"I do not understand the purpose of this celebration, Kathryn. It seems frivolous, pointless."

"How so?"

Janeway shivered at the sound of her name issued so innocently through full, sensual lips. The invitation to use her given name when not on duty had been ill-conceived, with no thought given to the impact such a small thing would have on a lonely heart.

"It is nothing more than a meaningless festival of games, playing ‘dress up’ and ingesting copious amounts of inadequate nutritional supplements."

Naomi Wildman and Mezoti squealed as they raced by, carrying orange pumpkin-shaped pails filled with Halloween treats, punctuating Seven’s statement. One of the girls was costumed as a little devil and the other a vampire. Janeway considered them adorable and thought Neelix and Tom’s holodeck simulation was a huge success. Crewmembers enjoyed seasonal activities, treats and even a cleverly designed haunted house.

The setting was that of an Earth farm. Cornfields were not far away, lined in perfect rows and bursting with fat ears of golden corn. A scarecrow rose high over the front of the field with a fiendish face Janeway wasn’t sure any terran farmer had ever considered. Regardless how any suspect crows would react, such a face would have frightened her severely as a child. Hay bales sat on either side of a weathered barn that was the venue for a haunted house while the entrance to a corn maze sat tantalizingly close at hand. Pumpkins and gourds were scattered in an artistically haphazard manner, lending an air of authenticity.

Janeway could almost believe it was real; the smells of the popping corn and the rich loam of the earth, the sugary treats and crisp autumn air. The soft packed dirt muffled the sound of their footfalls as they walked along enjoying the sights.

"I’m sure it must seem that way on the surface. I’ll even admit that over the centuries Halloween has become more commercial. But it wasn’t always that way."

They stopped beside a long, low table filled with candied apples, chocolates, traditional Irish bairn breac cakes and many novelty candies in the shape of bats, worms and skulls. Kathryn filled two cups with apple cider while Seven considered what she had said.

"What other purpose could it serve?"

She sounded so disbelieving Janeway was hard-pressed not to laugh. "The celebration itself goes back to the Samhain, a Celtic festival that took place each year at the end of harvest time."

"Celtic? Your heritage is Celtic, isn’t it?"

"Irish, yes."

Kathryn could tell by the sudden interest in Seven’s eyes that her heritage had elevated her to the position of highest authority on the subject. To be honest, such a thought sent a ripple through her body. Although they regularly butted heads, Kathryn quietly enjoyed how the other woman challenged her. It kept her sharp, kept her on her toes.

"What does all of …this have to do with a harvest?"

"Really, it was more than just a harvest. Ancient pagans believed that at the same time of year the boundaries between the living and the dead dissolved. They thought the dead could become a threat, causing illness, destroying crops, that sort of thing."

"That is highly unlikely."

"Be that as it may, costumes and masks were worn in an attempt to placate any evil spirits."

"Humans do not still believe such superstitions, do they?"

"No, of course not. Now it’s just fun."

Seven looked around in disbelief. "If you say so, Kathryn."

She had scarcely sipped from her cider and Janeway felt she was quickly losing her audience. She told herself that the purpose of sharing this celebration was to familiarize the young woman with Earth traditions. At the moment she thought she might be failing in that endeavor. Perhaps they should be participating in the festivities rather than merely discussing them.

"Come on." Kathryn took Seven’s hand and tugged gently, urging her to follow.

"Where are we going?"

"To have some fun."

A group of people were gathered near a large wooden tub, laughing and joking. Janeway recognized Tom Paris, Harry Kim, B’Elanna Torres, one of the Delany twins and a young redheaded engineer. Her name was Karri Jameson and Kathryn had rarely had opportunity to speak with the young woman directly though she knew she was an exceptional engineer in her own right. Harry was on his knees in front of the tub, leaning over the edge. Apparently he was trying to show off his skills at bobbing for apples.

"Captain, Seven," Tom greeted with a huge grin on his face. "Enjoying the party?"

"It’s a wonderful simulation, Tom. You’ve outdone yourself."

"Thanks, Captain. See I told you."

The last was directed to his former girlfriend, B’Elanna, who completely ignored him as she concentrated on her friend. "Come on, Harry. How long are you going to take?"

"I’m just looking for the right one."

Seven raised a skeptical eyebrow as Kim bent over and tried to pin a large, red apple against the side of the tub with his teeth. All he succeeded in doing was putting his face under and inhaling water through his nose. While he sputtered and prepared to try again Seven turned toward Kathryn.

"You are going to tell me this activity actually has a purpose?"

Kathryn laughed at her outraged tone. "Believe it or not, yes. Bobbing for apples was actually part of Samhain. During the celebration young, unmarried people would try to bite into an apple floating in water or one that was tied to a string. Whoever bit into the apple first would be the next one to marry."

"They were trying to predict the future?"

"Maybe." Kathryn grinned, not really expecting Seven to believe that bobbing for apples had supernatural ramifications. "Want to try it?"

"I think not, but don’t allow me to prevent you from doing so."

"Nice maneuver, but I don’t think I’ll try it either. It’s not really good for my dignity. How about we try one of the dart games? Maybe you’ll win a stuffed animal."

Seven was much more open to that idea. In no time she had an armload of stuffed animals that she couldn’t possibly hope to carry. Most of them she pressed on Naomi or Mezoti, but she insisted on giving one large stuffed unicorn to Kathryn.

The gesture felt romantic and natural and suddenly Janeway wondered if their interaction had become a date. Pleased, but feeling slightly embarrassed, she accepted the prize and they walked away from the dart game in silence. They ate roasted ears of corn and played a few other games, but things still felt slightly tense until they walked in front of the haunted house again.

"Hey, want to try it?"

"Try what?"

"Tom’s haunted house. I’ll bet you get scared."

"Unlikely."

"Well, if it won’t scare you I guess there’s no reason not to go inside."

"Very well."

Kathryn stood stunned for a moment. "Huh. I can’t believe that worked."

"Neither can I. However, since it has perhaps we should proceed."

The program inside was just as sophisticated as the rest. The holodeck actually compensated for the movement of people inside the attraction and at no time did anyone feel crowded. It was dark and indeed spooky. Ghosts and demons popped out at random intervals laughing diabolically. Spiders would drop from massive webs occasionally and for the first time Kathryn felt that Seven was actually starting to relax. She even jumped once or twice and Kathryn was surprised when the other woman took her hand in the darkness. She relished the contact and for once allowed the captain to fall away and just enjoyed spending time with a very attractive young woman.

When they emerged from the haunted house Kathryn noticed the sun was setting and Seven had a slight smile on her face. Torches were lit all around and things were definitely taking a romantic turn. Kathryn felt the spell. She released Seven’s hand, suddenly a little self-conscious, and reached for something to say.

"I take it you liked that."

"It was very enjoyable. Perhaps Neelix could include a haunted house at every celebration."

"As tempting as that sounds, I think it would start to lose its appeal."

"You may have a point, Kathryn. Should we try the maze instead?"

Rather than hay bales, the maze was created from a large patch of cornstalks. Each stalk towered between eleven and fourteen feet high. Kathryn was too tempted to see what Tom had created to refuse.

Holding out a hand in the direction of the entrance she invited, "After you."

Shadows abounded inside the maze and Kathryn couldn’t see anyone else. The height of the corn helped give them the feeling that they were all alone and she began to wonder if she had made a mistake. Although she was definitely feeling the mood, Kathryn was still very much the captain and wondered if she shouldn’t resist her feelings just a little more. Being alone with the woman of her dreams in the maze might be more than her heart could resist. Finally she made the decision to just go with it. If things got too out of hand she could always put a stop to it.

Once they ran smack into a dead end complete with huge, sticky spider web. Kathryn laughed while Seven smiled and they turned to retrace their steps to the next turn. It was getting darker and Janeway tripped over a previously unseen gravestone, but Seven grabbed her hand to prevent her from falling.

"I believe I should maintain possession of your hand to prevent further mishaps."

Kathryn was too overwhelmed by the contact to reply. She concentrated on walking through the maze and tried to notice the creative details. Although aware of the gravestones, spooky holoimages and creatures that would jump out to scare them, she was more focused of the warmth of Seven’s hand. Her stomach was doing back flips and the night suddenly felt magical.

There were a few more dead ends, but they made relatively good progress. Soon they found themselves at the center of the maze. A grotesque, demonic fountain spewed blood-colored water into the air and was apparently Paris’ special feature’ for the maze. A park bench sat against a wall of cornstalks and she led Seven toward it.

