Rating: NC-17 - for sexual context between consenting adult women.
            UBER J/7

Thanks to my good friends Glynis and Snowolf for helping me out betareading, and to Jay for helping me plot. I always appreciate your efforts and encouragement.

Back to "The Seven Women of Raven's Island" - part 5

The Seven Women of Raven’s Island

© GB

The phone rang, startling the three women sitting in the luxurious office on the seventy-ninth floor. Janeway rose on slightly unsteady legs and walked from the black leather couch over to her desk.

Picking up her cell phone she answered, her voice displaying a faint slur.

“Janeway.”

“Darling, I’m watching CNN and I can’t believe my eyes.” Janeway groaned out loud at the sound of her mother’s voice. “Is Seven all right? And are you?” Gretchen Janeway sounded worried.

“Yes, yes, she’s okay,” the CEO reassured her mother, trying to arrange the syllables in the right order. “She’s on her way back from the police station.”

“What on earth happened? The media seem to contradict themselves. Did she and Julia really catch one of her kidnappers?”

“Apparently so. According to Seven, this was Cynthia, the woman who guarded her.”

There was a brief silence.

“Kathryn? Are you all right? Your voice sounds a bit odd.”

Janeway frowned and made her way back to the couch.

“Honestly, mom, I have had a couple of drinks. Let’s just say, it’s been a rough day.”

“You’re drinking in the office? Alone?” Gretchen now sounded decidedly worried.

“No, no. Well, I am in my office but it is after office hours now and I’m not alone. Martha and Marion are here, waiting with me for Seven and Julia to come home. Besides, I’ve only had … hm … three.”

“I’m glad you have company there. It must have been quite a shock for you. How did you find out?”

“Just like you, mom, by watching CNN. Nothing like watching your fiancée play Riggs and Murtaugh on TV.”

Gretchen snorted. “It was quite the surprise,” she agreed. “Have Seven give me a call when she has the time, will you? I want to hear first hand that she and Julia are all right.”

“I will. Bye, mom.”

Janeway closed the cell phone and put it down on the coffee table. She gave the bottle of Vodka a glance but knew she had had enough. She had not eaten through the day and the three drinks had hit her harder than she realised.

“I take it Gretchen has followed the latest breaking news?” Marion raised her eyebrows towards the CEO. “Knowing her, I bet she was impressed by it all.”

“Very,” Janeway answered dryly.

Marion snorted. “I’m still having problems fathoming it all.”

Janeway sat down on the couch next to the sales manager. “So do I. Can you imagine what the next few days will be like? The media interest had finally begun to decrease and now …”

“Kathryn, since the trial is about to begin, the media circus would have started all over again, anyway,” Martha reminded her. “Granted, this will be the talk of the town, but look at it this way; Seven and Julia will be heroes for what they did. It’s not like it’s bad news.”

The CEO considered this. She could picture Seven going after the woman who had held her captive for several days, leaping towards her, endangering herself in her desire to capture the other woman. Janeway shuddered.

“No, I guess not,” she allowed reluctantly. “I just wish they would get here. I need to talk to her …”

“And make sure they’re okay,” Marion filled in. “I know, I feel the same way. I mean, they looked well enough on TV, but …”

Janeway nodded. “Exactly.”

The three women stayed in Janeway’s office and talked as CNN kept coming back to the surprising events that had taken place at the Yellow Rose Mall earlier in the day. There was little more information, but at one point a police spokesperson confirmed that the apprehended woman had been formally arrested by the police.

“Thank God,” Janeway murmured. “That means it’s really her.”

“Of course it is,” a sonorous alto voice said from the doorway. “I told you I recognised her.”

The CEO quickly looked up and saw Seven standing there, flanked by Julia and Adriana. Getting to her feet, still feeling a bit unsteady, Janeway began to walk towards her fiancée. She stopped in her tracks when Seven approached her, the blonde moving slowly, not putting much weight on her injured foot.

“You hurt your foot again!” Janeway exclaimed. “Oh, god, Seven, you need to see a doctor.”

The younger woman ignored the CEO’s worried look and wrapped her up in a tight embrace.

“I am just a little sore, Kathryn. I have an appointment with my physical therapist tomorrow. That will be sufficient.”

“But you’re limping!”

“I am fine. I just overdid things a little.”

