It took them awhile to get the last trace of burnt cooking oil out of the air, even though the flames were quickly extinguished by Seven putting the cover on the wok, and shutting off the heating element. That had actually disturbed Janeway a little. Seven's easy familiarity in dousing the flames indicated that it was far from the first time she had dealt with such a thing. The captain supposed she shouldn't think about that too hard. What she didn't know would let her sleep nights. 
The wok required cleaning however, and that delayed dinner even further so Janeway felt obligated to assist, slicing the vegetables as Seven prepared the rice. That had surprised them both since they had never actually done this together before, and Janeway's aversion to cooking, especially from scratch, was well known to anyone who would listen. Possibly that was another side effect from the assimilation, Janeway thought as she cut the vegetables into thin strips, and tossed them into the wok. There was a calming effect to preparing food, and she thought she understood why Seven enjoyed it so much. It was, in its own way, a creative endeavor, just as Janeway's painting and sculpting in da Vinci's laboratory was. She wondered how Seven would react to a holo-program utilizing humanity's greatest chefs, then had to suppress a shudder, the thought of holograms lending itself quickly to thoughts of the Borg Queen.
She had not known anything about such a being, and she found the history now in her mind, of the creature and its encounter with Captain Picard of the Enterprise, a fascinating memory, though a fleeting one. She was pleased to realize that most of what had been dumped into her head was almost completely gone now, though she had made a concentrated effort to retain as much of Seven's memories and experiences as she could. Yet, even that was fading quickly as time went by. The Doctor seemed convinced that neither would suffer any permanent effects from being assimilated.
Of course, he had also been convinced that it was in Seven's best interests to be isolated after her return.
Janeway sighed, reaching out a hand to rest on the small of Seven's back. When there was no response, she slipped her arms around the tiny waist and hugged Seven from behind, realizing the younger woman had not felt her original touch. She had to remember that Seven had her nerve endings muted, much as she herself had experienced while a drone. Janeway had a sudden mental impression of an implant erupting on her cheek, aware that it had not hurt as it should have, and wondered if that dullness was precisely what Seven was feeling under the outfit. She supposed she should be grateful that Seven was not required to wear gloves, or a full face mask.  She reached up and kissed Seven's ear, nibbling on it gently.
"Are you attempting to distract me?" Seven asked quietly.
Janeway smiled as she nuzzled the soft lobe. "I would if I could," she murmured. "But we certainly don't need any more fires."
"Not of the previous sort," Seven agreed. She did turn and look down at Janeway, however, a gentle smile on her face. "Still, a brief interruption would not be dangerous."
"No?"
Janeway smiled as she felt Seven's mouth cover hers once more, and she gave the kiss the attention it deserved, wondering why she wanted Seven so much this moment even as she was very aware she couldn't have her. Maybe that was why, she thought ruefully. Finally, they released the embrace and went back to preparing the meal, this digression not affecting the cooking at all for which Janeway was suitably appreciative later when she sat down to her meal and took her first few mouthfuls.
Somehow preparing the food seemed to make it taste even better, the captain discovered, something she had never understood before. She wondered if that was why her mother had enjoyed cooking and baking. She knew that was part of the reason Seven derived a certain satisfaction out of making dinner. That, and the fact that Seven was aware Janeway truly enjoyed her cooking. It was Seven's gift to her, and Kathryn was appropriately grateful ... even if five years of Neelix's cooking hadn't made her so in the first place.
"This is tremendous," she said, pausing briefly between bites.
Seven smiled briefly, eyes lighting perceptively from where she sat on the other side of the table, idly playing with some utensils as she watched Janeway eat. She seemed somewhat amused by the way Janeway was attacking her meal.
"I gather you have been existing on little food and sleep the past two weeks," she said dryly.
Janeway attempted not to change expressions though she knew she had. That was the other side to having someone understand her. She could never hide anything. But then, Seven had always known when the captain hadn't been eating or sleeping properly, long before they had been assimilated together.
"I ... the Doctor saw that I ate," Janeway admitted. She still smarted from that lecture.
"You haven't been sleeping, however," Seven said quietly.
"You know I can't when you're not with me," Janeway responded simply, regarding her partner evenly.
Seven lowered her eyes. "It will be unnecessary for me to sleep for some time," she said sadly.
Janeway considered that, looking over the suit covering the beloved body, at the formidable heels the woman was forced to wear which contained additional circuitry for her implants. They could easily rip up the bedding, but then, the captain noted, it would hardly be the first time their bed had been destroyed.
"You can still lay beside me while I sleep," Janeway suggested quietly. "If you'd like."
Seven raised an eyebrow. "That would be acceptable?" she asked, hope dawning in her eyes. She added a cautionary tone. "I cannot even remove my footwear. It will be uncomfortable for you."
"I will adapt," Janeway said in a flat tone.
Seven flinched, and Janeway reached out a hand quickly to cover Seven's, remorseful as she realized that assuming the Borg tone for her play on words was more hurtful than amusing.
"I'm sorry darling," she said. "Bad joke." Seven relaxed as she realized Janeway had been attempting humor.
"I suspect we both must adapt," Seven allowed, taking a breath.
"It will take some time," Janeway agreed. "But it's better we do it together than apart."
Seven nodded and focused her attention on Janeway's plate. "Do you wish more?" she asked. "I made too much." She hesitated. "I am used to cooking for both of us."
