Seven’s hips bucked up fiercely when she felt the flat of Kathryn’s tongue upon her sex. Seven’s body trembled as Kathryn licked and devoured the copious moisture that flowed out of her. “I feel… enjoyment…”
Kathryn’s soft laughter reverberated through Seven’s entire being and she released more moisture for the captain to indulge in. When Kathryn entered her deeply with her tongue, Seven screamed her pleasure that was sure to be overheard across the entire deck if not more. And the name she had yelled was unmistakably Kathryn’s.
Kathryn held Seven tightly as she continued to thrust her tongue in and out of the bucking, screaming woman. Hot, fragrant liquid wetted Kathryn’s lips and chin as Seven continued to shout her name, though it was becoming more and more fragmented the closer Seven moved towards her impending release. One more powerful thrust from Kathryn’s tongue created an explosive reaction within Seven that was more beautiful to Kathryn than a supernova.
Seven shook uncontrollably during her immense orgasm, but just as her body began to recover Kathryn plunged two fingers deeply within her still fluttering channel. The pain was acute, but fleeting as it was quickly overcome by the great pleasure Seven felt at being filled so completely by the woman she loved. As her second orgasm crashed over her Seven felt hot tears flowing down her cheeks and knew she had just found perfection.
Kathryn slowly, carefully removed her fingers from within Seven before she moved quickly up the bed to hold the crying woman tightly in her arms. Seven shook from the power of her tears as she embraced Kathryn as well. She spoke words of love to Kathryn as her lips trembled against pale skin. As Seven calmed herself and her tears were only remnants upon her flushed cheeks, she realized that Kathryn’s dark blue eyes had also expelled tears. She touched the pads of her fingers to Kathryn’s cheeks to collect some of the salty moisture.
“Are you all right?” Kathryn’s voice held all the warmth, compassion and love she felt burning hotly in her chest as she held Seven to her breasts.
“Perfect.” Seven’s voice was low and more guttural than Kathryn could ever remember hearing. “Thank you. For loving me in return.”
“Always, Seven. I’ve always loved you.” Kathryn pressed her lips upon Seven’s before she settled Seven’s head upon her chest once more as they both fell into a peaceful sleep.
****
Seven came awake slowly, as if she had been rendered unconscious. She half expected to wake up in Sickbay and find that the pleasure filled night had just been a dream, another fantasy that tormented her even as it gave her enjoyment. Seven smiled broadly as she tightened arms around the slumbering petite form held lovingly in her embrace. Kathryn. It had not been a dream.
Seven felt a sharp pain in her chest as she considered her plan to stay behind, to destroy the hub herself so that Voyager might go home. She knew she would never recover from the agony of the loss of Kathryn Janeway in her life, but knew she would endure it if it meant the woman she loved was able to return home. Seven’s smile returned as Kathryn mumbled something incoherently in her sleep and snuggled closer to Seven’s warmth.
Seven wondered how Kathryn had ever considered waiting to be intimate, since unlike her the captain had experienced the pleasure possible in making love. Seven regretted that she had not ‘returned the favor’, but knew once Kathryn woke Seven would do so tenfold.
For now Seven closed her eyes once again and relished in the feel of Kathryn in her arms. Her feeling of being home was so alien to her, but she knew that’s what the warmth she felt denoted. Seven was just slowly falling asleep when an uninvited intruder impeded her slumber. It was Harry Kim over the comm. and his voice sounded urgent.
“Captain Janeway to the Bridge.”
****
Captain Janeway quickly exited the turbolift with Seven in tow as she took in the situation unfolding on her Bridge. As Seven moved to the secondary tactical station, the captain went swiftly towards Harry Kim who stood rigidly behind Ensign Jenkins, the Gamma shift conn officer.
“It’s Federation. Unknown hull configuration. Tachyon emissions from the rift it came out of indicates it’s from a different time.” Harry’s dark eyes were narrowed as he took in the ship that had just exited a rift similar to the one the Delta Flyer from the future had days ago. “They are unresponsive to hails. I’ve raised shields, but they have made no aggressive moves towards Voyager.”
“Senior officers to the Bridge.” Janeway’s expression was impassive, but she couldn’t ignore the fact that her body responded to just the sight of Seven manning her station efficiently. “Seven, can you get a scan?”
“I am unable to penetrate its shields, Captain.” Seven’s tone was frustrated both from Voyager’s inadequate sensors and the fact that her plans for an intimate morning with the captain had so effectively been thwarted.
“Have they powered weapons?” Janeway waited for Tuvok, who had just taken over Tactical, to clarify their situation with his calm logic.
“I do not believe so, Captain, but the vessel’s shielding could be masking weapons signatures.” Tuvok ignored his self-doubt as he continued his scans.
Harry relieved Lyssa Campbell from the Ops station, much to her relief. His voice sounded calm, but serious as he checked his scans. “Captain, I’m detecting a power signature. It’s a tractor beam.”
“Move us away, Ensign Jenkins, full impulse.” Janeway’s orders were followed to the letter, but it was futile for the blue tractor beam held Voyager tight. “Tuvok, target the ship’s tractor beam emitter and fire.”
“Firing phasers. No effect, Captain.” Tuvok’s voice was steady, but his hands hesitated above his console for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. He saw confusion upon the captain’s features, but it was fleeting as he made his suggestion. “A photon torpedo should be enough to disperse the tractor beam.”
“I don’t want the ship destroyed.” Janeway felt an icy feeling skitter down her spine. She had the strongest suspicion that beneath Tuvok’s unemotional veneer he wasn’t quite himself. But despite her concern, she trusted Tuvok implicitly.
“Acknowledged, Captain.” Tuvok was aware that no one else probably noticed the slight faltering in Janeway’s voice, but he did. And he knew what it meant. He would have to divulge his condition to her. Soon. “Torpedo away.”
Janeway watched the blue tractor beam flicker before it faded completely, she let a breath of relief release slowly as she turned to Tuvok with one side of her lips raised. “Tuvok, deploy armor.”
