Disclaimer: No infringement on Paramount's copyright intended. 'Night', 'Counterpoint', and Star Trek and it’s characters are not mine, but Ana Vor and R’mor are my creation and so is the rest of the story. The story revolves around a relationship between women beyond friendship. If this bothers you, please look elsewhere for your fan fiction.

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 © 1999 by Saffron

Ana opened her eyes slowly to see a blurred figure leaning over her. As her vision cleared, she saw it was the doctor.

"Doctor," she groaned softly.

"Ah. You're awake."

"How long have I been asleep?"

"I gave you a mild sedative to help you rest longer and speed up your recovery."

"How much longer do I have to be in sick bay?"

"I was planning to release you tomorrow, but..." The doctor was interrupted by the swish of the doors. He turned to see who it was. "Captain."

The Captain smiled at the doctor. "What's this I hear about releasing your patient?"

The Doctor returned his attention back to Ana. "As I was saying, I was planning to release you tomorrow, but I have 2 stipulations. One, you may not turn to duty for 9 days and two, you need someone to look after you.

"I feel fine," Ana protested.

The doctor tried to continue, but saw that she was no longer listening. Ana's attention was now held by Kathryn. "Hi," she said almost shyly.

Kathryn crossed her arms and smiled. "You are looking better. You *should* listen to the doctor."

The doctor sniffed at the Captains comment, wishing the captain would follow her own advice sometime.

Kathryn pretended she didn't hear the doctor. "How long would she need someone to look after her?" she asked, still looking at Ana.

"At least seven days."

"I see."

"I suggested that she have her friend Ensign R'mor help, but she didn't take to that idea very well."

Ana looked away, sighing.

Kathryn looked down at Ana with a pensive expression on her face. "Doctor, would you please leave us alone for a moment."

The doctor was startled by the abrupt dismissal, "What? Oh. Of course." He went into his office, shaking his head, muttering about how he was always asked to leave 'his' sickbay.

Ana looked up at Kathryn with question in her eyes.

Kathryn reached down and brushed Ana's hair away from her face. " How would you like to recuperate...in my quarters?"

Ana was speechless.

Kathryn took Ana's silence as indecision. "It's just an idea. I..."

Ana smiled. "Are you sure?" she asked softly, interrupting.

Kathryn chuckles. "No, but it feels like the thing to do. I want to make sure you get better."

Ana blushed under Kathryn's gaze. "Thank you."

Kathryn summoned the doctor.

The doctor appeared promptly from his office. "Yes, Captain?"

Still looking at Ana, she responded, "Lt. Vor will be recovering in my quarters."

If the doctor was surprised, he didn't show it. "Fine. Be here tomorrow at 1000."

Kathryn glanced at the doctor, "Thank you, doctor." She then looked down at Ana. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Ana smiled and nodded in response then watch as Kathryn left the room.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kathryn was surprised by the door chime. It was 0950. She had to pick up Ana and didn't want to be late. She was startled to see Ana leaning against the doorframe. "What… are you doing here?" Kathryn asked incredulously.

Ana gave Kathryn a tired smile. "I didn’t wanna be a bother."

"You will be a bother if you have a relapse. Now come in here." Kathryn ordered gently.

Kathryn led Ana to the sleeping area she had set up in the living area. The adaptable couch had been turned into a full-size bed. Kathryn began to speak as she helped Ana into the bed. "I had some of your stuff brought here. Neelix will bring you food when I’m on duty. I have…" Kathryn’s voice trailed off as she noticed that Ana had fallen asleep the instant her head hit the pillow.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ana woke up with a start and bolted upright in the bed. She groaned, putting a hand to her head, trying to ease the wooziness her sudden movement caused. Kathryn was instantly kneeling by her side. She appeared so quickly, Ana was not sure from which direction she came.

Ana instinctively wrapped her arms around Kathryn. "I keep having dreams of the shuttle crash. I always wake up just before impact."

Kathryn held Ana close, stroking her hair. "It’s ok. It’s ok." She could feel Ana’s heart racing. "Shhh, it’s ok." Ana relaxed into the comfort of Kathryn’s arms.

"I’m sorry to keep you from…whatever it was you were doing."

"Don’t worry," Kathryn said softly against Ana’s hair. "This is why I was working here in my quarters. And you’re not keeping me from it. I always find a way to get my work done."

Ana sat back from Kathryn. "Thank you. I feel better."

