Work Text:
“Computer,” Captain Kathryn Janeway’s clipped tone pierced the awkward silence that had settled into the briefing room. “State the time.” Her lips were pursed thin and taught.
“The time is 0913.” The USS Voyagers ships computers monotone reply only added to the unease of the senior staff sitting around the oval table.
B’Elanna, the half Klingon Chief of Engineering cleared her throat, feeling out the room before she spoke. Trying to sound confident, there was an edge of apprehension coloring her words. “We could start without her.” Dark brown eyes quickly scanned the faces looking at her reflecting almost every emotion on the humanoid spectrum.
Tom was mildly amused at her brazen statement, Tuvok sat stoic and void, Neelix shifted nervously and cast his eyes to his hands which were clasped on top to the table. Harry appeared to be frustrated and Chakotay, the first officer was definitely grumpy.
“No.” Janeway dripped with irritation. “Computer, Locate Seven of Nine.” Her command faculties fully engaged.
“Seven of Nine is in Cargo bay 2.”
Janeway slapped her com badge with such force she felt a sting on her palm. “Captain to Seven of Nine.”
No response.
“Seven of Nine. Please Respond.”
Janeway glanced at Chakotay who nodded, taking a deep breath.
“Continue, I’ll be in Cargo Bay 2.” Janeway stood with such force, her chair almost fell backwards. A collective sigh of relief could unmistakably be heard as she exited the briefing room.
“Ok, People! Let’s get to it!” Janeway heard Chakotay say as the doors hissed shut behind her.
Janeway was worried but she masked her apprehension with anger. She noted the anxious eyes of the Gamma shift on her as she strode to the turbo lift. “Deck 4!” She barked.
It wasn’t like Seven of nine, the resident liberated Borg to be late. Ever. That simple fact alone sent chills down the Captains spine. Couple that with unanswered hails and Janeway was desperately trying to contain her agitation.
By the time she reached the Cargo Bay entrance doors, her palms were sweaty and shaking slightly. She pressed the entry code and the doors parted quickly. Stepping inside, she saw no sign of the tall blonde woman. Her alcove was empty, as was the work station.
“Seven?” She called out. The eerie echo adding to her frayed nerves. She looked around cautiously and stepped closer to the green glowing alcoves. She saw no one.
“Computer.” She called out again, “Locate Seven Of Nine.”
“Seven of Nine is in Cargo Bay 2.”
Janeway frowned and walked around the workstation. “Seven?” She called a bit louder. “Seven are you in here?”
Janeway heard a moan. A pain filled, groggy moan.
Inching a little further towards the sound she peered underneath the work station. Her breath caught in her chest and her blood ran cold.
“SEVEN!?” She choked out, kneeling on the ground beside the crumpled form laying on the floor. “Seven!” She tried again. Reaching out to tug at the woman's waist.
Seven of Nine lay on her side, knees curled up tightly hugged to her chest with shaking arms. She rolled onto her back with a groan and Janeway saw sweat beads formed across her Grecian features. “Oh, God. Seven.” Janeway pressed her palm to Seven’s forehead, then slid down to cup a much too warm cheek. “You have a high fever.” She told the half conscious Borg.
Seven’s winced and pulled her face away from the hand pressed to her face, her eyes remained tightly closed. Her lips slightly parted, her labored breathing coming out in husky puffs. There dark, hollow creases beneath her eyes giving her her pale features a morbid look that made Janeway’s skin crawl.
“What the hell.” She whispered to herself, staring down at the normally near perfect and composed ex Borg drone.
Still crouched beside Seven, she tapped her combadge. “Janeway to Sickbay.”
“Doctor here, How can I help you Captain?” Voyagers EMH asked Cooley over the com link.
“I need a sight to sight transport. Two to beam directly to Sick Bay from Cargo Bay 2.”
There was a pause as she heard a few beeps, waiting impatiently but calmly.
“Captain, I can’t get a lock.” Some anxiety inching into his tone. “Is Seven ok? What’s going on?”
Janeway shook her head. Her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose between her eyes. “No. She is unconscious and has a high fever. She’s perspiring and I can’t wake her.”
The EMH was silent as she heard more beeps, then a hushed curse.
“Captain, I cannot lock on to her.”
“Dammit!” Janeway shouted a little louder than intended which caused Seven to stir. “Fine. Be ready. I’ll take her myself.”
