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By Gun Brooke Seven looked back and forth between Janeway and Barra, trying to fathom what they might need a person of Barra’s profession. Had the Lady Graynce detected, or guessed, Seven’s inexperience in this activity? Or had Janeway told anyone without telling Seven so? Feeling betrayed, even before corroborating her theories, Seven glared at Janeway. “No, no. I’m not anything of the sort. Not if you by ‘sex expert’ are referring to someone who is out to correct something’s that wrong, or meddle in how you and hour partner makes love.” This confused Seven even more. “So you are not going to address my weaknesses when it comes to copulation?” she asked. To her left, Janeway coughed. Again. Barra placed a gentle hand on Seven’s. “No, Seven. I have no preconceived ideas on anyone’s sexual desires, preferences, or ‘abilities’—which is a horrible word when it comes to the act of physical love and consummation.” Barra held on to Seven’s hand and joined it with Janeway’s. “You two are in each other’s lives because you choose to. The two of your radiate a strong aura of sexual energy. You really have to be both deaf and blind, not to mention dense, not to take notice.” Janeway coughed again, and this time she reached for a glass of water sitting on a low table next to the sea of pillows. “’Scuse me,” she said huskily and sipped it. Barra continued, “I am at your disposal when it comes to tapping into this energy between you, around you, and help you examine it, draw strength from it, and use it. It’s not about learning acrobatics in bed, to heighten the sexual satisfaction, but instead, to learn how to reach the enormous capacity for intimacy that you and Kathryn have. You are compatible in every aspect of a loving relationship.” “We are?” Seven had almost lost the use of her vocal cords. She dared hardly look at Janeway, but clung to her hand and felt a reassuring squeeze as a result of it. “I am not always sure,” Seven added. “I often feel that Kathryn do not see me…the way I need to be seen.” Another squeeze of her hand made Seven look at Janeway, fully expecting a chastising look, or at least a rolling of those blue-gray eyes. Instead she saw a wide-eyed confusion, a silent question, as if Janeway did not understand, or at least had not understood until now. “Kathryn? What do you think of Seven’s conclusion?” Barra asked. “I…” Janeway regarded their joined hands for a moment, as if searching for words. “I never knew she needed to be regarded any other way. I had hoped. Hoped she would. But thought it unwise. You know—wishful thinking.” She smirked and shrugged. “I’m older, much older, and her commanding officer. It doesn’t matter that she’s not part of Starfleet. I’m still the captain.” “You’re still a woman. Let that woman speak now. Give her thoughts and feelings voice,” Barra said. “It’s not easy. In fact, it’s damn near impossible to even remember that I’m a woman. I’m the captain. An entity larger than myself, since I have to be. I have to be all those things a captain is, to the crew, to Voyager, the ship, or I risk everyone’s life.” “But that’s not the issue here. Voyager is safely in our orbit, guarded by the Vegasol space security grid. Now it’s time to let Kathryn speak. I think Janeway has her say all the time, otherwise.” Barra patted their joined hands. “Hold on to Seven’s hand. Don’t let go as you tell her what Kathryn thinks of what she just said.” There was a moment’s silence, and Seven wondered if Janeway would give it a chance or withdraw behind her command persona.
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