Part 14

Kathryn closed the screen door, her thoughts on Selene…well, mostly. She couldn't and wouldn't forget about that steamy kiss she and Seven shared just a moment ago. She felt warm all over as her body vibrated from the lingering sensation of Seven's lips on hers. Blinking, she finally gazed up to see her sister standing there and giving her a knowing smirk.

"What?"

Phoebe chuckled lightly. "That is more like it, and about damn time you did that."

Janeway shrugged it off. "Did what?"

"Oh please, I saw."

"You saw?" Kathryn heaved a sigh of innocence as she began to move around her sister and to the staircase, where she assumed her mother and Selene were.

Phoebe just shook her head. "Yeah okay, but just so you know I am happy for you, and I hope you hold on to it…her… both of them with both hands."

Kathryn halted her steps and swiveled back toward Phoebe. "Oh, I plan on it. By the way, try not to interrupt next time."

Phoebe giggled. "If I didn't, then what kind of little sister would I be?" she teased. She watched as Kathryn moved up the staircase, then turned her gaze to the window, waiting for Seven to return. "Hey," she greeted, when the blonde walked back inside.

Seven arched a slight eyebrow at the younger Janeway. "Hello," she nodded. "Are they upstairs?"

"Yeah, but I need to tell you something first."

"All right, proceed."

Phoebe exhaled and moved in closer. "You brought her here and let my sister fall in love her. Please, don't keep that little girl from her ever again."

"I don't ever plan on it. She is Kathryn's daughter just as much as she is mine. Also, you are her aunt, and I promise you that Selene will always remain part of your family," Seven told her, then her tone hardened. "But you need to remember that applies to you as well. Don't become part of her life now, and then later decide you're too busy for her."

Phoebe blinked, not at all expecting to hear that. "That little girl in there is a Janeway, and we never turn our backs on family."

"Good, just keep it that way and we won't have a problem."

Just then Gretchen appeared at the top of the staircase. "Seven," she acknowledged. "Kathryn is just tucking Selene in. I put fresh towels in the bathroom, and I even took the liberty of getting a few items from Phoebe I thought you might need."

Seven eyed Gretchen then glanced toward Phoebe. "Thank you, but I have all I need right here." She patted a hand to small satchel she had flung over her shoulder. "I even have some things for Selene."

"Oh," Gretchen swallowed. "I um," she breathed as she began down the steps. "I actually bought her a some things a few weeks back," she admitted embarrassingly.

A tiny grin of understanding split Seven's lips. "I see."

Gretchen took the last step and was now on the first floor. "I hope that is okay."

Seven moved a little closer to the older woman. "Of course it is," she inhaled. "You are her grandmother. I was just telling Phoebe I would love for you the two of you to remain an important role in her life from here on out."

"Oh, of course," Gretchen stated excitedly, and couldn't help but sweep Seven up in a huge hug.

Seven finally managed to make it upstairs and checked in on Selene, who was already fast asleep. She showered and changed into the gown she had brought with her, then slowly crept into the room Gretchen had directed her to stay.

She swallowed and shut the door behind her, then startled when she heard Kathryn gasp. She had no idea that she would be in here waiting on her, and had assumed that she was staying with Gretchen or Phoebe.

"Kathryn," she exhaled softly, turning to greet the other woman.

"Seven," Kathryn rasped. "Where…." She faded off, too choked up to finish as she stared at the blonde. Her raced from seeing her looking so beautiful….so sensual. Where did she get that nightgown?

Seven took a tentative step closer, and right away she noticed how distraught Kathryn was, and her heart leapt up with worry. "Are you okay?"

"You're beautiful," she murmured softly. Her eyes never left Seven's, even though she wanted to scan and take in every inch of her body in this garment she was wearing. It was as if it was see through in some areas, yet then it seemed as if her eyes were playing tricks on her.

Seven dipped her head as a bashful smile stretched out on her lips. "Thank you. And I could say the same about you," she husked, taking in Kathryn's sleep attire. It wasn't anything like her own, just a lightweight sleeping gown, but seeing her this way made her fingers tingled, aching to reach out and touch the skin that peeked out of the fabric.

Kathryn blinked again, her throat suddenly dry as desire ran through her veins, and it took her a minute to get it together. "So," she began, clearing her throat. "What side of the bed do you prefer?"