"You will again," Janeway assured her. She reached over and filled her plate from the bowls on the table. She was not in the habit of taking seconds, but this was the first time in weeks that she had been able to eat Seven's cooking. She had no intention of allowing any to be deposited in the recycler. "In the meantime, I freely admit that I have some catching up to do."
Seven regarded her with a soft look to her eyes. "I enjoy watching you eat," she said.
Janeway flashed her a smile and tucked into the second plateful of stirfry vegetables. This really was delicious. The rice was moist, flavored with bits of green and red spices, while the chicken and vegetables had the tangy, peppery taste that she adored. In fact, Janeway considered, she couldn't remember a single meal Seven had made that she did not like, though it was unlikely that Gretchen Janeway would have given Seven any recipes that her daughter did not enjoy.
"I know how to make the slipstream technology work."
Janeway paused, a fork full of rice midway to her mouth as she stared at Seven, the meaning of the words slowly seeping through her brain. She took a breath and lowered the fork to her plate.
"Indeed," she said quietly though in reality, she wanted to leap up and down, run wildly about the room and scream loudly.
Seven nodded. "The entire knowledge of Species 116 is now available to me," she said. "The problem I was experiencing was in trying to bolster the integrity field to counter the velocity. That was incorrect. I need to modify the field so that it works in harmony with the slipstream corridor, not counter it."
Janeway took several deep breaths, attempting to control the feelings that were rushing through her. Was it possible that this most horrible of experiences was not to be in vain? That the one thing they had gained from this was a way home?
"What's the time frame we're looking at?" she asked, her voice still remarkably calm.
"I will need to run extensive testing on the integrity fields, possibly utilizing our remaining shuttle," Seven explained. "Once that is complete, Voyager can then be adapted. I anticipate no more than three years, and perhaps only one before we are able to utilize the drive."
Janeway leaned back in her chair and folded her hands neatly on the table, perhaps to keep them from shaking. "You're saying that we'll be able to go home in three years," she said flatly. "Not sixty years, but three years."
"Possibly within one," Seven repeated.
She raised an eyebrow, and Janeway knew she was awaiting a response of some sort. The problem was, she didn't know how she should react. There were so many emotions flying through her, so much that she was experiencing this moment.
"I don't know what to say," she said softly.
Seven nodded. "I understand," she said, though there was a touch of disappointment in her tone. "Hopes have been raised before. However, I know I can adapt this technology to Voyager. This vessel will be capable of slipstream velocity once the integrity field has been successfully modified."
Janeway stood up abruptly and, after only the smallest of startled pauses, Seven immediately followed suit in time to accept the embrace coming at her, Janeway flinging her arms around the taller woman's neck and holding her tightly.
"Thank you," she whispered, face buried in the warm hollow of Seven's shoulder.
"Thank Species 116," Seven said low in her ear. "It is their technology, after all."
Janeway clung to her, trying not to break down. To know she would be standing on Earth so soon, not needing decades but only a few years to get home. To know that finally, she would get her ship and her crew back to the Alpha Quadrant and the Federation. For an instant, the responsibilities that had constantly burdened her shoulders the past five years disappeared, making her giddy and exhilarated, wanting to dance about the room and shout at the top of her lungs. Even when reality returned, the weight was still lightened, an end to her toil now in sight.
"Oh, Annika," she said, tears sliding down her face. "Oh, my love." 
"It will be good to see Gretchen and Phoebe again," Seven said softly into Janeway's hair as she held the captain close. "Though I do not look forward to meeting my relatives again."
Janeway just smiled and cried harder.
 
Seven reluctantly let go as Janeway finally released her hold on her neck. It had been immensely satisfying to have shared this news with the captain, to see the way her eyes sparkled, the lilt in her voice as she spoke, trying very hard to be calm. Even the tears that had dampened her suit were those of joy, and to be able to do this for Kathryn after everything else was a source of great happiness to her. 
Janeway sniffed and wiped her face with her palm, looking up at her with bright blue eyes.
"We need to keep this quiet for the time being," she said.
Surprised, Seven regarded her with a raised eyebrow. "I can do this," she repeated, understanding that Janeway did not want to get her crew's hopes up if it turned out to be a false alarm. Seven knew the technology could be adapted. It was just a matter of time. Very little time when compared to 60 years.
"I know," Janeway said, resting her hands on Seven's arms as she looked up at her. "There's no question that certain of the crew will have to know in order to assist you. But if it takes the maximum time, that's still three years, three years of surviving in the Delta Quadrant. We can't afford to get sloppy now that we're so close to getting home."
"'Sloppy'?"
Janeway took a breath. "This crew is not all Starfleet, darling. There are also other factors to consider. What if something else happens that prevents us from adapting the drive? What if we encounter an alien species that delays us for whatever reason? What if the ship is damaged in an encounter? We need to act as if we're here for the duration. It would be too tempting to relax, thinking that the Alpha Quadrant is now in reach. We're still alone out here and we have only ourselves to rely on. When we're ready to start adapting Voyager itself rather than just a shuttle, then we can let the entire crew in on the good news."
"All right," Seven said. She didn't know if she agreed, but Janeway was the captain. She was a very good captain. If she felt that this should remain a matter just between them and a few others, then that was how it would be.
Janeway sat down to resume her meal, eating the rest of it without any display of her former appetite. Seven knew that the older woman's mind was operating at warp speed, turning over all the implications of this. The Borg remained quiet, content to watch her partner eat and think, enjoying the way the light played on the fiery highlights in the auburn hair, the play of lithe physique under the trim Starfleet uniform.