“But Capt..”
“Janeway out!” She slapped her badge, ending the com.
Sighing loudly, Janeway reached out and placed her hand on Seven’s arm. The Blonde recoiled from the contact and grunted. Discomfort etched along her features.
“You’re not going to enjoy this.” Janeway whispered to her friend, hoping beyond hope she could hear her. “I’m going to pick you up.” She stated firmly. “It will most likely hurt.”
Janeway searched Seven’s face for any recognition and gasped gently when one eye peeped open just slightly enough to see her ice blue iris through hooded lashes. With an almost imperceptible nod the petite Captain slid her arm under the long, shapely legs first. She could feel the fire of Seven’s fever through her biosuit and Janeway knew it had to be excruciating. Once she had a firm grip she reached her other arm beneath Seven’s swan like neck and hooked around delicate shoulders.
“I got ya, Seven.” She whispered into Seven’s ear. Without hesitation, Janeways small frame lifted the metal laden woman easily of the floor, surprising herself with her strength. Seven was significantly heavier than an average woman of her height and build. Janeway made a mental note to continue her exercise routines. They must be effective if she’s able to lift a Borg with this much ease.
Seven hung limp in the Captains arms as they made their way to Sick bay. Thankfully no crew members greeted them in the Halls, and it only took about two minutes to reach their destination.
“Doctor!” Janeway shouted as she entered Sick bay. The EMH walked briskly from his office, medical tricorder in hand.
“Put her over there.” He indicated to the surgical bio bed at the far end of the bay. He continued scanning the prone body as Janeway gently laid her down.
Janeway tapped her combadge and took a steadying breath. “Janeway to Chakotay.”
“Chakotay here.” She heard him say.
“I’m in Sick bay with Seven. You have the bridge until further notice. Janeway out.” Not leaving room for questions, she quickly tapped her badge again.
“What’s wrong with her?” She barked at the EMH.
“I virus.” He stated, still running scans. He placed a hypospray to her neck and released its contents into Seven with a hiss.
“You can’t be serious?!” She asked in disbelief. “This is what Biofilters are for! How can she be infected by a Virus?”
The EMH shook his head but did not look up. He was concentrating on the readings his instruments were indicating. “I’ll run some tests.” He proclaimed before walking quickly to his office.
“Captain.” A raspy voice uttered quietly.
“Seven?” Janeway bend down closer to her friend. “Did you say something?” Her stormy grey eyes searching the beautiful face. In the bustle to get Seven to the Doctor, a few fly away strands had come lose from the perfectly structured updo. Janeway reached up and brushed a few strands from the Blondes face with her finger tips.
“Here.” The EMH stated, returning as quickly as he left. He pressed another hypo spray to her neck and Seven responded Immediately. Her grayish skin tone pinked up slightly and her face relaxed.
“What was that?” Janeway ask, allowing her relief to show.
“Anti-viral and analgesic.” He looked at Seven with concern. “I believe her alcove is the culprit.”
“Janeway to B’Elanna!” Janeway opened the com quickly.
“B’Elanna here.”
“Go to the Cargo Bay and run a diagnostic on Seven’s alcove. The Doctor thinks it’s malfunctioning.
“Aye.” Was all Janeway heard before she cut off the link.
“Doctor, how long do you…” Janeway couldn’t finish her sentence as Seven groaned loudly and lifted her hands to her head, grasping the sides of her temples in agony.
“Seven!” Janeway whispered, placing her hand on Seven’s Thigh.
“Pain.” The blonde seethed through gritted teeth.
“I know.” Janeway almost cooed but kept her voice steady and strong. “You have contracted a Virus. We are looking into it.”
“It’s too bright.” Seven whined. Janeway couldn’t help the half smile that graced her lips. She always thought it was cute when Seven whined.
“Computer.” She called out. “Lights to forty percent.”
When the lights dimmed, Sevens face relaxed again. Janeway removed her hand from Seven’s thigh and reached up to take a metal meshed hand in hers and pull it to her chest. Cupping it gently to into herself for comfort. Though, she wasn’t sure if it was for Seven’s comfort, or her own.
“I am in Sick bay.” Seven’s eyes fluttered open to gaze at her Captain. Concern and confusion coloring her expression.
“Yes.”
“What happened?” She asked quietly.
