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“Chakotay
to Seven of Nine!” chirped Seven’s combadge as she stood behind
the giant view screen in Astrometrics planning out the next couple
systems they would travel through.
“Seven
here.” She responded
without taking her eyes from the screen.
“Seven,
would you please come to the ready room,” he commanded indicating
nothing by his tone.
“Yes
Commander,” she responded, “on my way.”
She turned from the screen and walked out of Astrometrics.
A few minutes
later Chakotay rose as Seven of Nine walked into the Captain’s ready
room. “Seven!” He
smiled, “Please sit.” He
motioned toward the chair opposite him.
“I would
prefer to stand.” She
answered as she stood before him with her hands clasped behind her
back.
“Alright.”
He answered as he sat back down in the Captain’s chair.
“Seven, “ Chakotay sighed as he leaned forward in his chair
rubbing his hands together. “You
are aware that the Captain is having some difficulty adjusting from
her accident.” He spoke
solemnly.
“I am
aware,” Seven responded nodding her head.
“I would
like you to assist the Captain in making a smoother transition
regarding this situation.”
“Explain.”
Seven requested evenly.
“To
be quite honest with you no one else has been able to help her.
Tuvok has gotten nowhere.
The doctor, as well as Neelix, have gotten them selves barred
from her quarters, B’Elanna no longer has the patience and I –“
“Cannot
handle her either.” Seven
finished for him raising her implant-covered brow with a small smirk.
He smiled and
leaned back with a sigh. “No,
I’m afraid I can’t seem to get through to her either.”
“And you
feel that I can help her to – adapt?” Seven questioned
incredulously.
“Quite
frankly I feel I don’t have a lot of other choices.”
He sighed again with a look of concern written across his face.
“I do not
know what I could do to help the Captain, Commander.
I know nothing of being blind.”
“Neither
did the rest of us, Seven. Mostly
we tried to be there to assist her when she needed assistance and
tried to listen when she needed someone to listen.
None of which she wanted.
Perhaps because she helped you when you were first severed from
the Borg Collective. Maybe you could do the same for her,” he explained.
“I do not
believe that the Captain will allow me anymore opportunity than she
has the rest of her senior staff.”
Seven surmised.
“You will
need to give it your best shot, Seven.”
Chakotay informed her wryly.
“Is that an
order, Commander?” Seven
questioned hearing his tone.
“Yes, I’m
afraid it is.” He
answered now with a slight smile playing across his face.
She looked at
him for several seconds longer than normal weighing her options or
lack there of, then replied, “I shall comply.”
“I knew
that you would. You start
immediately,” he responded as he stood.
She nodded
her head in acknowledgement then walked to the ready room door as it
hissed open he called after her, “Seven – you’re dismissed.
And good luck!”
As the door
hissed closed behind her, she could have sworn she heard him laughing.
She stopped for a minute to place it in her eidetic memory to
question the commander about it later, and as she walked from the
bridge she noticed that no eyes met hers.
Everybody appeared to be smirking for some odd reason purposely
not making eye contact. This
too she would question later she thought to herself as she entered the
turbolift and requested deck 3.
A
month before Captain Kathryn Janeway had been assisting ship’s
engineering as she had been known to do from time to time; she was
working in a jeffries tube when a power conduit had erupted and sent
her flying, slamming her head into a bulkhead.
She had been knocked unconscious for a period of time before
she was discovered. The
ship’s Emergency Medical Hologram had worked on her for hours doing
all that he could. It was not until she awoke the next day that they discovered
she had lost her sight. Finding
nothing amiss, the EMH ruled it hysterical blindness and informed her
that in time her sight would eventually return.
In the mean time Chakotay had temporarily taken over her
command and Kathryn Janeway had sealed herself away in her quarters
rebuking any and all assistance from her crew.
She had taken refuse in her bedroom and had remained there
sinking daily into a depression.
Depressions were familiar for this Captain.
They had been part of her experience before.
Once when her father and her then to-be-husband, Justin Tighe,
had died serving Star Fleet and then again when Voyager had entered a
void in space not all that long ago.
Today Kathryn
Janeway lay in her bed rubbing the bridge of her nose.
Her head ached and it was keeping her from finding solace in
her much needed sleep. Oh
how she longed for sleep. It
was the one place she found comfort.
