Chapter 4 – Last Night
"We'll turn this better thing
To the best of all we can offer,
just a rogue kiss
Tangled tongues and lips
See me this way
I'm turning and turning for you...
...All we are is wasting hours until the sun comes up
it's all ours
On our way here
Tomorrow go back to being friends."
- David J. Matthews
=/\=
"Sleep well, Kathryn." Voice, sweet and sultry.
Lips leave the gift behind on her skin, warm and loving.
She turns, hands reaching. "Again," she whispers darkly.
He lowers himself slowly. Places a kiss to her temple.
Her eyes close as she commands, "Again".
He kisses her cheek this time, lingering. Warm breath on her skin, sweet and enticing.
"Again."
He crosses her face, slowly, taking too long. Lips press carefully against velvet skin.
"Again."
Lips unfold and unite, touching softly as warmth spreads. Her body electric. Wanting. Seduction ravages and grips tightly.
Body refuses to surrender, bound tightly to passion. It turns with yearning, shaking core.
"Again."
Lips part. Tongues dive searching. Her hands find his face. A light stubble grazing fingertips.
They part, desire surging, never ceasing. She pulls back sheets, exposing heated skin.
"Touch me."
Aching anticipation as softness overwhelms and palms lie flat discovering unexplored heated flesh, yearning for surrender. Prick, electric, fingertips dipping, flicking. Arched back gravitates toward him as lips and tongue travel new skin, and the floor rises to meet her as the darkness consumes.
=/\=
Janeway rolled over, eyes opening as the shadows of her dream started to dissipate. Her head throbbed and she peered through slit eyes into the dim light of the room. Her hand shot out and she felt the space beside her, vacant and cold.
She sighed heavily and curled within the sheets.
Nude, a light sweat covered her body, and as she moved, the images of the dream resonated and gripped her middle.
Her eyes opened with surprise as the consciousness of the dream stirred within her - Kathryn Janeway was aroused.
Again.
She ran a hand lightly over her body. Yes, aroused.
She sighed again and closed her eyes, begging the images to leave her.
Lips leave the gift behind on her skin, warm and loving.
She groaned and turned again. A shower was in order.
She pulled back the sheets and sat, hands immediately gripping her head. Her temple throbbed. Pain shot out from behind her eyes. How many had she had last night?
She stood reluctantly and trudged across the floor to her bathroom.
The soft light glowed behind her mirror. Her hair was a mess, tousled, in complete disarray. She ran her hands through it and leaned forward. Her skin was white with a green hue. The only color graced her cheeks, remnants from her dream. She placed her index finger to her bottom lip and flicked it gently, slowly.
Lips unfold and unite, touching softly as warmth spreads.
She rolled her eyes and turned. "Computer, commence High-Pitch Sonic Shower."
She stepped within and let the warmth rise as the pulse resonated, touching all parts of her body. A cloud rose to envelope her, and she closed her eyes.
Touch me.
Her hands followed the narrative in her head. She gasped, breath restrained as the heat rose within her, and the blood rushed to her head. She ran a hand down her body, dipped within her middle, spreading her lips.
His head lowers and dips between her legs. Fingers and lips and opens for him. Tongue shoots out, licking, expertly flicking.
She gasped for breath. Water flooded her mouth and she swallowed.
"You taste so good."
"You feel so good." She quickened her pace. "Please don't stop."
Tongue continued. Lips suckled. A hand shot up to her breast.
She gripped her nipple between her fingers and tugged slightly. "I've wanted you for so long."
"I've wanted you for so long."
A fresh wave hit her and she pushed toward her hand. Her free hand trailed down her stomach to her side.
"This feels so good."
"You feel good."
Knees weakening, she bucked against the shower wall for leverage, allowed her eyes to open slightly and flutter close.
"Are you going to cum for me?"
She moaned. "I am."
Her breathing was becoming erratic - her middle gripped.
"Please…"
She arched her back as the burst shot through her, taking her air with it, darkening her eyes, and she shook.
She gasped and turned, placing her head against the wall of the shower. She inhaled deeply as the images left her. Warmth spread to her cheeks and she sighed, and she continued to take in breath until it became easier and her focus returned.
=/\=
Her head continued to throb as she entered her Ready Room. She turned to the figure seated on her couch. Chakotay sat up, putting a PADD down, and moved to the edge of the seat. He was freshly pressed, freshly shaven, and he smiled as she entered, big and wide.