“You were late for the morning briefing. I found you on the floor in Cargo Bay 2 beneath your work station. You were unconscious and you had a very high fever.”
“We tried to beam you directly here.” The doctor offered, “Only we could’nt get a lock on your bio signs. The Captain carried you here.”
Seven of Nine did not often express surprise, so when she did, it was of great significance.
“You carried me?” She stared at Janeway, her eyes wide.
“I did.” Janeway looked at her and felt her heart skip a beat at the expression on her friends face.
“Impressive.” She stated from her reclined position, reclaiming her cool demeanor. “I will not stay here.”
Janeway and the EMH each placed a firm hand on Seven’s shoulders as she tried to sit up. Her face scrunched in pain and she allowed them to press her back down onto the biobed.
“I do not want to remain here.” The tall, voluptuous blonde sounded like a small child with her plea. “Captain.” She looked at Janeway, not hiding her feelings. “Please?”
Janeways heart thudded inside her chest, threatening to erupt with urgency.
“You have no where to go.” The EMH stated in his matter of fact inflection. Janeway glared at him, inwardly pleased when he slunk away with what passed as shame and left them alone to go to his office.
“You will heal. Your immune system is already attacking the virus, and your nanoprobes are repairing the damage to your organs from the high fever.” His voice called out from his office. When he peeked his head out, she looked confined, but his voice was kind. “You need to rest, Seven, and the only place you can do that, Is here.”
Seven closed her eyes and turned away from Janeway who was looking at her with sad grey eyes.
“She can stay with me.” Janeway said without thinking.
The doctor looked at her in shock, fully exiting his office again and approaching with caution. “Captain, what are you saying?”
Squaring her shoulders, she stated again, “She can stay with me.” A bit more commanding than before.
Seven turned her head slowly towards them and watch the silent interaction between the Captain and the Doctor.
“Very well.” He stated through tight lips. “If this were any other patient I would release them to their quarters till the virus was eradicated and the symptoms cleared.”
“Good.” Was all Janeway said.
“As long as its fine with the pat…”
He was cut off by Seven loudly exclaiming, “ACCEPTABLE.”
Janeway suppressed a giggle and tried in vain to keep her face impassive.
The EMH eyed them both before retrieving a few vials and a hypo spray. He handed them to Janeway and instructed her on how and when to administer them.
Five minutes later, Seven was being lead to the turbo lift, leaning heavily against her Captains side.
“Thank you.” Seven whispered, not looking at Janeway who smiled kindly and patted the borgs back where she was supporting her.
“Torres to Janeway.” Janeways heard her combadge patch the link through as she eased a stumbling Borg into her living quarters. Her legs were sore and her back felt like it had snapped in half.
“Janeway here.” She grunted, trying in vain to gently set Seven on the couch. The blonde fell like a sack of potato’s onto the cushions, moaning as she slumped on her side and lifted her legs up and curling into herself.
“One of the bio neural gel packs that supplies energy to Seven’s alcove seems to be infected. We traced the virus to something Neelix brought on board a week ago from T’liria when we stopped for Shore leave.” “B’Elanna detailed her explanation and continued her evaluation with plans to replace the pack and destroy the food in Neelix’s kitchen.
“Nice Job, Lieutenant. Inform me when repairs are complete” Janeway sat on the couch beside the now sleeping ball of womanhood and pulled her blonde head onto her lap. “Janeway out.”
Nimble fingers pulled lovingly at a few stray blonde locks and tucked them behind Seven’s delicate ear. “Sleep, Darling.” She heard herself say, shocked. Shaking her head to try and clear it, she laid back and closed her eyes. Her fingers stilled, laced within Seven’s golden hair.
“Captain?” Seven’s husked. Her throat raw and the evidence of discomfort plainly displayed with a deep frown. Normally sky blue eyes fluttered open, now significantly duller and with a hint of hazel around the cornea.
“Yes Seven?” Janeway lifted her head from the back of the couch and lazily gazed down at the young woman looking up at her.
“This is most disconcerting.” Her frown deepened. “However, the feeling of your fingers in my hair seems to lessen the ….” Seven paused, unsure of the correct verbiage. “…agony.”
Janeway smiled brightly, though concerned. “Your fever has dropped, but not broken.”
“I have never experienced this before. It is troubling.” She winced and tried to sit up. Janeway gently guided her with a hand between two chiseled shoulder blades. “NO!” She shouted. “No. No. No.” she repeated. “I must lay down.”