“Armor deployed.”
Janeway watched with worry growing hot within in her as the vessel displayed on the viewscreen also deployed ablative hull armor. That gave her the evidence she needed to know her hunch was correct. This ship had come from the same time as Icheb, Naomi, and Miral had. “Hail the ship again.”
“We’re getting a response.” Harry’s voice held surprise and relief. “Audio only.”
“Let’s hear it.”
The low, gravelly voice that emitted from the speakers was unmistakable despite its worn edge. And it caused Janeway’s headache to come back full force. “Voyager, disengage your armor and drop your shields. You have three members of my crew I want back.”
“It’s customary to introduce yourself before you start demanding things.” Janeway’s voice was formidable and even those not easily intimidated knew severe consequences were in store for the person who defied the captain.
Janeway stood stiffly, with her hands on her hips, as she waited for a response. The rest of the senior officers filed into place in the time it took Harry to say the response was now visual as well as audio.
“Onscreen.” Janeway thought she knew who had come through that rift, but nothing could have prepared her for the image displayed on the viewscreen. She knew time had not been kind to her counterpart and that everything Miral had described wasn’t even half of the story.
The Kathryn Janeway who had come through the rift from the future with her silver hair, scarred and severe features, and cold, rough voice showed a woman hardened and wearied by events and time. Captain Janeway’s heart couldn’t help but go out to her future self, but she knew she couldn’t be affected or else this Admiral Janeway would no doubt take advantage of her. She knew herself well.
“Give me back my crew, Captain. Maybe you didn’t notice, but I outrank you, so do it.”
“With all due respect, Admiral, unless you’re going to take me to the future and court-martial me the answer is no. This is my ship. I give the orders.” An idea grew into full maturity as Captain Janeway looked with steel in her blue-gray eyes at the Admiral. She just had to maneuver the her future self carefully. “Your crew is under my protection, so if you want them back I suggest you and I talk.”
Captain Janeway could tell her aged counterpart was well aware that she was up to something. And she was right. The captain knew, with only a little conceit, that one Janeway against the Borg was good, but two, that was even better.
“Fine. Drop your shields and I’ll beam you over.”
“Oh no, Admiral.” Captain Janeway’s voice dripped with sweetness that was ironic given her cold suspicion. “You drop yours. We’ll beam you to Voyager.”
The crew on the Bridge watched and waited on baited breaths as the two Janeways squared off. None of them knew which one would come out victorious, despite the captain having a whole starship and crew at her command. Admiral Janeway was nothing short of an imposing and daunting figure. And they suspected she was even less used to having her orders denied than their commanding captain.
Many of the Bridge crew couldn’t help but wonder at the visible scarring around the Admiral’s left eye. One in particular felt something growing within her. An immense feeling of pain and empathy filled Seven with heat and worry as she observed the Admiral on the screen closely. The fine hairs on the back of her neck indicated that age old and unhelpful human fallacy: intuition. Something horrific had obviously happened, Seven merely wanted to know what. And how she could prevent it from befalling her own Kathryn Janeway.
“Fine.” The Admiral’s voice held all the anger of defeat in that one syllable as she deferred to her younger self. “Let’s talk.”
Captain Janeway didn’t dare look triumphant.
****
“The synaptic transceiver enables me to interface with my ship.” Admiral Janeway tried not to grit her teeth as she sat upon a biobed. Captain Janeway had insisted that she be examined by the Doctor, to make sure she was who she said she was.
“Is it alien technology?” Captain Janeway ignored her counterpart’s aggrieved tone as she spoke directly to the Doctor.
“No, I don’t believe so.” The Doctor pointed to a wavelength frequency displayed on his monitor as he too ignored the Admiral. “It has a Starfleet signature.”
“I’m not here to discuss future technology.” Admiral Janeway’s voice was cold and impatient as she moved slowly off the biobed with her metal cane in hand. “Finish your report, Doctor. I want to see my crew.”
“I—of course, Admiral.” The Doctor averted his eyes embarrassingly from Admiral Janeway to his captain. “You two are genetically identical. Like the others, you are approximately twenty-six years apart.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” Captain Janeway’s narrowed eyes indicated to the Doctor that his retreat to his office should be hasty.
“Take me to the Brig, Captain.” The Admiral’s attention was solely on the captain. Her voice had a cold, hard edge to it as did her steely gray eyes that were locked with the captain’s more bluish-gray gaze. “I need to return them to their timeline before they do any more damage than they already have.”
“I understand, but… I need your help.” Captain Janeway nearly laughed at the surprise that broke through the Admiral’s impassive veneer. “And I have a feeling once I tell you my plan you’ll agree to it.”
Admiral Janeway had forgotten how audacious, full of life, and self-righteous she could be. She felt something beneath the layers of ice begin to thaw. She had to admit, at least to herself, that she missed this Captain Janeway that she had been. But then she remembered with a terrible blow what had transpired since she was this woman and her warmth fell away to be replaced with ice. Her voice was flat and cold, but she knew the captain would not be denied at least an audience with her.
“Fine. I’m listening.”
****
“Seven!” Naomi Wildman quickly sprang to her feet when she saw who had just entered the Brig. She felt a rush of warmth wash over her and was troubled by it. But she knew what it was even though it seemed a foreign sensation. It was love.
Icheb and Miral quickly flanked Naomi near the force field that kept them captive within Voyager’s Brig. They remained silent as they waited for Seven to speak.
Seven’s voice was low, threatening, and harsh as she looked pointedly at the trio who had betrayed the captain’s and crew’s trust. “You will tell me what occurred that scarred Admiral Janeway’s left eye. And you will tell me now.”
Icheb, Naomi, and Miral realized the flaw in their plan that now seemed so obvious. It hadn’t been Captain Janeway that they had to convince of their noble motives. It was Seven. It was always Seven. And now they knew she was the only person who could persuade the captain to go back to the Borg transwarp hub and use it to get Voyager home.