Coffee awaited her and she moved across the floor and up to him.
"Good morning," he greeted and he began pouring her a cup.
"Morning." Her hands grasped at air as she waited for him to finish.
"How's the head?"
She held her mug with two hands, letting the aroma and warmth hit her face. She never took her eyes from the dark liquid as she sat. "I think it has its own heartbeat".
He chuckled. "That bad?"
She brought the cup to her lips and sipped. "That bad."
"I'm sure the doctor can give you something."
"I'll be all right once my head stops trying to detach from my body."
"Stop being so stubborn." Chakotay pressed his combadge. "Chakotay to The Doctor".
"Go ahead."
"Can we see you in the Captain's Ready Room?"
Without an answer, the Doctor appeared before them.
"I take it walking would take too long," Chakotay teased.
"It's a busy morning, Commander. Let me guess," he said, quickly turning to the Captain. "Headache, nausea, a general 'Why did I indulge in so many'?"
She nodded, looking up with sad eyes.
"Captain, maybe you could relay a message to Starfleet for me?" He brought out a hypospray and fiddled with its controls.
"What's that?" she asked, turning her neck so he could administer the medicine.
"The next time they want to send any "gifts", suggest they send a medical staff along with it?"
"I'll be sure to-"
He pressed his combadge. "One to beam to sickbay," he interrupted.
"Well, that's that then," Chakotay mused as the Doctor vanished. He poured himself a fresh cup.
The Captain placed her cup in her lap, eyes wide in surprise, and turned her attention to Chakotay finally. "Did I just get lectured?"
"Won't be the last time."
A wide grin spread to her face. They were quiet for a moment and the seconds ticked by in comfort until the images started to flood her brain again.
He kisses her cheek this time, lingering. Warm breath on her skin, sweet and enticing.
She sighed softly. "Do you have a report?" she finally asked, gesturing toward the PADD in front of him.
He shook his head. "No. I just wanted to see how you are doing this morning."
Her shoulders slumped forward. "Was I that bad?"
He grinned, wide, teeth showing. "No, but the Doctor was worried about you."
Images of the night before returned to her. He had held her hand as they sat cuddled on the couch. Safe and warm, leaned against him. Had it been appropriate, she wondered. And wasn't he looking for Seven? Where had she been? Studying? Yes, she thought. That's what he had said.
And now, here he was, presenting coffee, checking up on her. Her heart suddenly felt heavy, and she looked up at him.
Her body electric. Wanting. Seduction ravages and grips tightly.
She sighed, heavier this time, unable to hide it from him.
He cocked his head. "Are you okay?"
She waved him off. "My head is out of sorts, but I'll be fine."
"It's been a while."
"Touch me."
She looked up as she choked on her coffee. Her cheeks flushed again, "I'm sorry?"
"Since you have had a drink," he remarked. He searched her inquisitively., his eyes trailed to her lips.
She exhaled long and slow. "Yes, it's been a while."
She was quiet again, sipped her coffee and avoided his eyes. The images continued to creep up into her brain, torturing her – an unrelenting weakness.
"Commander," she began. "Thank you for the coffee, but I have a very busy day ahead."
He smiled and placed his cup on the table in front of them. "Yes," he inhaled. "You're right. I'll leave you to it."
"I'll be contacting Starfleet Command today," she said as he stood. "I'll be making final preparations for the remaining Maquis, the Equinox crew, for Icheb," she paused, "and Seven."
He straightened the sleeves of his uniform and folded his hands behind his back.
And off his silence, "Do you have any special requests?" She sipped. "For Seven, I mean."
He pressed his lips together and narrowed his eyes toward her. "No, Captain," he confessed. "I'm sure you will do what is best for everyone."
"Very well," she smiled slightly. "I'll be sure to keep you informed."
He returned another awkward smile. Turning toward the door, he stopped short. "There is one thing," he started.
"Which is?"
"Our last night." His words echoed in her ready room, a foreboding of the emptiness that was to come. "Have dinner with me? One last time."
She nodded. "You're on, Commander." She reached forward to pour another cup. "One week. My quarters. 1900 hours."
"I'll bring the wine."
"Oh, and Commander?"
"Yes."
"Don't be late."
"Aye, Captain."
=/\=
It was only mid-morning when the doors to her Ready Room opened for what seemed to be the hundredth time that day.