"I have no preference," Seven quickly answered. "You choose," she said with a sensual smile. "How was Selene?"

Kathryn couldn't help but stare as they walked over to the bed. She was certain that Seven had worn this particular nightgown just to torture her. Snapping out of it she blinked. "Selene was basically already asleep when I got into the room. She is so precious, Seven."

Seven neared the bed, then slowly peeled away the very thin robe and placed it gently by the nightstand before pulling down the duvet so she could slide into the sheets. "She must have been exhausted; it was a big day for her," Seven commented. She was feeling somewhat tired herself, but nothing would keep her from staying alert tonight.

Kathryn quietly gulped, her heart racing. She was starting to question whether she would survive this night as she sucked in a huge breath before finally climbing in beside the very woman she had dreamed of being with for years. Maybe I'm dreaming right now, she thought to herself, and decided if that was the case, she didn't want to wake up.

"Good night, Kathryn," Seven husked.

Janeway felt her companion move and then suddenly the warmth from the blonde's body was enveloping her own. Before she could answer, she felt Seven's lips hover over her mouth for just a split second before they gently brushed her own in an affectionate kiss.

Kathryn felt frozen, or else she would have reached up and pulled her back in, or at least kissed her back. It took Seven moving to her own pillow for her to finally find her voice.

"Goo….goodnight, Seven," she rasped, then after another minute she heard the younger woman's even breathing by her ear, and couldn't help but blurt out, "I'm so happy you are here," she stated, turning on her side to face the other woman.

"I am happy also."

Kathryn's entire body was reacting to the proximity of this woman. Her lips were still burning from the kiss, her fingers tingled, longing to touch the smooth skin underneath that gown, her arms ached to hold her. Her heart raced in anticipation, urging her forward, yet the butterflies roaring in her gut kept chickening out. Finally, she bolted up. "I don't know if I can do this."

Seven leaned up as well, concern filling her eyes, which she had to force to adjust in the darkened room. Her heart sunk at the thought that perhaps Kathryn was not ready for her or Selene after all. "Can't do what?"

Janeway sharply inhaled as she finally dared to look at the woman beside her. "I can't just sleep in here with you like this. I thought I could, but I don't have enough willpower to just lie here," she blurted. "It's too hard, especially since…..I just can't," she faded off.

Seven opened her mouth to respond, but wasn't sure what to say.

"Maybe I should just go sleep on the couch," Kathryn rambled, then began to inch her way out of the bed.

Stunned, Seven was not prepared for that, but she knew she couldn't let her do this. They had come too far. She swiftly snatched Kathryn's hand and pulled her back. "Please, don't leave. I mean, have I done something? Do my implants repulse you now….or….um….I could put my robe back on….I cou…"

"No!" Kathryn cried out. "It's nothing at all like that," she told her in a low tone. Her eyes sought out Seven's, although she could barely make them out in the dark. "The truth is, I just don't trust myself….well….being this close to you," she finally admitted, her voice strained with a hunger and need that she knew sounded desperate. "God, I sound awful." She placed her hands over her face in embarrassment.

Seven inwardly quirked a smile, understanding completely since she was feeling the exact same way. She couldn't help but shake her head at how absurd they were both being. She realized that this was now on her to make the first move or else she could very well lose this woman again, and she was not about to let that happen. She leaned in slowly until her lips were a mere inch from Kathryn's ear.

"May I touch you, Kathryn?"

Janeway's breath caught and her body shivered with eager anticipation and years of pent up desire for this woman, and a low moan reverberated through her.

"Yes, please. You can do much more than just touch me," she voiced, her eyes widening at her truthful confession.

Seven did not waste a single second as her fingers began to trickle down Kathryn's arms with a very light touch. She felt the other woman shiver as the breaths that fell from her lips quickened.

"Seven," Janeway groaned. Her body was dangerously slipping off the edge with just the slightest of touches.

"I just need to know one thing," Seven husked, a bit hesitant.

"Anything." Kathryn didn't even care about how needy she sounded, all she wanted was to feel this woman's sensual touch.

"If we do this, and tomorrow you tell me that this was a mistake," she paused to swallow down the lump building in her throat before continuing. "Well, I don't know what I'd do."

