Perfection
(ahem, the sex)
Seven entered the quarters on deck two which Annika had been assigned. She still used these quarters when she was not required to regenerate. For many reasons, she found it suited her. Time alone. Only a few steps away from Kathryn's door. The personalizations placed by Annika, too, continued to bring her joy.
It was only a few minutes before the end of duty shift and Kathryn had stated she would meet Seven shortly to share dinner with her. The captain had not yet missed a meal, stating openly and often how much she enjoyed talking with Seven and hearing about her day in Astrometrics.
"I want to know more than the reports can say. I want to hear your joy, excitement, even frustration."
Seven endeavored to provide as much detail as possible, sometimes processing it through all the different lenses: Seven, Annika, and even as...well, yes, One of One, she supposed.
When they consumed their meal, Kathryn, too, shared personal reflections on her day and Seven found she enjoyed that. She did not always enjoy others insinuating themselves into the conversation, however.
She looked down at the PADD in her hand, trying to decide where to put it. She had downloaded the scans of a nebula along Voyager's path which she had discovered. She found the multi-hued rendering of the nebula's energy spectrum "artistic" and had immediately thought it belonged in her quarters. From many angles, she thought the nebula striking and beautiful. She wanted to show it to Kathryn before they dined. The Doctor would call it a "conversation starter."
But then she frowned as she imagined various crew members' comments about it. She wanted to show it to Kathryn alone. The woman surely would understand how it had affected Seven.
The door behind her chimed. "Come in."
"Ready for dinner, Seven? I'm starving."
Seven turned and studied the older woman for a moment. "I do not wish to eat in the mess hall this evening," she stated.
"Neelix's cooking getting to you?" Kathryn asked, stepping inside so the doors closed and looking Seven over, her blue eyes turning gray with concern.
"No, I simply wish to have you to myself for a time. We are always among the crew."
Kathryn's expression changed from concern to relaxed. "Everyone's just pleased to see you."
Seven held out the PADD. "I wanted your appraisal of something."
"What is it?" Taking it, Kathryn stepped close and the two settled into the chairs by the transparencies.
"A nebula I observed today," Seven said.
Kathryn's gaze moved over the rendering. "It's incredible."
"You can see it for yourself in three days when Voyager passes it."
"But you wanted me to see it now." Kathryn smiled and handed the PADD back. "Thank you. It truly is lovely."
"I wanted to share its beauty with you. Share that I feel it is beautiful," Seven said.
Kathryn's hand slid over Seven's and she smiled as their fingers twined. "It might make a nice print for your wall."
"Would you then come here again in three days to compare the image to the reality?"
"No comparison necessary. I do agree that reality is more beautiful than the most accurate rendering."
"I agree." Seven smiled and stood. "Instead of going to the mess hall, would you allow me to replicate our meal here?"
Since their fingers were tangled, Kathryn stood with her. "I'd like that."
Standing as they were together, Seven studied Kathryn's face, her brows, the soft aquiline ridge of her nose, the angle of her cheekbones...her lips… Following her desire, Seven dipped her head and met Kathryn's lips in a kiss. She cupped her free hand behind the woman's head, sifting her fingers indulgently in the silken strands of her auburn hair.
Kathryn's lips moved over hers briefly, tugging on her bottom lip, before ending the kiss. When Seven opened her eyes, she saw Kathryn's pupils had dilated and the pace of her breathing had increased. She noted absently that her own matched it. Kathryn separated her hand from Seven's and pressed it to the middle of her chest. "Dinner first."
Seven nodded. "Of course." She turned and walked to the replicator, pleasure sliding through her veins and receptors when she felt Kathryn's hand lightly touching the small of her back while walking along next to her. Reviewing the replicator menu, she searched her experiences – yes, they were all hers now, from Maryl's to Subaltern Lorot's – for an appropriate dish for a romantic meal. "Would you appreciate 'finger foods', Kathryn?" Seven asked. "My experience suggests that pleasure may be found in manually feeding one another."
Kathryn's chuckle was rich with many qualities and it started a flutter in Seven's chest. "It's very romantic," she agreed.
"Will it provide proper nutrition and sustenance?"