"You wanted to see me, Captain?"
"Yes, Seven." She motioned to the space beside her on her couch. "Please have a seat."
Seven stared at her and raised an eyebrow. She remained motionless.
Janeway's brow came together. "For me?"
Seven complied, sat, and clasped her hands together in her lap. She tilted her head toward her Captain.
Janeway took a breath. "I'll be discussing the final release of the remaining crew with Starfleet today. This will include you and Icheb." She smiled slightly. "I'd like to make a special request to have you leave the ship with Tuvok and the rest of the senior staff. He will be able to look out for your best interests when you take your first steps on Earth."
"Captain," Seven said, nodding obediently.
The Captain stood and made her way across the room to her desk. She returned with a small folded bundle in her hands. "And when you leave, I'd like you to wear this." She placed the bundle in Seven's outstretched hands.
Seven looked upon it, tightly folded, a Starfleet uniform, Sciences Division. "But Captain," she said, astonished by the gift in her hands. "I am not Starfleet."
"No, you're not." She sat back down beside her. "But in my opinion, it is only a matter of time before you wear one. You have done more for this ship than any Starfleet Academy student could even dream. You'll be miles ahead of them in no time, should you pursue it. Starfleet would be lucky to have you," she paused. "and Icheb." She reached out and took Seven by the hand. "You would be promoted in a heartbeat."
"That's surely to upset Ensign Kim."
The smile spread slowly to Janeway's face. She beamed with pride. "Very funny."
"I'm honored to wear it, Captain."
Tears welled in Janeway's eyes. "You have come so far, Seven. I am so proud of you." She smiled as her tears fell. "I hope you know that."
"I do, Captain."
"Good." She released a held breath. "How are you feeling? About the return."
"I believe I would be lying if I didn't say I was a little apprehensive."
"That's fair." Janeway moved to the end of her seat. "Seven, do you trust me?"
"I do."
"I ask you to trust me now. I won't let any harm come to you, or Icheb." She squeezed Seven's hand and was surprised when she returned the sentiment. "I feel we are on the verge of something here, and I want to remind you that your transformation doesn't end with Voyager. I won't abandon you." She smiled. "I promise."
"I know."
"I will truly free you from The Collective, Seven. I will give you back your human form."
A tear fell from Seven's eye, and Janeway watched it trail her cheek. She cocked her head and reached forward to pull it from her skin.
"I am grateful for you Captain." Seven confessed. "You have always kept me in your best interests."
And it was true. The Captain had always kept Seven under her watchful eye, always looking for a new lesson to teach her. But as much as she had hoped Seven would look to her for guidance, it was Janeway who had relied so heavily on the former Borg drone.
Janeway looked out her window at Earth. "Seven, I owe you more than I can ever repay you. Much like the rest of this crew. And giving you back your human life will be my final mission." She looked up at the ceiling of the room. "Even after I leave this ship."
Seven stood suddenly and looked down at the Captain who slowly rose to her feet. She opened her arms and the Captain stepped into them. They held each other for a moment.
"Your mission has already been a success, Captain. You have already freed me from The Collective, and given me a human life." Seven squeezed the Captain by the shoulders, perhaps a bit too tightly. "I have been lucky to call you, 'Captain'. I am even luckier to call you, 'friend'."
=/\=
"How are you, Admiral?"Janeway said, looking down at her computer and the image of Admiral Owen Paris on screen.
"Doing well, Captain? And your crew? How are they holding up?"
Janeway leaned back in her Ready Room chair. "Anxious to get home."
"I can see why."
"You must be anxious as well." Janeway smiled wide. "To see Tom, I mean."
"Yes," Admiral Paris returned her smile. "And his new family." He leaned forward. "How is little Mirel?"
"Thriving." Janeway looked down at her hands. "She is the tiniest, most precious little thing."
The Admiral closed his eyes slowly and opened them again, releasing a heavy sigh. "I can't wait to see her but we are nearly there, Captain. I will be contacting you later this week with the final departures and your final orders."
"Thank you, Sir." Janeway offered a fleeting smile. "Have you had time to review my formal request for my remaining senior staff?"
"Yes." He fiddled with a PADD in his hand. "Is this regarding your former Borg drone? This Seven of Nine, Ter-" He paused looking down at his device, "Tertiary Adjunct..."
