[pwaxen@yahoo.com]

This story is the sequel to "Element of Truth." I suggest reading it before reading this.

Disclaimer: The characters of Star Trek: Voyager are the property of Paramount Pictures. This story is written in the spirit of Voyager fandom. No infringement is intended.

Warning: This story depicted two women in love. If this offends you or you are too young or it's just plain illegal on your part of the planet, do not proceed. This story contains explicit sex.

Please do not archive, link to or reproduce this story without author's consent.

Element of Desire

by Vaxen (pwaxen@yahoo.com)

Kathryn Janeway watched the stars go by. Seldom had the sight of a warp distorted star field looked so good to her. The chirp of the ready room door interrupted her musings.

"Enter," she called. The door slid open. It was Seven of Nine. "You're looking well."

"I am fully recovered."

"Where's B'Elanna. I was expecting both of you to report on your mission."

"Lieutenant Torres was occupied. I suggested to her that I handle the report rather than delaying it."

"That's very considerate of you. I hope she appreciates it."

"Yes," Seven said in her a neutral tone. Janeway didn't detect the usual undertone of sarcasm that accompanied comments regarding Seven's Klingon antagonist.

"So, why a lobotomy?" Janeway asked, referring to the rescue.

"Mental activity is basically electrical impulses. Disturbing the frequency of the waveform long enough to interrupt control of the ship was the only way to access the shields. However, as in the electroshock therapy of the 20^th century, two poles were required – Voyager on the outside and our linked tricorders on the inside."

"Why didn't you say electroshock therapy?"

"That would have been more than one word." Janeway's eyebrows rose at the hint of humor. Seven continued, "If the clue were too obvious, our captor might have interceded. I was relying on your insight."

"The legends of the lobotomy and electroshock therapy live on, a reminder of how far we've come. You and B'Elanna were able to modify and link the two tricorders without discussing the situation."

"No words were necessary. We had been almost constantly in each other's presence for nearly a month."

"It's nice to see you two have developed a rapport," Janeway commented with just a shade of jealousy. She quickly changed the subject. "Any speculation on who your captor was?"

"Starfleet does have a history of interference from a species that calls itself the Continuum."

"Yes, Q. I thought of him, but Q likes to get credit for his mischief. And he never would have allowed a clue like my dream."

"Dream?"

Janeway recounted the dream of being watched through a keyhole.

"I recently began to understand the power of dreams myself," Seven stated. "You are correct. This does not sound like the Q I've heard about."

"No," Janeway concluded, "someone was watching us, wanted to see what we would do. Like a kid with a trail of ants who puts obstacles in the way to see how they will react. It's not Q's style."

"Did someone call me?"

Janeway turned toward the source of the question.

"Q," she rasped.

A tall man in a Starfleet uniform sprawled across the back of the ready room sofa. No sooner had the two women turned to look at him, than he vanished in a flash of cosmic dust. Q reappeared in front of Janeway. He grasped her hand and pressed his pouting lips to the back of it. "It's such a pleasure to see you again, Kathy."

"So you are the one who put my crew in jeopardy," Janeway accused. She wrenched her hand back and stalked to the other side of the room.

"Don't you think 'jeopardy' is a slight exaggeration? And I'm deeply hurt that you would think, after all you did for the Continuum, that I would do anything to impede you progress to … what was the name of that little planet you're from?"

"Earth," Seven replied. Q looked at her with approval.

"Well, if it isn't Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct to Unimatrix Zero One. We haven't been introduced. Call me Q." As he reached for her hand, she nonchalantly moved both of them behind her back and clasped them together.

"Feisty, if a bit rude," Q commented. He circled Seven and with his lips almost pressed against her ear he said, "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be here."

"Explain," Seven demanded.

"If I hadn't introduced Jean Luc to the Borg," Q remarked with sweeping gestures, "Kathy wouldn't have known what to expect when she encountered them, Voyager would have been assimilated, and there the two of you would be -- sharing a collective mind, but never so much as sharing a glance."

"Captain Janeway is an excellent strategist. She used ingenuity to overcome the Borg."

"Captain Janeway? Please, do call her Kathy. We're all friends here. As for outwitting the Borg, a feeble minded Ferengi could run them in circles. It's always 'assimilate' this and 'futile' that. Borg are the dullest entity to ever occupy space in the universe. You're fortunate to be rid of them and lucky to be here where you're safe, warm and loved."

Janeway didn't like the slant this conversation was taking. "You're telling me you had nothing to do with holding two of my crew members captive on an alien vessel?" Janeway asked.

"Would I resort to manipulation?"

"Far Point Station ring a bell?"