“Let me help you to the bed.” Janeway tried to stand and take Seven with her, only to have Seven slip off the couch half way up. She was caught easily by small but strong arms. “Whoa!” She huffed, hoisting Seven to her feet. “You’ll be ok, but I know this sucks.”
With one arm heavily wrapped around Janeways shoulders, the pair made it to the bedroom where Seven moaned pitifully as she crawled into the center and collapsed. Legs and arms haphazardly flung about the pristinely made linens.
The Captain pulled a soft cotton throw from her armoire and tossed it like a parachute into the air. It expanded out, catching some air and flitted down lightly. Slowly contorting around Seven’s form. She stood over Seven, watching her carefully. When she was sure the younger woman was sleeping, she turned to leave.
“Wait.” Seven croaked. “Do not leave?” It was almost a plea.
Janeway’s heart shattered for the poor ex Borg, clearly in agony. silently, she approached the bed and Seven slid over enough for her lay down. Seven tried a smile but it was more of a grimace.
“Go to sleep.” Janeway gently commanded.
“I will comply.”
Seven slept for a few hours, while Janeway read her book of Ancient Greek poets. She came across a passage that gave her pause:
“The gleaming stars all about the shining moon
Hide their bright faces, when full-orbed and splendid
In the sky she floats, flooding the shadowed earth
with clear silver light.”
She looked over at the angelic face slumbering a foot away. Full pouty lips slightly parted, large crystal clear blue eyes that would shame the waters of the Caribbean hidden behind alabaster lids adorned with long silken lashes. A sharp, angular nose and smooth skin framed by wisps of spun gold fanned out over the pillows.
Her breath caught in her throat. There was a fire in her belly and it made her feel both amazement, and fear. What had possessed her to bring the ill stricken woman to her quarters? Why was she so utterly happy to take care of her. Her. Her Seven.
She looked at the poetry again, then who the author of the quote was. Sappho. Janeway chuckled and quickly clamped her hand over her mouth.
Seven of Nine stirred slightly and rolled to her side with a calm sigh. Her eyes fluttered open, a bit clearer than before and finally managed a weak grin. “Feeling better?”
Seven knitted her brows together, obviously running a self diagnostic.
“No.” Janeway said. Her voice husky. “Don’t think.” She scooted down till she was laying on her side facing Seven. “How do you FEEL.”
Seven relaxed her face. “I…” she paused, attempting to answer her captain appropriately. “…nauseated, my head aches and my body is sore all over. My skin is overly sensitive and my mouth tastes like I ate Naomi Wildmans teddy bear for breakfast.”
Janeway couldn’t help her laughter. Seven watched her, puzzled.
“Sorry, Seven.” She tried to calm herself. Seven had just explained her symptoms as if reading from a checklist for an engineering diagnostic. The colorful antidote and visualization of Seven eating a teddy bear was too much. “I really am. Honestly. I’m sorry you’re going through this.”
Seven nodded, quirking her ocular eye piece. Then suddenly frowned. “Captain? I feel…” her face contorted in pain as her fists grabbed handfuls of sheet. Her body convulsed violently. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she screamed. A deep, feral scream that caused Janeway to freeze in terror before snapping back to herself.
“Seven!” She cried out and reached for the seizing woman. Holding her tight, Janeway yelled into the darkness of the room, “Computer, Hail the Doctor.”
“Comm Link open.”
“DOCTOR!” She shouted “Seven of Nine is having a Seizure. Transport us to Sick Bay. NOW!”
“Right away Captain!” She heard his clipped tone and thanked every God in existence when she felt the familiar tingle of the transporter beam.
They materialized together, on the surgical biobed. Seven sprawled over Janeway who was holding her as stable as possible. Her arms and legs both wrapped around Seven. She didn’t let go when Seven started to relax. She didn’t even let go as the EMH approached with his instruments.
“Captain please. I must work.” His voice was gentle but urgent and she gracefully extricated herself from around Seven’s unconscious form and stepped aside, just enough for the Doctor to run scans. No one seemed to notice she hadn’t let go of one Seven’s hand. Her face anxiously taking in the younger woman’s features. She did something she hadn’t done since she was a child. She prayed.
“Her fever spiked again.” He told her, but she barely registered his words.