"Of Unimatrix Zero-One." Janeway looked down to her hands as she fidgeted. "I would like to keep her under the watchful eye of Lieutenant Commander Tuvok, Sir."
"Your write-up on her is commendable, Captain. I must say when word reached Starfleet of your additional crew members, some of them being former Borg drones, many heads turned here at Command."
"I can imagine, but as you see-"
"We are willing to allow this Seven of Nine to remain under the supervision of the Lieutenant Commander, due to her commendable rapport with you."
"Thank you, sir. I really must-"
"Kathryn..." he sighed.
"Yes, Sir." Janeway straightened, suddenly being brought back to her days under his command aboard the USS Al-Batani.
"Unfortunately, this Icheb is still listed in today's manifest to embark at 1500 hours."
"Sir-"
The Admiral held up a hand. "I am sorry, Kathryn. My hands seem to be tied at the moment."
"I really must insist that Seven and Icheb remain together." She sighed. "The boy is young and naive to Earth's customs. There's no telling what kind of affliction he will be subjected to from the public."
"Again, I am sorry," he continued. "But I promise no harm will befell the lad. And we have ensured that he will be returning to crew quarters at Starfleet like the rest of your crew while final provisions and arrangements can be made. You will all be able to meet with him later this week."
She nodded obediently. "Yes, Admiral." She titled her head, straightened her shoulders. "And the Equinox crew?"
"Today as well. With several of the Maquis. Except-" He scrolled on his PADD. "All except B'Elanna and your Commander Chakotay. I do not see them on today's manifest. I'm assuming they will returning later this week with you and the rest of the senior staff."
"Thank you, Sir."
He leaned back in his chair. "I must say, Captain. Starfleet Command is anxious to hear your reasoning for making a leader of the Maquis your First Officer."
"He was the most logical choice given the circumstances, Admiral." She flushed thinking of him "And continues to be."
"I expect it to be in your report."
"It will be."
"Excellent." He folded his hands in front of him and narrowed his small eyes at her. "Well, until next time then, Captain."
"Until then."
An END TRANSMISSION message flashed across the screen of her computer and Janeway closed the program.
Lips part. Tongues dive searching. Her hands find his face.
She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. This was going to prove to be the longest week in history.
=/\=
The days went by just as she expected - dreadfully slow.
Icheb had left the ship with the crew of the Equinox as planned. Like many others from the ship, he leapt at the opportunity to depart, excited for his unknown, ready for the promise of continuing his studies. His exuberance was lost on Seven, who showed little to no emotion as he left.
Dressed in her new sciences' blue, she blended with the crew, her optical Borg implant barely noticeable. She did her best to hold it together, but as Icheb embarked, Janeway had seen out of the corner of her eye, the nervous flick of a finger; the tug at the corner of Seven's mouth.
The former drone's emotions were growing rapidly each day.
It was a solemn week, and she filled her time with more goodbyes and more of her report to Starfleet, Seven ever helpful with organizing the last seven years for her. Her fingers were tired from typing, her eyes tired from crying.
And here they were – the last night on the ship. A night haunted by the unknown that awaited her, which lurked in the shadows of the ship, longing to take her into its clutches with the coming morning hours.
And here they were – the last night dinner that she had planned with Chakotay, whose presence had been scarce once again, locked away meditating somewhere, searching for guidance on Holodeck 1.
When she thought of him, she would ask the Computer to locate him, carefully tracking his every move. Wondering what he was thinking about and if it was of her.
Janeway paced her bathroom and checked her reflection in the mirror for a third time. She straightened her shirt and tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear.
She had dressed in her favorite navy blue blouse, sleeves long and loosely flowing. She loved the way the color darkened her blue eyes, making them hauntingly mesmerizing.
All that was needed was his arrival, for the replicator to finish the meal. She checked the time. Two minutes to seven.
She walked across her floor to the replicator. She had tinkered with it all week uninstalling and installing the program, loading and reloading the recipe. She had turned the machine inside out in an attempt to fix it.
Just one last time, she begged it, one last meal. One perfect evening.
She was hungry for it. Longed for one last night free from mishap – full of celebration, of release.
Her door chimed and she looked up. Her breath was heavy, heartbeat quickening, but she pushed it down.
She took one last sigh and said, "Come in."
He entered and she could hear her heart resonating in her head. She smiled at him, silently begging her insides to stop from turning. It was just Chakotay. Her Chakotay.