And as she lay wishing for relief she heard the door chime.
Knowing it would only be one of her crew she ignored it.
They have duties to tend to on this ship, why are they here to
bother me. She thought to
herself and the door chimed again.
She rolled over and buried her head between pillows blocking
out the irritating noise.
After the
second try and receiving no response Seven entered the Captain’s
quarters. It was dark and
the air stagnant. She
sensed no one in the living area and moved toward the sleeping room.
She knew as she entered this area that the Captain was there.
Her night vision allowed her to see and she could sense the
Captain’s respiration. She
is not asleep Seven thought to herself then ordered, “Lights up
full!” And she
proceeded to the Captain’s bed where she removed the pillow from
over her head. “Captain.”
Seven questioned, “Why are you here in bed it’s the middle
of the day?”
“Because I
can.” Captain Kathryn
Janeway growled at Seven, “Now get out!”
“I
apologize, Captain, but I cannot comply.”
Seven spoke without reaction.
“Then why
pray tell are you here?” Janeway asked extremely annoyed looking
into the blackness that lay before her.
“I am here
to assist you,” Seven answered now standing with her hands clasped
behind her back.
“Like all
those who have come before you?” Janeway gnarled. “ I guess it’s
your turn, huh?”
“Yes,”
Seven replied unwavering.
“If you
must assist me, hand me my pillow back and then GET - OUT!”
Janeway barked.
To Seven the
Captain resembled an angry Teheran dog, one that required a bath,
grooming and a meal. I
will require a talk with the commander when I have finished here today
Seven thought to herself. Then
with a deep breath she reached over, grabbed Captain Kathryn Janeway,
picked her up, thank the Gods for Borg strength, and carried her to
the ensuite where she turned on the cold water, then stood the frantic
screaming captain in the shower.
“You can’t just leave me here!”
Janeway yelled as Seven left the ensuite.
Seven turned
to reply, “I can and I will. The
soap is to your right at 4 o’clock, please use it.”
And with that she left her alone in her miserable darkness.
Seven hoped that the Captain remembered the old earth time
measures.
Kathryn
Janeway stood in the ice-cold water trembling.
This is crazy, she thought, I just want to be left alone. Why will they not leave me be?
No one can possibly understand what I am feeling.
And the ice-cold water beat against her until it became painful
chilling her to the bone. 4 o’clock – 4 o’clock her mind clicked with
self-preservation and she felt her way as she trembled.
4 o’clock, yes here it is, but the water is so c-cold. I cannot stay in this cold water she thought again as she
felt the shower walls for the hot and cold gauges.
Where are they – where –here!
Which one – which one is hot, ahh, this one, yes this one is
hot she thought to herself as the water started to warm up. And as she started to wash herself the darkness within her
lightened if only a tiny bit. All
as the darkness she faced slipped from her mind for the moment.
Seven removed
the dirty sheets from the bed, but did not replace them.
She did not want the Captain to find comfort back in her bed.
She took the stack of clean sheets and moved them up to a
higher shelf in the linen closet.
She would assist the Captain in making the bed later, much
later. Then she headed
out to the living area where she brought up the lights, picked up
scattered padds and coffee cups, then ran the air cleaner.
Already it started to feel as though it were the Captain’s
quarters again. She then replicated two bowls of chicken soup and a small
loaf of sweet brown bread. After
placing their meal on the small dining table she headed back to the
ensuite. “Captain.”
She spoke startling Janeway, “Are you clean?”
“Gods
Seven!” Janeway jumped
covering her now naked self, “Can’t a person have their
privacy?”
“I am
sorry, Captain for startling you.
No, you cannot have privacy if I am to assist you,”
Seven answered reaching in to turn off the water then handed
her a towel. “Please
dry yourself. I have made
you a nutritional supplement.”
“I’m not
hungry.” Janeway spoke
with mild aggravation.
“It does
not matter if you are hungry or not.
You are required to maintain your health,” Seven encouraged
stepping away giving her some room.
“Your hairbrush is to the right of the sink at 2 o’clock
and your tooth brush is to the left at 10.
I will wait for you in your sleeping area.”
And she left Janeway again to work it out on her own.
While she waited she checked the Captain’s closet for
suitable attire and decided that a robe would suffice for now.
I will get her dressed and out of her quarters today before I
leave, she thought to herself as she laid the robe on the bed and
waited.