"Feel like sitting for a minute?"

"Yes."

Seven sat very close to her, so close that Kathryn could feel the heat from her body. It felt as if they were alone in the universe; in their own little world, with the cornstalks enclosing them and the sight of stars overhead. Then she realized Seven was staring at her.

"What?" she asked, turning her head to look into Seven’s eyes. "Do I have something on my face?"

"No. I was merely wondering."

"Wondering what?"

"Is this a date?"

Kathryn thought about her response for a moment. The games, stuffed animals and hand holding certainly made it feel that way. In fact they were still holding hands.

"It didn’t start out that way," she answered honestly.

"Then it has become a date?"

"I guess it has."

"Acceptable."

Seven surprised her when she lowered her head and kissed Kathryn gently at the corner of her mouth. The caress was soft and lingering, savoring rather than seizing. Kathryn was beyond resistance, allowing the stuffed unicorn to slide to the ground while she raised a free hand to cup the back of Seven’s head. Her lips parted and she redirected contact until the caress was directly upon her mouth. The younger woman took advantage, slipping her tongue into the warm sweetness.

The kiss lasted long enough to set Kathryn’s blood on fire, to make her heart race and to cause her body to quiver. Never had she been kissed so thoroughly by anyone, much less a naïve young woman who was supposed to be friend and student rather than ardent lover. Pillowing her head against the young woman’s full breast, Kathryn realized the truth for what it was. Whether she had allowed the thought to bear fruition previously or not, Seven had been her dearest love for quite some time. Would she eventually also become her partner?

She suspected she already knew the answer. The proof was in the thundering of Seven’s heart under her ear.

Content to lean against the cherished form and quietly watch the stars, it never entered Kathryn’s head to pull away. She was still captain of Voyager and had a certain reputation to maintain, but right now there was only room for love. Besides, they would hear anyone coming long before they reached the center of the maze.

"Kathryn?" Seven’s voice was soft, inquiring.

"Yes, darling?"

There was a brief moment of silence. Perhaps Seven was surprised to hear the endearment from a woman who had previously resisted all personal involvement with any of her crew.

"I still do not understand the purpose of Halloween."

Kathryn smiled happily and released Seven’s hand to encircle her waist. In doing so she managed to snuggle even closer to the young woman. "Can you just accept that people enjoy being frightened on occasion?"

"No."

She looked up to see if she was being teased, but Seven’s expression was serious. "In that case, would you just let it go and kiss me again?"

Seven smiled at the question. "Happily ."

Before their lips could touch Chakotay hailed Janeway over the communications system. He had volunteered to pull a double so the beta shift officer could attend the celebration.

"Janeway here, Commander," she said after taking a second to gather her composure.

"I’m sorry to bother you, Captain, but it seems someone has tapped into our main computer."

"Someone? Could you be more specific?"

"An outside source. Sensors indicate the intrusion came from an M-class planet approximately a parsec from here."

Janeway looked to Seven for clarification and the young woman quickly responded. "Astrometrics charted that area three days ago. There was no indication of hostile activities."

Kathryn nodded. "What did they take, Chakotay?"

"That’s the thing. They didn’t really take anything, just accessed the cultural data base. When we terminated the link there was no attempt to re-establish it from the planet."

"Have you attempted to hail them?"

"Aye, Captain, but so far there hasn’t been any response."

"Understood. I’ll be there shortly. Just let me drop by my quarters for a uniform."

Kathryn cut the link and looked at Seven with an apology in her eyes. "I’m sorry. If there was any way I could stay…"

Seven placed a finger over her lips to silence her. "You cannot. You are the captain and you have responsibilities. Your sense of duty is one of the reasons I have always lo…thought so highly of you."

Kathryn caught the slip and any other time would have let it go. She knew she had to get to the bridge, but this was too important. If she left without Seven saying the words, she might never hear them. The young woman wasn’t exactly known for being completely open with her emotions.

"Were you going to say you love me?" Instead of answering Seven flushed and looked toward the garish water fountain.

Obviously she was uncomfortable answering. Sudden insight allowed Kathryn to realize why. Janeway, herself, wasn’t known for becoming involved in personal relationships. It was possible Seven was afraid to put her heart out there for fear of being hurt or rejected.

Kathryn reached out to tip Seven’s chin toward her, urging her to meet her eyes. "Would it help if I say it first? I love you. I have loved you for a very long time. There is no pressure here and I don’t want you to say it if you don’t feel it. Just know I won’t change my mind."

She released Seven reluctantly and stood up. "I have to go."

Kathryn didn’t wait for a response and knew she needed to hustle. It wasn’t like her to waste time on personal issues and now she felt she needed to make up for having done so. The maze complicated things slightly as it would take up valuable time to find her way back to the exit. For that reason she utilized captain’s privilege and called for a transport to her quarters.

"Good afternoon, everyone. Let’s get to it."

Captain Janeway looked around the conference table at the members of her senior staff. Of the group only Tom looked like he was still feeling the effects from the previous night’s party. He must have really tied one on! That wasn’t unexpected, but Kathryn quickly forgot about his condition when her eyes briefly encountered Seven’s. The young woman sat directly at the foot of the table and her gaze was clear and bright, her new-found interest in Janeway unmistakable. The look warmed her heart but now was not the time. Since the call from Chakotay the previous evening there had been time for nothing except work.

"The reason I’ve called you all here is our new friends, the Omara. Apparently their little incursion into our computer system yesterday was an unintentional error."

"How do you figure?" B’Elanna Torres asked. "You can’t accidentally tap into someone’s data base."

"No, but apparently it’s their way of finding out about passing species. They tap into the data base to find out of the newcomers are hostile before they make first contact."

Chakotay looked doubtful, but had questions of his own. "And the reason they wouldn’t speak to me when I hailed them? If they already knew we weren’t hostile then they should have responded."

"Two reasons. One; they needed time to analyze the data they downloaded. They don’t exactly speak Terran Standard and it took time to translate what they discovered. Two; they will only speak to the captain of the ship."

"Okay, that’s not unheard of." The commander appeared willing to accept the answer, but wasn’t quite finished. "So, did they request any kind of exchange?"

"Yes, but I asked for a reciprocation of information before I agreed. The Omara sent a large data file on their culture. For obvious reasons, I asked Mister Neelix to study that information while I looked into what they had to offer."

Tom Paris perked up for the first time during the entire meeting. "Anything good?"

Captain Janeway raised an eyebrow in response and the young man quieted, his eyes dropping sideways to the half-Klingon engineer before they settled on the table. Kathryn was aware that the couple had recently broken up and he had probably imbibed a little too much the night before because of it. With that in mind, she dismissed his outburst and continued.

"They have quite a lot to offer including some rather pristine dilithium crystals, medical supplies and some unique holodeck programs. Is that good enough for you, Mister Paris?"

"Uh, yes ma’am."

"Medical supplies and new diversions on a long journey are always welcome, but it’s the dilithium I’m more interested in." Janeway glanced over at B’Elanna. "Lieutenant, I’ll need you with me on the away team to ensure the quality of the crystals. Since our stock is low we really don’t have a choice. We can continue on our way and hope we come across another source of dilithium or we can take advantage of this opportunity."

"Captain," Seven spoke up. "You sound extremely pleased by the Omaran offer. May I assume they are requesting something in return that is easily provided?"

Janeway grinned. "You could say that. All they want in exchange is all the beryllium we can supply."

"Our replicators can produce the metal without any difficulty."

"Exactly, Tuvok. To us beryllium is pretty much useless, but the Omara use it in most of their construction and have difficulty producing it. That’s all they want. Praetor Shawna has requested we send down an away team tomorrow to begin negotiations. She has advised me that such discussions generally take about two days."

"Uh, Captain, not to interrupt, but uh…"

"What is it, Neelix?"

"There’s something you should know about the Omara. Actually I discovered it when I was reading the cultural file they sent. Oh dear, I don’t quite know how to say this."

"Just spit it out."

"The Omara are a same gender paired species, really multi-paired would be a better word."

"You’re saying they’re homosexual." Kathryn shrugged. "I fail to see what bearing that has on anything."

"It’s just, uh, that they expect visiting aliens to reflect their…proclivities."

