Chapter 21

Lara and Beth were the first to arrive outside the holodeck. They stood slightly awkwardly facing each other waiting for Seven and the Captain. Lara cleared her throat nervously, while it was true that both women knew things had changed between them it was becoming increasingly evident that neither knew quite how to proceed from the moment in Beth's quarters.

"I imagine they'll be here soon." Lara finally said, breaking the silence. Beth nodded.

"Listen Beth-" Lara began as Beth said "Lara I-". They laughed. Beth motioned for her friend to continue.

"Beth I just want you to know, that I don't expect anything from you and I'm not going to push you into doing anything you don't want to do." Feelings of doubt had crept into Lara's mind during the walk to the holodeck. She didn't want to push too hard and lose everything. Beth smiled, moving close to gaze intently into hazel pools. When she spoke her voice was low and the tone caused a shiver to travel slowly down Ensign Greens' spine.

"Lara, it's about time I let you in on a secret. In the academy I-" She was cut off by the sound of approaching footsteps and stopped, stepping back from Lara. The Captain and Seven rounded the corner their hands entwined and both of them sporting matching expressions of adoration directed at the other one while they conversed quietly.

Seven nodded a greeting at them and started tapping on the console outside the holodeck activating the program she had created earlier. The Captain smiled warmly at her two crewmembers, picking up on the slight frustration hanging in the air, well aware that her and her lovers arrival had interrupted something. She also noticed that her girlfriend remained completely oblivious and supressed a chuckle.

"Glad you both could make it, I've been looking forward to getting a chance to get to know you better. Seven speaks very highly of you Ensign Green." She directed her last comment towards the young astrometrics officer, who blushed accordingly.

"Please, call me Lara, Captain." The Ensign said awkwardly, not sure whether she should have used the older womans title or not.

"Of course Lara and you can call me Kathryn. I'm not your Captain tonight." She smiled once again, using her years of technique perfection to put the two women in front of her at ease. She turned to Beth Porter "You too, Beth."

"Yes, Captain. Er, Kathryn." The other brunette stammered out.

Seven re-joined the group, a small shy smile lighting up her face.

"The program is ready." She informed them, sliding a hand into Janeway's.

"Well I don't know about you two but I could certainly use something to eat." The older woman allowed herself to be led into the holodeck by an anxious Seven. Beth and Lara looked at each other.

"I can't call her Kathryn! She's the Captain!" whispered Beth only half-jokingly. The Ensign laughed and offered her friend her hand.

"I'm sure you'll cope, Beth. Only a few hours until we can make an escape attempt." She replied in a hushed whisper. "How bad can it be?" The phrase 'famous last words' sprang into Beth's mind as she allowed Lara to escort her to their double date.

The four women were sat at a table in a corner of a small family run Italian restaurant. Most of the other tables were filled with holographic characters who spoke in Italian in relatively low tones so as not to disturb any conversation between the Starfleet officers. The soft tinkling of skilled hands on a piano meandered through the restaurant accentuating the romantic mood created by the elegant flickering candles on the tables. A warm Lake Garda breeze occasionally caressed the womens' skin, coming in through the open window which afforded a picturesque view of the bay of Bardolino. The slight darkening of the sky indicated it was early evening, the sun still coating the view with its golden-red rays.

Whatever the other women had expected, this was not it. Lara and Beth had gasped audibly when they entered. The Captain after many years of experience at remaining composed had concealed her surprise better, simply leaning in to peck Seven on the cheek and whisper that it was perfect.

A simple but delicious starter of focaccia had already been served and cleared by a pleasant waitress. As it turned out Lara and Beth's concerns about awkward conversation were completely unfounded. The Captain had regaled them all with some of her more mischievous indiscretions while at the academy and their evening had been filled with laughter. Seven gazed lovingly at the woman sat beside her, as she had the younger crewmembers enthralled in a tale involving her climbing out of the 3rd floor window of a classroom so as not to be caught in a rather compromising position. The young Borg was in complete awe at her lovers' ability to put everyone at ease. She wished she could interact with people like Kathryn could, she wished she could inspire laughter in people as easily. The Captain sensing the Borg woman's shift in mood placed a subtle hand on her thigh moving her fingers in a smoothing circular motion. Seven felt a tug at her heart and she knew she would never be able to adequately express how much she truly loved Kathryn. She placed her hand on top of the older womans, stilling its movements and interlinking their fingers.