Ten minutes
passed before Janeway spoke from the bathroom.
“Seven of Nine, could you give me a hand?”
Seven did not
move, but replied, “Captain. It
is four steps to the door between the bathroom and your bedroom. Then it is another four steps to your bed.
I believe you can navigate that space without incurring any
problems.”
“Seven,
could you, please, just give me a hand?”
The Captain repeated in a frustrated voice.
“I believe
that is what I am attempting to do, if you would just comply,” Seven
replied still not moving, but keeping an eye on her.
Knowing that
the ex-borg was not going to accommodate her, Janeway sighed in total
aggravation as she felt for the wall and paced her way out of the
bathroom stopping when she felt Seven’s hand on her arm.
“Have I gone to far?”
She questioned surprised.
“No, you
are standing right next to the foot of your bed.
You need merely take the robe that I have lain out for you
there and put it on. Then
we shall go eat.” Seven
answered letting her go then stepping back.
“Your skills as a blind person are most remarkable,
Captain.”
“I am
blind, Seven, in case you haven’t noticed.”
The Captain replied bitterly.
“No
Captain, you are not blind. You
are injured and you – will – heal in time.”
Seven retorted as she reached out and took hold of Janeway’s
arm to escort her out to the small dining table.
For the most
part they ate their meal in silence.
Seven watched as Janeway made the attempt of buttering her
bread but became frustrated once she had smeared butter on her
fingers. Janeway threw
the knife across the room, and then heaved her bowl off the table.
She lowered her head and shook it in exasperation.
“I cannot continue to live this way.”
Janeway spoke softly as the depression began to pulse through
her.
“Self pity
is not becoming to you, Captain,” Seven answered as she walked
across the room to retrieve the knife.
Janeway
jerked up looking in the direction of Seven of Nine with contempt
written over her face. “How
dare you!” She hissed.
“Was my
assessment incorrect?” Seven
answered puzzled. “Are you not feeling sorry for your self?”
“Your are
wrong!” Janeway barked,
“I do not feel sorry for myself.”
After placing
the knife and bowl in the recycler Seven walked back to Janeway’s
side.
“If not
pity then what?” Seven continued to question.
Janeway
reached up to massage the bridge of her nose wishing her headache
would go away she responded tersely, “I am angry!
And I’m especially tired of everyone bothering me about
it.”
“Captain,
your crew would do what ever necessary to insure a proper recovery on
your behalf. However, you
seem to alienate those who care most about you with your – anger,”
Seven spoke. “I imagine it hard being a victim of circumstance.”
It was hard
for Janeway to concentrate. She
did not want to listen to Seven of Nine.
It had become difficult to fit the pieces together and
understand how she felt. Perhaps
there was an element of pity within her, but mostly it was anger she
was feeling. And here she
knew standing before her the ex-borg drone barely understood her own
life, or her own humanity and still she was trying to find a way to
reach her, the Captain. I
am the Captain she thought again.
I need to be strong, but how? She questioned herself.
It was all so confusing. Her
life had become a cloudy gray day and she looked toward her sky with a
frown hating where she had found herself.
She was a victim and she dislike that very much.
“You have
some accountability in your circumstance, Captain.
It is that simple. You
need simply forgive yourself for having been in the wrong place at the
wrong time.” Seven
interjected.
“That’s
easy for you to say,” Janeway responded not choosing to let go of
her anger.
“Captain,”
Seven spoke, knowing a different approach was warranted. “Perhaps if
we went for a walk.”
“I am not
going to be paraded around this ship like some kind of animal!” Janeway snapped.
“Captain.
I will not allow you to remain in your quarters,” Seven
stated.
And Janeway
laughed at that, “How can you stop me?” She growled.
“If I
cannot get you to walk on your own two feet.
I shall carry you,” Seven replied evenly.
“You would
do no such thing,” Janeway bit back.
“I am here
to assist you, Captain. I
am here to help you adapt. I
shall - carry you around this ship if necessary,” Seven confirmed.
Somehow
Captain Kathryn Janeway did not want to find out whether Seven would
do as threatened. She
rose from her chair and pushed it in.
“Well – let’s get going then.”
She sighed. This
was one lesson she would not learn the hard way.
“Captain.”
Seven spoke up, “Would you not be more comfortable in proper
attire?”
