Author's Note: My love for these characters was so reignited as I wrote my last story, I had to give them a sequel. This one picks up after "Same Love." I think the issues here are very important and will hopefully be relatable to a lot of people. That said (spoiler alert) 1) I always give our ladies a happy ending and refuse to do otherwise, so don't worry if it seems a little dark at times! and 2) yes, there's lots of sexy scenes to help balance it out. So, please read and review, and I hope you will enjoy!

Kathryn stirred beneath crisp, white sheets, feet searching for the end of the fabric, tucking it tightly under her toes. For a moment her heart raced, as it did every morning, mind quickly searching through her schedule before slowly realizing she had absolutely nowhere to be. Retirement was finally starting to feel real, even appealing, something she could relax into instead of feeling like there was always some meeting or mission she was failing. The art of doing nothing was one of the most difficult lessons she'd had to learn, but thankfully, she'd made progress.

Minutes later she awoke again, eyes still closed, though her olfactory glands signaled it was most certainly morning. The smell of coffee drifted from her nightstand into nostrils wanton for the only drug she'd ever allowed herself. But what made the corners of her lips curl was far more intoxicating, far more fulfilling than any cup of coffee. The thought of slender fingers delivering that cup, placing it ever so gently before disappearing into the ensuite, made Kathryn shiver, though the feelings that flooded her body were deliciously warm.

As the sound of the sonic shower rustled, Kathryn finally rolled over, glaring softly through lashes at the closed door, imagining the blonde behind it. Closing her eyes once more, she allowed herself to fully recall every curve, every scar, the colors and textures of Seven's body, all committed to memory by now.

The year they'd spent together had been every bit as thrilling and emotional as she'd fathomed. At the same time, she could never have prepared herself for that level of joy, that deep, unbelievably sure knowing of another person. Not just any person, the person she had missed every day for twenty years, who she'd feared never seeing again, and who she'd undoubtedly given her heart to before she could admit it, even to herself. It was still surreal that Seven had wanted her just as much.

Her legs twitched at the thought of the blonde's smooth, soft limbs laced with hers, sleeping together night after night, or as many nights as their hectic lives allowed. Even more than the sex, Kathryn marveled most at just how comfortable they were when lying still, in the middle of the night, holding each other perfectly. Knowing Seven felt at home in her arms gave Kathryn an immeasurable amount of peace.

That said, the sex was on her mind as she lay there thinking about the woman on the other side of the door. Their brand of love-making had to be some kind of religion, Kathryn thought, or rather, some ethereal form of worship long forgotten. She still found herself blushing each time the ex-Borg gave herself so freely, so incredibly open and ready to make up for lost time. Just the sound their bodies made as they drove each other to a point near madness, the scent of Seven's breath mixed with Kathryn's musk spread across her lips made the Admiral dizzy.

Slowly, she trailed her fingers down her abdomen. She thought about last night, the way Seven's hair glimmered in the light from the city, gently yet expertly riding her thigh as she torturously teased the older woman. Kathryn couldn't help but touch herself as she basked in that memory and so many others, knowing she had to be the luckiest woman alive.

"What are you doing?"

Kathryn's hand stopped moving between her legs, eyes slowly opening to the statuesque vision before her.

"Nothing," she swallowed, clearing her throat.

Seven raised an eyebrow as she stood at the foot of the bed, naked and glaring.

"Just…thinking of you."

"I find your propensity for daydreams amusing," the blonde asserted. "Why settle for 'thought' when you could simply join me in…"

"Because I'd have to get out of bed," Kathryn spoke slowly. "And you'd be late."

She exhaled sharply as the former drone climbed in, a subtle smile betraying her desire to continue debating.

"I am familiar with your penchant for morning intimacy," Seven breathed, straddling the woman beneath her, grazing her hands across the sheets. "I have grown accustomed to setting my alarm to 0600 for that purpose."

Now it was Kathryn's turn to raise an eyebrow, trying not to squeak as Seven traced her fingertips across barely covered nipples.

"Are you saying I've become predictable?"

"Yes," Seven smirked. "Though in this instance, predictability has proven to be most pleasing."

The blonde leaned close to Kathryn's ear, breasts hanging above as she slid beneath the sheets, replacing the Admiral's hand with her own, unceremoniously slipping one finger between Kathryn's lips, to which the the older woman sighed.

"You are wet," Seven whispered, grazing the flesh of her ear. "Allow me to assist you."

Kathryn answered by kissing her, their lips fluttering against each other, melting the way they did every single time. Seven's wicked tongue made its way into Kathryn's mouth, and Kathryn clenched, still in awe that somehow this dream had become reality.