The sadness in her voice broke Kathryn's heart, and she drew up so she was closer to the blonde, reaching out to trace her the pads of her fingers against strong biceps. "Never," she immediately replied, gently reaching up to cup Seven's cheeks. "You told me earlier that I held your heart." She smiled when she felt the former Borg nod into her palm. "Well, I swear to you that you hold mine as well. You always have," she rasped, then leaned in even more until their breaths mingled.

"I love you. I've loved you for so long, that I can't recall not loving you," she confessed.

She felt the younger woman tremble and then a tiny sob erupted from her throat, and her heart ached at the pain she had put this woman through. She went to pull her in for a hug when Seven lunged forward, plump lips touching hers with a hunger that and need that matched her own. As soon as their lips connected, she felt her body explode with that same fire that always burned for this woman, yet this time it was all consuming as it raged through her, igniting heated sparks in every cell of her body and making her growl into the kiss.

Mouths parted, chests rose and fell as they pulled apart just enough to catch their breaths, their eyes locked onto one another's as arms and legs shifted, pulling them even closer. Kathryn's heart skipped a beat with the knowledge that she was about to hold this woman in her arms, and this time, she would not let anything, not even Starfleet protocols, get in the way of what she wanted.

And all that she wanted was to surrender herself to Seven, give herself, heart, body, and soul to this woman and show her exactly how she felt. The burning heat radiated off of Seven's body that melted against hers, leaving no doubt that Seven wanted her just as much.

Suddenly, Seven felt as if she had transported back….back to when they were the only two people on that planet….and she felt her body and heart buzz with that same feeling of euphoria.

Pulses raced as mouths once again sought out the other. They kissed, tongues meeting as moans mingled out into the quiet room. Splashes of heat spread throughout and settling low, vibrating stronger with each caress.

Touches became more hungry, more demanding, as Seven heard the other inhale a sharp breath, then felt fingernails clawing at her back when she softly cupped a small breast and kneaded it through the fabric of the nightgown. She pulled her lips away just enough so she could speak.

"I love you too, Kathryn. I tried not to, but I failed. My heart has always belonged to you."

Janeway felt the power of that heartfelt confession pulsate through her entire soul. "I love you so much," she husked, choking back a sob. "I want you," she whispered. "And I need you." Her entire body was screaming for this woman's touch. "Please," she whispered.

Forgetting everything that had kept them apart for so long, Seven drew up and slipped off her gown, her eyes never leaving Kathryn's. Her heart pounded as she slowly began to slide the other woman's gown up her legs.

Kathryn felt her body tighten under Seven's sizzling gaze and heated touch, and she swallowed, trying to find her voice. Seven was barely touching her, yet she felt like a loaded missile teetering on the edge.

"You're so beautiful," Seven breathed, as she lowered herself onto the older woman.

Kathryn's eyes closed as she felt the impact of those words, and she surrendered herself to this woman who was so completely and thoroughly loving her. She let go, feeling as if she might melt as the warmth spread through every part of her body.

Seven had felt this before when they had made love for the first time, but she hadn't thought it would just a one time thing. So this time, she was determined not to let that happen. She twined their fingers together, lifting them over Kathryn's head and holding them there as she slid in between the her thighs.

"Don't let me go," she murmured.

"Never," Kathryn immediately responded, arching her neck up and crashing their lips together in a passionate kiss. "You are mine." She reached up and pulled the blonde back down. Her breath caught in her throat at the sensation of smooth skin sliding across her own, and for a split second she found it hard to believe that they were finally together like this again. As Seven glided against her, they moaned in ecstasy as their wetness filled each other, and Kathryn once again closed her eyes, making a silent vow to never take this woman for granted again.

For the first time since their night on that planet, Seven felt as if she were truly alive. Her skin quivered from the building rapture as their bodies moved together in perfect rhythm. Suddenly, she was there, as her body shivered from head to toe, and she tried with all her might to hold it off, but her efforts were futile and no match for Kathryn's quivering breaths and quiet grunts. And when she felt eager hands pulling them tighter together just before Kathryn climaxed, her own climax exploded through her with an unexpected jolt, and the knowledge that they had orgasmed together only intensified the sensations, making this better than she had remembered it all those years ago.