He looked relaxed in an untucked cream colored shirt and navy pant.
"Right on time," she mused. She pursed her lips as he neared.
"A promise is a promise, Captain." He held up a wine bottle. "Red. I hope that is okay."
"Roasted Aubergine and Tomato Curry," she said to the replicator, and she turned to look up at him. "I hope you're hungry."
He took a step toward her. Their fingers gently touched as he handed her the bottle. She could smell the cologne he wore. His voice lowered, "I'm famished."
She looked down at his lips as he licked them. "Well," she choked. "I better let this breathe then."
She stepped from him and released a breath, grabbing the decanter and bottle opener from the table, she uncorked the bottle and began to pour the dark, red liquid.
"You've been scarce this week, Chakotay," she said breaking the tension in the room.
"I've been taking a peaceful retreat," he began. "I've been searching within for the next path to take. One that would give me joy. And peace." He paused, "And love."
"And were you successful?" she questioned hesitantly.
His eyes carefully searched her face. "Time will tell."
She inhaled quickly and prayed he had not heard the quiver it held. "And do you think this path will give you peace?"
He stepped toward her. "Oh, I believe so."
"You'll have to tell me how you came to this realization," she added. "I've been struggling with the path before me."
"That can be arranged."
The replicator chimed. Lost in his words, she walked toward it and reached out for the dish, grabbing its handles.
Caution, the item may be hot.
Janeway screamed out in pain. "Every. Damn. Time!" she shrieked.
He quickly bound toward her, reaching out for her hands. "Let me see." She gave her hands to him and he turned them, examining her fingers and palms.
"That thing has it out for me, you know?"
"Does it hurt?" he questioned. He parted his lips and blew softly over her open palms. He raised his head, averted her gaze. "One small cool compress," he said turning to the replicator.
She grimaced as he retrieved and placed the compress in her hands. "Thank you."
"Always," he said, his voice barely a whisper.
He held her eyes as he shifted toward her creating a comfortable warmth between them, and his eyes fell to her lips. He licked his own.
Body refuses to surrender, bound tightly to passion. It turns with yearning, shaking core.
And as she moved toward him, shortening the gap between them -
"Doctor to The Captain."
She sighed, pulling back. "Go ahead, Doctor."
"Could I see you on Holodeck 1?"
Someone was screaming near him. "What's wrong, Doctor?"
"It's an emergency."
She shared a confused look with Chakotay, but it faded quickly. Suddenly they recognized whose voice was booming from the Doctor's combadge. - It was Seven.
"I'm here with the Commander. Should he be accompanying me?" she asked.
"... "
"Doctor!"
"That won't be necessary, Captain." The Doctor grunted. "Please. Hurry," he pleaded.
"I'll be right there."
Janeway remained motionless. She had been unaware he was still cradling her hands.
His hands finally fell from her. "You had better hurry." He took a step back, watched as she searched the room, then added, "I've got this."
=/\=
She could still feel his fingertips on her hands, a phantom touch emanating as she waited impatiently for the lift doors to open.
The Captain ran off the lift and down to Holodeck 1. The Doctor had seemed frantic, and she hurriedly entered a code on the pad on the door panel and the door opened to simulated crew living quarters.
The room was warm and inviting, and very spacious. Soft blue light glowed from the sconces on the wall. A small kitchenette was to her right, a dinner partly prepared sat on an island.
A roar greeted her ears, breaking her examination of the room and she looked up to see the Doctor hiding behind a turned-over couch, clutching his medical case. A book hurdled through the air towards the Doctor and he deflected it with his medical case.
"Your assistance, please," the Doctor requested nearly breathless.
"Seven?" she started. "It's the Captain."
She peered around the corner as a flower vase flew through the air toward her. She dodged it just before it made contact, hitting the wall behind her and shattering. She bent low and moved to meet the doctor behind the couch.
"Seven?" Janeway continued. "Can we talk about this?"
A chair now flew through the air hitting a nearby wall, damaging it.
"What is going on, Doctor?" she whispered. "What brought this on?"
"I have no clue, Captain. She summoned me here from sick bay. I walked into this barrage. She refuses to talk to me."
"Computer, End Simulation," Janeway commanded. An error message beeped.
Authorization Code required.
"She has turned off the safety controls," the Doctor confessed. "I've already attempted to."