This stopped
Janeway. Seven walked to
her and took her arm. “I
guess the robe wouldn’t do would it?”
Janeway made a slight attempt at humor as she walked to her
bedroom to get dressed.
With her head
still throbbing slightly she no longer wanted to argue. Possibly bargaining would work better. “If I go for this walk will you then leave me alone?”
“I have
duties to finish before end of my shift.
I will leave you unassisted until I have completed these
tasks,” Seven conceded. “After
our walk.”
They had
walked several decks on the ship.
Crewmembers stopped from time to time asking the Captain how
she was doing and when she would be back on the bridge.
It took all the strength Kathryn Janeway had to endure this,
but she did manage. She
hated having the crew see her in this helpless state.
When they arrived back at her quarters she found herself
exhausted from the little bit of physical activity they had just
accomplished. Seven left
her on the sofa along with a cup of coffee and several audio padds
that contained a couple harlequin books Janeway seemed to enjoy.
“I will
return at the end of my duty shift,” Seven informed as she started
to step through the door.
“Take all
the time you need Seven,” Janeway answered as she sipped her coffee,
hearing the door hiss closed. Finally,
she thought to herself I can go back to sleep, but the sleep she had
so desperately longed for a few hours ago eluded her now.
She recognized that she was physically tired, but her mind had
cleared. The walk had
done her a world of good although she would keep this fact to herself.
She thought of her morning with Seven of Nine so far the only
one to have gotten beyond her some how.
Of course why wouldn’t she, resistance was futile to her
Janeway chuckled to herself with that thought.
She had allowed this person more latitude than any that had
come before her. Her
anger also had waned vaguely allowing her to think somewhat more
clearly. She was now able
to see somewhat that the others had only meant well.
They had tried to give her what they felt she needed and she
had rejected them, even barred them from her quarters.
Oh Katie you can be so pompous
when you chose, she thought feeling quite dreadful and
realizing the need for many apologies.
However Seven had not yielded to her.
She found this thought in an odd way exceedingly tantalizing.
Her mind
drifted to other issues she seldom gave credence.
Her thoughts regarding Seven of Nine had been taking on a
different hue. A smile
played on her face as she considered how this woman always found a way
to incite her, to get on her last nerve.
There was no one else on this ship that could anger her to the
extreme Seven could by merely challenging her command.
From the beginning Seven had never a use for the command
structure that Star Fleet imposed or she herself had in place aboard
Voyager. No one else
aboard her ship would she allow to challenge her quite in the same as
Seven. Why was that and
how did it come about? She
questioned herself. Why
did she allow Seven more latitude than anyone else?
Because she had been Borg for 18 years of her life, ripped from
her humanness at such a young age?
Because she had severed her from the Borg Collective and was
attempting to give her back her humanity?
Because the woman six foot tall in stature, blonde hair, pouty
lips and the most beautiful ice blue eyes could draw this Captain in
without the slightest idea? She
allowed this woman latitude because she permitted her own self this
indulgence. Indulgence,
she laughed to herself was not a strong enough word. It was more than that she was sure. Desire floated threw her.
Captain Kathryn Janeway shook her head as though the thought
she was now having was not permissible.
What are you doing Katie, she thought, this is one of
your crew you’re thinking about in this way.
But she couldn’t help herself, just as she could not help
this blindness. Hmm,
she thought, recognizing that her spirits had brightened a little.
As Kathryn Janeway picked up a padd containing one of her
beloved stories, she also found herself longing for the ex-borg’s
return.
Seven made
her way to the bridge. As
she exited the turbolift Tuvok raised his eyebrow.
“Lieutenant Commander.”
She acknowledged him, but kept moving until she stood in front
of Chakotay. “Commander, could we speak in private?” she asked almost commandingly.
Chakotay
looked up at Seven, “How is she today?”
He inquired.
“She is
fine, in private please?” she again asked.
With this he stood and they walked to the Captain’s ready
room. Once in side he sat and she as usual stood.
“Commander.
Captain Janeway has been cleaned up, given a nutritional
supplement and has participated in a short physical activity.
I have several duties that need to be addressed in Astrometrics
and would like to attend to these while the Captain rests.”
Seven informed.
“You got
her to eat?” Chakotay
responded with a surprised look on her face.
