STAR
TREK: VOYAGER
Disclaimers
This story is
an original work of fiction set in the pre-existing universe of Star
Trek:
Voyager. As such, many of the characters and references used
within
belong solely to Paramount Pictures. No gain, monetary or
otherwise, is
expected from their use and no copyright infringement is intended or
should be
inferred.
All
original characters and storylines contained herein belong to the
author.
Thank you to Duckcubbie for being my new beta reader and for
coming up
with the perfect ending for this story and for the song.
This story is
for Dax just because.
Wonderful Tonight
by Eric Clapton
It's late in
the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear.
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair.
And then she asks me, "Do I look all right?"
And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight."
We go to a
party and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady that's walking around
with me.
And then she asks me, "Do you feel all right?"
And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight."
I feel
wonderful because I see
the love light in your eyes.
And the wonder of it all
is that you just don't realize how much I love you.
It's time to
go home now and I've got an aching head,
So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed.
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light,
I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight.
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight."
Guess who’s coming to
dinner
Part One
Janeway followed Seven into her Ready Room trying very hard not to think of the beautiful Borg lying naked on a white bath sheet.
“So Seven, what is it you wish to discuss?” asks Janeway moving behind her desk. She feels the need to put some distance between them.
“Captain, you asked me to show you the latest star charts as soon as I had completed them. So here they are. I am surprised you have forgotten given that you only asked me about it a few hours ago.”
“Yes of course, sorry. My mind wanders when Chakotay starts one of his spirit guide stories.”
“I have always found them tedious myself and lacking a certain verisimilitude. So where did your mind go to Captain? Imagining yourself beating me at velocity again were you? You did look a little flushed.”
Janeway can feel the blood rushing back to the very place she didn’t want it to. “Oh just having some fun at the beach. Now show me those star charts” said Janeway in her best command voice trying desperately to get them off this topic.
Seven handed the PADDs to Janeway and their fingers touched briefly, sending even more colour to Janeway’s cheeks. Seven did not seem to notice thankfully. Janeway perused the charts while Seven stood watching her with her arms behind her back. It took all Janeway’s concentration to look at the charts and not the beautiful Borg standing watching her.
“The charts are very thorough Seven, as always. So do you perceive any trouble from these planets?”
“I do not know Captain. I will know more when we move closer to them.”
“Well thank you Seven for bringing them to me so promptly.”
“You are welcome Captain. If there is nothing else I will go to Cargo Bay Two and regenerate.”
“No thank you Seven, you may go.”
Seven walked slowly to the door and Janeway watched every muscle move beneath the blue bio suit. Just as she got to the door Seven stopped and turned her head, catching Janeway’s eyes as they quickly looked up from the soft round mounds of her arse.
“I enjoyed lunch the other day Captain, despite the food.”
She smiled at Janeway and then passed through the doorway, leaving Janeway open mouthed and staring after her.
So it was a first date then! My God how that woman affects me, on so many levels. It is not just physical, although there is no denying my desire for her. No it is so much more than that. She is always surprising me with her responses. She is impossible to read and after all these years I thought I could read just about anyone. But not her, not the wonderful puzzle that is Annika Hanson.
Janeway leaned back in her chair and thought some more about the beach and the feel of the sand and Seven’s lips on her skin.
Finally the most boring shift ever was over. Chakotay did not meet her eye when she returned to the bridge and thankfully he did not continue his story.
“You have the bridge Commander. I am going to my quarters.”
“Yes Captain.”
Janeway got in the turbo lift and was about to head for her chambers when she belayed the instruction. She would just make a quick visit first.
She exited the turbo lift and was relieved to see the corridors were empty. She quickly made her way to the door she wanted and entered.
The only sound was the low hum of the regeneration unit. The room was bathed in a soft green light and Janeway walked almost reverently towards Seven’s alcove.
There was Seven, standing straight with her eyes closed and her face muscles relaxed. Such a beautiful face, thought Janeway as she drank in every inch of it like a man lost in the dessert finding a water hole.
Seven’s eyelids fluttered but did not open. Janeway moved her eyes down the sleek blue biosuit, lingering over the delicious mounds of flesh pressed so tightly against the material. She wanted to run her fingers over the material and feel the tightening of the skin as the nipples hardened. Her eyes moved down, savouring the gentle pubic mound before lingering on those wonderful long legs. How she yearned for those legs to be wrapped around her. She stayed looking for a long time, lost in the beauty of the sleeping Borg.