"Sharing finger foods might not sustain us, so much as make us more...hungry," she explained.
"That would seem to contradict Ensign Stone's pleasurable label."
"Someone you've consulted?"
"Someone whose memories I possess," Seven corrected.
"Ah," Kathryn said. "Human?"
"Yes."
"Female?"
"Yes."
"The pleasure being suggested by Ensign Stone," Kathryn stated, "is more about emotional sustenance."
"I see." Seven nodded. "I wish to explore us sharing this emotional sustenance."
Kathryn blushed. "All right." She nudged past Seven to the replicator. "Do you trust me to replicate suitable items?"
"Yes, of course."
Kathryn looked around the room. "Take the blanket and pillows from the bed and spread them on the floor for us to sit."
Kathryn couldn't remember the last time she had indulged in a romantic picnic. Certainly she'd never had such an openly responsive partner before Seven. She began simple, with a variety of cheeses, spiced meats, and pickled vegetables cultivated from all over the galaxy. She encouraged Seven to lay on her back and draped paper-thin bits and tiny balls onto the woman's tongue. When Seven lifted her hand to capture Kathryn's and lick some of the spiced oils from her fingers, Kathryn's stomach quivered.
"When will it be my turn to feed you?" Seven asked.
"Next course," Kathryn said. Hearing how rough her own voice had gotten from the arousal in her core, she popped a ball of cheese in her own mouth, chewing quickly to divert some of her attention. The pontacheu really was a delicious mix of salt and sweet.
Seven rolled to her side and her hand slid onto Kathryn's hip. "This course has been delicious. I am ready to move on."
Kathryn found herself turned gently on her back, head guarded by a careful hand. Then her body was covered with long, lanky former Borg. Propped on her elbows, Seven kissed and licked at the oils from the olives and spices from the meats that lingered on Kathryn's lips and tongue, giving over the flavors that lingered in her own mouth.
"You have not eaten nearly as much as you have served me," Seven said. "You are in need of sustenance, Kathryn."
"The chicken pineapple skewers," Kathryn said.
"Protein and sugars for energy." The tone sounded like Seven approved. When she rolled off, Kathryn started to sit up. "Stay."
Reclining on pillows, Kathryn watched Seven retrieve a skewer and slide the first bit of pineapple off the end. Their eyes met and Kathryn saw Seven smile.
"The tartness of this fruit is mellowed by the firing," Seven said. She brought it close to Kathryn's lips and the tiniest squeeze dripped juice on Kathryn's lips. She poked her tongue out to capture the flavor.
Seven's eyes never left her face. "Kathryn."
"Yes, Seven?"
"Please consume what you need to sustain yourself. I am feeling very aroused."
Kathryn chuckled. She grasped Seven's hand, caressing the fingers holding the pineapple and guiding them to her mouth. Holding Seven's gaze, she carefully bit the piece, chewed, and then grasped the other half between her teeth. Then she chased the drips of juice with her tongue down Seven's fingers to her knuckles.
Seven whined. The sound was so raw, so needy. Kathryn bit her lip to stop from laughing, though she couldn't help smiling.
"You need protein," Seven said.
The former Borg's fingers were shaking slightly as she pulled a piece from the skewer, the sauce slightly caramelized on its edges. Again maintaining eye contact with Seven, Kathryn guided the fingers holding the meat to her lips, bit into it, chewed and then consumed the rest, nibbling on Seven's fingers before finally pulling away.
The blonde's nostrils flared and her skin flushed with the delicate color of antique roses.
Kathryn understood Seven's arousal; she was feeling quite aroused herself. She just managed to clear her throat when Seven covered her again. She cupped the back of Seven's head, sifting through spiky blonde strands, as the other woman held herself up over her.
Lips left hers after a moment and moved to her jaw and throat. Then Seven's chest brushed hard against hers and she cried out at the sweet pressure against her stiffened nipples.
"I wish to take you to bed, Kathryn."
"Yes."
Seven stood and pulled Kathryn to her feet. Instinct pulled her to cup Kathryn's face and kiss her sweetly. "May I undress you?"