Kathryn studied Ana’s face. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Ana lay back on the pillow.

Ana’s own cry woke her up. She sat upright, breathing heavily. She put her hand to her face and felt the wetness of tears. She must have been crying in her sleep. As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, bits and pieces of her dream came back to her, causing her to glance at the entrance to Kathryn’s bedroom on her right.

"Computer, lights one-quarter."

Ana let out a deep breath then stood up. She paused to let her legs get used to her weight. She then made her way to the replicator for a glass of water. As she drank, she found herself once again staring at the darkened entrance to Kathryn’s bedroom.

She placed the glass on the table and made her way back toward the bed, but she didn’t stop there. Her feet made their way to Kathryn’s bedroom. Ana knew she wouldn’t sleep until she knew Kathryn was ok.

Ana stood watching Kathryn as she slept. The light that filtered in from the living area allowed her to make certain she was breathing. Ana knew of Kathryn’s occasional bouts of insomnia and that sleep was a rare commodity. Deciding not to disturb her, Ana turned to leaves but stopped when she heard Kathryn’s soft voice, deepened with sleep.

"Ana? Everything ok?"

Ana slowly turned around. "I… didn’t mean to disturb you. Go back to sleep. I’m ok." But Ana didn’t make a move to leave. Her legs wouldn’t move, no matter how much she willed them to.

Kathryn sat up in the bed. "Would you like to talk about it?"

Ana hesitated, then sat down on the edge of the bed with her back to Kathryn. "It was just another dream. I didn’t want to bother you with it. I just needed to make sure you were ok."

She felt Kathryn’s warm hand rub her back and she closed her eyes. Kathryn’s simple gesture of concern and affection made Ana’s throat constrict. She continued to speak. "It was another shuttle craft dream, only, instead of B’Elanna, it was you." Ana’s voice quieted to a whisper. "You … died."

Ana felt Kathryn move closer. She bit her lip and stood up, facing Kathryn. "Um…in case I forget to say this later, thank you for looking after me while I recuperate. Means a lot."

Before Kathryn could answer, Ana left the room and went back toward her sleeping area. Kathryn followed her. "Hey…"

Ana stopped, but didn’t turn around. "I hate it when I cry. I didn’t want you to see me cry."

Kathryn wordlessly pulled Ana into her arms. "I’m not much for letting people see me cry either." She pulled back to look at Ana before she continued. "You almost dies last week. I stood against the wall as the doctor worked to resuscitate you. I didn’t cry. But the last 5 years were swimming in my head – remembering every time I made an excuse not to allow myself to get close to someone. And the one time I do…" Kathryn’s voice was hoarse with emotion. "The one time I do, you’re almost taken away."

Kathryn brought her hands to rest on Ana’s cheeks, her finger intertwined in Ana’s soft, dark hair as she inhaled and exhaled slowly, attempting to regain her composure.

Ana marveled once again as Kathryn’s emotions surged through her, mingling with her own. She rested her forehead against Kathryn’s. "I should try and get back to sleep. I’m still recuperating, you know."

Kathryn smiled. "Yeah. Um…you might be more comfortable in the bedroom."

Ana’s eyes widened as Kathryn continued.

"I, uh, promise you’ll be safe. I’m a little too tired to try anything."

Ana could hear the apprehension behind Kathryn’s smile. She smiled back. "I’d like that."

Kathryn started to move towards the bedroom, but Ana stopped her with small kiss. Kathryn responded with a smile and took Ana’s hand to lead her towards the bedroom.

Over the next few days, Ana found herself sleeping in Kathryn’s bedroom. Platonically, of course, since Ana was still recuperating. Ana was amazed that it only took a couple of days for them to fall in to some sort of routing. She began to feel more and more saddened that her stay in Kathryn’s quarters was soon ending, to a point that she lay awake next to Kathryn for hours before she could fall asleep and hers days were filled with restlessness.

Observant person that she was, Kathryn noticed, but she sensed the cause of Ana’s restlessness and resolved to be as supportive as she could. She too would miss Ana after she left. They both knew that realistically, it was too soon for any type of permanent arrangement, especially since they had yet to officially 'come out’ to the crew.

On the last night, Ana was sitting on ‘her’ side of the bed. She had decided that it would be best if she slept in the living area that night.

Kathryn was changing into her nightgown on the other side of the room. "Why?"

