"That sounds like a very eventful afternoon." Icheb stated flatly as Seven ended her retelling of the days events. Seven had walked circles around the blazing fire recalling in excruciating detail, as everyone watched her with wrapped attention. Even B'elanna went white as a sheet as Seven described the experience. A dark sky full of stars blanketed the somber group.
"Thats somewhat of an understatement." Harry nervously laughed.
"Is it still out there?" Sam asked, matching Harry's anxiety and raising him an eye twitch.
"No." Seven stated and pointed north. "A current caught the carcass and carried it that way. It is long gone."
"Thats a relief." Harry whispered as he took a swig of his whiskey.
"I'm going to bed." Kathryn stood so quickly she almost fell over. Her face was a blank canvas, but her eyes were a swirling Cacophony of the full spectrum of human emotion.
Seven held her gaze a few moments before nodding her head in affirmation. Kathryn stepped around her deck chair and quickly entered the bungalow she shared with Seven.
"Will you excuse me?" The tall blonde spoke quietly as she followed Kathryn.
"Kathryn?" She called out as she stepped inside. Gently closing the door behind herself. "Where are you?"
"In here." Kathryns voice was timid as she called out from the bedroom.
"Are you alright?" Seven asked cautiously, slowly approaching the slumped form sitting on their bed. Face hurried in her hands. Her bathing suit, which she was still wearing, hung off her as if she'd lost 10 pounds in the 4 hours since the horrific events of the afternoon. She looked frail and worn.
"Yes." She looked up with tears glistening in her eyes, giving them an oceanic shimmer. "And no."
"Please," Seven sat beside her, her hand reaching out to rest on Kathryns thigh. "Tell me." Sevens thumb began tracing circles on bare skin. Goosebumps erupting at the contact.
"I don't think I've ever been that frightened, Seven!" Kathryns voice broke as she spoke. "Or proud."
Seven smiled and leaned into the smaller woman until her face was inches from Kathryns cheek. "I am proud of you, too." She nuzzled her nose against the soft flesh.
Kathryn balked. "Me?!" She closed her eyes at the sensations Seven was eliciting in her. She could feel the hot breath on her face and her thigh felt electrified at the circular motions. "What on Earth did I do?"
"You trusted me." Seven leaned back and captured Kathryns eyes with her own, holding them in exquisite prison. "You did not tell me to stop. You did not tell me no. You allowed the situation to transpire without interfering yourself, knowing you could do nothing."
Kathryn hadn't realized it, but Seven was right. She had seen Seven kidnapped, assimilated, violated and maimed by every other species they'd found in the Delta Quadrant Death Trap. Every time, Seven came through stranger. Wiser. More… Human. She no longer needed to "save" this ex drone. She no longer needed to guide her to reclaim her humanity. She no longer needed to worry. Though, she probably would but for different reasons. Kathryn chuckled at her own musings.
"What is funny?" Seven arched an eyebrow, her own expression light and content.
"Nothing really," Kathryn put her hand over Sevens which was still tracing circles on her sensitive skin. "Just.." She looked down her their hands, "You don't need me anymore."
"I need you." Sevens voice was resolute. She squeezed Kathryns thigh. "Do not mistake that."
Kathryn nodded, looking up into Sevens eyes which had hooded slightly and turned a very deep indigo. Flecks of gold starburst out from the widened pupils.
"Ok." Was all Kathryn could utter before Seven rushed forward and pressed her lips hungrily against Kathryns. The force of her passion exploding as she tried to wordlessly convey her primal need and desire. Seven felt Kathryn tense in shock for only a moment before melting into Sevens caressing lips, her metal mesh encased fingers gliding effortlessly up Kathryn's thigh and hooking her thumb inside the hem of her suit near her delicate hip bone. Sevens human hand flew up and pressed against Kathryns breast bone as the tall blonde pushed ever back slowly till the slighter woman was on her back, Seven half covering her to the side as their mouths danced together, a guttural moan escaping from somewhere deep inside the star fleet Captain.
"Wait." Kathryns voice was huskier than Seven had ever heard and it tugged at the heat rising in her belly. Pulling back just enough to look at the flushed face struggling to regain an inkling of control, Seven unhooked her thumb from the delicate suit near Kathryn's hip bone and presses her palm on the slightly raised bone. It had the desired effect as Kathryn wiggled involuntarily. Seven smiled warmly.
"Apologies, Kathryn. I was overcome with…" with what? Seven pondered her lack of vocabulary. There was no word for what she was feeling. It was beyond joy. It's was beyond instinct, compassion and desire. It was beyond Love… as an emotion. It was pure existence of Love. Individualistic personify like becoming Love itself. Still unsure of the appropriate word, she lay still half covering the woman who's arms had wrapped around her slender neck. Fingernails deliciously clinging to the soft flesh and blonde tendrils that dangled there. "You." She finally finished.