Janeway finished the last of the meal and stood up, taking her dishes over to the disposal unit to be recycled. Seven slipped over to the counter and drew out a bottle of wine. She noted that there was only one left in the rack which cradled them and kept them safe even in the most violent of ship maneuvers. Perhaps there would be a planet in the next system that would provide some more unique distillations for Kathryn's enjoyment. The captain was no connoisseur, but she did enjoy a glass of wine after a large meal, and she had collected various bottles throughout the Delta Quadrant. The final bottle was not to be touched of course. It had been carried all the way from the Alpha Quadrant, Chateau Picard champagne intended to be opened the day they slid into Earth's orbit.
One day soon, Seven thought as she opened the other bottle, utilizing her mesh covered left hand to pry the cork from the bottle, disdaining the use of a corkscrew. She poured the liquid, a fine clear vintage from a planet ten or eleven systems back, distilled from the small blue fruit that grew under a purple tinted sky, tasting of sun and sweetness, with just a touch of tartness. At least, that was how Seven remembered it as she carried the glass into the living area where Janeway had taken a seat on the couch.
"Thank you, darling," Janeway said absently as she took the glass, eyes distant as she continued to be lost in thought.
Seven settled on the couch beside her, delighting in the small bits of routine they were starting to recreate. Of course, before she would have been sharing in the wine, but it was enough to feel Janeway lean casually against her as the captain slipped off her boots and stretched her legs out onto the coffee table. Janeway's left hand rested on the silver clad thigh, and if she concentrated, Seven could feel the warmth of it penetrate to the flesh below.
She slid her arm around Kathryn's shoulders, tilting her head to rest on the soft hair, closing her eyes as she smelled the wonderful fragrance of it, feeling the fine auburn strands tickle her face. She rested her right hand on the curve of Janeway's arm, while she entwined her left hand carefully with the one Kathryn left resting on her leg.
For an instant, it was exactly as it had been, and Seven felt a little more of herself heal deep in the innermost regions of her.
Janeway seemed to feel it as well, and she settled closer to her, taking a deep breath that was almost a purr in her chest.
"I love you," Seven whispered, feeling like she wanted to cry, and was completely unable to.
"I know," Janeway said quietly. "I love you too, darling. Always."
For the first time, Seven was able to finally, with ever fibre of her being, truly believe that unconditionally. If what she had done as One of Many had not shattered that bond, then absolutely nothing in the universe could. Not ever. As a result, Seven was filled with a contentment she had never before known.
She spent the next while listening to the woman beside her drink her wine, concentrating on the scent of her, the warmth of the body felt through the thin uniform beneath her palm. She allowed memories of the previous weeks prior to the Borg encounter to come back to her, thinking of fishing and friendship, of lessons learned and lovemaking under the stars, studiously avoiding any thought of white skinned holograms and green-tinged air.
"This will set my swimming lessons back considerably," she remarked after awhile.
Janeway made a sound, a short laugh in the back of her throat. "I imagine it will," she allowed. "You'd probably sink like a stone now." She raised Seven's hand to her lips and kissed the palm gently through the mesh.
"It is not the same, you know," Seven said.
"What isn't?"
"My abdominal implant," she clarified. "It will not look as it had before. It is different."
"Oh," Janeway said. She paused. "How long before you can remove your outfit?"
"Twenty-three days," Seven said.
Janeway made another sound. It was not a laugh this time. More like dismay. Seven could understand that. Seven wondered what celibacy would be like. Of course, before becoming lovers with Kathryn, she had always been celibate, but now she understood the difference. To have to lay next to Kathryn, but be unable to do anything about it seemed a rather unique sort of punishment, she mused. This was absolutely the last time she would accept an offer to run the Collective. She thought about that for a minute, realized it could be considered amusing, and shared it with Kathryn who laughed appropriately.
"Darling, we'll get through it," the captain assured her. "Even if all the showers I take for the next little while are cold ones."
Seven wondered about that. It occurred to her that just because she was incapacitated in terms of receiving affection, that didn't mean Kathryn was. After all, the captain seemed quite happy to be nuzzled and kissed as they cuddled on the couch though Seven made no attempt at taking it any further. Kathryn was also very loving back, making a point to kiss Seven's hands frequently, stroking her face often with gentle fingertips, apparently trying to maintain as much physical connection with her as possible.
"Sweetheart, let's go to bed," Kathryn finally murmured.
"Very well," Seven agreed, unsure as to how this would work.
While Kathryn disappeared into the ensuite for her ablutions, Seven stretched out on the bed, careful not to puncture the linens or mattress with her sharp heels. She lay on her back, looking up at the ceiling where she could see her reflection in the large mirror overhead, a long, silver streak against the deep blue of the Starfleet issued sheets. She regarded it for long moments, discontented with the suit which seemed so restrictive. Then she noted the expression on her face and smoothed it out, not wanting Kathryn to know how distressed she was.
She turned her head as Kathryn came in from the ensuite, dressed in a robe which she removed to reveal a long nightgown of a delicate peach color. Kathryn was not in the habit of wearing garments to bed, but perhaps she wished to show support to Seven by doing so. Seven took a breath as Kathryn crawled into bed next to her, pressing against her left side, resting her head on Seven's chest. Seven wrapped her left arm around her and with her right, drew up a spare blanket to throw over them. Though she did not get cold, she knew Kathryn preferred a lower temperature when she slept, wanting to be covered by the tactile sensation of a blanket. It was an idiosyncrasy that Seven was glad she could accommodate since it appeared she would be unable to do much else.