“Fever?” She felt the air leave her lungs in a puff. “Again?” She felt dizzy.
“She needs to eat something.” He said, continuing his scans. “She will be ok, just make sure she eats, drinks water and sleeps.”
“What the hell do you think I’ve been doing?!” She spat at him. Quickly realizing she’d lashed out at him unnecessarily she softened her tone. “I apologize, Doctor. Can you send us back now?”
“Of course.” He eyed her for a moment then patted her shoulder.
A moment later they were back in Janeways quarters. Seven on the bed and Janeway standing beside it, hands on her hips and shaking her head. “Fuck.” She whispered. She didn’t normally indulge curse words, but it was the only expletive that fit her mood.
Seven curled into a fetal position again, hugging her knees. A whimper escaped her lips and she started shaking. A different shaking that before. She was crying. In her sleep. Tears streaming down her face and onto the sheets beneath her.
“Oh, Seven.” Janeway knelt down beside the bed, reaching up to trace an outline around the cool metal of her ocular implant. Seven instinctively leaned into the caress and calmed her gentle sobs. Her skin was like fire under Janeways fingertips.
“Kathryn?”
Janeway froze. Her fingertips stilled against Seven’s cheek.
“I love you.” Seven whispered in a breath.
Unprepared for the tirade of emotions Seven’s fevered statement evoked, Captain Janeway stood quickly. Staring down at the blonde, clearly still asleep, but fitfully so.
She had read scholarly journals of medicine where physicians explained that a fever could induce hallucinations, but they could also provoke confessions of all kinds. Was this a hallucination? Or was this a confession? Either way Janeway did not like her predicament.
She found herself settling on Hope. Hope that it was a confession. But why would that give her hope? She knew Seven was important to her. She was Janeways closest friends, aside from Tuvok. She even realized that when it came to Seven, Janeway would risk life and limb to keep her safe. Sometimes to the extent of jeopardizing everyone else.
“Do I love you, too?” She though out loud.
Seven looked so small, huddled into a ball in the center of her bed.
“B’Elanna to Janeway.”
Her combadge opened the hail, startling the Captain from her thoughts.
“Yes? I’m here.” She felt flustered, but held her command tone in kind.”
“Seven’s alcove should be ok now. The virus has been removed from the kitchen stores as well.”
“Thank you, B’Elanna. Janeway out.”
Janeway kicked off her boots and walked into the living space of her quarters to stand before her replicator. She leaned against it heavily as she keyed in the necessary ingredients for chicken noodle soup, some bread and a bowl of strawberries.
When they materialized, Janeway silently thanked the wretched machine for behaving this one time it was actually important for it function properly. She gathered the bowls in her arms and took them to the bedroom.
“Seven.” She spoke sweetly, trying to arouse the sleeping, sweaty, mumbling Borg. She sat the food on the table beside the bad and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Seven..” She called a bit more forcefully.
Seven continued her slumber and started to gently snore. Janeway laughed and reached over to place her palm against the heated skin of the blonde woman’s cheek. Her alabaster skin tinted rouge from her fever.
She felt Seven stir and her eyes fluttered open. Normally cool blue, her irises were a dull hazel flecked with sprinkles of dark blue. Even sick and fevered, she was beautiful.
“You need to eat.” She motioned for Seven to sit up, which she did, very slowly, wincing. “No protests to nutritional ingestion at the moment?” Janeway playfully joked, earning a small smile from the weary lips before Seven winced again. “Sorry, Love.”
Janeway froze, the endearment falling unbidden from her mouth. She wondered if Seven had caught it. The clouded eyes that looked sharply at her told the Captain that she had with out a doubt caught the slip.
Janeway stared back before breaking the spell and tearing her eyes from the wonderful connection. She leaned over and grabbed the bowl slowly bringing it to where Seven could take it. Her hands were shaking, but then, so were the weakened slender hands that took the bowl from her.
Seven ate in silence. Janeway sat and watched her. Handing her pieces of bread every once in a while. When she had ate as much as possible, which was only half of the soup, she handed the bowl to Janeway.
“Thank you.” She mumbled and leaned back against the headboard. Her eye closed. Hands resting on her lap.
The Captain set the bowl on the table and grabbed the strawberries. “Here, try just one of these. They have Vitamin C which is good for your immunity.” She repositioned herself to sit beside the Borg and rested against the headboard beside her. Their arms and hips touching.