For a moment Kathryn couldn’t quite understand what he was saying, but enlightenment dawned. "They won’t negotiate with us unless I say I’m gay?"

"Well, it’s more than that. They expect anyone who is negotiating in good faith to bring their partners with them to the planet."

"Partners?"

"As I said, they’re multi-paired."

"That complicates things." Chakotay was having a hard time hiding his smirk behind his hand. "You were planning on bring Lieutenant Torres with you anyway. I guess you just got engaged."

"Very funny, Commander." Kathryn tuned an exasperated glare on her self-appointed morale officer. "And there isn’t any other way?"

"I’m sorry, Captain. The Omara seem very friendly, but this is the one thing they will not budge on."

"Great. Then I guess we have no choice, but to keep going."

"Captain, if you don’t mind," B’Elanna said. "Neelix didn’t say we had to be married, only partnered. We’ve all been together on this ship for a long time and we know each other pretty well. I think we can pull this off and I don’t mind trying if you don’t."

"I can’t order you to do that."

It wasn’t just B’Elanna she was concerned with. Kathryn had just told Seven she loved her last night and now she was going to run off and act like she was engaged to another woman? Even if it was just an illusion, the very idea of doing such a thing made her feel as though she was cheating on Seven. Seconds later the woman in question took the matter out of her hands.

In spite of the situation Kathryn felt a smile tugging the corner of her mouth. "Are you volunteering?"

"Yes."

"I guess that settles it. Lieutenant Torres and Seven of Nine; be prepared to transport to the surface at the beginning of alpha shift. Neelix, is there any stipulation that security personal have to bring their respective partners as well?"

"Uh, no. They allow for support personnel to attend the leader of a vessel singularly."

"Well at least there’s that. Otherwise this away team would get very large very fast. Tuvok, bring whatever security you deem necessary. Dismissed."

Kathryn maintained her composure, but the idea of spending a night with Seven of Nine on an alien planet in the guise of lovers was almost her undoing. If they hadn’t been interrupted the night before that might have been a foregone conclusion. She believed she could act as expected toward Seven because she really did love her, but what of B’Elanna? They had never been anything more than friends and she didn’t want to seem uninterested in front of the Omara. She would have to do her best to make the aliens believe she was involved with both women. Would Seven understand that? Would she be required to kiss B’Elanna in front of Seven?

The situation suddenly seemed a lot more complicated.

As the others filed out Kathryn said, "Seven?"

The young woman understood the captain wished to speak with her privately and waited for the others to exit the conference room. She stood waiting expectantly, but Kathryn honestly didn’t know how to begin such a strange conversation. Finally she took a deep breath and stood, walking over to stand in front of her Astrometrics officer. She met Seven’s clear blue gaze and found no concern hiding in their depths.

"Doesn’t this bother you at all?"

"No, Captain. It is a logical response to the Omara’s stipulations and necessary that we participate in this deception in order to gain the dilithium."

Kathryn leaned a hip against the conference table and crossed her arms. "It may be necessary, but I’m not comfortable with it."

"Because you do not wish to be engaged to me?"

"What? No! How can you think that? I’ve already told you how I feel about you."

"Then what is it?"

"It’s this whole thing." Kathryn raked a frustrated hand through her hand. "I don’t like deceiving people just to get something I want. On top of that I’m not sure I can pull off acting like I’m involved with B’Elanna. Then there’s you."

"Me? Is it required that I be engaged to Lieutenant Torres as well?"

"Probably, though I admit I hadn’t thought of that. No, what I mean is I don’t want to hurt your feelings if I have to kiss B’Elanna or touch her in some way that might otherwise be inappropriate."

Seven dropped her hands from behind her back and placed them on Kathryn’s waist. Kathryn stepped into the embrace as Seven touched their cheeks together. She spoke softly against Janeway’s ear. "Had you not told me last night that you love me it might indeed be a concern. I trust you. You have never given me any reason not to. But you have erred in one component of your argument."

"Oh?" Kathryn hugged Seven gently as she waited.

"You are not deceiving the Omara because you want something. We are deceiving them because we need something. Additionally, none of the Omara will be harmed by that deception and one aspect of their requirements for negotiation are being met truthfully. You and I are involved in a romantic relationship."

"I can’t argue with you there."

Kathryn pulled away and looked up at Seven. No matter what happened Seven always supported her, in her own way. Janeway had come to depend on that and found herself reassured by the course of action upon which they were set.

"I’ll be pretty busy for a while. Will you have dinner with me in my quarters after our shift?"

"I would like that."

Standing up on her toes, Kathryn gently kissed Seven’s lips. She deliberately kept the contact light so things wouldn’t get out of hand and stepped back after a few seconds.

"I’ll see you in about an hour."

Janeway walked out of the conference room with Seven but parted ways on the bridge. While the younger woman took the turbo lift to Astrometrics, Kathryn continued on to her ready room. She was distracted thinking about the Omara and what they would be required to try and pull off in the morning. Seven had assured her that she trusted Janeway, but that wasn’t the same as saying she wouldn’t be jealous of any attention Kathryn was required to pay B’Elanna. Another thing that bothered her was that Seven had yet to say anything about love. She had admitted they were involved romantically, but that wasn’t really the same thing.

Janeway took a deep breath and tried to take her own advice. She had a few reports to finish up before she could leave to prepare dinner. The thought of dinner with Seven threatened to distract her again, and she forced herself to concentrate. She had things to do and didn’t want to be late for their first ‘official’ date.

Forty-five minutes later she left her office and headed straight for the turbo lift. Chakotay was still sitting in his chair perusing his computer terminal and glanced up briefly as she walked through.

"I’ll be in my quarters."

Kathryn barely noted his response as she entered the turbo lift. She had fifteen minutes to shower, change and come up with something for dinner. Why hadn’t she told Seven to give her an extra half hour? The answer to that was obvious, she thought. She wanted to see her and didn’t want to wait any longer than necessary.

It took her exactly six minutes to strip off her uniform and take a sonic shower. The replicator would take care of dinner so she wasn’t worried about that and spent more time than strictly called for choosing what to wear. Blue slacks, a cream-colored top and flats. Perfect. She topped it off with pearl earrings and took a moment to brush out her hair and touch perfume to her pulse points.

While she’d been considering the situation Kathryn walked over to the replicator and keyed in a request for a chicken Caesar salad with a side of garlic bread. A bottle of Bajoran spring wine would go wonderfully with that. She had just finished setting the small, round table in the dining area of her quarters when the chime sounded. Her heart ricocheted off her breast bone and a flurry of butterflies took wing in her stomach.

She took a deep breath and said, "Come in."

"You approve?" Seven asked shyly.

"You’re so beautiful."

The young woman smiled and handed Kathryn a single red rose.

"It’s lovely, Seven. Thank you."

Kathryn inhaled the scent of the bloom before replicating a bud vase and adding some water to it. After she sat the vase on her living room table she offered Seven some wine. Soon, both were seated at the dining room table with their meal in front of them. Kathryn was a little nervous; it had been a long time since she had dated. At first she was so lost in her own trepidation that she didn’t realize how quiet Seven was. Then she looked up and realized the other woman hadn’t touched her food.

"Is everything all right? Would you prefer something else?"

"The meal is fine, Kathryn, but I find that I am unable to consume it at this time."

"Why?"

Seven took a breath and admitted, "I am distracted by thoughts of another activity."

Kathryn’s eyebrow climbed up and she thought she had an idea what other ‘activities’ Seven was referring to. "Oh? Do you think we should move this conversation to the sofa?"

"I can wait if you are not finished."

It was a generous offer, but Kathryn could see exactly how dilated Seven’s eyes were. She didn’t want to rush into sleeping with Seven, but a little making out would be fine as long as she maintained control. Seven meant everything to her and she didn’t want her to think that all she wanted was sex.

"I’m not really hungry right now, either. Maybe we could just talk for a while."

Kathryn and Seven moved over to the couch with wine glasses in hand. Kathryn sat down and crossed her legs while the other woman sat close beside her. She had just raised the glass to take a sip when Seven took it from her and placed both glasses on the coffee table.

"Seven, I think we should take our time…"

That was as far as she got before Seven claimed her lips. She let the kisses go on for a delicious eternity before she pulled away and tried again. "Seven,"

"Kathryn," the other woman interrupted. "I do not wish to talk. I have researched human mating rituals extensively and it seems inefficient to waste time when we both know what it is we desire."