“A little! You were chasing a criminal all over the place and …”

“And we caught her. It was well worth it, Kathryn, trust me.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Janeway saw Julia and Marion embrace and then quietly leave the office together with Adriana and Martha. Grateful for some privacy, the auburn haired woman led Seven towards the couch.

“Nothing is worth you hurting yourself,” Janeway insisted. “Nothing.”

Giving her partner a soft smile, Seven shook her head.

“Listen to me, Kathryn. My foot may be aching, but another part of me is finally beginning to feel … whole.” She slid tender fingertips down Janeway’s cheek. “You know I have had nightmares and that I have been feeling unsettled and lost. Discovering Cynthia frightened me at first but during the chase, I felt invigorated and all I could think of was that I could not let her get away.”

Janeway wanted to object, to admonish her lover for endangering herself, but the spark in Seven’s eyes that had not been there for months was back and she bit her tongue.

“She could have been armed,” the CEO whispered. “She’s a dangerous woman.”

The blonde nodded, looking serious.

“I know that, probably better than anyone,” she conceded. “But Kathryn, Cynthia went through a metal detector when she entered Toulaine’s and I assumed that it would have picked up on any guns or knives she might have carried.”

Janeway realised that Seven had not acted as recklessly as she had assumed. Pulling back to look into the blue eyes of her fiancée, she tried to get her feelings under control.

“All right,” she managed, “if you insist that you are not injured and that you did not take any foolhardy risks, then I guess I have to take your word for it.” The CEO realised that she sounded much harsher than she had intended; the Vodka burned in her stomach and she felt decidedly dizzy.

The blonde reached out and cupped her cheek, her expression softening. “Kathryn,” she whispered, “I know you must have worried when you saw me on TV, not knowing what was going on. I wish it had not happened that way. I also wish I could somehow ask your forgiveness for putting you through this … but the truth is I do not feel I have anything to apologise for.” The younger woman’s voice was filled with compassion, but also an energy that Janeway had not heard in a long time. “I think I took something back today, Kathryn.”

Janeway could see it. There was an aura of confidence around Seven that she had not even been aware was missing before. She had not seen the other woman square her shoulders or raise her chin in this manner since before the kidnapping. How could she have missed that?

“God, Seven,” she murmured. “I think you did.”

Wrapping her arms tightly around Seven’s waist, Janeway hugged her. The blonde immediately reciprocated the embrace, rocking the CEO.

After a few moments, Janeway swallowed hard. “Eh, Seven? Perhaps you better not rock me, I feel … a little queasy.”

“Kathryn?”

“I had a few drinks on an empty stomach.”

There was a brief pause as Seven considered this.

“I think the others are still waiting for us in Martha’s office,” the blonde suggested. “Why don’t we go upstairs and have something to eat? You can tell us all about the board meeting.”

Janeway raised her head from Seven’s shoulder.

“They want me to stay on.”

Seven dipped her head and kissed her soundly and then visually reminded Janeway that it had been several weeks since the CEO had seen her broad, brilliant smile.

*****

Adriana assembled her documents, preparing to leave the penthouse, when the elevator doors opened and Phoebe stepped inside. The artist looked exhausted and stopped in her tracks at the sight of the five women in the living room.

“What’s wrong? I didn’t know you had a meeting today as well,” she blurted out, feeling herself go pale.

“Nothing’s wrong,” her older sister said. “You look like hell, though. How was your day?”

“I was interrupted because of security issues,” Phoebe huffed. “Twice the entire building had to be evacuated and it took the police forever to rule out foul play. That’s why I’m home already. They are still at it.”

Adriana frowned and walked up to the taller woman.

“Are you all right? Is your hand bothering you?”

“A little.”

“Want me to take a look at it?” The ADA seemed surprised at her own suggestion.

“You don’t have to … I can just …”

“Come on, you know I’m good at this.” Adriana gave a quick smile. “Where is your room?”

Glancing at Janeway, Phoebe knew her cheeks were turning an annoying pink. Her sister only nodded absentmindedly, so the artist pointed towards a closed door to the far left of the living room. “Over there.”

The two women went into the spacious room that was cluttered with Phoebe’s belongings.

“Sorry ‘bout the mess,” Phoebe murmured. “I was in a hurry this morning.”