"I just…" Ana gestured with her hands. "Don’t you think so?" She turned her head to face Kathryn.

Kathryn shook her head. "No. Especially tonight.

Ana look Kathryn curiously. "Why especially tonight?"

Kathryn couldn’t help but smile at the expression on Ana’s face, but the smile faded as she walked toward Ana. "Well, this is your last night here. I just thought…"

"What?" Ana abruptly interjected, daring Kathryn to say what she wanted to hear.

"I just know my bed is going to be very lonely after you leave.

Ana stayed silent.

Kathryn sat down next to Ana. "What did you think I was going to say?"

Ana looked down at her hand, her shyness taking hold. "Sleeping next to you the last few nights. I’ve been feeling…more and more…"

"What?" prompted Kathryn, her voice deep with concern.

Like she had done many times before, Ana swallowed her shyness and looked directly into Kathryn’s understanding gaze. "I want to touch you. Make love to you. I…just wasn’t sure…" Ana didn’t finish her sentence because Kathryn’s lips found hers, their tongues hungrily searching and moving against each other. Ana heard a whimper escape her throat as she responded to Kathryn’s kiss.

Even though this wasn’t their first kiss, Ana was still amazed at the softness of Kathryn’ slips, the smoothness of her tongue as her instinctively went searching.

Kathryn gently broke off the kiss, gave Ana a crooked smile, took her hand and led her towards the bedroom. Now in sight of Kathryn’s bed and the reality of the moment, Ana felt uneasy and it showed.

That sat down on the edge of the bed. "What’s wrong?" Kathryn asked.

"I…don’t know. I suddenly got nervous. I want this to go right." Embarrassment was evident on her face.

Kathryn kissed the tip of Ana’s nose, caressed her cheek and smiled. "Are you here?"

Ana couldn’t help but smile. "Yes."

"Am I here?"

"Yes."

"That’s all we need. There are no rules here. Just have fun. Follow and trust your instincts. They’re usually right. That’s what I’m going to do."

Ana gave Kathryn a surprised look. "You’ve never…?!"

Kathryn shook her head. "Oh…. No, I have. Just not with a woman before. "Have you ever…?" Ana shook her head.

A low chuckle resonated in Kathryn’s chest. "There’s nothing wrong with that. It’ll be a new experience for both of us."

Before Ana could respond, Kathryn grabbed her hand and scooted back to the head of the bed, pulling Ana with her.

Ana lay on her back and Kathryn pressed her body against Ana’s, nuzzling her neck. Ana closed her eyes. It seemed that every nerve in her body was tingling. A sigh escaped her lips. "Oh my… you feel so…" Kathryn smiled as she nibbled on Ana’s ear. She was startled when Ana moved her head away and kissed her full on the mouth. Lips open, tongues searching.

Kathryn moved her hands so they were between them, resting on Ana’s breasts, gently kneading through her clothes. A small moan escaped Ana’s mouth and she pulled away, breathing heavily.

Kathryn read a mix of emotions on Ana’s face. "What…?"

"My heart… it’s racing…I want… I don’t know how to express…"

Kathryn took Ana’s hand and kissed her palm. "Maybe we’re moving to fast here. I want you to close your eyes and relax." Kathryn ran her fingers gently through Ana’s hair. "Concentrate on what you are feeling. If there’s anything your uncomfortable with, all you have to do is tell me and I’ll stop, ok?"

Ana nodded, and closed her eyes as Kathryn resumed nibbling on her ear. Kathryn’s warm breath sent chills rippling through her body. "Can you give me a hint to what you like?" asked Kathryn.

Ana kept her eyes closed. "I’m not sure what you…"

"What makes you feel good…"

Ana didn’t respond immediately, even though she instantly knew her answer.

Kathryn nuzzled Ana’s neck. "Think about it. I’m sure I can keep myself busy."

"Your voice," Ana whispered hoarsely.

"My voice." Kathryn echoed, puzzled.

"I like the sound of your voice. It gives me shivers sometimes. It has an indescribable resonance that…" Ana swallowed, "that can the most sensual sound I’ve ever heard."

Kathryn stopped what she was doing and looked at Ana. Ana opened her eyes slowly, almost afraid to look at her. She wasn’t prepared for the raw emotion she saw on Kathryn’s face. "That’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me in a long time." Kathryn said softly. She chuckled to herself and looked away. "That’s sad, you know? Not allowing myself to be in position to hear someone say incredibly sweet things to me." Kathryn placed a gentle kiss on Ana’s lips. "Thank you."