If only I knew how to win her, thought Janeway.
Finally she took one last lingering look and turned away. She stole one more look just before she walked through the door.
Just as the doors shut Seven opened her eyes and smiled. She knew her Captain liked to watch her regenerate, but she also knew better than to ever tell her she knew. Seven felt the familiar warmth travel through her body. She liked the way the Captain looked at her when she thought no-one was watching.
Janeway entered her quarters and quickly removed her uniform, replacing it with her favourite pink nightgown. She lay on her bed and reached under the pillow for the PADD which was always there now.
The
How
about a lunch on the holodeck with champagne and strawberries? No too soon for that. I
have no freaking idea how to woo a woman,
especially not one as complex as Seven.
How about a dinner then? But
not in the mess hall, here in my
quarters. A chance for us to talk
without prying eyes. Yes that was
innocent enough, after all I often have dinner with the Commander and
there is
certainly nothing romantic about that.
She entered the next stage of her campaign into the PADD and tucked it back under the pillow.
Yes, a nice innocent dinner would be perfect. And with that thought in her head she quickly drifted off to sleep.
Janeway walked slowly through the doors of the Astrometrics Lab. Seven was standing with her back to the door and her fingers dancing over the console and her eyes on the view screen. Janeway walked over to her and could not help placing her hand on Seven’s shoulder.
“Captain, may I assist you with something?”
Janeway removed her hand and leaned against the console.
“Well Seven, I was um, well you don’t have to agree of course, but I , um, well, would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?”
Janeway was disappointed to see a small frown appear on the Borg’s face.
“Captain, I do not require any more taste tests of Neelix’s food. I do not enjoy them at all.”
“Actually Seven, I wondered if you would like to have dinner in my quarters, not the mess hall.”
Seven smiled warmly at the older woman. “That would be acceptable Captain. What time?”
“Let’s say 1900 hours, gives me time to finish my shift and have a quick shower.”
“Very well Captain. May I ask what will be the purpose of this meeting? Shall I bring the latest star charts?”
“No Seven, it is not about work. Just bring yourself.”
Seven looked slightly puzzled as she said yes. Janeway smiled warmly back at her and then gave her another squeeze on the shoulder before leaving.
If there had been anyone in the corridor they would have sworn that their Captain had a little extra spring in her step.
Seven stopped looking at the star chart and wondered why the Captain wanted to have dinner with her. Perhaps her performance had dropped, but no she was still part Borg and could work longer and harder than any other member of the crew. So what was this about then? Seven decided she needed some answers and knew just the person for the job.
The EMH was in his office studying some test results when Seven walked into sickbay.
“Doctor I need to speak to you now”
“Yes Seven, heaven forbid I would let my normal work get in the way of a determined Borg. So what is so important Seven?”
“The Captain has invited me to have dinner in her quarter’s tomorrow night.”
“And?”
“And what? That is it. I do not know what to expect of such a meeting.”
“Well Seven are other people invited?”
“No, I don’t think so. Just me.”
“Ah, I see.” Said the doctor raising his eyebrows ever so slightly.
“What does that mean, what do you see?”
“Is it true that you had lunch with the Captain the other day in the mess hall?”
“Yes.”
“And now dinner in her quarters. Very interesting.”
“What is?”
“Seven there are two possible explanations. One, the Captain is simply being friendly and wanting to get to know you better.”
“She knows me better than anyone aboard Voyager.” Interrupted the Borg sounding somewhat indignant.
“Yes, it would seem that she does.” Smirked the EMH.
“So what is the second reason?”
“Well Seven, I could be wrong, but I think it could be a date.”
“A what?”
“A date. What people do who are interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with each other.”
“But we are both women.”
“My dear Annika, there is no reason why two women, or two men for that matter, cannot pursue a romantic relationship.”
“But she was engaged to a man.”
‘Yes but that doesn’t mean she can’t develop feelings for a woman you know. Attraction and love are very complex things Seven and they do not follow any pattern. I am afraid this is one thing you will not be able to plot on your star charts.”
“What am I supposed to do doctor?”
“Nothing Seven, Just be yourself and respond the way you feel. I have a feeling that the Captain is as confused about this as you are.”
“Then why did she ask me for dinner?”
The EMH laughed, “I guess she couldn’t help herself Seven.”
“I do not know how to respond to her.”
“How do you feel Seven?”