“Never mind that.” Adriana opened the door to the bathroom and walked inside. Phoebe followed suit and the ADA reached for her hand. “Here, let’s get this off.”

She quickly unwound the bandage and then carefully removed the sterile compress. Scrutinising the wound, she glanced up at the artist.

“How much pain are you really in?”

“Not too bad.”

“Phoebe?”

“All right, all right. It kind of stings after a while when I work. I try not to use it too much, but I have to hold on to the ladder when I climb it with brushes and paint in my other hand.”

“I don’t think it’s infected, but it’s definitely inflamed. You’ve been overdoing it.”

Phoebe sighed and rubbed her forehead with her right hand. “I know. I’m on a tight schedule with these murals and I’m behind as it is. Today’s interruptions didn’t help.”

“I haven’t been to the Justice building today. I’ve spent my day at the police station, which turned out well, since I could help Seven and Julia when they were brought in.”

“What? What happened?” Phoebe’s eyebrows shot up and she stepped closer to Adriana.

“They are all right, Phoebe, don’t worry. It’s pretty amazing though. The two of them were shopping and Seven spotted Cynthia, the woman Reymers-Avery had assigned to guard her during the kidnapping. The woman tried to escape, but Seven and Julia didn’t think twice – they chased after her and apprehended her. You’ll see for yourself sometime during the evening, I’m sure.”

Phoebe just stared at the other woman. “What do you mean, ‘see for myself’?”

“It’s CNN’s breaking news story for today. It’s all on tape. You’ll be just as … ahem, impressed, as your sister and Marion were.”

Phoebe could picture her older sister’s reaction at seeing her gorgeous blonde chasing someone on national TV. “And you’re sure Seven and Julia are okay? They weren’t hurt at all?”

“Seven’s foot took some beating, but she swears she’s fine. I know Kathryn will make sure.” The ADA leaned over Phoebe’s injured hand. “Speaking of injuries. Why don’t we rinse this off, just to be on the safe side, and then put a fresh bandage on? Here, let me help you.”

Not waiting for the artist to respond, Adriana swiftly cleaned the deep cut and bandaged it after carefully drying it off. Her hands were soft against the tender skin and Phoebe found herself relaxing, sitting down on the bathtub rim.

“Did you escort them back here?”

“Yes, I had to bring them out the back door since the media posse were all over the place at the front of the police station. Some were clever enough to stake out the back door, but we managed to avoid them. I figured that they had had enough media exposure for one day.”

“Smart thinking. I’m sure Kathryn is very grateful. I can only imagine how her mind is going into damage control mode right now.”

“Actually, she seemed more concerned regarding Seven’s safety and was appalled at the thought that she might have re-injured her foot. Although, I know for a fact that she was flabbergasted when she and the others turned on CNN.”

“How so?”

“She had three large drinks on an empty stomach.”

“Oh, god! Kathryn?”

“Yes.” Adriana smiled broadly. “Don’t worry, we fed her. Seven made omelettes and we all helped out making a salad to go with it. You can have some if you like, I know there were leftovers.”

Phoebe was not hungry. She was still worked up about not getting back on schedule with her work and now this with Seven and Julia. The whole situation was getting to her and even if she had normally possessed a good natured disposition, today she was on edge.

“Maybe later,” she murmured, trying not to seem ungrateful.

Adriana pulled the artist to her feet by tugging at her right hand.

“Phoebe, are you really okay? I can’t help but feel that you’re out of sorts. What’s wrong? Is it because of me?”

Phoebe flinched and looked at Adriana. The black haired woman obviously tried to keep her demeanour neutral but the artist could clearly see stormy emotions being reflected in her eyes.

“I would be lying if I said that nothing of what I’m feeling is because of you.” Phoebe’s voice was little more than a whisper. “I’m just not sure how I feel. I’m under quite a lot of stress to do these murals; a big portion of my income this year will come from this commission. I also want to do a good job of it since these motifs will be there for posterity for a long time. My reputation as an artist is at stake. I have a newly opened gallery back in Indiana which is having its first big show soon and I’ll have several paintings on display there. I have to go back in a couple of weeks to sort some practical things out and if I’m not on schedule then with the murals here … And then there is you …”

To her dismay, Phoebe could see Adriana recoil and realised that she had made it sound as if the other woman was just another burden. Eager to rectify the misunderstanding, Phoebe stepped closer to the DA, reaching out to hold her by the shoulders.

