Captain Janeway had spent a long, grueling day on the bridge. So far today she managed to get her ship thrown off course by attempting to fly through a plasma storm that knocked them about six weeks off their trajectory to the Alpha Quadrant, recent tensions between herself and Commander Chakotay were mounting, and to top it off, today was her birthday.
She didn’t feel any older, and she certainly didn’t want anyone to fuss over her, but she had promised Neelix she would to come to the messhall for some cake later this evening. He always had a flare for cheering people up, not to mention that birthdays were always celebrated on Voyager not matter how badly someone wanted it to remain a secret. She would divulge classified information before she divulged her birthday, but somehow the resident Talaxian found the info. The one thing she wanted right now, more than anything, was to take a nice, long, hot bath and leave Voyager and the Delta Quadrant behind, even if it was only for an hour.
She entered the doors to her quarters, and when the lights didn’t immediately go on she had a sneaky suspicion something else bad was about to happen. She just knew this day would not end on a high note.
“Computer, lights.” Still nothing. Janeway walked across the room in the dark with only the vague, dim light from stars they passed at warp speed to light her path. She tugged at her tunic, removing the outer layers of her uniform and headed to the bathroom. She would deal with this new problem after her bath.
As she entered the bedroom she froze as she was caught off guard by what she saw. There, in the dark, were candles spread around the room, adorning every item of furniture, flickering in the breeze she created when she disturbed the stillness of the air, and laying in the center of her bed was a very nude Seven of Nine, the most beautiful woman Kathryn Janeway had ever laid eyes on.
“Seven, what are you doing in here?”
Seven calmly noted, “I understand this is the anniversary of the day of your birth. Am I correct?” She lounged across the bed, taking up the full length of it, and rested her head on her hand. She knew Kathryn had a difficult day and making love to her tonight would be the best way to release all the pent up energies the captain suppressed.
Kathryn was never one to go for the whole birthday celebration when it came to her own. Sure, she enjoyed giving gifts to people she loved and took pleasure in celebrating other people’s birthdays, but she was always demure and unpretentious when it came to her own. “That’s nice of you, Seven, and I appreciate the offer, but I’d really like to forget this whole day if you don’t mind.” She continued undressing with ease, showing no reservation in exposing her nudity in front of Seven. “I’m going to take a bath now, dear, but I want you right there when I get out. That’s an order. If you aren’t on that bed when I return, I’m calling a red alert,” and she disappeared into the bathroom.
When nearly an hour had passed and Janeway still had not emerged from the bathroom, Seven took it upon herself to investigate. She rose the bed, careful not to disturb the rose petals she scattered around the bed before Kathryn arrived, and walked to the bathroom looking for Kathryn. When she arrived, she saw Kathryn sound asleep amidst a pool of bubbles with a washcloth folded neatly to cover her eyes. “Kathryn, if you are ill I can call the doctor.”
Startled, but keeping the cloth on her eyes, Janeway remarked, “No, I just needed to release myself from all the excitement. Come join me.”
Seven managed to lower herself into the tub without displacing any of the water onto the floor, though the level did rise to the highest point allowed in the tub without overflowing. She sat opposite Kathryn, facing the woman she loved, and reached out to cover the older woman’s hand that draped over the side of the tub. As Kathryn removed the cloth from her eyes, Seven observed the level of stress in her eyes and said, “Kathryn, you have had an exhausting day. I believe you should go right to bed.”
Janeway smiled naughtily. “I think you’re right, but I don’t plan on getting much sleep tonight.” Her grin divulged the devilish side Seven had not seen before. “Why don’t you scoot closer to me?”
Seven raised her brow and knew exactly where this was heading. Since they had confessed their attraction for each other only a few weeks prior, they had made love nearly fifty times. The attraction was more that physical though. She admired Kathryn’s intellect, her compassion, and the unconditional love she showed Seven. They had their differences on occasion, and sometimes it lead to heated arguments, but as B’Elanna suggested, it was more than their difference of opinions that sparked the arguments. When it came to Seven, B’Elanna had told her not so discreetly, Janeway’s behavior was almost Klingon-like. She snapped out of her temporary distraction and looked at Kathryn. Immediately, knew what Kathryn needed right now, and it wasn’t sleep.