"Then I had to run back to my room in just my jeans and bra. I remember the look on my roommates' face when I came through the door. She never asked though as she knew I'd never tell." The Captain laughed nostalgically at the memory. "But, I can't be the only one with a story like that?" She asked, her eyes sparkling teasingly as she glanced at Lara and Beth. Beth's face reddened but she was saved from Kathryn and Lara's interrogations by the arrival the main course.

When the plates had been cleared, wine glasses refilled and dessert ordered. Kathryn leaned back in her seat placing one arm along the back of Sevens chair while the other brought her wine glass to her lips.

"Beth, I believe you owe us a story."

"Yeah, Beth, I'd quite like to hear the reason behind that blush earlier." Lara said playfully.

"No, it's really not that interesting." Beth stated quietly, secretly mortified with herself for blushing. She knew she wasn't going to get out of it that easily but she did NOT want to tell this story.

"I would like to hear it." Seven spoke up, taking Beth by surprise. After orchestrating the entire evening single-handedly the ex-drone had been on the quiet side throughout the dinner, only chipping in when conversation returned to the ship or other members of the crew. Beth supposed conversations about the indiscretions of youth were lost on Seven, who had never experienced anything remotely like the other womens' academy exploits. She groaned internally as she felt herself give in at Sevens words.

"Ok." She picked up her wine glass, taking a deep gulp before continuing.

"I was in my second year at the academy and I'd taken quite a few new options so that meant I was in classes with people I hadn't seen in my first year. Anyway I noticed this girl who used to sit at the front of our stellar cartography lectures. I'd never been attracted to a woman before and it terrified me but I couldn't get enough of her. She was beautiful, funny and smart, really smart." The young woman stopped to take another sip of wine, noting the triplicate of faces donning expressions of rapt attention as they waited for her to continue. Lara was searching her brain for who this girl could be, wishing she had paid more attention to the other people surrounding her in that class apart from Lucy Finlan. In fact the only people she could recall ever speaking to were Lucy and Beth. Unless…she felt a flutter of excitement in her chest; could Beth be talking about her?

"I was obsessed with her and eventually went over to introduce myself. We actually got on really well and over the course of the semester became friends but I really wasn't suited to stellar cartography and was dropping the class at the end of the semester which obviously in my hormonal youth devastated me." A chuckle rolled around the table, she took yet another mouthful of wine before continuing.

"One of the boys in our year was throwing this big party and obviously the moment I found out she was going I decided I was going. So I got all dressed up, spent hours fawning over myself to try and look perfect….and when I got there she ignored me. I'd known she had a crush on another girl in our stellar cartography class but I didn't realise she was as obsessed with Lucy as I was with her." Lara's stomach clenched sickeningly, suddenly realising what was coming. Beth steadfastly avoided her gaze as she carried on with her story.

"She made a move on Lucy later than evening and was rebuked, much to my childish joy. So I thought to myself, this is my chance to swoop in. I consoled her for over an hour before suggesting that we get out of there and go sit in this little secluded clearing in the grounds of the academy we occasionally ate lunch in. She agreed telling me she had to say something to Lucy first and that she would meet me there."

"Beth-" Lara started, wanting to apologise before Seven and Kathryn heard the rest of the tale but Beth couldn't stop. She needed to finish.

"I arrived at the clearing and admittedly I was drunk so wasn't thinking clearly at all. So, attempting to be seductive, I took my dress off and threw it to the side. Then I lay down on the grass in my underwear looking up at the night sky, buzzing with excitement. I waited for an hour or so but she never came." Beth paused, looking down into her lap, sadness tinging her voice as she continued.

"At around 4am I gave up and tried to retrieve my dress only I wasn't sure exactly where I'd thrown it. So eventually I just left it and walked back to my dorm, hoping to God no-one saw me. Unfortunately for me I was not that lucky and several party goers still milling around after the party saw me traipsing back wearing next to nothing." Beth laughed self-deprecatingly before finishing the rest of her wine off in a big mouthful.

"Why didn't she meet you?" Seven demanded to know, oblivious to the heavy mood settling on the table. The Captain who had clicked instantly that Lara was the girl in the story placed an arm on Seven's bicep, shaking her head almost imperceptibly as blue eyes flickered towards her questioningly.

"I don't know Seven. If you excuse me, I think I'll go back to my quarters. This program was amazing Seven, thank you for a great evening." Beth rose from the table and was out of the door before the women could react.