“No, not like that,” the artist moaned, wanting to kick herself. “That didn’t come out right. What I meant was that I would like time to just work out in my head how I really feel. I’d love to just spend time with you and not be interrupted by work, yours or mine. Now I’m just confused and when I’m confused, my gut reaction is to just act on impulse … instinct … And that could get us in trouble.”

Adriana stood frozen between Phoebe’s hands. Dressed in a black trouser suit over a crisp, white shirt, the other woman looked elegant and professional. Phoebe felt the stark contrast to her own faded jeans and sleeveless denim shirt only enhanced her own trepidation.

“What do you mean?” Adriana asked in a low voice.

“I can’t reason when I’m around you. It’s like there’s no room in my head for the pros and cons. You said yourself last night that you thought there was a conflict of interest and I think you meant that the conflict would be more about what to focus on, than on which side we’re on – since we’re on the same side in this case. How can I be around you, feeling like I do, when I never have any time or energy to reason the way you want me to? You want me to take a step back and just be friends until this whole thing is over – and I would love to comply since I value … us. But I’m tired, I’m behind and I’m stressing out. Ask anyone, especially Kathryn, what I’m like when that happens. She’ll confirm that I’m not trustworthy.”

Adriana’s raised her eyebrows but did not withdraw; instead she moved a bit closer to Phoebe.

“Not trustworthy?” she echoed.

Phoebe’s heart hammered in her chest, as if trying to escape her ribcage. Adriana was looking at her with a small furrow on her forehead, squinting a little as she tried to gauge what the artist was saying.

“What is the last thing we should be doing right now?” Phoebe asked, her voice harsh.

“You tell me.”

“This.”

Phoebe leaned in closer, barely brushing her lips over the DA’s mouth, half open in surprise. Wanting to kiss the other woman more than she had wanted anything, the artist fought not to overstep that boundary. She was close enough to inhale Adriana’s soft breath and she could feel Adriana begin to tremble under her hands.

“There, you see …” Phoebe murmured against the incredible softness of Adriana’s mouth. “This is the last thing we should be doing. I told you, I can’t think clearly …”

Slender hands were at the back of Phoebe’s neck, tracing her long braid down her back as Adriana pulled her closer. The artist closed her eyes as the two women embraced, both of them still careful to not actually kiss.

“Adriana …”

“Shhh …”

To Phoebe’s surprise, Adriana’s hands were now on her waist, pulling the loose shirt up. The heat emanating from the ten digits making contact with her naked skin underneath made the artist hold her breath.

“What are you feeling?” The DA’s voice was almost inaudible.

“Oh, god, you have to know that you’re driving me crazy,” Phoebe breathed. “Don’t you realise that this is exactly what I mean?”

“Yes, I do. I just wanted you to know that you’re not the only one who’s confused, stressed out and battling emotions you’re not ready for. I’m right here, with you, in more ways than one.” Adriana rose to her toes and placed a series of small kisses on Phoebe’s temple and up along her forehead. “Please, don’t panic. Give us time. If we should fall into each other’s arms, it’s not the end of the world, even if we think it’s a bit premature.”

The ADA let her hand slide up along Phoebe’s back, capturing the end of her long, auburn braid. Pulling it up to her lips she nuzzled it for a moment before letting it fall back into place.

“But I don’t want to jeopardise our friendship, or cause you to regret anything. And honestly, Adriana, I don’t know how to interpret my own feelings. You’re the only woman I’ve been attracted to, ever. How could I possibly claim to be your friend, and be careless with your feelings, and my own, at the same time?”

The DA’s lips parted in a tender smile.

“You just answered your own question,” she pointed out. “If you’re that aware of what’s at stake, and that in touch with your feelings … I have no worries. No, wrong. I do worry about the fact that you might reach the conclusion that this is a phase, or a fling, or possibly even a mistake on your part. But I also find you very honest so I know you won’t lie to me, or string me along. Let’s just try to not be alone together too much; I think we can make this work.”

Phoebe was amazed at how quickly Adriana understood. She guessed that it was the other woman’s ability to cut to the important things delivered in statements and testimonies that allowed her to make rapid deductions.