"Good night, sweetheart," Kathryn murmured as the lights were brought down to a dim illumination.
"Good night, Kathryn," Seven replied.
"You won't get bored will you?" the captain asked, a bit anxiously as if it had just occurred to her.
"I will not be bored," Seven assured her gently. "Sleep well. I will be here when you wake."
Seven listened to Kathryn's breathing slow, smoothing out to a regular rhythm though, she concluded after some time, not regular enough. Surreptitiously, she studied the face on her chest, dipping her head to get a better look. The captain's eyes were closed, but there was a tenseness about the features that simply wasn't there when Kathryn was asleep, while the body next to her held a rigidity which could not be mistaken for slumber. 
"Kathryn," she said, very low in case she was mistaken. "Are you awake?"
A rueful sound came from beneath her chin. "Sorry, darling," the captain sighed. "I'm too tired to sleep, I guess."
Seven considered that statement, trying to work her way through the implied contradiction. "Do you wish me to leave?" she asked softly. "I can stay on the couch."
"No," Janeway objected promptly, squeezing her with the arm draped across Seven. "It's not you, darling. It's just ... my mind is working too much and I can't seem to get it to stop. But I do like lying here next to you."
"I like it as well," Seven said, cuddling the woman closer to her.
Seven thought hard about it, wondering what she could do. This was not the first time Kathryn had trouble sleeping though most of the time, she usually nodded off very quickly in Seven's arms. In fact, it was a semi-regular occurrence, happening approximately 28 days apart...
Seven took a slow breath. Though the traditional aftermath of unsuccessful ovulation had been altered by 24th century medical technology to be reabsorbed back into the body rather than discarded as before, the biological imperatives that governed it could not be denied. Kathryn went through it like every other Human woman on board Voyager, her bio-rhythms changing regularly with the passing of days. One day a month, she was incredibly irritable, unable to be reasoned with at all. Another day she was easily depressed, more aware of the ship being lost in the Delta Quadrant than the rest of the time.
And on one day, she was incredibly amorous, wanting nothing more than to make love, restless and fretful if she could not.
Seven did the calculations.
"I think I'll take a shower," Kathryn said softly, attempting to roll over.
Seven forestalled the motion, tightening her embrace as she drew her fingers up Kathryn's arm, slipping along the soft skin down her chest to the breast covered in peach silk. She used one fingertip to trace the little bump which immediately responded, hardening sweetly beneath her touch. She leaned over and brushed her lips over the bare shoulder.
"No need," Seven whispered. "I can take care of you."
"Annika..." Kathryn caught her breath. "You can't..."
"You cannot," Seven corrected. "However, I can. It gives me so much joy to pleasure you, Kathryn." She found Janeway's mouth, kissing her with loving passion. "Please let me give you pleasure," she whispered against her lips. "I want so much to make love to you."
Kathryn sighed and moved against her, arching into the fingers almost without conscious volition. "Are you sure, darling?" Kathryn murmured. "I'm perfectly fine without it, you know."
"I am sure," Seven told her quietly, continuing to stroke the nipple through the nightgown. "I treasure every single nano-second of being with you.  It is my greatest joy."
"Annika, you really don't have to do this," the captain whispered.
"Do you want me to stop?" Seven asked, raising an eyebrow.
There was a pause. "I wouldn't go that far," Kathryn muttered.
Seven smiled as she paused momentarily to toss aside the blanket before resuming her light stroking of Kathryn's breast through the nightgown. She kissed her lover again, slower, deeper, parting the lips beneath hers with a gentle flick of her tongue, feeling the responding caress of Kathryn's against hers, darting out to touch her lips, her teeth, tasting her desire. Kathryn's hands tangled in her hair, stroking the long, blonde tresses languidly, touching her cheeks, her jaw, unable to caress through the outfit, but wanting Seven to feel what little she could.
"Darling, you're so good to me," the captain whispered. "I love you so much."
"You are my life," Seven replied into the small ear, nuzzling it gently. "Without you, I do not live, Kathryn."
She hooked her finger under the spaghetti strap of the nightgown, and pulled it over the captain's shoulder, drawing it down until the breast was exposed to her appreciative view. Kathryn purred as Seven kissed down her neck, feeling the sound vibrate against her mouth as she traced the line of her throat. Encountering the tiny scars beneath her lips where the assimilation tubules had penetrated, Seven paused, then kissed them gently, sorrowfully, wanting only to heal them with her touch. Slowly she resumed her descent, brushing over the hard bone of chest, the skin flushed and freckled, so smooth beneath her mouth. The soft swell of breast welcomed her, and she kissed it gently, reverently, licking the warm skin as the salt-sweet flavor filled her senses. Her lips closed over the soft brown bud, firming even more as she tickled it with the tip of her tongue.
Kathryn whispered her name, running her fingertips over Seven's head, through her hair, arching up to her with a quiet, familiar pleasure. Gently, Seven pressed her down onto the bed, laying Kathryn on her back so that she could slip the other strap off the near shoulder, temporarily tying her up until the smaller woman was able to free her arms from the strings, leaving the nightgown bunched around her waist, her breasts free for Seven's skilled attentions.
Seven thought nothing could be better than this. Even when she herself was being pleasured by Kathryn, it could not compare with how she felt when she was making love to this woman she loved so dearly. Without Seven's pleasure being an issue at all, she was free to completely concentrate on Kathryn, while the captain was completely free to concentrate on what Seven was doing to her.