And so one by one they took turns in telling Seven their perspective on the events that left Admiral Janeway scarred both bodily and mentally. By the time they were finished Seven had hot tears in her eyes, the small muscle below her starburst implant jumped furiously beneath her flushed skin, and they could practically feel the fury radiating from Seven in hot waves even through the force field. Seven’s immense emotional reaction was kept mostly within her, but her control fell away when the Brig doors opened and she saw Admiral Janeway fully for the first time.
“Seven.” The Admiral’s breath left her upon the expulsion of that one name.
She hadn’t expected to see Seven, especially not here. A part of her had desperately wanted not to have to see the woman healthy and alive, who had died so many years ago. The Admiral had thought the pain of it would be too much for her to bear and she was right. There standing before her with tears streaming down her cheeks was the woman she had loved with everything she had. This perfect image of Seven reminded the Admiral with a heavy blow all that she had lost when her Seven had died. That pain mixed with the love she felt again for this one individual. Nothing else mattered in that moment. Not Miral or Naomi and Icheb, not Voyager and Captain Janeway, not even her newly formed mission to help destroy the Borg transwarp hub. All that mattered was that Seven; her beautiful, magnificent Seven, was standing before her. Alive.
Captain Janeway and the Admiral were frozen in place as Seven walked slowly towards them. The expression on Seven’s features showed love, affection, and sorrow. The captain knew instantly that Seven had been told what had transpired with the Kellidians and she had to admit the trio were smart in doing so. No one could talk her out of something she had her mind set on, not even herself, except for Seven. Seven had that ability because she gave it to her along with her heart.
When the Admiral’s legs gave out and her metal cane fell to the deck she was caught swiftly in Seven’s strong arms and was held tightly in her warm embrace. Seven’s earnest words were for both Janeways, but her tender and determined gaze was fixed solely upon the Admiral’s scarred, but still beautiful visage. “I have you, Kathryn.”
Captain Janeway tried not to feel like a voyeur as she bent down to retrieve the Admiral’s cane never once taking her eyes off Seven and the Admiral. The captain held the metal cane absently as she waited for the Admiral to come back to herself. She felt her chest constrict with empathy as she watched Admiral Janeway attempt not to collapse completely within herself at seeing Seven alive and well. She was infinitely patient and even more compassionate. She couldn’t imagine the hell that her future counterpart had been forced to endure, not just at the hands of the Kellidians but the death of Seven as well. Captain Janeway didn’t know if she would have had the strength to carry on as the Admiral had after both horrific and tragic events. She realized with a start and more pain in her chest that in fact she had. In another time.
It had been twenty-six years since the death of her Seven, but Admiral Janeway had never forgotten for an instant how it felt to be in her arms, to have Seven look upon her with such love and adoration. The Admiral felt a tear fall from her right eye and she wondered at the moisture being expelled. She had thought her tears had been dried up for decades. She smiled and for the first time in twenty-six long years her eyes turned dark blue.
“Hello, Seven.” Admiral Janeway’s voice was low and gentler than it had been since before the Kellidians, as she smiled softly up at the woman who held her securely in her arms. “It’s been a long time.”
Captain Janeway and trio held in the Brig couldn’t help but be held captive by Seven and Admiral Janeway. As if realizing for the first time they were not alone, Admiral Janeway turned her head and looked squarely at her wayward crewmembers. She smiled reassuringly at Seven one last time before she moved slowly out of the warm embrace. The Admiral and captain shared a look of understanding as the cane was returned to its owner.
Seven moved smoothly to stand next to her captain. Tears were drying upon her cheeks as she took one of Kathryn’s hands into hers and held it tight. She felt the captain’s eyes on her and so Seven turned her head towards Janeway. Seven tried to convey all the love she felt for Kathryn Janeway in her one look. She wanted to bow her head and kiss Kathryn, but knew in the middle of the Brig was not the appropriate place for intimacies. Later, Seven vowed, later she would show Kathryn through her touch how much she was loved.
After receiving the most loving look she had ever seen from Seven, Captain Janeway turned her attention and eyes back to the oddly satisfying display playing out before her and Seven. Admiral Janeway didn’t mince words, nor did her voice rise above a low, ice cold register that sent a feeling of discomfort even through the captain.
Captain Janeway couldn’t help but wonder if her dress downs were always so powerfully devastating. She hoped so, but doubted it. Admiral Janeway was fortified by twenty-six years more experience, she had gone through hell twice, and she had the admiral’s rank which all made her a mighty force to be reckoned with. Even the most jaded and hardened of the three, Naomi Wildman, didn’t stand a chance. Certainly Miral Paris didn’t. Captain Janeway could see the young woman wilt before her eyes under the recriminations and cold, gray glare being delivered with such precision for maximum effect by the Admiral.
Twenty-one minutes passed before Admiral Janeway finished rebuking her errant crewmembers. Of the litany of reprimands and stern reminders of the oaths they took as Starfleet officers and to the Federation itself the one thing that got to the trio the most was saved for the end. Admiral Janeway simply and sincerely stated with disappointment and regret coloring her tones that they had lost her trust.
“I—I’m sorry, Admiral.” Miral couldn’t face the disappointment she saw in Admiral Janeway’s stormy gray depths, so her eyes were cast down to the deck plating instead.
“Don’t apologize unless you mean it, Ensign.” Admiral Janeway’s tone was much harsher than when she had last spoken those words to Miral.
It seemed like a lifetime ago that she had been sitting next to her goddaughter after she had escaped her own apartment and the stifling party she had thrown. Icheb and Naomi she could understand. They were quickly becoming rogues within Starfleet, loose cannons. Only their brilliance and Admiral Janeway’s influence had saved their careers over the years.
“Yes, Admiral. You’re right, I’m not sorry.” Miral felt her heart beating powerfully within her chest as sweat started to bead upon her ridged brow even as her courageous, but perhaps suicidal words were spilling forth. “We did this because we thought it was right. We wanted to make things better. And I would do it again. If it meant saving you.”