Seven started to kiss her again but Kathryn pulled away. "This is not all I desire from you. I want more than just a sexual encounter."

"Fortunate, since I wish a great deal more from you as well. However, what I desire right now is to feel your body under mine. I wish to touch your naked flesh and taste every inch of you as you squirm for release beneath my lips."

"Seven! Where did you learn to talk like that?"

To say she was a bit shocked was an understatement. Kathryn had only ever thought of Seven as somewhat shy and naïve. To hear her voice such wanton desires was not only unexpected, but very arousing.

"Do you deny you feel this way as well?"

"No. I just didn’t…that is to say I hadn’t expected…anything like this. Tonight."

Seven smiled. "Are you normally so incoherent when you are aroused?"

Beyond being teased Kathryn grabbed Seven’s head and pulled her back down. "Just shut up and kiss me."

Rather than accede to her demands Seven surprised her yet again and scooped Janeway up into her arms. Kathryn’s arms automatically went around her neck as Seven carried her into her own bedroom and sat her lightly on her feet.

Kathryn was accustomed to planning sexual encounters. Her life was kept strictly scheduled, work and play, and if she ever became involved physically with someone she did so on her own terms. Apparently that simply wasn’t going to be true anymore.

Seven was slow and deliberate in her movements, undressing Kathryn with loving intent while her eyes feasted on every inch revealed. The look of barely restrained passion kept Kathryn from moving. Seven was enjoying undressing her, almost as much as Kathryn enjoyed having it done. Soon she was naked on the bed and waiting for Seven to join her.

For an instant she wondered how things had gotten so far out of hand, but then Seven began to remove the red dress and she forgot about everything but this moment. Then the young woman was beside her on the mattress, exploring her body with her hands as she gently kissed along Kathryn’s neck and shoulders.

Seven gasped at the perfection of the small firm breasts and fell avidly on the coral-colored nipples, sucking one of them into her mouth while stroking the other gently. Kathryn arched her back in rising passion, pressing herself into Seven’s mouth and communicating her desire for a firmer contact. Seven accommodated her by sucking forcefully, then turning her head to chew lightly on the swollen nub.

Kathryn gripped Seven’s back, loving the feel of the soft skin merged with the metal of the abdominal implant that encircled her torso. Sliding her hands down, she cupped the smooth skin of Seven’s buttocks, gripped her firmly and pulled her closer. Undulating against her, Kathryn tried to assuage the fire in her body.

"Oh, Seven. That feels wonderful," Kathryn groaned.

Kathryn felt Seven’s left arm slide around her back and a knee urged her legs farther apart. Warm fingers caressed her heated sex spreading the copious moisture, causing her to shiver in anticipation. Then the long slender fingers entered her, pushing in deep and strong and very slowly.

"Ahhh, Seven."

Kathryn stiffened suddenly, groaning in pleasure as she came unexpectedly. Her hips bucked hard almost knocking Seven off of her, but the blonde held on stubbornly. Finally spent, Kathryn gasped for breath, panting as she felt the sweat rolling off her body.

After her breathing began to return to normal Kathryn said, "That was unexpected."

"Is that good or bad?"

Laughing she answered. "Definitely good. But I think you are probably in need of a little attention."

"I believe you are correct."

If not for the blaze in Seven’s eyes they might have been having a normal discussion. But she had learned to read Seven over the years and knew she was trembling with barely suppressed need. She had no intention of making her wait one second longer than necessary. She hooked one leg behind Seven’s thigh and used a hand against a shoulder to flip the larger woman onto her back.

Seven raised her optical implant. "Impressive."

"I knew all those defensive courses would come in handy someday."

"Kathryn?"

"Yes?"

"I believe conversation at this time is over rated."

"I couldn’t agree more."

Kathryn lowered her head and for a very long time there was no further discussion.

Janeway, Seven, B’Elanna, Tuvok and two security officers transported directly into the central chamber of the Omaran meeting hall. Kathryn’s initial reaction was a swirling mix of disbelief and awe. Large cathedral style ceilings lent an open and inviting air to the hall, but from there the theme was decidedly sensual. Low lights were scattered throughout the chamber and the windows were covered in what looked like stained glass. Flowers abounded on every flat surface and there was a subtle fragrance of sandalwood or something very like it in the air. The theme was continued with the three women who greeted them.

Dressed in soft, flowing white robes they were absolute visions. Each was slightly built, almost wraith-like. One woman stood nearer while two stood a few paces behind. Obviously the one in front was Praetor Shawna. Her indigo eyes reminded Kathryn of peonies under an open Indiana sky. All three had long hair flowing down their backs while ringlets framed their faces. If not for the slightly pointed ears they appeared very human.

"Captain Janeway," the blonde Praetor began with an open, friendly smile. "Welcome to Omara. These are my wives, Jarman and Tesha."

"Praetor Shawna, it’s our pleasure. These are my fiancées, Seven and B’Elanna." That went well; I didn’t even hesitate over the word fiancée. "This is my chief of security, Lieutenant Commander Tuvok."

Shawna insisted on grasping each person introduced by both hands and lightly resting her forehead against theirs. When she reached Seven she had a question.

"Seven is a number, not a name. How did you come by such an appellation?"

"I was assimilated by the Borg as a child. My human name has ceased to have meaning for me."

Compassion showed on the lovely face but her response surprised the Voyager crewmembers. "Assimilation sounds like a horrible experience, but I’m afraid we have never heard of the Borg."

"Really?" B’Elanna commented out of turn. "Then I’d say you’re very lucky. It’s nothing I’d wish on my worst enemy."

Shawna took Seven’s hand and said, "But now you are engaged to a commanding and beautiful leader. Your life is happy and you are among friends."

"I suppose that is true."

Seven looked up and Kathryn met her eyes. Janeway couldn’t keep how she felt from her expression and in this setting there was no reason to do so.

"Come. My staff has prepared a light meal for your enjoyment."

They were led to a dining room with a long, low table. On every side were soft, comfortable couches rather than chairs. The purpose for such an arrangement was immediately clear when Shawna’s wives sat closely on each side of her. The Praetor watched Janeway and her people expectantly. Fortunately Seven and B’Elanna had been extensively briefed by Janeway before the transport. They mirrored the Omaran custom and flanked the captain.

Tuvok and his men sat where there was an opening and the Praetor nodded at a young man to begin serving.

The first course was a small bowl of broth. The flavor was nothing like Kathryn had ever tasted before. It was like chicken broth but with a burst of rose petals and fresh rain. She would have been hard-pressed to describe it if asked but it was incredible. Apparently Seven agreed.

"This soup is most satisfactory."

"You said it," B’Elanna concurred. "It’s great! I’m glad I didn’t eat before we came."

Shawna smiled and looked at Kathryn for her opinion. Janeway merely indicated her container. "I think the empty bowl speaks for itself."

"I’m pleased you enjoyed it. After each course we signify our pleasure by sharing a kiss with our mates."

Though her expression never changed, Kathryn felt her stomach clench. She knew they were being tested and wondered at the purpose. Would the Omaran leader terminate negotiations if she found their emotions lacking? Exactly how passionate were these kisses expected to be? Shawna answered the question by kissing each of her wives in turn. The touch of their lips lingered for a few seconds each. There was nothing overtly sexual but Kathryn was left with no doubt that Shawna loved each of her mates completely. When the ritual was complete the Praetor turned to Janeway. It was her turn.

Kathryn was not prone to public displays of affection. In this instance it was required and her natural urge was to kiss Seven first. Her reason won out and she turned toward B’Elanna. She considered the engineer a great friend, but she didn’t love her. Although she would kiss her it would be the touch of a friend. Then she would kiss Seven and the Omara would be left with the image of her embracing the woman she loved.

Kathryn took a moment to look into B’Elanna’s sable eyes. They were welcoming with a hint of humor carefully concealed. Thought this was funny, did she? Janeway and B’Elanna met in the middle. The Klingon’s lips were warm and soft and the kiss pleasant enough. Kathryn counted to five in her head and released her friend.

Then she turned to Seven and repeated the gesture of looking into her eyes. What she found made her breath catch. She remembered they were being watched and leaned nearer to the young woman. Their lips met and Kathryn forgot to count. Soft, pliant, yielding. Once she had believed Seven could never yield; it had taken only love to show her she was wrong.

