A.N. Short ficlet I wrote over the last few days. This is something I thought of while I was watching season one of ST: Picard. This is also me getting side-tracked from my other stories. Note for FF. Net: Tagging this sucked. There wasn't even a character option for Bjayzl. I did the best I could.
Remembrance
Seven recognized the feeling of warm kisses trailing up her back. They pressed firm to her skin but the fire they once brought had long since dulled, and the distinct smell of brewed coffee filling the morning air was replaced with leather and crisp perfume.
Her eyes blinked open to metallic ship bulkheads, not the cozy farmhouse in her dreams.
"Morning beautiful." A kiss pressed to the crook of her neck, but it didn't sting with pleasure, only imitated its rudimentary form. The lips didn't linger or tenderly tug at her skin like she remembered. Seven clenched her jaw at the heat stirring between her legs. Such a primitive physical response stole control of her body, made her ache for more even if she fought it. Hands took her shoulders, squeezed, not strong and protective but greedy and lustful.
The dark-haired woman dressed in her Ranger gear flopped down to the bedspace beside her, looking into her eyes. "I'm going to go scout. Wanna come?"
Before Seven could answer, a mischievous smirk stretched across Bjayzl's face. The woman lifted from the bed, hovering over Seven's back on all fours, moistening her lips as her brown eyes ran along Seven's skin. "Or..." She kissed the spot between Seven's shoulder blades. "I can make you come another way." A hand teased the sheet at Seven's waist and slipped under then down her front; the edges of Bjayzl's leather jacket scraping along Seven's bare back with a gentle rake.
Catching the hand, Seven rolled onto her back before those fingers could dip into her. "Am I ever going to get a moment of rest with you?" She smiled but hated the guilt that lingered at how her desperation kept her from breaking things off when her intuition told her nothing was the same between them. How she hoped for too long that people could change for the better. Someone once told her to trust, to give people a chance. That advice kept leading her to disappointment.
"Maybe. Maybe not."
Tan fingers touched Seven's abdomen, ghosting the implants meshed with her skin. Those brown eyes inspected her with awe but held less love each day. Jay wasn't the fierce ranger she'd come to love. This woman was corrupted by shadows, drawing inspiration from the very people they struck down.
Bjayzl laid beside her, her finger coming to Seven's face, tracing the arch of Seven's ocular implant. Seven flinched, a pit in her stomach at the way those eyes examined her Borg implants with unwavering fascination.
"Jay." Seven took the hand by the wrist and pulled it away. "Go, I'm staying here."
"That's rare for you." Bjayzl's gaze flicked to Seven's; a suspicious glint in her eyes visible for only a second, and a long second it was. "Okay."
The apprehensive thump in Seven's chest softened as Bjayzl pushed from the bed and stood. Seven sat up, taking the sheet with her.
"See ya in a bit."
A wink came Seven's way and Bjayzl sauntered out of the room.
5 years earlier
Kisses up her back and a warm hand wandering along her side. Her spine tingled at the sensation.
"Good morning." A husky voice entered Seven's ear as the bed shifted. She smiled as two arms scooped her into an embrace; soft, woolen fabric against her skin; the fresh scent of the Admiral's duty uniform drawing into her nose with each inhale. Seven's hand found Kathryn's thigh before she opened her eyes.
"I'll be at headquarters all day. Meet me for lunch?"
Seven held a small but blissful smile where she lay in the Admiral's lap. "I'll be there."
A quick kiss came to her temple, but it was too soon to let it escape. Seven's eyes opened and she pushed away from the bed, using the Admiral's thigh for stability as she took the uniform into her grasp and pulled Kathryn closer. Kathryn's hand came over hers, easing her want as the Admiral smiled.
"I can't stay longer." The Admiral stroked Seven's loose hair. Her hand warmed Seven's cheek and soon did a kiss in the same spot. She slipped from beneath Seven and off the bed, her boots clacking against the floor with haste. "I'm already cutting it close." Kathryn suddenly sounded like the Admiral she was, commanding and resolute.
Seven sat against the headboard, pulling the sheet over her nakedness as she patiently watched Kathryn hurry to the bedroom door.
The Admiral halted mid-step.
"What is it?"
Kathryn stood in the middle of the room, a grateful smile emerging. She turned and hurried to Seven's side, Seven welcoming the invigorating kiss on her lips a moment later; Kathryn's hands on her cheeks, pulling her close.
Seven took the uniform into her hands, the sheet forgotten. She pulled the Admiral over her, Kathryn unable to escape her Borg-enhanced strength.
These kisses, Seven never took them for granted; her eyes closing as she remembered every moment of Kathryn's lips and the confident promise they sealed.
"Seven...you have to let me go." The Admiral managed from the corner of her mouth.
Seven smiled, the Admiral's body warming her skin. "And if I don't want to?"
They talked between kisses.
"I won't be part of Starfleet much longer. The Admiral can't be late four days in a row."
"I doubt mild tardiness is a reason for discharging you."
The Admiral broke the kiss with a smile, resting her forehead to Seven's. "Okay. I've really got to go." With a quick peck, Kathryn gave Seven a final kiss. "Love you."
Seven let go. "Love you too."
Kathryn pulled away and their gazes met. Not a moment later she rushed out of the room without looking back. "Meet me at 1."
Present
The sheet clenched in her right hand and her brow furrowed at her empty ring finger.
Starfleet. She hated the name. It took everything from her.