Kathryn's nod made Seven's stomach fill with flutters. She kissed her again while her fingers sought the top of the captain's uniform zipper.
Seven had parted the uniform top when Kathryn's hands came to rest on her chest. "What is it?"
"Can I undress you? Will you...is it safe to expose your skin?"
The care and concern touched her heart and Seven nodded. "Yes. I crave your touch, Kathryn."
The first naked touches were a revelation, both given and received. Seven's skin tingled wherever Kathryn's fingers strayed. And Seven's fingertips registered every variation in temperature and texture of Kathryn's skin from sternum to waist and the dimples in the small of her back.
They moved successfully to the bed and lay down facing one another. Her eyes followed her hands down the curves of Kathryn's chest, over the soft plain of her stomach, and to the fine hairs between Kathryn's thighs.
"Not yet." Pulling away from Seven's touch, Kathryn surveyed Seven's body in kind, smoothing over Borg implants without differentiation from the human skin. She kissed Seven's clavicle implant and then her lips slid down the curving skin, abruptly capturing a tight nipple with gentle teeth. Seven gasped.
Kathryn blew softly across the nub when she pulled back, and tingles went from Seven's breasts to her belly, which squeezed sharply with a need akin to hunger, causing her to groan. "Kathryn."
When Kathryn's fingers slid between Seven's thighs, Seven jerked at the sudden sensation. Kathryn eased back, gripping her thigh. "Hey," she said when Seven's eyes found her, "you okay?"
Seven nodded. Kathryn's fingers returned to her center. "Sensitive," she said.
"That's you all over, Seven, more sensitive than any one I've ever known."
Kathryn kissed her cheek then her lips, half curled over Seven as she moved between caressing Seven's thigh, stomach, and there. Just there. Seven's heart thrummed in her ears, for once overriding the low frequency hum of her implants. She closed her eyes. Kathryn's lips found hers once more and the multiple sensations, soft warmth on her tongue, satin pressure in her center, and the weight of Kathryn's leg atop hers sent her processors into overdrive.
Her body surged on wave after wave of sensation. "Omega!" she shouted as the harmoniously perfect element appeared explosively behind her lids.
(3 days later)
Kathryn hummed. She lay on her belly, sipping champagne and looking out the transparencies at the nebula Voyager was passing. A finger sliding across a rib made her jump. She had to catch the glass's rim before it spilled. "Seven," she warned.
"I apologize for hitting a sensitive spot, Kathryn."
However, the former Borg continued to caress Kathryn's naked skin, applying a lavender oil "recommended for its calming properties," she'd stated when Kathryn arrived for their dinner date that evening.
She glanced over at the detritus of their meal still on the table near the replicator. They'd eaten more conventionally this time. When Seven announced the nebula would be in view shortly, they had moved to the matched red chairs to share champagne and strawberries.
The nebula was truly spectacular, outshining the print that Seven had mounted on the wall. When Seven had been moved to tears, Kathryn reached out a hand. The touch had soothed her. As the massive galactic nursery loomed in the window, painting striations of color throughout the room, they'd moved on to other touches which had brought them to the bed for this gentle massage.
She felt her center twitch and knew, if she was aroused, Seven was nearly ready to jump out of her skin.
"Up, darling."
When her hips were free, Kathryn rolled onto her back and set aside her champagne flute. Holding Seven's gaze, she stroked up the warm strong arms, always taking care to equally touch implant and flesh. When she reached the woman's inner elbow, she felt the first quake from the body above her.
"Are you relaxed, Kathryn?" Seven's voice was just a touch breathless.
"I'm a little hungry actually."
She smirked up at Seven who smiled back. Lightly oiled Borg and human fingers slipped over Kathryn's skin before the woman fluidly laid next to Kathryn. They moved together into a shared kiss.
Seven broke the kiss and caressed Kathryn's face. "What?" Kathryn asked as Seven's fingers traced some of her lip and then down her chin.
"The colors the nebula are painting on your skin are fascinating."
Kathryn noticed the swirls of color appearing and disappearing across Seven's features too. Gently she traced them. Seven closed her eyes and smiled. "It's beautiful."
Seven opened her eyes. "Yes, beautiful."