Seven stood up and was covered in bubbles that inadvertently managed to conceal her most private parts, driving Kathryn wild with desire all the more. A soft purr seeped from Kathryn's throat as Seven maneuvered to the other side of the tub. The two women wrangled in the water, splashing some over the sides, but eventually settled into a position of Seven against the wall with knees raised and Kathryn sitting between her legs being cradled in her long, luxurious, Borg arms and enjoying the feel of Seven's breasts pressed against her back.
“This feels nice,” Kathryn confessed.
“I concur. However, this water temperature is not to your usual liking. It is too cool.”
“Oh that’s ok. I’m sure things will warm up in a minute.” Kathryn then turned around, arched her head back, and pulled Seven’s face to her, locking their lips together for what appeared to be a happy reunion. It had been nearly twenty-four hours since they last saw each other outside of ship’s business, and that was far too long at this point in their relationship, Kathryn decided.
The kiss escalated into some gentle caresses from Seven along Kathryn’s jaw and down her neck. With her human hand, she dropped down to Kathryn breasts and cupped each one lovingly, knowing full well she was stirring unbridled waves of desire in her captain. They continued to speak to each other with passionate kisses and gentle strokes along sensitive areas. Lost in the moment, Seven had not realized until after that Janeway turned her body to face and straddle her, giving her better access for things not yet attempted in the tub before now.
The messhall was filled with people from various shifts eating and drinking appetizers and cocktails. Balloons filled the room, crepe paper strung from the ceiling, and a huge card announcing warm wishes from the crew was posted on the corner. The entire senior staff was present with the exception of Captain Janeway and Seven, and Neelix was getting a little anxious to begin.
He continued catering to the guests, carrying trays of food to nearby tables, and glanced at the door every minute to see if Janeway had arrived. When he approached a small group of laughing guests, Chakotay, Harry, and B’Elanna, he joined in the conversation.
“Ah, Neelix, we were just talking about the time the captain and Seven sang that duet at talent night a few months ago,” Harry managed to squeeze out between laughs.
“Yeah,” B’Elanna continued, “The captain was so off key, and then Seven shattered that glass with her high note. Remember that?”
Neelix smiled, fondly remembering the night in question very well and enjoying the fun. “Yes, it was very entertaining. Next time I suggest we use shatterproof glassware.” Everyone laughed more and when the merriment died down he asked for a moment of Chakotay’s time in private.
“What’s up, Neelix?”
“Everyone is getting anxious and to be honest, Captain Janeway was supposed to be here by now.” Neelix knew there was tension between the captain and first officer for some time now, as did most of the senior officers, but he didn’t want to ruin the party by bringing it up.
“I wouldn’t worry about it. I’m sure she’ll be here soon.” Chakotay was holding something back, something he was ashamed of and didn’t want anyone else to know about.
“I was about to contact her on the comm., but I noticed someone else hasn't shown up yet either.”
Chakotay looked around the room, and for the first time tonight he noticed Seven of Nine was missing too. “Computer, locate Captain Janeway.”
The computer answered without hesitation, “Captain Janeway is in her quarters.”
A heartbreaking expression appeared on Chakotay’s face as he asked for Seven’s location, knowing the answer before the computer even had a chance to respond.
“Seven of Nine is in Captain Janeway’s quarters.”
Chakotay placed his hand on Neelix’s shoulder, and with a deep sense of defeat in his tone, he informed the host to serve up the cake and start the party without them. “Captain Janeway and Seven of Nine aren't coming tonight.” At least not here they aren’t he thought miserably.
Hours after they left the bathroom and romped around Janeway’s quarters in another of their untamed sexual encounters, both women lay exhausted on the sofa, drifting in and out of sleep. It was almost time to begin their duty shifts and soon the computer would alert them it was time to wake up.
Seven of Nine got up first, unraveling her body from Kathryn’s and headed for the bathroom to freshen up before going back to the cargo bay for an hour of regeneration. Puddles of water rested at the base of the tub, suds not yet dissolved clumped in the corner, some staining the wall, and crumbs from the caramel brownies she made for Kathryn littered the floor. She quickly cleaned up the mess, freshened herself up, dressed into her biosuit, and fixed her hair up onto her head, careful to be as quiet as possible. She recycled Janeway’s uniform and replicated a fresh one for the captain, neatly laying out the pips that Kathryn so often had a habit of losing. When she came back to the living room, she covered Kathryn’s nude body with a blanket; she looked so tranquil- at peace with herself. Before leaving, she gently kissed Kathryn’s forehead. “Happy birthday, my Kathryn. I love you.”
The End