“Yes,
approximate 120 milliliters of soup before she threw the bowl on the
floor of her quarters.”
“She threw
the bowl?” He grinned
in astonishment, and then his face grew serious.
“But how is she, really?” he asked gravely
“As I said,
she is fine. She is
extremely argumentative and pities her condition,” Seven answered.
“What was
the short physical activity?” Chakotay questioned.
“We went
for a walk on decks 3, 7 and 9. I
attempted one more deck, but she started to grow irritable.”
Seven responded, “And I felt it best we return to her
quarters before I she needed carrying.”
“You
actually got her out of her quarters.”
Chakotay was thoroughly amazed. “How did you manage that?”
“I informed
the Captain that she either walk or be carried.” Seven smirked.
Chakotay
laughed as he massaged his tattoo-covered brow.
“Well, it appears you are assisting the Captain in quite a
capable manner,” he allowed.
“I find the
task at hand extremely aggravating, but will not fail,” Seven spoke.
“Keep me
informed,” Chakotay answered. “You
may finish up your shift in Astrometrics.”
“Thank
you.” Seven said, “Am
I dismissed?”
“Yes and
Seven.” He spoke, “Keep up the good work”
“Aye –
Aye, Commander.” She
responded as she left the ready room.
Three hours later she finished her shift, stopped in the cargo
bay to enter information into her workstation there, then headed for
deck 3 and the Captain’s quarters once again.
She hoped the rest of the day would go a little better than how
it had started with the Captain.
When the door
to her quarter’s hissed open Janeway looked up.
“Seven?” she questioned.
“Yes
Captain,” Seven responded pleased to see the Captain awake and still
in her living area where she had left her.
She was especially happy to see the small smile her Captain’s
face contained. “How was your afternoon?”
“Uneventful,”
Janeway replied without a hint of the earlier anger.
Odd,
Seven thought as she walked to the sofa where the Captain now lounged.
She had tilted her head ever so slightly so that her optical
implant could observe the Captain more closely finding the change in
her attitude questionable. And
Janeway knowing Seven as well as she did also knew she was being
observed.
“I’m
fine, Seven,” Janeway spoke.
“Indeed,”
Seven replied still not convinced.
Janeway
sighed not really wanting to explain her change in attitude. “Truly. I feel
much better. I spent the
afternoon reflecting on my current situation.
I still possess a certain amount of anger, but then who
wouldn’t if found in my position.”
“I see,”
Seven allowed. “Then
perhaps you would permit me to escort you to the mess hall for
dinner?”
Janeway
stopped her self from reacting. Perhaps
the anger she possessed still sat a little to close to her emotional
edge. “What will that
accomplish?” she asked instead.
“You would
learn to feel comfortable with your self and your crew,” Seven
responded. “As well as filling your nutritional requirement for this
evening.”
“Would it
do me any good to argue either point?”
Janeway questioned with a smile half playing on her face. Seven stepped directly in front of Janeway grabbing her hands
she pulled her up. As she
looked down into the face of Kathryn Janeway she felt a sudden
sensation course through her and filed it quickly away in her eidetic
memory. She let go
Janeway’s hands and stepped back. “ I guess not,” Kathryn answered herself.
“Well
I’ll be damned!” Exclaimed B’Elanna Torres, Voyager’s Chief
Engineer as Seven escorted Captain Janeway into the mess hall.
“What?!”
Questioned Tom Paris as he whipped around to see what B’Elanna was
looking at. “Wow!”
“Leave it
to the ice queen to do what no other could.”
B’Elanna spoke curtly.
“You’re
just jealous,” Tom Paris remarked looking at his current lover.
B’Elanna
looked at Tom as if she wanted to rip his head off.
Acquiescence was written across his face and then he got a
bright idea, stood and motioned for Seven to bring the Captain over.
When he turned back around B’Elanna was growling at him.
“Oh give me
a break Lanna!” He
retorted, “It’s for the Captain.”
But before she could respond their invited guests had arrived.
“Mr. Paris,
B’Elanna Torres,” Seven greeted as she pulled out a chair for the
Captain to sit in. Then
promptly walked around the table and sat also.
“Captain!
It is good to see you!”
Tom remarked with the biggest smile on his face.
“It’s
good to hear your voice, Lieutenant,” Janeway replied.
