"What's this?" Kathryn whispered, looking up from the tiny cupcake sitting on her desk with awe in her eyes.

"Today is your birthday, is it not?"

"Yes," she swallowed. "But I thought...given everything that's happened.. .our unwanted guests…everyone had just as soon forgotten."

"I believe they have," Seven raised an eyebrow. "However, I made record of the date some time ago. I persuaded Neelix to allow me to use some ingredients, but was forced to replicate the rest."

"I'm...thank you, Seven," she sighed. "That's...very thoughtful of you."

She glanced up at the blonde again before staring back into the flame. Thinking for a moment, she closed her eyes, quickly blowing it out. Unable to stop herself, she carefully reached out with one finger, running it along the velvety brown frosting, before bringing it to her lips. Her eyes went wide with recognition.

"Espresso," Seven smirked. "I believed that would be your flavor of choice."

"Amazing," she shook her head a little. "So...incredibly sweet."

Kathryn looked up at her again, noticing how pink Seven's cheeks had turned as she took a deep breath, shifting from one foot to the other.

"Would you like some?" the Captain asked, peeling back the paper from around the base of the dessert, ready to dig in.

"I am due in Astrometrics at 2100 hours," she noted.

Kathryn couldn't help but frown.

"You can be a little late this once," she breathed. "Permission granted, birthday girl's orders."

Seven continued to blush.

"Very well," she smirked, taking a seat in front of the desk.

Using the cutlery she kept in one of her drawers, Janeway divided up the small cake into sections. Seven lifted a morsel to her mouth, more than happy to indulge her sweet tooth.

"Delicious," Kathryn smirked. "You did an excellent job."

"Thank you," the blonde swallowed.

"Captain," Tuvok's voice sounded through her communicator. "You are needed on the Bridge."

Janeway sighed, wiping her mouth with a napkin.

"I hate to cut the party short, but duty calls."

Seven stood, following her to the door. Kathryn stole another glance at her, still quite impressed, and more than a little thankful.

"Hang on," she noted, grabbing the younger woman's shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.

Seven's breath caught.

"You have...just a little," Kathryn raised her fingers to her own mouth, indicating the small smudge of frosting next to Seven's lip.

With only slight hesitation, the blonde darted out her tongue, licking it from her own face. Kathryn's lips curled up in response, the slightest hint of crimson tinting her cheeks.

"There," she smirked. "That's better."

The doors swished open. Kathryn allowed Seven to go first, sighing again as she shook her head, before following her onto the Bridge.