Still, the emotions reflected in the incredibly dark eyes looking at her, were not calculating at all. Adriana seemed to see right through her, pierce right through to the core of her being and just linger there, waiting to see what would happen.

“I want our friendship to work and I don’t want to be selfish,” Phoebe breathed. “I also think you’re right. Not being alone too much is probably very smart.”

Adriana gave Phoebe a quick hug. “Then, let’s join the others. I’m on my way home so you can walk me to the elevator.”

“I guess I shouldn’t drive you home today?”

The ADA rolled her eyes. “You catch on quick, Phoebe.”

*****

Marion and Julia entered their apartment, putting down bags and briefcases on the hallway floor. Marion glanced at her partner, not quite over the fact that the slender, seemingly delicate woman had displayed the tenacity of a tigress earlier today when she and Seven went after Cynthia.

Julia had always carried herself with a special grace. Not ever had the other woman given the impression that she was weak, but her slender frame did not suggest that she was physically strong either. Marion guessed that she was one of the few people in Julia’s life who realised the other woman inner and now also outer, strength.

The phone rang and the two women looked at each other, reminded of a previous phone call a few months ago, also when they just stepped inside the apartment.

“Dejá vue,” Julia said, making a face as she picked up the receiver.

Marion watched the look on Julia’s face alter as the person at the end of the line began to talk. Even at a distance, the sales manager could make out Deborah Williams agitated voice. Julia’s mother had never accepted the fact that her daughter was a lesbian or her relationship with Marion. After the woman had called her several times at her office at Stellar, Marion had finally told Mrs Williams to not disturb her again.

No doubt, Julia’s mother had been watching CNN today.

Julia waved her over, pointing towards the receiver, wanting her partner to listen in. Marion resisted the urge to roll her eyes and pressed her ear next to Julia’s.

“… spectacle of yourself and not for the first time. This however, takes the cake. You obviously paid no attention to what this would do to your father and me here at home. His business associates watch the news too, you know. Your sisters and their husbands belong to prominent families and now they have to listen to ridiculous comments regarding this latest endeavour of yours.”

“Mother, I’m not going to defend myself to you. I did what I had to do, to help Seven.”

“Granted your friend’s ordeal was unfortunate, but that only emphasises my point. Had she not gotten involved with this Janeway woman, whom I quickly pegged as an immoral megalomaniac, she would not have been subjected to …”

“Stop it, Mother. I’m not going to listen to this any longer. You have no idea what Seven went through or why. You have no compassion or understanding for anyone but yourself. I have not once heard you express any sympathy for what we all went through during the kidnapping and that just proves my point. We don’t have anything to say to each other. Unless you are ready to start seeing this from my perspective and respect how I choose to live my life, do not call me again.”

Not waiting to listen to Mrs Williams' response, Julia slowly hung up the phone. She turned to her partner with tears streaming down her cheeks.

“I can’t talk to her anymore. I just can’t.”

“Come here,” Marion murmured. “Let me hold you. You’ve had quite a day, honey.”

She helped Julia out of her coat and then hugged her close. Guiding her partner to the couch, she sat down and pulled Julia down to her, half lying across her lap. The interior designer buried her face against the base of Marion’s neck.

“Now, tell me what you were thinking while you chased that Cynthia person.”

Julia gave a short laugh in the midst of her tears. “Oh, I don’t think I’ll ever forget that. There we were in the middle of the fanciest of jewellery stores; Seven with a 3,500 dollar watch strapped to her wrist, and she yells, ‘It’s Cynthia!’ and the chase is on.”

“Why was Seven trying on a … Oh. Kathryn’s birthday.”

“Exactly, and you can’t say anything. Kathryn can’t know. Seven bought the watch eventually.”

“How’s that possible? They took you straight to the police station.”

Julia sat up a little and wiped away her tears. “Oh, you should have seen her. Our Seven is something else. We were standing in that crowd, policemen all around, Cynthia is howling on the floor and Seven is being accused of shoplifting by the shop attendant – and what does she do? She manages to hand over the watch and her credit card, and tell the woman that she’ll stop by later to finalise the purchase.”

Marion laughed out loud, throwing her head back. “Only our Seven,” she managed.

“I still don’t quite know how we managed to capture this woman.” Julia shifted, settling against her partner’s shoulder again. “I mean, if Seven had not leaped at her, she would have gotten away.”