"Another time, another place, a different matter all together," he said, dismissing it with a wave of his hand. "What would you say if I told you I gave you that little keyhole dream?"

"Did you?"

"I asked first."

"You just happened to be passing by and decided to lend a hand."

"Consider me your guardian angel," Q purred.

"You look more like the devil."

"I've been both."

"And now you want us to thank you?" Janeway folded her arms across her chest.

"On the contrary, I'm here to thank you."

"For what?"

Q rolled his eyes in mock irritation. "For saving the Continuum. You must pay attention Kathy or we'll be here all night."

"That's not necessary."

"Oh, but it is. And I'm here to give you the one thing in life that you really want and, quite frankly, I think you need."

Janeway was certain she didn't want to hear this.

"The love of your life!" Q stood behind Seven with his arms open wide as if he were presenting Janeway with a prize.

"Captain?" Seven said, mystified at the arms stretched out on either side of her.

"Q!" Janeway shouted, at which he quickly raised his arms and Seven disappeared.

"What did you do with her?" she shouted, vaulting across the room and wrapping her fists in his tunic.

"I just sent her ahead. I thought there were a few things we should discuss before you join her."

"Bring her back," she spat through gritted teeth as her grip tightened.

"Kathy, you're so fierce." He vanished from her hold and reappeared, sitting cross-legged on top of her desk. "If I chose to do any harm, do you honestly think you could stop me." For once, the arrogance was gone from his voice. He sounded sincere, almost pleading.

"What are you hoping to accomplish?" Janeway threw her hands up in frustration.

"Did you know Q can read minds." He paused. "Shame on you Kathy, such vile thoughts."

"If you have a point, please get to it."

"You've been alone far too long and it's time to change that. And I know who you want."

Janeway glared at him, her lips pressed tightly together.

"And I know she wants you," he concluded.

Her eyes glazed and shoulders slumped.

"It's kismet!" Q announced to the universe.

"It's impossible," she replied.

"Why?"

Janeway looked at him and wondered if she was ready to make on omnipotent being her confidant in matters of the heart. Maybe she could convince him to leave her in peace.

"I am the captain. I'm responsible to everyone on this ship and I can't allow anything, including personal feelings to get in my way."

She was ready for an argument and was taken aback when Q said, "Go on."

"Even if we weren't captain and crew, she's younger than I am, almost young enough to be my daughter."

"So, when she's 120 years old, you'll be 150."

"I'm not that much older," she protested, realizing too late that she had been bated. "It just can't happen."

"That, my dear Kathy, is what we are about to see."

She felt herself being enveloped, as if time and space were closing in around her. Her senses cleared to the sight of waves rolling over a long, white beach.

"Computer, end program." Nothing changed. So much for the hope that Q had transported her to a holodeck. She looked down at her uniform. It seemed out of place in the tropical setting, not to mention uncomfortably warm. She surveyed the horizon and spotted a figure moving slowly toward her down the beach. As it approached, details resolved – the vibrant colors of a short dress wrapped around a slender torso; the gentle curve of hips swaying as long, bare legs strode gracefully through the sand; a mane of white-blonde hair cascading down a long neck and across naked shoulders. She was enraptured by this vision, then she noticed the implant framing the eye. She shook herself and walked toward Seven.

"Seven, are you all right?"

"I am confused. I was in the ready room with you and Q, then I found myself here in this attire. I assume this has something to do with Q."

"He put us here. It has something to do with us."

"Please explain."

"Soon. Right now I'd like to find some shade and maybe something a little more comfortable to wear." She peeled off her jacket and pushed up the sleeves of her jersey.

"Very well. There is a village," Seven said, looking up the beach. "The inhabitants are unusual, but you should be able to find what you want."

"Lead the way."

At the village, they were greeted by a genderless humanoid covered in sleek, white hair.

"This way," it said, stepping back and motioning with its arm.

"Where are we going?" Janeway asked it.

"This way," it repeated, eyes warm and shiny.

"Do you understand anything I say?"

"This way."

"As I said, they are unusual," Seven remarked. They followed the creature to a dwelling designed in perfect harmony with the forest that surrounded it. Inside were lodgings - a living room, dining room and kitchen furnished with everything one could require and a bedroom with closets full of clothes.

"Dinner in one hour," the creature said.

"But..."

"Dinner in one hour." It walked out the door.

"What is this place?" Seven asked.

"I think this is Q's notion of our idea of paradise. It's very much like pleasure world of Risa or tropical regions of Earth."

"And the inhabitants?"

"Safe, friendly and non-intrusive." Janeway had begun to rifle the closets, pulling and discarding various articles. The selection of attire ranged from muumuus to revealing wrap around dresses like Seven's, with very little between the two extremes.