"I know." Kathryn whispered, a small tear fell from the outer corner of her eye and rolled down her temple.
Seven lifted her self up and swung her far leg up and over Kathryns body, effectively straddling the startled woman. The hand that had been cupping the tiny hip bone and the hand pressed Kathryns sternum simultaneously grabbed both Kathryns smaller hands and laced the fingers together and they were thrust up, pinning Kathryn to the bed with almost 6 feet of lanky Borg hovering over her. Kathryns surprised yelp did not faze the eyes staring down at her.
"I need you in so many ways." She's breath was ragged and broken. "I need you in ways i know I am not ready for yet." An ache began to form in the blondes abdomen and radiated heat through her extremities. her pupils expanded until her irises seemed to disappear and she closed them tight. Dropping her head to Kathryns shoulder, her nose pressed against a throbbing pulse point in Kathryns neck.
Kathryn slowly pulled her hands out from Sevens vice grip and wrapped her arms around Sevens waist. Turning her head slightly she cradled Sevens face in the crook of her neck. "I understand, My Seven." She held on a little tighter as she felts Seven relax into her embrace.
"I like that." Sevens muffled voice was barely audible.
"What's that?" Kathryn asked softly.
"I like you calling me your Seven."
Kathryn smiled and chuckled into thick blonde hair. "I know that too."
A loud knocking startled them. Kathryn noticed herself being pulled back into a sitting position as Seven rose backwards to a standing position.
"Who is it?" Kathryn called out, trying to regain her composure but only mildly succeeding.
"It's Me." The timid, small voice rang out through the thick wood. "Naomi."
Seven's expression smoothed as her irritation subsided.
"You may come in." Kathryn called out.
The door flung open and the small strawberry blonde raced into the room. "Where are you?" She called out.
"We're in here." Seven called her in as she helped Kathryn stand.
Naomi ran again, through the bedroom door and straight into Seven's open arms, just as she dropped Kathryns hand. Kathryn reached up and pressed her hand to Naomi's back and leaned in to kiss her plump cheek.
"How are you?" Naomi's favorite Captain asked.
"I'm ok." She said into Seven's shoulder. "I wanted to say goodnight." She nuzzled into Seven's bare skin causing the strap of her swimsuit to fall slightly down her arm. Kathryn pushed it back up, noticing the skin redden as her fingers glided up the slender arm.
"Sweet Dreams, Naomi." Kathryn patted the child's back lovingly. "Would you like a moment with Seven? I can give you two some privacy."
Naomi nodded and looked at her gratefully as she stepped back and headed to the living room and out the back door to the deck. Seven's enhanced hearing made note of Kathryn kicking off her sandals and sitting by the small pool to swish her feet around the water.
"You saved Me." Naomi chirped and leaned back, looking at Seven seriously.
"Indeed." Seven smiled, wide enough to show teeth and arched her one eyebrow.
"I'm supposed to say Thank you." Naomi squirmed her facial muscles which she did when she was thinking. "It doesn't seem like enough." She thought some more and smiled brightly. "I love you, Seven."
Seven leaned forward and pressed her forehead to Naomi's, careful to avoid the small cranial thorns. "I know. I'll always love you, too, Naomi Wildman."
Naomi swung her arms around Sevens neck and hugged her again before squirming down and running out into the living room. She paused for a moment and looked towards the rear of the bungalow calling out, "I love you, Captain!" Before running to the door and leaving.
"Love you, more." Seven heard Kathryn's small voice call out after the door had already shut behind the child.
Seven pulled on a robe and grabbed one for Kathryn before heading out to join the once again somber form sitting on the side of the pool. Her feet making opposing circles in the water.
"Here," Seven said, draping the robe over Kathryns shoulders. "It's getting a little chilly and windy."
Kathryn pulled the robe around her shoulders more snugly and patted the tiles beside her for Seven to sit. She did, as gracefully as she could, which wasn't all the graceful at all. Her feet mimicking Kathryns in the water.
Kathryn leaned into Seven's shoulder laced her fingers with the slim borg fingers of the hand beside her on the edge of the pool. "She is resilient." Seven looked over at Kathryn as she spoke. "she recovered quickly." Seven's voice was full of pride for the young girl.
Kathryn nodded, sporting a half grin. "She's from Voyager. She's a rare gem in this weird crazy universe."
"I need to use my portable regeneration unit tonight." Seven spoke after a few moments of silence. "But I can lay with you while you sleep at the same time."