Adding to the moment was what they had shared the night before. Kathryn remembered how tenderly and completely Seven had loved her, how they had lain in each others arms after making love and talked for much of the night. Now here they were pretending to be engaged and Janeway found she wished it were really true.

A touch on her rear end drew her back to reality, bit it was the light pinch B’Elanna delivered that made Kathryn break contact. She shot a look at the unrepentant woman and received an arched eyebrow in response. She couldn’t believe the engineer had done such a thing on a diplomatic mission, but her hand was out of sight and it was just like B’Elanna to try and get away with something when presented with the opportunity.

So the meal continued. Six courses were served, each as light as the first. After each the women shared a brief kiss, but Kathryn made sure to maintain strict control. She didn’t want another pinch on the butt. Finally the meal was over and she breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe now the talks could begin.

"Praetor, we are prepared to offer you five tons of beryllium. My crew has already begun replicating the metal."

"That sounds very generous, Captain. I promise you we will discuss all the details in the morning. Lindell will show you to your rooms." She indicated the serving boy. "I’m sure you’ll wish to stay with your fiancées?"

Another test.

"Of course."

"Wonderful. Your security officers will be in the rooms adjacent to your own."

They were shown to an opulent chamber whose central feature was a massive bed that took up a quarter of the room. A hydrojet tub sat in one corner and steam curled lazily toward the ceiling. As soon as they were alone Kathryn smacked a hand against her forehead and said, "This is ridiculous. I feel like I’m at one of those cheesy honeymoon hotels on Risa."

"I know what you mean." B’Elanna bounced on the corner of the bed. "This is comfortable enough, but those Omara are crazy if they think I’m getting naked around here. They’re probably watching."

Seven cut directly to the point, like she was reading Kathryn’s mind. "Might I suggest we prepare to sleep? There is nothing more to be accomplished this evening."

"Hey, they already brought our stuff."

B’Elanna dived on her overnight bag that had been placed in the corner and said, "I get the bathroom first." Then she was gone and Kathryn and Seven were finally alone.

"How are you holding up?" Janeway asked her Astrometrics officer, careful in case Lieutenant Torres was right and they were being watched.

Seven pulled the captain into her arms and Kathryn went willingly. She thought Seven merely needed to be held, but realized this position had a dual purpose when the other woman spoke into her ear.

"I am fine, Kathryn, though I’ll admit I am not accustomed to so much physical attention. At least not in front of others."

Kathryn smiled at the reference to the previous evening. "You know I’d prefer to sleep with only you tonight, don’t you?"

"Why, Kathryn Janeway. Are you propositioning me?"

Janeway looked up at her and smiled. "How about when we get back to Voyager? B’Elanna is a dear friend, but I don’t think this is something I’m prepared to share."

"Agreed."

Seven leaned down and kissed Kathryn gently, but pulled away when she heard B’Elanna clear her throat. Her brown eyes danced with barely suppressed mirth. Obviously she had just come out of the bathroom and found them intimately engaged. Even Seven’s enhanced hearing hadn’t had time to register her presence.

"Who’s next, or did you want to go together?"

Great, now B’Elanna was never going to let her hear the end of it. Kathryn quickly grabbed her bag and said, "I’m up. You two try to behave while I’m gone."

As soon as the door closed behind the captain B’Elanna raised her eyebrows and asked, "So?" Then she tilted her head toward the bathroom to indicate the woman inside.

Seven realized they had to be careful with what was said, but was intelligent enough to know what the Klingon was asking. "Indeed."

She expected the volatile engineer to grow angry or resentful. It was no secret they had never been friends and she had been concerned being thrown into such a romantic setting with Lieutenant Torres. She respected her abilities as an engineer and found B’Elanna to be a beautiful woman, but did not believe she was held in equal esteem.

B’Elanna surprised her when she replied. "About time. I wondered if you’d ever figure it out. Remind me to tell you about a friend of mine when we get back to the ship."

Seven nodded once in understanding and retrieved her own carryall. She had slept in a bed once in her adult life and that had been the previous night. Clothing had not been required and she had been forced to ask Kathryn what the protocols for tonight would be.

Meanwhile, back in the bathroom, Kathryn was wrestling with issues of her own.

This situation was extremely uncomfortable for her, but it didn’t appear that Seven or B’Elanna were having a problem. Of the three she seemed to be the one reacting like she was walking a thin line and they were having a good time. No doubt B’Elanna found all of this hilarious; walking in on her captain kissing another woman. It would be all over the ship before they finished transporting back!

Well, it’s not like I’m embarrassed to be involved with Seven. At least I got the best looking woman on the ship. Kathryn grinned . Captain’s prerogative indeed! She finished dressing for bed and picked B’Elanna’s uniform up off the floor. After hanging their clothing on nearby hooks, she brushed her teeth and headed back out into the bedroom. Apparently the Omara preferred old-fashioned technology to replicators on occasion. Maybe it was for the ambiance.

B’Elanna was already tucked under the covers and was reading a padd. Probably an engineering update, Kathryn thought.

"Your turn."

Seven said nothing, but smiled softly as she passed Kathryn and closed the bathroom door.

Kathryn dropped her bag into a corner and sat on the side of the bed facing the engineer. "B’Elanna…"

B’Elanna looked up and said, "Hey, I was here first. You get the middle."

Janeway grinned; realizing the young woman had understood exactly what she was going to say and let her know in her own way that there was no need. "Great. I get the middle. Right between my two favorite ladies."

She slid under the covers and moved into the middle of the bed. Fortunately the piece of furniture was so large that there was plenty of room without shoving her right up against the engineer. Then Seven came out of the bathroom and Kathryn only had eyes for her. She had to agree with B’Elanna’s appreciative whistle.

Seven wore a simple white night shirt that came down to just above her knees. It was a button closure and the top two were open, showing just a hint of cleavage.

"I think that’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen."

"You had your chance," Kathryn said. "I’m in the middle, remember?"

Seven slid into bed beside Janeway while B’Elanna reached over to a bedside table and shut out the lights. Kathryn suddenly felt nervous with Seven lying at her side, very aware that B’Elanna was on the other and that Kathryn might do something in her sleep. She thought she would probably toss and turn all night and wondered if it wouldn’t have been wiser to put Seven in the middle.

B’Elanna was asleep in seconds and judging from how relaxed Seven was, she wasn’t far behind. That helped Kathryn relax and she felt herself drifting toward sleep. She moved instinctively toward Seven and the other woman wrapped an arm around her. Kathryn’s head came to rest on her shoulder and she allowed sleep to claim her.

Torres felt the movement from her captain and cracked open her eyes just a little. She saw Janeway move into Seven’s arms and smiled slightly. She knew the captain would never have done that if she’d been awake and as much as she enjoyed teasing her, she was really happy for her. It had been obvious for a while that the captain was in love with Seven even if she would never have admitted it to anyone. True happiness was difficult to achieve and B’Elanna had learned the hard way not to let the opportunities slip by. It was the reason she had broken up with Paris. She loved someone else and couldn’t live a lie by staying with him.

Thoughts of Karri Jameson drifted through her head as she fell asleep.

********

"Shawna, are your certain this is the right thing to do?"

Tesha’s question caused the Praetor to hesitate before pushing the button. She had wondered the same thing, but according to the information from Voyager’s data base these people would enjoy what they were about to do. It was one of the ways the Omara forged friendships with aliens. They downloaded the cultural information from a passing ship and showed them how advanced their holodeck simulations were by immersing them into scenarios the aliens would enjoy. Since the negotiations included barter for the holodeck programs this would prove how advanced their skills with the simulations were.

"According to their own computer Voyager has just finished a celebration called ‘Halloween’. It is an annual festival that incorporates demons, ghosts and all things frightening. They enjoy being scared."

"Shouldn’t we show them the simulations in the morning instead of inserting them into the programs without warning?"

"I would, but then they would know it was only a program and they would not be frightened. It would ruin the experience for them. In truth I worried about the same thing, but from what the council deduced from their data files, this is the only way they would be truly frightened."

Tesha still wasn’t sure but said nothing further as Shawna pressed the console button. Tasteless, odorless gas flowed into the visitors’ bedchamber. They would be unconscious for the move to the various holodecks. Only the security personnel would be left out and the simulations should be complete before morning. It was an honor to allow the leader and her partners to inspect the simulations for authenticity prior to actual purchase. The only reason she even hesitated was because the Omara couldn’t fathom enjoying anything frightening. The fact that these aliens did apparently did was confusing by itself.