“Captain,
how are you – feeling?” asked
B’Elanna tentatively.
“Much
better, B’Elanna, thank you,”
the Captain answered and she felt across the table in the
direction of the Klingon’s voice and found her hand.
“I’d like to apologize, if I may, for my behavior over the
last few weeks.”
“No apology
necessary, Captain,” B’Elanna replied, “I’d have been just as
gnarly.”
“Gnarly,
huh?” Janeway chuckled.
“Quite.”
B’Elanna added and then she spoke to Seven.
“How did you manage this?”
“By
limiting her choices down to two,” Seven replied. “The Captain
made a good choice.”
“I see.”
B’Elanna responded impressed regardless of how she felt about
the ex-borg.
“So
Captain,” Tom Paris spoke wanting to move the conversation on,
“should we expect to see you back on the bridge soon?”
The question
took Janeway by surprise, as she had not thought there would be a
purpose served by her being on the bridge and blind.
“Where as you may see me on the bridge, Lieutenant, I doubt
that I shall see you,” she quipped.
Tom’s
cheeks turned red as he realized what he had said.
“I’m sorry, Captain.”
“No
need,” Janeway answered back apologetic in her own reply.
“Captain, I
am going to find something palatable to consume.
Can I get you something?”
Seven spoke up.
“If you
don’t mind?” The
Captain asked quite content to stay put for a while.
“Good
luck!” B’Elanna
laughed, “Neelix came up a little short on palatable today.”
As Seven
stood from her chair she looked from B’Elanna’s plate to Tom’s. “I shall endeavor to find - something. She spoke but the look on her face read hopelessness as she
left the table.
“Is there
anything you need, Captain?” B’Elanna
asked.
Janeway
chuckled as she answered with a question, “You have to ask?”
“At least
you seem to be humored now,” the Klingon replied.
“The humor
seems to keep me from being – gnarly.
And I have found that Seven tends to be a little less
restrictive to my wants when I am better behaved.”
The Captain alluded. They
continued to talk even after Seven had come back with their dinners.
Neelix eventually made his way over to their table upon
Seven’s insistence, where he also received an apology of sorts from
the Captain. After dinner the Captain and Seven walked several decks to
offset their meal then found their way back to the Captain’s
quarters.
“Would you
mind fixing me a cup of coffee?” the Captain asked as she found
herself standing in front of her sofa.
“And of course if there is something you would like.”
“I require
nothing, Captain, but will fix you your request,” Seven replied as
she walked to the replicator. She
replicated the coffee and returned to where Janeway now sat.
The Captain
patted the seat next to her on the sofa.
“Please sit?”
“I –,“
Seven started but was interrupted.
“Really,
sit.” The Captain
commanded and Seven sat promptly.
They sat for a couple minutes in silence before Kathryn Janeway
spoke. “You know,
Seven. I am most
appreciative for your assistance today.”
“It was
merely part of my responsibilities,” Seven stated.
“No, it was
more than that. You could
have walked away from this as everyone else did,” Janeway commented.
“That would
have indicated failure,” Seven responded.
“That was not an option.”
Janeway
laughed quietly at this. “Yes,
I doubt it was.” She
sensed the young woman sitting next to her looking at her.
Feelings from earlier in the day surfaced suddenly. An
overwhelming need to reach out rushed her.
She wanted to see the face that looked in her direction, if not
see it, then touch it. How
could one sense not working drive the others to overworking she
pondered to herself.
Seven
identified that the Captain’s respiration had heightened, that her
body temperature rose. And
as she watched the Captain’s face she saw a different need than
earlier written on it. It was something that was inviting in an unspoken way.
Without any warning her emotions seemed to compel her, wanting
to move her toward her captain. Was it the look? Was
it the smell? They all
raced through her being and she stood up from the sofa not
understanding what was happening.
It made no sense. Human physiology was at best a mystery. Somehow and for some reason her body sensors went into hyper
drive. The EMH could
perhaps treat this in some way.
“Seven?”
Kathryn Janeway questioned with concern wondering why the young
woman jumped up. She
reached out and found a hand taking it into her own.
“Tell me. What’s
wrong?”
“I do not
know.” Seven responded
trying desperately to focus on where her malfunction might be.
She had no idea why she suddenly felt weak in the knees or why
her heart pumped blood at such a rate her head spun.