“What about you two? Have anything to say for yourselves?” Admiral Janeway maintained her laser like glare upon Icheb and Naomi, but her thoughts were with Miral. Despite her goddaughter’s insubordination and misconduct, it made the Admiral proud that Miral was standing firmly behind her actions.
Icheb and Naomi answered almost in tandem. “No, Admiral.”
“Good.” Admiral Janeway let her cold eyes rake over Icheb, Naomi and Miral once before she led the way for Captain Janeway and Seven out the Brig’s doors.
Seven and the captain followed the Admiral silently as they made their way to the turbolift. Even with her limp and cane, Admiral Janeway’s pace was quick and Captain Janeway and Seven hastened their speed to match.
“Deck three.” Admiral Janeway’s voice lost the hard edge and the power it had contained in the Brig. She sounded exhausted.
“Are you all right, Admiral?” Seven could hear Admiral Janeway’s labored breathing and the rapid beating of her heart. She looked upon the Admiral’s ashen features and knew something was wrong. Seven moved quickly next to Admiral Janeway and didn’t hesitate to put a strong, sure arm around the fatigued woman.
“I—I’m fine, Seven.” In truth Admiral Janeway was anything, but fine. She didn’t know why she was lying to the two people in the entire Universe who would know immediately that she was being dishonest, as they did now.
“What’s wrong?” Captain Janeway approached the Admiral more carefully than Seven though her concern was the same. The Admiral did not look well. Her worn features were pale and a fine sheen of sweat covered her brow.
“I just need to lie down for a bit.” Admiral Janeway’s tones held the faintest hint of shame. She hated to look weak in front of anyone, even these two people. But she had to admit, the days it took her to finally find the Delta Flyer and Voyager, not to mention the emotional strain of dealing with her younger self, Seven, and her wayward crew had all begun to take its toll on her weary body. “My leg sometimes bothers me.”
Both Janeways gasped in surprise as Seven swiftly, but gently lifted the Admiral into her arms. Seven’s voice was soft but reprimanding. “You should not overtax yourself.”
Admiral Janeway allowed herself the torture of touching Seven’s smooth skin as she brushed her hand gently across the other woman’s cheek and then chin. She smiled as she relaxed her body completely in Seven’s strong arms. “Oh, how I’ve missed you, Seven.”
Captain Janeway felt oddly mixed emotions as she followed Seven, carrying the Admiral, to her quarters. She felt a great deal of compassion for Admiral Janeway and for all that she had been through and for all that she had lost, but there was also a part of the captain that felt a twinge of jealousy. She nearly snorted in self-recrimination. How could she be jealous of herself? All she knew was that a part of her was. She suddenly felt like an outsider in Seven’s relationship with Kathryn Janeway. That feeling only increased once they were in her bedroom and Seven was carefully settling the Admiral’s form upon the bed still rumpled from their lovemaking that seemed a lifetime ago.
“I will stay with her until I am needed in Engineering to finish preparations for tomorrow.” Seven’s tone brook for no argument, so the captain didn’t even try.
The captain felt that twinge of jealousy again and was ashamed of it since she was well aware of the hell her counterpart had gone through. She could begrudge neither Seven nor the Admiral. So, she quietly moved away from her bedroom to the door to her quarters until strong hands grasped her from behind.
“Seven?” Captain Janeway’s voice was surprised as she was spun around and quickly pulled into Seven’s arms. Any other words were muffled as Janeway’s lips were captured my Seven’s. When the passionate kiss ended the captain felt dazed and blissful.
“I love you, Kathryn.” Seven loved how Kathryn’s cheeks were flushed, how her lips were red and swollen, how the captain’s arousal made her chest rise and fall with each labored breath, and especially how blue Kathryn’s eyes were as they looked upon her with love, affection, and desire.
“I love you, Seven, always.” Captain Janeway’s jealousy of the Admiral quickly faded as she saw the yearning and adoration shining brightly in pale blue eyes. “Take care of her.”
“I will.”
****
“Damn it, you piece of crap, why won’t you work?”
“Are you planning on kissing your baby with that mouth, Lieutenant?” Captain Janeway smiled with good humor as she crouched down next to B’Elanna, who was on her knees working on a plasma flow regulator to the warp core.
“I might if she grows up to be anything like the Miral in the Brig.” B’Elanna’s frustration made her voice low and threatening. With considerable effort and with valiant assistance from the petite captain, B’Elanna rose to her feet. “What can I do for you, Captain?”
“I see the repairs are coming along, so I suppose I just wanted to make sure you were doing all right.” The words didn’t seem right even as Janeway was speaking them. She knew B’Elanna certainly didn’t believe that was what Janeway had come down to Engineering to talk to her about.
“I’m as big as a shuttle and the baby doesn’t want to disembark, other than that I’m fine.” B’Elanna’s dark eyes narrowed suspiciously as she continued to look at her captain. “What’s really going on?”
“I, could we talk? In your office perhaps?”
“Of course.” B’Elanna felt anxiousness and curiosity fill her as she led the way to her office with lumbering steps. She waited for the captain to take a seat before she sat behind her desk. Her interest now fully piqued.
Captain Janeway had faced down the Borg, Species 8472, the Hirogen and a multitude of other dangerous foes, so why was she feeling so apprehensive about speaking with B’Elanna. Perhaps because it wasn’t a fight she was starting but a peace agreement.
“I haven’t told anyone about this, B’Elanna, and I’d like it to remain between the two of us for now.” Janeway knew her voice was sharper than she intended so she took a calming breath and continued with a softened tone. “It’s a personal matter.”
“Really?” B’Elanna’s dark eyes were wide as she watched the captain look nervously about her office. It was actually kind of endearing to see her commanding officer off kilter about something ‘personal’.
