Kiss Me

A Challenge Piece

By Ensign Mika

 

 

"Kiss Me."

"Captain? Is that an order?"

"Just do it," Kathryn closed her eyes, waiting.

Chakotay wasn’t about to miss his opportunity. He leaned toward the auburn haired beauty, lifting her chin softly, and pressing warm lips against hers.

And she felt nothing. She had so wanted to feel something, anything that would make her forget about the one she wanted to be kissing. She stepped back, breaking the embrace, her eyes apologetic.

"Kathryn," he searched her eyes for any hint of desire, finding only flint gray ambivalence.

"I—I’m sorry," she murmured, touching her lips with a finger. "I had to find out."

"And?" he tried not to sound too hopeful.

"I’m sorry, Commander."

He dug the toe of his shoe into the carpet, not meeting her pitying gaze. "It’s okay. I guess I wasn’t really expecting anything. I think we both know you love someone else."

Janeway blushed, feeling exposed, but not denying it, finally. "Yes, I think you’re right. As a matter of fact, I think I need to pay a visit to Cargo Bay 2," she let a slow smile spread across her face, imagining how she would seize the moment, sweep Seven off her feet, and finally, declare her love.

Chakotay smiled, though his expression was anything but happy. "Good luck, Captain," he said sincerely.

Kathryn practically skipped down the corridor, heading for a certain Borg alcove. She found Seven of Nine, placidly affixed to the regeneration alcove, a faint smile playing at the corners of her full lips as she lingered on the edge of dreaming and consciousness. Kathryn keyed in several commands to the regeneration routine, setting it to end in fifteen seconds. She stepped onto the dais, crept over to Seven, and stood in the alcove, facing her, mere millimeters from those lips.

"Regeneration cycle complete," the computer reported.

Seven breathed deeply, eyes fluttering open.

"Kiss me," Kathryn whispered.