She knew she needed help, but what kind of help that was she
was unsure. Seven pulled
Kathryn Janeway to her feet thinking it to be the answer since she had
always helped her before. The
smaller slight woman stood only inches away and as she looked up
toward the 6-foot beauty her breath caught.
“I
am not functioning properly. I
must go see the doctor.” Seven
spoke uneasily.
Janeway
reached up with one hand and softly felt Seven’s cheek.
“Captain?” Seven
inquired into Janeway’s tender touch, as it seemed to intensify her
physiological sensations in an unfamiliar way.
“Please,”
Kathryn Janeway rasped quietly and calmingly.
She brought her other hand up slowly to hold Seven’s face,
“just Kathryn.” And
she pulled the face down to her gently.
Oh so gently and kissed her.
It ended
before Seven could even respond and respond was what her senses willed
her to do. She looked
down at the woman in front of her and started putting this new
emotional puzzle together quickly.
When the last piece was set into place Seven lay her hands on
Kathryn Janeway’s shoulders, pulling them gradually together.
Her lips found Kathryn’s tenderly at first then turning into
a feverish need by both women. Their
hands wandering hurriedly about each other, pulling at clothes looking
for any place to rest, just any place to feel, needing physical
contact. Needing…
Needing… Needing
to breathe Kathryn broke away from the kiss.
She whispered, “I want so desperately to see you.”
Seven opened
her eyes looking deep into the darkened eyes that peered back seeing
nothing else except blind desire.
She closed her eyes then, brought her hands to the face in
front of her tracing her features with her fingers.
Committing it all to her eidetic memory and replied. “I want
to see you the way you see me.”
This brought
a sound from deep inside of Kathryn, a release of sorts. She replied her voice husky with need, “My bedroom.”
Was all she managed to get out before Seven had lifted her and
she drew her arms around this woman’s neck searching the air around
her for the lips, those pouty lips until she found them, kissing them
quickening it along tongue begging for entrance then forcing it’s
way through without being stopped.
She felt herself being lowered slowly, lowered lips still
connected. As they stood joined Seven reached back to unfasten the
unitard and it fell away. Kathryn’s
hands felt around Seven’s shoulders, caressing… memorizing…
unhurriedly down her arms… slowly… feeling… slowly, moving her
fingers down to her breasts using her touch as her sight.
Seven
shuddered as fingers circled her dark areolas then rolling her nipples
lightly between experienced fingers.
With a sharp intake of breath she threw her head back and a
moan from someplace deep within escaped, she felt wetness down her
leg. Never once opening
her eyes to question what was happening to her.
She had the sexual experiences of many species within her
eidetic memory to draw from; any questions she might have would have
to wait until later… much later.
Captain
Kathryn Janeway knew she did not need sight to get to where she
wanted. Kathryn Janeway
knew that she needed no assistance to get what she desired.
All of this would be accomplished on her own she thought as her
right hand left Seven’s breast trailing down the lean body before
her. Her hand stopped to
caress an implant rough metal against her skin it only served to drive
her further in pursuit. “Seven,”
she spoke her voice leaden with desire, “please – undress me.”
It was a command dripping from need that was not readily
obeyed. Janeway leaned
into Seven taking her nipple between her lips letting her tongue play.
Seven’s knees buckled slightly.
Kathryn chuckled and continued to let her tongue play.
Seven begged,
“K-Kathryn . . .”
“If you
want off your feet, undress me.”
Kathryn commanded. Who
was captain? Who
was Borg? This time the command was met with compliance.
Seven reached up and started to unbutton the blouse Janeway
wore. These are
inefficient she thought after the third button and with a slight jerk
the last 9 buttons scattered across the bedroom and the blouse being
pushed down Kathryn’s arms now laid upon the floor.
The lace bra followed as well as the pants. They stood now, both trembling with anticipation.
“I must
sit.” Seven spoke her
knees going weak. Kathryn
brought her hands up to Seven’s waist, turned her then moved her
backwards onto the bed. Seven
scooted back as Kathryn started her ascent kissing every inch of her
delicious body starting with her toes then slowly up her long legs.
When she reached her thighs she could smell her scent and her
desire heightened as she nipped the rest of the way lingering only
shortly where she longed to be. Kisses…
kissing… nibbling until she came to Seven’s breast.