Kathryn Janeway awakened slowly, reluctantly. Her eyes refused to open, but she frowned at the odor of the air. When she had gone to sleep in Seven’s arms it had been scented with Omaran perfume. Now the air was dank and musty. It smelled like rank water and human waste.

She had expected to feel the warm softness of Seven’s body, not a cold hard panel of some sort. On top of all that she was cold, freezing.

Janeway opened her eyes and looked around in the dark. At first she wasn’t sure what she was seeing and then shock reverberated through her system. Instead of the ornate bedchamber she’d fallen asleep in, these walls were made of stone, slimy with lichen grown over ages. Cobwebs covered most of the surface and as her eyes traveled upward she realized she was in an old dungeon of some sort.

Kathryn tried to sit up and realized her wrists and ankles were bound tight.

These thoughts circled in her head, but the real question was what could they have done that would have been bad enough to warrant this? If the Omara had realized Janeway wasn’t really paired with her officers, wouldn’t it have been enough just to send them on their way?

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

Movement overhead threw shadowed relief into what little light there was. There was a small window up there and someone was watching her. What the…?

"Hey up there! A little help?"

Yeah, because that’s going to work. "You don’t want to do this. Voyager will retaliate!"

The shadowed figure left and Janeway was alone again. Well, she had been in worse situations. The fog in her brain finally faded and Janeway was left with a residual headache. That answered how she got here; drugged. Now how could she get out of it? The why didn’t really matter at the moment.

The first thing to come to mind was her combadge, but she hadn’t exactly been sleeping in her uniform when she went to bed. If she had, she would certainly be a lot warmer. As cool as she was the captain was also grateful she wasn’t wearing one of her trademark nightgowns. Sleeping on an alien planet required special considerations and she had opted for a pair of thermal pajamas.

There was little she could actually see of her surroundings. The overhead light dispelled the shadows directly where she lay, but little else. Kathryn turned her head as far as possible and froze at an unexpected grisly sight. A skeleton stood against the wall, still bound in the chains in which the unfortunate soul had perished. Water dripped nearby, adding immeasurably to the gruesome sight with substance and texture.

What kind of beings were these Omara who could extend a hand of friendship so casually and thrust them into this horror in the next instant? Where was her crew? Were they going through a similar fate? Where was Seven?

A sound caught her ear, a tiny squeak. If she hadn’t been straining so hard Captain Janeway would have missed it. Though faint at first, the sound grew steadily. Along with volume came numbers. The squeak turned from one to two to a multitude in seconds.

Rats!

There in the looming well of darkness; red shiny eyes by the scores. They came steadily nearer, pausing occasionally to see if their intended prey would rise and attack or attempt to run away. Captain Janeway fought the leather restraints to no avail and the tiny assassins crept steadily closer. She didn’t shout for help, there would be none. It was up to her to get out of this in one piece, if that was even possible.

In her squirming, Kathryn brushed against a wooden object. The object rolled slightly before it settled again onto a flat bottom. It was a bowl of some sort and inside were strips of bloody meat. This was the source of the noxious smell and bait to lure the rats.

Something about this setting was familiar to her and Kathryn froze as her brain went over drive. Where had she seen this before?

*********

B’Elanna Torres was crumpled in a heap on the floor. At first she thought she had fallen out of bed, but then realized this floor wasn’t lushly carpeted like the bedroom of the Omaran castle. This floor was padded with some sort of white poly-fill foam. It was thick and slightly yielding under her body but it didn’t take much to see that there would be an impenetrable surface beyond the padding. She sat up and looked around the blindingly lit room and couldn’t believe what she saw.

"I must be dreaming."

That had to be the answer. Even in the 24^th century everyone knew what a padded cell was…and its purpose.

A white jacket wrapped her torso, her arms pinned round her waist. Her trousers were white and her feet bare. B’Elanna knew she had gone to sleep beside Captain Janeway and she had been wearing shorts and a tank top.

"Then where am I?"

The half-Klingon struggled to her feet and stumbled toward a door with a small window. The window was inlaid with metal bars and there was no handle on her side. She could see the profile of someone standing guard just outside.

"Hey, let me outta here!"

The guard turned and she found herself looking into a familiar face. She had seen this face many times, but not the mocking expression he currently wore.

"Tom! What’s going on? Let me out before the Omara come back?"

"The who? What are you going on about now?"

"The Omara, you remember? Those people who hacked our database."

Paris smirked coldly. "Well, I see you’re lucid, but you’re still in that little fantasy world of yours. I’ll get the doc."

What was he talking about, what fantasy world and why was he acting so strangely? Why wouldn’t he help her? Torres had little time to respond before Paris returned with Voyager’s EMH.

"Ah, I see you’re awake. About time." The last was said somewhat acerbically and Torres was reassured as to the identity of this individual.

"Doc, you have to let me out. I think Voyager is in trouble."

"Voyager?"

"See," Paris spoke up. "I told you she was still delusional."

"Listen to me, B’Elanna. It’s not often that you’re coherent so I’m going to try this one more time."

"What do you mean?" B’Elanna couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so frightened. The signs were all there, but she just couldn’t believe what these two were trying to tell her.

"Listen! You are in a Federation mental health facility. You lost it when your friends in the Maquis died."

"No, that’s not true!"

He went on as though she hadn’t spoken. "We’ve been treating you for months. The fact that you’re articulate now is a good sign that we’re getting through."

"No! I won’t listen to this! It isn’t real! Security! Tuvok!"

The EMH turned to Paris and said sadly, "We’ve lost her again."

*********

Seven of Nine smiled softly. Her eyes were closed but she could still smell Kathryn’s hair. A hand gently brushed her cheek and her smile grew. She opened her eyes expecting to look into the soft blue of her lover’s and froze in horrified surprise. There was someone there, but not the one she expected. This…woman’s …eyes were black, like bottomless night. There were no irises, just one black well of eternity gazing back.

"Good morning." The Borg Queen turned and walked away a few paces while Seven stepped forward, disengaging from the contact nodes of the alcove. "You slept well and you dreamed again. You are making excellent progress. Soon it will be time to place you onto a human ship."

"Where is Voyager? Where is Captain Janeway?"

The Borg Queen was the most devious and cruelly manipulative being Seven had ever encountered in the universe, but she rarely lied. She would re-direct or ignore if she didn’t want to answer. This time she frowned at the questions and Seven realized the Queen truly had no idea what she was talking about. Then a look of enlightenment came across the cold, damp features.

"Anomaly 161, the Starfleet Vessel we detected in grid 3759. This is the vessel we are preparing you for. It is the vessel you have been dreaming of."

"No, I was there." Seven could help that her voice sounded small, she was suddenly so unsure.

Had it really all been a dream, her life aboard Voyager and her friendships? Had Kathryn been a dream? No! She might believe she had dreamt of the vessel, but she couldn’t have imagined the way she felt for Captain Janeway.

A reflection in a duranium panel caught her eye and Seven turned her head to look at it fully. The long blonde hair was gone as was the biosuit. A ruby-colored beam shot out where the left eye had been and exoplating covered the feminine form from head to foot, but there could be no mistake. The deathly pallor told her the truth. She was still Borg.

*********

A metallic sound overhead caused Kathryn to look away from the rats. High overhead in the darkness something began to move. She couldn’t make out the details through the shadows, but she could see the object as it swung back and forth and had the impression that it was dropping slowly toward her.

Suddenly the pieces clicked together and she realized where she was.

The Pit and the Pendulum! She was caught in a real life replay of an Edgar Allen Poe story. No, that couldn’t be right. These people were halfway across the universe from Earth. There was no Poe here, but how else could the Omara be familiar with this story?

The cultural database! They had tapped into Voyager’s main computer and accessed only the cultural information which would include Earth’s literary works as well since it had a direct bearing on their culture. This wasn’t real, it was a holodeck situation.

"Listen to me Praetor Shawna. I don’t know why you’re doing this. Maybe you think it’s what we expect, maybe you think this is all impressive somehow, but whatever it is you’re wrong! Taking us in our sleep…putting us into life-threatening situations…Our culture," she stressed the word, "would consider these things an act of war!"

The object dropped even lower and Kathryn could finally see it was indeed the pendulum from the story. The bottom of the half-moon shaped device gleamed with wicked sharpness and continued to descend.