“And I saw you do a leap of your own,” Marion pointed out. “Had I not known the kind and gentle side of you, I would have been scared. You looked positively ferocious.”

“I did?” Julia blinked.

“You did. And terribly sexy, if I may be so bold.”

“Really?” Julia raised a hand and undid the top button in Marion’s shirt. “Sexy, huh?”

“Yes. What are you up to?”

Julia smiled innocently. “Well, you know what they say; when you’ve gone through something like this, your libido surges to unknown heights.”

“Good lord, woman …”

Julia’s hand had sneaked inside Marion’s shirt and was now cupping her left breast outside of her bra. The sales manager felt a pang of desire erupt in her midsection. She was wearing a tight, short skirt and her stay-ups made a rasping sound when she restlessly moved her legs.

“Well, you did say you found me sexy when I was Wonder Woman,” Julia purred. “Here, let me show you.”

She undid the rest of the buttons and opened the soft, silk blouse, revealing the white lace bra underneath. Julia’s gaze on her body was like a physical caress. Like tender fingers, the other woman’s dark eyes touched her, over and over and Marion in turn could not take her eyes of the slender woman on her lap. Julia’s narrow features made her think of an elf. The interior designer’s nose was narrow and short, pointing slightly upwards and her eyes were large and wide apart. The triangular shape of her face, with a pointy little chin gave her face character. The soft, pink lips were luscious and the sales manager knew only too well how it felt to kiss them, to have them wander over her body. Countless times Julia had kissed her all over, let her mouth, greedy for the taste of her lover, travel from her forehead down to her feet. The thought of how that made her feel, caused her breath to quicken.

Julia unhooked the clasp of Marion’s bra. Pushing it aside, the interior designer examined the soft orbs, rolling the pebbling nipples between her fingers. Marion moaned and arched her back, feeling her desire escalate.

Julia tugged at her nipples, only letting go of them just before the point of pain. Marion closed her eyes and let herself go.

“No, look at me, Marion,” she heard Julia murmur.

Opening her eyes she looked at her partner. Julia shifted again, this time straddling Marion’s legs. She cupped the older woman’s cheeks and kissed her softly.

“How about we withdraw to the bedroom?”

Marion swallowed hard, not sure her legs would carry her that far. “I’d love to.”

Julia rose and helped Marion to her feet. They walked into the bedroom hand in hand, reluctant to let go of each other.

“Let me undress you,” Julia whispered. “I want to look at you, taste you … all over.”

Skilled hands began pushing the shirt of Marion’s shoulders, only to turn their attention towards the bra, sending it towards the floor as well. Naked to the waist, the sales manager willed herself to remain still, allowing Julia to focus on the next piece of clothing.

When the younger woman had unfastened the button and unzipped Marion’s skirt, she pushed it down over the other woman’s curvaceous hips. “I think I’ll let you keep the stay-ups,” Julia husked. “Do you have any idea how the sight of you dressed like this excites me?” Julia nudged her partner towards the bed, not giving her opportunity to answer. “Lie down … let me make love to you.”

Trembling inside, Marion complied. She lay down in the middle of the bed, her eyes widening as Julia gathered some pillows and used them to arrange her body the way she wanted it.

The interior designer placed one of the pillows underneath the hollow of Marion’s left knee, and then repeated the procedure with the other, while nudging the other woman’s legs apart. “I want you to be comfortable. Raise your hips.” Julia pushed another pillow under the Marion’s bottom, making her feel utterly exposed and vulnerable.

Still fully clothed in her black jeans and white tee shirt, Julia knelt between the parted legs of her lover, her hands hot against the soft skin.

“I love watching you like this,” Julia murmured, her eyes roaming the luscious body beneath her. “I love when you’re lying like this, when you can endure being vulnerable and open to me. It makes me want you so much, to please you, to take you.”

Marion gasped out loud, finding Julia’s soft voice so incredibly tantalising when uttering the erotic words. She looked up at her lover, needing her touch so much, she ached inside.

“Hold your breasts up for me.”

The sales director gave a muted whimper but knew she would do as Julia asked her. She cupped her own breasts with trembling hands, presenting the mounds to her lover like a sacrifice. Julia leaned down and licked first one, and then the other. She opened her mouth and let her teeth graze the soft skin around the nipples, nibbling it only to sooth it a moment later with the tip of her tongue.