Taking one into her mouth feeling the nipple grow and harden
then letting it go and moving on to the other.
Kisses… kissing… nibbling then until she reached her lips.
She sucked on the bottom lip then moved up and covered them
both. She kissed her
slowly… slower…
deeper, parting the lips beneath hers with the gentleness of her
tongue, feeling Seven respond. Hands
tangled in her hair, stroking slowly, and then touching her cheeks.
Running her hands over Seven’s body feeling the heat her body
was giving off, stroking her, sliding over her then down the outside
of her thigh as Seven shuddered under her touch.
She reached
Seven's inner thighs which gave way to the damp heat of readiness,
Kathryn’s fingers descending into the moistness there, moving inside
to stroke the throbbing pearl that was sensitive to her touch, making
Seven cry out, then gasp for breath as Kathryn fondled her,
stroking… slowly… swirling her fingers gently around the little
gem in a motion that had Seven arching, pushing against this woman who
was taking her. Seven’s legs fell open to Kathryn
allowing a more intimate contact where she found the warm opening,
circling it slowly… teasing… desiring she listened intently to
Seven's unyielding moans, then with love, she entered her oh so
gently… caringly…
knowing no one else had ever been granted such luxury.
Kathryn could feel the sudden
embrace of her fingers, resisting briefly and she slowed.
“Seven,” she asked. “Do you want me to stop?”
“No … please …,” Seven
answered breathlessly insistent… lost.
Then having been granted some
right of passage Kathryn began again.
Being able to touch this woman so warmly, so deeply that she
felt surely they would fuse. She
flexed her fingers gently, feeling for what would give Seven the
ultimate in ecstasy, finding it with sensitive fingers that circled
and caressed, creating a rhythm that sent waves of desire through this
young woman. She felt Seven arching passionately beneath her as she
touched and stroked until finally, Seven tensed with every muscle in
her body, a cry from her that was nothing short of love or passion.
When the ripples subsided
Kathryn had not withdrawn her fingers. Instead, she sought out
Seven’s lips brushing them with her own, then kissing her until her
breathing seemed to come more evenly.
Seven was starting to become aware of who was laying on top of
her, of who was holding her, gently… very softly… kissing her.
“Kathryn,” she whispered as
tears pooled. “I do not
know what to say. I do
not know what just happened.”
“Yes, I know.” Kathryn smiled as she brushed her fingers smoothly against
her cheek feeling the tears, which she gently wiped away. “You’re okay.” Kathryn
hugged her then and kissed her again tenderly.
Seven lay still then as she
tried to assimilate all that had just happened, finally deciding to
just enjoy these moments of what she thought must be total
contentment. She ran her
fingers up and down Kathryn’s back lightly scratching, pleased that
the smaller woman had found comfort in her embrace.
As she scratched she became aware that Kathryn’s respiration
was increasing, that her nipples had hardened.
Seven slid her knee up between her legs feeling the heat; the
wetness and desire reared its head once again.
She wanted very much to give back to Kathryn what she had just
received.
“Kathryn,” she spoke.
“I’m not sure I know how to do the same for you.”
“Oh,” Janeway chuckled as
she rolled them over. “ I’m sure you can come up with
something.”
Epilogue
Seven was still asleep as
Kathryn Janeway stirred. A
smile playing across her face as the thoughts from their previous
evening danced through her mind.
She opened her eyes to the grayness and felt the pall of her
blindness once again. Only
as she looked around it was not the same blackness as yesterday.
It was gray; it was definitely gray there was light!
She sat up in the bed and looked toward the shadow of the
sleeping beauty that lay next to her.
Her heart leaped in excitement and she brought her hands to her
smiling lips.
“Kathryn?” Seven now stirred, peering threw lidded eyes.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine actually,”
Janeway answered. “I
believe I’m starting to see again.”
Seven sat up now totally awake
with concern on her face. She
looked into Kathryn’s eyes. “We
should go to sick bay at once,” she spoke.
“No… no not just yet,”
Janeway answered huskily as she pushed Seven back down running
her hand over her breasts.
“Kathryn?” Seven spoke startled. “You have something else in mind?”
“Yes… yes I sure
do,” was her husky timbre answer as she lowered her mouth to
Seven’s chuckling to herself that if she could get this much of her
sight back from one night what would the day bring.
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