"Did you hear me? Voyager will come looking for us and if we have been harmed in any way you’ll have a war on your hands. Is that what you want?"

Suddenly everything in the room froze, the rats, the pendulum, even the shadow at the overhead window. Then everything disappeared except the low, flat table Janeway was lying on. The restraints disappeared too and Kathryn sat up gingerly.

The backdrop of the old castle shimmered into the familiar grid lines of a holodeck and Praetor Shawna was there with a concerned look on her face.

"Truly? This is considered an attack of some sort?"

Captain Janeway suppressed her anger as well as she could. She’d had lots of practice over the past six years, but it was still extremely hard not to throttle this person.

"Yes, it’s true. We don’t take very well to being kidnapped and put into such…gruesome scenarios."

"But your computer information…we thought your people appreciated being frightened."

The Halloween celebration came flooding back and Kathryn remembered saying almost those exact words to Seven of Nine. But Seven had lived on Voyager for four years, she understood the distinction and she still didn’t understand the finer details. How could Janeway expect the Omara to understand?

"Maybe you should remember that not everything can be held in a cultural data base before you do this to someone else in the future."

Shawna dipped her head in acknowledgment. "Of course. I will have your partners released from their simulations immediately."

Kathryn could only imagine what horrors the other two had been subjected to and another violent urge seized her for a moment. Finally the impulse passed. "I’d appreciate that and if I could be shown back to my room? I think I’d like to get dressed now."

"Right away. My apologies, Captain Janeway."

The captain of Voyager bit the inside of her cheek as she passed Shawna, following the young man from the previous night as he led the way back to her temporary quarters. In no time she was dressed and Seven and B’Elanna had returned. They both looked agitated, angry and there was still a hint of strain around their eyes, but now was not the time to discuss it. While they dressed Kathryn contacted Chakotay to inform him she wanted the senior staff assembled before they arrived. She wouldn’t clarify why, but from the tone she used Kathryn knew he would do exactly as she said.

It was still early in the morning and Tuvok had yet to make an appearance. She was frustrated that he hadn’t known something was wrong, but then no one had expected this. She contacted him immediately after speaking with Chakotay and everyone was ready to leave the Omaran palace within minutes.

Praetor Shawna followed them all the way to the transport site, apologizing and promising to bestow the negotiated items for free as recompense for their mistake. Janeway had difficulty looking at the woman as her team stalked toward the meeting hall so they could leave. Just before the transport beam dematerialized them she promised, "We’ll be in touch."

Janeway was still seething inside and Tom’s remark stretched her nerves even more. She considered blasting him with a level ten glare, but Seven interceded.

"I concur."

"What? Are you kidding? They threw me into a padded cell with a straight jacket. I was actually starting to believe I was crazy. And look what they did to you and the captain!"

Seven looked calmly at the engineer and responded logically rather than emotionally as everyone else had done. "It was disconcerting to see the Queen, to be covered in Borg exoplating once again."

"See?" Torres pushed her point, but Kathryn was curious to see where she was going.

"None of us were actually harmed. Did we not just celebrate a holiday promoting fear? These Omara have no frame of reference for Earth customs."

"Seven, are you saying we should just let it go?" Janeway inquired softly.

"Precisely. We cannot expect every species we encounter to understand the nuances of Terran customs. They believed they were bestowing a gift."

Kathryn had known that of course, but had let her anger rule her actions. At least she hadn’t actually said anything. Trust Seven to put things into perspective and break it all down to the basic issue.

"She’s right."

"Captain, May I assume you are preparing to reopen negotiations with the Omara?"

"Yes, Tuvok, though I think they’ll understand that we’d like to finish the discussions under our conditions from here out. I’ll contact Shawna from my ready room and see if continuing is even a possibility. I want Voyager to remain at yellow alert until we’ve concluded our business here, just in case there are anymore cultural misunderstandings."

Captain Janeway ended the debriefing and went straight to her ready room. Praetor Shawna was perfectly willing to agree to a conference call rather than face to face negotiations. In fact, by the time it was over Kathryn was convinced the woman would have handed over the entire kingdom rather than start an incident with a ship that could blast the entire planet apart. Of course she never would have done such a thing, but she had been so angry she could understand how Shawna might think otherwise.

Her day finally ended long after alpha shift was over and Captain Janeway nodded tiredly to the beta shift officer on her way to the turbo lift. The lift stopped at deck two and Kathryn almost got off before she realized it had stopped one deck shy of her destination. She could hear laughter and talk from the mess hall and understood someone else had called for the lift. As much as she wanted to get directly to her quarters she could hardly complain that someone else wanted to use the conveyance.

She finally lifted her eyes from the deck when she recognized B’Elanna’s laugh. The chief engineer was holding Karri Jameson’s hand as they stepped on beside her and when B’Elanna saw her she started to blush profusely.

"It’s all right, B’Elanna. I understand everything now."

"Yes, well, I guess we all deserve to be happy. How is Seven, by the way?"

Janeway was too tired to blush, but she did frown. Leave it to the half-Klingon to blurt out personal information in a completely inappropriate way. No doubt the entire crew had known about the change in her relationship status as soon as they returned to the ship. Now she had two choices. She could be embarrassed and try to hide the truth, which would only prove that she had something for which to be ashamed. Or, she could be proud that someone as wonderful as Seven of Nine had chosen to be with her, crusty old captain that she was. Given the two options, Kathryn clearly knew which of them Seven deserved.

"She’s fine, regenerating by now. If you’ll excuse me, ladies?"

The lift doors parted and Kathryn walked slowly and with great dignity to her quarters. As soon as they closed her shoulders slumped and she let out a relieved breath. Finally it was over. Voyager would leave orbit at the beginning of alpha shift and soon they would be streaking for home.

The incident on Omara really hadn’t been that traumatizing, especially once she realized it was all a holographic projection, but she could still see that pendulum descending when she closed her eyes. Trying to dispel the image, Kathryn pushed away from her doorway and started stripping off her uniform as she walked toward her bathroom. A nice, hot bath was in order and nothing short of a red alert was going to deprive her of one.

She couldn’t see with the tunic up over her head but as soon as she stripped it off she realized she wasn’t alone. Steam fogged up the room and she could hear water running inside the bathroom. Who would take it upon themselves to use the captain’s quarters for their own purposes without asking?

Even as she asked the question Kathryn felt a tug at the corner of her mouth. There was only one possible response. She peeked around the corner of the doorway and verified the answer.

The young woman sat on the rim of the bath and watched hot water pour into the large tub. Kathryn watched as she poured scented bubble bath under the stream, but was more interested in following the bumps of her spine.

"Seven, what are you doing?"

Blue eyes looked up at her and Kathryn shivered at the promise they held. "Waiting for you. I thought you would enjoy a hot bath."

"So you’re in here just casually running a bath for me?"

"I thought you would enjoy a hot bath with me."

Kathryn smiled and reached for the waistband of her trousers, but stopped before unfastening them. She stood half clothed in white lace bra, uniform pants and boots. Utterly unselfconscious. The incident with the Omara, feigning a dual engagement and the holodeck horrors were already a memory. This was reality, looking up at her, waiting expectantly. Seven had never reciprocated her loving words from the other night and Kathryn didn’t expect her to. How could she reasonably expect a twenty-eight year old woman to fall in love with her forty-four year old captain? Sixteen years difference. Yet even if Seven could never truly love her she was here now. She was gazing up with adoring eyes and there was no question they the both cared deeply for each other.

Kathryn’s will was too weak to send her away. She would take whatever Seven was prepared to give. If it lasted a day or a week or a month it would be enough. It would have to be. She would take it and make the loving hers and she could live on that for the rest of her life. Eventually Seven would leave, when she realized Kathryn was the captain just as much as she was the lover. But for today she had this.

Resolved, she no longer felt tired or in need of a long soothing soak. Passion had started a slow, rolling boil and only one thing could ease the burn. She held a trembling hand out and waited for Seven to take it. The spigot would shut off automatically when water reached the appropriate depth and thermal jets would keep it heated until otherwise indicated.

"I don’t want a bath right now."

Seven stood to face her, their bodies so close that a deep breath would have brought contact. Seven bent to her slowly, lips brushing softly. Kathryn’s hand cupped her chin gently as she kissed her again, repeatedly, caressing her lips, exploring. Seven opened to her and their kissed deepened, drawing both of them in and causing them to share a deep intake of breath.