Seven paused for a moment. “It is most strange but I feel nervous and excited at the same time. Perhaps my implants are malfunctioning. You should run a scan.”
“No
need Seven, you sound perfectly
normal to
Janeway finished her shift and hurried to her quarters. She entered her personal space and looked around. There had never seemed a reason to worry much about how it looked. Sure she had a few personal items around but as for the position of the furniture or lights she hadn’t bothered. With the exception of course of her reading chair, positioned diagonally in the corner and facing out to the stars. She often spent more time in the chair gazing out the window than she did reading. As for the rest of the things in her room, well they were all in the same position she had found them in all those years ago. Over the past six years she had not had much opportunity to just relax in her quarters so it had never mattered.
But tonight it mattered. Tonight she appraised the room with a critical eye, wanting it to be somehow softer and warmer.
She walked into her bedroom and tossed her jacket and shirt into the replicator, leaving on her tight grey tank top that showed off her wonderful arms and breasts. Next came her boots and pants, also tossed away to be re-used.
The petite woman now stood in her bare feet with only her grey tank top and black lace knickers on. The lace knickers were her only indulgence in this barren landscape and so far no-one had even seen them. Not that she wore them for show of course. No, she wore them to remind herself that she was a woman, underneath the Captain’s mask which was always on her face. She liked to appear tough and always in control, but it pleased her sense of fun to know that underneath she wore these bits of frippery. A secret pleasure, Kathryn’s secrets.
She walked into the main room again and wondered what she could do to make it look less like what it was, crew quarters on a star ship. Well, Captain’s quarters, but the added space she enjoyed did not add anything to the ambiance she was hoping for.
“Ambiance” she said out loud and laughed.
“WTF?”
this is just a dinner for heaven’s sake.
Seven will not notice and even if she did she
would never say anything. What the hell
am I doing?
Janeway walked back into the bedroom and sat on the bed. She reached for the PADD kept under the pillow and entered her security code.
A screen opened to reveal the following:
Wooing Phase
Stage 1.2, Dinner
Udon soup with won tons,
Caesar Salad with crispy baguettes,
Lemon tart lightly sprinkled with icing sugar.
Cheese and fruits, including strawberries.
Chocolates
Wines: Chablis and sauterne for dessert.
Music: Vivaldi The Four Seasons
Lighting: Dim, possibly candles.
Temperature: 23C.
She put down the PADD and looked again at the room. She knew something was missing but she didn’t know what. She had decided they would sit on the sofa and eat, the table being too formal for her purposes.
The sofa was standard federation issue and was well known for its hardiness, just ask B’Elanna and Tom. But it just looked so clinical sitting there.
Suddenly Janeway remembered something she had brought from home. It was hidden at the bottom of her cupboard because in those first few years it was just too painful to be reminded of her mother or Phoebe or the farm.
But tonight she wanted something from the farm near her. Wanted to be just Kathryn, not Captain Janeway. She reached back into the corner of the cupboard and felt the familiar soft wool. She pulled out a small dark bundle and raised it to her face, hoping that it had retained its smell from the barn. Tears filled her eyes as she breathed in the familiar scent of her childhood home. That is why it had been so well hidden.
Janeway regained her composure and shook the bundle out, to reveal a tartan rug in deep blues and greens. She shook it a couple of more times and then spread it on the back of the sofa, running her hands lovingly over the pattern as she smoothed it out. It looked perfect and finally Kathryn was content with the room. Such a small addition, but one that came from a very private part of Kathryn, and seemed to fill the room with warmth.
The near naked woman suddenly remembered that she had not bathed or changed yet. Much as she was keen to show Seven Kathryn’s secrets, she knew that tonight was not the night for that.
Tonight was their first proper date and Kathryn wanted it to be special and joyful and one that they would both remember forever.
She had allowed herself enough preparation time so she could have a quick soak in the tub. The bathroom began to fill with the scent of roses as Kathryn poured some precious rose oil into the steaming waters. She discarded the last of her clothes, wrapped her hair in a towel and immersed her whole body into the wonderful hot, scented water.
She imagined
she was in the rose
garden on her mother’s farm, helping her select the best blooms
for the kitchen
table. The fragrant water lapped gently
against her knees and breasts soothing her with its gentle rhythm. Her muscles relaxed into the water and she
closed her eyes, just for a second, dreaming of her childhood in
A well prepared Captain thinks of all things when preparing for battle and so Janeway was awoken from her brief slumber by the chirp of an alarm. Janeway had about forty minutes left to prepare both herself and her quarters for the evening which lay ahead.