What Seven was doing to her was causing Kathryn to make the most lovely sounds in her throat, sounds that Seven purely adored, gasps and moans of sheer delight as the young woman trailed from one breast to the other, making sure not one millimeter of skin was left unloved. As she did, Seven ran her hands over the body through the silk material, feeling the warmth penetrate through, stroking the captain's back and sides, sliding over her stomach, then down the outside of her legs before slowly retracing her journey, only this time, sliding beneath the hem of the gown. She was delighted to discover in her journey that even in this situation, Kathryn had chosen not to wear the matching briefs.
Had Kathryn known something she hadn't, Seven wondered with a touch of amusement. Or was she just forever hopeful?
The soft, baby-smooth skin of Kathryn's inner thighs gave way to the damp heat of ready womanhood, the tips of Seven's fingers sliding easily along the moist crease, then inside it to touch the aching node that was so sensitive, making the captain cry out. She panted for breath as Seven fondled her, stroking with languid caresses, swirling her fingers gently around the little hardness in a steady motion that soon had the captain's hips rocking gently, pushing against her.   Kathryn's legs fell open to grant a more intimate access, and Seven dipped down to find the tender opening, circling it, teasing slightly as she heard Kathryn's soft moans, then, with loving strength, she penetrated her gently.
As always, Seven felt a hint of wonder as she entered Kathryn, feeling the clasp of velvet-slick walls surround her fingers, resisting a brief instant before adjusting to allow her passage. To be able to touch Kathryn so intimately, to feel the heat and wetness that welcomed her, seeming to draw her in even deeper was the greatest of pleasures, one Seven always cherished. She flexed gently, seeking that area she knew would give Kathryn the ultimate delight, finding it with sensitive fingertips that circled and pressed, creating a rhythm that sent waves of desire through the woman. She felt Kathryn undulate beneath her as she touched and stroked until finally, Seven felt her head clutched spastically to her lover's chest, the captain inadvertently pulling the blonde hair as every muscle in the older woman's body tensed, a cry issuing from her lips that combined love and passion in one inarticulate sound.
Seven stilled her fingers when the spasms finally ended, but did not withdraw. Instead, she left the breasts she had been so skillfully attending, and drifted down to the top of the abdomen, brushing her lips over the soft skin. She paused at the nightgown, now a mere band of bunched material around Kathryn's waist.
"Are you very fond of this garment?" she asked softly.
Janeway swallowed against a mouth gone dry from panting. "No, darling," she said in her lovely growl. "Go ahead."
Seven utilized her Borg enhanced left hand to part the seam of the garment neatly, pulling it from around Kathryn's waist and tossing it aside. Then she resumed her gentle roving over Kathryn's stomach, feeling the muscles contract under her lips as she moved, pausing at the navel to gently kiss it, teasing Kathryn who was exceptionally ticklish in this area.
A low, throaty laugh caressed her ears and Seven smiled before continuing down, nuzzling the thatch of auburn tangle with her nose, breathing deep the appealing scent of musk and desire that awaited her. Without hesitation, she moved lower and used her tongue to seek out that tender nodule of exquisite sensation, prodding it lightly, then lapping at it firmly, setting up a counter-rhythm to that of her fingers inside.
Seven was intrigued by the way she was able to concentrate so utterly on Kathryn. It occurred to her suddenly that before, her own physical pleasure had served as a source of distraction to her. Without it being a factor, never had she been so aware of Kathryn, of how she tasted, of her warm fragrance, of how wonderful everything felt to touch, the different textures and sensations beneath her lips and fingers. The whole universe seemed to shrink to that one area, the connection between her mouth and Kathryn's most intimate place, to her internal explorations ... of Kathryn's response, every breath, every small utterance listened to keenly and cherished utterly. Seven could not imagine anything being better than this.
Unless it was later when Kathryn finally clung to her, breath coming in sobs as the last pulsation died away and Seven slowly and lovingly released her. She rose up slightly and rested her head on Kathryn's stomach, aware of the long elegant fingers stroking her hair, her scalp, running lightly over her face. They traced her lips and she kissed the tips gently. 
"Come up here," Kathryn commanded huskily.
Smiling, Seven repositioned herself until she was once more laying on her back, Kathryn snuggled against her.
"Are you all right?" Kathryn asked, a bit of anxiety coloring her tone.
"I am fine," Seven replied, holding her close. "More than fine. I adore loving you. I could do it forever."
Kathryn laughed a little. "I'm not sure I could survive that," she said softly and kissed Seven for a long time. Finally she drew away with a rueful noise. "I do like making love to you as well."
"You shall," Seven promised. "In twenty-three days."
"I'll mark it on my calendar," Kathryn smiled.
"In the meantime," Seven assured. "It is enough for me to be with you. It is more than I could have expected, and everything I could ever want or need."
"Oh, darling," Kathryn sighed and hugged her tightly.
Seven drew up the discarded blanket, making sure it was wrapped warmly around the captain and drew the head down to her shoulder. She felt Kathryn settle deeper against her, and within minutes, she knew another type of satisfaction as the captain surrendered to her drowsiness, head and body suddenly heavy against her.
Lying on her back, looking at their reflection in the mirror above her head, Seven thought she had discovered utter perfection. Lying snuggled against her left side and snoring gently.