Kathryn released her slowly and slid her hands down to grasp both of Seven’s. She walked backward toward the bedroom, her eyes pinned to Seven’s. In moments they stood beside the bed. Kathryn reached behind Seven’s neck from the front and unzipped the biosuit. She had been around enough times when Seven was injured to know how the doctor’s creation worked. When it was loosened she started to pull it down and away, but Seven caught her arms. Kathryn could see she was suddenly uncomfortable, embarrassed.

"I…I don’t want you to see."

The last time they had loved the lights had been off. Kathryn had felt Seven’s body, but she hadn’t seen the implants, the signs of brutalization from the Borg. This time light was streaming in from the bathroom as well as the stars outside the window.

"You’re beautiful. Your implants are beautiful…"

"No."

"They’re a part of you." Her heart screamed I love you, but she didn’t say the words. No pressure. "Please, let me."

Kathryn kissed her gently and said it again. "Please, let me see you."

Seven’s grasp softened and Janeway pulled the one-piece garment lower. She dropped to her knees and removed the boots as Seven lifted her feet. When she stood Seven removed Kathryn’s bra and pushed her trousers and underwear down. Kathryn stepped out of her clothing and pushed Seven backward. Her knees hit the bed and she tumbled onto the mattress, pulling Kathryn with her.

As their lips met, Kathryn smoothed her hands over Seven’s breasts in slow circles, marveling at the velvety softness of the skin beneath her hands. Seven moved slowly, her lips melting as she slid her arms around Kathryn’s neck. Again their tongues met, circling one another, Seven moaning into Kathryn’s mouth as Kathryn stroked her breasts. So soft. Seven was so soft and responsive, her hips moving on Kathryn’s thigh as they consumed one another with slow urgency, instinct overcoming inexperience.

Kathryn moved downward to her throat, no longer content to kiss her lips, stroking and licking lightly as Seven leaned her head back. Kathryn kissed over her throat and bit softly. She pressed her lips to the pounding pulse and garnered another moan of pleasure. She kissed downward to Seven’s breasts, stroking her lips very lightly just where they began to swell and Seven trembled in her arms.

As she moved down the long, graceful body, her hip came to rest between Seven’s thighs, her own astride one of Seven’s. She cupped Seven’s breasts in her hands, feeling their weight and fullness. Seven sighed and writhed against her, her hands caressing Kathryn’s face as she stroked her body with her mouth. Seven’s soft flesh melted under her lips, the alabaster skin flushing as she neared the coral-colored nipple. Slowly, so very slowly she moved in sweet circles. Then she took the nipple into her mouth, swirling her tongue around swollen hardness as Seven arched into her. Kathryn gave herself over to Seven, wanting only her pleasure.

She only absently realized that she was moving her hips, rubbing her heated center against Seven’s muscular thigh. Her breathing deepened as she moved and Seven grasped the rich flesh of her hips, holding her and encouraging her. Kathryn threw her head back and tightened her thighs, her hips quick but moving in smaller, concentrated circles.

Then she dropped her head down, rubbing her face between Seven’s full breasts. Her hands clasping Seven’s breasts almost roughly, she pushed herself toward the edge, then past it, shouting as she convulsed. Again and again the contractions washed through her, blinding her with pleasure. Then they passed and her breathing slowly returned to normal, but she was every bit as hungry for Seven as she had been before.

Kathryn kissed downward over her body, paying as much attention to implant as to the sweet flesh. Seven’s hips moved slowly beneath her, the young woman straining for the pleasure she had experienced only once before. Kathryn stroked the insides of her thighs and Seven parted them in anticipation. She moved down until she finally lay between her legs. Kathryn found her incredibly wet and ready and inhaled sharply against her desire.

She wasn’t familiar with this form of loving, all of her previous lovers having been male. For a moment fear seized her and she wondered if she would be able to please her. Familiar or not, Seven was waiting and Kathryn couldn’t bring herself to stop now. She slid her arms around Seven’s thighs, her hands holding onto her hipbones. Kathryn stroked Seven’s outer lips, barely touching, feeling the wetness on them even before she fully made contact. Kathryn brushed her lips through Seven’s soft hair, smiling at the gasps and sighs of pleasure that rewarded her. Seven’s scent was so utterly unique, just like her; salty and sweet. She was subtle and wonderful.

She dipped her head and kissed directly over the wet curls, just at the juncture of Seven’s lips. Seven arched, her hands coming to Kathryn’s hair. Kathryn felt the warm essence on her lips, tasted it only just barely. Overwhelmed by what she had discovered Kathryn bent to her again, her tongue uncurling to lick lightly over that same spot, tasting her.

Kathryn moaned and pressed her mouth into Seven, relishing the cries that she heard. She drew her tongue over Seven’s hardness, swirling lightly, teasing. Seven’s breathing grew ragged and her hips moved more quickly. Kathryn drew back, keeping the pressure light until Seven’s moans told her she was beyond aroused, beyond coherent. Finally, desperate for Seven’s pleasure, Kathryn centered her attentions around the hardened flesh. Seven arched under her, crying out as Kathryn drove her onward.

Seven’s hands kneaded the sheets, grasping and releasing as Kathryn’s lips closed over the hardened center and swirled more insistently. Seven moaned and gasped and Kathryn groaned in sympathy, moving her own hips again, pressing down into the sheets. Kathryn devoured her slowly, aware of the pounding of her heart in her ears and the wet, sensuous sound of her tongue on Seven’s intimate flesh. She stroked lightly, circled her and lapped at her with the flat of her tongue. Seven’s hands tightened and Kathryn heard the sound of tearing linen. Her hips thrust upward to meet Kathryn and she bore down harder. The response was instant; Seven’s body tensed and gathered and she inhaled deeply. Then she shouted and her body arched off the bed, only her shoulders and hips maintaining contact with the mattress. Kathryn felt her harden even more under her tongue and kept stroking throughout the convulsions. When they died away Kathryn reluctantly nuzzled her and moved away.

She thought Seven sated and was surprised when she was pushed onto her back.

"I’m all right," she said, speaking for the first time since the loving had begun. "I don’t need any more."

"Please." Seven used her own emotional weapons against her unrelentingly. " Allow me to love you, Kathryn. I need to feel you."

Seven’s hand trembled as she touched Kathryn’s breast softly. She leaned down and kissed the corner of her mouth and Kathryn gasped. She felt the tide begin to rise inside again and was surprised. She had never been able to come more than once during a romantic encounter and no one had ever pressed the issue. Seven was unique in all respects.

As her breathing deepened Seven took possession of her body, stroking her and licking the shell of her ear. Seven kissed her lips and sucked gently on her throat, driving the fire higher. Kathryn’s arms went around her and held her tightly. Kathryn rolled her head on the pillow as Seven reached down and stroked between her legs.

"I want to touch you, Kathryn. I want to show you how I feel, how much I love you."

Even through the fog of desire Kathryn heard and smiled. So there was more after all.

"Yes."

Seven slid two fingers into Kathryn easily, her thumb skidding over her clitoris. Kathryn jerked and Seven stroked slowly within and without. Kathryn gave in to the pleasure, giving herself to Seven completely. She moaned into Seven’s neck and pulled her closer with her arms and legs. She gripped the strong shoulders and cried out in pleasure as she reached her peak.

Seven held her close, still inside her, and kissed her forehead as Kathryn calmed. Her heart slowly reached the approximation of normal while she stared into the starlight streaming in from the viewport.

"Did you mean it? You love me?"

Seven kissed her gently again and moved down to lay her head on Kathryn’s chest. "I mean it, Kathryn. I should have told you before, but you said it was unnecessary." She gently removed her hand and settled more comfortably onto her lover.

"It wasn’t necessary. I don’t want you to ever do or say anything you don’t feel."

"I do feel it. When I awakened in the Omaran simulation all I could think of was you. I knew then that I could never be complete without you."

Kathryn smiled and hugged Seven tighter. "I feel exactly the same way."

Seven quieted and in a few moments Kathryn felt her body relax and her breathing even out. She was content with Seven in her arms. The last few days had certainly been something else. She had never expected to be here with this woman and thought how strange and wonderful things worked in the universe sometimes.

"Good night, love," she whispered, thinking Seven was already asleep. She was surprised when she responded softly.

"Good night…my Kathryn."

This was the best Halloween Kathryn had ever experienced. She fell asleep confident that Seven would be there when she awakened.