"You require privacy. I will wait in the other room." Seven left. Janeway almost stopped her, but decided that the conversation they faced would wait. Five minutes later, she emerged from the bedroom wearing sandals, shorts and a loose, white shirt. The room was empty. She found Seven on a balcony that overlooked the beach, gazing at the ocean.

"I've never been on a planet that resembles this, yet there is something familiar about it."

"Maybe it's part of the Collective memory."

"Perhaps. The Borg discard information and memories that are irrelevant to the goal of achieving perfection."

"A genetic memory then -- the warmth, the water -- like returning to the womb."

"Yes," Seven sighed, drinking it in through her pores, then her body tensed. "The Borg took this from me."

Janeway remained silent, hoping Seven would continue.

"My memories of being assimilated are vague. I remember fear and pain as assimilation tubules punctured my neck, then a calmness. I remained in a maturation chamber until I was ready to take my place as a productive member of the Collective. During that time, I received implants, linking me to the Collective and preparing me for my functions as a drone.

"I participated in the assimilation of hundreds of individuals. There was a moment, before the calming effect of the Collective took control of the individual mind I could feel the terror of that individual. I remember the terror, even though at the time it was inconsequential, as was all emotion. Q was right about something. In the Collective, we would have shared a mind, but nothing else. The only time I interacted directly with other drones was when they were damaged and required repair or termination. At first, being separated from the Collective was very lonely and frightening. Gradually, it became exciting, as thoughts which would have been suppressed as irrelevant were allowed to surface -- thoughts of beauty without perfection." The sun was sinking into the ocean leaving the sky awash with dazzling colors.

"Dinner is served."

They were escorted to the candlelit dining table and served a salad and main course. They ate in silence until Janeway realized that the creature was gone. "I guess we're on our own for dessert," she quipped and ordered two cappuccino coffees from the replicator. She motioned Seven to join her in the living room. Seven sat on the sofa, with Janeway in a chair perpendicular to her.

"Q is trying to play matchmaker." It sounded a little blunt to Janeway's ear when she finally said it, but it did accurately describe their situation. "He has decided that you and I belong together and I suspect that we won't be returning to Voyager until we are a couple or he's convinced that we never will be one."

"He believes that we are attracted to each other. Is this correct?"

"Essentially, and I need your help to convince him."

"Please stand."

Somewhat puzzled, Janeway stood. Seven stood next to her and took her in her arms. Janeway reflexively returned the embrace until she felt herself lured by the warmth of Seven's body and the sweet aroma of her skin. She reached up and gently removed Seven's arms from around her shoulders.

"Q is right," Seven stated. "I am attracted to you. Are you attracted to me?"

"Yes, I am attracted to you." She heard herself admitting it aloud for the first time and it made her heart pound. "But you understand why I can't allow this."

"I understand that you are reluctant but not why."

"If I am to be your captain, how can I be anything else? Could I expect you to obey my orders?"

"As the captain, I obey your orders because you believe your actions to be right. I would rather face death with the possibility that you were wrong then live with the consequences of defying you. My greatest regret since joining the crew of Voyager has been turning over the individual from species 8472 to the Hirogen in defiance of your orders. Perhaps your problem, as a captain, is not so much my perception of you as it is your perception of me."

Janeway was touched, irritated and abashed all in the same breath. She suddenly felt very weary and rubbed her hands down her face.

"You are tired," said Seven. "So am I. Perhaps we should rest." They both started for the bedroom.

"Aren't you going to regenerate?

"There are no facilities."

"You don't sleep standing up?"

"I have tried. I tend to fall over. Since Q has failed to provide facilities, I will be forced to sleep, which requires that I recline."

"I don't know if you've noticed, but there's only one bed."

"Is that a problem?"

"Considering what we've been discussing, I think it might be a little awkward."

"While you have admitted to being attracted to me, you have indicated that you do not intend to pursue it. If you are committed to that course of action, we should have no problem sharing a bed."

She couldn't deny the logic of the argument. Seven lay down without undressing. Janeway removed her sandals. It was with trepidation that she climbed into bed, her back toward Seven. Minutes turned into an hour and still sleep eluded her. The nearness to Seven made her restless. Janeway wondered if she was asleep.

"Seven, are you awake?" she whispered in her softest tone.

"Yes, Captain."

"I'm sorry. Maybe I should go in the other room."

"I would prefer to talk, if that is acceptable."

Janeway rolled over so that they were both lying on their backs.

"I am troubled by thoughts of you," Seven continued. "When B'Elanna hugged me, she suggested that it would be different to hug you."