Kathyrn nodded and made a motion to stand, only to be held in place by strong, slender fingers wrapped around her own. "Seven?" She asked confused. Those deep indigo eyes were going black again. Kathryn nodded her understanding and placed her free hand on their linked ones. "Soon." She whispered. "When you're ready." She paused, "and when i am ready too."
Seven released her hand and allowed Kathryn to stand, following closely and wrapping her arm around Kathryns waist as they walked into the bungalow.
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Everyone was in the water laughing and splashing by the time she sun was directly over head. Seven and Kathryn were playing chicken with B'elanna and Naomi. Naomi was sitting on top of Seven's shoulders which Kathryn was on B'elanna's. Kathryn gently tugged on Naomi's arm and pretended to lose her own balance, allowing the small girl to push her backwards off B'elanna's shoulders and into the water. Naomi squealed and clapped as Seven laughed openly.
"Wow, Seven, I didn't know you laughed now!" B'elanna was matching the Borgs enthusiasm and slapped her on the shoulder. Seven staggered back and playfully slapped the Klingon back with such force she also fell backwards into the water and onto Kathryn who was just coming up. The two staggered to gain their bearings as Naomi laughed even harder.
Once they could all breath again and their laughter had died down, Naomi crawled down Seven's back and swam around to her side. "Can we do that again?" She splashed Seven who laughed again.
"Maybe in a little bit." She tousled Naomi's soaked locks and crinkled her nose as she smiled down at her friend.
"OK!" Naomi violently jumped and water sloshed all around her, splashing copious amounts of water on the 3 women near her. They all laughed, and all three sets of eyes watched her closely as she made her way to her mother who was 30 feet away, talking to Tom about her plans for her and Naomi's future.
"I can't take my eyes off her." B'elanna said almost painfully.
"I know." Kathryn matched her tone. "Yesterday was insane." She glided to through the water until she was close enough to grab Seven's hand and she squeezed it tight.
"I won't let anything happen to her. Ever." Seven's voice was more resolute than the other two and they turned to look at the tall blonde. Hair down, and framing her face with wet tendrils stuck to her cheeks and forehead. "Or any of you." Her eyes met B'elanna's, then Kathryns. They both nodded and smiled.
Suddenly, water shot at Seven's face and she sputtered to regain her composure.
Kathryn and B'elanna broke into hysterical laughter. Joined by Harry Kim who had sprung up beside them and double handedly shoved an arm full of water at Seven of Nine.
"Was that Wise" Seven jokingly leaned forward in a mock predatory crouch.
Harry Stopped laughing and all the color drained from his face. "Now Seven," he flung his hands up in surrender. "It was a joke!" His voice pitched up into a squeak as he tried to back away.
Seven's smiled like a tiger and actually growled as she leaped forward, almost clear out of the water towards him. He tried to turn and run but her arm caught him around the chest and he was thrust back into the water. Seven's arm holding him down as everyone laughed.
"Let him up, Darling." Kathryn chocked out through her laughter.
Seven looked back at her and stuck her bottom lip out.
"Resistance is Futile, Dear." Kathryn wagged her finger. Her smile was so bright it blinded Seven.
Letting go of Harry's chest, Seven grabbed one of his shoulders and lifted him up. He coughed and shook his head to clear the fog that was gathered in his vision.
"I give! I Give!" She backed away, Adding his own laughter to everyone around him.
"SEVEN!" Libby called out in fear from her seat up on the boardwalk, and pointed out further into the ocean.
Everyone's eyes strained to see what she was pointing at.
4 fins, maybe 5 bobbing in an out of the water in a rhythmic motion as they made their way gracefully through the water.
Seven was the only one who could make them out, and she smiled.
"Dolphins." She whispered in awe. "NAOMI!" She called out, not taking her eyes off the elegant creatures.
Naomi had been tossed up to the boardwalk almost immediately at Libby's alarm. She was standing on the edge, shaking with her hands clasped tightly in front of her.
Seeing Seven's reaction calmed all the adults in the water. Kathryn, who was still holding Seven's hand tugged to get her attention.
"It's dolphin's, Kathryn." Her blue eyes matching the azure of the ocean. "Come here, Naomi!" She called out to the child just beyond Kathryns shoulder.
Naomi looked at her mother who nodded and smiled. Jumping down into the water she awkwardly swam to Seven and waited. "What is it, Seven?"
"Dolphins." Seven quirked an eyebrow and let go of Kathryns hand to take a few steps towards the open ocean before dropping down and submerging her head under the surface.
Naomi looked to Kathryn who merely shrugged and turned her attention back to the dunked blonde.
Under the surface of the water, Seven opened her mouth and using a small implant on the side of her vocal chord, uttered a series of clicks and trills. She repeated the sequence 3 times before standing up out of the water, watching as the small pod change direction.
everyone watched I wonder as the playful swimmers rushed towards them Samantha gasped as one leaped out of the water.