Seven opened her eyes and looked at Janeways hand holding out the strawberry. Her full lips curled into a forced but genuine grin. “I love Strawberries.” She whispered, taking the plump red fruit and promptly taking a bite. Juice squirted out of the side and dripped down to her cleft chin.
Without hesitation, Janeway reached up and wiped her thumb across Seven’s chin and jawline, removing the sweet nectar before placing her thumb into her own mouth and licking it off. She froze again and chanced a glance at Seven who was grinning sweetly as she chewed. “Was it good?” She asked, her eyes almost dancing despite the fevered influence on their clearness.
Janeway laughed, her thumb still in her mouth. “Yea.”
Seven leaned her head against the headboard and regarded Janeway with hooded eyes. “Why are you taking care of me?” She asked.
“Because, Seven.” She wondered herself, but had decided on a diplomatic answer, having anticipated the question hours ago. “You deserve privacy while you recover.”
“This is hardly private.” Seven stated. Clearly starting to feel a little better, her mind spinning with her usual acuity. “You are here.”
“Would you like me to leave?” Janeway asked, trying to hide the hurt but moving to sit up.
“NO!” Seven almost shouted, quickly putting her hand on Janeways thigh. Her heated palm causing the smaller woman to gasp audibly.
“Ok.” She squeaked out. “I will stay.”
Seven watched Janeway lean back and scooted closer. Growing weary again, she yawned and laid her head on her Captains shoulder, her hand gliding up to gently hook around Janeways. Seven sighed and quickly fell asleep. Janeway was frozen, wide eyed. The feeling of Seven literally cuddling her side was making her respiration skyrocket. She could hear the blood pumping in her veins in her ears; ears which had turned beet red. Her chest felt tight and her stomach muscles were fluttering out of control.
Attempting to quell the attraction building deep inside her, she took 3 very deep breaths. Proving to be a mistake as her senses were overrun with the scent of honeysuckle tinged with the slight hint of metal. Seven. It was Seven’s scent. Her mind was reeling. It was a small wonder she managed to merely turn her head and place a feather light kiss atop the crown of silken gold resting on her shoulder, pressed against her neck.
Janeway pulled her arm snuggly against herself, tightening the grip on Seven who instinctively snuggled closer.
“Seven?” She whispered in a choked voice.
“Mmm?” Her sleep addled non-descript reply caused Janeway to shudder in delight. It was so ‘un-Seven’ and… cute.
“We need to talk.” The statement was so quiet. Hesitant. But commanding enough for the Borg to lift her head enough to look into Janeways mildly panicked face.
“Ok.” She smiled happily leaned forward, kissing Janeway on the cheek.
Every nerve ending in the Captains face screamed with the force of a thousand suns. She whimpered and closed her eyes.
“Seven what are you doing?” she rasped.
Seven leaned her head down again and yawned even bigger. “Loving you.”
Janeway stared at the top of Seven’s head. Shocked. A few seconds ticked by and she heard the distinct sound of Seven snoring airily.
It’s just the fever, Janeway mused. It has to be. There’s no way she Loves me. Except as a friend. A mentor. A leader. She can’t mean it the way I want her to. Wait. The way i want her to?
Janeways eye grew even wider, if it was even possible. Realization slamming into her consciousness like a warp core breach.
I love her… like LOVE love her.
She felt tears prickling her eyelashes and blinked, releasing them to trail slowly, freely down her cheek.
“Seven.” Sounding a little too forceful, she shook her should slightly to rouse the slumbering goddess molded into her side. “Seven. Wake up.”
“What?” She whined, poking out her bottom lip as she picked up her head and glared at Janeway through hooded eyelashes.
The lip. Full. Luscious. Red. Pouting lip. Janeway gulped loudly. Her eyes darting quickly between mouth and eyes and back again. “Uhhmm.”
Seven presser her index finger to Janeways lips, contorting awkwardly. Almost comically. “Shhh.”
Seven dropped her hand and even though Janeway thought it impossible, she scooted even closer into her side. Her face leaning forward to nuzzle Janeways neck. When Seven hummed her appreciation, Janeway’s eyes rolled back in her head and she tilted her head to the side to let Seven have better access.
“Seven,” she breathed, “please stop.”
“Why?” Seven pressed her lips to Janeways neck, just below her earlobe.