Marion could hardly believe how the touch affected her. Fighting to keep her breath even, not knowing why it seemed important to not let on just how aroused she was, she moved her hands, lacing her fingers in Julia’s short curls.

The younger woman allowed the tip of her tongue to slide against Marion’s collarbone, up the curve of her neck. Reaching the half open mouth of her partner, Julia pressed her lips on Marion’s, deepening the kiss instantly, making the other woman moan out loud.

These were the kind of kisses Marion adored, when Julia, overcome by love, lust and determination, would devour her, claim her … and allowed for Marion to claim her right back.

The sales manager wrapped her legs around her partner, eager to cradle her, hold her close and for the other woman to take charge and bring them both to that magical moment when their bodies came together and their souls soured.

“I love you, Julia …”

Pressing her hand down between them, not waiting for permission or encouragement, Julia cupped the hot sex of her lover.

“I love you …”

“You.”

“Only you.”

*****

It was past 2AM and Janeway moved restlessly next to the blonde, her stomach upset still, she guessed probably because of the Vodka, but also because of the emotional turmoil during the day.

Janeway rose onto her elbow and looked down at the peaceful blonde. Seven was fast asleep next to her with a faint smile on her full lips. The CEO carefully removed a long tress of hair from the alabaster face, not wanting to wake her fiancée up.

“You were so brave today, and so daring,” Janeway mouthed soundlessly to the younger woman. “I can’t believe you put me through that. Do you realise how shocked I was? Stunned, even?”

Janeway knew that her reaction earlier in the day might have seemed oversensitive to the other woman. The truth was that her world had spun out of control lately and she felt skinless. Seven’s kidnapping, the actions taken by Avery … Reymers … The CEO grimly decided to simply regard the despicable man that was in custody as ‘the bastard’ from now on. There were also other possibilities, such as ‘the lowlife’, ‘the assho …’ … She interrupted her destructive trail of thought when her stomach made a new somersault, making her clutch the sheets and swallow hard.

The bile suddenly rose in her throat and she knew the inevitable was happening. Hurrying out of bed, she padded quickly into the bathroom, trying to close the door behind her before throwing herself to the floor next to the toilet. She pushed the lid and the seat up, before the horrible retching began.

Her intestines felt like they were going to leave her and she was shivering all over. Then there was a cool hand on her forehead, supporting her as a familiar voice soothed her.

“It is all right, Kathryn, I have you.”

After another humiliating minute, Janeway found herself sitting on the toilet lid, having Seven wiping her face with a damp washcloth.

“Rinse your mouth with warm water and brush your teeth,” the blonde instructed. “I will return with something to soothe your stomach.”

Janeway rose and stood on wobbly legs and did as Seven had suggested. It felt wonderful to rinse her mouth out and then brush her teeth; the clean taste of toothpaste was a relief.

The CEO walked back into the bedroom and sat down on the bed. All of a sudden she was tired beyond exhaustion. She stifled a yawn as Seven came back with a glass in her hand.

“Here, drink this, but use the spoon. Three spoons at a time and very slowly.”

The blonde handed Janeway the glass and a teaspoon.

The auburn haired woman peeked into the glass. “What is it?”

“It is sugar-salt solution mixed with some apple juice. It will calm your stomach down, Kathryn, I promise.”

Janeway cautiously dipped the teaspoon into the glass and drank small sips. To her surprise, her stomach seemed to tolerate it and after another five minutes she had some more. After repeating the procedure two more times, she was almost falling asleep where she sat on the side of the bed.

Seven had straightened the sheets behind the CEO and now took the glass away from her. “Lie down, Kathryn,” she said in a tender tone of voice. “I will hold you.”

Nodding gratefully, Janeway laid down with a sigh of relief. The pillow was cool against her cheek and she felt Seven spoon close behind her, the blonde’s hand on the older woman’s hip.

“There, Kathryn, I think you will be able to sleep now.”

The CEO yawned again. “I think so to. Thank you, darling.”

“You needed me.”

The words resonated within Janeway, made perfect as she snuggled closer to Seven.

“Yes, I did.” She paused for a moment. “I do.”

*****

Continued in "The Seven Women of Raven's Island" - part 7