 
Janeway woke with a cool silken smoothness beneath her cheek, one that pulsed gently in a steady throb. Seven's heartbeat, she identified happily, drowsily, eyes still closed against the lights brought up to signify morning watch. The suit she was lying against was nowhere as wonderful as the warm flesh would have been, but just its presence was more than she had experienced in too long, and she was more than satisfied to snuggle closer to it, running her hands over the smooth abdomen, inter-spaced with regular bands of hardness beneath the material, tracing the sharp little ridges with her fingertips. 
Fingers raked gently through her hair, and the captain remembered that Seven would have spent the whole night awake, the function of her implants replacing the physical need for sleep.
"Good morning, darling," she murmured, stretching luxuriously against the woman as she smiled  at her.
"Good morning, Kathryn," Seven replied calmly, eyes shining softly. "You slept well. No nightmares?"
"No, only pleasant dreams," Janeway assured her, rising up enough to be able to peer fondly down into Seven's narrow features. "You were in all of them," she noted.
"Indeed," Seven replied and reached up to touch Janeway's cheek, stroking it lightly.
"Was it terribly tedious for you?" Janeway asked. "Watching me sleep?"
"Being with you is never tedious," Seven told her firmly. "I was able to work for several hours."
Janeway glanced over, seeing several padds lying on the night stand next to the bed. Seven must have risen in the night to retrieve them before resuming her silent vigil next to her. "I must have been really tired not to have noticed that," she said with surprise.
"You were," Seven responded. She tilted Janeway's head toward her, and the captain smiled briefly as she felt the tender lips of her lover brush over hers, lightly at first, then with deeper intensity.
She made a small sound of regret. "I have duty," she whispered regretfully when Seven finally released her mouth.
"Unfortunate," Seven noted, her hand slowing and gentling its stroking of Janeway's back and side. She dipped her head to look into Janeway's eyes. "I wish to return to duty myself."
Janeway sighed and rested her forehead against Seven's. "I'll see that you're reinstated," she said. "You'll have to receive clearance from the Doctor first, however. I'll go with you, if you'd like."
"No," Seven said. "I can convince him I am fit for duty." She paused. "I wish to see B'Elanna and others as well."
"B'Elanna really wanted to see you," Janeway said, regret stabbing through her. "I had to make it an order that she maintain her distance from sickbay. A very strict order."
"Indeed," Seven said evenly, but her eyes brightened considerably. Clearly she was pleased to know that her friend had not stayed away willingly.
How could we have been so blind? Janeway thought dismally. How much damage do we do insisting we know what's best for others?
Seven seemed to know what she was thinking and Janeway felt her arm tighten around her comfortingly. "Do not waste time regretting what cannot be changed," the young woman told her quietly. "You taught me that."
"Maybe I need to be as good a pupil as you," Janeway admitted. "Unfortunately, I'm a stubborn woman."
"However, you are my woman," Seven said.
Janeway laughed, startled by the sentiment. "I am," she agreed. "Completely and totally." She made a move to roll out of bed, was forestalled by Seven who did not release her embrace.
"Stay with me," Seven requested lightly, but with a hint of seriousness lacing the playful demand. "Just a little longer."
"As long as you want," Janeway responded promptly. She pressed against Seven, surrendering easily to the desire to be with her rather than pull on her uniform. It was a frightening, but not unpleasant sensation to need someone this much, she thought. She could afford to indulge it a few moments more. Or even, she decided as Seven kissed her, a few hours more.
"I have to tell the bridge I'll be late," she said when the kiss had finally ended.
"You will?" There was a note of surprise in Seven's voice.
"You are the most important thing in the universe to me," Janeway told her gravely. "If you need me to be with you now, then that's where I'm going to be."
Seven looked uncertain. "You need to attend to your duties," she said.
"Is that what you want?" Janeway asked. "Or what you think you should say?"
Seven paused, searching her face. "I want to be with you," she admitted finally.
"Then we'll spend the day together," Janeway decided instantly. She raised her voice. "Computer, log me as unavailable this day due to personal priority."
"So logged," the feminine voice of the computer responded evenly.
"Are you still the captain?" Seven said, looking at her with wide eyes.
Janeway laughed as she realized what Seven was thinking, that she could take time off so easily because she had not resumed her duties. "Don't worry, Chakotay seemed more than willing to return Voyager to me," she assured her. "I guess he thinks being a first officer is easier than running the ship."
"I am unsurprised in his confidence in you," Seven said. "But still gratified. I know what being captain means to you."
Janeway sobered a little, staring into those fine features. "You do, don't you?" she said quietly. "Still, you're my first priority, Annika. If the ship needs me, I'm there, but I've come to realize that being with you is more important than doing reports, or any other duty that can easily wait until tomorrow. It took me a long time to understand a relationship is worth more than a career, and it's a lesson I intend to take to heart."
"Thank you," Seven said after a moment of searching for something to reply with. Janeway knew that the younger woman considered that an inadequate response, but to the older woman, it meant the world. Seven only fell back on the simple polite statement when her vocabulary, which was now quite extensive, failed her utterly ... as it did whenever she was profoundly moved or overwhelmed by emotion.
"You are very welcome," Janeway said, smiling. "Now, what would you like to do today? Keeping in mind that you have to spend a few hours regenerating in your alcove."
Seven blinked. "I think I want to make love to you," she said.
Janeway smiled. "That would be wonderful," she admitted. "But darling, I hate for you to feel ... unsatisfied."
Seven shook her head. "I thought you understood," she said. "I have such limited sensation beneath my outfit that I do not become aroused."