"Lara." The Ensign met the Captains gaze, her hands twisting the napkin in her lap dejectedly. "She's not angry, you can fix it but only if you go now." Lara nodded, the Captains words fuelling a new determination in her.

"You're right. Thanks." She followed Beth out of the holodeck leaving Seven and the Captain alone.

"I have failed. The date was terrible wasn't it?" Seven asked her lover, staring sadly into her lap.

"Seven, I think Beth and Lara will be just fine. Once they talk I think things will be very different between them and as far as the date being terrible I'd say that depends on what your goals for the evening were darling. If one of them was to sweep me off my feet and into your arms then you've definitely succeeded." The older woman trailed her hand along Sevens jaw to cup her chin, pulling her forward gently until their lips met. Kathryn moaned into the kiss, her tongue reaching tentatively into Sevens mouth. When Sevens tongue pressed back flicking lightly over her own she felt the familiar heat igniting in her veins. Her hand snaked to the back of Sevens neck pulling the blonde closer, needing to feel more of her as their tongues duelled softly. She could feel the swell of Seven's breasts pressing firmly against her own and relished in the sensations traveling over her body down to her core. With one final nip at the full lower lip between her teeth, the Captain reluctantly pulled away, admitting to herself that it probably wasn't appropriate for her to have sex with Seven in the holodeck.

"Shall we stay for dessert Seven or would you rather we had it in my quarters?" The Captains voice dipped to a low seductive tone as her iris's, darkened by lust roved over Sevens body. Seven in characteristic Borg fashion completely missed the point.

"I suppose I could programme your replicator to produce the cheesecake that I had chosen especially for this evening. I thought that Bardolino was a more romantic setting than your quarters but if you would prefer to eat there then we can relocate."

"Seven…" The Captain intertwined their fingers, biting her bottom lip to keep from chuckling at how cute the ex-drone was being. "I wasn't talking about the cheesecake." The young woman looked puzzled then her eyes widened in realisation as one of Janeways hands slid along her thigh, her intent clearly displayed on her strong features.

"Oh…" The word fell from plump red lips as the older woman ordered a site to site transport to her quarters.

"Beth, please just let me explain." The young ensign pleaded.

"Lara, I think it's best if you just go. Tonight just brought back all the embarrassment of that night at the academy and I need to be on my own right now." The two women were stood facing each other in the middle of Beth's quarters. Lara had tried to hug her date but was rebuked, the other woman stepping back out of reach dismissively, leading to an awkward standoff.

"Look, I'm sorry for what I did. I was a jerk but in my defence I didn't even know you liked me. You could have told me, maybe asked me out for coffee sometime. I would have forgotten about Lucy Finlan in a heartbeat if you had shown any sort of interest." Lara said heatedly, her hands moving exasperatedly.

"Oh yeah, right." Beth scoffed, "I had never ever had feelings for a girl before. I was so confused about what I felt and so painfully shy that I would never have been brave enough to ask you out and you know it. The hints were all there for you to pick up on though. I hung on your every word Lara and I followed you around like a puppy for that entire year." The anger rolled off Beth in hostile waves making Lara shout her retort at the other crewmember.

"Well I'm sorry for what I did Beth but you have to understand that if I had known that you were waiting practically naked in that clearing for me I would have been there quicker than you could say hangover." Lara paused taking a breath and calming down. "But I'm glad that I didn't know."

"What?" Beth asked incredulously, her arms folding across her chest.

"I'm glad I didn't know. If I had known then maybe something would have happened and I'd have ended up dating you and hurting you some other way. At least this way I ended up being on board the same ship as you at this moment and at this moment…" She trailed off, swallowing visibly before mustering up the courage to continue. "At this moment all I know is that I want to be with you now. I think you're beautiful and intelligent and funny and I could kick my former self for ruining my chance with you. I'll tell you something, if I did have a chance I wouldn't ruin it this time. I'd worship the fucking ground you walk on. These past few weeks I've developed these feelings for you that I can't hide anymore and tonight I was going to tell you. I can't take back what I did before but I want to try to make up for it….if you'll let me."

The silence stretched into agonisingly long seconds as Lara watched Beth hopefully, the other woman stared at the floor, refusing to meet Ensign Greens gaze. When seconds turned into minutes Lara sighed in defeat.

"Fine, see you around." She made to turn away when a hand grabbed her wrist, pulling her back.

"Don't go." Beth stepped close, her breath tickling the Ensigns lips. Eyes dropped to those lips then skipped back up to gaze into hazel orbs. "I don't know how to kiss a girl." She whispered slowly.