“Yes. I’ve made a decision about my life. Some people might not be too happy, but I have no intention of changing my mind about it. I just don’t want there to be a problem… with the crew.” Captain Janeway knew she was skirting the issue and more so she was confusing and frustrating B’Elanna with doing so. She finally got to the point. “Seven and I are in a relationship.”
“Really.” B’Elanna’s tone was flat and she could see something indefinable flash upon Janeway’s elegant features. She thought it might be indignation.
“I mean a romantic relationship.” Janeway’s eyebrow’s narrowed as she looked upon B’Elanna’s impassive features. She felt annoyance grow hot within her as B’Elanna continued to stare blankly at her. “I’m in love with Seven.”
“With all due respect, Captain, tell me something I don’t know.” B’Elanna was confused by Janeway’s annoyance and really this whole conversation. What did this have to do with her?
“You knew?” Janeway’s blue-gray eyes grew wide with surprise and then her head shot up in shock. “Does everyone know?”
“Probably. It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out. You did take on the Borg Queen to get her back after all. If that’s not love I don’t what is. Crazy love, but love nonetheless.” B’Elanna grinned toothily enjoying the blush that was forming upon Janeway’s cheeks. “Did you really think people didn’t know?”
“I had no idea. Am I that transparent?”
“Yes.” B’Elanna crossed her arms over her chest, thoroughly enjoying this as she continued. “You hardly take your eyes off her during staff briefings.”
“Oh really, come on.” Janeway had to smile at B’Elanna’s obvious teasing even though it was probably at least partially accurate. “You—you don’t have a problem with my relationship with Seven, do you?”
“Captain, if you would have asked me this a few years ago I might have had a few choice words, but now. Seven’s Seven. She’s not some Borg drone anymore and if she loves you half as much as I suspect she does then no I don’t have a problem.” B’Elanna’s expression turned from mirthful to solemn in one breath. “Were you worried that I wouldn’t approve or something? Is that what this conversation is about? I assure you, Captain, whatever you do in your personal life doesn’t need approval from me.”
“I appreciate that, B’Elanna, but that wasn’t exactly the reason I wanted to talk to you.” Janeway became nervous again as she tried to sort out her words. She wasn’t good at this and it showed. “I’m planning on asking Seven to marry me and I’d like you to be my maid of honor.”
“Really?” B’Elanna’s voice was loud and surprised. “Me?”
“Is that a yes?” Janeway’s lips were curled up into a smile as she observed B’Elanna’s pleasant surprise.
“Of course, Captain, I’d be honored.” B’Elanna’s head was going to explode. Not only did she just receive the biggest piece of gossip in Voyager’s history, but she felt terribly proud to have been asked to be in the captain’s wedding.
“B’Elanna, if you’re going to be my maid of honor, please, call me Kathryn.” Janeway stood from her chair before she moved in front of B’Elanna, who had turned in her chair to meet the captain. “At least when we’re off duty.”
“Sure. Of course.” B’Elanna knew it would take too long for her to get up from her chair so she just watched as the captain made her farewell and departed through her office doors. She slapped her combadge the moment the doors close after the captain. “Tom, meet me in my office. And bring those fried drumsticks. You won’t believe what just happened.”
****
Seven held the warm, petite body of the woman she did not know entirely, but loved completely, tightly in her strong arms. Captain Janeway’s bed was still in disarray, clear evidence of their lovemaking, but neither Seven nor Admiral Janeway considered it important as they lied quietly in each other’s arms.
Seven moved her hand in slow circles across the Admiral’s back. The thin, red tunic she wore felt soft against Seven’s palm, but she knew the skin beneath was even softer. Seven wanted to take the Admiral’s pain away, decades of anguish, but she didn’t know how. And a part of her knew it wasn’t her place. It was a different Seven who had stood witness to this Kathryn Janeway’s horrific torture. She could only imagine the pain of the events that had taken place that had broken Admiral Janeway’s body and her heart. So, she did the only thing she could. She held the Admiral with gentleness, compassion and love.
“You love her, Seven.” The Admiral’s voice was quiet and sure as she moved a bit out of Seven’s arms so that she could look upon her features lit by the stars outside the bedroom windows. “I’m not her. I was, but not anymore. I lost my chance at happiness.”
“It was taken away from you, Kathryn.” Seven brushed silver tresses away from the Admiral’s grave features. “It was nothing you did.”
“It could have been so much worse, Seven. They could have gotten the entire ship. Or you. Or they could have abducted Naomi as well. It could have been worse. I let what the Kellidians did to me consume me, Seven. I lashed out at everyone. Even Naomi. You know she’s never recovered. She’s still haunted by her misplaced guilt. And I did nothing to help relieve it. How could I when my own was so crushing.” The Admiral rested her head upon Seven’s shoulder once again. It was too much to speak of her Seven when she looked upon the Seven who held her securely in her arms. “Kathryn died with my Seven on that shuttle. Maybe she died earlier… with the Kellidians. I don’t know. But I’m just the Admiral now. Admiral Janeway, as tough as a shuttle’s hull and just as cold and unfeeling. That’s how they see me and they’re right. After you died I couldn’t feel anything at all.”
“I’m sorry.” Seven knew the words were inadequate, but she felt the need to voice them anyway. What her counterpart did in the Admiral’s timeline had sealed Janeway’s fate more than even the Kellidians had. She had left Kathryn.
“You would do the same thing over again, Seven. I know you. I’ve known you longer than you’ve known yourself. And I know what you haven’t told your Kathryn yet. What you have planned.” Janeway felt arms tighten around her as she lifted her chin to look upon Seven’s features in the dim lighting of the starlit bedroom. “You’re thinking that you could stay behind and destroy the hub yourself while Voyager returns to the Alpha Quadrant. You think that with the destruction of the transwarp network it will atone for the atrocities you were forced to participate in while you were a Borg drone. Let go of the past, Seven, start thinking about your future. Your life.”
“I am not doing it for me. I want to do this for, Kathryn.”