"But I believe sensuality is as much a mental and emotional thing as it is a physical thing," Janeway argued softly. "I find it difficult to believe that you feel nothing when you make love to me."
"I do feel something," Seven protested. "I feel great pleasure, but not the sort I feel when you are making love to me. I have no ... urgency. My pleasure is in loving you. I do not need anything more at this time."
Janeway thought about that. It bothered her that Seven seemed to be more on the giving than receiving end of things, but  perhaps she was assuming things again. Perhaps it was just as Seven was telling her, that her pleasure was being derived just from being with her. Who was she to insist that Seven feel deprived and frustrated when clearly she didn't? Perhaps Janeway should just accept things as they were and be glad of it. Hadn't she promised herself that she wouldn't make people adapt to how she thought things should be anymore?
"All right," she allowed. "When you can remove the outfit, however, I'm going to spend several evenings attending to only your pleasure."
"That would be acceptable," Seven agreed. She regarded Janeway evenly. "Can you tell me why this bothers you?"
Janeway sighed and rested her head on Seven's chest. "I guess I feel selfish," she said slowly, trying to explain so that her partner would understand. "It makes me feel like your pleasure is being ignored for the sake of mine."
"Like males sometimes do?" Seven raised an eyebrow.
Startled, Janeway propped herself up on her elbow so she could look into Seven's face. "What does that mean?" she asked.
"I have retained the memories of your experiences with men," Seven replied evenly. "I now know the difference between how males made love to you, and how I do."
Janeway took a breath. What unexplored territory was this getting into and was she going to like it at all?
"And?" she countered.
Seven looked thoughtful. "Your first encounter with ... Cheb Packer? The initial experience seemed less than adequate," she said. "I am surprised you ever attempted a second experience."
Janeway tried not to groan. This was not going to be an easy discussion. Maybe she should have just let Seven make love to her and kept her big mouth shut. When would she learn? 
"When you're young, hormones get the best of you sometimes," Kathryn tried to explain. "I was in love with him so the fact that the experience wasn't ... all that it could be ... was irrelevant."
"He was so inept," Seven responded. She seemed outraged, mostly on Kathryn's behalf. "He did not even notice that you did not achieve orgasm. Or for that matter, particularly enjoy yourself. It was actually painful for you at times, and he didn't seem to care."
"He was young, Seven," Janeway said, smiling. "Honestly, darling, the first explorations into sexual expression aren't expected to be that tremendous."
"Mine were," Seven responded promptly. "You were everything I could have imagined, gentle, caring, loving and very skilled."
"All right," Janeway allowed, swallowing a smile and trying not to preen as she did. Really, she didn't need to feel that smug about it. "But will you admit that as we grow closer emotionally, and get to know each other better, our lovemaking has correspondingly improved?"
"Of course," Seven admitted. "Yet, I do not think you would have ever achieved that with him. He was so bad at it."  Her tone was so laden with condescension that Janeway was hard-pressed not to laugh.
"I'm sure he got better," she said instead. "I do know I did."
"Well," Seven said grudgingly, "your other lovers were an improvement as far as their abilities to please you were concerned."
"Are we going to go through the list?" Janeway asked dryly.
"You only had two more," Seven said. She eyed Janeway narrowly. "That is not a lot for a Human female of your age bracket, is it?"
Janeway blushed and couldn't figure out why she did. Honestly, the discussions she got into with her partner sometimes. She couldn't even distract her this time by making a pass at her, which was her favorite way of diverting Seven's choice of topic. Judging from the intent look in Seven's expression, she was thoroughly engrossed in this conversation. It would take some doing to get her off it.
"Why is this so important to you?" Janeway asked.
"I assumed from what B'Elanna had told me that there was something lacking in how I made love to you," Seven explained readily. "Now I wonder if perhaps it is she who is lacking. After all, males seem to have a great deal of difficulty finding that area inside you that makes you utter that wonderful high-pitched sound whenever I concentrate on it, nor do they seem to be as willing to spend hours utilizing their mouth to---"
"Annika," Janeway interrupted at this point, trying very hard to keep a straight face. "I fully agree that you are the most attentive and focused lover I have ever had. Can you be content with that?"
"Yes," Seven agreed. "However, if you miss the penetration of a male, the accessories can successfully mimic it. I have more knowledge of how such a thing would work and can easily utilize it in the proper fashion now."
"If that's what I require," Janeway said mildly. "I'll let you know, all right?"
Seven was silent for a moment, studying her closely. "All right," she agreed, but Janeway could tell it was more because she had decided the captain didn't want to discuss it than because she had fully explored this topic to her own satisfaction. Which meant she would probably be speaking with B'Elanna about it.
Janeway sighed.
"Darling," she said. "Do you really want to use an accessory?"
Seven looked thoughtful. "Perhaps someday," she allowed. "It would be intriguing to experiment with such a thing."
"Then we'll try it," Janeway said, hoping that she wasn't getting herself into such deep water she couldn't get out of it. "In the meantime, I would prefer if you limit your conversation about this to just between us."
Seven dipped her head. "You do not wish me to discuss this with B'Elanna," she guessed.
"No," Janeway admitted. "I don't mind you talking to her in abstract terms, but I'd prefer to keep private the personal details of our love life."
Seven nodded. "I understand," she said. She paused. "In truth, the personal details tend to make B'Elanna uncomfortable. She displays indications of dismay whenever I give an extensive explanation of our lovemaking."
"Oh, she does," Janeway said, raising an eyebrow. "Why is that?"
