Resolution Part One
Seven looked from Harry to the Captain and back again. If the solution was obvious, she did not grasp it.
"I do not understand."
Harry averted his gaze. He couldn't believe he was actually going to go through with this. He'd been mortified in the Mess Hall. He'd overstepped his bounds but she hadn't understood. What if she didn't understand now?
"Well…Seven…" Kathryn began. She hesitated for a moment. How was she supposed to tell Seven that the only way to save her life was to sleep with Harry? "The thing is, what you're experiencing right now…is a lot like the Vulcan pon farr. And if it's not resolved soon, it's going to kill you."
Seven nodded. She could comprehend that from the Doctor's frequent and irritating scans and worried looks.
"How is Ensign Kim to assist me?"
Kathryn let out a breath. Might as well be blunt about it. "Sex. You've got to have sex."
Seven stared at the Captain in disbelief. She could feel color and heat rising in her face and she looked away. Energy sparked the tips of her nerve endings and she began to pace. As much as she disliked this feeling and these emotions, far too human for her taste, she wasn't sure she wished to copulate with Ensign Kim.
"We don't have to…if you don't want to…I just…I want to help."
Seven took several deep breaths before turning to face Harry and the Captain. She nodded her head slowly. "We will proceed…" Despite her Borg coldness, she was truly scared. What if it didn't work?
The Doctor, after overhearing the end of the conversation, rejoined them. He gave Seven another concerned look but she ignored him. She didn't need his sympathy.
"Doc…is there anything we need to be aware of…anything…unusual?"
"No Mr. Kim. I don't believe so."
Seven glanced at the Doctor. "You are certain this will…alleviate the situation?"
The Doctor shared a look with the Captain. "Yes."
Sickbay ell silent for a moment or two as the tension seemed to intensify. Seven continued to pace and Harry kept his eyes on the floor. Captain Janeway finally broke the silence.
"We'll leave you two alone." She gave Harry a pat on the shoulder before she walked out of Sickbay.
"I suggest you go elsewhere."
Harry nodded weakly and took a step towards the door. Seven followed reluctantly. Neither said a word as the doors shut behind them. Harry took a deep breath.
"So…where do you want to go?"
Seven looked at him with a raised brow. It seemed obvious to her. "I assume you wish to continue in your quarters."
He cleared his throat. "Right…of course."
They walked side-by-side through the corridor to the turbolift. As they made their way to Harry's quarters, Seven couldn't keep still. All of the energy Laili had transferred into her was beginning to make her jittery. She also had begun feeling strange sensations in the pit of her stomach, as if something was trying to get out. She didn't realize the turbolift had halted until she felt Harry's hand on her shoulder.
"We're here."
She followed him out of the lift and past several closed doors before they arrived at his quarters. The doors slid open and he waved her in. The room, with its dimmed lights and cool feel, seemed to egg on the knot in the pit of her stomach. Harry stood for a moment in the doorway just watching her. He hadn't noticed until then that she was not in her usual uniform and her hair had been pulled from its neat clasp. Harry couldn't deny that she looked even more appealing at that moment. He took a step forward just as she turned around.
"Are you ok?" His voice was barely above a whisper.
"I am…unfamiliar with this…"
He gave her a smile and reached a hand out to brush a lock of hair from her eyes. Her eyes shined even in the dim light. "Me too."
They moved closer, a step or two until they were nose to nose. Harry reached down and took one of her hands in his, giving it a firm squeeze.
"We'll do this however you want."
She blushed and averted her gaze. "I have never done this before." She had not anticipated feeling so nervous about this.
Harry gave her hand another squeeze and led her towards the bed. He had to admit he was nervous too. He never thought he'd be called upon to save someone's life…especially not like this.
They sat down on the bed, hands still clasped firmly. Harry leaned in close but hesitated for a moment. He had no idea what she wanted him to do. Still, he was the more experience party and he had to take the initiative. He gently kissed her jaw bone, moving towards her neck.
She immediately let out a gasp. Every fiber of her being was heightened to this new contact. It sent shockwaves of electricity through her, like tidal waves crashing on the shore. Something deep inside her, some instinct began to kick in and she could feel herself wanting more.
It didn't take long for Harry to find himself aroused. He was about to make love to one of the most beautiful women he'd ever met. With one hand still gripping hers, he laid her down on the bed. She tugged at his uniform. She was growing impatient and neither was sure whether it was the hyper-aroused state or whether she really wanted him. At the moment, with both their pulsing racing, the reason was irrelevant. Harry shrugged out of his uniform as quickly as he could without breaking contact with her. She seemed to need to feel he was still there with her. As his lips moved up towards her cheek again, their eyes met; chocolate brown on icy blue. He could see a hunger in her eyes and he knew he wanted to feed that hunger, fulfill it. Another glance, more heat, more longing.
"Are you ready?" His voice came out as a rasp.
She nodded, words failing her. A wild heat was coursing through her, making it hard to breathe. She wanted this feeling to end. She wanted to stop being consumed and confused by these emotions. She let out a gasp as they began to move as one.
Harry felt her tense beneath as he moved within her. Even in her bewildered state she was beautiful, a goddess among men. Her eyes looked up at him through partially closed lids and he longed to whisper sweet nothings against her skin. He wanted to show her that he could be there for her if she wanted him. He wanted to be everything for her but he knew it wouldn't happen. He was just saving her life. That was all it was. There was no real passion, no real longing for each other…not from her.
Her eyes finally closed as all of the heat within her began to concentrate in the pit of her stomach. It burned so hot she thought she would ignite and burn up. She did not feel Harry's body against hers or hear the soft moans he let slip as he made love to her. She focused only on the heat within her. It kept building, kept rising until…
It was gone. The fervor, the heat, the restless feelings disappeared. Her heart still thundered in her chest but somehow she knew that it was normal. She inhaled and her breath shook with an exhaustion she'd never known before. Harry lay beside her, his chest heaving as well. Neither moved, both taking in what had just happened. Silence enveloped them as they lay together. Harry exhaled through his nose and rolled over to look at her.
"How are you feeling?"
"I believe the excess energy has been expended."
Harry smiled a little. "Good. Uh…glad I could…help."
She propped herself up as well to look at him. She seemed to contemplate him for a moment or two. "Ensign, several days ago in the Mess Hall, you claimed not to love me."
"Seven…I…yes…I said that…" Back to being the idiot who couldn't for a coherent sentence around her.
"Yet…you offered to perform this…service to save my life." The confusion was evident in her eyes.
"Look…I admit…I find you very attractive, Seven and I'm probably not the only one." He paused. "I like you. I think you're intelligent, beautiful and funny and I'd like to get to know you better. But I understand that…a relationship isn't something you're used to…"
"Thank you."
He blinked. "For…what?"
"Helping me. It was very…kind of you."
Harry blushed. "You're welcome."