"Magnificent." Kathryn breathed so quietly only Seven heard, and smiled.
No one moved as the graceful beings began swimming circles around the stunned humans. Seven's smile broadened as she reached behind herself and pulled Naomi up to her side. Grabbing hold of the small child's waists with her enhanced hand, she reached out gently as a dolphin came in front of her and she held her hand out to the animal which pressed its nose into her palm. After a moment, it pulled back and made a quick circle, coming up to Sevens other side as she latched her hand onto its strong fin and the three of them took off. Naomi shrieked in delight as they were whisked out into the blues and whites of the Indian ocean.
Kathryn felt tears once again spring up in her eyes as she watched the beautiful spectacle taking place. No one could believe it. Harry Kim's mouth had fallen open, Samantha was laughing through streams of tears and Tom and B'elanna were staring dumbfounded. Kathryn noticed the other dolphins making loops around them. Taking Seven's lead, she stretched her arm out and waited. She waited 3 seconds, then a little nose popped out of the water and pressed into her palm. She gasped, wonderstruck by its gentleness. It backed away and made a loop, glidding up from behind, inches from her hip. Kathryn slowly, but firmly reached around and hooked her arm around its fin. With a wink to the group of gawkers, she was whisked away towards Seven and a gleeful Naomi.
B'elanna nudged Tom and stepped away from him with a smirk on her lips. Lifting her hand, she repeated the actions she saw Seven and Kathryn making. The extended her and a larger dolphin approached, placing it nose in her palm for a moment before presenting its fin and carrying her off towards a the elated cries of a 6 year old half K'tarian, the very human laugh of an ex-Borg drone a giggling former Captain.
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The night sky was heavily clouded, completely obscuring the stars. A hazy glow emanated from above where the moon struggled to break through. Seven of Nine sat on the far edge of the end of the boardwalk, looking out into the darkness. Her silken red pants suit pajamas gently rippled in the light breeze. The mild chill in the air causing her to absently wrap her arms around her shoulders. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she heard Kathryns foot steps behind her.
"Cold?" The raspy voice enveloping her like a warm kiss.
"Yes." She smiled, feeling Kathryn sit beside her. Their hips brushing gently. Heat radiating from the contact. The blonde shivered involuntarily as Kathryn hooked her arm into the crook of Sevens elbow.
"Better?" Kathyrn laid her head on the shoulder beside her.
"Very much." Seven turned, placing a kiss on top of auburn locks. Her lips lingering just a bit longer before turning back to stare into the dark abyss over the ocean.
Kathryn shifted closer and lifted herself up, swinging her far leg over Seven's legs and straddling the surprised woman. Her hands raking up the long slender back and dragging her nails over the silk of the fabric covering skin they longed to touch.
Reaching one hand behind herself, Seven braced their combined weight as her other hand cupped the back of Kathryn's head, pulling forward till their mouths were a hairs length away. Hot breath mingled in a mist from their open mouths.
"What are you waiting for?" Kathryn husked in an aching plea.
Seven waited one more moment before closing the distance. Her fingernails digging into Kathryns scalp as their mouths crashed together. Kathryn reared up on her knees so she was above Seven, pressing herself against the other woman with a fierce intensity.
Seven gasped as Kathryn broke their kiss, whimpering. Kathryn looked down at her and smiled sheepishly.
"Kathryn," Seven's eyes were curious, but full of desire. "What is it?"
Kathryn smiled down at her and raised a hand from behind Seven to cup the Grecian face just below hers.
"I want you." She stated in a matter of fact but sweet tone. "I am ready."
Sevens face turned bright red as her eyes fluttered about in adorable apprehension.
Kathryn leaned down peppering tiny kisses along her nose and cheeks. "I know you are not yet. I just wanted you to know that what you are, I am as well."
Seven nodded and leaned her face into Kathryn chest and neck, feeling strong arms pull her close, molding them together like a perfect puzzle.
"Our friends," Seven spoke quietly into the soft terry cloth of Kathryns robe. "They go home in the morning."
Kathryn hummed in affirmation.
"And we have until the next morning."
Kathryn hummed again.
"Perhaps…" Seven trailed off, lost in her thoughts.
Kathryn pulled back and looked down at Seven's face, watching the expressions floating around from curious, to wonderment, to consideration, to resolute. Lowering herself back down to Seven's lap, she waited patiently.
"…Perhaps I'll sleep on it." There was a glint in Seven's eye Kathryn had never seen and she swallowed against the heady reality of what Seven meant.
"Perhaps." She chuckled and pressed her forehead to Sevens.