“She wouldn’t want you to.” The Admiral carefully extracted herself from Seven’s embrace as she sat up in the bed to look out to the still stars. “I don’t want you to. What if I were to tell you that I have a plan? A rather reckless plan that would enable Voyager to return home and for the hub to be destroyed without you playing the part of the martyr.”
“I would say ‘I am unsurprised’.” Seven smiled as brightly as was natural for her as she saw in the Admiral’s eyes the glint of brilliance and danger that bespoke a woman who took chances and usually found herself on top.
Seven listened attentively as Admiral Janeway fleshed out her plan. It was an ingenious plan, although it was impetuous and littered with danger. One of the major obstacles was their weakened armor. If Voyager lost that completely the ship wouldn’t survive the journey through the transwarp conduit unscathed. The other was considerably more daunting. The Borg Queen.
****
“You’re going to have your cake and eat it too, Captain.”
Captain Janeway carefully laid the PADD Seven and the Admiral had presented moments ago on top of her Ready room desk before she raised her stormy gray eyes to Admiral Janeway’s sober expression. “You can’t be serious? This is suicide.”
“This is the best possible way for Voyager to return to the Alpha Quadrant and for you to destroy the hub.” Admiral Janeway placed her hands on her hips as she peered down at the captain as if she were a dense cadet. “This is the only way. If you were to merely try to return to Earth through the hub, the Borg would be relentless in pursuing you and you would be putting the entire Alpha Quadrant in danger. But if you were to just destroy the hub, you would be stranded in the Delta Quadrant for another sixteen years. I don’t have to tell you the consequences if that were to happen. Seven wasn’t the only person I lost. Twenty-two crewmembers were killed between now and when Voyager returned home. And then… there’s Tuvok.”
An ice cold chill filled Janeway as she expelled her tactical officer’s name on a worried breath. “Tuvok?”
“He hasn’t told you that he has a degenerative neurological condition. There’s a cure, but it’s in the Alpha Quadrant. If he doesn’t get it in time he’ll become a shadow of the man he once was.” The Admiral didn’t like having to tell the captain about Tuvok but she needed to hammer home her point. She needed the captain to agree with her plan. “Even if you were to limit your contact and avoid exploring, you are going to lose people. What my plan is offering you is a chance to get them all back home, safe and sound, today. How can you walk away from that, Captain?”
Janeway picked up the PADD from her desk before she attempted to hand it back to the Admiral. “I appreciate your offer, but I can’t ask you to sacrifice yourself for us.”
“You’re not asking.” Admiral Janeway crossed her arms over her chest, she had a defiant gleam in her eye and a smirk to her lips, but her voice was hard. “And in case you still haven’t figured it out, I outrank you. So be a good captain and do what you’re told.”
“What about the Temporal Prime Directive? Am I just supposed to say to hell with it?” Captain Janeway ignored the fact that she had on occasion done just that. She wouldn’t be surprised if there was a time paradox with her name on it.
“Believe me, it’s a lot less of a headache if you do.” Admiral Janeway softened her voice as she attempted to be less confrontation with the captain. She knew her younger counterpart was torn because a part of her wanted to whole heartedly agree with her plan. “Captain, I was so determined to get my crew home that I lost my idealism and abandoned my principles. I took a lot of risks and I broke a lot my own rules to get us closer and closer to the Alpha Quadrant until finally we made it. I stole technology to do it. And I can’t say that I wouldn’t have done the same things if I could go back and do it all over again. My mission to get this ship, my crew, home consumed me. Eventually it will consume you too. I don’t want that to happen. And it doesn’t have to.”
“With all due respect, Admiral, I’m not you.”
“Not yet.” The Admiral bent down to tap her finger against the PADD laying on the desk. “You know this is the only way. Let me help you complete your mission, Captain.”
Captain Janeway looked from the hardened, earnest features of her counterpart to Seven and then back again. “All right. Let’s do it.”
The Admiral didn’t dare look triumphant as she was filled with relief and a sense of purpose. “We’re going to need help if we’re going to pull this off.”
Captain Janeway looked askance at the Admiral. “Oh, no.”
“Your three prisoners know the armor and weapons technology better than anyone.” The Admiral’s discontented expression mirrored the captain’s, though she knew the necessity of having Naomi, Icheb and Miral out of the Brig and working for them rather than sitting idly licking their wounds. “If we tell them the plan they’ll agree. If not, well we could always just send them out the nearest airlock.”
Neither Seven nor the captain knew for sure if the Admiral was serious or not. Either way they wisely chose not to comment and followed the Admiral from the Ready room.
****
“Admiral?” Miral Paris stood uncomfortably in the threshold of Captain Janeway’s quarters as she waited for the silver haired woman to turn away from the viewports to look at her. She tried not to shift nervously when slate gray eyes were set upon her. “You wanted to see me.”
“Yes, Ensign. Have a seat.” The Admiral’s hard tone brook for no argument, so Miral wisely complied.
As Miral slowly lowered herself into the dark blue and red patterned chair her dark eyes never left Admiral Janeway. She watched as the Admiral moved with grace as she seated herself on the couch underneath the viewports and across from Miral. Janeway placed her metal cane next to her on the couch cushions as she readjusted her legs into the most comfortable position she could find before her attention was placed solely on Miral.
“Why didn’t you tell me what you had planned?” Janeway’s voice was low and authoritative in the quiet quarters.
“I thought you would try to stop me.” Miral looked sheepish as her voice broke with self-recrimination. “I was worried that you would be successful.”
“Damn right I would have.” Janeway’s hand sliced through the air to emphasize her point. “What you three tried to do is beyond unconscionable. It was selfish and—”
“Selfish!” Miral’s anger at herself and the admonishing words that had just been delivered by the Admiral caused her to jump up from her chair. Her face was flushed, but her voice was pleading almost desperate as she tried to get the Admiral to understand her motives. “I risked everything to come here, Admiral. To save you.”