Kathryn’s eyes slowly fluttered opened.

The previous nights events flooded her mind. Her eyes rested on Ana, who was lying on her stomach, facing Kathryn. Her long, dark hair spilling behind her.

Ana awoke slowly, but she didn’t open her eyes although she knew Kathryn was away. Upon their first consummation of love, the emotion and mental connection she felt with Kathryn was very strong. She knew what she felt now was a kind of afterglow and she was afraid it would disappear the moment she opened her eyes. Her mind filled with thoughts of the night before.

When Ana’s breathing changed, Kathryn knew she was awake. "Morning." She said quietly. Ana opened her eyes. She felt her face warm at Kathryn’s knowing gaze. She turned over on her back, looked at the ceiling, and sighed. "I-I’m sorry."

Kathryn’s brow furrowed with concern. "Why? What…"

Ana turned her head to look at Kathryn. "You know…I…fell asleep before you could…" Ana lowered her eyes.

"Oh." Amusement twinkled in Kathryn’s eyes, but she didn’t smile. "Honey…I told you last night you needn't worry about me."

Ana smiled, more at the term of endearment than what Kathryn actually said. "So… you weren’t mad?"

Kathryn shook her head. "A little disappointed, but no, not mad."

"What time is it?" asked Ana.

Kathryn glanced at the 20^th Century timepiece she kept on the wall. "0512. Why?" Ana’s shy, but very explicit facial expression answered Kathryn question. Her lips curled in that endearing half-smile. "What did you have in mind?"

Ana was silent for a moment. Kathryn waited patiently.

Ana slowly moved closer to Kathryn. Her eyes, a darker green, affixed on Kathryn’s face. "May I…?"

Kathryn offered a blink of her eyes and a slight nod. Ana tentatively reached a hand out to caress Kathryn’s face and moved it down to softly caress Kathryn’s collarbone. Kathryn settled back and rested her head on the pillow and closed her eyes, allowing Ana to move at her own pace.

Ana moved her had down underneath the sheet to Kathryn’s breast, marveling in it’s softness, including it’s pliant peak that had yet to exert itself. Kathryn moved her arm over her eyes, letting a audible sigh escape her lips as Ana pushed the sheet down, exposing both of Kathryn’s breast. At the exposure of the slightly cooler temperature, the dark rosy nipples tightened, much to both Kathryn’s and Ana’s delight.

Following sudden urge, Ana attached her mouth to one and instantly, Kathryn arched up toward Ana’s soft mouth. "Yes.." sighed Kathryn. Ana played her tongue around the nipple, moving it back and forth against it’s tip, her hand mimicking the same movements.

Ana looked up at Kathryn in time to see Kathryn swallowing hard. As her hand continued it’s attention to Kathryn’s breast and their increasingly sensitive peaks, Ana trailed her tongue up to Kathryn’s neck, and kissed it, unwittingly leaving a small pattern of red marks.

Kathryn’s hands, now entangled in Ana’s dark hair, urged her up and for the first time that morning, they kissed. Whereas last night’s kisses were tender and tantalizing, now they were driven by a passion that surprised them both.

As they kissed, Ana found herself laying on top of Kathryn. The feel of her own breasts pressed again Kathryn’s stimulated her to new heights. She broke off the kiss and traveled down Kathryn’s body, her lips paying homage Kathryn’s sensitive points along the way.

Ana stopped at Kathryn’s soft stomach, her tongue playing in and around Kathryn’s belly button. As Kathryn squirmed slightly, Ana smiled, realizing the little known fact that Voyager’s captain was ticklish.

While her mouth kissed Kathryn stomach, Ana timidly moved hand to caress Kathryn’s inner thigh. she dipped her finger in Kathryn’s wetness, marveling in it’s softness. As her hand continued it’s exploration, her lips traveled lower, feeling the coarse, yet soft hair brush against her cheek.

 Ana slowly ran her tongue down to the that little nubbin of pleasure and heard Kathryn gasp. She closed her lips over it and played her tongue over it like she had done Kathryn nipple earlier. She heard Kathryn’s voice come from deep in her chest. "Ana….My G-… Please…. Don’t stop…" Kathryn’s words spurred Ana on…not letting up until Kathryn finally cried out and after a few brief spasms, she felt Kathryn’s hand on her head, letting her know it was enough.