Just as she was starting to lose her breath, frantically sucking in the blonde's lips and teeth and tongue, Seven moved down her body, stopping briefly below the navel to kiss the softness of her belly, before moving on to the next step in her mission, not wasting any time. Pushing Kathryn's thighs apart, brushing her long, golden waves behind her shoulders, she commenced with driving her tongue deep, so deep within Kathryn's throbbing, waiting core, tickling the flesh of her opening before delving back inside, stopping for nothing as the redhead's feet kicked on either side.

"Gaahh…" Kathryn moaned feverishly.

As Seven moved on to the taut, tiny nub pulsing just above her nose, Kathryn gripped her shoulders, kneading her thumbs against the blonde's collarbone, holding on for dear life. Seven worked fervently, knowing exactly how much pressure and for how long she would need to do this to obtain the desired result.

"Turn around," Kathryn gasped unexpectedly.

Seven's head shot up, the sparkle of her ocular implant matching her crisp, blue eyes as she attempted to read her former Captain's expression.

"Kathryn?"

The Admiral's nipples became even more erect at the sound of her name on Seven's breathless, raspy voice.

"Turn...around," she repeated again, giving the order as seriously as she would have on the Bridge. "Do it."

Seven's eyes narrowed devilishly. Swallowing back any hesitation, she finally sat up, turned her long, muscular back to the Admiral, repositioned on all fours, and slowly lowered herself down as she complied.

Kathryn stared ahead for a moment at the deliriously red, dripping flesh before her. Knowing she had made it happen made her all the more wet. As Seven continued lavishing her swollen node, Kathryn pushed forward, breathing in the heavenly human scent that could only be topped by its exquisite taste. Trailing her tongue back and forth against Seven's opening, she dove in a few times before traveling up, pressing harder, faster, before landing on the tight, puckered orifice. Kathryn could not believe she was doing this, and at the same time marveled that it had taken this long. She had never felt so driven to explore new territory, never considered just how much she wanted all there was to discover, until Seven offered herself without reservation.

Kathryn grabbed Seven's ample ass as she continued to lick. The blonde reacted by arching deeper, stretching catlike, pushing back against the Admiral's face as she shook, moaning into Kathryn's body as her licks became erratic, though she didn't dare stop. Kathryn swirled her tongue in circles, determined to keep up with the pace Seven set. Finally, she ventured back to the blonde's clitoris, missing the silken, salty taste, and continued licking faster, faster, until her own pleasure forced her to pull back.

"Aghh!" she cried as Seven relentlessly darted her tongue against the nub, and very thankfully, she came.

Moments later, Kathryn returned to Seven's core, summoning a fury, whipping out against the glistening, tingling surface, filling her mouth with every drip and inch of flesh.

"Aaannngh!" Seven groaned deeply.

Kathryn held onto the blonde's thighs until she finished riding the aftershocks of her orgasm, only letting go as she fell forward. The two lay panting until Seven used her weakened arms to push herself up, crawling to the head of the bed, laying against Kathryn's side.

"I...approve...of this technique," Seven told her, still catching her breath.

Kathryn laughed throatily, coughing a bit as she covered her mouth with her forearm. She pulled Seven closer, kissing her nose, her cheek.

"Agreed," she breathed heavily.

"You have never expressed the desire to attempt..." Seven swallowed. "Why did you..."

"I couldn't tell you," Kathryn continued to pant. "I just, suddenly...needed to. Did you enjoy it?"

Seven's eyebrow rose again.

"I believe you have the evidence you require."

Kathryn smirked. She traced her fingers across Seven's cheek, pushing back the hair stuck to her forehead before kissing her again.

"I don't suppose there's time for another shower?"

"Barely," Seven sat up quickly. "I have a meeting at 0800 hours. I must go."

Kathryn watched as Seven freshened up before getting dressed, still opting for casual clothes over any kind of uniform.

"I have a surprise for you," the Admiral spoke softly.

Seven rolled her eyes as she threw her hair into a loose ponytail, scowling into the mirror.

"Trust me," Kathryn laughed softly. "You'll approve. Tonight..."

"I am already unsettled by the excess of the evening's occasion," Seven grumbled.

"Come on, Seven," Kathryn scoffed. "It's not every day Starfleet honors a civilian, you know."

"I have already been compensated more than adequately."

"Well, you'll just have to suffer through it," Janeway threw her arms in the air. "What can I tell you?"

Seven returned to the side of the bed.

"As long as you are with me," she sighed. "I should be able to bear it sufficiently."

Kathryn smiled, leaning in for one more long, decadent kiss before watching the blonde go. She took a sip from her coffee, a bit cold now for her liking, but it didn't matter. She was already wide awake.