"You hugged B'Elanna?"

"She was attempting to define attraction for me. She embraced me then told me to imagine I was embracing you. However, imagining an embrace with you and participating in one were not the same. I preferred the latter. My only understanding of physical intimacy prior to this had been based on the memories of others. I want to know intimacy with you." In a single motion, Seven rolled on her side and pressed her lips to Janeway's. Seven's mouth entreated and Janeway responded.

"I can't," Janeway breathed into Seven's open mouth.

"You can't or you won't?" Seven gently tugged the Captain's lower lip with her teeth.

"I shouldn't," she replied and surrendered to the passion, kissing her long and deep until she gasped for air. "I want to undress you, to feel you next to me."

They both knelt on the bed. Janeway removed Seven's dress, nothing more than a length of cloth wrapped around her body and tucked into itself at strategic points. It fell away to reveal an almost flawless form, smattered with implants, but like those above her eye and on her cheek, they only enhanced her exotic appeal. Janeway moved to unbutton her own shirt, but Seven restrained her hands, indicating that she wished to do it. She undid the buttons with excruciating leisure. She eased her hands inside the shirt, across Janeway's shoulders and down her arms, letting it drop. Seven gathered her in her arms, their ripening nipples brushing together as they stroked each other down the back, across the hip and along the thigh.

Janeway backed off the bed and stood. Seven followed her, walking across the bed on her knees, then undid the shorts and pushed them to the Captain's feet while caressing down her side with her cheek.

Seven pulled her off her feet. Janeway landed on her back with Seven straddling her thigh, leaving a warm, slick trail across it. Her lips and tongue teased Janeway's neck, shoulders and breasts as her hand made lazy circles down her abdomen before slipping between her legs.

Janeway's back arched and her mind whirled with delight. Seven's legs clasped her thigh as she also began to convulse. It was like a feedback loop, driving their pleasure to the brink of insanity until they collapsed, panting and sweating, and sleep overcame them.

Janeway awoke to the sensation of Seven's hair trailing over her breast. She carefully extricated herself and moved to a chair beside the bed. She watched Seven sleep as the morning sun rose to greet another tropical day. She leaned her chin on her clasped hands and breathed deeply the scent of Seven that still lingered on her fingers.

Seven's eye lids fluttered, then opened. She reached across the bed, searching, until her eyes fell upon Janeway in the chair.

"Captain."

"Q was right about another thing. You should call me Kathryn, at least when we're not on duty."

"Kathryn," she tested the sound, "I appreciate what you did last night."

"I'd say it was as much your doing, maybe more."

"Then perhaps I should apologize. I should have shown more restraint. Q afforded us the opportunity to develop a relationship and I have reduced his efforts to a one night stand."

"'One night stand?' Where did you get that from."

"B'Elanna Torres."

"You and B'Elanna talked about a lot of things. Why do you say this was a one night stand?"

"By definition, a one night stand is a single sexual encounter with no hope of continued association outside of that encounter."

"And do you believe there is no hope for a continued association between us?"

"I don't know."

"Neither do I." Janeway rose from the chair to sit beside her on the bed. "I've never known anything like what we share. I've never known another person like you, with the knowledge you've acquired and the things you've experienced. You have a unique perspective that fascinates me. Sometime, I am in awe of you. I thought for awhile that maybe it was just this place, but it was you. The question now is whether or not it can survive the reality of Voyager."

"Ding, ding, ding," Q shouted, "Time to collect your belonging and disembark. I hope you had a pleasant cruise." The ready room was just as Janeway left it, with Q sitting on her desk, except that now Seven was there. Janeway glanced at the clock. No time had elapsed.

"That's right, Kathryn. It all happened in the blink of an eye. No one knows you were gone. No one knows anything happened except the two of you."

"Your timing leaves something to be desired," Janeway snarled, nonetheless grateful that he had clothed them before retrieving them from paradise.

"I'm not a travel agent," Q blustered. "You weren't on vacation. My job was to open your eyes to the possibilities and my work is done."

"Seven," she said, "would you excuse us."

"Yes, Cap … Kathryn." She shot Q a skeptical look and left.

"Cheeky little devil, isn't she?"

"Have you gotten what you came for Q?"

"The question is, have you? There isn't much she wouldn't do for you. The lure of the Collective is very strong. It took a powerful motivation to resist it. I've given you a start, now the choice is yours. Throw it all away or embrace it. I'm sorry I had to put you through this."

"No, you're not."

"No, I'm not, but I did have the best of intentions."

"Thank you," she said, a little surprised to find that she meant it.

"My pleasure." He kissed her hand and was gone.