The gentle folds of silky material fell over her shoulders as she finally settled on what to wear. She had replicated at least ten outfits until she decided to go back to her first choice, a warm autumn brown dress, with a full skirt and a tight bodice. She picked up a beautiful emerald cashmere wrap and tossed it carelessly over her shoulders. Long silver earrings dangled from her ears and the right side of her hair was pulled back in a tortoise shell comb.
So now all was in readiness, waiting only for the spark to set it all alight.
Unfortunately that particular spark was having sartorial issues herself. She was standing in B’Elanna’s quarters trying on the eighth outfit that the chief engineer had suggested. She hated them all, either too much exposed or her muscles felt restrained. She wanted to be comfortable tonight, but B’Elanna seemed determined to turn her into some Ferengi bar maid.
“Seven this is a date you know, you can’t just throw on any old thing.” Said B’Elanna, sounding just a little exasperated.
“B’Elanna it is dinner, with the Captain, in her quarters. Nothing more. I do not understand the need to wear clothes that are uncomfortable or hardly there.”
“Seven read my lips, it is a D-A-T-E. Don’t you think the Captain will have made some effort with her appearance?”
“I do not know. Would she?”
“Yes, if my instincts are right, she will have Seven. So you need to too. Let the Captain have one night where she can be just a woman, not a Starfleet Captain.”
“Hmmm. I did not think of tonight like that.”
“Well Seven you should. She has taken a risk and invited you for dinner in her quarters. You do know she left the bridge hours ago with instructions she was not to be disturbed?”
“How would I know that B’Elanna? I have been in Astrometrics all day.”
“Ok well here Seven, this is my last hope. If you do not like this one then I am all out of ideas.” Said B’Elanna as she handed Seven a single piece of black material.
Seven looked at it doubtfully but dutifully pulled it over her head. The result was breathtaking.
“Oh my god Seven, I should have known that would suit you best.”
Seven looked at her reflection in the mirror and finally smiled.
“Yes B’Elanna it would have saved us both a lot of time if this had been your first choice.”
“I thought it was too much of a cliché, but on you Seven it looks just perfect.”
“Thank you and I should go now I think.”
B’Elanna smiled at the beautiful Borg and walked with her to the door. Just as they neared it she put her hand on Seven’s arm and asked her to wait a minute. She returned with a single red long stemmed rose.
“Here take this with you and give it to the Captain.”
“Why would the Captain want this piece of vegetation that has already begun to die?”
“Trust me Seven” smiled B’Elanna “Just do it for me ok?”
“Ridiculous but if you insist I will.” Said Seven taking the rose and holding it at arms length between two fingers.
“Now go” said the gorgeous Klingon as she ushered Seven out the door.
Seven walked slowly to the turbo lift, still holding the rose uncomfortably in front of her, as though it may attack at any minute. The funny nervous and excited feeling returned to her stomach and she wondered how long it would last.
Janeway paced
the length of her
quarters for what must have been the twentieth time.
It was now 1905 hours and no dinner guest had
arrived. Perhaps she had
forgotten, or got caught up in Astrometrics. Perhaps
she won’t come. What if she has been
injured and no-one has
told me yet?
“Computer what is the location of Seven of Nine?”
“Turbo lift 4, proceeding to this deck.”
Janeway sucked in her breath and wiped her sweaty palms against her legs. She was now more nervous about the fact that Seven was coming than she had been about the thought of her not. She sat on the arm of the sofa trying to adopt what she hoped was a relaxed pose.
Seven stood outside the Captain’s door wondering how she would eat with these bugs jumping around her insides. She took a deep breath and finally pressed the door button.
“Chirp”
“Come” said Janeway beginning to wonder how much longer she could hold this damn pose.
The doors slid apart and each woman looked at the other and smiled and ran their eyes up and down each others bodies.
Seven was framed by the light in the doorway which was shining into the darker room. Her blonde hair was loose and shiny, falling gently over her almost bare shoulders. Her long legs tapered down to black open toed stilettos, making her even taller.
But it was the dress which stopped Kathryn’s heart beating for just a second and forced the breath from her lungs.
Seven was wearing a simple black dress. There was not a single adornment except for her silver ocular implant which glinted in the light.
"Do I look all right?"
"Yes, you look wonderful tonight."
To be continued, soon.