Janeway moved around the couch and crouched by a chair. She gave a motion for the Doctor to stay where he was. She could get a glimpse of Seven in the darkness - pacing, hands pulling at her hair. She was clearly distraught.
"Seven?" she said carefully. Another book hurled toward her, this one grazing her leg. "Seven! Talk to me!"
"Go away, Captain."
Janeway turned to the Doctor and he shrugged.
She bent low through the doorway of the dark room, hiding as best she could in the shadows. She could see Seven in the light from the window of the bedroom. The glow from Earth reflecting against the walls.
Her hair had fallen from the tightly wound up-do she adorned daily. Her skin tight suit had melted away into a bright red dress which fell just above her knee. Bright red pumps graced her feet to match.
She slowly turned to face the Captain. A plunging neckline, her skin was like porcelain.
The Captain took this opportunity to reach out and take Seven by the shoulders, pulling her against her body. Seething rage greeted her, as Seven struggled in her arms.
"Let me go!"
"I won't. Not until you calm down."
"I can't. I'm malfunctioning."
"Doctor?!" Janeway bellowed.
The Doctor hurdled across the room, over upturned couches and chairs, medical tricorder in hand, open and ready.
He took a quick read while Seven twisted in Janeway's arms.
Janeway held on tightly until she began to relax.
"Seven, I can see no imbalance." He smiled warmly as she took several deep breaths. "Except for elevated heart rate, you are working on normal parameters."
"That's impossible."
"Please talk to me. What is going on?" Janeway inquired, releasing Seven from her hug, gripping her shoulders. She fought to draw Seven's eyes to her own.
"Icheb." Her voice echoed with spite. "That is what. You sent him away."
"I didn't send him away." She drew in a sharp breath. "He is waiting for us on Earth. He is beginning his studies. We will meet with him tomorrow. We discussed this."
"You discussed this. No one asked me how I would feel? Perhaps no one has cared to in the past. Soulless, emotionless, Borg." Her voice cracked, and she looked down at her feet.
"Seven," Janeway began. She looked up to see the Doctor, concern spreading across his face. "You know that's not true. It was merely his time to head to Earth."
"Dissection." She looked up at the Captain, spite gripping her features. "They will tear him apart and who will be there to protect him?" Her words were daggers. "Not you, Captain. You abandoned him."
"Seven... please..".
"What if he is scared?" she continued. Pain gripped her as the tears flowed down her cheeks. "Who will look after him? How can I go to him if he needs me?" Seven's shoulders slumped in defeat.
Janeway pulled Seven into her arms again. "Soon, Seven. You will be with him again. Very soon."
Rage had turned to sobbing, and she fell to the floor, limp in the Captain's arms. Janeway reached the floor with her and continued to cradle her. The Doctor took his cue to back out of the room.
Eventually Janeway's voice cut through Seven's sobs."What is all of this?" she motioned to Seven's attire.
"Research."
Janeway brushed the tears from Seven's face. She was soft and warm, eyes bloodshot and irritated, but the redness was falling from her cheeks with each breath.
"Computer," Seven ordered. "Reset the parameters of the program."
They stood as there was a blip and chairs returned their original placement, walls turned solid free from blemish.
Janeway smiled admiringly. The former Borg's fit frame was perfectly accentuated by the dress. Janeway's eyes trailed her arms, her hands, her face, her legs. There was no trace of Borg technology.
"May I?" she asked, reaching out for her hand.
Seven nodded and Janeway reached out for Seven's shoulder and let her hand run gently down her arm. No imperfections. No Borg implants. Just perfectly smooth skin.
Janeway watched as goosebumps appeared on her skin, and looked up suddenly out of the corner of her eye.
A curious smile spread to her lips. "Part of the program, Captain. Do you like my appearance?"
"It's perfect, Seven," she confessed, and Seven seemed pleased. Janeway's eyes danced across Seven's face, searching.
"What is it?" Seven asked, reading her face.
"Your implants..."
"Do you like it?"
"You have made a lovely simulation." Janeway placed fingertips above Seven's eye and traced her brow. "But I prefer my Seven." She pushed her hair from her face. "Implants and all."
There was a gentle chime and Seven's eyes opened wide.
"There you are," he said low.
They turned to see Chakotay enter the room. He was now dressed in a brown coat and carried a towel in his hands, fresh from doing dishes.