“It’s not your place to try to right the wrongs of the past.” Admiral Janeway tempered her voice to a relatively softer degree. She understood completely that Naomi, Icheb and Miral had been trying to help the Voyager crew. “We have no idea what the repercussions to the timeline will be because of what you and Icheb and Naomi have done.”
“We knew what they would be if we had done nothing. We—I couldn’t let that happen. Not if I had the chance to prevent it.” Miral knelt before the Admiral in a beseeching manner. She tentatively laid her warm palms upon Janeway’s knees as her dark eyes looked entreatingly into stormy gray ones. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you what was going on. I really am, but can’t you see why we did what we thought we had to? We came back here to try to prevent our past from becoming these people’s future. You of all people know they didn’t deserve what happened to them. You certainly didn’t deserve the hell you went through, Admiral. But we changed it. And now with your plan already in action Voyager will be going home soon. So damn the consequences. And with all due respect, Admiral, I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
“You certainly are your mother’s daughter.” Admiral Janeway’s lips curled up into a small smile as she affectionately placed her palm against Miral’s right cheek.
Miral relished the touch and turned her head slightly to draw more warmth from Janeway’s hand. She surprised herself and the Admiral when she kissed the warm skin of Janeway’s palm. A warm tingling sensation invaded her and Miral had to move away from the warmth that threatened to engulf her.
“Miral, what’s wrong?” Admiral Janeway felt slightly uneasy, but her concern overrode any discomfort skittering over her. “What is it you’re still not telling me?”
“Icheb and Naomi came back here for a different purpose than me. I—I didn’t come back here for Seven of Nine like they did. I came back only for you. To save you.” Miral knew her years of resentment towards a person she had never even met before this trip to the past were coming to the fore no matter how hard she tried to suppress it. She felt bitter and petty, but right now she didn’t care if it was inappropriate to begrudge the dead woman Admiral Janeway had loved. Especially since this timeline’s Seven had so obviously captivated the Admiral’s affections as well.
Janeway’s intuition had only sharpened over time. Her eyes went wide with realization. The Admiral’s expression was dismayed as her words came forth with a tone of sympathy, if not all out pity for the young woman standing before her with love and adoration in her dark brown eyes.
“Oh, my poor sweet girl.” Admiral Janeway rose from the couch slowly and with grace, her cane held in one powerful hand, the other tentatively cupped Miral’s face. “You’ve done an incredibly foolish thing. Haven’t you?”
Miral voice was an earnest whisper in the silence of the starlit quarters as she looked upon the woman who held her heart completely. “I’ve been in love with you since the moment I knew what love was.”
Miral knew the Admiral didn’t, perhaps couldn’t, feel the same for her but she knew in this moment in time she had to admit to her carefully held secret. For tomorrow she might never exist as she was and never have loved the woman before her as she did. Miral brought her hands up slowly to caress the Admiral’s scarred, elegant and beautiful features that time and pain had weathered but could not mar. Before Miral could worry about the consequences of her actions she decided to operate on impulse. It was what she was better at anyway.
The Admiral’s lips were soft, moist, but entirely unresponsive against hers. Miral disengaged from the kiss she had initiated as she felt strong and sure hands attempting to force her away.
“I’m sorry, Miral, this can never be.” Admiral Janeway’s words were said softly, but firmly as well. It wasn’t the age difference or the fact that she had been in the same room when Miral had been born, no it was Seven. Her heart would always belong to the woman who had died in that shuttle twenty-six years ago in a misguided attempt to avenge her.
“I know.” Miral felt hot tears fill her eyes both from embarrassment and bitter disappointment. “You don’t love me. You never have.”
“You know that’s not true.” Janeway maneuvered Miral to the couch to sit before she lowered her petite form to the gray cushions. She pulled Miral into her arms and rested the other woman’s head against her shoulder. “I know I’m not very good at expressing it and I’m sorry for that, but never doubt for a second that what I feel for you isn’t love. It surely is.”
Janeway’s hand making soothing circular motions upon her back did what her touch always did; it comforted Miral as well as frustrated her. She decided to let comfort win out. Her voice was contemplative as she thought not of the Admiral, but of the captain. “I never imagined your eyes could hold so much blue, or that your expression could be so soft and open. Your voice so light and filled with warmth. I can see how easy it was for Seven to have fallen in love with Captain Janeway.”
Janeway expelled a soft snort of incredulity. “I don’t know how easy it was. We weren’t on particularly good terms at the beginning, you know. She used to drive me crazy; undermining my orders, she was so contentious in that first year that—”
“Admiral, I don’t want to talk about Seven anymore tonight.” Miral ignored the fact that she had brought the woman up in the first place. She held the Admiral tight and relished the feel of her in her arms despite knowing that what she had always wanted, desired, would never be. But she had this moment where it seemed that the only two people who mattered were her and Admiral Janeway. Thoughts of the plan they were to execute within the next twenty-four hours caused the warmth she was feeling to turn to ice-cold fear. “We’re not going to exist after tomorrow. Are we?”
“Not as we are now, I suppose.”
Miral lifted her head slightly to look up at the Admiral with concern in her dark brown eyes. “What sort of person will I be?”
“You’ll be a lot like you are now.” Love shone through the dull gray of the Admiral’s eyes as she tried to instill as much affection for the woman in her arms in her voice she could. It caused her usually harsh, sharp tones to be low, soft and gravelly. “Brilliant, caring, selfless, independent and extremely talented. Except you’ll have a godmother who tells you every chance she gets how much she loves you. How proud she is of you. Always.”
“I—I’m scared.”
“I know.” The Admiral held Miral tighter as her chest constricted with the naked fear in the other woman’s voice. “And it’s okay to be scared.”
“Tomorrow I’ll be completing my mission.” Miral forced the cold fear to recede deep within her as her sense of duty, of purpose, came to the fore and caused her voice to become steely and determined. “I’ll save you.”
“Yes, you’ll save me.”
