It
Had to Be You ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kathryn Janeway stepped off the transporter platform and let out a pent-up sigh. Rolling her head to remove the kinks in her neck, she pulled out the pins that kept her hair up. Her auburn tresses fell to her shoulders and she used her reflection in a nearby panel to try and spruce up her appearance. After all, the last time the woman of her dreams laid eyes on her, she had sproingy wet hair, a piece of toast sticking out of her mouth, and was crawling on all fours because she’d dropped a pip somewhere. As usual, her hair refused to cooperate. Running her hands through the strands one last time, she walked down the corridor and keyed the access code for their apartment. She dropped her pips in the small crystal bowl, shedding her command easily and leaving her duties outside. It had been one of the things they had both agreed on when they began their relationship in earnest. In the living area, Kathryn could hear strings heralding the final movement of a Bach concerto. As she turned the corner, the blonde woman at the black baby grand piano joined the “orchestra” as the recording swelled. The sunlight streamed in from the full-length windows. It silhouetted the young woman and cast long shadows on the pine flooring. Kathryn smiled as she went to the bedroom to change out of her uniform, not wanting to interrupt her lover until the piece was over. By the time she had pulled on her favorite cotton shirt and her khaki slacks, the final bars of the concerto were fading out. Kathryn placed her hands lightly on the blonde’s shoulders as their eyes, then lips met. “You are early.” Seven replied, clearly pleased. “I was surveying the little kingdom of PADDs on my desk and I started getting cabin fever.” Her lover replied with a smile. “Besides, I have to do the PR rounds tomorrow morning. So I have an excuse to skip out a little early.” Seven swiveled her legs around the piano bench and pulled Kathryn into her lap, making the petite Admiral squeal in surprise. Kathryn put her arms around Seven’s neck and murmured contentedly as she felt tender kisses on her collarbone. Raising her head after a few moments of contented cuddling, Seven ran her hands up Kathryn’s back. She decided to put the red-head out of her misery. “You dislike this, don’t you?” “I like being close to you, love, but you’re right. I do think this is a little awkward.” Kathryn admitted. “Why?” “I… I feel like a baby.” Kathryn blushed. Seven smiled as she whispered conspiratorially in the Admiral’s ear. “Sometimes I want to protect you like one.” “Oh Seven… I don’t need protecting.” “Perhaps not,” Seven replied, “But I would like to anyway.” Coral lips covered Kathryn’s again and she gave herself up completely to the deliciously warm sensations. She loved kissing Seven. The young woman was incredibly sensual, offering her something new each time. Seven would give her soft kisses that built up to an aria, then would decrescendo back to a whisper. And when Seven held her delicately with those Borg-enhanced arms that made her feel so protected, she felt safe and cared for. Seven’s gentle hands on her face as she made love to her mouth were in complete contrast to her physical strength. Kisses so soft and tender hands confirmed why she could never quell the attraction she had for the ex-drone. “I assume then,” Seven asked when they came up for air, “that ‘baby’ is not an acceptable term of endearment?” “Only if I can call you ‘Annikins’, my love.” "I do not know why I ‘put up’ with you," Seven said, grabbing her lover’s face and kissing the corner of her mouth loudly. "Because I'm a good lay," Kathryn said in her ear. “Indeed.” Seven replied. “Perhaps next time Miral and Naomi sleep over you will think twice about proving that. The way you scream will traumatize them for years.” “The way I scream?” Kathryn scoffed, hopping off the taller woman’s lap. “You sound like a wounded targh when you’re in the throes of passion!” Seven merely rolled her eyes primly in reply, a habit she and Icheb had picked up almost as soon as they set foot on the planet. Together the two women walked into the kitchen still bantering as Kathryn replicated a glass of wine and Seven checked on their supper. The smell of roast chicken made the Admiral realize just how hungry she was. She replicated the flatware and began to set the table. Her work at Starfleet Command and Seven’s activities at the MIT-Daystrom Institute and the Veteran’s Creche did not allow for many unhurried dinners, and they savored the rare treat. They dug into the food silently, slowly easing in and out of conversation. They never felt they had to talk to each other. Comfortable silences were common between them. They had an easy way with each other that made