"Chakotay, I-" Janeway began.
He crossed the room with conviction and lifted both hands to Seven's face, cradling her in his palms. "I was beginning to worry," he said and kissed her swiftly, heatedly, his tongue dancing against her own. She returned his kiss, raising her arms around his neck.
Janeway took a step back and lowered her head, ashamed to be a witness to this tender moment.
They broke and Janeway stole a glance, looking up at the lovers, their eyes locked together. Seven raised a hand to his face and traced the tattoo over his eye. He smiled at her adoringly, completely in awe.
"Computer," she commanded. "Delete Chakotay character."
The computer beeped, and the hologram's eyes widened for a fleeting moment just as he disappeared from sight.
"Computer," she began again. "End program. Authorization Code Seven-Beta-Two." The walls of the holodeck emerged as Seven's simulated quarters faded. Seven now stood, her back to the Captain, dressed in Starfleet uniform.
"Seven..." She reached out for Seven's shoulders which had slumped.
"It's all right, Captain." She turned, optical implant materialized above her eye.
She straightened her shoulders and looked to her Captain, clasping her hands together behind her back.
"It was merely an experiment." Her sharp blue eyes straightened, stared directly into Janeway's. "One, it appears, I failed."
=/\=
The hallway to Deck 8 was silent as she turned toward the turbolift. She pressed the call button and crossed her arms. The lift arrived instantly and she entered.
"Deck 3," she commanded.
Her final night had proved to be more adventurous than she initially intended. She tried to wrap her thoughts around what she had witnessed. A near confession by her First Officer. Seven's holographic Chakotay. Their heated kiss. There was a sadness to it as it lingered. Something in it seemed so final. Then Seven deleted his hologram.
She stopped outside Chakotay's quarters. She could reach up and press his call button, invite him back to her quarters to continue their evening. Their final meal together, with one or two drinks. The night didn't need to be a total loss. One last memory could be made.
It would be so easy. And she longed to be able to take the leap. Could she risk him turning her away?
They part, desire surging, never ceasing. She pulls back sheets, exposing heated skin.
And when the morning came, and the lights on the ship brightened, could they leave each other's arms and return to their responsibilities that gripped them so tightly. Chakotay to Seven's waiting arms. Janeway to her Starfleet Captain's chair, or still, an Admiral's desk.
And what, she thought. Go back to being friends? Say goodbye?
She looked down at her uniform and cursed it silently. What if she was reading this all wrong? The ever charming Chakotay. She longed for his arms, craved his lips.
All she had to do was press the button. She wiped her sweaty palms on her pants. What if?
But her hands remained down by her side and her feet carried her to her door and into her quarters.
The room was tidy. A single plate with cover sat on the table, a glass of red to accompany it. She pressed her hand to the lid carefully. It was still warm.
She closed her eyes and inhaled. All that lingered was his scent which hung in the air.
She made her way to her bedroom, longed to be out of her clothes, but a light from her bathroom drew her attention and she gingerly made her way to the door and looked inside.
Aching anticipation as softness overwhelms and palms lie flat discovering unexplored heated flesh, yearning for surrender.
Candles lit the entryway and enveloped her bathtub in soft light. She looked around the room then headed to sit on the side of the tub. Bubbles filled the receptacle and she dipped a hand into the water. It was still hot.
Her mind traveled back to their nights on New Earth. To the quiet, shared moments with no one else around them. Trapped within a dream of living out their final days together, he had created a home for them.
The headboards he made so she could lean against it late at night, staying up reading, listening to him sleep softly on the other side of the room.
The bathtub he had hewn with his own hands; a place she could unwind, and regain her human form after long days spent working. She remembered the way his eyes trailed her body in the darkness of that starlit night.
He had taken his time to create the little comforts, begging her to see a future with him.
And she had. For a moment, she allowed herself to see their future together; a life on a new planet, exploring the woods, and rivers, and hills happily with him.
And in one transmission, the dream had died. And they returned to Voyager, returned to their life as Captain and Commander, returned to duty and protocol.
She had forgotten, but had he?
"Again," she whispers darkly.
She looked down – a gift awaited her. The answer she had been looking for.
A single pink water-colored rose sat on the edge of the tub.
Voice, sweet and sultry. "Sleep well, Kathryn."
Coming Soon: Chapter 5 - "Is There Somewhere?" - Ashley Frangipane