Lara smiled as her hands moved to glide into silky brown hair. "You'll learn" She pulled gently and their lips connected.

When they re-materialised in the Captains quarters, hands moved frantically to tug down zips and slide dresses down smooth legs. Once both women were clad only in their underwear, they sought each other out. Mouths met in a flurry of excitement, kissing hard enough to bruise. The older woman let out a deep moan as Sevens hands at her waist guided her back until her legs hit the bed and she was lying down on her replicated sheets, the blonde hovering above her.

She gazed up into wonderfully dilated sapphire eyes and felt heat smother her body. She swallowed audibly as she realised that this time Seven was determined to touch her, the thought sending shivers down her spine. Seven pulled the Captains arms up over her head, dropping them into place on the pillow, pinning them with a strong hand. The alabaster fingers of her other hand trailed slowly down a wrist, forearm and then a bicep and shoulder. Sevens eyes followed the action of her hand, surveying the woman beneath her intently. When she reached the swell of her Captains breasts she ceased her journey. Her mouth moved over a strong jawline, placing feather-light kisses in a line direct to the older womans waiting lips. Their kiss was hungry and passionate and the air became thick with need. Braking apart, breathless and chests heaving both women shared a look of pure lust. Kathryn shuddered as the ex-drone deftly removed her bra with one hand, still pinning the Captain with her other appendage. Ruby lips moved to ensnare an erect nipple between them and the older woman moaned, a familiar wet heat materialising between her legs as her mind conjured images of the blonde fucking her senseless.

Kathryn felt the blondes hand move from her other breast down at an agonisingly slow speed towards her wet centre while her tongue teased a nipple.

"Seven…" Ruby lips ceased their ministrations to move up towards the Captains mouth, seizing it roughly in a show of dominance.

"Shhh Kathryn." Seven murmured lovingly as she broke the kiss. "It's time for your dessert."

The hand that had been hovering just above her aching centre finally moved lower, fingers gliding into molten wetness. Kathryn bucked uncontrollably as the sensation flooded her senses. It had been far too long and the rare moments she had actually let herself indulge in her private fantasies had not prepared her for the real thing. Seven entered her Captain gently, marvelling at the way the muscles contracted around her fingers. She moaned, feeling her body respond heatedly to the auburn woman beneath her. She built up a fast, steady rhythm, syncing with the staccato moans escaping from her commanding officers lips. The young blonde moved the hand pinning the captain to her pillow wanting to feel plump breasts under her fingers and the Captain took full use of the opportunity presented to her, moving her own hand to Sevens core. A gasp fell from her lips as she realised just how wet the blonde was. She trailed her finger down the length of Seven and then back up to rub firmly at the younger womans clit. She could feel just how close the ex-drone was and the thought almost pushed her over the edge, her inner muscles squeezing Sevens fingers tightly.

The young woman pushed deeper and harder into Kathryn, finding the spot that drove her crazy. Her body pulsated, blue met blue and she felt herself topple over into the exquisite abyss, Sevens name falling from her lips as her nerves exploded. Her own finger swept firmly over Seven, moving in tight circles silently willing the blonde to come. Seven complied, her eyes sliding closed as pleasure crashed over her. Kathryn watched as the blondes mouth opened in surprise and her body jerked softly above her.

"Oh Kathryn." The younger woman murmured once her muscles had stopped twitching.

"Hmmmm?"

"I like it when you make me do that." Seven leaned in to kiss her girlfriend softly, her eyes searching her Captains hesitantly. "Did you…Did I make you feel like that?" The Captain smiled pulling Seven down underneath the bed covers so they were cuddled together in an intimate embrace.

"You most certainly did." They kissed softly, both realising that it didn't matter how far away from the alpha quadrant they were; they had already found their home.

Seven lay contentedly against her lover for a few minutes her head resting just above the older womans breast, her hand lazily moving over the other breast. She felt the nipple harden under her touch and growled, moving quickly to capture lips with her own. She couldn't get enough of the older woman, everything about her made Seven desperately glad she was able to explore humanity. She pulled back and whispered softly to Kathryn, her eyes darkening with a desire that quickly infected the other woman.

"I want to fuck you again."

A/N:- Apologies for the very long wait for the update, I had a lot of trouble writing this chapter. I kept getting blocked and then re-writing bits. Anyway it's all done now! Thank you for reading, I hope the ending was satisfactory any reviews would be much appreciated. Thanks again, xSJx