their friendship and relationship so successful. “How are you and B’Elanna doing on the NanoWave project?” Kathryn asked. “It is ‘coming along’ and even B’Elanna’s mood swings have stabilized.” Kathryn nodded sympathetically. Being pregnant with a Klingon son, even a hybrid, was always difficult because it wreaked havoc on the mother’s hormonal levels. Luckily Seven and B’Elanna had long ago worked out whatever animosities they had toward each other, their mutual love for Miral cementing a friendship that their mutual interest in Engineering could not. “Tom and Miral must be ecstatic.” Kathryn smiled. Seven nodded and then paused before taking another bite of her salad. “Kathryn, the Veteran’s Creche will be needing another round of funding for the new annex. I will have to attend the appropriations hearing at the General Council in Lyon next week. Will you have time to accompany me?” "I’ll make time.” Kathryn replied. “What about that appointment I set up with the President for you?” “His aide de camp rescheduled as he will be formalizing the treaty with the Klingons for another two weeks.” Seven sighed. By then it would be too late for the Federation’s President to endorse the proposition for additional resources to be diverted to the Veteran’s Creche. The orphans from the Dominion War who had no living family and were considered wards of the Federation had been one of Seven’s pet projects for the past two years. Kathryn knew that Seven found it ridiculous that it was even an issue that the Federation’s resources -- spread thinly since they were still recovering from the Dominion War – would be bestowed anywhere else but to the children of Starfleet personnel that had paid the ultimate price. The question of “who should get what” was a heated debate throughout the entire quadrant. Kathryn herself would be speaking about the matter tomorrow. “I think my speech still has some rough spots.” Kathryn said. “Would you mind if I made you listen to its newest incarnation?” Seven smiled. “No more than I minded the other 27 times.” “Har har. Thanks a lot.” The two women finished their supper and decided to enjoy the summer evening. The long days filled with light were Seven’s favorite time of the year. She had been in the darkness of space for most of her life and had only ever seen starlight. Summer sunshine played a big part in her willing “assimilation” into Terran culture. Seven walked out into their roof garden, bringing a pitcher of iced tea and two glasses. She turned her face to the light and breathed deeply of its silence and warmth. Kathryn smiled as she followed her lover outside, shading her hands against the sun. “I once claimed that I had no favorites, no preferences… I do not feel that way now.” Seven said softly. “This is my favorite place of all places.” Kathryn wrapped her arms around Seven tenderly. “I love our garden too. I loved how we worked together to design it, plant it, maintain it… it’s so beautiful.” “And efficient.” Seven teased. Kathryn pushed her down gently onto the hammock they had tucked between the trellises and lay over her. Seven grinned at her as she opened her arms to her lover's petite form. They held each other in a warm embrace for a long time, simply enjoying the feel of a body against another body. Their kisses were soft and sensual, the passion coming from the deep connection they had. Kathryn lifted her head so that Seven could kiss her neck. She gasped as Seven started at her chin and moved to her clavicle, as if she were savoring Kathryn’s skin with each touch of her lips. Then Seven moved back up to her ear, licking the tender spot right behind her earlobe. Kathryn sighed and squirmed beneath Seven’s gentle kisses. They kissed for a long time, enjoying making out like teenagers. They touched each other over their clothes, giggling when they traced over familiar ticklish spots. Neither could remember having so much sexually charged fun without taking off their clothes. "Mmm," Seven hummed. "You feel good in my arms.” Kathryn smiled, caressing Seven’s cheek with her free hand. She gazed at Seven's large blue eyes, mouth relaxed into a gentle curve, long blonde hair mussed without pretension. She meant so much to her. Coming home early had been such a good idea. “You have lost weight, haven't you?" Seven asked. Kathryn laughed and looked up from the leonine neck she had been kissing. "How did you know?" "I am Borg.” Seven replied. “And I am your lover. I know every nanometer of you." “Inside and out?” “Mmmhmm.” Seven replied, her borg-meshed hand drifting up Kathryn’s inner thighs to cup and caress her sex. “Inside and out.” Kathryn moaned as she arched into Seven’s touch. Smiling, the younger woman bestowed soft kisses on Kathryn’s forehead while continuing to caress her. Seven’s fingers