“I…” Janeway tried to form words. All that came to mind was keep going.
Seven rested her face against Janeways pulse point and very quickly fell asleep. Again.
Janeway groaned and reached over to the table where she had placed her commbadge. Flicking it with her thumb, she barked her orders.
“Janeway to the Doctor.”
“Doctor here, Captain, is everything alright?” His tone was full of concern.
“Yes.” She paused. “No.”
After a longer pause, the Doctor spoke cautiously. “Would you like a house call?”
Janeway grimaced, but knew the doctor would be discreet if she drilled it into him hard enough. “Yes.”
“Be there in 5 minutes.”
“Thank you. Janeway out.”
5 minutes seemed to stretch on for an eternity before she heard the chime at her door. “Come.” She barked a little too commanding.
“How’s everythi…” he paused in the door and took in the sight of Seven curled up against the Captain, her face pressed loving into Janeways neck. “Thing going?” His tone changed. He quickly recovered noting the death glare he received from his Captain.
“Would you please, just scan her?” She waved him over.
“What’s happened?” He asked, casually whipping out his medical tricorder and running over Seven as he leaned over Janeway.
“She’s been saying things she wouldn’t normally say. Acting a little, off. Definitely not the normal Seven of Nine.” She sighed and looked at him expectantly. “Is she ok?”
“Hmmm.” He punched in a few commands and closed his instrument, tucking it away into his pocket. “It seems the Fever has had an unforeseen effect on her cortical node. She seem to have experienced the removal of some of her inhibitions.”
“Inhibitions?” Janeway looked at him with an unreadable expression.
“Yes.” He concluded, “a feeling or impulse that makes one self-conscious and unable to act in..”
“I know what inhibitions are, Doctor.” She growled. “What exactly are you saying?”
“In essence, Captain. She is drunk.” Her pursed his lips and looked at her arrogantly.
“Drunk?” Janeway paled.
“Yes.” The Doctor studied her a few seconds, frowning. “Why? What has she said?”
“Oh nothing.” Here voice abnormally high pitched. “Thank you, that’ll be all.”
Nodding at the curt dismissal, he turned and left quickly.
Janeway sat in the quiet for hours. Unmoving. Her mind reeling. Her heart pounding. Her decision made!
Shifting slightly, she angled her body towards the warmth beside her before reaching her free hand up to cup Seven’s warm cheek. Her thumb striking the delicate cheek bone just under her ocular implant.
“Seven,” she whispered, feeling bold. She felt the Blonde shift and lift her head. Janeways hand still on her cheek. Seven leaned into the touch and smiled.
“Captain.” She looked at Janeway and her eyes cleared. “Captain?” She repeated, slightly thrown, suddenly very awake.
“Don’t move.” Janeway instructed gently. Her hand still on Seven’s cheek. “How are you feeling?” She asked. A small smiled lifting the corners of her mouth.
Seven contemplated her answer before stating in her usual matter-of-fact tone, “I am functioning.” She wrinkled her nose. “Almost adequately.”
“You’ve been asleep for hours, and I think your nano-probes are doing their job quickly dissipating your Fever.” She slid her palm across the soft skin she was still caressing and glided down Seven’s neck. Blue eyes closed instantly and full lips parted with a sharp intake of breath.
“Seven?” She asked, her voice deep and velvety. “Do you remember the past 18 hours?”
“Yes.” She breathed. Her face flushing in embarrassment. “I apologize, Captain, for my behavior.”
“Seven. Do you know inhibitions are?”
The blonde nodded, her eyes slowly opening but unable to form the words.
“Apparently, yours were nonexistent.” Janeway laughed, the deep vibrations made Seven light headed. Janeways thumb started tracing circles in the soft skin of Seven’s neck. “I’ve been sitting here, a very long time. Thinking about many things. And I want to tell you something, Seven of Nine.”
Seven swallowed, hard and nodded. Her eyes locked on the gray blue ones staring deeply into her soul.
“I love you.”
Seven froze. Her eyes wide, staring hotly. She gripped her stomach and slowly, very slowly. Smiled.
“Perhaps…” She began, feeling a powerful confidence rise within her, “I might call you Kathryn.”
Janeway laughed openly, and nodded before pulling Seven towards her, closing the distance until their lips met in a fierce, all consuming kiss, silently uttering the promise of possibilities.