****
“You have your orders. We’ll begin at oh seven hundred.” Captain Janeway’s voice held steel and the unwavering determination of a woman who wanted things her way or no way. “Dismissed.”
Janeway watched with mixed emotions as her crew filed out of the Briefing room, perhaps for the last time if their plan was successful and if luck were on their side. She was resolute in her belief that if it were at all possible their mission would be successful. But she also felt the burgeoning feeling of loss growing within her. She would miss them, her crew, her family. She would miss them terribly.
“Kathryn?” Seven watched as emotions flickered across the captain’s elegant features, almost too quickly for her to identify all of them. She knew Janeway exuded confidence for her and the benefit of her crew, but now that it was just the two of them in the Briefing room Seven could see how the end of their journey could be bittersweet.
“I’m fine, Seven.” Janeway took the offered hand covered in metal in her own with a gentle smile.
The captain stood from her chair never letting go of the physical contact between them even as they entered the hallway outside the Briefing room. At another time the captain would have been averse to allowing her crew to see her love for Seven, but now she displayed it openly, proudly, and what she received from the few crewmembers they passed on their journey to her quarters were soft smiles and respectful nods.
They entered the captain’s quarters to find it dark, silent and empty. Ice cold worry swept across Janeway before she saw the PADD on her dining room table. It contained a message from the Admiral that simply stated that she had things to attend to and would not be returning to the captain’s quarters. A knowing smile coupled with a look of gratitude crossed Janeway’s features before she turned quickly towards Seven, threw her arms around her and kissed her with all the love and passion she had.
Seven recovered from her surprise quickly and returned the captain’s ardor with her own as she moved her mouth against Kathryn’s. A moan escaped her throat as she felt her lips part to allow Kathryn’s tongue to lick within her mouth. She effortlessly lifted the captain into her arms and never lost the hot, moist contact between them as she carried Kathryn into the bedroom.
Their tongues dueled as Seven lowered Kathryn gently to the bed before she began to divest the captain of her uniform. She tossed the red and black jacket onto the floor. It was with regret that they had to separate in order for Seven to remove the gray turtleneck and undergarment, but it was well worth it in order to see the creamy expanse of skin lightly dusted with freckles and the coral colored nipples visible even in the dim lighting of the bedroom.
“I love you, Kathryn.” Seven looked upon the captain with all the adoration and desire she felt burning hot within her. She brushed the metal tips of her fingers across the smooth skin of Kathryn’s upper chest before she moved her hand down to cup one of her soft, pliant breasts.
“Oh, Seven.” Kathryn arched into the searing touch of Seven’s hands as she fumbled with the fastenings of the cobalt blue biosuit preventing her from seeing and touching Seven fully. Kathryn’s voice broke when Seven pinched her nipple between her thumb and finger. “Please, get this… damned thing off.”
Seven quickly stood, missing the contact with Kathryn’s body acutely, before she hastily stripped herself of her biosuit. She bent over Kathryn then encircled one erect nipple into the hot wetness of her mouth as she removed black boots, socks, pants, and undergarment as fast as she could with efficient hands.
“Please, Seven.” Kathryn circled her arms around Seven tightly as she writhed and moaned beneath her. Her back was arched and her legs fell apart of their own accord to happily accommodate Seven between them. Kathryn groaned deeply when she felt Seven’s fingers tracing her damp, swollen sex.
Seven relished in the heady scent of Kathryn’s wet desire for her as she slowly pushed two fingers into the woman she loved. As she deepened the penetration of her fingers and added a third she held Kathryn’s slim pale body tighter to her own. Seven’s mouth left Kathryn’s breast and captured her groans and screams instead as she pressed her lips to Kathryn’s. Her tongue began to mimic the motions of her fingers as Kathryn undulated her hips and bucked against her metal encased hand. Seven circled Kathryn’s clitoris with her thumb and was unable to keep hold of Kathryn’s lips as the captain screamed her pleasure. Seven’s name being ripped from Kathryn’s throat due to overwhelming pleasure was the single most beautiful thing Seven had ever heard.
As Kathryn slowly pieced herself together after her climax she shuddered as she felt Seven’s lips upon the swollen lips of her sex. “Oh God, Seven!”
Seven pushed her tongue deep inside of Kathryn enjoying the fragrant wetness that flowed into her mouth. As she stiffened her tongue and began to push in and out of Kathryn’s hot sex her hands massaged the captain’s soft breasts and hardened nipples.
Kathryn’s breathing was labored as she pressed herself against Seven’s tongue, mouth, hands and fingers, seeking as much contact as she could. Her hips moved with each thrust of Seven’s tongue within her as her fingers tangled in Seven’s mane of golden hair that now fell freely. She ground herself against Seven’s lips as she felt her climax approaching and begged for it with desperate, pleading screams.
“Please, Seven!”
Seven held the woman shuddering against her tightly as her lips and chin became drenched with Kathryn’s release. When the final tremors subsided, Seven slowly moved up Kathryn’s petite form so that she could see her lover’s features. Kathryn’s hands had untangled from Seven’s blonde tresses during her orgasm and were now covering her flushed face and eyes.
“Kathryn?” Seven gently pulled Kathryn’s hands to the bed before she placed her lips against the captain’s.
Kathryn needed a moment to recover from her two powerful orgasms and when she did she found that she was ferociously hungry for Seven. To hear Seven scream her name as she came as she had the night before. She knew from the heady scent that permeated her bedroom that Seven was more than ready for her. Seven screamed her name loudly as she plunged two fingers into her and captured a taut nipple between her teeth. As her fingers found a rhythm she soothed Seven’s red swollen nipple with her tongue and lips, before she paid the same attention to Seven’s other breast. Seven held her weight and metal implants away from Kathryn’s soft, slim body as she rocked against the fingers that pushed deep within her. Sweat drenched her pale skin and made it glisten in the starlight as she cried out her pleasure with a single name escaping between her lips.
“Kathryn.”
(to be continued)