Seven frowned. "I do not know," she said. She looked at Janeway hopefully. "Perhaps you could speculate?"
Janeway snorted. "I'm not sure it's a good idea that I do," she said. "My guess, however, would be that B'Elanna is not as widely experienced as she likes to pretend."
Seven blinked. "You mean she has never made love with a female?" she said, the astonishment so evident in her tone that Janeway snickered.
"Darling, until you, neither had I," she pointed out.
Seven considered that. "I have never made love with a male," Seven said. "Are we an accurate representation of our respective ages and backgrounds?"
"I don't know," Janeway replied easily. "Tell me, have you developed an scientific interest in this, Annika or just a prurient one?"
"Scientific, of course," Seven said, vaguely offended.
Janeway nodded. "All right, then I'm sure you can widen your research from Voyager's data banks," she said. "Particularly under Exobiology. That should open your eyes. Now, if it were the other, I'd advise you check the entertainment section of the recreation data banks. Look under Human Sexuality. All your questions could be answered there."
Seven looked disappointed. "It is more entertaining discussing it with you," she said. "Or B'Elanna."
"I'm sure it is," Janeway said, a half-grin touching the corner of her mouth. "But I have a confession to make, Annika."
"What is that?" Seven asked, eyes widening as she regarded Janeway with intent interest.
"I'd rather be doing it than talking about it."
Seven looked startled, then slowly, a smile touched her full lips as she realized what Janeway was really saying. She ran her hands over Janeway's back, pulling her down onto her. "I believe I prefer that as well," she said.
"So long as we're in agreement," Janeway said, snuggling into the warm embrace, arching a little as Seven began to seek out those places that caused her to make all sorts of sounds, high-pitched, low-pitched and every level in between.
"Yes," Seven responded. "I like being in agreement with you."
"Darling, you are everything I could ever want or need," Janeway murmured against the soft lips tracing her own. "Please, don't ever doubt that."
"I will not," Seven whispered back. She shifted a little so that they were on their sides. "Kathryn, I do love you."
"That's very good," Janeway said. She entwined her arms tightly about her lover's neck, feeling the silken material of Seven's suit slide over her skin with languid pleasure. "Because I love you. Completely, utterly, with my whole heart and with absolutely no regrets ever."
Seven just smiled and kissed her.
 
Epilogue

 
B'Elanna Torres regarded Seven of Nine with raised eyebrows. Or was it One of Many? The Klingon had perused the official logs, speculated wildly on the personal ones, and heard every rumor that had sprung from Seven and the captain's encounter with the Borg. Not to mention gaining every scrap of information she could squeeze out of her friend, and she still couldn't quite get over it. That Janeway would take on the Borg Collective and wrest the love of her life out of their control, bringing them to their knees at the same time ... well, it was just absolutely the most romantic thing the Klingon had ever heard. Though she would die a thousand deaths before ever admitting to that.
She wondered if Chakotay would ever have done such a thing for her? She had the uncomfortable feeling that she really didn't want to ever find out the answer to that.
Now, it was apparent that there was a lot more to it than even she had imagined.
"Slipstream," she said, her tone heavy with disbelief, eyes wide as she regarded the Borg. "We're going to switch Voyager over to slipstream?"
"Yes," Seven said in a low voice.
Though the outfit and the manner was back to where Seven had been when she had first come on board, the demeanor was different, as certainly B'Elanna's attitude toward the woman was. The two women were standing on the catwalk surrounding the warp core above the engine room deck and B'Elanna spared a glance around to make sure no one was paying attention to their conversation.
"We'll be back in the Alpha Quadrant in three years?"
"Possibly as soon as one," Seven added calmly.
B'Elanna grabbed the Borg's forearm, gripping it tightly as she attempted not to howl with exhilaration. "Do you know what this means?" she hissed.
"That you are attempting to fracture my ulna?" Seven suggested coolly.
B'Elanna let go of Seven's arm as if burned, and grabbed her by the shoulders, staring intently into her eyes.
"If you're lying to me," B'Elanna said with great sincerity. "I will rip your lungs out through your nostrils."
"That would be ... unpleasant," Seven allowed. "I assure you it is the truth. However, the captain wishes it to remain just between us for the time being. I am sharing this with you only because I will need your assistance to modify the shuttle."
"We'll have to run all the preliminary tests in the holodeck," B'Elanna said, dropping her arms and walking away, already lost in the engineering problem lying before her. She darted a glance back at Seven who remained impassive. "It won't be easy to keep this secret."
"No," Seven said. "However, Kathryn said that since you are the biggest 'rumor-monger' on the ship, it was imperative that you be brought into our confidence as soon as possible so that you would know how important it is to keep this quiet."
B'Elanna's eyes narrowed. "Oh, she did," she said. "What does she think? That I'm a gossip?"
"I believe that is exactly what she thinks," Seven agreed readily. "She also believes that you spend too much time worrying about our sex life. She asked me to inform you not to speak of 'sexual toys' with me anymore."
"Oh yeah?" B'Elanna said. She paused, eyeing Seven narrowly, then seemed to come to some sort of internal decision.  "Seven, have we ever talked about fur lined cuffs and leather straps?" 
"I do not believe so," Seven said uncertainly. "Are they 'toys'?"
"Oh no," B'Elanna said, grinning evilly. "They're not toys."
She slipped her arm around Seven's shoulders and began to explain how wonderfully pleased Janeway would be if Seven could only manage to 'surprise' her.
Some night soon.

The End

On to JB 07