slowed their pace from an arousing pressure to one of gentle and seductive promise. “Oh Seven…” Kathryn sighed. “How come… Why is it when we make love, it always feels like the first time?” A deep laugh came from Seven’s chest and she whispered in Kathryn’s ear. “Magic.” “Magic?” Kathryn repeated skeptically. Seven smiled as she tilted Kathryn’s face so that she could gaze into her eyes. “Kathryn, have you ever experienced moments so beautiful that you only want to experience it and never analyze it?” Kathryn nodded. “My life with you is like living in that moment.” Seven admitted softly. “I do not understand it and I do not question it. I don’t want to break the spell." Kathryn met Seven’s gaze as her eyes darkened with devotion. “Neither do I.” She kissed Seven then, with a fierce and desperate need, wanting so much to show her how permanent and how deep their connection really was. “I love you, Seven.” She whispered like a prayer. “I love you too, Kathryn.” Seven said between the deep kisses that bruised her mouth. “I have always loved you and only you.” “Mmmm… not even Chakotay? Not even for a little bit?” “No.” Seven replied. “Not in the way I have loved you.” “He’ll be there tomorrow, you know.” “Of course he will.” Seven said, surprised at Kathryn’s blatantly obvious declaration. “We haven’t seen him in years.” “He has been busy.” “Hmmm. I suppose.” Kathryn said her thoughts meandering. “Why does this disturb you?” Seven asked gently. “Oh, no reason.” She said with forced lightness. "You know, we haven't had much time to ourselves in a while. Not since everything happened. I miss having you in my arms, Seven.” “I have missed you too.” Seven sighed. “I am irritated when our schedules do not ‘jive’ and I am not able to spend sufficient and relevant time with you.” Kathryn held the young woman closer to her, snuggling further into the loose electric blue sweater that Seven loved to wear at home. Her hands drifted up and down the planes of Seven’s body and finally paused at her breasts, cupping them gently. “I miss the feel of your body against mine.” Kathryn whispered as her hands continued their explorations. “And how good it feels to slide into you." Kathryn’s voice was heavy and almost far off, remembering them together. Seven moaned into Kathryn’s searing kiss as she clung to the smaller woman, incredibly aroused by Kathryn’s fingers… they seemed to be everywhere… fondling her nipples through her sweater, caressing her thighs, pressing gently at the apex of her mound through the comfortable denims. The strings that held the hammock to the trellis gave a little, protesting the intense physical activity it was forced to endure. Both women froze as their stomachs launched into their throats at the sudden drop. Once they were certain they wouldn’t be dropped to the wooden deck, they burst out laughing. “I guess we should take this inside.” Kathryn said. “Yes.” Seven paused. “Will you hold me for a while? I want to see the sun set over the bay.” “Okay.” Kathryn grinned. “Just hold me.” “Oh fine.” Kathryn said. She pretended to pout as she got out of the hammock and poured herself a glass of iced tea. “Did you want one?” Seven nodded gratefully. “Loving you always makes me thirsty.” Kathryn waggled her eyebrows as she stuck a blue straw into the glass and handed it to Seven. She adjusted the strings that held the hammock and bent her knees to pull the hammock up to its previous position. Kathryn grunted at the effort. “You’re so heavy.” Seven rolled her eyes. “I did not hear anyone forcing you to adjust the hammock while I was in it. It seemed to be one of your ill-advised, if gallant, ideas.” “You know, Seven, I have half a mind to just drop you out of the hammock…” “And?” the ex-drone replied menacingly. “And take you to bed with me.” Kathryn amended. Seven shook her head. “Sunset first, bath second, your speech third, and then bed.” Kathryn laughed and took Seven’s outstretched hand as she settled herself in the hammock again. “Alright.” The red-head acquiesced. “It’s just that we haven’t had much time to make love.” “I am exquisitely aware of that.” Seven deadpanned. “However, Kathryn Janeway, you are not going to 'get out' of taking me on a real date. I want you to make time for me, dress for dinner and look pretty for me.” "Don't I always look pretty for you?" Kathryn asked, mock hurt in her voice. "Kathryn, I have seen you when you first wake up. I love you, but you always look like you were slapped awake." Kathryn guffawed loudly. It was so good to be laughing with her again. "Dammit, Seven," she said good naturedly, "you're just getting more and more cruel because you know I'll keep coming back." “Will you?” Seven asked, half-seriously. Kathryn nodded. “Always.”
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